Tuesday, December 22, 2009
How to Get a Job Over the Holidays (When Nobody's Hiring)
The holidays come and go so quickly. Jan. 1 will be here before you know it, and many of you will look back on the past year and feel depressed and agitated. Your job searches were filled with missed opportunities and mistakes, and you will feel victimized by the horrible economy. Then you'll stuff your face with cookies and pastries and tell yourself that no one is hiring right now. There's nothing you can do about your unemployment until the beginning of next year.
Fortunately, you are wrong. There are five easy things you can do right now, in December, while you're cramming your face with sugar and carbs, to set yourself up for a successful job search in January.
• Update your LinkedIn profile so that it's 100 percent complete.
This applies to all job seekers. Everywhere. Do it. If you are a customer service representative in Chicago or a flight attendant in Montana, you want an up-to-date LinkedIn account because AOL, Google and Bing are actively indexing every profile on that site. This is important because recruiters and HR professionals are using search engines to type in a few words about their job postings and find candidates. An updated LinkedIn profile means that you can be found easily on the Internet, and we all know that recruiters and HR professionals don't like to work too hard. Take 10 minutes and complete your LinkedIn profile. It's the single-most important thing you can do in December.
• Use social media and search engines to clean up your act.
Create a series of professional profiles on Facebook, Google and other high-profile and heavily trafficked social networks so that the very first thing that comes up when someone searches your name is your résumé and qualifications -- and not your pictures from Cabo.
• Make sure recruiters can reach you easily.
If a recruiter or company has to struggle to contact, it's over. You won't get the interview. When publishing your résumé and profile online, use an easy and relatively simple email address. Your first initial and last name will work.
There's another easy way to be found. You can use a free service called Google Voice to create a phone number that is dedicated to your job search. Publish that number without worrying about stalkers. Although you are worried about privacy, it's important that hiring managers and recruiters be able to reach you without overcoming a series of obstacles. You are not a celebrity. It's time to be found so you can get back to work.
• Work smarter, not harder, on finding job opportunities.
Companies are refining their career Web sites so that search engines index their job postings like Web pages. You can automate your job search by creating a Google Alert. You'll get a daily email with a list of jobs in your area. Even though I am not looking for a job, I created an alert using the keywords HR JOB NORTH CAROLINA so I can see the new opportunities in my area. You can also use a free and automated job search engine like Indeed to make your life easier, too.
• Get yourself on Twitter and find people who are hiring.
Lots of people complain that Twitter is too noisy and narcissistic. I recommend using the site like a search engine. Create a professional account, which helps to bury the more incriminating stuff on the Internet, and start searching for jobs related to your career field.
First things first, though: Pick a professional name and avatar to represent yourself. Then visit the search function on Twitter and type in your ideal job title + your geographic location. See who is advertising for that job, and start a conversation if it seems like a good fit. Be interesting. Ask how you can submit your résumé. Offer the names of other candidates if the job isn't right for you.
Furthermore, there are companies out there like Tweetajob that link job seekers and companies quickly and easily. If there's a free and easy way to find a job on a site like Twitter, get on that opportunity like a dog on a bone.
There are more than five simple ways to find a job in January, but all career advice comes with a caveat. You need to stop waiting for an opportunity to fall in your lap. You need to get out there, scrape the Internet for leads, and ultimately convince a recruiter or HR professional that you're a likable human being with decent job skills who won't cause too many problems if hired.
Career advisers can point you in the direction of an opportunity, but you have to find a way to show that you are the right candidate for the job. It starts by putting down the cookies and the eggnog and vowing to take yourself more seriously in the new year. I know you can do it. Now pass the pie.
Fortunately, you are wrong. There are five easy things you can do right now, in December, while you're cramming your face with sugar and carbs, to set yourself up for a successful job search in January.
• Update your LinkedIn profile so that it's 100 percent complete.
This applies to all job seekers. Everywhere. Do it. If you are a customer service representative in Chicago or a flight attendant in Montana, you want an up-to-date LinkedIn account because AOL, Google and Bing are actively indexing every profile on that site. This is important because recruiters and HR professionals are using search engines to type in a few words about their job postings and find candidates. An updated LinkedIn profile means that you can be found easily on the Internet, and we all know that recruiters and HR professionals don't like to work too hard. Take 10 minutes and complete your LinkedIn profile. It's the single-most important thing you can do in December.
