'Godmother of Cocaine' Gunned Down in Colombia

'Godmother of Cocaine' Gunned Down in Colombia: Reports - A 69-year-old woman known throughout the drug world as the "Godmother of Cocaine" was gunned down by an assassin on a motorcycle in Colombia Monday, according to international news reports.

Griselda Blanco, once listed alongside Pablo Escobar as one of the "most notorious drug lords of the 1980s" by the Drug Enforcement Administration, was fatally shot as she left a butcher's shop in western Medellin Monday afternoon, according to a report by Univision and El Colombiano. Colombia's El Espectador reported authorities are looking for Blanco's killers and are investigating possible motives for the killing.

 

ABC News - 'Godmother of Cocaine' Gunned Down in Colombia: Reports (ABC News) 

Blanco served nearly 20 years in an American prison on drug trafficking charges and was at one point tied to as many as 40 murders in the U.S., according to a 1997 Senate testimony given by then-director of DEA international operations Michael Horn. Horn said that Blanco ordered a Florida mall shooting in 1979 that left two dead and four injured, and she apparently enjoyed her line of work.

"To foster her reputation as the 'Godmother' of cocaine, [Blanco] named her fourth son Michael Corleone, after the fictional mob character portrayed in the movie 'The Godfather,'" Horn said.

Court documents filed in 1988, three years after Blanco was caught, detail the shadowy, decade-long hunt for the queenpin that involved federal agents chasing false identities and checking Miami hospitals for gunshot wound victims that matched Blanco's description. But she wasn't able to elude them forever and after being captured in 1985 in Irvin, Calif. and serving nearly two decades behind bars in America, Blanco was released from prison and deported back to Colombia in 2004.

The DEA referred all inquiries into Blanco's death to Colombian authorities, telling ABC News, "she served her time here." The Colombian National Police did not immediately respond to requests for comment for this report. ( ABC News )

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Arab-Muslim to join 'Green Lantern' comic series

Arab-Muslim to join 'Green Lantern' comic series — When DC Comics decided to blow up its fabled universe and create a brave, diverse future, Geoff Johns drew from the past for a new character: his own background as an Arab-American.

The company's chief creative officer and writer of the relaunched "Green Lantern" series dreamed up Simon Baz, DC's most prominent Arab-American superhero and the first to wear a Green Lantern ring. The character and creator share Lebanese ancestry and hail from the Detroit area, which boasts one of the largest and oldest Arab communities in the United States.

 

This image provided by DC Comics via Bender/Helper Impact shows interior panels of the November 2012 issue of the latest Green Lantern series featuring the character Simon Baz, DC Comics most prominent Arab-American superhero and the first to wear a Green Lantern ring. The character and creator share Lebanese ancestry and hail from the Detroit area, which boasts one of the largest and oldest Arab communities in the United States. (AP Photo/DC Comics via Bender/Helper Impact)

"I thought a lot about it — I thought back to what was familiar to me," Johns, 39, told The Associated Press by phone last week from Los Angeles, where he now lives. "This is such a personal story."

The Green Lantern mantle in DC Comics is no stranger to diversity with its ranks made up of men, women, aliens — animal, vegetable and mineral — from across the universe.

Earlier this year an alternate universe Green Lantern was reintroduced as openly gay.

Baz's story begins in a standalone "zero issue" available Wednesday that's part of a companywide effort to fill in the gaps or tell the origins of a character or team. Johns has no plans for Baz to fade into the background — the character in February is bound for the Justice League of America, one of DC's premier super team books, to fight alongside Green Arrow, Catwoman and Hawkman.

Johns said he took economic as well as ethnic cues for the character from his native Detroit area, with Baz resorting to stealing cars after being laid off from his automotive engineering job. He steals the wrong car, which inadvertently steers him into a terrorism probe and, eventually, an unexpected call to join the universe's galactic police force.

The olive-skinned, burly Baz hails from Dearborn, the hometown of Henry Ford and the capital of Arab America. His story begins at 10 years old, when he and the rest of his Muslim family watch their television in horror as airplanes fly into the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. Events unfold from there as U.S. Arabs and Muslims find themselves falling under intense suspicion and ostracism in the days, months and years following the attacks.

"Obviously, it's affecting everybody," said Johns, who grew up in nearby suburbs in a Lebanese Christian household and got into comics when he discovered his uncle's old collection in his Arab grandmother's attic. "One of the things I really wanted to show was its effect on Simon and his family in a very negative way."

Baz is not the first Arab or Muslim character to grace — or menace, as has historically been the case — the comic world. Marvel Comics has Dust, a young Afghan woman whose mutant ability to manipulate sand and dust has been part of the popular X-Men books. DC Comics in late 2010 introduced Nightrunner, a young Muslim hero of Algerian descent reared in Paris. He is part of the global network of crime fighters set up by Batman alter-ego Bruce Wayne.

Frank Miller, whose dark and moody take on Batman in "The Dark Knight Returns" in 1986 energized the character, took a different tack in his recent book, "Holy Terror," which tells the story of The Fixer and his efforts to stamp out Islamic terrorists. The graphic novel initially took root as a look at Batman's efforts to fight terrorism, which grew out of Miller's experiences of being in New York on 9/11.

A broader mission to bring Islamic heroes and principles to the comic world comes from Naif Al-Mutawa, creator of "The 99." The U.S. educated psychologist from Kuwait has been gaining followers across the globe since the 2006 debut of the comic book that spawned a TV series. "The 99" is named after the number of qualities the Quran attributes to God: strength, courage, wisdom and mercy among them.

