Six Essentials for Your Job Search

Chris Wodke

http://www.summittrainingpublications.com/

The environment for job hunting is especially tough during a recession. The current job market is very competitive. There are lots of talented people looking for work. To get a step ahead of the competition you must do these six things:

1. Get a Great Resume
   to get an interview you must have an outstanding resume. The resume must be free of spelling and grammatical errors. If you have contacts in the recruiting or human resources field, ask them to review your resume.  Many networking events offer free resume review.
   
    Review current postings in your field for key words that describe open positions.  Include these key words in your resume.  Tailor your resume to fit each position for which you apply.  Your resume should tell the story of the measurable accomplishments you have had in each position. Talk about the dollars saved, the reduction in turnover etc. you achieved.
2. Prepare for Interviews
   You will become better at interviews the more you do them.  Go through mock interviews to give you the practice you need in a no risk environment. Practice as if this is a real interview, right down to the interview outfit.  Have the interviewer ask you the questions you expect to be asked.  Write your own set of questions you will want to ask potential employers. Have the interviewer take notes and give you feedback on how you did.  You best interviewer is someone who is a hiring manager, a recruiter or in human resources.
3.  Do Your Research
   No company will be impressed if you walk into the interview without knowing about the company.  Good research will tell you about the products, market position and sales of potential employers.  You may also get clues about the company values and culture from your research. If you know about the values of a potential company this will help you prepare for interviews. If customer service is important, expect questions about customer service. You can prepare for the interview by having your customer service success stories ready.
   
   Research might also include other options for work if you are thinking about a career transition.  Researching job listings will show you the skills employers are looking for.  You may be able to apply the skill set you currently have to another occupation.

4. Network Effectively
   Approximately 80 % of jobs are filled by networking.  Employers are being flooded by resumes when openings are advertised.  As a hiring manager I am seeing the strongest pool of candidates I have ever seen.  Some companies have gone to filling positions based on recommendations.  If you network well, you may find out about a job before it is ever advertised. If you have a contact inside a company, their recommendation may give you the edge in the hiring process. Companies want to minimize the risk when hiring as much as possible.  If someone recommends you that lowers the risk to the company to hire you.
5. Update Skills
   Do an honest evaluation of your skills.  Are there skills you need to update to make you more competitive?  Do you need additional credentials or education to be competitive on the job market? Job listings are a good clue to the skills you will need to get a position.   Unemployment can be a good time for updating skills since you may never have this much time again.  Some employers may ask how you are spending your time.  Talking about how you are updating your skills shows you are making positive use of your time.  Learning new skills can also help to keep you focused and positive during a challenging time.
6. Volunteer Your Tim & Pursue Hobbies
   Volunteering can be a good way to network and to give something back to the community. You may learn new skills that can help you in your career.  This gives you a wider career network. You may learn new skills that will help in your job search. I got my start in training when I joined the National Ski Patrol and became a first aid instructor.  You need to find a productive way to use your time. You can’t job hunt all day long, seven days a week without going crazy. You will get burnt out if you don’t take a break. Volunteering and hobbies can be a great way to manage stress while job hunting.

Copyright 2009@ Summit Training Publications

Do you hate to write training programs? Too much work to do and no time to put together your training program? Asked to deliver training or a presentation and have no idea where to start?

Let Summit Training Publications take care of your program design needs with our off the shelf training in a box or one of our presentation modules.

Our off the shelf training solutions provide:

• PowerPoint Presentation
• Instructor Guide & handouts
• Student Guide
• Quiz
• Feedback Form

Subject areas include; Communication Skills, Employee Development, Human Resources, Quality, Product Safety, Safety and Supervisor Training.

