Rabu, 25 Agustus 2010

Tips on Writing a Tip-Top CV

# The primary purpose of a CV or Résumé is to tell prospective employers something about you. It should make him/her want to give you that all important interview. (From time to time there may be others to whom you may also wish to send a summary of your career and interests.)

# The terms CV and Résumé are virtually interchangeable but, from time to time, one or the other may be more fashionable. If a prospective employer uses one of these terms, it may help to use the same term when corresponding with them.

# A covering letter is an opportunity to be a little less formal than in a CV. This is your chance to tell your prospective employer how enthusiastic you are and how excited you are about applying for their specific position.

# Always keep in mind that employers use the PLU ('people like us') principle and try to pick employees who will fit in. Therefore, it's not a bad idea to do a little research about the company and include some of these facts in your covering letter.

# Prospective employers see many CVs and covering letters and, therefore, it should be your aim to compile documents that stand out from the crowd. There are a number of ways of doing this:

* By using an attractive writing style that's easy and quick to read

* By only presenting information that will be of interest to your prospective employer

* By making your document attractive and eye-catching

* By not making the document too long
* By using the bullet format


# Never alter the facts and never make things up - it's amazing how often you'll be caught out. However, a seasoned writer should be able to take the bare bones and make them sound interesting. Also remember that there are good ways and bad ways of presenting the facts.

# Many people put their job history at the top of a CV but it's modern practice to begin with a list of your personal attributes

# You should always keep a standard CV that can be modified to suit the particular employer.

Let's say you have experience and qualifications as a hairdresser and as a masseuse; if you were applying for a job as a hairdresser you wouldn't put the qualities that make you a good masseuse at the top of your list of merits.

Your standard CV may say that you are a member of a number of car clubs. However, if you were applying for a job in a motor showroom, you would elaborate on your interest in cars, show some technical knowledge and use jargon that the man in the street may not know.
# Make sure that your list of references is carefully selected. It always helps to include someone like a doctor or Member of Parliament. Always make sure that everyone on your list knows that they're there, so that they don't get a surprise if they're contacted.

# Although it's illegal for employers to discriminate on the grounds of sex, sexual preference, religion, age or disability, an employer is not obliged to give reasons for not employing people. Therefore, these are things that are better left out of a CV. As an example of a potential problem, let's take the case of a person in a wheel chair. If they put that in their CV, the prospective employer would probably not invite them in for an interview because he/she would anticipate problems that probably don't even exist. If they don't mention their disability and they get an interview, the prospective employer would soon see that they're disabled but, of course, the interview would be the time when they should be able to convince the interviewee that there won't be major problems in employing them.

Let's take another example: if one is over 50, there are ways that good writing techniques can be used to present a full CV without mentioning age or the year one started work.
# There is an art to writing attractive CVs and covering letters. Obviously you know more about yourself than anyone else but, often, one may fall into the traps of being too verbose and of not readily seeing the specific things that will make you attractive to an employer. It should also be kept in mind that poor spelling, bad grammar and inadequate expression of thoughts, often lets people down. Write-to-the-Point, an Australian company offering a range of professional writing services, recently conducted a market survey that showed that 91% of those polled said that they could see advantages in a professionally written CV. There are a number of individuals, organisations and businesses that offer to compile CVs and covering letters, so you may decide to shop around before selecting a writer that suits you.

Write-to-the Point's market survey also revealed that people identified a number of possible pitfalls to having a professionally written CV:

* Expensive

* No individuality

* Time-consuming process.

The same market survey revealed that the overwhelming majority of people were prepared to pay up to A$100 for a good CV and even more if it was an intricate document.

Therefore, based on the results of this poll and of industry experience, I would recommend that you look for a professional writer who offers:

* Individualised service based on a viewing of your current CV

* A reasonable price

* A quick turn-around time.

If you give consideration to these hints you should end up with an attractive CV and covering letter that will help improve your job prospects and, thus, your quality of life and your lifestyle.

Albert Isaacs


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Resume Writing Service - 10 Critical Tips on Picking the Best Writer

When you want a resume that will get your phone ringing with calls from hiring managers who are salivating to interview you for jobs you'd die for -- how do you know who to hire?

The resume writing industry is not regulated. The internet is crawling with wannabe and would-be resume writers who'd love to take your cash and give you a garbage resume in return, written in broken English on a template, like thousands of other resumes they crank out daily in resume mills for $99 each.

Or maybe they'll take one you already have and just re-key it into another format. You may be laughing, but hey, it happens every day to folks who aren't thoughtful and wary of web advertising and careful how they pick a resume writer. Your resume is one of the most important documents of your life. It should represent you extremely well.

The good news? There are great writers out there, waiting for your resume assignment. You can find one using these steps. Follow these tips and you can't fail.

1. Read online ads analytically and critically. Don't believe assertions that aren't backed up by believable proofs. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Beware especially of pushy advertising based on dark emotions, garish graphics, and strange formatting. And guarantees that are so good they're obviously ridiculous. Nobody can guarantee you'll be hired based on a resume, even if a master writes it.

2. Understand what pricing is reasonable and customary in the legitimate resume industry. Be ready to pay a fair price for value received. The most frequent victim of a resume scam is someone whos's trying to get something for less than it's really worth. Remember, the cost of your resume is an investment in your future success.

3. Interview the writer on the phone. Listen to how they speak and ask them questions about their background, like how they became a resume writer, who they have written for, and what their process is. Trust your feelings. If the person sounds credible and intelligent, great. If they don't sound like someone you'd like to introduce you to your next boss, move on.

4. Review some sample resumes. Start with the writer's own resume. Then check out a couple they have written for others. Would you hire the individuals who are represented by the samples? If not, why expect someone to hire you based on that writer's work?

5. Don't use an online resume mill. You are not like everyone else. Your resume can't be done well by someone who pops them out like biscuits. Get a real writer -- someone who makes a living by writing based on specific research. Probably someone with a degree in English or writing.

6. You can't really completely hire out the responsibility of creating your perfect resume. Expect to stay involved and provide lots of answers to the writer's questions.

7. The writer should be doing research and you are the only source of all the detailed data they will need to represent you well. Expect (and check for) a rational, organized process. The writer should have you fill out forms and send any old resumes. They should also interview you by phone and ask you a lot of relevant questions. They should be able to explain what they do and why they do it.

