Showing posts with label Career Plan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Career Plan. Show all posts

Monday, November 22, 2010

Business Tips : 5 Tips on Budgeting

By SCORE
  1. Think of a budget as a useful tool—a written financial plan that helps you set goals and measure progress.
  2. Start by coming up with a sales revenue target. Make it your best estimate.
  3. Based on past experience, estimate your cost of goods sold (e.g., 70 percent of sales) and subtract it from the sales revenue to come up with your estimated gross margin.
  4. Forecast variable expenses (items such as travel and commissions that vary according to the level of sales) and fixed expenses (items like taxes and rent that stay the same, regardless of sales). Subtract these expenses from your gross margin to arrive at your estimated net income (before federal taxes). 
  5. Break your annual budget into quarters and monitor your progress every three months to detect problems and make corrections.

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Saturday, November 13, 2010

The Importance of Career Planning

By Simon Elliot




Planning your career is a wholly worthwhile step to ensure your future happiness. Enjoying your work, the environment you work in and your duties is essential if you are to have a fulfilling career ahead. If you have a strong idea of the direction you would like your career to head in, it's a good idea to take some time out in order to think through what will be needed to make your career plans flourish. The average working week in the UK lasts for 43.2 hours. As your work is a fundamental aspect of your life, the decisions you make will inevitably impact on your lifestyle and happiness, so forward-planning can only enrich your career, helping you to hit your personal targets. It's wise to get started as soon as you have a concrete idea of where you would like to be in the future.There are numerous points to consider, from those that may seem trivial to those which are absolutely essential.

Enjoyment

Critical to your happiness is whether you enjoy of your job. Think about the elements of your employment which bring you the greatest satisfaction and which gain you the biggest plaudits. Is it possible to move into a similar role with a stronger focus on the elements you enjoy the most? Employers will generally prefer to play to your strengths rather than have you perform a job you're unhappy doing. If you need experience in an area which you know you will find challenging and fun, mention it in an appraisal. This could result in an enriched and ultimately more satisfying role for you.

Industry Fit

The atmosphere and environment of offices from sector to sector can vary enormously. For example: a company in the media sector is more likely to have a more relaxed, dress-down environment than a City based brokers, simply because this industry demands a certain kind of behavior. Different industries have different etiquette and it's very important to ensure that you choose the right industry for you. You know your own personality better than any recruiter, so do some research on the kinds of environment that might suit you and ask your friends about the feeling in their offices.

Skills & Qualifications

When checking that your CV is up to date, have a look at the skills and qualifications you have listed. These are your personal assets and there is always room to build on your existing abilities. A 'skills audit' will allow you to see what might stand as a barrier to your progression. A skills audit involves breaking down all of your qualifications and past training as well as skills you have acquired through your day-to-day work. Putting them down on paper will enable you to see exactly which areas you can improve upon and where training will improve your chances of finding the role you desire. To step up from a junior role in any profession may require a qualification or some in-house training. Have a look online at the kinds of industry qualifications that are available in your sector and then take a look at the roles which demand them. You will probably notice that the salaries for those roles take a leap up upon qualification. Again, speak to your Manager about the possibility of your current workplace sponsoring your study. After all, your newfound skills are as much a benefit to them as to yourself.

Practical Work Experience

Many roles will list demonstrable work experience among the criteria in the job specification. If the criteria is impossible for you to match within your current role, think about where you might be able to gain the kind of experience that is being demanded. If this means a change of role, think carefully about your willingness to make the change. In some sectors, particularly in the creative field, unpaid work experience is unfortunately the only option. If you're determined to succeed, it may be possible to save the money required or even take on part time work to ensure you gain a foothold in your desired area. Keep in mind that the financial stress of unpaid work can be quite a load to bear, so think also about the period of time you would be able to sustain such work.

Family and Lifestyle

It may not seem particularly relevant, but at some point your family status will affect the work you plan to do. A good example might be a role which would require a great deal of travel, as this could eventually affect your home life. Other aspects of your working life that may impact upon your family life might be the location of your workplace in relation to your family home - a long commute can become a source of anxiety for some. The hours you work will also make a difference to your presence at home, while your salary will obviously impact upon your family. Though it may seem far off, it's wise to give this some thought before embarking on your new career path.

Long term goals

If you wish to retire comfortably and at a younger age than most, the planning you make early in your career will be pivotal to the enjoyment of your retirement years. Take some time to think about timescales and your long-term goals. When are they achievable by? What progress will you have to make to reach that kind of success?

Perhaps your aim is to own your own successful company by a certain age? Again, it's necessary to consider what kind of capital you will require to finance this start-up; how you will gain that money; and where you will gain the skills to get that company up and running.Planning your career may seem a daunting prospect at first. Bear in mind that the plans you make now are flexible and are simply a way of ensuring that you get the best from yourself and make full use of the resources available to you. Remember that if you can plan for a successful future, it's easier to make it happen.


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8 Career Planning Tips That Work

By Gian Fiero




After teaching career planning for several years, I've narrowed down the process of finding a career to the following 8 steps that anyone can use, in any field, to increase their chances of finding work that will bring them gainful employment and personal fulfillment.

1. DETERMINE YOUR VALUES: Simply put: what's important to you? Do you value freedom? Do you like autonomy? Or working as a member of a team? Do you like structure? Or lack of structure? Working a lot of hours? Or working flexible hours? Do you want a job with a significant paycheck? Or a job that provides significance to your life? These are all crucial questions that you must be able to answer because they will impact both your short and long-term happiness. Often people are able to answer these questions with greater conviction once they've experienced a sampling of various work environments and situations.

2. KNOW YOUR STRENGTHS: Study, after study reveals that the real key to success is fully utilizing our strengths, and shying away from activities which reveal your weaknesses. People tend to make the mistake of trying to convert weaknesses into strengths. Those efforts are futile. Your time should actually be spent increasing and utilizing your strengths, which are the foundation for your core competency.

