With the economy still lukewarm at home, intrepid types are looking further afield for their paydays. Last year, China's economy grew by almost 10%. It also replaced Japan as the world's second largest economy. The demand for skills and management experience is creating jobs for Americans in the East. Living and working in China is certainly the ultimate way to experience this fast changing country; and of course it looks great on a resume. But more importantly, working in China offers a fresh start; a way out of the professional or personal rut you may be in. If you've got what it takes, the adventure of living and working in China can be yours. Finding the job and sorting out the visa is not as difficult as it once was. International recruitment companies are scouring the globe for the best and the brightest, and visa application services take all the stress out of getting work permits. However, the transition from the West to East is not an easy one. Many expatriates find the … [Read more...] about What to Expect When Moving to China for Work
Four Ways to Overcome Procrastination
It seems as if there’s always something just waiting to be put off. It could be the laundry, filing the income taxes or starting that PowerPoint presentation at work. Regardless of the task, Procrastination and its first cousin Lack of Motivation are usually in the wings just waiting for their close-ups. So how do you kick them off the stage and get down to business? It won’t be easy but it is possible. To get started, you’ll need paper, a pen, a month-at-a-glance calendar and a small reward. Identify the project Start by writing the overall goal and the deadline. For instance, you may have sales presentation that is due next week. Once you have a deadline you can work backward to create a timeline of smaller tasks with corresponding deadlines. What started out as a large project can be segmented into a list of smaller, more manageable steps. Break down the project into smaller tasks Once you have your overall goal, you need to start the day by writing down your goals. Think … [Read more...] about Four Ways to Overcome Procrastination
How to Get a Second Interview
It's the cliffhanger that's used in countless TV shows and movies: "To be continued..." We already know that the sequel is never as good as the original, but when it comes to searching for a job, that rule doesn’t apply. Part Two has to be better than the original.When you go on a job interview, your goal is obvious: get the job. But it’s also wise to take a step back and think short-term. If we break the interview process into bite-size pieces, your goal is to get a second interview. Unlike a boxing match, you can afford to let it all hang out in Round One. After all, you’re not guaranteed to see another round. But holding back a little something, a tiny little "to be continued..." of your own, can help you land the second interview.Here’s a smart strategy for getting asked back for a second interview: Ascertain from the employer the biggest problem you’d help solve in the position. Then, in your thank you letter, include a brief but well thought-out … [Read more...] about How to Get a Second Interview
Is a Roth IRA Good for Your Retirement?
Saving for retirement can be confusing. Many people simply choose to let their employer or a financial advisor set up a retirement account. Then, they can blinding make monthly deposits and hope for the best. This will lead to a decent retirement for most people. However, there are other alternatives. If you are employed and have a retirement program as part of your benefits package, you may or may not have a Roth IRA. A Roth IRA (Individual Retirement Account) is different from most retirement savings accounts. Unlike a standard IRA, money invested in a Roth account is not tax deductible. However, money taken out of the account is not taxed. So the benefits are not seen at first, but can be substantial over time, at least in terms of taxes. Financial experts who favor Roths give these reasons for their attractiveness... Interest can be compounded several times over before retirement as long as the account is opened early enough. So even less risky investment can bring a … [Read more...] about Is a Roth IRA Good for Your Retirement?
Do You Have a Career Backup Plan?
What happens when the one thing you do - and do well - gets taken away? You adapt - of course. Such is the case of Doc Martin, the lead character in the British dramedy of the same name. When the successful big-city surgeon succumbs to panic disorder at the sight of blood, he is forced to shift his life by becoming a general practitioner in a rural town. The public perception is that he has fallen from grace; trading in big city life for the back country.As ironically far fetched and beautifully off the plot sounds, it's not all that uncommon. There are people who end up unable to do the very thing they once loved; something that was the backbone of their career happiness.It could be the baseball player who gets injured after the draft or the driving instructor who suddenly goes blind. More realistically, it’s the sales executive who develops a fear of public speaking. Or the swimmer who feels allergic to water. Maybe even the blogger who … [Read more...] about Do You Have a Career Backup Plan?
5 Unexpected Reasons to Work for a Nonprofit
We all know that most people don’t go into nonprofit work because they want to get rich. Most nonprofit employees are in it for something more than money. There’s a great deal of satisfaction that comes from doing good for a living, and this sense of fulfillment often spills over into other areas of a person’s life. There are several other not so obvious reasons why you may want to consider working for a nonprofit organization besides just feeling good: 1. Fringe Benefits Because nonprofits receive the majority of their money from foundations and donors, they sometimes have to be creative in offering their employees incentives beyond the traditional workplace perks, such as raises and competitive salaries. Rather than offering stock options, which are non-existent in these organizations, or yearly bonuses, nonprofits often provide other benefits such as more vacation days, affordable health insurance, and/or a flexible work schedule. 2. Like-Minded Co-Workers Working for a … [Read more...] about 5 Unexpected Reasons to Work for a Nonprofit
High Debt Can Short-Change Your Career
Debt is something that if used properly can prove to be very productive for you. It helps you in getting a good life for your family, buying a home, buying a car and even getting a good job. However, if you use debt irresponsibly, then you will have to pay the price for it. If you are someone who is trapped under a lot of debts due to your irresponsible usage of loans, then you must consider opting for a debt management program that can help you come out of the situation. If you still are not aware how debt can affect your life and why is it essential to get rid of it as soon as possible, then you must read on. The impact that rising debt can have on your life is so great that it can envelop and negatively affect your job as well as your family life. When you have excessive debts your family life suffers and with this suffers your career. Many career advice experts advise to keep debts at bay when you want to have a successful professional life. However, it is more important for you … [Read more...] about High Debt Can Short-Change Your Career
What Gilligan's Island Can Teach You About Your Boss
This world would be a better place if none of us had to deal with a cranky boss who has unrealistic expectations. It would also be helpful if the pot at the end of the rainbow could be found behind your local Starbucks. But that’s not how things work and until they do you’ll have to figure out how to deal with your boss. To come up with a viable strategy we can look to the characters on the classic television show "Gilligan’s Island." Each castaway exhibits one of five distinct personality traits. Once you know which category your boss falls into you’ll have a better idea of how best to work with him or her. And if nothing works, you'll need a guide on how to quit. Just sit right back... The Millionaire -- Here we have the Narcissist. He has an inflated ego, views his employees as his personal waitstaff and may or may not speak with a clenched jaw. He is assertive, goal-oriented and success-driven. He does not tolerate incompetence. How to cope In short, you’ll need to stroke … [Read more...] about What Gilligan's Island Can Teach You About Your Boss
How to Convince Your Employer to Pay for School
Many employers are willing to pay to advance your education. Taking classes while working full time can be a tall order, but the best companies want their workers to thrive, grow, and feel challenged.Just because your company handbook makes no mention of tuition reimbursement doesn’t mean your boss won’t pay to send you back to school.Increase the odds of attending a (virtual) graduation ceremony on the company’s dime by being able to answer these seven questions:What’s in it for your employer? You already know what you’ll gain by advancing your education, but your strongest case is showing the employer what’s in it for them—specifically, what’s in it for your direct supervisor. Since this person will need to seek approval, you’ll need to get him on board by outlining what he’ll gain from helping your continue your education.What concerns will your boss have? Most companies will be concerned that you’ll use them to pay … [Read more...] about How to Convince Your Employer to Pay for School
Animals in the Workplace – No, Not Your Boss!
My officemate is a slightly demented 3-year-old. Actually, he’s 15½ and a cat. When he wants something, like dinner, I get an earful of his yowling Siamese heritage. "I want it NOW!" A few minutes later he is likely to forget we’ve been there, done that. But I wouldn’t trade him for even your BFF human co-worker.Having your pet at work is one the best perks of working at home. But even in traditional workplaces, I’m noticing that an animal at work is becoming more acceptable. At the dentist awhile back, I could feel someone sniffing my foot. Since the hygienist was cleaning my teeth and I assumed the dentist wasn’t admiring my footwear, I wondered what was up. It was the resident Golden Retriever. He was a honey and I imagine having him there is very calming for patients.Why Not?I’ve heard all the arguments against having your pets at work; people are allergic, they’re distracting and some people are afraid of dogs/cats. Obviously, some … [Read more...] about Animals in the Workplace – No, Not Your Boss!