Bub

I'm very interested in an open position that is vacant in my company. I either meet or exceed all the qualifications and requirements. I'm following the company guidelines, but here's my question: Should I introduce myself to the hiring manager and let him know I'm applying for the job? I really want the job and i want to make myself standout from all internal/external applicants.

I met a woman at work who, I thought, was attracted to me and I tried to pursue her. I seriously thought the signs were there: I've caught her looking at me a few times, and we've had several conversations where we each gave each other our personal resumes. One day she came in to work upset. i asked if i did something wrong---she said it was just a family matter. i felt relieved and i emailed her again apologizing about not knowing it was a family matter. Her initial response was good, but I got this in the end: "FYI, I don't want to get too personal; i just want to do my job and take care of the finances." Where did I go wrong in thinking there was a spark there?

I will make a 30 day trip to Houston next month. My goal is to find a job within that time frame--I hope. To give you a liitle bit of my background, I am a seasoned professional who worked mainly as an Analyst (Budget and Projects). I also double majored with degrees in Finance and Communications.

Here are my questions:

Does anyone know the job market climate in that area? Are there an abundance of jobs? If so, in what sector?

Would I be able to find a job within that time frame? If not, what would be the best thing to do to ensure a speedy employment?

Please, serious and thorough answers only.

I interviewed for a job and was informed that I would take a test that would determine whether I'll be hired or not. She informed me that it would take an hour to ninety minutes. Has anyone ever done this? Could you give me some insights? I'm a little nervous.

I interviewed for a job and I think I did fairly well. The hiring manager informed me that, if selected, I would have to go through a Gallup survey to determine whether I would be right for the job. She also noted that there are no right or wrong answers, but if I did not pass the exam, I would NOT be selected. Does anyone know about this exam? Does anyone have any insight on what I could expect on this exam?

I have a lucrative job prospect in Maui. As exciting as the job may be, I am concerned about the cost of living. I'm a single person, so all I need is a studio apartment, but I don't want to blow most of my pay on just housing alone. Please, serious answers only.

I applied for a city government job. I went through the 1st interview and passed. I went through the 2nd interview and I did very well. However, it's been more than two weeks since the interview and I never got a call or letter whether I got the job or not. Is the wait long? Should I call and ask if the job has been taken? Does any government worker have experience with this process?

I heard that when we experience De Ja Vu in our lives, we are getting a "reading" or a "sample" of our pre-determined life. I'm very skeptical but the invidual gave a good example:

Imagine going on a road trip from point A to point B. You've never been to the destination so you use a map as a guide. In the map, you also find some markers that gives you a "reading" that you're on the set path. So, as you go along this trip and hit these markers, they are reminding you that your are where you're supposed to be.

If you look at De Ja Vu events in your life, could they not be markers in your road trip of life?

What do you think?

1) It SEEMS that athletes who has tested positive for the banned substance claims they're innocent. The one's administering the tests claim there's no mistake in their methods. Therefore, I ask, Is steroid testing a proven science?

2) Do you think Mark McGuire, Jose Canseco, Rafael Palmeiro and POSSIBLY Barry Bonds be shunned from getting into the hall of fame because of their use of the banned substance?

(Remember, Palmeiro was caught, Canseco admitted it in his book and ratted out McGuire--who refrained from talking about his past--in a congressional hearing. Barry Bonds, I guess we'll never know, but let's just assume he did use it. I'm sure there are many others, but let's just look at these four.)

3) Do you think the MLB, NFL, NBA and NHL are doing a good job in preventing, testing and exacting just punishment to players for using the banned substance?

You can give me a succint answer or even a long one with your reasoning. I'm just curious.

I live in California. It's too expensive. I want to move to a city that is nice, modern but I don't want to pay for it. Can someone tell me a city (outside of California) where the rent is moderately priced and the pay for an educated-experienced professional is up to par?