AARP Names Best Employers for Workers Over 50

by Tom Musbach, Yahoo! HotJobs


A leading advocacy group for older Americans has placed packaged goods company SC Johnson at the top of its 2007 list of 50 best employers for people over 50.

The AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) began the annual list seven years ago in recognition that more people than ever before are working into their 60s and beyond. The group honors companies that support an aging workforce by providing flexible work schedules, health insurance options, and other benefits to retain and attract baby-boomer candidates.

"It is important that more employers -- both large and small -- recognize what tremendous assets 50 and over employees represent because of their experience and motivation," said AARP CEO Bill Novelli in announcing this year's winners.

The Honor Roll

The employers honored by the AARP in 2007 include Mercy Health System of Janesville, Wis.; Principal Financial Group in Des Moines, Iowa; West Virginia University Hospitals; Volkswagen of America Inc. in Auburn Hills, Mich.; John Deere of Moline, Ill.; and George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. (The complete list is available at AARP.org.)

SC Johnson, based in Racine, Wis. and known for brands like Shout and Windex, topped the list for its onsite medical center and wellness, fitness, and education programs. The AARP also saluted the company's comprehensive financial benefits and retirement planning tools for employees.

Health care and education were the most visible industries on the AARP list in 2007, which was similar to 2006. More than 110 companies participated in a comprehensive application process to be considered for the honor.

No Short Cuts

Roberta Chinsky Matuson, principal with Human Resource Solutions based in Massachusetts, cautioned that lists like the AARP's are only one type of resource that job-seekers over 50 should consult.

"Job seekers should keep in mind that many organizations have large public-relations departments that help their companies make it onto these lists," she said. "There are many great companies that never even apply."

She added that baby-boomer candidates should do their own research on companies and consult with friends and others in their network to get a sense if an employer is supportive of mature workers.

What Boomers Want

"Many workers over 50 have expressed interest in jobs to help improve the quality of life in their communities, jobs that connect them to their passion in life, a purpose bigger than themselves, and other people," said Stefanie Weiss, spokeswoman for Civic Ventures, a think tank devoted to boomers and their contributions to work and society.

Monique A. Dearth, president of Incite Strategies, an Atlanta-based human resources consulting firm, agrees that many employees over 50 have different priorities on the job.

"They are experienced employees who generally aren't looking to develop a high profile career," she said, "but rather want to leverage their past experience, feel valued in the organization, and contribute at a meaningful level."

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Stop the Gossip, Save Your Career

by Heather Boerner, for Yahoo! HotJobs


Getting ahead at work may hinge on resisting the urge to spread the latest news about your coworkers.

"You may think gossip is harmless, but you might just be shooting yourself in the foot as far as your credibility goes," said Rachel Weingarten, author of "Career and Corporate Cool: How to Look, Dress and Act the Part at Every Stage of Your Career." She continues, "Let your work speak for itself. You don't need to be the one making yourself look better by talking down someone else."

Consider the Damage

Sure, gossip can be almost too enticing to keep to ignore -- but consider these consequences:
You lose your reputation. "My reputation is my business," said Weingarten. "If someone says something bad about me, or I become known as a gossip, that could affect my entire career."
Coworkers avoid you. "If people view you as a gossip, they may stop sharing information with you," said April Callis, president of Gossip Stoppers, a program designed to create positive workplaces. "Then instead of being the one with all the power and information, you're out of the loop because no one trusts you."
Your work suffers. The negativity spread by gossip makes people hate their jobs. "They miss work, they get less done while they're there, and they feel unappreciated," says Callis. Suddenly, you're not giving your best, and your boss may notice.

There's a better way to deal with water cooler talk. First, and perhaps most obvious: Keep the information to yourself.

It's one thing to learn the office scoop -- it's another to share it. Even asking someone else at work to verify what you've just heard counts as gossip, said Callis. If it's something criminal, tell your boss. If not, let it drop.

Resist the Urge

Next, teach your coworkers not to gossip with you. Use these techniques:

• Replace gossip. Sometimes gossip is the only thing you have in common with coworkers, said Weingarten. So find something to replace it. Do you both knit? Are you both sports fans? If you must gossip, do it about movie stars or soap operas, she said. Just leave the office out of it.
• Set a timer. If a coworker or employee comes to you determined to gossip, set a timer for five minutes, and let the person spew. When the time's up, so is the gossip. You don't have to respond, said Callis. You can just listen.
• Write it down. When a coworker runs to your desk with the latest juicy gossip, get out a pad and pen. Writing down the facts serves two purposes: It shows the gossip that everything she says is being documented. And it helps you focus on facts instead of feelings.

What you may find is that you and those around you feel happier as they gossip less, says Callis.

"When I walk into a positive workplace, people are engaged and they feel valued," she says. "They stay."

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Jobs in Kenya - Why Kenya's Best Brains Do Not Take Them

There is no doubt that Kenya has the best human resource capital in the region if not in the continent altogether. It is now almost certain that thousands of graduates will be churned out of our public and private Universities in any one week. However, the best jobs in Kenya are not being filled by Kenyans and this should be cause for alarm or human resource professionals and experts.

It appears that the country has no doubt very good brains that could help solve the myriad of problems bedeviling the economic, political and social spheres of our lives. However, many bright youngsters would rather take up job offers abroad than in the country.

The first reason of course has to be the salary issue. Many jobs offer such low salaries that workers have to keep on moonlighting in order to sustain their livelihoods. This seriously curtails their productivity in the workplace and leads to an overall poor performance.

Secondly, it is very hard to secure a job using a fairly straight means. This means that the best brains are put off as they would have to bribe there way up the corporate ladder. They would also need to come from the same tribe if not family of the owners of the company and this seriously impedes their professionalism.

The other problem is that the working conditions and the opportunities for professional and career progression are simply aren't there. Many people think that our best and brightest choose to take overseas jobs mainly for money but this is not true. Provide the best working conditions, and you would see these brains trooping back. I'm reminded of a Kenyan engineering graduate who came back with a couple of firsts from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and on getting a job at a parastatal, he was given golf tickets to a country club by his boss who explained that the tickets would help him more than staying at the office. Well, he packed up his bags, returned to Chicago as Vice President of a multinational engineering company where he earns astronomical salary. Do you think he will ever return home again?

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What Are the Various Options For Making Money Online?

Today it is no longer a dream to sit in the comfort of one's home and earn money. Cyberspace has opened up an entire gamut of opportunities for stay-at-home parents and the like. The net is buzzing with information about the different ways and means of making money online. A little patience and persistence will go a long way in helping one to pocket a decent sum at the end of every month.

Some of the easiest ways of working from home are taking online surveys, selling items on e-bay, online trading and blogging. These have minimal start-up costs and can give a fairly adequate income. There is an entire plethora of other money making possibilities like ClickBank, Network Marketing, Flipping websites, Web hosting, Affiliate Marketing and Web content writing. The prospects are endless if one has the time and bearing to sieve through the unlimited material on the web and choose one that is best suited to one's skills and preferences.

The more serious and enterprising job seekers can look at selling E-books, Webpage designing, Premium blogging, Technical writing or even opening an online Sales agency. These are jobs that ask for more time but they pay extremely well. They are not meant for the everyday net surfer who seeks to make a quick buck online. These are specialized areas where one needs to have the necessary aptitude for the job on hand.

