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Shaun Hummel asked:




Overview

This article discusses some of the considerations involved with self employment. There are alot of opportunities for information technology workers to start their own business. You can decide to start it as a part time venture and gradually build the work and phase out of a current opportunity or do both. 

1099/Corp to Corp/Taxes

You have to pay taxes whether self employed or as a standard w2 employee. The contractor can work as a 1099 status or as an incorporated business. The 1099 is a self employed status and has specific IRS rules that determine if your relationship with the employer is indeed as an independent contractor. The 1099 status requires you to file a 1099 schedule during tax time and all liabilities of the business are yours. The taxes with 1099 involve self employment and income taxes. Working as a Corp to Corp requires you incorporate the business and there is a cost involved with that. From the perspective of the IRS you are a corporation and not a self employed individual. There is no self employment tax, however you should consider the complexities of tax laws in your state and consider and decide what is best for your business.  

Health Benefits

Working for yourself will require you to shop around for your own health care benefits. Web sites such as ehealthinsurance  can generate a list of providers with plan specifics and costs. 

Finding Work

Searching for work can be daunting however there are some good places to focus your efforts. Start with contacts you have made over the years working for clients and let them know you are now available and working as a contractor. Have some basic information you can provide that specifies previous work experience and samples if available. There are some good job search engines such as careerjet.com, smuz.com and indeed.com that aggregate opportunities from several sources. Freelance web sites such as Elance, Scriptlance and Getacoder advertise a lot of opportunities that could match your skill set. Setup a company web site and specify on any job boards you work Corp to Corp or 1099 status. Local advertising in free online classifieds is a good  idea and joining local community networking groups. 

Billing

There are some companies that do payroll online as an outsourced service if you dont want to do any billing, taxes or financial statements. It is easy enough to get a basic accouting package online and learn to use it if you have basic computer skills and do your taxes online.

Career Development

Keeping your technical skills current is key and the best way to do that is with certifications. Plan on doing a certification that supports your business plan and market demands every 6 months.

Contracts

Most contracts with the information technology industry involve non-disclosure agreement, work scope, penalties for contract default, payment plans and intellectual property rights. Read carefully and confirm you are not signing away rights.

Advertising

The best advertising is customer testimonials from previous work you have done. Your reputation is valuable and a great selling point when competing for a contract. Include samples of previous work accomplishments.

Shaun Hummel is an author of various technical books and has a web site focused on information technology job search solutions and certifications.

http://www.networkjobsolutions.com



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James Copper asked:




The Microsoft Certified System Administrator is a user who is certified of having knowledge in System Administration of Microsoft Windows Operating System. The MCSA certifies the user as the one having the skills in implementation, management and troubleshooting of the rising needs of Microsoft Windows operating systems.

The MCSA course consists of two exams to be successfully completed. The two exams are the Core and the Elective exams. Both the courses consist of different areas of expertise. The MCSA course exams are as follows:

Core Exam

Windows XP Professional 70-270 Series

This includes the installation, administering resource, configuring desktop, configuring hardware, optimizing, networking and securing the system.

Windows 2000 Server 70-215 Series

This course consists of installation, hardware, control sources to files, folders, web and printers, optimizing server, troubleshooting, implementing remote access and terminal services, configuring disk and drives, networking server and using security features.

Windows Server 2003

The course consists of installation, upgrades, managing disk and hardware, administering resource and shared resource, networking, optimizing system and configuring desktop, using TCP/IP and securing system.

Windows Server 2003 Networking Management 70-291 Series

The test consists of TCP/IP protocol, IP addressing and routing, classless subnet masking and client address notification, dynamic host configuration protocol, domain naming system concept and server, security template, software updating, troubleshooting, LAN/dial up services and security.

Windows 2000 Network Management 70-218 Series

This test contains installing devices, managing group policy, resources, permissions, TCP/IP, remote access, controlling file and web access, monitoring and backing up files, configuring VPNs and terminal services.

Elective Exams

Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 70-284 Series

The course consists of managing exchange recipient objects, address list, policies, computer performance, troubleshooting and security.

Microsoft Server 2003 Administration 70-290 Series

The course consists of managing of physical and logical disks, configuring, monitoring and troubleshooting, managing computer accounts and users, configuring terminal services, using server management tools, managing the web services with the IIS 6.0, management of performance and security, planning and implementation of disaster recovery.

Windows 2000 Network Administration 70-216 Series

The exam contains working with DNS and DHCP, remote access, network protocol, WNS, NAT, IP routing and certificate services.

Exchange 2000 Administration 70-224 Series

The course consists of installation and co-existence, creation and management of recipient objects, group and connectors, deployment of internet messaging, administration of chat services, security, performance, working with clients and backing up of data.

