Cover Letters - Your First Chance To Impress

by ResumeEdge.com

Cover Letters

Hiring managers routinely receive responses from hundreds, perhaps thousands, of applicants for any given job.

Good Goals For Business

by Stephanie
(CA)

There are many good goals for business. Establishing goals for your business is a must. Determining the best goals to focus on for your individual business can feel unnerving, as you obviously want to succeed and thus spend your time wisely. Here we will focus in on the top three good goals for business.

Although there are many good goals for business, the top three good goals for business are:

1) Provide quality products and/or services to your customers.

2) Maintain adequate records of income and expenses.

2) Incur a net profit within the first three years of starting business.

The products and services that you provide will be your overall bread and butter. The success of a business depends in large part upon the quality of your products and services and the trust this quality induces in your customers. A customer that trusts you will become a repeat customer and even refer others to you as well.

In order to stay on top of your revenue and expenses, it is extremely important to maintain adequate records of income and expenses. It is highly recommended that a computer software is used and that business bank and credit cards, loans etc. are setup so that all business transactions are recorded and accounts are able to be reconciled monthly.

An annual net profit is an obvious goal as a business is typically started to earn an income. It is a good goal to try to incur a net profit within the first three years of starting business especially, as the IRS may determine your business to be a hobby if it is not making a profit within this amount of time.

There are many good goals for business, but the top three good goals for business are quality of products and/or services, maintain adequate records, and incur a net profit.

Abuse in the Workplace

Abuse In The Workplace

ABOUT ABUSE:

Verbal abuse creates emotional pain and mental anguish. It is a lie told to you or about you. Generally, verbal abuse defines people telling them what they are, what they think, their motives, and so forth. Most people targeted by verbal abuse explain why what they've just heard is not true or not okay.

They explain themselves because they believe the perpetrator is rational and can hear them and the relationship will then get better.

Then they usually hear more verbal abuse, for instance, "You're too sensitive." At that point they don't usually realize that they have just been defined, and, therefore, verbally abused again.

Since the target of verbal abuse is often blamed, ignored, or yelled at, s/he may have difficulty recognizing just what is going on in the relationship.

Emotional abuse is a series of repeated incidents - whether intentional or not - that insults, threatens, isolates, degrades, humiliates, and/or controls another person.

It may include a pattern of one or more of the following abuses: insults, criticisms, aggressive demands or expectations, threats, rejection, neglect, blame, emotional manipulation and control, isolation, punishment, terrorizing, ignoring, or teasing.

Emotional abuse can take place anywhere: at home, at school, in relationships, and in the workplace. Contrary to popular beliefs that bullies are only found in the school yard, many bullies also exist in the workplace.

Survivors of emotional abuse often have a hard time understanding why they feel so bad. The abuse may not sound like much, and often people around them will minimize the experience, telling them it's not so bad.

But a climate of disregard for a person's feelings, where one is subjected to constant or frequent criticisms, being yelled at, or being ignored - has a deep and profound effect, attacking the very self-image and confidence of a person.

How do you recognize emotional abuse? One thing that can help is to step back from your situation and examine the overall climate in your home or your workplace.

Trust your instincts and feelings about people. Sometimes, a person can just look at you and you know that they are looking down at you. Other times, their words are okay but their tone is mean.

Emotional abuse is insidious and can be very subtle, so trust your gut; it's telling you something.

No matter what you've been told or how you've been treated, you are worthy of love and respect. The more you know this, the less likely you will be to accept disrespectful or abusive behavior towards yourself or others.

You should not have to take emotional abuse from anyone - no matter what the excuse. You deserve to be treated well.

Healing Business Relationships

Healing Business Relationships

(Good for any kind of relationship, be it personal or business!) Reprinted from KAJAMA Online Journal of the Psyche
Mar 16 2011 10:38AM http://www.kajama.com

Healing Relationships
Gina Lake

Your preferences, opinions, judgments, beliefs, and reactions to others are all part of your conditioning. As such, you are responsible for them in the sense that no one else caused them, although others do trigger them.