3. ASSESS YOUR SKILLS: In my class I have my students use what I call a core competency tree diagram. The purpose of this diagram is to bundle their greatest (i.e., strongest, best developed, most marketable, etc.) skill as the trunk (the core skill) with their remaining skills (secondary and supporting skills) as the branches. This exercise has proven to be very effective in pinpointing the most viable skills that one brings to the table. The accurate assessment of skills is often overlooked and results in underemployment. The phrase "the skills to pay the bills" should spring to mind when it comes to the articulation of the skill set that you possess.

4. RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH!: Too often people choose the wrong careers because they don't know the myriad of vocations that exist within their field of study. This often results in misemployment and disenchantment. Time spent properly researching the profession that you intend to undertake, and the field you wish to enter, is vital. Part of this research should include conducting informational interviews with people who do what you would like to do for a living, visiting sites that contain blogs that are written by people in your chosen field, and reading trade magazines that contain stories about the movers and shakers in your industry.

5. CREATE YOUR PLAN: The most important benefit of having a plan is that it gives you a sense of direction in helping you reach your goals. In real life career planning, we choose the paths that we believe will take us to our destinations, but we have to be open to embarking upon new paths which may emerge in the course of our journey. Just as having a plan is important, so is the importance of planning to be flexible. It will keep you open to a realm of possibilities and help you arrive at your rightful destination.

6. CHANNEL YOUR PASSIONS: The importance of passion is well-documented: "Follow your heart," "Do what you love," and so forth. It's absolutely true! The key factor here is to channel your passions sooner than later - though it's never too late to do what you love - there are distinct opportunities that are afforded to the young; capitalize on your youth! There is no sense in delaying the pursuit of what you are passionate about. Everyone has passions, but not everyone channels them properly. Untapped passion and talent is like the bud of a flower that never fully opens to achieve it's full beauty and splendor. As long as you channel your passions into something - for work which you are paid or not - you are nurturing it so that it may bolster your career momentum, or can be parlayed into an alternative career.

7. GET SOME EXPERIENCE: Simply put: there is no substitute for experience. You need to get as much of it as quickly as you can. Interning is a win-win proposition for you and a prospective employer because they get free labor, and you get valuable experience. Without this experience, you remain idealistic if not unrealistic about the true-to-life rigors of the profession, and of the industry you want to work in. Gaining experience will help to confirm your interests and pursuits, or help to re-direct them. Interning is by far the smartest thing to do in a tight job market while you seek full-time employment.

8. GET A MISSION CRITICAL ALLY: Everyone knows the importance of networking. But everyone does not know the importance of having mission critical allies. First, if you don't have a mission (a plan that you prioritize over everything else in life) then you don't need a mission critical ally. Mission critical allies are those who we forge valuable relationships with that include mentoring and support. Russell Simmons was a mission critical ally for Diddy. Rick Rubin was a mission critical ally for Russell Simmons. Find a mission critical ally and make them your best friend.

Good luck in all of your career endeavors!


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Friday, November 12, 2010

If You're Looking for a Career Change You Must Read This

By Agustin Valecillos




It's not just people out of work who are looking for a new job. There are lots of people who are looking for a career change that are currently working too. If you've come to a point in your career, where you're ready for a change and looking to transition, it can be a scary proposition.

Life changes can be exciting and positive, but they can also be a bit terrifying and confusing. If you're ready to move out of the old and into the new, you need to be prepared for the change. By being prepared, you'll have a much smoother transition.
Why are you looking?

Before you start looking for a new job, you need to ask yourself why you are looking in the first place. Some people consider a career change to avoid burnout and to try their hand at something new. Others change careers to make more money or to get better benefits.

Whatever your reason for a career change is, make sure that you are clear about why you are searching for a new job in order to find the best job to meet your needs. It's always wise to know the underlying reasons before you make any major life change, like finding a new job.
Finding the best fit

Once you know why you're considering a career change, you are ready to get out there and start hunting for that new job. When you look at job descriptions in the classifieds or speak with potential employers at job interviews, make sure that the job is in line with your underlying reason for a career change.

For example, if you're changing jobs to make more money, ask the person interviewing you what the pay range is. There's no sense in wasting too much time or effort if that job will not offer you the money you are looking for. The bottom line is to make your actions line up with your intentions. By doing this you'll be able to spend your time and energy more efficiently.

A career change is nothing to take lightly. Make sure that you do your take your time and do it right. Get good counsel from friends or professional job coaches in order to make an informed decision about changing jobs. A change of careers can make a huge impact on your life. Make sure you take the right approach to make that impact a positive one.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/


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Thursday, November 4, 2010

Careers Planning Tips : Building a Career

By w3schools com


Today, and more than ever, most people are responsible for building their own careers. Whether you are just starting, or you have several years of experience, these paragraphs might help you advance your careers.

The 9 most important career planning tips is listed below:


1) Never Stop Learning

Life-long learning is your keyword.

The world is constantly changing, and everybody is looking for new ways of doing business. If you have decided that your current skills are good enough, you have also decided that your current job is good enough. But if you want a career in the future, you should add regular updates to your skills and knowledge.

2) Ask, Listen And Learn

A good listener can learn a lot. Listen to your co-workers, your boss, and your superiors. You can learn a lot from their experience. Ask about issues that interest you, and listen to what they say. Let them tell you about how things work, and what you could have done better. Most people will love to be your free tutor.

3) Fulfill Your Current Job

Your current job might be best place to start your career. It is often very little that separates successful people from the average. But nothing comes free. If you do your job well and fulfill your responsibilities, this is often the best way to start a new career.

