We all know the job interview basics: arrive on time, dress professionally, and be prepared for the questions they might ask. These days, however, employers are judging you on other things that you might not even be aware of. Here are some important things to keep in mind when you’re interviewing for any job.

Your Facebook is Not So Secret

The information age has given us unprecedented access to, well, information. The Internet provides us with insane amounts of knowledge, which is generally considered a good thing. There is such a thing as too much information, however. Personal online presence has exploded with the rise of Myspace, Facebook, and Twitter, meaning that most people today have some sort of online identity that represents their real life identity. We post pictures and updates of our vacations, day-to-day activities, families, friends, parties—everything. Many people don’t realize that what they’re posting online is often not only visible to their selected friends; unless you’re really careful, it’s visible to pretty much anyone. If you posted pictures of that crazy night out with all those tequila body shots, keep in mind that your future employer might see them one day.

Say you only exchange private messages with people and adjust your settings so that only a few select people can see your pictures and info—you’re safe, right? Wrong. These days, some employers actually have the gall to ask for the Facebook passwords of potential hires. If you really want the job, you might end up handing it over, but keep this in mind: do you want to be working for a company that would be so disrespectful of your privacy? Sometimes you might not have a choice. Regardless, always remember that your online presence is anything but private.

Own the Room

Even if you’re the most qualified and talented applicant, you still should make a striking impression on the interviewer in order to really stand out. The human brain is a complex beast, and we’re influenced by the even the most subtle of stimuli. For example, say you’re 100% confident that your past experience, references, and education are more than enough to land you a job. If you walk into that room, however, and the interviewer is not impressed by your demeanor, your chances could be doomed.

So how can you make a good impression? Eye contact is absolutely essential, as it conveys confidence and shows that you’re fully engaged. A smile is another great way to show your enthusiasm, and serves to break the initial tension. Also, remember to stand up straight! This increases your physical presence and makes you appear more confident. If you walk in with a great resume and an impressive physical demeanor, you may have everything you need to land your dream job.

Your Time Off

Like so many in this economy, chances are you’ve been struggling to find a job for some time. You might not have considered that employers don’t just look at your employment history—they want to know what you’ve been doing with all your time off. If you’ve mostly been playing video games and eating Cheetos during your unemployment, find a way to spin it. You could talk about how you’ve had time to really reflect on who you want to be, spend quality time with your family, and set goals for yourself. Even better, though, is if you’re proactive during your unemployment phase. Get out there and do something! You could try volunteering, which shows depth of character. Maybe you could go back to school and take classes in your particular area of interest. You could even earn a degree to make yourself more hire-able; for example, if you’re in the business world, an online business degree may really give you a leg up.

David Price, a freelance writer from San Jose, is primarily focused on writing about career development and business growth. Some of the more recent posts David has written have been focused on online business degree programs and networking tips.

Just Say Yes

credit: samantharachael

In March 2010, John Moores University (JMU) in Liverpool controversially began a research project into the effects of mephedrone, also known as “Miaow Miaow”, using two students as human guinea pigs. Anyone keen to not stay clean should search for similar opportunities. The JMU research project was abandoned in August 2010, but Pete Doherty continues to submit application forms.

Big and Burly? Apply Within

credit: J Mark Dodds

In rare cases, it’s actually legal for bailiffs to break into people’s homes and seize items to recover outstanding debts, but only if they have a magistrates’ warrant and are recovering debts owed to the Magistrates’ Court or HM Revenue & Customs. Not a job for the nice-natured or faint-hearted, possessing the demeanour of a Rottweiler will stand you in good stead.

OK To TWOC

credit: srqpix

Like taking people’s cars? Become a repo man. If a person has fallen behind with their payments a debt collector can legally take a car from a driveway, or even an unlocked garage, without the owner’s consent. Where on Earth do they learn to break into cars so easily? Is there a special school in Dagenham?

And Not a Parrot in Sight

Max Hardberger. Sourced from the Wikimedia Commons

The scourge of pirates throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, Max Hardberger is a ‘vessel repossession specialist’, which means he steals stolen ships back from pirates and returns them to safe waters. A controversial figure, Hardberger makes $100,000 a ship, so light-fingered seafarers may wish to follow in his wake.

Steal Yourself a New Job

credit: Kojach

Is your past more chequered than a chess board? Fear not, a lucrative career as a security consultant could soon open up before you like an unlocked window. For example, take former burglar Bob Portenier, who took from quite a few people, but now shares the secrets of burglars, so that security can be enhanced in homes and businesses.

Be Someone, Become Someone Else

Frank Abagnale. Sourced from the Wikimedia Commons

While identity theft is generally frowned upon, pretending to be someone else can be a fun way to make a living. Las Vegas is stuffed full with Elvis impersonators mimicking the King of Rock and Hot Dog Rolls, who left the building in 1977. Alternatively, you could follow in the footsteps of infamous impostor Frank Abagnale, immortalised in Steven Spielberg’s Catch Me If You Can, and swap identity theft for lecturing on crime at the FBI academy.

Hacking for the Man

credit: ikrichter

The perfect job for anyone who grew up watching WarGames, being a “white hat” ethical hacker entails testing computer security systems by attempting various ways to infiltrate the network. The work of the ethical hacker is vital to organisations that need absolute internet security. Not to be confused with the hacking exploits of China or the former staff of the News of the World.

There we have it: career options to build up an alternative CV, without building up a criminal record, brought to you by recruitment agencies directory, AgencyCentral.co.uk.

Air hostess

The job of an air hostess has long been considered a traditional way to get out and see the world. From the old days of PanAm when it was one of the most coveted and hard to obtain positions, to the kind of roles you can get today which range from hosting on a value flight carrying package holidaymakers to being a hostess on a private plane owned a sheikh, the only limit to the number of destinations you can visit as an air hostess is where your airline flies to! If you fancy a job like this then be prepared to work some long and unusual hours, cultivate a perma-smile in the face of even the most drunken passenger and make sure there’s plenty of room in your passport!

Cruise ship worker

Although some cruise companies have recently not had the best reputation for the way they treat their workers, if you choose both the company and the job carefully then this can be a fantastic way to see the world. There’s such a wide range of roles available on a cruise ship – from working in the restaurant to singing in the bar – that most people can find something to do on these huge floating hotels. With this option you’re looking at destinations like Alaska and the Caribbean, which makes working on a cruise ship one of the best ways to see parts of the world you might not otherwise reach.

International courier

If you prefer the kinds of jobs that are not so customer facing but still have all the travel opportunities then an international courier is ideal. Couriers are usually given a specific pick up and drop off time and required to take an item from A to B, with payment usually in the form of a free air ticket. International couriers deliver parcels and letters all over the world so one week you could find yourself in Italy, the next North America.  As an international courier you would usually be restricted to hand luggage only, so you need to be able to travel light, and expect your first few jobs to be shorter, less exotic flights, until you have built up some trust with the agency or person employing you.

A holiday rep

The job of a holiday rep is very varied and the kinds of destinations on offer in the role are essentially anywhere in the world that people go on holiday. Package holiday reps in countries like Ibiza and Mallorca rave about the opportunities for partying and tend to get moved around very regularly within Europe. However, rep jobs come in all shapes and sizes, not just the more traditional package reps. How about working as a campsite rep in the South of France? Or maybe you’d prefer to work for a safari company in deepest Africa? Or perhaps you’re more suited to the high end of the market where you have just a couple of holidaymakers to look after and you’re organising dinners on private islands or exclusive spa services.

Personal assistant

Doesn’t sound so glamorous? Well did you know that PA’s to Chief Executives at top firms are not just very well paid but also often get the opportunity to travel the world business class? Of course getting to the top won’t happen overnight but young, ambitious personal assistants can progress very quickly through the corporate ranks as their performance is linked closely to that of the companies top exec’s.

These are just a few of the jobs out there that offer the kinds of genuine travel opportunities you rarely come across in an office based role. The best way to find a job that suits you is to start by listing your skills, the different parts of the world you want to visit, the kinds of opportunities in those destinations (i.e. holiday travel, hospitality, delivery services etc) and then compare what you can offer to the experience and qualifications those roles need (if any). After that you just need to pack your case and hit the road – bon voyage!

John is a UK based blogger specializing in travel and business writing.

Source

We all know the age old cliché of ‘nothing personal; it’s just business.’  And while it can often be incredibly disillusioning and disappointing to be told this, whether we like it or not, it is the unavoidable reality of many professional relationships.  So if you want to succeed in the professional world, it is best to always keep this axiom in mind when making important decisions about your career––especially when they involve leaving your job.

Source

People decide to quit their jobs for many reasons.  Perhaps you hate your boss and are unhappy with the working environment.  Maybe you have been offered a better position elsewhere.  Or maybe it just seems like the perfect time to finally take that extended trip you have been fantasizing about for years.  Whatever the reason––personal or otherwise––it is always best to handle the situation in the most dispassionate and businesslike manner possible, no matter how disgruntled or upset you may be.  You never know what might happen in the future, and it is important not to destroy opportunities that you may some day unexpectedly need.

This means taking measures to ensure that the company you leave is not negatively impacted by your departure.   Here’s how:

Give Plenty of Notice

Depending on your particular position, the amount of advance warning you will need to give will vary.  But consider how long it will likely take to find and train a replacement, and you should have a fairly good idea.  On the other hand, it is always possible that your boss will tell you to just pack up your office by the end of the day, so be sure to also take into account your standing at the company.  The minimum is 2 weeks, but for most high-level positions, it is best to give several months notice.

Tie Up Loose Ends

While the repercussions of leaving unfinished projects may not seem to be your problem, they will undoubtedly become problems for the company you leave.  So if you want to depart on a positive note and keep doors open for the future, be sure to attend to all of your responsibilities before taking off.  Even if this involves extra work and hassle, it will be well worth the effort for maintaining your reputation as a responsible employee.

Be Available to Train Your Replacement

Make the transition as smooth and painless as possible for your coworkers and bosses.  Teach your replacement what they will need to know, and be sure that they are adequately prepared to fill your shoes.

As much as you may want to tell your reviled employer where he can go and what sorts of unpleasant things he should eat as you head for the door on your last day, DON’T.  You never know what connections he may have nor what firms he might some day work for.  It pays to avoid making enemies and to always maintain a respectable reputation in your field.  So be considerate when you leave your next job.  You will be making a valuable investment for your future.

Leaving your job can be tough for a number of reasons.

Thanks to Legalweekjobs for sending us these tips.

Some people seem to be born for the spotlight with attention following them around regardless of what company they work for. For others however, it seems like no matter how hard they work, they remain in the shadows, completely invisible to upper management. And as you are likely aware, invisible people rarely get promoted.

Unfortunately, it does not matter how hard you work, if said efforts are going unnoticed in the eyes of the people that matter. It’s therefore essential to both raise your profile and to get your name out there. Here are ten tips that should help you to do just that.

Dress Sharp

Although, fancy clothes alone is going to do very little for you, people rarely notice the guy that looks like a mess all the time. Many people that work in a casual work environment seem to get it into their heads that this rule doesn’t apply to them but that is simply not the case. Regardless of what the dress code is, it’s important to look your best. You should smell good and your clothes should be ironed.

Speak Up in Meetings

Meetings are an excellent time to get noticed. If you have difficulty speaking up, it’s important that you try to get past it. You don’t need to be an extrovert, you simply need to make contributions even if they are small to begin with. Many people think that provided they don’t say anything, they can’t say anything wrong but this is a terrible attitude to have. When you keep silent during meetings, you can easily come across as being clueless about the topic being discussed, or worse, like you don’t care enough to contribute

Volunteer for High Profile Projects

You’re hand should be the first one that goes up when an important project comes up. It’s important to be aware that those that get noticed aren’t always the hardest workers. Some projects are simply more high profile than others and getting involved in such projects is one of the easiest and fastest ways of making your presence known in a company.

Pay Attention to Your Body Language

If you want to get noticed by those that matter, you need to keep an eye on the signals that you are giving out about yourself. Do you walk with confidence? Are you assertive? Unfortunately, if you walk around the office with your shoulders slumped and you have a habit of avoiding eye contact with people, you are giving out very poor signals. While you might think that nobody is noticing, subconsciously they are.

Don’t Keep Your Ideas to Yourself

When you have a good idea about something, you should share it. If somebody else is working on something, don’t be afraid to offer advice. Provided you do so with tact and without acting superior, most people will respond to your help positively. And while such ideas may not lead to you getting any immediate credit, over time you will build a reputation as somebody that is both helpful and on the ball.

Network More

Most people are aware of the importance of networking when it comes to landing a new job, many people fail to realize however that the same thing applies to getting noticed in a company. You should aim to know people throughout the building, not just those in your department and certainly not just those to your immediate left and right. Simply being a more social person can help you to make more contacts in your own department but when it comes to people in other departments, you need to be more proactive. Join social groups, get involved in team sports, volunteer for hosting events.

Contribute Wherever Possible

Some people like to talk about the importance of looking busy but when it comes to getting noticed, it’s contributions that matter, not how busy you look. When you know the agenda of a meeting, you should research the topic before hand and ask sensible questions. When you’re co workers are discussing something, give your opinion. When your boss says something, don’t be afraid to disagree. You need to make your presence known.

Know About Your Company and It’s Industry

Regardless of whether or not such knowledge is required for you to do your job, you should know all about the industry in which your company operates. You should be aware of any major innovations and you should know how it has been affected by the recession. You should understand where your company fit’s into that industry and who it’s major competitors are.

Too many people assume that all they need to know about is how to do their job. While such knowledge might be all that’s required to perform your daily tasks, getting noticed requires that you take an interest in the company as a whole.

Take Credit for What You Do

When you do something right, make sure that you take credit for it. Don’t ever assume that anybody else is going to throw credit your way. If you contribute something to a project, make sure that your name is written on that contribution. The same applies to every report that you write. Many people make the mistake of thinking that everyone knows who did what but this is actually rarely the case. The further up a report goes, the less likely it is that anybody is going to have a clue who wrote it unless there is, literally, a name attached.

Be a Team Player

Finally, don’t confuse trying to get noticed with acting like a lone wolf. Being a team player is an incredibly attractive characteristic and you should do your best to demonstrate said characteristic whenever possible. When you are taking on a project, don’t be afraid to get other people involved. Doing so not only increases your profile, it also demonstrates that you care about the company and not just yourself.

The author of this post, Nik Lemmens, is a career counsellor who has been giving tips to business and education job seekers for years. He owns a website click here, where you can get all the necessary information that can help build your career.

Olympic Tasks

The obvious answer may be to apply to become a security guard at the Olympics; however, these jobs are short term and won’t keep you off the unemployed statistics for long.  The first thing to consider is an overhaul to your resume.  If you’ve been unemployed for over six months, and have not updated your resume, then there’s a big gap in it developing.  Do whatever you can to fill this gap; obviously it is important to be honest but if you have done any voluntary work, helped out an elderly relative or have done anything else that shows you’ve been making use of the time in a constructive way it’s worth adding to the resume.

Black Holes

If a gap has developed don’t allow it to get any bigger.  Speak to your local job centre about any training or voluntary opportunities that may be available in your area.  Voluntary work can be a really good way to fill up a developing black hole in your work history; it can also help to remain active and develop and additional new skills which may open more doors on the employment front.

Promotional Matters

If you have worked in an industry for several years look into the possibility of taking training in your normal area of work to develop your skills.  A good example would be a SMTS (site management) course for those who have construction site experience.  Although the construction industry has been hit hard in the recession a number of major projects and incentives are being put in place by the government to encourage growth in this sector.  Taking site management training can open up a range of opportunities and not only help you back into work but even result in a promotion.

Competitive Chances

For those who have limited work experience – those leaving school or university – taking training can also be a great idea.  The problem that you’ll face when searching for jobs is that a school or college qualification is one thing, while experience is another matter.  Many employers will be keen for those with experience which means that they don’t have to provide training for new starters.  To beat off some of the competition, consider an industry relevant vocational course – childcare, catering, business administration and health and safety qualifications will all help to increase your employability in the eyes of potential employers in the relevant industries.

Confidence Tricks

Although it seems to be taking some time, there are some signs that the employment market is expanding.  For those who have been out of work for long periods it’s important to ensure that you can fill in any gaps on your resume and emphasise to potential employers that you have used the time constructively; whether it’s further training or voluntary work.  It can be very hard to remain positive and retain your self-esteem if you have been unemployed for a long period and by taking the time to fill in gaps in your resume with any additional training or voluntary work you will not only improve your prospects but also your confidence in yourself.

This article was written by SMSTS course. For the long term unemployed, staying on top of training in your own industry (such as a SMSTS course for construction workers) can help to improve your prospects, your resume and your confidence.

If you are like me you will want to make the most of possible training opportunities. You can find that there are plenty of employers out there who are willing to give you training if you ask for it. I have managed to become a supervisor on my site thanks to extensive training and a good few years of experience behind me.  If you are heading out in the construction industry for the first time I can’t recommend getting some kind of qualifications under your belt.  This will increase the chances of being employed, but even more importantly it will help to make you aware of legislations and regulations that not all employers will make you aware of.

Many Employers Ignore the Health and Safety Laws

It might be shocking to hear but there are plenty of construction firms who are putting the lives of their employees at risks, knowingly or unknowingly.  There is no excuse not to know the laws surrounding site safety but many employers either choose to ignore those laws, or they simply don’t realise how important it is, until something happens.

If you spend some time looking at the number of accidents which happen in this industry you may be slightly concerned. Deaths from falls from height are surprisingly high, despite all the attention it gets in the press. The Health and Safety Executive have guidelines that are easy to follow, and consultants are able to help any firm sort out their policies and procedures, but even with the help available you are still at risk from complacent employees.

Put Yourself through Health and Safety Training

Therefore I recommend all people entering the construction industry take at least one health and safety course. There are plenty to get started with, and they are surprisingly affordable. There are some brilliant courses which will give you an ID card that you can use to persuade employers to give you the job as they know you have already received a certain level of skills which will benefit them as employers.  If you know about managing your own safety at least you may not contribute to increasing the risks.

One of the best places to start is by training and sitting a test for CSCS cards.  These are available for construction workers at all levels, and can be found easily by looking online. The basic card is designed for first time construction workers with little to no knowledge about site safety.  This is called the Green card which shows you have the basic skills. You will need to have completed an NVQ level one to take the test however.  There are other cards too which are suited to the qualifications and the skills you may hold. There is even a card which is ideal for anyone who isn’t able to meet the other categories of cards, which will basically consist of a health and safety test.

Finding a Good Employer

There are plenty of employers out there who do respect the laws and will take your safety extremely seriously. Although you may feel they are being strict and harsh their commitment to site safety means you are in good hands. By training their staff and working to constantly reduce the risks faced everyday by construction workers those employers are helping to reduce the numbers of accidents and deaths within their organisation.

If you find a good employer you will probably be given a lot of opportunities to learn new skills and enhance your career.  If you are given the opportunity to learn more about safety in the construction industry I highly recommend you jump at the chance.

This article was written by CSCS cards. There are a number of CSCS cards which can be used to help you gain employment, and teach you basic health and safety skills.

The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Or so they say.

I suppose it depends on specific circumstances, and when it comes to working and living in another country, the grass could definitely be greener. If you think about it, someone living in a developing country on minimum wage cannot be blamed for thinking that life in a developed country would be so much better. American dream and all.

Of course, there are so many factors to consider. The disadvantages may outweigh the benefits, but at the end of the day, there are countries which offer so much more than others.

If you are thinking of making a big move – literally – this year, I suggest that you take a close look at this infographic created by Infographics Lab. Titled “Top 10 Best Countries to Live & Work In – 2012”, the infographic has taken into account the results of a survey conducted among expats. Thus, the information presented is actually the collective perception of people who are actually working and living in countries other than their own.

Which countries made it to the list? Here they are.

1. Singapore. This country dash city ranks best in the high quality of healthcare. Not only that, it also at the top because of access to healthcare. That’s something not a lot of countries can attest to!
2. Hong Kong. If you’ve got children, then Hong Kong ought to be on your list. Its the best in childcare and child safety. Oh, and its number one in commuting as well.
3. UAE. This country is for those who are into cars and high quality accommodations. I am not too sure about the status of women, though.
4. Mexico. Sun. Lots of sun. Need I say more?
5. Australia. Think about social integration and work culture. The Land Down Under is best when it comes to these points.
6. USA. You can say all you want about this country, but it still has a lot to offer it seems. I totally believe that it is number one in entertainment!
7. France. Healthy food, health care, and raising children. If these are your priorities, France it should be. I am just thinking of all the wine!
8. China. Parents who believe their children shouldn’t be watching too much TV should consider China.
9. The Netherlands. Work/life balance in this country tops everything else. I think that is more than enough reason to move.
10. United Kingdom. This country ranks highly in welcoming work environments and for using/learning local language.

The positive things being outlined, you also need to take a look at the cost of living in the mentioned countries. Singapore is very high up that list, while the Netherlands is rather low. Check out the whole infographic to help you decide better.

Mercedes is a travel blogger who has an English Studies background. She is one of the newest writers for infographicslab.com.

So what exactly is the difference between pre-university and university learning, and why is it confounding students?

Pre-university examinations

Many argue that the style of A-Level and GCSE examinations is at fault, with teachers training students not to learn their subjects but pass their exams.  A common criticisms of pre-university examinations such as GCSEs and A-Levels are not only that they are being ‘dumbed-down’ year on year, but that the actually style of questioning is not ‘learning’ but ‘drilling’.

This means that students often don’t completely understand the concepts in their subject that they must explore in depth at university level, giving them a poor foundation for further study. Learning by rote has become the norm, with students often get by simply by learning quotations and regurgitating points they learned from SparkNotes. Although such superficial learning may get students past A-Levels, when it comes to university they often get a rude awakening.

Yet an important point to make is that their ill-preparedness is often not their own fault. For all the criticisms of how A-Level examinations work, students who want to achieve top grades must still work incredibly hard. The problem however is the type of work that A-Levels encourage them to do is completely at odds with the type of work that universities do.

Lectures

While group work, interactive learning and other ‘new’ classroom styles of learning are desperately in fashion in schools and sixth-forms, students are often left unprepared for traditional lecture learning. The ability to concentrate for one or two hours and simply make notes from a speaker is often lost on students who are coached through the academic careers that group work is the way to learn. Many lectures have called for teachers to incorporate more lecture-style classes into their classes, but the pleas often fall on deaf ears.

Reading

Lectures are often just brief outlines of topics that students must learn, and only scratch at the surface of all the information students must understand for their exams. The real learning at university is independent and usually comes in the form of assigned reading. Very few A-Levels involve even a fraction of the reading that a first-year humanities or social science students must undertake, leaving most students overwhelmed and lacking basic skills like scanning of texts. Students often must read multiple chapters or even entire books of difficult academic texts for seminars and tutorials, but A Levels simply do not prepare them for that level of learning.

Lack of school-led university preparation

In the US it is not uncommon for schools to hold their own classes on not only on how to apply to university but also how to succeed once you are there. Partnerships between schools and universities have led to a massive rise in high school students taking courses at local colleges, helping them earn credits for their first year in university but also giving them a taste of what exactly university demands. Such schemes do exist in the UK, but are not common enough.

Taking note from independent schools

Independent of the national curriculum and often ditching A-Levels for broader examinations such as the International Baccalaureate, independent schools often better prepare students for the rigours of university. Although it is easy to write off their achieves as being due to the fact they have larger budgets, it is not just the amount of privately educated students that get into higher education but the quality. Surveys show that in the first 3 months, students from private schools adjust easier to the hard work of university due to the fact that they are often better prepared for what universities expect by their schools.

So what’s the answer?

Schools and sixth forms are not adequately preparing all students for university, instead being forced to push hard at exam performance due to government targets at the expense of overall education. By simply utilizing lecture-style learning, encouraging more independent reading and setting up more university-preparation classes – schools can help not only get young people to university but help them flourish once they get there.

This is a guest post from contributing author Charlie Oszvald. Charlie is writing for Bales College, a private secondary school in London which offers A-level and GCSE Courses.

Whether you’re looking for catering positions or account executive jobs, job hunting can be hard. And the hardest thing of all is staying motivated to keep job hunting when you haven’t heard back from the recruiter or, worse still, have just received a rejection letter.

For any job seeker the biggest battle you face is the internal battle you fight with yourself: whilst you’re telling yourself you’re not good enough and you’re never going to get a job you still have to put on a brave face and keep sending out those perfectly targeted CVs.

So how do you stay motivated when you’re job hunting? Well we have some tips:

1. Get into a routine

Many unmotivated job seekers find they apply for roles as and when they feel like it, sleep until late, and find any excuse to leave their computers and sit and watch daytime TV instead of visiting recruitment websites. If you’re this kind of jobseeker, you’re only setting yourself up for more failure.

Instead you need to treat job hunting like it’s a job, and your new 9-5 role is getting yourself employed! Set an alarm and get out of bed bright and early. Have a shower and get dressed: nothing was ever achieved by someone still sitting in their pyjamas at lunchtime! Write a motivational checklist of things you want to do each day, such as apply for five new roles or review your CV. Avoid checking Facebook constantly: nothing will have changed in the 30 minutes since you last checked it! Finally, pick up the phone. Proactively calling recruiters lets them know you’re keen and eager to find a new role.

2. Don’t let job hunting change your personality

Your friends, family, and everyone who loves you will understand that job hunting is a difficult time, and you’re not going to be the best version of you right now. But don’t use this as an excuse to take out your anger and frustrations on the people closest to you. Try to remember that your unemployment will be just as tough on those who love you as it is on you. It is painful for your parents to watch you struggle. Your partner might worry about how you’re going to pay the bills.

Don’t forget that just because you’re not working doesn’t mean you can’t still contribute something to your home. Spend your down time doing some chores around the house: this will be especially appreciated if you still live at home with your parents. Also remember to ask your partner or friends about their careers and working days. It might be painful to talk about the work place when you’re out of work, but your friends and family will appreciate you showing an interest in that area of their lives.

3. Don’t take it personally

When they see another rejection letter sitting on the door mat, or receive another email telling them they just weren’t right for the job, many job hunters find their motivation levels dip dramatically, and blame themselves for not getting the role. This is something every job hunter experiences at least once, and really shouldn’t get you down. Acknowledge your feelings of disappointment, and then try to move on.

Want to turn this rejection into something positive? Then ask for feedback from the interviewer. They might say something nice about your application, which will boost your self esteem. More helpfully, they’re also likely to give you feedback about what you can improve on that will help you get the next role!

Finally, remember how many successful people have had to accept failure on their path to achieving what they wanted. Notch these first few failures up to experience, and know that the perfect job is out there for you somewhere.

Citations:

• Photo credit: Joshua Hoffman

Tor Brierley is a freelance writer who has written for Yahoo, Brand Republic, and gurgle magazine.

Here are five ways that if followed wwill help ace your job interview.

Brag modestly

It may sound confusing and yes, it is self contradictory but this tip is one of the most important ones. Make sure the interviewer knows all the skills you have that would be perfect for the job. Mention all the relevant experiences that you have had, but do not be boastful. Convey your achievements in an informative manner, but don’t brag too heavily on it. Don’t forget to mention what you can bring to the job.

Be enthusiastic

Companies need to know that you would like to work for them. They don’t want to hire somebody who doesn’t really want the job in the first place (and therefore would give a mediocre performance) so make your enthusiasm known.  Show that you’re passionate about the job and would give it a hundred percent. Your interest and passion is what will set you apart from other candidates. If they ask whether you have applied for any other jobs, make sure you let them know that you give their company the priority and are excited to be a part of their team.

Ask questions

At the end of the interview, the interviewer usually asks if you have any questions. Don’t wave that opportunity away; ask questions like how would the position help you achieve the goals you have set for your life or how it could help you develop as a person. Also ask much do you live up to their expectations of their ideal candidate. Asking questions and asking for feedback shows the interviewer that you are not only interested in the job and hence want to know how it aligns with your personals goals but also are willing to take feedback and improve upon what you may be lacking.

Ask for clarifications

If the interviewer poses a question that you don’t fully understand, don’t be afraid to ask him/her to clarify. It is possible that the interviewer might want to ask one thing and you understand it completely differently and give an irrelevant answer. Answering the wrong question can be disastrous for your interview. Politely ask the interviewer to explain the question or rephrase it. This can not only save you from answering incorrectly but will also save you from giving off an unwanted arrogant attitude.

Be concise

Give an answer that is “to the point” and ensure that you do not give long explanations unless you are asked. Interviewers are not usually interested in your life stories. Refrain from giving additional details like “my brother’s fiancé’s uncle’s sister” etc, substitute these lengthy phrases with “a friend”. But only give examples from personal life if inquired. If a question can be answered with a simple yes or no, then there is no need to give any additional details unless they really accentuate your qualities and are highly relevant.

Keep these simple tips in mind next time you go for an interview to ensure that you stand out amongst the other candidates. After getting a job, the next step is to create a personal budget using your income ratio.

Staz Johnson has been passionately blogging about personal finance, investing, bugeting, economic news and more.

The “Low Competence, High Commitment” Employee: This employee is possibly new to the workforce or returning after a long hiatus. Perhaps she has recently embarked on a career change. This employee has little on-the-job experience but also a real enthusiasm to learn and do a great job. She needs to be directed. She needs to be told what to do in plain language, including the how, the when and the why. Do not overlook basic skills like organising (the desk, the calendar, and the workload), especially if this employee does not have a formal education. Systems should be put in place for ensuring the work gets done, while also allowing the new employee to track her performance.

The “Some Competence, Low Commitment” Employee: This one is also lacking in the skills department, although he may or may not be aware of it himself. Likely he does not know what he is doing on the job and has little or no desire to actually succeed at it. Short of firing him on the spot, your best bet is to coach him, give him direction in his work and provide support for all of his daily activities. His self-esteem is low, which explains the lack of desire to succeed. He needs to be inspired from the ground up. Restore his commitment to the job by involving him in the decision-making progress. Before you invest that time, however, explain where things have gone wrong and ask for an explanation. There may be something happening in the office that you are unaware of. Something at home, perhaps. Be compassionate but lay down the law; explain that things have to change.

The “High Competence, Variable Commitment” Employee: This employee is competent but needy. He knows exactly what he is doing and he does the job spectacularly if he feels like it, but perhaps not all the time. You get glimpses of his impressive capabilities, though he does not always bother to put them in action. He must be given regular encouragement and strong support. You must recognise when he has completed a task with a certain flair and encourage a similar style of work. Communication is paramount with this one. Track his progress with precision and discuss it with him regularly.

The “High Competence, High Commitment” Employee: This employee is the main event; she’s the one every employer hopes to find and she is the reason HR teams go through six round of hiring and eight rounds of salary negotiation to get her. You can delegate freely and be confident the job will get done. She can be trusted with important projects because she delivers results consistently and on time. Don’t hover over her shoulder. Ask her what style of direction she prefers. Does she like to have daily one-on-one meetings? Does she prefer email check-ins? Would she be more productive working from home? Make sure she’s happy because she otherwise she will not stay at the job for long. Make her career development your priority.

Blanchard reminds us how important it is that employees know about your management/leadership philosophy. Rather than wondering, “Why doesn’t my boss ever contact me anymore?,” the employee should know this is a sign that you are confident in his work and understand his ability to work independently. In order for situational leadership to be effective, all employees must understand the theory. Leadership should be done with the employee and not at them.

Amy Knapp is a business blogger based in Sydney, AUS, writing regularly for InsideTrak. Educated in Law and the Fine Arts, her work champions the marriage of the creative and the corporate. Follow her on Twitter @JoyofWords.

We usually try to second guess interview questions and plan answers for weeks before dedicating no more than an evening to choosing what to wear, but research suggests that we might be doing it all the wrong way round.

Implications of the research

The figures say that as much of 55% of the opinion people form of us is based on how we look and how we behave, and that there’s only a 7% weighting on what we actually say. For most of us this will come as a slightly unbelievable shock – does it mean I can go into an accountancy interview and discuss my favourite musician so long as I’m dressed well?

Well, no, it certainly doesn’t. If you’ve made it to the interview stage then it’s generally assumed you’ll know what you’re talking about on the subject, and the things you say will, sadly, probably be at least slightly similar to hundreds of other candidates – interviewers are bound to turn off when they hear the same things over and over.

That means that they’re looking for other things to distinguish you from the pack, and that’s why that 55% figure is so high. So with that in mind, what sort of colours should you be wearing?

