Wednesday, January 31, 2007

God still sits on the throne




The prayer: Father, I ask You to bless my friends, relatives and those that I care deeply for, who are reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence through your grace. Where there is need, I ask you to fulfill their needs. Bless their homes, families, finances, their goings and their comings. In Jesus' precious name. Amen.
HOW TO WRITE A BETTER RESUME

A good resume cannot get you a job; but a bad resume can prevent you from getting the interview - and without the interview there's no chance of getting the job. Resume is a gateway to call a person for interview.

The new rules for better resumes start with the fact that there are fewer rules. There's an opportunity for some creativity, but not for gimmicks. What works today is conservative style and a focus on a key achievements - especially those that are of particular interest to the reader.
Remember what interests an employer, for let's say an executive assistant position, may not interest the employer hiring a desktop publishing specialist. That's why it is essential that people who qualify for several different jobs (and most do) have several different resumes. All resumes should be accurate and truthful, but each should highlight different strengths as they relate to the job opening.

Better jobs have become more competitive. And they will continue to get more competitive in the coming days, as these better jobs require increased specialized skills.

Since the resume is a primary tool in finding a better job, extra time spent on its preparation is a good investment. In fact, some astute people constantly update their resumes, even though they may never use them to get another job. A reminder of your talents and accomplishments, a current resumes can provide you with clues to getting a better job in your present company or the ammunition to prove you deserve a salary increase.

The best way to explain the new "rules" of resume writing is to explain what you should always do and also what you should never do.

ALWAYS

Always print your resume on standard letter size, white or ivory rag paper.
Always have the resume professionally typed, but not typeset, with plenty of space between paragraphs, and allow for adequate margins.
Always use conventional English. Stay away from multi-syllable words when a one or two syllable word is clearer.
Always use short paragraphs - preferably no longer than five lines.
Always make sure the resume and the cover letter are error-free. Proofread, and have others proofread to.
Always rewrite a resume for a specific company. It's extra work, but may well pay off.
Always include your significant contributions at each one of your jobs.
Always allow the most space to the jobs that are most relevant to the job you're applying for.
Always list your activity with professional, trade and civic associations - but only if they're appropriate.
Always keep a permanent file of your achievements, no matter how inconsequential they may appear to be. This is the basis for a good resume, and it is also essential information to get a raise or promotion.
Always give each of your references a copy of your resume.
Always send a brief, customized letter with each resume.
Always send your resume by messenger overnight mail if you're applying for a high salary level job and you're reasonably convinced you fit the job specifications.
Always re-read your resume before interview - chances are the interviewer did just that too.
NEVER

Never give reasons for termination or leaving a job on the resume. In almost all cases, the reader can find negative connotations to even the best reason. You're far better off explaining it in person.
Never take more than two lines to list hobbies, sports and social activities. When in doubt, "leave them out".
Never state "References Available On Request". It's assumed, and clutters up the resume. Other things to leave out include your social security number, your spouse's occupation and your personal philosophies.
Never list references on the resume.
Never use exact dates. Months and years are sufficient.
Never include the date your resume was prepared. If your search takes longer than a few months, the resume will appear outdated.
Never include your company phone number unless your immediate boss is aware of your departure.
Never include your height, weight or remarks about your physical appearance or health.
Never list your high school or grammar school if you're a college graduate.
Never state your objectives on your resume unless the resume is targeted to that job or occupation.
Never use professional jargon unless you're sure the resume will be read by someone who understands the buzz-words,
Never use the so-called "action words" like sparked, accelerated, and streamlined. They're passé.
Never provide salary information on the resume. Save it for the interview. If you are required to give that information, reveal it in the cover letter.
Never lie.

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

7 Essential Body Language Tips
By: Pete Grand
The secrets of our body language have been around forever yet people constantly fail to recognize the importance of using body language to their advantage. Did you know that people only pay attention to 7% of what we say? Where does the rest of their attention go? You guessed it right: our body language. Now let me give my 7 BLT's so that you can use your body language much more efficiently when interacting with people.

