Atlanta Unemployment Rate

Atlanta Unemployment RateAtlanta Unemployment RateAtlanta Unemployment RateAs the capital and largest city in Georgia, the recovery and growth of Atlantas labor market has been challenged. While economic indicators point to the city and state having excellent economic potential, the jobless rate in both remains above the US unemployment rate, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which records the Atlanta unemployment rate at 5.9 percent for May, 2015, compared with a 5.5 percent.Atlanta During the 2008 Recession and Its AftermathAtlanta weathered the 2008 recession poorly and its jobless rates exceeded the national average. While the national unemployment rate topped out at 10 percent in late 2009, Atlanta recorded jobless rates of over 10 percent. While unterstellung rates slowed and finally decreased nationwide throughout 2010, unemployment in Atlanta didnt peak until 2010. Since that time, economic recovery for Atlanta has proven slow but steady.Unemployment in Atlan ta in 2011 and BeyondIn 2011, over three years after the recession first hit, Atlanta still found itself in a tough spot. Where the national jobless rate across the United States hovered at about 9.1 percent in mid-2011, Atlantas unemployment rate remained at or above 10 percent. From late 2011 to the present, the city has seen a steady increase in its employment, unlike that in some of its neighboring counties and towns.Atlantas Current and Projected Jobless RatesIn late 2014, the Atlanta unemployment rate sat comfortably at 6.5 percent, just a few points higher than the national average of 5.8 percent. This recovery from 2012 to the present was due in part to some of Georgias economic decisions.In recent years, the state has welcomed corporations by offering a hands-off approach to dealing with businesses. In doing so, it maintains low tax rates, low wages and a lower level of services.Additionally, in 2013, Georgia became one of the first states to decrease the period of time tha t an unemployed person can claim benefits. Currently, unemployment benefits in Georgia last for 18 weeks in the future, Georgias unemployment benefits will be reduced to 14 weeks.Cuts in higher education and financial aid in Georgia for college and technical schools have required many students to drop out of school or simply not enroll. This means that jobless people who need work are often no longer able to go through normal educational channels to improve their job skills. Since over 60 percent of jobs in the state require a college degree but only about 42 percent of Georgians possess one, this may prove mora problematic.Atlantas Major Industries and Their Impact on UnemploymentAccording to the BLS, major industries in Atlanta that demonstrate growth include trade, transportation and utilities, along with government, professional and business services, and education and health services. From 2013 to 2014, both the trade and transportation and professional and business services se ctors grew between 3 percent and 5 percent. These numbers point to positive trends for these supersectors, where employment may continue to grow.Industries that demonstrated extremely slow growth in Atlanta from 2013 to 2014 include mining and logging, education, information and government. Even though a significant portion of Atlantas workforce lies in government and education, these industries dont reflect immediate opportunities for job growth. Some of these trends may slow or reverse over the next decade, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates.Through 2022, the BLS projects increased opportunities for education jobs in the South, with about 12 percent job growth expected over the next decade. Transportation, another major industry in Atlanta, demonstrates similar growth. Through 2022, the BLS projects 9 percent job growth for commercial pilots, or about 3,600 new jobs nationwide. Within the healthcare industry, the BLS projects 18 percent job growth for physicians and 38 percent job growth for physician assistants nationwide. With healthcare already growing in Atlanta, this could prove to be a booming industry in the city.While Atlanta has seen higher unemployment rates than the national average since the 2008 recession, job growth in the city from 2010 onward has vastly improved employment prospects. Continued growth in industries like healthcare and transportation point to the potential for additional job prospects in years to come.A key measure of labor supply, the unemployment rate is defined as the percentage of the total labor force that is unemployed but actively seeking employment and willing to work. Use the links below to see unemployment trends from the 28 major metropolitan marketsAtlantaDetroitNew York CitySan FranciscoBostonHoustonPhiladelphiaSeattleChicagoLos AngelesPittsburghWashington, D.C.DallasRelated ResourcesPost a Job Atlanta

