Category Archives: Business

Landing The Job You Really Want And How To Do It

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Follow the advice in this article, if you are having employment issues. Seeking employment is a complex task, but these tips will help you achieve your goals. Read further to find some of these answers.

Consider going back to school. Getting a better job can mean you need to beef up your skills. Use your time wisely and learn in order to obtain a higher paying job. You can even study online at home.

Use the resources that are offered to you by LinkedIn. You can demonstrate your industry knowledge and skills by participating in the popular Questions and Answers feature. You can also ask other users about their experience in their jobs, industries or companies.

Being prepared is essential if you want to find a great job in this competitive job market. Your resume should be fully current, including a strong list of qualifications. Also, make sure that your resume is comprehensive. Do not leave out anything that is relevant to your previous employment.

Make a list of things that you need to remember to put on applications. Often times, you’ll be required to furnish contact information and dates that you don’t remember. Writing all of the related details on an index card is a clever technique for pulling you through a tough spot. This makes everything easier to remember and allows the interview to proceed quickly.

Avoid making friends with your co-workers and bosses. Remaining professional is in your best interests. These friendships may lead to drama and gossip which will be detrimental to the workplace. Remember that blurring the personal-professional line can have dire consequences for your career.

You need to be appropriately dressed for a job interview. Wear non-flashy, clean clothing and take care to brush your hair and check your nails. Your appearance will lead to their first impression of you, so make it a good one.

When applying for jobs it is important to not put all of your eggs in one basket. Until you have a job, do not stop looking. Therefore, ensure you have many different options. When you put your application and resume in as many places as you can, you’ll increase your chances of getting a position at one of the the companies.

A company wants to make money. Think about how you can show on your resume and during your interview that your talents will help lead to more company profits. You should let companies know more about you than just the basics.

Get in contact with a recruitment agency. They are free and they do most of the work when it comes to finding you a job. Employment agencies will help you assess your skills, give you a list of jobs you can apply to and advise you on how to fill out applications or present yourself. Stay in touch with your employment agency to find out about new job opportunities.

Consider networking within your desired field. Networking that’s successful uses many goals and strategies to help you build professional relationships that are meaningful. Make sure that you learn all you can about the industry you’re interested in by attending webinars, networking events, conferences and seminars. Network as much as possible to learn even more.

Resume Template

Try an online resume template if you’re having a hard time figuring out how to write one. There are lots of free options for you to use. Find a resume template that will help you highlight the information you want.

Try to get a steady schedule where you work. Lots of employers prefer to have predictability. When they know what to expect, they’ll trust you more. Be specific with daily work hours and lunch time hours. If you have to make adjustments, tell your supervisor as soon as possible.

Now you can understand that finding a job does not have to be difficult. With solid information in hand, you can get in front of the right employer. By learning more about this process, you have completed the first step. Luck to you!

Are You A Great Leader? Tips And Trick On Improving Your Skills

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You most likely arrived here because you’re searching for knowledge on how to become an effective leader. If so, reading this article will provide you with the information you need to improve your leadership skills. Read on and learn easy techniques that help you to become an effective leader.

When you find yourself being a leader, put your focus on those working with you and watch how the work seems to follow. Inspire them and encourage them to be motivated. Instead of placing too much focus on individual tasks, motivate the team to perform well.

When you are a leader, it is important that they know regularly they are appreciated. It just takes a quick moment to jot a brief thank-you or congratulatory note, and that communication often means the world to people who are working hard. Little acknowledgements like this can lift their mood and better their day without costing you anything.

Don’t do anything dishonest or shady. If you want to be trusted as a leader, it is essential that you live up to your promises. If you state your products or services are the best, your staff needs to understand how to give the best of both of those things.

Make sure you prepare ahead of time prior to speaking to your team. Consider what questions they may have for you before you go. Think about how you will answer them. Employees have more respect for leaders who are able to answer their questions. This technique also saves time during meetings.

Own up to the mistakes you make. Even great leaders are wrong sometimes. What makes a leader great is owning up to mistakes, and talking about them with employees. This shows you have flaws and are imperfect, just like they are. This might not seem like a great way to lead, but in many cases people are loyal to those that can show humanity.

