The latest Buzz items:

• VETS NET! The latest issue of the e-newsletter is available now. Check it out here and don't forget to let us know what you think of it. We hope it's helpful to you in your important job of serving our veterans.

• Senate Approves Measures for Women Vets - The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee recently approved a plan for improving the care for women veterans.

  "Planning for the wave of new women veterans is going to be a difficult and complex task, but this bill gets us on the right track," the measure's sponsor, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., told the committee.

  Some important aspects of the bill would be to authorize programs to improve care for victims of military sexual trauma, require research studies of the problems unique to women veterans when seeking VA assistance, and would expand training for service providers.

  VA officials previously testified that they'd already taken steps to improve women's health care.
  
  See more about how our women veterans are faring in the latest VETS NET, "How Are Things for Women Veterans?"
  

• Five Biggest Mistakes - According to a recent survey of recruiting experts by Diversity Inc, here are the five biggest mistakes job applicants make:
  
  -Not researching the company before the interview.
  -Inability to articulate needs and desires.
  -Being unprofessional in the interview.
  -Demonstrating poor communication skills.
  -Not keeping personal or negative comments out of the interview.
  
  Pass along these tips to your job-seeking customers!

• Job Search Reminders - Using References - One of the most common things that seems to come up in talking to employers about different things job seekes do, relates to references. Specifically--references that don't know they're being used as references!
  
  From the Ultimate Job Search for the 21st Century, comes some good general tips:

• General Reference Guidelines
  
  First and foremost, contact your references for permission before listing them. No one wants to receive a call out of the blue, asking to discuss your character or ability. It's a nice touch to contact your references and meet with them in person to discuss the possibility of using them. Don't assume your reference will immediately recall your accomplishments or work style. You may need to remind them in what capacity they have worked or known you.
  
  You might consider keeping in periodic contact with your references. They might be helpful to you in the future.
  
  Print your reference sheet on the same nice, bond paper that your cover letter, resume and salary history (if requested) information is printed on.
  
  List references first and last name, their title (if appropriate), address and telephone number. Add an e-mail address, if your reference feels comfortable giving one.
  

Inspiring Thought - We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.
Aristotle

• Rate It! - What do you think of NVTI's website? We are always interested in feedback, comments and suggestions for improving our website. Are there areas you'd like to see bulked up here? Fill out our Rate This Site page and tell us about it. Thanks!
  

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