Lamplighter Volume 7 Issue 4 August September 2015

Lamplighter

Volume 7, Issue 4 August-September, 2015

• • •

From the Editor’s Desk NETWORKING = GOOD RELATIONSHIPS Relationships are the most valuable thing in life!

Infants, young people, old people, and business men - all are perfect examples to this statement.

Relationships especially good ones make you happier and healthier.

Networking is in its simplest form is getting to know people. Networking is innate in all of us.

Whether you realize it or not, you already belong to many networks (family, friends, colleagues, fellow civic club members, etc.) and these are your primary contacts.

You have been and are networking when: • As a baby, you establish a filial relationship with your parents. From birth, you already network every day and everywhere you go.

At school, you establish connection with your classmates and soccer teammates.

You strike a casual conversation with the person next to you in line.

Meet with your co-workers, or assist your customers.

Networking is a give-and-take process that involves relating to others, not a technique to getting a job or favor. All you have to do is reach out and establish a good and honest relationship.

So, Keep networking and building good relationships!

Aida Aida A. Rodriguez, PMP

ADDENDUM TO EDITORIAL PAGE In this issue, Rod Colon (ETP- CEO) and Ali T. Curi (our newest contributor) have given us a reality check and guideline reminders on what NETWORKING really entails: Ali T. Curi: “Networking Redux“ — Networking is about forging bonds and sharing. It’s connecting with people who have common interests and objectives and generously give to one another.”

Rod Colon: “Become a Master Networker” — “You should be intent on developing a strong, expansive network of trusted individuals who will support you in your efforts to manage your career as a business. And you must be prepared to offer others your support in return.”

Jerry Clifford: “Positive Negatives” — Sometimes a win can come from a loss. Jerry offers a few ways to get on the inside track with employers.

Lamplighter

Positive Negatives

By Jerrold (Jerry) Clifford

While obtaining a desired position quickly is a good thing, I appreciate people who look for jobs for an extended period. If companies evaluated long-time candidates with an open mind they would realize many have characteristics that should make organizations want to hire them immediately.

For example, people often apply for different jobs on line over and over again yet usually do not even get the courtesy of a reply. They repeat the application process over and over again without any encouragement from prospective employers. To do this repetitively without positive feedback (or without any feedback) requires persistence and focus on an objective (obtaining the desired job).

Job applicants often rewrite resumes based on critical feedback. So they are not easily discouraged and instead of giving up try to improve their competitive position.

Every day there are media reports on jobless rates, the state of the economy, corporate layoffs and off-shoring. It takes a level of toughness to listen to them or to continually avoid them while others listen.

Persistent, focused, not easily discouraged, tough.

In addition to being qualified, these are four of the traits that companies look for in an excellent candidate. So why aren’t these people hired? Likely answers include that the candidate uses a process that doesn’t really work, made a mistake during the job seeking process, or is using the wrong job search methodology.

Companies try to talk to the best candidates. So their application process is intended to screen out most people.

(This is a sort of oxymoron encourage people to apply so you can screen them out).

Companies do not usually know the number of jobs to which an applicant has applied. Even if they did, they do not have the time to perform a job search history analysis for each candidate. Most likely it is the company’s job

screening process that is screening out the candidate.

They are not necessarily screening out people based on the number of attempts they make to get a particular job.

They don’t know how persistent a candidate may be.

While a candidate may be focused on getting a particular job, that focus may not include those specific items the hiring company is seeking. If a company doesn’t know an applicant has the requirements they want they won’t be interested. One mistake candidates make is that they don’t always relate their skills and experience to company requirements. Job credentials should present this association in a clear and direct manner.

If a company turns down a candidate they don’t know whether the applicant gets discouraged. When possible, by getting back to the company with a positive response the candidate can dispel the discouragement concept and may be able to keep communications lines open. For certain positions a company may wish to test the candidate’s toughness. A company may ask a candidate for sensitive information (such as desired salary) and evaluate the response. Asking if a candidate would accept (if offered) an amount below industry average is one way of testing an applicant to see if s/he is a tough negotiator.

If a candidate who meets stated job requirements and possesses desirable qualities still isn’t being hired, s/he should adopt a job application process that works and reduces the opportunities for making process mistakes.

One way is to utilize a process that reduces or eliminates the screening activities. One technique to help in this endeavor is for the candidate to solicit the help of a company employee (one who will be willing to act as his sponsor). Companies value the word of their employees. So, if said employee can submit the candidate’s credentials to the hiring manager, then an interview might be facilitated for the candidate, thereby bypassing some of the screen-out process.

