Getting a Job before the Move

I would like to think of myself as a fairly cautious person especially when it comes to money.  You see, a couple of years ago we were just about ruined financially and actually had to move back in with my parents (which was kind of embarrassing).

So when it comes to money, I like to make sure that I have all my bases covered before I do anything drastic.  Though I have missed out on a couple of good deals and opportunities, I feel a lot better knowing that my finances are safe.

A good example would be what I did before we moved to Australia.  You see, I had a good paying health care job in North America and I was hoping to find something similar over there before we moved.  My wife already had her government job in Australia all lined up so least we were guaranteed a little bit of income as soon as we moved there.

I was able to find a couple of Australian job listing websites that had a vast array of jobs that I could apply for before we moved.  I applied for many of them and I was pleasantly surprised to have a number of interviews lined up for the day after we would arrive in Australia.

Was a smart move?  You bet.  We didn’t even have to tap into our savings as I was able to start work with in the first week that we were living there.

Posted on September 25th, 2008 by admin with No Comments »

I Had a Dream and it came True

I was only seven years old when I received my very first camera for Christmas. That was the day that I fell in love with taking pictures. It was a no-brainer as to what I was going to be when I grew up. As soon as I was old enough, I started submitting some of my best photos to stock photos royalty free websites and I was surprised at how many I managed to sell in a very short time.

I did go to college where I majored in (what else?) photography. When I was finished with that, I decided that it was time to start my own stock photography company. For the first year, I spent most of my time acquiring photographers and building up as much stock as I could.

The second year, I spent most of my business time submitting samples of a stock photo to different calendar companies and text book companies. It was amazing how quickly my business grew and I am thrilled at what it is today.

The best thing is that I get to go out and do what I love best and have loved best since I was seven, and I get paid for it!

Posted on September 3rd, 2008 by admin with No Comments »

Domestic Helpers from the Philippines: A New Breed of Superheroes

by Alice Sy

Domestic helpers from the Philippines is a byword that refers to Filipino people working as maids in other countries. Lately, the current President of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, tagged them as supermaids, and for good reason. Humnan beings that they are, these maids from the Philippines are suffering from pain, separation anxiety, and longing for the families they left behind, and yet, they have to continue to endure all these in the hope of being able to provide a better life for their families back home.

It is common to middle class families anywhere to hire from a maid - either those who live-in or from one who lives out. However, here in the Philippines, maids suffer from low wage and extreme work compared to domestic helpers in other countries. A beginner is lucky enough to get $20 a month as salary while a long time servant makes between $30 and $40 and free food and lodging. It is indeed due to financial need and poverty that forces more homemakers to venture in foreign lands. This exodus also includes numerous professional who choose to work abroad than suffer poverty in the country. But simply speak the name of a Filipina and what will follow is an utterance of praises from their employers.

They were formerly known as DH - short cut for domestic helpers. Now, these domestic helpers from the Philippines, as initiated by Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, are now called supermaids. Indeed, their new title fits their superhero-like prowess.Just like Super Man and other superheroes, these domestic helpers from the Philippines seem to showcase titan-like energy. They can do house chores before the sun rises and rest close or after the midnight. They are all around. They can be housekeepers, cooks, baby sitters, and care givers. Just name it, and a Filipina will never say no.

Abroad, these domestic helpers from the Philippines are doing very well. In fact, they are making a good name for themselves with their dedication, loyalty, and honesty.

Further, they are found to be full of life and bursting with enthusiasm, even if they are assigned to do some dirty jobs. They seldom ever complain, and they can work for very long hours from dawn to midnight. Moreover, they can do a multitude of tasks, from babysitting, caregiving, cooking, and doing household chores. Because of these traits, they are very much admired not only by their foreign employers, but by almost everyone around the world.

Another skill that these domestic helpers from the Philippines have is their ability to communicate in English. They can speak and understand English fairly better than maids from other countries. For this reason, communicating with their foreign employers does not become a hindrance to the quality of service that they render.