1- Always look at someone directly in their eyes when they are speaking to you. This may seem difficult at first but it’s definitely the #1 body language ingredient to make you successful when interacting with others. Note: Do not ever stare at someone.

2- Always stand up straight. You never want to slouch. Not only does this make you appear shorter but it projects an image of someone who has low self-esteem.

3- Smile. Smiling is your most powerful body language signal. Though it is not recommended to smile constantly (people will be under the impression you are searching for approval), you should still make an effort to appear happy and optimistic.

4- Do not make repeated, nervous like gestures. When speaking to someone it’s important to use body movements but never fast and repetitive ones (picture someone who is nervous while public speaking; this is exactly what you're NOT aiming for).

5- Create your own personal space. Make sure you let others know you have your own personal space and do not let them walk all over you. Note: you never want to invade someone else’s personal space.

6- Dedicate all of your attention to the person you are speaking with. Do not constantly look around as if you are uncomfortable or not interested.

7- Make sure to emphasize all of these tips when you meet someone new. First impressions count for a lot. You want to make the best impression you can.

Most people are unaware of the way they are projecting themselves because in general, people will detect body language signals subconsciously. Make an effort to apply all seven of these tips and people will react differently when you are speaking to them.

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Reasons for violence in society

There is one thing that makes people feel enough rage to commit violence, and that is a feeling of powerlessness. If people feel that they have no control over their destiny and environment, if they feel that they cannot act effectively, then they can reach a point where they believe that nothing short of violence can change their situation.

Acting effectively requires you to influence other people and to control your environment. To influence other people, they must respect you and be willing to listen to what you have to say. To control your environment, you must understand it, have the skills to affect it, and be permitted to act on it.

It should be clear that these conditions are not met very often in our society. Many people in our society are alienated from one another and have few opportunities to exert any real influence on one another. Many poor and uneducated people do not have any control over their environment whatsoever.

However, powerlessness is not the only ingredient in violence. The real question is not why people are violent, but why so many men are violent. Although women are just as capable of violence as men, crime statistics show that it is not women who are turning our urban environments into war zones.

Both men and women must abide by certain expectations. Even though people have few instincts and all of our adult behavior is learned, we labor under the misconception that men and women are biologically destined to behave completely differently. Women are supposed to be yielding, they are not expected to forcefully express their own wants and needs. Men are supposed to be dominant and commanding, and are regarded as weak if they express any tendencies to yield or to behave in a "feminine" way.

As psychologists have discovered, however, the most mentally healthy people express emotional and behavioral characteristics traditionally assigned to both sexes. The fully functioning human can be either forceful or gentle, commanding or submissive, strong or yielding, as the situation requires. Unfortunately, the acceptable range of emotions for men is rather narrow, and what happens is that men must express all of their emotional energy through the few emotions available to them. This leads to rather exaggerated expressions of strength and virility.

Now, couple this self-image men have of strength and domination with the feelings of powerlessness rife in our society, and you have a recipe for disaster. Men must express their exaggerated sense of dominance, but they are rendered impotent by their inability to act with any effectiveness. To these men, violence seems to be the only way to affect their environment.
This will continue to be a problem until men are raised differently.
Are you depressed and unhappy

Well, obviously if you're really bad off you should really talk to a professional, but as long as you're not contemplating any ugly irreversible acts, here's something that might help.

Think of someone you know that seems pretty happy about life. How would you describe their attitude? Are they kidding themselves? Are they ignoring the ugly truth about life that's right in front of their eyes and pretending that some happy fantasy world that exists only in their heads is real? Well, guess what. That is exactly how every happy person in the world acts. And the really strange thing is that it's OK. Because the reason that you are unhappy is that you have constructed a fantasy world just as complete and just as removed from the "facts" as the Pollyanna imaginings that you so despise in those happy people.

Reality is in fact neither good nor bad, it is a very plastic inkblot sort of thing that can be bent and twisted in many directions depending on your beliefs. WHAT! you say? What about THE TRUTH? Well, that's a complicated question and it gets into the meaning of life bit that we haven't gotten to yet, but suffice it to say that what is REALLY going on is so strange, so complex, and so far beyond our everyday understanding, that it bears no relationship to what you think of as "reality", "truth", or "reason". Good and bad, happy and sad, these are notions that you are imposing on the world around you. But, more on that in part II of the Meaning of Life Page.

