December 13th, 2008
The post interview is a two way street. The unit interviewing you will want to find out whether you are suitable to the placement and you will want to find out if the organisation and position is right for you. So, do your research and gather the data you need to satisfy yourself that this placement is where you want to be working for the next few years. Work out the answer to the following questions:
- What will my obligations be?
- Where will I fit into the overall organisational structure?
- To whom should I report?
- Where does he/she fit in the structure?
- Who will report to me?
- How experienced will they be?
- What do you expect me to do in the first 6 months?
- What level of performance do you expect from me?
- ?
- Where is the organization going? Upwards? Expansion plans?
- What are the job advancement prospects? What would be a reasonable timescale in which to expect this?
- What is the nature of the payment system here? [Do not bring this up too early in the interview - wait until they are sold on you.]
- What are the travel requirements for this placement?
- Is there a likely need for relocation in the near future?
- What training do you provide?
- What are the next steps for the recruitment process?
- What should be my next step?
For more info on interview advice
December 13th, 2008
I get asked the question “How do I get Started as a Model” so many times and I have to say there’s not an easy answer to this.
First are you really sure that this is what you want! If the answer to this is yes and if you are at least 1.7 meters (5ft.7inch) tall, slim and beautiful and self confident and between 14 to 18 years of age, there is just a slim chance that you might make it.
But you need something to be in your favour, in fact it’s so important that you stand little or no chance without it and you might as well give up right now and get back to your high school studies.
So what is so important that it will make or brake you, the answer to that is quite simple, it’s your Mom. Without her blessing and indeed her help your going nowhere baby.
Lets start with the law, you are a minor until the age of 18 and unable to be photographed without your parent’s permission and unable to attend a shooting session with a photographer unless your parent or guardian is present at the shoot.
Now you can understand the importance of this, as it not only safeguards the Model who is a minor, but it also safeguards the photographer as well.
After the shooting session is over a ‘Minor Model Release’ form has to be signed on behalf of the minor by the parent or legal guardian. This form is a standard document in the profession and it gives the photographer and his client permission to use the photos for whatever advertising purposes that are required, in exchange for a modeling fee that has been previously agreed upon and paid on the completion of the shoot.
How do you get discovered and believe me this is the difficult bit. Years ago when I was a full time Advertising/Fashion Photographer, it was sometimes just good enough to be found by the photographer and his opinion would add some weight when the model presented some recent photographs of herself to a Modeling Agency, providing of course she had all the above requirements. However today, things have changed with young model hopefuls posting their photos all over the internet and of course many of the model agencies keep a presence on line as well.
But I know of a story of a 14 year old girl in London, who at the time had no idea that she really wanted to be a model, but in the summer vacation was doing ‘Work Experience’ in the offices of one of the UK Fashion Magazines when she was ’scouted’ by a model agency rep.
Sometimes you just have to be in the right place at the right time, this of course does not prevent you from applying to all the top agencies yourself, getting to see as many as possible and if you are as good as you say you are and if they are looking for that special look you might just get lucky. But not without some hard work and discipline and dedication.
For example healthy eating and living, or put it another way eating correctly and getting to bed early. This healthy lifestyle would also include daily exercise to keep your body in shape.
Unless you become dedicated, when the time comes and you find that you have put on an extra kilo or two in weight, you’ve only yourself to blame if you didn’t get the job.
Last August I received an e-mail from a 14 year old girl who wanted to be a model. She had seen my website, read my comments on ‘wanna be models’ and wanted my opinion about her looks. I replayed and explained that I would run some test shots in return for adding a page of these photos to my website.
I contacted her Mom and we set up a meeting to shoot at my favorite beech location, this page has now become one of the most popular on the website. I think you should take a look to.
To read more about the above article go here: Wanna be Models.
About the author: I’m from London. I started out in the days of the Swinging Sixties and London was quite a place to be. In those days we use to shoot catalog fashion shots with a 10X8 inch View camera, so the color transparency images would be the same size as the image on the catalog page, I have to tell you right now that took quite some doing.
Now I spent most of my time with my website Pro SECRETS of Money Making PHOTOGRAPHY, writing about and teaching photography, occasionally shooting assignments.
To check out the story and Images of our 14 year old model go here: Teen Bikini Beach Shoot
December 13th, 2008
Backed By A Warranty…
Many manufacturers of modular homes offer extensive warranties against structural defects.
Multiple Inspections, Not Just One…
Modular Homes are built to conform to the Uniform Dwelling Code, and comply with Local requirements of the state and county to which they’ll be delivered - just like other homes being “stick built” anywhere in the state. Modular Homes however, have a distinct advantage of being inspected three times before you ever take occupancy. The first inspection occurs with the production supervisor on the production line. The second inspection is performed in accordance with an independent Third Party Inspector at the manufacturer’s facility. Lastly, the local building inspector in your own municipality inspects the home. “Stick built” homes are only inspected once on site.
Faster Completion…
Modular homes can be built faster because most of the work - including most plumbing and electrical work is completed at the factory. The wallboard, cabinets, doors, windows and bath fixtures are in place when the home arrives at your site. That means savings of time once the house is set on your foundation. There are fewer contractors to manage, fewer people to complete the work, and faster completion. Dollars are saved. Scheduling is simplified. And ultimately only the plumber, electrician, carpenter crew and furnace company need to perform any site work once the house is set.
Interest Savings - Time is Money…
With a construction loan, as with any mortgage loan, the first payments are predominantly interest. A typical construction loan for a “stick built” home can be 6 to 12 months long. Now imagine how many dollars can be saved if the time of construction is cut in half! You can save thousands of dollars in interest because modular homes can be completed in as few as 45 days from the time the house is set on the foundation.
Reduced Moisture - Less Mold or Mildew…
Because modular homes are built in a climate-controlled environment, there is less moisture, no rain or weather to delay construction, and less dampness. Mold and mildew have little opportunity to grow in your new home. For sensitive families, this is means you’ll have a healthier, more allergy resistant home.
Durability - Built To Travel…
Modular Homes are generally transported several hundred miles from the factory to the final construction site. With that in mind, the Modular Home manufacturer designs durability into every home during construction, to insure that the house can withstand the rigors of transportation. That includes use of not just one, but typically two rim joists, engineered flooring systems, sub floors that are glued and nailed, tongue and groove sub floors for more stable floors, exterior sheathing is glued and nailed, thicker 5/8″ gypsum wall board is used on all ceilings, interior walls are 16″ on center (not 24″ on center like others), top and bottom plates of exterior walls and studs are 2×6 lumber. Additional sreaps and bracing are used during transport to further insure a high quality product is delivered to the construction site. The home is sturdier, stronger and more durable than a comparable “stick built” home.
Economy - Less Waste Of Materials…
Drive past any construction site, and you’ll see a dumpster filled to overflowing with scraps of wallboard, lumber, siding and roofing materials. The homeowner pays for those items - and they are all thrown away. With modular homes, there is less material waste, because the lumber that is cut off during the construction of one house, can be used during the construction of the next house coming down the production line. That results in savings to you, the homeowner.
About the Author
Nancy Storrs is owner of Custom Modular Homes, LLC in Wisconsin. Home design, site management and real estate are part of her background. Custom Modular Homes offers homes that are beautiful, affordable, and meet niche markets, including elder care housing, and ADA compliance, as well as universal design.
