Franchises Offer Shortcuts, But Not Control

Q: I will be retiring this year at age 60 and intend to fulfill my lifelong dream of owning my own business. I'm too old to start from scratch, so I'm looking at several franchise opportunities, including fast food, auto parts, and an accounting service. What should I consider before choosing one? Anthony R.

A: Congratulations on the retirement, Anthony, and on the new business venture. As the old adage goes, when one door closes, a drive-through window often opens (or something like that).

Given the franchise types you are considering the first thing you should ask yourself is whether or not you want to spend your golden years cooking fries, selling mufflers, or doing taxes.

Franchising can be a great way to start a business career, but you should make sure you're not just trading one job for another. Unless you plan on being an absentee owner, which I highly discourage, you are gong to be working in the business just as an employee would, so be sure the business you choose doesn't turn your lifelong dream into a never-ending nightmare.

The primary advantage of buying into a franchise system is that it allows you to enter business quicker with a proven system, while minimizing risk and increases the odds for success.

The primary disadvantage is that you give up considerable freedom in how the business operates. In many ways franchisees are not really their own bosses because they are required to follow the rules set down by the franchisor.

Many franchise owners also quickly tire of asking: "Do you want fries with that?" and become absentee owners, which usually leads to the business being sold or shut down.

No matter what franchise you're considering, you should ask yourself the following questions before making a decision:

* Do you have past experience that pertains to the type of franchise you're thinking about buying?

* Are you prepared to work long, hard hours?

* Are you an effective manager?

* Are you willing to share your revenue with the franchisor?

* Are you willing to follow the franchisor's rules and regulations?

* And the biggie: do you have access to the necessary capital to invest in the franchise?

The big franchises like McDonald's and Midas Muffler can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to buy into, but unless you are a total business savant, the franchise is virtually guaranteed to succeed.

It's true that even a McDonald's closes on occasion. Roy Croc spins in its grave when it happens, but happen it does, so keep that in mind. There are thousands of lower cost franchises that you can buy into, but the lower the investment typically means the risk of success is higher.

As a rule, franchise operations are generally more successful than independent startups because they have a proven concept, a ready market, an established customer base, and a business model that can be replicated over and over again. Less than 5% of franchises fail during the first few years as compared to an 80% failure rate of independent ventures.

Many people have done very well as franchisees and often end up with multiple franchise operations. Adversely, many have not done so well because they bought into a franchise system that either was not all it was purported to be or they discovered that they did not fit into the franchisee's mold.

The key is to pick the franchise system that is right for you. Here are a few tips to help you do just that:

* Purchase a franchise that complements your skills, work experiences, and interests. Don't start a business in a field that is totally foreign to you.

* Plan on becoming an owner-operator versus an absentee owner. Absentee owners lose control and interest quickly and the franchise suffers because of it.

* Gather as much information as you can about the franchises you are interested in. You are considering investing a lot of money to buy into a system, so know who you are dealing with and what you are paying for.

* Experience the product or service firsthand, as a customer would. If you don't like the service you get at McDonald's, don't invest in a franchise thinking you can fix their problems and run things better. You can't and you won't.

* Interview other franchisees to gauge the franchisee satisfaction level.

* Ask how many franchises have closed and for what reason.

* Ask about initial and long-term training and support.

* Make sure the franchisor is profitable and financially sound.

* Finally, do your due diligence. Request a disclosure document that includes in-depth information about the franchisor and if a franchisor refuses to produce such a document, take that as a huge red flag and mark them off your list.

Small Business Q&A is written by veteran entrepreneur and syndicated columnist, Tim Knox.

http://www.prosperityandprofits.com
http://www.smallbusinessqa.com
http://www.dropshipwholesale.net

[tags]small business, franchise, franchisisng, business career, Tim Knox[/tags]

Get A Raise How To Ask Your Boss For More Money

How many people do you know who think they deserve a pay rise, but are too scared to ask? You might even be one of those people! Why is it we are afraid to ask for what we believe we are worth? It's time to stop worrying and start asking, but before you charge into your boss's office give yourself the best chance of success with these helpful tips…then book that meeting with the boss.

Do an audit. Make a huge list of all your achievements in your current role. Think about where you add value to your organisation and how you have grown the business. List both demonstrable results such as statistics, sales figures, client testimonials and reports as well as those things that can be a little more difficult to quantify, such as improving staff morale.

Know what you're worth. Find out what similar jobs to yours are paying in the market. Look at the same industry and other industries to determine what your market value is and what type of additional package benefits are on offer for similar roles.

Create your ideal package. Make a list of what you would like to receive in salary, car allowance, employee benefits, superannuation and time off. Look at the total dollar value of the package – don't focus only on the individual components.

Consider the organisational situation. Be aware of how the organisation is performing before you approach your manager. If times are tough, your proposal is less likely to be considered but if the company is performing well your manager might be more open to your request.

Book a time. Make an appointment with your manager and let him or her know that the agenda will be your remuneration package. Try to schedule this appointment for early in the day so your manager is not distracted by competing priorities and you are not spending a nervous day waiting for the appointment time.

Practice. Go over your presentation in your mind and perhaps even with a friend or colleague. Know what it is you want to say and why you believe you deserve this raise.

Objection! List all of your manager's potential objections and consider how you would respond to them.

Be calm and positive. Take a few deep breaths before the meeting and remind yourself of why you deserve this raise and the positive impact it will have on your life. Don't approach your manager timidly or they won't believe you are worth the raise. Believe in yourself and your achievements.

Be aware of body language. Make sure you sit forward in your chair, your shoulders are straight, sit forward in your chair and make eye contact and smile. Try to appear relaxed and comfortable not nervous and fidgety.

Build your case. Before you launch into your presentation about what you want and why you deserve a raise, ask your manager these questions:

How do you feel I have been performing over the past few months?

Do you agree I have added value/sales/benefits to this organisation?

Are you happy with my performance to date?

Your manager's responses to these questions will allow you to understand what his or her opinion of your performance is and help you to position your request in light of their responses.

Be assertive. Use positive assertive, not aggressive, language when you are making your case for why you deserve this increase; don't moan or complain. Talk about the benefits to the company and to you.

Don't blink, don't look away. When you do tell your manager the total package figure you would like to receive, don't blink and don't look away. Hold their gaze and remain calm.

Allow your manager to respond. Remember, you've been thinking about this and putting together your proposal for some time – this is the first your manager has heard about it, give him or her time to respond and process your request. Don't talk while they are responding, let them talk through their thoughts and issues without interruption. Allow yourself to sit in silence if required. Don't try to fill any silence with further explanation or justification.

Be flexible. If appropriate, let your manager know that you are prepared to be flexible in how the raise is provided to you perhaps is can be phased in, include a bonus or one-off payment or involve changing the structure of your current package.

Agree on a response timeframe. If your manger can't give you an answer immediately, agree on a timeframe within which he or she will come back to you with an answer. Around one-week should be an appropriate amount of time.

Neen is a Global Productivity Expert: by looking at how they spend their time and energy – and where they focus their attention – Neen helps people to rocket-charge their productivity and performance. A dynamic speaker, author and corporate trainer, Neen demonstrates how boosting your productivity can help you achieve amazing things. With her unique voice, sense of fun and uncommon common-sense, Neen delivers a powerful lesson in productivity. Find out more at http://neenjames.com/

[tags]pay rise,raise,boss,career,money,payrise tips,earn money,tips,money,wealth, pay raise,[/tags]

Career Personality Tests

Since most people spend a majority of their life on the job, choosing a career that you actually enjoy is very important for a happy and fulfilling lifestyle. Choosing a career that does not suit your personality can lead to confusion, unhappiness and boredom. People seek to find a career that best suits their natural traits and talents. When your work lets you realize your true potential and utilize your talents to the fullest, only then can you be satisfied with your career.

Personality Tests

Large corporate companies and business houses around the world hire employees by conducting personality tests as it measures skills, abilities, values and interests. These tests determine one's aptitude for a certain type of career and even mention the right job that suits an individual's personality. They determine the personality type; whether you are outgoing or reserved, realistic or imaginative, logical or sensitive, organized or spontaneous.

