Catharine Lowe

Congratulations, you’ve just graduated with a degree in your chosen field. It is not always an assurance if you studied in international childcare college you will also land a good job.

So what’s your next step going to be to launch your long-anticipated career?

Like a young racehorse at the starting gate, you have tons of energy and determination, and are anxious to get out there and seize new career opportunities. But are you ready? Do you know what you need to do? Do you have a plan of action to turn those opportunities into a reality? If you don’t, you will need to get one.

I’m sure you’ve heard the old adage that the quickest route from point A to point B is a straight line. Well, launching your career is no different in terms of setting your job search goals and carrying them out diligently and methodically You might have a few corners to navigate, but you should do your best to avoid deviating from your goal as much as possible.

One of the first things you need to decide is what type of job interests you the most. Depending on what your degree is, there might be many positions in your field to consider. For example, if you are a graduate nurse you can work in a hospital, clinic, nursing home, childcare center, school, private practice, or field setting. Then, within those settings you can work within various units such as medical-surgical, pediatrics, and maternity. Then there are transitional opportunities.

Let’s say you tried your hand at nursing and realized it was not what you expected. You can always consider pharmaceutical sales as a new career. Some fields, such as business management, are even more flexible. The key is to decide which direction you are headed towards and learn as much about that field as you possible can.

Okay, you hate to admit it, but you spent all of that time and money, but you’re still not sure what you want to do. You have an idea about what you might want to do, but it’s just not clear yet. None of the possibilities you’ve explored get you excited. In fact, you’re feeling downright frustrated and depressed. Don’t worry. It really isn’t that bad. Keep in mind that you don’t have to start at the top, and don’t have to commit yourself to an employer. So don’t put so much pressure on yourself. Maybe you just need to get your foot in the door somewhere to test the waters before you decide to go full steam ahead. You might even want to spend the first year to discover what it is that you really want to do. That way your mind will be open to possibilities and you will have a positive attitude. Just don’t waste time. Set weekly goals. Use that year to WORK at finding out what you want to do. Then prepare to do it – and do it well.

If you want to explore your career without the assistance of a job coach or career counselor, a good way to start is to conduct some independent research. Let’s assume your degree in is law enforcement or criminal justice. You will need to decide if you want to work in corporate security or private investigation. But how do you decide? Well, if your college’s career center cannot provide you with specific information, visit Occupational Outlook Handbook online (http://www.bls.gov/oco/) to get an overview of various positions in your field. Join industry specific chat rooms to see what everyone is talking about. Go to the websites of various companies. Get involved in conversations. Ask lots of questions. Get advice from friends, family members, and neighbors. Ask them what they do and how they got started.

If you are not sure if a particular area of your industry is right for you, call or write professionals already in positions of interest to request an information interview. An information interview will allow you the opportunity to question a professional about the nature and requirements of a position. Some people will not be available, whereas other people will welcome the opportunity to give you fifteen minutes of their time. If someone avoids you, don’t take it personally. Just move on to the next possible contact. Once you make a connection, you will need to be polite, organized, and demonstrate exceptional professionalism and communication skills. During your information interview, remember to take detailed notes. When you are done, thank them wholeheartedly for their time. Be sure to get their full name and contact information so you can send them a follow-up thank you letter. They might even have an opening, so be sure to make a good impression.

Once you have narrowed it down, have your résumé developed professionally and post it on major job boards, such as monster.com, careerbuilder.com, and hotjobs.com to see what contacts can be made. While you are there, search job openings to glean what the job descriptions are so you can see what will be expected of you. Your résumé writer will probably want you to do that anyway so they can get a good idea of the jobs you are interested in to ensure your résumé is very targeted. Be proactive and tell your résumé writer that you have done that and would like to share that information with them.

Okay, so now you know what you want to do and you have a great résumé and cover letter. Now what? You’ve probably heard how important networking is – that it’s not what you know but who you know. Well, that’s not always the case; but knowing the right person sure can’t hurt. With that in mind, let everyone you come in contact with know you are looking for a job. Be sure to keep your résumé updated and in your car (protected from spills and creasing) so you can hand them out at a moment’s notice. Join an organization to become acquainted with people in your industry, attend career fairs, become affiliated with recruiters, and research companies online (post your résumé at their websites), at the library, and even in the yellow pages to get leads to mail your résumé and cover letter. This last approach is a great strategy. Let’s say you recently graduated with your Masters in Social Work. You can open your yellow pages to Adoption Agencies to acquire the mailing addresses of several social service agencies. Be sure to call the receptionist first to request the proper name, title, and department of the contact to send your résumé and cover letter. Other strategies include creating a web résumé so people can view your formatted, interactive resume online. If you don’t know how to do this, research how or hire someone to do it for you. Be sure to have business cards made and add your web résumé address to it!

