5 Reasons Job Hunting Is Like Dating

5 Reasons Job Hunting Is Like Dating5 Reasons Job Hunting Is Like DatingLets face it for most of us, job hunting is a means to an end. Very seldom do you meet anyone who claims to enjoy the process for itself, and when you do, theyre generally such wildly extroverted people that theyre fairly rare specimens of humanity in the first place. In this way, job hunting is a lot like dating a thing you have to do, in order to get achieve your goal of a dream job or relationship, and not necessarily something youd do for fun. Thats perfectly OK. In fact, by considering the many ways in which these not-so-fun processes resemble one another, you can figure out ways to maximize the experience to get to the dream-job part that much sooner. 1. Rejection, Rejection, Rejection Why do most people dislike job hunting? Because so much of the process involves hearing the words, thanks, but no thanks or worse yet, sitting by the proverbial phone and getting no feedback at all. Its pretty easy to wi nd up feeling like a wallflower who didnt get asked to the prom when youve been looking for a job for some time and coming up short. 2. You Cant Hurry Love How long does it take to get a job? The answer, of course, varies, although one formula says that for every $10,000 worth of salary, expect to spend one month searching. Regardless, even when the economy is red-hot, you probably wont find the job of your dreams right away. As in dating, get ready to kiss a lot of frogs before you meet your prince or princess. 3. Relationships of All Kinds Are Bigger Than One Person You can be a swimsuit model with an MBA and a side gig teaching Pilates in the end, its less about how awesome you are as a candidate or partner, and more about relationship fit. Think about it this way if youre a vegetarian, the worlds most beautiful and hilarious person wont be a good fit, if he or she is also a professional butcher if youre an introvert, your dedication and skills wont make you happy in an open office full of Chatty Cathys. 4. Its All About Who You Know Even in this era of Tinder and Match.com, chances are, you know plenty of couples whove met through mutual friends. The reasons are pretty clear its easier to feel comfortable and safe with a stranger who has been vetted by people you trust. For similar reasons, at least 60 percent of job seekers find work through networking. Who better to tell you what its really like to work at a company than someone whos already toiling away in the trenches? And who better to recommend you than someone whos worked with you, or attended the saatkorn school or earned the same certifications or learned the same skills? Finally, the Recession may be over, but companies are still moving slowly when it comes to filling positions and signing new hires. Anything you can do to overcome a hiring managers apprehension is helpful, and theres nothing more persuasive than a recommendation from someone he or she already trusts. 5. Resilie nce Is More Important Than Nearly Any Other Quality Think about the happiest, most successful people you know. What do they have in common? At work and in their personal lives, they bounce back. When it comes to dating or building your career, the most important thing you can be is resilient. Being able to get up when life knocks you down will keep you from missing opportunities. Plus, resilient people exude confidence, strength, and happiness attractive traits to hiring managers and everyone else. Finally, being able to regroup, analyze opportunities for change, and move on makes you better at being on your own side, like a good friend or a supportive colleague or partner. In love or in your career, theres nothing more important than that.