That interview could be a good place to demonstrate qualification and the positive traits that companies are seeking.

Lamplighter With so many details to cover, remember a few basic tenets about a modern job search. You need to determine how companies find the best talent and focus your energy on those aspects. Yet at the same time, you must stand out from the crowd, as everyone else who wants a job does the same general things you do in order to look for work.

First, know how technology affects your job search. Most employers use special software called an applicant tracking system to weed out candidates early in the process. The computer program compares keywords found in the posted job description against what you post in your online resume. Do not stuff your resume with keywords, but be sure to use terminology found in the major points of the job description.

Read on>>http://www.beyond.com/articles/understandin g-the-job-search-in-modern-times-17377article.html

You landed the in-person interview… now what?

Career coach: Reassessing your job search midway through the year

By Lenroy Jones Contributing columnist July 5, 2015

In our new economy, it's easy to get distracted and become discouraged in the job search process.

However, it's important for you to carry on with the confidence and determination needed to succeed.

I would like to make an appeal that you keep focused on your job search with the right attitude and use all your available resources. That approach will be important to a successful search.

Recall that six months ago, amid the bright lights and bustling Tips (Revised)ball dropped at midnight. People nationwide and throughout the world said goodbye to the old year and welcomed 2015 with great anticipation.

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2015/07/05/3931719_car eercoach-reassessing-your.html

Understanding the Job Search in Modern Times Posted by Nancy Anderson • May 21

Understanding the contemporary job-search process may seem overwhelming to some. Prospective employees must come up with the best job matches by employing targeted searches, networking, keyword writing, polished resumes, engaging cover letters and the right attitude during an interview.

Many people constantly apply for jobs and never hear anything back from the employer. Don’t get discouraged, your phone is going to ring at some point and once it does, you are going to want to be prepared for that interview. Or, maybe you have had an initial Skype interview and now the employer wants to meet you in person.

Let’s face it, first impressions are everything. While you should “be yourself” in an interview, you should also be professional: Keep reading>> http://www.aclcareers.com/blog/2015/6/29/youvelanded-the-in-person-interview-now-what

5 LinkedIn Networking Tips for Students (& Other Slow Adopters)

By Antara Krishnamurthy

While most students probably have LinkedIn accounts with some basic information about their college and a few certificates they may have managed to amass, they are not sure how to make the most of the platform. “LinkedIn?” they ask “do we really need it right now?”

The answer is yes. Most students consider LinkedIn to be the Facebook equivalent for top executives, but it is so much more than that. LinkedIn can be thought of as a spokesperson and a brand builder. It is the first channel that recruiters and employers look at. It's not just a place for people to boast about their recent internship at IBM (that's also allowed, of course), but it is the perfect place to build

connections, find opportunities and most importantly, be found. LinkedIn is currently used by 9 out of 10 companies to hire new employees.

Read on>> http://www.websitemagazine.com/content/blogs/pos ts/archive/2015/07/05/5-linkedin-networking-tips-forLamplighter students-amp-other-slow-adopters.aspx

LinkedIn makeover: How to polish your profile For some of us, LinkedIn is just a place to plop our résumés to confirm we have an online presence. But to reap the benefits of the largest professional social network — whether you're job huntng or not — you need to know how to make your profile shine.

By Kristin Burnham Computerworld | Jul 16, 2015 3:27 AM PT

LinkedIn isn't just for job seekers, and people use it more frequently than you'd think. It's the starting point for many business relationships," says Refawne Acarregui, manager of the Seattle branch office of IT recruiting firm Robert Half Technology.

"LinkedIn isn't just for job seekers, and people use it more frequently than you'd think. It's the starting point for many business relationships," says Refawne Acarregui, manager of the Seattle branch office of IT recruiting firm Robert Half Technology.

Potential clients might look you up on LinkedIn and make judgments about your capabilities before picking up the phone to call. Or if you're recruiting new team members, promising candidates might check out your profile, so you want to be sure to impress them, says Crystal Braswell, manager of corporate communications at LinkedIn. More>>http://www.computerworld.com/article/29436 34/it-careers/linkedin-makeover-how-to-polish-yourprofile.html

3 Stunningly Good LinkedIn Profile SUMMARIES

by Andy Foote · February 7, 2013

Your LinkedIn Summary is the most important white space on your entire LinkedIn Profile. What you choose to write here can make the difference between professional success or stagnation. I found 3 great examples which demonstrate the art of writing a powerful Summary.