The colours

The first thing to emphasise is that you should wear colours you like and that you feel you look good in; most of us fall victim to buying a horrible top at some point or another just because we ‘don’t have anything in that colour’, but inside the world of work there’s nothing wrong with sticking to a few staples. ‘How we look’ is not just the colours we’re wearing, but also how well the clothes fit.

When deciding on what exactly these staples should be then, you should consider the kind of impression you want to give off.

The best colours – in order

If you’re going for a calm, authoritative and trustworthy impression then blue is the best choice. Because of these properties and the fact that blue is more people’s favourite colour than any other, it’s often heralded as the ultimate interview colour. That said, there are arguments that blue is forgettable, and that because everyone’s told to wear it you’ll make more of an impression in something else.

That ‘something else’ is often grey. Grey denotes a similarly confident and commanding character, and looks chic without being overwhelming.

Your third choice is brown – which is good for making the wearer seem trustworthy and honest, though it can be a bit drab if overdone.

What to avoid

One colour to avoid is black. Wearing small black accessories such as scarves can be elegant, but full suits or dresses appears distant and closed. Red suffers at the other end of the scale because it seems wild and impulsive.

Of course, all this should be taken with a pinch of salt. A good guide on what to wear is to study the environment of the company – if it’s creative or casual you can often get away with a little more.

Rob likes to write about fashion for Direct Sight – a supplier of cheap prescription glasses.

Job relocation can be exciting an invigorating experience…or at least it should be. If your spouse is less than thrilled with the idea of moving, relocation can instead be difficult, stressful, and sometimes even damaging to your relationship.

After all, while you get to enjoy a new career opportunity and all the excitement that comes along with it, your spouse is being asked to turn his or her life completely upside down. It’s not easy to accept change, even if the opportunity is ultimately worth the effort.

If you’re considering relocation and your spouse is reluctant to move, here are some things you can discuss:

Discuss Their Concerns, No Matter How Small

When you discover that your spouse is reluctant to relocate, it’s a good idea to talk about why. Is it the fear of something new? Concerns about finances, distance from family, loss of a favorite activity or hobby, or a change in lifestyle? Talking through your spouse’s concerns about relocation – even the most trivial concerns – is a great way to make your spouse more comfortable with the idea.

For example, losing the NFL package might not seem like a big deal to you, but your husband might be genuinely upset about that loss. Talking about it out loud is a great way to find a compromise.

Recognize that Change is Hard and Sometimes Even Scary

At some level, all humans have difficulty with change. We are creatures of habit, and we can become set in our ways so much that the thought of uprooting our lives is very upsetting. Some of us suffer from substantial anxiety when we’re asked to move, and it’s important for you to recognize that natural human feeling in your spouse.

Put another way, moving is tough on almost everyone. The great unknowns of moving include:

• What the new city is like
• How the move will happen
• How often you will be able to see your friends and/or family that live nearby
• What new schools will be like for kids
• How you will adjust to a new climate

These concerns can quickly compound and create an overwhelming level of stress that can paralyze your spouse. Therefore, it’s essential that you treat your spouse’s feelings with respect and compassion. Your job isn’t just to help them deal with the actual details of moving – you also have to help them overcome their natural anxieties and fears.

If Necessary, Slow Down the Process

When you’re offered a new position and a relocation package, your excitement can make it seem like relocation can’t happen soon enough. However, for your spouse, the relocation process may feel like it’s progressing at warp speed.

If this is the case, you need to try to slow down the process. Sometimes this is just as simple as taking a few days off to help your spouse with moving and arrangements, but other times it might be a good idea to arrange for temporary housing for a few weeks or months while your spouse gets to a place where they’re ready to move. (Your company relocation policy, though, will likely encourage (and incentivize) you to complete the move as quickly as possible, so as to get you in place and focused on your new job).

Take Advantage of The Resources Your Company Offers

Most companies now outsource their relocation function to third-party relocation companies. You will typically have a dedicated counselor who will walk you through your relocation benefits and help you through every step of the process; for example, by coordinating the movement of your household goods or your homefinding trip. Your counselor is also there to simply listen to your concerns and to help allay any fears or reservations you might have.

Create a Positive Experience

Before you make the big move, visit the city once or several times with your spouse. Try to create positive experiences by:

• Visit cultural places like museums
• Go out for a special dinner
• Spend time walking/driving around the city
• Have a picnic in the park near your new home
• Find a festival or sporting event that your spouse enjoys

By following these tips, you can help reduce your spouse’s fears and anxiety and help prepare him or her for what lies ahead. Remember that while a new job might be exciting for you, your spouse might be anxious, nervous, and stressed out about your move. You’ve got to work all of that out together.

After two cross-country job relocations, author Jason Lancaster understands how stressful a relocation can be. Jason also writes for TRC Global Solutions, an international employee relocation service that offers free sample corporate relocation policy documents.

Top companies often use very creative methods to evaluate management candidates. These methods are often subtle and easy to miss. Top companies developed these clever evaluation processes because it costs a lot to make the wrong decision when hiring someone. Moreover, these methods are based on management research studies as well as the hiring manager’s experience dealing with a wide variety of candidates.

Naturally, there is no playbook by which these methods are devised and each company has developed its own unique formula. In addition, there are numerous methods used to decide on the best candidate. However, these methods are used because they are simple to implement yet often yield astonishing insight into the person under evaluation.

Five Popular Screening Methods

Five methods that are often used are pre-employment tests, insisting on honest answers, asking for verification of achievements, talking about high school jobs, and noticing how candidates dress and conduct themselves.

1. Issuing pre-Employment Tests

Considerable research has gone into devising pre-employment tests with the results that they are often surprisingly accurate in predicting how an applicant will behave on the job. These tests are also fairly useful in helping a company evaluate the future potential of an applicant.

In fact, top companies often will not even consider interviewing someone who did not do well in a pre-employment test. While some pre-employment tests do ask for subject knowledge, most mainly focus on developing a psychological profile. Questions asked in these tests are often repeated in different ways to gauge whether the answers are consistent.

2. Insisting on Honest Answers

Hiring managers often understand that jobs applicants are liable to exaggerate their talents, abilities and work ethic. It is often difficult to know when someone who is lying, exaggerating, or telling the truth. For this reason, a hiring manager may begin the interview by making a declaration that any answers they receive that later turn out to be false if the person is chosen for the job are grounds for instant termination. Research has shown that just making this statement has improved the quality of information a hiring manager receives during an interview.

3. Asking for Verification

If a management candidate begins to boast about their accomplishments, then one technique used to discern the truth is to ask for the names and telephone numbers of people who will verify the story. If the stories are indeed true, then the applicant is almost eager to share this information; or, if they don’t have it on hand, they are eager to report back with it. Conversely, those who have been exaggerating their past performance, tend to become suddenly subdued.

3. Talking About High School JobsAlthough it may seem off-topic to ask a person who has had numerous careers since high school about what jobs they liked when they were young, there is actually a high correlation between jobs people did in high school and their talents and preferences. For instance, one study showed that people who apply for management jobs often pursued customer-service jobs when they were in high school, rather than mechanical or physical labor jobs.

5. Evaluating Physical Appearance

There appears to be a high correlation between someone who is neat and wears the appropriate attire for an interview than someone who has more casual attire. Observing if someone is well groomed and dressed well may seem like a superficial way to assess their character. After all, most people are often told that they should dress up before an interview. However, someone who dresses up shows that they take their role in society seriously and do their best to make a good impression.

Dory Miller is a HR administrator and guest author at Human Resources MBA, a site with information and resources for potential students.

Research Rigorously

The very first step of ensuring that your trip to a professional networking event is successful is to prepare yourself for it around a week prior to the event. Find out who is attending the event. Which companies are being represented? What is the ratio of employers and those who are searching for jobs? How many CEOs and upper management professionals are expected? How long is the event expected to last?

Also, you may contact these people a week or so prior to the event. Ask them questions you think are appropriate – these questions may or may not be related to the upcoming event. Once you reach the venue, you will already know people there and this will make it easier for you to introduce yourself to people you want to talk to. This will give you an edge over those who don’t know anyone and will help you build networks faster and more easily.

Prepare Perfectly

You have to set certain things in order before leaving for the event. First comes clothing. The research you’ve done about the people attending the event and other details will help you decide the level of formality your attire must exhibit. When in doubt, it is preferable to be on the formal side than casual.

Carry items such as notepads, pens or electronic devices that will help you note down points between or after conversations with important people. Receptions at events often give out material to be used by the attendees, but they can’t be trusted so keep your own stuff.

Keep Company

The ability of starting a conversation comes very naturally to some people while others have to go through quite a struggle (much of it internal). If you consider yourself part of the former category, you must go alone to a professional networking event. Your company would do nothing but become an excuse for you to not interact with people at certain times. However, if you are part of the latter category, it would be better for you to take someone with you who gives you company at the event in a way that attracts more people to talk to you. People prefer talking to someone who they think is social rather than someone whose sociability they have no idea about.

Communicate Creatively

Creativity is one value that is always appreciated.

Use the nametags given out to you at the reception in a way that attracts positive attention. Present creative ideas to get people you talk to. Give them ideas related to whatever they are up to. This will show how you can be of use to them. However, beware of appearing as too pushy. If creativity doesn’t come to you naturally, converse in a conventional way.

Follow Up Faithfully

If you fail to follow up with the people you met at the event, consider all your efforts washed down the drain. Since you are the one in need of contacts, you must consistently make an effort to keep in touch with those who you think are relevant to whatever you are looking for.

Paul Cook writes for Masters in Accounting, a career resource for individuals interested in getting started in the accounting industry.

One of the most dangerous jobs you could ever do is becoming a stunt person. Their job is always understated because the viewer of a movie never pays attention to what goes in to producing certain dangerous scenes. The actors and actresses usually don’t perform those highly dangerous stunts, instead they hire someone to do it for them. Some of the job requirements include flying a jet, jumping off a building, and driving a car over an open bridge.

Any action movie you see will have someone doing all of the stunts. Many stunt people have died performing the stunts, which is surprising why this job is never mentioned as being one of the most deadliest. I realize construction workers have it rough but stunt people literally go to work everyday risking their lives. One incorrect step or one technical mishap could easily result in the stunt person losing their life, and that makes their job one of the deadliest.

Source: www.becomecareer.com

Clear the clutter

Whether the clutter is in front of you or inside of you. Clear your mind. Visualize the task on hand. Make mental notes and tackle the day’s work. But before doing that, make sure that you have a clean, wide space to work on. Don’t let yesterday’s trash settle on your table. Throw old papers, finished documents, soda bottles from yesterday’s break and other clutter. Be sure that only work-related things are on your desk to keep you focused.

Prepare as if you are going to work

Sure it’s nice to work in your PJ’s or loungewear but making the extra preparation will make you feel more motivated and more professional. Simple things like taking a bath, fixing your hair and changing clothes will make a world of difference to your work attitude for the day.

Organize

Whatever organization method that works for you, do it. Make a list, keep a journal or make an online organizer. It’s fun to tick off tasks as you finish them. You’ll have a sense of pride and accomplishment at the end of the day when you see that you finished everything on your list.

Stop when you’re in a rut

Stand up, walk around, get something to drink when you feel stuck. Can’t solve a problem? Look out the window and watch nature or watch the people on the street going about their day. Then go back to your desk and you will be able to see your task in a different perspective.

Give yourself frequent breaks

Just like in a normal office, have coffee or tea breaks, bathroom breaks, 15-minute breaks or whatever break it is that you fancy. Take a power lunch if you have flexible working hours. You will feel refreshed and ready for action after each break.

Don’t get distracted

Just because you’re working at home means that you can sneak a TV show or two or check Facebook every 5 minutes. You have to be responsible enough to finish your tasks for the day at the given time. Don’t let friends and family distract you while you’re in your “work hours”. Inform everyone to treat you as if you are in the office during these times.

Start and finish your work on time

If you need to start working at 9 am, be at your desk at 9 am. If your work day ends at 5 pm then finish at 5 pm. Do not extend your working hours if you don’t need to. Many employers think that because their employees are working from home that they get cheated on the work hours. This is commonly not the case as people who work from home tend to work longer. This is because (most of the time) they don’t need to go out to eat, they don’t need to commute, they don’t need to catch a bus or a train to go home or they want to hurry home to spend more time with their family. All these things are no longer a problem when working from home so an employee tends to do over time work. Stick to your schedule. Don’t be tempted to go back to your work after you feel rested. This kills your creativity and can lead to burning out.

Reward yourself

At the end of the day, give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done. You can do small things for yourself like having an ice cream or watching TV (because you’ve been deprived all day). You can also go out to get some air and do a little socializing. Take your family to dinner or watch a movie with a friend. This is good for you as it gets you out of your work environment.

Working from home is very rewarding. You just need to have enough discipline, focus and motivation to keep you going.

If you are a contractor and looking for a contractor mortgage be sure to check out the best rates with Contractor money.

In a survey of young people in today’s economy, 79% believe that a college education is a vital factor in their future. With this many people planning on attending college, and that number likely to increase, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the availability of careers upon graduating will increase as well. Unemployment rate for recent graduates has reached 9.1%, the highest rate in recent history. The fact of the matter is, whether these people are able to secure a career or not, the debt accumulated while in college will be present either way. The majority of this debt is from student loans, with only an astounding 21% of students graduating with a manageable amount of student loan debt. This has led to 8.8% of 2-year cohort students defaulting on their loans at the end of 2010 (over 320,000 people). Financial Aid options, such as the Pell Grant, offer money to low income students, but politicians today are even looking to lower these grant amounts to reduce the U.S. deficit.

From: topcollegesonline.org

C-V Library

This free app allows the user not only to search over 50,000 live job vacancies, but also apply directly via the app itself. Users can narrow their search by looking at specific industry vacancies and they can save jobs as well as email them to themselves or a friend to save for later application. New vacancies are added all the time and you can edit your cover letter on the app itself and tailor each application.

Job Compass

If you want to search jobs within your region then Job Compass is an extremely useful app. Free to download it uses the iPhone GPS locator to find your location and then searches for jobs within a radius which you can set yourself. The app can then give you additional information about the jobs which you are interested in and also the ability to apply from your iPhone itself.

Career Bliss

Career Bliss is an app that not only helps the user to search job vacancies, but is there to ensure happiness in the workplace. It is an online career community with over 3 million vacancies and allows access to independent company reviews and salary expectation to ensure that you know the most about the company that you are applying to.

BusyBee

BusyBee is an app aimed at freelancers, and features companies who want to out-source temporary jobs or one-off specialist roles. You can search roles via specific locations or narrow the search to your specific skill set. It is a great app for those job seekers who want a more flexible approach.

Jobs and Career Test

If you are unsure which jobs you should be applying for, and indeed which jobs you are suited to, then this free app is for you. Through a series of questions this app will help you find out your personality type and tell you which workplace you would be suited in and what jobs you should look out for.

Linked In

Linked In is a professional social networking site and this app makes your Linked In profile accessible on the move. Your professional profile can be used to find other like professionals and career opportunities. With over 161 million worldwide users you can share content and connect with people from all industries. The app will also keep you up to date with all the latest industry news.

Monster Jobs

Monster Jobs is already a popular jobs website and the app allows you to access your account from your iPhone. You can search and apply for jobs as well as having jobs that fit your criteria emailed to you. As well as being able to edit your pofile it connects to other social media sites such as Foursquare, allowing you to search for jobs near the locations that you visit frequently.

Business Card Reader

Face to face networking is often a great way to meet new business contacts and find new job opportunities, and now exchanging information by business card, has never been easier. As opposed to the conventional business card which is often impractical and may be misplaced, the business card reader available on your smartphone can scan in the information on the card and store it to your phone so the contact will never be lost.

Good Job

Being organised will help you stay ahead in the job market. This app allows you to track and save all to do tasks as well as interviews and job contacts. Having all this information in one place makes it easier prioritise to and work out when you have interviews booked or CVs to send off to. It is fully customisable and allows you to assign “priority statues” to each task.

Job Finder

Job Finder allows you to search jobs via location and type but also taps in to other jobs sources such as Monster Jobs and Indeed.com making the jobs available a very comprehensive list of the jobs available. You can also contact the employer directly from the app itself and save jobs you wish to apply for at a later stage.

Jonny D loves collecting apps, gadgets and anything else tech related that he can get his hands on! He currently works for Ladbrokes.

You are going to have to come up with the right things to say, you are going to have to get the timing right and then you are going to have to pounce. Regardless of whether you like the idea or not, under some managers, doing so is the only way that you are ever going to get more money for your hard work.

If you are currently in the process of building up the courage to make your move, there are a few important questions to ask yourself first. If you can come up with the right answers, your chances of success will be greatly increased.

Do You Deserve a Raise?

First off, why the hell should they give you a raise? If your performance in recent months has been questionable to say the least, you are not going to be getting a raise regardless of how eloquently you request one. Therefore before attempting to negotiate a raise, you need to do two things. You need to make sure that your recent job performance indicates that you deserve one and you need to be able to prove it. General adjectives such as hard working and effective are not going to cut it, you need a list of specific accomplishments that you’ve made.

Will You Deserve a Higher Raise Next Month?

The best time to ask for a raise is often after you have completed a particularly long project or a particularly difficult task. It is of course during these times, when your value to the company is most apparent. Therefore if you are expecting to achieve something significant within the next few weeks or months, it is probably a good idea to hold off until that time.

Is Your Boss in a Good Mood?

Remember that when you are negotiating a raise, you are not going to be speaking to a robot. The person that you are negotiating with is going to be a human being just like you, one that has good days and bad. You don’t want to ask for a raise from someone who is having a bad day. Don’t put off the task for weeks on end but you should choose your time carefully. You will want to avoid asking him when he is busy with something, is stressed out about something or is simply in a bad mood.

Can Your Company Afford to Give You a Raise?

It’s important to remember that at times there is more at play than just your performance and your bosses mood. It doesn’t matter if you are the perfect employee and you absolutely deserve a raise, if the company you are working for is having financial problems, chances are you are not going to be successful. This point has never been more important than now as more and more businesses are facing an uncertain future. Should your company be experiencing such problems, you should probably put off requesting a raise until things are a little sunnier.

What’s Your Market Value?

It’s important to remember that you’re highly unlikely to be offered a raise significantly above what the market average is for somebody with your skills. You should therefore do your research and understand just what most people with your skills are getting paid. Check out nationwide salary statistics and ask anyone you know that does the same job as you what they are getting paid. Whenever you negotiate for a raise, you need to understand what sort of figure is a reasonable request. Asking for too little is pointless and asking for too much is likely to be just as counterproductive.

Are You Prepared for a Counter Offer?

Although you certainly don’t need to be an expert negotiator, you do need to be somewhat strategic. While your aim will be to get the largest raise possible, your boss will want to do the opposite. If you have been doing a good job, he will of course want to keep you around, but he will want to pay the lowest price possible for the privilege. You should therefore expect a counter offer. You can best prepare for it by asking for more than you are actually expecting to get. If you want a twenty percent raise, ask for thirty percent.

What do You Really Want?

Although the most common type of counter offer to receive when asking for a raise is a smaller salary increase, counter offers come in many shapes and sizes. Perhaps, you will be offered a more flexible schedule, the option to telecommute, or maybe even some more vacation time. You should prepare for these possible offers by deciding whether they are acceptable to you, before you are offered them. For some people, the only raise they are after is the financial kind, for others, a few weeks off would be very difficult to turn down.

Are You Going to Lose Your Temper?

Finally, when you have built yourself up to ask for a raise and you finally do so only to be turned down, it’s very easy to take the news rather badly. It’s important to remember however that just because you are turned down now, that doesn’t mean you won’t get a raise in the future. There is no reason why you cannot regroup, change your strategy and broach the subject again within a matter of weeks. If you lose your temper however, the game is very much over.

Sebastian is a financial advisor who gives information on how you can make your boss give you a raise as well as offers fundraising jobs on his website.

First impression

Everyone one knows that making a good first impression is vital. Which is why most people put on a suit and make themselves look smart. It is also important to make the first few seconds of the interview a good few seconds. Nine times out ten you will be introduced to your interviewers and the dreaded handshake will come into play. Although it has absolutely no bearing on how well you can do the job if you do this badly you will be remembered for all the wrong ones.  Certain character traits can be gained from how a person shakes hand s so if you know what they are looking for you can avoid the pitfalls.

• Limp – Be firm, but remember it is not a test of manliness. Squeezing too hard is just as bad as a limp handshake. Your interviewers will take from this that you are disinterested.
• Over friendly – You don’t want to come across as over confident, and put more into the handshake than is needed.  This will only put you in the car salesman category, insincere.
• Avoidance – Many people try to avoid given a hand shake, more than you would think. So instead they panic and give a half handshake. Almost try and just grab your fingers rather than your hand. This is bad as it makes you look timid and quite frankly a little strange.

Next time you are out with your friends just give a few practice handshakes, if you have a bad one they will tell you soon enough. Once you know then you can easily change. Some people naturally give a bad handshake, but with a little practice you can easily improve your ‘technique’ and give a handshake like a pro.

Nervous talkers

I put myself in this category, as on a couple of interviews I have rambled so much when answering a questions I forgot what the question was. To avoid this I have learnt to hold back a little with my ramblings and try and focus on the question. Refer back to it and keep your answers concise. The best way to do this is to prepare for the interview, read up on common questions. Find out about the company you are hoping to get a job at. Normally it is when you are unsure that the extra chat starts to come out.

Being negative

It is so easy to slip into doing this without thinking, but never refer to current or previous employers in a negative manner. You may well have plenty of good reasons to think that your current boss is the worst on history, but keep this to yourself.  The interviewer will only presume that you will do the same to them. Keep positive and focus on how it has improved your experience and expertise.

Being late

It is pretty obvious this one but I would also put in the same camp being too early. Turning u a t a company only to sit outside the interview room for ages looks bad. Both just highlight bad time keeping skills. If you can’t judge your transport needs for an interview then what chances do you have at getting t right for just a normal day at work. Plane your route, test your route, and turn up on time. If this involves sitting in your car for half an hour then so be it. Make it look to your potential new employer that your time keeping skills are impeccable.

It‘s in the Eyes

Eye contact is a good indicator on your levels of confidence, so you need to try getting this right. Whatever you do don’t presume that staring at someone is making you look confident, in fact it will just make you look creepy. Similar to the over talking issue, getting the right balance of eye contact can be achieved from a little bit of role play practice.

Tell me about yourself question

It happens in almost all interviews, the about you question. It is really easy to stumble at this stage. People often find it tricky to big themselves up and realistically. Be honest on succinct if you don’t prepare for this you will just simply ramble.

Write you pros and cons down on paper and then try and relate these to actual job examples. I would suggest trying to come with three killer examples of your greatness in previous employment.  Include an example of how you see your career developing and how you see this happening within your new company.

This article was contributed by Haven Power – Business Electricity.

Source: Interfysio helps internationals find certified occupational therapist assistant jobs in New York City.

They Make Sure they have a Professional Resume

A resume is the most important aspect of job searching. The sad fact is that many people make the mistake of not keeping their resume up-to-date. That makes them appear unprofessional and shows that they are unprepared. Therefore, job interviewers look at them as unprepared for the job – in essence, tossing their application in the trash. Smart job seekers always keep their resume up-to-date and only include things that add to their potential job worth. Sometimes it’s not about knowing what to include on a resume, but what not to include. Let’s look at some things that smart job seekers leave off of their resume.

Personal Information

First of all, employers don’t need to know the names of your children. They don’t need to know your physical description (unless you’re applying to be an actor). I only mention this because a lot of people add this information to their resume. All it does is clutters up the space and makes it look unprofessional.

Objectives

In the past, putting your personal goals on a resume was important. In today’s world, employers don’t care what you want. They only care about their needs.

Title

Whatever you do, do not include the word ‘Resume’ at the top. Employers know what they are looking at. Instead, use this space for keywords to show employers what your experiences are.

They Make their Resume Hook the Reader within the first Few Seconds

Let’s face it, employers get hundreds of applications when they get an opening. That’s a lot of applications and resumes to go through. Therefore, it’s important to hook them early on. That will lead them to actually finish reading your resume. This can be accomplished by utilizing keywords early on and tell the reader what value you can offer.

They Get a Website for their Resume

The Internet rules the world. Most companies are required to search potential employees using search engines. So why not use this to your advantage? Building a website is really easy. It costs less than $10 a month to host it. And getting your name ranked on search engines is easy. So take the time to build a resume website. When an employer searches your name and lands on another resume, you will make an impression.

They Build a Video Resume

Not everyone will get a face-to-face interview. In fact, most of the time employers will research you before even considering setting up an interview. Again, why not go ahead and prepare for that? A video can act just like an interview. So instead of waiting for an employer to schedule you, you will have the chance to show them who you are. Chances are that if an employer stumbles across a video resume, they are gonna want to watch it.

They Research Potential Employers

Before filling out an application, job seekers should research the company using the Internet. Knowledge is power. This power gives job seekers the ability to customize their resume specifically for the company they want to work for.

They Look Everywhere for Potential Job Leads

Having a great resume isn’t the only step to finding a great job. The smart job seekers will look everywhere for a potential job. This could include the local supermarket (where there is usually a job board), family, friends, and even the doctor. Word of mouth can go a long way towards finding a job. The smart job searchers know this.

They are Always Professional

During an interview, it’s best to remain professional in both appearance and demeanor. That means showing up on time, dressing professionally, and speaking in turn. Answer questions promptly and always listen.

They Always Ask for the Job

Many people don’t realize this, but it’s important to always ask for the job during an interview. It shows both potential and confidence.

They Never Ask about Raises or Promotions During an Interview

Doing the proper research will allow an applicant to know this information ahead of time. There is no reason to mention it during an interview. Those who do come off as the type of person who is only interested in money. Money is definitely an issue, but employers want people who actually want the job, not only the money.

They Clean up their Internet Profile

Finally, successful job applicants always make sure their internet profile is positive. Search your name on Google, Yahoo, and other search engines. Be absolutely sure there’s nothing negative that shows up.

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So if you’re looking for a new job, or maybe want to embark on a more out-of-the-ordinary career, check out these 10 odd jobs that pay well:

Arachnologist

This job entails the study of spiders and other creepy bugs such as scorpions. This is a pretty creepy job that not many people want to do, which is why Arachnologists earn an average of $61,660 per year.

Sommelier

If you like drinking, then this is the job for you. Sommeliers are wine experts who know everything from how to store wine to what food goes well with what wine, and they can earn up to $60,000 per year, depending on where they work.

Animal sitter

Taking care of your own pets is enough work, but some people make a living by taking care of other people’s animals while they’re away at work or on vacation. While this job doesn’t require a lot of training, it does require a compassionate and reliable person. The average salary is only $28,000 per year, but if you’re running your own business, you can charge whatever you want!

Sex therapist

Any form of therapy is a pretty well-respected career field, but it’s a little weird to coach people on their sex lives. But if you’re willing to talk dirty with your clients, you can earn at least $36,000 per year, and usually more since most therapists set their own hourly rates.

Human directional

These are the people you see outside spinning signs for new businesses. This can be an exhausting and uncomfortable job – especially if you’re working in the extreme heat or cold – but you can earn an average of $58,000 per year.

Cyber police

It’s long been thought that America’s next great threat will be a technological one, which is why we’re placing a strong emphasis on cyber crime prevention. Cyber police, who patrol all forms of technology for bad guys, earn about $52,000 per year.

Rodeo clown

An extremely dangerous occupation, rodeo clowns protect fallen bull riders from being attacked by angered bulls by providing a distraction. In some cases they may also provide crowd entertainment. Rodeo clowns can earn at least $50,000 per year, and many even make six-figure salaries.

Psychic

Some people believe in their craft and others don’t, but psychics claim to be able to predict the future. Those who do believe will pay good money to find out what’s ahead, which is why psychics can earn roughly $41,000 per year.

Repo man

These workers are hired by businesses who need to take back items that customers bought but never paid for or by institutions that need collateral. Since people don’t generally like their stuff being taken away, this can be a dangerous job, and therefore pays about $73,000 per year.

Bounty hunter

Known in the U.S. as bail enforcement agents or fugitive recovery agents, these workers hunt down prisoners who were let go on bail and then skipped town. Bounty hunters earn at least $30,000 per year and can also take in a part of the actual bounty placed on a person.

Salary info is from CareerCast and SimplyHired.

Blogging about employment, recruiting, and social media. Check out http://www.pcrecruiter.net/home.htm for more.

Some of the most intriguing and groundbreaking research is that of Saras D. Sarasvathy, an associate professor of business dministration of the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, whose in-depth study follows 27 career entrepreneurs, revealing numerous commonalities in behavior between them.  For example, instead of setting out with a goal already formulated, the ntrepreneurs stayed vigilant for opportunities that would emerge.  Instead of focusing on optimizing returns, they committed more energy toward determining acceptable personal loss.  And finally, instead of searching for perfect solutions, they were searching for solutions that work.

In short, successful entrepreneurs don’t simply have a different mindset, but rather they act immediately and often without regard for analysis.  In other words, they don’t rely on predicted outcomes—they create them.

Reasonably, this technique should not apply only to entrepreneurs with careers outside of traditional organizations.  We believe that any manager can, and should, use the same approach when confronted with the unknown.  The process requires only a few steps in reasoning, and is a low-risk approach to launching new projects.  These steps include:

Action, taking an informed step towards your goal

Learn, evaluating the outcome thus far

Build, repeat the previous steps until you’ve reached your goal and evaluate in terms of whether you can or should change your previous course of action.

We understand that acting before analysis—learning through experience rather than prediction—can be unpredictable and often messy, and of course, in opposition with most organizations’ strategies.  However, many small steps is proven to reduce risk in the long-term, making this strategy ideal for launching fledgling initiatives—a necessity for both companies trying to stay competitive and enterprising employees seeking fulfillment in their work.

Research indicates that entrepreneurs predict, plan, and model only when necessary.   In 2008, a survey suggested that only 12% of the company founders of the Inc. 500 underwent formal market research prior to launching.  Nonetheless, they didn’t succeed via reckless leaps of faith, either.  These successful entrepreneurs all tended to operate through small, easy, inexpensive steps that follow a certain strategy—a safe, low-risk approach.  The strategy is, as adapted for managers within organizations:

1. Use the means at hand—successful entrepreneurs gather resources prior to acting upon a new venture.  The initial, exploratory steps are informed by personal skills, background, and expertise, as well as any useful resources provided by personal and professional contacts at little to no cost.
2. Stay within acceptable loss—the act-learn-build action steps collectively are inherently low-risk, but not entirely risk-free.  So, designate beforehand how much time and money is an acceptable amount of loss in the case of failure.  Additionally, factor in the cost of passing up other work opportunities for the sake of the project, as well as the impact it will have on you and your firm’s professional reputation.  Verify that everything at risk could be lost without significant consequent.
3. Secure only the commitments necessary for the next step—in this process, you will encounter four types of people: those who want to see the project’s success, those willing to aid in the project’s success, those that will passively allow the project’s success, and those that wish to stymy the project’s success.  Don’t put effort into convincing the latter two to buy-in.  Instead of asking yourself how to get everyone committed to the project, ask yourself the least amount of commitment necessary.
4. Enlist only volunteers—If you’re moving forward, invest only in “make it happen” and “help it happen” people.  Those that will make it happen should be comprised only of volunteers that share your objectives.  Ensure they are committed to the project’s process.  Individuals will enlist when you prove you yourself are engaged with your work, are transparent, and have shown a collaborative spirit.
5. Identify your step as a business imperative, and ensure it will generate quick results—This will create a sense of quick momentum, and win over “help it happen” people (particularly, your employer).  Prove that even the first step has vital consequences, and build from there.  If your employer feels the proposed step exceeds acceptable loss, suggest a smaller step.
6. Manage expectations—don’t promise too great of outcomes, or make any big announcements at the time of launching.  Suggest that you are only take an exploratory step to generate evidence that will inform the next one.
7. Build momentum—as far as building action, career entrepreneurs have several successful tendencies: they act quickly upon positive results (in other words, if a step succeeds, they immediately execute the next according to our rules); they embrace negative results, obstacles, and disappointments as an impetus to alter a product, service, business, or objective before too many resources have been invested; they know when and how to use predictive analysis, even though most of their learning is through action.  As you require increasing numbers of organizational resources, you must predict and plan when possible, using evidence you have and will continue to generate through action.  Finally, savvy entrepreneurs know when to cut their losses: when their initiative is impossible, or when the risk of falling beyond acceptable loss is too high.

