Weekly Feature Wednesday

Job Title:

Care Supervisor (RPN)

Position Type:

Immediate Full-time

Job Location:

Trenton, ON

Employment Category:

Social Service/Recreation/Health

Job Description:

• Assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating individualized care to meet the residents' physical and emotional needs. Ensure resident care plan is initiated in collaboration with other members of the Resident and Guest Services Team
• Communicate with relatives regarding the care and condition of respective residents as required
• Assists the Care Services Manager by participating in discharge planning, consultation, and/or transfer of residents
• As required, provide direct resident care and participate in resident teaching
• Encourage active participation by residents in all therapy programs and recreational activities
• Liaise with attending physicians, psychiatrists, consultants, social workers, clergy, relatives or responsible persons to ensure effective resident care is provided

Leadership:
• Assist with setting standards of resident care for the Home
• Participates as a member of the care team and provides support to the other members of the Resident and Guest Services team
• Delegate responsibilities to appropriately qualified staff as required

Operational and Administrative Systems:
• Supervise and assist non-professional staff. Participate in shift report, record significant changes in residents' condition, care plan and changes in physician's orders. Reviews residents' charts, ensuring that all requirements are promptly acted upon. As required, notify physicians of change in residents' condition
• Provides first aid to staff when necessary and completes Employee Injury Report
• Procure and administer medications including all injections and narcotics
• Participate in the orientation, on-the-job training and in-servicing of care staff as required

Job Requirements:

Experience:
• A sound knowledge and background in seniors retirement housing including activation, nursing and personnel administration
• Knowledge of the appropriate sections of the Health Disciplines Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Pharmacy Act, Food and Drugs Act (Canada), Narcotic Control Act (Canada) and other pertinent Federal, Provincial and Municipal Statutes which influence the operation of the Retirement Home and more specifically the care department

Education:
• All Care Supervisors who provide care to residents in the facility shall have a current certificate of competence with the College of Nurses of Ontario
• All Care Supervisors who will be administering medications to residents shall have completed an RPN Nursing program

Skills & Abilities:
• Must be mature and possess good communication, leadership and interpersonal skills
• Must be knowledgeable in nursing process, developments and trends in the health care field

Application Procedure:
Employer Email

If by email, send to:
yourcareer@seasonsretirement.com

Application Material Required:
Cover Letter
Resumé

Additional Application Information:

Seasons Retirement Communities currently has full time and part time Care Supervisor (RPN) positions at the following communities:

Seasons Dufferin Centre (Trenton, Ontario)
Seasons First Avenue (Welland, Ontario)
Seasons Bell Lane (Brantford, Ontario)
Seasons Owen Sound (Owen Sound, Ontario)

Please specify the Seasons community you are applying for on your application.

Organization:
Seasons Retirement Communities

Application Deadline: Sep 07, 2011 05:00PM

Tip of the Day Tuesday

What are Resume Keywords and Why are they Important?

In today’s job market it is often essential to use appropriate keywords to get your resume through initial screenings. Keywords are also helpful when searching for job openings.

But, what are keywords, and how do you choose the right ones?

Keywords are the specific words and phrases employers use to screen resumes for the best fit among potential candidates. From the employer’s perspective, the more of their specified keywords that appear in your cover letter and resume, the better the chances of a good fit. In most cases, those keywords equate to desired qualifications.

Keywords are really nothing more than search terms, which you probably use all the time.
For example, let’s say you search on Google for a sales position and you enter ‘sales jobs’ as the search term (keyword). You’re likely to be overwhelmed by the generic results and not find anything close to what you’re looking for. However, if you narrow down the scope and put in ‘computer sales manager jobs’ you’re likely to turn up something useful.

The same process is used by many prospective employers. They run resumes they receive through screening software that scans resumes for keywords and phrases the employer has specified. Resumes and cover letters that contain a good number of those keywords are likely to pass this initial screening and be set aside for closer scrutiny.

So, how do you find the right keywords?

Carefully read the job posting and job description.
Look for words and phrases that are specific to that job, the company, and the industry. Pay particular attention to words and phrases that specify the skills, personality traits, experience, software (and other) proficiencies, academic qualifications, job title, management skills, organizational skills and any special expertise that the position requires. Start a list, and be thorough.

Add to your list by visiting industry-trends websites, the sites of industry associations and the website of the company you’re interested in. Cull buzzwords that are unique to the industry, especially those used by industry leaders and the company you’re applying to, and particularly those that apply to the type of position you’re interested in obtaining.

Keep in mind that common descriptive terms, like “team player”, “self-motivated” and “people-person”, appear so often in resumes that they are essentially worthless for screening purposes. Consequently, they are unlikely to be specified by the prospective employer as keywords. However, if the job ad is seeking someone who is “a highly organized and motivated person who can work independently”, cover all the bases by including the key generic words and phrases, such as “work independently”, “organized” and “motivated”, along with the more substantive job-specific keywords you have identified.

Once you have your list of keywords, use as many as are applicable in your resume and cover letter. Any words or phrases specifying the qualifications of the ideal candidate are crucial – use the same wording as you find in the job ad and job description (provided, of course, that they apply to you). With good research, careful writing and a little luck you’re likely to match many of the keywords on the employer’s list, and stand out as having the qualifications they are looking for in the ideal candidate.

http://blog.resumebear.com/resume-cover-letter-tips/what-are-resume-keywords-and-why-are-they-important/

Making It Big Monday

Make It Big By Improving Your Work Ethic

Work ethic is a very important attribute to have, especially if you are starting a home business. When you work for someone else, you're motivated by your desire to impress your boss so you can get a raise to make more money. However, if you work for yourself you have to be motivated by a whole different set of factors. You need to have a strong work ethic because there will be no one else there cracking the whip to get you to work. If work ethic is something that you struggle with, follow these steps to create more success in your home business.

1. Set clear goals for yourself
Have you ever spent an afternoon trying to work on your business only to find yourself a few hours later with nothing done? It's probably because you didn't have a clear goal in mind of what you'd like to get accomplished. The best thing you can do in order to maintain a good work ethic is have goals. You should have long term goals (like yearly or quarterly goals), mid-range goals (per month or per week) and short term goals (daily or hourly). The more specific you can get for your goals, the better. Many people make the mistake of setting a long range goal and then not breaking it down into small steps. If you set a goal for something as little as a few hours, you'll find yourself more motivated to work. Be sure to track your goals and reward yourself by checking off your tasks as you finish them.

2. Think about the rewards and not the struggle of working
Often when someone sits down to work they feel overwhelmed by what they have to accomplish. They spend so much time worrying about how much work needs to be accomplished that they work themselves into a state of fear, which can prevent any work from taking place. If you find that this happens to you, you should focus on the rewards of being finished with your work. Imagine yourself spending the rest of the day with nothing on your plate. Picture the excitement you'll feel knowing that you've met your goals for the day. The more you take pleasure in getting your work done, the more you'll be motivated to finish your work quickly.

