The purpose of providing references is to close the deal. It isn’t to discover if you are telling the truth about your dates of employment, verify that you’ve demonstrated the proper skills for the job, or even to assure the hiring authority that he’s making the right decision to hire you -- though each reason contributes.

If a company is having difficulty deciding which of two individuals to make an offer to, references are usually the deciding factor. If more job seekers understood this, they wouldn’t view the phrase “references provided upon request” so casually.

What constitutes a reference? Primarily, people to whom you have reported in your previous jobs. Secondarily, if you’ve been in your current position a longtime, someone who has left the company, or someone you trust who has reported to you or with whom you have worked closely. In some industries, providing a reference from outside the company – trades, vendors, or long-time customers –supplies an additional perspective that a former employer cannot.

A reference is neither personal nor generic. Your friend on the neighborhood baseball team may say you’re a great team member, but baseball doesn’t equate to the corporate world. References addressed to: To Whom It May Concern aren’t of much value either because they’re non-exclusive. By their very nature, generic references are positive – or they wouldn’t have been written and handed to the departing employee. Employers want to speak to the reference themselves and ask their own questions --- without the candidate knowing what was said.

As I’ve said repeatedly, finding your perfect job is about selling a product, and that product is you. If you want your references to help you close the sale, you need to help them. The standard method of most reference preparation goes as far as the job seeker calling the references and asking each person if he’ll act as one, then failing to cue them in during the process as to who will be calling. Providing your reference with the name of the company and the person phoning not only removes the unknown, but makes the call more likely to be returned faster More than one offer has been held up for need of references.

And if those two reasons aren’t enough to ask their permission, how about that it’s the respectful thing to do? Some candidates don’t even think to track down their references and ask for permission. The names and numbers are simply listed on a sheet of paper and given to the hiring authority. Would you like to know how many times I was provided with contact information only to find the person was long gone from that company? Better me -- a recruiter -- than a prospective employer.

Additionally, failing to provide the person with a copy of your most recent resume so that he has both your dates of employment and your accomplishments in front of him when the hiring authority calls is to deal yourself the ultimate wild card. And failing to tell your reference about the position for which you’re interviewing and what the company is looking for in their new hire compounds that. When you provide this additional information, you not only prompt his memory, but you give him information with which to work. It helps him speak directly to what you want addressed.

Now you’ve provided the prospective employer with verified information from a credible, objective and informed source. Effectively, you’ve eliminated the chance of your previous boss saying, “Well, he was a great employee. And he met all his goals, as far as I can remember. Sure, I’d rehire him.” About all that reference does is tell the prospective employer that you weren’t great enough to stand out in your previous boss’s memory.

All of this is equally applicable if you were fired. Under most circumstances, truth is the only path, and making sure that a reference doesn’t backfire on you is all the more reason to contact that supervisor. Just because a person or company isn’t on your reference list, doesn’t mean people don’t “know” others in that same industry.

It’s difficult to summon the courage to ask your previous employer to provide you with a reference when you were fired. But many of those references come out better than you’d suppose; the only negative tends to be the one surrounding the reason you were discharged.

When you realize the power of references and the influence they can have in securing your perfect job, then you understand how important it is to stay in touch. Then when you need them, you know where to contact them.

Put the extra work into helping your references be a reference. Since you’ve made it this far in finding your perfect job, why gamble and leave the home stretch to chance?

If you want to work in the dental field, yet you are not really a "people person" why not consider working in a dental laboratory? While a dental laboratory technician does not work in a dental office, they are an important part of the dental care team. What does a dental laboratory technician do? They make what are called dental prostheses, which is a fancy word for dental replacements of anything from a tooth to a full set of dentures and everything in between.

A dental laboratory technician must have sure and steady hands in order to create masterpieces of dental ingenuity. One must also utilize a sense of creativity and attention to detail. A dental laboratory technician's job is never boring, and skills are challenged on a daily basis. A dental laboratory technician is trained to create full dentures for patients, partial dentures and bridges as well as veneers, crowns and orthodontic appliances and splints.

A dental laboratory technician is also able to work with several different substances such as plastics, precious alloys, stainless steel and porcelain, among others. Dental laboratory technicians pour dental molds using a variety of plasters and stones and are able to carve tooth structures in wax that are then used to create dental bridges and dentures. Dental laboratory technicians are so talented that they are able to easily match tooth color and texture to blend with remaining dental work in a patient's mouth.