Titles: Product Safety and Liability, Aftermarket Product Safety,Hazard Analysis, Product Safety Meetings, Warnings, Instructions and Manuals, Product Liability European Union, Obtaining the CE Mark, Risk Assessment, European Union, Product Safety Management Product Safety Audit, Workplace Violence, Substance Abuse, Sexual Harassment, Manager as Coach, Hiring, Firing, Performance Appraisals, Diversity, Americans With Disabilities, Business Etiquette, Security Abroad, International Business Manners, Customer Service, Customer Communication, Terrific Teams, The Manager as Trainer, Coping With Difficult People, Managing Your Boss- Problem Bosses, Malcolm Baldridge Award, Presentations/Public Speaking, Discrimination, Listening Skills, Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Total Quality Management, Motivation, High Achievers, Time Management, ISO 9000 Introduction, ISO 9000 Implementation, Quality Audit, Introduction to the Internet, Stress Management, Telecommuting, Flexible Work Schedules, Creativity and Innovation, Benchmarking, Effective Business Writing, Customer Letters, Motivating Self and Others, Project Management, Managing Multiple Projects, Brainstorming, PERT Diagrams, Train the Trainer, Train the Trainer-Delivery, Train the Trainer-Writing Presentations, Train the Trainer-On the Job Training, Train the Trainer-Using Visual Aids, Project Management, Peer to Peer Feedback, Surviving Unemployment, Interview Preparation

Cover letters; Do this, not that part 2

 Chris Wodke

http://www.summittrainingpublications.com/

As a hiring manager I never see the cover letter the candidate sends. Our HR department sends only the resumes to me.  When I did get them I must admit I often only gave them a brief glance. Even though I don’t pay much attention to cover letters, many managers do review them as carefully as your resume. Give your cover letter the same time and attention as your resume.  Some things to avoid when putting together your cover letter:

Don’t do this:

• Don’t use the same cover letter for every job. It will be easy to tell you are using a form letter.  Customize the letter for each job.
• Don’t use humor.  You want to professional. This is not the time for off beat gimmicks. You want to stand out for your skills and experience.   Jokes and humor have no place as a first introduction to your potential employer.
• Don’t focus on yourself.  Focus on what you will do for the company. Pick key words from the job posting and highlight how your skills and experience are a fit for the position.
• Don’t ramble on and on. Keep the cover letter concise. The letter is to introduce you to the organization. Leave them wanting to know more about you.

The cover letter is your introduction to a potential employer, even if it is only seen by employees in the human resources department.  Never skip this important document.

Do you hate to write training programs? Too much work to do and no time to put together your training program? Asked to deliver training or a presentation and have no idea where to start?

Let Summit Training Publications take care of your program design needs with our off the shelf training in a box or one of our presentation modules.

Our off the shelf training solutions provide:

• PowerPoint Presentation
• Instructor Guide & handouts
• Student Guide
• Quiz
• Feedback Form

Subject areas include; Communication Skills, Employee Development, Human Resources, Quality, Product Safety, Safety and Supervisor Training.

Titles: Product Safety and Liability, Aftermarket Product Safety,Hazard Analysis, Product Safety Meetings, Warnings, Instructions and Manuals, Product Liability European Union, Obtaining the CE Mark, Risk Assessment, European Union, Product Safety Management Product Safety Audit, Workplace Violence, Substance Abuse, Sexual Harassment, Manager as Coach, Hiring, Firing, Performance Appraisals, Diversity, Americans With Disabilities, Business Etiquette, Security Abroad, International Business Manners, Customer Service, Customer Communication, Terrific Teams, The Manager as Trainer, Coping With Difficult People, Managing Your Boss- Problem Bosses, Malcolm Baldridge Award, Presentations/Public Speaking, Discrimination, Listening Skills, Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Total Quality Management, Motivation, High Achievers, Time Management, ISO 9000 Introduction, ISO 9000 Implementation, Quality Audit, Introduction to the Internet, Stress Management, Telecommuting, Flexible Work Schedules, Creativity and Innovation, Benchmarking, Effective Business Writing, Customer Letters, Motivating Self and Others, Project Management, Managing Multiple Projects, Brainstorming, PERT Diagrams, Train the Trainer, Train the Trainer-Delivery, Train the Trainer-Writing Presentations, Train the Trainer-On the Job Training, Train the Trainer-Using Visual Aids, Project Management, Peer to Peer Feedback, Surviving Unemployment, Interview Preparation

Cover letters-do this, not that

 Chris Wodke

http://www.summittrainingpublications.com/

Cover letters are your introduction to a potential employer and must get the attention of HR and maybe the hiring manager. In my organization I never see the cover letters of potential candidates.  Don’t be tempted to skip the document, because the lack of a cover letter may cause you to be screened out.  Here are some things to keep in mind when putting together your cover letter.