It is without a doubt that domestic helpers from the Philippines are wanted by employers from foreign countries. In England, for example, they are the preferred choice of servants by the rich, including royal families and wealthy businessmen.

Indeed, domestic helpers from the Philippines are in demand abroad. Not only because they are Filipinas, are they also workers who give their whole heart in the work they choose to do. That is why they are respected and, in turn, earn a lot of benefit from it.

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Posted on August 30th, 2008 by Alice Sy with No Comments »

When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Keep Going: Job Interviewing

by Carole Martin, America

If you’ve been in a job search for more than a few weeks you may be experiencing the feelings of defeat and despair, not to mention the urge to give up. It’s been a tough year, and then some, for those who have lost jobs for whatever reason. Interviewing with no second interviews or offers coming in begins to wear thin - very fast.

Here are some tips to keep your spirits up when you’re feeling down during this process.

1. Don’t give up on the process.

Although you may have heard some of these stories before, they remain inspirational.

Thomas Edison patented 1,093 inventions in his lifetime, but it took him 10,000 attempts to make an electric light bulb work.

Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse series failed to become an instant hit, but he kept trying and in 1928 he added sound and made it an electrifying success.

Milton Hershey failed several businesses before he became the “Chocolate King” and built Hershey town. He even went bankrupt in his first business venture.

(Source “Milana Leshinsky” - http://www.accpow.com.)

The challenge is to pick yourself up after a failure and move forward. That is what will set you apart from “the pack.” These great “successes-after-failure stories” couldn’t have happened if these people hadn’t continued to pursue their dreams. Anyone can give up — that’s easy!

2. Accept the ups and downs

It’s not unusual to have highs and lows during your job search. Some days you may even feel like you’re on an emotional roller coaster. Everything looks hopeful one moment with a job prospect ahead, and then it changes to dark and dismal in the next moment when you receive a rejection. Accepting the fact that this is a stressful time you are going through and that a great deal of it is out of your control will help you put things into perspective.

3. Yes, give yourself permission to fail.

It is very disappointing when you feel like you “aced” the interview and then wait for the promised call that never comes. Be realistic - you aren’t going to get a job offer after every interview. Think of it this way, you didn’t marry every date you ever dated (at least most of us didn’t), and you aren’t going to get a job offer after every interview. And maybe that’s a good thing, at least some of the time. Remember, you are interviewing “them” as much as they are interviewing you.

4. Practice controlling stress

Are you waking up in the middle of the night or skipping meals because you are feeling really down or upset? You may need to talk to someone who is a professional to get some advice about relaxation techniques. Stress becomes a problem when it begins to affect your lifestyle and health. Park and Recreation departments in most cities offer relaxation courses of some kind — yoga, pilates, aerobics, or stress control exercises — for a nominal fee, that could assist you in getting back on balance.

5. Continue to get “out there”

No one can predict when a job opportunity might come your way. Study after study published continues to indicate that “networking” is still the number one way to land a job. Take advantage of every opportunity to be with groups of people. This encompasses everything from your child’s soccer game to a Chamber of Commerce event. Informal networking can happen at any moment and when you least expect it. An example is of a man waiting for a bus. He struck up a conversation with another man also waiting for the bus and ended up getting a job lead and an eventual offer.

6. Prepare yourself for the job interview

It is important to identify what makes you unique and what added value you can bring to the position. Reading through the job posting you are applying for and getting a sense of what it will take to do this job will help you look at the process from the interviewer’s point of view. You want to let the interviewer know that you are the “solution to the problem,” and the best person for the job.Preparing ahead of the interview will give you a definite advantage. What this means is getting focused about what you want the interviewer to know about you. You are presenting a picture of you with words.

7. Keep in mind - you are not alone

Remember, it is an extremely tight job market and that for every job opening there are four or five equally qualified candidates standing in line behind you. It is essential that you are prepared, focused, and able to tell the interviewer what makes you unique and why you are the best person for the job.