The act-learn-build strategy should be used employees from traditional workspaces, as well as entrepreneurs—it requires just one smart step. Managers can encourage entrepreneurial thinking by challenging team members to apply the aforementioned strategy to current projects, and draw attention and support to the results.  Share these results with other leaders within the company, and encourage their support as well, keeping in mind that opportunity costs should never exceed the organization’s acceptable loss.

About the Author: Sergeo is a published playwright and film producer who writes about filmmaking at Edictive, the film production application.

You’re not alone in your quest for business success and keeping up with the variables that affect your business is as simple as staying involved in the industry; enter these five career building conferences:

Search Engine Strategies San Francisco

No matter what area of business you work in, the growing force of the internet is almost certainly a big factor in your success. Whether you’ve yet to get your business online or you depend solely on internet traffic for your income, the Search Engine Strategies conference to be held this summer in San Francisco is an excellent place to get up-to-date on the latest trends, practices and inspiring success stories to be shared by those who understand how to make the most out of search engine optimization! Besides offering an atmosphere that encourages close networking with your peers and potential customers, SES will help you to tackle the promise held by search engine traffic head on, taking your business to the next level once put into practice.

When & Where: California’s city by the bay, San Francisco, is the home of this year’s SES conference from August 13-17, 2012. Feel free to bookmark your hotel using SanFranciscoHotels.net.

Lean Startup Machine Santiago

Promising to teach business-minded entrepreneurs more in three days than most career-oriented professionals learn in six months, the Lean Startup Machine conference combines workshops, lectures and discussion panels to give business professionals of all types the tools they need to take their unique ideas to the next level. Whether you’ve got an idea for a personal launch or you’re ready to present your product idea to your board of directors, this event promises to help you to better realize your potential through planning and innovation, helping your next big idea to be one that catches on!

When & Where: Need an excuse to visit beautiful Santiago, Chile? The Lean Startup Machine event takes place from July 20-22, 2012.

An Event Apart Austin

No matter what area of business you put your hand to, a deeper understanding of the web, how it works and what drives it can only increase your value and abilities as a person in business and no event offers a better crash course on web design and development than An Event Apart, to be held from July 9-11, 2012 in Austin, Texas. A two day conference featuring speakers and presenters will be followed by an intensive workshop on the third day in an effort to see all attendees leave with a better idea of what the web can do for them and how exactly they can take advantage of it!

When & Where: An Event Apart will take place in sunny Austin, Texas from July 9-11, 2012.

Business Travel Show

This London, United Kingdom-based career building conference focuses on the travel industry, offering insight into the potential income to be found for everyone from airline CEOs to startup travel agents. Free to attend and presenting a unique opportunity for established travel professionals and new-to-the-game agents alike, the Business Travel Show promises a look at a wide array of products and services while ensuring some of the best networking opportunities in the industry!

When & Where: London, England is the home of the 2012 Business Travel Show, to be held from February 5-6, 2013.

World Business Forum 2012

Coming this October to New York City is the world-renowned World Business Forum conference, a bringing together of business leaders of all shapes and sizes in order to discuss how to make better businesses by being better people, all in an effort to shape a better world. The focus here is on discussion and debate, allowing creative and out-of-the-box ideas to form and take shape right before your eyes as people from all different walks of professional life come together to offer their insight on modern challenges, allowing all to leave with a renewed sense of what it is to be a smart, responsible, career-focused person in our complicated modern business landscape.

When & Where: The World Business Forum 2012 conference is set for October 2-3, 2012 in New York City. Arrange your lodging using this list of hotels in NYC.

Romanticized Career Paths

1. Anything involving remote working: As soon as people hear that a job involves a lot of remote working, they immediately assume that you get to laze around at home all day, and that what you’re doing isn’t really work. Sadly, that’s far from the truth.  Working from home is still work, and it often involves long hours, unpredictable work loads, and being on call at stupid times of the night.

2. Professional athletes: “You get to travel the world, and play your favourite sport all day?  That’s awesome!”  Well, it might be, but it takes a lot of dedication to get to that stage.  Do you really want to get up at 4AM and go for a long run?  Do you have the discipline to say no thanks to the chocolate cake because you have a weigh-in next week and you’re trying to manage your calorie intake?  What about training when you’re injured or just feeling a little down?  Professional sport is still work, and it’s one of the toughest jobs there is.

3. Authors: When an author is staring out of a window, they’re not daydreaming or procrastinating. They’re thinking.  Authors face a lot of pressure.  They’re only as good as their last book, and, if a deadline is looming and they simply can’t find the words, their career could be doomed. If all you’ve ever written is a lengthy email, then don’t give an author the “I’d love to write a novel someday” speech.  They’ve heard it all before.

Unloved Career Paths

1. Contact centre services: The people that work in tech support, billing, and other contact centre services don’t get a lot of respect, but it doesn’t mean that their job is not a fulfilling one. You get to speak to some great people when you work in a contact centre, and the joy of helping people should not be underestimated.

2. Law Enforcement: Another group that gets a lot of hassle is law enforcement workers, but once again this can be a great job.  For every yob that yells abuse at you, there are just as many people that are genuinely grateful for your help, and many law enforcement officers love knowing that each day they work, they’ve done their bit to make the world a better place.

3. Public relations: Some people think that being a PR must be awesome – a life of parties and excitement.  Other people think that being a PR would be a nightmare – promoting poor products, and having to be polite to people that you hate, but that could ruin your career by writing bad things about the products you’re responsible for.  The truth is somewhere in between.  It’s hard work, but at the end of the day you can point to a front page spread and say “I helped make that happen”.

Guest post written by Amy Fowler on behalf of Maintel, experts in remote working and contact centre services.

Game Spotter – The Explorer

If you’re the kind of adventurer who enjoys explorer and have keen eyesight you should consider a career in game spotting for game parks, or even the Kruger park. You will have the opportunity to learn the land you’re working on like the back of your hand, you will learn drinking and feeding patterns of thousands of animals as you watch them every day while taking tourists out to capture that breath taking moment when a lion downs a gazelle or when a springbuck gives birth to her baby. You will see things many other people won’t see in their live, because life is its own adventure and having the quiet savannah and fields as your home can’t beat any other adventure on earth.

Sky diving instructor – The Sky junkie

Nothing beats the adrenaline rushing of jumping out of an aeroplane at 3,000 meters with only two parachutes to protect you. The thrill of forcing yourself out of the plane door, hurtling towards earth (thank you gravity) and releasing the chute to float back down with a majestic scenery before you is hard to beat. That’s why a sky diving instructor will be the perfect job for you if you enjoy the open skies and the wind rushing through your hair. You’ll be paid to jump out of planes with other people, you’ll most likely do it at least a few dozen times per week and you’ll definitely get your fill of adventure and excitement.

Dakar rally Driver– The Car nut

If you enjoy cars and you’re looking for a thrill you should join the Dakar rally and become an expert racer. Nothing gets the blood pumping like racing through tricky terrains, challenging nature and beating the other competitors. If you don’t qualify a as racer then being a co-driver or navigator for your driver is just a great a opportunity as being the driver. Having a comrade who shares the experience of the adventure with you only makes it more worthwhile.

Ranger – The Animal saviour

If you enjoy the outdoors and you have a sense of adventure then you should become a game ranger. Especially with poachers hunting the animals, the parks, have trained highly skilled rangers to defend their lands and the animals in it. Kruger Park has a massive area to protect and with the rangers patrolling it they are getting the job done. New recruits are always welcome, the more the merrier and it will definitely scare the poachers off when they face a big opposing army of rangers everywhere they turn.

National Geographic cameraman

The national Geographic cameraman never seems to be praised as much as the presenter of the show. They have to crawl, dive, jump, walk and wade through everything the presenter does. They have to jump into the shark invested waters with the loon as well as wade through swamps with boa constrictors, we salute you cameramen! If you have guts and the heart of an adventurer then you’ll jump into this position. You’ll see the world, experience things many others haven’t and you will love every minute of it.

Ruan Smit loves taking on adventurous tasks and wishes he was a game ranger at the Kruger national park.

Have you ever thought of asking a high school student what they will choose as a career when they grow up? Most of them will reply, ‘a doctor’, ‘an engineer’, ‘a pilot’ or some will even say ‘a lawyer’. But a few will say ‘a teacher’. Ever wondered why?

In recent world, the profession of a teacher is quite underestimated. Teaching as a profession can be so many things. At times it can be exciting, intriguing, challenging and fun. But it sometimes can be boring, dull, demoralizing and stressful also. The main reason why teaching is mostly underestimated and disrespected is the role played by a few teachers already in this profession who are not fully aware of the responsibilities and duties attached to the profession of being a teacher. Or in short they are not true to their profession, though teaching is one of those professions where one has to be very loyal and truthful as it is connected to the future and upbringing of the new generation.

Teaching as a profession is not taken seriously as there is a stigma attached to it of not being compensated as it ought to be. It is thought that other professions are more income generators than teaching. This is a complete misunderstanding for those living in a highly developed country where a teacher’s income is more than of a doctor or an engineer. It can be virtually right for people located in the underdeveloped or developing countries where teachers are not fully compensated for their services which leads to the negligence of professionalism.

Teaching is one of the most difficult professions of the present times. One even after getting back home has a lot on mind and to do. Like lessons to plan, homework to check, papers to mark and etc. That is why it is considered one of the very intense professions of all time. Teachers are responsible for bringing the best into the students and polishing the skills and personalities of their students. This requires them to be multi-talented and also multi-faceted. They have to deal with so many kinds of students at one time and have to make sure not to leave anyone behind.

Students hesitate to take it as a profession because they have been watching their teachers for 12 years or more living a life which is not very attractive and is mostly dull and hectic in many cases. A teacher is a role model for a student. Teachers should carry themselves well and graceful enough to inspire the students and be respected by them.

Teaching as a profession is very unique and profound in itself. A teacher is a manager of not only oneself but a bunch of other people too or in some cases it can lead to hundreds. A teacher is responsible for grooming students into better persons and human beings. A good teacher has to be a researcher, practitioner, manager and analyser. There are challenges ready to be faced and accomplished by a teacher in every upcoming day ahead. They have a huge responsibility on their shoulders regarding the social and economic conditions of a society. This makes them key contributors towards the development of a healthy society.

Teachers have a great importance in everybody’s life, therefore it makes teaching also very noble and important for us. To choose teaching as a profession for oneself is a thing of responsibility and also means of serving humanity in nice and easy way. It should be given respect and never be underestimated.

Paul Royer is a writer for DissertationWritings which provides professional dissertation writing services at low prices.

A hobby is something we participate in, that is individual – tailored for our unique interests and talents. Hobbies can offer an increased sense of well-being and added meaning to our lives. Just as physical activity is necessary and important for keeping our bodies in good shape, mental stimulation, as well as relaxation, are necessary and important for keeping our minds in good shape. Studies have shown that people who are involved in hobbies are less prone to suffer from anxiety and depression, and other types of mental illness. Here are some additional reasons why having a hobby, or hobbies, is important:

Pleasure

Hobbies are a great source of relief from mental fatigue and burnout. Since your hobby will be an activity of your choosing, and one that you enjoy, it’s a given that you’ll receive pleasure from participating. Even if you only spend a short period of time in your hobby of choice, you will be able to feel the difference.

Getting to Know Yourself

Spending time enjoying your hobby can be an excellent way to get in touch with yourself. It’s not really about what sort of hobby you’re involved in, as much as it’s about the fact that you are doing something that is entirely your own. Many times in our modern society, we fail to disconnect for any significant period of time, and we lose touch with our inner selves. Hobbies can help alleviate and correct this problem.

Money

Being involved in a hobby can also become a way of earning money. Whenever we begin to pursue a career in an area that we’re especially interested in, or passionate about, it’s automatically more rewarding, and usually much more successful.

Retirement Preparedness

Many people fall into a pattern of thinking that assumes hobbies are something that are meant to be pursued and enjoyed after retirement, but this, of course, isn’t true. There’s no time like the present to go out and discover a new passion, and plan on enjoying it right into your retirement years. Your hobby can be a source of pleasure for many years to come.

Creative Outlet

Hobbies can be a fantastic way of expressing your individuality and showcasing your creativity. Activities such as scrapbooking are especially suited for those who are seeking a creative outlet. There are many specialty tools and implements, such as custom made rubber stamps to provide you with a steady source of inspiration.

Meet People

Getting involved in a hobby doesn’t always have to be a solitary pursuit. Hobbies are also an excellent way to meet new people who share the same sort of interests as you. In the beginning, there will naturally be those who are more experienced than you, and will be happy to mentor you, and help you learn and grow in your hobby. After time has passed and your level of skill has increased, you can, in turn, provide this sort of friendship and support for another person – which is extremely rewarding and fulfilling.

Take some time to explore hobbies and get involved in something you enjoy. Your mind and body will thank you!

This article was written by Walter McKinnon for Blade Rubber Stamps.

Yes, you definitely know the feeling.

This is a job interview.

However, this whole lengthy (perspiration inducing) process may become something of the past. Online interviews, rather ‘Skype Interviews’ as they have been coined, are beginning to take over. This is due to companies looking at new ways to cut costs and time spent on the interview process – a simple way to interact with perspective candidates for a job. The job applicant also benefits from this new form of online interview also, not being hassled with going to a certain location just to wait and let nerves shake them around like a pneumatic drill.

Advantages

As previously stated, both sides benefit from online job interviews. It is not unheard of a company spending hundreds or even thousands flying out a candidate, housing them, feeding them etc . So, from a company’s perspective this would be a step forward in cutting costs dramatically and we will be seeing Skype interviews being far more in the future. Why fly twenty job applicants out, they can fly out the 2 or 3 finalists?

For the applicant, being able to being able to attend an interview from the comfort of one’s own home is perhaps a godsend. In the past, People have perhaps struggled with the medium of phone interviews as you cannot see the person interviewing you. Lack of sight in a phone interview cuts out a level of crucial analysis of body language both for the interviewer and interviewee, and can lead to things being misinterpreted. With Skype interviews this is not a problem as you can see fully what is going on. Also, the internet is constantly gaining a faster connection speed so dropping frame rate and lag is becoming less of an issue. On top of this, if you haven’t noticed there is a recession going on, which means people are sometimes not able to afford to travel across the country to an interview they might not even land; resulting in online interviews surely paving the way forward.

Disadvantages & Techniques

There surely are some horror stories floating about online, which probably range from a dog bursting into the room barking its tail off or mothers knocking politely at the bedroom door enquiring if there is any dirty pants that need washing. However, all a candidate needs to do is make sure that this won’t happen and prepare themselves accordingly. Here is a checklist of things you might need to do before, and during, an online interview:

• Make sure your flat/house is nice and quiet before and during the interview.
• Make sure where you are conducted your interview is suitable, clean and in order. Besides from your face, the interviewer will inspect what is around you naturally.
• Make sure you are not badly lit, for instance a window or bright light behind you will only make your face darker to the interviewer.
• When you answer a question look into the camera, not at the image on the screen.
• Dress accordingly, but avoid patterns and the colour white – you want your interviewer to be mysteriously drawn to your glorious eyes and teeth.
• Sit in your chair straight, don’t slump and give off the wrong impression. You should have the top half of your body showing – perhaps to just below your shoulders.
• Remember to smile!
• Have your resume ready to send as an attachment.

With not many disadvantages it is clear to see why Skype and online interviews are the future, and you will begin to hear about them more. Hopefully the stress of not having to travel and not be in your own comfort zone will reduce the nerves of a job applicant…and online interviews will definitely eliminate all the psychology needed behind that dreaded simple handshake!

This article was put together by the kind folk at Telegraph Jobs – search a wide range of job vacancies and read up on advice and tips for securing your dream job!

But if I had to go back and do it again myself (the American economy was much worse off when I graduated college than it is now), I would have appreciated these 6 nuggets of advice to help me get started – advice that no one else had to give me. So here they are for all of you to revel in.

Be Realistic

OK, just to set all you youngsters straight – the likelihood of you graduating with a job lined up to start a week after your graduation date is slightly unrealistic at this point. Not to say that it isn’t impossible, though – it’s just not common.

Rather than panicking over the fact that you don’t have anything lined up, set realistic goals for yourself. Say you’ll look for jobs solidly for the next 6 months, and if you don’t find anything within that time frame, it’ll be time to refocus your search efforts and try a different approach.

Don’t expect that the world owes you anything because you are a college graduate. Lots of people are, and all of you are fighting for the same jobs at this point. I hate to be harsh, but it’s true. Be realistic about the fact that it may take you longer than you had always anticipated to find the perfect job in your field.

Clean Up Your Facebook

Now is as good a time as any to delete all of those pictures of you doing keg stands at the biggest frat party on your campus.

Employers will, I repeat, will, look at your Facebook profile either before they interview you or before they decide to hire you. Facebook is a great way to get to know the kind of person a business is about to hire – but for you, it could be a death trap, depending on what you have on there.

Delete posts with obscene profanity and rid your photos section of anything inappropriate. Most employers won’t mind the pictures of you and a group of friends out at a bar (assuming you are, of course, 21 or older), but try to delete the ones that are of all of your friends taking shots at the bar. There is a big difference between a smiling photo of a close group of friends and a picture of a bunch of drunk college kids drinking themselves into even further oblivion.

Know where the line is – and clean up your social media act before you contact any potential employers.

Use Your Alumni Network to Your Advantage

Most colleges these days have a career development center that features an extensive web of alumni who are willing to help recent graduates by giving advice or possibly even job tips. And guess what? Most recent grads aren’t taking advantage of that FREE offer.

I’m here to tell you that if you aren’t using your alumni database or your college’s career development center, you’re not going to be successful in finding an opportunity. Do not hesitate to reach out to alums who are in your field – the majority of them will be more than happy to at least give some advice to someone just starting out in the field. Others will even know of job openings and help you get an in.

It doesn’t matter if you know the person you are reaching out to – you have the college in common and that’s good enough. They’ll help you however they can if you contact them, even if it’s just to give you some free advice.

Join Networking Groups

To take the idea of reaching out to relevant alums in your industry one step further, join a local networking group, like a county Chamber of Commerce or a Young Professionals group.

Most groups meet once a month in a “mixer”-type setting, meaning they’re often held in a local bar or restaurant the group is supporting and there is food and drink specials and tons of people mingling. Network your way through the group like crazy.

While many of the contacts you make in your new group may be irrelevant to you at the time, you never know when you’re going to need help from someone or you’ll have an idea or a way to help someone else out. You also never know who you’re going to meet – you could end up bumping into a CEO of a company in your field.

Take your chances, let people know who you are and what you do, build your network and get yourself seen and known.

Don’t Be In Such A Rush to Get Out

Is living with your parents really that bad, for now, anyway? The answer is no. And if you can’t afford your own apartment out of college because you don’t have a job, you’re not alone.

Even when you find your first job, if it’s local, consider choosing to be one of the few who lives at home with mom and dad to save some money. That way, in the very near future, you’ll have saved enough to afford both a security deposit and a first month down payment on an apartment of your own or with a couple of roommates.

Save while you can, and suck it up and live at home for a little while in order to do so. Don’t rush yourself into a situation you can’t afford. It won’t be worth it in the end. That said, though, if you do decide to live at home for any period of time, always continue pushing forward with the job hunt. You still don’t want to be stuck there forever.

Broaden Your Horizons

Maybe you studied geology and you think that your only career path is to become a geologist or a science teacher. Or maybe you were in journalism, and you think that you have to write for a swanky newspaper or magazine to consider yourself successful.

Whatever you studied in college, broaden your thought horizons when it comes to finding your first job. Maybe you have that dream job in mind, but take into consideration the kinds of jobs that you can take that will help you get to your ultimate goal – like stepping stones along your career path.

Don’t hesitate to take a paid internship in your field, or even a job that isn’t quite related to your field but uses many of the same skills. Your first post-college job should be something that you use as a resume builder. As long as you’re expanding your knowledge and your skills in the job that you choose, your future will be golden.

Jackie Ryan is a freelance writer who found what she thought was her dream job and ended up hating it. She encourages people to keep an open mind – whether you want to crunch numbers all day, design logo mats in a factory, be a TV personality or work from home, having an open mind can get you to places you never even imagined!

Network

If you are having no luck finding a job down the usual avenues, find networking events and meet ups within your chosen industry. Sign up for newsletters, talk to people, and let people know you are in the process of job hunting. Hiding away won’t help you, get out there meet industry professionals, network, and talk to your peers.

Many job opportunities can come from being recommended, or speaking to the right person. You can meet someone influential anywhere, so be prepared to speak about your skills and be personable.

Work Experience

Work experience can really help secure a job. It shows you have gone out your way to get experience in your chosen field. In some cases it can even lead to a permanent career if you manage to prove yourself, and if the opportunity if there. It also shows you aren’t waiting around for a job to fall into your lap. It immediately tells an employer that you are pro active.

Resume

Job hunting is not easy, and in order to reach your dream career it takes a lot of work and preparation to prepare for your job hunt. Present your resume in a clear and concise way. Long sentences and babble can bore the person reading your resume. They will be reading several, so you need to get your point across and be clear, straight to the point. You can always elaborate and give examples in the interview.

Spelling and grammar mistakes immediately ruin your chances. Make sure you check your resume for mistakes and ask your friends and family to check. If you have made a mistake after printing, never cross it out in biro and correct the mistake. Make the effort to correct it and re print it. Your resume presentation will be all the employer has to judge you. Think about everything, even the paper you print on, the font, the colour, the layout, the language you use to express yourself, and details you include.

General Presentation

Its common sense, but make sure you are dressed to suit the job. If the job is office based, be smart but memorable. Maybe look a little different but still suit the position you are aiming for. Something memorable, maybe an interesting tie, or a nice coloured shirt or blouse can make it easy for the interviewer to recognise you and refer back to you to the rest of the panel.

Interviews

Many people read interview tips online. It is of course a daunting situation and these tips can be useful, but when each and every candidate applying for the job position regurgitates the same interview script, you don’t stand out.

Prepare well in advance of your interview. Don’t just read through the company website the night before. Really think about what it is you want the interviewer to know about you. Why should they employ you? Why do you stand out? Don’t answer using the usual answers, give examples of what you have done referring back to you experience on your resume.

If you prepare well enough you can feel confident in the interview and come across in the best possible way. They could be mean interviewers and chuck some nasty questions your way to try trip you up, if you are prepared, you can duck around these and come out in a positive light. Turn any negative questions into positives. One of the worst questions is ‘What are your worst characteristics?’ this immediately assumes a negative response. Be clever about it and say something like you are a perfectionist and you are not happy when things are not done to the best they can be which can frustrate you, but then say this does however push you to strive for the best possible outcome, no matter how hard it is to achieve.

If you want to succeed at you career you need to work hard at all aspects. Don’t complete a degree and assume all the hard work is over. You constantly need to work hard to move onwards and upwards, be open to learning new skills and grab all opportunities. It won’t be easy, but if you want it enough, you will get there.

These tips can also apply to setting up your own business. Networking, presentation, and work experience can really develop you as a person and help you build and push your business forward.

Kirsten works for WhoIsHostingThis? They gather hosting user reviews for those seeking a good reliable hosting company such as Yahoo, HostPapa or One.com. They can be useful for new businesses setting up.

The simple fact is that while these are very reputable websites with laudable goals of finding people gainful employment, their success has had the ironic effect of making them less effective due to the deluge of people using the services. It’s not that people aren’t finding jobs using these sites, it’s that statistically speaking those people aren’t likely to be you.

So, what’s the answer?

The good news is that there are still some good online resources for job searchers, but it will depend on where you are in your search and your current career trajectory.

LinkedIn

They don’t call it “the world’s largest professional network” for nothing. LinkedIn is the Facebook of the working world and a hub for both job seekers and employers.

LinkedIn is a surefire way to get your networking plan in order and off the ground. You can upload multiple resumes, list previous employers, add photos and biographical information, and generally build a workable online profile and portfolio that is accessible to potential employers.

What’s more, many savvy employers are now adding a LinkedIn tether in their online application process, so if you have an up-to-date account it can make your application process that much easier and more seamless.

USAJOBS

USAJOBS.com is the go-to website for federal employment, and while state employment budgets may be shrinking we all know the federal government is excellent at spending money it doesn’t have – particularly on its own growth.

Applying to federal jobs can be tricky, however, and anyone using USAJOBS for the first time should do some research on just how the website works. It is a hub for a large spectrum of federal employers, each of which has different screening processes and hiring tactics. The key is to read up on how your agency of choice reviews resumes and tailor your online application accordingly.

Resumetemplates.org

Simply put, you should just bookmark this site. Regardless of all the newfangled technologies and digital networking strategies used today, the resume is still one of the most successful tools to getting that coveted first job interview.

This website is a no-frills access point for free resume templates of all types. There are no gimmicks, pop-ups or weird nonsense. Just go there and find a template that suits your market and go to work. There are samples, a resume builder and tips and advice of all kinds. It’s an invaluable asset for any person who needs help with basic resume-writing techniques.

Craigslist

A lot of people think Craigslist is the place to go for a used couch or a deal on a great apartment. And, it is – but it’s also great for finding jobs.

Craigslist has job listings in every category from accounting to Web design in every major and medium-sized market in the United States, organized by city name. Just click on your location of choice, view the job categories and select an area that interests you, and watch the job opportunities literally scroll down the screen.

The great thing about Craigslist is that it attracts every kind of employer, from huge companies like Amazon to individual people looking for a contractor to do work on short-term projects of every kind. You may be surprised to find a brand-new career path just by scrolling the wide array of jobs found on Craigslist.

Facebook and Google+

Between these two social networking sites, anyone could possible want to know to give you a job or help you get a job is accessible – but you have to sign up and cultivate your profile.

Both networks are fast developing into business hubs in their own ways and while many people use them strictly for socializing that is not the limit of their powers. Both sites will allow you to establish your own “business” profile that can stand apart from your personal page wherein you can build a profile, set up a network of contacts and use it as your platform for self-promotion.

Remember…

These are just a handful of resources available to the savvy job seeker. There are numerous other websites that may be of use to you, many of which are likely specific to your personal experience and history: school alumni career boards, local networking clubs, industry forums and the like. Use these sites as well as the ones listed above to maximize the tools at your disposal in your job search.

Good luck!

James Madeiros writes for Criminal Justice Degree Schools, a leading resource on how to get started in the criminal justice career field and featuring a directory of schools offering criminal justice degrees and interviews with law enforcement professionals.

Be on Time

You should always plan to arrive at an interview early. Showing up before your scheduled time not only shows that you are a person with good time management, but communicates that you can be counted on and are reliable as well. By allowing yourself this extra time, you have allotted yourself a bit of insurance should you come upon some unforeseen circumstances that might have otherwise delayed you.

Dress to Impress

This is a simple concept that is so very important. When you walk through those doors into the interview, this is the first impression you are going to make on your new potential employers. If your shirt is wrinkled or you come in dressed very casually, you will give off the air of complacency or lack of enthusiasm. If you come in dressed professionally, you will show that you are taking the interview seriously, that you respect yourself and you deserve to be respected.

Triple Check Your Resume

This may seem like a no brainer, but more times than not people leave the editing process out. Whether they omit this important step due to being anxious or excited makes no difference, forgetting to take a careful look at the spelling and grammar on your resume could be the one thing standing between you and an interview.

Relate Your Experience

Don’t discount your volunteer work or projects you have completed for classes or other extracurricular organizations. By discussing these experiences in interviews, you can demonstrate your work ethic and commitment. Bring relevance to your experiences. Relate them to the work you are interviewing to do. Find ways to compare your past work with the work you are hoping to be able to do for the company you are interviewing for. Discussing the similarities of the jobs, past and future can possibly aid an interviewer in picturing you as the one to fill a certain position.

Ask Specific Questions

When the interviewer asks if you have any questions, ask good ones that show that you are interested in the position and have a solid knowledge of the company and what they are all about. Do your research about the company and then find ways to subtly show that you are in the know. Once you get the job, you can ask questions later to decide if you want to accept it.

Show Enthusiasm

No one wants to hire someone that is complacent. A good employee is one that is passionate and driven and has exciting new ideas. Find ways in your interview to demonstrate your passion and present yourself as an energetic innovative hard worker who is excited to get started.

Choose Your Words Carefully

When you are in an interview situation it is important to consider both the words you choose and your phrasing very carefully. You do not want to offend your interviewer in any way or present yourself in a less than flattering manner. By thinking before you speak, you can ensure that you show that you are an eloquent, educated candidate for the job who knows how to behave appropriately in the work place.

Know Specifics About Why You Are a Good Fit

Know the requirements of the job that you are applying for and the specific tasks you would be performing should you receive the position. With a greater understanding of what would be required of you in the position, you can show ways that you are qualified for the job by giving examples of past experiences that are relative. Don’t miss the opportunity to give specific examples of your own character traits and how they would benefit specific tasks.

Show Them Why They Should Like You

Engage the interviewer. Show that you are an interesting and dynamic individual. Always be considerate and never interrupt. You want to demonstrate in the interview that you are a good communicator and have good social skills. Remember, not only are you interviewing for a job, you are also potentially about to become a member of an already established community in the work place. Whether or not you will fit in is an important piece of the puzzle.

No One Owes You a Job, You Have to Earn It

Never approach an interview as if you are entitled to the position based on your education or past experience. It is an employer’s market these days and there are hundreds if not thousands of applicants for every job. You have to earn every opportunity. Do not expect for any position to be simply handed to you. Make it your goal to show the employers why they HAVE to choose you.

George Gallagher writes for education and financial publications. He is also a consultant to recent graduates looking for help understanding private student loan consolidation and other financial questions.

Job hunts are tiring and if they don’t bear results within the first few weeks, it’s natural for the motivation level to go down. The important thing to remember however is that getting discouraged will not help you to get a job. On the contrary, it will tamper with your self esteem and slow you down. No one gets selected for the first job they apply to so the key to getting a job is perseverance. Apart from having a strong will power, some changes in your daily job hunt routine can also do you a world of good when it comes to motivation. This post lists some of them. They are as follows:

Make a job hunt timetable

Before you begin the job hunt, get a day planner and decide time slots for everything. Schedule a couple of hours for applying to different companies, keep some time aside for calling them personally to express your interest in working with them and schedule breaks after every hour or so. A plan will help to to get some direction.

Surround yourself with people who motivate you

Motivation comes from the inside as well as from the people who surround you so make sure your friends and family give you constant encouragement. Avoid people who spread negative energy because what you need are positive pep talks.

Work with other job seekers

Join a group for job-seekers. It encourages all the members when they are down and such a group can also help you to stay aware of new vacancies. In fact, some groups even offer to help you with your cover letter and your resume so that will also benefit you.

Meet your friends

It’s quite normal to feel like blocking out everyone from your life and staying in a dark room especially if your friends are employed and thriving. That is not because you are jealous of them but solely because you want professional accomplishments as well. Don’t give in to this desire. Go out and meet your friends. Catch up with them for lunch, dinner or for a night out. In fact, friends can also refer you to employers so always be a part of the action.

It’s all about network expansion

When looking for a job, networking plays a crucial role. Attend networking parties because they are full of employers on the hunt for prospective employees. Such parties give ample opportunity to interact with employers and get information about new ventures along with the privilege of personal contact.

Break the monotony

Sitting in front of the computer everyday for hours can become very boring and monotonous. It also creates a sense of purposelessness. Getting a hobby or pursuing a certificate course while you look for a job will add some meaning to your mundane life and put an end to the monotony. That in turn will encourage you stay motivated during your job hunt.

Don’t spend all your time watching the news

Most of the people who are on the lookout for jobs spend a part of their free time watching television. Even though television is a good source of entertainment (due to the wide variety of social, cultural and political issues it follows and brings into notice), following the news channels like a hawk can be a source of discouragement for those who are unemployed because some segments also discuss the issue of unemployment and lack of job opportunities. Can someone without a job gain anything from knowing how widespread unemployment is getting?

Read motivational books

Motivational books can help those who feel discouraged during their job search and don’t have a lot of people who can give them some support. These books can provide the much required impetus to fuel a half hearted attempt at getting a job.

Get someone to guide you

A guide can give you a sense of direction by teaching you more effective ways to look for a job (clearly your ideas aren’t working) and help you to fix the loopholes in your job hunt process. A mentor will keep up the motivation level which is what you really need to get a job.

