Here's How to Stand Out While Looking for a Job

I know for many people it is rough looking for work because of the downfall of our economy. My Husband is currently looking for a job and we ran across this great information on ABC15.com under the tab Financial Survival Guide - I'm hoping it might help someone out there.

Hundreds of applicants? Here's how to stand out
By MARVIN WALBERG

Dear Mr. Walberg: After weeks of sending cover letters and resumes, I landed an interview with a company on my "A list". I don't want to blow it. It's a middle management position and I feel that I am thoroughly qualified; however they are interviewing many people. I want to stand out. Can you help? -- E.M., Tennessee

Dear E.M.:It is difficult to give specific advice when all you have is general information. I don't know you, your background and experience, or the company. But I can share some fantastic information on interviewing from Rob Hellmann, a career coach with over 20 years of experience and a professor at New York University School of Continuing and Professional Studies. Hellman suggests: Be a consultant. Take a consultant's approach to the interview. You are there to find out what the company's issues are and how you can help address them.

Be prepared to discuss:
What can you do for Company X?
Why do you want to work for Company X?
Will you fit in?

Prepare your pitch. Practice and share your two-minute pitch on what you can do for the company and why you are the right fit. Like any consultant would do, make sure you know the ins and outs of the company -- their history, their goals, their mission. Know it and mention it throughout your interview. Address the fear.

Be prepared to answer questions you're afraid of answering, like:
Why have you been out of the workplace?
Aren't your skills dry because you've been out of the workplace?
Why did you leave your last job?

Share stories. Sell your skills, but share a story or two on how your skills were used effectively. During the interview, aim for a discussion. Every question is an opportunity to circle back to your goal of showing what you can do for them today. Don't be negative. Never bad-mouth a former boss or company, and stay focused on your goal. After the interview, ask them how you stack up against other candidates. And in your thank you letter, show them why you're the right choice. "I'm a good fit because..."

Stroganoff Storehouse Style

For those of you who might use food from the storehouse, this recipe is made using only the products recieved from the LDS Storehouse.

1 – pkg Stewing Beef
1 – Onion (diced)
1 – 3 oz pkg of Brown Gravy
1 - 15 oz Can of Peas (Optional)
1 - pkg Egg Noodles

Brown the stewing beef and diced onion in a large skillet over medium heat. After meat is cooked add the peas and turn to low. Boil water in large sauce pan, when it hits boil, add a pinch of salt and egg noodles. Cook noodles until they are almost done, then take off heat and drain in strainer. Leave in strainer and then add meat mixture into that sauce pan. Use the same skillet and make gravy according to package. When gravy has thickened but still a little wet, add noodles to the gravy and stir until noodles are coated with gravy. Then pour meat mixture into noodles and stir.

Can be served with toast.
Can be served over Rice instead of noodles.
Can also add Carrots or other Veggies your family enjoys.

Quick Pizza Melts

I got this recipe from Southern Fried Mama. Sorry for the pictures on this post, I guess I was too busy making this recipe that I didn't pay attention to the fact that the pictures were a little blurry.

Quick Pizza Melts

2 (8 ounce) cans refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
1/4 cup pizza sauce
1 (3 1/2 ounce) package pepperoni, sliced
2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 egg, beaten
2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, grated
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1 cup pizza sauce, if desired (optional)


1. Heat oven to 375°F Grease cookie sheet. On cookie sheet, unroll 1 can of dough into 1 large rectangle. With floured rolling pin or fingers, roll or press dough into 12x9-inch rectangle, firmly pressing perforations to seal.

2. Spread 1/4 cup pizza sauce over dough to within 1/4 inch of edges. Top with pepperoni and mozzarella cheese.

3. On 14-inch length of parchment paper, unroll remaining can of dough. Press to make 12x9-inch rectangle, firmly pressing perforations to seal. While holding paper with dough, turn dough upside down to cover cheese. Remove paper.

Brush with beaten egg. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and oregano. (I recommend that you don't spill the oregano on top like I did). I tried to brush some off but it just stuck to the dough, so I waited until it was done & then I was able to brush it off then.)
4. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand on cooling rack 5 to 10 minutes. Move to cutting board. Using pizza cutter, cut into 16 squares. Cut each square in half diagonally. Serve with 1 cup pizza sauce.

