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How to Start a New Career from Scratch
Tweet Share on Facebook December 29, 2011 Comment (3)When it comes to your career, do you feel like a hamster running in a wheel without getting anywhere? If so, it may be time for a change. Realizing you’re not happy in your career and doing something about it is life changing. But starting a new career isn’t impossible.
To make a dramatic career change, it’s important to have a clear direction. Making a complete industry/career switch isn’t easy without any prior experience. You have to align your experience and demonstrate how it will translate into this new career. You should have a clear understanding of the areas where you lack experience and seek opportunities to gain training or certifications to position yourself for that next step. Browsing job boards to see what roles are out there and assessing their requisites should give you a good idea of what employers seek.
[See The 50 Best Careers for 2011.]
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Be Aggressive in Your Job Search
Tweet Share on Facebook December 28, 2011 Comment (1)Do you need a new job search strategy for the new year? Companies are hiring, but you need to stand out from the crowd if you want to win an interview, and ultimately, the job. Suggested methods of standing a head above the rest differ depending on whom you ask. As with anything related to job search strategies, there are many correct approaches; it is up to each job seeker to identify an authentic, strategic way to job searching. Sometimes, this may require stretching your comfort zone and taking a risk.
Darren Hardy, author of The Compound Effect: Jumpstart Your Income, Your Life, Your Success, believes getting aggressive can help job seekers.
[See The 50 Best Careers for 2011.]
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6 Tips for a Successful Career Comeback
Tweet Share on Facebook December 28, 2011 Comment (3)Relaunching your career after an extended break can be a daunting task, especially these days. But it can be done. Here are some things to consider as you strive to reach your goal of getting back into the workforce:
1. Be ready to explain. If you’ve been on a voluntary career break, you’re going to have gaps in your resume—and you’re going to have to explain those gaps to a prospective employer. Think about what you will say ahead of time. You don’t need to be apologetic in your explanation. Be straightforward, have your say, and move on to the next subject. If possible, frame your career break in positive terms: Maybe you took time off to travel the world or care for a child—talk about how those experiences helped you grow as a person and how that insight may make you a more valuable employee.
[See The 50 Best Careers for 2011.]
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How to Master the Coffee Meeting
Tweet Share on Facebook December 27, 2011 Comment (1)Looking to get insight into how a company hires? Invite someone who works there to have coffee with you. By meeting in an informal setting you can pick her brain and learn valuable tips that may better position you for a job offer.
Your goal in having a coffee meeting isn’t to ask for a job. Instead, you want to build a relationship with this person. Ask for insight into what her company looks for in an employee. You’ll likely uncover some useful bits of information that you can use to craft your cover letter and resume when applying for a job with the company.
[See The 50 Best Careers for 2011.]
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10 Work Habits That Could Get You Fired
Tweet Share on Facebook December 27, 2011 Comment (73)You might figure that if you do good work, you don’t need to worry about being fired. Think again—there are some habits that can jeopardize even the best employee’s job. Here are 10 of the riskiest:
1. Playing online during the workday. If you’re logged into Gmail chat all day, doing your holiday shopping online, or playing on Facebook when you should be working, it could cost you your job. Your employer has the right to monitor anything you do on your work computer, including checking your personal email. Never use your work computer for anything you don’t want your boss to know about—whether it’s job-searching, online shopping, complaining about your job, hanging out on social networking sites, or anything else.
[See The 50 Best Careers of 2011.]
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The Best Ways to Communicate During the Job Hunt
Tweet Share on Facebook December 22, 2011 Comment (5)With so many different ways to communicate these days, which one is the best one to ensure you stay in the running for a job opportunity?
Consider Your Audience
While you might prefer sending emails, the other person may be easier to reach on the phone. Stick to what the other person prefers. It may not be possible to know a hiring manager’s preference for communication methods, so look for clues in the job description and throughout the process. If it specifically states in the job description to send your inquiry via email, make sure you first follow those directions. If it’s unclear and several options are listed, it’s OK to start with a phone call and follow up with an email. Use the method of communication the job description dictates.
[See The 50 Best Careers of 2011.]
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5 Ways to Make an Extra $500 a Month
Tweet Share on Facebook December 22, 2011 Comment (9)There is nothing like making a little extra money on the side. If you want to make more money, the quickest way to make it happen is sell something you already know how to do. Below are my top five ways to make an extra $500 per month:
1. Rent out your living room. Make a cool video of your living space, post a few pictures of your cozy apartment, and voila ... you have a mini bed and breakfast business on your hands. Simply put: Allow people to rent your couch on airbnb.com. If you have a guest bedroom or a living room with a couch, you can make some extra cash today. Who knows? You might even make a friend or two.
[See The 50 Best Careers of 2011.]
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How to Get Your Next Job Using iPhone Apps
Tweet Share on Facebook December 21, 2011 Comment (5)It’s become a cliché to say, “There’s an app for that,” but with mobile technology so pervasive, and developers quick to capitalize on a willing audience, mobile applications for a variety of job search topics are available to help you land your next opportunity.
Ivan Drucker and Caroline Green are the principals of IvanExpert, a Mac-focused technology consulting firm. They advise small businesses in the New York City area on how to leverage their technology to be more efficient and productive. They’re well-equipped to evaluate technological tools to help job seekers.
[See The 50 Best Careers of 2011.]
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Grad School Isn't an Escape From a Bad Job Market
Tweet Share on Facebook December 21, 2011 Comment (7)With the economy floundering and jobs hard to come by, increasing numbers of new college graduates are turning to graduate school as an alternative to going straight into a tough job market.
Many of them are enrolling in graduate programs without knowing exactly what they’ll do with the degree afterwards, or without knowing if their chosen career path requires the degree or even rewards it. Instead, the appeal of staying in school is more about avoiding a difficult and competitive job market or avoiding figuring out “what to do” now that their undergraduate program is over.
[See The 50 Best Careers of 2011.]
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10 Myths About Job Hunting During a Recession
Tweet Share on Facebook December 20, 2011 Comment (3)It’s easy to get yourself down and believe some of the myths swirling around about looking for a job during a recession. As gloomy as it feels, jobs do still exist. Let’s debunk some of the most common myths about recession job hunting.
Myth 1: No one is hiring.
Fact: While some industries are affected much more than others during a recession, many experience drastic growth and others are much quicker to bounce back. Also, many companies lay off regular employees, but hire consultants and freelancers instead, to save money, providing even more opportunities if you’re willing to look outside of the full-time job box.
[See The 50 Best Careers of 2011.]
