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Archive for the ‘Career’ Category

Why All Manner Of Workers Can Find Travel Jobs

16 May.
Posted by prettyone in Career | No Comments

Whether you are a chef, a plumber, a nurse or even a dance or fitness instructor, jobs in the travel industry could well be open for you. Whether you want to travel to the Caribbean, the Mediterranean or just travel around on a cruise ship, there are many jobs available in the tourism industry. It may not be a holiday, but it will give you the option of working in paradise.

As the travel and tourism industry grows at an unprecedented rate there are increasing job opportunities for workers in all manner of trades. The majority of these positions are in well known and highly visited vacation spots and are diverse in both salaries and job roles. It is no longer just pool attendants and hotel concierges that are needed, but with budding entrepreneurs setting up businesses abroad, restaurant and store managers are also required.

If you have no strings tying you to a particular place it may be time to uproot and consider a new life abroad. Job opportunities will most likely be found with major tour operators in the travel industry. It may even be worth looking into the lucrative foreign real estate industry for jobs as they often have agents and contractors employed.

The most dissuading factor is the relatively low starting salaries, but do not be totally disappointed and quick to judge a travel jobs because of this. There is more to life than money. Remember that while the salaries of these jobs may be less, you will receive you room and board as part of the salary as well as having access to all of the resources in the resort. This means your off time can be well spent, and also consider that it is always possible to climb through the ranks and earn more.

Increasingly graduates are being recruited for jobs within the travel industry; this especially true for language graduates who have the ability to speak multiple languages fluently. Having this kind of skill can be extremely useful in the travel industry as being able to converse with locals and natives is invaluable. If you can speak another language fluently, you may well want to consider working in travel, consultation between companies and locals is always needed and you could find yourself in a very strong employment position.

Cruise ships offer a unique opportunity on their own. These floating holiday resorts are full of jobs for a variety of workers with disparate skill sets. They require all manner of workers from catering staff through to cinema projectionists. Cruise ship workers also have the opportunity to see many sites in a variety of regions. If you think you have the sea legs to cope and can deal with being away from home for extended periods of time, a cruise ship may be the perfect place to work.

Jobs in travel will give you a different viewpoint on life in general. Hopefully they should give you a more laid back attitude, and of course a tan. Many people choose careers in the travel industry to escape the poor weather at home or simply to experience a new culture for extended periods of time. Both are valid reasons for working in the tourism industry.

So if you think you can cope with the long periods away from friends and family and will strive to make tourists’ holidays more enjoyable then the travel industry could be the place to work. If you think you are hospitable enough to make travellers holidays better, seriously consider travel jobs as a career option.

Career expert Thomas Pretty looks into travel jobs open to those in all manner of industries. To find out more please visit http://www.newfrontiers.co.uk/

The Importance of Keeping Your Resume Focused

16 May.
Posted by andysartspot in Career | No Comments

There is the right way to draft a resume and the wrong way to do it, unfortunately for most job seekers, the resume has become an avenue to start preliminary work on their biographies. It is not uncommon to find resumes where the applicants detail every award they have won since grade school, from the spelling bee to MENSA tests. Unfortunately for such applicants, your employers couldn’t care less.

Prospective employers are not your Ivy League school board sitting down to review applications and to see who can bring about the needed “diversity” of the student body on campus. Educational institutions are basically concerned with your academic achievements and your IQ, Employers are concerned about the experience you have, yes, perhaps an inclusion of your GPA score or a few important achievements in your field of study but they are primarily concerned about what you have done in terms of work and what you are capable of doing for them.

Don’t get it wrong, it’s not as if anyone who feels like it can go ahead and apply for the CEO position at Citibank or JP Morgan simply because they feel they are capable of achieving results. But you have to stipulate how your background has helped you achieve results, and what results you have achieved.

Perhaps someone who has worked in the retail industry as a sales manager can talk about changes they made in their organization which increased revenue of their nationwide retail firm. In a case like that, the person may equally proceed to say the effort was subsequently rewarded with an award for the best sales manager nationwide in that firm and include other accolades. But it would be wrong to go about it by listing your awards without stipulating what you did to add value at an organizational level, the results you achieved, what that meant to your organization and how that can be important where the job you are applying for is concerned.

Of course, the question may be asked what to do in a scenario where the person is fresh out of college and seeking work at an entry-level position. In such a case employers will no doubt assess your grades and superb GPA’s will look attractive because they are basically among the very few criteria that can be used to assess such a person and to determine whether that person is suitable for employment. However, the GPA alone will not suffice; they would have to know how to differentiate one applicant from the other applicants out there.