Another very popular way of making money online is to work as a Virtual Assistant. It covers a wide range of organizing skills and gives one the flexibility of working from home. Many believe that it is the way of the future when most administrative work will be done online. By far one of the best innovations by man, the internet today has unplugged a whole new world for every one to connect and command an income online.

Casey Trillbar

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End of the Year Is Prime for Job Hunting

by Robert McCauley, Robert Half International


According to conventional wisdom, there's no worse time to search for a job than when the year is winding down. But sometimes conventional wisdom isn't entirely accurate.

The truth is that the end of the year may be the best time to find a new job. Here are five reasons:

1. You face less competition. Buying into popular theory, many job seekers halt their quests for employment in November and December, choosing to save their efforts for when the calendar changes. But take a glimpse at the want ads, and you'll see that employers haven't stopped looking for talent. With fewer candidates vying for the same number of positions, you may have an edge over the competition, unlike no other time during the year.

2. More employers are hiring. Many firms, especially retail companies, increase their hiring efforts in winter to meet rising demand for their products and services. Even though seasonal jobs are often temporary, many hiring managers view these positions as extended, on-the-job interviews and offer full-time employment to promising hires.

3. Companies have budget surpluses. Some employers hire new workers at the end of the year because they have not yet used all of the funds they set aside earlier for adding new personnel. If the hiring managers don't increase headcount during the final two months, they may lose that portion of their budgets and be unable to bring aboard new employees at all.

4. It may be easier to secure an interview. Things often slow down at the end of the year due to vacations and the winter holidays. As a result, hiring managers may be less busy than usual and have more time to review your resume or call you in for an employment interview.

5. You'll get a jump on things. Even if some firms wait until the beginning of the year to add headcount, that doesn't mean they've stopped collecting resumes and considering candidates. By submitting your application materials now, you'll be first in line when the hiring process gets in full swing again.

As 2007 comes to a close, remember that employers are always on the lookout for strong professionals, especially in fields such as accounting and finance and information technology, where skilled workers are in short supply. That means there's no wrong time to look for your next job, no matter what conventional wisdom says.

Robert Half International is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 350 offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. For more information about our professional services, please visit www.rhi.com.

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Make the Most of the Holiday Work Party

Naughty and Nice Behaviors to Watch Out For
by Larry Buhl, for Yahoo! HotJobs


For an event that's supposed to be fun, the annual holiday office party can sometimes be a tightrope walk between festive and fear-inducing.

If you worry that you're being observed for your behavior, you're not being paranoid. You are being watched. But business etiquette experts agree that a degree of party-going savvy can get you through the evening with your professional reputation intact, and may even give you a career boost.

What's Naughty

To make the most of the office party, experts strongly discourage:

* Drinking to excess. "We all know alcohol lowers your inhibitions," says Randall Hansen, founder and president of Quintessential careers. "And if you imbibe too much you might find yourself telling off the boss or pulling a co-worker under the mistletoe."

* Pulling anyone under the mistletoe. Flirting, or worse, sneaking off for a tryst, guarantees that you'll be part of the office gossip mill at least until the summer office picnic.

* Fashion experimentation. Keep the low-cut, leopard-skin dress at home. "Remember that the office party is still business, so it not the time to bring your wild side out," according to business etiquette expert Hilka Klinkenberg. In general, if your outfit would be out of place on casual Friday, it probably wouldn't be appropriate at the party.

* Gifting. Unless you bring (appropriate) gifts for everyone, some co-workers are bound to feel left out.

* Bringing guests. If the invitation isn't specific on who's invited -- including spouses, significant others, children, and pets -- either don't bring them, or check it out with the event planner.

What's Nice

If navigating the holiday party minefield is daunting, go anyway, experts say. "It will show you're a part of the team, and if you're absent it will be noticed," Klinkenberg says.

To make the most out of the event, use it to network. For the rules of the holiday schmooze, etiquette experts suggest:

* Mix and mingle. "You want to show you're good with people and confident in social situations, which is especially important if your job involves a lot of human interaction," according to Cynthia Lett, owner of the Lett Group. "This may be the one time when higher-ups in the company see your social skills, and a positive performance may give them enough ammo to recommend you when the promotion comes up."

* Keep it light. "It's OK to talk about your team's accomplishments, but don't bore everyone by bragging about your own," says Andrea R. Nierenberg, networking expert and president of the Nierenberg Group. Likewise, don't monopolize anyone's time with a complex dissertation of corporate strategy. Nierenberg suggests having a list of "small talk" topics in mind, or going to a company's website press page to find lighter, business-relevant conversation starters.

* Have an exit strategy. Knowing when to politely excuse yourself from a conversation and when to leave the party are two critical party-going skills. "You should instinctively know when it's right to move on to the next person, but when in doubt spend no more than seven minutes talking to someone," Nierenberg says. As for the amount of face time to spend, you don't have to stay the whole time, but a quick exit will be noticed. Conversely, don't stay until the bitter end; it may give the impression you're more party animal than professional.

* Be courteous. It's always a good idea to thank your party planner, and, especially if it's at a private residence, the host.

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Here We Come A-Networking

Use the Holidays to Make More Contacts
by Debra Davenport, for Yahoo! HotJobs


Just like you can never receive too many gifts at the holidays, you can never have too many contacts in your network. Being well-connected connotes success and influence -- the kind of cachet every serious professional seeks to achieve.

The holidays are a great time to build your list of influential contacts. Whether you're currently employed or searching for the perfect job, consider every invitation a chance to create new career-building relationships.

Here are several networking strategies that have proven successful:

* The best networking takes place at home. Inviting colleagues, prospects, clients, and contacts to your home establishes a more personal relationship. An invitation to your home also creates opportunities for reciprocal invitations and introductions to others' inner circle of contacts. Host a holiday open house, buffet, or afternoon tea. You don't have to impress by spending a lot of money. It's the invitation that counts.

* Give and you shall receive. Feeling altruistic this holiday season? Get involved with a charity. Volunteering leads to important connections and the development of relationships that are not just based on building business contacts, but on helping others.

* Don't assume. Don't reject invitations to events that seem like duds -- they often turn out to offer valuable networking opportunities. You never know who's going to be there. And, while it's possible you may connect with only one person, that connection could turn into a powerful, long-term relationship.

* Create your own networking opportunities. Start a holiday book club, a caroling troupe or a game night. Host a party to honor someone you admire, give an award or even create a scholarship program. There are countless ways of getting people together to enjoy the spirit of the season. All you need is one idea and an invitation.

* Use the Internet. Write a holiday blog or newsletter and e-mail it to your contacts. Include a "viral" element, such as a photo, video, news article, or original quote to prompt recipients to spread your message.

* Follow up with every person you meet. A handwritten note letting someone know you enjoyed meeting them is priceless today, and worth every minute. Your goal is to solidify your initial impression as a savvy professional -- and to be remembered.

* Use your business cards! Your business card is your best networking tool. Always have plenty on hand and don't be shy about handing them out. Include your card in your holiday mailings and attach them to business gifts. In between jobs? Personal "call me" cards printed with your name, descriptor (e.g., "Sales and Marketing Specialist"), and contact information are the perfect tool for self-promotion. Note: If you're employed but on the job hunt, it's proper protocol to use your personal cards rather than your company business cards.