Another great way to get started is to temp for a while. If you do decide to temp, be selective. You should only work for the best companies in your field to get the very best experience possible. It is also a great way to prove yourself as a favorable candidate for a permanent position. Don’t temp for too long because it might cause a potential employer to wonder why you haven’t secured a permanent position for a certain length of time. If during an interview you are asked why you temped, confidently state that you chose to temp to gain well-rounded experience in your field. Don’t apologize for anything!

No matter what your plan of action is, be sure to keep organized notes and track every move you make. Prepare a list of names, company names, addresses, telephone numbers, fax numbers, email addresses, and website addresses. Keep the list near the phone of every company you sent your résumé and cover letter. That way you will know whom you are speaking with when they call to extend an initial or follow up interview. This is especially important if you are going on several interviews. If you are not organized, you will get confused and seem unprofessional. You will want to make a great first impression from the very beginning, starting with a great résumé and cover letter. If you have your baby sister’s cute little voice or a musical greeting on your answering machine, replace it with a professional message that says,” You have reached John Smith at 555-5555. I am not available at this time. Please leave your name and reason for calling. I will return your call as soon as possible. Have a great day!” If your email address is [email protected], be sure to change it to [email protected] If you are on the road all of the time, or if members of your family do not speak English, get a cell phone so you can be reached anytime, anywhere. List that number as your only number without the word “cell” listed on your résumé. If you list both your home number and your cell number, then indicate which number is your home number and which number is your cell number. They will probably call your home number first. If you have a lot of friends who call you on your cell, be on guard to answer your cell phone professionally. If you are going on an interview, leave your cell phone in your glove compartment. You don’t want your cell phone to ring in the middle of the interview.

Be prepared and on time for the interview, if not early. Make sure you have several outfits to wear to go on several interviews in a week’s time so you don’t stress. Make sure you dress appropriately for your interview. You can’t go wrong if you are conservative. If it is a creative industry, you can dress with more flair or even casual, but don’t dress too crazy. Have extra résumés handy (don’t bring your cover letter) to give to the hiring manager so he/she can distribute them to other managers without having to make copies. Practice your interviewing technique. Ask a friend to role-play with you. Get a book with commonly asked interview questions. In addition to learning what to say, you need to learn what not to say and what not to do. Send out thank you letters within 24-hours that mention something important discussed in the interview keeping the position in mind at all times and reiterating your strengths.

Above all, be professional in behavior and appearance, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, organized, interested in the company and position (have about ten questions to ask them that have nothing to do with you), and try your best to be interesting when you talk about your experiences, regardless how limited they may be. If you are nervous, keep in mind that you are interviewing them, too. You don’t want to work for just anyone, do you? Be sure to convey that. You don’t have to be arrogant about it, but you should come across as a commodity, not as a desperate, nervous job seeker. If you think like that, your confidence will shine through naturally because you will feel good about yourself and will be ready for anything! Before long, you’ll be launching your career. Good luck!

Ann Baehr is a Certified Professional Resume Writer and President of Best Resumes of New York. Notable credentials include her role as former Second Vice President of the National Resume Writers’ Association and published contributor to over twenty resume and cover letter books by McGraw-Hill, Jist Publishers, and Adams Media. To learn more, visit Best Resumes of New York at http://www.e-bestresumes.com

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All weddings should be an unforgettable experience no matter what size they are and even if you choose a small wedding reception venues Melbourne. It isn’t simple to plan the ideal vacation. You have to first choose your destination, arrange your transportation, and then book your hotel. Making the wrong choice can spoil an otherwise great vacation. Use the information in this article to book your room the best way.

To keep your electronics safe when you are out of the hotel room, use the safe that you’ll find in your closet. You can put your iPad, GPS watch, and other small, costly items into the safe, and then head out for the day with peace of mind about their security.

Double-check your organizational memberships. Many of these places will give you cheaper hotel prices. Many people don’t remember these discounts, which can save them 10% or more. That can add up to huge savings over multiple nights. If you are staying for a week, you can pay for a whole night’s lodging with these discounts.

