Assess Your Work Style

Find the best jobs for your workplace personality.

by Joanna Boydak, LiveCareer

Do you love to give public presentations? Are you the "go-to" person for people in need of a sympathetic ear? Do spreadsheets excite you? Your answers to these questions will help determine whether your work style is Assertive, Persuasive, or Systemic.

According to career experts, we all have a predominant work style that influences how we approach our work. If there's a good match between your work style and your career, you are more likely to love your job. To find your best career, you need to first identify your predominant work style and then find the work environments and jobs that complement it.

Read on to assess your own work style and for a list of great jobs (with median yearly salaries) for each style:

Assertive:

• Are you a daring risk taker?
• Do you love challenges?
• Do you thrive in a fast-paced work environment?
• Do you like to tell people how things should be?
• Do you enjoy supervising others?
• Do you like to know everything that is going on at work to make certain it is going the way it should?
• Are you comfortable with confrontation?

If you answered yes to most of these questions, your work style is Assertive.

Assertive types excel in management positions that require strong motivational skills. Some great career choices for Assertive types include:

• Regional sales director: $95,819
• Event planner: $76,805
• Restaurant manager: $30,884
• Advertising agency manager: $90,229

Assertive types also make great entrepreneurs. See if you have what it takes to start your own successful business by taking a free entrepreneur test.

Persuasive:

• Do you like giving advice?
• Do you take pride in your ability to influence others?
• Are you really interested in getting to know your coworkers and clients?
• Are you skilled at building strong relationships?
• Are you a great listener?
• Do you want to make a difference in the lives of others?

If you answered yes to most of these questions, your work style is Persuasive.

Persuasive types thrive in jobs that require constant communication and interaction with others. Some great career choices for Persuasive types include:

• Elementary teacher: $54,273
• Human resources administrator: $34,810
• Financial advisor: $71,324
• Health advocate: $93,207

Systemic:

• Do you focus on the facts, not on opinions?
• Are you known for your follow-through?
• Do you enjoy a steady routine?
• Do you have a system for everything?
• Do you apply persistent and steady effort to get things done?
• Do you prefer to ponder important decisions rather than making quick decisions on the fly?

If you answered yes to most of these questions, your work style is Systemic.

Systemic types value precision and efficiency and are excellent problem solvers. Some great career choices for Systemic types include:

• IT coordinator: $81,522
• Physical therapist: $68,163
• Accountant: $55,087
• Civil engineer: $74,878

LiveCareer is the leading online career destination that helps people find the right careers. Over 5 million people have used LiveCareer's products to make better career and educational decisions that have improved their lives. (Median annual salaries provided by LiveCareer's Salary Calculator.)

Job Info , Jobs Sources , Career

Top 5 Ways to Work for Yourself

by Jessica Hanley, FindtheRightSchool.com

Work doesn't have to mean a dreary cubicle and an unappreciative boss--in fact, several of today's most in-demand careers lend themselves to self-employment. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects the following careers to grow faster than average from 2008 to 2018, and some require only a couple of years of career training.

Whether you want to add hours on a contractual basis or start your own business, the following five careers allow you to build client relationships and be your own boss.

1. Accountant
Accountants keep financial records for businesses and individuals, and they often prepare financial statements, budget analysis, and taxes. Unlike management accountants, who are generally employed by large corporations, public accountants and tax specialists find their own work through individual clients. According to the BLS, accountants earned an average salary of $67,430 in 2009, and their employment is expected to grow by 22 percent from 2008 to 2018.

Accountants must be good with numbers, organized, and detail oriented. Most companies require their accountants to hold at least a bachelor's degree in accounting, and accountants who are self-employed often seek certification through the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam.

2. Web developer
Web developers use software languages to develop the technical aspects of Web sites, including organization, layout, and databases. Because Web developers can work from any computer with the required software, they can complete contract projects or run a small business from home. The BLS expects employment of all computer network, systems, and database administrators to grow by 30 percent from 2008 to 2018. In 2009, this group earned an average salary of $70,930.

Most Web developers have a bachelor's degree in computer science, computer programming, or a related field, and they continually learn about new technology and software to keep their work current. If you're interested in becoming a web developer and currently work full time, consider an online bachelor's degree program in computer science.

