Try These Sample Questions to Help Get Ready
By Tom Musbach -Yahoo!! hotjobs
One of the easiest ways to build confidence before a job interview is to prepare answers to questions you might be asked. Whether you're applying for a position as a web programmer, accountant, or legal secretary, interviewers often use some general questions to assess candidates, so you'll increase your chances for success if you prepare for them in advance.
Six common questions are listed below, along with insights from several recruitment professionals about how to answer. As part of your interview preparation, take the time to formulate answers to each question, focusing on specific tasks and accomplishments.
"What are your strengths and weaknesses?"
This is one of the most well-known interview questions, and interviewers often ask it indirectly, as in, "What did your most recent boss suggest as areas for improvement in your last performance review?"
Lindsay Olson, founder of Paradigm Staffing Solutions, a firm specializing in hiring public relations professionals, suggests tailoring your "strengths" answer to skills that will benefit the prospective employer. Though you may have a knack for building gingerbread houses, it might be of little value for the job at hand.
When it comes to weaknesses, or areas of growth, Olson recommends building on your answer to include "how you have improved, and specifics on what you have done to improve yourself in those areas."
"Why did you leave your last position?"
"Interviewers will always want to know your reasoning behind leaving a company ? particularly short stints," says Olson. "Be prepared to tell the truth, without speaking negatively about past employment."
"Can you describe a previous work situation in which you ... ?"
This question comes in many forms, but what the interviewer is looking for is your behavior on the job. Your answer could focus on resolving a crisis, overcoming a negotiation deadlock, handling a problem coworker, or juggling multiple tasks on a project.
The theory behind this type of question is that past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior, according to Yves Lermusi, CEO of Checkster, a company that offers career and talent checkup tools. "The key to responding well is preparing real job examples, describing your behavior in specific situations that demonstrate important skills that the job requires."
"What is your ideal work environment?"
This question is not about whether you prefer a cubicle or an office, so think broadly to include ideas about supervision, management styles, and your workday routine.
Bob Hancock, senior recruiter for video game publisher Electronic Arts, says that he uses this question with candidates because it can give "a sense of their work habits, how flexible they are with their schedules, and how creative they are."
"How do you handle mistakes?"
The best strategy for this general question is to focus on one or two specific examples in the past and, if possible, highlight resolutions or actions that might have relevance to the job you're interviewing for.
"Employers want to know they're hiring someone with the maturity to accept responsibility and the wherewithal to remedy their own mistakes," says Debra Davenport, a master professional mentor and columnist for the Business Journal in Phoenix.
"What is your most notable accomplishment?"
Paradigm Staffing's Olson suggests that candidates think of three or four accomplishments and quantify what their actions meant in terms of increasing revenues, saving resources, or improving resources.
"Being able to quantify your achievements in your career will launch you ahead of the rest," she says, "and demonstrate your ability to do the same as a future employee."
Monday, July 9, 2007
How to Get Answers to 5 Key Questions Before Taking a Job
By Margaret Steen - Yahoo! hotjobs
When you're considering taking a new job, it's important to find out how a potential employer treats employees. But getting the answer to that question, along with others that will help you determine if you'll be happy at the company, may take some sleuthing. Here are five questions that will help you decide if the company is a fit - and some unconventional ways to find the answers:
What makes employees join this company and stay here? You can always ask your potential manager this question in an interview. But if you ask the employees you see while walking around the premises, as Griffen did, you'll get a wider variety of answers - and possibly more honest ones.
How are people treated here? You may not even need to ask anyone this - just observe carefully from the time you set foot in the building. When you arrive for your interview, are you kept waiting with no explanation? Does the interviewer interrupt your conversation to take phone calls? "Try to come at different times if you have multiple interviews," advises Gail Ginder, a leadership coach with the Claros Group in Healdsburg, Calif. That way you'll see if the mood around the building changes with the time of day.
What are the unspoken rules? For this and other questions that are best asked of employees, you have two options. One is to use your network to find employees who work at the company but aren't involved in hiring you. The other is to ask your interviewer - but only when it's clear that the interviewer has decided you're the best candidate and is trying to get you to sign on. "When they've decided you're the one, you can ask pretty much anything as long as you ask it well," Ginder says.
