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| Find Your Way to a Better Job |
 The job market today is intensely competitive, and there is no
getting around that. Who better to refer you to a job than the people you know?
Gone are the days of endless pavement pounding and tireless searching? The best
approach to your job search is to press your network of contacts for job
information and a referral or introduction.
Many people mistake this approach for simply getting a job just
because they knew someone on the inside, but this is only partially accurate.
You are getting the job because you are qualified. Your resume gets to the
interview pile because you are given more credibility for knowing an employee
or associate of someone at the organization and have the credentials to warrant
working there.
Having a degree and outstanding resume won't always guarantee
you a spot in the interview chair. Companies today receive hundreds, possibly
thousands of inquiries for each job they post and it can be difficult to
carefully screen each and every resume for a select few interviewees. Having a
reference that is known to the company or being referred by an employee can do
wonders for getting you noticed - and will amp your credibility enough to
possibly land you the job.
Here are 3 Network-Boosting Tips:
- Don't make it all about you.
Maintain your network at all times, not just when you have a need. Be visible
to your network and keep them current on what is happening in your life and
your career, and stay involved in their life
- Use networking programs, such
as LinkedIn.com to expand your network of contacts, and allow clients and
employers/co-workers to give you positive feedback where prospective clients or
employers will be able to see it
- Spend a little. Even if you are
unemployed, shelling out some extra cash to have lunches with friends, or
coffees with co-workers can go a long way in landing you your next job. Sharing
face-to-face experiences with someone, and a few laughs goes a long way in
having people remember you the next time there is a job opening.
Keeping your network fresh doesn't have to be arduous. If you
are doing it right, it should be entertaining and pleasant for you and your contacts - and who knows
where it might lead?
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| Road Trip Rules Before You Go |
 Ahhh, the open road. As the economy continues to struggle, many
Americans are cashing in their Caribbean cruises, and European summer vacations
in for this Iconic American-style vacation. But before you pack up the car and
head out for the freedom of the open
road, there are a few things you should know.
1. Have a plan. Have some goals in mind for
what you aim to accomplish, see, or do. To make it more fun with the family, sit down together
and hash out a road trip theme, and some destinations together. Knowing some of
the fun spots will make the kids more likely to jump in the car.
2. Route
your journey. Once you've etched out
your destination, you need to plot these points along a map. Use internet
mapping programs like google maps or mapquest to help you figure out the best
routes. Keep in mind the type of travel you are going for when you plot your maps.
3. Pack
some food. Snacks are vital to road-trips! Have 2-3 servings of
snacks per person, per day of road-trip. Some great choices: trail mix, pre-popped
popcorn, apples, bananas, oranges, carrots and celery, raisins, graham
crackers, and yogurt.
4. Take
Breaks. It's the journey not the destination. Break every hour or two for a few minutes.
You'll be fresher on the road and ready for the many surprises of travel, and
your companions will enjoy a more relaxed pace.
5. Be
prepared for an emergency. Have a roadside emergency kit for the car
and its inhabitants: flashlights, batteries, emergency food and water,
blankets, and a 2-way radio will go a long way in an emergency. You should keep
your cell phone charged and have the phone number for your insurance and
roadside assistance companies easily accessible.
Regardless
of your destination, taking the family for a week of cruising, music, games,
and laughter will help to reconnect your family and give you a much needed
vacation, without breaking the piggy bank.
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| Can't Concentrate? Read This. |
Attention
Deficit Disorder (with or without Hyperactivity --ADD and ADHD) has
been a subject of importance regarding our children in the last two
decades. But did you know that if your children suffer from ADHD, that
it is possible that you have this affliction as well? Adults are just
as prone
to ADD as children.
ADD is marked by excessive
inattentiveness and impulsiveness, with the possibility of
hyperactivity. Extreme procrastination, disorganization, trouble making
deadlines, and
impulsive behavior is common. Agitation and constant fidgeting is an
indication of hyperactivity.
Many adults struggle all their lives with unrecognized ADD/ADHD symptoms. If you experience difficulties in these
areas, you might consider discussing ADD/ADHD with your doctor:
Concentration. A Lack of attention to detail, Frequently overwhelmed by tasks of
daily living, Inconsistent work performance, Transposing numbers, letters,
words, and frequent bouts of daydreaming or self-imposed distractions are all
common symptoms of ADD.
Organization:
Difficulties with organization can manifest in a number of ways, some of which include:
difficulty maintaining an organized and tidy home, procrastinating, frequently
late or in a hurry, missing or being late with bill payments.
Self-Control: Impulsive
behaviors such as spending, switching jobs, or over eating, losing keys
frequently, being hyper-sensitive to comments made by others, tending towards
outbursts or argumentative behavior, or a need for thrill-seeking.
