So why is it that so many of us don’t follow these same rules in our personal lives? Most people have inadequate insurance cover. In the USA, recent figures suggest that 44 million citizens are completely uninsured, and eight out of ten of these are workers or their dependents. This is crazy.

At the very least, most people should consider critical illness insurance. And most people with dependents and insufficient resources to look after the needs of those dependents for many years ahead should the worst happen should also consider some form of life insurance.

Looking in the other direction down the generational gap – what’s the worst possible fate that can befall any family? It has to be the death of a child. Such an event is so tragic that most of us can’t even bring ourselves to talk about it – let alone to plan for its occurrence. But the sheer emotional magnitude of such an unimaginably awful tragedy should make us at least think about what we’d do in the event of such terrible tidings.

It’s likely that such an event would leave you completely emotionally bereft for a very long time – unable to concentrate or to pursue any kind of career. Yet you may be faced with financial crisis to compound the misery and you may have other children who are counting on you for emotional and material support at exactly the time when you’re least able to give it.

For these reasons, it may well be wise for you to consider some form of child life insurance. Child life insurance is permanent life insurance which insures the life of a minor to protect you and your  family against such a horrendous event.

Despite the lack of jobs in the market, there are ways to increase your likelihoods of getting hired. Although it may take time, a job position is attainable if the right steps are taken.

CV

It is important to keep a CV relevant to the job and as concise as possible. Keep in mind the industry or sector that you are applying to and tailor your CV to suit it. For example, roles within the financial services sector will require a CV that shows any financial, business or accounting experience. However a design company will be more impressed with any creative or artistic experience. The preferred type of program to use to create a CV is Microsoft Word, which allows users to alter their resumes easily.

Example Work

Due to the competitive market, employers are using different methods to find talent. In addition to a well written CV, you may be required to create a portfolio of all relevant work and projects that you have undertaken in the past. Be selective as to what you include and modify this to suit each role you are applying for. This portfolio can be digitalised and sent as an attachment in most circumstances. This will give you the opportunity to give substance to the points that you made in your CV and provide examples of the work you have done.

Get Online and Get Involved

Employers usually check a candidate’s social media accounts to see if they show an interest in their chosen field. If you consistently keep up to date with industry developments, be sure to share them with individuals and companies who are relevant to the subject area.  Blogging is also a great way to show a potential employer that you are genuinely interested in a particular subject area. However, be careful when posting comments, opinions and information, as they must appear professional. It might be a good idea to set up two accounts for both personal and work related topics, just to be on the safe side.

Job seeking can be challenging but using these techniques can really improve employment chances. Perseverance, passion and an optimistic outlook will push you forwards.

This is a guest post by Amy Henderson on behalf of Phoenix Student Store who provide discounted software for teachers and students.

These recent statistics point to a rebounding labor market, but those who are entering that market have found some subtle changes. Understanding and embracing these changes will make the job search process much more effective.

Social Media Playing a Stronger Role

Social media is changing the Internet, and it is changing the job search and hiring process as well. Job seekers are using professional social networking sites, such as Monster.com or LinkedIn, to put their information out there for potential employers to see, and also to actively network with people who could help them land positions. Employers also are using social media to learn all they can about applicants for the positions they advertise.

This shift has been gradual, but it is still a definite factor in today’s job market. Because of this, serious job seekers need to pay close attention to their online reputations, with complete, accurate profiles on these important sites. If a potential employer turns to Google before scheduling an interview, he should see positive, accurate results reflecting what the job seeker truly offers.

Employers doing more seeking

With the rise of social media and networking sites, such as LinkedIn, employers can now do their own searching to find qualified candidates for to fill open positions. Those who have complete profiles on these sites may be chosen before job ads are ever placed. This means that some job openings are no longer being openly advertised on traditional job boards and classifieds.

What does this mean for the job seeker? It means that having updated profiles on these sites — as well has having many digital copies of their resumes out there for people to find — is vital. Without this approach, many people may be missing out on jobs perfectly tailored for their skills, simply because some jobs are not being advertised in the traditional way.

More advanced methods to screen candidates

Job applicants are finding new technologies and screening methods around every corner they turn in the job search process. For example, some employers are asking for personality tests to see if a potential applicant is the right fit for a job or to help new hires better find their place within the company. Tracking software programs help large companies track applicants through the hiring and integration process, ensuring that all new hires get the best start in the company.

