The big talk this week is March Madness, but I’m more psyched for April baseball. Ahh, baseball…

I’ve been counting the months, weeks, days, and minutes until Opening Day since last November. There’s just something about the game — those walk-off homers in the bottom of the ninth; the knot in my stomach when the closer comes in to (hopefully) save the game; David Wright’s supreme cuteness; the triumph of an underdog team celebrating on the field. I can hardly wait until my Metsies take the field on Sunday night. While I wait patiently (OK, more like obsess over Game 1 starters), I’m realizing that there’s a lot to learn from America’s pasttime — not to mention countless baseball metaphors to exploit (my apologies in advance). So without further ado, please rise for the singing of the national anthem — er, sorry — I mean, check out these baseball-inspired success strategies…

“You gotta have heart” - So the famous song from the broadway musical says. And, if you do, you can even beat those “Damn Yankees” (I hope the Mets do this year, anyway). In other words, drive, dedication, and lots of practice can take you to the big game, even if you’re starting from last place (a.k.a. have no educational background or career experience). To get one step closer to first base, start researching hot career paths and swing away.

“Who’s on First?” - I love Abbott and Costello’s famous, hysterical skit, don’t you? But it goes to show that if you don’t get to know the who’s who of your field, chaos and confusion might ensue. Take the time to research career paths, speak with industry MVPs, shadow someone on the job in your field of choice, seek out professional affiliations and organizations, etc. Staying in the know will help you warm up for your big game debut.

“Field of Dreams” - Remember that movie and that whisper: “If you build it, they will come?” And that last scene between father and son? Just thinking about it makes me teary-eyed! But I digress… What I really wanted to say is that to find success in the field of your dreams, you’ll have to do some building. Skills building, that is (who’s backyard is big enough to build a ball field anyway?!). Take a course, earn a certification, or pursue a full-fledged degree. The choice is yours, and the educational opportunities are there. Once you’ve completed your “spring training,” you’ll be ready to play the field.

So follow your heart, find out who’s who in the field, and build your career dreams! And if you strike out once or twice, don’t sweat it. You’ll knock one out of the park next time… just like David Wright will against the Cards, God willing.

About the Author:
The CollegeSurfing Insider is here to alleviate your career confusion by answering some common career education questions — straight from you, our bloggin’ classmate.
http://www.collegesurfing.com/blog/

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on March 31, 2007 at 6:41 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Have you always wanted to be a fashion designer or create video games? Are you struggling with the "how to" part of making your dream come true? The problem with dreaming is that it is just that -- a dream. You actually have to do something about your dream in order to make it happen. Here are 5 ways that you can move to the next level of making your dream a reality by breaking into your industry of choice.

Earn a degree or certification: By earning a degree or becoming certified in a particular field provides you with credibility that you have the skills and knowledge of your industry. That piece of paper signifies to employers that you have been trained in their industry and you bring this knowledge and skill set to their table. Having your degree or certification helps you to help them and that is what the business world is all about, no matter if it is the financial services industry or the fashion industry.

Specialize: A great way to break into a particular industry is to specialize in one particular aspect of the industry. Find a niche that is unique or so specialized that there aren't very many people who can fill the role. For example, say it has been your life long dream to be a graphic designer. You are currently enrolled in the graphic design curriculum at your local university. You and your classmates recently attended a lecture given by a freelance graphic designer. The lecture hall was filled with freelance graphic designers who, you came to find out, were struggling to find steady jobs. Two days later you pick up a copy of Newsweek and as you flip through the articles you come across a small blurb that talks about the recent explosion of the video game industry and how major video game companies are looking for game designers. As you place the magazine on the table, you think you have just found your niche. By adding 3 video game design courses to your curriculum you can specialize in gaming design. Voila, a specialization!

This is just one example of how you can specialize. Specialists are called specialists for a reason. They are experts in their field and they are in high demand. By specializing it may be easier for you to break into your industry because you stand apart from the crowd. Those who stand apart tend to get noticed a lot faster than those that look just like everyone else in the crowd.

Network: Surround yourself by people related to the industry that you are trying to break into. These are people that are related to or currently working in the industry already. You can learn from them and if you make the right connection with one of them they may be able to help you in the industry. Look in your local or community newspapers. There are usually business sections there that announce events that are taking place around town. These may be business networking events or these may be fundraisers or community events. If the event is related to your industry, go and check it out. It is a given that industry related people will be there all in one room! It's like having a captive audience.

Join organizations: Find out what industry related organizations are out there that pertain to your industry. There is pretty much an organization for every industry you can think of. Industry organizations tend to help their members with educational needs, training needs, networking needs, and career placement. Again, the members of the organization are somehow related to your field so you will be surrounded by the people that you are hoping to be working with in the near future.

Get a mentor or coach: Everybody needs a little help and guidance sometimes. Life coaches are professionals who can help you make a plan and carry out your plan, which is to break into your industry. Some mentors or coaches specialize in particular industries so you may be able to hire someone that specifically works with people in your field of study. They will have tips and tricks that you can follow to break into a field a lot faster than you may be able to do on your own.

Find and hire a mentor. A mentor is someone who is currently working in the position or industry that you are trying to break into. They help you by sharing with you the path that they took to get where they are today. They help to show you what you need to do to make it in the industry. Their mentoring capabilities will help you to avoid making mistakes and make your road to success a smooth one instead of a bumpy one.

About the Author:

Take a look at more industry related articles by Kristie Lorette at CareersandEducation.com . Kristie Lorette is a frequent contributor with articles pertaining to using Distance Learning and Career Advice.

Source: Submit Articles at ArticlesBase.com

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on March 30, 2007 at 7:11 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Information Technology degrees, or IT degrees are very popular for an excellent reason: the demand has never been stronger for individuals to keep today's complex computer networks up and running. What many people don't realize is that as the IT field has grown, it has also become more specialized. Many companies are now looking for employees who have a specialized information technology degree that reflects their expertise in a particular area.

There is a great interest in specialization. Because information technology has become so complex, many companies have discovered that different people are needed for different areas or types of work within their IT departments. An MIS (management information systems) degree is still highly desirable for oversight of an IT department, and a bachelor's degree in MIS is one of the most sought-after degrees by human resources specialists for companies. But they are also hiring employees who can focus on specific areas with an in-depth background such as applications development.

Operating Systems Demand In-Depth Knowledge

Corporations are also finding that they need IT specialists who have been trained intensively in particular operating systems, however, in order to keep company networks running smoothly. If a company's business relies on the Linux platform for all operations, it's essential that they hire IT staff that have immersed themselves in the study of Linux network administration. Some colleges now offer associate degrees specifically in Linux Network Administration to meet this need.

Other specific areas that are in demand for information technology degrees include:

Cisco Network Administration
Computer Programming
Network Help Desk Technician
Network Security Technology

The network security field is skyrocketing in popularity in today's world of white collar crime, cyber terrorism and savvy hackers, and a degree in network security is highly prized in industries as diverse as banking, insurance and higher education in order to project personal records.

Getting a Quality Information Technology Degree

With such an incredible demand for technicians, programmers and other experts, there has been a surge in schools offering IT degrees. Unfortunately, they aren't all created equal, so do your homework and be sure you choose a college or university that will give you the kind of training that employers are really seeking.

To be sure you're getting a quality degree that will give you the skills and knowledge you need, look for some essentials when comparing colleges and degree programs:

Look for programs that offer a variety of options, including both bachelors and associate degrees.

Ask about how much hands-on experience you will get working in actual computer labs as well as what kind of intern and extern experience you will get while pursuing your degree.

Look for education opportunities based on different operating systems. Programs that offer certification in the most popular areas, including A+, Network+, LCP and LCA offer you definite advantages in the job market, where many companies today require these certifications.

Look for programs with relatively small class sizes and instructors that are certified in all of the major platforms and operating systems such as Cisco, Lotus, Windows and Linux so that you will get a solid foundation beyond your specialty.

Job placement assistance should be a part of your final semester at a quality college offering an IT degree. Colleges that are known for producing qualified, talented students with information technology degrees are routinely used as recruiting grounds by companies, so be sure to ask if the college you are considering will assist you in finding a job and working up an appropriate resume.

With the Internet growing at an astronomic pace, the need for specialized IT professionals will continue to grow as well. Pursuing an information technology degree will ensure you'll always be at the forefront of the industry.

About the Author:
Andy West is a writer for Virginia College. Virginia College offers many Information Technology Degree programs. Visit Virginia College to select the IT program that is right for you.

