Multitasking requires more than a new mindset; it needs new words as well

You never expect 100 percent of people’s attention. You learn to take 80 percent.
—rapper Ice Cube

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Multitasking requires more than a new mindset; it needs new words as well - When the cardiologists Meyer Friedman and Ray Rosenman were researching personality types in the 1950s, they coined the term hurry sickness to describe the tendency to perform tasks quickly and to get flustered when encountering delays. By 1959 they had refined this to the now-classic term type A personality, a key element of which was a ”harrying sense of time urgency.”

Nowadays, this has a familiar ring to all of us. That’s why some folks say we live in a type A culture, or an accelerated culture. This acceleration has also affected the adjectives we use to describe the world. The rat race is no longer merely fast paced; it’s amphetamine-paced or even meth-paced (meth is short for the stimulant methamphetamine).

How do we keep up? We try to do several things at once. A New York Times Magazine profile of entrepreneur Mark Cuban reported that Cuban writes up to a thousand e-mails a day and didn’t stop composing messages even while being interviewed. ”Go ahead,” he told journalist Randall Patterson, ”I can multitask.”

Many of us think we can multitask, and it really does look like we’re doing several things at the same time when we listen to music and watch out for incoming e-mails and tweets while working on a multipage memo. We think we’re paragons of polyattentiveness, the ability to watch or listen carefully to more than one thing at a time. But we’re actually more like those old microprocessors that just switched from one process to another at lightning speed—we’re getting good at rapidly shifting our attention from one task to another. Of course, this implies that we have some control over what we attend to. Increasingly, however, our lives are interrupt driven, characterized by constant or frequent interruptions, especially at work. (This term comes from computer science to describe a system that operates via interrupt requests, instructions that halt processing temporarily so that another operation can take place.)

Of course these attention shifts and interruptions come with their own problems, one of which is continuous partial attention, or CPA, a term coined by Microsoft researcher Linda Stone. This is a state in which most of your attention is on a primary task, but you’re also monitoring several background tasks in case something more important or more interesting comes along. This leads to the just-in-time lifestyle, where you rush from one thing to another and expend only the minimum effort to complete a task; to provisionalism, where you never commit fully to what you’re doing; and to what the philosopher and critic Raymond Tallis calls the e-ttenuation of work and relationships, as when, for example, you answer an e-mail or two while on the phone. There’s a verb for that—to background, as in ”Ever rung a colleague or client and found that the only response your questions are soliciting is the occasional ’Hmmm’? You’ve just been ’backgrounded’!” (The Guardian).

Similarly, rather than sit down to read a long magazine article or a good book, people infosnack, grabbing information in brief snippets. The goal seems to be to avoid the microboredom of having nothing to do over a very short period of time.

That our attention has become such a precious commodity is no surprise to those who study attention economics, an economic model that posits an attention economy, based on the static amount of attention consumers can devote to an ever-expanding pool of available information. In fact, the competition for our eyeballs and earballs (people listening to music, podcasts, radio, and so on), is so intense that some companies are now engaged in full-blown attention warfare.

Is there anything we can do to stave off these attentional assaults? One recent suggestion is the digital cleanse: the minimal use of digital technologies for a set period of time. Unthinkable, you say? Then how about practicing disattention? This is the deliberate refusal to pay attention to certain things. (For me it’s celebrity gossip and Balloon Boy–like stunts.) While it may not help us win the war of attention, it just might help us reset our attention rheostats to a more comfortable level. ( ieee.org )

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How to Get the Salary You Want

How to Get the Salary You Want - A tight job market might have taken away some jobseekers' leverage in a salary negotiation, but that doesn't mean they should roll over and accept the first offer, says New York-based executive coach Rabia de Lande Long. To get the top compensation possible—without putting a sour taste in your potential employer's mouth—take these steps.

1. Do your research.

It used to be hard to find out what your coworkers and other professionals in your industry get paid. But now, several resources have attempted to opened that black box, says Ms. de Lande Long. Salary.com and Payscale.com give salary ranges to expect based on a job seeker's position, location, and experience. Employees at the actual company you're applying to might have also posted their salaries at GlassDoor.com.

2. Don't give out the first number.

You'll be pressured to do this through the application process. "What's your salary requirement?" "What salary range are you looking for?" "What do you get paid now?"

Whatever you do, never give out the first number, says Ms. de Lande Long. If your answer is too high, you might not make it to the next stage. Too low, and an employer will either think you're not qualified or desperate. So, if possible, write "NA" on applications.

If you're pressured to say how much you make during the interview process, try giving your "total compensation," which many large employers will break out for you on the company's internal human resources website. If your current employer doesn't do that, just spell out your salary, benefits, bonuses, and anything else your current employer offers, says Decatur, Ga. career coach Walter Akana. If the new company doesn't offer some of similar benefits, the HR manager will know that your new salary would have to be bumped up to reflect that, he says.

If the interviewer still presses for a required salary, try giving a range of $15,000 rather than a specific number, Mr. Akana says.The low amount should be the minimum you'd be happy with and the high amount should be what would make you happy.

3. Don't lie.

"It's so easy to get someone in HR to verify a salary, even if they're not supposed to," says Ms. de Lande Long. Even if you make it to a job offer, the false salary could come out during a background check, which could result in an outright retraction of the offer or at least upset an employee's new boss. "And from that point onward, you might face trouble in negotiations not just with your new employer, but with everyone in your industry who has heard. Word gets around," says Ms. de Lande Long.

4. Don't take the first offer.

Most employers expect candidates to try to negotiate. So they leave room in the first offer for a raise, says Mr. Akana. If possible, try to arrange a face-to-face meeting with the hiring manager rather than someone in human resources. The hiring manager is more likely to be flexible, says Mr. Akana. "

Say that you're flattered to have an offer and really want to join the team, but that there are a couple specific items that you're sure you could resolve if you put your heads together," says Mr. Akana. Despite the pressure on salaries during the downturn, a good rule of thumb is to ask for a 10% higher salary, says Ms. de Lande Long.

If the hiring manager says budget restrictions keep him from going as high as you'd like, it might be that the position is "graded" to be within a certain salary band by HR, says Mr. Akana. It's worth asking if the boss can ask the appropriate person for the job to be re-graded. The worst he can say is no.

5. Once that's locked in, go for other benefits.

Despite what you might have heard, many benefit packages aren't flexible, says Ms. de Lande Long. So, while it's worth asking, it might be difficult to modify the health plan. Your success in getting more vacation days depends on the employer, says Ms. de Lande Long.

Your potential boss might be hesitant to give you more days if it will make other employees think they're being treated unfairly. Instead, focus on things that are easy for the employer to provide, such as a work-from-home arrangement for one day a week, if the employer has made such arrangements in the past, says Mr. Akana.