Personality Tests Help:

Match individuals to career interests

Improve employee communication

Increase team effectiveness and productivity

Reduce workplace conflict

People understand themselves and others

How A Personality Test Works

An informal series of questions is prepared and a team of experts analyzes the test results. They examine different personality aspects to form a personality profile. This profile is then discussed within a group, comprising of a panel of psychology graduates and career advisors. The best career choice is made according to the personality type and a detailed report is declared in front of the candidate.

There are a variety of tests that measure your intelligence and skills and assess your ability to succeed in a career. Some are more complex as compared to others. Some might be free of cost or may charge a nominal fee. The tests range from a five-minute color test to an hour-long complete personality test.

1) Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI): This is the most important tool that helps to assess a personality type and explore career options. A certain amount of fee is charged for conducting the test. It is fast, secure and confidential.

2) Career Key: This is a free online assessment tool that helps people make the best career choice.

3) Keirsey Temperament Sorter: This tool helps discover what type of temperament you possess and tells if you are an Artisan, Guardian, Rational or Idealist. They also charge a small fee for conducting the test.

4) Princeton Review Career Quiz: A series of questions are answered and accordingly, the best career choice is determined. They estimate your personal interests and usual styles. Registration is necessary for getting the results.

5) Strong Interest Inventory: This tool helps to match your interest with a professional career.

The results of these tests give a fair indication of an individual's personality and should not be relied on as absolute. The examiners analyze the personality profile based on the answers. Taking a few personality tests can acquaint you with new career options that might not have been considered before.

These instruments help evaluate your personality type and explore new career options. A proper match between your job and your personality plays a major role in ensuring job satisfaction. Personality tests will direct you to a profession that will best compliment your personality.

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.

[tags]free career advice, career change advice, career choice help, mid life career change[/tags]

Use MySpace To Increase Your Opportunities By Networking

One of the greatest things about MySpace is its ability to easily bring you in touch with others of similar interests. Whether the goal of your profile is related to leisure or employment, Myspace provides a variety of ways to get a hold of people just like you to form networking partnerships.

The best way to share with others your line of work is to enter it under your profiles 'Network Affiliation' section. Doing so will enable others of like employment to seek you out. This can be beneficial in several ways.

Finding like minded individuals in the same type of job as you will give you valuable insight and open up new opportunities you may not have been aware of. In addition you can search for others in the same field and offer them partnerships or propose a joint venture together. Using the Myspace system for this type of networking is very effective and can open up many doors you normally would never encounter.

To let everyone know your network affiliation you should sign in to your profile and click 'Edit Profile.' Once the edit profile page has loaded you'll want to select the 'Networking' link. Then from the page that loads select your field of employment from the pull down menu. Next choose your 'Sub-Field' and 'Role' from the list.

Once you have made your career selections you can insert a description. This is where you'll want to describe what you do. This is a great place to insert a hyperlink to a website of your choice. To do so type the website html code into the description box, making sure to add your own information for the URL and description text.

Once you've entered your information to your satisfaction click 'Save Changes' to add your network affiliations to your Myspace profile.

To complete the process you'll want to click 'Home' and then click 'Edit Profile.' Once there select 'Basic Info.' Now you'll want to scroll down to where it says, 'I Am Here For,' and select 'Networking.' Now your profile will show your chosen affiliations to others.

If you'd like to find others in your field of work, you can do so easily by clicking on your network affiliation link from your profile page. You can search by clicking on 'Field,' 'Sub-Field,' or 'Role.' Once you've made a selection MySpace will display other members with the same network affiliations as you.

For more information about how you can use MySpace marketing to increase your online exposure visit http://www.CashMachineBook.com There you'll find a free newsletter with valuable help to get you started today!

Matthew Sherborne is the author of several best selling books including "Get Rich Trading Ecurrency," "Email Auto Pilots" and "Myspace Cash Machine."

[tags]myspace, networking, partnerships, network, affiliation, career, employment, profile, members[/tags]

The Top Ten Ways To Jump Start Your Career

1. Do What You Love.

Have you ever noticed we usually love to do the things we're best at? So what's your strength? Discover your passion and excel at what you do.

2. Create Work/Life Balance.

It really can be done with a little planning and prioritizing. Professional, Personal, Physical, Financial and Spiritual needs should be considered when palnning a life of purpose, satisfaction and success.

3. Manage Your Career.

Pay attention to industry and market trends and be proactive in making the changes needed to be a key player in your field.

4. Add To Your Skills and Further Develop Your Abilities.

It takes competency in technical AND soft skills to stay ahead of the pack.

5. Get the "4 C's" of professional happiness.

When there is a good fit between you and your company in Culture, Chemistry, Competencies and Compensation, mutual opportunities will abound.

6. Build a strong network.

There's no better way to stay informed, connected, and professionally known.

7. Stay Flexible.

You have to be able to bend without breaking in today's fast-paced work environment to succeed. Always develop a few "just-in-case" plans to keep in your hip pocket to proactively adapt to change.

8. Learn to love change.

Ok, so maybe "love" is a little strong, but those folks who can adapt best, win

9. Demonstrate the difference between being busy and being productive.

10. Always work with integrity and honesty providing impeccable follow-up and follow through.

Jeannette Kraar the Breakthrough Career Coach is a highly- acclaimed Trainer, Speaker and Consultant. Jeannette is the author of BREAKTHROUGH, The Hate My Job, Need A Life, Can't Get No Satisfaction SOLUTION. Learn more about the book at http://www.breakthroughcareersolutions.com. You are also welcome to email Jeannette at pmi@manageyoursuccess.com or visit her on-line at http://www.manageyoursuccess.com

[tags]career, job search, network, unemployment[/tags]

10 Tips For Delivering Solid First Impressions

Building a priceless business relationship entails creating a series of progress-based impressions. None is more important than the first. Make sure your first meeting with someone is progress-based and powerful.

Remember, people meet people all the time. You need to stand out as someone they want future contact with. To do this you must Be Progress in their mind. You must be a Progress Agent.

Here are 10 quick tips for delivering solid first impressions from Cracking the Networking CODE.

1. Do not try to do major business deals (save that for later).
Do not rush new relationships; think LONG TERM. Do not SELL! It is a mind-set. Be subtle. The worst thing you can do is try to start selling someone something as soon as you meet them.

2. Be an Early Bird and a Late Bloomer.
Never be late. At a networking event the ten minutes before things get under way and the ten minutes after are the real golden moments. So arrive 15 minutes early and stay 15 minutes late.

3. Always stand when meeting someone new.
It shows respect. What else can I say about it?

4. Hand in hand.
In the business arena, handshakes are the accepted greeting. As a rule, I would advise against initiating kisses or hugs in a business setting. Take the handshake seriously; you will be judged by the quality (limp/firm, moist/dry, lengthy/brief) of your handshake. Above all, a handshake should be firm, but not bone-crushing. No dead fish handshakes. They're creepy.

Note to men about shaking hands with women:
Don't wimp out on the handshake. I often hear from female professionals I am working with how some men will offer them a lame "I don't want to hurt you – you delicate flower, you" handshake. Be a man. Shake the hand.

You can avoid delivering a cold, wet handshake by keeping your drink in the left hand. If your hands tend to be clammy, try spraying them with antiperspirant at least once a day. Also, try carrying Kleenex in your pocket and drying your hands discreetly from time to time. To really put yourself over the top, shake hands good-bye as well as hello.

5. Travel light.
In most cases, there is no need to take your briefcase or even a purse. You do not want to have to put down all that stuff (brochures, briefcases, or handbags) and dig out a business card. It's also tougher to move around or look comfortable and easygoing with your arms filled with your company's propaganda. Remember, you are there to connect, not sell.

6. Meet. Talk. Get card. Go.
At a networking event, talk to one person for about four to five minutes – eight minutes maximum. Get their card, take some notes, and work toward a comfortable conclusion to this initial conversation. Hogging someone's time is an inexcusable no-no. If you cannot find a natural way to end the conversation, introduce the person to someone else. It's a win-win. You help them connect with someone new and you get to move on without appearing rude.

7. Do not act desperate for business.
People want to talk to upbeat, confident people. You will not create any priceless business relationships if you act like you don't have lunch money. Treat people as worthy of your respect and courtesy, not as targets.