Those following you will judge the choices you make. They way you mete out responsibility, fire, hire and promote others will help them form opinions of you. Being biased towards one person can breed resentment and disrupt work flow.

Synergy is something to always keep in mind. Understand what your goals are. Know the goals you want to achieve. There should be good alignment and maybe even overlap between them. It’s nice to work on them in tandem. If you cannot do that, your lack of passion will be evident.

Take responsibility for what you say. To be a good leader, one must be accountable for how they conduct themselves. You are the core of the business, so your moves reflect on the company as a whole. If you have done inappropriate things, it’s your job to make things right. Others cannot fix your mistakes.

Work to build cooperation within your team. Always be available to address the concerns of your team and give they honest answers. While you want your employees to come to you with things, they should handle their day without too much of your help.

Enhance your leadership abilities and continue to learn new skills. Enroll in courses and workshops that are designed to teach leadership skills. There are always new methods, and you can always learn something new. Always stay current.

With proper tools, anyone can be a leader. Stay dedicated, learn more, and work hard. Stick to what you learned here and soon you will see your leadership skills begin to grow.

Retirement Hints To Assist You With It

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If you have reached retirement age, you may feel that things have suddenly become challenging. This is indeed the case if your job defines you and your previous life. Retirement can be great, but it is certainly a change. Keep reading to be better prepared for retirement.

Reduce the little things you buy every week. Keep a list of the things that you must live with. Unnecessary small expenditures can add up to a hefty sum over the years.

After working for decades, retirement is seen as a welcome relief by many. They will think that retiring will be great since they can do activities that they couldn’t when they worked. However, careful planning is necessary to make retirement as comfortable as it can possibly be.

If your company offers you a 401K, contribute as much as you can to it regularly. When you put money in a 401K, then that money is taken out before taxes, which means less money will be taken from your paycheck in taxes. If you have an employer that matches what you contribute, you’re basically getting free cash.

When you retire, don’t sit down! Get out there and get in shape. Your entire body will benefit from regular exercise. Working out during retirement will make this time more enjoyable.

With retirement coming up, are you getting nervous because you haven’t done what’s necessary to get started with planning for it? It’s not too late to begin now! Look at your finances and come up with an amount that you can put away each month. If you cannot afford to save a lot of money each month right now, don’t worry. Any money is better than no money, and the quicker you get things going, the more interest you’ll be in a position to earn.

Wait as long as you can to take your Social Security income. This will increase the amount of money you will draw each month. It is simple to get his done if you’re able to work still and can get money from other retirement places.

Rebalance your retirement portfolio on a quarterly basis. If you do it more than that, you may fall prey to market swings. If you don’t do it enough, you aren’t able to put your cash in the best places. Work with a professional to find the right places to put your money.

Reduce your expenditures prior to retirement. Even though you may think things are all planned well, things do happen. Unexpected medical bills or other expenses can be challenging to deal with on a fixed income.

Health Plan

Consider a long term care health plan. Lots of folks start to see a decline in their health as they get older. Long term health care is very expensive. Having a long-term health plan means that your healthcare needs should be covered when and if your health declines.

Set short-term and long-term goals. Goals are as important for retirement as they are at any other time of life. It is easier to save when you know what the end goal needs to be. Do the math and come up with the amount you need to save every week or every month.

You may want to consider starting a small business at retirement age. Many people find success in their later years by turning a lifelong hobby into a small business they can operate from home. It is a low stress opportunity as your livelihood won’t depend on the business succeeding.

When figuring out how much money you need to live on in retirement, plan on having a similar lifestyle to the one you enjoy prior to retirement. Your expenses will be a little lower some you can avoid some work expenses like commuting, wardrobe, etc. You just have to keep from spending additional monies during all the extra time you’re going to have.

Now you should have some ways to get the most from your retired years. You are in complete control of your life, and you can make your life anything you want it to be. Use the tips you learned here to get the life you want and deserve upon retirement.

Top Tips For Cultivating Your Home Business!

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Most people aren’t sure how to get into business even though they dream of opening a home business. If you’re feeling a little lost, then this article is here to help you. Continue reading to learn how to create a successful business that isn’t all that hard to run.