What happens when people make mistakes? The answer to this will give you insight into the company's management and culture. You can ask it of an interviewer late in the interview process, or ask employees who aren't involved in hiring. The key is to pose the question without sounding like someone who is planning to make a lot of mistakes. Use humor, Ginder advises. "Say, 'If I were lucky enough to be offered this job, I would never want to make a mistake. But what happens here when people make a mistake?'"
What is a typical week like? The answer to this question can give insight into everything from how long the workdays are to how many after-hours phone calls you can expect. Vic Snyder, senior career counselor at the University of Washington's Center for Career Services in Seattle, suggests that in informal conversations with employees, you pair this question with one about how often employees take their full vacations.
When you're considering taking a new job, it's important to find out how a potential employer treats employees. But getting the answer to that question, along with others that will help you determine if you'll be happy at the company, may take some sleuthing. Here are five questions that will help you decide if the company is a fit - and some unconventional ways to find the answers:
What makes employees join this company and stay here? You can always ask your potential manager this question in an interview. But if you ask the employees you see while walking around the premises, as Griffen did, you'll get a wider variety of answers - and possibly more honest ones.
How are people treated here? You may not even need to ask anyone this - just observe carefully from the time you set foot in the building. When you arrive for your interview, are you kept waiting with no explanation? Does the interviewer interrupt your conversation to take phone calls? "Try to come at different times if you have multiple interviews," advises Gail Ginder, a leadership coach with the Claros Group in Healdsburg, Calif. That way you'll see if the mood around the building changes with the time of day.
What are the unspoken rules? For this and other questions that are best asked of employees, you have two options. One is to use your network to find employees who work at the company but aren't involved in hiring you. The other is to ask your interviewer - but only when it's clear that the interviewer has decided you're the best candidate and is trying to get you to sign on. "When they've decided you're the one, you can ask pretty much anything as long as you ask it well," Ginder says.
What happens when people make mistakes? The answer to this will give you insight into the company's management and culture. You can ask it of an interviewer late in the interview process, or ask employees who aren't involved in hiring. The key is to pose the question without sounding like someone who is planning to make a lot of mistakes. Use humor, Ginder advises. "Say, 'If I were lucky enough to be offered this job, I would never want to make a mistake. But what happens here when people make a mistake?'"
What is a typical week like? The answer to this question can give insight into everything from how long the workdays are to how many after-hours phone calls you can expect. Vic Snyder, senior career counselor at the University of Washington's Center for Career Services in Seattle, suggests that in informal conversations with employees, you pair this question with one about how often employees take their full vacations.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Words Every Resume Should Include
By Caroline Levchuck
Source: Yahoo! hotjobs
Every word on your resume counts in today's competitive job market. But some words count more than others -- especially those that refer to soft skills.
Soft skills are increasingly important in the workplace. In fact, 86 percent of employers considered soft skills to be among their most important hiring criteria in a recent survey by two University of Massachusetts economists.
Source: Yahoo! hotjobs
Every word on your resume counts in today's competitive job market. But some words count more than others -- especially those that refer to soft skills.
Soft skills are increasingly important in the workplace. In fact, 86 percent of employers considered soft skills to be among their most important hiring criteria in a recent survey by two University of Massachusetts economists.
'Teamwork'
Teamwork is more important than ever in the workplace.
The ability to work well with others to accomplish a common goal is vital for a harmonious workplace.
Employees are often organized into teams to manage projects. And many employers believe collaboration increases the quality of work and improves productivity.
A team player is an attentive listener, a cooperative colleague and is willing to help others.
The ability to work well with others to accomplish a common goal is vital for a harmonious workplace.
Employees are often organized into teams to manage projects. And many employers believe collaboration increases the quality of work and improves productivity.
A team player is an attentive listener, a cooperative colleague and is willing to help others.
'Flexibility'
Employers value workers who are flexible and able to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously. In other words, it's sometimes just as important to be a jack-of-all-trades as a master of one.
You can show that you're flexible by demonstrating a willingness to take on new and varied projects and an ability to handle changing priorities and deadlines.
Ultimately, being flexible doesn't only increase the odds that you'll get a job -- it also improves your chances of keeping it should layoffs occur.
'Detail-Oriented'
Employers want to know that they can trust workers to handle a project down to the last detail.
Being "detail-oriented" means being organized and meticulous about your work. It also implies that you can work without constant supervision and act independently.