A dental laboratory specializes in creating appliances and dentures for patients, but it's also a growing field, especially with the rising popularity of cosmetic dentistry.

Most dental laboratory technicians must complete at least a two-year program at either a community college or university level dental school. Vocational and technical colleges also offer dental laboratory technician courses and graduates receive either an associate degree or a certificate of completion. In order to even apply for the dental laboratory technician program however, be advised that a high school diploma or other equivalent will be necessary.

Some universities also offer a four-year baccalaureate program in dental technology. A dental laboratory technician, no matter where they complete their schooling and clinic experience, must take exams administered by the National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology. After passing the exams, a dental technician becomes a Certified and is eligible to specialize in orthodontics, dentures, crown and bridge, partial dentures or ceramics.

A dental laboratory technician does not usually work directly with a dental patient unless it's necessary, and if so, they will work under the direction of a licensed dentist. A dental laboratory technician is fully trained in the operation and use of a myriad of equipment and must pass skills tests in their use. A dental laboratory technician earns a nice salary, which, however, may depend on location.

It is not unusual for an experienced dental laboratory technician, after several years of experience, often opt to open their own dental laboratories. As with any job position in a medical field, there will always be a need for dental laboratory technicians, and the field provides a secure career choice for many individuals.

Recently i met with a gentleman at a networking event and we got talking about his business, and then we began discussing self help programs and his comment was along the lines: "why do people keep going to motivational events? Can't they just do it for themselves?." It was not so much what he said, but how he said it, his negative tone and disgust at why people would consider spending good money to attend such events.

I had to chuckle at his uneducated comment, and so i asked him: "why are you here today?." In a way, he kind of answered his own question. There was nothing particularly different to the people who just a few minutes ago he had damned and his own reasons for coming to the networking event that night, which was to network, learn from others, share ideas and form potential alliances for business.

You see if you are to be successful in anything in life beit business or your career, you must continuosly educate yourself either by attending seminars, reading books, listening to tapes, visiting social networking events and so on. There is a massive myth out there in the world today that people can be self-made, it is so far from the truth. No man or woman, not even people in the royal family, can succeed by virtue of their own might, it is simply impossible. A lot of people read and use self help programs and these people i would consider to be smart because they are teaching themselves by learning from the experiences of others, those that have gone before them. There is a saying "A prudent person will learn from personal experience, but the wise person will from others."

At University, after 3 years of reading for a degree in whatever subject you decide to take up, the reading and training does not stop there, if you do then you might just as well stop living and fall back on to the social welfare system for support as i hate to say it, you will not be going anywhere fast. Robert Kiyosaki, author of the international bestseller - "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" said in one of his books, "there is no graduation day". I remember when i completed my degree in Manchester and at the ceremony it was one of the proudest moments of my life, and i suppose at that time i might have been forgiven for thinking naively that that was the end of my education, after all i had completed my degree (studying electronic and electrical engineering in my opinion one of the toughest degrees alongside medicine). But that is how most people still think, even after graduation, they feel that is it now, finito, no more reading, no more learning required and this is so misguided.

If you study the most successful people you will find that they are perpertual learners, it is no wonder the gap between the rich and poor gets wider and wider. Have you heard of a certain Donald Trump? Well i am sure you have, he is the American billionaire real estate mogul, i read recently that he said that success cannot be achived alone, you need the support of other people. Dale Carnegie from the famous Carnegie Institute, author of international bestseller - "how to win friends and influence people" said if you are not succeeding in life it is because you are not gaining the support of others.

So you see, as i said earlier, there is nothing like a self-made millionaire. If there is, i would be most obliged to hear his/her story and how they made it. It is all a marketing ploy, if you have any experience in marketing you will know what i am talking about. This happens to be one of my favourite subjects and i have studied some of the best people in the business - Ted Nicholas, perhaps the most successful copywriter on earth will testify to the argument above - success is achieved through the support of others. All the great minds, leaders of this world learnt from their peers, mentors and people that have gone before them. If you read the bible or koran you will find all the prophets all used or had disciples. To accomplish their goal, they needed the support of others, it is a fact which was true centuries ago and will be to the end of man, it is timeless.

