Do the Hopey Copey

Judging versus hating

2012-01-27T09:01:00.000-08:00

I think Hemingway said, “I have been rich and I have been poor, and rich is better.” Or was it the Gatsby guy?

Well, our modern day philosopher Alan on Two and a Half Men was told that money can’t buy happiness and he said, “I have never had either, so I wouldn’t know.”

I usually stay out of politics on this site—but Warren Buffett’s so-called secretary is “coping” darn well at more than $200K in salary. So—lady—in your dowdy duds sitting there…

This is not a zero sum game—despite what our amusing leaders want us to think. If someone gets richer, this does not make me poorer.

So I don’t hate rich people and you can’t make me.

Now, judging how they spend their money—well, that is just fun. At least they spend it, however weirdly or foolishly—and this creates jobs…so I shine it on.

But it is amazing.

Ever watch SELLING NEW YORK on HGTV? Well, try it sometime for laughs.

Would you rather eat spiders?

2012-01-26T09:36:00.000-08:00

Someone once said a survey showed many people would rather eat spiders than give a talk.

Yeah, well—you may not get that choice.

To get good at speaking, you need to speak.

First, practice. Try out your spiel on friends and family. Work up to a meeting table of people. It’s not like you are Mick Jagger facing down thousands and thousands.

Be passionate—says Jordan Hamm in the AZ Republic, Jan 15, 2012.

Then, work up—volunteer for panels. You will have to speak less than if you are the sole speaker.

Also, keep it interesting. Maybe I will write on how to do a speech another time. A few core points. Slow it down…only try a joke if you are funny.

Now--check out the appetizer in that picture. Does it make a few short remarks look doable?

Unemployed hurting--even with insurance

2012-01-25T10:09:00.000-08:00

People without jobs—even if they have health insurance—are less likely to go to the doctor, get checkups, and fill prescriptions.

To me this is sort of a given.

But the CDC seems surprised.

Private insurance is no guarantor of better care—well, shocking.

First, 48% of unemployed adults have insurance, the CDC says. That did surprise me—seemed like a high number. Eighty-one percent of employed adults do.

Now, some are saying (some?) that insurance reform will not make things better for the unemployed.

People can’t afford to use care—even if they are forced to buy it…

High copays, high deductibles—bills keep coming even after deductibles are met. Oh, this mess is a a tricky one.

It’s enough to make you sick.

Want to sell or buy--think local

2012-01-24T09:10:00.000-08:00

Ellen James Martin, AZ Republic, Jan 22, 2012, says don’t look at national stats when wondering if the housing market is coming back—local, local, local.

Some nabes are crawling back to life. Others are total losers and will be for a decade.

If you listen to the politicians on how great everything is, you are an idiot (sorry guys—they lie).

Sid Davis (A Survival Guide to Selling a Home), in Martin’s piece, says consult the pros—meaning real estate agents actively working in the area. Appraiser, mortgage lenders, and attorneys also know the skinny.

Pinpoint a neighborhood. Ask for list-=to-sale data for 90 days. If the difference between asking and selling is narrowing, this is good.

Also look at days-on-the-market. If it’s months—the market is weakening.

Don’t look too much at average sales price—a few biggies can skew it. Check median sales prices.

Look around for remodeling signs—if you see them, people there have faith in the neighborhood.

Even if the market is off, if you need a larger house, you will pay less now…so think about that.

Remember--a house is shelter--this idea of an investment came along later.

Work in health but no icky stuff

2012-01-23T09:12:00.000-08:00

Ken Alltucker writes about health care IT—it’s a comer. (AZ Republic, Jan 22, 2012)

De/recession or no, people are going to get sick. So anything "health" may be a job find.

In the case of IT, health care is adding more digitization thanks to that Obamacare thing.

States are launching initiatives, the feds…it’s the rage. The Dept of Labor thinks this could be good for 50,000 jobs.

Here in AZ there are some grants for tuition to get up to speed on this. People get a Certificate of Management of Clinical Information Technology.

At first laid-off IT workers grabbed this. Now more health care workers are getting into it so they can move to a different job.

At a local place here, 2/3 of those who finished the certificate program found jobs.

Hospitals and doctors, experts say, prefer health-trained IT people to plain old IT people. The health people can sling the lingo better.

Better Business Bureau--no longer better

2012-01-20T09:15:00.000-08:00

They have the name recognition—it’s just that their mission of reporting on skeevos has subtly changed to not giving skeevos any trouble whatsoever.

I have noticed it personally—looking up companies over the years, oh, an A rating…and they were idiots…or a company with 80 complaints—still an A rating.

Wait a hot one…

First, the BBB is not a govt agency—in fact, it can be a local paying franchise paying execs buckets.

Many state attys general fight this all the time.

At least one member of Congress alleges they punish businesses they don’t like with bad ratings.

They also give good ratings to those who are “members”—according to some. (And report on companies when people complain—even if they are not members…)

All I can believe is my eyes—I have not found them at all helpful.

Went the way of Kodak and Hostess—artifacts of the past, I guess. Like me.

Ain't kool, yo

2012-01-19T09:48:00.000-08:00

I don’t mean to be more snarky than usual, but if hicky English does not bother you, you may speak it.

I think it does flag you with some HR people. I know it does, in fact.

When I moved to Arizona 16 years ago, I moved from a black English place to a rural English place.

Both grate on me, pardon me all to pieces.

“Where he at?” “Where’s it at?” HATE!’

“She don’t…” TEETH GRINDING. “She don’t never…” SCREAM.

“Ain’t”…ain’t my favorite.

We don’t have a king here—but we could speak his English sometimes.

If you want to sound like someone from the road company of COPS in your next interview, OK. Personal decision.

New start or another run at same old

2012-01-18T09:29:00.000-08:00

I have reinvented myself so many times over my career that I forgot what I even do. I guess anything for money not involving hot pants.

Dean Newlund, president of Mission Facilitators International, missionfacilitators.com, says the economy is coming back—but of course, soooo slowly---sort of at least not going backwards.

The problem is we are wiped out—slowly is hard to gut out with any style.

We need to be positive, he says, against a backdrop of fear. Well—at least he is not too Pollyanna, this guy.

People don’t like to change. Some researchers say you are more likely to change because of joy than fear. A recent gathering of business types concluded that…

You need to reinvent, not just replicate.

Communicate more than before.

Engage and collaborate in your company or with your peers.

We can find some way to survive and prosper, Dean says.

I guess. I am sending out a marketing postcard. How about you?

Choosing retirement property

2012-01-17T08:40:00.000-08:00

Some people are choosing retirement property because they lost their big house. Or they have to keep working anyhow.

But say you do want to do what they used to call retirement—voluntarily leave a job and putter around or travel.

The first thing people think of is to move. Ellen James Martin, AZ Republic, Jan 8, 2012, says that’s OK, but put some thought into it.

First, how close to the airport are you. I would never think of that, but she says it’s important. International air access means more resale value—hmmm—because foreigners will soon be the only ones who can buy houses?

Also think about energy resources, she says. Some parts of the US may soon be rationing these.

Does an area suit your hobbies or interests?

You may need a life coach. This person can help ideas “bubble up.” This was according to one expert.

Know your budget and resources. If you and your spouse are 60, one can expect to live to 90.

Take a long vacation in your target area. Check out transportation, health care.

And—and this is me now—be sure you are resilient, adaptable, make new friends easily. This can be a huge issue in moving—even to a new neighborhood, much less another state or country.

Trust me on that one.

By the way, ever watch House Hunters International on HGTV? Those folks swanning around Colombia or Belize buying jungly villas? How likely is that?

Extra legs can come in handy

2012-01-16T09:33:00.000-08:00

We have three four-leggers around here someplace—two cats and a weird little poodle dachshund deal.

Our third cat Elsie had to be put down at 15. She was so thin, so creaky she could hardly walk. A mother-daughter vet team came to the house. I still think about my Top Cat.

Irene Kraft, LA Trimes, Jan 10, 2012, talks about the obvious fact that millions of Americans have woven animals into their families in a tight knot. I think of it was the animal faction and the human faction.

These animals don’t kill mice or bring down game—they just walk around being animals.

Like people, they can have annoying traits—the big cat has decided the litter box is a bore—yup—on the floor. The smaller cat hides all day and comes out a night when I make a bathroom run. I am a captive fur petter.

And the mutt—better believe he has quirks. Sleeps on the spaghetti of wires at my feet. All wound in, snoring. He barks at air molecules outside—there’s one! YAP YAP YAP. But at night, he sleeps under a bed pillow—all warm and drowsy…only his nose poking out.

According to this article—vets are more sensitive to what people are feeling than they used to be. Personally I wonder if this isn’t sensitivity to what people will pay for. I know—I am mean.

There are now grief support groups. You can talk about how much you loved the animal without some dope making you feel like a jerk.

There is no wrong way to grieve. Write a poem, this author suggests. Conduct a service. Keep the ashes or scatter them.

I miss my dog Spencer—my first ever dog. So much. Every day. Then I see that little nose come out from under the pillow to collect the first petting of the day, and I get up—time to feed everyone.

That darn performance review

2012-01-13T09:40:00.000-08:00

Sweaty palms time? Anita Bruzzese, Gannett, says try to stay ahead of the curve when it’s time to be “evaluated.”

Reviews where the boss rambles on and you have no idea what you did or did not do or should so are worthless.

Maybe you can scout around before the review and get some feedback, Ask your team members. How am I doing this year?

Don’t get defensive when criticism is given.

If something is mentioned that could benefit from more training—ask can the company help with that.

If you think the boss is sugarcoating and there must be SOMETHING wrong, ask the boss to be honest.

Ask, “Can you think of a couple of things I could work on?”

Back when I had employees, I don’t think anyone ever asked me that. I wonder what I would have thought.

Youngsters get the business at BizTown

2012-01-12T08:56:00.000-08:00

A while back, I wrote on kids learning business skills and wondered if they still have Junior Achievement, an organization from my day.

They do!

Kerry Fehr-Snyder, AZ Republic, Dec 23, 2011, wrote about a BizTown, a Junior Achievement “town” at an elementary school.

The kids create businesses—the execs make more than the workers. The paychecks are smaller due to taxes being taken out. They have staff meetings.

There is a bank, but it only lets kids take out $2 or less, so they will have something left.

The Achievers write checks, plan. The teachers have 19 hrs of training—there are also parent volunteers.

Big companies like Best Buy, US Airways, Papa John’s and others sponsor the effort.

At the end of the BizTown business day, nine of the 15 companies paid off their starter loans, selling pencils, stamps, and other items.

And yes, the execs wear suits.

Bet no one calls THEM “vulture capitalists.”

Psst--it's the money

2012-01-11T09:29:00.000-08:00

Health care spending in 2009 and 2010 grew at the slowest rate in 50 years.

The govt (yes, ours) says it’s the high unemployment and reduced income.

In other words—even with insurance, people can’t afford to go to the doctor.

People scrimp—the govt’s word. They also mentioned financial uncertainty.

Well, yeah! Fewer hospital admissions in 2010 than 2009. Duh.

Fewer doc visits. Shocking!

More people put off going to the doctor. I believe it. I DID it.

Now the insurance companies MAKE you go—no doctor appointment, no prescription, hope you live, see ya.

I am finally going to the eye doctor—the $35 copay made me delay most of last year.

Oh, well…this is what the word WHATEVER was invented for.