Get a gym membership or workout at home

People tend to become sedentary when they start looking for a job and eat frequently which is very unhealthy. Going to the gym or exercising at home will keep the body active and help you to combat stress. Thus, you will have an energized and clear mind everyday.

Make sure you eat healthy food

What you eat is very important especially if your mind and body are not otherwise engaged. The kind of food you eat can increase your stress level or decrease it. Eating a lot of green vegetables like spinach and lettuce will give you more energy to work hard whereas fatty food will only add to lethargy and stress.

Take a day off

Consider your job hunt to be a regular job. When you work in a company, you get a day off to relax and be lazy. The same should apply to your job hunt. Take a day off and spend it doing things that you enjoy.

Try to make your job hunt a habit

Once the job search becomes a careless effort, you will get used to the idea of applying for jobs on a daily basis and you will stop getting discouraged if the companies don’t respond. That’s an easier way to deal with it.

Don’t regret

Take everyday as it comes. Don’t look back and think about the mistakes you made previously. If you want to look back, try to learn something from your mistakes. Keep a positive outlook and look at the glass as ‘half full’ instead of ‘half empty’.

Set a goal for yourself everyday

The easy way to stay motivated is to set daily goals and accomplish them on an everyday basis. The lack of professional productivity is what gets people discouraged when they look for a job so try to be productive in your own way.

This post is written by Jason Gilbert. Check out 40+ easy jobs that pay well.

That Gut Feeling

The first tier of signs is when something just doesn’t quite feel right. You may just have that gut feeling, thoughts of anger or feeling treated unfairly; you may feel victimised which is apt since you may indeed become a victim. If you want to keep your job, career advice would suggest that if you’re feeling uneasy then you should understand why before it becomes the truth. If your boss ignores you for long periods of time before taking you aside to have a significant chat with you this is almost certainly a sign you should pull up your socks, keep your head down and improve your performance. One bitter sweet result of a situation like this is an office coach may be assigned to help you through your situation; in this case you know you’re in hot water but you can recognise that management value enough to make an effort. With true career advice and guidance that the coach will offer, you can make serious positive changes and have a witness speak on your behalf when you make the effort.

Time for a Career Change

There are other reasons you may feel your job is threatened; we’re adults, career advice for when this happens is only practical to consider. Times can be tough and companies do often need to downsize, but how can you know you’re in the path of this drawback. It may come in less subtle ways, like a reduction in title or responsibilities, someone could be given many of the tasks that you’re usually in charge of and the only explanation you have for it isn’t nearly as watertight as you would like; all of these are bad signs. Sometimes the signs are as subtle as rumours of downsizing coupled with sad, silent looks aimed in your direction; if these looks are coming from human resources employees then seek advice on a career change immediately and work on your resume. It’s a fact of life that few people remain at a single company or business for the entire duration of their lives and while it can be heartbreaking to lose a job, if you see it coming then it will lessen the blow. My career advice at this point would be to hold your head up high and learn as much about the situation as you can; it could lead to greener pastures and a brighter future.

Eugene Calvini is a writer and office consultant; with a quick office search his successes are apparent including executive suites Raleigh and many other examples scattered across Europe.

Shop Around

Far too often job hunters get stuck in the rut of scouring job hunting sites for a perfect position only to find traveling sales and other cookie cutter positions available.  Shopping around means just that, and around doesn’t just mean job listing sites.  If you’re looking for jobs in a specific industry and location, try looking at website for the actual companies you want to work for.  Also, you may look for prominent industry leaders in the news.  Finding companies looking to hire isn’t solely dependent on job listing mega sites.  Often the position you’re looking for is right on your potential employers site.  Make the most of it and pool your resources.  Be creative and truly shop around, don’t just take the easy way out that leads to not finding a job.

Think Outside the Box

It’s no surprise when we hear job hunters frustrated with not being able to find a job.  What does surprise us is the lack of flexibility many job hunters have in finding a new position elsewhere.  Just because you have engineering experience doesn’t mean you can’t be appealing to an industry outside of the one you worked in prior.  Employers like people with flexibility and unique talents.  We often encounter military personnel transitioning to civilian life and see a variety of flexible options for their career move far from their prior experience.  Be realistic with your talents and think outside the box on potential future jobs.

Talk to a Recruiter

Recruiters can be one of the biggest assets to your job hunting, especially for executive positions or technical occupations.  Recruiters often have access to direct listings from employers and have an unbiased view of your credentials.  Also, they can likely point you in the direction of more likely leads and assist in helping you tweak your resume to suit the needs of employers they are coming across.  Because their exposed to so many industries and potential candidates they may know an avenue of employment that you’ve never considered.

When looking for a job it’s important to find one that’s right for you.  What you might not know is your dream job is a position you may not be aware of.  Doing some solid job shopping, creatively assessing your skills and utilizing tools and help that exists can help you find your dream job.  Make the most of what at your fingertips and see what can happen.

DefensePlacements is a job recruitment company that works with human resources departments to connect talented individuals with open positions in the manufacturing, defense, security and private equity industries.

Use The Emergency Slide

This is only really an option if you’re a flight attendant or pilot. It might sound made up but it’s exactly how Steven Slater terminated his employment with the American airline JetBlue.

While a flight was boarding in Pittsburgh one of the passengers said something to rumble Steven. After nearly 30 years of being insulted by rude customers he finally lost it. He took to the intercom, swore, grabbed a beer and deployed the emergency slide.

Unfortunately he was arrested shortly afterwards but there’s no denying that what Steven did was pretty cool.

By Sending A Gift

Sending a gift to a boss whose been taking you for granted for years is particularly satisfying as you’ll get to watch their facial expression turn from excitement to one of anger and disappointment. That sounds a bit mean, but if they’ve been treating you badly it’s nothing more than they deserve.

Obviously for this to work your gift has got to be funny whilst ramming home the point that you’ve quit your job. You don’t want to leave any loose ends. You could send a cake with decorated with your resignation, but your former colleagues might enjoy eating it a bit too much. Maybe a message carved from some mouldy cheese would work a bit better.

With a Pie Chart

Now ordinarily pie charts aren’t funny but when they’re detailing the reasons for your resignation they certainly can be. A pie chart lets you break all your reasons for leaving into a percentage. So Clive will know that his inappropriate antics at last year’s Christmas party make up 25% of your overall decision to quit, and Janet’s macaroon stealing can be attributed 7% of the blame.

It could be fun to whip your chart out at the end of a presentation you’ve been asked to do as it guarantees an audience for your moment of triumph. Actually it’s probably a better idea do it at the start of the presentation, that way you can get home a little early.

Write A Book

This is quite a commitment but at least it will give you enough time to decide whether you really want to quit. Writing a book is a particularly great way to resign if you’ve got a lot of bad things to say, as you’ll need a lot of material to fill all those pages.

The great Ernest Hemingway managed to terminate his contract with Boni and Liveright, an American publisher, by writing a novel. He was tied into a three book contract but if one of the first two was to be rejected it could be terminated. He wrote his novel ‘The Torrents of Spring’ in just 10 days knowing that it was far to risque to get published.

If it was good enough for Ernest it’s good enough for you. Happy writing!

Andy Dawson loves to read and write about funny things. He does a lot of work for Find Me A Gift, the funny gifts retailer based in the UK.

Does anyone know exactly who determined the height of cubicle walls?

The guy either had to be so short he thought it was high enough for real privacy or tall enough to be able to easily snoop on everyone else in the office.

Every employee who has toiled away inside these cloth-covered cubicle walls can relate to these 8 drawbacks, and most probably have a few favorites that we somehow left off the list.

Of course, cubicles don’t necessarily have to make bad working environments. Surrounded by a good team of creative people in an office that encourages and rewards hard work and accomplishments, the lack of electrical outlets doesn’t seem so bad, usually.

And there are ways to combat the most annoying aspects of cubicle life. Take number 7, for example. Why not rearrange your “furniture”—and I use that term in only the most general sense—so that your back isn’t to the door, er, I mean opening?

So, as you have a laugh or two at the expense of whoever designed your office, remember why you decided to pursue this career in the first place…even it was because you had to find a way to eat.

EQA Office Furniture offers free 3D design services to help companies go beyond the traditional office cubicle layout.

However, the introduction of social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter has allowed job seekers to gain direct access to potential employers. This can give you the competitive advantage you need to get ahead in your job hunt by allowing employers to find your resume as soon as job opportunities arise.

But to fully utilize its benefits job seekers need to be uploading their resumes onto their social profiles so that employers can also see who you are and what value you could bring to their company. Your resume can be written, video recorded or illustrated but combine it with social media and you will dramatically improve the success rate of your job hunt. Here are a few tips you optimise your resume effectively for social media:

Link to social

More and more resumes are now including a social media link to for example people’s Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn profiles alongside other contact details. Especially LinkedIn as it is a professional social network which can show employers what value you can bring to the business. By allowing employers to learn more about you and by making yourself more transparent, employers will feel more comfortable in hiring you.

You can even use social media to also find employers and get your resume to them through these platforms. For example by creating a LinkedIn profile you can upload your contacts from your email address book which is then used to create and build your network. You can then use the search feature to find companies or job opportunities and have a look at who in your network can pass your resume onto an employer or even introduce you to one.

Be consistent

Having information about yourself in so many different places makes it difficult to spot out dated information. It is vital not to have any discrepancies in your resume where information on your resume doesn’t match what is on your LinkedIn profile. It could damage your chances of being considered if mistakes are found as employers may consider you as dishonest. So make sure you keep track of all your profiles and jobsites where you have uploaded information and update it regularly.

SEO Keywords

Unfortunately employers are increasingly using Google and applicant tracking systems to find potential employees through social media sites. Where you rank in search results is highly important and even more important than appearing on the list at all. If your resume is listed on page 14 then your resume will have no chance of being viewed by employers.

So it is important to utilize SEO tools and leverage keywords to make your resume searchable. To do this read through job listings for the position you are aiming for and find common words that appear frequently such as similar skills and experience that is required and any industry jargon. By using relevant search terms you will dramatically increases your chances of being found by employers in the industry you are interested in working in.

Be Concise

It is becoming increasingly common to use resumes to fill out profile sections such as ‘about me’ and ‘work experience’. However, it’s important to select the most important aspects to summarize the key points. This will help provide a concise outline of your resume with all the important and relevant information employers need. Don’t overload your profiles as it will look cluttered, therefore putting employers off from reading it and you won’t be able to format your resume well either.

Spring Clean

Finally, make sure you give your social profiles a good spring clean. Go through and remove any incriminating posts or updates, basically anything which may reflect negatively on you. For example with Facebook you can pick and choose what certain people see. It’s important to remember that first impressions count online as well as face to face. So present yourself in a positive way and check and double check every profile for any spelling mistakes or grammatical errors.

Harpreet is a content writer and provides job hunting advice for students looking for graduate jobs.

There are a lot of different factors to take into consideration when looking for a job that is relevant to your field, especially in this digital age. There are a lot of resources to take advantage of – and some potential damage control you might need to do (goodbye, tipsy photos of yourself on Facebook).

What follows are a few resources and tips if you’re trying to find a job in your field but aren’t sure where to start.

Network, Network, Network

This is one of the most important things that you can do, both online and offline. You’ve heard the saying, “It’s not about what you know, it’s about who you know.” Especially in this job economy, if you have one foot in the door and can say, “So-and-so-in-this-industry referred me to you,” it will go quite a long way.

There are a number of different networks that you can take advantage of – one of the first being your alumni network. Whether it’s your alma mater or your high school there are bound to be people that you can ask for advice or bounce any questions that you may have about the state of the industry.

Having done the job search thing myself a number of times, there are a lot of online resources that you can take advantage of. Pretty much every industry and field has at least one of their own publications. You’re going to want to keep an eye on those not only to see what is currently trending in the industry, but also to see if they have any job listings posted – listings there are less likely to be snatched up and inundated with applications – of course, those applying are probably going to be more qualified, as well.

You’re also going to want to use LinkedIn to full advantage. Connect with anyone whose business card you get, and don’t be afraid to reach out to people who are in related groups with you or are second or third connections. It’s amazing how often people are open to networking – as long as you’re nice about it!

Don’t Settle

This may seem counter-intuitive in this job market, but don’t settle for a job that you aren’t interested in or that doesn’t pertain to your skills just because they make you an offer!

Know what you are looking for and stick to your guns. But you’re going to want to make sure that you aren’t so focused on your dream job that you don’t see all the different ways that you can apply your knowledge. There are a lot of different places that you could use an accounting degree – you could be an accountant for a sports team or a travel company if you wanted to be!

Make sure that you have a broader scope than what traditionally is in your field – throw “traditional” out the window. What you want to find is a job that you’re passionate about and interested in – and you never know where you might find that until you actually find it!

Be Direct

There are a lot of different approaches to finding a job – networking being one of them, job boards being another – but oftentimes these more indirect methods don’t even give you the satisfaction (and closure) of knowing that the position that you applied for has been filled.

Don’t be afraid to dig around the website of the place that you want to apply and get the contact information for the hiring manager and reach out to them directly to see if they have any open positions, or to see what the details of the position are.

And if you can’t reach the hiring manager directly, the career sections of many large company websites offer applicants the ability to fill out profiles, which often allow you to give a more complete picture of yourself and your skills that you don’t have the latitude to do on a resume.

This is not, by any means, a comprehensive, fool-proof way to find a job in your industry, but it’s definitely a good start.

Laura Green is a freelance writer who thinks that limiting your job search by industry sector is the place to start, but it never hurts to broaden your horizons. She hopes that everyone can find a job that calls to their passions and makes them want to come back to the office every day.

It can happen without warning. Under current UK law, it can happen at any point within your first two years of employment. Without reason or warning someone can walk into your office, explain your time of employment is at an end and you have to clear your desk. They don’t even have to give you a reason. If you’re lucky, your contract will mean you get paid for your notice period.

The next couple of days will be a living hell. Suddenly all your plans, whether they be holiday plans or plans to move house or even just repaint the kitchen have all just gone up in smoke. It’s easy to find yourself completely paralysed with fear, as your brain helpfully replays all the terrible consequences of your newfound unemployment back to you in an endless loop.

It’s easy to get completely consumed by panic at this point, but there is a way out. First, you need to slow right down.  You’re getting overwhelmed by flight and fight responses right now, and the only way to switch that off is to force yourself to stay still. It’s a good idea to stay away from the news outlets for a day or two, hearing about all the millions of reasons we’re all going to die isn’t really helpful in a high stress situation. The only way you’re going to get through this is if you keep calm. Here are a few things that can help.

Write Up A To Do List

Writing a To Do List is often the last refuge of the terminally disorganised. Depending on just how terrified you are of actually getting on with your tasks, your To Do List can be as detailed as you like, dated, timed, colour-coded, you name it. And of course at the top of your To Do List you write “Write To Do List” because then as soon as you’re done you can cross a task off. It’s a time honoured approach.

You don’t quite need to go that far, but it’s worth writing down a few of the things listed in this blog and working your way through them. Here’s the important bit though- Only do one task at a time, at least to start with. By doing small, manageable tasks you can keep yourself from being totally overwhelmed.

Make Contacts

One of the things you can get started on is meeting people for lunch. This not only gets you out of the house, but can help out for other reasons. One excellent idea is to meet up with someone you haven’t spoken to for at least two years. It doesn’t really matter who it is, only that you’ve not seen them for a while. This won’t directly lead you to your next job, but it will break you out of old habits, and might give you some new ideas.

Other people you want to start talking to are people you know who work in your industry. A great place to start is to catch up with other ex-employees from your old company. Where-ever they have moved onto they might be in a position to help you out, or at least give you some valuable information.

Revisit Your CV

If you’ve been employed a while, you probably haven’t even looked at your CV lately. How has it changed in the meantime? What new skills have you picked up, what responsibilities have you held? Don’t save all of that for the job interviews, lay it all out in black and white right now.

Wake Up Early

Okay, I’ll let you have one lie in a week. Just one! Any more than that and it starts to become habit forming. Get out of bed at the same time you normally would, shower and leave the house. Go for a job, maybe check out a museum. Simply being out of the house can help clear some of the cobwebs out of your head and keep you in a positive state of mind all on its own.

Write Your Thoughts Down

Keeping a diary, or even just a sketchbook can be a great way to figure out what you’re thinking and how much sense it’s making. Things to put in your new notebooks include brainstorming your wildest and wackiest job ideas. At the other end of spectrum, write down your absolute worst case scenario. You’ll probably find it isn’t as bad as you feared once it’s down on paper.

Keep An Eye Out

Always be on the lookout, whether it’s the newspapers, recruitment agency shop fronts or even your twitter feed, you never know where you might next see a great graduate jobs opportunity, or a chance to move up to the next level. Constant optimism is always really tiring at times like this, and don’t feel like you have to be constant sunshine and lightness from now on, but make sure that when you feel down it isn’t stopping you from seeing great new opportunities.

WikiJobs is the UK’s leading graduate jobs website, featuring a wide range of positions such as graduate engineering jobs and graduate finance jobs.

Every day, employers demand ask for resumes that contain the complete employment history of applicants. Intentionally evasive resumes find themselves in the circular file alongside honest resumes submitted by workers who have suffered from the modern economy. Job seekers should fight back. Applicants should use the following seven ways to deal with employment gaps in a creative and honest way.

List Employment by Year

The following entries might automatically disqualify an applicant from a job opportunity:

November 2014 – April 2015, Webmaster, School of Nursing
March 2010 – February 2014, Manager, ABC Company

Applicants know they suffered unemployment caused by layoffs, sickness or other issues that should have no bearing on their future employment. However, employers see the gap as a danger sign.

Applicants who have less than a year of unemployment can easily veil their employment gaps by listing start and end dates by year, not by month and year. This means workers who lost their jobs in February but did not return to work until November of the same year can present a resume that does not reveal the employment gap, making it a non-issue as shown below.

2014 –2015, Manager, XYZ Company 2010 – 2014, Manager, ABC Company

Spin Gaps as Relevant

People who have more than a large gap can find ways to make time spent outside the workforce as relevant. For example, applicants applying for a health-care position can report time spent caring for a sick or dying family member. Applicants seeking to work with a travel agency can highlight travel experiences during employment gaps.

Parents returning to work after raising children can list their volunteer experiences at school and in the community.

Avoid Negative Signals

Applicants who cannot portray activities during employment gaps as career enhancements should avoid sending negative signals to potential employers. For example, job seekers should avoid listing employment gaps as time spent in alcohol or drug rehabilitation. Similarly, workers should avoid mentioning prolonged illnesses and identifying extended unemployment on their resumes. People should consider listing independent study, family management, estate management and other wise terms to establish the fact that time spent out of work was positive and justified.

List Work History, Not Employment History

Workers can fill resume gaps by spending time volunteering for community organizations or businesses that need help but cannot pay for it. Such work contributes to personal and professional development but does not qualify as employment. Workers can honestly include this experience by listing work history rather than professional experience.

Attend School While Unemployed

Workers who take the initiative to continue their education have an easy way to explain employment gaps. This helps job seekers to present themselves as workers who willingly updated their skills to become valuable to future employers. Employers value proactive people above those content to spend some idle months or years watching daytime television.

Start Your Own Business

Employees who lose their jobs can choose to create their own jobs. This helps them find ways to earn a living without relying on the mercy of prejudiced employers who do not accept candidates with employment gaps. People regularly work as consultants, product resellers or service providers to help make ends meet while unemployed.

Workers should explain a period of self employment as a desire to try the life of an entrepreneur rather than a desperate measure to survive a streak of unfortunate luck.

Applicants who give up on the self-employed lifestyle should give positive explanations for their desire to re-enter the traditional workforce. Rather than expressing a desire to have a guaranteed paycheck and a short workday, workers should explain how they feel that they need to become part of a team to realize maximum potential.

Accept Responsibility

Applicants should find ways to creatively conceal employment gaps without falsifying their records. Millions of people have overcome periods of unemployment without sacrificing their core principles. Employers usually reject candidates who lack the character to deal honestly with potentially negative information on a resume.

Therefore, applicants who choose honesty have better chances for finding work. They also have the benefit of knowing that they have enough personal integrity to know where fudging and creativity end and lying begins.

When cornered about employment gaps, applicants should accept responsibility rather than blame the economy, past employers, Congress and other entities. Workers should admit they had difficult times in the past and then explain all the positive opportunities that subsequently arose. Employers value honesty and optimism, so they often will overlook employment gaps to give deserving candidates a chance to succeed.

This was a guest post by Matt B., who works as a freelance writer for www.schoolofNursing.com. SchoolofNursing.com prepares students for an exciting and challenging career in the field of nursing.

It is vital, however, that you keep your motivation alive so that you can increase your chances of finding a new job. Remember: your outlook can often greatly impact your future success, so staying motivated is important, especially when searching for a job.

Here are the top four ways to stay motivated while you hunt for your next job:

Avoid talking negatively

Although you may feel unmotivated and even quite blue about your situation, bemoaning your bad luck to others will only continue to affect your outlook and motivation (and make others avoid you!). Steer clear of negative topics – and steer clear of talking about your employment situation at all, if possible.

You will likely notice an immediate change in your attitude and outlook. Your friends and family can be a great source of motivation, so keep your loved ones close to you as you search for your next job.

Stay constructive instead of complaining

Instead of wasting your energy complaining about your bad situation, use the opportunity to ask friends, family and business associates for sound words of advice. Plus, your positive attitude and constructive conversation may very well get noticed by someone who may be looking for an employee just like you! Often times, if we simply stop talking and start listening, we can learn a lot from others, and it may just be the information we need to land our next job!

Get moving

Don’t let your unemployment sour you on actively looking for work. Although you may have suffered your share of setbacks regarding employment, the quickest way to lose motivation is to stop the search. Keep the process moving forward and keep the search up. Your attitude and outlook will likely improve because your daily job searches will make you feel as if you are accomplishing something and working toward a successful future. And don’t just sit on the computer. Hit the pavement and drop off your resume, in person; you never know who you’ll impress by your extra efforts!

Consider the things you don’t say

Our nonverbal communication is often as effective as our verbal communication. If you lose your motivation, your facial expressions – and even your body language – will respond accordingly. If you want to portray the self-confidence necessary to land your next job, you will need to get your attitude in order so your body and facial expressions will follow suit.

It only takes one job to turn your life around – and you could easily land that job as soon as tomorrow.  While you may be currently using introductory credit card deals as a financial safety net, keeping a positive outlook will more quickly translate into positive results.

Grace Carter from CreditDonkey posted this article.  CreditDonkey helps inform consumers of the latest credit card offers and deals available.

In lean economic times, the principle of earning more than you spend becomes even more important. Most people try to decrease their household budgets to save money. Have you cut spending to the bone but still have trouble saving money and meeting your financial goals? If so, the solution may be to increase your income.  If you can’t imagine delivering pizza after work or suffering through shifts at your local retail outlet on the weekends, how about a job you can do in the evenings from your home computer?

Small-Task Work

If you spend your evenings watching television or surfing the Internet, you can earn money at the same time by completing small tasks requested on various websites. The compensation per task is usually low, but an hour or two of work each evening can add up to a significant chunk of cash at the end of a month. ChaCha is a service that requires workers to answer questions texted by site users. The questions normally require very little research. Amazon Mechanical Turks, another small-task site, offers basic data entry and “liking” products on Facebook as ways to earn small amounts of money. You can access CloudCrowd directly from your Facebook page and earn money by looking for quotes and reviewing product descriptions for errors. Again, the tasks pay minimal amounts of money, but earnings can add up quickly.

Freelance Jobs

Do you have a specific skill set you can tap to earn extra money? Websites like Elance and oDesk offer a wide variety of jobs in categories ranging from computer programming to writing. With oDesk, you set up a profile that lists your skills so potential employers can select you for hourly work. You are paid directly via your oDesk account. Many employers offer part-time projects that can be completed in accordance with your schedule. Elance allows you to bid on listed jobs and work on them at your convenience as long as you meet the stated deadlines. Jobs found through these sites require more time and skill, but they are more lucrative than small-task work.

Cashback Sites

If carving out time to work a second job is a concern, or if you‘re looking for even more ways to supplement your income, use cash back websites. Ebates, for example, puts cash in your pocket simply for buying your favorite products. Do you need school clothes for your children or pet supplies for the family dog? Purchase them at Ebates partner websites to earn back a modest percentage of amounts you spend. The reward is small, usually only 2 to 4 percent, but the more you use Ebates the more quickly your cash grows. The best part? You earn money with no extra effort required.

Saving money is easier when you bring in extra money. Working part time from home is a smart way to spend time with your family and increase your income at the same time. You can find more helpful money management tips at Billeater.com.

Here’s a few simple ways to help you in your job search. It can be tedious and time consuming but if you want a job in today’s market, you’ve got to put in the time and be more flexible.

It’s Who You Know

This saying holds true more than ever in today’s market. Some companies are not publishing ads to hire people because they’re getting over 100 applicants per position. What this means is that many companies are asking their employees if they know anyone to fill a specific position or they’re posting positions in-house. You must get the word out to everyone you know; family, friends, neighbors, acquaintances, former co-workers, social media sites, etc., and let them know that you’re looking for a job..

Time to Fine Tune Your Cover Letter and Resumé

In order to make your cover letter and resumé stand out, you must rewrite them for each position that you’re applying with specific skills listed for that position. If you’re responding to an ad, take a look at what the employer is asking for in the ad. Do they list communication skills, customer service, and/or organizational skills? Think about whether or not you actually have these skills and if you do, jot down some specific achievements for that skill. Highlight these skills in your cover letter to draw interest from the hiring manager and then list them on your resumé.

Also, whenever you send out a cover letter and resumé, don’t use copy paper! Purchase good quality bond paper at any office supply store and make sure the envelopes match. Use the same font for both the cover letter and resumé, and use a standard readable font and not something unusual or fancy like script. Making your cover letter and resumé stand out among the others is crucial in today’s market.

Social Media Sites

Just about everyone is connected to a social media site these days. If you haven’t joined Twitter or LinkedIn, do so and begin networking with people and groups that interest you. After introducing yourself and conversing with them through tweets or emails, let them know what type of job you’re looking for and be specific. Do you want to relocate? Let that be known.

Many headhunters and recruiters are on the internet searching for qualified people for a specific position. You may not know they’re out there, but they are. If they see that you’re job searching, they’ll take notice and read your profile. The internet has changed the hiring process over the years, and it makes job searching easier for everyone. Take advantage of it!

Government Jobs

Have you thought about a job working for the government? Most people don’t consider these types of jobs when job hunting. The problem is that most job seekers don’t see job listings for the government because the government does not publish them. They’re usually found on a bulletin board in a government building or posted online at the government’s website. Find out what your local government’s website is and head for the employment or job postings section.

Dame is a marketing consultant with several years of experience. He is also contributing on professional resume , one of the best Australian career coaching and resumes specialized websites.

These are three questions you should ask to yourself to assess your long term career and aspirations.  The article also offers a few tips along the way on how to analyze your answers to these questions.

Do You Enjoy Being a Business Person as Much as a Web Designer?

This is an essential question that will determine whether you’ll experience continuing success as a freelance web designer.  In reality, many freelancers have an entirely backwards view of what their answer really means.  In fact, some people assume that the tendency towards enjoying an entrepreneurial life means that they are bound forever on a corporate desk.

For these people, business activities are related to being nice to the boss and wearing a nice suit. In fact, being a freelancer is also being a real businessperson, even if you are only running a small one-person operation.  Sure, some people can fly by for a couple of years without any real skill and experience of how to properly run a small business, but eventually sooner or later they’ll catch up.

You should be aware that being a businessman also means you should understand your federal and local tax laws, scheduling meetings with your clients,  planning marketing strategy,  filling out paperwork,  choosing the right declaration and performing tons other of other related activities.

Those who shun the thought of so much tedious extra work should not be a freelance web designer, having a full-time employment means that they can quickly forget about these things.

Are You a Self-Driven Individual?

It is a fairly straightforward question and it easily judges the outcome of your decision.  Those who ate not very self-driven probably should not become a businessman.  However, the problem that comes along with the question is how dishonest your assessment could be.  Perhaps, more than 90 percent of people would claim that they are very self-driven, but we can’t easily trust the assumption that 90 percent of the population is well motivated.

It is important to test yourself whether you really have an insight into this question.  For example, you should list things that you want to learn the most, if they include those related to business operations,  such as accounting, marketing and human relation then you have a better chance as a freelance. If this is the case, lock yourself away in a quiet room for 3 hours and learn everything you can about those subjects.  While you are doing this, remember that no one is forcing you to do it. After 3 hours, check if you have learned a lot and not easily distracted.

See what have been completed when there’s no one that pushed you around.  If the whole 3-hour session is a waste of time, how could you motivate yourself to multitask with design and business activities.  This is a simple simulation of what it is like to be an effective freelance.  As intrusive as it’s to have your boss looking over your shoulder, many people need that kind of motivation to be productive.

If you are poorly self-driven, there’s nothing wrong with admitting it as it impossible or at least difficult for you to become a successful freelance. If this is the case, the full-time employment gig could be the way to go.  In reality, for many Web designers, a quiet, personal work environment is a perfect place where they can thrive.  The corporate arena is often a distracting and busy place, which can wreak havoc on their concentration.  Those who nod their head in agreement should really consider to become freelancers.

Can You Respond to Feedback?

True, both employees and freelancers endure a whole lot of feedbacks, however the difference lies in where they come from.  Freelancers need to handle client request directly and they should consider the fact that often clients know very little about Web design. Often, a seemingly small request might have a huge impact to your design.  Clients may easily ruin your beautiful designs and you have to accept it with the smile on your face because they are paying you to do it.

Many freelance Web designers simply freak out when clients request for even simple changes.  It is a quick way to run your start-up into the ground as you are scaring your clients away. On the plus side, freelance Web designers can what they choose to provide and who they choose to work for.  Some clients may sling harsh criticism and make lofty demands as if they have a complete power on you. But remember that you can fire abusive clients and it is far easier to do that than quitting your primary job which you depend on to pay the bills and the mortgage.

In the corporate arena, the so-called ‘management’ often acts as buffer between you and the client.  This can be both a good or bad thing, if your company is run by an effective management team they will filter annoying hassles and interpret complicated feedback to help make the creative process flows among web designers.  On the other hand, a bad manager is just a weak link in the chain.

The larger the company is, the worse the situation may become.  Many employed Web designers know first hand that huge marketing firms have so much red tape and bureaucracy that can drive them to madness.  There are multiple levels in the hierarchy which can literally make a request takes months to be approved.

In order to become a highly successful full-time employee, you should be prepared to receive indirect feedback and you’ll get lots of it. Freelance web designers should still be prepared for feedback but they receive it directly from the client.

Raja Writes on SEO, Blogging, Web Design, Web Hosting. He regularly writes on CPanel Hosting Reviews and Cloud Hosting Reviews at WebHostingReview.info

Keeping stress to a minimum is imperative for good health since constant worrying often leads to headaches, an upset stomach, high blood pressure and even strokes and heart disease. The emotional ailment can even see some workers being prescribed time off of work and in some instances, stress can even be deemed as the cause of an accident which occurs in the workplace. Employers may be liable to make compensation payouts to employees who hurt themselves as a result of stress and to those that suffer psychiatric problems due to work pressures.

No matter the challenges you face in your own employment though, it is unlikely that they will compare to those faced by individuals working in the five jobs that I consider to be the most stressful in the world (unless you do work in one of the following occupations obviously!)

School Teacher

How could the job of school teacher not appear on this list? Some parents find it difficult to control just one child and so a room of 30 or more can be a right nightmare!

There are some people who would argue that teachers have very little to complain about considering their working hours (usually 9am – 3pm), long summer holidays and better than average pay packet but a teacher’s life really isn’t an easy one.

Teachers are not only responsible for the education of their students (who are often rude, rowdy and refuse to sit still) but they must also aid their emotional development, protect them from the threat of bullies and warn them of the perils involved in drug taking and under aged sexual activity. This is besides constant meetings with other staff members and the parents of troublesome kids, as well as endless evenings spent producing lessons plans and report cards.

Surgeon

I never really got the hang of using a needle and thread and so pursuing a career as a surgeon was never really an option for me!

Whereas most of us can get away with going to work for a day without having had an adequate amount of sleep the night before, the consequences of this can be devastating for a surgeon. Just the simplest of mistakes can see accident compensation claims being made against a surgeon and the medical practise for which they work.

