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Make no mistake. Your resume cover letter is what will get somebody to read your resume.

If that initial commercial for you isn’t shockingly, preferably uniquely good, your resume probably doesn’t count for much.

If your cover IS great, though, you’ve got to have a resume behind it.

Your resume needs to present the product (that’s you) in such a way that the person reading it stumbles over himself trying to pick up the phone to call you.

Having just read that, imagine most resumes you’ve ever read. Did you jump? I doubt it.

Most resumes tell an exhausting story of a person’s work history. What a resume should present is the high points of a compelling career narrative. Anything else is boring, useless reading for somebody who doesn’t have the time for it. And won’t take the time to read it through.

So what should be in a resume anyway? Maybe not what you think. If you get nothing else out of this article, remember one point.

A resume is not a laundry list of your work history.

A resume must contain

• Professional accomplishments (dollar-quantified whenever possible) that your potential employer cares about
• Some more of those
• And, finally, some more of those

Maybe that stuff isn’t as exciting to you as your birthdate, or your hobbies, but nothing else matters as much as that quantified experience your potential boss cares about. If you create a resume without that in there, odds are good it’ll end up in the garbage.

Why?

It’s a matter of time, really. Your potential new boss (or somebody working to fill the position for him, like a recruiter) has only so much of it. Not unlike you, right?

Imagine a business seminar where the speaker drones on about useless or redunant material. Work is piling up back at your desk. You have deadlines to meet. You were supposed to get something out of this seminar. Instead there’s a boring speaker wasting your time.

Get the picture?

A resume reader will move on the instant you stop being compelling. That instant arrives when you stop talking about what the reader cares about. And he cares about quantified (preferably dollar-quantitied) accomplishments.

Think again about the typical resume again. Better yet, think critically about yours. Here’s what most have in them:

• “Tasks.” That’s what you did, not what you achieved.
• “Awards.” Those recognize accomplishments.
• “Promotions.” Those validate repeated accomplishment.

Go ahead and include those items in your resume. Make sure, though, that they add icing to the accomplishment cake.

There’s an old adage in the sales world: Sell, don’t tell. Blah experience listed without any sizzle is telling, not selling.

If your resume doesn’t have quantified (preferably dollar-quantified) accomplishments, it’s a poor commercial for You, Inc.

Copyright (c) by Roy Miller

Roy Miller created http://www.Job-Search-Guidepost.com.

Would you like a “secret weapon” to crush your job search competition? Subscribe to Roy’s free newsletter and get a free report that shows YOU can win the job of your dreams in record time. Visit here to subscribe and claim your free copy: http://www.Job-Search-Guidepost.com.

Would you like never to need a resume again? Visit Roy’s new site http://www.resale-money-machine.com to find out how.

Roy will link to you if you publish this article! Publish with no changes (keep the bio box at the bottom) at your site or in your newsletter. Then email Roy here to let him know where you’re publishing: Editors@Job-Search-Guidepost.com. You’ll get a link at http://www.Job-Search-Guidepost.com, and maybe an ad in Roy’s weekly newsletter.

Before purchasing a telescope it is very important to know what
you want and what. $30 invested in a good book will not only ad
to your enjoyment of the night sky, but may save you from making
a $300 mistake. The best advise is to visit your local astronomy
club and learn from the experience and mistakes of others who
have gone before. Question the scope owners about the
advantages/disadvantages of each of their scopes. You will
quickly learn that there are many different types of scopes and
mounts. There is no “best” design, each has its strong and weak
points. The only way to know what to expect and what you really
want is to look at and through as many different scopes as
possible before deciding what to buy.

When you are ready to buy, avoid department stores. The types of
telescopes that sell in department stores for up to $300 and
more are mostly junk. Despite outrageous advertising claims they
are all but unusable and are more likely to kill your interest
in astronomy than encourage it. A telescope shop is the
preferred place to shop though some larger camera stores may be
approached with caution.

