Career advice,interview tips for your better career

How to Overcome Public Speaking Anxiety

noreply@blogger.com (Franklin) — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:34:00 +0000

Learning how to overcome public speaking anxiety is probably at the top of your mind if you are required to speak in front of others. It can really hold you back both personally and professionally if you are not able to speak to a large group of people! The good news is that it is possible to overcome this fear.

The first thing you need to do is understand why you have a public speaking anxiety in the first place. It's very common, so don't feel like you're alone in your fears at all. There is something about being in front of large crowds of people that makes us fear the worst about ourselves! We may come across as silly, say something wrong, or make another embarrassing mistake.

To start overcoming this problem, you're going to have to face your fears. The act of public speaking itself will help you overcome that fear over time. This sounds counter-intuitive, but it's common psychological practice to face your fears through the act of flooding and repetition because then it will no longer be scary for you. The consequences you feared would happen never actually do, so the anxiety comes about less frequently, and then eventually not at all.

It's truly best to study as much as you can about your public speaking anxiety. There are excellent strategies and methods out there that can help you banish this anxiety in no time. Learning how to overcome public speaking anxiety will truly be a great decision as you'll finally get to showcase your knowledge, passions, or hobbies to large groups of people. It seems scary now, but you WILL successfully get over this fear.

One of the best things you can do is practice. Get in the habit of giving little speeches in front of the mirror to yourself or even do it for your spouse or family. You might also join local groups like Toastmasters. Even if you just show up and watch, it will be a great help.

How To Start A New Career

noreply@blogger.com (Franklin) — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:29:00 +0000

These days most people accept that jobs are not for life anymore. People are more mobile and much more likely to change jobs every few years and even careers a number of times throughout their lives. And it is increasingly common that we may also find that we need to change jobs because of retrenchments, redundancies and closures. Having confidence in your skills and experience and your ability to deal with the challenges of starting over can give you a greater sense of confidence about your career, and whatever life brings your way.

Get support. Surround yourself with family and friends and let them know your situation. Stay in contact with those you care about and continue your usual social activities. Although you might not feel like it, now is not the time to avoid people or stop socialising. Your support crew will help you to stay motivated and positive and they’ll keep their eyes open for opportunities for you.

It’s not about you. Jobs, not people, are made redundant. Redundancy is now a common term and accepted as a part of modern working life. It’s not a reflection on you or anything you need to feel ashamed about.

Set up a HQ. Create an environment that it conducive to your job-search project. Set up a basic office at home that includes access to a phone, stationary, postage supplies, computer and printer. If you have small children or pets keep them out of this area and ask your children not to answer the phone while you are job searching. If you are basing yourself out of a job café or other facility, be prepared. Make sure that you have the tools you need to apply for jobs that appeal to you, including an up to date resume, referees and an email address.

Create an up to date resume. Create a captivating covering letter. Provide a detailed description of the achievements in each of your roles and the timeframes you have been in the role. Provide all contact details including phone number (land line and mobile), email and where possible a fax number. If you don’t have a fax at home, find someone close to you i.e. local business and ask them if you can use their number.

Get out. Become involved in local networks and community events. Investigate groups that meet regularly in your area and get involved. This is a great way to meet new people, make new contacts and find out about jobs that are available close to home.

Mind your language. Avoid using negative words such as ‘unemployed’, ‘on the dole’ and ‘I can’t find a job’ and replace them with positive perspectives such as ‘I will find a job suitable for me’.

Stay well presented. It only takes seven-seconds to make a first impression. Make the most of your seven-seconds by smiling when you greet someone. Invest in a good suit, if you don’t have one, borrow one for interviews; polish your shoes and ensure that your hair is clean and tidy. It’s easy to get out of the good-grooming habit when you don’t have to do it every day. Remember how important is it both to your self-esteem as well as to people’s first impression of you.

Stay motivated. Finding a new job is hard work; treat it as you would any work assignment – your fulltime job is finding a new role that you will enjoy. Just as with any job it can be frustrating and especially disappointing when you receive ‘rejection’ letters. Prepare yourself for the fact that you will receive these. They are not personal. Focus on keeping your goals in your mind and remind yourself constantly that there is a role out there just for you, it’s only a matter of time until you find it.

How to Write a Good Resume

noreply@blogger.com (Franklin) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 13:32:00 +0000

Are you looking for a new job or a new company to work for? If you are in need of new employment, then you know that a resume is very important to your chances for employment. Writing a good resume is a skill that not everybody, but there is help. Here is how to write a good resume without making it difficult.

First, you need to make sure that you have your contact information on the resume. If you do not include the information that allows a potential employer to contact you, then you will have some trouble getting the job. You need to put your physical address, phone number, and your email address. This gives the potential employer plenty of ways to get in contact with you.

Second, unless you are applying for a computer type of job or a medical job you do not need more than one full page. You should have your most recent three employers listed with at least two points under each that show what you did and how you helped that company succeed. Also, you should include the month and year you were hired and when you left.

Third, you need to list all of your education. This should include high school only if you do not have any college experience. If you do have college experience, even if you are still working on your degree, then you need to include it on your resume. This can be very helpful to your chances of getting the job. Include how long you have attended, any degrees or certifications you have earned, and if you have not graduated yet, your predicted graduation date.

Last, if you have any personal references for your character, especially if they are in the same field as the one you are looking to work in, you should list them. Usually you should list between 2 and 5 references with location, profession, and phone numbers. Make sure you inform your references that you have listed them on your resume. This is the biggest tip in how to write a good resume.

How To Write A Thank You Letter After An Interview

noreply@blogger.com (Franklin) — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 01:56:00 +0000

Sending a thank you letter is as important as interview preparation. But they're tough to write, so people either tell themselves that not sending one doesn't matter, or they procrastinate until it's too late and almost pointless anyway. But anyone who tells themselves that foregoing a fundamental rule of etiquette doesn't matter, not only taints themselves in the mind of the interviewer, but misses two additional opportunities to sell.

A thank you letter is an additional sales piece. As I've said before, you're selling a product and the product is you. So beyond the reason of etiquette, the letter sells you as a polite person who recognizes that the interviewer gave them something valuable: time and consideration.

A fundamental rule of sales is to keep the product in front of the buyer and reinforce its benefits. So beyond the etiquette, the letter gives you ample space to comment on what you liked about the company, why your skills are of benefit to them, and how much you're interested. If something wasn't tied up, or was left unsatisfactorily, you should use the space to further address the issue.

When you miss the opportunity to reinforce your skills and tie them to the job requirements, you miss a chance to sell. When you fail to address a concern or answer a question and leave it to fester in the mind of the interviewer, you've failed to overcome an objection. And if a buyer has an objection to the product, if it isn't addressed, the likelihood of the sale is slim.

The third opportunity missed by skipping the thank you letter is the chance to keep your name in front of the buyer. Read newspapers? Watch TV? See the same ads over and over and over again? It's somewhat the same principle - if you keep your name in front of the hiring authority, they're more likely to remember you.

Thank you letters are one of the reasons it's important to take notes during an interview. Not only does it show good attention to detail, it saves you from having to scrunch your face up trying to remember some of the information you learned about the company and position during the interview. Because if you met with three separate people during one visit to the company, that's three thank you letters....three different thank you letters.
So let's look at how to create one of these so that it becomes a less odious task.

* First paragraph

Open with the obligatory thank you and include how you enjoyed the meeting. Say why. Maybe the people you met were exceptional. Perhaps their company philosophy was exactly what you had hoped for. Or they need to overhaul a department and you can't wait to sink your teeth into it because that's what you've got a stellar track record of doing. It doesn't matter. Pick something out, and put it down. But make it real.
* Second paragraph

What took place during your interview? Pull out a piece of information that pleased you, say what it was, and tell them why. For instance: I was particularly pleased to find that X company/the opportunity/your management style has/was/is/does whatever. This is exciting because...... . You can expand on whatever it is for a few sentences by elaborating: how it relates to something you've experienced and liked -- or didn't like. Discuss a particular aspect of the job you find appealing and reiterate why you'd be successful at it or how long you've been performing it or how similar it is to something you've done in the past.
* Third paragraph

You can add a similar paragraph if the second was fairly short. Or you can wind it up if it was a bit lengthy. If there was something that came up that needed clarification or about which they were dubious, address it and clear it up here.
* Fourth paragraph

Wind it up. Re-iterate your interest. Be enthusiastic! Leave the job speak behind. If you really want to be hired, let your interest shine through. There's nothing wrong with coming right out and saying, "I'd love to work with X company!"

Caution: Don't start every sentence with "I". It may be the easiest way to write the letter but it's not only repetitive, it's a turn off and egotistical. This process is about you getting a job, but it's about what they get out of it if they hire you.

If you really want the job, the letter will be easy to write because it will contain genuine impressions and sentiments. If you choose to skip the letter, perhaps you don't care if you're hired or not. But make that decision yours and withdraw from the process instead of letting the decision be made for you.