Server 2003 Security Administration 70-299 Series

The test is made up of implementation, management and troubleshooting of security policies, network communications security and patch management, PKI administration, IPSec troubleshooting,

SOL Server 2000 Administration 70-228

The course is of installation, advanced installation, creating and managing the databases, extracting and securing data and its integrity, automation and performance.

Upon successful completion of the course in security or messaging in which five of the above test is to be passed, the user is certified as an MCSA. The completion of MCSA course is an added advantage for IT professionals across the world.



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Stephen Davis asked:




Dubai is located in the United Arab Emirates and is not only one of the world’s fastest growing cities, but is also an epicenter for employment and new job opportunities. It is estimated that around 30 new companies are established in this burgeoning city every week; and this has been the case since late 2002.

But why is Dubai such an attractive city to live and work in? The short answer Dubai is tax free. If you live and work in the area you are paid your gross wage with no tax deducted from this amount. Why? Unbelievably, direct personal taxation is against the law, meaning any income you make is 100% yours.

If you are looking in the fields of tourism, IT, media or finance, and are qualified in your area, there is an abundance of job opportunities waiting to be snapped up. Every year, thousands of international people are making the move to Dubai to become part of the workforce and make some real, tax-free money.

Likewise, if you are looking to establish your own business in the Emirate, the government offers numerous incentives to overseas business to take up in the free trade zones. There are currently 15 free trade zones, with 7 more planned for the coming months and years. These zones allow for foreign businesses to establish themselves and grow without corporate taxes and without a shareholding structure. You will quickly realize why there is an abundance of job opportunities in Dubai.

In order to work in Dubai, you will be required to hold a work permit and residency visa. Most employers will arrange for these details to be sorted for their employees once they are appointed to their position within the company. On the other hand, if you are planning a holiday to Dubai, you will be issued with a temporary visa (depending on the country you are from), and you can use this opportunity to scout around and look for job opportunities. Once you have done this, the process of applying for a work permit and visa is fairly straight forward.

A notable difference in Dubai is the working hours, which you will quickly become used to. Many businesses close for a few hours each afternoon and Friday tends to be a day when no meetings are held.

Dubai, as a city, is unbelievable. The living standard for expatriates is wonderful, as is the fast-paced social life many of these people enjoy. Prepare to play and work hard, and enjoy the many wonders Dubai has to offer from indoor skiing, to playing golf, or taking a 4wd safari in the desert Dubai has it all.

You will never feel alone in Dubai. The majority of the current population is made up of expatriates and you will have no problem meeting acquaintances and new friends almost immediately. The multi cultural environment allows for numerous social clubs and events to encourage new people to meet. All of this helps new residents ease into their new life in Dubai.

To learn more, visit the Dubai Hotels and Dubai Jobs Website – a resource for job opportunities, news and information relating to Dubai.



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Jason Kay asked:




LinkedIn.com is one of the fastest growing recruiting tools currently used by Headhunters and Professionals alike. If you are used to networking and taking advantage of business meet and greets, then you can expand your networks and your professional name by using LinkedIn. If you are still coming to grips with how to network or even what it is – then LinkedIn provides a great base on which you can build for your “offline” world. If you become savvy at using LinkedIn as a professional advancement tool then your opportunities are exponential.

Why use LinkedIn to get recruited?

Headhunters are now using LinkedIn as one of their primary tools to source new talent for Employers. Business Owners and Employers have also become aware of just how useful LinkedIn is to search for talented professionals to fill positions – cutting out the middle man and major advertising costs. Over 130,000 recruitment agents including representatives from all of the Fortune 500 Companies are using LinkedIn to source their future employees and contractors.

Professionals who have developed their LinkedIn Profiles and are working on their connections report on receiving at least a contact a week from either Headhunters or Employers who have found them through LinkedIn. This is a great tool to advertise your skills to a much larger audience and also provides opportunities for networking yourself into your Company of choice. As you familiarize yourself with LinkedIn you will start to realize how this site and your connections can provide a personal introduction to the right person at the right time.

How does LinkedIn work?

Heard of six degrees of separation? LinkedIn works on the principle that by you inviting your contacts to join you on LinkedIn, you also gain access to their contacts and so on and so forth. Firstly, this builds up membership as a lightening pace (over 25 million users currently). Secondly, this creates a huge community of people who can professionally assist each other. LinkedIn is a professional driven social networking site, so no video uploads of late night opinions or family pics – just professionals linking in to each other.

How do I get started using LinkedIn for Professional Advancement?

A Basic Membership on LinkedIn.com is free. You just need to join and fill in your profile. If you’re serious about using LinkedIn to get recruited, and then take the time to set up your profile properly, in the same vain you would offer your CV to a Recruitment Agent.

