Never Give Up!

No dream too late to be realized:

How old are you? Are you in your twenties and focusing on the possibilities that exist for you? Are you in your thirties and living in the moment? Could you be in your fifties and feeling a bit of regret that your dreams and your best days are behind you? Your day is now, as is your moment. And there is no dream we have without the ability of making that dream come true. That’s true for each and every one of us, without exception, regardless of our age or stage. Yes, you and I have had our dark moments, moments that may have made us feel that we can’t make our dreams come true. Don’t let the dark moments stop you. Remember that ours is a world built on night and day: We can’t enjoy the day without the night.
So dream on! Move inch by inch towards living the life of your dreams. Don’t give up and you’ll succeed, just like Miss Susan Boyle.
Namaste,
Rita

Susan Boyle Sings on Britain's Got Talent 2009 Episode 1 @ Yahoo! Video

Quotes from Resumes

Two reasons for the following quotes:
First, laughter is the elevation of our soul to new heights and allows us to see what we would otherwise miss when in the dumps

Second, If you can appreciate and catch the "errors" in these quotes, then you are doing something right (or would that be write?) with your resume and that is worth celebrating!

Courtesy of http://www.usewisdom.com/fun/resumes.html

I am very detail-oreinted.

I have a bachelorette degree in computers.

Graduated in the top 66% of my class.

Served as assistant sore manager.

Married, eight children. Prefer frequent travel.

Special skills: Experienced with numerous office machines and can make great lattes.

I can play well with others.

I have exhaustive experience in manufacturing.

Special skills: I've got a Ph.D. in human feelings.

My contributions on product launches were based on dreams that I had.

I eat computers for lunch.

I have used lots of software appilcations.

Objection: To utilize my skills in sales.

Experience: Watered, groomed, and fed the family dog for years.

Reason for leaving last job: Pushed aside so the vice president's girlfriend could steal my job.

Previous experience: Self-employed -- a fiasco.

I am a pit bull when it comes to analysis.

I am the king of accounts payable reconciliation.

Work history: Bum. Abandoned belongings and led normadic lifestyle.

Reason for leaving last job: The owner gave new meaning to the word 'paranoia.' I prefer to elaborate privately.

Reason for leaving last job: Bounty hunting was outlaw in my state.

My ruthlessness terrorized the competition and can sometimes offend.

I love dancing and throwing parties.

I am quick at typing, about 25 words per minute.

I am a rabid typist.

Skills: Operated Pitney Bones machine.

Special Skills: Speak English.

Education: B.A. in Loberal Arts.

Work Experience: Dealing with customers' conflicts that arouse.

Education: College, August 1880 - May 1984.

Experience with: LBM-compatible computers.

Fortunately because of stress, worked in the cardiac intensive-care ward.

Typing Speed: 756 wpm.

Objectives: 10-year goal: Total obliteration of sales and federal income taxes and tax laws.

Seek challenges that test my mind and body, since the two are usually inseparable.

Personal Qualities: Outstanding worker; flexible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

My experience in horticulture is well-rooted.

Work History: Performed brain wave tests, 1879-1981.

Extensive background in public accounting. I can also stand on my head!

I perform my job with effortless efficiency, effectiveness, efficacy, and expertise.

Personal: Married 20 years; own a home, along with a friendly mortgage company.

My intensity and focus are at inordinately high levels, and my ability to complete projects on time is unspeakable.

Exposure to German for two years, but many words are inappropriate for business.

Frequent Lecturer: Largest Audience: 1,351. Standing Ovations: 5.

Number of Audience Questions: 30.

Accomplishments: Completed 11 years of high school.

Excellent memory; strong math aptitude; excellent memory; effective management skills; and very good at math.

My fortune cookie said, 'Your next interview will result in a job' -- and I like your company in particular.

Can I get a respectful degree in nursing with a GED?