If you still feel your package is too low, ask if it can be reviewed again in six months. "That way, you can show them that you're worth the money," he says. ( timesfreepress.com )

READ MORE - How to Get the Salary You Want

Ten things to do after a job interview

Ten things to do after a job interview -- The interview may be over, but your chance to make an impression is not. Here are 10 strategies to continue boosting your candidacy.

1. Show that you're still interested

Leave no doubt in the interviewer's mind about where you stand. Ask for the job at meeting's end with a phrase such as, "I would really like to contribute to this company and am hoping you select me."

Also, don't leave the room without a clear idea of what will happen next in the hiring process. Will select applicants be invited back to meet other people? By what date do they hope to fill the position? Such questions demonstrate enthusiasm for the job, and knowing the hirer's timeframe will help keep you from panicking if a week has passed without a phone call.

When an interview is over, emphasize how much you would like to work for the company

2. Set the stage for further contact

Nobody wants to be a pest, but could your silence as days pass be misinterpreted as indifference? Avoid the guesswork by finding out before heading home what the employer prefers in terms of checking in. Lizandra Vega, author of "The Image of Success: Make a Great Impression and Land the Job You Want," suggests asking the recruiter about her preferred method of follow-up communication and whether it would be okay to touch base again.

3. Be punctual

If you tell the interviewer you'll send a list of references tomorrow morning, make sure you do it. Keeping your word and answering requests in a timely manner speaks volumes about the type of employee you might be.

4. Know when to sit tight

If an interviewer requests that you follow up by phone in a week, respect her wishes. Calling the next day can be construed as pushy and desperate.

5. Send a prompt thank-you note

A positive, nonintrusive way to stay on an employer's mind is to send a thank-you note. Vega recommends emailing one within 24 hours of the interview, then following up with a handwritten note that arrives one to three business days later.

6. Send each interviewer a personalized, powerful follow-up letter

This piece of communication is another chance for you to shine, so don't waste space with generalities. Ford R. Myers, a career coach and author of "Get the Job You Want, Even When No One's Hiring," recommends including specific references to each person you met and tying your accomplishments directly to the company's stated challenges.

You also can use the letter to introduce achievements that didn't get discussed and to elaborate on interview answers that you felt lacked punch.

7. Address one of the company's needs

Another effective way to follow up is to act more like a consultant than an applicant. "During the interview, you learn a lot about a company's weaknesses and/or areas where the company wants to expand," states Linda Matias, president of CareerStrides.com and author of "201 Knockout Answers to Tough Interview Questions."

"Consider creating a proposal on how you would address one of those areas. Doing so will demonstrate that you have the knowledge and also the enthusiasm to make a significant contribution."

8. Keep thinking and learning about the company

Be prepared for additional interviews or follow-up phone calls by continuing to research the organization and the field. Gain new information about a topic brought up in conversation. Think of additional questions you'd like answered. These actions show the hirer that you didn't stop caring about the company after the interview was over.

9. Leverage outside resources

Networking should never stop. "If you have contacts and connections with anyone who might influence the hiring decision, or who actually knows the interviewer, ask her to put a good word in for you," Myers says.

10. Accept rejection with grace

Finally, keep emotions in check and don't burn bridges if someone else gets hired. One never knows what the future might hold. The accepted candidate may not work out, or a different position may open up.

"If you are rejected, the first thing you should do (ironically) is send a thank-you note," Myers says. "This will help distinguish you from other rejected candidates and put you in a positive light." (CareerBuilder.com)

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How do you choose the best career path for you?

How do you choose the best career path for you? - Four Excellent Habits - The subtle skills that will give you a permanent edge in shaping your career or starting a new one.

A 2005 piece in Seventeen, predicting which careers would be in high demand over the next decade, scored some pretty impressive hits. Good things will come, no doubt, to the teenage girls who, six years later, are following the magazine's advice to work as “Chinese interpreters” or “energy engineers.” Faring less well, we suspect, are the girls looking for work as a “space tourism agent.” (Richard Branson can take only so many trips.)

It’s hard to forecast which jobs will be prized in the future. So to get an edge in your work, focus on what you can control: not the macro-economy or specific trades, but the way you steer your career. There are four principles—consider them navigational skills—that will serve you well regardless of what the future brings. These principles are habits of mind: How can you make better choices by thinking differently?

How do you choose the best career path for you?

Principle 1: Look for bright spots

In a tough economy like the one we’re facing now, it’s easy to focus on the negative. Psychologists say our negative bias is baked in; a review of 233 research papers in psychology concluded, rather depressingly, that when it comes to the way we think, “bad is stronger than good.” Bad events, bad feedback, and bad emotions all have more impact on us than their good equivalents.

This bias will tempt you to focus on the negative when it comes to your work: What are the problems I’m facing and how do I fix them? And, in doing that, you’ll neglect an equally important question: What’s working now, despite the obstacles, and how can I do more of it?

“Finding the bright spots” means that you spot things that are working and study them carefully, in hopes that you can reproduce them. (This is distinct from “looking on the bright side,” which will just make you annoyingly sunny.)

Consider a sales manager who oversees a team of five, including three average reps, one superstar, and one laggard. The typical manager will spend most of her time dealing with the laggard—after all, that’s where the problem is, right? But a wise manager will fixate on the superstar: What can I learn from him that I can spread to my other reps? Or a freelancer with only a few clients will be tempted to obsess about the difficulty of landing new work, but she’ll be better served by focusing on her bright spots: Despite the odds, I’ve landed work with several clients. How, exactly, did I manage that?

Bright spots can give you an advantage: As you’re thinking carefully about how to reproduce success, your competition will be stuck contemplating failures.

Principle 2: Find the right gravity

Motivational speaker Jim Rohn says, “You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” This is not true in any scientific sense, of course, or else the Jersey Shore cast would all look and act the same. Er, never mind.

Certainly the quote is directionally correct. One of the best-defended statements in social psychology is that behavior is contagious. Our peers’ behavior influences our own. Think “planking.” Or, more to the point, think about how different jobs have influenced the way you behaved—what you wore, what you talked about, how hard you worked, and so on. When we put ourselves into a new environment, it exerts a gravitational pull on us; the longer we stay, the more we’ll come to resemble the people we surround ourselves with.

That’s why you should scoff when you hear people say things like this: “Long-term, I’m really interested in doing economic development in Africa, but first I want to spend 10 years in investment banking so I’ll be financially secure.” That’s a nice plan, but its flaw is that after 10 years as an investment banker, you’ll be a different person—a person marginally more interested in money, spreadsheets, and status, and marginally less interested in Africa. (To see the absurdity of the plan, just flip it around: “Long-term, I’m really interested in working in investment banking, but first I want to spend 10 years working in Africa so I’ll be ethically secure.”)

