Tips to Land That Job

Congratulations to all the recent grads who are now job hunting! This time of your life is likely equally exhilarating and terrifying. Landing that first "real" job often requires a lot of persistence, patience, a little luck and paying attention to details that matter to your potential employer.

Whether you are a recent grad on the hunt for that first job because the idea of moving back in with Mom and Dad is enough to create an anxiety attack, or you want to make a job change because the idea of going back to the same old job Monday morning is enough to cause you an anxiety attack, here are 10 job hunting dos and don'ts.

Success begins with Good Dirt

I'm guessing that, like me, you're taking advantage of this great weather to plant your gardens, window boxes and hanging baskets. I love this time of year, planting something that I can nurture into beauty and enjoy for the coming months.

Why I Don't Want to See Your Underwear (at the office)

Remember when your mom used to tell you that “just because everyone else is doing it, doesn’t mean you have to.” I guess mom was right, except when it comes to knowing what to wear and what not to wear to work.

When and How Much To Tip

Billy Joel sang about the tip jar “They sit at the bar and put bread in my jar”. These days seems piano men are not the only one’s with tip jars. They seem to have cropped on every counter from coffee shops to restaurants to ice cream take out and many of us wonder when we should put money in the tip charge and when we should not.

Dealing With "aarrgghh" Unhappy Customers

Ask anyone who works with the public and they will tell you that one of the keys to survival is having a good sense of humor and the ability to let criticism roll off your back. I learned this lesson quickly when I operated businesses in Bar Harbor during the summer tourist season.

Why I Didn't Buy the Pants from Your Store

I didn't buy the pants. Not because I didn't like them, but because I lost all interest after dealing with too many barriers " the barriers retailers put up between a customer's interest in making a purchase and actually making the purchase.

When Your Home is Also Your Office

When I was a teenager, my mom worked out of a home office. There were strict rules pertaining to Mom’s workday: She was not to be bothered unless the house was on fire or there were people at the door with balloons and a “ginormous” check from Publishers Clearing House. Mom laid down very clear ground rules, and she and Dad enforced them. Here are some tips to help you make working at home a home run:

Social Networking – Just Do It!

If you still think that social networking is for kids – think again! According to Facebook’s site – the fastest growing demographic of their 300 million users are 35 years old and older. If you aren’t using Facebook and other sites like Twitter and LinkedIn to promote your business you’re missing an opportunity and likely falling behind your competitors who are!

Give A Little - Get A Lot

According to a new study by the University of California, Berkeley, workers who are more generous at the office had more influence and are more likely to get ahead in the workplace. This likely comes as no surprise, but it's a good reminder to give more than you get when it comes to how you interact with your co-workers. It's good for you, for them, for business and for your career prospects.

SMILE:) - It's Good for Business

I recently returned from a fantastic trip to Aruba where customer service is as much a part of the island as the sandy white beaches. Tourism is the economic driver in Aruba so being nice to tourists is key to the survival of the island. From the hotel staff to the restaurant workers to the bus drivers – everyone is so nice!

Laugh It Up!

It's April Fools week and that means we can expect "kick-me" signs and whoopee cushions. Having been raised by the "King of Pranks" " my dad " I'm a big fan of good fun. Dad taught us at a young age that it's important to take what you do seriously " but to not take yourself too seriously.

Don't Be Fooled!

“Earn thousands of dollars working from home”

We’ve all seen and heard this pitch on t.v. Unfortunately most of these infomercials are nothing but scams! “April Fools” seems like a good time to offer tips to prevent you from being “fooled” by these offers, as I receive frequent calls from individuals who, wanting to start a home based business, have fallen prey to these scams.

Get Organized!

Tis the season for Spring cleaning! Whether you are cleaning out your closets, pantry or office – it feels so good to get rid of clutter and feel organized. In fact, experts on the topic of organizing will tell you that ridding your life of clutter can greatly reduce your stress level!

What Olympic Athletes Can Teach us About Business Success

Whether you're an Olympic athlete or a business owner, overcoming adversity is critical to success. Watching the Olympics these last weeks reminds me that we all stumble, fall and struggle to deal with forces beyond our control that interrupt our plans. When that happens we have two choices: Curl up and give up or get up and fight back!

When Barb Quit Her Day Job to Strike Out on Her Own

In a time when many folks have lost or are concerned about losing their jobs, it's often surprising to hear about someone quitting a job. It's especially puzzling when the job was enjoyable, provided a decent living and meshed with the person's training. But for many, the dream of being one's own boss can be reason enough to give up a steady paycheck.

Talk To Me!!!

Talk to me! Tell me what’s going on! When it comes to providing excellent customer service – communication is key! This is especially true when customers are waiting for service. Let’s face, it we’re all busy these days so when we have to wait for anything it can lead to great frustration and dissatisfaction.

LL Bean Takes TOP Customer Service Honors - AGAIN!

L.L. Bean proves once again that they are the leaders when it comes to providing exceptional customer service. The National Retail Federation recently released the results of their fifth annual NRF Foundation/American Express Customers' Choice survey, conducted by BIGresearch. This is the third year in a row that Beans has held the top spot. Overstock.com came in second, followed by Zappos, Amazon and QVC. Go Beans " go Maine!

Avoiding Burn Out When You've got too Many Plates to Spin

Whether we work for ourselves or someone else, every one of us will experience burnout at one time or another. You know the feeling - you’re tired, you lack enthusiasm, you crave a change and you ask yourself, “why am I doing this?”

Getting Carded - Making the Most of Busines Cards

Tis’ the season: for getting carded!

If you’re like me, you’re out and about much more these days running holiday errands, catching coffee with friends, wrapping up work and school projects, lending a helping hand, and attending various social functions and party’s. It’s the most wonderful time of the year (sing along)!

What "Tiger" & "Toyota" have taught us about TRUST

Watching the news lately has me thinking about one word lately – trust. Starting with Tiger Woods admitting in a press conference that he messed up. Now he’s trying to regain the trust of his sponsors, fans and last but not least - his wife.