Learning for Life

Can You Really Make up to $100,000 per Year as a Truck Driver?

2010-08-11T10:37:00.000-07:00

You've heard about the money to be made by becoming a truck driver. And stop at any truck stop and you'll notice that there are countless trucking job magazines filled with advertisements from trucking companies looking for truck drivers. Many companies are advertising the possibility of making up to $100,000 per year as an owner operator.

It's true, that you can make a very good living with a trucking job. Why is this? For starters, there is a growing shortage of truck drivers in the USA. With the growth of shipments of goods from overseas, there is an added demand to get these goods to and from ports. This also creates a higher demand for efficiency in domestic manufacturers to get goods shipped to their customers more quickly. There is also a decline in the number of people that are entering the trucking field due to school curriculums pushing college as the only way to secure a good job. This has created an environment in which you can make a very good living in a job that you'll enjoy.

Driving a truck for a living is a very different lifestyle than an office or factory job. You will be able to travel as much or as little as you like depending on the job you select. You are responsible for your keeping your own schedule, and records, and with many companies you can take your spouse, or even your dog on the road with you. That's the reason that many people opt for trucking as their preferred method of making a living.

There are three major distinctions in the types of trucking jobs that are available.

1 - Owner Operators: An owner operator is a trucker that owns or leases his own tractor (semi truck) and is paid to haul goods for a single company that he is contracted to for a set amount per mile. This is typically the highest paying and most popular type of truck driving job because the driver will be building equity in his own truck, and has some control over the profits he or she can make. An owner operator is usually responsible for paying some or all of his fuel, and repair expenses for his truck.

2 - Company Drivers: A company driver is a trucker that is an employee of the trucking company that he drives for. A company driver may be paid by the hour, a flat rate per week, or by the mile, but will generally not have the same level of control over his income that an owner operator has, however, he is usually not responsible for purchasing or repairing his own truck.

3 - Independent Truckers: An independent trucker owns his own truck and hauls only the loads that he finds for himself, typically using websites like http://FindAHauler.com where he can search and bid on loads himself. He is generally not contracted to any particular company, and has all of the risks and responsibilities of running a trucking company himself, while driving a truck. Many truckers prefer the Owner Operator role in order to have a steady supply of loads, and the corporate support from their contracted trucking company.

What will you need to get started?

The most important thing you'll need is a CDL (Commercial Drivers License) which will granted by the state and give you the right to operate a commercial semi truck. Standards for a CDL are set by the federal government, but are issued by your state license bureau. The CDL exam consists of a written as well as a skill component just like your regular driving exam. Most truckers attend a truck driving school where they will receive training on how to drive a Semi, as well as training on the written portion of the exam. Typically upon your completion of the driving school, you will be able to get your CDL. Many trucking companies run their own training programs for prospective drivers, so you may be able to complete your job search and then get some on the job training instead.

Searching for a Trucking Job:

There are several steps you can take when looking for a truck driving job. You can rely on your driving school to place you in a trucking job, however, finding your own job will give you the greatest choice of schedule, territory, and pay. To search for a trucking job, you may go to truck stops, and pick up a trucking magazine, there will be many advertisements there by companies looking for drivers. You may call some local trucking companies in your area, or you may wish to search for a truck driving job on the internet.

The internet has emerged as one of the best ways to look for a trucking job. There are websites such as http://www.findowneroperators.com that specialize in placing truckers with trucking companies. Here a prospective trucker can search through currently available jobs, by type, location, and more.

Trucking can be a very rewarding career choice, both financially and emotionally. Having the freedom to travel the country, while making more money than you could with most college degrees has made truck driving a very hot career choice for the new millenium.

Can You Really Get Paid To Test Video Games?

2010-08-11T06:36:00.000-07:00

Among the flurry of get rich quick schemes and offers on the internet, you might find one telling you that you can "get paid to be a video game tester." Although a first you might reject this offer, wondering how in the world it is possible to get paid for sitting around all day in playing video games. In the end, you probably end up close in web page in a second of unbelief.

I don't blame you for not believe in that you can get paid to play video games. After all, the vast majority of these supposedly "easy money" offers are scams. But this one isn't. Companies really do need you to play video games for them - and for good reasons too!

First of all, companies want to know that their game is exciting and fun to play. Video game companies know that a boring game will never sell well. They need some people that have played a few of before to analyze their game by playing it a couple times. That way, they can improve their game and avoid creating a boring game altogether by having people test it first before they release it.

Companies also want to get feedback on their new games. Being a video game tester doesn't mean only sitting around and playing games. You have to give the video game companies feedback on their new game that you have just tested. Usually, this will be in the form of a survey that you fill out after playing the game, with questions like how fun the game was, how exciting the game was, how you liked the graphics, etc.

How much do video game companies usually pay to have their games tested? It varies a lot depending on the company, the importance of the game to the company, how much time you spend on the game that you are testing, and how long the follow up survey is. Normally, however, companies usually pay between $9 and all the way up to $80 for a single game testing.

Now, who can apply to be a video game tester? The answer is anybody that is 15 years old and up. It's also good to have a little video game experience so that you will know the basics of playing before you start. You don't want to jump into the job cold.

This concludes this article. What now? You should go and learn more about video game testing so that you know how to start. There is an eBook on this that I highly recommend you check out. You can download it here: "The eBook Guide To Video Game Testing." http://www.kfzy.com/VideoGameTesting

Can You Get Teachers To Love Admin?

2010-08-11T04:35:00.000-07:00

I recently discussed a recurring issue following this question from an employer:

“My teachers do an excellent job in the classroom and feedback from students is positive. But when it comes to administrative duties, I find they are lax. Registers are sometimes forgotten, lesson records are sketchy, and reports on students are late and not very full. How can I make teachers understand that these duties are as much a part of their job as teaching?”

Oh dear, I've heard this so often and I can understand why teachers prefer to concentrate on the business of teaching rather than fill in forms! Anyway, the advice I came up with was this:

You have taken the first step by acknowledging the problem! It's a fact of life that teachers usually hate admin. But you could ease the situation by building admin time into the timetable. The reluctance often stems from teachers being obliged to complete admin tasks in their own time. Since classroom pressures are usually stronger, they not surprisingly prefer to spend additional time planning lessons and organizing materials. If you build in fifteen minutes a day, or twice a week, when teachers meet in a designated admin room to complete their tasks, they will find it easier to accept that this is part of their normal responsibility.

For this to succeed though, you will need to involve them in the planning. If they see this as extra time tacked on to the working day, it will probably be met with resistance but if you can devise a plan whereby it fits into the existing work hours, it will have a greater chance of success. This may mean scheduling time when students work alone—using self-access materials, interviewing each other or doing other interactive projects. Alternatively you could shave five minutes off lessons to accumulate the time needed. Let the staff work out a system acceptable to all so that they feel they own it. Once admin features as a regular and obligatory slot on the teachers' timetable you should find the situation improves.

Can I Work At Home With No Experience?

2010-08-11T02:34:00.000-07:00

I see this question asked pretty frequently, and today I'd like to offer some tips about how to get started working at home when you have no experience.

- Consider the experience you do have, whether it's work or life related. Chances are you know how to do SOMETHING, even if you haven't done it in a job capacity. See if you can find jobs that would use the knowledge you have, or at least touch on them in some way.

- Aim for "easier" jobs to begin with, like outbound telemarketing. Most of the ads I see for those jobs don't require experience, they will teach you everything you need to know. Granted, these are usually commission-based jobs, but sometimes they do offer a small salary too. If anything, you could work this job for a few months to get experience, and then apply for other jobs later.

- Start your own business. Some people do incredibly well by finding a home business that matches their interests and life experience. While you may be tempted to search for a regular "job," know that that is not your only option! Give some thought to your strongest interests and passions in life. Then start looking for a home business that reflects them. There are hundreds (even thousands) of direct sales companies with great products out there. You just have to find the one that works for you.

- Educate yourself. Sign up for some adult education classes to expand your education. Take courses on Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint. Learn about accounting software. Do a search online for "free tutorials," and see what comes up. You can also include the type of tutorial in your search, like "free Paint Shop Pro tutorials," if you need to learn a certain program. Whatever field you want to be in, seek out affordable classes to learn about it. Then, even if you don't have experience, an employer might be willing to train you because you have the basic knowledge needed for the job.

Just don't give up, and don't let your lack of experience stop you! Everyone has to start somewhere. :-)

Cajun Country Candies wants you to become a part of our "sweet success."

2010-08-11T00:33:00.000-07:00

Hi,

I want to share with you an exciting Home Based Business Opportunity that is currently earning an steady monthly income for thousands of affiliates.

Our business opportunity is one of the best affiliate programs on the Net -- and now you have the UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY to JOIN FOR FREE...

Since 1986, we've helped tens of thousands of men and women build successful home businesses.

Our program is simple, utilizing a turn-key marketing system that will help you build your business.

Reasons to Join the our Affiliate Program:

- FREE to Join
- FREE Website
- FREE Online Store
- EARN 40% Commission
- No Inventory to Purchase
- Fast and Easy Signup
- Real Time Reporting
- Online Training
- No previous business experience needed
- Work from Home
- Products People Want

You don't ever worry about:

- Collecting the money
- Packaging the product
- Shipping the product
- Customer service

... or anything else for that matter! You just do the promotion and collect your commission from the resulting sales!

So if you'd like to learn how you can join the CCC Affiliate Program today -- at absolutely no cost, with absolutely no risk -- and start profiting from products that are earning current affiliates thousands of dollars every month, then I highly recommend visiting...

http://www.cajuncountrycandies.com/w2360/free

But don't hesitate. I've sent you this e-mail because we're kicking ourselves for not joining sooner, and I don't want you to lose out by making this same mistake.

All the best,
Amanda Stoican

3 Things To Look For In A California Mortgage Lender Online

2010-08-02T01:46:00.001-07:00

Want to buy a home in California? If so, chances are you'll need a California Mortgage Lender to help finance your new house. Fortunately, the Internet has made the mortgage process easy. You can even find a lender online with very little hassle! Here's how to find a reputable California Mortgage Lender online:

Ask friends, family and neighbors

If you already live in California, some of the people you know in the state may have used a California Mortgage Lender online when they financed their home. Ask around among close friends and acquaintances to see if anyone can make a personal recommendation. Check with co-workers, family members and neighbors, too. A referral like this is often a good way to hear about the good--and bad--experiences people have had with various online mortgage lenders.

Watch out for predators

"Predatory lending" is a term generally used to describe any lender that is trying to take advantage of the borrower. Examples include charging high, unnecessary fees, pushing borrowers into a loan they can't afford, or using lies and deception to obtain clients. Carefully review all fees and charges--your lender is required to give you a "good faith estimate"--plus the fine print, like loan terms and prepayment penalties. Be on the lookout for any false or misleading information, or any terms that are vague and unspecific. If the fees seem too high or too numerous, look for a different lender.

Check with officials

All California Mortgage Lenders and Brokers should be licensed with either The California Department of Real Estate or The California Department of Corporations. To help ensure your California Mortgage Lender is legitimate and reputable, check with these agencies to see if your lender is licensed. Avoid any lending company that is not licensed or has allowed its license to expire.

Be sure to check with your city's Better Business Bureau office, as well. They'll have a record of any complaints that may have been filed against your California Mortgage Lender.

Business laws basics

2010-07-12T10:04:00.000-07:00

A professional degree in Juris Doctor relates to a higher grade of studies in law. With business houses expanding in size and the legal issues gaining higher importance for day to day working of large corporates, demand for Juris Doctor professionals has been increasing. As the business interacts more with the society and their other counterparts need to resolve legal matters emerge simultaneously. All this has given an impetus to students aiming for career in law field. But a purely law background without any corporate experience may not be well accepted by business industry. Top ranked services in companies also demand a graduate in business organization along with lawyer’s degree.

As demand for combined degree in JD and business is being a preferred combination to build a rewarding career in law. Business and law schools at various places have joined hands to impart students with best career courses. At many places Law Schools providing degrees of Juris Doctor and business school providing Master in business administration present a cooperative program for the convenience of aspiring students. This opportunity to avail concurrent degrees in both fields is a stepping-stone for success of students. Students who cannot travel to different places at the same time have a best prospect of finding excellent professional training under one roof.

Surviving in the law field gets tougher from the day one tries to enter the school of law. Getting admission requires fulfilling entire formalities along with earlier creditable basic high school record, clearing the admission test for the law school and even recommendations from people. The same is applicable for business studies a student is required to prove his quantitative skills and efficiency in microcomputers to get admitted. A dedicated and hard work during the courses ensures students with excellent results which in turn to provide better career opportunities.

A law person has various prospects for different types of career that he would like to accept. Depending on his caliber and willingness to work hard a lawyer can decide upon practicing law in an exclusive law firm or he may choose to be an in house lawyer. An exclusive law firm requires an extensive knowledge of one particular area in law where as an in house lawyer is required to deal with entire aspects of legal issues that relate to the particular company in which he is involved.

While undergoing training in one of the law schools a student would learn about different aspects of law like civil law, criminal procedures, constitutional law, contracts, property, professional responsibility, basic federal income taxation, legislative and administrative interpretation and many others. The syllabus is cautiously devised to ensure that students receive exhaustive training to deal with maximum situation in the professional front. Similarly Masters Degree in Business administration imparts education in business for global society, corporate finance, managerial accounting, information resource management, strategic management, master’s project and other similar relevant courses. Anyone pursuing both law and business studies simultaneously has an advantage of studying some courses that are counted towards both degrees and hence a considerable amount of work is reduced for these students.

Building a Professional Image for Data Entry Jobs

2010-07-12T03:03:00.000-07:00

Brand image of any business activity encompasses a broader spectrum, which is the overall image of the business which includes the interior design, exterior design, marketing materials used, the web presence and also the staff members of the business. Data entry jobs too require image building to be successful.

A professional image is very important as it involves the decision making process of customers whether to do business with the company or individual, or not. The heart of the business is their logo. It signifies and represents the kind or nature of business and the activity which is carried on. The image or brand is the foundation for all the advertising and marketing efforts made and if the brand image is weak, the advertising and marketing efforts will go in vain. It is the identity to the business. Many entrepreneurs mistake the marketing, advertising and promotional materials as mere expenses, but actually speaking they are all investments. It the first impression created to boost the business. Logo and brand are totally different. Where logo is only a representation of the business and brand is the experience created with the customer or client right from the inception till the end of the business process.

Data entry jobs are abundant and so are the people who are doing it. Like the individuals searching for a reputed company, the same way the companies too search for quality and competent people who can finish the job on time with greater precision and professionalism. Hence, it is very important to build a professional image to stand apart from others who are in the same field to get data entry jobs to be done at home.

Steps involved in building a successful professional image for data entry jobs done from home:

The first step for the person doing the job for data entry from home is to analyze the key strengths and talents and jotting them down in key words or phrases. Unique features and values of his doing business should be highlighted. Then it has to be shaped in to a brand statement incorporating the uniqueness and advantages for the clients in getting the work done by him. This brand statement can be printed in all the business communications and displayed in all the ways to speak about the professionalism of the person.

Apart from doing all the above, it is very important to maintain a personal, professional image. The way the person presents himself before clients and customers matters a lot. He needn’t always be in formal attire while performing jobs from home, but at least should adhere to the dress code when a formal meeting is scheduled. It conveys the message, that the person has not taken the job lightly but is serious about the profession.

When changes like diversification or added services are included, the personal brand statement should be changed accordingly. If spending on building a professional image is required, it should be done without any hesitation, as it is only an investment rather than an expense.

Breaking The Silence - Forensic Nursing

2010-07-12T01:02:00.000-07:00

It was in 1992 when the term Forensic nursing was first heard. But what is it exactly? Forensic nursing is a specialty field that deals with the care of crime victims, collecting evidences and providing health care services in the prison system. It is a combined health care and judicial system profession to be precise. International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) is the official association of forensic nurses established in 1992 by a team of nurses who specialize in sexual assault examination.

1. A Day In The Life

Contrary to popular belief forensic nurses don’t spend their day hanging around with corpses. Examining victims of sexual assault and training colleagues how to treat violently injured patients eat up most of these nurses days. Another related job for a forensic nurse is providing counsel to schoolchildren who fired guns.

2. Training

Training as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner is the entry-level position you need to obtain in order to break into forensic nursing. The nurse should be a Registered Nurse (RN) before being able to complete the specialized training needed to meet the standards of the IAFN. Forty hours of didactics and forty hours of clinical work are also needed. The nurse should be trained in handling and collecting evidences like hairs, fibers and swabs of fluids for DNA testing.

Forensic nursing is not limited to helping rape victims. Forensic nurses also work with other types of interpersonal abuse such as domestic violence, child and elderly abuse, neglect and physiological, as well as psychological abuse. They could also examine victims of near-fatal or fatal traumas like shooting or stabbing.

A lot of forensic nurses work as nurse examiners in the emergency rooms in the hospitals. In cases like shooting or stabbing, the forensic nurse works in collecting bullets and other debris left in the body that will help in the investigation. Removing the clothes the victim is wearing and storing them in a special bags are also some of their duties. They also have to photograph and measure the wounds of the patients. In case the victim dies, the nurse has to work with the medical examiner (ME).

3. Other Considerations

Forensic nurses are qualified to testify in court as an expert witness or a fact witness. As an expert witness, the nurse is allowed to give his or her opinions while on the witness stands in order to shed light on the case. On the other hand, as a fact witness, the nurse is only to state the details and answer the questions. A forensic nurse should state the information in an objective manner. It means that he or she should not speak for or against either the victim or the accused. As the duty calls for it, the nurse only has to state the information he or she obtained, not make conjecture about what he or she thinks happened.

4. Tools of the Trade

A forensic nurse should also know how to use different tools in order to document what he or she has gathered during the examination or treatment process.

- A digital camera
- An Omnichrome
- A Coloscope

To date, specialty areas are being related to forensic nursing. This includes a Forensic Nurse Specialist, Forensic Nurse Investigator, Nurse Coroner or what is known as Death Investigator, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE), Legal Nurse Consultant, Forensic Gerontology Specialist, Forensic Psychiatric Nurse and a Correctional Nursing Specialist. Forensic nursing is a growing industry in the field of nursing. More and more nurses are being drawn to it. Nursing schools are also taking notice of this need. Forensic Nurse Programs are now being offered in nursing schools.

Break Out Of The Teaching Rut And Teach English In Hong Kong

2010-07-11T23:51:00.000-07:00

Speaking English is a major priority for the people of Hong Kong. The business world is always moving quickly, and global communication is vitally important. In order to compete effectively, Hong Kong emphasizes English education for everyone from childhood on up.

Combine those factors with the fact that there's currently a shortage of native English speaking teachers in the country, and it seems Hong Kong might be the ideal location if you're considering teaching abroad.

Qualifications

If you've chosen to teach English in Hong Kong, there are a few basic requirements that you absolutely must have. In some countries, you can get away with some form of college degree and not much else. Hong Kong, however, has high expectations for their foreign teachers.

First of all, in order to teach English in Hong Kong you must apply for an employment visa. The only exceptions to this rule are Australian and New Zealand citizens, who can technically teach in Hong Kong under the "Working Holiday Scheme." All others must have a visa in hand. Getting a visa to teach in Hong Kong may be a bit of a struggle, because there is a great deal of paperwork involved, so you'll want to start early. The Internet can be extremely helpful if you're at this point. Check out Hong Kong's government websites for more information.

Before you begin applying for jobs, it's best to have TEFL certification under your belt. While not strictly a requirement, TEFL will open the doors to the best schools and give you a much wider range of job options- as well as a higher pay rate at the job you eventually take. TEFL certification is easy. Many colleges and learning centers offer a month-long certification program that teaches you how to handle yourself in a classroom setting. Aside from the job advantages, TEFL gives you confidence that can be invaluable, especially if you've never taught before.

Finding a Job

Hong Kong is one of several countries that have excellent online resources when it comes to finding jobs teaching English. Many positions are available through various online job boards which list the teaching positions by country, as well as through the Hong Kong government's website. With a little searching, you should be able to find numerous jobs for which to apply. Ask your school or TEFL certification program for job hunting assistance.

Finding a Home

One of the main drawbacks when you choose to teach English in Hong Kong is the fact that it may be difficult to find affordable housing. In many countries, the school that hires you will supply you with free teacher's housing; however, in Hong Kong this is not necessarily the case. Luckily, most teaching jobs in Hong Kong do include a "housing allowance" along with your regular paycheck, which is designed to help cover rent.

Again, there are many online resources available to help. Check out Hong Kong housing websites for an idea of price ranges and areas available to you. If you've been hired, your school should be able to point you in the right direction as well.

If you've decided to teach English in Hong Kong, you should prepare yourself for a challenging and completely new experience. The ability to spend large amounts of time away from your home country, as well as a sense of adventure and adaptability to new surroundings, will help make the experience a pleasurable and enlightening one.

Bored By The Same Old Job? Be A Truck Driver!

2010-07-11T22:00:00.001-07:00

If you have the desire to travel around the country and get paid at the same time, consider being a truck driver. Truckers enjoy some benefits that people in other jobs do not have. The camaraderie among other truckers … meeting new people … being able to witness the changing seasons as you travel around the country … unpredictability (in other words, less boredom!) … plenty of available trucking jobs … All are valid reasons why people chuck their current occupations for the chance at the open road.

Of course, as with all major life decisions, changing professions to drive a truck takes some thought and research. First of all, think about how your personal life will change. There will instances when you might miss your son’s baseball games or be late getting home for the holidays because of road conditions due to the weather. Extended periods away from home sometimes take a toll on a person, so you have to decide whether driving trucks is right for you.

If your heart is still set on being a trucker, then your next step is to find a reputable trucking company or school that offers truck driving programs and instruction. There are usually specialized schools specifically for truck driving, but sometimes, local community colleges have vocational programs available too. The best thing to do is check with your local Department of Transportation (DOT) office first to find out the requirements for truck drivers and what type of instruction is the best training for earning your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Chances are that they have a recommended list of the best schools in the area.

The optimal scenario for training and certification is one on one, just you and the teacher. Sometimes, if you are in a big rig with several other students and the teacher, that does not give you as much hands-on instruction as you need. Another thing to think about when choosing a trucking company or school is whether they offer job placement assistance. New truck drivers need all the help they can get in identifying job opportunities. There are plenty of trucking jobs out there, but as a new driver, you may not know all the ins and outs of the different trucking companies.

From changes in the weather to that wacky person driving a convertible naked, truckers have run across many situations like these. Their life on the road may not always be easy, but it sure can be an interesting one. A trucker’s life may not be for everyone, but those that do it, love it.

Bodyguard Jobs

2010-07-09T10:30:00.000-07:00

The Bodyguard industry is quite a large industry, making the Bodyguard industry an attractive industry in which to find a job. Being such a large industry, the Bodyguard industry is less competitive than other job industries and offers a range of jobs.

Although the Bodyguard industry is less competitive than other job industries, you are still required to meet certain job criteria, prior to working as a Bodyguard. Usually, you are required to attend a Bodyguard training course, prior to working as a Bodyguard.

Most Bodyguard Training courses are designed to provide you with basic first aid training, self-defence techniques and sometimes weapons training. Although not all Bodyguard jobs require that you carry a weapon, there are some Bodyguard jobs that do.

A person with Military training, or Martial arts training, is usually highly regarded in the Bodyguard industry, as their skills are often needed in certain Bodyguard positions. Although you are not likely to ever have to physically grapple with a person, there is the possibility that it can occur, so knowledge of self-defence techniques are important.

There are many situations in everyday society that require a Bodyguard. For example, many film and music stars often hire Bodyguards to protect them from the possibility of kidnapping, or from the possibility of being attacked by a crazy fan.

There are also less glamorous Bodyguard positions, such as protecting a bank, shopping mall, or private properties at night. Often these Bodyguard positions require you to be on your own, hence the need for self-defence skills.

As a Bodyguard, you also have the responsibility of protecting other people, which is why you will often be required to have a first aid certificate. In the event of a shooting incident, or other form of injury, you will need to know how to help an injured person, while ambulance officers arrive.

As you can see, being a Bodyguard is much more than just standing around in a uniform, it requires a level of skill, confidence and professionalism. However, being a Bodyguard also requires you to be fit.

Fitness plays an important role in being a Bodyguard, as you may be required to run after someone, or may need to apprehend someone who is dangerous. Being fit will ensure that you will be stronger than you opponent and thus will be capable of apprehending them.

Although Bodyguards do not have the same legal powers of the police force, they play an important role as a supportive partner in conjunction with the police force. Often, a Bodyguard is the first at a crime scene and is often the person who contacts the police.

Bodyguards play an important role in society, making sure that everyone can live in a safe and comfortable fashion. The often silent, role of a Bodyguard is essential in preventing, kidnappings, bank robberies, public brawls and many other types of incidents.

Biotech Careers Heating Up

2010-07-09T08:28:00.000-07:00

Biotechnology has been around for centuries. From farming to food production and storage, biotechnology has touched our lives in numerous helpful ways.

As baby boomers age, there has been an increased demand for new medical procedures and equipment. As a result, biomedical engineering, a field that combines medicine with engineering and biology, is expected to grow in the next decade and beyond.

With an insight into both medical and engineering fields, biomedical engineers work effectively in hospitals, research facilities, academia, government regulatory agencies or as consultants.

Biomechanics, which applies biomechanical engineering to biological or medical problems, utilizes scientific principles to produce new ways of keeping the body functional and healthy. These include the creation of synthetic organs and joints, as well as machines that control body functions, imaging systems like X-ray and ultrasound, and the laser systems used in corrective eye surgery.

As a result of these advances, the medical community has a better understanding of how certain organs and musculoskeletal systems function.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, biomedical engineering is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2014. While a bachelor's in engineering is required, a graduate degree in engineering is also recommended for most entry-level bioengineering jobs. Many universities offer accredited engineering graduate programs.

Professional organizations, such as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), can help students interested in pursuing biotechnology careers.

ASME promotes the interests of its members and keeps them informed of industry developments. Additionally, networking opportunities offered by the organization can help students find jobs and get on the right career track.

Biotech Careers

2010-07-09T06:27:00.000-07:00

Beware Of Job Fraud Scams!

2010-07-09T04:26:00.000-07:00

Searching for a job can be difficult enough, but when you finally spot the 'job of a lifetime' – just consider that if the job sounds too good to be true – quite likely, it is!

Imagine the job of "Designer - Developer/Applications/IT" with a tax-free salary of $120K for 6 months work.

Perks including Paid Overtime at $300 per hour, paid first-class accommodation, $3,000.00 flat rate travel/entertainment allowance for every intercontinental trip, free comprehensive healthcare, two weeks of paid vacation, a free laptop computer and free transportation/vehicle.

WOW!!! – Where do I sign up???

This is just one of the many recent postings on Monster.com – other jobs with the same salary and benefits are also available – including:

* Project Manager - Project/Infrastructure/IT
* Analyst - Systems/Support/IT
* Technical Advisor - Computer/Security/IT
* Analyst - Data Manager/IT/

Sometimes the scams are easy to spot – other times it can be more difficult. Quite often the job titles and job descriptions are often stolen from other legitimate employment sites.

You may be able to enter a snippet of the job description in double-quotes and find the original source through your favorite search engine.

For example, the position I mentioned earlier contained the text "(C++, Java, HTML, PHP, Visual Basic)" in the job description.

Search for this in Google (including the double-quotes) and you’ll quickly see how often this exact string has been used in scam-related job postings.

These companies (more likely individuals) have absolutely no intention of hiring you – they are simply after the "Administration Fee" you need to send in advance.

Here is an example of some terms on a recent posting on monster.com:

You are liable to make charges of about USD$950.00 for the procurement of your working and residential permit documents which covers:

1, Administrative charges:
2, Diplomatic Courier Charges:
3, Working Permit charges:
4, Residential Permit charges:
5, Hard copies of the terms:

They promise reimbursement of fees and travel expenses to attend the interview, but only AFTER you’ve shown up for the job and discovered they never existed!

In addition to money sent to the fraudsters in advance -- you could be suckered in for airfare, hotel and thousands of dollars in other expenses.

Some obvious clues that should send up bright red warning flags:

* The job is in Nigeria, or posted on behalf of a Nigerian company. Quite often the jobs are IT-related in companies involved with oil, banking or mining.

* The contact is using @hotmail.com or some other free email service. Legitimate offers generally come from legitimate companies with real email addresses.

* The telephone number is a fake. Don’t even try to call. Most often, if the number even works at all, it leads to a mobile phone in Nigeria or a similar country. Check the country code before calling and see if it matches the company’s address (if they even provide one).

* Beware of requests for detailed personal information, such as a copy of your passport, birth certificate, SSN card and so forth. This trick is used to make the application more ‘real’ but if they can't sucker you on the ‘application fee’ – they may just sell or use your identity instead.

* Quite often, there will be many errors in the references, spelling and/or grammar. Here is another example:

"You are to receive the hard copies of the contract terms and agreement and also your working and residential permit altogether, it will be delivered through Diplomatic Courier Services(DHL) to your various designated addresses respectively."

Do a Google search for "Diplomatic Courier Services(DHL)" and you will again see dozens of listings discussing or exposing the scam.

There are many variations to this new type of scam. Currently, IT professionals seem to be the major target. Monster.com and Monster's country-specific sites have become the hot target for these scamsters.

Although Monster does remove bogus job postings fairly quickly, the process to complain about them is difficult and time-consuming.

In many online job boards, there is no 'filtering' or human review process for job postings -- otherwise such fraudulent listings would be need to be much more difficult. Many job boards also allow free postings for advertisers -- making them even more attractive for scammers.

The important thing to remember is that few legitimate employers will ask for fees of any kind up-front – in fact, many employers will pay for your travel expenses in advance.

Don’t let the job of your dreams become a financial nightmare – be cautious when dealing with any business you can not easily identify or verify. Best of luck on your job search!

Better Late Then Never

2010-07-09T02:23:00.000-07:00

Whenever I talk to teachers I don't usually have to wait long before they start listing their concerns about students. I wonder what would come top of your list of teachers’ complaints about student behavior. My guess is that punctuality would come pretty high. It doesn’t sound too difficult on the surface to insist that students should come on time to their lessons but in practice there may be factors that make the lateness habit difficult to break.

Take country cultures, for example. Some countries, notably those in northern Europe or North America place a high value on punctuality. To be late is considered rude, sloppy, even insulting behavior. But in other countries, punctuality is not valued in the same way. Time is seen in a much less rigid way so being a late is quite acceptable. I remember attending an appointment in the south of France for which I was dutifully a few minutes early. After I had waited for fifteen minutes, I asked the secretary what was causing the delay. She looked quite surprised and said that the person I was seeing naturally didn’t me expect to arrive punctually and expected the appointment to take place about 30 minutes after the agreed time.

Personal circumstances can also be difficult for students too. Adults coming to evening classes, for example, might find themselves delayed by work or home commitments. I once had a student who was often late because he had to have regular kidney dialysis that was scheduled to end just before his class.

I think the trick is to weigh up the situation and then work round it. If it is a problem affecting just one or two students, ask them what it is that makes them late. If they have difficult circumstances, then you have to be understanding. If it affects many class members and you feel it will be impossible to change their behavior, devise a strategy for using the first ten minutes of the lesson in a way that will mean you are not going to be interrupted in full flow as the late comers arrive.

For example, you could assign that time for homework review. Get students to work in pairs, comparing their homework and circulate among them giving a helping hand and answering questions. Once everyone has turned up to class, you can begin the lesson proper. Okay, it’s a solution that may seem defeatist but you can’t change cultural norms and you need to understand when things are tough for students. And one thing is sure. If you discuss the issue with the class and suggest this solution, then if they don’t like it, they will probably make the effort to come on time. Win-win, or what?

Better Job Search Engines

2010-07-07T08:55:00.000-07:00

Job search engines use state-of-the-art technology to assist people in their job quest. Here you could enter all the relevant information to reduce the lists of sought after jobs to get more accurate results.

Because new jobs are being added daily or even hours after, the tendency to see the results you had yesterday may be different from what you see today. This is where job search engines come in handy.

After some trial and error there are a few job search engines that could yield better results. They allow searchers to see major job sites, companies and even its associations by entering a keyword and location. Results can be seen in different ways, it could be in a browser list and some sent thru e-mail.

SimplyHired.com, America's Job Bank, Jobster, and http://Indeed.com are just a few of the search engines that can give you more accurate results. These sites include over 500 job listings with job boards, prime newspapers, and numerous companies with career pages.

Indeed.com even has an advance search option that could be used to search company names, positions, and even the distance for commuters.

America's Job Bank let's you enter the job category you would like to search, then you can enter either the city or the zip code and state you would like to find the job and it gives the list of job openings. If you're lucky, you can even get the quoted salary from each of the companies you're eyeing on.

In http://SimplyHired.com aside from the list of jobs open, applicants are also given a short description of the job you're about to handle including the responsibilities to be met even during application. It also includes the type of company, location and date when the job was posted.

Jobster provides the latest job postings from today up to the last 7 days wherein you can also choose the distance you prefer. This site gives you the ability to see the list of the freshly posted jobs from a variety of sources.

How Well Are They?

These sites give listings that are relevant and timely, compared to other search engines that generate results a little longer than the others. Some would even provide results that are far from the location picked out.

So far the best among the search engines used is the http://Simplyhired.Com. It showed the job title, a link was also provided for posting, a summary of the job description, where the exact current location and where it originated. The produced results are easy to read, non-confusing with bits and pieces more of information plus the getting around is user friendly

Best Jobs

2010-07-07T06:54:00.000-07:00

Employers have said that they are more likely to be 12 percent more graduates this year than last year. It is the first projected increase since the year 2000.

In another study, a projected 60 percent of US business plan to employ the same number of graduates this year as with last year. That is an increase of fifty-five percent from last year, according to the CERI (Collegiate Employment Research Institute) at MSU.

According to recent studies, US Corporations and businesses will employ more graduates with a bachelor’s degree in business, biological and physical sciences. Those with construction management, engineering degrees, health care and accounting will also experience an increase in hiring. Other fields will have a slight decline.

On the average, companies are hiring forty three percent of its interns to fulltime and regular status. The expected increase in the hiring of graduates coincides with an expected growth forecast of the economy next year according to a recent survey by the Federal Reserve Bank.

A lot of companies are coming out of a slump and are now hiring their interns and looking for more. A lot of companies are posting jobs and coming into different campuses.

Most experts advise that during the holidays, whether you’re looking for permanent employment or internship, it is time to step up your search.

Take advantage of the holiday events you’re going to, discuss what you’re looking for and your goals. Businesses don’t want to be flooded with calls and faxes of resumes. They will probably rely on word-of-mouth to get a handful of candidates The holidays are a perfect time to network.

What to expect:

Companies will hire more students earning bachelor’s degree in business and management, physical and biological sciences. Engineering, health care and accounting degrees also would experience an increase. Other degrees will experience a decrease in hiring

Businesses expect to employ about the same volume of MBAs this year as last year. Businesses have found employees with bachelor's degrees being able to do some work being done by MBAs.

It will be harder for graduates with computer science degrees to find work.

Companies are more likely to employ students who have undergone internships. The work experience, they say, makes a lot of difference. Federal agencies will employ more graduates but not nearly enough to offset the decrease in hiring by the state and local government agencies.

On average, starting salaries will increase by 1 to 2 percent.

Benefits of Working In a Data Center

2010-07-07T04:53:00.000-07:00

As the Internet continues to grow and produce large amounts of traffic the need for data centers and data center management increases. This continued growth creates data center jobs and IT careers in the technology field. Data Centers not only provide large hubs for Internet traffic, but it also completes the network infrastructure of most mid-large size companies. Data centers usually house thousands of computers, servers, and technical components. This in itself tells why it is a tremendous benefit to working within a data center. Just the amount of knowledge you can gain while on the job is rewarding enough. Having a data center job puts you on the bleeding edge of technology and hi-tech equipment. By working in a data center you will naturally be more advance than your peers who work in different industries experienced in technology.

Data center jobs consist of many different job types which fall under information technology, such as: system administration, network administration, IT security, computer operations, help desk support, server administration, pc repair, engineering, and so much more. If you ever been to school for a computer-related field or you always had an interest to work with computers then working in a data center should have been at the top of your list. Though, most do not consider data center jobs when looking for a job in the information technology field. This is mainly because data center jobs are merely overlooked. Most individuals consider working for a company or corporation in an industry other than data centers, mainly in a company like where they previously worked, before being technically inclined. Gaining a data center job is exactly why you went to school or aligned yourself within the technology field of work.

Data centers are inhabited with individuals who are fairly intelligent, usually skilled professionals with an educational background. The benefit of surrounding yourself with knowledgeable individuals is that it enhances your own technical aptitude and empowers your keen technical sense. Another benefit to working in a data center is many times the operations are around the clock (24/7), which means you may have the option of being flexible and working flex schedules, at your leisure. The biggest benefit of working in a data center is “stability”. The fact being that so many operations, calculations, and transactions depend solely on data centers - society cannot afford to lose data centers. Data centers will always be around and continue to thrive, so this means data center jobs will never fall short. Even in the wake of economic hardships, data centers still did not take a plunge or lose its clarity. If you are reading this article right now, then more than likely at some point a data center involvement allowed me to deliver this article to you. Data center jobs are for life!

Becoming a Virtual Assistant: Frequently Asked Questions

2010-07-07T02:51:00.000-07:00

What is the growth prospect of Virtual Assistant profession worldwide?

The virtual assistant industry is growing by leaps and bounds. Initially there were only few Virtual assistants, but, now there are at least one million people situated globally. Virtual assistants both collectively and individually are spreading this concept and many are joining them daily. Many administrative assistants, office managers and experienced professionals have recognized Virtual assisting as an achievable and viable option for them.

Why people choose to become Virtual Assistants?

The reasons are many. Many people think that it is a lucrative option to earn extra income, while others consider it as an option to have a control over their destiny and some take up because they can spend more time with their family, while some take due to illness and health problems. The internet revolution has enabled people to work from home. Many people become virtual assistants due to their aspiration to earn more, due to their experience and knowledge and also due to the potential of the Virtual Assistant industry.

Does any one need a business license to become a virtual assistant?

It depends on where he lives. In States like Georgia, every independent contractor or Virtual assistant needs to possess a business license while other States does not require. It is better to check with the local county and state to be sure of all the legal protocols before setting up a Virtual assistant business.

Is training necessary to become a Virtual assistant?

It all depends on the person. Some would have got all the experience from the previous jobs, while some require to undergo training to gain confidence and knowledge to handle certain issues and tasks. As the virtual assistant industry is growing day by day, the competition and the business require to undergo a training to stay successful.

How can the Virtual Assistant business marketed effectively?

Virtual assistant business can either be marketed via Internet or offline. When opting the offline method, brochures, flyers, business cards, press releases, postcards, advertisements in yellow page and writing articles are very effective. Through internet, websites and online ads can be used to advertise effectively.

Becoming a Private Investigator – Have You Got What It Takes?

2010-07-07T00:50:00.000-07:00

Is the job of private investigator as glamorous as it initially appears or as it's portrayed in the movies? Surely it's got to beat sitting on your butt for eight hours a day in an office cubicle, waiting for the weekend to come around again.

However, if you are used to working nine till five and like to have routine in your life then perhaps you should reconsider. A few cold, caffeine-fuelled nights staking out a target on behalf of your client and maybe that office cubicle doesn't look so bad after all.

Still interested? Then you are going to need specific training at a private investigator school as the profession is no place for amateurs and many US states require investigators to be licensed.

Don’t let the word "school" frighten you off – unlike studying at high school a private investigator course will involve studying a narrow field of expertise that is going to be of some interest to you.

Attending private investigator school will enable you to pick up years of hard-won experience in a short time as you learn the techniques of private investigation. Think that all it takes is a camera and a telephoto lens to become a private investigator? Think again.

There are methods of surveillance to learn, techniques on how to follow your subject, how to disguise yourself without causing suspicion, how to use modern bugging technology, online investigation and much more. You will also need to know how to gather evidence and what evidence will stand up in court.

There's also the fine line between legal and illegal surveillance and on a private investigator course you'll learn the difference. There’s no point invading your subject's privacy to gather evidence when your client cannot later use it in court because you obtained it illegally. Your client could lose the court case due to insufficient evidence, it would certainly damage your reputation and could even lead to you being sued so these are vital lessons to learn.

On the other hand, the rewards are good. Private investigators are well paid and the job is different every day. But what private investigators really do is solve their client's problems – and they can make a difference to peoples lives.

How about re-uniting a divorced mother with her young daughter after the father has run off with the child during his day of access? Locating the birth parent for an adopted client who has always dreamed of finding his real mother? Or running a background check and discovering that the nanny employed by your client to look after their children has a violent history?

Sure, the money's good, but you can't buy that kind of job satisfaction.

Becoming a Graphic Designer

2010-07-06T10:18:00.000-07:00

You were doing your grocery one day in one of the largest shopping mall in town. You noticed that when buying soaps, toothpaste and canned goods among others, you were picking up those products that has packaging and logo design that appeals to your eye. And the lady next to you was doing the same. Then you wondered what made these products appealing and saleable to consumers. And your thoughts wondered onto who were responsible for doing these attention-grabbing and money-making packaging designs.

Basically, the person responsible for making a logo or packaging design look superb and marketable is called a graphic designer. They are the ones responsible for attracting potential customers and increasing a company’s sale. In order to be a successful graphic designer, one must have excellent interpersonal skills and the knack to sell their ideas to executives.

If you wish to be a graphic designer you must be prepared to receive a college degree in advertising or fine arts focusing in graphic art and computer graphics. Although there are some who make it to the industry just by talent alone, most still need a degree or some sort of certificate to land a job as a graphic designer. Employers won’t even look at you if you lack the piece of paper that shows that you have been trained in graphic design related program. In addition, much of your competition would be graduates from college so it is better if you come prepared before plunging into the exciting world of graphic designs.

There many schools across America that offers graphic design related courses. There are courses in visual communication, graphic design, animation, advertising, and multimedia and web development among others. There are short term and long term programs offered in different schools. Short term programs are usually for one or two years while long term programs such as Bachelor of Fine Arts degree are often for three to four years. Nevertheless, both these programs offer a work placement in a business or studio during or after your studies. This can be a stepping stone for you in gaining the experience that you need to get hired.

To improve your experience in graphic designs, you can also do freelance work whenever you can. This will help you have a solid portfolio to present to your prospective employer when you get out of school and hunt for a real job. Likewise, you have to pay attention to the packaging designs and advertising trends in all forms of media to keep you updated with what is the latest in the industry.

Remember that being a graphic designer necessitates you to learn new software and be up to date on design trends constantly. There is more to being a graphic designer than sitting in front of the computer. Thus, you need to learn how to speak efficiently and learn how advertising and PR influence design decisions.

Becoming A Freelancer

2010-07-06T08:17:00.000-07:00

One very popular and common way of earning income is becoming a freelancer. Literally thousands of people every day choose to become their own boss by working as a freelancer. If you have a skill or talent, your services are highly needed in the internet industry and it is absolutely possible for you to make excellent money by doing what you know and love. Many website owners choose to use a freelancer for a variety of reasons, some reasons could include:

• Not enough time to do the work themselves
• They do not have the knowledge to perform the tasks
• Freelancers are often cheaper than hiring a company (Because of less overhead)
• Freelancers generally work faster
• They are too busy with other projects

These are just a few of the reasons that most business and website owners opt for a freelancer instead of a large company. Typically a freelancer is cheaper than that of a larger company for a variety of reasons. One of the biggest reasons is that a freelancer has no overhead costs, generally they work out of their own home and do not have any employees they have to pay. Additionally, by working out of their own home they do not have the type of running expenses that a larger business will have, this means that they can offer clients a more competitive and cheaper price for their services.

Another excellent aspect of being a freelancer is the ability to offer high quality and personalized service to your clients. This alone can be more appealing to a client than the prices you charge. Many large businesses have so many things going on at once, that they cannot always give the personal attention that a client often wants. Additionally, they do not generally work as fast as the client would like them to. A freelancer typically only works one project at a time allowing them to quickly finish their projects in a high quality and timely fashion.

There are freelancers in a large variety of areas and if you possess specific qualities and experience the client wants you will have no troubles in finding work. There are many websites available all over the internet that are dedicated to helping freelancers find work such as scriptlance and rentacoder.

Become a Healthcare Professional

2010-07-06T04:16:00.000-07:00

The healthcare industry will see a great amount of growth in the next ten to fifteen years when the baby boomer generation reaches retirement age and transitions in to nursing care facilities. As our population ages, we will need to have a strong system of qualified healthcare personnel to help manage all aspects of health care management. The healthcare industry will see a great amount of growth in the next ten to fifteen years when the baby boomer generation reaches retirement age and transitions in to nursing care facilities. The baby boomer generation is considered to be one of Americas largest generations ever. This is an explosive time for the health care industry. Anyone involved in health care is going to have steady work for years to come.

Health care is a large industry that encompasses many different areas of expertise. There are doctors, pharmacists, and nurses to take care of patient needs. There is also a large business and administrative side to the health care industry. This portion of the business provides the infrastructure that allows patients to receive medicine and treatments they require, as they need it. People who are looking to pursue a health care career have almost endless job options. You can be involved in direct patient care, medical billing and coding, working for insurance companies, or even practicing holistic medicine. No matter what avenue you pursue in your healthcare career, having your degree and training will ensure your marketability in the workplace.

*According to the bureau of labor statistics, health care provided 12.9 million jobs-12.5 million jobs for wage and salary workers and about 382,000 jobs for the self-employed. Of the 12.5 million wage and salary jobs, more than 40 percent were in hospitals; another 22 percent were in either nursing or residential care facilities; and almost 16 percent were in offices of physicians. About 92 percent of wage and salary jobs were in private industry; the rest were in State and local government hospitals. The majority of jobs for self-employed workers were in offices of physicians, dentists, and other health practitioners-about 265,000 out of the 382,000 total self-employed.

Melissa Steele, College Degrees @ EducationGuys.com Writer.

Become A Flight Attendant

2010-07-06T02:15:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for a career that is consistent and yet offers flexibility? Perhaps you want to work full-time but also have this itch to see the world? If you can answer yes to these questions, perhaps it is time for you to consider becoming a flight attendant.

Being a flight attendant is perfect for people who love a consistent job but still need adventure. One of the greatest perks about being a flight attendant is that you get the best of both the familiar and the unknown. What could be better than getting to work with great people, getting to serve great customers, and getting to see parts of the country or even of the world in the meantime? Many jobs that pride themselves in being adventurous are inconsistent or sporadic at best. Working as a flight attendant allows you the freedom to fly to new places but gives you many hours of work to do each week.

Another great thing about working as a flight attendant is that you get to work with a variety of people. Not only will you get to interact with other flight attendants, pilots, and other airline personnel, but you will daily get to spend time with customers on your flights. Flight attendants will meet young children and senior citizens all within the course of a normal day. As a flight attendant you will learn to interact with people from a variety of cultures as well. What a great way to learn about the world and about people different than yourself.

Many flight attendants love the job because of the time they spend in between flights in new cities all over the country and the world. Can you think of another job that allows you to work for ten hours on a flight to London and then gives you three days to rest and enjoy the sites of London before you return home? The longer you are a flight attendant for most airlines, the further you can travel and the more exotic places you can visit.

If you are looking for a new job or to change to a more exciting career, check out the opportunities that exist to train to be a flight attendant. Most flight attendant positions only require a few weeks of training and then you can start working right away! So consider whether or not being a flight attendant might be the perfect job for you!

Become A Summer Lifeguard

2010-07-06T00:17:00.001-07:00

It is getting to be that time of year when students and young people of all ages are looking for a job to do in the summer. If you are one of those young people, and if you are anything like my own children, then you want a job that will pay you a lot and that you will really enjoy. Perhaps you should consider being a lifeguard this summer.

Being a lifeguard during the summer has many advantages. But first, you have to become certified if you want to be able to legally lifeguard. Look for information in your newspaper, at your school, or online about when and where the certification classes will be offered for lifeguard training. Whether or not you realize it now, being a lifeguard is a huge responsibility, so take it seriously and get the best training you can find.

Once you are properly certified to become a lifeguard, then you can begin looking for the right job for you. One of the most obvious benefits of being a lifeguard is that you get to spend your summers mostly outside. For people who love the heat and the water, there can be no better way to pass your days. Many lifeguards you see are the most tan people around by the end of the summer.

But don't become a lifeguard just to get a tan. Think instead about how many people's lives you are working to protect. Everyone needs to know that there job is valuable, and a lifeguard should be assured that their job truly matters and that they have an important role to play. Just think about the responsibility you have to keep an eye on the beach before you and to be the first to keep people safe and to rescue them if there is a problem in the water.

Learning how to lifeguard is a great skill to have. You will never regret learning how to swim properly and learning techniques for saving people struggling in the water. So find out the details about becoming a lifeguard in your area this summer and then pursue it. See what fun you can have spending your days on the beach, meeting new people and getting the chance to protect and keep them safe. There is no better feeling, and no better job, then one you love and that matters all at the same time.

Become a Computer Software Engineer

2010-07-06T00:15:00.001-07:00

According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, computer engineers will be one of the fastest growing occupations over next 7 years. To help meet this demand, students seeking Computer Careers will need at least a bachelor's degree in computer engineering or computer science. If you're interested in taking advantage of this projected boom, you will need to pursue a Career in IT. You can either earn your degree from Online Computer Schools, or campus based Computer Training.

Computers and information technology is a part of our daily lives, and new technology is being developed at a fast pace. Computer Training is needed to help expand new computer software systems and to include new technologies and applications. The skills needed for Careers in IT change all of the time reflecting changes in technology and the growing needs of companies. Computer software engineers research, design, develop, and test operating systems-level software, compilers and network distribution software. They work with medical, industrial, military, communications, aerospace, business, and scientific and general computing applications. Software engineers set operational specifications and formulate and analyze software requirements

Computer engineers need the skills to create functional and technical design qualifications for software development. They must also have solid programming skills, and be familiar with data types, syntax and control structures. Along with the ability to correctly analyze information, software engineers also need to be able to fix multifaceted application glitches and be able to produce quality requirement specifications, design documents and test plans. Problem solving and working as a team are also necessary parts of working as a software engineer.

Now is the time to earn a Computer Degree in a computer-related discipline, as it is required for most software engineering positions. Growth in the technology field will be driven by the rapid growth in the technology sector. Demand for careers as a computer software engineer is expected to grow as computer applications continue to expand.

Melissa Steele, College Degrees @ EducationGuys.com Writer.

Be Aware to the Characteristic of your Interviewer

2010-07-03T23:44:00.000-07:00

I’ve observed that people who interview job candidates tend to enhance a certain individual distinction. If you can sense an interviewer's style and build rapport, you’ll have confidence in specific information.

Here are the following characteristics:

Inattentive

There is a time that the interviewer isn’t mentally present, maybe he/she is thinking of something more important or something happened before your interview that really bothered his/her mind. It’s impossible to impress this kind of interviewer that is distracted of something. So to keep a good impression, smile and don’t panic. Just give your best approach and offer him/her to reschedule. But be sure to address to him/her the important message and be prepared to the following interview.

Friendly

This is the type of interviewer that gives jokes, smiles and tells you to take an ease. But he/she aims for you to put in a relaxed stated where you unconsciously expose too much information (ones that can be detrimental to your career) about yourself. You should be kind and friendly but always remember that you shouldn’t also get carried away. Stick with your goal.

Interrogator

This is a typical type of interviewer that seems not to show any emotion and inflicts tension to the applicants. The best thing you can do is stay calm, focus, show respect and confidence. This kind of interviewer observes how you can deal in this kind of scenario. And remember that most interrogator types of interviewers often became your best advocate throughout your interview process or even into the job.

Laser Beam

He/she only focuses on one topic. Like discussing about quotas, this style is for line managers. You should do is to fulfill his/her expectations to you. Satisfy his/her judgment and move on.

Shotgun

This is the type that wants to discuss anything. The questions are all over the place, you even don’t have a vacant time because he/she is full of questions. This is where your anxious presentation really pays off, because you can involve your strengths to many distinct exposure of the job.