Do this:

• Personalize- Get the name of the human resources professional or hiring manager. Address the letter to the decision maker instead of using a generic title.
• Proofread- the letter must be free of spelling and grammatical errors. Have someone proofread the letter before you send it out.  Read the letter aloud to see how it sounds. Print out the letter on good quality white paper.
• Format- the letter should be 3 to 5 paragraphs. You can go shorter if applying electronically.  Make the reader want to go to your resume.  Give them enough information to want to meet you.  Keep personal pronouns to a minimum.
• Sell yourself- Get the readers attention right from the start.  Pick one or two key skills from the job description and describe how you have these key qualities. If you have been referred by someone, be sure to mention their name.
• Contact Information- You should have all of your contact information on the cover letter just like you would in any standard business letter. Also use the contact information of the person you receiving the letter.

Remember the cover letter is an important introduction. It is just a small picture of your skills and experience. You want to begin to form a picture of the company of the unique contribution you can make.  Leave them wanting more. In the next article we will talk about some common mistakes to avoid.

Do you hate to write training programs? Too much work to do and no time to put together your training program? Asked to deliver training or a presentation and have no idea where to start?

Let Summit Training Publications take care of your program design needs with our off the shelf training in a box or one of our presentation modules.

Our off the shelf training solutions provide:

• PowerPoint Presentation
• Instructor Guide & handouts
• Student Guide
• Quiz
• Feedback Form

Subject areas include; Communication Skills, Employee Development, Human Resources, Quality, Product Safety, Safety and Supervisor Training.

Titles: Product Safety and Liability, Aftermarket Product Safety,Hazard Analysis, Product Safety Meetings, Warnings, Instructions and Manuals, Product Liability European Union, Obtaining the CE Mark, Risk Assessment, European Union, Product Safety Management Product Safety Audit, Workplace Violence, Substance Abuse, Sexual Harassment, Manager as Coach, Hiring, Firing, Performance Appraisals, Diversity, Americans With Disabilities, Business Etiquette, Security Abroad, International Business Manners, Customer Service, Customer Communication, Terrific Teams, The Manager as Trainer, Coping With Difficult People, Managing Your Boss- Problem Bosses, Malcolm Baldridge Award, Presentations/Public Speaking, Discrimination, Listening Skills, Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Total Quality Management, Motivation, High Achievers, Time Management, ISO 9000 Introduction, ISO 9000 Implementation, Quality Audit, Introduction to the Internet, Stress Management, Telecommuting, Flexible Work Schedules, Creativity and Innovation, Benchmarking, Effective Business Writing, Customer Letters, Motivating Self and Others, Project Management, Managing Multiple Projects, Brainstorming, PERT Diagrams, Train the Trainer, Train the Trainer-Delivery, Train the Trainer-Writing Presentations, Train the Trainer-On the Job Training, Train the Trainer-Using Visual Aids, Project Management, Peer to Peer Feedback, Surviving Unemployment, Interview Preparation

Questions to ask your potential employer-part 3

 Chris Wodke

http://www.summittrainingpublications.com/

This article will finish out the suggested questions to ask any potential employer. When you prepare for an interview you will want to consider your own set of questions.  When you do your marketing plan for your job search the items on the plan will determine the type of organization you will want to join and the type of work you want to do. The questions you ask and the questions you will be asked by your potential employer will help you determine if the organization is a match for your goals.