Phone Interview Questions and Answers

noreply@blogger.com (Franklin) — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 01:22:00 +0000

The Phone interview plays a crucial role in a candidate's pre-hire process. This means that the employer has reviewed the candidate's resume and or application and they are showing some interest which is a positive step forward, although the candidate is still far away from being hired! The phone interview in many cases may be a make-it or break-it for many candidates as this is mainly a way for the employer to verify if the "you" the candidate are both a cultural and technical fit for their work environment. Below are some of the most common phone interview questions and answers.

Q. Can you tell me a little about yourself?
A. This question is commonly used by the employer to break the ice and to get the candidate to reveal some basic personality traits. The best response would be short and professional. Remember to stay focused as the employer doesn't want to hear anything that doesn't relate to their business!

Q. What is your education background?
A. The correct answer is the honest answer. "Direct and straight to the point", is the only thing an employer likes to hear. If you do not have a degree and you are not enrolled in an educational program, don't talk about how you are continuing your education because the truth is you aren't!

Q. Are you currently employed and where?
A. In an ideal situation, you don't want to leave one job without having another lined up; always answer this question direct to the point and honestly. Note: no negative talk even if your previous job came to a bitter end!

Q. If you are not employed, when were you last employed and what is the reason that you are no longer there?
A. If you are not employed be honest about your employment dates both verbally and written on your resume. Note: Always remember, "do not talk negatively about your previous employers or employment situations", no matter how much you want to!

Q. Tell me about your current employer (i.e. what do they do, how long they've been in business, etc.).
A. This question is used to show how well you know your own business and how detail oriented you are or may be.

Q. What is the most important thing you're looking for in a company/job?
A. And no, the answer should never be more money!!! Even if that is the real answer!! The correct answer should be; a new challenge with an opportunity for growth and development. Employers truly want candidates that can offer an immediate impact on their business, including applicable skills, education and experience, but also candidates that are interested in new challenges and want to continue to develop and grow within new work environments!

Q. Why are you considering leaving your current employer?
A.. If your answer is because you hate your boss, you just lost this opportunity! No employer ever likes to hear negative discussions about your current or prior work engagements. Any negative discussions will be portrayed as "red flags" to the employer which are not good for you. Depending on your circumstance there could be many answers to this question. Simply give a positive response with a logical explanation such as "I decided to relocate so that I could be closer to my family" or "I've been at my current employer for 8 years and I've reached my maximum potential, so I've decided to search for a new and challenging opportunities", etc.

Q. How long have you been with your current employer?
A. this is a simple close-ended question, simply answer the question honestly! If it wasn't a substantial length of time, just give a logical and positive explanation. "Remember; always be as positive as possible."

Q. On a Day-to-Day basis at your current job, what are your primary responsibilities?
A. This question is to test your ability to articulate in fine detail what you do at your current employer. If your memory is not that great, you should prepare yourself with some details. Note: never regurgitate the information directly off of your resume as this shows that you are unable to have an intellectual conversation!

Q. What size groups do you work in and do you have any group size preferences?
A. This is a question to see how comfortable you working with other people. It is always best to be honest, with the employer and yourself. If you really don't like working in larger groups or around lots of people then let them know... Maybe the job isn't an exact fit for you and that's OK because there will be many other opportunities out there that may provide you with your ideal work environment. Phone interviews and in person interviews are also a perfect opportunity for you the candidate to be interviewing the employer, to verify if their company/job is best for you!

Q. Have you received any raises or promotions at your current employer?
A. This is a pretty straight forward question, either you have or you haven't. Either way it is always good to discuss your promotions and if you haven't been promoted, then keep the conversation positive; which means no negative discussions!

Q. Do you have any managerial experience or are you more of an individual contributor?
A. if you do not, then it is ok to say that you are an individual contributor, if you do have managerial experience then elaborate on your experience, let them know; when, where, how many people did you manage, your responsibilities as a manager, etc.. Note: good managers talk about their employees and their employee's growth, development, each employees responsibilities, etc.

Q. What do you know about this company/job that you are applying for?
A. This question is used to see if you have prepared for the interview. Candidates that have researched the company are more appealing. Companies like prepared, organized candidates.

Q. How many years experience do you have in _________?
A. this is a close-ended question, give a direct answer and the only other thing you should add would be your proficiency with this particular skill. Just because you may have 5 years of experience with something doesn't necessarily mean you are a master at that skill. Being as honest as possible will help eliminate the possibility of setting yourself up for failure.

Q. We have spoken with several candidates. Why are you the one we should hire?
A. Give detailed examples of your skills and accomplishments. Be positive, and emphasize how your background matches their job description.

Q. How well do you handle stress and pressure at work? Please give an example of
how you overcame a stressful situation.
A. the correct answer is that you work well under pressure, and you enjoy working in an environment that is challenging. It's good for the employer to know that you are an individual who has the capability to diffusing stress while working in demanding environments with deadlines.

Q. What are your greatest strengths?
A. This is a perfect opportunity to shine! Some topics to discuss could be; ability to communicate and work well with others, leadership/ management skills and experience, ability to adapt to new environments, ability to learn new skills, capabilities of dealing with stress and deadlines, etc..

Q. What are your greatest weaknesses?
A. This is a very important question. If you answer "no weaknesses" it appears that you are avoiding the question or you aren't analytical enough to evaluate your own strengths and weaknesses. It is very important to give a strength that compensates for your weakness to help convert your weakness into a positive such as; "I'm normally a great "go-to" person at work and I love to help others so much that sometimes I find myself having to put in more hours in a week just to complete my required duties." This is a perfect example of how my strong technical skills and ability to work with others compensates for my weakness.

Q. What are your current salary expectation?
A. The answer is simple, what do you make now and what do you honestly feel that your skills are worth? To determine a particular hourly rate or salary range, There are many "compensation calculators" available online to help you gauge not only what someone with your skills and years of experience should be making, but also the average compensation in different regions or the U.S. or the world!

If you over-price yourself, you may just be pricing yourself out of an opportunity and if you under-price yourself, you could be undermining your worth, enough so, that the employer may feel that something is wrong with you and will move on to other candidates. Before you interview, it is in your best interest to truly understand your worth!

Q. Do you have any questions?
A. Questions can be both good and bad. Usually on a phone interview there are questions you should and shouldn't ask, such as:

Question to ask employers on a phone interview:
- What are the day-to-day responsibilities of this job?
- How will my leadership responsibilities and performance be measured? By whom?
- Who will review my performance? How often?
- What is the company's plan for the next five years, and how does this department fit in?
- Could you describe your company's management style and the type of employee who fits well within it?
- Who is the company's competition? What are the company's strengths and weaknesses compared to its competition?
- What is the company's policy on providing education, workshops, and training so employees can keep up their skills or acquire new ones?
- Etc.

Questions Not to ask on a phone interview:
- Will I have to work overtime?
- Are the working hours flexible?
- Can I work from home
- Does this job require that I pass a Drug and Background check
- How much does this position pay?
- What type of health insurance does the company offer?
- Is there public transportation in the company's area?
- How many weeks of vacation time/ sick time do you offer?

What Are Student Visa Requirements?

noreply@blogger.com (Franklin) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 04:24:00 +0000

F-1 Student: F-1 students must have form I-20, which is a United States Department of Homeland Security document issued by colleges, universities, and vocational schools that provides supporting information for the issuance of a student visa or change of status.

Evidence of satisfactory funding for the first academic year at least is also necessary. Financial evidence should be in the form of a bank financial statement. Those who are submitting a personal US bank account are recommended to provide monthly bank balance statement indicating they have a continuous account.

In case some has a US sponsor, it would be better if they brought the sponsor's yearly income tax return in addition to a bank statement and personal letter showing sponsor's letter to fulfill obligations. In case parents of students are paying for expenses, documents from their work place demonstrating they can pay the cost of the first year expenses in US will be required. If duration of study is for more than a year, then evidence of continuing income in order to support the same will be needed.

It is easier to obtain visa for a university of repute, than for smaller community colleges of US. The visa application is also obtained more easily if students are able to demonstrate their intent to return to their home country after the completion of the study program. If after their course students have to continue with practical training, then that should also be indicated.

F-2 Dependents: An F-1 student who is married and has a dependent spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 years can obtain F-2 status for them. F-2 dependents can remain in the US during the course of the F-1 student's study period. They may also involve themselves in any lawful activities other than employment and full-time post-secondary studies.

F-2 dependents should be able to prove their relationship to the F-1 student in terms of official documents, that is, marriage and birth certificates. They should also have filled the I-20 form indicating that they are dependents and should give estimates of their expenses. Along with that, they should be able to show sufficient financial support in addition to what is required for the F-1 student.

In certain cases F-2 dependents can also be asked to provide a resource of financial support for the entire period of stay in the US as indicated in the F-1 student's I-20 form. In case personal funding from a US bank is being used, monthly balance statements showing a continuous account need to be shown to authenticate the account. If the source of funding is through sponsorship, the F-2 dependents, like in the case of F-1 students, need to provide letter clarifying their relationship to the sponsor and an official bank statement demonstrating the ability to provide the sponsorship.