3. Software applications engineer
Software applications engineers design the computer software we rely on every day, from word processing programs to computer games. Software engineers use computer science and mathematics principles to create and test software that responds to users' needs. Technological advances have allowed many software engineers to telecommute and perform client projects from home. According to the BLS, computer software applications engineers earned an average of $90,170 in 2009, and their employment is expected to grow by 34 percent from 2008 to 2018.

Computer software engineers need technical knowledge, so most prepare by earning a bachelor's degree in computer science, mathematics, or software engineering. Professionals with an associate's degree in computer science may find work as computer programmers.

4. Skin-care specialist
Skin-care specialists, also called estheticians, are beauty professionals who specialize in facials, waxing, exfoliation, and other skin treatments. According to the BLS, 44 percent of cosmetologists (including skin-care specialists) are self-employed, and employment of skin-care specialists is expected to grow by 38 percent from 2008 to 2018. In 2009, skin-care specialists earned an average of $31,990.

Skin-care specialists prepare for state licensing by attending an accredited cosmetology school and completing a program in skin care. These programs can often be completed in less than nine months, allowing you to quickly transition to a career in beauty.

5. Landscape architect
Landscape architects use principles of architecture, engineering, and ecology to design functional, attractive outdoor spaces. They design everything from public parks to shopping centers, and they ensure their designs meet clients' needs without harming the local ecosystem. According to the BLS, approximately 21 percent of landscape architects work for themselves, and their employment is expected to grow by 20 percent from 2008 to 2018. In 2009, landscape architects earned an average salary of $65,910.

Landscape architects should be artistic, good with their hands, and able to draft using computer-aided drafting software. Nearly all states require landscape architects to be licensed, which requires earning a bachelor's degree or master's degree in landscape architecture.

Start working for yourself
Whether you're interested in computers, beauty, or plants, you can work for yourself in one of today's hottest industries. Online degree programs and career training options can help you transition into your dream career without giving up your current job.

Jessica Hanley is a writer pursuing a graduate degree in creative writing. Her previous experience includes marketing for the Penguin Young Readers Group and teaching writing to students of all ages. Jessica received a B.A. in English from Stanford University.

Job Info , Jobs Sources , Career

Making a Transition Job Work for You

by Denene Brox, for Yahoo! HotJobs

Landing a job is tough these days. The job market is flooded with unemployed workers--so finding a job that's a good fit is even tougher.

If you're a professional who has been out of work for a while, you may have to take a "transition job" to make ends meet (or just to keep busy).

Transition jobs often don't require a lot of experience or education, are usually lower paid, and can be easier to land. Industries like retail, health care, and food service hire lots of workers in customer service and support roles. Temporary agencies can also help you stay engaged with the working world.

And there are many other benefits to taking a transition job--it's all about making the most of your opportunities, and spinning the job the right way. Here are some tips on making a transition job work for you.

Fill your resume gaps
In addition to providing you an income, transition jobs put you back into the ranks of the employed, the group most attractive to potential employers.

"Transition jobs help you avoid those large gaps of unemployment on your resume, which is a concern in this economy," says Nancy DeCrescenzo, director of career services at Eastern Connecticut State University.

"I don't think taking a transition job will hurt your resume, because the number-one thing that recruiters and employers ask is what you've been doing with your time. So you're better off doing something than nothing. It shows that you're a go-getter--that you're out there working hard, doing whatever it takes to pay your bills," says career coach Deborah Brown-Volkman.

Network in your target industry
Just because you spend a few hours a day creating latte art at a coffee shop doesn't mean you should stop networking in your desired industry. Continue (or start) to attend industry events and workshops in your target field, and don't neglect potential connections at your transition job.

"One of the big assumptions that people make is that our network has to be in our target industry," says DeCrescenzo. "But your network can be the customers or clients that you interact with in a transition job, that help you make your next move. It's all about networking right now."

Learn a new industry
If you're looking for a position in a different industry, taking a lower-level job in that field will give you the opportunity to learn the business from the ground up, says Joe Watson, the author of "Where the Jobs Are Now: The Fastest Growing Industries and How to Break Into Them."

"It's great to get a transition job in a growth industry such as green energy or health care because it gives you an inside advantage. As the economy recovers, those fields will have exponential growth," says Watson.

