Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Is Working Abroad For The Beginners Difficult?


Looking for a job overseas can be a challenge, especially for the first time traveller. If you've decided you want to try something new and you're considering working abroad, here are some suggestions….

Finding a job with a Canadian-based employer that operates overseas can make your experience easier. You'll be able to attend interviews and gather more information about the job while you are still in Canada.

If you have limited experience traveling, and aren't very familiar with different regions of the world, look for a region that is predominately English-speaking. Adjusting to a new area and having to learn a new language can be a double challenge.

As well, look for a job that will utilize your skills and take advantage of your past experiences. Going overseas to work should help your career and benefit you in the future.

You might also want to consider looking for a job through an employment or placement agency that has overseas assignments. Often, agencies and recruiters can provide a valuable service in dealing with your future employer and in giving you information about the necessary documentation, visas, etc.

If you want to work at a specific company in one of their overseas locations, visit their website. Often companies don't post jobs anywhere but their company website and it's a good opportunity to see what openings are available around the world.

Canadian government departments often have positions available overseas. Check their website. The advantage of working for the government in an overseas position is the amount of support and assistance available. Different departments recruit for different jobs, so make sure you check the all the departments you are interested in.

Though there won't be any money involved, volunteering overseas through a Canadian agency or organization can be a great way to get your feet wet and to try traveling and working abroad. You'll gain valuable insights into what it's like to work abroad, and you might not necessarily have to commit to a contract or a specific time frame.

Working abroad for the beginner can be a rewarding experience if you keep in mind some simple suggestions. Consider working for a Canadian employer with overseas offices. Consider working for the government or using the services of a recruiter. Both these offer support and information that can be vital to your success overseas. Volunteer assignments are a great way to test your capacity for working overseas in a different environment and may not carry all the obligations that a paying job might. 


Wednesday, June 20, 2012

5 Ways to Maintain Your Value on the Job Market


1. Do not bounce from job to job
As a job seeker, be aware that an inverse relationship exists between the number of jobs you have had in the past few years and the likely amount of your next job offer. Bouncing from job to job is a serious red flag to employers….

This is regardless of whether the job hopping is a true representation of your professional reliability. Although it looks better if you left the jobs rather than if you got fired, either is still a clear negative on your CV.

The best advice I can give to those who have had a few jobs in the past few years is to be upfront about the issue on either your resume (in the objective section) or within your cover letter.
Remember to be candid, clearly state that you want a job within an organization that you can grow with for the years to come and do not make excessive excuses for your failure to be at each company for longer time periods.

2. Continue to hit quotas or receiving professional awards
This is much easier said than done as there are many uncontrollable variables for the job seeker when it comes to this arena. To maintain hitting your quotas as a sales professional, come to an agreement with your current employers as to what fair numbers are...though, do it after being at the company for a little bit.
You'd be surprised as to how firms are willing to negotiate this aspect of your sales job and how lucrative meeting those numbers will prove to be at future jobs.

3. Do not have gaps in your resume
Although logic would say that someone unemployed for an extended period of time is much more eager to get back to work than somebody who has had 10 jobs in the past 12 years, 'tis is not the case. We all want what others have and prolonged unemployment on one's resume turns employers off.

As a job seeker who has been unemployed for a period of time, what do you do to fill any gap of unemployment?
I recommend doing some sort of charity work if you can't find the job right for you. Not only will this show the employer that you have been active, but the charity may hit home in the HR rep's heart and you can slide in for an easy interview.

4. Leave jobs on a positive note
Regardless of how much of a pain your boss is, always do your best to leave your current company with a smile on your face and remain in good terms with the individuals at your now prior firm.
Remember that those who are smart enough not to get the last word in, are less likely to receive a bad recommendation killing a lucrative job offer last minute. When angry, people can be irrational, vindictive and immature; don't give your now ex-manager reason to act in manners as such.

5. Try to stay in no more than 2 or 3 industries
In any industry, to get over a certain point in salary range, you must be considered an expert in your respective field. The more niche this field is, the more lucrative your future job offers are going to be.
For instance, being in media is not likely to warrant as high as job offer as someone who has the same amount of years in something more specific such as social media.

After 2 or 3 jobs, you should find an industry that you truly love and shine in it. Not only will this increase future compensation, but it will also increase your career longevity as well as the contacts you make within the vertical and the ability to continuously leverage those relationships.

Additionally, if you're ever looking to relocate, your chances will be higher possessing a niche expertise.


Sunday, June 17, 2012

How to Get a Job Without Experience


Wondering how to get a job without experience of any sorts? It isn't as difficult as you think it is…..

