Standing out at a Career Faire can make a difference in your job hunting. Career Faires are starting to pick up, and Dice is running some nice ones, called Targeted Job Fairs. At a Silicon Valley Job Fair in early 2010, 10 companies as showing up, and a major job search company has 82 career faires scheduled for this year across the US.

How do you rise above the crowd at a Career Fair? The contention can be sizeable, but you can help yourself stand out from the crowd with advance homework. At AA-Careers, we have a straight-forward six-step process to prepare. Planning to go? Here’s how to prepare:

First, research the organizations that are going and pick your targets. Use the internet to check out the organizations that are there before you go. Go to their internet sites and see if they have their openings posted. Pick a sane number to go after, and get ready to spend an hour researching each one. It’s hard to do more than nine in a day, and three or four is a much more reasonable target. For each company, you want to know: recent news, key product lines, and contacts you know. Try to see if you know anyone at the target companies. You’ll end up with a page or two of research for each company/job.

Second, if there are job openings on the web, read them to see what the company is looking for. Create a mapping of your achievements and skills to the prerequisites of the job. Make the nomenclature match. If the hiring organization calls customers "clients", your resume should do the same thing. The achievements should be written in the style of the hiring organization.

Third, create a ‘brief sales pitch’ for each likely company/position combination. Write down a 60 second ‘thumbnail’ that you can repeat out loud showing why you are a great candidate for that position. You’ll use this in your resume and when you meet the company at the job kiosk.

Fourth, modify your resume for each job type. The objective on your resume should exactly match the job you’re aiming for. The executive summary should be a written form of your “mini sales pitch” for the job. Then choose the achievements and skills that most clearly match the job prerequisites. Especially at a Career Fair, the purpose of your resume is a sales tool for you – to get you on-site job interviews. It should be a no-brainer to see that you’re a match based on your resume.

Fifth, dress and prepare as if you’re doing on-site interviews. Dress nicely and be properly groomed. Don’t over do-it (this isn’t a date!) and don’t underdress (no jeans or t-shirts, no matter how much you paid for them). Avoid strong cologne or perfume.

Finally, practice your ‘mini-sales-pitch’. Collect your research and the resume for each spot - bring a couple of copies for each – and put each in a distinctly tagged folder. Keep them in a lightweight briefcase or folio.

Remember to smile, and good hunting!

While overseeing your budget can be stressful, not handling your monthly budget can can put you in to further in debt if you are not mindful. The gains that come from managing your budget the right way not only saves you money but help relief some of your tension over debt. Always keep in mind that a budget is principally a program for your monthly spending. A budget, like any programme, requires some level of management to get a successful outcome. The manner I oversee mybudget, for instance, is by focussing on keeping information organised and controlling my spending.

My main focus is on coordinating the information in my budget. For example, I monitor running expenses like utilities, automobile and loan repayments, insurance, and the like. I can very easily lose track of my spending without preparing my budget. By being conscious of what expenses repeat every month, I have an immediate hold on the minimum amount of money I have to set aside each month before I spend on other things I can monitor a little more such as entertainment, apparel, and vacations.

Monitoring the spending in my budget is critical because this is where the most financial advancement is made. A genuine measure of advancement is putting money into a savings instrument or paying down debt. However, if I over spend, the contrary is true because instead of saving money I will use debt to help me cover the monthly expenses in my budget. Clearly, giving in to the stresses of budgeting can have expensive consequences for my finances, particularly if I am not capable to pay down my debt.

There are two benefits for controlling and organising my budget: First, I save money by avoiding unnecessary expenses. Second, my finances are targeted at attaining financial goals. Essentially, by spending sagely and buying only things that are necessary, I am actually freeing up money that I can either use for something else or save. The extra money can also be useful in paying off debt or keeping it for a vacation. In addition to having extra money, I am able to make longer term financial goals like saving and investing for retirement or paying off my mortgage or student loans. With mybudget being organized and controlled, not only does my financial position become more balanced but successfully overseeing my budget reduces the stress that often comes with being in debt.

