When a school searches for a new teacher, they already have an image of the teacher they want. Every school has certain qualities they feel a teacher must have to be successful. Those qualities can be many things depending on the needs and location of the school. While the qualities that each school considers important may vary, there are usually shared qualities that all schools would consider important.

The experience or background of a teacher is the most important quality a school looks for so your resume should highlight the qualities they are looking for. If they are looking for an ESL teacher for kindergarten students, it may be best to highlight activities that you have initiated and prepared at your previous positions. In addition, if you are looking at a position for a content subject such as science, highlight your knowledge and education in that area. This is especially important if you are a new teacher with little or no experience. Regardless, you should also have all academic qualifications available for the school to preview before you go for an interview. Most schools want to review the qualifications while considering applicants and will sometimes pass on teachers who don't submit these items for review when applying. Each school is unique so the best thing would be to have a cover letter that speaks to that school and the position they are looking to fill. Don't just have a blanket letter and resume that you mass mail to any potential school in the hopes of gaining employment. It may be beneficial to have a list of professional highlights that you can copy and paste into a cover letter based on the requirements of the position.

Another important consideration for schools is the personal qualities of a teacher. Most schools are looking for a long term commitment from a teacher so they want to make sure that teacher will fit within their school. The obvious qualities that come to mind are personable, positive and flexible/patient because these qualities will carry over into the classroom with your future students. In addition, the school will look at a teacher's qualities with regards to their professionalism because there is much that is required outside of the classroom. In other words, they will want a teacher that is organized and committed. If they feel that the teacher can't be depended on, they may not consider them a viable candidate. One of the things that may highlight a teacher's lack of commitment is a resume that shows numerous teaching positions over a short period of time. Remember that you will not be judged strictly by your qualifications but on the sum of who you are as an individual.

The factors that go into a school's decision to accept a teacher are varied and many so it is impossible to cover them all. Regardless, cover the basics looked for in any teacher and identify the unique characteristics or qualifications of a particular position. Remember that looking for a teaching job, like many other employment searches, is about selling yourself and the best way to do this is by identifying what the employer wants.

The following is an abbreviated list of characteristics posted by a teacher in response to a UNICEF request to "What makes a Good Teacher?":

Positive - Thinks positively and enthusiastically about people and what they are capable of becoming. Sees the good in any situation and can move forward to make the most of difficult situations when confronted with obstacles. Encourages others to also be positive.

Dependable - Honest and authentic in working with others. Consistently lives up to commitments to students and others. Works with them in an open, honest, and forthright manner.

Organized - Makes efficient use of time and moves in a planned and systematic direction. Knows where he or she is heading and is able to help students in their own organization and planning. Can think in terms of how organization can be beneficial to those served.

Committed - Demonstrates commitment to students and the profession and is self-confident, poised and personally in control of situations. Has a healthy self-image. Encourages students to look at themselves in a positive manner, careful to honor the self-respect of the students, while encouraging them to develop a positive self-concept.

Motivational - Enthusiastic with standards and expectations for students and self. Understands the intrinsic motivations of individuals, and knows what it is that motivates students. Takes action in constructive ways.

Compassionate - Caring, empathetic and able to respond to people at a feeling level. Open with personal thoughts and feelings, encouraging others to do likewise. Knows and understands the feelings of students.

Flexible - Willing to alter plans and directions in a manner which assists people in moving toward their goals. Seeks to reason out situations with students and staff in a manner that allows all people to move forward in a positive direction.

Knowledgeable - Is in a constant quest for knowledge. Keeps up in his or her specialty areas, and has the insight to integrate new knowledge. Takes knowledge and translates it to students in a way which is comprehensible to them, yet retains its originality.

Creative - Versatile, innovative, and open to new ideas. Strives to incorporate techniques and activities that enable students to have unique and meaningful new growth experiences.

Patient - Is deliberate in coming to conclusions. Strives to look at all aspects of the situation and remains highly fair and objective under most difficult circumstances. Believes that problems can be resolved if enough input and attention is given by people who are affected.

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Preface: This article will help you to decide take informed decisions between a catering business and working in a restaurant.

Today, more and more people turn to catering and prepared food for their special events. Growing numbers of newly graduated chefs are striking out on their own, turning to this field for an alternative culinary career.

What is the difference between a catering business and working in a restaurant?

