How to Succeed As a Bodyguard

Even though some countries and cities may report a decline in the level of crime dogging their jurisdiction, the truth is that crime is a reality that society and individuals must find ways to deal with. When it comes to personal protection, different persons have different needs depending on a number of factors such as status in society. This is where the role of bodyguards, also known as executive protection specialists, comes in. Indeed, the need for bodyguards has seen a rapid increase in line with the growing threat to personal safety presented by terrorism, crime and unpredictable stalkers.

In addition, prominent persons such as politicians, business persons, top level corporate executives and celebrities rely on the services of bodyguards to help them avoid pesky paparazzi and ensure they enjoy their privacy. Due to their high risk work environment and the high demand for their services, bodyguards are relatively well compensated.

But being an executive protection specialist takes hard work and dedication if one is to effectively execute their role. Bodyguards must be physically fit and in near perfect health. This will provide a good foundation for them to protect their client. Looking at the circle of persons their clients will frequently be in contact with, a specialist must also have great oral and written communication skills.

Moreover, bodyguards will come across different types of people during the course of duty and they must have good interpersonal skills while taking care not to compromise their client's safety. Today's bodyguards must make use of both brain and brawn. Apart from physically confronting and repelling threats against their client, bodyguards will sometimes be called upon to negotiate with the aggressor in order to avoid the threat from materializing into injury or fatality.

Bodyguards should also be observant and highly aware of their surroundings. In fact, a bodyguard must, where possible take the initiative of familiarizing themselves with an area prior to their client's arrival. This will help them to better make practical evacuation plans as well as take appropriate action when confronted with danger. For instance, they will be better positioned to identify which is the quickest escape route depending on what area of the compound or building the client is located at the time.

A bodyguard must be prepared to spend a lot of their time in solitude. The role of the bodyguard will often not require them to be in constant communication with their employer or the people around. Many times, a bodyguard will have to sit alone in a car or a room.

The modern day executive protection specialist must be prepared to apply for and attend certificate programs that will equip him or her with the required skills. The certificate programs usually run for a few months. One can go further and pursue a bachelors degree or an associate degree in law enforcement and criminal justice. Associate degrees take 2 years while the bachelor's degree goes for 4 years.

This is a great career for the right individual. If this is you, then by all means do more research on it. You can start by visiting websites that go into more detail on the bodyguard career.

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Jobs in Kenya - Why Kenya's Best Brains Do Not Take Them

There is no doubt that Kenya has the best human resource capital in the region if not in the continent altogether. It is now almost certain that thousands of graduates will be churned out of our public and private Universities in any one week. However, the best jobs in Kenya are not being filled by Kenyans and this should be cause for alarm or human resource professionals and experts.

It appears that the country has no doubt very good brains that could help solve the myriad of problems bedeviling the economic, political and social spheres of our lives. However, many bright youngsters would rather take up job offers abroad than in the country.

The first reason of course has to be the salary issue. Many jobs offer such low salaries that workers have to keep on moonlighting in order to sustain their livelihoods. This seriously curtails their productivity in the workplace and leads to an overall poor performance.

Secondly, it is very hard to secure a job using a fairly straight means. This means that the best brains are put off as they would have to bribe there way up the corporate ladder. They would also need to come from the same tribe if not family of the owners of the company and this seriously impedes their professionalism.

The other problem is that the working conditions and the opportunities for professional and career progression are simply aren't there. Many people think that our best and brightest choose to take overseas jobs mainly for money but this is not true. Provide the best working conditions, and you would see these brains trooping back. I'm reminded of a Kenyan engineering graduate who came back with a couple of firsts from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and on getting a job at a parastatal, he was given golf tickets to a country club by his boss who explained that the tickets would help him more than staying at the office. Well, he packed up his bags, returned to Chicago as Vice President of a multinational engineering company where he earns astronomical salary. Do you think he will ever return home again?

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Job Interviews: How to Answer "Problem" Questions

One of the most common job interview questions is, "What is the toughest problem you've had to face, and how did you overcome it?" Here's how to give a winning answer.

First, realize that this popular interview question provides you with an excellent opportunity to shine. Everyone wants to hire people who are good at solving problems. Think of a good example concerning a problem that faced your company and not just you personally. The bigger the problem, the better.

Give specific examples of the skills and techniques you used to resolve this problem. Emphasize the successful results.

Be generous in sharing credit if it was a team effort, but be sure to highlight your specific role.