The next step is to start connecting! LinkedIn operates interactive tools that can upload your address book from various email programs including Outlook and web based mail programs. These tools automatically identify any members of your address book that are already LinkedIn members. Go through and carefully choose who you want to invite to become a connection.

Note: Your Connections will be visible to the rest of your connections.

You can also reconnect with old classmates and colleagues by using the Colleague Reconnect and Classmate Reconnect tools. This is a great way to expand your connections and you never know who may be working for what potential employer. Profiles with over 20 connections have an increased chance of success.

TIP: Don’t just enter someone’s email address or business card into your contact manager – see if they are also on LinkedIn. A few minutes a month can provide you a huge network of connections that can access your profile.

How can I use LinkedIn to get recruited?

Here are a few fast tips on how to optimize your chances for being recruited through LinkedIn. They are relevant to both individuals who want professional advancement, freelancing or consulting professionals and business owners who want to expand their reach:

1. Don’t just sit on your profile – work your colleagues, former employers, clients and professional contacts for recommendations. Having recommendations on your LinkedIn profile is gold in terms of recruitment. You can also use your LinkedIn profile as a central repository for recommendations rather than having to re-contact your referees each time you apply for a job. Business can also use this as a tool to centralize their testimonials for prospective clients. You can then refer potential employers to your LinkedIn profile to view recommendations.

2. Use keywords when you are preparing your Profile, take advantage of search engine optimization wherever possible, while still ensuring your profile looks professional. For example systems analyst familiar with business intelligence software – work at getting the attention of your target audience. If you are running a professional or promotional blog, you can connect your blogs URL to your LinkedIn profile. Again – keywords – professional. You can also personalize your LinkedIn profile by customizing the URL to reflect your name and ensure you allow your full profile to be viewed by public users. LinkedIn is a friend of the major search engines – giving you the chance of a higher return on search results.

3. You can download the JobInsider toolbar from LinkedIn. If you are searching for open positions on many of the known jobsites, then the JobInsider toolbar gives you an inside track. When you view a listing, JobInsider will search for your inside connections in the prospective company. Using your connections you can gain inside information, advice and maybe even a helping recommendation.

4. Join relevant groups – you can join professional, alumni, industry and corporate alumni groups listed on LinkedIn. This is a great way to exhibit your profile and increase your connections. You can also create groups – bringing together your own major network of liked minded professionals.

5. People have had amazing results from just simply asking and answering questions using the Q & A tool on LinkedIn. Try for credibility rather than self promotion.

6. Take the few milliseconds to keep an eye on the LinkedIn notices that come into your inbox. It’s useful insider intelligence to watch who’s connecting to whom and what your friends, colleagues and former bosses are doing. Pretty soon with a large enough network you can start to build your connections in the right direction.

7. There are also mega connection boosting sites such as www.toplinked.com. Offering to help you expand your connections exponentially as long as you agree to some basic conditions, such as never declining an invitation to connect to someone referred by the site. Remember the more connections, the better opportunities for professional advancement and likelihood of getting recruited.

8. Get to know your “network statistics” under the People section of your Linkedin profile. This will give you a summary of the industries your connections are related to. By clicking on an industry of interest, you can view the connections and how many degrees of separation there are between you and them. Using your common connections as a base, you can introduce yourself to relevant people.

9. You can also choose to upgrade your account to Premium at a cost. This offers further features for recruitment on LinkedIn. Note: if you downgrade later on, you will lose all of your connections and profile and need to start again.

10. Last word on profiles – it’s not just about who you’re currently working for or what you are currently doing. Each time you update your profile with a former Employer or Qualification, LinkedIn will automatically search for other people who worked or went to classes during the same time period. Your ancient history could open up the door to tomorrow’s dream job!



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ROBYN KNAPP asked:




NCSBN (National Council of the State Board of Nursing) does not have established guidelines for graduating students as to when to register. However, registering for the NCLEX examination and licensure during the month of the student’s graduation is common. Note that registering to take the examination and applying for licensure to a state board of nursing are two different processes.

Please keep in mind all NCLEX examination registrations will remain effective for a 365-day time period during which a board of nursing may determine the candidate’s eligibility. The time limit begins when the board of nursing receives the candidate’s registration from the test service. Candidates who are not made eligible by their board of nursing within the 365-day time period will forfeit their registrations, including the candidate registration fee. Candidates who wish to take an NCLEX examination will need to re-register, including repaying the examination fee, in order to receive an examination.

Students can register for the NCLEX examination and pay the $200 by credit card by calling Pearson VUE at 866.496.2539 or register via the Internet.

Apply for licensure to the board of nursing in the state or territory where you wish to be licensed. Contact the state board for the requirements.

Register for the NCLEX examination with Pearson VUE by mail, telephone or via the internet.

