Tips for Job Seekers with Disabilities

Tips for Job Seekers with Disabilities Tips for Job Seekers with Disabilities My mother excelled at her job as a registered nurse until she developed a disability that rendered her unable to manage the long shifts on her feet. She was devastated and unsure of how to continue professionally. She tried a medical billing position that enabled her to sit during her shift, but working with paper instead of patients left her feeling dissatisfied. When she noticed a job posting for a nighttime on-call hospice nurse, my mom decided to give it a try. She joked that because of her disability she never slept well anyways, so she she might as well do something productive at night. Because she visited patients in their homes, she didn’t have to spend long hours on her feet, as she would in a hospital setting. Hospice was a new concept at the time, and she became a trailblazer in the field. She helped hundreds of patients and their families find comfort and peace during difficult times. She recently retired after nearly 20 successful years.   If you are living with a disability and looking for a job that suits you, you can find your right job fit, too. You may have to try a couple things out before you identify what suits you, but the job force wants your skills and talents. I learned from watching my mom that accommodating a disability can hone skills like creativity, ingenuity, fortitude, optimism and resilience. These are qualities that every employer wants.   The ADA and the EEOC I’m sure you’ve noticed that at the bottom of every job post every company explains that it won’t discriminate against candidates who have disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act became a law in 1990, “making it illegal for employers to discriminate against qualified job applicants and employees based on their physical or mental disabilities. The law also requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees who need them because of their disabilities, unless doing so would cause undue hardship.”   The ADA works with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which since 1965 has been enforcing regulations that aim to create a more just and fair professional climate in the U.S. The EEOC provides excellent resources that clarify your rights as an employee or an applicant as well as those of your employer or prospective employer. If you are not familiar with these materials, get acquainted in preparation for your search. The Basics of your Search     It is not necessary to mention your disability in your cover letter or on your resume. When you are called for an interview, that is a good time to ask any accessibility questions you need to pose. Whether you need wheelchair accessibility, sign language interpretation during your job interview or other other assistance, you are protected in requesting any of these accommodations. You are not asking for a favor when you request an accommodation. You are asking for support you deserve, so don’t feel that you have to apologize for an accommodation you need. You don’t. The EEOC also has specific guidelines for what prospective employers are and are not allowed to ask job candidates during job interviews. So familiarize yourself with those in preparation for your interviews. Resources There are many helpful groups available on Facebook where you can do your research and pose your questions to experts and to other job seekers. Check out: Disability.gov  and the National Council on Disability. You might also consider looking into the Ticket to Work program, a free employment service that helps those who receive Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income Benefits. The program provides job training and placement and career counseling.       Good luck and happy searching!