While both career choices are fast paced, catering has a different pace than working in a restaurant. A restaurant has fast hours, when people wait in line and the kitchen goes crazy. A catering business has fast days, when everything must be done at once and ready to go when the guests arrive. It involves coordinating all the dishes at one time-and usually with a smaller staff. People who open their own catering businesses often hire their own waiters, or serve the food themselves, so there's a lot more multi-tasking on the part of the catering staff. And while this may sound quick, catering also involves a lot of downtime. Hours may be spent planning menus with clients, experimenting with new tools and mapping out a day. After all, few catering companies cover special events seven days a week!

A catering business tends to be less steady than a restaurant. And if you're starting at the ground level, it's unlikely you'll be needed every day. If you start up your own catering business directly out of culinary school, you'll have to build your own reputation-and you won't have a storefront to lure people in. You'll rely on friends and connections for your business, which is guaranteed to be slow at times. And you'll have to invest in a lot of your own cooking supplies, which can be expensive.

If you're in culinary school and are considering working in catering when you complete your degree, you should take the time now to find a job or internship with a catering company. Not only will this provide a prospect for future employment once you finish your course work, but it will also give you a realistic, inside look at how the catering sector works.

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This career tip is for you . . . if you're serious about making a career or job change. Knowing your options and having a strategic plan are critical to your success in today's job marketplace.

For instance, according to recent reports, your lifestyle may seriously affect your career or job choice. Did you know that people without spouses or children will represent one of the fastest growing segments of the workplace population?

As a result, employment law experts warn that discrimination suits based on parental status are likely to emerge.

That's because in 2004 there were 46.4 never-married adults in the U.S.--more than double the number in 1970. The number of childless couples is expected to grow by 50% by 2010.

Already, people without spouses or children are seeking benefits better suited to their lifestyle. As a result, employers will have no choice but to explore a wider variety of work/life benefits instead of work/family benefits.

If you fall into these categories, your career planning should include these considerations. Earlier we reported that workplace privacy issues should also be part of your thinking. Checkout our website for more information on this emerging trend and how it impacts your job search.

For years EEI has recommended advance planning as a guarantee of solid and lucrative career growth. Our ground-breaking e-book, THE FAILSAFE CAREER, has been the career advancement bible for years. It shows you step-by-step how to explore all your options and then identify and go after the job that's just right for you.

Because of the emerging trends we noted, it's even more important than ever to stay on top of the latest strategies and techniques that can assure you of success in your career or job change.

So, the most important career tip of all: know what your needs and options are. Then take the time to identify opportunities that best correspond to those needs.

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Sticking to fundamental business principles is the basis for successful career planning. To us this means that our customers are able to lock up job high-paying offers in as little as 14 days or less.

Old-fashioned methods that require seemingly unending mailings and postings of resumes just don't get it anymore. It can take weeks or months to achieve mediocre results.

I recently had the good fortune to read an article about career success by Larry Thompson, a Hollywood producer. It struck me as a fabulous piece of career planning advice.

Thompson reports that, in his experience, there are 10 success killers. As I read about them it occurred to me that they apply to job search success, as well. That's because one of the key insights into alternative and non-traditional strategies is that employment success follows the same rules as business success.

Here are the success killers you should avoid:

1. Comparing yourself to someone else.

2. Not facing your fears.

3. Leaving a job undone.

4. Feeling sorry for yourself.

5. Failing to speak assertively.

6. Dressing inappropriately.

7. Saying you hate computers.

8. Not taking advantage of advice from family, friends and mentors.

9. Saying "I can't."

10. Having more regrets than dreams.

No one said finding a job is easy. However, most job hunters suffer from lack of results. It's usually because they've taken the wrong approach. They can't achieve fast and lucrative results by using last century methods.

However, 21st Century strategies are exciting career planning alternatives to the old fashioned ways. Reviewing (and avoiding ) the 10 success killers is a terrific place to start to insure your job search success.

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Anything being sent to a decision-maker should sell you, not just state facts. When conducting a job search, your cover letter and resume are in a pile for the decision-maker to review, one by one, along with a vast number of other documents submitted by other hopeful individuals. The odds that YOUR document is the very first ones on the pile are about a zillion to one! This means the decision-maker has probably read X number of cover letters (and resumes) before reaching your set of documents. With that in mind, I never recommend you start the cover letter with the sentence used in so many other letters:

"Pursuant to your recent advertisement in the New York Times for the position of Staff Accountant, I am enclosing my resume for your review."

