How to Answer: 'Why Should I Hire You?'

By Joe Turner, author of "Job Search Secrets Unlocked"

"Why should I hire you?"

This is the classic question most of us hear during an interview. It's often preceded by the phrase, "I've already interviewed another person for this position who looks perfect." Then comes the killer question, "Why should I hire YOU?"

Sometimes the most innocent interview question can prove to be the key to the empire for some, while it can be the swan song for others.

The next time an employer asks, "Why should I hire you?" see the question in a new light -- as an opportunity to shine and pull ahead of your competitors.

Be careful to avoid clever retorts or comedic one-liners here. Your interview is serious business and a wrong answer will send you packing. This is the one question that interviewers like to ask because the answer can separate the contenders from the also-rans. Give a wrong answer and the large "game over" sign flashes above your head.

What hiring managers really want to know is, "What's special or different about you?" or "How are you different than all the other candidates who have applied for this position?" With this in mind, a good way to approach your answer here is to launch into your best "story" that answers this question: "Will you go the extra mile?"

Why is the employer asking why he or she should hire you? Because there are only five areas of interest he or she is concerned with:

1. Your skills2. Your knowledge about the company3. Your manageability4. Your affordability5. Whether you can go above and beyond your job description.

In this day of "lean and mean" operations philosophy, employers are looking for employees who can think bigger and perform duties beyond their jobs.

Realize that there will always be competing candidates with a higher skill level, more experience, more education and training or even a smoother interviewing style. The one equalizer though, is the ability to demonstrate how you have risen above and gone that extra mile to accomplish an important task, complete the job or realize an important goal.

Here, you recount that story of exactly how you worked 60-hour weeks, acquired new skills or did whatever it took to distinguish yourself and meet the challenge head on to successfully make the sale, save the project or rescue a client. If you can put a dollar value on the result, your story will only be that much more dramatic.

Knowing this ahead of time, it's wise to put in the time beforehand to work on your answer to this question. Pick your best example of how you went above and beyond in your job. Work on your story to perfect it. Set the scene, describe the challenge and describe your role and the successful conclusion. Use this as an example of how you use your particular set of skills in an extraordinary time to "give it your all" and produce a clear benefit to your employer.

Since no other candidate can duplicate your own personal story here, you'll make a memorable impression. Not only that, but quite possibly you'll pull yourself ahead of that "perfect" candidate who preceded you.

As a recruiter, Joe Turner has spent the past 15 years finding and placing top candidates in some of the best jobs of their careers. Author of "Job Search Secrets Unlocked," Turner has been interviewed on radio talk shows and offers free insider job search secrets at: http://www.jobchangesecrets.com/

Five Jobs That Let You Be Your Own Boss

By Christina Couch, ClassesUSA

Thinking of moving from the corner office to the home office? Approach with caution, says Barbara Weltman, author of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Starting a Home-based Business" (Third Edition). From building a clientele base and deciphering individual health insurance to creating (and sticking to) a regular schedule, home-based entrepreneurs face a wide array of challenges those chained to a cubicle can easily avoid.

So before taking the entrepreneurial plunge, check out some of the top home-based businesses and learn how education can put you – and keep you – in the entrepreneurial driver's seat.

Graphic/Web Designer:
Technologically savvy folks looking for creative freedom will be happy to know that one out of every four Web designers find the autonomy they're craving by working for themselves, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. One of the easier fields to transition into a home-based business, Web design firms require little more than a phone line, computer and professional contacts. Though 75 percent of the industry still works for "the man," Web designers armed with an associate or bachelor's degree can frequently pick up freelance work on the side, giving them the ability to build a network of clients before shifting into being their own boss.

EBay Entrepreneur:
No space? No problem, say the 1.3 million people who use eBay as their source of income. A $45 billion-plus-per-year business, eBay generates more than $2,000 in sales per second. Whether your passion is daybeds or dog sweaters, the estimated 600,000-plus eBay PowerSellers rake in between $1,000 and $150,000 per month without ever leaving home. Instead of battling to make a local name, eBay entrepreneurs have instant access to the site's 276 million users spanning 39 global markets, giving anyone with an Internet connection and a knack for writing product descriptions a low-cost way to tap into buyers across the globe. While there's no official eBay major, many eBay entrepreneurs bone up on their business skills through marketing, finance and accounting courses through their local community college or Chamber of Commerce.

Financial Consultant:
"People who are consultants are ideal candidates for having a home-based business because they can conduct work from anywhere," says Weltman. She adds that businesses such as consulting – those that are based on providing expertise rather than a physical product – work well for entrepreneurs looking to escape the common cubicle. An estimated 35 percent of those in the management, business or financial sector are home-based CEOs. Though financial consultants hail from a wide array of educational backgrounds, the BLS reports that the majority hold bachelor's degrees in a business-related field and many hold a master's in accounting or finance as well.

Interior Designer:
"For a residential interior designer, a home-based business works fine because it has nothing to do with where you actually run your business from," reports Suzanne Davis, president of the Richmond, Va.-based firm I Design Interiors, Inc. "Everything important happens in the client's home." Requiring little more than a bachelor's or specialized degree in interior design to get started, interior designers (26 percent of whom the BLS reports are self-employed, frequently from their own homes) say that working in a residential environment can be more inspiring than staying in a cubicle. "Homes are my job, so it makes sense to work from one," Davis says.

Salesperson:
Phone line: check. Internet access: check. Vehicle for making sales calls: check. For Cathy Koch, president of the Pleasant Ridge, Mich.-based industrial temperature control systems distribution firm K-Tec Systems, Inc. that's all the equipment she needs to generate $800,000 in annual sales.

"When a customer places an order with us, we buy what we need from the factory and ship it directly," Koch explains. "I can do this from my home because I can order exactly what I sell."

Like many sales-based businesses, Koch's firm works because little on-site stocking is required and, thanks to modern technology, Koch can take orders from anywhere. "Servicewise, there's no difference between working with me and working with a large company," Koch comments. "None of my clients know that we're based from home."

