Careers

Nobody wants to be unemployed. There is hope, though. The article below has information that can help you re-enter today's workforce.

If you are looking for a job, the most important thing to remember is to stick with it. Treat it like you have the job of looking for a job! Dedicate a set number of hours to it every day so that you can really focus on it. That way, you'll get a job sooner.

Do not neglect your current job if you are seeking a better position. You will get a bad reputation if you do not stay focused on your current job. Any potential employer might find out about your poor performance. In order to succeed at anything in life, it's vital that you are always doing your best, no matter how much you hate something.

Keeping employee morale high will greatly benefit your business. You should organize company events around birthdays and holidays for example. This will make your employees feel like they are part of a team, and as such, they will work harder. Of course, the end result of this is that your bottom line will be larger.

If you are looking to move up in a company don't be shy to talk to management when you have an idea. At the same time, don't overdo it. By going there with genuinely good ideas that you believe will help the company, they will naturally want you closer to them to assist, as such increasing your pay scale.

During your first couple of months in your new job, you may run into a lot of problems where you should ask questions. No one expects you to know everything right off the bat, so you should familiarize yourself with the types of things you need to know. This will help you to become a better all around employee.

If you are an employer looking to save a little when tax time comes, and you have a job that is pretty simple consider hiring a disabled worker. The federal government offers all sorts of tax benefits and advantages to doing so. This will save you a ton of money, and at the same time; the work is still getting done!

Be confident in yourself when interviewing for positions. When you are confident in your skills and abilities it will show through during the interview. Confidence and the ability to lead are qualities that employers look for. There are probably many eligible job seekers interviewing for the same position, so make sure that you stand out from the rest.

Create a reliable list of references. Almost every job application will have a spot for you to provide references. Streamline your application process by having your references and their contact information with you whenever you apply for a job or attend an interview. Try to have at least three references, and at minimum, include their job titles, phone numbers, and email addresses.

Plan your career, to some extent. The more that you plan the more likely it is that you will reach your goals. You cannot just let your career happen to you; you have to make your career happen. Include anything you need to do to get ahead in your plan and watch how fast you climb the ladder.

Offering bonus for good work or a large amount of sales can be a highly effective way of increasing productivity. Who wouldn't be willing to go the extra mile for an extra couple hundred dollars? So dig into your pockets a little and you will find your pockets will actually get deeper.

Of course do not forget your education! Many colleges can provide you some good tips too. To mention an example: http://www.sbbcollege.edu/Getting-Started/A-Program-For-You/Get-Your-GED/ but of course you can find many more in the Internet.

As you've learned here, finding the perfect job doesn't need to be difficult. The advice presented here will truly help you find good work. Try it for yourself and you will be pleasantly surprised after landing the job of your choice.

By Riky Riga - professional writer since more than 10 years -- ttps://plus.google.com/u/0/118202050518303506155/posts

From College News - The green sector is growing fast. It’s growing so fast, in fact, that there are many jobs simply waiting to be filled. With the price of solar dropping and the price of fossil fuels rising, even more jobs in the green sector are going to start popping up. With all this new green technology and green jobs, it makes now a great time to be in college.

Are you considering pursuing a career in the green sector upon graduation? If you are, you’re smart. Green jobs are in high demand, and well paying, too. If you’re considering a career in the green sector yet not sure what major you should choose, check out these majors that offer many career options in the field of green and sustainability.

Engineering 
Engineering students are being heavily recruited for green jobs, as the need for them is at an all time high. Whether it’s designing and building photovoltaic solar panels or engineering a more efficient way to harvest wind energy, engineering students are finding that they’re not having a hard time finding employment in the green sector upon graduation.

Typically, engineering degrees will offer focuses on green technology through different courses, where you’ll study things like load cells and powerful amplifiers. Engineering degrees are not for everyone, as they are loaded with math and science, but for those who are interested in engineering, you’ll enjoy a great career in the green sector upon graduation.

Renewable Energy
Believe it or not, a major in renewable energy is becoming possible at more and more universities across the country. This is saying something, as a degree in renewable energy will make you the perfect candidate for a number of career choices in the green energy field.