You must have a professional office set up in your home with all the equipment and supplies needed, when running a home-based business. It may seem silly, but if you are not comfortable and have all you need, you may not be very productive.

When you are in the hiring process, do your research. It’s important to check out a potential employee’s background to ensure that they know what they’re doing and aren’t likely to flake out on you.

One thing you can do to make an income from home is to give people lessons on the things you’re able to do. Those that offer lessons from home allow customers flexibility that a structured school or facility may not offer. You can give lessons concerning hobby items, including painting, instruments and photography, right out of your home.

You need a separate PO Box set up for your home based business. Don’t put your real address on the Internet under any circumstances. This is particularly important if you also have family living at your address.

Make a business plan for your work from home business. Regardless of the size of your business, it’s imperative that you lay out goals and guidelines to follow. This plan can help your business stay on track through all the phases that your business will go through.

One of the greatest resources for your home-based business is a functional website that you can use to sell your products or services. You will increase your sales this way because your audience will be larger. If you need to get your website set up quick, you can hire a professional.

You may need help if your business is a daycare and you have several children. If you are lacking sufficient help, everything will be out of control.

Pick a brand or product name that has meaning. A memorable name that is easy to recognize will help your brand become synonymous in the minds of customers with your high-quality goods. Attach a quirky or inspirational story to your brand. This gives your products a recognizable direction that will help in building your clients loyalty over time.

The advice shared here should be in the back of your mind while you think of ways to run your own business. Just be aware that this information is only helpful if you take advantage of it and actually use it! Apply what you know, and success will soon follow.

Forge Your Own Path Through Life With These Helpful Leadership Tips

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How can you identify the qualities of being a great leader? Are you aware of what they are and feel like you could be one? Leaders need to be open, humble and honest. This article will show you some things that you may not have yet started to do.

Honesty is critical to sound leadership. Leaders must be trustworthy. As you build your leadership skills, try working on honesty and trustworthiness. People will respect you in a leadership role if they know you’re reliable and trustworthy.

Look for talents that others have. When you are in the process of looking for people to help you, it should be simple for you to decide who would give you the best benefit. This helps when you are looking for any kind of work to be done for you or your business.

You must be able to make decisions as a leader. When you are a leader, you will have to make decisions. Often, the solution that best fits the situation will benefit more people rather than fewer people.

Make sure you let your team know that you appreciate them greatly. A small thank you note goes a long way to making someone feel good. Their day will be brightened and their mood lifted; and, it’s free!

To better your leadership skills, don’t act like an expert in everything. While your ideas might be great, remember that helpful people can always add to them or bring different perspectives. Many times they can give suggestions to you that you may have overlooked.

Prepare yourself ahead of talking to your team. Think of questions they’ll ask you. Formulate good answers to them. Your team is going to respect the fact that you have all the answers that they need. This is also a time-saving skill for being an effective leader.

Give incentives for well done work. Yes, everyone has a salary for doing their jobs, but incentives are a big peace of the leadership puzzle. Rewarding a hard-working employee is important. True leaders don’t pinch pennies with things like this.

Think synergy as often as you can. Have a good grasp of your own personal goals. Understand just what your goals in business are. There may be overlap and alignment, which is good. This allows you to concentrate on both sets of goals together. If you are not working towards your goals, you will lack enthusiasm.

You must be able to clearly communicate with your team. Make sure your expectations are clearly understood by your employees when you delegate responsibilities. Keep an eye on the progress of the project to make sure things are running smoothly.

Enhance your leadership abilities and continue to learn new skills. If you really want to become a better leader, join workshops or take classes. There is constantly a steady stream of new information to learn and apply to yourself as a leader. You need to be up-to-date in this field.

Always lead by example. Avoid relying on the title you’re given. If you expect employees to be on time to work and keep a good attitude, you must set the example. Nobody wants to work around a hypocrite. Always be a person that can be respected.

Use these tips in order to strengthen your leadership skills. When you work toward leadership, more opportunities will be available to you, and you can realize more of your potential. Embrace this and move towards the mantle of being a leader that is well recognized.