Nevertheless, you didn't ask for that conditioning; for the most part, it was just given to you. You could say you inherited it from your family, experiences, culture, previous lifetimes, and astrology chart.

It's your particular programming for this lifetime, and it is no better or worse than anyone else's conditioning, which they also inherited.

The problem is we assume that our conditioning is right and other people's (when it's different) is wrong. This unconscious assumption is what causes problems in relationships, not the conditioning itself.

If we can allow others to be different from us, then conditioning doesn't have to be a problem. But we tend to judge others who do and see things differently than we do and try to change them. Our conditioning is bound to be different from someone else's; we're designed that way.

So having different conditioning (i.e. beliefs, preferences, opinions, styles, ways of being) doesn't have to be a problem unless we make it one.

We tend to hold our conditioning as inviolate: We want what we want, we like what we like, we don't like what we don't like, and we believe what we believe. Our conditioning feels important, meaningful, and worth fighting for.

That's where we get into trouble. Conditioning is just beliefs, preferences, and desires (which are just the thought I want with feelings attached to it). Conditioning comes from the ego, not from Essence.

While the ego will fight with others over what it believes, likes, and wants, Essence chooses love over beliefs, preferences, and desires. If you want relationships to work, that's what you have to do as well.

If even just one person in a relationship is willing to choose love over what he or she believes, prefers, or desires, a loving relationship is possible. If not, then the relationship will be a battleground over conditioning.

When your conditioning gets triggered in relationship, it's an opportunity to discover more about that conditioning. Feelings are a sign that your conditioning has been triggered:

You feel angry or sad or some other negative emotion in relation to the other person. When that happens, the tendency is to say, You make me angry when... or You make me sad when... We think it's good mental hygiene to let others know how they are affecting us.

We were taught to do this, but it isn't actually helpful. It puts the burden of change on the other person when it really lies with us.

If you feel angry or sad over something someone said or did, that's a sign that your conditioning is interfering with love.

When feelings like these arise, there is a choice to be made between your conditioning or love: Is your conditioning more important than love, or is love more important than your conditioning?

Most people fight for their conditioning because it feels like their conditioning is who they are: I'm someone who believes... or I'm someone who likes... Their identity is tied to their conditioned beliefs, and without their beliefs, it feels like they wouldn't be who they are.

And they wouldn't be. They wouldn't be who they think they are; they would be who they really are: Essence.

Most people also deeply believe that they can change others and that it's their duty to do so because they believe their conditioning is superior.

They choose trying to change others to fit their own conditioning over loving them. This choice leads to misery in relationships. No one wins the battle of conditioning. Everyone loses love.

Even if you get the other person to change, at what expense is that accomplished? And at what point do you finally give up trying to mold the other person to your conditioning?

The ego is never satisfied, and it always finds more improvements to push for in relationship as in every other aspect of life.

Relationships are meant to be a safe haven in the storm of life. They are our best chance for finding love and acceptance.

They also serve as a laboratory for love: They are where we learn about love. What we learn is that only Essence knows how to love, not the ego.

To create that safe haven, you have to move out of the ego and drop into Essence, where love is possible. Our desire for love and relationship motivates us to overcome our conditioning and live in Essence more because that's the only way it's possible to feel love and maintain it.

We learn this by first trying to get our way in relationships and then finally surrendering to love. The secret of many couples who stay together for decades is that they accept each other. Each allows the other to be the way he or she is.

You might argue that acceptance enables your partner to continue his or her bad habits, when who could help him or her better than you? What is true in the realm of personal healing is also true in interpersonal healing: Acceptance is what heals.

That is Essence's way. Acceptance is not the ego's way, but the ego isn't trying to help others as much as it's trying to get its way. If you really want to help someone, then accept that person and just see what miracles love and acceptance can perform. Here is an exercise for healing your relationships:

Exercise: Healing Relationships

Your job in relationships is not to change others, but to release any ideas that keep you from being loving and accepting.

To do that, notice when feelings are triggered, and then give curiosity, acceptance, and attention to those feelings until you discover what beliefs are behind them. Then examine how true each of those beliefs are.