It was only a few years ago that the Oregon Institute of Technology developed the first renewable energy major, but since then many other schools have followed suit. Many renewable energy major programs typically require some level of understanding on topics like engineering. Since it’s still a rather new degree, the hire rate for renewable energy program graduates is off the charts.

Environmental Studies 
Another popular major for people looking to get into the green sector is environmental studies. Essentially, environmental studies combines physical and biological science with the study of the environment. Students choosing to major in environmental studies learn how to move society to a more sustainable future for both humans and nature.

The sustainability aspect of the environmental studies major is what makes it such a popular major for people interested in a career in the green sector. Many environmental studies graduates end up with jobs ranging from working for the Environmental Protection Agency to working in environmental law. Environmental studies majors rarely have trouble finding jobs upon graduation due to the sheer number of jobs relating to the environment that have been created lately, which is why choosing a major in environmental studies is a wise career decision.

Those who choose to work in the non-profit sector generally have a certain set of important qualities that they bring to the table. Before choosing to pursue a career with such an organization, you should ask yourself if the non-profit sector is a good fit for you. People working in non-profits generally are looking for a career where they can make a difference in the world. Some people go to work just to pay the bills, but others need to feel passionate about what they’re doing in order to make it through the day. The latter group is where your non-profit worker falls in. Choosing this career path means that you won’t end up a millionaire, but you will likely have a very rewarding work life. If this sounds like the kind of work that you’re looking for, one of these nonprofit sectors might be for you:

1. Education

There are a wide variety of jobs in education. You could teach in a school, beginning from pre-school on through university. There are also opportunities for school social workers, school psychologists and administrators in most educational institutions.

Those interested in working with young people and having a profound effect should consider a career in education. Apart from education in the traditional sense, some non-profit organizations also require people with a background in education for community education or education aid projects. In order to teach, you usually need to have a bachelor’s degree in education.

2. Environmental

Right now is a great time to get involved with an environmental non-profit. There are many organizations that offer great opportunities to work in education, conservation and advocacy. Depending on your area of interest and education, you could find work doing a variety of different things, from advocacy to research.

3. Social Work

Social work is a fantastic career choice because it offers so many different kinds of opportunities. Social workers can work in hospitals, schools, government agencies, private institutions and more. There are also a wide variety of social work responsibilities.

Social work is mainly about helping people. There are always people in need, and therefore, social workers will always be in need. Social workers who choose to go on to study for their master’s degree or doctorate can also find work as a clinical therapist, university professor or social work administrator.

4. Health Care

Health care is another sector where there are a wide variety of job opportunities. There are jobs in the public health realm and in hospitals at every level, from doctors and nurses to administration. Most jobs will require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, though obviously doctors would need to complete medical school.

5. Business

Although non-profit work will not get you a high-paying business salary, many people who are interested in this kind of work choose to study business at college. This is because every nonprofit needs people who are knowledgeable about business in order to successfully run the organization. While you will have to put some time in with the organization in order to make your way up to a higher position, a business degree will certainly help you get there.
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It’s helpful for those seeking work in the nonprofit world to have some skills and experience with this type of work. Many organizations are small and need their employees to cover a lot of different areas. This is another reason why many people are drawn to this kind of work: It offers a lot of day-to-day variety and can be very interesting for those who enjoy working on different kinds of projects all the time. Knowledge about grant writing and fundraising will always be in high demand in the nonprofit sector, and someone who does this well will always have something great to offer an organization in need.

The best way to get some skills and experience under your belt before entering the job market is by volunteering for an organization where you would one day like to work. This may not guarantee you a position with that organization, but it could connect you with others and would be a great thing to have on your resume.

Mandy Fricke is the community manager for Georgetown University in Washington D.C. Nursing@Georgetown, a Master in Nursing program, as well as a contributor to the Nursing License Map. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, reading, and yoga.

 

I am a believer in a liberal arts education. I have five kids who have all been gainfully employed since they graduated from college with liberal arts degrees. I know liberal arts emphasizes critical thinking, problem solving, and written and oral communication skills. However, I agree that much could be done to make this degree more marketable. A recent quote from Philip D. Gardener of the Collegiate Employment Research Institute, indicates that "The top three things employers want to see in candidates are internships, leadership of professional organizations, and faculty supervised consulting with a company."

