Tomato-Tomahto (Resume - CV) Don't let them call the whole thing off!

Know the difference between the two, when you are asked for your resume, submit a resume- your record of highlighted work history, a CV is a lengthy history of work and personal accomplishments.

Do you know the difference between curriculum vitae (CV) and a résumé and why it's important to have both up to date and readily available?

cur·ric·u·lum vi·tae:  A short account of one's career and qualifications prepared typically by an applicant for a position. Etymology: Latin, course of (one's) life.

ré·su·mé:   A brief account of one's professional or work experience and qualifications,
often submitted with an employment application. Etymology: French résumé, from past
participle of résumer to resume, summarize, from Middle French resumer.

For some people, a resume, by definition, is a "summary"--a synopsis of your CV, let's say. If you've ever tried to copy and paste your CV into a job board field with a 500-word limit you get the idea. For others, a résumé is the lengthy narrative and the CV is the summarized version. So if you're confused, obviously, you're not alone.

Also Known As: CV, vitae

Alternate Spellings: curriculum vitea curriculum vita

Common Misspellings: curriculum vitea curriculum vita

Examples: When Dr. Brown heard there was a position open in the English Department, he sent his curriculum: A curriculum vitae. 

Definition: A curriculum vitae is a written description of your work experience, educational background, and skills. Also called a CV, or simply a vitae, it is more detailed than a resume and is commonly used by those looking for work outside the U.S. and Australia. A curriculum vitae is also used by someone looking for an academic job, i.e. in a college or university. 

A summary of an individual's career experience and education.  When a resume is sent to prospective employers, it should contain the job candidate’s credits, specialty credentials, and pertinent work experience as opposed to highlighting and emphasis on personal experience.

Looking for know how for sales resumes click here.

Everybody can lead an extraordinary life. There is no better time to live your dreams. Author: Emmanuel Segui   Here's How You Can Quickly and Easily Get A Winning Mindset Guaranteed To Achieve Massive Success Knowledge is abundant. The World Wide Web is filled up with billions of pages of information. Libraries contain thousands of books on every topic possible and you can attend seminars all around the world about many different subjects. But to live an extraordinary life, you need to focus and follow these 4 rules.

1. Find Your Passion.

You have unique talents and God-given gifts. Your job is to discover them. Make a list of the things you always would have liked to do but just never found the time to work on it. What are your hobbies? Begin by studying something you're curious about.

This curiosity may turn into a passion. Once you've discovered it, ask yourself the following question: "How can I make a living out of it?" This is the exact strategy that self-made millionaires and successful people followed. Finding, following and living your passion will allow you to lead an extraordinary life.

2. Create Your Vision.

Create a strategic plan by beginning to define and clarify your vision. Defining your vision can take a month, clarifying it can take several years. But the more your vision is accurate, the more you will attract people, opportunities, and money that will help you reach your vision. The clearer your vision is, the more every part of you, as a human being, is involved: your physical body, your emotions, your mind and your spirit. And this becomes a heartfelt commitment and a creative excitement.

3. Learn the Power of Discipline.

Discipline is essential as well as hard work. Living a balanced life is at the heart of successful people's teachings. Discipline will let you become more focused on what's important to realize your dreams and live an extraordinary life. Discipline is a key factor for entrepreneurs. And you're one of them because you decided to find your purpose and live your passion. Only this way will you be able to reach you ultimate vision.

4. Live by Integrity.

In a survey of over 54,000 people, they identified the essential qualities of an effective leader; and integrity was, by far, the number one response. Your level of success in life will directly be proportioned to your level of integrity. Theodore Roosevelt said: "Character, in the long run, is the decisive factor in the life of an individual and of nations alike."

Integrity is living an integrated life around your values or principles.

Integrity is to take good care of your physical body, your emotional intelligence, your mental health and your spirit.

When one is neglected, the others don't function as well and you lose your character.

When you live your passion according to your unique given talents and you create a vision of what you want out of life, you're not far from realizing your dreams. But something is still missing.

You need discipline to make every moment count so every day can be one more day closer to your goal. Live by integrity in all you do and success is assured. Soon you will see all the doors of opportunities open before you.

Raising Bilingual Children: 10 Tips For Boosting The Minority Language  About the author: Christina Bosemark is the founder of Multilingual Children’s Association, http://www.MultilingualChildren.org.

Your toddler may think that he or she’s a complete superhero -- and when it comes to language acquisition, it’s actually true! In particular, compared to adult language learners. Lena Sandvik in Boston says “I’m amazed that my 15 and 11 year olds have grown up to be completely bilingual. My accent and those silly, grammatical errors still haven’t disappeared, even after 15 years in the country.” As easy as acquiring multiple languages is for small children, the single most important factor in language learning is the quantity of spoken language addressed to the child. So, if you worry that you aren’t providing enough, here are a few tricks to boost your superhero’s inherent powers.

1. Other kids: Join (or start) a playgroup for the second language. Children of all ages will learn from each other; there simply are no better language teachers than other kids. An added bonus will be that you will connect with other parents of bilingual children.

2. Books: Of course you know how vital those precious one-on-one moments are, but remember that they can be infused with language learning also. Books are the most effective tool for teaching language, and so I advise all parents: “Start reading at birth and never stop!” A good way to add to reading time (and make it really personal) is to create a dialogue, encouraging your child's comments, responses, and elaborations. Talk about what the characters are like and what they might be doing next.

3. The right stuff: From books, add video, television and games. There are a multitude of aides towards fluency. In particular, games that use rhyming will make the most of language memory, but “I Spy”, “Bingo” and “Memory” with picture cards will also playfully build vocabulary.

4. Sing and dance: Children absolutely love music, but don't rely solely on recorded music; your own singing, even if it is off-key, will still serve to unite melody and words for your child more surely than any professional recording ever could. Melody is also a fantastic memory aid. Think about how much easier children learn their ABCs when they sing them, compared to just reciting them. And, the combination of music with movement and gestures will enliven it all -- as well as provide a nice outlet for squirmy toddlers.

5. Tap into their interests: Whatever your child’s enthusiasms may be -- whether a love of soccer, dance, or horses -- make an effort to ‘involve’ these passions in the minority language. ”My 3-year old son is a really big “Bob de Bouwer” (Bob the Builder) fan,” says Martijn Fredriks. “So now we always watch it in Dutch, and he’s even started speaking in Dutch when he plays with the Bob the Builder toys.”