The Things One Should Expect From Retirement

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Retiring comfortably is something most people dream about. Don’t feel like it is going to be impossible for you to get there. Are you aware of how to turn you retirement dreams into reality? Read on for some great advice on this topic.

Find out what your expenses are. 70% of your current income per year is a good ballpark figure to aim for. The less you make, the higher that percentage will be.

Start cutting back on miscellaneous and extraneous expenses throughout the week. Make a budget and figure out what you can remove. When you look at these expenses over 30 years, they become quite a large amount.

Begin saving while you are young and continue steadily throughout your life. Even small contributions will help. As your income rises, so should your savings. Find investment accounts that will grow your account over time.

Many people look towards their retirement with anticipation, especially after working for many years. Mistakenly, they believe that they will be able to do whatever they wish during this time. Plan today to ensure your retirement is as great as you wish it to be.

Think about a semi-retirement. It may be wise to think about partial retirement if you are interested in retiring but are not in a financial position to do so just yet. This means you could possibly work at your current job on a part-time basis. This will give you the opportunity to relax while earning money and transitioning to full retirement.

Get to contributing to your 401k regularly and make sure your employer match is maximized if you have that option. You can put money into your 401k before taxes, allowing you to save more. If you have an employer that matches what you contribute, you’re basically getting free cash.

Are you worried about retirement because you have not yet begun putting money aside for it? While you may not be in the most advantageous position, you can still get the ball rolling now. Examine your monthly budget and determine the maximum amount you can start to put away every month. It might not be much; that’s okay. Doing nothing is not a good plan, and even a small amount is better than none. The more quickly you get started, the more money you will have for better investments later.

Of course, saving money for your retirement is important. However, you should be careful of what particular investments to make. Make sure your portfolio is diverse and strong. Doing so reduces financial risks.

Make certain that you have goals. Goals are an important part of life, especially retirement. If you plan out the amount you need, you will be aware of what to save. Do a bit of math to help figure it out.

Catch up contributions can be very beneficial for you. You will have to abide by a limit that you can contribute. It is increased at 50 years of age. This can be helpful to those who start saving late, but still wish to put back a lot for retirement.

Try to pay off loans right away when retirement gets close. The bills you face after retirement will seem far less overwhelming if you can reduce them to something more manageable now. When you have reduced your debt, you are more financially free to do what you enjoy.

Decreasing your expenses will go a long way toward your retirement nad making money last. Even if you don’t pay mortgage, there are other expenses the come with big homes. You may even want to thinka bout moving into a condo, townhouse or smaller house than what you currently have. You will save more money this way.

The tips gathered here are designed to prepare you for retirement. Instead of simply reading the article, you should do your best to utilize the information in it. Retirement can be comfortable, but the first step you have to take is planning today.

Tips And Tricks For Becoming A Great Leader

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Every organization needs effective leadership, and anyone filling that role must be very serious about it. You can always learn more about being a great leader. This article should teach you what it takes to improve your leadership abilities.

Honesty is a cornerstone of leadership. When you’re in a leadership role, it’s also your job to show those you’re leading the right path to go down. If you’re honest to people, then those you’re leading are going to notice it. When those you are leading learn how important honesty is to you, it will help to breed honesty in them as well.

Look for talent in others. When looking for those who will help you on the job, you want to build a team of talented individuals. That applies both to contracting people and hiring them.

Be as transparent as possible with any potential issues. Hiding problems used to be common but today transparency is key. Why the change? Today, it’s all about communication. The truth will come out, one way or another. You need to be in control of the message you communicate instead of simply reacting to it. Great leaders stay on that path.

Great leaders know they do not have a lot to learn. While your ideas might be great, remember that helpful people can always add to them or bring different perspectives. They will have all sorts of suggestions on how to make your plan a great one.

A good leader should be someone who is approachable. Intimidation is a tactic too many leaders use today. That is not the right path, and you will be loathe to find success that way. Be sure to let coworkers understand that you’re always there to talk to.

Learn to listen to your team members; this challenging skill is vital to becoming a great leader. They will often have a lot of ideas as to how to take your business in new directions that you may have never thought of. When you see that they have processed your ideas, keep an open mind for their input to maximize your potential for success.