I am a stay-at-home mother of 3 little ones and dropped out of high school over 10 yrs ago. Right now I'm working on getting my GED in order to work towards a respectful career after my children are all attending school full-time. I've been looking into being an RN or so, but am starting to think that it is a ridiculous dream..... or is it? Is it possible to get my GED, attend classes (or the majority) online and get an associates and then move on to become a registered nurse through the OCNE program (not sure if this program is everywhere)? What steps should I take.... time is passing to quickly & I need to get a move on, I say! :) Thanks!

A GED is just a different manner of giving you a diploma of completing high school. The GED credential offers adults a powerful second chance at attending college or pursuing a career. NO, this is certainly not a ridiculous dream! In fact, you’re proceeding in a very realistic fashion that will lead you towards the success you seek towards becoming an RN. You likely will need to take some classes in person because of the nature of the field you will be pursuing, and you’ll have to take the GED test in person, too. The bottom-line is just one step at a time will get you where you want to go.
I wish you the best,
Rita

Where can a credit card abuse felon find a job in San Antonio TX?

I feel completely helpless wanting to die.
I feel that there is no hope for me and I am running out of options. I was only 19 when it happened and am now 27. My life is in a shambles and I'm considering giving up. If anyone has an answer or even a kind word I would appreciate it.

Anywhere. Don’t let your past be your present. The key for you is to be able to explain your conviction, who you were then, and who you are now. Don’t give up! While you need to be honest about your conviction, it doesn’t have to be the first thing you share with a prospective employer, although be sure to be the one that brings it up first, rather than having the interviewer ask you about it. Volunteer to the interviewer what you learned from the experience, how you’ve grown, and your values today.
Hold you head up high and move forward with your life.
Rita

Enjoy Your Coffee

A Little Get In the Mood Piece

Just remember: Success is a One-In-One game.

Now go WIN!

Namaste,
Rita

Can an employment agency be forced to divulge who their clients are?

I have seen a job advertised on a recruitment website and I know I would be perfect for that job. for some reason the agency in question refuse too pass on my details to the prospective employer....I dont know why.Is there anyway they can be forced to tell me who the employer is?

I would have to say absolutely not. One of the reasons an employment agency is given a job order by a company is to screen out those that would not be suitable for a job. Rather than create an antagonistic relationship with this agency, simply ask them why they don’t feel this is a fit and then listen to what is being said in as objective a manner as possible, as if you were listening for a friend instead of listening for you. If you feel they’re completely wrong, then state your case in a calm manner. If you realize that what they’ve said is the truth, thank them for the information and ask them to keep you in mind for any openings that are more appropriate and move on to the next thing; it may be an even better opportunity for you.
Rita

My job resume is a joke; will you help me?

I'm currently stuck in this void of pathetic. I'm almost 30 years old and I have little to no "real" work experience. I cannot find a job and this is just crushing what little confidence I have left. I'm extremely depressed and can't seem to do anything about it; I'm stuck...I used to work for a temporary staffing agency back in 2002-2004. They kept putting me in factory after factory. I was making about $7.00 per hour with no benefits. This truly opened my eyes; thus, decided to go to school.I couldn't afford to go to a University at the time, so I had to settle with my local community college. I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do, so I started taking all the pre-req courses, e.g., english, math, science, etc. I still don't know what I want to do. Because of this, I have an Associate of Arts. I wasn't interested in anything enough to want to go full-throttle; I didn't want to just pick a degree, as I feared of hating my future job.It's clear that I needed money in order to attend school / gas / books / rent / repairs: I got hardcore into eBay. In fact, I got so into it that I became a Power Seller with over 4000 individual sales. This is how I've been supporting myself. However, recent interviewers seem to dub me as a mere fibber. They don't say it, but I can almost feel them and their mild disbelief.I can't find work and my blood is absolutely boiling. I feel that I fall behind all the requirements needed for a decent job. I feel that I'm jnot smart enough to really do anything beyond the typical "high school" job. What can I do about my resume? What jobs do you think I'm even qualified for?I'd appreciate your advice.
Thanks.