6. Be creative: The trick is to give the child lots to talk about, so draw out that conversation! Encourage them to make up their own stories, play dress-up and pretend in the second language. Even painting, working with sidewalk chalk, or molding clay usually creates more vocabulary than art! Older children may enjoy calling or using a webcam for calls overseas (one such free service is Skype).

7. Outside the box: Isabella Vellaccio, a mother in Washington DC, who reached beyond the obvious says, “I wanted my son to hear Italian from someone else than just me, and the playgroups were all during my working hours.” Isabella decided to attend the church coffee after the Italian mass on Sundays. “The older Italian parishioners were thrilled to see him learn Italian.” Needless to say, with that much attention, and Italian cookies, he loved it.”

8. Baby sitter: Find a college student who speaks the language, or for something more consistent, try a nanny or an au-pair.

9. Visits: The ultimate language boost is to visit the country where it is spoken. Total immersion for a couple of weeks has an amazing effect. And visits from friends or family also provide a valuable boost.

10. Enthusiasm: While the quantity of spoken language is the most important factor in learning a language, the second most vital ingredient is the amount of positive feedback the child hears. Early on, when a child is struggling to get those first syllables out, resist the urge to correct…it can actually inhibit language skills.

There is a myriad of ways to ensure that foreign language time is “quality time,” but like any other aspect of parenting: trust your judgment, employ your imagination, and listen very, very well.

by Simma Lieberman and Kate Berardo

Your job interview is tomorrow. You know your appearance will matter, so you polish your shoes and brush your hair. You realize your interviewer will have your resume in hand, so you've come prepared to explain every minute detail included on it. You've even done practice interviews and prepared your responses to all the trick questions. Are you ready? Not yet.

There remains a single type of preparation that you should do that can make or break your interview-knowing how to handle the possible biases of an interviewer. You need this knowledge because of a simple reality; interviews are subjective, no matter how many objective indicators are introduced. Interviewers are human, and all carry with them some assumptions about different types of people. Despite what may be valid attempts to leave these assumptions behind in the process, even the most earnest interviewer may be letting some of these biases make their way into the decision-making process. The best candidate for a job has many a time been passed over in the interview process because of bias. You don't want to be one of them.

You're not likely to be able to change the bias itself in the short duration of the interview, and you may not be able to recognize it with so much else going on. You can, however, insure that the interviewer will not apply their biases or assumptions toward you. This means preparing for the possible biases of an interviewer before you encounter him/her. You therefore need to recognize the most likely biases people have toward you and prepare to address these biases in interviews to minimize their impact.

Pinpointing Potential Biases

Many people think biases surround visible differences that people have, like race, gender, or appearance. This is true. However, biases usually run much deeper and assumptions are made about a number of other potential differences you may have with your interviewer. An interviewer may unconsciously make assumptions about you based on the way that you speak, your age, or any of the background information you have listed on your resume.

To figure out some of the biases that may surface, give some thought to comments people have made to you in the past that surprised you. Have people thought you were much younger or older than you actually are? Have they assumed you were less intelligent because of your accent? Have you been labeled because of the way you dress? Have people been surprised to learn something in particular about you? Make a list of some of these assumptions or obstacles that could impede on the interviewer from seeing you as the best candidate.

Use your friends to add to your recollection. Ask them what their first impressions of you were. Colleagues from the past are especially valuable since they know you in a work atmosphere and work attire. Have friends read through your resume and create a list of five statements they would make about you based on your resume. Ask them to limit their responses to information on the resume and explain your goal in the exercise so you get honest answers. Combine these statements with ones people have made about you in the past and keep a list handy with all of these assumptions.

The Information Inundation Technique

Once you get a sense for the impression you make and the biases people may have against you, make sure you address them. You should still be focused on demonstrating why you are a qualified candidate for the job. Therefore, while delivering persuasive responses to interviewer questions, saturate your responses with information that will also undo biases. Here are some suggestions:

1. Match their speech and behaviors. It is a good idea in general to match your interviewers in terms of their speech and behaviors for etiquette purposes. If an interviewer is formal in their speech, you should be as well. If they sit up straight, don't slouch. This will help reduce assumptions they make about you based on differences they perceive they have from you.

2. Acknowledge & Spin It. If you sense a bias, don't be afraid to address what it is you think is being held against you. If you have an accent, explain what you do to make yourself understood. If you are young, note it, but also explain what your age adds and focus more on the experiences you have had that makes you worthy of the position. If you are a woman working in a male-dominated profession, explain what you can add to the position very specifically because you are female. Make a point to show the value of the aspect in question.

3. Find a connection. When you get the chance to ask your own questions at the end of the interview, work to establish a connection with your interviewer. Ask them what they like about the company in question, and communicate your ability to relate to some of the traits he or she identifies. Make a point of smiling and try to be friendly. An open, communicative style on your part is helpful to address any negative biases that person may unconsciously be holding against you.

4. Communicate your Bridge Building potential. A successful job candidate is not only someone who can do the job, but someone who can work in the organization's culture and be able to do the job well in the long run. Interviewers with biases may assume that you will not fit well into the organization's culture because of your differences. Communicate your ability to work with different people, think from different perspectives, and be open-minded. Give examples. Ask about the company culture and talk about your ability to work with and relate to different people.

5. Make it a strength. Have you had to deal with this someone who has been biased before because of something about the way you are? Use the experience to show your interviewer how you successfully overcame a difficulty. Emphasize the learning and growth you experienced as a result. This can help an interviewer recognize that their own unconscious bias is impacting their impressions. Make sure you don't insinuate in any way that your interviewer is biased. Your job in the interview is to demonstrate that you are a highly-skilled individual equipped to do the job for which you are applying. Critiquing your interviewer is not a step in the right direction.

6. Stay positive. Have you noticed that it is that much harder to sit up straight when you are feeling down in the dumps? Most people show their emotions in one way or another, and facing a biased interviewer is likely to stir some serious emotions of anger, frustration, devastation, or defeat. It is important to push through these feelings during the interview so that it doesn't impact your demeanor during the rest of the interview. You can decide later whether you want to work for the company the interviewer represents.

7. Make a Habit of it. Finally, get into the habit of building bias prep into your interview prep. Build these techniques into your responses and practice saying them so you are comfortable in the interview. Have a friend role-play the biased interview. Make it realistic. How will you face this practice situation?
Interview bias exists, but it doesn't have to impact your potential to get hired. Use these techniques to improve your chances of getting hired based on your qualifications and motivation instead of your skin color or lifestyle.