In such a case you have to underline the self-development initiatives you have taken in your resume and how they can impact positively on the career desired. Listing out volunteering efforts as well as internships undertaken will do you a whole lot of good when you are faced with such circumstances as it shows practical experience and ability to work in an organization or team.

Job searchers should not make it difficult for employers to ascertain their true value. A prospective employer is more or less investing money on a product, you as the potential employee are the product and you have to tell them why you are better than the next person out there. It’s like buying cars, certain cars perform as well as the Ferrari but only a Ferrari can justify its price tag because there is a lot of value attached to the brand name and people are sold on it. Never stop selling yourself!

Andrew Morris shows that the four secrets of finding trabajos online are …

http://trabajos.ca

How To Handle A Pay Cut

16 May.
Posted by tjacowski in Career | No Comments

If your company is in financial trouble, then there are 2 possibilities that exist - you may lose your job entirely, or you may be facing a pay cut.

Either situation isn’t particularly welcome news; however, the latter is probably less financially disastrous.

Acceptance

When your boss announces the bad news that your pay will be reduced, don’t accept it immediately and refrain from making any type of agreement - either verbally or written. If you are compelled to do so, then you should ask for some time by saying that you need to think and discuss it with your family before complying. This will give you the time you need to understand the situation and find out all the facts surrounding the salary reduction before you accept it.

A salary cut can affect your lifestyle and your benefits package, as sick and vacation days are usually calculated based on your salary. A reduced salary structure can also affect your salary negotiations with future employers, as your last salary is always considered crucial when it comes to salary negotiation.

Get the Facts

Once the shock wears off, you should go on a fact-hunting spree. Ask your employer some important questions:

1. Whether the pay is cut is mandatory or voluntary
2. How much of your pay will be cut
3. Who else will be affected
4. How long will the pay cut will last
5. Will there be any retroactive reimbursement
6. How will it affect your benefits
7. Is the company planning to work overtime to turn things around

After understanding all these points then you need to ask yourself some questions:

-How desperately do you need this job
-Do you believe the company, and do you feel they can recover
-How much do you trust your superiors
-Do you want to move on

After understanding these points, you can speak with an employment attorney and then proceed to negotiate your pay cut.

Negotiation Benefits

Once you understand all your legal options and rights, then you can negotiate so that the pay cut will have less of a negative effect on you personally. You should try to negotiate your working hours and suggest a reduced schedule, such as only working four days a week. You could even suggest telecommuting to reduce your travel costs.

Attempt to negotiate your stock options, if you believe in your company and its values. If you don’t have any stock options, then you can ask for some; and if you only have a few, then try to get more.

Always get a written agreement detailing all the details of the pay cut and ask when your old salary will be reinstated and if there will be any compensation for lost wages.

Going through a pay cut can be very unsettling - but by following the steps above and looking out for your own best interests, it doesn’t have to be traumatic.

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solution’s Six Sigma Online ( http://www.sixsigmaonline.org ) offers online six
sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.

Keys To Dealing With Recruiters

16 May.
Posted by tjacowski in Career | No Comments

Your resume can get you an interview, but if you tackle the interview in the right way, it should get you the job. But not so fast - before you even get to the interview, you will probably have to get past the recruiter first.

Today, recruiters are usually the first ones to contact you for a particular job. They often decide on whether you are suitable for the job as soon as your resume reaches the hiring manager’s desk. It is very important to understand how recruiters work if you want to get through the interview successfully.

There are some things that you should avoid and never ask a recruiter.

Don’t Cross the Line

Recruiters are usually warm and friendly - but don’t be over friendly with them, as it is their job to put you at ease and guide you through the hiring process. They are true professionals and not your colleagues or friends, and it is crucial that you don’t forget this. Think of the recruiter as a respected person in the company and treat them accordingly.

You can be friendly with them, but never overfriendly. It is always wise to keep some things confidential; therefore, don’t disclose anything that is not applicable to the job at hand. Recruiters aren’t really interested in what clubs you belong to or if you are a single mom - so keep these things to yourself.

Career Coaching

The recruiter’s job is to guide you through the hiring process of specific companies. Recruiters are not career coaches, so it is inappropriate to ask them to guide you with writing a cover letter or resume. You have the freedom to ask them about the company in general, but keep your questions related to the specific job that you are discussing.

Save your more detailed questions for the hiring manager, as that’s the person you will ultimately have to impress.

