10 Resume Red Flags

Resume Tee & Red FlagsWith unemployment high and so many candidates competing for so few positions, the strength of your resume is even more important than ever.  I found this great breakdown of “don’ts” at Investopedia.com a great site for info on basic economic concepts and financial information.  While we have done resume posts in the past, this list really gets into some of the mistakes folks have been making lately in their attempts to make their resume stand out against the sea of resumes that recruiters are swimming in.

Know the New Credit Card Rules

If you’re like me, you probably rely on credit cards to some degree to plug gaps in cash flow between paychecks.  Most Americans are in the same boat.  US banks have been taking advantage of Americans’ reliance on credit though downright usurious and predatory practices designed to juice as much money as they can from their customers through sneaky fees and unrealistic rules.  Finally, Congress took some legislative steps to rein in the worst of these abuses and passed the the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009.  It takes effect on February 22, 2010.  As you might expect, the credit card companies have been finding new and creative ways to sidestep these restrictions on their ability to rape their customers.  Read this article at DailyFinance.com to acquaint yourself with the new rules and to learn how to avoid the banksters’ new methods for fleecing you.  Also, as I wrote about in an earlier post, consider moving your credit accounts away from Wall Street companies and into local, community banks and credit unions.  Visit www.moveyourmoney.info for more info on how and why to do this.

Surge in New US Medical Schools is a Positive Indicator

The New York Times reported over the weekend on an imminent surge in new medical schools to open in the US this year.  From that article:
“The proliferation of new schools is also a market response to a rare convergence of forces: a growing population; the aging of the health-conscious baby-boom generation; the impending retirement of, by some counts, as many as a third of current doctors; and the expectation that, the present political climate notwithstanding, changes in health care policy will eventually bring a tide of newly insured patients into the American health care system. If all the schools being proposed actually opened, they would amount to an 18 percent increase in the 131 medical schools across the country.”
For some perspective on the significance of this development, follow me past the jump. Continue reading…

Perseverance – Drew Brees, the Saints and You

Drew Brees of the Saints Celebrates SuperBowl Win w/ Wife and Son

Congratulations to the New Orleans Saints on their epic Super Bowl win yesterday.  There was a lesson in perseverance to be learned through the remarkable achievement of Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees.  In short, the lesson Brees’s story teaches is to never give up working toward your dreams, no matter what the obstacles.  Follow me over the fold for the story. Continue reading…

Top 10 Places to Get Ahead

Forbes Magazine did some interesting research on what areas of the US are best positioned for growth.  They compiled a list of the top 10 locations for jobs, income growth and quality of life.  With so many major cities taking a beating in this near-depression, the landscape has changed dramatically in terms of where the best prospects are for job seekers.  Cities that used to be known for excellent prospects like San Francisco, San Jose, Atlanta and others are no longer at the top of the list.  Many of the cities and towns on Forbes’ new list are not even places you may have heard of.  If you’re about to finish studies and are looking for a great place to live and work, check this list out here.

Time Management Strategies Essential to Work/Study Balance

Developing time management skills, like any other worthwhile endeavor, requires planning and then lots of practice. But the benefits of mastering your own schedule can be felt in all areas of your life; personal and professional. The overall point of focusing on time management is to become more aware of how you use your time and break your days up between work, study, family, social activities, and sleep.clock Follow me past the jump for some ideas on how to begin the process and practice better time management. Continue reading…

Take Advantage of New Tax Deductions This Year

Ahh, a new year has begun and that means the new tax season is upon us.  Like many, you may wait until the April 15th IRS deadline for filing.  But this year, there are a range of new tax deductions and credits available to students, drivers, homeowners and home buyers.  With so much of your money at stake, it may be a good year to start a little early on your taxes so you can spend some time investigating if you’re eligible for any of the new credits or deductions available to taxpayers this year. Did you buy a new car?  Are you a full time student?  Did you replace appliances, windows or other energy saving items in your home?  Do you have children?  If you answered yes to any of these questions, there is new information available that can help you make your return fatter.  Click here for a good list of all the new credits and deductions.

Great News If You Want A Job In Health Care…

newspaperGreat news for health care job seekers: According to an article written in  The New York Times, health care employment has increased during the recession, while employment as a whole has declined. The article highlights that regardless of how the current health care reform ends up, industry jobs will likely remain abundant due to the aging population and technological advances in medicine. To access the entire article, click here.

15 Ways to Blow Your Job Interview

interviewdoThis is an exceptionally funny look at some of the really stupid things people do or say at job interviews.  Culled from professional recruiters, these are all things that actually happened and that should be avoided at all costs if you’re lucky enough to land an interview in this tough employment environment.