• Use social media and search engines to clean up your act.
Create a series of professional profiles on Facebook, Google and other high-profile and heavily trafficked social networks so that the very first thing that comes up when someone searches your name is your résumé and qualifications -- and not your pictures from Cabo.
• Make sure recruiters can reach you easily.
If a recruiter or company has to struggle to contact, it's over. You won't get the interview. When publishing your résumé and profile online, use an easy and relatively simple email address. Your first initial and last name will work.
There's another easy way to be found. You can use a free service called Google Voice to create a phone number that is dedicated to your job search. Publish that number without worrying about stalkers. Although you are worried about privacy, it's important that hiring managers and recruiters be able to reach you without overcoming a series of obstacles. You are not a celebrity. It's time to be found so you can get back to work.
• Work smarter, not harder, on finding job opportunities.
Companies are refining their career Web sites so that search engines index their job postings like Web pages. You can automate your job search by creating a Google Alert. You'll get a daily email with a list of jobs in your area. Even though I am not looking for a job, I created an alert using the keywords HR JOB NORTH CAROLINA so I can see the new opportunities in my area. You can also use a free and automated job search engine like Indeed to make your life easier, too.
• Get yourself on Twitter and find people who are hiring.
Lots of people complain that Twitter is too noisy and narcissistic. I recommend using the site like a search engine. Create a professional account, which helps to bury the more incriminating stuff on the Internet, and start searching for jobs related to your career field.
First things first, though: Pick a professional name and avatar to represent yourself. Then visit the search function on Twitter and type in your ideal job title + your geographic location. See who is advertising for that job, and start a conversation if it seems like a good fit. Be interesting. Ask how you can submit your résumé. Offer the names of other candidates if the job isn't right for you.
Furthermore, there are companies out there like Tweetajob that link job seekers and companies quickly and easily. If there's a free and easy way to find a job on a site like Twitter, get on that opportunity like a dog on a bone.
There are more than five simple ways to find a job in January, but all career advice comes with a caveat. You need to stop waiting for an opportunity to fall in your lap. You need to get out there, scrape the Internet for leads, and ultimately convince a recruiter or HR professional that you're a likable human being with decent job skills who won't cause too many problems if hired.
Career advisers can point you in the direction of an opportunity, but you have to find a way to show that you are the right candidate for the job. It starts by putting down the cookies and the eggnog and vowing to take yourself more seriously in the new year. I know you can do it. Now pass the pie.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
The world's most corrupt governments as of 2009
Berlin - The most corrupt countries -- Afghanistan and Iraq, which receive billions of dollars a year in U.S. and other foreign support, are among the world's most corrupt governments, a monitoring group said in a report released Tuesday.
"The results demonstrate that countries which are perceived as the most corrupt are also those plagued by long- standing conflicts, which have torn their governance infrastructure," Transparency International said in its annual Corruption Perceptions Index report.
The report measures perceived levels of public sector corruption in 180 countries, drawing on surveys of businesses and experts. The United States is listed as the 19th least corrupt nation, with the report raising concerns about the lack of government oversight of the financial sector.
The report found that the most and least corrupt countries were:
2. Afghanistan
3. Myanmar
T4. Sudan
T4. Iraq
6. Chad
7. Uzbekistan
T8. Turkmenistan
T8. Iran
T8. Haiti
T8. Burundi
T8. Guinea
T8. Equatorial Guinea
2. Denmark
T3. Singapore
T3. Sweden
5. Switzerland
T6. Finland
T6. Netherlands
T8. Australia
T8. Canada
T8. Iceland
"The results demonstrate that countries which are perceived as the most corrupt are also those plagued by long- standing conflicts, which have torn their governance infrastructure," Transparency International said in its annual Corruption Perceptions Index report.
The report measures perceived levels of public sector corruption in 180 countries, drawing on surveys of businesses and experts. The United States is listed as the 19th least corrupt nation, with the report raising concerns about the lack of government oversight of the financial sector.
