What Kind Of Notebook Is Right For You?

By : Sandra Stammberger

Notebooks are not just notebooks, there are a couple of different ways to do it. We are talking about the computer kind of notebook and the old fashioned kind that is made out of paper. They both have some definite pros and cons. If you want to be organized and you want to get your thoughts down on paper then you need one of these two types to work with. They will make everything neat and orderly and easy to manage.

The computer notebook is a great buy. It is obviously a more expensive buy but one that can do so many different things. This kind of computer can be carried with you to work and home and anywhere else that you need to take it. They are compact and light and each year they get lighter and m ore powerful.

There was a time when notebook computer screens were not very good but these days they are fantastic. No longer do people who use them have to worry about getting headaches or eye strain. They are so much smoother to look at and there are not more of those strange computer waves to have to contend with! The screens are also very bright and the colors are fantastic and true to life.

On a computer notebook you will be bale to write whatever you need to write each day, whether it is for work or for pleasure. You will also be able to manage your calendar and your schedule with ease. Most computers come with programs that will help you to keep track of all aspects of your life from important business meetings to your kids soccer games. These programs are powerful and simple to use. Then of course you have the ability to go online. The internet is a great place for you to go shopping for anything from groceries to fancy clothes and accessories. You could find yourself saving hundreds of dollars each and every year by shopping online instead of offline.

As you can see the notebook as a computer is a great idea that everyone can benefit from, but what about the old fashioned kind of paper notebook? These are great too. They are not able to do quite so many things however. Of course a paper book will not have any programs that you can use and it will not have any ability to go on the internet.

A paper notebook can however help you to plan anything that you need to plan. They come with calendars and schedulers that can be just as efficient to use as any other kind.

A top benefit of using these kinds of notebooks is for writing. When you write longhand the ideas flow better and faster. Your imagination is going to flow so much better when you are writing by hand as compared to writing on a computer. There is something that the pen in hand does for the mind that cannot be accomplished with a computer notebook.

Your First House

You’ve been living in that small apartment for a few years now. You have both worked hard and saved when possible. After talking it over, the two of you decide to buy your first house.

Now what do you do? Drive around your city. Decide which areas you would prefer. Are you going to be concerned about the school district? Is it important how convenient to shopping you are? It might be important to you to be near a tennis club, golf club or fitness facility. You have to decide what is important to you.

You have the areas narrowed down. Now it would be best to select an agent. Look thru the Yellow Pages and you will see hundreds listed. What are you going to do. My suggestion would be to talk to your friends. Ask about their experiences with realtors. If it is a lukewarm recommendation, forget it. You are looking for enthusiastic recommendations. Keep asking until you have a few possibilities. Then you can interview the candidates. Have questions prepared ahead of time. It may be the answers or it may just be a “feeling”, but after the interview you should be able to decide on your realtor.

You can now sit down with your personal agent and plan the attack. Let her know which areas you prefer. She might even have suggestions of other, similar areas. She will be able to present you with several choices. Now it is possible to narrow the search down by viewing possibilities on the internet. You can even see the inside of houses by using the Virtual Tour.

Once you find the house of your dreams, you will need to work with your agent on the deal. It will be presented to the seller and , if you are lucky, it may immediately be accepted. Congratulations! You are on your way to becoming a homeowner.

Dealing With Interviews

By : Tony Jacowski

Before the interview, rehearse what you are going to say and the best answer to every potential question. Human resource professionals, as well as various career experts all agree on one principle - that one of the best ways to tackle an interview is to anticipate the questions and then develop appropriate answers.

There are plenty of websites that offer job interview questions and answers and then practice. Interview is basically selling your talent and skill. There are simple steps that can guide you through your interview.

-Research The Company- Try finding out everything about the company, its customers, its mission statement and about its working environment. By finding out about these points, you can get insight about the company and also about the questions likely to be asked by the interviewer. Being well-prepared will project you as a person who has done their homework.

-Be Familiar With The Job Description- Analyze your strengths and weaknesses and then see how you are the best match for the job. If you have previous experience, then make note of all the times where you achieved specific results, as employers give more serious consideration to those applicants who have a background of a good track record in the same job.

-A Good First Impression- \"The first impression is the last impression\". It is true - so arrive 15 minutes prior to the interview and always maintain eye contact throughout your interview. Always be enthusiastic and project sincerity towards the people you meet.

-Project Yourself As A Problem Solver - Every job requires skills, so justify your candidacy with a problem solving answer to questions put forward by the interviewer. You should also give some tips on how a specific problem can be tackled. Be calm and confident. Don\'t project nervousness by fidgeting or nail-biting - this will immediately project how well you can handle stress.

-Ask Questions- Always ask questions if you have any and do not go blank when asked questions. Ask about the company\'s track record and also about your potential job responsibilities. Always remember that while you are selling yourself to the company, you are also finding out about them, and determining whether or not you want to work there.

-Deflect Objectionable Questions- If an interviewer asks an inappropriate question that makes you uneasy or uncomfortable, smile politely and ask the interviewer the reason of this probing question. Don\'t be scared to speak up, as companies are prohibited from asking personal questions, including references to your race, gender marital status, sexual preference as well as child care situations. Your interview should be only based on your job skills and not on your home or family.