Source: Submit Articles at ArticlesBase.com

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on March 30, 2007 at 6:32 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Career testing has become a very popular way of "discovering ourselves" and our abilities. However, many people tend to accept their test results as the absolute gospel truth about themselves and their occupations.

This in a way can be a very dangerous assumption and especially for individuals who are desperately seeking some direction in life.

My advice to this is that, even though it may be what you want to hear, you need to be somewhat cautious of your test results.

The truth is, that no matter how glorified and 99.99 percent certified, these tests can be somewhat abstract and generalized. It doesn't matter how good a test is or how good the developer says it is, career tests, career quizzes, and personality tests are not always the absolute gospel truth.

So here are a few guidelines to keep in mind when taking a career or personality test.

1) No test is 100% accurate. Independent studies have proven that even the most glorified tests can be as much as 25 percent inaccurate.

2) Test results can vary. Yes, even the results from the same test taken by the same person at different times can change. Your mood and frame of mind can influence your test results from day to day and even just one different answer can mean completely different results. It's so important to give questions a lot of thought and be totally honest with your answers.

3) Take more than one test. Since no test is completely accurate and results can vary, it is so important to take more than one test. In this way you can compare results to get an accurate assessment of matching results. You'll be able to eliminate mistakes by averaging matching results.

4) Not the end result. Always remember that career testing is only the beginning of your career planning process. It's not the end result. You simply now have something to work with.

5) Be true to yourself. Give your results some serious thought. Do some deep soul searching and trust your intuition. You'll know if the results are totally wrong for you. If you're reading one thing and it doesn't feel right, don't go running off in the wrong direction just because the test results "said so". If you still don't get it, you may need to seek additional advice from a career coach or career counselor. There's nothing wrong with asking for help. And I honestly recommend that you do so.

About the Author:

Written by Steve Boulden. Steve is the creator of Z career.com which offers free career test reviews, career resources, articles, and information. For more career test reviews and resources, visit his site at www.zcareer.com

Source: Submit Articles at ArticlesBase.com

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on March 29, 2007 at 7:14 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Basically, your real goal in life would be to:

A) do something that you love to do, or

b) do something that you're good at.

And if you're lucky, what you do would involve both of these. No problem, right?

So why the endless, great, and mysterious search for the true calling in life?

If you were told that, without a doubt, you would succeed, that you couldn't fail at your chosen career, then chances are you wouldn't have a problem deciding what to do. Most people can come up with an answer to this problem when it's put that way.

So again, why are the vast majority of people questing for their goal in life?

The two primary reasons are:

1) You are afriad of failure. If you're like I am, then you've always known exactly what you wanted to do with your life. But for whatever reason, you just can't really consider it. Possibly you took the wrong job right out of high school or college based on circumstances such as the loss of another job, the lure of big money, or the advice of someone else , etc. As the years went by, you've become used to how things are, stuck, or even scared to make a change. You start to make excuses as to why you can't do this or why that will never work. Or.....

2) Maybe you really don't know what you want to do with your life. Now, this is the hardest one to understand but it happens and might be just the problem you are facing.

Now, I know why you're here and what you've come looking for. Yes, you can find what you're looking for here. However, I won't try to give you a magic formula like so many people try to do. As I've stated before, career testing and self assessments alone are great self-discovery tools but they're not going to change who you are.

Moving On

I find it hard to believe that you wouldn't know at least what a few of your talents and abilities are. Trust yourself. You've been alive long enough to have some understanding about what you can and can't do. If not, then it's time to stop, sit down, and do some deep soul searching. Be honest with yourself and you'll come up with some honest answers.

It might help if you made a list

I know. I know. Not another list!!! But it needs to be done.

Make a list of professions that intrigue you. If you need help, you can find an alphabetical list of occupations, their definitions, and salary stats on my site.

Make a list of what you enjoy and what you excel at. Don't leave anything out and don't exclude hobbies, passions, and what you do in your spare time. Your hobbies and passions could be your ticket to lifting the vail surrounding your true calling.

Now make the same list over. But make this one as if it was five years ago. Ten years ago. Don't leave anything out. You can make an profession out of many things. Then pick the top few, the ones that feel the best, and you have a place to begin.

You now have your answer.

The true reason that the vast majority of people miss their calling in life is that they don't work to uncover ways to make their living doing what they excel at or what they enjoy. They don't really believe that they can accomplish it.

So, what's your life goal?

For the vast majority of the people who benefit from successful and fulfilling lives, the answer is simple. take this statement to heart:

"If you're passionate about what you do, the money will follow"

About the Author:

Submitted by Zcareer.com which offers free career advice, college, and an on-line education information. For more college degree information, visit the site at www.zcareer.com

Source: Submit Articles at ArticlesBase.com

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on March 29, 2007 at 7:10 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Most of the experts say that the average person can expect to change careers (not just jobs) 3 to 5 times in their working life. The reasons? Many people are burnt-out, underpaid, stressed out, bored, unsatisfied, or at a career dead end. For some, their careers have changed on them --thanks to corporate mergers, changes in technology, company restructuring, age discrimination, and a thousand other reasons.

After counseling thousands of people in finding new careers and jobs, we have found that there are 5 classic mistakes most career and job changers make:

MISTAKE 1: NO CLEAR GOAL.

Not having a clear goal is like trying to run a race when you do not know where the finish line is. Many career changers have only a partial goal. They KNOW that they want a job with less stress, or more money, or more of a future, or more independence, or more satisfaction. A career goal, however, should be comprehensive, specific, clear, and realistic. It should include not only the practicalities of your situation, but also who you are, the realities of the job market, and the potential pitfalls.

MISTAKE 2: NO CLEAR PICTURE OF YOUR STRENGTHS.

Most career changers (and job seekers) spend more time worrying about their weaknesses than their strengths. Most people don't even know what their strengths are. But it is your strengths--not your weaknesses--that determine your career success. Get a professional assessment. This should also include your personal characteristics, motivation, aptitudes, goals, values, interests, and talents. A career and job decision is too important not to have this picture.

MISTAKE 3: NO CAREFUL PLANNING.

Sure, most people think about it for a long time, but thinking is not the same thing as detailed planning. Most people plan a night out with friends more carefully than they plan their careers. Planning would mean researching the new career, talking to people who are in the new career, getting some hands-on experience, reading (books, trade journals, industry newsletters), developing strategies for any possible negatives or problems, consulting with a mentor, knowing what education or training you would need, and other actions.

MISTAKE 4: NO MOTIVATION.

As a psychologist who has worked with underachievers of all ages, I can tell you that many have good intentions but fail to take action. This is, of course, a normal human trait. There are times when all of us procrastinate, give ourselves excuses, and do not do the things that will lead us to our goals. If you are changing careers, however, you had better be motivated. Only consistent, daily, well-considered action will get you where you want to go.

MISTAKE 5: NO INDIVIDUALIZED JOB SEARCH STRATEGY.

If you are changing careers, you need something more than the usual job search tactics. You need a strategy that fits who you are as a unique individual and the fact that you are changing careers. For example, if you tell a job interviewer (or anyone else) that you are "changing careers," it is the kiss of death. You see, if you are changing careers, then you are starting over--from square one--and are competing with kids just out of school. Instead, you should say, "I am taking the next step in my career" (which, actually, is closer to the truth for most career changers). Another example: Make sure your résumé is rewritten so that it doesn't "lock you in" to the old career. Go light on the jargon. Emphasize skills in the old career that would be a real advantage (not just "transferable skills") in the new career.

If you avoid these classic mistakes, you are well on your way to making a successful job and career change.

About the Author:

Sander Marcus, Ph.D., is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Certified Professional Resume Writer in Chicago. He has over 3 decades of experience in providing career counseling, aptitude testing, job search coaching, and resume writing to tens of thousands of individuals. He is the co-author of 2 books on academic nderachievement, various tests, and numerous articles. He can be contacted at marcus@iit.edu, 312-567-3358. http://www.center.iit.edu/careermotiv8.htm

Source: Submit Articles at ArticlesBase.com

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on March 29, 2007 at 1:48 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

The ancient Greeks carved a nifty saying on the wall of Apollo's temple at Delphi. It's just two words long, but it could have a profound impact on your career and your life.

The two words are: "Know thyself."

How well do you know yourself, especially when it comes to your job search?

Have you ever sat down and thought -- really thought, long and hard -- about the kind of work that would make you happy and support you for years to come?

If not, let me invite you to get to know yourself better today -- so you can get hired faster for the right job, starting tomorrow.

Here are two ways to do it ...