Perhaps the most underused question in job selection is, “Do I want to be more like the people I’ll be working with?” In a tough economy, you may not have the luxury of choice, but long-term, don’t settle until you find a place whose gravitational pull tugs you in the right direction.

Principle 3: Maintain your bridges

A landmark 1973 sociology paper by Mark Granovetter described the surprising amount of benefit we receive from our acquaintances, whom he called “weak ties” (as distinct from our “strong ties,” who are our closest friends and family). For example, in one study, Granovetter interviewed people who’d found a job through their contacts. In about 83 percent of the cases, the critical job lead came from a weak tie—a person seen occasionally or rarely.

To understand why, consider the redundancy of your strong-tie network. Chances are, a lot of your strong ties know each other well (e.g., your mom knows your sister pretty well, and your two best friends probably see each other frequently). Information flows quickly and easily within the network, which means that to a reasonable extent, everyone knows the same things. Weak ties, by contrast, serve as bridges between separate networks. So when you talk with a weak tie, you’re tapping into a wealth of knowledge that you have no other way to access.

Interestingly, this is true even inside organizations. Sociologist Ron Burt has found that the freshest and most valuable ideas inside organizations often come from people who bridge disconnected networks. So if you are an engineer, for instance, you’d be wise to find a quarterly lunch partner in marketing or finance.

To be clear, this is not an argument against having good friends or close co-workers. Strong ties, quite obviously, are the source of our satisfaction and happiness in life. Rather, it’s a reminder to invest in our weak ties, who are most likely to be the source of new opportunities or new ideas. It’s counterintuitive but true: Your most low-maintenance relationships could provide the biggest breaks in your career.

Principle 4: Avoid following the herd

In 2000, veteran marketers left credible companies in droves to join the likes of DrKoop.com and Pets.com. In pre-crash Iceland, lifetime fishermen laid down their rods to become investment bankers. And today, college graduates clamor to work at social media startups.

It’s hard to resist following the herd in your career (see note above on contagious behavior), but traveling with the herd makes it harder to distinguish yourself. It’s true that a few people always manage to get rich during the stampede, but everyone else is left with embarrassing bullets on their résumé:

• Increased sock puppet awareness by 13 percent
• Successfully accelerated process of pension-fund defrauding

Differentiating yourself requires you to do something different. If you’re a designer, you’ll stand out more as the dishwasher hotshot at Maytag than as the 400th great designer at Apple. If you’re an operations guru, you’ll be more appreciated at a trucking company than at Wal-Mart.

Consider the career path of Shelly Lazarus, an ambitious executive at the ad agency Ogilvy & Mather. Traditionally, fast-trackers like Lazarus had moved up the ranks by leading regional Ogilvy offices. Instead, Lazarus asked to take over O&M Direct, the company’s direct marketing arm. “People thought I was nuts … it was thought of as just being about ‘junk mail,’ ” she wrote in Tough Calls from the Corner Office.

Lazarus excelled in the role, leading the group for four years, and the experience gave her an advantage: It helped her see the promise of integrated campaigns, such as American Express’ famous “Membership has its privileges” campaign, which relied on both traditional media and direct mail. Less than 10 years after her decision to take over direct marketing, Lazarus became the CEO of Ogilvy & Mather.

Take your talents to a place they’ll be recognized. Think of it this way: On Krypton, Superman was just an average Joe. But on Earth, he was Superman. ( slate.com )

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Woman Gives Birth Hours After Running Marathon

Woman Gives Birth Hours After Running Marathon - When a 27-year old woman gave birth just hours after completing the Chicago marathon on Sunday, her labor and delivery made national news.

Some of the coverage simply reported the birth of a healthy, 7 pound 9 ounce girl to the mother Amber Miller, who was almost 39 weeks pregnant when she ran her eighth marathon over the weekend. Many of the stories marveled at her athleticism and perseverance.

"The race was definitely easier than labor," she said in a news conference the next day.

But the accomplishment also led many people to ask: Is that safe?

Just a decade ago, vigorous exercise during pregnancy was seen as dangerous to the baby. Pregnant women were told to keep their heart rates below 140 beats per minute. With no evidence to support them, those guidelines have been dropped, and doctor's groups are increasingly pushing pregnant women to get moving.

Runners at the Chicago Marathon, Credit: Getty Images

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advises at least 30 minutes of exercise on most, if not all, days of the week. Among other benefits, physical activity can reduce backaches and constipation, improve mood, energy and sleep, and help women endure and recover better from labor.

After suggesting activities like swimming, cycling and aerobics, ACOG’s official guidelines address running with this advice: "If you were a runner before you became pregnant, you often can keep running during pregnancy, although you may have to modify your routine."

So, how far is too far? It's all relative, suggests a package on pregnancy and running that ran last fall in Runner’s World magazine.

The magazine featured an interview with elite runners Paula Radcliffe and Kara Goucher, who both continued to train throughout their pregnancies.

Goucher said she was still running up to 80 miles a week in her fifth month of pregnancy, was working out twice a day and could still maintain a 4:55 mile pace on some of her runs. Radcliffe had cut back to about 50 percent of her normal training.

Both women were running less distance and with less intensely than they normally do, but they were still doing far more than most amateur runners ever do. And both runners went on, not just to have healthy babies, but also to win or come close to winning marathons within a year after giving birth.

While not a professional runner, Miller held way back for her recent marathon. She finished it in six and a half hours instead of her usual three and a half. And she walked about half of it.

Whether women plan to run during pregnancy or not, expecting moms should avoid exercising to exhaustion, recommends the Mayo Clinic. Pregnant exercisers should also make sure to drink enough water, eat enough calories to cover their extra activity, avoid overheating, and stop if they feel any concerning symptoms.

Many experts advise a level of exertion that still allows conversation. And when there's a baby on board, women should always talk to their doctors before starting anything new – like a marathon-training program. ( discovery.com )

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Ideas for a Small Business With Little Money

Ideas for a Small Business With Little Money - There are many ideas for starting a small business with little money. There are online options and businesses that are better suited as offline ventures. The following ideas work well on either a full-time or part-time basis and are popular choices for parents, students and anyone in need of increasing his income.

Ideas for a Small Business With Little Money

Online Auctions

• An online auction business can be started for next to nothing when you own a lot of items that are no longer useful to you. If you go this route, your initial costs will only be auction fees. You can also start out inexpensively by purchasing items at yard sales or thrift shops. Consider re-investing a portion of your early profits on additional merchandise.

  Get free shipping supplies from the USPS website or your local post office. This includes Priority Mail shipping boxes, envelopes and packaging tape. Make the shipping process even simpler by purchasing a digital scale to weigh items and printing out postage at home. Depending on your location, free mail pick-up service is a possibility. Taking advantage of the service means fewer trips to the post office.