Those evil typosquatters

2012-01-10T08:04:00.000-08:00

Robert Anglon, AZ republic, Dec 24, 2011, says to watch out for criminals who use bad spelling to their advantage.

There is a joke in there somewhere—but continuing on…

These twits deliberately take you to a bogus website by misspelling one word in the url. There are as many as 2,000 of these typosquatters hunched out there waiting to get your info. Or infiltrate your whole computer.

Best Buy, Walmart, Apple—all have bogus counterparts you might type in. Say you type wallmat.com—the site would look legit, but your credit info will be captured. Apple could have three P’s.

These geniuses also add a different suffix—instead of .com, they put .net., spelling the rest correctly.

Some people will enter that.

Fake quizzes or offers like a free iPad—these are ways to get you also.

Yes—this is illegal but it’s hard for companies like Go Daddy to quash all of it.

Some companies like Amazon do register every misspelling they can think of so the bag guys can't use them--but this is only a partial solution.

So type slowly…

Fluffing up your resume can be risky

2012-01-09T10:50:00.000-08:00

Anthony Pomposelli, AZ Republic, Jan 8, 2012, says HR people advise you not to stretch the truth on your resume.

Mainly—this is because they can tell.

Word also travels fast about someone who has gold-plated.

Also many companies now do background checks.

Even if you get the job, if you don’t perform as your stated experience said you would, they may check further.,

Also, if they find out you lied, even if you CAN do the job, you may get the boot.

Try to use strong keywords peculiar to the industry—rather than stressing your titles. If you do change your title—do it only because the one you had was only used within that company, such as Morale Manager.

Never extend employment dates to cover gaps—this is ferreted out fast.

Don’t claim a degree or certificate if you only did part of the work—explain you signed up but have not yet finished.

My rule—if you feel queasy, don’t do it.

Let your stomach be your guide.

Ooops--you are outta here

2012-01-06T09:30:00.000-08:00

If you quit, you may give two-weeks notice, but don’t count on getting that money. Lawyer Ty Frankel of Bonnett, Fairbourn, Friedman & Balint, says unless you have a contract specifying this, the employer can just ask you to leave.

And don’t let the door…

You only need to be paid for the time you worked and under employment at will, employers can terminate you anytime. Such as when you say you are quitting.

This can also have unemployment benefit implications.

But not paying the notice period can cause ill will and low morale, so many employers do go ahead and do it.

If they don’t do it, employees may know that and just walk without putting their files and situation in order first.

Try to plan this and know where you stand..

Is your employer dickish—well, think about that ahead of time.

You are not alone

2012-01-05T11:28:00.001-08:00

I know so many people changed and marked by this stupid economy. Gradually, we are letting our minds take in that it may not change much and will almost certainly not snap back to the good years.

The business of freelancing is in the ditch. Some little twits whipped in and tried to game Google AdSense by search engine optimization of total crap content in order to get ad money. This meant getting “content” almost free. And writers said oh, cool, I don’t mind that.

Slowly—over 3 years—the rates for writing slumped then collapsed. I have been offered a hundredth of the fee I used to command. This is even from the big publications and sites—rates went down.

I have friends who lost their houses. One lives with a cousin. One, who owns a popular restaurant, short-sold and is now renting. He is a city councilman, but openly admits, “We got ahead of ourselves.”

I also declared bankruptcy 1.5 yrs ago.

Another friend told me he left his big job with a nice portfolio, lost $60K on Enron, piddled away the rest, and is now on Social Security, which works for him because he inherited a paid-for house.

I have a friend who just popped a detached retina (like my sad story) and said it really sucks to not be able to make it for a few weeks while not working (editor).

A famous entrepreneur around here also went BK and is living in a friend’s guest room. She is trying to rebuild.

A mortgage banker I know now assists his wife in making toffee and selling at farmers’ markets.

For those of you who still have jobs or work—thank your lucky stars. For those of you rebuilding or thinking of trying to, keep reading. I will try to help as much as I can.

If we don’t help each other, we are lost. The politicians--all wealthy--have no idea. And even those in our midst who are still working reasonable jobs don't seem to get it.

Or else they can't stand to think about it.

Working at home...careful

2012-01-04T10:25:00.000-08:00

More then 26 million people worked at home an entire day at least once a month in 2010.

This is people with “real” jobs.

This was 20% of the workforce.

According to CareerBuilder, working at home can be a mixed blessing.

First, make a list of the pros and cons. Does the prospective employer have a good reputation, is the work amenable to solo production, and so on.

Ask questions—how many workers work at home. All the time or how often? How do they stay in touch?

Be honest with yourself—if you are a flake and the siren song of the internet is too enticing, this may not be good.

No matter how much you learn in advance, it may be weird in practice—you may be passed over for promotion, forgotten about, distrusted.

Those cameras to track if you are working? No way!

Oh, one more thing. That baby in the picture? You will need a babysitter in a separate area of the house or a preschool or daycare in order to keep business hours.

Oh, yeah.

Those flight attendants

2012-01-03T08:40:00.000-08:00

Allure (Nov) had some random stuff on being a flight attendant.

In the 12th century, Bona of Pisa, a nun, helped religious pilgrims. She was made patron saint of flight attendants in 1962.

In 1926, the average number of people on a flight was 12—the copilot served the meals.

In 1930, a nurse from Iowa named Ellen Church applied to be a Boeing pilot and was turned down, so she suggested Boeing hire nurses—she became the first stewardess, as they were called then.

In 1967. the memoir—supposedly—called Coffee, Tea or Me was published.. It was bogus and written by a man.

In 1970, it was ruled illegal for flight attendants to be required to be single. The term flight attendant was also coined in the 70s.

And—you can be fined $25K for disobeying a flight attendant. Alec Baldwin, call your service.

Saving money--month after month

2012-01-02T08:49:00.000-08:00

Cutting spending. It’s not just for Congress anymore. AZ Republic reporter Sue Doerfler writes about some hints for doing it this year.

JANUARY—Vacuum the condenser coils on the back of the fridge. Change filters in heating and a/c.

FEBRUARY has five Tuesdays—look for Tuesday savings deals. Repaint outdoor furniture.

MARCH--Garage sale! Having a St Pat’s party—check the dollar store for decorations.

APRIL—Take winter clothes you did not wear to the consignment store. These people can be snooty, though—and reject you.

MAY—Time to weatherstrip. Keep drapes closed during the day—that Mr Sol is getting serious.

JUNE--Ceiling fans! Ooops—school is out, time to find cheap entertainment.

JULY—Going on vacay? Unplug toaster, coffeemaker, and TV. Keep thermostat at 90 unless there is stuff in your house that needs to be cooler.

AUGUST—Those air filters again! Every month! Lower the temp on your water heater a few degrees in summer.

OCTOBER—Five Tuesdays—look for bargains. Also, for H’ween, Dollar store.

NOVEMBER—Clean closets—store summer stuff. Anything you didn’t wear—try the mean girl at the consignment shop again. Probably just hormones.

DECEMBER—Remove shade screens and clean them. Open drapes in day, close at night. For Christmas lights—LED is cheaper.

Just be mindful—shave here and there.

Good-bye, 2011!

2011-12-30T11:26:00.000-08:00

Did you know that a fourth of people don’t get the classic “no loud noises” hangover? No headache, no spacey feeling into the afternoon, no vom.

Not fair, is it?

I am in the one-fourth, but don’t hate me.

Of course, this is where I tell you some neat hangover cures. I won’t even insult your intelligence by suggesting the best of all—don’t take the last six drinks.

Let’s see…well, some people take Tylenol before going to sleep—this is now considered bad because Tylenol and alcohol are some sort of lethal combo, sorta maybe.

So stick to ibuprofen.

Drink a lot of water is more advice—even while at the bar. Not sure on that one—ever done it?

Stick to clear drinks—the dark ones have cogeners, which just sound bad— you don’t want cogenors.

Eat food before toasting and drinking.

Some people swear by peanut butter sandwiches.

And of course, they say not to take the hair of the dog—but you know, I noticed over the years that people who had a Bloody Mary seemed fine in early afternoon.

Anecdotal, of course.

Sooo…cheers, my babies!

I have a confession to make

2011-12-29T12:33:00.000-08:00

I hate it when someone calls me from their car! Yes, I am a half-blind, crippled up mess with no transportation and cell phone and hardly leave my office, but when you call me, I am thinking of you and not traffic, idiots, getting to the destination (gotta go, I am here).

Plus—once you yell at some other driver and I know you are in the car, I am expecting the hideous crash any second.

Can’t you spare me five minutes from home or even your office?

I really hate interviewing sources in their cars---the “Uh….uh….SAME TO YOU, BUDDY!” thing.

Remember when we did not even HAVE these phones—we got to home or office, checked the machine, and called everyone. Maybe it was an hour, maybe 5 hours later—was that so awful?

Anita Bruzzese, CareerBuilder says multitasking is ruining us.

Peter Bregman is quoted. He wrote 18 Minutes: Find Your Focus, Master Distraction, and Get the Right Thing Done. (Again, guys, those titles—too long.)

He says think of five things to do this year—then maybe a sixth to just do a little—like dessert.

Sounds hard.

Then he says, never keep an issue active for more than 3 days unless it’s one of the five.

Don’t answer emails immediately—three hours is soon enough. I say don’t just table them someplace.

Well, I may not agree with this guy—but the calls from the car—I am admitting, I don’t like them.

Great, now I will never hear from anyone again.

Breaking out of the fat trap

2011-12-28T09:04:00.000-08:00

Maybe we need to SHUT our Fat Trap.

That is the term NYT health reporter Tara Parker-Pope uses for the body’s built-in resistance to losing pounds permanently.

You can read the whole sad tale at: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/01/magazine/tara-parker-pope-fat-trap.html

This is all I heard at the holiday parties—“I shouldn’t..” “I am completely stuffed…” “I will regret this…” On and on.

This fat stuff has careened out of control, so to speak. Do this, don’t do that, this person is fat, that one is…you’re doomed, you’re weak, you’re stupid, you can't work as a fat person.

You know a book I loved—Candy & Me: A Love Story by Hilary Liftin. Buy a used copy on Amazon. It chronicles this gal’s love of candy. She goes into each of her favorites and when and where she first savored it.

Candy—the enemy. But it’s this woman’s reason for living.

Life is short, it’s funny, it’s horrible, it’s frightening…sometimes a cookie is not evil.

Should you get into office politics?

2011-12-27T08:24:00.000-08:00

I say—yes! People who are “above” this, I found when I had an office job, lose out.

Caity Currey, AZ Republic, Dec 25, 2011, digs into this. She agrees—if you want to get ahead, you need to keep up.

Office politics—she says—help you understand how to fit in. It nurtures relationships.

OK—cliques.

If you are new, sit back, be accessible, pleasant. Be a team player.

Look for things you have in common with coworkers.

If the politics seem to be turning against you—try to solve a problem…This endears.

Find yourself left out of emails, meetings, lunches, layoff rumors, etc.

You are failing Office Politics 101.

Ask yourself—did you offend someone, were you snooty, did you turn down invitations, did you screw up, do you always leave early and never go for Happy Hour…what…what?

Learn to be poor

2011-12-26T08:49:00.000-08:00

Come on, we are Americans! The half of us who are have-nots can do a better job of this. I know people who have lost their homes, moved in with relatives, have 2-3 crappy jobs instead of a good one or who have no job…and they still shop in department stores and have a big screen TV.