3 Must Do Tasks Before You Change Careers

3 Must Do Tasks Before You Change CareersChanging Careers? Here Are 3 Must Dos3 Must Do Tasks Before You Change CareersAre you looking to change careers? No matter if youre unemployed, thriving at your current job, or somewhere in between, its a good time to act. Why? The economy is recoveringat least thats what the business pundits sayand employers are beginning to add a few jobs to their payrolls.So, here are three bases you must cover well in your search for a new careerDefine your transferable skills. In other words, make a clear connection between your present and your future. Write a list of the skills youve accumulated up to this point in your career. Then, write a list of the skills that will be needed in your new career. Highlight those that are exact or near matches. For example, editing and writing skills from a career in journalism can transfer well into a marketing environment.Utilize the cover letter. Your resume alone may not be enough to convince a hiring manager that , even without direct experience, youre qualified for the new role. Thats where your cover letter comes in handy. Use it to tell the hiring manager how your skills and experience from other industries can help the company. Its better that you point out that connection than assume theyll figure it out. The more youve thought about how you can make the switch, the better you can articulate it. Using the example above, you might write something like thisMy 10 years of editing and writing experience in print and online media would fit very well with the email messaging, content editing, and copywriting needs of the position.Work your network. Check your LinkedIn contacts, your address book, or your old Rolodex. Do you know anyone who works at a company youd like to work for? Or anyone who can introduce you to someone at that company? Do you know or need to find someone who works in a position or industry youd like to work in, who can give you valuable information about what its like? Th ese are the kinds of contacts you need to makeonline and in-personto ensure that the change youre considering is the right move for you.Of course, changing careers usually isnt simple, and there are more bases you need to cover. But these three are very important as you weigh such a critical decision. You dont want to make the switch having left any questions unanswered.

Promoting Work-Life Balance Improves Office Culture

Promoting Work-Life Balance Improves Office CulturePromoting Work-Life Balance Improves Office CulturePromoting work-life balance doesnt just benefit employees - it helps your overall office culture.Did you know that working more can actually lead to decreased productivity? When your employees are stressed, their physical and mental well-being is more likely to be negatively affected. They work less efficiently, they call in sick more often and their work quality suffers. But the negative cycle doesnt end tzu siche. Morale can slip, too, and pretty soon, they might start looking for better job opportunities.Integrating work-life balance into your office culture is one of the best ways to avert employee burnout, maintain productivity and retain your top people. Here are four tips for getting started1. Flexibility is keyAchieving a culture of work-life balance means finding ways to help your team create a happy medium between professional and personal demands. Consider offering altern ative work arrangements. Telecommuting, for instance, is a great solution if an employee has a tough commute or family commitments that conflict with his or her work schedule. Another solution is a condensed workweek, in which an employee works a longer daily schedule, but for fewer days (10 hours per day for four days a week, for example). This gives employees a longer stretch of downtime in which to unwind and recharge - making it more likely theyll return to work with more energy and enthusiasm.2. Healthy employees are happy employeesNonmonetary incentives that encourage a positive lifestyle can be an excellent way to help employees find a work-life balance, which, in turn, bodes well for your retention rates. These perks dont have to break the bank. You can offer wellness programs and discounted gym memberships, or get creative by adding napping rooms and free healthy snacks to the office.3. Lead by exampleAs manager, you set the tone. Set a good example by preserving equilibri um in your own life. Your attempts to encourage work-life balance wont be taken seriously if your employees perceive you as a workaholic. Manage your own time carefully to avoid having to stay late or work at home, and when the office staff is gathering socially, be sure to join in. Celebrating the completion of projects as a team is one way to alleviate stress in the workplace and demonstrate a healthier corporate culture. Give bonus days off if you can, or organize group social activities during working hours to motivate and reward hard work.4. Know when to get helpLearn how to anticipate busy times and recognize the warning signs of burnout among your staff, so you can call in for reinforcements. Using temporary staffing solutions can relieve pressure on your full-time team and is more cost-effective in the long run than pushing employees to work overtime. Interim staff can fill in gaps and take on seasonal work, while your regular employees continue to focus on the tasks for whi ch theyre skilled and trained. This ensures that productivity doesnt suffer and your workers dont experience the harmful effects of overwork.