The series gained a wide audience in 2010, when it worked with DC on a six-issue crossover that teamed the "The 99" with The Justice League of America.

Johns, who also has written stories starring Superman, The Flash and Teen Titans, said going diverse only works if there's a good story, and he believes he found that with Baz. But don't mistake him for a hero in the beginning: Baz disappoints both devout Muslims — his forearm tattoo that reads "courage" in Arabic is considered "haram," or religiously forbidden — and broader society by turning to a life of crime.

"He's not a perfect character. He's obviously made some mistakes in his life, but that makes him more compelling and relatable," he said. "Hopefully (it's) a compelling character regardless of culture or ethnic background. ... But I think it's great to have an Arab-American superhero. This was opportunity and a chance to really go for it."

Of course, Johns hopes Green Lantern fans accept Baz, who joins other humans who have been "chosen," including Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Guy Gardner and Kyle Rayner. The overall relaunch has been good for DC, which has seen a solid gain in sales and critical reception — as well as some expected grumbling — since coming out with the "New 52" last year.

Johns also sees the debut of Baz as a chance to reconnect with people in his home state: He's scheduled to visit Dearborn this weekend for events related to the release that include a signing Friday at a comic book store and a free presentation Saturday on his career and characters at the Arab American National Museum. He worked with museum staff to make sure he got certain details right about his character and the Arab-Muslim community.

"It doesn't completely define the character but it shapes the character," he said. "My biggest hope is that people embrace it and understand what we're trying to do." ( Associated Press )

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There’s no end to her talents! Willow Smith shows off amazing gymnastic skills as she posts pic of herself doing the splits

There’s no end to her talents! Willow Smith shows off amazing gymnastic skills as she posts pic of herself doing the splits - She is already making the transition from music to film with a role in the upcoming adaptation of comic book series Amulet.

And now Willow Smith appears to be adding another string to her bow.

The 11-year-old showed off her gymnastics skills by posting a photo of herself doing the splits to her Twitter page and WhoSay account last week.

Flexible: Willow Smith revealed a hidden talent as she posted a photo of herself doing the splits to her Twitter page

Accompanied by a caption that simply said ‘#dance’, the photo shows the youngster on the beach, stretching on the sand.

She wore a tie dye T-shirt but kept her long legs bare to further emphasise the difficulty of the pose.

A few days later Willow was spotted enjoying an NBA game with her parents Will and Jada Pinkett Smith and brother Jaden.

Happy family: Willow recently attended an NBA game with her parents Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, and brother Jaden

Her parents were besieged by separation rumours just a few months ago, but they seem to be solid as a unit once again.

The Men in Black star, 43 , and his actress wife, 40, hugged and could not stop smiling as they sat court side at the game in Will's home town of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Willow recently debuted her new green buzz-cut by posting a series of sunny images to her WhoSay account.

Individuality: Willow may only be 11-years-old but she has a very distinct style

Going green: Willow has been showing off her newly dyed bright buzz-cut

The Whip My Hair singer who is signed to Beyoncé's husband Jay-Z's Roc Nation label chopped her locks off during a trip to Costa Rica at the end of last month.

In an interview with The Sunday Times it was revealed that because of her music career she no longer attends school.

She has a tutor but admitted her friends are ahead of her because she is too busy for lessons.

'There is a tutor most of the time, but usually I am working so I never get to do the lessons. The worst thing about maths is all the kids are ahead of me because they go to school.' ( dailymail.co.uk )

READ MORE - There’s no end to her talents! Willow Smith shows off amazing gymnastic skills as she posts pic of herself doing the splits

How to Date a Wall Street Man

How to Date a Wall Street Man - As a professional matchmaker with an office in New York City, many of my clients are very successful, high profile Wall Street men.

I have spent the better part of 12 years learning all of their habits, their likes and dislikes when it comes to dating, women and relationships and what they want specifically from me, when I am matching them with women.

Hence, I know, better than anyone, what makes Wall Street men tick.

Here are a few tips for the women out there who are dating or would like to be dating a man on Wall Street:

1. Be prepared to charm him out of talking about work when he first arrives to the date. Unfortunately, a lot of guys on Wall Street have a hard time leaving work at the office; it’s your job to get his mind on you and off the S & P.

2. Learn a little something about the financial markets and notice if something huge happens on a given day, negative or positive. Things like the fact that Facebook is going public is not just financial news, it’s world news and you don’t want to seem clueless if you completely missed something like that. You don’t have to become an expert but at least if you know something you can participate in a conversation with your guy. Additionally, you need to be prepared that the volatility of the markets might make your guy’s mood unpredictable, especially on a day that his personal portfolio went down dramatically.

3. While a Wall Street man tends to like a little bit of a challenge when it comes to dating, he still likes things to be convenient and easy for him. A lot of women think that if they play hard to get, they will land a Wall Street man. This is NOT the case. Yes, you should be confident and avoid being a pushover but, at the same time, you shouldn’t be difficult. You need to be accommodating or his schedule and time constraints or he will get frustrated and find another woman.

4. Tell stories that are short and sweet because the mind of a Wall Street man is always moving so rapidly and focusing on so many different things that his attention span for social stories is very short; don’t be insulted by this, just tell your stories in a way that he can listen. Save your long, draw-out stories for chit-chatting with your girlfriends.

