Young Urban Professionals' nOOk

Operator by Jim Croce

2009-07-03T22:45:00.004+08:00

One of my fave guitarists and acoustic singers of the 70's and 80's was Jim Croce. Call me old fashion, but Jim's music has somehow crossed the boundaries of his generation in terms of depth and meaning. As Ingrid Croce aptly described:

When Jim performed, he engaged us in an intimate rapport along with his one-man-band, guitarist extraordinaire, Maury Muehleisen. Jim Croce delivered his songs with such sincerity that you believed him. With ballads and love songs, Jim would let his music speak for itself. But with his “story” songs, Jim was a natural stand-up-comic; his wit and charm exaggerated his heroes, making legends of “everyman” from fighter to lover, stockcar boy to Roller Derby Queen. (The Official Site of Jim Croce)

Here's one of his hit songs: Operator.(Video and lyrics after the jump. Enjoy!)

Lyrics: Operator

Operator, oh could you help me place this call
You see the number on the matchbook is old and faded
She's livin' in l.a.
With my best old ex-friend ray
A guy she said she knew well and sometimes hated

Isn't that the way they say it goes
But let's forget all that
And give me the number if you can find it
So I can call just to tell them I'm fine and to show
I've overcome the blow
I've learned to take it well
I only wish my words could just convince myself
But that's not the way it feels

Operator, oh could you help me place this call
'cause I can't read the number that you just gave me
There's something in my eyes
You know it happens every time
I think about the love that i thought would save me

Isn't that the way they say it goes
But let's forget all that
And give me the number if you can find it
So I can call just to tell them I'm fine and to show
I've overcome the blow
I've learned to take it well
I only wish my words could just convince myself
That it just wasn't real
But that's not the way it feels

Operator oh let's forget about this call
There's no one there I really wanted to talk you
Thank you for your time
Oh you've been so much more than kind
And you can keep the dime

Isn't that the way they say it goes
But let's forget all that
And give me the number if you can find it
So I can call just to tell them I'm fine and to show
I've overcome the blow
I've learned to take it well
I only wish my words could just convince myself
That it just wasn't real
But that's not the way it feels

How do you get out of the Debt Trap through Credit and Debt Consolidation?

2009-07-01T01:34:00.004+08:00

Henry Wheeler Shaw was correct to point out that “Debt is like any other trap, easy enough to get into, but hard enough to get out of.”

Like any other snare, with determination and planning anyone can always get out or escape, in this case, debt traps. Although I have always prescribed avoidance and good money management as the best defense against any debt traps, unforeseen events can sometimes lure us into them.

Debts of all forms and nature, including credit card debt, are devastating. Moliere describes debts “like children begot with pleasure, but brought forth in pain.” Indeed! The good thing though, however painful the experience is, there is always a way out. Debt consolidation is one of those options. However, this option must be approached with utmost care. Because it is one of those approaches, whereby you solve a problem by creating another problem. How?

In credit and debt consolidation, you are likely to choose among proposed debt consolidation loans and packages, which you and your financial adviser deemed you are able to carry out the commitment entails, i.e., repayments. However, in the absence of any other feasible means, when carefully executed, debt consolidation can bail you out immediately from multiple money obligations.

Again, this is but one among many options. However, the sooner you get out of any debt trap, the sooner you can regain your financial freedom.

Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle

2009-06-26T09:53:00.009+08:00

A balanced lifestyle also means maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

When you take life in a holistic perspective, you will easily find out that a healthy lifestyle is imperative. What does this means?

It means nurturing each of these:

Our mind. Continuing education is necessary for young professionals. You need not enroll on a MBA program or any formal education to do this. Books, and now the internet, are great resource to help you maintain a sharp and healthy mind. The demand on our time from work and relationships can, more often, rob us of those important time to exercise our mind through reading and learning. Get out of this trap. Develop a habit of spending time on reading good books.

Our body. Keeping tabs of what we eat, regular exercise, and annual medical check-up to are but simple, yet more often neglected, activities that we should perform regularly. This also includes keeping our sexual life in check ( you might want to read more about Male Enhancement Review), and staying away from vices, such excessive use of alcohol and smoking (on the side, I am darn glad that President Obama finally signed the bill that strictly regulates cigarette makers –about time!).

Our soul. Regardless on how you view religion or the pursuit of spirituality (or enlightenment), there is more in this life, in this body. We are also spiritual beings, thus it is but natural, as history speaks, that we seek something that is higher than we are. Set goals and time for this pursuit. The book written by Bolman and Deal entitled “Leading with Soul” is a good starting point for busy professionals like us.

A healthy lifestyle is an asset that pays big. Do I have to stress more on these? You know the drill; you simply have to do it.

What makes the best employers? Hewitt has some insights

2009-06-25T09:52:00.006+08:00

Employees working for best employers are engaged only because the company is producing better business results. True or false? Hewitt has the answer.

Julia Smith, Hewitt’s Singapore country leader, says that’s one of the most common myths about “best employers”. Another myth is only hotels can be best employers as they are more people-oriented. In fact, the opposite is true. “Employee engagement is the lead factor. That is engaged employees produce better business results.”

How much better? Smith says, “Well during normal times, research shows engaged employees produced total shareholder return that on average is 40% higher than their competition.”

The results are even more “stunning” during difficult economic times, adds Smith. The stock prices of three Singapore-based companies on the Hewitt Best Employer in Asia 2009 list - Federal Express, McDonalds and Ritz Carlton - had outperformed their industry average by three to six times over the past 12 months.