When you begin to give into the dark side you will project that to others. You want to stay as upbeat as possible, particularly while interviewing. Keeping upbeat is a part of your job right now. Bringing confidence and energy to the interview are the two most important ingredients to connecting with the interviewer.

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Posted on August 29th, 2008 by Carole Martin, America with No Comments »

Forex Tracer Review, What Is Forex Tracer All About?

by Joshua Hughes

There are many Forex Tracer reviews that claim to have used this great software, many are not truthful though. In this review we used it and found that it really can be used to help you trade currency!

In a typical Forex Tracer review you may find the author rambling on about how good it is and that nothing can beat it. While all this is mostly true, Forex Tracer does have it`s occasional flaws.

There is no such thing as a flawless auto trading software, but Forex Tracer almost makes it! If you are a starting in the world of currency trading, then this program is designed for you.

In this Forex Tracer review, we went through the process of testing it for 4 weeks. When you first install the program, you will be prompted to join a broker. This is free.

To be successful in currency trading you have to know what you`re doing. That is why, when you begin, you MUST start on a demo account. This way you can`t lose any real cash.

Instant millionaires have not been made with Forex Tracer, it is not an overnight success scheme. The software has been designed with beginner and intermediated traders in mind, those who want a solid future income from currency trading.

Forex Tracer uses the Euro/Dollar currency pair, this is the most popular as it is quite volatile and changes regularly. The software predicts signals and acts on them on your behalf, making it automated. It uses the MT4 platform, we found this to be the best.

The history of a company behind a product is important, and NC Media, the people behind Forex Tracer, have a great product list that includes Forex Funnel and Forex Brotherhood.

During the course of our Forex Tracer review, we had great results. Two losing trades coupled with five winning trades took our initial investment of $5000 to $6700 in a one week period. This is a 35% return on investment and is very good in currency terms.

Anyone who is thinking of purchasing a fully automated currency trading system should consider Forex Tracer. There are many other big professional programs available that cost many thousands of Dollars, but offer less performance in comparison.

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Posted on August 27th, 2008 by Joshua Hughes with No Comments »

How To Answer Job Interview Questions

by Harold Glaser

Job interviews are always very taxing, no matter how may times you’ve been through them. Preparation is the is the key to reducing tension during the interview. Study the important and common questions and their answers several days before the interview.

The company profile, its management and establishment are key points to reseach before the interview. Your knowledge and confidence will increase. Know how to discuss your previous work experience and make sure to review your resume.

How to answer question properly follow some important guidelines. Knowing how to answer the questions correctly will surely lead to succesful interview. This is how the following typical questions should be answered:

* Tell me something about yourself?

This is a typical opening question in an interview, be careful and specific. Try to complete the introduction in a short amount of time; you will have to cover four important topics: early years, education, work history and recent career experience.

* What do you know about our organization?

This is one of the important questions which will show your awareness. You should be ready to discuss the products, services, revenues, reputation, image, goals, management style etc. Never act as though you know everything and don’t overwhelm the interviewer. Take the opportunity to show that you are a keen learner and you want to learn more.

* How come you want to work for our company?

Such questions play a prominent part in the hiring process. Your research on the company will determine your actual answer to these questions. Definitely, do the research. You may face the following other types of questions:

* What can you do for us that someone else cannot?

Your acheivements and your ability to complete taske on time should be discussed witht the interviewer. Skills and interests mentioned on your resume should be talked about.

* What interests you in this position?

Give two or three comments on what attracts you to the position, along with one or two minor negative comments.

* Why should we hire you?

Give the answer regarding your ability, experience and energy, your keen learning skill etc.

* From this job, what are your expectations?

To answer this question, talk about company opportunities and not personal security.

* How long do you plan on staying here?

Respond in a positive manner, letting the interviewer know you would like to work for the organization. Go on to say you would like a permanent position that presents a challenge.

