Career Kit

10 Ways to Be More Successful at Work

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 23:01:10 +0100

Photo Credit: istockphoto.com What makes a person shine at work? She’s not necessarily the office genius, yet people enjoy working with her and would refer her to anyone who’s looking for a good hire. What’s the secret of her success? Here are a handful of a superstar’s tips and tricks.1) Define Success. Either during the interview or at the beginning of the job, a winner discovers what is expected of her. She’s likely to ask her manager, "How can I be successful in this role?" Even i...

6 Tips to Help You Keep Your Career Resolutions

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 22:02:21 +0100

By Alexandra Levit, Author of New Job, New You (CareerBuilder.com) -- Nearly half of all Americans make New Year's resolutions each year, according to recent research.. And -- you guessed it -- more than half of those individuals forgo their resolutions within the first six months. If you're looking to improve your career situation in 2010, making a resolution is critical. People who do so are 10 times more likely to attain their goals than people who don't, but the type of resolution you m...

5 Career Resolutions You Shouldn't Make

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 21:37:52 +0100

By Robert Half International It's the beginning of a new year, and, for many professionals, that means making career resolutions. Unfortunately, as earnest as some people may be when it comes to reaching goals they've set, their resolutions aren't as motivating as they were intended to be and are soon forgotten. If this has happened to you, it may be because you're making the wrong resolutions, thus setting yourself up for failure before you even get started. Following are a few examples of reso...

8 Inspiring Women: Words of Wisdom

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 02:11:01 +0100

The Women’s Conference is a daylong event brimming with inspiration, energy, and enthusiasm. Attendees leave Long Beach, Calif., feeling more revved up than they would from a hundred soy lattes. Some of the most incredible women share their authentic selves and stories of how they became architects of change in their own lives. Here are jewels of wisdom and advice from eight female game-changers who will empower and move you to make the most of your own incredible self. “It’s...

5 Steps to Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 01:49:17 +0100

by Jill Daniel Think quick—what would you rather do: stand up and speak in front of 100 people or be caught without any clothes on? Would you believe that baring it all comes out ahead almost every time? That’s because public speaking is reported to be the #1 fear of American adults. To help us understand how we can overcome our fear of standing up and being heard, I recently spoke with Janet Esposito, author of In the Spotlight: Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking and P...

Negotiating Outside the Box

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:52:21 +0100

by Vfirefly Team Sometimes having a successful negociation is not just about the money. You can maximize your chances of getting a great total package by thinking of what u want in less conventional terms. Debra Shigley, author of The Go-Getter Girl's Guide, has the following suggestions: Delayed or deferred start date Your title More vacation Signing bonus Administrative support (eg an assistant) Tuition reimbursement or training opportunities A company car or gas/mileage allowance ...

Pursuing Your Passion

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 23:40:05 +0100

Consider this the first day of the rest of your life! Don't be afraid to dream "big" as you embark on a new path. You may be thrilled about your decision to pursue your dreams, or perhaps you’re feeling anxious. It’s natural to feel nervous, but as you proceed, do what feels right for you. Sit in silence, put pen to paper and think this through. Determine your dream. Set realistic goals. Develop a support network. Create a plan to turn your dream into a reality. If you’re feeling...

Get Paid to Play

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 22:34:06 +0100

It’s time to find your dream job! Most of us sleepwalk through our days at boring, uninspiring or frustrating jobs. You have refused to settle for the humdrum. Congratulations on taking this important step! Making up your mind is the most significant decision you make. The truth is it IS possible to find the ideal career to fulfill your needs and stimulate your interests. You have the internal resource to navigate the maze and find the best opportunity for you. Changing jobs can be a terrifyi...

Career by Design: Resources to help you define your niche

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 02:24:05 +0100

Compiled by the Vfirefly Team You've done your research to find your dream job, but there’s always room for a little book learning. The following books will help you to find and secure your ideal career: How to Land Your Dream Job: No Resume! And Other Secrets to Get You in the Door, by Jeffrey J. Fox. Fox argues that simply submitting a resume doesn’t work as effectively as it once did. He suggests using other means of communication to help you stand out in the application process. I Co...

Fine-Tune Your Skill Set!

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 02:10:14 +0100

As you pursue your dreams, think about the skills you need. Often, on the way to success, people stall out because they don’t have the necessary skills to attain their goals. If you need specific talents or skills for pursuing your dream, now is the time to build your foundation. You probably can't quit your job and dive head first into living your dream, but one great way to educate yourself is to volunteer in your area of interest. For example, if your dream is to be a triathlon star, join a...

How to Land Your Dream Job

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 02:00:55 +0100

Get Some Perspective Every day, put out the word that you are looking to land your dream job. Talk to your family and friends first and ask them what they think about your choice. Maybe they have some pointers or advice, or they can put you in touch with someone they know in the field? Find people who have succeeded at what you are trying to do. These people are a wealth of knowledge and wisdom and can act as truly valuable mentors along the way, and save you from making alot...

How to Answer the #1 Toughest Interview Question

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 20:37:46 +0100

"What is your greatest weakness?" Beware! This query and its many variations are "eliminator" questions designed to shorten the candidate list. Any admission of a weakness or fault will earn you an "A" for honesty but an "F" for the interview. Of course, you may think you already have a clever comeback. You'll simply disguise a strength as a weakness. Perhaps you'll reluctantly confess what a perfectionist you are or how you sometimes push your people too hard because you work with a sense...