8. Carry /use breath mints or those dissolving strip things (not gum).
Halitosis is bad for business. Good breath is a must. And as for gum, smacking anything at a networking function is discouraged.

9. Communicate that your network rocks.
Talk enthusiastically about the cool, neat, highly productive and witty people who are already in your network. This will encourage others to want to be in your network too, because you will speak of them in the same positive way.

10. Who wants a drink- e-poo?
At conferences, conventions, trade shows, and business-after-hours functions (often organized by the local Chamber of Commerce and held at a local business establishment), it is common for there to be alcohol. I encourage you to consider not drinking at these events, or at least know your alcohol limit and not get anywhere close to it. Sure you want to be remembered, but not as the loud jerk who couldn't hold his spirits and spilt red wine on Judge Jacob's new power suit.

Crack the Networking CODE

Be Progress.

Recognized as a 'Sales-and-networking guru' by the Dallas Business Journal, Dean Lindsay is the founder of The Progress Agents (http://www.ProgressAgents.com) – a seminar company dedicated to empowering progress in sales, service, and workplace performance.

Dean's best selling book Cracking the Networking CODE: 4 Steps to Priceless Business Relationships has been endorsed by a who's who of business leaders and performance experts including Ken Blanchard - author of The One Minute Manager, Brian Tracy and Frank Bracken, the President and COO of Haggar Clothing Co.

Jay Conrad Levinson - the author of Guerrilla Marketing, thought so much of Cracking the Networking CODE that he wrote the book's foreword.

A cum laude graduate of the University of North Texas, Dean presently serves on the Executive Advisory Board for UNT's Department of Marketing and Logistics. The Dallas Business Journal selected Mr. Lindsay as one of D-FW's Rising Stars Under Forty in The Business World Today in their yearly Forty Under 40 list.

More info at: http://www.ProgressAgents.com or 1-877-479-5323

[tags]networking, sales, success, tips, career, relationship, business, branding, money, employment, agent[/tags]

The Top 10 Ways To Manage Your Career

Many people in the last decade have experienced either a layoff or termination in their lives or the lives of somebody they know. While many of these people affected have experienced outplacement-consulting services, some have not and they may be in for a rude awakening - corporations no longer "take care of you". Managing your career in these times require you to have a game plan and an understanding of yourself and human behavior. That is why outplacement consulting and career coaches have become so popular and are being sought out by individuals, not just corporations. A career coach can help you manage more than just your career, they can help you communicate better and get along with others better.

1. Know Thyself
Most people don't know what they really want in their careers. They have a degree and they went out into the world. 20 years later, they don't have a clue why life sucks. There are some very good assessment to determine personality types, preferences, skill, attitudes and interest. An honest assessment of what you like to do in the style you prefer and with whom you want to do it with, goes along way in determining what you should be doing in you career and in life for that matter.

2. Establish a game plan
What is most important to you in your career? You must know how to navigate using the tools granted to you by God. When was the last time you actually wrote down what creates satisfaction in your job.

3. Think of yourself as self employed…always
Job search is not something you do daily; as your skills in a sport get rusty without practice, so do your job search skills. What are the latest techniques and best practices, how can you maximize your network, etc.

4. Develop a clear and concise message about who you are and what you most want to-do
When you know what you're good at and what you want, you go for it, and people stand out of your way. You no longer have competition. You no longer self sabotage or tolerate the behavior of other associates or bosses.

5. Tell everyone in your network what you want

6. Stay motivated
It's not about pumping you up. It is about realizing how you were wired since birth and how to use that programming to achieve happiness. We call these values and beliefs. Knowing what is important will make it easy to say no to things and people that waste your time. At the same time, you will discover opportunities that in the past have eluded you.

7. Continue to promote yourself
Most people get caught up in the politics of the office. Circumventing this will energize you and put you leaps and bounds above your peers.

8. Get out of your comfort zone
We get caught in our comfort zone; before long however, this comfort zone becomes a rut. It is at this point that we become complacent. Complacency leads to poor performance and poor performance leads to job termination. Continue to take risk. There is no failure in life …only outcomes…if you don't like the outcome, make a course adjust or "change" and keep on truckin".

9. Stay in top physical condition
There are more people on "drugs"; today than ever in our society. Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Xanax, Valium, Viagra, while some people have medical reasons for taking these, research has shown that many of these disorders stem from "burnout. Knowing what is important in all areas of your life as well as your career allows you to have peace of mind and balance.

10. Re-evaluate your values and goals yearly
How did you do this year, what needs improvement? What areas of your life need more attention? How are you measuring and tracking that?

Submitted by Art Eyzaguirre, Career and Life coach with a PhD from the school of Hard Knocks as well as lessons from corporate downsizings, who can be reached at art_e@aceconsultinggroup.net, or visited on the web at http://www.aceconsultinggroup.net

Art is President of Ace Consulting Group, Inc. He helps Corporations and Individuals, through executive and career coaching. Art is a founding member of International Association of Coaches and 24/7 Coaching.com

This content may be forwarded in full, with copyright, contact, and creation information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit context. For other uses, permission in writing from Ace Consulting Group, Inc is required. Questions: email info@aceconsultinggroup.net

[tags]jobs,careers,outplacement,success,happines,coaching,management, leadership[/tags]

Thankk-You Notes An Integral Part Of Your Career

There is one little practice that is vital to generating the interest of potential employers. It is critical, but very few job seekers actually do it.

What is it? The THANK YOU NOTE!

Interview experts agree that EVERY job hunter MUST send thank-you notes after EVERY interview. They also point out that most people completely ignore this bit of wisdom.

In order to have a huge advantage over the other candidates for the job you want, send thank-you notes to EVERYONE you meet the day of the interview--administrative assistants, managers, interviewers, people you met who already do the job you are targeting, and so on.

One of my résumé clients (let's call him Mike) is a Certified Arborist and Tree Care Professional in the San Diego area. His goal is to move into the consulting arena.

Very soon after speaking on the phone with the owner of a prominent tree care company, Mike mailed a brief note thanking the owner for his time and consideration. Within a week, the owner called Mike and offered him an informal mentoring arrangement to help Mike learn more about the consulting side of tree care.

Mike decided to pass on the offer and continue his job search, and he recently landed a very nice position. He sent me an e-mail about his recent job-hunting activities saying, "...and just so you know, the thank-you letter has got to be the block that keeps the door open. I sent out three letters and subsequently got three offers."

If you're not convinced yet, the following reasons outline the significance of sending thank-you notes:

1. Sending a thank-you note demonstrates that you are good with people. You employ the most basic of people skills--a show of gratitude.

2. It helps companies remember you after the interview. You can restate your interest in the position, especially if the interview went well.

3. You can use the thank-you note to summarize a few of the main points discussed at the interview. You can also add anything you forgot to tell them.

4. It has the potential to increase your affinity with those who have the authority to hire you.

5. It shows that you are serious about your career design.

6. It indicates that you are organized and on top of details.

7. It demonstrates that you went out of your way to show interest in the company and/or position.

8. If they decide not to consider you for the position, perhaps they know of another opportunity that suits you. You can mention this in the thank-you note, asking them to keep you in mind.

The post-interview thank-you note doesn't have to be fancy. Here's an example:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today. As we discussed, my 10-years of outside sales experience is a perfect fit for XYZ Widgets as you expand into the Pacific Rim. In light of your plans for Asia, you'll find my Japanese language skills to be of great value.

Feel free to contact me at 555-1234 should you have additional questions. I am very interested in the position.

Thank you again for your time and consideration.

Regards,

Jane Doe

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OK. You now know the impact a thank-you note can have after an employment interview. Are there other opportunities to send them?

Absolutely! The general rule is this:

After ANYONE has done you even the smallest favor during the job-hunt/career-design process, send the individual a thank-you note.

Was a receptionist at a company you phoned while doing research exceptionally helpful? Did one of your colleagues take five minutes to help you with a cover letter? Did somebody who already does the job you want to do provide you with some valuable insights? The job hunt can be frustrating. Was someone particularly encouraging?

You should send each of these individuals a brief hand-written thank-you note expressing your gratitude for their time and assistance.

