Are you looking to change your career this year? Have you had enough of being an accountant, a lawyer, or a personal assistant? Why not consider one of the five careers below as a great way to break out of the mold: Writer -- Do you have a passion for writing that you haven't been able to explore until now? If so, it may be time to become a writer. There are millions of websites floating around the Internet, and all of them need quality written content. You will find that there are many websites looking to hire writers, and you can turn your skill with the written word into an income. As a trained professional, you have knowledge of a career that you can use to help others that read your writings. Freelance Professional --Do you have a passion to work as a truck accident attorney an accountant, or a paralegal, but it's just your current job that's driving you nuts? If so, why not consider starting your own career as a freelancer? You can market your skills on online job … [Read more...] about 5 Career-Change Options For 2013
Career Advice Blog
Is Your Volunteer Experience Resumé-Worthy?
So you finally graduated college and have the coveted degree you need to find a job. But somehow after those four long years of school, your resumé just looks empty. You can't get a job without experience and you can't get experience without a job—and so begins the endless cycle of job hunting. Although this situation might seem hopeless, there's a way to use other experience to your advantage. Volunteer work is a great way to give back to the community, while also developing experience in your field. Careful, though: not all of your volunteer experience will be a great fit for your resume. The following tips and guidelines can help you discern between what's appropriate and what you might want to leave out. Ask Yourself, "So What?" So you spent five years in Africa building wells so the locals there could have access to clean water. So what? This experience undoubtedly had a major influence on your life and your character, but is it really relevant to the resumé you'll be sending … [Read more...] about Is Your Volunteer Experience Resumé-Worthy?
3 Mistakes by Your Hiring Manager That Are Costing You a Fortune
Employers tend to make a ton of mistakes during the whole recruiting, interviewing and hiring process. Therefore your company's hiring manager needs to evaluate and re-evaluate his/her hiring practices if bad employees are being hired on a regular basis. In the following article we discuss a few mistakes that hiring managers make when hiring new talent... 1. Going too Narrow with Job Specifications Every manager wants to hire the best talent while being in the rush. New employees are usually hired because a project requires the right help or a specific set of skills. But since most hiring managers don’t have the time to cover the training process, they go overly narrow with the job specifications, which is a mistake. What every hiring manager needs to realize is this: When you hire somebody, you’re paying for his abilities, and not for specialized knowledge of a tool or technique. A good hire will almost always learn how to use the tool you hand him or her and if he lacks some … [Read more...] about 3 Mistakes by Your Hiring Manager That Are Costing You a Fortune
The Power of "Just Do It" at Work
Procrastination can be misleading. For instance think of a standard email inbox and instead of getting emails about meeting minutes you are getting 'tasks' to put on your do to list. Before you know it, there are is one thousand unread emails sitting in your inbox. A productive worker would say to themselves, "okay, let's get cracking!" But there is several other characters in this scenario and they are all belong to the procrastination family. There is social media and his younger brother, YouTube and his twin sister, Vimeo. Sure procrastination can be very relaxing and fun; especially you are watching a comedy show on YouTube. But it is not making you productive, now is it? In order to beat your procrastination tendencies, you first of all have to make a conscious decision to beat it, because the power of just doing tasks in and out of work comes from the power of your mind. And ironically it is your mind that is increasing your urge to procrastinate in the long run. Such as, have … [Read more...] about The Power of "Just Do It" at Work
5 Interview Hacks
So, you just landed an interview at the job of your dreams? Here are some 5 interview hacks to get the interview going in your direction front the moment you walk into the office. Say nice things to the front desk administrative assistant - As soon as you walk in the office, the interview has started, even if you are in the waiting room. Make small chat with the front desk administrative assistant. Talk about the weather and compliment them on the office, their outfit, etc. Be genuine. Remember, everyone talks to everyone in the office. If the office admin doesn't like you, chances are no one else will. Get the interviewer immediately talking about something else than the interview - This works when you are walking with the interviewer to the interview office or as you walk into the interview room. This helps you establish rapport with the interviewer as soon as possible. People want to work with fun and interesting people. Your goal for the interview is to have a nice friendly … [Read more...] about 5 Interview Hacks
Seeing Is Believing (Visualization as a Job Search Strategy)
Creative visualization is a technique that can impact job seekers and help them succeed in decision-making, interviewing and other important steps on the career path. Whether you are undecided about a career or stepping closer to victory, these techniques can make your journey an easier and less stressful process. Write Down What You Want Have you ever heard people talk about the power of the written word? Or heard people say that the pen is mightier than the sword? Some people believe that writing down what we want out of life can figuratively send a message to the universe so that those things come to us. The same pattern works when you are searching for a job. If you haven't yet decided what career suits you, making a list of scenarios in your life where you have felt positive and rewarded might help you stumble on the secret to your passion. And if you have already decided on a career path, write down the qualities and virtues that you might offer that particular profession. … [Read more...] about Seeing Is Believing (Visualization as a Job Search Strategy)
A Day in the Life of a Typical Social Worker
The job and responsibilities of a social worker may vary based on the specialty area they work in and the setting that the social worker is working. … [Read more...] about A Day in the Life of a Typical Social Worker
E-mails to Never Send at Work
There is so much going on in social media today that it is safe to say that nothing is sacred in this arena. We have all seen on the news about celebrities saying the wrong things and being put in the position to apologize. Just because we are not celebrities does not mean we can say anything we want either. There are several subjects that should never be sent in work e-mails. Most of these are common sense to most but these things continue to get circulated so many of us are lacking in common sense or we just do not care. If you are either one of these people you are at risk of serious retribution by your employer or at the very least your co-workers. Your boss - Do not discuss your boss on an e-mail. If you feel the need to vent then go in person and talk to someone about your boss but do not do it over e-mail. If you say it in person did was it really said? If you put it down on e-mail then there is hard proof that it has been said and exactly who it was that said it. The best … [Read more...] about E-mails to Never Send at Work
7 Reasons to Stand Up at Work
Sometimes even the best of intentions need a little help along the way. If your New Year's resolutions include exercising or generally improving your health, it's important to put the groundwork in place to facilitate moving toward your goals. Considering that many of us spend the majority of our days in sedentary positions, sitting at a desk or at home on a couch, replacing much of those hours with a more active lifestyle has obvious appeal (although who among us can power down the computer and still make a living these days?) For those looking to make a small or even a dramatic change to their sit-down lifestyle, a standing desk can set the tone for a new approach. By eliminating eight hours of sitting from your day, it's possible to reduce heart attack risk by over 50 percent. That's not to mention the general energy you'll feel from being able to move about, walk in place, and get your blood flowing. If you're considering a stand-up desk but not quite convinced, here are … [Read more...] about 7 Reasons to Stand Up at Work
Are Marketing Graduates in High Demand?
Despite a slow job market, marketing graduates are still in demand. All successful businesses invest in marketing. Marketing graduates are fortunate because they can choose from any industry. While degrees from prestigious universities, experience and internships will all help marketing graduates land a job, employers are looking for something more. Employers are looking for graduates who look good on paper, but who also have developed and can market their own personal brand. Companies want marketers who can take action and get results for their company. Once a marketing graduate has solid proof of their results, usually in the form of case studies and testimonials, the opportunities are limitless. Summary of a Marketing Professional The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) cites the entry-level education for entry-level marketing positions is a bachelor's degree. In 2010, the median pay for advertising, promotions and marketing managers was $108,260 per year, or $52.05 per hour. Unlike … [Read more...] about Are Marketing Graduates in High Demand?