Though educational requirements for salespeople vary tremendously from industry to industry, those looking to jump into sales can get started with general business classes at either the community or four-year college level.

No matter what type of business you launch, Giovanni Carotolo, executive director for the small and mid-market business councils for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, says that all future home CEOs need to consider the space requirements, zoning laws and number of employees they'll need to manage. "Write a reasonable business plan and do some research on whether this business is feasible," Carotolo recommends. "Not having basic business management skills is the reason many [home CEOs] fail."

Copyright 2008 ClassesUSA. All rights reserved. The information contained in this article may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without prior written authority.

Nine Ways to Win at Office Politics

By Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer

Politics in the workplace can get vicious – and we're not talking about the governmental kind. Rather, office politics, or how power and influence are managed in your company, will be a part of your career whether you choose to participate in them or not.

Some workers say they don't want to get caught up in politics at work, but most experts argue that playing the game is crucial to your career success. By not getting involved, you may find your talents ignored and your success limited, and you may feel left out of the loop, says Louellen Essex, co-author of "Manager's Desktop Consultant: Just-in-Time Solutions to the Top People Problems That Keep You Up at Night."

"Politics get nasty when an employee is out for his or her personal gain alone," Essex says.
"Think of playing office politics as a game of strategy through which you are able to get the resources and influence you need to accomplish your goals. Most often those who are diplomatic, respectful and build coalitions with effective people win."

Here are Essex's nine tips to help you win at office politics and still gain others' respect.

1. Observe how things get done in your organization.
Ask some key questions: What are the core values and how are they enacted? Are short- or long-term results most valued? How are decisions made? How much risk is tolerated? The answers to these questions should give you a good sense of the culture of your organization.

2. Profile powerful individuals.
Pay attention to their communication style, network of relationships and what types of proposals they say "yes" to most often. Emulate those traits by drawing on the strengths you have.

3. Determine strategic initiatives in the company.
Update your skills to be relevant to company initiatives. For example, don't lag behind in technology, quality or customer service approaches that are crucial to you and your company's success.

4. Develop a personal track record as someone who gets results.
Style without substance will not gain others' respect, especially in today's organizations that focus on outcome.

5. Don't be afraid to toot your own horn.
If no one knows of your good work, you may lose at the game of office politics – when you really deserve to win. Let others know what you've accomplished whenever you get the opportunity. If you don't know the fine art of diplomatic bragging, you might get lost in the shuffle of your co-workers.

6. Treat everyone with respect.
Don't show preferential treatment or treat co-workers badly. You never know to whom someone might be connected, and rude behavior may come back to bite you.

7. Don't align too strongly with one group.
While an alliance may be powerful for the moment, new leadership will often oust existing coalitions and surround themselves with a new team. Bridging across factions may be a more effective strategy for long-term success if you intend to stay in your current organization for some time.

8. Learn to communicate persuasively.
Develop an assertive style, backed with solid facts and examples, to focus others' attention on your ideas and proposals. Good politicians can adjust their messages for their audience and are always well-prepared.

9. Be true to yourself.
After analyzing the political landscape in your company, if you decide the game is one you can't play, prepare to move on. It's not typical, but some organizations actually condone – even promote – dishonest, ruthless or unethical behavior. The game of office politics in this situation is not one worth winning.

Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.

Best States for Jobs

By Anthony Balderrama,
CareerBuilder.com writer

Location is everything, according to the real estate adage. Many people learn the wisdom of these words after they move into their first apartment on a tight budget and have a view of a landfill and the smells that come from it.

The same holds true for job hunting. Your chances of finding the right job – or any job, really – depend on where you live. The unemployment rate is the ratio of job seekers to the working population. Therefore, a low percentage means few people are having any difficulty finding work.

If you’re looking for a job, you want to be in a state that has an unemployment rate lower than the national average, which is 5 percent according to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Here are the 15 best states to find work ranked by their unemployment rates.

1. South Dakota
Unemployment rate: 3 percent*
Population: 796,214**
Mean annual wage: $30,460
Top industry: Trade, transportation and utilities (19.9 percent)***

2. Idaho
Unemployment rate: 3 percent
Population: 1,499,402
Mean annual wage: $34,810
Top industry: Trade, transportation and utilities (20.2 percent)

3. Wyoming
Unemployment rate: 3.1 percent
Population: 522,830
Mean annual wage: $34,290
Top industry: Government (23 percent)

4. Nebraska
Unemployment rate: 3.2 percent
Population: 1,774,571
Mean annual wage: $34,300
Top industry: Trade, transportation and utilities (21.1 percent)

5. Utah
Unemployment rate: 3.2 percent
Population: 2,645,330
Mean annual wage: $35,540
Top industry: Trade, transportation and utilities (19.7 percent)

6. Hawaii
Unemployment rate: 3.2 percent
Population: 1,283,388
Mean annual wage: $38,630
Top industry: Government (19.6 percent)

7. North Dakota
Unemployment rate: 3.3 percent
Population: 639,715
Mean annual wage: $32,440
Top industry: Trade, transportation and utilities (21.4 percent)

8. Virginia
Unemployment rate: 3.5 percent
Population: 7,712,091
Mean annual wage: $41,450
Top industry: Government (18 percent)

9. Montana
Unemployment rate: 3.6 percent
Population: 957,861
Mean annual wage: $31,290
Top industry: Trade, transportation and utilities (20.5 percent)

10. New Hampshire
Unemployment rate: 3.6 percent
Population: 1,315,828
Mean annual wage: $39,250
Top industry: Trade, transportation and utilities (23.3 percent)

11. New Mexico
Unemployment rate: 3.7 percent
Population: 1,969,915
Mean annual wage: $33,980
Top industry: Government (23.2 percent)

12. Delaware
Unemployment rate: 3.8 percent
Population: 864,764
Mean annual wage: $41,680
Top industry: Trade, transportation and utilities (18.7 percent)

13. Maryland
Unemployment rate: 3.8 percent
Population: 5,618,344
Mean annual wage: $44,030
Top industry: Government (18.2 percent)

14. Iowa
Unemployment rate: 4 percent
Population: 2,988,046
Mean annual wage: $33,250
Top industry: Trade, transportation and utilities (20.4 percent)

15. Vermont
Unemployment rate: 4 percent
Population: 621,254
Mean annual wage: $36,350
Top industry: Trade, transportation and utilities (19.4 percent)

*Unemployment rates, mean annual wages and industry percentages obtained from BLS in January 2008. Percentages based on nonfarm payrolls, seasonally adjusted.