To reiterate: A thank-you note goes to everyone who helps you, gives you leads, or provides advice or guidance even in the most infinitesimal way. That includes friends, people at companies or organizations you've visited while doing your research, temp agency personnel, administrative assistants, receptionists, librarians, company employees...ANYONE!

Here are a few thank-you note guidelines:

• Address the note to the specific individual with which you spoke. Personalize it. Avoid an obligatory, mechanical tone. Mention something about your conversation or how the individual treated you.

• Thank-you notes following an interview should be printed out on quality stationery with letterhead matching that of your résumé. Remember to sign it!

• A conservative, handwritten thank-you card is appropriate for all those friends, colleagues, and casual contacts that have helped you along the way.

• Send thank-you notes the very next day, at the latest. If it arrives a week later, the meaning is lost.

• If you e-mail a sentiment of gratitude, follow up with a thank-you note or card in the mail.

Use your best judgment--these are just guidelines.

The thank-you note is critical to your getting noticed and to the success of your job hunt. And because most folks either forget or just plain don't do it, you'll find yourself at a significant advantage.

About The Author

Peter Hill is a Certified Professional Resume Writer and is President of Distinctive Resumes in Honolulu, Hawaii. Nationally published and recognized as an expert resume strategist, Peter helps career-minded individuals through the resume development process via consulting and composition services. He can be contacted by e-mail at distinctiveresumes@yahoo.com or though his Web site, http://www.peterhill.biz

distinctiveresumes@yahoo.com

[tags]career,jobs,business,skills,change,self improvement,positive attitude,,interviews,thank you note[/tags]

Five Keys To Job Satisfaction

Do you spring up in the morning looking forward to another day at work, or do you hit the snooze button at least three times and secretly look forward to scanning the want-ads for a new job? If your snooze button is getting a work out, you're not alone. A recent Gallup poll found that fifty percent of working Americans are dissatisfied with their jobs. Hmmm, that's starting to sound like a familiar divorce statistic.

When I started working right out of college for eight bucks an hour as a customer service rep at America Online I had only one thing in mind: Get a job to pay the bills. I never thought I'd stay for ten years, moving up and around the company with five positions of increasing responsibility and pay. This was in the 1990s when AOL went from a speck on the internet map to a huge online giant. It was an exciting ride to be sure, but it came with a price. The price was frequent layoffs (I survived six!), constant change (who is my boss now?), and pressure to perform (are these deadlines normal?).

Yet, year after year, I chose to work there! Why? Because with experience I realized there were five keys to my job satisfaction. Like a marriage, some of these were things were dependent upon my behavior and some were directly affected by someone else. Whenever I started to wonder if this relationship was working for me, I reviewed my Job Satisfaction Checklist. You can use it, too, to determine if your current job is worth keeping or if it's time for a change.

Job Satisfaction Checklist

1.) I believe in the company's mission and vision. A friend who was recently looking for a new job said she wanted to work for a company whose mission included giving back to the local community. Ask yourself: Do you like what the company is about and stands for? Are you proud to be associated with it, or do you avoid mentioning their name?

2.) I enjoy my role and feel I'm making a valuable contribution. I always found that enjoying my current role was important, but I also wanted to understand how my role fit into a bigger picture. Both together added so much more meaning. Ask yourself: Do I like my day to day tasks and activities? Do I know how what I do fits into the bigger picture of the department or company?

3.) I have the opportunity to do more. If others recognize that you're making a valuable contribution in your current role, it's amazing how much easier it is to get more opportunities. Ask yourself: Is the company growing? Are new jobs opening up or being created in areas that interest me? Is the company supportive of promoting people within?

4.) I enjoy the people I work with, including my boss! There's a reason why they do workshops on "Dealing with Difficult People." It's a big drain to constantly interact with people who are critical, negative, or disrespectful. Ask yourself: Are the people I interact with on a daily basis friendly and easy to work with? Do I feel comfortable with my boss?

5.) I feel I'm being fairly paid. If you're working hard and find out that someone doing in a similar role is being paid more than you, well, there's the rub! Ask yourself: Do I know what is considered fair pay for my skills? (If you're not sure, check out www.salary.com) Have I considered the value of my entire compensation package, including salary, bonuses, and benefits?

By using this quick checklist and asking yourself these questions, you can start to understand just how satisfied – or dissatisfied – you are with your current job. If found yourself coming up short, like I did in my last position at AOL, only you can determine if it's worth trying to work things out. No matter what you decided, the important thing is to understand why you are dissatisfied with your current job so that you can take that into account when you are looking for a new one. Or, you can do what I did and use this reflection to start a whole new career!

Copyright 2006 Mary Foley

Mary Foley, author of "Bodacious! Career: Outrageous Success for Working Women", inspires people to take charge of their lives and grow their careers and business. Tired of seeing so many people weary from jobs they hate, Mary created "6 Steps to Win the Job You Really Want", which draws from her ten years at AOL forging her personal career, hiring hundreds of people, training managers how to interview, and being co-owner of a human resources research and consulting firm. To find out more, check out http://www.new-job-search.com

[tags]career, job promotion, employment, job hunting, glass ceiling, women executives, womens career, job[/tags]

A Fork In The Road Job Or Your Own Business

Well, you don't need to be a young graduate to face this predicament. Take heart, there are millions past their forties who have to ponder this question. You can be anyone who is at the crossroads of his/her career and looking for direction.

The commonality of this question does not reduce its importance. This is the key to the rest of your life! Making this decision, though difficult, is not impossible. Perhaps this is the biggest predicament in career choices. Begin by asking yourself some serious questions.

Some Hard Hitting Questions That Determine Whether You Fit The Business Bill.

1. Can you recover unscathed in the event of near bankruptcy? Can you organize enough collateral to raise funds then? Are you ready to embrace the "beg, borrow or…" policy?

2. Do you hail from a family of business owners? Are you trained to run your own business? Managing someone else's business is different from owning one yourself and coming from a business family is a life full of training.

3. Have you looked ahead the next 2-3 years and thought about the inevitable hardships? If you want to be in business because you are interested, you better think again. It takes much more to succeed than just plain interest. Being your own boss and working part-time to earn millions are only catch phrases. Reality is much harsher than this.

4. Are you aware that you might, some day, regret having chosen business ownership instead of job?

5. Borrowed money will eat up most of your profit as interest. Can you sustain the monthly bills and payments?

6. Have you measured your potential competition? How experienced and knowledgeable are you in your business field? What is your USP? Do you have a contingency plan in place?

7. Can you build up enough credit and collateral for the future? This is called financial planning!

8. Are you aware that you will experience desperate moments and lost motivation, possibly with no one to confide in?

Some Realities That Determine Whether You Must Get a Job.

1. I have none other than myself to support my family and I have a job offer at hand.

2. Business means risk; even a catastrophe, bad move or competition can wipe out years of hard work.

3. There is no one to finance me and I don't have enough credit, nor do I have collateral to offer in order to raise funds.

4. I can't spend long hours on a sustained basis for the business for some reason. I often get fatigued or I want to enjoy evenings and weekends with family and friends. What is life without fun? What will I do with money if I can't enjoy life?

5. My education demands that I get a job. There are no suitable business ownership opportunities with my qualifications. Begging for loans, mortgages and orders are an insult to my dignity.

6. I spent 15 years in a job; I am used to working from my desk. I can't run around all over the place. Even my health will not permit to do that.

These are some fundamental questions that you can expand on depending on your situation. You need to be honest with yourself to determine the answers.

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solutions – 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.

[tags]starting a small business, owning a small business, quitting your job, career change, small business[/tags]

Art Of Band Creation

No wonder we all seek to express ourselves in some way. To achieve success in music we need a band, as a solo career is no longer popular. And now you are between decisions how to choose the band members to share you dazzling ups.

Well, there are two ways out:
1.To involve professional musicians into the project and to divide obligations in advance. The only thing acquired is your own professional skills.
2.To surround yourself with deer friends and start following the path of studying altogether.

No matter which way you will go, just don't haste. It may happen the guitarist will tear a strip off or the drummer will misfit a drum set. It's no use shouting on them. We all make mistakes every now and then. First of all try studying few easy songs, like My Girl by Nirvana. But don't jump into mastering jazz or grind core, as the Suicidal Tendencies, the Red Hot Chili Peppers or the Slipknot represent.