When getting started in any new hobby the best advice is always
to start with the basics. Every avid amateur astronomer, no
matter what other equipment they own, has a good pair of
binoculars. There are several good reason for this. The wide
field of view and erect image of binoculars allow easy
navigation around the sky. Many of the best astronomical objects
can be seen in binoculars including; 150,000 stars (Compared to
3,000 with the unaided eye), the complete Messier Catalogue of
109 best star clusters, galaxies and nebulae, all the solar
system planets except Pluto, 2 - 4 moons of Jupiter, 100 craters
and mountains on the Moon and bright asteroids. Note also that
binoculars are better than telescopes for observing extended
objects such as star clouds of the Milky Way, open star clusters
and bright comets which are to large to fit into the field of
view of a telescope. A pair of binoculars that you already have
around the house are the most cost-effective way to get started
but if you have to buy a pair 7×50 or 10×50 binoculars are an
ideal beginners instrument. You can get a very good quality pair
of binoculars for around $150 which will give views far superior
to a cheap telescope that cost twice that much. The next
accessory you should consider is a camera tripod and an adapter
for your binoculars. The view through a solidly supported pair
of good quality binoculars is comparable in quality to a wide
field view through a good telescope. The secret to enjoying the
night sky is not having fancy equipment, but knowing what to
look for and where to look. A telescope is no better than the
naked eye if you don’t know where to point it.

Once you learn your way around the sky and how to locate the
brighter objects you may decide that your interest justifies the
purchase of a telescope. The move from binoculars to a telescope
is motivated by the desire to see finer detail in bright objects
like the moon and planets or fainter objects like galaxies and
nebulae. Long focal length refractors are best at showing
planetary and lunar detail; a large aperture reflector excels at
showing feint galaxies and nebulae, while wide field scopes are
better for comet and supernovae searches. Alt-azimuth mounts are
portable, inexpensive and easy to operate, while heavier, more
expensive equatorial mounts are best for photography and high
power tracking. For these reasons it is strongly advised against
buying a telescope until you have looked through several
different types and talked with a few experienced owners.

Word Count: 326 words Category: Astrology

You have permission to publish this article in your ezine or on
your web site, free of charge, as long as the byline is included
and the article is reprinted in it’s entirety. I also ask that
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You may not use this article in any publication that is
not-optin (spam).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What’s Astrology Good For ?

You usually find it on the comics page. Most people who read it
make jokes about it; some, under their breath, comment on how
spooky it is…

This is not astrology. Consider:

If someone wrote a column that broke all of us down into 12
“types” then proceeded to tell us what diseases we had, would
you call that Medicine?

I’ve been an astrologer for over 36 years and I have a couple
of things to say about what it’s worth.

First, it is worth studying for the Meaning it can add to our
lives. Care must be taken here, though. Any astrologer that says
it can predict your future is Dead Wrong.

Second, it’s good for broadening our understanding of just how
many factors go to make up a complete person. We All Have All
Twelve Signs In Our Natures! No one is lacking any of them. In a
complete chart they are all there. True, most people have 4 or 5
more emphasized but we all have all twelve.

A good place to get your whole chart for free (plus a free
interpretation) is:

http://mychart.astrologyweekly.com/

Third, astrology is supreme at helping us track Cycles in our
lives. It’s very good at answering questions like: Have these
circumstances happened before? How can I face them this time
with more of my true self? What in my past has a bearing on
what’s happening now? How can I take what I have now and use it
in the best way in the future?

So, more meaning, a broader understanding, and cyclic
awareness. Not bad for something that can’t even predict the
future, eh?

You can read much more about it in my new book. Go to my blog
and check it out:

http://www.lulu.com/amzolt

Spring is in the air. The whole world comes alive with flowers,
new life, new smells, warm weather and the discernible increase
in libido of the singles crowd. Whether or not there is a direct
genetic urge to mate during a specific season, everyone wants to
date more in the spring. More often than not, this is the time
when new love can take a hold of you and before you know it you
are dancing like a cliché through puddles and singing in the
rain better than Gene Kelly. This feeling of utter bliss may
cause some of you to even contemplate the “R” word – a
Relationship.

There are so many different levels that the single person may be
on in their life regarding dating and relationships. The level
you are on can affect your level of readiness for a
relationship. For example, some singles have been serial daters
for years refusing to enter a real relationship out of fear of
rejection or simply because they love to be single and free of
the drama and anguish which relationships may cause. Some
singles have been searching for a relationship too hard and end
up scaring any potential mates away with that instant cling
action. Other single men and women have recently been removed
from a relationship and they are on the rebound. Others still
are happy being single but will gladly enter a relationship if
only the perfect specimen would cross their path. And then of
course some of you are thinking, “Well, I’ve had my fill of
parties, clubbing and one night stands for the past ten years,
my looks are fading, I might as well start the next part of my
life, get married and have kids pretty quick”.