Chances of getting a visa will improve if the F-2 dependents are satisfactorily able to prove their intent to leave the US upon the completion of the F-1 student's course.

M-1 Student: M-1 category is for those students who want to pursue a full-time course at a reputed vocational or other recognized non-academic institution (other than language training program) in the US. F-1 students are granted the visa at port of entry for the duration of the study program, but M-1 students are eligible for visa only up to a certain date for the study period as indicated in form I-20 MN, plus 30 days, or 1 year, whichever is less. M-1 students also cannot be involved in employment of any kind except for post-completion practical training.

Follow-Up After the Job Interview

noreply@blogger.com (Franklin) — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 05:33:00 +0000

By being pro-active regarding follow-up, you stand to gain an edge over your competition for the position. A word of caution though - you want to appear enthusiastic, not desperate.

Start your follow-up work at the close of the interview by asking:

1) Will second interviews be a part of the process and if so, when?

2) When the employer expects to make a final decision.

During the interview, obtain the correct names and titles of all the people you speak with. Asking for business cards makes this job a lot easier. Within two business days, send a thank you note or email to each person involved in your interview. If you are writing notes to two or more people at the same company, tweak the wording of the notes slightly so it will appear you had each individual in mind as you composed the message. Also keep in mind, even if the job is not one you really want, you should still send a thank you note.

Be sure to alert your references about the possibility of a call from 'John Doe with Acme Finance' regarding the 'secretarial' position. This way they will not be caught off guard if the call comes through.

Depending on the time frame for the final decision mentioned in the interview, do a follow-up phone call to the employer within a week or ten days to see if a decision has been made. Use this opportunity to build additional rapport with the company and sell your strengths one more time.

Do be patient. Though you may be anxious to get to work and the employer may be anxious to get someone hired and move on with other things, the hiring process sometimes takes longer than either you or the employer might expect.

Even if the job goes to someone else, do not burn the bridge you just created through the interview. Consider asking the interviewer for referrals to other companies they know which may be hiring someone with your skills.

Do not stop looking. Just because you seem to be a perfect fit for one position, this is no reason to terminate your search. You may find another for which you are suited even more so than this one. So, until you hear the words, "You're hired," do not cease to explore all your options.

H-1B Visa in the US

noreply@blogger.com (Franklin) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 12:56:00 +0000

Introduction of H1-B Visa

H1-B Visa is a commonly known by temporary work visa. It is a nonimmigrant type of visa. H1-B visa is also known as an employer sponsored visa. H1-B visa allows U.S. employers to employ foreign temporary workers in specialty occupations. With the help of H1-B visa companies brings foreign born professional temporarily to the United States with lawful method.

Features of H1-B Visa

Time Limit of H1-B visa
Initially H1-B visa is issue for up to three years and it may be extend up to more three years. So maximum 6 year is a time limit for H1-B visa

For Getting Green Card

H1-B visa give convince for its holder to be eligible for getting permanent residency in USA
Changing Company. H1-B visa can be transferable for a new employee. Visa holder can start working after getting receipt of H1 transfer case. Family Status. Visa holder's wife and unmarried children (under the age of 21) are allowed to stay in USA under the H4 category for the same duration as the H1-B status. Eligible for buying property. H1-B holder can buy or sell real estate property or any other property in USA. Visa holder can buy lottery or win a lottery

Eligibility of H1-B Visa

To be eligible for H1-B visa below are the possibility. You must be full fill bellow's any of ONE criteria.
Any Bachelor's degree or higher degree in the specific area
At least 12 years progressive work experience in their specific area
A license to practice in the chosen occupation
A mix of further education and work experience to total 12 years

Benefits of H1-B Visa

Visa Holder Dependent can stay with you as long as you maintain your H1-B status. Visa holder children also eligible for attending a school.
Visa holder freely travel through the USA also out of the USA.

Documents required for the Applying H1-B Visa

The Expiration date on the passport must be more than 6 months away.
Reference Letters from previous employers
Appointment letter by your Employer
Tax Return Papers of the company
A copy of the official evaluation of your degrees
Degree certificate
Appoint and Relieving letters for all the companies where you claim employment and certificates of the company giving dates and duration of your service.
Any additional degree certificates
Latest Three passport size Color photographs

US Visa Interview Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Franklin) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 12:54:00 +0000

Various people are looking to reside in USA for which visa is required. The US Visa is issued at US Embassy located in important regions of different countries located in the world. The US Visa issued to the applicants on the basis of interview taken by the visa officer. The non refundable fee is charged for the interview to get conducted by Visa officer for permanent immigration in United States.

There are certain tips which need to be considered by visa applicant in order to increase the success chances for availing US Immigration Visa.

-The applicant need to mention the reason of immigration to Visa officer without any hesitation. He should prepare points which can be helpful to satisfy the concern of visa officer.

-Practice the answers for the possible questions to be asked by the visa officer at the time of interview. Take your own time and give the answers to consulate visa officer with confidence and clearly. Repeat the session again and gain which can help in regaining confidence in you which can prove to be fruitful at the time of interview.

-Approach the embassy on time before the start time of interview. Late entry in interview hall creates negative impact in the mind of visa officer. Wish him with a confident smile at the time of first meeting visa officer. There should not be any sign of nervousness, trembling, which can deduct your points. Answer all the questions looking in the eyes o the visa officer.

-The visa applicant need to wear a formal dress at the time of interview with visa officer. As the visa officer is an American, the applicant should come for interview wearing a tie. This creates a positive impact in the mind of visa officer as the Americans always like formal dress up of an individual.

12 Job Interview Tips to Help You Ace Your Next Interview!

noreply@blogger.com (Franklin) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 04:59:00 +0000

So you've written and re-written your resume and cover letter countless times...you've used every trick in the book to make your resume and cover letter stand out. You've finally sent them out to get your dream job and low and behold all that hard work has finally paid off...the phone rings and you get that call you've been waiting for...you have been asked to interview for the job of your dreams.

Congratulations...now don't mess it up!

It's important that all that hard work to get the interview doesn't go waste...the last thing you want to do is blow it on the interview.

Here are 12 job interview tips to help you get that job of your dreams...

1. Never be late for a job interview. Not only will arriving late not go over too well with your interviewer, but you should give yourself time to relax and gather your thoughts before the interview actually starts.

2. Do your research. Before the interview, try to find out as much as you can about the company. How else do you expect to answer the question, "Why do you want to work out [insert company name]?" Or, "Why do think you would be a good fit with [insert company]?" Or, a number of similar questions. If you don't know anything about the company you are not going to get hired.

3. Always carry extra copies of your resume to the interview. You never know if others will be called in to sit on the interview committee. You want to be able to give everyone on the committee his or her own copy of your resume.

4. Interviewers want to know that you are not just looking for "any" job, but that you are looking for the "right" job for you. Therefore, you should be prepared with a handful of questions that you would like ask of them. This will also make the interview seem more like a two-way conversation rather than a one-way interview.

5. Never pretend you know more than what you really do. Lying or misleading the interviewer will come back to haunt you.

6. Always dress properly for an interview. Your first impression could be your last one. When in doubt it is better to over dress than under dress.

7. Research the most common interview questions for the job you are seeking and practice your answers. Always try to be as specific as possible when answering questions. Use examples whenever possible.

8. Body language plays an important role in whether or not you get hired. You should greet your interviewer with a firm handshake and maintain eye contact during the interview. Watch out for any bad speaking habits you might have such too many hand gestures or biting your upper lip.

9. Show your passion for the job. Remember, passion is NOT something that can be taught...you either have it or you don't. Your employer wants to know that you have it.

10. Be attentive while the interview is going on. Listen to the question being asked. You can recollect your thoughts before answering the question and you can always ask for clarification in case you do not understand the question.

11. Answer the questions in a manner that shows that your strengths and experiences match those that are required by the job.

12. End the interview with another firm handshake and ask when you can expect to hear from them about the job.

Job interviews can be extremely stressful...especially when it is a job you really want. However, if you follow the job interview tips above you will enter your next job interview with much more confidence.

Now go out and ace your next job interview

UK Visa Interview Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Franklin) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 04:57:00 +0000

Lot of people desire to get settled in United kingdom but lack of right knowledge, which creates problems. You need to go through the interview process in order to avail the UK immigration visa. The interview is conducted by a UK visa consulate officer. The time period of interview process varies according to the performance of person at the introductory part of interview. The person is judged by visa officer according to his confidence as to how he creatively answers to the questions.

There are certain visa interview tips which should be helpful to the visa applicant:

1) The applicant needs to approach the visa consulate officer with confidence and positivity. If you are leaving a current job, mention the reason of leaving with positive intention and the opportunity that can enhance your career prospects.

2) Outline the valid reason for leaving the native country and your usefulness in UK. If you are from a technical background do mention that you would add tremendous value to the UK economy.

3) Give at least two references working presently in your organization. Give all the answers in a proper manner and to the point. Do not forget to describe the work profile in the companies with whom you have worked.