Many misunderstandings surround the Free Mason society - oftentimes pejorative connotations of an old boy network, or even greater wicked suggestions. Yet, nothing could be further from the truth. Freemasonry offers a chance for men to meet and enjoy genial fellowship. Improving oneself is a vital facet of being a freemason. Freemasonry promotes helping others also, and giving to others is a real method in which Masons help people.

An essential aspect of the Free Mason society’s traditions is not to look for new members. However, any individual ought to feel free to communicate with any current member to seek further details regarding Freemasonry.

To be a member, you must be male, over eighteen years old, and you have to meet the qualifications of reputation and character, have to be considered having strong moral character.

A male who desires to join a lodge must be recommended by three Masons of the lodge he desires to become a member in. He must acknowledge that his character and reputation must be investigated. Following commendation by the Masons, he will be acknowledged as a candidate for membership in the Free Mason society.

Members frequently wear accessories such as masonic keyrings that casually identify their member status to other members while conveying the lodge they belong to.

I eschew drama, ’cause I didn’t always have Great Expectations for my dating life. I finally bottomed out, yesterday I broke my resolution and smoked two packs of cigarettes. During my birthday party of loneliness, duh! That actually happened. What does this mean? Actually, that’s when I honestly considered dating again in my new hometown.

Easy solution. Figured I’d boost my dating life with Great Expectations Denver. That never sounded better. The reason I mention my dating woes: While eating corn on the cob at my 40th birthday in Denver yesterday, great aunt Judy started bothering me if I have settled down with a special lady. They sure have nerve. Anyway, I looked up at them and yelled, “that’s none of your business.”

And of course Gramps doesn’t know when to quit driving home about true relationships. I joked to the family gang: “I’ll be fine, what do you know about dating?”

You know what? Each one of them scoffed. Perturbed, I fell asleep that night so I could clear my head. Why can’t I stop thinking about this! I would have learned more by asking my son. Chuck, who recently moved to Italy recommended that I browse the singles profiles at Great Expectations. I said, “That’s what I was going to do.” I have some good friends. I can speak highly of the Denver Singles Events at Great Expectations.

At the time, meeting new singles through dating services was a novel thing to me. I’d never done anything like this before, that I spilled a glass of wine on my blazer. My slip up did not stop us from enjoying ourselves. The evening was bursting with excitement. The greatest most memorable part of it all was the other members, some who are my new friends.

Appearing at these incredibley satisfying Great Expectations Dallas singles events and mixers, I got in touch with a collection of dynamite friends who I could tell have similar ideas which made for a magnificent singles event. I really shouldn’t allow my family give me a hard time about living the bachelor’s life after all these years. Amazingly enough, dating in Dallas with Great Expectations is enjoyable and a remarkably refreshing dating experience.

Steve

Just Trying to Help

Men have always been self conscious about looking bald, even so, these days being bald is quickly becoming a fashion fad. More of this generation’s male celebrities are having bald heads. People may find many of the trendiest up and coming celebs with bald heads, by decision. There are additionally lots of elder movie stars that are not hiding up the fact that they are becoming bald. All of these crazes are wonderful for men, that do not wish to care about being bald. The other wonderful advice for men that are losing their hair, is that there are even more advanced hair remedies, then ever before.

If people need inspiration that being bald is accepted just look at Vin Diesel, Howie Mandel, Bruce Willis & Andre Agassi. These men are some of the most trendy men in the US, & they are all bald. Whether bald by decision or by nature, baldness can often make people look extremely acclaimed and fashionable. When men are bald & confident, they are extraordinarily appealing. Just like any fashion, being bald is all about attitude. When people are bald you need to have a positive attitude, then you may have no problem engaging girls.

If you are becoming bald, but you are not yet hopeful with your new feature, there are many remedies available. Countless hair loss therapies, aid you grow back your own natural hair. When you grow back your own hair, it can look & feel absolutely natural. Growing back your own hair can help you look & feel younger, & will often help you feel even more confidant. Growing back one’s own hair is an excellent choice, for the reason that you can continue to look like yourself, just younger.