We liked this, but I think next time I'll try using pizza dough instead of crescent rolls. I think I would like the taste a little more.

Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
2 c. butter

2 c. granulated sugar

2 c. brown sugar

4 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

4 c. flour

5 c. blended oatmeal

(measure oatmeal & blend in blender to a fine powder)

2 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

24 oz. chocolate chips

(I always use milk chocolate chips because I like the taste better)

1 8oz. hershey bar (grated) ~~I don't use this in mine

3 c. chopped nuts (optional)

Cream the butter & both sugars. Add eggs & vanilla; mix together with flour, oatmeal, salt, baking powder & soda. Add chocolate chips, hershey bar & nuts. Scoop onto baking stone, placing 2 in. apart. Bake for 10 minutes at 375 degrees. Makes about 4-5 dozen cookies.

The recipe I got online says it makes 112 cookies, but mine only made 4 dozen. I use the medium size scoop from Pampered Chef which makes a normal size cookie, so to get 112 you'd have to make them really small.

Sweet-n-Sour Chicken

I just made this for dinner 2 nights ago for the first time and it was great and so easy.  Unlike any Sweet-n-Sour I've had in a restaurant.  Got off a Church Newsletter.

Ingredients:

6-8 Chicken Breasts or Thighs

1 bottle Catalina Dressing

1 can Whole Cranberries

1 Envelope Onion Soup Mix

Directions:
Place Dressing, Cranberries and soup mix

in to crock pot and mix well. Add chicken.

Cook on Low all day (no need to add water)

Check periodically and stir so all chicken gets coated.
Serve over Rice.

Snickerdoodles

My husband has been wanting Snickerdoodles for awhile so I finally got around to making some the other day. They were very yummy & a big hit with all the kids too.

Snickerdoodles

1 c. butter/margarine
1-1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs
2-3/4 c. flour
2 tsp. cream of tarter
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
3 tsp. cinnamon
3 Tbs. sugar

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

1. Cream butter, sugar & eggs.

2. Stir all dry ingredients together in a bowl. Add to the creamed mixture & mix well.

3. Combine 2 tsp. cinnamon & 2 Tbs. sugar in a small bowl. Note: I took this

4. Shape dough into 1 in. round balls. Roll in the cinnamon/sugar mixture.

5. Place on bar pan 2 in. apart.

6. Bake for 8-10 min.

Makes about 2-1/2 dozen cookies

...To Know Her Is To Love Her...

I know our blog is basically for Recipes and such,

but because of Mothers Day I wanted to honor my mother.

This one post is dedicated to her.

.

Mom, you walk through life with difficulties,

but never waver from Compassion.

Pain envelops your body,

but you always give with a sincere heart.

Even still through the hardships you bore 6 children

and you give to each of us all that you can.

Each day you endure pain,

but you are always there to listen,

to give, to encourage, to love and support.

.

Never in my life have I met a person

I'm more proud of

I would love to give my children,

what you have given to me.

.

Everyone you meet loves you,

because you are genuine and sincere.

People are drawn towards you

because you generate Peace and Comfort.

(Written for you Mom!)

On this day, that is labeled as mine,

my mothers and hers too,

All I want is to thank you Father,

For letting me experience this earthly life,

with all of its trials and glories.

.

Thank you Father,

for the gentle woman now residing with you

Who brought life to me, through her daughter

I'm grateful to call her Grandma

.

Thank you Father, for this remarkable woman,

I'm blessed to call Mom!

For giving her knowledge, patience, compassion and love.

And the strength to endure any trials I cause her.

.

Thank you Father for loaning me

these two extraordinary spirits

Who despite my downfalls, Love me and call me Mom!

Thank you this day Father for letting me be a Mom!