Insider Information

It is absolutely OK to ask the recruiter how many other candidates are being considered for the position that you are applying for. In fact, they are probably expecting you to ask. If you don’t ask this question, you run the risk of looking uninterested or unambitious.

Recruiters are used to fielding questions from candidates about the competition they face - so don’t disappoint them.

Don’t Expect Too Much

Though you may wish to be treated as special, you are not probably the only candidate for the job. Many recruiters may treat you very well, but that’s their job and they are quite happy to make you comfortable. Their aim is to project your good qualities to the hiring manager. Keep in mind, though, that they work for the employer and their objective is to fill the position - whether with you or someone else.

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solution’s Six Sigma Online ( http://www.sixsigmaonline.org ) offers online six
sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.

How To Make A Stress-Free Career Change

16 May.
Posted by tjacowski in Career | No Comments

Before you start making an effort to change your career, there are some important things that you should consider:

Have a Set Plan

The first thing you need to do is to have a clear plan. The transition that you are planning should be approached like a road trip where careful mapping, stocking of finances, training and education is essential to reach the destination. When you change your career, you should know what you will be doing after that and whether your decisions will be effective or not.

No Unnecessary Job-Hopping

You should avoid changing jobs whenever you feel like it - because changing your career is a big decision that can change everything. It should happen at the right time. In order to get a feel for the new field you are planning to pursue, you can continue your current job and volunteer part time in that particular field.

You can also take an internship or become a consultant to test the new career move that you are planning.

Do It for the Right Reasons

Make sure that when you change your career, you do it for the right reasons. Never do it just for fun or because of some minor problem with your boss or colleagues. If you are not satisfied with your current company, then it is may not be necessary to change the job. There are ways that management problems can be solved - and perhaps you can achieve more in your current company, along with a raise and promotion. Sometimes employees make mistakes and feel that management is responsible for it, so they opt to change jobs instead of looking at other alternatives.

A career change may seem to be easy, but one wrong step could ruin everything. Whether you make changes in you career, at home or in your personal life, you should always test the waters first. You should consider taking baby steps towards a change so that when you finally do it, you can enjoy it to the fullest.

You can get help with your career change through career counselors and coaches. They can help you take the right steps and make the right decisions to enhance your professional life. Besides this, you can also take career assessment tests and career evaluation tests to know what field of work would be good for you.

Self-assessment is essential and in order to do this, you should create a list of your dislikes, likes, interests and beliefs. You should also decide what salary would be sufficient for you live on, pay the bills and still be able to do other things.

Finally, make a move only when you are sure that the new job will complement your experience and qualifications. If you have spent years in a company, in a good position, then there is no point starting over in a company where your experience doesn’t matter.

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solution’s Six Sigma Online ( http://www.sixsigmaonline.org ) offers online six
sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.

Effective Ways To Stay Motivated

16 May.
Posted by tjacowski in Career | No Comments

Some people don’t give these situations a second thought and just wallow in misery. But what is important to think about is - was the situation so terrible that you just had to leave your job? Was this the only last chance you would ever have to prove your talent?

If the answer is no, then it is high time you get your life back on track and motivate yourself to achieve more.

Brace Yourself for the Hard Times

It is very natural to have times when everything is perfect and is working well, especially in your job. But then, not every day is the same - and there can (and will) be days when something will get you down and you will feel that achieving success is very difficult. It is in these situations that you will need motivation the most.

Motivation is something that should come from within. You might get inspiration from the achievements of others, but if you want to gain something, then you will have to be determined and go for it.

Achieving goals that you desire cannot be accomplished easily. You will have to work for it, to make it happen.

Self-Confidence a Must

Confidence is very important for motivating yourself. If you do not have confidence in yourself and your talent, then no one can help you. You must have faith in your abilities and the capacity to drive away the fear of failure. Being straightforward and clear in your actions helps; conversely, if you have goals that are undefined and fuzzy, then you will not be able to focus. The best advice is to know what you want to achieve. If you feel as if you are stagnating at work, then you should ask your supervisor to set measurable and defined tasks for you. If he or she is not forthcoming, you shouldn’t hesitate in taking the initiative and help yourself. It’s a proven fact that self-motivated people perform better.

Be proactive - try to be on top of everything at work according to your skills and abilities. It is essential to identify your weak points and work towards improving them. To do this, you can take classes that will help you improve your performance level and increase your market value. If you are able to get few certifications, it will help you gain confidence.

