Answers and Advice From Real People

Archive for December, 2009

What Is an iRex Digital Reader, and How Does It Work?

December 30th, 2009 |

What Is Barnes & Noble’s Nook, and How Does It Work?

December 29th, 2009 |

What is Barnes & Noble’s Nook, and how does it work?

The battle for eBook reader dominance is raging on. Though Amazon was the first company to put an eBook reader in wide release (the first Kindles came out in 2007 and completely sold out nationwide within fifteen minutes) there is one company whose reader is fighting for some of that company’s market share.

Barnes and Noble, whose bookstores pepper the American shopping mall landscape, put out an eBook reader this year called the Nook. Fortunately for Amazon (and unfortunately for the eggheads at B&N) the Nook is receiving the kind of negative reviews we haven’t seen since Microsoft tried to take on the iPod.

Nook’s Reviews — Disastrous

Many tech writers have chuckled about the similarity of the Nook and its reviews to the failed Zune player put out by Microsoft in 2006. Both devices feature lame “sharing” functionality — the Nook allows you to share books with a friend who also has a Nook. Sounds cool until you realize you can only share certain books for 7 days to one friend, once, ever, in the history of that book. Look, I’m a fast reader, but even I need more than a week for some books. The “share” feature of the Nook is just not powerful enough to be a selling point.

Other similarities to the Zune include the fact that the Nook looks and behaves almost identically to the Kindle, just slower and with more glitches. The Zune did the exact same thing, featuring very few if any improvements on the theme of its rival.

Other problems with the Nook

I hate to sound like a broken record, but just like the Microsoft Zune had a much smaller library of songs to pick from than iTunes had, the Nook has access to fewer total books and even fewer bestsellers. You’d think the folks at B&N could have arranged for at least the top twenty books of the year to be sold on their format. But no.

The overarching problem with the Nook is time — Amazon has released three different versions of Kindle, has had time to improve their Internet access, library, and user interface while Barnes and Noble sat there figuring out how to market their Nook. By the time a new version of the Nook is released (in a couple of years at the latest) there will be a full-color high-speed and Bluetooth capable eBook reader from Apple or Microsoft. Why even start to compete in a market that is drying up?

Facts about the Nook

The Nook uses the same “E Ink” technology that the Kindle and Sony brand readers use but somehow it takes a full three to four seconds to turn a page.

The Nook will set you back $259 — but good luck finding one for that price, as all available supplies are sold out as of this writing. The difference in price comes when you try to buy a book. Amazon’s library is cheaper than B&N’s by as much as 15%.

The Nook features a 6 inch E Ink screen, an off white case, and the same tech features as the Kindle, namely the ability to share media from your computer and to connect to the Internet.

The one thing the Nook has going for it? You can connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi.

In short, the Barnes and Noble Nook device is an eReader that is somehow “behind” its time. Had this device appeared at the same time as the original Kindle, there may have been a real competition for top dog in field of eBook readers.

As of this writing, it’s no competition at all.

This is one in a series of posts about various ebook readers. The other posts include:

• What is an iRex Digital Reader and How Does It Work?
• What is a Kindle and How Does It Work?
• What is a Sony Portable Reader and How Does It Work?
• What is an Aztak EZ Reader and How Does It Work?
• What is an eBook Reader and How Does It Work?

What Is an EBook Reader, and How Does It Work?

December 28th, 2009 |

What is an eBook reader and how does it work?

This is the first in a week-long series of articles on eBook readers, from Amazon’s Kindle to newer models like Barnes and Noble’s “Nook”. We’ll be looking at each device in detail and talking about how various types of eBook readers work.

What is an eBook Reader, how much does an eBook reader cost, and how does an eBook reader work?

To get started on the right foot, let’s describe what an eBook reader is, how much it costs, and how it works.

An “eBook reader” is a device used to display eBooks. Technically any device that can display lengthy text can work as an eBook reader, including PDAs and some cellphones. The difference between these devices (not dedicated solely to displaying eBooks) and the more formal “eBook readers” that were designed with eBooks in mind is how well they work. eBook readers like the Kindle were meant for reading on, and are therefore blessed with longer battery life and high tech features that make reading an eBook easier and more enjoyable. Sure — you can read eBooks on your PDA, but the screen won’t be very big and you won’t be utilizing the coolest feature of eBook readers–something called E Ink.

What is E Ink?

E Ink is to paper what your Blackberry is to an old rotary phone. E Ink refers to the display portion of an eBook reader. It is the area that displays text–where the “paper” would be in an old book, you have a screen that is composed of millions of tiny particles that display text. E Ink is a remarkable thing and it has only been around for about a decade. Originally developed at MIT, E Ink is like a computer screen that uses a tiny fraction of a normal monitor’s power.

How do eBook readers work?

So how do eBook readers work? eBook readers have pricetags from about $400 for the latest and greatest Kindle up to $1500 or more for the top-end Flepia reader. That may sound expensive, but Flepia is the best of the best–featuring a color screen, touchscreen capabilities, high speed Internet access, and Bluetooth adaptability .

Once you’ve picked the eReader of your choice, you can access various booksellers via the Internet. No need to plug your eReader into your computer–most devices on the market today download content using a wireless modem.

How much do eBooks cost?

The eBooks themselves range in price from $0.99 on up. Depending on the type of eBook you’re buying, you may find yourself shelling out big bucks for college textbooks (many of which are available in this format) or for proprietary information. The most expensive eBook I’ve ever seen is a text on nuclear engineering that came in just under $7,000.

In the interest of full disclosure, I should tell you that I own an Amazon Kindle. I may be a bit biased, but my Kindle is a kind of miracle–I love being able to look at free samples of books the way I would at the library or bookstore before purchasing a text. Other benefits of an eReader device (from a guy who uses one everyday)–a large chunk of my library can come with me to the coffee shop, the screen is super easy to read, and it recharges quickly.

In the coming week we’ll be taking a look at a few specifics about eBook readers. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s article — a look at the Barnes and Noble Nook eReader.

See also:

• What is a Kindle and how does it work?
• What is the difference between a Kindle and Kindle 2?
• What is an iRex Digital Reader and How Does It Work?
• What is a Sony Portable Reader and How Does It Work?
• What is Barnes and Noble’s Nook and How Does It Work?
• What is an Aztak EZ Reader and How Does It Work?

What Is the Best Place to Incorporate?

December 17th, 2009 |

What is the Best Place to Incorporate?

According to Forbes magazine’s eleventh installment of the Best Places for Business series, the top ten cities for business in America have changed drastically in just a few short years. North Carolina and Colorado are clearly the best states for incorporating a business — half of the top twenty cities in Forbes’ poll are from these two states.

At the top this year is Raleigh, North Carolina, with high scores in job growth and projected job growth as well as one of the top scores in terms of workforce education. A growing population of qualified workers combined with a cheap cost of doing business score means you’ll be attracting startups and money from all over the country.

A big success story in this year’s poll is Austin, Texas which jumped to number 8 overall after coming in in the low 40s in last year’s poll.  Why the jump? Forbes included two new categories in their ranking this year — a calculation of the impact of sub-prime mortgages in the area, and projected job growth. Austin scored so well in these two new categories that their profile shot up nearly 40 spots in the rankings.  Austin’s projected job growth is 2.3% over four years (fifth highest in the country) while their sub-prime score is in the top fifteen.

But knowing a city’s rank in one financial magazine’s poll doesn’t really equip you to say if a town is good for incorporating a business. It is well known that the state of Nevada is a perfect state to incorporate a business from, mostly due to to low taxes. Be careful, though — don’t try to run a business from your home state while it is incorporated in Nevada. Your home state probably has laws against this, and you will get caught.  At that point you may be jailed or at very least penalized and assessed for back taxes. The “Nevada” solution involves incorporating your business in a tax-friendly state like Nevada, opening another branch in your home state, then having your lawyer work out a deal where you manage the Nevada business from your home state — for a fee.

Figuring out a city or a state that would be a boon to your new business incorporation is more than numbers and tax-loopholes — you need to find a city you wouldn’t mind living in, a city that excites and interests you and other people around the country. When it is time to incorporate a business, do your research. Just because Forbes magazine loves Fort Collins, Colorado doesn’t mean you will to.

This post is part of a series of posts about “best places to”. Other posts include:

• What Are the World’s Best Places to Live?
• Where Are the Best Places to Live in the USA?
• Where Are the Best Places to Retire?
• Wheret Is the Best Place to Buy Movies?
• Where Are the Best Places to Ski?

Also on a similar topic is this page about the cheapest places to live in America. Check it out.

What Is an Average LSAT Score?

December 16th, 2009 |

What is an Average LSAT Score?

If you’re looking to get into a top notch law school, scoring a solid points total on the LSAT is crucial.

High profile professions all have their scary entrance exam — for medical school, it is the MCAT that keeps students up at night. For word crunchers, it is the uniform CPA exam. For those of us applying to law school, nothing gives us the cold sweats like the LSAT.

LSAT scores range from 120 to 180 — 120 is the lowest, 180 the highest. According to the FNBC blog, a good LSAT score is 160 or higher.  They also mention that as part of your LSAT score, you’ll see a percentile rank that lets you know what percentage of test takers in the last five years scored below you.

The article goes on to give a ballpark figure for a “good” SAT score — 160 or higher, according to the writers at FNBC. What should you consider an average LSAT score?

Scores between 140 and 160 are considered “average”, but that is such a wide range of scores you have to understand that there’s a further hierarchy between these numbers. 140-150 are on the low end of average, 141-149 is overall average, and 151-160 is in the higher end of average LSAT scores. Start scoring above 160 and you’ll find yourself in better company. To really shine in your application to the so called T14 schools (the top law schools in the country) you need to be scoring above 165, and of course, the higher the better.

Let’s take a look at the LSAT and GPA scores for the top five law schools in the country as determined by the Gourman Report. –

• Harvard —       LSAT 170 – 176, GPA 3.74 – 3.95
• Yale —       LSAT – 169 – 177. GPA 3.81 – 3.97
• Standford —       LSAT – 168 – 172, GPA 3.76 – 3.94
• Columbia —       LSAT – 170 – 175, GPA 3.58 – 3.82
• UC Berkeley —       LSAT –  164 – 170, GPA 3.70 – 3.92

Looking at this chart, you can probably tell that there is plenty of wiggle room, especially the further away you move from the top two schools. If you have a killer GPA but didn’t perfectly ace the LSAT, there’s a chance that you could find yourself at UC Berkeley or Columbia, just not Harvard or Yale.

An average LSAT score is difficult to calculate precisely — but it seems having a solid GPA and a better-than average LSAT score will put you ahead of most of the competition.

This is one of a series of posts we’ve written about various college prep subjects, and about entrance exams in particular. The others include:

• What Is an Average ASVAB Score?
• What Is an Average MCAT Score?
• What Is an Average DAT Score?
• What Is an Average GMAT Score?
• What Is an Average PSAT Score?
• What Is an Average GRE Score?
• What Is an Average LSAT Score?
• What Is an Average ACT Score?
• What Is an Average SAT Score?

What to Do when You Lose Your Job: 100 Tips and Resources

December 15th, 2009 |

 

Job Hunting Tips and Job Hunt Resources

Knowing what to do when you lose your job seems more important today than it’s been in our lifetimes. Millions of people who never imagined they would be unemployed or underemployed are now looking for jobs out there in the job market, so learning how to cope with being laid off, getting organized to send out resumes and acing those few interviews and callbacks we do receive is ultimately important right now.

So I’ve put together “100 Tips and Resources” for what you do when you have just lost your job or career.

Lost My Job

So you just got laid off or fired and you’re going through the emotional and financial devastation of being jobless. Know that there are legions of people out there just like yourself and many of them are willing to offer their advice and tips for what you do when you first lose your career.

1. Help! I Lost My Job! – For the jobless, unemployed and recently laid off, this blog covers all the emotions and ideas that goes through an unemployed person’s head: plan, positivity, bitterness, persistence, no panic and budgeting.
2. I Lost My Job – “Suburban Goddess” lost her job in 2008, so you can read about her process of searching for a new career while you search for yours.
3. I Just Lost My Job…Now What? – The writer created this blog for anyone out there who has lost their job, too. Offers free resume tips, free cover letter advice and job search questions answered.
4. Those Who Lost Their Job or Soon Will – How to survive losing your job and using the fear of career failure to find a new job and become a better employee.
5. You Just Lost Your Job – What’s Next? – Charles Apple blogs 7 tips for those people who were just laid off or fired, discussing how to keep your cool, along with how to handle finances, depression, insurance, thoughts of revenge, dealing with all that spare time and starting a job hunt.
6. Best Careers in 2010 – Marty Nemko offers his “Ten Best Carrers in 2010″, including one or two self-employment fields towards the bottom of the list.
7. Reduce Stress, Increase Joy – What the holidays can teach us about our work environment and why we should find a job we can enjoy and relax at, from “All Things Workplace” by Steve Roesler.
8. Job Search Marketing Toolkit – Career advice, job search advice and job search site reviews from “Career Alley”, a blog built to help people when they are searching for a new job.
9. Dream Your Job – Test Your Personality – There’s no reason you shouldn’t evaluate your own personality to see what the best job for you is. In fact, this might be one of the most important self-analysis you ever perform.
10. How To Figure Out What You Should Be Doing In Your Life – 7 tips for evaluating your career choices and what kind of a career you should choose to explore, from those just out of college to those who just lost their job.

Job Hunt Tips

A journey of a thousand miles begin with one footstep, so start thinking about how you’re going to conduct a job search. Hunting for a job is a real pain in the ass; there’s no getting around it. But the sooner you start job hunting and more information you have about jobs searches, the quicker you’ll this process will reach a successful conclusion. Procrastination is not your friend.

11. Secrets of the Job Hunt – A no-frills blog for job hunters which gives job leads in specific towns and states across America, as well as information and stats on the current recession.
12. Guerilla Job Hunting – From the author of Guerilla Marketing, Guerilla Job Hunting offers free job search tips. I know it looks salesy, but this job hunts blog offer good advice and videos.
13. Information Wants To Be Free – A writer, librarian and tech geek gives her thoughts on her own personal job search, which included over 200 rejection letters before success.
14. Job Hunt Blog – Safe and effective online job search tips, including advice on when they ask for your social security number and dealing with job search depression.
15. 7 Holiday Tips For Job Hunters – Alexandra Levitt’s Water Cooler Wisdom offers advice for job hunting during the holidays, most of which is good for job hunting year around.
16. Career and Job Hunting Blog – “Quint Careers” offers jobs and economic information, including what government leaders and businessmen are doing to get the economy going again, as well as the outlook for 2010.
17. Securing Your Career While Navigating the Winds of Change – “Sweet Careers” offers advice for changing careers. Just hope you can weather all those references to the wind.
18. Courting Your Career – This job search blog has such recent posts as “What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?”, “If you Want To Be More Enterprising, Think Plural” and “What Not To Wear (or Do) at MBA Admissions Fairs”.
19. Where the Jobs Are – 2009 and Beyond – “Career Solvers” leads a discussion of where the jobs are in 2009 and where they will be in the near future.
20. Job Seekers: Come Monday, It’ll Be Alright – An article on the Career Hub Blog for people about to start a job search. Another great article on Career Hub is “How To Get the Support of Partners and Parents Through a Career Transition”.

Online Job Searches

When you get tired of pounding the pavement and searching newspapers, local career centers and businesses, you can continue your job search at home on the Internet. If you haven’t hunted for a job in over ten years, you have a whole lot more resources at your disposal than you ever did before: social networks, jobs sites and even online employment opportunities.

21. How To Use Twitter For Your Job Search – Say goodbye to the job boards and hello to social networks when it’s time to find your next job.
22. 10 Ways To Use LinkedIn To Find a Job – Many online social networkers think social network sites can help you find a job, but most of those discuss Twitter. Here’s an article about using LinkedIn in your jobs search.
23. Network Your Way Into a Home Career – Teaching you to transition from college to the career world, “Classes & Jobs” discusses the best ways to make the connections that will help you make a career outside of a cubicle.
24. How To Lose a Job Through Twitter or Facebook – “What Not To Do” article from ITGS Online, about the likelihood potential employers search your social network homepages for deal makers or deal breakers when deciding to hire you.
25. Career Diva Eva Tahmincioglu – An author, MSNBC columnist and web journalist maintains this thinking man’s and woman’s career blog, discussing everything from career news to job Tweeting to finding the proper ergonomic chair.
26. Five Ways Google Can Save You Money – Google doesn’t just make searching the Internet easier or help you organize your emails. Google has five tools you might not know about that can make your life easier.
27. Microsoft Job Blog – Microsoft offers advice for job hunting, resume building and intervewin, whether you plan on working at MSFT or you’re just looking for job hunt suggestions.
28. Ten New Commandments For Career Success – The Hidden Job Market Secrets Blog discusses ten new concepts you’ll need to understand to succeed in the evolving career market.
29. The Future of Work Webblog – An interesting discussion of the future of the work environment and the jobs market, including this blog post about how the Internet is affecting people and their jobs.
30. Newton’s Quick Job Search Blog – Offers links to the most successful job search sites on the net, from the massive to the obscure, including “Wet Feet”, “Job Hunt”, “Dice” and “Groovejob”.

Resume Tips

It’s time to dust off the resume, because the more resumes and applications you send out, the better the chances are you’ll find a job which you’ll find contentment and fulfillment in and, most importantly, start earning some money from. The following resume resources covering everything from resume strategies to what the resume should look like to what needs to be in your resume.

31. 10 Tips for a Great Resume – The “Bargaineering blog” offers ten suggestions for building a kickass resume when you start looking for a new job.
32. Job Search Blueprint – For a place to start, you can look at this outline for how to conduct your grueling jobs search.
33. Resume Template – This “Word Templates” website includes templates for all kinds of business world templates, including this useful, no-nonsense resume template for sending out jobs inquiries.
34. Getting Hired When You Don’t Have a Degree – Finding the career path that’s right for you through “Career Solvers Blog”, by exploring all angles and avenues into a work environment and maximizing your life experiences on your resume.
35. 10 Tips For a (Slightly) Less Awful Resume – Stevey from Stevey’s Blog Rants offers ten resume tips that are entertaining to read, slightly cynical and absolutely useful.
36. 7 Principles For Writing a Letter – The key to writing sales letters, letters of introductions and otherwise introducing yoursef through the written word. You can use some of this for your resumes and job applications.
37. Evolving into the In-Demand Professional of Tomorrow – Adapting to the new work environment and becoming a sought-after employee in the 21st centuring, from the Resume Writing Blog.
38. Jobseekers Advice – Jobseekers is a career advice website with sections on career development, CV and resume writing advice, employment issues, working abroad, career education, training and the job seeker centre.
39. The Key To Securing Your Future Career – “An Elite Resource” gives advice and seminars on resume writing for professionals, helping you secure the job you always wanted.
40. Blue Sky Resumes Blog – Blue Sky offers the inside scoop on getting and keeping a great job, including self-defeating job search behaviors, polishing your personal brand and the value-added resume.

Personal Finance Blogs

Somewhere in the middle of your job hunting, you’re personal funds are likely to start dwindling. If so, search these online resources to learn ways to make your dollar stretch. Remember, just because you have to take these measures at the moment, it doesn’t mean you’ll be living like this the rest of your life.

41. Personal Finance Blogs – A whole host of personal finance blogs from real people talking about real finances, including the 2010 finanical plans, money challenges and how to cope with Christmas.
42. Living Large on a Small Budget – “Wise Bread” talks about the best non-traditional jobs, the best ways to avoid the worst financial problems and what you should and shouldn’t buy at Wal-Mart.
43. Bargaineering Personal Finance Blog – Discusses everything from debt consolidation and FICO scores to finding the best online checking accounts and why dividends stocks rock.
44. Six Ideas For Future Directions For the Simple Dollar – Trent’s “the Simple Dollar” blog is financial talk for the rest of us, which covers “Trent’s 14 Money Rules” and other ways to live financially secure.
45. Money Saving Mom’s Giveaway Post – The “Money Saving Mom” blog has a list of people willing to give away things. Add your name to the list or take advantage of all this free stuff from the “Giveaways Galore”.
46. How To Become a Substitute Teacher – One way to keep your head above water while you’re looking for a full-time job is to become a substitute teacher and here are tips for acting as a teaching substitute.
47. Moolanomy Personal Finance – Advice for saving time and money by shopping online, with the “Essential Toolkit for Shopping Online”. Other topics on Moolanomy include credit cards, debt, freebies, insurance, investing, real estate, banking and taxes.
48. How To Find Good Deals on Christmas Gifts – “Duel Income No Kids” may not sound like a financial blog for cutting corners, but it gives all kinds of economics, jobs and career tips.
49. Why Do Immigrants Save So Much More Money Than We Do – You see the success stories of immigrants to our great country. Now here’s budget-saving advice from an immigrant that reveals how they do it.
50. My Money Blog – Personal Finance and Investing Blog – With a little heavier emphasis on investment, this blog still finds time to discuss saving money with coupons, the best prepaid minutes plans and finding other good deals online.

Career Skills

While you’re searching for a new career, consider building your skill set to make yourself a more attractive potential employee. The more skills you can bring to a job, the more job possibilities will be open to you. Open some doors by unlocking your job potential.

51. Online Graduate School Tips – Advice for selecting the right online graduate school, so you can work on your masters at night and at your own convenience.
52. Finding the Best Online University – Online college degrees are huge these days and this how-to guide helps you select the best Online U. for the career you’ve chosen.
53. How To Get The Great Sales Job – Education, inspiration and motivation from Gavin Manningham, who gives specific advice on how to get a great sales job by maintaining a positive attitude, taking proactive measures, believing in yourself and being prepared.
54. Career Branches – Career advice for the jack-of-all-trades who is a master of none, from the “Career Branches” blog.
55. Tips For a More Productive Workday – These principles are solid for that brutal job search, while helping you keep that job once you finally get back to work.
56. Getting the Edge in the Sport of Business – The latest post on Mark Cuban’s “Sport of Business Blog”, where he talks about getting an edge in the 24/7 game that is the business world.
57. The Seven Beliefs of Success – Excellence in life enrichment from the “I Need Motivation” blog, including 7 secrets to becoming a successful person.
58. Thrive and Not Just Survive in This Economy – Workers don’t have to just survive the work environment, so “Career Trend’s Blog” gives tips for thriving in the current economy.
59. How To Be Happy With Your Job – Tips for measuring your own job satisfaction and learning the secrets of being happy in your career.

Job Hunt Community

Don’t feel discouraged if you start to feel like your opportunities are limited because of you age, race, gender or location. People every day just like yourself find good jobs. If you don’t believe me, click on the ten job hunter blogs below. If you don’t fit into these groups, I guarantee that you can find plenty of examples of your demographic online and some will be happy to share their advice and experiences. You’re not alone.

61. Job Search Resources for Boomers via Civic Ventures – For those more mature job seekers on the market, here are a few unemployment tips from Keppie Careers you can use when starting your job hunt.
62. Gen Y Career & Workplace Expert Lindsey Pollak – Offers career tips for the “Lost Generation” who came of serious job age during the recession or building your career pyramid.
63. Will This Tough Job Market Change Generation Y? – Blog discussion for the latest working generation on Anita Bruzzese’s “On The Job” site. Other useful posts include “How To Survive Working for a Jerk” and “4 Ways to Keep Your Confidence During a Job Hunt”.
64. The Black Factor – For those working or job hunting while black, the Black Factor provides strategies for coping with on-the-job racism, which may be no stronger than in the hiring process.
65. How Do I Get Back in the I.T. Job Market – Tips for getting back into the information technology jobs market from Harold Miller of “The Matrix Wall” blog.
66. Job Finding Tips For Teens – For those looking for their first job who don’t know how to even start, here is some first time job tips for teenagers.
67. Networking in New York City – Five tips for building a network of friend, business acquaintances and job contacts in New York City.
68. Where the Green Jobs Are – Find the job you love with “The Emerging Profession”, who gives tips to the green-oriented for being happier in their work environment and for finding jobs that fit their outlook on life. /the_emerging_professional/2009/11/where-the-green-jobs-are.html
69. Myths That Keep Black People Unemployed – The blog at the Grio website looks at black unemployment from a different perspective, listing traps that black men and women can fall into when job-hunting.
70. Dress For Success – Career Fashion Tips – Discussion on the types of clothing women should wear when preparing to be a successful careerist.

Interview Tips

Once you start to get positive replies back from companies and potential employers, you’ll need to focus on what you need to know and say and how you need to look and act while you’re interviewing. The interview process is a tense situation for just about anyone and, for some people, figuring out how to stand out from the crowd and win the interview process is a complete mystery. So do your homework and be prepared to impress when you start interviewing. If you aren’t surprised by the interview, you’re likely to have more confidence and presence in the interview process. So prepare for the interviewing process and learn some interview skills.

71. Phone Interview Not To’s – The Interview Guru is full of interview tips and suggestions, including “what not to do” during and after job interviews.
72. Job Hunting May Be Tax Deductible – Tips for deflecting some of the costs of a job hunt, because travel to job interviews and other job hunt expensions are tax deductions.
73. 4 Actions That Got People Jobs in this Recession – If you’re looking for ideas on how to stand out in the interview process and get the job you’re looking for, these are four common actions that wil help you get a new job.
74. Career Slave: The Career Advice Blog – Advice for using your local career center, preparing for an interview, 6 steps for making a positive career change and 41 questions to ask at a job interview.
75. 100 Great Interview Questions – Cheezhead jobhunters blog offers 100 interview questions to ask when being interviewed, so you should be able to find a handful you can tailor for your needs.
76. Should You Accept the Job Offer? – Read these tips for when you finally receive a job offer. Or read these tips for when you don’t get the job you wanted, but a lower-paying offer.
77. 10 Steps for Landing an Entry-Level Job – “Heather R. Huhman” gives you ten secrets to learning more about the job search process and becoming a better job searcher.
78. Will the Closing Line In Your Interview Get You Hired – Good first impressions are important, but so are good last impressions. Learn how to finish off your job interview with a flourish.

Becoming an Entrepreneur

Maybe you decide you’re sick of working for someone else and jumping through hoops for the right to work. If so, you might consider becoming becoming an entrepreneur, so you can be your own boss. This might seem crazy if you don’t have the money to pay your credit card bills, but starting your own business doesn’t necessarily have to be a money-intensive experience, if you know the possibilities and have a little imagination. So read about becoming an online entrepreneur or a small-time business owner out of your own home and take the future into your own hands.

82. How To Decide Whether To Be an Entrepreneur – Another rating system to decide whether starting a business and entrepreneurship is the financial choice for you.
83. How To Become an Entrepreneur – Read the “Toilet Paper Entrepreneur” to see 163 tips for starting your own business and controlling the future of your financial success directly.
84. SEO Fast Start – This SEO expert gives advice for those who, like himself, has left his job. SEO is a web marketing and search engine ranking profession, for those wanting to know what the heck an “SEO expert” is.
85. The Life of an Entrepreneur – “What Would Dad Say Blog” explores the question of whether entrepreneurship is for you and discusses the traits that make for great business owners.
86. Working From Home Tax Deductions – For the self-employed or those who work from home, five different ways you can save money through deducting from your taxes.
87. Self-Employed Health Insurance – If you choose to become an entreprenuer or to work for yourself, you’re going to need medical insurance. This article from “Health Insurance Info” should give you most of the basics.
88. Procrastination, Anxiety and the Ugly Truth “About Just Starting” – Relief for entrepreneurs and creative professionals and mindful time management advice from a blog about time management ideas.
89. Finding Prosperity in Your Adversity – “Motivational Memo Blog” offers up short blog post memos to help pick you up when your job loss has got you down, meanwhile offering helpful tips for job hunts.
90. Escape From Cubicle Nation – Entrepreneurship blog from Pamela, which includes discussions of business models and articles like “How To Choose a Business To Start”.

Personal Branding

The 21st century is a whole new business climate, where personal success often comes from personal marketing. Whether you hope to find a job in your old career field, start a new career or start your own business as an entrepreneur, personal branding might help you market yourself, your skills or your business. Whatever the case, learning a little bit about personal branding and see if it’s not worth your time.

91. 10 Personal Branding Predictions – The “Personal Branding Blog” discusses how to integrate your online presence and use all the tools (such as social networking, videos, blogging) and transparency to sell yourself to potential employers.
92. Personal PR – Building Relationships – Sharing Ideas – Tiffany Monhollon discusses personal branding and social media tools that can help you navigate the line between personal and work both online and off.
93. 5 Reasons Why People Will Spread Your Personal Brand – More personal branding advice from the Marketing Minute blog, including 5 traits that make other people sell you to employers.
95. Why Just Growing Your Network is B.S. – This article gives the other side of the argument, because if you are selling yourself, you won’t be able to sell the product, if the product isn’t a good one. Build your good reputation and you have good brand name recognition.
96. Are You Waiting For the Right Time – “Get Your Success” gives advice for avoiding the procrastination and wrong-headed perfectionism of waiting for the right time to make a life change, whether it’s going to the gym or getting a new job.
97. Personality Traits and Traitors – Why Networking Isn’t a Personality Trait – The career consultant at the “Unlock the Hidden Job Market” blog discusses how introverts and technical people can and should use their people skills to find a job.
98. Five Mental Habits of Innovative People – “Entry-Level Rebel” highlights 5 traits that innovative people display: they are associating, questioning, observing, experimenting and networking people.
99. 5 Ways To Climb the Ladder Without Losing Your Soul – Great job keeping advice, for when you finally find that job you’re looking for. Tips include honing your skills to develop a personal brand, learning who does have the boss’s ear (so you know who “not to cross”) and being the kind of person people enjoy spending time around (even at work).
100. The Best Insurance Policy You Could Have in a Recession – The “Networking Effectively Blog” presents a long article with 5 ways to make yourself invaluable at your next job or worksite.

 

Related Posts

What is Minimum Wage?
What are the Best Career Books to Read?
What are the Best Careers for Someone with an Art Degree?
What are the Best Paying Careers for People Without College Degrees?

What Are Some Questions to Ask a Lawyer?

December 15th, 2009 |

What are Some Questions to Ask a Lawyer?

When you first sit down to consult with a lawyer, it may be difficult for you to think of questions you need answered. Many people are intimidated by lawyers the same way they are intimidated by doctors, dentists, or their mother-in-law. Here are a few key questions to ask at your first consultation.

According to this post at the website for The American Bar Association, the most important generic questions to ask a lawyer are –

• What is your experience in this area of legal practice?
• How long have you been practicing law?
• How long has your firm been practicing law?
• What kind of legal problems do you handle most often?
• Are most of your clients businesses or individuals?

The article goes on to suggest that you ask if there will be paralegals or other non-lawyer personnel working on your case. The article also suggests you ask as many questions about legal fees as you can think of, including how you are being charged (hourly, by the case, or by a percentage of winnings), how much the bill will be from start to finish, and any possible payment plans you can use to pay off your bill.

This blog post from AllBusiness.com has a long list of suggestions for good lawyer questions.

• How many cases like mine have you handled in the last year?
• How will you keep me informed of new developments?
• What is the possibility of a successful outcome?
• What are the chances of settling the case before trial?

Finally, here are some questions to ask a lawyer in the specific field of bankruptcy.

• Should I file for bankruptcy or do I have other options?
• Who will actually be handling my case?
• How much of your time is devoted to bankruptcy cases?
• How much do you charge for your bankruptcy services?

Sitting down for a consult with a lawyer can be expensive and nerve wracking. To make the most of your time and money, arrive prepared with questions you need answered. The lawyer will appreciate you saving his time, and you’ll appreciate getting the most bang for your buck.

Why Was As the World Turns Canceled?

December 14th, 2009 |

Why Was “As the World Turns” Canceled?

CBS has canceled two high profile daytime television shows in the last four months.

First, “Guiding Light” — the longest running soap opera in television history, which aired in some form from 1937 to 2009. On December 8th, 2009, CBS announced that “As the World Turns” (which started airing in 1956 and was the longest running broadcast soap opera after the cancellation of “GL”) will end its run in September of 2010. “As the World Turns” has an annual audience of around 2.5 million, and is by far the most popular of the remaining soap operas.

So why would a show with that many viewers be cancelled after more than fifty years? Put simply — money.

Even though the show boasts millions of annual viewers, soap operas simply aren’t profitable for networks anymore. The reasons for this loss of revenue have been debated in recent years — women joining the work force en masse, and competition from multiple cable channels and online programming are the two usual suspects.

Daytime television has moved away from big budget dramas to cheaper talk shows and other formats. Soap operas require big budgets because of the size of the cast, guest stars, the number of writers needed to keep a show interesting, productions costs and high productions values, etc.

Look at other daytime soap operas for an example of how the entire industry has been affected by tight budgets. Think back to October, when Eric Braeden of “The Young and the Restless” made noise about leaving the show because he’d been asked to take another huge pay cut. Reportedly, Braden makes seven figures for his work on that popular soap.

In related news, ABC is moving its most popular soap, “All My Children”, to a more cost effective California studio before the end of 2009. Industry insiders report that show will save as much as $15 million every year for moving the studio.

There may be hope for fans of “As the World Turns” — the production company that puts the show on the air is reportedly trying to sell “World” to any number of other venues, including a possible move online, hoping that production of this popular daytime drama can continue. Outlook for this plan is not so good, as “Guiding Light” tried the same thing and failed to find a competent buyer.

Daytime dramas are struggling, just as television and other entertainment media are struggling. To keep your favorite soaps on the air, the best move you can make is to shop with their sponsors.

How Can I Change Her Mind?

December 3rd, 2009 |

Dear Deb,

Ok. I am a 43 year old woman with a 17 year old autistic daughter. I have been married for over 20 years now but I am in love with my best friend. Tasha has also been married about the same amount of time I have and has kids of her own. We have been friends for almost 15 years.

My husband doesn’t have any idea that I like women and I have never cheated on him even though he has cheated on me at least once that I know of. But I am really in love with Tasha and if we ever got together I feel like I could stay with her the rest of my life and be content.

The problem with this isn’t that she doesn’t have feelings as well. In fact we have talked about it many times and she has admitted to them. But she is a minister and feels like if she were to start a relationship with me, it would be hypocritical to what she was taught to believe and preaches.

I am starting to get to the point that I think I might leave my husband and I want to advance my relationship with Tasha but I don’t know how to do that. I don’t want to wreck our friendship but she says the feelings are there.

And I’m not at the point in my life where I want just a physical relationship. That ship has long since sailed. I want to be committed to her. What can I do or say to maybe at least make her focus long enough to think twice? I really need some advice on this because I’m just not sure what to do.

Carolyn

Dear Carolyn –

This sounds like a complicated decision for Tasha that has all kinds of consequences for her career. While deciding to leave a marriage of 20 years is a huge step for you, you might be asking Tasha to make an even larger break with the past. Choosing to enter a relationship with you might well involve a virtual change of identity, because she has a bond to consider with an entire congregation of people, instead of a husband or a family.

If you have talked to Tasha about this before, she has probably given this more thought than you would imagine. If she has told you she has feelings, but she considers it a matter of conscience, that’s likely to be a large obstacle. As a preacher, if Tasha decides that living a different lifestyle would compromise the message she preaches, then contemplating a new living arrangement might also involve other life-altering decisions like a change of career.

Given that consideration, you might face an uphill struggle to convince your friend to become your life partner. I’m not saying it’s hopeless, but more complicated than most romantic situations you’ve probably seen in your life.

