Adri Jovin

Nine Phrases You Should Never Put on Your Resume

noreply@blogger.com (Adri Jovin) — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 04:49:00 +0000

Since most recruiters and hiring managers receive far more resumes than they have time to review carefully, they’re forced to find shortcuts that will allow them to quickly sort resumes into "yes," "maybe" and "no" piles.

There are lots of ways to get into the "yes" pile -- customizing your resume, using strong verbs, giving concrete examples of past accomplishments and showing your value, for example.

But there are also many ways to get your resume immediately consigned to the "no" pile. One way is to use the wrong words or phrases -- often, empty clichés, annoying jargon or recycled buzzwords. In a recent article, “10 Words and Terms That Ruin a Resume,” we highlighted some of the worst offenders. That article really got people talking, so we asked some recruiting experts to share more of these detestable resume terms:

1. “Job Duties”

Heather Huhman, career expert and founder of content marketing and digital PR consultancy Come Recommended, says the term “job duties” is not convincing on a resume.

“List job duties under each position at your own risk,” she says. “Instead, focus on your accomplishments. Ideally, you should be able to use the S-A-R method: Situation, Action, Results. Include up to three bullets per position, and as [few] as one.”

Keep in mind that your job duties are something that happened to you, not something you achieved -- and your resume should tell a story of achievement.

2. "Related Coursework"

"Unless you're applying for your very first internship, remove your related coursework," Huhman says. All your relevant education definitely belongs on your resume, but a separate section for "related coursework" isn't necessary. Your resume needs a laser-sharp focus. If you're struggling to show how a class is relevant to the job you're applying for, consider removing it.

3. “Proven Ability”

HR manager Jen Strobel views this phrase as just resume filler. “The ability was proven by whom? How is the ability proven? How does this ability compare to those which are not proven?” she asks.

So use your resume to prove your ability by giving specific examples of your career achievements.

4. "Married with Children"

Delmar Johnson, an HR professional with 20 years of experience and founder of HR services firm HR Brain for Hire, says personal information doesn’t belong on a resume. "That's great you have a family and you're proud [of it]," she says. "[But] your goal is to reflect a level of professionalism that demonstrates your knowledge, your skills and abilities that are applicable to the job to which you are applying."

5. "Transferable Skills"

When executive recruiter and career counselor Bruce Hurwitz sees these words, he takes them to mean “I'm not qualified, but do me a favor.” He says the terms “skills” or “skill set” are fine to use, but the word "transferable" has negative connotations.

And this is a great example of why it’s important to show, not tell. Don’t tell a recruiter that you have transferable skills. Show how the skills you have are relevant to the job.

6. “Results-oriented”

Cousin to the term “hard worker,” this is something anyone can say about himself. And as Stacey Hawley, career specialist and founder of career consultancy Credo, points out, that you’ll work toward results “is assumed.” There’s no need to use your resume to tell people things they already know.

7. “Utilized My Skills”
“Who else's skills would we be using?” Hawley asks.

Stuffy, overly formal language on resumes is out. It’s wiser nowadays to use direct language. Beware of boilerplate phrases that have lost their meaning and that can be replaced with expressive words that say something specific about you.

8. “Had _____”

Career and etiquette expert Sandra Lamb is a proponent of using strong language on resumes. “’Had’ is an anemic and colorless verb that gives the reader the impression you’re submitting a job description,” says Lamb, author of How to Write It. “Don't use this to start a bulleted item on your resume; you’ll be better-served by a strong, active verb.”

For example, you might say “Managed three people” instead of “Had three direct reports.”

9. Wacky Email Addresses (and Twitter Handles!)

Recruiting and career expert Abby Kohut of AbsolutelyAbby.com says that inappropriate email addresses like “clubhopper@example.com” or “hotchick@example.com” can send a resume to the bottom of the pile, if not the trash. “It’s not so much the email address as it is [the job seeker’s] judgment that I’m concerned about,” she says.

And the same goes for Twitter: More and more recruiters are researching candidates on social sites, so make sure you have a professional-sounding Twitter handle as well.

THINGS TO KEEP & NOT TO KEEP

noreply@blogger.com (Adri Jovin) — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 04:45:00 +0000

Things you must keep
You are what you eat -and what you don't eat. Similarly, life depends on what you keep and what you don't keep. There are many things in life that people may keep, but only a few are truly worth keeping. Here is a list of what to keep (and how) for a brighter, happier and more fulfilling life.

1) Keep calm. Life can be unnerving and if you don't make an effort to keep collected and focused, you could easily lose your cool. Take regular, conscious deep breaths to calm and center yourself.

2) Keep your chin up. Not only is it good for your posture and diminishes your double chin, it also helps you maintain an "I can handle it" attitude. By keeping your chin up, you can keep your head above water.

3) Keep your spirits high. Always maintain a positive and joyful attitude. Remember that no one can perk you up like yourself. Keep your spirits high when the going gets rough by focusing on your dreams and counting your blessings.

4) Keep your word. The true measure of a man is if he keeps his word. Honorable and trustworthy is the man who stands by what he says and promises. It is important to think well before speaking because once a word is uttered and released into the universe, its vibrations could no longer be erased.

5) Keep in time with your inner drummer. Don't be swayed by others into following the confusing beat of their drums. Although it is sometimes necessary to adjust to the pace of others, it is best to keep in step with your personal rhythm and to dance to your own music.

6) Keep in touch with the child in you. The source of creativity in your life is that little child within you. He questions, he marvels, he imagines and invents. Stay in touch with him, and be young and creative for life!

7) Keep abreast of the times. The world is moving so fast. Know what's happening, what's in style, what's au courant, what's relevant, what's important. Learn the hottest trends and the latest in technology. Don't be caught in a time warp or you'll be left behind.

8) Keep in shape. Your shape shows your state of health. Your body is the vessel that you journey through life in. Keep it healthy and strong. Don't be one of those people who say, "I'm in shape; round is a shape!"

9) Keep your mouth shut. People talk too much. We language ourselves to our own destruction and defeat. Know when to talk and when to shut up. Avoid being too verbose. Oftentimes, silence speaks more eloquently than words.

10) Keep good friends. Good friends are hard to find. Nurture friendships that make your plight through life easier, more wonderful and meaningful. Truly poor is the man who has no good friends.

11) Keep great memories, not heavy objects. In the very end, good memories of life are what we will be left with, not jewels and riches that we can't bring when we finally go. Live each moment beautifully. Linked together, these magical moments create a magnificent life.

12) Keep a diary. Writing a journal is therapeutic. Record the important events in your life, your dreams and aspirations, even your failures and disappointments. When you trace back events in your life, you are bound to learn lessons from them as well as find great inspiration and strength.

13) Keep saying grace and thanks. Blessed is he who says grace before he eats and gives thanks for all the gifts he receives daily. Maintain a thankful attitude and focus on your blessings instead of disappointments.

14) Keep on moving forward. The universe moves forward in time. Don't get stuck in yesterday; make an effort to move ahead to a better life. Drop those unnecessary pieces of material and emotional baggage that weigh you down and keep you from flying to your loftiest dreams.

15) Keep out of danger. He who exposes himself to danger finds it. Don't court danger; avoid it. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Look out for number one (that's you!), and always stay safe and sound.

16) Keep up the good work. Success is built upon success. The more you do, the more you achieve; the more you achieve, the better you get at doing it. Make success a habit by keeping up the good work.

17) Keep young. Do everything in your power to stay strong, supple and youthful. Think young; feel young. A wise man once said "It is never too late to be what you might have been." Remember that age is a number and that youth is an attitude.

18) Keep on dancing. Life is a dance through space and time. Embellish whatever music life plays for you with your own fresh orchestration and creative choreography. Be excited in your heart and keep your feet light with happiness.

19) Keep on loving. Love is the reason we were created. Love diminishes when hoarded but multiplies when shared. Give it and feel it overflow in your heart. Love cures all sadness, pain and sorrow. Lonely is he who does not give love away and therefore gets none in return.

20) Keep on dreaming. Most men, even if they are young, are dead - that is, if they can no longer dream. Our dreams are what keep us young and alive; they give us that sparkle in our eyes. Our dreams keep us going even while everything around us says, "Stop."

21) Keep on hoping. Never lose hope. Tomorrow will be another day that will bring new hope and greater blessings. Keep faith in the abundance of the universe and the mystery and perfection of life. Hope for nothing but the best and that's what you will be granted.

22) Keep on believing. Belief is the mother of reality. What you believe becomes your truth. Believe in yourself, believe in the magic of the universe, believe in the power of your dreams. And most of all, believe you can do it, so you can have all your heart's desires!

These You Must Not Keep

1) Don't keep up with the Joneses. Just because your neighbor bought a red Ferrari, you, too, must get one. Don't join the bandwagon and keep away from the "herd mentality." Too much unhappiness in this world is caused by comparisons - comparing yourself and trying to measure up to other people. There is really no need to live up to others' expectations if it would just bring you inconvenience and misery.

2) Don't keep issues and grudges. The reason most of us stay miserable is because we keep issues, grudges, and problems. Detox yourself of complaints and issues that keep you from being the best that you could be. Try to solve all problems that beset you; never leave anything unresolved. The questions and puzzles of life are what make it challenging and exciting.

3) Don't keep resentments and memories of painful experiences. Life is not a bed of roses so you must learn to let go of negative feelings and memories of painful experiences. It's hard to go on living with a heavy heart. Pardon, forgive, forget if you can, and move on.

noreply@blogger.com (Adri Jovin) — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 04:19:00 +0000

Interviews are hard. You’re nervous. You’re usually in close quarters. You have to answer question after question with little recovery time. And your entire professional future seems to hang in the balance of this one encounter. It’s no wonder so many interviewees resort to clichés when answering interview questions.

But panicked responses aren’t going to land you that job. So we’ve shined a spotlight on the 10 most common overused interview answers and given you some alternative answers that will carry more weight and keep you
on track for success.

1. “I’m Really Hardworking.”