4) Try to answer all his questions without hesitation in the first attempt, which creates a positive impact in the mind of visa consulate officer. Try to reach before the scheduled time of interview and review all the answers for possible questions which will be asked by interviewer.

5) Approach the Visa consulate officer with a confident smile. Opt to wear formal dress at the time of interview which often impresses the interviewer, as he or she belongs to United Kingdom where formals are more appreciated in official meetings or interviews.

6) The most important attribute would be honesty in answering. If you try to deceive the officer you are more likely to get caught and that may end all your prospects of the UK Visa.

7) Try to show a strong Financial capability. But do remember it needs to be truth and not fabricated.

Telephone Job Interview Preparation Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Franklin) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 06:52:00 +0000

TELEPHONE INTERVIEW BACKGROUND

Telephone interviews are quite common in today's job market. They are offered for a variety of reasons including cost savings, screening of candidates and out-of-town applicants. To successfully navigate the phone interview, it is important to have a solid game plan in place for preparation.

The following 8 quick tips will help prepare yourself for a successful call.

8 QUICK TELEPHONE INTERVIEW PREPARATION TIPS

1. DO SOME RESEARCH

Try to find out who will be interviewing you. Will there be multiple people on the call? If possible get their names and titles. Become familiar with these before the call and you will have one less thing to worry about during the call. Try and get some background on the interviewer. Any insight you can gain about him/her will allow you to better tailor your responses to make the best possible impression.

2. ORGANIZE YOUR THOUGHTS

Make a list of your accomplishments, goals and strengths. On another list write out your weaknesses and what you are doing to overcome them. On a third sheet write down why you are interested in the company. Think carefully about all of these items as they often come up in interviews.

3. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

Never forget that a telephone interview is still an interview. Take time to practice interview questions with friends or family. Ask them to provide honest feedback so you can improve your responses. Mock interview questions can easily be found on the internet or the bookstore. If you get stuck on a question, sample answers to these questions are often provided as well.

4. DO A SOUND CHECK

During the mock interview, have your friend ask you questions both over the phone and in person. Make sure that he/she listens not only for content, but also tone, rate and clarity of your speech. If possible, record yourself speaking. Are you speaking slowly and clearly? Can you easily be heard? Is your voice portraying you as a confident and enthusiastic candidate? If not continue to practice until you are comfortable.

5. FIND YOUR LOCATION

Stake out a quite space to occupy during your interview. Ideally, there should be a comfortable place to sit as well as a table to lay out your papers. Try and find a low-traffic spot where members of the household are un-likely to disturb you.

6. ORGANIZE YOUR PAPERS

Have a copy of your resume and cover letter close at hand. Take out those lists you made while organizing your thoughts. In addition keep any notes related to the company that you feel may be helpful during the call. Spread these items out across your table so they are easy to access. Only keep what is truly necessary. Too much paper can be a distraction.

7. GATHER YOUR WRITING TOOLS

Place a notepad and several pens or pencils on the table. These will be helpful in writing down notes, questions and most importantly, your interviewer's names.

8. ELIMINATE DISTRACTIONS

As the appointed hour draws near, make sure that the television and the radio are turned off. Exit your email and turn off your computer screen. If possible, disable your call-waiting. Let your family or roommates know about the timing of the interview so they do not accidentally disturb you. Place a do not disturb sign on your door as a gentle reminder.

CONCLUSION

By following these 8 basic tips, you are making a great impression and on your way to the onsite interview. Remember, the phone interview is very important and you should plan and prepare for it carefully.

Writing Great Cover Letters

noreply@blogger.com (Franklin) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 06:46:00 +0000

Cover letters are an essential ingredient to your complete rÃ©sumÃ© package. This is the best opportunity for you to demonstrate your personal character, knowledge of the company and your business writing skills.

The following is a relatively generic format for creating your cover letter. Note that most cover letters are designed to target a specific company or at least a specific industry.

First Paragraph

You must spark the employer's interest. Focus on your unique characteristics, whether they are based on experience or personal traits that will benefit the company. Don't simply restate your rÃ©sumÃ© objective statement. You must command attention, not simply alert the employer that you are applying for a position (they already know that!).

Second Paragraph

Provide more detail about your professional qualifications or relevant educational background. Highlight your professional accomplishments and/or achievements, not responsibilities. Use active verbs when describing things that you have done and back it up with a statistic or concrete fact when possible. Tailor this paragraph to the position that you are applying for.

Third Paragraph

Demonstrate knowledge of the company, their industry, and the challenges that they may be facing. This is where you connect what the company needs in an employee and the skills that you bring to the table. You want to implicitly show your knowledge of the company without regurgitating something you read on the company's website. Alluding to general industry trends that are affecting the company will let the employer know that you can see the big picture and how your position affects the company's strategy.

Fourth Paragraph

This is the final paragraph of most cover letters. You should demonstrate your confidence and enthusiasm in working at the organization. Be sure to include a call to action, requesting an appointment with the decision maker (using the word appointment over the word interview helps make you sound more confident and professional). It is also recommended that you alert the employer that you will follow up with them, usually one week after sending your rÃ©sumÃ© package.

How to Write a Simple Job Description

noreply@blogger.com (Franklin) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 06:38:00 +0000

1.0 A timely reminder

In a recent decision in a New South Wales court it was found that an employee was psychologically injured and that contributing factors such as not having a job description and controlling management behaviours were responsible. The employee was subsequently awarded $500,000.00 for psychological injury.

Not having a clear job description can lead to significant expense, declining morale and uncertainty. In this is the case, you the employer is the party that will be penalised and the courts' will not display leniency for ignorance or busyness.

2.0 The Job description

A job is a collection of tasks and responsibilities that an employee is responsible to conduct. Job descriptions are lists of the general tasks and responsibilities of a position.

Typically, they also include to whom the position reports, specifications such as the key responsibilities and qualifications and experience needed by the person in the job and can sometimes includes the salary range for the position.

Job descriptions are usually developed by conducting a job analysis, which includes examining the key tasks necessary to perform the job. The analysis looks at the areas of knowledge and skills needed by the job. A typical job description is used for advertising to attract an employee to fill a position, or to set the boundaries and parameters of the particular position that you want filled.

However, many job descriptions are not framed well and this includes, not worded a job description in a manner such that the employee's performance can be measured and leaving out key flexibility clauses. It is not uncommon for a person to write a position description, hire the employee and then have the employee refuse to do the banking because banking was not incorporated in their job description.

In cases where the dispute has gone legal the employee has a good chance of winning. It's all in the documentation.

When drafting a job description it is paramount to include a flexibility clause that will allow the employer the right to direct the employee to perform other work that is within their recognized skill set.

3.0 What should I include in job description

Your job description is an important document that needs to set out a number of key matters.

3.1 Purpose of the position

The purpose of the position summarises the key reason the position exists within the organisation and a short paraphrase of duties the incumbent is required to understand and take responsibility for.

3.2 Position reports to

Having stated professional boundaries is an important part of the organisation and employees understanding in who they report to and what they are responsible for. This prevents any misunderstanding which in the event of dispute will work against you if you do not have it documented.

3.3 Key responsibilities

This section of the job description details the main tasks that the employee is accountable and responsible for.

It should include the macro items however some employers like to include the micro detail as well.

Of paramount importance is point four of the example (you may be required to undertake a variety of tasks, both skilled and semi-skilled, or carry out some other task which is not specifically within your traditional role provided the task is within your core skill competencies and legal requirements). This gives you flexibility to direct your employee to undertake other work not detailed in their job description. We are now living in an age of discontinuous change where today's tasks change tomorrow and this gives you the flexibility to grow with those changes.

3.4 Core Skills

Core skills are those skills and experience that the incumbent will need as a minimum to perform the job in a professional and responsible manner. As such, you need to take particular notice when interviewing a perspective employee in ensuring they really do have these attributes.

Research has discovered that up to 35% of qualifications, memberships and experience written on a resumes are false. This includes Masters and PhD degrees.

Before giving the position to someone reference check carefully. Recently we assisted an Accountant whose employee warranted they had the skills and passed probation and then after probation dropped the ball.

If a perspective employee signs off to say they have these skills and afterwards displays the contrary you have common law and industrial rights that protect you.

3.5 Occupational Health and Safety

Occupational health and safety is a big ticket item of the industrial agenda today. To many lives lost, over 500 lives lost each year to industrial accidents.

Most job descriptions do not contain reference to the employer and employee working within the framework of health and safety and do so to their peril.

By including this clause, by induction and training you are able to demonstrate your commitment to health ad safety.

3.6 Sign off

Sign off demonstrates that the employee has the core skills, experience, and safety awareness to carry out key responsibilities. In the vent of a dispute this is critical.

You can find more information at www.biz-momentum.com

EXAMPLE

ABC ACCOUNTS

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Senior Receptionist

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

To effectively and in a timely manner undertake the duties of senior receptionist providing secretarial, clerical, financial & administration services to ABC Accounts. To assist with other duties as directed by your Manager.

POSITION REPORTS TO: Administration Manager

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

NO: DUTIES

1. Perform reception duties including answering the telephone in a timely manner, directing client queries to the correct person, screening calls and representing the company in a professional manner.