The name with which you register must match exactly with the printed name on the identification you present at the test center.

If you provide an e-mail address when registering for the NCLEX examination, all subsequent correspondences from Pearson VUE will arrive ONLY BY E-MAIL. If you do not provide an e-mail address, all correspondences from will arrive only through U.S. mail.

All NCLEX examination registrations will remain open for a 365-day time period during which a board of nursing may determine your eligibility to take the NCLEX examination.

There is no refund of the $200 NCLEX registration fee for any reason.

Receive Confirmation of Registration from Pearson VUE.

Receive eligibility from the state board of nursing you applied for licensure with.

Receive Authorization to Test (ATT) from Pearson VUE.

If more than two weeks have passed after you have submitted a registration for the NCLEX examination and received a confirmation from Pearson VUE, and you have not received an ATT, please call Pearson VUE.

You must test within the validity dates of your ATT. These validity dates cannot be extended for any reason.

The printed name on your identification must match exactly the printed name on your ATT. If the name with which you have registered is different from the name on your identification, you must bring legal name change documentation with you to the test center on the day of your test. The only acceptable forms for legal documentation are: marriage licenses, divorce degrees and/or court action legal name change documents. All documents must be in English and must be the original documents.

Schedule an appointment to test by calling Pearson VUE.

To change your appointment date:

For exams scheduled on: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, call Pearson VUE at least 24 hours in advance of the day and time of your appointment.

For exams scheduled on: Saturday, Sunday and Monday, call Pearson VUE no later than Friday at least 1 full business day in advance of the time of your appointment.

Present one form of acceptable identification and your ATT on the day of the examination.

The only acceptable forms of identification in test centers in the U.S., American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and Virgin Islands are:

U.S. drivers license (not a temporary or learners permit)

U.S. state identification

Passport

For all other test (international) centers, only a passport is acceptable. All identification must be written in English, have a signature in English, be valid (not expired) and include a photograph. Candidates with identification from a country on the U.S. embargoed countries list will not be admitted to test.

You will not be admitted to the examination without acceptable identification and your ATT. If you arrive without these materials, you forfeit your test session and must re-register; this includes re-payment of the $200 registration fee.

Receive your NCLEX examination results from the board of nursing you applied for licensure with within one month from your examination date. Under the guidance of its membership, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) develops and administers two national nurse licensure examinations; the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN?) and the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN?). These two examinations are used by all U.S. state and territorial Boards of Nursing to test entry-level nursing competence of candidates for licensure as Registered Nurses and as Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses. The NCLEX examinations are provided exclusively as (CAT) computerized adaptive tests.

Several steps must be completed before a nurse can safely enter the profession. These typically include:

Graduation from an accredited nursing program

Meeting specific requirements of the state board of nursing

Passing the National Counsel of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) NCLEX examination for registered nurses (RNs) or licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPN/VNs)

About the Test

The NCLEX examination is designed to test knowledge,skills and abilities essential to the safe and effective practice of nursing at the entry level. NCLEX results are an important component used by boards of nursing to make decisions about licensure. Only boards of nursing can release NCLEX examination results to candidates.

The NCLEX examination is administered in the United States, American Samoa, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The NCLEX examination is also administered internationally at Pearson Professional Centers. For a complete list of international test centers go to http://www.pearsonvue.com/nclex or http://www.ncsb.org/.

The CAT (computerized adaptive test) type test adapts to your skill level. The first questions that are presented to you are determining your ability level. Once your ability level is determined, the questions are presented in increasing level of difficulty/decreasing difficulty until you have answered enough questions for the computer to determine (with 95% statistical certainty) that you have met the passing standard.

The minimum number of questions you will have is 75 (60 questions plus 15 pilot items). You will not be able to distinguish pilot items from “real” items. SO, if you get 265 items, that means the computer has not yet determined that you have met the passing standard at the 95% confidence level. There is no random number of candidates that get the exam with 265- that is a myth.

The test is now 6 hours long (up from 5), and you should take your time. Rushing through the questions will most likely lead to failure, because each one you get wrong due to guessing means the next question is easier, and then on and on, until you fail because you are guessing at them all. Take your time to think each question through and choose the best answer.

NCLEX is given throughout the US and its territories, so the same format is used and the same question bank is used across the US.

You’ve studied hard, finished most of your clinical experience and now you’re ready for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX examination), often referred to as the “State Boards.” The State Boards exam is the culmination of all the hard work you completed in nursing school. The purpose of the exam is to test and ensure the knowledge, skills and abilities for safe, competent practice in the field of nursing.

Who needs to take the NCLEX examination?

