There’s a certain sense of satisfaction in knowing more than one company is vying for you and your talent. It’s like balance has been restored in the universe and the power struggle is finally righted. That is, until you realize you have to make a choice. How do you choose between two really great positions? Is one perk more important than another and which factors should you consider for long term job security? We went to A. Harrison Barnes, career coach and founder of the fast growing job aggregate site, Hound.com for his insight. From his unique position, he was able to offer insight you might not have considered.

Money might make the world go round, but at some point, it’s not going to be as strong a factor as it is now and when that happens, you better have another reason for sticking out a long term employment gig. “Most people reach that place in their lives when all the material things have been acquired. Mortgages are paid in full, kids are out of the nest and their college educations have long since been paid for”, says Barnes. It’s then when many of us realize our jobs, while providing our financial security, did little else for our sense of career satisfaction. While the salary is important now as you consider which offer to accept, at the very least, keep it in the back of your mind that it’s not always going to be that way.

Weigh both companies and their commitment to those issues important to you. For instance, how involved in the community are they? Which one takes a more proactive approach to the environment? Mentoring programs? Education reimbursement? These are important and should be factored into your grand scheme.

Don’t forget to consider the office environment, the Hound.com founder suggests. Is it too formal? Maybe it’s not portraying a professional image in the community or it could be that it’s too much of a stickler for issues you consider mundane (a mandatory tie or open toe sandals on those days when there are no meetings). While this is seemingly a vain approach, remember that this is going to be a significant part of your life and after a few years, it could become far more resentful than it is now.

Finally, A. Harrison Barnes encourages job seekers to consider commute time, the connection made during the interview with your potential new manager and even the size of the department you’d be working in, especially if it appears both jobs are otherwise indistinguishable.

Bottom line is it’s always your choice and it could very well be that the one you selected was all wrong. At that point, you’ll be facing a decision yet again: should you stay or should you go? Before you decide, be sure to check out the current hiring environment for your career avenue. One way of doing this is visiting Hound.com. Here you’ll get an unbiased and realistic view into whether or not it’s a good time to consider changing employers.

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If there’s been one common denominator in the past few years that links us all, odds are, it’s the lack of job security. We’ve seen managers fall who we knew would be in their positions long after we were gone and with each tumble, it raised the alarm for others to wonder, “Who’s next?” So how do you cope when you’re running on nothing but silent prayers and faith in an uncertain economic future? We asked A. Harrison Barnes, career coach and founder of EmploymentCrossing.com for his advice. Barnes has spent years providing insight and advice to lawyers, secretaries, presidents and warehouse workers and all others in between. He’s well-respected and his insights are always trusted. Keep reading for his thoughts on the lack of job security and how the right mindset can free you from the frustrations, worry and stress.

For many, they began their careers with one company and progressed up that same company’s ladder the entirety of their career. They did so with a mutual sense of loyalty – the employer, fully aware of a good worker when they had it and an employee who took pride in a job well done. Those days are a thing of the past, though. Today, a college graduate is apt to change jobs four times, and possibly more, over the course of his working years. There are many factors that go into this new career mindset, including outsourcing, downsizing and of course, the rapidly advancing technology.

The best way to deal with a lack of job security is to be prepared. A proactive approach is always better than one of a reactive nature. Not only that, says the EmploymentCrossing.com founder, but when you feel prepared, you’re less likely to stress. Your goal is to cover the bases as much as you can and then knowing when you’ve reached the place where it’s out of your hands. This means staying current with the latest technology, focusing on your financial cushion – which is the three months of your current salary put aside for the unexpected, says A. Harrison Barnes, and keeping your resume polished and ready to kick into action should the need arise.

Believe it or not, staying healthy plays a big roll in keeping your stress levels in check. Exercise, as we know, is the cure-all for many of life’s ailments. A positive attitude helps, too, says Barnes. Crazy as it sounds, sometimes the best approach is the one that requires the least amount of hoopla. In the case of dealing with the lack of job security, you might be surprised at how well you cope if you make up your mind that you’re doing the best you can with what you’ve got. If you do fall victim to the dreaded layoff list, knowing it means something better is out there can sometimes be the right motivator that helps you move forward – even when you want to hold the sofa down and catch every episode the Law & Order marathon while playing the ‘woe is me’ role. Nothing’s forever – including recessions, unemployment and yes – even those Law & Order marathons (trust us – you’ll have plenty of opportunities to watch all those reruns after you’ve secured your new job).