Simma Lieberman works with people and organizations to create environments where people can do their best work. She specializes in diversity, gender communications, life-work balance and stress, and acquiring and retaining new customers. www.simmalieberman.com

Hispanic vs. Latin __ "Many people are confused as to the proper use of the terms Hispanic and Latin. Spanish speakers are themselves in disagreement as to how these two terms should be applied. Both sides of this contentious issue feel very strongly about their positions and pose valid arguments. The following is an attempt to settle the issue in a scholarly rather than emotional fashion. The author believes that if we know what these words originally meant, it might be easier to draw the appropriate conclusions and use the words as they were intended to be used." - From Al Sosa -

Latino/Hispanic - Who Needs a Name? __ In essence, the term "Hispanic" is meaningless. "The 'Hispanic' label is eminently political: it identifies neither an ethnic group nor a minority group. It is the temporary outcome of political struggles between the major parties to win elections, particularly in the Southwest, and will serve its role as long as political alignments, the terms of acceptable political discourse, and the definition of legitimate channels of access to social and health services, education, and the road to upward mobility for minority groups remain unchanged." - From University of Colorado at Boulder -  

Increasing prosperity in our lives can be accomplished by having the right frame of mind. The truth is, our thoughts are very powerful. They are capable of influencing every aspect of our daily lives, from our physical health to our social behaviors. I'm sure you've heard the adage, "As you think, so shall you be."

If we want to improve our lives, we must first improve our thoughts. Harnessing the power of thought in a positive way has the ability to create great change in our lives, including our financial well-being and prosperity. But how? How do we take something as intangible as thoughts, and manifest them into a physical reality?

We must first understand that being prosperous is more than having a lot of money. Prosperity is a mindset, a way of interacting in our lives, and a way of thinking. Mastering this train of thought is not easy, but it is simple enough if we keep working on it consistently.

Following are some ideas to help you improve your thoughts, and ultimately attract more prosperity into your life:

Be grateful for the blessings in your life right now. Take a few minutes each day to express heartfelt gratitude for the good things in your life. Even more powerful, write a few of these blessings down each day. This helps to put your focus in the right direction -- on abundance, not lack.

Use positive affirmations to begin training yourself to think positively. Use "I am" statements such as "I am worthy of all that is good." Write the statements down and repeat them nightly before bed. Over time, this will implant these thoughts into your subconscious mind, and you will begin to naturally believe them.

Creative visualization can help you achieve prosperity by determining what it is you wish to achieve, and then thoroughly creating that image in your mind. This works in the same way affirmations do. Our subconscious will fill with images of prosperity, and eventually these subconscious "truths" will manifest in the physical. "See" yourself as being prosperous, and you will become so.

Encourage yourself with the belief that you can achieve great things. This could also be one of your affirmations, but expand on it. If you know you can earn a certain salary, tell yourself you can earn more. Allow yourself to believe all things are possible, and you will gain the confidence needed to reach higher than you ever imagined you could. If you believe you can do it, you are more likely to take the risks associated with people who are highly successful. Prosperity and success go hand in hand, so take risks and aim higher.

Start a savings account. As strange as it sounds, think about this: Like Attracts Like. Even if you can only afford to put a few dollars into your account every month, it will begin to build up and attract more money.

Finally, believe you are already wealthy. The creative ability of our thoughts is such that we lend more power and energy to whatever we consistently focus on. Focusing on lack will create more lack. Focusing on wealth and prosperity will create . . . guess what?

Remember that this is a process. You likely won't change your circumstances in one day. But over time, with consistent focus, your thoughts will begin to attract what you want. Once you master this power of thought, there are truly no limits to what you can create! About the Author: Wendy Betterini is a freelance writer who strives to motivate, uplift, and inspire you to make your dreams a reality.

Protecting Pregnant Women and Their Contributions to the Workforce

By Nick Roy, MBA, MAHRM
HR Consultant, Researcher, Business Writer

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 makes it illegal to force pregnant employees to resign from their jobs. The act also makes pregnancy a disability thereby prohibiting employers from denying medical benefits to pregnant women. It forces employers to evaluate pregnant women on their performance to do the job.

If a woman goes on maternity leave, they must be guaranteed their original position upon returning. For an example, let?s use the scene from the NBC hit show Friends. In this part of the episode, Rachel was already on maternity leave after giving birth to her daughter. She had two weeks left on maternity leave, and decided to pay a visit to her employer. Upon walking in to her office, she notices someone else working at her desk and working on a major project. The employee that was filling in said that if it wasn?t for him, this division would have been shut down. This would be an example of an insensitive and threatening statement towards the incumbent employee. She was getting the impression that the company may be forcing her out. She decided to end her maternity leave earlier than expected to alleviate fear of losing her job. This is a very common situation that pregnant women experience on the job.

There are two alternatives when dealing with a pregnant employee. The first alternative is to utilize a temporary employee, which is hiring professionals for projects without have the obligation to keep the person once the job is done. Using temporary employees adds flexibility to your existing workforce.

When using temporary employees, the employer must make the temp aware that this position is only temporary and that the assignment will terminate at a definite date, such as when the incumbent employee returns from maternity leave. Policies should also be in place and enforced so that the temp does not alter the workspace of the incumbent employee in any way, shape, or form. Typically employees that fill in for the incumbent in this type of situation will place the incumbent?s belongings into a box and shove it into the corner on the floor. You do not want to give any appearance that you are trying to squeeze out the incumbent from her job. This type of situation can also cause a hostile work environment, which is one of the two types of sexual harassment as defined by the EEOC.

The second alternative is to set up the position using telecommuting. This should be the preferred alternative. As soon as the employee announces that she is pregnant, the employer should offer her the opportunity to work from her home in a more relaxed environment. The employer and the employee should work together to set up procedures that would allow her to continue performing her job duties from her home.

The employee will be happy since she will be able to keep receiving a paycheck and will be assured on not losing her job. If this employee is one of your top performing employees, then the employer should do everything that is possible to want to keep this employee on your staff. It is best for both the employer and employee to start planning a telecommuting assignment as soon as the employee announces that she is pregnant. You would want to create a seamless transition from the traditional workplace to the alternative workplace. For the employer, it presents to the community that this company cares about its employees. It also presents that this company has a family friendly environment. The telecommuting alternative provides a win-win situation for both employer and employee.

In times of hyper-competition and employees leaving an organization for bigger and better opportunities, timing and sincerity of such activities are crucial in trying to prevent a key employee from leaving. If you are an employer who is trying to keep your good workers from leaving, then go that extra mile to show them that they are valued contributors of your organization. The benefits in the long term will surely outweigh the costs.

