10 Preventive Steps to keep Swine-Flu Away

Dear readers,

They say prevention is better than cure and now that Swine Flu is spreading like Wildfire in many countries, we need to come up with some proactive measures so that we are not a victim of the deadly disease.

Here are 10 things you can do to protect yourself from the virus.

1. Wash your hands frequently

Use the antibacterial soaps to cleanse your hands. Wash them often, at least 15 seconds and rinse with running water.

2. Get enough sleep

Try to get 8 hours of good sleep every night to keep your immune system in top flu-fighting shape.

3. Keep hydrated

Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water each day to flush toxins from your system and maintain good moisture and mucous production in your sinuses.

4. Boost your immune system

Keeping your body strong, nourished, and ready to fight infection is important in flu prevention. So stick with whole grains, colorful vegetables, and vitamin-rich fruits.

5. Keep informed

The government is taking necessary steps to prevent the pandemic and periodically release guidelines to keep the pandemic away. Please make sure to keep up to date on the information and act in a calm manner.

6. Avoid alcohol

Apart from being a mood depressant, alcohol is an immune suppressant that can actually decrease your resistance to viral infections like swine flu. So stay away from alcoholic drinks so that your immune system may be strong.

7. Be physically active

Moderate exercise can support the immune system by increasing circulation and oxygenating the body. For example brisk walking for 30-40 minutes 3-4 times a week will significantly perk up your immunity.

8. Keep away from sick people

Flu virus spreads when particles dispersed into the air through a cough or sneeze reach someone else's nose. So if you have to be around someone who is sick, try to stay a few feet away from them and especially, avoid physical contact.

9. Know when to get help

Consult your doctor if you have a cough and fever and follow their instructions, including taking medicine as prescribed.

10. Avoid crowded areas

Try to avoid unnecessary trips outside. Moreover, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way. We all want a healthy environment.

"Want to be headhunted?" by Laletha Nithiyanandan

You hear about a friend landing a great job through a headhunter and you wonder what he has that you haven’t.

How does someone become a target for headhunters? What do they look for?

These days, employers are very specific about their needs, and using headhunters to locate talent has become a popular option.

Here are some of the more employable traits that employers and headhunters seek:

Expertise in your field

When headhunters start mapping an industry, they talk to people within that industry.

They ask these people to recommend who they think is the best or is known for a specific line of work.

This means you need to be visible and be among the best in your field.

Some people do this by attending industry events and conferences.

Others write articles and speak at conferences, so they are known and looked up to for their opinions and views.

Value-added skills

In this multi-cultural and diverse environment, some profiles stand out even more.

Headhunters seek people with skills, experience or exposure that can add value to their clients’ organisations.

This includes overseas postings, assignments or educational exposure and the ability to speak other languages.

“As headhunters, we often see one candidate losing out to another just based on some of these attributes,” says Mr Mark Lam, principal consultant at BTI Consultants.

He recommends that young managers gain overseas exposure and be willing to live and work abroad.

Positive image

While social networking sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook are popular, people in senior or high-profile positions must be vigilant in monitoring what gets published about themselves.

Also monitor what your children say about you in sites like Facebook.

Their comments may be fine in a social setting but if you are interviewing for a job, some personal information is best kept private.

Background

Where you come from in terms of education, family background and your social circles are important in some jobs.

Some headhunters want to know more about your background and family circumstances because they know that sometimes it just takes one family member to influence a candidate from taking a job.

Employment status

A company usually uses headhunters when it wants to reach passive candidates who are not actively looking for a change.

From a headhunter’s perspective, being unemployed can make you less attractive as a candidate.

However, it is prudent to discuss your desire to move from your current role only with those you trust.

People you know

The headhunting profession thrives on connections, so whom you know is important.

Stay on friendly terms with headhunters; they will remember you and keep you in their contact base.

Experience

You would have spent a substantial time in a role, job or company to make a sufficient impact and build a successful track record.

For a more senior position, employers are probably looking for depth of experience.

However, on the flip side, headhunters and employers can also consider breadth of experience a plus, as it can point to a candidate’s versatility and adaptability to different challenges and environments and cultures.

Strategic career move

Be strategic with your career move.

Don’t get enticed by just the lure of an attractive package or title. While you know this is common sense, even very senior-level candidates make this mistake.