If growing one’s own hair back is not an option, there are additionally various advanced hair treatments that will aid you get a full head of hair back. No matter what type of baldness issues you are having, rest assured that there is a hair loss treatment that will work for you. Some of the advanced hair therapies are more complex, & it will take a longer time before you have a full head of hair. Various men worry, about their hair looking natural after they use these advanced hair therapies. Be sure to chat to a doctor or the person doing the hair treatments, to make sure you completely understand the results.

The most fundamental thing regarding hair loss, is that you feel natural and comfortable. If you feel handsome bald, do not care about buying hair loss therapies. If you are self conscious about your thinning hair, you are not alone. If you do your investigation, and get the greatest hair loss treatment for you, you’re sure to feel great with your hair. Check out the latest hair loss treatments at Advanced Hair Studio.

Shema Yisrael (often called simply “The Shema”), the Biblical passage from Deuteronomy 6:4, is certainly the best known of all Jewish prayers. It is part of the morning and evening Jewish prayer services. The phrase of course menas “Hear Israel”, and refers to the entire phrase “Hear O Israel, the Lord Thy God, the Lord is One.”. Even the New Testament quotes the Shema. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is asked by a scribe “What is the greatest commandment”. He replied with the “Shema”. Jewish events are almost always marked by several “brachot” or “blessings”. Since kindling of fire is forbidden on the Sabbath, the week is ended with candle-lighting, and then again the Sabbath is concluded with candle-lighting. The lighting of the fire indicates a separate between the holy and the common (or the secular and the profane). Officially, the candle-lighting blessing should occur 18 minutes before sunset on Friday. The Torah forbids “kindling a fire” on the Sabbath, so the day is marked by lighting a candle immediately before it begins, and ends with lighting a candle at the Havdalah service (see below). One of the most loved songs of Friday night is “Lecha Dodi”, which literally means “Come My Beloved”. The theme of this song is the bride and bridegroom - the Jewish people and God. It was composed in 1571 by Rabbi Shlomo HaLevi Alkabetz, renowned for his wisdom and poetry. Havdalah is a brief ceremony that marks the end of the Sabbath. It comes from the word “l’havdil” which means to distinguish or separate. Three blessing are recited as part of this service: 1) The blessing over the wine, 2) the blessing of the spices, and 3) the blessings over the fire (a special multi-wicked Havdalah candle it lit). The short Havdalah service includes three brachot (blessings). The first is over a cup overflowing with wine (or grape juice). The second is over spices, which remind us of the sweet smell of the Sabbath which is now departing till next week. The third is over the fire/light of a special multi-wicked candle-stick. Havdalah ends with a song about Elijah called “Eliyahu HaNavi” (Elijah the Prophet). Elijah’s name is involved in the hopes that he will come to usher in the final eternal Shabbat of the Messianic Age. It ends with the words: “Come to us, With the messiah, son of David.” Learn more about Sabbath songs and prayers at our Learn Hebrew Prayers web page.

If you could be 0.1% better than you were yesterday do you think people would notice? Would your boss congratulate you on a job well done? Would you get a raise? Would your company offer you new perks for being such a great performer?

You’re probably thinking that 0.1% is such an infinitesimal number that it is too small to make a difference. But, think about this: Do you remember the gold medal winner in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games? You probably do; a lot of people do. It was Justin Gatlin of the Untied States that finished in a time of 9.85 seconds. Do you remember who won the silver medal? Probably not. Not many people remember the second place finisher. The first place finisher is the real winner and people remember winners. But think about this, the silver medal winner was Francis Obikwelu of Portugal that finished in a time of 9.86 seconds. Guess what? That’s a difference of 0.01 seconds between first place and second place. Justin Gatlin was 0.1% better than Francis Obikwelu. 0.1% made all the difference in the world to Justin and he is a winner.