Being "detail-oriented" means being organized and meticulous about your work. It also implies that you can work without constant supervision and act independently.
'Self-Motivated'
Employers value employees who are self-starters. These workers can generate their own ideas and follow them through to fruition.
A self-motivated worker goes the extra mile. She regularly takes on tasks that may not be part
of her job description. She's inspired to work hard not just to reap rewards but also for personal satisfaction.
A self-motivated worker goes the extra mile. She regularly takes on tasks that may not be part
of her job description. She's inspired to work hard not just to reap rewards but also for personal satisfaction.
Arm Yourself With a First-Rate Resume
By Jeannie Kim
Source: Yahoo! hotjobs
Your resume has only a few seconds to impress - or to end up in the trash.
A strong resume needs a solid foundation, and no amount of trickery can mask poor organization. Start with these basics.
Contact Information: List your contact information at the top of the resume. Include your full name, mailing address, phone number and e-mail address. If you have a personal Web site, include the URL only if the site shows off your skills or applies to your career goals.
Objective: The objectives section gives recruiters an immediate sense of who you are and what you're looking for, without forcing them to wade through the entire resume. If you decide to include an objective, stress what you'll add to the company, not what you're looking to take away.
Experience: List your experience chronologically, with your most recent job first. If your latest experience wasn't the most impressive, arrange your list by importance. Include the company name, location, your title and dates of employment. Also, give a brief description of your accomplishments.
Remember these tips:
Always include memberships in professional organizations, because it shows you're serious about your career. Mentioning your interests is optional. Listing activities and hobbies can portray you as a well- rounded person, but it can raise eyebrows, too. Be careful what you list. (You should probably keep your passion for professional wrestling to yourself.)
Education: List your most recent education first and work backward. State your degree, major, minor, dates of attendance and the school's name and location. You may also want to add your GPA (if 3.0 or higher).
References: Don't waste valuable space on references. Employers assume you'll provide them upon request.
Finishing Touches
Source: Yahoo! hotjobs
Your resume has only a few seconds to impress - or to end up in the trash.
A strong resume needs a solid foundation, and no amount of trickery can mask poor organization. Start with these basics.
Contact Information: List your contact information at the top of the resume. Include your full name, mailing address, phone number and e-mail address. If you have a personal Web site, include the URL only if the site shows off your skills or applies to your career goals.
Objective: The objectives section gives recruiters an immediate sense of who you are and what you're looking for, without forcing them to wade through the entire resume. If you decide to include an objective, stress what you'll add to the company, not what you're looking to take away.
Experience: List your experience chronologically, with your most recent job first. If your latest experience wasn't the most impressive, arrange your list by importance. Include the company name, location, your title and dates of employment. Also, give a brief description of your accomplishments.
Remember these tips:
- Emphasize your most important responsibilities even if they weren't your primary duties.
- Use active voice. Strong sentences are those in which a subject performs an action (active voice) as opposed to an action being performed on the subject (passive voice). "I planned an event," creates a stronger impression than "An event was planned by me."
- Impress employers with cause-effect relationships and tangible results. Quantify your achievements with percentages and numbers like "increased enrollment 20 percent" and "supervised three-person staff."
- Use descriptions to highlight your sense of initiative. Paint yourself as a "go-getter" with strong verbs like "proposed," "launched" and "managed."
Always include memberships in professional organizations, because it shows you're serious about your career. Mentioning your interests is optional. Listing activities and hobbies can portray you as a well- rounded person, but it can raise eyebrows, too. Be careful what you list. (You should probably keep your passion for professional wrestling to yourself.)
Education: List your most recent education first and work backward. State your degree, major, minor, dates of attendance and the school's name and location. You may also want to add your GPA (if 3.0 or higher).
References: Don't waste valuable space on references. Employers assume you'll provide them upon request.
Finishing Touches
- Create several versions of your resume, each tailored to the type of position you're applying for. Writing multiple resumes can be time-consuming, but it's a small price to pay for the job you want.
- If you're applying for a specific job, research the position and company. Pay attention to the job requirements, and highlight your qualifications as they reflect the hiring company's needs.
- Be concise. Stick to one page. Make sure every word is meaningful.
Choose fonts that are easy-to-read, clean and consistent. Don't use non-traditional or overly creative fonts. - Read, edit and re-read your resume to make sure it's well written, clear and typo-free. Do it again. Then, ask your friends and family to do the same.