8. What questions are they asking you? To write well for you, the writer needs to gather specific kinds of information. They should be asking you questions like these:

What important qualifications does the job require?

What are your best and highest qualifications?

Tell me about the high points of your career.

Is there anything we should keep in the background?

What about you stands out that will help win the job?

Describe your best skills and greatest expertise.

Do you also have minor qualifications that are relevant?

Are there personal traits that make you a good fit?

What have you accomplished that you're proud of?

Can we express any of your qualifications numerically?

How did you develop your particular skills?

What do people in your field find impressive?

Have you accomplished things in those areas?

Is there any special language that is frequently used in your field?

And so on.

9. Does the writer offer all the documentation and help you need? There's a lot more required to get a job than just a resume. Do they also write your cover letters, follow up letters, references sheet, and salary history? Do they offer you an elevator speech to help you promote yourself? Do they coach you on how to use all parts of your job change documentation to your best advantage?

10. What are the writer's special qualifications? Have they written for people like you? Do they have experience with writing persuasively, perhaps with some form of marketing? Do they speak about resumes to groups? Do they have experience as a hiring manager so they understand how people who make staffing decisions think?

When it comes to your resume, quality control is up to you. The best assurance of quality in your resume is in the skill and integrity of your resume writer. You deserve a writer who's a cut above -- the kind who'd be chosen by a CEO or other executive. Check your writer out carefully. Don't settle for less than one who truly captures exactly who you are professionally and how you're qualified for the job you want.

Receive a FREE gift of usable, profit-building, strategic business information today. The Business Insight Special Reports on my JRW Publishing web page are offered for sale. But I'll send you any one you choose FREE when you email or call me to chat about my services -- copy writing, marketing, or business strategy consulting.
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Tips to Improve Your Resume Cover Letter

Any person who is applying for a job in any company should provide a proper resume cover letter along with his resume. The main purpose of providing a resume cover letter along with the resume is to provide an introduction to the person who is applying for the job. The reason for applying for the particular job in the company will have to be stated in a clear manner in the resume cover letter. This will help the prospective employer in understanding how much the applicant will value the job if it is offered to him.

The applicant should give equal importance to the preparation of the resume and also the resume-cover letter. If the resume-cover-letter is unable to strike the right chord in the mind of the employer, then he might not even take a look at the resume which has been attached even though it is very impressive. There are certain points which should definitely be mentioned in the resume-cover letter in order to capture the attention of the prospective employer.

The main reason as to why the applicant is applying for the specific post in the company will have to be stated in a crystal clear manner in the resume-cover letter. This should be stated in such an impressive manner that the prospective employer should feel compelled to call the applicant for an interview. Any knowledge which the applicant has about the company should also be made known in the resume-cover-letter.

The manner in which the applicant has come to know of the vacancy existing in the company should also be stated clearly in the resume-cover-letter. If the applicant has seen an advertisement on the Internet or in the newspaper he will have to specify the date as well as the name of the newspaper or website where the advertisement had been displayed. When the employer finds that the applicant is showing a lot of interest in the company, he will feel more inclined to call him for an interview.

The information which has been provided in the resume cover letter should be crisp and come straight to the point. The purpose of applying for the job will have to be stated in the opening paragraph of the resume cover letter. The complete length of the resume-cover-letter should not exceed one page. When the employer finds that the resume cover letter is too long he might not have the interest to read it completely. The information which is provided in the resume cover-letter should be enough to convince the employer that the candidate needs to be called for an interview. Some of the details regarding the qualification of the applicant should also be included in the resume cover letter.


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Top 25 Tips For Finding a Better Job

Is a job change in order? Peruse the 25 most effective ways to job hunt. If it's time for new beginnings, and if you're searching for a job, it's a good time to make sure your priorities are in check. Begin with some basic soul-searching, move to creative networking, and conclude with the foremost ways to investigate prospective companies. These are all sure strategies for getting a competitive edge in the job market. But finding a job means more than being competitive. In the bewildering new world of technology-online boards, career centers, and growing numbers of complex web sites-it also means knowing your way around. Here are 25 tips to learn how to maximize your time, your effectiveness, and your chances of success in your next career search!