You need to learn to be poor.

Shop the thrifts.

Have coffee left in the pot by noon—make less in the morning. Coffee is expensive these days!

Coupons—don’t toss them. Day old bread is fine—try it. Canned pasta sauce is better than jarred.

The store brands are made by the big brand companies—be not afraid.

Cheap meat—add crockpot and sliced onion—yum.

Freecycle, ebay, Craigs—get with it! Even sell some stuff.

Cancel those stupid movie channels on cable--Scoobie Do? Seriously? This is always on there! For a family treat--get a Red Box for a buck twenty-seven. As for HBO and Showtime--$140 a year for maybe one show you like?

Want to know a secret--every so often those channels give a free weekend and you can record a bunch of stuff.

Check the back of the closet—it’s like a store in there.

Cut deals—barter—dicker.

Get your medical care from medical and dental schools, your haircuts and nails from beauty schools.

Got more ideas—comment!

Remember joy?

2011-12-23T08:35:00.000-08:00

When I was young, I clicked off the years from Christmas to Christmas—that was my high point. Now…the economy, the wear and tear of living…it’s sort of a job. But kids still have that sparkle.

It snows and they scream with happiness! When the radio says school is closed, they swoon! They play outside until their little hands are too cold to hold hot chocolate. And forget getting to sleep on Christmas eve!

So… let’s look at it through the eyes of kids—that special excitement.

But…of course…playing outside also works off calories, Healthy Schools reminds us…to wit:

Dashing through the snow—half an hour—330 cals.

Jumping for joy…330 cals

Sledding—220 cals

Decking some halls – 120 cals

Reading stories – 30 cals

Building a snowman – 140 cals

And

Making snow angels—107 cals

Merry Christmas, all!

Do you have a business plan?

2011-12-22T09:09:00.000-08:00

I know, I know—hard, boring—but if you want to start a business in this um…challenging…environment, you really need one.

Luci Scott, AZ Republic, Dec 16, 2011, says the Small Business Admin has some tips on creating one---also you may be able to get a retired exec to help (SCORE).

There are not a lot or even any grants lying around out there—loans are hard to get. You really need your ducks in a row. You need to have on hand at least 20% of any amount you want to borrow.

Also—banks hate small loans now.

Drawing on equity from homes is also a problem—many homes don’t enjoy equity anymore.

Venture cap firms want to see a track record.

Ask for a line of credit instead of a loan. Try to get the money from friends and family. Start small, work up gradually.

Be clear on who your customer is—promote where there are large numbers of them. Forget other places.

Mrs Fields is a tough role model these days. You need to be hard-nosed. And let the chips fall.

Even if they are chocolate.

Don't be a Christmas dork

2011-12-21T09:22:00.000-08:00

Do I really have to say this—Getting drunk and trying to boink the boss’s girlfriend or even the woman in accounting is not a stellar career move.

Wear something sensible (no nips) and behave yourself at the office party, if your company even has those anymore.

CareerBuilder also says don’t shop online so much it interferes with work.

Don’t overdecorate your cube.

Even if you hate the holidays, try not to Grinch it up too much.

A buzzkill is a buzzkill.

Having said all this, I do recall in the misties of time telling off the president of my company and getting a $2500 bonus for it—but that probably would not work every time.

Slow--but steady?

2011-12-20T12:10:00.000-08:00

Are we having fun yet?

Three years of pretty much misery. But hey…maybe everyone will get so sick of this something will happen.

I know—magical thinking.

Anyhow, Anita Bruzzese, Gannett, says one expert says to just accept the market will stop, start, fits and starts.

Unemployment may stay high. Slow development—an idea, financing, some hiring, support hiring, distribution hiring, etc may build a foundation. Just having the govt pay salaries for a year or two to a construction company won’t rebuild this.

Passive candidates—those with jobs and recruited—will still be popular. But some people won’t want to change—this is why you need to network—so that person can recommend YOU!

Also see if there are certifications you can get—sort of mini-degrees.

Keep plugging. Not glamorous…but what else can you do?

Starting a business

2011-12-19T08:27:00.000-08:00

Can’t find a job—start a business and pay yourself.

Sounds simple…

The biz gurus Dale Dauten and JT O’Donnell briefly kicked this one around.

First, they basically say this is a long shot—most small businesses fail.

O’Donnell says take advantage of EVERY free resource you can find—SCORE (retired execs who will advise), Small Business Admin, local offices.

Count on needing four times the money you think you will and twice the time you think it will take.

Don’t incorporate right away—would be my advice. Many fairly large businesses are Sole Proprietor.

A small business is not about you, the name you pick, the cards, the flyers—it’s about your customer.

Always think of that. The value!

Time to fluff the office?

2011-12-16T09:40:00.000-08:00

I am not big on resolutions. I don’t even make them. But this office needs a once-over.

Maybe a grenade.

Rosie Romero (a guy, if you care) wrote in the Arizona Republic Sept 24, 2011, that some home offices get kinda embarrassing.

He says to take EVERYTHING out and only put back what you need.

Drastic. I need a nap thinking of it.

Maybe you do need to clear space a little. Add another surge protector. Bundle up your cables. What? Lose the spaghetti? No way! He also advises having a safety expert check your electrical. Getting right on that one.

He also says carpet to cut noise. I had my carpets taken up when we had a house fire five years ago. Some of the floors are painted but the office is still raw cement with glue marks. What? You don’t find this loft-like?

Rosie also advises “hiding stuff.” Genius!

Aw—he means well. I may even toss some more files…

And NO—that picture is not my office. But I can dream.

Older but better

2011-12-15T09:17:00.000-08:00

Kristin Weisell, AZ Republic, Dec 14, 2011, says older people need to be “strategic” about what they list on their resumes. Limit yourself to the last 10 years. All the jobs and credits make it too long and make you look too…well traveled, shall we say.

Be selective—zero in on jobs you really want and research them like mad.

Show you are tech savvy, a fast learner.

People over 50 usually don’t have to get to preschool to pick kids up and are more flexible.

Also—and I totally believe this—older people are funnier, can hold a conversation, have material to talk about, and are dedicated to working.

They may not even text!

Do the worst first

2011-12-14T09:24:00.000-08:00

Elizabeth Newell, Government Executive Magazine, December, writes about Brian Tracy’s book, Eat That Frog! 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time.

Personally, I think some writers could get more done if they had shorter book titles… but I digress.

The “frog” is the worst job, of course.

First, find out what the worst task is—this means a list.

Or maybe a list of lists…this is starting to sound procrastinate-y.

But I agree with the general idea—instead of futzing around with avoiding a bad task—do it and blow it over.

THEN futz.

I am sort of kidding—I do this. Doing something hard can give you momentum. I am all about the Big Mo.

Amphibians aside.

Elegant, reasonable and fun

2011-12-13T08:58:00.000-08:00

OK, you’re out of work, feeling crappy…why not start a Supper Club? This takes eight or 10 people you like who are willing to host, cook, and entertain on a revolving basis—and everyone chips in.

Debri Shawcross wrote about this in the December Costco Connection.

First do a schedule and stick to it.

Share in the preparation—be organized…who brings the main dish, who brings dessert and so on. Usually the host makes the entrée.

You can “eat” the cost or add up everything and have people chip in.

Introduce new ideas, keep it fresh. Have a theme. Have an ethnic night. Maybe even tailgate.

Sure, money is an issue right now—but you don’t have to take fun completely off the table.

I used to know some people who had a long-standing group called The Fressers--which is Yiddish for sort of rude gobbling. They had a blast!

No money, no job--and someone is sick, sheesh

2011-12-12T08:57:00.000-08:00

The University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ says 70% of the five million people with dementia are cared for at home.

Big job! Stress, anxiety, burnout are never far.

The holiday season can really amp this up.

Some caregivers don’t want help—they don’t want to bother people or appear to wimp out.

So what can you do?

Well, first, call before coming over. If the caregiver always refuses—then show up for a SHORT visit—bring a treat.

Don’t ask what you can do—be specific. “I am headed for the store—what can I bring back?” “Want me to pop in the laundry?”

Be a good listener. Encourage the person to call.

Offer to spend the night.

Do the research for them—services in the neighborhood, including respite services.

If you ARE the caregiver, accept some help!

You are not Superman or Superwoman! Everyone needs a hand sometime.

Come back, bubble, all is forgiven

2011-12-09T09:28:00.000-08:00

Oh, goodie, my zip code here in the Phoenix suburb of Chandler has the most short sales of the whole Valley of the Sun.

I watch House Hunters (HGTV)—and know that a short sale is an irritating process in which the bank which really owns your house takes six months to decide on whether they will let someone buy it for less than you owe and eat the rest (oh, and ruin your credit as an afterthought).

Hope you enjoyed your bailouts!

Still, out here in Upsidedown Land, short sales are a necessity if you ever want to move or go to another city or just rent and sleep at night or anything.

First, for the record, not everyone whose house is upsidedown kept refinancing and jumping on cruise ships out of their Hummers. Quit with the disdain—the market crashed. Silly us—we thought we had hired people to mind the store.

Hey, idiots that we are, we pray for another bubble!

Right now, “owning” this house is really renting—it is shelter, which is not to be dismissed these days, but hardly an investment.

Forget me—bad mood today…But I am sick of the asshats in DC with their lobster feeds, vacays, “I don’t know where that $1.2 billion wents” etc.

Bring your A Game

2011-12-08T08:53:00.000-08:00

Anita Bruzzese, CareerBuilder, says recent grads may be better at a computer than face to face.

But what about idle chitchat, charm, that stuff?

Many younger people also don’t read body language well or notice when someone is no longer listening. They may cross their arms defensively or eyeroll.

Dianna Booher, author of Creating Personal Presence: Look, Talk, Think, and Act Like a Leader, advises women to wear makeup. A study says women with makeup on are judged as more inteligent and get more job offers.

Dress correctly—wear clothes that fit and don’t strain, don’t show off “the girls,” try to look taller. Taller people tend to get more action in the job world.

Comb you hair, no dandruff, no missing buttons—this gets noticed.

Cover your tattoos—this one is from me—and trust me on this.

Use short, direct words, speak with confidence.

And have some talking points in mind. Don’t ramble on.

Also—don’t ask about money and benefits right away. But do ask questions.

Above all—smile! You youngsters are pretty grim at times.

Maybe not the Dollar Store for this

2011-12-07T09:30:00.000-08:00

It’s that time of year again—time to give advice on children’s toys that kill and maim. This is from the docs at Cincinnati Children’s.

First, read warning labels. These are so over the top now that they will mention every conceivable thing that could go wrong.

Buy age-appropriate—obvious.

Look for sturdy toys—ditto.

If there are little ones around under age 3—even if they are not the recipient-- make sure no little parts come off that could get in their mouths. One inch around,, three inches long minimum.

No cheesy jewelry that contains cadmium.

Under age 10? No plug-ins. Batteries only. Watch those teeny button batteries—they can get caught in the throat.

No strings more than a foot long.

Throw away plastic wrap immediately—the kid may run over and asphyxiate.

Now—how do adults get in those blister packs—besides holding a butcher knife and slashing while yelling eee, eee, die!