Horror stories involving surgeons include those that accidently sew up patients whilst they still have pieces of surgical equipment inside of them and inadvertently performing surgery on the left – instead of right – organ or limb (or vice versa). Constantly witnessing the awful ailments that others suffer must also see surgeons constantly fearful for their own health.

Commercial Air Pilot

Human beings were never designed to fly and so being in control of a vehicle which allows people to do exactly that must be quite daunting! There may be some things that are out of the control of the pilot when up in the air (a flock of birds flying into a plane’s jets, for example) but as a rule, that one man is responsible for the lives of everyone on board.

Airline customers can be quite grumpy thanks to the delays they often face. Imagine being the pilot of a ridiculously late plane filled with disgruntled customers who you must then address cheerily through the plane’s intercom.  Also imagine having to leave your family at home for days at a time when controlling an aircraft on a long-haul flight and having to rely on the advice of control tower operators – which the headlines recently revealed have a tendency of falling asleep whilst on the job – to land safely.

Add the recent threat of terrorist attacks to the equation and you have one very stressful career!

Paparazzi

You might think that pointing and clicking a camera is a rather easy job but anyone who takes and sells photographs to the press for a living is very likely to lead an extremely manic existence!

Snapping that hot celebrity looking absolutely awful or securing the first shot of an A-List couple’s newly born baby isn’t going to be possible unless said snapper is forever on the heels of the rich and famous. Paparazzi must always be careful when following celebs for being spotted could lead to a claim of harassment and/or a nasty punch in the face.

It is not just candid photos of celebrities which fetch a high price either – members of the paparazzi can also make themselves a significant amount should they take great pictures at the scene of a natural disaster or terrorist attack. It is not unheard of that a photographer will risk their own wellbeing for the perfect shot.

Housewife

There are many people that would argue that being a stay-at-home-mum does not count as a real job but the women actually in this role know only too well the hard work that is involved! This is especially true for mothers who have multiple children.

Housewives not only have endless loads of laundry to wash and dry throughout the day but they are often left to pay the bills and complete the weekly grocery shop too. To top it all off her husband and kids are sure to bring more problems/chores home with them once their working/school day is over. The fact that Mum is at home “all day” means that the rest of the family expects the house to always be in tip top condition and dinner to ready on the dot because it’s not as if she has had anything else to keep her occupied, is it? (Note the sarcasm).

If you make a mistake at an office job or in a commercial kitchen, you could upset – or even hurt – a customer (read as; stranger) whereas the actions of mothers can directly affect the lives she has created and so the role of Mum is arguably more traumatic.

What do you think? Do you agree that these are the five most stressful jobs in the world? Share your views in the comments below.

Sarah Cole is the author of the blog post. Sarah is the designer of a popular online injury compensation calculator.

Network other job seekers

Networking is a big part of this process. There will be a lot of other people searching for jobs right along with you. As you seek out jobs from different companies all over the United States, take a look around and get to know other students around you. They are in the same boat as you but if you get to know them, you can network and make sure that you have future contacts. Most likely, these other students will be getting jobs or internships eventually and in the long run, it is smart to keep in contact with them, Maybe one day they will help you out when you need a job.

Get advice from professionals

Career fairs are a great way to talk to real professionals. People who come to career fairs are true professionals and have worked for a while out in the real world. Many college students do not have any idea what it is really like to work in a big company. If you get a chance, sit down with someone who works in the field that you want to work in. They will be able to give you some amazing advice. I had the opportunity to sit down and talk to a manager at a huge advertising agency and she told me a lot of useful things. She told me what advertising agencies look for when hiring job applicants and it really gave me some good insights.

Practice your job interview

When you get a chance to sit down with a professional, it gives you a chance to practice your job interview skills. Although you are not actually in an interview, you are still around a professional and you need to act like one. When they ask you a question, think about your answer and give a solid and intelligent response. They might not even be looking for people to hire right now but think of it as a great time for you to practice your skills for when you do actually get a real interview with that dream job of yours.

About the Author
Meagan J Hollman is a writer for the website MyCollegesandCareers.com. My Colleges and Careers can help you get the education that you will need if you need to get into the top careers.

Making a Positive Impression

The importance of the chemistry component of interviewing should not be discounted. People hire people they like. It is critical to make an effort to smile and connect with company representatives. An interested demeanor wins the approval of hiring executives. Equally important is making eye contact during the interaction. Studies show that people who do not make eye contact during an interview often receive comments later about poor communication skills.

>Body language definitely impacts another person’s impression of you. Interview candidates need to be hyper aware of posture and other subtleties that impact perceived professionalism. For example, it is a good idea to pause before answering serious questions. Even if you have rehearsed the answer one hundred times, pausing before making an important statement is sure to earn more points for being thoughtful and serious about your answer. Using your hands and eyes to emphasize certain answers makes you seem more human and enthusiastic.

Treat everyone you meet at the company like a VIP. There are many cautionary tales about a job candidate not being hired because they were impolite to a receptionist or some other company representative, based on the assumption that person had no clout in the hiring process. Making that type of assumption can cost you a job.

Don’t joke around too much. If the interviewer makes a joke, then it is alright to laugh. As the job candidate, if you initiate jokes you might be perceived as not taking the job interview seriously. It is best to remember that an interview is a formal setting and should be treated as a serious interaction with definite rules to follow.

Do Your Homework

Hiring professionals expect you to conduct a search on Google at the very least to research the company. Anyone who has obviously completed some basic research on the company will be considered unprepared and unprofessional. Research is also critical for preparing a list of thoughtful questions. If you don’t ask good questions, you don’t really appear to be interested and prepared.

Another part of being prepared includes reviewing any requirements posted and gaining as much information before and interview as possible about the most important requirements for the job. Human resource professionals who schedule interviews can usually give you information about job requirements. As an interested party, it is up to you to get as much of this information as possible beforehand for the purpose of preparing answers to satisfy interviewers.

Deadly Interview Mistakes

There are certain interview practices to always avoid. Never say anything critical about a previous employer. Another definite issue to avoid initially in the interviewing process is bringing up salary or vacations. Let the employer be the first to bring up these subjects after there is some serious interest shown by the company. If you bring up these subjects too early, you risk being viewed as presumptuous and overly concerned about what the company can do for you, instead of what you have to offer the company.

Damian Wolf is freelance writer and part time blogger. He contributes on mining recruitment blog, one of the best Australian online destinations for job seekers.

Even if you are sure that you have done tasks correctly, he never fails to embarrass you. Every single day he haunts you. You don’t want to let go of your job. That’s why you are looking for ways on how you can turn the negativities into a positive one.

This is your lucky day because I have collected some of the best tactics which can help you with your problem. The tips I have here are based from my experiences. These are simple and effective.

Always exert effort to impress your boss

I bet that you don’t want to do this because you feel that it’s useless. But you have to show your boss what you are made of. Perhaps, he thinks that you suck at your job. But if your other bosses think the other way, he can’t do anything to you. And if you are confident that you have done the right thing, there’s no need for you to be worried.

Make friends with your colleagues (even the people from other departments)

Remember that your boss is not the only person in your office. Make your everyday working experience happy by making friends. This will make you eager to work.

Invite your boss for after – office night outs

Pretend that you don’t know his scam of making your life a living hell. You can casually invite him for dinner. If he declines, then that’s fine. As long as you have done your part, that should be enough,

Take criticisms professionally

As much as it gets irritating, you have to give the benefit of the doubt. Maybe, your boss has a different way of motivating his subordinates. As for you, take down notes and constantly improve yourself.

Leave your professional problems in your office

Never take your problems in the office to your homes. It will greatly affect your relationship with your family. I suggest that you talk to your parents or partner about this. However, don’t make them your ‘shock absorbers’. Make your homes your sanctuary and forget your problems at work. That way, you will be fresh the morning after. As a result, you will become more effective aft work.

In almost all business industries, there will be a power tripping boss. Don’t let them scare you away. Who knows if they are just threatened with your presence? Do your job well and he can’t do any harm in the future.

Kim Bookman is the lead journalist for Gowelding.org, the go-to-place for welding careers and welding classes. The site takes you through the four most common types of the welding process and how to become a certified welder.

Religion

Belief systems should not constitute the focus of discussion. For every common point of reference between religions there are areas of doctrine that are not open for discussion or comparison without causing offence. This includes dietary preferences, religious symbols or clothing, or attempted conversion of people who already belong to another faith.

Politics

The workplace is not an appropriate location for political argument. Each member of the workforce is entitled to keep their political persuasions to themselves and not face prejudice as a consequence. Just as no employee is under obligation to reveal their salary, so no employee is under obligation to reveal who he or she voted for.

Personal Finances

A favourite topic of conversation which is rarely far from the headlines, gossip may lead others to divulge their own financial woes. This is not for public consumption. It can also give ammunition to those seeking to compare the personal finances of other employees within a pay grade comparable to their own. It may also cause others to formulate a negative opinion about the relative worth of an employee.

Relationships

Personal relationships are best left off the agenda. Salacious gossip can have a corrosive effect on morale and the perceived integrity of individual employees, especially if they conduct their affairs in private and talk about them in the workplace. And those who enjoy healthy, vigorous relationships outside the office should not really be discussing these with work colleagues.

Long-Term Medical Issues

Human resources should already be aware of any long-term medical conditions that may have an impact on a worker’s ability to perform. They will judge how to factor the management of this condition and its effects into the worker’s appraisal. Any other condition that an employee might choose to drop into the conversation should be treated with care. Managers will react negatively to employees making sweeping statements about the fragility of their own health, especially if they have not approached them through the official channels to seek advice, and begin to question their fitness in relation to their contribution.

This piece was provided by a leading expert in payroll software services.

How about getting a part-time job?

What you need to know

For starters, the job market is intensely competitive and this applies to part-time jobs just as much as it does to full-time jobs. So, you need to be either very well qualified (or experienced) or prepared to sacrifice the salary and become a volunteer. Being a volunteer will keep you busy, but it won’t bring in any kind of income, not even a trickle.

Secondly, you need to consider your health and energy levels. Some part-time jobs could require nigh-shift work. Now this doesn’t bother all retirees because they may find that they need less sleep to function, but others are pretty set in their ways and the disrupted sleeping routine could play havoc with their health. Some jobs are physically demanding, such as swimming training or helping out at a crèche.

Ensure that whatever you do complements your lifestyle while meeting your needs.

5 Part-time options for retirees

Bookkeeper

Kerry Hannon lists bookkeeping as one of her top five part-time jobs for retirees. Bookkeeping is great for retired accountants because it keeps their minds active in a familiar field but eliminates the stress of working in the corporate world. Part-time bookkeepers generally offer their services to small businesses that don’t have complicated financial needs. You can choose to go into the office to work or to work from home. You can work exclusively for one business or take on as many clients as you think you can manage. The advantage of taking on jobs like this in your retirement is that you don’t have to deal with unpleasant clients. If someone consistently pays you late or makes unnecessary demands, you can just fire them.

Carer

The kind of care you’re prepared to give will determine the qualifications needed. If you want to work with the elderly (to get a peek of what you’re in for) you’ll probably need at least one aged care course under your belt. But, if your primary aim is to provide companionship then all you really need is a friendly personality, patience and some CPR. The hours you work will depend on your dedication and the needs of your clients. Some people only want a carer to come in a couple of times a week to do the shopping, pay bills and read to them. In other cases you might be part of a small team of people who work in five-hour shifts to keep bedridden patients fed, clean and entertained on a daily basis.

Child minder

Think about this carefully before you leap in. You’ve probably raised your own children, so you know that kids take a lot of energy. You might even have grandkids to deal with, in which case they should serve as a constant reminder of how much work children can be. Child minding is not a job for someone looking for a nice relaxing time surrounded by the sound of children’s laughter and nothing else. In addition to occasionally being little cherubs, kids run and cry and scream and bully each other and break things (their bones, toys, your prized orchids and the china your grandmother gave you). If you still think it’s worth it, you can take on the responsibility of looking after other people’s kids in the mornings, or afternoons or on a needs-only basis. Or, you can try babysitting instead. It’s less stressful and you won’t have to get any licences or abide by any official child-minding regulations.

Swimming trainer

Little kids need to learn to swim. Most little kids go to swimming lessons. You can start your own afternoon swimming classes. You’ll need a pool, or access to a pool. It shouldn’t be too deep or too big. You’ll need to know CPR and you’ll need a shrill whistle to get attention.

Librarian (sort of)

This also makes Hannon’s list. Now, you don’t need to be a proper librarian with a degree in library science and intimate knowledge of the Dewey Decimal System. You can work in the kiddies section in the afternoons or on Saturday mornings, reading to the kids or organising fun kids’ activity days. You can also help pack away books because kids never put anything away – but only if the librarians will let you.

Sandy writes on behalf of Now Learning, which promotes online courses in Australia, such as IT courses, marketing diplomas and management certificates.

Self Assessment

Before making a decision as big as changing your career, you need to establish a few things about yourself. Are you in a position to change work? Is it best for you and what you want? You need to assess your current skill-set and identify what it is you want to achieve.

Have a clear vision in mind about where you want to be and what career you want. Make sure you have researched the options open to you in your chosen career and are fully prepared to make the change.

Education and Qualifications

Once you have researched your potential new career, you need to research what qualifications you will need. Will you need to go back to university, and gain certain qualifications before even being considered for a role?

If this is the case, is on-the-job training provided? Or will you have to be out of work for a considerable about of time before you get a new job? If you already have some qualifications, are they still in date and acceptable?

Experience

Many employers value on-job experience as highly as qualifications. If the job requires you to carry out work experience, contact as many companies as possible looking for placements. Some may even take you on as an apprentice.

Apprentices earn a reduced wage but gain real-world experience and training on the job. Many apprenticeships will fund, or partially fund, any qualifications so it is worth shopping around. Interning at companies is also a great way to get experience, though more often than not you won’t receive a wage.

Networking

Networking is a great way to learn more about the industry you want to work in. Speak to seasoned professionals and find out exactly what you’re getting yourself into – before you take the plunge. It is important you don’t change career simply because “the grass is greener”.

Reading forums, commenting on blogs and joining the conversation on social media are great ways to speak to people who know the industry inside out. The more you know about the job before you take the plunge, the better. You don’t want to leave a stable career to find that your dream job is more of a nightmare.

Financial Planning

Possibly the most important step to take before changing your career is planning your finances for the long term. If you are going to be out of work and studying for any length of time, have you got the money to fund education and live comfortably? This will be the biggest test of all and is often the biggest downfall.

Speak to your partner, and check they’re happy and stable enough in their own career to be the breadwinner while you retrain. It is important your normal life is disrupted as little as possible by your decision to change career.

This article is a guest contribution from Outcomes UK, a specialist in interim management, social work recruitment and executive search and selection. Contact them today to see what they can do for you.

In this economy, it’s important to do everything you can to get a recruiter to remember you. Going the extra mile could be the difference between getting a job offer and not getting one. An MBA and experience alone won’t impress recruiters, but by following these helpful tips, you could increase your chances of getting an interview.

Send a Follow-Up Note

Following up with a recruiter by sending them a note is an ideal way to get them to remember you. A handwritten note will make you stand out from other applicants, and remind the recruiter that you are available, interested, and thoughtful. It’s important to send a follow-up note in the right way. Be sure to let the recruiter know that you enjoyed speaking with them, and reiterate your interest in their company. Don’t talk about yourself too much, but do feel free to include some highlights relating to your education and work experience. Above all, mention that you hope to hear from them in the future, and include your contact information so they can easily get in touch with you.

Learn How to Tell a Compelling Story

When talking with recruiters, they’ll want to know more about you. They can find out the basics from your résumé, but what they really want to know is why. Why did you choose to go to a particular college? Why did you decide to major in History before going on to complete your MBA? Why did you decide to pursue an MBA after five years of experience in electrical engineering? Most of all, why do you want to work for their company? If you have an engaging story, one that is compelling and memorable, recruiters are more likely to remember you and want to speak with you again. Practice telling the story of how you got to where you are today with a friend or family member. It will make it much easier to tell your life story to a recruiter if you’ve told it dozens of times before to someone else.

It’s also important to be prepared to talk about why you want to work for their company. Recruiters are used to hearing MBA students give a short answer to why they want to work for their company. To really blow everyone else out of the water and make the recruiter remember you, have a more detailed answer prepared. For maximum effectiveness, make your answer about how your education and experience can benefit the company. You want to talk about how you can be an asset, but you don’t want to focus on how getting the job would benefit you personally. All of the focus should be on how hiring you would be beneficial for the company.

Show Them What You Can Do

A great way to get a recruiter to remember you is to prepare something that really shows what you can do. For example, if you’re an MBA student hoping to get a marketing job after graduation, you could prepare a brief presentation that highlights some ways you believe the company could increase sales. Whatever your field of interest, make a mock presentation and show it to the recruiter, then ask if you can email them a copy later.

Andy Anderson is a career counselor and writes for a site that outlines the best MBA programs, featuring extensive information and listings for the best online MBA programs available.

Many people are out of work, and they are looking for new jobs. With the slow economy, many people have been laid off due to a company having to downsize their expenses. Some of the companies thought this could save their company from going out of business completely; but this caused more people to start looking for new employment. Being unemployed is hard enough, but it is even harder trying to save on the gas used to hunt a job. But there are some tips that might help you conserve your gas usage while you look for that new job.

The first tip is to use your existing contacts and people you know. Inform them that you are now looking for employment, and if they know of any job openings to let you know. With the social media’s, we have more contacts than ever before; and the social medias can be used to our advantage. When you let people know you are looking for a job, you will have a chance to hear about a job opening sooner. By using this method, you can conserve your gas since you will only drive to job sites that are actually hiring.

A second method to conserve your gas is to prepare a resume that you can mail or fax to possible new employers. They will have the opportunity to review your resume, and then they can call you for an interview if they are interested in talking to you. This is another opportunity for you to conserve your gas; since you will only travel to them if they call you in for an interview.

A third method to save your gas usage is to look online for a job, and post your completed resume on some sites. But you will still need to apply for some of these jobs in person. There is several online job search engines that you can use to find a job in your area. These sites will allow you to post your resume, and the employers that are interested will be able to contact you by email or phone. This can narrow your travel time down and conserve your gas. You will only be going to employers that have shown an interest in you; you will not be making trips to every job you found online.

There will be a time that you will need to leave your house and actually go to the physical location of a business to look for a job. It is better to have a list of where to go to look for a job at before you leave home; this will make your driving more efficient and use less gas on the trip. Having a good road plan will ensure less gas usage. You will know exactly where you are going without making unnecessary turns and using more gas. It might not seem like very much saved, but every dollar you can save on gas adds up.

Another gas saving tip is to check your area for job fairs. A job fair will be in one location, and you will have opportunities to meet company representatives from the areas. The companies are looking for employees to represent their company. By attending a job fair, you will get to meet these representatives of these companies on a personal level; and all at one location. This will save you the gas of going to each individual company.

If you are unemployed, you will want to conserve all your money to pay your bills. Conserving the gas it takes to travel for job hunting is no different. Locating the best job can become expensive if you do not follow these tips. If you go out and just travel around with no idea of where to look or not care how much gas you use, then you will be broke before you find a job. Simple planning techniques are the solution to save gas while job hunting as well as using your contacts and online searches; you can save gas.

Marcie McDonald is an insurance consultant who writes for cheapestcarinsurance.org.uk and highly recommends checking online for car insurance comparison websites. This site even includes classic car insurance quotes.

Does it sound familiar?

Logic tells us that any job is better than no job, especially with unemployment being the way it is. But hating your job, as over 80% of working people do, takes a huge emotional and psychological toll which often manifests in physical illness (real, feigned and imagined).

The effects are not only felt in people’s personal lives but also in the corporate environment. People who hate their jobs simply aren’t as productive as those who love their jobs, or feel more or less neutral about going to work every day. Job haters tend to use all their available sick days in a given year, they take long coffee breaks, gaze out the window and generally seek distractions. The quality of their work is also often poor because they lack the motivation to put in the effort required.

Of course, quality of work doesn’t suffer as much when the boss is something of a demon.

Horrible bosses are able to suck the joy out of even the most satisfying jobs. Countless people who are passionate about their career paths stumble in the face of a boss with absolutely no people skills. Horrible bosses come in all forms. There are those that micromanage every single process, that are weak and unable to lead, that take all the glory and shrug off all the blame, that delegate everything, that lose their tempers and shout, that are hypocritical, that gossip, that express overt favouritism … the list goes on.

The sad truth is that the perfect boss doesn’t exist. Even bosses that seem decent for years can turn on a dime and make life impossible. It’s up to you how you decide to handle it. Some people have a very basic philosophy: they won’t work for anyone who doesn’t respect them. Other people don’t have that luxury. Mortgages, kids in school, car payments, insurance, pension plans and medical aids are all very effective at keeping people miserable in jobs they hate.

Tips to survive the job you hate

• Talk about it. It’s not just enough to complain to your friends and family about how much you hate your job; you also have to talk to someone in your HR department. The people in the HR department are there for their ability to solve people-problems. They’re trained to help you manage stress and deal with internal hassles all while maintaining confidentiality. If the problem is a big one, like sexual harassment, then they will ask your permission before taking the matter further.
  If you work for a very small company without an HR department then you’ll have to bite the bullet and try talk to your boss or immediate manager.
• Get a hobby. As difficult as it sounds you need to make a concerted effort to leave your work problems at work. The best way to do this is to distract yourself with something that you love, or to try different things until you unlock your secret passion. Many community centres and libraries offer classes and groups for a range of activities, such as pottery, pencil drawings, scrapbooking, writing, yoga, pilates and aromatherapy. A lot of places will let you try out a lesson for free to see if you like it before committing yourself to the class. Find out about local sports clubs in your area, even if it’s just bowls or hiking. Alternatively, research some hobbies on the internet. You’ll find information and tutorials on anything from bird watching to knife making.
• Save the best for last. People have a tendency to leave the worst for last, but, thinking back to you childhood again, do you remember saving the best food on your plate for last? Remember holding breath while bolting the broccoli and then savouring the mashed potatoes? Revive this childhood tradition in the workplace. Rather than procrastinate and leave the most tiresome and dreaded assignments or tasks for the end of the day or the end of the week or the last minute of the deadline, get them done first. Having the worst behind you allows you to savour the bits of your job that you still enjoy. Otherwise, even the fun bits are tainted by the awful bits looming over your head.

If nothing helps and you still feel like crying in the car on your way to work every morning you should think very seriously about putting your CV on some job sites and expanding your horizons. In the end, no job is worth your self-esteem, dignity and sanity.

Sandy writes for a number of different blogs, on a number of different topics, including job posting software, advertising, travel, technology and the environment.

Many new college students, and continuing students, start to feel ambitious during their years in formal education. This usually translates as them signing up for more classes than they can handle. Let’s not beat around the bush, the number one thing that keeps college students from focusing more on school is that they spend too much time in social activities. Socializing in college is actually a very important part of the overall experience. However, you aren’t paying thousands of dollars in tuition to socialize. The purpose of college is to learn skills that will help you start a productive career. Thus, you need to learn to find a balance between all of your various duties and responsibilities in your college years. However, there are some circumstances that may justify you giving up on a class (and keep in mind that pure laziness is NOT listed below):

1. It looks like you are about to fail. If you have already wasted too much time at the beginning of the semester and it looks like you may possibly fail the course if you continue, you may have the option of dropping the course. Most colleges have a specific deadline set where they allow students to “withdraw” from a course without it affecting their GPA. If you are already failing and the deadline hasn’t passed, you will still have time to withdraw safely from the course without any negative effects.
2. You are sacrificing too much sleep. Sleep is one of the most important things our bodies need to keep us healthy, just as important as eating healthy. Too many college students sacrifice this valuable commodity in order to do all the things they want/need to do. If you find yourself struggling in your classes because of lack of sleep, then you should obviously rethink whether you are wasting too much time socializing, or whether you have been too ambitious in your schedule this semester. If it’s the socializing, then you know what you have to do. If it’s because you have a heavy course load, then you may want to rethink your class schedule.
3. Your roommates tell you that you look stressed. If other people are starting to notice that you are looking particularly stressed out, then obviously you should re-evaluate your priorities and coursework. Stress can have many detrimental effects on your health. If the stress is coming from a source not involving school, you may have to sacrifice something else to make that stress go away, or you may have to sacrifice school until you have taken care of that first problem. It all depends on what your particular source of stress is.
4. The class is ridiculously boring. If you start a course and find that it’s so ridiculously boring that your head hits the desk the second you sit down, you may want to reconsider taking the course. If it’s a general credit course, you’ll have no problem finding a different subject area that may interest you. If it is a course required for you major, you may want to rethink your major. . .
5. The professor is worse than Ben Stein. Remember those commercials for Clear Eyes in which Ben Stein talked in a monotone the whole time. . . well, unfortunately, there are many real professors who speak like that. There are also many that you may just straight-up dislike. If you dread going to class because you feel like the professor has a personal vendetta against you, you may consider dropping it. Although, learning how to deal with it will probably be great for your own character development.

Tiffani Azani is a freelance writer for MyCollegesandCareers.com. My Colleges and Careers provides online tools for prospective students to help them connect with the best online colleges and earn a college degree.

Julia Child has become a household name among cooks in the United States and even throughout the world. Even beyond her death, her story and her impact on the culinary world continue to live on. While Ms.Child did not initially set out to become a world famous chef and household name, her career savvy and perseverance paid off by creating a career to which others can aspire to achieve.

Lesson #1 – Do Your Background Homework

Ms. Child is famous for her French cooking, but she did not know how to even speak French when she arrived in France with her husband in the 1940s. Determined to make her situation work, she invested the time and effort into learning the language of the culture that eventually became her passion. In order to advance your career, take classes, learn something new about your industry or technology.

Lesson #2 – Find Your Passion and Follow It

Ms. Child loved living in France. She also discovered that she loved French food. This passion and enthusiasm followed her throughout her entire career. Find out what you are passionate about and make it your life’s work. If it is sport fishing, find a way to integrate that into your work. Work should be something you enjoy and want to do, not something that is a dredge and to be avoided.

Lesson #3 – Keep Learning

Ms. Child did not start her career as a chef until she was well into her 30s. She was not only passionate about food, but she wanted to excel in being a chef. She took every class she could find and worked at it diligently until she had mastered whatever cooking technique or skill needed to succeed. Take the attitude that you never “arrive,” but instead are on an interesting and exciting journey.

Lesson #4 – Be Joyous

One of the things that set Ms. Child apart from chefs of her time was her enthusiasm and excitement about what she was doing. To watch her was to see her absolute joy and excitement about food, especially French food. Follow your joy and your passions and demonstrate and express your enthusiasm for your work.

Lesson #5 – Know that it Takes Hard Work

Being successful takes work. Ms. Child continued to be creative and find innovative solutions, even into her later years. She was willing to make the extra effort to not just pass her classes in culinary school, but wanted to be the top in her class. Do whatever it takes to reach your goals and achieve excellence in your field.

Lesson #6 – Acknowledge that You Make Mistakes and Keep Going

One of the things that Ms. Child did not waste time on was wallowing if she messed up and made a mistake. If something flopped, then it did not work and she moved on. She used failures as an opportunity to learn and moved forward. Know that you are human and will make mistakes. Use the lessons learned about what not to do and go forward, knowing you will do better next time.

Lesson #7 – Ask for Feedback

Ms. Child recognized that in her passion for French food, she was introducing something new to the American public at large. She frequently asked family and friends for feedback about what they liked and what they found easiest to make from her recipes and cookbooks. Be willing to hear what others have to say about your work and ideas.

Lesson #8 – Build on Your Foundation

Ms. Child was not satisfied to just be a cook. She wanted to be a chef, then she wanted to be a teacher. With each new skills, she developed a new set of goals and reached for them. Be willing to continue to develop your skills and build upon your foundation.

Lesson #9 – Be Willing to Test the Theory

Ms. Child quickly learned that food is a passion in France and an entire art unto itself. She became quite willing and wanted to test ideas and concept out, until she had absolute knowledge that they worked. Be willing to take a risk and challenge the status quo. You might be surprised and learn that just because something has always been done a certain way, does not mean it has to be done that way forever.

Lesson #10 – Value Yourself

Ms. Child’s first efforts at introducing French cooking to the American public were not easy. In fact, they took many, many years. She understood intuitively that what she wanted to accomplish was of value and could be successful. Even if you are faced with challenges in achieving your goals or introducing new innovations, stay determined and keep trying. Eventually, you will get there.

Another valuable lesson is to manage your finances and cut down any unnecessary expenses whenever possible. An easy way to cut down expenses is to do an online quote comparison at Kanetix Canada to find the cheapest car insurance quote and save money.

Finding a job is not what it used to be. For our parents a high-school diploma, and a little hard work meant you could have a successful career. Then, it got just a little bit harder. You needed to get your college degree. As long as you got some sort of degree, you would usually come out landing a pretty good job. Things have since changed. You have to get a degree that translates into something, and you have to compete to beat out more people, for less jobs. This is what the economy has seemingly turned into. There is one promising career path that has some high paying prospects. It is a little bit unconventional for the most part, but also has some amazing benefits. The career path I am talking about it the online job market.

In terms of lifespan, the internet is in its youth. Online jobs are just getting started, and there are many positions to be filled. The need for tech people is growing each day, and by 2016, 6 million jobs are expected to be available for online workers – according to HubPages. That is a huge number, and no other field is coming close to match that growth. The one hard part about online jobs, is much of the time the jobs are not traditionally listed, so either people are not looking for work, or they are not looking in the right places.

Finding jobs online, although plentiful, can take a little bit more intuition. While it is very possible to search for jobs online, and land one, there are many that go unseen. The fact is you have to constantly be looking. Swap information through forums, email enticing proposals to webmasters showcasing your skills, and most important of all you need to have something to show for yourself. If you have nothing to show, start small and do your absolute best quality work each time you take on a project. You also might want to consider building a website offering your particular services. This will put some legitimacy behind your offers, and can boost you sales just by people coming across your website. If you do not know how to build a website, hire someone to do it, or you could even use a simple WordPress theme for starting off. Now you are ready to get going on some work.

One of the most obvious talents that the internet needs is web designers. If you have the talent already, then great. If you don’t, the truth is HTML, and CSS are pretty simple languages to use. Javascript is slightly more complicated but it is also considered one of the easiest programming languages to learn. Even things like jQuery (which is essentially an simplified way to use Javascript) can make things easier, and more professional looking. After you have the necessary skills to build websites you can get started. You can apply for hundreds of jobs around the internet, or just simply start your own business. This market is quite saturated, but there are few things that you can do to become successful. First, offer to build your friends, family, or associates a website, if they need it. This might be your best learning experience when getting started. It will be less stressful working with someone you know at first, and you can slowly build your confidence along the way. It is very important to finish projects in a timely manner, and do your absolute best work each time. This will allow start building a portfolio and a solid reputation.

Programmers, are usually the highest paid, and most needed skill workers for online jobs. Now you cannot become a programmer overnight, and it certainly is a lot of work to learn even the basics. However, this is a very rewarding process, both monetarily, and mentally. If you are thinking about going back to school, computer science or computer engineering might be your best bet. This is the one field that you can guarantee to land a job after school. If you already have programming knowledge you probably know this first hand. If you can compliment your programming skills with creative web development, then you will have the opportunity to punch your own ticket.

One thing that is great about online jobs is that most likely you already have the talents to start making some money. Online jobs are not limited to web development and programming, although they are the most obvious. One of the easiest jobs to get into is writing. Writing can mean a number of different things on the internet. Obviously people need content writing services. Some websites have thousands of pages, and they cannot write all of that content themselves. If you have the ability to write good content, and at a good pace, you can make a lot of money. You can even sign up for textbroker.com and start writing articles today to make some money. Another form of writing online is blogging. If you can provide interesting, controversial, or funny content you might find your self with a following. Blogging is easier than ever with WordPress of Joomla templates. Once you have traffic coming to your website, there are a bunch of ways to make money, usually through advertisements. Writing content, either for another company, or yourself, can be very profitable.

Competition has been building up on the internet over the past ten years. This means that it is getting harder and harder for businesses to be seen and attract business. This is where search engine optimization comes in. The concept of search engine optimization is in nature not that complicated. Basically, you have to optimize your site in the best way possible for sites like Google and Bing to index your pages appropriately. The problem for businesses is that it is very time consuming, and essentially performing SEO takes a much time as anything else. There are a few different things you can do for SEO. There is onsite SEO, which involves proper coding, using correct header tags, and optimizing your site around keywords. Consulting on these subjects can help out a clients website dramatically within a few weeks. Then there is offsite SEO. The most important of which is link building services. SEO is a dynamic service that can provide a lot of benefits for your clients. Although it is time consuming, it can pay off, and you will learn a lot in the process.

