Career Chase

Relocating for Your Career, Tips to Adjust

admin — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The average American will move at least twenty times in their lifetime. There are many reasons to relocate and, in the current economy, many people are relocating due to job loss and career changes. Some careful preplanning should help ease the transition.

Before even considering a move you should research job opportunities in the area where you intend to relocate. Census reports and bureaus of labor statistic sites are two good places to start. These sites are extremely thorough and organized by geographical region. State unemployment websites have a wealth of information for job seekers.

Polish your resume and have a friend critique it. Make sure all information is updated and current. Upload your resume to several online employment websites. Do some online research for companies seeking your particular skills and experience. Setting up interviews before you relocate will save valuable job search time. Ask former employers in your current location for letters of recommendation.

Once you arrive in your new location you should confirm any interview dates and times. Familiarize yourself with the area to be sure you arrive for interviews in plenty of time. Be prepared to make cold calls on area businesses to inquire about hiring possibilities.

Common Jobs Affected by Outsourcing

admin — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Outsourcing has been an area of concern for the American worker. Companies looking to save money and increase profit have turned to shipping jobs overseas. Jobs that were once stateside and providing people with a way to make a living, are now going overseas at a record rate.

Customer service has been hit hard by outsourcing. Companies have moved their call centers overseas and have saved a lot of money doing so. Unfortunately, while they save money, people lose jobs. Customer service can be anything from taking orders for products or helping people that have problems.Never heard of this before? Get up to speed here.

Manufacturing is an area that has been hit hard by outsourcing. Items that used to be produced in the United States are now being made in countries that have much cheaper labor. Manufacturing was one of the first areas to be hit by outsourcing and the area is still losing jobs to overseas workers.

Computer programming and engineering are also sectors that are facing outsourcing. Companies have found that is just as easy to outsource high tech jobs. People in these areas used to believe that they were safe from outsourcing, but this area seems to be where a lot of jobs will be outsourced in the future.

Personal Relationships and Job Security

admin — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Having good personal relationships with your boss and coworkers can do wonders in improving your job security. That is because a boss will find it rather difficult to fire someone that they are buddies with. Also, there are many other cool advantages to befriending the people that you work with.

People that have lots of friends in their workplace are usually kept in the know. They get to hear about all of the inside scoop that can quickly effect employment status.Get more information here. http://ask.metafilter.com/190944/How-can-I-do-damagecontrol-in-this-coworker-situation-or-should-I Knowing such information ahead of time, allows people to act accordingly.

When you are friends with your boss, there is a good chance that you will be the first choice for a promotion within the company. That is especially true if the promoted position will require you to have to spend even more time working with your boss. After all, your boss wants to ensure that the person he or she will have to spend a lot of time working with is someone that they can actually get along with. Therefore, it makes sense to promote a friend.

Another perk to being friends with the boss is that you will know him or her well enough to know how you need to do your job. Different people have different expectations. By being their friend, you will get to know what they expect from you. This will help you in regards to job security.

Finding a job that leads to long-term success

admin — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

A job search conducted in earnest is a job in itself. Circumstances may include career change, return to the workforce or pending layoff. The one constant factor is the need to get connected to high-speed internet access, easily accomplished through satellite internet from get.wildblue.com/wildblue-or-dialup.html’ >get.wildblue.com.

Gaining proficiency in seeking employment through the internet takes practice, diligence, consistency and a hard shell. Competency in applying through job boards, networking through social media and targeting the appropriate company websites is a learned skill, so don’t worry if it’s a little overwhelming at first.

As a result, some candidates get so caught up in the process that they overlook the importance of pursuing a long and successful career. This is especially true when the job hunt seems to drag on and panic sets in. However, accepting a position which is not the right fit because it alleviates a financial burden is counterproductive, if the result is circling back to square one when the position does not work out.

Take some time to consider your strengths, abilities and interests. Query online for personality profile self-testing, career coaching tips and appropriate resume writing formats. These guides may help to ensure that your efforts are aligned with personal and professional goals and the end result is truly successful.