Overcoming Writing Obstacles

Overcoming Writing ObstaclesOvercoming Writing Obstacles

Computer Science Resume Example - an in Depth Anaylsis on What Works and What Doesnt

Computer Science Resume Example - an in Depth Anaylsis on What Works and What Doesnt Employing college interns to assist you with your company is not merely a cost-effective approach to get things done, but its a great way to add to the wisdom and experience of a person who might very well follow in your footsteps. Try to remember, the type of job that you get is dependent on the type of resume you create. In any event, do not ever underestimate power of a resume, as future employers attach a wonderful deal of importance to how its written, and the way that it is presented. Having the chance to change my life by studying without needing to pay is great. The Fight Against Computer Science Resume Example Make it part of your own personal brand. The problem with that method is there are so a lot more options that its tough to be noticed. Be sure the provider accepts PDF resumes. Thank you to the foundation and all its business partners for an unbelievable event. Understandin g Computer Science Resume Example Employers understandably, deserve to acquire the best of the very best. Recruiters yawn at education, so you need to too. Many recruiters will choose whether to call you in for an vorstellungsgesprch dependent on the information and high quality of your CV. Recruiters are just as with any other group of users. So maybe you really need to observe some resumes. Once youve gathered all the required info, speak to the career services center of numerous regional colleges and universities. Learn all you can about the organization, concerning the hiring manager, about the resume offer. Learn all you can about the organization, regarding the hiring manager, in regards to the work offer. Start sorting through resumes immediately to find out who might be the very best fit. Create your basic resume which youll be able to reduce whenever you want. You may include some private information in a CV, including interests and hobbies. To develop into a Je di at this, brainstorm all of your previous achievements. Based on your demographics and social standing, acquiring the opportunity to fulfill these qualifications while attempting to graduate is difficult. Before you commit, speak to me, speak to our alumni, speak to our instructors. There are different ways in which you can compensate your intern. While the intern is learning from you, youll be surprised by how much you are going to learn from them. Little is known about the long-term effects and possible dangers which might be inherited before they are noticed. You just dependence to understand what employer desire to check in your resume. The objective statement has to present your desire to submit an application for the work provided by the organization and the abilities and qualifications you need to gain it. Its an overview of your skills knowledge and experience obtained to date in your life along with your interests outside your studies. You should learn as much a s possible before you step in the interview. Say the proper things in the correct order and you will turn heads like Sergey Brin or Barbara Liskov. Then read the work description carefully. Lets take a quick glance at the five chief sections of the typical resume. For recent graduates going into the workforce (or computer science students searching for an internship), finding the most suitable position can be tough especially if its the case that you dont have any expert experience under your belt. Lets assume we would like to develop a fully electronic steering system where the steering wheel isnt directly connected to the wheels. Computer Science Resume Example Fundamentals Explained Following that, youve got to bring the objective statement. The third kind is the combinational sort of resume which as the name implies, borrows features from both of the other kinds. The illustration is going to be a fully electronic steering system. Believe plenty mature to compose your intended statement. Most Noticeable Computer Science Resume Example Constant analysis of your career can help you stay focused and adapt and upgrade your expertise based on the changes in the business. Instead, it must be a quick overview of your abilities and what you bring to the corporation. Center your resume objective around the benefit you want to give to the employer. Center your resume objective around guide benefit you want to supply to the employer. Computer Science graduates may have a multitude of careers. The area of computer science is one which is multifaceted. Furthermore, you can look for computer science jobs on Monster. Computer science degree programs are the most often seen, because they are inclined to cover a wide variety of topics. Our resume builder you are able to create your resume here will supply you with tips and examples about how to compose your resume summary or some other section. Our resume builder gives you tips and examples on the be st way to compose your resume summary. Also, bear in mind that, as a programmer, you have to be quick and productive. Youre going to compose a killer programmer resume.