For joint work to be fruitful enough, you should organize rehearsals into two parts, the way, one will be devoted to revising already studied songs and the other one will be used for improvisation, which is of a great value, as the band members study to predict every next step of each other. Its' you feeling every sense of music in the result. You can feel it's aliveness by letting it through your mind. But the main thing is not to feel down in case everything is not as excellent as you have imagined. It's much worse to loose pleasure in playing and creating music.

What concerns recommendations of experienced musicians, they are worth listen to, however, keep it in mind, it's up to you, which of them to choose to follow.

Article source:

Art of Band Creation. Music Babylon is a site with lyrics, discographies, artists' biographies, music forum and some articles for those who's interested.

[tags]Music, success, band, career, project, drummer, guitarist, jazz, musicians, friends[/tags]

Savvy Networking Grow Your Business And Your Career

Did you know that contacts are the bread of career life? In times of change, information and relationships are a source of power. Savvy networking will help you to tap into this power to grow your business and your career.

Savvy networking is a systematic process of establishing and maintaining relationships for seeking out information and resources in order to accomplish specific goals. Its focus is on the building of rapport and long term interactions rather than quick, short-term connections of 'here today gone tomorrow'. Its purpose is to access all kinds of information and a wide variety of resources in order to achieve one's individual career goals as well as one's team or work group's objectives.

Some of you may have a negative opinion of networking. Some of you may think it is a selfish or egotistical activity with an emphasis on, "What can this person do for me?" However, savvy networking is not only committed to the meeting of your goals but also must be concerned with the following:

"How can I specifically be of help to this other person or team? What is it that I can give? What kinds of information do I have access to? Or what kinds of support can I provide?"

Reciprocity is the key. It is the getting of what you need to achieve your goals or perform your job effectively as well as the giving to others what they need in order to achieve their goals or do their job more effectively.

In savvy networking, peer relationships are more important than ever given the rise of team based organizations. As the leader of these work or project teams, your challenge is that you may not have the formal authority over people whose support you need. For example, you may be tasked with accomplishing the following:

assembling a group of people of different backgrounds or from different areas to work together.

obtaining essential resources from others such as information, technical expertise or political backing.

coordinating efforts with other teams who have their set of priorities which may be different than yours.

Your ability to get the job done hinges first on your success in cultivating, mobilizing, and maintaining relationships with others. Second, it is dependent on your ability to influence or gain cooperation from these people to accomplish specific goals.

Stephen Covey, in the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, states: "Interdependence, not independence, is the new watch word." Forget being the Lone Ranger! Connect for success. Start building dynamic networks and relationships.

Marcia Zidle, the 'people smarts' coach, works with business leaders to quickly solve their people management headaches so they can concentrate on their #1 job ­ to grow and increase profits. She offers free help through Leadership Briefing, a weekly e-newsletter with practical tips on leadership style, employee motivation, recruitment and retention and relationship management. Subscribe by going to http://leadershiphooks.com/ and get the bonus report "61 Leadership Time Savers and Life Savers". Marcia is the author of the What Really Works Handbooks ­ resources for managers on the front line and the Power-by-the-Hour programs ­ fast, convenient, real life, affordable courses for leadership and staff development. She is available for media interviews, conference presentations and panel discussions on the hottest issues affecting the workplace today. Contact Marcia at 800-971-7619.

[tags]networking, business relationships, business networking, job search networking[/tags]

How To Reach Your Next Job Faster With Fewer Potholes, Roadblocks

Complacency damages your career more than lack of qualifications. The most obvious roadblock you'll encounter on the race to find your next job is usually regrets about skills, education, and professional knowledge. However, be careful that you don't possess an inner smugness that rests on past successes. Complacency will trick you to believe that employers will find you without any effort on your part to find them. You'll be anesthetized to job search urgency by this false sense of security. Overconfidence costs you money and opportunities if you decide to sit back with a Jack Daniel's and idle your time away until the phone rings. It won't.

Job seeker loses $30,000 and top management role while waiting for "right opportunity. Rich Connell, senior consultant for R. L. Stevens & Associates Inc., a leading international career marketing firm headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, regretted a huge blunder he made during his earlier career adventures. "I lost a high level management position and $30,000 in commissions and bonuses because of job search complacency," said Connell.

After being suddenly downsized, Connell admits several valuable months vanished while he waited for the "right" opportunity to magically appear. He didn't take his search seriously. These tactical errors took him out of the marketplace and off the hiring radar at the critical start of his sales career. Employers didn't know he was available. He missed a great position that was significantly more suitable and provided larger financial reward than the one he settled for because he ran out of leverage. "In retrospect, I should've jumped right back into the market and not wasted all that time. If only I had started my search sooner and gave it more attention. Losing $30,000 and a management fast track was an expensive teacher to learn how to conduct a successful job search," he lamented.

Now wiser and more successful from the experience and lessons learned, Connell from his ninth-floor office overlooking Indianapolis, Indiana strongly encourages job seekers to not postpone a career transition to wait for non-existent "perfect conditions." Don't delay your search any longer, for any reason. Get serious and get on with it, he says.

Regret for time wasted can become a power for good in the time that remains. We often in hindsight, look so long and so regretfully upon the closed doors that we don't see the one which has opened for us. Use these ten tips to anticipate and plan your next job search move. Your foresight here will convert regrets, disappointments and fears into much needed fuel to strengthen your chances to reach your next career destination faster:

1.Develop a sense of urgency to move fast on opportunities. Measure the value of everything you do against the results you expect.

2.Recognize and exploit cycles and trends in your industry.

3.Update your knowledge continually through coursework, news and blog reading, and active participation in trade association activities.

4.Segment your targeted employers and focus on those who can benefit the most, immediately, from what you are selling.

5.Anticipate how you can differentiate your product (you) from every other similar product (your competition) in the marketplace.

6.Analyze your competition thoroughly through strategic market research; be clear about where you're strong and they're weak.

7.Make a list of all the reasons why an employer should hire you. Translate them into personalized solutions, organize them by priority and memorize.

8.Identify the primary objections to why an employer might not hire you and then develop bulletproof answers to those objections.

9.Refuse to let the fear of rejection hold you back. Don't take rejection personally.

10.Never forget that whatever got you to where you are today is not enough to keep you there.

Hot career advice: Don't let other job seekers gain tactical advantage because your paralysis of analysis or inertia derailed momentum. Anything less than total commitment to excellence becomes acceptance of mediocrity.

Use career campaign foresight to continually deal with and calculate your future. By doing so you'll fast forward to your next career pit stop and avoid most job hunting potholes and roadblocks. Remember: It's not about where you've been. It's about where you're headed. Be alert. Look ahead.

Marta L. Driesslein is a senior management consultant for R.L. Stevens & Associates Inc. (http://www.interviewing.com), a career marketing firm and organization celebrating over 24 years of providing strategic marketing solutions for its clients' career transitioning needs. Email inquiries and comments to publicrelations@rlstevens.com.

[tags]careers, career advice, job search advice, jobs, job search assistance, career search help[/tags]

How To Answer Your Call In Mid-Life

Hank Bochenski's story proves it is never too late to walk away from a life you feel trapped in and do something that you really love.

Hank spent 30 years in demanding senior positions at large high-tech companies. By the time he went home each day, he felt like all the blood had been drained out of him.

Hank's real passion was his collection of more than 1,000 movies. He had recently spent hours converting the collection from VHS to DVD, a process he enjoyed. One day his wife walked by as he worked on this project and said, "It's too bad you can't make money doing this." Before his wife's offhand remark, he hadn't considered that he could do this full time.

He did some research and found a company called Home Video Studio Inc., in Indianapolis. HVS offers 21 services, including DVD transfers, DVD duplications, home movie transfers, photo-video keepsakes, sports scholarship videos and videotape repair.

Hank and his wife did some due diligence and decided that this was a perfect opportunity for them and they went ahead and got into the video duplication business. And to top it all off, Hank's studio is in his own home--no more 1.5-hour each way daily commute.

What Happens in Mid-Life?