There are things to think about when choosing a hotel. Your budget comes first, but proximity to attractions is also important. Other amenities, such as a swimming pool, an onsite restaurant and free continental breakfast are important to travelers. Look for the hotel that gives as many of the extra you desire as possible.

You can use online travel sites to find great hotels. There are a lot of websites that have great deals and other useful tools to help you comparison shop to find the right hotel at the right price. They can also allow you to look at the average rates of a hotel. They also can help with figuring out when the ideal time to go on vacation is and what you can do once you are there.

Once you get to your hotel, do not unpack until you check the room. Make sure there is no mold or mildew anywhere in the room. Do the sink, shower and toilet work properly? Count how many linens and towels you were given and make sure there are enough for everyone traveling with you. If you notice any problems, report them immediately. If your issues are not resolved, ask to move to another room.

Don’t make assumptions about pet policies of hotels. Call ahead to their service desk and make sure, even if their website listing says they are. Also ask exactly what they mean by pet-friendly, as there might be restrictions on certain breeds and sizes of pet that they allow on their premises.

Always book early for that special couples massage for you and your loved one. The best masseuses are booked well in advance.

Be sure to consult AAA to help you make excellent plans for your entire vacation. You may not have known that, but it’s true. It’s possible you could save 5 percent or higher on hotels across the United States. When you stay for multiple nights, the savings really add up.

If you run regularly, continue your routine when traveling by bringing running clothes and your GPS. Simply set an alarm or get a wake up call and take an early morning run. Running down city streets or country roads can give you a fresh view of the place you are visiting.

If you often frequent the same hotel chains, look into their frequent stay membership programs. These programs usually work by letting you rack up points. Over time, these points can really add up, allowing you to enjoy numerous upgrades, spa visits, restaurant discounts, and even free nights at the hotel.

To avoid major expenses on your final hotel bill, be sure to ask the sales representative about the price of hotel transfers first. You don’t want to ruin the deal you are getting on your room by paying for an expensive transfer. Inquiring about this in advance will maximize any savings.

If you are a frequent business traveler, establishments like Marriott and Choice Hotels offer attractive membership programs. These programs allow you to collect points that can be applied toward further travels.

To keep the kids in your family happy when you are on the road, call ahead and make sure that the pools in each hotel are in working order. There aren’t many things that are as frustrating as going to your hotel with kids that really want to swim only to see that it has been closed.

If you are concerned about bed bugs, look in the bathroom first. This is where you are least likely to find bedbugs. When you determine there are not any in there, set your bags down and inspect the remainder of the premises. It’s safe for pets and kids too.

Make sure to ask up front if the hotel you’ll be staying in allows smoking or does not. If you’re not a smoker, you might want to skip a smoking hotel. You can still get a room that’s non-smoking, but the smoke can flow in the air and get on all your clothes. Sometimes, smokers rent non-smoking rooms because that is all that is available, and then they smoke in them anyway. By choosing a hotel that does not allow smoking, you can completely avoid the smell of cigarettes.

Don’t let your choice of hotel ruin your vacation. Research and plan well in advance. The more educated you are about finding and reserving great accommodations, the more options you will find. You should enjoy every detail of a vacation, even the stay in the hotel room! The next time you are a planning a big vacation, keep these tips in mind.

You can organize a fun run for a charitable causes to help other people. You can If you want to give money to charity and you are planning your estate, what is the best way to do it? There is an option to give to charity each year or as a lump sum upon death. At the time of death, there are options to give to charity as part of your will, through life insurance or through donating assets. There are considerations to consider when making these choices:

What Is My Income Level and What Do I Need For My Lifestyle Now and At The Day of My Death?

If you have a high annual income (high would mean you are paying the highest tax rates) and you don’t need this money for day to day expenses, then giving to charity while you are living may be a good idea. You can make this decision each year if your income fluctuates, or if you have a year where the income spikes such as a year when a property is sold or capital gains are harvested on investments. There would be a trade-off between lowering the tax rates currently, and lowering them for the estate. You also would want to consider how quickly you want to give to charity and whether you would like to see how your money is being utilized.

There are many personal opinions that surface with respect to charities and how it should be done, so some introspection is required to ask yourself what your preferred method of giving would be. It is a good idea to ask your favourite charities how they would like their donations – lump sum versus frequently, and assets versus cash. Some charities have difficulty dealing with large sums of money because they may not have the facilities to allocate it where they need it. Other charities may have unpredictable funding from other sources if large sums are donated which would disrupt their cash flows. Depending on the type of donation, a charity may earmark it for different uses and this would facilitate how the donations get utilized.