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As hard as most of us try, there are those times when we can no longer chalk up the blunders of some of the nation’s biggest leaders.  For that matter, it’s not limited to only the politicians (remember the recent comments by the head honchoes of BP?).  It certainly makes one wonder if there will ever be a disorder for those acute cases of shoving one’s foot down his throat.  If so, President Joe Biden might want to consider any ongoing drug trials.

In a time when everyone in this country is looking for that silver living and working diligently to bring our nation back to its pre-recession state, Vice President Biden, in one fell swoop, managed to lower the boom and then took it a step further by placing the blame on the previous administration.  He is quoted in late June as having said, “…there’s no possibility to restore the 8 million jobs lost in the Great Recession”.  It didn’t stop there, however; he goes on to say that his administration “inherited a God-awful mess”.  A. Harrison Barnes, career coach and founder of EmploymentCrossing.com, says it likely wasn’t an effort to take a jab, at least not directly, at former President George W. Bush and his administration, but rather, he was likely attempting to keep perspective in that these problems did not begin when President Obama took office.

While that may be true, there are many who are busy trying to rebuild their lives while also watching potentially two million gallons of oil spill into the Gulf of Mexico each day, serving as a reminder that the hard times are certainly not behind us, but remaining optimistic anyway.  This comes on the heels, too, of the controversial parting of the ways involving General Stanley McChrystal just days earlier.
A. Harrison Barnes agrees the timing was bad, and with mixed news on the employment outlook, it can leave many confused.  The EmploymentCrossing.com founder also points out that in many ways, this is politics as usual and for those focused on the employment outlook won’t allow themselves to become distracted with what can seem like a never ending trade of insults.

For those seeking employment, giving in to a statement such as the one Vice President Biden made is simply not an option.  There are those who have far more faith in the economy and the job outlook, despite the goings on we are collectively experiencing, will not allow it this, or any other comment, get in the way.  Republic or Democrat, that’s the best way to take one’s control and power over his own future.  Until, of course, another comment is made by a political big wig that makes us all scratch our heads and say, “Huh?”  And if history is any indicator, it’s only a matter of time.

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As more beaches become stained with the gooey and strongly scented tar balls and sheets of crude oil along the gulf coast, both BP and local governments are scrambling to ensure enough workers are on the clocks so that the clean up efforts don’t become so overwhelming that the remaining tourists who haven’t cancelled their vacation plans remain committed to visiting the golden Gulf Coast and all of its beautiful beaches.

In late June, Pensacola Florida officials announced the worst so far, in terms of oil coverage, is now appearing on the beaches that define the beautiful city that’s always attracted summer vacationers.  A. Harrison Barnes, career coach and founder of Hound.com reiterates what both the Coast Guard and the local mayors are saying, “It’s going to be a long and slow dance that Mother Nature leads”.  For now, though, it appears there were will more than a few jobs available for those wishing to play a role.  While no local municipalities are willing to discuss salaries and hourly rates, BP will shoulder the costs eventually.

Pensacola’s officials are bringing in heavy equipment in its efforts of ridding the beach of the mess and as a result, there is a sudden need for those who know how to operate this heavy machinery.  There are many who live along the coast and who are more than capable of operating the backhoes and other equipment; however, with recent news of construction companies beginning their hiring processes again, along with many choosing to work on the water in an effort to contain the oil before it makes landfall, the Hound.com founder says there is currently a shortage of those qualified to pick up the slack.  This is a win-win for a lot of people.  For those in other areas of the country who are looking for work, this could mean great pay on the beaches, soiled though they are, in the warm Gulf Coast sun.  For those subcontractors looking for experienced help, knowing it’s on the way allows everyone to take a step back as more bad news rolls in.

Because this is an unprecedented event, no one knows how long these jobs will exist; however, A. Harrison Barnes reiterates the environmental factors and says no one – whether it’s BP or the government – is going to be quick to declare complete recovery until there are absolutely no doubts.  This might take decades.   For now, though, it appears these jobs are going to offer plenty of overtime and likely, many seven day work weeks; still, it’s a solution many in the country have been looking for as they begin to rebuild their lives after the recession.  It’s important to note that the weather conditions along the coastal areas are incredibly hot and usually with 100% humidity.  For those who aren’t accustomed to this kind of heat and humidity, it’s likely to be a shock.  Health officials encourage out of state workers keep this in mind, especially those who may have health issues.