The Top 3 Fashion Essentials for Professional Women

The Top 3 Fashion Essentials for Professional Women No matter your job, you always want to show up to work looking professional.A strict workplace dress code can raise fears like Is this okay? and Is this professional enough? On the flip side, if your job allows you to dress casually, its easy to get lazy and when you dont put in the effort to look put-together, you can come across as disrespectful.To help you avoid the stress of getting dressed for work, here are a fewessential items youll need if youre to build a wardrobe that will make you look and feel professional1. A Shift DressShift dresses are the perfect go-to pieces for professional settings. Aim to have at least one in a solid neutral color and another in a print. These super versatile dresses can be formal or casual, and they can be worn with layers like blazers, sweaters, and scarves.The best part? A shift dress is a one-step outfit. When youre in a rush, you can just throw one on and he ad out the door without worrying. Make aya the dresses you choose hit you at the knee and arent too tight. The optimal shift dress should have a structured look and skim over your body.2. Minimalist BasicsKeep classic staples like white button-downs and black slacks and skirts at the forefront of your closet. These wenigstens pieces can function as professional bases for your outfits, helping you get dressed more quickly. Sure, you can keep that funky skirt or top for special occasions, but when it comes to your day-to-day look, you cant beat a simple white top and black pants.If minimalism isnt your thing, dress up your basics with accessories that let your personality show through. A colorful scarf, a trendy pair of shoes, or a bold necklace can help keep an outfit from feeling completely stuffy.3. The Perfect BlazerWhen youre aiming for professionalism, you cant go wrong with a well-tailored blazer. Whether you choose a structured, suit-like navy option or a casual longline duste r in a trendy neutral color, the blazer is a must. It adds layers and depth to your look while remaining professional. On a practical level, a blazer helps keep you warm in the colder months (or in a chilly air-conditioned office).Dress your blazer up with slacks and a button-down for a client meeting, or use it to add structure to jeans and a t-shirt in a casual setting. A high-quality blazer that fits you properly can be a significant investment, but its well worth it. The blazer will become an important staple in your business wardrobe, one that youll consistently reach for each morning, knowing youll look and feel confident in it.The Right Pieces Help You Shine at WorkKeep in mind your personal preferences as youre shopping for professional wardrobe staples. You can make even the strictest dress code work for you, whether youre more comfortable in a fancy skirt or a low-key pair of trousers. Acknowledging your preferences will help you feel confident when it comes to curating yo ur wardrobe and that can improve your attitude at work. When you feel comfortable, you appear sure of yourself, and your coworkers and bosses will notice.If youre building a professional wardrobe from scratch and dont want to break the bank, head to secondhand shops and consignment stores to find high-quality, business-ready essentials at a major discount.Lastly, remember to get dressed with intention every morning. Try not to get into too much of a routine, where getting dressed becomes boring. Just because youve curated the perfect work-ready closet and getting dressed seems easier doesnt mean you should just go through the motions. Intentional dressing will help your overall attitude and ensure that you show up to work every day looking professional and feeling your best.Rebecca Piersol curates content for The Crystal Press and writes for thredUP.

