Article Category : Interview Tips, Self Improvement

A study conducted by the Journal of Consumer Research in 1995 showed that sales people who used their prospects’ names generated a 239% increase in sales. In today’s fast-paced world, that personal touch is even more important.

The simple act of using a name can have a dramatic impact on your own ultimate success in landing a new job!

During your next interview, focus on remembering the names of the interviewers. Find a reason to say their name at least three times during your conversation. Repeat their name at the end of the interview to make a lasting impression.

But don’t stop at that. Make it a point to remember and use the names of the other people you meet — the receptionist, the HR person, anyone you speak to during your visit. They’ll remember YOU and maybe nudge the boss in your direction when it’s time to make the hiring decision!

Here’s a personal touch that you must plan ahead for. After the interview, go out to your car and take out the nice notepaper you’ve brought along for this purpose. Write your thank-you notes while the interview is fresh in your mind.

In our modern high-tech world, a handwritten note is becoming a scarce — and appreciated — commodity.

Place the note in an envelope and write the name of the interviewer on it (do separate notes and envelopes for each interviewer, if more than one). Go back inside and hand-deliver them to the receptionist… smile and use his/her name when asking that the notes be delivered.

Do you think any other candidate will do this? Heck no! (Not unless he/she reads this article!)

Have an instant advantage by using the personal touches of: (1) remembering and using names; and (2) handwriting and immediately delivering thoughtful thank-you notes!

Bonnie Lowe is author of the popular Job Interview Success System and free information-packed ezine, “Career-Life Times.” Find those and other powerful career-building resources and tips at her website: http://www.Best-Interview-Strategies.com

Category : personal

5 Ways to Profit From No Child Left Behind (NCLB)

Article Category : Self Improvement

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (No Child Left Behind) is designed to reform and improve student achievement and change the culture of America’s schools. According to this reform act each state must measure every public school student’s progress in reading and math in each of grades 3 through 8 and at least once during grades 10 through 12. By school year 2007-2008, assessments (or testing) in science will be underway. These assessments must be aligned with state academic content and achievement standards. They will provide parents with objective data on where their child stands academically.

Parents may not be aware that their school is required by law to offer school sponsored activities to promote parent involvement, and there are special funds allocated for these activities. The funds are used to pay trainers, facilitators, and instructors, along with the materials used in these trainings, food and child care services so parents can focus on the information being delivered.

The seminars, workshops, and trainings are designed to assist parents in helping their student’s academic achievement and performance.

Teachers, parents, business professionals, and all others who may be interested in helping parents help their children learn may be interested in creating a workshop, seminar and/or training for parents. Below are five suggestions for offering activities that will benefit parents and their children.

1. If education is your background, and you are a displaced teacher, become a Supplemental Educational Services Provider. Contact your State Department of Education to get more information on how you can qualify to become a Supplemental Educational Services Provider offering tutorial services to children who meet the criteria for those services. You will be paid through Title I funding received by the school district where you apply to service.

2. There is always a need for Parent Educators. Parent Educators teach parents how to “be better parents.” They focus on parenting skills, disciplinary skills, learning how to help with homework, help with standardized test taking and more. Contact your local school district to get more information on how you can become a Parent Educator offering workshops or seminars to parents in your school district. You will be paid through Title I funding received by the school district where you apply to serve. Visit www.detroitk12.org to see a sample of the seminars offered to parents.

3. Educational professionals with a Science background should gear up to prepare for the 2007-2008 science assessment that will be required by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002. Do you have a gift for gabbing about science? Do you know how to write educational materials for children centered on science? There will be a need for such items in the not too distant future and now is the time to prepare your goods. Summer time science packets that children can work on and workshops for parents, again all paid for by Title I funding will be needed. Contact your local school district with a proposal; they will be glad you did.

4. It is no secret that if your child goes to a public school, private school, religious school, or if they are home schooled, at some point in their life they will have to deal with standardized test. Are you a wiz at taking this type test? Are you a wiz at doing research to understand how to take this type test? Provide a workshop for parents so they can understand how to help their children. Every parent wants their child to have an upper hand when it comes to test taking skills. Contact your local school district and local library with a proposal, this service may even warrant a website.

5. Title I will pay for child care services for parents participating in parent involvement seminars/workshops. The child care service provider must be licensed and insured and willing to provide activities for a wide range of ages. According to the NCLB Title I requirements, child care services should be offered where schools offer parent workshops so parents can focus on the content being offered. If you operate a daycare center you may want to check with your local school district, or a local school in your area to see if your services are needed. The funding for payment is through the Title I (1%+ Parent Involvement Funding). For more information contact your school district or state No Child Left Behind Title I Office.

Detra D. Davis is a technical writer with over 20 years of experience. She writes technical and operational manuals, and works for a large school district in the Midwest.. Detra may be reached at 313-446-0896, at http://www.supportingourchildren.com or by mail at J. Davis & Associates Publishing, P. O. Box 44782, Detroit, MI 48244-0782, Attention: Detra D. Davis.

