Here are 10 simple things to do that will dramatically increase your chances: from wearing the right expression, to knowing what not to say, to never ever breaking a sweat.
804-377-8600
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
10 Ways to Be Liked in Your Job Interview
No matter your resume and talents, if you mess up a job interview you won't get that position. In today's tough economy you need every possible edge. As authors of the new book, "I Hate People! Kick Loose from the Overbearing and Underhanded Jerks at Work and Get What you Want Out of Your Job," we see it as a simple equation: You want to be liked -- not hated.
Here are 10 simple things to do that will dramatically increase your chances: from wearing the right expression, to knowing what not to say, to never ever breaking a sweat.
Here are 10 simple things to do that will dramatically increase your chances: from wearing the right expression, to knowing what not to say, to never ever breaking a sweat.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
How hard is it to find a job in Richmond? And, how does it compare to the rest of the major metros in the US?
It's not always useful to talk about the condition of the job market nationally, because job markets can be quite different between cities. There are plenty of reasons for this, including differences in how local industries have fared, and how volatile home values have been through the recession. Also, some cities entered the downturn with higher unemployment rates. Click the link and read more...
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Are you Getting the Most from Excel and Access?
Are you getting the most out of Excel and Access? If you are like most people in the workplace, you only use a small portion of the capabilities of either of these two great tools. Effective use of Excel and Access can help you or your team automate time consuming processes and provide substantial cost savings. 
One advantage to being able to create some of this analysis and reporting in Access or Excel is that you do not need to wait for someone else to send you the data or report. Once you have access to the data and set up the initial routine, all you need to do is refresh the data and run the reports. Most companies have pretty good financial reporting software these days as well as IT departments that try to be more responsive than in the "main frame" days. However, some of the simple, non-essential requests get ear marked as "fill-in" work and are often done weeks or months after you'd really like to have them. Knowing how to leverage the power of these tools can make these often simple projects a reality, and they often have significant impacts on the organization
We can help! Career Quest has contract professionals available to work with you on projects, or we can even customize a training program for your team to help them understand how to get the most from these tools. For example, one of the great contract professionals we have the pleasure of working with is Patrick deFur . Patrick is an expert with these tools and has worked with a number of companies to help streamline processes and create efficiencies like:
>Creating MS Access applications for accounting, treasury and related departments to summarize transactions and create templates for uploading to the general ledger, saving several days at month end.
>Creating and refining cash forecasting models to produce consistently accurate projections, enabling more effective cash management and planning.
>Developing sales and revenue forecasts based on historical data and future estimates to improve earnings projections.
>Reviewing non-profit foundation procedures for the purpose of making recommendations to management to improve methods of processing and reporting financial information and grant reimbursement.
>Leading analysis in credit card reconciliations to verify accuracy and completeness of cash transactions and entries to the general ledger using MS Excel and Access to create the applications.
>Managing a purchase order matching projects involving wholesale and retail transactions.
These programs work best if they are designed to fit your needs rather than a "canned" program. With help from Career Quest, a program can be designed to use your data (or similar data) for maximum benefit of the training. If you would like to learn more, please call us at 804-377-8600 or email info@career-quest.com.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Happy As You Decide to Be
Happy As You Decide to Be
Abraham Lincoln once said, "Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be." There is no truer statement than this one and we all witness living examples of it every day. In the business setting, I've observed individuals losing a big sale, making a tough staffing decision, or facing financial disaster, yet choosing to joke, laugh, and keep a light-hearted perspective while solving the problem. On the other hand, I've witnessed the person who has just received a raise and is part of an organization that is growing and changing in a positive direction, who still chooses to be sour-faced bitter, and constantly complaining. The only thing these two types of people have in common is that they both have chosen to respond positively or to react negatively. Happy or sad? What do you choose? Laughter or tears?
Observe your state-of mind-habits. For most people, they have practiced being positive or negative so long that it has become a habit to respond consistently in a positive or negative way. If you need to change your habits, start today by becoming aware of how you respond to situations.