Mid-life is a time of challenges and crossroads. Often we re-evaluate our relationships, become more concerned about our health or worry about whether we are as financially secure as we should be. The biggest challenges in mid-life often involve our careers, and more centrally, whether our careers are providing the fulfillment we crave, or are simply exhausting us physically and emotionally. In mid-life, fulfillment and meaning begin to compete with paychecks and perks, and the paycheck and perks usually win.

Answering the Call to Vocational Passion

Before you can take action to change the course of your life and pursue your vocational passion, it is critical to take an inventory of your life and what is really important. You must begin by understanding what is missing. You need to have a dream and a plan for achieving it.

Start by making a list of the things that are missing in your life. Is it a passion from your youth that you can never find time to pursue? Is it music, a sport, writing, cooking, activism, entrepreneurship, working with kids? It doesn't matter, as long as it is something you long to do, and have enough passion to do it full time.

You need to understand not only where your passion is, but also where your strengths lie. Make a list of the things you are passionate about, and then narrow the list to those items that present an opportunity to generate income. An interest in rock climbing suggests opening a store that sells climbing equipment. Perhaps some past volunteer work with disabled kids leads to earning a certificate to teach full time.

Once you've narrowed your list and have matched your aptitudes and interests, it's time to take a good look at your support network. Do you know people who care about what you are passionate about? If not, what organizations or social networks could you tap into to build a better personal network to help you make your big vocational change?

Begin the Journey with a Lighter Backpack

Finally, you need to think about money--how it comes in and where it goes.

Treat your money with more respect. Making better choices in how you spend your money will make it easier to free yourself to change the direction of your life.

Examine ways to "lighten your backpack." Do you really need 100 cable channels? How many shoes, credit cards and watches does it take to make you happy? Would life be any more difficult if you drove a used Toyota instead of a brand new Lexus?

These are the kinds of questions that Hank Bochenski and his family asked themselves as they made the difficult but ultimately rewarding decision to "throw it all away" for a simpler yet more fulfilling lifestyle. Hank is much happier. He is having fun every day. And while his income may be more modest than before, his family is living comfortably. His pursuit of vocational passion has cost him little materially, yet the spiritual dividends have been immense.

About The Author

Craig Nathanson is The Vocational Coach™ and the author of the new book, P Is For Perfect: Your Perfect Vocational Day by Bookcoach Press and the publisher of the free Ezine, ''Vocational passion in mid-life''. Craig believes the world works a little better when we do the work we love. Craig Nathanson helps those in mid-life carry this out! Visit his on-line community at http://www.thevocationalcoach.com

[tags]midlife, midlife crisis, career change, happiness[/tags]

Stand Out From The Crowd With Simple Marketing Methods

Although today's job market can be very competitive, many job seekers overlook simple techniques that will catch potential employers' attention. Apply these eight ideas to stay ahead of your competitors and get hired now!

1. BRAND YOURSELF. Target, Macy's, and Neiman Marcus are all retailers. But you can easily tell them apart because of their effective branding. Apply the concept of branding to your job search. How are you unique or different? What makes you a star?

2. CREATE SOLID MARKETING MATERIALS AND PACKAGE THEM WELL. Does your résumé present specific accomplishments, complete with results that demonstrate what you can do for a potential employer? If not, why not? Is it clean, neat, and easy to read? Do you have a personal business card? Does it convey quality?

3. WRITE POWERFUL COVER LETTERS that communicate your achievements, demonstrate you professionalism, and excite perspective employers. Use short sentences and short paragraphs. Keep them to one page!

4. HAVE YOUR 10-SECOND COMMERCIAL READY TO GO. Make it snappy and compelling! Use it to describe your skills or a recent accomplishment.

5. THINK ABOUT THE EMPLOYER'S NEEDS, NOT YOUR AGENDA. Never mind your agenda (getting a job), think about the employer's agenda (solving a problem). What problem are they trying to solve? Describe how you can help. Then follow up, follow up, follow up.

6. PREPARE YOUR TELEPHONE SCRIPTS. Write one to use when you get a live person on the line, a second when leaving your first voice mail message, and a third one for your follow-up voice mail message. Practice it in front of a mirror until you can deliver it naturally. Stand, smile, and speak into a mirror when delivering it.

7. EXPECT REJECTIONS AND OJBECTIONS. Handle them without getting flustered. "I can understand your concern about (their objection or concern), and because of my (skills, experience with, and so on) that has never been an issue."

8. LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO ADD TO YOUR SKILLS. Take a class, accept a volunteer assignment, or join a professional association. Learn, grow, and interact with the potential movers and shakers in your industry. Give them a preview of what you will deliver when they hire you.

Mary Jeanne Vincent is the author of Acing the Interview tip cards featuring answers to the top 20 "killer" interview questions. Also included are tips for interviewing in the new economy, ideas for responding to illegal and trick questions, and suggestions for avoiding 10 deadly interview mistakes.

Go to http://www.2bworkwise.com for free job search articles and to sign up for the free WorkWise e-zine. For information on individual job and career coaching or to find out about other practical, easy-to-use career tools call Mary Jeanne at 831.657.9151.

[tags]Résumé, interview, networking, negotiation, job, job hunt, career, salary, compensation, marketing[/tags]

Ten Things To Do If You Really, Really Hate Your Job

1. Begin focusing on what you want instead of how much you want to escape. When you find yourself sharing the latest horror story, stop in mid-sentence and say, "What I want to have is..."

2. Create an image that describes you in your job. Are you on a riverbank with no way to get to the other side? Lost in a jungle? Poking through a thorny hedge? When you get comfortable with the image, begin visualizing a change in the obstacle. Imagine building a bridge across the river or finding a path in the forest. Don't force the image or the change. When you're ready it will come.

3. Think of developing skills, not serving time. Take every course that's offered and focus on skills that can lay a foundation for your own business or next job. Can you learn HTML or PowerPoint? Can you use some evenings, weekends and lunch hours to solicit some free lance gigs?

4. Focus on satisfactory, not superior performance. Use the time difference to build your new life. People often say, "I can't do anything -- I work ten hours a day!" If you are firing yourself or expecting to be fired, your job is finding a new job. Be ethical: you owe your company the minimum you need to earn your salary." But don't be surprised if you start to accomplish more than ever and find yourself getting promoted.

5. What conflict are you escaping? Dishonesty? Corporate greed? Hypocrisy? Allow yourself to wonder if these qualities are mirrored in your own life -- or even in your mind. If everyone around you seems dishonest, are you being dishonest with yourself? With others? After you resolve your own conflict, you may find the workplace has changed or you have been catapulted into a new, more satisfying life.

6. Put on your shield and armor when you enter your workplace. Everyone should learn how to create a psychic shield. Imagine that you are surrounded by an outer shell that is made of a solid material -- so strong that nothing can get through to hurt you. Some people prefer to imagine a protective golden light, but I think the solid shield is stronger. Take two or three minutes to put on your shield, every day, before you enter the workplace.

7. Give yourself a gift every day -- a splurge of time or sensual taste buds. Read a book, talk to a friend, eat your favorite food. Don't deaden your senses with alcohol (although if you're a wine connoisseur, your special wine can be a gift) or spend big bucks at the mall. Think simple.

8. Find at least one thing in your life to appreciate: the softness of your cat's fur, the winter sky, the spontaneous hug from a friend. Appreciate as much as possible about your job: the money, the view from the window, the new computer, friendly conversations with the guy down the hall. Savor the experience. Appreciation is the engine that attracts good things into your life.

9. Tune in to your intuition before deciding what to do next. Meditate and listen to the world around you. The saying "frying pan into the fire" is real. If your goals and desires do not come from a secure place within yourself, you will find yourself paying undue attention to wet blankets ("If you quit you'll never get another job") and false friends ("Just quit! Move to Tahiti! You won't starve!"). Sometimes the same "advisor" proposes both ideas in the same week. A good coach or counselor will give you confidence in your own intuition, not impose their views of what you should do now.

10. Write this down somewhere: After you've left -- and you will -- all that time will seem to have gone in the blink of an eye. You will have trouble remembering what bothered you so much. The rest of your life will still be ahead of you.