 There are many students out there who don't have any experience before they start applying for jobs. How do they do it?

Every job doesn't demand experience just like every job doesn't demand a degree. A degree or some experience just increase your chances of getting a job by many folds. The importance of a degree or of some experience cannot be questioned but not having them isn't the end of everything. In the end, what matters is your will and your passion to pursue a particular career. Again, there are jobs that demand compulsory experience or mandatory related experience. These are jobs that you have to work hard to land up with. But again, that isn't impossible either. There are a lot of ways by which you can get your hands on some of the best jobs possible and that too, without experience. Given below are a few tips that tell you how to do it.

How Can You Get a Job Without Any Experience

Hunt Them Down
One of the best ways to increase your chances of getting a job without experience is by searching for as many jobs as possible. Look in the papers, on the Internet and ask as many friends as you can. There are jobs for college students without experience out there that are specifically meant for freshmen and the training is provided on the job itself. These are the jobs you need to keep your eyes open for.

Don't Be Too Selective
Your chances aren't bad but you have to agree that they aren't as great as someone who has experience. So, don't be too choosy while taking up an opportunity if at all it comes your way. You can take this up and be at it for a few months so that after that particular time span, you at least have some experience to bank upon. When the time comes to apply, apply for all the vacant spots. You never know what actually strikes it lucky for you!

Money for Nothing
Another tip here is to not look at the money. There are a lot of companies that would take you in as a trainee or for an internship. An internship is something that is easily achievable if you have a college degree. If you don't, you can apply for the post of a trainee. Don't reject the offer just because they aren't paying you or because they aren't giving you enough. The start can be tough, but gradually with time, you will be paid on your confirmation and as you complete more time in the company.

Job Portals
One of the best ways to get jobs without experience is by creating your profile on various job portals. There are a lot of job portals out there who don't even charge you anything for uploading your profile and looking at available prospects. Apart from these, you can also sign up at the local employment agencies. You will have to provide a few educational details and some details as to what you are looking for in the job and the payments. A lot of organizations go through this medium of recruitment for employees.

Resume
Whether you apply to a vacant post directly or whether you create a profile online on the Internet, one thing you will surely need is a resume. You will be required to create this even if you are a freshman. Now, make this resume as attractive as you can so that it stands out from the rest. Don't forget to mention all your qualities and traits. Also, do a better job with what are your dreams, aspirations and goals in life. Don't forget to upload a photograph too and mention the smallest of courses you have done till date.

Now that you know how to get a job without experience, you can start applying as soon as possible to get your hands on one soon. There are a lot of high paying jobs without a degree or without experience waiting for you. If you get hold of too many jobs that don't require experience, zero in on one that involves something you like. If you have placements in your college, make sure you appear for all of them. Here, it is already considered that you don't have experience. Be receptive and ready to take advantage of any opportunity that comes knocking on your door. Best of Luck!

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Is Part Time Job Is Right For Working Mom?


Many mothers straddle the line between working full-time and staying home with their kids. Working part-time can be a great way for women to stay connected to both their careers and families…..

 But moms who have staked out this middle ground attest to the tradeoffs required to do it successfully.

Think you could find your comfort zone in a part-time job? Moms who've done it and advocates for women help you sort out the benefits and drawbacks of this potentially appealing option.

Women who switch from full-time to part-time earn less  in ways that go beyond salary, according to Linda Meric, director of working women advocacy group 9to5.
For example, when lawyer Julie went from working five days a week to three, she lost her benefits, worth 24 percent of her pay. And after Gretchen, an arts educator, switched jobs when she had a baby, she earned significantly less from the new position and did not receive benefits.
 
Julie and Gretchen agree: Along with reduced earning power, they must accept a different career outlook. Julie notices her law school friends are steadily gaining pay and prestige, while she treads water at her part-time job. Gretchen's goal is to keep her career afloat and alive while she works part-time.

Despite the sacrifices, Julie and Gretchen have no regrets about working part-time. They both are comfortable with their decision to trade pay and promotions for more time at home.
Gretchen wanted to avoid having to do the massive and difficult juggling act that one has to do with a full-time job and a family. And Julie couldn't see herself as both a mom and a full-time lawyer. The supermom is kind of a myth, she says. Part-time can be the best decision for your quality of life.

Part-time work also has long-term career benefits not afforded to women who leave the workforce completely. Taking one year off results in about one-third less pay over the course of a 15-year career, Meric points out. And Jill Miller, CEO and president of advocacy group Women Work!, says trying to return to work after time away is enormously difficult, because employers first look for recent paid employment.

Follow these tips to thrive in a part-time job:

Seek Support: Julie enlists relatives to watch her kids when clients demand extended hours.