Too many parents are focused on their child majoring in something with a big financial return and the ability to get a job right out of college. If your child wants to be an engineer, then engineering could be a good major. However, if your child lacks the ability or interest in becoming an engineer and is forced into this major, it would be a big mistake. Parents should provide opportunities for their child to explore different majors that could be a good fit. Much to some individual's surprise, many medical schools seek students who are philosophy majors. Many other businesses like history or English majors.

As a private college counselor, I know that it is important to get value from your college investment, but I have talked with too many adults who were miserable during their college years because they were in a major that was not appropriate for them. Instead of choosing something that genuinely interested them, they went with a major that was supposed to have immediate, tangible benefits.

Employers consistently report that many of the liberal arts courses they took in college were the most valuable to their experience in the business world. One of the main reasons they often hire liberal arts majors is because they exhibit the analytical thinking skills to work through complex problems and they know how to deal effectively with other employees and adapt to constant changes.

A student with a liberal arts degree can do almost anything, although recently we have read too much about the liberal arts major without a job and a huge debt load. The facts indicate that liberal arts majors are more inclined to get internships, have strong mentoring relationships with professors, participate in networking opportunities and earn more money over a life time than other college majors.

It is time to give the liberal arts degree more credibility. Having a degree in the liberal arts will not necessarily get you a job; you need to learn how to do that. Colleges need to help students throughout their education learn how to sell themselves to business employers. Students need to know how to network, interview, write an effective resume and communicate to an employer that they have the interpersonal skills, broad knowledge, and experiences that will benefit a particular organization.

Susie Watts is a private college counselor and the founder of College Direction in Denver, Colorado. She helps students select a list of college, assists with applications and essays, interviewing skills, college visits, and provides college advising throughout the college admissions process. Visit http://www.collegedirection.org.

From College News - As the college days near their end, the real test begins: getting hired. For most this task is easier said than done taking, on average, nine months if not longer. This process has proven to be the most challenging for college graduates. But fret no more. Starting this semester the "Superman" of the employment industry has crash landed to aid eager students in their efforts of getting hired!

Video Hire, a new and unique interactive job-search platform, promises to change the face of corporate and small-business recruiting with a personal, engaging and green means of connecting hiring employers with prospective candidates. Streamlining the hiring process for both companies and job seekers, Video Hire is dedicated to unveiling values on both sides of the interview desk, often simply with a two-minute video.  It combines the one-dimensional résumé and traditional first interview in one step by getting to the heart of the matter: are the company and candidate a good fit for each other?

“A lot of interviewees get called in because of their resumes, but when they’re called in for an interview, personality and behavior are the competing factors,” said Director of Operations Felicia Moghadam MA. “When employers watch the two-minute videos, they get an idea for candidates’ strengths and personalities, as well as how they speak and present themselves.  These attributes will not be as questionable as they were before.”

Video Hire offers numerous options for both job seekers and employers.  A job seeker can create his or her own two-minute video simply by clicking the “record” button and speaking into the computer camera or by uploading an edited video. The video resides in the center of the candidate’s page, along with a detailed resume on the right.  The left side of the page features answers that aim to narrow down the type of job the candidate is looking for.  The candidate directs hiring managers to the page in place of a traditional resume through direct mail and social media avenues. Employers can also produce videos that describe what they’re looking for in a candidate, as well as attempt to attract top talent and make a bigger, more alluring impression of the company.  Several employees can participate, providing candidates an idea of who their co-workers would be.

Through Video Hire, companies and job seekers can participate in live Skype-enabled interviews, and a small company can generate business or new clients by posting a video about its talent and services.  Video Hire is flexible enough that it can be used to secure full-time or freelance employment in any industry and can even be used for auditions in the entertainment industry.

Video Hire is equipped with a list of thousands of available jobs eagerly awaiting qualified individuals to fill them.  Candidates can start the process by scripting their videos.  For ideas, instruction and videos already made featuring job seekers in a wide range of professions—including a comedic demonstration on what not to do starring “Kev-Meister”—job seekers can turn to the Video Hire page on YouTube.

Gone are the days of nervously stumbling from interview to interview, printing multiple resumes and wasting time and gas. Job-seekers can now get a sneak peek into the companies they are applying to, and gage whether it will be a mutually beneficial fit. To find your perfect fit today, check out www.videohire.com.