The work playground

2011-12-06T08:57:00.000-08:00

School has bullies—and so do many offices. We never really get off the playground. Some people are better at sports. Others get picked last. Others get picked on. You know where I am going with this. It doesn’t just stop with graduation.

Annie Finnigan wrote about workplace bullies in the Dec-Jan 2011 Working Mother.

One woman was an exec assistant to a mayor. He kept saying—in front of others—that he didn’t need her opinion or this or that was above her pay grade. When she got pregnant, he told her later she looked so much better now that her baby was born. He told people she had “baby brain” and belittled her desire for a promotion.

Fifty-four million adults have experienced this type of behavior.

One woman likened it to being in an abusive marriage. Yet, in one survey, more than half said women were most likely to be bullies…so think about that.

Companies and HR depts need to be mindful of this. Have a policy on it. Create formal enforcement procedures. Make repeat offenders go to anti-bullying clinics.

Employee evaluations of bosses is also an idea whose time has come.

I used to have a boss who fired people all the time—but he forgot, so they came back to work the next day.

Hey--you're worth it

2011-12-05T11:45:00.000-08:00

If you get a job offer—remember salary is only one element.

Jessica Von Schell discussed this in the Arizona Republic, Dec 4, 2011.

If the money is too low—think about perks.

Some perks are: signing bonus, performance bonus, title, vacation or sabbatical time, hours, telecommuting, expense account, car.computer, health benefits, retirement plan, administrative support, education, child or pet at work.

Compile a list of WANTS and a separate list of NEEDS. Go after what is most important.

Be sure to get the offer in writing.

If you are going to negotiate on benefits—bring all your desires at once. You won’t get everything.

Be flexible. And be polite.

Now…have a plan…

Considering a career change?

2011-12-02T08:42:00.000-08:00

I used to run an employment group and we told people they would have seven careers over a lifetime—not just seven jobs.

Now to make ends meet, you need all seven at once. We call them “revenue streams.” This has resulted in not knowing what the heck you are doing anymore.

I have a friend who decided to quit the grant business and teach English abroad. Ooops—they wanted younger people.

How about those cruises—give a lecture. Turns out you pay them.

Oh.

CareeerBuilder says this takes a lot of research and networking.

You need to really hone down your edge—what can you uniquely offer that makes it worth taking a chance on you.

Be willing to move or travel.

Let your passion show in interviews.

Plan, implement ideas, maybe start a website of your new ideas…think!

Why not go to Vistaprint.com and design a business card with your new career on it...Get in the mood.

Hey--lots of military people returning home--how can you help them find jobs...

Think!

Don't go extreme to get noticed

2011-12-01T11:28:00.000-08:00

Anita Bruzzese, CareerBuilder, says people who do wacky things to get noticed by companies may get FB friends or Twitter followers, but says this is not really a recommended way to get a job.

This also goes for writing outrageous blog comments—these tend to get around.

Pretend you have a job—would your boss love what you just wrote?

One man told of saying something negative about someone’s lifestyle—that quote was still following him around.

If you want to operate on the internet—do a site about your field with helpful info.

Not for all the money....

2011-11-30T09:13:00.000-08:00

Say one idea you had for coping is to find a mate and you hire a “matchmaker.” Say that matchmaker is Patti Stanger of “Millionaire Matchmaker.”

Are you nuts?

First, in five years of watching I can barely remember any couple hooking up. Oh—yes—“Sex Toy” Dave, a mumbling adolescent manchild who sold, well, guess, who actually found his own mate someplace.

And Patti is 50 and dresses so hootchy! My gosh, gal—longer skirts and put the girls away. All she thinks about is her surgically enhanced or dieted self.

What is UP with the guy with the Mohawk and his wife with the cerise bangs who work in her office—and Patti SCREAMS at people for inappropriate looks and clothing. Hello?

And those meltdowns—cutely called Patti Melts—“Get the eff out of my effing club.” But once she also yelled—no refunds! That was funny.

Soooo….what is my point. I watch, don’t I? I guess that is all that counts. Oh—and I feel really good about being single—any man, no matter how rich, who makes me surf or go down a zipline or put on a bikini on the first date…well..I can think of a place for that checkbook.

When you set off for OWS

2011-11-29T11:59:00.000-08:00

I am not a fan of these grungy latter-day agitators—but they may have a point on some gross over indulgences from our friends the richie riches.

Molly Jong-Fast, The Fear of Flying gal’s kid, is even shocked by the fripperies of her Upper East Side neighbors.

She knew of one woman who sued a fancy preschool because they would not take her son in addition to her daughter—thus, according to the lawyers, ruining his life.

Apparently Mayor Rudy cleaned up NY so much now they don’t worry about muggers and can concentrate on after-school activities, intelligence testing (one group charges $450 an hr to help tots get into preschool), and multi-thousand dollar parties with customized gifts for each child.

And you know the pampered little darlings will end up dancing on bars or trying drugs—just like everyone before them.

I also read a story in the NYT (where else) about how New Yorkers have everything so they can’t find things to buy each other for gifts. One store sold salt—salt from every corner of the world.

Hey- at least the person who worked there got a job out of it. I try to think of these people as job creators.

Learning curve shortening

2011-11-28T08:22:00.000-08:00

Time was, you had an advantage if you had years or even decades of relevant experience. Now this is not the norm—everything is jumbled and in play.

Some employers even think really experienced applicants may be stuck in some old situation and not be current and flexible.

If you keep up with the latest thinking and technology, these employers may also think you want more money for doing that.

So some people sort of downplay their experience.

It’s best not to do that and let the face-to-face rule. The long experience may mean you know people the interviewer knows—or can reminisce a little…this can be productive.

Sometimes I say, “I know what works and what doesn’t—and the second is most important.” This can be intriguing.

What if everyone only walked 10 feet to eat?

2011-11-23T12:08:00.000-08:00

Yup, we are going Third World—and it may not be a bad thing. Save money, built-in babysitters, elderly wisdom being dispensed…

The average of a first marriage is now 28-ish.

Immigrants also like the big happy thing.

Multigenerational living was big until World War II. Then came the generation gap—Vietnam etc. People boxed into separate residences in the burbs.

Between 2005 and 2011, the percent of men living at home went from 14% to 19%.

Now, one in five people 25-34 live with other generations.

I do—it’s not so bad. Someone to be mad at.

Aw—joking.

Sort of.

Are you a decent conversationalist?

2011-11-22T09:36:00.000-08:00

I thought—I am not telling anyone how to have a conversation! Then I realized I know people who aren’t great at it.

In a job or networking context, being clunky, vague, irrelevant or irritating can hurt you.

Dean Newlund, president of Mission Facilitators International, thought it was important.

Conversations run marriages, friendships, teams, companies—everything—Newlund notes.

Try this—evaluate your next conversation. Determine the other person’s style.

Is the person analytical? Does he or she talk slowly—work on getting the facts right? With analytical, you need to reassure them that they have the facts.

The Driver is fast-paced and results oriented. They like to move things along and not listen. Spell out how you will get results.

Expressives like the big picture, dislike a lot of detail. Use words like “gut” and “intuition” with them.

Amiables are slow-paced, build relationships, share their personal life. Be informal with them.

This goes for giving a speech, too—if your audience is analytical, don’t wax on and tell personal stories.

All this is called “mirroring.” I guess it is important.

Are you a brand?

2011-11-21T09:17:00.000-08:00

This is the new buzz—become your own brand. Whatever that really means.

I guess I am one with my daily sites, loud mouth, and of course, world class skills (heh). But the other day, I got a email from some twit implying I should not sell anything, that I was a hustler who would sell my used underwear.

So…being a brand can have a dark side. Make that a funny side.

Stephanie Snyder recently wrote about branding yourself, AZ Republic, Nov 20, 2011.

Your brand is all your strengths.

They said branding means you will be sought out instead of seeking others.

First, evaluate all your experiences. Decide which areas you liked and want to be an expert in.

Create a website showing that.

Then flog yourself as that brand on all the social sites.

But….be careful. Overpromoting can be tiresome. Don’t imitate others. And don’t change brands all the time.

Would an underwear site do anything for me? Probably not.

Teaching "get up and go"

2011-11-18T08:56:00.000-08:00

Judy Cresanta is a spokesperson for New Vistas Center for Education in our burg, Chandler AZ.

She wrote in the Arizona Republic on Nov 11, 2011, about the Handy Helpers Fair held here—like a job fair for youngsters.

It sounded sort of like Career Day with adults spieling about their professions. To preschool and kindergartners.

Hold the phone—preschool?

Anyhow—an aerospace engineer at Boeing taught the 3-yr-olds to read words like helicopter and airplane.

A karate instructor taught them how to deal with conflict.

A Kia dealer brought toy cars. Two firemen came. A Zumba instructor. A nurse.

This sounds like fun to me! Why not?

Some schools for older kids even set up banks. Do they still have Junior Achievement? I remember that.

What if the boss is never available?

2011-11-17T09:26:00.000-08:00

CareerBuilder discussed this recently. An absentee boss can be a blessing for some, but could hurt your career.

Maybe the hands-off boss thinks you don’t need supervision or want it. You need to communicate—ask him or her to prioritize projects.

You can “manage up”—bring this up yourself . Invite a conversation about your role and what you are doing.

Be sure you are doing what you are supposed to. Figure out what needs to be done while the boss is traveling, say.

Try to think what should be done—think like your manager. If you career bombs, you can’t just say, “Well, you were never around.”

Thought college was a good thing

2011-11-16T09:21:00.000-08:00

Dale Dauten and JT O’Donnell are business gurus. Someone asked them should they “hide” their MBA or not put it on their resume.

Wait a hot one—everyone is saying we need MORE education, etc

Dauten even wonders if a grad degree in business (MBA) can hurt you. He says put it on your resume.

…If the job requires one…

If the job does not require one, “slide it in” under “Other Experience.” He says!

Really? This is absurd to me! You might want to lose dates of service so no one latch onto your age first thing…but hide your degrees?

O’Donnell says nooo, and in fact, decide who wants an MBA—maybe another MBA from the same school you went to. She even says call the school for ideas of who might be hiring. These schools have employment offices—milk them.

Incidentally, I do the order of resume categories in descending order of impressiveness—if the companies you worked for were big names, put experience up top. If your college was huge and not too long ago, put education first. As we get older, education tends to slide toward the bottom. And if that education has an MBA, that degree may be less current.

That’s as far as I will go with Dauten’s advice.

Watch out--blues sneaking up

2011-11-15T08:31:00.001-08:00

First, get this straight. If your family is more Jerry Springer than Rebecca at Sunnybrook Farm, you are not alone.

The holidays are tough, because family members are thrown in a room together sometimes. The big wad-up, as one woman I know calls it. Alcohol may be served. Uh-oh.

Also, you are supposed to be cheery and thrilled. You must be! What is wrong with you?

Uh, no money to buy presents, age-old gripes, perversity, who knows.

Too much sugar, food tox from rich delicious stuff, too little sleep, stomping around malls…it adds up.

Then when it’s formally over, you feel let down. Drat—not even irritation and exhaustion to look forward to.

Some tips from Banner Hospitals in Phoenix:

Remember, it’s about a birth, a great past moment.

Don’t expect much to change from last year.

Invite people who will pitch in and help. Let the slugs go to their own party (Banner did not say that, I did).

Go look at lights other people put up if you don’t feel like doing it.

Yes—it’s the end of the year, a natural time to sort of sum up and if the sum isn’t what you want, well, regroup.