**Population figures based on U.S. Census Bureau data.

***Top industries are those that employ the largest percentage of a state’s labor force.

Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.

30 Jobs for Early Birds and Night Owls

By Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer

It’s 7:30 a.m. After hitting the snooze button (several times), you’re standing in the shower, willing the cold water to open your heavy-lidded eyes. You stumble into work at 9 a.m. sharp, chugging your third cup of coffee. You’ve no sooner than flopped down in your chair when your co-worker zips by, chirping, “Good morning!”

“What’s his problem?” you mumble. His “problem” is that not only has he been at the office since the moment you woke up; he has also walked the dog, been to the gym and sent 35 e-mails to prospective clients by the time you’ve seen him.

When 5 p.m. rolls around, you’re finally at the top of your game, but now it’s time to go home. You work out, eat dinner, drink some wine and finally hit the hay around 2 a.m.

And so it goes.

The conundrum of morning versus night people is one that’s puzzled workers for years. While most people fall somewhere in the middle of the two types, for those who truly are one or the other, it’s crucial to have a job that matches the timing of your body clock.

For those who want to increase job satisfaction and productivity by working a job that’s in sync with your body clock, here's a list of jobs that stretch beyond the typical nine-to-five work schedule.

Jobs for early birds

1. News producer
Morning news producers and nearly anyone who works on a morning news program – from directors to makeup artists to broadcast journalists – complete many of their workday hours before the sun even rises.
Average salary: $74,309

2. Newspaper carrier
Newspaper carriers typically work between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m. Some work seven days a week; others share their route with another deliverer.
Average salary: $18,058

3. Schoolteacher (elementary school)
A typical teaching schedule is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., but some teachers take on additional duties like supervising before- and after-school programs, coaching or leading extracurricular activities.
Average salary: $43,133

4. Refuse and recyclable material collector
Trash- and recyclable-truck drivers and collectors can start as early as 5 a.m. and work an eight-hour shift.
Average salary: $31,110

5. Postal Service mail carrier
Mail carriers often begin their workday around 4 a.m. and finish their duties by the early afternoon.
Average salary: $44,350

Jobs for night owls

6. Reporter
Reporters who write for morning newspapers often work afternoons well past midnight, reporting breaking news or the previous days’ events.
Average salary: $33,470

7. Bartender or bouncer
Bartenders and bouncers work shifts during the hours that clubs and bars are open, typically from late afternoon through the early hours of the morning.
Average salary: $18,540 (bartenders)

8. Pastry chef
Pastry chefs and bakers work late-night shifts in order to ensure items are fresh for the following day.
Average salary: $32,962

9. Motion picture projectionist
Movie projectionists work during the hours that movie theaters are open – typically, the earliest showing is 11 a.m., but the majority of theaters show films in the late afternoon and nights; some even feature midnight showings.
Average salary: $24,831

10. Disc jockey
Though some disc jockeys work morning and daytime hours playing recorded music on the radio, many begin work only after the sun sets, spinning at private parties, bars and clubs.
Average salary: $37,340 (radio DJ)

Jobs that early birds and night owls can share
Any job that requires 24-hour coverage is going to have morning and night shifts, thus making it an ideal profession for both morning and night people.

Health care: Nurse, doctor, EMT, paramedic

Food service: Chef/cook, waiter, host(ess), barista, dishwasher

Public service: Police officer, firefighter

Transportation: Transit or railroad operator, truck driver, bus driver, taxi driver, chauffeur

Additional shift jobs: Hotel employees, security guards, helpline and technical support staff

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, CBSalary.com

Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.

30 Top Jobs of 2008

By Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer

A new year means new beginnings: new resolutions, ideas and friends; new habits, relationships and goals; new salaries, titles and responsibilities. And perhaps most importantly, new jobs. Lots of ‘em. And not just for 2008, either - until 2016.

Total employment is expected to increase by 15.6 million jobs during the 2006-16 decade, according to the most recent employment projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Almost all of this growth will occur in the service-providing sector, which will account for 75 percent of all jobs in 2016.

Professional and related professions and service occupations are projected to grow most quickly, accounting for more than six of 10 new jobs created throughout 2006-2016. Twenty-eight of the 30 fastest-growing jobs are in professional and related occupations and service positions.

Interested in getting in on the new job action this year? Here are the 30 fastest-growing growing occupations for 2006-2016, according to the BLS.

1. Network systems and data communications analysts
2006 employment: 262,000
2016 projection: 402,000
Percent growth: 53.4
Salary range: $46,360 or more
Education/training: Bachelor’s degree

2. Personal and home care aides
2006 employment: 767,000
2016 projection: 1,156,000
Percent growth: 50.6
Salary range: Less than $21,220
Education/training: On-the-job training

3. Home health aides
2006 employment: 787,000
2016 projection: 1,171,000
Percent growth: 48.7
Salary range: Less than $21,220
Education/training: On-the-job training

4. Computer software engineers, applications
2006 employment: 507,000
2016 projection: 733,000
Percent growth: 44.6
Salary range: $46,360 or more
Education/training: Bachelor’s degree

5. Veterinary technologists and technicians
2006 employment: 71,000
2016 projection: 100,000
Percent growth: 41
Salary range: $21,260 - $30,560
Education/training: Associate degree

6. Personal financial advisors
2006 employment: 176,000
2016 projection: 248,000
Percent growth: 41
Salary range: $46,360 or more
Education/training: Bachelor’s degree

7. Makeup artists, theatrical and performance
2006 employment: 2,000
2016 projection: 3,000
Percent growth: 39.8
Salary range: $30,630 - $46,300
Education/training: Postsecondary vocational award