Silver bullet

Believes there's one magic question to ask -- and one magic response that determines whether you're right for the job. The Silver Bullet asks a few hasty questions about your skills. Then ask “off-the-wall” question, which he/she will ask questions you didn’t expect. Even though these questions don’t have a wrong answer he/she decides if it’s yes or no. Simply answer every question and don’t worry about your answers too much.

Alter Your Approach to the Interviewer
You step into a situation of power when you identify the interviewer's style and adjust your approach accordingly. As you prepare for the interview, ask yourself, "How might my answers be different for different interview styles?"
With a Laser Beam, for example, you might offer him a choice when you begin answering a question ("Would you like to talk about this aspect of the job or that one?"). An achievement story for a Friendly Interviewer might focus more on your teamwork skills, and the same story for an Interrogator Interviewer might begin by stating the results of your individual work. The more you show your emotional knowledge by understanding the interviewer's objective for that interview, the more likely he'll be to listen to you.

Become a Healthcare Professional

2010-07-03T07:47:00.000-07:00

Become A Flight Attendant

2010-07-03T03:46:00.000-07:00

Become a Computer Software Engineer

2010-07-03T01:45:00.000-07:00

Be A Performer In Your Job

2010-07-02T23:44:00.001-07:00

Over the years I have been able to maintain as a performer in my jobs. I have work for more than 5 years and I had work in a few companies before. I am able to maintain between the results of above average and outstanding every time when comes to annual performance review. Below are some of the attitude and mindset that I adopted in my job:

1. Do more than expected. When you are expected to solve 1 task, don’t only solve that 1 task. Solve more than 1 task. A lot of people are not willing to do more. They thought that if they do more, they will lose out. This is not a correct mindset. Only by doing more, you will learn more. By doing more, you create additional value for yourself. And a boss likes subordinate who willing to do more.

2. When you finish your task, don’t just sit there and wait for your boss to assign you the second task. Go and ask for more, be proactive. Your boss will be impress.

3. Act and think that the company is own by you. If you are the owner of your company, I am sure that you will be 100% commited when you do your work. You will do your best for your own company.

4. Learn to like your job. Like what you are doing. If you really not able to like your job, then change to a job that you like.

5. Willing to share your knowledge with others. Many people are not willing to share what they know to others because they want to keep the knowledge to themselves. They don’t want other people to know that so that they can become more valuable to the company. Indeed this is not true. If you continue to keep the same knowledge to yourself, then you will not be going far. One of the important criteria to be promoted to a bigger role is that you need to know how to coach your subordinate. If you don’t share what you know, then you won’t be given that bigger responsibility. If you are willing to share your knowledge and you are good enough, people will know and they will respect you as an expert.

6. Don’t try to challenge your boss. I’m not asking you to be a yes man. You need to show your boss that you can think. But you must be professional even you don’t agree with your boss. You still need to follow their order even if you don’t agree with them.

7. Team work is important. You must know how to work wells with other as a team.

8. Strive to be the expert in your industry. Read and learn more about the industry.

If you have the correct mindset, no matter where you work, you will always get recognized and you will always be the performer.

Be a great internet presenter

2010-07-01T05:53:00.000-07:00

Anyone involved in internet marketing may think speeches and presentations are not important skills for them, but that is not true. The web pages that grab attention now use audio and video streaming, the face behind the site is going to be exposed sooner or later. In webinars and conference calls, presentation skills are crucial You may have chosen a home based business because you prefer lone working: most people find making a speech more scary than dying! And because they dread it so much, they convince themselves it will be awful. As we all know, these predictions become self-fulfilling.

With a little preparation you can be a killer presenter rather than a dead one - make your presentations memorable, fulfilling your purpose and meeting the needs of your chosen audience. Challenge yourself to take a radical approach to the whole business of presenting with some simple techniques that you can adapt to suit. If you deliver a speech in your style you will enjoy it more, and so will your public. Everyone needs to make good speeches or presentations – if you get involved in network marketing your presentations are key to earning your living. We all see a lot of presentations and some are memorable for all the right reasons – stimulating and interesting, leaving the audience wanting more. Others could at best be used as cures for insomnia, or can make the audience resent the waste of their time. The best presenters deliver a clear message with conviction and work hard to engage the audience, with impressive results. The converse is also true: no amount of technical expertise will help if there is no message in the talk, or if the speaker clearly has no faith in it.

Never overload your listeners with excessive detail: few, if any, talks are purely for information exchange despite what many people think. They are for building credibility, respect, understanding, trust or relationships - but for pure information download they are inappropriate. Of course information is exchanged but not as much as the average speaker hopes or expects. Use visual aids if they serve a purpose, but not as a hiding place. They should support the message in the way that best meets the needs of the audience. Never read verbatim from notes, or simply repeat the bullet points on your slides, because it’s a waste of everyone’s time. If you have nothing to add, then you don’t need to be there!

Thorough preparation
‘It usually takes more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.’
Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)
‘Public speaking is very easy’ Dan Quayle, US Vice-president to George Bush 1989- 1993

Always know the outcome you want from a presentation. It may be to tell people about your business, secure their co-operation, or sell them something. Ask the right questions from the outset to clarify the purpose and appropriate style. First, why are you speaking? Who are your audience and what will you want them to do as a result of listening to you? How can you influence the outcome? It is pointless giving any talk if you don’t know why you’re there. You will check that your message is clear: can you explain the key ideas in two sentences? How can you support that message in a memorable way?

Now prepare your speech outline: like any good story a presentation needs a beginning, middle and an end.
Beginning
· Who you are and why you are making this presentation
· What your presentation is about and why it is being given
· Why it will be of interest to them
· How long it will take
· When and if they can ask questions
· Whether there will be handouts
· What you hope to achieve by the end of the presentation
Middle
· Essential facts relevant to the group you are presenting to. What is the key thing you want the audience to understand?
· What logical order will you follow?
· ‘Nice to know’ points to be added if time permits
End
· Bring together and summarise the main points of your discussion
· Thank the audience and invite questions

Emotional State
It is good for your emotional state to feel prepared, and a courtesy to your audience Stage fright is less apparent to the audience than to the speaker. Most accomplished speakers still experience it, but they manage their emotional state to overcome it. It does not matter how you get into a good emotional state; the results are the same. Always arrive early for presentations and while you relax for a few minutes, mentally rehearse how you want it to go. The difference between enjoying your presentation and dreading it is the way you use the nervous reaction. By taking control and using the adrenalin rush positively you can perform well and come away satisfied that you have achieved what you aimed for in your presentation.

You can improve your physical state, to support your emotional state. Keep your voice well-lubricated, but not with tea/coffee/alcohol – these dry out your vocal chords. Drink water and if necessary have a cup with you (placed safely out of the way) during your presentation.

Be conscious of how you breathe. When you breathe in, aim to feel as if you take air in as low down in your body as possible without your shoulders having to rise. Take a relaxed, deep breath before you start to speak. It will make you feel calmer and more confident.

Don’t do all the talking if you don’t want to – get others to participate by challenging your listeners, asking them questions and stimulating discussion.

Good posture is very important if you want to get the best out of your voice. Remember to stand up straight.

Warm up your voice! Chew an imaginary toffee! Hum gently up and down! A properly warmed-up voice will sound alive and free. Massage your face to warm and relax the muscles

If you find your mouth getting dry during the presentation – gently bite the tip of your tongue. This releases saliva back into your mouth

Stretch, tense and relax your whole body. Shake your fingers and wrists, roll right and left shoulders individually and then together.

Presentation skills
Your presentation skills give your words life. It is not a good idea to give a ‘canned’ presentation. Rehearse. Prepare and practice by all means – but let the material take second place to your energy and individuality. You want a certain outcome. If you fix your presentation too rigidly it becomes an end in itself rather than a means to an end.

Any effective talk must communicate your arguments and ideas, persuade your audience that they are true, and be interesting and entertaining. Business speakers sometimes forget about the third item, thinking (mistakenly) that work is serious and entertainment plays no part in formal presentations. Some think it follows automatically from the first two (it doesn't). Others believe that if a talk is entertaining, it can’t at the same time contain a serious message. Not true: you can communicate and persuade effectively and entertain at the same time. Keeping your audience interested and involved is essential because you need their full attention to get the message across.

Listening is hard work, especially at conferences. When audiences attend talks over a period of several hours, they need the speaker's help to maintain their focus, or one conference speech merges with another. This is the true meaning of "entertainment." With serious topics entertainment doesn't mean making your audience laugh out loud. Instead, it's about helping them stay focused on and interested in what you have to say.

Begin by reminding them how long your speech will be, and whether you are taking questions during the presentation, afterwards – or even not at all! During the presentation look around – make eye contact with as many people as possible. Move around if you feel more comfortable, use your hands to express yourself – but avoid distracting mannerisms. Remember to smile! (some of the audience may be as nervous as you). Focus on the people who are nodding and showing the most interest. This will help bring the rest on board.

Winding up
Finish your speech with a positive summary of the key points and point the way ahead – question time, follow-up contact: whatever you are offering. THANK THEM for listening. Stay professional even with a hostile audience

It is a myth that experienced presenters don’t need to prepare thoroughly. After all, they are coming along to hear what you say – people may even be paying to hear you. If you are properly prepared you will be remembered for all the right reasons.

Bartending School Is Just The Beginning

2010-07-01T03:52:00.000-07:00

While you may be thinking about attending bartending school, keep in mind that a bartending career is not all fun and games.

Bartenders work hard, and are often paid minimum wage. Working at a top club will, of course, up your take-home pay in the form of tips (sometimes as much as thousands per night), but you'll have to do your time and gain experience at smaller clubs and bars first. Initially, you’ll also work the less crowded shifts.

Some bars and clubs even require new bartenders to work as barbacks first – this means you’ll be schlepping beer and liquor from the storage room to the bar, washing glasses and cleaning up. Not nearly as glamorous as you might have dreamed. As a barback, you’ll earn a portion of the bartender’s tips for the night.

The hours are often long, you're on your feet the whole time and might have to deal with a lot of rude customers. Aside from that, once you’ve moved up in the ranks and have the popular, crowded shifts – those that you make the most money with – you’ll never have Friday or Saturday nights free. You’ll be working.

If you still are thinking about attending bartending school, make sure you pick a reputable organization. You can also attend bartending school online. Many bartending schools offer job placement assistance one you finish your courses – if you don’t have a job lined up already, you’ll want help finding one.

The best bartenders have an outgoing personality, are patient and tolerant of customers who may have had one too many and are able to multitask and work under pressure. Remember, you’ll be on a virtual stage once behind the bar, with a lot of eyes watching you!

Once you’ve completed bartending school and started your first job, know that you will make mistakes. It’s your ability to recover from them with grace and humor that will keep you going.

Bartending Pro Tips Part 2:

2010-07-01T01:50:00.000-07:00

This article is a continuation of Bartending Pro Tips Part 1: How to Make Money and Have Fun With a Career In Bartending

8. If there is trouble or violence try, at all costs, to avoid coming out from behind the bar. Raise your voice and attempt to take control verbally, while you are dialing 911. Many bars do not provide security. A personal friend of mine came out from behind the bar and hit an assailant with a full bar bottle since the assault was against a woman. That bartender (who owned the bar) is still in prison not because the bad guy died days later, but because the bartender “came out from behind the bar.”

9. Tip jars are sort of an optional thing, depending on the type of bar. If you follow the sort of relationship-building techniques I have suggested, then when your customer is cashing out it should be a face-to-face, handshake-to-handshake experience They are a lot more likely to deal with you fairly (maybe show off a little bit too) than if they can sneak a few quarters and a dime into a tip jar when you are busy. If you have waiter and waitress staff, one surly server can easily cost you a considerable amount, and that is only if you ever even see their tips. Tip and bar/service accounts should, in my opinion, be kept separate and are in many establishments.

10. That naturally brings me to keeping the other staff happy! Their ability to make money has to do with how well the drinks are made and how quickly they can deliver them, so there is a delicate balance between your bar customers and the table customers. Keep an eye on your own customers, and try to anticipate when they might need another drink. Take care of it, in advance, and if you you are filling table orders (very important) always acknowledge your bar customers and let them know that you noticed. Assure them that their drink is coming right up!

11. Even if it is not within your job description, help the table staff clean up and flip the chairs. Support them any way you can. The only time I would ever advise coming out from behind the bar would be in defense of the staff, and, even then, yell loudly, several times (to staff mostly), for someone to call 911. They will need to know that they have your support (even in if your place of employment has bouncers), so just always do what you can to protect their sense of having a good place to work because, in spite of all your efforts to provide a fun atmosphere for your customers, unhappy staff can detract from that.

12. When you have time, spend time talking with your customers. Don’t sit on a stool sipping a coke and obviously trying to find some time alone, even if you are “on break.” You can be on break at home. Talk news, talk about local folks and interesting places, but more importantly try and get them talking about what is important to them. They aren’t in a library, they are in a bar, and maybe they want to talk, a lot more than be talked to. It’s easy to walk away when you get busy; they can wait and, if they can’t, start gauging their intoxication level.

13. Thank every customer for having spent their time there with you and, if possible, shake their hand. That sort of thing means a lot to people and will keep them coming back. Look them in the eye, particularly when they are cashing out. (Tip Time)

14. If that moment isn’t available, because you are otherwise involved, when you see them rise to leave (and you are sure the bill is cleared), just yell over your shoulder “Hey (name) thanks! Be careful and come back, OK?”

15. Study any bartender’s book on mixed libations carefully, but it’s just as important to watch your co-workers mix drinks. It is a craft that can be learned from experience. If anyone requests a drink that might be from their local area, or by a name you are not familiar with, don’t be ashamed to say “Hey, I don’t know it but I’ll make it right now. Teach me!” They will usually be proud to.

Some bars are just crazy some nights, or are just always that way, and you might be one of four or five bartenders with very little time to employ some of these techniques, especially with loud music or live bands. I know, I have worked in them as well but, even so, you will have brief moments when you can utilize these suggestions and, believe me, they will pay off. Even with multiple and busy bartending situations, customers will seek you out, try to sit near where you are working and, when you aren’t working, they will ask when you are going to be working next.

By the way, once you have a “following,” changing jobs is easy!

Bartending is a fun, interesting and lively job! I have made up to $50,000 a year bartending as a second job!

Find a place you enjoy living, a bar you like and ENJOY work for a change!

Bartending Pro Tips Part 1:

2010-06-30T23:50:00.000-07:00

In a bar, you will find an interesting and diverse community of people who will seek out fine bartending, not only for the relaxation and camaraderie, but also for a familiar and comfortable environment where they are recognized and accepted. For many people, in this competitive and aggressive world, a bar may be a sole source of sustenance for those basic things that are so essential to us all as humans. We are, after all, social beings.

Who doesn’t recall an episode of the television series “Cheers” when every time one of the leading characters would walk in, the entire bar would erupt in the chorus of “Hey Norm?”

Few of us are entitled to such a universal form of recognition and instant acceptance from bar patrons, but an excellent bartender can provide almost the same sort of experience for customers.

I bartended to work my way through both undergraduate and graduate school, and have gone back to it several times when I grew weary of corporate life. The money (if you do it right) is about the same anyway, and, admittedly, it is tiring and demanding, like any job, but it is a heck of a lot more fun!

Every bar is different in its nature and appeal (strip bar vs. a restaurant’s cocktail lounge), so this is not a “one size fits all” but, for the most part, if you follow these few words of advice, you can make it both enjoyable and very profitable!

1. Welcome all of your customers as though you know them and introduce yourself. Remember their names and welcome them, using their names, the next time they visit. (Keep a legal pad if you need too, “gray beard, thick glasses, name George, drinks Bud”…and any quirks you can note that will help you recall. Failing that just say “Hey good to see you again!” Just think of it like if you were having a party in your own home.. It’s easy!

2. Always keep in mind what their drink of choice is and be prepared to offer them their preference. You should already know the names and preferences of your regulars.

3. If a customer comes accompanied by a date or companion, treat them both as if they are royalty, address the customer as in “Wonderful to see you again, Mr. or Ms so and so (if they are a regular). And what can I do especially for your guest?” Be sure to use the finest glass for their friend. If you treat them with that sort of respect, you cannot only expect a nice tip, but you can bet that they will be back over and over, and looking for you.

4. Yes, do remember jokes. Remember them when you hear them and study them on the Internet. Internet jokes are so boring that most of us just delete them, but ahhh…the telling of a joke is just that, it is the delivery and the story telling that makes it both interesting and amusing. Be prepared to have at least two new ones on every shift.

5. Your smile and your obvious enjoyment of both your job and your customers are worth a lot more than tossing bottles about or doing circus tricks. If you can do it, well it doesn’t hurt, but most folks are there for a drink, company and the respect and recognition that they don’t receive in day-to-day life.

6. Depending on the policy of your employer, when customers come in for the first time, and have just one beer while reading the newspaper or looking around, and then start to leave, slide them a free beer/drink and say “I am glad that you came in and I have enjoyed your company,” (calling them by name, of course). “My name is so and so, and please do come back.” Pay for that beer/drink out of your tips if you must; you will get it back, ten-fold.

7. Remember that these are customers. They are not really your buddies, so stay professional.

8. Though you will have many opportunities for intimate encounters, stay focused on your career and that you are there to make a living. Don’t ever forget that “one night stands” are never just that in the bartending world; the customer you became close with will likely be sitting on the other side of the bar, within a few days, regardless of how much you regret that moment.

Tips 9-13 are not listed due to article length constraints. Please visit our website listed in the resource/bio box for part two of these bartending income generating tips or look for Part 2 of this series on this website titled: Bartending Pro Tips Part 2: How to Make Money and Have Fun With a Career In Bartending!

Bartending: Building A Foundation For A Profitable and Rewarding Career

2010-06-30T22:47:00.000-07:00

Dating back thousands of years, bartending began as a trade by those that produced liquor and in turn sold it to the public. This was not only a profitable venture for these early bartenders, but provided a product in huge demand by the public. Historically humans have always had a fondness for spirits which is an enormous benefit to those pursuing a bartending career. Prohibition makes a very clear case that people want their drinks and demand is not quashed by the absence of product.

Very few careers can offer you virtually guaranteed placement in literally any place you wish to live and work in the world. Most bartenders, in fact, earn more than entry level college graduates, with some eventually earning 6 figure incomes.

Becoming a successful bartender takes more than just learning to spin drink recipes. The professional bartender is well versed on the legal and business ramifications of alcohol management and service. Today's bartenders are a breed apart, savvy and knowledgeable performers in a fast paced exciting environment. Simply put, there is no aspect more vital to a professional bartending career than the foundation built by a quality bartending school. Bartending schools provide more than just preparation, they directly effect how much you earn from your very first day on the job. Some certifications, such as TIPS ® (Training for Intervention Procedures or TAM ® (Techniques in Alcohol Management) are required by law in many states.

Given the earning potential bartending offers as a career, the cost of attending a quality bartending school becomes a wise investment rather than an expense. Most bartending schools are very affordable, require very little time (as little as 2 weeks), and can be found in nearly every state in the country. Bartending-World.com offers a state by state listing of reputable bartending schools that make selecting a school a breeze. When selecting a bartending school, make sure to ask these questions, and be leery of those that cannot offer answers.

What is the schools' industry reputation and how long have they been teaching? Look for a school well recognized in the bartending education industry. Many schools have a long history making research easy.

What are the size of the classes and how well equipped are they? Look for low teacher to student ratios and facilities that mimic actual working environments as closely as possible.

Is the bartending school licensed by the state? What credentials are required for the instructors? Verifying that a school is actually licensed by the state they teach in is important. Find out what they look for when they hire instructors. Instructors, if well chosen, are industry vets that can provide invaluable insight into the bartending industry.

Can you be given references of graduates who are working in the industry? What is the bartending school's job placement policy? Any reputable school will have working graduates who will endorse the school. If not, you need to be careful. A successful job placement plan is always indicative of a good training facility. If local bars have had success with hiring quality graduates then you can rest assured that school is worth a second look.

Bartending offers a rewarding and profitable career for those that are serious about their pursuit. While there is a lot of hard work involved, the excitement and fun of the atmosphere is hard to beat. Investing in a quality education will put you on the fast track to maximized earnings in bartending.

Background Requirements For A Career In Biotechnology

2010-06-30T07:09:00.000-07:00

If you’re seeking a career in biotechnology, one thing is for certain ... the more education you have, the higher up you can go. The fact is, no matter where you wind up working, you will be surrounded by people with Ph.D.'s and medical degrees. It is highly unlikely that an individual without an advanced degree such as these will get to the top of the corporate chain.

Therefore a bachelor's degree in the life sciences is a bare minimum. After that, it is recommended that you pursue an advanced degree; whether it be a master's degree or higher. Common degrees include; molecular biology, cell physiology, biochemistry, genetics and the like.

You should plan to take as many labs in college as possible as these will provide you with hands-on experience. Teaching as a student-teacher is also a wise move, as is becoming a part of a research project. It is possible to co-author a quality research paper before you ever even graduate with a bachelor's degree.

Biotechnologists frequently gain employment for biotech corporations. Over the last two decades, thousands of biotech corporations have sprung up around the globe. From start-ups to companies the size of Amgen, the choices range from pay to research to prestige.

Employment in the biotech industry may also be sought in academic institutes; such as universities and non-profit organizations. These typically pay less than biotech corporations, but may have more opportunities for independent research.

As a biotechnologist, you will spend most of your work hours in a laboratory. The work can be tedious and requires patience, but many truly enjoy working with their hands. You will design and carry out experiments and will need to keep good records.

The best biotechnologists enjoy innovation and the spirit of helping to advance society. If you choose biotechnology as a career, you can expect to be right on the cutting edge of technology.

Avoid These Resume Mistakes!

2010-06-30T05:08:00.000-07:00

It is a mistake to think of your resume as a history of your past, as a personal statement or as some sort of self expression. Sure, most of the content of any resume is focused on your job history. But write from the intention to create interest, to persuade the employer to call you. If you write with that goal, your final product will be very different than if you write to inform or catalog your job history.

Most people write a resume because everyone knows that you have to have one to get a job. They write their resume grudgingly, to fulfill this obligation. Writing the resume is only slightly above filling out income tax forms in the hierarchy of worldly delights. If you realize that a great resume can be your ticket to getting exactly the job you want, you may be able to muster some genuine enthusiasm for creating a real masterpiece, rather than the feeble products most people turn out.

The good news is that, with a little extra effort, you can create a resume that makes you really stand out as a superior candidate for a job you are seeking. Not one resume in a hundred follows the principles that stir the interest of prospective employers. So, even if you face fierce competition, with a well written resume you should be invited to interview more often than many people more qualified than you.

Set aside at least three hours (that's an average length of time to complete a resume if all goes smoothly). Before you start, print out the following set of notes and tape it to your computer, on the wall next to your desk, or someplace where you'll see it throughout the process.

Resume Tips:

Your resume is about your future; NOT your past.

It is not a confessional. In other words, you don't have to tell all. Stick to what's relevant and marketable.

Don't write a list of job descriptions. Write achievements!

Promote only skills you enjoy using. Never write about things you don't want to repeat.

Be honest. You can be creative, but don't lie.

Aviation Maintenance Job Boards

2010-06-30T03:07:00.000-07:00

Aviation maintenance opportunities can be found on various sites on the internet. Some job sites specialize in maintenance opportunities, while others do not, however they still manage to list their fair share of relevant opportunities. Please read on to learn about several key sites available to you.

Aerotek – Billing themselves as the leading technical and engineering staffing agency, Aerotek features jobs in eleven different specialties, including aviation. Job titles featured include: avionics technician, A&P mechanic, aircraft mechanic, quality assurance, and more. Visit www.aerotek.com for more information.

Aviation Employment Board – A free job listing site, this board lists job opportunities across the field of business and commercial aviation. Registration is free and you can post your resume for free as well. Visit www.aviationemploymentboard.net for more information.

Monster – One of the largest job boards on the internet, Monster has over 800,000 opportunities available. Aviation job listings are somewhat limited, but some good opportunities are posted from time to time. Registration is free and you can post your resume for free as well. Visit www.monster.com for more information.

Hot Jobs – Owned by Yahoo, Hot Jobs is job site listing several hundred thousand opportunities at any given time. Aviation opportunities are limited, however. Registration is free and you can post your resume for free as well. Visit www.hotjobs.com for more information.

Nation Job – Since 1988, Nation Job has been a leader in electronic recruitment. The site offers free access to visitors, no registration required. Usually several hundred maintenance opportunities are featured at any given time.

Career Builder – This is the largest job opportunity site on the internet, with over one million jobs listed. Aviation opportunities are listed; the site compares favorably with Monster as far as the number of aviation opportunities available. Registration is free and you can post your resume for free as well. Visit www.careerbuilder.com for more information.

Aviation Employment – Listing more aviation maintenance opportunities then anyone else, Aviation Employment is a free site, no registration required. Typically, over one thousand aviation jobs are listed at any given time. To learn more, visit www.aviationemployment.com

PAMA – The Professional Maintenance Aviation Association is a private organization dedicated to furthering professionalism amongst members of the aviation maintenance community. Membership starts at $49 per year which allows for members to view jobs and access other member benefits. Visit www.pama.org for more information.

Other boards listing aviation maintenance positions include: Plane Jobs, AEPS, Avianation, Climb to 350, and Avjobs. Leading companies are always hiring, contact prospective employers directly.

Aviation Employment Boards And Finding Work

2010-06-30T01:06:00.000-07:00

Finding work in the aviation industry involves spending time on the internet researching companies, obtaining contact information, and doing plenty of cold calling before landing your first interview. Fortunately, there are numerous sites online providing excellent information on how to find work. Let’s take a look at some of the more important ones.

Major Job Boards: Three national job boards list the majority of opportunities available for all job fields, including those outside of aviation. Monster.com, Career Builder, and Yahoo’s Hot Jobs are favorite sources for listing jobs. All three offer free registration as well as free access to available opportunities.

Major Aviation Sites: Quite a number of sites featuring aviation opportunities exist. Most require registration and only a few, including the Aviation Employment Board, do not charge membership fees.