Quiz for people who know everything

 This is a quiz for people who know everything! I found out in a hurry that I didn't. These are not trick questions. They are straight questions with straight answers. Is this specific interview information? Well, anything that makes you smarter, or at least aware that you don't know everything!

 1. Name the one sport in which neither the spectators nor the participants know the score or the leader until the contest ends.

 2. What famous North American landmark is constantly moving backward?

3. Of all vegetables, only two can live to produce on their own for several growing seasons. All other vegetables must be replanted every year. What are the only two perennial vegetables?

 4. What fruit has its seeds on the outside?

5. In many liquor stores, you can buy pear brandy, with a real pear inside the bottle. The pear is whole and ripe, and the bottle is genuine; it hasn't been cut in any way. How did the pear get inside the bottle?

6. Only three words in standard English begin with the letters "dw" and they are all common words. Name two of them.

7. There are 14 punctuation marks in English grammar. Can you name at least half of them?

8. Name the only vegetable or fruit that is never sold frozen, canned, processed, cooked, or in any other form except fresh.

9. Name 6 or more things that you can wear on your feet beginning with the letter "S." 
     

Scroll down for the answers…..

 Answers To Quiz:

 1. The one sport in which neither the spectators nor the participants know the score or the leader until the contest ends . . Boxing

  2. North American landmark constantly moving backward . Niagara Falls (The rim is worn down about two and a half feet each year because of the millions of gallons of water that rush over it every
minute.)

  3. Only two vegetables that can live to produce on their own for several growing seasons . . Asparagus and rhubarb.

 4. The fruit with its seeds on the outside . . Strawberry.

  5. How did the pear get inside the brandy bottle? It grew inside the bottle. (The bottles are placed over pear buds when they are small, and are wired in place on the tree. The bottle is left in place for the entire growing season. When the pears are ripe, they are snipped off at the stems.)

 6. Three English words beginning with dw . Dwarf, dwell and dwindle.

  7. Fourteen punctuation marks in English grammar . . Period, comma, colon, semicolon, dash, hyphen, apostrophe, question mark, exclamation point, quotation marks, brackets, parenthesis, braces, and ellipses.

  8. The only vegetable or fruit never sold !  frozen, canned, processed, cooked, or in any other form but fresh ...Lettuce.

  9. Six or more things you can wear on your feet beginning with "s" . Shoes, socks, sandals, sneakers, slippers, skis, skates, snowshoes, stockings, stilts.-in appreciation of mental health day-

Recruiting and Hiring Diverse Employees

To remain competitive in today's market, it is important to make an effort to attract, hire and retain qualified diverse employees. Unfortunately, organizations sometimes lose qualified job applicants in the process. This can happen because of two reasons. One, the applicant's potential for the job is underestimated, and the applicant is screened out. Perhaps this is due to cultural misunderstandings, prejudice, or just lack of interviewing skills on the part of the interviewer. Or two, the applicant decides the organization is not a good place for them to work, and the applicant screens the employer out.

An Asian-American marketing manager spoke of a challenge organizations have in recruiting people of color, especially into professional level positions. She said, "When you look at more highly educated minorities, those people have a lot of choices - professional choices about where they want to go that makes them feel comfortable." As a consultant, I have worked with hiring managers in organizations where they have had to learn to sell the organization to qualified job applicants. This was new for them, compared to just letting the applicants sell themselves to them, as they had always done in the past. Interviewers need to be skilled both at assessing the applicant's true potential for the job and at selling the job to the applicant.

Diverse applicants have talked about how the interviewers they meet reflect the whole organization. One person said, "In one interview I would answer a question, and the interviewer would correct my thinking. It became an argument as opposed to a conversation. This did not sound like a very team oriented, nurturing or developing environment, and not a place I would like to be.' " Perhaps the applicant misunderstood the interviewer's approach, or perhaps the interviewer lacked an understanding of different cultures and communication styles, which interfered with his ability to assess the applicant's true potential for the job. As society becomes more diverse, interviewers need to learn more about the cultural backgrounds of the people they interview.

In another situation, an African American woman who is an HR employment representative said that the supervisor who interviewed her and the people she met in the HR department were very nice. However, when introduced to the individual who administered the employment tests, it was another story. She stated, "It was like she was sure that I would not understand the test and wouldn't do well. She said, 'I'm going to give you a chance to read these, but when I come back, I will give you a little bit more time than we normally do.' When she came back she felt it was necessary for her to explain what I had just read. It was that kind of thing that really ticked me off and gave me a negative feeling about that organization." Luckily this applicant was not lost. She started working there, discussed the experience with her supervisor, and the organization took action to correct the problem. It is important that all employees who meet job applicants have a respectful and welcoming manner.

Job applicants also notice things in the work environment. When a Middle Eastern man in restaurant management arrived for an interview, he saw pictures in the receptionist area of Employees of the Month. Two pictured were African American and some were female. This made him feel better about the organization. He said, "Psychologically it made me feel more comfortable going into the interview, not as nervous. I didn't think there would be prejudice in the interview." Seeing diversity in an organization is important to some applicants, but not to all. To help applicants get a feel for the environment, include a tour and introductions to other employees. The more the applicant knows about the job and environment before hand, the better the match will be. Practices such as this can also affect the retention of employees in the future.

As the merging of cultures continues into the 21st century, cross-cultural competencies are increasingly important for interviewers, and organizations need to think through and strategically plan their recruiting and selection practices.

— Copyright © 2003, Lila Kelly Associates. Diversity and Hiring Strategies - Since 1992. Diversity in Employment Interviewing ONLINE TRAINING course available, see www.lilakelly.com for details.  Not for duplication without permission.

Submitted by PDJB Job Seeker :

Some time ago, a man punished his 3-year-old daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and he became infuriated when the child tried to decorate a box to put under the Christmas tree. Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift to her father the next morning and said, "This is for you, Daddy."

The man was embarrassed by his earlier overreaction, but his anger flared again when he found out the box was empty. He yelled at her, stating, "Don't you know, when you give someone a present, there is supposed to be something inside? The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and cried, "Oh, Daddy, it's not empty at all. I blew kisses into the box. They're all for you, Daddy."

The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little girl, and he begged for her forgiveness.

Only a short time later, an accident took the life of the child. It is also told that her father kept that gold box by his bed for many years and, whenever he was discouraged, he would take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there.

