CasaSugar

Fake Job Reference Agencies Claim to Make You Look Good

SavvySugar — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 04:30:02 -0700

Desperate times call for desperate measures, I suppose, but using businesses that offer fake job references is a shady idea. Companies like CareerExcuse.com and Alibi HQ will pretend to be a previous employer and act as a reference when a potential employer calls.

CareerExcuse offers a three-day trial and then charges customers $64 for each year of service. It's a business run on dishonesty but founder William Schmidt defends it saying, "At least I know I was able to help someone get a paycheck and provide for himself and his family." Alibi HQ has been around longer than CareerExcuse and offers more than just fabricated job references; it's also in the business of selling fake landlord references and doctor's notes. Both companies say business is booming.

Lying to secure a job makes me incredibly uncomfortable and these services seem as bad as paying for friends. Avoid having to resort to fake references by consistently reaching out to your network and leaving every job with your good reputation intact.

Job Search Tip: Gather a Mix of References

SavvySugar — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:15:59 -0700

By now you should have a few people that would speak positively on your behalf if a potential employer came calling. It's even better if you can provide a mix of references. Instead of supplying only a list of your superiors, it adds depth to your character and work ethic check when you name at least one colleague.

Be choosy about the colleagues you include - you need to be confident in their ability to speak intelligently and they must have had substantial interaction with you in a work atmosphere, not just at happy hour. And remember the golden rule of references: always ask them if they're willing to be a reference before handing out their contact information.

Your Two Cents: Would You Ever Go Back to an Old Employer?

SavvySugar — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:35:44 -0700

Hopefully you haven't burned bridges with previous employers so that you can use them as references going forward. But would you ever consider crossing your in-tact bridges to return to a company where you used to be an employee?

Photo courtesy of ABC

Ask Savvy: How to Handle References When My Job Search Is on the DL

SavvySugar — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 11:34:59 -0800

Dear Savvy,

I read your recent post on references, and have a question for you about giving prospective employers job references. What is the etiquette if I'm currently employed and actively seeking a new job, but am trying to do it on the DL as not to make it obvious to my current employer that I'm unhappy at the job? Do I give the prospective employer the go-ahead to contact my current employer as a reference, blowing my cover? I don't want to burn any bridges where I am now by having another person contact my boss and ask them about me, especially if I don't get that job.

To see my answer just read more.

A: Your problem is a common one for job seekers who are performing their search in secret. Ideally, you should be able to draw upon references from previous jobs with whom you've stayed in touch, or former employers that gave you positive reviews - they should have those formal documents on file.

If asking co-workers or supervisors from a previous job isn't an option for you, there are ways to tip-toe around the touchy prospect of getting references from people at your current job. Any co-workers that left your company in the last few years would serve as legitimate references, along with any of your current co-workers who you can trust to be discreet with your situation. You can help in that regard by giving prospective employers information that doesn't list your current co-workers' work phone number or email address. Depending on what industry you're in, outside vendors could be a source of referrals for you as well.

When compiling your list of people to ask to act as references, think about who could do the best job answering questions about your work style and ethic, give specific examples of your accomplishments, and describe special skills they know you have. The best reference bank is a list that contains people above you, colleagues and co-workers, people you supervise, and if applicable outside sources like vendors. You should be able to generate a thorough list of references without using your current boss, and your prospective employer will still get a well-rounded picture of your experience.

And no matter who the reference, remember to always ask a prospective reference before listing them. Good luck with your job search!

Source

Choosing References That Will Make You Look Good

SavvySugar — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 07:54:43 -0800

Whether or not you think it's okay to lie on your resume, chances are you won't have a reference to back up any details beyond innocent embellishment. If you're a recent grad, the best references are your supervisors from internships and mentors from your major's department at school - believe me, as an entry-level applicant an employer will surely give them a call. Once you've been in the working world for a while, employers will usually contact your references and you should always offer a prospective employer your sheet of references, even if they don't ask for it. The Wall Street Journal published a list of the qualities an ideal reference should have. To see what they are please read more

People who you are certain think highly of you.
People who will take the request seriously and be prepared and thoughtful in their answers, even if you don’t have time to brief them beforehand (though building in time for a thorough briefing is a wise idea).
People who understand the context in which the reference is being given.
People who will know, intuitively, how to present any of your potential weaknesses as strengths.
People who express themselves well - either verbally or in writing, depending on which type of reference they will be giving.

