Dangerous Men is the first real Nigerian Action Thriller

Dangerous Men is the first real Nigerian Action Thriller

The premiere of Dangerous Men Sunday evening attracted a big crowd at the Silverbird Galleria on Victoria Island, Lagos.

The Gugu Michaels’ film has given us the first Nollywood action heroes George Davidson and Nigeria’s five times Kung Fu champion Leo U” Che who played the lead roles of Emmanuel and Samuel the two hit men brought together by unforeseen circumstances, but with a common mission to eliminate corrupt and evil men who are responsible for the widespread insecurity and poverty in Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer.

The story is about Emmanuel an assassin who goes against the order of his contractor X and refuses to carry out a hit placed on Senator Kingston in contemporary Nigerian political power struggle in the 21st century.

Emmanuel in danger, is forced to take a homeless man Samuel he rescued from a gang and turn him into the perfect killer. The deadly duo forms an alliance with Kingston and go after X the very man that hired Emmanuel for the assassinate Kingston and leads to an ultimate clash between the new generation assassin Samuel and the veteran head of the organization of Assassins X.

Two thumbs up to the director Gugu Michaels and director of photography Frank Adekunle Macaulay for the excellent cinematography of Dangerous Men. The casting and artistic directors also did a great job in making the right choices of actors who really improved the standard of acting in typical Nollywood movies. M.J. Mathias, Stella Regis and Onyekachi Anyajike proved that they are going to excel in the new era of Nollywood.



The cast and crew on location.


The fighting scenes were well done and made the display of martial arts really credible and made the movie exciting and thrilling from the beginning to the end.

“Dangerous Men featured new faces and the discovery of these new actors is commendable for taking Nollywood to the next level and not recycling the overused and overrated Nollywood stars who cannot show us anything refreshing besides what we are bored of seeing in the past 17 years. Because, majority of the popular Nollywood stars are no longer playing the characters in the screenplays, but themselves,” said Mr. Hope Obioma Opara, the President of Eko International Film Festival and Publisher of Supple magazine after seeing the movie.

The producers should also be commended for the exceptional original score with the excellent incidental music for the various scenes and sequences of the well acted movie. But the screenplay would have been better if the writer did a comprehensive analysis and script development of the original story. It is really baffling that there was no single reference to any public reaction and news report on the shocking assassinations of top government officials in Nigeria! Big men don’t get killed in Nigeria without making headlines. Therefore, how can prominent public officers be assassinated without breaking news reports and no reactions from the authorities and security agencies. Nobody gets assassinated without causing panic in the country and no police reaction and investigation! These are glaring omissions noted by film critics and observers at the premiere.


~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima

Top News Reports

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Opening

Postal Service Offers Sneak Peek at 2012 Stamps

LGBT Adults Strongly Prefer Brands That Support Causes Important to Them and That Also Offer Equal Workplace Benefits

Veterinary Pet Insurance Reveals Top 10 Most Unusual Dog and Cat Names of 2011

FDA Approves Vaccines for the 2011-2012 Influenza Season

Miss Texas Teen USA, Danielle Doty, Crowned Miss Teen USA 2011 on July 16th

Playboy Unveils List of America's Greatest Late-Night Bars

The 2011 Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival Presented by Food & Wine Moves Signature Grand Tasting Presented by ShopRite to Historic Location!

Islamic Banking is Good for Nigeria

So much noise is echoing over the planned introduction of Islamic Banking in Nigeria, but making the loudest noise does not mean you are making sense or wise.

I have seen that the so called Nigerian Christians who are afraid of Islamic banking are just ignorant of the facts, because they have failed to read and research to find out the truth about Islamic banking.

The notorious North versus South dichotomy destroying the stability and unity of our common sovereignty is now threatening the prospects of Islamic banking in Nigeria.
It would be good if we separate politics from Islamic Banking and address the economic benefits to the masses of the Nigerian population.

There is absolute nothing wrong with Islamic Banking and far from the misinformation of the Nigerian Christian clerics, it does not translate to the Islamization of Nigeria.

Read the report on the Constitutionality of Islamic Banking by the University of Ilorin on
http://www.unilorin.edu.ng/publications/abikan/CONSTITUTIONALITY%20OF%20ISLAMIC%20BANKING.pdf

May I also recommend the report on Ethica Trains 100 American Imams in Islamic Finance published by Nigerians Report.