Top sites include:

AEPS.com

AtlasAviation.com

AvCrew.com

AviaNation.com

Aviation.Thingamajob.com

AviationEmployment.com

AviationEmploymentBoard.net

AviationJobsOnline.com

Avjobs.com

Climbto350.com

FlightInternationalJobs.com

FliteInfo.com

NationsJobs.com

ParcAviation.aero

The following sites can help you find work, they are agencies and will require you to register and pay a fee:

IntegrityFlightCrews.com

Jet-Professionals.com

JSFirm.com

In addition there are scores of smaller or specialized sites out there for specific career choices such as for pilots, flight attendants, and others:

CorporateFlyer.net

PilotJobs.com

Not all sites are listed, but with a Google search others can easily be turned up. Be aware that some sites simply copy job opportunities from other sites, so you may be paying for something that is otherwise free!

Aviation Dispatcher Job Sites

2010-06-30T00:06:00.001-07:00

Employment opportunities for flight dispatchers are often available through one of the major airlines as well as with one of the regional carriers. However, the best opportunities for pay and autonomy is typically through a private jet operator. Finding work with

Aviation Employment Board – A free site, the Aviation Employment Board features job openings for business and commercial aviation. Registration is free and you may post your resume for free as well. Visit www.aviationemploymentboard.net for all the details.

Hot Jobs – Owned by search engine giant Yahoo, Hot Jobs is a job board that lists hundreds of thousands of opportunities at any given time. Aviation opportunities are, however, fairly limited. Registration is free and you may list your resume for free too. Visit www.hotjobs.com to find out more.

Climb to 350 – One of the largest aviation sites online, Climb to 350 lists an assortment of opportunities including Aviation Dispatcher positions. Their annual fee is $105, but occasionally the site runs specials where the charge drops to $49 for one year. Visit www.climbto350.com for more information.

NBAA – The National Business Aviation Association is the premier organization representing private jet operators. If you are a member of the NBAA – annual dues are generally assessed at $350 per person or organization – then you have access to the association’s job board which lists opportunities generally not found elsewhere. Visit www.nbaa.org for more information.

Other sites listing Aviation Dispatcher positions include: Aviation Jobs Online, Skyjobs, AvCrew, AEPS, and JS Firm. Belonging to more than one paid site is generally a waste of money as virtually all the paid sites share similar job opportunities.

Automotive Technical Schools Keeping Up With the Times

2010-06-29T05:03:00.000-07:00

Recent and proposed changes in emissions laws as they pertain to newly manufactured automobiles has prompted the auto industry to rethink it's focus on fuel economy. Though manufacturers have reacted to legislative changes by developing and promoting hybrid and fuel cell powered vehicles, very few car owners have made the switch. The expense of research and development in addition to revised manufacturing platforms has put environmentally friendly vehicles out of reach for the average consumer. Still, the writing is on the wall in terms of the automotive industries future regarding reduced emissions.

Despite the fact the low emission vehicles make up less than one percent of the nations overall vehicle ownership, many in the industry are preparing for eventuality of a market dominated by hybrid cars and trucks. Automotive technical schools, the institutions by which the mechanically inclined learn the skill sets and knowledge necessary for auto and diesel repair work, are already gearing up for the changes. In addition to teaching the intricacies of gas and diesel powered vehicles, several automotive technician schools are incorporating coursework that pertains to the specialized fuel systems and engine components of hybrid vehicles. Some are even offering entire programs based on the vehicles that have already been developed and are currently available on the market.

As with the information technology sector, educational institutions that offer automotive related programs must constantly keep abreast of trends in the industry as sweeping changes can happen seemingly overnight. Automotive technical schools are one of the few institutional entities that cater to modern technology and must keep their course offerings relative to the marketplace in order to adequately prepare graduates for what they will experience when employed. Unlike educational providers that offer IT curriculum, however, automotive technical schools are able to stay ahead of market driven changes as the average price of new vehicles keeps consumer spending relative to the age of technological advances.

Aseptic Technician Jobs Require Specific Experience Of Aseptic Techniques

2010-06-29T01:00:00.000-07:00

Aseptic technician jobs typically require qualifications in biology or microbiology up to degree level, and specific experience in aseptic practices. Aseptic techniques are used to prevent contamination, spoilage or unwanted fermentation during medical procedures or production processes.

Aseptic Techniques and Technicians

Aseptic techniques aim at keeping the concerned area free of microorganisms that cause the contamination etc. People are the greatest source of contamination and at the same time, people are needed to carry out processes. Aseptic technician's job is to help achieve desired levels of sterilization in the environment where processes are being carried out and monitor contamination levels.

Use of barriers between people and processes, clean rooms, sterile gloves and such practices help eliminate or minimize levels of possible contamination. The aseptic technician has to be familiar with the practices adopted and must have the training to understand the issues involved.

In pharmaceutical production, aseptic techniques involve mechanical aspects such as ensuring that the equipment, clean rooms and utilities are operated and maintained in a way that lead to an aseptic environment in production areas. This typically requires a mechanical aptitude, and engineers with relevant experience are considered for aseptic technician jobs.

In addition to aseptic practices and industry standards, the aseptic technician will also have to be familiar with applicable regulations so that the person can oversee compliance with these.

Who Needs Aseptic Technicians?

Hospitals need aseptic technicians to establish and oversee practices that prevent sepsis problems in general and in surgery rooms in particular.

The food industry needs aseptic technicians to ensure that the production processes will result in preventing spoilage of products before their expiry dates.

Pharmaceutical companies need aseptic technicians to oversee production practices and ensure that the products are manufactured in a manner that complies with applicable regulations and industry standards

Medical device and hospital supplies manufacturers also need aseptic technicians to ensure that their products meet aseptic considerations

Other businesses can also benefit from the expertise of aseptic technicians, though they might not employ them. Clinical laboratories, nursing homes and tetra pack manufacturers, for example, could do with asepsis related advice and support.

How Does the Aseptic Technician Work?

The specifications of the aseptic technician job will vary from industry to industry, and to a lesser extent, even from establishment to establishment. The following specifications by a chemotherapy services establishment can give you an idea of the work involved:

The aseptic technician will report to the Aseptic Services Manager and will work closely with clinical services, IV and day care teams.

The aseptic technician job involves:

Supporting the daily management of the chemotherapy unit and aseptic services unit,

Helping with creating and maintaining a quality management system for the aseptic unit,

Providing pharmacy input to the management of day care patient-centered chemotherapy service and

Contributing to the provision of clinical pharmacy services and dispensary.

The aseptic technician has to help establish and maintain good practices with regards to processes and/or internal conditions leading to an aseptic environment.

Are You Wasting Your Money on Diversity Training?

2010-06-28T22:59:00.000-07:00

If you are planning to spend money on diversity training, WAIT!

You may be wasting your money if you haven’t done any foundation building. If diversity and inclusion are not first integrated into your business strategy, very little will change just by holding one or two day training classes. Organizations in all sectors make this mistake and don’t realize it until it is too late.

If you want to leverage the diversity you already have, increase the diversity of your organization, or prevent cultural misunderstandings you need to create a corporate culture that is inclusive at all levels, and in every system and process.

You can get everyone trained by a great trainer, with a great program, but when people leave your organization they take what they learned with them (if they still remember it) and your organization remains the same. Further, reaching resisters and naysayers of diversity efforts is unlikely only with training—a more multi-faceted approach is needed to help these individuals see the value of diversity in their organizations and to bring a greater number of people on board to the initiative.

Simma's Strategies for Creating an Inclusive Organization

Here are some of the steps that need to be taken in order to create an inclusive organization.

Start at the top. It must be championed and led by the CEO and other people in the executive team. Leadership of a diversity and inclusion initiative or culture change cannot be delegated. Other people can help drive it, but it must be viewed as coming from the top. That also means you need to start including it in conversations, discussions, newsletters and e-mail.

Assess your organization with surveys, focus groups and interviews in order to identify strengths, challenges and areas for improvement as it relates to diversity, inclusion and employee satisfaction in specific areas.

Create a cohesive vision and strategy that is agreed upon by members of the executive leadership team. Know where you are going.

Engage all levels of senior management. They need to be part of the vision and have a clear understanding of concepts, roles, business case and benefits, in order to help lead the change.

Develop a communication and information sharing strategy and process in order to share that vision throughout the organization. Send the message in such a way that you create middle manager and employee buy-in. Help them understand how the diversity and inclusion/culture change process will benefit them personally, professionally and as an organization, That will involve internal marketing at all levels.

Use the results of the survey to address specific areas for improvement, most commonly; recruitment, interviewing, hiring, retention, promotion and performance evaluation. Examine your present organizational culture, and identify ways in which your organization can create a more inclusive environment.

Define skills and behaviors that managers need in order to make the initiative/culture change a success and successfully lead a diverse workforce.

Conduct training for all levels of your organization in areas related to diversity and inclusion.

Set up a process for accountability at all levels, relating progress to compensation and evaluations.

Measure results, create the buzz and make it exciting (if its not fun, it won’t be done)

The amount of time, order and the steps themselves depend on your organization and goals, but if you want to go beyond compliance, hear new ideas and best practices, reduce cultural misunderstanding and miscommunication, hire and retain the best of the best from everywhere, training alone won’t do it. Before you spend your next dollar on diversity training, ask yourselves if you just want people to have a good day, learn and forget a few things or do you want ongoing change that will make you a benchmark organization and the employer of choice.

Automobile: Easy care saves Money & the Environment

2010-06-28T22:02:00.000-07:00

Battery:
Add water distilled to the battery of your vehicle whenever it is necessary and if the battery requires it. Remember that the liquid need to surpass the level of the plates just a little, consider the measurement, since an excess also can be detrimental for your car.

Which is the mechanism by which the electrolyte of the battery is reduced?

The water contained in the electrolyte of the battery is electrolyzed by means of chemical reaction that takes place when the battery is recharged; the electrolyzed water is freed as gas of hydrogen and oxygen and the amount of electrolyte of the battery is reduced gradually. Also it is reduced due to the natural evaporation of the water.
How is judged the life utility of the battery? The life utility of the battery varies to a great extent depending on the situation of use, but normally it can say that it is of 2 to 4 years. One knows that the life utility of the battery almost is finished when they appear the following phenomena:
The speed of turn of the motor is slow when starting or the starter nontour.
* The tension of the battery lowers drastically when starting the motor, after it having even recharged sufficiently.
* The specific gravity of the electrolyte of the battery does not increase when recharging it.
* The specific gravity of the electrolyte of the battery varies to a great extent between different cells.
The volume of the battery electrolyte has been reduced enough. When judging the life utility of the battery several factors must be consider, among them the tension of the battery: if the tension is of 9V or more at the moment for taking the motor, it indicates a fluctuation or great reduction of the volume of the electrolyte.

Is deteriorated the battery if it is not used?

When the battery is not used absolutely, the stored energy is lost gradually. This takes place due to a slow chemical reaction between the plates positive and negative in the battery that causes one descharge. In addition to this, the electricity is consumed with the clock and other accessories of the automobile, even if the motor is not ignited. When the vehicle is not used during prolonged periods, it is recommended to start the engine once in a while during a sufficiently long period to recharge the battery or to put it in slow load.

What is what shortens the life utility of the battery?

A great unloading and recharges of the battery. For example when:
The vehicle is only used at night. (The electrical charge is greater.)
* The vehicle is stopped during long periods of time with the motor to the slow motion (minimum).
* The amount of generated electricity is small.
* The motor is often taken to the day. (The electrical charge is great.)
* Also when the temperature of the battery is high (circulation prolonged at low speeds or in clogging of traffic).
Lack of electrolyte in the battery.

Refrigeration:

When needs to add water in cooling system, never take off cover of radiator when motor is hot, because you could undergo burns since the liquid that is there is under high pressures and temperatures, wait until refrigeration system reduces its temperature, also is necessary to take the necessary safety measure.

System of Direction:
it’s recommended to inspect the system of the direction of your vehicle to verify a possible wearing down, that it can get to be a dangerous condition when drives your vehicle. Inspect the conditions of the direction steering wheel, as far as an excessive free game, strange slowness, or sounds. This is for your security, the control that you have on your car reside in the steering wheel.

Fuel saving:
When there is very low temperature; warm up the motor of 30 to 45 seconds. More time spends fuel uselessly. Accelerate little by little when it initiates his route, at moderate speed. Hope to that the temperature of the motor becomes stabilized to demand the total power of its automobile. If it accelerates thorough when starting, it can cause a wearing down of the motor, damage the spark plugs or the injectors and produce excessive coal deposits. Use an oil of good quality to give extra protection him to the motor in the starting, mainly to low temperatures. In cars of manual transmission, it changes of speed when the system allows it. The low speeds are designed to obtain a fast acceleration, whereas the fourth and villa is for saving combustible.
The maintenance of its car diminishes the fuel consumption in a 10%, in addition of which it will have a better yield. Review it every six months or every 10 thousand kilometers. Periodically maintain the air cleaner and change regularly. Watch the pressure of the tires, as well as the alignment and the balance. The short trips, mainly when the motor is cold, increase to the consumption of fuel and the contamination until in a 50%. Take off the car heavy objects that are not going to be used. By each 45 kilograms extra that it loads, the fuel consumption is increased in near 2%. In the city is preferable to use small cars, since they are economic, easy to manoeuvre and to park. When it handles in route, close the windows and use the inner ventilation, since to maintain them open it increases the air resistance on the vehicle and is greater fuel consumption. Do not abuse the air conditioned, as well as the heating. Not fill the tank until the top and verifies that or it is closed so that the fuel is not spilled or evaporates.

Are You Serious About Working At Home?

2010-06-28T21:58:00.000-07:00

Are you so serious about working at home that you would pay money to prove it? If you answer yes to that question, you are a prime target for scammers because this is one tactic they love to use. They may word it differently on various websites and advertisements, but the main point they want to get across is that by sending them your money, you will be "proving" how serious you are about working for them.

Nothing could be more ridiculous. Have you ever seen a legitimate company do something like this? Imagine applying for a job at any established company, and as you are handing your application to the receptionist, she says, "Thank you, Mr. Smith. In order to prove you are really serious about working for us, we will need to charge you a $19.95 application processing fee. Will that be cash or credit card?" Ridiculous, right?

Yet, that same intelligent, hard-working Mr. Smith would think nothing of sending his money to an obscure Paypal account if the owner claims to have work at home jobs available. It's just one more example of how scammers prey on your desperation to work at home. They know you are eagerly searching for a way to earn an income from home, and they know that you'll do anything to make that happen.

The good news is that this tactic makes the scammers incredibly transparent and easy to avoid. By asking for your money, they are "proving" that they do not have anything to offer you, because legitimate companies will not charge you any money to work for them.

So, how do you prove you're serious about working for a company that does offer legitimate work at home? It's a little more complex than whipping out the credit card. Here are three ways to make telecommuting employers sit up and take notice:

1) Make sure your resume and cover letter are in top form. If you're not confident about your ability to write your own resume and cover letter, definitely pay a professional to do them for you. A good cover letter can be all it takes to grab the attention of a hiring manager, while a targeted resume can accurately portray your skills and experience, which will result in getting that coveted interview.

2) Apply for jobs you are truly qualified for. While it may be tempting to apply for any home-based job you come across, your application will carry more weight if you focus on jobs that complement your experience and qualifications. Avoid applying for jobs that you are grossly overqualified or underqualified for, or jobs that have nothing to do with the experience you have. If an advertisement specifies that no experience is necessary, you can certainly apply, but be sure to mention in your cover letter why you feel you would be the best one for the job. Highlight any experience you do have that would help you to excel in this job.

3) Portray yourself as a true professional in every way. From the moment you begin composing your application, it is imperative to demonstrate why you would be an asset to the company. Give special attention to your application and review it several times to be sure there are no errors. Learn as much as you can about the proper way to apply for jobs, interview strategies, and professional etiquette. It may seem like a lot of effort, but it is time well-spent! The attention you put into the process will reveal a lot about you, and make you stand out from the other applicants who may be more careless.

See how easy that is? Okay, maybe it's not as easy as shelling out $19.95, but this way you'll actually EARN money, instead of losing it! It may take time and determination to get a legitimate work at home job, but if you do all you can to prepare yourself and approach it in the right way, you will be successful. And the next time someone asks you if you're serious about working at home, you can honestly answer yes -- and you won't have to touch your wallet to prove it.

Are You Sabotaging Your Career?

2010-06-27T09:04:00.000-07:00

My experience working with thousands of leaders world wide for the past two decades teaches me that most leaders are screwing up their careers.

On a daily basis, these leaders are getting the wrong results or the right results in the wrong ways.

Interestingly, they themselves are choosing to fail. They're actively sabotaging their own careers.

Leaders commit this sabotage for a simple reason: They make the fatal mistake of choosing to communicate with presentations and speeches -- not leadership talks.

In terms of boosting one's career, the difference between the two methods of leadership communication is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug.

Speeches/presentations primarily communicate information. Leadership talks, on the other hand, not only communicate information, they do more: They establish a deep, human emotional connection with the audience.

Why is the later connection necessary in leadership?

Look at it this way: Leaders do nothing more important than get results. There are generally two ways that leaders get results: They can order people to go from point A to point B; or they can have people WANT TO go from A to B.

Clearly, leaders who can instill "want to" in people, who motivate those people, are much more effective than leaders who can't or won't.

And the best way to instill "want to" is not simply to relate to people as if they are information receptacles but to relate to them on a deep, human, emotional way.

And you do it with leadership talks.

Here are a few examples of leadership talks.

When Churchill said, "We will fight on the beaches ... " That was a leadership talk.

When Kennedy said, "Ask not what your country can do for you ... " that was a leadership talk.

When Reagan said, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" That was a leadership talk.

You can come up with a lot of examples too. Go back to those moments when the words of a leader inspired people to take ardent action, and you've probably put your finger on an authentic leadership talk.

Mind you, I'm not just talking about great leaders of history. I'm also talking about the leaders in your organizations. After all, leaders speak 15 to 20 times a day: everything from formal speeches to informal chats. When those interactions are leadership talks, not just speeches or presentations, the effectiveness of those leaders is dramatically increased.

How do we put together leadership talks? It's not easy. Mastering leadership talks takes a rigorous application of many specific processes. As Clement Atlee said of that great master of leadership talks, Winston Churchill, "Winston spent the best years of his life preparing his impromptu talks."

Churchill, Kennedy, Reagan and others who were masters at giving leadership talks didn't actually call their communications "leadership talks", but they must have been conscious to some degree of the processes one must employ in putting a leadership talk together.

Here's how to start. If you plan to give a leadership talk, there are three questions you should ask. If you answer "no" to any one of those questions, you can't give one. You may be able to give a speech or presentation, but certainly not a leadership talk.

(1) DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE AUDIENCE NEEDS?
Winston Churchill said, "We must face the facts or they'll stab us in the back."

When you are trying to motivate people, the real facts are THEIR facts, their reality.

Their reality is composed of their needs. In many cases, their needs have nothing to do with your needs.

Most leaders don't get this. They think that their own needs, their organization's needs, are reality. That's okay if you're into ordering. As an order leader, you only need work with your reality. You simply have to tell people to get the job done. You don't have to know where they're coming from. But if you want to motivate them, you must work within their reality, not yours.

I call it "playing the game in the people's home park". There is no other way to motivate them consistently. If you insist on playing the game in your park, you'll be disappointed in the motivational outcome.

(2) CAN YOU BRING DEEP BELIEF TO WHAT YOU'RE SAYING?
Nobody wants to follow a leader who doesn't believe the job can get done. If you can't feel it, they won't do it.

But though you yourself must "want to" when it comes to the challenge you face, your motivation isn't the point. It's simply a given. If you're not motivated, you shouldn't be leading.

Here's the point: Can you TRANSFER your motivation to the people so they become as motivated as you are?
I call it THE MOTIVATIONAL TRANSFER, and it is one of the least understood and most important leadership determinants of all.

There are three ways you can make the transfer happen.

* CONVEY INFORMATION. Often, this is enough to get people motivated. For instance, many people have quit smoking because of information on the harmful effects of the habit

* MAKE SENSE. To be motivated, people must understand the rationality behind your challenge. Re: smoking: People have been motivated to quit because the information makes sense.

* TRANSMIT EXPERIENCE. This entails having the leader's experience become the people's experience. This can be the most effective method of all, for when the speaker's experience becomes the audience's experience, a deep sharing of emotions and ideas, a communing, can take place.

There are plenty of presentation and speech courses devoted to the first two methods, so I won't talk about those.

Here's a few thoughts on the third method. Generally speaking, humans learn in two ways: by acquiring intellectual understanding and through experience. In our schooling, the former predominates, but it is the latter which is most powerful in terms of inducing a deep sharing of emotions and ideas; for our experiences, which can be life's teachings, often lead us to profound awareness and purposeful action.

Look back at your schooling. Was it your book learning or your experiences, your interactions with teachers and students, that you remember most? In most cases, your experiences made the most telling impressions upon you.

To transfer your motivation to others, use what I call my "defining moment" technique, which I describe fully in my book, DEFINING MOMENT: MOTIVATING PEOPLE TO TAKE ACTION.

In brief, the technique is this: Put into sharp focus a particular experience of yours then communicate that focused experience to the people by describing the physical facts that gave you the emotion.

Now, here's the secret to the defining moment. That experience of yours must provide a lesson and that lesson is a solution to the needs of the people. Otherwise, they'll think you're just talking about yourself.

For the defining moment to work (i.e., for it to transfer your motivation to them), the experience must be about them. The experience happened to you, of course. But that experience becomes their experience when the lesson it communicates is a solution to their needs.

(3) CAN YOU HAVE THE AUDIENCE TAKE RIGHT ACTION?
Results don't happen unless people take action. After all, it's not what you say that's important in your leadership communications, it's what the people do after you have had your say.

Yet the vast majority of leaders don't have a clue as to what action truly is.

They get people taking the wrong action at the wrong time in the wrong way for the wrong results.

A key reason for this failure is they don't know how to deliver the all-important "leadership talk Call-to-action".

"Call" comes from an Old English word meaning "to shout." A Call-to-Action is a "shout for action." Implicit in the concept is urgency and forcefulness. But most leaders don't deliver the most effective Calls-to-action because they make three errors regarding it.

First, they err by mistaking the Call-to-Action as an order. Within the context of The Leadership Talk, a Call-to-action is not an order. Leave the order for the order leader.

Second, leaders err by mistaking the Call as theirs to give. The best Call-to-action is not the leader's to give. It's the people's to give. It's the people's to give to themselves. A true Call-to-action prompts people to motivate themselves to take action.

The vast majority of leaders I've worked with are hampering their careers for one simple reason: They're giving presentations and speeches -- not leadership talks.

You have a great opportunity to turbo charge your career by recognizing the power of leadership talks. Before you give a leadership talk, ask three basic questions. Do you know what the people need? Can you bring deep belief to what you're saying? Can you have the people take the right take action?

If you say "no" to any one of those questions you cannot give a leadership talk. But the questions aren't meant to be stumbling blocks to your leadership but stepping stones. If you answer "no", work on the questions until you can say, "yes". In that way, you'll start getting the right results in the right way on a consistent basis.

Are You Ready For The Next Level As A Professional

2010-06-27T06:03:00.000-07:00

A fully competent professional is someone who has mastered and outgrown his or her job. Are you a fully competent professional? Do you believe you have outgrown your job role? Are you looking to move up to the next level in your profession? If you answered yes to these questions, you are due for a promotion and/or it is time to progress to the next level or two in your profession.

Right now you may be feeling as though you are in a dead end job. In truth, however, there are no dead end job, since all jobs act as a stepping -stones to get to the next level. Rather, it is usually your own thinking and self-doubt that are haunting you and causing you to feel that you are stuck with this job for life and there is no way out.

But yes, it is true that you can get stuck in a job if you have nothing new to offer an employer. Does this apply to you? You can easily find out by evaluating what new skills, experiences and attributes you have acquired since taking on your current or last job role.

If you are serious about moving up the ranks, you will need to learn how to stay a step ahead of your competition. Ensure that you do not leave your industry self-development to your employer; rather, make sure that you are active in continuously working on improving yourself when it comes to the latest trends, terminologies, training and specialization schemes required in your industry. Those who do this are the ones who effortlessly get jobs and set the standard by which all other job applicant candidates are evaluated and judged as competent or not for a specific job role.

Remember, it is an employer’s market. You therefore need to develop industry-specific and job market-specific highly tuned skills to ensure you gain the edge over your competitors. To evaluate how advance your job market skills are, take this free job market performance assessment.

Are You Cut Out For Massage School?

2010-06-27T04:01:00.000-07:00

Over the past few years a definite trend has emerged regarding holistic and alternative medicines and therapies. People are becoming less eager to rely on prescribed medication and are looking for ways to maintain health and wellbeing in more alternative ways. For that reason, massage schools are becoming more common and there are many more prospective students. If you are considering attending a massage school for yourself it is worth reading the following information to help you make the right decision for your future.

Firstly, massage therapy is a form of holistic therapy and therefore an element of science is involved. An example of where this is required is regarding anatomical knowledge. While you do not need to know this prior to your course, it is important to remember that there is a degree of scientific learning to be done. However, this must be balanced by an artistic flair as this type of therapy is an art form in itself.

Training in massage does not give you the ability to perform treatments on any individual or area of the body. In fact, there are over 100 different types of massage currently being carried out, many of which require specific training or knowledge. For example, an Indian Head Massage is very different from a Swedish Body Massage, and an individual trained in one would not be bale to perform the other without further training. However, if you do not know the specific area of massage you would like to be trained in, undertaking a massage therapy course is possibly the best thing to do as it gives you a basic, and sound, understanding of the body and how massage works. In addition to this you will learn how to perform different massage techniques, and be given an insight into the more specific forms you may wish to go on to specialise in.

Individual massage schools require different qualifications and experience from their students before allowing them to enrol. However, generally you will require a high-school diploma, and any education undertaken after high school can be beneficial. Equally important though are the personal attributes of candidates. You will need to be calm, patient and personable in order to put your future clients at ease, and so these traits are very important to the massage schools.

If you feel that attending a massage school is right for you, you can find information about the different schools available on the internet. Massage can provide you with a great new career and a new challenge so I would like to wish you the best of luck for your future as a massage therapist!

Are You Considering a Job in Nursing?

2010-06-27T02:00:00.000-07:00

Healthcare careers are booming and nursing is one of the fastest growing occupations projected in next 5 years. Qualified nurses are highly in demand, thus if you are considering a job in nursing, you definitely are in the right career path.