3. Create a focused work environment
When you own a home based business you may think that you can work in front of the television, around family or in an otherwise noisy environment. This is a surefire way for lowering your productivity. You need to train yourself to create a focused work environment so you can complete the work that you need to get done. Set up a dedicated work space and surround yourself with the items and conditions that you feel most comfortable with. For example, some people need silence in order to get work done, while others prefer music. Set yourself up for success and you'll be more able to work quickly and accomplish your goals.

Read more: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/How-To-Improve-Your-Work-Ethic-In-Three-Easy-Steps/703674#ixzz1W9iT3pnK

Fun Facts Friday

10 Excellent Pieces of Advice From 10 Top Executives

Who doesn’t want to climb the ladder of success to that private high-rise corner office in the sky? You’ve taken everyone’s advice on success from your Uncle Herb to the barista from that Starbucks down the block, but if you’re going to take anyone’s advice, why not take it from the big shots?

1. “It’s been my observation that most people get ahead during the time that others waste.” -Henry Ford founder of Ford Motor Company
Make sure you stay on the ball. If you haven’t found that ideal job you’ve been hunting for don’t give up, keep looking.

2. “You cannot push anyone up the ladder unless he is willing to climb.”
-Andrew Carnegie Steel magnate
If you ever want to achieve success one of the most important key factors you need to remember is that you have to be willing to work for it. You can’t expect your success to unfold within the course of one day; in order to reach the levels of success you dream of it takes time, effort, and perseverance. You’re the only one in control of your future.

3. “The Internet is becoming the town square for the global village of tomorrow.”
-Bill Gates Chairman of Microsoft
Though this may not be as big an issue in today’s world as it would have 15, 20 years ago, plenty of people are still lost when it comes to the Internet and/or computers. If you happen to be one of those individuals it cannot be stressed enough how important it is to familiarize yourself with computers. The computer industry is seeping its way into almost every field out there, it cannot be escaped. Therefore, you need to equip yourself with the right precautionary measures necessary for when you come face to face with your new and most likely computer oriented career. Even if your career happens to dodge the expansion of the computer into new fields it is still a great skill to possess and can help lead to new opportunities down the line.

4. “For every failure, there’s an alternative course of action. You just have to find it. When you come to a roadblock, take a detour.”
-Mary Kay Ash founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics
When you encounter a problem, solve it. Don’t give up; find a solution to the problem and work your way around it, there are always solutions. If today’s interview didn’t go well, don’t interpret it as an all-encompassing sign that no one will hire you. You need to be prepared to take the initiative to dig up inventive solutions when issues arise. Inventiveness in times of crisis is a trait that will set you apart from the rest of the herd (and make you shine in the eyes of employers.)

5. “A man can succeed at almost anything for which he has unlimited enthusiasm.”
-Charles Schwab founder & CEO of Charles Schwab Corporation
If your goal is to achieve success it is of grave importance to be in the field you love. If you hate your line of work you can kiss the very thought of success goodbye. You’ll never succeed if you do not hold a boundless passion for your career. It’s crucial to find a career you are enthusiastic about; you cannot expect to find success in a career you dread waking up to morning after morning. What is worth devoting your life’s work to?

6. “I’ve never run into a guy who could win at the top level in anything today and didn’t have the right attitude, didn’t give it everything he has, at least while he was doing it; wasn’t prepared and didn’t have the whole program worked out."
-Ted Turner founder of CNN
Have the right outlook in life, the right attitude: a positive attitude. You won’t get very far with a chip on your shoulder. The best employers can detect your attitude during the job interview, and if they sense your attitude is negative, your chances of getting the job are slim.

7. “You can’t know enough in a one-hour interview. So, in the end, it’s ultimately based on your gut. How do I feel about this person? What are they like when they’re challenged? I ask everybody that: ‘Why are you here?’ The answers themselves are not what you’re looking for. It’s the meta-data.”
-Steve Jobs co-founder, Chairman & CEO of Apple Inc.
Be prepared for anything an interviewer can throw your way. Practice interviews beforehand; run through possible questions you may be asked and rehearse. Make sure you’re sending out the right impressions; know what is to be expected of you, arm yourself with the knowledge of the right body language as well as the right communication and social skills. Be sure there’s nothing masking the true hardworking, loyal future employee you will be.

8. “Business opportunities are like buses, there’s always another one coming.”
-Richard Branson Chairman of Virgin Group
Don’t get down in the dumps if a business opportunity turns out to be a bust. If you always keep the door open and a positive attitude a new and perhaps better opportunity is bound to walk in sooner or later.

9. “As long as you’re going to be thinking anyway, think big.”
-Donald Trump Chairman & CEO of Trump Organization
Try to reach for the seemingly impossible (within reason, we’re not talking chocolate paved roads and gumdrop evergreens here), to have a goal to strive for at all times keeps you on your toes and ignites the diligence to keep working in the direction of success.

10. “There’s no good idea that can’t be improved on”
-Michael Eisner former Chief executive of The Walt Disney Company
Be a team player and be open to change. Show willingness to compromise and learn to accept constructive feedback positively. Even though it may be challenging at times try not to be too hardheaded and acknowledge the input and improvements of others on your ideas. A little maturity and grace go a long way toward landing your dream job!

http://blog.resumebear.com/featured-articles/20-best-pieces-of-advice-from-20-top-executives/

Top Job Thursday

Biotechnology Technician

A biotechnology technician is a person who typically works in a laboratory assisting scientists in the research, development, and testing of various forms of biotechnology. Although a technician’s specific duties may vary, they are usually responsible for setting up the lab, trouble-shooting equipment problems, and preparing solutions for scientific tests. Technicians may also perform simple scientific procedures and collect and record the data from these procedures. These technicians may work in many different areas of biotechnology and have a variety of job titles such as agricultural and food science technician, biological technician, or chemical technician. A biotechnology technician may also be employed as an environmental science technician or a forensic science technician.

A biotechnology technician working in the area of agricultural and food science is usually involved in many kinds of animal, fiber, or food research. These technicians typically conduct experiments and other tests in order to improve the quality and yield of various crops. They also assist scientists in experiments to increase resistance to insects and diseases in certain kinds of plants and animals. Some technicians may be used to breed different types of animals for nutrition experiments. Agricultural technicians are also responsible for analyzing, recording, and compiling test results, as well as cleaning and sterilizing laboratory equipment.

Technicians who work in the biological science field usually assist scientists who are conducting different types of medical research in order to find cures for certain diseases. They may also work for a pharmaceutical company helping to develop new medicines and vaccines. Technicians who work in the field of microbiology may also analyze different organic matter such as food or blood.

A biotechnology technician working in the chemical industry will typically assist a chemical engineer or chemist in the development of new types of chemicals or other related products. Technicians who are involved in certain types of research and development projects may be used to collect and analyze water or air samples to determine pollution levels.

Technicians employed in environmental science are usually responsible for monitoring various environmental resources. These technicians typically perform various types of field and laboratory tests to help determine possible sources of pollution in the environment. Environmental technicians are also used in the control and management of hazardous materials.