Flea Markets

• Setting up a flea market booth is another good small business idea if you are working with limited funds. There are indoor and outdoor flea market options. If you own a variety of items that are just collecting dust, clean them up and take them to the market. You can use some of these profits to buy new products.

  Booths or tables can typically be rented on a weekly or monthly basis. Many first-time vendors choose to rent weekly until they are sure that this is something they want to pursue long term. Display items at eye level, when possible. Be prepared to barter. Many seasoned flea market shoppers won't buy unless they can do so for lower than the advertised price.

Attic and Garage Cleaning Service

• Almost every home has an attic, a garage or both. Many homeowners don't have the time or desire to clean them. The ideal remedy is an attic and garage cleaning service. Hauling and recycling services are also an option.

  This business is simple to set up. All that is necessary is various cleaning supplies and a small advertising budget. A trailer or truck will be required if hauling services are requested. Many people who pay for garage cleaning services do so on a regular basis, typically yearly. This means repeat business with no advertising effort on your part. ( eHow.com )

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Small Business Ideas That Require Little or No Money

Small Business Ideas That Require Little or No Money - Being an entrepreneur does not have to break the bank. Since laptops, Internet connections and e-commerce have become commonplace, considering a small business operated from home is easier than ever, according to the experts at Entrepreneur Magazine. Sit back, sip a cup of coffee and start a small business with existing capital and less than $1,500 in savings. After all, 20 percent of small-business ventures begin in the home.

Use talents and hobbies as foundations for a small business.

Accountant and Tax Preparer

• If calculators and number crunching create a smile, become a home-based accountant and tax preparer. Use the old accounting degree to prepare tax returns for individuals. Accountants can also reconcile the books for small businesses and prepare annual reports for busy independent contractors. A reliable Internet-connected computer, accounting software and a fax machine enables most accounting-based business transactions.

Cleaning Services

• Make clients happy by cleaning up after them. Invest in basic cleaning supplies, research reliable cleaning methods and market your cleaning services for reasonable rates. Posting fliers at grocery stores, daycare centers, church bulletin boards and in school lobbies will garner the attention of busy parents that could use some tidying around the house.

Repair Service

• Being handy can make you money. Having the ability to troubleshoot electronics, shore up old fences or repair junior's bicycle can turn a hobby into a business. Prepare to spend a little cash on an ad in the local phone book. Follow up by building a tool bag (possibly from existing tools) and advertising for free on Internet discussion boards and social networking sites.

Selling Online

• Make a profession out of recycling used treasures and selling them online. After creating accounts with several online auction websites, clean the house. Collect unused items, antiques and unopened gifts to re-sell. On the weekends head to rummage sales, yard sales and auctions to purchase bargains for re-sale on the Internet. Start-up costs include postage, website fees, Internet connection fees and money to go shopping for items.

Event Planning

• If planning the annual holiday gathering rates low on the personal stress-o-meter, start a business in event planning. Brides, family reunion hosts and children preparing for their parent's anniversary celebration could all use a little help. Planning meals, finding event locations and creating unique decoration ideas top the list of a home-based event planner. Before opening an event planning business gather local resources, make contacts with caterers and venues, and invest in an electronic organizer. ( ehow.com )

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One is back to the daily grind - even the Queen has to return to work after wedding bank holiday

One is back to the daily grind - even the Queen has to return to work after wedding bank holiday - Four days ago she was the proud grandmother overseeing a wedding watched by two billion people.

But after the bank holiday it was back to the daily grind for the Queen today as she visited a famous horseracing town.

After one million people took to the capitals streets for the wedding which thrilled the world, the monarch visited a day centre in Newmarket, Cambridge, this afternoon.

Refreshed: Four days after the Royal Wedding the Queen meets children at the Newmarket Day Centre

Flashback: The Queen at William and Kate's wedding last Friday talking to her son Prince Charles

The Queen and Prince Philip left for a weekend away before a Buckingham Palace party for 300 friends and relatives.

Refreshed, she shied away from discussing the Royal Wedding today as she discussed her love of the sport with horse racing veterans.

The Queen, a keen racing fan, spoke to former horse trainer Jerry Blum who offered a taste of nostalgia with photographs from the VE Day 1,000 Guineas race in July 1945.

'She was delighted with the photographs. She had requested to speak to someone about racing,' the 87-year-old said.

'I spoke to her about the filly that I used to look after, Sun Stream. She won the 1,000 Guineas on VE Day in 1945.'

Mr Blum described how he reminisced with the Queen about previous royal visits to the racing town and said she was 'very interested in the horses'.

He said: 'I spoke to her about 70 years ago, when the late King and Queen and Princess Margaret used to come here. They came into the box. Us apprentices used to put our jackets on for the occasion.'

Back to the day job: After the Royal Wedding the Queen spent a weekend away with Prince Philip

Cut price deal? The Queen talks to Vera Smith, from Stetchworth, Suffolk, during a visit to the hair dressers at Newmarket Day Centre

Long-serving volunteer Pat Dugdale, 68, from Chippenham, said she had been working at the centre for 28 years.

She likened the jubilant Royal Wedding celebrations to those at the day centre today.

'Friday was a day for the nation but today has been our day in this day centre. It's been just absolutely wonderful. We've been so excited for weeks on end,' she said.

Describing the Queen as 'amazing', Ms Dugdale said she was surprised she was still standing after Friday.

The Queen and Prince Philip take their seats in Westminster Abbey on Friday before the wedding. After the lunchtime reception at Buckingham Palace, they left for a weekend away

'On top of the Royal Wedding where does she get the energy from? It's incredible,' she said.

The Time Of Your Life day centre is a community drop-in service run by Newmarket Day Centre Charity. The Queen's visit marks its 30th anniversary.

The centre provides resources for over-50s and offers activities such as line dancing and Tai Chi.

The Queen was greeted by well-wishers and schoolchildren who lined the nearby street, waving Union flags and holding baskets of flowers. She was given a posy of local blossoms before she toured the day centre.

As the Queen, dressed in a royal blue coat and matching hat, spoke to long-term staff at the centre she was all smiles and described the facility as 'lovely'. ( dailymail.co.uk )

READ MORE - One is back to the daily grind - even the Queen has to return to work after wedding bank holiday

Prince William heading back to work after wedding

Prince William heading back to work after wedding - Prince William was expected back at work on Tuesday after he and his new wife Catherine headed back to their secluded island home following a secret weekend break in Britain.

The new duke and duchess of Cambridge were due to return late Monday to Anglesey, northwest Wales, where William was to go back to his day job as a search and rescue helicopter pilot with the Royal Air Force (RAF).

Their fairytale wedding on Friday was watched by an estimated one million people on the streets of London and two billion on television around the world.