B-O-R-I-N-G!! Plus, the decision-maker probably just read this same (or very similar) sentence about five dozen times. Remember, you want to GRAB the decision-maker's attention and SELL yourself to them.

Since the cover letter is designed to market you to potential employers, don't state the obvious. If the cover letter does not create a sense of excitement and entice the reader, it is a waste of your time for writing it and a waste of time for the reader reading it.

Keep track of how many times you use the words "I" and/or "my". After you write the letter, take a pen and circle all the I's and my's in the letter: more than five? Time to re-write some of the sentences.

Here's an illustration of how to do that: instead of writing "I am looking for an opportunity for advancement with a new employer. My background is in retail management and I feel well-qualified for the Store Manager position with your company" you can write, "A background in retail management and proven record of obtaining results as a Store Manager are key elements in qualifying me for consideration as part of your team."

Remember the PURPOSE of the cover letter: to highlight your background in the right light, sell your skills, and show the potential employer you are worthy of an interview. Explaining what you WANT throughout the letter doesn't tell the reader the BENEFIT of what you can offer, which is imperative for you to be successful.

One of the techniques I like to use in cover letters is to pull out the top 4 or 5 achievements and mention them in bullet form with the letter. It serves as a wonderful focus point for readers' eyes and draws their attention immediately to your strengths. Here's a brief highlight in what would naturally be a longer cover letter:

...Recognized as a top-performer and dedicated professional, my record of achievements include: · Generating a 58% increase in new business during tenure as Regional Advertising Manager · Boosting client media coverage 50% and developing partnerships with previously unsecured media contacts

There are many ways to say things but, as you can see, some words have a stronger impact on readers than others. In cover letters, e-resumes, and traditional resumes, you can change the reader's perception in a heartbeat by substituting various words or phrases for more traditional (and outdated) verbiage. See the outline below:

NON-AGGRESSIVE VERBIAGE

Set up entire department from scratch Worked closely with department heads Helped produce $3 million in sales Helped new employees In-depth knowledge of capital markets and corporate finance Assisted marketing department in strategies and bids Reduced expenses by 10%

AGGRESSIVE VERBIAGE Established department from inception through successful operation Fostered relationships with department heads Instrumental in generating $3 million in sales Aided new employees Expertise in capital markets and corporate finance Actively participated in formulating marketing strategies Slashed (or cut) expenses by 10%

In short, aggressive writing makes you SIZZLE, while passive writing tells your "story." Remember your goal is to effectively market yourself, not to author your employment biography.

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For the past few years we have seen many layoffs and job elimination due to off shoring of jobs. Is there any job that can give some kind of security?

There are no jobs now which can give you 100% guarantee nowadays. But you can avoid the lay off and the effects of off shoring by the following:-

- Keep a step ahead of the crowd by learning new skills - Make yourself a valuable asset to the employers - Try to get a federal or defense related job since most these kind of jobs are safer from off shoring.

- Due to the war in Iraq and the downsizing of the armed forces there are plenty of contract jobs in the private sector doing business with defense forces. Most of the positions require US citizenship which means these kinds of jobs are never off shored. This is a safe bet to start.

- Know more about your business; if you have a strong business knowledge it will be hardly outsourced or off shored

- Take a moment to think about the job you are doing. Can any one do your job from anywhere? any time restrictions? Lot of interaction? these questions might give a clue about your job situation.

The high tech industry and the software industry in particular is vulnerable to offshoring of services. The only way you can avoid is to learn more business about the company and make yourself an important player in the team.

There are several web sites that specializes jobs related to federal government and defense contracting jobs. You should check some sites and apply for a job.

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Keeping up with inflation was the challenge of the 1970s. As prices rose, wages increased and the middle class trod water to keep their heads dry.

When we entered our recent recession, inflation was the least of our worries - we needed jobs, increased demand for goods to spur manufacturing, a sense of security, and faith that our hard work would be eventually rewarded. As corporate downsizing and the offshore job exodus continued, we learned to work harder and longer to keep our hard won status.

The economists and political pundits trumpeted the end of the tight economy and the expansion of manufacturing, housing, tourism. Sure, the jobs never came back on the scale predicted, but there was a degree of comfort in the slowdown of layoffs and restructuring. Beneath the rhetoric of tax cuts to jump start consumer spending and a housing market running amok on historically low interest rates, the quiet increase in personal bankruptcy filings and the working class slide into poverty was dismissed as a political "sour grapes" issue that had little bearing in a country intent on reorganizing the entire world as a mirror of itself.