Ethica Trains 100 American Imams in Islamic Finance

18 Jul 2011 03:00 Africa/Lagos


Ethica Trains 100 American Imams in Islamic Finance

DUBAI, UAE, July 18, 2011/PRNewswire/ --

Two Months of Rigorous, First Ever Islamic Finance Training Successfully Completed

What does it take to bring 7 million American Muslims Islamic finance? Maybe training only 100 prominent religious leaders as a small first step. That is what the founding members of the American Islamic Finance (AIF) Project have now successfully accomplished. Jointly founded by Ethica Institute of Islamic Finance, Guidance Financial, and the Islamic Society of North America, the AIF Project seeks to promote standards-based Islamic finance among Muslim communities in North America.

The training program began with an inaugural address by Mufti Taqi Usmani, chairman of AAOIFI (Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions), the world's leading standard-setting body. Ethica's spokesperson said, "Muslims in America rely on their imams for all kinds of information. By giving these community leaders direct training in the practical application of Islamic finance, Ethica now equips them with an understanding of global standards."

Ethica's two-month imam training program looks to become an annual event. The program was successfully completed this month after Ethica delivered a rigorous blend of e-learning, including case studies, exercises, and exams, in addition to intensive classroom instruction. With fewer banks and universities opting for face-to-face training, and more institutions adopting the increasingly popular e-learning option, Islamic finance is set to become more accessible to countries outside of the Gulf.

Ethica Institute of Islamic Finance

With over 20,000 paid users in more than 40 countries in 2011, Ethica (http://www.EthicaInstitute.com) is the world's leading accredited Islamic finance training and certification institute, with more learners than any other Islamic finance organization in the world. Ethica remains the only institute in the world to deliver standardized certification based entirely on the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI), the leading standard-setting body in the industry.

Guidance Residential

Guidance is the leading US provider of Sharia-compliant home financing with over $2 billion in home financings. It is a subsidiary of Guidance Financial Group, an international company dedicated to serving the market for Sharia-compliant financial products and services. Guidance Financial Group offers unique investment products to institutional investors and financial intermediaries worldwide, and provides financial services to its retail customer base in the United States.

Islamic Society of North America

ISNA is an association of Muslim organizations and individuals that provides a common platform for presenting Islam, supporting Muslim communities, developing educational, social and outreach programs and fostering good relations with other religious communities, and civic and service organizations.

For more information about this article, or to schedule an interview with Ethica Institute of Islamic Finance, please e-mail contact@EthicaInstitute.com.

Source: Ethica Institute Of Islamic Finance



Islamic Banking.






.

Equatorial Guinea to Host 3rd Africa-South American Summit

15 Jul 2011 20:52 Africa/Lagos


Equatorial Guinea to Host 3rd Africa-South American Summit

PR Newswire

MALABO, Equatorial Guinea, July 15, 2011

MALABO, Equatorial Guinea, July 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Equatorial Guinea's capital of Malabo will host the 3rd Africa-South American Summit this fall. President, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, along with African and South American leaders will meet to expand cooperation, create opportunities for promotion, and strengthen political and economic ties between the two regions. This is another effort by the government to strengthen its cooperation ties with the international community.

President Obiang, who is the current rotational chairman of the AU, will welcome world leaders once again to the newly built city of Sipopo. The international conference center is an excellent facility to host international events this size. Sipopo offers state-of-the-art buildings and private villas, entertainment, high-end hotels and cuisine. Thousands of people have already visited the magnificent facilities around Sipopo for the 17th African Union (AU) Summit that took place earlier this month. The AU Summit was the first event held in the newly developed area, which the country is developing as a center for tourism and international conferences.

During the African Union Summit, President Obiang made a push for his country to host the headquarters of the African Union (AU) Youth Corps, an institution the AU agreed to establish a year ago at its summit meeting in Abuja, Nigeria. "As the city in which this subject was discussed, and with the goal of overcoming obstacles to its financing,…we ask that the headquarters of the Youth Corps be located in this new City of the African Union," President Obiang said. He had previously announced that the area in which the Summit took place, in the Malabo suburb of Sipopo, would be named in honor of the African Union.

In offering to host the 3rd Africa-South American Summit, President Obiang committed the resources of his government to the effort to harness the success of the summit.