Keri Coffman-Thiede took a transition job in customer service while she trained for a new career as a life coach. "My transition job gave me the time to go through coach training and begin my own business," she says.

Focus on transferable skills
Any type of transition job will provide you with transferable skills that will not only help you in future jobs, but also look great on your resume. Highlight skills that are required in many jobs and industries--things like communication skills and project management.

Denene Brox is a Kansas City-based freelance writer. She regularly covers career topics and trends. Visit her online at www.denenebrox.com.

Job Info , Jobs Sources , Career

5 Ways You Bug Your Boss--and How to Stop

Break these bad habits and boost your career

by Susan Johnston, PayScale.com

Even if you get your work done and generally get along with your coworkers, you may have habits that bug your boss. While these quirks may not necessarily get you fired, they can certainly keep you from climbing the corporate ladder.

Here are tips on beating behaviors that bug your boss:

1. Showing up late
According to LaRhonda Edwards, a human resources manager with thirteen years of experience, tardiness is one of the biggest concerns for managers. "If the normal work day starts at 8 o'clock, then the expectation is that you're in the office ready to start your day," she explains. Her advice to the chronically late? "Plan ahead," she urges. "If you live 50 minutes away, you don't leave 50 minutes early. Tag on extra time and anticipate road blocks." Some people even set their clocks a few minutes early to ensure that they're on time.

2. Choosing the wrong mode of communication
Different bosses prefer different modes of communication. Lindsey Pollak, a workplace expert and the author of "Getting from College to Career," says that if you text a boss who prefers in-person meetings, "either your information won't get across or you'll irritate him or her." Fortunately, there's a simple fix: ask your boss how and when to send updates. If you're too shy to ask outright, Pollak suggests observing how your boss communicates with you. "If you have a boss who communicates once a day by email, that's the boss's preferred frequency and method of communication," explains Pollak.

3. Keeping a messy work area
A cluttered, messy work space can give your boss the impression that you're lazy or disorganized, so try to keep your desk neat. "Never put more on your desk than you're going to work on for the day," recommends Edwards. "At the end of the day, make sure you set up for the next day. I may be working on five things at once, but at the end of the day, they're gone, and I set up for the next day."

4. Asking questions you could easily answer on your own
Most managers would rather you ask a question than make a mistake, but many questions can be answered on your own. "Is this something you could ask a colleague?" asks Pollak, adding, "The Internet is so vast that a lot of information you can get yourself." If you must approach your boss with a question or issue, then Pollak recommends brainstorming beforehand. "Rather than saying, 'This client is terrible. What should I do?' think about potential solutions," she says.

5. Forgetting to turn off your cell phone for a meeting
Cell phones are ubiquitous in the workplace these days, but it's still disruptive and disrespectful when they go off during a meeting. Edwards says that you should "put your cell phone on vibrate, or leave it in your office, so it's not a distraction." Plus, that way, you won't be tempted to text!

Boston-based freelance writer Susan Johnston has covered career and business topics for The Boston Globe, Hispanic Executive Quarterly, WomenEntrepreneur.com, and other publications.

Job Info , Jobs Sources , Career

Real Job-Interview Bombs

by Maria Hanson, LiveCareer

For job seekers, landing an interview is a dream come true. But unfortunately, the actual interview can quickly go from dream to nightmare.

"I've heard stories of people being interviewed for the wrong job, interviewers interviewing the wrong candidate and grilling them about the wrong resume--you name it, it has happened," says Ellen Reeves, the author of "Can I Wear My Nose Ring to the Interview?"

You think you've had a bad job interview or two? How do they compare to these bombs from both sides of the interview desk?

Naptime happens
"While I was in the middle of explaining my previous job duties, I realized that the man who was interviewing me had fallen asleep. I spoke loudly and tried coughing, but he was out cold, snoring. Since it was a one-man business, I just wrote him a quick note and left. I never heard back.--Cathy Ng, bookkeeper

Oh, my Lord
"I once had a candidate tell me the prophet of Jesus, who lived in his closet, told him to apply for the job I interviewed him for."--Amanda Schnaub, hiring for a photocopy assistant.

The attorney audition
During an interview at a law firm, the interviewer discovered that law student Jerry Levine had sung a cappella in college. "All of a sudden, he puts down my resume and asks if I know anything from 'Annie,' his daughter's favorite musical. When I said yes, he said, 'If you're interested in continuing this interview, you're going to sing "Tomorrow" to her on the phone right now.' I must have been off-key because I never heard from that firm again."