5. Be sexy. Wall Street men tend to like women who are attractive and that other men notice when they walk in the room. This does not mean that you should look sleazy or inappropriate, this just means that you should bring your “A game” when you go out with him, whatever that is. Every man is attracted to a different look and a different type of woman so if he’s interested in you, he’s attracted to you but you need to maintain his interest by continuing to look your best.

6. Don’t get upset if he checks his BlackBerry or takes a call during a date; this is very common of a Wall Street man and has nothing to do with whether or not he likes you. The advice that I give Wall Street men about their need to bring business onto the date is that they should forewarn you when they first sit down that a call or a message is coming and apologize in advance. Albeit the fact that this would be an easy thing to do, they won’t always remember to do it, so don’t get offended.

7. Don’t get upset if your Wall Street guy isn’t as romantic as you would like him to be. Men, by nature are never as romantic as women want them to be, but Wall Street men especially are very business-like and think practically not romantically. If you want him to be more romantic, you are probably going to have to lead the way, and teach him what you want.

8. Wall Street men tend to be attracted to women who are in industries other than Wall Street. This does not mean that if you work on Wall Street, you won’t end up with a Wall Street man, however his eye tends to be looking towards non-Wall Street women. Hence, if you are a Wall Street woman and you are interested in dating a Wall Street man, you need to make sure that you let him and others see that you are not all business all the time, that you have a soft, feminine, family-oriented and fun side when you are not in the office.

9. When it comes to getting you a gift, a lot of Wall Street men are all about extravagance over thoughtfulness. If you are a decadent woman, this will work well for you, but if you are a woman who prefers a man to be thoughtful over spending lavishly on something you don’t really want, you might be disappointed. This does not mean that a Wall Street man can’t be thoughtful, many are. However, a lot of Wall Street men are so busy making lots of money, that when they think to buy you something, they don’t care about the cost as long as it’s easy to get for you.

10. Don’t get upset if your plans get scheduled by his assistant. Even though, it is dating 101 for a man to pick up the phone and call you for a date or in this day and age to text you for one, many Wall Street men are so reliant on their assistants that they prefer to have you on their schedule just like a business meeting. Do not take offense to this; this does not mean that he likes you all the less, it just means that he likes to be organized and efficient and his assistant helps him accomplish this. ( cnbc.com )

READ MORE - How to Date a Wall Street Man

Hot Careers for 2012 -- and Beyond

Hot Careers for 2012 -- and Beyond - Strange but true: Despite the fact that unemployment is stuck at around 9%, which translates to about 15 million Americans out of work, nearly 3 million job openings in the U.S. are going unfilled, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Why? The biggest reason is a mismatch between the qualifications employers are looking for and the skills job hunters have.

So which skills are most in demand? Here are 10 of the hottest:

Hot Careers for 2012 -- and Beyond

1. Information technology.
When career site Indeed.com recently analyzed millions of job postings on its web site, researchers found that the fastest-growing category of keywords — including HTML5, Android, mobile app, and social media — were in IT, and a new survey by tech job site Dice.com bears that out: About 65% of hiring managers said they hope to add tech staff in the first half of 2012. Roughly a quarter of those (27%) said they want to expand their IT headcount by more than 20%.

Openings for software developers who specialize in applications will rise by more than one-third (34%) by 2018, says Best Jobs for the 21st Century, a new book by job market analyst Laurence Shatkin, while companies will hire 20% more computer systems analysts. Rising pay in these fields reflects the surge in demand: The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that developers of systems software, for instance, earn an average of $94,180 per year.

2. Health care professionals.
Partly due to the aging of the U.S. population, health care has been hot for a while now, and the trend shows no sign of slowing. Shatkin's research says the U.S. will need 103,900 more registered nurses every year (average salary: $64,690) well into the next decade, along with 7,860 new physical therapists per annum (average pay: $76,310). Demand for dental hygienists is up too, with a projected 36.1% growth in job openings between now and 2018 (average pay: $68,250).

3. Health care management and support staff.
Don't have the training or experience to work directly with patients? No worries. "People often overlook the fact that businesspeople run health care companies," says Justin Hirsch, president of recruiting firm JobPlex. "With all the change happening in the system now, there is churn as well as growth. We're constantly seeing new openings in general management, finance, marketing, human resources, you name it."

4. Engineers.
Note to college students who want their pick of job offers when they graduate: Consider majoring in engineering. A whopping 88% of employers in a new poll by the Society for Human Resource Management bemoaned the difficulty of finding enough engineers to hire. Civil engineers are in demand too: Shatkin's analysis of BLS data shows a 24.3% spike ahead in jobs for people who design roads, bridges, and other infrastructure projects (average annual pay: $77,560).

5. Industrial skills.
Think U.S. manufacturing is moribund? Think again. More than two-thirds (68%) of employers in the SHRM survey pointed to a shortage of qualified new hires to replace people retiring from the skilled trades: electricians, carpenters, welders. Moreover, says Justin Hirsch, "We're seeing an increase in industrial hiring in logistics, supply-chain management, and plant management." As more companies go global, demand for expertise in logistics -- the art and science of moving stuff efficiently from one place to another -- will continue to heat up.
See also: Will you get a raise in 2012?