Negative criticism should be turned into positive, so that you become a source of inspiration for others. Success depends a lot on your thinking, positive or negative. If you brood over past mistakes and failures, you will definitely not be able to convert frustration into a positive driving force. You should be ready to take on new challenges and even if your current job is not motivating you, you can try out new options.

Who knows - you might get a better position, one that fulfills your desire.

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solution’s Six Sigma Online ( http://www.sixsigmaonline.org ) offers online six
sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.

Excelling At The Entry Level

16 May.
Posted by tjacowski in Career | No Comments

There are many people who complete hours of examinations, instruction and course work in order to earn a diploma and start a career. They posses the required knowledge and skills that can get them a good job and help them become professionals. If you are one of these people, then you need to keep in mind that setting your sights on a large salary package and a corner office in the initial stages of your career can pull you back from success.

There is no harm in aspiring to greatness, but you should be ready to work for it. Your expertise and passion should help you achieve your goal, but it may take you time to reach your full potential.

As an employee at the entry level, you need to keep few things in mind so that you can excel in your field:

Stick to Your Schedule

You should complete your work on time even though it may be very tiring at times, so that you can demonstrate strong work ethic. This way, your employer will have a good impression about you and your abilities right from the start. You should always be ready to help your colleagues, because once your skills and talents are discovered, you will probably be given good projects. A good employee is one who shows confidence and sincerity, not cockiness.

According to many employers, recent graduates want more in less time, and they are so ambitious that they display over-confidence. They fail to realize that before management starts giving them huge responsibilities, they need to prove their mettle. Show confidence in every project you do, so that you earn the respect and work you deserve.

Pay Attention to Detail

At the entry level, every employee should observe the dynamics of the company. He or she should pay attention to the accomplishments and behaviors prevalent in the organization. Observe employees who are experienced and have achieved more and draw inspiration from them. Ask a star performer in your workplace to act as an advisor or mentor to you. Even if your supervisor is sympathetic and supports you, your career cannot be advanced on his or her word alone.

At the entry level, your career advancement depends on you how fast you acquire new skills and gain more experience. This can be done by volunteering for good projects and pursuing opportunities for professional and personal development. You can also take classes for performing better in complex projects.

Ask For Feedback

It helps to request feedback from management, even though it may not be a part of the protocol. You can prevent stagnation of your career by identifying the next steps and discuss strategies through which your overall performance can be improved. You should store any feedback that you get in a file so that it can be used as a reference in future.

Self-reflection is also necessary - and the initial stages of your first job will be very important in learning a lot of things. You should be ready to learn everything possible to have an edge over your colleagues, but in a positive way.

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solution’s Six Sigma Online ( http://www.sixsigmaonline.org ) offers online six
sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.

The Benefits Of An Education Career

16 May.
Posted by tjacowski in Career | No Comments

Today, an increasing number of professionals are getting jobs in various online learning venues, onsite schools and universities. With the increase in the popularity of online schools and colleges, the need for instructors has also doubled. People who are a part of the education establishment are trained to effectively pass on their knowledge to others.

Their strong grasp of material and interest in the subject they teach enables them to help other people learn. This interest helps them to make their students well informed and better human beings.

Goal Oriented

If you want to be a part of the growing education field, you will have to be very goal oriented - because providing knowledge to others is a huge responsibility and it cannot be taken lightly. You should know the educational objectives of your students and the organization you are working for. You should also understand the implications of time management and lesson planning, along with the ability to use the time of your students to the fullest so that they learn more in less time.

You need to be able take on the responsibility to shape your students’ career and lives in the right way to ensure that their future is promising and bright. Your students can progress through a specific education pattern only when they learn certain skills within a specified time period. As a teacher, your knack to gauge student needs should be good. You should be able to create a plan and put it into action for people who require your help.

A Continuous Learning Process

People who are in the field of education, go through a continuous development process in their career. They have to keep learning new things related to their subject as well as classroom legalities and first aid, so that they can be certified. When they learn new things and better techniques to offer knowledge, it directly helps their students to learn more. This in turn keeps their careers moving in the right direction - up.

With computers becoming a part of the mainstream classrooms, many teachers are learning how to operate them so that they can help the students learn better faster. As far as the inventions in teaching tools are concerned, technology is becoming very popular, and in most cases, essential.

When you choose a career in education, you can get help from vast resource databases available in libraries and online. You can get information on new job offers and the requirements for bagging an education based job in a different state. There are various forums available on the Internet from where you can talk to experienced people who have excelled in the field, and gain information that could prove to be beneficial for your career advancement.