- If you use an online resume, consider saving a text (".txt") version that will look good on any computer. Send your resume as an attached file and also paste the text into the body of the e-mail just to be safe. Online resumes should also include plenty of keywords, since they may be searched.
How to Write a Resume That Gets Interviews
By Wayne Rainey
Source: Yahoo! hotjobs
A resume isn't a list of exaggerations. It's not a hodgepodge of cut and pasted job descriptions printed out on nice paper. Nor is it a forum to advertise that you're 6 feet 2 inches tall, single, a non-smoker and willing to relocate.
Simply put, a resume is an advertisement that makes the reader act. And if your resume is well-written, the reader should want to interview you.
Get advice on how to create resumes that get interviews -- right from a recruiter himself.
Keep It Simple
Recruiters want resumes that are simple to understand, especially when it comes to the skills needed to perform the job and employment history.
Be sure your resume clearly communicates that you possess the knowledge and experience needed to perform the job in question. Use the job description to tailor your resume to the position. Try to avoid industry jargon and Dilbert-esque words such as "facilitated" or "value-added" when describing your skills and experiences.
Your resume should also include your dates of employment. The absence of dates makes recruiters scrutinize your employment history even more closely.
Features Versus Benefits
Your resume should show how you can benefit an employer -- not just list your features and skills.
Past performance is often an indicator of future performance. Explain how you made a past employer money, saved them money or improved a process or product.
Think about instances where you went above and beyond the call of duty. Look at past performance reviews to refresh your memory. Employers want the best employees, and your resume should reflect your value.
Truth in Advertising
People say that it's the sizzle that sells the steak. That may be true but, when it comes to job searching, you have to have done what you claim on your resume.
Many employers today take steps to ensure that you have the background you claim. They have a wide variety of background checking tools at their disposal.
Background checks can include:
It Takes Two
You can't create a strong resume alone. Everyone needs help.
Don't rely on automatic spelling and grammar checking programs. You need to find an editor you trust. If no one in your immediate circle of family or friends can help, try other resources.
Writing an effective resume requires practice and feedback. But once you get the basics down, interviews are sure to follow.
Yahoo! HotJobs offers valuable resume tips and advice.
Staff at your state's employment development office may be available to review your resume.
Staffing agency recruiters may also volunteer to help you. And finally, you can even take advantage of a professional resume writing service.
Source: Yahoo! hotjobs
A resume isn't a list of exaggerations. It's not a hodgepodge of cut and pasted job descriptions printed out on nice paper. Nor is it a forum to advertise that you're 6 feet 2 inches tall, single, a non-smoker and willing to relocate.
Simply put, a resume is an advertisement that makes the reader act. And if your resume is well-written, the reader should want to interview you.
Get advice on how to create resumes that get interviews -- right from a recruiter himself.
Keep It Simple
Recruiters want resumes that are simple to understand, especially when it comes to the skills needed to perform the job and employment history.
Be sure your resume clearly communicates that you possess the knowledge and experience needed to perform the job in question. Use the job description to tailor your resume to the position. Try to avoid industry jargon and Dilbert-esque words such as "facilitated" or "value-added" when describing your skills and experiences.
Your resume should also include your dates of employment. The absence of dates makes recruiters scrutinize your employment history even more closely.
Features Versus Benefits
Your resume should show how you can benefit an employer -- not just list your features and skills.
Past performance is often an indicator of future performance. Explain how you made a past employer money, saved them money or improved a process or product.
Think about instances where you went above and beyond the call of duty. Look at past performance reviews to refresh your memory. Employers want the best employees, and your resume should reflect your value.
Truth in Advertising
People say that it's the sizzle that sells the steak. That may be true but, when it comes to job searching, you have to have done what you claim on your resume.
Many employers today take steps to ensure that you have the background you claim. They have a wide variety of background checking tools at their disposal.
Background checks can include:
- reference checks,
- credit checks,
- criminal background checks,
- past employment verification,
- education verification and
- social security number traces to verify identity.
It Takes Two
You can't create a strong resume alone. Everyone needs help.
Don't rely on automatic spelling and grammar checking programs. You need to find an editor you trust. If no one in your immediate circle of family or friends can help, try other resources.
Writing an effective resume requires practice and feedback. But once you get the basics down, interviews are sure to follow.