Before I explain why I think the following 3 Summaries are stunningly good, I’ll let you read them first.

Continue>> http://www.linkedinsights.com/3stunningly-good-linkedin-profile-summaries/

NETWORKING REDUX

By Ali Curi

Everybody just wants to connect; it’s in our nature as social animals, as human beings. Our understanding of human social behavior has evolved but the social cues that enable effective networking have not quite evolved right along with our understanding. Enter technology. Tech has radically shifted the status quo by empowering individuals to make connections worldwide instead of settling for a local connection. The rise of “the-self-asa-brand” mindset has also changed our relationship-building efforts from simply looking for the next qualified prospect to promoting ourselves as a valued resource within our community and respective industries. The time-honored method of face to face networking has also changed, although the basics are the same; showing up to an event, the follow up and follow through on impulsively-made promises while at an event are much easier to keep because of technology. Let’s break these changes down and I hope this will help you evaluate your own process for effectiveness.

For better or for worse, “technology everywhere” is a reality.

My recent announcement to a friend that I no longer check email on the weekend was met with equal parts incredulousness and horror, as he languished at the thought of being disconnected for “so long.” Tech is the tool not the end game.

LinkedIn allows us to connect with millions of individuals worldwide and many people do so indiscriminately. A decade ago, connecting for the sake of connecting was the collective battle cry, accumulating those contacts was a badge of accomplishment, one that separated you from the unwashed, unconnected masses. Quality connections never go out of style. I typically don’t connect with someone on LinkedIn who: a.) doesn’t have a profile picture; and b.) brags on their profile description that they, a LION connector or super connector, basically someone who has more connections than common sense.

You’re not going to be helpful to someone because you’re connected to more strangers than he is. The upside is that the

tech will facilitate the elusive follow up. After you meet someone at an event, a meeting or a seminar, you may follow up by connecting with them on an online platform. This platform can be LinkedIn or your company Facebook page, not your personal Facebook page, they are not your friend (yet or ever). The Millennial mindset that everyone you meet online is your friend and should have unfiltered access to the most private recesses of your world is misguided and unproductive for a business professional. Your goal is keep that person in the loop of your professional goings on and not your latest cat video uploads. Keep in mind that this person may become the conduit for the next big sale, the next big job opportunity or an invaluable mentor, so treat your relationship as such.

The “self-as-a-brand” idea adopted in last 8 years or so, seems to stem for the “celebrity-as-a-brand” concept. You’re not just a businessman, you’re a Business, man! To become a brand in your own right isn’t about having your 15 minutes of fame.

It’s about creating and maintaining a consistent message about yourself and your skills. Thus, your activities, your business relationships and your online presence all serve to complement and promote you as the individual who embodies these ideals, skills and strengths. This “branding of self” is the content you distribute in your Twitter and Instagram posts, the articles you read and share with others via social media. The next step in appropriating content in order to develop your brand is to create content that supports your brand, such as writing articles or speaking engagements. These two methods allow you to showcase your strengths and your skills in a way that opens the door for further opportunities. It’s the ultimate humble brag. Presentations don’t have to be delivered to a large audience to be effective, if the content is solid, your personal branding will be too.

You can be the author of the conversation of who you are in the business world by the content you consume (and tell others!) and the one you create. You’re a Business, man!

We, the social animal, are built to interpret more than the words we speak. Eye contact and body language play a huge role in deciphering the complete message when having a conversation with someone. These non-verbal cues are even more important in a face-to-face networking event, where one’s misguided goal is to speak with as many people as possible in order to maximize one’s investment of time and money. Networking is an art, one learned after many hours of conversation, tweaking your message and reading the other person’s non-verbal language as well as an acute awareness of your own. Your goal is to engage deeply and quickly while building rapport which gives you permission to follow up with them and engage online. Networking in person takes charm and grace but also knowledge and skill. You should ask yourself:   

Have I said too much?

Is this too personal to be sharing with a complete stranger?

Is he really interested in my business or what he

can sell me?

There’s no short answer to any of these, but suffice to say it works both ways. Think of the most annoying and sometimes inappropriate conversations you’ve had at a networking function and now evaluate yourself for those same networking fails. In-person events are not the goal of the function; the goal is to meet several (1-5) people with whom you’ve connected professionally and to some degree personally and will then move to the next step of engaging online. The most important step however is the first one: Showing up.