Moral of the story:-In a very real sense, each one of us, as humans beings, have been given a gold container filled with unconditional love and kisses... from our children, family members, friends. There is simply no other possession, anyone could hold, more precious than this.

Friends please do not take family members for granted. Love them, acknowledge them, Hug them, Kiss them. Don't be too busy in Earning a Living that you forget to LIVE.

Finding a job has become much more of a challenge in recent years. Using the Internet as an additional resource will increase your options to find many great job opportunities, which are not always advertised in the newspaper. Many employers will place an online advertisement in conjunction with or in place of an ad in the local newspaper. Job boards, as they are called, allow you to search online among many jobs in your category of choice. They allow you to narrow down prospects, and many will even provide a direct link to a company's Web site, fax and e-mail address. Through job boards, the submission of resumes is almost exclusively done in the form of e-mail correspondence. This offers benefits to jobseekers as well as to the employers. Sending resumes by e-mail saves time and money. You don’t need to buy envelopes and stamps and go to the post office, then wait for a few days until the company receives and reviews your resume. When employers receive the resume through an e-mail they will be able to respond much quicker to those whom they think might have potential.

Use of a home computer is the easiest way to manage your job-seeking strategies. However, if you don't have a home PC, you have other options available to you. Many libraries, cafes (some are exclusively set up for the purpose of providing Internet connection), employment offices and copy centers have computers available either for free or a nominal charge. You can browse the Internet, print up resumes for interviews and e-mail your resume to employers easily. If you don't have an e-mail account you can also set up a free e-mail account through any number of services like Yahoo or HotMail.

Simone Emmons, human resources expert for 18 years and founder of Hispanic-Jobs.com & Asian-Jobs.com has put together a list of some tips to follow in order to achieve success in your job search. Here are some of her most important pointers:
-- Follow directions: Always follow the specific instructions for applying for a job included in the employment posting. For example, some companies write "To apply please e-mail your resume with salary history to...." You should then e-mail your resume and not forget the salary history. When companies instruct you to go to a specific Web site and apply in this fashion, do not just e-mail your resume instead. Pay attention to the details in the employment description and follow exactly the steps an employer requests. There are often reasons why a company wants specific information, and job seekers should pay attention to those details. Otherwise, you may never make it to the interview. Employers may feel that if you can't pay attention to their simple requests, you might not be able to pay attention to details in the position you are hired for.

-- Resume tips: Your resume and cover letter are the first items that will reach an employer's desk. Therefore, you want them to best reflect you as an applicant. Be careful when composing a resume. Spelling errors, grammatical mistakes and the like will quickly put your resume in the trash can. Before finalizing your resume always use the spell check in the word processing software you are using. Highlight the skills that will be applied to this new position, and showcase your strengths. Remember, an employer will only spend a few minutes looking over your resume, so make sure it will stand out from the others. Never send your resume without a cover letter. Some company’s recruit for many positions at the same time so always mention the position you are applying for.

What is pre employment screening?      

  Is Pre-Employment Screening In The Interests of the Job Seeker?

   by Scott Boyd

  Pre employment screening is the process of carrying out         

  background checks on potential candidates (i.e., you the job   

  seeker). It is considered (by employers, but more so by those

  promoting pre employment screening services) to be necessary in this

  day and age.  Why?  Well it's like insurance.      

  Employers pay out a lot of money to hire employees and a bad decision

  can really burn a hole in their pocket.  So, it's argued that by pre 

  screening candidates, they can deter those who would try to falsify

  their application (with a fake background or education for  

  example). 

  So what does pre employment screening involve then?

  Presumably it varies from country to country (and within the US, from

  state to state).I had a look at a few US firms offering pre

  employment screening services and they included:

  Search of multiple sources including, public and private records,

  schools, licensing bodies and former employers.

        Criminal history search.

        Addresses history.

        Credit report.

        Driving history.

        Quite a lot of other stuff too!

   So it seems that employers can gain quite a lot of information about

   candidates for a relatively low price (prices from $15).

   Surely that's a good thing then - better for everyone?

   Having never been submitted to pre employment screening (to my

   knowledge!!), I'm hesitant to comment on the issue.  I do fully 

   appreciate an employers wish to protect their investment as it were,

   but I am concerned that pre employment screening can lead to a form

   of discrimination. 

   Indeed, in researching this article I found a company offering pre

   employment screening who stated on their site that one of the 

   benefits of it is that it deters people applying if they have a

   criminal record. It goes on to claim that "regular" job seekers are

   anxious to work in a safe environment, so pre employment screening

   is in everyone's best interest. Not being too familiar with the

   legal system, I will assume that this is all perfectly acceptable

   business practice.  It just seems to me to exclude certain groups of

   people unfairly. However, I should note that I don't know how this

   information is dealt with. It could very well be the case that

   employers don't exclude those with criminal records unless it could

   directly affect their business. What to do if you are asked to

   submit to pre employment screening? Have a look at this article on

   about.com, "Background check".It covers your rights and related

   information so there is no real need for me to repeat it all here.

   For further reading you can also check out JobseekersAdvice.com's

   Employment Issues links.As with all areas of your job search, it's

   best to go in prepared and sites like this (and other career advice

   sites out there) can help you do that! We don't have all the

   answers, but we can certainly help point you in the right direction.    How to Manage your Career

Credit Cards For Adverse Credit History Applicants

The simple fact of life today is that in many situations credit cards are vital. It is extremely difficult to rent a car for instance if you do not have access to a credit card in your own name. Also, shopping on line is not very easy at all if you do not have a credit card. While many websites will accept debit cards, if you are trying to book a hotel abroad or buy from any website based abroad, it can be next to impossible to find a payment method other than credit card. This is why more and more people are seeking to get credit cards, even when they have poor credit histories.
Guaranteed Acceptance Credit Cards
There are now a number of credit cards available that do not rely on a good credit history. The lenders are willing to provide these cards to absolutely everyone no matter what their credit rating may show. This is very good news for people who have bad credit ratings but still need access to a credit card. There are some important differences between these credit cards and regular cards however, so it is a good idea to be aware of the features that are different.
What’s the Catch?
The most obvious feature that people come across, and one that can surprise customers the most, is the existence of a subscription or set up fee for the card. This may be just as little as five pounds a month but can be substantially higher. There are also cards that charge an annual fee and these may prove to be better value if you plan on keeping the card for more than a few months. While customers have become accustomed to not having to pay for their credit cards, these fees are in many situations more than worth the expense given the convenience that the card will bring.
Don’t Abuse These Cards!
Another feature of these cards is that the interest rates and penalty charges for late payment are often very high. Interest rates can easily be as much as twenty five or even thirty per cent so you probably do not want to rack up too much debt on these cards. Also, if you miss payments there may be provisions for very high penalty fees and even for your interest rate to be increased. So if you are planning on getting a credit card targeted for those with bad credit, then make sure it is not something that is going to get out of hand and that you will be able to control your expenditure on it. Also, you should probably only take one out if it is for a specific necessary purpose, and not simply for occasional shopping.

