The anxieties normally come days before the interview. I guess I don’t like the waiting period that much.

During this time I will search the web for interview Q&A and prepare myself with some answers.

There is one or two questions that I find most tricky:

1. Why do you want to leave your current job? Why you left your job?

2. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

At the same time, I also prepare a list of questions which I might ask the interviewee. For example, the web language and server used, their expectations, the working hours, probation period, annual leave, benefits etc.

On the actual day, I like to keep myself busy before the interview. So I won’t have much time to be nervous. My nerves do calm down once I meet the interviewee. After that it will be more like a client meeting for me

Hint: I use this to prepare myself  for answering tricky questions!

Many people are looking into extra source of income via making money online. They attend blogging classes, online marketing seminars, buy e-books etc., internet gurus are still preaching their successful methods.

Is there anyone who is going to tell people honestly the internet market is going to get from bad to worse?

Most bloggers or internet marketers make money from US.  I don’t see the logic how more people can make more money in today’s situation when people buy less and there will be less advertisers as well.

Do you think it is still a smart move to make money this way?

I am doubtful.

Book Description: In his fifties, Michael Gates Gill had it all: a mansion in the suburbs, a wife and loving children, a six-figure salary, and an Ivy League education. But in a few short years, he lost his job, got divorced, and was diagnosed with a brain tumor. With no money or health insurance, he was forced to get a job at Starbucks. Having gone from power lunches to scrubbing toilets, from being served to serving, Michael was a true fish out of water.

But fate brings an unexpected teacher into his life who opens his eyes to what living well really looks like. The two seem to have nothing in common: She is a young African American, the daughter of a drug addict; he is used to being the boss but reports to her now. For the first time in his life he experiences being a member of a minority trying hard to survive in a challenging new job. He learns the value of hard work and humility, as well as what it truly means to respect another person.

Behind the scenes at one of America’s most intriguing businesses, an inspiring friendship is born, a family begins to heal, and, thanks to his unlikely mentor, Michael Gill at last experiences a sense of self-worth and happiness he has never known before.

I feel like working in Starbucks after reading the book. The author had written in detail on the work culture of Starbucks where everyone is treated with respect. He is referring to Starbucks Coffee in U.S. Over here, our Starbucks are franchised to Bejaya Group of Companies. I am not sure how much of the original Starbucks work culture survived here.

Books are expensive in Malaysia. I stopped buying books but borrowed from the library instead. For those of you who is interested to purchase the book, you can get it from major bookstores. You can save some money by getting used book online. This can be found at Amazon.com. Click on the picture below for best deal.

We have heard it many times. The common financial advice given is to have at least 6 months savings for rainy days. How many of us actually do save? In the survey, 60% of respondents said they save 20% of their income, excluding the 11% deducated for EPF (Employees Provident Fund).

Once again I see the 80/20 rule in the result. The Pareto principle or 80-20 rule is like a principle in the universe. It says that the majority of results come from a minority of inputs.

Rather than trying to be a financial expert or an accountant, one can use the 80/20 rule as a general guideline. It may not be 100% accurate but you won’t be left high and dry for the least.

The point is you can often focus your effort on the 20% that makes a difference, instead of the 80% that doesn’t add much.

Last night I shared with a friend about putting aside some funds as money needed for upkeeping the equipments for his business. It is a business that requires equipments to be in tip-top condition. However, I did not mention the 80/20 rule to him. I hope that he will read this blog and apply this in his work and life in general.

Take a look at the titles below and see where and how people apply the Pareto principle.