Choosing A Private Investigator School

Writen by Low Jeremy

People who want to go into the security business have a lot to learn if the individual has never served in the military or in law enforcement. This is because the years of service has made the person ready to go out in the field and have the job done.

Those who are thinking of becoming a private investigator have to do more than just read The Hardy Boys or watch Magnum P.I. on television. This is because the streets are very different than what network wants to perceive in such shows.

The best place to learn everything there is to know is a private investigator school. Some colleges can teach the individual about criminal justice and forensics. People who graduate can work as a criminal analyst in the lab or on the field.

But if college seems to long to start working as a private investigator, some of these also offer shorter courses online. This means the individual doesn't have to go to campus but do everything from the homework to the exams via the Internet.

When choosing the private investigator school, here are a few things the student must be aware of.

1. How much is the cost of the tuition? Some people have other priorities such as family and bills to pay and it will be difficult to study with money to pay for it.

2. There are a lot of schools that will teach the person on private investigation. The person should check if this place is accredited by the Board of Education and if the faculty has the credentials and licenses needed to teach such courses.

When the person has graduated from a reputable institution, it will not be that hard anymore to get a license. The individual might not have enough money to start an agency so it is best to work for someone else temporarily until one is ready to do so.

Those who want to start in this position can check the newspaper, the directory or even the Internet to find one of these schools. It is best to get at least 10 then cut this number down after talking with a representative from that institution and from former alumni.

Being a private investigator is like working back stage before starting show. This is because it is the responsibility of this person to check things out before the client decides to make the next move.

Low Jeremy maintains private-investigator.articlesforreprint.com .This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included.

Screening Job Applicants What Really Goes On Behind Closed Doors

Writen by Jason Adams

The first goal of any hiring manager is not to find a candidate, but to ELIMINATE unqualified candidates. Most hiring managers reading your resume will take the pile of up to 500 letters they received and try to separate the definite "no's' (Don't Call) into one pile and the interesting resumes into the second pile (Might Call). They then go back and eliminate again until what they have is a manageable pile (5-10 max) of pre-qualified candidates (To Call).

Getting into the second pile (Might Call) is your first goal. The first cut may take you from a stack of 500 resumes to a smaller yet still intimidating stack of 20.

At 20 resumes, the reader will spend 2-3 minutes on each resume versus just a few seconds the first time through. The objective here for the hiring manager is to take the stack of 20 down to a more manageable 5-10 resumes mentioned above.

At 5-10 resumes, the reader will be spending some quality time reading what you have written. They may be highlighting and making notes about the things that interest them the most or closely align with what they are looking for.

A few more resumes will be eliminated during this round, but not necessarily put back into the Don't Call pile. These candidates go into the Might Call pile but will only be called only if the hiring manager cannot find enough qualified candidates from 4-8 resumes they have left. This is the To Call pile that you want to end up in.

The hiring manager begins to make some calls and do some initial phone interviews. From here a few more people may be eliminated for a variety of reasons. Some of the people may have already taken other positions or the hiring manager does not like the candidate enough to invite him or her in for a face-to-face interview.

The hiring manager will keep interviewing until they have invited 3-5 people in for a personal interview.

As the realistic numbers I've indicated above reveal, in order to be invited in for an interview, you'll need to have a resume and cover letter better than 495 other candidates. Notice I did not say you needed more education, better experience or more years on the job than the other people applying for the same job. You just need to have better paperwork..."you just need a better story." This will be the topic of a future article.

Jason Adams is President of Street Smart Sales and Marketing and author of the highly acclaimed book The StreetSmart Job-Changing System. For more information visit http://www.StreetSmartSalesAndMarketing.com

How To Earn More Money From Your Work

Writen by Momodou Sabally

This idea of making more money from your work could be likened to the concept of Trade Marking. The willingness and persistence in consistently producing excellent output ensures that people will always see your mark in your work. It is a great asset for one to be associated with quality output and the reverse is also true.

A successful manufacturer says "if you make a good pin, you will earn more money than if you make a bad steam engine."

"If a man can write a better book, preach a better sermon, or make a better mouse trap than his neighbour," says Emerson, "though he build his house in the woods, the world will make a path to his door."

This is the power of trade marking. Why would they come to you even if you live in the woods? You would have created a trade mark for yourself. People would only part with their hard-earned money to purchase value.

To do what you do well as the motto of my alma mater Saint Mary's University has it "age quod agis" that is the key to success. This is of tremendous importance because it builds for you a great reputation that could earn you tons and tons of tangible and intangible rewards.

Even if you feel that your employer is not paying you enough for the job you are doing, it behoves you to keep on working and to even work harder, for you will surely be paid for it; not necessarily by your current employer but surely some day you will be rewarded, if you persist in making a trade mark out of your work.

In his book The Master Key to Riches, Napoleon Hill says "an important principle of success in all walks of life and in all occupations is a willingness to Go the Extra Mile; which means the rendering of more and better service than that for which one is paid, and giving it in a positive mental attitude."

Ralph Waldo Emerson also supports the habit of going the extra mile as he succinctly put it in his essay on compensation, "if you serve an ungrateful master, serve him the more. Put God in your debt. Every stroke shall be repaid. The longer the payment is witholden, the better for you; for compound interest on compound interest is the rate and usage of this exchequer"

What we gain from our work is much more than the money we are paid, the greater reward is contained in the intangible rewards of experience and value. You never know when an alternative employer will come across your work and hire you; or better still you might apply for another job and if your unjust employer knows that you are going to quit his establishment, he would surely pay you more to stay but that will only be the case if you give the work your best in spite of being underpaid.

In his book, "Pushing to the Front" Orison Swett Marden advises that one should not dwell too much upon the salary you are paid, for he says that you have something of far greater value at stake: "your honour, your whole career, your future success, will be affected by the way you do your work, by the conscience or lack of it which you put into your job. Character, manhood and womanhood are at stake, compared with which salary is nothing."

So what is stopping you from creating your own trade mark? Make the work that comes from your hands unique in quality and supply it to the fullest possible quantity. Success will be yours!

Momodou Sabally is a Motivational Speaker and Author. He has developed a series of articles for Instant self-motivation available at his website www.mlsabally.com

5 Top Tips For Handling Telephone Job Interviews

Writen by Clare Jaques

Telephone interviews are usually used as the first stage in the screening process.

Although people sometimes get nervous about them, they're actually a chance for you to make a great first impression.

Being offered a phone interview is a really good sign. It means the company is seriously considering you for the job. It also saves you the time and expense of travelling to a face-to-face screening interview.

Telephone interviews are normally quite basic, without too many trick questions.

Typically, a company will want to get to know you a little - get a feel for the personality behind the CV. They'll probably ask you a few questions about your CV, work experience, skills, background and why you want the job. It's easy to prepare for this type of question, before they call you.

It's really important to take a telephone interview seriously. It's more than just a chat: the interviewer will be deciding whether to invite you to a face-to-face interview. You should treat it as seriously as any other type of job interview.

To prepare for a phone interview, it's critical to:

1. Set the call up for a time when you're able to relax and not be disturbed.
   This might mean asking to be called outside of office hours.
   

2. Don't do it at work.
   You'll be too nervous to do yourself justice. And what would happen if your boss walked in?
   

3. Dress as you would for a face-to-face interview.
   Sit upright in your chair and hold the phone as you would at work. All of this helps you present a professional image. If you're at home, in your jeans and lounging on the sofa, you could come across as being too laid back.
   
4. Really listen.
   You can't see the interviewer, so you'll need to concentrate on their tone of voice and what they're saying. You won't get the visual clues that tell you what they thought of your answer, so you'll need to put in the effort to listen to their response. You might be surprised how much information a "pregnant pause" can give you.
   
5. Think about your body language.
   Try to imagine the other person sat on their end of the phone and move your body as though you were looking at them in a normal conversation. If you would normally smile, then smile. This will help you avoid sounding "wooden" on the phone.

In summary: as long as you take it seriously and prepare well, you should breeze through the telephone job interview and make it to the next round of recruitment. Good luck!

Clare Jaques is Director of InterviewStuff.com

Clare is an international consultant, trainer and coach, specialising in business communication skills.
Her considerable recruitment experience has led her to become the Job Interview Expert for Monster's online job seekers' forum.