What does this mean for you in business? Top business professionals have the same personality characteristics as top sports performers. Justin Gatlin won the gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics because he trained every day to perform when it counted. It took years of work. Every day he became better and stronger than he was the day before and it all climaxed on the day he won the gold medal. That 9.85 seconds of glory took years to lead up to. Top business performers learn new skills every day. They learn their business, they learn their competitors business, they learn how to develop their skills, they learn new business skills, they learn how to apply their strengths, they learn new ways to sell themselves, they develop new relationships with customers, clients, colleagues.

Every day is a new opportunity for a top business performer. If a top business performer is 0.1% better than they were the day before this gets compounded until one day they become the best in their field. Look around your office and you will recognize these top performers. You know who they are. The entire office knows who they are. They don’t become top performers by luck.

You can do it to. It’s never too late to start changing your habits. Be like Justin Gatlin and you will be a superstar business performer. You just need to be 01% better than you were yesterday and people will notice. You too can be a winner!

Tino Buntic’s business networking website, TradePals, provides business leads to professionals, entrepreneurs, trades people, and freelancers across Canada and The U.S.

Gail Lindenfield is a well-known British author who has
written several self-help books. In Self Motivation, she
does a good job of going over many aspects of self
development and she provides solutions to a variety of
everyday problems.

Challenges - make sure that are truly enjoyable and that
the outcome is worth the risk. Success is built on an
astute ability to synchronize challenge and chance.

Risk - before taking a risk, imagine and face the worst
possible outcome.

Principles - before starting a project- list your
principles and ideals. Keep a clear distinction between
core (unbending) values and more flexible ones.

Fear - learn to take control to your response to fear so
that you can reclaim your full quota of natural courage.
Don’t take on any more fear than what you have judged is
controllable by your current store of courage.

Energy - value and use it economically. Use the rhythm of
your own energy cycles to your best advantage.

Calm concentration - work on putting yourself into a
focused and relaxed state where the body is free of
tension and the mind is clear and energized.
Concentration exercise - count backwards from 50, as
soon as the mind wanders, go back to 50 and start again
until you get it all.

Organization - you must be able to draw upon order when
you need it and loosen its restraints when you do not.

Decision making - accept that decision making is
stressful. Focus on taking care of yourself while under
pressure rather than making a premature decision.

Self presentation - never sell out on your individuality.
Don’t penny pinch on presentation - a high class look
will give you a high class feel.

Problem solving - accept responsibility for solving your
own problems.

Intuition - make a habit of listening for, and noting
down your intuitive response whenever you need to make
a decision. Individuality - ask yourself regularly if
you are being yourself. Remind yourself that many of
those who have contributed most were individualistic
characters.

Action signals - these are symptoms that you feel that
require immediate action. Here are several action signals
along with a brief summary of her recommended solutions:

1. Guilt
2. Frustration
3. Disappointment
4. Inadequacy
5. Anger
6. Loneliness 

Self criticism - make a short self-criticism session
part of your daily habit: What could you have done
better today? What didn’t you do that you should have
done today? Reframe self put-downs into a neutral
format.

Self forgiveness - it’s important to regularly forgive
yourself because you are constantly changing and
developing, and it is impossible to do this without
getting it wrong many times.

Assertiveness - Practice using your directness in
low-charged emotional situations first. Deal with
your unassertiveness before tension mounts up and
you over react to the situation.

Self protection - don’t waste time and energy arguing
with people if their opinion is of no value to you.
Reveling in success without fear of failure - Double
your rate of failure. Failure is a teacher - a harsh
one, perhaps, but the best you can be discouraged
by failure or learn from it, said Thomas Watson of
IBM. .