Talk to your supervisor about things you can do. Suggest improvements. Offer your help when help is needed. In return ask for help to build a better career. It is often possible - right inside your own organization - especially if you have proved to be a valued employee.

4) Build Your Network

Your next career step might arise from your contact network. Did you know that more than 50% of all jobs are obtained from contact networks? If you have a good contact network, it  is also a good place to discover future careers, to explore new trends, and to learn about new  opportunities. Spend some time building new contacts, and don't forget to maintain the ones you already have. One of the best ways to get serious information from your network is to regularly ask your contacts how they are, what they do, and what is new about their careers.

5) Identify Your Current Job

Your current job should be identified, not assumed. Make sure you don't work with tasks you assume are important. This is waste of time and talent. When you start in a new job, talk to your superior about your priorities. If you're not sure about what is most important, then ask him. And ask him again. Often you will be surprised about the differences between what you assume, and what is really important.

6) Identify Your Next Job

Your dream job must be identified. Before you start planning your future career, be sure you have identified your dream job. In your dream job, you will be doing all the things you enjoy, and none of the things you don't enjoy. What kind of job would that be? Do you like or dislike having responsibility for other employees. Do you like to work with technology or with people? Do you want to run your own business? Do you want to be an artist, a designer or a skilled engineer? A manager Before building your future career your goal must be identified.

7) Prepare Yourself

Your dream might show up tomorrow. Be prepared. Don't wait a second. Update your CV now, and continue to update it regularly. Tomorrow your dream job may show up right before your nose. Prepare for it with a professional CV and be ready to describe yourself as a valuable object to anyone that will try to recruit you. If you don't know how to write a CV, or how to describe yourself, start learning it now.

8) Pick The Right Tools

Pick the tools you can handle. You can build your future career using a lot of different tools. Studying at W3Schools is easy. Taking a full master degree is more complicated. You can add a lot to your career by studying books and tutorials (like the one you find at W3Schools). Doing short time courses with certification tests might add valuable weight to your CV. And don't forget: Your current job is often the most valuable source of building new skills. Don't pick a tool that is too heavy for you to handle! 

9) Realize Your Dreams

Put your dreams into action. Don't let a busy job kill your dreams. If you have higher goals, put them into action now. If you have plans about taking more education, getting a better job, starting your own company or something else, you should not use your daily job as a "waiting station". Your daily job will get more and more busy, you will be caught up in the rat race, and you will burn up your energy.

If you have this energy, you should use it now, to realize your dreams.



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Simple Tips for your Careers




When graduating college never occurred to me to be? And never imagined I would be working in what areas? turns out this kind of thinking is wrong.

Should plan your life from now. Create long-term plans and short-term for your life. With a clear life plan you can plan your success with more certainty. Remember to get a job in Indonesia is not easy.

Be a man who is always one step ahead of others. The following simple tips to plan your career:
  1. Attitude. specify a definite attitude to yourself. do your job with sincerity, confidence, and spirit.
  2. Consciousness. every human being must have weaknesses and strengths you have to realize that. make your weaknesses and strengths are the strengths in your career success.
  3. Action. make real all your plans. start from the smallest steps and make sure the small steps you will be the biggest step in your career development.
  4. Pray. God is always there behind the success of human life. This is the most important things from each of your careers.

Four tips are just simple tips to achieve success in your careers. Keep trying, never give up hope you get the success you want.

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Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Careers Change - > 3 Signs Its Time To Change Careers

By Ryan Camana



Do you dread going to work everyday? Do you wake up happy only to remember that you are just fed up with what you're doing? Are you bored having accomplished everything you wanted with your current careers? These are just some of the questions that tell you its time to start looking for a new career.

Statistics report that up to 90% of people are unhappy in their current career. This unfortunate statistic is due to the fact most people don't plan out a career path that interests them. Too many people fall into the career they are currently toiling away in from sheer luck. Someone gave you a job out of college and that is the path you followed.
Obviously as the years go by you have changed. You don't have the same goals and aspirations you did when you were younger. You know yourself better at your current age and you know that what you are currently doing no longer interests you.
The following list is discusses some signs it may be time to change careers:
  1. Boredom. Once you learn a particular skill, it tends to become dull. Many careers don't change much. If you find yourself doing the same thing day in and day out you can become overwrought with the repetition.
  2. Stress. Does your job cause you undo stress? Perhaps you work extremely long hours under horrendous pressure with little or no time off. Often jobs with long hours pay so well they are hard to leave. If the pay alone is the only aspect keeping you at the job, it may be time to find something new. Money is a great motivator, but to be truly successful, you have to enjoy what you're doing on some level.
  3. Lack of contribution. Does your job leave you feeling empty? A feeling like you're not contributing to society. All human beings have ingrained desire to help other people. When you begin to feel that your job is not serving anyone but you and the company, it may be time to look for a new career where you can make more of a contribution.
There are many more signs that's its time to change a job. This list is some of the major reasons that successful people decide to change careers.

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Careers Tips : Highest Paying Careers

By Richard J Gregory


Which are the top 3 highest paying careers in the US?

3. Engineering Manager - 140.000 $ per year
This job requires both engineering and management qualifications and specialists spend from 6 up to 15 years training for this position. One can become an engineering manager with only a bachelor degree, but most people in this field pursue higher education degrees such as MBA's and doctorates. As general duties, engineering managers have to coordinate teams that are responsible with planning, research, design and other vital business tasks.

2. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) - 140.000 $ per year
CEO's hold the highest positions in any company. They oversee all the managerial levels and they are directly responsible for the general direction the company is heading. Usually, CEO's are either the actual founders or they get promoted from within the company when the position becomes available. In order to be considered for the position of CEO, any employee should have around 30 years experience working with the company.