Most importantly, remember that the holidays are a time of giving. Put the needs of others first while you're working the room. Benevolence is the greatest attribute of any job-seeker, regardless of the season.

Debra Davenport is president of DavenportFolio, a licensed firm with offices in Phoenix and Los Angeles that provides career counseling, Certified Professional Mentoring, professional employment placement and executive search services. She is the creator of the Certified Professional Mentor(R) designation, and you can contact her at debra@davenportfolio.com.

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Playing Against Type

Myers-Briggs Profiles Help You Assess Your Boss
by Deborah Geering, Porfolio.com


Recognizing the Myers-Briggs personality types of your boss or business partners can help you get what you want in your career.

Leaders are easy to recognize: They're TJs.

"The T is their preference for thinking that leads them to look at the logical consequences of all the alternatives that they face. The J, the judging, comes in and helps them get that organization to fulfill that decision -- to operationalize it and to implement it," says Allen Hammer, a consultant at Manfredo Curtis Associates, which advises companies on how to get the most out of their employees. For Hammer, helping others spot and work effectively with a TJ can mean the difference between an initiative's succeeding or failing.

Welcome to the coded world of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, the system of identifying personality characteristics along four dimensions that can predict the choices people make and how they will interact with others. The types, scored with a letter and used in combinations of four, indicate various qualities, such as judging (J) and thinking (T). Knowing the personality type of a supervisor or a business partner can aid in securing a promotion, closing a deal, or inspiring the next great idea.

"It gives you a sort of advantage over others because you are able to flex your own style to interact with the other person," says executive coach Linda Burrs.

If you're faced with a fact-oriented, so-called sensing type (S), for example, your best move in selling an idea might be to create an impressive PowerPoint presentation. "Sensing types like to see all the facts and details concisely presented," says Betsy Styron, president and C.E.O. of the Center for Applications of Psychological Type in Gainesville, Florida. But the same presentation might fall flat with an intuitive type (N), who prefers to make decisions based on gut feelings.

Although there's no way to really know another person's MB type short of making them take the 93-question diagnostic test themselves, most successful executives tend to cluster around a few major personality types. And you can identify their weaknesses as well as their strengths. While TJs excel at important leadership tasks such as risk taking and goal setting, they're typically not as good at building consensus. "They sometimes come across as too cold, too logical, and too objective," says Hammer.

Fortunately, the business world tends to center on four of the 16 possible MB types. Here are the ones to know and how best to handle them.

ENTJ -- Donald Trump

Donald Trump is a classic example of an ENTJ (Extroverted, iNtuitive, Thinking, Judging), which describes a leader who cuts a commanding profile. "Big picture" people, they have a vision that is results-oriented, and hold themselves and others to high standards. They are unforgiving about deadlines, make firm decisions, and see themselves as confident, innovative organizers. They are also prone to discuss ideas extensively or just think out loud -- but such statements shouldn't be mistaken for firm directives.

INTJ -- Bill Gates

Bill Gates is likely an INTJ (Introverted, iNtuitive, Thinking, Judging), according to Ross Reinhold, a consultant who operates Personalitypathways.com. Innovative and independent, Gates and his ilk value competence and self-sufficiency. They have a knack for reducing complexities to their most basic, and for finding efficient ways to improve processes. Unlike ENTJs, INTJs come across as restrained, an image that often reflects their skepticism and lack of emotion in decisionmaking. Although open-minded, they quickly discard unworkable solutions -- sometimes with sarcasm.

ESTJ -- Martha Stewart

Analytical and systematic thinkers, ESTJs (Extroverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judging) value order -- sometimes to the extreme. Martha Stewart, a natural ESTJ, has made a career of it. Like ENTJs, people of this type are also confident decision-makers, but unlike ENTJs, INTJs are more focused on process than vision. How you do something may matter more than what it's about.

ISTJ -- Warren Buffett

ISTJs (Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judging) are excellent managers of facts and details. They thrive in hierarchical structures and value consistency and common sense. Although they appreciate hard workers, they can be impatient for results, and they tend to not value innovation as much as execution. Many consider Warren Buffett to be an archetypal ISTJ because of his conservative approach to investing. Thoroughly researched, written plans in which risks are identified and assessed are likely to be well-received by these managers.

Portfolio.com. Copyright 2007 Conde Nast Inc. All rights reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy.

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The New World of Job Interviews

by Doug White, Robert Half International


The employment interview isn't what it used to be. While the vast majority of interviews are the standard face-to-face variety, technological advancements have made it possible for employers and applicants to connect quickly in other ways.

Some hiring managers conduct phone interviews during the early phases of candidate searches; others may request you meet via videoconference if you live far away. And, yes, certain companies even hold virtual job fairs.

Following are tips for success when participating in non-traditional job interviews.

The Phone Interview

Minimize distractions. Conduct the call from a quiet, private setting. You won't impress hiring managers if they hear loud pets, honking horns, or your clicking keyboard in the background. If possible, use a landline (which is often more reliable than cellular phones), and disable the call-waiting function.

Speak up. Because the interviewer can't read your facial reactions or body language, verbalize your thoughts. After the hiring manager completes a thought, say something like, "Yes, that aspect of the job sounds appealing" to keep the discussion moving. Speak with confidence and enthusiasm.

Have supplies handy. Keep your resume and cover letter at arm's length, as well as any company research you've collected. You also might prepare a bulleted list of speaking points or questions. Make sure a pen and pad are nearby for taking notes.

The Videoconference Interview

Mock it up. It's intimidating to be interviewed on camera. Calm jittery nerves by doing a trial run with a friend or family member. Record the mock interview and study areas where you can improve. Did you look at the camera, or did your eyes dart nervously around the room? Did you exhibit good posture or slouch? Rehearsing will help ensure you're polished at showtime.

Beware of busy backgrounds. Most video interviews are conducted at a videoconference site, your recruiter's workplace or an employer's satellite office. Wherever you are, remain the focal point by clearing the table of clutter. If you do the interview from home, choose a professional-looking, well-lit setting. In addition, make sure your computer's webcam and microphone are working properly a day in advance.

Dress to impress. Dress as nicely as you would for an on-site visit. And don't assume you'll only be visible from the shoulders up. More than a few jacket-clad candidates have unexpectedly been seated at see-through glass tables or stood up to reveal fashion faux pas such as jeans or shorts.

The Virtual Interview

Wear appropriate avatar apparel. An avatar is a computer-generated icon you create to represent yourself online. If you attend a virtual job fair on Second Life, a popular online community, for instance, your avatar should look professional. You don't necessarily need to don a virtual suit for an "in-world" corporate recruiting event, but don't show up as a flashy nightclub-goer, space alien, or vampire.

Message with care. When communicating via instant message on Second Life, focus on accuracy, not speed. Hiring managers will likely forgive a typo or two, but making a series of grammatical goofs will cause them to question your writing skills and attention to detail. Take a moment to proofread your message and steer clear of emoticons and cyber slang.

No matter what the meeting format, always send a thank-you note to those with whom you interview. Even when communicating with a hiring manager using high-tech tools, a traditional handwritten letter of appreciation will be well received.

Robert Half International is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 350 offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. For more information about our professional services, please visit rhi.com.