What Is Networking?

(Rick Frishman and Jill Lublin) Networking Magic – 2004 – Adams Media

Networking is the process of building and maintaining relationships. It’s the development of a team that will support your efforts and the efforts of your network teammates to reach your respective goals. The object is to build the best possible team.

Networking is about forging bonds and sharing. It’s connecting with people who have common interests and objectives and generously give to one another. Network- ing extends into every aspect of your life; it’s something you’ve been doing all of your life without realizing it. When you recommend a movie, a doctor, real estate agent or a personal trainer, you’re networking.

The object of networking should not be simply to make contacts; it should be to make the best possible con- tacts!

Naturally, what constitutes “the best” is subjective and will vary with the individuals and the circumstances involved.

However, seeking the best should always be your objective!

Goodwill is the foundation for making great contacts; it supports and underlies all of your networking efforts. To

successfully network with the best you must constantly create goodwill and then build upon that goodwill to forge bonds that develop into close, meaningful relationships.

Implicit in networking is the understanding that there will be a giving back, an exchange, “if you do for me, I’ll do for you.” This unspoken swap of mutual promises underlies networks and keeps them together. Ironically, however, the best networkers are those who give to others because they sincerely love to give and not because they hope to receive something in return. But that doesn’t mean that you don’t have to give; even the most giving and generous networkers will eventually stop giving when they repeatedly receive nothing in return.

Networks are not built overnight. They take time, patience, and nurturing. It will also take time to discover what your network partners need and to continually try to find opportunities to fully satisfy those needs.

Get Comfortable in Being Uncomfortable When You Network

By Rod Colón

I have a special reverence for those occasions when I meet a person and step into his or her life for the very first time. You never know what surprises await. The person you’re about to meet may have won a Pulitzer Prize, climbed Mt. Everest, or served time for bank robbery. As a person’s story gradually unfolds before you, it will be quite easy to tell if there are sparks of mutual interest that could ignite for future encounters.

Whenever you first meet someone, you take a risk — but that’s how all good relationships start. They start with an element of chance, the chance that the other per- son might become a good friend or perhaps a trusted business associate based on common interests, shared experiences, and perhaps some good old-fashioned intuition.

But if you’re not willing to risk a first encounter, there’s little hope of developing any relationships. Call me foolish, but I relish these opportunities because, even when the worst-case scenario does occur, I still end up learning a great deal about human nature. There is never any real failure in the connection laboratory, just occasional setbacks.

In reality, first-time connections are golden opportunities for future relationships and in the business world, connections and relationships are everything. Just try conducting business without them! You won't get very far and that will be especially true in the 21st century careerscape where the opportunities for business growth will be heavily dependent on the strength and abundance of personal relationships.

Become a Master Networker

By Rod Colón

You should be intent on developing a strong, expan- sive network of trusted individuals who will support you in your efforts to manage your career as a business. And you must be prepared to offer others your support in re- turn.

For some people, the relationship represents an objective achieved, a goal met, or an endpoint reached. This is good because they've taken the process from connection to relationship to trusted relationship, to a warm trusted network.

But there is another group of people for whom networking goes beyond a task that’s completed in order to execute a job search: They insist on being able to manage their relationships and monitor the frequency with which contact is maintained. These are the people who truly cultivate and value each individual relationship. This is an elite group of individuals known as master network- ers, and anyone can join this group; you just have to want it bad enough.

Master networkers are well-schooled in the Seed / Feed / Weed cycle of relationship maintenance. Seeding is the early stage connection that shows great promise. Feeding is the day-to-day maintenance of each relation- ship. Weeding represents those times — much as we may not like to think of them — that we need to prune back our network because some of its branches are not all that productive. Good networkers recognize the value of pruning since it provides additional nourishment to the productive branches.

Some master networkers set up spreadsheets with columns capturing the who/what/when/date, and every other parameter you can think of. Some use contact management software available on various web sites.

You Have a Warm, Trusted Network: Now What?

By Rod Colón

Members of my network always develop above-average networking skills; that’s one of several personal missions I have. But most of them also begin to realize that effective networking offers something else, too.

It offers an opportunity to gather business intelli- gence, cultivate relationships in selective areas of a partic- ular industry, and gather valuable contact information.

