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Reorganise your workspace to work more efficiently.

Stationery
A compartmentalised unit stows everyday supplies neatly. Place it on the side of your dominant hand.

Files
Put oft-used files on your desk. If you have many files, collate them on a chair-level shelf or cabinet that you can reach without having to stand up or bend down.

Tech tools
Keep your phone, mobile and PDA in one spot, and place them near a power point so you can recharge them easily. Observe which side you tend to hold your phone - most people hold the receiver to their left ear. If that's most comfortable for you, save the space left of your computer for these gadgets.

Inspiration
Stick up a meaningful quote to keep you focused and motivated.

Calendar
For small cubicles, pin a calendar on the partition facing you. Flip calendars work best for medium and large desks - place it in front of you rather than at the side. You should be able to see the numbers from where you're sitting.

Document tray
Keep it within reach so you can sort new documents immediately. A four-tier tray works best - label them Inbox, To do, To file and Junk.

Pen holder
Place it on the side of your dominant hand. Have just two to three pens handy - it's all you need; store everything else in the drawer.

Drinking mug
Place your flask and cup in the furthest corner - this forces you to rest your eyes when you have a drink. Keep tea bags and snacks in the drawer.

Extracted from: Simply Her magazine (Feb 2009)

Stay healthy, happy and productive at work and avoid deskbound strains with these tips.

In the hot seat
- Sit with your feet comfortably flat on the floor and elbows level with the keyboard.
- Keep your arms parallel to the floor.
- Recline chair slightly to reduce pressure on the lower back.
- Push your hips very close to the back of the chair.
- Declutter the area below your desk so you have room to stretch your legs.

On the phone
- Avoid holding the receiver between the shoulder and the ear as it strains the neck.
- Use a headset if you use the phone frequently.
- Make sure the phone is within easy reach to avoid over-stretching.
- Use both thumbs to type messages on your mobile phone to minimise the strain on one thumb.

Using the keyboard
- Type lightly. Heavy pounding stresses the fingers and may result in elbow pain.
- Adjust the keyboard so it's in the middle of your body.
- Type with straight wrists; adjust the height of the keyboard if your wrists are bent when typing.
- Use a desktop rather than a laptop for prolonged typing - it has a bigger and higher screen and more well-spaced keys.

Monitor safety
- Make sure your monitor is placed at least an arm's length away.
- Keep the top of the screen at or slightly below eye level.
- Tilt the screen slightly so the base is closer to you than the top.
- Place the monitor perpendicular to the window if you are relying on natural light.
- Keep your head straight when working - tilting it causes neck strain.

Take a time out
- Follow the 20/20/20 rule - work for 20 minutes, take a break for 20 seconds and look 20 feet (6 metres) away.
- Mix sedentary and mobile tasks. Sitting still for long periods inhibits blood circulation.
- Stretch your neck, shoulders, wrists, arms and back occasionally.
- Make it a habit to blink every two to four seconds - this ensures your eyes are constantly lubricated, and prevents strain.

Extracted from: Simply Her magazine (Nov 2008)

Knowing the answers is half the battle won.

1. Tell me about yourself
Restrict your answer to a minute or two. Cover your education and work history, and emphasise your recent career experience.

2. What do you know about us?
You should be able to discuss products or services, revenues, reputation, image, goals, problems, management style, people, history and philosophy. Show that you have done some research, but do not act as if you know everything about the place.

3. Why do you want to work for us?
You can say that your research has shown that the company is doing things you would like to be involved in, and that it is doing them in ways that greatly interest you.

4. What can you do for us that someone else can't?
Talk about your record of getting things done, and mention specifics from your resume or list your career accomplishments. Say that your skills and interests, combined with a history of getting results, make you valuable. Mention your ability to set priorities, identify problems and use your experience and energy to solve them.

5. What do you expect to be doing in this role?
Think in terms of responsibilities and accountability. Make sure that you really do understand what the position involves. If you are not certain, ask the interviewer; he may answer the question for you.

6. How long would it take you to make a meaningful contribution?
Be realistic. Say that, while you would expect to pull your own weight from the first day, it might take six months to a year before you could expect to know the organisation and its needs well enough to make a major contribution.

7. Do you think you are over-qualified or too experienced?
Emphasise your interest in establishing a long-term association with the organisation, and say that you assume that if you perform well in this job, new opportunities will open up for you.

Mention that a strong company needs strong staff. Observe that experienced executives are always at a premium. Suggest that since you are so well-qualified, the employer will get a fast return on his investment.

8. What is your management style?
Possible styles include:
- Task-oriented: "I enjoy problem-solving, choosing a solution and implementing it";
- Results-oriented: "Every management decision I make is determined by how it will affect the bottom line";
- Paternalistic: "I'm committed to taking care of my subordinates and pointing them in the right direction."
- Participative: "I prefer an open-door method of managing, and getting things done by motivating people and delegating responsibility."

9. Why are you leaving (did you leave) your present (last) job?
Be brief and as honest as you can without hurting yourself. If you were laid off in an across-the-board cutback, say so; otherwise, indicate that the move was your decision. Do not mention personality conflicts.

10. What do you think of your boss?
Be as positive as you can. A potential boss is likely to wonder if you might talk about him in similar terms at some point in the future.

When you are well-prepared to field tough questions, you will not only give thoughtful answers but will seem calm and self-assured - qualities that the interviewer will give you extra points for.

Extracted from: The Straits Times newspaper (24 Jan 2009)

Every time I get out of the car, I get an electric shock when I touch the driver's door. Is there anything I can do to stop this?

This is usually caused by a build-up of static electricity generated by your clothes rubbing against your car seat fabric. It is rare in a humid place such as Singapore, but it can happen.

Certain types of fabric cause more static electricity than others.

To avoid it, keep your hand on the metal doorframe as you are getting out, until you are fully out of the car. You may also hold your metal car key in your hand to let the electricity discharge through the keys.

Automobile Association of Singapore

Extracted from: The Straits Times newspaper

When I switch on the air-con in my two-year-old Korean car, water drips onto the floor of the front passenger seat. Although my mechanic blew compressed air through the evaporator drain to clear any clogs, the problem still persists. What could be wrong?

As water condensation from the humid air outside passes through the air-con system's evaporator core, which is within the dashboard, water drips off the evaporator to the bottom of the plastic evaporator housing. The water droplets then exit via the evaporator drainage tube.

Your problem is due to a leakage of moisture-rich air around the evaporator core. The air thus delivers condensation further into the ductwork, which is not designed to drain off the condensed liquid, leading to water dripping onto the floor.

To repair this, you have to remove the evaporator and reposition or replace the evaporator seal. This is to ensure that all incoming air passes through the cooling fins of the evaporator core, leaving no pathway for air to bypass the core and reach the ductwork.

Automobile Association of Singapore

Extracted from: The Straits Times newspaper

My car and tyres are in good condition, yet the car's rear end feels "loose" when I drive over humps. Could the rear stabiliser bar be damaged?

It is unlikely that the stabiliser bar is the cause of the problem, as its function is to stabilise your car during cornering.

The fault is likely to be worn rear-shock absorbers. You could also check your car's suspension joints and bushings for damage or wear.

Automobile Association of Singapore

Extracted from: The Straits Times newspaper