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Gift-Giving Guidelines for Colleagues, Clients

by Caroline Levchuck, Yahoo! HotJobs


The holidays can be the most wonderful -- or perilous -- time of year when you factor in giving gifts in and around the office. How much should you spend? What's in? What's out?

You can take the guesswork out of buying presents with a little bit of thought and a lot of expert advice.

Personalized, But Not Too Personal

Personalizing presents is de rigueur this year. Ella Goldin, the owner of Chic Inspiration, a Manhattan-based personal shopping consulting firm, advises her corporate clients, "It really is the thought that counts, so be sure to put thought into it." Goldin urges gift givers to think carefully about the recipient and what he or she enjoys.

Gifts need not be extravagant. In fact, Goldin says, spending too much, especially on a gift for your boss, may be inappropriate. "You don't want to look like you're trying to curry favor rather than spread good cheer. Set a budget and stick to it."

Food gifts and alcohol are popular gift categories. Items such as monogrammed golf balls for an avid golfer or even a hard-to-get reservation at a hot restaurant are thoughtful yet affordable options.

While personalizing gifts is important, make certain you avoid getting too personal. "You don't want to offend anyone so use caution when giving a 'funny' present," she says. Your associates might not share your sense of humor.

Leave out the Logos

"Gifts are a great opportunity to show your clients that you know them," Goldin suggests, "and that you appreciate and understand them." Giving a thoughtful present also gives you something to talk about with clients that's not necessarily business-related. She says, "A fabulous present is a conversation starter."

Remember that while you're showing appreciation you should avoid showing off your brand -- so don't brand your gifts. Goldin, who's been a professional personal shopper for more than seven years, says, "When somebody gives you a great gift, you always remember whom it's from. You don't need to put a logo on it." Goldin adds, "Presents with logos on them can seem tacky and impersonal."

Save promotional materials and presents for another time of year, such as your company's anniversary.

Presenting Your Present

Goldin also coaches clients on presenting their gifts. "I've heard so many people downplay a present before the recipient has even opened it. They'll say, 'Oh, it's just a small gift.'" Big mistake, especially when you've put effort into it. Instead, suggests the present expert, "Present your gift with confidence and poise. Say, 'I bought you this gift and I hope you enjoy it.'"

Saying Thanks

And if you receive a gift, "Always write a heartfelt, handwritten thank you note any time someone gives you a present," she says. Goldin also recommends thank-you notes over last-minute reciprocal gifts. "It can be awkward and obvious if you give someone a random gift. A letter expressing your gratitude is much more appropriate."

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Overeating on the Job

Watch out for Snack Platters and Food Pushers
by Heather Boerner, for Yahoo! Hot Jobs


Between coworker birthday cakes, shared holiday-party leftovers, staff meetings with Danishes, and pizza-fueled late-night work sessions, it's easy to blow your diet while on the job. But it doesn't have to be.

"People are most successful in healthy eating when they can control their environment, as opposed to being in a negative environment and trying to control themselves," says nutritionist Katherine Tallmadge, author of "Diet Simple."

Take Control

Figure out which food temptations you can control.

If you're the boss, you can tell the person who orders food to bring a platter of fruit instead of cookies to the staff meeting, and ask your staff to stash junk food in drawers.

Not the boss? No problem. Consider these tips:

* Join the office snack committee. "Lobby for fresh fruits and veggies instead of baked goods," says Tallmadge.

* Plan ahead. If your office doesn't have a snack committee, or you don't want to be on it, you can still ask ahead what food will be provided for this week's late-night work session or staff meeting.

"Lots of people have to do this -- diabetics, people with food allergies, vegetarians -- so don't feel self-conscious," counsels Elisabetta Politi, a dietitian and nutrition manager at the Duke University Diet and Fitness Center.

* Share the health. Be an example to coworkers and set out a bowl of fruit on your desk and invite others to enjoy it. It could start a healthy trend, according to Tallmadge.

* Talk to coworkers. You may not have authority, but you can still ask coworkers to stash their candy and junk food in their drawers instead of leaving it out. Most people won't mind, says Politi.

Resist Food Pushers

You may run into resistance from people who not only won't comply with your requests, but will also undermine your diet by actively tempting you with food you don't want.

With these food pushers, your best bet is to not engage.

"When you tell a food pusher you can't have something, that you're on a diet, you're giving a double message -- you're saying, 'I really want it, talk me into it,'" Tallmadge says. "It's always best to simply say, 'No, thank you,' and then compliment lavishly the food she brings that is healthy."

The situation could be more difficult if the food pusher is a friend, and you used to eat junk food together. Politi advises that you two focus on the things you can do together that don't involve food.

"It's not about giving up friendships," she says. "Go for a walk with her and have meals with people who make healthy choices."

Be Flexible

Finally, the biggest challenge to a dieter's will power often comes from an all-or-nothing attitude, Politi warns. So don't fall into it.

"Look at it in perspective: You have 21 meals in every week," she says. "A few slices of birthday cake a month are no big deal. Most people have at least two meals a day they can control. Focus on that."

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Networking for the Shy

by Heather Boerner, for Yahoo! HotJobs


If you're shy, it can be easy to think that you can bypass having to meet new people -- that is, networking -- by doing outstanding work. Not so, says Meghan Wier, author of "Confessions of an Introvert: The Shy Girl's Guide to Career, Networking and Getting the Most Out of Life."

"If you're not looking to move up or learn anything new, then by all means avoid networking," she said. "But if you want to bring more to your job and expand your career in any way, then it helps an awful lot to know the right people."

The good news is that networking doesn't mean glad-handing 100 strangers at a mixer.

Get Practice

Online networking sites like LinkedIn are a great way to stick a toe in the networking water, said Wier. But don't stop there.

Inch into it: Identify a few people you'd like to meet professionally. Email them an introduction. Next, move up to calling them. Then, arrange an in-person meeting, says Wier. By the time you meet, you'll be prepared to talk to them.

Go One-on-One

If big groups terrify you, arrange individual meetings. Grab your professional organization's member directory and set up coffee appointments with members, asking for guidance.

At these meetings, you can practice your quick self-promotional message -- what you do, why you love it, and where you want to go next -- and practice asking questions about the other person's business. After a while, answering and asking questions will seem normal.

And remember: You many not be the only shy person in the room. Your business date may welcome a chance for low-pressure networking.

Then, when you see your business date at a networking event, he won't be a stranger.

Get a Job

"One of the biggest negatives for shy people (at networking events) is they can be perceived as unfriendly or aloof," says Diane Darling, president of Boston-based Effective Networking.

Send a different message. Volunteer for a job at the event: Hand out nametags, offer to help people find things, or put away people's coats.

Be the Hook-Up

"As a shy person, I don't like it to be about me," says Wier. "So I like to consider myself a goodwill ambassador. If I meet someone who needs an electrician, I can say, 'I know someone who's an electrician. Have you talked to that person?' Then it becomes less about me and more about connecting people."

Once you impress others as helpful, they're more inclined to help you.

"It's good networking karma," she said. "The person you meet may not be the one who gets you a new job, but maybe the people she knows will."

Cut Your Losses

Finally, once you've hit your limit, there's no shame in making a graceful exit.

"As an introverted person, after a while you'll get exhausted and forcing it is just going to make you miserable," Wier says. "Go home and conquer another day."