One thing to take note is nursing jobs are a time-honored profession and a nurse must be dedicated and diligent. You must be a kind of person who can give an extra ounce of energy in order to be successfully in your nursing career path.

There are many nursing career options for you to participate in and you can select a working environment that suits your tastes and preferences. Among the common nursing jobs are:

Hospital Nurse

Most of nurses are generally working at hospital but this is not the only option in nursing job field. We will explain other type of nurse jobs in next paragraph. A hospital nurse takes care of hospital patients. If you work as a hospital nurse, your daily care and interaction with the patient has a major impact on how fast the patient recuperates and on the patient's attitude.

Private Duty Nurse

Private Duty Nurse is assigned to care a dedicated patient at hospital or at home. You will need to coordinate care between physician and family according to individual situations.

You will need to follow physician's orders for medications, treatment and keeps accurate record of patient's condition and reports to physician periodically. Beside the patient, a private duty nurse will also have the responsibility to educate the patient and the patient's family on importance of maintaining proper diet and health habits.

Hospice Nurse

A Hospice Nurse assesses patient health problems and needs and works to develop and implement nursing care plans with the goal of patient comfort. A hospice nurse typically administers care to patients in a hospice, home or long term care facility.

Operating Room Nurse

An Operating Room Nurse must understand the use of modern operating room equipment, the type of procedure the doctor is doing and the kinds of tools the doctor will need. The nurse must be ready to assist the surgeon and the surgical team in their tasks. Other then that, an operating room nurse will also need to oversee the work organization within the operating theatre, and mediate between the various hospital departments, the surgeons, and the management.

Home Care Nurse

Other than the above nursing job, home care nursing is one of the major booming sectors in health care industry. Today, home health care nurses work in rural, suburban and urban areas, traveling from patient to patient to care for and monitor the patient's needs and communicate with doctors and other medical staff. With the enhance of medical technology, home care nurses can now use mobile monitoring equipment to monitor everything from heart rate and blood pressure to blood sugar for diabetics and more, so the nurse can treat one patient and check on another one in the car on the way to visiting a third patient.

Earn Your Nursing Degree

In order to start your nursing career, you must be qualified in this field. Although you can start you nursing career as LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) or RN (Registered Nurse), a higher degree you are more employable, you will earn a higher salary, and you will have much more freedom to chart your own career path. Beside the traditional classroom-based nursing degree, now you can earn your nursing degree online. The major benefit of pursuing the nursing degree online is that you can attend the online class at any location and at your own schedule. And the best part is you can continue with you current job while getting your nursing degree online.

In Summary

If you think nursing is for you, look into local nursing schools or online universities that offer the related nursing courses and get started on the career path to nursing.

Are you about to record your first voice CV?

2010-06-27T00:59:00.000-07:00

Congratulations, you are one of the progressive jobbers who have realized that a voice Curriculum vitae is huge positive statement on your job application. Why? Because your resume is probably your best shot - and in many cases the only shot at you getting an interview. Typical busy bee recruiter has less than 2 minutes for a resume - if at all that. Your voice CV buys you some additional time, if you get some of the smarts:
Decide the approach for your voice CV: (A) I am going to present highlights from my resume (B) I am going to add information to my resume (C) I am going to build intrigue with a story or an achievement (D) What are attention grabbers - in a 1 minute voice recording you should have 3 or 4 attention grabbers.
Here is your check list:
1. I have a script before I can record
2. I have rehearsed and heard myself, I slept over the script and it looks good
3. Someone listened to my voice CV and gave me feedback (not a patronizing friend)
4. My voice CV adds value to my job resume - in 4 or 5 specific points
5. There is quantification of my achievements that a recruiter can relate to
You have a great voice, then
(not because you can sing in the shower or your friends thought so)
Do not get carried by the voice and try to sound good
Do not over stylize
Remember not everyone with a great voice made a great orator or a singer
Nothing unusual about your voice resume then
Good, focus on the content
Speak slowly, clearly
Choose words that make you sound better
Short sentences help you sound better
Choose to present in lists
Remember some of the greatest singers or orators did not have the best of voices
End note: Your voice CV is about your career and not your voice - So try one.
I have a voice CV, but do not know of a place to post it?
Oh that’s easy
GoRecroot is one of the better places for a multi media career portfolio.

Are You A Suitable MBA Candidate?

2010-06-24T09:04:00.000-07:00

Sponsoring companies also find that supporting participation in the Global Executive MBA program also helps attract and retain talented employees, and prepare them for future leadership roles within the company.

MBAs are often seeking a more general managerial role in their current industry. The MBA provides a portfolio of managerial tools and techniques as well as the 'softer' skills needed to succeed as a manager. Entrepreneurial spirit, dedication, commitment and professionalism are words often attributed to MBA graduates.

Why You Need An MBA!

The massive expansion in MBA provision has, in many ways, made the qualification more attractive to employers. This is because of a shift in emphasis in MBA content, and a major change in those studying for the qualification. Both changes were pioneered primarily in the UK, where the typical student is now in their late twenties or thirties, has considerable management experience, and is more likely to be studying while working rather than incurring the opportunity costs of full-time study. In fact, many managers are now studying MBA programs from around the globe, without detriment to the quality of their student experience or the value of the qualification.

Marketing: People who are in charge of marketing the goods or services of any organization need to be able to create effective marketing strategies and convey their message to people efficiently. An MBA program equips its students with theoretical knowledge as well as practical marketing skills, which can help in getting jobs in the marketing field. With the MBA degree, you can look to become no less than a product manager responsible for marketing.

Am I A Good MBA Candidate?

As the MBA is a very intense program, not to mention very expensive, schools are looking out for those applicants who come across as having prior knowledge about the program and are also clear about what they want from the program.

You must have a really solid and complete application file. List down all your qualifications and your work experience in a way that complements them. Do NOT leave any part of the application form blank.

If your MBA application is as good as it should be, then you may be short listed for the interviews. This is another critical aspect of the MBA admissions process and here the interviewer can physically determine how good a candidate you are for their MBA degree.

Are The Best Job Candidates Getting Away ?

2010-06-24T07:03:00.000-07:00

All firms of all sizes in all areas of business want the best candidates for the jobs they have available. However, in recent years, the employee-candidate paradigm has been reversed. Because of a shortage of talented candidates, there is more competition between companies for the talent that is available. So, rather than the job candidate having to sell him or herself to the company, the Hiring Manager's responsibility is to "sell" the quality, financial stability, and advancement opportunities of the company to the candidate.

It is now essential that firms revise their recruiting procedures and do not let the best candidates get away. Some simple adjustments should be enough for your company to stop those high quality candidates from going elsewhere.

Quick Response
Once you decide to fill a position, be committed to that decision and make hiring decisions quickly. View the hiring process like a project and ensure you meet your goal of hiring the "best candidate" in the shortest amount of time. Indecisiveness, time delays, budget reviews, etc., send a message to the candidate about the company's lack of focus. If you wait two weeks following an interview to make an offer, your ideal candidate may have already accepted a job offer from elsewhere - even from one of your competitors.

Streamline the Hiring Process
Do you really need second and third interviews ? If you ensure that all the participants in the hiring process are available for the first interview, then decisions can be made quickly and effectively, ensuring that your firm has a better chance of recruiting the top talent.

If You Want The Best...
If you want the best...then you will need to pay the best. It may not be what most companies want to hear but it happens to be true. Don't misjudge the pay rate, benefits, perks, etc., necessary for the best quality candidate to accept the position; don't play games with lower than market rate offers.

Keep abreast of changing salary scales, and price your jobs competitively. If you don't know what the current market rate is, hire a recruiter who does and who can advise on all aspects of the recruiting process.

Get The Right Help
Bringing a professional recruiter in at an early stage will help prepare your company for the hiring process. A top-notch recruiter will ask the right questions to help you identify your company's needs and will also help you identify human attributes (personality, communication skills, corporate culture, etc.) that the "right" candidate should possess, including "must-have" attributes and "preferred" attributes.

Choose a recruiter to work long term and they will soon be attuned to the exact needs and requirements of your company. Include the recruiter on your company's hiring team. A preferred recruiter is very helpful in structuring job descriptions so they stand out. And finding the recruiting angle that will draw superstars and in presenting the job offer to the candidate so it will be accepted. In addition to recruiting top talent, good recruiters possess skills to help candidates evaluate and accept good offers. This “third-party-input” to the candidate during the decision is critical to avoiding turn down and defusing counter offers.

With a streamlined recruiting procedure and the right approach to the top candidates, your firm will be one of those getting the best talent while your competitors are still wondering how that perfect candidate managed to get away.

Architecture is the science or art of building construction and design, which makes use of long lasting materials to produce buildings or structures t

2010-06-24T05:03:00.000-07:00

Exchange programs started functioning in the middle of the nineteenth century and successfully continue their existence nowadays. They were established in order to restore peaceful existence after the World Wars and other major conflicts that shook the world recently. All the countries that get their economy onto the international level realize the importance of development of the partnership and establishment of common economical grounds. First exchange took place between the workers and professionals in order to share experience, skills and strategies, but now the authorities took the program to another level. Now students all over the world travel to other countries for definite periods of time and study in foreign universities receiving scholarships. This project has been successful for many years, but the major host, the US, suddenly cut the budget of the programs and stopped the development of others. This may be because of the increase of the military budget, or just because of the program being useful no longer? Let is investigate.

What are the major profits of the country-host, in this case the United States? The country itself is relatively young in comparison with European countries and therefore the history has its beginning when European countries were powerful and prospering. This can in no way be a major difference, but the cultures like Eastern European, Asian and African are unique and ancient and what is more important, completely different from those the US was formed of. The main contribution is a chance for the American families to host a child that can teach them and their children some mysteries about the world surrounding them. Little things matter and after being in contact with a person who was brought up in different world, you realize how much this young individual has brought into your world. Another profit is in establishment of good relations between the countries. Strong bonds created during the stay last long enough for the young men to keep in mind future possibilities of cooperation.

A student that studied in a foreign country is looking forward to a bright future. A resume of such a student is full of facts and skills that are necessary for any type of job. Being an exchange student doesn’t only give you a possibility to study a foreign language, but also a chance to become independent, mature, responsible and attentive. The most important thing for a student is not to forget about his own culture, traveling around the globe. The person that doesn’t know his own culture can not be called a citizen. Respect for the ancestors, the history, the folkways and the morays of your nation, is what makes you educated.

Architecture and Architects Jobs

2010-06-24T03:02:00.000-07:00

Architecture is the science or art of building construction and design, which makes use of long lasting materials to produce buildings or structures that are aesthetically pleasing and well suited for a particular purpose. A quote from English poet Sir Henry Wooten states that “Well building hath three conditions: Commodite, Firmenes and Delight”.
Over history, the architecture followed a long sequence of distinguishable styles, these can be identified by words such as Baroque, Gothic, Neo-Classical. Architecture may also be of a homogenous style such as Ancient Greek, Roman or Egyptian.
Architectural style, whether it is found in factories, country houses, hotels, airports or religious buildings, reflects the needs and the values of the society that has produced it. The style of structures is not only ruled by tastes and conventions, but by another range of correlative pragmatic considerations.
These are mainly the availability of technology and of materials for construction, as well as engineering considerations such as load bearing and stresses that must be taken into account during the design, all of which will make sure that the finished structure will fulfill its intended purpose.
Through the ages, the availability of local materials has had distinct influence on the design of buildings and structures throughout the World. The availability of local materials is also closely linked to development of the skills required to work them. Carpentry for example, developed where local surroundings that were densely forested as the wood became an important building material. Despite becoming a scarce resource, timber still remains widely used in construction projects of the present day. In other parts of the World, early architects chose readily available stone and marble to create buildings and monuments adorned with sculptures that were integral load bearing parts of the building structure. Today the use of stone an marble continues although its use has declined in favor of more readily available materials such as steel, glass and concrete which are also much more economical to produce and assemble.
In some regions even timber was scarce, this forced the local inhabitants to fashion buildings from the Earth itself. Mud and clay was, and still is, used by compacting it into bricks. After being left to try in the sun, these bricks are used in local construction and held together with mortar made from the same material. Older civilizations used kilns to further harden the bricks which makes them far stronger and more durable enabling larger structures to be built. So early cultures used naturally occurring substances from their local environment and then developed technologies to exploit the materials to their advantage.
Masonry is the term used to describe buildings made with stones or bricks. The bricks are built in bonded rows which adhere by an alternate layer of mortar compressed by gravity. Early mortars were comprised of sand or mud but the Romans developed cement mortars and concretes which they used to dramatic effect in buildings which are still in existence more that 2000 years after they were first constructed. Despite the Roman’s development of the first concrete, it was not until the 19th century until the a truly waterproof cement was developed.
Another development of the 19th century was production of iron and steel on an industrial scale. Mills turned out rolled sections that could replace traditional wooden frames with a much stronger material. Steel rods could also be placed in wet concrete which improved its versatility giving rise to the 20th century’s myriad of reinforced concrete structures. Subsequently, aluminium became widely available and was used in an anodized for to provide a cladding material used to cover the surface of buildings to provide a coating that was durable and virtually maintenance free. Glass became easier to produce in larger sizes and higher quality, stained glass appeared in many churches and religious buildings, its availability being enhanced enormously by industrial processing. This gave architects the ability to exploit natural light in a way that had never been possible before.
The expanse of building and construction being carried out in the modern age today shows the complexity of modern day Architects jobs, having to balance the creation of mass housing, shopping centres, large office buildings, town centres airports, supermarkets, hospitals schools and a whole host of other infrastructure required by today’s modern life.
Today Architects are not only concerned with the aesthetics of a new building they also need to focus on the needs of a diverse community of business and urban neighborhoods, developing new structures that fulfill the requirements of the modern world whilst interacting with existing buildings to create a pleasing aesthetic.
In the UK Architects jobs are restricted by Law, practicing Architects must be registered with the Architects registration board. Persons considering architects careers should know that it takes a minimum of seven years to obtain the necessary qualifications and experience. Those wishing to qualify must study at recognised universities. Candidates must completing a three year B.A or B.Sc degree. Afterwards the candidate must complete a least one years experience in a working architect’s practice. Candidates must then complete post graduate courses of two years followed by at least one more year of experince before being allowed to sit the professional practice and management examination.

Architect Resumes Showcase Your Creativity And Commitment To Excellence.

2010-06-24T01:35:00.001-07:00

The best resume for an architect will be to showcase his/her previous projects. It could be a software that you architected or a bridge or beautiful house that you designed. Obviously, not everyone will have groundbreaking projects in their resume in the beginning of their career.

The employer will be willing to hear about your creativity, your hardworking nature, your commitment to excellence in your resume as an architect. Following is general information for architects, some will be suitable for the experienced and some not:

A clear cut career and job objective which shows your sense of direction to the employer.
Your resume should have the names of each of your employers and your corresponding job titles.
A brief description about each of your employers, what they are doing if they are not well known.
Your roles and responsibilities in work like planning, analysis, design, implementation and testing.
If you did any budgetary responsibility projects, specify some of the important projects that you have worked on and whether you completed a project on budget and on time.
The number of staff that you manage if applicable for a particular project to show your leadership qualities.
Include some of the problems that you faced in a particular project or a process in your department or company and what action you took to solve that problem and what was the result of it.
To make your resume unique and stand out from others by specifying how you have improved the efficiency and productivity within your department or the company.
New procedures, practices, processes and techniques that you have introduced or developed in your department to enhance the efficiency and productivity.
Include how your techniques and methods saved money or reduced costs for your department or the company.
Include a short note on how you have increased or helped your department, if relevant and for the company in terms of revenue and profits.
Specify if you have any other achievements that have benefited your employers.
Specify how you stay in touch with the latest happenings in the Architect field, may be you are a member of some organizations, or the white papers you presented, meetings you attended etc..

Aptitude Test - Know Yourself

2010-06-22T23:03:00.000-07:00

It it very important to know ourself well. In my career I have constantly try to figure out what do I want to do and what is suitable for me. Since secondary school time I have started to think hard on what I want to be in the future. During University time I did a lot of reading and test to understand myself more. I wanted to be an entrepreneur. However I don’t know where to start and what industry I should go into. I have tried to start some small business in university time and I learned that passion is very important. I simply need to love what I am doing. So I planned to gain some working experience before I go into any business. I started my career as a programmer. I figure out that I wanted to become an system analyst, which I have already achieve it today, after 5 years of working.

I did an aptitude test on Test You Own Job Aptitude by Jim Barret and Geoff Williams 6 years ago which I think its worth to mention. Following are the results of my test. According to the test I am a mixed of Research and Literary type. Below are some descriptions of the categories:

Research

This attraction shows how much you enjoy acquiring knowledge. As a result of this you seem prepared to devoted a great deal of time to study and the careers which appeal to you generally need academic, professional or special qualifications.

At school, you would have preferred scientific subjects, particularly the main-stream diciplines of mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology. You will have enjoyed objective problem solving and being able to sift through information in order to draw conclusions. You will have enjoyed experimenting and working with formulae.

Careers in this category: astronomer, bacteriologist, botanist, chemist, dietitian, mathematician, microbiologist, physicist, surgeon, computer scientist

Literary

You are attracted by carrers involving words, ideas and communication. You will be happy reading or writing a lot - probaly both. Other interests or activities might also appeal, but these can be saved for leisure time. It is with a literary activity that you want to spend most of your time.

If you have not been engaged in literary events hitherto, it is possible that your self-awareness has changed. Perhaps now is the time to find out whether you have any talent. Some people have produced a first novel after retirement.

Careers in this category are: actor/actress, editor, historian, interpreter, journalist, language teacher, librarian, literary critic, novelist, proof reader

Research and Literary

You may be able to combine these preferences in a career which fuses science with art. In this case, you are likely to be high qualified: you will be one of the lucky few who are very highly specialised and for whom there are careers available. Most careers will be in an academic or educational environment. If your background is in research you may also have a literary talent which allows you to write about your subject. Additioanl personal skills would be required if you are to be successful in presenting your work to others as a lecturer or trainer.

Careers in this category are: anthropologist, archaelogist, information scientist, science writer, technical writer.

I found that the test result are indeed very true for myself, not only 6 years ago, but even until today it remains true. Today I am a system analyst, but that is not my final destination. I have something else that I wanted to achieve. I wanted to be a writer. I wanted to further my study in master degree. I wanted to be an entrepreneur. I know that I need to focus on one at a time.

Knowing yourself is important. It helps you to keep focus on your lifelong journey.

Apprenticeship - The Best Training In The World

2010-06-22T21:02:00.000-07:00

Learning a new, highly skilled profession requires an in-depth, hands-on, committed training experience. This is where the process of apprenticeship occurs. It fills-in the training gap in those places where supervision is needed and provides hands-on help and a solid understanding of how a specific process works. Apprenticeship is one of the most successful methods any person can use to develop new skills, especially in a highly technical craft.

For example, you don't become an electrician by pulling a few wires off your remote control car and hooking them up to the light switch in your house. Instead, you apprentice under an electrical expert to learn the most valuable, safest method for working with electricity.

So what is apprenticeship? It generally includes full-time, on-the-job experience where you actually learn to do "a job" while performing the required tasks. In this "hands-on" environment, you are placed under the oversight of a skilled trainer or journey-worker. A big benefit of on-the-job apprenticeship is having an income while you learn. At the same time you can also receive detailed training by taking specific, technical classes that are directly related to your new occupation. This training is often in-addition to your normal job duties, so be prepared for a large time investment.

By focusing heavily on hands-on work experience and detailed classroom study, long term success is the usual result for anyone truly dedicated to their occupation. Apprenticeship programs create some of the most highly-skilled, highly-paid individuals who work at their jobs anywhere in the world.

In fact, this method of training may be the oldest form of learning anywhere. Certainly it was used even by early Americans, including George Washington (surveyor), Benjamin Franklin (printer), and Paul Revere (silversmith). Actually, Congress enacted the National Apprenticeship Act in 1937. They did this to recognize the importance of apprenticeship in developing highly skilled workers in various trades, including manufacturing, public utilities, and construction. Later apprenticeship grew to include fire, police, safety, and other emergency related occupations.

Today, there are hundreds of different occupational apprenticeship programs and categories in and around the United States. Each state oversees and administers the specifics of their own program, but they are federally approved. Once you complete an apprenticeship training program, you will get an apprenticeship certificate which is recognized nationwide. It is also the credential you will find the most useful and portable within most industries around the country.

But apprenticeship isn't for the faint of heart. Even before your job and classroom training, you will have to apply, and you may have to wait until positions and opportunities are available. In fact, some programs may have waiting lists or they may only accept new applicants at specific times throughout the year.

Although apprenticeship is a fantastic occupational learning opportunity, it is not an option to be pursued lightly. Weigh your options and make an educated decision about the time and other commitments, before you jump into an apprenticeship program.

Applying To Colleges And Universities

2010-06-22T19:01:00.000-07:00

When applying to colleges and/or universities, it is best to do so as early as possible. The earlier you apply, the better chances you will have of being accepted into your program of interest. As expected, many college courses fill up quickly, which is why early applications often stand a better chance of acceptance.

Before applying to certain colleges and/or universities, it is a good idea to review their freshman enrollment requirements. These requirements generally pertain to anyone who has graduated from high school within the past five years. Beyond that, required high school courses are not as highly considered due to the fact that so much time has passed. Therefore, even if you did not take the necessary high school courses, you may be able to attend the college of your choice if you are willing to wait for five or more years before enrolling.

Almost every college and/or university charges an application fee when applying. This fee is generally very reasonable and is often less than $50.00. This is a non-refundable fee, which is not refunded for any reason including a denial of acceptance. Applications to colleges and/or universities will often be under advisement for several weeks. At that time, the school will either send a letter of congratulations or one of denial.

Many modern colleges and universities have websites and even allow applications to be submitted online. This is believed to speed up the application process and may result in a quicker decision than if submitted by mail. In the case of online applications, the application fee will generally be charged to a major credit card. If you do not have a credit card, you may have to mail your application along with a check or money order. It is important to remember that, under no circumstances, should you ever send cash through the mail.

Once you receive the college or university’s acceptance, if applicable, it will be time to begin plans for enrollment. Many do not know this, but there is a big difference between acceptance and enrollment. Being accepted does not automatically mean the student is enrolled as this is just another step in the quest for a college education. During enrollment, a class schedule will be granted and, if requested, a campus room will be assigned. There are a number of living arrangements for college students, which may include on-campus housing, living with roommates, living alone or living at home with family. Living on campus is not a requirement of colleges or universities, but it does make for an easier commute to and from class.

Applying for Work in the UK

2010-06-22T17:00:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for a job in the UK, whether as a foreigner wishing to relocate, or as a British national, you may find yourself faced with having to fill in a job application form.

What is the difference between an application form and a CV?

When designing your CV, you can choose the layout and, more importantly, what to include and what not to include. For example, if you have been working for more than 10 years, it is common to include only the last 10 years experience on a CV, or if you have changed career, to include only the experience and training relevant to the post for which you are applying. However, in the interests of equal opportunities, a job application form requires every applicant to fill in all of their work and educational experience.

In addition, you will usually be asked to fill in a large blank sheet of paper sometimes referred to as the supporting statement. The directions at the top of this page will ask you to explain why you are suitable for the job. In other words, you must produce a detailed piece of writing selling yourself to the company. This is something which causes panic in many applicants and unfortunately the formula for writing this isn’t taught at school or university.

However, there is a standard approach to writing the supporting statement. First of all, read all the instructions. As well as the information at the top of each page, you will be sent guidelines on how to complete the form. You should read these very carefully and make sure that you follow them exactly. Some companies will ask you to set out the information in a precise way, such as using specific headings, whereas others will allow you to use your own format.

In the latter case, you should use the job description as your guide. Take each of the points in turn and write a short paragraph highlighting your experience in this area. You should use examples, rather than just saying that you have excellent communication skills. Where possible, use figures to illustrate your achievements, such as “increased sales by 25% in my first month”. Use bullets and strong, active verbs to give your application punch.

Write your supporting statement on a separate piece of paper first. Be sure to edit and proofread and when you are satisfied, write it on a photocopy of the original to make sure it will fit. In some cases, you are permitted to add an extra sheet, but only do this if absolutely necessary, that is, if you can’t abbreviate your statement and the additional information is crucial to the application. If you find you have only a few extra lines, go back and cut out anything unnecessary. Remember, employers are busy and don’t want to read pages and pages of information – unless it is highly relevant. Your task is to show them, as concisely as possible, that you are suitable for the job and that you should be on the interview shortlist.

© Waller Jamison 2006

Applying for Work Abroad

2010-06-22T15:59:00.000-07:00

For many people the thought of finding an ideal overseas assignment and then relocating abroad for a few years is a dream.

For a few people that dream actually becomes a reality.

So what’s the difference between those who dream about making it happen and those who actually find work abroad and experience a whole new exciting lifestyle away from home?

Application – that’s what!

Application in the form of applying oneself to the task of finding suitable work abroad, and application in the form of the CV, resume and covering letter sent to suitable employers and recruitment agencies…

Applying yourself: -

If you want something in life, experience should tell you that you have to go out there and get it for yourself. Opportunity seldom knocks on the door quick enough for any of us; therefore if you dream of working abroad you need to start looking for suitable vacancies in your overseas location of choice.

If you speak a foreign language you might be drawn to countries where they speak that language because you will have an obvious advantage over other overseas candidates. If on the other hand speaking English is your only linguistic skill you should either look at opportunities in English speaking countries or target countries like Dubai in the United Arab Emirates where the business language is English and where there are a plethora of job vacancies.

Whichever country you settle on you can use the internet to search for employment offers, recruitment agencies and potentially suitable employers based in that country, and you can then begin contacting them one by one.

Making an application: -

To get anywhere in life it is sometimes necessary to put yourself forward – and if you’re looking for work overseas you’re going to have to put yourself forward to be noticed in the form of an online application or CV/resume and covering letter.

Because your CV will be your initial contact with any recruiter it has to represent you in the best possible light possible.