1. First and foremost-take a personal inventory. Job hunting gives you the opportunity to go back to "square one" and inventory all over again what you are all about, what skills and knowledge you have acquired, and what you want to do. Who are you? What do you want out of life? A job? A career? Where are you going? Do you know how to get there? Have you been happy in your work/career/profession? What would you like to change? An inventory such as this is the best job hunting method ever devised because it focuses your view of your skills and talents as well as your inner desires. You begin your job hunt by first identifying your transferable, functional, skills. In fact, you are identifying the basic building blocks of your work.
2. Apply directly to an employer. Pick out the employers that interest you the most from any source available (web listings, yellow pages, newspaper ads, etc.), and obtain their address. Appear on their doorstep at your first opportunity with resume in hand. Even if you don't know anyone there, this job hunting method works almost half the time, if you are diligent and continue your pursuit over several weeks or months.
3. Ask relatives and friends about jobs where they work. Ask every relative and friend you have now or have ever had about vacancies they may know about where they work, or where anyone else works. It may take a village to raise a child, but it takes an entire network to find a new job! If you tell everyone you know or meet that you are job hunting and that you would appreciate their help, you more than quadruple your chances of success.
4. Search hidden job markets. Networking is the "Hidden Job Market." Because every time you make contact with a person who is in direct line with your career interest, you set up the possibility that he or she will lead you to more people, or to the job you are seeking. People are connected to one another by an infinite number of pathways. Many of these pathways are available to you, but you must activate them to make them work to your advantage. Most of the available jobs are in the hidden job market. They aren't listed in the classifieds or placed with a headhunter. Find them through your network of contacts. This is your most valuable resource!
5. Ask a professor or old teacher for job-leads. No one knows your capabilities, dedication, and discipline better than a teacher or professor who had the opportunity to work with you in school. Since more people find their work through direct referral by other people than by any other way, this is a target audience you don't want to miss
6. Spend more hours each week on your job hunt. Finding a job is a job! Treat your job hunting just as you would a normal job and work a normal number of hours per week, at least 35, preferably 40 in the process. This will cut down dramatically on the length of time it takes you to find work. Did you know that the average person in the job market only spends 5 hours or less per week looking for work? With that statistic, it isn't surprising that it can be a long, tedious process. Improve your chances and demonstrate your discipline and determination. Devote Sundays to answering ads and planning your strategy for the next week. Don't spend precious weekday hours behind a computer. You need to be out there researching leads, networking, and interviewing. Work smarter for yourself!
7. Concentrate your job hunt on smaller companies. Most new jobs will come from smaller, growing companies, typically with fewer than 500 employees, not large, restructuring companies. Although larger employers are more visible, well known and aggressive in their search for employees, it is with the smaller companies that you may have the best chance of success in finding work. Pay particular attention to those companies that are expanding and on their way to prosperous growth...they are easier to approach, easier to contact important personnel, and less likely to screen you out.
8. See more employers each week. If you only visit six or seven employers a month in your job search (which is the average, by the way), you will prolong your search and delay your successful outcome. This is one reason why job hunting takes so long. If you need to see 45 employers to find a job, it only makes sense to see as many employers a week as possible. Determine to see no fewer than two employers per week at a minimum! Do this for as many months as your job-hunt lasts. Keep going until you find the kind of employer who wants to hire you! Looking for a job is a numbers game. The more contacts you make, the more interviews you'll get. The more interviews you have, the more offers you'll get.
9. Be prepared for phone interviews. Would you believe that over 50% of prospective candidates are disqualified after the first phone contact is made with them by an employer? In today's world, employers don't have time anymore to interview every possible applicant and are using phone calls as a less expensive, less time consuming way to weed out potentially unqualified candidates. The phone interview catches many people off guard. You might receive more than just one phone interview, and you have to pass them all. The interviewer usually makes up his or her mind within the first five minutes. The remainder of the time is spent just confirming first impressions.
10. Create a support group. It is easy to get discouraged, depressed and despondent (the three D's) in the job-hunt process. This can be one of the toughest and loneliest experiences in the world and the rejection you may have to face can be brutal, but it doesn't have to be. The key is in understanding that you are not alone. There are literally hundreds of thousands of people looking for work, and you can team up with one if you choose. Many job-hunting groups already exist, such as the local Chambers of Commerce and online support groups through the Internet. Find a partner, or a larger group, and support and encourage each other. The path to success is literally a phone call away.
11. Contact potential employers directly through professional associations. Professional associations provide excellent networks for your benefit. Almost all committed professionals are members of at least one or two professional networks. Usually membership includes a directory, which provides you with a direct networking resource for verbal contact and mail campaigns. Additionally, most professional associations hold regularly scheduled meetings, which provide further opportunities to mingle with your professional peers on an informal basis. Finally, professional associations all have newsletters that are a valuable resource for other trade publications, associations, and help wanted sections.
12. Post your resume online. In today's world there are numerous resume databases on the web. Job hunters can now tap into giant online databases when launching a search prior to interviewing. There are three primary ways to job search electronically or online: Joblines, Bulletin Board Systems (BBS), and the Internet. Many employers today have their employment opportunities accessible through a simple phone call. You can also use the advanced Resume Caster feature in ResumeMaker to post your resume to all of the top career centers on the web for thousands of hiring employers to review. You can also use the Job Finder feature to search from among more than 1 million online-listed job openings for a specific job title in the state you specify. The data is all there, waiting for you.
13. Promote yourself in unique ways. Promotion is creating an audience of potential employers and making them aware of your qualifications. There are many nontraditional ways to accomplish this task. For example, use electronic resume services to broadcast your resume. List yourself in appropriate trade association newsletters. Prepare 3 x 5 Rolodex cards that contain your name, address, and phone number on the front and your objective and skills from your resume on the back. Leave them behind wherever you go and give them to anyone who has reason to contact you later about a job.
14. Accept a temporary position or volunteer work. Be your own working advertisement by accepting a temporary position. This provides you with valuable experience, contacts, and references. Volunteer for organizations and activities with business sponsors and relationships that increases your visibility and personal contacts. Explore your possibilities and leave all options open. You never know which method may ultimately land you your ideal job.
15. Make cold-calls. Next to face-to-face meetings, the telephone is the most effective method available to find a job. Every call you make is an opportunity to sell yourself to a prospective employer, to pursue a new job opening, or to obtain a referral. Your technique in the initial telephone call can have a categorical impact on your chances to obtain what you want from the call. Complete at least 15 calls per day. You will be astonished at the results. Always be agreeable, gentle, and positive. Smile when you speak; the listener will hear it. Prepare a brief outline for each call and rehearse it. Create brief statements that outline how you can help your prospective employer accomplish their goals. Always, always, always ask for referrals.
16. Re-define your job hunt in terms of alternative possibilities. Successful job hunters always have alternative plans ready in the background and implement them at the first sign of difficulty. Prepare alternative ways of describing what you do, alternative avenues of job hunting, alternative leads and contact lists, alternative target organizations and employers to contact, alternative ways to approach prospective companies, and alternative plans to continue your job hunt through its successful completion. The jobs are out there-you just need to be sure you are using the right methods to look for them.
17. Seek career counseling or job hunting help online. Many service providers, through the Internet, are offering career counseling services, job hunting advice, and reference tools that you can turn to in your job hunt. Some of the best of these services are free, and the number is growing astronomically each year. Your first approach would be to visit the online career centers integrated with ResumeMaker and visit each site to determine what services they have to offer. There is a virtual community just waiting to hear from you.
18. Consider federal and local government sources. The federal government is a huge resource of potential job search information, available to you at little or no cost. Several Department of Labor publications, for example, can take you through your job search from beginning to end, and help with career counseling and industry research. Call your local employment office and take advantage of the services they offer.
19. Make sure you can survive financially between jobs. Budget for the time you will be looking for a job. It is always helpful if you can get an overall view of how your money will carry you through any work search or training you may need to take on. You will have enough worries and issues to deal with and do not want to have to be concerned about your finances.
20. Set and prioritize goals while job-hunting. You need to know what you want, or else you can't ask for it. There are literally thousands of jobs open around you. Determine what it is that you want, set your goals for achieving this, and prioritize the steps that you will ultimately need to take. The more specific you are about your goal, the better your chances of getting the job you want.
21. Zero in on a career position and research the market. Before you start meeting people, you need to know something about the industry or field you want to work in. The more you know, the better your conversations with prospective employers will be-and the more impressed they will be with you.
22. Interview others for information. Interview people whose occupations interest you. You can always find someone who has done something that at least approximates what you want to do. Find the names of such persons, and go see, phone, or write them. You will learn a great deal that is relevant to your dream.
23. Organize a job search campaign. Organize your job search campaign. Failing to do so is a common flaw in many people's job search strategy. Make a plan for your job search. This entails: planning and organizing your job strategy, setting up a base or operations center for your job hunt, preparing materials, and carrying out job search tactics.
24. Update your resume and be prepared. Update that resume! A resume is what nearly everyone you approach in your job search is going to ask for. Get your resume in top shape. Use a professional service or ResumeMaker to prepare a show-stopping resume!
25. Keep yourself dedicated, strong, positioned, and consistent. Job-hunting can certainly be one of life's most stressful experiences. You have more power to keep the pressures of job hunting under control, however, than you may think. The key is to focus your job search and stay strong, dedicated and consistent. One of the curious things about the human brain is that it focuses on only one thing at a time. So keep it focused on you-and finding a job!