You get another try.

Two-family homes

2011-11-14T09:16:00.000-08:00

In case you were thinking or hoping the “kids at home” thing was going to end, I learned that some builders are reconfiguring new houses to contain two separate living areas for the grandparents and the kids and their families.

One homebuilder, Lennar, out here in AZ, is debuting NextGen, for extended families. It’s almost 3,000 SF, three BRs, Den, Great Room, with a two-car garage. The NextGen suite has its own garage, laundry room, dining room, kitchenette patio and outdoor grill.

The company surveyed 1,200 families out west here and one-third were already sharing with extended family. Go to lennar.com.

One family sharing a house with parents remarked that everyone got along.

Very important!

Interesting, though, that this kind of living arrangement is being planned for, not just adjusted to.

How's your self-confidence?

2011-11-11T11:15:00.000-08:00

I was moping around earlier about how every decision I ever made—a mate, a kid, a place of residence, this, that, certainly a profession (now dying)--has been clobbered by unexpected consequences and made me afraid to take even a baby step.

Then I read a story by Elizabeth Newell in Government Executive, Nov 2011, about how self-confident people tend to make better leaders.

This assumes you want to be a leader.

But say you do…

Timothy Bednarz, author of Great! What Makes Leaders Great: What They Did, How They Did It, and What You Can Learn from It (not a great title, in my humble, but whatever), says you need self-belief more than just surface bravado. This means knowing you can do whatever realistic thing you set your mind to.

You need a strong sense of optimism (oops for me).

And you have to be able to overcome the failure that comes from taking risks. Yes! This is the problem.

Most leaders fail a lot! But their self-belief brings them through.

Thomas Edison once said, “What do you mean I don’t know anything—I know 5,000 things that don’t work.”

Okey-dokey, Tom. Settle down.

We can't afford our beloved vices anymore

2011-11-10T09:05:00.000-08:00

According to Loyola, the US is winning against the evil smoking habit. Fewer people are starting, a 3 million quit a year. Still, a fifth of adults smoke. My kid is among them. She apparently started when she was 12—love those parochial schools chockful of naughty peers.

Anyhow, now that we are struggling economically (she is still at home), I took note of the fact that a pack a day runs $3,300 a year!

And it’s bad for ya as you might have heard—cancer, heart disease, blah blah.

A year after quitting, the excess risk of heart disease is half that of a smoker’s.

Twenty minutes after quitting, Loyola said, your heart rate and blood pressure drop. Twenty minutes? That makes no sense…

Moving on…

Eighty percent of lung cancer is thought to be from smoking. Quitting even 25 years before does not help ya.

That Chantix stuff can really cause you problems…

This is a mixed picture. It’s best to try to quit, I guess…think of the money if nothing else.

But I also get irritated by the national nannies who won’t let you work for them if you smoke at home and otherwise try to mind your business.

When the headhunter calls

2011-11-09T11:08:00.000-08:00

Haiyan Feng, writing in the AZ Republic, Nov 9, 2011, says more companies are besieged by applications and are hiring recruiters to thrash through them or reach out to qualified people at other companies.

Recruiters specialize—some are communications, some IT, some engineering.

Some do charge the job candidate for their services, but most charge the company. Some get paid only if a company hires their candidate—so they are picky.

If you get in to see a recruiter to introduce yourself, be sure you know their specialty.

Be realistic—if you do not fit the qualifications they recruiter is seeking, he or she may drop you. Just say OK, please keep me in mind for future opportunities.

If you get lucky and the recruiter brings you a deal, you can negotiate. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.

Yes, the recruiter is going to make a ton on you. Forget about that.

Future of work

2011-11-08T08:52:00.000-08:00

Bob Nelson wrote in the October 2011 Costco Connection about the factors shaping work in the future.

You remember work.

Recently, we honored five young entrepreneurs here in Chandler AZ—four had cos that marketed things and did not make them.

I think one trend will be that the US is sliding away from manufacturing.

Nelson says also there will be a shortage of skilled workers. This means specific training for specific jobs.

The Millennials will be taking over—they were born after 1980 and before 2000. This crowd thinks differently and is motive differently. They don’t want to pay dues. They want to sort of scramble over a lattice of interesting jobs—not climb a career ladder.

Temps will be a huge factor. By temp, I mean people like me, who bring a lot to the table in terms of equipment and experience, but don’t have to be paid for all of it.

Many more people will work online rather than in an office.

And of course—we will be part of a worldwide labor force. This means competing with highly educated Indians and others and also with people working happily for $10 a day.

Oh—and the economy here is not going to snap back to what it was.

Will you ever work again?

2011-11-07T10:25:00.000-08:00

Five and a half million boomers 50 and over are looking for a job—or a couple of jobs.

Some people retired and then found their money would not last. Others were laid off in The Troubles here and now can’t get back on.

Often older people don’t have the skills. Insufficient piercings might also be a problem.

Often the hiring people don’t believe you really want to work—gee, this is half of what you made, how can you take it?

Howard Stone, author of Too Young to Retire, says form a job club. Brainstorm with others in the same boat.

You can do mock interviews, check each other’s resumes. Even take courses at a local community college.

Or hire a tutor at one house to help you brush up on computer skills—split the cost.

These ideas came from William Arnold, who writes the Strategic Aging column in the Chandler Republic, a tabloid within the Arizona Republic.

Speaking of boomers—I hate this riff about how boomers are selfish, never contributed, are takers not givers. Yeah? Well, we raised you younger people and kept food on the table.

Some of us are still doing that for you.

Skyping it

2011-11-04T11:16:00.000-07:00

Jahna Berry, AZ Republic, Nov 4, 2011, says more employers are using Skype and video conferencing to tag up with prospects.

This may not replace the in-person interview, but it would be the “phone” interview on steroids.

According to this piece, University of AZ’s medical school uses this for out of state candidates. Intel, too—recording the exchanges to be pecked over later.

There can be glitches, of course—in one instance, five people interviewed the person and only three of them fit on the screen.

How can you prepared to ace this.

First, figure out what Skype is. Then tell me.

Test the equipment. Avoid rooms with an echo.

Dress nicely. Avoid weird patterns.

Make sure the room is quiet and the dog is someplace else.

Look right into the camera.

You could even rehearse with a friend who has the setup.

Relax—you’re home, you’re safe. And so smart! No gas!

Holiday gifts--keep it local

2011-11-03T11:51:00.000-07:00

Vicki Mueller Roudonis had a neat idea going around the internet. Instead of Chinese cheapies (Dollar Store, etc), make sure your gifts help local people.

I do this—I get so much off eBay, over-the-counter meds, jewelry, clothes. This helps small entrepreneurs with eBay businesses (although some big cos sell on there, too).

Vicki had some great ideas. First, how about a gift certificate for a haircut or massage. Local!

Pay to get someone’s car detailed or oil changed--it won’t get sent to Taiwan.

How about 6 hours from a local handyman for the Honey-Do List.

Owner-run restaurants near you—do they give certificates.

A computer tuneup?

A hand-knitted scarf? Check Craigs to see if anyone is offering. Etsy.com also has American-made stuff.

Avon—she is nearby.

Or maybe a pet for adoption—pay for the spaying or neutering and first shots. (Ask first on animals.)

THINK LOCAL. THINK HELPING YOUR NEIGHBOR.

"Big job" a big pain?

2011-11-02T09:37:00.000-07:00

Most of the writers I know need and want MORE work, but Anita Bruzzese, Gannett, says a significant portion of women would rather have a “smaller” job and more family time.

Back in the day, we women used to want the Big Job—the CEO slot, directorship, certified association exec job.

But MORE mag did a survey and 43% of the women surveyed said they were becoming less ambitious.

Seventy-three percent said they would not apply for the boss’s job if it opened up.

The stress, the hours, the politics, the travel, the commute…not so appealing.

One woman said middle management was best—a paycheck and no one checking on your every move.

I can see both sides of this. A second earner, though, is very handy when you are thinking of a “medium” job.

Quick--do something wacky

2011-11-01T09:04:00.000-07:00

The clicks on Monster, the endless emailing, the calling…how about trying something offbeat?

I had an idea for my kid. I said go to Vistaprint.com, design a colorful business card with your number and some line about you—such as Part-time Assistant or Fill-In Available—and hand them out all around the small businesses.

People, I told her, don’t like to throw away a card. They may hold on to it and call you and you can get a day’s work if the owner has to go someplace or someone does not show.

She was not impressed.

Still, we have to try different approaches.

How about going to a nearby office building and trying to leave a resume at every office. It’s not the job or if there is a job—it’s the building.

Think out of the box…

Oh, that stupid box. I am sick of it.

Toxic bosses can make you sick

2011-10-31T09:58:00.000-07:00

A mean person with no boundaries and power over us. Ah—what a dream. Madeline Vann, MPH, Everyday Health, says bosses who throw things, screamers, people who crave chaos in order to excel, all can hurt those under them.

Bullies—a lot of them—bullies with no playground. They can “correct” you in front of others, steal your ideas, talk behind your back, the possibilities are endless.

Lynn Taylor, author of Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant, is quoted as saying people spend 19 hrs a week worrying about the boss. Six of those hours are on weekends.

This can cause depression, heart problems, overeating, asthma attacks, insomnia, and the consumption of tons of sick leave.

What can you do? First see the problem for what it is—them, not you. Write everything down.

Think of the boss as a toddler—is he or she hungry, tired, overwhelmed…Maybe a juice box?

I added the juice box.

Find a trusted sounding board-OK, person who isn’t sick of hearing about this.

Or—look for a job.

The juice box sounds easier. My advice? One tantrum at a time.

Also--the bosses commented on this--and they had their own complaints--lateness, malingering, stealing, slowness, you name it.

There is unrest in them thar cubicles.

Don't have to do these things--relieved?

2011-10-28T09:45:00.000-07:00

Do you like that Suze Orman person—who stridently yells DENIED at people when they want to spend a buck? I am not a fan. But I do think we need someone to say yes or no on things. Just not her, with her orange canvas outfits.

I saw a story in Working Mother (Nov 2011) about things you can take off your To Do List. What a great idea to cut stress!

The magazine says you can remove:

Zumba Class
Scrapbooking
Learning to knit
Hosting a dinner party

These come from The Happiest Mom by Meagan Francis.

Now, I have some…

Learning to make scratch piecrust
Cooking all meals on Sunday and freezing
Dog obedience school
Weedeating

And that’s just for starters! Got some more, readers? Let’s go easy on ourselves.

By the way, Working Mother is such a good mag I still get it and my kid is almost 30. I am dropping it, though, because they went to a new design that yellow-highlights things for me in the stories.

How dumb.

The best advice EVER in Working Mother--if your kid won't get dressed in the morning, let him sleep in his clothes.

Huge resume no-nos

2011-10-27T10:46:00.000-07:00

Comedy relief time—at least I HOPE my readers would never do any of these.

Recently some managers were polled and told CareerBuilder about some stupid things they saw on resumes.

One man said the more he was paid, the harder he worked.

Another said he wanted a chance to show off his new tie.

A dog was listed as a reference.

Moonwalking was listed as a special skill.

Another said she had versatile toes.

Some used an email address with “ShakeMyBooty” in it.

Someone else asked for money to interview—because his time was valuable.

One manager got a resume in a box with a lemon and the statement that “I am not a lemon.”