But if we look into our own mirror, what do we see? The income of the middle class is declining in proportion to the rise of prices. The working poor fall below the poverty line even when working two minimum wage jobs. Large corporations like Walmart hire illegal immigrants so they can work without benefits nor regulatory protections. Franchise owners of fast food chains hire non-English speaking staff because paying a living wage would cut into their quarter of a million annual profits. Unscrupulous executives manipulate the supply and price of basic power and laugh at the little guy: "Burn, baby, burn."

And yet we are amazed that the rest of the world doesn't want to be totally like us. What's wrong with these people? (Might they have a better idea?)

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Informational interviewing can play a pivotal role in building one's network to assist in penetrating the hidden job market and unadvertised job prospects, but unfortunately is often a tool that is ignored in a job seeker's career and job search campaign.

Informational interviewing is a 'fact-finding exploration' that will assist a job seeker in identifying an optimal place of work that is conducive to their skills, motivation and talent, thus positioning them for continued growth and fulfilment within their careers.

Conducting informational interviews will allow a job seeker to pinpoint their strengths and requirements for further development, while also providing an opportunity to build their confidence and communication skills, both crucial for forthcoming job interviews.

Neglecting to implement this critical research and screening tool within their job search sadly can lead to a job seeker discovering their discontentment after they have accepted a job offer, or worse, are working within the role.

Therefore, if a particular role or industry is of interest to you, go and check it out first by meeting with the people who are already performing in these roles to establish whether or not this career path not only interests but suits you.

Benefits of Informational Interviewing:

It is important not to confuse informational interviewing with a job interview. You are not interviewing for a role, nor should you ever, under any circumstances, ask for a job.

By conducting an informational interview you should:

- Gain a deeper understanding of the job specifications (beyond the job title);
- Enhance your awareness of the company's culture and how you may/may not fit into the work environment;
- Expand your network of contacts within the industry thus optimising your targeting 'the hidden job market';
- Strengthen your understanding of the company's structure and possible needs so that in the future, should an employment opportunity present itself, you can better position yourself as a top candidate;
- Network with professionals in a relatively low-stress setting to assist you in building your self-confidence while gaining crucial information you can harness during your job search campaign;
- Screen the organisation to assist you in your decision making process, should you be extended an opportunity for employment in the future.

Getting Started:

Begin by developing a list of people you would be interested in speaking to. These may include people already in your network of contacts, or even a company you would consider working for. This is a great opportunity to expand your network of contacts so don't be afraid to touch base with people you are not yet acquainted with.

While in-person meetings are ideal, conducting informational interviews over the phone can be just as beneficial in your research. Many people are governed by hectic schedules so a 10-15 minute phone call may not seem as potentially disruptive as a face-to-face meeting.

Gaining an Appointment:

Contact the person with whom you wish to meet either by letter or telephone. Introduce yourself and explain the reason for your contact. If you were referred to this contact by someone else, remember to mention that person's name at the beginning of the call. Use the following script as a guideline:

"Hello, my name is [name]. I'm currently exploring career options in [industry/role] and was given your details by [name of person who referred you] for the possibility of obtaining further information about this field and how you got started in the industry. I'd love to be able to meet with you briefly and will only take about 10-15 minutes of your time."

If you are greeted with apprehension or the comment "Is it possible to do this by phone?" you may like to respond with "Certainly – although it would be an honour to meet with you personally."

Remember, avoid being pushy – a telephone meeting will also allow you to gather pertinent information.

The Informational Interview Meeting:

Just as if you were attending a job interview, your appearance/attire and your approach should be professional throughout the entire meeting.

Ensure you are well prepared bringing with you your questions, a pen and notebook to jot down the information being offered.

Possible Research Questions:

- What background do you believe is necessary for people working in this field?
- Could you outline current issues and trends associated with this industry?
- Can you describe what you believe a typical working environment is like for this industry?
- Describe what a typical working day involves for you.
- Could you list some of the crucial skills required for this role/industry?
- What would you say would be the top 5 aspects of your role?
- What would be the least favourable areas about your role?
- What advice would you give someone looking to enter this industry/role?
- Could you recommend any industry publications or articles where I could gather further information?
- Are you able to provide names of people I could talk to regarding the industry? Would you mind if I used your name as a referral?