Installation Overview Army Aviation Center, Fort Rucker

Installation Overview Army Aviation Center, Fort Rucker Installation Overview Army Aviation Center, Fort Rucker The Army Aviation Center, Fort Rucker, is located in the southeast corner of Alabama. It covers about 64,500 acres of countryside in an area known as the Wiregrass, named for a wild grass peculiar to the region. Most of the countryside is rolling and wooded,  and the regions many lakes and streams, as well as proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, make this area a fishermans dream.All Army Flight Training has taken place at Fort Rucker since 1973, making it the Army Aviations centerpiece. Air Force helicopter pilots have trained at the base since 1971. Fort Rucker instructors teach the U.S. and foreign aviators everything from initial rotary-wing courses to advanced courses in aviation safety. 01 Mission The current mission of the Army Aviation Center is to develop the aviation force for its worldwide mission. It  includes developing concepts, doctrine, organization, training, leader development, materiel, and soldier requirements, as well as providing  resident and nonresident aviation maintenance, logistics, and leadership training in support of the total force and foreign nations for the sustainment of joint and combined aviation operations. 02 Location and Driving Directions Fort Rucker, Alabama, is located in the southeast corner of Alabama. It is approximately 80 miles south of Montgomery, and 20 miles northwest of Dothan. Floridas Gulf Coast lies 80 miles to the south. The communities of Enterprise, Daleville, and Ozark are west, south, and east of the post.Entry to Fort Rucker is through three main gates: the Ozark Gate from the east, the Daleville Gate from the south, and the Enterprise Gate from the west.Driving DirectionsFrom Dothan Airport (DHN):Start out going southwest  on Flight Line Dr  toward Central St (0.9 miles)Turn slight right onto Napier Field Rd/Cr-112 (1.7 miles)Napier Field Rd/Cr-112 becomes AL-134 (0.6 miles)Turn slight left onto ramp (0.2 miles)Merge onto US-231 N/AL-53 N  (14.4 miles)Turn left onto AL-249 (6.8 miles)End at Fort RuckerFrom Montgomery:Start out going north on S Union St (0.1 miles)Merge onto I-85 N/Martin Luther King Jr Expy (4.8 miles)Merge onto US-231 S/US-80 W/AL-21 S via Exit 6 toward Troy (3.3 miles)Turn left onto US-231 S/US-82 E/Troy Hwy. Continue to follow US-231 S (73.7 miles)Turn right onto AL-27 (6.8 miles)End at Fort Rucker 03 Population and Major Units Assigned Operational units on the post include the 1st Aviation Brigade handling Army Aviation training, and the USAF 23d Flying Training Squadron for the training of Air Force helicopter pilots.Major commands on Fort Rucker include U.S. Army Garrison Fort Rucker, U.S. Army Aviation Warfighting Center, U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center, U.S. Army Warrant Officer Career Center, U.S. Army Aviation Technical Test Center (ATTC), Aviation Center Logistics Command (ACLC), U.S. Army Aeromedical Center, U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory, U.S. Army School of Aviation Medicine, and U.S. Army Air Traffic Services Command (ATSCOM).Fort Rucker supports a daytime population of about 14,000, including about 5,100 service members, 6,400 civilian and contract employees, and 3,200 military family members residing on post. This post supports about 14,500 retirees. 04 Main Phone Numbers To access Fort Rucker telephone system, you should dial the following numbers:Field Officer of the Day (FOD), commercial number is (334) 255-9405 or DSN 558-9405Staff Duty Officer, (334) 255-9405 or 3100, after duty hours (334) 255-3400 or DSN 558-9405/3400Fort Rucker information (334) 255-1110 or DSN 558-1110 05 Temporary Lodging The Fort Rucker Army Lodging, located in Bldg. 308, off 5th Ave., near Bldg. 5700, at 24/7, 334-598-5216, fax (334) 598-1242.Reservations can be made with Army Lodging prior to arriving at Fort Rucker. Reservations for PCS or temporary duty schools are made with no advance restriction. Reservations for other TDYs can be made up to 30 days in advance. Reservations for retirees, graduation, and other authorized guests are accepted up to seven days in advance. Room rates range from $27 to $49 per day, based on occupancy ($5 extra per person).Rooms are single family occupancy. If you are attending a course, contact that school coordinator. Student single room is pre-blocked by class. Family accommodations are not available under MTSS. Rates are subject to change without notice.Services include non-smoking rooms, playground, free continental breakfast, outdoor cooking facilities, handicap facilities, infant cribs (based on availability), fax services, conference room, and  guest exercise room. 06 Housing On-post living at Fort Rucker offers a safe community and many amenities commonly found in upscale residential communities. On-post living also saves you money and allows you to maintain your military lifestyle.Corvias Military Living manages three neighborhoods at Fort Rucker, with each neighborhood having 400 to 600 homes. Every home has either been replaced or greatly improved, and all-new homes are comparable to those being constructed off-post. The renovated homes are like-new. Corvias Military Living has made every attempt to see that neighborhoods are designed with ideal home counts so that each family will be able to obtain personalized service from dedicated neighborhood and maintenance teams. These teams are located in the neighborhood center of each neighborhood for convenience to the services it offers families. Families have access to services free of charge at the center including a pool, exercise center, kitchen, multi-purpose room, computer room, and outdoor activity areas. Each neighborhood has an extensive trail and park system. Additionally, families have access to a community garden and a Bark Park for their dogs.  