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Jobs Available Online Now - Make Thousands of Dollars Easily From Your Home Working Only a Few Hours

I don't understand why people keep trying to find jobs offline, while thousands of dollars could be made online without having to leave you home? I just don't get it! Millions of folks spend many hours blogging or searching through the internet and then, they go out to a miserable paying 9 to 5 job. Why not make money online from your computer?

There are many different ways you can make money online, working from the comfort of your home. Here are the 3 basics platforms:

1.- You can work for somebody else as an employed

2.- You can work as a freelancer or self-employed

3.- You can work for yourself and build your own business

Let's analyze each one of the alternatives and their advantages and disadvantages:

Working for somebody else as an employed:

How does this work:

Working online for somebody else is like working offline a regular job, but you will do it from the comfort of your home. You will work for certain amount of hours or for a specific task and you will be basically paid a predetermined amount of money.

Advantage

Working online for somebody else or for a company have the advantage that you will have a steady stream of income coming to you in a predetermine basis, just as an offline job.

Disadvantage:

The amount of money that you could make is limited for your abilities and for the amount of time that you are willing to spend in from of your computer.

Working as a freelancer or self-employed:

How does it work?

Working as a freelancer is like working as an offline contractor. You will not be an employed, but you will do work for different people or companies for a predetermine amount of money. You will set your price and the job that you take will be decided by you.

Advantage:

You own your time. You work when you want and do the kind of work that you want to do. This kind of work could be very profitable and enjoyable because you generally will be doing what you choose to do; usually what you like and what you enjoy doing.

Disadvantage:

As a freelancer; the amount of money that you make it is still limited. The money you make will directly depend on the amount of work that you provide, so to keep making money continuously, you will have to keep taking jobs continuously.

Working for yourself and build your own business:

This mean you will build an internet business from the ground up; from scratch.

Advantages:

The advantages of working for yourself on the internet are countless and obviously we won't have space in this article to talk about all, so I will just mention a few:

You can basically start it up without any investment at all and you can work as many or as few hours as you want to.

The business that you build will be your business to profit from, to sell for thousands of dollars, or to do whatever you want with it. This is the king of endeavor that can really bring you financial freedom because when you build an online business is like building an asset from which you profit from in the present and in the future.

The money you can make is limitless; you can make from a few hundred a month to hundreds of thousands dollars every single month. Yes, I know guys that are making way above $100,000 every single month from their home using only their computer.

You set your time and your hours and once your business is up and running it will basically run in autopilot; that means that even if you stop working the money will still be flowing to your bank account.

Disadvantages:

It is pretty easy to build an online empire and you don't need to have any special skill or know-how; but of course, you have to learn how things work through a home training program or home study course. You will have to go through a learning curve and you have to learn from the people who are already making money.

It seems obvious, but you'll be surprised how many folks try to build online businesses all by themselves, evidently, they always fail. So you will definitely have to invest a few dollars in a sound and reliable internet marketing program; free information will not do it.

Your success will depend directly in the effort and dedication you put in your business and you will have to work your way up to success. There are not quick riches online; you will have to work many hours at first but the rewards could be astronomical.

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The Perfect Position - Rockin' Resumes (Part II of II)

In "Rockin' Resumes, Part I," we talked about pre-resume planning: compiling a list of your past jobs and job-releated activities and writing down as many achievements and accolades as you could think of. You know how to avoid common mistakes, and you're feeling pretty darn good about all of your accomplishments. Now it's time to put that information to work.

Step 3: Customize to maximize results

Now that you've got all of the pieces of your resume together, it's time to decide how you want to present them. The two basic formats are chronological, which is pretty self-explanatory, and functional, which focuses more on what you've done and the skills you possess rather than where you did what and for how long.

If you're just starting out and don't have a long work history, a functional resume is probably where you want to be. If, on the other hand, you have some solid professional experience under your belt, chronological might be best for highlighting your accomplishments and showing a clear progression of your strengths.

Regardless of which format you decide to use, you will need to create a basic resume that includes - you guessed it - the basic info that every employer will want to see: your contact information, your educational background, a note that references are available on request, and any professional experience that you feel is relevant to any job you may apply for. Once you have these elements in place, it's time to pick and choose the specific experiences and skills you bring to the table to really wow a potential boss. This is where your bank of accolades and accomplishments comes in handy.

Pitfall 3: Don't send the same resume to everyone

Each job you apply to is different, and each requires a slightly different approach. Sure, you could create a standard resume that gives an overview of who you are and what you can do, but general resumes generally end up in the circular file with the rest of the general resumes. Employers want to see why you are the absolutely perfect person for the job, and tailoring your resume to show them what they want to see is key to getting an interview.

Step 4: Personality plus

Now that you've got a basic resume and some tailored resumes put together for your various applications, it's time for the fun stuff. This is when you get to pick out the fancy-schmancy paper and envelopes and decide on a font and layout for your resume. There are definitely some standards to follow when it comes to putting your resume on paper: use a simple font face in a readable size, use a laser printer for higher quality (you can e-mail your resume to Kinko's and they'll print it out and have it waiting for you!), and always, always, ALWAYS proofread your resume before you print it, and again before you send it out.

You want your resume to be highly readable, so think about how you can us margins, bullets, and bold and italics to break up the space and present your information. Your resume should stand out not only for what's in it, but also for how it looks. Don't be afraid to be a little creative within the traditional conventions of a resume. And if you have a little extra space, go ahead and include some personal information such as organizations you belong to, citations of your published writing, awards you've won, etc. Remember, the goal is to highlight your strengths, not to provide a job description for every position you've held in the last 5 years.

Pitfall 4: Don't over-personalize

Here's a great example of over-personalizing: If you're applying for a job that requires a lot of writing, your blog may be a great way to introduce your boss-to-be to your writing skills - a perfect personal addition to your resume - but only if you wouldn't be embarrassed for your mom, your boyfriend's grandma, and your priest to read it. Political essays, fiction and nonfiction writing can work in your favor. However, if you wax poetic about your nights on the town as a woman of intrigue and mystery (and booze and boys...), it's best to keep your personal stuff personal.

Writing your resume can be a lot of fun if you give yourself the opportunity to enjoy it. Your resume should be a reflection of your personality as well as a reflection of your accomplishments, so take the time to put your spin on it and make sure it gives the impression you want - and that interview will be right around the corner.

* This article originally appeared in desire Los Angeles in July 2005.

Kristen King

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The Right Way to Resign

How to Leave Your Job in Good Standing
by Caroline Levchuck, Yahoo! HotJobs


After you've landed a new job, the excitement of starting something new may be accompanied by anxiety and guilt over leaving the familiar and perhaps some good friends, too. Even if you're leaving mostly enemies behind, it's still a good idea to leave your job in good standing.

Corporate alumni associations are sprouting up all over the Fortune 500, at companies including GE, Procter & Gamble, and Yum! Brands, and it's in your best interest to be a part of these burgeoning professional networks. In fact, if you handle your transition properly, your former employers may even view your ascension elsewhere as a PR asset.

"Whatever the circumstances are around your departure, keep your mind on the big picture and don't do anything that could come back to haunt you," says career coach Deborah Brown-Volkman.