1) Know Your Most-Marketable Skills
Any resume or cover letter you write must highlight your most-marketable skills in a way that makes employers want to meet you. To find those skills, answer these two questions:

a) What do you do well?
What do you do better and more easily than other people? Is it the work you're doing now? Something you studied in school? A hobby? Write down your answers, no matter how unrelated they are to work. The goal is to get your creative juices flowing.

Let's take a fictitious job seeker, Sally, and write down what she does well:

public speaking, sales, client service, managing projects, solving computer problems, managing people, speaking French

b) What do you enjoy doing?
What skills do you like using most? What would you do even if you weren't paid? Write your answers down.

Here's what Sally enjoys doing:

public speaking, bicycling, client service, solving computer problems, making sushi, managing people, speaking French, serving as a volunteer firefighter, hiking, writing, reading, travel

You'll notice that several of her skills appeared in both lists. That's what we're after! These are Sally's most-marketable skills -- things she does well AND enjoys doing. They are: public speaking, client service, solving computer problems, and speaking French.

Pretty simple, huh? By answering these two questions, Sally has found her most-marketable skills. Try it yourself. You may be surprised!

Next, after you know those skills, you should ...

2) Know Your Target Job
Relax! This involves less thinking. All you have to do is pick two or three of your marketable skills, then search your favorite employment Web site.

Let's say your three marketable skills are writing, training and managing. We'll use Monster.com for this example and look for the "Job Search" box near the top of the page there.

I typed in the first two skills above: writing and training, and did not check on any category or location, because I wanted to generate the most results possible for jobs posted nationwide.

Among the openings I found were the following: Manager of Medical Writing, Training Coordinator, Full-time Tutor, and Communications Specialist.

That's a wide range of jobs. When you do this exercise, it will generate a wide range of ideas for you, too, to help you brainstorm and choose your target job more easily.

When you search based on your marketable skills, you will quickly get a sense of how many openings are available and at what salary level. Example: there were 44 openings nationwide on Monster.com for the phrase baseball player, 130 for baseball marketing, and 1,976 openings for sports marketing.

So, expand your search terms and your thinking until you find target jobs that appeal to you. It's that simple and that powerful -- this exercise will save you weeks of frustration looking for the wrong jobs.

And here's the best part: Once you know your target job, wonderful things start to happen ...

Remember when you bought your car and suddenly it seemed like every third person was driving the same vehicle as you? It had always been out there on the road, but now you saw it more, because you were more receptive to that particular style and color of car.

It's the same with your job search.

Once you know exactly what kind of job you want, you will start to see job openings where you never saw them before. Ideas and employment leads will come to you, almost as if by magic.

It all starts when you know yourself. Try it and see!

Kevin Donlin is President of Guaranteed Resumes and the creator of GetHiredNow.TV. Since 1996, he has provided job search assistance to nearly 10,000 people. Author of "51 Ways to Find a Job Fast -- Guaranteed," Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, CBS Radio and others.

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on March 28, 2007 at 5:40 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

You know you are highly creative and creates visually stimulating masterpieces. So you think you might consider a career in graphics design but where do you begin and what are the possible career paths?

For starters, Graphic design is a field of art where images and text are arranged to communicate a message which ca be applied to print, digital media, motion pictures, animation, signs, packaging or other media. There might be few lucky people who made waves in this industry by talent alone, but most graphic designer wanna-be needs to have a certificate or a degree. In every field, there is too much competition, so a certification or a degree will be an advantage to show that you have a firm grasp on the basic knowledge and theories about the field.

CollegeRecruiter.com features 250,000 active job posting ads from all industries. Because our site is primarily targeted to students and recent graduates with zero to three years of experience, many of the postings are for internships, seasonal jobs, and entry level career opportunities. Yet many of our users have years of experience, so we also display jobs which require years of experience. Unless users choose otherwise, we display the entry level jobs first and then the jobs which require years of experience. http://www.collegerecruiter.com/jobs/

Career opportunities as a graphic designer is far from narrow. Below are the top 5 Graphic design jobs that you might want to consider.

1. Creative Directors. - Search Jobs
Creative directors are also called art directors, they are in charge of a creative team that produces artwork to be used in different mediums such as television, magazine or billboards. Art directors manages the team that consist of artists, graphic designers, photographers, copywriters and a production staff to make sure that they beat the deadline and make the client happy. They also play a major role in the development of a project because they make the decisions on the elements used for the project. Though they are mostly on the supervisory and administrative side, they need advanced training in graphics design to be able to do some artwork and designing as needed by the project.

2. Layout Artist - Search Jobs
Layout Artists are in charge with the structure and layout of images and text for print media such as magazine works, flyers, cd inlets, posters, etc. They are required to have knowledge and experience in using various computer softwares like Adobe Photoshop and Macromedia Freehand.

3. Flash Designer - Search Jobs
Macromedia Flash is a tool for creating interactive and animated web sites. It is the trendiest technology used in web design because most web designers want to implement Flash in their sites. A A Flash designer creates interactive movies using customized effects on text, navigation, animation, video .They should also have a basic knowledge on the Internet and HTML.

4.Web Designer - Search Jobs
A web designer creates pages, layout and graphics for web pages. They also design and develop the navigation tools and site content. Their main task is to create an aesthetically pleasing and user friendly site. A web designer should have skills in computer graphics, graphic designs, softwares and web tools.

5.Multimedia Designer - Search Jobs
A Multimedia designer produces sketches, scale models, drawings or plans to be submitted and reviewed bu a director. They can also design props, sets or costumes. Multimedia designers can explore careers in the field of television, audio or film production, as well as set or production design.

The graphic design career opportunities above requires being keen to details, good grasp of design concepts, problem solving skills and knowledge on latest software used in the industry. It is recommended to get a proper training and education to land to a graphics design job in this exciting field.

About the Author:
Mei Galang is an article contributor for Oz Free Online Jobs blog

Source: http://www.articlecodex.com

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on March 28, 2007 at 7:15 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

A job interview is an assessment. You must prepare for it, and to practice questions that might be asked. Perhaps a parent or friend may help so you can rehearse not just your answers but how you deliver them. You must become familiar with hearing your voice speaking aloud and talking about your special qualities.

Interviewers often ask a broad range of questions, and here are some questions people have great difficulty in answering. Write them down and write down your answers. Get used to answering these questions and if you are confident and assured of yourself, you will have the edge on the interview.

What is your short term and long-term goal, and what are your career objectives?

In the next couple of minutes, I would like you tell me something about yourself.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

What are your perceptions of the job?

Are there any aspects of the job that make you feel apprehensive?

Why should we give this job to you rather than the other people sitting in the waiting room?

What do you think will be your main contributions to the job?

How do you see your employment with this company helping you to achieve your long-term goals?

Take note that the interviewer has little idea about you besides what you have included in your resume and portfolio. Your task is to project your personality without making the interviewer dig and scrape the answers out of you.

Finally, understand that currently all companies are interested in your ability to communicate. The interview is your opportunity to demonstrate how well you have mastered the art.

Follow these simple job interview tips and you will come out way ahead of your rivals who break them.

Barbara Thorp is an article contributor for Jobs section of OzFreeOnline.com

Source: http://www.articlecodex.com

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on March 27, 2007 at 1:08 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Protocol is important at job interviews for obvious reasons. There are many things we say, things we must, or must not do. There are workshops and classes on this subject, and numerous articles on the internet that will assist you, but if you want to have some simple guidelines just read on.

Firstly, think of yourself as being the ‘product’ that you are selling. You are now in a very competitive environment and you have to want to ‘win’; otherwise you would not be sitting in the foyer of this office right now.

As a matter of course, the employer will make a choice between you and other applicants and eventually, there will be a short list and perhaps even another interview.

Right now, it is your job to create an impression and influence the employer or interviewer, that choosing you is the best possible choice they will ever make. You must take into account that this is your first and last impression – you will not get a second chance if you ‘stuff’ it up, so some important guidelines are listed below:

INTERVIEW PROTOCOL

Arrive 10 to 15 minutes prior to the interview. Definitely not after the scheduled time.

Turn your mobile phone off.

Dress appropriately - its better to be a little over dressed than the reverse. No sandals, sneakers, white socks with dark pants.

Offer your hand and use a firm handshake and sincere smile.

Always refer to the interviewer by name i.e. Mr/Ms/Mrs… (Name).

Be alert and ready to react from beginning to end.

Ask questions when invited to.

Be calm and confident; never cocky or forceful.

Project a keen interest in the company and the interviewer/s; never act disinterested.

Be positive and confident. Do not get defensive at any question or comment at job interviews.

Try not to look petrified - even if you are - but smile and be good-humoured.