I’m sorry you’ve hit such a rough patch, but don’t despair. There’s a type of resume called a functional resume. It highlights your skills, rather than your chronology, and from what I’ve read, you have a number of skills that would be desirable. As a Power Seller, I imagine you had to do a lot of customer service work: resolving complaints, answering questions, getting merchandise out on time, multi-tasking, having to be self-motivated, and more. These are all skills that are transferable to many, many jobs: sales, sales management, operations, merchandising, to name a few. In a functional resume, you list these skills below your contact information, so that they’re front and center for an employer to see. It’s comparable to how the shelves of markets are merchandised: The expensive stuff (your best experience) goes at eye-level, the inexpensive towards the bottom. Email me if you’d like an example of a functional resume or if you’d like me to look at one you’ve created.
Additionally, if you have a couple of folks you sold to on ebay willing to give you a good recommendation, that will be helpful, too.
Hang in there! You will get beyond this point!
Rita

Should I give a copy of my positive performance review to a new potential employer?

Or is that unethical?
I am in the process of applying for another job. My past performance evaluation was outstanding. Should I offer a copy of this performance evaluation to the potential new employer? Does anyone see where this could possibly be in bad taste or unethical? There is no proprietary information within the review, just some jargon that is company specific.


Did you sign an NDA (non-disclosure agreement) when you went to work for your current employer? If so, then it would be best not to share any sort of paperwork with a potential employer. While it’s doubtful your current employer would take any legal action, caution is the order of the day. If you didn’t sign an NDA, then there’s no reason not to share your evaluation.
There are a couple of important points for you to remember:
It’s about you and how you conduct yourself in the interview first and foremost. Any references, including your evaluation, are secondary and should be shared towards the end of the interview, certainly not initially. Once you do volunteer that information, be sure to add that this is your standing manner of working; you take pride in your work and show care towards your employer.
You didn’t mention whether or not you’re currently with the company that gave you the outstanding evaluation. Whether you are or aren’t, make a copy of the evaluation to give the potential employer, rather than offering the original. In making the copy, remove the name and signature of the person who gave you the evaluation. You can give the prospect that information as you move closer to being hired.
I wish you the best!
Rita

I need a job so bad been unemployed for 6 since August!?

I am 28 years old been unemployed since August now. I live in Minneapolis and have a college degree. Have around three years in sales experience. Do you have any ideas? Would be willing to relocate.

First, have you been on any interviews? If so, that tells me that your resume is working for you, but something with your interviewing style is not working so well. If not, then we need to start by looking at your resume. Could it be too wordy? Is it possible you’re not showcasing your triumphs in sales? You want to keep your resume succinct, giving just enough info to create interest in you and your background to solicit an interview, but not so much that you lose the reader. Where and how are you applying? If you’re only responding to ads, you’re competing with a large number of people, but if you apply to companies that may not be advertising, your chances of finding a position actually go up. Networking is also a great way to find a job. Have you checked out LinkedIn? That’s a great way to network online.
I hope this helps. Please feel free to email me if you need more info.
Rita

2 hours long interview, what does this mean?

I have an in-person interview for a small defense contractor, and they said that the interview should be about 2 hours. that sounds rather long, doesnt it?Is this a sign that I'll likely get hired? or does it not mean anything?


Based on what you wrote, it sounds like that may be their standard operating procedure. Yes, it does sound long, but it beats not having any interview, right? I know you didn’t ask this, but just remember you can’t see each other over the phone, so you need to makeup for the absence of seeing each other with a little (just a little, mind you) more positive personality, but still be yourself.
I wish you the best!
Rita

Should I send a second email?

I just sent a thank you email to an interviewer and after I sent it realized I spelled his first name wrong. Added 1 extra letter at the end. I cannot recall emaIL, Should i send a second email with his name spelled correct? Please anyone who has received a thank you after giving an interview , please answer.

I would. I’d tell the interviewer that you were so excited about the position, you wanted to thank him (or her) right away and then discovered your error. If the interviewer is a decent human being, s/he’ll appreciate the fact that you caught your error, were upfront about it, apologized, and are excited about working for the company.
I wish you the best,
Rita

"HELP ME" A Cover letter for Resume?