Dale Carnegie said in one of his books - 'How to have self-confidence and influence people through public speaking' that in order to improve your memory there are 3 main laws. 1. Impression 2. Repetition 3. Association. I would like to pick on for the purpose of this article no.2 - Repetition. If you wish to be good at anything you need to repeat the habit over and over again only then will it stick. This is why people use self help programs, read books, attend seminars.

David Scwartz in his blockbuster book 'The Magic of Thinking Big' said: 'information is fertlized through repetition.' You have to keep learning and studying. Repetition is the mother of all knowledge. Attending an interview, you have to practice, you could even attend interviews as a mock exercise for when you might actually need a new job, study the company, find out about their needs. Attend seminars on interview skills and techniques. If in business, similarly attend forums, networking events, find a mentor. Keep learning, keep meeting with people, keep networking and soon you too will find yourself being marketed as the next 'self-made' millionaire.

Many people purport to show how you can take charge of your career change, but few of them have the personal experience or credibility to convince you that it is possible.

Many others would even try to tell you that it can't be done, but that is just their lack of imagination. All that you really need is some expert help and your own desire to make it happen.

When you know what is involved, you can use a very direct approach to drive your career change.

It is relatively easy to learn how you can change your thinking to a new way of thinking about your career change that powers you through the change and empowers you personally to take charge of your career. Just don't continue to believe that 'they' are in charge.

The Direct Approach and Unadvertised JObs

Job banks, search engines, job listings, and job guides are all useful tools in your employment search; however they won’t find you the unadvertised jobs. Statistics show that perhaps up to 60% of all jobs are unadvertised and are found informally - that is to say through networking and the direct approach - so the unadvertised jobs are what you really need to uncover.

You can uncover these unadvertised jobs and get back into the driving seat by putting together a carefully crafted direct approach letter.

This direct approach letter is no more and no less than a ‘marketing’ exercise to a specifically qualified target audience. It is NOT a mail-shot and certainly NOT ‘speculative’ letters that some people would have you waste your time writing. Compared to a direct approach letter, the speculative letter or mail-shot is a complete waste of time, effort and possible opportunity. So don’t do it!

Overcome those Interview Nerves

You also need to find out how to overcome those interview nerves and get yourself better prepared than the interviewer!

The “Tell me about yourself” type of question is used by many interviewers to allow you to settle in and feel comfortable. An interviewer who hasn’t prepared beforehand will tend to ask this question to buy time while she thinks of the next question. It's then only human nature to ask questions relating to what has already been said (by you). Your answer to the "Tell me about yourself" question can therefore set the whole agenda for the interview.

Prepare this well and you’re streets ahead. It should include a brief walk through your career history from the first job or when you left university; touch on each move you made with positive reasons for the move [e.g. I wanted to get some activity based costing experience...] and key in only relevant facts that show how you meet their needs. Allow only 3 minutes for this with most time spent on your most recent experience.

You will also discover that there are self-describing phrases that have interviewers falling over themselves to hire you.

A "Key Strengths" statement is one of these phrases and is a summary of your most powerful skills and attributes. You just need to prepare it carefully beforehand because it:

• Highlights your most important skills and abilities;
• Differentiates you from others and quantifies your added-value;
• Avoids the generalisations that most people seem to fall foul of;
• Provides specific examples of your achievements;
• Should be spoken naturally and take no more than two minutes.

Understand the Purpose of Your Resume or CV

Want to know what's wrong with your Resumé or CV and why they often just get in the way of your progress to the job you want?

All the poor recruiter wants to know is this: "Should I interview this candidate?"

You must make it easy for them to conclude: yes I want to interview this candidate. That is the sole job of your CV or Resume. So get your information in the right order and keep it brief and relevant. Too much information can disguise all the good things you have to offer, because nobody can find them. The first page is the most important part of the CV or resume. The reader needs to see immediately who you are, what you have to offer and how they can get hold of you.

• What specific skills are showcased on your CV or resume?
• Have you clearly identified your level of expertise and competence?
• Have you worked in different sectors?
• A short section of “Key Skills & Achievements” can cover a lot of ground for you.

