ENIAC, the first computer capable of general problem solving, consisted of 70,000 resistors, 17,468 vacuum tubes, 10,000 capacitors, 7,200 crystal diodes, 1,500 relays, and around 5 million hand-soldered joints. At 27 tons, it filled an entire room, consumed 150 kW of power and required six people to program its routines. Today, a chip of silicon the size of a grain of sand has the same computing power as ENIAC. ENIAC went into operation in 1946. In the past sixty years more and more jobs have been transformed until now almost every mode of employment involves complex information processing in some way shape or form.

In our careers, our brain has become our most valuable asset. Many of us spend our days working primarily with words and numbers, using creative problem-solving skills extensively and exerting focused mental effort. But conference calls, voicemail, e-mail and instant messages inevitably disrupt our attention, adversely affecting our ability to form memories and stimulate learning. The frenetic work environment makes it harder for us to hone the very skills we need to succeed.

Fortunately, science the culprit is once again science the savior. Neuroscientists have learned that the adult brain can grow new brain cells and change to work more effectively in response to the right kind of mental stimulation. Recent studies have even shown that we can substantially increase our thinking capacity with carefully designed brain training exercises. Once thought fixed and immutable, scientists have demonstrated that we can use such exercises to increase our fluid intelligence and general problem-solving ability.

Last year a team from the Universities of Michigan and Bern developed a novel training method to progressively improve a person’s visual and aural working-memory, positing that this would produce a transfer gain in fluid intelligence. After only nineteen days the study participants recorded gains in working-memory and fluid intelligence over more than 40% (over and above the scores of those in a control group). The potential impact on our job performance of this kind of cognitive gain is immediately apparent.

What better way to shine at work so that you can get in line for that promotion, or to prepare for a switch to a more mentally challenging and more lucrative field of work? It’s always better to think smarter than to work harder.

If you decide that you want to boost your marketability by boosting your mental agility, it’s very important that you purchase training software that will do the job. In their study, the university researchers developed a particularly effective working-memory training protocol called “dual n-back.” Dual n-back is the only training protocol rigorous enough to demonstrate these kinds of results. (In the interests of full disclosure, and to shorten your search, I should mention that I was so impressed by the research that I employ the dual n-back method in my company’s brain training program, Mind Sparke Brain Fitness Pro.)

With the economy tightening and jobs becoming more competitive, it’s a smart move to nurture and expand your most valuable asset. And with the new findings on working-memory training, we now have the perfect tool to do just that.

Regardless of how good your resume may be, and how much experience you have, it is unlikely that you will be able to move very far in your career if you are not able to perform well in job interviews.

Fortunately, you can learn to interview well. Here are a few tips that will help.

1. Before your interview, review your resume and your cover letter to be certain you remember everything on both.

2. Bring to the interview a copy of your resume, in an attractive folder, for everyone with whom you will be meeting.

3. Dress appropriately. If in doubt, be conservative.

4. Speak professionally. Do not use slang or “filler” words or phrases (you know, uh, like, etc.).

5. Never say anything negative about a previous employer or colleague.

6. Make eye contact with your interviewer(s). Smile at appropriate times and nod in agreement at appropriate times.

7. Go in knowing as much as possible about the position and organization as possible. Do your research and let the interviewer know that you have.

8. Practice answering the most common interview questions, especially the most difficult ones, and have friends and family critique you.

9. Be sure to arrive on time.

10. Thank your interviewer at the conclusion of the interview, shake his/her hand, and follow up with a thank you note that reiterates your interest in the position in question.

Ready for a surprise? Here it is; the more the interviewer speaks, the greater the chance you will be offered the position. It’s a fact, confirmed by good research. So, be sure you do not dominate the conversation.

If you’re considering a career change or just want to sharpen your skills in the competitive job market, Six Sigma may be the solution for putting you ahead of the pack.

Six Sigma training has become an invaluable tool for companies across the globe. In businesses everywhere, inefficiency has grown to substandard levels and companies are fighting to stay in business. The most valuable product companies have is their employees, and the value of training shouldn’t be overlooked. The Six Sigma concrete method for achieving and measuring quality control and productivity provides a priceless solution that no company should be without in today’s marketplace.

Studies have shown that people who undergo Six Sigma training earn higher job offers and more of them, with an annual salary increase of $15,000 or more. Some employers are willing to accept Six Sigma black belt certification instead of a college degree. People who already have a college degree can make themselves a power player in almost any market by adding Six Sigma to the top of their resume.

If you already have a job, Six Sigma training can help you keep it, even in these cut throat times for business. Imagine the job security you would enjoy after implementing a system that increased productivity, increased quality, and reduced waste. Imagine if this program paid for itself in a short amount of time and even increased employee morale. From this perspective, it’s easy to see why Six Sigma will help you keep your job and even help you find another is the need arises.

With Six Sigma training available for relatively low prices, there is no reason to go without this necessary career tool. You can choose to take Six Sigma green belt training or more intensive Six Sigma black belt training. Lean Six Sigma training is another competitive tool that will make your resume all the more attractive to your current and future employers. All of these can take up to several weeks of training, but it is useful, high quality training that can change your life.

One of the beauties of Six Sigma training programs is the option of online training. Many people don’t have several weeks to dedicate to a training program. Online training allows them the luxury of learning at their leisure, right at home. They can move as quickly or slowly as they wish without taking time away from work and family. Six Sigma online training is perfect for those who want to be competitive, yet don’t have lots of free time.