I'm so stuck writting a cover letter for my resume . Can you please help me ? Can you come up with a catchy paragraph or so for me. It's just a classic resmue that I will probally submit to a couple of different places .

You want to grab them, not catch them, and it’s easy. Here’s what you do:
Three brief paragraphs.
Paragraph one is “why” you’re submitting the resume.
Paragraph two is “why” you’d be a good fit for the job. It’s the marketing piece, the eye-catcher. It’s best if it can be something entirely different from your resume, but if that’s not possible, paraphrase a key point from your resume. Ex: With over five years as a top produce in telecommunications, my background lends itself to your position.
Paragraph three is the “call to action”. I prefer to be in the driver’s seat on that one by saying something like “I’ll call you on Thursday to set up a meeting” and then, of course, doing exactly that.
Sign your name and be sure to include your contact info on the cover letter. There have been many a time that the cover letter has been separated from the resume so the applicant couldn’t be contacted.
Cover letters are great marketing tools. Make sure it reflects the best of what you have to offer the company.
I wish you the best.
Let me know what happens,
Rita

Scintillating

I just tuned in to a news station, whose name I won’t mention but rhymes with ‘see the end’ and they put the exclamation point on the whole job loss environment:
Gloom, doom, and worse times loom. The reporters consistently used the pronoun “You” to describe what was happening, as in “You will not be able to get credit” and “You won’t be able to get a job” and “You will not be able to sell or buy a home”. They speak loads with moans and groans (literally), tons of exclamation marks, and in an agitated manner worthy of a zombie movie where the journalists warn us of our impending doom (there’s that word again). The presentation of the news is no better on the ‘see the end’ channel’s nemesis, whose name I also won't mention. Let’s just say it rhymes with pox, as in "a pox on your house". It's scintillating and it sells and that's the name of that game.

What does that do for the average American? Does this sort of news presented in the manner that it’s offered motivate a person? Does it make you feel like you can conquer the world or do you feel like recoiling and withdrawing from society? I would venture the answer would be to recoil, yet many of these reporters are saying we have to accept this as our new reality. Really?

I disagree.

Attitude trumps experience every time, I guarantee it, and this reality they would have us adopt does not offer any of us the attitude we need. So what can you do? Shake it, move away from it, ignore it, and rise above it. If it doesn’t move you towards your purpose, your agenda, then don’t allow it to be part of your day. Hiring is happening, as are loans, and the rest; we just need to move towards that, rather than towards the image of drought the media prefers to promote.

Nourish your soul and your mind with what is possible, not what isn’t, and the possibilities will become your realities.

Namaste,
Rita

I need advise for a interview for a supervisor position!

I have a interview for a supervisor position this Thursday, but I dont have any supervisory skills. It's a position in child welfare, and I have been working in the field since 2005 but never as a supervisior. Can anyone give me advise for the interview? This will be my first interview for a supervisior postion and I'm kind of nervous...please help!!

Congratulations on the upcoming interview!
1) You mention you have no supervisory experience in child welfare, but what about in your life? Do you have kids? If so, trust me, you have supervisory experience. Managing people in your personal life (particularly your children) takes a lot of skill and the talents you use to accomplish this are the same talents you’d use in the world of work. In other words, we’re talking about “transferable skills”. BTW: It seems to me that if you’re a caseworker, you’re supervising case loads all the time.
2) Having no skills in this field as a supervisor means that you would come into this position with no bad habits. You are highly trainable. That is a plus. Let it be known that you are open to learning and growing on the job and that doing an excellent job as a supervisor would be of paramount importance to you.
3) Ask them what they’re looking for in a supervisor. They may say experience, but it’s more than likely that they’ll tell you they’re looking for someone who is just, who listens and observes well, who will stay on top of the issues at hand with her people.
Good luck! I’d love to know how it works out for you.
Rita

I want a CAREER!!!?