What’s the value of all this? At some point, this network-generated information might just produce business for you. Why on earth would you NOT want to do it?

The real value of all this intelligence-gathering will become clear as you progress in your CEO of Me, Inc. training.

What’s the value of all this? At some point, this network-generated information might just produce business for you. Why on earth would you NOT want to do it?

The real value of all this intelligence-gathering will become clear as you progress in your CEO of Me, Inc. training.

OK, so you know the basics of connections, relationships, networks, and networking. Now What?

You need to be sure to observe the following guide- lines in all of your networking endeavors: 1. Never think about making connections be- cause of what you believe others can do for you; approach it in terms of what you can do to support the goals of others.

2. Never try to use networking as a means of asking for employment. Instead, use net- working to ask for advice, guidance, or sug- gestions for what some “next steps” might be given your particular situation.

3. If you are placed in the role of a connector (i.e., you will, at someone’s request, be asked to connect person “A” with person “B”), make sure you understand the requestor’s value proposition, i.e., what it is that they bring to the table for the benefit of the rela- tionship.

4. If you believe their value proposition is weak or inadequate, politely decline the request to make the connection on the grounds that you, as the connector, have the most to lose if the relationship doesn’t work out well.

5. Get comfortable with small talk; you’ll need it to grease the wheels of first-time connec- tions.

6. Carefully manage the trusted networks you build.

Treat each relationship as if it’s the most important link in your chain. Ping your network regularly.

7. Follow up or fail. Soon you’ll be thinking of your career as a business owner (the CEO of ME, Inc.), and so this is now a “corporate re- sponsibility”, not an idle task on a “to do” list.

8. Build your network before you need it. Nev- er become complacent; when you find your- self in transition, have the network already in place to help support you and guide you to your next position.Networking (as part of the business of managing your career) NEVER STOPS.

10 Common Email Mistakes Using Email Effectively

By Keith Jackson

How many hours do you spend communicating by email every day? Most of us would answer, "Too many!"

According to a study by McKinsey® & Company, people spend 28 percent of their working week reading and replying to emails. However, despite the risk of be- coming overloaded with messages, it remains one of the most powerful and efficient communication tools.

Using email is a quick and easy way to stay connect- ed with your team members, customers and stakeholders, particularly those who are geographically dispersed . However, it can be very easy to send ineffective emails, create the wrong impression, or even damage your reputa- tion with sloppy practices.

In this article, we'll look at 10 common mistakes that people make when they send emails, and explore what you can do to avoid these.

Continue: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/10common-email-mistakes.htm

Writing Effective Emails Getting People to Read and Act on Your Messages

By Ruth Hill

Email is a widely used tool for business communications, but a 2013 survey by Sendmail, Inc., found that it has caused tension, confusion, or other negative consequences for 64 percent of working professionals.

So, how can you avoid your emails

doing this? And how can you write emails that get the results you want? This article looks at strategies you can use to ensure that your use of email is clear, effective, and successful.

Writing Effective Emails The average office worker receives . With that volume of mail, individual messages can easily get overlooked. Follow these simple rules to get your emails noticed and acted upon. ·1 ·2 ·3 ·4 ·5 ·6

Don't overcommunicate by email.

Make good use of subject lines.

Keep messages clear and brief.

Be polite.

Check your tone.

Proofread.

Continue: http://www.mindtools.com/CommSkll/EmailCommunication. htm

The Exhausting Work of Simply Trying to Find Work!

By Ron Damato Systems Automation Engineer at The Marketing Store

Never in my life have I wanted or needed to work worse than I do right now.

I have a wife and a child, about $3000 saved up, and it's going fast. I get calls from recruiters all day but not one has managed to come through. By all day I mean it-- my phone is only used for "job calls" and I have nearly 2,200 minutes of voice use--so far this month (and 26GB of data use-thank you Sprint for letting me abuse you guys)-- all used in my attempt to find work--ANY work. I have been working as a Linux System Administrator for the past eleven years and absolutely LOVE the work--there's nothing on this Earth that I'd rather do. I'm good at it too--I have yet to be stymied by a computer problem that I could not fix--usually within the span of a few hours. I run Linux at home, I run it in the car, I build things with it embedded inside them to control them.

