Résumé Writing Guidelines Skip Pulley Writing a résumé isn't exactly a speedy process. First there's the brainstorming. Then, you have to write -- and rewrite, and rewrite -- your educational and work histories until it perfectly boasts your background. Plus, there's all that proofreading. Even though your résumé took you hours to write, hiring managers will typically spend less than one minute reviewing it. If it contains any glaring mistakes however, employers will waste no time deleting it. To ensure your résumé gets proper attention, please note the following; Write a cover letter. Cover letters are so important to the application process that many hiring managers automatically reject résumés that arrive without them. Make the most of your cover letter by expanding on a few of your qualifications, explaining any gaps in employment or providing other information that will entice the employer to read your résumé. Do not give your résumé format a little "flair." Unusual fonts or fluorescent pink paper will certainly make your résumé stand out -- in a bad way. Keep it professional looking by sticking with standard white or cream-colored paper, black type and a common font like Arial or Times New Roman. Don’t go long. Your high school job scooping ice cream probably isn't relevant to your career anymore, so there is no reason to include it. Your résumé should be no more than two pages -- and no more than a page for most professionals -- so only include your most recent and relevant work history. Focus on accomplishments. Instead of writing a list of job duties on your résumé, demonstrate how each duty contributed to your company's bottom line. For example, anyone can plan the company fund-raiser, but if you note that your fund-raiser brought in 50 percent more money than the previous year's event, the hiring manager will be more impressed. Try not to have a selfish objective. Employers are trying to determine whether you're a good fit for their organizations, so everything on your résumé should point to your experience. A summary of qualifications that conveniently displays your accomplishment and background is far more effective than a generic objective statement ("To gain experience in..."). Don’t be generic. Always customize your résumé and cover letter for each job and employer to which you apply. This way, you can tailor your materials to show how you will be a perfect fit for the position. Don’t “Guesstimate” your dates and titles. With the proliferation of background checks, any "upgrades" you give your titles or stretching of employment dates to cover gaps will likely get caught -- and you will be eliminated from consideration. Don’t include additional personal information. It's fine if you enjoy fly fishing on Sunday afternoons, but unless your hobby relates to your career, it doesn't belong on your résumé. The same goes for your height, weight, religious affiliation, sexual orientation or any other facts that could potentially be used against you. Never assume spell-check is good enough. Spell-checkers can pick up many typos -- but they won't catch everything (manger vs. manager, for example). Always proofread your résumé several times, and ask a friend to give it a final once-over. Most importantly, never ever put anything negative on your résumé. If you left the position due to a layoff or you were fired, bring it up only if asked.

Six Degrees of Separation Skip Pulley There are a lot of people who use the Internet as a resource for information about so-called subversive topics as well as informative independently researched and relatively uninfluenced commentary. My friends and supporters number among them. However, something slightly disturbing occurred last week when I was exploring some of the sites with links posted on my web magazine called Subversion. I always make sure to research the corresponding websites thoroughly, not only as a validation of endorsement but also to keep from answering unnecessary questions. I began reading an interesting article and decided to check out another site with seemingly associated if not similar material. After clicking five more links I found myself squarely in the middle of a nationalist website. For those of you who do not know what so-called US nationalism is about its fairly simple; white supremacy and extreme Antisemitism. The simplicity of their purpose is actually to their credit. But that’s about the only thing. The websites in question are Judicial Inc., Western Safeguards Initiatives and Crosstar. Check them out for yourself.  I don’t know that I would categorize these sites as “hate” based, but they are definitely separatist and degrading. (They continually used words such as “mulatto” and “negress” which is in fact not a word and I suppose refers to a female Negro) I know many of the organizations I have worked for or been a member of have displayed semantically unkind overtones or promoted outwardly biased pseudo Christian policies, but nothing to match the unparalleled hostility and loathing of anything that relates to Judaism as described in these poor excuses for web pages. I realize that although my forte has always been the gathering of information and commentary on topics and events related to pop and sub culture, I never really published any concrete theoretical explanations. If anything I seem to ask even more transcendental questions. I think that is because words are very powerful instruments, all the more so because you can’t really take them back. I express my opinions as just that, an opinion. I site historical facts and statistics but those are just semantics. People have to be taken on an individual basis, period. I’m not naive; I know very well that if my name was Skip Pulitzer I may have never considered writing this. I can’t imagine ever hating anyone, especially someone I have never met. I do know however that there are a select group of people that control the collective resources of the entire world. I don’t know exactly who they are, but I do know their goals. Aside from complete global economic dominance and the rise of A.I., There is a campaign of media control that effects me directly led by those who call themselves Zionists. In this theory, there is one disturbing and misunderstood fact; Zionism is not necessarily Semitic. You will find that some Jews do not ideologically identify with Zionists at all, such as Sephardi or middle eastern Jews. (Zionism is the belief that the Jews were chosen by God over all other races and that they have been promised a homeland or home "state"). This theory was the driving force behind the creation of Israel. A percentage of the people who practice this ideology are Ashkenazi Jews, some are fundamentalist Christian conservatives and most are overwhelmingly atheist. I believe that my parents (both of whom were Christian missionaries) also subscribed to this theory in part. I’m not sure exactly why. But until I find out, I will refrain from forming a complete opinion. All I will say in conclusion, is that there are forces at work for the survival of mankind, and those of its' extinction.