11.  What is it like to work here?
    You want to know what the culture is like at this organization. The answer will be a snap shot of the day to day work experience.  Also observe the way the employees act and dress. This will tell you if the culture is informal, formal, friendly, reserved and so on.  Since you spend so much time at work, you will want to find an organization that fits your behavioral style.
12. What characteristics does it take to succeed in this position?
    This is one of the most important questions you can ask. The answer will tell you the expectations for performance for the successful candidate. Honestly evaluate if you match the things the company is looking for. If you are a good match, then share how you showed these success traits with success stories from previous positions. 
13.  What are the opportunities for training or education?
    It might be nice to know if there are plans for your training if you come on board. Some organizations have very formal processes for acclimating new employees. Some organizations put you in an office and let you figure things out.  Some companies have very good benefits for tuition reimbursement.  Is this an organization with extensive in house training?  The availability of training and continuing education can really contribute to on the job success.
14. What is the typical career path for someone in this job?If the ability to advance is important to you, find out if there has been career progression for the typical person in this position. Some companies have well thought out plans for career advancement. Find out if this company is one of those.  The answer to this question may also tell you if the company typically hires from within or looks outside for advanced positions.
15.  Do you have any further questions about my qualifications?This gives the interviewer a chance to ask any follow up questions or raise any concerns.  Also use this as an opportunity to express your interest and concisely state the reasons you are a good fit for the position.  Close out by asking for timing on when they will be making a decision.

The questions presented in the three articles are only suggestions.  When you prepare for your interviews write your own questions based on the important things you are looking for in your future employer.  Your research on a company may also you to customize your questions.  Always remember you are looking to bring value to your future employer, not just get a job.  If the job is the right one for your skills, talents and experience, then it will be a win for both of you.  Good Luck!

Do you hate to write training programs? Too much work to do and no time to put together your training program? Asked to deliver training or a presentation and have no idea where to start?

Let Summit Training Publications take care of your program design needs with our off the shelf training in a box or one of our presentation modules.

Our off the shelf training solutions provide:

• PowerPoint Presentation
• Instructor Guide & handouts
• Student Guide
• Quiz
• Feedback Form

Subject areas include; Communication Skills, Employee Development, Human Resources, Quality, Product Safety, Safety and Supervisor Training.

Titles: Product Safety and Liability, Aftermarket Product Safety,Hazard Analysis, Product Safety Meetings, Warnings, Instructions and Manuals, Product Liability European Union, Obtaining the CE Mark, Risk Assessment, European Union, Product Safety Management Product Safety Audit, Workplace Violence, Substance Abuse, Sexual Harassment, Manager as Coach, Hiring, Firing, Performance Appraisals, Diversity, Americans With Disabilities, Business Etiquette, Security Abroad, International Business Manners, Customer Service, Customer Communication, Terrific Teams, The Manager as Trainer, Coping With Difficult People, Managing Your Boss- Problem Bosses, Malcolm Baldridge Award, Presentations/Public Speaking, Discrimination, Listening Skills, Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Total Quality Management, Motivation, High Achievers, Time Management, ISO 9000 Introduction, ISO 9000 Implementation, Quality Audit, Introduction to the Internet, Stress Management, Telecommuting, Flexible Work Schedules, Creativity and Innovation, Benchmarking, Effective Business Writing, Customer Letters, Motivating Self and Others, Project Management, Managing Multiple Projects, Brainstorming, PERT Diagrams, Train the Trainer, Train the Trainer-Delivery, Train the Trainer-Writing Presentations, Train the Trainer-On the Job Training, Train the Trainer-Using Visual Aids, Project Management, Peer to Peer Feedback, Surviving Unemployment, Interview Preparation

Questions to ask a potential employer-part two

Chris Wodke

Remember you have three goals you want to accomplish during the interview: determine if you are a good fit for a position, to discuss the reason why you are a good fit based on past job success and to determine if the company is a good fit for you.

