tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64688193947381539142023-06-20T21:42:38.071-07:00searchcareerzzkokhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280751990854045226noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6468819394738153914.post-66654837221277485632006-12-02T22:26:00.000-08:002006-12-02T22:27:26.910-08:00The 10-Step Action Plan to Finding Your Next JobThe 10-Step Action Plan to Finding Your Next Job<br />by Melanie Winograd<br /><br />Looking for a job sounds simple, but it can be a daunting task without a guide. Once you devise your plan and use it, keep it handy and ready to reactivate. Research shows that you will be back in the job market several times during your lifetime.<br /><br />Use these 10 steps to guide you in your job search.<br /><br />1. Assess career options based on determining your strengths, skills, and passions. This is the perfect time to determine if your goals are up to date and in alignment with what you love to do. Ask yourself questions. What provides meaning in my life? What are my core strengths and purpose? How does work fit into my vision for life?<br /><br />2. Create a resume that encompasses your work experiences, training, and formal education. Start with an overall statement that describes you as if you were being introduced. Follow with your work experience, most current to your first job, list training classes and formal education. Always be completely truthful in this document. <br /><br />3. Gather reference letters from former colleagues, mentors, trainers and supervisors. If you are new to the workforce, consider who you know who can create an accurate account of your work habits: for example, a college professor, the leader of a volunteer organization, or the director of the summer camp where you worked as a counselor.<br /><br />4. Network. Everyone you know is your network. The more people who know you are looking, the more people there are who can ultimately refer you to a hidden job opening.<br /><br />5. Research companies as potential employers. You read about this in step 4, but it is very important to know what types of companies best fit your requirements. Do you want to gain experience, have the ability to move up, and/or secure medical benefits? Learning more about what options are out there and how they match up against your requirements will ultimately help you through the negotiation state.<br /><br />6. Search online job sources. Jobs are posted on the major job boards, corporate sites, industry associations, professional organizations, local sites and many, many more places. <br /><br />7. Attend job fairs and networking events. Dress much as you would for an interview, take copies of your resume, business cards, and be prepared to answer what type of work you are seeking. If you are not sure, review step 1.<br /><br />8. Practice interviewing. This is a critical skill where you discuss your strengths, perhaps also your weaknesses, your abilities and your related education and work experience. You will need to pose intelligent questions that you craft based on your research of the company, its customers, its services, and what real world problems it is in business to solve. <br /><br />9. Prepare your interview clothes. Business attire, matching pieces, clean, and pressed will present you as a serious candidate. Polish your shoes, avoid heavy perfumes and colognes, and accessorize with restraint.<br /><br />10. Send a brief, thoughtful thank you letter after the interview. Pick up a business card from the person who conducts the interview so you can address the letter with the correct name and title. This step alone will make you stand out since it is rarely done, but always appreciated.<br /><br />CareerMogul.com's Career Coaches are ready to help you throughout this checklist! Use them to practice your interviews and write a STAND OUT resume. Start your research in our 'Research' section on our FREE Virtual Career Center. GO NOW to careerMogul.com.<br /><br />STAND OUT. GET HIRED! <br /><br /><br />About the Author<br />CareerMogul.com's online career resources consist of a FREE virtual career education center and an experienced team of certified professionals providing all job level career coaching and résumé services via telephone and online chat messaging. Visit http://careercoaching.careermogul.com for full access to our virtual career education center.zzkokhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280751990854045226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6468819394738153914.post-81526785886708861422006-12-02T09:03:00.000-08:002006-12-02T09:05:04.286-08:00FIND YOUR PASSION & CREATE YOUR OWN DREAM JOB!FIND YOUR PASSION & CREATE YOUR OWN DREAM JOB!<br />by Diana Adams<br /><br />Why do so many people hate their job? I read a survey this week that said that over 50% of people are unhappy with their current career choice. Is that because the majority of us are too lazy to find something we enjoy doing? Or, is it because so many people choose to settle for being comfortable with a "secure" paycheck instead of taking a risk to find a new way of life that might actually be fulfilling?