Take yourself lightly and your situation seriously. Having a lighthearted perspective and a good sense of humor doesn't mean burying your head in the sand. You can see a bad situation as it really is and still have a great attitude, flowing through difficulty instead of crumbling under it.
Learn the difference between positive and negative humor. We recommend using humor to deal with the absurdities of life only if it is used in a positive way. If your humor becomes sarcastic, places blame, laughs only at others, increases tension, injures someone else's self-worth, or excludes others from the enjoyment, try getting exactly the opposite results.
Remove yourself from the center of the universe. If you usually feel like everything is in some way your fault or nothing is ever your fault, it's time to look at life's events a little more realistically. When your reaction to difficulty is always, "If I had only done more, or better, or worked harder . . ." ease up and put things back into perspective. On the others side of the coin, if everything is always "their" fault, then you're going to have to wait for "them" to change. I don't know about you, but changing people isn't something I'm very good at. Remember, fault finding is a waste of time. Control your perspective.
Realize the degree of happiness we experience is often reflected in our lifestyles. I have often observed a correlation between alcohol, cigarette smoking, lack of physical exercise, and incorrect diet with a depressed state of mind. When we are in control of our lifestyle and the habits that affect that lifestyle, it is only natural that a more positive self- image producing a more free-spirited state of mind will result.
If you believe happiness is a choice we all have a right to make, then why not make that choice today? Control your state of mind, keep a humorous perspective, and be happy.
- Jim Paluch
Get Serious About Silliness
Do you ever allow yourself the luxury of letting go of inhibitions and giving in to moments of pure, unadulterated silliness? To children, silliness is a way of life, to laugh at the littlest thing or perform a goofy act or statement over and over again, feeding the uncontrolled giggling of another. Some time around the age of twelve, however, we become acutely aware of ourselves and begin to associate silliness with being stupid or foolish. Adults reinforce this perception by upholding the serious example in their own lives and throwing in quick reminders along the way: "Wipe that silly smile off your face." "Would you grow up!" "Stop laughing and get serious here." As we "mature," our fear of embarrassment, foolishness and failure makes it easier to actually avoid silly situations and to get serious about life.
Interestingly, the original meaning of the word silly is to be blessed, happy, prosperous and healthy and it was only man's fear of embarrassment over the years that has added the negative connotation to silliness.:
Remember, stupid means being ignorant or uneducated and doing things because you don't know any better. Choosing the appropriate time and place to be playful and fun is not stupid but silly and a key factor to a happy, prosperous, healthy way of life. In this uptight, get-it-done, fast-paced world we are living in, it's time to get serious about silliness and begin to reap the benefits.
Fun at Work
Using humor and fun at work not only involves outrageous, memorable events on an occasional basis but, more commonly, it consists of frequent little instances of fun and frivolity. Companies that are known for their creative and enjoyable atmosphere are those that figuratively say, "We take ourselves lightly and our work seriously." Those organizations that have learned to incorporate fun into the workplace and benefit with more creative, productive, and cooperative employees are faced with the same challenges and struggles as everyone else. It is their ability to look at the lighter side of business and use simple, silly ways to relieve the everyday stress, that makes the difference. No one's objective is to spend all day in fun and games, distracted from the work at hand, but when you can create an environment that is comfortable, one that welcomes free-flowing expression and acknowledges the human element of fun, then you will have a work setting that brings out the best in everyone. Along with planning energizing meetings, fun rewards, and group activities, remember, it's often the silly little things that nurture the feeling that "This is a great place to work."
If you want to learn more about the power of PEOPLE SOLUTIONS THAT DRIVE BUSINESS PERFORMANCE, contact:
JP Horizons Inc.