For more information on the current employment outlook, including thousands of jobs updated in real time, be sure to visit Hound.com.

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Imagine a criminal lawyer whose client isnt necessarily dreading spending part of his or her life in prison? Now imagine a criminal lawyer arguing for a longer prison sentence for his client, which likely went against everything he learned in law school. On April 30, 1927, the first federal prison for women was opened in West Virginia. If a womans sentence was longer than twelve months, odds were, she ended up at this east coast facility. And if the convicted had to spend time in jail, she wanted the longer sentence and wanted to serve her time there.

The federal prison was run by a psychologist, Dr. Mary Harris, and the facility itself was surrounded by 500 acres of land. Not that any of the prisoners tried to escape, says A. Harrison Barnes, lawyer and founder of LegalAuthority.com. The prisoners lived in small houses, or cottages, where they grew gardens and enjoyed all the comforts of home, including a fully stocked kitchen. In their kitchens, they prepared their meals, canned their vegetables and fruits they grew in their gardens and spent their days in leisurely comfort. Some legal scholars called the facility a boarding school. The women were even offered singing lessons, should they so choose. In most ways, the prison was more like a boarding school, says the LegalAuthority.com founder.

The goal during this time in history was focused on rehabilitating these women and ensuring when they left, they had marketable skills that would allow them to support themselves or at the least, prevent them from becoming repeat offenders and returning to confinement. A. Harrison Barnes says the recidivism rates were indeed low and that while they likely made more good memories than bad, most were ready to pick up the pieces of their lives upon their release, especially if they left with more confidence and self respect than what they entered with.

There were a few exceptions, though, that resulted in at least a few of the women returning. These were the ones who completed their sentences and then applied for jobs at their former temporary residences.

So what kinds of illegal activities could result in so many women being jailed; so many that it required the construction of a huge facility to house them in? You might be surprised their charges were often drug and alcohol related. Very few required legal representation for anything else. Its important to remember, too, that the federal facility was built during Prohibition, which explains the nature of the crimes they were convicted of.

While it may appear those serving time in federal prisons in a contemporary society have it easier than those serving time in state facilities, a quick look back in history reveals the women of the 1920s had the true Club Fed.

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From a legal standpoint, it appears there may be serious ramifications for at least a few different players in an event that unfolded in Phoenix earlier this year.  The Catholic Church makes no exceptions when it comes to abortion.  Catholicism teaches it is not a decision to be made by humans, but rather, it is what it is and it’s God’s will.  And now, a nun and a hospital administrator have been reassigned and disciplined by the Catholic hospital’s bishop.  This was due to a decision that the nun, Sister Margaret McBride, supported and that included aborting an eleven week old fetus because the mother’s health was in serious jeopardy.  LegalAuthority.com founder and attorney A. Harrison Barnes says that the church is now and has always been adamant on its stance regarding abortions.  In fact, in a statement released by the Phoenix Diocese states, in part, “An unborn child is not a disease…while medical professionals should try to save a mother’s life, the means can never be by directly killing her unborn child…the end does not justify the means”.

Perhaps what is most upsetting for many is the fact Sister McBride was automatically excommunicated due to her knowledge and support of the procedure.  It should also be noted the Phoenix diocese did not learn of the procedure until several months after it was performed.  This is an important case in that the legal repercussions could affect, to some degree, the entire debate over abortion.  A. Harrison Barnes says it’s likely it was a decision that was incredibly difficult not only for the mother, but for her family as well.  And too, says the LegalAuthority.com founder, it’s clear there were no easy answers for anyone involved.

It’s not yet clear whether or not the hospital administrator who was reassigned or Sister McBride will seek legal representation in an effort to reclaim their positions.  The nun was a member on the hospitals Ethics Committee and she also lost her position as vice president of mission integration at the medical facility.  Interestingly, in the past, the Church has allowed voluntary terminations of pregnancies “as a secondary effect of other treatments, such as radiation of a cancerous uterus”.  The patient was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension, which damages the heart and lungs.  Pregnancy further complicates this diagnosis and sometimes leads to death of both the patient and her fetus.

For now, hospital attorneys are reviewing the case to ensure all procedures were followed and anticipating the next move.  The hospital supports both the administrator and the nun; however, it said its options were limited and ultimately, the diocese maintains the right to make the final decision. The diocese remains committed to its stance and the search is on for a replacement for the vacancy Sister McBride left.