This means that your resume and covering letter have to be well written; if you’re applying in a language other than your mother tongue you should consider paying for a professional translation to be done because recruiters hate receiving poorly put together job applications. In their view someone who cannot be bothered to make the maximum effort with their personal CV probably cannot be bothered to do a good job full stop and are therefore hardly worth considering for employment. Therefore it is up to you to put together the most well written, compelling and interesting application for employment possible.

Don’t fill out your CV or covering letter with lots of flowery embellishment, be succinct and to the point. You should illustrate why you think should be considered for employment with examples of relevant experience you have and you should ensure you supply details of qualifications you have, referees who can supply personal and employment references and you should include all your personal contact information.

Finally, having targeted employers and recruitment agencies and having made the best application for employment possible, you should follow up your application and remain proactive and relentless in your search for that ideal overseas assignment. After all, only those who live their dreams have a chance of true fulfilment.

Applying For Translation Work – A Guide For The Freelancer

2010-06-21T11:40:00.000-07:00

I work as an Italian English Translation Project Manager at the translations agency Axis Translations.

Everyday me and my colleagues see larger numbers of enquiries from translators seeking work. I hope that some of my observations will help you be more successfull.

1) Update and scan your computer for viruses
How many translators CV’s get caught by an agencies firewall? I don’t know. It seems to happen in waves. We will have a batch of translators emails in a few days and then none for ages. But generally the email is deleted!

2) Put your details in the subject section of the email
If you are applying for a project posted on the web, put a reference to it in the subject box. The reference number for instance. If you are applying generally, list the languages in which you translate.

Why is this important? Simply translation agencies get a stack of emails each day and you want to be found. The translation project manager wants to be able to pick out the enquiries for their project with ease.

For general enquiries, you want your details to be saved in the right place. If the agency can see your languages they can copy your mail into the right languages section rather then putting you in the dreaded ‘look at later pile’.

3) Don’t apply for something you are not
We always look for translators to translate into their mother tongue and write this in our adverts. But we always get a loads of CV’s for people who do not fit the bill. For instance I post a job for a Italian>English Translation and get a CV from a Dutch native speaker who is fluent in neither language.

4) Don’t forget to provide rates and the rest of your ‘required’ information
When I am looking for a new translator and I have a number of applications, my shortlist will not include anyone who has missing information. I regularly see people who have missed their rates off the application. If a translation PM has opther options, they probably won’t chase a translator for further information.

5) Contact Info
I am not talking about address here. I am thinking of mobile phones.

Once a job has been confirmed the translation PM will wish to have the assignment placed with a translator ASAP. If they can’t find another number for you they will be likely to move further down the list and call the next translator.......your competition.

I hope my short list of tips for translation applications assist not only translators, but also translation PM’s.!

Another Chance to Shine – Following Up on the Interview

2010-06-21T09:40:00.000-07:00

The interview follow up letter can make or break your chances of becoming hired. For that reason it should become an essential part of your job hunting tool box, right in there with the other tools you use: resume, cover letter, thank you note, reference sheet and salary history.

Think of the letter as a second chance. Some people don’t interview in person as well as they can write. Living up to the standards your resume set for you may be difficult. If that is the case, then the interview follow up letter will improve your appearance after the fact. Other people interview well in person, and are able to use this letter to reemphasize key points discussed with the hiring manager, and remind the hiring manager of the good points about the applicant. In either case the interview follow up letter is essential and if prepared properly will help the applicant get the job.

The following sample interview follow up letter gives an idea of what should be included.

The time I spent interviewing with you today gave me a clear picture of your organization’s operation as well as your work environment. I want to thank you for the thorough picture you painted of your organizational needs.

I left our meeting feeling very enthusiastic about the scope of the position as well as its close match to my abilities. I believe the key strengths that I can offer you are:

• Experience in dealing with people of all types and backgrounds through my life experience, education and training.

• Proven ability to operate a business at a profit, supervise and train personnel, facilitate activities to improve morale and cash flow, and interact successfully with both staff and customers.

• Excellent communication skills—particularly the ability to gain feedback and summarize succinctly.

With my energetic work style, strong people skills and attention to detail, I believe that I am an excellent match for this position. I welcome a chance to meet with you further to elaborate on my background and possibilities of future association.

Thank you for your time. I look forward to meeting with you soon.

Sincerely,

John Doe

You’ll notice that it is written in a positive and upbeat style. In sales, many successful salesmen assume the close. This does essentially that. The applicant in writing this letter is controlling the conversation and steering it towards positive attributes that he or she possesses, which would make the applicant appear valuable to the company. In addition, by using an interview follow up letter an applicant is “walking the walk as well as talking the talk” simply because most applicants fail to use an interview follow up letter after an interview. Using a letter like this shows that the applicant is conscientious, thoughtful, intelligent, and just the kind of person the company needs. Using an interview follow up letter will lead to more job offers and more jobs.

An Introduction To Free Sample Resumes

2010-06-21T07:39:00.000-07:00

Increasing competition in the job market has provided a job seeker the status of a commodity that needs to be marketed properly. Resumes are to be structured to woo the market by working on the presentational skills. There are free sample resumes that guide in this process of presentation and can be obtained from the Internet. The placement cells of different universities also provide free sample resumes. Some consultation agencies provide assistance in resume making and charge a fee. However, the Internet is the most reliable source of finding free resumes.

There are many sites on the Internet that offer free sample resumes. They have resume templates for a wide variety of professions. Users can download these templates from the net and can further customize the resume according to their requirements. A resume should be timely modified with additional experiences. Apart from the resume templates, these sites also provide free sample covering letters, which are used to send resumes by post.

The Web sites also provide specific industrial resumes. The requirements of an airline industry differ from those of teaching. They provide different ways of presenting information as per the industry. Hence, industry specific resumes are a must. Apart from this, free sample resumes also guide experienced people by helping them present their credentials in a better manner. Sample resumes cater to almost every possible industry, ranging from manufacturing and commerce to technology and teaching.

Some Web sites provide interdisciplinary resumes, but these are not free of cost. The user has to pay a fixed amount to get the resume made as per his or her requirements. This is known as a customized resume.

Free sample resumes provide guidance in preparing a new resume, though every feature in them may not be always be necessary. Thus one should not entirely depend on these resumes and should pick only the essential components when compiling their own document.

An Executive Resume Should Be Short, Precise And Have An Air Of Confidence.

2010-06-21T05:38:00.000-07:00

When it comes to building an executive resume, you want to showcase how smart you are, how organized you are and how you are perfect for the position.

Apart from basic requirements of any resume, an executive resume is required to be short and precise, following are some tips to make it better.

Start with a brief headline encapsulating your career goal and one or two of your top qualifications, which shows your sense of direction to the employer.

Your executive resume should have the names of each of your employers and your corresponding job titles, as short as possible.

Mention the number of staff that you used to manage.

List your educational qualifications with name of the institution, city, state, degree, major, year awarded and GPA.

Your executive resume should mention any technical or computer qualifications and personality development, marketing diploma etc done as a course with its content in brief, the duration, institute and also its result.

Emphasize your accomplishments and contributions in your executive resume as a manager or any other leadership job profile. For example: improved efficiency and productivity by 10%, carried out a study to point the targeted market for particular consumer products.

To showcase your core competencies include an area of expertise. For example; warehousing, systems management, inventory control, budget planning, retail distribution, P&L management, team leadership and mentoring.

To make your executive resume stand out mention your contribution in reduction of cost, improving efficiency and productivity within your department or the company in general.

Highlight any other achievements that have benefited your department and obviously your organization in general.

An Effective Resume

2010-06-21T04:37:00.000-07:00

Your resume is your sales person. Long before you personally get to meet a potential employee or have an interview your resume will be fighting your corner on your behalf. It is essential, then, that you create an effective resume. Your resume will be one of hundreds, if not thousands, that employers will see so you should ensure that it really stands out and promotes your services. The exact approach your resume will take will depend on you and your circumstances.

School leavers and graduates will not have very much in the way of work experience to place on a resume. If you fall into this category then you should pay particular attention to your academic achievements. Point out any other facts pertaining to your school life and the rest of your life that can be drawn on when you get a job. If you successfully completed work experience then include this and give details of the tasks you performed.

On the other hand if your experience has been gained in the work place and you have little in the way of formal qualifications then you should use your employment history to your advantage. Talk about the roles in a little more detail and describe the tasks you undertook. The more advanced or the more trusted a particular role was, the more you should draw upon that in your description.

A highly effective resume will also include an accomplishment section with each qualification or job section that is relevant. You can include graduation, or you could include particular work related accomplishments. Remember, there is a chance that somebody else has equal skills or qualifications to yourself but by using your accomplishments as your main benefit you will still stand out and make a positive impression. As well as your covering letter your resume is the most important thing you have in your bid to win a job.

An Acronym By Any Other Name

2010-06-16T23:44:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you but I loathe acronyms. Yes, I know they have a convenience factor but they also seem to me to be potentially sinister, redolent of George Orwell's Newspeak. Our field has its fair share of them and woe betide anyone who uses one wrongly. Never, for example, say ESL or TESL when you mean ESOL or TESOL. Why? because you might unwittingly insult a learner by referring to ESL (English as a second language) when the learner might be a speaker of several languages with English some way down the pecking order: it is politically more correct to refer to English for speakers of other languages (ESOL). So important has this distinction become that the heavy hand of officialdom in the UK now requires people seeking British citizenship to demonstrate that they have at least ESOL Entry Level 3 from the national "skills for life" curriculum (strange distinction, after all we hardly need "skills for death"). Exam boards now dutifully provide ESOL qualifications that seem to have eclipsed the old EFL certificates, making English as a foreign language somehow less relevant.

So have EFL and TEFL lost status? Not exactly, but they imply the use of English in international situations, perhaps among non-native speakers. They still get a look in, but to teach English as a "foreign" language requires different emphases. For example, TESOL would require the teacher to concentrate on situations and contexts that the learners would meet in everyday life in an Anglophone country. TEFL, on the other hand, suggests an orientation towards travel and global situations. I don't dispute that these distinctions have their uses but the trouble is that you can see the potential for all sorts of new acronyms on the horizon. When we will start to teach EIL (English as an international language) or EIB (English for international business)? I'd happily settle for good, old-fashioned ELT (English language teaching).

An Accounting Career

2010-06-16T20:43:00.000-07:00

An accounting career could be just the thing to bring you satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment. Along with medical and health related careers, accounting professionals are among the group of professions that are projected to see a lot of growth over the next few years.

Graduates of four year accountancy programs are earning 3.7% more in terms of starting pay straight out of college. Master’s degree holders are seeing a 4% increase in starting pay over the last couple of years.

There are many top notch two year accounting degree programs as well. Your choice really depends on many factors, including career objectives, the amount of money that you have to invest in an education or your ability to attain student loans, as well as what your schedule is like.

If you want to educate yourself on accounting in order to better manage your own small business or non-profit organization, chances are you’d do best with some classes from the local community college or other type of learning center.

In many larger cities and some towns, there are learning centers that offer a wide variety of classes, from cooking and home improvement to accounting. Ask around at your local public library or community college to find out about all the learning opportunities that your community has to offer.

For more serious study to put toward managing the finances of your business or organization, you may find that a community college has just the combination of classes that you’re looking for.

If you want to pursue an accounting career further, a community college is still one of the best places to start. If you have children or must work while attending school, community colleges are going to offer you the most flexibility in terms of scheduling.

For more information on the projected outlook for those in accounting careers, take a look at the government’s Occupational Outlook Handbook found at http://www.bls.gov/oco/. There is a great wealth of information here that can help you decide how satisfying various degrees and professions are likely to be over the coming years.

American Teens Still Mean Business

2010-06-16T18:43:00.000-07:00

For the fourth consecutive year, "Businessperson" has been cited as the most popular career choice for American teens.

That's one of the key findings of an annual survey of teenagers on topics such as career expectations and their opinions about the world of business. The study, the 2006 Junior Achievement Worldwide Interprise Poll on Kids and Careers, also revealed that for the first time in the seven-year history of the survey, salary expectations for young women are on a par with those of young men.

Since first being measured in the 2003 poll, male salary expectations for most jobs have tended to exceed earnings anticipated by female teens. However, in this year's version, the highest earnings expectations for frequently cited careers, such as business, law, entertainment or medicine, are split fairly evenly between genders.

Over the past four years, the top- 10 career selections have remained fairly constant. "Businessperson" has been the most popular career choice overall for the last four years the poll has been conducted; this year it was selected by 8.7 percent.

"Teacher" was the second-highest selection, chosen by 7 percent, moving past "Doctor," a consistent first or second choice in previous years, which came in third with 6.2 percent, tied with "computer field."

Another difference in this year's responses is that female teens appear to be drawn to careers that require more education, and this year they are more confident than males that they can obtain their ideal careers.

The survey showed that just over three-quarters of young women polled-78.2 percent- said they were "definitely" or "pretty sure" they would obtain their ideal job, compared to just over 65 percent of male teens.

Job shadowing is one way teens form their career expectations. Once again this year, JA Worldwide is sponsoring its yearlong Job Shadow initiative, where students venture into the workplace for a day, hosted by adult mentors who teach them about the "world of work."

JA Worldwide is the world's largest organization dedicated to educating young people about business, economics and entrepreneurship. Today, it reaches approximately four million students in the United States, plus more than three million students worldwide.

Allied Health Work Force Shortages Pose Concern

2010-06-16T16:42:00.000-07:00

A shortage of workers in many countries is a major obstacle for health care systems as they attempt to respond effectively to chronic diseases, avian influenza and other challenges, according to a recent report by the World Health Organization.

The United States is affected by this shortage as well. Acute personnel shortages occur in allied health professions such as medical technology and respiratory therapy. Sufficient numbers of these practitioners are not available to deal with the regular flow of patient needs that must be met.

Also worrisome is the threat posed by bioterrorism and the additional demands that such acts would place on a system that already is under strain. If such an event were to occur, laboratory technicians and respiratory therapists would be in high demand. Laboratory tests would be necessary to determine how victims have been affected, and breathing difficulties would have to be treated by qualified technicians.

Nursing shortages have received much public attention recently. Depending on what professions and levels are included, allied health is as large as or larger than nursing. Similar to nursing, many applicants to allied health programs are denied admission because of shortages of faculty, clinical training sites and related resources.

Many students are attracted to a career in a health profession, but the costs of obtaining an education are becoming more of a barrier. Funding for education by the states is at its lowest in 25 years, and support per student has decreased significantly due to increased enrollment and inflation in the economy. Total tax revenues have declined as a percentage of state wealth.

Another factor is the increased expenses for Medicaid programs, which continue to require a larger share of the overall budget in each state.

As a means of addressing the situation, the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions is working with several other organizations to advance S. 473, the Allied Health Professions Reinvestment Act of 2005, and H.R. 215, a companion bill. Introduced in Congress in 2005, this proposed legislation is designed to furnish a remedy for the allied health work force problems. If something isn't done soon, the organization warns, there will be an alarming increase in adverse events affecting patients because of an inadequate supply of allied health caregivers.

Airline Dispatcher Job Sites

2010-06-16T15:41:00.000-07:00

In several related articles I made mention of finding work as a flight coordinator, as a flight attendant, or as a pilot. Each specialty, as you can imagine, has its own requirements, hence the job sites that feature these types of opportunities are not always the same. If you have some idea where to look – besides contacting an employer directly – you can narrow down your searches and, hopefully, shorten the entire job hunting process. The following list contains some of the sites that are most helpful in listing viable opportunities for airline dispatchers.

Aviation Employment Board – This site offers free registration and allows for you to post your resume for free as well. Airlines featured include United, Continental, Trans States, Spirit, Southwest, Northwest, Mesa, EOS, Champion, Pace, and a host of others including many European and Asian carriers. Please visit www.aviationemploymentboard.net for more detailed information.

Monster –Monster regularly lists over 800,000 opportunities, including many airline openings. There is no charge to register and you are permitted to list your resume for free as well. Please visit www.monster.com for more information.

Avianation – One of the largest aviation related job sites online, Avianation features a variety of opportunities, including many dispatcher positions. There is a fee involved for their service, currently set at $9.95 per month or $80.55 annually. Occasionally, posted specials drop the price considerably so visit this site for current information: www.avianation.com today.

Air Jobs Daily – As one of the leading job posting sites for the aviation industry online, Air Jobs Daily features a variety of opportunities for business and commercial aviation employees. Air Jobs Daily charges an annual fee of $77.95 which also includes a subscription to the Air Jobs Digest, a periodical featuring additional job listings and aviation related information. Please visit www.airjobsdaily.com for more information.

Hot Jobs – Hot Jobs, owned by search engine giant Yahoo, is an employment site featuring several hundred thousand opportunities, including airline jobs. Registration is free and you may list your resume for free too. Please stop by www.hotjobs.com for more information.

Career Builder – The largest job posting site online is Career Builder which at any given time lists more than one million jobs. Airline jobs, such as flight dispatchers are listed, perhaps not in as abundance as some of the aviation sites, but a good place to look nevertheless. Membership is free and you can list your resume for no charge too. Visit www.careerbuilder.com for all the details.

Other sites that feature airline dispatcher opportunities include: AEPS, Plane Jobs, Jet Jobs , and Skyjobs. Please note that most of the paid sites contain the same job opportunities as each of the other sites, therefore belonging to more than one is not cost effective.

Airline Customer Service Careers

2010-06-15T11:37:00.000-07:00

The US airline industry is gradually moving away from all the bloodletting that brought about the bankruptcy of four major carriers over the past several years while at the same time marked the emergence of many discount carriers into the forefront of the business. Indeed, the face of commercial aviation has changed dramatically over the past decade and it now appears that the worst is behind us. This does not mean that further layoffs and downsizings are not possible, but for the person seeking a customer service career in the aviation industry, the future has brightened considerably.

Customer service opportunities with the airlines includes the following job titles: reservation agents, ramp agents, line service technicians, customer service agents, baggage handlers, and various management positions including station manager, customer service manager, and airport operations manager. Similar job titles exist, but for the sake of brevity in using the term “airline customer service” I mean those ground personnel tasked with assisting customers as they get to and from their destinations.

So, exactly who is hiring? Well, on any given day just about everyone could be. The turn over rate for customer service personnel can be high, depending on the airline and the working conditions. To make it easier on you, the following is a break down of the various airlines who hire customer service agents. In most cases you will work directly for the airline but in some cases a position may be with a vendor or for the airport authority itself.

Legacy Carriers – American, Continental, Delta, Northwest, United, and USAir all qualify as legacy carriers. Simply defined these are the carriers that helped the airline industry get its start in the U.S. Out of the six listed, only American and Continental have avoided bankruptcy. Thus, a career with a legacy carrier can be a risky proposition.

Foreign Carriers – Many foreign carriers fly in and out of the U.S. and are worth a look. Depending on the carrier selected, you may be required to speak the language of the carrier’s country in addition to speaking English. Chief carriers include: Air Canada, Mexicana, Air France, British Airways, Japan Airlines, Korean Airlines, KLM, Lufthansa, and flag carriers as well as discount carriers from dozens of countries from around the globe.

Discount Carriers – Some of the strongest carriers in operation today are discount airlines. Two of the best are Southwest and JetBlue, both of which are expanding and are hiring on a regular basis. Other discount carriers include: Spirit, USA3000, and many small more regional carriers.

Regional Operators – Working as “feeder” airlines for the big carriers, regional operators include Colgan, Republic, Shuttle America, American Eagle, Comair, and Great Lakes. Some of these carriers are awash in cash with very promising futures.

Charter Carriers – A few airlines fly chartered flights principally although some have scheduled flights too. Some of the more noted charter operators include: Miami Air, Xtra Airways, and Sun Country.

Cargo Carriers -- Not every carrier moves people. Some carriers move goods, merchandise, and equipment. Customer service jobs as sales agents and equipment handlers are an option for potential employees. Chief cargo companies include: DHL, FEDEX, UPS, Emery Worldwide, and Amerijet.

Two recently launched carriers, EOS Airlines and Maxjet Airways, went through a hiring surge immediately preceding their first flights in Autumn 2005. As with any start up, long term career possibilities are a big question as most start ups eventually fail.

In all, the opportunities for you in the airline industry have improved. While pay for hourly workers is generally low the benefits, including flight privileges, are usually fairly good. In spite of everything, the airline industry remains a point of interest for so many people and with decreasing fuel prices and strength in the economy, the job market for customer service personnel is on an upswing.

Aging Baby Boomers Create Jobs in Health Care

2010-06-15T09:36:00.000-07:00

Over 75 million Americans comprise the baby boomer generation, and many have reached an age where health care is starting to become a major concern. Baby boomers are generally recognized as the generation born between 1946 and 1964, although many who were born a few years before or after associate themselves with the name. The baby boomers represent a post World War II population explosion and their inevitable aging has made the world statistically older than ever.

The oldest baby boomers are already in their sixties and the health care industry is beginning to feel the effect of their age. The onset of the baby boomer generation saw unprecedented growth for hospitals and clinics in the period between 1950 and 1965. It is now estimated that the current number of senior care facilities, which is far less than the number of existing hospitals and clinics, will be insufficient to handle the large number of aging baby boomers. Furthermore, baby boomers are more likely to seek medical care than the previous generation. Where there parents would often avoid going to see the doctor, baby boomers consider medical care paramount to their overall health and happiness.

The end result of this aging generation on the health care industry will be the creation of several new jobs out of necessity. The US Department of Labor estimates that the health care industry will experience growth that is well above average compared to all other industries over the next two decades. This can be attributed directly to the sheer numbers of this aging generation and their outlook on medical care. In fact, it is entirely possible that there may be a shortage of health care workers in the very near future.

Shortages in personnel often cause wages to rise, a scenario that seems a likely fate for many health care positions. Only time will tell if the supply of workers is able to meet the demands placed on the health care industry by the baby boomer generation.

Aggressively Written Resumes

2010-06-15T07:35:00.000-07:00

When writing resumes, it is important to remember whom it is you're trying to please - (is it you, or the hiring authority?) In this article I will present my ideas of what makes up really aggressive documents, based on my many years in the industry, and my career in owning and managing a successful resume writing and career marketing firm.

Who Is Reading Your Resume?

Make no mistake about it, aggressive documents are necessary to be successful in today's competitive job search. But first, some history. Let's examine some of the "hiring authorities." Before my career in the resume writing industry, I spent several years as an executive recruiter, placing mid- and senior-level executives in top corporations. Eventually, I managed that firm, which employed 24 recruiters working 10 "desks." A "desk" is a specialty: finance, banking, engineering, information systems, legal, are all known as "desks" and each recruiter (or team of recruiters) specialized in placing upper managers and executives in a chosen field.

I no longer place candidates, and devote all my energies to resumes and the career marketing industry as a whole, and my own firm in particular. However, I still have many connections with recruiters, and have respect for the really great ones, and distaste for the all-too-often bad ones!

I think it's important to remember that these days, people in career transition are driven to explore many methods in their job search. In the past, it was much easier to look for a job - individuals simply read the classified ads, called the telephone number listed and chatted with the person over the phone, setting up an in-person interview for the next day. What a snap!

These days, however, the job search is much more complex. Competition for employment has never been greater. The entire process is often drawn-out, depersonalized and hard, hard, hard! Resumes are no longer just asked for, they are DEMANDED. In reality, they are a prerequisite for a job search.

My point is, you have to remember what the resume's purpose actually is and write accordingly. The dynamics in this field are very exciting but also very volatile. The buzz words are forever changing. Companies, for example, were at one time laying-off, then downsizing... rightsizing... reorganizing, and now reengineering. Whew!

Recruiters, company hiring managers and human resources professionals are all components in your job search, and it is the resume's job to land interviews.

I routinely speak with professional recruiters, H.R. professionals and hiring managers to get their reactions and opinions to resume styles, formats, contents and verbiage. Remembering that resumes are actually marketing pieces designed to sell you to potential employers, aggressive resumes are NOT simply a listing of your work experience or your biography (life on paper).

What Makes A "Winning" Resume?

Here are some of my methods and suggestions for writing aggressive resumes, based on my own experience as a recruiter, my interaction with hiring professionals and employment specialists and my clients' success rate in obtaining interviews within 30 days.

Successful resumes need to SELL you over and above your peers and they create a sense of urgency for the reader to pick up the phone and call (or email) you to arrange an interview. Otherwise, the alternative is the reader scans the resume, thinks, "Yeah, this person has a good background," and then moves on to scan the next resume, pitching your resume in the old "circular file."

So let's examine some ways to write aggressive, up-to-the-minute resumes that really SELL you.

OBJECTIVES

There are lots of opinions about whether or not to use an objective, or just how to do so, if one IS used. The only "given" about the use of an objective, is definitely NOT to use one on senior level resumes. A CEO, CFO, COO or other executive's resume actually looks/reads silly when an objective is used. But for the mid-level or entry-level candidate, an objective can be useful. Here are a few ways to incorporate the concept into a resume...for a very targeted client who knows exactly what she/he wants:

BUYER...PURCHASING MANAGER...PROCUREMENT AGENT

or, for someone seeking to remain in their career pattern: EXPERIENCED COST ACCOUNTANT seeks a position with a progressive organization that will utilize a successful career to meet/exceed company goals.

or, for a client who has several fields she/he want to pursue: Results-oriented manager seeks a position with advancement opportunities; areas of interest include retail, electronics and communications technology.

or, if someone wants to change careers: AGGRESSIVE individual seeks a career in sales utilizing strong interpersonal skills to penetrate untapped markets and build a loyal client base.

What you'll notice in the above cases, is what's stressed in the objective: the BENEFIT the COMPANY will receive if they hire the candidate. What is not stated is what YOU want. Companies don't care what you want - they want to know what you can do for THEM.

A flaw in writing objectives, is that they sometimes just say the same thing that 78+ other resumes sitting on the hiring authority's desk state: Seeking a challenging position that will utilize my skills in editing, proofreading and copy writing.

Oh, that's exciting...makes you just want to jump to the phone and give that person a call, doesn't it? Stating that the person is seeking a challenging position is ridiculous. Would you ever state that you were seeking a boring position? Of course not - so don't state the obvious - it's a cliché.

REFERENCES PROVIDED UPON REQUEST

Using this phrase at the end of the resume is archaic. It's a given (talk about a cliché!), and contemporary resumes omit this. The better approach is to generate a prepared Professional Reference sheet which you can bring with you on interviews and leave with the interviewer when references are requested.