2. Provide support to the Manager as required including compiling letters, memorandum and reports, screening incoming correspondence and arranging appointments for clients.

3. Process cheques and payment advice associated with the organisation's creditors, debtors and invoices and other accounts payable and receivable in a timely manner.

4. In addition, you may be required to undertake a variety of tasks, both skilled and semi-skilled, or carry out some other task which is not specifically within your traditional role provided the task is within your core skill competencies and legal requirements.

CORE SKILLS:

1. Minimum of 4 years experience in an accounting firm

2. Minimum of Advanced Diploma of Accounting or other professional education approved by ABC Accounts.

3. Display a professional and courteous manner in representing the organisations core value of excellence in customer service.

4. Ability to remain calm under pressure and effectively manage multiple tasks and deadlines.

5. Experience in compiling letters, memorandum and reports, making appointments and dealing with sensitive organisational issues with confidentiality and discretion.

6. Able to demonstrate a high level of experience and literacy in computer software applications such as Microsoft Office and computerised accounting software.

7. Able to work within the policies and procedures of ABC Accounts.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY STATEMENT

Assist the ORGANISATION to create a safe and healthy working environment by working safely, using equipment provided and following instructions given for health and safety purposes and immediately reporting any unsafe working practices or hazardous working conditions.

I certify that I have read this Position Description have the core skills to carry out these duties contained herein and have had any questions or concerned answered to my satisfaction.

EMPLOYEE SIGNATURE: ___________________ DATE: _____________________

EMPLOYER SIGNATURE: ___________________ DATE: _____________________

Best Tips For Fresher to Making Money Online

noreply@blogger.com (Franklin) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 09:05:00 +0000

Apart from selling things on eBay and other such sites, which need constant updating, hassles of packing and couriers, if you are actually interested in making money online, become a freelancer. Being a freelancer has its own good points as you are your own boss and can make money sitting at home.

There are a lot of online services that can be provided by freelancers and some of them include building sites-doing the web site design and web content writing, programming, providing tutorial services. If you really need to look professional, make yourself a good profile and start your job hunt. There are many services that a freelancer can provide some of them are specific such as:

• Web Hosting and Development
There are many people who have no clue about building websites and where to put them up. Your services may be required for a lay out of the site design, or you will be paid to design the logo, business kit and other essential of a company. If you are good at hosting or even designing, animations and other graphic layouts, there is a bright new career awaiting you online.

• Content Writing
Copywriting, commercial scripts, press releases and simple article writing all are in demand. Even if you are a fresher looking to make money online, freelance writing is a good option and all you need is to have a good command over the language. From simple articles to product reviews and blogging, there is no dearth of freelance jobs some which pay well according to experience, while for newbie pay is reasonable.

• Translation
With a click of the mouse, the world is at your fingers and there are many nations that need to be addressed. Although English has become a universal language, there are millions out there, who would like to read the website in their own language, so comes in the freelance translation services. From business translations to translating websites, technical translations and even social letters, there are innumerable telecommuting jobs for multilingual people.

• Coding
If you are good at coding or programming, freelance options translate into a good money making venue. Companies like to outsource programming and coding projects as taking on freelancers is less expensive than hiring full time software professionals.
These may be some of the broad categorization of online freelance jobs but you can also work as an online tutor, business consultant, affiliate marketer, pay per click advertising and filling out surveys also.

If We Are to Succeed, We Must Change

noreply@blogger.com (Franklin) — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 16:34:00 +0000

If we are not happy with the way our lives are going the secret is TO CHANGE IT, that's right we have to change. If you nothing about it you will be exactly where you are right now, ten years from now. You will have not moved to inch from where you are now. One of the reasons why this is so, is because so many of us major on minor things. I can just hear you say, hey I have to pay my bills, feed myself etc. These are minor things and as such should be dealt with and then move on.

1: What do you want:

The clearer you can get this into your mind, the more it will empower you, physically, mentally, and financially.

2: Take Action. This is where a lot of people come unstuck, I often hear things like I do not know what to do. Where do I start? What if it doesn't work? Well if it doesn't work at least you have got an education, you now know what does not work. Many people fail at this early point, it's not that they don't know what they want because they do. For some reason they put this step on the back burner and say some day I will do that. Let me tell you right now, someday is right now. The road to someday leads to a town called nowhere.

You may be saying to yourself, but how do I take action. One simple word DECIDE To take action, decide to never settle for second best again. Decide you are to valuable to settle for less. You are a unique human being, there is only one of you. Be the best you can be at whatever you take on. Start demanding from yourself more than you have ever done, more than anybody can imagine. As soon as you start taking action you immediately Empower yourself and that power will see you through the toughest of time. It is said the best way to fight fear is to face it. Many people will not even start because of the word. FEAR. Fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of success. Face you fear head on and you will see it disappear. Fear is only fear as long as it is unknown, get to know that fear and it no longer exists. It is not what can or can not do in life that makes the difference, it is what we WILL do. That is the key to taking action and empowering yourself and your mind.

3: Know what you are getting from your action:

Do you ever fail? Of course you do. The most successful people in the world have failed more times than we would every believe, but that's why they are successful. The trick is to make failure your teacher, learn from it and move on. But above all take notice of your results, are they the one you want? Do not get locked into a tunnel vision mind set, make you actions flexible enough so you can alter your course as you go.

4: Change:
If it is not working change it, no matter how many times you have to do this. Do we give a our children a certain amount of time to learn to walk and then shut them down. Are we CRAZY, no we let them keep trying until they do learn to walk. That's why most of us walk today. Translate this into what you are doing right now. Do not ever give up, it is not in your best interest to succumb to failure.

Twelve Principles For Managing Change

1. Thought processes and relationship dynamics are fundamental if change is to be successful.

2. Change only happens when each person makes a decision to implement the change.

3. People fear change it "happens" to them.

4. Given the freedom to do so, people will build quality into their work as a matter of personal pride.

5. Traditional organisational systems treat people like children and expect them to act like adults.

6. "Truth" is more important during periods of change and uncertainty than "good news."

7. Trust is earned by those who demonstrate consistent behavior and clearly defined values.

8. People who work are capable of doing much more than they are doing.

9. The intrinsic rewards of a project are often more important than the material rewards and recognition.

10. A clearly defined vision of the end result enables all the people to define the most efficient path for accomplishing the results.

11. The more input people have into defining the changes that will affect their work, the more they will take ownership for the results.

12. To change the individual, change the system.

In # 10 A clearly defined vision of the end result enables all the people to define the most efficient path for accomplishing the results.

Without a vision a plan cannot be made in order for change to take place. If everyone in the business or organization can see the vision and the 'big picture' they can make their goals according to the vision. Keeping physical reminders at the workplace can engrave the goals made on the person's consciousness and be very motivating.

In #1 Thought processes and relationship dynamics are fundamental if change is to be successful. Initially and foremost proper mindset is most important in the success of any person in the workplace. There's nothing worse than working with someone who has a bad attitude. This rubs off on others and if everyone does their job with a great attitude towards it, the results can be quite phenomenal. In regards to change the cooperation of others is essential. It's not easy when someone resists and does not 'go with the flow' Communication is key here in making sure everyone knows what is going on and understands so that if there are any questions, they can be answered, accordingly.

In #4 Given the freedom to do so, people will build quality into their work as a matter of personal pride. If there isn't any freedom to be creative and there is too much stress people react differently but I would gather to say that this would cause strife in the work environment and the quality of work will go down. If the company is relying on a product to be produced it will more than likely end up getting complaints from the consumer.

Of course, I am speaking in general terms but tried to give an example here of what taking away someone's freedom can cause, to happen in a business or organisation. I know for myself, the stricter the rules or regulations are set down the less you can think about the tasks but worry about breaking codes or freshly established rules. In a business place I'd want my personnel to concentrate on what they do best and what they were hired for in the first place. People do have their personal pride and know their work produced reflects that. If an person is going to get criticism for the work he produces then it doesn't help their ego or self-esteem. People love to be praised and rewarded for what they do well, even if it's just seeing something of perfection done by one's own hands.

"In general, people and teams are stimulated by being given responsibility. Having ownership of an identifiable block of work is a long-held tenet of motivation in groups. Responsibility can be tricky, however. Implied in this concept is the understanding that the responsibility comes along with authority to make the necessary changes. Teams that have both the responsibility and authority tend to maintain motivation over longer periods of time.

Responsibility can be de-motivating if the consequences of error or failure are too great. If the organisation, for example, has a history of punishing mistakes, then the giving of responsibility is viewed more as a negative. The short-term performance may be good (remember fear is a Motivator), but long-term motivation will suffer. It is difficult to sustain high performance when energy is being sapped by fear".(Team Motivation)

So here in essence it be-hooves anyone in management to keep in mind the delicate balance that must be kept in regards to how they are going to lead a group. There must be flexibility in management to give the team their own responsibility to their own work. In the end the benefits will be obvious in letting everyone be responsible for their own work but being there if necessary to make changes that will make things better not worse.