8. Medical assistant
2006 employment: 417,000
2016 projection: 565,000
Percent growth: 35.4
Salary range: $21,260 - $30,560
Education/training: Moderate on-the-job training

9. Veterinarians
2006 employment: 62,000
2016 projection: 84,000
Percent growth: 35
Salary range: $46,360 or more
Education/training: First professional degree

10. Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors
2006 employment: 83,000
2016 projection: 112,000
Percent growth: 34.3
Salary range: $30,630 - $46,300
Education/training: Bachelor’s degree

11. Skin care specialists
2006 employment: 38,000
2016 projection: 51,000
Percent growth: 34.3
Salary range: $21,260 - $30,560
Education/training: Postsecondary vocational award

12. Financial analysts
2006 employment: 221,000
2016 projection: 295,000
Percent growth: 33.8
Salary range: $46,360 or more
Education/training: Bachelor’s degree

13. Social and human service assistants
2006 employment: 339,000
2016 projection: 453,000
Percent growth: 34.3
Salary range: $21,260 - $30,560
Education/training: Moderate on-the-job training

14. Gaming surveillance officers and gaming investigators
2006 employment: 9,000
2016 projection: 12,000
Percent growth: 33.6
Salary range: $21,260 - $30,560
Education/training: Moderate on-the-job training

15. Physical therapist assistants
2006 employment: 60,000
2016 projection: 80,000
Percent growth: 32.4
Salary range: $30,630 - $46,300
Education/training: Associate degree

16. Pharmacy technicians
2006 employment: 285,000
2016 projection: 376,000
Percent growth: 32
Salary range: $21,260 - $30,560
Education/training: Moderate on-the-job training

17. Forensic science technicians
2006 employment: 13,000
2016 projection: 17,000
Percent growth: 30.7
Salary range: $30,630 - $46,300
Education/training: Bachelor’s degree

18. Dental hygienists
2006 employment: 167,000
2016 projection: 217,000
Percent growth: 30.1
Salary range: $46,360 or more
Education/training: Associate degree

19. Mental health counselors
2006 employment: 100,000
2016 projection: 130,000
Percent growth: 30
Salary range: $30,630 - $46,300
Education/training: Master’s degree

20. Mental health and substance abuse social workers
2006 employment: 122,000
2016 projection: 159,000
Percent growth: 29.9
Salary range: $30,630 - $46,300
Education/training: Master’s degree

21. Marriage and family therapists
2006 employment: 25,000
2016 projection: 32,000
Percent growth: 29.8
Salary range: $30,630 - $46,300
Education/training: Master’s degree

22. Dental assistants
2006 employment: 280,000
2016 projection: 362,000
Percent growth: 29.2
Salary range: $21,260 - $30,560
Education/training: Moderate on-the-job training

23. Computer systems analysts
2006 employment: 504,000
2016 projection: 650,000
Percent growth: 29
Salary range: $46,360 or more
Education/training: Bachelor’s degree

24. Database administrators
2006 employment: 119,000
2016 projection: 154,000
Percent growth: 28.6
Salary range: $46,360 or more
Education/training: Bachelor’s degree

25. Computer software engineers, systems software
2006 employment: 350,000
2016 projection: 449,000
Percent growth: 28.2
Salary range: $46,360 or more
Education/training: Bachelor’s degree

26. Gaming and sports book writers and runners
2006 employment: 18,000
2016 projection: 24,000
Percent growth: 28
Salary range: Less than $21,220
Education/training: On-the-job training

27. Environmental science and protection technicians
2006 employment: 36,000
2016 projection: 47,000
Percent growth: 28
Salary range: $30,630 - $46,300
Education/training: Associate degree

28. Manicurists and pedicurists
2006 employment: 78,000
2016 projection: 100,000
Percent growth: 27.6
Salary range: Less than $21,220
Education/training: Postsecondary vocational award

29. Physical therapists
2006 employment: 173,000
2016 projection: 200,000
Percent growth: 27.1
Salary range: $46,360 or more
Education/training: Master’s degree

30. Physician assistants
2006 employment: 66,000
2016 projection: 83,000
Percent growth: 27
Salary range: $46,360 or more
Education/training: Master’s degree

Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.

15 Weirdest Work Stories of 2007

By Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer

Natural disasters, revolutionary technology, pro-athlete scandals and national calamities marked 2007 as an unforgettable year. Yet, amid these major happenings arose stories that were overlooked, unseen or ignored altogether: tales of our nation’s work force.

Understandably, these pieces weren’t as newsworthy as Michael Vick’s dog fighting charges or Paris Hilton going to jail. But these stories held an angle unlike any other: They were just plain weird.

Here are 15 headlines that exemplify the strange happenings that took place in the workplace in 2007.

1. “Employee eats 32 vending machine items for charity”
A juvenile probation officer ate one of every item in a county courthouse vending machine in one day. She consumed more than 7,000 calories and more than 300 grams of fat, eating such items as beef sticks, candy bars, Pop Tarts and potato chips – all to win a bet with co-workers and raise $300 for charity.

2. “Cola wars get physical as Pepsi worker attacks Coke employee”
Two employees from the rival companies got into a tiff over shelf space in the aisle of a Wal-Mart in Indiana. The Pepsi worker allegedly assaulted the Coca-Cola employee, hitting him in the face, giving him a black eye and breaking his nose. Police say the two were also accused of trying to run each other over with pallets full of soda bottles.

3. “Alleged robber asks victim out for date”
After two men robbed a Domino’s Pizza delivery woman, one of them called the victim from his cell phone to apologize – and to ask her out.

4. “Four women fired for gossiping”
Four women employed in a small New Hampshire town were fired for gossiping about a relationship between the town administrator and a fellow co-worker. They were fired on the basis that “gossip, whispering and an unfriendly environment are causing poor morale and interfering with the efficient performance of town business.”

5. “Eau de Lawsuit: Woman sues over scent”
An employee in the Detroit planning department sued the city, saying a female co-worker’s strong fragrance prohibited her from working. The woman claimed she is severely sensitive to perfumes and her co-worker not only wore a strong scent, but also plugged in a scented room deodorizer.