The online job market is growing. Whether you cannot find a job, or are just looking for something different, the internet may be the answer. Almost every business is taking the web jump, and landing online. This is out of necessity, and also because it is convenient and profitable to have an online presence. This is opening up a wide array of job opportunities. You may consider even going to school in a computer related field. One thing is for sure, the online job market is the best place to find work in todays economy. Even managing social media outlets is a marketing job that is available. Start looking around today, and you might find yourself landing in a new career.

This article was written by Ben Anderson. Ben works online doing freelance web development. He also works as an SEO consulting, as well as providing a white hat link building service.

Many people decide on going to graduate school after they finish their four-year degree. Graduate school is a great way to continue your education and get your master’s degree or Ph.D. My sister is currently in graduate school and in order to get in, she had to send in letters of recommendation. This is a very crucial part of the application process. The school you are applying for will really look at the recommendation that the person gives you. They will take into account how the person recommends you and what they say about you. It is crucial to get someone’s opinion of your work ethic. In order to receive some good letters, follow these tips:

Content

You may think that the most important thing is to get a well-established and really smart person to write your letter. This is not always the best option. The best person to write your letter would be someone who knows you very well and has seen you work really hard in a class or work setting. This could be a teacher’s aid, rather than the professor. Asking someone who knows you best gives you a greater chance of proving your hard work to a graduate school. Choose someone who has seen you in group settings, or someone who has seen you solve problems in the work place. Graduate schools are going to be looking for students who are able to analyze situations and solve problems. When you are looking for your letter writer, don’t worry about all the credentials and degrees a person may have, look for someone who knows you personally and has seen you when you are working your hardest.

Asking

When you figure out who you are going to ask, set up a meeting with them. Be professional about it and do it in person, or at least over the phone. Make sure you ask them if they have time to do it. If they don’t have time, don’t take it personally. Writing a good letter of recommendation is a lot to ask from a person, and many people are too busy to do anything like that. If they do have time and they say yes, make sure to ask them what you can do to help them. If you meet with them in person, you can talk to them about your goals and your interests which will help them know exactly what kind of letter they should write.

Timing

Make sure you ask the person with plenty of time to spare. Do not throw it on them last minute because they will most likely not do it. Give them plenty of time to accept the assignment. You want to ask them way before you turn in your application because you want to make sure that it is in on time. Also, have a rough draft of your resume and personal statement done before you ask them so your letter writer can draw from those to make your application flow.

Start Now

If you are still getting your undergraduate degree, make sure you are finding connections with professors and other people at school or work. Work hard in group settings and show your professors that you are capable of doing well in any setting. Start preparing now in order to get the best letter you can possibly get. Do all your work and ask your teachers for help. They will get to know you if you are in their office during office hours getting help or if you participate a lot in class. Be a good student and you will get a good recommendation.

Meagan Hollman composes for MyCollegesandCareers.com. My Colleges and Careers gives people who want graduate, and undergraduate, credentials the way to discover which online masters degree programs fit their needs best, and help them reach their potential.

Your first day in any job is nerve-wracking and you might feel anxious about how to should conduct yourself in order to make the best first impression. Below are some top tips on how to survive your first day in your new job.

Smile and appear friendly

First impressions count and it is said that a person decides on their opinion of you within the first few seconds of meeting you. Therefore you want to impress them, especially if it is your first day with the company. Regardless of whether that person is a post person or a manager, you want them to remember you as a good addition to the company. As soon as you enter the building, you should have a big smile on your face and greet them with something pleasant. Also, make sure that you are wearing something suitable. Even if you are not sure of the dress code (some companies are more casual than others) dress smartly as this will always ensure that you appear professional.

Be enthusiastic about working with a variety of people

Working within most organisations will require you to work with a wide variety of people from all different backgrounds. Be enthusiastic about meeting and working with these people. It may be that you don’t initially get on this with certain employees, but make an effort to hide this. You never know, this could change as you get to know them better.

Listen and be prepared for the need to learn

Never assume that you know better. This can be difficult if you are used to working independently or maybe running your own business, but if you are walking into a new company then this is essential. Make efforts to listen to every point made by employees within your new company. They will have knowledge that you do not and they could provide you with handy tips that will make settling in easier.

Being prepared to learn is also another important thing on your first day. You will be bombarded with information about how things are done and you need to remember not to be resistant to change. Look upon it as a positive thing and a way of adding strings to your bow.

Ask questions

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. It might be easier to stay quiet and feel like you are being less hassle to anyone working with you, but asking questions will benefit you in the future. Co-workers will be happier to answer questions a few days in, but they will not be so sympathetic when you have been with the company months and you are asking lots of questions then.

Take note of important points

Most organisations will have staff handbooks with lots of information about how you should conduct yourself. You might also get some sort of official induction which will provide you a chance to find out more about working within the company. Make use of this and follow the protocols set down by the company. This will help you to settle in and will help you to avoid having any disagreements with co-workers or superiors.

Don’t push the boundaries

The downside of being new is that you are being watched and judged. Therefore, be on your best behaviour and try not to get yourself noted for all the wrong reasons. When you have been at the company for a while you might be able to take an early lunch or risk being a little late, but at the beginning this should be avoided. Even if you haven’t got an official trial period imagine you do and then show yourself to be a reliable employee.

Steve Waller has helped people find their way back into work for years and getting them through their first day is all part of the service. He runs a job centre website that allows people to search for vacancies on a number of job boards quickly and efficiently to get the most out of their time.

Everyone knows that when searching for a job, the first task you will have to complete for a potential employer is, “Send a copy of your resume.” This is your first impression, and you will be judged. You don’t want to wait until your interview to “wow” them. If your resume doesn’t do it, you won’t even get a chance. Here are the fatal errors you can make on your resume that will most quickly get it sent to the “reject” pile.

Using a Word template to design your resume.

Not only do they usually look cheesy, but formatting is a nightmare. You can’t easily vary from the design without screwing up all your spacing. Use the templates for inspiration, but stick to your own style and keep it consistent. Don’t use any fancy fonts. No matter what, send your resume as a PDF so it looks the same on any computer.

Including an Objective.

Your objective is to get the job. Obviously. Instead, try starting with a short summary of your career and skills. Very short, which leads to the next point…

Writing too much.

Get to the point. Employers don’t want to waste time reading a lot of meaningless babble. Only include the most important, relevant information. Don’t write run-on sentences or long lists of adjectives. When employers are going through a huge pile of resumes, they don’t want to stop and decipher anything. Get to the point.

Not showing results.

Don’t just list all the responsibilities you had at your previous jobs. Show how you were an asset to the company. The most important thing a future employer wants to know is what you will do for them. Say how you came up with a new idea, saved your past employer money, got a specific result, or anything that is a quantifiable detail.

Aging yourself.

Don’t put a date on your education/degree. The important thing is you have it, not when you got it.

Getting off track.

Don’t let your resume go on longer than one page. Take out anything that your employers won’t really care about, like how you volunteer for your daughter’s Girl Scout troupe. Only include volunteer activities if they are relevant to the type of work you do.

Wasting space with outdated jobs.

It’s great that you’ve been employed since you were in high school, but most likely your current employers don’t need your entire work history. Most recent and significant ones are probably enough – remember, no more than one page.

Including a picture.

Come on, it’s not a beauty contest.

Stating your salary.

Your past salaries aren’t necessary and may too quickly put you out of the running just by being too below or too above your future employer’s idea of pay.

Forgetting your contact information.

Don’t leave out your cell number or your email. Give your employers two options for contacting you. Assuming they’ll just reply to your email isn’t enough.

Typos, poor grammar & spelling errors

There is absolutely no excuse for errors in this area. Use grammar checker have a friend check your work and proofread several times before hitting send.

If you don’t mess up in any of these ways, you’ll be in a good position to smoke your competition. These are some of the most common resume mistakes, and if you don’t make them you’re already proving yourself to be worth an interview, at least.

Want to hang out with the grammar experts? Stop by and visit us to learn more about English Grammar Rules

The first step is to create the right resume. (Resume bucket can help.)

Second, treat the day as if you were going to work. Get up, shower, shave, brush your teeth, eat breakfast, get dressed and have a place in your home that is “work.” Read the paper to keep yourself up-to-date with current events. During a future interview, the casual chat prior to the formal meeting might just mention the turmoil in Libya or whether the Lakers will have a good team this year.

If you want to take a break and surf the latest golf scores or play some online games, ensure you complete a significant amount of work first. Use the breaks as rewards for accomplishing something. Set a quota of jobs you will apply for in the week. There are several different approaches to applying for jobs, but I will mention only two here. The first is similar to fishing with a net. You throw out the net and troll and wait and hope. You are indiscriminate with what you catch and will throw out what you don’t want. Job hunting can be like fishing with a net. You send out the same resume and cover letter to many, many (many) locations. Likely, the job is lower skilled and you are hoping that your resume just happens to be at the top of the pile when the employer is looking.

The second approach is spear fishing. You have one shot and you wait for the perfect condition and the absolutely right fish. You try to make the perfect shot to get the perfect fish. Job hunting can be like this, too. You make sure your resume is tailor-made for each specific job. You leave off aspects of your work experience that don’t apply; you conduct significant research on the company and the specific position. You know the salary range, who the immediate supervisor is and where he or she went to University (web searches help). You invest significant time and energy for each individual application.

My suggestion is to have a combination of both approaches in the week. Send out several each day – the feeling of accomplishment you get when you’ve sent out a resume cannot be beat. But balance that with one or two “star” applications. Reach above where you think can. Aim high but take the time to do it right.

Now go fish.

Graham Addley has a wide variety of senior administrative and leadership experience – Cabinet Minister, Regional Development Manager, President of a Financial Institution, Board member of numerous organizations including a national literary festival and currently serves as Director with a Health Promotion Foundation. In 2009, Addley lived in Australia for a year where he wrote short stories and fulfilled his dream of being a radio DJ.

Finding a job after college can be a challenging task. Well, to make job-hunting easier for you, here are some helpful tips for landing your dream job after college:

Check out career centers

Even when you’re just still in college, try to get ahead of the pack by finding your next job with College Career Centers. All colleges and universities have a career center. The centers are obliged to help students find a job. Did you know that career counselors working in your college have connections with the Human Resource Departments of companies? In fact, both large scale and small scale businesses recruit potential hires from colleges.

Here’s a tip- even if you’re just a freshman, try to establish linkage with your career center. You can talk to the counselors about your future plans. Eventually, when they get to know you, you will be updated with the latest job opening upon your graduation.

Participate in career and job fairs

There are a lot of career and job fairs out there being organized by both private and government offices as well as other organizations. You can search online for job fairs in your area, or simply ask people around and look for ads in the daily paper. It will also help if you already have a draft application letter and updated resume at hand so that you can bring these along when you apply for a job. Don’t forget to dress well and wear a smile when you apply for jobs.

Find a job early

It’s best to go job-hunting even before you graduate just to give you an edge over the rest. Once you decide what to do after college, you can start to plan for dream job. Completing a career assessment test in college will help you narrow down your career choices. Only then will you be able to identify companies that will help you meet your goals.

Internships

A very effective strategy for landing your dream job is to establish connection with the company you are targeting to work for. While in college, it would help if you apply for internship in the company you want to be hired in. This would give you the chance to experience the working environment which will eventually help you decide whether you really want to work in that company. At the same time, the company’s human resource division will be able to assess your performance and observe your work behavior.

As you can see, there are a few different ways you can snag a job after college. Consider these tips above and allow all your hard work to pay off quickly.

This article was written by the writer of FindCollegeCards.com, a website that offers the best Student Credit Cards, as well as a helpful college blog.

No one needs to be told that these are challenging times in which to be searching for a job. What we do need to hear is that there is hope in finding new employment! Yes, despite the current slump companies ARE hiring, they are just doing so in lower numbers and are choosier about who they hire. But you can be one of those who beat the trend and land a job, if you remember to keep in mind some simple but all important tips that can get you that extra edge.

First of all, employers today are looking for workers who can begin making a contribution almost immediately. Therefore emphasize your skills that are immediately transferable to the job, the things which you can do that won’t require much training. It costs employers time and money to train people, so stress the areas where you are ready to contribute from day one!

Problem solving and analytic skills are always in high demand, so when talking about past employment or education during a job interview be sure to stress any occasions where you distinguished yourself in identifying and solving a problem. Also never underestimate the power of networking. Use online social network tools like LinkedIn or Facebook to stay in touch with old colleagues in your field or to meet new contacts. You just never know who knows what or who and how they can help you! And don’t be embarrassed to let people know you need employment, as no one can help you if they don’t know what you need.

Sometimes the best way to enter a job is through the back door. If the precise field in which you want to work is not hiring, consider taking a job in a similar or related field that may serve as a stepping stone to the work you really want to do. For example, someone who wants to work in writing might take a job selling advertising – for the paper they want to write for! Once you get your foot in the door you may be surprised how quickly and easily you can move around once your real talents become obvious. Also don’t rule out relocating. Moving can be a hassle, but if your dream job is just not anywhere to be found where you live, consider relocating to where it can be found. In your job search cast a wide net and be willing to move if you must!

Unfortunately, sometimes things reach a point where you just need a job that provides you with some means to survive. In that case, you may want to temporarily take a job that doesn’t take full advantage of your education and skills and just gives a paycheck to pay the bills. Recessions don’t last forever, so there will always be new opportunities to pick up your original career path. In the meantime there’s no shame in doing whatever you need to do in order to pay the bills.

Finally be sure to project a positive attitude no matter how you may really feel. No one wants to work with a person who brings them down. To get a job in today’s market someone has to take an interest in you, and it is up to you to create that interest.

Nicole Rodgers has been blogging in the insurance, business, and finance industries for three years. Nicole’s nephew in Houston asked her if she had any tips for finding a job. Nicole told him some tips to find a job in these hard times and also some ways to save money just in case. She also gave him some examples of what she did when she was out of college looking for a job. She also suggested that he should take some Houston gmat classes just in case he wanted to go to graduate school.

It’s hard to ignore the news and data that shows that college graduates are struggling to find a job out of school. This is especially true for the classes of 2010 and 2011. While there are reports that show that hiring is going up, a majority of students from the class of 2011 did not receive a job offer. While students are doing their best, they are also making a few mistakes during the job search process.

I recently spoke with the Director of HR for our online sunglasses company, Terra Kash-Hamilton, to get her opinion on why well qualified graduates are having trouble finding a job after graduation. She shared a few critical errors she sees students and recent graduates making when approaching the job search:

1. Starting the job search too late- There are several students that wait until they have graduated to start searching for a job. It’s never too early to start searching for a job! You should start your job search no later than the beginning of your last semester. Depending on the organization or industry you want to work in, the hiring process can take up to a month. In today’s job market, it can take a few months to even get your foot in the door with an interview. By waiting until graduation to start the job search, there will be a gap on your resume and employers will wonder what you’ve been doing for the past few months.
2. Need to be more proactive- You need to do more than apply for jobs online that you found on different websites and job boards. Employers receive hundreds of applicants for every opportunity they post. You should do everything you can to make sure your application and resume sticks out. Take advantage of your career development center to beef up your resume and write a stellar cover letter. In addition to applying to job boards, Terra mentioned that it’s extremely important to attend job fairs. Career fairs are the best ways for current seniors and recent grads to get their resume into the hands of a recruiter. It’s also a great way for you to introduce yourself in person and put a face to the name.
3. Not being prepared for interviews- Recruiters are shocked when students and recent graduates come to an interview and try to wing it. You did all of the ground work to receive the coveted interview, and then don’t give everything you have into preparing for the interview. Make sure to do your homework on the company before coming into the office. Learn their core values and come prepared with questions that aren’t answered on the company’s website. Although easier said than done, try not to be nervous. Recruiters want fun, open, and relaxed people to be on their team, so do your best to do so. Often times the recruiter can be just as nervous as you are.

Adam Bruk is an online marketing specialist who helps professionals find the best dress socks to accompany their professional wardrobe. When he isn’t busy at work, he enjoys golfing, traveling, and helping friends with interviewing in hopes that they also land a great job.

The job market is tough. The open positions are limited and the candidate pool is overflowing. What’s even more frightening is that in most cases, you get one 8.5 x 11in piece of paper to describe why you’re the right person for the job. This piece of paper will either land you an interview or be discarded and tossed into a waste bin.

If you’ve been using the same resume for some time and aren’t getting the positive responses you’ve been looking for, maybe it’s time to revamp your resume. Putting a fresh spin on the same old content can make a world of difference. Here are five easy resume makeover tips to land you that interview and save your resume from the recycling bin.

Choose your Target Audience

Your resume is your personal advertisement. With each resume sent out, you’re attempting to sell yourself to the company. If you’re serious about finding a job, you’re applying for a variety of jobs, at an assortment of companies, and in a number of industries. Therefore, your “sales pitch” or resume must be tailored to fit what the audience wants to see and hear.

Make yourself desirable. If the marketing firm you’re applying for has indicated that they are looking for someone with social media experience, highlight that in your resume. While customizing your resume for each company may sound tedious, the time and effort will be well worth it when you’re getting that paycheck.

If you’ll be attending a job fair, compile a list of companies you’d like to visit and group them by industry or position. That way if you don’t have time to make a resume for each company you can at least create unique versions of your resume for each particular industry or job grouping.

Stock-Up on Objective Statements

Any good job hunter understands the importance of having an elevator pitch prepared at all times. An elevator pitch is a person’s 10 second spiel designed to explain who they are, what they can do and what they’d like to do. Resumes need an elevator pitch too—an objective statement that grabs the reader’s attention and encourages them to keep reading.

Your objective statement should be in the first or second sections of your resume and should describe your skills and how they can be utilized in the company. The one or two sentence statement should leave your reader with a strong understanding of what you want to achieve and how you fit within the company.

Create an arsenal of objective statements that you can modify for each prospective job.

Embrace White Space

Readers love white space. Prospective employers are thumbing through piles of resumes on a daily basis and will appreciate a resume that’s easy to read and effective. Write succinctly and use formatting and white space to attract the reader’s attention to the vital information.

Remember, you’re no longer in grade school and incomplete sentences won’t land you in the principal’s office. Instead, use action statements and lists to describe your skills, achievements, job roles and education. There are a plethora of online templates and guides to help you create a resume with well-defined sections with bulleted content.

Be a Show-Off

Instead of simply describing your duties at a previous job, describe your accomplishments. Businesses can teach just about anyone to simply do a job, but they can’t teach success. Use your resume as a bragging platform. Briefly describe your duties, but then focus on specific achievements that will set you apart from the crowd.

Rather than stating that you “managed a large budget,” show off your accomplishments by focusing on a budgetary success, maybe something like, “decreased a budget deficit inherited from a previous employee.” This shows that you didn’t just carry out your assigned duties; you added value to the company and went above and beyond.

Don’t Neglect Numbers

Employers love quantifying things. It’s important to demonstrate the value you can add to a company through numbers. So rather than simply saying that your work “increased website traffic” add some numbers. Explain the magnitude and effect of the increased traffic. Reword the statement to something like your work “increased website traffic ten-fold which led to a $20,000 increase in sales over the previous year.” Employers are constantly concerned with cost-cutting and increasing revenue, so if you can numerically demonstrate you’ve done this, you’ll be worth your weight in gold.

Finally, don’t forget the significance of a good critique. Send your resume to family, friends or even the barista while you sit in the coffee shop tirelessly revamping your resume. Be open to suggestions and if comments seem to be repeating themselves, take heed.

Guest author, Maggie Voelker, is a recent college graduate, all too familiar with the job search. She currently lives in Indianapolis and works as a content writer for a sunglasses company specializing in aviator sunglasses.

These days it’s all too common that people have “crises” every several years or so. First, you graduate college, work for a few years, then comes the “quarter-life crisis”. During this phase you may consider getting a graduate degree or a second undergraduate degree. This will allow you to either progress in your previous career, or change careers completely. After this crises comes the mid-life crisis. In this day and age, people are trending towards having more than one midlife crisis. Every 5-10 years they may feel the urge to change careers and get out of their rut.

During the past decade as the economy has wavered up and down, even more people have begun to consider changing careers. This decision may be due to a mid-life crises or forced due to loss of a job. Either way, there are a few things you should take into consideration when you are deciding on the “ifs” and “whats” of a new career.

1. You’ll need to work for it. The job field has grown fierce of late. Even in the medical and educational fields, which continue to grow even during tough economic times, it has been difficult for many to find jobs. If you are considering a career change, make sure you are ready to meet the competitive world of job hunting. You are going to have to do your best in school and learn how to show off any other talents that you have. Whatever you can do to make yourself stand out, do it!
2. Pinpoint your talents. It’s the little things that are really going to make you stand out from other job competitors. If you have a degree in something, you could go take a few certification classes in a related area to make you stand out even more.
3. Be flexible. Being willing to change your home base could become vital to your success in making a career move. And what’s more, you need to learn to accept that you might not get the exact career that you want. You may have to settle for something that’s just close. This can actually be a good thing because it will allow you to further expand your skill set.
4. Be passionate. Make sure that when/if you decide to change careers that you pick something you are truly passionate about. It’s important that you pick a job that is functional and will give you good earning potential and job security. However, you also need to choose something that you enjoy. If you don’t, then you’re going to be right back to yet another mid-life crisis before you’ve even started progressing within the current change.
5. Act like you know what you’re doing. It’s possible that when you apply for new jobs, you may not fully have all the skills necessary. Even if you are a quick learner, many employers might fear hiring someone without proven experience. One thing you can do to allay their fears about choosing you is to act confident. As the old saying goes, “fake it ’til you make it.” With this attitude, you’ll be able to find satisfaction with your new career as you grow and learn new skills.

Natalie Clive writes for MyCollegesandCareers.com. My Colleges and Careers is a website designed to help prospective students find the best online colleges and degree programs to help them fulfill their career goals.

Today’s economy is on a downward slope, which is not news. Jobs are scarce and those in need of a job are not having the same luck they had 7 or 8 years ago. With companies pinching every penny they can, the positions that were almost guaranteed to be there are no longer available. That doesn’t mean there are absolutely no jobs out there, you just need to look in a different place. Here are a few tips on where to look, how companies are choosing employees, and how to tweak your resume to land the job you are applying for.

Where to look

It used to be so easy to find a job. In the morning you could open the newspaper to over 4 pages of job postings. Now you will be lucky to find a column of listings. Most companies are turning to other methods of advertising their open positions.

The internet is a source that many use because of the free postings. If you already know what company you would like to apply for you can usually find a job listing on their website. Visit the website and click the link that is usually titled “Careers” or “Jobs”. If they have any positions available they will be listed there.

Online bulletin boards and classifieds is another way to find available jobs. Most of these sites are free to use for both the employers and the job hunters. Sites such as Craigslist.org and Yahoo jobs are full of posts or open positions. You do have to use caution however. There are many scammers that use these services also. If the pay seems to be too good to be true, it probably is. Fast food cashiers won’t make $25 per hour. If they are asking for personal information such as social security numbers or bank account information, it is a scam. You will run into a lot of these but don’t give up. Weeding through the dirt can still find you gold.

Most companies nowadays don’t want to spend the resources to advertise and interview applicants. Therefore some of these companies will turn to employment agencies to do their dirty work. Companies such as Spherion, Aerotek, and Priority Staffing, are national companies handling many different clients. This is a great one stop shop for employment of all kinds. They usually handle a range of positions from landscaping to computer programming and accounting. By visiting their office or applying online they can match your next job based on your previous work. With their pay based on finding employees, they work to get you hired.

What they are looking for

When a company is looking to hire, they have specific categories they look at. Longevity is one factor most companies are starting to look at even closer than in the past. They want an employee that has held their previous jobs for at least a year or two. They look for the reasons you are currently unemployed. If you were fired they want to know why and what the steps of your dismissal were. If you quit, they want to know why and what steps were taken to avoid such a drastic measure. Be honest with them and explain the reasons. Even if it sounds bad they would rather know the truth upfront rather than hearing it when they contact your previous employers.

When applying for a new position the most important first impression of your professional life is your resume. Standards are constantly changing for the type of resumes companies would like to see. Be sure your resume is up to date, includes the company names, dates employed, and proper job function. Be honest on your resume and don’t claim to know something you don’t know. If you don’t know PowerPoint don’t claim you do, they may just have you using it.

If your resume contains a variety of different jobs, try to slim it down to jobs that closely relates to the position you are applying for. It is easier to explain gaps in employment by omitting a job than it is for the employer to try and find your relevant work history. Employers are more likely to read a one page, dedicated resume that is tweaked for the position that they are trying to fill than they are to read a 3 page list of every summer job, transition job, and odd job you did that has nothing to do with their company or needs.

The job market is rough right now. Each job posting, interview, and call back is a chance at a position to give you security and peace of mind. Treat each opportunity as a step towards a secure future and make the effort to land the job. The more care you put towards the hunt, the better the chance for success.

London resident Thomas Hathaway is a financial consultant and a content contributor for payday-loans.co.uk, a company providing money advances when you need them.

How’s your resume looking? I hope you’ve been keeping it updated and tweaking it lately or taken it to a resume service to get it into shape, because the American Jobs Act that President Obama is backing could help give the U.S. economy a much-needed boost.

Obama’s plan could help the 9% of unemployed Americans (16% counting those who have given up the job search as well as those with only part-time jobs) find adequate employment. The first economic stimulus package, which pumped $780 billion into the American economy, helped the economy partially recover and helped create nearly 3 million jobs. It wasn’t enough, though, so this time the President is looking out for the American people by backing an act that would create around $250 billion in tax cuts, hiring incentives for businesses, $60 billion in unemployment benefits, and increased spending on infrastructure and education.

Payroll Taxes

The Act will reduce payroll taxes by 50% for the first $5 million paid by businesses. Because 98% of businesses pay $5 million or less in payroll taxes, this means a 50% break for nearly all U.S. businesses, which will (hopefully) free up some money on payroll to hire more workers. Additionally, the current plan will eliminate payroll taxes for additional workers and increased wages, up to $50 million in payroll increases, freeing up even more money that businesses will hopefully use to increase the workforce.

Hiring Incentives

The Jobs Act includes incentives for businesses to hire veterans, called “Returning Heroes” tax credits. They will provide $5,600 to $9,600 in tax credits for hiring unemployed veterans, which will provide two huge benefits: 1) Encouraging businesses to provide jobs for our nation’s heroes, hopefully helping them make the adjustment to civilian life easier by reducing job hunting stress and 2) Pumping even more money into businesses to expand the workforce.

Unemployment Benefits

Five million U.S. citizens will be able to retain their unemployment benefits while looking for full-time work due to the Act. Also included are reforms designed to prevent layoffs, including work sharing, providing temporary work and on-the-job training and programs designed to spur entrepreneurship. Additionally, businesses who hire long-term unemployed workers will receive tax credits and businesses will be barred from discriminating against unemployed workers. That last point is a big one, because many businesses assume that a long period of unemployment means that a job candidate has a negative attitude or work ethic, while in fact the unemployment may merely be due to the struggling economy and lack of jobs.

Infrastructure Improvement

“Project Rebuild” will send money toward repairing homes and commercial buildings as well as whole communities. Other parts of the Act will invest in improving roads, rail systems, airports and waterways. All of these major building projects have the potential to employ millions of American citizens, increasing spending and decreasing unemployment. Additionally, the creation of a national infrastructure bank, which will fund promising infrastructure projects, could provide a much needed boost to infrastructure development, resulting in more clean energy projects that could result in more job creation in the long term.

Education and Civil Service Spending

The Act will help keep 280,000 educators from losing their jobs, as well as an unknown number of police officers and firefighters. With our education system already suffering from steep budget cuts, this stimulus could keep it from the brink of disaster. Preserving the jobs of police officers and firefighters may seem like an easy decision, but many departments are suffering from the same woes as the education system and are trying to continue providing invaluable services with reduced budgets. This Act could help keep them secure until the economy is able to recover further.

While the economy continues to grow quickly in certain sectors—the Tech sector being a notable standout, where Apple and companies rolling out new cloud computing technology are still thriving—the economy as a whole continues to stutter. Many who default to a belief in Keynesian economics believe that the government must be ‘the-spender-of-the-last-resort.’ And indeed this may be the case. Only time will tell.

When considering going back to school, many would-be students often consider online degrees. It’s easy to see why, as many online degrees give students the opportunity to do their work whenever and wherever, allowing them to squeeze classes and homework in between working full-time and other daily duties. The one issue many potential students often worry about when choosing an online degree is whether or not it will be looked down upon by employers. Despite its inaccuracy, the assumption persists that online degrees are lesser than degrees that were received on campus. This is simply not true, and an online degree is just as valuable and respected by employers as a degree obtained from sitting in a classroom. However, there are several factors to consider when choosing to enroll in an online degree program.

Is It Accredited?

It’s important to know whether or not the online degree program is accredited. If the program is not accredited, issues could arise down the road, as there are many employers and certification programs that will not accept a degree as valid if it was not received from an accredited institution. Many accredited institutions with physical campuses have online degree programs available, even world-renowned universities such as Harvard. For students who are worried about the respectability of an online degree, choosing to receive an online degree through a school that is well regarded, accredited, and has a brick and mortar campus can be one way of putting those fears to rest. It can also give students access to some of the perks of a physical campus, like advisors and career counselors. However, an online degree program doesn’t need to have a brick and mortar campus to be an accredited and respectable institution, and students who don’t need a physical campus can be well served by colleges that are strictly online only.

What Style of Learning Does the Program Use?

When choosing an online degree program, it can be helpful to understand ahead of time what style of learning they use. Some online degree programs are strictly online, and all courses are taken on the computer wherever the student wants. Other online degree programs have a blended style of learning. Blended learning means that much of the degree is obtained online, but it is blended with face-to-face learning in a physical setting.

For example, some online degree programs may allow students to do all of their course work from the comfort of their own home, but may have one night a week, or perhaps one weekend a month, where students get together in a traditional learning environment. This can be a positive thing for those who would like to get to know their professors better, or would like to do some networking with classmates. For those who simply don’t have the time to go to a classroom, however, blended learning can be a negative, and those students should stick to traditional online degrees.

Terry Southerland is a career counselor and content contributor for thebestdegrees.org, a site featuring lists of accredited online degrees and specialty field endeavors such as early childhood education degree programs

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Congratulations! You landed the job. But before you discuss salary and benefits with your new boss, you may need to do some research and hone your negotiation skills. Negotiation is the effort between two parties to come to a satisfactory agreement. Job applicants and new hires sometimes negotiate for their starting salaries and benefits.

Factors

It is likely that the biggest factors in negotiating your salary will involve supply and demand, your skill levels, and the relationship between the value of your skills and the needs of the employer.

If you are an entry-level worker with little experience and no specialized skills, you may not have a lot of room for negotiation. Most companies have a salary scale and pay all entry-level employees a set amount.

Other factors that affect salary negotiations may include:

The salary scale for that position within the organization

The current economic climate

The size of the company. Large companies may have more money but they usually have more policies, procedures, and bureaucracy. In small companies, there may be more latitude but they may have fewer resources.

Perks. Jobs that come with bonuses, benefits, company cars, tuition reimbursement, etc., sometimes have less flexible salaries because the position provides plenty of other forms of compensation.

Industry trends and the financial situation of the company you are interviewing.

Negotiation Tips

Salary negotiation is not about winning, it is about resolution and compromise. If either side feels they have not negotiated, both sides lose.

Remember, supply and demand and skill levels affect wages. The less experience and the fewer skills you have, the less room you have to negotiate.

Do Your Homework

Your level of education, skills, and experience will likely be a big factor in salary negotiations.

Once you are ready to start negotiating a salary and have a tentative figure, focus on your accomplishments and achievements and determine how they convert to value.

If you think your skill set is worthy of a large salary, make a case for that during the hiring process, in hopes of negotiating a higher salary.

It is likely that the biggest factors in negotiating your salary will involve supply and demand and your skill levels, the relationship between the value of your skills and the needs of the employer.

If you are an entry-level worker with little experience and no specialized skills, you may not have a lot of room for negotiation.