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Your Career Advancement Opportunities - Top Tips To Improve Them

The highly competitive career ladder can sometimes be a very frustrating and difficult field to survive in. With many qualified individuals gunning for the same opportunities, climbing the ladder to success can be a struggle. The best strategy is to combine your skills and hard work with clever planning and organization. The average person makes six to ten job or career changes; hence a plan is not only very useful, but also almost necessary. One has to focus and chase that advancement and the best way to start is by making sure your employer is well aware of your ambitions.

Counselors on career advancement believe that the right time to begin searching for an advancement opportunity is when you find your current workload unchallenging or if you find the workload light and easy. The first place to look for an opportunity is in the company where you are already employed, however if there are no positions open then you might have to consider looking elsewhere.

For starters you have to increase your worth to the company, there are many ways to do this, including taking up additional responsibilities or by asking for more work. Even going outside your department and offering others help isn't a bad idea, as it spreads your recognition across divisions. This allows the company to see what a dedicated and committed employee you truly are.

The next step is to have a clear conversation with your boss, where you should look to discuss your personal ambitions and career goals while at the same time emphasizing your desire to help the company meet and exceed its objectives and goals. Taking help from a career advisor or by finding a mentor for career guidance information isn't a bad idea either.

Another important step is to make sure you present yourself as a team player, project a confident and friendly personality, make yourself known as a motivational force and emphasize your communication skills. Everybody is looking for an effective listener and speaker. By improving these skills you can set yourself apart from the other and allow others to become aware of your skills and abilities. Communicate effectively with people in powerful positions and clearly state your ambitions to them. Appearances are also an important factor, and it doesn't hurt to be well groomed and dressed. Also try and maintain your professionalism in all fields regardless of the situation.

Another important thing to keep in mind is to constantly learn new skills and expand your resume. Keep up to date with the latest trends and procedures, and don't be afraid to express your own ideas. Also always a keep an updated resume handy, if you play your cards right, you might need it sooner than expected.

Abhishek

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Tips To Improve Your Career Advancement Opportunities

One of the methods to improve your career advancement opportunities and to reach a level higher than your competitors is to put in more effort and do your homework.

You may have noticed that a majority of the people switch careers make somewhere around six to ten career adjustments. This is the main reason that you need to identify career advancement opportunities. You should make it a point to be certain that your employer is conscious of the fact that you are looking for career advancement.

The most appropriate time for you to consider pursuing a new job is when you feel that your present position does not have much to offer and is not all that challenging. In this case, what you could do is keep your eyes open for higher level positions with your current employer.

Unfortunately, if there are no career advancement opportunities in your current place of work, you could start by trying to find a new job somewhere else.

Here are a few ways to search out new career opportunities:

Take On More Tasks or Extra Work

One of the best ways to make it clear that you're looking for more responsibilities is by taking on more tasks or extra work and lending your hand to other groups, or departments. This is a good way to show how committed you are to achieving the goals of the company. When it's time to dole out the promotions, your name will be among the first mentioned.

Sit Down and Have a Talk with Your Boss

You must take the initiative to have an important, straightforward discussion regarding your career advancement with your boss. You have to be your own best advocate. You should emphasize your desire to meet the firm's objectives as well as your own individual ones.

Look for a trusted mentor and counselor for career guidance, either inside or outside the company; research confirms that they have an impact on a lot of promotions.

Build On Your Social Skills

You must make an effort to build up your social skills like being outgoing and forthcoming. Additionally, being a powerful and clear communicator with exceptional listening skills plays an important part in gaining the respect of your colleagues and boss as well. Having these skills help you in promoting yourself and advertising your abilities by making people aware of your skills on the job and your achievements.

When it comes to career opportunities, only one person can create them - you.

Tony Jacowski
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Career Advancement Tips for Freshies: 5 Quick Advice to Help You Grow Successfully

These career advancement tips are not instant solutions to your career challenges. They are work values you can practice to help you advance in your career.

You have just left college and started on your first job. Although you know what your role is at your work place, you are also eager to make an impression. Remember that when you practice these career advancement tips, the results are not immediate. You will only begin to see their values when you start to internalize and act upon them naturally.

1. Heart

If you want career advancement, then do everything fueled by the heart. While your brain provides the knowledge, your hands and legs provides the skills, and your heart provides the passion. Fuel every task with passion.

When you work full-heartedly, your quality shows. Someone who has the skills and knowledge but do not have the heart to complete the given task can only do a good job. To do a great job, you not only need skills and knowledge, you need heart.

Perfection comes when passion meets skills and knowledge. Approach your work with all your heart and you will advance in your career, successfully.

2. Heed

Many freshies I have come across and worked with are very excited to demonstrate what they know and learned in school. However, they forget that sometimes experience is needed to complement what is learned in the academic world. As a freshie in the workplace, you need to take heed of what your seniors and bosses advice you. Pay careful attention to what they are trying to tell you. Some things only experience can teach you. The finer points of any industry can only be learned when you take heed of advice from elders in the industry.

