We spend a lot of time at work, and our co-workers, for better or for worse, are people whom we spend a lot of time with. That being the case, you should try to do your best to not annoy them or put them in an awkward situation; you may need their help one day. As you navigate through the world of office etiquette, here are some general topics and questions to avoid. Why Are You So Dressed Up Today? This may sound like a perfectly harmless question, but it actually sounds like you’re prying. The first thought that comes to mind is that they have a job interview. If that is the case, it’s really none of your business. They may have a date or maybe they were just in the mood to wear their power suit on that day. Also, be cautious of giving compliments on someone’s clothing. A compliment, while innocent and genuine in nature, may not be received as such. It may be interpreted as a form of sexual harassment. Bottom line: How someone dresses, on any given day, is none of your … [Read more...] about Questions to Never Ask Your Coworker
Career Advice Blog
How to Start Your Own Business
Running your own business is one of the most satisfying ways of making money doing something you love - but whether you're a full-time entrepreneur or you're still looking into your options, you'll soon discover that there's a lot of work that needs to go into it! We've put together a quick guide to piecing your new business together - and how to make sure all your paperwork is complete. Schedule If you're just starting out, chances are you're juggling your new venture with other responsibilities, including family and an existing job. Make sure you're setting dedicated time aside to work on your business, and look into ways of decreasing your other obligations - we covered how to save money and go part-time at work in a blog post a few months ago, which should give you some tips! Product You might be producing items from scratch, or simply providing a service, but either way you need to make sure there is actually a call for what you're offering, or ensure that yours does something … [Read more...] about How to Start Your Own Business
How (Not) to Quickly Wreck Your Job Interview
You send out hundreds of resumes to hundreds of companies, hoping that you make the first pass and be considered for hiring. After a few days, you receive a call inviting you to a job interview. After the initial rush of euphoria passes, fear sets in. While your first instinct may be to flee, convince yourself to stand your ground. While it is possible (and quite easy) to ruin your job interview and wreck any chance of being hired, you can reduce that risk just by taking a few precautions. First Step: Reconnaissance The most important thing when it comes to preparing for a job interview is research. The company has already demonstrated interest in you, so it's only fair that you sow an interest in the company. Look up the company on the Internet, check out its website, news feeds, and write down a short summary of what the company's all about. While knowing the exact value of dividends paid out to shareholders a decade back won't be of much help, having a good idea of the company's … [Read more...] about How (Not) to Quickly Wreck Your Job Interview
How to Successfully Complete a Part-Time MBA Program
There’s no doubt about the fact that an MBA can help in boosting your career growth to a great extent and also enhance your earning potential. There’s not one, but many reasons as to why you should get an MBA. However, living up to the requirement of this degree isn’t easy - especially if you’re already balancing family along with a full time job. In the following article we discuss a few tips to help you make it through a part time MBA program successfully. #1: Choose the Right School Before you go ahead and enroll in any part time MBA program, you need to ensure that the school you choose and its curriculum goes hand in hand with your career goals. It should be fit for your personal as well as professional life. You also need to see that all your priorities are met before selecting the university. If you're looking for a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies, Cornerstone, a Christian university in Michigan is likely the type of school you're searching for. … [Read more...] about How to Successfully Complete a Part-Time MBA Program
What to Add on a Resume? Take These 5 Certification Courses to Bolster Any Resume
A great resume is, of course, essential in any successful job search, but there are some excellent ways that you can help your resume stand out. What to add on a resume to get yourself noticed? Want to jump ahead of the pack? One savvy way to set yourself apart is through obtaining the right certification. This is an edge that most jobseekers overlook. In this article, we will examine 5 certification courses that will elevate your resume even in a crowded field. 1. ACLS and/or CPR Certification Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification is a group of medical techniques that are used to treat life threatening cardiac emergencies including stroke and cardiac arrest. ACLS Certification can help give your resume a little extra pop no matter what kind of job you want to land. After all, what employer doesn't want someone on the team with the ability to potentially save a life? Just as ACLS certification can help you show that you can handle … [Read more...] about What to Add on a Resume? Take These 5 Certification Courses to Bolster Any Resume