Author: Joseph Kenny

To succeed in today's demanding and ever-changing work environment, you must take charge of managing your own career.

Look upon yourself as a company with a product or service to sell. Understand your market and devise a marketing campaign, remembering that companies hire employees who offer them the best results and the best value for money.

Begin by identifying your skills, qualifications, and accomplishments. Adopt a customer-focused approach. What benefits and results can you offer employers? Are your skills marketable and up-to-date?

Employers are in the market for team-players and problem-solvers. They want to see evidence in your CV or resume of specific, quantifiable accomplishments.

Determine what additional skills you need to develop to make yourself more marketable. Take advantage of all opportunities for continuous learning and professional development.

Successful businesses win customers by developing a unique selling proposition. To give yourself a competitive advantage, analyse what other employees in your field are offering. It is not enough to emulate them; you must strive to differentiate yourself by offering something extra, something unique.

Try to assess yourself as objectively as possible in order to identify your marketable features. Analyse your performance appraisals and, if possible, enlist the help of a trusted friend or colleague to help you evaluate yourself.

Define and prioritize your short-term and long-term career goals.

Study recruitment websites and the appointments pages of newspapers to familiarize yourself with the current requirements of employers.

Your CV/resume should be fine-tuned regularly and kept up-to-date to enable you to make a swift and targeted response to any suitable job opportunity that arises.

Learn all you can about job search strategies, job-specific resumes, and professional interview techniques.

By adopting a planned and proactive approach, you will maximize your chances of landing the job that best fits your skills and personality, and increase the likelihood of achieving your long-term career goals.

From 'Four Minutes to Job Interview Success'
published by Assignments Plus Business Publications
http://www.assignmentsplus.com

Have you ever had a “Gut” feeling about someone? You meet someone and a little voice says: "I like him” or “I don’t trust her”. Have you ever wondered why you formed that immediate opinion?
Body language plays a big role in intuition as it gives us messages about the other person that we can interpret at an intuitive level. We are always communicating verbally and nonverbally.
To make a good impression, it is important to understand that you are always communicating through body language, whether it is intentional or not. Studies done in the field indicate that:
•55% of the communication consists of body language,
•38% is expressed through tone of voice (paralanguage) and
only •7% is communicated through words. As a writer, you can use the body language of your character to convey a great deal of information.
There are four types of body language to be aware of: facial expression, including eye contact, gestures, posture and space relationship.
1. Facial Expressions including eye contact - “Darwin believed that facial expressions of emotion are similar among humans, regardless of culture.” However, researchers now believe “our non verbal language is partly instinctive, partly taught and partly imitative.” (1) There are some universal facial expressions; a smile, a frown, a scowl, however, there are many more nonverbal messages that are learned and may be unique to specific cultures.
Eye contact is direct and powerful. The eyes are always talking. A poet and writer of 19th-century France wrote, ‘Eyes are so transparent, that through them, one sees the soul.’ Nothing builds trust and rapport as effectively as eye contact.

2. The use of eye contact varies significantly from culture to culture. In some regions, direct eye contact may be considered insulting or challenging. In the United States, direct eye contact is often considered a sign of trustworthiness. So, if your character is American, regular, attentive eye contact would convey honesty, straight forwardness and/or approachability. However, a hard, unblinking stare will send a much different message.

 

3. Gestures - can be used purposefully to emphasis meaning. Fidgeting shows boredom and restlessness. Pressing fingers together to form a steeple shows interests, assertiveness and determination. Touching the nose or rubbing eyes indicates discomfort, or it may even be a signal that your character is not being completely honest. A hand to the back of the neck may indicate withdrawal from a conversation.

4. Posture - The way people hold themselves gives important information. Body posture can be closed or open. Interested people always pay attention and lean forward. Leaning backwards demonstrates aloofness or rejection. A firm handshake will give the impression of assertiveness or honesty, too firm can seem arrogant or challenging. Folding arms across your chest or body is protective and will give the impression of a character who’s closed, guarded and defensive. People with arms folded, legs crossed and bodies turned away are signaling that they are rejecting messages. People showing open hands, both feet planted on the ground are accepting. A head held straight up signals a neutral attitude. A head tilted to the side indicates interest. A head down is negative and judgmental.
5. Space - Dr. Edward T Hall, a professor of anthropology at Northwestern University, coined the phrase “Proxemics” to describe his theories about zones and territory and how we use them. There are four distinct zones in which most people operate, including: intimate distance, personal distance, social distance and public distance. The cultural influence on spatial relationships is significant. “How we guard our zones and how we aggress to other zones is an integral part of how we relate to other people.” “The orientation of speakers and listeners: face-to-face, side to side, or back-to-back, can send powerful non-verbal messages. In a group situation, when the leader faces the group and turns toward the one who is speaking, this conveys strong attention. When two people are communicating, competitors are more likely to sit facing each other while collaborators are more likely to sit side-by-side. If one stands while the other is sitting, the standing person may be sending dominance signals, which can stifle free exchange of ideas.” You now understand different types of body language and you may be able to incorporate body language into your writing to make your characters come alive on the page. http://www.bookjobb.com

Leaving your job - don't burn those bridges! By Alan Howison

The time comes for everyone where their job isn't what it used to be(or perhaps it never was!). So you have to leave. Some people don't

understand that being unhappy in a job is more important than your income at the time.  You just have to do it.

So what's the best way to go about it?  How can you minimize the impact on both your career and your soon-to-be ex-employer?

Tie up loose ends!

You weren't thinking about just walking out were you?      

It's a move a lot of people make and can be a big mistake.  It could be argued that there are a lot of issues in the workplace that could mean just getting up and walking out would save a lot of hassle, but it could also be argued that you should at least try to resolve these issues first.If you have outstanding work, then try to get it finished.  If other departments are relying on you to do their jobs, then it is only professional courtesy to not let them down.  How would you feel if you couldn't hit the deadline because someone just up and left? 