Yahoo! HotJobs offers valuable resume tips and advice.
Staff at your state's employment development office may be available to review your resume.
Staffing agency recruiters may also volunteer to help you. And finally, you can even take advantage of a professional resume writing service.
Five Tips for Switching Career Paths
Jennifer Merritt, Carolyn Bigda and Donna Rosato, MONEY Magazine
Source: Yahoo! hotjobs
To make your case to a hiring manager, follow these tips.
1. Show your commitment.
"Employers are seeing high turnover," says Kimberly Bishop, a senior client partner at recruiter Korn/Ferry International. "They want to make sure you will be the right fit."
You'll be more convincing if you take classes, join industry organizations or moonlight (even on a volunteer basis) within the field you're exploring before you try to go full time -- and you'll also have a much better idea if this really is the right move for you.
2. Quantify your skills.
It may not be obvious how what you know translates into what they do. So focus on your transferable skills -- not your experience -- in interviews and on your resume.
Quantify your accomplishments: Show that you increased sales X percent or managed Y number of people. "It helps provide the scope and breadth of your accomplishments," says Bishop, "and it shows you very clearly understand what you've done."
Also highlight areas in your background that give you an advantage. When interviewing for an IT position, Randy Jensen, 36, of Riverton, Utah, pointed out that after 15 years in radio, he has good communication skills. "I can string two sentences together," he says. "I'm not going to be a hermit in a cubicle."
3. Talk the talk.
Learning industry lingo is critical. "If you want to be a brand manager, you need to talk like one," says Ricki Frankel, a career coach who specializes in transitions. Read trade publications and job postings. And start networking.
To make the switch from sales engineer to marketing, Todd Cox, 39, of Atlanta, has been reading books and seeking out mentors. "It may be someone I read about or hear speak," he says. "I tell them what I'm trying to do and ask if they'll coach me along. It doesn't always work, but everyone gives me little tidbits."
4. Take a two-step approach.
"Every career is composed of two main factors, a job title and a particular industry," says Dick Bolles, author of "What Color Is Your Parachute?" "An easier way to transition is to change just one of those factors at a time."
So if you're a lawyer itching to become a travel writer, work as a writer for a legal publication first (new title) and then eventually move into travel writing (new industry).
Or do legal work for a travel publication and contribute pieces until you're able to pick up a writing position.
5. Give yourself enough time.
Quitting on a whim often results in a frantic scramble for a paycheck. Plus, you need to think through logistics. If you have to take a salary cut, how will you cover it? Are you willing to relocate?
It took Susan Rubin, 48, of Armonk, New York, four years to give up her legal practice and become a yoga instructor.
"I was hesitant to make the jump," she says, "but in the meantime, I was training and saving money. It was very hard for me to close the doors of my practice. But once I did, I never looked back."
Source: Yahoo! hotjobs
To make your case to a hiring manager, follow these tips.
1. Show your commitment.
"Employers are seeing high turnover," says Kimberly Bishop, a senior client partner at recruiter Korn/Ferry International. "They want to make sure you will be the right fit."
You'll be more convincing if you take classes, join industry organizations or moonlight (even on a volunteer basis) within the field you're exploring before you try to go full time -- and you'll also have a much better idea if this really is the right move for you.
2. Quantify your skills.
It may not be obvious how what you know translates into what they do. So focus on your transferable skills -- not your experience -- in interviews and on your resume.
Quantify your accomplishments: Show that you increased sales X percent or managed Y number of people. "It helps provide the scope and breadth of your accomplishments," says Bishop, "and it shows you very clearly understand what you've done."
Also highlight areas in your background that give you an advantage. When interviewing for an IT position, Randy Jensen, 36, of Riverton, Utah, pointed out that after 15 years in radio, he has good communication skills. "I can string two sentences together," he says. "I'm not going to be a hermit in a cubicle."
3. Talk the talk.
Learning industry lingo is critical. "If you want to be a brand manager, you need to talk like one," says Ricki Frankel, a career coach who specializes in transitions. Read trade publications and job postings. And start networking.
To make the switch from sales engineer to marketing, Todd Cox, 39, of Atlanta, has been reading books and seeking out mentors. "It may be someone I read about or hear speak," he says. "I tell them what I'm trying to do and ask if they'll coach me along. It doesn't always work, but everyone gives me little tidbits."
