How The Thirteen Virtues of Benjamin Franklin Can Help You Land a Job/Improve You Work Life.

America is still in the Great Recession, so some advice could be useful at this point. Benjamin Franklin was an author and printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. So yes he knew what he was doing. In his autobiography, Franklin outlined thirteen virtues that people should practice and perfect.

So while your out job hunting it might be a good idea to keep these little pearls of wisdom in the back of your mind. After all, there is a reason why Big Ben is slapped on those 100 dollar Greenbacks.

With an unemployment rate of nearly 10% it can be really disheartening if you are looking for a job, especially if you are being forced to make a career change half-way through your life. But do not despair, keep your head up and keep applying for jobs. I hope this list will help motivate and inspire you to keep on trying hard.

1. TEMPERANCE

• Do not drink too much or eat too much. The alcohol is more of a given. Don't show to to work or an interview drunk. But appearance most definitely matters in a job interview, and an employer might (whether it is ethical or not) judge you by your size. This is especially true for health care occupations.
  

2. SILENCE

• You would be surprised how opening the doors for people, smiling, and not interrupting people can affect your work life. Politeness can go a long way.
  

3. ORDER

• Be organized. You should show up to a job interview early, have a basic knowledge of the company you are applying for, and be able to answer the classic questions like "why do you think you will be a good fit for this job?
  

4. RESOLUTION

• Perhaps the most important quality for those seeking management positions. For supervision jobs one must have critical thinking skills coupled with the ability to solve problems. You need to identify the problem, map out a list of possible solutions, and then execute the best choice with efficiency and effort.
  

5. FRUGALITY

• SAVE MORE MONEY THAN YOU EARN! Once you land a job, frugality is key in a healthy lifestyle. That shiny car can wait, you can spend this years vacation at home visiting some relatives at a family cottage instead of that Caribbean Cruise. But even smaller things like not eating out can have a huge impact on how much money you save up.
  

6. INDUSTRY

• In these tough times, working weekends, evenings, and holidays are not uncommon. But even when are times when you are sitting at your desk procrastinating or staring out the window, ask yourself if there is something more productive you can be doing. If there is work to be done, better to apply yourself then sip coffee and play solitaire all day.
  

7. SINCERITY

• Do not gossip at work! It is nothing but trouble and what goes around comes around. Trust me, you want to avoid the awkwardness of working with people who hate you. Save yourself the drama and just be clear and sincere, and let the put-downs go in one ear and out the other.
  

8. JUSTICE

• Some of these are easier than others. Do not break the law, but do not let yourself get pushed around either. Most people do not realize they are being rude until someone confronts them. The best way to resolve conflict is confront it, deal with it, and then move on.
  

9. MODERATION

• Don't Buy a parade of clowns for your manager's kids' birthday. Seriously though Do not dwell on anything to long. Do not focus on one specific aspect of your qualifications in an application, and do not brag about your promotion, etc.
  

10. CLEANLINESS

• Bath regularly, do not put on to much cologne/perfume (see moderation) and be sure to be well groomed for interviews or the workplace. Unless of course your a telecommuter, in which case... never mind.
  

11.TRANQUILLITY

• Some things are unavoidable. You may have thought that an interview went really well but you never got that call back. Do not get discourage, keep looking forward and keep building your resume.

12. CHASTITY

• No you-know-what in the workplace. And take down that picture of that model in a Catholic school girl, even if it is the best part of your day (The Office).
  

13. HUMILITY

Be humble through your opportunity's and windfalls. Do not look down on those who are struggling. Remember, these are hard times and we all come from the same humble beginnings. And give your self a pat on the back once you make it into that corner office.

Do not give up until you get the job. Hard work can only lead to: