Empowering People To Change

I can write a book on the things I have heard from clients about Interviews they have had with candidates. This one is very special and wanted to share with you a funny story. I had a candidate who interviewed with a client of mine in Boca Raton. The candidate was interviewing for a VM ware position I have posted. On paper he looked very well qualified, and the initial phone screen by both the client and me was very good.

When he interviewed and the technical questions became more difficult he closed his eyes and started praying for the answers. The client could not believe and started laughing very quietly. The candidate was asked to explain a conceptual process for VM Ware. The candidate closed his eyes and started imaging the screen prompts and started pointing in the air, as things he would click on. The entire process was very funny and I wish I could have been there to witness this taking place.

I find many people place things on their resume, and do not have the full understanding of the technology or process. Just because I can type on a MAC, doesn’t make me an expert on the MAC OS. Employers are very smart and they will test someone on their clarifications and knowledge or a topic. More importantly if you don’t know closing your eyes and praying for the answer will not help, and especially trying to imagine the screen shots is a BAD idea.

In summary, we are all masters of our own domain, and want to list accomplishments and knowledge in a resume. However be extra careful as employers are testing, and if you don’t know the answer closing your eyes will not help.

Carvechi a premier managed solutions and professional search service is seeking a Director of Insurance & Risk Management.

The position will manage the company’s insurance programs, travel programs, credit card administration and real estate portfolio. Interacting with the legal and commercial staff to gain a complete understanding of the terms and conditions and contract process (indemnities) to appropriately ensure that risks mitigated.

Will also work with insurance underwriters and brokers to ensure prices are market value and manage the global travel process and real estate portfolio.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance preferred
• Min. of 5 to 7 yrs experience in a similar role (Manager or Director level in Risk Management, capital markets, and finance
• Computer Proficiency and software skills (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Knowledge of Concur desired
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written)

• Management of global insurance programs, global risk management and insurance budget.
◦ Management of global travel program including Assist employees in trouble shooting Concur issues, Run and monitor management reporting, Communicate and resolve Concur file exceptions
• Management of global real estate portfolio

For more information send your resume to dcarson@carvechi.com

I am working with a client who is seeking a senior VMWARE engineer for there office in Boca Raton. The following is the position description.

Job Responsibilities
As Sr. VMware Infrastructure Engineer, you will be responsible for supporting Data Center operations by designing, implementing, and maintaining large production systems for our customers, and providing top level system support for Data Center issues. This means having in depth knowledge of virtualization, networking, routing, security, data center operations, and hardware such as servers, switches, firewalls and SAN’s.

Main responsibilities will include:
- Responsible for the design, implementation, and management of virtual infrastructure
- Maintain high level systems and network documentation
- Provide deployment and virtual environment last line support
- Proactively monitor all company production systems and assist with reporting on operational metrics
- Ensure that the company information security policies are enforced

Technical and Education Requirements

· BS Degree in Computer Science or related field.

· Four years of VMware ESX /Vsphere 4.

· Minimum 10 years experience in IT.

· 5+ years experience with Windows Server 2003, 2008 (all versions) and Windows Server applications. .

· Cisco experience, Cisco UCS 5108 is a huge plus

· Extensive experience working with enterprise SAN’s (EMC a Plus).

· Experience working in data center environments with related equipment (servers, PDU’s, Racks, cabling, etc.).

· Microsoft enterprise operating systems, Active Directory and applications (Office, Server and Desktop).

· SAN to SAN, host-based or SRM replication

· Monitoring for firmware updates, bug-fixes and security patches

· Impact analysis of newly-released updates

· Auditing of managed environments for applicability of updates

· Packaging of updates

· Updating automated deployment systems with updates

Industry Certifications
· VMWare Certified Professional (VCP)

· Microsoft Certified Professional in one or more areas of specialization preferably in Windows Server platform or related Internet technologies.

· MCSE preferred. Equivalent industry experience will be considered.

