Healthy working
Posted by: odi on: 27 PM00000010000000129 2008
Sometimes I still find it difficult to believe that I ‘m a nurse. I think it is among the greatest privileges in life to do this and take care of other people. I am given entrance to people’s lives and minds and I am very thankful for that. I can feel, at the end of the day, that my work has importance and that I have probably done something during the day that has made someone feel better.
On the other hand, it has such difficult times that I sometimes find it difficult to believe that I choose to do this for a living.
Nursing isn’t my first career. Nor even my second. Before I went to nursing school I was a computer lady. Okay that wasn’t my title. I was Information Systems Manager, but mostly was known as the computer lady. I’m not one of those people who always wanted to be a nurse. As a matter of fact, I would have been a doctor for about 20 years now, if a certain person had stood up to his end of a bargain. Actually, I was studying pre-medicine when I discovered that I was more interested in people than in disease. I knew I needed a job where I could get up and run around and talk to people. I’ve always been interested in science and in medicine, and so this seemed like the logical step to take.
The responsibility is truly staggering, and the financial rewards are staggeringly small; with that said, nursing is a job that only certain people can handle and benefit from. It can be truly rewarding if you have the right personality.
-denniesim
Teachers’ must
Posted by: odi on: 27 PM00000020000004131 2008
1. You have to be a good student yourself.
2. Have high expectations; good teachers encourage risk taking and accept errors.
3. Create independence; do not spoon-feed your students.
4. Be humorous; make and accept jokes.
5. Be a good communicator.
6. Insightful; look for the child’s reasoning.
7. Flexible; don’t be too traditional.
8. Diverse; use different methods of teaching.
9. Un-accepting; set high standards but don’t be unrealistic.
10. Be spontaneous.
“I was a teacher in a tutoring centre and at the end of every session, we would ask the students quiz questions for extra tokens. I asked, “What are the three primary colours?” One of my students said, ” I know- black, white, and Mexican!!” I laughed so hard, I gave him 2 tokens.”
Chrystal Hunt, North Port, FL “I was wearing a long, colourful skirt made out of that broomstick material when I was trying to explain the word “brag” to my First Graders. I was pretending to brag about being the fastest runner in the whole class. I was going on and on when a little boy raised his hand and said, “You can’t run fast wearing that CURTAIN!””
Chris Minch ~Stuart, FL“I was helping a little girl practice her handwriting in first grade and she was staring at me intently. Thinking she was paying close attention I continued. She then politely said “I don’t want to be mean but do you know you have hair on your lip?” I then said “Is it black?’ She said “no” so I told her not to worry about it!!!!””
Maureen Besst ~ Orlando , FL
Nothing asked, nothing gained
Posted by: odi on: 27 AM00000090000005731 2008
At some point in everyone’s life, one might feel that people have certain expectations . This is true; however it doesn’t mean that they expect you to be a genius.
The fact is, the memory has limits. I have never seen a new employee just sit down and work without asking any questions.
People actually appreciate questions and respect you for asking them.
Asking questions mean that you take an interest in what the other person does or talks about and at the same time you make them feel in charge, almost like reverse psychology.
When I finally came to the realisation that I, like everyone else, am just human; I learnt more in 1 week than I did in the months before.
With this said, don’t ever be afraid to ask, it will only make your life easier. One of these days, you’ll be the one answering the questions!
A pro-active start to the New Year!
Posted by: odi on: 27 AM00000090000004431 2008
There is nothing more destructive than laziness. Ever wonder how the house got dirty so quickly?; Or fotgot what you were suppose to do?
From now on, consider clutter to be your worst enemy. Keep it far away!
Clutter is like one of those people who make you feel bad about yourself and incapable of doing anything. It will only bring you down and make you depressed. Jobs will take you twice as long if your computer and documents are full of clutter.
Here are some tips on how to say farewell to your enemy:
• DO IT NOW
• finish it
• delegate it
• save it
• trash it!
OR
• use it
• wash it, trash it or put it away, NOW!
“We shall never have more time. We have, and always had, all the time there is. No object is served in waiting until next week or even until tomorrow. Keep going… Concentrate on something useful.”
Arnold Bennett
“Procrastination is the thief of time: Year after year it steals, till all are fled, and to the mercies of a moment leaves, the vast concerns of an eternal scene”
Edward Young
With the right body language job interviews need not be pain in the neck.
Posted by: odi on: 27 PM000000120000003131 2008
Body language doesn’t always receive the attention it deserves, but before a word is spoken ,your body language has already given the first impression. Research suggests that 55% of an interviewer’s impression of you is based on visual impact, 38% on your tone of voice and 7% on what you actually say.
To make a lasting impression with the right visual impact is not hard. It simply requires that you pay a little more attention to small things that you do subconsciously. Here are a few tips on becoming a good non-verbal communicator and acing your next interview:
-Shake hands firmly, but not too powerfully.