RESPONSIBLE

This word is often so over-used in a resume, that at GetInterviews.com, we never use it. Recruiters employed at retainer-only search firms have told me that the word "responsible" signifies mid-management and below, not executive-level candidates. Personally, I believe the word "responsible" is actually useless in a resume. Instead of writing, "Responsible for all departmental functions including accounts payable/receivable, payroll and invoicing..." I would suggest to use an action word that best depicts what that person actually does - for example, "Perform all departmental functions, including..." or "Oversee all departmental functions, including..." or "Review all departmental functions, including..." See what I mean? "Responsible" doesn't really SAY anything, it doesn't give a clear indication of what you actually do. Do you perform the functions or direct them? "Responsible" is too vague to say which.

MY, MINE, THIS, I

Using words like this in the resume indicates you are writing in a narrative voice, as if you are having an actual conversation, a dialogue with the reader. This is not the case: you are presenting your achievements, skills and credentials to a potential employer. My suggestion would be to keep the resume more business-like, more professional. In descriptions, the word "a" could be substituted for the word "this," as in: "Promoted to a $30 million division of an international widget manufacturer to expand sales into untapped markets" as opposed to "Promoted to this $30 million division...."

ALSO

I have seen this word used when describing daily functions: "Control and administer annual budgets totaling $12 million. Also, interface with vendors to negotiate more favorable terms and gain higher profits." Again, the "also" is a dialogue word, and quite unnecessary. In writing resumes, it is best to do what my Creative Writing professor called "tight writing." That is, to eliminate as many "an's, the's, also's, a's," etc., as possible. They typically aren't necessary and can be cut from the resume without loss of meaning.

NUMBERS

Contrary to the rules of grammar, EXCEPT for academic resumes, it is best to use numerals in a resume rather than spell out the number, even when that number is 10 or under. I know that grammatically, we are taught to spell out numbers like three, five, seven, etc., and write 12, 14, 16, etc. The numerical version, however, jumps off a page, whereas the spelled out version often gets lost. Because resumes are often only scanned by the reader 15-20 seconds, the actual use of numbers helps to capture the readers' attention - they are drawn to the numbers, which means they are spending more time looking at and reading your resume - and that's a GOOD thing! I made the reference above to academic resumes, because teachers, principals and superintendents are very sensitive to grammatical rules, even in resumes. It's best to spell out any number under 10 for these types of resumes. I would never recommend, however, that the words "percentage" or "dollar" be used ("30 percent" or "12 million dollars") - instead, use the symbol, as in 30% or $12 million.

EDUCATION VS. EXPERIENCE

Knowing when to highlight someone's education vs. experience is important. With certain fields (teaching, for example), the general preference is to lead off the resume with the client's credentials and educational background, even if they have considerable experience. Recent college grads should also have their education first, as it is typically their greatest achievement. However, someone who returned to college (part time nights, for example), while concurrently employed full time for the past 9 years as a travel agent, should have their resume lead off with their experience, and NOT emphasize they just obtained their Bachelors degree. They are not entry-level candidates - their experience is more vital to a company than their education. Remember that all resumes do NOT have to lead off with the client's education.

PAST / PRESENT TENSE

Writing in the present tense is always more aggressive than writing in the past tense. Verbs in past tense are in a passive voice, so whenever feasible, write in the present tense. Obviously, if you are still employed, your current job listing is written in the present tense (manage, direct, supervise, control, etc).

PICTURES

Unless you are an actor or model, do not include a picture of yourself under any circumstances. Companies these days are so concerned about EEO lawsuits, discriminatory cases and the like, that at best, they will immediately throw out the picture, or at worst, possibly throw away the entire resume, especially if the picture is printed into the resume. I can guarantee you recruiting firms are highly sensitive to this, as well.

GRAPHICS

Be careful not to make your resumes "too cute." Remember, companies see you as an INVESTMENT - they are spending x amount of dollars to obtain you (salary), and want to see a return on their investment. It is a business negotiation. If the resume appears too "decorative" or distracting because of cute clip art images or overly decorative paper, you may be dismissed and the resume tossed.

PERSONAL INFO

Marital status, date of birth, health, hobbies, etc., are not relevant on a resume these days.

Remember, you aren't writing your biography, you are marketing yourself on paper: why does the employer want to hire YOU above all others, especially when there are 91+ resumes from equally qualified candidates sitting on that decision-maker's desk? Answer that question in the resume, and you will have written a tight, solid, results-oriented resume...in short, a winning, aggressive resume, and the sort of resume that is vital for today's job search - and that of the next millennium.

Affordable Pricing for Training Program

2010-06-15T05:34:00.000-07:00

When you are considering embarking upon a specialized job-training program, the last thing that you want to hear is that the cost of doing so is prohibitive. After all, chances are that a reason why you’re looking in the first place is dissatisfaction with your current pay. With the current condition of the United States economy, the job market is definitely skewed towards the employers, and the wages being paid are not necessarily commensurate with the work being performed. If you are considering training in the construction equipment operation field, then, a high-priced training program may be enough to discourage and dissuade you from following through.

Not so with the program offered by the National Heavy Equipment Operations School, however. At National, we understand that job training is often required to fit into the constraints of your current occupation and demands in life, and thus our heavy equipment training program is flexible and affordable. For tuition costs comparable to community college coursework, you can complete our thorough and comprehensive two-part training program. By no means is the lower cost of National’s program indicative of its quality; our facility is home to the nation’s only fully accredited heavy equipment training course. Additionally, National offers tuition financing to those who qualify, and even unemployed applicants can often take advantage of payment programs offered locally through their respective offices. Students on active military duty are also eligible for DANTES and tuition assistance. Even the lodging costs required to complete the second training phase are affordable; National has agreements with several nearby motels for student housing.

The cost of our heavy equipment-training program is further offset once you successfully complete it. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the construction industry is one of the largest industries in the country, employing well over six million people. But your own perception can tell you as much; regardless of where you are in the nation, chances are good that there is at least one or two construction projects being completed nearby, from highway widening to mountain pass maintenance. Indeed, construction represents one of the most stable and reliable industries in today’s marketplace, and according to projections it shows no sign of slowing anytime soon. As the program at National is known and respected throughout the industry, the certificate that you receive upon program completion will open up employment doors for you all across the nation.

Advice For Writing A Strong Resume

2010-06-15T04:33:00.001-07:00

Creating a strong, solid resume involves several steps, which, when taken together, prove fruitful for an improved resume. Simple enough in themselves, it is important to actually go through and check that all the elements needed for a strong resume appear. First of all, an aesthetically clean, grammatically correct, and clear resume is a must. This indicates a well-educated and polished individual. The resume must be well organized and focused to be considered. In other words, include only previous employments that apply to the new job which you want in most relevant order. In the process of polishing up your resume, be sure that it stays interesting to the perspective employer. Your resume should be specific to each job to which you are applying, and your resume should speak for you as to why you are the right candidate. Your resume represents you, so the impression your resume makes is the impression that you have made. With these points in mind while writing and revising your resume, you shall end with a strong, attention-grabbing resume.

Language is indispensable to us and we use it constantly, but grammar, spelling, and writing style have taken a back seat for the majority of us thanks to computer technology which corrects for us. All too often though, these corrections leave much to be desired. In other words, it is still up to the writer to ensure that what he has written is well written. Any blatant spelling or grammar errors jump out at the reader, and your strengths and talents take a far back seat to the minor spelling mistakes. Revisions must be done on resumes, and the first revision should check for correct grammar and spelling. Many executives find that typos and grammar mistakes are the most common oversights writers make on their resumes ( http://www.jobweb.com/resources/Library/Interviews__Resumes/Typos__Grammati_270_1.htm ). Having someone else proofread is wise, as it is always easier to see others’ mistakes rather than our own. Resume builder websites specializing in optimizing and improving resumes are also a great idea to help you avoid the pitfalls of resume writing. These specialists will view your resume objectively and will notice mistakes, both of grammar and good resume form.

Clarity and conciseness are also important in the resume. The fewer unnecessary words and the more direct your phrases are, the easier it is to read through your resume. Keep in mind that resumes are not read, they are merely read through. They are glanced at, or at best skimmed, so the clearer and more concise you are in expressing yourself, the larger portion of your resume will be noticed. One page resumes are preferred as they are concise and help you focus. This focus forces you to choose and include only your most important jobs and achievements.

When writing a resume, never lose focus. Remember the point of the resume: the key to securing interviews. Thus, make sure that every point included in your resume indicates to the resume reader why you are the one who should get the interview and, eventually, the job. Don’t include extras in your resume. If they have nothing to do with the skills and talents you will need for the job you want, they do not belong on the resume. Again, keep in mind that resumes are only skimmed over, and so should contain only that information which applies. If you have a life experience that is so unique and interesting that you have to put it on your resume, tie a skill learned from it with the job you hope for. The unique activity will be noticed, and the fact that you learned from it in a way that will help you at future jobs will be viewed as a plus.

In keeping organized and focused, state your work experience in relevant order. Hopefully, and most likely, your most recent work experience is most relevant to your future job. If you are fresh out of college, you will likely want to prioritize your education, as presumably you will not have a meaty employment section at this point. On the other hand, if your college graduation is an old, fond memory at this point, start your resume with work experience.

Following the above tips will help keep the attention of your prospective employer. Keeping the interest of those reading your resume is vital, since these are the people who will be contacting you for an interview. Clearly indicating your career goals is a wise choice. It is an immediate indicator if yours are compatible with and conducive to the company you are applying to. The use of words indicating action, initiative, and energy is an intelligent move. Such words will help you focus on what you have done personally, and make your resume specific and unique.

It is wise to have a template resume from which you format specific ones for each job that you apply to. This way, you will never have a generic resume, which will naturally impress potential employers. When you take the time to personalize your resume, you show that you want the job more than others who are not willing to input this time and energy into theirs. A specific resume will wax the interest of the resume reader, and give rise to questions they will want to ask upon meeting you. In other words, the reader will want to interview you. There are resume builder services that you can utilize on the web to help ensure your resume is polished and professional. Shop around to find one that best suits your needs.

Investing time into your resume will lead to an investment of time by those reading it. The resume is the first impression you make on a potential employer, so use it to your advantage, and compose it carefully to separate yourself from other applicants. While it is important to use a standard resume format, it is not important, and even discouraged, to base your resume on the ‘standard’. The only result will be an average resume, and you want anything but. So focus your resume on your personal achievements and goals in a well-written, organized, focused, and interesting presentation. Once you send out this well-prepared resume, make sure your phone stays on as those phone calls start coming in.

Advancements in Information Technology Lead to Job Growth

2010-06-13T23:38:00.000-07:00

The Information Technology (IT) industry is well known for experiencing growing pains related to the technological advancements that are the foundation of the field itself. Advancements in technology, while necessary, often force IT professionals to focus on a particular area of expertise in order to meet the specialized needs of different industries. This newfound emphasis on specialization has led to the creation of new positions within the IT field with expansion resulting in job diversification.

Not so long ago, IT managers and administrators were responsible for all facets of a company's data systems, including development, accessibility, storage and security. These rising stars of the computer age were often single handedly responsible for maintaining the systems that businesses relied upon to function. For many, budgetary free reign was allowed for software and hardware purchasing with the singular requirement that all systems continue to run smoothly and effectively. Larger organizations often had in-house IT administrators who worked alongside the employees of companies that provided implementation services. The outsourced agents were a necessity for the maintenance of massive IT installations, while their company counterparts served to relay information regarding the purchased systems to management in a jargon free and palatable manner.

Today, the majority of small to medium sized businesses operate completely in-house. Even larger organizations are limiting outsourced personnel to the bare minimum, preferring to hire specialized permanent employees to fill the positions that were once manned by a labor force provided by another company. Upper echelon IT managers are more likely to have business heavy education and experience credentials while their subordinates may be experts in either the software, hardware, or security side of IT infrastructures, but rarely all three. With data tampering and theft becoming a major concern in recent years, the job market for data security personnel alone has risen substantially.

As we move forward into the future of information technology, the trend for a specialized workforce in the IT sector of employment will likely continue. Even educational institutions are beginning to recognize this expansive diversification and IT degree programs with an emphasis on even the most obscure facets of the industry can now be found. While the onset of the computer age has certainly resulted in the reduction of many positions in the overall workforce, the weight of its own complexity may yield new positions that can balance those losses as we move forward.

Advance Your Nursing Career with Online Nursing Degree

2010-06-13T21:37:00.000-07:00

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nursing is one of the fastest growing occupations in our economy with over a 27% spike in employment projected over the next 5 years. Qualified nurses are in highly demand in the health care market, earning a nursing degree will definitely lead you to a brighter future.

If you already in the health care market as a RN, it time for you to advance your nursing career by earning a bachelor or master nursing degree. With a higher degree you are more employable, you will earn a higher salary, and you will have much more freedom to chart your own career path.

Today, there are many prestige online universities offering RN-to-BSN online degree programs, and now you can earn your nursing degree online. The major benefit of pursuing the nursing degree online is convenience. Like most of prospective online nursing students, you have jobs that you cannot afford to give up in order to return to traditional campus based schools to pursue a higher degree. Having the ability to "attend" class online from anywhere internet access is available at any time that works for your schedule; online nursing degree enable you to achieve your nursing career goal while allowing you to continue your current job.

The Bachelor's degree in Nursing is the basic degree at the professional level of the nursing profession. By earning an online bachelor degree in nursing, you may go on to have successful careers in specialized fields such a:

Emergency Room Care

Home Health Care

Mental Health Care

Critical Care

Oncology

Geriatrics

Pediatrics

Pulmonary

Obstetrics

Master Science in Nursing is one of the hottest degrees and students with master degree in nursing are highly demand in health care job market. Most often, students who choose to pursue a graduate degree in nursing have already gained experience working in the nursing field. The graduate degree will enable you to advance your career to a higher pay position, most often at the managerial level. You can also earn a graduate degree in nursing through online nursing program. Most often, as a master degree student, you will need to choose a specialization to focus in your study. Among the common specialization for graduate degree in nursing are:

Community Health Systems

Elderly Nursing

Psychological Nursing

Health Care Systems Administration

Family Nursing

After you complete the graduate degree program, you will be specially trained to be successful in the field of your focus of study.

In Summary

Nursing is one of the fastest growing occupations as projected in next 5 years. Qualified nurse with bachelor and master degree are highly demand in the health care job market, getting start now to earn your nursing degree will lead you to a brighter career future. Online nursing degree enables you to earn your degree from anywhere and at your own schedule while preparing you to compete in this booming health care sector.

Advance Your Career by Selling Yourself

2010-06-13T19:35:00.000-07:00

Often when it comes to our career we are some of the worst salesman of our abilities and skills. We sell ourselves short in our abilities come review time, or accept less than we are worth out of fear that they will find someone else. Instead of building ourselves up and selling ourselves for maximum value we accept what is given to us and end up doing twice the work for half the pay.

One of the most important places you can ever sell yourself is during the interview process for a new job. It is during this process that you should make an effort to build up yourself and sell your skills to the potential employer by making them feel that if they hire anyone else but you they are going to be losing out on an amazing talent. Here are a few tips you can use during your next interview to make the interviewer think WOW!

Dress for success. Clothes make the man (or woman) and you should dress as if you were interviewing for the CEO position.

Research the company and know the background of it. During the interview show that you have done your homework by asking questions or making comments about a recent press release or company announcement.

Ask questions. Most interviewees just answer the questions they are presented and never speak up. Show the interviewer you are truly interested in the company and the job by asking questions relating to the company, your potential job and company culture.

Bring samples of your work. Whether you are an artist or a computer programmer bring a sample portfolio of your past work and share it with the interviewer. Remember, a picture (or document) can speak a million words.

Be ahead of schedule. Remember the golden rule; it is better to be 3 hours early than 3 minutes late. No one is going to hire someone who can't make it to the interview on time.

Follow-up. Don't sit around waiting for a letter or a call. Send a follow-up letter immediately expressing your interest in the job and if you haven't heard back within a week pick up the phone and call. What do you have to lose?

Advice for Writing a Resume

2010-06-13T18:41:00.000-07:00

If you ever plan on getting a job or starting a career of some kind, you will have to have a resume. Not just a piece of paper that gives the employer some information about yourself, but rather something that will set you apart from the others applying for the same position. One would like to think that there is one way to write a resume, and that if you follow that exact formula, you're set. But this is not the case. Each employer is different, so some might like one style over another. We can however give you some tips that will turn you in the right direction.

One thing that we see over and over again in resumes is an overload of information. I guess there are many resume writers that think quantity will impress people over quality. They are dead wrong. Employers are busy people, and don't have all day to dig through a mountain of information. So keep it informative, but to the point. Don't add things in there that aren't relevant to the job. In other words, don't list that you like pets when you're applying for a job as a web designer. In keeping with the "to the point" rule, keep your resume to one page. They shouldn't have to flip a page over to see what they are looking for. This is a waste of their time.

So what should you include on your resume?

A) Your name and other information on how to reach you. It’s kind of pointless handing in a resume if they can't get back to you. :)

B) Your Objective. There are quite often other positions to fill, so make sure to specify what you are applying for.

C) Training and Education. List your training and education with the most recent being on top. List only what is related to the job. Make sure to list any side classes you took that could be related to the job.

D) Experience. Make sure once again that you are showing quality, and not quantity. If you are really weak in the experience area, still be careful as to not make it seem like you are just trying to fill in some space.

Although you want to keep a resume to one page, you must not do so by using a font that is difficult to read because it is too small. I find that a font size of 12 or so does the trick. Anything smaller than a point size of 11 is pushing it, and might make it hard to read. This is especially the case if the employer is older. One test to see if the font is too small is to ask a parent to read it. If they have to squint or move the resume back and forth until they find a good reading distance, you might have something that is challenging to read. Fonts that you might want to use are Times New Roman, Arial, Garamond, Bookman, or Helvetica. These are easier to read, and can be found pretty much on any computer. Don’t bother with crazy script fonts or other fun looking fonts. You want to make sure your resume reflects professionalism and structure, not a casual direction or feel.

Make sure that your resume has room to breathe. Don’t clutter and squeeze things in just to fit them in. Adding some space creates a nice visual organization that breaks down the page into more manageable pockets of information, and makes it easier for an employer to find what they are looking for. It’s very hard scanning through information when it’s all squished together. So keep it nicely spaced.

When you are ready to finally print this resume, make sure not to get cheap on the paper it’s printed on, or the way it is printed. Use a laser printer when printing your resume up, and make sure it’s on crisp thicker stock paper that doesn’t have any blemishes or folds. Make sure to have at least 20lb stock. Outputting to a laser printer will ensure the darkest text, and that it won’t bleed or smear. Inkjets just don’t cut it for this task.

In the end, make sure you keep it simple and to the point. Don’t add what you don’t need to for the sake of making you look busy or important. Just add what is necessary to reflect the important aspects that will make yourself a good fit for that company. Give the resume room to breathe, and don’t skimp out on the printing process. Follow these simple guidelines, and you’ll be well on your way creating to a rock solid resume, and a strong impression on employers as well.

Advertising Career Overview

2010-06-13T18:39:00.000-07:00

The draw towards this industry is the multimillion-dollar campaigns, and the glamour surrounding the promotion of products and the clients it represents. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( http://www.bls.gov/ ), non-supervisory workers in advertising and public relations services made $633 a week on average in 2004. Companies in the advertising and public relations industry arrange advertisements for other companies and organizations and propose campaigns to encourage the interests and image of their clients. This industry also includes media representatives, radio, television, and the Internet. It also includes display ads, direct mail, billboards and other tangible media. The demand for educated advertising professionals is on the rise as technological advances give advertisers more options for the media on which they advertise.

You can earn an a advertising degree at public and private colleges and universities, as well dedicated technical schools that offer career specific programs. Specialty schools often offer two-year degree or certificate programs in advertising. Traditional four-year college and university programs offer advertising programs within other majors such as communications, business or art programs. Most people starting out in an advertising career will be required to hold a bachelor's degree with a liberal arts background. Bachelor's degrees are not required for entry-level positions in the creative department. Assistant art directors, for example usually need at least a 2-year degree from an art or design school. Although assistant copywriters do not need a degree, obtaining one helps to develop the superior communication skills and abilities required for this job. Entry-level positions in the industry include account management, media coordinator, or market research. Internships, in conjunction with your education, will help you get a job when you graduate. Completion of an internship is often a necessary requirement for many advertising firms. In addition to an internship, course work in marketing, design, statistics and accounting can help get you ready for employment in this field.

Melissa Steele, College Degrees @ EducationGuys.com Writer.

Administrator Resume Samples Will Give The Edge When Applying For A New Position.

2010-06-13T18:35:00.001-07:00

Being an administrator, you may have to interact with the CEO one minute and the next minute a floor cleaner. What is expected from an Admin, varies from organization to organization.

But overall, an admins role is to be very flexible and friendly, approachable with good inter personnel skills. Also, as an admin you are expected to learn quickly. Having said that, make sure your resume conveys this message if you posses these skills.

Apart from the basic resume contents like contact information, employment history, qualification etc, following additional tailored information could be helpful to you.

- Mention How flexible you are. This is a plus for any role. But, for an admin, it is a required soft-skill.
- How good you are as a people friendly person?
- How do you handle others' egos? If you can speak CEO language as well as layman's office language, do mention it.
- As an admin, you might have to learn new processes and undergo new training programmes. Mention your quick learning skills.
- Mention how you have reduced costs and saved money in your department or the organization in general by any means.
- Narrate in brief why you should be called for the interview. For example Oracle certified database administrator with 5 years of experience, experienced hospital administrator with relevant skills etc.
- Mention any technical or computer qualifications and personality development, diploma in office administration or hospital administration etc done as a course with its content in brief, the duration, institute and also its results.
- Mention how you improved the efficiency and productivity within your department or the organization in general.
- Highlight any other achievements that have benefited your department and obviously your organization in general.

Administrative Professionals-Keeping A Competitive Edge

2010-06-10T23:20:00.000-07:00

dministrative professionals are among the most highly skilled and competent people in today's workforce. Many are experts in desktop publishing, spreadsheet reporting, budgeting, and Internet research.

Beyond these proficiencies, they possess enhanced verbal and written communication and multi-tasking capabilities, the ability to work in a team environment, and problem-solving skills. Because of their versatility, administrative professionals play an essential role in many organizations.

Although the demand for office staffing is strong now, the future is less certain. The Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates overall job growth for administrative professionals will decline over the next eight years. Still, opportunities will exist for those who keep pace with new technology.

Ed Meisenheimer, vice president and general manager of Kelly Services, experts in office staffing, suggests, "To increase marketability, become an authority in Web content, multimedia presentations, online meetings, and video conferencing. Specializing in the accounting, insurance, legal, or medical field is another way to widen employment opportunities."

Having employed millions of administrative professionals during its 60-year history, his company offers these additional career tips to keep a competitive edge:

• Enhance computer skills and be proficient in all the software applications your organization uses. Volunteer to teach others.

• Further develop time management, organizational, and prioritization skills to manage multiple projects and priorities.

• Sharpen written and verbal communication skills.

• Expand leadership, negotiation and strategic thinking skills. Join associations that provide educational seminars and offer networking opportunities.

• Volunteer to participate on teams to increase exposure among executives.

• Create a portfolio of your skills to give yourself a competitive edge when marketing your accomplishments.

• Subscribe to various periodicals to stay informed about your industry.

• Dress appropriately for your office environment. Whether the dress code is business or business casual, dress to convey a professional image.

• Keep a positive attitude. With constant change in organizations today, this is an important quality that will be recognized by your boss and your peers.

Administrative professionals are among the most adaptable and resourceful employees, and the best employers nurture them by offering training and providing a career path. In today's fast changing business climate, administrative professionals who hone existing skills, gain new talents, and are proactive in career planning, Meisenheimer concludes, will enhance their advancement potential.

Activity Plan for Those Who Lost Their Jobs

2010-06-10T21:20:00.000-07:00

The fear of loosing a job is overwhelming every wise person. But the actual event is no tragedy, no matter how big a loss it. All the professional psychologists advice not to fall into the state of constant depression, but to work the way out of this dreadful situation. Everything depends on the level of motivation. There are two possible options for people that changed their status to unemployed: either to continue searching for another job in the sphere of prior employment, or seek luck in the fields that are unknown.

If you feel like you want to be involved in the same sphere you started in the simplest decision would be to call the competitors. Do not follow the standard procedure and submit your resume to the personnel department, but contact the authority directly, offering your services in a very polite manner. All a good boss has to know about a future employee is professional experience Tell him about your professional experience, education, personal traits and features that will help an employee to develop and professionally grow making a contribution to the company. Be sure to stay business like and try to inform the future employer only about he/she has to know, any previous failure of yours can be used as an argument to lower your cost at the job market. According to the statistics, those who change their places of employment have more chances to be promoted than those who work there all their lives. The results of the research show that those who change work have more chances to be promoted than those who work in one company all their lives. Look for a place in spheres you feel comfortable with. If you get stressed out because of the constant strain and noise in a large company, look for a place in smaller ones. Another statistics shows that employees of the smaller, but fast growing companies get to the top of a career ladder faster than those who get lost among thousands of employees in a big company. If none of the mentioned above options work for you, start looking for a part time job. You have to realize that proposals will not be piling up in front of your door; you have to hunt for them. There is nothing more important than an ability to cover the bills. In this case all the possible variants are acceptable. You can get a part-time job of a freelancer or get employed by a company in terms of a contract. This is a convenient way for big companies to control the process. The employer is responsible for the project and works o it from the beginning to the state of completion. This way you will have time to find a good full-time job.

Part-time job gives you an opportunity to cover your bills. In this case it doesn’t really matter if the job you are going to take part-time participation at is related to the field where you have previously worked. Be sure not to include this employment in your resume unless it really contributes to your list of skills.

Title: ACTING OPPORTUNITIES

2010-06-10T19:19:00.000-07:00

Here are a few ideas on maximizing your any acting opportunities that might come your way, or creating the opportunities in the first place.