Maintain eye contact with the interviewer without crossing the boundary into staring. Just look at the interviewer the same way as you would if you were having a conversation with a friend.

Approach the interviewer with a firm commitment. You will lose the job if you are unthinking in your approach.

Have your resume in a smart binder that shows your interviewer that you are willing to invest in time and effort to land your next job.

Speak clearly and answer all questions with confidence.

When asked of your accomplishments supply specific examples, i.e. any certificates or documents that support those activities.

Do not ask for refreshments of any kind. If they are offered, you may accept.

Do not smoke - even outside the building prior to the interview.

Do not swear no matter how informal the interview.

If asked about former employers or colleagues, do not destroy your status by criticising them.

Do not speak disrespectfully. Most if not all interviewers, think their particular company is a great place to work and they will not take kindly to any attempted humour at the company's expense.

When it's your turn to ask the interviewer a questions, be sure to ask about aspects other than just the wages or salary you may expect.

Be mindful of all possible cues such as body language from the interviewer. These will give you hints when to stop and when to continue.

Convince yourself before the interview that you have something special, which will influence the interviewer your way.

Do not excuse yourself to go to the bathroom during your interview. Make sure you attend to those personal comfort basics prior to the meeting.

Remember not all interviewers are terrific at their job - so do not judge the company by the interviewer.

Barbara Thorp is an article contributor for Jobs section of OzFreeOnline.com

Source: http://www.articlecodex.com

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on March 26, 2007 at 1:05 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

This past week, I was a guest speaker at a public relations course at St. John’s University, which also happens to be my undergrad alma mater. It was the first time I stepped foot on campus since I graduated in ‘98. In fact, the classroom I spoke in was housed in a gorgeous new academic center that used to be a lawn. It made me realize that some things are still the same (like the bad parking!), but mostly, times have changed.

When I was a college senior nine years ago, for instance, doing an internship was hardly a given. Not all students did them, and the ones who did, chose to as an excuse to take less classes. Lucky for me, I took the “easy” route and decided to intern for a small publishing company just down the road from campus above a strip mall. It was sort of related to my major — English — and I figured it was more interesting than taking some goofy elective like Astronomy or Medieval Archeology. The last thing I wanted to become, however, was the intern cliche, swimming in a sea of file folders, coffee filters, and band-aids from all the paper cuts. Hence why I figured a small company would be my best shot at getting some good experience under my belt.

So low and behold, I went to my internship 12 hours a week as my school required, and to my surprise, I learned so much. It was the first time I saw this new computer thing that made a gurgly fax machine noise called “the Internet” (yes, I’m serious!). I also handwrote my first article, and typed it into the company’s one computer while the other employees went out to lunch, and it eventually resulted in my first published byline.

As my internship progressed, I slowly realized I was hooked on seeing my name in print, and I wanted to be a journalist, a writer, and an editor. I graduated that May, but kept writing articles for my internship editor — some of which I was paid like $50 for. I was so ecstatic about all the extra income! As I’ve said, times have changed.

All these years later, that small publishing company is not so small anymore. They’ve relocated from the strip mall to a corporate office building, have a way larger staff, and everyone even has their own computer. Including me! That’s right — the internship that got me out of Intro to Woodworking, turned out to be where I’ve made my career home for the last nine years. I’ve grown along with The CollegeBound Network (and thankfully, they pay me now!).

What does this all mean for you, readers? Let’s extract some lessons:

- Don’t always go with the crowd. Had I taken Marine Biology for English Majors instead of testing the waters of a possible career path, I may never have discovered my affinity for journalism. To that end, had I listened to my college advisor and majored in business, I’d be punching numbers into spreadsheets right now — which is great if you’re good at that sort of thing, but I’m definitley not. And while it’s perfectly OK and quite common to change careers a few times over the course of your working life, it’s so much easier when you nail it the first time, don’tcha think?

- Decide what you love to do, and get good at it. Before I officially considered myself a journalist, I felt I needed to get some formal training, meet people in the field, and choose the right track for me. So before I went full-time with CollegeBound, I pursued my master’s degree in journalism at NYU to really hone the craft, and I realized my preference for magazines over newspapers in the process. Plus, it opened up a world of industry events and opportunities — in fact, I’m going to a media lecture for alumni next week. Which brings me to my next point…

- Build career relationships. You never know from whom your next job offer will come. Whether you intern for someone, meet at an industry trade show, or take classes, stay in touch with former employers, colleagues, professors, and classmates. Inevitably, networking is almost always how people land their dream positions.

- Change with the times. I wish I could travel back to ‘98 to tell myself to get in on the ground floor of that weird “Internet” thing. Oh well… But I did have the sense to keep up with technology and it’s a good thing. My print journalism career has completely transformed to a Web-based, blogging, HTML-ing one. And, well, the Internet basically runs my whole working life.

It goes to show that although times change, and campuses and companies grow, everything eventually comes full circle. Even if that circling happens to take place in a crowded college parking lot.

The CollegeSurfing Insider is here to alleviate your career confusion by answering some common career education questions — straight from you, our bloggin’ classmate.
http://www.collegesurfing.com/blog/

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on March 26, 2007 at 6:42 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Sometimes, no matter what our mantra is about loving our job, we just have to admit that it’s hard to figure out how to get our career moving in the right direction. And we all know we're not getting any younger. Here are a few tips in molding your current job into the perfect career.

Little Steps Rather Than One Big Stride

Aiming for a promotion? Then start early, by doing things a litle bit better each day. Don't compete with your next-cubicle workmate; compete with yourself, and try to exceed your own expectations.

Learn from the Experts

Instead of envying workmates who has made it big in the company, try to learn from their experience. They'll be more than flattered to impart advice.

Get a hold of technology!

The office is no place for techno-phobes. Learn everything you possibly can about the software needed in your field, and you’ll quickly make yourself more marketable. But don't limit yourself to just one software. Study other software because you never know when you're going to need them.

Keep Learning

The world we live in is fast-paced and new knowledge and information is transformed every second. Don't let your education stop the moment you leave school. The world is the much bigger arena for learning, and it pays to explore and keep learning. Those who are stagnant lose out early.

Turn your officemates into allies

Sound relationships with your workmates lead to better office productivity. Instead of perpetually competing with them for the top of the ladder, try to turn them into allies and teammates. When it comes to promotion time, it's not just skills and knowledge that matters but work ethics too.

Read a lot

Especially books that teach and update you in your fields of interest as well as in others. Pay attention to the quality of what you read, and before you know it, you would have added precious knowledge to your arsenal.

About the Author:
Mei Galang is an article contributor for Oz Free Online Jobs blog.

Source: http://www.articlecodex.com

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on March 23, 2007 at 2:30 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

No, it’s not a bird, a plane, or a bad slogan to a new Sci-Fi channel “Heroes” ripoff. It’s actually the top three career goals as cited by CollegeSurfing.com users. Well, if you minus the metaphor, it means programs in aviation, criminal justice, and massage/wellness programs garnered the most requests for information at CollegeSurfing.com thus far in ‘07.

The top 5 specific programs were:

Airframe and Powerplant Technology
Cosmetology
Aviation Maintenance Technology
Paralegal/Legal Assistant
Massage Therapy
What do these fields have in common? Well, for one thing, they are all industries that are penetrable via career education and training. They are also the perfect lead-in for this question…

Q: Isn’t career training for people who just don’t want to go to “real” college?

A: There are many reasons why people choose to pursue career education, and it’s usually centered around having very specific career goals. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), over the 12-month period ending in spring 2005, 44 percent of adults reported having participated in formal adult educational activities. Reasons cited included:

Improving skills they already had
Learning new skills to enter a new field
Getting or keeping a certificate or license
Leveraging their quest for a promotion

The bottom line is that career education differs from a traditional university education in several ways, but one main difference is that it isn’t most populated by newly graduated high school seniors. Those who pursue career education do so from a variety of life situations, career goals, and demographic backgrounds.

Then, of course, is the nature of the learning itself. Career education is very industry-focused, skill-building, hands-on coursework. You can think of it as sort of an “off-the-job” training. On the other hand, traditional college students complete a “core curriculum” of classes aimed to provide a well-rounded education (hence the English literature, philosophy and biology requirements), along with whichever major course of study they choose.

Naturally, choosing between career schools and traditional colleges and universities will depend on your professional goals. If you want to be a college professor, you’ll need the full-fledged advanced degrees in education. But if you want to fly high, fight bad guys, or ease stress, career education will give you professional wings (or, a red cape, if you prefer).

So what do you want to be when you grow up?