And it seems most companies do have the potential and the right programmes in place to be a best employer even in the current economy. The differentiation between a best employer and a potential employer of choice is “commitment to execution that drives real competitive advantage”, explains Smith. “The key question is how to move beyond having the right words written on the board room walls to bringing the values to life for each and every employee.

Needless to say, being a best employer is hard work. Smith says it “takes huge commitment” to apply the values “on a daily basis”. To start, organisations need to “take an objective look and assess where they are today, identify priorities and clear action plans”. Getting the facts right is key to focusing limited resources on the most important activities, she adds.

All best employers also do well in creating both an emotional and intellectual connection with employees, says Smith. Here’s how.

Inspire employees with a higher order of purpose

Each and every employee knows their role in bringing the corporate strategy to life. “It’s about making it meaningful for everyone.”

Build a high performance culture where employees can win and create an environment where people can reconnect in a social setting.

“Release that passion. Involve everyone, not just high potentials to the corporate strategy,” Smith says. “Do this right and you will harness the true potential of your people and ensure your company emerges quick and strong in this new economy.
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This is another guest post of Amit Puri, Managing Consultant at Sandbox Advisors. Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

A Glimpse of the Tibetan Culture

2009-06-25T09:31:00.005+08:00

This is a digression on the majority of the topics discussed here, I know. Actually, to be honest, this is a long overdue post about culture. Though I intend to delve mostly here about the current pop-culture, I am also inclined to post briefs on varied cultures of interest, and the Tibetan culture is one.

Tibet has been in the political limelight lately due to its century past struggle for its complete independence.

My fascination with Tibet and its culture stemmed with my childhood dream of scaling Mount Everest and tasting what it is like to live as a sojourner in the Himalayas. The Dalai Lama (past and present) is said to be a very interesting person to fellowship with if you are seeking enlightenment outside of orthodox Christianity.

Tibet’s rich culture is one among the oldest in the world and has been preserved magnificently in spite of the modern technology advancement outside its boundary. Commonly, whenever we speak of this culture, we usually associate it with its offer of religious experience. It is not a wrong impression, so much so that “religion and spirituality is extremely important to the Tibetans and has a strong influence over all aspects of lives; ingrained deeply into their cultural heritage (Wikipedia.com).” Moreover, most likely you have heard of their famous Crystal Singing Bowls. The whole world probably owes it to humanity to preserve this rich culture regardless of the current political and geographical disputes.

Get your free credit report copy today!

2009-06-17T12:56:00.006+08:00

Identity theft is now commonplace. No wonder, identity theft protection is now a booming industry next to credit cards. But what most of us failed to recognize is that identity theft can be prevented, if not, it can be detected immediately through a regular review of your free credit report copy.

What is a credit report anyway?

It is actually a record of you personal financial history. It reveals you history of loans, mortgages, and credit card bills payments; and other important financial information about your financial health status. It also shows whether you are in debt, and whether you are paying on time and for how long. In short, your credit report reflects how you are paring in terms of how you are managing your personal finances. Thus get your free credit report whenever you have the chance.

Who uses your credit report?

Any third party financial institutions and those who you are dealing with that involves financial transactions, such as your real estate agent or potential landlord, are interested at perusing your credit report and may easily get an instant credit report free. This means, what is reflected in your credit report can bespeaks whether you are financially credible. More so, with a good credit report, you can easily negotiate for lower interest rates for any loans or mortgage repayments. This also could mean that an unfavorable report could mean instant rejection of any of your pending loans, or biting a very high interest rate in cases of consideration. Lastly, some employers are also using your credit report to get a snapshot of your financial background.

What is your take?

Make free credit report request annually –you are entitled to it. Review your credit report and ensure that the information contain there are accurate. Should there be wrong information that you deemed do not reflect about your finances, report them immediately to any major credit bureaus for correction. This way, you will be able to find out also if there is any possible identity theft, or simply rectifiable errors in reporting.

Resume Makeover Series - Start with a Power Statement

2009-06-10T05:31:00.006+08:00

Taking into account requests from our readers, we started a series of articles titled ‘Resume Makeover Series.’ The objective is to take you through the complete process of writing a resume, with best practices for each stage.

In this article, we provide information on how to start your resume.

A resume typically starts with your contact details i.e. phone numbers, email addresses and mailing address where an employer can reach you. It sounds obvious but make sure you provide all relevant/updated details and that you are contactable on all options provided (also, try to respond to any communication within 24 hours). Decide on whether to include a photograph, based on your personal preferences or local customs.

Once that is taken care of, I recommend that the next thing an employer sees is your Power/Highlight Statement. This can be used to showcase your major achievements/skills, tell the employer what you want to do and provide a brief description of your level and past work experience. I prefer this over an Objective Statement, which in my opinion adds little value and only tells the employer what you want to do.

Some examples of Power/Highlight statements are provided below. I hope you find them useful.

“Award-winning, highly accomplished Operations Manager with successful track records of consistently increasing revenue and slashing operating costs now seeking a new challenge where my skills and track record can be utilised in the facilities sector.”

“Experienced accounts assistant capable of handling both the Purchase ledger and the Sales ledger duties in an international trading company. Regular liaison with customers and suppliers; always hard working, adaptable and enjoys a challenge.”