Negotiate a Better Salary

Learn how you can use tried and tested negotiation tactics, without upsetting anyone, to negotiate yourself a better salary package and take charge of your career.

1. Choose the best and most receptive time for your boss. Ask for a meeting midweek, when the initial issues of the week have been dealt with and the end of the week is in sight. Most people are in a slightly more amenable frame of mind at the midweek point;

2. Make sure you have all your performance statistics at hand to show how you have added value. Your boss is only interested in paying for results, so what can you show?

3. Don't go in aggressively or in an adversarial frame of mind however much you need the extra money. Start pushing and you may as well forget it;

4. Use friendly language and gestures - the issue needs to be a "what can we do?" discussion, rather that a "what will you do?" confrontation.

The day we sign on the dotted line for a permanent job, especially in the public services, certain surreptitious things begin to happen. Like a worm, knowledge of our new situation slithers ominously into our consciousness until the final acknowledgement that our salary is there for life, or as long as we want it, and we don't have to worry for a long time. The plans begin in earnest. Lots and lots of plans to get the house, the car, the freezer, the personal yacht and helicopter! - anything that will confirm our new status while anchoring us firmly to new contractual knots. Expectation is high and ambition has few limits.

Gradually, as we become weighted down by responsibilities and bills, we realise that we do not have to do anything fantastic to stay in the job. Barring any catastrophe, so long as our work is acceptable, we are protected from the storms of deprivation and worry, shielded snugly from any occupational winds of anxiety, except on a domestic level, and, without increasing our effort one bit, we can acquire even more trappings of success while suiting output to match our leisurely pace. However, something else has been happening while we have been settling in to our situation. The basic need for stimulation, responsibility and recognition is getting stronger, but is perhaps not being fulfilled and begins a painfull plunge into feelings of nothingness.

There are three stages to every new job: (a) Introduction and initiation, (b) task familiarity and (c) full experience. Depending on the number of aspects involved, and the complexity of the tasks, all three stages tend to take between three and five years. The first stage of being inducted is always novel and interesting, especially if it is something we really want to do. Second stage familiarity boosts our confidence and self-esteem by confirming personal capabilities while adding new knowledge and skills to our repertoire. If this stage has been a success, the final stage marks us as a kind of expert, well versed in all aspects of our job description, and ready for greater responsibility. Add another two years for luck, and the employee is ready to move on, hopefully, to better things. However, it is this last stage which causes the most difficulty because it sets up expectations, especially around promotion and greater recognition and reward, which are often not forthcoming.

Low Morale and High Stress

If we do not move on to something completely different, preferably in a new environment, we begin to lose our enthusiasm and belief in ourself. Soon we give up trying, becoming resigned to the situation and tend to do the minimum. It is a short step to being happier out of the job than in it. Repetition and too much familiarity simply kill the spirit. Teaching, local government and the Civil Service have prime examples of this, which is often reflected in high levels of stress, low standard of service and low morale. Yet the more we stay in any job, the harder it is to get out of it and the more worthless we feel. Fear gradually takes us over and reduces our value. The converse of that is the development of a sort of 'jobsworth' mentality where the job becomes everything, for its own sake, with its own territory and petty rules.

Leaving any permanent post is a difficult act because the final, and most expensive, cost to the individual is in self-esteem. Gradually we begin to think we will never get another job anywhere; no one else would want the 'little' we would bring and everyone else is so much better than we are. This is also the stage where we either become 'dictatorial and indispensable', working solely by the book and resent any newcomer with great ideas to show us up, or overtly critical and fault-finding of suggestions and colleagues in order to boost flagging egos.

We also become fretful, apathetic, demoralised and too ready to forget that if we did get this permanent job years ago when we had fewer skills, we would get an even better one now when we are more experienced. But we actually have to believe in our development and earnestly take the initiative to look elsewhere. As we tend to assume there is nowhere else to go and cling on for dear life, we work less to compensate, short-changing our employer and becoming less attractive to our bosses in the process. With time, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy that we won't be able to find new work. So we stay put, hungry for something better but fully sated with bitterness, regret, resentment and remorse.