 Assess Your Needs: Gretchen says it's important to focus on what's right for you and your family, regardless of what others say or do.

 Shop for Benefits Early: Before you have children, Miller advises women to position themselves in companies with progressive benefits.


Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Tips For Stay Busy When You’re Out of Work


If you find yourself out of work during our current economic slowdown, you should not be idle either….

 Indeed, even if you have no idea what you might want to do with yourself, there are plenty of baby steps that you can take that will help you to discover the path you want to take.

Let People Know that You are Looking for Work: I realized this past October that the opportunity I was pursuing was not right for me and that I was not right for it. After a couple of days of consideration and discussing options with my wife, I resigned from my position and began to consider ways of letting my network of former work colleagues know that I was in need of a job. I started by sending e-mail messages off to everyone I knew who might be in a position to help me find a job. I did this in early November. Initially, I did not get any responses but in mid-December, and again this morning, I received two separate job inquiries, both of which appear to be leading to interviews in the next week or so. The jobs were not advertized but my colleagues had evangelized on my behalf and the results appear promising. If I had not been honest with my colleagues and admitted I needed help, I would not have the two opportunities that I currently have.

Update Your Resume: I hate updating my resume. Indeed, this morning I had a preliminary interview with the CEO of a company and had to scurry after the call to complete a resume for his review. If you have not been a good personal record keeper, it may take you some time to gather all of the information that you need for your resume, so jump on that project early and then make a point of always keeping an updated resume on-hand for the rest of your career.
Consider New Opportunities that You Might Like to Explore: If you are between jobs, there may be no better time to consider changing to new fields of work. If you have been trapped in an office for a number of years, perhaps you would like to jump into an artistic endeavor or into a job that will let you work outdoors. Consider your qualifications and talk to people who have jobs that you might like to try. You may find that you have the credentials to make a relatively seamless transition to something that you will really enjoy.

Take Classes that will Improve Your Resume and Bring You Up To Date: If you have been out of school for a few years, you may find that you will benefit from taking a class or two that will bring you up to date in your area of expertise. Perhaps you want to go in a different direction and now is the time to pursue a new field of study, if you can afford it.

Seek Additional Licenses that May Help You to Find a Job: I have a friend who is licensed to work as a hairdresser in 8 or 9 states. Every time she is between jobs, she gets another license. She is now looking for a job and can do so with the flexibility to move to whichever state gives her the best job options. If she had not obtained the licenses during past periods of joblessness, she would not have the flexibility that she needs now.

Take Care of All of the Chores that You Have Put Off Because of Work: If you are out of work, you have no excuses if you fail to accomplish all of the chores that you have avoided during your past periods of employment. When you go back to work, you should have a house that is organized, painted, wallpapered and in every way how you want it to be, to the extent that the tasks are within your ability. If you go back to work and find yourself lamenting that you wasted all of your time while you were unemployed, you will have only yourself to blame.

Find a Part-Time Job: Any job is better than no job if you need money. Do not be ashamed to take a job that is below your usual level of employment. My Dad worked construction before he became a dentist. My brother worked in a kitchen before he became disabled. I worked retail for many years before I graduated from law school. Whether you think of yourself as a white collar worker or not, consider taking any job just to keep you from sitting around your house watching TV and to keep a bit of cash coming in.

Explore Unemployment Benefits: If you have been terminated from your job, even if you received a severance payment, you may still be eligible to collect unemployment benefits.
Master the Use of Internet Networking Tools: I have used my current hiatus to develop my LinkedIn and Facebook networks. I have obtained as many endorsements from past colleagues as possible and generally raised my visibility among all of my colleagues. In short, I have used the Internet to make sure I stay in everyone’s face so that they will think of me if opportunities arise.

Take Some Time to Enjoy Yourself and Your Family Even if money is tight, find ways to enjoy your time off with your family. Take walks together. Play board games. Sit together and read. Go to the gym. Whatever else you may do, use the time that you have to both revive your mind and body.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Refresh Your Resume And Get The Job

If you're not getting results from your resume, it could be more than a poor job market. You've had years of experience and a stellar job record. So why don't employers look at your resume and want to hire you on the spot?....


The answer may lie in one word: accomplishments. The key to writing accomplishments is to focus on results. Your resume can be loaded with details about your previous jobs, but without compelling accomplishments, it will blend in with hundreds like it.