The Science Behind Motivation

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 05:21:07 +0100

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4 Powerful Factors That Will Virtually Guarantee Your Job-Search Success

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:19:21 +0100

The 4 Factors That WillVirtually Guarantee Your Success Even in Today's Tight Job Market Provided by Gary Bencivenga, Editor of NewJobSecrets.com From my experience, I learned that the four most important factors that virtually guarantee success in any human activity--including your job search--are: Success Factor #1: Courage. When all else fails, your courage alone will carry you. If you've been laid off, you have probably already discovered two things about the process and yourself. First,...

The Top 25 Interview Mistakes

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:38:29 +0100

...plus some of the funniest real-life interview gaffes you’ve ever heard In a major study conducted by the Placement Center of Northwestern University, employers were asked to name the traits or responses they found most objectionable in job candidates. Their responses, in order of intensity of dislike, were as follows: Arrogance, cockiness. Poor communication, presentation skills. Lack of interest. Lack of knowledge about the company and industry. Early discussi...

We Asked. You Tweeted!

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 07:50:55 +0100

What would you attempt if you know you could not fail? Write a book about a topic I have been passionate about for a long time. Enroll in College to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. Tell my friend I’ve loved for a year how I feel about him. Operate a facility to provide care for senior citizens. Become a professional dancer. I love to dance and want to take more classes to become better. Open a resort in the country for mentally and physically abused...

How to Recover From a Negative Review

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 07:47:32 +0100

You can bounce back from a poor job evaluation. Here’s how to handle it appropriately. By James Ganey Tips to help you turn things around Scenario # 1: You are denied a promotion or raise Plan of Action Step 1: Be patient. Ask colleagues whether is could be a skill weakness that’s hurting you or office politics at play. Step 2: Come up with a six month plan based on what you’ve learned and let your actions speak for you Step 3: Show someone else that you are doi...

Finding the Pathway to Your Purpose

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 07:40:30 +0100

15 ways to jump start your dreams by the Viralfirefly Team 1. Name it and claim it. Affirm your heart’s desire as rightfully yours. Speak of the accomplishment in the present tense. “I am the best person for this job. The promotion is mine.” 2. Put yourself in the picture. Imagine a day immersed in the role you hope to play, a wife, mother, CEO, pastor or lead singer. Create a vision board of yourself doing those activities. Psychologist say visualization keeps us on trac...

4 Smart Ways to Make Cash to Stash

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 07:36:55 +0100

1. Blog. In this internet age, blogging is big business. So share your passion - cooking, hiking, politics... leverage your field of expertise. Try the web site blogger.com to get started. And for a 30% commission, http://Web.blogads.com will act as an agent, notifying you about advertisers that want to post on your site. 2. Freelance. Log on to Guru.com a web-based marketplace that connects employers with more than 100, 000 freelance profiles in more than 160 professions. 3. Work Part ti...

Transforming Anxiety into Action

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 19:04:21 +0100

Angela Neal-Barnett, Ph. D. Draft a plan with measurable results and time frames. Five steps to get you started: 1. Turn your worry into a goal. For example, change “I’ll never pay off these bill” to “I want to be free of all credit card debt by 2015” 2. Figure out what specific actions will get you to your goal. Do you need to look for a part time job on the weekends to earn an extra $100 a week? Do you need to work an extra five years before you can retire? 3. Work aro...

Women CEOS of the Fortune 1000

Sun, 19 Jul 2009 21:52:55 +0100

Published by Pyramids: July 2009 Fortune 500 (15 CEOs) • Patricia A. Woertz, Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) (#27) • Angela F. Braly, WellPoint, Inc. (#32) • Lynn Laverty Elsenhans, Sunoco (#41) • Indra K. Nooyi, PepsiCo, Inc. (#52) • Irene B. Rosenfeld, Kraft Foods Inc. (#53) • Ellen J. Kullman, DuPont (#75) • Mary F. Sammons, Rite Aid Corporation (#100) • Carol M. Meyrowitz, The TJX Companies, Inc. (#131) • Ursula M. Burns, ...

Top Blogs on Cracking the Corporate Code

Sun, 19 Jul 2009 16:27:37 +0100

Managing Leadership: Stay on your toes with this blog “designed to help busy directors and executives understand how leadership really works in their organizations. Cali and Jody: ROWE, Results-Only Work Environment: Reinvent the relationship between employers and the people who get the work done. The Bing Blog: You’ll surely find out what not to do to become an effective leader in this blog that covers bad jobs, bad bosses and how to zone out in an all-day meeting Marshall Go...

Career Kit - Featured Sites

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 04:22:12 +0100

www.ehow.com From getting ahead, to honing effective work habits, this excellent expert career guide is the ultimate recipe for success in the workplace. National Association of Women Business Owners Great "one-stop" resource center for business and professional women from an association that has been around for 30 years. www.eeoc.gov The official website of the U.S. Equal Opportunities Commission. www.dol.gov U.S. Department of Labor Official Site ...