6. What are the three most important initiatives in the company right now?
   You want to hear from the viewpoint of the interviewer, the three most important challenges or issues for the company. If you have done your research well you will have a pretty good idea what they are.  You will have some ideas about how you can help this organization with their most important challenges. You can talk about how you have tackled similar issues in past positions. For instance if quality issues are an issue, you can discuss how you put your Six Sigma training to use to stream line claims processing.
7. What are the biggest challenges the department I joining faces?
   The department you might be joining may have challenges that are different from the overall company.  If turnover is high or sales are lagging this may signal a risky situation.  If the department is having issues with quality and you have improved the quality in several positions, this may be a good fit for you.  If you are a good fit, discuss with the interviewer how your skills and experience are a good fit for this position.  Show them based on past success with similar issues that you would bring a lot of value to the company.
8. What would my first project be if hired?
   The answer to this questions will tell you the type of work you will be doing and the level of responsibility.  Is this the type of work you want to be doing?  Is it the level of responsibility that is a good match for your skills?  Can you be successful based on your past experience? If the answers are yes, be sure to discuss your interest in this type of work and  give some ideas about how you would accomplish the project.
9. What do you like best about working for this company?
   The answer to this question will tell you a lot of what is important to the interviewer.  This is important to know if the person answering is your potential boss.  The things they like are a clue to the type of boss they are. The answer will also give you some clues about the company culture.
10.  How many hours is the average work week?
    This is an indirect way to ask about how many hours a week they are expecting you to work.  Some companies expect you to work 50 or more hours a week. Some routinely work 60 hours.  Others work overtime at busy times of the month or year. If you value a balance between your work and home life, you need to find out the expectations. You don’t want to be surprised by the number of hours once you join. 

In part three we will finish up with a few final questions to tie up the interview discussion.  The key to remember is to consider the issues most important to you.  Think about the type of work you want to do and the type of company you want to join. Then tailor your questions to find out the things you need to know to make a good decision. It is better to turn down a job that is not a right fit, then to join an organization and not be successful. It isn’t fair to you or to the company you join.

Do you hate to write training programs? Too much work to do and no time to put together your training program? Asked to deliver training or a presentation and have no idea where to start?

Let Summit Training Publications take care of your program design needs with our off the shelf training in a box or one of our presentation modules.

Our off the shelf training solutions provide:

• PowerPoint Presentation
• Instructor Guide & handouts
• Student Guide
• Quiz
• Feedback Form

Subject areas include; Communication Skills, Employee Development, Human Resources, Quality, Product Safety, Safety and Supervisor Training.

Titles: Product Safety and Liability, Aftermarket Product Safety,Hazard Analysis, Product Safety Meetings, Warnings, Instructions and Manuals, Product Liability European Union, Obtaining the CE Mark, Risk Assessment, European Union, Product Safety Management Product Safety Audit, Workplace Violence, Substance Abuse, Sexual Harassment, Manager as Coach, Hiring, Firing, Performance Appraisals, Diversity, Americans With Disabilities, Business Etiquette, Security Abroad, International Business Manners, Customer Service, Customer Communication, Terrific Teams, The Manager as Trainer, Coping With Difficult People, Managing Your Boss- Problem Bosses, Malcolm Baldridge Award, Presentations/Public Speaking, Discrimination, Listening Skills, Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Total Quality Management, Motivation, High Achievers, Time Management, ISO 9000 Introduction, ISO 9000 Implementation, Quality Audit, Introduction to the Internet, Stress Management, Telecommuting, Flexible Work Schedules, Creativity and Innovation, Benchmarking, Effective Business Writing, Customer Letters, Motivating Self and Others, Project Management, Managing Multiple Projects, Brainstorming, PERT Diagrams, Train the Trainer, Train the Trainer-Delivery, Train the Trainer-Writing Presentations, Train the Trainer-On the Job Training, Train the Trainer-Using Visual Aids, Project Management, Peer to Peer Feedback, Surviving Unemployment, Interview Preparation