Sample Answer:

"When I assumed the role of Chief Dog Groomer at Mutts R Us, team morale was low, sales were lackluster and customers were dissatisfied. I immediately took action to identify the specific problems, analyze alternative solutions and pick the best options, and set a timeline for implementing the corrective actions. I reorganized the team structure and established written goals that focused on teamwork, improved customer service and increased productivity. One specific example is that I implemented a 'satisfaction guarantee' for quality and timeliness with each grooming service, and tied in performance-based rewards for employees. These actions greatly improved morale and increased our sales by 48% in the first three months."

Here's another interview question that is very similar...

"Describe a situation where you used your own initiative to solve a problem."

It's unlikely that you'll be asked both, but have two different problem-solving examples ready just in case, with one emphasizing initiative.

Sample Answer:

"I once received a last-minute request from the General Manager to prepare a letter to residents of a neighborhood that was undergoing emergency sewer repairs by our agency. My boss was on vacation, but she had asked that I attend an off-site meeting that same afternoon. There was no way I would be able to get the letter done and also attend the meeting. I decided, of course, that the General Manager's request took priority. But the off-site meeting was on a very important topic and I knew my boss was relying on me to attend. So I immediately called the chairperson of that meeting and made arrangements to participate via speakerphone. By eliminating the 45-minute travel time, I was able to complete the GM's letter and still participate in the off-site meeting."

Preparing for these types of questions in advance is very important. It'll get you thinking about your specific accomplishments. Even if these particular questions are not asked, you'll probably be able to use versions of your prepared answers in response to other questions.

For any job interview: anticipate likely questions, prepare answers that are specific (and as relevant to the position as possible), and practice, practice, practice!

Bonnie Lowe

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10 Popular Interview Questions - What's the Hidden Meaning?

Interview Preparation is essential if you want to be offered the job but many organisations start an interview with popular interview questions which seem easy to answer. However some of the most innocent popular interview questions can get a candidate to relax and 'open up' revealing personal information about themselves which they should not have shared. In an interview there's no such thing as an innocent interview question even if you're asked it by an assistant on the way to or from the interview room! Depending on the organisation, the ten popular interview questionsbelow might be asked in a slightly different way but the motivation behind the questions is the same. Interview preparation will ensure that you always have a good interview answer to hand.

Q1. What have you been up to since you left your job?

Saying, 'I've had a chance to catch up on all the chores to do around the house' is not a good interview answer. An organisation wants to employ people who are energetic, self-motivated, and determined. The longer you have been out of work the more important it is for you to show that you have managed your time well. This might mean volunteering for work where you can use your skills and abilities, attending courses so that you upgrade your skills, and being active in a business or professional network.

Q2. How long have you been looking for a job?

Unfortunately it is true that the longer you are out of work the more difficult it is to be offered a job and you lose interview self-confidence. With this popular interview question the potential employer wants to know whether there something wrong with the candidate that has been out of work for a long time. When there's a chance that you might be 'out of work' for a considerable time it is important to give yourself a deadline and then consider taking a job which might be a contract position, or a job in another area of the country. Even consider a job where you're over qualified. All jobs at every level can be used to promote a candidate so don't feel that taking a job below your qualifications means that this will be held against you in the future. Being seen as a pragmatist and a hard worker will help you to stand out against the competition for a job.

Q3. Why do you want this job?

This is a very popular interview question but saying, 'because you saw the advert is not a good interview answer', even if it's true. It's a buyers market and a potential employer wants to employ a person who is keen and enthusiastic to work with them. If they find a candidate who's genuinely interested in their company then they believe that they're more likely to stay and succeed in the new job. The candidate who prepares for the interview by reading up on the organization and demonstrates an understanding of their strategy, management team and current issues is more likely to capture the interest of the interviewer. Find something specific about the company that complements your own experience and ambitions. It is even more impressive if you've 'gone out of your way' to understand the organization such as talking to other employees or their customers. To interview brilliantly check out these 27 Interview Tips.

Q4. What do you consider to be you greatest achievement?

In an interview, candidates tend to smile and nod a lot. The potential employer is interested in getting to know the 'real' you and whether you're going to fit within the culture and role of their organisation. Asking about your achievements is a popular interview question. The achievement you choose to talk about says a great deal about you and your personality. A good interview answer is to choose an accomplishment that relate to the position you're applying for. If this isn't obvious pick an accomplishment that required some of the same strengths that will be needed for the job. If you're applying for a leadership position in a task goal orientated culture then the interviewer is going to be impressed by someone who is motivated by achieving a project or goal and inspires others around them. In an entrepreneurial organisation a 'creative mind' will be more appreciated. The ability to 'think on one's feet' will be considered critical to a high level of success within their organisation.

Q5. What salary did you earn in your last job?