She is passionate about helping job-seekers get the job they want and helping companies of all sizes to recruit the right people.
To find out more about how to be a job interview success, visit InterviewStuff.com

Four Easy Steps To The Career Of Your Dreams

Writen by Dr. Eileen Silva

Have you ever wondered if it would be possible to find the career of your dreams? What if you could --- without consideration to the education, talent, or attributes you feel might be needed --- design a future for yourself and your loved ones that included everything you ever wanted to accomplish in a career? Well . . . the good news is . . . it's possible! Most people don't do it because they don't know how, or they are not willing, to take these four easy steps, which lead to dream fulfillment:

Step #1. Visualize yourself successful in your dream career one year from now. In other words, begin with the end in mind. Let your mind explore all aspects of your dream job performance. Now, simply bring yourself backward in time to the present day, stopping each month, noting what activities would be going on and jotting them down. Now, you have a list of activities from months 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and this month. What do you need to be doing today, then, that is necessary to form your dream career? Since you are likely already in your own networking home-based business, I'm going to take a middle-of-the-road approach and say that you will want to be earning $10,000 a month in a year and be full time in your business. Your distributors will number 500+, and you will have the full support of your family. Your children will stamp brochures, prepare orders, and make deliveries, if necessary. Your spouse will have let go of all resentment about your freedom and will be enjoying, with you, the financial and emotional rewards of owning a life.

You all will look healthy, vibrant, and successful. You will charismatically attract those you want, rather than trying to persuade all the passers-by. You now need to organize the work schedule that arises from this mental exercise and start executing it on a daily basis, without fail.

Step #2. Choose your mentor, and then volunteer your services with someone who is already successful at what you want to do. Become tireless in mastering all that you can, and avoid the tendency to improve on anything until you have produced and mastered it exactly as first presented (this one is tough for most of us). This step is a real time saver and perhaps your whole success could hinge on it. Let's face it: most of us are constantly reinventing the wheel in MLM --- working on "our own" trainings, brochures, flyers, etc. Just remember this: in 1987, my husband, Taylor Hegan, and I developed a huge organization, with over $21,000 in income our first month, and we launched a new company here in the United States --- all with only a single typewritten brochure, which had almost no information in it.

It is more important that you "be" a certain way, than it is that you "do" a certain thing, if you really want your career in MLM to blossom. Your mentor will be the one to keep you on track in distinguishing the difference between "being" and "doing," so if you want your ideal career to be immersed in high integrity, as well as high-income production, you'll need to be sure this person's ethics are firmly in place. Besides being a dollar cruncher who can drive income, your mentor needs to embody the elements of service that you're looking for.

Step #3. Divide the masteries you need into small steps that you can handle. It comes back to the old --- "How do you eat an elephant? --- One bite at a time." metaphor.

If, for example, you can see that you will need to learn how to do an effective phone presentation, and you are terrified of that, you should begin your mastery by simply setting a phone appointment for your prospect to meet your sponsor on the phone. Then, all your sponsor has to do is to make the pitch.

Recently, a distributor landed a half hour radio interview for me just like that. He had no idea how to get me on the radio, but he was willing to learn. I coached him, and as soon as the phone call (which went great) was over, he said, "Boy, that was easy! You two hit is off so well that I didn't really have to say another thing after I introduced you."

Maybe your lesson in all this is to learn to work smarter, not harder. For some reason, most distributors fail to utilize the power of that third party credibility, which is just more exciting than simply speaking with one person.

Step #4. Get your family to create a dream list and make the fulfillment of that list a priority, as you become successful in your home-based career. If, for example, your wife would like to quit her job and manage the home and family full-time, then earmark a significant portion of your growing income for her job salary replacement. She will be more supportive of evenings out and Saturday trainings, if her dream fulfillment is your dream motivator. In addition, if your children want the skating or tennis lessons that your additional income will provide, then they'll be a lot more supportive..

In fact, one of my favorite reasons for people being in a home-based business --- other than it being the last bastion of tax relief left in America today --- is that it is one of the only careers where every member of the family can participate and contribute on some level. We all can relate to the dream of the family that works together and plays together, then stays together.

It is time for you to take your commitment up a few notches to a degree of real passion --- and then, go for it! You can, and should, control your own destiny, with the implementation of these four easy steps, because if you don't, someone else will. It really comes down to this: either you will fulfill your own career dreams or you will work your whole life to fulfill someone else's. Which would you prefer?

Eileen Silva, Ph.D., N.D. is a metabolic health balancing expert, talk show guest, and lecturer. Dr. Silva is also an individual, group, and corporate weight management consultant. Contact Dr. Silva at http://www.easilymakingmoney.com

Salary Negotiation Compensation Advice From A Recruiter

Writen by Carl Mueller

As a recruiter, I'm used to negotiating salary and compensation on behalf of my job candidates with the hiring manager of the company they are interviewing with.

Salary and compensation negotiation is one of the things a recruiter typically does when helping someone get a job so if you're not a good negotiator this can be one of the things they can help you with if you decide to use a recruiter.

Here are some tips that I've learned in my time as a recruiter that might help you next time you're negotiating salary for yourself with a potential new employer.

1. Let the employer bring up the issue of money first. Ideally, you should let the interviewer broach the issue of money (ie. "How much money are you looking for?") not you. Employers generally don't want money-motivated staff whose main concern is salary since people can easily switch jobs if they can get more money elsewhere.

Certainly, if you're working with a recruiter you can let them know what salary you're looking for since they need to know what range is acceptable to you and avoid wasting your time with jobs that don't match your requirements.

2. Don't state a desired salary range. The problem with saying "I'm looking for a salary of $30,000-$40,000" is that while you might be thinking that you're showing flexibility by stating a wide range, you could actually be low balling the salary you end up getting offered.

While you might be thinking that you'd like the higher end of this salary range (ie. $38,000) the hiring manager might be thinking you'd be happy with $30,000 since you did state that $30,000 was in your acceptable range! While the hiring manager hopefully wants to be fair, some might not offer you $40,000 if you state that $30,000 would be acceptable, which is basically what you're saying with this stated range.

Ideally you want to go into an interview knowing the salary range that the company is offering. A recruiter can definitely get this information for you. Knowing the salary range being offered ensures that you don't price yourself out of range and don't lowball yourself either.

3. Don't state a salary that you won't be happy accepting. If you tell a hiring manager you'd be happy with $30,000 do not expect to be able to go back to them later in the interview process and then ask for $35,000. It can be difficult to get a higher salary agreed to once you've verbally mentioned a lower one. As we spoke about in Point 1, let the employer bring up the issue of money first and try your best to understand the job fully before committing to a stated salary figure.

While you don't want to evade the question if you're asked "how much money are you looking for" during a job interview, you also don't want to ruin your chances at getting a better figure by making a mistake handling the salary question.

The longer you can delay the issue of money in an interview process the better.

A good recruiter should be able to help you with salary negotiation since that's part of their job and since as the middleman, they can negotiate on your behalf without the emotional aspect that can come along with this issue if you were doing it yourself.

Plus, they should have a solid understanding of exactly what parts of the job offer might be open to negotiation especially if this is a hiring manager or company that they've successfully dealt with before!

Carl Mueller is an Internet entrepreneur and professional recruiter who has written an ebook for career-minded individuals: http://www.RecruiterSecretsRevealed.com

Recruiter Secrets Revealed sheds light on job search and career management "secrets" that you can use to supercharge your career and distinguish yourself from other job searchers.

How To Plan For A Great Career

Writen by Tony Jacowski

There are various schools of thought on how to plan for a great career. Previously staying with one company from the start to end was known as the key to career development. In time of course, you were likely to climb the corporate ladder. At present, this attitude has changed. This does not imply that the old theory failed but people have had to make adaptations considering that your present day job may not even have existed a few years ago. When forming guidelines on how to plan for a great career, it is essential that you maintain a flexible attitude towards your job requirements.

When planning, it is essential to categorize short and long-term goals and a plan on how to meet them. At work, very often your superiors help you recognize and implement career development goals. Identifying what you want from your job will help you plan for a great career. It is very similar to drafting a simple how-to-do list. You may want to make a career development plan list. This could include:

• Detailed development goals
• Skill / Knowledge requirements
• Duties to be fulfilled
• Completion dates
• Computation of success
• Progress achieved

Research

Start to assemble all of the resources you are going to need. This starts right at the onset. As you start to learn about your career, you need to research, attend appropriate meetings, understand concepts and implement all you learn. It is advisable to exhibit patience and not jump into multiple projects simultaneously. When planning a great career change it is important to allot adequate time for each new venture prior to taking up something new. At every step on the way it is important that you learn valuable skills. This should be practiced at every stage of your career even if your present job status is not the most satisfactory.

Stay Vigilant

Though you may have a very stable plan for yourself, you must also stay vigilant. Apart from performing at your workplace, keep yourself updated regarding the upcoming opportunities and developments in your field of expertise. Also ensure that within any organization, you represent your career growth plans to your manager. This is especially true at the time of appraisals and performance reviews. At the time your managers talk about your career goals for the future, it is essential that you present your career plans to your superiors in the most professional manner.