About the Author:
The CollegeSurfing Insider is here to alleviate your career confusion by answering some common career education questions — straight from you, our bloggin’ classmate.
http://www.collegesurfing.com/blog/

Photo: Warner Bros.

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on March 23, 2007 at 7:10 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

’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.

Arlene Tresmanio is an Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Specialist for OZ Free Online Job Search.For more Details of her work please visit, Job Search

Source: http://www.articlecodex.com

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on March 22, 2007 at 1:37 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

You are off to a good start. You know a little about your date and your date knows a little about you. The description of your blind date seems to be too good to be true – a perfect vision of your ideal partner. They have the right physical attributes and personal qualities. Your matchmaking friends are even more excited than you because they’re convinced you are perfect for one another. The date has been set. You can hardly wait!

The night arrives and you see your blind date walk through the door of the restaurant. So far so good. The introductions go very well. They are very attractive and have a great personality. They seem to like you too. You can sense each other’s nerves, and are very careful about saying the wrong thing and turning each other off. After about fifteen minutes of slightly awkward conversation mostly dominated by your friends, your date, who by the way is a nurse, says, “So, I hear you’re a successful pharmaceutical sales representative with one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the country. That sounds so exciting. How did you get into pharmaceutical sales? You begin by talking about how you’ve always been interested in medicine, enjoy selling, and never saw yourself at a desk job. You explain how you joined the company when they launched one of the best selling nebulizers on the market. As you humbly mention that you grew your sales territory to rank as one of the highest in the country, the waitress interrupts to take your plates and asks if you’d like desert. Wow, the conversation just flowed. You even forgot you were on a date! Your date was so interested in what you had to say, and they responded so well to the great questions you asked them about their work and family. Your date can sense you are truly interested in them. In the first half hour, you both realized you have so much in common. Deep down inside you are praying they like you as much as you like them, and hope they aren’t seeing anyone else. By the end of the night, it seems your date feels the same way. You both agree to a second date – this time alone!

Okay, let’s rewind the tape. You’re not in pharmaceutical sales yet. But, that is what you want to be. You’ve just graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry with a concentration in Psychology. You’ve had your resume professionally developed and it’s time to send it out. You scour all the job boards and classified ads, and talk to everyone in your personal network. Things are looking up. In less than two weeks, you have lined up four promising interviews.

So, if everything is going so well, why are you so nervous? Is it because you’re afraid you are going to fail at making a great first impression? Take a deep breath. There is a way to overcome this fear -- and you hold the key. Remember that blind date? What was the hardest part? That’s right – it was the anticipation! Once you got there, everything went smoothly – especially when they asked you about your {future} job. Why did it go so well? Because it was about YOU! Know one knows you better than yourself, and that’s who they want to get to know better -- YOU. THEY WANT TO MEET YOU. THEY ALREADY LIKE YOU!

And therein lies the secret. The very fact that they have invited you for an interview means they have PRE-QUALIFIED YOU FOR THE JOB! Can you believe that? It’s true! They are hoping that you are as good in person and you are on paper. If you are, like your blind date, they’re going to pray that you’ll stop interviewing with other companies and accept their offer to join their company.

So how do you gain the confidence you need to overcome your interview jitters? First, believe in yourself. Know how talented and knowledgeable you are. Remember, your resume says you are – and that’s why they want to meet YOU. Next, do your homework. Learn about the company. Ask genuine questions to show how interested you are in what their company does, why the position is available, what the position is about, and what the potential is to grow with the company. Volunteer to tell them what you know about their company, using it as a lead-in for a question you might have or save it as a response to a question they may have. Do not fail to ask questions! Do not wait until the end and say, “No, I think you answered all my questions (that were silently in my head!). BE PROACTIVE in the interview. As long as you know who you are and know something about them, you should have no problem hitting it off. If for some crazy reason they decide to offer the position to someone else, don’t be discouraged. There are other fish in the sea. Think of it as a great experience and opportunity to practice your interviewing skills.

In summary, the interview is a meeting between two interested people. They already know about themselves. So, it’s about YOU. They want to meet YOU. They want to get to know YOU. Just be yourself, be interesting, polite, and show your interest in them. If it is meant to be (hey, remember, you might not like them. Did you ever think about that?), you will be invited to a second interview or will be offered the position after the first meeting.

Ann Baehr is a CPRW and President of Best Resumes of New York. Notable credentials include her former role as Second Vice President of NRWA and contribution to 25+ resume and cover letter sample books. To learn more visit http://www.e-bestresumes.com or for more resume ideas view our resume samples at http://www.e-bestresumes.com/resume_samples.htm

Source: http://www.articlecodex.com

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on March 22, 2007 at 12:34 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Distance learning has replaced night classes or correspondence school as the ticket to a better future for thousands of working Americans. Online learning is especially attractive because it offers flexible scheduling that allows online students to earn a degree without leaving the comfort of their home. But are employers willing to accept the online degrees that students are so eager to earn?

Once only a qualified "yes", the answer to this question now more clearly favors the acceptance by employers of an online degree. It seems the sheer popularity of online earning may well force skeptical employers to take a second and closer look at online grads. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), for example, more than 54% of the country's post-secondary institutions now offer online courses or degrees. While no hard figures are yet available, the Center estimates that online enrollment could top six million students in 2006. The University of Phoenix Online, the nation's leading online university, counted more than 115,000 students on its rolls in late 2004, the last period for which figures are available.

Given the popularity of distance learning and online degree programs, it's hard to see how employers can ignore online degree holders in their search for new employees. But an initial study of the phenomenon by Vault.com, a website specializing in career information, revealed a strong preference by employers for a more conventional degree path. Degrees requiring actual physical attendance at traditional brick-and-mortar universities were still preferred over online institutions by a substantial margin. An online diploma bearing the name of a well-known Ivy League or Big Ten school may well carry more weight than a degree from purely "virtual" institution in the eyes of some human resource professionals.

But there's more to a degree than name recognition and whether or not that degree was earned solely through an on-campus program. More recent studies - some commissioned by online universities themselves - show that job applicants holding a degree from an accredited online university now enjoy more or less equal footing with graduates from their brick-and-mortar competitors. The key to the attitude shift seems to be accreditation, a voluntary review process in which universities are evaluated by one of a half dozen regional accrediting agencies. Successful accreditation ensures that an online college or university meets a uniform set of standards that applies to all institutions of higher learning - including traditional brick-and-mortar institutions as well as online universities. The Department of Education maintains a database of accredited colleges and universities at www.ed.gov.

For many employers, the issue of an online degree isn't an issue at all. A case in point is the existing employee eager to improve his or her career qualifications. In a situation like this, many employers are eager to help existing employees become a better-educated and hence more valuable employee. Nearly three-fifths of the students at the University of Phoenix Online, for example, receive some or all of their online tuition from their employer.

Online learning should continue to grow faster than any other education segment for the foreseeable future, says the National Center for Education Statistics. As long as an online degree comes from a properly accredited college or university, graduates can expect their degrees to meet with increasing acceptance by employers.

About the Author:
Matt Paolini works from home as a distance learner.

Source: http://www.articlecodex.com

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on March 22, 2007 at 9:45 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

I was at a media conference in Hershey, PA, this past weekend, and I don’t know if it was all the free chocolate or just getting away for a couple of days, but I was fascinated by Milton Hershey’s legacy (and not just the Mr. Goodbars and Kisses, I swear!). Check this out…

With no formal education, Milton went bankrupt several times trying to get into the caramel business. Literally down to his last buck — even after family members mortgaged their homes to help him — an English client put in a giant caramel order, and single-handedly saved him from financial ruin. The reason for this big order? In England, he combined the caramel with chocolate and it was a big Brit hit. Milton still faced “rocky roads” thereafter, but ultimately, this encounter is what inspired him to turn his attention and dedicate his life to chocolate.

Once he was successful, he opened a school for orphans, to give young people educational opportunities that he didn’t have. Today, qualifying low-income students who attend the Milton Hershey school get free room and board, free schooling through 12th grade, a large scholarship to the college of their choice, a brand new wardrobe, and a laptop. Plus the student houses have chocolate milk on tap!

Why do I bring this up? More often than not, people take jobs or enter careers that they later on realize are going nowhere. Some stay put and hope for the best, and others go with their gut and learn how to do something else. Figuring out your passion is not an easy undertaking, but as Milton believed, education certainly helps.

