News & Views by Kim Davis
 This little "fable" has come into my e-mail several times during the past week. I hope you haven't read it yet:
A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared. He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could, and it could go no further.
So the man decided to help the butterfly. He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings.
The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time.
Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings.
It never was able to fly.
What the man, in his kindness and haste, did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were God's way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.
Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our lives.
If God allowed us to go through our lives without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as what we could have been. We could never fly!
You may have noticed I have photography on the brain lately. Yes, I got a new digital camera. I love it. I decided I really wanted one after using my Mom's camera while we were in Florida last June. I feel like whole new avenues of creativity have opened up for me... Check the press release at the bottom of the page for info about a new digital photography workshop that's starting up. (Don't forget - the deadline for Photographer of the Year entries is September 17! For entry information go to www.tpoty.com)
NOTE: If you go to http://www.extraordinary-jobs.com, you'll find yourself on a welcome page. To get to the current issue of the newsletter, follow the link at the top of the page.
Visit me on the web at my other sites:
Imagine the best version of YOU there could be - then be that!
- Kim ;-)
Feature:
The Second Job Interview - What to Expect
(Copyright ) 2004 Carole Martin -
The Interview Coach
http://www.interviewcoach.com/
Good news! You've been invited back for a second interview (or a
third or fourth). But, you feel that you've already covered
everything in the first interview? How will this interview be
different from the first? How do you prepare for the second
round?
Can you do the job?
When you are asked back for a second interview it means that you
are considered a viable candidate for the position and you are
qualified to do the job.
Second interviews vary with each company. Since you are going to
meet with different people, you can expect to be asked some of
the same questions, beginning with "Tell me about yourself," or
"Walk me through your resume."
Do we like you - are you going to fit in?
They know you have the skills by now, and will be looking to see
personality and cultural fit. You will be measured against other
candidates who have applied for the same position. It is
important that you leave the interviewer with something to make
you "remembered." Think of five strengths you have and pick the
one that you feel differentiates you from the pack. An example
would be a technical person who has great customer service
skills.
A good way to let the interviewer know about you is through
other's quotes. "If you were to ask my last boss he would tell
you that I am his right hand man -- or woman."
Your challenge is to set yourself apart from the pack. It will be
necessary to let the employer know that you are a great match for
the position and that you have what it takes to do this job.
"Fit" is an important factor. Be sure to review your match to the
position description -- from the company's standpoint as well as
your own.
Be prepared for other topics to surface
Other subjects may come up in this interview such as salary
requirements and benefits. Prepare by doing some research on
salary and some thinking about your benefits requirements. You
cannot negotiate a salary until you have an offer, but you can
prepare by knowing the "going rate" for your position --
salary.com. You should also do a budget sheet of your expenses
and figure out what it costs you to live each month - your salary
needs. You should know your "walk away" number. When you cannot
afford to take the job.
It is a competitive job market and you will have to sell yourself
whether it is a first or second interview. Continue to
congratulate yourself each time you get that call for a second
interview -- you just got to the next rung up the ladder towards
that job offer.
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Carole Martin is a thoroughbred interview coach. Celebrated
author, trainer, and mentor, Carole can give you interviewing
tips like no one else can. Her workbook, "Interview Fitness
Training - A Workout With the Interview Coach," has sold
thousands of copies world-wide and she has just released her
latest book, "Boost Your Interview IQ," both available on
Amazon.com. Sign Up to Receive Free
Weekly Interview Tips from Carole Martin, The Interview Coach
at: http://www.interviewcoach.com
 Press Release:
Staff and clients of G.A.P Adventures recently took up the challenge to go skydiving for charity. The Planeterra Jump For Charity was organized by G.A.P Adventures as a fundraiser for the Planeterra Foundation, the company's NGO. G.A.P Adventures CEO Bruce Poon Tip agreed to pay for 20 people to skydive at the cost of $195 per person. In return for this skydive, these 20 participants were asked to raise funds that went directly to support the Planeterra Foundation. Over $5000 was raised and 100% of the funds went to support Planeterra Programs.
Our Mission The Planeterra Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of people and communities around the world through support of international charities, local organizations and community projects.
Who are we? The Planeterra Foundation was developed by G.A.P Adventures, a Canadian adventure travel company that offers environmentally, culturally and socially responsible tours worldwide. We are committed to minimizing our impact on the environment, respecting local people and cultures, contributing to the economic well-being of local businesses and communities, and promoting the protection of destinations for future generations.
How we work The Planeterra Foundation supports charities, non-profit organizations and grassroots community development projects that focus on the areas of healthcare, education, ecotourism development, cultural preservation, environmental conservation and disaster relief.
By identifying projects and organizations that specialize in different areas, donors are provided with a variety of worthwhile projects to choose from and support. It also provides our travellers with a way to help us give back to the people and places visited on their travels.
For more information, contact Danielle Weiss at
danielle@gap.ca 416-260-0999 ext. 122
Call us Toll Free in North America: 1-800-465-5600
ALERT FOR TRAVEL WRITERS WITH CAMERAS:
NEW PHOTO WORKSHOP OPENS
Contact: Steve Gottlieb -
Horizon Creative Escapes
(410) 885-2433 - steve@horizoncreativeescapes.com
http://www.horizoncreativeescapes.com
"Horizon Creative Escapes"
* Geared specifically toward amateurs of all levels, with top professional instructors
* Workshops taught over two and three-day weekends (with catered meals)
* Some weekends set aside as "singles only;" one-day workshops for seniors
* Participants can borrow a digital camera and learn digital basics
* Location is Chesapeake City, in NE Maryland, a charming village listed on the National Historic Registry. Workshop building sits on the banks of the Inter-coastal Waterway, a short way from I-95, easily reached from New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, DC.
"The name Horizon Creative Escapes was chosen," explains Horizon founder Steve Gottlieb, "because our goal is to expand each student's visual horizons and teach him (and her) more creative approaches to using the camera...while enjoying a physical environment that is truly an escape from the ordinary." Primary emphasis is on creating effective compositions, capturing emotions, and taking advantage of natural light. In addition, extensive "one-on-one" time with Horizon instructors gives every student an opportunity to receive technical advice appropriate to their individual level.
Gottlieb is best known as the photographer/author of three widely acclaimed books. American Icons (2001), Abandoned America (2002), and
Washington: Portrait of a City (1985, revised 2003). Abandoned America was selected by People magazine and USA Today as a "2002 Gift Book of the Year," and was "Best in Show" at the 2003 Chicago Book Fair.
Gottlieb has been designated by Eastman Kodak as one of a handful of "Kodak Professional Icons" in the United States. (Gottlieb writes about his travels as well photographs them.) Other notable photographers on Horizon's faculty include Baltimore's Bill Denison and Philadelphia's Jon Cox.
The workshop space also serves as a gallery showcasing the work of many outstanding regional artist/photographers.
See: http://www.horizoncreativeescapes.com
Contact: steve@horizoncreativeescapes.com
Tel: (410) 885-2433
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