Biotechnology technicians working in forensic science typically collect and analyze physical evidence obtained from crime scenes. These technicians are often specialists in areas such as firearms or DNA analysis. Forensic technicians are also used to prepare reports for investigators and may be called upon to testify in court as an expert witness in certain types of criminal cases.

How Do I Become a Biotechnology Technician?

To become a biotechnology technician, you'll first have to graduate from high school or earn an equivalent diploma. Taking advanced science and math courses, including biology, chemistry, and algebra, in high school may help you to build a good foundation of knowledge you can use in your biotechnology program. After graduating from high school or earning a GED, you may enroll in a two-year biotechnology or laboratory technology program that ends with a diploma, certificate, or associate's degree. It's important to note that some employers prefer to hire individuals who have bachelor's degrees in biology or a related science instead of those with less education. As such, you may do well to check job listings in your area before you choose an educational path.

Once you have earned a degree, certificate, or diploma, you can start to look for a job as a biotechnology technician. You may get help through the job placement office at your school or enlist the assistance of an employment agency. You may also look for help wanted ads in newspapers and via online job-listing services. Additionally, you may find unadvertised opportunities by contacting science, agricultural, and pharmaceutical companies; colleges and universities; and even government organizations to learn about possible job openings.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-does-a-biotechnology-technician-do.htm, http://www.wisegeek.com/how-do-i-become-a-biotechnology-technician.htm

Weekly Feature Wednesday

Job Title:

Office Clerk

Position Type:

Off-campus Part-Time Employment

Job Location:

CFB Borden

Employment Category:

Administrative (Office/Support)

Job Description:

Office Clerk
Non-Public Funds
CANEX
Retail Store
CFB Borden
Permanent Part Time Position
COMPETITION NUMBER:
BDN-11-110

Under the supervision of the Retail Store Office Supervisor, the Office Clerk calculates, prepares and issues documents related to accounts such as invoices, inventory reports, account statements and other financial statements using computerized and manual systems. He/She prepares and processes paperwork for NPF accounts such as month end reports, wage requests, weekly sales reports and sales summaries. He/She also verifies and corrects discrepancies and responds to client inquiries.

Qualifications:
- High school diploma AND some experience in accounting, bookkeeping, or in a related field
OR
- An acceptable combination of education, training, and experience will also be considered

Language requirement: Bilingual Non-Mandatory – Level 323/323

Knowledge Requirements
- of budget administration
- of office procedures
- of invoicing systems
- of filing systems and records management

Experience Requirements
- in basic accounting
- in preparing sales reports
- in providing customer service
- in stocktaking and inventory checks
- in data entry, data manipulation, record-keeping, and retrieval techniques
- in maintaining electronic databases and traditional filing systems
- in using software for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, e-mail, and Internet browsing

Salary:

$ 10.77/hr - $ 14.41/hr

Application Procedure:
Employer Email

If by email, send to:
BordenRecruiting@cfpsa.com

If by Website, go to:
www.cfpsa.com

If by Fax, send to:
705-423-2892

Application Material Required:
Resumé

Additional Application Information:

Successful candidate will be prepared to commence employment as soon as possible.
NPF employees must demonstrate the following core characteristics: team player, customer focus, positive attitude, excellence, and competence.
NPF is committed to Employment Equity and Diversity and invites applications from Women, Aboriginal People, Persons with Disabilities and Visible Minorities.
To receive this job poster in an alternative format, please contact the NPF Human Resources Manager.

Eligible candidates should submit a resume clearly outlining their ability to fulfil all position requirements by mail to: Kristen Hutchinson, Human Resources Assistant. NPF Human Resources, Bldg. S-138, Rm. 207; PO Box 1000 Station Main, Borden, ON L0M 1C0 or fax to 705-423-2892. Email: BordenRecruiting@cfpsa.com or apply online at www.cfpsa.com before 1600 hrs 29 August 2011.

Please note that only those candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted. If you have special needs and require accommodation measures for the selection process, please notify the NPF Human Resources Manager at that time.

Organization:

Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency

Application Deadline: Aug 29, 2011 04:00PM

Tip of the Day Tuesday

Teamwork in the Workplace: Creating the Conditions.

How do you create the conditions for effective teamwork in the workplace to flourish? Good team leadership is about creating the conditions that allow ideas and people to flourish, people to come together and performance to flow. When you balance developing people's strengths, with building good relationships and connections between people, in the pursuit of challenging and meaningful team goals you are moving a long way towards encouraging effective teamwork in the workplace. These three factors we suggest are central in creating the right conditions:

- Developing individual strengths
- Establishing good relationships with others
- Pursuing worthwhile and meaningful goals

All three aspects have of course been shown to be important to people's happiness. Focusing on our own strenghts particularly when in the pursuit of goals we feel are meaningful to make a difference is a crucial building block for being happier. It's a similar story with our relationships and "connectedness" to others. The strengths of our relationships have repeatedly been found to be the strongest links to finding happiness in life.
So there is a good chance that developing this kind of teamwork in the workplace will also create a happier place to work. Here's our recipe for effective teamwork in the workplace:

Developing the Strengths of Individuals
- Ensuring you place a high value on the ideas of others
- Allowing time to foster creativity
- Encouraging personal mastery - and personal growth and learning by encouraging the team to "continually expand their ability to create the results in life they truly seek." (Senge)
- Building on the strengths of your colleagues in the team
- Align and blend strengths of individuals so that they complement each other

Cultivating Relationships and Friendships
- Trusting the team to deliver.
- Develop your own teamwork definition that you all share and fits your context
- Thinking Win-Win. Consistently seek mutual benefit in what you do. Cultivate an abundance mentality - there is more for everyone and together people can achieve more.
- Seeking First to Understand. Communication is the most important skill in life. Seek to understand another person's view first, in order to best put your view forward. To communicate well you must listen first.
- Developing a shared vision as well as encouraging personal vision.
- Align people's sense of togetherness with the vision of where you are going.

Encouraging Performance to Flow
- Energizing team learning - the potential wisdom of teams, where individual talent combines for the benefit of the team and energy and activity is aligned in the same direction;

- Synergize. Bring together ideas, other people and their views. Do this properly and the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
- Encourage the team to take on meaningful challenges which are manageable ( high challenge with high skills)
- Together generate clear goals, that you share and to which you are committed
- Provide immediate feedback on performance (so that it is clear how well everyone is doing) and encourage others to support and provide feedback to each other.
- Align strengths with good teamwork in a common direction towards meaningful goals

http://www.the-happy-manager.com/teamwork-in-the-workplace.html, The Happy Manager - a better way to manage, Copyright © 2007 - 2011 - the-happy-manager.com

Making It Big Monday

Top Five Strategies for Moving Ahead at Work

What is wrong with this picture? You work hard, do everything you're asked to do — and more — and you still feel like you're in the slow lane. You ask for training but no one gives it to you. The biggies don't know who you are. How are you ever going to move ahead?