6. “Salt lands McDonald’s employee in jail”
A McDonald’s employee was arrested, jailed and is facing criminal charges because a police officer got sick after a hamburger he ate was too salty. The employee accidentally spilled salt on some hamburger meat and told her supervisor and co-worker, who “tried to thump the salt off.” The employee was charged because she served the burger “without regards to the well-being of anyone who might consume it.”

7. “Carpenter free to ply trade in the nude”
A carpenter caught hammering nails and sawing wood in the nude says he prefers working in the buff because it’s more comfortable and helps keep his clothes clean. The carpenter was found not guilty of indecent exposure.

8. “Southwest Airlines employee tells passenger her outfit won’t fly”
A Southwest employee asked a young woman in a short skirt to leave the airplane, saying she was dressed too provocatively for the family airline. The young woman was eventually allowed to complete her trip after covering up. On her return flight, she came home with no problem – in the same outfit.

9. “Employee accused of faking being cop”
A Taco Bell employee was arrested for impersonating a law enforcement officer and attempting to arrest his managers and co-worker. He passed himself off as an undercover narcotics investigator, going as far as typing fake criminal histories on the general manager, two shift managers and an employee and telling them they were going to be arrested.

10. “Employee took 1 million screws home from factory”
An assembly worker hid screws in a specially designed hiding place and took up to 7,000 home with him every day. Over a two-year period, he stole more than 1.1 million screws with an estimated value of $155,000. He allegedly sold the screws over the Internet at discount prices.

11. “Deputy nabbed twice for DUI – by husband”
An off-duty jail deputy was pulled over and charged with driving under the influence – by her husband, a fellow deputy. She supposedly left before he could give her a Breathalyzer test, so he pulled her over again and called for backup. She was placed on administrative leave.

12. “Workers killed after seeking raises”
A car dealership owner killed two employees because they kept asking for more pay. The employer told police he was having financial problems and was under a lot of stress.

13. “Man demands coupons from radio station employee”
A radio station employee was threatened at gunpoint when an angry patron was unhappy with the promotional bumper stickers he received. The patron demanded McDonald’s coupons instead; when the employee didn’t have any, the man flashed what looked like a handgun. She searched her car and found a coupon for a free cheeseburger. The man took it, made a derogatory comment about the radio station and rode away on his bike.

14. “Wienermobile gets cop roasted”
When a 27-foot-long, 11-foot-tall vehicle – known to most as the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile – was slowing traffic in a construction zone in Arizona, an officer ran its “YUMMY” license plate to make sure it was street legal. A bad computer entry erroneously showed the Wienermobile as having stolen plates, forcing the officer to pull it over. After further investigation, the officer learned that the entry should have read that license plate had been stolen – but only if found on any vehicle that isn’t a giant hot dog.

15. “Drive-through dispute gets suspect jail food”
Workers at a Burger King in New York got into a dispute with a customer after he refused to turn his music down while ordering at the drive-through. The customer grabbed the restaurant’s manager, tried to pull her through a window and then attempted to run over a worker who came to help the manager.

Does Your Career Passion Scare You?

By Chris Makell

For some, passion can be scary. It can feel like losing control, at the whim of a new trend or at the mercy of the prevailing winds. For others, passion brings energy, excitement and possibility! It's all in how you use it - for ultimately you own and control your passion.

So, do you get passionate about your career? What would it mean for you to be passionate about your career and desire to see it flourish and fulfill you? Given the ever-changing and dynamic workplace, we know that today's careers can be yesterday's hot topic for globalization. However, using the passion that inspires you in your career can be a great way to provide a level of security for your future. How do you do that?

Instead of feeling passion around a career, identify the "elements" of your career that really inspire your passion. This can take you to a whole new career level. Let me give you are real life example...

Sue, a very talented career professional, didn't see an opportunity to move up the corporate ladder. There was no support "pulling" her up and no one "pushing" from below. So she made a "passionate", albeit emotional, decision to begin looking for new ways to utilize and benefit from all the skills she had developed in her long and successful career. She stepped back and examined what it was she enjoyed doing and where she experienced real satisfaction.

Being highly skilled at "rolling up her sleeves" and taking a thoughtful, thorough approach to her work was most important to her and provided a true sense of satisfaction. She has a "passion" for taking current processes and making them more effective; as well as an expertise in influencing and having others see the benefit. As a result, she has found a new position that allows her to use her passion driven skills! She is now in a role she hadn't ever considered and really enjoys what it has done for her professional well-being. It has also opened new doors and created new supporters for her future.

The moral of the story...

Identify the elements of your career that you have true passion around and develop those skills. They will create for you the freedom to move into new opportunities when and while the world of work changes. And you'll achieve a level of personal and professional security that puts you in control.

Your career passion is important to you professional health and well-being. Otherwise it feels like a job and while it helps to pay the bills - you were meant for so much more. Take the opportunity to identify what it is, about what you do, that gives you that inspired passion in your career.

Here are some questions to help get you inspired...

o Is there something fun and challenging about starting a new project?

o Are you jazzed when you complete a piece of work?

o Do you like listening to someone describe their challenge or issue while knowing the many possibilities to help them?

o Does it feel good when you've sold your boss on a new idea, influenced a customer or project's direction or found a new way of doing something?

Passion, while it can be scary, can open up a whole new world of career possibilities. Let your passion be your career guide!!

Chris Makell is your career development expert, coach, consultant and author dedicated to the professional development of mid career professionals and women executives. When you visit http://aspirecareerservices.com/ and subscribe to Aspirations Career Journal for actionable tips and techniques, you'll receive "What's Hot in Career Development" Special Report free.

Business Loans - Take An Alternate Course For Your Career

By Ben Gannon

Many job opportunities have opened up now and the number of employed people has gone up considerably. But for those people who do not want to be limited in their lives and like to take risks in life, business is the prefect thing to do. If you require money for this, business loans will be a sure help in this situation.