1. Surgeon - 180.000 $ per year
Surgeons are the highest paid specialists in the country mostly due to the fact that it takes a lot of time, effort, knowledge and skill to be specialized and trained in this area. Any surgeon spends between 10 and 15 years becoming and expert in his field of specialization (i.e. heart surgery, brain surgery, spine surgery etc). There are very few people who have what it takes (patience, intelligence, dexterity, money, etc) to finish the training and to become a licensed specialist.

What do the highest paying careers have in common?
All the above careers (and many other high paying positions) have some similarities regardless of the field of activity. On the positive side, all of them are very financially rewarding activities that bring some fat checks at the end of every month.

But on the negative side, training for such a position takes a very long time. In order to be considered for one of these highest paying careers, you'd have to at least get a bachelor degree and maybe an MBA or a doctorate. But education is not always enough, because most companies want their most prized managers to have a lot of experience.

Is it possible to reach the same earnings in a shorter amount of time?
For people that can't wait 10 to 15 years to start earning some serious money there are always alternatives. Some of them might be riskier, others might be safer, but all of them require one thing: independent actions.

As long as you are not on a paycheck that comes from a boss, your earnings are directly proportional with you efforts. So the more effort you put in, the more you earn, which means that you have the potential to make even more than the highest paying careers.

Nowadays, one of the easiest ways to get started on the path of financial freedom is by growing a business online. With little or no upfront investment you could be earning the same as any of the high paying careers within few months to a year, provided you put in the required effort of course.

There are numerous cases of people getting rich by developing an online business and even teenagers have been reported to earn millions this way.


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Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Careers Tips : Top 5 Tips to Have the Career You Always Wanted

By Csaba Nilgesz



Getting a job is easy. Getting the careers you want is not. Well, for most people, this can be difficult to achieve, and only a few make it to the careers they always wanted to be in. But have you ever thought about how these people were able to land on the jobs they love? It's not always about luck, of course. You may have to work hard in order to achieve the career you want, but once you have it on your hands, you can say everything's worth the fight.

So, to prep you up for that careers search, below are some of the tips to have that career of your dreams:

1. Be clear about your objectives. In every career aptitude test, you will be asked about your goals. When answering such questions, be clear about your objectives and the things you want to happen in your life in general. You may take time to think about them, hence start thinking as early as now.

2. Think positive. One hindrance towards bagging the career of your dreams is the negative vibes. Once the stress of negative thoughts enters your head, you won't be able to focus on your career search, and eventually you'll fail. Keep yourself upbeat, cheerful and most of all, optimistic.

3. Gather all the things that interest you. Consider your skills, your talents, and your interests, as well as the things you love doing on a long-term basis. See at which fields you can apply them all and then gauge if you can keep up with their demands, and once you have figured out the answers, you're all set for the real career challenge.

4. Think about yourself first. In career and personality tests, you will come across questions about your reasons for choosing this type of career. You may be working for your family or your loved ones, but when it comes to selecting a career path, consider your own well being first. After all, it's you who's going to do all the dirty work in the long run.

5. Be honest. Answering careers aptitude tests and other exams related to career planning and building require honesty, as through this you can find fulfillment and long-term career happiness. Your answers may be plain and simple, but they're actually your stepping stones to success.


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Monday, November 1, 2010

Job Tips : Tips To Minimize Job Hunting Stress

by Nathan Newberger



The job hunt is not an easy process and being in between jobs just adds more stress to your life. Who needs that? While you may not be able to get rid of all the stress, you can eliminate a lot of it.

These 6 tips will help you get rid of unnecessary job search stress.
 
1. GET ORGANIZED
You should NEVER be stressed because you cannot find something. This goes beyond keeping track of resumes and cover letters. Other essentials like diplomas, certification certificates, and forms of identification should always be easily accessible. Most people agree that the creation of an employment portfolio is the best solution. One easy to access container of all your essentials will relieve pressure when searching for information or gathering materials prior to an interview.
 
2. STICK TO A SCHEDULE
The most successful job seekers admit that finding a job is a full time job. Just being busy creates a stressful atmosphere. Creating and maintaining a schedule lets you visualize what you need to get done and when you need to get it done. Often times we create stress in our minds. A schedule quantifies how busy you actually are not how busy you think you are. Moreover, you can monitor how well you follow your schedule to determine how efficiently you use your time.
 
3. TAKE A BREAK
All work and no play can make you a dull person, and make you go crazy. Under excessively tense conditions, recreation plays a vital role in maintaining composure. The beauty of the schedule is that it not only lets you see when you need to get work done, but also when you don’t need to get work done. Fill your free time with fun, relaxing activities that take your mind off worries. Finding a job is a full time job, but it should not consume 24 hours of the day 7 days a week.
 
4. KNOW WHERE YOU STAND
People also create stress by not evaluating where they stand with a prospective employer. They tend to assume that they are not in good standing with a company or interviewer, which only creates more tension and worries. Take time to stop and think about correspondences and other interactions. Pay attention to the tones people use as they write or speak. Reflect on the impressions you make from a phone interviewer. A second round of interviews probably means you made the cut and are in the running for the job. Serious contemplation of these types smaller things will remove uncertainty, thus remove worry.
 
5. AVOID REPITITIVE STRESS
You can improve efficiency and free up time, but recognizing opportunities to reuse work you have already done. This does NOT mean using generic cover letters and interview questions. However, having templates that can be modified to custom fit companies and situations is worthwhile. The key is to reduce the amount of work you have to do, without sacrificing the authenticity of the impression you leave. An employment portfolio can make this recycling even easier. Just remember that everything you say or write to a possible employer should reflect your personality and your thoughts on working for that particular employer.
 
6. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
As it comes down to the wire, the most stressful part of a job search for many people is the most confrontational part of the process: the interview. An interview is, in some respect, an employer’s way of testing you. Just like you studied for tests in school, you can study for interviews. This is more than just doing background research on a company. Think about possible questions the interviewers might ask you and think about how you would respond. Many people find it helpful to actually go through mock interviews with friends or family. Find a preparation method that works for you. Whatever it may be, use it. If you can eliminate the anxiety of an upcoming interview, you will perform better and feel better.
 
CONCLUSION
If you ever find yourself stressing out over your situation, think back to these 6 pointers. Stress reduction is incredibly helpful, so let it work for you.

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Job Tips ==> Tips On Interpreting Job Postings

by Nathan Newberger



EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
The single most common requirement stated in job advertisements is experience. Some positions require no experience at all, while others might require 1-2 years of experience, while the most senior positions might require 10 or more years of experience! These numbers can be very intimidating, but the right approach can make a difference. When thinking about the experience required by a job, consider these three options:
  • Work experience is NOT just typical jobs. Internships, volunteer work, and clubs are all valid forms of experience. Any learning opportunity is considered work experience.
  • Tailor your resume to fit the job description. If an advertisement says that a position requires 3 years of experience in sales, make sure your resume highlights the fact that you have 3 years of experience in sales.
  • Not meeting experience requirements does not take you out of the running. More than anything, companies want good employees. Between your resume and your cover letter, if you can persuade a company to think you are diligent and quick to learn new skills, you have a good shot at the job.
SALARY REQUIRED
In addition to a resume, many job advertisements ask that you submit your "minimum salary required." This request strikes fear in the hearts of the timid. If you give too high a salary, a company may not be interested in you. If you give too low a salary, you may not be able to make ends meet financially. When you are caught in this dilemma, you have two options:

  • Many times you can get by just saying that your salary requirement is "negotiable" 
without giving a specific number. Putting off salary negotiations until you actually have the job is a good stress reliever.
  • Call the employer anonymously to get information. If a specific number is absolutely necessary, provide a salary range.
ORGANIZATION SKILLS REQUIRED
Anytime a job advertisement makes a point to mention "organizational skills" or "communication skills", the employer actually wants to know three things: do you get the job done on time, do you do the job correctly, and do you work well in teams. Now if employers were that direct, job hunting wouldn't be so difficult.
Since life just isn't that easy, you have to be sure to answer the secret questions you are being asked:

  • Be sure to incorporate your ability in working with deadlines and working on team projects into your resume. Your resume creates the first image an employer will have of you. That image must be what the employer is looking for. 
  • Employers love multi-tasking. Convey the fact that you had many responsibilities at previous jobs, and you always succeeded.
  • Don't beat around the bush. Explicit examples are always good. If they do not fit in your resume, work them into your cover letter. Otherwise, be sure to mention them in your interview.
PROFICIENCY REQUIRED
Besides the generic traits that employers like to see in applicants for any position, job advertisements will make statements about specific skills related to a specific job. It seems that the most favorite description to use is "proficiency in". Other popular descriptors are "command of" and "working knowledge of". These phrases might be used to describe understanding of software, industry expertise, etc. They all mean the same thing, but many people don't realize what that is.
Whenever you see specific skill requirements and wonder whether or not you meet them, consider these issues:

  • Certain skills have official certifications. If you have an official certification, be sure it is on your resume. 
  • Being proficient means being comfortable using something on a day-to-day basis and being able to answer simple questions about it.
  • When it comes to languages, there is a difference between being fluent and understanding most things. There is no shame in saying you have a "conversational" understanding.
  • If the same skills continue to pop-up in job postings, it may be time for you to acquire them.
CONCLUSION
Perhaps job advertisements are not as direct as they should be. Nonetheless, there is now an industry standard on how to write them. It's up to you to be able to read them correctly. The language may be a little tricky, but it is not impossible to understand. These tips should give you a good starting point for tackling new job advertisements that come your way. Keep them in mind, because deciphering the language of a job advertisement will put you a step ahead of everyone else.


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Job Tips : Holiday Job Searching Tips

by Nathan Newberger




Your vacation time will be more helpful if you fill it with something that produces. The following are tips to find a job during the holidays :

Networking At Holiday Parties
The holidays bring more than a seemingly eternal string of parties. With these social outings come a string of fantastic networking opportunities. You can meet a wide array of people in many diverse fields. Even if you don't feel like attending a party, the opportunity is too great to pass up. To get the most out of the occasion, keep these points in mind:
  • BE CONSERVATIVE. You are trying to impress potential employers and colleagues. The
  • party may not be an interview, but some restraint must be exercised. Avoid revealing or questionable clothing and limit your alcohol consumption.
  • BE CASUAL. Being overly aggressive about getting employment information will turn people away. You may be at the party to find a job, but everyone else came to unwind. As you meet new people, the topic of employment will eventually come up, and you can casually mention your job search.
  • BE PREPARED. As a job hunter, you should always have business cards with you. Anyone you might talk to about work will meet a plethora of people over the course of the night. Giving them a business card gives them a reminder of who you are.
Sending Holiday Cards With A Purpose
It may seem a bit cheesy, but holiday cards are a fantastic and easy way to get the attention of an employer or recruiter. There is a good chance you will be sending cards to friends and family already, so there is not very much extra work to do.

While the process is not complicated, it involves a little more effort than shoving a card into an envelope, there are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Avoid holiday specific cards. As a matter of professionally courtesy and respect for religious diversity, use generic cards with messages like "Happy Holidays", "Season's Greetings" or "Happy New Year".
  • Use a simple message inside your card, such as "Looking forward to seeing you in the New Year", "Happy to see you this holiday season" or "Best Wishes".
  • Do not send cards to people you have not corresponded with. The real advantage of sending a holiday card is that it serves as an unimposing reminder to people with whom you have interviewed or discussed work. A stranger will toss the card in the trash.
Working Around Vacation Schedules
The biggest obstacle that a job hunter will face during the holiday season is timing. People go on vacations, schedules become tight, and open time slots vanish. This does not mean that people have stopped hiring.