Obviously a person needs to be in the right frame of mind and
the right part of life to try and enter a relationship. You
should be mature enough and old enough for a relationship. Your
self esteem should be high and you should not feel as if you
need a relationship to make you feel better about yourself. You
should be able to take care of yourself emotionally and
financially and not need to depend on your significant other to
take care of you completely. You should be free from past trauma
and hurt. And you should be ready to enter a relationship only
when you feel you have met the right person. Finally, you should
only enter a relationship if you are truly in love. If you do
not fill all of the requirements above, you might want to do a
little work on yourself before focusing on someone else and a
relationship. And if you feel that you do embody the right stuff
for a committed relationship, there are even more factors that
you will want to think about.

First of all, you may be ready for a relationship, but is it
even worth entering one at this point? Too many people jump
straight into a relationship just because the other person is
attractive and available. After only a week of dating, you both
decide that you are exclusive and in a relationship. Well that
is just plain silly. You are only entering this relationship
because you desire that grounded sense of stability (a noble
desire), but you have no idea if you are even compatible on the
most basic level. Later on you break up, just one of your many
relationship upsets, and your self esteem decreases just a tad
as you look back on your history of repeated relationship
failures. Obviously, this is not the way to go. Another issue to
consider is if this person feels the same way about you as you
do about him or her. You may desire to enter a relationship with
this person, even though he or she is giving you those wishy
washy mixed signals. Ostensibly you might believe he or she is
in love with you, but your heart tells you different. If you
want a successful loving relationship, you must be absolutely,
positively one hundred percent sure that this person feels the
same exact way about you. The relationship must be a mutual
arrangement. It can not be forced or coerced in any way. Forcing
a relationship will usually lead to bitter resentment later on
down the road.

As a final note, some relationships do not work even when both
partners are ready and the perfect conditions have been set only
because one or both lovers did not realize that a real
relationship needs work and compromise. This especially relates
to the person who has been happily single and dating for many
years. Suddenly, you have rules. You must call and check in
every once in a while, make plans together, watch out not to
offend the other and get over going out with the friends for
every weekend, crazy party and holiday like you used to. This
takes a while to get used to and if you are not prepared to make
these sacrifices and compromises, you may just lose one of the
best gifts you can ever receive – life long companionship.

Why everyone loves Internet dating.

An introduction to Internet dating.

If you’ve surfed the Internet for longer than about two minutes
then you won’t have the missed the numerous Internet dating
adverts that seem to be cropping up everywhere. Whether on
popups or ad banners, Internet dating is a huge phenomenon all
around the world and it’s not just in the minds of the
webmasters. There wouldn’t be so many Internet dating sites if
there weren’t a demand for it; we’re going to point out the many
pros there are to Internet dating and why so many people are
trying it and coming back for more over and over again.

Reach across the world.

A cursory glance around Internet dating sites will reveal that
you’re much likely to be talking to someone from the other side
of the world than from your own town. How many pubs and
restaurants can offer such a wide variety of people who all have
a similar goal on their mind? None, in fact, most places you
visit are crammed to the ceiling with couples and families, any
potential partners are either already involved or surrounded by
hopefuls before they even make it through the door. With
Internet dating this is completely different. It’s true that
some of the people that are on Internet dating sites may be in
relationships but most freely admit it and just want some chat.

Inhibitions.

How many of us actually have the nerve to walk up to a member of
the opposite sex and start chatting them up without a second
thought? And how many of us have the nerve to do it sober?
Internet dating removes any shyness and almost all inhibitions
and makes chatting to people much easier. You’ll often find some
of the more outgoing personalities are the quietest in the ‘real
world’ but they don’t act it when they are Internet dating.

Internet dating acts as a sort of mask that means we lose our
inhibitions. We’re not likely to ever see the people we are
talking to, so what is there to lose? Nothing. People go on
Internet dating sites with one thing on their mind. To meet
like-minded people who want to chat and maybe find a little love
in their lives with the right person. They know that through
Internet dating the short list of potential partners very soon
becomes a long list of funny and intelligent people that are
easy to talk to; and there’s never a fear of recrimination.