Constructive Criticism

When you do receive any coaching and performance feedback, it is important to act upon them. This helps clear a number of obstacles and makes the path to a great career a lot easier to traverse. Don't let your career plans take a back seat in case you are not appreciated or management does not express any interest in your plans. In time, all of your planning and hard work will pay off. Evaluate

Constantly evaluate your progress and identify if your plans need to be modified or expanded. This helps create a lot more opportunities and acts as a whetstone that continuously stimulates your performance levels. It is essential that you locate a career mentor within your organization that will help you meet your personal career targets and motivate you to perform at your very best.

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solution's Six Sigma Online ( http://www.sixsigmaonline.org ) offers online six sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.

You Are Approaching Retirement Yet You Wish To Continue Working What Are Your Options

Writen by Tali Nizic

You held a senior management position in Finance, Human Resources, Sales & Marketing, etc for the past many years. You are now a few months away from the mandatory retirement age at your company. Although your retirement income will be more than sufficient to sustain your current life style, you are not ready to say good-bye to the corporate world, so what would some of your options be and how will you go about achieving them? Here are some options/suggestions:

When income is not a concern, giving back to the community is a wonderful thing. You may consider volunteering on a board of directors in a non-profit organization that provides services to kids, adults, or seniors. There is a very big emphasis today on improving board governance and ensuring integrity – from finance to fund raising and so on, therefore and individual holding senior management roles is very attractive and important. In case you have a non-profit organization that you believe in and would like to contribute to, simply approach the Executive Director and let them know that you would like to become a volunteer either in the Finance Committee of the Board, the Executive Committee of the Board or the Board of Directors itself. You will be pleasantly surprised to find out how many sub-committees these organizations have from fund raising initiatives to governance issues, hence non profit organizations are constantly on the look out for volunteers with rich employment experience.

When income is a concern, Private as well as Public Corporations are always in need of qualified contractors that are able to "hit the ground running". With your extensive work experience either in finance, human resources, sales & marketing and so on you are very qualified to take on a series of interim or fixed term management roles. Your services will be welcomed by a start up organization where they require to set up policies, procedures, hire new talent and so on or a turnaround situation where they require expertise with lenders, staffing, negotiations etc. Then there are always interim roles such as covering for a maternity leave; system implementations or performing a role of a vacant position while the organization carries on its search for the permanent candidate.

Your first step in all of these situations is crafting a resume that details your professional experience and achievements. In case you require assistance in crafting your resume, there are many resume services available today. It is a fee for service, and they can be located with a simple Internet search. Prior to engaging a service, ask for references. Along with your resume you will require a cover letter. Each cover letter must be tailored to the position that you have in mind. Once again, there are services today that will be able to assist you in crafting the cover letter. To identify positions, you may want to contact your immediate network of colleagues, clients, and friends and let them know that you are available and interested in contract work or interim management assignments.

A very important link in your network is employment agencies that specialize in the placement of candidates in short and long term assignments. Research the market for these organizations; understand what kind of positions they recruit for, the type of clients they service, their recruitment process, their customer service practices and so on. Share your profile with the agency; let them know what you are looking for, follow up with the recruiter from time to time so that you may be top of mind when an assignment matching your skill set comes up.

Remember that we live in a society today that recognizes the value of a long and successful career and the varied skill sets that individuals bring to many organizations. Rest assured that you are not alone in seeking post retirement employment.

Wishing you much continued success!

Tali is the President & CEO of Controllers On Call (http://www.controllersoncall.ca), niche staffing organization specializing in the placement of middle to executive level accounting, finance and human resources professionals in contact and full time positions. She writes and publicly speaks about topics related to employment.

Bullseye Interviewing

Writen by Tamara Jong

An interview is much like a blind date. You have sweaty palms, heart palpitations, shaky nerves and a preconceived notion of what could happen. The perfect scenario unfolds in your mind, where you are calm, cool and collected, dressed smartly, totally in control, enthusiastically meeting the other person's gaze and brimming with confidence. However, that idea has begun to unravel, because as of right now, you are LATE, because you got lost, forgot your resume, wore a shirt that is making you sweat and have pulled a muscle breaking in new shoes. As you are being led to the boardroom, you're informed that your possible Superiors will be sitting in. Panic sets in with the realization that this blind date is over before it even begun.

What is needed therefore, is a realistic and proactive approach. If you're a mere mortal like the rest of us, then you do get nervous about a job interview. If we could accurately predict the outcome of this situation, life would definitely be easier to plan. While we can't accurately control the results, we can bank our odds if we keep the pointers below in mind.

Basic Combat:

Wardrobe:

Do your homework. Find out what the corporate culture is. Check out the company's website on the net. Go to the media area and find out what type of functions they attend or sponsor. Is the work environment business casual or corporate? Wear what is considered acceptable attire and meet that standard. Make sure your wardrobe is clean, odor free and neatly pressed.

Research:

While this may not be the only job you've applied for, read information on the company involved. Understand what the position entails in detail. Keep a copy of the posting for yourself. Know your own resume inside out and be able to explain examples of your work and how it fits into their job description. Take down the name of the person you'll be seeing, how to spell and pronounce their name and note (or ask) if it's a Mr., Mrs. Ms. (Yes, this is important). Although you can't rehearse the exact answers when you don't know the questions you'll face, it's possible to find out what the latest interview trends are on Career sites or in your local bookstore.

Body Language

Greet your potential employers with a firm handshake and smile. Look the interviewer(s) in the eyes, but don't make them uncomfortable by staring. Try to relax by taking a deep breath. Tapping your foot and fingers or chewing gum is considered a faux pas. It's best to match the body language of the interviewer(s), but not in a mechanical fashion.

The Actual Interview

Think positively and keep it all in perspective. Based on your abilities, education and work history, THEY called you. This is your unique moment to market YOU. You need to believe that you are by far, the best candidate for them. Make sure you look neat and orderly and pop in a breath mint for good measure. Slang or acronyms are not appropriate in your speech. Remember not to confuse confidence with arrogance and don't interrupt or hijack the interview. When asked a question, pause and reflect on the answer and try to listen to be clear and concise. When they ask, "Do you have any questions?", ask the ones you have prepared mentally based on your research and relevance to this interview and position. If this job still interests you, let them know and thank them for their time.

Remember, an interview is really just the beginning of the process, but first impressions not unlike a blind date can either make for a great story or fodder for the fire. Make this your opportunity to distinguish yourself from the pack and get that second "date".

About The Author

Tamara Jong is the Marketing Professional for www.canjobs.com, a leading Canadian owned and operated on-line recruitment site.

tamara@canjobs.com

The Basics Of Real Estate License

Writen by Stephen Kreutzer

Real estate is an industry that can help people experience great wealth. Many of the worlds richest people have made their money through real estate. It is no surprise that many people are looking into real estate as a career. Getting a real estate license allows you to help people buy and sell real estate. Each state has its own procedure on how to get a real estate license.

A real estate license is required in every state in order to practice as a real estate agent or broker. To get a license a person must be 18 years old or older, graduated high school or have a GED, and pass a written licensing test. Some states require schooling or college course work. The reason for testing and licensing is that real estate can be complicated and the laws can be hard to understand.

There are two levels of licensing in each state. A real estate agent can be a broker or salesperson. A broker can act on behalf of a client and a salesperson can only perform under the supervision of a broker.

The license test is administered by a state agency and the name of the actual test varies form state to state. You should go to the testing agency to determine your states exact licensing procedure. There are many variations on requirements like age, background, and education.

If education is required you should find out the specifics about this requirement. Some states require college course work, while others only require special real estate courses.

The test format can change at any time, so be prepared for any format. Basically, though, most states have a multiple choice test. The test will either be one part or broken into two parts. If in two parts, one part will generally cover key points and the other will get into specifics.

If you are wanting to persue a career in real estate the first step is finding out how to take the licensing test and how to prepare for it. Once you obtain your real estate license you are on your way to an exciting career.

About the author: Stephen Kreutzer is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides information on real estate licenses at Your Real Estate License!

How To Become A Bounty Hunter 7 Steps You Should Take

Writen by Jon Grider

Bounty Hunters or "Fugitive Recovery Agents", as professionals in the field prefer to be called, have a very exciting and rewarding career, however if you are considering a job in this field there are steps you should take become a successful Bounty Hunter.

1. Determine if you have what it takes to be a Bounty Hunter - Bounty hunting can be very dangerous if you are not careful you can find yourself in jail, or dead.

1. Find out the laws in your State - Every state is different when it comes to Bounty Hunters, you will need to find out what your state requires to become a bounty hunter.

1. Get Training and Licensed - In some states formal training is not required (most states require some type license) however you will not want to become a bounty hunter without learning the ropes first. There are several manuals online that can help you get started, the one I refer people to can be found at http://www.bountyhunterguide.com it will give you everything you need to know to get started.

1. Find a Mentor - The is probably one the most important steps, most new bounty hunters want to go out on their own and try to be the best, but you can save yourself a lot of grief by learning from someone who has walked the walk.