You need to know the difference between dreams and drive. The two have an inverse relationship. If something is taking up space in your mind, it needs to be dealt with. Try writing these things down so your current task can be focused on properly.

Business leaders are highly respected people. As a leader, you must educate yourself on the qualities that equate to greatness, and that is where this article comes in. Keep the information close by as a reference to help you better your leadership skills to achieve great things.

It Is Never Too Early To Start Planning For Retirement

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Do you know how to plan and save for retirement? What should you anticipate? How can you save for it? You will get the answers you need in this article. Spend the time necessary to understand the topic.

Figure out exactly what your retirement needs and costs will be. You need about 75% of your current income to live during retirement. If you are in a lower income range, this figure could rise to 90 percent.

Begin saving now and keep on doing so. Even if you cannot contribute a lot, something is better than nothing. Your savings will exponentially grow over time. An interest-bearing account will result in greater earnings, as your money will grow over time.

Contribute regularly and maximize the amount you match the employer. A 401(k) plan gives anyone the ability to save more pre-tax dollars, so that you can actually put away more, without feeling so much sting from doing so with each paycheck. If you have an employer willing to match contributions, you can almost get free money.

Explore your employer’s retirement program. If you have the option of a 401(k) plan, then be sure to register as soon as you can and start contributing. Don’t just sign up and ignore these things though. Take the time to learn how much money you should put into your plans and any stipulations that come with each.

Clearly, it is important to save a great deal of money; however, you must also consider the sorts of things you wish to invest in. Try to stay diversified to reduce risk. Doing so reduces financial risks.

Get your retirement portfolio rebalanced every quarter of a year. Looking at it more often may create an emotional vulnerability to market swings. If you do not balance your portfolio often, you may be missing out on great opportunities. An investment professional can help you determine where to invest for retirement.

Most people believe they will have all the time in the world to do things they always wanted to when they retire. But, it is amazing how quickly time begins to fly. Make certain that you utilize your time well.

Look into pension plans offered by your employer. If you find a traditional one, learn how it works and if you’re covered by it. Be sure you know what will happen to your current plan should you decide to change jobs. Determine whether you will get benefits from a previous employer. You can actually get the benefits from your wife or husband’s plan.

Retirement could be a great time to begin a small business which you always wanted to try. People often find that they can earn money by strting a small business later in life. This situation comes with low stress levels, since the retiree does not have to depend on the income to live on.

If you are 50 years old, you can make additional contributions to your individual retirement account. Usually, there’s a limit every year of $5,500 that you’re able to save in an IRA. When you are over 50, that limit increases to $17,500. This allows you to quickly make up for lost time when it comes to retirement savings.

Seek out friends that are retired, too. Now that you have more free time, your social life will become more active. They are more likely to have the same interests as you. This will also provide you with a functional support group.

Don’t put all your eggs in the Social Security basket. It will help, but won’t be enough to live on. You actually require 70-80 percent of your salary, though, if you want to enjoy your time in retirement.

As you can see, retirement planning is easy when you know what to do. Think about it and you should be fine. The more you know as you plan, the more effective you will be in your retirement.

Excellent Advice About Leadership That You Will Want To Read

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Leadership is not just learned, but has to be put into action to make things work. A great leader is always eager to learn something new, so you should be excited by this article. Keep reading so that you learn about what it takes to become an effective leader.

Always communicate your company’s vision to your team. Your mission and objectives should be a compass for you. Make sure every employee realizes how important they are in helping the company reach its goals. Such communication is tremendous at giving your team direction and also cementing winning relationships.

Great leaders encourage creativity. Creative thinking and the risk taking that it entails can mean great success in the future. Explore different possibilities and always follow your curiosity. Remain open to new ideas, even those that do not appear feasible at the moment. You should assist others in blending their ideas with the current needs of the company.

Keep sight of those principles, such as honesty, that you hold dear. Any decision that you make must be something that you feel good about. If a decision will upset you, don’t do it. Some might not have your morals, but you have to do the thing you know to be right.

Be as transparent as possible with any potential issues. People used to hide business problems, but today, great leaders don’t do that. Why is this? There are many different forms of communication today. The story will get out whether you want it to or not. Why not control the message that comes out, instead of reacting? Being a true leader means you are on top of that message.