The bottom line on Internet dating.

If there’s one perfect partner for every person in this world,
who’s to say that they live five miles down the road and you’re
going to meet them when you next pop out for a pint of milk?
It’s not that likely, but Internet dating stacks the odds
completely in your favour.

Read more articles @ www.askgrannydate.com

How to Get Debt Collectors to STOP Harassing You. Give Them the
NO Contact Order!!

By ElmerFizz.com

http://www.elmerfizz.com

If you’ve been a victim of job loss, medical emergency or other
cause of income loss, you may be one of the millions of
individuals facing a pile of debts that you cannot cover. Miss
one or two payments and you can expect to get a call from a debt
collector.

Calls from debt collectors trying to find you at your place of
employment can be humiliating. You may already be screening your
calls, your chest tightening as you realize it’s them - again.

While not every debt collector is unsympathetic and berating
they likely do have to steel themselves for many of the sad
stories given to them as explanations for past due debts. They
are also frequently rewarded for their efforts in collecting the
debt with a commission based on the amount obtained. It is easy
to see why it is not uncommon for individuals who are already in
a desperate state to fear encounters with the more aggressive
collectors who are determined to get their fees.

“What Are They Allowed to Do?”

Debt collectors are allowed to contact you by in person, by
mail, by telegram, by fax and by phone; at home or at work -
unless they know your employer would disapprove. They may also
not contact you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. unless you have
agreed to the contact at that time.

They must contact your attorney unless you don’t have one. They
may then contact other people to find out your telephone number,
work place or address, but in most cases they are not allowed to
inform them that you owe money or contact them more than once.

“What If I Don’t Want to be Contacted?”

Whether or not you actually owe a debt you can write a letter to
the collector telling them to stop contact. They may then
contact you only once to inform you that they will make no
further contact or to tell you what action may be taken against
you.

Stopping contact will not clear the debt. If you do not believe
you owe the debt make that clear in your letter.

“What Can I Do If I Am Harassed?”

The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) has a Fair Debt Collection
policy to protect consumers. Knowing your rights will put off
even the most determined collector since they already know the
law and are pressing you on the assumption that you don’t.

Debt collectors are NOT allowed to harass, abuse or oppress you
or other individuals on your behalf - that includes obscene
language, threats of violence or repeated calling in an effort
to annoy.

They are not allowed to misrepresent themselves as government
agents, attorneys or representing a credit bureau if they are
not. They cannot imply they are sending legal documents if they
aren’t or that you’ve committed a crime, if you haven’t.

They cannot imply legal action, including seizing property or
garnishing wages unless they are legally allowed and intend to
do so.

You can find out more about your rights from the FTC. If you
want to report an agent you can do so by contacting the FTC or
your Attorney General. If they are breaking the law you have the
right to sue.

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This article may be reprinted for personal use or on your
website if the content is left unchanged including this
resoource box. http://www.elmerfizz.com
http://www.crazyhealthnut.com For More reprint articles see
http://www.elmerfizz.com

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In today’s financial climate, real estate continues to be a strong investment in many areas. Educated buyers will always make the most out of the real estate market. These top ten tips to buying real estate will help you enter into your next real estate transaction with confidence.

TIP #1: Hire the right Agent!

Hiring the right Real Estate Agent is invaluable. If you are unfamiliar with the area, the realtor you choose is your link to important information regarding schools, zoning, city and county regulations, neighborhood trends, building and remodeling and rental restrictions, and property values. Every city has different laws governing what can and can’t be done with a property. Sanibel is one of the most beautiful cities in the United States due in part to its strict building codes and city planning. Having experienced many aspects of real estate transactions on a personal level, I understand situations and concerns of my buyers and sellers. I have been an island property owner for many years and have walked through several local real estate transactions myself. From buying and selling lots to building new homes with local builders, to investing in rental income producing properties and utilizing 1031 Tax free exchanges, I don’t just sell island real estate; I invest in it because I believe there is no place in the world like Sanibel and Captiva. Whether you work with me or someone else, finding the right realtor is invaluable.

TIP #2: Utilize 1031 Tax Exchanges and Save Money!