She recommends three steps for wrapping things up at your old job and departing with a pat on the back from your boss.

1. Write down everything you do and how it all gets done.

Forget job descriptions. They rarely tell us precisely what an individual does day-to-day or reveal the "It's not really my job, but I kind of do it anyway" responsibilities that grace any worker's plate each week. Also, in an age of zero redundancy at many companies, you cannot rely on even your supervisor to understand what it is you do and how you go about doing it.

Brown-Volkman says, "Often a boss feels like, 'I don't know what this person does -- I only know she can't leave!'"

So, do your boss and colleagues right by creating an exhaustive list of everything you handle, along with detailed instructions on how to handle it. Your coworkers will appreciate you for having this thorough document -- and for having done so much during your tenure.

2. Remain until you train the new you.

Two weeks' notice may be the minimum an employer requests, but most companies will appreciate a more lengthy lead-time so that you can help train your replacement. If you do so, your boss will be indebted to you. You're also sending a message that you want your former coworkers and employer to succeed.

Brown-Volkman, author of "Coach Yourself to a New Career," adds, "It's hard to give a lot of notice because your next employer may be waiting anxiously for you to start, and many people want to take a week off between jobs." However, she urges departing workers, "Spend as much time as you can with your replacement or colleagues who will be temporarily handling your workload. Train them so they've got it down cold."

Also, tap your own network for a potential replacement. You may even be eligible for a finder's fee if you refer the right person for the job.

3. Wish everyone well when you leave.

Brown-Volkman advises all her clients, "It's important to complete with your former coworkers on your last day." Give everyone a heartfelt farewell and say a few words of encouragement and appreciation to all your colleagues. "Even if you don't like someone, bury the hatchet. It takes a big person to do that, but you never know when you'll meet this individual again."

Also, she points out that former coworkers are the best candidates to join your professional network. "You will always have common ground with these folks. They're easy to stay in touch with. There will always be some bit of news or gossip you can bond over, and that makes it less awkward to pick up the phone and chat."

"All of this really is for the future, the big picture," she adds. "You could end up working for some of these people. You may need a favor. You just don't know, so make sure you leave on the best possible terms."

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Tips to Starting a Small Business

Before starting a business it is wise to take the time to plan. A business plan is the most important document you will compose and it should be well thought out. Your plan may change over time, but the basics will keep you on the right track to making your business a success. You may have the passion to start a business and that passion and vision are only a part of what it takes.

1. Write a business plan that addresses your resources, capital needs, marketing plan, budget and how to differentiate you firm from others.

2. Do a competitive analysis. Where are the competitors? Are you better and what is the value proposition that makes you faster, cheaper or state of the art?

3. When businesses fail they fail in part because of a lack of planning. Run scenarios and use different assumptions on sales and expenses to ensure you have staying power

4. Use a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats ) to help you assess the business strategy and its pitfalls.

5. Do a PEST analysis to stay abreast of how or what the Political, Economic, Social and Technological environments can affect your business. Example: Is there a local ordinance or law that you have to comply with? Do you understand all the regulations regarding your business such as sales tax, business license, and how your firm's ownership structure can impact your compliance with taxes?

6. Remember you are not alone...seek an experienced and certified coach to help you unlock your potential, be a sounding board to your ideas, and keep a positive perspective.

Key Pointe Coaching works with companies to unlock the potential of their greatest asset, their employees. We offer coaching to all management and executive levels as well as leadership training courses.

Candice Shehorn

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5 Tips for Getting Your Way Without Authority

by Margaret Steen, for Yahoo! HotJobs


In today's team-based work world, success depends not only on the quality of your work but on your ability to get others to work with you. This is not always easy, especially when you need to enlist the cooperation of your boss, a peer, or even a potential customer.

"Everybody has to influence beyond their formal authority," said Steve Levin, an executive coach who teaches a course for leaders called "Powerful Conversations."

Experts offer five tips for persuading even when you don't have authority:

1. Know what's in it for you.

What is the larger purpose for asking your colleague to call a potential customer for you, or your boss to offer his support for your project?

Make sure you can answer, "For the sake of what?" about each request, Levin said. Is the goal to keep a key customer happy? To save the company money?

2. Know why you're asking.

You don't need to spell out an exact exchange each time you ask someone for help. But you do need to understand what the other person's goals are, and frame your request in a way that shows how that person will benefit.

If you ask a colleague to call one of your accounts, your colleague could say, "It's your customer -- why do I care?" And you need an answer, such as, "Retaining this customer will enhance our reputation in the marketplace, and that affects all of us," Levin said.

3. Tailor your request to your audience.

Some people are best persuaded with a lot of data; others respond better if you tie what you want to a big-picture goal.

"Communicate with the person the way they want to be communicated with," said Glenn Parker, a team-building consultant in Princeton, N.J. and author of "Team Players and Teamwork: New Strategies for Developing Successful Collaboration."

4. Ask for a commitment.

Often, meetings with colleagues have "a lot of discussion and not a lot of clarity" about who is to do what, Parker said. If you're asking for help from people who don't work for you, you need to be especially careful that everyone understands who has committed to what.

Casually asking, "Can you pay extra attention to this client?" may get your colleague to say yes, but she may not be committed to doing anything differently, Levin said. A more precise request, such as, "Will you call this client before the end of the day?" is more likely to elicit a "meaningful yes."

And don't worry that a specific request will make it easy for the person to say no. "We actually want them to say no, if no is their answer," Levin said.

5. Be fearless.

Many people "give up before they try" to influence beyond their authority, Levin said. But don't assume that others won't listen. Instead, remember why you're asking: You want to help the company keep a customer, or implement an innovative cost-saving measure.

If you're asking for selfish reasons, you probably won't be successful anyway. But if you're asking "on behalf of something larger" than yourself, Levin said, "that's exactly what every leader wants people to do. That's called taking initiative."

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Beat the Post-Vacation Blues Before They Begin

Strategies for Getting Back to Work After Going Away
by Caroline Potter, Yahoo! HotJobs


Summer vacations -- or vacations taken at any time of year -- are good for business. Workers get to recharge their batteries with rest and relaxation, and their employers usually reap the benefits. But no matter how much you love your job and how much you unwind on your vacation, you still may feel anxious about your initial return to work.

Why? Blame it on a backlog. According to a new survey from The Creative Group, one third of respondents claimed to dread getting back to the daily grind because of "the work awaiting their return." However, half of those surveyed admitted that vacations made them feel happy and refreshed. So how can you keep your post-vacation afterglow upon re-entry to the professional world? Use the tips below to reduce the work that will accumulate in your absence and enjoy the lasting effects of your time away.

Help Someone Else Step Up

Do you know someone who's waiting for an opportunity to spread her wings? Maybe a junior team member or an assistant has been chomping at the bit for a chance to move up. Megan Slabinski, executive director of The Creative Group, reveals, "High-potential employees who are being considered for management roles may welcome the chance to prove themselves while their supervisors are away."

To help your new protege be most effective, she advises professionals to "ensure their second-in-command understands the resources available and has a good framework for making decisions." Take time to bring your charge up to speed so she will succeed in your stead.

Spread the Word

You can put out fires and lessen your load while you're out of town with the push of a button (or two). Says Slabinski, "Leave outgoing messages on your email and voicemail to let others know you are away and whom to contact in your absence." Not only will this immediately direct people to connect with your newly named second-in-command, but, adds Slabinski, it "will reduce the number of calls and messages you must attend to on your return."