Companies will frequently find different ways to ask an interview question to determine the candidate's salary requirements. Your last salary is a good way for them to determine whether they can afford you. If the salary the organisation is offering is considerably lower than your previous salary they'll have concerns over whether you will stay in the job. If this is the case, then a good interview answer is to convince them that you are prepared to live on a lower salary and why. Sometimes, companies will ask the candidates, 'what salary do you require? If this is too high for their budget they will look at other applicants. A good interview answer is to say that you are willing to start on a lower salary with bonuses driven by targets. This gives them savings on their budget and a safety net if the candidate does not achieve as well as expected.

Q6. What do you think is your weakness?

One of the most important tasks of the interviewer is to find a candidate who they would like to work with and who is likely to get on with other people in their organisation. Candidates often try to answer this popular interview question with a positive trait disguised as a weakness. For example, 'I'm a bit of a perfectionist' or 'I tend to work too hard and expect others to do the same'. An interviewer is looking for someone who has a level of maturity and self-awareness as this is an important trait for creating empathy and working with people. To stand out from other candidates a good interview answer is to mention a genuine weakness, and then emphasize what you've done to overcome or manage your weakness. This is evidence of a truly confident person who takes personal responsibility for themselves.

Q7. Give me an example of when you found working with someone difficult?

By asking this popular interview question, the interviewer is acknowledging that we can all have a problem working with people some of the time. This is a popular question for revealing any prejudices that the candidate might have. Today it is essential that an interviewer employs a candidate who is comfortable working with people from a diverse range of ethnic, cultural, ages and religious backgrounds. A good interview answer would be to mention a specific person who you found difficult to work with rather than a group of people. Give a specific example such as a person resisting change on one project. Importantly, demonstrate the difficulty and how you resolved the issue.

Q8. What will you be doing in five years time?

Ambition and drive are great qualities in a candidate as it demonstrates energy to persevere and reach goals even in tough times. However, an organisation also wants to see signs of stability and loyalty to employers. If your CV shows that you've moved every eighteen months or so the interviewer is likely to need reassuring that you're not going to 'jump ship' to a competitor in a year from now. A good interview answer is to talk about the opportunities you've researched within their organisation and your ambitions to excel within it, particularly if you can refer to employees within their organisation. Setting Clear Objectives before you go for an interview is useful otherwise you can waste time applying for jobs you're unlikely to get.

Q9. Why are you the best person for the job?

As with answering all the other popular interview questions try and appear confident and likable. A poor interview answer is to just say that you're better than any of the other candidates. You don't know the qualifications or experience of the other candidates! A good interview answer is to focus on three to five specific reasons why you should be hired and briefly substantiate your claims. Remember, to tell the interviewer that you're really enthusiastic about being offered this job and determined to demonstrate the contribution and value you can make to their company. Knowing how to sell yourself is an interview is very great interview skill.

Q10. Is there anything you want me to ask you?

Many firms now ask a similar open ended question. This is not a trick question but just gives the candidate a chance to speak on their own behalf. If you think that there have been any problems in the interview, this is your chance to go back into an area which you think the interviewer may have doubt about you. It is not a good interview answer to say, 'no' as this can show that you're not interested in the job. It can also give you a chance to reiterate a strength which you think is important and might distinguish you from other candidates.

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If You Do Not Like Your Career Search Results - Remember YOU Can Change it!

"I'm lucky to be alive." That was told to me by my ex-husband the other day. Let me explain a few things about my ex-husband- first, we are friends. Honest to goodness friends. We have a son together and we are both actively raising him - together. We communicate daily; we listen to each other's ideas and agree on courses of action for our son. The divorce did not start out that way, but the cancer changed all that. Cancer. That's my second thing to explain. He is a cancer survivor - advanced, aggressive, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The doctors thought it developed within a months time and was so aggressive they used experimental treatment, so unknown as to what they were doing they literally told me if the cancer did not kill him the chemo would. He had less than a 10% chance of survival. He beat it, no he kicked its ass. Excuse my language, but I think it appropriate in this instance. But it took its toll, he has neuropathy in his feet, numerous surgeries and treatments and the poor man lives in pain every day. Both his ankles are fused to his leg bones so he has no real flexibility and he said it is like his feet are on fire or walking on glass 24/7. This man has an incredible pain threshold so if he says he hurts anyone else would have cut their own limb off. But he goes to work everyday, spends time with his son and is appreciative to be alive. Lastly, he is a black and white kind of guy, not sniff the roses kind of guy. Very old fashioned, things should be a certain way, no ifs ands or buts. So for him to say he is lucky to be alive it is a huge statement and reflection. Even though he cheated death at just 41.