<br /><br />Corporate America is rapidly changing, have you noticed? Statistics say we will change jobs seven or eight times during our careers, unlike our parents that stayed at the same company for 25 years, collected their retirement, and moved to Florida to live on the beach. These days the corporate climate is much different, and it continues to change. You can no longer depend on your company to keep you employed forever; fourth quarter layoffs are becoming a trend. You can longer depend on your company to provide you with your retirement (what do you have that has been given to you in writing?). I know it is painful to hear, but these days, you have to be responsible for creating your own wealth and your own happiness in your career.<br /><br />How do you do that? I asked myself that same question several years ago. Do you get a pit in your stomach just thinking about it? Yes, that is why so many of us choose not to think about it and to stay at a job we don't like, where we are not challenged, and where we count on a wing-and-a-prayer to save us. <br /><br />Okay... there is a bright side to all of this. First of all, let me tell you that there IS a way out. Don't listen to anyone that tells you different. Don't let anyone tell you what you can and cannot do. You can achieve anything if you want it bad enough and are willing to pay the price. Anything. I'm not suggesting that you quit your job today if you're unhappy. But, I am saying that if you want to truly be happy with what you spend your time doing during the day, and if you want to finally get paid what you are worth, you have to start taking matters into your own hands, TODAY!<br /><br />What's the first step? Find your passion. My passion is helping other people. I love that. I live for that. So, I found a way to create my own wealth by doing what I am passionate about. Maybe your passion is music, or writing, or teaching, or cooking, or surfing the Internet... whatever it is, you can find a way to create a cash flow for yourself pertaining to your passion.<br /><br />You don't know what your passion is? It is time to find it! So many of us walk around during the day in a daze, doing the same routine day in and day out. Start paying attention to the details in your day and your life. Make note of what you really enjoy doing and what your interests are. Ask yourself, "If I won the lottery and never had to work again, what would I do during the day?" It is worth taking some time to figure this out. But don't worry, experts agree, the best investment you can make is in your own personal development.<br /><br />Once you know what your passion is, finding a way to create dollars will be easier than you think. If it is something you are truly passionate about, you will stay awake at night brainstorming and coming up with creative ideas. You will become hungry for more information and will become a research fanatic. Your spouse will wonder why you are suddenly so happy and smiling all the time.<br /><br />The reason you will be excited and happy is because now you will have hope again. You will start to enjoy the adventure of life again. You will start to realize your own potential and the logical next step in this thought process will blow your mind... you will actually start to believe that if crafted strategically, you could create your own dream job! The only difference between you and the person that owns the company where you work is that the owner actually believed he or she could do it. <br /><br />I want you to put the blinders on and start brainstorming today. Don't surround yourself with anyone negative or anyone that doesn't support your dreams. Those people can be poison and make you second-guess yourself. Those people are the exact people that will be in the same place five years from now as they are today.<br /><br />You are not one of those people. You are better than that. Once you start making money, and get educated on what to do with it once you have it, and you watch it grow, you will know that you can conqueror the world. At that point, you will have the option to quit that day job. Just having that option, whether you actually do it or not, is very powerful. <br /><br />Remember, you only live once. Don't settle for second best and don't sell your soul to your company and make them rich. Instead, find a way to make yourself rich. Having a lot of money is not bad. Get rid of the guilt. It is the greed of money that is bad. You can do a lot of good in the world with the money you will make. People are out there doing it everyday, and you can be one of them! Don't stand on the sidelines and watch. Get in the game; you deserve it!<br /><br />For more about this author, visit www.writeyourownpaycheck.net <br /><br /><br />About the Author<br />Diana Adams is a Phase 3 Director in Emerald Passport with the Profit Masters Team. She is currently looking for other like-minded individuals interested in Leadership, Marketing and Business Development. For more about this author visit www.WriteYourOwnPayCheck.net & www.FortuneSolutions.netzzkokhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280751990854045226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6468819394738153914.post-63035161367909360732006-11-30T22:20:00.000-08:002006-11-30T22:24:36.355-08:00Computer Careers And Training Schools: Building A Network Of Contacts<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/2490/789650805021747/1600/448321/images.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/2490/789650805021747/320/867161/images.