P. O. Box 2039
Painesville, OH 44077
Phone: (440) 352-8211
Fax: (800) 715-8326
e-mail: jim@jphorizons.com
web site: www.jphorizons.com
Abraham Lincoln once said, "Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be." There is no truer statement than this one and we all witness living examples of it every day. In the business setting, I've observed individuals losing a big sale, making a tough staffing decision, or facing financial disaster, yet choosing to joke, laugh, and keep a light-hearted perspective while solving the problem. On the other hand, I've witnessed the person who has just received a raise and is part of an organization that is growing and changing in a positive direction, who still chooses to be sour-faced bitter, and constantly complaining. The only thing these two types of people have in common is that they both have chosen to respond positively or to react negatively. Happy or sad? What do you choose? Laughter or tears?
Observe your state-of mind-habits. For most people, they have practiced being positive or negative so long that it has become a habit to respond consistently in a positive or negative way. If you need to change your habits, start today by becoming aware of how you respond to situations.
Take yourself lightly and your situation seriously. Having a lighthearted perspective and a good sense of humor doesn't mean burying your head in the sand. You can see a bad situation as it really is and still have a great attitude, flowing through difficulty instead of crumbling under it.
Learn the difference between positive and negative humor. We recommend using humor to deal with the absurdities of life only if it is used in a positive way. If your humor becomes sarcastic, places blame, laughs only at others, increases tension, injures someone else's self-worth, or excludes others from the enjoyment, try getting exactly the opposite results.
Remove yourself from the center of the universe. If you usually feel like everything is in some way your fault or nothing is ever your fault, it's time to look at life's events a little more realistically. When your reaction to difficulty is always, "If I had only done more, or better, or worked harder . . ." ease up and put things back into perspective. On the others side of the coin, if everything is always "their" fault, then you're going to have to wait for "them" to change. I don't know about you, but changing people isn't something I'm very good at. Remember, fault finding is a waste of time. Control your perspective.
Realize the degree of happiness we experience is often reflected in our lifestyles. I have often observed a correlation between alcohol, cigarette smoking, lack of physical exercise, and incorrect diet with a depressed state of mind. When we are in control of our lifestyle and the habits that affect that lifestyle, it is only natural that a more positive self- image producing a more free-spirited state of mind will result.
If you believe happiness is a choice we all have a right to make, then why not make that choice today? Control your state of mind, keep a humorous perspective, and be happy.
- Jim Paluch
Get Serious About Silliness
Do you ever allow yourself the luxury of letting go of inhibitions and giving in to moments of pure, unadulterated silliness? To children, silliness is a way of life, to laugh at the littlest thing or perform a goofy act or statement over and over again, feeding the uncontrolled giggling of another. Some time around the age of twelve, however, we become acutely aware of ourselves and begin to associate silliness with being stupid or foolish. Adults reinforce this perception by upholding the serious example in their own lives and throwing in quick reminders along the way: "Wipe that silly smile off your face." "Would you grow up!" "Stop laughing and get serious here." As we "mature," our fear of embarrassment, foolishness and failure makes it easier to actually avoid silly situations and to get serious about life.
Interestingly, the original meaning of the word silly is to be blessed, happy, prosperous and healthy and it was only man's fear of embarrassment over the years that has added the negative connotation to silliness.:
Remember, stupid means being ignorant or uneducated and doing things because you don't know any better. Choosing the appropriate time and place to be playful and fun is not stupid but silly and a key factor to a happy, prosperous, healthy way of life. In this uptight, get-it-done, fast-paced world we are living in, it's time to get serious about silliness and begin to reap the benefits.
Fun at Work
Using humor and fun at work not only involves outrageous, memorable events on an occasional basis but, more commonly, it consists of frequent little instances of fun and frivolity. Companies that are known for their creative and enjoyable atmosphere are those that figuratively say, "We take ourselves lightly and our work seriously." Those organizations that have learned to incorporate fun into the workplace and benefit with more creative, productive, and cooperative employees are faced with the same challenges and struggles as everyone else. It is their ability to look at the lighter side of business and use simple, silly ways to relieve the everyday stress, that makes the difference. No one's objective is to spend all day in fun and games, distracted from the work at hand, but when you can create an environment that is comfortable, one that welcomes free-flowing expression and acknowledges the human element of fun, then you will have a work setting that brings out the best in everyone. Along with planning energizing meetings, fun rewards, and group activities, remember, it's often the silly little things that nurture the feeling that "This is a great place to work."