“Senior IT Manager experienced in formulating and negotiating commercially sound solutions for a large number and range of projects, services and technologies; well developed inter-personal skills, motivation and team building, with an analytical and investigative approach to work.”

“An experienced commercial manager with a broad European business background; skilled in development areas such as new start-ups and joint ventures. Fully accountable and responsible to Board for both regulated and non-regulated businesses where risk management and cost control are critical.”

__________

This is a guest post by Amit Puri, Managing Consultant at Sandbox Advisors. Sandbox Advisors is based in Singapore and provides career management and HR consulting services in Asia.

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

More About The Big Apple NYC

2009-06-10T05:23:00.005+08:00

I never took the opportunity to work not entirely because of the congestion, but most probably I was intimidated. My perception of the city was best described by Cynthia Heimel:

This is New York, a combat zone, and everyone has to have an angle or they're not allowed over the bridges or through the tunnels. Let them have their angles, it's what they live for. You got better things to worry about, like making sure, the people that actually matter don't try any funny stuff.

I have some regrets, because I never tried. Thus, I just settled for the immediate thrill of admiring what NYC has to offer for any visitors.

There are many great and interesting places to see and to do at The Big Apple other than watching a classic play at the Broadway, or learning a bit of history from the famous New York City Museum of Natural History or enjoying the view from the Statue of Liberty. On top of my list would be enjoying the whole afternoon (and towards the lighting of the city that never sleeps) on a desirable New York Sightseeing from a double-decker bus.

But then again, nothing will truly beat the experience of living and working there, as I should have.

Why is New York City called the "Big Apple"?

2009-06-10T04:44:00.005+08:00

I probably got your attention there.

When I was visiting a college buddy of mine to this “city that never sleep,” ironically, after living for almost a year, he posed me the same question. My initial reaction is almost similar to what Heather Cross posted at About.com when she answered the same question:

This commonly asked question got me wondering, why do we call New York City the Big Apple? While I've seen several apple trees in New York City, I don't particularly recall them as being in notable quantity -- there are certainly more pigeons than apples in New York City, but we don't call New York City the "Big Pigeon."

Exactly. I have seen many pigeons there too, but NYC was never been called a the “Big Pigeon.” Anyway, Heather gave an almost complete answer to that question. You might want to check out the brief post here.

Moving on, I was almost persuaded to work at ‘the big apple’ because of the thrill of earning greener bucks at the Wall Street like my buddy but I could not possibly survive in a city like that where you cannot practically drive your car going to work because of the traffic congestion. Picking me up from JFK alone, my friend has use Car Service NY. Besides, next Tokyo (where I happen to work for almost a year), cost of living at NYC is very expensive. A taste of the night life is unforgettable though.

Touring this summer with 2009 Peugeot 308

2009-06-10T01:43:00.005+08:00

I love cars! Although, I do not collect them –I wish I could. Albeit, a car will always be a necessity for me. Regardless how high the price of petrol products gets, I will always need a reliable car.

When this global financial pandemic started late last year, I decided to forgo my car. However, I only lasted more than a couple of months ‘carless’. Therefore, I bought another one. Not a 2009 Peugeot 308 (although I would really love to get one) or the more versatile Peugeot 107, I got a car that I think is still reliable and will give me a good mileage for every cent spent on gasoline.

However, with enough money in the bank, I really would love to take the 2009 Peugeot 308 for a long drive this summer.

Why would spend every dollar on that car? Three reasons:

(1) It is environment-friendly, with its very low CO2 emission compared to any other cars of its class. This could also mean maximum fuel-efficiency. For less emission, means that fuel is completely burn and translated into optimum torque for its 1.6 l THP 110 kW (150 h.p.) engine (by the way, there are 1.4 l and 2.0 l variants).
(2) This baby is ideal for touring cross-country because the 2009 Peugeot 308 offers an onboard navigation system with a large 7” 16/9 color display. How can you possible get lost with that?
(3) Lastly, the Siamese twin considerations that I always look for an ideal car –comfortable cabin and reliable safety features, which this car has been loaded with.

So, does that sounds like a sales pitch? Nah. Those are just basically the distinctive features of 2009 Peugeot 308 that is worthy of those hard-earned money. By the way, if I have whet your appetite for this baby, you might want to check the huge inventory of brand new and used Peogeot cars at a nearest Peugeot Dealer.

Meditation and Prayer | Practical Ways to Relieve Yourself of Too Much Tension

2009-05-27T10:03:00.006+08:00

Are you losing your enthusiasm at work? Are you feeling that whole weight of the world hangs on your shoulders? Alternatively, you simply feel tired, tensed and frustrated. And, you simply want to disappear from all of these and be somewhere in a tiny pacific island? There are all but symptoms or tell tale signs of too much tension building up in your system.

While a short vacation in a remote paradise island is desirable and effective, these days it rather impractical and costly. Actually, with a few minutes of your time, you can relieve yourself of those tensions.

Meditation and Prayer

In the buzzle of life and the mounting pressures at work, we tend to negate everything that concerns the cultivation of our spiritual being. This is but common. Because for most of us, we leave our spirituality behind our religious rites or churches. This entirely wrong. Spirituality cannot be detached from who we are and what we do from day to day.

Whatever your religious beliefs or practices, prayer and meditation have always been among the most effective ways of releasing those unwanted tensions and emotional burdens. Because when you pray and meditate, you try to unload all the weights to a more powerful entity than you are. In the Christian context, in my context, my communion with my God allows me trust Him more than my abilities and myself.