I don't know what else to do!!!
I'm 26 years old (will be 27 next month) and I went to coding school since I hear it was in high demand.I took the exam in Dec 08" and I failed it..I took it yet again and Failed!! I don't know what else to do. I love my job,my boss and my co-workers BUT I like to grow. I work at a hospital so if you are looking to move up you MUST be a nurse. I've WASTED all this money at coding school I don't know what else to do. I would like to career that is consistent even when the economy is down. Does anyone know of any other careers that does not take 6 years in school to complete??? I'm thinking of just going to take some classes at a community college and try joining the police force....they seem to always be HIRING and they have great benefits!!! I do not have any kids but I will want some by 30 BUT I have to get my S**** together first before I go bringing another life in this world before I can get mine right....Any suggestions?? I live in Dallas,Tx!!

On the Coding side: I think the first thing I would do is go back to the coding school and tell them they need to tutor you in preparation for the next exam. I’m sure you paid excellent money to the school and it’s completely reasonable to expect that they help you be successful. It’s important to their reputation as well. On the select another career side: Are you thinking about joining the police force because you’d really enjoy that career? Have you done an Informational Interview and/or a Job Shadowing with someone in that field? Please feel free to email me for forms and info on the two. Have you done a personality career assessment, like the one offered here: http://www.careerkey.org/ ? I’m asking you these questions because it sounds like you feel like time is ticking, which it is, but you must take the time to move towards a career you’ll enjoy for all the right reasons, the reasons that reflect what you like, rather than “high demand” vocations. Does that make sense? I wish you success on the journey,Rita

A little too excited?

Question: I think I went over the top! They offered me a provisional job and are waiting for the references to arrive. What if they NEVER arrive? I think I was a bit too excited on the phone. And its just a provisional offer. How do I deal with the embarrassment? I phoned her again saying I forgot to thank her because I was soo excited.

You know what? I think you’re selling yourself short. To begin with, they wouldn’t have offered you anything if you had done poorly. Additionally, what you view as “excitement” I view as “enthusiasm” and it is a great trait to have! Waiting for references is a completely normal step in the process. What you should do is give your references a call and let them know that they will be hearing from your soon-to-be employer and that you would so much appreciate it if they’d respond as soon as possible.
I suspect congratulations will be in order!Rita Barber

Q&A

What are the pros and cons of being a Chef? I really have a passion to become a pastry chef, however, my mother is telling me it's not the fantasy world I have built in my head. To be honest I didn't even know it was a fantasy world lol. I would just like to know the pros and cons of becoming a Pastry chef, or any chef for that matter. And is there any way I could get hands on experience? Maybe to get a taste of what it's like? Thank you!!

The answers to that one are very subjective, but there are two ways for you to find out for yourself whether or not it’s a fit for you. The first is called an Informational Interview. It’s a 20 minute (more or less) interview you do with someone who is doing what you’re thinking about doing for a living. Drop me an email and I’ll send you a basic questionnaire form and tell you how to tweak it to your liking. The second way is to Job Shadow. Just like the name implies, you follow the person who is doing what you think you’d like to do for a living around for anywhere from two hours to an entire business day. I think three hours is the ideal amount of time, but that’s just me. After you do these two things, if you still think being a Pastry Chef is your cup of tea, go for it! And remember: even if you decide years down the road that you want to change again, you still will have picked up valuable transferable skills you’ll be able to use for other careers.
Smooth Sailing!
Rita

Q&A

I have no idea what i want for a career. HELP !!!?

I have no idea what i want to do for a living, but i want a career with pretty good pay to provide for a family and i am a senior in high school. i dont want to attend college for more than 2 years, so nothing past an associates or bachelor's degree. any cool ideas for a fun career?

So here's a question for you: What would you do for free? There’s a terrific book, Do What You Love and the Money Will Follow, and the title really does say it all. It’s not simply about the paycheck, but the pay-off that really should take center stage in your life. If you still are not sure just what to do, check out the following site: http://www.careerkey.org/
You can do a free assessment and see which career paths resonate for you. Whatever you do, don’t limit yourself by saying you don’t want to go past a bachelor’s degree. Time goes by, whatever you’re doing, but it goes by sweeter if you’re spending some of that time improving yourself.
Do great things!
Rita