1031 Tax Exchanges are tax free exchanges of investment property. Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code is one of the last great tax shelters. If you purchase an investment property of “like kind” within 180 days of the sale of a similar type property, and you are willing to increase the amount of debt or value of the property, your capital gains taxes can be completely deferred. Having just completed a Reverse 1031 tax exchange myself, I believe in using this powerful tax shelter. Feel free to contact me if you are considering using a current Sanibel, Captiva, or Ft. Myers property in a 1031 Tax Exchange, or want to purchase an investment property that might qualify in the future for a 1031 Tax Exchange. A Reverse 1031 Tax Exchange is the same exchange concept as a 1031 Tax Exchange except you have purchased your replacement “like kind” investment property first, before selling the property to be exchanged. Learn more about 1031 Tax Exchanges, and how to use them to your financial advantage. Keep in mind that a neutral party must have act a Qualified Intermediary. Real Estate may also be bought and sold through your self directed retirement account. Whether you utilize a traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP, or company plans such as 401 (k) plans, Keogh, or profit sharing plans, investigate your options.

TIP #3: Pre-qualify for Financing!

Pre-qualifying for a loan may not seem that important until you find your perfect paradise property at the same time as another buyer. When a property is priced to sell, it will usually attract more than one buyer. Once a seller receives an offer, the two most important things they consider are …the price, and the contingencies. For some sellers, a contract contingent on the buyer obtaining financing makes them uncomfortable with the offer. Eliminate any doubt in the mind of a seller, by pre-qualifying for the amount you may spend on the purchase of any property. This is especially important if your dream property suddenly has a price reduction. When this occurs other buyers might come into the picture, that didn’t look at that property before it went “On Sale”! Often times a seller will take a financially solid contract over a higher offer. Be ready to put a deal together!

TIP #4: Location, Location, Location!

“Location, location, location”, while overused as a real estate phrase, is still and always should be a huge consideration to you as the buyer! If something about the location of a property bothers you, be aware that the same location drawback will bother any buyer you hope to attract when and if you need to resell the property! It’s important to ask a lot of questions, but often times it is difficult to know the right questions to ask if you are unfamiliar with the community. This is why it is so valuable to choose and hire the right real estate agent to represent your interests when buying a property.

TIP #5: Get a Home Inspection!

Obtaining an inspection report performed by a licensed professional building inspector of your choice, can protect you from many defects that are hidden from view. Why gamble with such a large financial investment? Let a professional building inspector point out areas to be fixed or replaced that aren’t obvious. A good inspector will give you a lengthy report covering all systems in the home from electrical, to plumbing, to roof conditions, and structural concerns. Once you receive a report you may begin negotiations again concerning repairs. Often a seller will agree to make necessary repairs up to a specified financial amount. When a seller lists their property “as is” they are letting you know that they are not willing to fix or replace any part of the property. If you are interested in an “as is” property and aren’t going to level the structure and build new, it is still in your best interest to obtain an inspection report. Don’t rely on the building inspector to look for termites and other harmful pest problems. Although an inspector will see pest damage, it is best to have a separate termite inspection conducted by a licensed company that understands pests and can eliminate them.

TIP #6: Obtain a Survey and Title Insurance!

Surveys will show easements, encroachments, and boundary lines of a property. By surveying a home in an established neighborhood you are assured that the property boundary lines have been maintained. As homeowners add on the their properties over time with fences, sheds, docks, garages, and other structures, boundary lines can be crossed placing part of their structure on your property, or vice versa. Surveying vacant land is also important for same reasons as a home, plus a survey will help determine the size home, or amount of coverage the lot will allow.

Title Insurance will protect your investment from another party claiming ownership interest in your property. Title searches will uncover liens placed on a property by vendors, or mistakes in past transfers of the title. The last thing you want to discover when you’re in the back stretch of a transaction is that there are encumbrances on the property such as tax liens, undisclosed owners, easements, or leases. Should a claim arise after the purchase of a property, the title insurance company is there to protect your ownership interest in that property.

TIP #7: Be Realistic!

“Wants” and “Needs” are very different when is comes to real estate features. If every home you see has the upgrades you “want” but exceeds the price range that you “need”…. be realistic. Who wouldn’t love a large, oceanfront, professionally decorated home or condominium, with all the bells and whistles? Looking at properties that exceed your price range is always fun, but it can be extremely frustrating and upsetting. Be realistic by looking at listings in the price range you “need”, keeping an eye out for that special property that has the potential to evolve into the dream home you “want”. Always look beyond the furnishings, wallpaper, and floor coverings to the architecture of the home; it is then that you will find properties with potential.