For more information forward your resume and salary requirements to dcarson@carvechi.com

This position is a 6 month contract to hire for a Network Systems Engineer. The position is paying $35-43 per hour. This position will be supporting Network Engineering and systems support of Novell and Linux, Groupwise,, ZenWorks, and Identity Manager.

Job Responsibilities

- Daily administration of Novell and GroupWise
Migration of GroupWise from Novell a to Microsoft Windows environment
Management of Network and Cisco Environment.

Technical Skills

- Maintain Novell 6.5 and GroupWise 7.0.3 Environments
- Maintain 2Point FaxServe 7.0 for GroupWise
- Maintain Barracuda SPAM firewall to filter Internet Email
- Maintain CAFAS server environment
- Maintain JuryPlus server environment
Perform required ArcServe Novell backups and assist with transition of backups to Tivoli
Network and Systems support.

If you are interested in the position or may know of someone please forward me a copy of your resume and I look forward to hearing from you.

Good Morning,

I am working with a client to locate a professional candidate for a Financial Planner & Analyst. The position is located in Miami and I am offering a $2,000 referral bonus for recommending someone to this great opportunity. If you are interested please send me a copy of your resume and salary requirements to dcarson@carvechi.com

Job Description:

The Financial Planning Analyst maintains Excel databases resulting in the production of financial metrics, financial analysis. This position will implement financial and accounting techniques for planning, analysis and control.

Main Duties and Responsibilities include:

• Maintain financial databases with Actual extracted from Oracle
• Compare forecast submissions vs. prior forecast and update financial databases.
• Conducts variance analyses by Segment and by Department
• Validate information with each department.
• Collaborates in the development of management reports (Executive Book, Forecast Report, BOD Presentations, Earnings Call Back Up Materials, Ad Hoc Reports) and review them for data accuracy (tick & tie).
• Develop relationships with segment finance teams
• Timely and accurate production of reports, forecasts and analysis.
• Creates plan and forecast templates for data capture.
• Performs analysis of financial data in general (P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow).
• Analyze financial information from different sources consisting of Oracle financial systems.

Job Requirements:
Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance or Accounting (MBA Desired but not necessary)
• Two to four years of work experience within the finance and accounting field.
• Advanced Excel skills (database management, pivot tables, H/V lookups, production and automation of reports for senior level)
• CPA or CFA helpful but not necessary.

You worked hard in school getting an education needed for to jump start your career and to land your first job. Don’t let these mistakes stall your career growth. Remember coming right out of school and entering into the work force you have a clean slate. Let your new employers perception of you see you as an up and comer not a slacker. Your behavior, attitude and appearance will play an important role in your success.

The following career killers should be avoided:

1) Procrastinating – In your school career you probably waited to study for a big exam until the last possible moment, and you probably ended up with a decent grade. This type of procrastination in the work place will be unacceptable. If you wait to pull together a big presentation chances are the preparation for this will be shoddy and shown to your boss and co-workers. There is always a chance something will happen as well you might be missing a key part of the presentation due to someone’s absence or is unavailable to assist you. The end result you will be seen as a slacker and you will find yourself on the “corporate slow track”.

2) Sense of Entitlement – Society has driven us to always get what we want. This is not true in the workforce. You need to be patient it’s not possible to gather ten years of experience from one year. Young inexperienced employees feel entitled to receive quick promotions, but it’s that attitude that will keep you from advancing. If you have a job you are lucky to have one in this economy. Remember you are at the bottom of the ladder, and need to work your way up. You will need to pay your dues that means working on the days that everyone senior wants off. This is the time for you to learn more and how to advance your career.

3) Settling into your Job – Getting adjusted to your job is your first step, but you should always be on the lookout for chances to shine. Do not be shy from to step up for more responsibilities. Go above and beyond your everyday tasks. This will demonstrate your talents to your boss and show your boss that you are a risk taker who takes initiative.

4) Avoid Office Politics – Within every office politics are alive. You need to beware of them and not fall into the trap of gossiping and backstabbing. Instead you should use this to your advantage by developing relationships, asking for advice, and offering your help by showing sincere interest in others.

5) Not being a Team Player – This is a situation that young employees need to pay close attention to. You want to be part of a team and help in making the project successful, but you do not want your efforts to be lost and not recognized. You need to be able to demonstrate your skills and build your career without giving the perception that you are only looking out for yourself.

6) Not Dressing the Part – You want to look the part. You want to look professional and in control not sloppy. In today’s society people tend to look at the visual more than your merits and skills. Look at your co-workers see what they are wearing. If they are wearing suits than you should be dressing similar. Do not wear a suit if everyone is wearing jeans.

7) Not Networking – Not only is networking a good thing to help you find a job, it’s also a good way to keep your job. Maintaining your contacts after you are hired is critical for continuing your career. You never know that a contact may help you find your next position if you follow the points suggested above.

With mortgage rates dropping at a record pace, homeowners are going in herds to financial institutions to refinance their homes.

This is very similar to a decade ago which led to the real-estate boom.

The Mortgage Bankers Association reported about 80% of all mortgage applications are for refinancing. The average 30 year fixed mortgage rate is 4.73% which is down from 6% about a year ago. Wells Fargo recently reported improved results as a result of the increase in mortgage applications writing over $101 billion in mortgage loans for the quarter which is the most since 2003.

There was an increase of 52% in first quarter profit as a result of the increase in the workload it required them to recruit to approximately 5,000 employees to assist with the volume. Wells Fargo believes that this rush will continue through the next quarter.

Not every homeowner will experience savings due to the high refinancing fees. Others are converting their adjustable mortgage rates with fixed fee rates. Many homeowners are seeing a decrease in their home values which makes it unattainable to refinance their homes.

The U.S. government has put in place programs to lower interest rates and increase the housing market. An example of this is The Federal Reserve announced late last year that they were buying mortgaged backed securities.

The government programs were put in place to help the struggling housing market, encouraging homeowners to refinance, and help them from foreclosing on their homes. Also, it would improve the economy as well as helping financial institutions boost profits.
Thus, financial institutions are having difficulties in expediting refinances on a timely basis due to the rush for homeowners to refinance.

Do you hear what I hear? The sounds of the masses panicking over the DOW dropping and slowly accepting defeat by rolling over and playing dead. The media loves nothing more than to pump us up with this negativity; to fuel the fire. Everywhere you turn it seems like someone is spewing myths of doomsday, and one can’t help feeling overwhelmed and challenged. Layoff and unemployment rates seem to be going up and up, and many are beginning to wonder “Why Me”.

With the job market being so competitive due to a lack of available jobs, and recruiters seeming to collect resumes as a hobby rather than actually get you a job, it’s easy to feel victimized by the system. Everyone is facing challenges right now, but the only way to overcome these challenges is by having the right mindset. Everyone needs to learn to face these challenges to head on. We need to learn to empower ourselves to change or empower ourselves to MAKE a change.

Rather than think of challenges as horrible incidents that HAPPEN to us, we need to think of them as hurdles that we must jump in order to build strength of character and grow as a human being. It’s easy to say things like “I’m facing this challenge because of the government, not because someone wants me to grow”, but the truth is that we all make our own success and our own failures. We are responsible for 99% of what happens to us, and if we face a challenge, it is because of a decision we made that did not work out just right. It’s time you empower yourself to stand up and say, “This situation sucks, but I’m taking charge. I’m going to MAKE my success. I’m going to MAKE myself happy.”

Face the challenges head on. Face your fears. If you do, you will see such massive growth in yourself that it will radiate to all other areas of your life, because you will have learned a great lesson. Even though we cannot control what happens in our day to day lives, we CAN control how we handle the situation. We can empower ourselves to MAKE our own “luck” by hard work and dedication. We can empower ourselves to MAKE to change if we don’t like where our life is headed right now. No one gets a free lunch in this world. No one got where they were by just being “lucky”. Once you realize that you’re not a victim just because you weren’t one of the “lucky” ones, you will rise above.