Business loans help the borrowers by catering to all types of needs that are related to the business expenses. The borrowers can start a new business or re-instate an older one with the help of the money. Expenses like renting a new site, buying raw materials, transportation of goods, getting machines, registration, opening a branch etc can be made through the money from these loans.

Business loans are available to the borrowers in the secured and the unsecured form. It is up to the borrowers how they want to avail the money. Unsecured option can be availed if the borrower wants a smaller amount or does not want to risk his asset for the loan. If a low rate is wanted on a bigger amount and the borrower is ready to pledge his asset, then the secured loans option seems to be the perfect way out.

Before taking up the business loans, the borrower is required to undertake a research so that all available deals can be compared and the best deal can be chosen. Also the borrower is required to research for a lender who has a clean history as a lender and a good reputation in the financial market.

The borrowers who are suffering from a bad credit history which can be very common in a business setup can also take up money through business loans for investment. The rate of interest for these loans is slightly higher for these borrowers but can be lowered with research. Online application and comparison of deals can fetch the borrowers a lower rate of interest.

Business loans are a perfect solution for the problems faced by the businessmen. Highs and lows are a part of the game and you can control it easily with these loans now.

Ben Gannon is a senior financial analyst at Woman Business Loans. His articles are widely read because of the lucid manner of writing and thoroughly researched datas. To find Business loans, new business loans, online business loans uk, bad credit business loan, secured business loans uk that best suits your need visit http://www.womanbusinessloans.co.uk/

Getting Ahead In Your Job Or Career With Your Creative Ideas

By Martin Mak

Do you have a great idea to can raise the bottom line of the company you work for? Such an idea could be to raise productivity, lower the cost of production or a clever idea to raise staff morale.
In the past, you may have a frustrating experience when your idea was rejected or ignored. The reason could be that nobody told you "the secret". When a great idea pops into our head, the next step is to sell your idea so that others will buy into it. Here are seven important steps that you can take in that process;

1. Don't get too excited about the idea. Think it through a couple of times. It may have flaws that others can see, although they may not be apparent to you. Take time to work through the kinks.
At the same time, others may not see your idea's financial rewards that you find obvious.

2. Don't get frustrated by rejection. Most great ideas face some form of rejection. You can deflect negative criticism by asking for constructive input, for instance, getting feedback to improve an idea or to overcome a hurdle.

3. Ask correct questions. Aim to understand what your managers mean by creativity and innovation. What is their "box" when they use the term "out-of-the-box"? How do they view the development of the products, processes and technology supporting them? This step is crucial in discovering "the secret".

4. Collect pertinent information. Are there technological or market trends that can help you back up your ideas? Are you aware of developments of local and foreign players in the industry? Can you provide what your customers are looking for?

5. Create many ideas. Its time to stretch your imagination to create more than two options. Use your memory and past experiences to guide you on how you can improve a situation. These are the best guides for great ideas. When you generate many options, you will get a better understanding of the different perspective and possibilities you have.

6. Choose your ideas carefully. What should your perfect solution look like? Start building a series of criteria or "must haves" to guide you to a great solution. You may wish to make a spreadsheet or chart to help you tick off the essential features of a great idea. Then give each feature some points, the more important the feature, the more points you should award.

7. Make ideas into solutions. Identify and remedy potential flaws or turn them into leverage points. The weakness of an idea can become its strength if seen from another perspective. For example, 3M's Post-It pads use a weak glue and it was a result of an unsuccessful attempt to create a strong glue for paper.

Six Great Guidelines To Creating A Great Idea

1. Start small. Think of a modest feasible improvement. You can later add on to it as you get more competent and create great benefits for your company.

2. Your knowledge bank is your resource. Keep a look out for your competitor's products and global trends to help you gather fresh insights.

3. Persevere and persuade. This is the toughest part of the process. You need to be a great sales person to sell your idea. That means communicating the calculated risks, the testing period and monitoring the milestone of progress. Remember never to sell an idea purely on excitement.

4. Do not succumb to the fear within. All novel ideas have an element of risk. We all have an inner fear that tell us that it won't work or we're opening ourselves to ridicule. As Einstein once said, "If the idea is not absurd at first, there is no hope for it". The process of making sense or connecting an idea to reality is a separate one.

5. All great ideas have their own time. Some of them may flourish at a later date.

6. Learn from your mistakes. Don't be afraid of making mistakes. There are valuable lessons to be learn from them. You can apply these lessons in future innovative initiatives.

All great ideas take time to nurture. Your memory is the storehouse of your creative genius that you can use to create great ideas. Remember to value other people's perspective. With that, you will enable the company to see the possibilities of new business models and markets or even to re-define the industry.

Martin Mak has developed a new program to help you improve your memory and enhance your learning experience. Find out more with his popular and free ecourse. =>http://www.mightymemory.com/memoryarticle.html

From Teacher to Corporate Trainer - Your Next Career?

By Will Kenny

If you spend most of your time in the classroom -- public school, private school, community college or university -- and you are thinking you would like to try something else, there are lots of other classrooms that are not in schools.

Businesses spend vast sums training their people to do their jobs. Hours are spent learning procedures, sales techniques, how to interact with customers, what company policies must be followed, how things work, what you should be doing.

And whenever policies change, or a new product is launched, or the company discovers a more efficient way of doing something, the employees need to be brought up to speed. That means more communication and training for the staff.

Education in the Corporate World
If you are considering a career change and have a teaching background, consider tapping into the training needs of the corporate world. There are a lot of ways to work in this field, but most of them involve one or both of the following:

• Training development: deciding what is covered, in what order, how it will be delivered (classroom, intranet, role plays vs. self-study manual, etc.), how it will be evaluated.
• Training delivery: more like what you call "teaching", being in the room to lead participants, guide discussions and activities, answer questions and check understanding.

One individual may work as a corporate "facilitator", spending most of his or her time with participants, delivering several standard courses again and again. Another might be a freelance developer who creates a course around a topic for a company, which then is actually delivered by someone else. Some people handle everything -- design, development, delivery, administration, follow-up -- while others play just one role in the process, working with others from inside and outside the company to get the job done.