Before you can take even a baby step, realize that business is a game and you're supposed to be a player. Don't be glum, chum. Lighten up and start playing. Here are five strategies that are bound to get you to first base — and beyond.

1. Find out what's going on and become part of it. What are the major trends affecting your industry, your organization and your field? If you don't know, you may be working hard on the wrong things. Read your company's press releases, find out the direction the organization is now taking and take assignments that help you become part of it. Join associations having to do with your industry and field. Be on the program or membership committee to meet the key players in your field. Whether you know it or not, your company is changing and your job is changing. You've got to keep up.

2. Manage your internal public relations campaign. Volunteer for your organization's United Way or Blood Drive campaign. You'll be seen as a team player and will meet people in other divisions and departments. Make sure those above you in the organization know how good you are. For example, when your boss's boss asks how you're doing, the incorrect answer is "Just fine. How are you?" The right answer is: "Terrific. We've been working 70 hours a week on the Acme project and I know you'll be pleased with the results." He or she has to ask you more about your work.

3. Get the training you need. Don't complain that you don't get the kinds of assignments that will help you grow. Don't whine that they won't train you. You are in charge of your own career. Do volunteer work that gives you the experience you need, such as learning how to run a meeting. Take courses. Learn a new technical skill. Find out what people in your function do outside of your present organization (or the function you are interested in long term).
Column Archive

4. Develop a career plan for yourself, and gradually move in the right direction. Knowing where you would like to wind up broadens the kinds of jobs you would be interested in today. For example, if you have been in accounting in the education industry for the past 10 years and would like to wind up in sales in an entertainment firm, you could make your move in two steps: First, sell accounting software or accounting services to entertainment companies. Then, move into the entertainment industry itself.

5. Meet with your manager to get more mainstream assignments. But don't just sit down and have a chat. Go in prepared. For example, make two columns on a piece of paper. In the left column, which would be short, lists your job responsibilities. The right-hand column could go on for a page or two, listing — in priority order — your accomplishments on the job. Point out that you have always been willing to take on extra work and help where it was needed. However, you would like to get some of the cutting edge assignments that are coming along, such as … Don't expect your boss to say "yes" right away. You have to overcome her inertia. If you're not satisfied about the outcome of the meeting, say that you'd like to meet again in a few weeks to discuss this same issue.

These are just some of the strategies you should consider to move your career along. What you choose to do depends on you, your personality, your organization, and your level of ambition. Remember what Calvin Coolidge said, "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence…Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent." Learn to play the game and stick with it.

Read more: Kate Wendleton, http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,355619,00.html#ixzz1Vltp3W7G

Fun Facts Friday

Student Debt: Stats and Helpful Hints!

The average debt from all sources in constant 2007 dollars among members of the 2005 cohort that owed student-related debt did not differ greatly from the class of 2000. Graduates from 2005 with student debt had lower average debt levels than their 2000 counterparts: doctorate graduates owed about $1,300 less on average, while college graduates owed about $700 less.

In 2007, two years after graduation, loans exceeded $20,000 on average for graduates with student debt (both government and non-government) at the bachelor's and doctorate levels.

In 2007, graduates with a doctorate still owed the highest amount from all sources, $22,500 on average, while bachelor's graduates had an average debt owing of $20,400. Master's graduates owed an average of $19,500, while college grads had the smallest debt in 2007, an average of $11,800.

Graduates who were still paying off their government debt two years after graduation earned less on average than those who had completely paid off their student loans. Bachelor's graduates who had paid off their debt earned over $8,000 more, or roughly 23% more, than those who still had debt two years after graduation.

So you want to get out of your student debt? Some of these tips can help!

1. Spend less than you earn.
2. When debt is closed out, put 60% in savings and enjoy the remain 40%.
3. Have only one credit card with a low limit, and only one loan with monthly payment not exceeding 25% of income.
4. Build up an emergency fund first. If you come into extra money (tax returns, etc.), use it to build an emergency fund and pay off debt after that.
5. Cut up your credit cards.
6. Avoid eating out. Cook your own meals, except on very special occasions.
7. For entertainment, visit friends and be creative on how to entertain yourselves and your family without spending a dime.
8. Don’t pay off your credit card balance from the emergency account. Don’t touch the emergency account at all — it doesn’t exist!
9. Look for expenses coming up in the future and plan for them, so you don’t have to go into debt when they come up.
10. Make a budget – Purpose every dollar (including some buffer).
11. Recognize your spending tendencies (and your family’s) and place limits on them. Develop good habits instead.
12. Keep trying and don’t give up. Make a commitment, and if you aren’t getting out of debt slowly but surely, revisit that commitment. Change is difficult and it takes drastic change in mindset and behaviors to get out of debt. Anyone can do it – as long as you really want to do it.
13. Stop spending! You have to really, truly want to do this. Otherwise, you’ll put yourself on a financial diet and then crash and burn and find yourself justifying why you deserve to spend so much money on a new iPhone when you have a perfectly good phone and $20,000 in debt.
14. Praise yourself for every small accomplishment. But, don’t praise yourself by spending frivolously.
15. Find the tools that work for you and stick to them. If the tools aren’t working, find new tools. There are plenty of tools and ideas out there – for free.
16. Be realistic. If you started accumulating debt three or four years ago, realize that it will probably take you more then three or four years to get out of debt and stay out of debt.
17. Create a realistic budget. Put as much money as you can towards paying down debt and having an emergency fund, but allow for a little bit of. Only the truly dedicated can live with no social/recreational activities for the amount of time it takes to become debt-free.
18. Eliminate. Take a hard look at what’s truly necessary, and be willing to make compromises. Cable TV, satellite radio, and lunches in the office cafeteria are not necessities. If you have a hard time letting go of these things, run your numbers through a debt calculator twice – once with your current budget, and once with additional money currently paying for niceties. You’ll be amazed at how much of a difference those few extra dollars make.
19. Get creative. If there’s something you think you don’t have time to do more frugally, find a way around it. For example, cooking at home is much cheaper than eating out. If you don’t have time to cook, try investing in a crock pot.
20. Be patient. Debt reduction is a long, slow process. Depending on the method you use, you may see no significant progress at first, but it will happen.

Have any of your own tips? Comment and let us know!

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/090422/dq090422a-eng.htm, http://zenhabits.net/73-great-debt-elimination-tips/

Top Job Thursday

Civil Engineer

Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works like bridges, roads, canals, dams, and buildings. Civil engineering is the oldest engineering discipline after military engineering, and it was defined to distinguish non-military engineering from military engineering. It is traditionally broken into several sub-disciplines including environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, transportation engineering, municipal or urban engineering, water resources engineering, materials engineering, coastal engineering, surveying, and construction engineering. Civil engineering takes place on all levels: in the public sector from municipal through to national governments, and in the private sector from individual homeowners through to international companies.