Don't sweat it
At an interview for a job with a defense contractor, Internet marketing specialist Tom Shivers was faced with a difficult interviewer who stared at him silently after he answered each question. "I was wearing a suit and tie and had just come in from 90 degree heat outdoors. I began to sweat. The interviewer continued to stare--and watch large beads of sweat roll down my face."

Phone interference
Paul Bailo, the author of "The Official Phone Interview Handbook," has fielded more than his share of phone-interview fails:

"One woman placed me on hold for 20 minutes and finally returned, saying she had to let the dogs out."

"A client had SpongeBob SquarePants blasting in the background during the whole interview."

"A former CEO from a utility company conducted his interview from the men's room. The whole time, there was a ton of bathroom noise, water running, toilet flushing...."

The old bait and switchboard
Years ago Rochelle Peachey, who now runs a U.K.-U.S. dating site called I Love Your Accent, interviewed for a job as a temporary telephone operator. "I knew I couldn't work the switchboard, but my friend told me to bluff it because they would like me and train me. I spoke knowledgably--until the interviewer put me in a room with the dreaded switchboard to test me. The lights were flashing; I panicked and climbed out of the second-floor window."

Walk much?
"I had an interview with a corporate headhunter and was extremely nervous. I must have crossed my legs extremely tightly, for a long time, because when the interview ended and I got up to shake hands, I nearly fell to the floor because of my rubber leg. I started to laugh nervously, then hysterically, as I pounded my leg and limped out the door."--Paula Hubbs Cohen, freelance writer

Overcaffeinated
Sue Michaels, now the marketing manager for Sierra College, was offered a cup of coffee before her interview. When she sat down to interview, she went to set the coffee down. The coffee immediately spilled all over the important papers of interviewer.

When interviewers attack
Lawyer Jane Jones (not her real name) was being courted to work at a law firm. Everything was going perfectly until her interview with a partner in the firm. He began attacking her verbally because she was slightly older than other law-school grads and not from the area. "He yelled, 'What did you do with your life?! You wasted it! You'll never be let into the local culture!'"

Job Info , Jobs Sources , Career

7 Top-Grossing Career Paths

by Clare Kaufman, FindtheRightSchool.com

The highest-paid careers might not earn you the most money--when you take into account the cost of education. A true top-grossing career is one that promises a high return on a comparatively low tuition investment. The following top-grossing careers offer the most direct route from a classroom to earning potentials of $100,000 and up.

With these kinds of numbers, it shouldn't take long for your degree to pay for itself--and then some.

1. Pharmaceutical or medical sales representative
With a generous commission structure and a top-selling product, you could be well on your way to six figures straight out of college. Pharmaceutical and medical-equipment sales jobs are among the top-grossing sales positions. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), technical and scientific sales reps reported 2009 average earnings of $81,370, with the upper 25 percent earning over $100,000.

An associate's degree with courses in biology, engineering, electronics, and business offers basic preparation for a career as a scientific sales representative. For the best opportunities, invest four years in a bachelor's degree program.

2. Investment banker
Traditionally, college graduates in search of a quick payday headed into banking. The crisis on Wall Street may have tempered these expectations somewhat, but investment banking continues to offer entry-level analysts the opportunity to earn six-figure salaries right out of the gates. The average starting salary nationwide is $56,534, but top Wall Street players still start some associates out at $100,000. The national average for all securities and financial-services sales agents, which includes investment bankers, was $91,390 in 2009.

A bachelor's degree in business, finance, accounting, or economics offers the best preparation for an career in investment banking. Eventually, you could upgrade your education with an MBA for more opportunities and earning power.

3. Marketing manager
Marketing managers help businesses turn products into revenue. This business alchemy requires a blend of communication with customers, market research, product development, and strategic pricing. Marketing managers earned an average salary of $120,070 in 2009.

A four-year bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or economics is the ticket to a marketing career. To accelerate your advancement, invest in an MBA degree.

4. IT manager
Information technology serves as the nerve center of business in the information economy, empowering workers to transmit, analyze, and store information. An IT manager coordinates the strategic implementation of technology--networks, computer systems, and databases--that makes high-level data management possible. As a reflection of the vital role they play in an organization, their average annual compensation stood at an impressive $120,640 in 2009.

A bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or management information systems is the minimum requirement for a management-level job in IT.

5. Lawyer
Lawyers serve as advocates and advisors to people seeking justice in the criminal or civil courts. They prepare and argue cases before judges and juries, create contracts and other legal documents, and represent their clients in negotiations. Lawyers earned an average salary of $129,020 in 2009.

A bachelor's degree and a three-year professional Juris Doctor degree qualify you for a career as a lawyer. While this intensive schooling can stretch your finances, high-paying corporate employers offer enough starting pay to recoup your investment, and some public service employers offer student-debt forgiveness programs.

6. Engineer
Engineering holds the distinction as the highest-paying occupation for new college graduates. Armed with just a bachelor's degree, engineers in high-demand specialties can earn impressive salaries right out of college. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), petroleum engineers earned a starting salary of $83,121 in 2009. The 2009 national average salary for petroleum engineers was $119,960.

Petroleum engineers need a four-year bachelor's degree in engineering in order to qualify for a position in oil- and gas-well production and design.

7. Airline pilot
Airline pilots operate the highly sophisticated technology on board today's passenger and commercial aircraft. In recognition of their skill and elite training, some full-time pilots with the larger airlines earn generous salaries; the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a 2009 national average of $117,060.

Traditionally, airline pilots qualified for their first job after completing a military or civilian flight training program. Today, most employers require a college degree. A bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering offers the most comprehensive view of advanced flight technology, but the most common qualification for pilots is a two-year associate's degree.

The bottom line
While no educational program can guarantee a salary, these seven paths can offer big returns on your educational investment. In some cases, a four-year stint in college puts you in line for six-figure earning power and more.

Dr. Clare Kaufman is a freelance writer who covers business and education topics.

Source: Yearly salary figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Job Info , Jobs Sources , Career

Nursing Careers - Four Desirable Nursing Positions For Advan

Written by Brent McNutt Jun 07, 2009 www.jobsarticle.com

When you are a newly registered nurse, you have to start at the entry-level, usually as a nursing staff wearing your landau scrubs free shipping. Once you've gained experience, you can get promoted to a higher position and receive a significant increase in compensation. You can also choose to specialize on the field of your choice and take up further studies. Below are some of the most lucrative nursing positions to set your sights on for advanced practice.

Nurse Case Manager

A nurse case manager organizes and coordinates services and resources for a group of patients, responding to the needs or illness particular to that group. Case management is typically targeted or directed towards a client population such as elderly clients or transplant patients, and the models may vary depending on the context, setting, and type of client. The goals of the nurse care manager include fostering patient self-managed care, centering services on the patient, and maximizing healthcare resources. The nurse care manager must focus on the quality of the patient care at the same time being cost-efficient. He or she is also responsible for utilizing clinical pathways in monitoring and assessing clients as well as healthcare delivery. To be a good nurse case manager, one must have adequate financial management skills, as well as effective skills in negotiating, managing, delegating, and teaching. A good background in the clinical aspects of care and clinical resources is invaluable. One must also be able to collaborate with multidisciplinary groups.

Certified Nurse Midwife

A certified nurse midwife cares for childbearing women during labor and delivery, as well as during preconception and until postpartum periods. A nurse midwife provides counseling in family-planning, reproductive education, and gynecological care. For low-risk and uncomplicated patients, the nurse midwife may provide a more natural alternative to childbearing. Part of the job is also to encourage active participation of the family during pregnancy and childbirth. Lastly, a midwife nurse also provides continuous care and even primary care for the heath needs or women. A good midwife nurse is sensitive, compassionate, flexible, committed to holistic practice, has excellent assessment skills and sound clinical judgment.

Nurse Director

A nurse director, administrator, or CEO carries an executive position and is responsible for establishing department strategies and directions. The director also plans programs and budgets, making sure that the facility's or institution's overall goals are met. In addition, the director has to develop structures and set policies for operating units and assume an organizational perspective, representing the organization to the constituents. This role is attractive to those who desire the power, prestige, recognition, and economic gain. It requires strong leadership, management and people skills, acute decision-making skills, and excellent communication skills, as well as being able to deal with multidisciplinary networks.