You will find that none of your beliefs are true, at least not true enough to warrant withholding love from another. All of your beliefs are just conditioning.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright 2007 Gina Lake. All rights reserved. From Getting Free: How to Move Beyond Conditioning and Be Happy by Gina Lake. Gina Lake is a spiritual teacher who is devoted to helping others live in the moment through her books, counseling, and intensives. She has a master's degree in counseling psychology and over twenty years of experience as a spiritual counselor. Her books include Loving in the Moment, Radical Happiness, Embracing the Now, Anatomy of Desire, Return to Essence, What About Now? Living in the Now, and Getting Free. Her website, radicalhappiness.com, offers information about her books and consultations, free e-books, book excerpts, a free monthly newsletter, a blog, and audio and video recordings.
Article source: ezinearticles.com

Get an Immediate $200 Raise

Pay Raise

Fiscal Fitness: Give Yourself a $200 Raise Right Now user

by Dayana Yochim, The Motley Fool, on Wed Jan 6, 2010 2:21pm PST

The Motley Fool’s Fiscal Fitness Boot Camp is in session! Every weekday this month, we’ll walk you through a fresh money-saving/money-making tip as we work toward finding $2,000 in savings you didn’t know you had.

Do you like lending money to the IRS? The answer is yes for three-quarters of taxpayers.

Every year, about 75% of us overpay our taxes. By quite a lot. In fact, the average tax refund last year was around $2,400, which amounts to $200 a month lining Uncle Sam's pockets until he pays it back to you ... without interest.

If you hit the refund jackpot last April (or already know that you're getting a refund this year), then it's time to give yourself a raise, starting with your next paycheck.

What's wrong with getting a refund?

I know it's hard to beat the thrill of a windfall, but consider what you're passing up by giving Uncle Sam an interest-free loan for roughly six months (on average).

If the IRS were paying out measly checking-account rates of around 0.5%, you'd be able to pick up the tab for a few espressos -- or $6. Even if you could earn 2% from a high-yield savings account , it'd amount to just $24.

Nonplussed? I hear ya. For those who are tempted to skip this step and instead rely on over-withholding as an enforced savings plan, allow me to convince you otherwise.

Think about where else you could get a better return than 0%. Perhaps you have outstanding credit card debt? Or maybe you have $0 in your emergency savings account.

The point is, you could have $200 extra each month to pay off your debt (use our " Get Out of Debt " guide to wipe it out) or pad your emergency savings ( more on that here ).

Pad your paycheck with an extra $200 a month
Let's get to the details so you can start seeing the fruits of today's Fiscal Fitness tip ASAP.

To complete this task, you'll need:

Your most recent pay stub
Last year's income tax return
A fresh Form W-4 from your employer, or download one from the IRS website

The idea here is to increase the number of exemptions you take while avoiding underpaying. To nail the number, use the IRS' withholding calculator .

The Form W-4 Assistant calculator at PaycheckCity can also help you.

How much is each exemption worth? Well, generalizations and taxes are a potentially lethal cocktail, but if you thrive on rules-of-thumb, figure that each exemption equals about $850 in tax.

To avoid underpayment penalties, shoot for the number of allowances that satisfies 100% to 110% of the prior year's tax payment (not counting your refund). Don't worry about nailing your withholding perfectly.

Put a reminder in your date book in June, when you'll have a better handle on how your annual wages and withholdings will shake out. (Here's more on how the IRS handles underpayments .)

One more note before you fill out a fresh W-4: This exercise is best for those who do not anticipate any major life/tax changes (e.g., marriage, birth, Lotto payout) and have a predictably consistent income.

So if this year looks like it'll be a pretty close repeat of last year, go snag that $200 monthly raise right now.

More ways to save ...

Don't fritter away the extra money: Just because your paycheck is a bit fatter doesn't mean you have extra money to spend. Nope -- this tip is all about putting the money you earned to better use.

So if you're going to be tempted to blow the dough, have it diverted automatically to a separate savings or investment account. Out of sight, out of mind, and off to better use!

Get organized and snag all those deductions/credits you deserve: Everyone gets a standard deduction, but that doesn't mean you should take it.