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solution’s Six Sigma Online ( http://www.sixsigmaonline.org ) offers online six
sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.

Interviews - Watch What You Say

16 May.
Posted by tjacowski in Career | No Comments

When a candidate goes for an interview, he or she is examined by the employer/interviewer on following criteria:

-The candidate must have the required qualification to the job.
-The willingness of the candidate to do the job and his or her corporate goals.
-The ability to adjust to the corporate culture.

Avoid Negative Issues

Never say anything negative about your past or current co-workers and employer because it will never do any good. In fact, this will send an alarm to the interviewer about you being a possible “management problem”. As a candidate, you should avoid requesting special equipment and hours unless you are having some legitimate problems that you will need special accommodation for, such as a disability.

If you start asking for a special treatment even before you get the job, then the prospective employer starts to imagine the kind of requests you will make once you are hired. They may wonder whether hiring you is more trouble than it will be worth in the long run.

Don’t Initiate Salary Discussions

You should never start salary discussions when you go for an interview. You should not make any demands in the initial stages of the interview, because it is not considered to be a good sign. It is better to let the employer or interviewer ask you about the salary package you are looking for. When they do, don’t hesitate in giving them a range or to ask them about the range they will be able to offer.

Candidates asking for a particular salary on their own is usually a major turnoff. Many potential candidates ask about sick leaves, vacation days and holidays. This can again be a turnoff for the employer because it will seem as if you are more interested in the holidays rather than knowing about work and the being interested in company goals.

Stress on Your Strengths, Not Weaknesses

When you go for an interview, avoid giving a list to the employers about the things you will not be able to do. If you tell the interviewer that you don’t like answering calls, working overtime or maintaining files, then it will be another red flag. Before you apply for a job, you should know about the profile and nature of the work - so that when you face questions you come across as confident.

Don’t ask your employer about what the company is all about because they expect you to do some homework before you apply. You should read the job description carefully and do some research on the company so that you are well informed.

There are many candidates who say - “I don’t know about the work, I just saw your company’s ad in the newspaper and thought I’d give it a try”. This can reduce your chances of getting the job, so it is necessary to prepare yourself and know why you are there. Try not to argue, whine or complain just because you don’t like something.

There’s a lot said on what to say during an interview, but it is equally important to know what not to say as well.

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solution’s Six Sigma Online ( http://www.sixsigmaonline.org ) offers online six
sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.

Career Mapping For A Smooth Journey

16 May.
Posted by tjacowski in Career | No Comments

You can dream of being a Vice President, but you may not know how to reach that position. If you don’t have a career map, then eventually you may end up being in the same position as before.

Career mapping can be highly beneficial at any stage of your career. Whether you are entering the workplace for the first time or you are a veteran of the rat race, career mapping can prove to be one an invaluable tool - particularly if you are thinking of switching careers.

A career map is a two-piece document that actually summarizes a person’s career strategy. In short, it is like a road map that will guide you throughout your work life. You should refer to your road map when you want to reach a destination; similarly, you should use your career map when you want to go ahead in your career. A career map is particularly handy when you experience job loss through downsizing or layoffs - when you have a career map, you won’t have to panic, because your strategy will already be in place.

Career mapping can help you go about achieving your goals with purpose and clarity, whether that is advancing in your current career or searching for a new one.

Overview

This point clarifies what it is that you would like to accomplish in the future - in as short as one year or as long as five - and gives you the route that you need to take to get there. There are times when you may have to change the map suddenly when you find a lucrative job opening or when you realize that you have taken a wrong turn in your career - so it pays to be flexible.

Marketing Plan

If you are presently working long hours and not making the kind of money that you want, it could be a matter of insufficient focus. Decide which aspect of your profession is the most valuable, and develop a plan to market your knowledge, skills and experience to get a position that’s right for you.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Maximize your strengths through experience and reduce your weakness through education. If you are stuck, then you can consult a career coach or counselor.

Plan of Action

Once you know your goals, then you need to identify how you will get there. You can do this by talking to experts or getting help from a mentor. Similarly, you should seek advice from people in similar positions that are already successful.

Financial Plan

Analyze why you want to change your career and direct your strengths to influence your finances. Look at your present position and then set a pattern to monitor your progress.

If you want to change your career for the better, then it pays to have a plan. Having a career map is one of the best tools for getting you where you need to go.

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solution’s Six Sigma Online ( http://www.sixsigmaonline.org ) offers online six
sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.