What Can Be a Smart Job Change?

By : Sunny Suman

Stability in jobs is no more seen anywhere around and is now a thing of the past. Nowadays, with companies, both big and small coming up like grocery stores, people are able to find too many job options. This encourages them to frequently leave their current job and get into another. Also that, the organizations, for faster growth, indulge into trimming and restructuring of their workforce which further gives a great boost to such job switching practices.

There was a time when our fathers and grandfathers used to spend all their lifetimes remaining indulged in one job. Then, the workers were more loyal to their employees and it was good for both. But now, employees keep looking all around to pick up the pettiest issue and hop to another job in another company. There again, they don't remain satisfied and the process of hopping continues with they finding satisfaction nowhere.

Once they hop because salary is not good, then they hop for people are not good, then again they hop for the job has too much pressure, etc. etc. and it continues. Specially, this is the most common thing among the people between the age group of 25 and 35 or 40 because after that they mostly get tired. Further, many employers too look towards the hoppers as seekers of quick growth. And those working in the same job are seen as the failures with no desire to rise.

Still, there also are recruiters who hate this practice and would kick you for that. So you ought to be careful before making your next switch for you may be called an afraid person lacking stability. It sure harms your progress and future career prospects. Of course, you can change but check out for significant reasons proving it to be an appropriate step.

Knowing any job superficially is always risky as every job, other than the one you are presently into appears better and easier. As the saying goes - "Grass is always greener on the other side of the fence".

Reasons like "people are not good" or "it is too far" or "salary is little less" are too small for you leaving a job. Change your organization only for strong reasons -

* Great salary hike: If your hike in salary is not small, and is something more than 'an OK', then the switch would be nice for you. It would be considered as a smart move.
* Raise in job responsibilities: Even if your responsibilities rise though your salary remains the same, it is a strong enough reason for you changing the job.
* Better designation: Again, if you are getting a better designation in your new organization there is nothing bad if you change. A new title along with something new to do is liked by everybody. Moreover, it is sure to enhance your future career options.
* Change to some better city/country: Lastly, a reason that your new job would be in a new city or country, other features remaining the same would surely be great for you.

Whatever be your reasons for leaving the current job and joining a new one, it is important that it must not be something silly. And reasons other than the above few won't prove good in the long run. Anybody thinking from the career point of view would always try to make his or her switch as a smart move helping the person to grow in his or her respective career. After all, everybody wants to have a marvelous career. What are you about to do?

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I Didn't Get the Job, What Do I Do Now?

By : Ralph Goldsmith

So, you've worked on your CV, got it out to the right companies, got yourself an interview, and then you don't get the job. That sucks right? Well the chances are, at some point, it's going to happen. If you are applying in a particularly competitive field, it could happen a lot.

Here are 5 things you should when you don't get the job

1 Remember that this is not a rejection of you.

It's not that you aren't good enough, it may not even mean that you weren't the best candidate. It just means that someone else did better than you on the day. The important thing now is to learn from the situation. If we learn from the situation we can never fail.

2 Review how things went.

Did you do all the things in preparation for the interview that you planned (you did have a plan didn't you?) Did you dress appropriately, were you on time, did you have your questions prepared (and did you ask them)? Make a list of specific things that you could have done better and make sure that you do them in the next interview. Also make a list of the things that went well and make sure you keep them up.

3 Ask for some feedback.

Contact the person that interviewed you. Thank them for the opportunity and tell them that you would really appreciate their feedback on how the interview went and how you could have done better. Most people will be flattered that you value their opinion and will be only too happy to give you some feedback.

4 Review how it went with someone else.

Do you have somebody who can support you? If not you need to find someone who you can talk this through and who can help you to look objectively at what happened, what went well and what didn't.

5 Update you interview preparation plan with the lessons you have learned and get ready for the next interview.

Follow these steps and each interview that you go to will make you a stronger and more capable interviewee.

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Think Wide If You're Thinking About Changing Your Career

By : Hanks Somecotton

No matter how fun you think your job is in the beginning there are several reasons why you can get tired at your work after a while. Changes in life. You have got other priorities or a need to get new tasks and new clients are some examples. One advantage is that it is almost always much easier to get a new job when you already have a job.

If you want to start looking for a new job while you are still at your old employer, be sure to be very discreet. Do not talk to colleagues about the job you are looking for. Do not use your work email to send requests to other jobs and try to search the job outside your regular working hours so you do not lose the focus from your current job.