Three Winners Named at the ASME ISHOW in Kenya

Three Winners Named at the ASME ISHOW in Kenya Three Winners Named at the ASME ISHOW in Kenya Three Winners Named at the ASME ISHOW in KenyaJune 9, 2017 Brian Gitta demonstrates his teams entry, Matibabu, a non-invasive Malaria testing device. Gitta was one of the three grand-prize winners at ISHOW Kenya in May. (Photo by Marilyn Parker) The creators of three new social innovations a device for detecting malaria, a portable science lab, and a glove that translates sign-language were named the grand-prize winners at the recent ASME Innovation Showcase (ISHOW) in Nairobi, Kenya, which was the second of three regional ISHOWs the Society is unternehmensverbund this spring. A total of 10 teams presented their inventions at ISHOW Kenya, which was held May 25 in Nairobi at the Golden Tulip Westlands Nairobi Hotel. The first competition of the 2017 ISHOW season, ISHOW India, was held in Bengaluru in April. A third event, ISHOW USA, will take place later this month in Washington, D .C. Charles Antipem (far left), explains his product, Science Set, to several attendees at ISHOW Kenya. (Photo by Marilyn Parker)The 10 ISHOW Kenya finalists presented prototypes of their hardware-led innovations to a panel of judges and advisors that included entrepreneurs, academics and founders of venture-funded startup companies. The three grand-prize winners who hail from Uganda, Ghana and Kenya will share in more than $500,000 in cash prizes and in-kind technical support, including an extensive entwurf and engineering review of their products.Brian Gitta of Uganda was one of the three winners for his entry, Matibabu, a non-invasive Malaria testing device that employs custom-made hardware that is connected to a smart phone to enable easy at-home diagnoses. Gitta and his team developed Matibabu with the goal of reducing the number of people suffering from the life-threatening disease, lessen the severity of their symptoms, and decrease the amount of time and medication nece ssary to treat Malaria patients. Roy Allela (center), the founder of Sign-IO, accepts his trophy from LR Kamau Gachigi (left), CEO of Gearbox Dr. Robert Karanja (second from right), CEO of Villgro Kenya and Paul Scott (right), director of the ASME ISHOW program. (Photo by Marilyn Parker)The second grand-prize winner, Charles Antipem of Ghana, is the inventor of Science Set, an inexpensive, portable and highly scalable science lab that can fit in a students bag or on a desk top. With the affordable mini-science lab, Antipem and his team hope to transform the state of education in Ghana and the rest of Africa by making the kit widely available to students, which in turn will hopefully show them first-hand that science can be both fun and exciting.Roy Allela of Kenya, the third grand prize winner, is the creator of Sign-IO, a sign-language-to-speech translation glove that was developed to help sign language users communicate with the general public. The device is intended to help the more than 30 million speech-impaired people throughout the world better interact with those who dont understand sign language. The speech translation glove identifies letters as they are signed and transmits this data to an Android application that converts it into spoken words. Sign-IO, one of the three winning products at ISHOW Kenya, is a sign-language-to-speech translation glove that was developed to help sign language users communicate with the public at large. (Photo by Marilyn Parker)behauptung three winners of ISHOW Kenya are prime examples of the programs goal of creating a community of innovators and entrepreneurs whose products will have a positive impact on the world. The unique solutions of our three African winners will radically transform and elevate the way their beneficiaries live, allowing them to thrive in ways that were previously impossible, said Keith Roe, president of ASME. Their display of creativity and ingenuity, and that of their peers, fully embodies the spirit of the ISHOW and exemplifies the potential of tomorrows engineering problem-solvers and business leaders.Judges and advisors at ISHOW Kenya included Heather Fleming, chief executive officer of Catapult Design Dr. Kamau Gachigi, executive director of Gearbox June Madete from Kenyatta University Dr. Robert Karanja, CEO of Villgro Kenya and Thomas G. Loughlin, executive director of ASME.The third and final 2017 ASME ISHOW, ISHOW-USA, will take place June 22 from 600 p.m. to 800 p.m. at the District Architecture Center in Washington, D.C. For information on the 10 finalists who will be participating, visit https//thisishardware.org/competition/2017/usa.For more information the ISHOW program and a complete list of the ISHOW Kenya finalists, visit the competition website at https//thisishardware.org.