If I Give Donations at the Time of My Death, How Should I Do it?

Donating Your RRSP

What about donating RRSP, RRIF or LIRA accounts to charity? Why do this? These accounts may be taxed heavily depending on your income at the day of death and on the remaining balance at the day of death. This strategy is similar to donating shares that have large unrealized capital gains at death which could be nullified if the shares were donated to charity prior to sale.

Donating Through Your Will

The disadvantages are that the will can be contested or changed which may affect the intended outcome of giving to charity. There are also probate fees that apply to anything passing through a will.

Donation of Life Insurance Through a Will

This donation is made at death. Note that donation is made by the estate and at the time of death. Note that “cultural gifts” and “ecological gifts” are taxed differently. Donations can be claimed: in the taxation year of the estate in which the donation is made, an earlier taxation year of the estate, or one of the last two taxation years of the individual up to 100% of net income. The estate can also carry forward donation credits up to 5 years into the future if it is Graduated Rate Estate (GRE) or 10 years for ecologically sensitive land. Note that a gift given through a will or through the estate is treated the same way. The donation consists of a lump sum and the tax receipt is made to the estate and not the individual. There are probate fees, public disclosure and the possibility of estate contestability.

Donations of Life Insurance By Naming a Charity as a Beneficiary of the Insurance Policy

The individual in this case would not qualify for a charitable donation tax credit for the premiums paid. This would be done when an insurance policy is close to renewal or set to expire. If you let the policy expire by not paying premiums, you may not get any value for it or get cash surrender value which may be lower than its fair market value. Life insurance policies can be donated by 1) changing the assigning the charity as the beneficiary and upon death. The estate would receive a tax credit based on the amount of the gift. Another way is to 2) change the policy ownership and beneficiary to the charity. The charity should be consulted as to whether they would accept this kind of gift. This method is useful for direct donations as opposed to using third parties. Can the donation credit be used? It is worth 75% of net income at a maximum with a carry forward of 5 years.

Donations of Life Insurance Policies Directly To A Charity

In case 2), the fair market value is used which is typically higher than the cash surrender value. Who will pay the premiums once the insurance policy is donated? The insured can continue to pay premiums and get additional tax credits for the payments if they occur after the transfer of the insurance policy is made to the charity, or the premiums can be deducted from the policy’s cash value. Other donors of the charity itself can also pay the premiums. The charity may prefer to pay the premiums since if the donor agrees to pay the premiums and does not, the insurance policy will lapse. Note that the features of the life insurance policy should be checked thoroughly to make sure to arrive at the correct fair market value. In the second case, there are no probate fees, no contestability of the estate and no issue with creditors and the estate. This case can apply to a new or existing life insurance policy during your lifetime. The remainder of the estate can be kept whole for the other beneficiaries. Donating a life insurance policy can be cheaper than giving a cash donation because investment income is being generated inside of the life insurance policy. Note that if there is a split of an insurance policy between a donor and a charity, the CRA does not want an advantage in favour of the donor. The benefits to the charity and the donor must be clearly separated otherwise the charitable tax deduction would not be allowed. The individual making the donation has to calculate the value of the split – which is likely performed with help from an insurance underwriter or actuary.

Donating Assets

This method is donating assets in kind where there is an unrealized capital gain or loss embedded in the transaction. This is called donating capital property and the total donation limit is increased by 25% of the taxable capital gain. The donor may designate a value between the ACB (Adjusted Cost Basis) and the FMV (Fair Market Value) of the donated property for calculating the capital gains and tax credit. If an insurance policy is purchased to replace the value of the assets donated (and offset the tax consequences of a capital gain), the tax savings from the gift can be applied toward the purchase of the insurance policy.

Donor Advised Funds and Foundations

A donor advised fund is an endowment fund. Monies are put into the fund and the fixed payout is made to registered charities. There is flexibility as to when donations are made and who to make them to. This can be used as a legacy of charitable giving since the donations can continue after death and be your heirs as well. The money is donated to an organization who invests the initial donation, administers where the proceeds are donated, invests the money guided by you and issues the tax receipts.