TIP #8: Use Contract Contingencies Wisely!

Contingencies in a contract for the purchase of a property are designed to protect you, the buyer! This may seem silly to mention but it’s important to remember that you need to work with the seller to come to an agreed upon contract. Valid contingencies to an offer are expected by the seller. Common contingencies include building inspections, termite and pest inspections, financing, and surveys. Many deals fall apart over small details, and easy to fix issues. Remember that sellers are emotional about their property. If you can see that major repairs or replacements need to be made due to neglect or age, make allowances for this in your offering price. The old adage “Everything is negotiable” still holds true, unless you upset the seller so much that they refuse to work with you. Try to avoid listing cosmetic changes you would like the seller to make as contingencies. Cosmetic changes are subjective, be objective when writing a contract.

TIP #9: Understand Regional Health and Safety Issues!

An informed realtor will help you understand other health and safety issues that should be considered when purchasing a property. Safety and Health topics can include EIFS (Synthetic Stucco), indoor air quality, mold, radon, and lead paint. Many of these require the seller to sign a disclosure statement, while others may not apply due to the age, type of construction, or location of the property being purchased.

TIP #10: Ask for Information!

Don’t be shy. When you have hired a realtor to work for you, ask them for information. Do you want to look at all the properties in your price range, with the features you need, or just the houses a realtor wants you to see? You deserve all the information you need to make an educated decision. Can you imagine buying the home that you felt was good for your family, only to find that you never received information on a similar property that is perfect for all your needs? I provide many services to insure my buyers always have information at their fingertips.

Eric Pfeifer


Website: http://www.mysanibelrealestate.com


Realtor, Broker-Associate, CRS, GRI

I receive many emails each week from people who deposited money
at an online casino, only to walk away empty handed merely
minutes later. Most of them are quite upset and understandably
so. When you have lost money you want to blame someone. It’s
part of the human psyche and a natural reaction.

When I ask people if they were playing according to a strategy
the answer is normally something like “Huh? What’s that?”.
Enough said. Now don’t get me wrong. I am not suggesting we all
go out and obtain science degrees and start crunching numbers in
every playing session. I am however suggesting that you arm
yourself with a few important tools before you deposit your hard
earned money at an online casino. These basic tools are not
rocket science, but they require you to do some work before you
spin the reels or lay a chip.

Money Management

This is by far one of the most important aspects of gambling at
online casino but astonishingly one of the least discussed
subjects. A sound money management strategy consists of three
important elements: budget management, bankroll management and
betting limits.

Budget management is simple enough. Set your monthly budget and
stick to it. Only gamble with more if you are playing with
winnings. In fact, I have a rule for myself where I don’t even
do this. I cash my winnings in immediately. There’s an old
belief in gambling that money you have won will go back faster
to the casino than your own and I buy that.

A bankroll management strategy simply relates to how you are
going to spread your budget across several playing sessions and
across a variety of games. This will maximize your playing
experience. It is no use dumping your entire session bankroll
into an expensive slot machine if you are looking to get
entertained for a couple of hours. Finally, manage your betting
limits. Decide how high you are prepared to go and stick to it.
Too many people get an adrenaline rush and cross their limits.
Although you may win every now and then you’ll spend far more
time in front of the TV over time.

Game Strategy

No matter which online casino game you prefer, following a basic
strategy is a hundred times better than having no strategy at
all. Online casino gambling strategies range from very simple to
highly sophisticated. Take blackjack for example. Basic strategy
involves a simple strategy card that will guide your decision to
hit, fold, or stand on a given hand. More sophisticated
strategies involve things like card counting. As far as slots
go, a simple spin and hope strategy won’t get you far. There are
simple strategies like machine selection to more expansive
progressive loss betting systems. The net is littered with
gaming strategies so you won’t have to search for too long.

Some basic but careful planning could make your experience a lot
more worthwhile!

A missing or lame Objective section can get your resume tossed in the trash in a matter of seconds. There are quite simply too many better resumes out there to bother. Yet most job seekers screw this up terribly.