About Equatorial Guinea
The Republic of Equatorial Guinea (Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial) is the only Spanish-speaking country in Africa, and one of the smallest nations on the continent. In the late-1990s, American companies helped discover the country's oil and natural gas resources, which only within the last five years began contributing to the global energy supply. Equatorial Guinea is now working to serve as a pillar of stability and security in its region of West Central Africa. The country will host the 2011 Summit of the African Union. For more information, visit http://www.guineaecuatorialpress.com.

SOURCE Republic of Equatorial Guinea
NOTE TO EDITORS: This has been distributed by Qorvis Communications, LLC on behalf of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea. More information on this relationship is on file at the United States Department of Justice, Washington, DC

CONTACT: Matt Lauer, +1-703-463-1841

Web Site: http://www.guineaecuatorialpress.com


Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time

17 Jul 2011 06:00

Oil and Gas Industry Skills Body Unveils Groundbreaking Safety Initiative

16 Jul 2011

08:32 ICC President's Message / Day of International Criminal Justice / By: Judge Sang-Hyun Song, President of the International Criminal Court

08:33 Cérémonie d'ouverture officielle de la Conférence Internationale sur la Préparation et la Réponse aux Pandémies

15 Jul 2011

20:52 Equatorial Guinea to Host 3rd Africa-South American Summit

19:01 ECOWAS Commissioner Daramy's corpse departs Nigeria Friday

17:22 ECOWAS, Germany hold cooperation talks

15:30 International Drug & Explosives Detection Company IDenta Corp. Receives Orders From Africa Countries

21:00 Morocco Moving Ahead with Democratic Reforms Says President of Moroccan Human Rights Council on U.S. Visit

17:19 4th meeting of the Libya contact group / Istanbul, 15 July 2011 / Statement by Mr. Erastus Mwencha, Deputy Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union

17:18 South Africa can move beyond the ‘two economies' to deliver one inclusive food system, says UN food expert

15:30 International Drug & Explosives Detection Company IDenta Corp. Receives Orders From Africa Countries

15:21 Loss of Top Animal Predators has Massive Ecological Effects

14:50 The Dow Jones Credit Suisse Hedge Fund Index Down -1.36% in June - Hedge Funds See Asset Inflows of $5.6 Billion for the Month

13:30 The Female Health Company Expects to Report Modest Profit in FY2011 Third Quarter Despite Continued Delays in Receipt and Shipping of Large Orders - Board of Directors Declares Third Quarter Cash Dividend of $0.05 per Common Share

13:02 Hyperdynamics Issues Tender for Deep Water 3-D Seismic Survey

12:58 Irish Minister of State for Trade and Development, Jan O'Sullivan announces €1 million funding for emergency food relief in the Horn of Africa

12:00 Secretary General meets President Museveni, speaker of Parliament / Tours EAC Institutions in Uganda

11:39 findmypast.co.uk Publishes Over Half a Million British Militia Records

11:30 Grupo Marcatel Consolidates Its Presence in the Prepaid Card Industry

10:21 DHL and Safmarine Team Up to Boost Literacy in Senegal

09:00 Inovio Pharmaceuticals Demonstrates T Cell Immune Response Durability with Fourth Dose of Therapeutic Cervical Dysplasia and Cancer DNA Vaccine

01:12 OneVoice Talks Lessons of Arab Spring for Israel and Palestine

To Gov. Babatunde Raji Fashola, After The Deluge In Lagos

Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN

To Gov. Babatunde Raji Fashola, After The Deluge In Lagos


Dear BRF, I know that many ignorant people are pointing the crooked fingers at you for the catastrophic deluge of Sunday and Monday in Lagos. But for every crooked hand pointing a finger at you, four others are pointed back at the false accuser.



Cars submerged in the flood after the torrential rainfalls in Lagos, Nigeria. Photo Credit: PM News

Are you the one who told these dirty and filthy residents and squatters to turn the public gutters and canals into refuse dumps and to block the drainage and sewage pipes?

It is a great pity that many homes, properties and lives were lost and the victims are still heartbroken. But the deluge was not the reason you did not join us at the 2nd Eko International Film Festival on Victoria Island. Your jeeps can wade through the flood.

My present concern now is the welfare of the homeless victims.

Please, may I advise the building of Emergency Relief Camps with modern amenities, facilities and utilities for the temporary accommodation of Displaced People after natural disasters or conflicts. Empty government housing estates can be used.