If you're an undergraduate who would like a career that offers opportunity, job security, generous benefits and a competitive salary, you should consider a career in government. As a government employee at the local, state or federal level, you can make a real difference in the quality of life of your fellow citizens.Here are five steps to help undergraduates prepare for a career in government:

1. Research government career paths
Deciding on a government career path can help you choose an undergraduate major and give focus to your elective coursework. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are more than 400 occupational specialties in the federal government. A wide range of jobs can also be found in local government. Visit your college career center and the USAJOBS.gov  website to find out about different types of government jobs. There is also a wealth of information available on the U.S. Department of Labor  website. Once you've discovered some areas of interest, talk to professors who have experience in a particular area of government to learn about career opportunities.

2. Gain government experience
Jump-start your government career by applying for an internship or summer job with a government agency. You can also volunteer  with a public service organization. Gaining public sector experience as an undergraduate will give you an edge in your post-graduation job search. In addition to improving your resume and providing practical experience, your time spent as an intern or volunteer can help you determine which government area is the best fit for your career interests and goals.

3. Get involved in student and professional organizations
Most schools have a variety of student organizations that correspond to different recreational and academic interests. Participating in an organization or helping to plan and carry out a school event can help develop your leadership skills. You can also expand your government expertise by joining professional organizations for government employees as a student member. Many of these organizations provide career coaching and other career services as well as the opportunity to network with government professionals.

4.  Build a professional network
According to Yale University Career Services , one of the best ways to find a government job after you've completed your degree is through professional contacts. Undergraduates should focus on building a professional contact network through internship experiences and by getting to know faculty and alumni. Social media websites like LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter are also becoming significant tools for professional networking.

5. Earn an advanced degree
After earning a bachelor's degree, prepare for a career in government management by earning a Master of Public Administration  (MPA) degree. Government managers, executives and major decision makers require the leadership skills provided by this professional degree. In addition to core courses that cover problem solving, research methods, management principles, finance, statistics and ethics, most MPA programs allow students to focus on a specialization area that corresponds to their professional interests. If you need to begin working after earning an undergraduate degree, a part-time or online MPA program will allow you to balance school and work.

--Logan Harper  is the community manager for MPA@UNC, a top Masters of Public Administration program  offered through University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as well as a contributor to the Online MPA Degrees . In addition to higher education, he is also passionate about travel, cooking, and international politics.

Many students are somehow led to believe or are fooled into thinking that as soon as they finish their last year, they will be able to land an amazing entry-level job and climb up the ladder quickly and will start making a boatload of money in no time. Well, this is quite unrealistic, especially in today's economy and job market unless you truly have something really impressive to offer that your peers cannot.

Thus, you should always be prepared and take the necessary measures earlier than you need to. Remember, this very simple advice does not just apply to your transition from college to the start of your career; this applies to almost everything in life.

Prepare Ahead of Time
Whatever major you are and whatever you are interested in doing after school, you should definitely prepare for it as soon as you start your senior year, if not earlier. You can check out all the job postings online and even apply online for a few just to see what the feedback will be. During this time frame where you are looking for options and applying for a few jobs, you will also be perpetually modifying and polishing your resume which will eventually pay off in so many aspects of your journey to your dream job. Moreover, you might already have a couple of very specific places you have wanted to work at after you are done school so you might want to try to figure out a way to make some connections with your potential employers.

Make Connections & Network!
Do not apply for every job you find intriguing too early because there are employers that can be quite strict about just hiring graduates and as you are still in the process of being done with school, do not be hasty. Do your research and try to make connections first. It is all about testing the water. Furthermore, you might be able to find a job before you even finish school. It might not be specifically what you have been looking for or it might not be completely close to what you have been dreaming of doing but it is a start.

Keep Applying
If you have an entry-level position related to your field in some way before you even finish school, you will already have a head start. After you are done with school you can keep looking at options and keep applying for jobs but guess what? Because you already have a job, during this process you will not be broke and unprepared. Everything might seem simple and familiar because you are still in school but remember in a year or so your life will have started to change in so many ways so get ready and do what you need to do in order to realize your dreams.