The basics are thus: toward the top just above or just underneath your “Keyword Competencies” paragraph, put your “Objective” section which is quite simply the object of your job search, the title of the job you are seeking.

Here’s a Bad Example: Most people put in a title (like “Software Developer” or, “Lighthouse Keeper” or, “Marketing Director” or “Product Manager” or “NASCAR Pit Boss” in some long droning sentence that reads like:

Objective: “Challenging opportunity as a (title) where I can effectively use my managing and sales skills in my ongoing effort to help grow an organization, blah, blah…”

This is not only boring, it’s also highly ineffective. Your resume has only so much available space and your potential reader so little available time. This sort of verbiage does not transmit key information that will widen your net.

Use the “Objective” to do one thing, focus on your objective.

Here’s a Better Example: Instead of just filling out the target title as “JAVA Programmer” for instance, also list other closely allied titles that the searcher may be searching on. For instance:

Objective: “Java Programmer, Software Engineer, Application Developer, Software Developer.”

Use each section in your resume to answer one question only. By putting several potential titles in the Objective heading (and leaving out the skill-set info of the first example), you tighten up your focus and you widen your net. Even within larger companies, there may be several different job requisitions at any one time. For example, it hasn’t been uncommon for a company to have concurrent openings for “Java Programmer”, “Software Developer”, “Software Engineer”, all of which you may well be qualified for. So don’t limit yourself with your objective title. Use this space to your best advantage and you will reap greater returns.

Summary: Wow, that was pretty easy wasn’t it? But you know, most of your competitors in the job search process DON’T DO THIS SIMPLE THING. Add this improvement to your resume today and you’ll find yourself out of the lost resume abyss and back in the game and closer to getting that job you really want.

Joe Turner makes it easy to quickly land that next job. Learn insider job search tips from top recruiters. To claim your free 6-part Recruiter Secrets Minicourse, visit http://www.jobchangesecrets.com/Free_Job_Search_Tips.html.

Admit it. You snickered, rolled your eyes and laughed out loud
as the group of “Average Joes” filed out of their bus to meet
Melana that first night. You probably thought “no way” as you
settled in for a soap about a beautiful girl’s rejection of the
geeks. Indeed, Melana herself stated, “someone is messing with
my head”, as the next “average” guy stepped down to meet her.

However, in the episodes that followed, there was bonding,
friendship and attraction between Melana and a number of the
guys. It actually began to look as though she was falling for at
least one or two of them. Then came the twist. The “gorgeous”
guys were sent in to challenge the Joes and test Melana’s
ability to see past the surface and choose based on what each
man had to offer as a total package.

At that point, what were you thinking? Who was your
front-runner? Did you think it possible that the bonds that had
been formed would be strong enough to hold Melana’s attention-
and heart? I’m guessing that many people did. I know a lot of
people were routing for Adam or Zack.

So, what happened? In the days that followed the final episode,
virtually all of the commentary centered on a very basic and
“simple” explanation of Melana’s choice. They all said it was
about “looks”.

While I agree that physical attraction played a significant
role, I believe Melana’s choice involved more than this. How we
choose has to do with many things. These include:

* physical attraction * shared interests * social compatibility
and friendship * intellectual compatibility * ability to
communicate * basic values * level of self-knowledge * level of
maturity and dating experience * personal and family goals

I am going to do a brief examination of how these played a role
in Melana’s final decision. Follow along with me and think about
how these factors come into play in your meeting and dating
life. Perhaps Melana’s public struggle with these can provide
some valuable insights into how you choose potential partners
and assist you in your desire to make the best (and healthiest)
choice for you.

Let me begin by stating an obvious point that we are all aware
of. The circumstances and setting of the meeting and dating that
takes place on a “reality” show have little resemblance to the
real world of dating. Dates are chosen, as is the person who
will be doing the choosing. They are sequestered in a beautiful,
romantic place where all their physical needs are attended to
and everyone can present themselves in their best light. The
real world of money, time, energy and the need for making dating
plans are all handled by professionals who go “all out”. Even
though the contestants spend weeks together, they are not
confronted with the real life issues that singles in the dating
world must deal with. Therefore, the circumstances are idyllic.
This has pros and cons. I think we all have a pretty good idea
of what these are. The major plus is that everyone can present
themselves “equally”. The major drawback is that each
relationship is limited to this fantasy existence, and there is
no opportunity to see each other deal with the day to day
challenges of real life.