Strategies continuing past orientation

In the past, companies did a decent job of offering strong orientation programs to their new hires, but past those first few days, support was minimal for new employees. Today, companies understand the value of retaining qualified personnel, and employee onboarding programs are stretching out over periods of several months, ensuring long-term success for qualified individuals and also improving employee retention rates for the company.

Shift from external recruitment to internal development

Companies who already have qualified workers on staff are starting to gradually shift from external recruitment for open opportunities to internal leadership development. Instead of seeking new talent for leadership positions, they are looking within their existing talent pool to develop the leaders they need.

For those who are unemployed, this may mean openings in the lower levels of the company after existing employees have been promoted. For those who are currently employed but find themselves looking for new opportunities, those opportunities may very well be within the company they are currently employed with. Either way, companies are hoping this tactic will lead to greater retention rates.

So, the job market is beginning to improve, but the recession and advances in technology over the past four years have caused some changes. With jobless numbers improving almost weekly, these changes seem to be for the better. By embracing technology and focusing on trends that lead to employee satisfaction, both employers and their new hires are having much more success in this new job market.

The prospect of refinancing your home can be attractive, especially if you fear the possibility of foreclosure or you need to cash out some of your home equity. The opportunity to change your interest rate from an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) to a fixed-rate mortgage can also be appealing. Lower monthly payments will allow you to focus more on paying down other large-interest debts, do renovations on the house or help a child through college. While these are all valid reasons, the primary reason for refinancing is the potential for saving money.

In 2009, a 5-year, fixed-rate mortgage was available for 3.99 percent interest. If after two years, you decided to refinance at the rate of 3.49 percent, you would pay a differential penalty of approximately $3,750 on a property with a balance owing of $250,000. There would also be other fees, but for the remaining 36 months of your mortgage, you would save $128 each month and a total of more than $6,700 in interest. Refinancing a $300,000 mortgage loan by just 1 percent could save you as much as $180 a month or more than $2,000 each year.

However, as wonderful as refinancing may sound, it is not for everyone. You should not refinance a home that has 15–20 years’ worth of payments already behind you. Remortgaging is much more sensible for loans that are 4–6 years old. Also, if you do not plan to stay in this home for some time, you should not try to refinance. Unless you keep your home several years, you will not be able to recoup closing cost expenses. Finally, refinancing to free up money for luxury expenses such as a vacation or an expensive car is a poor choice that could actually get you further in debt and put your home in jeopardy down the road.

There are significant fees related to refinancing that are very similar to the original closing costs and can represent thousands of dollars. These fees can vary widely around the country and to some degree from lender to lender. An initial pre-payment charge may be 3–6 percent of the mortgage principal. Then there will be an application fee, a loan origination fee, an appraisal fee, an inspection, title insurance, attorney closing fees and possibly “junk fees,” which are administrative handling charges. As with the original mortgage, you may have the opportunity to pay up to three points. One point equals 1 percent of the loan principal and reduces the interest rate slightly.

There is no law that limits the number of times you can refinance your mortgage, and many lenders are happy to rewrite your loan as often as you like because they make a profit from doing business with you each and every time. However, because of the significant fees you will be paying, the decision to refinance should not be made lightly or carelessly. Some lenders do require that you own a home for at least a year before you apply to remortgage. Others insist on some established amount of built-up equity before your application will be accepted.

Choosing a reputable mortgage broker is crucial to getting the best deal on the market. Your broker is an independent agent who should be familiar with a large number of lenders. Ask for referrals from people you respect. Then check the names with the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been lodged against them. The National Association of Mortgage Brokers also provides a list of members in your area. Ensure your broker has acquired a mortgage bond, a type of surety bond which protects consumers from fraudulent acts. Those who have received the Lending Integrity Seal of Approval are particularly noteworthy. Finally, get everything in writing so that there will be no surprise fees at the closing. Take your time and proceed carefully. Remortgaging your loan should be a sound financial decision.

Why Your Career is Stagnant

You may be having trouble getting better jobs because you don’t meet the educational requirements for the good ones, or there are too many applicants per job and you don’t rise above your competition. Or, a manager who doesn’t like you may be blocking your path upwards by neglecting to inform you about upcoming opportunities for promotions or by providing negative feedback about you to the hiring department of your company.