You may consider bringing a copy of your resume and request the person to review it at a later stage to provide feedback on its content and format. This will provide you with another perfect opportunity to touch base with them.

Leave your business card and request a business card from the person you are meeting.

Final thoughts:

Remember, be respectful of the person's time and stay within your allocated time guidelines. Do not ask for a job; nor be too aggressive in your questioning/approach.

Thanks you's:

Following the (in-person / telephone) meeting send a thank you letter, expressing your gratitude for their time and valuable information he/she shared.

Continued success!

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If your current CV or resume is not generating the interview offers you want, it is time to start assessing it. Check to see that the following descriptors apply:

*Begins with a succinct, clearly stated career objective tailored to the particular job for which you are applying.
*Highlights how your skills and qualifications match the company's specific needs.

*Employs appropriate titles for previous jobs to demonstrate clearly that you are suitably qualified for the advertised position.

*Gives a concise description of your previous employers - their products, services, industry, etc. - and your role in the company.

*Uses PAR statements to describe your accomplishments. P identifies the 'problem' you faced; A describes the 'action' you took to solve the problem; R describes the 'result' of the action you took.

*Quantifies your accomplishments using numbers, percentages, etc.

*Makes effective use of the key words and phrases contained in the job advertisement to describe your skills and areas of expertise.

*Every sentence starts with an action word, for example: "increased production by 20% while saving £200,000 in operating costs" Examples of effective action words are: compiled, conducted, created, designed, developed, established, implemented, introduced, invented, maintained, negotiated, operated, organized, produced, and published.

*Explains how, in your previous jobs, you increased sales and profits, improved productivity, saved time and costs, and established good customer relationships.

*Provides evidence of the competencies most valued by employers, for example: your communication and interpersonal skills, flexibility, initiative, organisational ability, and teamwork.

*Includes any pertinent awards or honours you may have received.

*Provides your educational history and details of training related to the position you are seeking.

*Employment history is logical and consistent; and gaps of more than one year between your jobs are clearly explained.

*The layout is neat and uncluttered, with an easy-to-read sequence of sections and no large blocks of text.

*Contains no errors in spelling or grammar; and all unnecessary words have been eliminated.

*Hobbies and interests have been included only if they serve to reveal characteristics, skills or accomplishments that support your career objective.

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Job Hunting Tips

Are you a fresh graduate and planning to look for a job? Did you just recently quit your job and are looking for greener pastures? Are you unemployed and have little experience regarding ways to secure a job? Whatever your situation may be, it would be to your advantage to study the following tips:

Check your resume for mistakes

Before submitting your resume to a prospective employer, check your resume for corrections at least three times before handing it over. After researching about the job position, it is critical that you format your resume to match the needs of the company. For example, if you are applying for an accounting job, you should put in detail your accounting experience on your resume. Typographical and grammatical errors are serious no-no's. It is also ideal to keep the length of the resume' to at least a page and a half long.

Taking the interview challenge

A survey conducted by a staffing and consulting firm based in California which corresponded with 1,400 chief financial officers concluded that candidates for employment made most of their mistakes on their interviews. Some of the mistakes they made include: arriving late, having little knowledge about the company and the position applied for, and having a superiority complex and behaving arrogantly. The body language of the applicant must also denote that he is confident yet not overpowering. He must maintain eye contact, have a strong handshake, and avoid looking defensive by the act of crossing the arms. Wearing the right clothes is crucial for projecting a confident stance. As they say, it is better to go to an interview over-dressed than being under-dressed.

Answer questions smartly

A common mistake of interviewees is that they tend to get tense and forget the questions that are given to them, which has the effect that they are not prepared for the interview. It is important to research about the company and the position applied for to prevent being side-tracked during the interview. If you do not know the answer to the questions being asked, it is better to admit you don't know the answer to the question and add that you can research about it. Look for the skills or expertise that the company is looking for so that when interview day comes and the interviewer asks about your strengths and core competencies, you will be able to match it to what they need.

Getting the necessary referrals

Having a referral from one of the company employees can go a long way toward landing an interview. A typical company may receive job applications in the hundreds and usually 35% to 60% of all job vacancies are filled by referrals. The odds of getting hired when you have a referral are very high if you have another 200 to 500 applicants vying for the same position. If you do not know anyone from the company that may give you a referral, it is a good idea to the alumni network of your college, trade groups, social networks, and professional associations. Remember, having a referral greatly increases your chances of getting the position.