USADF Grant Targets Business Expansion for Leather Workers in Northern Nigeria

14 Jul 2011 18:15 Africa/Lagos

The United States African Development Foundation (USADF) Grant Targets Business Expansion for Leather Workers in Northern Nigeria

WASHINGTON, July 14, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The United States African Development Foundation (USADF) signed an Enterprise Expansion Grant to benefit almost 100 small scale leather workers in Nigeria's northern Kaduna State. This is USADF's second grant to the Zaria Leather Workers Cooperative Society (ZLWCS). Nigeria is one of 21 sub-Saharan countries where USADF promotes economic development for Africans to develop profitable businesses at the community level.


USADF President Lloyd Pierson stated, “USADF's vision is to help grantees earn higher revenues for homegrown African-led and managed businesses, such as ZLWCS. We are helping traditional leather workers to improve their business model and expand in news markets.”


The Zaria Leather Workers Enterprise Expansion Grant will increase production efficiencies and improve the quality of leather products sought after by local and regional consumers. USADF funding will enable the cooperative to acquire better production materials, hire marketing and sales specialists, and open two new retail channels; creating a pathway for expansion and growth. This expansion will in turn improve traditional leather worker's lives by increasing incomes for members and creating a demand for more jobs.


USADF has more than $6 million invested in 46 grassroots organizations and emerging companies, like ZLWC, in Nigeria. To learn more about ZLWCS and other USADF projects in Nigeria, see our Nigeria Country Pages at http://www.adf.gov/USADF-QuickSourceCountryPortfolioPage-Nigeria.htm.



The United States African Development Foundation (USADF) is an independent United States Government agency dedicated to ensuring economic opportunities for marginalized populations in 21 sub-Saharan African countries. Over the past 30 years, USADF has funded more than $200 million in African designed and led development projects. For more information on USADF and its programs, visit www.usadf.gov.



Source: United States African Development Foundation (USADF)

NEW REPORT, Students, Technology, College, Work Life

14 Jul 2011 19:07 Africa/Lagos


NEW REPORT: 43% of Students Feel Unprepared to Use Technology in College and Work Life

PR Newswire

QUINCY, Mass., July 14, 2011

Research states technology can support student-centered learning if part of larger, integrated plan

QUINCY, Mass., July 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In an effort to prepare all of New England's learners with the skills and knowledge they need for full participation in postsecondary education, work and life, the Nellie Mae Education Foundation (NMEF) promotes the integration of student-centered learning at the high school level across New England.

As part of this work, NMEF has released a new report, Integrating Technology with Student-Centered Learning. The report was prepared by Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC) for NMEF's Research and Development Initiative and examines current literature in order to better understand how technology might be used to personalize learning for students. The report examines the integration of computer- and web-based tools, applications, and games, as well as video and technology associated with mechanical and electrical engineering.

According to the report, which was prepared by EDC's Babette Moeller and Tim Reitzes , 43 percent of high school students feel unprepared to use technology as they look ahead to college and work; only 8 percent of teachers fully integrate technology in the classroom; and many teachers lack confidence in their own technology-related skills.

"Teachers and students often utilize technology and social networking in their everyday lives," said Beth M. Miller, Ph.D., Director of Research and Evaluation for NMEF. "However, in the past, technology has not always improved achievement. As this report makes clear, we are truly at a crossroads in the potential for technology to enhance student-centered teaching and learning."

The report points to evidence that technology has the potential to help expand education beyond traditional boundaries and support key practices of student-centered learning.

According to the report, technology holds the potential to:

* Help diagnose and address individual needs. Technology can help establish a clear baseline from which teachers can then serve as coaches and advisors, steering students to the right mix of resources and projects that meet specific academic requirements.
* Equip students with skills essential for work and life in a 21st century global society. Technology can enhance the knowledge and skills valued by employers and not typically measured in achievement tests, including: problem solving; creativity; collaboration; data management and communication.
* Provide an active experience for students. Technology can equip students to independently organize their learning process. At the same time, technology transfers some responsibility for learning to students. Through online learning and digital games, students have the ability to direct their own progress.


The report provides portraits of student-centered models where technology has been successfully integrated, such as High Tech High, a network of K-12 charter schools in the San Diego area that utilize technology to document and assess student learning through digital portfolios; and Quest to Learn, a New York public school that uses a video game-based curriculum.