HAVING AN AGENT

An agent can get your face seen in places that you alone could not. This increases the likelihood of you getting work. The more swings you make the more balls you hit! But there are many acting opportunities to be found without an agent. Though nearly all Film, TV, Broadway and Off Broadway productions will exclusively use agent submissions, you can still find work without an agent. Community and Dinner Theatre, student and some Indie films will take unrepresented actors.
The more experience and skills you have the more likely it is that an agent will take you on. An agent makes money when you work, so they will be keen to sign you up if you can show what an asset you will be to them. There is nothing wrong with sending a Resume and Headshot (more on those later), but it’s essential that you send follow-up cards letting the agent know where and when you will be working, so they can see for themselves what a good actor you are.

RESUMES

Resumes help, they help in getting an agent but once you have one, your agent will use it to get you auditions. There are some rules for resumes, here are are the major ones.

Keep it to one page (8.5 x 11), if its more than one page the pages might get separated and details lost.

Make it neat. People have been known to get around the above restriction by using a small font size, its a judgement call but if the type is too small it will be hard to read.

The Headshot should be recent, but use a photograph that shows you at your absolute best.

Make sure that all your contact information is correct, its also an idea to set up an email address specifically for your acting correspondence, this may stop you deleting essential emails.

The big tip for resumes is DON’T LIE! We have all exaggerated something on an application form at some time, but you should be very careful about what you say you can do on your resume. Future opportunities could be endangered if you lie and you will look foolish if you’ve put motorcycle riding down as a skill and on your first day on set you have to admit you just to get the part.

LOCAL COMMERCIALS

The majority of acting opportunities are focused around the major cities like New York and L.A. But other opportunities crop up all over the country, some of which I mentioned in the opening paragraph. The most lucrative can be commercials for local car dealerships, restaurants and large local stores. These are usually produced by local agencies who will normally use local talent because it’s easier and cheaper than flying in someone from L.A. The director will still only hire actors with the relevant skill and look, but you can improve your opportunities if you have a diverse or “ethnically ambiguous” look, i.e. if you can pass for more than one type of race.

Thanks for taking the time to read this article, I hope that it’s given you a few ideas on maximizing your acting opportunities.I hope it helped and gave you a few ideas.

Acting Extras

2010-06-10T17:18:00.000-07:00

Would you like to be rich and famous? Most of us would be happy with just one of these, but acting extras usually end up neither! Having said that it can be fun and also a foot in the door of the film and TV world. Here are a few things to bear in mind.

Be Aware Of The Con Tricks.

There are many scams and cons that take advantage of peoples desire to be acting extras. The most cons common usually involve very high fees to sign up to an acting extras agency. These fees can be in $100s and usually entitle you to composites or head shots that are at best pointless and at worst misleading, or the promise a series of acting classes which, if they materialize, are of no real benefit.
To avoid these traps, look for a well established reputable agency. There will be a one off registration fee $20 or $30 to pay for the initial admin. But after that they make money when you do - thats their job! They will work to find you auditions that suit your skills and physical type.If you have a specific skill or physical attribute you may get paid more. Its worth pointing out that if you have an agent and get a job yourself, without their input, you still have to pay them. If you are with an agent and they don’t get you any work at all you can move to another by giving them 30 days notice of the cancelation of the contract in writing.

Behave On Set.

As an acting extra bad on-set behavior can have a massive affect how much work you get.
Some good rules are;
Arrive early,
If you are new, watch and learn from your more experienced colleagues,
It’s worth bringing a book because you can be on set with nothing to do for hours, be patient. But when you are asked to do something do it straight away.
Treat the cast and crew with courtesy and respect,
Food is provided, but know your place in the pecking order - the bottom,
Never bother to the stars! If they initiate a conversation then reply, but you are there to do a job, you are not being paid to be a fan or to fill up your autograph book.

On set misbehavior will endanger your chances of being asked back or even sent from set there and then.

Keep Your Eyes And Ears Open.

This not only applies to taking advice from more experienced extras on set as mentioned above, but it also applies to finding work. Adverts, films and TV shows are filmed all over the country and when an outdoor scene is shot then locals can get work as extras. The adverts for these jobs can be found in the local press and though they are at the lower end of the pay-scale, they could be the start of something bigger or just a good experience.

Get A SAG Card.

There are two types of extras, those with a Screen Actors Guild card (SAG) and those without. The Screen Actors Guild was set up to improve the working condition of actors. A SAG card means you get paid more and hopefully your career develops more quickly. Every extra starts without the card then as they do more and more work their chances of getting one improve. The basic rule is the more work you get the more more likely it is you'll get the card, once you get the card the more money you get paid. Easy!

I hope that this brief article has helped. Acting as an extra can be fun, it probably won’t make you rich and famous, but you might make some good friends and have some excellent diner party stories!

Acting Courses, What You Need To Know!

2010-06-10T16:17:00.000-07:00

Acting courses come in various shapes, sizes and most importantly costs. How do you know which is a good one? What I have below is a list of requirements, some obvious, some not, so when you are looking for a course the more of these boxes they tick the better. Some points may not be as relevant as others, but all are, to some degree, valid and worth considering. The order is no indication of importance - thats up to you.

A good acting course will give you a thorough appreciation of the filmmaking process. This will allow you to access and develop so many vital tools. It will give you understanding of how to create a character which is rounded and believable on screen. Understanding the technical process will hopefully help develop your confidence in front of the camera, if you know what a director wants, it should be easier to give it to them. Therefor any knowledge regarding the technical aspects of filmmaking will be to your advantage.

Any acting course should have be a positive learning environment. The classroom should be a forum for ideas and criticism, where no one is afraid to open up and enthusiasm encouraged. Large class sizes are not always a bad thing they give you the opportunity to network and make a few friends too.

Look for acting courses that provide script analysis and understanding as part of the curriculum. The script is your starting point and being able to see which characters work better than others or are more believable and three-dimensional, will enable you to work more efficiently with the director or writer.
The course should also highlight the difference between stage and film scripts, being good at understanding one doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be as competent with the other.

Even a film acting course can contain information and techniques for stage acting, they are quite different, but some aspects of stage craft can prove useful in front of the camera.

All of the above training and coaching will hopefully be provided by industry veterans or experienced professionals. Most courses will provide a resume for their instructors, but if no information is provided about the people who will be coaching you then the internet can provide quick and easy access to a persons professional background.

A good acting course will be able to supply you with plenty of testimonials from previous students to help you decide if its the right one for you. Don’t be blinded by one famous alumni, better a school produces a lot of good working actors than one superstar.

If you are to get a thorough understanding of the life of an actor your course should give guidance on auditions, including such aspects as monologues, casting call requirements and even details on agents. Lets not forget that they should be realistic and give you an incite into how to survive the arduous life of an actor.

Well thanks for taking the time to read my article. Acting courses really can be useful, even for experienced actors, I hope its been helpful.

Acting Auditions Tips

2010-06-09T12:58:00.000-07:00

If your looking for acting audition tips this is a good place to start, It’ll give you a few things to consider though because of space its not totally exhaustive, so just consider this a starting point.

Acting auditions can broken down into roughly three sections, The Preparation, The Performance and The Result. We’ll look at all three which will give you enough ideas to make you a little more relaxed about the whole process.

THE PREPARATION

Preparation, as any job interview book will tell you, is essential.
Firstly, do as much research as you can, be it the character you going to play, the director, the company or even the writer. It will show thoroughness and dedication that could be the deciding factor in your favor.
Secondly, make sure you know your monologues, you should have practiced them out loud in front of a variety of people to get as any opinions as possible, if you can’t get a wide range of opinions you may find it useful to record yourself(video or audio), this gives you the chance to evaluate your own performance from a slightly different perspective.
Thirdly, know exactly where the location of the interview is, how long it takes to get there and arrive early. This allows you to relax and find some where to warm up.
You could be hanging around for a long time so take a book, some water and food or something like an ipod to keep you relaxed and occupied.
When in the audition environment it pays dividends to be nice to everyone, remember, todays rival actor could be tomorrows hot new director. This Don't be intimidated by the other actors auditioning with you, they will be just as nervous as you are. even if they appear cocky that doesn't make them a better actor than you!

THE PERFORMANCE

First impressions count, so upon entering the acting audition room be confident, positive and friendly. It may be helpful to remind yourself that these people in front of you are on your side, they actually want you to be great! Its good to be as open and personable as possible because you want the director to want to work with you personally as well as professionally and any advantage is an advantage.
Try to keep any questions you may have to a minimum, these are busy people and too many questions can seem overly ingratiating.
Your initial monologue should not really be more than two minutes long, have others prepared, these should show your range and diversity, and also have a longer monologue prepared, just in case the Director requests it.
The director may ask you to reread after direction, so good listening skills are important, at this point its better to ask questions than to assume that you know what the director wants, accepting direction also requires flexibility, so don’t stick too tightly to the same old way you’ve done the reading in the past.

THE RESULT

No article on acting audition tips would be complete without a word or two about rejection.
As you have read there are many ways that you can improve your chances of getting a role, but most actors will get turned down for most jobs most of the time. You could do all of the above and more and still be overlooked, but you should not take this as a comment on your ability. It just indicates that the casting panel thought that someone else was more suitable to that particular role at that particular time.
If you do get called back for a second audition then well done. The same basic rules apply with a few subtle tweaks that will have to wait for another article.

Thanks for taking the time to read my acting audition tips and I hope it gave you a few things to think about.

Acting – Bringing a story to life

2010-06-09T09:57:00.000-07:00

Since ancient times men and women have practised the art of acting- playing the role of a character in a story, for the entertainment of an audience. Why simply read a story when you can take part in it, playing the roles and turning it into a display of skill?

Actors have found various mediums over the centuries, from voice acting on radio, theatre acting and cinema. From the Latin word agĕre meaning “to do” (see Wikipedia), actors literally play a role, speaking written dialogue and physically performing in a way that the character would. In most acting, a director is present, whose job is to tell the other actors what to do and make sure that the whole act is going smoothly and as the writer of the scenario wanted.

Actors are required to possess many skills such as physical strength and dexterity, vocal imitation and charisma. The modern cinema industry employs thousands of actors to play the roles of characters in movie scripts, recording them for show on the silver screen. Acting in cinema is rarely done before an audience, but has the added pressure of being seen by millions on the later screen release.

Acting is a traditional art form and many actors learn by going to established academic institutions. Famous institutions include the London Academy of Film, Radio and TV and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Some actors train at a variety of different places, learning classical acting techniques and modern ones such as Method Acting. This is a style of acting in which the actor strives to be as realistic as possible, drawing on personal experience of emotional situations rather than dramatising.

The tradition of acting goes back to ancient times, with ancient Egyptians and Greeks performing either for religious purposes or more so in the case of the Greeks, for entertainment. A man named Thespis is acclaimed as being the first recognised actor way back in 560 BC, and his name inspired the term thespian as another word for actor (see New York Film Academy website). He is claimed by some to be among the first to personify a character for the purpose of story telling, using masks to discern between identities.

Ace a Job Interview

2010-06-09T07:56:00.000-07:00

If you are job hunting and want to land a great opportunity it is extremely important to ace the job interview. While a job resume is important to get you into the door, in order to get the job of your dreams, you must first ace the job interview. Here are some tips on doing well with the interview process.

A job interview is for the employer to meet with you to make sure you have the skills necessary to perform the job competently and also make sure that your personality will be a great fit with the company. If you want to impress your interviewers there are a few things to remember. The top three things to remember is to be prepared to ask and answer questions, dress appropriately, and show off your personality in the best light as possible.

Many people don’t come prepared for the job interview. They don’t know what they will be asked and they don’t have any questions to show the interviewer that they know about the company or that they are interested in the job that they will be asked to perform..

It is also important to dress properly. Many times people are dressed so inappropriately that the interviewer makes a negative first impression. If you have any doubts on your dress, change your outfit. It is also important to be personable. You don’t have to be the life of the party, but show the interviewer that you are a positive person that is responsible. Nobody wants to interview a negative or combative person. So in order to ace your job interview, follow the above tips.

More informations are available at http://www.business-00.info/careers-employment/

Accredited Checking Technician Jobs Provide A Good Vocational Career

2010-06-09T05:55:00.000-07:00

Accredited checking technician jobs are similar to pharmacy technician jobs. While the latter receives the prescription, takes out the drugs from shelves and packs them, the former checks the dispensed prescription for its accuracy. Checking, labeling and packing have all become formal procedures and the accredited checking technician will be trained in all these in a pharmacy context.

Training to Become an Accredited Checking Technician

The technician training is done under vocational training schemes, and accredited checking technicians are NVQ 3 or BTEC certified (in UK). The checking technician is trained to check that:

The medicine or product matches the prescription and is in date

It is assembled using correct equipment and processes

It is packed and labeled appropriately

Appropriate records are made

Health, hygiene and safety procedures are followed at all times

To equip the technician with the required competencies, the vocational training program will typically:

Start with an explanation of the legal and professional issues involved in checking, packing and labeling pharmacy medicines

Train the technician to work with other staff of the pharmacy

Make the technician go through typical checking exercises

Involve a final project to check 1000 items at a hospital without errors

Proceed to a test and assessment by a panel of pharmacists and technicians

Involve a probation period during which his or her performance is observed

By the end of such a course, the trainee would have gained the practical skill needed to check dispensed medications against the prescription. The person would typically check only items dispensed by another person, not by himself or herself. The prescription would also have undergone review and approval by a pharmacist regarding its correctness and accuracy.

Self-checking by non-pharmacists (like an accredited checking technician) is also considered acceptable once the technician has gained sufficient experience attested by their dispensary manager. To continue their checking career, the technicians need to be reassessed every two years.

Role of the Accredited Checking Technicians

The role to be assigned to accredited checking technicians have been the subject of some debate. Pharmacies have considered entrusting them with more responsibilities to cope with the serious shortage of pharmacists.

Some groups have opposed this move on the ground that technicians cannot be entrusted with responsibilities requiring professional knowledge. They see the move as an attempt to cut costs, replacing high cost pharmacists with lower cost technicians.

As we saw above, accredited checking technicians have to undergo a rigorous program of training and assessment before they are allowed to check.

Accredited checking technicians perform a labor-intensive function that also requires specialized vocational skill. In doing this, they relieve the pharmacist to focus on the more important tasks of checking all prescriptions, and other tasks requiring a higher level of professional knowledge.

Without the support of pharmacy technicians and accredited checking technicians, the pharmacist will be overburdened in any busy dispensary, and not be able to provide a sufficiently satisfactory level of service.

The above, in essence, is the significance of accredited checking technician jobs.

Accountant Resume Tips To Get You the Job That You Deserve!

2010-06-09T04:54:00.000-07:00

An accountant resume must highlight important information about your accounting experience, skills and education. This article gives you some ideas of the sort of information that an employer is looking for.

Basically a resume should contain your full name, permanent address, telephone numbers and email addresses. Apart from that an accountant resume should include the following information:

- A clear cut career and job objective which shows your sense of direction to the employer.
- Your resume should have the names of each of your employers and your corresponding job titles.
- Give a brief description about the employer like what they are doing, if they are not well known.
- Include your career goals and express your interest in a specific job that you are applying for.
- Mention a minimum of two and preferably not more than ten points, each describing an accomplishment in terms of results as an accountant.
- Mention all your accounting related skills which make your resume outstanding.
- In reverse chronological order include required information that includes your degree(s) and major, date of graduation, universities you attended, location of universities and any certifications of licenses related to your degree.
- Emphasize your accounting related accomplishments and contributions.
- Optimize your sentences for effectiveness and use management oriented words in your resume.
- Use as many accounts related key words, skill headings and use of action verbs. For example Management of A/R Accounts, Billing and Collections, Supervision of Accounting and Administrative Staff, Balance Sheet and Management Status Reports etc.
- Mention how you have reduced costs and saved money in your department or the organization in general by any means.
- Mention how you improved the efficiency and productivity within your department.
- Highlight any other achievements that have benefited your department and obviously your organization in general.

Accelerated Nursing Program

2010-06-03T23:16:00.000-07:00

There is such a demand for people to enter the field of nursing that many new programs are being developed to certify nurses in record time. There are a number of options available and an accelerated nursing program is usually the most popular option among those who want to enter the field of medicine.

Some people may not be comfortable knowing that nurses can be trained in very little time. However, a good accelerated nursing program will be through and effective in helping the future nurse master the skills required for the job.

One thing to consider is the traits of a good nurse. The skills required to be an effective nurse are not completely taught in the classroom. Some people have the natural talent to be in this field while others will never master the job no matter how many hours they spend in the classroom.

An accelerated nursing program recognizes that the technical skills need to be targeted while the more subtle skills that the job requires are often inherit in the individual. Many patients have encountered the perfect nurse but few of us think about why that person was so good at his job.

There are some qualities that a good nurse has that can not be taught. Consider your best encounter with a nurse. She probably had the ability to put you at ease in just a few words. Or she could simply make you feel relaxed through her demeanor and approach.

Describing such qualities in your caregiver is often difficult. There is something about the person that helps you through the difficult situation but you are not sure what it is. Of course, an accelerated nursing program does not go into depth on developing such qualities. Neither does an extended, traditional program.

Now consider your worst encounter with a nurse. She was probably abrasive and indifferent. Maybe she was sarcastic. She may have made you feel as if you were a burden. She could have technically done everything “right” but you just feel awful after seeing her.

Bedside manner is briefly covered in an accelerated nursing program but it is equally addressed in the traditional school. The nurse who made you feel uneasy was probably unaware of her effect on you. She was just doing her job.

The fundamental difference between the good nurse and the bad one is their attitude toward the profession. The first nurse is caring for a person and she recognizes this. The second nurse is just doing her job.

ABOUT YOUR WORK

2010-06-03T21:16:00.000-07:00

I like Simon, one of three judges on American Idol. I find his feedback refreshingly honest. And while his words startle me with their ego wounding potential, the traditional feel-good, let-you-down-easy, sugar-coated feedback is not much of a gift. It’s hard to tell someone they’re not good enough and their dreams are not going to happen, at least in this venue. But not telling them is no gift either. Some contestants rise to the challenges he throws at them. Some don’t. And, some can’t. Which one are you?

The people who influenced me most in my career were those who gave me the hardest critiques. Stricken with a bruised-ego for days, or on occasion for months, inevitably their feedback helped me make the right life choices to improve, change direction, or stay the course with intensity. In fact, the boss who was the hardest on me is the one I thank the most. Good was not good enough if I was capable of better, and she was quick to point out when that was. No sugar coating from her. And the funny thing? When I was honest with myself, I knew she was right.

Being honest with yourself is one of the challenges to winning at working. We all have talents and abilities, but they’re not always in the areas we pursue at work. Too many people I’ve run across in my career have American Idol Syndrome (AIS). Like Idol contestants auditioning with little or no singing ability, these people believe they are good at what they do. They can’t understand why they don’t get the promotion, the outstanding review, or the highest increases. They view themselves as varsity team material, but they play with junior varsity skills.

When I was a freshman at Stanford, I got a D in biology. Stanford graded on a bell-curve, so an 84% that might traditionally put me in a B category, was near the class bottom. Accustomed to A’s, first quarter grades woke me up. At first, I rationalized a D at Stanford was an A or a B at most any other school. But, reality prevailed. I wasn’t at another school. If I was going to compete at the school I was at, it was time to use more than high school skills to bring results.

Are you applying yourself? Are you as good as you could be to get the raise, the promotion, or the more interesting work? If these are things you want, don’t suffer from AIS. Give yourself some Simon-esk feedback. Ego aside. A Simon-esk answer to the questions, "how good are you?" and "are you in the right field?" offers you a chance at becoming happier and more successful at working. The answers give you choices: you can stay the course; find a playing field at your skill level; improve your skills to compete where you are; or change directions.

(c) 2004 Nan S. Russell. All rights reserved

A Time To Take Stock, After Loosing Your Job

2010-06-03T19:14:00.000-07:00

In today’s highly volatile and ever-evolving job market, job security is fast becoming a thing of the past. Hundreds of thousands of people are laid off each year, and this figure is on the rise, so you are not alone! But depending on how long you were at your last job, you may find that you are somewhat rusty when it comes to how to look for a job in today’s environment.

The first thing is to realize that being laid off is really not the end of the world. In fact, it might even turn out to be a blessing in disguise – a mandatory career change! Utilize it as a chance to reflect on why you were laid off and what the next stage is. Getting laid off can happen to anyone, of course, but if you want to turn the situation into a productive, positive one, you will need to face the facts and understand why this happened to you. Go through a self-analysis of why this happened to you: Could it have been avoided or not? Could you have gotten out on time or not? All this is required to ensure that your next move and job market strategy has a realistic and factual foundational. The last thing you want to do is keep at an industry which is becoming extinct!

As you put together your job market strategy and decide what job options to pursue, and whether to diversify or stay within the same industry, you may discover that you are a bit rusty in your job market awareness. There are key things you need to be aware of if you are going to successfully achieve your job goal. For instance, never put on your job applications that you were laid off, as this will raise unanswered questions as to why you were laid off. You will have time to explain the reasons once you get your foot in the door for a face-to-face interview. A great tip is to write “End of contract” on your applications. This is playing it safe.

Whatever you do in seeking work, make sure you take charge of your life and show your best side to prospective employers. With the right plan and a great resume, your success is certain. However, to achieve it you must have the appropriate job market skills. So start by analyzing your job market activity competency level with our FREE Job Market Performance Assessment.

Accountant Resume Tips To Get You the Job That You Deserve!

2010-06-03T18:17:00.000-07:00

A Shipshape Career: U.S. Merchant Mariners

2010-06-03T18:14:00.001-07:00

For people who find themselves at sea when it comes to choosing a career path, or for those who simply yearn to live on the open water, the U.S. Merchant Marine may be the perfect port. Here are answers to some common questions about the nation's "fourth arm of defense":

Q. What is the merchant marine?

A. The merchant marine is composed of men and women who crew U.S.-flag commercial vessels on the deep seas, inland waterways and Great Lakes. It's an industry with a wide range of opportunities, partly because there are so many different types of vessels-containerships, tankers, bulkers, passenger vessels, tugs and much more.

Q. Is the merchant marine part of the U.S. military?

A. America's mariners are civilians working for private companies, and are not members of the armed forces. However, merchant mariners crew all types of vessels, some of which are under contract to transport troops and military goods. Mariners continue to support U.S. troops in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

Q. Where do merchant marines receive their training?

A. There are a number of maritime schools across the country. For example, the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, based in Piney Point, Md., offers entry-level training, a program for military veterans, ongoing vocational classes, academic support and more. Since the school opened in 1967, approximately 145,000 students have trained there. The school offers academic support plus GED and college degree programs. Also, many of the maritime classes can be used for college credits.

Q. What is the training like?

A. The Paul Hall Center features top-notch educational equipment in a picturesque setting. The apprentice program blends hands-on training with classroom instruction. It consists of three phases, including 90 days aboard a U.S.-flag ship.

Q. Do graduates tend to stay in seaworthy careers?

A. Approximately 75 percent of students who complete the entire program are still sailing four years later.

A Sample Interview Thank You Letter

2010-06-02T23:59:00.000-07:00

A sample thank you letter that you use after an interview, as a guideline or template, will save you a lot of time when preparing this type of correspondence. Since you’ll prepare it before the job interview when you are not nervous and have a clear head, the letter will really increase your chances of making or reinforcing a good impression.

Trying using this for your own uses.

Date
Name
Company
Address
City
State
Zip

Dear Name,

I enjoyed the chance to visit with you in your office today concerning career opportunities with ABC Company. After discussing the future of the company I am convinced that I can make a positive contribution, and believe our association could be mutually beneficial.

I was especially impressed with the information you provided concerning expansion into other markets and a need for an invigorated marketing effort. With my background in advertising and insurance sales and experience as a carnival promoter, I believe I have a lot to offer.

ABC Company has an outstanding reputation in the field and is the type of organization I wish to associate myself with. I pride myself on being an outstanding salesman and promotional specialist, and look forward to a chance to make a positive contribution during this period of growth.

If I can provide any more information that would be of assistance to you, please don’t hesitate to call me at the phone number listed above, or email me if that is more convenient. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

Again, thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

John J. Doe.

Using this sample letter will save you time and lead to more second interviews and more job offers. However, if your field is not sales or marketing it may not be perfectly suited to your needs. It should be easy to analyze the thank you letter and see which sentences and paragraphs can be changed to make it fit your needs and your profession. With modern word processing software you can customize one version, and then copy the file and make another letter geared towards a different type of job completely. For instance, if there are three or four types of jobs you would consider then creating a thank you letter for each is probably a good idea. The same of course is true with your cover letter and resume. Different versions for different types of jobs, emphasizing different aspects of your skills and experience will make you more versatile. If, however, you are determined to pursue only one type of job, then you obviously need only one sample letter, one type of cover letter and one type of resume. This is a personal choice and you are the only person who knows exactly what job would be best suited for you and if there is more than one type you’d consider.

A Resume Sample Will Give You A Clear Idea Of What Will Best Suit Your Needs.

2010-06-02T23:01:00.000-07:00

Any good sample resume will have the following sections. This section is devoted to giving various ideas for great resume writing.

Clearly stat job objectives
Highlight qualifications
Directly relevant skills and experience.
Work history.
Relevant education and training.

Choosing The Right Resume Format:
There are different types of resume formats available. Choose the best format that suits the job you are applying for.
Chronological Format:
The primary organizing principle of this format is your employment record advancing in a particular career direction. Choose this format when you have clear cut qualifications and you are opting for a new job position in the same field.
Functional Format:
This format is suitable for candidates who are starting or changing their career. Your key skills, knowledge and related accomplishments are the primary organizing principle of this format with proof and prediction of your ability to contribute in your future job. You can also have a combinational format by combining the features of both formats.

In our website you can find some of the most important information that should be included in your resume. These are elements that an employer will look for, regardless of the number of years of experience you have. Advice for Computer Software Engineers, Architects, Sales Executives, Administrator, Pharmacists, Nurses, Teachers, Construction workers etc are given for your benefit. This information will help you to prepare an original and unique resume. Be sure that you are not simply copying a resume format that you happen to find appealing.

Instead of copying, consider your sample resume choice very carefully. Pick and choose the concepts and information or parts of any of these sample resumes that best fits your unique resume. Select the format that most emphasizes your strengths and achievements and excludes or reduces your weaknesses. Your resume needs to impress the recruiter or hiring manager enough to get you an interview.