Conflicts With Your Boss Are Inevitable, But Can Be Healthy

Article Category : Career Management, Self Improvement

If you are a pro-active, get-things-done type, sooner or later you will come in conflict with your boss. The same sort of assertiveness and confidence that leads you to have a mind of your own has helped him to earn his position.

Another reality is that if you do not have some periodic disagreements with your supervisors you are probably not being as assertive as you should be in moving your career ahead.

These conflicts can prove to be hazardous to the health of your career if they are not handled with common sense, says Ramon Greenwood, senior career counselor, www.CommonSenseAtWork.com>

No one enjoys conflict, especially with the boss. But when you have an honest difference of opinion, it is better to pay the price of discomfort and take the risk of some penalty than to bottle up the frustration and nagging conscience that results from not meeting what you see as your responsibilities.

Knowing you will have conflicts, you can be prepared to handle them so there are no individual losers.

TURN CONFLICTS TO ADVANTAGES

Greenwood says there are nine steps you can take to lessen the damage that can result from conflicts with your boss. In fact, you can turn these conflicts to your advantage.

1. The first step is to concisely define the issue– preferably in writing– so that you have a clear understanding as to what the controversy is all about. Determine how important it is to the parties involved and to the organization.

If it is not truly important beyond your personal feelings, forget it. Save your energies for another time when the stakes are significant.

2. Give full consideration to the points of view of all parties concerned, especially the boss. His responsibilities are different than yours. He may have a legitimate reason for his opinion, which you are not aware of at the moment. The conflict you see may disappear with an explanation.

3. Weigh your reasons and objectives against the good of the organization. Before you “go to the mat” on an issue, be sure you are motivated by what you believe to be the larger interest and not just your own narrowly defined agenda.

4. Ask for a face-to-face discussion with your boss if, after due consideration, you still feel the difference is worth pursuing. If the matter is not resolved with a meeting, ask permission to leave a written explanation with your boss for his further consideration.

5. Never push your boss into a corner where he has no room for compromise. Do not air the conflict with your boss in the presence of others.

6. Avoid letting the matter be positioned on a personal basis. Emotions and personalities have no place in a confrontation with the boss.

7. Be tactful. Show respect for the boss’s position and responsibilities. Whatever the outcome of your differences with him, he is still your boss.

8. Keep the matter in perspective. It is good to remember that win, lose or draw, it is a rare situation when the resolution of an issue results in a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow or the world coming to an end.

9. Don’t pin a medal on your chest if you prevail or wear the black of mourning if the decision goes the other way. Get on with the job. If you have been heard and the boss still doesn’t agree, be a good trooper, support his decision, openly and aggressively. If the outlook is contrary to your basic values look for another job.

If you can’t discuss the inevitable conflicts with your boss in a free and open manner so as to arrive at acceptable resolutions, or if such disagreements are so frequent and painful that your life and career are being disrupted, recognize you have a problem larger than any single issue. It may be that you are at odds with the standards and objectives of the boss or the organization. Or the personal chemistry between you and your boss may be out of balance.

If you can’t resolve the conflicts or live with them, locate another opportunity. Life is too short to exist in a world of turmoil and confrontations, in the opinion of Greenwood.

Senior career counselor for http://www.CommonSenseAtWork.com, Ramon Greenwood is a former senior vice president of American Express; a professional director for various businesses; a consultant; a published author of career related books and a syndicated column

Category : conflict, office

Set Goals for Self-improvement

Article Category : Self Improvement

In order to succeed or accomplish anything in life you must
first set goals. It is especially a must for any person
interested in self-improvement. With that said, one of the
first sets of goals should be on self-improvement.

But remember “What you achieve through the journey of life
is not as important as who you become” - Author Unknown.

Go ahead and take the actions and steps necessary to make
your goal of self-improvement in some area of your life
into a reality. A good example of this is how athletes will
compare their current performance to their own previous
performances with self-improvement being the number one
goal.
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Avoid Stress by Exercising Regularly

Article Category : Self Improvement

Many people live extremely hectic lives that never seem to slow down.  If you have a demanding job, a rocky relationship or plenty of errands including taking care of the kids, it is very easy to feel a tremendous amount of stress. Studies have shown, suffering from stress can be controlled. One of the best ways to control stress is through exercise.

Many people that suffer from stress usually turn to exercise in order to decrease their stressful feelings. Exercise can benefit stress sufferers in a number of ways. Here are some of them. Many people need a way to burn off lots of tension and negative energy, exercising can help. Whether you jog, play a sport, or lift weights, exercise can be the perfect outlet to let loose and give your all. Many people when exercising are focused on the job at hand and are not worrying about peripheral issues. This can help give your mind a reprieve. 

Exercising also helps your body to perform optimally. Exercise helps you with digestion, the cardiovascular process as well as deliver more oxygen to your brain for your mental faculties. So if you are looking for a great way to cut down on stress, avoid it, or just to feel more energetic, why not choose to exercise today.