Signs You Need a New Job

www.careerchase.net — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 20:44:08 +0000

A lot of already employed individuals are unhappy at their current position, though in many cases they may not even realize it. Often times the monotony of the working world, coupled with getting into a so-called rhythm or routine and a fear of the unknown make the prospect of taking the time to look for a new job a daunting task. Still, despite whatever CNN or the Wall Street Journal may say, there are still jobs out there, especially for those who have not had to suffer through any stints of unemployment and have performed successfully at their current position, no matter how miserable it may be. If you aren’t sure whether it’s time to move on professionally, as yourself the following questions and be honest with yourself in your answers:How do I feel when I wake up on a work day? Okay, plenty of happily employed individuals wake up in the morning and would rather not go to work, but why is that? If you simply aren’t a morning person then it’s likely a reflection of on yourself than the mark of a disgruntled employee, but if picturing yourself at your desk doing your day to day activities gets under your skin, it’s the sign of larger issues.What would it take for me to leave? If you are happy in your current situation, an equal paying job doing of the same title at a different company would not entice you to leave. Content employees naturally develop at least some sense of loyalty. Mind you it’s not always the company that is at fault. Some people may just need a geographic change of scenery or distance from particular people. If you find yourself willing to leave your current position for a similar or even lower paying salary, there’s no harm in seeking out or following up on such opportunities.Can I see myself doing this a year from now? Twelve months have passed and you are still performing the same tasks. Is this a realistic possibility in your current situation? If so, does this notion excite you or make you sick to your stomach. In some cases, people temporarily perform chore-like duties on the hopes or promises it will lead to advancement within the company and/or a future pay raise. Be realistic about how much you expect your role to change. If you look into the future with a sense of dread, then right now is the time to alter your course.

Acing the Interview

admin — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:53:59 +0000

Coming face to face for the first time with the company that may soon sign your paychecks can be an intimidating task, but it is a necessary step every employee must take long before their first day on the job. An interview can easily make or break an amply qualified candidate, sometimes putting fears at east regarding inadequate experience or mild character issues or at other times indicating major flaws that aren’t apparent on paper. Here are a few tips to help make sure your first in-person impression is a good one.Know your resume If you thought you’d seen the last of that cursed little piece of paper you’re mistaken. Your resume is most likely why you got the interview, so it’s only natural an employer would have follow questions regarding your experience. Be prepared to into great detail about your previous job descriptions and what valuable skills or lessons you learned as a result of each item on the list.Do your homework The interview doesn’t start when you first sit down to answer questions. At that point, it should have already been underway for days. Don’t dare walk through a company’s doors without having a firm grasp of exactly what it is that company does and a working understanding of what your position within that company would entail. Referencing a company’s history of success and citing tangible examples when asked why you want to work their shows you are serious about the interview process.Dress the part Traditionally, it’s thought best to dress in your finest suit and tie when going on an interview, however, in certain instances this may not be the appropriate attire. Assess the company culture and determine what most coworkers would wear to the office and dress accordingly, of course, it’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed. In all cases, avoid seemingly witty or edgy clothing/accessories as it has a far greater chance of coming off as unprofessional as opposed to giving insight into your unique personality or style.

I submitted my resume, now what?

admin — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:51:18 +0000

A mistake made by many college graduates who have never had to undertake the daunting task of getting a real job is simply allowing themselves to play the waiting game. After submitting a resume, too many prospective employees simply sit around by their cell phones or obsessively refresh their inboxes in hopes of getting an answer. In order to successfully navigate the well-populated job search waters an applicant must get away from this “the ball is in their court” mentality. This isn’t like asking an attractive acquaintance on a date and having her say she’ll think about it. Assuming you got the job listing from a credible source, you know the company at which you applied is actively looking for someone to fill the position. What they don’t know, or may not immediately recognize, is that you have the necessary skill-set to meet their needs. Follow up repeatedly. Don’t be afraid to call and leave messages or send emails to further inquire about the status of their employee search. Unlike courting members of the opposite sex, persistence in the job hunt comes off as determined and motivated, whereas in the dating world might come off as creepy or lead to a restraining order in extreme cases. Remember, the job hunt is an active endeavor.In the same vein, don’t put all your eggs in the same basket. Doing so could either leave you disappointed or have you sell yourself short, maybe overlooking an even better opportunity with a higher salary, all because you were too infatuated with the first job you found. It’s great to be excited about the position you apply for, and be sure to convey this in an interview, but don’t let it interfere with continuing your job search. It’s better to have several resumes out at one time as opposed to merely living application to application. Ultimately, you may even receive multiple job offers, allowing you to weigh the benefits of both positions, perhaps even leveraging them against each other, maximizing your potential and enabling you to make the best decision possible.