6. Life sciences and biotech.
Medical innovators ranging in size from Big Pharma down to biotech startups are on a hiring binge: Shatkin sees a 40% jump in job openings for research scientists between now and 2018 (average salary: $76,700). As with health care companies in general, these employers will also need managers and support staff (see No. 3).

7. Salespeople.
Selling has historically been the closest thing there is to a recession-proof career, and this economic downturn is no exception. Since they're the ones bringing the dough in the door, salespeople are often the first to be hired and last to get laid off. Almost three-quarters (72%) of employers in the SHRM survey said they can't get enough salespeople now.

8. Accounting and finance.
Demand for accountants and finance mavens (particularly forensic accountants and compliance specialists) has been climbing steadily for the past several years, and U.S. colleges are still not turning out enough grads in these fields to fill the available openings. The SHRM survey found that more than half (54%) of employers would hire more accountants and finance experts if they could find them.

9. Discount retailers.
"Not to mention any specific company names -- everyone knows who they are, anyway -- but the big national discount store companies have flourished during this recession," notes Justin Hirsch. "And most of them are hiring managers as well as in-store personnel."

10. Private equity firms.
Recruiters report that private equity firms are actively seeking management talent for their portfolio companies "across all industries and all functional areas," says Hirsch. "They're poaching already-employed, seasoned managers from big companies -- people who can step into either a turnaround situation or a pre-IPO company and make it work. These are challenging jobs, and could be a real feather in a manager's cap if he or she can bring it off successfully."

Do unemployed executives have a shot? "With the right network, yes," Hirsch says. "It's about having great business acumen, especially a knack for coping with ambiguity, and being known for that. It helps to have the right connections." ( fortune )

READ MORE - Hot Careers for 2012 -- and Beyond

Woman's plane photos of space shuttle go viral

Woman's plane photos of space shuttle go viral – Groggy from a late night watching the Yankees, frigid from a chilled airplane cabin, Stefanie Gordon stirred to action after the pilot's announcement. Lifting her iPhone to the plane's window, she captured an otherworldly image that rocketed around the globe as fast as her subject: Space shuttle Endeavour soaring from a bank of clouds, its towering plume of white smoke lighting the azure sky.

She had never imagined the response her airborne image — capturing the last launch of Endeavour and the next-to-last space shuttle flight — would ignite. The images and video have been viewed hundreds of thousands of times on Twitter alone, landed on network newscasts and been published in newspapers worldwide.

In turn, they've made a photographic celebrity of sorts of the unemployed 33-year-old from Hoboken, N.J.

"It just blew up," she said of the attention.

Gordon caught an early Delta flight from New York to West Palm Beach on Monday to visit her parents and had a whole row to herself, never imagining the history she would record.

Space shuttle Endeavor as it streaks - This citizen journalism photo taken with a cell phone by Stefanie Gordon aboard a passenger flight from New York to Palm Beach, Fla. shows the space shuttle Endeavor as it streaks toward orbit shortly after liftoff Monday May 16, 2011. Gordon says she had just awakened from a nap on the flight when the pilot announced the shuttle might come into view. (AP Photo/Stefanie Gordon) PREMIUM CONTENT - SPECIAL RATES APPLY ; NO SALES; MAGS OUT; TV OUT

She stretched out and took a nap. Then she awoke shortly before the pilot announced the descent had begun and a sighting of the shuttle was possible. She had forgotten Endeavour was even taking off at 8:56 a.m. EDT, but readied her iPhone just in case.

Then, the pilot came on again, alerting passengers the shuttle was in sight.

"Everybody ran over to the east side of the plane," Gordon said Tuesday, "and all of a sudden there it was in the clouds."

All told, she shot 12 seconds of footage of the shuttle arcing on its simple stream of smoke into space. She also shot three still photographs.

The plane landed minutes later in West Palm Beach and while she was waiting at the luggage carousel, at 9:31 a.m., she began uploading to Twitter. As she waited for her father to pick her up, she realized her work was making a splash.

"My phone just started going crazy," she said.

Among those who reached out to Gordon was Anne Farrar, a photo editor at The Washington Post, who saw the images after they were posted by a friend on Facebook. She said she'd never seen anything quite like this view of a shuttle launch before.

"It was just a really imaginative way to bring it to our readers," Farrar said. "It's almost like an underwater view."

Endeavour is on a 16-day trip — the second to last space shuttle flight. Its main mission is to attach to the space station a $2 billion physics experiment.

The Associated Press contacted Gordon through Facebook and purchased the images. The AP often obtains photos from eye witnesses, called citizen journalists.

As for Gordon, she lost her job at as a meeting planner at a nonprofit organization last month. If the exposure from her pictures helps land her dream job of working in the sports field on special events and promotions, she said, it would all be worth it. Or if someone thinks her photographic eye qualifies her for a permanent job shooting video or photos, she wouldn't turn that down either.

For now, she's basking in the afterglow of her launch shots and hoping for some rest once the media frenzy passes.

"Laying by the pool would be really nice," she said. ( Associated Press )

READ MORE - Woman's plane photos of space shuttle go viral

Is Your Job Ruining Your Body?

Is Your Job Ruining Your Body? - The quick answer: YES When a recent study found that sitting all day shortens women's lives, we gasped in our cubicles, leapt to our feet, and then...sat back down. But there's good news: You can undo the damage and the physical symptoms of stress, whether you spend your days stuck at a desk or chasing kids around.

DO YOU SIT ALL DAY LONG?