The partnership between Corvias Military Living and the Army is for the long-term and focuses on the sustainability of the homes. Construction focused on safety, low environmental impact, and reduced disruptions for families. Upgrading and replacement will continue over the next 50 years. Residents can experience the effects of the privatization process through improved services, maintenance and repair, and community amenities.Single Unaccompanied Personnel are also able to live in on-post housing. They have the option to pay their full without dependent rate BAH and live in a home by themself, or they can have a roommate, and the two together can pay the with dependent rate BAH for the home, allowing them to pocket part of their BAH.If you are interested in living in on-post housing, call the Relocation Office, located in Bldg. 5 700, at 334-503-3644 or 866-525-HOME.Permanent party staff sergeants and above have the option to reside on- or-off post. Phone 255-1205/3705. 07 Schools There are two schools at Fort Rucker for students who live on-post. The Elementary School, for students second through sixth grades, has traditional individual classrooms. The primary school has large, open classroom areas to serve 90 students and four teachers per class. It serves four-year-olds through first grade. Fort Rucker schools are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.To register at the schools on post, the following documentation is required:Updated registration formSocial Security cardCertified birth certificateSponsors current ordersVerification of housing  Alabama immunization recordFort Rucker schools offer services for students identified with special needs. The school provides transportation for students residing more than one mile away from the school.Schools in the areas surrounding Fort Rucker, including Ozark, Daleville, and Enterprise, educate children in grades kindergarten through 12. Students in grades 7â€"12 receive transportation fr om post to their schools. Parents should present copies of report cards, verification of grade placement, credits earned, or other credentials when they enroll students. It  will help counselors and administrators place students on the proper instruction level.For additional information, contact:DalevilleSuperintendent, Daleville City Board of Education626 N. Daleville Ave., Daleville, AL 36322Phone 598-2456EnterpriseEnterprise City Board of Education502 East Watts Ave., Enterprise, AL 36330Phone 347-9531OzarkSuperintendent, Ozark City School SystemPost Office Box 788, Ozark, AL 36361Phone 774-5197There are also several community colleges and universities in the near proximity that offer undergraduate and graduate courses each term. Students can complete associate, bachelor, and master degrees on post in the evening. 08 Child Care The Fort Rucker Child Development Center (CDC)is located at Bldg. 8938, Red Cloud Road and operates Monday through Friday, 5:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. The contact phone is 334-255-2262.The Ft. Rucker CDC offers full-day care for children 6 weeks to kindergarten age, part-day toddler and preschool program for children 2 to 5 years old, a pre-K program, kindergarten program, and hourly care. The center offers trained staff, balanced meals, and age-appropriate developmental activities. Fees are determined by the total family income as directed by the Army CYS Fee Policies and Guidance. The CDC is certified by the Department of Defense and accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.Parents who plan to use any CYS program should register their child at the CYS Central Registration office. The registration is good for one calendar year and has reciprocity Army-wide (transferable from installation to installation with appropriate documentation of enrollment sta tus). Effective January 1, 2008, the annual Registration fee will be waived under the Army Family Covenant.The following information is required when registering:Up-to-date immunization recordsValid sponsor ID cardDoD Fee Application (For center-based programs only)If the sponsor is single or dual military, a current family care plan (DA Form 5305-R) is requiredAlso offered are Family Child Care homes which offer child care services to children whose parents have irregular duty hours, children who need small group settings, and those preferring care in a home setting.Youth Services offers many leisure and recreational programs for the youth of Fort Rucker at The Youth Center facility located at Bldg. 2806, 7th and Division Rd. 09 Medical Care Lyster Army Medical Clinic provides primary care and ancillary services to a military population that consists of active duty service members, their families, a large retiree population, and their family members. The clinic, fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, is located at Bldg. 301, Andrews Ave.The Department of Primary Care serves as the Primary Care Managers for TRICARE Prime beneficiaries. Individuals are assigned to a provider within the Department of Primary Care. Appointments are scheduled with the primary care manager by calling the Patient Appointment Line at 334-255-7000.The medical offered includes primary care, aviation medicines clinic, physical exams clinic, emergency medical services, specialty appointments, laboratory and pharmacy services, a health wellness center, nutrition clinic, pediatric care, and more.There are also several TRICARE network hospitals in close proximity.The Fort Rucker Dental Clinic Command is an organizational element of Fort Benning, Ga., Dental Activity. It provides dental examinations, treatment, and consultations for active duty service members.