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff9900;"><strong>Computer Careers And Training Schools: Building A Network Of Contacts</strong></span> </p><br /><p>by Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933</p><br /><p>Almost all computer schools and colleges have some sort of job placement assistance (and you should ask about this before signing up!). The people who work in these departments work very hard to get your computer career started and get you into your first job in the computer field, but you shouldn't leave it all up to them. You need to know how to build two kinds of networks to get ahead in IT - the physical kind that carries packets, and the personal kind that can get you hired and get you ahead.<br />When it comes to getting that first computer job, you have to show initiative. Don't just send a pile of resumes out and expect the phone to ring off the hook. If you're attending a computer training school, you have two great resources to draw on in your job search. First, schedule an interview with someone in the job placement assistance department. Ask them what you can do to help them get your computer career started. Showing initiative will also help you stand out from the crowd, and there's nothing wrong with that.<br />Your second resource is a group of resources, actually - your instructors. Odds are that your teachers know people in IT that can help get you started. Even if the people they know can't hire you today, they're still contacts. And getting your computer career started is a contact sport - the more people you contact, the better you do!<br />I know how hard it can be to get a computer career started, and I also know how lucrative such a career can be. Get out there and meet people, get involved with your school's job placement department, and get started!<br />About the Author<br />Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, is the owner of The Bryant Advantage (<a href="http://www.thebryantadvantage.com/">http://www.thebryantadvantage.com/</a>), home of free <a href="http://www.thebryantadvantage.com/">CCNA certification</a> and CCNP tutorials! For my FREE "How To Pass The CCNA" course, visit the website! Attend <a href="http://www.thebryantadvantage.com/CCNACCNPOnlineAndInPersonBootCamp.htm">Cisco CCNA training</a> from The Bryant Advantage!</p><br /><div></div>zzkokhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280751990854045226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6468819394738153914.post-13684775095973362262006-11-30T22:06:00.000-08:002006-11-30T22:09:03.150-08:00How To Find Your Dream Career<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/2490/789650805021747/1600/72841/images.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/2490/789650805021747/320/601856/images.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff9900;"><strong>How To Find Your Dream Career</strong></span></div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff9900;"></span></strong></div><br /><div>by Francois Botha</div><br /><div>Are you searching for your dream career? Have you gone through many bad jobs, and are finally getting tired of it? Do you just want to find a career that you like? If you answered yes to any of these questions you are in the same boat as a lot of people. The bottom line is that finding a career that you like is not always the easiest thing to do. Some people go through many careers before they finally find the one that is right for them. At the same time, there are many others who find their dream career the first time out. Regardless of what situation you are in, you can find your dream career if you put your mind to it.<br />The first step to finding your dream career is determining what it is. After all, if you do not know what your dream career is, how can you ever find it? You can get information on many different careers by searching online or talking with a career counselor. The point is you need to know what is out there to find what you are interested in the most.<br />When you know what career you want to try out, you will then want to search far and wide for the best position. This can be done by going through the classifieds in your local newspaper and also using the internet job boards. The more jobs that you come across, the better chance you have of finding one that is your dream career. You should not make the mistake of only searching in one place or in one location. If you do this you will have a very difficult time pinpointing your dream career.<br />Overall, finding your dream career may take you many years. But one thing is for sure; if you put the time into searching for your dream career you will get it in the end. And all in all, this is the only thing that counts when everything is said and done.<br />About the Author<br />Francois Botha has written over 1000 articles on various career subjects. For more information on <a href="http://www.career-descriptions.co.uk/">career descriptions</a> or <a href="http://www.career-descriptions.co.uk/complete-list-of-careers.htm">career choices</a> check his website.</div>zzkokhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280751990854045226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6468819394738153914.post-58368100495010176532006-11-30T01:38:00.000-08:002006-11-30T01:50:37.097-08:00Top 10 Holiday Tips For Career Success<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/2490/789650805021747/1600/53744/images.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/2490/789650805021747/320/567488/images.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff6600;"><strong>Top 10 Holiday Tips For Career Success</strong></span></div><br /><div>by Ford R. Myers, M.Ed.