1. Develop your Skip Tracing Skills - Skip tracing is one the skills you will use most as a Bounty Hunter. Do everything you can to build on your skip tracing skills, read books, articles online, use online tools etc..

1. Network with other Bounty Hunters - Network with other bounty hunters in your area as well as in other states online, this can be very helpful in locating a skip in some cases.

1. Get Started - Once you have gone through the steps above you are ready to get started. Get out there and find that skip!

Now you know how to become a Bounty Hunter, follow these steps and you're on your way. But do not underestimate the need for proper training; this could be the difference between life and death on the job.

Jon Grider is respected author and publisher in the field of Fugitive recovery. To find out more about how to become a Bounty Hunter visit http://www.bountyhunterguide.com

Turn Your Professional Obstacles Into Opportunities

Writen by Kimberly Virdure-King

Your daily grind has lost its groove. Your career is just a job that provides a paycheck. You dream of making a living doing what you most love, yet your thoughts are swiftly put to rest with the reasons you can't: you need more education, training or experience, you can't afford to pursue your ideal career or it's not the right time.

Obstacles have as much power as you grant them - they're nothing more than perception. Here are a few points to help you wrap your mind around your possibilities for success, regardless of your obstacles.

1. Know Your Dream Busters. Any thought that doesn't support what you most want for yourself is a direct threat to your success. Put thoughts that start with I should, I could, I would, I might or I can't to the test. Let's be honest, these are usually excuses for not going after the prize. Try beginning one of these thoughts with 'I will …'. Say it out loud without thinking of the reasons why you can't.

2. Take an Honest Look at Your Goals. Hesitation, procrastination and excuses may be a signal that you're not focused on the right path for you. It's not uncommon to pick up other people's dreams without realizing; such as becoming a lawyer to make your parents proud. If you say "I will" and you don't feel enthused about it, consider whether you really want to pursue that course of action.

3. Share Your Intentions. Knowing "you will" accomplish something leads to saying you will. Once you're clear about your intentions, incorporate them into your identity. Tell your friends, associates, family and even people you meet. Saying "you will" connects you to others who are willing to help you. You'll also experience a sense of accountability as you become an advocate for your dreams.

4. Turn Obstacles into Opportunities. Consider the actions needed to move past your obstacles the very first steps in working your dreams. Write down each obstacle and develop clear, measurable action steps to move past them. For example: if you haven't asked for the promotion you want because you need to develop a particular skill set; find a class, teach yourself online or connect with a mentor. Draft a proposal that shows your competency for the desired position. Pitch your proposal. Consider other opportunities by reviving your resume and actively marketing yourself within your industry. Jump out of contemplation by doing something every day to move closer to your professional goals.

If your professional life is nothing more than work, you can't afford not to move past your obstacles. Commit to taking the steps needed to get to where you want to be. Your perceived obstacles will be replaced with motivation and momentum as you align your professional goals with what you really want for yourself. You'll make more room in your life for success - simply by saying "I will". As you look back, you'll wonder why you ever thought "I can't".

Kimberly Virdure-King is a Work Life Design Coach who coaches Moms through the challenges of pursuing new professional directions and shaping their careers to support their familial and personal interests. Women are using the resources at http://www.momentacoaching.com to refine their career paths, start businesses and strenghten their negotiation and networking skills. If you're a mother who's serious about succeeding in your business or career, partner with Kimberly to launch a personalized career plan you can work with.

Working For Me Inc

Writen by Terry Hadaway

"Where do you work?" is one of the top three questions to ask someone when you run out of things to say. Most people respond to that question with a description of their employment status--company, job title, job history, stock prices, and a description of the view from their offices (or cubicles). But in today's freelance world, describing one's work can be a challenge. Let me explain what I mean.

I am an adjunct university professor, lead motivational seminars, conduct faculty training on adult education principles, operate an elearning company, ghost-write books, and write articles. To say I am self-employed is an understatement.

When you tell people you are a freelance writer, they respond as if that is some sort of code for "I can't find real work." When you say, "I work from home," they equate you with the scamming spammers who send emails they think you might open. (Newsflash to spammers: I report them as spam without ever opening them!) When you describe yourself as a conference leader or motivational speaker, people lump you into the pile with the bad religious programming that we find on local access cable. To say you are a ghost-writer can't be proved because, by contract, you're not allowed to disclose your assignment. (Second newsflash: Many of today's top authors can't write! They have great ideas, but putting them on paper is not their area of giftedness!)

Instead, I prefer to say I work for Me, Incorporated, a company dedicated to its employees and their success! Because Me, Inc. is a small company, there are few personality clashes, overhead is low, and meetings are almost non-existent. At Me, Inc. there is no time clock, no designated lunch hour, no dress code, and the atmosphere is almost like being at home. Each employee gets free, reserved parking and the commute is never an issue. At Me, Inc. every employee is directly responsible for the success of the company and receives bonuses for completing extra work.

That description of my working conditions usually gets a wide-eyed response from people who work for companies where conforming to the corporate image is the most important task.

It might be difficult for me to describe what I do, but I sure am having a great time doing it! Think about it!

Dr. Terry Hadaway is an author, motivational speaker, university professor, and conference leader who is recognized as a leading authority on elearning, decision-making, and adult education. Visit http://www.rapidfirelearning.com.

Should You Become A Realtor

Writen by Ron LeBlanc

Have you asked yourself that question lately? I did and I decided the answer was yes. Let me tell you what led up to it.

I have been using realtors to purchase some of my investment properties. The Multiple Listing Services can be a great place to find properties, and one has to be a licensed realtor in the US to access them. I'm not sure what the laws are in other countries, so this discussion will be of only the US.

Each time I buy a property, the realtor collects almost 3% at the closing, and in order to sell properties quickly, I also list with a realtor and pay almost 6%. I always assumed it was a real pain to go through the process to become a realtor, and besides, I am a real estate investor – why would I want to be a realtor?

A realtor that I used where I live in Boulder told me I should get my license just to invest in real estate. He explained that in Colorado I could do an online course for as little as $795 and take the exam then host with Keller-Williams for way under $100 per month. I never realized it would be that inexpensive.

When he also explained that after my first few deals that there was NO SPLIT on personal deals – I was sold!

One of the things we investors like to do is get cash at closing. I have my strategy to do just that now! I have a financer who does 100% investor financing and now I can collect the buyers agent commission at closing! Cha-ching!

Selling my properties is easy because I can do my own listing on the MLS and not pay a listing agent fee.

I would say an equally compelling reason I chose to become a realtor is for the access to the MLS. You might say that is not important, but even when you are buying a "for sale by owner" or FSBO, you must have a good idea what it is worth. No one can know all possible neighborhoods, so if you want to do a lot of shopping, you have to run a lot of comparables.

Some realtors may run several for you – some may run quite a few, but I like the idea of sitting down myself and doing my own market analysis. Yes, I know there are other ways of getting data, but nothing beats the MLS for convenience. I trust my own analysis over anyone else's, so the access to data means a lot to me.

That is why I made the decision to get my license. I get more information and control and the cost is recovered in just one personal deal. Yes, there is a time commitment to a company, but it will not deter you from your investing activity.

If you disagree with me and want to use a realtor, then if you are anywhere near Boulder…by all means call me :)

Copyright 2006 Ron LeBlanc

Ron LeBlanc is a real estate investor who is a licensed realtor in Colorado. He gets a huge charge out of helping people through the fear and hurdles of attaining financial independence. He lives with his wife and 2 boys in Boulder, Colorado - the best place on Earth to live. Visit him at http://www.boulder-realestate-investors.com

Career Change Develop The Mental Strength To Bring The Change

Writen by CD Mohatta

Advising others to change career sounds very simple and a workable proposition. When it comes to us, it becomes one of the toughest decisions to implement. A career change needs lot of mental preparation. If you have a family, that may get disrupted by your career change. The income may stop for some time. The decision itself may turn out to be a wrong one. It needs mental strength to change career. Let us see what it requires.

A change of career shifts us from a comfort zone to a zone full of discomfort in the beginning. For a full time production engineer, a change to a career as human resources consultant may need a total about turn, back to school and learning new skills for the new job. Some people change careers so totally that it looks incredible. Let us talk about changes that can be done more smoothly. I am talking about learning about a new career along with the old one and then shifting to the new career slowly. This process also requires mental strength, because it needs lot of extra work.

The first barrier that one encounters while thinking of career change is- how did I get into a wrong career? What if my new decision also turns out to be wrong? What if I continue with my present career? Why should I change my career? Some of these questions need head to answer and some questions are for the heart such as asking why did I chose the wrong career to begin with, may involve damage to self esteem, and acceptance of failure.

Before thinking of changing career, one needs to do analysis of life goals, and deciding about how the present career does not satisfy those goals. Only after deciding that something drastic needs to be done can one think about changing career. One has to develop mental and emotional strength to undergo these changes and emerge a winner again.