Greater Flexibility and Expertise

Due to our technological revolution, workers of the future will be moving regularly between employment and self-employment. Sensible, confident employees will not be deterred by that. Nothing activates the adrenalin better, or develops the individual more, than an insecure position. Superficially, it might not have too many overtly positive aspects, but it is guaranteed to keep us alert, to increase personal effort and input, to make us more tolerant and raise our appreciation of both situations and people. In time, the various skills we develop will not only increase personal confidence, self-worth and feeling of achievement, they will also dramatically improve our flexibility, self-reliance and competence.

In the process, we do learn that the more we put into our existence, the more meaningful and enjoyable it will be. Even more important, we also learn how to make decisions, to be patient in the face of adversity, to recognise that we have real choices, to genuinely believe in ourselves and to make the most of every opportunity, without too many regrets.

No job should last longer than five or seven years. It might be unstable for certain professions but it would make for a more interesting, unpredictable and rewarding life, as well as ensuring available expertise, unstinting contributions to, and exciting opportunities in, our chosen field.

Many gamers look at the games they play and dream of creating their own. Perhaps with a pet idea for a game that hasn’t been done yet. Maybe you think a particular game is brilliant, but the plot is so thin, surely a better writer could have pulled so much more out of the experience. If you find yourself thinking like this, maybe a video game design job is for you. Let's take a look at what positions are available.

Lead designers write and program and organize. It is the responsibility of the lead designer to make sure the universe of the game is a place players will find interesting. The lead designer needs to keep track of the pulse of the gaming world, to know what is hot, what is cold and what gamers will expect in a new game. The lead designer tries to find the best compromise between the resources and time available and the needs of the project to create the best possible game, knowing where to cut corners and where to focus attention.

Another of the tasks is to ensure that everyone in the project understands and works towards the themes of the game. What seems like a minor change can cost weeks of work and waste thousands of dollars. The lead designer has to determine when it is worth those changes, and to plan well enough that changes aren’t needed more than a tiny amount of the time.

Game designers take the notes given to them by the others and turn them into virtual reality. Game designers are given parts of the game and are told to make each module work, and work together with the modules the other designers are managing. Game designers have to be good analysts and outgoing people who will seek out the other members of the team to make every piece work correctly together and leverage every skill and asset available to better the game. They have to be able to figure out what is working, what isn’t working and what needs to be done to correct those problems. They also need to be good writers who can produce clear and concise reports and emails to communicate this with others.

Artists turn those short notes that say a dozen women in chain mail bikinis riding dinosaurs and carrying crossbows will then attack the party into a vision. In a very real sense, an artist did anything you see in the game. There are artists specializing in character design, some who do the background images, others who create the equipment and even animals. Artists must understand how the images will be rendered, so they can create the best appearances while using the least possible amount of system resources.

There are three different methods commonly used to provide computer training to Information Techs. IT training can be done on an individual basis using a study guide. It can be done at a special training facility often using what is called the boot camp method of training. Finally, it can be done by onsite training. Onsite training refers to the training being done right at the IT’s place of employment.

Certainly, the major advantage of onsite training is convenience. The lost time is kept to a minimum. The trainee does not have to travel away from his home, nor does he have to sacrifice his off time for training purposes. Onsite training is also very cost effective. The expense of travel to a distant site is eliminated. Also, lodging and meal expenses are avoided. The trainee simply reports to his regular place of employment and attends the training classes.

Another advantage of onsite training is course tailoring. There is such a broad expanse of technology that can be covered in IT training. Even the Certification programs offer core exams that are selected from a list of possible areas and also elective exams. Onsite training can be designed to address the needs of the organization very specifically. Proper course tailoring can eliminate the time spent learning applications that have no relationship to the organization sponsoring the training.

There a few downsides to onsite training. The training boot camp is an established training facility that features the most up to date equipment designed for hands on training. It is staffed by highly trained and experienced instructors proficient at preparing students for Certification exams. It is not always possible to duplicate this type of facility and these resources for onsite training without a serious disruption of normal operations.

Also, some students function better when allowed to pursue training on an individual basis. This has been discovered with the rise of distance learning over the past decade. Certain people are held back in a classroom environment and excel when allowed to proceed at their own pace. For this type of individual, the expense and effort of arranging onsite training would be wasted.