4. Take a two-step approach.
"Every career is composed of two main factors, a job title and a particular industry," says Dick Bolles, author of "What Color Is Your Parachute?" "An easier way to transition is to change just one of those factors at a time."
So if you're a lawyer itching to become a travel writer, work as a writer for a legal publication first (new title) and then eventually move into travel writing (new industry).
Or do legal work for a travel publication and contribute pieces until you're able to pick up a writing position.
5. Give yourself enough time.
Quitting on a whim often results in a frantic scramble for a paycheck. Plus, you need to think through logistics. If you have to take a salary cut, how will you cover it? Are you willing to relocate?
It took Susan Rubin, 48, of Armonk, New York, four years to give up her legal practice and become a yoga instructor.
"I was hesitant to make the jump," she says, "but in the meantime, I was training and saving money. It was very hard for me to close the doors of my practice. But once I did, I never looked back."
Monday, July 2, 2007
Five Stress Reducing Driving Strategies
Posted by Patrick Moore
on Mon, Jun 18, 2007, 8:48 am PDT
MEDITATE
No, I don't recommend closing your eyes and chanting while on the road. However, you can create a meditative atmosphere in your car by selecting calming music and quietly repeating a phrase. Sometimes, when stuck in traffic, I simply breathe deeply and count down from 10. Rock and dance music have their place in the car but they are simply not helpful on a freeway that has come to a standstill.
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
I admit to using my cell phone in the car. (It is still legal here in LA, by the way.) But why do I become so annoyed when I see someone else driving erratically while talking on the phone? If I don't act as I would like others to act, I have no business criticizing them. Responsibility on the road starts with me.
HELP OTHERS
Rather than seeing other drivers as adversaries, it really does help my mood to be generous on the road. When I let cars in front of me and give a polite wave when other drivers allow me in, I am simply in a better mood. Each car trip, I make a commitment to doing something nice rather than competitive.
GET OVER YOURSELF
Are you really so busy that an additional five minutes on the road are going to make a difference? If I am a few minutes late to my meeting, will the company come to a standstill? I find that putting the frustration of traffic into a larger context keeps me from becoming frantic, self-obsessed, and self-important.
WALK
Most of us who live in dense cities could walk more and use our cars less. Not only does this help the environment, it reconnects us to nature, gives us some exercise and, most importantly, lowers the stress of urban living.
on Mon, Jun 18, 2007, 8:48 am PDT
MEDITATE
No, I don't recommend closing your eyes and chanting while on the road. However, you can create a meditative atmosphere in your car by selecting calming music and quietly repeating a phrase. Sometimes, when stuck in traffic, I simply breathe deeply and count down from 10. Rock and dance music have their place in the car but they are simply not helpful on a freeway that has come to a standstill.
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
I admit to using my cell phone in the car. (It is still legal here in LA, by the way.) But why do I become so annoyed when I see someone else driving erratically while talking on the phone? If I don't act as I would like others to act, I have no business criticizing them. Responsibility on the road starts with me.
HELP OTHERS
Rather than seeing other drivers as adversaries, it really does help my mood to be generous on the road. When I let cars in front of me and give a polite wave when other drivers allow me in, I am simply in a better mood. Each car trip, I make a commitment to doing something nice rather than competitive.
GET OVER YOURSELF
Are you really so busy that an additional five minutes on the road are going to make a difference? If I am a few minutes late to my meeting, will the company come to a standstill? I find that putting the frustration of traffic into a larger context keeps me from becoming frantic, self-obsessed, and self-important.
WALK
Most of us who live in dense cities could walk more and use our cars less. Not only does this help the environment, it reconnects us to nature, gives us some exercise and, most importantly, lowers the stress of urban living.
27 Unique Ideas for Dates
By Jeff Cohen Special to Yahoo! Personals
Planning a great date will score you major relationship points. The key is to understand your personal style and preferences as well as those of your date. Here are some unique date ideas to cover a wide range of hobbies, activities, and interests.
For Homebodies
Planning a great date will score you major relationship points. The key is to understand your personal style and preferences as well as those of your date. Here are some unique date ideas to cover a wide range of hobbies, activities, and interests.
For Homebodies
- Cook a meal together.
- Play a board game and rediscover your childhood.
- watch a full season of your favorite show on DVD for a TV marathon night.
- Create love coupons
- Create love coupons for foot rubs and back massages and cash them in.