Finding a Passion for a New Career
You've come to a point where your job no longer holds any interest, or you've progressed as far as you can and now thinking you would like to find a new job and pursue a new career. The problem is, you've no idea what you'd like to do instead. Changing careers is not something you undertake lightly and you want to be sure that you'll be working in something you feel passionate about. And that's the root of the problem, you're not sure if you are passionate about anything that could be a new career. If this sounds like you, here are some tips and advice that can help you find a passion for a new career. Step Back. You need to get a good view of your options, where you stand, and where you can go. Take a step back from your life and try and view it objectively. Ask others who know you well if they can see aspects of yourself that you nay not see so clearly yourself. Don't Force It. Finding a passion is not something that can be forced. Stressing about it will only cloud your mind … [Read more...] about Finding a Passion for a New Career
The Life of an iOS Developer
There's an unparalleled excitement that accompanies a rewarding career developing apps for one of the most successful companies of all time. Mirroring Apple's historic, worldwide success, iOS development has become one of the hottest job descriptions in the information technology sector. Experienced as well as entry-level programmers have found entering the iOS development world flush with solid paying job offers and exciting, progressive companies for which to work. It's a reality that hot jobs require even hotter skills in order to land a position with a development firm that'll put you on the cutting edge of app design. Fortunately, the world's insatiable appetite for more and more apps to run on their iPhones, iPads and iPods won't be subsiding any time soon, resulting in a steady growth for the specialized skill of iOS creation. What's the Difference between an Experienced and an Entry Level iOS Developer? Like most career paths in the computer programming field, iOS developers … [Read more...] about The Life of an iOS Developer
5 Ways to Build Your Small Business Brand
Branding has become one of the most important aspects of growing a small business today. Have you ever heard people say, “Please pass me a Kleenex” instead of a “tissue”? How often are photo copiers referred to as “Xeroxes”? Creating a strong, consistent brand image is crucial for companies like Kleenex and Xerox, who have made their worldwide products synonymous with the industries they serve. For small businesses, entrepreneurs can also take advantage of branding their companies to create loyal customers and long-term profits. Create a Consistent Brand Image Small business owners need to define their specific target market and what their product needs are. For example, my company, Transon Media, markets to small business entrepreneurs who are looking for a strong digital presence. Therefore, we want to focus on creating a brand image that communicates to such individuals that we are more than capable of addressing their specific digital marketing wants and concerns. Understanding … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Build Your Small Business Brand
5 Careers to Go For in 2013
Many people today are still out of a job, and trying to decide which field to go into can be a confusing mess. A recent joint report by CareerBuilder and Economic Modeling Specialists Intl can help, by identifying the jobs with the greatest potential for growth in 2013 and beyond: 1. Software Developer The job with the fastest growth since 2010 is a software developer, fueled by companies competing to be the first on the market with new innovations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting a 30% increase in the number of employed software developers from 2010 to 2020. The average salary for a software developer, according to the BLS, is $90,530 per year. They also report that most software developers design computer systems and work in related service firms or software publishers. Most software developers have a bachelor's degree in computer science. 2. Accountant/Auditor Coming in second on the CareerBuilder/Economic Modeling Specialists list are accountants and auditors. … [Read more...] about 5 Careers to Go For in 2013
Just How Do I Go About Finding a Job?
Long gone are the days of walking into an establishment after seeing a hiring poster on the window and securing a job. Today, hardly anyone takes applications at the retail establishment or office. With the advancement of online forms and job websites, many companies are putting their jobs online to get a wider pool of applicants. If you are one of the 86 percent of people looking for a new employment opportunity, here are some tips on getting a job: Get Social To really tap into the largest pool of job availabilities, you are going to have to use social media. … [Read more...] about Just How Do I Go About Finding a Job?