On online application

With the current trend of technology and its merging with business processes, more and more companies are now requiring prospective applicants to submit their application online. Thus, first impressions are relayed not by your first appearance but by the quality and content of your e-mail. E-mails regarding job application should be polished and well-articulated. When applying on-line, use the following tips:

Complete your sentences and do not abbreviate.

Employers do not like when you send them application letters that seem to be too casual. It is important to make a letter that is both formal and well written. This gives a good impression regarding your capabilities and skills.

Get directly to the point

When writing an application letter, you must be concise and straightforward. Do not put a story on the letter just to get the attention of the employer, chances are he or she will just get irritated with you and this only reduces your chances of getting hired.

Consider potential issues that may hinder you from getting the job

Although there are instances wherein there is a lot of need for a job but the requirements for the position may entail training programs that may bar you from getting the position due to its highly competitive nature. Some require a lot of experian even at least 3 years of work experience. Some may have no barriers to entry but the job itself may entail a very routine work flow.

Getting the job you want may be a challenge but never lose hope. It is better to wait a while and get the job that you will enjoy rather than get a job as soon as possible but ending up dissatisfied and unhappy. Make the right decision then act on it.

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Using a job acceptance letter when offered a position shows true professionalism. It is a way of saying "thank you" to the person who hired you, and giving them assurance that they made the right decision. You have presented yourself to them as a professional with your resume, cover letter, reference sheet, salary history, letters of recommendation, follow up note, and any other personal marketing materials you've used while job hunting. You went out of your way to make sure that the interview went well, and probably did your homework on the company before going in for that first interview. Now using a job acceptance letter will be a capstone on all your work, and perfect the positive professional image you've tried to convey throughout the job search and hiring process.

Of course, if you've never written one before you may have questions as to what it should contain and how it should look. Here are the basics: it should be on the same paper your resume and cover letter were on, preferably a light gray or ivory linen, laid, or parchment paper or one of the new sandstone papers. It should have a letterhead that matches the other personal marketing materials you've used. It should be personally addressed to the decision maker who hired you. The job acceptance letter should also be placed in either a matching business sized envelope, or a large white envelope to avoid folding, and should be personally addressed. If your own handwriting isn't very legible, print the address, or have a friend with great handwriting address it for you.

It should also be short. Show that you respect the hiring manager's time by being direct, while still polite. You can say everything you need to say in two or three paragraphs which are quick to read. When writing the job acceptance letter be straightforward and professional. Let the hiring manager know that you are looking forward to being a part of the team at your new company. Let him or her know that you appreciate the opportunity and will do your best. Let the decision maker know that you are aware of any special conditions of the job offer, and will adhere to them. That will avoid any misunderstandings down the road. Also make sure that the job acceptance letter states that you understand the starting date of your employment with this new organization, and assure the hiring manager that you will be there on the specified date, and time, ready to get busy. Sign it using blue ink in your pen so that they know it is not a photo copy, and hand deliver it to the decision maker's administrative assistance. In this manner you will show yourself to be a true professional, and someone they will want to work with in the future.

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With the U.S. economy still slumping and unemployment numbers barely moving forward, many workers may be considering what their employment future could be like if they were to lose their job. If you're in a healthcare field, or possess computer skills, you don't have much to worry about, except explaining why you left your last job. On the other hand, if you're employed in production or manufacturing, you may be asking yourself, "when should I update my job skills?"

If you're lucky enough to still have a job in this economy and you're pondering the future, you should consider updating your job skills immediately. Your current education level will determine what you should update. If you already possess a Bachelor's degree, examine what your skills deficits may be. For instance, are you up to date on computer programs commonly used in an office environment? If you want to make a move into healthcare, do you have medical terminology or CPR? Some states allow degree holders to get into teaching without having a related degree. Some may require a certificate. Your employer may even pay for your continuing education. Career colleges offer courses with flexible times so you can work and update your skills.

On the other hand, if you're one of the over eight million people who is currently looking for full or part-time work and your job prospects are not very good, updating your skills could be very important to your future. Again, you should assess your current educational inventory. Consider the industry you've been in and see if it makes sense to change. There are a lot of openings in sales, healthcare and computer related industries. Federal or state aid may be available to you for educational purposes.