Plus, just like caramel and chocolate (or peanut butter and chocolate, or anything and chocolate, for that matter), you’ll be amazed at how your interests and talents can combine to create a delicious career. Some examples that come to mind…

Technology + Creativity = Web Design or Game Design
Health Care + Criminal Justice = Legal Nurse Consultant
Cooking + Business = Catering Management

Get the idea? It took Milton Hershey a while to discover his passion for chocolate, but once he did, he educated himself on various techniques to perfect his chocolate candy recipe. So take some time to enjoy some free samples (a.k.a. read about various career paths), and pursue an education that’s more satisfying than chocolate. Well, almost…

CollegeSurfing Insider
Answers to Your Career Education Questions
http://www.collegesurfing.com/blog/

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on March 22, 2007 at 7:40 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Recently, I had the pleasure of presenting to a group of seniors at Wabash College who are poised to graduate and enter the "Real World." Sounds great--embarking on a new adventure where you'll use the knowledge you've earned in the past four years and chart a grand course for yourself!

Or will you? The reality is graduation can be intimidating---there's alot to think about and if you adopt a "wait and see" attitude, you run the risk of a very rude awakening. Although graduatio is a few weeks away, what can you do now to prepare?

1) Plan your move
This sounds simple, but line up movers and helpers now. You'd be surprised how few Uhauls there are available to rent if you wait until the last minute. Plus, there's thousands of seniors pounding Craig's List right now for apartments. Do you want the least of the best?

2) Make a budget
Whether you're headed to grad school or the corporate world, try to write out what all of your expenses will be. Paying for things on your own for the first time is never peaches and cream. Try making a list. And don't forget things like food, renter's insurance, electric and gas money.

3) Dress right
Find out whether your next step is casual, business casual or business dress. And then dress the part. Casual doesn't mean sweats and sneakers. And business doesn't mean you can wear athletic socks with that suit. Oh and try saving that perfume or cologne for nights on the town instead of days in the cube.

4) Set some goals
It make sound corny, but write down what your goals are. That may mean with your boss, your graduate professor or yourself. Regardless of where you're headed, if you don't write it down there's nothing tangible to achieve.

==========
Susan Strayer
Author, The Right Job, Right Now
www.susanstrayer.com
==========

Posted by Susan Strayer on March 21, 2007 at 10:32 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

nexorable statistics show that most people don’t like their jobs: 87% of Americans don’t like their job. What should we do about it? To call at work and pretend you are ill is not the best way out. Fortunately there are more efficient methods that will change your severe work routine for better. The central problem of bad work lies in our psychology: you are what you do. One of the first questions we ask our new acquaintance is “What do you do? “. That is why if a person has a bad attitude to his job, it affects his/ her self–esteem. This crisis has even more global consequences. US economy annually loses 150 bln dollars because of stresses, quitting and reduction of work efficiency. Jane Baucher, the author of the book “How to love this hateful job: enjoying your wok in 21st century» states, “money is not the most important thing in your job. The employee has three types of motivation. First, he gets motivation from respectable, authoritative people who he likes. Second, he should be aware of the significance of his work. Besides, he should feel his important role and independence in the whole process. People don’t like when boss spies his every step as it kills the initiative”.

So, what should we do to like our job? Try the following 10 tips. Communicate with your colleagues. Let your boss know about your achievements and your problems. But don’t complain and show your indignation. Let the team spirit be developed in your group. Point out a hindering aspect and offer your own solutions to it. Make something for yourself. Take up a project you like most. Devote more time to something you are good at. You have entered university as you wanted to gain new useful knowledge, but instead have to submit endless college essays? Stop it. Spend more time on what is of real interest to you. Improve tense relations. All people are so different. We tend to dislike some of them more than the rest. That is why conflicts are inevitable. Instead of swelling the quarrel, ask your opponent “What can I do for you?” It will reduce tension and in a while it will help to build up normal contacts with the hottest tempered person. Delegate your duties. It is impossible to perform constant control over the process and to achieve results. Find a young ambitious employee and give him the part of the job you can’t stand. It will be good practice for him. Surely you will have to show your eloquence to explain the necessity of doing it for a future career promotion. Recollect the story with your college essay. It worked out perfect; no one found out that every word of it belonged to your room mate passionate about writing. Ask for the feedback. Ask your boss and colleagues: “How am I getting on with the job?”. Let them know you need their answer to improve yourself, not just to hear a pair of empty compliments. Start with doing the most difficult part of the work. Do the most unbearable part of the work before lunch. If you put it off, it won’t disappear and after lunch it will even harder to make yourself do it. Besides such a schedule will give y an opportunity to finish your working day with something pleasant, something you feel enthusiastic about.

Have fun. Your job is no fun. But don’t repeat it to yourself all the time. A pair of good jokes will cheer everyone up. Work in a team. You can do much more if you have fewer responsibilities. Team work is a good way to handle your working process for achieving it. You should learn it and it is a useful skill. Soul and body. Allocate enough time for your spiritual and physical health. Stick to the basic rules: nutritious diet, working out, healthy sleep. Sometimes it is a simple way to have a fresh look at your job. Live. People who have interests besides work are the best employees, friends, parents and spouses. Devote more time to your hobby; realize what really matters to you and what you want from life. Coming to work, remember it is not only the opportunity to earn money but also a chance to realize yourself. So, don’t miss it.

Rushessay.com - Custom Essay Writing Service

About Jacob Parker
_________________

Jacob Parker is a leading researcher of Rushessay.com. His research and published articles have been on the following topics: British literature, the influence of European literature on the British literature of the 20th century. He is a senior consultant of Rushessay.com on the subjects mentioned and is researching other literature topics.

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on March 21, 2007 at 12:49 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Do you feel like one in a million at work – and not in a good way? When you run into your boss in the hallway, do you get the impression she isn’t sure who you are? Are the juicy projects always going to someone else?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you need to raise your work profile. Here are some tips to get you started.

1. Listen more than you talk. If you offer an opinion, suggestion, comment or question at every opportunity, soon people will run away when they see you coming. Remember when you were in college and there was always one smart-aleck who, when the class was asked, “Are there any more questions?” would shoot his hand in the air and hold the class up? Don’t be that student in the boardroom. If you listen carefully and confine yourself to intelligent and to the-point remarks, you’ll end up looking smarter than most of the people in the room. And when you do have something to say, everyone will listen.

2. Meetings aren’t for airing dirty laundry. If you have a problem or gripe with someone, bring it to his or her attention privately. When you point fingers or air departmental problems in a group setting, you (a) blindside the person you’re complaining about, and (b) have just about ruined your chances for a peaceful resolution. Besides, the next time you make a mistake, that person will fall all over himself to make sure to bring it up in a large meeting just to watch you squirm.

3. Try to catch people doing something right. Whether boss, co-worker or subordinate, people love to be told they’re doing a good job. You don’t have to turn into Eddie Haskell to be aware of opportunities to compliment someone. Keep it short, low-key and honest. It’s even better if you can pass the compliment to someone else. “Hey, boss, Jim was a huge help to us on the Acme project – he made some suggestions that should save us $20,000.” What are the chances that the boss is going to mention it to Jim the next time he sees him? Pretty good.

4. Know when to hold ‘em and know when to fold ‘em. Pick your battles. If you’ve made the best case you can for doing something a certain way and the boss decides to do it Sally’s way, smile and go along (unless doing it Sally’s way is going to send you to jail). If your way really is better, people will remember that when Sally folds like a cheap card table. When you do decide to keep fighting to do it your way, make sure it’s something worth fighting for and not just because you can’t stand to lose. If you only start a war when the stakes are high you have a better chance of coming out on top than if you try to fight every low-level skirmish like Sherman going through Atlanta.

5. Don’t hide your mistakes. As soon as it becomes apparent that something has gone wrong, take it to your boss and be upfront about what happened. Have a plan laid out to correct the problem and limit the fallout. You should be able to tell the boss that you’ve already put the recovery in motion and exactly what the final outcome will be. The key here is to accept the blame without hand wringing or whining and pointing fingers at your subordinates or other departments. You take the responsibility, and then you take the lead in fixing it.

About the Author

Looking for more career advice?

Joan Schramm is a career, executive and personal coach with twenty years experience in management, training and coaching. For more information about Joan, or to talk about what’s going on in your career, e-mail coach@achieve-momentum.com, or go to www.achieve-momentum.com.

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on March 21, 2007 at 9:27 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

I accepted a job as the Human Resources Manager for a large auto-components manufacturer. I had the undistinguished task of laying off 250 workers due to an imminent plant closure. If you speak to any person in the human resources profession they will tell you how mentally difficult it is to let people go and see their disappointment in the process.