At the completion of nursing school, all graduates are required to take the NCLEX examination in order to practice as an entry-level licensed RN or LPN in the United States. The registration process begins near the end of your final year in nursing school. At that time you will receive an application to take the NCLEX examination. It must be filled out and returned to the Board of Nursing in the state in which you expect to practice as a nurse.

Preparing for the NCLEX examination

If you’ve graduated from nursing school, you possess all of the knowledge you need in order to pass the NCLEX examination. It’s easier than you think; all you have to do is review the material you haven’t seen in a while. The trick to passing is starting the review process immediately following your final exams when the information is fresh in your mind. Learn all you can about the test particulars and ways to assure a passing score.

Getting test results

You will be notified of your NCLEX examination results by mail within 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the distribution procedures for the state in which you applied. If you are successful, expect to receive a sheet of paper notifying you of your passing score. If you did not pass the exam, expect to receive a diagnostic profile that describes overall performance in each section of the exam. Keep in mind that you must wait three months before applying to retake the NCLEX examination. If you want faster results, you can use the NCLEX Quick Results service. Results are available by phone three days after taking the NCLEX examination. Call (900) 328-8378 and follow the prompts. There is a $7.95 charge.

Results are also available online. The $7.95 charge still applies and you will need your user name, password and a credit card.

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing operates the NCLEX examination Quick Results service. This service is currently available in 38 states: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia-PN, Georgia-RN, Illinois, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas (VN only), Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia (PN only), Wisconsin and Wyoming.

If you did not take the test in one of these states, you cannot get your unofficial results using the Quick Results service. If you have questions about this service, call the National Council of State Boards of Nursing at (866) 293-9600.

Tips on Test Taking

1) Watch out for the words: except, always and not in all NCLEX questions.

(2) Answer each question. You are not penalized for taking an educated guess.

(3) Get a good night’s sleep before the NCLEX.

(4) Wear layered clothing to the exam.

(5) Practice with a watch and bring a watch to the test.

(6) Study for each material section of the NCLEX individually.

(7) If you extremely weak in one area of content focus on that area.

(8) Don’t cram for the NCLEX. Read over a good practice study guide at least one week in advance.

(9) Stay away from negative talk about the NCLEX with other students.

(10) Know the route to the testing center,

(11) Double check that you have the appropriate ID prior to the NCLEX test.

(12) Work through several practice tests prior to the exam.

Visit The Nursing Entrance Test Study Guide to learn more about nursing education.



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MIKE SELVON asked:




A resume and cover letter are two of the most important tools in your life if you are actively seeking employment. They are the keys to finding a great job and making a good first impression. But far too often people underestimate the power that a good cover letter and curriculum vitae play in an employer’s decision to hire someone for the vacant position.

Things such as stains, faded ink and rumpled paper are only the beginning of horror stores from the working world. Do not make those same mistakes with your documents. Knowing the good resume samples from the bad is the key.

A resume and cover letter are very important, and when done correctly, will likely get you the all-important interview. Done poorly, they can cost you the chance at the job. If you are unfamiliar with writing out a curriculum vitae, then there are always resume templates in Word or on the internet. The templates can show you the correct resume format and even allow you to plug in your information in the correct spots. It is that easy.

One of the biggest mistakes that occur when writing a curriculum vitae is spelling errors. Even if you are horrible at spelling, there is usually a spell-check feature on the word processing software program you are using. The truth is, with the availability of the software spell check-function, spelling mistakes are unforgivable.

Do not let simple mistakes in spelling keep you from the job of your dreams. The same thing applies to your cover letter. It should be free of spelling errors and be as grammatically correct as possible. This is not the time to try out new words. Keep it simple and tell the employer why you want the position and why you feel that you would be an asset to their company.

Another classic curriculum vitae blunder is forgetting to update your information. You want the employer to be able to contact you. An old address says that you did not check your resume before undertaking your resume distribution.

Keep your curriculum vitae updated with personal information and employment information at all times. Also, consider keeping it to one or two pages. Employers are busy, time-is-money sort of thing, so do not send a book that details your entire life.

Writing a great resume and cover letter is not impossible. You can do it and get that interview. Be honest, be prepared and always make sure to put your best foot forward.

Addressing the hiring person by name is a great way to show that you paid attention to the ad. If you are not sure who to address the cover letter to, you can always call the company to find out. Being pro-active will speak volumes to any employer.



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MIKE SELVON asked:




If you look up the word designers in the dictionary, then you are likely to see it defined as what you would call people who produce designs or something similar. Possibly, it relates to something like designer clothing, where a particular designer has their own signature, name or pattern on a clothing line. Of course, there are also other examples, like a production designer or web designer.

A designer can be involved in many different aspects of designing depending on their particular career choice. For example, an interior designer uses textures, colors and shapes to incorporate furniture and accessories for a home or office. A web designer uses images, text and color to design web sites that will catch the attention of viewers, which will hopefully result in sales and repeat business.