I am not a very religious person, at least based on common standard, but I have always made it a habit to spend a few minutes of my time on a daily basis to pray and meditate. More often, in my meditation I listen to inspirational music, talks or would even do yoga exercises. I am not limiting myself with the most acceptable Christian practice. On a rare occasion, with friends, I even tried meditating by listening to an enchanted sound of Crystal Singing Bowls. It works. The experience brought a sense of relief and freedom from pressures.

The key here, finding the time and your means of prayer and meditation. With a little effort and discipline, believe me –it works!

3 Sides of “I Have Already Submitted My Resume”

2009-05-20T17:38:00.005+08:00

You are interviewing a candidate about a position for your client, and then you get to the part about interviewing. You ask,” Who have you submitted your resume too?” I have submitted it to A, B, and C companies.

There are 3 major problems with submitting your resume to a company or Job Board.

Number One: The Company loses if they haven’t seen the resume. Typically the recruiter is now out of the process. There is no need to continue the conversation, because it’s now in the clients resume “abyss.” Therefore the recruiter is not entitled to a fee. Some clients have honored our pointing out that the resume has been previously submitted, and had it not been for the recruiter bringing it to the attention of the client company this person was currently being overlooked. Other companies don’t want to know about a candidate that has been submitted, and they are not entertaining the candidate and you know they have a solid background for the position. There needs to be a policy in place to handle candidates that have submitted their resumes in the past, and they are currently not under consideration.

Number Two: The candidate loses out because the resume is lost, and they can’t get a shot at the position. I have had candidates actually say, “Well if you don’t want to represent me, then it’s your loss. The resume is probably being overlooked.” Both points are valid and have probably crossed the recruiters mind once or twice during the conversation.

Sending your resume to a several companies has both positive and negative effects. The positive is you can land a great position. The negatives are that you are not sure “where in cyberspace” your information is floating around.

I have had several potential candidates and I have asked them if they have previously submitted their resume to my client and they say no or the amnesia surfaces and they can’t remember so it slows the process down. A couple of weeks ago, I interview a candidate and cover submitting his resume. He said he had not submitted his resume, and I submit his credentials and my client calls me back almost immediately and tells me when they received it. It was just two days prior to our conversation. Coincidentally, he gets a couple of interviews. He didn’t get the job.

Now I look like I am not qualifying my candidates, and the candidate lessens his/her qualifications. Then the candidate calls back two or three weeks later and wants to know about other opportunities. What would you do?

Number Three: Another problem occurs when someone sends the resume to a company. The candidate sends the resume in to a company in the past. As long as six months prior to the new position opening and the candidate has not been reactivated.

I was working on a search. The client needed someone with very specific technical skills. I submit a candidate that had submitted his resume six months prior to our conversation. Once I submitted it, I get a call from the client stating they already had the resume on file and I wouldn’t be entitled to a fee. After some negotiations and stressing the fact that we brought the candidate to attention of the candidate we should be entitled to a fee. What is the right thing to do?

Conversely, we hear the hiring manager knows this person. The candidate takes the initiative to call the person after we have revealed the have an opening for the same skill sets. Would they have reconnected if the recruiter had not spent time with the candidate?

Tips for using Job Boards:

Job boards like Monster can be very helpful, but from a recruiters stand point it’s like using the phone book. We have to search for the right person, then the screen the person. We will get hundreds of resumes sent to us. We will narrow down the number of viable resumes by background and skill sets required. We’ll call five people and amazing only 2 or 3 people will return the call.

Monitor where you have sent your resume
Don’t submit your resume for a position that you are not qualified for
Remove your resume if you are no longer interested in a new opportunity
Check your resume for spelling errors
Make sure your contact information is current
Be realistic about your requirements i.e. salary, relocation, commute
Be aware that your current employer can find you on job boards like Monster

Several times we have qualified a candidate and submitted the resume only to find out it had already been submitted by someone else without their knowledge. There are recruiters who will submit a resume to “test the validity” of a search. Hopefully it wasn’t your resume.

Some companies ask recruiters not to use Monster. I feel that is like asking a recruiter not to use the telephone. Job Boards are like phone books. You need to “dig out” the proper person. We often hear, “If you use Monster we will know.” Good but we all have job boards to utilize and it’s like finding a needle in a haystack. It’s just another resource for finding the right person for the client.

Submitting your resume if like using the telephone. If someone answers and takes your call then congratulations. If you keep calling and no one answers or returns your calls then don’t be disappointed. This goes for both companies and potential candidates. Think carefully about “submitting you resume” and then make the best move for your career.

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This is a guest post by Brett Stevens, founder and President of The SearchLogix Group. Brett has enjoyed remarkable success in the executive search business in the fields of Software Sales, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Distribution, Warehousing, and Transportation. He has been recognized in many trade and online magazines and is a notable guest speaker. Most recently, Brett was recognized internationally by both the American Stroke Association and the Prostate Cancer Foundation for his fundraising efforts.