States to strive for:

1. Visionary thinking without idle dreaming.
2. Unashamed neediness without selfish greediness.
3. Eternal optimism without denying common sense.
4. Guru worshipping without blind following.
5. Sound self-esteem without ignorant arrogance.
6. Thirst for challenge without imprudent impatience.
7. Steadfast principles without narrow prejudice.
8. Consistent courage without thoughtless gambling.
9. Endless energy without debilitating burnout.
10.Prepared proactively without disregard for
opportunity.
11.Solid responsibility without rigid perfectionism.
12.Calm concentration without repressed creativity.
13.Systematic organization without obtuse obsessing.
14.Meticulous planning without stubborn inflexibility.
15.Sharp decisiveness without blindness to
consequences.
16.Slick self-presentation without enslavement to
fashion.
17.Positive problem solving without immunity to
despair.
18.Reliable intuition without acting on every hunch.
19.Searching self-reflection without frustrating
self-absorption.
20.Pride in individuality without disregard for human
commonality.
21.Deep emotionality without enslavement to feelings.
22.Stringent self-criticism without suffocating
self-abuse.
23.Intolerance of excuses without deafness to their
message.
24.Sincere self-forgiveness without self-inflicted
punishment.
25.Personal power without disempowering others.
26.Assertive directness without thoughtless
insensitivity.
27.Skilled self-protection without harmful
aggression.
28.Perpetually learning without devaluing my
own wisdom.
29.Seriously focused without humorless solemnity.
30.Sensibly self-nurturing without spurning
support.
31.Seeker of solitude without reclusive aloofness.
32.Reveling in success without fear of failure.
33.Scrupulously self-healing without dismissing
comfort.
34.Amply self-rewarding without rejecting
recognition.
35.Inwardly driven without scorning incentives

Key thoughts:

“Be more concerned with your character than your
reputation, because characte is what you really
are, while your reputation is merely what others
think you are.”
-John Wooden, college basketball coach

“Although they only give gold medals in the field
of athletics, I encourage everyone to look into
themselves and find their own personal dream,
whatever that may be - sports, medicine, law,
business, music, writing, whatever. The same
principles apply. Turn your dream into a goal and
learn how to attack that goal systematically.
Break it into bite-size chunks that seem possible,
and then don’t give up. Just keep plugging away.”
- John Naber, swimmer, four-time Olympic Gold
Medalist

By: Regine Azurin
Regine Azurin is the President of BestSummaries.com,
a company that provides book summaries of the latest
motivational, inspirational, self-help and personality
development bestsellers.

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Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation can be defined as idea selection, development and commercialisation.

There are other useful definitions in this field, for example, creativity can be defined as consisting of a number of ideas, a number of diverse ideas and a number of novel ideas.

There are distinct processes that enhance problem identification and idea generation and, similarly, distinct processes that enhance idea selection, development and commercialisation. Whilst there is no sure fire route to commercial success, these processes improve the probability that good ideas will be generated and selected and that investment in developing and commercialising those ideas will not be wasted.

Don’t write, rewrite

The old axiom “throw away the first draft” is one hundred percent spot on. What the axiom is really saying is split creative from critical thinking.

a) Creative thinking and critical thinking are two separate and distinct processes. The idea is to first produce, then edit.

b) Creative thinking is daring, uninhibited, free-spirited, imaginative, unpredictable and revolutionary. The use of creative thinking fills out the pages of the first novel or screenplay. It creates an idea pool full of a variety of ideas, diverse ideas and novel ideas.

c) Critical thinking is reductive, logical, focused, conservative, practical and feasible. That first draft screenplay is now refined by cutting, pasting and rewriting. That idea pool is looked over by a number of people with the required competencies to select the most valuable ideas.

One the most valuable ideas are selected, they go into development, where the BEST ideas are chosen. The Economist (2003b) states that 3000 bright ideas are needed for 100 worthwhile projects, which in turn will be winnowed down to four development programmes for new products. And four such development programmes are the minimum needed to stand any chance of getting one winner.

These and other topics are covered in depth in the MBA dissertation on Managing Creativity & Innovation, which can be purchased (along with a Creativity and Innovation DIY Audit, Good Idea Generator Software and Power Point Presentation) from http://www.managing-creativity.com/

You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.

Kal Bishop, MBA

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You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author’s name and site URL are retained.

Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached on http://www.managing-creativity.com/