- Go all out with a traditional candlelight dinner.
- Reserve a B&B getaway.
- Spelunking (not the best idea for those afraid of heights).
- Whitewater rafting.
- Racecar driving school.
- Take a pottery class.
- Paint ceramics together.
- Attend an art show.
- Take a cooking class and expand your cooking repertoire expand your cooking repertoire as a couple.
- Audit a class on your favorite subject from history to art to marketing.
- Attend a poetry or book reading.
- Help with bingo night at the local senior citizens' home.
- Volunteer at the hospital.
- Take an underprivileged kid to a ballgame or the circus.
- Watch a minor league game.
- Join a pickup game in the park, from softball to volleyball to ultimate Frisbee.
- Take scuba diving or golf lessons.
- Go for a weekend getaway.
- Plan a vacation together.
- Get in the car and drive.
- Double date with the folks.
- Play charades.
- Plan and cook a big family dinner
7 Steps to the Perfect Pouty Lips
Posted by Leslie Baumann, M.D.
on Thu, Jun 28, 2007, 4:44 pm PDT
Have you ever carefully applied your favorite lipstick ... only to look in a mirror an hour later and discover that it's bleeding through the edges of your lips?
There are ways to slow the signs of lip aging! Time and time again, I've encountered patients and friends who invest tons of time and money in skin care - only to virtually ignore their lips. Don't make that mistake.
- If you smoke, stop! The repeated action of pursing your lips around a cigarette creates "wrinkles in motion," that is, wrinkles caused by repeatedly moving your skin a certain way. Eventually, those wrinkles will remain even when your lips are at rest.
- For that same reason, limit your use of drinking straws and anything else that causes you to repeatedly purse your lips.
- When you're slathering SPF on the rest of your body, it can be easy to forget your lips. If your signature shade of lipstick isn't sun-friendly, always start with a base of SPF lip balm.
- In fact, the lips are a very common site for skin cancer because they don't naturally secrete vitamin E-rich sebum - the oil that helps protect your skin. Pick up a bottle of vitamin E oil or lip balm with vitamin E. Not only will it help protect your pout against skin cancer, it will also prevent the signs of aging.
- If your lips feel flaky, it's perfectly fine to exfoliate them, although there's no need to exfoliate on a regular basis. Use a fine scrub (nothing too abrasive), and be sure to follow it with a hydrating product. In addition to vitamin E, I love glycerin-based balms, which will help lips hold on to water.
- Curious about "lip plumping" glosses? In general, they do work - by irritating the delicate skin on the lips and causing them to swell slightly. (They're not dangerous, but a word of warning: When I tried one, my lips burned for an hour, even though I'd washed it off immediately!)
- If you're really interested in plumper lips, consider dermal fillers. Contrary to common fears, the latest dermal fillers (like Restylane, Juvederm, Hylaform, and the newly approved Perlane) can look very natural when a skilled doctor performs the procedure. Ask him or her to go easy on you - a little goes a very long way when it comes to lips.
Wishing you great skin!
Seven (7) steps to life full of potential
- Improve our depth of vision in life - Membesarkan visi kita
- Adopt healthy lifestyle - Mengembangkan citra diri sehat
- Find the strength in positive thinking - Menemukan kuasa pikiran & kata-kata
- Forget the past - Melepaskan masa lalu
- Find strength through sorrow - Menemukan kekuatan melalui kesukaran
- Live to give - Hidup untuk memberi
- Chose to be happy - Memilih untuk berbahagia
Top Ten (10) Tips to Prosperity
by Sandy Forster - Australia's LeadingProsperity Mentor
- Create a Millionaire Mindset
- Know what your Money is doing
- Constantly see the money already in the Bank
- Be consistently grateful for your Abundant Riches
- Do something that makes you feel Rich
- Create a space for your Prosperity
- Laugh and have fun
- Celebrate your Wealth
- Share your good fortune
- Prosperity is more than just masses of money, outrageous riches and Avalanches of Abundance
Read the (click) Full Version
Five (5) Secrets for Happiness
- Free Your Heart from Hatred - Bebaskan diri dari kebencian
- Free Your Heart from Worries - Bebeskan diri dari kekuatiran
- Live Simply - Hidup sederhana
- Give More - Banyak memberi
- Expect Less - Sedikit berharap
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