The answer to unhappiness is both liberating and infuriating, but here it is. Happiness doesn't depend on anything that has or has not happened in the past, nor does it depend on your future prospects (thank God, eh?).

You Must Decide to be Happy:

Yes. Isn't that aggravating? You can't blame it on anyone else, and no one else can do a thing for you. You've just got to decide to be happy, whether or not your logical mind thinks it is rational to be happy and whether or not your moral sense thinks you deserve to be happy. You absolutely will not be happy for any length of time until you decide to, and if you decide to, you can be happy in the face of the most miserable circumstances.

Happy deciding.

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Most frequently asked Interview Questions

Tell me about yourself?
Use "Picture Frame Approach" - Do not just repeat what you have given in your resume. It's a question that most interviewees expect and the one they have the most difficulty answering. Though one could answer this open-ended question in a myriad of ways, the key to answering this question or any other interview question is to offer a response that supports your career objective. This means that you shouldn't respond with comments about your hobbies, spouse, or extra curricular activities, Interviewers aren't interested.
 Provide a brief introduction. Introduce attributes that are key to the open position.
 Provide a career summary of your most recent work history
 Tie your response to the needs of the hiring organization
 Showcase your communication skills.
 Finish strong.

Why do you want to work here?
Research the target company before the interview. Basic research is the only way to prepare for this question. Do your homework, and you'll score big on this question. Give just one or two reasons why you are interested. You can add these points (1) company’s reputation (2) desire to join the specific field of interest.

Where do you want to be in 5 years?
Judge me from the work and I am sure you will put me right where I want to be. Do not over ambitious and speak in a way that you are not satisfied with your current job which you have applied for.

What do you look for in a job?
Flip this one over. Despite the question, the employer isn't really interested in what you are looking for. He's interested in what he is looking for. Address his interests, rather than yours

Why are you leaving your current job?
You should give two or three reasons for leaving. Lack of challenge, focus on the limitations etc. Never answer with negative reasons, even if they are true. Frame your answer positively by answering why you want to move to the target company instead of why you left or want to leave your most recent job. For example, instead of answering, "I don't get enough challenges at [company]," respond, "I am eager to take on more challenges, and I believe I will find them at [hiring company].

What interests you most about the job?
(Show how you believe that you are most suited to the post. If you can find out an earlier experience it would be fine.) If you have experience, you can quote some similarities from the past and how you achieved success.
How is your experience relevant to this job?
Sketch out some similar work which you have done in your previous job. It should be something justifiable by you, even though others may think differently. You can even ask some question where you can prove that your experience stands in good strand.

Tell me about a time you had to deal with an irritate client, how did you handle the solution?
The question is aimed at you to hear from yourself how you handle people when others loose their temper. Here the best answer you can give to describe a situation and show how you handled it with maturity and diplomacy.

What books you read?
Do not ever say you have read a book which you have not. Here your suggestion can lead the interviewer to know your taste and interest. It can also hint on how you take your profession.

Can we call all your references?
If you have given your present boss as your reference you can tell that you prefer to call your current boss only after you receive a confirmed offer as he may not like you changing the job.

Do you have any questions?
Be prepared to answer this question in advance. List out a few questions you wish to know more about. After you have faced the interview your logic will guide you to ask the question you really want to know more about.

How do you handle tension?
Answer with ease that in any job and any situation that tension is a part of it. Relax before putting the f act you are very used to such type of works.

What is your current salary?
Do not bluff. Be specific on the answer. Do not hesitate to say the benefits you enjoyed in the previous job. It may be verified so never mention the benefits you have not got.

What is your weakness?
Turn the question to a positive one. Simply say that you are a perfectionist and your commitment to output of high quality perfect work. Say this is your weakness. Don't say you have one, but give one that is really a "positive in disguise." I am sometimes impatient and do to much work myself when we are working against tight deadlines." Or "I compliment and praise my staff, but feel I can improve."
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