Redundant employees express a wide range of emotion, ranging from family responsibility and financial insecurity to just losing a work life they had grown to rely on and become accustomed to. It was my job to counsel employees about how they could better cope with their personal circumstances and I hired professional workplace counselors to assist. What was to happen two weeks later was unprecedented.

After a job well done and a smooth redundancy process my managing director walked onto my office, thanked me for my efforts and made me redundant! "I needed you to complete the process first before I could let you go" he said. I felt as though I had hit a brick wall and was momentarily stunned. How was I to break the news to my wife? I had two young children; a mortgage like most of the working population and my wife did not work outside the home.

I had to draw upon all my previous job-hunting experience and survival skills to get through. I can break it down into 5 key critical success factors:

1. Successful job search skills knowledge

2. Strong financial management initiatives

3. Flexible and open career re-assessment

4. Mental toughness and a strong belief system

5. Managing your current job.

Successful Job Search Skills Knowledge

Key Success Factor Number 1
Your very first objective when you have lost your job is to get another job. Now that may sound a bit straightforward but it isn't. To get another job today requires special knowledge and skill. This is because in most situations, redundancy falls during times of economic slowdown, rising unemployment resulting in fewer jobs and greater competition. Labour economists call this an "oversupply of labour" and this will cause an imbalance in the labour market favouring employers.

That's right - employers can pick and chose whomever they like and they know it. I think that competition is a key word here, because just like any other competitive scenario, nobody remembers who came second. The only winner is the person who gets that job and you're up against it in what is cruel market place.

If you have been working in an organisation for a long time and are reaching the older age category, being out of work for the first time can shock you. All of a sudden you're in a cauldron of job hunters operating in an unbalanced labour market where supply far outweighs demand. Lets face it, it will not be easy but there is always hope. Whatever you do don't become defeatist and lose faith in your abilities. Get yourself in job search mode and learn all you can about job-hunting skills. It will be necessary for you to do this in order to compete at the same level and edge closer to winning that job.

Your job search knowledge must consist of the following areas of competence:

1. Ability to tap into the hidden job market

2. Successful behavioural interview skills

3. Good letter writing ability with a marketable resume

4. Strong belief in yourself and mental stamina.

Successful job search skills knowledge is critical and this book focuses heavily on this key area. I have covered all of the above areas of competence in separate chapters so that you can easily move from one key activity to another. Your ability to network with others and perform well at interviews will be paramount. Your ability to write good covering letters and have a well-written up-to-date resume is equally important. If you need more coaching beyond the scope of the book then go out and get it.

About the Author

Anthony Ranieri is the author of "How to Find a Job in 6 Weeks."
He has helped many individuals succeed with their job search.
Visit his site to find out more about the publication.
http://www.jobweb.com.aa or mailto:info@jobweb.com.au

Source: http://www.article-wiz.com

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on March 20, 2007 at 8:39 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

"Doing a good job is one of the most important ways to move up the ladder", says Dr. Don Bagin, Professor of Communications at Glassbro State College. If you are one of the many people who do a good job consistently but are not noticed by top management, here are some suggestions to help you get on the fast track:

Smiling: Research has shown that people who smile are perceived to be more intelligent than those who don't.

Prioritizing: Avoid spending a great deal of time on things that aren't important just because you are good at them. The person who gets ahead is the person who establishes priorities and sets aside time for them accordingly.

Walking: Choose to walk rather than drive as often as possible. And when you do, walk at least ten to fifteen percent faster than you normally would. Somehow this faster pace communicates to others that you are a person with a mission who is eager to get the job done.

Speaking actively: Use the active voice when speaking or writing. Listen to the difference: "I prepared and delivered the reports promptly." Compare it to "The report was promptly prepared and delivered." Although the second one told you something, many more questions were left unanswered.

Knowing your boss: Get to understand your boss' personality and when to approach him or her. If your boss is a morning person, be sure that you come up with your suggestions and proposals in the morning while he is most receptive.

Volunteering: While being careful not to overdo it, volunteer for special projects and responsibilities outside of your working hours and job description.

Expressing gratitude: Develop the habit of sending brief notes of thanks to anyone who has made your day easier.

Positively speaking: Look for positive things to say about people, especially your co-workers.

Being approachable: Make yourself approachable. Let people know when and how to reach you.

Following-up: After a task-assigning meeting, follow-up immediately on those assignments that were given to you.

Spotting trends: Learn to spot trends that affect your company or agency. Be the first person to alert those in a position to capitalize on them.

Presenting effectively: Be certain that you speak clearly and precisely when making presentations. Speak with confidence and admit honestly when you don't know, but promise to return with an answer promptly.

Reading the trades: Determine which publications top management is reading, then get a copy of them so that you, too, can become knowledgeable of relevant matters.

Making contact: Establish a contact person in all your referral sources. Make it a point to meet with that person so that you can get to know each other. It will help make your future contacts easier for both of you.

Remembering your manners: Never forget to be polite or to follow the proper protocol. It lets people know that you mean business, that you take your business relationships seriously.

Put these fifteen ideas into practice, and I guarantee you that you will see yourself progressing faster and farther than you thought possible.

Remember: When you maximize your potential, everyone wins. When you don't, we all lose.

© MMIV, Etienne A. Gibbs, MSW

About the Author

Etienne A. Gibbs, MSW, Management Consultant maintains several online businesses. Take a free health survey at http://eagibbs.usana.com; get travel updates at
www.executiveandgrouptravel.blopspot.com; or email him at eagibbs@ureach.com.

Source: http://www.article-wiz.com

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on March 20, 2007 at 8:28 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

What’s your dream? Want to give your vision a jumpstart? Write down your goals and use these questions to speed up delivery of your dream.

1. What’s your highest priority this lifetime?

What’s most important for you to experience, explore or embrace this time around? Until you answer this question, your life goals will be off purpose. Unaligned with your inner passion, your intentions will lack the power to attract the people and situations necessary to become a reality.

Get clued into your true joy. What activities turned you on as a child? ? What are your hobbies now? When your goals are aligned with your soul purpose, synchronicity kicks in to guide you to your target. When you intuit and own your unique essence and calling, assistance will flow to you from every earthly and heavenly source.

2. Is this your dream, or someone else’s?

Are your goals your own choice, or what others think you should strive for? Do you want to look back in your old age and wish you had followed your passion? Will you regret having "played it safe?"

Is it selfish to go after your own dream? What joy can you give to others if you haven’t given it to yourself first?

You have a divine right to listen to your heart. You have a social obligation to follow your dream. Only then can you fulfill your destiny and make the earthly contribution you were born to make.

3. Do you really, really want this dream?

Do you bound out of bed every morning to pursue your vision? Or is it a lukewarm dream you chase because it sounds meaningful? Only the Real McCoy will generate enough energy to manifest itself in the world.

4. Are you settling for less than?

Are you resigned to accepting less than your full share of love, health and success this lifetime? Have you compromised and sacrificed your dream to death?

Anything short of living your true passions will never make you happy. Do you want to arrive at the Pearly Gates with the regret of not marrying that one captivating person, starting that fun business, or seeing that exotic part of the world you always wanted to visit?

5. Is your dream actually just a means to some other dream?

Is your goal the ultimate end in itself, or merely a limited means to that end? Isn’t it really the new car itself you want, rather than the money -- the means -- to buy the new car? More to the core, isn’t it really a renewed sense of self-worth you desire, rather than the new car or house to impress the family and neighbors? And isn’t it really happiness you want, rather than the picture-perfect mate, job or body?

Focus on the experience you want to create, not the physical form that may -- or may not -- bring you that experience.

6. What will you feel like when you reach your dream?

Personal passion fuels a vision. Dive into the thrill and exhilaration of the feeling of living your dream. Every moment you can, drink in the joy of having your goal.

The Hawaiian Kahuna say, "Where your creative attention flows, so flows your life." Is your daily attention feeding your dream? As the TV public service announcement reminds us, "It’s midnight. Do you know where your children are?" Hey, in your life, it’s high noon! Do you know where your creative excitement is flowing?

It’s high time you manifested your aspirations. Dynamic, satisfying creations are nurtured with love and care as a flower in a garden.

7. How will you benefit from getting your dream?

Get specific about the benefits you’ll receive from achieving your vision. Write down these pluses so they will sink in as motivators. What exactly would happen if you made a lot of money doing something you love? How would you approach your life differently if you allowed people to love and support you? What would you do with more vitality and health?

8. What steps can you take today toward your dream?

Don’t defer your dream. Set up supports and systems around you to instantly translate your intentions into action. Jump on every opportunity that is in line with your purpose and vision.