* Your long term goals, what are they?

State your goals as they are relevant to the company’s progress, as this answer should be company oriented.

* How successful have you been so for?

Explain in a confident voice that your career has progressed nicely and state how so. While explaining your answer come off as valuable to the interviewer.

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Posted on August 26th, 2008 by Harold Glaser with No Comments »

How To Find Teacher Jobs Abroad

by Elizabeth Wolfenden

Getting a teacher job abroad is actually easier than it used to be as the demand is getting higher and higher. Realize though, that this sort of teaching is not for everyone. Depending on which type of program you work with, there may be some challenges you must overcome.

Before landing my secondary teaching job, I have the opportunity to teach English in Russia. With this particular program, I was not required to have a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) or English as a Second Language (ESL) certificate. The reason I didn’t need a certificate was because this program I was involved in was a volunteer program.

If you want your overseas teaching job to be more stable, it would be worth getting certified. There is a huge demand all around the world for ESL certified teachers and you will be able to land a job shortly after certification.

Depending on where you will be teaching and the qualification needed, you will most likely need a bachelor degree and a TEFL/ESL certificate. With the right amount of schooling it will be easy for you to get a job overseas.

Before you get on that plane, make sure you have a few more things covered first. Make sure you study up on the language and can speak it at least well enough for basic communication and getting around. Also learn about the culture of the area you are moving to.

Your food menu will most likely be very different from what you are used to eating at home. Not to mention, the people will probably act very differently as the customs differ. Do not be surprised if you experience a bit of culture shock as you try to get used to your new surroundings.

You may want to ease the culture shock with bringing some items from home that help you feel more comfortable.

Teaching jobs abroad can also lend to great travel opportunities. You may want to choose your travel destinations based on the sites that you want to see.

If you don’t have your certification yet but are dying to go now, why not go with a volunteer program like the Peace Corps to test the waters? Also, your local college or university may also have a similar program.

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Posted on August 26th, 2008 by Elizabeth Wolfenden with No Comments »

Self Employed - Are you one of them?

by Sherman Bell

Being a freelancer or doing some part time freelance work is great for most of us. It supplements our income and makes sure that we always have enough to pay our bills and live the life that we have always wanted to live. But all this said and done, the headache is our tax returns and most of us don’t have a clue as to how to include this freelance income. But the first question is that are you even considered a freelancer or an individual contractor?

Quite a lot of people have made fortunes from their hobbies like stamp collection, artifacts collection, photography, copywriting etc. But most of these people were doing it after their job hours as just a time pass and to generate a few extra dollars.

According to IRS a self employed person is one who owns the business entirely and is responsible for every action and decision taken. An independent contractor may also be called a self employed person because he or she makes each and every decision about how a service or a product is to be delivered or made.

A self employed person need not necessarily have a registered firm. An individual doing freelance copywriting or transcription or programming jobs can be considered as independent contractor.

But once you decide to call the shots and hire a few people to work for you, it becomes a bit complicated. You now must get your firm registered with the local authorities and start doing all the transactions in the name of the firm and not yourself or an individual.

A lot of people in a bid to start their company and build a brand name rent an uptown commercial space and spend thousands of dollars in buying expensive furniture which can be easily done without. We all must understand that the brand name is built by a lot of other factors and not only where or how your office looks. These two things perhaps come in the last.

Also, just because you are working for someone in a 9-5 job does not mean that you cannot do freelance work or that anything you do before and after your work hours will not be considered as freelance work. Anything and everything that you do apart from your job hours is freelance work and when you file your tax returns you can claim every benefit offered to freelancers on your freelance earnings.

Also, just because you are a freelancer, does not mean that your income is not liable to being taxed. You must file your income tax returns even on your freelance income and if possible get your company registered to avoid any kind of legal issues that may arise anytime in future.

More information can be found at www.irs.gov/business.