About The Author

Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., coaches results-oriented midcareer professionals who want to develop uncommon business and career strategies as they move to their next goal. See http://www.cathygoodwin.com, cathy@cathygoodwin.com

[tags]career,career change,jobs,employment,life change,self employment,coaching[/tags]

Write And Get Hired

Want to get hired faster than up to 97% of other job seekers?

Well, you can. By doing two simple things almost nobody else is doing:

1) write down a job search goal and

2) read it out loud 10 times a day.

Do this and you'll find a job faster as a result. I promise.

Here's how ...

Depending on which self-help book you read or success guru you listen to, only about 3% to 10% of the population has written goals, with deadlines. To prove this, ask yourself -- do you have written goals? Probably not. Now go ask 10 friends. Only about one will answer yes, if they're honest.

The point is this: only a tiny percentage of people take the effort to decide exactly what they want in life and then write it down in the form of clear, specific goals.

This may explain why only a tiny percentage of people rise to the top in any profession. Why a tiny percentage are truly happy in their work. Why a tiny percentage sail from one rewarding job to the next, as if they were following a blueprint for success.

Well, that's what written goals are -- mini-blueprints for success.

Think about it. Would you hire an architect to build you a home who refused to draw a blueprint? You'd think he was nuts, of course, and show him the door.

And yet, I'll wager that more than 90% of people look for work with no written goals -- blueprints -- of any kind. Is it any wonder so many folks meet with so much frustration and take so long to get hired?

OK. Let's get you a job search goal and then burn it into your brain, so you will get focused, get motivated and get hired. Fast.

There are two steps to this goal-setting process.

Step 1) Decide on the job you want and write it down

Complete the following statement and write it on a 3x5 card:

"It's June 30. I'm an outstanding JOB TITLE who adds value to the company lucky enough to have me. I'm making $XX,XXX in a stimulating environment, doing work I love, surrounded by co-workers I enjoy."

Now, why is this important?

Writing a goal forces you to get clear on what you want. After all, you'd never write down a goal like this: "Um, well, I'd like a job that pays the bills, maybe working in an office or something." Yet, that's typical of the response I get from many people when I ask, "What job are you looking for?"

So, by writing down a specific employment goal with a due date (so your subconscious knows you're serious), you'll be ahead of the vast majority of other job seekers.

But that's not enough ...

Step 2) Reinforce your goal

Writing down a goal is great. But if you want breakthrough results, you have to reinforce it until it's crystal clear in your mind's eye, like the North Star.

To do this, read your goal out loud 10 times every morning. Then, put your 3x5 "goal card" in your pocket and refer to it during the day -- at least three times, if you can.

Soon, your life will organize itself around finding your ideal job, as your subconscious goes to work. You'll start to see employment leads where before there appeared none.

Example: someone you haven't heard from in 10 years will call, and the conversation will lead to a job interview. Or your hair dresser will volunteer the name of a hiring manager who's looking for someone like you. Or your next-door neighbor will bring back a hammer he borrowed last year ... along with a job lead.

I've seen this sort of thing happen too many times to dismiss it as chance.

Try this two-step process for the next 30 days and see for yourself. The worst that can happen is you'll have a very clear idea of the job you seek. At best, you'll be working.

What have you got to lose?

Kevin Donlin is President of Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1996, he and his team have provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in all 50 states and 23 countries. Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, CBS MarketWatch, The Wall Street Journal's National Business Employment Weekly, CBS Radio, and many others.

[tags]resumes,cover letters,job hunting,careers,resume writing,job search,employment,finding a job[/tags]

Your First Job

"Your first job is an extension of your education"

Fresh out of college. Loads of dreams. A whole new world waiting to be explored. And you are just waiting to put all those fat books you have spent the last few years studying into practice. Self-assured and confident yet anxious about the new world ahead. To make all those castles in the air real…with your very first job.

Like every other first experience, the first job is one experience which you wouldn't remember to forget. The experience could make lasting impressions in your mind.

Desirables

In your first job, there are a few things that are helpful. Though they are not mandatory yet they are desirable in view of the long-term benefits they offer.

1. Postpone marriage.

2. Starting up with MNCs helps.

3. Start in line functions.

Choose between:

· Accounting vs. Audit.

· Sales vs. Marketing.

· Production vs. Planning.

4. Start in the private sector.

5. Work outside your hometown.

The Basics

First, understand that your first job is not a job. It is an extension of your education. The first job is the foundation of your job career.

By foundation of your job career I mean that the experiences you come across leave indelible impressions on your mind that are often lasting ones. It shapes your attitude and outlook towards lot of many things.

The first job is a stepping stone to higher levels in the corporate hierarchy. Don't start looking for new jobs when the going gets tough or when someone offers a few hundred bucks more. Stay on for a minimum period of 5 years. The experience provides you a solid base upon which you can build your career.

Be flexible and go mobile. Don't stick to one city/state and get your career grounded. Be prepared to shift anywhere. Travel widens your horizons.

Seven Steps to a strong foundation

1. Right Attitude

"There are no menial jobs, only menial attitudes."

- William John Bennett

Have an open mind. Never judge anyone or anything immediately. Wait and watch before jumping into conclusions. Having the right attitude towards work and people is as important as the ability to work. Modern companies require their employees to sport the right attitude that is in full alignment with their goals and objectives. To start with you must be a law-abiding employee giving due respect to people, processes, practices, hierarchy and the organization.

Even clock-watching in the first or initial days of your first job is a pointer of your attitude. Don't clock-watch and flee the workplace as soon as the clock strikes six in the evening. People notice your activities intensely and they may form fixed impressions in their minds. So don't hesitate to stay put and finish your job if the situation warrants. Believe me, people would appreciate.

Again, attitude matters most since it measures your altitude. It can spell how far you can go on the organizational hierarchy. Right attitude is one where the mind looks at things with a positive outlook. You are open to ideas and there are no limiting factors to cloud your views and opinions about people and their ideas.

2. Get networked

Get to know people and be friendly with them. Your work may warrant, at times, getting in touch with different people. During such occasions their support and guidance will be very much valuable and useful. But irrespective of your work requirements it's always good to know people. Coffee and lunch breaks are times to mingle with people across the organization.

Come out of the shell. Don't restrict your circle with just among those in your department. Reach out to people from across functions.

3. Learning the ropes

Your first task is to secure yourself – to transform the slippery toehold you have gained into a firm foothold. For this to happen you must become technically competent

Technical competence comes when you learn the job thoroughly. Transform the theoretical knowledge gained in your years of study into practical and workable application to the job you do. Learn as much as possible – across functions. The more you learn the better. Most novices fail by trying to learn the tricks of the trade. Instead, learn the trade itself. Learn across functions and become multi-skilled. That looks great on your resume.

More than learning what's more important is the willingness to learn. Develop this desire to learn and there can be no stops for you. Many novices are shy of learning lest they would be branded ignorant. When you are struck somewhere don't blink; ask help. People will explain how. Don't live with ignorance. Dispel darkness with knowledge. And as the Danish proverb says, "Better to ask twice than to lose your way once."

Be ashamed to say, "I don't know". Learn and you will never have to say that again.

Invest your time, energy and resources in learning without expecting anything in return.

4. Take Initiatives

"Folks who never do more than they get paid for, never get paid for any more than they do."

- Elbert Hubbard

Without initiatives you are nowhere. You will not get noticed and counted. Initiatives prove your worth and serve as portraying you as pro-active, loyal and committed to the organization you work for. Higher-ups will start taking you seriously.

Initiative means exhibiting originality, doing a thing on your own volition without being told by someone.

What sets two trainees apart is this ability to take initiatives, to pitch in with ideas and suggestions in order to improve and simplify processes & procedures. "That's-not-my-job", "Why-should-I?" attitudes must go away for good in order to take initiatives. And taking initiatives is one way to get out of the pile and stand out distinctly.

Let me explain the value of taking initiatives with an example.

Three brothers, Jim, Mike and Bill were hired by a company on the same pay. Three years later, Jim was being paid $500 a month, Mike was receiving $1000 but Bill was making $1500.

Their father decided to visit the employer and questioned about the disparity of their income. He listened to the confused father and said, "I will let the boys explain themselves."