Source

Sale Alert: 50 Percent Off Home Titles at Taunton Press

CasaSugar — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 12:00:12 -0800

Hurry! Until Thursday (yes, that's tomorrow), Taunton Press is having its biggest sale of the year on home, garden, design, and crafting titles. There are some excellent titles here that will help you renew your home in different ways, and if you're planning on trying the Thing-A-Day challenge, there are some inspiring craft titles as well. Finally, for all of you Midwest and East Coast gardeners dreaming through the Jung's catalog this Winter, there are a bunch of garden titles at 50 percent off to have you planning garden rows through the rest of this chilly season.

Savvy Tip: Always Reference Online or Listed Pricing

SavvySugar — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:00:53 -0700

I recently got my hair done at a new salon after a recommendation from a friend, a little Yelping, and a visit to the stylist's website. I was thrilled with the cut and color, but when it came time to check out, the receptionist rang me up for a grand total that was at least 40 percent more than the salon's listed prices. When I mentioned it ("so . . . the website says cuts start at . . .") she was quick to fix the bill and give me an adjusted total that was just above the online base price, which I deemed completely fair because I have long locks. It's never comfortable to call someone on a bill, but salons, home-service businesses, and even happy-hour spots often list prices or specials on their websites or company materials that they won't necessarily give you unless you ask. So speak up! You really don't have anything to lose except an inflated bill.

Fab Exclusive! The Runaways Costume Designer Reveals Her Screen Style Secrets (and Bowie Obsession)

FabSugar — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 05:50:22 -0700

It's always nice to talk about the finer things in life, you know, Bowie, vintage, denim, rock 'n roll, ch-ch-ch-ch-Cherry Bombs. The Runaways, starring Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning, hits theaters Friday. Chronicling the all-girl rock band from the '70s, we'll witness the early start of Joan Jett and her rockin' entourage. I don't know much about the band, though I know its music. And music movies always appeal to me - don't we all love Almost Famous? I got the wardrobe scoop from the costume designer, Carol Beadle; here's her background, how she researched the rebellious rockers, and where she found the vintage duds. Stay tuned for more!

You have a background in music?

Yeah, big time. That's what I’m most known for. I have won awards for music videos.

Would you say that’s your favorite thing to do as well?

Honestly, they’re crazier. But, for sure, I love them the most. I have the most creative freedom of any commercial kind of work of that style, unless you do print, which I love as well, or editorial.

I grew up with music videos, I’m an MTV baby, even though MTV rarely shows music videos anymore . . .

I know (laughs). Definitely a much different world isn’t it? I feel fortunate that I was involved in it when it was still a thriving, cool industry. I remember the first music video that ever really blew my mind was Bowie, Ashes to Ashes - that’s the first kind of concept, creative, really avant-garde. I had three older brothers and sisters, my brother literally woke me up one night to see the Stones on midnight special. I had a lot of music and visuals, and books and stuff, just been in my life from default; we were just a really musical family.

To read the rest and to see more fun stills from the movie, read more.

That’s a great world. In terms of clothes for the movie, where did you shop? Where did you go? Where did you start?

I went to pretty much every single costume house in the city (LA). We didn’t have a massive budget on this. There are so many costume houses out here - much better than in NY. I got the best stuff from Palace Costumes. Like every big designer has been to Palace to pull reference. They’re just the bomb. Universal Costumes has some good things, too. I’m really selective so we did some heavy-duty pulling, lots and lots of pulling, but it had to be really amazing to make it on to the girls. And then for shops, we went everywhere - there’s a really great shop called Lemon Frog, she gets really great stuff. We went into American Rag. What we didn’t really do too much of was Resurrection and Decades because it’s just a little too high end. If we were shooting somewhere, and there was a vintage store next door, I would pop in and find a great Lurex halter top or something. It was like that - we’d just try to keep collecting, but try to be super selective.

How much time did you have to pull the clothes together?