Experience often weighs very heavily when searching for work. It is therefore a good idea to contact the company in an industry where you previously worked or currently work on. But remember to not share any secrets from your former or current employer. It can get really unfortunate. On some jobs it is also forbidden to work with companies that compete directly with your employer in a number of months after you resigned yourself.

The challenge you are looking for is maybe there at your current employer without you being aware of it. Many times it is about daring to ask and express your desire and goal for your boss. Perhaps a position on a completely different title will be vacant soon. That a new career opportunity opens for you without you having to change job.

A new job or a new career change is a good opportunity to reflect over what priorities you have in your career or life. What balance you want to have between your work and your free time. How much time and effort would you be able to put on your own development, on your friends, on travels or home? If you know your priorities and really want a new job, ensure that you and your former employer is separated as friends. Be clear to your employer and be happy to talk about why you quit. Honesty is best so you don't loose your contacts. Your contacts and your boss may be needed as a reference later in life. Manage your cancellation professionally. It creates a good atmosphere and increases your chances to get a positive rating work when you quit your job.

Think wide if you're thinking about changing your career. Dare to look for jobs where you might not meet all the qualifications but you feel that you really want the job. Enthusiasm and job satisfaction is often more important than a perfect CV.

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Helpful Job-Searching Hints for Teen Job-Seekers

by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D.

Finding a summer job is a rite of passage for many teens, and while some years it may easier to find a job than others, the bottom line is that finding a job -- even a summer job -- takes planning, effort, and determination. And while looking for a job in the classified ads may work for a small number of teens, here are better alternative ways to find work.

Always avoided your parent's friends? Now's the time to get to know them better. Networking -- talking -- with as many adults (family, friends, neigborhors, etc.) as you can is best way to find a job, any job. Learn more about the power of networking.

You thought school was over? Think again. Now is the time to learn all you need about job-hunting because it's going to be harder than ever before to get a job. Learn more about job-hunting basics.

How's your spelling and grammar? Better brush up. Take the time to prepare or update your resume -- you'll need it when you go on job interviews. Check out these resume resources and sample resumes.

Put away those short skirts and thrift-store clothes. When you talk with potential employers, you need to dress your best and look professional, not like you're going on a date or lounging around the house. Learn how to dress for success.

Turn off the television or video games and hit the street. A good way to look for summer jobs is going to the human resources department or manager of as many stores and offices in your town. Dress professionally and bring lots of copies of your resume.

Thought you were done competing with your older siblings? Nope. Teens are being squeezed out of traditional jobs this summer as more experienced workers are forced to take whatever jobs they can find.

If you love the outdoors, you may have better luck. As summer tourism picks up, there will be jobs in water parks, camps, and other hospitality-related companies and organizations.

Love the Net? Then use it -- to a point. There are a number of teen summer job and camp sites, but don't make this method your sole method of job-hunting. Check out these teen summer job sites.

No matter how bad it gets, keep smiling. Studies show employers look for these things in teens: enthusiasm, positive attitude, hard-working, friendly, and on-time.

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When They Require Experience and You Have None

How to overcome a catch-22 that almost every new college grad faces

by Tara Weiss, Forbes.com

Lack of experience is often the biggest obstacle college graduates must overcome when entering the job market. Prospective employers can sound like a broken record, saying over and over, "You don't have enough experience"--followed by the devastating "We'll call you" (especially last year, when only 19.7 percent of graduates had a job lined up after graduating). So how do you get your foot in the door--how do you gain experience if you don't have any already?

Many new grads already have what recruiters are looking for. They just need to recognize it and package it properly in their resumes and cover letters. To begin with, think of experience you gained before you entered "the real world" that could apply. Consider including all the things you did during college, even those you wouldn't have considered job experience at the time.

"Off-the-job" training
Bill Warner, director of sales and recruiting at the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, oversees all the hiring of interns and recent graduates for sales and operations positions there. He says one of the best resume/cover letters he's seen recently came from a woman who described how her position as rush chair at her sorority had given her the leadership and project-management skills she needed to work at AstraZeneca. She told of the unique challenges of dealing with rush rules that were changed that year, as well as how she managed the process, calculated how many new members to bring in, and got all the other parts of the job done as well.

Warner, impressed, offered her a job even though she had never worked in pharmaceutical sales. "They do have experience, but they struggle with the bridge from what they've done in college, how to link it to the position they're interested in," he says.

Build bridges
To identify that bridge, look at the skills you displayed and tasks you pulled off in your college exploits. One applicant hurt his chances by failing to emphasize being editor in chief of his university's newspaper, Warner says. That activity involved numerous duties employers consider valuable experience, such as managing a staff, working with outside vendors, and balancing the newspaper and schoolwork.