There are many newer and more detailed design tutorials that are available through a technical teaching institution or even on the internet. Sometimes, companies that you are interested in working for will offer internship programs that will help you to get your foot in the door.

Perhaps the most popular type of designers are the ones who design video games. What kid hasn’t played a video game and thought, wow, I would love to be able to make video games? And the games of today have certainly come a long way from the first game called “Tennis for Two,” which was created in 1958 and played on an oscilloscope. The science and technology of computers and graphics are constantly improving, making it even more fun to create those games.

Aside from the mere enjoyment of designing video games, it is obviously quite a lucrative field as well. Annual video game sales in 2001 were $9.4 billion, in 2003 it was $11.2 billion, and in 2006 it was a whopping $22.1 billion.

Many people who are involved in graphic design will branch off and become a game designer. Many colleges, including the internet based, secondary educational institutions, know that in this day and age where email, text messages, on-line chats and computer/video games dominate the younger generation, offering on-line courses is a smart move.

When you were younger, it is a good bet that when you and your friends played video games you all talked about becoming a game designer and creating some cool games. Although there are some great perks to this profession, like making your own hours, wearing whatever you want and creating new designs, there is also a great deal of hard work, involving long hours and no guarantee that your designs will be implemented. However, most designers feel that it is a small price to pay for having their “dream job” and being able to brag to their friends.



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Josh Stone asked:




At the top of the kitchen career chain lies the Executive Chef position. The executive chef is the general of the kitchen troops, overseeing and deploying the kitchen staff in it’s day-to-day operations. Not all chefs aspire to this position, as the executive chef doesn’t actually have time to cook. And since the position is one of management rather than engaging in the culinary arts, the position of executive chef is one that you only have when your operation is so big that you really need one!

Others see the executive chef career as the opportunity to apply their skills to a greater canvas. Free from stirring the sauce or arranging the rosettes, the executive chef gets to be the brains of the kitchen and plan the meals as a chess player plans an attack.

Chefs, being an artistic profession, may have some temperament issues to go alongside their talent. With one chef, this is unnoticeable, but with a staff of twenty chefs with a leadership hierarchy, the personal differences tend to come out. The executive chef will have to manage around any conflicts that develop, and more importantly not be a source of conflict themselves. Just how out of control can a chef’s behavior get? Here we will take a look at one career which highlights the answer to just that question:

“The Belgian Chef” was a televised cooking show that ran for three and a half seasons on cable channels in New England, from the Fall of 1994 through March of 1996. This was well before the days of the Food Network.

Chef Henry Perlingine hosted the show, flamboyantly preparing Belgian and Alsatian specialty dishes along with occasional French items. Each week, he’d have a guest on the show. When the show was in it’s first seasons, the guests booked by the studio were the typical culinary crowd you would expect: restaurateurs and other chefs, some quite famous in their own right. After a time, some narrow-gauge local celebrities were also making guest appearances. As time passed and the show caught on with a regular audience, he began to land nationally-known entertainers and media personalities.

Perlingine’s manner was often confrontational, mimicking the Avant-Garde theater of the 1960s. It was clear to everyone that he was doing this with an ironic sense of humor, and guests were more than happy to go along with the joke. He infused each show with a charismatic dose of personality, and each episode got higher ratings than the last.

He had a drinking problem as well, and was saddled with a mercurial temperament, both of which were not so close to the surface in the first season. By the end of the second season, however, he had begun to drift off into rambling and incoherent diatribes on-camera, sometimes completely losing track of the thread of the show. His behavior was increasingly irrational throughout the second season, culminating at the end of the season’s last episode when he struck guest-star Dinah Shore with a mallet.

This behavior gave rise to concern in the producers. It seemed their star was getting a little too deeply into his television persona. Perlingine’s management prevailed on him to spend most of the summer of 1995 in a rehab program, and in September he returned to the show apparently refreshed and considerably mellower, ready again to be everybody’s favorite kitchen wizard.

For shame, it was not to last. In the third episode of the third season, he threw an iron pan of coquilles St. Jacques at guest Morton Downey Jr. Now, if you remember Morton Downey Jr., you’d be a little suspicious as to why the famously abrasive television personality was cast as a guest with this chef who already was known to snap in the first place. You don’t have to be crazy or drunk to want to brain Downey with a pan of seafood. As if this weren’t enough, Perlingine then sat down and proceeded to consume a bottle of Burgundy while reading a speech addressed to his estranged wife, Esmeralda, all while on the air. The coquilles never even got finished.