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

3 Surefire Steps Towards Debt Elimination

2009-05-17T13:36:00.009+08:00

“Debt has been sold to us so aggressively, so loudly, and so often that to imagine living without debt requires myth-busting...We’ve been sold debt with such repetition and with such fervor that most folks can’t conceive what it would be like to have NO payments.”—from The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey

Debt somehow became ingrained in our lifestyle, that modern living is almost synonymous with a life riddled with debts, various loans, bloated credit card bills and more loans. As if, this kind of lifestyle has become the norm, rather than the exception. The current global financial crisis should give us a wake-up call to turn around and take personal financial management seriously.
However, first things first. How do you eliminate your debts, and start your journey towards financial freedom? Here are three surefire practical steps that you can immediately take:

1st Step: Consolidate all your debts

The first and crucial step in debt elimination is being able to consolidate your debts and other unpaid bills and loans. You need an expert to guide you in this matter. In your own, you can make a list or an inventory of your debts’ sources and create a hierarchy of priorities based on the face-value amount, interest rates, and due dates. This list will aid you and your financial advisor to negotiate with your creditors. In this case, you might want to begin acquainting yourself with your debtor’s rights so that you know how and when to leverage with your creditors.

2nd Step: Delay your Gratification

While you have started consolidating your debts and paying your creditors, stop making unnecessary purchases. You will probably noticed by now, if you have made an inventory of your debts, which most of your purchases were actually things that you can live without; things that you do not need or things that can actually wait. We always want things now, and thus have compromised greatly our financial health. This is one the perennial problems of the modern society today, we want everything to be quick or instant. We want to acquire things sooner than our neighbor that we ignore the possible consequences of these hasty decisions.

3rd Step: Impose Self-Discipline and Decide with your Head

Hear Dave Ramsey’s advice on this:

“To think that the handling of your personal finances is merely a matter of math control is naive. You must get better control of all aspects of your life. Until you do, [even the best advice] will have little effect but will instead be neutralized by the other habits in your life.”

I couldn’t agree more. I think, if anyone really wants to have total control over his money, he/she needs to start using his/her head in any financial decision. Impulsive buying and other wrong money-related decisions stemmed from the emotion. We were carried away by the new car design, or mesmerized by the latest laptop we saw over the net, and so without thinking about the possible consequences, we went on. Financial discipline begins in the head. When we think through on any financial decision, we reinforce self-discipline. Begin today, and set yourself free from the burden of debts!

3 Job Search Q & A's: Michigan Edition

2009-05-15T16:20:00.007+08:00

This past week, I gave two speeches to nearly 1,000 people in my home state of Michigan and fielded dozens of questions from job seekers of all ages.

Since time and space are short here, I've boiled them down to three job-search questions with broad appeal.

How many apply to you and your job search?

Question: "How can I stand out in a hyper-crowded job market?"

Answer: Try unconventional, "guerrilla" job search methods to get the attention of employers. Here are examples of tactics used by creative job seekers to land interviews -- and jobs.

One Michigan man mailed cover letters with two aspirins taped atop each. His opening sentence: "Your customer service headaches are over!" This message resonated with employers, who called to interview him.
A Las Vegas man mailed a paperweight and cover letter to an out-of-state employer. The paperweight was a miniature of the "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign. His cover letter began: "Not everyone who lives in Vegas wants to stay in Vegas," playing off the famous slogan, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." He was flown to an interview in California.
One aspiring assistant basketball coach mailed the right hand from a store mannequin to the coach he wanted to work for. Rolled up and gripped in the hand was his cover letter, which began: "I can be your right hand man." He was hired.

Do any of these methods strike you as gimmicky or too offbeat to work in your industry? Fine. Don't believe me.

Try mailing something unusual along with your resume and cover letter to a few companies you have no intention of working for -- test and prove them for yourself.

Question: "I had to close my business and look for a job. What do I do with my skills?"

Answer: If you can't find jobs to match your skills, here's a tip: Use one of the big employment web sites to generate ideas for you.

Example: I went on a large employment site and searched for these three skills: writing + training + German. This brought back 11 job openings nationwide, including German Help Desk Analyst, Customer Service Associate, and Web Editor/Writer.

This brainstorming exercise can help you select potential jobs to go after next, no matter what job you had before. You can then approach people in your network with a focused list of job titles, making it more likely they can help you find something.

Question: "How can I improve my networking? I've been networking for months, but it hasn't produced a job."

Answer: I happen to dislike the term networking because it's freighted with unpleasant connotations for so many people who have had slow results -- or no results -- doing it.

Here's a thought experiment: Forget everything you know about networking. In fact, stop networking altogether for a week.

Instead, start helping other people get what they want. Give freely of your information, personal contacts, expertise, knowledge, time, etc.

Example: Pick 10 people you know who are connected to people you'd like to meet. Spend an afternoon researching the needs of these "top 10" contacts. You can even call them and ask, "What would help you do your job better?" Then make a plan to help them get what they want.

When you focus on helping others, your ego is removed from the equation, which makes you less self-conscious and more relaxes. That's because, while not everyone can be a natural networker, everyone can help another person. Done right, this is networking -- helping other people to the point that they're happy to take your calls and send you job leads.

Despite being carpet-bombed by economic bad news on a daily basis, the Michiganders I spoke to displayed -- to a person -- a rock-solid resolve that I'm convinced will solve the labor problems in their state and our nation.

I hope you and my audiences found these job-search Q & A's helpful.