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Every year as the holidays approach, most jobseekers and career changers make the mistake of halting all their efforts. They believe there is no point in pursuing new opportunities during the holidays, and that nobody is making hiring decisions until January, so "why bother?" Many decide to do absolutely nothing from mid-November to the second or third week in January!<br />Making these kinds of assumptions about the holidays is, again, a huge mistake!<br />When it comes to the holidays, I suggest you become a "contrarian" - and do what all the other job seekers are not doing. Since most of them are taking an extended break, this opens up real opportunities for you!<br />The reality is that the holidays are an excellent time to develop and create new contacts for your job search or career transition. Many companies are completing their budget planning for the next fiscal year. This is often the best time to get in front of hiring managers to create a position for you next year. Many managers have to fill openings early in the year or they may lose the budget for that position. Also, once year-end bonuses are paid, a predictable percentage of employees will leave their jobs, creating new vacancies!<br />Here are 10 career-savvy tips for the holidays from Ford R. Myers, President of Career Potential, LLC, an executive career consulting firm based in Radnor, PA:<br />1. IT'S ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS Business is all about establishing relationships - and relationships are developed in social settings! During the holidays, most people are naturally more convivial and generous in spirit. There is simply no better time to solidify existing relationships and forge new ones!<br />2. TUNE IN TO THE NETWORK There are many networking events in November and December - in your social life, in your community, and in your professional circles. Think of all the companies having holiday parties. Many charities have their last fundraisers of the tax year in November and December. Book sales, holiday fairs and other celebrations make this the best time of year for productive networking!<br />3. SMALL TALK REAPS BIG BENEFITS Most professional associations have a holiday party for their December meeting, with a more informal atmosphere than the formal presentations held throughout the rest of the year. Do not bring a resume to these events. Create a simple, tasteful business card with your name, phone number and e-mail address. Be prepared to make interesting small talk to establish new contacts. Ask the people you meet about themselves, their work, and their interests. Remember, everyone's favorite subject is "themselves!"<br />4. CONVERSATION STARTERS AND STOPPERS Prior to a social or networking event, prepare at least three neutral questions you can ask, such as:<br />* How do you know the host, the company, etc.? * What made you decide to come to this event? * What other organizations in this industry do you belong to?<br />When you find it's time to move on and talk with someone new, you'll need some phrases to help you transition during the event. Here are some good "exit lines:"<br />* I'll let you go now, so you can continue circulating around the room. * I'll stop monopolizing your time so you can meet some other folks. * It was great speaking with you. I'll follow up as we discussed.<br />5. VOLUNTEER There are more volunteer opportunities around the holidays than at any other time of year. This is a good way to help other people, feel good when you need a boost, have a renewed sense of purpose during your search, and meet other professionals. Volunteering also gives you something interesting to discuss with the new people you meet!<br />6. CALL PEOPLE Use the day after Thanksgiving to make both follow-up calls and cold calls. You'll find that whoever is at work that day will not only be available for a conversation, but will be grateful to speak to someone! If there are people who you've been having a hard time reaching, be sure to take advantage of this unique opportunity.<br />7. SEND HOLIDAY CARDS Pick a seasonal, nondenominational theme - usually a depiction of a winter scene is best. This is the time to send cards to everyone on your "career list," including executive search firms, Human Resource professionals, and hiring managers with whom you have interacted over the past year. Don't write about your job search in the card. Send your cards early enough for people to remember to invite you to their holiday get-togethers, and to send you a card in return! Be sure to include your contact information with the card, so the recipient can also reach you.<br />8. 'TIS BETTER TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE Remember the old saying popular at this time of year, "Tis better to give than to receive." This is certainly true when you're attempting to connect with people during the holidays. The fastest and most effective strategy for getting help is "give to get." Ask the people in your network if you can be of help to them in any way, or if there is anyone who they might like an introduction to. Become a real "connector," and in turn, you will become "connected!"<br />9. PLUG IN AND TURN ON Technology has come a long way. Use the holidays to connect and reconnect with people on business networking web sites, such as <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/">http://www.linkedin.com/</a>, <a href="http://www.ryze.com/">http://www.ryze.com/</a> and <a href="http://www.ecademy.com/">http://www.ecademy.com/</a>. Connect with local businesspeople in cyberspace and then take your connection "live" with a face-to-face meeting. You can also use these web sites as a great system to follow-up and keep in touch!