In a job interview, everyone is hardworking. No one is going to admit to being lazy or not caring about their job. The word “hardworking” is at this point pretty much white noise to most interviewers. Everyone says it, so how can it possibly add value to your image? You only have so much time in a job interview — make every word count.

ALTERNATIVES: Try giving specific examples of why you’re so hardworking. Do you often stay late? Do you take on extra assignments? It’s always a good idea to give the interviewer something tangible to consider, otherwise your words could end up feeling like empty promises.

2. “I’m a Total Team Player.”

While being able to work with others is key, phrasing it this way makes it sound clichéd. And it doesn’t just suggest cheerleading imagery — it’s also very vague. Sure, no one wants a recluse for a coworker or employee, but beyond just the baseline ability to be social, what else do you bring to the communication table?

ALTERNATIVES: Talk about your ability to communicate with other members of your office. Cite specific examples of times when it was imperative for you to play well with others. Also touch on certain stellar communication skills that you think you have. Know how to craft the perfect email? Spent a lot of time with clients on the phone? Give the interviewer a fuller picture of your interactive skills and leadership potential.

3. “I am Loyal to a Fault.”

You’re not a dog, so why are you comparing yourself to one? While loyalty is a noble trait, no employer really believes that you are going to sacrifice your own well being or advancement for the company. No one knows how they will fit into a company until they are there. If you preach the virtues of loyalty in the interview but end up hating the job and moving on in six months, it reflects badly on your professionalism.

ALTERNATIVES: Be honest. Lay out your long-term goals for that particular company. If you want to use this position to gain experience and then move on to loftier goals, let them know. Your drive and honesty will be just as valuable as your loyalty. And it will give the company incentive to keep you engaged, so they can hold on to you as long as possible.

4. “How Much Does It Pay?”

This is one of the most annoying questions for most interviewers. You’ll find out how much the job pays when you get the offer. Until then, you should focus on the position and how you can contribute to the company. No matter how you phrase the question, asking about money at this stage only makes you look like you’re just in it for the money. Even if that’s true, is that
how you want to come off?

ALTERNATIVES: If finding out the salary is really that important to you, ask to talk to other employees on your level, ones who won’t be making the hiring decision, to get an idea of work environment. Then, ask them about the benefits package and compensation. But trust us — don’t make it all about the money.

5. “I Can Take on Any Challenge.”

Let’s be honest, you’re not Superman. Even he couldn’t take on every challenge. You are only human, and you have your limitations. Saying you can take on anything only sets you up for failure in the end. Don’t let your desperation for a job be the kryptonite to your career development!

ALTERNATIVES: Try something like, “I’m quick and can pick things up pretty easily.” There’s always a learning curve with any new task, but the quicker you can learn the ins and outs, the more efficient you will look to your boss. Be realistic about your limitations. If you can’t complete the tasks you promised you could, your boss might start to doubt your abilities in other areas.

6. “My Current Boss Loves Me.”

In most cases, your interviewer doesn’t know your current boss, so there is no point of reference here. An interview is specifically about you and your job skills, not what others think of you. Your references will be more than happy to speak on your behalf when the time comes, if you get that far in the hiring process.

ALTERNATIVES: Think of why your current boss values you. Were there specific projects that you aced? Are you efficient and always on time? What makes you stand out? Take all those reasons and verbalize them during the interview. Giving specific examples not only shows concrete proof of your skills, but also that you know what your strengths are.

7. “You Would Be Crazy Not to Hire Me.”

First, never call your interviewer crazy, even if it’s a figure of speech. Second, you’re one of a dozen or more candidates they may be taking to. There is no way you can be sure you are the most qualified person for the job. If anything, it just makes you look desperate and dramatic. Don’t be that guy.

ALTERNATIVES: It’s true, the end of an interview can be awkward, but don’t resort to more awkward clichés. When ending an interview, it’s always good to summarize the key points about the conversation you just had. Leave the interviewer thinking about the many reasons you are the one they want
as they leave the room.

8. “I’ll Do Anything.”

Never resort to begging in an interview. Why would you want to sound desperate? Most employers are looking for poised, confident professionals who are interested in advancing their careers. If you resort to begging, it looks like you don’t really care about the job and just want any kind of steady income.

ALTERNATIVES: Try to funnel your desperation into enthusiasm for the job. Make sure they know that you value the position and not just the paycheck. Mention specific parts of the job that you are excited about diving in to and even give examples of projects you’re already thinking about. This will show how much you want the job without sounding desperate.

9. “I Think I’m the Perfect Fit for This Job.”

It’s a rare occasion when someone fits a job perfectly. If the interviewer doesn’t agree with you, they may question your understanding of the position as a whole. Enthusiasm is good, but it’s better to present a realistic view of the job and show that you have a strong understanding of what the requirements will be.

ALTERNATIVES: You may not be the perfect fit for the job, but if you are pretty darn close, give them the reasons why. List specific examples of why you think you would thrive in that role and how the company would benefit from your specific experience. Make sure you are addressing every part of the job description and how you fit into each throughout the interview.

10. “I Wasn’t Appreciated at My Last Job.”

This is a fancy way of saying that you and your previous employer didn’t get along. Now the interviewer is wondering why there was an issue and if the same problems will arise if they hire you. Even if it was your employer’s fault, saying this out loud makes you seem like you could be difficult to
work with or too demanding.

ALTERNATIVES: Keep any digs or trash talking about your previous employer to a minimum. You don’t want to get the interviewer even thinking about negative things. If they ask why you left, tell them your career path did not line up with the company’s goals for you. Never make it personal. Keep it in the
context of your career development.

6 Things to Remember When Applying for Jobs

noreply@blogger.com (Adri Jovin) — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 04:14:00 +0000

It’s a tough time to look for a job. But this doesn’t mean it’s impossible. You need to do all you can to make the best impression on the companies you’re applying to. Here’s how:

1. Update Your Resume – Keep your resume updated constantly and have someone else read it over. You can stare at it for hours yourself, but you still make overlook some important aspects that should be added or even a spelling error. If your school offers a student career center then use it! Usually their services are free if they are through the school and they can be a huge help.

2. New Cover Letters – Yes, you can re-use your resume but do not re-use your cover letters. Make sure that your cover letters are as specific to the job that you are applying for as it can be. You don’t want the recruiter to read through your cover letter and think it is generic. Apply your experience and knowledge in your cover letter to things that relate to the job description that they provide you with. Make sure you also do your research before writing your cover letter as it will be important to meshing with the company’s culture.

3. Dress Professionally – It is better to be overdressed than underdressed for an interview. Yes, the company may have a business casual work environment, but you want to make sure you look as professional as possible and show that you can look the part. If you feel as though you are overdressed compared to your interviewer then take off your suit jacket. Just remember that looks are the first impression you give when you walk into a room and before you say anything. You want to look clean and tidy in order to make a great first impression on the company.

4. Always Take 2nd Round Interviews – Even if you don’t feel as though the job is for you after your first interview, try to take advantage of 2nd round interviews if you get offered one. I suggest this for several reasons. Perhaps your 1st interview was not a clear depiction of the job or the company. You don’t want to judge how you feel just on a few hours. Another reason is that you get a lot of experience from doing actual interviews. Although you may not think you are right for the job, going on this interview may prepare you for a 2nd round interview at a job you really do want.

5. Follow-Up – Within 48 hours of meeting with your recruiter, you should always write a thank you note. A personal handwritten note is best because it gets the point across that you really cared that they took their time to interview you. If you are unable to write one, at least send an e-mail. E-mail is a little bit less personal but will still get your point across.

6. Network – This is one of the most important things to getting yourself in the right job. You want to connect with the right people. Make sure you are always friendly with anyone you meet at interviews and career fairs because you really never know who could be your next boss. Even when you get into your job, networking with everyone and anyone is extremely important for advancing within the company.

One of the best things to do in a time when no jobs seem to be on the market is to make sure you are being patient and consistently applying to whatever jobs you think you will be a good fit or that seem interesting to you. Don’t ever assume that you will not get an interview, because without applying you will never know!

10 Tech Interview Errors

noreply@blogger.com (Adri Jovin) — Sat, 07 May 2011 00:49:00 +0000

You're there on time, the job description is a perfect match and one look at the office tells you this is the job for you. So what could go wrong?
Plenty.....
Everyone makes mistakes. But according to those who do the interviewing, job seekers for tech positions are prone to a number of common interview blunders. To avoid them, it helps to know what they are. Here are 10 of the most common.

Appearance
Techies sometimes dress "from the waist up," says Harvey Bass, CEO of Stascom Technologies, a recruiting firm. They've got "wrinkled khakis and rubber-soled shoes" -- not exactly the image they should be projecting, he says.
Says Liz Ryan, a human resources consultant and founder of the group World Women in Technology, "The days when you would not be considered because you [were] dressed too conservatively are over."

Arrogance
Too many techies come across as arrogant in interviews, says Sean Chou, CTO of Fieldglass, a software technology company. "A lot of techies are very talented, but what comes out is arrogance," he says.
Confidence is desirable, not arrogance. Arrogance suggests "they can't be a team player," Chou notes.

Overemphasizing Skills
Certifications and other credentials matter, as does your technical know-how, but remember: You're there to serve an organization's needs, not to focus on J2EE or Cisco just for the sake of the technology itself. You want to come across as more than an amalgam of your skills.
"Sometimes they just overemphasize the skills," says Chris Little, COO of Dominion Digital, a consulting company. "They don't understand why that's not a home run. They get frustrated, and it shows."

Not Communicating
Interviewers often favor open-ended questions, but techies sometimes respond with too-brief answers, failing to elaborate or convey their communication skills.
"You should think of each question as an opening to a conversation," says Ryan. A simple "yes," she says, isn't an appropriate answer to the question, "Have you worked with C++?" Candidates need to see questions as an opportunity to discuss the value they will bring to a company.
Or, as Chou notes, "People who are unwilling to communicate will have a hard time working in a team environment."