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This is a guest post by Kevin Donlin, Creator of TheSimpleJobSearch.com. Since 1996, he has provided job-search help to more than 20,000 people. Author of 3 books, Kevin has been interviewed by The New York Times, Fox News, CBS Radio and others. His latest product, The Simple Job Search System, is available at http://www.collegerecruiter.com/guaranteed-resumes.php

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

Debt Consolidation | Freedom from the Shackles of Debt

2009-05-15T09:40:00.008+08:00

“Let us all live within our means, even if we have to borrow money.” ~ Charles Farrar Brown 1834-1867 American Humorist, a.k.a. Artemus Ward

It was meant to be a joke, an exaggeration, a statement of irony. But it seems that most of us who are struggling in debt today has unconsciously taken that statement seriously. We borrow on the pretext that we are simply sustaining a living that we can afford. On the contrary, we are feeding a lifestyle beyond what we can afford.

Now, you are struggling in debts, consequently.

The good news is: It is never too late! There is still hope.

Have you considered to consolidate debt? Consolidating all your unpaid bills and loans can be a good start and alternative to get out of debt.

Debt consolidation is the process of taking a single loan, enough to pay off several smaller loans or debts. However, in order for this to be done effectively, and freed you from the shackles of debts, one or both of the following condition/s are to be met:

This new loan should have a lower interest rates than your other loans;
This new loan has a longer repayment term than your other obligations.

This can be a good alternative to bail yourself out of your growing debts. However, the key here is getting the best debt consolidation advice from experts. Afterwards, avoid falling into these debt traps again, and live within your means, better yet, live below your means!

Reverse the effects of aging?

2009-05-15T09:33:00.002+08:00

What used to be too vain, or at least in some culture, the pursuit for youthful look continues. And with the advent of new dermatological technology, reversing the effects of aging is already possible.

Dermal filler injections are getting popular. Although less expensive and better than cosmetic surgery, the procedure is safe and seems easier to administer to patients. Dr. Dolores Kent (pictured left), a board-certified Harvard Medical School graduate gynecologist and cosmetic surgeon, offers a cosmetic alternative procedure that help reverse the effects of aging through radiese dermal filler. In the instructional video below, she demonstrates the best procedure on how to inject radiesse:

Why can we not enjoy moving out?

2009-05-13T09:19:00.006+08:00

“Moving is about more than just relocating your belongings from one place to another, it's about starting a new adventure. There is a lot to think about and even more to do. As exciting as it is, it can also be a stressful time, full of worries.”

I couldn’t agree more.

I have probably moved more than 10 times, both locally and abroad, in the past 15 years due to the nature of my previous work, that is, when I was still a corporate slave. It was a mixed emotion every time I pack and go. I am thrilled about the new location, at the same saddened by the fact I am leaving another place that I have started to love. Friends, neighbors, old routines, and memories are sometimes not easy to let go. Thus, I channel my negative feeling into things that will make me excited about the new place where I am headed. It does make a difference.

However, I am still confronted with the enormous task of packing things and getting them hauled. Mind you, this is the most stressful part of moving. With a 3-year old boy in tow, as a single dad, the task is made more difficult. Thus, hired helpers, like a reliable moving company do wonders. So, why worry about these things when you get a good help like this. I think, I should enjoy more the thrill of moving huh.

Small Talk on Staying Fit and Healthy

2009-05-13T08:37:00.004+08:00

My mom used to tell me that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and I cannot simply leave for school unless I eat my breakfast. Now? Well, she will be mad if she will know that I have been skipping breakfast ever since I started working and fending for myself. ^^,

I only eat two meals a day; one is a packed brunch at work between 10 to 11 am (breakfast and lunch in one) and another, heavy supper between 7 to 9 pm. I have kept that habit even though I now work at home. In between, I drink plenty of coffee and I bet my mom will be really furious about this dietary habit. I carefully choose the right kind of food I eat though, and take multi-vitamin food supplements and Fish oil omega 3 fatty acids regularly. I am in good shape in spite of this food rudiment, but I think, I could be better if I pay close attention with my diet and regular exercise.

How about you? How your daily routine goes? How do you stay fit?

If you are trying to shed those extra pounds or you want to gain some, or want to stay fit, there is a better and proven way, and it is free! It begins with choosing the right kind of food and taking tab on how much you eat. That is right. Everything begins with the right kind of food you eat. Of course, that is easier said than done. Make it a conscious effort to monitor these things, this is where good health starts. Make it a habit, and you do not have to worry about those extra bags. Then, regular exercise -make time for it.

Now it is time to take my brunch.

Take the Opportunity to be Educated

2009-05-07T11:41:00.007+08:00

You don't need fancy highbrow traditions or money to really learn. You just need people with the desire to better themselves.

That was an apt quote from the 2006 movie, ACCEPTED. It is true. The key to real education is the ardent desire to learn. Thus, when I was still on my 'tour-of-duty' in the corporate world, I am a vocal advocate of continuing education for employees, especially young professionals and those in leadership or supervisory positions.

No one can equal with an educated and experienced employee. He/she has always an advantage over others who are lacking any of those or both. And thank heavens, that today you do not have any more excuse to get a good education. Most known and major universities and colleges worldwide have established their online schools and are offering accredited online degrees.

What does this means? It means that the opportunities to be educated to pursue other field of expertise are available to anyone. In fact, if money may pose a problem, there are also online degree scholarships you can apply to. So you do not need to go into the trouble of creating your own college like what they did in that movie, it is up to you to grab these opportunities. Take these opportunities, for after all, according to Aristotle:

Education is the best provision for old age.

And should I add, your best provision for employment.