In most cases, onsite training is a sensible and cost effective alternative. It deserves serious consideration when an overall training program is being implemented. The size and type of facilities available within the organization and the overall training budget need to be considered. Increased competition and the need to control expenses will most likely make onsite training even more popular in the coming years.

This is the culmination of several years of hard work. You've finished college. You're done with your student teaching and you've passed all of your teacher certification examinations. The applications, resumes, and cover letters have been sent out to every local school district.

All you can do now is sit around the house and wait for the phone to ring, right? Wrong! You should be preparing for your interview!

I've been to the interview table several times as a candidate and many more times as an interviewer. If there were any tricks, secrets, or shortcuts to success in the interviewing process, I haven't discovered them. My only sound advice for candidates is to come to the interview prepared.

You should have your teaching portfolio in-hand and you should be ready to talk about anything and everything that relates to you, your background, and your philosophies on education. The best candidates know how to teach, they know how to articulate their teaching beliefs, and most of the time, they already know what types of questions will be asked before the interview even begins.

It's easy for an interviewer to spot an unprepared candidate. Candidates who have not practiced basic interview questions beforehand are unnaturally nervous. They shift in their seats more. They begin most answers with the word, "uhhhhh." There are long pauses while interviewers wait for the candidate to process the question and think up an answer. They get confused by basic educational jargon that they learned in college.

Almost every teaching interview includes similar, common questions. In order to be a prepared candidate, all you have to do is practice answering the most common questions before you go to the interview. (See my practice interview questions chapter in my eBook to review the 45 most commonly asked questions.) If you prepare beforehand, the interview questions will seem routine and familiar. There are no tricks or shortcuts; if you do your homework you will perform well.

Body language can show whether you're a confident, qualified teacher or an unsure one. At the interview, be confident, but not cocky. Smile when you walk in. Greet the people interviewing you with a smile and a nod. Firmly shake the hand of the principal and other interviewers that are within easy reach. When you take your seat, sit up straight with your feet on the floor and your hands in a relaxed position on the desk.

Have a mild sense of humor. Prepare to make some humorous small talk when you are greeted. For example, if a principal shakes your hand and asks how you are, it's okay to say, "A nervous wreck!" A whimsical introduction can break the ice. Be sure your sense of humor is clean and appropriate for an interview.

Have a teaching portfolio ready. Your portfolio should contain extra copies of your resume, a copy of your teaching certificate, sample lesson plans, samples of student work, and any other evidence that shows you are a qualified candidate for a teaching position. It should be bound in a neat, professional-looking leather binder. Place the portfolio in front of you when you sit down at the interview table.

Usually, the people interviewing you will not ask to see your portfolio. They do, however, expect you to have it on-hand. Don't wait for anyone to mention the portfolio. Instead, you should use it as a tool to describe your teaching experiences. For example, if you are asked to describe a lesson that involves teaching writing, you might say, "Yes, I can show you! I have a sample of student work that shows how I teach the writing process."

The first question at almost every interview will be: "Tell us about yourself." You should already know what you're going to say. Keep your answer reasonably brief. You can talk about the college you attended and provide an overview of your teaching experience.

Always be positive. Try not to say, "I don't know." Avoid saying, "I'm not really good at..." Don't say, "That's one of my weak points." Always tell the truth, but you don't want to suggest that you're not a confident, successful, qualified teacher. If you honestly don't know the answer to a question, you might ask the interviewer to restate it in a different way, or you might want to give the best answer you can based on your knowledge and experiences.

Use lots of examples when you answer questions. When they ask how you would do something, tell them how you have already done it. This will make you seem more experienced. For example, if an interviewer asks, "How would you you use creative problem-solving in your lessons?" You might answer with, "When I was student teaching, I did a great creative problem-solving lesson when..." When you use specific examples, you're convincing the interviewers that you're more than just hypothetical talk.

The final question of your interview will most likely be, "Do you have any questions for us?" Be prepared with a thoughtful question ahead of time. While this is probably not the most important question of the interview, it is your last chance to leave a positive impression. Rather than answering with, "Not really," you should ask something philosophical or complimentary. You might ask the interviewer why they are proud of their school or what the people you'll be working with are like. Since your interviewers will probably be meeting with lots of candidates, you should use the opportunity to ask a question and make yourself stand out. And, think about it: You've been on the hot seat answering their questions for 45 minutes. You've earned the right to turn the table, even if it is just for a moment.