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Ask A. Harrison Barnes, lawyer and founder of LegalAuthority.com the best way to gain experience out of law school, and odds are, he’ll tell you a judicial clerkship is the way to go.  They’re both prestigious and competitive – and perfect for recent law grads.  These positions last usually no more than twenty four months, which is ideal.  It provides new lawyers real courtroom experience and uninhibited access to the goings on even more so than law school provided.

It’s also a great way to gather a wide range of experience across many legal specialties, says the LegalAuthority.com founder.  This kind of experience looks great on a resume and is an ideal way to network.  Wondering what it is a judicial clerk does?  A. Harrison Barnes offers these facts:

“It’s important to realize the responsibilities will vary from one courtroom setting to another”, says Barnes; but they’re almost always full time positions and include legal research, writing court opinions, proofing and checking citations.  He might also serve in the capacity of an assistant to the judge.  Trial court clerks will discover their duties might be a bit more detailed than say, an appellate court clerk only because of the litigation process.  Trial briefs need to be written, contact with both attorneys and even witnesses is usually required.  On the other hand, says Barnes, appellate court clerks will discover they spend a lot of time writing and reviewing court cases for accuracy.  Your contact with others, such as attorneys and witnesses will be a bit more limited than those trial court clerks are afforded.

Think this might be a great career move for you?  Here are a few of the qualifications:

* You’ll need to have completed your law degree
* It also helps to have an impressive educational career with awards and other highlights
* Odds are, if you graduated below the top 25% of your class, you’ll miss out simply because these positions are in big demand throughout the country (this is another incentive to do well in law school)
* Most judges set their own hiring criteria, so the better armed you are before applying, the better your odds for getting the clerkship.

Your salary will likely be based on the court’s budget, your memberships, including a bar membership, and often your level of experience will play a role.

Still, says Barnes, judicial clerkships offer a rare opportunity for those eager lawyers who want to learn all they can so that they can best meet the needs of their future clientele.  It’s a great opportunity and if offered the position, one that should not be squandered.  For more information on law jobs in every state, be sure to visit LegalAuthority.com.  You’ll discover access to thousands of legal jobs, tips and advice and a sterling resume critique process – it’s all yours for the taking.

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Stress can take a toll on your body. Too much of stress acts as an impediment and affects the quality of your work significantly. On the other hand, stressful situations make you work better at times. Stress helps us to adapt ourselves to the changing situations of life. Stress management skills are very important if you want to achieve new heights of success.

Dealing with stress at work is not very difficult, says A. Harrison Barnes, if you are a little careful. Organization and planning at work, helps you to cope with the stressful situations better. Prioritize your work, and try to accomplish them within the stipulated time limits. You need to have a positive outlook towards life. With correct attitude and skill you can get through many tough situations in your life. You must be open to criticism. It is not a wise idea to blame others for your own mistakes. Try to take up responsibilities for your own mistakes say Barnes. You must feel empowered to deduce positive results. Learn from your previous experiences and try to incorporate them in your life. There is no substitute for hard work. Set your standards high and try to perform accordingly. Proper organization and planning can help you achieve your goals. Try and solve problems as and when they arise. If you are unable to fix up the problem, deduce methods to prevent further occurrence of these problems this will enable you to reduce stress at work and enjoy your work environment without having to skip work over and over again.

A. Harrison Barnes, further points out certain things which when followed will prove effective in reducing stress. For starters a good night’s sleep is very important. Make sure that your room is comfortable and cozy. You should feel like relaxing, the moment you enter the room. Adjust the lights and the room temperature. Taking a warm shower before bed is an excellent idea. It helps you to relax your muscles. Reading is a very good habit. You can also consider reading a book before sleeping. Make sure you do not end up taking a heavy dinner. A light dinner ensures you get sound sleep. You might also consider exercising at least 4 hours before you go to sleep. The room that you would be sleeping in should be quiet, with no television or radio playing. The quality of your sleep will be enhanced once you take care of these simple things. Disturbed nights increases your stress level as you are not fresh for the day’s work.

A balanced diet and healthy lifestyle is a key to stress free life. Ensure that your diet is healthy. Keep your weight under control and make sure that you are not adding the extra pounds. Too much sweets or junk food, irregular eating habits increases the levels of cholesterol and fats in your body that increases your stress levels. Cut down on the irregular eating habits and adhere to nutritional diet to reduce the stress levels says A. Harrison Barnes.