In the end, if you want to be committed to Tasha and you want Tasha committed to you, you’re eventually going to have to lay it on the line. It sounds like the two of you already have a special relationship, so, knowing your friend, you should decide what the best way to approach her might be. The best way is likely to be open and honest about your feelings and expectations and tell her exactly what’s on your mind. Do so in a way that she knows how serious you are.

I would ask you to examine this closely before you take this step. Given your history with Tasha, such a step might not risk your friendship, if she declines. But many times, a friendship becomes strained, when one friend wants to take it to the next level and the other friend doesn’t. You’re going to have to be prepared to hear the word, “No”, because that’s a real possibility. Put yourself in Tasha’s place.

Consider the thoughts that have kept you in your marriage, despite your growing discontentment with it. Given your statement that you aren’t at a point where you want just a physical relationship, you’re no doubt mature enough to understand that people make relationship decisions based on all kinds of motivations, beyond merely the pleasures of the moment. You certainly have reasons that have kept you in your marriage, whatever they might be.

Now consider that Tasha has an entire congregation full of relationships, built up (many of them) over years of preaching and advising the people of her church. Consider that Tasha’s beliefs (right or wrong) tell her that a preacher can’t be involved in a same partner relationship. Like the relationships and commitments that keep you in your marriage, but to a less extent with each one, Tasha has a whole building full of relationships and commitments that will make her resistant to such a major life change. She doesn’t want to disappoint the people in her church. She doesn’t want to break faith with them.

Whether you believe that’s a good reason to avoid a fulfilling relationship or not, this might be the mindset of the person you care so much about. It’s part of what makes Tasha the person you admire so much, so you have to be prepared to respect that. And if she says yes and wants to start a life with you, you have to be prepared to face the life changes this is going to bring to both of you. Whether she chooses life with you or not, remember what you’re asking her to give up to be with you.

Best wishes,
John Clifton

Question about Abortion Complications

December 3rd, 2009 |

Ask Deb -

Hi,

This is Anusha. I had a question regarding my sexual life with my husband. We got recently married and within one month I became pregnant. So I had an abortion on September 2nd, ’09. I just want to know whether there would be any complications if I concieve? Please advise me. And I want to know how will they count the fertility dates from the time periods starts?

Thank you,
Anusha

Generally speaking, having an abortion does not affect your future fertility. If your abortion has no complications, you should remain as fertile as you were before the abortion. This is especially true if you had a medical abortion (medicine/pills) instead of a surgical abortion. Even with a surgical abortion, you aren’t likely to

You begin to ovulate as soon as 2 weeks after an abortion and become fertile within 4 to 6 weeks. Your body will probably show signs of pregnancy for up to a week after abortion. Do not have sexual intercourse for at least 2 weeks after you have an abortion. Use birth control methods to prevent another pregnancy, because your body doesn’t need to go through the ordeal of another abortion anytime soon (if you had a surgical abortion as opposed to medical abortion). Remember that birth control pills don’t begin to work for a month, so there is a period of time in there you might get pregnant if you use no form of prophylaxis.

Discuss with your family doctor or local family planning center specific questions. Don’t be shy about asking questions from the medical experts in your life.

Good luck having children eventually, Anusha.

John Clifton

Song Question about 2007 Canadian Band

December 3rd, 2009 |

Ask Deb -

Here’s a tough one, as my memory has died in the past couple of years. I don’t know the name of the band, the song, or the girl that sang it. It came out in 2006 or 2007. (about the same time as the song “Pain“).

The girl was new to the band. I believe I heard either the girl or the band were from Canada. The girl did an interview (i believe for Mtv)- she talked about her first time on stage while they set up for a concert. She said something about she was in the way, or felt like she was in the way, so she found a tall stool climbed up on it and scrunched up.

The video was all cut scenes – I think it may have been a dream sequence.

I don’t remember much else. I had the page for the online video in my favorites but I lost my hard drive, now I cant remember it. “for some reason I keep going back to “funeral for yesterday” I think because they came out about the same time. None of my friends can remember it, so if you could – “please and thank you” – I’d appreciate it.

Dear Music Lover -

I’m afraid you have me stumped on this one. It looks like the two songs you mentioned were big during late 2006 and more likely in early 2007, so I’ve tried to figure out which other Canadian bands with girl singers were big on the scene at that time. None of the options seem to fit the bill, mostly because the videos didn’t seem to fit or the genre seemed a lot lighter than the other bands cited.

Since people can like all different kinds of music, though, I’ll go ahead and list the Canadian bands getting the buzz in early 2007. Maybe one of these will be the one you’re looking for, or perhaps jog your memory somehow.

Arcade Fire, a Canadian band fronted by a husband-wife combo, received all kinds of accolades and awards for their work in 2007. The founder and male singer of this Montreal based band is Win Butler. His wife and bandmate is Regine Chassagne, originally from Haiti. Arcade Fire’s 2006 album, Neon Bible, won the 2008 Meteor Best International Album award and the Juno Award for Best Alternative Album in 2008 (for their success in 2007). Singles off the album were “Intervention”, “Black Mirror” and “Black Wave/Bad Vibrations”.

Broken Social Scene, a Canadian “supergroup” from Toronto, also got a lot of talk in early 2007. Broken Social Scene is a collaborative effort of musicians from the Toronto music scene, with a membership that ranges from 5 to 17 musicians at any given time. Formed by Brendan Canning and Kevin Drew, one of the female members was Toronto singer, Leslie Feist, better known as “Feist”. Her song “1-2-3-4″ became a huge senstation in late 2006, after it was featured on a famous iPod commercial.

Among non-Canadian bands that had hit singles in 2007 there are bands like Paramore, which scored a hit with “Misery Business”. The singer of Paramore is Hayley Williams, from Mississippi by way of Tennessee.

This is one I hope I’m not overlooking something obvious, but that seems to be the extent of the Canadian bands who were making big news in the pop music scene in late 2006 and early 2007. If it comes to me in the middle of the night, I’ll update this page.