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Posted on August 25th, 2008 by Sherman Bell with No Comments »

Pharmaceutical Sales Job

by Salvador Paez

A pharmaceutical sales job is one of the most popular sales jobs today. A great number of individuals want to enter this industry. The pharmaceutical sales field is commonly referred to as “recession proof” work since the pharmaceutical sector is among the ever evolving, largest and most stable business in the world.

Pharmaceutical sales work is very popular today because it offers a tempting salary potential, excellent benefits, flexibility, and a huge opportunity for growth. All of these are important today because of the skyrocketing prices of oil and food. If you’re in the United States, it’s specially important that you get a stable, high-paying job because of the sad turn the economy is taking. Aside from the basic pay, pharmaceutical sales representatives also usually receive various incentives from their employers. Incentives may be in the form of cash, cars, travel, even real estate depending on how good is your performance.

Pharmaceutical sales is not your typical sales job. Many people see it as very prestigious. As a pharmaceutical sales representative, you’ll be selling the most advanced medical and technological products around to professionals and companies. These are top-of-the-line items that need to be handled by only the most qualified people.

Before you qualify for a pharmaceutical sales job, you must first submit all the requirements and fit the qualifications the pharmaceutical company looks for. Usually, pharmaceutical companies seek college graduates for pharmaceutical sales jobs. They also prefer experienced salespeople who have the knowledge and the will to take on the various challenges and duties of this kind of work. They often look for people who have at least two years of sales experience.

Sales training and technical knowhow is definitely another plus for any applicant. Generally, those who have a medical background have an edge over those who have sales experience, although this varies depending on the company. More importantly, the applicant must possess enthusiasm for the pharmaceutical industry as this will ultimately help him or her become a successful pharmaceutical sales representative.

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Posted on August 25th, 2008 by Salvador Paez with No Comments »

Career Coaching Info: Obtain Career Coaching Advice From Mentors

by George Purdy

Many people are eager to obtain career coaching information. Young students want to know how to decide on a coaching career and it is necessary for them to learn how to recognize there strengths and weaknesses and aptitudes. They can go to a coaching career center in their school or college to map out courses and take diagnostic tests, or to use the programs they have completed in order to find appropriate jobs.

Placement departments found at most universities and technical schools help graduates find employment. While some schools offer life-long employment assistance, others only help recent graduates. Ask what kind of assistance your school offers. Most proprietary schools are more committed to helping graduates because accreditation and funding incentives are based on graduate hire rates.

State run or funded employment/unemployment agencies also a source of Career coaching information. Though these agencies can help those seeking works just out of school or investigating career changes, however most people think of these only when they lose a job. Free service is a big perk and besides also free is College and school placement.

You can also obtain career coaching advice from mentors in fields that seem appealing to you. It is possible to arrange to shadow someone’s job for a day so that you can a sense of what their job actually entails. Mentors also have career coaching information and offer support online, which you can easily track down with a search engine. Also consider looking at volunteer organizations dedicated to mentoring.

In addition there are institutions and businesses who sell career coaching as their business product. They can charge anything, and before opting you should check their credentials carefully and look at BBB reports. If possible, you should speak with someone who has used their service. You should choose coach who has legitimate certification in career coaching and who match your personality.

Professional career coaching information and preparation will consider individual preferences and skills. Regardless of whether any aptitude and skill test concludes you would be a good pediatrician, a good coach will be able to guide you elsewhere if you dislike working with children. If your coach tries to compel you to fit testing results, you should find a different one.

Career coaching information is a hot subject with many people out there in the world. A coaching career center can help plot a way to find a career, and provide testing to determine the best options for the individual student. Most universities and technical schools have a placement department to help place graduates. There is plenty of information to be found at state funded employment agencies. You can receive career coaching advice from mentors in career fields that interest you. Career coaching is sold as a business product by many educational and business organizations. Professional information and preparation will consider individual preferences and skills.

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Posted on August 25th, 2008 by George Purdy with No Comments »
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