Like four weeks, but a lot of that was taken up by research. Then, I really didn’t have the girls until weeks before and they were either recording or practicing their instruments so I didn’t have a lot of time with the girls. We had so much to fit and alter, so it was pretty challenging. And every day I had different looks for all them.You can tell in the movie there’s a lot of changes on them. You probably can’t see - you never see as much as you really do.

So what did you do for research? Did you meet the original Runaways?

No, I didn’t actually meet with them because Floria (the director) has been working on this for three years, but she was actually able to obtain their scrapbooks, their original scrapbooks. Which was just fantastic. I just started downloading and looking through magazines and newspapers for every possible picture of them and then I also researched the music of the time. I already had a lot being a massive Bowie fan. I had my original Bowie book that I bought when I was 15. I would even research ads in London newspapers, like these ads: “Buy these elephant pants," the English term for those pants with super-wide legs. We looked for stuff like that, everyday culture, but more music magazines. Like Cream. All the American ones, I’ve tried to keep it very American, of course. Except later when they go traveling a bit. Everything I could find on LA and the punk scene. Every book I could possibly find.

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Let's Get Lost: "Recon" Recap

BuzzSugar — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 05:30:43 -0700

This week's Lost features the sideways life of one of my faves: Sawyer. The clever title is a nod to both the recon Sawyer does on the other island at the Hydra station, and a con-man reference to his alternate path in LA.

Naturally, there were a lot of big and little mind-blowers, so let's get to it when you read more.

Sawyer's sideways life is, I would say, the most different of anyone else's that we've seen so far. The ep opens with him seeming to be repeating his classic con, but surprise: it's all a setup and Sawyer is a cop! I absolutely, positively did not see that coming. In LA, he goes by James Ford, and (squeal) Miles is his partner and BFF, just like in the Dharma Initiative in the '70s (he also calls him "Jim" now, just like he did there, too). For some reason, Sawyer utters "LaFleur" to the woman he's just set up before the other cops burst in. Thoughts on that?
James Ford/Sawyer is still obsessed with finding Anthony Cooper, the original Sawyer who incited his parents' deaths. It seems to make sense, since Sawyer's father killed himself and his mother in 1976, whereas the explosion on the island happened in '77. It makes even more sense that he'd still be pursuing Cooper, because when Jacob touched him at his parents' funeral, he gave him the pen that would finish his infamous letter. Jacob enabled him, then, to keep trying to seek revenge. Why? And if Anthony Cooper is still a bad guy, then why did it seem Locke was on good terms with him in his sideways life?
In Flocke's group, Claire acts bizarrely toward Kate, holding her hand and being overly sweet - until she attacks Kate. She wants to cut her for taking Aaron, which she was only pretending to be OK with. Shockingly, Flocke literally slaps some sense into Claire, who eventually apologizes and thanks Kate for what she did for both her and her son. Let's rewind real quick, and discuss the first ever Claire-centric episode, "Raised by Another." When she was pregnant with Aaron, a psychic told her that she had to raise Aaron, and no one else could. So since Kate has been raising him, are we finally seeing what the psychic warned Claire about? It certainly seems so, because Flocke tells Kate that he had a crazy mother (read: look how he turned out), and adds cryptically that Aaron also has a crazy mother in Claire. Because of Flocke's concern for Aaron/Claire, I now think that Aaron is Flocke's "chosen one." And maybe Jacob, knowing this, sabotaged Claire's mental state by sending Christian Shepard to spirit her away - thus abandoning Aaron and plunging her into craziness. Phew, are you still with me?
Back in Sawyer's cop life, Miles sets him up with a gorgeous archaeologist: Charlotte. They have instant heat, but when she "accidentally" finds the Sawyer file, James tosses her out into the night in a bed sheet. Now, that seemed like more than a girl rifling through the stuff of the boy she likes to make sure he's a keeper - she was full-on snooping, right? She was born on the island and must have left sometime, so it all seems awfully fishy.
Sawyer is sent by Locke on a recon mission to the other island and the Hydra station, where he finds the Ajira plane, completely intact - and a pile of dead bodies. A sunburned survivor, Zoe, finds him and says she's the last one, but the con doesn't last on Sawyer, and he calls her out. Joke's on him - her gun-toting buddies snag him and take him to Widmore's sub. He makes a deal with Widmore to bring him Flocke in exchange for safe passage off the island, but reveals the plan to Flocke afterward.
Kate just keeps popping up in every timeline of this Sawyer-focused episode. First, he lingers on the cages where they hooked up long ago (past), then comforts her by the fire (present), and, finally, chases after her and tackles her (!) when she commits a hit-and-run (sideways). They just can't seem to escape each other . . .