3. Hunger

Have the hunger to know more and learn more. Have the hunger to want to go further and do more. If you want to advance in your career, always be hungry for relevant skills and knowledge. Always be hungry for excellence in your work. One of my ex-bosses used to tell me, when you do a good job, you earn your salary and your current position. When you do an excellent job, you give me reasons to give you an increment and a promotion.

The hunger to want to do more and do better quite naturally makes you a competitive advantage in your unit. People will notice your constant pursuit of excellence and that will make them want you to work for them and keep you on the team. You increase your value to the company. This is one of the career advancement tips I continue to practice till today.

4. Hindrance

As a freshie, you lack experience at work and you will find a lot hindrances. These hindrances coupled with your eagerness to demonstrate your prowess at work will frustrate you. Some challenges and obstacles are real. It could be related to your lack of skills and knowledge to complete a task.

You may perceive yourself to know how to do the task but in reality you may not be equipped to do so. When faced with hindrances, seek help. Do not be egoistic to not do so. No one knows everything. When you seek help you learn a new skill.

Some hindrances are more people oriented. They can be difficult colleagues simply testing your patience. When I was a freshie, how I approached this hindrance was to see it as a rites of passage. They want me to give them a reason for respecting my input and my work. When faced with such colleagues, practice patience. In extreme cases, you can seek help from your immediate boss.

As cliche as it sounds, hindrances only serves to make you learn more if you view them positively.

5. Humor

To balance off the career advancement tips of heed, hunger and hindrance is humor. I can still remember some of my personal experiences related to these career advancement tips. Imagine how stressful it can be when they all happen together.

Imagine the stress of having to deal with this situation - You are supposed to take heed of advice and remember it, especially when it is due to a mistake. You need to be hungry for excellence. You get hindrances from colleagues because you are new. In addition, hindrance to complete some tasks due to the lack of experience. How do you deal with it?

One of the best ways to deal with all these is to have a sense of humor. Laugh at yourself a little. When the going gets tough, laugh. While you need to be serious with your work to increase your chances of career advancement, it does not mean you cannot relax. Sometimes you have to say - it's only work. Having a sense of humor allows you to minimise the stress at work.

These are the 5 quick yet important career advancement tips a freshie can practice at work immediately. With constant practice, you can make it a habit and it would seem effortless before you know it.

Long Yun Siang or Long

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Career Success Tip: The Zen Way

Many young executives like to ask for career success tips. I usually start by saying career success does not come in a day. Yet, day-in day-out I see young people entering the working life pushing themselves as if they will make CEO in a year. They have a tendency to compare their progress with their contemporaries. You should not and must not compare your career success to your contemporaries.

If you ask me, what is career success? Frankly, I don't have the answer. But, I can give you a career success tip that works for me. However, ultimately only you can answer "what is career success?" because only you can seek. No one can do it for you. It is to be defined by your own values and principles in life. You would have to define what is career success for yourself. It means different things for different people. And it is your career goals.

The first step is to ask yourself "What is career success?". It is not a question you should mull over daily. You will have to spend time thinking about this. The answer will not come easy. Ask yourself that question, and then let it float in your mind for however long it takes - never force the answer.

Remind yourself this - if your career is a marathon, then it includes the preparation for the race - the warm ups, the stretches, the strength exercises, the stamina building, the constant practice runs. Constant effort is what will eventually get a positive response. And that response is success.

My biggest fear looking at many young first job executives is that a lot of them embark on this marathon and end up hurting themselves. They hurt themselves because instead of warming up and stretching, they sprint. Eventually they end up injured, taking months and years to recuperate.

This is an important career success tip. Your career like many things in life cannot be rushed. You succeed by not rushing nor lazing off. Your career success comes to you when you do not rush yourself through it. But this also means you do not laze off. When you rush you start to be careless. You forget the basic important steps in the race for your career success. If you sprint through at this early phase, you risk overdoing it. On the other hand, if you laze off - you won't put in the appropriate effort needed for success. For success to happen, you need to be moderate in your pursuit. That would be career success tip for you. There is a saying:

Hurrying makes things too tight,

Slacking off lets things get too loose,

By not hurrying and not slacking off,

We can succeed at what we do.

In this race, you are your own competitor. To end this career success tip, I leave you with this thought from Dao De Ching:

He who knows other men is discerning, he who knows himself is intelligent.

He who overcomes other is strong; he who overcomes himself is mighty.

He who is satisfied with his lot is rich.

He who goes on acting with energy has a firm will.

He who does not fail in the requirements of his position, continues long.

He who dies and yet does not perish, has longevity.

Long Yun Siang or Long


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Job Interview Follow-Up Tips

So what happens when you have a really great interview, you send your follow-up email in a timely manner, but then you hear nothing? What do you do? Do you send another note? Do you contact HR? Or the hiring manager you spoke to in the interview? It's a tricky situation, and a lot of people struggle with what to do.

My answer is: You need to both call and email the hiring manager. You took the time to meet with him, and if you went through that process, you spent at least 4-5 hours speaking with him or preparing for speaking with him, and you deserve to know exactly what is going on. Have they filled the position? Are they moving forward with other candidates, or are you still being considered? Are you no longer being considered for some reason?

(Don't get me wrong-I'm not telling you to "grill" them on what's up...but if they have moved forward with another candidate, you need to ask the question: If I were to do this again, what two things could I have done that would have made a difference? Or: What did the candidate you chose do that really separated him from the rest of us? You really want to learn from this. The ultimate goal for you is a great job. If this one has gone away, you need to learn what you can do next time for the next job interview process.)

Specifically, when you call the hiring manager, you can say something like: "Hi, this is John (or Jane). We interviewed last week for the position of XYZ. You said that you would be making a decision within a couple of days and contacting candidates. I haven't heard from you, so I was curious as to where you were in the process. Have you made a decision? If you haven't, is there a way that you and I can speak about this further so that you understand why I'm an excellent candidate?"

If you get voice mail (which will happen a lot), leave that message and say, "I'm going to also send you an email asking you what's going on with this process. I really appreciate speaking with you and I just want some feedback to understand where we're at and what the next steps are." This last sentence demonstrates your communication skills, your confidence, and your ability to handle a difficult situation. It's a tremendous opportunity for you, really. I've seen people save the job offer from the jaws of death by communicating so well in the follow up.

So, absolutely follow up with a phone call and an email, and if you're not getting the job, don't miss this significant learning opportunity to find out what two things you can do differently next time.