Creating a list of pending tasks to complete for your replacement and going over them with your manager is a very simple task and should be the least you can do.  Ideally you want to make it easy as possible for someone to take over your work.      

Should you give notice? Well, yes - if you can.      

Nobody likes to be left in the lurch and no matter what you think of your boss or your colleagues, they are just people doing their job. 

Most employment contracts require that you give a certain amount of notice and you should try to adhere to that.  In a lot of cases, your employer may not want you to work your notice (but you should still get paid for it).      

Telling the boss.....

This can be the hardest part of leaving a job for most people and for many the response of your boss can be just as hard.  Whether they say, "Oh, OK then...bye" or "Nooooo!  Don't leave!", it is going to be an uncomfortable s situation.      

You should be prepared to discuss your reasons for leaving (it may not be necessary), but do not expect your boss to turn around and offer you a pay i increase and better package.  In 9 times out of 10, if you quit, then you quit.  Threatening to leave is not the way for you to get  pay rise! Why do all this?

Hey, you're leaving right?  What do you care if you rattle a few cages doing it?       

Well, for one thing, most jobs require a reference from your previous employer and if you can't offer one then you will find it very hard to get a new job.

Another good reason to keep things amicable is that most people will be moving on to another job in the same industry.  As years progress you will find out exactly how small a world it is we live in!  The person you tell to shove their stinking job where the sun don't shine could, in a few years, be the person you have to deal with for that new business contract. In the UK at least, employers cannot give you a bad reference.  They can however neglect to say certain things and it's the stuff they don't put on the reference that can speak volumes.  For example, if they don't say you were reliable and trustworthy, then your future employer may question why.      

As one door closes, another opens and all that....        

"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Are you interviewing the same way over and over again? Using the same answers and style to present yourself? If so, you are ensuring the same results.

Job Interviews: Things To Avoid Article by Andre Bias

As a young business owner it is my preference to work a part-time job when starting a new business venture. I like to have money coming in through

different sources at all times. My inability to obtain a job is the main reason my first business venture failed. After getting advice from an individual in human resources, I realized what mistakes I was making. I will share this information so that others do not have to deal with rejection form employers like I have had to in the past.

1. Wearing an earring. Many males wear earrings but it is considered unprofessional to wear an earring to a job interview, unless you are a female of course.

2. Talking too much. Believe it or not talking to much can hurt you at a job interview because you could get to a point where you get off the subject or say things that you shouldn’t say.

3. Not talking enough. Employers say they want to hire high energy, enthusiastic people so if you don’t talk enough they may think you are shy or quiet.

4. Getting to the interview late. If you arrive late then the potential employer will question your reliability.

5. Saying things that give them the impression that you don’t want to stay with the company long term. If they feel that you will only be with the company for a short time they won’t want to hire you.

Avoiding the 5 mistakes listed above will increase your chances of obtaining quality employment.

  Famous Quotes & Famous Sayings about Cultural Differences,   

       Ethnicity and Peace collected by: Inga Salexova        

   "Be the change you want to see in the world." ~Mahatma Gandhi  

"Learn to think in positive affirmations. Affirmations are any statements you make. Too often we think in negative affirmations. Negative affirmations only create more of what you say you don't want. Saying, I hate my job, will get you nowhere. Declaring, I now accept a wonderful new job, will open the channels in your consciousness to create that." ~Louise Hay

"If you talk to a man in a language he understands,that goes to his head.If you talk to a man in his own language, that goes to his heart." ~Nelson Mandela

"I will permit no man to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate him" ~Booker T.Washington

"If you want to make peace, you don't talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies." ~Mother Teresa of Calcutta

 "Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illumines it" ~Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

"Love many, hate few, learn to paddle your own canoe."~American Proverb      

"Much of the violence that humanity suffers in our times is rooted in misunderstanding as well as in the rejection of the values and identity of foreign cultures. Tourism improves relationships between individuals and peoples; when they are cordial, respectful, and based on solidarity they constitute, as it were, an open door to peace and harmonious coexistence" ~Pope John Paul II-World Tourism Day-August 2004

"People that hate cats will come back as mice in their next life."

~Faith Resnick

"I note the obvious differences between each sort and type, but we are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike." ~Maya Angelou

"We have become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams." ~Jimmy Carter

"Each of us shines in a different way, but this doesn't make our light less bright. Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding." ~Albert Einstein

CULTURAL COMPETENCE IN THE WORKPLACE 

• Cultural competency is about changing business systems so employees are mindful of people’s differences and can provide services and products that meet customer needs.
• Cultural competency creates level playing fields where talents are recognized, opportunities are available, and promotions depend on performance.
• Cultural competency is a person’s ability to work with diverse people and to manage this working relationship.
• Cultural competency is the personal obligation and responsibility of today’s recruiters. They must know the communication differences and nuances of interviewing multicultural candidates.

• Make an effort to interpret and understand body language as well as words, and become conscious of your own body language and what it might be communicating. Learn to recognize when people are becoming confused or are withdrawing from a conversation.
• Learn to dialogue, not debate. The dictionary defines "dialogue" as an open and frank discussion of ideas. It is an attempt to seek mutual understanding and harmony. A "debate" is defined as a discussion of opposing viewpoints, or an argument in which one side wins.
• Be open to change. When working with people from other countries, remember that the "American way" isn't the only way. You may need to remind yourself that "different" is not the same as "wrong."
• Share your ideas and yourself. Your increased awareness and openness will translate into improved interpersonal relations and a better work environment for everyone.
• Focus on skills and qualifications, not on the way people dress or the way they talk. Look below the surface. Take the time to ask questions about cultural customs, and get to know others as individuals.
• Get involved in social and business organizations that include culturally diverse persons.
• Most stereotypes and prejudices are based on ignorance. Many people fear what they don't understand. When you understand more about other cultures, you can work comfortably with a wider range of people.

Ten Myths About Multicultural Customers

Over one-third of all Americans today are minorities. The numbers of people from diverse cultures are growing so rapidly that the U.S. Census Bureau expects this group to be nearly half of the population by 2038. This is a huge market for retailers and service providers all across the country – if you know how to meet the unique needs of customers and clients from other cultures.

MYTH #1: "PEOPLE FROM OTHER CULTURES ONLY WANT TO WORK WITH SOMEONE FROM THEIR OWN CULTURE."

Nothing could be further from the truth unless there is a language issue. Most of the people who complain about having trouble with multicultural customers are European American salespeople. They just need to understand how to meet the wants and needs of people from other cultures.