How to Prepare For an Interview As a Fresh Candidate!

noreply@blogger.com (Franklin) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 07:30:00 +0000

Every year thousands of promising talents walk out of colleges and start looking for a job to fulfill their dreams. Some lucky people get a job through campus interviews and some people need to find a job in the hard way. Are you one of them?

I have a question for you. Why should the interviewer select you for the available position rather than selecting your friend or any other graduate from another college?

You may be saying that you are the best person for that post or you have the best academic record to be selected for that post. However, unless you are appearing for an academician's posts, the interviewer will definitely look for something more than your academic record.

Say for example, jobs in entertainment industry and jobs in advertisement industry have different requirements. Thus, they will definitely look for different people who can also fulfill those requirements. Again, there are different positions in every organization and that require specific mindset or skills. For example, think about a company that is looking for marketing professionals. Do you really think that they will be very interested in your academic qualification? They will rather look for how well you communicate with another person, or, what you did in your student life other than reading books.

In addition, this is not just about companies. If you think that your academic records are your best assets that means, you will be able to offer better results if you take academics as your career option. In this situation, there is hardly any need for you to go for an interview conducted by an advertising agency. There is hardly any need to mention that you will not be motivated enough to participate in such interviews. Your natural screening will restrict you from applying for those positions.

Some people are conscious about what they want to do and they prepare accordingly. However, some people do not have any specific or clear idea about what they want to do in future. They are often carried away by the opportunities at hand. And by the time, their dreams start taking shape, it is often too late for them to prepare.

Anyways, how do you prepare yourself to face an interview board?

Some elements are very common. For example, you must be well dressed (presentable), and must carry a resume at the interview board. However, that is not all. You need to do a lot of things to win the job.

Resume Writing: As a fresh candidate, your focus should be on your academic record and extracurricular activities. Write your resume carefully so that it places you as the right candidate for that post. Read the advertisement carefully and prepare the resume accordingly.

Check Company Background: Do some research on the company and types of work they do. This will give you some idea about what they are actually looking for in a prospective employee. Once you get some idea about what they are actually looking for, it will be easy for you to face the interview board comfortably.

Get Some References: References or recommendations from renowned people or professionals in the same field will offer some added advantage in the interview. Try to get some recommendations.

Be confident when you appear for the interview and take it seriously.

Check Your Attitude!

noreply@blogger.com (Franklin) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 07:03:00 +0000

ATTITUDE - what a profound difference it can make in our lives. The word was drummed into me daily as a young military pilot: Attitude! Attitude! Attitude! My instructor did not mean mental attitude, although that also came up now and then. He meant the nose attitude of the aircraft.

Each flying manoeuvre and configuration requires a specific speed, determined by how much the nose of the aircraft is pointing above or below the horizon. This is called the nose attitude of the aircraft. If you keep your attention on maintaining the appropriate nose attitude, the speed will automatically come right. Because of a delay in the airspeed dial settling at the correct indication, if you try to set your speed by watching the dial you often end up chasing the needle back and forth. Then you wallow across the sky like a flying dolphin!

Communications, psychology and personal growth have some amusing parallels to flying. Over the years I have seen how attitudes towards people and situations affect our lives. People's nose attitudes indicate their state of mind: from the extremes of walking with heads bowed to holding their noses high in the air. Our attitudes are important. If I believe that other people's opinions are more valid than what my heart tells me, it causes uncertainty, self-doubt and a kind of mental sea-sickness. It reminds me of "dolphining" across the sky as a pupil pilot.

To change our habits requires a change in attitude. And yet attitude is just a matter of thought. Education and experience can soon change our beliefs if we are open minded and keen to progress in the schoolroom of life. If you have to do some house cleaning and you reckon it's a pain in the neck, then you'll likely have a lousy time doing it. A friend of mine just accepts the task as one of the things that need doing and actually loves doing it, even though she is just as busy as I am. And she does a much better job than I do!

If your attitude towards friends is that they will stick with you only as long as they can't see your bad side, then you're likely to get stressed out trying to hide your "bad" qualities. And if you make a mistake or hurt their feelings by being honest, they might leave you, which can be scary. But not so scary if you ask yourself whether that fair-weather friend was really worthwhile. Plus, if you hold a more understanding and accepting attitude towards them, they will feel more comfortable around you, and may be more accepting of you as well. Like attracts like. Always be yourself. Sincerity attracts true friends. This very attitude changes the way we act. It attracts better friends into our lives.

How about evolution? If your attitude is that you are on earth purely by evolving from animals, and that your one shot at life works only by the survival of the fittest, then unless you are a cross between Charles Atlas and Rambo, you are liable to have quite a stressful life. Especially compared to one who believes that they are an immortal spirit using this temporary body to learn lessons and fulfill a mission on earth that is unfolding with cosmic order. Just as an aside, if there is no ultimate proof that the later is wrong or impossible, it might be worth trying out. If it turns out to be true, and you took the animal evolution option instead, you would have missed a big boat!

Here's another one. Much of our entertainment is taken up with the good guys versus thebad guys. If my attitude is that evil is just the temporary effect of a lack of Light or high frequency in that area, then my attitude towards it can remain positive and confident. Dark thoughts and feelings, including fear, lower our frequency, therefore attracting that which we fear, as like attracts like.

So check your horizon, check your attitude, then check your airspeed. Know the difference between angels and bandits. Adjust your attitude. Like my nose attitude, when I set it properly, my desired airspeed settles down quickly, instead of chasing the needle. It makes my flight path look less like a dolphin across the horizon, and prevents my instructor shouting: "Check your attitude!"

7 Essential Management Skills for Career Survival

noreply@blogger.com (Franklin) — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 04:15:00 +0000

Two questions - Do you want a good career? Do you want a good career Fast or Slow?

If you answered positively to both questions, then you would want to carry on reading and find out the 7 Essential Management Skills you need for Career Survival.

Let us go back to the beginning: You want a Good Career fast? Well then, only PROFESSIONALS get to have a good career fast. BUT, Professionals have to pay a much higher price than semi-professionals and amateurs. So, do you want to be a Professional or Amateur?

OK, good. Since you are still reading I presume that you want to be a Professional in order to have a good career fast. What then are the 7 Essential Management Skills? Let us begin.

Firstly, are you interested in a Job or a Career? You have to learn how to differentiate the two. Check whatever you are doing now. If it's a job, you would have no interest in learning, no motivation to improve, no energy, no growth plans. If it's a career to you, you would be learning, always wanting to improve, lots of energy and have a firm growth plan. If what you are doing is a job to you, stop here. If it's a career to you, proceed.

The 7 Management Skills in summary are:

Managing your Job
Managing your Boss
Managing your Time
Managing your Relationships
Managing your Discipline
Managing your Attitude
Managing your Career

1. Managing Your Job

Remember this: "Know your job well, do it well, and be better than anyone else doing it." (this is taken from a book called "The Rules of Work" by Richard Templar). Bottom Line: You must be really good at your job before attempting anything else. Otherwise, it's just wasted efforts. Don't listen to those so called career coaches who ask you to 'dream' or 'envision' your career 20 years from now. That's just plain rubbish. If you are not doing your job well, or you are not the best in your job, don't even think about climbing the ladder. Do your job well first.

Make sure you know the difference between Activities vs. Results. What's the difference? We can either refer to our job in terms of Activities or Results. Whichever reference you choose determines your behaviors on a daily basis. Remember: Success depends on managing your job based on RESULTS-oriented thinking.

2. Managing your Boss

There are four parts to this: Understand and find solutions for your Boss' problems, Manage your Boss as a Client not a Boss, Manage and influence your Boss based on his Personality, and finally learn how to deal with Bad Bosses as well as when to give up and walk away.

3. Managing your Time

Time is irreversible, so make the best use of it every second of your life. What you really Value is found in how you spend your Time and Money. Love is spelt as T.I.M.E. to your loved ones. Interruptions will always happen, so plan for them every time. Time investments compound, so be patient and persevere. "I don't have time" is a sorry excuse for someone who has placed the issue as a lower priority. Time required for something expands according to expectations - which means that if you set an urgent time-frame, it will be done fast. If you set a long and relaxed time-frame, it will be done slow.

Only three things really matter in Time Management: 1) Learn how to Prioritize, 2) Develop and use a To-do List, and 3) learn how to Maximize Time

4. Managing your Relationships

Why? Because good performance and skill won't get you very far. You need others to succeed.

You cannot get people to listen to you if they don't like you. And if they don't listen to you, you won't accomplish anything! Remember that Relationships = Expectations. You must know the expectations and manage those expectations.

People are interested in themselves, not in you. What is the most interesting subject in the world to them? THEMSELVES. Take four words out of your vocabulary: "I, me, my, mine" and substitute for the most powerful word: "YOU". Remember that the more important you make people feel, the more they will respond to you. Avoid arguing.

5. Managing your Discipline

Discipline consists of three parts: discipline in Habits, discipline in Self Development, and discipline in Feelings.