And…someone noted that he had assaulted his previous boss.

Noooo, people…noooo….don’t make me stop this car.

Of course, I did once hire someone because she said in the interview that she had once had lunch with Mick Jagger…but that was the INTERVIEW. Very different.

@@@@ (eyeroll symbol—like it?)

Time to buff up the reference list?

2011-10-26T10:09:00.000-07:00

What if you have been out of work so long, your references are dead or have also been laid off and you have no contact numbers? What if the companies you worked for have gone to corporate heaven?

My kid is in this position. She said, “Mom, all these places are gone…” I said, “All you can do is explain that when you get an interview.”

CareerBuilder riffed off on references recently. Are the ones you are offering showing you to best advantage?

Do they want to see you succeed as much as you want to succeed?

Can they talk about your strengths. Do they know your strengths?

If they are with a company, they may not be allowed to talk about your time there—only that you did work there.

Always ask them before listing them. Bring them up to date on you. See what they are doing.

Keep them in the loop—“I gave out your name…” That sort of thing. Do this when you first hear a prospective employer is going to start checking refs.

If you think someone is trashing you—yank them off the list. You’d be amazed how often people don’t even think about this.

Who gets to be Bea Arthur?

2011-10-25T10:22:00.000-07:00

My sister and I oversee our mother’s care in assisted care—and have for 17 yrs. She cannot manage on her own.

She can pay $3000 a mo—we will never be able to when it comes our turn. And our turn is sort of here, we are both quakier that she is.

So….My friends and I jokingly talk about banding together and taking care of each other—maybe with a cute employee to fetch our prescriptions, cook, clean the pool (a must), and mix the Cosmos at twilight.

Could this happen, though? I guess it’s sort of a Golden Girls scenario with diseases and disabilities.

Could we swing it on SS? We need to do a budget.

It would have to be someplace warm…

And unlike the communes of yore--no lentils and garden weeding.

Time gaps in your resume

2011-10-24T11:22:00.000-07:00

Jahna Berry, AZ Republic, Oct 23, 2011, writes about big gaps in your resume—and not just the ones for being out of work in this mess.

The key is to neither obsess over such lapses or ignore them.

What if you needed to take care of your kids? Or a sick relative? Or you went to Europe?

It has come up lately that employers won’t talk to people unless they have a job. Outlawing this has been proposed and some states have passed such bills.

The White House even wants people not hired because they had been unemployed to be able to sue. This could backfire—fewer could even be considered.

If you have been out of work for a year or more, you may need to take lower pay. You may also need to learn new technology PDQ.

Mention the work gap. But also show how your skills fit the position perfectly.

You are not alone, that’s for sure!

Put the best face on it, say you are interested in the job, be enthusiastic, and hope for the best.

Just for fun--cheapie changes

2011-10-21T10:23:00.000-07:00

Fluffing up the house can give you a lift.

Nah—it doesn’t have to be expensive.

I have been taking a box or a handful or armful out of the garage each Wednesday.

That helps.

You can also paint one wall a contrasting color.

Get a new lampshade for the old tried and true.

How about pillows—go to Cost Plus World—they really add a dash of difference.

Do a photo wall—why leave those pix in the closet.

Look at clearance posters in the craft store…could be something.

Or go on Craigs—look under antiques. People are motivated to sell these days. Want a Laz-E-Boy—we have one available.

Us? Laz-E?

Credit despair or credit repair?

2011-10-20T09:37:00.000-07:00

I hit the wall a couple of years ago when some geniuses on the net decided writers were only worth $5 a story, instead of $500. Big difference, as it turns out.

Reputable publications followed suit and either died, cut rates, or went to the Web, meaning they could justify paying less.

Way less.

I declared bankruptcy more than a year ago. I had to. I am disabled and don’t drive—so can’t run out and get a so-called job—oh, and those are lacking, have you heard?

The BK process was very inexplicable. Here in AZ, you have to have less than $150 in your accounts (total) on the day you file. You cannot just take it out and put it back. You have to buy groceries or use it somehow.

Also—the lawyers want two grand to file your paperwork. My guy did not even show up in court to stand up for me—another guy he sent did.

But it worked—and after 15 mos or so, I got it paid off. So no credit cards.

Am I eager to get back on that merry-go-round? Not really. But if you are interested—I have learned of a site with a lot of basic info on rebuilding credit. It’s called AAACreditGuide.com.

The owner of the site makes the point that people will need credit to get the economy back up and running.

There are a lot of weird scams out there—companies that say they can negotiate lower rates or balances with creditors and just send them the payment and they will do it…sometimes those are bogus. Other times, though, these are legit nonprofits doing this.

Other companies offer to challenge all your listings with the credit bureaus—and if the creditors don’t reaffirm the debt as legally required, it must be removed. This is legitimate, although you can look into on this site and even do it yourself if you want.

AAACreditGuide does say one man got his BK removed from his record. My understanding is that this is not possible, but I guess I need to follow my own advice and check into this.

Anyone heard of this?

"Brat!"..."Dinosaur!"

2011-10-19T09:34:00.000-07:00

Dean Newlund, president of Mission Facilitators International, says the different generations can work together, but it takes some dedication.

You’ve heard it—or maybe said it, Newlund explains. Gen X and Y have no work ethic…or boomers are slow to change.

He talks about a forum for both sides held recently in Arizona. Young and old(er) attended. They stated their desires—the younger wanted a job free from rigid rules. Hmmm, some boomers remembered wanting this at first…. But the older workers said the young one wanted leadership roles and bucks without proving themselves.

The young ones want the power of the boomers, the boomers want the tech savvy of the young ones.

The older ones have a strong work ethic, they take ownership of results, they see the big picture, and are OK with proven practices (meaning same old).

The younger ones want good training all along the way, they want to pursue their individual interests with a work-life mix, they want to contribute something meaningful immediately and they want a voice in the company.

Bottom line—Boomers need to listen and create opportunities for those coming up. The young ones need to contribute to the success of all.

Discuss these stereotypes.

People want work! Then, they want that work to have some meaning.

Right on, as we used to say.

Sleepy-bye time

2011-10-18T09:21:00.000-07:00

Is your pillow—er—disgusting?

Karen Haywood Queen writes about pillows in the Costco Connection for October.

Signs you need a new pillow are: You wake up with a sore back or neck. Or your pillow is so flat, you have to bend it to get any loft. Or maybe it was from a bargain bin. Or maybe you heard someplace that pillows can get infested with microscopic ickies.

A good pillow can last 20 years, a cheapie only 3.

The biggest pillow is not always the best. Seventy percent of people sleep on their side. Twenty percent on their back. Ten percent on their stomach.

A side sleeper needs the most support. A back sleeper can use a medium-firm to firm. A stomach sleeper might want a mooshier (medium density) number.

You might also want allergen-free if you suffer from sniffles. These can even contain feathers and down if done right.

Memory foam also lets air circulate—some people get hot heads.

Use a pillowcase—protects against oil and dirt. Usually you can wash a pillow if you want—check the tags. Do not wash memory foam, though.

I use a memory foam cylinder I got when I had eye surgery (http://healthsasspresents.blogspot.com) and love it. Let’s my nose hang off to breathe.

I used to have a pillow named Flat Pat—good for balancing a book on. When I could no longer read books in bed (I listen now), my sister took Pat.

You don’t name your pillows? Silly puppy!

"Financial terror"

2011-10-17T12:00:00.000-07:00

Joey Faucette, author of Work Positive in a Negative World, says many business owners are awake at 3 AM worrying about cash flow, lost customers, profit margins and will their family be able to make it.

Not just business owners.

Faucette says there are three things to remember.

First, until now (or I would say the last 3-5 years), you have kept the doors open.

Second, business walked through the door before—and it will again—at the right time.

There is some business out there, however much the models have changed.

Yeah—hold those thoughts. Try each day. DO NOT GIVE UP.

Now—if we could just figure out how not to doubledown on losing propositions. Or even knowing which avenues are losers.

Maybe just do what the old richie-riches, the robber barons, used to do—“Sit the silence.” Sort of like a mediation for rich people or those who need money. Clear your mind and see what drops in.

The old guys used to say ideas dropped in like mail through a slot.

Let's see...

Have a home biz? Are trade shows worth it?

2011-10-14T13:11:00.000-07:00

Paul and Sarah Edwards, co-authors of Home-Based Business for Dummies, wrote in the Costco Connection (Oct 2011) about the value of trade shows.

Trade shows bring buyers, sellers, and the media together. That can be good.

You may get more leads in a day than in a month at home.

But attendance at these has slipped—probably due to the internet and the bad economy. Some shows are going virtual (online).

Are Facebook stores, Google Adwords etc really a substitute? It depends.

Will you see suppliers and customers you would not see online?

Look at past exhibitors—will the people you want to see be there?

Do you have a good exhibit? This is an art—and a cost.

If you are selling from your booth—make sure you can accept credit cards there.

And—of course—follow up! Send a note from your booth even—in a slow moment. Hope there are not too many slow moments.

Managing an illness while staying on the job

2011-10-13T11:52:00.000-07:00

Anita Bruzzese, Gannett, tackles yet another workplace quandary—how to manage a serious illness and stay on the job at the same time.

You may need your sick leave after a surgery, or maybe if chemo becomes too much—you need some leeway to function while you are still on the job.

Still you may feel tired or have a headache for years. Then what? Rosalind Joffe is a coach and author of Women, Work, and Autoimmune Disease--and has autoimmune diseases herself.

The biggest worry the ailing person may have is that their coworkers will think they are slacking or getting some advantage. Is it true? Joffe recommends a self-assessment.

You may not be able to slide by a problem—if doctor appointments and days out mount up. Don’t assume they will know you are sick—they may think you are lazy.

Tell the boss you are functional and want to normalize your situation.

This is not a tragedy and you don’t look at it that way—that is what you want to convey.

Let them know it’s OK to ask about the illness—if you are OK with that.

Some places let coworkers donate their sick leave to another worker in need. This way, everyone has a stake.

Speak up!

2011-10-12T11:42:00.000-07:00

They say people would rather eat spiders than speak in front of an audience.

But it can help your image and increase your visibility.

CareerBuilder says to start small, maybe with a little presentation at your kid’s school or something.

No one is perfect…If you um and ah some, forget it—look at the president. He does that all the time.

Try to practice with people you trust.

Leave time for followup questions.

Remember, you don’t have to be the biggest expert in the world on a subject to pull together some useful background or tips on it.

Give yourself time—speakers make themselves over time…not right from the jump.

Look into Toastmasters—or your local Chamber of Commerce. You have something to share—just find it and share it.

I used to speak about the New Economy—how giving away hardware made money for the dotcoms…then…awwww….dotcoms go boom. Then whole economy go boom.

Well, as I said, no one is perfect.

Now I am wanting to speak on the dangers of concussion. Want me?

Oh, rats--what now

2011-10-11T09:44:00.001-07:00

Peanut butter is going to become scarce and spendy.

Oh, whatever! Why don’t our masters just mark up ramen to $5?

I shouldn’t give them ideas.

Seems…oh woe…there was a failure in last year’s peanut crop—too hot or something.

Peter Pan, Jif, Smuckers—the lot—are raising prices by as much as 40%!

A ton of raw peanuts has gone from $450 to $1,150!

Ninety percent of households eat the stuff—good protein source.