How Job Seekers Can Use Daylight Savings Time

How Job Seekers Can Use Daylight Savings TimeHow Job Seekers Can Use Daylight Savings Time1The clocks are turning back this Sunday at 200 a.m. for the end of Daylight Savings Time. But instead of hitting the snooze button and catching an extra hour of zzzs, savvy job binnenseekers should take advantage of the extra hour to improve their chances of scoring a job. Here are five things you can do during those extra 60 minutes.Create a calendar.Sundays are always a great day to plan out your week. With the extra hour youll have, pencil in the items that arent on your calendar- but should be. From blocking off time to search for jobs to setting reminders to get back in touch with your professional network, utilize the time to get organized. Your workweek will thank you for it.Clear out your office. Right now, your desk is a sea of stamps and papers, and your desktop isnt faring much better. While its still quiet in the house, grab a cup of coffee and start sorting, stacking, and recycling . File only the most important papers and documents- scan and toss the rest. Back up digital files to an external hard drive, and neatly organize Word docs and PowerPoint presentations into folders. Being able to see the cute photo of your kids on your screen will motivate you to keep your desktop- and hopefully your entire home office- spick and span.Rethink your plan. Youve been searching for a job for a while now, and youve pretty much got the job hunt down to a science. It might be a good idea though to take the extra hour to reassess your job search. Think creatively of ways that you can find a new position- perhaps you should sign up for that networking event thats coming to your city next week, or reach out to that well-connected former colleague for any potential leads. Shaking up your routine might be just the trick to finding a new gig.Learn something new.One of the beautiful aspects of life is that we never stop learning. So take the time to tap into your interests and di scover something new. Maybe youve been putting off learning how to change your email signature or learning how to (finally) use the Lasso tool in Photoshop. You may not learn how to do it all in an hour, but starting the process is a great first step towards accomplishing your goal.Update your social media. Sometimes you get so caught up in your job search that your social media channels get neglected. Sit down and open up your LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest pages. (Dont have all of them? You should they are an amazing way of finding new job leads) Update your social media channels with any new skills, experiences, or endorsements that youve received. Having your social media up to date is something that many hiring managers look for and it can help you immensely in your job search.While the dark night sky and cold temps may have you clamoring for your bed, getting up and taking advantage of the extra hour that Daylight Savings provides can be just the trick to helping you find the job of your dreams.Readers, are you going to take advantage of the extra hour of Daylight Savings Time, or are you planning to sleep in? Let us know in the comments section below

Incorporators Organizational Meeting FAQ - United States

Incorporators Organizational Meeting FAQ - United StatesIncorporators Organizational Meeting FAQ - United StatesOrganizational MeetingsWhere do I file the minutes for my organizational meetings?You do not need to make a regulatory filing for your organizational meeting minutes. The organizational meeting minutes are for your own records. The organizational meeting minutes should be stored in your corporate minute books for safe keeping.Which organizational meetings do I need?Incorporators Organizational MeetingIf initial directors were NOT named in the Articles of Incorporation, the incorporators will hold an Incorporators Organizational Meeting to complete the organization of the corporation. At the Incorporators Organizational Meeting the incorporators may simply elect a board of directors who will then hold a Directors Organizational Meeting and the newly appointed directors will complete the organization of the corporation.Directors Organizational MeetingIf directors are appointe d and the organization of the corporation is not complete then the Directors will hold an Organizational Meeting to complete the organization of the corporation.Shareholders Organizational MeetingOnce the corporation has been substantially organized (either through an Incorporators Organizational Meeting or a Directors Organizational Meeting or both) the Shareholders will hold a Shareholders Organizational Meeting to ratify the decisions and actions of the incorporators and directors, appoint or elect new directors, appoint or waive the appointment of auditors, and also to resolve any other business that has been brought before the meeting.OfficersWhat does a president do?The president is an executive officer of the corporation usually responsible for the day-to-day operations of the corporation. The president will report to the board of directors.What does a treasurer do?The treasurer is an executive officer of the corporation responsible for supervising the accounting functions of the corporation and for keeping accurate and current financial records for the corporation.What does a secretary do?The secretary is an executive officer of the corporation responsible for maintaining records of the corporation such as minutes of meetings, shareholders lists, etc.DefinitionsWhat is an incorporator?The incorporator is the rolle or persons who organize the corporation and file the Articles of Incorporation. Once the filing is complete the incorporators function is usually finished. After that the management of the corporation is performed by the directors.What is a shareholder?A shareholder is a person, business entity or organization that owns at least one share in a corporation. Shareholders are the actual owners of the corporation. As an owner, the shareholder has the potential to profit if the corporation is doing well but also has the potential to lose their investment if the corporation goes broke. A shareholder is not personally liable for the debts and obliga tions of the corporation. If a corporation goes broke (worst case) the shareholder may get little or nothing as an equity holder in the corporation. Other secured creditors such as banks and bond holders would be paid first in the event of the liquidation of the assets of the corporation.What is a director?A director is a person appointed to manage the affairs of a corporation. Directors act as agents for the corporation and their actions are binding on the corporation. Directors are required to use due diligence in the conduct of their duties on behalf of the corporation and can be found liable to shareholders as well as any affected third party in the event of gross negligence or fraud.Who is the Chairman of the Board?The Chairman of the Board is a director who has been elected to act in a leadership role for the board of directors. The Chairman of the Board will act as a liaison between the board and the shareholders and the management of the company.Who is the chairman of the me eting?A chairman of the meeting is simply someone appointed at the meeting to manage the meeting and ensure order. Often the chairman of a directors meeting or a shareholders meeting will be the Chairman of the Board of directors.What is the corporate seal?A corporate seal will be unique to the corporation and is used to authenticate the legal documents of a corporation. A corporate seal is an impression usually made in paper using a small metal press.What are corporate resolutions?A resolution is a written document describing the action authorized by the shareholders or management of a corporation. Resolutions describe an action taken during a board meeting. A resolution may also have been generated by agreement without a meeting. (e.g. written consent of action, or directors consent to action)