Unprepared
"With all the information available, there is no excuse for someone not being prepared for an interview," says Leslie Norko, deputy program manager of engineering at Computer Sciences Corp. and a mentor for Women in Technology, a nonprofit devoted to networking and professional development.
Preparation, Norko says, doesn't just mean passing knowledge about a company, but rather in-depth research about the firm and its industry.

Lack of Interest
Candidates sometimes display a lack of interest by not asking about the company's industry, competitors or "the larger business problems" facing the firm, says Ryan.
This comes through, quite often, when candidates are asked if they have any questions. Never say no. "It communicates that they're not interested, or they're not prepared," says Norko.

Too Eager for Perks
Questions about parking spaces, sick days, free soft drinks, and other benefits and perks should be reserved for a human resources rep, preferably after a job offer. "Stay away from what's-in-it-for-me questions," Bass says.

Too Casual
Interviews can be formal affairs. The interviewer, not the candidate, should set the tone. "Techies tend to be a little casual in the interview," Bass says. This may come across as a lack of seriousness, or even a lack of interest in the job.

Too Negative
Some techies smarting from tough times -- failed startups, corporate layoffs and the like -- may mistake an interviewer's friendly demeanor as an invitation to confide. Ryan says this focus on "the highest highs to the lowest lows" isn't appropriate during an interview. "Candidates use interviews as therapy sessions and don't even know it," she says.

Failure to Close
Techies often fail to close the interview, Bass says. Rather than emphasizing how much they would love to join the company or asking what the next step in the process will be, techies may let the interview "fade out," Bass says. "They're not closing," he says. "They're not selling themselves."

Securing yourself from the world of hackers

noreply@blogger.com (Adri Jovin) — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 01:17:00 +0000

Add caption

Tips to make yourself a best teacher

noreply@blogger.com (Adri Jovin) — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 01:53:00 +0000

1. Stay personally engaged in the class the entire time (be on top of your game)

2. Nurture a culture of encouragement

3. Compliment, compliment, compliment

4. Be prepared (students, especially middle school students, smell fear)

5. Have a backup plan

6. Have a backup plan for the backup plan

7. Choose your words mindfully

8. Create a sense of urgency — I have created the habit of beginning every class by telling my students, “Get set up quickly, we have a lot of work to do today”

9. Keep the students engaged for as much of the class time as possible

10. Be aware of what’s going on in the classroom; often misbehaviors will have early warning signs

11. Don’t take yourself too seriously

12. Have fun

13. Avoid stress

14. Avoid burnout

15. Read the comments below

IT Job Hunting Mistakes

noreply@blogger.com (Adri Jovin) — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 15:53:00 +0000

Whether you’re a first-time job seeker or a veteran IT professional, finding a tech-savvy job is tough work. With so many things to keep in mind, it’s easy for you get off track in your job hunt. Today’s IT companies are looking for the best of the best, which means one typo on your resume or cover letter is guaranteed to derail your best efforts and land you in the “Do Not Call” pile.
Take caution and be thoughtful with every job you apply for. Even though IT employees are in high demand, the competition is tough, which means the simplest mistake in your job search can lead to disaster. Make sure you’re not making these 10 common job hunting mistakes and get the IT job of your dreams!

1. Not Reading the Job Description
After applying for an endless number of open IT positions, the job descriptions tend to blur together. But that doesn’t mean you should stop reading them. A common mistake IT job seekers make in their job hunt is forgetting to read and follow the requirements stated in the job description. Whether applicants are overqualified, or under qualified, too often, recruiters find themselves faced with resumes and cover letters that are irrelevant to the posting.
In addition to meeting every requirement listed in the job description, it’s also important to follow the instructions on how to apply. Too often, job seekers send an email with an attached resume or cover letter, failing to take into consideration special application instructions, such as including a salary history, list of references, or some other requirement. Searching for an IT job is hard – but don’t let yourself miss out on an opportunity because you didn’t read the directions!

2. Duties VS. Accomplishments
One of the most common resume errors IT professionals make is giving a laundry list of job duties instead job accomplishments. Employers can usually identify what your duties were through the job title – they would rather know what you did that made a difference. Your resume should answer the question: How did you succeed at your last place of employment?
Say you were applying for a job as a computer programmer. Instead of saying, “Wrote software programs for Company X for seven years” on your resume, you could say, “Took initiative with software development projects at Company X by finding unique solutions to client problems in a timely manner.” Specifying accomplishments instead of duties makes your resume stand out in a crowd.

3. Not Customizing Your Cover Letter
Perhaps one of the most common job seeking mistakes IT professionals make is failing to customize the cover letter for each job. As tempting as it is to cut and paste your cover letter, substituting only the appropriate employer name and position title, don’t. Hiring managers can sniff out a cut-and-paste cover letter from a mile away. Besides, it’s in your interest to tailor cover letters, and highlight your past experiences that are directly related to the job. That’s what makes you stand out!
Using a cut-and-paste cover letter is risky for a lot of reasons, most importantly because it’s easy to make mistakes, like forgetting to switch names and titles. For example, if you’re applying for an IT position at a government agency, you might want to double check that you changed the “Department of Energy” for “Department of Defense.” After all, if you can’t be bothered to pay attention to details in looking for a job, what’s the guarantee that you’ll pay attention once you get the job?

4. Using an Unprofessional Email Address

Think your fun email address is memorable and personable? Think again.
Anarchy212@gmail.com or starwarzfan4life@aol.com doesn’t exactly give off the impression of a professional looking for a job in the IT securities field. A silly email address makes potential employers think you aren’t serious and that you may act similarly on the job.
Stick with a simple email address that contains your name. Professionalism matters! Save Gandalf_99@yahoo.com for your friends and family, if you must.

5. Not Being Concise
Sorting through job applications is one of many tedious tasks recruiters have on their plate. Don’t make their day worse by sending in a cover letter that reads like your autobiography. While it’s important to sell your strengths in a cover letter, keeping it short and focused is just as important.
Recruiters are inundated with applications and faced with weeding out the good from the bad. So make their job easier and increase your chances by filling your resume with the right IT keywords. Recruiters will take any excuse to throw a resume into the trash bin if it takes them too long to decipher your jargon, so it’s imperative your application passes the skim test. Length isn’t important, keywords are. Look at your resume and ask yourself:
1) Can a hiring manager see my main credentials within 10 to 15 seconds?
2) Does the most critical information jump off the page?
3) Do I effectively sell myself on the top quarter of the first page?
Many employees are proud of their careers and want their resume to reflect everything they’ve accomplished as an IT professional. Unfortunately, that’s the quickest way to the recycle bin.
Be judicious. If your college days are far behind you, does it really matter that you pledged a fraternity or delivered pizza? Do you really need to mention that first IT internship? Cut the fat and highlight major accomplishments. Take the time to focus on career highlights – it’s these types of executive skills that employers look for anyway.
Think about it this way: If you were a recruiter looking at a resume for an IT professional, which of the following entries would impress you more?
• “Wrote news releases.”
• “Wrote 25 news releases in a three-week period under daily deadlines.”
Clearly the second statement carries more weight. Why? Because it uses numbers to quantify the writer’s accomplishment, giving it context that helps the interviewer understand the degree of difficulty involved in the task. Numbers are powerful resume tools that help your accomplishments draw the attention they deserve from prospective employers. With just a little thought, you can find effective ways to quantify your successes on your resume and make them sing.

6. Being Too Polished or Over-Prepared
Have you ever blanked out during a class speech, or failed a test you spent all night studying for? Over-preparation is to blame. The same principle applies to job searching as well.
Loosen up and relax. While practice makes perfect, sometimes, it doesn’t hurt to be a little off your game. Preparing too much makes you seem stiff and overly formal, or worse, causes you to blank out during the interview.
Plus, interviewers can tell if you’re too rehearsed or faking it, and that doesn’t help your cause. Don’t be afraid of having answers that aren’t textbook perfect. Be honest and highlight your achievements. The “right” interview answer isn’t necessarily what you think the interviewer wants to hear. Be yourself – a little spunk goes a long way.

7. Sloppy Speech
Do you, um, like, think that maybe, like, you could speak, um, like, professionally?
Speaking properly, when talking to a potential employer is just as important as having a typo-free cover letter. Being an IT professional doesn’t mean you’re exempt from working with a wide variety of people; communication skills are still important in the workplace.
During your career, you’ll be expected to talk to a variety of people in many departments, from salespersons to public relations officers, data crunchers to IT engineering peers. So leave out the “ums” and “likes,” talk at an understandable pace, and use strong, decisive words to get your point across.
During your IT interview, remember to speak to the level of your audience. Don’t pull out the technical jargon if you’re talking to someone from human resources; save your industry expertise for further along the hiring process. Simple stuff, but you’d be surprised how many people blow it here.

8. No Concrete Examples
There are a handful of standard IT interview questions you should be prepared for. Getting asked about your past job experiences is one of them. Don’t let this question stump you during a job interview!
For example, you might be asked, “Tell me about a time when you ran up against a difficult problem.” Talk about a time you recognized an obstacle, analyzed the situation, and overcame the challenge.
If you have to sit and think about a time you dealt with a difficult software program, or had an issue with an IT client, the interviewer might assume that you’re unprepared. If you’re still having trouble thinking about your working past, grab a friend and have them quiz you with questions you might get asked at the real thing.
However, be honest if you don’t have an example. Telling the truth is always better than making up a lie that your employer could learn about later.

9. Failing to Ask Questions in an Interview
Curiosity killed the cat, but it can help you ace your IT interview. Don’t be afraid to ask questions! After all, a job interview goes both ways. It’s not just you who’s in the hot seat, but the interviewer too!.
Failing to ask questions is a big mistake for job seekers; it shows lack of interest and unpreparedness. Don’t just ask about whatever pops into your head, either. Intelligent questions show you’ve done your research, and put thought into the interview.
Go for in-depth questions, like asking about the company culture, or successful traits of someone who previously held the position you are applying for. Not only are you proving that you’ve made an investment in them, you’ve shown that you’re worth making an investment in too.

