The two best things you can do to get hired

1) Come to your interview prepared.

This means having reviewed the hiring company's website, searching for news articles and blog posts about them, reaching out to anyone in your network with a connection, etc. Do anything and everything you can do to show that you really want this job.

Just showing up to the interview isn't enough. Even though it is a bit hokey, using a phrase like "I noticed on your website..." lets the interviewer know you did your research. If you're interviewing with a medium or large sized business that is likely to have been in the news, a well known blog, or a magazine then reference that as well. "I saw in the WSJ that you all are expanding into the Asian market, blah blah blah."

2) Remember that we want to hire you.

This may surprise you, but it's true. Whomever is interviewing you would probably rather be doing something else (and sometimes this shows...), and would like nothing more than for YOU to be the perfect fit for the job.

So relax. Know that you are prepared (and be prepared). Bring at least 3 copies of your resume in case. Sure, we should do our job and have a copy with us, but it shows that you care, and these subtle little hints have a profound impact on how the interviewer perceives you.

Pictures in order:

• extremeezine
• Zach Klein

Bringing the library system into the 21st century kicking and screaming

Library usage over the past few years is down (though up recently for internet options due to the economic crisis).

Is there much point in spilling electrons on how and why people feel libraries are a dying breed? Sure, I can write a lot of "blah blah blah" on how antiquated they are, but the obvious basic point is that the relevancy of the concept has dwindled, and libraries need to pull themselves into the 21st century.

And to an extent, they are (see the image above, which is yes ironic that someone writes a book about online collaboration for libraries).

To the point

Why doesn’t your library have an iPhone app? Seems like an easy way to present the library and its services in a more approachable and modern manner, as well as putting access to the library catalog in their hands*.

The DC Public Library System has announced an iPhone app, why can't other library systems? At most all you need to do is develop an app that will provide library locations and a look into the catalog. This would be pretty great.


Taking it a step further, what if you could integrate into RedLaser so people could scan a book at a Border's and determine if the library has it as well? Why pay $15 for a book when you can get it for free at the library, or $1 in several days of late fees...



Why aren't more libraries putting up Fan pages on Facebook? Chris Brogan has a great item on how small local business can use Facebook, wouldn't you call a Library a small local business? And WebWorkerDaily has a great item on what will and won't work on Facebook pages.





* I haven't fully figured out why an iPhone specific app is better than a general web app, it doesn't inherently make sense to me. But that's where the industry is now, and will continue to go with iPad specific apps. 


Pictures in order:

1. http://www.flickr.com/photos/thedepartment/137413905/ by Here's Kate
2. http://www.flickr.com/photos/librarianmer/395588327/ by librarianmer

Trend: Long-term prices are expected to increase as global competition increases

Continuing from the prior post on trends, that construction materials are decreasing in cost in the short-term.

China continues to acquire materials at increasing rates, accounting for 45% of world consumption in 2007. The rate of consumption grew 8.5% from 2006 to 2007. This type of competitive resource acquisition is expected to increase in additional sectors. By 2018, it is estimated that 80% of the world’s construction will take place in China and India.

Comments to the customer:

Prices for materials will increase in the long-term due to resource competition. This is a risk for both prices and procurement of US based construction materials. Recycling construction waste helps reduce costs as well eases the burden of materials acquisition.

Charitable outsourcing?

Is there such a thing as "charitable outsourcing"? And if so, what is it?

In the oft blogged book, "The 4-hour Workweek"



the author talks a lot about having others perform low value (and hence low cost) activities for you. The basic premise is to have others perform duties for you that would "cost" you more to perform than you can "earn" doing other activities. If I am a consultant, and can do work for a client at $100/hour, but instead do bookkeeping at $20/hour, that is a net loss of $80/hour. I should instead pay someone $20/hour (or at worst less than $100/hour) to do this for me.

Applying this to your personal life, if you value your personal time at $10/hour, and can find someone to mow your grass for $8/hour (GOOD LUCK!) then you should do that. One key (!!!!!!) hindrance to this method is determining a valid and usable cost/hour for your personal time. Easy to do if you can charge someone else for it, as they determine the value, but less easy if it is pruning the hedges.

Isn't this just another way of recommending "outsourcing". It is. Debate settled.

So then, applying this to charity:

• Assume you value charitable activities at the rate of $20/hour
• Assume you value personal time at $22/hour
• Assume you earn income at $50/hour

The obvious solution is to donate money commensurate to the amount of time you would have spent, and then use the freed up time to either do personal activities or work. If you spend personal time, and it helps increase your professional capacity and hence income rate, you are economically providing MORE value than by donating your personal time.

I have a hard time with this concept though. And many people knock this by saying you should do the charitable activity yourself, and not "pay off your personal grief" of helping others.

??

Why Inflation Can Lead or Lag Economic Cycles

If Temps (see the below) are a leading indicator that business is picking up its pace, what would be the equivalent leading indicator for government agencies? This question is born out of those who work and contract to the government. How do they best look at indicators that business is about to pick up? I know of some who literally read every line of each FY's budget to see what has changed and focus business development on areas that have picked up.

Would it be voter complaints? Just watching for pork barrel spending via bills?

Sent to you by ckstevenson via Google Reader:

Why Inflation Can Lead or Lag Economic Cycles

via The Big Picture by ritholtz on 4/16/08

... Beyond the usual inflation denialists, however, this morning I want to discuss why inflation isn't properly described as a lagging indicator, and shouldn't be dismissed as just so much history. Those who do so do at the risk of their own financial peril.

...

For example, Unemployment tends to tick up for months after a recovery has began. Hence, it is said to lag the cycle. Temp help, on the other hand, leads the cycle, but is not one of the 10 Conference Board LEIs (but average manufacturing-worker workweek is). The Stock market tends to lead the cycle turns, falling before a recession starts, and rising before the recovery is apparent (there are many exceptions to this). Thats why its part of the LEIs.

Picture of our economy?

That's a doosey:






















Let's hope it's not entirely accurate (or someone throws a new plank in there).