Millions of people give up potential tax savings simply because they don't keep records or take the time to itemize their deductions. Especially for homeowners and those with high medical bills, missing out on itemized deductions is hazardous for your financial health.

And if you do go with the standard deduction, don't just assume that you should take it on both your state and federal returns, or you could be leaving money on the table.

Try this simple three-folder tax record-keeping system . What better time to put it in place than now, at the beginning of the year?

Get financially fit with The Motley Fool!:
1. Start out with our 13 Steps to Investing Foolishly
2. Join us on Facebook
3. Check out Fool.com

Fiscal Fitness Boot Camp instructor Dayana Yochim has nothing against the IRS. She just doesn't want want to over-pay her fair share.

Inviting You To Join Me

by Stephanie
(USA)

Free

Hi,
I’d like to invite you to join me and the likes of Donald Trump, Guy Kawasaki, and Michael Gerber as a VIP Author on www.EvanCarmichael.com, a business thought leadership website that has helped over 14 million entrepreneurs and counting!

The site has over 750,000 monthly visitors, 295,000 pages of content and no website shares more profiles of famous entrepreneurs and inspires more small business owners than EvanCarmichael.com.

Creating a VIP Author Account on EvanCarmichael.com is cost free and there is no obligation to submit content on a regular basis. But more importantly, being a VIP Author has helped me in numerous ways such as rank higher in Google for keyword searches, improve traffic to my website, build increased credibility, and attract more targeted customers.

At EvanCarmichael.com you can also promote your free downloads, blogs, YouTube videos, Twitter accounts, and more to help you grow your business.

And, once again, there’s no cost for any of it.

To start promoting your content for free on EvanCarmichael.com, simply go to the link below or paste it into the address bar of your browser.

http://www.evancarmichael.com/Author/partnerLeads.php?l=3565

Regards!

Learn and Gain Financial Stability

Learn Financial Stability

In these troubled times many of us are asking ourselves “what about the future?”, “What happens if I lose my job tomorrow”, And “where will I be in five years”.

Although the answers to these questions are relatively vague there is something you can do to insure your financial stability for the future. I recommend that you go back to school and get a higher education.

Whether you are a high school drop-out or a college graduate it can only beneficial to go back to school. With the rough economy and job losses all over the country having a higher education is the key to getting ahead.

These times are tough and many of us are being laid off, leaving us with nothing to do except look for work (which, in most, places isn’t there).

There are a lot of options floating out there for financial assistance for attending college. You can apply for federal financial aid by completing the Federal Application for Federal Financial Aid (FASFA) by going into your local college and picking up a form, or online.

Federal financial aid is given in the form of grants or loans. The sooner you fill out the application the better chances you have of receiving grants. You can also apply for loans and scholarships online.

Your local community college will have a financial aid department that will be full of resources for you to access when considering how to pay for college.

Then there is the question of what to study. There are a lot of courses now that are two years or less that will get you a professional certificate so that when you are done, whether the economy looks up or not, you will be more prepared to get and keep a job, most likely with higher wages than you have had before.

It will give you the opportunity to do something that makes you happy and be financially stable.

I recently enrolled in my local community college. Right now I am just going to be studying general classes to get my placement up to college level, and it gives me some time to decide what I want to do with my life.

All of the staff is always very friendly and helpful. I walked in very nervous and unsure, wanting to run back out the door and I walked out confident, secure, and happy. I cannot wait until I begin!

So, if you are sitting around stressing about what is going to happen with your future, if you may loose your job, if the job market will ever be what it was in the past, take my advice – go to school!

Sitting around on your butt worrying or being depressed is not going to get you anywhere. Take a stand for yourself and your future by furthering your education!

Successful Telephone Calls

by Stephanie
(USA)

Successful Telephone Calls

The impression made when making telephone calls is extremely important as it is often the first and most significant quality of service customers are presented with. In addition, making a great impression on the phone give you a much better chance of converting inquiries into new business.

Some of the key qualities you should try to exhibit during your telephone conversations are:

1) Self Esteem: You potential customers will have only as much confidence in you and your abilities as you have in yourself.