Jenny McCarthy spills on The View and its toxic work environment

Jenny McCarthy spills on 'The View' and its toxic work environment Jenny McCarthy spills on 'The View' and its toxic work environment Jenny McCarthy lasted a year on the daytime talk show “The View,” sitting alongside characters such as Whoopi Goldberg and Barbara Walters. While her appearances and opinions (especially about vaccinations) were highly scrutinized, what was going on behind the scenes was next level.“The View,” as it turns out, may have been a dysfunctional workplace full of office politics and cruel bullying.Follow Ladders on Flipboard!Follow Ladders’ magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more!An excerpt from an upcoming book by Ramin Settodah about the show,  Ladies Who Punch: The Explosive Inside Story of “The View,”  ran on Vulture, and featured an interview with McCarthy, who said the experience was her worst job in 25 years of working in show business.McCarthy’s tenure got off to a rocky start.One day on the “Hot Topics” segment of the show, McCarthy brought up the subject of who singer Katy Perry was dating. During a com mercial break, Barbara Walters, looking upset, asked, “Who is that you’re talking about and why are you bringing her up?”McCarthy reminded Walters that she’d interviewed Perry just last week.Unfortunately, the reply only embarrassed Walters, who by then was having memory lapses. It was also her last year on the show.“I felt everyone kicking me under the table,” McCarthy said about her gaffe. The co-hosts dealt with Walters by literally kicking each other under the table â€" “you either had the knee hold or the kick.”McCarthy then tried to befriend Whoopi Goldberg â€" even visiting her house, but that relationship never bloomed, either. “The table is an interesting dynamic because it reminds me a little bit of Survivor,” McCarthy said. “There were allies, and there weren’t a lot of people to choose from.”She decided to ally with Sherri Shepard because they were both mothers with young boys. This left a power vacuum, with Goldberg and Walters fighting each ot her, both wanting to be the moderator.“It broke my heart when Barbara would shuffle to Whoopi and say, ‘Can I moderate, please?’ And Whoopi would say ‘no.’ ”On air, McCarthy was getting increasingly shut out of the conversation.“People don’t understand,” McCarthy said. “Whoopi can knock over anyone in a debate … I was able to get a point out in three words - like ‘I don’t agree’ - and that’s all I would be able to say. I would be stepped on or interrupted.”Meanwhile, Walters developed a fixation on what McCarthy was wearing on the show.“Barbara would check out what I’m wearing. If she didn’t agree with it, or it didn’t complement her outfit, I had to change,” she said, gauging that in seven months she changed her outfit over 50 times at Walters request.But you had to feel sorry for Walters, who at one point collapsed backstage and had to be taken to the hospital. During the very end of her last year on TV, she asked Goldberg, yet again, if she could moderate. Goldberg said, yet again, “No.”“Every day I went home and I was miserable,” McCarthy said. “It really was the most miserable I’ve been on a job in my 25 years of show business.”You might also enjoy… New neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happy Strangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds 10 lessons from Benjamin Franklin’s daily schedule that will double your productivity The worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs 10 habits of mentally strong people