Careers
There is no one typical career path for civil engineers. Most people who graduate with civil engineering degrees start with jobs that require a low level of responsibility, and as the new engineers prove their competence, they are trusted with tasks that have larger consequences and require a higher level of responsibility. However, within each branch of civil engineering career path options vary. In some fields and firms, entry-level engineers are put to work primarily monitoring construction in the field, serving as the "eyes and ears" of senior design engineers; while in other areas, entry-level engineers perform the more routine tasks of analysis or design and interpretation. Experienced engineers generally do more complex analysis or design work, or management of more complex design projects, or management of other engineers, or into specialized consulting, including forensic engineering.

Civil Engineering Offers a Flexible, Well-Rewarded and Diverse Career With The Chance to Work and Travel All Over The World.
Our society would not work without civil engineering. Infrastructure supports our daily life – roads and harbours, railways and airports, hospitals, sports stadiums and schools, access to drinking water and shelter from the weather. Because it works, we take it for granted. Only when parts of it fail, or are taken away, do we realise its value.

Today, civilisation relies more than ever on teams of inventive people to design, build and maintain the sophisticated environment that surrounds us. People who find they are drawn to civil engineering as a career look to find challenge, self-expression, achievement and personal reward through their work. If you would like to combine your technical knowledge and creative flair to solve problems, civil engineering is an excellent career choice.

Have a Say in What the World Will Look Like
How many jobs affect how our environment looks and works? For many civil engineers, it is the way they can change our surroundings and improve the lives of millions of people that draws them to the profession. They see whole projects through each stage from feasibility to design and implementation.

Help the Developing World
For civil engineers, solving infrastructure problems in the developing world is just as demanding – and rewarding – as solving problems in the developed world.

They are needed after earthquakes, during droughts and at times of war, to help the local population rebuild or maintain the conditions that will keep them alive. If you have a real sense of adventure and a commitment to help those in the greatest need, you could join RedR, an organisation that sends volunteers to disaster areas all over the world.

Job Satisfaction
The major highlight for most civil engineers is the satisfaction of seeing tangible results of their hard work, from designing and constructing Heathrow Terminal 5 to rebuilding bridges in war torn Iraq. The infrastructure civil engineers create benefits society for many years to come.

http://www.science-engineering.net/why-civil-engineering.htm, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_engineering

Weekly Feature Wednesday

JOB TITLE: Student Entrepreneurship Program

Position Type:
Off-campus Part-Time Employment

Job Location:
Belleville, Toronto, & Ontario

Job Description:
STUDENT ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM

We are currently hiring students or grads who are self-motivated, entrepreneurial, and eager to challenge themselves professionally by managing select areas for one of Canada’s most successful student companies.

Are you a future business leader? Do you want to be in charge of your own crew of students and learn real business skills?

STARTING NOW:
Part-time during the school year, Full-time during summer 2012.

It’s a flexible part-time position during the school year consisting mostly of an extensive business and marketing training program that will prepare you both for this job as well as any future endeavors.

DUTIES:
1) Marketing
2) Sales
3) Staff and Project Management
4) Business Operations

Great income. No previous business or management experience is necessary but a qualified candidate will be business savvy, entrepreneurial and good with customers.

REQUIREMENTS:
*Great attitude and work ethic
*Desire to run and manage your own staff of student employees
*Driver’s license and vehicle
*Available Full-Time for summer 2012

TO APPLY:
Send an email with your resume, contact information, and a brief cover letter to ontario@studentworkforce.ca

Organization:
Student Workforce

Division:
Human Resources

Job Contact:
Will Stewart

Contact Title:
Student Entrepreneurship Program

Phone:
(+1 647)-477-3447

Website:
http://www.studentworkforce.ca

Email:
will@studentworkforce.ca

Address:
25 Liberty Street, Suite 204
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Nov 09, 2011 11:59PM

Tip of the Day Tuesday

Avoid These 7 Killer Cover Letter Mistakes

The student's resume was impressive. The formatting was impeccable, the content was excellent, and he did a great job of focusing on accomplishments instead of job duties. If I were an employer, I would have been impressed.

Then I looked at his cover letter and imagined the employer tossing that perfect resume into the trash bin.

Many college students and recent grads destroy their resumes by accompanying them with halfhearted or downright terrible cover letters. While some employers don't bother reading cover letters, most do. And they will quickly eliminate you if you make these cover letter mistakes:

Using the Wrong Cover Letter Format
The student's cover letter looked more like a cut-and-paste email than a business letter. It had no recipient information, no return address and no date. The letter screamed unprofessional.

Be sure your cover letter uses a standard business-letter format. It should include the date, the recipient's mailing address and your address.

Making It All About You
It may seem counter-intuitive, but your cover letter, like your resume, should be about the employer as much as it's about you. Yes, you need to tell the employer about yourself, but do so in the context of the employer's needs and the specified job requirements.

Not Proofing for Typos and Grammatical Errors
Employers tend to view typos and grammatical errors as evidence of your carelessness and inability to write. Proofread every letter you send. Get additional cover letter help by asking a friend who knows good writing double-check your letter for you.

Making Unsupported Claims
Too many cover letters from college students and recent grads say the applicant has "strong written and verbal communication skills." Without evidence, it's an empty boast. Give some examples for each claim you make. Employers need proof.

Writing a Novel
A good cover letter should be no longer than one page. Employers are deluged with resumes and cover letters, and their time is scarce. Make sure your cover letter has three or four concise but convincing paragraphs that are easy to read. If your competitor's letter rambles on for two pages, guess which candidate the employer will prefer.

Using the Same Cover Letter for Every Job and Company
Employers see so many cover letters that it's easy for them to tell when you're using a one-size-fits-all approach. If you haven't addressed their company's specific concerns, they'll conclude you don't care about this particular job. It's time-consuming but worthwhile to customize each cover letter for the specific job and company.

Not Sending a Real Cover Letter
Some job seekers -- college students, recent grads and even those with years of work experience -- don't bother sending a cover letter with their resume. Others type up a one or two-sentence "here's my resume" cover letter, while others attach handwritten letters or sticky notes.
There is no gray area here: You must include a well-written, neatly formatted cover letter with every resume you send. If you don't, you won't be considered for the job.

By Peter Vogt, Monster Senior Contributing Writer make these cover letter mistakes: http://career-advice.monster.ca/resumes-cover-letters/cover-letter-tips/killer-cover-letter-mistakes-canada/article.aspx

Making It Big Monday

Tips For Workplace Success

Successful workers—whether co-op, intern, or full-time employees—share certain characteristics, including a positive attitude, a professional demeanor, and a desire for personal and professional growth on the job.

Attitude

• Arrive at work on-time every day. Being punctual will endear you to your supervisor even if he or she is habitually late.
• Be friendly and courteous to everyone.
• Make efforts to fit in to the culture of your workplace; don't expect others to change to accommodate you.
• Be curious! Whether you are working in a short-term or full-time position, you have a great opportunity to learn about real-life applications of engineering in your field. Take advantage of the chance to learn from your experience.
• Be open to—and positive about—new ideas. Nobody enjoys working with a naysayer!
• Demonstrate enthusiasm for every project to which you are assigned. You will learn something from every assignment you take on, even those that you don't initially think are interesting. Never give the impression that you think you're too important to do the menial tasks that your position may require at times.
• Don't be afraid to make mistakes, and ask for help when needed.