Another reason to consider going back to school is if you’re ready to change careers. You may have been uncertain about your path during college and gotten a more general degree or one in a different field. Maybe now you’re sure that you want to go in a different direction, but you don’t have the expertise or the years of experience to land the job you want. Continuing your education gives you relevant experience and skills.

How an MSF Can Help You

A graduate degree from a respected business school can give you the career boost you’re looking for. It automatically qualifies you for more jobs, and it earns you more respect from your colleagues and potential employers. A master of science in finance from a top business school combines the leadership and marketing savvy from business courses with knowledge of budgeting, risk, mergers and acquisitions, credit and investment from finance courses. An MSF may be right for you if you want to be a financial analyst, financial planner in banks or corporations or an insurance underwriter.

Embracing Technology in Continuing Education

After deciding to get a degree, your next step is to choose a program. You want to be part of a respected school that will work with your current schedule and prepare you for the future. You want a program that incorporates technology into its education model. Here’s why:

• Staying current: Today’s world of business and finance is digital. To be up to speed in your career, you’ll need to conduct instant transactions in the virtual world. You need to learn current technology and develop the ability to adapt rapidly to changes.
• Global possibilities: You’ll learn how to communicate online with anyone around the world, and your classmates may be international students. You’ll learn how to use social media and video chats for networking.

Networking, Leadership, Business

If you’re starting to feel as though moving forward along your career path is like moving through quicksand, now is the time to take action. Working professionals can continue their education to get specialized education, more prestige and more job opportunities. If you choose the right program, you can get a respected degree while maintaining your responsibilities at work and home.

• Allowing time-wasters (emails being one of the main culprits) to eat away at the hours in our work day.
• Not prioritizing our workload.
• Not having a clear plan of action to deal with important activities to ensure their completion.
• Under-estimating the time required to complete tasks.

It makes sense, therefore, to develop some project disciplines that will enable those working from home to make better use of their time. The approach is simple:

Prioritize – Plan – Perform

Prioritize the day’s work identifying what must be done, what should be done, what could be done and what tasks deserve the lowest priority, in other words – the real non-essentials. That way the important tasks will always get done, perhaps in preference to the most interesting tasks!

• Don’t get side-tracked by potential time-wasters like emails and non-urgent phone calls. Have a set time to review emails and don’t be tempted to diverge from the plan. When the time comes to deal with your emails be ruthless, not every email is important. If you consider a telephone call to be non-urgent, respond assertively by promising to call back when you have finished the task in hand.
• Plan each of the ‘must’ tasks on your priority list. Decide how much time you will realistically need to complete each task, ensuring you take into account any external or internal dependencies. Make sure you recognize the potential risks associated with external dependencies – for example, ‘I can start this task but in order to complete it I will need input from xyz’- and prepare the necessary responses to those risks.
• Before you start a task, identify what resources you will need in order to complete it. Simply having all the necessary resources to hand will reduce interruption to your workflow, allowing you to work more quickly and efficiently.

Planning enables a project manager to decide on different courses of action and, if necessary, swap priorities. The old adage still holds true – 3minutes planning saves 3 hours wasted effort!

A high performance level is dependent on knowing your work load, prioritizing it and planning each task to ensure optimum use of your time. Working from home can be a more economical and flexible option when starting up a new business. However in order to maximize your productivity, a self-disciplined and organized approach is essential.

Written by Bill Cleary- a professional consultant with 35 years’ experience of delivering successful projects and building highly productive teams. He has been involved in the training industry for over 20 years and currently works at QA- leading providers of project management courses. A practical problem-solver and effective trouble-shooter he has delivered a number of business critical projects for diverse clients in Information Technology, Training, Financial Services, The Civil Service and a Local Authority.

What is SaS

If you are a home user the chances are you’ve not had the acronym thrown at you before.  SaS or ‘software as a service’ is the latest way software developers are licensing there software.  In industry it’s quite a big deal for companies that use accounting software services or ERP software services, but if at home you have a subscription to an anti-virus services or maybe an online subscription game you are effectively already using SaS.  The idea of SaS is that you don’t pay for software in one big lump sum up front, but instead pay a software subscription; you are more or less renting the software.

Why do software developers like SaS?

For starters it’s possible for software developers to make a lot more money out of you if you pay a subscription, although your monthly or annual fees are normally a lot less than buying a piece of software might be if you like the software and use it for a long time it doesn’t take long until your combined subscription costs exceed what buying a new piece of software would be.

Developers are also able to keep a lot more control over their software and this is good for anti-piracy.  A lot of SaS runs in part on the servers of the software developers and not your computer so they can see who’s using it.  A software pirate will not have a subscription and so can be easily denied access.

And what’s in it for you?

Well actually SaS could have a number of benefits for the home user.  It gives the software developers a big incentive to improve and increase the support they offer for their users, as if you are not finding the software useful and getting everything you need out of it you are unlikely to continue your subscription.

As a home user you could also potentially end up spending less money depending how you use your software.  Firstly for many of us small monthly subscriptions are a lot more manageable than a big investment in a piece of software all in one go, particularly if you don’t have any previous experience using the software so don’t know if it’s right for you or not.  This can stop you from wasting money on software you don’t use.

Whilst business users are likely to spend more because they need to use software all the time, at home we use software differently.  For many people they are only likely to need a video editor after a big event, a photo editor when they first get back from a holiday and want to edit there holiday snaps.  If this is the case for you then you need only subscribe to the software for the short periods of time for which you using it making your overall cost a lot less.  This can then also make higher end software available for you, whilst for many home users buying the latest Adobe Photoshop might be way out of our price range a single month subscription could be something we could stretch to, which in turn could lead to better results.

If you are someone who always likes to have the most up to date software SaS could also be for you as software developers are motivated to keep updating their current software making sure it’s always the best available  so you will keep subscribing rather than saving improvements for new versions of software in the hopes of selling something else.

SaS can also save you money on upgrading your PC as many SaS programs actually are run remotely on the super computers of software developers meaning that the most demanding aspects of the software are not done on your computer.  This means better faster results without having to spend a large amount on your own PC.

Is SaS for you?

Switching to SaS means we will need to change how we budget for our computer and software expenditures, but the good news is that for most people it can lead to better software at a reduced cost with more flexibility.  If however you are someone that frequently buys second hand or slightly out dated bargain bin software, or if indeed your someone who’s still using your old copy of MS Word 5.5 and Windows 3.1, because after all it does everything you need then the idea of SaS might not be the best news you’ve ever heard, but it looks like it’s the way the industry is going so like it or not you either have to grit your teeth and get used to it, or start looking for alternatives to main stream software.

However good a deal may appear, it is always worth shopping around. Providers can vary in their premiums and their policies, meaning the best deal will not always be found first time. Every couple of years, browse other insurance companies to check if existing premiums could be lowered by going with someone else.

Many providers offer discounts for existing customers, regardless of which type of insurance they are covered for. For instance, car and home insurance cover can be combined within the same company, resulting in a 10-15% decrease in premiums. Other offers include a significant discount for retirees and students. It is extremely advisable to talk to an existing provider before looking elsewhere.

Increasing deductible can also help save an individual money. Most homeowners decide to pay for small damages with their own money, instead of claiming it on their home insurance. Because of this fact, most families finances will be unaffected by this change, however they will see a substantial decrease in their monthly payments. A recent survey showed that increasing the deductible to $4000 from $2000 on their policy can reduce premiums, saving on average $200 a year.

Whilst some households grow, others reduce, meaning that they are at risk of paying a much higher amount on their policy than is needed. Instead of continuing on the original policy, ask about cutting the coverage on expensive jewellery, appliances, furniture and vehicles that are no longer owned.

While making these policy changes eliminate coverage for items that can be replaced independently. When a person has relatively few assets that can be sold in the case of an emergency, paying for insurance riders to cover damage to costly items can be a good idea. Removing these extra policies can potentially save a hundred dollars a year.

Features and security systems implemented into a home’s structure can also significantly reduce the cost of insurance. Items such as storm shutters, burglar alarms and fire extinguishers are all devices that insurance companies are increasingly taking into consideration. Some may also offer further discount to those who are members of a neighborhood watch committee or agree to have a security and energy audit.

When searching for the right home insurance policy for a home, shop around to find the best deal available, saving valuable money to spend on the family.

Skip the Chain Stores
Large jewelry retailers pay for more overhead in the form of expensive mall rents and television advertising. That cost gets passed on to the consumer in the form of large markups. Avoid those extra costs by shopping for rings online or with local, independent retailers. You’ll save as much as 50 percent on the cost of a ring, and you’ll support small business.