The report found that the most and least corrupt countries were:
The world's most corrupt governments:
1. Somalia2. Afghanistan
3. Myanmar
T4. Sudan
T4. Iraq
6. Chad
7. Uzbekistan
T8. Turkmenistan
T8. Iran
T8. Haiti
T8. Burundi
T8. Guinea
T8. Equatorial Guinea
The world's least corrupt governments:
1. New Zealand2. Denmark
T3. Singapore
T3. Sweden
5. Switzerland
T6. Finland
T6. Netherlands
T8. Australia
T8. Canada
T8. Iceland
Saturday, November 14, 2009
15 Google Interview Questions That Will Make You Feel Stupid (GOOG)
But I feel this credit goes to Question designers ( some questions are really awesome)
http://www.businessinsider.com/15-google-interview-questions-that-will-make-you-feel-stupid-2009-11
http://www.businessinsider.com/15-google-interview-questions-that-will-make-you-feel-stupid-2009-11
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Why the world will NOT end in 2012
According to the theories on the internet, the calendar used by the ancient civilisation of the Mayans is due to come to an end in December 2012.
Luckily for conspiracy theorists, this coincides neatly with predictions by an obscure sci-fi author, who wrote about the ancient Mesopotamian civilization of Sumer, that a planet named Nibiru will collide with the Earth on that date.
Enlarge 
The Mayan calendar ends in 2012, but Dr Morrison said this did not mean the world would end
Fears have been further inflamed by an apocalyptic film called '2012' starring John Cusack, which is out this November. A quick search on Amazon reveals there are 175 books listed that deal with 2012 doomsday.
First off Dr Morrison dismisses the possibility that the planet Nibiru even exists.
He writes: 'The bottom line is that Nibiru is a myth, with no basis in fact.
'To an astronomer, persistent claims about a planet that is "nearby" but “invisible” are just plain silly.'
And Dr Morrison laughs off suggestions that the government has been complicit in hiding its existence from the public.
'Even if they wanted to, the government could not keep Nibiru a secret,' he says.
'If it were real, it would be tracked by thousands of astronomers, amateurs as well a professional. These astronomers are spread all over the world.
'I know the astronomy community, and these scientists would not keep a secret even if ordered to. You just can’t hide a planet on its way to the inner solar system!'
He also addresses the concerns of those who worry that the Mayan calendar is due to end in 2012.
'Ancient calendars are interesting to historians, but they cannot match the ability we have today to keep track of time, or the precision of the calendars currently in use.
'The main point, however, is that calendars, whether contemporary or ancient, cannot predict the future of our planet or warn of things to happen on a specific date such as 2012.
'I note that my desk calendar ends much sooner, on December 31 2009, but I do not interpret this as a prediction of Armageddon. It is just the beginning of a new year.'
He added although many believe prophecies by the sixteenth century seer Nostradamus predict the end of the world in 2012, there is no evidence he has correctly predicted anything.
He also tackles the belief circulating on some internet forums that an alignment of planets in our galaxy the Milky Way could in some way disrupt the Earth's gravitational field or reverse the Earth's rotation.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Performance Comparison of Major Web Browsers
The latest versions of the five major most web browsers (Mozilla Firefox 3.5, Google Chrome 3.0, Microsoft Internet Explorer 8.0, Opera 10.0, and Apple Safari 4.0) went head to head under six performance indicators: JavaScript speed, average CPU usage under stress, DOM selection, CSS rendering speed, page load time, and browser cache performance. Each web browser was tested three times under an unprimed cache (except for the browser cache performance), and their average value reported in the results.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
How to Be Photogenic
How to Be Photogenic
from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
Do you dislike having your picture taken because you always seem to come out looking hideous? Felt jealous of your friend who always comes out flawless in photos? What’s the deal with pictures? While being photogenic just comes naturally to some people, there are a few things that anyone can do to look better in photos. Try out the tricks in this article and stop running for cover whenever the camera comes out.
Steps
- Wear clothes with colors that suit you. Certain colors complement certain skin tones, while others tend to bring out the worst. Also take into consideration your hair color. You may have a feel for which colors you look best in, but if not, do some research (check out the external links below) and some trial-and-error.
- Pick the right clothes. As in, don't overdo it. Wearing a blue shirt and blue jeans might make you appear to blend, which is not good. Try not to wear too much pattern either, or it will take attention away from your gorgeous face.
- Hide your blemishes. The bad thing about photographs is that because they are simply frozen images of one angle in an instant in time, they can't show all your good attributes. The good thing about them is that you can easily hide certain features you don’t like.