Subsequent episodes saw an increasing decline in Perlingine’s mental state. He frequently insulted and threatened guests, and on several occasions he struck them. He would drink during the show, and by the end of an episode he was often so tipsy as to be unable to find the stove. But the ratings soared. Perlingine was billed as “the Howard Stern of Gallic cuisine”, and outside the studio the scalpers demanded hundreds of dollars for good seats on days when an unusually resilient or fleet-footed guest was scheduled to appear with their troublesome host. By this time Perlingine had become dependent on injected methamphetamine. Blinded by the ratings, the producers actually persuaded Perlingine’s management to keep him out of rehab. This was before things like the Jerry Springer show were known to television, and producers were just waking up to the morbid fascination television audiences had for psychological instability.

Thus passed the winter with few further outbursts, and then, on Thursday, March 3, 1996, the unstable universe of the cooking show at last collapsed. Actress Vanessa Redgrave appeared as that day’s guest on the show. For the first quarter of an hour, Perlingine was oddly quiet, and then with shaking hands he extracted a revolver from his toque. Redgrave fled the stage screaming, while Perlingine avidly gave chase. For forty-five minutes, while the cameras rolled and a terrified gaffer attempted without success to complete Perlingine’s abandoned souffle, Perlingine stalked Redgrave through the set and the backstage area, and show staff was alarmed to hear him start firing shots! At one point he pursued Redgrave through the audience, firing shots over the mostly abandoned seats. At last as the credits rolled, the police arrived. Perlingine was cornered on the scaffolding above the stage and fatally shot. The show was cancelled immediately, and has not been released into syndication.

So, what can we learn from the fate of Henry Perlingine? If you’re a good enough cook, you can be let out on quite long a leash before anybody’s had enough of you. But your job as an executive chef is to stop things before they get that far.



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Patrick Bedall asked:




Tips to get you into one of the hottest industries in the US.

Are you ready for a change? Have you been looking for an opportunity for uncapped earning potential while making your own hours? If you have a mind for problem solving and a sincere desire to help people, then the Commercial Mortgage Industry may be for you.

The Commercial Mortgage Industry is quickly becoming one of the hottest industries in the United States. The surge of Small Cap mortgages coupled with the need for knowledgeable mortgage brokers makes this the best time to take advantage of this opportunity. All it takes is a desire to learn and grow and the right partner on your side.

As with any industry there are obstacles you must overcome to be successful. For the Commercial Mortgage Industry, these barriers include (but are not limited to):

-Proper training in commercial underwriting.

-Lender relationships and loan programs

-Deal Flow. Getting clients in the door.

-Geographical service limitations.

The first step to getting your foot into this hot industry is the proper training. As you are looking for training, it is important that you find the most in depth and comprehensive training possible. While most direct lenders will provide free training, the training is almost always directed toward the loan products offered by that lender. This type of training, while valuable, will not provide you the breadth of knowledge you will need to be successful in this highly competitive industry. Look to the established industry organizations like the Mortgage Bankers Association or the National Association of Mortgage Brokers for better training opportunities. Another option is to look for a company that serves the interests of commercial brokers as a whole. These companies should provide the best training options and may also include other services that will make your transition a bit easier.

The role of the commercial mortgage broker is to provide financing solutions for commercial property owners. Often brokers are called upon for seemingly difficult financing scenarios. The key to finding a solution is locating the right lender with the right loan product. In the past, this meant a lot of research. There are hundreds of sources for commercial loans representing thousands and thousands of financing options. The best route for someone new to the industry is to locate a database of lenders that will allow you to input the loan information and allow the system to narrow your search to a handful of potential lenders. This technology is somewhat new to the commercial industry so be careful that the database allows you to search programs from multiple lenders, not just one or two. Keep in mind that these lenders want your business, you are their client. They should be willing to do the work required to match a loan program to your needs.

So now you have the training and the lender options in place, now comes the most important piece, the clients. You will spend the majority of your time looking for borrowers that need your assistance in helping them find the right financing. The key to building a client base is education. You must educate your potential clients in the commercial industry and above all why they should work with you. Marketing to potential clients is both time consuming and can be costly. Finding the best way to market yourself will require a bit of research and testing. As you build your business you will find that most of your clients will come from referrals. These referrals can come from friends, family, or your network of existing contacts. Be sure to let everyone you know that you are now a commercial mortgage broker and what services you provide. You may be surprised to find that your existing contacts may be your best source for business.

What about commercial mortgage “leads”? Many companies offer leads that you can buy. Just be careful about buying leads. Some can be great, but some can be a great waste of money. Leads are often offered to multiple brokers at the same time and you will find yourself competing with several (or many) other brokers for the business. The key term you want to keep an eye out for is “exclusive referrals” not leads. This means that you are the one and only broker receiving that referral and in this industry, a referral is gold. Exclusive referrals are of course not free. Often they are part of a membership to a brokerage service which includes additional services as well. Be aware that these golden opportunities may mean a commission split with the provider that may take up to half of your income. The best advice is to go into any lead or referral situation with your eyes open.