Choose Your Options
There are many different options to choose from when you are selecting your ring, including the cut, color, carat, and clarity of the diamond and the setting. If you choose the highest quality for each of these options, your ring will cost as much as a small car (or, if you’re Ben Affleck, as much as a mansion in the Hollywood Hills). By prioritizing these options, you can determine which ones you can sacrifice for a lower cost. For example, you can decide that carat is a top priority for you, but that color is not, and so opt for a 1-carat ring with a lower grade color. Or you may swing for a higher quality diamond but decide to skip the platinum setting for a silver or silver-plate. Unless you’re showing the ring to a jeweler, most people will not notice the subtle distinctions in these grades of quality. As long as it looks big and shiny, no one will notice.

Opt for a Different Setting
A large diamond sitting on a single band is a classic style for an engagement ring — and one that can be quite expensive when you look at purchasing a diamond big enough to make a statement on so simple a setting. Instead of spending three month’s salary on a 1- or 2-carat diamond, look for a ring that features several smaller diamonds on a beautiful setting. The smaller diamonds will not cost as much, but they will create a lot of sparkle for a nice presentation. When people look at an engagement ring, the presentation is what they really notice.

Choose an Alternate Stone
Not every engagement ring has to be a diamond. Many beautiful rings feature a sapphire, ruby, emerald or other stone as the centerpiece. The ring can be as unique as the woman to whom it is given. Antique settings especially make good use of alternative stones for a beautiful and unique ring. If you’re set on a diamond, another option is to choose a manufactured diamond. These aren’t the same quality as the real deal, but again, unless a jeweler is looking at the ring, no one will know the difference.

Buying an engagement ring does not need to cost thousands of dollars. Showing your love can include showing your new bride that you don’t want to burden your growing family with unnecessary debt. Consider some smart options when buying your ring, and you can purchase a gorgeous token of your affection for a fraction of the cost.

About the Author:
Heather Green is a freelance writer for several regional magazines in North Carolina as well as a resident blogger for onlinenursingdegrees.org. Her writing experience includes fashion, business, health, agriculture and a wide range of other topics. Heather has just completed research on nursing schools online and lpn nursing degrees online.

Just got into the job market

Recent graduates trying to get a break need to use Facebook to stay in touch with former classmates. You never know when one of them may hear about an opportunity and think of you. Now that Facebook has refined its privacy settings, users can choose what data is viewed publicly. For example, Facebook users can set a public status of “looking for work in the telecom field” and then post their resume as a publicly-available “Note” on Facebook. This could attract the attention of friends, businesses and even headhunters with positions to fill.

Between jobs

The economy is tough and layoffs abound. Social networking is a great way to get yourself out there so you’re not between jobs long. Use that spare time to update your LinkedIn profile. Network, add colleagues and ask them for referrals. Post an up to-date-resume on LinkedIn to attract headhunters. Social networking can supplement the usual job search methods to add another dimension to the process of looking for work.

Trying to switch companies

If you’re looking for better opportunities elsewhere, social networking is crucial, but you do need to be careful. Posting public resumes on Facebook and LinkedIn and updates on your job search are fine ways to get in hot water with your current boss. Use more covert methods instead. Rely on Facebook to follow the statuses of companies you’re interested in. Follow their Tweets on Twitter. The purpose of this is twofold. First, many companies now announce new openings on Facebook and, due to the immediacy of social networking, the openings hit social media faster than they appear on job search sites. Second, knowing what’s going on with a company will make you a more well-informed interviewee. Another tactic is to find the Facebook profiles of headhunters and “Like” them. Job search agencies often use Facebook to list hot openings and make announcements.

Moving up in your company

If you’re happy where you are but want a promotion or a new position, social networking still has something to offer. You should follow your company on Twitter and “Like” their Facebook page. From there, do your best to be an active participant in conversations, always throwing out fresh ideas and insightful comments. Doing this may garner the attention of the higher-ups at your company. When it’s time to apply for a new position or promotion, it never hurts to have upper management aware of you and your positive contributions.
Author Bio

Kieron Casey is a BA (Hons) Journalism graduate who blogs regularly on a number of topics including employment, finances and international headhunters.