Mika and Morning Joe may lead you to ask Should you work with your spouse

Mika and Morning Joe may lead you to ask Should you work with your spouse Mika and Morning Joe may lead you to ask Should you work with your spouse After MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” co-hosts Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough confirmed their engagement on Thursday, they became the latest couple to publicly tie their professional lives to their personal ones.When we spend 90,000 hours of our lives at work, it’s easy to see how all that time together can  be enough time for  sparks to fly. As  Scarborough himself put it before the relationship was confirmed, “We have a crackling on-air chemistry, and a crackling off-air chemistry, too.”From mom-and-pop shops to companies founded by romantic partners, businesses run by couples are a significant  trend outside of newsrooms as well. In the U.S., it’s estimated that 3 million small businesses in 2000 were couple-owned.In couple-run businesses, women earn  moreFamily businesses can be rewarding - you spend more time with your loved ones- and fraught- professional arguments can become personal ones. But there is research that finds  economic benefits to it. A 2014 study of ove r 1,000  Danish entrepreneur couples found that these business couples were more likely to join forces because the female partner had “limited outside opportunities in the labor market.”In these cases, co-entrepreneurship between partners raised the income of the wife  during the life of the business and even after it  ended.The study’s researchers  suggested that these relationships work because “co-entrepreneurial couples are likely to trust each other better and to have more valuable carrots and sticks to force the other to invest in the business relationship.”Downsides: gendered stereotypes persist between couples at workA different 2014 study came to the opposite conclusion, however. Using 2005 U.S. population data, they found that women were less likely to be in charge if they co-founded new businesses with their husbands.Gendered expectations of who gets to be a breadwinner and who has to be a homemaker were brought into the businesses: “women would face relativel y fewer disadvantages in leading businesses, were it not for effects of masculine/feminine accountability embedded in spousal relationships.”Although using merit-based criteria like a formal business template has been found to make work more equal between teams, only 20% of spousal teams made formal ownership agreements, compared to 45% of non-spousal teams in the study.The presence of children also altered working dynamics. Although men were three times as likely to lead the business when there weren’t any children, that likelihood decreased  as the family grew. The magic number is three children for women: women were more likely to take the lead in businesses when the couple had three children.Set boundaries if you  marry your co-workerThe main advice everyone gives if you do decide to become a spousal team is to set boundaries. For Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough, who share a desk during their on-air job, it may mean making sure to build separations  outside of their shared id entity. For others, that  may mean physical separations: working in separate rooms, taking separate lunches, or working on opposite sides of the building.If you can avoid reporting to each other, do that. No one wants to be a direct report to their partner. One couple that worked at the same engineering firm said what helped their marriage and their careers was that  â€œour roles are very, very different.”Harvard Business Review advises cultivating  a “work voice.” At home, you can talk over each other informally, but at work you need to treat your spouse as a co-worker when they raise concerns: “Listen actively. Don’t interrupt when others speak. Ask for clarification when you don’t understand the other person’s point of view. Participate equally.”Above all, spousal teams can be rewarding- you go into work knowing that someone is on your side- as long as you lay the groundwork first.

14 Signs You Totally Love Your Job (or Totally Hate It)

14 Signs You Totally Love Your Job (or Totally Hate It) 14 Signs You Totally Love Your Job (or Totally Hate It) Sunday nights can be the best of times or the worst of times. When you dislike your job, they’re the worst- as the sun slowly sinks, your heart does, too, and you go to bed dreading the bzzzzz! of the alarm. But when you love your job, they’re the best- as you eat dinner or read a book or send off some emails, you start to get excited for the week to come. You turn the light off with a smile, knowing you’ll be doing something you enjoy the next day. Having good Sunday nights is just one of the telltale signs you love your job. This infographic has 14 more. (If you don’t recognize any of them, you might want to check out our open jobs page!) Infographic courtesy of social@Ogilvy. Photo of heart hands courtesy of Shutterstock.