4 Strategies to Fix Your Career Misery Index

4 Strategies to Fix Your Career Misery Index4 Strategies to Fix Your Career Misery IndexSo, whats your career misery index?Heres how to assess it, and better yet, how to do something about it.Figure out where you standIf youre unhappy at work, and even thinking about your job brings on a dread factor, you obviously need to consider a serious change. Inadequate pay, bad management, long hours, and poor working conditions are just a few clues to take into account if youre trying to assess your job situation. Knowing what signs to look forcan be a first step in drawing up a plan to take action.Consider a career change of paceSometimes, a lokalitt thats a poor fit for one person may be someone elses dream job. Think about the traits that you bring to your career as well as the benefits that your career brings to you. Is it a fair exchange? Some professions are notorious for low job satisfaction,but the real issue may be that an individual may be putting in more than theyre getting out, or that the job is taking more in time, energy, and happiness, than it gives back.Check your healthIs your job literally making you sick? Daily pressures, deadlines, work-related stress, and general anxiety about your job can take a terrible toll on your health. Its pretty much a no-brainer to figure out that if your health is suffering because of your work, it may be time to figure out how to make a career change.Balance life and workWhen your career priorities are out of balance, its almost impossible for anything else to fall into place. A job that requires you to take time and attention from the things that matter most in your personal life family and friends, hobbies, and other interests can lead to a high ranking on the misery index. If you decide to change careers, finding flexible, part-time or work-from-home jobs can give you a taste for work thats more meaningful, and also allows you the time, peace of mind, and good health to enjoy what matters to you most.Readers, tell us your tips for breaking free of your misery index and finding career satisfaction