The author, C.D. Mohatta writes for fun quizzes and fun tests at http://www.funquizcards.com/ on topics like business, personality, love, dating, relationships, friendship, movies, tv, music, business, etc. With reference to above article, you can try the quizzes - Free Business & Career Tests & Quizzes The author also writes for free ecards at http://www.ecarduniverse.com/ - it has free ecards on holidays, birthday, love, friendship, family, expressions, celebrations and all events and occasions.

Serving Up A New Career The Best Kept Secret To Charting A New Course

Writen by Steven Schad

If you are considering or are in the midst of a career change, you have probably confronted one stark reality. You may not have all the skills you need to get to where you want to go.

This might mean you face a lot of coursework and retraining, not something people necessarily relish, especially later in life. The classes. The books. The tests. It can be pretty daunting.

But, there is a surprising path you can take to overcome this challenge, one that brings its own rewards. Used in the right way, it can be a powerful tool to help you develop the skills and gain the experience you need to achieve your dream career. It's volunteer service.

Nothing new, right? Every career counselor recommends volunteering to build the resume. But, I am talking about more than randomly showing up for three hours so you can pad your resume. I am talking about tapping into the full potential of volunteering as an alternative to the classroom training that stands between you and your dream career.

I suggest that with some thought, intention, and planning, you can turn a good volunteer experience into a transformational learning experience.

The Trouble with Training
What do you need to show your next employer to get that ideal position? That you are organized and can manage your time and priorities well? That you can communicate and relate well with others?

These are just a few of a number of general abilities that are considered bricks in the foundation of employability in a professional setting. Others include money and resource management abilities, leadership and inclusion skills, understanding of technology, and the ability to think clearly and solve problems, etc.

To establish this foundation, you are going to need more than a night class. Sure, you need to learn what good organization (or time management or communication) is and how it is done. But learning about a concept and using it are two different things. Without practicing those concepts in the real world, chances are you'll never really know how it is done.

It's like learning to drive. Did they let you on the road after you took the written test? First came supervised driving with a learner's permit, and then came the driving exam. Only then could you be allowed onto the road as a licensed driver.

The same is true with mastering new work skills. It takes practice and trial and error in order to really figure out how to make it work for you. The trouble is that classroom training by itself will gain you neither.

The Service Path to Success
I met Jason at a ball game two years ago. He had been laid off from his job as a mechanic and wanted to go into sales, but didn't really know what it was like to work in an office. He said he had looked for an employer who would help him learn things like time management and communications, but every place he applied expected him to have at least a basic understanding of those kinds of skills.

I suggested volunteering. I pointed out to him that any skill he needed in an office setting is something he would need--and learn--in a volunteer setting. For example, to be a successful member of a project team at work requires the same abilities as being part of a successful project team for Habitat for Humanity.

The fact is homeless shelters and mentoring agencies are no different than banks and manufacturers in that way. They are parallel work universes that require skilled people to achieve results. The opportunity is that with volunteering, the expectations and the pressure to perform are different.

With service projects, the stakes are lower -- for both you and the agency. "Trial and error" is part of the territory. This frees you up to try out new skills, practice them, to refine how you do things so that when you land that job, you already know what success with that skill looks like. The nice part, as I told Jason, was that it does something good for the community at the same time.

Life-Changing Learning
I stayed in touch with Jason. When I saw him again several months later, he told me about a youth agency promotional event he had helped organize--using skills he learned about in a project management book he read. He also told me he got a job with one of the companies sponsoring the event. It was another benefit of volunteering I hadn't even remembered to tell him about.

He also told me that beyond learning new skills, he found he liked the feeling he got when volunteering. It was something his wife had always done, but now they were going to do it together. I could tell this had been a life-changing experience for him, even though he didn't talk about it in those terms. I also knew he changed the lives of other people along the way.

Transitioning careers doesn't have to be a scary, onerous process. And, it doesn't have to mean endless hours in the classroom. It has the potential to be a powerful experience, one that is fun and engaging... and meaningful. Given a choice, wouldn't you prefer that over the alternative?

Copyright © 2006 Steven E. Schad. Steve Schad helps individuals and businesses tap into the full power of volunteer service for personal and organizational success. Based on his forthcoming book, The Service Path to Success, his career transitions workshops help people explore their caeer possibilities, chart a course that is rich and meaningful, and develop the critical skills to achieve the dream career -- all while doing something meaningful for other people. Learn more about his career transitions workshop at this web site The Service Path to Success. Or, try his self-study program for a personal way to serve and learn.

Waiting For The Official Job Offer

Writen by Linda Matias

At the end of the third job interview, Helene was told by the hiring manager, "Congratulations, I am going to recommend you for the position. Expect a call from HR." Helene breathed a sigh of relief because her job search of six months was finally over.

Helene went straight home and waited by the phone all day. The phone never rang.

As the week drew to a close, Helene began to get nervous. She hadn't heard from HR. She wondered what had happened. She convinced herself that everything was fine, that the HR department must have been swamped. She wasn't exactly sure what would be more important than calling and welcoming her onboard, but she knew the HR department had a good reason. After all, Helene was the most qualified candidate; the hiring manager told her so.

Days went by and still Helene heard nothing. Confused by the situation, she anxiously glanced through the Sunday morning classifieds wondering what had gone wrong.

Unfortunately, this happens to many jobseekers. They are offered the position by the interviewer and they never hear from HR or it takes months before a firm offer is made.

But there are steps that you can take as a jobseeker to minimize your risk of being strung along by an employer.

An easy and often neglected step is to find out what comes next after each interview. Establishing the next step gives you some control over the hiring process, and helps avoid the guessing game. Make it a point to leave each interview with a clear understanding of what you are supposed to do and what the hiring manager is supposed to do.

E-mail, fax, or snail mail a follow-up letter thanking the interviewer for the job offer and that you are looking forward to hearing from the HR department. Sending a note stresses to the interviewer what you heard and if there was any confusion on your part, compels the interviewer to contact you and address the misunderstanding.

If you haven't heard from the employer in a timely fashion, call to reiterate your interest in the position. Here's an example of an effective follow-up call: "Thank you for your time and for a very informative interview last week. Based on our last discussion, you are seeking an Executive Assistant who can effectively serve as a corporate liaison, manage administrative affairs, and support organizational goals. After a series of interviews, you were enthusiastically going to recommend me for the position but I have yet to hear from the Human Resources department. The Widget Corporation is my #1 choice and I am very interested in joining your team. Unfortunately, I will be forced to consider other options if I don't receive an offer in writing by Friday at noon."

By providing a timeline you create a sense of urgency and put the employer on notice that you are in demand. This may encourage them to move the process along. But only use this tactic if you really do have other options because setting a deadline that an employer is unable to meet could get you dropped from consideration.

Although I recommend that you follow-up with a phone call, don't become a nuisance and call everyday. If you reach out to an employer several times without receiving a courtesy response, stop calling and move on.

As frustrating as it may be, you must always remain professional. Keep in mind that, until you are officially hired, every conversation you have with the employer is part of the interview process.

In conclusion, realize that a definite maybe does not qualify as a firm job offer. Therefore continue job searching until you receive an official offer. If an employer is interested in you, they will respect your time, return your phone calls, and make a concerted effort to keep you updated.

Don't waste your time waiting by the phone. You deserve more than that.

About The Author

Recognized as a career expert, Linda Matias brings a wealth of experience to the career services field. She has been sought out for her knowledge of the employment market, outplacement, job search strategies, interview preparation, and resume writing, quoted a number of times in The Wall Street Journal, New York Newsday, Newsweek, and HR-esource.com. She is President of CareerStrides and the National Resume Writers' Association. Visit her website at www.careerstrides.com or email her at careerstrides@bigfoot.com.

Conduct An Informational Interview

Writen by Michelle Roebuck

Informational interviews are designed to get as much information as you can about the industry and career you're seeking a job in from people who are already in that career.

Many job seekers don't conduct informational interviews because the purpose of this type of interview is NOT to ask for a job. But, when you talk with people in your area of interest, you establish rapport with them, get salary ranges for the position and hopefully, have your name passed along to the hiring manager when there is an opening in their company.

Conducting an informational interview can be a very powerful job seeking tool for you. As you conduct these interviews, you're:

Establishing several important contacts

learning more about the industry you want to work for

and getting your name out there before anyone else in case a job opens up.

You can also take the information you gathered from these informational interviews and apply them to a regular one-on-one job interview. For example, you'll be able to negotiate your salary better because you found out beforehand what the salary range was for the job you're seeking.

The informational interview is almost like a hidden secret for job hunting success, since so few people use this technique. Get the advantage over other job seekers by adding this powerful tool to your job search.