Having the right mindset will get you far. If you take the bull by the horns, run with the situation and make the best of it, success will come your way. Instead of moping about not having a job, go out there every single day and make it happen. Call up every company that turned you away and sell them on why they need you. Don’t take no for an answer, and don’t stop there. Remember that job that you wanted so bad, but thought you could never get because it was out of your league? Apply to it! Envision yourself getting that job, and depositing that first paycheck. Empower yourself to believe that you can make a change, and maybe, just maybe, YOU can empower people to change.

We all know the job market out there is tough. It’s tough times for everyone right now. You’re either looking for a job or petrified that the job you currently have is going to end for a reason unknown to you. So how can one create wealth and abundance in a volatile job market? How can you be successful when it seems you have nothing but obstacles in front of you?

First, let’s define wealth and abundance. Wealth and abundance is not just about having lots of money and a yacht to boot. Wealth and abundance is having the ability to live a comfortable life, and to continue to further yourself. It’s somewhat of a two-way street. You cannot be happy and successful if you do not have wealth and abundance by striving to better yourself. If you are stagnant, you create a stagnant lifestyle. That is what you bring to you. Whatever you project out comes back to you.

If you have the ability to face your challenges, then do so! By facing challenges head on, by taking control of your life, you are unconsciously creating wealth and abundance. You are telling yourself that you believe that you can do something better, that you have real value. If you project that positivity, eventually (though it may not be as quickly as you like) that is going to be what surrounds your life.

You may be thinking that it’s easier to say than to do, and if that’s your mindset, you are your own worst enemy. Things can always get worse before they get better, but why focus on that? Because you’re a “realist”? No, you’re a pessimist if you think in those terms. You’re accepting defeat and you’re letting the world know, “Hey, I’m a victim!” The only person who has victimized you is YOURSELF.

We have to learn to let go of our fears and our inhibitions. Learn to emit positivity, and wealth and abundance will come your way. It’s not just going to happen to you, you have to go out and get it. If you feel you justly deserve a raise, create a game plan/speech and tell you boss you deserve it and exactly why that is the case. Break down the walls that we’ve been brainwashed to put up. Once you learn there are no limits, you have nowhere to go but up.

Don’t let current economic woes take the wind out of your sails! There are jobs out there to be had if you conduct a diligent search and look in the right places. Your network is your best resource, so use it! Your network can inform you of open positions you never would have found on your own because the most coveted positions are usually not posted, they don’t need to be. Perhaps you’re an unwitting victim of the current global economic crisis; relax take a deep breath because economies and markets move in cycles, you are going to be just fine.

Without a doubt the job market is overrun with qualified professionals competing for the same positions you are. I want to enlighten you as to some interesting new career opportunities that might be a perfect fit for you and just happen to be in high demand at the moment. No more linear thinking, its time to think out of the box and get out of your comfort zone! I want to discuss the best opportunities relative to salary range, which is a key factor in any career search. Additionally, I would ask that you consider what is it that you see the most potential for your professional growth. Many people are corporate functionaries that perform jobs, few have careers that reward and satisfy. A GREAT CAREER will bring out your creativity and ability to innovate and accomplish things you never thought possible. The jobs I will list are taken from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, some may require significant training but these are definitely the hot jobs of 2009!

Medical scientist
Personal finance advisor
Computer software engineer
Chiropractor
Environmental engineer
Biochemist and biophysicist
Sales manager
Computer systems analyst
Epidemiologist
Athlete
Agent and business manager for artists, performers and athletes
Producer and director
Marketing manager
Lawyer
Actor
Advertising and promotions manager
Management analyst
Postsecondary education administrator
Financial manager
Actuary
Airline pilot, copilot and flight engineer
Market research analyst
Medical and health services manager
Securities sales analyst

Obviously some careers require significant training while others simply require specific licensing. These are the top 25 for 2009, but if your passion is not listed here, don’t despair, keep reaching for what you truly want because at the end of the day the hottest career is the one that YOU find satisfaction, happiness and financial stability performing. You need to discover your bliss, believe in yourself and command your destiny. Be the miracle.