Most companies have a salary scale and pay all entry-level employees a set amount. Companies that are showing a healthy profit and are involved in a growing niche, are more likely to offer higher salaries; so do your homework. Research the company before negotiating your salary.

Justin blogs on a daily basis. Furthermore, he works for a girls costumes company. A company which is known for there girls fairy costumes.

The job market is still tough out there, even for college graduates.

Some studies show an increase in employment for college graduates, but studies that take into account under-employment or “true unemployment” reveal the true problem to be persistent.

Only about half of college graduates are getting a job that requires a degree, fewer still are getting jobs that require their degree. Most recent college graduates are either unemployed, working a temporary job just to get by, or working part-time when they’d rather be working full time.
While a lot of young people’s time and talent out there is going unused, the more innovative ones have found other ways to use their energy and advance themselves.

Improving hire-ability

While many college graduates remain unemployed or under-employed, they continue to try and land better jobs. One way is by continually polishing their résumés to make them unique, professional, and impressive. A second way is by going to different career websites or temp offices to try and develop professional profiles and get hooked up with employers. A great way to develop a professional persona and do some networking is ResumeBucket.com. Of course, the prevalence of these career sites has greatly increased the amount of applicants for the average job.

Starting a company

The bravest and most risky thing that recent college graduates are doing is making their own startup companies. With success stories like Mark Zuckerberg out there, it is clear that anyone out there with good web skills and a brilliant vision is a potential billionaire. With no more-stable options to shoot for, many young people are shooting for the stars. The problem with this is that, of course, the vast majority of these brilliant ideas don’t “make it,” and their founders wind up in even worse financial situations than they started.

Re-thinking living situations

Social norms in the US seem to be changing. No longer are children moving out and getting their own place the moment they turn 18. The new generation is known as “the Peter Pan” generation for their resistance to “growing up.” It is increasingly prevalent for children to stay with their parents well into their 20s. As people need more and more education just to get a decent job, they become dependent on their parents for longer and longer. When students do finally get their degree, they are finding themselves under-employed and saddled with student debt, and they still can’t afford to get out of the nest.

Young people that don’t stay with their parents are instead living together with friends in larger and larger groups. With the limited income available, even to many college graduates, it just makes the best financial sense to split rent and utilities bills up as many ways as possible. Living in a large group is vastly more economically-viable than having a whole apartment for one person or one couple.

Charity Work

The millennial generation is notoriously civic-minded and notoriously under-employed. Naturally, young, underemployed college graduates are finding a lot of time to volunteer for charity. With the organizing power of the internet, charities are getting a lot more volunteers than they used to.
Charity work is also a wise move on college graduate’s part because it looks good on their résumé or Curriculum Vitae. An excellent record of service can often make the difference between candidates when competition for a job is tight.

Travel

Those graduates that can afford to are simply taking some time off of the job market to explore the world. This is a great opportunity for the graduate to get to know their self, and hopefully by the time they need to apply for a job, the market will be at least a little bit better.

Thomas Stone began a relationship with his present, primary employer, while he continues to freelance.  He currently works with employers, who now need applicant tracking software, as job-seekers need to apply for more and more jobs before expecting to get hired.

With summer internships coming to an end, interns are mulling over what they’ve learned from the experience and how it might apply to future employment. How interns view their internship experience usually varies depending on their immediate plans.

Those heading back to a college or university to finish undergraduate studies might feel the internship rejuvenated their interest in school to prepare them for the job market. Those beginning graduate school might think the internship acted as a stepping stool that gave them real-world experience before continuing their studies. Those looking for a job might be left thinking that they’re still unqualified for a “real” job because the tasks they performed through the internship weren’t substantial.

No matter your what your experience was as a summer intern or what your immediate plans are, rest assured that your internship taught you some valuable lessons. The following are three ways anybody can apply his or her internship experiences to future employment opportunities.

Evaluate whether you’d want to work in that market again.

Working as an intern often means completing insignificant tasks that seem unrelated to your ideal career. However, working in any professional environment gives you a firsthand look into the inner workings of its industry. Gaining an understanding of the work environment before you actually have to work there is unarguably beneficial.

For example, you can determine if you thrive in an office environment or if you get bored. You can see if you’re more productive when working in groups rather than on your own. So even if the tasks you completed while working as an intern weren’t substantial, you still walked away with a realistic sense of the the industry. This could help you decide whether you’d work in a similar work environment in the future.

Consider what you’re worth.

Some companies pay their interns well while others offer valuable experience that translates to college credit. Unfortunately, it seems that more and more companies find it acceptable to offer internships without any compensation whatsoever, which can have a number of downfalls for all involved. Whether you worked for free or were paid for your services, the experience should motivate you to think about how your skills and work effort might translate into pay. Think about how much money you would expect to make if you get an entry-level position in the industry you’re interested in. Then consider if it’s manageable for you.

Determine if further education could better prepare you for your ideal career.

Depending on the career you’re working toward, you might need further education to prepare you. Some companies look for highly educated applicants while others look for those who have real-world work experience. Some look for both, but as a young professional, you have to start somewhere. If you’re preparing to graduate with a bachelor’s degree and aren’t sure where to go next, consider finding an entry level job at a company within, or related to, your industry. It’s possible you could work your way up from there. The decision to continue, or go back to, school can be costly, so you want to be sure it’s in your best interest when in comes to your immediate job plans.

This article comes from Surety Bonds.com, an online surety bond producer that operates nationwide. Surety Bonds.com helps young entrepreneurs and other business owners get their new enterprises up-and-running as quickly as possible.

More often than not, job hunters are working on finding job listings, getting interviews, networking with potential employers and above all, tinkering with their resume.  It’s safe to assume that many resumes being written today are so focused on neatness, organization and simplicity that they forget about the most important aspect of the resume itself; it’s an explanation of your skills and experiences to a possible employers.

One of the most important aspects of your resume is making it support your experience, not the other way around.  Relying on your resume might get you an interview, but when it comes time to talk about your experiences with that potential employer and all that comes to mind is a paragraph description he’s already read, the interview is likely not going to end well for you.

A resume is more than your work history and academic achievements; it’s your chance to show employers who you are, before they ever meet you.  For many of the clients we serve, it’s clear that their life experiences are supported by their resume.  We serve individuals interested in entering the work force from military defense positions.  Although those coming from a defense background often forgo college to serve in the military, what we find is that the training received in defense jobs is highly technical and often practiced in stressful situations that simply don’t exist in the every-day working world.  Stressing this in a resume supports the experience of these individuals much more than trying to say what they think a recruiter wants them to say. Using your resume to support your work, the environment you’ve worked in and the training you’ve received (whether educationally or technically) is valuable to employers.  This is no different for those coming out of college or technical school.

If you’re a graphic designer fresh out of school and lacking work experience for your resume consider mentioning projects, specialized classes or even out of school courses or hobbies you might have done on your own time. Try altering your resume to be more graphically impressive or list some hobbies and experiences that show them you’re creative.  Don’t try too hard to convince employers of the person you are.  Instead, show them.  More often than not recruiters know when you’re trying too hard to convince them of something.  After all, they’re professionals too.

This is not to say dismissing organization and clarity in your resume for expression is the way to go.  It’s still important to keep your resume organized, clear and direct but there is nothing out there telling you what is and isn’t appropriate if it’s relevant experience to the job you’re applying for.  What’s important is to stop relying so heavily on your resume to get you the job you want, and start using your resume to support you, and allow yourself to get the job you’re looking for.  Trying to make a resume that tells employers what they want is next to impossible.  What’s more important is to value your experiences for what they are and stop trying to tell employers about your experience; show them your experience instead.

Contributed by Defense Placements, a job placement and executive recruiting company that specializes in helping place top-notch talent into jobs around the world.  We specialize in promoting our clients to potential employers through a variety of methods, including social media.

People can certainly write their own resumes, but can they write one that catches the recruiters’ attention?

Recruiters and hiring managers often get flooded with paperwork, leaving them very little time to thoroughly review every single applicant’s qualifications. Therefore, unless you have superior skills and fit exactly what they are looking for, chances are your resume will be passed up. Additionally, can you ensure that your resume contains absolutely zero grammatical errors and awkward-sounding sentences? Because if you cannot even write proper English, then why should anyone hire you to manage teams, handle finances or lead meetings?

Because a resume serves as your own advertisement, it is one of the first things recruiters and hiring managers see. Therefore, it needs to sound professional, eloquent and informative. For this reason many people hire professional resume writers to create an attractive and marketable resume that guarantees the attention of employers.

The Importance of a Professional Resume

You only have one chance to make a first impression.

Recruiters and hiring managers usually do not meet you face-to-face when you apply for a job, but they do see your resume. Your resume, therefore, is a representation of your professional image with the purpose of selling your experiences and skills and letting others know what you can bring to the table.

A professionally written resume contains clear and concise language, easy-to-follow format and outlines precisely what the employer needs to see. Even at first glance, an employer can quickly identify if the person has what it takes to do the job.

Not only does a professionally written resume help identify the right applicant; it also gives him or her a professional image.

Benefits of Hiring Professional Resume Writers

Do you get tongue-tied when you talk about yourself? Do you feel embarrassed when you list all your accomplishments?

Tabulating your own skills and experiences is not as easy as it seems. In fact, most people become very uncomfortable and end up looking either too arrogant or too self-conscience. Having another person write your resume gives it an objective perspective and makes it easier to present your information truthfully and draw out important points.

A professional resume writer, especially one with human resources background, also knows what recruiters are looking for. They know how to play up transferable “soft skills” as well as highlighting the specific industry skills that will get you noticed. They have the knowledge and expertise to market your talents and make you stand out.

In addition to an objective view and marketing skills, professional resume writers can also string words together beautifully. They know exactly which words to use to cause maximum effect and how to use them to create refined and polished content.

How to Hire a Professional Resume Writer?

If you are contemplating on hiring a professional resume writer, then do your research. Many writers out there claim to write quality resumes but deliver the exact opposite. Interview different writers and get to know their background. Do they have human resources experience? Did they work as a hiring manager or recruiter? Do they have an understanding of what you want?

Many professional resume writers also have a specific area they target. For example, some specialize in IT while others specialize in accounting. Depending on which field you are looking into, you should hire a writer who specializes in that type of resume.

If you are paying for their services, then you should research carefully and make sure you hire the right person.

How Much Do They Cost?

The price range for resume writing services vary, depending on the individual and what kind of service they offer. Most services range from $70 to $150 and take two to three days to deliver. Some places, however, have rush assistance available.

Should You Hire a Professional Resume Writer?

Although hiring a professional resume writer is not necessary, it does offer benefits. Not only will you have a glossy, professional-sounding resume, you also gain the experience of resume writing and find out what employers seek. After years of studying and anticipation, you are only one resume away from that dream job. Paying for a professional, then, seems like a small sacrifice in the bigger picture.

Justin is a full time blogger. During his free time he works with a http://www.cashfortrucks.com a company which helps people receive cash for cars

I recently wrote a guide to effective radio advertising for small businesses and it occurred to me that many of the principles of successful advertising can and should be applied to selling yourself when job seeking.

If you’re in the process of finding a new position it might be helpful to think of yourself as ‘the product’ and keep the following points in mind.

What is your Unique Selling Point?

This is probably the most important thing that any advertiser needs to know and convey to their market.  What makes their product or business different to their competitors’ product or business?  Same goes for you.  When applying for a job, chances are there are others with your qualifications.  There are bound to be others with some of your work experience.  So what is your Unique Selling Point?  Do you have a passion outside of work that somehow ties in to the position you are seeking?  Have you worked with charity and has that given you relevant skills?  Are you musical?  Well-travelled?  There is something about you that is unique and that something may just be what makes the job yours over the other applicants.

Know your target market

In the world of advertising, there is really no point in using Gen Y slang to sell retirement housing to seniors.  Similarly, do some research into the company to which you are applying.  Does the company have a conservative culture? If so, ensure you have a traditionally formatted resume and a formal cover note. Is it a creative environment?  Put a little more care into creating an imaginative, eye-catching resume.

Keep it simple

This is a trap that those new to advertising can fall into.  They mistakenly believe that bells, whistles, zany voices and a crowd of thousands is what makes a ‘good ad’.  Sometimes it can, but more often than not, a good, effective ad is one where the message is simple.  That message is then conveyed clearly and not lost in the clutter.  Keep this in mind when putting together your next job application.  You may be extremely proud of the tunnel ball championship you won when you were in the eighth grade but is it relevant to the job you are going for?  Probably not, so leave it out.  It’s clutter, and it could keep your potential employer from seeing your other, more significant, superstar achievements.

Be specific

When advertising, rather than saying ‘we’ve got big bargains’ it is far more effective to say ‘prices start from as low as $20’.  When it comes to creating your job application, be specific.  ‘Managed a large team’ may be impressive, but ‘managed a team of 30 sales representatives’ is better.

Keep it credible

A business that trumpets to the world ‘Closing down sale!  Massive markdowns!  Everything must go!  Never to be repeated deals!’ may get customers through the door.  But how many of those customers will come back when that ‘closing down’ business is still open the following month and having another ‘once in a lifetime’ sale?  That business has destroyed its credibility.

Likewise, when selling yourself in a job seeking situation, absolutely talk yourself up BUT only if you can back up any claims you have made.  Most employers will at the very least run reference checks, so it’s not a good look if they catch you in a lie before you’ve even had an interview.  Further, it may jeopardise your chances with any future positions in the company too.

Remember, you have a fabulous product to sell to potential employers – you!  So keep these tips from the advertising pros in mind and sell, sell, sell.

Dani Bellamy is a professional writer with over 15 years experience in the radio industry.  She is currently writing about the fascinating world of collectable Japanese erasers and other fun things that lurk within pencil cases for www.coolpencilcase.com.

Creating a professional online presence can help you to form long lasting relationships which could eventually land you an ideal job. It is also now inevitable that a future employer will “Google” you prior to an interview to gather more information on who you are. For these reasons it is vital to ensure that your online presence is kept professional.

1. Keep Facebook Private

Unless you have always been a very sensible and clean living person it could be wise to keep your Facebook profile hidden to strangers. An unprofessional image could do as much to hinder your chances of obtaining a dream job as an excellent profile page can help. If you do make your Facebook profile page public be sure that only the basic information can be viewed. View your profile as another user to thoroughly check that nothing about you is shared which could ruin your job prospects. This includes photos and comments that friends may make.

2. Use all the Social Media Tools Available

Using the Internet and social media is really like any other form of marketing. The old adage “don’t put all your eggs in one basket” really does apply to social media marketing. All too often I hear people asking “which social media site do you use?” which is then followed by a discussion about which is best. As it takes a relatively short time to create yourself a social media there is no reason to only limit yourself to one or two platforms. So create a professional Facebook profile page, also set up accounts with LinkedIn, Twitter, Google+ and Ecademy. Take a little time to write a unique profile page and interact with a few people and groups. If you have friends and family who use these services connect with them to build your profile. Having more online profiles means that it is more likely that should someone search for your by name in Google one of the profiles that you have created are shown at the top of the search results, rather than a page created by a well meaning friend which displays photos from your stag party, which leads us to the next tip.

3. Create Your Own Professional Blog

If you can buy a domain consisting of your real name, whether it be a .com, ,info or .me , do so. Then you can create your own website or blog that provides search engine optimised information about you in a way that you have total control over. Many people dive head first into social media marketing without at first even considering building their own website – personal blogs were really the first form of the social web. One of the biggest advantages of having your own website is that you can then link all your social media activity back to your site. This can create a much more professional image of you. You can also store a copy of your CV in pdf format on your site so that it is available to prospect employers and headhunters. It is also a good idea to write an HTML version of your CV to share on your website so that your key skills should appear in the search engines.

4. Keep all Your Profiles up to Date

Once you have set up your profiles it is important to keep them all up to date. Visit them at least ones per week to see how is interacting with you and also to check that noting has been posted to your profile page without your permission. Also keep an eye on the email alerts so that if a potential contact visits your profile or attempts to make contact you reply promptly.

5. Become Active in Business Related Groups

Most social networking websites provide groups to allow like-minded people to interact more easily. Becoming an active member of a group can vastly increase your visibility online. Of course, the first rule applies here – keep language clean and keep it professional. Many networking sites have areas of general conversation and chit chat. Be careful of what you say in these areas and in which threads (discussions) you join in, and being spotted in a controversial group could easily tarnish your professional image. Success through social media can be rather hit and miss. Some people spend a lot of time working at it and make little progress whereas others may have great success at networking with others. It is something that you should only do when all other more traditional forms of marketing or job hunting have been exhausted. Remember, the biggest benefit of social media for so many people is simply that it is a free platform in which you can advertise yourself, so make the most of it without letting it take up too much of your time.

Peter Dickinson is a marketing consultant Training Site, CoursesPlus. Courses Plus provides up to date professional training courses for all business sectors across the UK.

Although many low-income workers seem to get stuck in their career paths, some manage to make remarkable advancements. What makes the difference? Extensive studies have been made to determine both job and personal factors influencing career advancement. While there are some unobservable factors like workplace culture and individual motivation, the studies have isolated strong credentials necessary in the job market.

Higher Education

Increases in educational achievements are almost as important as change of employment in encouraging exit from poverty, particularly if the workers have at least an associate degree. (McKernan and Ratcliffe 2002)

Any person who wants to make executive advancement needs an undergraduate degree. A graduate degree is now a major credential for career advancement, particularly in large firms in the private sector. (Harlan & Weiss 1982; Carnavale et al 1990 Roomkin 1989)

Relevant Certifications

As much as degrees are important, they are not enough in themselves. Employers are faced with many potential workers who have the same qualifications in terms of their university education. How do they choose the most suitable ones among them?

This is where career certifications come in handy. Skills certifications matter directly because they determine starting salaries. They also have an indirect significance by giving access to jobs with better opportunities for informal and formal training. (Nan Poppe, Julie Strawn, and Karin Martinson June 2003)

Making Strategic Job Changes

While people generally assume that staying with the same employer for long is good, studies have shown it is more beneficial in large firms. Advancement attained by staying steadily at one firm is directly connected to educational achievement. (Connolly and Gottschalk 2001)

Strategic job changes are associated with wage increases. However, job changes do not seem to work for every body. Workers who have little education and women benefit less from job changes. (Holzer et al 2002) Less educated workers are more likely to remain unemployed than switch jobs.

Sending the Right ‘Signals’

Executives and managers look for the appropriate ‘signals’ from their employees to determine those best suited for advancement. The most important signals are those that make the employees more visible to decision makers and prove their credibility. (Ellen D. Wernick. Preparedness, Career Advancement, and the Glass Ceiling, May 1994)

Some of these important signals include:
- Varied and broad experience in core business areas. (Morrison et al 1987)
- Access to relevant information, especially via networks and mentor assistance (Nkomo and Cox 1990)

In addition to education and early successful performance, employers look for early promotion, training programs, moving through different functional areas and initial assignment to a powerful position. Besides credibility, therefore, familiarity also plays an important role.

This guest article was contributed by Jennifer Bell from Health Training Guide. Jennifer is a freelance writer and mother of 2 based in Los Angeles, CA. Check out her site to learn more about physical therapist training and other exciting health careers.

The engineering field is a broad one, with skilled engineers having the chance to work on projects ranging from buildings to aerospace. There is a shortage of qualified engineers at the moment, so people who are willing to take the time to bring their training up to scratch have a good chance of doing well in the industry. There are plenty of people who have experience in one specific area – for example CNC machine work, or using a welding positioner and doing some stick welding, but true engineers are few and far between.

Engineering Career Options

There are many different branches of engineering, including:

1. Civil engineering: Civil engineers focus on improving the environment in which we live. They work on everything from bridges to tunnels, roads and railways. At the entry level, this involves a lot of hands-on work, so if you know your way around a welding positioner and how to use welding equipment, that’s a bonus.  More experienced engineers may move on to supervisory or even planning roles.
2. Structural engineering: This is a more specialist branch – these engineers tend to focus on one specific type of project, for example oil rigs, or bridges. They advise the construction teams on the best materials to use, and guide the construction process to ensure that the buildings are safe.
3. Geotechnical Engineering: These engineers assess construction grounds before work takes place. They analyse the data they’ve gathered, and make recommendations as to how the construction process should proceed.
4. Aerospace engineering: This is one of the more glamorous fields. If you’re interested in aircraft, then this is a great opportunity to do some exciting work.

There are other engineering options. Some are more hands-on than others. If you want to work with welding equipment, then you’ll need to do more than just get some hands on time with a welding positioner. There are certifications for each piece of welding equipment, and for varying degrees of precision and quality of weld. You will need to get the certification that is relevant to the type of engineering work you want to do.

While it’s possible to get an entry level job and work your way up, there are engineering degrees, and practical based qualifications that will give you a leg-up in the industry. If you’re serious about working in engineering, then take the time to contact the Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Structural Engineers, the British Geotechnical Association, or another relevant body depending on the branch of engineering that you want to work in.

Engineering salaries for recent graduates are not astounding, but they are competitive when compared with earnings for recent graduates from other fields. Senior engineers earn more, and if you’re willing to work offshore or overseas, then that will also provide your earnings with a boost.

Engineering is a rewarding job that offers the opportunity to make a tangible change to the environment. It takes a long time to get qualified, but it is well worth it in the end.

This post was written by James Harper on behalf of Westermans, expert suppliers of welding equipment such as the welding positioner. James writes about business and industry related topics.

As a college graduate from the class of 2011, I can provide a firsthand account of how difficult it is to find a job straight out of college. Seniors spend an enormous amount of time preparing for interviews and researching the position to make sure the job is right for them. This involves spending a lot of time in resume preparation and researching the company you are interviewing with. When researching the company, if the position matches what you are looking for, you start getting really excited about the opportunity. You head to the interview dressed to impress and leave feeling confident you did a great job. A few weeks later, you receive the devastating email that they are pursuing a different candidate. It’s not easy brushing it off when you spend so much time preparing for the interview. Unfortunately for the class of 2011, this seems to be a never ending cycle.

It’s hard to stay motivated and think positively after repeated rejection during your final year of college. This is supposed to be a time for celebrating and preparing for the real world, but unfortunately most seniors don’t have that dream job to look forward to. Instead, there is a sense of urgency and anxiety. I was in a similar situation and went through the interviewing process a dozen times as I was searching for advertising and marketing jobs. I dedicated a lot of time into preparing for each interview and even had to re-schedule a handful of events and attend alternative lectures that were at inconvenient times. After the 5^th of 6^th rejection email, I started finding it harder and harder to get motivated for my job search.

While I was fortunate enough to land a marketing job that I love, a majority of my fellow friends and classmates are still waiting to receive an offer. While it’s hard to stay motivated, you need to focus on the positives. Look at how excited your friends are when they receive a job offer. It’s likely that they went out to the local bars and celebrated that night. It should be re-assuring to see that people are actually getting jobs and this will help reinforce that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Also, pay attention to how hard your roommates, friends, and classmates are working on their job search. Seeing how hard they are working should motivate you to try just as hard, if not harder, to prove to the recruiter that you are the right person for the position!

The last thing that helped motivate me the day of the interview was to listen to music that gets me pumped up. I usually listened to “Eye of the Tiger” on my iPod as I walked to the interview room. I’ll admit, I have felt pessimistic before an interview before, but this isn’t the attitude recruiters are looking for. They are looking for someone who is excited and energetic, so do what it takes to get you in that frame of mind. Keep in mind that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and all of your hard work will eventually result in a job offer. Get pumped and excited for your interviews and try to remain optimistic no matter what the situation is. Although it might seem tough now, all of your hard work will pay off when you land that dream job!

Adam Bruk is a graduate of the class of 2011 and now works as an SEO specialist in Indianapolis. When he isn’t researching trends in men’s sunglasses, you can find him helping friends with resume building and interviewing with hopes that they will also find their perfect job!

In today’s unsteady economy, finding a career expeditiously is becoming increasingly important. Job seekers can get an edge on the competition by working with recruiters. A recruiter will screen and evaluate you to determine if you are the most qualified person for a specific job or company. The best way to beat out other prospective employees is to get to the recruiter first. There are several ways you can do this.

Become visible in online networks.

Create a profile at LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. Describe yourself in a professional way, and provide a link to your online bio. On Twitter, you can follow a recruiter whom you want to gain the attention of. Retweet their posts to show you have a vested interest in them.

Sell yourself.

Once you have become conspicuous and expanded your network, it’s time to optimize your visibility. Advertise yourself by creating a unique selling point that showcases your strengths. You can also join groups within your networks and contribute frequently and consistently to discussions. This will establish you as proficient in your field.

Create an online resume.

Upload your resume to ResumeBucket. Use the appropriate keywords in order to be searched by the right recruiters. To make it even easier for recruiters to find you, add your LinkedIn or other profile URL to the resume. Creating an expansive, well-connected network will put you under the spotlight for recruiters.

Write articles for various sources.

Getting published is one of the quickest ways to become noticed. Whether you choose to write a blog, a magazine article, or a newspaper editorial, make sure it gets noticed by the appropriate recruiters. You can do this by writing about your area of expertise. Provide some facet of personal information with the piece so a recruiter knows how to contact you.

Make yourself heard.

If you attend functions related to your industry, get yourself heard. Participate in group discussions, and inquire about speaking at the podium. Recruiters attend these events to connect with the right people. Speaking openly is an easy way to capture a recruiter’s attention. Participating in these events will also get you on the directory, which makes you easy to contact.

Recruit within your company.

Getting involved in the recruitment system at your company is a good way to learn the ins and outs of recruitment. This is like having inside access to the recruiter’s process. You will work with HR members, which means you can meet with recruiting partners. Once you are introduced to recruiters, you can take the proper steps to discuss your career goals.

Get referrals.

Inform the right people in your industry that you are looking for a specific job. Regardless of whether or not you are right for a job, a recruiter will be impressed if someone influential in the company recommends you.

Recruiters know what to look for, and their opinions are held favorably among employers. If you feel you are the best candidate for a certain job, get the attention of a recruiter. Following these simple steps will get you noticed without making you appear too eager or unprofessional. By doing so, you can quickly bridge the gap between you and the employer, service or company you wish to work for.

Nicole Rodgers has been blogging in the technology and finance industries for three years. She encourages everyone who is on the job hunt to have a phone system that is capable of syncing your home phone to your cell phone.  Missing an important phone call about a new job opportunity could be costly.

Many workers suffer from problems outside their place of employment which could, if left unattended, impact upon their professional life. Issues such as stress or even mental illness and substance abuse constitute such afflictions. In efforts to combat these problems, which could result in absence or distractions at work, many businesses have sought to implement preventative measures and have looked at programs which aim to support their employees through their issues. Employment Assistant Programs (EAPs) are designed specifically to help employees tackle any of their problems and oftentimes provide confidential access to professional counsellors.

What issues do EAPs cover?

EAPs offer a wide range of help for various personal problems. Not only are they aimed at helping the individual afflicted for the benefit of the business, EAPs also offer support to family members of the employees too. Amongst the many areas that EAPs are willing to help include, but are not limited to, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, financial advice, relocation support, workplace stress management, bereavement and help with healthcare services.

How much do such programmes cost?

For full time employees there is usually no charge at all; EAPs are paid for by businesses and companies to help their employees and to increase productivity in the work place. Aside from the lack of cost, all EAP consultations and referrals are confidential too. There may, however, be slight restrictions on these programs and services for individuals who are not on full time contracts. This could, for example, mean that a part-time employee may only have a limited number of counselling sessions with a counsellor before additional sessions are charged for. To check the details of an individual business’s programme an employee would have to get in touch with their program administrator (whom is usually found in a company’s HR department).

Why do employees provide these services?

Although these services do help those who need them to a large degree, the reason for their implementation is not entirely altruistic. Absences caused by personal issues and lack of concentration caused by similar problems can cause huge drains on a company’s bottom line. It has been figured that offering EAPs works out saving a company money in the long run despite not charging the employees for this service. For every dollar invested in EAPs, according to the United States Department of Labor study, between five and sixteen dollars are saved. These saving come in the form of a lack of absenteeism, down by up to two thirds for treated alcohol accusers, and a one third decrease in the amount of sickness benefits claimed. Similarly work-related accidents and compensation claims have also reduced significantly where EAPs are offered.

Kieron Casey is a BA (Hons) Journalism graduate who blogs regularly on a number of topics including careers, employment and EAPs.

“INCOME POTENTIAL UNCAPPED!”

“MAKE YOUR OWN HOURS!”

“BE YOUR OWN BOSS!”

Anyone browsing the Craigslist postings for a new job is very familiar with these headlines. For the untrained eye, it is difficult to avoid clicking on such headlines because who doesn’t want an uncapped income potential, to make their own hours and to be their own boss?

These headlines are very enticing, and nine times out of ten they reference an opportunity that only pays you when a sale is completed(stuff an envelope, complete a task, etc.) Many people call it “eating what you kill”, meaning if you do not kill something and bring it home (making a sale) your family does not eat.

Since these positions do not come with a salary or hourly wage, an individual cannot afford to slack off a day, a week or a month if they are relying on the income. Many people with salaried positions can relate to having “one of those days” when you just act like you are working to keep your boss off your back. These are common during the holidays when everyone is wrapping up their Christmas shopping or planning their vacation. Many commission only professionals have the luxury of being able to slack off whenever they want without a boss coming down on them, but they also will not earn much.

Income Potential Uncapped

Yes, by definition many positions offer uncapped commission potential, but what does that really mean? It means that there are no top tiers that would limit your income once you reach a certain sales level. Often times sales positions pay on tiers, which means once you hit a specified threshold you are awarded the corresponding commission payout.

The truth is that everyone is capped at a certain point. It may not be by your company’s commission structure, but rather your time or resources. If you sell copy machines and it takes you a day to sell one, you will be limited not by what your company is willing to pay but by how long it takes for you to sell a unit. That is of course, unless you start going after larger clients that will buy in multiples.

Make Your Own Hours

These types of positions often come with the ability to work when you want and how you want. For some this is a dream come true, but for many it is a curse in disguise. In order to succeed in an environment with no structure or accountability a person must be dedicated, organized and driven. For someone considering this type of career, they need to seriously look at themselves in the mirror and give an honest assessment. Anyone can think they could be like that if they have to, but more often than not they will wash out in a few months. If you make plans to get up and clean the house every Saturday morning but end up lying in bed and watching TV instead, this is probably not the career path for you.

For those people that have what it takes to survive in this type of career, the rewards can be great. Companies tend to pay on a sliding scale when it comes to sales positions. On one side is a salary and the other side is commission. If everything else is equal, the higher the base salary the lower the commission, and vice versa. Since commission only professionals do not cost the company much in the way of personnel costs, they can afford to offer big payouts to their rock stars.

Someone looking for a fast-paced, commission-only career with huge income potential should consider financial services, insurance and the merchant services industry. They all have similarities but vary in the level of accountability. Insurance and financial services are heavily regulated industries, and therefore require quite a bit of training as well as checks and balances from people like district managers. The merchant services industry has few regulations and almost anyone can become a representative in a short period of time. Because of the low barriers to entry and the high payouts, the industry is very competitive and should not be approached lightly.

The main benefit of financial services, insurance and merchant services are what are called residual commissions. Residuals are repeat commission payouts for continued business with a client. For example, an insurance agent gets a percentage of each policy every time it renews, and a merchant services sales rep gets a percentage of the total credit cards processed by a business client. In the beginning these payouts will be small, but over a career they can add up to much more than one can make in new business alone.

Eric Stauffer is part of a small business-consulting firm that assists companies in setting up merchant processing. Their main goal is to help business owners get set up with reputable companies like First Data and Elavon. Their website focuses on reviewing credit card processing firms and suggesting which companies to do business with.

As we all know, finding a job to make ends meet is crucial, especially in today’s world. With gas prices reaching over $4.00 per gallon, and the expensive cost of living, it’s so important that we find a job that pays well, and that we get educated.

Yes, you can find great jobs without an education, but more than likely you need to know someone to snag the job. A business and/or marketing degree is a great major to consider because there are always opportunities out there.

So, if you’ve just recently graduated college with a marketing degree, or perhaps you’ve had one for years and you’re just now looking for work, here are a few different ways you can find a marketing job that’s right for you.

Networking

Networking is so important because it allows you to meet new people and have so many more opportunities. The more people you know, the more opportunities usually. Whether they want you to work with them, or they know of a great marketing job for you, networking is a great way to open the doors of opportunity.