Clinical Nurse Specialist

A clinical nurse specialist has advanced expertise and knowledge in a specific practice area of nursing. Some examples of practice areas include rehabilitation, critical care, psychiatric, geriatric, pediatric, and emergency/trauma. The role of the nurse specialist is to observe, analyze, and diagnose complex health problems that may be clinical or nonclinical. The specialist has to consider various theories to understand the complications and determine options for treatment. In addition, it also includes research, education, consultation, and clinical practice. The needed skills for this position include technical and conceptual skills, critical thinking, and problem solving.

Job Info , Jobs Sources

Job Hunting Is Your New Job – Here Is Your Daily Plan

Written by Ron Herzog Jun 07, 2009

You’ve just lost your job. Give yourself a few days to deal with the emotions involved and then get moving toward finding your next position. Under any circumstances, finding a job can be time-consuming. Given the current economic climate, those job-seekers that are organized and dedicated to the search will get the positions. It’s important to realize that conducting a job search is a full time job. Here are some guidelines for items you need to have on-hand for a successful job search as well as some help determining your daily structure.

Your New Workplace
Designate a place in your home which you can call your job-searching base. All your lists and notes should be in one place.

• Create an off-line file and an online folder dedicated to job search materials.
• Get a notebook solely for your job search in which you can take notes from conversations and research.
• Make sure you tag people as job search networking resources in your email contacts or address book.
• If you don’t have one already, you MUST get a calendar, there is nothing worse than missing an interview or scheduled call due to a scheduling error.

Getting Started - Deliverables List
Start by creating a list of the things you need to start your search. For example:
1. Resume
You always have to have an updated resume at your fingertips outlining your latest skills and contributions to your previous companies.

2. List of skills & potential contribution
While some of this is covered in your resume, some of it is not. You need to determine what your quantifiable contribution to your next company will be. What do you bring to the table Essentially "why should they hire you?"

3. 30-second pitch
You never know when you are going to run into someone who can help you in your search. When someone you just meet asks "what do you do?" or a friend asks "what are you up to these days?" simply responding "looking for a job" will get you nowhere. You need to respond by saying "I was recently working as an X in the X industry. I’ve had a lot of success doing X for my last company.? I am currently in the job market. Do you know anyone who I can network with?"

4. Networking contacts professional
Make a list of everyone that you already know in the business world that you can network with. You will add to this list as you make new business contacts.

5. Networking contacts friends and family
Remember that people you know also have professional lives. They may have contacts that you need to know. Make a list of friends and family who will be helpful networking sources. People want to help and they are better equipped to do so if you give them a really clear understanding of exactly what you need them to do.

6. Set up accounts on LinkedIn and other business networking sites
Business networking sites are growing at the speed of light. LinkedIn is adding a new user every second, according to some reports. If you are not using it yet, do it now.

Measurable, Achievable Goals
One of the biggest challenges of a job hunt is dealing with the emotional ups and downs. It’s important to keep a positive outlook during a job hunt, so one of the things you can do is to have small successes along the way to the ultimate goal of finding a new job. Set small, achievable goals such as "find 5 new contacts to network with today", or "set up an informational interview" or "connect with 10 new people on LinkedIn." Make sure they are realistic and achievable in a relatively short time span.

Since job searching is your new job, you need to show up to work every day. Set a realistic daily schedule with a do-able amount, so you don’t get burned out. A schedule will allow you to achieve some of your short-term goals every day. An example of a daily schedule may look like this:

Sample Day
Monday
9 - 11am
Log into networking accounts and locate new contacts relevant to your search, answer questions posed by others in your area of expertise to gain exposure and credibility. Add people to networking list to be contacted.

11am
Contact 5 new people

12pm
Lunch

1pm 3pm
Research companies on LinkedIn to see if you know anyone at the companies you want to work for. Research contacts from alumni associations and add them to contact list

3pm Exercise any form of exercise that you find invigorating or centering - get outside (if you can) and walk, run, bike or do yoga

4pm Contact 5 new people

5pm Set specific goals for the next day

If you have kids that are home, put time in your schedule to spend time with them.? Family time is one of the things we miss most when we work, so take advantage of this time to reconnect.