Apply 4 Positive Examples of Company Culture

Apply 4 Positive Examples of Company CultureApply 4 Positive Examples of Company CultureCelebrating the birthday of a colleague is part of the fiber of a positive example of company culture. Businesses often talk about company culture and cultural fit. When they do, companies like Zappos, with their policy of Holocracy, come up. Or, people cite Google with their free food on campus, perks that enable employees to practically live at work, and time. But, when you have 10 employees or are just barely meeting payroll, you may elend find these cultures particularly inspirational. So, what can a smaller geschftsleben learn from these famous company cultures? Zappos Culture Empowers Employees Holocracy is a predefined set of rules and processes, checks and balances, and guidelines that an organization can use to help employees work become self-managed and self-organized Zappos is famous for Holocracy and the ability of customers to return shoes for a full year after purchase. While sho e returns are easy to understand, Holocracy seems mysterious. Zappos sees it as self-governing and knowing what you are responsible for, and having the freedom to meet those expectations however you think is best. What your small business can learn While customers are not always right, you can certainly treat your customer right. Strive to create an empowering culture where employees can make their own decisions about how to serve customers, based on the circumstances of the problem at hand. The self-governing employee and customer service go hand in hand. If your salespeople must check in with you for every decision, your customer service will suffer and your employees will feel micro-managed. Google Provides a Culture That Values Flexibility Google is another company that sits comfortably at the top of the list for company culture. They have perks and privileges that most companies (and employees) just dream about having. But, a key point of their culture is flexibility. This is not just flexibility in work schedules, but the flexibility for employees to be creative and try new ideas out. What your small business can learn Employees differ widely in their home lives, ideas, and even in their personal body clocks. Not everyone works best when they get to the office at 805 am and takes lunch at precisely 1215 pm. A culture that provides flexibility will serve you well.While your business has specific goals and specific services, you need the creative thoughts of all your employees to move forward successfully. Disruption in business happens all the time, and you need to become prepared. Listen to your employees and allow them the flexibility they need to help your business move forward. Wegmans Provides an Employee Supportive Culture If you live in the east and have visited a Wegmans, youll understand that any company that can make food that good and customer service that friendly must have a great culture. That fact is reflected in their permanent sp ot on the Fortune Top 100 Companies to Work for list. In 16 of the 22 years, it has existed, theyve been ranked in the top 10. What makes their culture great? Many factors add value, but one of the most important is that they promote from within. If you start out pushing carts as a teenager, you may well work your way up to store manager. Opportunity and the chance for career development are crucial to recruit and retain employees. What your small business can learn Train, develop, and support your people. If you find a person with potential, help them realize that potential. Wegmans offers scholarships to their employees to help them further their education and increase value to the company.Support employees attendance at conferences, provide some financial help with tuition assistance, give them the time to take an online class or pay for a certification credential. Employees that are learning and growing will value their positions and their employer. Edward Jones Offers an In clusive Culture While a financial services firm might seem stuffy and not an organization you want to emulate, they have a culture of accepting feedback. Note, this is different than giving feedback to employees. They hire an outside firm to check with their clients and then provide that feedback. How does this help the internal culture? Well, this feedback can come without politics and favoritism that often happens in businesses. They get real, clear answers to how things are going. That allows rewards on merits and not on preconceived notions. What your small business can learn How are you doing? Ask your customers. Not only is this good for your employees, but its good for the business as a whole. If your clients know that you will take feedback seriously and make changes to improve to meet their needs, youll build loyal clients. When you want to build a good company culture, dont be intimidated by the big businesses that you compete against. Instead, look at what they do, the p ositive examples of company culture that make them an employer of choice. Dont worry about the flashy trappings of success, but look at the factors that really make a difference. Although, it never hurts to throw in a free lunch or a company sponsored event here and there for your employees.

Uncommon Article Gives You the Facts on Adobe Illustrator Resume Template That Only a Few People Know Exist

Uncommon Article Gives You the Facts on Adobe Illustrator Resume Template That Only a Few People Know Exist In addition, the unusual layout enables the information to stand out well while still keeping up a skilled and organized appearance. It is possible to easily edit all the panels within the plan. This template was intended for private use only. Employing a template can lower the quantity of time you must spend formatting your document, which enables you to concentrate on adding content and polishing your resume. In a word, select the chronological format, in the event you need to tell about your experience. CV is simply a bit of paper that may work like magic for you. In fact, CV just makes your long-awaited interview possible since it offers you an vorkaufsrecht to earn a pleasant first impression on a person before youve entered the workplace. Get exploring and you may be spotting something which you feel is going to earn an effect on your job seeking process. Poss essing a strong resume doesnt necessarily signify you will land the job, but it is a fantastic approach to ensure you have the interview. The initial one is about outlining your abilities and your availability in a special job position. Needless to say, it provides you a great opportunity to reveal your potential. Possessing a 1 page resume is advantageous for most job applications due to the way the hiring procedure is made today. Imagine you have two resumes before you. As an additional bonus, you also receive a work interview tracker that will help you keeping track of passed and upcoming job interviews. You also receive a totally free job interview tracker for a bonus. The Appeal of Adobe Illustrator Resume Template Working part-time is quite popular among them, and they generally opt to work in retail or hospitality. Hopefully, you presently have a strong site, either a personal portfolio or your freelance business website. Definitions of Adobe Illustrator Resume Templat e Included are sections for language abilities and visual icons to demonstrate your specific skillset. Well, the provided examples are simple to customize. Considering that, bear in mind your CV ought to be done properly and polished from all the angles. The plan is still organized and simple to read a good instance of balancing creativity with readability. An attractive, wenigstens and user-friendly template you can edit in accordance with your abilities and experience. Just consider the sphere that youre involved to be able to create not just a pleasure but likewise a real CV. The upcoming free resume template is made in the shape of a brochure. The completely free download even includes an attractive deckblatt letter template. To continue, here is the upcoming useful and totally free PSD resume template for your requirements Take a look at free resume examples on the net and youll observe that headings ought to be the exact same all throughout. All the pages are totally editable. Not only do you get a resume template, but you receive a matching small business card template to generate business cards you can hand out to anybody you desire. As a bonus, you will receive a cover letter template and a ready-to-print small business card. In addition, the layout is extremely simple to follow, as well as fun. This completely free timeline-based resume template was made by graphic designer Patryk Korycki. The template can be found in PSD format. This template is free of charge, but in addition, it is quite modern. With 300dpi CMYK, its prepared to print. To begin with, youre in a position to use the shown minimalistic and clean CV template in Photoshop in addition to in Illustrator. The Illustrator file makes the the majority of colour to help its simplicity. Its high-quality PSD file is totally customizable.

