I receive a number of different e-mail newsletters, instructional materials and I even publish my own newsletter on a quarterly basis. Today I received a newsletter from "Smart Brief for Entrepreneurs." There was a short informational quote from Paul English who founded three companies before he founded Kayak.com. Paul states that one of the biggest lessons he has learned is that customer service is number 1. I have a small recruiting company and I deal with a number of small companies and I ask my clients what makes them better than their competition and the answer I get is customer service. I recently moved my personal and business accounts to a local Community Bank of New Jersey. It is a small community bank with three branches and it is not small wonder that they are succeeding in a competitive market. When I walk into the bank to conduct business every employee knows my name and are more than willing to help with my transaction. Yes, customer service is number 1.

When going to an interview you should be prepared to bring the following items with you.

1. Notepad and pen or pencil (if appropriate)
2. Copies of your resume in the event the interviewer (s) have not been given a copy
3. A minimum of three references consisting of 2 managers if possible, a peer and a subordinate. The references should be professional references and not personal. You should have the names, current company, title and contact information.

Being prepared is an indicator of your professionalism.

Over the years I have learned that one of the easiest ways to get turned down for a job is by not filling out the company's application completely. This especially pertains to the job history portion of the application. All too many times candidates will put "see resume" in the duties and responsibilities section. It is important to remember that your resume is not the document of record. It is the application form that is the document of record. Always fill in every item and if the item does not pertain to you enter "n/a" in the area so the hiring manager will know you read the question.

I heard a saying that went something like this. " I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man with no feet. " Complain as we may nothing is as bad and as devastating as the earthquake in Haiti that has caused death, destruction and suffering. I am proud to say that the Kiwanis International Foundation in conjunction with the Canadian Kiwanis Foundation has contributed to UNICEF. I listened as former Presidents Bush and Clinton spoke about the relief efforts. It is too bad that our politicians (democrats and republicans) cannot get together for the American people.

John Maxwell is his book "The Right to Lead" mentions attributes of the kind of leader others want to follow. They are:

1. Let go of your ego. Truly great leaders are not in leadership for personal gain, they lead in order to serve other people.
2. Become a good follower first. Rare is the effective leader who did not learn to be a good follower first. West Point has produced more leaders than the Harvard Business School because it teaches its officers to be effective followers.
3. Build positive relationships. Leadership is influence. Nothing more, nothing less.
4. Work with excellence. No one respects or follows mediocrity. Leaders who earn the right to lead give their all to what they do.
5. Rely on discipline, not emotion. Leadership is easy during the good times. It is when everything seems to be against you that you earn your place as a leader.
6. Make adding value your goal. leaders who are revered long after they are gone are the ones who helped people live better lives and reach their potential.
7. Give your power away. The great irony of leadership is that you become a better leader by sharing whatever power you have. Use your power to empower others.

As a business owner and as a recruiter I found that many people do not know how to resign with grace and tact. Here are a few bullet points that will help in the resignation process.

1. Before you resign be sure you have an executed agreement with your new employer and be sure all contingencies have been spelled out.
2. Make sure you understand your current company's policy and approach to resignations and know how previous resignations were handled. Give a proper and fair notice.
3. Meet with your supervisor to discuss the resignation and present a professional letter of resignation.
4. Continue working for your current employer and do not mentally check out. This will insure that you leave on good terms.
5. Be sure your friends and co-workers have your new contact information and remain a resource as there will surely be questions after you leave.

When responding to questions during an interview it is important to listen to the question and answer it to a point and remember not to ramble on.

When going on an interview it is important for you to realize that it is a two way street. By doing your homework prior to the interview you will know what questions to ask. Insightful questions will give the hiring manager an opportunity to evaluate your professional skill sets. Remember, the more you understand about the opportunity, the more you will be able to communicate your interest in the position.

I want to wish everyone a very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year. 2009 was indeed a difficult year and I am hopeful that 2010 will be a turn around year. However, according to a press release from Associated Press (January 5, 2010) 55 percent of workers are unhappy with their jobs. What that means is that only 45 per cent of workers are satisfied with their work. Forty three per cent of of workers felt secure in their jobs while in 2008 that number was 47 per cent. Fifty-one per cent said they are satisfied with their boss and that is down from 55 per cent in 2008. It is impossible to please everyone but I would suggest that these numbers should send a message to employers that retention programs should play an integral role in their employment strategy.