Consider longer-term impact, employability and lifestyle changes when you accept an offer.

Credibility of headhunter

The term “headhunting” can be used rather loosely. Just approaching a prospect about an available job isn’t really headhunting.

Check out the headhunter before you divulge any information about yourself.

Company reputation, experience in the business and reputation of the senior leadership team are all factors that separate a good headhunter from one who is just trying to earn a fee.

Career decisions are big decisions, and getting headhunted is just the start of that process. Be open to discussion and be wise.

Inspirational Quotes

Inspirational quotes for you to lighten up your day...

Tony Robbins: Why we do what we do, and how we can do it better!

In this video, Tony Robbins talks about how effective leaders have the ability to consistently moves themselves and others to action because they understand the "invisible forces" that shape us.

He also shares about 3 decisions of destiny that we are making every moment of our lives:

1) What am I going to focus on?
Focus = feeling
Past/Present/Future
Self or others

2) What does it mean?
Is it the end or the beginning?
Are you being punished or rewarded?

3) What are you going to do?
Are you going to give up or move forward?

Make A Smooth Transition by Sattar Bawany

In today’s workplace, employees are changing jobs and careers more than ever before, resulting in a transient workforce.

Today’s professional is likely to have six to eight different employers and potentially three direction changes throughout their career.

This means businesses need individuals who can fit into the role and perform from day one. While the skills that allow you to be immediately and effectively productive are highly sought after by employers, the good news is they aren’t that difficult to master.

Many people are accustomed to the challenges that come with starting a new job and are confident enough to hit the ground running. But what if it’s been a long time since you had a career change? For those who have been with a single employer for an extended period of time, a change of employer is often as daunting as it is exciting.

Here are some tips on how you can make the best transition:

1. Observe others

When embarking on a new role, the first rule to follow is to simply observe how people operate and interact with each other in your new work environment. Every organisation has its own unique culture. Aim to get a good understanding of the language, working styles and collaboration among team members.

Learn who the key players and decision-makers are and speak to them about how they like to do business. Get a feel for the methods, structure and hierarchy and whether collaboration and innovation are openly embraced, or achieved in small steps.

2. Be willing to adapt your working style

Every organisation does things slightly differently. Draw upon the skills and experience you built up with your previous employer, but don’t think that you can do things in exactly the same way. Even though you will deliver the same quality of work, you may need to change the way you go about it.

Remember also that you are not going to change the world in a day — it is unrealistic and unfair to expect otherwise.

The most effective workers and leaders do not “reinvent the wheel” but rather, copy good ideas and make them relevant to the environment they are in.

3. Ask for help

If you are finding the demands of your new role challenging, ask for help and, more importantly, ask for feedback. A steady, constructive, open approach and clear communication of what you are doing with your fellow workers will help you win the career performance race.

You should never be too proud to approach others for help, or consider it a sign of weakness. It’s perfectly normal to feel out of your comfort zone at times, but you can manage this by communicating with others.

Your organisation may even have a formal coaching programme in place to help you through the transition. Ask if this is something that is available to you and if it isn’t, let your seniors know this is something you are interested in pursuing.

4. Focus on your achievements

Even when you are feeling challenged, it is important to maintain an optimistic outlook and focus on your achievements rather than the mistakes that often come with a new role.

Don’t place unnecessary pressure on yourself by making ambitious predictions about what you are going to achieve in the first day with a new employer. Instead, develop small, measurable and achievable goals. When you feel more sure of yourself and comfortable in your new surroundings, stretch the next goal further.

5. Know what is expected of you

A critical part of being successful in a new organisation is to be clear about the goals and expectations of the organisation, and align your own personal goals to these.

By focusing on what matters and what is expected, you will ensure you are keeping your eye on the bigger picture. By taking things one step at a time, remaining open to change and asking for feedback along the way, you will build the foundations for your success.

Can I borrow $25?‏

A man came home from work late, tired and irritated, to find his 5-year old son waiting for him at the door.

SON: "Daddy, may I ask you a question?"

DAD: "Yeah sure, what it is?" replied the man.

SON: "Daddy, how much do you make an hour?"

DAD: "That’s none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?" the man said angrily.

SON: "I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?"