2) Professionalism: A high level of professionalism or quality of character is always expected when working with clients.

3) Have the right tools available: Always make sure to have client folders and or easy access to schedule books and information at the time of a call. It is always best to look and be prepared.

4) Know how to address people: Use appropriate and respectful language when addressing your customers such a calling them sir or madam.

5) Voice control: Use a moderate tone of speech. Overly aggressive conversation or a loud voice can be intimidating.

6) Positive End: Make sure to thank the potential customer for calling, let them know they are welcome to call back anytime, make sure you call back if you have promised to do so.

The IRS Offer In Compromise Program

IRS Offer In Compromise

If you are a taxpayer who is unable to pay your federal tax liability, you may be able to settle for a lesser amount through the IRS’s Offer-in-Compromise (OIC) program. In order for taxpayers to qualify for this program, you must meet the following criteria:

1) As a taxpayer, you must include a $150 application fee or a signed Form 656-A, Income Certification for Offer in Compromise Application Fee and Payment.

And, you must submit either a lump sum offer (20-percent payment or a signed Form 656-A) or periodic payment offer (first installment or signed Form 656-A);

2) As a taxpayer, you may not be a debtor in an open bankruptcy proceeding.

Furthermore, The IRS says there are three circumstances under which an OIC may be accepted:

1) When there is doubt as to collectability. Meaning, it is doubtful that the taxpayer could pay the full tax liability.

2) When there is doubt as to liability. Meaning there is a legitimate doubt that the assessed liability is correct (for example, the examiner incorrectly interpreted the law or failed to consider evidence presented by the taxpayer, or if new evidence is presented by the taxpayer).

3) Effective tax administration. An exceptional circumstance warrants an OIC (for example, collection would create an economic hardship or would be unfair or inequitable).

In addition, the IRS provides the following advice for taxpayers applying for an OIC:

1) Explore all collection options beforehand.

2) Complete the “Is Your Offer in Compromise Processable?” checklist available in Form 656-B, Offer in Compromise Booklet.

3) Submit all required documentation.

4) Complete all items on Form 656, Offer in Compromise.

5) Include the required fees and payments.

6) You will also need to make sure that you are current with all filing and paying requirements (for example, estimated taxes and federal tax deposits) and stay current.

7) Always respond promptly to requests for more information.

8) Complete all items on Form 433-A, Collection Information Statement for Wage Earners and Self-Employed Individuals, or Form 433-B, Collection Information Statement for Businesses.

What Do You Think About The Tea Party Protests in 2009?

by Kenan Frager

2009 Tea Party

Many "tea parties" sprang up across the nation this Tax Day to protest President Obama's policies.

The irony of these tea parties, in remembrance of the Boston Tea Party in 1773, is that there have been across-the-board tax cuts for all Americans except a small percentage at the top. Some protesters acknowledge the seeming antithetical nature of a tax protest in the face of tax cuts and claim to protest the White House's support of congressional bank bailouts and likelihood of future budget deficits.


Over 1,600 LA Times readers shared their opinion of these Tax Day protesters and their displeasure with governmental policy.
DLounsbury said: As a self-employed business man I get doubled up on my FICA taxes and pay 45 cents of every dollar I make to the federal government. That does not include state tax, property tax and the many "fees' for just about everything. After all is said and done, I work frm January to July before I am earning my money. You are out of touch if you think that is not worth protesting.

TKell said: Nancy Pelosi was elected by the insanity that you are describing. It's not just about taxes, it is about out of touch Congressmen spending OUR trillions of dollars and not even reading the stimulus bill. They were in a hurry because Obama wanted it passed by his arbitrary deadline. Question: would you ever sign a contract without reading it in its entirety? Congress is proceeding on its merry way, having a party while this country is hurting. Listen up--we are tired of business as usual in DC. It has to end. It is NOT about Republican v. Democrat. I was at a protest today and there was both shouting 'USA'.