10. References Don’t Check Out
Employers use references as a way to verify your value from a third party, which means solid IT references are your golden ticket out of unemployment. But if your references don’t check out, kiss that job goodbye.
When HR comes knocking for references, make sure you provide professional, qualified contacts you can count on. Hopefully you’ve taken the time to cultivate a positive relationship with them.
An excellent reference gives you credibility, while a negative, ambiguous, or careless reference will have your employer hitting the ‘escape’ button. Be honest with your references, and ask if they are willing to provide a good reference on your behalf. If not, thank them for their time and move on to someone else.
So what are qualities of a good reference? Someone who is eloquent, professional, and qualified to talk about the IT field. Most importantly, you must have spent significant time in a work environment with your reference, and you must have directly worked with, or for them.
If possible, have more than a few references on hand, in case someone backs out, is unavailable, or isn’t qualified to speak about the particular job you’re applying for. And always, always, thank your references for their time and let them know if you get the job or not. Don’t forget to keep that relationship alive even when you’re employed! You’ll never know when you’ll need to call on them again.

Improving life

noreply@blogger.com (Adri Jovin) — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 01:04:00 +0000

POINTS ON HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR LIFE

Personality:
1. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
2. Don't have negative thoughts of things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment
3. Don't over do; keep your limits
4. Don't take yourself so seriously; no one else does
5. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip
6. Dream more while you are awake
7. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
8. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner of his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
9. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
10. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present
11. No one is in charge of your happiness except you
12. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.
Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
13. Smile and laugh more
14. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Community:
15. Call your family often
16. Each day give something good to others
17. Forgive everyone for everything
18. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6
19. Try to make at least three people smile each day
20. What other people think of you is none of your business
21. Your job will not take care of you when you are sick. Your family and friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
22. Put GOD first in anything and everything that you think, say and do.
23. GOD heals everything
24. Do the right things
25. However good or bad a situation is, it will change
26. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up
27. The best is yet to come
28. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful
29. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it
30. If you know GOD you will always be happy. So, be happy.

While you practice all of the above, share this knowledge with the people you love, people you school with,
people you play with, people you work with and people you live with.
Not only will it enrich YOUR life, but also that of those around you.

10 Worst Time Wasters at Work

noreply@blogger.com (Adri Jovin) — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 14:28:00 +0000

1: Instant Messaging
While instant messaging can be a useful intra-office tool, its generally informal (and instant!) nature can also make it productivity’s worst enemy. How many times has a discussion about something work related quickly degenerated into a half-hour gossip session? And there’s always someone with a lot less to do who will tempt you into a chat marathon.

The solution: If you can’t disconnect completely, at least set your status to “Busy” for a good portion of the day. This will help deter frivolous chatter. If someone insists on bothering you with non-work related chit-chat, tell them (politely) that you are in the middle of something and ask if you can pick up the conversation another time (maybe during your lunch break?). Don’t feel bad about it – no one will fault you for your silence if you’ve got work to do. If they do, you probably don’t want to be chatting with them anyway.

2: Over-Reliance on Email
We’ve all become addicted to email as a form of communication. It’s convenient. It’s also a great way to keep an electronic trail of your correspondence (helpful if you’re ever challenged on a decision or occurrence). But a lot of time is wasted on back and forth emails that would be more easily resolved as a verbal conversation. Don’t even get me started on the oh-so-common “reply-to-all” debacle.

The solution: If there’s something that needs to be discussed, opt for a face-to-face conversation. Is the person you need to speak to on the other coast? Call them. And if you still want a written record, write up a quick email after the conversation outlining where things left off and send to all relevant parties. On the surface it seems like more steps, but it can mean the difference between an hour of work and a two-day back and forth email discussion.

3: Meandering Meetings
“Meetings about meetings.” You know the kind –- you get together for an hour and all you end up with is a list of what should be discussed in yet another meeting. Sure, meetings are an essential part of the workplace. But if run poorly, they can be a colossal waste of time.

The solution: Meetings should have a purpose; a set of tangible goals you want to accomplish. This should be realized by tackling a set agenda, which should be distributed to attendees before the meeting starts. Stay focused on the task at hand. If there are visual aides, have them set up and ready to go before the group enters the room. Finally, make sure you really need a meeting: if what you have to say can be just as easily shared in an email to the group, why get people up and away from their work?

4: Short Gaps Between Meetings
Speaking of meetings, what about those 15-30 minute gaps between them? What do you ever really accomplish in that time? Usually, very little. Sure, it gives you a bit of time to decompress, but it also takes you in and out of meeting mode for no apparent reason. If you have several meetings a day, that limbo time can amount to a couple hours of waste.

The solution: Schedule your meetings back-to-back if you can; you’ll knock them out more efficiently. The time in between is better clumped together at some point in the day so it can be used for productive endeavors.

5: Reacting to Interruptions
You’re in the middle of something when you get an “urgent” email. You reply, only to be accosted by a phone call shortly after. You hang up, only to be faced with yet another email that demands your response. And on and on. Before you know it, it’s 4pm and you still haven’t made a dent in what you’d started first thing this morning. Sound familiar? The average employee works for just 11 minutes before being distracted. No wonder we’re struggling to get things done.

The solution: It’s unavoidable – the hyper-connected workplace will throw constant interruptions at you. The trick is to learn how to react to them without taking away from the task at hand. If you’re busy, let your phone go to voicemail. Set aside three times a day where you manage your inbox. Of course, there are instances where an email demands an urgent reply. But more often than not, it doesn’t. Know the difference.

6: Ineffective Multi-Tasking
Everyone likes to think they’re great at multi-tasking. And maybe you are. But there’s a limit to how many things you can do at once without taking away from the quality of your work and, ultimately, slowing down the process. Shifting between five different projects at once? You’re probably wasting your time.

The solution: Prioritize and then break up your day accordingly. It’s the key to successfully completing any project. Write down everything you hope to achieve and assign a set time to do so based on importance. Don’t move on to the next task until you’ve really completed the previous one. Not only will you do a better job when you’re focused, you’ll also force yourself to finish something within the time allotted.

7: Disorganized Workspace
Your primary workspace might be the top of your desk, your desktop computer or most likely, a combination of the two. Either way, if it’s messy, you’ll end up wasting a lot of time looking for things.

The solution: A scattered workspace makes for a scattered mind. De-clutter, and you’ll manage your work more efficiently. Before you leave the office, clear your desk of cans, cups, food and paperwork. Use that file cabinet for something other than your box of saltines. Recycle paperwork you’re never going to use. And don’t add unnecessary items to your files – if you don’t need to print something out, don’t. Your company’s shared drive is perfectly capable of storing documents tidily.

8: Personal Communications
In the olden days, it was a little harder to get in the way with personal correspondence at work. Today, you can be constantly connected to friends and family without anyone really noticing. It’s no longer a question of “Will I get caught?” so much as “How much time am I wasting?” If you’re checking Facebook religiously, G-Chatting with friends or responding to personal emails the same way you do professional ones, the answer is: a lot.

The solution: These days, employers understand that you may spend some time at work doing personal things (after all, you spend so much time there). Leave your personal correspondence for your lunch break. You can check your various accounts all at once, guilt-free. Be firm with your friends and family about contacting you during work hours –- if they’re not reaching out to you between nine and five, you’ll be a lot less tempted to check in.

9: Web Surfing “Breaks”
You need to step away from what you’re working on so you search for reviews of that movie you’ve been dying to see. Before you know it, you’ve got six tabs open in your browser. You’re looking up concert tickets, shoes, today’s news and the etymology of a words. No need to ask where your afternoon went. Your browser history says it all.

The solution: Know your limits. If you’re tempted to look something up, wait until you’ve at least finished what you’re working on. Preferably, leave this type of search for your lunch break or the end of the work day. It’s just too easy to get sucked in when there’s endless information at your fingertips.

10: Cigarette/Coffee Breaks
Everyone needs to step away from their desk every once in a while. In fact, it’s been said that taking breaks can often make you more productive. But if you’re going out for a smoke or a coffee run every half hour (sounds extreme, but not totally unrealistic), you’re reducing your productivity to the bare minimum by never really getting into the groove of your work.

The solution: It’s a good idea to look away from your computer every fifteen minutes or so. But when it comes to breaks outside the office, reserve them to three a day: one mid-morning, one at lunch time, and one in the afternoon. Taking your full lunch break is key. If you’re out of the office for a solid hour mid-day, you’ll feel less of a need to step out for smaller breaks. And you’ll be able to get into the work groove – and stay there! – more often.

Effective ways to make a lesson plan

noreply@blogger.com (Adri Jovin) — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 16:15:00 +0000

Master teachers are also master lesson planners. They can look at a learning goal and piece together key components that will ensure that their students meet the goal. Not all lessons need to be a reinvention of the wheel, but there are several hallmarks of well-crafted lesson plans. Whether you are building your own lessons, or searching through databases of lessons, be sure to include these 10 key components:

1. Learning Goal:
Every lesson plan should have a clearly defined learning goal, after all, that is the reason for teaching! I have seen some very inventive lesson plans that lack this important ingredient. No matter how entertaining a lesson may be, if it is lacking a learning goal, it has missed its mark.
There is a day celebrated annually by students all over the country affectionately referred to as Mole Day. Celebrated every year on October 23 (10-23), Mole Day honors Avogardro’s Number (6.02 × 10^23), which is a basic unit of measure in chemistry. There are some fun lesson plans out there for Mole day (and in fact entire websites dedicated to the celebration). Mole day is uniquely celebrated by creating moles (the animal) and creating a diorama that represents a play on the word ‘mole’. For example “guaca-mole” or “Remember the Ala-mole”. Students spend weeks creating their moles and mole puns. But in all the entertainment, does the lesson completely lose its meaning?
What does the mole (the animal) have to do with Avogardro’s Number aside from sharing a name? When the learning goal is lost, so is the learning. When writing and searching lesson plans, make sure you always have a clear learning objective in mind: everything hinges on this.