Your Strengths
With a teaching background, you already have some skills that will transfer quickly to the corporate world:

• You are used to presenting, being in front of a room, capturing the attention of your audience and having an impact on how they think.
• You know that you have to design a lesson to have an impact. There are better and worse ways to deliver the same content, and you are accustomed to working out methods to get the message across.
• You have learned that you can't teach everything the same way. For instance, you explain some things very directly, illuminate other topics through group discussion, and use exercises (like "case studies" in corporate life) to develop related skills.
• You know it is up to you. Given a topic, you have to design the "lesson plan", testing, and all the rest. You don't sit back and wait for someone else to hand you the solution.

Your Challenges
There are some significant adjustments to working in the corporate world as a facilitator or training developer.

Here are a few of the big ones:

• You do not have any authority over your "participants" (students) just because you are a trainer. You will have to demonstrate your value to every group of participants you work with, as they won't just assume you know what you are talking about.
• You may be surprised at who else in the company gets to put their fingers in your work. Countless experts on the subject matter will weigh in, along with people from marketing, production, legal, and other corporate functions. You will find that a four-hour class on a single topic is the subject of several committee meetings, where you will have to manage compromises with numerous players who have some interest in the employees you are training.
• Teaching working adults at their worksite is different from teaching younger people in educational settings (including college students). Efficiency and relevance to their daily activities reign supreme, and you won't have much time to get to the point and have an impact.
• Companies invest in training to solve problems, or to prevent them, to reduce costs and risks, and to boost efficiency and revenues. If you don't understand their needs before you put together your training, it isn't likely to be effective -- and you will not have a happy manager or client.

Training development and delivery in the business world is challenging and enjoyable. You help people work better, and you can have an impact on a lot of people.

It's a great next step for the teacher who might like to try something outside of educational settings. But it is a different world, so make sure you do your homework before you leap into this very different environment.

A former teacher, Will Kenny has more than 20 years' experience as a freelance instructional designer and training developer. Will has worked on the training staff of a large international corporation, before offering freelance content development services to businesses large and small. Visit http://www.besttrainingpractices.com/ for free articles and case studies that give you a peek into the world of training development for business. Will also writes a blog on "Making Training for a Living" (http://www.making-training.blogspot.com), sharing his thoughts on how to succeed in the business of freelance content development.

The Career Center is the Heart of the Hunt

By Alan Moore

When the time comes for an individual to start their career search, a career center can be a very valuable source of information. A career center can be a place either onsite or online where one can find employment leads, workshops and resume services; not to mention professional advice on a number of career related topics. These helpful resources are commonly found at community centers or colleges. They can assist with everything from internships to finding part time employment for older workers. Companies also use career centers to post their newest and available openings. Some career centers even offer employment at county and state levels.

A career center can help individuals find employment in both profit and non profit organizations. Most offer a wide range of different careers; or they may be devoted to a specific type of vocation, such as accounting or education. Onsite centers tend to deal with employment prospects in the immediate area. With its far reach, an online career center is a best bet for those looking for work in other states or even on an international level. Upon joining a site, members are often allowed to post their resumes for public view. This is of great benefit as employers looking to fill a position often peruse career centers in their search for potential candidates.

Along with these helpful services, a career center can also offer other things such as career tests or news on the latest happenings in a particular industry. Keeping up with the most recent information is a must for those on the hunt for employment. Helpful articles describing where the market is at can provide direction as well as forecast coming trends. Some online career centers offer members the chance to keep a blog. This allows for good amount of interaction among site users. Using blogs, members can gain firsthand advice about everything from search methods that yield the best results to personal techniques for landing an interview.

Those on the search for employment are more likely to find success with the help of a well rounded career center. Merely searching the classified ads of the local newspaper can mean missing out on a number of good resources that could help land the right career with the right company. If the hunt for employment is truly serious, then the effort put into the search should be also. This can mean using resume services and possibly even the assistance of a career counselor. Presenting a polished package is more likely to land the interview that leads to the career of a lifetime.

Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Careers And Recruitment...Free report: 'Prepare and Plan Your Career Change in Just 7 Days!'For the best online career's guide, visit
http://www.RecruitmentAndCareers.com

Website Design Training For Rewarding Career

By Michael Bustamante

If you are someone who enjoys creating interesting designs and layouts on computers, you could benefit from website design training. In the contemporary world of computers and Internet marketing, training in website design can lead you to an exciting and rewarding career as a professional website designer.

Website design training focuses primarily on the areas of graphic art and electronic media. You will become familiar with the latest web design and computer-based design and illustration software, which may include GoLive, DreamWeaver, and FrontPage. You will learn how to use HTML, XHTML, CSS, and JavaScript; you will also learn about e-commerce, Internet marketing, scripting and authoring. The goal of website design training is to teach you to create web pages and websites that look good and are easily navigated.

The field of website design is constantly changing and evolving, and it is important that you receive an education in website design that is current and up-to-date. Before you begin your website design education, make sure your chosen school will be able to teach you the latest techniques and methods used by professional website designers.

The website designing course will most likely cover Visual Art, Graphic Design, Web Design, and Computer Aided Design (CAD), among other related subjects. Website design training from a two-year program will lead to an Associate degree, which will be adequate for an entry-level position; however, an advanced degree would greatly increase your knowledge and skills for better employment opportunities. You could continue your website design education at a four-year college to obtain a Bachelor degree (BA) or a Master degree (MA).

If you are interested in learning what it takes to be a professional website designer, you can begin researching website design training today. For in-depth information about Website Design Training, please take a moment to visit our website today.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com.

Michael Bustamante is a staff writer for Media Positive Communications, Inc. Visit our Directory of Vocational Schools and find Training in Website Design, as well as Colleges, Universities, Vocational Schools, and Online Schools at SchoolsGalore.com

Copyright 2007 - All Rights Reserved by Media Positive Communications, Inc.

Notice to Publishers: Please feel free to use this article in your Ezine or on your Website; however, ALL links must remain intact and active.