Stepping back into the episodes prior to the inclusion of the
“hunks”, can you recall the great dates that Melana had with the
guys? The group dates were full of laughs and bonding on a
friendship level. We all enjoyed watching Dennis get to the top
and see the support and caring that were shown towards him. With
each week, Melana discussed and demonstrated the attractions she
was forming with different guys on different levels. A few rose
to the front of the line as she eliminated based on not just
looks, but on the “connection” she felt with each. Indeed, she
used this word a lot. This connection was formed by the elements
of:

* social compatibility and friendship * ability to relate *
comfort level * basic attraction

Just prior to the twist episode, Adam and Zack seemed to be the
front-runners. In their individual dates, they were able to get
to a deeper level of communication. Personality issues arose.
There was discussion centering on likes, dislikes, attitudes and
some of their own personal and family history. They began to get
a sense of each other’s basic values and goals. Their ability to
relate verbally and intellectually started to come into play.

At this point, Adam seemed a strong front-runner. Do you
remember what qualities Melana highlighted as she discussed her
feelings about him? “He’s funny, down-to-earth, smart, liked by
everyone, and just a great guy.” Do you remember their first
“passionate” kiss, and how surprised Melana was at what a great
kisser Adam is? We have to wonder why she was so surprised.
Perhaps because he didn’t look like the type? But he clearly
was. It appeared that Melana was forming a strong bond with him
that included all of the elements that love requires- including
physical attraction.

So what happened?

Enter the hunks. Do you remember Melana’s face as they were
brought into the room? Pleased would be a good description. Her
physical attraction to them was obvious and strong. She used
words like “handsome, great body, too pretty”, to describe them.
Still, she was drawn to Adam.

As the show went on, Melana had individual dates. She decided to
go out with the new guys to give them a chance. She eliminated
Zack, to whom she had admitted having a strong physical
attraction for, while being unsure about his other attributes.

Towards the end, it was Adam vs Jason. Who would she choose and
why? Clearly, the way Jason looked was a major factor in his
staying on. However, Melana also talked about her comfort with
him and the ease she felt in their ability to communicate.
Melana also rated their physical intimacy as great. Indeed the
scenes shown from their dates demonstrated a strong chemistry.
Melana was very drawn to him. But what about Adam?

Do you remember how Melana showed mixed feelings on her second
to last date with Adam? She expressed that she felt conflicted.
Adam was hurt and said so. Even so, they were able to go on with
the date and have a pretty good time. On their last date, there
seemed to be a real bond. Melana got a lot more information
about Adam. He is successful, hard working, has many close
friends and healthy family relationships. Clearly, she was
impressed and drawn to all of these traits. But not enough….

So why her final choice? Melana found friendship, good
communication, compatibility, mutual respect, comfort and
attraction with Adam. She also found these with Jason. In
addition, there was a STRONGER physical attraction. Remember her
words, “look at him, who could resist that face”.

The answer for her final decision? I can only speculate here.
However I believe it had to do with her level of maturity and
self-knowledge. Someone with greater self-awareness, a strong
handle on their life goals and a level of maturity that teaches
us that looks fade while other attributes become stronger over
time; may very well have chosen Adam. Instead, Melana appeared
to have succumbed to the immediate passions of the here and now,
instead of looking ahead to who would be the best choice for
husband, father and partner in the future and sometimes
harrowing journey of commitment, marriage and family life.

I read with interest that Melana and Jason’s “relationship”
appeared to be over after their return from their final fantasy
date. I was not at all surprised. One can only guess what went
on. I think a good guess is that they got to know each other
better without the pressure and competition that had come
before.. Perhaps Melana began to see that along with his
sweetness, Jason had a strong passivity towards life, whereas
Adam strove for achievement through hard work and determination.
Jason seemed to be in need of time and maturity before he would
be able to move towards an intimate and committed relationship
and the responsibilities and challenges that come with it.

No one but Jason and Melana will ever know for sure. I just
can’t help but wonder if she will regret her decision and wish
she had been older and wiser when she was asked to make it.

I’d love to hear YOUR thoughts and ideas regarding Melana and
her choice of Jason. If you’d like to express them, please go to
www.consum-mate.com to contact me.