ADD and ADHD effects your
entire life and shows itself in ways you may not expect. If you are concerned
that you may have ADD or ADHD, you are not alone. While exact statistics are
not available on the amount of adults who are dealing with ADD/ADHD, it is well
known that this affliction is not just for children, and there is help out
there for you to get control of your mind, and your life. Be sure to talk to
your doctor, however, as many of these symptoms might be temporarily caused by
stress, or could be related to other factors.
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An
ounce of prevention goes a long way when it comes to maintaining your
home. Taking the time to take care of your home now can save you
thousands down the road. Here are a few tips:
 Heating
and cooling systems: replace or clean filters monthly to keep the
system working smoothly. Check any accessible belts and hoses for
tautness, tears, or wear.
- At the beginning of heating season and every other month during the
cold months, use creosote cleaners on your wood-burning chimney or
fireplace, to prevent this dangerous buildup. Check chimneys and
fireplaces for cracks. You should have these periodically inspected by
a professional to detect minor problems.
- Keep the gutters and your roof clean and free of debris and leaf
build up. Check for proper fastening and attachment to the fascia of
the home.
- Check for termite or carpenter bee damage, and contact an inspector
and exterminator immediately if either of these pests are suspected
- Check and replenish the caulking around the perimeter of the foundation
- Look for cracks where ceilings and walls join.
- Inspect the condition of wiring in exposed areas such as the attic, basement and crawl spaces.
- Check faucets, plumbing joints, and toilets for faulty parts, low pressure, and leaks.
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In the February Issue:
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Contact Information
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Your Name
800-123-4567
My Website
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Pocket Wine Guide
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One
thing about wine is certain: Its easy to go wrong. Before you reach for your
next bottle of wine, here is a list to point you in the right direction:
Red: Hearty robust foods, such as stew, beef, pork, duck, goose,
cheeses, hearty pasta dishes and foods with lots of flavor. Red wines pair up
nicely with a number of intense flavors.
White: Sweet or dry, white wine is best served with fish, chicken
or lighter fare. Any main course that is robustly flavorful yet light on the palette,
such as fish, should be paired with this simple classic.
Blush: The rose colored wine is a favorite staple among many for
its versatility. White Merlot, White Zinfandel, and Grenache' Rose' are but a
few delicate choices that compliment everything from salads to seafood to cold
cuts. Rose' wines work well with dinner or luncheons.
Dessert: Many hosts overlook the importance of a good desert
wine. Dinner wines go with dinner - desert needs its own accompaniment. For
fruits, nuts, sweets, tarts and cakes, opt for the sweeter variety such as
Muscat, Catawba, or Port.
With
this easy-reference, now picking wine no longer has to be the difficult
part of the meal. Experiement with different regions and styles of each
major variety to find your favorites!
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5 Must Read Classics
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When we
find ourselves with time to read, we are often at a loss, aimlessly browsing
bookstores for that next "something". Here are 5 classic tales that are a must
read for any bookshelf. Even if you've read them as a child, its time to
revisit these stunning stories:
1.
A Tale of 2 Cities - Charles Dickens.
2.
The Odyssey, Homer
3.
To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee
4.
Lord of the Flies - William Golding
5.
Catch -22 - Joseph Heller
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Low Budget Fun
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Singles, Couples, and Families alike can benefit from some
low-budget methods of fun these days. Many of us are pinching pennies by
staying at home, or opting out of our more expensive preferred pastimes - but
that doesn't mean the fun stops too! There are many things you can do to have a
great time on a shoestring budget. Here are our top picks!
At-Home Movie Night. Grab a few flicks and start early - order
take out or make homemade snacks, and gather 'round the TV with blankets.
Cozier and more relaxing than a movie theatre - at a fraction of the price!
Game Night. Cheesy sounding, we know, but greatly gratifying!
Gather your friends and/or family around for some old fashioned board games for
a night of laughs and brain teasers. Just the two of you? Close the shades and
try some couples only games for a different type of teaser.
Splash around. Check out town pools or local waterfronts. Lakeside beaches are clean and relatively
cheap, and more accessible than their oceanfront counterparts - unless you live
near the ocean. If you don't want to use the pool or go to the lake, break out
sprinklers for hours of giggles and fun. Don't forget the sunscreen!
Go Fly a Kite. Or kick a soccer ball. Find age-appropriate (or
childishly fun) activities for you and yours to enjoy. Add 1 part activity, 2
parts fresh air and sunshine, and enjoy the simple pleasures of soaking in the
sun, getting physical, and having fun - all for very inexpensive. Want to rev
up the outdoor adventures? Try going for a day-long hike and picnic, or better
yet - go camping.
There are many things you can do as a family, couple, or even
solo to enjoy life, without prying into your savings account. A little
innovation can go a long way, and before you know it, you'll be enjoying the
finer - simpler - things in life.
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