Professionalism

• Always be appropriately dressed for your position.
• Be ethical about your use of company resources (e.g., phone, fax, e-mail), and try to avoid having to handle personal issues at work.
• Be mindful of your supervisor's personality and priorities. Learn as quickly as possible what he or she wants and needs from you, and provide those things to the best of your ability.

Personal & Professional Growth

• Get to know other interns (if you are doing a short-term work experience) or other new employees (if you have a full-time position). You can help each other adjust to the workplace and also learn from each other.
• Find a mentor in the company and nurture your relationship with him or her.
• Use this opportunity to expand your professional network.

http://www.engr.psu.edu/career/students/resources/preparing/tips.aspx

Fun Facts Friday

Famously Successful People Who Failed At First- Part 2:

Writers and Artists
We've all heard about starving artists and struggling writers, but these stories show that sometimes all that work really does pay off with success in the long run.

Vincent Van Gogh: During his lifetime, Van Gogh sold only one painting, and this was to a friend and only for a very small amount of money. While Van Gogh was never a success during his life, he plugged on with painting, sometimes starving to complete his over 800 known works. Today, they bring in hundreds of millions.

Theodor Seuss Giesel: Today nearly every child has read The Cat in the Hat or Green Eggs and Ham, yet 27 different publishers rejected Dr. Seuss's first book To Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street.

Emily Dickinson: Recluse and poet Emily Dickinson is a commonly read and loved writer. Yet in her lifetime she was all but ignored, having fewer than a dozen poems published out of her almost 1,800 completed works.

Charles Schultz: Schultz's Peanuts comic strip has had enduring fame, yet this cartoonist had every cartoon he submitted rejected by his high school yearbook staff. Even after high school, Schultz didn't have it easy, applying and being rejected for a position working with Walt Disney.

Steven Spielberg: While today Spielberg's name is synonymous with big budget, he was rejected from the University of Southern California School of Theater, Film and Television three times. He eventually attended school at another location, only to drop out to become a director before finishing. Thirty-five years after starting his degree, Spielberg returned to school in 2002 to finally complete his work and earn his BA.

Stephen King: The first book by this author, the iconic thriller Carrie, received 30 rejections, finally causing King to give up and throw it in the trash. His wife fished it out and encouraged him to resubmit it, and the rest is history, with King now having hundreds of books published the distinction of being one of the best-selling authors of all time.

Zane Grey: Incredibly popular in the early 20th century, this adventure book writer began his career as a dentist, something he quickly began to hate. So, he began to write, only to see rejection after rejection for his works, being told eventually that he had no business being a writer and should given up. It took him years, but at 40, Zane finally got his first work published, leaving him with almost 90 books to his name and selling over 50 million copies worldwide.

J. K. Rowling: Rowling may be rolling in a lot of Harry Potter dough today, but before she published the series of novels she was nearly penniless, severely depressed, divorced, trying to raise a child on her own while attending school and writing a novel. Rowling went from depending on welfare to survive to being one of the richest women in the world in a span of only five years through her hard work and determination.

Monet: Today Monet's work sells for millions of dollars and hangs in some of the most prestigious institutions in the world. Yet during his own time, it was mocked and rejected by the artistic elite, the Paris Salon. Monet kept at his impressionist style, which caught on and in many ways was a starting point for some major changes to art that ushered in the modern era.

Jack London: This well-known American author wasn't always such a success. While he would go on to publish popular novels like White Fang and The Call of the Wild, his first story received six hundred rejection slips before finally being accepted.

Louisa May Alcott: Most people are familiar with Alcott's most famous work, Little Women. Yet Alcott faced a bit of a battle to get her work out there and was was encouraged to find work as a servant by her family to make ends meet. It was her letters back home during her experience as a nurse in the Civil War that gave her the first big break she needed.

Note to All: Nothing Happens overnight. Success, like many things in life, takes time.

"A man can do all things if he but wills them." -Leon Battista Alberti

http://www.onlinecollege.org/2010/02/16/50-famously-successful-people-who-failed-at-first/

Top Job Thursday

Wanted: Talented individual willing to risk life and limb to get the best picture possible. That's pretty much the job description for successful photojournalists. They need technical know-how and creativity, plus they have to be daring. Great photographers are aggressive enough to get the shot but are also sensitive to the subject.

Instructions
1. Invest in good equipment, such as a high-end Nikon or Canon film or digital camera. You'll also need different lenses and flashes or other types of lighting gear.

2. Attend photography or journalism school. Develop your eye, improve your style and technique, and make contacts in the field. It's a good background whether you want to work for a community newspaper or travel the world as a freelance photographer.

3. Get an internship with a magazine or newspaper. This gives you real-life experience and gets you published, and it can turn into a full-time job. Some people have several internships before they find permanent work.

4. Develop a portfolio that showcases your expertise with a wide range of subjects. It should include everything from one-shot car crashes to photo essays about people's lives. Most newspapers and magazines want to see published work, but a student portfolio may get you an internship or entry-level position. You'll work your way up from there.

5. Learn how to scan prints or download images from your camera, depending on whether you use a film or digital camera. Get training on image editing software such as Adobe Photoshop (adobe.com).

6. Know how to think on your feet. News events happen fast and can pack an emotional wallop. Your ability to stay calm and make quick decisions will greatly impact your success.

7. Go for the best story rather than settling for the easy shot. Just as a reporter would do, look for balanced reporting and seek out opposing viewpoints of the stories you cover.

8. Prepare yourself for physical and mental challenges. You'll carry heavy equipment in all kinds of conditions. You never know whether you'll cover a storm, a robbery or an accident. Some photojournalists work well even in dangerous (sometimes life threatening) situations and are assigned to cover wars, regional conflicts and other hot spots around the world.

9. Hold up under pressure and get your work in on time. News editors can get pretty touchy when they're on deadline.

What is a photojournalist?
A journalist tells stories. A photographer takes pictures of nouns (people, places and things). A photojournalist takes the best of both and locks it into the most powerful medium available - frozen images.

A photojournalist is a visual reporter of facts. The public places trust in its reporters to tell the truth. The same trust is extended to photojournalists as visual reporters.

This responsibility is paramount to a photojournalist. At all times, we have many thousands of people seeing through our eyes and expecting to see the truth. Most people immediately understand an image.

In today's world of grocery store tabloids and digital manipulation of images, the photojournalist must still tell the truth. The photojournalist constantly hunts for the images (or verbs: "kicks," "explodes," "cries," etc.), which tell of the day-to-day struggles and accomplishments of his community. These occurrences happen naturally. There is no need to "set up" reality.

What does it take to be a great journalist?
A great journalist cares about people and an ideal world. A great journalist can approach a topic as vast as the universe and make it simple and interesting to both Einstein and the new immigrant, who is trying to learn the language.