- Determine your best angle. Beyond the obvious hiding of blemishes, finding the right angle for your face can be a bit more difficult. The best thing you can do is experiment using a digital camera so that you can immediately see the results of each pose. It will very quickly become obvious which angles are most flattering for you, and you can then use that angle as much as possible in the future. The classic model's pose is to arrange your body 3/4 toward the camera with one foot in front of the other and one shoulder closer to the camera than the other. This isn’t the best pose for everybody, however, and it can look a little ridiculous when used in a family photo right next to your Uncle Wilber.
- Get rid of a double chin. Tilt your head up slightly and try to position yourself so that the camera is a little above your eye level. This will hide a double chin fairly effectively. You can also put one hand under your chin as though you’re resting your head on your hand (keep the thumb side of your hand out of the camera’s view, if possible). Don't actually rest any weight on the hand, however, or you will push the skin into an unflattering position. Also try resting your tongue against the roof of your mouth.
- Stick your neck out. One trick models often use is to present a 3/4 pose to the camera (turn your head so that 3/4 of your face is exposed to the camera, as opposed to a full frontal shot) and then lift your neck and slightly tilt your head down, as though you are a turkey sticking its head out (without actually thrusting your chin out). This improves facial definition and helps ameliorate wrinkles and flabby skin.
- Relax. Many people end up looking odd in photos because they freeze into odd facial expressions with a “say cheese" type of smile on their face. If you're used to having bad pictures taken of yourself, you probably get nervous in front of the camera, and this can make things even worse. If you know a picture is about to be taken, take a deep breath and exhale naturally, relaxing your arms and shoulders. As you exhale, smile or strike whatever pose is appropriate. Don't hold your breath, either in or out, otherwise you'll appear as though you're tense or suffocating. If you see the photo coming too late, don’t panic and try to strike a pose. Keep doing what you're doing and try to ignore the camera. It may not turn out perfectly, but you’ve got a better chance than if the camera catches you quickly trying to change your facial expression. The more comfortable and relaxed you appear, the better the photo will turn out.
- Think happy thoughts. An unnatural, forced smile can make you look stiff and, frankly, weird. When people are smiling and waiting for a photo to be snapped, their facial muscles can get caught in all sorts of strange positions. To remedy this, try to time your smile so that you don't have to hold it for too long. Also, imagine something really funny (don't be afraid to laugh a bit, even) or think of someone—your spouse or child, for example—who makes you happy. By doing so, you’ll get a genuine smile. If you don't like your smile or your teeth, try a more subdued, closed- or partially-closed-mouth smile. Regardless of how you choose to smile, the happier and more relaxed you are, the better.
- Smile with your eyes. Nothing projects happiness and beauty like smiling eyes: a happy, somewhat mischievous expression of the eyes. To achieve this effect, imagine that the camera is a person you have a crush on walking into the room. This will create wider open eyes and a relaxed smile. Chances are you unconsciously do this all the time; the trick is to be able to bring it out on demand, so practice the smiling eyes in front of a mirror.
- Maintain your posture. Listen to your mother — remember how she always told you not to slouch? Good posture can dramatically improve your appearance in pictures. Sitting or standing up straight will make you look healthier and more alert and, if in a group setting, more attractive than your slouching companions. Just remember to breathe normally and relax your shoulders. Especially if you usually have bad posture, it may be difficult to stand up straight and not look stiff, so practice this in the mirror.
- Get a better photographer. Professional photographers generally know how to bring out the beauty in people. You can't always choose your photographer, but sometimes you can. If you need headshots for modeling, get the best professional you can find. If you're going to put up a shot for an online dating service, choose a photo that is recent, that flatters you, but most importantly choose a photo that actually looks like it is you. There is no point in advertising an airbrushed goddess direct from the catwalk if this is not a true reflection of yourself.
- Edit or enhance photos. If you've tried everything, but you still can’t seem to get a good picture of yourself in any environment, try slightly altering your digital photos. Changing the lighting effects or filter effects, for example, can dramatically improve the appearance of your complexion.
- Fake it till you make it. People are often photogenic because they like having their picture taken. They are therefore relaxed and happy when the camera appears. If you cannot muster up genuine love of the camera, pretend you like the camera. Imagine the camera is someone you love, a long lost friend, an old flame, your child at age three, or whatever you need to look at the camera lovingly. Try it—it really does work.