To have any success, you will have to fight the hands of time. This means leaving yourself available and flexible.

Consider these points:

  • The early bird catches the worm. If you contact a recruiter earlier in the holiday season, they will have more available time periods in their schedule. 
  • Since the holiday schedule is so chaotic, recruiters have time slots appear and disappear all the time. You never know when a recruiter may unexpectedly be available so be prepared for a call at anytime.
  • Hold back on a vacation. If other job seekers are not available during the holidays and you are, you stand a much better shot at landing a job.
Beating The Holiday Blues
Regardless of financial position, people often get depressed and/or lonely during the holiday season. Being in between jobs cannot help the situation. In such a time, it is very easy to lose site of goals or suffer more serious psychological problems.

Tips on how to search for a job during the holidays are probably not going help you fight off clinical depression, but they can help you to kick those holiday blues out the door.

Try to remember:
  • Create a holiday schedule. Schedules allow you to allocate time for constructive job hunting activities and set aside time for relaxation or holiday celebrations. This way you can be productive and enjoy yourself.
  • 'Tis the season to give. During the holiday season, a tremendous number of volunteer opportunities appear. Helping others can give you a sense of pride and even put a smile on your face. Furthermore, volunteering gives you more experience to put on your resume and opportunities to network with other people. At the very least, you will be contributing to your community
CONCLUSION
Many people fall into the illusion that career opportunities do not exist during the winter holidays, but this simply is not true. Some recruiters have even admitted that December is their busiest time of the year. This does not mean you are guaranteed to land a job, but it also does not mean that you should take a break from your search. With these tips and a bit of luck, you may just get the one thing you want the most this holiday season.

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Career Tips : Important Tax Tips For Job Seekers

By Nathan Newberger

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That dreaded date is approaching very quickly. April 15th is just around the corner, which means it is time to file those tax returns. When economic conditions are tough, the last thing anyone wants to do is pay taxes. Luckily, you could be better off than you realize.

There are some very favorable rules embedded in the tax code for job seekers. When dealing with taxes, sometimes it pays to be between jobs.

This article briefly discusses some of the possible tax benefits for the unemployed. These are just tips that you may want to look into, please talk to a tax expert before filing your return. Don't pay more than you have to!

1. Basic Tax Deductions
Many of the costs associated with a job search can be deducted from your income. As long as you are not entering the job market for the first time, searching for work in a different field of employment, or returning to work from a long spell of unemployment, many typical job search costs are tax deductible. Individually these costs can be small, but they can add up very quickly.
Eligible expenses may include:
  1. Phone calls and faxing fees
  2. Costs for typing, printing, and mailing resumes
  3. Employment agency fees
  4. Ad space in newspapers, trade magazines, or on web sites
  5. Traveling costs for job interviews (This does not just include airfare or public transportation. The costs of driving to an interview can be deducted on a mileage basis.)
The list continues on, but you get the picture.
The 2 most important things to remember are:

  1. These expenses are only deductible if you itemize them.
  2. Only job search expenses exceeding 2% of your adjusted gross income are tax deductible. (please check with a tax expert on the finer details)
2. The Big Bucks
The deductions don't begin and end with your minor expenses. As well as the small costs of printing, postage, etc, large expenses associated with the job hunt can also be deducted. The two primary "major expenses" are as follows:

  1. EDUCATION - If you went back to school before taking a new job, your educational expenses can be curbed with tax deductions. Based on your adjusted gross income, you could be eligible for deductions of up to $3,000.
  2. MOVING - Once you have finally found that new job, some of your moving expenses may be deducted for tax purposes. The only eligible expenses are ones that your current employer did not already cover. Furthermore, moving costs for a new job are only deductible if your new place of work is at least 50 miles from your old home. If these requirements are met, things like packing costs, mileage expenses, parking fees, tolls, and lodging while traveling are all tax deductible.
3. Playing It Safe
Tax deductions can be very tricky and very tempting. The worst idea you could get into your head is to start being a risk taker when it comes to your tax return. You may not always get caught bending the truth, but if you do, the IRS will have very little sympathy. Deductions related to the job search may also raise a bright red flag to the IRS. These types of expenses tend to get examined more thoroughly than others. So as you file your return, keep these things in mind:

  1. Don't get creative and try to pile on expenses that are not truly exclusive to your job search. For example, a new suit may be needed for interviews, but its usefulness is not strictly confined to your job search.
  2. Save your receipts. In the case that your deductions do draw suspicion, you can save yourself a lot of pain, time, and money if you have proof of all your expenses.
  3. CHECK WITH AN EXPERT. We here at Worktree.com are job search experts, not tax accountants. Before you file a return with new types of deductions, it would be smart to get professional advice.
CONCLUSION
Don't be afraid to try and save money, however, please speak to an expert if you have any questions. As long as you play by the rules and only deduct legitimate expenses, you are in the clear. Being out of work is an economic burden on its own. Money can be even tighter when you have to spend large amounts on your job search but these tips may help you recover a portion of this. Use those deductions to your advantage, and do it quick - April 15th is just around the corner!

Job Tip -> Holiday Season Job Search Tips for College Graduates

By Brian



Holidays can be an opportunity for graduates to start a career collega. The following are tips those who want to start a career in the vacation :


Focus 90% of your job search on networking, but be sure you know how to network effectively
To be successful at networking, you must reach out to your network in a way that makes people want to recommend you or hire you. One way to do this is to be positive. Instead of sharing frustrations with your job search, talk about what types of positions are appealing to you and what kinds of challenges you are eager to take on.