Wasted Days Skip Pulley My favorite modern ska & rocksteady band is the Slackers. They have a song called "wasted days". It was obviously written about a past relationship. It begins with the phrase "what have I done wrong that I should be sorry". I often think of this phrase when confronted with the ambiguity of modern political figures. Previously, former presidents Nixon and Clinton come to mind and more recently presidential hopefuls Senators Barak Obama and John McCain. They have come under fire for using the phrase "wasted" in reference to American lives lost the fiasco also known as the Iraqi invasion. It is my honest and humble opinion that their word selection and usage is absolutely correct and therefore nothing to apologize about. Senator McCain was recently noted as saying he should have used the word sacrificed instead of wasted. This would have been arguably inappropriate because it implies that there was an object serving a greater purpose as a means to an end. We now know that was never the case. The reason wasted is appropriate is that there has been no redeeming value. No purpose other than murder, opportunism, theft and rape has been served. There can be no end that could justify the means.  By definition that is waste. There are thousands of men and women who should still be alive, but are not. For what reason have they died and what rationale is being planted in our minds? What kind of excuse can be made for such a widespread atrocity? Perhaps the very same elements that prohibit these candidates from speaking their mind and force them to apologize are also prolonging and inspiring this conflict. A similar lack of reason, morality and honesty has propelled us into this quagmire and is preventing us from escaping it. Back in 2003 I began to deem myself a pilgrim in an unholy land, so to speak. Everywhere I turned I saw and heard bloodthirsty narrow-minded rhetoric from blissfully ignorant people. No one could sufficiently explain to me why this invasion was a good idea then and there is still no one who can do so today. All of the catch phrases and battle cries we hear in relation to terrorism and Islam are nothing more than cannon-fodder for a fragmented, disillusioned and scared stiff American Public. All of this for absolutely no other reason than power and money. Our system is simply based on consumption and fear. Those who control the system are in the business of mass manipulation and global warfare. Business is very good.

ACC: Atlantic Coast Creature Skip Pulley The phenomenon of Atlantic Coast Conference Basketball causes many to speak of its' legendary players and storied rivalries as a footnote to the sheer influence and unbound enthusiasm of a giant in the world of sports. It has often been said in modern society that entire organizations can develop human-like personality traits, especially when that organization involves diverse groups of people or money or both. What about part of an organization? Let's say, a conference. I remember as a child growing up in North Carolina that there was not and could never be anything greater than ACC Basketball. Not even the age-old and ever defiant Titan NASCAR, pulling its golden chariot of revenue and popularity could dare challenge the might of deep seeded, passionate and undying support for what we know as the Atlantic Coast Conference. During the winter months in the areas affected by this conference, the individual performances of players and teams are discussed as much as the predicted outcome; making almost everyone with an opinion a type of analyst. I live and work in Charlotte, North Carolina. I recently moved to a new apartment a few blocks away from my previous one. As I met my neighbors and the maintenance staff, the ACC and some rivalries therein became the first topic of conversation on almost every occasion. In my opinion, this behavior is justified. Even though I did not attend any of the schools in the conference, even though I have lived all over the country and seen great college programs from other conferences and even though I believe that the passion of supporting a collegiate program can easily get out of hand, I agree with those who hold it in such high regard. All Fan-bases and rivalries aside, the road to the NCAA championship seldom avoids the ACC. Much of this year we were told by the national press that "the ACC is having an off year" and "the teams in the ACC are struggling to compete with teams from other conferences". The Big Ten and the SEC for instance were heralded as the conferences to watch this season, with most writers and analysts using terms such as "power ratings" and "strength of schedule". However, looking at the all time statistics of the conference in general is staggering. The conference recruiting classes are always competitive and the television ratings are at or near the top. The ACC is a type of creature. One that begins it's hibernation in March of every year and awakens every winter, encompassing all who are familiar with it and a great many who are not.

Coordination or lack thereof Skip Pulley What are the "rules" to keep in mind when coordinating a dress-shirt, tie & sport coat or suit? 1. Avoid patterns that are too similar. I love vertical wearing stripes. They give you that long sculpted look. But it is easy to overdo when you throw on a jacket and tie. Stick with the basics. You can’t miss with a classic pinstripe black or navy suit. 2. Select complimentary colors and patterns. Plaid can be very contemporary, but you have to know what you are doing. There are many subtle differences; gingham, tartan, hounds-tooth and Welsh to name a few. 3. Don't wear combinations that are drastically different. The patterns and colors should not compete with one another. When in doubt, wear a solid neutral colored shirt. 4. Match large patterns with small patterns or vice versa. A good example would be a tartan coat and pinstripe tie. 5. Don't overdo one pattern or color. Subtle differences in cloth dying make mono-chromatics impractical. Match particular elements such as shirt and socks or tie and belt. The rules listed above are what you should just keep in mind when making your selections. The key is feeling comfortable wearing your ensemble. Many times there will be combinations that seem to fit the rules but do not look right together. Always use your own judgment to determine what works for you.