Michelle Roebuck provides job interview tips and resume writing advice at her website http://www.job-interview-and-resume-tips.com

Sign up for her Free newsletter at http://www.job-interview-and-resume-tips.com/newsletter.html

Do You Love The Job Youre In

Writen by Belinda Crosbie

Let's say you work an average of 40 hours a week and you started work when you were 20 years old and retired at 65. You're also a good sleeper and get a good eight hours a night.

That's 93 600 hours of your life or a solid 10 years devoted to work. If you consider that you spend another huge chunk of your life sleeping, work is a big part of our existence so isn't natural that we want it to be a happy existence?

In my experience it would appear not as I've never met one person, who worked for someone else, that loved, let alone, thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of their job.

It made me think of a tidbit I heard during a recent seminar about a survey asking critically ill people what they most regretted in life:

- Not making the most of their relationships
- Not doing meaningful work, and
- Not playing enough

The last two points really had an impact on me. Nobody is sitting on their deathbed proclaiming, "I wish I bought another house." or "I should have spent more time in the office."

No, they're saying they should have loved more, lived more!

If we spend workdays craving 5pm or the weekend does that indicate work that is meaningful or fulfilling? And why do we always consider our playtime outside the hours of 9am-5pm?

So why are a majority of us filling our precious lives with unfulfilling work?

Some answers, and what you can do about it, follow.

++ You Fell Into It ++

You've had the same type of job from day one and all that may have changed is the company you work for or your job title.

At one stage you had great dreams of what you aspired to be. Standing in front of the mirror singing into a hairbrush experiencing the bliss of being a pop star. Running through the backyard with a hose fighting imaginary fires. Peering through a microscope's lens intrigued by the cells moving before you.

In youth we're often clear what we want to be when we grow up. But then something happens, some would say life, others would say bad luck or even reality.

Basically it's the gap between what you dreamed of and the work you're currently doing that causes dissatisfaction.

++ You Feel Stuck and Don't Have a Choice ++

You have a mortgage, kids to feed, not enough education or no time.

So you've chosen a job that reflects your circumstances. You're basically trading time for money to pay for a life you're not thoroughly enjoying.

++ You're Numb ++

You get up, go to the bathroom, have a shower, eat breakfast, get dressed, walk to the bus stop, arrive at work, work, eat lunch, work some more, come home, eat dinner and go to bed. REPEAT. Sure, our lives are busier and more colorful than that, but essentially these steps are present each weekday.

You exist in an unconsciously competent state, similar to driving a car where you get from A to B without thinking about it. Same thing with work, you're going through motions.

You know something 'just ain't right' but you don't know what it is, and even if you did, you wouldn't know how to get out of it.

There are a plethora of reasons: your job is your identity, you're continually looking for the 'perfect' role, society made you do it, or in some cases, your parents.

There are a plethora of reason but all you know is that when it comes to your career you may feel stuck in a chasm, in the abyss, between a rock and hard place. The great thing is, if you look up, you see a glimmer of light and that's called possibility. You can make a change, a choice to do something differently in your life, escape the 'stuck-ness' and seek fulfilment.

It may seem overwhelming, a task too big to even consider, but don't forget the adage.

"How do you eat an elephant?"

"One bite at a time."

Apply the same approach to seeking a fulfilling work life and discover how you can 'Escape the CHASM™'.

** Create Choice & Change **

What can you do when you don't have much choice? Well the fact that you're doing nothing is a choice in itself. If you want your life to change you have to 'do' something about it, they can be large or small choices, but they are essential.

A few months a go I worked in marketing consulting. One day I asked my husband, "Why are we both working like crazy so we can live in an apartment we never see and create a life of things we never enjoy?" A month later I quit that job and went into 'retirement'. I decided that I was going to do something different for once in my life – nothing.

How could I afford to do that you may ask? I wanted to make a change so I had to make some choices.

Firstly, we decided to sell our investment property which pretty much got rid of our major debt and reduced our mortgage to a very manageable $600 a month. We also decided to move into a house after paying a crippling $52,000 special levy the year before on our condo. Instead of staying in the suburb we currently lived in where we would have to get another huge mortgage, we opened our minds to the possibility of a different area where we could buy something for cash. I also decided that I had enough shoes, handbags, clothes and other material things for the time being so I stopped the shopping addiction that often kept me caught in the trap of: I don't like my work, I'll buy something to cheer me up, now I have to work to pay for what I bought. All these things were huge changes for me and at times I was uncomfortable.

Months later I was speaking to a motivational consultant on the topic of choice and change and I reflected, "When I made the choice to opt-out of the corporate world to create a life I experienced, instead of just watched, I thought I was making a sacrifice. But you know what, when you're on the other side of it, there really is no sacrifice, just decisions which create circumstances that make you happy or unhappy."

In that moment I realised, that at the time, I thought I was giving up a lot, in reality, I had lost nothing and gained more than I could have imagined.

I spent more time with my husband and pets, I got to see the sun during the day instead of starting and ending my day in darkness, I created time to do the things I always put off like walks on the beach or reading in bed.

So the choice to change doesn't have to be a scary one, on the contrary, it can be very freeing.

** Create Happiness **

Follow your glee. That's easier said than done. My friend Jo once said, "I don' even know what makes me happy anymore because I spend so much time making sure everybody else is."

Do you remember what makes you happy?

Think back to experiences that made you smile, laugh out loud, proud or warmed your heart. What were you doing and what choices are you going to make to reclaim your happiness.

** Have the Right Attitude **

When graphic designer Bev Bradnick was asked how she started doing the job she now loves she said, "I changed my attitude. I also chose to start doing things I really enjoyed but never thought I had the time to do. Finding the time to do them really enabled me to become more creative, less stressed out and more fulfilled which in turn affected my working relationships."

Attitude was key to Bev's success. Consider this, if you wake up thinking, "Great it's Tuesday, I've got to go to work." You're not really starting the day off with an, "I'm going to have a great day" attitude. And how you start the day is often how you end it as it's challenging to break the cycle once you're in it. So make the choice to create the right attitude.

** Just Start **

To be happier in your work life you need to start doing things differently. If you don't, you're practicing the definition of insanity – doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.

It might be worthwhile to start changing your attitude towards your job like Bev did. Instead of thinking, "Oh no" when the alarm goes off consider, "I'm going to make the best of this day". It's a small change, but it's a start!

What else can you start doing? Look on the Internet for a new position or course to add to your skills. Start thinking about what you really enjoy doing and explore how you can turn that into paid work (it can even be part-time).

Maybe you can start clearing some of the circumstances in your life that keep you stuck: do the children really have to go to private school, do you need the latest model car? Keeping up with the Jones is what keeps us suffering.

I remember when I was in jobs I loathed I always felt better when I started applying for other positions. It felt good to do something other than just moan about it.

** Motivate and Keep Moving **

Once you decide to make a positive change in your job it's important to motivate yourself along the journey.

It's like exercise; you have to consistently put in the effort to achieve the desired result. You also need to up the ante from time to time so your fitness doesn't plateau but continues to move you towards your goals.

Perhaps you've decided the company you're currently in isn't for you and are looking for a new job. If you go for a few interviews and nothing becomes of it you have to remind yourself why you're doing what you're doing in order to keep yourself motivated.

After 12 job interviews Samantha was becoming discouraged, "I was over the whole process: searching for work, sending resumes, going to meet people and then nothing happening. Then I thought about why I was looking for another job and it was because I was in a position where I was no longer learning anything and I felt my skills weren't being appreciated. I used that to motivate me."

In the end Samantha landed her dream job. "I believe everything is for a reason and the fact that I didn't get those other roles was because there was a more fulfilling job waiting for me – and I got it!"

Remember, there's inspiration in doing something you love, or even enjoying the process of getting there, and you probably don't realise it but you're positively affecting others along the way.

Belinda Crosbie is creating an inspiration epidemic that encourages people to abandon the rat race and pursue a motivating and fulfilling life. 'Escape the CHASM™' is an initiative that invites you to ask probing questions and make choices with clear intent to create a rewarding and meaningful life. To find out more, subscribe to a FREE newsletter http://www.lifebydesire.com/subscribe.htm Belinda holds a Bachelor degree in Psychology, Masters of Commerce in Marketing and a Higher Diploma of Advanced Freelance Journalism. She has been a business consultant and mentor for over 17 years.

Resume Software The Hidden Pitfalls

Writen by Roger Clark

Disadvantages of Resume Software

Format
A large majority of software requires the use of their format; most commonly using the chronological resume style. While the chronological style is certainly the most traditional manner to write a resume, it is not always advantageous for everyone. The chronological style resume focuses on work history. Individuals who are changing jobs may prefer to emphasize their skills instead, which a chronological resume format will not allow.

Limited Options
Resume software provides limited options and does not allow the user the freedom to express their own unique style and personality. This can be critical in today's competitive job market. Job seekers need every edge available to them when submitting their resumes with hundreds of similar resumes.