Follow Up- Once your successful interview is over, follow up with a thank-you note. Always highlight your strengths and qualifications in the resume. When following up add specific discussions or conversations you had with the interviewer to help him or her recollect that you are a polished and enthusiastic candidate.

5 Keys to Deciding on a Certification

There is clearly value and knowledge gained with earning professional certifications. The key to success is choosing the right certification. The best choice that is most likely take you toward your goals is usually one that you can apply as soon as possible.

There is some controversy surrounding certifications, as many dispute the value or are critical of the process. Really, just about anything is subject to scrutiny and controversy, but here are some key points to be considered about earning certifications.

1. Some say that the requirements for many certifications have been dumbed down. However, if you look into it, it looks like quite a bit of effort (not to mention money) goes into earning many of the more valuable IT certifications and the Project Management Professioanl (PMP). There is clearly value and knowledge gained, and the key to success is choosing the right one.

2. An IT certification is relatively short-lived. Generally, you cannot go to school for it, as it will become outdated within a few years. Then you will need an update, if not a total re-planting in a different direction. IT certification is meant to be a demonstration of a specific piece of knowledge, often related to a particular implementation of technology. The mobile work force in technology needs a mechanism to adapt and reinvent itself every few years. Certification is a big part of that mechanism.

3. IT certifications provide evidence of a minimum level of knowledge of the subject. It definitely takes work to earn one, and often it is very difficult to do if you do not have some experience in the particular technology. The purpose is to enable vendors to have an up to speed workforce in place with sufficient expertise to implement and support their products. It is in the best interest of both the vendors and the individuals to attain as high a level of proficiency as possible. In other words, there is every reason for the vendor and the practitioner to maintain the highest standards.

4. Where I have a concern is with the offering of degrees in lieu of certifications. In my opinion, a degree should be an exercise in maturing, learning to think, and seeing a pretty broad view of things. It should provide a person with a foundation so that as they progress in their career, they can learn what they need to know as they go. A strong formal universtiy educational foundation can make it easier to earn appropriate certifications as desired and needed.

5. The true rating system for a given certification is the market. If a particular certification is not that valuable, or represents a dumbed down achievement, it probably will not be worth much in the eyes of employers. There is a lot of information on the internet that can provide insights on the demand for particular certifications. Just go to Google and search, or go to some job boards, like DICE or Monster, and search on the particular certification.

In my opinion, certification is worthwhile, and individuals must make the choice on what subjects to spend their time. While many situations do not require it, mobile employees and contractors that move from position to position, as well as internal employees who want to advance, will benefit the most from certification. If nothing else, it gives confidence and indicates a high level of motivation, which are not bad things to have!

Finding The Right College Is Easier Than You Think

By : Michael Fleischner

Most college bound students find the prospect of finding and applying to the right school a real challenge. Peer pressure from your friends and family can make the prospect of an objective search seem impossible. Even with a variety of opinions about your future being discussed, don\'t despair. Find the right college for you is easier than you think.

The first step in finding the right college is to consider key selection criteria. Here are a number of criteria to consider when making a college choice. Remember that even once you\'ve narrowed down your options, nothing beats an actual campus visit.

Location, Location, Location.
So where do you want to go? Obviously, academics play a huge role in determining the right school for you, but so does location. Are you looking for an exotic location or something close to home? What are your hobbies? Will you be in a location that allows you to continue doing what you most enjoy doing?
Are you looking for a rural setting or an urban one? Start your college planning with the type of location that you will be most happy with. This can have a tremendous impact on your experience and can do a lot to help you narrow your choices.

If you\'ve always lived in the suburbs, an urban campus can result in culture shock. After a few weeks, you may be in need of grassy fields and open space. On the other hand, if you\'re used to malls and movie theaters and choose a college in a rural area, will you be racing into the student center at midnight, desperately seeking noise, lights, and people? Think about where you grew up and how much of a change you want.

Campus Size
Are you thinking big? Or do you prefer something much more manageable? Colleges come in all shapes and sizes, from a school in New Hampshire that enrolls less than 100 students to a school like Penn State that can enroll 30,000 or more. Which is better? That depends on your preferences.

Do you like being places where everybody knows you, or do you like the anonymity of a crowd? You might even want to think about how far you want to walk between classes. Large schools typically have large campuses, as well as a healthy selection of student services and things to do. On the other hand, a smaller college may offer individualized attention, as well as a more intimate and personalized experience for each student.

College Type
Despite popular belief, all college are different. Some devote much of their time and resources to research. Others focus their attention on teaching and learning. Some have a specialty in one area, while others are known for providing students a broad end enriching education. Other differences to consider include whether schools are single sex or coed, if have a religious affiliation. There are a variety of colleges that focus on a particular ethnicity. Your options are almost limitless and your personal learning style, preferences, and available resources will help you find the place where you will best succeed.

There are many factors to consider when deciding where you want to go to college. Begin by considering location, campus size, and type. By knowing the kind of university you wish to attend, you can narrow your choices and focus on curriculum and affordable options.