By Cameron Varol -- http://www.collegetocareers.com/senior-start-job-hunting/

When it comes to finding a job, few things are more useful in your search than a list of eager-to-help and established contacts. For the most part, finding and building relationships with these people takes a lot of work and can be quite intimidating, or even awkward, for those unfamiliar with the process. Regardless, networking is absolutely necessary and extremely beneficial for any aspiring professional, and you can never start too early. Aside from internships and on-campus college career events and fairs, which are obvious excellent networking opportunities, as a college student, you already have access to an amazing pool of contacts that will be willing to help you simply because you are a student

Here are five tips to help you get started on your networking journey:

1. Join on campus professional organizations
Many schools have professional groups dedicated to specific majors or industries, and these groups are an incredible networking resource. By joining one of these organizations, you’ll have access to a network of working professionals, some of whom you can meet at regional/national conferences and other events thrown by the organization. Check out your school’s clubs and organizations page to learn more about the groups that most appeal to you and relate to your desired career.

2. Reach out to professors
It’s always hard for students to think of teachers having lives outside of the classroom (remember how seeing an elementary school teacher outside of school was newsworthy?), but not only do college professors have lives, they often have quite successful professional ones. Forging a mentor-mentee relationship with a professor in your major, especially one who is still active in the professional world off campus, can provide you with invaluable insight while giving you a strong contact who also has many references within your desired field.  

3. Don’t forget about alumni
Your school’s alumni network is larger and more diverse than you could ever imagine, and many of its members are ready and willing to lend a helping hand to a young student from their alma mater. When looking for alums to contact, consider alums working at companies you’re interested in, alums that graduated with the same major and alums working in the capacity you too hope to work. Reaching out to alumni to learn more about the field they’re in and to obtain some pointers on pursuing a career in the same field can never hurt, and you may be surprised by just how eager they are to help. 

4. Create a Linked
In profileLinkedIn may seem like a weird site for a college student to join, but in reality, LinkedIn is perfect for students. As a social networking site, LinkedIn connects people with similar professional interests and is a great way for you to show off your skills while interacting with established professionals in your desired field. You can join different groups, including your school’s network, which will give you access to more alumni who may not update their listing with the school’s alumni database but maintain a LinkedIn profile. Also: Visit your college career center to get tips on resume writing so you can be sure you’re selling yourself as best as possible through your profile. 

5. Use Twitter — professionallyTwitter’s greatest asset is its ability put people in touch, and when used wisely, it can be a fantastic networking tool. Following and tweeting at — in a smart and engaging way — companies and individuals you admire can lead to a Twitter conversation which could blossom into real networking connections. As with LinkedIn, maintaining a professional profile is of utmost importance on Twitter, but be sure to have some personality on it too (no ones like a sterile Twitter account). Share links to pieces that interest you, and offer your thoughts on issues as well. By presenting yourself in a well-rounded and interesting way, you’ll increase your chances of acquiring those much-desired contacts.

Harrison Kratz is the Community Manager at MBA@UNC, the first online MBA program offered by a school in the top twenty for mba rankings.  A professional speaker, guest blogger, and social entrepreneur, Harrison also sticks to his entrepreneurial roots as the founder of the global social good campaign, Tweet Drive.

Many college students struggle with choosing a career. In today’s tough job market, it’s important to choose a field where you’ll be in demand once you obtain your degree. If you've always wanted to commit yourself to a profession where you can make a difference, consider a career in public service. People who work in public service have a direct impact on the lives of others. While some careers in public service focus on providing basic necessities like food, water, shelter, medical care and emergency services, others enrich communities by supporting cultural centers, educational opportunities and recreational facilities. A professional career in the public sector will allow you to focus your energy on tackling important issues and implementing solutions that improve the quality of life. 

There has probably never been a better time to choose public service over the private sector. In recent decades, public services that were once considered to be exclusively within the government's domain are being addressed by the "new public sector." This means that in addition to a wide range of career opportunities in federal, state and local governments, a growing number of non-profits and non-government organizations are sources for public service jobs. Some of the major sectors where public service jobs can be found include healthcare, the environment, education, homeland security and international aid.