Personal Copy
Some software will not allow the user the option of saving their work and using it again, particularly if it is one of the free resume on-line varieties. This creates a situation where the user does not possess a copy of their resume; a real disadvantage.

Canned
Resumes produced with resume software often appear exactly as they are: canned. There is no originality, which can leave the employer uninspired when they read the resume; a situation that should be avoided at all costs. The prospective job seeker's goal is to excite the employer enough that they put the resume down and call the applicant immediately for an interview.

Privacy
Additionally, in today's world of the computer virus and hackers, the wise job seeker must also consider the issue of privacy. When using a free resume on-line; especially if the site hosting the resume software offers to promote the resume for the job seeker, the possibility of someone obtaining private information and using it in an underhanded manner must be considered.

Resume software can be very beneficial; however it can also be detrimental It is up to the job seeker to seriously weigh the advantages and disadvantages.

Article courtesy of Top Career Resumes, where you can get the answers you need about writing winning resumes, cover letters and more. The author, Roger Clark (BSc) has over 25 years experience in career development & recruitment at a senior level through top management positions he has held with major international companies. http://www.top-career-resumes.com/index.html

Non Compete Agreement How Does A Non Compete Clause Affect You

Writen by Carl Mueller

A non compete agreement or (no compete clause) is often used by employers to protect themselves against their staff leaving their company to join another company (ie. a competitor).

The fear is that when leaving the company, an employee could take assets with them to their new employer that would hurt their current employer.

Imagine for example you sell plumbing equipment and have built up a significant customer base while working there and decide to leave your employer to join a rival plumbing supplier in a similar sales role. If you took all of your business from your current employer to your new company, it would certainly hurt your current employer very badly.

As a consequence, companies typically try to protect themselves from such things happening and a non compete agreement is one way of doing so.

Here are some examples of non compete agreements that I've seen included in job offers:

A non compete agreement that prevents the person from working for a direct competitor for a certain period of time ie. one year.

A non compete agreement that prevents or limits the geographic area in which the person works for a competitor.

A non compete agreement that limits the industry or trade that a person can work in for a period of time ie. one year.

What should you do when faced with a job offer that contains a non compete agreement?

First and foremost, a non compete agreement is a legal clause so your best bet is to consult a labor lawyer or someone else who is qualified to determine the validity of the clause and whether or not you should be concerned about agreeing to it.

Don't assume you understand legalese (ie. lawyer language) if you don't!

If you're already employed, are considering leaving your employer and are concerned about a non compete agreement that is already in place in your employment contract, you should again consider consulting someone with professional experience in this area before doing anything.

The last thing you want to do is anything that could be construed by your current employer as being a breach of your employment contract with them. Ignorance on your part (ie. "I didn't know what I was signing") is not a good excuse.

If in doubt, consult a lawyer.

Carl Mueller is an Internet entrepreneur and professional recruiter who wants to help you find your dream career.

Free newsletter: Separate yourself from other job searchers by signing up for his free monthly newsletter: http://www.find-your-dream-career.com/dream-career-finder.html

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Please feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or on your website but please don't change any of the content and ensure that you include the above bio that shows my website URLs.

Job Interview Basics Personal Questions

Writen by Shaun Stevens

Of all the questions you'll be asked, personal and family ones appear to be the most "statistical." For this reason, most jobseekers answer them in a "static" way, with "name, rank, and serial number." They're also often emotionally charged, since interviewers ask about personal perils, family feuds, and status symbols. Therefore, rehearsing your lines is particularly important, since what you say is as important as what you convey.

While most of the questions in this area have only marginal value in determining your qualifications to perform a specific job, you must get past them so you can get down to business with the interviewer. That's why they're called KO factors. Wrong answers will knock you out in Round 1; right ones will keep you in the ring for a while. Personal and family items are invariably at the top of resumes, on the front of application forms, and at the beginning of interview checklists. Since these are the "cue cards" used in the actual interview, expect the questions in Act 1, Round 1.

"First impressions really count" (and they really do to overworked people who are interviewing), this is your chance to shine. Most film critics will tell you they lock into a review within five minutes. If they watch longer, it's either to enjoy the show or to justify their negative rating. That's why lawyers often see judges writing their decisions from the bench soon after the opening statements. Yours will, too. Your judge is overworked. Then greet the interviewer with the Magic Four Hellos:

1.) Smile. If you can't fake it, just think about how lucky the interviewer is to be meeting you.

2.) Direct eye contact. If it's too much for you, look at the bridge of the interviewer's nose.

3.) Introduce yourself. Say, "Hi, I'm (first name) (last name). It's a pleasure meeting you."

4)A firm but gentle handshake. Rehearse. No live shark; no dead flounder. Then, once you're "on the road".

Head for the chair on your favored side (right if you are right-handed, etc.) If you're ambidextrous, you can take center stage. Just be sure there's a chair behind you.

Stand there until you're asked to be seated. Basically most managers copy their bosses training, style and procedures (or lack thereof). There is little originality in interview questions. The same questions are repeated in interviews ad infinitum. The problem is that once you are hired all your wonderful traits are forgotten. It simply becomes "You had better work your ass off or you will lose your job."

Standard Interview Questions on Personal and Family:

1.) What are your parents' occupations?
2.) Do you live with your parents?
3.) Do you own or rent your home?
4.) How far do you live from this company?
5.) Do you speak a foreign language especially French or Spanish?
6.) How much time do you spend with your family ?
7.) In your opinion, what makes a happy? marriage
8.) Who is the boss in your family?
9.) Is your spouse employed? Will there be a

conflict ?
10.) What contributed to your divorce? What have you learned from this experience?
11.) Describe your relationship with your children.
12.) What child care arrangements have been made for your children?
13.) Do you keep and follow a personal budget?
14.) Do you balance your chequebook on a regular basis?
15.) Do you own a life insurance policy?
16.) Do you have a savings plan?
17.) Are you in debt?
18.) How large is your visa bill?
19.) Do you pay off your charge card bills every month?
20.) Have you ever been refused a bond?
21.) Do you have a valid driver's license
22.) Have you ever had a driver's license revoked? Why?
23) Are you a Team Player?
24 ) You look like a person "on the ball"

Where do you see yourself in time period - 1 year, 2 years etc?
25) How do you see yourself fitting in our organization?

As previously mentioned most interviewers have little or no originality in their Interview skills and procedures.

All they generally do is copy the standard questions that have been commonly asked.

Little originality if at all.

The trick is to plan and anticipate your answers to the se "vital" questions in order that you past muster in order to get the job and income involved.

Standard practice is to have 3 interviews

1) Interview one is the first step - basic screening

2) Interview 2 is a bit more serious

- You have passed step one

- If they are thorough they may have called your references

3) Interview 3 is usually by a team or another member of the "team"

A more senior person or even just another person in the organization will interview you.

Although the reason for this will be claimed to be to add in additional expertise and experience into this vital hiring procedure the real reason is to spread the responsibility so that no one person can be blamed if "you don't work out ".

Remember none of these questions need be answered by you. However you take the risk of offending the interviewer (and their interview skills and thus ending your chances for employment and income from that firm). Note that a number of the questions may be totally incongruous , that is inconsistent and incompatible.

Best not to laugh.

For example the interviewer may ask if you are a self starter, take responsibility and make your own decisions and then ask leading questions To ask if find out if you are the type that always follows company procedure without question.

Or they may ask questions to verify that you always consider the company's needs and wants as most important and then ask questions to verify that "That a customer should never question the company's policy on returns or extended warranties".

When the interviewer goes to great length to explain that the company has a great focus for " team players" it is not a good idea to point out that being a " team player " is not always a good thing. That the interview questions have focused on identifying you as a " self starter who takes charge". And besides that it is true that the Sept 11 hijackers were " good Team Players".

Lastly two points

- One very intelligent manager's hiring guideline was that when he took out a serious candidate to lunch he watched if the candidate salted his soup before tasting it.

The manager wanted people in his organization who checked things out before jumping to act.

If you get an interviewer who asks original thought provoking questions in your interview take quick note.

For example if the manager asks a question such as "It is 4:55 pm. A customer is considering buying an expensive item which the store has had on hand for some time and has not sold. The customer is very interested in this item. Has phoned their spouse for their ok. The phone call is going to be returned for approval at 5:15. What do you do?"

Take note - this is a very smart person in an organization which may well be very good to work for.

Shaun Stevens

www.aceemploymentservices.net

call_kirk@hotmail.com

Shaun Stevens
Senior Marketing Consultant
Ace Employment Services Winnipeg
Experience in Marketing in the Employment , Human Resources and Training Fields.
Experience in Self Help , Training and Assessment as well as Government Corrections Areas.