"The chances are if he's back at work on Tuesday he'll be getting in to Anglesey on Monday evening," a Ministry of Defence spokesman said.

"It will be a normal day at work for him after the wedding, nothing special planned."

Like Friday, Monday was a public holiday in Britain, making for an extra-long weekend.

William's colleagues at RAF Valley on Anglesey were in action on the wedding day, airlifting to hospital a 12-year-old boy who was rescued by a lifeboat crew after drifting a mile out to sea in a rubber ring.

The newlyweds spent the weekend at a private location, having flown out of Buckingham Palace by helicopter on Saturday.

Prince William heading back to work after wedding

Prince William heading back to work after wedding

The couple chose not to depart immediately for their honeymoon -- details of which which will not be announced in advance -- though royal officials have said it will be abroad.

The newlyweds "planned the honeymoon together", said a spokeswoman for Clarence House, the office of William's father Prince Charles.

While William gets back to work in Wales, London is still abuzz with royal wedding fever.

Three-hour queues to get into the Westminster Abbey wedding venue stretched around the block, with well-wishers keen to get a glimpse before it is reconfigured back to normal.

Jane Thompson travelled from Windsor, west of London for a look around the historic church, which costs £16 ($27, 18 euros) to enter.

"I just thought it would be a lovely day to come up to town and hopefully to go in the abbey and see the flowers and feel part of everything," she told AFP.

She thought the wedding gave Britain a boost.

"I thought it was beautiful. Every bit of it. Everything was perfect," she said.

"From the words that were said in the abbey, you felt as if everybody was being included. We're all part of the family!"

Carol Lowe and her daughter Rachel went to the abbey together.

"I would like to see the flowers because I am a florist so that's an interest to me, but just to have the whole atmosphere of the abbey so soon after the wedding," said Rachel.

"It will probably take a day just to get in," she added.

Singer Ellie Goulding, who performed at the evening party, told the BBC's The One Show that singing for the couple had been a "very surreal, incredible experience".

According to reports, party organiser and best man Prince Harry had a secret pocket sewn into his Blues and Royals military wedding outfit in order to make sure he didn't lose the all-important wedding ring before the service.

While the couple's honeymoon dates will not be released, they are due to visit Canada from June 30 to July 8 for their first official overseas visit.

The tour will include Alberta, the Northwest Territories, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and the capital Ottawa.

Meanwhile a Clarence House spokeswoman denied a report that William would be posted to Britain's remote Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean in September, saying there were "no plans" for such a deployment. ( AFP )

READ MORE - Prince William heading back to work after wedding

Crowds Cheer William And Kate Back To Palace

Crowds Cheer William And Kate Back To Palace - Crowds lining the streets have cheered Prince William and his new bride on their way after a fairytale ceremony - Royal fans were rewarded for their hours, and in some cases days, of dedication as the couple left Westminster Abbey.

They roared their approval as the Prince and his wife Kate emerged after the ceremony, smiling and waving.

Kate and William travelled back to Buckingham Palace in an open-topped carriage despite fears it may rain.

And ultimately the downpours never materialised, with a shaft of sunlight falling across the Mall during the procession.

Cheers had erupted from The Mall as the couple officially became husband and wife in front of a congregation of 1,900.

Hordes of people again erupted in applause as William and Kate later publicly kissed on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

Thousands of well-wishers had flocked to the procesional route and to the area outside the Palace ahead of the wedding.

During the ceremony, they joined in to sing the hymns Jerusalem, Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer and Love Divine, All Loves Excelling.

William and Kate returned the waves and smiled back as they passed through the crowds and into the Palace.

Prince Harry and Pippa Middleton followed with the rest of the bridal party of page boys and bridesmaids.

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles and Camilla and the Middletons also travelled to the Palace in coaches.

Royalists from all over the UK and the world had travelled to London to take part in the biggest Royal event for decades.

Many dressed up with tiaras, Kate and William masks or wore their own wedding dresses in case William changed his mind.

One large banner held up by people in the crowd read: "Checkmate Kate - you've taken the King!"

Thousands also packed into Hyde Park, Green Park and Trafalgar Square to watch the ceremony on big screens.

The square turned into a sea of red, white and blue as revellers waved souvenir flags when the ceremony reached its closing stages.

Westminster City Council estimated around a million people were on the streets of the capital.

Scotland Yard mounted a huge security operation, stopping searching people in a bid to avoid any trouble.

Many crowded into Trafalgar Square after giving up trying to find a place on the procession route.

Among the crowds outside Westminster Abbey was Rosanna Stacey, 25, a hospital worker from Norwich.

She said: "I think William and Kate are very well matched and think they'll be really good for the Royal Family in general.

"I definitely think it matters that William has chosen his bride, rather than her being chosen for him."

Housewife Sara Greer, 43, from Hatfield, Hertfordshire, had camped overnight outside the Abbey.

She said: "I also came up when the Queen Mum died. I used to really love Diana so now I follow William and Harry.

"Now that they're older you can see they are just like their mum. William is putting the great into Great Britain and making people like the Royal Family again.

Jacky Williams, 60, from Neath, South Wales, arrived outside the Abbey early this morning.

She said: "I've never been up to see anything royal-related, but I just love all the horses and pomp and ceremony. It's very exciting."

She was accompanied by her daughter, Gemma Williams, 29, who is herself getting married next April.

She said: "Funnily enough I chose my dress last night. "I would love to be able to say my wedding will be like this."

Susan Plonnigs, 44, from Bastrop, Louisiana, said: "We booked our flights as soon as the date of the wedding was announced.

"I've been planning it ever since Diana's funeral - I said to my brother 'We'll have to come back for Will's wedding'.

"I was a huge Princess Diana fan, I think she did a great job of raising the boys and I think she would approve of Kate.

"I don't think she will fill Princess Diana's shoes but I think she will fill a void that's been left in the Royal Family.

"William really deserves happiness and I think he's found it with Kate. "There's so much bad in the world, it's good to have something good going on." ( Sky News )

READ MORE - Crowds Cheer William And Kate Back To Palace

Kung fu compulsory for Hong Kong Airlines cabin crew

Kung fu compulsory for Hong Kong Airlines cabin crew - Hong Kong Airlines finds Bruce Lee-style kung fu is perfect for dealing with drunk passengers on board

Hong Kong Airlines is teaching its cabin crew kung fu so they can deal with unruly passengers, the South China Morning Post reported yesterday.

The airline has ordered its 23 new cabin crew to master wing chun -- a form of kung fu practiced by martial arts legends Bruce Lee and Ip Man -- which is characterized by sharp movements and close-range combat.

While the prospect of female flight attendants busting slick kung fu moves may seem like pure anime fanboy fantasy, the training proved invaluable in a sticky situation on a recent flight from Beijing to Hong Kong, claims Eva Chan, the airline's deputy general manager of corporate communications.