Dont Become a Failed Growth Statistic Update Your Talent Acquisition for Success

Dont Become a Failed Growth Statistic Update Your Talent Acquisition for SuccessTwo-thirds of the fastest growing companies fail. This statistic from the Kauffman Foundations report should startle you. With a high rate of failure, even your rapidly growing company could be at risk. Before you decide if its in jeopardy, its important to understand what factors are sending failure numbers through the roof. The most detrimental issue is the inability to reach a point of self-sustainment. Companies focus on talent acquisition needs while theyre in the eye of the growth-storm. However, once the growth subsides, employees are put in charge of new responsibilities. Often, this includes ones that werent originally in their job description. Unfortunately, employees either cant keep up with the changes to their roles or they end up leaving for something mora fitting to their initial expectations. Promoting and sustaining rapid growth within your company walls begins with talent acquisition str ategies that focus on both. Heres how you can find talent that is strong enough to hold up to the weight of your growing company 1. Align your visions.The key takeaway here is the note of more than one vision. When your company is growing rapidly, its crucial to know your short-term and long-term vision. Expressing long-term goals is just as, or even more, important than short-term during a talent acquisition phase. Employees who are excited about your rapidly growing company may lose passion once the pace levels out. Hire team members whose passion goes beyond rapid growth. hiringprocessClick To TweetThis leaves you with less-than-enthusiastic employees in charge of your company when its at a successful peak. Ensure candidates will be invested for the long-haul by communicating your future goals and vision during talent acquisition. Personalize your communication efforts for each candidate during the interview, follow-ups, and updates to give them a complete picture of your company . Sharing the companys and your own personal goals is a great way to engage and educate candidates on where the company is headed and why.In turn, their responses will be more connected and personal, giving you the opportunity to measure their fit for rapid growth and beyond. 2. Assess their desire to grow.As your company grows, so will your need for employees who want to grow with it. You dont need perfection on your team, but rather people who want to develop into the perfect employees for the companys needs. Youll, naturally, start with the candidates resumes during the talent acquisition phase. You want to look specifically for evidence that they grew into new roles and took advantage of educational advancement opportunities. Then, when you have them face-to-face or screen-to-screen in a video interview ask what inspired them to grow with their former companies. Knowing the inspiration behind their growth helps you assess if theyll be motivated to develop with your company. Al so, ask candidates to list their future goals. But dont end the conversation there. Discuss what theyre willing to do to reach those goals and what they think is most important when growing with a company. If the basis of their answer is asking questions and doing whatever tasks are needed to help the company succeed, youve found a team member who can help you sustain your growing companys success.Know what candidates will do to reach their future career goals. interviewClick To Tweet3. Identify their motivations.When youre in charge of talent acquisition in a rapidly growing company, you must be aware of every trait candidates bring to the table. A candidate can check off qualification boxes, but if their professional motivations are off, they wont make it in the long run. For example, a candidate who shares your vision for the company may seem perfect. However, if theyre motivated by continuously moving up the ladder, they likely wont stay on board if the companys growth levels ou t. On the other hand, a candidate who is motivated by seeing goals through to the end and nurturing company success through the thick of it will be more suited to take on the job from start to finish.Discovering professional motivations relies on your ability to dig beneath the surface when interviewing candidates. Personalize your interview questions based on candidates employment histories, cover letters, and one-way video interviews. Ask them what motivated them to move on from previous careers. Find out what inspired their volunteer efforts. And discover who their mentors were, and what they admired about them. How do you know if a candidate has what it takes to promote rapid growth? Let us know in the comments below