Peggy McKee 


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5 Ways to Keep Your Career Moving Forward

by Caroline Potter, Yahoo! HotJobs


The old adage says, "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush," and its wisdom is applicable to job seekers. It is usually far easier to find another job if you're already employed. But how can you ensure that the worst never happens to you -- that you're never left without a job and possibilities for your next opportunity?

Here are five suggestions from career coach Deborah Brown-Volkman:

Keep thinking positive.

It sounds deceptively simple, but try embracing the power of positive thinking when you're thinking about your career. Says Brown-Volkman, "When you tell yourself something bad will happen to your job, something bad will probably happen. If you tell yourself that you are marketable and confident and that you will always be working, your words can make this true."

Keep thinking ahead.

If you're not following trends within your particular industry, you could be caught off guard by a layoff. Is your position or division vulnerable to outsourcing, further automation, or elimination? Brown-Volkman, whose practice is based in New York, says, "If your job is being eliminated or outsourced, you will want to know about it before you are in the room with the human resources person telling you that your job is going away."

She urges professionals, "Look for trends and then train yourself in growth areas. Having the right skills at the right time ensures that no matter what is happening around you, you will be needed and employable."

Keep your resume ready.

Having your resume at the ready gives you confidence. You always know that if opportunity casually knocks, you're prepared to answer. Brown-Volkman reminds her clients, "Even if you are not looking for work, your resume reminds you of the contributions you make on a regular basis, something you can easily forget when you are immersed in the day-to-day. Whether you are looking for a job, or you already have one, an updated resume is essential for your career."

Keep cultivating your network.

Brown-Volkman, author of "Don't Blow It: The Right Words for the Right Job," believes networking should always be a part of your professional life. She states, "If you start to network only when you need something, you will have a lot of catching up to do." Instead of waiting until the 11th hour, she advises workers to network in some way every day.

"Wherever there are people, there is an opportunity to network." She also urges workers to network within their own workplaces. If coworkers understand what you do and your value, this could help safeguard your job in dicey times.

Keep your eyes and ears open.

You're up on the trends. You're networking. You've got a current resume. You're thinking positive thoughts. Now it's time to get creative -- by creating your own opportunities.

Read up on what your peers are doing and what you aren't. Consider how you might strike out on your own -- or on the side. Brown-Volkman adds, "Rather than thinking, 'It cannot happen,' believe that what you want is possible and is within your reach. Then, make it happen."

Job Info , Jobs Sources , Career Opportunity

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Computer Home Business - 5 Tips to Use Your Computer for an Internet Home Business

Anyone can use a computer to start an internet home business. A computer home business has been proven to make thousands of dollars for many people worldwide every day. Some people start making money without investing a dime in as little as a month. Others spend years buying courses and joining programs without making any money. The difference between these two groups lie in the systems being used and mindset. These five tips is all you need to avoid the pitfalls and make thousands per day online.

1. Get the right system

There are hundreds of systems to make money with online. Some include affiliate marketing with article marketing, others are pay per lead marketing with pay per click, AdSense, blogging, offering a service and so on. The key here is to start with a system that best interests you.

2. Get the right coach

There are only two ways of learning anything on earth. Either learn it yourself or learn it from someone else. This is true for computer home business as well. Once you select a system, say blogging, the next thing you can do is to get the best coach on blogging that you can afford. It is preferable to get a coach you can access anytime you need help and who is also up to date.

3. Goal Setting

To really succeed in making money online in your selected system and coach, you need to set goals. This can be, "By one month, I want to be making $100 per day using blogging". Your goals should be realistic and attainable. Goal setting helps you avoid all kinds of distractions too. Its powerful.

4. Daily Tasks

You will hardly succeed in goal setting if you don't break down your tasks into daily manageable bits. For example, you can say; day one: research market, affiliate programs and keywords I will use for my blog. Day two: Create my blog using the coaching course outlines. Day three: set up monetization strategies and open accounts etc.

5. Rinse and Repeat

Once you have completed your daily tasks for some time using the strategies in a good internet home business system, you will definitely start seeing some money. Once you start making money with your computer and internet, then you can multiply what you did over and over again. Most times you will start developing your own strategies and tricks in that particular area.


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Resume Tips For Military Spouses

My friends came over for the weekend and brought two small gifts for my kids. One gift was a small stuffed animal and a book, the other a small puzzle; but what stood out was the presentation! Clear cellophane wrap around the book and beautifully tied rawhide ribbons tied in a bow that was so beautiful I didn't even want to open it, or at least I wanted to somehow save it for re-gifting purposes. Presentation does make a difference! So I keep this in mind when I am looking at clients resumes. I like a resume printed on a good quality printer with no smudging, thick ecru paper, and if you are delivering it via email no italics and I like a little white space. If you are delivering the resume in person to a company or passing it along at a networking event, make sure you have a fresh manicure and a good haircut to boot. Clients often want to know a savvy way of combining their chaotic work history and how to package the gifts they have obtained throughout their military lifestyle. Should they go for "spouse-friendly employers" or hide the fact that they are a spouse on the run; they remember the hiring managers making comments on why they should or should not hire a candidate. Consider these tips as you go after the job of your dreams and remember that the law of attraction also applies to resumes, so regardless of my tips, if you love your resume others may love it as well!

1. Looks matter.
First impressions count so make your resume pretty! Consider limiting any bold or italic font as it often looks messy if the resume is scanned; better yet, try creating a clean PDF version of your resume as well so that it can be submitted to jobs electronically and not lose its professional appearance. Hiring managers are turned off by hard to pronounce names so if you have a difficult name put a nickname in parenthesis next to it for the job hunt-they can learn how to pronounce Vandana after you are hired. If you have an equally exquisite email address, consider changing that too. While friends may enjoying sending email to lovemymilitaryman@aol.com consider revamping the email listed on your resume to your initials or your first and last name and the internet provider; it will appear much more professional. You never know if a hiring manager is spying on MySpace or judging your personal address. In addition, make sure your home and cell phone voice mails are short, professional, and clear while you are job hunting.