Public sector careers often provide greater job security than those in the private sector because there will always be a demand for public services. The federal government is the largest source of public service jobs, employing more than 2 million civilians. According to the Partnership for Public Service, there are tens of thousands of new career opportunities within the federal government each year. The majority of these jobs are outside Washington, D.C., and thousands are located overseas. Careers with the federal government support work/life balance by providing generous vacation leave, flexible work schedules and family support services.

Besides jobs in all levels of government, there are public service career opportunities with charities, non-profit organizations and universities, as well as with private-sector companies that are contracted by government agencies. In addition to the personal satisfaction that comes from working for the public good, many public service jobs provide good pay and benefits, resources for continuing education and opportunity to travel or work abroad. In fact, there are so many career opportunities in public service that it can be difficult deciding which path to take. Many public service professionals follow their heart and base their career on a cause that they are passionate about.

Before you can make a difference in public service, you need to acquire professional credentials and training. Earning an advanced degree in public administration is a great starting point. In the past few decades, the Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree has emerged as one of the most vital professional degrees for public service. GoPublicService.org reports that many top policy makers, managers and leaders in public service have launched their careers with this degree. An MPA provides graduates with the skills and experience needed for public administration careers, and prepares them to meet the challenges facing government and the new public sector.

Logan Harper is the community manager for MPA@UNC, a top Masters of Public Administration program offered through University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as well as a contributor to the Online MPA Degrees. In addition to higher education, he is also passionate about travel, cooking, and international politics.

Whether you have just graduated or are about to graduate, landing a job in the profession of your choice can be difficult and time-consuming. Most graduates pursuing accredited associate degrees, Accredited bachelor degrees, accredited master degrees and Accredited doctorate degrees are unsure about the steps they should take for job searching. In reality, there are many ways through which you can search for your dream job including networking with people, finding old colleagues, applying online, joining job portals, spotting the job postings in newspapers, hiring career coach etc.

Job searching requires a lot of time and patience and it's easy to get frustrated and lose motivation. Given below are the top five job-seeking tips that can make this tedious process fast and rewarding.

1. Visit your college career center. Many of us are unaware of the value a college/university's career centre holds. Most schools' career centers have trained professionals who are in touch with changes taking place in the job market and who can advise you on how and when to apply for them. So whether you're pursuing an Accredited bachelor degree or an Accredited master degree, the career counselors present at your college/university's career center will filter the information to suit your preferences.

2. Everything around us is making a transition. Even the way hiring managers are searching for prospective employees is changing. Social media has now become a criterion and 80%-90% of hiring managers conduct background checks for the job applicants using social media (mainly Facebook). Having a powerful digital presence is a plus point when you are on the search of a job. Establish a professional online profile for the consistent representation of your personal brand that you can link to from anywhere you have a digital presence - email signature, Facebook, Twitter, blog, company website bio, etc. It is also wise to have positive and branded professional content under your name and Google yourself regularly.

3. LinkedIn is today's most popular and most critical tool for job searches for recent graduates. It has totally transformed the job search process. More and more employers and companies turn to LinkedIn to find suitable candidates. Create a LinkedIn profile for professional networking, making useful connections, job searching, joining groups and researching for companies. Be sure to mention any qualifications that may help add value to your profile. For example, if you are in the process of earning an Accredited associate degree or an Accredited doctorate degree from an accredited online university, state it in your LinkedIn profile. Many prospective employers may term this as a plus as acquiring an online degree requires a certain level of proficiency when it comes to computers.

4. Keep a regular check on the job listings in the classified advertising sections of your local newspaper. Also, have a record of all the jobs to which you have applied, the name and designation of the company's representative with whom you spoke and what response you received.

5. Don't hesitate in asking people for assistance for your job search. Contact people and businesses in your area that hire people with your career interests. Ask your previous employers, colleagues and friends to write letters of recommendation for you. Tell them what skills they need to include in those letters.

6. Search for job postings, find important keywords and try to incorporate them in your resume and cover letter. When you review at least 6 to 8 job postings in your field, you would be able to easily find keywords that appear time and again. Fit these keywords into your resume and this way you can improve the chances of being found by a hiring manager or even employer.

By A. Madison -- has worked at Accredited online university for last 5 years. He loves to express his thoughts regard new inventions and development in online education industry. Explore online associate degree and associate degree program much more.