Finally, if you feel safe in your current job, create a strategy of cross-training. Make yourself so valuable to your employer, that even if the job you hold now is eliminated, you could easily move to another one within the company. Advancing your computer skills is one of the best ways to do this. Improving your sales skills is another. By creating added value to your employer, you put yourself far down the list to be trimmed.

The answer to when you should update your job skills is - always. Whether you need to update the computer programs you know or train for a completely new industry, your ability to adapt to change will help keep you employed, both now and in the future.

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When you hear the office rumor that layoffs are coming, that 25% of the staff are going to be let go, and the rest will take a pay cut, your first instinct is to panic: "Oh no, how will I manage without a paycheck?" It's likely that your productivity will go down and your stress will go up. But here are some ways of countering the stress, even if you can't avoid the layoffs.

Go and confirm whether the rumor is true - sometimes rumors are just rumors. Ask your boss, or the HR department, or someone well connected in the organization. And if you learn that the rumor is false, start countering it whenever you can. If the rumor is true, get as much information as you can about what will happen:

* When will the layoffs happen?
* How many staff will be laid off?
* Are any specific departments at risk?
* How will employees be chosen for layoff?
* Will there be a separation package?
* Will outplacement be offered?

Now go home and take stock of how well you're prepared for a layoff. Make a list of questions and answers like this:

* What effect would a layoff have on my family?
* How long could I live off of my emergency fund?
* Can I tap other sources of money, like home equity?
* Does my resume look attractive to another employer?
* Is there any training that I need to get to be more hireable?

Finally, use the answers to these questions to put together a plan, as detailed as you can make it, of exactly what you will do if you learn you'll be laid off. Your plan might include applying for unemployment assistance, or going back to school, or cutting back on expenses, or renegotiating debt payments - whatever it will take to see you through to your new job. Share the plan with your family and get their input and agreement, and write it all down so that everyone understands the plan.

Nothing can make a layoff pleasant, but if you have as much information as you can, and have a plan for how you would handle it, your stress level will remain managable and you'll stay clear-headed during the transition.

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Liars Get Caught! What NOT to Put on Your Resume

"Everybody does it" as they say. Face it, the job market can be a very tough place to compete. If everyone inflates their experience then how can an honest person get a job?

Well, as tempting as it may be, you do NOT want to risk lying on your resume.

Whether it's personal information, job experience, or schooling - employers are finding new ways to sniff out liars and you don't want to be one of them.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

While some information may not be easily verified, information such as a criminal record, can be very costly to you in the event it is checked out. With sites like rapsheets.com you can never guarantee that an employer won't be able to find the information, even if your employer is hiring you for domestic work and is not a business.

JOB EXPERIENCE

Clearly this is not the place to boast about fake employment as you are going to list the businesses you worked for which may be contacted for verification. As this is the most likely area your interviewer will do a check on, avoid misrepresenting yourself at all costs.

EDUCATION

Think that nobody will notice if you slip in an education you don't really have? Perhaps you do have the skills, but you can't afford to claim education you can't provide proof of. EmployAct.com is a new service that will allow employers to have background checks - similar to criminal or credit checks - to verify your claim.

WHAT YOU SHOULD HAVE

With all that said and done, how can you create a resume that will highlight your skills and abilities without needing to lie?

Give yourself credit. Your skills in the workforce can be weighty indicators of your ability to work in a given job. You may not know what an employer is looking for. With many jobs that don't require a particular expertise, you many find that they are looking for people who are able to learn on the job. Proof that you have gained skills as a worker (or even a volunteer if you're just starting out) can be very valuable.

Be certain that you focus on skills. Expand your descriptions. Do not say 'I worked in an office', rather say 'I was responsible for answering the phones in a professional manner and directing calls to the proper departments. In a busy work environment I was able to multi-task by providing supportive administrative assistance to the head receptionist including maintaining a filing system, processing inter office memos, delivering documents in a timely manner, directing clients to their meeting appointments and providing relief reception. I was quickly able to learn the filing and switchboard systems as well as create good working relationships with fellow staff.'

As you can see from the above example, it is perfectly acceptable to elaborate on your skills, but do so in an honest and ethical manner. If you need help you can find software programs which will give you suggestions on wording depending on the position you are describing or you can hire someone who writes resumes to help you. Have confidence in keeping the job you are sure to get by doing it right the first time.

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