DAD: "If you must know, I make $50 an hour."

SON: "Oh," the little boy replied, with his head down.

SON: "Daddy, may I please borrow $25?"

The father was furious, "If the only reason you asked that is so you can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you are being so selfish. I don’t work hard everyday for such childish frivolities."

The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door.

The man sat down and started to get even angrier about the little boy’s questions. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money?

After about an hour or so, the man had calmed down , and started to think:

Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that $25.00 and he really didn’t ask for money very often The man went to the door of the little boy’s room and opened the door.

"Are you asleep, son?" He asked.

"No daddy, I’m awake," replied the boy.

"I’ve been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier" said the man. "It’s been a long day and I took out my aggravation on you. Here’s the $25 you asked for."

The little boy sat straight up, smiling. "Oh, thank you daddy!" he yelled. Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled out some crumpled up bills.

The man saw that the boy already had money, started to get angry again.

The little boy slowly counted out his money, and then looked up at his father.

"Why do you want more money if you already have some?" the father grumbled.

"Because I didn’t have enough, but now I do," the little boy replied.

"Daddy, I have $50 now. Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you."

The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little son, and he begged for his forgiveness.

It’s just a short reminder to all of you working so hard in life. We should not let time slip through our fingers without having spent some time with those who really matter to us, those close to our hearts. Do remember to share that $50 worth of your time with someone you love.

Put More Energy Into Your Job Search By Atul Mathur

If you are looking for a job, what is the way to stand out from the crowd and improve your chances of getting hired? The answer lies in understanding your conduct in your daily life.

You don’t climb the stairs to reach a higher storey when you can take a lift. You don’t walk up to the TV to flip channels when you can do so with a remote control. And you don’t visit a bank when a transaction can be completed over the Internet.

From dishwashers and washing machines to software, online reservations and ready-to-eat foods, most of the gadgets, technologies and services are aimed at a basic human quest: to minimise effort and time.

When it comes to the job market, however, the tendency to minimise effort and time can prove to be counter-productive. But, if you stay off the path of least effort during your job search, you could enjoy better prospects. Here is how it works:

The resume

The quickest way to apply for a job is to update an old resume and send it out to as many employers as possible. That is the path of least effort, often leading to not-so-favourable outcomes.

First, when you prepare a resume without spending sufficient effort and time on it, it is likely to be longer than necessary, vague, complex, unimpressive and may contain errors.

Second, when you send a standard resume to multiple employers, it fails to connect with their unique requirements and convey your true value. The likely destination of all such resumes is the rejection pile.

If you wish to open doors for interviews, make an effort to:

• tailor your resume according to each potential employer’s unique needs;


• keep it short — two or three pages is enough;


• make the information easy to grasp by using bullets and headings/sub-headings;


• use short and clear sentences;


• support your credentials with specific examples and data;


• and avoid grammatical and spelling errors.

These actions require more effort and time, but they are worth it, for recruiters pay attention to resumes that are relevant, clear and tailored to their unique needs.

Job opportunities

The conventional way to search for a job is to look for openings in the newspaper and on the Internet. In addition, you could try two more simple but proven strategies, which require extra effort.

First, go for networking! Get in touch with all your friends, colleagues and relatives, and seek their help in guiding you to new job opportunities. Networking is like adding 40 to 50 more pairs of eyes to your own to look out for a new job.

Another powerful strategy is to get directly in touch with potential employers even if they have not advertised any vacancies. This method requires guts, but it works if you can contact the right person at the right place.

Interviews

If you present yourself at an interview with a mindset that an interview is about answering questions, you are part of the crowd. Most people expect recruiters to ask probing questions to dig out relevant information and then make an assessment of their suitability.

Now, imagine a job seeker who takes the lead during an interview to not only demonstrate an understanding of the employer’s challenges, but also shows how she, with her relevant credentials, could meet those challenges. Don’t you think recruiters would be inclined to go for such a promising candidate?

The key is not to present yourself in an interview as a bundle of degrees, certificates and designations. Instead, do your homework before an interview and present yourself as the best solution to the employer’s specific challenges.

The bottom line: Remember, the tendency to go down the path of least effort is natural, but the job market is more likely to reward you if you deliberately put in extra effort at every stage of your job search process.