Jim was summoned to the supervisor's office and was told, "Jim, our company has just brought a large cargo ship loaded with Japanese electronic items. Will you please go over to the harbor and get a cargo inventory?"

A few minutes later, Jim returned to the office. "The cargo was one lakh units of Japanese stereos." Jim reported "I got the information over the phone from the Port Trust delivery office."

When Jim left, Mike, the $1000 a month brother, was called. "Mike," said the boss, "I wish you would go out to the harbor and get an inventory of the cargo ship which was just brought in by our company."

An hour later, Mike was back in the office with a list showing that the ship carried one lakh units of Japanese stereos, 75000 cameras and 100 camcorders. Then Bill, the $1500 a month brother, was given identical instructions. Working hours were over when he finally returned.

"The cargo ship carried one lakh units of Japanese stereos," he began. "It was on sale at $50 a piece, so I took a two-day option on the whole lot. I have wired a manufacturer in Iowa offering the stereos at seventy five dollars a piece. I expect to have the order tomorrow. I also found the 75000 cameras, which I sold over the telephone at a profit of $25 each. There were 100 camcorders of which nearly 40 were damaged during transit. So I sold the rest at a profit of $75 a piece."

When Bill left the office the boss smiled. "You probably noticed" he said, "that Jim doesn't do what he's told, Mike does only what he's told, but Bill does without being told."

The future is full of promise for one who shows initiative.

5. Be accountable

It is in the first job we always commit blunder and mistakes and we fear to tread confidently. We try to effectively use the loopholes and make good our escape from accountability. But beware! People always are watching but they just don't point out for whatever reasons.

Being accountable to the jobs we undertake is a sure sign of maturity, courage and confidence. The courage we display to own up mistakes and take responsibility for our actions will show us in the right picture.

When things go wrong, standing up and admitting the faults will only help us to see things in the right perspective and provide us an opportunity to learn from such aberrations. Though it is easy to pass the buck and thank our stars for not getting caught we learn very little except cunningness and tricks of the blame game which doesn't augur well for us.

6. Work on feedback

Feedbacks are a report on your performance. Be open to criticism and correction. Since it's only your very first job people may point out when you go wrong. Learn. Take feedbacks seriously and positively. They help us being focused by pointing out the anomalies and gaps between the expectations and our performance. Don't lose heart if you are not up to the mark. Every professional is at first an amateur. Give yourself a chance and think how best you get bridge this variance. Ask for guidance from your superior and he will be glad to do so.

Working upon the feedback is more important than merely attending the routine feedback sessions. Start by taking efforts on the areas of improvement. Improve constantly until you exceed expectations. And again improvement doesn't end there. You can just feel satisfied that you have met the standards but improving constantly is a never-ending mantra. The proof of the pudding is in the eating! Prove yourself with improved performance. That way you gain confidence of your superior.

7. Say no to gossip

The bane of new recruits is getting into the vortex of gossiping and politics. Steer clear from these as they pull you down to an abyss. They spoil and cloud your outlook, attitude and approach. Gossiping and lying go hand in hand.

Never talk ill of others particularly when they are not around. Such behavior is in poor taste. Don't harbor extreme views on persons and things. Those who value work and their time will not waste time in gossip.

Brace yourself to get a few shocks in your first job. After all, everything is not tailor-made for you. For instance, you may have visualized your office as a dream office just as you get to see in films and glossy magazines & brochures. Remember, the size of your office is not as important as the size of your paycheck.

First job experiences are worth remembering forever. Let self-consciousness give way to confidence and move ahead with firm steps. As with everything else, keep your eyes and ears open always. Tread with care since it could either leave indelible scars or make you a star. Do things that you would be proud about and you will cherish the experience forever. Let your foundation be strong and it starts with your first job!

_________________________________________________________________

Copyright (c) 2005 by G Ram Kumar. All rights reserved.

G Ram Kumar works with Affiliated Computer Services, Inc a Fortune 500 company providing premier IT solutions in the US at Bangalore. Prior to this, he was with Juno Online Services, one of the top Internet Service Provider in the US and he had a short stint with ICICI Bank, India's largest private sector bank.

Ram is an MCA and also he is certified by Cisco Systems Inc, USA as Cisco Certified Network Associate.

His first major book Career Excellence in two volumes for everyone interested in career development has been published

by Atlantic Publishers & Distributors, New Delhi and it has been well-received.

Ram's second book "Cyber Crimes - A Primer on Internet Threats and Email Abuses" is about to be released by Viva Books, New Delhi. Please check the following link for further details about the book:

http://www.vivagroupindia.net/bookdetail.ASP?ID=8130902281

Ram's other books include FAQs in Interviews epublished by Independentbook.com, USA, Getting IT Right, The Best of Forwarded Emails and Rover SD1 -The Story in Pictures - all epublished by Globusz Publishing,USA.

Further, to diseminate awareness about cyber crimes Ram has founded Web Watch, Inc a non-profit organisation involved in safe Internet computing awareness initiatives. Ram has developed & runs a website www.webwatch.tk - the online presence of Web Watch, Inc which aims at making netizens enlightened about the dangers that lurk the dark corridors of the Internet.

Ram Kumar is one of the founder trustees of SKetch, a Tamil Nadu-based NGO involved in women education and empowerment initiatives and sits on the board of the Governing Council of Trustees of SKetch.

The author is based at Bangalore, India and at present writing a book profiling the lives of great people.

Coming it may as surprise to readers, the author of these books is just 26 years old!

You may check more information about Ram at www.gramkumar.tk

[tags]First job, career development, initiatives, attitude, first job experience[/tags]

Start Networking Today! Basic Tips To Make Your First Networking Event A Big Success

Most folks know that networking is a key to success. We want and need to know people with whom we do business, and most of us enjoy meeting new people for our social circle as well. No "networking" event is, in and of itself, worthwhile. It's what happens afterward that makes the difference. Networking isn't about getting business on the spot, it's about developing relationships that will lead to business, directly or indirectly, down the road. Networking almost always requires the long-term approach.

But how do you begin?

Joining a "networking group" can be an intimidating step, but it doesn't have to be. Here are some basics to get you started.

• Make time and do it. "Someday" and "later" have a way of never happening.
• Be prepared with something to say. Know what the big news story is, the key sports results, and have a positive or thoughtful comment.
• Be prepared to introduce yourself in 15-20 seconds. Without stumbling. This is usually called the "elevator speech." Make it interesting. If it's boring to say, it's boring to hear.
• Carry business cards and have them easily accessible…..
• ….But don't offer indiscriminately them at the beginning of a conversation! It's far better to chat for a while, to know someone about the person, and then to ask for his or her business card. What if, horror of horrors, they don't reciprocate and ask for yours? Not a problem. Send them one when you follow up after the event.
• When someone offers you a business card, look at it before you put it away. A card is our tangible persona. Notice it, accord it due respect, and then carefully put it away.
• Pay attention to the conversation. Don't be one of the "power networkers" always looking over the shoulder of your conversational companion, looking for someone more interesting.
• Listen. Really listen. When your companion is talking, that's your signal to listen to what they're saying, not to be composing your witty rejoinder. Listening is the antidote for nervousness, especially for introverts, because your entire focus is on the speaker – and his focus is on himself, too!
• Think about how you can help the person you're talking with. Make a contact, offer a lead, or just ask how you might recognize a terrific potential client/customer for her.
• Don't assume someone you're talking to can't help you. A conversation may not lead directly to business, but you have no idea who that person may know or where they'll end up next.
• Set your intentions before you go (i.e., I will leave with 3 business cards of people I plan to contact again). And aim for quality over quantity.
• Follow up afterward.

If you use these tactics, your first networking meeting will be a successful and, perhaps, even an enjoyable event that will encourage you to keep coming back.

Julie Fleming Brown provides professional and personal coaching by telephone for lawyers and others. Julie works with professionals on work/life balance issues, job transitions, and career transitions, and blogs extensively on work/life balance issues on her Life at the Bar Blog, at http://www.LifeAtTheBar.wordpress.com/ To contact Julie for a complimentary coaching exploration session, visit http://www.LifeAtTheBar.com/ and http://www.MerryHeartCoaching.com/

[tags]Networking,introvert,anxiety,business,career networking,professional networking,network,first[/tags]

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