You are Your New Boss
It may sound strange to think of yourself as your own boss, but you need to wear multiple hats in your job search. One of those hats includes the boss. Don’t let yourself give yourself excuses for why you don’t want to work on your job search that day. This is why your schedule needs to be comfortable enough that you won’t find yourself justifying why you really need to go fishing for a week. Build in enough time for yourself so you can focus when it comes time to focus.

Checks and Balances
It’s always helpful to have an accountability partner. Someone who, besides you, can be kept apprised of your progress. It can be a spouse, friend, relative or even kids can make great accountability partners. It feels good to report successes and activity to someone else. It doesn’t feel good to report no progress, so designate someone as your accountability partner and report your progress to them (daily or weekly, whichever is more appropriate.) Be specific with them as to what you need them to do.

Time for Yourself
Most people are employed for the majority of their adult life, so when you are in between jobs, you can build time into the schedule for yourself - reading, walking, exercising, or socializing. It shouldn’t replace the job search time, but feeling good is such an important part of how you project yourself to others, so schedule time for yourself into your day.

Time for Others
Volunteering builds self-esteem and is another networking outlet. It also gives a hiring manager a greater depth of understanding of who you are and what you are about to see volunteer roles on your resume. It will make you feel good about yourself and your contribution and that extra confidence is helpful during a job search, especially if it turns out to be somewhat more extended than you have experienced before.

Professional volunteering not only gives you a boost on your resume but it is an outstanding networking opportunity. Offer to give a talk to an association or company in your area of expertise. Host a networking event. Write a white paper for a publication. Any opportunity to get in front of your peer group is one worth taking.

In Summary
Provide yourself with structure and confidence and your job search will be much more focused and effective. If you are not used to networking, do some research to find out how to network effectively.

Job Info , Jobs Sources , Career

Today Is Your First Tomorrow! "Get That Next Job!"

Written by Bruce S. Dreyfus Jun 07, 2009

Personal Marketing Strategy Program for Transition Candidates:??????

"get THAT NEXT job!"? Series

"Tasks are normally dismissed, measurable accomplishments are always recognized!" ?? E1

"Today is your first Tomorrow!" E1

Most candidates today are still stuck in past. Gone are the days of the old "cover letter, resume and prayer method" that has been employed for the last 50 years. Unfortunately, far too many candidates are still mailing and emailing their resumes and cover letters to company's HR departments even though they know, little will come from their efforts. Candidates are still following the "same old tried and not true methods" for finding and securing THAT NEXT job. ??We are pleased that our job search process will allow you to break those shackles of the past, and allow you to "get that next job" by getting Noticed, not overlooked, Interviewed, not ignored, Hired and not rejected.

Our unique contrarian system is designed around the five main purposes and challenges for every job search today.

1. Know yourself, your target companies, and their executives.

2. Learn how to prepare "marketing" materials that will get you NOTICED. ?Move from the HERD to be HEARD.

3. Based on our 7 unique questions; learn a new interviewing technique.? "get INTERVIEWED." Know what to ask, when, why and how.

4. Learn how to negotiate from a position of strength to "get THAT NEXT job!"

5. Finally, learn how to develop a "Real Network" that will always be there to enable you to get THAT NEXT next job!

Our Personal Marketing Strategy Program? system is also built around five very basic and not so self-evident premises:

?1. Transition is and always will be a S.A.L.E.S. & Marketing JOB!

2. In every job search, "all contacts regardless of rank or status are AUDITIONS. Be prepared, be aware.

3. ALWAYS stay positive; in every interview setting, be they on the phone, face-to-face or via email.

4. Your accomplishments must always demonstrate clearly that you are a REWARD for the hiring manager not a risk.

5. Work as if THAT NEXT job depends on it, it DOES!

Our transition philosophy can best be summed up as: "Tasks are normally dismissed, measurable accomplishments are always recognized!"

I wish there were some secrets I could impart, a magic spell that I could teach you, but a job search is still hard work, emotionally as well as fiscally.? Fortunately, those of you that came to this site expected that, you have always WORKED hard. As we explain in our book, cd, or on our website or in individual coaching sessions; you have already proven you are a success. Now you must learn how to present that information and get it to the right decision makers, interview, and then CLOSE for the job.