He called me yesterday to tell me his first oncologist, Dr. Hwang, died earlier this month. They were the same age. Dr. Hwang would have been 49 next Thursday. Dr. Hwang was a wonderful doctor and man. He was patient with us and supportive when my ex was first diagnosed. I am truly sorry for his family; they have lost a great man. Here was a man that fights to save people from this terrible disease and he is outlived by one of his patients. Reflect on that for a moment.

I normally give advice on resumes, interviewing and personal business presentation. Today, with learning of the passing of Dr. Hwang I felt compelled to post a blog as a gentle reminder to myself and others that we are lucky to be alive. Our lives may not be playing out like we would like them to, we may not have a great job or a job at all, we may not have a significant other, we may not have a lot of things - but honestly do we look every day to see what we do have?

Eight years ago when my ex-husband was going through treatment and I was there every night and every weekend it would have been easy to complain of everything that was going wrong. I was rebuilding a relationship with the man whom I divorced a year prior, I was working full time, I was a full time mom, I had no significant other and financially it was difficult. I did not focus on these things. My focus was that the father of my child was going to survive to continue to be a father to his son, I had a great job that I loved and was able to go to every day, I had a beautiful son who was involved in his dad's treatment and an incredible child, I chose to focus my attention on my family rather than find a relationship, and I could pay my bills (maybe a little late) but I could put food on the table for my son and a roof over his head.

By focusing on the positives it helped us all get through that terrible time. My son and his father have a good relationship, I own my own business and after 20 plus years the love of my life is back in my life and we will be getting married in the near future.

In learning of Dr. Hwang's passing, it gave me a kick in the hind quarters. Everything that I had complained about yesterday ticked me off. That I was complaining rather than acting. I had to get myself back on the track of what can I change today to make it better - what choices can I make to eliminated the complaints I had earlier.

Here's the thing - if I wanted to be preachy I could at this point tell you to write down all your blessings, take time out of every day to reflect on the positives, see the good in all people and generally hug yourself. But, really, that is not me. If you know me or have read any of my earlier postings you know that I pretty much say it as I see it and can be blunt.

So what I would really like to say is this - let's get over ourselves. Yes, there are things in our life that stink, we all have that. But, which of those things can you change? Be honest here, you can not blame all the ills of the world on others. Take some action and take back the positives in your life. Don't have a job and feel like you are sending out hundreds of resumes? Have someone look at your resume. If you do not want to hire someone for it, have a friend look at it with you, someone who will be honest with you. My client's pay me to do their resumes but it is more than that, I am honest with them. I do not always tell them things they like but they know I will be honest and work with them to make it their best. I work with them. Go to the library, they have lots of reference materials. Do something to make a positive change.

Have friends that feed your negativity? You get together and have complaint parties? Stay away from them! I have enough stuff I need to focus on, I do not need to take on their complaints and negative energies! Kids acting up and wont listen to you? Get them where it hurts, take away their privileges and make them earn them back. Do not be afraid to be the bad guy - my goodness that is part of our job as parents. Yes, it is harder to hear them whine about not having their phone, but too bad. If my son whines, it just adds to the chores list of time it takes to get it back. Eventually he learns.

With everything, you cannot always control the situation, but you can control how you react to it. That is your choice. Take control, take action and be glad you have the opportunities to do so! I will leave you with my favorite saying: Some pursue happiness,others create it.

"Helping those looking for the right job look right for the job" - this is how Lisa K. McDonald of Career Polish, Inc. describes her purpose. Lisa is a pre-employment/transition strategist and Certified Professional Resume Writer who separates herself by focusing intently on the strategy of job searching.

This strategy includes many vital tools including resumes, cover letters, business communication, networking, social media and personal business branding. Central in her work is teaching clients how to emphasize or re-discover their strengths and be able to communicate them effectively in order to implement a successful job search strategy.

Lisa

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How You Can Start a Legitimate Work From Home Business

The surest way that you will find a legitimate work from home business is to start something for yourself. You can build a business from scratch that is all yours. Granted it may be easier to sign on with a business you have seen advertised as legitimate. However there is a lot to be said for freedom and independence.

While the programs you have seen may be legitimate, they may not be profitable, or there may be other issues that may impede your progress, such as lack of support or a glut of already existing businesses in that niche. Even a bad reputation in an industry such as 'MLM' can make it an uphill battle for you. This may be unfair and untrue, none the less it will be harder for you than if you start something on your own.

If you think of a business that you can do completely on your own, you have the ultimate freedom to do with it what you will. You can ensure that it is a legitimate work from home business by being honest in your promises, and keeping your word. You can over-deliver and price your products fairly so that all may benefit, not just you.