Starting A Rock Band - 10 Tips To Launch Your Music Career

By Brian Woeller

Starting A Rock Band - 10 Tips To Launch Your Music Career

There are few things more thrilling then standing on a stage playing an instrument or singing your heart out, while watching the fans below having a great time -- especially if a lot of them are of the opposite sex!

Yes, starting a rock band can be a lot of fun AND it can be profitable, if you follow a few easy steps while getting started.

1. The first part is getting together a group of like-minded people who want to play music together. Make sure the other people have similar interests, morals and don't smell too bad. You will be spending a lot of time with them, so you should get a long well with each other or you'll be spending more time looking for replacements than you will playing music.

2. Once you have the people in place, you need to agree on a style of music to play. If you have a songwriter in the group, you'll want to play those "originals." These are songs you will own, record and sell. If no-one in the group is a songwriter, you'll be playing "covers". When starting a rock band this is how most begin. Covers are other people's music that you like on the radio or from a certain era, or genre. (80s, 90s, or Classic Rock, etc.) While you can have a lot of fun and make a good living just playing covers, the real money and "rock stardom" come from playing originals.

3. Next, you'll need to think about where you want to play. Wedding bands are mostly cover bands with a very wide variety of music styles. Since the band is not the star of the show (the bride is) they tend to be a little more subdued. If you want to play a lot of loud music with lots of stage antics, you'll be playing at clubs and theaters. Corporate gigs are great, since they can pay a lot of money, but they tend to best suited for established "show" bands, usually with a female singer or two.

4. OK, so you've got the band together, you've learned the songs, now you're ready to go right? Wrong! Now is when you get ready to cash in on all the long hours you've spent learning your instrument and rehearsing with the band. This is where the band marketing and promotions come in. Think about the marketing of your band just like you would any other aspect of it. You wouldn't go on stage without your instruments, or a sound system, right? Well don't forget the marketing either.

Marketing Items You'll Need: Band Name Banner Promo Kit (Online) Web Site Auto Responder
5. Your band name will set the tone for your image. For example, if you are a heavy metal band, you'll probably want a name more like "The Devil Demons" rather than "The Cute, Fluffy Bunnies." Make sure your band looks and acts like your name name implies and relates to the music you play.

6. Get a banner made up at any local sign shop that you can hang up behind you wherever you play. I can't tell you how many bands I have seen and have no clue who they were because they didn't have a banner.

7. Next you'll need an online Promo Kit where you can store your band photos, demo music video of you playing, contact numbers etc.

8. Your web site should have info about the band, some sample photos, music demos, videos, etc. Be sure your phone number is there where someone can easily find it. VERY IMPORTANT - Be sue you have a place where someone can sign-up to be on your mailing list.

9. Which leads us to the Auto Responder. An Auto Responder creates a form on your web site so you can capture email addresses. It then stores them for you so you can automatically send out messages, or send them out whenever you want. This way your fans will know when and where you are playing. You can also send them notices of new music and merchandise you have for sale.

10. Be sure whenever/wherever you play that you have someone with a sign-up sheet getting people's email addresses. You will then enter them into your mailing list. I can't stress enough how important it is that you create this fan base. This list of people will be who you market your shows and recorded music to for a long as you want to make money with your music. Every show you do without getting these emails could be the difference between you becoming a hugely successful, professional musician, or just having a fun hobby.

Most aspiring musicians fail to succeed, not due to a lack of talent, but from a lack of knowing what to do. The difference between supporting yourself as a musician or having to live off macaroni and cheese is simply having the information you need, and then acting on it. You can get this information that wipes out years of "learning curve" and puts your music career on the fast track, by joining my music marketing newsletter at:
http://www.HowToPromoteYourBand.com

A hack guitarist himself, Brian Woeller now prefers to work behind the scenes, helping to promote musicians with "real" talent. His eBook, "How To Promote Your Band To Rock Star Status" (http://www.HowToPromoteYourBand.com) will jumpstart Your music and get you in the spotlight, fast.

Getting Through Midlife Career Change

By Deborah Prideaux

For many people, the thought of changing careers midlife is a very daunting prospect. Maybe it isn't your choice. The days may be numbered for your chosen Industry or maybe there is downsizing on the horizon.

Maybe it’s just that you’ve reached midlife, realize that your half way there, and don’t want to waste the second half of your life continuing to do what you’ve already been doing.

So how do you go about getting through a midlife career change?

It’s a big decision, but one worth careful consideration.

You will have changed since you first entered the job market. Your priorities have most likely changed and “job satisfaction” is probably high on your list of what you want out of a job.

The Wall Street Journal recently included such things as good intellectual stimulation and a high level of control and freedom in what we do as important aspects of a satisfying job.

Is this what YOU want out of a job?

When you first started looking for a job, you had to sell yourself despite not having any experience. This time round you are going to have to sell yourself because of your experience. There is no doubt that sometimes people in midlife find it harder to get new employment. But this is where you have to be sure of yourself.

You need to be very sure of what you are looking for and then be very sure about what you have to offer.

You need to have on the tip of your tongue, success stories and examples of your abilities. Do keep it relevant but don’t underestimate your life skills and maturity as a valuable asset.

Do you need to consider gaining extra skills to enable you to transfer to a different job.

Consider transferring your basic skills, knowledge and abilities to a different industry. Do some research on the internet to get some ideas.(if you can’t use the internet very well, maybe that is one extra course you could do to upskill).

Maybe you aren’t really sure who you are, or what makes you tick or what you would be best suited to. A career coach is a great option to help you through that. Its truly amazing to work that out!

If after you have come up with some ideas, you still aren’t sure what you want to do, perhaps you could consider taking some temporary jobs and try them out before you commit. Try before you buy!

If you have had thoughts of starting a business, you could work on that on the weekends and in the evenings while still having a regular income from the day job.

If you have money behind you, you could quit straight away to focus on whatever it is you want to do, but PLEASE don’t underestimate how long it will take and what your basic living expenses will be.

Getting through midlife career change can be a challenge, but if you handle it intelligently, you will reap the benefits.

Deborah Prideaux is a career coach who works with peoples strengths and passions to discover what their ideal career is. Visit http://www.CareerImpactCoaching.com