It really is harder to find a job as you get older

It really is harder to find a job as you get olderIt really is harder to find a job as you get olderThe largest-ever study of age discrimination has found that employers regularly overlook middle-aged and older workersbased only on their resums.The San Francisco Federal Reserve released the results of a comprehensive study that was designed to nail down one of the toughest herausforderungs in hiring whether employers are willing to hire people over 49 years old. Its a crucial question not just for workers who are getting older, but for the entire United States economy, because the huge Baby Boomer generation is at or near retirement age, and Gen X isnt that far behind.The key questions the Fed looked to answer is age discrimination a broad trend in the U.S., and can it be proven?The answers yes, older workers are routinely ruled out for even low-skilled jobs. And yes, is also a real trend the Federal Reserve sent out 40,000 resums for 13,000 positions to show how widespread the probl em is.There is a distinct pattern of callback rates being highest for the young applicants, lower for the middle-aged applicants, and lowest for the old applicants, the researchers concluded.Not only did employers skip over older applicants more often for all jobs, but women face worse age discrimination than men, the Federal Reserve said in a white paper.In one example, older women received 47% fewer callbacks for administrative jobs than younger women. Men did not experience the same sharp, obvious differences in treatment from employers For male job applicants- in sales, security, and janitor jobs- there is also a lower callback rate for older men in general. But in this case the age pattern is not as consistent or pronounced.Why are older women getting fewer callbacks? It may not just be age, but looks.We do not have evidence on why age discrimination may be worse for older women, but it could be because applicant appearance matters in ur sample of low-skilled jobs, and the effe cts of aging on physical appearance are evaluated more harshly for women than for men, the researchers wrote.That backs up previous studies that show that looks affect whether women get or keep a job, regardless of whether the women are considered beautiful or unattractive.To test their theory, the Fed researchers created fake resums in age groups including workers 29-31 years old for young workers, 49-51 years old for middle-aged workers, and 64-66 years old for the older workers.The resums covered 13,000 positions, mostly low-skilled ones for administrative assistants, janitors and retail sales. They sent only womens resums for the administrative jobs and only mens resums for the janitorial ones, and both genders for the retail sales.The Federal Reserve research noted that employers who discriminate on the basis of age are taking a big risk Whether such discrimination is based on outright dislike or stereotyping about group characteristics, it is illegal under U.S. civil rights la ws.

How to Recognize Round Characters in Fiction

How to Recognize Round Characters in FictionHow to Recognize Round Characters in FictionIn works of fiction, a round character is a significant player who is often the star of the story. This type of character encounters conflict and is changed by it. Round characters tend to be more developed than the flat characters, which are incidental. If you think of the characters you most love in fiction, they probably seem as real to you as people you know. This is a good indication that they are round characters. Most Protagonists Are Round Characters The protagonist of almost every work of fiction is a round character. These main characters engage the readers imagination and empathy, making it possible for the reader to imagine themselves in their shoes. Often, the protagonists personal growth mirrors the readers hopes and dreams. Literary fiction usually revolves around a process of growth and change with a character whose experience reflects this and provides the primary substance of the story. All of Jane Austens heroines, for example, discover that their girlish assumptions and expectations are naive, which influences them to change their perspectives and make decisions based on personal discovery and growth. Creating Round Characters A writer develops a character and makes them round by employing several tools or elements such as description anddialogue. A characters responses to conflict and their internal dialogue are also revelatory and serve to create a multi-dimensional character. Creating truly believable characters takes time, diligence, and study of the works of the best literary authors. There are also specific questions you can ask to determine if the character youre writing about is a round or flat character. Where does your character live?Where is your character from?How old is your character?What is your character called?What does your character look like?What kind of childhood did your character have?What does your character do for a living ?How does your character deal with conflict or change?Who else is in your characters life?What is your characters goal or motivation in this story or scene? Examples of Round Characters Even genre novels, such as The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien, gain much of its power through the development of round characters. These stories are satisfying because several of the main characters overcome their limitations or self-doubt to become stronger. Consider these examples Frodo the hobbit and his friend Sam both discover unexpected depths of personal commitment, physical and emotional strength, and dedication to a cause.Gandalf, the wizard, discovers that the trust he placed in his fellow wizards welches misplaced and, as a result, becomes a stronger magical character.Aragorn, the heir to a long line of kings, has given up his title. But, throughout the stories, he discovers his own leadership skills and learns that he can, and should, reclaim his crown. The Literary Ex ceptions There are, of course, exceptions to this rule, mainly in genre fiction, as opposed to literary fiction. For example, Agatha Christies detective Hercule Poirot does not grow or change as a result of his crime-solving activities. The works of Charles Dickens often center on two-dimensional characters like Oliver Twist and David Copperfield. These characters have few personal qualities or motivations. They are essentially pawns who are used and abused by others. While their conditions change over the course of the story, they change very little or not at all. These works maintain their literary importance because their purpose is not to create and explore character, but rather to delve into stories of economic and social injustice.