2. Don't play hard to get:
You don't want a potential employer to call your house and be scared off by your sarcastic recording. Bottom line, make sure that you include a correct name, email, and mobile phone number that you can access at all times. Try to send resumes when you will have time to interview as well. If you are working full time, taking night classes, and about to have a baby you may not be free for potential interviews, and if a company calls you to come in and you postpone the date, another candidate may be hired on the spot just because they show up first. Perhaps postponing sending the resume until your summer holiday or three months postpartum will up your chances of being picked.

3. Making up for lost time:
Spouses often struggle with the proverbial gaps in their resume. Stop worrying about it so much and just think of what you did during that time that would still be worth listing. When you have a career gap it is ok to include those part-time extra jobs you took just to earn some money, and remember to word them as professionally as you can and include transferable skills such as customer relations or multitasking so your future employer sees some benefit to the work. You can also fill a gap with any volunteer work or schooling that may have been completed, especially if it is relevant to the job you are after. If you do have a lengthy gap in your resume try filling the gap with a few bullets rather than a lengthy explanation in a cover letter that should be focused solely on your strengths. If the gap is so big that you can't even fill half a page, then go take an intro to computer class and volunteer at organizations associated with the type of work you want to do, join some professional organizations or attend a conference so you have something current to brag about.

4. Boldly define benefits:
Job selection experts are not mind readers so don't assume they will understand military-spouse jargon; make sure your resume is clear and to the point. Write the resume with the company's needs in the forefront of your mind rather than highlighting what you are seeking. Resumes are not job descriptions of what you did, but rather a personal press release that displays accomplishments in clear succinct bullets highlighting your strengths, your transferable skills, and past contributions that will cause you to stand out and pique their interest rather than a recap your entire employment history. Companies should be able to quickly see your credentials and spot highlights that make you a good match for their company.

5. Size doesn't matter:
While one really good page is better than two so-so pages, don't cut back or start shrinking text to comply. Remember that short and sweet is all you need; and I say go for the trendier "profile" instead of a generic objective (description of the job you are after). The company knows the objective if you are applying for a job and a profile summarizes your selling points. One page resumes are back in style so consider moving some of those accomplishments to the cover letter and pairing down the resume content to look more like a sales brochure than a dissertation. In addition to choosing a clean simple typeface, have your resume professionally edited, and avoid any jargon. Keep in mind that a positive tone and active first-person tense reads more attractively.

6. Don't fake it:
Some spouses hire a fancy resume writer that rewords what they have done in old jobs to percentages and dollar signs of what they have accomplished, but then get stumped during interviews when they are quizzed on their own resume. Don't list that you are an expert at databases if you have never worked with one. And instead of scattering resume buzz words and clichés throughout, make the resume authentic. First think of your top strengths and then use a strong verb that describes where you really excel rather than what looks good on paper. Not only will your confidence shine through, but once you are hired for the job it will end up being a much better match than if you exaggerate in your resume and end up being placed in a job that requires the "attention to detail" work you abhor.

7. Peeking isn't cheating:
Go have a coffee at the library or local bookstore and peek at the resume book section. Do an online search, or better yet ask friends who are in good jobs if you can use their resume as an idea template. I am not saying to plagiarize a resume manual word for word, but as you read others' resumes it may "remind you" that you also were awarded something that slipped your mind. It can even be useful to go back to your old employee handbook that describes your past job description to help jog your memory about your skills and successes. As long as your ideas come from enough different sources and really resonate with who you are, it isn't cheating.

8. Tell your friends to brag:
As with everything else in military life, it never hurts to be over prepared. When you go to an interview bring a few extra copies of your resume in case you need to pass it along for a second interview-you never know. If you wrote "references available upon request" make sure that you actually have references and have a pre-typed one pager of these references and their contact information ready and on hand. Don't forget to let folks know you have used them as a reference so they don't blow your cover and say "Sara who" when a future employer actually calls.

9. Don't assume:
Don't assume the hiring manager knows how you are connected. If you know someone in the organization well, include your "contact" in the cover letter's first paragraph. Some spouses assume that an employer knows they are proficient at the computer or that they have references available upon request. It never hurts to include all relevant job skills. Another assumption people make is that the human resource professional reviewing your resume knows all the jargon associated with each job. You want to stay away from abbreviations and jargon no matter how common you think the word is.

10. Show off your stuff:
A beautiful resume that stays on your computer isn't going to get you that job. Contact all the military-spouse job resources and post your polished resume. In addition, print some extra copies and bring them with you so as you network you can pass them out. Try traditional job-search sites as well and don't be afraid to put yourself out there. You have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince, and the same goes for job hunting. Buy some nice folders and place a few resumes in them to drop off at your idea organizations. If an organization isn't hiring, ask them if they can keep your resume on file just in case something opens up.

Now let's get started!

o Write down everything you have done in the past about your work history from your first job until now. Include relevant volunteer work, seminars, and training you have received, and next to each item list the skills you acquired, such as answered a 5-line phone, presented to a group of 50, brought in X number of dollars in revenue, etc.

o Create a skeleton resume with the main content you want to share with potential employers, and then save this as "resume skeleton" on your computer; and then you may want to create two different resumes for the two directions you are headed. For example, one resume may include all your military volunteer work and be terrific for applying for that perfect position with a spouse-friendly employer, and the other resume may look more corporate and include only your work history, a P.O. box, and that "great" corporate contact in the cover letter.


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Tips To Start Your Accounting Career



What are the best ways for you to get your accounting career started? When I started my career, I know I was a little intimidated by the process. However, once you know what you are doing and how to go about lining everything up, you can actually you're your accounting career up and running in no time.

The first step to getting your accounting career up and running is to make sure you have the proper education. In order to have an accounting career you will want to make sure you have some sort of accounting education. Check on line and you may be able to find a school or program that can help you with getting your degree. If, though, you already have your accounting degree, you are one step closer to getting your accounting career off the ground.

Once you have your education completed, the next step in getting an accounting career going is to figure out what you want to do, exactly. For instance, you can choose a corporate accounting career, you can work for individuals, or you could even work for a non-profit organization of some kind. In other words, before you get your accounting rolling you will need to figure out what exactly your accounting career is going to be.

Once you figure out what type of accounting career you want to get started, you can begin your search for a job. There are three good places to look for jobs that can get your accounting career off the ground: the internet, newspaper, and through a headhunter. Check online job sites to see what types of accounting jobs are available in your area. Finding an entry-level job can be just the boost you need to get your accounting career going.