What Is an Accomplishment?
Accomplishments (also called achievements) are different from abilities, duties, or strengths. Abilities are what you can do, duties are what you have done, and strengths are what you do well. Accomplishments show:

The specific actions you have taken in a particular situation
The skills and abilities you used to meet a challenge
The results or outcomes you achieved
The following example is a job responsibility, not an accomplishment: Wrote grant proposals to numerous funding sources to support program.
To turn this into an accomplishment, show the results and benefits: Wrote three successful grant applications to private foundations, resulting in funding to serve an additional 100 clients.

Write Down Your Accomplishments
Before you start writing your resume, draw up a list of accomplishments. You won't use the same ones in every resume, so have some in reserve for different types of positions. Don't forget that your volunteer work and education can also be counted as accomplishments—as long as they are related to the job you want.

To jog your memory about your accomplishments, ask yourself these questions:
Have I:

Accomplished more with the same or fewer resources? (How? Results?)
Received awards, special recognition, etc. (What? Why?)
Increased efficiency? (How? Results?)
Accomplished something for the first time? (What? Results?)
Prepared original papers, reports, and articles? (What? Why important?)
Managed a work group, a department? (Who? How many? Results?)
Managed a budget? (How much? Result?)
Identified problems others didn’t see? (What? Results?)
Developed a new system or procedure? (What? Result?)
Been promoted or upgraded? (When? Why important?)
Summarize Your Accomplishments
Try the Challenge-Action-Results (CAR) approach. For each accomplishment, write down the answers to the following questions:

The Challenge: What was the pre-existing problem, need, or situation?
The Actions: What did you do about it? Be specific. You can also include any obstacles you overcame, and the skills you demonstrated.

The Results: What results did you produce? Quantify the results (use numbers!).
After answering the questions above, summarize your answers in an accomplishment statement to include in your resume.


Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Tips For Finding Your First Healthcare Job


When you're trying to find your first job as a healthcare professional, it may seem the cards are stacked against you…..

 After all, employers prefer job candidates with healthcare experience, and can't get that requisite experience unless someone hires them, right?

It's a vicious circle, but you can escape it. With some patience and persistence, you should be able to work in your chosen healthcare profession. New healthcare professionals talked to Monster Healthcare about how they landed their first jobs -- and how you can, too.

If your healthcare education included an internship or clinical rotations, you made valuable contacts that can likely help you in your job search. "Don't be afraid to talk to people and ask for help," says Christine McElroy, MS, who lined up a job while still in graduate school and began working as a genetic counselor at Children's Hospital Oakland in June 2000. Your school advisor or internship supervisor can inform you of healthcare job openings and expand your pool of acquaintances as well as be a valuable reference.

McElroy interviewed with only two employers before accepting her current position. She learned about the first opening from a former classmate who called to tell her about a position in her workplace. She learned about the other opening through the National Society of Genetic Counselors email listserv, which periodically posts job listings. While a student, she also attended the society's meetings and says the events were "hot spots" for meeting others in the field. "Don't be shy about networking," McElroy advises.

Besides networking through professional healthcare associations, you can demonstrate your dedication to potential healthcare employers by getting out in the field and volunteering. "There's no better way to find a job than to volunteer first," says occupational therapist Julie Henderson, director of restorative services at the Human Rights Initiative in Dallas. "You're looking for a job anyway, so why not go volunteer a couple of hours a day at different places within your field?"

As a student, Henderson worked with classmates to develop a new occupational therapy program geared toward the homeless population, and she knew she wanted to continue with community work. Although she took some part-time home-health contracts to pay the bills right after she graduated, she knew she didn't want to do it full-time. "I didn't think I'd be effective as a healthcare professional if I didn't like my job," she says.
Holding out for the right fit was a good strategy for Henderson. She ended up taking the place of another occupational therapist at the Human Rights Initiative who remembered hearing about Henderson's program for the homeless. Henderson now works with political refugees and people who have been granted asylum by the US government.

Henderson sees clients in the community most days. When she is in the office, she's surrounded by attorneys. "I'm the only medical professional in a law office. It's unique," she says. Henderson advises other healthcare professionals to consider such alternative paths. "Just find the nontraditional stuff and sell yourself." she says. "It's the easiest way to get a job. You're not fighting anyone else for a job, rather creating one."

If you're lucky enough to have a healthcare degree currently in high demand -- like pharmacy or nursing -- you're likely to receive multiple healthcare job offers. Be sure to weigh the decision carefully, and don't be blinded by big money, says Michael Dietrich, PharmD, assistant professor for pharmacy practice at Midwestern University College of Pharmacy in Glendale, Arizona.

"My advice to students is to keep an open mind," Dietrich says. Unless the offered is significantly below market level for other such healthcare jobs, "I tell students that they need to remove money from the equation and figure out what is going to make them happy as a professional," he says.