All hiring is based on a very simple premise; you, as a candidate, must be able to demonstrate how you will increase the "reward of hire" and decrease the "risk of hire" for any hiring authority. ?You must also not forget that your new opportunity must also be a "reward" for you and your family as well. Most employment situations seem very dissimilar, but the outcomes are all the same, to get a new job (responsibility or identity), get more money (benefits), or set out on a different career path entirely after figuring out what you want to be when you "grow up."

The one skill that is not apparent in a job search, and is not often stressed is the necessity to keep great job search records. Truth is; your getting noticed, interviewed and hired depend on it. Our commitment to you as our new reader is to allow you to thrive long after you have read and begun to use our process and procedures. Hopefully, we have demonstrated that our system is complete, relatively easy to follow and works.

?I am pleased to be able to help you "get THAT NEXT job."

Over the next few weeks, we will be covering the basic concepts that we used to build our Personal Marketing Strategy Program? and the use of our exclusive Creative Presentation Documents (CPD).

They include:

1. How to deal with Transition/Termination's Fear of the Unknown
2. Most candidates' reluctance or fear to do the necessary Personal Analysis & Introspection to be able to adequately present themselves in today's highly competitive world.
3. Quandary about how to do the Market & Job Analysis necessary to secure THAT NEXT job.
4. Preparation, Development of your Marketing products
5. Presentation of your credentials to the correct individuals & knowing the requisite Interviewing Skills to be seriously considered as a finalist.
6. Knowing how to Evaluate new Opportunities
7. The ability to negotiate the NEW job based on the candidates' strength. ?
8. Finally, Commitment and understanding of how to succeed in the New Job or Career Path.

Bruce Dreyfus www.get-THAT-NEXT-job.com?

"get THAT NEXT job!" ?

"get That Next job!?" has finally changed the paradigm of the? job search process. Our 21st century transition methodology is applicable to all candidates, current and former military, civilian, individual contributors and CEO's.?

Our step-by-step search methods will guide you through your transition process in a comfortable, efficient way that will keep your confidence intact and your eyes always on the ultimate goal.

Bruce Dreyfus"get THAT NEXT job!" ALL RIGHTS RESERVED?

Job Info , Jobs Sources , Career

I'M Too Old: Dealing With Age On A Job Hunt

Written by alan darling Jun 07, 2009

How do you deal with being too old??

You don't.

If you raise it, it becomes an issue.?

If you leave dates and the early part of your career off your resume, you've just brought attention to your age. (You're clearly trying to hide something by doing this - either your age or a choppy job record - so you've automatically made your age an issue.)? If you say something that is designed to make your age look like an asset, like "I bring lots of experience that a 38-year-old won't have", or worse, "I'm in great shape - my doctor told me I have the body of a 45-year-old ...", you've just made your age an issue. Don't do any apologizing.

If you feel you must, mention some physically active hobbies and drop the inactive ones from your resume.? But mostly, you should concentrate on what you've done and what you can do for a company during your interview, just like any other candidate.

Not that age discrimination doesn't exist - it does. But it is becoming significantly less of an issue as our population ages.? I do only a handful of searches a year, and in the last two years a 57-year-old and a 59-year-old beat out younger candidates and got the job.? On one of my partner's searches to find someone to run a 30-attorney law firm, the client hired a 69-year-old woman who displayed some real spunk.? She stayed for 10 years.?

As you move into the more senior positions, being age 38 or 43 can be perceived as being too young - the candidate is viewed as not having enough experience.? Few companies will balk at a 50-year-old candidate for a senior position today, and some consider that the ideal age. Some people feel that people over 50 bring more stability, and are far less likely to turn over than are younger candidates.

Some people simply won't hire you if you're older; but think about this: if someone is going to be so short-sighted that they won't hire you because you're 57, you probably don't want to work for them anyway.

You can help yourself, however, by not looking or acting old. If you have a trademark beard or moustache that has grayed before your hair has, shave it off.? If you're grossly overweight and look 70, people are going to be far less likely to hire you than if you look trim and energetic (remember, the fear is that the older you get, the less energy you'll have).? Losing weight and exercising so you look fit is something you have complete control over, unlike the vagaries of searching for a job (I lost 35 pounds in a 3-month period when I decided it was finally time to do so, and after I did so, people mentioned that I looked significantly younger).

As long as you're still willing to put in a 55-hour week, you're not too old.

Copyright 2008 by Job Magician

Jobs Sources , Career