It's official: Sitting too much is bad for you. Not only does it place pressure on the low back and tailbone, causing pain and even sciatic nerve trouble for some women, but two recent studies also found that the more time people spend on their butts each day, the more likely they are to die of cancer or heart disease. How to stay healthy: The way to ward off both back strain and the scarier, more serious health effects of sitting is fairly simple. "For five minutes every hour, get up and do something — a trip to the bathroom or the watercooler works, but the more active you can be, the better.


DO YOU TAKE CARE OF KIDS?

Many moms end up with soreness and tightness of the low back and shoulders, what should be called "mommy back." Momhood can be so hard on your body, in fact, that there's a whole group of medical experts who specialize in it: pre- and postpartum physical therapists.


DO YOU TYPE CONSTANTLY?

Spending 20 or more hours a week in front of a computer can put someone at risk of wrist injuries. Often the damage is severe enough that surgery is the only real cure, he says. That's why prevention is so crucial. How to stay healthy: "When you're typing, keep your wrists in a neutral position," says John Lloyd, Ph.D., a certified ergonomist in South Florida — never rest them on your desk or hold them up too high. "Ideally, your forearms should be supported on armrests." Interesting Fact: "During 'that time of the month,' your body retains water, including in the arms and wrists, which increases pressure on the nerves," Lloyd says. (Who knew?)


DO YOU WORK NIGHTS?

One major study found that night-shift nurses were more likely to end up getting breast cancer than those who worked during the day, and other new research found that night-shifters are more likely to have irritable bowel syndrome. How to stay healthy: "Once you get home, decrease room temperature in the bedroom, pull down the shades, and use earplugs to block out interruptions," says Joseph Cilona, Psy.D., a psychologist in New York City.


DO YOU STAND FOR HOURS ON END?

Women who stand for more than eight hours a day have significantly higher rates of varicose veins than those who are on their feet less, research has found. How to stay healthy: It seems counterintuitive, but after a long day of putting pressure on your legs and feet, the smartest thing to do is move them. "Sitting with your legs up can relieve engorged veins and soreness temporarily, but increasing circulation by moving around is the best thing," says Andrew Kwak, M.D., a varicose-vein expert in Bryn Mawr, PA.


ARE YOU SUPER-STRESSED?

Where things get ugly is if the pressure becomes chronic and your body and brain are constantly awash in stress hormones like norepinephrine and cortisol. That can lead to extra belly fat, and increased blood pressure and risk of heart disease, says business psychologist Debra Condren, Ph.D., author of Ambition Is Not a Dirty Word. How to stay healthy: Physical activity can stop the production of cortisol and get rid of tension held in your muscles. Though any kind of physical activity will work, intense cardio like jogging or stair climbing may work best. ( shine.yahoo.com )

READ MORE - Is Your Job Ruining Your Body?

Seven Things You Should Never Do In a Job Search

Seven Things You Should Never Do In a Job Search. Are you inadvertently sabotaging your job search? No matter how skilled or experienced you are, a few easy-to-make mistakes can get in your way.

A single typo on your résumé, for example, may cause hiring managers to question your professionalism and attention to detail, undermining your many professional accomplishments. Put simply, even one wrong move can cancel out all the right ones you've made.

Here are seven common job search mistakes and how to avoid them:

1. Keeping your search to yourself

If no one knows you're looking for a new job, you may inadvertently be extending the length of your search. Talking with your family, friends and acquaintances is one of the best ways to identify new professional contacts and learn about job openings, even those that aren't advertised.

Professional networking Web sites, such as LinkedIn or BrightFuse, are also good avenues. In fact, 62 percent of executives interviewed by Robert Half International believe professional networking Web sites will prove useful in the search for job candidates in the next three years. Moreover, 35 percent of respondents cited social networking sites -- such as Facebook or MySpace -- as recruiting resources they plan to tap. Remember that the larger your network, the more job openings you will hear about.

2. Not doing your research

More than three-quarters of executives polled by RHI said job candidates they meet with display at least some knowledge of the company or industry. If you're not part of this majority, you're doing yourself a disservice.

Applicants who uncover beyond-the-basics knowledge of the job and company are better able to communicate specific ways they can contribute to the organization's success. Peruse corporate Web sites, trade publications and local business journals, and check in with members of your network to gain insights into the firm's challenges, opportunities, culture and values.

3. Flooding the market with an untargeted résumé

Online job boards have made it easy for applicants to apply for a position with the simple click of the mouse. But don't blindly blast your résumé to every company you come across. Hiring managers seek tailored résumés that tie a job seeker's unique skills and abilities to the requirements of the position. Take the extra time and effort to customize your application materials to each opportunity; any information you gathered during your research can prove particularly valuable here.

4. Neglecting the cover letter

Not including a cover letter with your résumé -- even when you've applied for a job online -- is passing up an opportunity to market your skills. In a survey by RHI, 86 percent of executives said cover letters are valuable when evaluating job candidates. A cover letter allows you to explain in greater detail the specific ways in which your expertise can benefit the firm.

5. Failing to proofread

Be mindful of spelling and grammar in your résumé and cover letter. Eighty-four percent of executives surveyed said it takes just one or two typographical errors to remove a candidate from consideration for a job opening.

Make sure all of your written communications with a potential employer, including e-mails and thank-you notes, are error free. To avoid this mistake, consider asking a detail-oriented friend to review your job search materials before submitting them.