Job Boards

The Internet is great because it allows you to do pretty much anything you’d like. You can create a website, read on any topic known to man, or you could even look for a job that’s available in the marketing industry. Job boards are a great thing to consider because you can find jobs online working with companies and/or you can find local jobs near your home.

College Career Office

If you’re having no luck looking on your own, you may want to consider going to a college career office. Leave it up to the pros to find you the job you’ve been working so hard to get. They may have several connections and may even be able to set you up with an interview.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a great website for networking, as well as looking for a job. On LinkedIn, they have job postings that regularly update. They have just about any professional job a person is looking for.

ResumeBucket Job Search

As always, there is a simple search for jobs using a job search website. In this case, ResumeBucket is great because it doesn’t just list retail jobs like others to, but instead it posts jobs for professionals, or a lot of career based jobs. You can search by category, keywords, location, etc. This is a great way to find work in your area!

As you can see, there are several ways to find a marketing job. Whether you use the Internet for job search engines, or you resort back to the old newspaper, there are plenty of ways to find the work you’re looking for! Just always keep in mind that networking is a great place to start. As stated above, the more people you know and talk with, the more opportunities you can come across!

This guest post is written by Jillian Avery. Jillian runs MyJobApps, a website that offers 1,000+ job descriptions, salaries, profiles, and much more.

Going to back to work after a prolonged period at home can be a daunting thought. The world of work changes quickly and you might be unfamiliar with the important things that have happened while you have been bringing up your children. It may have been a long time since you sat, armed with your resume, in front of that interview panel, but you should be confident and use the range of skills that you have. Now that you feel you are ready to go back to work, there are some things you can do to prepare yourself for applying and interviewing for your new job.

How to format your resume

For parents returning to work a chronological resume (the most popular kind) is probably not the best one to use. You should use a combination format which lists your skills and then your professional experience. The dates of your employment are not central on your resume which means that the employer will not immediately see the gaps. Your resume will probably only get a minute’s glance, so you will need to make sure that it creates a good impression.

Refine your work history

Think about what you have been doing during the period you have spent out of paid employment. Bringing up your children will have provided you with lots of opportunities that you can include on your resume. You may have been part of a Parent Teacher Association or done some fundraising for your child’s school/nursery. Volunteer work is incredibly valuable in terms of skill building, especially if you took on any roles with responsiblity, such as organising a team. Continuing your education is also important, so if you have been completing evening classes or other study you should include this on your resume. Lastly, if you have done any part-time work or you have been self-employed you should make sure you describe the skills you used. Remember for example, that to be self-employed you need to be motivated to carry out work unsupervised. Always be honest about your work history. If you are not including your period at home on your resume then you should explain this in your covering letter.

Should you document your time at home?

There is no need for you to invent a title for your role at home. Unless you are applying for a job in teaching or a nursery school for example, you shouldn’t need to include your period at home on your resume. Concentrate on including things which have provided you with the new skills or experience that makes you suitable for the kind of jobs you will be applying for.

The interview

Be prepared to be questioned on your gap in employment. You need to be able to explain what skills, if any, you have gained during this time. If you don’t feel you have done any relevant training recently, then you will need to describe the skills you possess that make you suitable for the role. The main thing you need to remember is to be confident about your skills; if you’re not sure you can do the job then your potential boss won’t be either.

Returning to work should be an exciting experience. It may be difficult for you if you have been at home for a long time, but think of going back to work as starting a new chapter. Be prepared for it to be tough and sometimes disappointing. Take any setbacks as opportunities to learn and put your new knowledge into continuing your search for the right job.

Emily Cotton is passionate about getting women who have put their careers on hold to raise kids back into work and sees jobs as an HR administrator as a good way to get your foot in the door of many companies ready to move up within that organisation when opportunities present themselves.

Summer-time has arrived which means students have been granted ultimate freedom until the leaves begin to brown. This may seem like a good time to doss around and sleep until noon, but making the most of your free time can leave you feeling refreshed in preparation for the new academic year. Here are some ideas of how to spice up your summertime.

Volunteer

Rather than applying for random positions which involve volunteering for organisations of little interest to you in a bid to feel a valuable member of society, apply for a charity that supports a cause that you have genuine passion to assist. You’re more likely to enjoy the work and continue your voluntary placement for longer. There are many different volunteering positions available, try to aim for a position which is relevant to your desired career path to gain some valuable experience as well as helping the charity.

Find a summer job

Many online recruitment companies have specialist sections dedicated to finding summer jobs for students. There are a variety of seasonal opportunities ranging from working part time in a local supermarket, to holiday repping abroad in a popular resort. Earning extra cash will allow you to do more activities throughout the summer or save money for future use.

Working abroad for the summer can end up being the working holiday of a lifetime. Many people return to the same resort each year and make valuable friends. You could even get your friends from home to book a holiday in the resort you’re working in and visit you.

Take a well-deserved break

Booking a holiday or vacation of some description just before the start of the new term is a great way to uplift the end-of-summer depression and set you up for the new term. The holiday could be as simple as camping for a weekend in the countryside or a holiday abroad with friends. Having something to look forward to and save cash for can keep excitement fresh and provide a work incentive throughout the summer.

Join a new class

Learn a new skill over the summer by joining a club. Theatre groups, fitness classes and short courses are just some of the many great ways to broaden your social horizons, as well as discovering new passions and talents you never knew you had. Extra-curricular pastimes and hobbies also show personality and indicate the ability to learn different skills for future employment.

Being productive over the summer can leave you feeling ready to jump back into education with a fresh mind after fulfilling your holiday period. Make sure you have an action packed summer and avoid excessive oversleeping!

This guest article was written by Stephanie Staszko on behalf of online recruitment company Blue Octopus.

Landing a job—any job—in today’s economy can be tough. Being overqualified for a job or underqualified can frustrate a job seeker just as much as having no jobs available. When you submit your resume, have a great interview and still get turned down, the frustration builds even more. Any number of reasons could cause someone else to get the offer for which you were hoping.

Resume-Related Issues

You don’t need to add detail to every job history entry on your resume. Keep the explanation to only those positions which note qualifications for the job at hand. While a one-page resume is quickly become a relic of the past if your relevant history deserves two pages, don’t force its length. Note the applicable entries toward the top of the explanations area and simply list below the other positions, noting the dates of employment, the name of the employer and your job title.

Other common resume errors include misspelled words, grammar errors and punctuation. Don’t rely on a word processing spelling and grammar check. Proofread it well; get help from others if you have weak skills.

Interview-Related Issues

You can fully and completely meet all advertised qualifications, but the people who place those ads may be extremely busy and either note the wrong qualifications or not note complete requirements. As you interview, you tailor your answers to what you know and what your background portrays. Alas, they may be looking for something slightly different, and your interview doesn’t reflect it. Someone else may get the job because of their scripting errors.

You might also meet every possible qualification, advertised or unadvertised. Your resume may be spotless, but your interview skills may be weak. You could be either overconfident and rub the interviewer the wrong way or come across as too meek or modest and undersell your abilities and expertise.

Your chosen interview dress code could be inappropriate for the work environment. As your cover letter must use appropriate language, your interview attire must meet the job requirements and dress code. If the job is in an office environment, don’t wear casual clothes even if you know the office allows workers to dress casually. Wear business attire. If you apply for a job as a medical lab technician, business attire would seem inappropriate—unless you wear a lab coat to the interview. Scrubs might be even more appropriate, but at least you look neat and that you know of standard lab attire guidelines. If in doubt, call a few days prior to your appointment and ask. You may feel foolish, but it’s far better to determine a dress code beforehand than it is to attend an interview dressed inappropriately. If you don’t choose to call, err on the side of caution and dress up a level or two from a basic position.

Other Reasons

Try to interview early in the process; set the standards others must exceed. If you apply late in the hiring process, you are compared to all others that come before you, and their names are more deeply seated in the employer’s mind.

Job requirements might change. Not all employers think to or are able to update or cancel their placement ads in a timely manner. Unfortunately, it’s the candidate that suffers.

Conclusion

Consider each interview as exchanging information, not just an attempt to sell yourself. Always have relevant questions for the interviewer and ask them as early as possible. You stand a better chance of receiving a positive response. Check your cover letter and resume, though. Don’t undermine your terrific interviewing skills.

This article was contributed by Holly Adams @ Coupon Croc. Dress the part for your job interview and save on clothing with Debenhams discount codes.

The team here got together to think of how we could celebrate the milestone.  Our initial idea was to give a job away, to which our legal guy said we couldn’t technically do that.  But we still wanted to try.  So we designed a giveaway package that we feel will get someone a job, we just can’t guarantee it.

Once our user count hits one million, one lucky ResumeBucket user will win the prize package.  The person will be picked at random from those that enter.  And all you have to do to enter is go to the official contest page and enter your ResumeBucket resume URL:

http://www.resumebucket.com/promotion

If you don’t have a ResumeBucket account, know that it is free to sign up, and even if you don’t win the contest, we have thousands of employers searching through our users resumes every day.

You can read all about the contest on the contest page.  If you have any questions, leave a comment here and I’ll respond to it as quickly as I can.

Good luck!

When you set up your personal Facebook page, complete with photos of you two-fisting margaritas on a topless beach in Cancun (your girls-gone-wild phase), you probably weren’t thinking about the fact that prospective employers might seek out your profile to see how you behave in your personal life (as a way to judge your fitness for a position with their company).  Ouch.  It’s a brave new world of interconnectedness and you should never assume that the people you interview with aren’t well aware of this fact.  On the other hand, social networking sites can also be used as a valuable tool to spark the interest of an interviewer.  It’s really up to you.  Here are just a few ways that your profile could either make or break your job hunt.

The first thing you should do is hide your personal profile.  Do you really want a bunch of skeezy strangers drooling over pics of you in a bikini anyway?  Probably not – have you seen To Catch a Predator?  The point is, you need to keep your personal information, well, personal.  So consider using a nickname rather than your full name and keeping this profile hidden from the view of anyone who is not an approved friend.  Also, make your profile pic decent just in case someone from your professional life accidentally stumbles on it.

You may not realize it, but even if you keep rather tame personal profiles on various social networking sites, there are certain things that are somewhat out of your control (such as what your friends may post).  In addition, you never really know what will turn off another person (especially one that is looking at your suitability for a job).  Suppose your “likes” include unicorns and glitter.  A potential employer may feel that this doesn’t mesh well with the cutthroat corporate mentality that they expect in their workers.  You get the idea.

What you can do instead is create a professional profile.  You don’t have to wait for interested parties to find this profile; you can direct them to it.  Instead of listing every award you ever won on your résumé (8^th grade spelling bee?) you might think about de-cluttering by posting these extras on your profile.  Then you can simply tell interviewers where to go if they want more information (or list your profile URL on the résumé).

You can also use this forum to post letters of reference.  Often you don’t want to include letters from your past employers with your application paperwork (if it’s too bulky, a busy HR rep may just dismiss the whole mess out of hand).  Instead, copy these glowing reviews from previous supervisors and colleagues on your professional profile page so that the people in charge of hiring can easily peruse them if and when they desire.

These days you have to be more careful than ever what you release into the digital world; it can easily come back to bite you (you know where).  Instead of leaving it up to chance, control your virtual image by creating separate spaces for your personal and professional information through social networking, and controlling the traffic to your profiles.  It could just help you land your dream job (rather than losing it).

Sarah Danielson writes for Midwest HR Illinois PEO Blog. Midwest HR offers innovative HR solutions to organizations that are focused on productivity, profitability, and growth.

Since the financial sector collapsed in late 2008, Americans have watched the economy shed millions of jobs. Many have witnessed or experienced first-hand the pain and uncertainty that comes along with unemployment. Fortunately, there are a few sectors that have been able to weather the storm and provide recession-proof jobs.

Doctor
No matter what happens in the stock market, people will continue to get sick and injured. In fact, as the population continues to age, the number of yearly doctor visits is only expected to increase. Becoming a doctor is still a lucrative proposition for those willing and able to make it through the extensive training.

Registered Nurse
For those on a tighter schedule, nursing is a good option. Nurses enjoy the same job security as doctors, but spend far fewer years in school.

Physical Therapist
Physical therapists help patients regain motor function after an injury or accident, so as long as people get hurt, physical therapists will find no shortage of work. Again, the aging population plays a role. As the elderly find themselves operating with decreased mobility, they will turn to physical therapists for assistance.

Pharmacy Technician
Pharmaceutical companies are doing well despite the economic downturn, which means consumers aren’t cutting their budgets for medicine. Any time you follow a commercial’s instructions to “ask your doctor” about it, you can be sure there will be a pharmacy technician behind the scenes filling the prescription.

Veterinarian
Just as people will always get sick and injured no matter the economic climate, so will animals. People feel so much affection for their pets that many even consider them part of the family. They’ll find room in the family budget for a visit to the vet, even if it means giving up luxuries like eating out or going to the movies.

Networking Specialist
Although many technology jobs can and have been outsourced, there is still a need for specialists who can maintain local networks and perform hardware repair. When the phone company receives a complaint from a customer, they can’t send someone from another country out to the client’s house to check the wires. Given society’s dependence on Internet, television, and smartphones, this is an industry that is bound to do well despite economic troubles.

Software Engineer
As the economy turns away from manufacturing, software engineering might be the new factory floor job. Manufacturing output has been replaced by virtual products and services, so anyone who can program a computer will find a wide variety of opportunities over the next few decades.

Accountant
As both companies and families struggle to keep their finances in order, accountants will have many requests for help managing investments, balancing budgets, and securing tax refunds. Most people realize that hiring a good accountant is an investment that more than pays for itself, making it a popular service in a depressed economy.

Debt Advisor
The recent economic collapse was fueled by bad debt, so it’s no surprise that those trained in helping people maneuver through the tricky pathways of debt consolidation and reduction, financial planning, and bankruptcy aren’t having a hard time finding business.

Public Relations Specialist
As big companies struggle through the economic storm, they often face public relations troubles. A corporation might lay off thousands of workers, but keep their PR specialist around to handle the negative attention the move is sure to attract.

Cosmetologist
A trip to the salon is a way for people to relax and boost their self-esteem with a new look. That may seem like a luxury, but it can make a big difference for someone who is trying to look their best right before an important job interview, or otherwise trying to feel good about themselves in the midst of stressful work and finance situations.

Social Worker
Social workers assist youth, adults, and families with a wide variety of problems. As the economy continues to suffer, more and more people will be laid off or have trouble making ends meet. The stress of these conditions can lead to family problems and more work for social workers.

College Professor
Government budget cuts have made public school teaching a less secure job than it once was, but the unemployed are flocking to community colleges and graduate programs to train for new jobs and acquire new skills. Although most tenure-track jobs require a PhD, some lower-level instructor positions might be available for those with less education.

Auto Mechanic
When money is tight, people cut back on unnecessary expenses, such as buying a new car when the old one is running just fine. Of course, the more miles it racks up, the less likely it is to run “just fine.” Auto mechanics can count on a steady stream of customers who are much happier paying a few hundred dollars to get their old car fixed than a few thousand to buy a brand new one.

Funeral Director
It might be morbid, but it is a fact of life that people will die no matter what happens in the economy. It takes a certain kind of person to be able to handle so much death, dying and grief, but for those who can, funeral directors have one of the highest job securities.

Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical engineers design and build everything from folding chairs to airplanes. With defense spending at an all-time high, there is demand for engineers to design tanks, missiles, supply systems, and safety equipment for the military.

Medical Scientist
Biotechnology is one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy. With numerous companies working on new pharmaceuticals, genome sequencing, and innovative medical devices, scientists and engineers trained in the medical sciences will have no trouble landing jobs with competitive compensation.

InterFysio recruits international healthcare professionals for employment in the United States of America. They are an experienced team of healthcare professionals, lawyers, recruiters, licensing and credentialing specialists. InterFysio is dedicated to satisfying the growing need for Physical Therapist Jobs in the United States with qualified, professional candidates from around the world.

Job loss is a hard thing for nearly every adult.  We all whine and complain about how we need more time off, but when you’re suddenly confronted with a layoff that leavesyou with all the free time in the world, it can be a pretty frightening place to find yourself.  As time goes by you will almost certainly fall out of your regimented routine and into bad habits, like waking at the crack of noon, busting out the Cocoa Puffs, and sitting in front of the TV for the remainder of the day.  You might even take to watching late-night infomercials when you can’t sleep (ugh).  In short, you may just be too depressed or unmotivated to take the steps necessary to find another job.  But if you do just one thing, you can get yourself back on track for success in securing employment.  All you have to do is make yourself a schedule to manage your time.

Thinking about hunting for a job, paying your bills, and meeting your responsibilities can quickly spiral into overwhelming despair.  It can be extremely stressful because it is currently beyond your control.  That’s why you need to make a plan for something you can manage: your time.  Put thoughts of success or failure out of your head (they won’t help you now) and focus instead on creating a schedule for your day that will keep you busy, productive, and working towards your goals.  Even this small measure of control in your own life can make all the difference in the world.

Start by planning out your average day.  Set your alarm clock to get up when you normally would for a job.  Take a shower and get dressed.  Have a healthy breakfast (it’s the most important meal of the day because it gets your metabolism going and wakes up your whole body).  Then do some job hunting (yes, every day).  You can search online (new listings may be posted daily), run through your contact list, or even walk into local businesses that you would like to work at to see if they have any openings you can apply for.  You might even want to join a couple of temp agencies.  Your most productive time will be morning, so use it for your most important activity.

After lunch, stop your job search.  You do have a life that probably needs some attention and if you become obsessive about hunting for a job you will quickly get burned out.  So keep yourself active by cleaning the house (or making those little fixes you never seem to have time for), exercising, working on your garden, reading a book, meeting with friends, or even taking a class at your local community college (or online).  Doing these things is a good way to keep from cooping yourself up and giving in to despair.  You might even take on a part-time side job for a little extra cash (if it won’t interfere with your unemployment benefits).

Make every effort to stick to your schedule and even though you don’t have to be on time, try to remain punctual (it’s just a good habit to be in).  Proper time management is essential to keeping yourself out of a rut when you’ve suffered a layoff.  It’s all too easy to give in to negative emotions that will hold you back from finding a new job or otherwise realizing your potential, so take control of your life by setting a schedule and sticking to it.  Before long you’ll find that opportunities are everywhere and all you have to do is take them.

Sarah Danielson writes for Appointment Reminder (our site) where you can send out a customizable text, phone, or email reminder to your clients. Increase revenue and customer satisfaction with Appointment Reminder.

Most job seekers these days have at least one social media account, and probably use it on a daily basis. Facebook, Twitter, and blogging sites keep individuals connected to their friends and family, but many do not understand the power of this type of online networking. Those who understand this power know that leveraging social medial to land a new job can mean getting hired faster, getting a better job, or lucking into a better salary.

The easiest way to use social media in a job search is to make use of existing personal networks. Someone who has a Facebook or Twitter account obviously knows people. Those people know other people, and can help get the word out that a friend is looking for a job. Job seekers can post a short description of their skill sets and what type of work they are looking for, and may hear back about opportunities others know about.

Bloggers can share the same type of information in posts, and can also show off a bit for potential employers. Those looking for creative jobs like photography, writing, or graphic design can prove their skills by designing quality content for their blog, for example.

Of course, there are times with sharing this type of information via a personal online network may not be appropriate. Individuals who are currently employed and are attempting to be discreet in their search for a new job may not want to advertise this information. Even if privacy settings are set at high levels and the circle of friends on one’s social network is quite small, information shared online can be reposted or printed. If everyone in the world cannot know the information, it should not be on a Facebook page.

For those who are trying to be a bit more discreet, but still want to use social media in their job search, career sites like Linked In may be an option. Linked In is a site for professionals, and many people with profiles on the site are not looking for jobs. The site is a great way to communicate with people in the same industry, so if a current employer sees a name in the listings, they generally will not conclude the person is looking for another job. Being active on Linked In, however, allows individuals to network with others in the same industry. Users will be more likely to hear about openings, and may even connect with the person doing the actual hiring.

There are many great ways of leveraging social medial to land a new job. Job seekers using the internet in their search should keep all standard online safety rules in mind, and should also be aware of privacy concerns. Those looking for new jobs should be very careful what they post online, and no one should ever post anything on the internet they wouldn’t want all their friends and family–and current employers–to know about.

Nicole Rodgers has been blogging in the education, finance, and technology industries for the past three years. She believes that graduate level education separates future business leaders from the rest so she encourages everyone who is interested in getting a MBA to get in a lot of GMAT practice. In her free time, Nicole also enjoys helping others become more Internet savvy.

Graduating from college only to find yourself in a job market that is steeped in recession is not a fun prospect.  And yet, if you don’t go to school and get a degree, you might as will just don a paper hat, because your options might be limited to food service.  Even the best online schools can offer you a chance at a better job, and if you pay attention to the criteria used to determine college rankings, you can almost certainly find schools that provide the best opportunities for job placement.  But even with a degree under your belt and interested companies calling you for interviews post-graduation, you may have a hard time securing a position.  So here are just a few ways you can turn the tables in your favor and walk away from college with a job in your pocket.

Take an internship

This might just be the best way to secure employment upon graduation.  Apply for any internships your department offers until you nab one, then stick with it until you get a job offer (if they’ll have you).  Of course, you may not like the job much, and they might not like you, in which case you should try for another internship.  Eventually you’re bound to find the right fit and it could just result in an offer of employment.

Get recommendations from professors

The people who prepared you to work in your chosen profession likely have some industry contacts in their rolodex.  If you can convince them to place a call on your behalf, you might just get a foot in the door.  And when you think about it, if you can’t get your professors to give you a chance, how are you going to convince a total stranger?  Just some food for thought.

Create an amazing résumé

If you’ve never done this before, don’t just assume you know what you’re doing.  The easiest option is to go on ResumeBucket and find templates that allow you to fill in the blanks with your own information.  But if you really want to impress, think about asking your major advisor, a counselor, or professors to proofread your sample résumé and make suggestions on how you can improve it.

Apply for everything and be persistent

Don’t limit yourself to one position that you think you want to hold.  The truth is that you probably have no idea of what you actually want to do because the job rec almost never matches up to the actual work you’ll be doing.  So while you should still look for the type of job you’ve been trained for, don’t hesitate to explore other options like related positions (or even related fields) and alternative employment like online freelance work.

Pay to play

Sometimes it takes money to make money.  If you’re in a field that is somewhat specialized, consider signing up for a paid industry job-search website or forum that offers job opportunities only to members (as in exclusive postings for positions).  Try signing up for a month and applying for tons of jobs to see if you get any nibbles.  Once you’ve secured employment you can cancel your membership (you can also write it off on your taxes!).

As a recent college graduate, I am very familiar with the ins, outs, trials, tribulations, and unfortunately, the rejections of the job search process. Although it can seem like an emotional rollercoaster at times, the ending result is definitely worth it. I know some of you may be in doubt and wondering if there will ever be a light at the tunnel, so listen up: you will land a job. And after endless hours slaving away in your university library or years spent building your career at other jobs and internships, you deserve it, too.

While the process consists of many components, the most important part of the job search is building an impressive resume that not only showcases your talents, but catches your intended employer’s attention. Before we go any further, I will warn you:  resumes take time. They’re not something you just throw together and hope to get noticed. I worked for a year on crafting my resume(s) into what it is today, and after hard work, I was fortunate enough to land an amazing job a month before graduation.

To spare you long hours of resume writing, here are a few tips to boost your resume into high gear:

Get Involved

No matter how artfully crafted your resume is, it won’t really matter if you don’t have anything to put on it. With that said, you need to be involved and engaged in your jobs, internships, and activities in order to prove to employers that you understand what it takes to be a professional and talented asset for their company. Whether you’re entry-level or are already in the workforce, employers really look at experience in that particular field or position. By experience, they’re not only looking for what skills and knowledge you’ve acquired, but also your leadership positions and personal professional development, such as attending a summer workshop or conference. Having volunteer experience is also a plus, as it shows that you care about a cause, your community, and working as a team.

Know the Basics

People tend to focus too much at the beginning of resume writing on making it look attractive. While this is important, focus on the content first. Start by simply making a list of all your past jobs and experiences and detailing exactly what you did, who you interacted with, and what accomplishments you achieved. It’s alright if the lists are long and overbearing at first, because it’ll end up making your job summaries that much easier to write. To keep your resume down to the recommended one-page length, keep a maximum of three to four main points per entry. Also, although there are mixed emotions on whether or not to write an objective at the top of your resume, I’d say ditch it. Your objective should be clear enough in your cover letter and the job that you’re applying for that you needn’t be redundant.

Decide What Type to Write

There are four main types of resumes: chronological, functional, combination, and targeted. Chronological resumes list your work histories in order of most recent, functional focuses on your skills and experience rather than the order of your job experience, and combination highlights the skills you have that are relevant to the job and provide a listed work history. My most favorite and most recommended, a targeted resume, is customized specifically to highlight the job experience and skill set that applies directly to the position or field you are applying for. For example, I created two different resumes: one for writing and editing and one for special events. These types take longer and involve creating multiple versions of your resume, but they are beyond worth it! By listing the appropriate qualifications and experiences, you are directly spelling out the specifics in why you are a perfect match for that position.

Drive Action Verbs and Numbers

When talking about each job and experience, use action verbs to describe your tasks and accomplishments. Use words like “conducted, created, executed, supervised, and maintained” in your descriptions. By doing so, you’re showing employers that you made something happen and didn’t just show up to work every day. Also, employers want to see quantitative figures on your resume, because then, not only are you saying that you made something happen, but that you produced successful results. So, for example, how many clients and/or team members do you manage? How much money did you raise for your campaign? How many listeners listen to the radio station you promoted? These are vital pieces of information and will get you noticed.

Use Your Resources Wisely

Go to the career center. Ask your family. Get into contact with friends who work in HR or are supervisors. Ask them how you can enhance, rework, and make your resume the best it can be. Also, the extra sets of eyes will help pick up on spelling or grammar errors. A supervisor I know said proofreading errors are the number one deal-breaker, because “if they can’t take the time to proofread their resume, then they won’t take the time to do their job correctly.” The average employer spends between 10-30 seconds looking at a resume, so make sure it is flawless.

Follow these steps, don’t give up, and once you get those interviews because of your impressive resume, know that you are that much closer to landing your dream job.

Molly Borter graduated in May from DePauw University and now works as a writer for SunglassWarehouse.com in Indianapolis, IN. She enjoys spending time with her family, road trips with friends, blogging about fashionable accessories and women’s sunglasses, and giving advice to those who need it.

One of the most important aspects of job hunting is networking.  Getting directly connected with individuals that know of job openings or even networked with the people looking to hire has always been difficult.  For our clients, networking is often difficult because they are transitioning from military life to civilian employment.  Luckily, technology is helping bridge the gap between employers and prospect employees.

With prominent companies like Boeing using social media as an avenue for job listings, it’s important to see which social media outlets offer valuable opportunities for networking and how they can help you in your job hunt.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is an invaluable resource for individuals looking to network directly with individuals in directly within a given company or industry.  If you haven’t been exposed to LinkedIn you really should be.  Not only does it allow you to network with people you already know, it allows you an opportunity to search by company, job posting and industry and allows individuals the opportunity to directly see your work history.  LinkedIn allows you to connect other social networks you’re a part of and even allows friends or other individuals to write recommendations for you.  For a nominal fee you are given access to email individuals you don’t have a contact in common with.

LinkedIn is a worthwhile resource if you’re looking for job postings and network opportunities.  It allows you to gain exposure directly with individuals within a company, something other social media outlets don’t provide.  What is important with LinkedIn is that you find a way to purvey your worth clearly and find ways to set yourself apart from others.  Because this is a “professional network” having recommendations can prove extremely valuable when viewed by possible employers.

Twitter

Twitter can be a good and bad resource for job hunting.   Because twitter allows you to connect with individuals you don’t know based on interests you can easily access large amounts of information quickly and easily.  The ease of placing information on twitter allows for a seemingly constant flow of information.  Because of this you can retrieve large volumes of job postings with little effort.  Where twitter becomes difficult is that networking is largely limited to “following” a company or individual.  There is no guarantee those you connect with will reciprocate the interest back to you.  If you’re looking for a tool to quickly find job listings, twitter can help.  If you’re looking to develop a deep connect and network with individuals within a company or individual, this isn’t social network option for you.  Twitter is best used as resource for searching for information, finding basic listings and interacting (although very minimally) with individuals or companies you might be interested in working with.  Just know there is no guarantee that you interest and interactions will be reciprocated.

Facebook

Like most social media avenues, companies are starting to utilize Facebook more for job listings.  Although most people use Facebook to connect directly with friends it is slowly evolving into a network used by companies as much as individuals.  With that being said, Facebook is largely the most detached social media network in regards to networking directly with individuals in companies.  More often than not companies are simply updating the page listings and doing very little interaction with individuals on the other side of the desk.  Facebook is largely static and less interactive.  Where Facebook can prove valuable for job searches is the ease of communicating with people you already know.  Within minutes you can communicate to everyone you’re connected with on Facebook your job search efforts and ask for leads.  Considering you likely know most individuals you’re connected with on Facebook, you may be able to connect with their company or another company through them.

Make Social Helpful

It’s undeniable that social media outlets are evolving into helpful resources for those on the job hunt.  If you’re looking for networking opportunities with employers and individuals within those companies, networking is slowly becoming much easier than it once was. If you’re hesitant to go social with your job hunting, consider this; each of these social media outlets has hundreds-of-millions of users.  How many of them are looking to hire or know someone looking to hire?  What’s the chance that one of them has something to offer you in your job hunt?

Contributed by Defense Placements, a job placement and executive recruiting company that specializes in helping place top-notch talent into jobs around the world.  We specialize in promoting our clients to potential employers through a variety of methods, including social media.

Receiving a phone call from a head hunter can be one of the most daunting experiences an individual can receive. Whereas such a call can represent vindication of an individual’s hard work in their industry through such recognition it can also represent an alien experience which can be nerve wracking and terrifying if not approached with the right frame of mind. There are a number of different aspects which should be taken into consideration when accepting a phone call from a head hunter which will help maximise the potential of a good outcome for all parties involved.

What do they want?

For those who are not well versed in dealing with head hunters it is easy to make the assumption that they have got in touch for the sole purpose of offering a job. This, however, is not necessarily the case. Head hunters are employed by companies to find the best possible candidate to fill a certain position; in order to do this the head hunter will no doubt have to look at a number of different candidates before making a decision on which individual to forward to the company. This means that oftentimes head hunters will be reaching out to several potential candidates simultaneously, feeling them out to see if they would be hypothetically interested in a job away from their current position. The head hunter will make a short list based on their findings from this “feeling out” process and make their selection from there.

Repeat interview process

Due to the fact a head hunter will be looking at a number of individuals at the same time it would be advisable for a candidate to do the utmost to make an impression and stick in the head hunter’s memory. This means treating every interaction with a head hunter like an interview; being the most professional, courteous and respectful individual possible will make a mark. As a head hunter will be looking at a number of potential employees all with relatively similar backgrounds and qualifications there will oftentimes be not much to separate the candidates. Individuals who lack professionalism may find themselves, as such, filtered out of the head hunter’s search on these grounds.

How to treat the initial call

One of the earliest possible moments to show a lack of professionalism is during a head hunter’s first call. Usually such a phone call will be unexpected and come from out of the blue which can throw many an individual and give them reason to panic. Oftentimes a cause for concern will be the individual worrying over who the head hunter gained the telephone number from. On many occasions the answer is often innocuous; a mutual acquaintance or colleague could have passed on these details and it is not rare for contact details to be available on internet directories. Areas other individuals find stressful are discussing the opportunities offered by the head hunter in their place of current employment. It is, as such, worth swapping phone details with the head hunter and making arrangements to speak at a different time. This also allows the potential candidate time to prepare so as to make the best possible impression. So before the end of the first phone call it may be worth asking the head hunter for a few details to look up – such as the head hunter’s place of work and  the position to be discussed  on the later date.

What to do if the position offered is unappealing

If an individual is currently happy in their place of work it would be easy to dismiss the head hunter’s call out of hand. However, in doing so this could deny a future contact which could be especially foolish if present circumstances were to change. An advisable course of action would be to perhaps recommend a colleague who would possibly be more interested in the opportunity. This way the head hunter will be appreciative and keep the individual’s name in mind for future possibilities. Always be courteous and as helpful as possible with head hunters as they may be able to return the favour in the future.

Kieron Casey is a BA (Hons) Journalism graduate who blogs regularly on a number of topics including careers, employment and head hunters.