Questions to ask a potential employer-part one

 Chris Wodke

http://www.summittrainingpublications.com/

When you interview, your potential employer will ask you a lot of questions. They want to determine if you have the technical skills to do the job and  if you will be a good team member .  The questions they ask will help determine if you will be a good fit with their organization. You should take the same approach with some questions of your own. You need to determine if this is the right job for you and if this is an organization you want to join.  Here are some potential questions you may want to ask your potential employer:

1. What will my duties be?
   Someone I talked to recently wished she had asked this question.  She thought she was interviewing for a paralegal position. When she joined the company she found out the position was for a legal secretary and she couldn’t type. Sometimes employees don’t ask about your job skills. You will want to find out what skills you will need, then you can determine if you have those skills and can be successful. If your skills match the duties, talk about how your skills match the position and how you have used those skills successfully in the past.
2. Who will my teammates be or With whom will I work?
   The answer to this question should tell you the skills and experience level of your potential peers. You should also get an idea of the size of the team and their place in the company. The answer can again help you determine if your skills will fill a gap in this organization.
3. How will my performance be evaluated?
   This is a really important question and lets you know how the company values rewards and recognition. Are they a company that sets aggressive goal? Do they recognize good performance?  How often will you be evaluated?  Does evaluation only take place at the yearly review?  Will your work be closely monitored? Are clear goals set or will you work be defined by fuzzy objectives. You will want to join an organizations that is a good fit for you in this area.
4. What are the opportunities for advancement?
   The answer to this questions will tell you if there is a career path in the organization.  Do people move within the organization or do they stay in one position long term.  Do managers actively try to develop their employees?  You may get a sense of the environment from the answer to this question.
5. Why is the position open?
   Did the employee move onto another position within the company or did they leave the company?  Has this department gone through a series of managers or employees in this position?  That may be a signal there is a problem manager or work group.  If the position is a new one, it may signal a growing company or segment of the business. Sometimes positions are created to solve a particular problem. If the position was created to solve a problem highlight how you would use your skills to solve their issues.

These questions should be part of a back and forth diaglouge you have with the potential company. Think of the interview as a chance to show the company the things you can do for them. Stop thinking of the interview as a chance to just convince the company to give you a job.  Always think about  the value you can bring to your new organization. In the next article we will continue with more questions you can ask to determine if you joining an organization will be a good decision for both of you.

Do you hate to write training programs? Too much work to do and no time to put together your training program? Asked to deliver training or a presentation and have no idea where to start?

Let Summit Training Publications take care of your program design needs with our off the shelf training in a box or one of our presentation modules.

Our off the shelf training solutions provide:

• PowerPoint Presentation
• Instructor Guide & handouts
• Student Guide
• Quiz
• Feedback Form

Subject areas include; Communication Skills, Employee Development, Human Resources, Quality, Product Safety, Safety and Supervisor Training.

Titles: Product Safety and Liability, Aftermarket Product Safety,Hazard Analysis, Product Safety Meetings, Warnings, Instructions and Manuals, Product Liability European Union, Obtaining the CE Mark, Risk Assessment, European Union, Product Safety Management Product Safety Audit, Workplace Violence, Substance Abuse, Sexual Harassment, Manager as Coach, Hiring, Firing, Performance Appraisals, Diversity, Americans With Disabilities, Business Etiquette, Security Abroad, International Business Manners, Customer Service, Customer Communication, Terrific Teams, The Manager as Trainer, Coping With Difficult People, Managing Your Boss- Problem Bosses, Malcolm Baldridge Award, Presentations/Public Speaking, Discrimination, Listening Skills, Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Total Quality Management, Motivation, High Achievers, Time Management, ISO 9000 Introduction, ISO 9000 Implementation, Quality Audit, Introduction to the Internet, Stress Management, Telecommuting, Flexible Work Schedules, Creativity and Innovation, Benchmarking, Effective Business Writing, Customer Letters, Motivating Self and Others, Project Management, Managing Multiple Projects, Brainstorming, PERT Diagrams, Train the Trainer, Train the Trainer-Delivery, Train the Trainer-Writing Presentations, Train the Trainer-On the Job Training, Train the Trainer-Using Visual Aids, Project Management, Peer to Peer Feedback, Surviving Unemployment, Interview Preparation