2. Resources:
List the resources needed for a lesson. Nothing is worse than having the perfect lesson planned only to find that you are missing an important material. Jotting down a list of resources needed for the lesson will ensure that you have all the paper, glue, copies, etc. when the time comes to use them.
Don’t forget to list digital resources as well. Make sure if you are using technology that the websites you intend to use with students aren’t blocked at school. A great lesson you created at home could come to a screeching halt if you can’t access the video you found the night before. Also, be sure to note any of the plug-ins that may be required for a website (Silverlight, Flash, Shockwave, etc.). Often, if you can plan ahead, your tech department can confirm that you have everything in place for your lesson.

3. Standards:
It is important to note any standards being met by the lesson. Most schools are requiring a standard tie in for every lesson. Even if your school doesn’t require that you note which standards you are meeting, it is good practice to be familiar with your state and national standards. You will be surprised how many standards you are meeting in any given lesson. You may also choose to note how a lesson falls into the scope and sequence for yearlong learning.

4. Anticipatory Set:
After the learning goal, the anticipatory set is one of the most important ingredients in a quality lesson plan. The anticipatory set engages your students in the learning that is about to happen. It sets the tone for the lesson and makes students hungry to learn more. Think of the anticipatory set as a movie trailer. The trailer doesn’t tell everything about the movie but provides enough glimpses to leave you wanting more. A good anticipatory set activates prior knowledge or encourages students to ask questions. Students learn, by making connections and exploring. Build anticipation for your lesson through props, secret notes from historians or scientists written to your class, a video clip, a song, a short story, or role play. Students love pretend play, so think about how you can get them to use their imagination and pretend as they are learning.

5. Introduction:
The introduction of your lesson is a great place to give your students a 30,000 foot view of the lesson. Tell your students what they will be learning (the learning goal) and give them an overview of what will be expected of them during the lesson. During the introduction, you can also begin to activate prior knowledge about the subject. Do this through class discussion, a KWL chart, or through small group or buddy discussion.

6. Direct Instruction:
Direct instruction is the meat of your lesson. This is where you are actually teaching or coaching your students. This can be done in a variety of ways. Sometimes direct instruction is simply giving students directions and guidelines for the self guided, discovery learning they will be completing independently or with a friend. During direct instruction, make sure that you are incorporating different learning styles. I have found that one of the best ways to teach something is through a story. Students may not recall a list of facts about the Civil War, but if you can tell an engaging story about an event from the Civil War that includes pictures and role-playing for students, they will be able to recall significantly more later on.

Humans learn and relate to the world through stories and pictures. When someone mentions September 11th, you likely don’t think about a definition type answer of what happened on that day. What comes to mind are the stories people told, the video, and pictures that you saw. This is how we construct and frame knowledge. As often as you can, teach through stories. This is a difficult task at first, because it requires each of us to become storytellers. The rewards are great and as you compose lesson plans; you too will begin to think in story.

7. Guided Instruction:
Guided instruction is the instruction that happens in small groups or one on one with students. This is the point where students have actually begun a project or assignment. As students work, you can encourage and guide students in their learning. Guided instruction gives you the opportunity to find out what your students know and can do through anecdotal assessment. You are observing and helping or redirecting as needed. Students can pair up in partners or work in small groups to guide each other in new learning or review. During this time, if you notice students who aren’t quite getting it, you can pull them into smaller groups to re-teach.

8. Assessment:
Every lesson should have some form of assessment. This can be formal, informal, or anecdotal in nature. Formal assessment is usually in the form of a test, quiz, worksheet, or project that is turned in and graded. Informal assessment can be done during direct instruction. Asking students to write down their answer on a small whiteboard and hold it up, using clickers with an interactive whiteboard, or a simple “thumbs up if you agree, thumbs down if you disagree”. These are all great informal ways to gauge understanding. Anecdotal assessment is usually done during guided instruction as you are walking around and observing your students understanding. Not every lesson needs to be graded but every lesson does need to be assessed. As the teacher, you need to know if your students understood the learning and what re-teaching or follow-up teaching may be required. Every lesson should include informal and anecdotal assessment throughout the lesson.

9. Closure:
Every lesson should have some type of closure where students can summarize or wrap up their learning.

# This could be done in several ways: Through informal class assessment with clickers or thumbs up/down
# Students could each list something they learned as a ticket to line up for lunch
# Students could write a sentence in their journal summarizing a lesson
# Students could whisper the answer to a question to their elbow buddy
# The class could complete the KWL chart
# Students could blog about their experience or learning
# Students can add a piece of learning to a Wall Wisher wall www.wallwisher.com

Often times a completed project is adequate closure for students, but don’t let them just turn the project in, let students show off their work to others and discuss.

10. Differentiated Instruction
Students all learn in different ways and at different rates. Make sure that you account for adjustments that may need to be made for students. For example, if you have a student who struggles with reading, and the history lesson for the day requires extensive reading, plan to pair them up with a buddy, make an audio recording, etc. Think about those who will struggle with the learning and make a plan for them.

Don’t let these rules for lesson planning overwhelm you. After you have written out a few lessons you will be able to start jotting notes down in your lesson planner and still fulfill every one of these key components for a quality lesson plan.

Lesson planning takes practice, but with a little planning, your students will be learning more effectively and you will know exactly where they need review or additional practice.

There are thousands and thousands of free lesson plans online. As you are looking through lessons, make sure that they follow these rules. If there is a component missing, add to the lesson and customize it for your classroom.

10 Smartphone ettiquites -Src:idiva.com

noreply@blogger.com (Adri Jovin) — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 13:23:00 +0000

1. If you're on a date at a restaurant (or just having a meal with family, friends, or even alone) put your phone on silent and leave it in your bag. Make a habit of enjoying your meals. It doesn't even last an hour. Plus, you can always return the missed calls, reply to messages or check email once you're done.

2. Travelling by public transport and find it hard to hear what the person on the other end of the line is saying? Instead of shouting your lungs out, annoying fellow passengers and letting everyone in on your conversation, tell the person you'll call back. How hard is that?!

3. In an office meeting, make sure your phone is on silent/ vibrator mode. It's the decent thing to do when your boss is addressing you. If the call is absolutely urgent, excuse yourself for a minute before answering. P.S. Walking up and down the aisles talking loudly (and persuasively) to clients makes us want to take your phone and flush it down you know where.

4. When you are contacting a friend after a long time, do not text. It's most impersonal and conveys you are doing it out of obligation. Pick up the phone and call for heaven's sake!

5. Never carry your cell phone to the restroom. If you do, make sure it stays in your pocket. It's really creepy when you mysteriously hear someone from one of the stalls engage in a full-fledged conversation that you have no desire to eavesdrop on.

6. Always put your phone on silent at a place of worship, hospital, theatre, funeral... you get the drift. If the incoming call is urgent, leave the premises or find a secluded spot to answer it. Talking in such places is plain impolite.

7. Everyone needs to unwind after a long day – a couple of drinks with friends, club-hopping or just a good ol' movie with your spouse. Relax and appreciate the company you are with and don't tweet 'Hving a blast with my gal pals'. Aarghh! If you really are having a good time, you'd be too occupied to go viral about it.

8. Just because you're up all night strategising, doesn't mean you SMS your colleagues at 2am with some brainwave you just had! Reserve that for the next work day or since you are so tech-savvy, send an email.

9. Set your ring tone as per the occasion; that's why your smart phone allows you to select various profiles. That Cuppy Cake ring tone in a board meeting is a strict no-no. Another annoying thing is when you go through the millions of ring tone options or check voice mail in public. We don't want to hear it!

10. When you're waiting your turn at the doctor's, playing games on your phone is a great way to pass time. Just make sure your phone is on silent. It's unfunny when we're made to listen to constant sound effects especially if we're reading a magazine.

Src:http://idiva.com/news-work-life/10-smart-phone-etiquette-tips/1868

15 Interview Questions and Answers

noreply@blogger.com (Adri Jovin) — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 14:57:00 +0000

1. Why do you want to work in this industry?
Bad answer:
“I love politics. I a huge fan of Obama and find his message for change very inspiring.”
Don’t just say you like it. Anyone can do that. Focus instead on your history with government and especially in that agency, and if you can, tell a success story.
Good answer:
“I am fascinated by the way government works with lawmakers to accomplish change. In light of recent political events and the Obama Administration’s movements, we are already seeing how much the government can accomplish when the right people and resources are utilized. This is especially true for energy conservation efforts with the Department of Energy. When I worked at my previous employer, I initiated efforts to create a more “green” office – decreasing paper and electricity use by 25% after three months – saving the company $10,000 that year. Working in the administrative office of the DoE, with its resources, I know I could take this type of project to the next level. I would find career and personal fulfillment in that."

2. Tell us about yourself.
Bad answer:
“I graduated four years ago from the University of Michigan, with a Bachelor’s in Biology – but I decided that wasn’t the right path for me. So I switched gears and got my first job, working in sales for a startup. Then I went on to work in legislative affairs for a law firm that worked with the Feds. After that, I took a few months off to travel. Finally, I came back and worked in government and legal work. And now, here I am, looking for a more challenging legislative role.”
Instead of giving a chronological work history, focus on your strengths and how they pertain to the role. If possible, illustrate with examples.
Good answer:
“I’m really energetic, and a great communicator. Working in sales for two years helped me build confidence, and taught me the importance of customer loyalty. I’ve also got a track record of success. In my last role, I launched a company newsletter, which helped us build on our existing relationships and create new ones. Because of this, we ended up seeing a revenue increase of 10% over two years. I’m also really interested in how companies can use web tools to better market themselves, and would be committed to building on your existing platform. This is especially important as the government moves into more Web 2.0 initiatives.”