The report also mentions that technology can:

* Provide an invaluable way to deliver more student- centered/personalized learning in a cost-effective way.
* Enhance academic achievement, civic engagement, acquisition of leadership skills, and personal/social development.


"Our review of the research found evidence that technology alone will not enhance learning nor will it change traditional learning environments into more relevant, innovative ones," said EDC's Babette Moeller, co-author of the report. "But we did find that technology can be used effectively to personalize the learning experience when it is part of a larger student-centered learning plan and when teachers are involved in helping them make the most of it."

The report also points out that there has been relatively little research studying the effects of similar technology across different subgroups. The authors point out that such research would be necessary before specific technology could be recommended to close academic achievement gaps between populations.

Download Integr a ting Technology with Student-Centered Learning .

About the Nellie Mae Education Foundation
The Nellie Mae Education Foundation is the largest charitable organization in New England that focuses exclusively on education. The Foundation supports the promotion and integration of student-centered approaches to learning at the middle and high school levels across New England. To elevate student-centered approaches, the Foundation utilizes a three-part strategy that focuses on: developing and enhancing models of practice; reshaping education policies; and increasing public understanding and demand for high quality educational experiences. The Foundation's new initiative areas are: District Level Systems Change; State Level Systems Change; Research and Development; and Public Understanding. Since 1998, the Foundation has distributed over $123 million in grants. For more information, visit www.nmefdn.org.

About Education Development Center, Inc.
Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC), is a global nonprofit organization that addresses some of the world's most urgent challenges in education, health, and economic development. EDC manages 350 projects in 35 countries. Visit www.edc.org.

Contact: Nick Lorenzen
Nellie Mae Education Foundation
781-348-4239, nlorenzen@nmefdn.org

SOURCE Nellie Mae Education Foundation

Web Site: http://www.nmefdn.org

Top Reports of Today

U2 360 Tour Ends July 30th, 2011: World's Most Iconic Stages to Go on Sale

Netflix Customers Offered Blockbuster Total Access With New Everyday Pricing and Free 30-Day Trial With Proof of Netflix Account

NEW REPORT: 43% of Students Feel Unprepared to Use Technology in College and Work Life

Retail Sales Show Improvement

Commodity Markets Decline Due to Concerns Over Weaker Global Economic Growth, the Eurozone Debt Crisis and Broad Market Uncertainty

Decline in Juvenile Offenders in Custody

Workers Likely to See Higher Pay Increases, BNA Index Signals

2011 Comic-Con

The Invocation and Eternal close the 2nd Eko International Film Festival

The international award winning film Eternal closed the second Eko International Film Festival in Lagos on Thursday July 14, 2011.

Thursday July 14, 2011.



The Invocation and Eternal close the 2nd Eko International Film Festival

Emmanuel Itier’s dialectical spiritual documentary The Invocation and Chike Ibekwe’s melodramatic metaphysical drama Eternal closed the second edition of the annual Eko International Film Festival (EKOIFF) Thursday morning at the Silverbird Cinemas of the Silverbird Galleria on Victoria Island, Lagos.

International award winning documentaries, features and short films from Nigeria, Europe and the U.S. were screened from the opening last Saturday July 9 to the closing day on Thursday July 14. The free event attracted leading stakeholders in Nollywood, including top filmmakers, journalists, film critics and the public who had to come to the venue even in the downpour and flood of a very wet season in the coastal mega city of Nigeria, the hub of Africa’s first film industry rated as the second largest in the world by UNESCO.

The President of Eko International Film Festival, Mr. Hope Obioma Opara thanked the Silverbird Group for providing a very conducive venue at the Silverbird Galleria and promoting the event on Silverbird TV, Rhythm FM 93.7 and supporting his company Supple Communications Limited to organize a successful film festival. He also appreciated the morale support of the Nigerian press for the highly commendable news coverage of the event and promises that the third edition next year will be better with the cooperation and support of more participants and sponsors.

“Hopefully, we are going to have corporate sponsors for the third edition in 2012. In fact the preparation for the next one has already begun,” said Mr. Opara. He reemphasized that the mission of Eko International Film Festival is to promote the best interests of Nollywood and use the film festival to make Lagos State a major tourist destination in the world as the famous Cannes Film Festival is doing for France.