Hong Kong Airlines cabin crew demonstrating why it's a good idea to fasten your safety belt when you're told to do so.

"One of the passengers was sick but he was probably drunk and felt unwell -- the crew member attended to him and she realised her fitness was helping her especially because the guy was quite heavy," Chan told South China Morning Post.

"Normally, a female cabin crew can't handle a fat guy, especially if he's drunk, but because of the training, she can handle it quite easily."

The idea of compulsory martial arts training came about after the airline's top brass watched some crew members demonstrate wing chun and dance during a company function last year.

Katherine Cheung, one of the kung fu instructors, said wing chun is well-suited for cabin crew as it can be performed in small, confined places.

Lumpy Tang, a 22-year-old flight attendant trainee, said wing chun is good for her job because it is fast and "you cannot predict what will happen on the plane."

Chan reportedly said that on average cabin crew have to deal with disruptive passengers three times a week. ( cnngo.com )

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10-Year-Old Girl Discovers Supernova

10-Year-Old Girl Discovers Supernova - It may have only appeared as a tiny, glowing spot hovering over a distant galaxy, but the sight made a precocious 10-year-old amateur astronomer the youngest person ever to have detected the stellar explosion known as a supernova.

Kathryn Aurora Gray of Fredericton, New Brunswick in Canada discovered the supernova explosion in a galaxy, called UGC 3378, within the faint constellation of Camelopardalis. The galaxy is approximately 240 million light-years away.

"I'm really excited. It feels really good," Gray told the Toronto Star.

Ten-year-old Kathryn Gray sits next to a computer at the family's home in Birdton, New Brunswick, Canada, a suburb of Fredericton, on Monday, Jan. 3, 2011. On the computer monitor is an image in which she discovered a supernova. The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada says she made the discovery on the weekend under the watch of two other astronomers.

Gray made the discovery on Jan. 2 using images that were taken of galaxy UGC 3378 on New Year's Eve. The supernova was then verified by Illinois-based amateur astronomer Brian Tieman and Arizona-based amateur astronomer Jack Newton, who then reported it to the International Astronomical Union's Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams.

Gray reported the stellar explosion under the supervision of her father, Paul Gray, who has made six prior supernova discoveries, and family friend David Lane, who has found three others himself. The photos of galaxy UGC 3378 were taken using a telescope belonging to Lane.

Supernovas are powerful and violent explosions that signal the deaths of stars several times more massive than our sun. These cosmic blasts are interesting to astronomers because they manufacture most of the chemical elements that went into creating the Earth and other planets. Distant supernovas can also be used to estimate the size and age of our universe.

The last supernova found in our galaxy occurred several hundred years ago, and they are considered relatively rare events. Astronomers can increase their odds of discovering a supernova by repeatedly checking and comparing many different galaxies.

A new supernova reveals itself as a bright point of light that was not present in previous observations. And, since a supernova can outshine millions of ordinary stars, it is often easy to spot one with a modest telescope, even in distant galaxies like UGC 3378.

Despite being the discoverer of this one, Gray didn't get to bestow a name on the object, which is known simply as Supernova 2010lt. ( foxnews.com )

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Living and working with migraine

Living and working with migraine. Migraine is more than just a headache. It's a serious problem that affects six million people in Britain alone and loses 18 million working days each year, costing the nation a staggering £750 million in lost production as a result. So how can sufferers cope with migraines both at work and at home?

Identify triggers Migraine triggers are many and varied, and most often it is a combination of several triggers which starts an attack. Once you identify your trigger factors, look for a pattern, and make minor adjustments to your lifestyle. There are six categories of trigger:

1. Emotional Stress such as anger, excitement, worry, shock, depression.
   
2. Physical Stress, such as a blow to the head, travelling, a change in sleep pattern, bending, changes in routine, and muscle tension.
   
3. Alcohol and certain foods such as chocolate, citrus fruits, cheese, fried food; additives such as monosodium glutamate (MSG); or long gaps between meals, fasting or dieting.
   
4. Environmental.
   
5. Hormonal triggers such as PMT or periods.
   
6. Other triggers include taking sleeping tablets, having high blood pressure, dental problems, eye strain or sinus problems.

Watch for warnings Even though some migraines are preceded by an aura, the notion that all migraines have a special warning signal is a myth: only 10pc-15 pc of migraine sufferers experience an aura before a classic migraine attack. If you experience these warnings, make sure you have your medication at hand.

Look at your diet Avoid foods you know you are sensitive to. Keep blood sugar levels stable by eating regularly, avoiding sugary snacks, and eating lots of slow-release carbohydrate foods, such as porridge. Drink at least two litres of water a day.

Get treatment fast Many people find that if they can treat a migraine early enough, even simple over-the-counter remedies such as aspirin or paracetamol can be effective.

Plan with your cycle Many women get hormonally-triggered migraines connected with menstrual cycles. If this happens to you, try to plan your workload to get important jobs done at other times wherever possible.

Have a check-up See your GP - especially if your headaches have been getting worse. You may need to change your medicine if it has become ineffective. If you are worried about the security of your job, it could be important to prove a medical history of migraine.

Take breaks Take all your rest and lunch breaks, don't skip meals, and try not to get overtired. When you have a break, take a walk in the fresh air.

Let your boss know Tell your employer that you suffer from migraines and try to get their support. Flexible working hours can be effective, and will encourage your employer to see that you are not using your illness as an excuse. FOR more information visit the web-sites: www.migrainetrust.org and www.migraine.org.uk ( dailymail.co.uk )

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Why Don't Employers Call Me Back?

Why Don't Employers Call Me Back?. Is there any worse confidence killer than rejection? I think it goes back to childhood, when you want a new bike for your birthday but you end up getting a pack of tube socks instead. You immediately wonder if you did something wrong and that's why you didn't get what you wanted.

Go forward a few years when you end up taking your cousin to the prom because everyone else turned you down. And the college years? Basically a parade of rejection that feels like an endless line of Rockette kicks to your confidence.

Or maybe that was just my experience.

Still, that same game of "Is it me or them?" continues well into adulthood as you begin searching for a job. You make a list of your best qualities, send them to employers, get dressed up and try to woo them in an interview. Then you wait. And wait. And wait. The phone never rings.

Job seekers want to know why they can seemingly do everything right, and yet, still they don't hear back from employers. We're not talking about getting turned down for the job -- we're talking about not even hearing a "Sorry, but the position has been filled." So we went to the source to find out.

Submitting the application

For a job seeker, the application process is full of anxiety and excitement. When you're looking for a job, each available position represents a possible new beginning. Before you've submitted an application, you've already daydreamed about your first day on the job. The problem is that to some employers, you're just one in a dozen. Or in some cases, one in 500.