When you interview with potential employers and the issue of experience comes up, be prepared with an answer that doesn't dwell on past jobs (or lack thereof)."Don't stress your work experience as much as your skill set," says Tarek Pertew, cofounder and director of marketing at the career website MyWorkster.

Educate yourself
When college experiences and your skill set aren't enough, try brushing up on a job's specific requirements, Pertew says. If you repeatedly hear that you lack a specific technical skill for the jobs you want, take classes to gain that competency. Add those classes to your resume as you continue your job search. "It shows that you have ambition," she says.

Volunteering pays
Another way to gain technical competence is by volunteering your professional skills in the service of a nonprofit. The monetary perks might not be there, but the equally important networking perks will be. For instance, if you're looking for a position in public relations or marketing, volunteer to help an organization in those areas. You'll expand your circle of networking contacts, gain valuable experience, and learn the trade. Ask the professionals you work with if they know of any opportunities in your field or anyone you should meet, and try to add to your skill set while you're at it.

Volunteering anywhere improves your resume, but if you can work with a nonprofit that has connections to a company you want to work for, that's even better. It shows you've done your homework about the firm, and it's a way to network your way to employees already there.

Consider temp work
Also, apply for temp work at staffing agencies that place people in your intended field. That way, you can gain experience and meet professionals to further add to your networking circle, and a temp job can sometimes lead to full-time work.

"Temp agencies are still hiring, because companies are still waiting to see how things will unfold in the third and fourth quarters," says Joanie Ruge, senior vice president of Adecco Group North America, a human resources services firm. "They may have openings for which they can't bring someone on full time. Temp workers give companies flexibility as they wait to see supply and demand. As the market turns, they'll look at the temps first when they're ready to hire permanently."

Always be networking
Meanwhile, join your industry's professional association, and attend its monthly meetings and conferences. Also, join a committee in the association, and take a leadership position, since that way you can meet some of your field's most active professionals. That's another good way to network with people who know of job openings. Don't be intimidated because you're younger than them all. They'll be impressed with your eagerness to break in to the field. "It shows you've got initiative and leadership abilities," says Joe Ruffolo, a career coach at 360jobinterview.com.

In short, networking is the most effective way to find a job in this economy, particularly if you don't have much professional experience. Whether you're volunteering, temping, or attending a summer barbecue, have a 30-second elevator pitch ready to share with people who ask what you'd like to be doing professionally. That's a brief explanation of what you'd like your next job to look like and what you've done in the past, whether it's school, internships, or full-time work.

Sometimes you just have to take any job. If there's a position you can get as a manager at the Gap or as an executive assistant, go for it. The trick will be to successfully market the skills you learned on that job when you meet a hiring manager for the job you really want.

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What Employers Want from Job References

by Yahoo! HotJobs staff

A great resume and solid interview skills may place job seekers in the running for a position, but a new survey conducted by OfficeTeam, a leading staffing service, finds that the results of a reference check can really be what makes--or breaks--a job search. Hiring managers interviewed for the survey said they remove about 21 percent of candidates from consideration after speaking to their professional contacts.

Managers also were asked, "When speaking to an applicant's job references, what is the most important information you hope to receive?" Their responses:

• Description of past job duties and experience: 36 percent
• A view into the applicant's strengths and weaknesses: 31 percent
• Confirmation of job title and dates of employment: 11 percent
• Description of workplace accomplishments: 8 percent
• A sense of the applicant's preferred work culture: 7 percent
• Other/don't know: 7 percent

"When hiring managers narrow the field to a few potential candidates, the reference check often becomes the deciding factor," says OfficeTeam executive director Robert Hosking. "To distinguish themselves from the competition, job seekers should assemble a solid list of contacts who can persuasively communicate their qualifications and professional attributes."

OfficeTeam offers five tips for creating a reference list that works in your favor:

1. Choose wisely. Select people who can discuss your abilities and experience that directly relate to the position, not just those with the most impressive job titles. Offer a mix of contacts who can address different aspects of your background; for example, a former peer may be able to describe your interpersonal skills, while a past direct report can talk about your management style.

2. Check in beforehand. Always call potential references first to get their permission and evaluate their eagerness to talk to hiring managers. Be sure to give all references a copy of your resume, the job description, and the name of the person who will likely call.

3. Be prepared. Provide clear contact information for your references, including their names, titles, daytime phone numbers, and email addresses. Also, offer a brief explanation of the nature of your relationship with each individual. Consider supplying more references than are requested, so you won't miss out on the job offer if the hiring manager can't get in touch with one of your contacts.