Other fun stuff:

The books on Sawyer's nightstand were Lancelot (about the famous knight of the Round Table), A Wrinkle in Time (deals with time travel), and Watership Down (an allegorical tale that references the end of the world and the same book Sawyer read on the island after stealing it from Boone). PS, that's quite a change from the reading material Sawyer brought on the plane, which Ben commented on last week.
Who else random crosses Sawyer's path in his alternate life? Charlie's brother Liam! He's come to check on his brother, who'd been arrested on the flight. With so many crossovers in Sawyer's life, I was shocked to not see Ana Lucia, who had also been a cop with the LAPD.
I have kind of a major math question: Originally, Sawyer has always said he was 8 when his parents died, but in the sideways reality he tells Miles he was 9. Goof? Or did this timeline shift, and Sawyer lost his parents to Cooper's con in '77, the year of the explosion, rather than in '76?

Final questions: Who killed all the other Ajira passengers and then dragged them to a mass grave? And how did it manage to land perfectly? Who gave sideways Sawyer the lead in Australia about Cooper? Is Charlotte working on island recon in the sideways world? Tell me your own thoughts and theories about this week below!

Get Cheap Rooms With These "Name Your Own Price" Tips

GeekSugar — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:15:19 -0700

Travel season is upon us, and I'll be the first to say I have champagne taste, but am confined to a beer-sized budget. Finding deals on hotels and flights has never been so important, especially with gas prices and travel costs through the roof! So lately, Priceline's "Name Your Price" feature (you know the commercials - William Shatner is the "Priceline Negotiator"?) has been looking more and more attractive, but I've heard a story or two about users who have been less than thrilled with their rooms once they've arrived.

My girl Petsugar has been there and told me about a site she found that deconstructs the rules and ways of Priceline's hotel selection process. Dubbed BiddingForTravel, this site schools you on some sweet tips and tricks to using Priceline, and now Petsugar can even guess (correctly!) which hotel she is bidding on!

Go through BiddingForTravel's helpful FAQs first to learn how Priceline chooses your hotels and flights, then start bidding. If it's all too much and you need further help, request for bid assists from the pros to help you get the room and location you want for your next vacay. That's what I call full service!

Want some more tips on how to bid for rooms on Priceline? Then just read more.

Do your research: If you're going to bid for your hotels, at least get to know the neighborhoods where you could potentially be staying. Do your research of all the areas surrounding your destination (and your preferred hotel) to make sure you get as close to where you want to be as possible. Also, check around to see what rooms in each area are going for. You don't want to place a bid that's too close to the real price - then it's not a deal!
Check the competition: Hotwire is another site that lets you get rooms on the cheap, but there's no bidding involved. Cross-reference Hotwire's prices for the same neighborhood and star rating, and then bid anywhere between 15-20 percent lower than that.
Aim high: Just like if you were negotiating a salary, you should aim high and work your way down from there. If you're willing to settle for a three-star hotel, look at the 4.5-star hotels first, then bid, and if it isn't accepted, meander on down to the four- and three-star rated facilities.
Read the fine print: You are only allowed to bid once in 24 hours on a hotel in the same or higher star category, neighborhood, and date. Change any of the above info, and you're good to bid again immediately. Additionally, don't enter a second-choice neighborhood selection from the get-go. Hold off on this in case you have to bid again.
Bidding for airline tickets: When you're bidding for an airline ticket, try starting in the coach seats first. You may find that you'll be offered to upgrade with a deeper discount than if you just went straight for first class.
All sales are final: Once you confirm your rate, your reservation is nonrefundable, even with a fee. Just another reason to make sure you bid smart, and be patient to score the price you're looking for.