Category : lifestyle, stress

Prosperity Automated System Offers Passive Income

Article Category : Self Improvement

In today’s tenuous economy, virtually no one can depend
upon continuous employment. With more jobs moving offshore
and various industries cutting back their payrolls, the
guaranteed paycheck is going the way of the rotary dial
phone. Although many people continue to work a nine-to-five
job with a single employer, more people are looking for
ways to either supplement their income or start their own
business. Prosperity automated systems, also known as PAS,
are gaining in popularity as a way for people to earn
passive income.

In essence, a prosperity automated system uses the power of
Internet search engines to find prospects and funnel them
into your website, where they may either opt to purchase
products or to join the system. Prosperity automated
systems require a person to license the system, but after
that, the licensee doesn’t have to actively work the
system. When another person purchases a license through the
first person’s website, the first person receives a
sizeable commission.
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Category : passiveincome

How To Make A Better Impression On The Telephone

Article Category : Self Improvement

No matter who you are or what you do, your voice reveals a
lot about you.  Studies have shown that your vocal
qualities account for 84 percent a person’s impression of
you on the telephone.  To have a more likeable and
confident telephone voice, follow any or all of these five
quick tips.

1. Photo - Look at a photo of someone you love or something
that inspires you to remain consistently positive and
upbeat.

2. Smile -When we smile our voices naturally become warmer,
brighter and friendlier.  (Some sales and customer service
professionals even put a mirror in front of them while they
work to check their attitude.)

3. Stand Up - On an important telephone call or even when
you record your voice mail, stand up.  This will generate
energy in your body and your voice. (If circumstances make
it difficult for you to stand, sit alert with your back
erect, feet on the floor and buttocks towards the front of
your chair.)
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Category : telephone, impression, personal-tips, self-improvement

Three Keys to Managing Your Stress Every Day

Article Category : Candidate Planning, Work Place, Self Improvement

Stress in small doses, and linked to positive events, helps
you be more productive, active and happier. However, when
stress reaches a certain level, it starts to have adverse
effects. Adrenalin floods the body, breathing becomes
shallower, your thoughts become less clear - everything is
framed in terms of fight-or-flight responses. If this state
persists for extended periods of time, irreversible
physical damage starts to happen in your body - including
the brain.

Some sources of stress you can avoid, but many you
unfortunately can’t.  However, you can make sure that you
regularly and actively reduce your stress level, so that
you don’t suffer its adverse consequences.

The first key to stress management is good sleep. Yes, it
does make a difference: If you sleep enough, you will be
able to better handle things that come your way, and your
stress response will be muted. So make sleep one of your
priorities, and avoid late nights at work as much as
possible.
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Category : stress

FIVE STEPS TO SUCCESS IN EVERYTHING YOU DO

Article Category : Career Management, Self Improvement

If you follow these 5 steps, no doubt you will get
everything you want!

1.What you need first is to have a strong desire. A desire
like a fire! Not like a little flame you  have to stir to
get some heat going. No, you need a strong desire, you must
really want to have what you long for! If you want
something badly, but you didn’t get it until now, it is
your desire was not strong enough! You must really feel the
desire to have it in your bones, in your flesh, in your
heart. The desire is the starting point, because without
passion nothing can happen.

2.Now you need to set goals. Why? To know where to go!
Without goals your desire will get you nowhere and you will
turn around in circles like a dog who runs after his own
tail. A goal gives you a reason, a purpose. The word goal
means to GO ALl the way to get there!  Your goal is your
direction where your desire will take you. If you’re able
to see with your mind’s eye what you want, you will have
it. So the more details you see, the more concrete is your
mental image, the more likely you will get exactly what you
long for! Goals get your energy running. Goals generate the
necessary activity to bring you towards the realization of
your dream. A good goal is a statement of what you want, in
a positive, clear, concrete way and with emotion (remember
the fire! Without emotion, without fire, no outcome!). A
goal should be written down, to give it more energy, and
should be stated in the present time. You write your goal
down as if you got it already. And start to act as if you
were already there!
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Category : personal, tips, improvement

Can Nurses Be Entrepreneurs?

Article Category : Career Management, Careers Explained, Self Improvement

Yes, Nurses can be entrepreneurs. In today’s market place nursing has a unique service to offer not only to hospitals but nursing homes, private care and doctor offices. We as nurses have the skill, knowledge and motivation to be successful entrepreneurs. Nurses are tired of being told how much our services are worth. The economy is ripe for the nurse entrepreneur. Why wait? The nursing shortage is just beginning and there doesn’t appear to be a quick fix in the near future. Much of the nursing workforce is coming up on retirement time, which is only going to compound the lack of skilled nurses to deal with the oncoming baby-boomers.

The definition of entrepreneur is a person who organizes, operates and assumes the risk for a business adventure. Nurses have always considered their services only marketable as an employee of someone else. It is time nurses take charge of their profession and market their own services to health care institutions. Nurses need to be aware that there are other nursing career options. Independent Nurse Contractor is one that more and more nurses are turning to for career fulfillment. Nurses are finding that they can double or even triple their income; increase their choices as to how often when and where to work, gain professional autonomy and increase over all job satisfaction. So get rid of the “middle man” and enjoy all the benefits offered in this exciting Nursing Career Opportunity.

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