Adversities Afflict

2009-04-22T05:12:00.005+08:00

We have no right to ask when sorrow comes, "Why did this happen to me?" unless we ask the same question for every moment of happiness that comes our way. ~Author Unknown

Adversities afflict us in all forms and ways, and most of them are inevitable. How I wish that it would be easier to dismiss or postpone them when they come, least expected. Was Abraham Lincoln right when he said , “Nearly all men can stand adversity,…?” Probably, only a few; for many of us fail. We succumb.

Adversities can be overcome. A person with a positive disposition, will power, character, and patience can. People with positive attitude see ugly and difficult situations in the lens of a half-filled glass; hence they find opportunities in crisis and problems. Those with strong will power and patience endure adversities without giving-up hope. And those with character take adversities as life’s way on inculcating valuable lessons.

I’d like to have all.

How about you?

Money Talks

2009-04-20T22:04:00.006+08:00

"That money talks, I'll not deny. I heard it once -it said 'Good-bye!' " ~Richard Seymour

Right on Richard! ^^

Money talks, I used to doubt that. However, when I started running my own small business, I began to realize that money talks. Although money simply represents a valuable commodity stashed in a central bank, it almost embodies everything that man toils and cares for.

Even if we are moving into a cashless society, the money credit behind the credit card is what gives its usefulness. Or the face value of an insurance coverage.

I promised myself not to speak about the ills of the current state of the worlds’ economy because it gives me the excuse why my business is not earning as much as it used to. I realized that problem lies not on how bad (some) of the financial systems and institutions we have, or how incompetent the government is, or how greedy the giant businesses are but how I have limited my horizon. I failed to see that there are several great opportunities sprouting everywhere, and I am lagging behind in grabbing my share.

The flow and management of money will dictate how any economy will thrive or rot. In the same manner, how one earn and manages his money will definitely dictate what kind of lifestyle it will yield.

In a broader context, ‘money talks’ is about how we view and live life. Now, you see that I am deviating to the more popular sense of that phrase which means highlighting the influence and power of money. In a more reflective sense, it means that how we earn, use, and value money shows who and what we really are.

How to Work With a Recruiter | Top Five Tips to a Successful Business Relationship

2009-04-03T22:56:00.009+08:00

With the unemployment rates soaring and the number of companies hiring through the traditional job boards and classified advertising down, what's a job seeker to do when you're considering making a change? The truth is in spite of the current economic conditions, there are many companies who are hiring. The problem is that as their staffs have been cut, they are turning to headhunters to quickly fill the positions - because they simply don't have the manpower to follow the recruitment process from beginning to end.

Where does this unique situation leave you - the job seeker?

I've compiled the top five tips to finding and creating a successful business relationship with a Recruiter. How do we define success, you might ask? The bottom line is you want to develop relationships with talent acquisition specialists that will provide you with results!

Consider distributing your C.V. through a quality resume distribution service.

Here's how this works. You enroll in this service, and your resume is emailed to a high volume of Recruiters who specialize in placing candidates of your job and industry. The Headhunters immediately get in touch with you if they are currently working on a position that matches your criteria, or when they know of an appropriate job. This can often lead to a successful business relationship with one or more Recruiters, because they connect with you only if and when they believe they can get you placed. After all, a contingency Headhunter does not get paid until you have started your new job.

Google local Recruiters, and do a little research to find out who specializes in your field.

If you work in a niche job, chances are you will find a talent acquisition professional who works exclusively with people like you. Why not do your due diligence, seek them out, and keep in touch. You'll find that if you can find the Headhunter who works in your niche, you'll be on your way to finding the right job.

Utilize the big three social networks to connect with Recruiters.

When I say "big three," I'm talking about LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Being a Recruiting specialist myself, I don't personally know of anyone in our business who does not have a profile on these three websites with contact information. As a career minded individual, if you don't have an active profile on these sites, you're missing the boat. Use these websites to find and be found. It's well worth your time in creating a professional profile.

Consider posting your C.V. on an Association job board, versus a general, large volume board.

Every Recruiting expert knows to access professional Association sites to find professionals in your field. For example, if I'm working on filling a Nursing Director position in Michigan, I know to check every single day on the Nurses Association website, to see if any new candidates post their resume. So if you are a Nursing Director or high level Nurse who is qualified to fill a Director position, you are going to receive a call within 24 hours by those Recruiters who have appropriate positions available for you to consider. When you use the general job boards, what happens is you will receive calls from Recruiters who may or may not have a position they need to fill urgently. In this case, you spend your time providing formatted resumes, references, and completing preliminary telephone interviews, only to find that you will be chucked into a database for future consideration. I'm not saying you may never get an opportunity to interview when you post your resume on the major job boards, but I am saying that if you work in a specialized field that has an Association - that is definitely your best choice.

Create a list of the companies you want to work for, and have that list handy when you speak with any Recruiters.

Did you realize that you have the ability to direct the search for the Headhunter you are working with? It's absolutely true. In fact, if any Recruiter who contacts you about your resume does not ask you your top five target companies - I would consider connecting with someone who is going to work more aggressively on your behalf. Keep in mind, Headhunters are paid by the employer, but you are one of the most important pieces to their puzzle of earning a commission check from their client. Many contingency Recruiters have a problem seeing past their current stack of searches, and this should indicate to you that they may not be the best person for you to work with.

Working with a Recruiting professional can be rewarding for jobseekers, and provide more job leads than any other search method. I suggest considering using a quality Resume Distribution service, researching your local Recruiter market, utilizing the "big three" social networks, posting your Resume on the appropriate Association job board, and providing any Headhunter you choose to work with a list of the top companies you wish to target for a job. If you follow these simple five steps faithfully, you will connect with quality Recruiters who specialize in the placement of professionals in your field, and have quality business relationships that will positively affect you for the remainder of your career.