There is 'emotional' language that can compel people to follow you that doesn't have to be 'hype' that will make them mistrust you. Lots of people know the 'if it is too good to be true it probably is' saying, and plenty of them have fallen for false promises and are now skeptical. It doesn't put you in a good light if you have to start right off defending your integrity rather than to be promoting your actual business.

It is always the ideal situation if you use or have used the product yourself so that you can be totally honest in your assessments. You know the other saying, 'it is not what you say but how you say it', and if you truly believe what you are saying because you know first-hand, then what you say will ring true. If you haven't used them, it is a good idea to have honest testimonials from people that have.

Facts and figures also go a long way in conveying that yours is a legitimate work from home business. When you quote statistics or ratings always be sure to provide the source of that information to make doubly sure that people trust what you are saying. Honesty is always important and having tangible proof is the ideal whenever possible.

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Playing Against Type

Myers-Briggs Profiles Help You Assess Your Boss
by Deborah Geering, Porfolio.com


Recognizing the Myers-Briggs personality types of your boss or business partners can help you get what you want in your career.

Leaders are easy to recognize: They're TJs.

"The T is their preference for thinking that leads them to look at the logical consequences of all the alternatives that they face. The J, the judging, comes in and helps them get that organization to fulfill that decision -- to operationalize it and to implement it," says Allen Hammer, a consultant at Manfredo Curtis Associates, which advises companies on how to get the most out of their employees. For Hammer, helping others spot and work effectively with a TJ can mean the difference between an initiative's succeeding or failing.

Welcome to the coded world of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, the system of identifying personality characteristics along four dimensions that can predict the choices people make and how they will interact with others. The types, scored with a letter and used in combinations of four, indicate various qualities, such as judging (J) and thinking (T). Knowing the personality type of a supervisor or a business partner can aid in securing a promotion, closing a deal, or inspiring the next great idea.

"It gives you a sort of advantage over others because you are able to flex your own style to interact with the other person," says executive coach Linda Burrs.

If you're faced with a fact-oriented, so-called sensing type (S), for example, your best move in selling an idea might be to create an impressive PowerPoint presentation. "Sensing types like to see all the facts and details concisely presented," says Betsy Styron, president and C.E.O. of the Center for Applications of Psychological Type in Gainesville, Florida. But the same presentation might fall flat with an intuitive type (N), who prefers to make decisions based on gut feelings.

Although there's no way to really know another person's MB type short of making them take the 93-question diagnostic test themselves, most successful executives tend to cluster around a few major personality types. And you can identify their weaknesses as well as their strengths. While TJs excel at important leadership tasks such as risk taking and goal setting, they're typically not as good at building consensus. "They sometimes come across as too cold, too logical, and too objective," says Hammer.

Fortunately, the business world tends to center on four of the 16 possible MB types. Here are the ones to know and how best to handle them.

ENTJ -- Donald Trump

Donald Trump is a classic example of an ENTJ (Extroverted, iNtuitive, Thinking, Judging), which describes a leader who cuts a commanding profile. "Big picture" people, they have a vision that is results-oriented, and hold themselves and others to high standards. They are unforgiving about deadlines, make firm decisions, and see themselves as confident, innovative organizers. They are also prone to discuss ideas extensively or just think out loud -- but such statements shouldn't be mistaken for firm directives.

INTJ -- Bill Gates

Bill Gates is likely an INTJ (Introverted, iNtuitive, Thinking, Judging), according to Ross Reinhold, a consultant who operates Personalitypathways.com. Innovative and independent, Gates and his ilk value competence and self-sufficiency. They have a knack for reducing complexities to their most basic, and for finding efficient ways to improve processes. Unlike ENTJs, INTJs come across as restrained, an image that often reflects their skepticism and lack of emotion in decisionmaking. Although open-minded, they quickly discard unworkable solutions -- sometimes with sarcasm.

ESTJ -- Martha Stewart

Analytical and systematic thinkers, ESTJs (Extroverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judging) value order -- sometimes to the extreme. Martha Stewart, a natural ESTJ, has made a career of it. Like ENTJs, people of this type are also confident decision-makers, but unlike ENTJs, INTJs are more focused on process than vision. How you do something may matter more than what it's about.

ISTJ -- Warren Buffett

ISTJs (Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judging) are excellent managers of facts and details. They thrive in hierarchical structures and value consistency and common sense. Although they appreciate hard workers, they can be impatient for results, and they tend to not value innovation as much as execution. Many consider Warren Buffett to be an archetypal ISTJ because of his conservative approach to investing. Thoroughly researched, written plans in which risks are identified and assessed are likely to be well-received by these managers.

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