6. Searching on your employer's time

If you are employed, it can be tempting to surf the Web for job openings at work. But doing so can quickly land you in hot water. Many companies monitor employees' Web use and, if your boss discovers you're using work hours to search for a new opportunity, you can jeopardize your job. Any activity related to your job search, including scheduling interviews and completing application materials, should be completed on your own time.

7. Failing to follow up with hiring managers

If you've applied for a job and haven't heard back, it's foolish to assume the position has been filled or you are not right for the role. Your résumé may simply have gotten lost in the flood of other applications.

Eighty-two percent of executives surveyed said candidates should contact hiring managers -- whether by e-mail, a phone call or a personalized letter -- within two weeks of submitting a résumé.

One final word of caution: An extended job search can put pressure on you to accept any offer that comes your way, but do your best to avoid taking a position that may cause more heartache than happiness. You may have to accept a less-than-perfect role in certain situations, but don't feel guilty holding out for a position with maximum appeal if you have the financial means to do so. ( msn.com )

READ MORE - Seven Things You Should Never Do In a Job Search

When You Don't Know What You Want to Do

Finding a Job When You Don't Know What You Want to Do. One of the most exciting aspects of a job hunt is the opportunity to pursue any career you want. An endless array of jobs awaits you; hundreds, thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands. Surely you can throw out enough résumés to net the job of your dreams, right?

Alas, it's not that easy. You can't expect to compete with other job seekers if you don't know what you want. Unfortunately, a lot of job seekers don't know what they want to do when they find themselves looking for a job.

Maybe you're young and unsure of your future -- you might even have a degree. You might have been part of the work force for a decade or more and recently realized you don't like what you're doing, but you don't know what's next for you. Not knowing what to do first can be overwhelming, if not disheartening.

"Candidates looking for a job have to start somewhere," says Donna Flagg, president of the Krysalis Group, a business and management consulting firm. "I think the most important thing is not to try to decide on what long-term career is best, because it's too daunting. However, it's not hard to think about places, jobs or things that make you happy or that interest you. Start there and back into employers that may offer such an environment."

The problem, of course, comes with singling out a job that you'll enjoy.

Write it down

Your first step should get your brain working, according to Simma Lieberman, a performance improvement consultant and coach.

"Make a list of jobs, careers and topic areas that have interested you. Don't censor yourself or think of reasons why you shouldn't list them," she suggests. Then start researching.

Browse your social and professional networks for people in the industries that interest you and ask them any questions you have. Try to find experts in these fields who would be willing to have a brief informational interview with you. "After your interviews and research, list the pros and cons, skills and experience needed to be successful, and determine what careers or jobs match your interests, needs and wants."

Throughout this process, remember that you shouldn't close off any avenues without good reason. If you're a numbers person who can't even draw a smiley face to save your life, then you may want to cross artistic careers off the list and consider something in finance. But don't assume any field in finance is off limits because of a scant work history.

Of course, experience is key. Not just the experience you have, but also the experience you're willing to gain, says Annemarie Segaric, author of "Step into the Right Career: Change Your Life While Still Paying the Bills."

"Realize that it's often unreasonable to expect to know exactly what you want without the experience of working in different jobs in the first place. This will take the pressure off of you from having to know what you want to take action," she says. "Instead, taking action on different opportunities will help you hone in what you like and don't like."

If you have worked for two years or just have an internship under your belt, you should already have some idea of what you're good at and what you don't like. Even if it's as simple as realizing you don't like working with customers on a regular basis or you can't stand a cubicle job, knowing what you won't do is helpful to find out what you will do.

"Remember this is not the last job you'll ever have, so let your degree, your passions or even your alumni contacts in a certain industry guide you," she reminds. "You will be able to make this job a steppingstone on this long and often winding career journey."

The process

Once you've got the right mind-set to find a job, you still have to apply and interview, just like all other job candidates, many of whom have known what they wanted to do since they first uttered the words "director of human resources" while still wearing diapers. So when you walk in to an interview, you might not be 100 percent certain you want the job, but don't let the hiring manager know.

Tina Hamilton, president and CEO of HR company hireVision Group, offers some tips for job seekers still trying to find their direction.

· Look for jobs that align with your education.

While you don't want to limit yourself too much during the job hunt, don't apply for a job as an investment banker if you're about to complete a bachelor's in studio art.

· Use your cover letter to illustrate your qualifications.

As with any job hunt, help the hiring manager see why you're a good fit for the position. Don't make him work too hard.

· Don't indicate your lack of direction.

If you admit to the hiring manager you're just trying this job on for size, you're telling him or her that you might not stick around for too long and you raise doubts about your qualifications.

· Don't ask the hiring manager, "What position do you think I should be applying for?"

"These are not career counselors," Hamilton cautions. "If you are turned away for a job you may ask if there is another area in the organization that the interviewer feels might be a better fit for you." ( msn.com )

READ MORE - When You Don't Know What You Want to Do

Five Things Mom Taught You About Networking

Five Things Mom Taught You About Networking. Mothers are beautiful things. They care for us, they nurture us and they teach us the do's and don'ts of life.

I've learned a lot from my mother, especially when she taught me all about life, love and networking. I'm sure she didn't realize she was teaching me about networking at the time! Indeed she was, and I bet your mom taught you about networking as well. Perhaps my mom's words might sound familiar to you.