4 ways to deal in the office when an outside crisis is all you can think about

4 ways to deal in the office when an outside crisis is all you can think about4 ways to deal in the office when an outside crisis is all you can think aboutWith so many seasons in our lives, some are bound to be tougher than others. Heres how to cope in the office when unrest at home is taking its toll on you.Dont overshare at workWhile weve found that experts have varying opinions on this topic, you dont want to share too much at work. As emotional intelligence expert Harvey Deutschendorf told Ladders, while you dont want to completely shut people out, you shouldnt mention anything that could be held against you later or hurt your reputation.But this should be done on a case-by-case basis.Vicky Oliver, author of schwimmbad Bosses, Crazy Co-Workers and Other Office Idiots, told Ladders that you shouldassess corporate culture at your workplace before deciding to confide in someone.Just make sure that if you do decide a coworker, its someone you really trust.But dont bottle it up - ta lk to your support system outside of workIf big changes happening outside of work are making it difficult to focus, you may find it beneficial to talk those you care about the most. They can help ground you when managing a constant stream of duties both in the office and at home becomes really difficult.And who knows? Talking it out might even help you put things into perspective.Take advantage of employer resourcesThey might be right under your nose.Melody J. Wilding, a licensed social worker and Master Coach who teaches human behavior at The City University of New York, writes about this in The Muse.Many of us work for the same company for years and yet have no idea of the benefits available to us. Does your company offer childcare, counseling, or legal services? Many of these lesser-known benefits can ease the financial and emotional burden when a personal crisis strikes, she writes.Wilding goes on to mention that you should come up with a list of things that would maximize your productivity during your crisis - such as working remotely while you visit family or reducing your hours for a couple weeks - and ask your anfhrer if he or she can grant your requests.Meet with your boss about work expectationsJust be strategic about it.Amy Gallo, Harvard Business Review contributing editor and author of the HBR Guide to Dealing with Conflict at Work, features advice from Anne Kreamer, author of Its Always Personal, in the publication.Its also a good idea to loop your boss into whats happening, assuming you feel comfortable doing so. If you have a very close relationship, tell them first and brainstorm ideas for reducing or covering your workload. But, in most cases, Kreamer says, its best to talk to your manager when you already have some notion of how you intend to handle the problem. Run a tentative plan by your manager, outlining the time period you expect to be absent or working less, the colleagues who might step up for you, and whether youve already discuss ed that possibility with them. Then ask for your bosss input, Gallo writes.