Employers Check Credit Reports

Chris Wodke

http://www.summittrainingpublications.com/

Potential employers check references and credit scores. Be prepared for the credit check and get your credit and credit score in good shape. Here are some tips from the Clark Howard web site to help you improve your credit score. The site can be found at: http://clarkhoward.com/

• Obtain a copy credit report for free online at annualcreditreport.com.
• A credit score must be purchased separately and is a number between 300 and 850 that evaluates your risk as a borrower. There are several ways to obtain a free credit score, however it will be a bureau-calculated number -- not be the official Fair Isaac (FICO) score.
• Correct any information on your credit report. If a problem is found on one report assume it is on all reports. There are three major credit bureaus - Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion - and they don't share information. So even if you correct an error on one credit report, you will have to do the same on the other two.  An error on a report can take months to clear up. Start this process early.
• You have the right under federal law to challenge items on your credit report. The credit bureau then has 30 days to decide whether that item should be removed.

• More lines of credit better than less in current climate. Open lines of credit and credit cards in case you need them. With the high rates of credit card default, the banks are in a panic trying to close down stale credit card accounts that haven't been used in 24 months. That's a double whammy to you: It reduces your available credit and the length of the history of your credit. Both criteria can really hurt your overall credit score.
• So the key is to use all your credit cards twice a year. Simply mark a day on your calendar, make a small purchase of $5 or less and then turn around and pay it right off. This keeps your account active and raises your credit score, plus it helps make it less likely that your account will be closed.
• Be careful about late rent and utility bills. There is currently a push to get these included on credit reports.
• The most important thing you can do to have good credit is to pay your bills on time. This is the largest component of your credit score.  This is tough to do when unemployed, but is critical to maintaining good credit. Find out the due date for your bills and make sure your payment is in on time.  Having 3-6 months of living expenses saved for an emergency fund will make it easier to pay your bills.

Do you hate to write training programs? Too much work to do and no time to put together your training program? Asked to deliver training or a presentation and have no idea where to start?

Let Summit Training Publications take care of your program design needs with our off the shelf training in a box or one of our presentation modules.

Our off the shelf training solutions provide:

• PowerPoint Presentation
• Instructor Guide & handouts
• Student Guide
• Quiz
• Feedback Form

Subject areas include; Communication Skills, Employee Development, Human Resources, Quality, Product Safety, Safety and Supervisor Training.

Titles: Product Safety and Liability, Aftermarket Product Safety,Hazard Analysis, Product Safety Meetings, Warnings, Instructions and Manuals, Product Liability European Union, Obtaining the CE Mark, Risk Assessment, European Union, Product Safety Management Product Safety Audit, Workplace Violence, Substance Abuse, Sexual Harassment, Manager as Coach, Hiring, Firing, Performance Appraisals, Diversity, Americans With Disabilities, Business Etiquette, Security Abroad, International Business Manners, Customer Service, Customer Communication, Terrific Teams, The Manager as Trainer, Coping With Difficult People, Managing Your Boss- Problem Bosses, Malcolm Baldridge Award, Presentations/Public Speaking, Discrimination, Listening Skills, Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Total Quality Management, Motivation, High Achievers, Time Management, ISO 9000 Introduction, ISO 9000 Implementation, Quality Audit, Introduction to the Internet, Stress Management, Telecommuting, Flexible Work Schedules, Creativity and Innovation, Benchmarking, Effective Business Writing, Customer Letters, Motivating Self and Others, Project Management, Managing Multiple Projects, Brainstorming, PERT Diagrams, Train the Trainer, Train the Trainer-Delivery, Train the Trainer-Writing Presentations, Train the Trainer-On the Job Training, Train the Trainer-Using Visual Aids, Project Management, Peer to Peer Feedback, Surviving Unemployment, Interview Preparation