Another way to find that local job is through one of the local newspapers. Check the classifieds in the paper under accounting. There you can find accounting career entry level jobs that may help you. You can also contact a headhunter in the area. A headhunter specializes in placing people in jobs for their clients. If you have the education required to get into an accounting career, a headhunter may be able to place you with one of his or her clients.

Getting any career off the ground is a little bit of a challenge for most anyone. You want to get your accounting career going, and that is something that can be done as long as you know how to go about it. First, make sure you have the education required of someone with an accounting career. Next, figure out exactly what type of accounting career you would like to have, whether it be corporate, private, or non-profit. Finally, it is time for you to get a job and get your accounting career rolling. If you want to build a career, get yourself started by following these simple tips and you will be going before you know it.


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Diet Technician Career Tips



What we eat plays a major part in our overall quality of life. Never has this been more true than in the present time we live in. With numerous reports of children suffering from obesity and an adult population increasingly prone to weight related illnesses such as diabetes and cardiac diseases, the need to proactively manage our diet is no longer something that can be taken lightly.

A dietetic technician is trained to assess a person's diet and current health condition and make recommendations on the changes the person needs to make to their eating habits if they want to live longer and healthier. As one would expect, diet technicians work very closely with dietitians.

Diet tech jobs can be found in hospitals, schools, weight management clinics, prisons, government agencies and day care where the holder of the position would be tasked with formulating the most appropriate diet whether general diets for overall healthy living or diets specifically tailored for persons with special needs.

These diet technicians are not only responsible for structuring proper diets - they can also be involved in training on best dietary practice. The audience of such training can range from new mothers, children, invalids and the old. A good number of diet technicians work on a part time basis and will usually either be contracted by more than one institution or will be trained in another profession.

Dietetic technicians also work in the food industry where they participate in the preparation process to ascertain that the food prepared or packed is beneficial for human consumption and the packet labels clearly and accurately indicate the nutrient content, calorie content, or any other information that the consumer would expect to see or that is required to be shown by law.

Even though diet technicians are expected to focus on developing diets that foster good health, they must always be alive to the needs of their audience or client in order to ensure that a healthy meal is also an enjoyable one to eat. Doing this calls for creativity as well as an understanding of a wide range of healthy recipes.

If you would like to be a dietetic technician, you will first need to enroll for at the minimum a two year science associate degree covering food science, nutrition and food service system management. Once you are through with the associate degree, you must then enroll for a specialized dietetic technician training program endorsed by the Commission on Accreditation for Diabetics Education (CADE).

The CADE-approved specialized training program covers the entire spectrum of the dietetic technician's typical responsibilities. You will be trained on the patient management process - that is, the different approaches to use when talking to patients and trying to understand what their nutritional objectives are.

The program also tackles the fundamental principles of proper diets including best practice on portion control, steps to follow in developing a menu plan, safety and hygiene in food preparation and food storage, and the economic considerations in food preparation.

It is difficult to cover everything about the diet technician in this short article. I encourage you to do more research if you are interested. Visiting more websites covering the career in more detail should help.

Note: You are free to reprint or republish this article. The only condition is that the links should be clickable.

Copyright Kenneth Echie. 


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Top 5 Career Networking Tips For Job Seekers



There's no denying the fact that professional networking is one of the most effective parts of a job search strategy. Those who know the true value of networking are already benefiting from their contacts. Well, there is no doubt either that you would agree to the fact the around 70%-80% of job positions are filled through networking or referrals. What's important, however, is that you are well aware of the 5 best career networking strategies to make the most of this job search tool.

Given below are 5 best networking tips that job seekers can use to maximize the benefits of professional networking.

Join professional organizations
Ask job seekers and professionals about effective networking strategies and most of them would respond by saying - join professional organizations. Job seekers need to join organizations that relate to their professional fields or careers they want to kick-start. By joining a professional organization, you will come across a lot many people with the same professional aspirations you have. It is a great opportunity to market your talents and skills at conferences and meetings held by these organizations. And this will definitely expand your professional network.

Start to volunteer
Another important career networking tip is to participate in volunteering activities. By volunteering in a field related to your career or field of study, you can meet many influential people. This can further bring your multiple career opportunities and benefits. While you volunteer, you can also display or market your talents and skills. Volunteering is also an effective platform to acquire some valuable real world experience, which employers always prefer.

Join a job club
One of the most important tips for career networking is to start or join a job club. A job club brings many benefits to job seekers. At this gathering of job seekers, you can plan job search strategy, share job landing ideas and be informed about who is hiring. A job club, therefore, proves to be much supportive for candidates seeking jobs.

Maintain a positive online presence
Participating in social media has become utmost important for professionals. Through these online social media platforms, professionals can make their positive online presence. More and more employers and recruiters are searching for talents through these social media websites. Professionals can create their professional profiles on popular networking platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook. So, be prepared to make the most of your social media presence.

Conduct informational interviews
Informational interviews prove to much beneficial for college students and graduates. Job seekers too can make the most of informational interviews for career success. By conducting these interviews, you can talk to professionals who are working in the field you are also interested in. Informational interviews do not only provide you first hand knowledge about a specific working field, but it also expands you professional network at the same time.


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Capricorn Career Tips That Help Libra and Cancer



As a Capricorn you will gain a job that has to do with the earth, meaning anything that is solid and has firm foundations. In all cases the Capricorn likes to do there work from behind the scenes. You will have a job in which you counsel people, but your job will be centered on securing it.

As an Aries your career will blend with your fiery personality, the fire is a thing of instant connection to the soul. This makes you well enough capable to undertake certain procedures as well as deal with certain important issues. When of this nature you are everywhere and in everything to be recognized, as a great opener you should stick to that and leave other roles to particular persons.

The same for the person of Cancer which there careers get together with their nature. Whether it may be at work or where ever these individual's need extreme privacy, with this your career is always interesting with different trips and sense the joy would be plenty but you will have to have a home base despite the travel. You will be satisfied to know that your career is getting very interesting and also these people love to keep their private business secret until the right time.

The sign of Libra will obtain a job involved with his nature which is air; this is termed as anything that has to do with intellect. They are very good at judging people and work well with a funny partner. It is a joy because most Libra's are open for settling deputes and so on.

Colin Scott


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