Still, at this point in the game I think that I would literally take anything--but the jobs just aren't there for the taking. And if they are, you are up against a minimum of 25 other candidates who want that same job. When you are a 45-year-old IT guy competing against a kid out of college with three years of experience...well, you can guess that it isn't even a contest. They say age doesn't matter but in so many cases--not just mine but IT contractors older than me--it makes all the difference in the world. Not only are the young'uns perceived as being more upto-speed on the newest tech (a huge misconception)--employers

know that they can offer less money. It's sad but true and it's a metaphor for America itself today. Why hire the best and most experienced from your own country when you can get it done almost as good and a heck of a lot cheaper if you outsource the work to a foreign country--or a guy with an H1B who just wants to come to the US to escape the crushing poverty of their mother country (which will be here in the U.S. soon enough if you believe some economists). The "real" unemployment rate in this country is a staggering 12.6%--and that's not counting the millions of people who have just "given up" trying. 30 MILLION Americans are out of work or severely under- employed--as a very conservative estimate. I think that this is where the severe shortage of quality IT positions stems from.

Read more>> https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/exhausting-worksimply-trying-find-ron-damato

10 Interview Tips to Help You Land the Job

by Vault Careers | July 13, 2015

Ever wondered why you can't get the company to call you back after an interview? Or felt like there's nothing you can do except wait for an answer?

Here's the good news: you're not alone.

According to career coach, speaker and author Ford R. Myers, those are common complaints shared by many jobseekers after completing a job interview.

The better news: Myers—author of "Get The Job You Want, Even When No One's Hiring," (John Wiley & Sons, http://www.getthejobbook.com/)—says that, while "There is no 'secret trick' or 'magic bullet' that will get the employer to offer you the job, there are some strategies you can use to influence the employer's decision and finesse the process. Changing many of your small actions can actually make a big difference in the outcome of your interviews."

Read more>>

http://www.vault.com/blog/interviewing/10-interview-tips-tohelp-you-land-the-job

Lamplighter Contributors and Staff Contributor

Brief Description Jerry Clifford is a Project and Program Manager experienced with all aspects of software project development. As both employee and consultant he worked with some of the nation’s premier companies including AT&T, Cisco Systems, and Merck. He holds a graduate degree in mathematics, earned certifications in project management and information systems auditing (CISA) and was elected to two terms as President of the EDP Auditors Association, New Jersey Chapter. He is the published author of several technical and non-technical books on topics ranging from computer math to car repair and carpentry.

Rod Colón — ETP Founder Master Networker, Professional Development, Executive Coach, Speaker, Author Weekly Co-Host of Radio Show "YOUR CAREER IS CALLING" Rod Colón Consulting, LLC 732-367-5580 http://www.rodcolon.com/ Rod is the author of the book Win the Race for 21st Century Job ALI T. CURI Ali Curi is the founder and president of the Hispanic Professionals Networking Group (HPNG).

Founded in 2003, HPNG is a networking and conference organization serving Latino business leaders, corporate professionals and entrepreneurs in New York and Miami. Mr. Curi spearheads HPNG’s flagship conference, the highly acclaimed HPNG Latino Leadership Conference which first launched in 2008 in New York.

Carl E. Reid, CSI — Executive Director http://www.carlereid.com/ Chief Operations Officer| Running the Business of "ME" Tel: 201-222-5390 Empowering Today's Professionals - http://www.ETPNetwork.org/ Carl is Foreword Author in book Win the Race for 21st Century Jobs

Staff Member

Brief Description Adelaida (Aida) Rodriguez is the Editor-in-Chief and Contributing Writer of the Lamplighter Newsletter. She is a Project Manager Professional (PMP), Business Analyst/ Consultant at the Warranty Recovery Specialist, LLC adelaida.rodriguez1@verizon.net 732-404-0255

Barbara Daisak is the Lamplighter Contributing Writer & Proofreader. In addition, she is a Learning, Training, & Development Specialist and Microsoft Certified Master Instructor. Barb is also an Instructor Adjunct with the County Colleges of New Jersey with specialties in the Technology Training Divisions and Corporate Training Programs.

Phone Numbers:732.863.4948 ? 732.616.2397-mobile Email Barbara at: bndaisak@verizon.net Eric Nilsson is the Compositor and Contributing Writer for Lamplighter. Eric enjoys the art and science of newspaper layout. He has been an IT consultant at the Professional Service Group of New Brunswick and previously worked for North Jersey Media Group (Bergen Evening Record) as a Project Manager and Programmer/Analyst. Interests include economics, history, and journalism.

Email: ericnilsson@earthlink.net; LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/ericsnilsson