Grandpa George will be turning 85 on Tuesday so Saturday the Hermans and the Sterns celebrated this fabulous milestone with a family gathering.  The soiree was held at the lake house and what a perfect backdrop for celebrating.  Judy and Bob as always were amazing hosts putting out a huge spread for lunch and dinner for all to enjoy.  The weather was perfect and the water was delightful.  Bob took many of the ‘city’ folk that joined us out for a ride on the lake showing them the sites while the rest of us kicked back on lounge chairs and the hammock soaking up the sun and enjoying some family time.  Grandpa was only expecting the immediate family so needless to say he was surprised to see some of the extended family who came as well.  The kids had a great time running around, playing in the water and taking rides on the tube.  David was too young to partake in those activities but he got lots of love and attention from everyone while he played on the grass and took a quick dip in the water.  A good time was definitely had by all!

As many of you know, I launched my own resume writing and editing business from home this year.  As a stay at home mom, I was looking to keep my hands in the professional world and utilize the skill set that I built over the years while working in Human Resources.  In the early spring, I quietly launched ResumeGal and over the last several months I have been building my client base thanks to family, friends and some online advertising.  This morning ResumeGal was linked to as part of a feature article entitled Top 100 Tips, Tools & Resources to Reinvent Your Career.  Click on #4 – Update your resume.  The article is great so I highly recommend reading it in its entirety but if you only have a few minutes, below are the top 10 tips:

Tips

These tips caution you to network, organize your job search, and set up a game plan before quitting your current job.

1. Evaluate your financial status: Find out if you’re in the position to go back to school, work part-time, or take a lesser paying job for the sake of starting over, or, if you need to save up a little first.
2. Consider moving: If the industry you want to break into isn’t strong in your part of the country, consider relocating to a location that has a healthier economy or more opportunities.
3. Focus on your transferrable skills: Just because you don’t have the exact job description of the new career you want, doesn’t mean you aren’t qualified.
4. Update your resume: Keep your resume continually updated and in perfect shape in case a sudden networking opportunity or interview comes along.
5. Talk to your supervisor: Sometimes, reinventing your career just means going after a promotion or switching departments within the company you’re already with.
6. Pursue what inspires you: Instead of switching to a job that you’re pretty sure will burn you out in a few years, pursue a cause that makes you passionate and inspires you to make a difference.
7. Apply the SWOT analysis method: Analyze your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and development, and the potential threats that might stand in your way.
8. Network before you quit: At the very least, have a game plan and a list of valuable contacts before you quit your old job.
9. Look for stepping-stone jobs: The Path 101 Career Guidance blog encourages job seekers to look for jobs that help them transition from one career to a totally different industry.
10. Talk to another professional in the field you want to enter: Don’t make any snap judgments on an industry by what you’ve read or seen on TV. Talk to someone who’s worked in that field for many years to get a realistic impressio

Recently a friend asked me about the pro’s and con’s of the City Mini stroller vs. the Maclaren Techno XLR stroller so I thought I would share my thoughts with everyone since we own both.  If you are in the market for a stroller, I hope this is helpful.

City Mini:

• Pro’s
  • Incredibly lightweight – less than 17lbs
  • Super easy to open and close; you can do it with one hand
  • Easy to buckle the baby in and you can do it quickly
  • Extremely easy to maneuver especially over curbs and through doorways
  • Single front wheel makes for simple turns and for those that like to jog, the front wheel locks for a smooth run
  • Great coverage for keeping your little one out of the sun.  Peep windows on the hood allow you to check on your baby while you walk/jog
  • One handle bar so you can put the Skip Hop diaper bag on it and push with one hand
  • Excellent for multi-terrain usage
  • Not overly expensive – $229 range
• Con’s
  • All of the accessories are sold separately; belly bar, parent pack, cup holder, feeding tray
  • The basket on the bottom is small and there is no back mesh pocket
  • Not as luxurious or probably as comfortable a seat as some of the others since there is not much padding but our little one’s don’t know any different anyway

Maclaren XLR:

• Pro:
  • Extremely well made, sturdy and durable
  • Much more luxurious seat and probably more comfortable
  • Two handles – can hang packages from them but be careful they aren’t too heavy and tip the stroller
  • Baskets are much roomier and you can fit more
• Con:
  • Heavier and bulkier than the City Mini
  • Not as easy to open and close but still doable in a flash
  • Lock on the harness is really tight and sometimes tough to undo in a rush
  • Maneuverability around corners or making turns is not very smooth
  • Coverage from the sun is fair at best
  • More expensive – about $350

My personal preference happens to be the City Mini on most occassions especially when we are in NYC.  Darren calls it the ‘Porche’ of strollers and I have to agree.

Yesterday, Aunt Judy & Uncle Bob graciously invited us with several of our friends for a small gathering at their summer house on Greenwood Lake.  We were so thrilled and appreciative that they opened up their home for us that we packed up virtually everything in our house except the kitchen sink and brought it with us.  I definitely took some ribbing for everything came along with us especially the extra rolls of toilet paper.  I am sure we will be hearing about that for years to come.

The day was a lot of fun and despite the weather being cloudy and cooler than expected the kids didn’t seem to mind at all.  In fact, they were in and out of the kiddie pool and wearing their bathing suits for most of the afternoon.  The girls took turns playing ‘captain’ on the pontun boat and really had a blast.  If only the sun shined for us we could have taken them out for a ride on the lake.  David loved being showered with attention by all the young ladies in attendance and was treated like a king for the entire day.  We all had a great time and enjoyed a relaxing afternoon away from it all.  We were incredibly lucky that the rain held off til we literally put the last few things in our trunks and were ready to say goodbye.  Thanks Judy & Bob for an amazing afternoon!

I can’t believe that it was eight months ago today that I came into this world.  Mommy can’t believe it either.  The time is going by very quickly.  I must say that being eight months old is fabulous.  I can pretty much sit up all by myself and play with my toys for periods of time.  I love taking things out of boxes and putting everything and anything in my mouth including the remote for the TV.  I am still teething away but not a single tooth yet.  Mom was a late teether so I must be just like her.  Eventually they will all start to pop out and then I’ll have a mouth full of teeth.  I am a really good eater and think baby food is far better than formula lately.  I enjoy just about everything with squash, carrots, green beans, mango, and bananas topping my list of favorites.  I can’t wait til I can eat table food because all I do is stare and mommy and daddy when they eat.  What is on their plate looks quite interesting. Also, my grandma’s can’t wait to give me a cookie and ice cream so I’m looking forward to that too.

Since the summer has finally descended upon us, I am hitting the pool just about every day.  Not to worry, mommy covers me in sunscreen and I’m always wearing a hat so I don’t get too much sun or a sunburn.  After couple of times of getting used to the water, I am loving the pool.  Grandma Bobbie is teaching me to swim and I’m having a great time splashing away.  Later this summer Mom and Dad are taking me on my first vacation to the Hamptons and I’m so excited since I will have my first beach experience.  I’m piqued with curiosity about the feel of the sand and the ocean.  I’ll try not to take home too much of the beach with me when we leave but somehow I think that is inevitable.

I’m still not mobile yet which is a blessing for Mom and Dad.  I can sit outside all day and play, play, play but I can’t go anywhere.  Just wait.  Once the holidays are upon us I have a feeling they will be chasing me around the house.  Daddy says he wants to exercise more, well I promise to give him quite the workout later this year.

It’s been a fabulous year so far and I am so excited for what lies ahead.  More music class, my first gymboree class later this fall and all sorts of other wonderful experiences.  It’s been a blast to date and I can’t wait for more!

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted anything relating to work but Careerbuilder.com published the following article which I thought was great.  It reminded me of my HR days and all the ‘did he/she actually just say that’ moments during interviews.  Enjoy…it’s pretty funny.

“I’m not wanted in this state.”

“How many young women work here?”

“I didn’t steal it; I just borrowed it.”

“You touch somebody and they call it sexual harassment!”

“I’ve never heard such a stupid question.”
Believe it or not, the above statements weren’t overhead in bars or random conversations — they were said in job interviews.

Maybe you were nervous, you thought the employer would appreciate your honesty, or maybe you just have no boundaries. Whatever the reason, you can be certain that you shouldn’t tell an interviewer that it’s probably best if they don’t do a background check on you. (And yes, the hiring manager remembered you said that.)

We asked hiring managers to share the craziest things they’ve heard from applicants in an interview. Some are laugh-out-loud hysterical, others are jaw dropping — the majority are both. To be sure, they will relieve anyone who has ever said something unfortunate at a job interview — and simply amuse the rest of you.

Hiring managers shared these 43 memorable interview responses:

Why did you leave your last job?1. “I have a problem with authority.” – Carrie Rocha, COO of HousingLink

Tell us about a problem you had with a co-worker and how you resolved it
2. “The resolution was we were both fired.”- Jason Shindler, CEO, Curvine Web Solutions

What kind of computer software have you used?
3. “Computers? Are those the black boxes that sit on the floor next to the desks? My boss has one of those. He uses it. I don’t have one. He just gives me my schedule and I follow it.” – Greg Szymanski, director of human resources, Geonerco Management, Inc

What are your hobbies and interests?
4. [He said] ‘Well, as you can see, I’m a young, virile man and I’m single — if you ladies know what I’m saying.’ Then he looked at one of the fair-haired board members and said, ‘I particularly like blondes.‘” – Petri R.J. Darby, president, darbyDarnit Public Relations

Why should we hire you?
5. “I would be a great asset to the events team because I party all the time.” – Bill McGowan, founder, Clarity Media Group

Do you have any questions?
6. “Cross dressing isn’t a problem is it?” – Barry Maher, Barry Maher & Associates

7. “If you were a fruit, what fruit would you be?” – Megan Garnett, Articulate Leadership Team, Articulate Communications Inc.