3. What do you think of your previous boss?
Bad answer:
“He was completely incompetent, and a nightmare to work with, which is why I’ve moved on”
Remember: if you get the job, the person interviewing you will some day be your previous boss. The last thing they want is to hire someone who they know is going to badmouth them some day. Instead of trashing your former employer, stay positive, and focus on what you learned from him (no matter how awful he really was).
Good answer:
“My last boss taught me the importance of time management – he didn’t pull any punches, and was extremely deadline-driven. His no-nonsense attitude pushed me to work harder, and to meet deadlines I never even thought were possible.”

4. Why are you leaving your current role?
Bad answer:
“I can’t stand my boss, or the work I’m doing.”
Again, stay away from badmouthing your job or employer. Focus on the positive.
Good answer:
“I’ve learned a lot from my current role, but now I’m looking for a new challenge, to broaden my horizons and to gain a new skill-set – all of which, I see the potential for in this job.”

5. Where do you see yourself in five years?
Bad answer:
“Relaxing on a beach in Maui,” or “Doing your job.”
There’s really no right answer to this question, but the interviewer wants to know that you’re ambitious, career-oriented, and committed to a future with the company. So instead of sharing your dream for early retirement, or trying to be funny, give them an answer that illustrates your drive and commitment.
Good answer:
“In five years I’d like to have an even better understanding of how this agency works. Also, I really love working with people. Ultimately, I’d like to be in some type of managerial role at this agency, where I can use my people skills and department knowledge to benefit the people working for me, and the agency as a whole."

6. What’s your greatest weakness?
Bad answer:
“I work too hard,” or for the comedian, “Blondes.”
This question is a great opportunity to put a positive spin on something negative, but you don’t want your answer to be cliché – joking or not. Instead, try to use a real example of a weakness you have learned to overcome.
Good answer:
“I’ve never been very comfortable with public speaking – which as you know, can be a hindrance in the workplace. Realizing this was a problem, I asked my previous employer if I could enroll in a speech workshop. He said “yes.” I took the class, and was able to overcome my lifelong fear. Since then, I’ve given lots of presentations to audiences of over a 100 high level executives – I still don’t love it, but no one else can tell!”

7. What salary are you looking for?
Bad answer:
“In my last job I earned $35,000 – so, now I’m looking for $40,000”
If you can avoid it, don’t give an exact number. The first person to name a price in a salary negotiation loses. Instead, re-iterate your commitment to the job itself. If you have to, give a broad range based on research you’ve conducted on that particular role, in your particular city. If the role is with a non-independent agency and therefore must us the GS Pay Schedule, think of ways to talk yourself up the scale.
Good answer:
“I’m more interested in the role itself than the pay. That said, I’d expect to be paid the appropriate range for this role, based on my five years of experience. I also think a fair salary would bear in mind the high cost of living here in New York City. Further, I think my education and background can make me at the highest Step in my Grade.”

8. Why should I hire you?
Bad answer:
“I’m the best candidate for the role.”
A good answer will reiterate your qualifications, and will highlight what makes you unique.
Good answer:
“I’ve been an Executive Assistant for the past ten years – my boss has said time and time again that without me, the organization would fall apart. I’ve also taken the time to educate myself on some of the software I regularly use (but didn’t really understand the ins and outs of). I’m an Excel wiz now, which means I can work faster, and take over some of what my boss would traditionally have had to do himself. What’s good enough for most people is never really good enough for me.”

9. What is your greatest failure, and what did you learn from it?
Bad answer:
I never finished law school – and everything that’s happened since has taught me that giving up, just because the going gets tough, is a huge mistake.”
You don’t want to actually highlight a major regret – especially one that exposes an overall dissatisfaction with your life. Instead, focus on a smaller, but significant, mishap, and how it has made you a better professional.
Good answer:
“When I was in college, I took an art class to supplement my curriculum. I didn’t take it very seriously, and assumed that, compared to my Engineering classes, it would be a walk in the park. My failing grades at midterm showed me otherwise. I’d even jeopardized my scholarship status. I knew I had to get my act together. I spent the rest of the semester making up for it, ended up getting a decent grade in the class. I learned that no matter what I’m doing, I should strive to do it to the best of my ability. Otherwise, it’s not worth doing at all.”

10. How do you explain your gap in employment?
Bad answer:
"I was so tired of working, and I needed a break,” or “I just can’t find a job.”
Employment gaps are always tough to explain. You don’t want to come across as lazy or unhireable. Find a way to make your extended unemployment seem like a choice you made, based on the right reasons.
Good answer:
“My work is important to me, so I won’t be satisfied with any old job. Instead of rushing to accept the first thing that comes my way, I’m taking my time and being selective to make sure my next role is the right one."

11. When were you most satisfied in your job?
Bad answer:
"I was most satisfied when I did well, and got praised for my work.”
Don’t give vague answers. Instead, think about something you did well – and enjoyed –that will be relevant at this new job. This is an opportunity for you to share your interests, prove that you’re a great fit for the job and showcase your enthusiasm.
Good answer:
“I’m a people person. I was always happiest – and most satisfied – when I was interacting with people and patient, making sure I was able to meet their needs and giving them the best possible helathcare experience. It was my favorite part of the job, and it showed – I was rated as “Good or Excellent” 95% of the time. Part of the reason I’m interested in this job at Human and Health Services is that I know I’d have even more interaction with patients, on an even more critical level."

12. What did you like least about your last job?
Bad answer:
"A lack of stability. I felt like the place could collapse around me at any time.”
Try and stay away from anything that draws on the politics, culture or financial health of your previous employer. No matter how true it might be, comments like these will be construed as too negative. Also, you don’t want to focus on a function that might be your responsibility in the next role. So think of something you disliked in your last job, but that you know for sure won’t be part of this new role.
Good answer:
“There was nothing about my last job that I hated, but I guess there were some things I liked less than others. My previous role involved traveling at least twice a month. While I do love to travel, twice a month was a little exhausting – I didn’t like spending quite so much time out of the office. I’m happy to see that this role involves a lot less travel.”

13. Describe a time when you did not get along with a co-worker.
Bad answer:
"I’m easy to get along with, so I’ve never had any kind of discord with another coworker.”
Interviewers don’t like these types of “easy out” answers. And besides, they know you are probably not telling the truth. Think of a relatively benign (but significant) instance, and spin it to be a positive learning experience.
Good answer:
“I used to lock heads with a fellow nurse in the INCU ward. We disagreed over a lot of things – from the care of patients to who got what shifts to how to speak with a child’s family. Our personalities just didn’t mesh. After three months of arguing, I pulled her aside and asked her to lunch. At lunch, we talked about our differences and why we weren’t getting along. It turns out, it was all about communication. We communicated differently and once we knew that, we began to work well together. I really believe that talking a problem through with someone can help solve any issue.”

14. What motivates you?
Bad answer:
"Doing a good job and being rewarded for it.”
It’s not that this answer is wrong – it’s just that it wastes an opportunity. This question is practically begging you to highlight your positive attributes. So don’t give a vague, generic response – it tells them very little about you. Instead, try and use this question as an opportunity to give the interviewer some insight into your character, and use examples where possible.
Good answer:
“I’ve always been motivated by the challenge of meeting a tough deadline – in my last role, I was responsible for a 100% success rate in terms of delivering our products on time and within budget. I know that this job is very fast-paced, and deadline-driven – I’m more than up for the challenge. In fact, I thrive on it.”

15. How would your friends describe you?
Bad answer:
"I’m a really good listener.”
While being a good listener is a great personality trait, your employer probably doesn’t care all that much. It’s unlikely that they’re hiring you to be a shoulder to cry on. You’ll want to keep your answer relevant to the job you’re interviewing for – and as specific as possible. If you can, insert an example.
Good answer:
“My friends would probably say that I’m extremely persistent – I’ve never been afraid to keep going back until I get what I want. When I worked as a program developer, recruiting keynote speakers for a major tech conference, I got one rejection after another – this was just the nature of the job. But I really wanted the big players – so I wouldn’t take no for an answer. I kept going back to them every time there was a new company on board, or some new value proposition. Eventually, many of them actually said “yes” – the program turned out to be so great that we doubled our attendees from the year before. A lot of people might have given up after the first rejection, but it’s just not in my nature. If I know something is possible, I have to keep trying until I get it.”

10 Worst IT Job Hunting Mistakes

noreply@blogger.com (Adri Jovin) — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 15:44:00 +0000

Take caution and be thoughtful with every job you apply for. Even though IT employees are in high demand, the competition is tough, which means the simplest mistake in your job search can lead to disaster. Make sure you’re not making these 10 common job hunting mistakes and get the IT job of your dreams!

1. Not Reading the Job Description
2. Duties VS. Accomplishments
3. Not Customizing Your Cover Letter
4. Using an Unprofessional Email Address
5. Not Being Concise
6. Being Too Polished or Over-Prepared
7. Sloppy Speech
8. No Concrete Examples
9. Failing to Ask Questions in an Interview
10. References Don’t Check Out

1. Not Reading the Job Description
After applying for an endless number of open IT positions, the job descriptions tend to blur together. But that doesn’t mean you should stop reading them. A common mistake IT job seekers make in their job hunt is forgetting to read and follow the requirements stated in the job description. Whether applicants are overqualified, or under qualified, too often, recruiters find themselves faced with resumes and cover letters that are irrelevant to the posting.
In addition to meeting every requirement listed in the job description, it’s also important to follow the instructions on how to apply. Too often, job seekers send an email with an attached resume or cover letter, failing to take into consideration special application instructions, such as including a salary history, list of references, or some other requirement. Searching for an IT job is hard – but don’t let yourself miss out on an opportunity because you didn’t read the directions!

2. Duties VS. Accomplishments
One of the most common resume errors IT professionals make is giving a laundry list of job duties instead job accomplishments. Employers can usually identify what your duties were through the job title – they would rather know what you did that made a difference. Your resume should answer the question: How did you succeed at your last place of employment?
Say you were applying for a job as a computer programmer. Instead of saying, “Wrote software programs for Company X for seven years” on your resume, you could say, “Took initiative with software development projects at Company X by finding unique solutions to client problems in a timely manner.” Specifying accomplishments instead of duties makes your resume stand out in a crowd.