When you leave, the interviewers will, of course, be talking about you. They'll be filling out little forms rating your experience, qualifications, communication skills, and personality. At the end of the day, they will have about a dozen of these forms sitting on the desk. They'll look through them all and the chosen candidates will be the ones who were the most memorable, most qualified, and most prepared for the meeting. With some time and effort, that candidate can be you.

With so many claims of ways to make money on your computer more and more people are being swayed into the idea that they maybe able to work at home. Paid surveys, affiliate marketing, data entry, drop shipping, horse racing betting systems and mystery shopping seem to be the most popular with people today. Well I have to admit I was also one of those people, fed up with the drudgery of the 9 to 5 existence, I simply wanted to find a way to spend more time with my family than I did my employers and this seemed the best option.

The first method I tried turned out to be unsuccessful. As my job at the time was working on a computer I thought data entry sounded the nearest to my abilities I already possessed so I would be able to get straight into it. I signed up for a membership on the Wednesday and by the following Wednesday I had received just one form and from this I earned nothing. I gave the membership another two months, but nothing happened, I had being scammed. Normally this would have been enough to put me off for life but a couple of days after I first signed up for the data entry I also decided to sign up with a paid surveys site, which to my own disbelief was actually earning me money. Now don't get me wrong it was nowhere near the amount I needed to pack in my job and work at home full time, but it was a start and it was a nice amount of extra income for me and the family. I have since tried many, many paid survey sites and not all of them work but the ones that do make it a worthwhile venture, especially if you can avoid the scams.

I have tried several data entry schemes since and I have yet to find one that works, thats not to say non of them work just that I haven't found one yet. Horse racing was something that interested me as a child so with some of the extra income I had from my paid surveys I decided to join a betting system. I was very weary, after all no one knows 100% whats going to win. I found the system used something called Betfair now the important thing about Betfair was you could bet against an horse in other words bet for it to lose , you could also bet in the middle of the races, this made the program very easy to earn money from.

I also tried my hand at drop shipping, now drop shipping is a good idea and technically sound the problem is you need to already have money before starting out which kind of defeats most people before they start, so for that reason I wouldn't recommend it. I have saved the biggest way to earn money until last. Affiliate marketing is the best way to earn a living at home from your computer. If you put in the time and effort in the early stages then have no doubt you are guaranteed to earn enough money to work from home full time. There are a lot of rubbish affiliate marketing programs out there and it took me five attempts to find one that worked well and I've tried many since with only a few worth recommending but those that do work are well and truly worth it.

However before applying or training for a job in audit it’s worth gaining a good overview of the industry.

Internal and External Audit Jobs

Internal auditors work within companies. Their responsibility is to evaluate the processes & internal systems of control. They try to work as independently of the company as possible to gain the most objective distance, whilst still being directly employed by the company. Internal audit jobs are ideal for those with an analytical mind and who like the variety of working across various departments of a company.

External auditors often carry out similar sorts of tasks as internal auditors however they work for outside firms, often for large accountancy companies. External auditors have complete objectivity; they are responsible for giving an honest assessment of the company and its affairs.

The Big Four

Four large financial firms dominate the audit industry. They employ the best auditors and deal with the highest profile clients.

PricewaterhouseCoopers employs over 140,000 people worldwide and has worldwide revenues of over $20 billion. The company was formed when Price Waterhouse and Coopers & Lybrand merged in 1998. PwC, as it is commonly known, audits four of the top ten biggest firms in both the UK & US, is widely acknowledged as a good employer and is often rated in surveys of students as the most desirable company to work for out of the “Big Four”.

Deloitte is another big audit firm. Its global headquarters are based in Manhattan, New York. Deloitte is particularly proud of its female employees & often acknowledges it has a higher proportion of women directors, partners & principles than the other top audit firms. Its client list reads like a who’s who of big business and includes Real Madrid, Microsoft & Starbucks.

While there has been a huge number of mergers & acquisitions in the history of Ernst & Young, the roots of the company can be traced back to 1849. The company has been through a number of changes but has firmly secured itself in the “Big Four”. Annually they also arrange an ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ which, amongst others, has been won in recent years by the founders of Google, Amazon & eBay.