<br />10. BECOME AN OPPORTUNITY MAGNET At holiday time, some jobseekers tend to become overly negative or cynical during what they perceive as a "lull" in their career transition. Don't fall into this trap. Get into positive action precisely when others are "giving up" until early next year. Think and speak positively, and you'll become a magnet - ready to attract, interview, and "hire" your next employer.<br />If you're currently in career transition or looking to move-up at your organization, these strategies should give you a new perspective on the holidays! Instead of "taking a vacation" from your career development activities, take full advantage of this overlooked opportunity to make real progress in your quest. Then, you'll really have something to celebrate!<br />_____________________________________<br />Permission to Reprint: This article may be reprinted, provided it appears in its entirety with the following attribution: Copyright © 2006, Ford R. Myers and Career Potential, LLC.<br />_____________________________________<br />About the Author<br />Ford R. Myers, M.Ed., a career consultant, author and speaker, provides a full range of services and products that help you take charge of your career, create the work you love, and earn what you deserve! To learn more, visit <a href="http://www.fordmyers.com/">http://www.fordmyers.com/</a>. </div>zzkokhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280751990854045226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6468819394738153914.post-14538590183200545742006-11-30T01:25:00.000-08:002006-11-30T01:28:27.671-08:00Online Surveys<strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff6600;">Online Surveys</span></strong><br />Online Surveys - Your New Full-time Job<br />by Andi Wize<br />Here is the easy way to get rich just by sitting at your computer (in your pajamas nonetheless!) and painlessly filling out surveys! Actually, you will find all that information in the numerous sales letters out there already, so let's skip to the next step... the step about actually doing the work.<br />Those claims you may have heard about easy riches are pushing it. You need to realize that most surveys that take 15 minutes will pay two dollars. Even if you work your tail off, that comes out to a paltry $8 an hour.<br />The first step to success with online surveys is to ask yourself why you are doing this. Is it to pick up some spare cash or are you going to pay the bills with this income? (Making this your full-time job could be dangerous.)<br />Once you know why you are doing this, get organized. It would be a good idea to set-up a new e-mail address (Yahoo or Gmail for example) dedicated to online survey offers. You'll also want to turn off any spam filters to ensure that all the survey offers are getting through to you.<br />Now you need to sign-up for the surveys. Should you pay $35 for one of those directories? Heck no! Most of those are scams. The best way is to simply go to Google and search for "paid survey." There's your list and you just saved $35!<br />When you sign-up for each account, you'll have to fill out a profile. It's important to fill this out completely and honestly so that you get notified about compatible surveys. Depending on your circumstances, you could be bombarded with surveys or just find a couple each week.<br />Here's the key: Sign-up for as many online survey sites as you can find! Don't expect to get unlimited survey options after signing-up with two or three sites. Again, this is the most crucial step!<br />Now wait a day or two and see what happens. If you don't get many offers, you might have to rethink any plans of getting rich by doing this!<br />Here's the second most important step. Check your email often! Take the survey as soon as you see it. It's not uncommon for a survey to fill up within a day. (Remember, there are lots of people out there doing exactly what you are.)<br />Once you get going, you could easily lose track of what you are doing. The first thing to do is get a PayPal account linked to your survey email address. Some places (like GoZing) will pay by PayPal. Not only is this faster and more convenient than a check, it keeps a record of your earnings in one place.<br />Another thing is to have a hi-speed internet connection. Quite a few surveys have you watch short videos like movie trailers. Also, use Internet Explorer for your browser. Some survey software is not supported in the Firefox browser.<br />Now that that is settled, want to make even more money? Try focus groups. These are more personal and involved than the surveys, but the payout is considerably greater.<br />Well, there's nothing left but to sign-up, get organized, and take surveys. Good luck!<br />Article by Jobsearchmanual.com Visit <a href="http://www.jobsearchmanual.com/job-market/">http://www.jobsearchmanual.com/job-market/</a> for more job market articles, over 100 jobseeker tips, and more!<br />About the Author<br />Article by Jobsearchmanual.com Visit <a href="http://www.jobsearchmanual.com/job-market/">http://www.jobsearchmanual.com/job-market/</a> for more job market articles, over 100 jobseeker tips, and more!zzkokhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280751990854045226noreply@blogger.com0