My mother has lived in intense pain most of her life, but never did I see her complain or ask for people to wait on her. She raised 6 children, sewed all the girls dresses and gave of herself whenever possiable. Most people in pain dont stop to think of others, but Shirlene is always willing to serve. Even now with her health issues, she lives in a Care Center, but she knows all the patient's names, all the nurses names and makes friends with anyone who comes in her path. She is a very Giving, Compassionate and Loving person. I remember when I was a teenager, there were times I would get upset with her and argue about something not going my way. She never talked down to me, in fact, she would sit down and write me a letter telling me how wonderful I was and how much she loved me and how much the Lord loves me. Even at times when I was angry, she was Loving and Caring. It is hard to write about her without crying, because she is so Awesome and there are not enough words to describe who she is.

Mom you mean the world to me!

.
This post is part of a world wide blogging tribute to Moms led by TheBlogFrog
.

Peanut Butter Blossoms

These are some of my favorite cookies. If you like peanut butter cookies, you'll love these.

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. shortening

1/2 c. peanut butter

1 egg

1 1/4 c. flour

3/4 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1/4 tsp. salt

Hershey's Peanut Butter Kisses

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Mix all ingredients together and form into balls. I use my Pampered Chef small scoop & it's just the right size.

3. Place on ungreased pan 2" apart.

4. Bake for 10 minutes.

5. Then open oven & put a kiss on each cookie & press down just a little bit, then bake for an additional 2 minutes.

6. Let cool on the pan for a few minutes then transfer to cooling rack.

This recipe will make about 2 dozen cookies. I usually double or triple the recipe since we have a large family, we like leftovers & I usually give some away.

A few tips:

1. If you try to move the cookies from the pan too soon after taking them out of the oven they will break. This is the case with pretty much every cookie recipe. Wait for about 5-8 minutes.

2. Make sure not to overcook the cookies, or they won't be as soft & the kiss will burn.

3. These cookies are best when warm. So when you're craving that cookie the next day just pop it in the microwave for about 10 seconds & it softens & warms the cookie just enough to make the kiss melt in your mouth. Yum! Enjoy!

Funeral Potatoes!

I know the name sounds terrible but it's not as bad as what our mom used to call these. This yummy potato dish got it's name from being such a popular dish that is served at almost every LDS (Latter-day Saint) funeral there is. It really is a great potato dish that I'm sure your family will love. There are actually several versions of Funeral Potatoes so this is my version.

Funeral Potatoes

8 lg. or 12 sm. potatoes

2 cans cream of chicken soup

salt & pepper to taste

1 Tbs. Mrs. Dash

1 pint sour cream

1 c. grated cheese

crushed potato chips (about 2 cups crushed)

1. Peel & cube potatoes, then boil. Drain water & put potatoes in a large mixing bowl.

2. Mix in soup, sour cream, cheese & seasonings in with potatoes.

3. Mix well & pour half of mixture into 9x13 baker.

4. Sprinkle more cheese over then pour rest of mixture in pan & sprinkle more cheese on top.

5. Sprinkle crushed chips all over potatoes.

6. Bake at 450 for 20-25 min. Enjoy!

Chel's Ziti Pasta

I was going to make the Party Pasta Bowl recipe from Pampered Chef but decided to change it just a bit. Although some of my kids were skeptical to try it (because it was something new), they loved it. It did turn out quite yummy!

Chel's Ziti Pasta

1 package uncooked ziti pasta

1/4 c. chopped onion

1 lb. lean ground beef (I always get the leanest ground beef I can find)

3 garlic cloves, pressed

2 ts. Italian Seasoning

1 jar/can (24 oz.) spaghetti sauce

1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained (I like to get the ones with seasoning in them)

1 egg

2 c. mozzarella cheese, shredded

2 ts. parsley

1/4 ts. black pepper

2 Tbs. Parmesan cheese

1. Boil pasta according to package directions. Drain when fully cooked. Cook ground beef, add chopped onion and pressed garlic.  Cook until beef is fully cooked.  Remove from heat.  Add Italian seasoning, tomatoes and spaghetti sauce.  Lightly beat egg, then add to meat mixture.  Add mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, parsley and pepper.  Mix sauce with pasta in large bowl, pour into 9x13 stone baker and add more mozzarella cheese on top.  Bake at 450 degrees for 25 min.