The Founder/Festival Director Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima appreciated the outstanding quality of the submitted films from both local and international filmmakers; notably Faruk Lasaki’s romantic thriller Changing Faces, Iara Lee’s socio-political documentary Cultures of Resistance, Emmanuel Itier’s intellectual and spiritual documentary The Invocation, Chike Ibekwe’s metaphysical drama Eternal, Joseph Ugochukwu Ubaka’s engaging urban crime thriller Lilies of the Ghetto and Kayode Ibisankale’s well researched documentary on the Yoruba’s Talking Drum Dundun.

“The enthusiasm of filmmakers to participate in Eko International Film Festival is our greatest encouragement, because what makes a successful film festival is the quality of the films. But, with corporate sponsors we would be able to screen more international award winning films next year and host the filmmakers,” said Michael Chima.

90% of Americans Lack Literacy in Basic Health Education

Seeing is Believing, and the Key to Good Health
Video Storytelling - the Way to Better Health at BeSmartBeWell.com.

CHICAGO, July 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — When it comes to their health, nearly 90 percent of Americans lack the literacy skills to understand basic medical information and instruction. Low literacy has been linked to poor health outcomes such as higher rates of hospitalization and less frequent use of preventive services. A few quick minutes with a physician is not sufficient for most of us to understand a complex or chronic medical condition and how we can manage it. But new research indicates that video storytelling can be an effective way to educate people about health conditions - and watching others share their health stories can empower people to take control of their own health.


Stephanie Vomvouras, M.D., medical director, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, and BeSmartBeWell.com medical advisor

BeSmartBeWell.com, a consumer health website produced by the country’s largest customer-owned health insurer, is at the forefront of this video storytelling health-information movement, helping people manage childhood obesity, drug safety, mental health, childhood asthma and more with videos that feature health experts and people living with these conditions.

Research findings

A study published earlier this year in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that storytelling can help change a person’s behavior–and bad health habits. As patients “enter” the world of the storytellers, they can see themselves in that situation. As noted in the study, people with high blood pressure benefited more from video storytelling than from traditional teaching methods.

Stories people can relate to


Tiffany, 20 year old amateur boxer

BeSmartBeWell.com uses a similar approach to those highlighted in the research, presenting real kids, real teens and real parents talking about important health issues.

“When we developed our personal stories, we could imagine that the viewers would see these stories and go ’Gosh, they’re just like us. Look at them going to the grocery store and picking out healthy food. Look at them reading labels,” explains Stephanie Vomvouras, M.D., medical director, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, and BeSmartBeWell.com medical advisor.

See more of Dr. Vomvouras and others discussing BeSmartBeWell.com’s approach to consumer health education.
Reliable source

Produced in collaboration with medical experts and national health organizations, BeSmartBeWell.com is a non-commercial informational resource available to the public. At BeSmartBeWell.com, people will find:

* Credible resources and links
* Health news
* Expert Q&As
* Links to health tools and calculators
* In-depth articles

Consumers can also register for the monthly Spotlight newsletter and news alerts. For information about family-focused health topics—including childhood obesity, drug safety and teen dating violence–and to see more life stories, visit BeSmartBeWell.com.
About Be Smart. Be Well.

BeSmartBeWell.com is sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, Divisions of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.


Media Contact:
Ross Blackstone
Media and Public Relations Manager
Health Care Service Corporation
972/766-1735
Ross_Blackstone@hcsc.net

All other inquiries: 312/653-BSBW (2729), Editor@BeSmartBeWell.com

Top Reports to read

Bankrate: Mortgage Rates Change Course

Decline in Juvenile Offenders in Custody

jcpenney's Fashionable Brand Assortment Attracts Teens and Tweens to Discover Great Style at Compelling Prices

Consumer Demand for Online Innovation on the Rise in Banking Sector

Way To Go - Derek Jeter Has 3,000 Hits and Is America's Favorite Sports Star

Workers Likely to See Higher Pay Increases, BNA Index Signals

2011 Comic-Con

Don't Let This Happen to You at Job Interviews

Don't Let This Happen to You: Robert Half Reveals Real-Life Examples of Interviews Gone Awry; Launches New Video Series


Brett Good,Sr. District President at Robert Half International, Inc.