-Take on a posture that shows interest but still comes across as being relaxed: Do not slouch, but do not sit on the edge of your chair, as this makes you look tense. Sit up straight, with your back against the chair and slightly lean forward towards the person talking to you. Tilting your head a little will also show interest.
-Lay your hands loosely on your lap or place them on the armrests of the chair. Folding your arms may be seen as a defensive move.
-Nod your head slightly while speaking, this will ad meaning to your words.
-Look at the interviewers to an equal extent.
-Using hand movements will show that you are relaxed, but use them in moderation.
-Pay attention to unintended movements due to nervousness e.g. shuffling your feet or clicking a pen, as this can be incredibly irritating.
-Never lie; your body language will easily give it away!
You never get a second chance at a first impression
Posted by: odi on: 27 PM00000010000000931 2008
Research has shown that it takes about 4 minutes for someone to form a judgement about you in a job interview. Only 7% of this judgement is based on what you actually say. Here are some tips on how to swing the other 93% in your favour.
• Make sure you’re dressed appropriately (read our Dressing for an interview article)
• Use hand gestures in moderation — nothing worse than accidentally slapping your interviewer in a moment of excitement. Hold your hands together rather than crossing your arms, crossed arms can make you appear defensive.
• Eye contact is essential, just remember that it’s not a staring contest, eye contact should be natural. When in a panel interview — look at the person asking you the question, with a glace at the other interviewers from time to time.
• Talking the talk. Take a deep breath before each answer: this will give you time to think (reducing the uhm’s and uh’s), your answers won’t appear to be rushed or rehearsed and you should be able maintain a moderate, relaxed tone.
• Relax . If you are calm and comfortable, you’ll set the interviewer at ease (interviewers have feelings too). Interviews are also about establishing whether you’ll fit into a company, so be true to yourself.
• Be attentive and courteous, nothing says, “I couldn’t be bothered”, like taking a mobile phone call or being impolite.
Make your first impression a lasting one … for the right reasons.
What NOT to say during a job interview.
Posted by: odi on: 27 PM00000010000004131 2008
Knowing what you should say and do during a job interview would be the smarter option, that doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to have a laugh at what you shouldn’t.
Here are some of my favourite interview blunders.
• “Of course I have previous experience … I’ve had four jobs during the past three months”
• “Is that a mole on your face?”
• “You’re really hot for someone your age, any children?”
• “Is Facebook blocked on the employee computers?”
• “Is it possible to get a decorating-allowance? The colour you chose for the walls is just awful”
• “Is it possible to have half days on Fridays… and Mondays off?”
• “phheeuw, someone had eggs for breakfast”
• “um… uh… well… my strengths… uh… (frown)… now that’s a difficult question”
Assuming you stay clear of these little gems and follow some of our other CV and interview tips, you should be just fine.
The right way to write your CV
Posted by: odi on: 27 PM000000120000003930 2008
As we’ve seen before, it is important to not clutter your CV with anything other than need to know information. Here are a couple of ‘need to know’ tips when it comes to drawing up your CV:
- You want your recruiters to find you interesting, so include information that is relevant to the job you are applying for.
- Be careful what you emphasize in your CV; it will depend on where you are in your life and your professional career.
- Always place the most important information first to grab attention.
- Provide evidence of what you have to offer.
- Going back to point one, remember that a CV has a grammar of its own, don’t swamp it with paragraphs of unimportant information that can be explained in one simple point.
- Tahoma and Verdana are good font choices for a CV with a font size of no less than nine to give you some space.
Work has good points too.
Posted by: odi on: 27 PM00000030000003730 2008
Or does it? Imagine late mornings, no stress, no deadlines and no work. Sound great? Sure it does, but it will also mean no money. And besides, work can be fun. Here are some of the positive aspects to keep in mind when it comes to that often dreaded day at the office.
· Some of the strongest friendships are formed at work. If you can get on with someone at work under pressure, you can get on with them anywhere!
· Your brain is for use. So by working you are allowing your brain to exercise and improving your intelligence.
· A successful career will give your self esteem a boost.
· Office romance is always a possibility; almost two thirds of people in the UK have had one.
· And last of all (and my favourite), work is an excellent excuse to go and splurge on another wardrobe for the office!
Back to work.
Posted by: odi on: 27 AM00000090000005631 2008
Going back to work after being absent for a while does not have to be daunting. Here are a few tips to get you back into the job world and into a position that you want.
1. The first thing to do before you begin your job hunting is to update your skills by either teaching yourself or going on a course.
2. Secondly, get in touch with your former boss and colleagues. If you enjoyed what you were doing before, this would be the easiest way to get back into the swing of things. If they cannot offer you a position, thank them and ask for some leads and contacts that may help you.
3. Tell your friends, family and former colleagues about it. You never know, they might be able to help you out.
4. You could always consider freelancing or temping.
5. Remember that going back to work means rebuilding your career. So be prepared to start off at a lower position than where you ended. And don’t worry; you will soon be back at the top of your game and ready for a promotion.