1. "Share your toys"

I can't remember how many times my mom told me to share. She thought it was important that we knew how to give to others. Growing up in a large family, I had to share almost everything. Sharing is good to learn when you're young, because it's a skill that helps to make us approachable.

Networking just wouldn't be networking if we didn't share. We can build stronger relationships with people when we're willing to share our resources. Some of our best resources include time, money, connections, information, knowledge and skills. People appreciate us when we're willing to give to the relationship. Giving people are approachable and reap the benefits of reciprocity.

2. "Walk, don't run!"

I used to hear this phrase no matter where we were -- in the house, in the grocery store, in the mall, in church and even at school. As a kid, I was always in a hurry to get to the next exciting thing around the corner. I couldn't wait; there always seemed to be someplace more interesting than where I was at the time. My attention was short and my mom was trying to teach me patience.

Patience is a virtue when it comes to networking. A fast-paced networker misses the true essence of the event and could very easily blow right past a tremendous opportunity. Fast-paced networkers tend to build shallow relationships that offer little or nothing of value to your business. On the other hand, patient networkers build deep, long-lasting relationships that significantly impact the growth of their business. Establishing a network that has depth far exceeds one that is shallow and frail.

3. "You have to work for it!"

Nothing in life worth having comes easily; you have to work for it. My parents taught me this lesson by example. They worked hard for what they accomplished and gave to their five children. They were determined to provide a wonderful life for their family and indeed they did. Today, in their retirement, they are reaping the benefits of their labor.

Networking is no different. That's why it's called net-WORK; it's not net-SIT or net-EAT. Building relationships takes not only time, but effort and energy. It also takes commitment and dedication to the process.

Some people put their faith in the "six degrees of separation" theory, which tells them that they're connected to anyone by no more than six degrees. In fact, this theory is flawed. A study actually showed that only 29 percent of the population is indeed separated by six degrees. So, for the majority of us, we've got to work hard to get into the 29 percent and work hard to stay there. The reward for accomplishing this task is great -- beyond what we can even imagine. Our mothers must have had foresight.

4. "Say thank you"

Not long after my siblings and I began to speak, my mom was making sure that we knew how to say "thank you." As most kids do, I wanted to know why saying "thank you" was so important, because, being a fast-paced kid, there seemed to be no time for "thank you."

In true mom form, my mother would reply, "Because, it's the right thing to do." Before I knew it, saying "thank you" became second nature and it felt right. It became a part of who I am and how I operate.

Little did I know then that my mom was teaching me one of the biggest of life's lessons. Saying "thank you" shows your gratitude, expresses your appreciation and solidifies the steps made towards further developing the relationship. It seems as though these two little words don't pack much of a punch these days. I can assure you that a written note of thanks for the efforts of a referral partner will enhance the possibilities that person might refer you again.

5. "Clean up after yourself"

My mother keeps a tidy household. I know that she wanted her kids to learn to appreciate a tidy household, so she always would be sure to tell us, "Clean up after yourself."

Secretly, I think it was her way of delegating so that she didn't have to spend the little spare time she had cleaning up after five kids. For me, it worked. I can remember always putting my toys away and tidying up my room.

What does cleaning up after yourself have to do with networking? As kids, there was always one last thing to do when we played with our toys: put them away. That was our quiet lesson in follow up. We followed up every playtime with a consistent behavior of cleaning up after ourselves. Today, as adults, one huge component of networking is following up and, more importantly, our ability to do it consistently. Meeting people and building relationships mean very little if we never bother to follow up with them. Making promises to help someone without efficient follow-up is just a bunch of empty promises. This homegrown lesson in follow up might have been one of the most important networking lessons of all.

These five lessons grounded me as a person and helped to develop me into a successful professional. As I write this article, I can hear my mom saying, "Someday you'll thank me!" Thanks, mom, for covertly teaching me lessons that would one day help me to be an effective networker. Perhaps it's time you thanked your mom. ( msn.com )

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Top 10 Jobs in Entertainment

Top 10 Jobs in Entertainment. Think about the last concert you attended. The band members were onstage for two hours, but they didn't get there by themselves. Someone booked the venue, promoted the show, drove the musicians to the auditorium, set up the stage, orchestrated the lighting and then loaded everything onto the bus after the show.

Movies, plays and TV and radio shows are just as involved.

Not every job in the entertainment industry will get you fame, but many will let you be creative. More importantly, they will put you in contact with professionals who can serve as valuable network contacts if you want to make a move into a different role at some point.

If you've always wanted to work in entertainment but knew being a starlet wasn't in the cards, you still have plenty of options. From overlooked jobs to others you might have never heard of, here are 10 jobs in the entertainment industry:

1. A and R administrator

What you do: A and R administrators monitor the cost of recording an album. They track the cost of studios, musicians and other fees in order to keep expenditures within the allotted budget.

Pro: You're privy to the daily operations of making a record months before anyone will ever hear the music.

Con: Making music can be boring and handling budgets can be stressful.

2. Caterer

What you do: Make all the food that performers and the crew eat. Anywhere performances are held -- movie sets, concert tours, circuses -- you'll find caterers supplying food for everyone to eat before and after the show.

Pro: If you're a foodie, you get to marry your refined palate with access to music and movies.

Con: People are picky, so not only are you making food for a small army, you're also accommodating their strange tastes.