3. Not Customizing Your Cover Letter
Perhaps one of the most common job seeking mistakes IT professionals make is failing to customize the cover letter for each job. As tempting as it is to cut and paste your cover letter, substituting only the appropriate employer name and position title, don’t. Hiring managers can sniff out a cut-and-paste cover letter from a mile away. Besides, it’s in your interest to tailor cover letters, and highlight your past experiences that are directly related to the job. That’s what makes you stand out!
Using a cut-and-paste cover letter is risky for a lot of reasons, most importantly because it’s easy to make mistakes, like forgetting to switch names and titles. For example, if you’re applying for an IT position at a government agency, you might want to double check that you changed the “Department of Energy” for “Department of Defense.” After all, if you can’t be bothered to pay attention to details in looking for a job, what’s the guarantee that you’ll pay attention once you get the job?

4. Using an Unprofessional Email Address
Think your fun email address is memorable and personable? Think again.
Anarchy212@gmail.com or starwarzfan4life@aol.com doesn’t exactly give off the impression of a professional looking for a job in the IT securities field. A silly email address makes potential employers think you aren’t serious and that you may act similarly on the job.
Stick with a simple email address that contains your name. Professionalism matters! Save Gandalf_99@yahoo.com for your friends and family, if you must.

5. Not Being Concise
Sorting through job applications is one of many tedious tasks recruiters have on their plate. Don’t make their day worse by sending in a cover letter that reads like your autobiography. While it’s important to sell your strengths in a cover letter, keeping it short and focused is just as important.
Recruiters are inundated with applications and faced with weeding out the good from the bad. So make their job easier and increase your chances by filling your resume with the right IT keywords. Recruiters will take any excuse to throw a resume into the trash bin if it takes them too long to decipher your jargon, so it’s imperative your application passes the skim test. Length isn’t important, keywords are. Look at your resume and ask yourself:
1) Can a hiring manager see my main credentials within 10 to 15 seconds?
2) Does the most critical information jump off the page?
3) Do I effectively sell myself on the top quarter of the first page?
Many employees are proud of their careers and want their resume to reflect everything they’ve accomplished as an IT professional. Unfortunately, that’s the quickest way to the recycle bin.
Be judicious. If your college days are far behind you, does it really matter that you pledged a fraternity or delivered pizza? Do you really need to mention that first IT internship? Cut the fat and highlight major accomplishments. Take the time to focus on career highlights – it’s these types of executive skills that employers look for anyway.
Think about it this way: If you were a recruiter looking at a resume for an IT professional, which of the following entries would impress you more?
• “Wrote news releases.”
• “Wrote 25 news releases in a three-week period under daily deadlines.”
Clearly the second statement carries more weight. Why? Because it uses numbers to quantify the writer’s accomplishment, giving it context that helps the interviewer understand the degree of difficulty involved in the task. Numbers are powerful resume tools that help your accomplishments draw the attention they deserve from prospective employers. With just a little thought, you can find effective ways to quantify your successes on your resume and make them sing.

6. Being Too Polished or Over-Prepared
Have you ever blanked out during a class speech, or failed a test you spent all night studying for? Over-preparation is to blame. The same principle applies to job searching as well.
Loosen up and relax. While practice makes perfect, sometimes, it doesn’t hurt to be a little off your game. Preparing too much makes you seem stiff and overly formal, or worse, causes you to blank out during the interview.
Plus, interviewers can tell if you’re too rehearsed or faking it, and that doesn’t help your cause. Don’t be afraid of having answers that aren’t textbook perfect. Be honest and highlight your achievements. The “right” interview answer isn’t necessarily what you think the interviewer wants to hear. Be yourself – a little spunk goes a long way.

7. Sloppy Speech
Do you, um, like, think that maybe, like, you could speak, um, like, professionally?
Speaking properly, when talking to a potential employer is just as important as having a typo-free cover letter. Being an IT professional doesn’t mean you’re exempt from working with a wide variety of people; communication skills are still important in the workplace.
During your career, you’ll be expected to talk to a variety of people in many departments, from salespersons to public relations officers, data crunchers to IT engineering peers. So leave out the “ums” and “likes,” talk at an understandable pace, and use strong, decisive words to get your point across.
During your IT interview, remember to speak to the level of your audience. Don’t pull out the technical jargon if you’re talking to someone from human resources; save your industry expertise for further along the hiring process. Simple stuff, but you’d be surprised how many people blow it here.

8. No Concrete Examples
There are a handful of standard IT interview questions you should be prepared for. Getting asked about your past job experiences is one of them. Don’t let this question stump you during a job interview!
For example, you might be asked, “Tell me about a time when you ran up against a difficult problem.” Talk about a time you recognized an obstacle, analyzed the situation, and overcame the challenge.
If you have to sit and think about a time you dealt with a difficult software program, or had an issue with an IT client, the interviewer might assume that you’re unprepared. If you’re still having trouble thinking about your working past, grab a friend and have them quiz you with questions you might get asked at the real thing.
However, be honest if you don’t have an example. Telling the truth is always better than making up a lie that your employer could learn about later.

9. Failing to Ask Questions in an Interview
Curiosity killed the cat, but it can help you ace your IT interview. Don’t be afraid to ask questions! After all, a job interview goes both ways. It’s not just you who’s in the hot seat, but the interviewer too!.
Failing to ask questions is a big mistake for job seekers; it shows lack of interest and unpreparedness. Don’t just ask about whatever pops into your head, either. Intelligent questions show you’ve done your research, and put thought into the interview.
Go for in-depth questions, like asking about the company culture, or successful traits of someone who previously held the position you are applying for. Not only are you proving that you’ve made an investment in them, you’ve shown that you’re worth making an investment in too.

10. References Don’t Check Out
Employers use references as a way to verify your value from a third party, which means solid IT references are your golden ticket out of unemployment. But if your references don’t check out, kiss that job goodbye.
When HR comes knocking for references, make sure you provide professional, qualified contacts you can count on. Hopefully you’ve taken the time to cultivate a positive relationship with them.
An excellent reference gives you credibility, while a negative, ambiguous, or careless reference will have your employer hitting the ‘escape’ button. Be honest with your references, and ask if they are willing to provide a good reference on your behalf. If not, thank them for their time and move on to someone else.
So what are qualities of a good reference? Someone who is eloquent, professional, and qualified to talk about the IT field. Most importantly, you must have spent significant time in a work environment with your reference, and you must have directly worked with, or for them.
If possible, have more than a few references on hand, in case someone backs out, is unavailable, or isn’t qualified to speak about the particular job you’re applying for. And always, always, thank your references for their time and let them know if you get the job or not. Don’t forget to keep that relationship alive even when you’re employed! You’ll never know when you’ll need to call on them again.

Facebook's face...!

noreply@blogger.com (Adri Jovin) — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 14:24:00 +0000

Facebook is the primary social network most of our students are accessing to manage their social lives. Are they going to stop using it anytime soon? No, they’re not. They’re not going to stop because it’s their communication platform- it’s where their friends are and it’s how they plan their lives. And that’s why we have to understand how it works and ensure that we help them to understand how they use it safely. We need to be discussing Facebook’s privacy settings and how students can set them to a level that provides them with profiles they are comfortable with.

We need to put this in perspective. People of my generation were operating in social networks too. It’s just that our social networks were dependent on a single corded phone line placed in a usually busy part of the household. Our parents spent their lives bemoaning the fact that the phone line was under siege from their teenage children. Think about it; if a network like Facebook were available when you were young, would you have been there? I know I would.

Facebook have made some significant changes to their privacy settings in recent months. Matt McKeon has created ‘an evolution of Facebook’ and has used some very interesting visuals to denote these changes over time. I used them with Yr 11 students last week and they certainly took notice.

It’s a powerful representation of their default settings and the changes that have been made over time. Show these to your students and I’m pretty sure you’ll see them heading home to make some changes; changes they probably didn’t even know were necessary.

We have been taking our students through the account settings in Facebook, alerting them to changes that have been applied to their accounts. Some students know what’s happening and have ensured their settings are set to ‘only friends’, but many have no idea. Most don’t bother to check the ‘Applications and Websites’ settings, and don’t realize that Facebook has arranged to allow a user’s information to be accessible to nominated websites if a Facebook member accesses them. According to Facebook, it allows for a more integrated web experience and saves you time. According to me, it’s non-consensual use of my personal information. Facebook are overstepping the mark, and people are starting to sit up, take notice, and speak out.

The New York Times have been keeping up with what is happening and have produced a very good graphic showing the default settings and what needs to be done to manage your privacy;

Danah Boyd has written a ‘rant’ about Facebook’s lack of transparency. In it, she makes some observations that I’ve noted are common to students here in Australia too. Most are unaware of the fact that their information is accessible to friends of friends. What follows is a lengthy grab from Danah’s post, but she makes such good points they are well worth sharing (and of course, I’d encourage you to visit her blog to read the post in its entirety);

“Over and over again, I find that people’s mental model of who can see what doesn’t match up with reality. People think “everyone” includes everyone who searches for them on Facebook. They never imagine that “everyone” includes every third party sucking up data for goddess only knows what purpose. They think that if they lock down everything in the settings that they see, that they’re completely locked down. They don’t get that their friends lists, interests, likes, primary photo, affiliations, and other content is publicly accessible.”

If Facebook wanted radical transparency, they could communicate to users every single person and entity who can see their content. They could notify then when the content is accessed by a partner. They could show them who all is included in “friends-of-friends” (or at least a number of people). They hide behind lists because people’s abstractions allow them to share more. When people think “friends-of-friends” they don’t think about all of the types of people that their friends might link to; they think of the people that their friends would bring to a dinner party if they were to host it. When they think of everyone, they think of individual people who might have an interest in them, not 3rd party services who want to monetize or redistribute their data. Users have no sense of how their data is being used and Facebook is not radically transparent about what that data is used for. Quite the opposite. Convolution works. It keeps the press out.