In fact, many cultural groups would prefer to work with a salesperson from outside their own culture. Asians, for example, are very private about their financial affairs and many are afraid that if they work with an Asian salesperson they might disclose their income, debts, and purchases, to others in their community.

MYTH #2: "MULTICULTURAL PEOPLE HAVE SUPERSTITIONS AND BELIEFS THAT ARE TOTALLY INCOMPREHENSIBLE TO AMERICANS."

Remember that people in the United States have beliefs that often baffle outsiders such as the fact that black cats, walking under ladders, and the number thirteen are unlucky. Most other cultures have their own beliefs that are just different.

Many cultural beliefs happen to directly affect the purchase of goods and services such as how items are packaged, colors that goods are wrapped in and how items are priced. For instance, many Asians believe that the number four is unlucky because when pronounced in Japanese or Chinese it sounds very similar to those cultures' word for "death". Items packaged in groups of four can symbolize bad luck for those people who believe in numerology. Notice, for instance, that if you buy a tea set it is usually packaged with five cups, not four, for this reason.

MYTH #3: "SOME PEOPLE FROM OUTSIDE THE U.S. ARE UNETHICAL BECAUSE THEY INSIST ON RENEGOTIATING A PURCHASE CONTRACT AFTER IT HAS BEEN SIGNED."

While it's true that people from other cultures often try to renegotiate a contract to make a major purchase after it has been signed it has nothing to do with ethics. In some countries it is understood that contracts only reflect the agreement between the parties at the beginning of a relationship which can change as they get to know each other. As a result, the parties are obligated to help each other "adjust" the contract to their needs until it is completed.

MYTH #4: "IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO GET PERSONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION FROM MULTICULTURAL PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY'RE SO SECRETIVE."

This is one of those myths that is actually true. Many people who are new to this country are extremely private about their finances. Remember that they are unfamiliar with the banking and legal system in America and do not know whom to trust.

In addition, merely asking a question as innocent as "How much do you have for a down payment" on a large purchase can actually endanger the lives of your clients. Why is that? Many new immigrants do not believe in banks and keep much of their money hidden as cash in their homes.

Have you ever heard of "home invasion robberies" where the occupants are threatened until they reveal the whereabouts of their valuables? These kinds of crimes are commonly committed against Asians or Hispanics, not because they have nicer furniture or stereos than everyone else, but because that's where the money is often hidden.

The easiest way to find out how much a new immigrant client has for a down payment is to give them a "menu" of choices. Show them the required investment and resulting monthly payments for ten percent down, twenty percent down, etc. Usually, the loan that the client expresses the most interest in is the one they have the down payment for.

MYTH #5: "PEOPLE FROM OUTSIDE THIS COUNTRY ARE UNREASONABLE WHEN IT COMES TO NEGOTIATING."

Remember, there are two types of countries in the world – negotiating and non-negotiating. The United States is a non-negotiating country where we generally pay the price asked by vendors. In most other countries around the world, people haggle on everything from groceries to clothing to homes. To expect someone from one of these places not to bargain is tantamount to asking them not to breathe.

MYTH #6: "PEOPLE FROM OTHER CULTURES ARE JUST TOO MUCH TROUBLE TO BOTHER WITH."

The author constantly hears this statement from retailers, service providers and their salespeople throughout the country. Too bad for them because if you know how to meet the special needs of multicultural customers they can be just as loyal and enjoyable to work with as anyone else. In addition, people from other cultures are very good about referring their friends and family if you serve them with sensitivity and patience.

An added bonus when working with people from outside the United States is the opportunity to learn about other cultures. Just think of it. You can take a round-the-world trip without getting seasick or losing one piece of luggage!

MYTH #7: "PEOPLE SHOULD DO AS AMERICANS DO WHEN THEY'RE IN THIS COUNTRY."

Did you ever wonder why we are called the "Ugly Americans" when we travel outside our borders? We will fly to Germany, France or China, and expect the people there to accommodate us in terms of providing the food and other amenities we are familiar with. We commonly expect to be served pizza in Asia and to speak English in France.

Just as it's difficult for us Americans to leave our 200-year-old culture at the gate when we travel abroad it's even harder for those coming here with cultures that are thousands of years old to do as we do here. While they do try to assimilate it is hard for them.

MYTH #8: "IT WOULD BE TOO MUCH TROUBLE TO CUSTOMIZE MY PRODUCT OR SERVICE TO PEOPLE FROM OTHER CULTURES."

Actually, making your business attractive to people from other cultures is quite easy. First, start with your brochures. Print them in the major languages of the customers who frequent your store or office. Be sure to get help with the translation because many concepts and words in English do not convert easily to other languages. Also be sure to print in the correct language. For example, while Chinese, Korean, and Japanese, may appear similar to the untrained eye they are very different.

You may want to consider hiring someone who speaks the language of your major group of multicultural customers or clients. However, if they find you sensitive and patient with people who have language problems they will usually find a friend or family member to interpret. Excellent customer service is a universal language as is friendliness and a willingness to learn about other people's culture.

MYTH #9: "WE SHOULD TREAT EVERYONE EQUALLY, REGARDLESS OF CULTURE."

Yes, it's true that we should treat every customer fairly but this does not necessarily mean equally. For instance, if a buyer who is blind comes into your store or office would you simply hand them a brochure to "read"? This is equal but is it fair? Hardly. Wouldn't you try to treat them equally?

Similarly, by taking into account the unique needs of every customer or client aren't we serving them better? This would be equally true for being culturally sensitive.

MYTH #10: "PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT THEIR CULTURE – THEY JUST WANT TO BE TREATED LIKE EVERYONE ELSE."

This is probably the biggest myth when dealing with people from other cultures. They know they are different and unless something about culture is mentioned early in your relationship with a multicultural client it will always stand as a barrier to building true rapport.

Once you take a sincere interest in your customers' cultural background they are usually more than happy to tell you about their language, food, and even beliefs. Get into the habit of asking every customer, "Where do your ancestors come from?" Notice, this can get the conversation started with someone from Ireland just as easily as Thailand.

If you want to be truly successful with people from other cultures you must make this agreement with each and every one of them. "I will teach you about American customs and practices as it relates to my business. In exchange, I want you to teach me about your cultural background." In this way, you develop a mutually-beneficial relationship which will hopefully last a lifetime.

Copyright (c) 2007 Michael Soon Lee Information about the Author:

Michael Soon Lee, MBA, is a cultural expert and author of several books on selling to multicultural customers. He was a Producer for the ABC Television Network and a Marketing Director for the State of California.