Oh—and this is nifty—chocolate is also on the hit list.

I notice the slant in this story, though—Huffpo—it went from a hot season to “climate change” causing all this sandwich mayhem.

Still—peanut butter…not fair!

What can you do? Stock up! The prices haven’t hit yet.

Keep the pilot light on

2011-10-10T12:03:00.001-07:00

Jonathan Ingram writes about following up on an interview (AZ Republic, Oct 9, 2011).

The key is to stay in the interviewer’s mind—but not as a stalker.

First, send a thank you note—a paper one, maybe, if the company is more old school. If the job was web designer, email may be OK.

Stress how appreciate you were of their time and how happy you were to meet them. Express interest in the job—again. And maybe add that afterward you thought of that award you had won—so you thought you would mention it…something unusual.

Be patient. I cannot tell you how often I tell myself and my friends—they are not on the same timetable as you! They get a check every two weeks—they are not foaming to get this done!

In the interview, you should try to get some timetable—So where do we go from here? What is the next step. How many people are you talking to, if I may ask? Try to get some info.

And never bombard with emails or calls—never let them see you sweat. Always sweat privately is my motto.

Care and feeding of big egos

2011-10-07T09:17:00.000-07:00

Business can get…um…competitive. It attracts the zero sum crowd—for someone to win, someone has to lose.

But some people are known for their enormous egos. You need to find that out. Ask around.

Also check out their office—their “ego wall” of grip and grin photos with the rich, famous, and connected.

If the person constantly bores in trying to convince you to see things their way—could be ego boy (or girl).

Doesn’t seem to listen? Ditto.

The key is to get the person talking. They probably like to—let them. Ask questions.

For your part, take a firm stand on what you have to offer.

With an egomaniac—in a negotiation—be especially firm on your opening gambit.

Also—make the last concession—a small one.

These tips come from Marty Latz, founder of the Latz Negotiation Institute. Food for thought.

Homework--for parents, too

2011-10-06T10:30:00.000-07:00

If you are part-time or not currently working, the kids are going to look to you even more for help with homework.

Uh-oh.

Gremlyn Bradley-Waddell writes about this in the AZ Republic, October 4, 2011.

Homework can be a quiet time—with the kid hoping you forgot. Or a battle royal.

The experts say you really need to tune in, though, and step up. Homework makes good study habits, brings focus. Oh--and adds to knowledge.

Parents should talk to the teacher at the beginning of the year—see what is expected.

Try to take the emotion out—with the kids and the teacher. Fact of life. Establish a routine…maybe some outdoor or TV time, then homework. Or homework first thing—get it out of the way.

Provide a TV-free place to do it. Parents should do something quiet then, too.

As a parent, you need to monitor progress, look over the finished papers.

There are some online teachers who can provide homework advice—if parents get stumped.

When my kid was in school, they didn’t teach multiplication tables—I had to make flash cards. It wasn’t home schooling, but close. There may be things like this you want to augment with, also.

Don't overdo the pep

2011-10-05T09:31:00.000-07:00

Anita Bruzzese, Gannett, reminds us that being out of work can make us doubt ourselves—can we master the new stuff, is our wardrobe OK, am I too old, too green?

Often—we push these doubts down—and paste on a fake smile and plunge in. This can come off as over-eager, awkward.

You need to be authentic—not fake.

One expert says to decide ahead of time what you want to get out of an event. Maybe it’s just passing out some cards. Or getting some cards so you can call or email later.

Try to use action verbs—definite verbs. You are deciding on a field—not considering a field.

You don’t have to be all glad-handy. If that’s not your style—maybe ask the company rep about their background—people like to talk about themselves—even HR people.

“Have you worked at Company X long? Do you like it?”

Again, don’t overdo it…or you will come off as nosy and strange.

Strange, like Susie the Cheerleader, never works well in these situations.

They want you--do you want them?

2011-10-04T10:03:00.001-07:00

Anita Bruzzese, Gannett, says headhunters and others do call out of the blue sometimes.

Hiring people, she says, are combing LinkedIn and other sites for good fits.

You may think—why not—at least interview.

But be sure you want a new job—it can be stressful to start over. You also may be so dazzled at being wanted, you don’t see what the job entails.

Do your own sleuthing—through social media. Is Facebook full of complaints about overwork there or bad bosses?

Try to get past the charm offensive. Ask why the position is open.

Check out the boss or supervisor. If someone says you need to be thick-skinned—uh-oh.

Ask for an office tour—are people talking, smiling.

Listen to your gut. It’s nice to be wanted, but be shrewd.

A company called Rose?

2011-10-03T09:11:00.000-07:00

Come on—be patriotic—start a company. Susan Gunelius writes about naming...also something I do.

There is a lot to it these days—website availability, connotations in all languages, trademarking.

I see dopey names all the time—clunky, laughable… Insperity was one I noticed the other day.

Others I like—for some reason, Big Lots (seems abundant and is a pun). Ameriprise—enterprise, a prize, America…I don’t know—it’s OK.

If you must dream up your own name and not hire a nice woman like me, Susan has some tips.

Be descriptive is one approach—Internet Explorer.

Be suggestive—Mustang…wild, free, fast.

Add a prefix or suffix—iPhone.

Slap two words together—PhotoShop, TurboTax.

Make up a word—Doritos.

Change a spelling. Trix, Kix.

Tweak and blend…NyQuil.

How about a person’s name—Clark bar.

Use a verb—Bounce.

Or your name may become a verb—Google. I even saw the expression, "Bing it" this morning.

Bing--nah, don't like it.

Electrons pooey

2011-09-30T12:22:00.000-07:00

If you read this site now and then, you know I am a total hysteric.

I am not centered. I am not calm. I am not sanguine. I am not even particularly rational.

The only thing left is funny and with some common sense sprinkled in.

My internet connection has been down for 4 hours. Imagine my state.

The first two hours were OK—I breathed deeply. I contacted the phone company—they offered to email me when it came up. Well, if they could frickin’ email me, I would know it was up, wouldn’t I?

Then…I said, OK will do desk work. I did desk work.

More desk work.

Desk work is so weird—there is no typing.

So I wrote this.

I cursed the day electricity was invented. That made me feel a little better. Actually a lot better—I like gravity, but electricity has kicked up some problems.

I tried breathing again. Nothing.

Why are some of us such idiots? Man, I would be rich if I knew that.

I do know with all our tweeting twatting phoning commenting browsing surfing texting sexting drilling down blogging—this is gradually killing us, not enlightening us.

Ommmmm.

So now I am one with everything?

Well, everything would include internet—so no.

By the way, do you think it’s true that the internet is God’s brain?

Stand tall--don't blob out

2011-09-29T10:18:00.001-07:00

CareerBuilder says it’s not worth it to just grab anything at all.

Employers don’t care if you’re desperate, they say—being willing to take anything does not make them like you.

Untargeted apps will be ignored.

Big mass mailings take time from better efforts. You lose what we call opportunity costs.

You come off as wishy-washy. “I have talked to a call center, so I guess I could work in one.”

AND—doing this—can give you hope, but that hope is deceptive. This is not a game of numbers. This is a game of skill and experience.

I have one big sort of laughable standard--if I don't know what a job "is," I don't apply. I am sure you know what I am talking about--things like integrative analytics, etc.

On that first interview

2011-09-28T10:25:00.000-07:00

Eric Gembarowski, AZ Republic, Sept 25, 2011, says if you are fortunate enough to be called in, there are some aspects to keep in mind.

Yes—go to the company’s website, learn about them, all that good stuff. Don’t wear a strapless top or cargos, etc. Appear on time.

Gembarowski says it’s good to ask what the corporate culture is like, though. It shows an interest in fitting in, he says. I say you may be able to tell that from a few minutes in the waiting room and how the interviewer dresses.

As if the company promotes from within. He says this shows you are going to stay—I wonder if they might think you think the actual job is penny ante.

Ask if they offer training. Well, you would want to show you are bringing skills—not a blank slate.

AVOID presuming. You can ask about work hours—to assume you know it all may make you look cocky.

DO NOT badmouth previous interviewers or employers.

ALSO DO NOT ask about benefits. I once interviewed a woman who asked how long she would have to work before her first vacation.

Uh…sort of long…

Quicker commute--uh-oh

2011-09-27T10:24:00.000-07:00

Betty Beard, AZ Republic, Sept 25, 2011, says traffic has been thinning in AZ.

Isn’t that good?

No—it can be another sign the economy is softening even more—no job to go to, no money for gas, maybe no money to get a car.

Nationwide traffic is down 1%. In Arizona—more than 2%.

Diesel fuel sales are down, too—fewer trucks.

Still, they call it “slow growth” not double-dip. “Stumbling forward,waiting to get the energy to run, but not falling down.”

All righty-then.

PS About that infrastructure stuff—maybe we won’t need new roads or widened roads if this keeps up. Just a thought.

Optimism or pleasant delusion?

2011-09-26T11:11:00.000-07:00

Alina Tugend, NYT, Sept 23, 2011, like me, is optimism-challenged. Expect the worst, I say, and when it happens, at least you were right!

But society values optimism…unicorns, Winnie the Pooh, the disease is cured, you can sell your house.

Yet, the numbers show Americans haven’t been this bummed about the economy in three decades. Fewer than 20% expect their finances to improve (Thomson-Reuters-Univ of Mich).

Optimism (they say) is not about repeating cloying stuff to yourself—everyday in every way I am getting better and better.

One expert says optimists think of bad things as temporary—pessimists the opposite.

Pessimists must do what I call catastrophize—generalize the specific to a huge generalization. My friend put me on voicemail—my friend hates me…that sort of thing.

Still, the experts say EXTREME optimism is not good.

An extreme optimist may think he or she is living way longer than health would dictate. Or think they don’t need savings—things will work out.

In the end, both come out the same, apparently. Too much faith in the future, no safety net. Too little—why bother with a safety net.

Oh, man.

But hey--keep coming here. The ultimate act of optimism is to suit up and try each day--and we do it, so there!

What if you need surgery?

2011-09-23T09:53:00.001-07:00

A hospitalization, a surgery—what are you looking at when the fun wears off?

Ah, after care. I once wrote part of a book on “care between the venues,” meaning the discharge instructions from ERs, hospitals, or rehab centers either to other facilities or to the patient’s home.

There are many possibilities for errors in this. Often, meds given in the facility are sent with the patient in bottles or prescription form. Should the patient take the meds already at home, prescribed by various doctors, or the new ones? Surely not both…but often this is hazy.

I have a relative facing knee surgery—one website said no driving for 2 weeks—her doctor says 4 weeks.

I was facing horrible eye surgery and was told I had to be facedown for a week or more. I had no idea what this meant. The internet yielded no info—just offers from commercial companies to rent me various weird pieces of furniture to keep my head down.

I was so confused and terrified, I sent my bouncy dog to a friend’s and he ended up dead—the dog and the friendship, both.

My advice when leaving a facility is to ask questions, get clarifications—try to do this before a surgery when you feel clear and able to think…

Try to amass the supplies you need for wound care, if that is an issue. Thrash things out with the insurance company while you are pain free or feeling lucid.

I can at least help on how to do “facedown recovery”—this is used after detached retina and macular hole surgery. I interviewed top docs (not mine) and wrote up their ideas, plus my own—and I put in pictures. I like pictures, don’t you?

You can get it for a nominal fee of $10.

