What To Do If Fired From Your 1st Job

Ken Sundheim, CEO of KAS Placement

Most of the time, when younger job applicants are fired from their first job, they feel that the firing was solely based on their inadequacy as business professionals. However, this is simply not the case in most circumstances.  This negative thinking can send many younger professionals into a job search funk that is simply not necessary and can last for much longer than the situation warrants.

Instead, the majority of recent college graduates who were just fired from their job have to consider the following 3 pieces of advice: Continue Reading

10 Things You Should Never Tell Your Boss

Getting the Right Job or Doing the Job Right?

“If You’re Not the Lead Dog, the Scenery Never Changes” – Lewis Grizzard

When I was in college I worked as a “runner” on Wall Street during the summer (yes, it was a very long time ago and no, I’m not referring to drugs). A fairly simple job of taking securities and other important documents from one financial institution to another (basically, a messenger). At the time I was 19 years old and this was my first non-fast food job. So the first day I get there and all of the “regulars” (you know, the guys who actually do this as their real job) are sitting around waiting for their first “assignment”. They were a lot older than I was at the time (in their 40′s). Anyway, I get my first assignment – to deliver a package to a financial institution that was about 10 minutes away. As I walk out of the door, one of the regulars pulls me aside and says “this delivery will take you about 15 minutes, but you need to make it last an hour, don’t come back before an hour has passed. Get it?” So I did as he said and took an hour (thinking I would get fired for being so slow), but the “manager” did not think it was unusual that it took me an hour. So long story short, these guys were just milking their messenger job for what it was worth trying to do the least work possible and succeeding (if you could really call that success). Clearly not the recipe for “starting in the mailroom and rising to become the CEO”.

There is a delicate balance in getting the right job and doing the job right. First step in looking for a new job is, obviously, getting the right job for you. But, like everything else in life, nothing is perfect and even the right job will have its warts. Today’s post will focus on getting the right job and making the most of the job you’ve got. Continue Reading

Who Gets Promoted, Who Doesn’t & Why

If you’re a fast-tracker striving for career advancement like a heat-seeking missile then this is a podcast you can’t afford to miss. On this week’s episode of Salary Talk, Aaron flies solo in this interview with Donald Asher, author of “Who Gets Promoted, Who Doesn’t and Why” and “Cracking the Hidden Job Market,” who deals exclusively with career professionals who aren’t happy unless they’re earning a promotion every 12-18 months.

You’ll find out why raises aren’t about past performance, being indispensable isn’t a good thing and discover why talent is a distant second to timing. Asher’s insight into the corporate culture of raises and promotions could have you earning more in no time.  Continue reading . . .

Article by Wendy Ryan and Aaron Gouveia and courtesy of Salary.com&reg

Work Beyond the 9 to 5 to Pursue your Dream Career

For many of you who’ve taken entry-level jobs after college, you may feel as though it’s nowhere near your dream career. While our first jobs may be more enjoyable than others, in this tough economy, we usually take what we can get. At the same time, though, there’s much to be said for gunning for your dream career, even when you’ve just starting out in the working world. And the best way to accomplish just that is by making use of your time outside of working hours to continue developing skills needed for that eventual career of your dreams. Here are a few tips: Continue Reading

Five Career Tips for College Freshman

If you are a college freshman, time is on your side. How, you may ask. Well for one, hopefully the job market will be better in four years. And for another, you have 4 years to do all of the things you really need to do to set yourself apart from your classmates and the millions of other people that are competing for jobs. I know some college grads that are working in liquor stores or as cashiers in clothing stores. I don’t think this is where you want to work when you graduate (not that there is anything wrong with that). You need to position yourself now to be in the best bargaining position 3 and 4 years from now. Now is your chance to get ahead of the game rather than wishing you had been more diligent. So where to start? Take a read. Continue Reading

Improving Your Career – A Contact Sport

Shaping Your Career
You need to have great career skills to climb the corporate ladder successfully. Career skills are also crucial if you want to switch jobs within your field. Your skills play a vital role in differentiating you from many others who probably have the same educational qualifications as you. Marketing and negotiation skills and public speaking and leadership skills are some of the skills that if mastered, can help you excel in virtually any career field.
“Networking” To Advance Your Career
Social networking is one of the most popular ways of connecting to people across the world through the Internet. Networking enables you to stay in touch with the right people and develop good business contacts crucial to your career growth. After all, getting a great job is all about being at the right place at the right time. And networking gives you a phenomenal power to stay connected with the right people to advance your career in the right direction. If you love to talk and make friends, networking wont be difficult at all.
Networking simply requires that you interact with people effectively. You don’t need to be a close friend of someone to get a job or ask for a favor. “You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours” is the overriding principle for getting favors through social networking. There are a number of social networking sites you can choose from. Another way to network is to join a local organization or a social club. Once you get into the habit of socializing and meeting people on a regular basis, you will be able to develop good contacts that can help you progress in your chosen career.
Set Realistic Goals
To be able to enjoy career success, you have to set realistic goals. Impossible, unattainable goals often become the cause of disappointment, dealing a blow to your self-esteem in the bargain.
Work With A Career Coach
A well-rounded career necessitates a good balance of interpersonal relationships, recreation and work. All these ingredients in the right proportion will make your career more meaningful than just a series of jobs. Work with a career coach, partner, or mentor who can motivate you and guide you on your path to success. A career coach can help give you the necessary tools to hone your business skills and encourage you to stick to your plans. You can also be a part of a support group or a group of likeminded people with similar business objectives and career interests.
There are many effective ways to improve your career. Always remember that career improvement is a journey – there isn’t necessarily just one destination.

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