Always remain approachable. Intimidation is a tactic too many leaders use today. This is far from the truth and will make your job much harder. Make sure your team knows you are there to work with them.

Accept your mistakes. Nobody is perfect. Great leaders take ownership of errors and openly communicate them to their team. It lets everyone know that you are in fact a human being, just like them. Making mistakes may seem less than leader like, but it is with humility that great leaders are followed.

Hiring various kinds of people can boost your business. A wide range of perspectives can be given when there is diversity of culture, age and education. Don’t hire people that are exactly like you. This stifles innovation within your team. It may also lead to a company that fails based on your weaknesses.

Make it a daily goal to spend time reviewing how progress is being made. You might solicit others who are willing to help with your analysis. Suggestions can be made, changes can be discussed, and friends can be made as well.

It’s time for you to turn into a better leader. Now you have the information to help you lead the right way. Use this information as a guide. There isn’t anyone that can’t benefit from leadership skills. You now have a clear advantage.

The Secrets To Getting That Perfect Job

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As the economy has become more difficult, so has the job market. Finding and keeping a reasonable job is a challenge all are facing currently. In this article, we will share the best advice and tips on finding just the right job for you. For more great information, keep reading.

Continue to do your best work at your current job, even when looking to leave it for a new one. You will get a bad reputation if you do not stay focused on your current job. That reputation could be passed on to your future employers. Always give it one hundred and ten percent.

Consider going to school. In order to gain employment, you may need to update and expand your skill set. Learning as much as possible is key to obtaining a better position. There are numerous online programs that can fit into anyone’s schedule.

You should be aware of the average salary in your field so you can get the best deal. Don’t guess too low because you fear an employer will not see your value. It may also make you appear desperate.

Dress well for the interview, even if it’s for a job that requires casual attire. Although you may be applying for a job that has a casual dressing policy, you need to impress the employer. Wowing him or her with your dress will improve your odds of employment.

Amenities are something that can attract employers who want to work harder. In an effort to retain top talent, many large corporations are showering employees with all sorts of work perks and benefits. People will fight for jobs at these companies, of course. Therefore, you are ensured that you are obtaining the best possible prospects for the job.

Try not to become friends with supervisors and co-workers. Remaining professional is in your best interests. Personal relationships in the workplace only complicates the business environment. It will serve you well to keep things professional at all times.

When you are going to be interviewed for a job, you need to dress professionally. Be sure to choose appropriate attire and pay close attention to the details like your nails and hair. You want to make the best first impression possible as this carries a great deal of weight with employers.

You should try networking with other people who are in the field you’re interested in. Being good at networking will allow you to come into contact with more people in your profession. Find out more about the field you are interested in. Attend conferences, read blogs, and do everything in your power to become more knowledgeable. Networking can help you emerge as a leader in your industry.

Do not forget how important it is that you give off the right energy at an interview. Make sure you stay positive, and smile a lot. This will give a potential employer a good impression, and that can help you get the job.

Research the company before going on an interview. You can find out about a company through their website. This way, you’ll be able to speak intelligently about the company, throwing in a tidbit about them that illustrates why you want to come aboard. Doing your homework can be the deciding factor in your ability to get the job.

You need to be continuously aware of your online presence since things are moving online. Do a quick search online for your name every once in a while to see what might come up about you. It will give you a good idea of what employers will see, so you can make any changes you need to.

Be sure to have your reference letters on hand. Many people are saying that they’re ready with their references, but it’s a great idea to have the letters on hand. In this way, your references are ready at hand, making it easier to impress the interviewer.

Evaluate your skills. If you’re lacking some skills, take a class to make up for it. It is not necessary to spend thousands to earn an MBA, especially when there are so many opportunities to learn without shelling out piles of money. From accounting to electronics, any class can be helpful. For instance, if you want a bookkeeping job, you need to sign up for an accounting class or find an accountant who can hire you as an assistant.

The rough economy has made job hunting difficult for many. Even though things may not be going the way you planned, it’s important to be hopeful still. Learn all you can about gainful employment; implementing what you’ve learned here will help a great deal.