Do not limit your search to only “available” positions
Spend time researching companies you ‘re interested in and make connections with people who work there. Get the name of the person who has the authority to hire you and write him or her a detailed letter explaining why you want to work for that company. Describe what your unique contributions would be. Be proactive and send along your list of references and resume. Be willing to start on a part-time basis or in a contract position. One foot in the door is better than a closed door.

Send an end of the year “Happy Holidays” email to all of your close business contacts with a brief mention about your job search
Be sure to include a short description of the types of positions you are interested in pursuing. Keep this short, positive, and professional.

Attend holiday events
You’ll especially want to focus on events hosted by professional organizations and alumni associations you belong to.
If you do not currently belong to any, join some. You can always tag along to friends parties if invited as well.

Learn how to differentiate between jobs posted by placement firms and jobs listed by actual companies
This is especially important for entry level workers who waste a lot of time on wild goose chases by simply sending a resume to every job posting they find. Be on the lookout for:
• the same contact phone number attached to several job listings
• multiple listings for the same position listed by the same firm

Be easy to find
Update your online alumni profile. If you use social networking sites like LinkedIn, Facebook, or MySpace make sure your information is up to date.

Be Friendly and Meet New People
You never know who is looking to fill a position that you would be perfect for. Better yet, you may just convince someone to create a position just for you. This is a good reason not to blow off your spouse’s holiday party either.

Appreciate Informational Interviews
Too many job seekers blow informational interviews off as a waste of time, but they can be an invaluable resource. The person you talk to just might think of the perfect position for you in a week or two, or recommend you to a friend.

Keep Your Online Image Clean
If you wouldn’t want your mother to see it, keep it off the Internet. Employers are researching job applicants online in increasing numbers according to a survey administered by the National Association of Colleges and Employers in 2007. Ten percent of employers who responded to the survey said they would review social networking site profiles before making a hiring decision. Out of that ten percent, over half said the information they find online will impact whether or not that candidate is offered a position. The remaining employers surveyed said they are unsure how their online findings should influence their hiring decisions.

If you have a blog, podcast, web site – or you regularly participate on someone else’s – what you put out there may be reviewed by a potential employer. Maintain a professional image both on and off the Internet and you won’t have anything to worry about.

Always Have an Updated Resume
Keeping a well written, updated resume handy is critical during your job search because this allows you take advantage of opportunities as soon as you learn about them. For someone who wants to help you find a job there is nothing more frustrating than learning you don’t have your resume finished or updated. Even when you aren’t looking for a job it is important to keep your resume updated. Revisit your resume at the end of each month to add new achievements and information. 

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Friday, October 29, 2010

5 Career Tips to Help You Achieve Financial Success

By Ashley Jacobs



Anyone who has gone through the process of finding and landing a job knows the reality of how difficult it is. As a result of this understanding, there are thousands of career tips available to those who are seeking employment as well as those who are currently employed. It seems like everyone wants to offer their advice on how to go about having a successful career because just about everyone knows that without a successful career, financial success is virtually impossible to come by.  Throw in the fact that we are in a recession and the unemployment rate is the highest it’s been, the road to both career and financial success is that much more bumpy.
I recently went through the job hunting process and it was not an easy process to go through.  During this process, I heard far more than my fair share of advice. While helpful, listening to all these tips was nothing short of overwhelming. After hearing hundreds (if not thousands) of tips, there are 5 main bits of advice that I found to be extremely useful.

Here are the 5 best career tips people have shared with me.

Tip 1: Have More Than One Source Of Income

This is a tip that I haven’t heard too often but absolutely LOVE. Prior to hearing this advice, I always thought that once I had a career, I would have one sole source of income that would allow me to keep a roof over my head and food in my stomach. While this probably will be the case, having multiple sources of income is a fantastic idea for two reasons.
First, if you lose the job that is your main source of income (which we all know is a legitimate possibility clearly demonstrated by the recession), you have other sources of income to fall back on. True, they may not provide you with as much money as your main source of income, but at least you will still have some means of making money.
Second, it is always nice to have some extra money. Having another source of income can enable you to have extra spending money or help you save money for major future financial goals (i.e. buying a house or paying for your kids to go to college).

Tip 2: Be Prepared When Interviewing

After taking a course on interviewing, the importance of being prepared during an interview was extremely evident. What do I mean by being prepared? There are two parts to this.
You MUST do your research on the company. Know the facts on who will be interviewing you. Know how your skills will benefit the company. Be up to date on major company news. Know as much about the company as you possibly can prior to going into the interview.
You must also be prepared with questions to ask the interviewer. This demonstrates an interest in the company. One great question to ask is “What does it take to be successful at this company?”
Another thing to remember when interviewing is that your interview starts as soon as you are within view of the building the company is in and doesn’t end until you are out of site. Don’t speed in and out of the parking lot and don’t be obnoxious on your cell phone in the elevator. Anyone from the company could see you do those things and what company would ever want to hire a reckless, obnoxious employee?

Tip 3: Join LinkedIn

Networking is vital to finding employment opportunities. The saying is true, it’s not what you know but who you know. While using social networking sites may seem like a risky way to go about networking to find a job, LinkedIn provides a highly professional site in which to network.
LinkedIn enables you to create a profile based on your employment and educational experiences. You can then search for people you went to school or worked with and add them to your network. You can also look at people in your friend/coworker’s networks and see if there is anyone you would like to connect with and ask your friend/coworker for an introduction.
There is no risk of being tagged in inappropriate pictures or having friends post less than flattering comments on your profile. That being said, if you do own a Facebook or Myspace, learn to use your privacy settings to make sure potential employers can’t see unprofessional comments or pictures on your profile. Or, better yet, get rid of anything inappropriate on your profile.

