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Why do I keep missing out on the important stuff?
The 2010 Forbes list was published this morning and once again I’m not there. I’m not really surprised and I’m not really disappointed. It was not one of my personal objectives. We people who don’t make the list every year are not trying to get onto it. We know that we don’t have what it takes and in fact we are happy to be on other lists. As far as it being important, I have some questions about that too.

Who is the richest man of all?
His name is Carlos Slim and he is a 70 year old communications company man from Mexico. Slim beat Bill Gates and Warren Buffett for the top spot on Forbes magazine’s annual list of billionaires, becoming the first person from outside the U.S. to lead the rankings in 16 years. That’s quite an achievement.

How much money does he have?
The net worth of Slim, who built a telecommunications empire after buying Mexico’s state-run phone monopoly two decades ago, rose $18.5 billion to $53.5 billion. Gates, 54, chairman of Microsoft Corp., fell to second as his net worth increased $13 billion to $53 billion. Buffett, 79, chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., was third with $47 billion, a rise of $10 billion. More than 80 percent of Slim’s holdings are held in five public stocks, and his net worth is a reflection of how well those stocks are doing.

Change at the top
Slim is the first person other than Gates, last year’s richest person, or Buffett, to top the list since 1994, which was also the last time a billionaire from outside the U.S. led the ranking: Japanese real estate tycoon Yoshiaki Tsutsumi. “We’ve been watching Slim for a while and wondering when the stars would align and he would take over,” Forbes senior editor Luisa Kroll said in an interview yesterday.

How much is 53.5 billion dollars?
It’s a lot of money and it would fill a lot of space. Here’s a picture for you. If $50 in dollar notes billion was spread over a football field the players would be buried in about 30 feet of money.

Where are Gates and Buffet?
Don’t worry about them. They are still up there in the stars. Gates, who is 54 and the chairman of the Microsoft Corporation, came second by raking in a measly $53 billion and Buffett, 79, the chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., was third with $47 billion. For the middle class among us who pull in anything up to a couple of hundred thousand dollars a year, billions are astronomical amounts of money. For the millionaires among us, a billion is still light years away.

It is do-able
The lesson is that it is possible to make billions. Slim, Gates, Buffet and many others in many countries around the world have done it, so it means that it can be done, right?

Mistakes Candidates Made in Job Interviews
The competition for open positions is tough, so the pressure is on for job seekers to have flawless interview skills. Sometimes that pressure can cause candidates to make unusual and unfavorable interview mistakes. Take a look at the common mistakes that some candidates have made in job interviews.

Outrageous mistakes
Hiring managers reported the following blunders they’d encountered in interviews:
Candidate wore a business suit with flip flops.
Candidate asked if the interviewer wanted to meet for a drink later.
Candidate applying for an accounting job said he was “bad at managing money.”
Candidate applying for a customer service job said “I don’t really like working with people.”
Candidate looked at the ceiling during the entire interview.
Candidate used Dungeons and Dragons as an example of teamwork.

Common mistakes
Look at these gaffes made during an interview:
Dressing inappropriately – 57 percent
Appearing disinterested – 55 percent
Speaking negatively about a current or previous employer – 52 percent
Appearing arrogant – 51 percent
Answering a cell phone or texting during the interview – 46 percent
Not providing specific answers – 34 percent
Not asking good questions – 34 percent

Competition
“With heightened competition for open positions in today’s economy, it’s important for candidates to put their best foot forward in an interview,” says a human resources manager. “You want to stand out for the right reasons. Even though the job search process can be frustrating, candidates should stay positive, focus on their strengths and be prepared on how to best sell their skill set.”

Positive tips
Here are some tips for job seekers:
Stay positive: Many job seekers may be experiencing tougher than usual job searches in this economy. Even if your job search process is frustrating, do what you can to remain positive. Never say negative things about a previous employer, regardless of how the job ended – hiring managers may fear that you will say the same things about their organization.

Research
When you walk into an interview knowledgeable about the company, the role and recent news in that industry, you show the hiring manager you value their time and that you want to be part of the organization. An online search can provide you with the background information about a company that you need.

Keep it professional not personal
Don’t let business decorum disappear even if the interview is in a casual setting. Refrain from discussing over-the-top personal issues and focus on the position and selling yourself.

Practice makes perfect
Nerves are likely to rear their head in an interview, so calm them ahead of time by practicing. Go through common interview questions with a friend or family member and practice in front of mirror.

Honesty is the best policy
If questions come up that you don’t know how to answer, don’t lie or pretend you know. Admit that you may not know the answer, but then explain how you would go about finding a solution, proving your resourcefulness.