Job Application Letters

Writen by Robert Noyes

Job Application Letters are simply cover letters to resumes. There is no standard format for these letters, however most contain similar information. Some Job Application Letters focus on the applicant's training credentials, while others concentrate on the applicants life and work experience. In all cases, they should stay one page in length and contain as much information as possible pertinent to the desired position.

Format
1.) Use the Full Block format arrangement for Job Application Letters:
a. to the left margin of the letter header place the return address
b. make two carriage returns
c. directly below the return address, place the date
d. make two carriage returns
e. directly below the date, place the reader's address
f. make three line feeds
g. if necessary, include a reference line
h. begin your letter
i. begin each paragraph at the left margin
j. place the closing, signature and typed signature at the left margin.

Wording
1.) Begin by stating your interest in a particular position.
2.) State any credentials you have achieved that support your abilities in the position you hope to hold
3.) In our second paragraph, we describe work experience, the value of that experience to the prospective employer and the importance of that experience to the position the applicant desires.
4.) The next to last paragraph explains what position is currently held and how the experience from that position would profit the new company.
5.) The final paragraph states when we will be available and the applicant's hope to be contacted.

Tone
1.) Be positive
2.) Remove emotion from your writing
3.) A formal tone is recommended.

Email
1.) With time being as critical to everyone as it is, sending an job application letter via email along with your resume, once considered a faux pas, is now becoming increasingly more accepted.
a. Send your letter in the same format as you would for snail mail – this conveys to the reader that you took the time to create a professional correspondence.
b. Depending on the circumstances, send the message from the appropriate email account: personal email account for a personal correspondence, professional email account for professional correspondence.

Printing
1.) Before printing, decide on what paper to use. For Job Application Letters, it is best to use heavy card stock. It should be the same quality as your resume.
2.) Print your letter on the same printer using the same font as was used on the resume.

Signature
1.) Make three carriage returns between the closing and your typed signature. Inside this space, sign your name for professional correspondence. For personal correspondence, there is no need for a typed signature. Simply, sign your name.

For samples of Job Application Letters, take a look at…

LetterRep.com.

Rob Noyes owns and operates the Internet's premiere Personal and Business Letter-writing site. LetterRep.com. Contact Rob at admin@letterrep.com for answers and solutions to common letter-writing situations.

Successful Careers Facing Outsourcing

Writen by Christoph Puetz

With outsourcing expected to switch to high gear in the coming years, many employees ask the question of how they can a) survive and b) succeed in this global competition with low-wage countries like India or China.

Often people most concerned about outsourcing and global workforce competition are well educated. They worked hard to get where they are today and were hoping to have some sort of job security due to the level of education and training they have received. But the rules have changed – fast. Also - working hard and putting in a lot of over-time to please management is not enough anymore. Yet, here you are stuck in a job facing to be outsourced sooner or later to some low-wage country. What else can you do to make yourself more competitive?

Let's face it. If your employer wants to outsource certain pieces of work there is usually not much you can do in regards to your specific job. A call-center representative will not save her job by answering 20 more calls a day. Sooner or later the job will be moved somewhere where labor is cheaper and laws eventually are less favorable for employees.

Employees need to start looking at becoming more aggressive when it comes to career success. This also means to move up and forward more often. This can happen within in the same company (moving up) or outside of the company currently working at (moving forward). The work environment as we know it will change even faster over the next years. Trying to stay ahead is the goal and eventually moving on when the first signs of outsourcing are visible. College graduates will have to expect to learn 4-5 different professions at least before reaching retirement age. Stable industries of today, can be risky to work in tomorrow.

The successful employee of the future will be more aggressive when it comes to compete with other co-workers and when it comes to play the right cards in the game of managing career development. Loyalty to a company is great. Loyal employees are very valuable assets for a company. But loyalty from the business to its employees only goes so far the cash flow is positive and profits are. The employers have changed the rules of loyalty when it comes to making an additional buck via outsourcing. "Sorry for interrupting your own American Dream, but we have to lay you off due to market conditions" (meaning: we can hire 5 people in India for the same money we pay you alone) – this will happen more often.

The successful employee of the future will have to reconsider how far his loyalty goes and when it is time to give the employer "the boot" (leaving for a better opportunity). Being employed with the same company for 30-40 years is a thing of the past. The new numbers for loyalty to an employer will rather be 5-10 years.

About the Author

Christoph Puetz is a successful entrepreneur and international book author. Christoph Puetz lives in Highlands Ranch. One of the successful websites he maintains can be found at Web Hosting Resource Kit.

Think About A Nursing Degree

Writen by Suzanne Verita

If you decide to get a degree in nursing, there are many things you need to know and consider first. Choosing your nursing school may not be as easy as you expect. There is research that needs to go into it to be sure you get the best school available to you. You are going to want to look into different college programs, where they are located, how much they cost, what degrees they offer as well as information about scholarships and more to help you make an informed decision about which is best for you.

Getting your nursing degree is no cakewalk. It won't be easy, especially if you have to keep a job or if you have a family and children to take care of. However, if you push yourself, you will be very happy with the end result. It is a profession that is very rewarding and fulfilling.

There are many different options for you in the nursing profession. It is a very diverse field that offers you many different departments to work in. You can work hands-on with patients or you might want to work in a lab or research facility. You might choose to work in a specific field such as OB-GYN or Pediatrics. You can go into the field that interests you the most. The options are vast for you.

If you are working on getting the perfect school for nursing, you need to also consider what specialty you plan on doing – if you have one. This will help you get the right degree. Most nursing programs have very generalized programs but you may have the option to add on extras if you choose such as in a specific field.

Nursing is an excellent career choice. There are many different options for you to advance over the years or even to change your field if you chose to. With nursing, you get the opportunity to work with a large variety of people. You will generally have good working conditions and good pay. You also have personal satisfaction that you are helping someone or being productive with your life. It is a very rewarding career.

It's easy to find a great job in nursing. There are so many places in your area that need nurses. You should call the local hospitals, clinics and other medical offices to see if they have openings. You can also use the Internet to your advantage since you can apply for jobs online and also look up information about a particular job you are interested in.

Suzanne Verita is the owner of Start Nursing, Inc. which is a premier source of information about nursing. For more information, go to: http://startnursing.com

Employe Hiring And Retention

Writen by Les Schmidt

Attracting and retaining quality employees is vital to the success of any auto service business. A common cry in the auto repair industry is, "I can't get any good help."

Dave Dunn of Masters School of Autobody Management states, "If you can't find and keep good help, it's your fault." I attended Dave's school for a week in October, 2001. He devotes one day of the five day course to employee hiring and retention. Dave says recruiting must be an ongoing process, and the process should begin before you have an immediate need. Dave's philosophy parallels my own, and his system expanded on what I had been doing successfully for many years.

While many of my competitors complain about the scarcity of good technicians, I have been fortunate to build a staff that is "the envy of my competition," according to a supplier who visits most shops in the area.

"Develop a reputation as a recruiter and the best business to work for," Dave says. I absolutely agree. I have said for many years, "Create an environment where the employees feel cared about, and you will attract quality employees, and keep them." I treat my employees equally as well as my customers, and it has worked like magic.

My current employer is a perfect example. There are numerous employees that have worked there for 20-40 years, and many others who have retired from the dealership after long service. His employees love and respect him, because he loves and respects them. Conversely, there are two dealerships down the road that have difficulty hiring and retaining employees, because they have not created an environment that is friendly to work in.

Would you like to have a turn-key business, one that runs as well when you are away as it does when you're there? The way to do it is to hire the best employees, treat them right, and train them properly. We all work for the money, but just as important is to feel appreciated.

A well trained employee will have more confidence and feel better about his or her performance than an untrained person. I place the highest priority on people skills. Employees who know how to take care of customers and get along with co-workers are more productive and will stay with you longer.

Promote from within whenever possible. Employees that work for a company with a, promote-from- within policy are more motivated and apt to stick around.

Do you have a mentoring program? I have had good success with vo-tech students still in school, or recently graduated. Hook them up with a skilled technician as a helper. I have a painter who started seven years ago as a co-op student working every other week. He bonded with a senior painter and learned the ropes. Now he earns over fifty thousand a year and is one of my best employees. He plans to work at our dealership for his entire career.

The longer I go in management, the more careful I am in hiring. I take more time and ask more questions than I did years ago.

I think Dave Dunn said it best; "Develop a reputation as a recruiter and the best business in town to work for," and you can have a turn-key business.

Les Schmidt, auto body shop manager and consultant, helps auto repair and sales businesses eliminate customer and employee complaints and increase profits.

http://www.superemployees.com
http://lesschmidt.typepad.com

sagescriptmedia@comcast.net

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Les Schmidt is a 40 year veteran auto repair manager/consultant, specializing in people skills and communications to help auto repair and sales businesses eliminate customer complaints and increase profits.