Tip 4: Don’t Let Your Career Consume Your Life

Never let your career run your life. You want a career that fits into your life, not that runs your life. Many people lose sight of this. The importance of having a job and being able to provide for yourself (and a family) seems to cause many people to throw themselves into their work ESPECIALLY due to the fact that the unemployment rate is the highest it’s ever been. Loyal employees have been getting laid off and it has caused most people to really step up their game at work to try to prevent this from happening to them.
The problem with this is that taking on this career preservation tactic causes your life to revolve around your career instead of having your career just be a part of your life. Determine what you want in a career. Make sure that your career fits into how you picture your life being. If you want to be able to spend time with your family, make sure your career enables you to do that. If your current career doesn’t, it’s time to start looking for employment opportunities that will enable you to have the lifestyle you want.

Tip 5: Do What You Love

This is probably the oldest, most used piece of advice out there. While some people may disagree with it due to the fact that they feel that if they do something that they love everyday eventually they will get sick of it, this is probably the best piece of advice ever.
If you aren’t in a career that you love, getting out of bed each morning to go to work is going to make you miserable. And who wants to be miserable everyday? Definitely not me.
By doing something you love not only will you enjoy getting out of bed each morning to go to work but you will (most likely) be more successful at your job. People tend to put more effort and energy into the things they love to do. The more effort you put into something, the more successful you will be at whatever you are doing.
Regardless of whether you are employed or actively seeking employment, be sure to keep these tips in mind. Additionally, be sure to listen to the advice and insight of others. There is no such thing as too much advice and every little tip helps when you are trying to have career and financial success.
Have any career tips not listed above?  Share them in the comment section!
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The 10-Step Plan to Career Change

by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D.




How does it happen? Perhaps you just begin to lose interest. Perhaps you find something that interests you more. Perhaps your company is downsizing. These are just some of the numerous reasons people find themselves on that precipitous cliff looking back on their career just as the dirt begins to crumble beneath them.


Are you facing that career change plunge? Do you wish you were? Take it slowly and make sure what you really want to do is change careers. Then use this 10-step plan, and you will be on much more sure footing -- and on a path toward career change success. Finally, remember that career change is a natural life progression; most studies show that the average job-seeker will change careers (not jobs) several times over the course of his or her lifetime.


Step 1: Assessment of Likes and Dislikes. A lot of people change careers because they dislike their job, their boss, their company. So, identifying the dislikes is often the easier part of this step; however, you will not know what direction to change your career unless you examine your likes. What do you really like doing when you're at work, when you're at home - in your spare time. What excites you and energizes you? What's your passion? If you're really unsure, consider taking one of more of these career assessments. The key is spending some time rediscovering yourself -- and using your self-assessment to direct your new career search. (For more assistance in finding your new career, read Finding Your Career Passion.)


Step 2: Researching New Careers. Once you've discovered (or rediscovered) your passion, spend some time researching the types of careers that center around your passions. Don't worry if you're feeling a bit unsure or insecure -- it's a natural part of the career change process. How much research you do also partly depends on how much of a change you're making; for example, changing from a teacher to a corporate trainer versus switching from a nurse to a Web designer. You can find some great career information and a skills-matching service at O*NET Online from the U.S. Department of Labor and basic job information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Here are some other great Career Exploration Resources.


Step 3: Transferable Skills. Leverage some of your current skills and experiences to your new career. There are many skills (such as communications, leadership, planning, and others) that are transferable and applicable to what you want to do in your new career. You may be surprised to see that you already have a solid amount of experience for your new career. Read more: Strategic Portrayal of Transferable Skills is a Vital Job-search Technique.


Step 4: Training and Education. You may find it necessary to update your skills and broaden your knowledge. Take it slowly. If the skill you need to learn is one you could use in your current job, see if your current employer would be willing to pick up the tab. And start slowly. Take a course or two to ensure you really like the subject matter. If you are going for a new degree or certification, make sure you check the accreditation of the school, and get some information about placement successes. Check out these college planning resources.


Step 5: Networking. One of the real keys to successfully changing careers will be your networking abilities. People in your network may be able to give you job leads, offer you advice and information about a particular company or industry, and introduce you to others so that you can expand your network. Even if you don't think you already have a network, you probably do - consider colleagues, friends, and family members. You can broaden your network through joining professional organizations in your new field and contacting alumni from your college who are working in the field you want to enter. A key tool of networking is conducting informational interviews.


Step 6: Gaining Experience. Remember that, in a sense, you are starting your career again from square one. Obtaining a part-time job or volunteering in your new career field not only can solidify your decision, but give you much needed experience in your new career. You might also want to consider temping in your new field. Work weekends, nights, whatever it takes to gain the experience.


Step 7: Find a Mentor. Changing careers is a major life decision that can get overwhelming at times. Find a mentor who can help you through the rough patches. Your mentor may also be able to help you by taking advantage of his or her network. A mentor doesn't have to be a highly placed individual, though the more powerful the mentor, the more success you may have in using that power to your advantage.


Step 8: Changing In or Out. Some people change careers, but never change employers. Unfortunately, only the very progressive employers recognize that once happy employees can be happy and productive again - in a different capacity. It's more than likely that you will need to switch employers to change fields, but don't overlook your current employer. Remember not to start asking about a job switch until you are completely ready to do so.


Step 9: Job-Hunting Basics. If it's been a while since you've had to use your job-hunting tools and skills, now is the time for a refresher course. Consider spending some time with one or more of our tutorials. Key tools include:


  • guide to researching companies
  • resume resources
  • cover letter resources
  • interviewing resources
  • salary negotiation resources


Step 10: Be Flexible. You'll need to be flexible about nearly everything - from your employment status to relocation and salary. Set positive goals for yourself, but expect setbacks and change - and don't let these things get you down. Besides totally new careers, you might also consider a lateral move that could serve as a springboard for a bigger career change. You might also consider starting your own business or consulting as other avenues.
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