8. “What do you want me to do if I cannot walk to work if it’s raining? Can you pick me up?” – Christine Pechstein, career coach

9. “I was a Chamber of Commerce Executive once hiring a secretary. [The candidate asked] ‘What does a Chamber of Commerce do?’” – Mary Kurek, Mary Kurek, Inc. Visibility Consulting

10. “Can we wrap this up fairly quickly? I have someplace I have to go.” – Bruce Campbell, vice president of marketing, Clare Computer Solutions

11. “What is your company’s policy on Monday absences?” – Campbell

12. “If this doesn’t work out can I call you to go out sometime?” – Christine Bolzan, founder of Graduate Career Coaching

13. “How big do the bonuses really get once you make associate? I hear it’s some serious cash.” – Bolzan

14. “[The candidate asked,] ‘Can my dad call you to talk about the job and the training program? He is really upset I’m not going to medical school and wants someone to explain the Wall Street path to him.‘ The dad did call. Then that dad’s friends called and I ended up doing a conference call with a group of concerned parents … long story.” – Bolzan

15. “If I get an offer, how long do I have before I have to take the drug test?” – Bolzan

16. “When you do background checks on candidates, do things like public drunkenness arrests come up?” – Bolzan

17. “Can I get a tour of the breast pumping room? I heard you have a great one here and while I don’t plan on having children for at least 10 or 12 years, I will definitely breast feed and would want to use that room.”- Bolzan

18. “So, how much do they pay you for doing these interviews?” – Jodi R.R. Smith, Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting

Why are you leaving your current job?
19. “Because I (expletive) my pants every time I enter the building.” – Abbe Mortimore, Human Resources Manager, True Textiles, Inc.

20. “I was fired from my last job because they were forcing me to attend anger management classes.” – Smith

Why are you looking for a job?
21. “Cigarettes are getting more expensive, so I need another job.” – Pechstein

22. “My parents told me I need to get a job so that is why I’m here.” – McGowan

Why do you want to work for us?
23. “Just for the benefits.” – Jennifer Juergens, JJ Communications

24. “My old boss didn’t like me, so one day, I just left and never came back. And here I am!” – Matt Cowall, communications manager, Appia Communications

25. “I saw the job posted on Twitter and thought, why not?” – Rebecca Gertsmark Oren, Communications Director at The Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity

What are your assets? (as in strengths)
26. “Well, I do own a bike.” – Pam Venné, principal, The Venné Group

What are your weaknesses?
27. “I get angry easily and I went to jail for domestic violence. But I won’t get mad at you.” – Pechstein

28. “I had a job candidate tell me that she often oversleeps and has trouble getting out of bed in the morning.” – Linda Yaffe, certified executive coach

29. “I am an alcoholic and do not deserve this job.” - Deb Bailey, owner, Power Women Magazine & Radio Show

30. “I’m really not a big learner. You know … some people love learning and are always picking up new things, but that’s just not me. I’d much rather work at a place where the job is pretty stagnant and doesn’t change a lot.” – Michaele Charles, Voice Communications

When have you demonstrated leadership skills?
31. “Well my best example would be in the world of online video gaming. I pretty much run the show; it takes a lot to do that.” – Rachel Croce

Is there anything else I should know about you?
32. “You should probably know I mud wrestle on the weekends.” – Venne

When can you start?
33. “I need to check with my mom on that one.” – Bolzan

Use three adjectives to describe yourself
34. “I hate questions like this.”

Tell of a time you made a mistake and how you dealt with it
35. “I stole some equipment from my old job, and I had to pay for its replacement.”

Have you submitted your two weeks’ notice to your current employer?
36. “What is two weeks’ notice? I’ve never quit a job before, I’ve always been fired.”

Random responses
37. “One guy [said] ‘it would probably be best’ if I didn’t run a background check on him. Of course, I did, and learned all about his long, sordid past of law-breaking. Our client actually offered him a job as a staff accountant, but quickly retracted the offer when I had to tell them all about his recent arrest for a meth lab in his basement.” – Charles

38. “[A] guy said he did not have a mailing address, as he was living in a gypsy camp at the airport.” – Sandra L. Flippo, SPHR

39. “I went into the lobby to pick up a candidate. As he stood up, his trousers fell to the floor! [He said] ‘Oh, my gosh — they told me I needed a suit for the interview. I’ve got no money — so I borrowed this thing. It’s too big!‘” – Beth Ross, executive and career coach

40. “Wow — I’m not used to wearing dress shoes! My feet are killing me. Can I show you these bloody blisters?” – Bolzan

41. “May I have a cup of coffee? I think I may still be a little drunk from last night.” – Smith

42. (During a telephone call to schedule the interview) “Can we meet next month? I am currently incarcerated.” – Smith

43. “[A candidate] was asked whether he could advocate impartially on behalf of the various universities he would be representing since he had attended one of them. He responded, ‘Well, I don’t like to poop where I eat, but I thought my education sucked, so I certainly wouldn’t put that school above the others.’” – Darby