The written word has power. With skill, reporters can expose the dark deeds of the world and bring them into the light. However, journalism is limited to non-apathetic, mono-linguistic people with some time to kill and a few neurons still firing.

Enter photojournalism. It destroys almost all barriers. Justice can draw its sword in the time it takes an eye to scan an image. An image has no age, language or intelligence limits.

http://www.ehow.com/how_138350_become-photojournalist.html

Weekly Feature Wednesday

Student Looking For Employment Over the School Year?

Job Title:

Part-Time Student Position

Job Location:

Belleville

Job Description:

Pet Valu, a local Pet Supply Retailer in Belleville, is looking for a part time student, who is reliable, motivated, energetic, physically active, responsible and enjoys to engage in a part-time, after school work environment. We offer a fun work place and will accommodate your study schedule at Loyalist. We are customer oriented and love pets!

Job Requirements:

You must be available to work evenings (until 9 pm) and weekends, as well some day shifts, but we will work with your schedule.

Application Procedure:

Employer in person

Application Material Required:

Resumé

Phone:

(613)962-6580

Website:

http://www.petvalu.com/

Address:

365 North Front Street

Belleville, Ontario
Canada

Additional Application Information:

Please apply in person with your resume to:
Attn: Jim at Pet Valu
365 North Front Street
Belleville ( Swiss Chalet Plaza)

Organization / Division: Pet ValuApplication Deadline: Aug 11, 2011 11:59PM

Tip of the Day Tuesday

Ace Your Phone Interview
While some companies are scouting out potential candidates with Skype, the majority are still using phone interviews for preliminary screening. And you can start stacking the decks in your favor well before you say “hello” to your interviewer, according to experts.

“If you’re given the choice between placing the interview phone call or receiving it, opt to receive. Having the interview place the call can foster a subtle sense in the interviewer that he/she is pursuing you, not the other way around,” says Paul Bailo, MBA, MSW and author of The Essential Phone Interview Handbook.

Here are 20 other tips you’ll want to have handy before your next potential job comes calling:

1. Get Dressed
Dress up like it is an in-person interview. It will help you focus and also give you a chance to make sure your suit still fits. – Malcolm O. Munro, author of Marketing Yourself for Your Dream Job

2. Don’t Get Iced
Have a glass of water. But skip the ice, which might be noisy. — career coach Carol Finlayson

3. Stand Up And Smile
When you stand up, there is more energy to your voice and the physical act of smiling makes you instantly sound friendlier and relaxed. — career trainer Frankie Picasso.

4. Be Succinct
If you’re face-to-face, you can pick up on non-verbal cues from the interviewer about when to stop speaking. But you won’t have this over the phone so you’ll have to regulate yourself. — English trainer Louisa Walsh, Phone English

5. Use Invisibility To Your Advantage
The lack of visual communication also offers some advantages for the job hunter. The interviewee can have information at his or her disposal. Internet windows can be open. The resume and cover letter can be up on the computer screen. Being connected in the phone interview is like having the ability to phone a friend. — Eric Chen, MSM, MSAT, MBA, JD, professor of business administration at Saint Joseph College

6. Take Care With Your Tone
Don’t end your sentences/statement on a higher voice than you started. You should do the opposite. End on a lower/deeper voice. You sound more sure of yourself. — Jason Mudd, AXIA Public Relations

7. Pick A Quiet Place
Starbucks might be a great place to check your e-mail, but it’s way too noisy to be conducting a phone interview. – Roberta Chinsky Matuson, president of Human Resources Solutions

8. Set The Scene
Put the photo of the person with whom you are talking on your computer screen so you feel as if you are sitting face to face. — behavioral psychologist Dr. Elliott B. Jaffa

9. Answer The Question Asked
It is an immediate red flag for us if a candidate strays off topic and does not answer the questions we ask. That tells us you don’t know how or are unable to meet our hiring requirements. — Sander Daniels, Co-Founder of Thumbtack.com.

10. Tell Them What You’re Doing
Respond to your interviewer with comments like, “I’m nodding
 in agreement.” Verbally telling interviewers of some of your non-verbal
 behavior is a good way to have them gain a better sense of your personality. – Terry L. Wynne, Ed.S., LPC, The Professional Edge.

11. Don’t Sound Sleepy
If your phone interview begins at 10 am, be up by 9! Don’t have the 
”I just woke up voice.” That is a real thing and people can tell! — Daniel Wesley, Head of HR for www.creditloan.com

12. Be Crystal Clear
Complex thoughts or visions should be saved for a later date, once rapport has been established. If the interviewer does not understand what is being said or feels that the information being relayed is unnecessary, the outcome is unlikely to be positive. Check in with the interviewer by asking him or her whether things are clear. — Lynda Zugec, The Workforce Consultants

13. Turn Off The Speakerphone
One of my clients was actually using a speakerphone until I pointed out how unprofessional and annoying this was to the listener! — Kimberly Schneiderman, founder of City Career Services

14. Give Them A Visual, Too
Once the telephone interview is scheduled, the most creative candidates send links to their LinkedIn profiles. Prior to the interview, the hiring manager can review the profile, portfolio and references, reach out to common connections and review pictures and videos. By the start of the interview, the hiring manager has made a personal connection with the candidate and puts “a name with a face.” – Crystal L Kendrick,president of The Voice Of Your Customer

15. Harness The Power Of A Pause
After a question, wait a few seconds to show that you put thought into your answer. Keep your answers short, don’t babble– see whether or not you’re getting a reaction or if the other person is just going ‘Uh-huh, yeah… Susan Blond, president of Susan Blond Inc.

16. Leave Out…You Know…
Leave out You Know, Like, Umn, and And. It’s like, you know, when speaking, you kind of, uhm, run into a brick wall, and like it’s all over for the listener who turns off. — Lillian S. Cauldwell Passionate World Radio, Inc.

17. Don’t Drive & Interview
I’ve had candidates do this, and it comes across really badly — because of safety, because it looks like they’re not treating the conversation as a priority, and because they’re denying themselves one of the greatest benefits of a phone interview: the ability to have notes in front of you! — career coach Alison Green

18. Go Hands-Free
Use a headset if possible so that hands are free to take notes and gesture naturally. – Ronald Kaufman author of Anatomy of Success.

19. Stay Focused
Without visual contact, it can be harder to stay engaged. Be sure you are somewhere where you can minimize distractions. Do not have a TV or music playing in the background. Tell yourself this is the best use of your next hour and give it your 100 percent attention. — Lynne Sarikas, Executive Director of the MBA Career Center at Northeastern University

20. Test Your Reception
Call a friend or family member beforehand so they can tell you how your phone connection sounds. It really interrupts the flow of a conversation and undermines the professional impression you’re trying to make if you’re constantly having to ask, “Can you hear me now?” — Tony O. Pham, Life360

Read more: http://moneywatch.bnet.com/career-advice/blog/on-job/ace-your-phone-interview-21-quick-simple-tips/785/#ixzz1UXXgSnpR

Making It Big Monday

Developing Leadership Skills

It is never too early to start developing leadership skills. As someone new in the workplace, you may aspire to become the leader of your organization some day. Some people believe leaders are born and not made.

