When I first started my business, a colleague suggested to me that I bill my clients based on the results I created for them. It was an appealing idea at the time - after all, who wouldn't take me up on that offer, and so long as I performed, I'd get paid. Sounds too good to be true? It probably is. Here's an article that discusses charging models and why being paid on results, popular as this is becoming, may not be your best option.I'm...more
VIX and the Psychology of MarketsWe know that greed and fear rule the markets. But did you know that when investors gets too greedy, markets usually fall, and when investors are overcome with fear, markets usually rise. So how can when we monitor investors emotions and take advantage of investors emotional extremes?Welcome to the world of investor sentiment analysis.Investor psychology has been analysed for at least 250 years. Charles MacKay...more
If you are a loan officer or mortgage broker, and you are on the market for mortgage leads, you may want to consider buying them in "real time."Real time leads or fresh leads are for loan officers looking for quality in a lead, as opposed to buying quantity, otherwise known as buying in bulk.If you are buying your leads in bulk, you are undoubtedly purchasing very old leads that have been recycled from lead company to lead company several times over.Real time leads arrive at your door step within seconds of the prospect filling out the on line form and hitting the "submit" button.Here is how it works:1. A potential customer goes onto a website owned and operated by the lead company.2. The potential customer fills out the on line form specific to what they are looking for in the way of loan type, loan amount, ltv, etc.3. The customer than hits the "submit" button.4. The on line form, now considered a lead, comes to the lead company web site.5. The lead finds a matching filter previously set up by a loan officer.6. Once the lead finds a matching filter, it is than delivered by way of e-mail to the loan officer within seconds of its arrival.If you are sick and tired of hearing "I...more
Bring LIFE into the strategic planning processFace it - you didn't go into business for yourself to give up all semblance of the life of your dreams! You had a great idea and/ or wanted to be your own boss. But you quickly found that you were sacrificing many things in your life - your workouts, your family, your yard, your health! Yes, you need...more
Any good job hunter needs a resume package. The cover letter and resume always go together and do the same basic thing in slightly different ways. A job hunter without both of them will probably not get very far in the search for a good career position. With that in mind, let's take a look at what these crucial documents should do for you. The...more
Here's a tip for cover letters to get more interviews. Use a bulleted format cover letter rather than a standard letter in paragraphs. The bulleted format is more eye catching, and is more likely to be glanced at by the hiring manager or other person assigned to sort through resumes. This format will help you get your resume seen by more people and as a result get more interviews and more job offers.If you follow this advice and decide to use the bulleted format, make sure that each bullet point specifies a reason for the hiring manager to talk with you. This reason can be your number of years experience, your education, a personality trait that you have, or an accomplishment.Examples of bulleted points would be:- Over 20 years experience in Human Resource Management.Or - Outstanding work ethic. Lead by example.Or - Master of Science in Education. Currently enrolled in Doctorate program.Or - Saved last employer $30,000 in revenue through modernization of accounting system.Or - Increased sales by 25% last quarter.This bulleted format allows you to toot your own horn, but in a way that does not seem egotistical because it is obviously part of a resume package. Another tip...more
A thank you letter after you accept a job offer shows good taste, gratitude, and in general shows a new employer that they made a wise decision in hiring you. Most new hires do not write one, so if you are one of the smart few people who do, your...more
The exit interview is not a time to burn bridges with your old company. It has become a very common ritual throughout corporate America, and the idea behind it is to find out from departing staff members, when they no longer have to worry about...more
What are good questions to ask during an interview is a good question in itself, and one that always comes up when a conscientious person is preparing for a big job interview. The fact that a person even wonders that sets them apart from the crowd...more
Preparing for an interview over the phone is primarily a mental exercise, and something that is easy to prepare for. It is the second impression that you will make on a hiring decision maker - the first impression was obviously made for you by your...more
A sample letter to use as a guide when preparing your follow up letters can assist your job search, save you time, and make you look very professional. Take a look at the following, and use it as a guide when preparing your own follow up...more
A sample thank you letter that you use after an interview, as a guideline or template, will save you a lot of time when preparing this type of correspondence. Since you'll prepare it before the job interview when you are not nervous and have a clear...more