4. Think outside the box. It's common for employers to seek out additional references for new hires--either online or through their own networks. Since you never know whom a hiring manager might reach out to, you should not only remain on good terms with your past supervisors and colleagues (if possible), but also be selective about who's in your online network, on sites such as LinkedIn.

5. Give thanks. Express your gratitude to people who agree to serve as references, even if they aren't contacted by employers. Keep them updated on your job-search progress and offer to return the favor by providing a recommendation should they need one.

The survey referenced in this article was developed by OfficeTeam, a leading staffing service specializing in the placement of highly skilled administrative professionals. It was conducted by an independent research firm and involved telephone interviews with more than 1,000 senior managers at companies with 20 or more employees.

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Endangered Careers and How to Survive Them

by Stephanie Powers, Investopedia.com

Move from laid-off to in-demand by choosing the right career. Here are some occupations hit hard by the "Great Recession," but take heart: workers can still prosper by transferring skills to fast-growing occupations. Below we'll look at some jobs that are on their way out, and how they can lead to in-demand occupations in growing fields.

1. School-district employees
The recession deeply impacted K-12 education employees. School districts across the U.S. experienced steep budget deficits, forcing many to cut their payroll. According to Education Secretary Arne Duncan, 100,000 to 300,000 education jobs could be lost due to declining revenues. While there are talks of additional federal monies to help bail out struggling school districts, the ongoing economic crisis has already caused the layoff of administrators, teachers, counselors and coaches.

Career Transitions
Administrators can apply organizational skills to project-management positions in the private sector. Most industries use the titles project manager, management analyst, or project coordinator for these roles. There is a high demand for the positions in consulting firms specializing in process improvements, and IT departments implementing large-scale software installations. Add a Project Management Professional (PMP) certificate to your credentials and show your ability to successfully maneuver through complex problems. Short-term certification programs are available at local colleges and include hands-on projects, an exam, and ongoing continuing-education requirements. Management analyst positions are expected to grow 24 percent through 2018, with median salaries of $73,570.

Teachers may find work switching from K-12 to adult education in corporate training and development departments where there is a high demand for knowledgeable instructors. Courses in adult education, curriculum design, and online education techniques will bolster your resume. Visit your local chapter of The American Society for Training and Development and become certified. Training and development specialists earn approximately $60,000, with many earning in the $80,000 range.
A more radical career change for a teacher would be to transfer his or her unique combination of skills (communication, audience analysis, motivation techniques) into sales positions. Sales jobs often have a competitive environment, but organizations are always looking for fresh sales talent. Select a topic you enjoy, leverage personal contacts, and be prepared for a fast-paced lifestyle. Compensation varies depending on the industry and type of sales (for example retail sales vs. insurance sales), but it is most often commission based.

State and municipal employees
State and local municipalities are struggling with decreased revenues, translating into massive cost reductions, including laying off workers. As state and local governments find ways to become more efficient with a smaller staff, the outlook for lost jobs is uncertain. Residents are paying close attention to state and local budgets as taxes increase while municipal services decrease.

Career transition
Management and technical consulting jobs are plentiful for former government workers. Experience coordinating projects through complex rules and regulations is a valuable skill to the many organizations that do business with government agencies. Whether your background is in information technology, occupational safety, grant writing, or security, private-sector firms large and small may have a place for you. Depending on your background, you may also consider becoming an entrepreneur specializing in government liaison consulting for your area of expertise. Consulting is expected to grow a whopping 83 percent with salaries ranging from $40,000 to $100,000 depending upon your experience and job level.

Nonprofit organization staff
The recession continues to plague nonprofit organizations. Charitable donations are down and endowment funds are still recovering from the stock market turbulence. Foundations lost 30 percent of their value in 2008 while some endowment funds lost even more throughout the recession. There is less money to spend on staff, and it couldn't come at a worse time as charitable organizations are receiving more requests for assistance from their constituents.

Career transition
If you can coax cash out of donors, manage limited resources with a skeleton staff, and wade through bureaucracy, consider a career in health care management. Office and administrative jobs in the health care industry are expected to grow 19 to 25 percent. Community colleges and vocational schools offer certificate courses and sometimes internships in health administration.

The bottom line
Modern career management includes assessing your skills and talents to recognize new opportunities. Being flexible enough to transition to a new career can mean the difference between being unemployed and rising quickly in a satisfying job. Some career transitions may require additional training, but the payoff is worth it.

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