Tracy said: This sophisticated administrations spending makes "W" look like a tightwad! Most of us were outraged with George's spending, we should have spoke up. Obama et al is doubling and now tripling down on the expenditures. Taxes may not be so bad now but what about after 2010? I think we are sophisticated enough to get the future picture Marc - I think you have some catching up to do! You might want to dial up some "Talk Radio", those guys will get you up to speed! We have our bearings Marc - you just don't like them. Your "sophisticated" posturing exposes your own ignorance.

cleudaly said: Evil maybe but certainly not necessary. Banks continue insolvent. Unemployment, foreclosures still rising so Americans are not keeping their jobs and their homes. Their retirement is already gone. The bankers have still got theirs tho. They didn't think of the typical American family Republican, Democrat or otherwise, while they were running their scams, ala Madoff, with the help of the feds over the last 15 years. That which is crooked cannot be made straight, not for all the tea in China.

Some opinion from those on the other side of the issue after the jump...


Philzy said: This country has been going "socialist" for over a hundred years. People complained when social security was introduced in the 30's. The tea-partiers are the same folks who never complained when Bush spent a trillion dollars in Iraq on a pointless war. Now, see how they parade out their kids on the curb to make a political point. Those kids will be grateful when they grow up and have a decent public education and a well-paying 21st century career. All they'll remember their parents doing is being a follower of the bigmouth Limbaugh.


JWLChicago said: Actually, I am a proud Democrat, and went to one myself. It wasn't anti-Obama, it was about trillions of dollars that Obama and Republican and Democrat and Independent leaders have signed away, WITHOUT READING THE DAMN BILL, in our name! This was a rainbow coalition by the way, of Dems, Republicans, Independents, Joe Sixpackks, Gay's like me, black, white, latino, men and women! You obviously didn't go to one to find out for yourself you poor excuse for a journalist....so you are just regurgitating the same shmuck that commentators...not journalists, schill out for the mindless like you!

Do you think the Obama administration's policies are worthy of protest? Are the massive bailouts of banks and insurance companies a necessary burden for future generations or not? Should we consider letting certain institutions fail instead of forking over big bucks to pay for their mistakes? Will this Congress be remembered for reckless overspending or guiding the country out of a depression?

What's New For The Year

by Stephanie
(California)

What's New

Every year, changes to the tax code and IRS inflation adjustments give taxpayers new numbers to use in their tax planning. Here are the numbers you'll need in 2011 for filing your 2010 tax return.

Standard Mileage Rate for Business Driving is 51 cents a mile.

Mileage Rate for medical and moving expense deductions is 19 cents a mile.

Mileage Rate for charitable driving is 14 cents a mile.

Adoption Credit is $13,360.00.

Maximum Wages subject to social security tax is $106,800.

Social Security earnings limit under full retirement age is $14,160.00.

Social Security earnings limit year full retirement age reached is $37,680.00.

Social Security earnings limit full retirment age is No Limit.

Top Estate tax rate is 35%.

Amount exempt from estate tax is $5 million.

Annual gift tax exclusion (per donee) is $13,000.

Maximum retirement plan contributions IRA for thos under age 50 is $5,000.00.

Maximum retirement plan contributions IRA for those 50 and over is $6,000.00.

Maximum retirement plan contributions SIMPLE plan for those under age 50 is $11,500.00.

Maximum retirement plan contributions SIMPLE plan for those 50 and over is $14,000.00.

Maximum retirement plan contributions 401(k) plan for those under age 50 is $16,500.00.

Maximum retirement plan contributions 401(k) plan for tthose 50 and over is $22,000.00.

"Kiddie tax" threshold is $1,900.00.

"Nanny tax" threshold is $1,700.00.

Personal Exemption is $3,700.00.

Standard Deduction for Single is $5,800.00.

Standard Deduction for Joint returns and Surviving spouces is $11,600.00.

Standard Deduction for Married Filing Separately is $5,800.00.

Standard Deduction for Head of Household is $8,500.00.

Standard Deduction for Additional for elderly or blind (married) is $1,150.00.

Standard Deduction for Additional for elderly or blind (single) is $1,450.00.

* For deaths occuring in 2010, estates have a choice between applying the retroactively reinstated estate tax with a step-up in basis to fair market value for estate property or not estate tax with a modified carryover of the decedent's basis.

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