The final aspect you need to keep in mind as you venture into the commercial mortgage industry is your geographical reach. I don’t have to tell you that if you limit yourself to working deals solely in your local area, your earning potential will be equally as limited. Though it will take time, or just the right partner, your best bet is to serve as large a geographic area as possible. This flexibility will enable you to increase your potential client base and your potential income. Once you determine your target regions you will need to obtain the necessary licenses and qualifications to do business in those states. A few states require a special license to broker commercial mortgage loans. However, most states only require a basic qualification to do business. You should always consult your attorney to make sure you are taking the necessary steps to operate your business within the constructs of the law. It is a reasonable expense given the peace of mind you will have in knowing that you are conducting your business in accordance with the law.

Finding the right partner or mentor is a great way to start your career in the commercial mortgage industry. We all know it is much easier to get into something new when you have a friend that already does it. How many people decide, on their own, that skydiving is a good idea? It takes a friend that knows about it to get you involved. To show you the ropes and get you off the ground. This puts you more at ease with trying something new. Knowing someone who has “been there done that”. In the commercial mortgage industry, a little research and networking, will allow you to find the right partner to help get you started in this exploding industry.

In summary, the commercial mortgage industry provides a wealth of opportunity for those willing to put in a little hard work. While there are many companies out there that are willing to help and do provide a valuable service, there are equally as many, if not more, that are of no value to you at all. Do the research and go in with your head up and your eyes open and you may find wonderful opportunities within the commercial mortgage industry. Good luck!



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Ahmed Juma asked:




Many job hunters still believe that the streets of Dubai are paved with gold. This may be true to some extent – the economy is booming (particularly the construction industry) and Dubai is a tax free haven where net income is typically much higher than in other parts of the world. Even so, securing employment is not always easy. Approximately 80% of the population in Dubai consists of foreigners and competition for desired employment positions can be fierce. It is best to have an offer in hand from a company before traveling to Dubai. Of course this may not always be possible and there are certain advantages to entering Dubai on a visit visa in hopes of finding a job as opposed to searching from one’s home country. For example, many employers will give preference to hiring someone actually in Dubai (and thus available for an interview), rather than having to endure the extra hassle and risk of hiring someone “sight unseen”. However, there is no guarantee of landing a job before expiration of a visit visa, making a bit of luck and local contacts invaluable in the process.

Once a job seeker has secured a position, a contract will be signed and the employer will act as the “sponsor”. The contract should include basic salary, job title and description, length of the contract, and termination conditions among other things. It is vital to negotiate a good “package” including salary, housing, and school fees if the employee has children. Other allowances may include coverage for medical, transportation, utilities, and / or annual vacation with an airplane ticket to one’s home country. (The law stipulates that companies must provide a vacation / airplane ticket at least every two years). Each company is different and packages will vary. The work week also varies from company to company with some working “straight shift” and some working “split shift” (with a few hours break in the middle of the day).

The sponsor should handle all paperwork required by the government for foreign workers, including getting the employee an employment visa, health card, and labor card. A company’s “PRO” (Public Relations Officer) will typically handle the logistics, ensuring all paperwork arrives at the necessary government offices for approval. First an employee’s application is approved by the Ministry of Labor, then the employee undergoes a health screening, and finally all relevant documents are transferred to the Ministry of Interior who stamp the residence visa in the employee’s passport. Employment visas are valid for a maximum of three years although they are renewable. In general, expatriate workers are not granted UAE citizenship or permanent residency. The Dubai government has taken steps to drive “Emiratization” of the workforce (stipulating that a fixed percentage of workers in certain industries must be UAE nationals and that all companies having 100 or more employees must hire UAE nationals as their PRO and/or Human Relations Manager). However, it is still believed that expatriate employees will make up a major part of the workforce in the UAE for years to come.

For those hoping to find employment in Dubai, there are various avenues to take. There are several recruitment agencies with good reputations available to assist job hunters in their quest for employment, including long-standing companies such as Claredon Parker and Kershaw Leonard. As there are many recruitment agencies in operation, it is always advisable to do some research into their reputation and methods before using their services. Unfortunately it is not an uncommon occurrence for job seekers from poorer nations to drain their entire life savings and go into debt through payment to unscrupulous agents from their home countries who falsely promise visas and jobs. Fortunately, recruitment agencies in the UAE are regulated and must be licensed, so the potential for scams in the UAE itself is greatly reduced.

For those who choose to search online there is also a wealth of options and information available. Some excellent resources include employment sites such as Bayt.com, directories such as GulfJobSites.com, as well as free online UAE Job Classifieds sites such as Emirates-Ads.



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