Keep the momentum going. No matter how hectic life gets, pledge to take at least one action a day. Even the smallest actions -- jotting down a new idea, reading a single page, or making one phone call -- can start to add up.

Are there smaller projects that lead to your larger dream that can give you pleasure in the meantime? If the dream is to run a marathon, train for a local fun-run first. And find a way to measure your progress. Track those little wins -- by writing in a journal or telling a friend.

9. Are you telling yourself: "I can’t have my dream?"

Most people don’t believe they can live their dream. Either their belief system has them believing they can’t make a living doing what they love, or they feel they don’t deserve their dream. To avoid the pain of feeling they can’t have their dream, people often keep their dream so buried they can’t remember they ever had a dream.

Everyone has a dream! And everyone is destined to fulfill that purpose. Why wait?

10. Are you afraid of getting your dream?

Statistically, more heart attacks occur when "good" things happen, than when "bad" things happen! Getting your dream is life threatening! Of course, realizing your dream is only threatening to your old experience of yourself and your life -- you know, the one that’s boring -- or paining -- you to death!

Change is scary. Find a way to move the energy of fear. The only way to avoid feeling fear is to avoid living altogether!

11. Do you really need to accomplish your dream?

Do you really need to achieve your goals to be happy? Enter the "hootless state" -- where you no longer give a hoot if the exact "picture" of your dream comes true. Without the interference of the ego’s push, pressure and micro managing, you have a much better chance of being in the right vibration -- space -- to attract real happiness. When you relax your grip on the exact way your future "has" to unfold, you give the Universe more flexibility in how it can fulfill your wishes.

And, on a higher plane, what if our true task here on Earth is simply to be who we already are in our essential nature -- with or without manifesting our specific goals? What if the essence of who we are is enough?

Copyright © 2005 Keith Varnum

About Keith: Keith Varnum shares his practical approach to transformation as an author, radio host and "Dream Workshops" facilitator. Keith helps people get love, money, health and spirit with his free Prosperity Ezine, free Empowerment CD and free Coaching at www.TheDream.com.

Source: http://www.article-wiz.com/jobs/

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on March 19, 2007 at 11:41 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey are the primary attractions in London’s Business district if you're looking for London jobs. The City is the premiere destination for individuals in the finance, technology and telecommunication industry. London is the industry capital of the United Kingdom which consists of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Working in the most cultural diverse country in the world may prove to exciting as well as intimidating

To begin with, if you area citizen of the EU or a member of a UK commonwealth gaining employment and finding jobs in the UK is a simple as showing a passport and filling out a form. However, if you are not a member of either of those parties, you must obtain a Work Visa.

Work Visa/Permit
A United Kingdom Work Visa/Permit is a mandatory requirement for individuals wishing to be employed in the United Kingdom. The work permit application must be requested by a firm in the United Kingdom, in order to bring you into the country legally for the purpose of employment. However, this can be tedious and time consuming. The firm must first offer the position to United Kingdom residents and then to members of the EU.

Only after those avenues have been exhausted, may a firm offer a foreigner the position.

With that said, the firm submits your application to the appropriate British Consulate in your respective country along with an individual attending a pre planned meeting to give over their passport and application. Usually, within 48 hours of the proper documentation being submitted the consulate will issue an individual the Work Visa/Permit either in person or via-insured post carrier to the person place of residence.

Keep in mind and individual once issued a Work Visa/Permit must enter the United Kingdom on that permit not with their passport. Doing so may cause severe problems with customs and immigration.

Transport and Accommodations
Arriving in London you soon realize that not only do they drive on the left-side and a roundabout is the cities best friend. London has the benefit of the most efficient public transport system in the Western World. With an extensive underground and high speed rail system and the use of the famous red double decked buses.

The trains and the buses run from 6:00am till 11:00pm on Weekdays and 6:00am till 12:00pm or1:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays depending upon the area of London. However, on Sundays like most places in Europe, the retail stores and restaurants are the only facilities open for limited hours on Sunday’s. This is the same with the rail and bus system they operate on limited schedule on Sundays depending on the area of London. These hours are posted on every bus stop and rail link in the London area.

Unless the firm provides an individual with accommodations, a person will need to go house/flat hunting. London is the most expensive place in the world to live. On the good side there are many rental agencies either public or private. An average flat will cost 700GBP per month. The prices will rise depending on the reputation of the area and access to public transport.

Flats and Houses in London do not stay on the market long, even in an unrepeatable area. So be persistent and persuasive. Also, if you are an American do not expect the flats to be as spacious as an American apartment. This is due to most flats being constructed out of converted building that could possibly be over a millennium old.

When considering moving to London and searching jobs in London, remember its expensive, competitive and congested London also one of the most prosperous, open, free, and safe places in the entire world to live and work. London can be your best friend or your worst enemy depending on how you treat her.

Posted by Joel Cheesman on March 16, 2007 at 11:28 AM

Part 2: Dress to Impress
What you wear does matter. Just as we talk about fashion disasters for days after the Oscars, the recruiters may be talking about you for days after the interview if you are not appropriately dressed!

But please, especially ladies, do not base your interview attire on what the Style Channel defines as 'business professional.' I know it’s hard these days to find a shirt that actually buttons up to the collar bone, but that doesn’t make it okay to wear low cut shirts under your jacket. Not sure if that shirt is too low cut? Most will say, if you have to ask, then don’t wear it!! This can apply to a lot: “are these pants too tight?” “are these earrings too large?” “is this tie too bright?"

If place your hand flat across your chest with your index finger on your collarbone, your shirt should not be cut under your pinky, just to be safe.

It’s okay to be plain! You want the interviewer to remember you for what you said, your experiences and your personality, not for what you were (or were not) wearing!

If you are taking the time to read this, then you probably already have a good idea of what is appropriate interview attire… be sure to share this knowledge with your friends- they will thank you.

The FSU Career Center has a great guide that goes way more into detail for ladies and gentlemen: http://www.career.fsu.edu/ccis/guides/attire.html

Posted by Lindsey Pugh on March 9, 2007 at 1:30 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

7 UP: The Blueprint for Getting Up When You’re Down
Encouragement Speaker Derrick Hayes

When I grew up there was the Pepsi Challenge where they spent millions of dollars to compete with Coke. Then there was 7UP, which was the uncola. 7UP stood alone because they were not afraid to be different.

Check out the scars on your body and look back at where they came from. Pain comes at times when we were afraid to be who we are supposed to be. You might as well accept the fact that you will rise again.

If you have never had a trial or tribulation then the rest of this article is not for you. I wrote this article for the ones that have been through something. The next time you fall down, you don’t have to stay down. Make a copy of this blueprint and keep it nearby.

I use the number 7 because it means complete. Your life will never be complete if you never know what you are made of. Every journey has a path that leaves a trail for the next pioneer.

Make a copy of this blueprint and follow my instructions.

“Ladies and gentlemen this is a fire drill.” This drill should fire you UP and give you the mindset that you never want to stay down. Stop everything you are doing and lay down right now with your back against the floor. Practice will prepare us for what can happen when the pressure is on. Now, you are ready to move on to step 1.

1. Give Up. This is the moment in life where you let go of what has not worked and focus on what can work. Give Up the old and give in to the new.

2. Sit Up. Collect your thoughts and realize that dust has settled and you still have a chance to shine.

3. Look Up. Once you can see it, you can be it. Inspire a vision that will never stop searching for success.

4. Stand Up. Before you go anywhere make sure you are planted in progress and possibility. Find a foundation with water that will never let you die of thirst.

5. Walk Up. One you realize your foundation is solid; it’s time to walk out in faith. Keep walking and faith it until you make it. When you make it, keep the faith.

6. Step Up. The faith you develop will move mountains and you will stand on top. When you reach incredible heights do not look down on others unless you look down to lift them up.

7. Dress Up. Become and accept that you are successful. As time and resources permit look like a winner and not a beginner. The old school people would put it like this “Dress for success.”

Have you seen D. Wade in that commercial where he fell down seven times? The blessing is that he got up eight. I pray no one ever has to use this blueprint. I wish no pain or suffering towards any man, woman or child. My wish is for everyone to stay on their feat. Feat is not misspelled. You will go and not only reach great feats, but you will be so successful that they will have to feature you.

Derrick Hayes is the author of Derricknyms. From A to Z and is available to speak at Meetings, Conferences and Events. Derrick Hayes can be reached at oneword@bellsouth.net or www.DerrickHayes.com (706) 615-1662. *Ask about the $500 Reward Program?*

Posted by Derrick Hayes on March 7, 2007 at 6:31 PM | Leave a Comment (0)