If you want to learn more about the power of PEOPLE SOLUTIONS THAT DRIVE BUSINESS PERFORMANCE, contact:
JP Horizons Inc.
P. O. Box 2039
Painesville, OH 44077
Phone: (440) 352-8211
Fax: (800) 715-8326
e-mail: jim@jphorizons.com
web site: www.jphorizons.com
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Financial Executives International Meeting
Save the date - When: September 15, 2009 Market Update from Rod Smyth, Founding Partner and Chief Investment Strategist, Riverfront Investment Group
Rod is an Irishman with 25 years of global investment experience. He has lived in and worked in the securities industry in Asia, Europe and North America. Trained in Japan by Nomura Securities in 1983, he worked as an Asian specialist for Citicorp on Wall Street from 1985 -1988. In 1988 Rod went home to Ireland where he worked for six years as a portfolio manager investing in the US, Asian and Latin American markets, returning to Japan in 1993 as the Investment Strategist for Baring Securities in Tokyo.
Rod has been in Richmond with Wachovia Securities and its predecessor firms in various key investment roles. Rod was appointed Wachovia's Chief Investment Strategist in 2000 and served in that role until he and three colleagues started Riverfront Investment Group in April 2008.
Rod has an MA in Economics from Dundee University in Scotland
Save the date - When: September 15, 2009 Market Update from Rod Smyth, Founding Partner and Chief Investment Strategist, Riverfront Investment Group
Rod is an Irishman with 25 years of global investment experience. He has lived in and worked in the securities industry in Asia, Europe and North America. Trained in Japan by Nomura Securities in 1983, he worked as an Asian specialist for Citicorp on Wall Street from 1985 -1988. In 1988 Rod went home to Ireland where he worked for six years as a portfolio manager investing in the US, Asian and Latin American markets, returning to Japan in 1993 as the Investment Strategist for Baring Securities in Tokyo.
Rod has been in Richmond with Wachovia Securities and its predecessor firms in various key investment roles. Rod was appointed Wachovia's Chief Investment Strategist in 2000 and served in that role until he and three colleagues started Riverfront Investment Group in April 2008.
Rod has an MA in Economics from Dundee University in Scotland
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Venture Out Networking
Venture Out is an informal, high energy networking event for members and prospective members of The Venture Forum. We meet after work once every other month (February, April, June, August, October and December) at the Bull & Bear in downtown Richmond.
This provides an opportunity to meet and share ideas and news with other members of the Richmond entrepreneurial community.
Your advance registration (Venture Forum members free - limited to 3 from each member company) includes a ticket for 1 beer or wine and a selection of appetizers.
Venture Out When?
Thursday, August 20, 2009
5:30 pm -7:30 pm
Venture Out Where?
Bull & Bear Club
901 E. Cary Street
21st Floor
Richmond, VA
Get directions
This provides an opportunity to meet and share ideas and news with other members of the Richmond entrepreneurial community.
Your advance registration (Venture Forum members free - limited to 3 from each member company) includes a ticket for 1 beer or wine and a selection of appetizers.
Venture Out When?
Thursday, August 20, 2009
5:30 pm -7:30 pm
Venture Out Where?
Bull & Bear Club
901 E. Cary Street
21st Floor
Richmond, VA
Get directions
Monday, August 3, 2009
Network With Other Senior Level Accounting and Finance Pro's
Network with your peers - Aug 10. Click here for details
Be the Phelps of accounting!
To build a successful career you need to take advantage of every opportunity to stand out. Be the Phelps of accounting! Read the article here
If you want help building your career, partner with a great recruiter. We would like to have a chance to discuss how we can help you over the course of your career. Call us 804-377-8600 info@career-quest.com
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