(Enabling an auto-response with Yahoo! Mail takes only a few moments and a couple of clicks. Learn how here.)

In Case of Emergency

If there's a pressing issue or pending deal that you need to be involved with even if you're away, say so. Addressing a problem as it arises could save you time and heartache when you're back at work. However, warns Slabinski, "Clearly communicate if and when you want to be contacted about business matters while you're away to help minimize disruptions and ensure a peaceful break." Setting boundaries ahead of time will make sure you're not being bothered unnecessarily.

Hire Extra Help

You're probably not the only person in your department or even on your team who's taking a vacation this summer. So why not make life easier for everyone by bringing in some hired guns on a temporary basis?

"Hiring freelancers to augment your team during staff vacations can prevent remaining employees from becoming overburdened," says Slabinski. It will also keep the work that awaits you to a minimum.

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5 Lifestyle Activities That Can Get You Fired

by Larry Buhl, for Yahoo! HotJobs


Can having a bacon double cheeseburger and a cigarette put your job at risk? Maybe. It may sound surprising, but many off-the-job actions and lifestyles could put your job in jeopardy.

Fair Game?

Employment experts point out five key areas that a company may scrutinize:

• Smoking, drinking, and overeating. Due to the cost of health insurance, more and more employers view "unhealthy" habits as a threat to their bottom line.
• Risky behavior. Likewise, a company might see your bungee jumping hobby as a liability.
• Speech. Will your employer consider your blogging to be destructive griping?
• Romantic relationships. Dating someone at a competitor's company has landed employees in hot water. And some employers might take issue with unmarried coupling or even same-sex relationships (federal law doesn't protect employees from discrimination based on real or perceived sexual orientation).
• Political activity. Volunteering for Obama could be trouble if you have a pro-McCain boss, and vice versa.

Job- or industry-specific behaviors can lead to termination as well. A Ford worker who drives a Toyota is probably safe -- unless he or she is president of Ford. But a bank employee who bounces a personal check could get the boot.

Cause or Just Because

If these reasons for termination seem unfair, they must be illegal, right? Not necessarily. Just because most employers don't let valued employees loose for off-the-job activities and lifestyles, doesn't mean they can't.

"Most workers in the private sector don't understand that, unless they live in Montana and Arizona, their job is at-will," Paul Secunda, an assistant professor of law at the University of Mississippi, told Yahoo! HotJobs. "At-will means an employee can be fired for good cause or no cause at all," Secunda said.

Federal job protections include gender, race, religion, and national origin, as well as disability. "Some state laws forbid discrimination on other bases, including sexual orientation, or status as a smoker," said Rick Bales, a professor at Northern Kentucky University/Chase College of Law. Smokers in the tobacco-growing state of Kentucky, for example, are safe from termination, he said.

Don't Be Fooled

Although union members and public sector (government) workers generally have more protections, employees in the private sector -- the bulk of the U.S. workforce -- can be fired at any time, and usually without recourse.

"Unless you were fired because you are a member of a protected class under federal law, or under another state statute, it's likely not illegal," said Kimberly Malerba, an associate who litigates employment cases with Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, P.C., a law firm on Long Island, New York.

The good news is that most companies don't go out of their way to snoop into employees' lives, Malerba told Yahoo HotJobs. "A company is most concerned with (off-the-job) behaviors that directly conflict with business interests."

5 Tips to Consider

Legal experts have advice for protecting your job from unexpected dangers:

• Understand the concept of at-will employment. Don't assume that termination must be illegal just because you think it was unfair.
• Be fully aware of your company's policies and terms of employment. Read the employee handbook, and ask HR if you have any questions.
• Be familiar with the company's internal dispute mechanisms (if any) for filing grievances.
• Think before you act. Could your employer see your actions off the job as potentially destructive to the company?
• Don't disclose. "You don't have to disclose lifestyle choices or off-the-clock activities unless there is a clear link to your ability to perform the job," Secunda said.

"My general advice is, don't do anything on your own time that, if reported in the local paper, would reflect poorly on you or your employer," Bales told Yahoo! HotJobs.


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How to Take Your Career International

These are the hottest markets for an overseas career.
by JoVon Sotak, FindtheRightSchool.com

You like what you do, but your job has become a little, well, blah. Or maybe you're just getting started in your career. Why not go international? If the idea of a new career overseas, or expanding your current career beyond U.S. borders, sounds appealing, read on to find out what sectors are hot in the international market--and which skills you need to go global.

What's hot
Juan Morales, the managing director for Stanton Chase International's Miami office (Stanton Chase builds management teams for companies throughout the world), says that several sectors are making a comeback, even sectors like finance, where the outlook has until recently been "dismal." "Overall, globally, consumer products, financial services, and life sciences are where we're seeing growth. The logistics and transportation sector is starting to come back. A lot of that has to do with industrialization in other countries and the movement of goods. Technology is also making a come back in terms of growth," says Morales.

Where's hot
Professionals in the know agree that China is hot. ABC News recently reported that China's economy is now the world's second largest and is growing at a rate of 9.3 percent, compared with economic growth of 3.8 percent in the United States. Morales says sectors to watch in China include luxury consumer products and financial services. There is also demand for top-level sales people who can speak Chinese.

Duncan McCampbell, of McCampbell Global in Minneapolis, a business consultancy that helps American businesses find overseas growth opportunities, notes that a rapidly growing middle class in China is fueling the leisure industries. More-esoteric professionals, such as museum curators and travel agents, are also in demand, as are commercial property managers.

According to Morales, these places and industries are also worthy of your attention:

The Czech Republic is showing growth and is in need of senior management to take on leadership roles and manage growing companies.

The financial-services and consumer-products markets in Dubai are growing.

Africa, particularly Lagos and Johannesburg, have industrial- and consumer-product industry growth, in addition to banking.

Consumer-products and financial sectors in Australia are also growing.

The economy in Brazil is "dynamic" and is experiencing growth in just about every sector including finance, operations, sales, and human resources.

Language barriers?
Working in another country raises the issues of language. America has been considered almost chronically monolingual, but that may be shifting. According to an April 2010 report from the U.S. Census Bureau, a lot more people are speaking a language other than English at home. That number has more than doubled in the past 30 years--and is rising at a pace four times faster than the nation's population growth.

Though English has been and continues to be the international language of business, professionals working in other countries frequently need to be able to communicate with coworkers and with customers. Lynne Sarikas, executive director of the MBA Career Center at Northeastern University in Boston, said that language competency can be a challenge when helping MBA graduates find international employment. "When there are students who have those language skills, they are in high demand," says Sarikas, who also noted that South America's job market is largely "untapped."

If you're considering an international job search, knowledge of language, as well as cultural customs, employment law, and visa requirements, can be crucial. According to Morales, "the little nuances of culture can make or break [an individual's] success in that environment. The world doesn't revolve around the U.S. any more. Cultural sensitivity is something people need to be aware of if they want to be successful in their careers in global or international kinds of roles."