The battle that is underway is not a battle over the future of privacy and publicity. It’s a battle over choice and informed consent. It’s unfolding because people are being duped, tricked, coerced, and confused into doing things where they don’t understand the consequences. Facebook keeps saying that it gives users choices, but that is completely unfair. It gives users the illusion of choice and hides the details away from them “for their own good.”

What really worries me, is that there are not enough people in our schools today who are confident enough with new technologies to understand how to help our students work these things out. This is part of the new digital divide that is starting to rear its ugly head. I have the feeling we will have students who are given an understanding of the benefits of creating positive digital profiles and they will do just that. They will understand that you don’t upload that unflattering photo or you avoid being photographed in compromising situations. You post the great things you are doing and your social resume helps you to get that job you’re looking for. You won’t be the kid on the other side of the digital divide who uploads all those photos from that party that got out of control. That same kid on the other side never created any great digital content because their teachers didn’t understand new technologies and never set any tasks that allowed them to show people what they were truly capable of. Their social resume is the one that recruiters look at, resulting in them sending their work resume (the one they’ve written) to the bottom of the pile.

Schools do have a part to play in informing our students about managing their lives in social networks. What this requires is teachers who are up to date with what is happening and with the nous to direct them to the information they need. It worries me that the only professional development our teachers are given to support them with understandings like these, come from blog posts written by other teachers who are doing it late into the night with dark bags under their eyes!

Addicting and sedating networks....

noreply@blogger.com (Adri Jovin) — Wed, 26 May 2010 13:49:00 +0000

Addicted to Twitter?

Quitting Facebook next week?

Facebook admits privacy errors, plans new settings...

They don't come from me rather they come from the famous news magazines all over the world.

Yes, infact, its true that people have fall addict to Social Networks. People enjoy spending time in them, more than doing something good. Having a good relationship with friends is good. Does social networking show the true relationship?

Filmmaker Karan Johar admits, "I am obsessed with Twitter. Twitter has become my spouse as I can share every emotion that I want to with the people on it. And going by my fixation, I can say that I might need help to overcome it in future." Singer Lily Allen has branded the site as "very addictive and dangerous". "Anything which is done in extreme can be addictive.

There has been an increase in complaints by parents about childs' obsession with social networking especially on Twitter. One of the parents came during their daughter's board exams saying that she wasted an hour every day Twitter and Facebook," says Dr Aarti Anand, consulting clinical psychologist, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

"The need for people to be connected with others and the high that one gets with knowing that so many people are reading what I tweet has people hooked on to Twitter. The celebrity presence adds to the damage. And the easy access through mobiles and through applications (like tweetdeck) on the iPhone and Blackberry makes matters worse," says Dr Amitabha Saha, senior consultant, psychiatry, Brainex.

These are not stories, but facts published in the famous newspapers. Getting addicted to one thing is infact a great pain. They believe in virtual relationships than the real. The psychological reason behind these is that they are focused just like celebrities among their friends in the virtual world. This mirage hides their eyes and makes them addicted to these networks. Bringing them back to the normal life is somewhat difficult.

A simple check for addiction: Constantly feels the need for checking some social networking site and it hampers your day-to-day activities and productivity

The next problem is the privacy issue encountered in these sites. For the last two weeks, Facebook had been the target of attack for almost many organisations and newspapers for the Privacy issues. Facebook, itself had admitted this issue last week.

Facebook has often come in for criticism of its privacy policy, whose default setting is to allow large amounts of personal data to be viewed and searched by the public. Criticism grew following the introduction of new features recently that extended Facebook buttons across numerous internet sites and could have exposed users' browsing habits to others.

Moreover, it would be advisable not to make personal conversations, whatever issue it may be concerned with, over the social networks. Personal should always be dealt personally and public can be deal publicly. Social networks are not a channel to pass your personal issues to others.....

Don't get addicted to social networks and safeguard your privacy.....!

Think thrice before you print this!

Social Networks- New Social Threats.....

noreply@blogger.com (Adri Jovin) — Tue, 04 May 2010 01:42:00 +0000

In the last 3 to 4 years, some names like Orkut, Facebook, MySpace etc... have become so famous among the youngsters.

What are these? What is the purpose of these?

All the above said are nothing, but social networks. They were started with the intention of bringing people together.

Often we may have friends in our school days, whose contact may have been lost when we go for higher education. These social networks were once a boon for those who were very much interested to make contact with their old friends. They could find those friends in Orkut or Facebook or some Social networks similar to them. Even I could find most of my primary school friends in those sites and could maintain a good relationship with them. But as time passed out, we could realise the threat behind these sites.Its really painful to find such things in these sites.

What is the actual problem nowadays related to these sites?

Let us see them.

People started using these sites to map their friends and relatives and tried to have a good relationship with them. But some started taking effort to create new relations. Infact, its not wrong to have new friends. No one thought that this would become a problem. Later on, it was found that unknown people started sharing even their personal affairs with some one whom they had never seen before. Some started creating fake accounts and tried to impress others, especially those of their opposite sex. Because of this the number of fake accounts in these social networks have increased a lot. Almost 45-47% of accounts in these social networks are fake.They are just created with the purpose of misusing some one's name or to achieve those which I had said before. I call those accounts as "Faceless Accounts".

The truth is that youngsters believe the faceless accounts more than the real people.

Who knows who is who? Only when problem arise and one tries to get the help of the Cybercrime Wing, the holder of the Faceless Accounts is made to show his/her face. It is really a very painful thing to see the youngsters moving in a wrong path.

Next comes the information being posted in one's profile. Every one have to be aware of the thing that anything being posted in the World Wide Web is open to the whole world regardless of the security that is being provided to your data.

I could find a common thing among the teens nowadays, Not only teens, but also those who are alder than them. They avoid even telling their birthday if some one in their class asks or some one who is real asks. But they would inscript their whole details including those which are related to one's privacy in these Social Networks. This is really funny. It is nothing but exposing oneself to the Virtual World which may contain more Virtual Characters than real characters. Everyone must know what details must be exposed in those sites and what details should never be revealed to the Virtual World. A lot of guidelines have been given in a lot of sites about what details need to be given in Social Networks. I could find some nice guidelines being given in the official site of Asian School for Cyber Laws. I would request all those who are using Social Networks to follow those guidelines.

The next thing, I would like to focus is the photos being uploaded in the Social Networks. I have seen people who hesitate to even give pose to a photo snapshot when their class mates or "Real People" ask, but they upload pics with hight resolution in those sites. I would advice them not to use such pics in those social networks. It is preferable to use a pic with less resolution or a pic that couldn't be edited so easily. Its because, incidents have been recorded regarding the merge of beautiful faces with some other's body. Often morphing is done. Incidents have been recorded which have even left people to make undesirable decisions(e.g suicide) after such things. In order to avoid such conditions, its better to follow the guidelines above.

Another thing which is related to the social networks is the, so called "Hackers War". Different community of hackers often play with these social networks to show their power and the victims are none but the end-users who are using these networks.

It is better to avoid the usage of third party applications provided in the Social Networks. It has been noted that some of the third party application exhibit keylogging character which is infact a threat to one's privacy.

A problem with some social networks, which I may call the "Broker Networks" are found to even sell the profile of their end-users to some other companies or people who may make use of those for their own purpose which includes masquerading. Not all social networks are like that, but a few...

Another truth is that, it has been found that, those who spend their time more on social networks and rely on them are found to be affected by some mental disorders.

Atlast, I would say, its better to believe real people than those you get over the virtual world. Who knows, some one may say himself as Adri Jovin and do something unwanted things over the web when I even don't have access over the internet. No one can see the face of the one who is in the other end so easily, in this virtual world. So believe real relationships. Lead a peaceful life. . This is for you and your life. Be satisfied with the friend you have around you and never search for a new one whom you never know before and falter in your life...

International Certificatiion

noreply@blogger.com (Adri Jovin) — Sat, 01 May 2010 01:49:00 +0000

I would like to express my views over the importance of International Certification in building the career of budding Engineers.
I hope, students might be aware of various corporates like Microsoft,IBM,Cisco etc...
What I'm about to tell might be new for some and may be well known for others.
All the major corporates in the World offer various certification to provide a global recognition to the technical knowledge of a person. Apart from these, there are certain third party organisations like Brainbench and Expert Rating which help the corporates in identifying the right person for the employment offers in those corporates by offering various online exams.
The most written exams in India are those provided by Microsoft, Cisco, IBM, Oracle, Sun Microsystems etc. Apart from all these corporates there are yet more corporates that provide international certification like 3COM, Adobe, APC, Apple, BEA Systems, Citrix, CIW, CompTIA, Computer Associates, CWNP, Dell, EC-Council, EMC, Enterasys Networks, Ericsson, Exam Express, EXIN, Extreme Networks, FileMaker, Foundny Networks, Fujitsu, Guidance Software, HDI Worldwide, Hitachi Data Systems, HP, Huawei, Hyperion Solutions, Juniper Networks, Linux, Lotus, McData, NCR Teradata, Network Appliance, Network General Corp., Nokia, Nortel, Novell, OMG, SAIR, SAS, SNIA, Sybase, Symantec, Tibco, VMware and so on...
All these corporates provide Associate level,Professional Level and Expert Level certifications in various domains like Programming, Networking, Desktop Administration, Desktop Publishing, Multimedia, Data Security, Network Security, Database Administration, Virtualisation and so on...
Furthermore certification details can be found in Pearson Vue and Prometric sites.
Though these certifications are costly, the knowledge gain is very high and is very useful...
The benefits are
1. Practical knowledge over a particular domain can be obtained
2. International Identity
3. Provisions to learn new things about the latest technologies
4. Direct Interaction with the Global Technical Giants.
Hope, this post may be helpful to atleast some budding engineers. For any guidance regarding International Certification, feel free to contact me.