3. Cinematographer

What you do: Work with a film director to determine the visual look for a movie or a specific scene. You choose the film, lenses and any other tools that will achieve the look he or she wants, in addition to working with the rest of the filming crew to plan how to frame and shoot each scene.

Pro: Playing with camera equipment is fun and lets you access your creative side.

Con: A lot of variables -- like budget, weather, cast changes -- can affect how smoothly filming runs, making your job harder.

4. Critic

What you do: Review music, movies and plays. Critics get paid to listen to music, watch movies and attend theater and then critique it for newspapers, magazines, blogs, radio stations and TV shows.

Pro: You'd be spending money to do these things anyway, but instead someone's paying you.

Con: You have to endure some really bad art because someone's paying you to sit through it.

5. Makeup artist

What you do: Make actors, actresses and models looks gorgeous. Or freaky. Often the goal of a makeup artist is to erase any blemishes from an actor or model's face for a flawless look. Sometimes, depending on the role, fashion shoot or runway show, looking ugly or just plain weird is the goal.

Pro: You're an artist and your canvas is a human being.

Con: Clients aren't always nice and makeup trailers can be full of backstage drama.

6. Professional speaker

What you do: Talk to people about what you know best. Perhaps you don't think of speakers as part of entertainment, but they employ all the same elements of any other performer. Professional speakers take center stage and have to entertain you, whether it means boosting your self-esteem, educating you or just entertaining you.

Pro: People pay just to hear what you have to say. That's a nice ego boost.

Con: All eyes are on you, so every time you talk to a group, you not only have to win over the audience but you have to hold its attention.

7. Publicist

What you do: Get media coverage for your client, who could be an actor, musician or high-profile business owner. You approach reporters who might want to cover an event or interview your client.

Pro: You get to rub elbows with famous people and get chummy with major publications.

Con: Pitching a story isn't always easy and you can end up with a nightmare client whose name you want to keep out of the paper.

8. Stunt person

What you do: Fall down a lot. Stunt workers do the obvious death-defying leaps from buildings and car chases through the chaotic streets of a movie set, but they also work in operas, plays and TV shows.

Pro: You get to punch people, crash cars and watch buildings explode.

Con: You get punched, banged up in car crashes and burned by fiery debris.

9. Theater consultant

What you do: Use your knowledge of a theater's daily operations to assist architects and design teams who are drafting plans for auditoriums. You give your input on a variety of topics, from stage and seating layout to lighting arrangements.

Pros: As a theater lover, you help shape a venue that will go on to stage performances.

Cons: You're one voice in a big team, so your arguments for certain features might face opposition from people who are concerned more with design than functionality.

10. Writer

What you do: Write scripts for TV, film, radio and every other medium. Of course you know about the screenwriters when they accept their Oscars, but don't forget that someone's writing your favorite TV show and that funny commercial you saw during the break. The scripts reporters read on TV and on the radio also come from writers.

Pro: Your words reach people -- whether it's a few hundred or a several million.

Con: A lot of people stand between your pen and the final product, so your creative vision won't necessarily stay intact. ( msn.com )

READ MORE - Top 10 Jobs in Entertainment

Ten Ways to Network Properly

Ten Ways to Network Properly. "People don't mind being used," says Chris Matthews, host of MSNBC's TV show, "Hardball with Chris Matthews." "What they mind is being taken for granted."

Right on, Mr. Matthews. Every day, people are taken advantage of when their acquaintances need help networking. It's become such an issue that it might do everyone some good for a little lesson in the networking etiquette department.

"In today's job market, the old cliché 'It's not what you know but who you know' has become, 'It's not what you know but who knows you,'" says Katharine Hansen, author of "A Foot in the Door: Networking Your Way into the Hidden Job Market."

Here are 10 important aspects of network etiquette, excerpted from Hansen's book:

Know your purpose for networking. It sounds obvious, but job seekers waste their contacts' time when they don't really know what they want to do, where they want to work or how the contact might be helpful to them. Think about what companies you want to target through networking and how you can identify connections that will lead you to those employers.

Do your homework. Don't ask your contacts questions that could easily be answered by doing a little basic research. The more you know about your contacts' companies and backgrounds, the more impressed they will be.

Don't act desperate. Your contacts will be much more willing to help someone who is confident and capable than someone groveling, whining and desperate. Don't forget that as high a priority as it is to you, your job search is not as high a priority to most of your network.

Listen. When someone is kind enough to offer you job advice, listen attentively. Write your contact a thank-you note and include something that tells your contact you listened.

Respect your contact's time. Don't drop into a contact's office uninvited, and when you call a current or prospective member of your network, always ask if he has time to talk. When the situation allows, bide your time before launching into networking conversation.

Ask for help in small doses. Don't burden your contact with overwhelming requests for help and advice. Ask more questions than favors. You can always ask for more at a later time.

Get permission before using a network contact's name to approach another prospective contact. Similarly, when you're scouting for new members of your network, tell prospective contacts how you got their names.

Be careful with your use of the word networking. Some people have grown weary of being networked. Unless you are attending a function specifically earmarked for networking, it's best not to advertise the fact that that is what you are doing. Instead, think of yourself as making connections, building relationships and seeking advice.

Don't be pushy and aggressive. Be sensitive to just how much a contact is willing to do for you and don't push beyond that limit. Be persistent but not annoying.

Remember that networking is a two-way street. The idea of reciprocity is perhaps the most important aspect of networking. Offer your help to your contacts and supply needed information whenever possible. ( msn.com )

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