Exercise is the key to healthy living. Brisk work or regular exercises, helps to increase the heart rate and improve blood circulation and the levels of cholesterol also goes down significantly. You cannot keep your weight under control by simply following a diet chart. Regular exercises help you to burn the amount of calories consumed daily. While you are exercising, the feel good hormones are released, which acts as a stress buster says Harrison Barnes Start with the lighter exercises and then go for the vigorous ones. Take it one step at a time. Never forget to seek your doctor’s advice, and discuss with him about your exercising plans.

There are some more excellent ways by which you can de-stress. Mediation, good music are also good stress relievers. Listen to your favorite numbers even when you are jamming in your car; it will keep you happy and less stressed. Read a good book or spend some time with your hobbies.

Look out for the symptoms that are commonly associated with stress. Loss of appetite, sleeplessness, irritability, palpitation, increase in the rate of heart beats, dryness in the mouth, vomiting tendencies, nausea, headaches like the chronic daily headaches, migraines, cluster headaches, irritation in the bowel, indigestion, muscular contractions require medical attention. The symptoms may be severe, leading to depressions, fatigue, or lack of self motivation, and self esteem which must be brought under the purview of the doctor. If necessary do not hesitate to consult a psychiatrist. A councilor or a psychologist can help you to cope better with the situations that you are going through. The doctor’s advice to the patient is to look for the symptoms and keep the stresses under control.

With conscious effort, you can learn to manage your anger and handle stressful situations with more competency. Learn from your previous experiences and do not repeat your mistakes. Recollect all those instances where you emerged victoriously. Do cut down on the number of tea or coffee you consume everyday says A. Harrison Barnes. If you are a heavy drinker, make sure that your drinking habits are under control.

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BCGSearch is one of the premier attorney recruitment and placement firms in the nation. While other legal job sitespromise big things to you, they rarely will live up to your expectations – and probably leave you disappointed and frustrated. You shouldn’t have to settle for anylegal careerbecause you think nothing better is out there. Until you try BCGSearch then you are not maximizing your options as a legal attorney.

Besides BCGSearch having the best recruiters in all the business, you will have access to numerous features on the BCGSearch site such as free up-to-date legal news and many “self help” articles. You can also receive free Webinars from Founder and CEO Harrison Barnes on a daily basis. Harrison Barnes doesn’t sit back and let his employees do the “dirty” work but contributes to the success of BCGSearch as well.

There are more than 200 free videos in the in the Daily Videos Archives section for you to enjoy – and who knows you might learn something by watching them. These videos include topics such as “Be Someone Who is Engaged with Work, Not Someone Who Avoids Work”, “Slipping, Falling Down, Gravity and Your Career”, “Plan for Success – Not Failure”, and “Bad Dancing, Submitting, and Surrendering” just to name a few. These videos are intended to help you approach your life in a new positive manner and give you motivation to continue on in your legal career when times look their worst.

When you search for job search sites online you want to know (or you should want to know) what makes them different then all the other legal job search sites out there. If you are stuck between a rock (your job) and a hard place (the unsatisfying experience looking for a new job) then BCGSearch may be your answer. If you are unsure what separates BCGSearch from the rest of the legal recruitment and placement companies then take a look at the Benefits of Working with BCG Attorney Search section. If you can find a company that lists all its benefits in such great detail then by all means join them and not BCGSearch.

BCG Attorney Search is a member of the EmploymentScape group of companies – which is the founder of companies such as LawCrossing, Attorney Resume, JD Journal, Hound, JD2B, and LegalAuthority. If you have not heard of any of these sites, you should really get your head in the game. If BCG Attorney Search chooses to work with you then you will have free access to LawCrossing, Hound and Attorney Resume for one year also.

LawCrossing is the largest and most popular law job board for attorneys there are bar none. Hound is another one of the job search resources you will be more then happy with. Hound monitors every law firm website it can find for jobs. You will also receive free legal resume revision and review through the legal resume creation company, Attorney Resume. When you sign up for one site such as BCGSearch, you are able to gain access to other top quality job site sites.

Also, BCGSearch has published a book entitled The BCG Attorney Search Guide to Class Rankings and Law Review Admission at America’s Top 50 Law Schools.

If you are looking for a new legal employment, look no further then BCGSearch. Harrison Barnes has set the standard when it comes to the legal placement and recruitment for attorneys.

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