Nows a Great Time to Refresh Your ResumeHeres What to Do

Now’s a Great Time to Refresh Your Resumeâ€"Heres What to Do Now’s a Great Time to Refresh Your Resume- Heres What to Do 3Out with the old, in with the new- the turning of the calendar inspires a desire for fresh starts. But why? “In attorney-speak, it’s called a ‘bright-line point’ (derived from the ‘bright-line rule’), which means a definite cut-off point- an exact moment in time, if you will- that distinguishes the past from the future,” says Denise Dudley, author of  Work It! Get In, Get Noticed, Get Promoted. “And January 1st is probably the most practiced and celebrated bright-line point in our human existence! We can practically feel the cosmic shift as the calendar transitions from old year to new, inspiring us toward self-reflection and personal improvement.” Add to this mix the tendency of employers to schedule annual reviews around this time, and you have the perfect season to revise your resume! Whether you’re contemplating a job hunt or simply want to have this all-important document at the ready for whatever comes your way in 2019, here’s how to refresh your resume. JOB SEARCHING? FIND OPEN POSITIONS Add accomplishments. While information from your review is fresh, judge how accurately your current resume reflects the tasks you perform and what you’ve achieved. Change and add accomplishments as necessary. Remember that strong action verbs grab attention, and stating successes in quantifiable terms (such as saving X amount of dollars or improving efficiency by Y percent) paints a more vivid picture than generic terms. And don’t forget to update other areas, such as volunteer work performed. Edit. On the flip side, have you reached a career point in which getting rid of certain things might enhance your resume? As Dudley notes, “If you’re a 50+ person, don’t turn your resume into a laundry list of all the jobs you’ve held for the last 35+ years. Keep the spotlight on your last 10 years of relevant experience, and drop off all the old stuff.” A similar scenario can exist for younger workers. Including a part-time job from college may have helped demonstrate work ethic and experience on your first resume, but chances are that better choices now exist as you’ve progressed in your career. Proof for accuracy. Double-check your header to ensure the contact information still holds true. The last thing you want is a hiring manager sending info to an email address you no longer check. While you’re at it, now is a good time to ensure current information for your references, too. Check for readability. When your new-and-improved document is complete, judge presentation. “Pretend you’re viewing your resume for the first time,” Dudley says. “To begin with, is it easily readable? Resume readers will toss your resume almost instantly if they can’t quickly navigate their way through it. Next, is your resume contemporary and fresh looking, or does it look like you designed it back in the former century?” Some of Dudley’s suggestions for modernizing include: sticking with one of the gold standards of legibility, like Georgia (if you like serif) or Helvetica (if you prefer sans-serif) using a clean, uncomplicated template with margins at around 0.7 inches minimum keeping the resume clean, crisp, professional, and short Remember that 21st-century resumes need to look fabulous not just in print but also on everything from a desktop PC to an itsy-bitsy phone screen. Check presentation on various devices. Better to learn about and correct a jumbled mess now rather than later. Happy with your sparkling new resume? Do one last spell-check and proofread to ensure youre truly putting your best foot forward this year!