Do you want to: Learn how the world of money really works without the need of a time consuming or expensive course of study? Discuss what you want to achieve according to your horizon? Restructure your finances to achieve your goals? Advice that is not affiliated with any institution or any product – an independent opinion?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, contact me at: Contact me, Joe Barbieri by email at [email protected], my web site at http://www.joetheinvestor.ca or by telephone at 647-286-8020 for an independent consultation on what your options are. Note: This article is intended for people who want to learn about the world of finance and how to research for themselves. If you would like to buy or sell investment products, or specific advice on investment products, tax or legal issues, please consult your investment advisor, accountant or legal counsel.

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When you donate money, you’re helping others — and yourself, according to research. Do you ever into it and feel like you’ve just got an excessive amount of items that you do not use anymore? In the present society we’re taught for being purchasing machines-consumers which are taught never to repair it, but to purchase a different one. Eliminating clutter and unused items out of your home could make you feel better about your living area, and also at the same time you will be doing something great for other people. The initial step to getting rid of that garage filled with junk is actually a car donation.

Un-Clutter Your Home and Help Others

If you are anything much like the typical USA household you most likely maintain your beautiful new car out on the driveway so everybody can easily view it, even when it’s subjected to all the elements. Should you open the most popular American garage though, you will notice it filled up with junk. Although you may think having a garage sale is the greatest method of getting rid of this clutter, and yes it is really a well known option, yet you will find better options. Perhaps it would be great if you might get rid of your clutter through a donation to charity? Imagine, you are able to donate something which is useless to you personally and realize that it really is helping the homeless, poor and hungry American children. By looking into making a donation you aren’t only getting that irritating spouse off your back about cleaning up, additionally , you will help a household in addition to some children in need of assistance.

Other Items to Donate to Release Your Space

Maybe you do not have a vehicle to give nevertheless, you still need a garage or house filled with unwanted and unneeded clutter that might go. You will find many items which you’ll be able to donate to charity that will assist others and start toward your ultimate goal of a clutter free house. Companies can come and obtain trucks, trailers, boats and motorbikes too, all at no fee for you. Simply make a call and they’re going to come and haul it away after which provide you with a receipt so that you can claim the donation as being a tax deduction. Other articles that usually sit around gathering dust are washers and dryers, extra refrigerators and other appliances, along with furniture too. You bought the new couch and didn’t want to get rid of the old couch so in to the garage it went, where still it sits today. You could possibly were saving for when your children moved away from home, but that time has transpired therefore it is time for you to clean up space and move ahead.

Getting rid of clutter in your house really could make you feel better. Having open space and outdoors can help you breathe again not feel so confined by unnecessary unused items. A car donation is a good way to start clearing the clutter; you possibly can make a positive change and perhaps even obtain a tax deduction by using one particular call.

There are countless motives why an individual should learn to surf live streaming. Riding a wave is something surfers fully recognize and non-surfers will never entirely grasp. Riding waves links the surfer to the power of the ocean and also the storm that produced that power. When you surf, you will be riding the power from a weather system that produced waves in a distant location. To nearly all surfers, surfing is a religious encounter that takes over the surfer when riding a wave and connecting with the ocean. That buzz of riding the wave may keep numerous surfers addicted for their life.

People might think other activities are similar to surfing. Other board related sports activities might ride decks similar to surfing, but tend not to have the same feel as that of riding a wave. When surfers surf a wave, the wave is in existence for a single instant in time. Other board sports focus on riding fixed fabrications similar to snow or road enabling duplication to progress. In contrast, surfing requires perseverance and motivation to get better as duplication is not likely in the ocean with every single wave being a special experience.

Gaining the knowledge to surf is a arduous process. A session from a skilled instructor is highly preferred for starters. In many cases, a good friend could possibly offer to take you surfing for your initial time. Unless your buddy is experienced and is planning to spend time and energy to you on your initial day surfing, there is a good likelihood you will not ride a wave. If you choose to sign up for a session from a qualified surf instructor, you ought to be able to ride at least a few smaller waves on your first day out surfing. From then on, surfing requires a whole lot of work to master.

As you learn and advance, the compensation is great. My initial surf was a significant experience. As you gain skills as a surfer, you make more out of surfing. Surfing waves is a experience and positive feeling similar to no other for the expert wave rider. As a newbie, you should not try to surf bigger more extreme waves as you might get hurt. If the wave looks demanding, it typically is greater than your skill level. Take your time learning and make certain you master good surf etiquette previous to venturing out to a packed surf break where better surfers are in the surf lineup.

Surfing is a truly fulfilling activity to surfers that get educated about good skills and surf etiquette. Go for it and give it a try.