"In the current market, if you post a job, you will get buried with résumés," says Matthew McMahon, partner at staffing firm McMahon Partners LLC. "Maybe 5 percent are in the ballpark." This means plenty of hiring managers spend their time reading irrelevant applications that don't help them find the right candidate. As a result, they have less time for you. "You simply don't have time to respond to [all applicants]."

To many job seekers this attitude may sound cold and impersonal. After all, behind each of these applications is a person waiting for a return call. McMahon cannot possibly respond to each one individually, but he does take the time to reach out to applicants who show promise.

"If somebody is close, but slightly off target, I will usually take the time to give them a call, learn about what they are looking for, tell them about the sort of roles I fill, and keep the notes for future use," he says.

How about the ones who miss the mark completely?

"If the person isn't even close (or has not read the description), I don't bother spending the time because they are obviously applying for everything," he says. Take that as further proof that throwing your application at every open position and hoping to have some success is not the way to conduct a job search.

Can you expect any changes soon?

OK, so that's how things are now, but can job seekers expect to have a more personal interaction with the hiring managers in the future? Possibly, says Caitrin O'Sullivan of iCIMS, a provider of software for human resource companies to track recruiting activity and applications.

"If an organization, especially a medium or large one, were not leveraging an applicant tracking system, it's difficult for job seekers to understand the magnitude of applications flooding recruiters [and] HR managers' desks -- especially during a period of high unemployment," O'Sullivan explains. "Just visually scanning through all of these résumés can take hours upon hours of manpower. To have to communicate with every one of those applicants on top of that would be a truly formidable task."

That's not to say things will always be that way. As someone on the forefront of tracking technology, O'Sullivan sees an increase in interest among companies that can and do keep job seekers updated at regular intervals.

"As more and more organizations are investing in and leveraging HR technology and [applicant tracking systems], it is much easier for the HR team to automate and streamline that process and enable applicants to be aware of their status within the review process," O'Sullivan says. Although not all employers use tools that allow for such tracking, it's something that iCIMS has provided to human resources departments to benefit job seekers.

Until everyone gets on board, don't expect to hear back from employers to learn where you stand. You're always free to call an employer to check on the status of your application or to see if the position has been filled. As long as you are courteous and don't pester them, most companies will let you know one way or the other. ( msn.com )

READ MORE - Why Don't Employers Call Me Back?

Five Things You Need to Tell Hiring Managers

Five Things You Need to Tell Hiring Managers. Competition in the job market is fierce, and if you hope to land a new position, you must stand out from the crowd -- but for the right reasons. You want to provide hiring managers with a positive impression, so here are a few messages you should get across right from the start.

1. "I'm professional."

Potential hires who take the application process seriously will be treated similarly by prospective employers. This means, for example, proofreading your application materials for grammatical or spelling errors. It never hurts to have someone else review your cover letter and résumé as well, in case you overlook something. Also, be careful with the type of language you use. Remember that your application materials are business documents, so avoid slang or casual speech, such as the kind you might use when text messaging with your friends.

2. "I'm a go-getter."

Because hiring managers are being inundated with résumés, your application materials may get only a cursory glance. That's why you need to take some initiative. For instance, when you initially contact the employer, instead of ending your cover letter or e-mail with a standard statement like, "I look forward to hearing from you," be proactive. Try: "I will contact you next Thursday at 3 p.m. to discuss the opportunity and my fit for the position in greater detail."

Also, unless you're specifically asked not to, follow up with an employer if you haven't heard back after sending in your résumé. In fact, 82 percent of executives polled by Robert Half International said job seekers should contact hiring managers within two weeks of submitting application materials. By doing so, you can reassert your interest in the position and remain at the top of the hiring manager's mind.

3. "I'm an expert."

Employers want to hire people who can hit the ground running. That's why you need to demonstrate your expertise from the beginning. Three great methods for doing so are enhancing your online reputation, joining a professional association and earning a certification.

Options for increasing your exposure include starting a professional blog or Web site, submitting articles to an industry publication or even simply contributing to message boards. For instance, blogging about the industry that you want to work in and including the blog's link on your résumé give prospective employers an easy way to see that you are well-informed.

By joining industry groups and trade associations, you can remain up-to-date with recent trends through interaction with others in the field. Use your résumé to highlight your membership in a professional group and show hiring managers your interest in furthering your industry knowledge.

Finally, consider earning a relevant industry certification. Many employers value candidates who have these credentials because they demonstrate a desire for continual professional development.

4. "I can save your company money."

In today's economy, companies are looking for ways to reduce costs. If you've implemented successful cost-cutting measures for previous employers, describe how you did so in your résumé or cover letter. For example, when applying for a role as an administrative assistant, you might note that in your last position, you helped renegotiate your company's contract with an office supplies vendor, reducing spending in this area by 10 percent. Hiring managers will take notice of these types of accomplishments.

5. "I can fill your need."

To show that you are an exact fit for an open role, make sure your application materials are targeted to each position and company. Use phrases from the job description within your résumé and cover letter, so long as they accurately describe your experience. Many employers use software programs that scan application materials for relevant keywords, so even if you are qualified but don't use the employer's terminology, your résumé may never be seen.

Sending the right messages to a prospective employer may not guarantee that you are offered the job, but it will increase your chances of being called for an interview. Then, you can make your case in person. ( msn.com )

READ MORE - Five Things You Need to Tell Hiring Managers

Four Ways to Simplify Your Job Search

Four Ways to Simplify Your Job Search. It seems like everyone is obsessed with doing things faster and more efficiently these days. Consider, for example the 30-minute meal or 15-minute workout programs that have taken the country by storm. Why the craze? Because these routines cut out the fluff, are easy to follow and promise positive results. While preparing a delicious meal in under an hour or toning your abs in five easy steps may save you time in your personal life, how about a program that benefits your professional prospects? Job searching can be an overwhelming and time-consuming task, so take heed of the following fundamentals, which can help make the process more efficient and productive:

1. Avoid verbosity when writing your résumé.

Job seekers can spend hours crafting their résumés, but according to a survey by Robert Half International, 56 percent of executives spend no more than five minutes reading the document, making it that much more important to present one that's succinct, relevant and free of copy errors. While the one-page rule is no longer strictly enforced, you don't want to inundate the reader with too much information. Use short bullet points when listing your skills and achievements, and avoid lofty and redundant language, puns, and clever wordplays. Remember, this isn't an exercise in creative writing. Also omit irrelevant facts about your personal life, such as your interests and hobbies, unless they relate specifically to the position.

2. Compose a clean, concise cover letter.

Similar to the résumé, brevity is key when it comes to crafting a cover letter. Skip cute introductions -- "Teamwork is my middle name" or "I am smart as a whip," for example -- and instead get to the point. Expand on one or two accomplishments from your résumé that align with the skills and responsibilities outlined in the job description. Painting a vivid picture of these select successes should compel hiring managers to learn about the rest of the achievements outlined on your résumé.