4 Ways to Boost Your Attitude for Job Search Success

4 Ways to Boost Your Attitude for Job Search Success4 Ways to Boost Your Attitude for Job Search Success4 Ways to Boost Your Attitude for Job Search SuccessBrian Ray (pictured) is founder of Crossroads Career Network, a national, non-profit membership of churches that provides online job search/ career resources and access to career groups. He is also author of the 2010 Crossroads Career Workbook, owner of Primus Consulting executive search, and former vice president for human resources and administration for Chick-fil-A restaurants.Eighty-five percent of the reason people get jobs and get ahead in those jobs is because of attitude, reads a stunning statement by world-famous motivational speaker and author Zig Ziglar in his book Over the Top.Yet, most people who are at a crossroads in their careers walk around with a mixed attitude, more of it negative than positive. For exampleIf youre unemployed, you may be stunned, hurt, angry, fearful, depressed, guilty, or ashamed. Or, your feel ings may reflect relief, renewed energy, and a positive outlook about a new future.If youre misemployed in a job or with a company you dont like, you may feel miserable, anxious, frustrated, restless, or confused. On the other hand, you may feel filled with hope, excitement, or anticipation of better things.If youre happily employed, but looking for something better, you may feel incomplete even though everything is going smoothly. Or, you may feel happy that you have the luxury of a paycheck while you seek deeper meaning and purpose in work.How Do You tarif?If you could measure it on an Attitude-O-Meter, what would your attitude score on a scale of 0 (the worst) to 10 (most joyful)? Be honest with yourself and pick the number that reflects your attitude right this minute. Got it? Now, if its less than 10, pick a higher number you can work toward, then follow these four steps starting today4 Ways to Pump Up Your AttitudeMake a decision, and be happy. Once you pick a higher number on your Attitude-O-Meter, put on a happy face. Dont just fake it til you make it focus only on good thoughts and behave in positive ways even in the midst of being used, abused, and refused.Accept loss, and forgive. If youve lost your job (or youre in a job you wish you could lose), admit, understand, and grieve the loss. Anger often accompanies loss, wrath runs through your veins, and bitterness may begin to pool in your stomach. Maybe youre blaming others your boss, a coworker, someone else, or even yourself. The key to overcoming anger is to forgive everyone involved privately - that is, to yourself - not for their benefit, but yours.Accept opportunity and face fear. This is the first day of the rest of your life. If your life is a journey, are you headed in the right direction? There are thousands of occupations and industries, each with thousands of employers and workers. You may be anxious, maybe even terrified. But you can face the fear by exercising love, power, discipline, fa ith, and gratitude.Eat right, exercise, and get plenty of rest. Take care of yourself physically, mentally, and spiritually. Job search and career transition can be exhausting, so you need extra energy and endurance. When you build your personal strength, youll become more courageous and think more clearly.These four steps will build up a positive attitude. Theyll turn stumbling blocks into building blocks, and propel you above and beyond your current state. Youll feel better, sound better, and look better. And youll attract more job offers.Start pumping up and let me know what results you achieve.