It is possible to develop leadership skills. If you accept the fact leaders behave in a certain manner, then it is possible to learn the behaviors of a leader. People follow leaders because they have gained their trust and earned their respect.

Learning to be a leader takes a long time. Because of this, it is wise to start developing these skills early. What are the areas you need to work on when developing leadership skills?

1. Integrity
Leaders have high ethics. They are honest. If you are to gain people's trust then it is important to learn this trait early. Some of the actual situations you can practice this behavior is taking responsibility for your own actions. Do not play the blame game when things go wrong. Leaders take personal responsibility for their team’s actions and results.

2. Passionate
Leaders are passionate. They are enthusiastic about their work and they even have the ability to rub this energy off on their followers. Do you take on assignments given to you enthusiastically? This is one good behavior to start when developing leadership skills.

3. Commitment
When developing leadership skills, look at the easiest to start. Commitment to your work is one of the easiest. Can you truly say you are willing to work hard at the job assigned? Leaders work hard and have a strong discipline in following through with their work.

4. Courageous
If people are to follow you then as a leader you need to be courageous. Leaders are brave when they confront risks and the unknown. The ultimate test of a leader’s courage is also the courage to be open. When looking at developing leadership skills, do you have the courage to speak up on things that matter?

5. Goal Oriented
Leaders are very focused on the objectives that need to be attained. They develop a plan and strategy to achieve the objectives. In addition, they will also need to build commitment from the team and rally them to achieve the organization’s goal. When developing leadership skills, start by looking at how goal oriented you are now. Improve upon that behavior.

6. Developing People
Developing people whether by training, coaching or teaching them is one of the main traits of a good leader. No one can achieve organization goals alone. The team is needed in order to achieve them. Leaders develop the people to build a stronger team so that the organization is effective. Start by developing your own knowledge when developing leadership skills.

7. Prioritize
Leaders do the most urgent and important things first regardless of their interest in them. For them, whatever that needs to be done should be completed with the best possible effort. How do you fare with this trait? Do you do tasks that you are uncomfortable with? Start developing leadership skills in this area by recognizing what are the important tasks to complete.

8. No Public Glory
Leaders understand that at best they will get private credit for their work. Public glory is not expected. They know whatever achievements are the result of joint effort of their units. They share glory and credit with the rest for the work. They know they are only as good as their team. When developing leadership skills, ask yourself this – are you generous enough to share the fruits of your unit’s achievements?

Developing leadership skills is a long process. Some people are born with such traits. They develop into leaders much faster. Leadership is also a set of behavior as much as a skill. Hence, it is possible to learn leadership skills. Start now and when the opportunity arises you will be ready.

http://www.career-success-for-newbies.com/developing-leadership-skills.html

Fun Facts Friday

From Scientists to Singers- Famously Successful People Who Failed At First:

Not everyone who's on top today got there with success after success. More often than not, those who history best remembers were faced with numerous obstacles that forced them to work harder and show more determination than others. Next time you're feeling down about your failures in college or in a career, keep these fifty famous people in mind and remind yourself that sometimes failure is just the first step towards success.

Scientists and Thinkers
These people are often regarded as some of the greatest minds of our century, but they often had to face great obstacles, the ridicule of their peers and the animosity of society.

Albert Einstein: Most of us take Einstein's name as synonymous with genius, but he didn't always show such promise. Einstein did not speak until he was four and did not read until he was seven, causing his teachers and parents to think he was mentally handicapped, slow and anti-social. Eventually, he was expelled from school and was refused admittance to the Zurich Polytechnic School. It might have taken him a bit longer, but most people would agree that he caught on pretty well in the end, winning the Nobel Prize and changing the face of modern physics.

Charles Darwin: In his early years, Darwin gave up on having a medical career and was often chastised by his father for being lazy and too dreamy. Darwin himself wrote, "I was considered by all my masters and my father, a very ordinary boy, rather below the common standard of intellect." Perhaps they judged too soon, as Darwin today is well-known for his scientific studies.

Robert Goddard: Goddard today is hailed for his research and experimentation with liquid-fueled rockets, but during his lifetime his ideas were often rejected and mocked by his scientific peers who thought they were outrageous and impossible. Today rockets and space travel don't seem far-fetched at all, due largely in part to the work of this scientist who worked against the feelings of the time.

Isaac Newton: Newton was undoubtedly a genius when it came to math, but he had some failings early on. He never did particularly well in school and when put in charge of running the family farm, he failed miserably, so poorly in fact that an uncle took charge and sent him off to Cambridge where he finally blossomed into the scholar we know today.

Socrates: Despite leaving no written records behind, Socrates is regarded as one of the greatest philosophers of the Classical era. Because of his new ideas, in his own time he was called "an immoral corrupter of youth" and was sentenced to death. Socrates didn't let this stop him and kept right on, teaching up until he was forced to poison himself.

Robert Sternberg: This big name in psychology received a C in his first college introductory psychology class with his teacher telling him that, "there was already a famous Sternberg in psychology and it was obvious there would not be another." Sternberg showed him, however, graduating from Stanford with exceptional distinction in psychology, summa cum laude, and Phi Beta Kappa and eventually becoming the President of the American Psychological Association.

Musicians
While their music is some of the best selling, best loved and most popular around the world today, these musicians show that it takes a whole lot of determination to achieve success.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Mozart began composing at the age of five, writing over 600 pieces of music that today are lauded as some of the best ever created. Yet during his lifetime, Mozart didn't have such an easy time, and was often restless, leading to his dismissal from a position as a court musician in Salzberg. He struggled to keep the support of the aristocracy and died with little to his name.

Elvis Presley: As one of the best-selling artists of all time, Elvis has become a household name even years after his death. But back in 1954, Elvis was still a nobody, and Jimmy Denny, manager of the Grand Ole Opry, fired Elvis Presley after just one performance telling him, "You ain't goin' nowhere, son. You ought to go back to drivin' a truck."

Igor Stravinsky: In 1913 when Stravinsky debuted his now famous Rite of Spring, audiences rioted, running the composer out of town. Yet it was this very work that changed the way composers in the 19th century thought about music and cemented his place in musical history.

The Beatles: Few people can deny the lasting power of this super group, still popular with listeners around the world today. Yet when they were just starting out, a recording company told them no. The were told "we don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out," two things the rest of the world couldn't have disagreed with more.

Ludwig van Beethoven: In his formative years, young Beethoven was incredibly awkward on the violin and was often so busy working on his own compositions that he neglected to practice. Despite his love of composing, his teachers felt he was hopeless at it and would never succeed with the violin or in composing. Beethoven kept plugging along, however, and composed some of the best-loved symphonies of all time–five of them while he was completely deaf.

http://www.onlinecollege.org/2010/02/16/50-famously-successful-people-who-failed-at-first/