MENLO PARK, CA (July 14, 2011) /PRNewswire/ — There are many ways to stand out in a job interview, but bringing an exotic bird instead of a briefcase to the meeting probably isn’t the best option. Robert Half, the world’s first and largest specialized staffing firm, frequently conducts surveys of hiring managers and workers, asking them to recount the biggest interview blunders they’ve witnessed or heard of. The following examples represent the most memorable mistakes collected from these polls over the years:

* “A job applicant came in for an interview with a cockatoo on his shoulder.”
* “The candidate sent his sister to interview in his place.”
* “One candidate sang all of her responses to interview questions.”
* “When asked by the hiring manager if he had any questions for him, the candidate replied by telling a knock-knock joke.”
* “One candidate handcuffed himself to the desk during the interview.”

The surveys were developed by Robert Half and conducted by an independent research firm. They include responses from senior executives, human resources managers, and employed professionals in the United States and Canada who were interviewed over the years, starting in 2002.



Although these blunders are extreme, even small mistakes during the job interview can cause professionals to miss out on opportunities. To help applicants put their best foot forward, Robert Half recently launched a series of light-hearted videos depicting interviews that have gone awry. The videos, along with tips for avoiding common blunders, can be found at www.roberthalf.com/dont-let-this-happen-to-you.



“For most job candidates, an interview mistake is subtle -- for example, they may appear unenthusiastic or too nervous to let their personalities shine through,” explained Brett Good, a senior district president for Robert Half. “Job seekers should remember hiring managers aren’t just assessing their qualifications but also looking for signs of outstanding people skills and good judgment.”

People skills -- or lack thereof -- got the following job seekers into trouble:

* “When asked by the hiring manager why she was leaving her current job, the applicant said, ‘My manager is a jerk. All managers are jerks.’”
* “I interviewed someone who had a jawbreaker in her mouth during the entire interview.”

Putting the cart before the horse by issuing demands about salary, benefits or perks is an unwise move. These applicants should have focused on the employer’s needs:

* “One individual said we had nice benefits, which was good because he was going to need to take a lot of leave in the next year.”
* “The applicant told me he really was not interested in the position, but he liked that we allowed for a lot of time off.”

Hiring managers appreciate authenticity, but common sense should prevail. These job hopefuls were a bit too candid:

* “An individual applied for a customer service job, and when asked what he might not like about the job, he said, ‘dealing with people.’”
* “One prospect told me all of the reasons he shouldn’t be hired.”
* “The candidate said she would really prefer a job offer from our competitor.”

If nothing else, employers expect interviewees to dress professionally. While the right attire alone won’t seal the deal, the wrong outfit can sink your chances. Here are a few examples of what not to wear:

* “An applicant wore the uniform from his former employer.”
* “The candidate arrived in a cat suit.”
* “A person came to the interview in pajamas with slippers.”

Finally, exhibiting dishonesty is the ultimate interview error:

* “After being complimented on his choice of college and the GPA he achieved, the candidate replied, ‘I’m glad that got your attention. I didn’t really go there.’”

Robert Half offers advice on avoiding four common interview mistakes:

1. Going on and on and on -- While you certainly don’t want to give a series of one-word responses, be careful not to ramble. Be thorough, yet succinct. Don’t over-answer or attempt to fill dead air between questions.
2. Poor ‘posturing’ -- It’s not just what you say but how you say it. Slouching, constantly shifting in your chair, crossing your arms or wearing a tense expression can signal nervousness or disinterest.
3. Ranting and raving -- It’s important to be tactful and diplomatic. Criticizing former employers only makes you look bad. Even a mildly sarcastic quip can raise red flags. When in doubt, take the high road.
4. Throwing in the towel -- Don’t act dejected if you feel the interview is going poorly. If you fumble a response, maintain your composure and move on. Showing that you can swiftly recover after a setback might actually work in your favor.

About Robert Half International

Founded in 1948, Robert Half is the world’s first and largest specialized staffing firm, with more than 350 offices worldwide. The company’s professional staffing divisions include Accountemps®, Robert Half® Finance & Accounting and Robert Half® Management Resources, for temporary, full-time and senior-level project professionals, respectively, in the fields of accounting and finance; OfficeTeam®, for highly skilled office and administrative support professionals; Robert Half® Technology, for project and full-time technology professionals; Robert Half® Legal, for project and full-time staffing of lawyers, paralegals and legal support personnel; and The Creative Group®, for interactive, design and marketing professionals. For more information about the specialized staffing and recruitment divisions of Robert Half, visit roberthalf.com and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/roberthalf.

National media contact:
Julie Sims
650-234-6104
julie.sims@rhi.com