Give a Speech, Get a Job

Give a Speech, Get a Job Give a Speech, Get a Job How giving speeches can propel your job search.“What?! Stand up in front of an audience and give a speech! Are you kidding? I’d rather die!” Author: Just about everyone.In fact, most people are terrified to give speeches - but once you overcome your fear, speaking to audiences large or small can be a powerful way to generate job opportunities and drive your career. You will discover that by giving speeches, your credibility skyrockets. In essence, you are showcasing your talents, expertise and confidence.Frequently, after your presentation, you will be invited by a member of the audience to speak to another group. You may also be asked to work with companies in a consulting, contract or employment role to help them achieve success. Plus, a list of your presentations on your resume is a grand slam.You should also videotape your speech, edit it down to about five minutes and post it on YouTube. You will have instantaneously enhanced your Internet presence and brand image.Let’s take a look at how you can generate speaking opportunities. Then I’ll give you some easy tips and tricks on how to overcome your fear and give powerful presentations that leave your audience begging for more. Yes, even you can be a great speaker. You just have to make the effort and practice every opportunity you get.OK, now let’s go out and land some speaking engagements. You only need two things:1. You need a topic. Everyone is an expert at something. The problem is that many of you don’t recognize your special talent as being noteworthy. Yet there are many people who can benefit from your knowledge. I don’t care if you are young or old, rich or poor, employed or unemployed; you have a wealth of information that will benefit others. Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing: An administrator could speak on organization skills: “Throw Out the Old, in with the New: Organization Secrets that Will Save You Thousands of Dollars.” A housewife looking to get back in the job market could speak on coping with stress: “How I Raised Five Kids, Kept My Sanity and Ran my House Like a Well-Oiled Machine.” An executive could speak on leadership: “Go Where No Others Have Gone, and Leave a Trail to Follow.” 2. You need an audience. You might not realize it, but there are a number of local clubs, non-profit organizations, community groups, church groups, social groups and trade associations in search of speakers. You just have to approach these groups with your topic, state why it is relevant to their audience, and show them a summary of your experience as someone with a vast amount of information to share with the group. You will be amazed at how easy it is to land those speaking gigs.Now I want you to overcome your fear - not your fear of speaking but your fear of revealing something of yourself.Most people fear speaking because they are afraid of how they might look or sound. I can’t tell you how many times I have had new speakers say they just don’t want to “make a fool of myself.” It is rare that any speaker makes a fool of him- or herself. Usually it is the audience members that make fools of themselves! You need to understand that everyone has butterflies before giving a presentation. The secret is to get the butterflies to fly in formation. Here’s how:1. Breathe deeply. Before you walk out in front of your audience, take a few deep breaths. Breathe in through your mouth, hold the oxygen in your lungs, and then expel through your nostrils. The fresh oxygen eases the tension and makes the mind work better. Try it a couple of times. You will see what I mean. I have a great videotape of Johnny Carson doing this before he would go on the Tonight Show. Yes, even Johnny Carson got butterflies. And before he walked on stage in front of millions in his TV audience, he would breathe deeply a couple of times to relax and get his mental juices flowing.2. Know your introduction. Don’t memorize it, but practice many times so that it flows smoothly. 3. Know your material. A little tidbit: anyone who reads three books on any one subject knows 90 percent more than the rest of the world on that subject. Research, analyze, absorb and understand all the nuances of your material. 4. Know your audience. What is their expectation? Education level? Demographic? You want to adjust your presentation to the needs of the audience. 5. Interact with your audience. During your presentation, get out from behind the podium and interact. Ask questions, solicit comments and involve the audience in short give-and-take sessions. Everyone will feel more connected to you and respect your presentation. 6. Rehearse. Practice makes perfect. Don’t memorize your speech. If you do, your speech will sound canned - but practice as many times as possible so you really know your material and what you want to say. Practice in front of your family - even your dog or cat - just make certain you practice.Now you have gotten the butterflies to fly in formation and you are ready to knock the socks off your audience. Take it a step further by putting pizzazz into your presentation by incorporating these tactics: Eye communication As you move about your audience, make direct eye contact with different individuals. Hold that eye contact for four to six seconds. That connection brings intimacy to your presentation and everyone feels your sincerity. Voice communication You want to display a roller coaster of energy. Use a combination of varied pace, pitch and pause. Gestures Novice speakers have a hard time making expansive gestures with their arms or body, and they restrict their movement in the audience. They stand like beanpoles in one spot. When you practice, practice with movement. Here is a challenge. Practice your speech without words. Just practice your body language. Touching their hearts My speaking philosophy is simple: “If you touch my mind, I will be grateful, but if you touch my heart, I will never forget you.” Capture your audience with stories from the human experience: comedy, tragedy, romance, family, friends, living, dying, career success or career failure. Your audience will always identify with the human experience. You will have touched their hearts. You will have given a powerful presentation. Introductions with pizzazz Get your speech off to a great start by telling a story from the human experience. Or consider other introductions which can also be powerful including the following: ask provocative questions, present a startling fact or use relevant quotations. Conclusions that leave them begging for more Here is a common mistake made by almost every speaker. At the conclusion of the speech, he/she takes questions. Guaranteed the presentation will end on a flat note. Rather, you should indicate at the beginning of your speech that you will take questions, but then after the questions you will have some closing remarks. These closing remarks will be your opportunity to wow your audience. Your conclusions should include at least one of the following: establish self-esteem, incorporate a call for action, be a catalyst of ideas that help overcome problems, deal with crises, encourage involvement in their cause, or inspire them to embark on a noble quest.I have only scratched the surface in terms of using speaking to drive your career, but perhaps I have motivated you to learn more and begin the process. Most of you have heard of the Toastmasters organization. I encourage all of you to join a local chapter. It is an extraordinary community of wonderful people who will help you in your ques t to be a speaker.Take the challenge. Build your topic, find an audience and speak from your heart. You will probably generate numerous career opportunities. But more importantly, the personal satisfaction, pride, sense of accomplishment, and gift you have given to others, are rewards that are beyond description.