Hope you find the song you’re looking for.
John Clifton

Asking out a Shy Guy

December 3rd, 2009 |

Ask Deb -

My name is Maali. I’m 22 and a few months ago I met this guy who happens to be my little nephew’s swimming coach. Well, I have to admit that I liked him since the first moment I saw him, but I really didn’t think that anything could happen between us, since he’s sooooo shy and serious. With time, he started paying more attention to me and giving me flirtatious looks, but when our eyes meet or when we come, close he blushes and says “hey” nervously.

So I took the initiative and asked him a random question just to break the ice and see what happens and, to my surprise, he seemed to be very happy with me talking to him and he came and sat by my side and was talking and smiling and looking at me straight in the eyes and we exchanged phone numbers; but he never called.

So I took the initiative again and sent him a message, just asking how he was doing. He texted me back then gave me a missed call, then texted me again and said that he liked my ringtone. Yet when we met face to face after that, he was so nervous as if he did something wrong, but he kept on looking and smiling as usual and being friendly (saying hi and walking me and my sister and her son to the car).

The thing is, he wants to talk to me as he always sits by my side when he sees me but he doesn’t say anything more than the usual hi and how are you doing. He became a very good friend with my sister (he knows her for more than a year but never talked to her until I started going to the pool). She once asked him in front of me about a ring he was wearing in his left hand and answered that it was a gift from his sister and said that he was not engaged in any kind of relationship and looked at me as if I were the one who asked the question.

Well, yesterday he came and talked to me then he asked me if I read the announcement about the holiday they are going to take next week. But I really dunno why he asked me that question!!!! Later, he offered to give my nephew a ride home and he did and everything was going very well until I texted him just asking him how was the ride with my nephew and told him that he liked it a lot but he never answered!

The thing is he is very well mannered. He never ignores me and I was shocked not hearing from him. I really want to understand this guy: does he like me or not? Should i go through with this thing or back off, as i’m starting to fall for him.

Is it that difficult to get him to ask me out or what? Please help!!!

Dear Maali -

When you have a guy too shy to make the first move, you’re going to have to make the first move yourself. Luckily, we’re in the 21st century, so that’s no problem, unless you have a personal preference for men who make the first move. If you’re okay with asking a guy out yourself, here’s how you do it.

It sounds like you have taken several of the first steps, so this should be easy. Well, as easy as it ever is to make a connection with people.

1. Location Is Everything

When you want to ask someone out, you’ll want to do it when you have their undivided attention and they aren’t busy with something else. It sounds like the two of you have plenty of “alone time”, so you should have no trouble picking your spot.

2. Make Small Talk

Once again, make small talk with your guy. Make a pleasant comment about something he’s wearing or something he does. See how he handles a compliment. This also gives him a signal you like him and you’re interested in him.

Now that you have his attention, mix in three other elements to your conversation: eye contact, flirting and questions about him. All three of these sends signals you’re interested, while not committing you to anything, in case he doesn’t respond well.

3. Make Eye Contact

Eye contact does two things for you. One, it gives him a further indication you are interested. Two, it gives you a chance to read his eyes. The eyes are the windows to the soul. You should get a pretty good idea from his eye contact what he thinks of you.

The next time the two of you look at each other, maintain eye contact just a little longer than you normally do. I’m not talking about staring at him or being creepy, but holding his gaze an extra second or two.

Notice what he does. If he makes eye contact back, he’s more than likely interested in you.

4. Flirt A Little

Most people know how to flirt, but are just out of practice. One of the first things children learn to do is playfully flirt with people. Unfortunately, that instinct is taken out of us at an early age. You know how to do to be playful and flirtatious, even if you don’t do it all the time.

Laugh at any jokes he might make, whether they are intentional or not. Be playful. Touch him lightly on the arm. Give him a compliment or two, but not too many. There are subtle and not-so-subtle signals you can give him that you’re interested in him.

Test his reaction to these. If he flirts back, you’re on the right track.

5. Quiz Him

Ask him some questions about himself and gauge his reaction. Ask him what he likes to do for fun. Ask him what sports (besides swimming) he enjoys. Ask him what food he enjoys. Ask him what he does on the weekends, or what he does with his friends.

Once again, these do several things for you. It shows you’re interested. Two, it gets him to talking. You give him an opportunity to open up, because people know themselves best and will talk about their likes and dislikes more than anything else, even if they edit out information they don’t want you to know.

Also, you might be able to find out more about him. Once you start to learn about his likes and dislikes, you’re going to start to see him for who he is.

Of course, your questions also get to the overriding question: what about that ring on the finger? It’s probably just as he says, but keep it in the back of your mind if any of his answers sound suspicious. There’s that outside chance he likes you, but he has another relationship he doesn’t want to talk about. Don’t assume that’s the case, but don’t get blindsided by it, if that happens to be true.

6. Ask Him Out

Given that you’ve known this guy for months and the two of you have had lots of time together, you may already be at this point. If so, skip to the “asking him out” point.

By this point, you should know enough about the man you’re interested in to know some things he likes to do. Find some activity you also enjoy and ask him to do it with you sometime. If he likes scary movies and you like scary movies, ask him to go watch a scary movie with you. If he likes sushi and you like sushi, ask him out to a sushi restaurant. If he enjoys riding a bike and you enjoy riding a bike, ask him to go bike riding.

Anything works, as long as you both enjoy it. This will put both of you in the best light, instead of one suffering through an activity just to be on a date. Also, if he turns you down, it’s likely that it’s not because he doesn’t like what you ask him to do, but he doesn’t want to do it with you. (The timing might be wrong, so don’t be entirely devestated. If he shuts you down categorically or turns you down several times, that’s a hint.)

Whatever the case, at that point, he knows you’re interested. Whatever shyness or hesitations he has should go by the wayside, because most shyness has to do with lack of confidence the other person will be interested. Once that’s out of the way, a shy guy tends to just be a guy.

Asking Out the Shy Guy

Hopefully, that will do the trick. Remember, if you ask a guy out, be prepared to pay for the date. If he insists on paying or going halfsies, don’t make a big deal out of it. Just a heads-up to be prepared to fund the nights events.

Good Luck,
John Clifton