3. Network in a 'not-so-obvious' way.

Increasing your circle of professional contacts doesn't have to be a formal affair, but it should be an ongoing priority. In addition to getting involved in professional associations and other networking groups, focus on meeting people while doing everyday activities. Try striking up a conversation with those around you, from the coffee shop barista to the person sitting next to you at the doctor's office. These discussions can lead to job leads or other valuable contacts.

4. Don't be afraid to go overboard for the interview.

If there's one stage in the job search where you can pull out all the stops, it's the interview. You may have impressed the hiring manager on paper, but you'll have to shine in person, too, if you expect to land the job. Here are the essentials:

Research the company and role-play with a partner beforehand.

Arrive to the meeting on time, looking your professional best and armed with a copy of your résumé and references.

Mention at least two key accomplishments that demonstrate hard-to-measure qualities -- like teamwork or leadership -- that aren't apparent on your résumé.

Send a thank-you note to reinforce your interest and ability to excel in the role within a few days of the meeting. With everything from cell phones to computers becoming more complex, the last thing busy professionals need is for the job search to be overly complicated. While you don't want to rush through the process, paring each step down to the most important elements can help you focus your efforts and increase the likelihood of success. ( msn.com )

READ MORE - Four Ways to Simplify Your Job Search

Focus on Job Descriptions, Not Job Titles

Focus on Job Descriptions, Not Job Titles. For the last decade, some universities have come under fire for giving students too many A's. If students have low GPAs, their career prospects will suffer and universities will look like an institution of underperformers, critics charge.

Still, wouldn't churning out class after class of honor students result in a pool of professionals with impressive credentials but little actual merit? You'd think so.

Whether or not that's actually happening on campuses across the country is hard to say, but a variation seems to occur in workplaces.

"Many job seekers don't realize how much title inflation there is at some companies, and how much title definition variance there is in the marketplace," says John Nicholson, CEO of Résumés That Jump, a résumé writing service. At his previous company, marketing coordinators had major responsibilities, such as managing multimillion-dollar budgets and working on high-profile partnerships.

He knows that at similar companies, they could have had fluffier job titles, like "senior marketing manager," but they'd also have fewer responsibilities.

"When it comes to résumés and job interviews, titles are a lot less important than what you've accomplished and what you can bring to an employer," Nicholson says.

Of course, that's all well and good to say, but won't your ego take a hit if you have many responsibilities and an unassuming title -- especially when you walk into an interview? Just decide what you want and act accordingly, says Ann Latham, author of "Clear Thoughts -- Pragmatic Gems of Better Business Thinking."

"If you are looking for an identity, job titles are paramount," Latham says. "In that case, I recommend a small company where you can get a big title sooner. Or try [a company] where almost everyone is a VP."

Take a different tack if you want something more substantial.

"But if you are looking for a position that will provide [a] challenge, satisfaction and growth opportunities, job titles are meaningless," Latham says. "It is the responsibilities and the opportunities that count. These are what will drive your day-to-day activities and your learning."

Employers aren't dumb

Job seekers often forget one of the most important details of a job search: Employers have been where you are, and they helped make you what you are. In other words, employers are aware of inflated job titles, too. They are the ones who created the titles, after all. Therefore, on your job search, approach listings with the same skepticism as employers.

Keep this in mind

Laurent Duperval, president of Duperval Consulting, suggests the following tips for focusing on job descriptions and not job titles:

Titles are often more fiction than fact

"Somebody had to put up a job posting [and] had no idea what to call the position, so they made up a name. The name may not have anything to do with the actual job," Duperval warns.

Egos beget titles

"Because people attach so much of their self-esteem to their titles, companies have had to change the names of the same jobs, just to make it seem like a more important position," Duperval says. "Secretary, which used to be a fine title, has been replaced by 'administrative assistant'; a janitor is now a 'sanitation engineer'; and so on. No matter what the name, you still have to file, open mail and type letters, or sweep the floors, clean the toilets and keep the place clean."

If you're looking for work that falls under the secretary or administrative assistant label, do you honestly care what the title is? If you have the appropriate experience, the company culture suits you and the compensation is in line with your goals, it would be silly to turn it down.

Titles are not transferable

"A title in one company means something completely different in another company," Duperval cautions. "In some companies, everybody and his dog is a director. In other companies, directors have large, multimillion-dollar accounts and are responsible for hundreds of employees. You just never know." ( msn.com )

READ MORE - Focus on Job Descriptions, Not Job Titles

Ten Things That Will Get You Hired

Ten Things That Will Get You Hired. Do you want to extend your time looking for a job? Of course not. Candidates are always on the lookout for the most efficient, effective way to find new work. The following tips -- when heeded during the job search and interview processes -- can make job hunting go by faster:

1. Customize your résumé and cover letter.

It might seem faster to blast off generic materials to dozens of employers, but this will cost you time in the long run. Tailor your résumé and cover letter to each open position to clearly demonstrate how your experience fills the employers' requirements. For example, if you're applying for a public relations role, give your PR experience a prime spot on your résumé.

2. Diversify your search.

If you've been responding to newspaper ads with no response, also post your résumé online, search some job Web sites, talk to your friends and attend an industry trade show. The more ways you search, the more likely you are to connect with the right employers.

3. Don't go solo.

Your friends, family and former co-workers each have a network of their own -- and a friend-of-a-friend might hold the perfect lead. Don't be shy: Reach out to your network and let your contacts know you're on the job market.

4. Find a company where you fit in.

Browse potential employers' Web sites and ask your friends about what it's like to work at their companies. Employers are looking for candidates who would be a good fit and thrive within the company culture.

5. Don't get discouraged.

Experts estimate the average job search to last anywhere between three and 10 months -- and that means a lot of rejection. Keep at it: Your dream job is out there.

6. Always be prepared.

You can never be too prepared for your first meeting with a potential employer. Before your interview, always browse the company's Web site. Find out as much as you can about the company's products, leadership, mission and culture, and prepare answers to common interview questions.

7. Be on time.

Whether it's an informational interview, an open house or a formal interview, always arrive about 10 minutes early. Allow plenty of time for traffic and poor weather.

8. Dress and act the part.

In a business setting, always dress in professional clothing in the best quality you can afford. Take the industry and employer into consideration, but a business suit is almost always appropriate for interviews.

9. Listen more than you talk.

Even if you're nervous at an interview, try not to ramble. By keeping your mouth shut, you can learn valuable information about the company and avoid saying something that you'll wish you hadn't.

10. Ask good questions.

At the end of an interview, the employer will inevitably ask if you have any questions. Have a list of questions prepared that showcase your company research and interest in the position. ( msn.com )

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