Control your habits, and you can control your Success. Failure is also because of habits. The only difference between those who have failed and those who have succeeded lies in the difference of their habit. Think about it - your actions are ruled mostly by your habits. Only a habit and control another habit. It takes an average of 21 days to form a new habit. The goal habits: It will be part of your subconscious mind. You need to form good habits in 3 areas: Thinking, Speaking, Doing.

Self Development is an Investment in your self. Investment means how much Time and Money you spend on your self. Nobody is going to invest in you. Start Early because small differences compound in the long-term.

Control your emotions. "Anyone can become angry - that is easy. But to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, and in the right way - that is not easy." (I think this is by Aristotle)

6. Managing your Attitude

List down Bad Attitudes - and reverse them. Be careful of 'us' vs. 'them' thinking. Serve before expecting to be served. Have high standards for yourself. Never complain about how hard you work.

7. Managing your Career

Just remember the following biggest career mistakes a person can ever make: Keeping a career in line with your education, Getting career advice from your parents (or relatives), Changing jobs without long-term strategy in mind, and Letting your Boss (or company) manage your career.

Remember: If you are not doing your job well, or you are not the best in your job, don't even think about climbing the ladder. Do your job well first. Don't say I didn't warn you.

7 Common Habits of Successful People

noreply@blogger.com (Franklin) — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 04:13:00 +0000

When you take a look at some of the successful people in the world, the money they possess may blind you or the notoriety the public bestows upon them distracts your judgment. At second glance (with the exception of generational money and success), there are certain factors that have contributed to their success and popularity. With almost every successful person, there are common habits that add to their wealth or catapult them into the spotlight. The good news is – you don’t have to be a millionaire to follow the same path and develop successful habits of your own.

Success usually doesn’t come to people that exhibit poor habits, such as laziness, a gloomy disposition or attitude, or possess an unwillingness to learn. Instead, it is poor behaviors and practices that hold people back from achieving the success they want out of life, no matter how much they want it to happen. The desire to achieve success is simply not enough, meaning you have to match your desire with effort, determination, patience, and motivation.

When you want to achieve something, it is important to move forward towards your goals instead of falling backwards. Usually, the difference between an unsuccessful person and one who lives a minimal lifestyle is seen in the habits they form over their lifetime. Below you will find seven common habits that many successful people tend to share:

1) Passion

Successful people most often possess passion and find a reason for living in each endeavor they pursue. Anyone can embrace this habit by increasing the level of enthusiasm they possess when it comes to completing their daily tasks, as well as long-term goals they have set. Sometimes it just means becoming more excited about the things that need accomplishing.

2) Focus

When you "keep your eyes on the prize" and stay focused on your goals, you will become more of a success. This is a great way to approach the things you don’t really feel like achieving, but is still necessary for your overall goals. Once you get into the habit of realizing that achieving an array of goals (even the ones you don’t particularly care for) will only get you one step closer towards achieving success, the process becomes much easier.

Some individuals simply don’t sweat the small stuff and completely stay focused on how the "big picture" will look in the end. A good way to stay on task is to think about how much happiness and satisfaction will come from achieving your goals, and how sweet the final results will taste.

3) Time Management

Wasting time only sets you behind in achieving the things you need to accomplish. This means making every moment count and focusing on completing the things will help achieve your overall quest. There is no reason to accept interruptions or distractions that only deter you from your goals. Successful people often ignore the potential setbacks that peers, co-workers, family, and friends are often responsible for. Anything that threatens your attention needs to step aside in order to achieve success.

4) List-Building

Successful people know what they are going to do the next day before they even go to bed. This is because individuals with proven streaks of success make a list of the tasks they must complete by the next day. Before you retire for the night, you should create a list of five to six tasks. Usually, this is arranged in order of importance. When the next day arrives, an individual may set their sights on completing the first thing on their list. The enjoyment comes when they are able to scratch it off and continue down the line. This is quite simple to achieve and helps stop procrastinating and break the habit of postponing important tasks.

5) Don’t Wait

Successful people do not wait for the "perfect" time to start achieving their goals; they go straight for them and don’t wait for a particular moment to surface. If they fail at their first attempt, they simply learn from their mistakes and try again. For some, the hardest part of becoming successful is reaching a starting point.

6) Keep Going

Quitters do not achieve the success they wish for themselves by letting any hardship, barrier or obstacle slow them down or stand in their way. Accomplishing something just once makes the next time much easier. For example, a weight loss journey begins with the first visit to the gym. Overall, it is important to stay unswerving in your effort.

7) Embrace Opportunity

For some, certain opportunities only come once in a lifetime. A successful person grasps each chance they receive and runs closer towards their goals. You should make it a habit to say, "yes" to the opportunities you encounter, even if you are filled with fear. In the long run, you will go much further in confirming your goals.

Overall, successful people are individuals of action, who follow their dreams without allowing anything to get in their way. No matter what task you wish to accomplish, following some of the same common habits of success will aid you in your personal quests.

Who Else Wants to Know The Secret Ways of Success?

noreply@blogger.com (Franklin) — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 04:12:00 +0000

Some workers face a specific phase where they feel a certain kind of fear. There are two types of fear an employee might feel. First is fear of failure and the second one is fear of success.

Those feeling the fear of failure are afraid of making mistakes and losing approval. They tend to also be scared of criticism and rejection. These people are likely to avoid risks. Meanwhile, one of the ways to success is by taking risks.

Fear of success is another thing. It is the fear of accomplishment and being recognized and honored. This kind of fear is related to changes which are mostly heading to a better stage.

Women are those who mostly feel this kind of fear. They are afraid that being strong enough to create the life they want will make them unlovable.

These two types of fear might block your way to success. What you need to do is get rid of them and step forward to grab your success.

Here are some simple things you can do:

• to overcome the fear of failure:

Don’t be so hard on yourself. If you fail, accept it. Turn the failure into something positive. Figure out where you went wrong. Learn from it. Then, apply you’re your next attempt. Even if you fail again, don’t let it stop you. Keep trying again and again. For some people, talking about this fear helps. Discuss it with someone you trust or with an expert.

• to overcome the fear of success:

Take some time to contemplate, to understand what happens to you and how you feel. Pull out any negative thoughts or beliefs resulted from your success. Have a high regard for yourself, your hard work, and your accomplishment. Affirm to yourself that you deserve it. Don’t feel guilty for being successful. And, gain your power back.

20 Ways To Increase Your Confidence Today!

noreply@blogger.com (Franklin) — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 07:27:00 +0000

20 quick and practical methods to increase your confidence, here we go:

1. Think about someone who is confident and act, talk and walk like him or her. Model their mannerisms and behavior. It works for them; it will work for you.

2. Smile a lot more. That doesn't mean putting a silly grin on your face! But smile when you walk down the street, when you meet people and generally be happier even if you're not feeling that way.

3. Learn from the past; don't beat yourself up about it. It's gone; it's never coming back. Instead learn from it for next time.

4. Buy yourself some new clothes, get your hair done, and treat yourself to something new. It will make you feel better and will give your ego a boost.

5. Are you prepared for situations? Are you prepared enough to meet any challenge that may come up? Are you prepared for that meeting, that presentation, that job interview, when you meet someone for the first time? If not, prepare now.

6. Play to your strengths. Know what you are good at and expose yourself to these opportunities at every opportunity because you're good at it, you'll enjoy it and have more confidence.

7. Improve your weaknesses. Know and appreciate what these are and put a plan in place to improve them over time.

8. Learn how to say no to people. Don't be afraid, you've got nothing to be afraid of. Just watch the reaction on their face after you've said it the first time and there will be no going back.

9. Be positive. Look on the "can do" side of things rather than the "can't do". You've accomplished lots in your life and you will accomplish lots more in the future.

10. Be in charge of your thoughts at all times. What is a thought? It's just a question that you've asked yourself and the thought is your answer. If you're thinking negative thoughts, you're probably asking a negative question. Change the questions to be more positive.

11. Whenever you feel a negative thought coming: STOP, THINK and ASK "Is this really important in the grand scheme of things?' A lot of the time it isn't. Many people in life major in minor things!

12. Do you let the words of others affect you? Do you mind what they think of you? Remember that no one can make you feel inferior without your consent. It's not what they say to you that's the problem it's what you say to yourself after they have stopped talking that's the problem. Change the way you think.

13. List the words that you use on a consistent basis when you feel let down or annoyed. People use different words to mean the same thing and depending upon the intensity of the word this will have an effect on your confidence. Instead of saying "I'm enraged about this" say, "I'm a little annoyed". Make a substitute list for the words that you use. Make sure they are lower in intensity and then use them. You'll be surprised with the results.

14. At the end of each day list your achievements and successes throughout that day.

15. Be appreciative of what you have to be thankful for in your life right now. Who do you love? Who loves you? Who do you help out?

16. Every morning when you're in the shower, play over in your head the events in the day as though they have already happened and they were a success. Visualize all of the meetings that you had, the people you talked to, the outcomes you had. Visualize success and confidence and it will be so.