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This is a guest post by Christina Archer, Principal, Christina Archer & Associates, Partners in Healthcare Recruitment. This article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

Business Mobile Phone Best Deals

2009-03-20T11:50:00.010+08:00

One of the bitter experiences I had in running my first small business years back was a high overhead cost, and one of which due to enormous bills on my business mobile phone. To make matter worse, I issued each of my 7 salesmen a mobile phone. Do the math, and what you get is a recipe to high (unnecessary) operational cost.

Have you heard of Confused About Mobiles?

The site’s title is catchy and confusing too, that is at first glance. Nevertheless, what the site actually offers is value and savings on your business mobile phones. Because they offer the best business mobile deals in the market. This comes on a good timing, because like any smart business owner, you would like to save cost on your operation.

Confused About Mobiles have a solid and long experience on working with business mobile phone service providers and various business outfits. Thus, capitalizing on this experience, they can actually offer cheap contract prices for your business mobile phone needs. Not only that, they boast to have an exclusive rights some of the latest business mobile software and packages.

Some of the other business mobiles service they offer that might interest you are:

Expert advice on the best deals available for your business requirements;
Discounted mobile phone contracts and packages;
Call monitoring and tracking;
Advice on international call services, and more.

Go, check out their sites for more info on the best deals on business mobile phones.

Social Lending | A Better Alternative to Conventional Loans?

2009-03-17T23:31:00.005+08:00

The financial market is still down, and more likely will stay that way in the next few months. In fact, in today’s trading, NYSE “went up-and-down the hill’. Well, who would not react that way when you see the headline news reads like this:

“Better-than-expected reports on housing and inflation were offset by news of a dividend cut at Alcoa Inc. and layoffs at Nokia Corp.” (AP | read full story here)

There seem to be a slow rebound on the housing sector, although not really significant. However, many are still losing their jobs. Nokia announced to cut more than 1,700 jobs worldwide. This company is currently one of the leaders in the mobile phone industry, and is based in Finland.

Alright, where does this leave us? Or why should I be bothered about this?

In my mind, this could only mean one thing –this global economic downturn will spare no one.

With that, no wonder social lending seems to emerge as a better alternative for those who are seeking ‘personal bailout’ from their financial woes.

What is social lending, by the way?

Social lending practice is not actually new. It is a concept that is as old as the invention of money itself. With the advent of the internet, however, many social lending sites were established to provide services to prospective borrowers who do not want to be inconvenience by bank facilities or who simply want to avail a loan from another individual in a particular social lending network.

Social lending is sometimes referred to as P2P loans or Person to Person loans. So, in a particular lending community in the internet, you will find members extending loans to each other. Thus, it is more convenient. However, there are guidelines, which you need to adhere to of course if you want to borrow or lend.

If you want to find out if social lending is a better alternative for your loan requirements or needs, you might want to visit first SocialLending.net for how-to guides, practical tips on borrowing, news and updates, and investing strategies.

Visual Resumes | Do You Have Yours?

2009-03-09T22:06:00.005+08:00

The job hunting world is continually changing, driven primarily by advancements in technology and leveraging the Internet. We've seen the world of snail mail and "pounding the pavement" replaced by emails, job boards and hundreds of job posting sites. One of the more recent additions to the job search world is the introduction of "visual resumes". This relatively new twist on job search is still in it's infancy and it's not clear yet how popular this trend will become, but time will tell.

So what is a visual resume? It is an online professional marketing brochure or "personal web-based brand". Rather than sending your Word or text resume to potential employers, you would direct them to your web-based resume. This is a new wild card and those who are creative are likely to create the most "eye catching" resumes. For those who are ready to give this a try, there are a few of options available. Today's post will review some visual resume sites and resources.

More Résumés Going Virtual - This article, from the NY Times Shifting Careers column, briefly covers the topic and a personal view of Visualcv (see next bullet).

VisualCV - We can't cover this topic without reviewing VisualcCV.com which, as best I can tell, is the best known visual resume site. The site offers a tour as well as examples. The tour gives an overview of how to create your visual resume and what is generally included. You can embed almost any type of media as well as hyperlinks to your personal website or social site profile (like LinkedIn). The service is free. It is worth looking at the examples before creating your own visual resume as they will give you some ideas as to what might work best for you.

NavAgility - This site helps you create a social timeline which, in today's example, would be a resume timeline. The site provides background on "What's in it for me" and "How does it Work" as well as providing an example of a CareerPath Timeline (resume timeline). The look and feel of NavAgility's CareerPath Timeline is more graphical and less of an online marketing brochure. Using the example provided, you view a career timeline and can click through the details to see additional information. It's an interesting format, although my personal preference is the format used by VisualCV.

Visual Resume - This site was created on Ning.com and provides an alternative way to create a visual resume. Basically, you create a visual resume using slideshare.net and use this site to embed your virtual resume. Since Ning.com enables the creation of your own social network, my assumption is that this site will become a repository for visual resumes and another visual resume alternative.

In my opinion, VisualCV has the edge (by a long shot) on visual resumes. There do not seem to be too many alternatives (at least I could not find many) and the format and tools in VisualCV are superior to the other options.

Good luck in your search.

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This a guest post by the CareerAlley. Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.