Going global
If you need to take a little time to prepare for an international move, and your current company doesn't have any international offices, keep your eyes on jobs with companies that do. Sarikas recommends that her school's MBA graduates work in a company's U.S. office before going abroad, so that they can learn the company culture and make some internal contacts. Also, try to get on a project team so that you can get international exposure and build up your experience, recommends Morales. If you're not ready to strike now when these countries' sectors are hot, you can be ready when sectors in other countries come around.

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Recruiter Roundtable: The First 10 Minutes

by Yahoo! HotJobs


The Recruiter Roundtable is a monthly feature that collects career and job-seeking advice from a group of recruiting experts throughout the United States. The question we put before our panel this month is:

Many recruiters and hiring managers make hiring decisions within the first 10 minutes of meeting a candidate. What practical advice or tips would you give to job applicants to make sure they make the best possible impression in the first 10 minutes of an interview?

Project Enthusiasm Right Away

Applicants should know the interview begins as soon as they arrive at the employer's office, making it imperative for them to project enthusiasm and confidence from the moment they walk in the door. The fact that employers form opinions of candidates so quickly places additional importance on the more subtle points of interviews, such as giving a firm handshake, maintaining eye contact, and practicing good posture. In addition to providing strong responses to a hiring manager's questions, candidates must project enthusiasm and a professional demeanor from the outset of the discussion.
-- Paul McDonald, executive director of Robert Half Management Resources

Dress It Up

I haven't found that (i.e., making decisions in 10 minutes) to be true, and we've been focusing on training our managers to gather all the facts before they make their decision. Having said that, we're all human, so I would recommend candidates dress for success. Over-dress rather than under-dress; especially in our business environment, give a firm handshake, and use eye contact.
-- Erin Erickson, recruiter, regional banking, Wells Fargo

Prepare With Examples

The core lesson many recruiting experts advise interviewers is to not make any decisions about a candidate within the first 30 minutes of an interview. Yet, we all know that we make instant judgments when we meet people.

What we've seen as a very efficient way for a candidate to impress any interviewer is to thoroughly prepare for an interview. For instance, if you are a graphic artist, come with samples of your work. Similarly, if you are in sales, be prepared to present details of your performance from the past couple of years.
-- Yves Lermusi, CEO, Checkster

Clean Your Fingernails

Many hiring managers go on first impression and spend the rest of the interview justifying their decision. First impression is everything. Learn as much as possible about the hiring manager and the people you are meeting with before the interview. It's always a good ice-breaker to mention some of your common interests or ties and let the conversation naturally slide into the interview. Engage the interviewer in conversation. Appearance has a lot to do with that first impression, too -- dress smart and appropriate for the interview and position. I've seen perfectly capable and qualified candidates rejected because they forgot to polish their shoes or came in with dirty fingernails.

If the hiring manager is conducting an in-person interview, they have usually already seen your resume and have a good feel for your qualifications. The first 10 minutes is more about the "culture" fit than the qualifications.
-- Lindsay Olson, partner, Paradigm Staffing

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Are You and Your Boss Compatible?

Tips for Working With Different Boss Personality Types
by Bridget Quigg and Lydia West, PayScale.com


Every relationship has its own set of issues -- even, and maybe especially, the relationship you have with your boss. The secret is discovering the best ways to work with your particular boss and all the preferences and personality traits they bring to the table.

Whether your boss is a charming hand-shaker or prefers spreadsheets to people, we have some advice on how to create the best possible working relationship with the person who holds the fate of your paycheck in their hands.

Boss Type: The Performer

New client dropping by in five minutes? Sounds great! Last-minute presentation? No problem! This extrovert thrives under pressure and loves to entertain clients (and everyone else). He's very comfortable taking center stage, whether it be in the board room, at a client dinner or around the water cooler.

The Pros:

* Keeps the office atmosphere more fun and lively.
* Very good at reading others and making them feel at ease.

The Cons:

* May try too often to jump in and "help you" during a presentation or meeting.
* Prefers to leave the details to someone else.

Most compatible employees for the Performer: Detail-oriented planners who know just when to bring the boss in to charm big clients or partners.

Best strategies for working with the Performer: If you're less than comfortable speaking in public or schmoozing with clients, take the opportunity to learn from your boss. He'll likely be happy to help you grow in an area where he feels strong. On the other hand, if you find you're regularly being edged out of the spotlight in meetings, have a quick conversation to let him know you're trying to improve your leadership skills and would like to have the floor more often.

Boss Type: The Dreamer

From new locations and bigger profits to more employees and brand new product lines, this person is great at coming up with new, creative ideas.

The Pros:

* Always willing to push the envelope and innovate.
* Inspires other with their enthusiasm.

The Cons:

* Does not always consider the logistics needed to turn their "big ideas" into reality.
* Is ready to move on to another project before the last one is complete.

Most compatible employees for the Dreamer: Realists with vision. A boss whose head is in the clouds needs employees who will help them focus their energy on the best of their ideas and develop plans to make those dreams a reality.

Best strategies for working with the Dreamer: If it doesn't already exist, suggest a process for vetting ideas before they make it to a planning stage. If an idea holds up to close scrutiny, do the work needed to set a schedule and keep the project moving forward. Keep your boss engaged and excited about the project by scheduling regular progress meetings. Be sure to enlist their help to work through interesting challenges that arise.

Boss Type: The Cheerleader

Your email to that client? Fantastic! Your comments during that meeting? Brilliant! Your boss thinks that everything you do is wonderful, or at least that's what they tell you.

The Pros:

* Helps boost your confidence about your skills and potential.
* Does not wallow in difficulties or obstacles and keeps morale high.

The Cons:

* Hides more critical feedback that could help you learn your job better.
* Does not predict potential difficulties and plan for them.

Most compatible employees for the Cheerleader: Independent workers who don't require a lot of hand-holding or specific direction to do their job well.

Best strategies for working with the Cheerleader: Everyone likes to feel appreciated, so that shower of compliments about your most recent presentation can be wonderful to hear, but if you're never challenged to improve, it's easy to get bored ... or worse, blindsided. The danger here is that your boss may have issues with your performance and just has a hard time expressing it. While asking for critical feedback can seem like a foolish endeavor, ensuring that you truly know how your boss views your job performance is critical to your success. Be as specific as possible about what you want to know. Ask questions like, "I feel like I let that meeting get a little off-topic. Do you have any tips for me to handle things better next time?"

Boss Type: The Super Achiever

Another spreadsheet? More meetings? Tighter deadlines? This person loves to say, "Sure, we can do that!" They're happy to hustle and keep the business coming in.

The Pros:

* Helps increase everyone's earnings by attracting customers.
* Is confident that anything is possible.

The Cons:

* Can lack realistic expectations about timelines and deliverables.
* Has a hard time setting boundaries with clients.

Most compatible employees for the Super Achiever: Good communicators who aren't afraid to push back, especially when they think taking on additional work might put other projects in jeopardy.

Best strategies for working with the Super Achiever: The key to working with a Super Achiever is knowing when to rein in expectations and when to just roll with the extra work. You don't want your boss to view you as a naysayer. Rather than exclaiming, "There's no way we can take that on," help your boss see how everything can be achieved in a more realistic timeframe. Another good idea is to keep a running list of your projects and schedule a regular meeting with your boss to review and prioritize them. This way both of you know what you're working on and hopefully, you can collectively set more realistic expectations that won't have you working an 80-hour week.

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