17. Improve your body language. The way that you move your body has a massive impact on your confidence levels. Move your body assertively and walk with your head up, shoulders back and as though you've got somewhere very important to go. Feeling low in confidence? Change you body language

18. Emotion is created by motion. As in 17, make sure you move around consistently. This creates energy and gets the blood pumping around you body it makes you feel better and more confident.

19. Learn to brag about yourself. Yes, you heard me! Talk about your achievements and successes more than you currently are.

20. And finally - You only live once, so any time that you are down just ask yourself in 10 or 20 years time - will what I am worrying about really matter?

How to Boost Your Self-esteem and Confidence

noreply@blogger.com (Franklin) — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 16:03:00 +0000

How often have you listened to that inner voice within you - a word of praise “aren’t you special!’, a positive reinforcement about yourself ‘go for it, you can do it!‘, or even an outright discouragement ‘you are just not worth it!’. This is your self-esteem speaking. Self-esteem is one’s appraisal of one’s worth. Self-esteem is an index of the amount of confidence and satisfaction you have in yourself. Self esteem is the collection of beliefs we have about ourselves.

This voice speaks in two ways - it can be positive and reassuring for some - for those who have a high self-esteem. At the same time, for those with a low self-esteem, this inner voice constantly criticizes, pulls them down, and negates their achievements.

The characteristics of a low self-esteem individual are all too evident, degrees, of course may vary - non-risk taker; looks for approvals externally; fears rejection; insecure, anxious, nervous with others; irrational beliefs.

Why is self-esteem so important? How we feel about ourselves affects how we act and react. A high self-esteem is as essential as oxygen, as uplifting as the fragrance of fresh roses, as warm as the golden sunshine - so very vital to a healthy life and state of mind. A low self-esteem can result in self-doubt, stress, anxiety, relationship problems, underachievement , spiraling down to a lack of interest in life itself

Self-esteem is derived from many factors - our goals in life, achievements, place in the world, how we relate to others, our successes/failures, how we perceive others seeing us, to name a few. Our self-esteem develops and evolves throughout our lifetime- beginning right from our childhood- and is constantly being influenced by our interactions with different people and activities.

A positive self-esteem reinforces your confidence. If you have confidence, you tend to respect yourself. This further translates into a respect for others, improved relationships, confidence in one’s achievements, willingness and drive to pursue happiness, success etc. Confidence in self-helps you cope with situations in a positive light, to accept failures with a shrug, gives you the courage to try again.

A positive self-esteem and confidence walk hand in hand both are essential towards having a healthy and fulfilling life. Therefore, it is very essential to focus on building a positive self-esteem for oneself, in order to avoid the feeling of being incapacitated in our daily lives. Find below a few tips on building a positive self-esteem, which is by no means an exhaustive list.
Give yourself positive feedback - don’t put yourself down
Do not dwell on your mistakes
Celebrate your strengths
Be yourself - in all situations
Set realistic goals for oneself
Expand your comfort zones - try new things

Seven Powerful Steps to Increase Self-Confidence

noreply@blogger.com (Franklin) — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 16:02:00 +0000

We come into this world with total self-confidence/self-esteem. An infant has self-confidence/self-esteem that their cries will get them what they need--food, diaper change, cuddling, communication, soothing, etc. If the child's needs are readily met and the child senses they are accepted unconditionally they flourish. If their basic needs for survival and emotional sustanence are only met sporadically or poorly their sense of self-confidence/self-esteem begins to deteriorate. If the child continues to experience depravation they begin to view themselves as not being good enough to be cared for or cared about. Their birth-right to self-confidence/self-esteem has been compromised. Thus, as an adult those who have experience any form of depravation, they need to re-establish what is their birth-right: Self-confidence/Self-esteem.

1.) Ask yourself, “What would be the worst outcome?” We tend to place excess importance on potential problems—a.k.a.—Worrying ahead syndrome. We have an infinite amount of energy so let’s apply it to creating extraordinary relationships, advancing our careers and meeting our goals INSTEAD of wasting that energy worrying. Take action on what you have control over and minimize risks for what you don’t. Then invest your energy wisely.

2.) Disengage the nagging, negative internal critical voice. That negative internal critical voice can keep anyone stuck. To disengage the internal voice, imagine a volume control and lower the volume. Or simply change the internal voice to the Disney Channel. Do you think you could take Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck seriously if they were criticizing you? The point is to disengage the critical voice by altering the way it nags at you. If you hear your own voice or a critical parent voice nagging you, it will paralyze you. If you hear a funny voice, you laugh and maybe hear the irony of your negative internal critic and continue onward.

3.) When doing something for the first time, imagine that you have already done it. Close your eyes, then, vividly imagine you succeeding at what you are planning to do for the first time. The mind does NOT know the difference between something VIVIDLY imagined and something real. Make it vivid by involving all 5 senses.

4.) Find someone who is already confident in the area of expertise you need and watch how they do it. Model as many of their behaviors, attitudes, values, and beliefs for the context you want to be confident in. How can you do this? Talk with them if you have access to them. If you don’t have access to them, get as much exposure to them as you can. This could be talking to people who know the person and/or buying their products if they have some.

5.) Act “As-if.” Act as-if you already have the habit/behavior you desire. If you were confident, “How would you be feeling? What would you be doing? How would you be speaking? What would you be thinking? What would you tell yourself—self-talk?” By asking yourself these questions, you compel yourself to answer them by going into a confident state. You will then be acting “As-if” you are confident. As you continue to act “As-If” you will notice you are acting less and less as your behavior becomes a habit. Within 30 to 45 days you’ll develop it into a natural habit/behavior.

6.) Project yourself into the future and ask if what you’re faced with is as onerous as you fear. This might be a bit morbid and yet this works tremendously well. Imagine yourself on your deathbed looking back over your life. You are surrounded by your friends and family. You’re reviewing your life. Is what you’re faced with now even going to pop up? That’s highly unlikely. Keeping things in proper perspective really diminishes fear.

7.) Remember that you lose out on 100% of the opportunities that you never go for. Nothing ventured—Nothing gained. To get what you want, ask for it. If you consistently ask people for what you want, you will get it. As you think about your goals and what you are striving for, how effective would it be for you to believe that several people out there want to and would be willing to help you if you only ask? People will help because they know they might need help in the future and you might be a source. Whether that is true or not in the “real world” is irrelevant. The belief is empowering, I invite you to adopt it.

Why Do Most People Run Away From Success and Choose To Be First Class Failures?

noreply@blogger.com (Franklin) — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 16:02:00 +0000

Nobody wants to be a failure. Everybody wants to be a successful.

The simple fact is that to work hard to become successful in life is the goal of everybody unless you are ready to throw in the towel and give up on your efforts and chances of becoming a success.

In this day and age there is a ton of material available with the focus on helping people reach their goals at something. This material includes counseling programs, articles and books that speak of different ways to achieve success.

However, the level of success is not relative to those who use it even if they study the same product and use the right steps. Needless to say not everyone who utilizes this material become successful.

Now you have to ask, what is required to become successful? Several experts in their respective fields whether it be counselors or psychologists have established certain advice guidelines regarding the best ways for one to achieve success but none of them can really assure success.

The most reasonable explanation of this is that most people have their own way of becoming successful. They only use the advice of the experts as a general guide.

But if they make use of the same material, advice or guidelines available to them to teach them success, there is one major factor that allows one to gain a higher level of success. That factor is extra effort. Those that gain more success are willing to work and strive harder.

Making this extra effort is the determining factor in gaining success. What is ironic is that is the part of the whole process that is often overlooked. Those that seem to make an effort toward obtaining success, only to find failure believe that their efforts where good enough. They are left with this conclusion in their own minds that it just wasn’t meant to be and success is far from their reach.

Success should not be out of reach of anyone because success knows no boundaries. It is not something for just the privileged few. From those who can afford to the those not so fortunate to begin with and a strong desire to obtain it, success is for any and everyone. Success is for anyone that is willing to exert that extra effort that is required.

All this really means is, that if you want to be successful in life, a little “extra” in anything you do to work toward your goal needs to be exercised. It could be, extra effort, extra motivation, extra time, extra studying, extra reading etc.

Most people fail, or at least fail at their attempt to gain more success because the actions they have taken are not quite good enough. They simply overlooked the fact that in order to achieve their goal they need to make that extra effort. To fully comprehend the meaning of making that extra effort, you must understand this:

1. People who have found success and make that extra effort have a plan and direction in life. This explains when they feel they have not achieved their objective, they are willing to work a little harder.

2. Those who come close to success make the necessary effort, but the true winners receive ultimate success by making that extra effort above and beyond to ensure their dreams come to fruition.

3. Stubborn determination, motivation and drive are all prerequisites of success and the truly successful people possess these traits.

Attitude plays a huge part toward success. Making that extra effort is not hard. It just means that you are almost there but that little boost of “extra” is required as the final step to your goals.

Make your dreams a reality. Encourage yourself to make that extra effort to go for it with an attitude of unbending determination and motivation. Remember, you are almost there, just give a little extra effort. You will thank yourself in the long run.