- Keep the shine down. It is so important to keep the shine down in the ever-troublesome t-zone - the top of your nose and your forehead. Especially on a warm day but even the coolest among us may get a little sweaty when faced with the lens of a camera.
- Relax your lip(mouth) region and don't have any delirious thoughts filled with gloom. It's a natural way to appear fresh and appealing in photographs.
- Keep your face in equilibrium Look at your face in the mirror. That's NOT actually the face which comes in your photograph. Now stare at your own reflection. After some time your face will reach the 'normal' condition. That will be your 'equilibrium' face. Now deactivate your eye region and activate your lip region. Don't clench your teeth, just make sure that your upper and lower jaw molars touch each other. Always smile if your complexion is dark or dull and your smile should be a slight one. At the same time stress the corners of your eyes and raise your eye brows a little. Practice this exercise every day before mirror for a few minutes. In one month it will become a habit whenever someone tries to take a photograph of you. But don't forget the most fundamental things for a good photograph and those are good cheer and confidence.
Video
Tips
- If you can get hold of the photo before it hits the internet, try to Photoshop (not too much, it looks like you're a poser) or get a friend (a trusted friend) to do it for you.
- Study pictures of models and other photogenic people. When comfortable for your personality, experiment with mimicking their postures, but remember most model photos are not what family members or friends are looking for in a picture. Stand at a slight angle to the camera.
- When in a seated group shot, be sure the chairs are placed as close together as possible. Instead of leaning in, sit up straight and relax.
- Have your close friends look at the pictures you've taken to help you ascertain when you look your best. Sometimes, a critical second set of eyes is a great help.
- Consider that people with highly animated faces stand a better chance of getting captured during a transient grotesque expression. Frame-by-frame video is a great way to see significant differences between the photogenic and the not-so-photogenic.
- Practice smiling in front of the mirror. In no time you'll know which smile looks fake and which is the most flattering. Learning how your face moves will help when someone grabs for the camera. Smile using your top row of teeth, it may feel unnatural but a smile with both rows of teeth can easily look fake.
- Keep your tongue behind your teeth.
- Use makeup. Those runway models and movie stars don’t necessarily all have perfect complexions, but they do all wear make-up so that they look unblemished. Especially if you have oily skin, a spotty complexion or a lot of wrinkles, experiment with different cosmetics to hide the “bad" and accentuate the “good".
- Always look slightly above the camera when the picture is taken. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis always used this technique for photographs and portraits. Additionally, it helps reduce the "red eye" effect.
- If it is a full-length shot, position your body 45 degrees from the camera, then turn your head towards the lens. Stand with one foot crossed in front of the other and put all your weight on your back leg. This pose is very slimming and universally flattering.
- While being photographed, try to keep all body parts as close to your torso and face as possible, anything protruding directly at the camera will seem huge in the photo. ** Exception: Women often hold their arms just a couple inches away from their body b/c holding them too close often exacerbates the look of flabby upper arms.
- Three seconds before the shutter clicks, have your head down, and then slowly bring it up. No jerking head, though that may work. Smile while bringing your head up. When the picture is taken, your mouth should be in a full swing relaxed smile. This way, your face is fully relaxed. Relax your eyes for the photo and feel relaxed. This may not work for all, so experiment when finding your photo taking style.
Warnings
- Make sure your photos look like you. These steps can help you better capture your natural beauty in pictures, but if you end up doctoring your photos too much you’re liable to look like someone you’re not. While you want to put your best face forward for online dating sites or acting headshots, you also want to make sure you accurately represent yourself. If you don’t, dates and potential employers may feel deceived.
- Sucking in your stomach will make you appear unattractive because your ribs may poke through your shirt. Worse, it will make you look slightly uncomfortable, which is never appealing.
- Tilting your head down slightly can sometimes create the effect of a double-chin, rather than hiding one.
- Men: wearing make-up may be socially difficult at first. Practice at home in private to get comfortable before any photos are taken.
Related wikiHows
- How to Look Like a Model
- How to Pose for Portraits
- How to Dress to Make Yourself Look Skinnier
- How to Smile
- How to Have a Great Photoshoot
Sources and Citations
- Ehow.com How to Choose Colors to Flatter Your Skin Tone
- ComfyDiva.Tribe.Net A forum discussion with lots of tips for being more photogenic
- Photography Forums Discuss tips to improve being photogenic
Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Be Photogenic. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.
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