The Credit Crunch Hits Home

The Credit Crunch Hits HomeThe Credit Crunch Hits HomeCredit-card companies are reducing limits and removing customers to get risk off their books.There are plenty of economic factors to consider during a job search, especially during a down economy Housing prices have slumped, and 401(k)s and other investments are in decline.Now add the global market for leistungspunkt cards to the list of factors you must watch if youre looking for a job.Credit cards and access to credit can be crucial to bridge the gap in living expenses during a stretch of unemployment and pay for the expenses of a job search, like membership to a job board or a new suit for a third interview. But that lifeline is being shortened by factors outside the control of the people who rely on them. The global crunch on corposatz credit, rising unemployment and risk-averse banks are conspiring to make credit cards costly and less available. Nationwide, credit-card providers are raising interest rates, lowering credit lim its, and closing accounts for card holders who did little or nothing wrong.More than 30 million U.S. card holders (16 percent of total card holders) saw their credit-card limits reduced in 2008, according to Fair Isaac Corp., which manages the FICO credit-score program. Twenty-two million of those affected never had a late payment, collections or other issues that would ordinarily have triggered a penalty. Most were card holders who barely used their cards or carried low balances that were unprofitable for the card provider, several credit experts said.What is happening to cause credit-card companies to cut good customers just when they need the help most?There are ways to better the odds you wont be in this group.Want to understand the pinch better? There are three global forces at work to crank up the pressure on your credit1. RiskBanks are not the only companies looking for ways to get rid of shaky debts, according to Steve Conover, founder and CEO of MyCreditABC.com, which speci alizes in helping customers check and resolve mistakes in their credit-bureau reports.Poisonous assets on the books at a bank might comprise a bundle of home loans, but bad debts on the books at a credit-card company compromise the many individual consumers who are having difficulty making ends meet.Credit-card companies are changing how they evaluate risk on a monthly basis, Conover said. They have a serious issue with the cash they have on hand and the Treasury rules on default, so they have to reduce their risk. Risk in this case is the credit-card customer, and theyre cutting a lot of them off its getting really ugly.Just as with banks, which went on a mortgage-lending spree during the early 2000s on the assumption they could bundle their loans into packages that would effectively reduce their risk, credit-card companies expanded rapidly both the number of customers and the amount of credit theyve granted.Thats not a problem when the economy is strong and people can keep making payments when its less than strong, the number of people defaulting rises. In the typical recessions in the past 50 years, the number of accounts the industry considered uncollectable (called a charge-off) rose to between 3 percent and 5 percent. In January, that rate struck 8.82 percent, the highest mark in mora than 20 years, according to Moodys Investors Services. CitiGroup and Capital One Financial, two of the leading issuers of MasterCard and Visa cards nationwide, announced that 9.33 percent of cardholders were in default for February and March respectively and American Express, which professes a more financially secure membership base, has a rate reaching 8.7 percent in March. Moodys expects the charge-off rate to ultimately reach 10.5 percent.This rapid rise in cardholders unable to repay their debt causes card issuers to do two thingsFirst, banks limit their exposure by dropping card holders they consider close to risky and lower the limits on those next in lineSecond, bank s make up some of their losses with higher interest rates and fees. Capital One raised a rate on one card from 7.15 percent to 11.9 percent and another from 8.15 percent to 13.9 percent, according to The Motley Fool columnist Selena Maranjian. Citigroup raised its top rate to 30 percent, while Capital One instituted a penalty rate of 29.4 percent for customers who are late paying their bill two months in a year.Its getting pretty brutal out there in terms of contraction and delinquencies and interest-rate increases, according to Curtis Arnold, CEO of CreditRatings.com, a credit-card rating and review site. Were seeing millions of accounts closed off that havent been used in a while, and even people who have not been carrying substantial debt or being near their credit limit arent immune to having their interest rates raised.People arent even aware of this, but the credit-card companies are getting really aggressive about getting people they identify as high risk off their books, Arn old said. If you always pay just the minimum, that will flag you as high risk.Worse, they can identify you as a bad risk and lower your credit limit below the amount you currently owe, demand that you pay the difference immediately, and then write you off as a bad debt if you dont respond, MyCreditABC.coms Conover said.Mortgage companies are more willing to work with consumers because theres a significant asset involved the house or condo. Credit-card companies dont care, Conover said. Credit cards are unsecured, so theyll just cut you off.2. Tight CreditEven in good times, credit-card companies themselves rely on credit to pay the bills. Card issuers are able to pay for your purchases and absorb your debt because they draw on corporate credit for 10- and 30-day loans from investment banks that put cash in their coffers to pay the bills and to maintain a cash-to-exposure balance (cash on hand versus the total debt exposure should every card holder reach his maximum debt limit). Whe n investment banks began to collapse and bleed money last year, the source of those loans dried up, and credit-card companies were deprived of the source of cash to cover expenses and maintain the cash-to-exposure ratio.Banks faced the prospect of operating under a less-than-preferable cash-to-exposure ratio just as many card holders were most likely to achieve maximum debt load and others were defaulting at record rates. According to Conover, the response of most credit-card companies has been to limit their exposure by reducing the maximum debt load on their books closing accounts and reducing cardholders credit limits. This is especially true for risky card holders or cardholders they consider unprofitable.If you pay the whole card off and then dont use it for a month, they identify that as high risk, too, Conover said. Thats risk they carry on their books that theyre not making money off of, so theyll cut you off in a second.3. RulesBesides the tight economy, the push is motiva ted by tighter Federal Reserve rules on how much cash a credit-card company has to have on hand and limits on changes it can make to credit rates and agreements. Although the rules have already been approved, they dont go into effect until July 2010. Until then, count on the credit-card companies to do everything they can to strip what they define as deadwood from their debt records.Credit-card companies are also racing to get ahead of consumer protections passed by Congress April 22 that also take effect in July 2010. The rules would limit increases on credit-card interest rates and fees and address how providers communicate to customers when they make changes to a cardholders credit limit.It would also ban a practice called universal default, whereby banks raise users rates or lower their limits because of late payments to completely different creditors. The new rules mean credit-card providers can only adjust your account based on your payment history with that account.With those rules looming, card providers are trying to drop potential problem customers and limit their credit exposure on others before the law limits what their ability to do so, Conover said.