Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Reasons you may not be getting hired

1. You lie
Any lies you tell in your résumé or in an interview, will come back to haunt you.
In a 2008 CareerBuilder survey, 49% of hiring managers reported they caught a
candidate lying on their résumé; of those employers, 57 percent said they automatically
dismissed the applicant.
If you're concerned about something in your past, invention is not the answer.
Use your cover letter to tell your story, focusing on your strengths and
accomplishments and explaining any areas of concern if needed.

2. You've got a potty mouth
Employers say that talking negatively about previous employers is one of worst
mistakes you can make. (Unless you know the employer doesn't like your previous
placement!)

3. You don't show long-term potential
Employers want someone they can keep, so it's best to show that you want to grow with
the company. If you are asked where you see yourself in five years, reply with something
that has to do with the position you're applying for.

4. You have serious digital dirt
Employers use Social networking sites and online searches to 'get to know you'!
According to a 2009 CareerBuilder survey
45% of employers use social networking sites to research you.
35% of employers found content that has caused them to dismiss the candidate.

5. You don't know ... well, anything
Employers say that coming to the interview with no knowledge of the company
is a turnoff, and not asking good questions cost us the job offer.
Do your homework before an interview. Explore the company online,
prepare answers to questions and have someone give you a mock interview. The
more prepared you are, the more employers will take you seriously.

6. You acted bored, cocky or disinterested
The biggest mistake you can make in the interview is appearing disinterested and
appearing arrogant costs us the job.
Every business wants someone who can represent their company in a positive manner!

7. You were a little too personal
Employers don't want us to provide too much personal info in the interview.
Not only does personal information offend some people, but anytime you talk about
topics such as your hobbies, race, age or religion, you're setting yourself up
for bias. Though it's illegal for employers to discriminate against applicants
because of any of these factors, some will do so, regardless.

8. You were all about the money, not the job
General rule of thumb, you should never bring up salary before the employer
does. If the topic does arise, be honest about your salary history.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Healthy foods that aren't actually healthy!

When I go grocery shopping, I try to buy healthy food. But I didn't realize that half the stuff I thought was buying isn't healthy! Boo on that! But here's a few things I've learned...

1. Yogurt - It is good for you, but the sugar amount is not! Try to buy 25 grams of sugar per serving (or less). Or buy plain greek yogurt (which has less sugar and more protein) and add honey or jam.

2. Sugar-free treats sound good, but they have more fat in them and there's just as much or more calories.

3. Fat free foods aren't good for you because you need fat to absorb nutrients and they usually add extra sugars in. Try low fat if you're concerned about fat content

4. Diet Soda... artificial sugars make you crave real sugar

5. Trail Mix sounds good for you, but you need to watch your portions. There's a lot of fats and sugars in them

6. Turkey Burger sounds like the healthier choice no? But it usually contains dark meat and skin, which raises it's fat content compared to a Beef burger that is just beef. If you really want a turkey burger, look for lean and clean turkey

7. Veggie Chips. Just because they say Veggie, doesn't mean they're healthier. Chips are potatoes which is a Veggie too!

8. Smoothies... always watch the additives. Some chains smoothies are over 600 calories!

9. Sushi is great for you, but watch the add-ons. Go for brown rice :) and don't do fried anything!

Friday, February 5, 2010

5 dieting / exercising mistakes

Found on 50plus.com

Mistake 1: Not doing the math

If you want to lose weight, you have to burn more than you eat. Most people don't have an accurate idea of how many calories they are consuming versus how much they are expending. A good place to start is to figure out what your daily calorie intake needs are based on your weight, gender and age, and then subtract 200.

Pay attention to nutrition labels and the portion sizes. Measure your food so you can get an accurate idea of what a serving looks like.

On the fitness side, online tools and charts can help you "ball park" how much your daily activities really add up to.

Mistake 2: Ignoring what you drink

If you're paying close attention to the numbers, everything that passes through your lips has to figure into the calculations.

Mistake 3: Focusing on cardio

We start to lose muscle after the age of 30, and we'll lose roughly 1/3 of our muscle mass between the ages of 50 and 80 if we fall prey to inactivity. Cardiovascular exercises are important, but the heart isn't the only muscle that needs attention.

First of all, strong, flexible muscles will help prevent injury. Strength training will help improve balance, increase flexibility and support the bones, joints and tendons.

Building muscle is also important for weight loss. Why? It will rev up your metabolism.

Mistake 4: Getting sloppy

It's essential to make sure you're doing an exercise properly to get the full benefits and to avoid injuries that will set you back.

Don't let the fitness machines do the work - Don't rush through exercises - Set up exercise equipment for your body - Change up your routine and learn new ways to exercise

Mistake 5: Giving into guilt

Communication is key. Let your family know about your diet and fitness goals so they understand where you're coming from when you say no to that chocolate pie.

Prepare some gentle ways of saying no beforehand if you're headed to a gathering where you know you'll be accosted by a well-meaning friend or family member.