Now I may need to do one on knee surgery.

Order FACEDOWN now…

Offices are bad workplaces

2011-09-22T12:02:00.000-07:00

Dean Newlund, president of Mission Facilitators International Inc, says a lot of quality work is done outside the office.

Offices are full of managers, gossip, noise, interruptions, jokes, delivery people, candy dishes, etc.

You need to think in terms of removing office roadblocks, Newlund says.

Cancel unnecessary meetings—use them to make decisions, not just exchange info.

Do the stuff you are trying to avoid, get it out of the way.

Check email only twice a day.

Post your calendar online—showing when you will take a drop-in.

Think in terms of managing your energy, not your time.

Have a one-to-one meeting—walk during it.

Try “No Talk Thursday Afternoons.”

And think about the prize—the long-term goal, not the little stuff.

Which reminds me…I saw a cute line:

"Don’t sweat the small stuff or pet the sweaty stuff.”

Off the subject? Me?

Lose the hootchy outfits

2011-09-21T10:01:00.000-07:00

What is up with some of those gals at Fox? They look like they are wearing swimwear on the air. The tiny straps—the halters. Come on, ladies.

CareerBuilder reminds us that a poll showed recently that appearance is second only to communication skills as qualities most associated with professionalism.

The Center for Professional Excellence’s director cautions us that modesty is a virtue. No tight pants, camel toe, or boobs falling out.

Business casual means—BUSINESS CASUAL—not beach casual. Khakis, maybe a nice collared polo, an A-line skirt or cotton pants.

No flipflops or peeptoes. No tranny heels.

Mimic the boss’s style if you are in doubt.

Forget the vintage—they make think your ideas are old, too.

If you look at your outfit and wonder if it’s appropriate—it’s probably not.

Now--Hannah Storm--in that picture--does that top look "sports centery" to you?

Many hands make short work

2011-09-20T12:12:00.000-07:00

Some gals in this area have teamed up to do renovations and repairs on their own homes.

Kara Morrison writes about this in the AZ Republic, Sept 17, 2011. One woman was trying to add some wainscoting but life kept getting in the way—and she apparently did not have a “testo” to nag into doing this.

That would be a testosterone-blessed mate born with a hammer in his hand (ouch).

Anyhow, she tagged up with a girlfriend to help her and they added four other women. Twice a year, they all go to each member's house and tackle the Honey-Do List.

Some tips:

Get can-do people. Skills are good, too.

Make sure they have some tools.

All should be within easy driving distance. The host provides the project, materials, and lunch.

Laughter is mandatory.

Six is the right number—fewer and nothing happens, more and everything turns into a hot mess.

They have turned a basement into a game room. Refinished furniture. Painted many rooms. Laid out a backyard wedding—and many other projects.

They laugh, they cry, they joke—and one joke, if it is a joke, is that once in, you can’t leave except in a perfectly built and upholstered coffin, courtesy of the group.

Luckily this hasn't been put to the test. Women are anxious to get in the group, but no one has opened up a slot yet.

Can we talk about job qualifications?

2011-09-19T10:23:00.000-07:00

The Arizona Republic posed a weird challenge in a recent editorial—workers need to be able to think, not just spit back information.

They said only 3 out of 10 applicants at one temp agency they knew of were placed in jobs. The others, the agency guy said, lacked marketable skills or were stubbornly seeking jobs that didn’t exist.

The job market has changed. Do we really realize that? I am not sure I always do.

In AZ, fewer residents under 50 hold an associate degree or higher. Is college always where you learn to do today’s work, though?

Here in AZ (which is weird but probably not that different than all other states), about 64% of HS grads enroll someplace after HS. Only 69% are ready for college English and 53% for math.

Yoops—only half can cut the math! No wonder those Indian and Chinese smarties are getting those special visas and eating our lunch.

Half of those in 4-yr colleges finish. Less than ¼ finish community college.

Clearly, in-house training specifically for the work will be required. But there is one other problem—today’s younger people think they rate more and some don’t even show up on time.

Wise up, people! We need to cowboy up here. This is education and facts, sure, but also character and motivation.

What, us worry?

2011-09-16T10:11:00.000-07:00

Ken Alltucker, AZ Republic, Sept 11, 2011, says getting foreclosed can be bad for your health.

One for The Big Book of Duh.

Foreclosures are up—the banks backed off for a while then resumed tossing people out.

A show is starting on Discovery—where people buy foreclosed homes—sorta like Pawn Stars or Storage Wars. That’s a perky idea.

I know someone who was foreclosed who is still getting letters from the homeowners association saying pay this, a lien on that, we hate you, etc—and she is long out of the apt and done with bankruptcy.

Anyhow, economists at Princeton and Georgia State linked foreclosures with hospital admittance increases in AZ, CA, FL and NJ.

High foreclosures—more stress-related illnesses, with the biggest impact in people 20 to 49.

Yeah, not sleeping, all that crying, that can’t breathe all the way in feeling, overeating or no appetite—it can’t be good.

And it’s not like this is ending.

The urge to purge

2011-09-15T11:00:00.000-07:00

Remember the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party (call OSHA—mercury poisoning from cleaning beaver skins for hats)…Every so often, the Hatter would yell, “Clean cup!” and everyone would move down a place at the table—sitting, of course, in front of someone’s dirty cup.

[So this is what I am good at now—splaining fairy tales.]

Anyhow, I am trying to weed my garage. Stuff! People accumulate it—I have mine and Mom’s. And my kid’s—from when her room burned down 5 yrs ago.

This is bad feng shui—if I even believe in that anymore. Also it’s horrible-looking. Like house varicose veins or something.

I am putting out one box a week—nothing drastic. Checking it, getting the kid to take it to the trash.

This has been going on all summer and it looks the same.

I do advise going room by room. Start at 12 on the clock face of the room and move around quadrant by quadrant. Or do one box week.

If someone tries to put something in the garage, I throw a body block. I had to put back recent financial records, though—you know how all criminals like that stuff.

Criminals suck, don’t they? Always with the Nigerian scams, the Russian scams, the fake Fibbies saying you were scammed, the dumpster divers.

Wonder if they need to get rid of a lot of stuff. Oh, probably. Serves them right.

Home office for the kids

2011-09-14T11:44:00.000-07:00

In the August Costco Connection, I wrote a story on how teens can benefit from an organized home office.

My source was Bobbi DePorter, president of the Quantum Learning Network, and co-founder of SuperCamp (www.supercamp.com). She educates kids! Remember when kids got educated?

School is kids’ work—she points out. Giving a teen an office sends the message that this is serious and the teen’s efforts are valued.

Too often, parents want to keep an eye on the kids during homework—but letting them have a closed office is fine.

Cue the décor to the child’s learning style. If the kid is organized, have bulletin boards, drawers. If the child is more free-wheeling, have comfy chairs.

Feature a large paper calendar with all important school dates and deadlines noted.

It also doesn’t hurt to put up some affirmations—I BELIEVE IN MYSELF, EVERYTHING I DO DESERVES MY BEST EFFORT.

The kid may think these are corny as a field in Kansas, but the brain will take them in subconsciously.

As for music--lose the rap and get the teen to try some baroque, Bach, Handel...This stimulates the rhythm of the heart, DePorter says, making the listener relaxed and alert.

Get the kid involved in the design, furnishings, colors—people like what they help create.

The pix is from Pottery Barn Teen...Lots of ideas there.

Baby steps in renovation

2011-09-13T10:18:00.000-07:00

Melissa Rayworth, Associated Press, writes that in this “fragile” economy (I would use a diff F-word), homeowners are making small fixes rather than gutting their kitchens and bathrooms.

I need a stove. Whose stove breaks? Mine did. The $300 fix of five yrs ago is inoperative—I am down to one burner. But I digress.

The idea, she says, is to do little things until you can reach the ultimate kitchen or bath? Ultimate? Four burners?

What projects are good if they are to be undone in a few years?

Target the biggest surfaces—make it look the most different. Paint old counter tops. Ever think of that one? You can get a kit that makes it look like granite.

Tackle the floors. Another big surface. Use grout stain—give it a face lift.

Add a tile back splash. You can even put on those little tiles in a mesh matrix yourself.

Try a faux finish—I have a sponged family room I like.

Do some under cabinet lighting—makes everything look different.

Phase in new appliances one at a time (stove, stove). You can also paint appliances.

Or update the cabinet and drawer pulls.

In the bathroom, take out the tired shower doors and get a curtain or vice-versa.

Replace the old mirror with one in a frame—make the frame of trim.

This is making the old “reno” warhorse in me neigh a little. I will lie down until he shuts up.

House appraisals very important now

2011-09-12T10:06:00.000-07:00

Ellen James Martin, Universal Syndicate, says when you refinance in these days of upsidedown houses and falling values—appraisals are all-important.

Refinancers really sweat them.

If the appraisal comes in low and you have no equity, the bank will say no. In almost all cases.

Even if you have equity, the appraisal can help or hurt. If you have too high a loan-to-value ratio, you will have to pay PMI.

To get the best appraisal (highest), spruce up the property. To refinance, don’t replace the kitchen, but make the house look good.

Look at the comparables in your neighborhood. The appraiser also will do this. Sometimes, you can point out other comps—like Zillow.com.

In truth, there is not too much you can do besides keeping the dog from biting the appraiser and maybe putting some flowers on the table.

Ever work for a screamer?

2011-09-09T12:01:00.000-07:00

I have. After those four-Gibson lunches, the big boss would fume. He would wander the office, cruising to do some bruisin’. People knew enough to shut their doors in the afternoon and bring up important stuff in the morning.

He would fire people, then forget, so they just come to work and no one would say anything.

Later, after he tried to drive under a semi- with the company Mercedes, he quit drinking. And now he has passed away. And I am still here! So there is that.

Anyhow, Anita Bruzzese of Gannett, says there are ways to deal with bullies at work (besides basically hiding).

She says as many as 70% of adults say they have been bullied at work. Most do not report it.

Bullying is not illegal unless it crosses into discrimination or harassment.

But it can cost the company in absenteeism, turnover and stress-related illnesses.

So companies provide anti-bullying training. In some cases, if the supervisor has taken the course and lets the bullying continue, that person may be liable.

Contact your HR department, the employee assistance program. Will the bully find out? Maybe, sure.

You could tell the bully to knock it off. You don’t need a long list of examples. Keep your dignity. Say: "When you talk to me like that, it makes me lose my train of thought."

If it’s gone that far, maybe the company can bring in a trainer—this way the bully isn’t singled out.

That might make him or her unpleasant, you know.

Want to be the boss? Be sure

2011-09-08T10:39:00.000-07:00

Brittany Watts writes about interviewing Dale Kalika, senior lecturer at ASU’s WP Carey School of Business (AZ Republic, Sept 4, 2011).

What does it take to be a great manager?

Planning and managing people, Kalika said.

Working with people is the hardest—boy howdy, do I agree! When I had employees, I never could walk the line—friend, mean boss, accommodator, etc. I never could decide. I think that made me a bad boss. Maybe not the worst, but not the best.

Often supervisors come out of the pool of employees and get no training or mentoring. Maybe a support group of new supervisors could be formed so people could bounce off each other.

How do you excel as a supervisor? Exceeding goals, Kalika says. Working effectively with other managers.

What should you avoid? Dipping down—doing what subordinates should be handling.

Final advice: Be sure this is you, what you want.