What not to do

admin — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:47:08 +0000

In can be tough to give job hunters everything they need before sending in an application, showing up for an interview or even starting a first day at a new position. Perhaps, the easiest thing to do is share a few things that will most certainly shoot a candidate right in the foot before they’ve even gotten a fair shake. If you’re sitting around wondering why that dream job never called you back or even why your stay at a new company was shorter than expected, you might want to take a look at these mistakes and bad habits, followed by a quick trip down memory lane.Assume they need you more than you need the job Whether in the interview or even after you’ve started, keep in mind that you’re the one who’s unemployed or unhappy at your current position. Hiring somebody in today’s job market is like shooting fish in a barrel. You may indeed be the most talented candidate, but respect is something that’s earned over time. On your first day, you shouldn’t be above any task your supervisor asks of you.Send a generic cover letter Or even worse no cover letter at all. HR departments are constantly bombarded with resumes for opening. Whether you’re applying for a top-level management job or to be a weekend clerk at your local convenience store, don’t send in a resume without a cover letter. A generic cover letter does very little to advance your chances as a potential hire (aside from demonstrate your willing to write a paragraph or two, which is more than no cover letter says). A well-tailored cover letter, on the other hand, is just another asset by which you can distinguish yourself from the masses, showing you’ve researched the position, have a genuine interest and have given legitimate thought towards working there, not just submitted a shot in the dark application.Mail/e-mail a resume/cover letter without proofreading Have a friend or professor look over it if grammar and spelling isn’t your strong suit. If you have typos or spelling errors on your resume, employers may worry it’s a sign of sloppy job performance to come. This is your chance to make a good first impression. Careless isn’t what you’re going for. This goes for your first few assignments as well. No one wants to think they’ll spend the next few months of their life looking over the new guy’s shoulder.

Helpful Resume Tips

admin — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:42:25 +0000

The bleak prospects for job hunters in the current market have been well documented, though while it is certainly more challenging than in era’s past, securing gainful employment is far from impossible. It might take a little while longer and require a little more elbow grease than a lot of the ready-to-work would hope for, still finding a suitable occupation is a reasonable and attainable goal. It’s true more people are look for work now than at any time in history, but with the right eye-popping resume you can still stand out from the crowd and get the initial call-back that will get your foot in the door. Bear in mind, a resume is just as much a first impression as when you come face-to-face with an interviewer, so craft it with the utmost care. Here are some thoughts to keep in mind when putting yourself on paper.Avoid white space This comes down as much to design layout as it does content. At the point where you submit an actual resume, it’s too late to go back in time and sign up for a few more extracurriculars or spend your summers more wisely. What you can do is write detailed, action-verb empowered descriptions of the jobs you do/did have. Try off-setting your job title on the left, with the dates you worked there on right far right. This will help to balance the page. A sheet that is mostly blank or has wide gaps and margins will subtly denote inadequate experience and insufficient presentation skills.Include what’s relevant If you are a college upperclassman or graduate, there is no place on your current resume for anything you did in high school, unless of course you’re an Olympic gold medal winner or equivalent world champion. With that said, some things you may have done recently might be more relevant than you think. For example, waiting tables or working in a customer service job for an extended period of time shows you can positively interact with people and hold down a position. Also, don’t be afraid to include relevant college coursework. If you enrolled in a class in which you worked with real world clients, indicate this proudly and explain the project in further detail.Try to limit resumes to one page This will help you choose only the most appropriate and impressive experiences. Furthermore, HR departments are flooded with applications for most positions. Keeping your resume relatively concise and easily in order will help resume-reviewers look more kindly on your submission.

I need a job. Where do I look?

admin — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:37:04 +0000

A lot of prospective job hunters are ready and willing to work, they just don’t know where to look to find the right job opportunities. With so many job seekers out there and a limited number of paid open positions, knowing where to look can be half the battle. Where you look for jobs can largely depend on your background, as resources for college graduates, those with work experience and even those fresh out of high school can be vastly different. Here are some avenues sure to help those looking for employment, spanning various walks of life.Friends, Relatives, Teachers What should be the most obvious job search resource is often the most overlooked. Why not simply ask those who know and care about you for help in your job hunt? Friends who have successfully found a job might know of opportunities within their new company and put in a good word, while parents, aunts and uncles have likely been hard at work at their trade for years and may be able to lend connections. Teachers and professors often stay in touch with professionals within their discipline and may know of an opening you might be a match for, as they can reference your academic performance as well.Internet Job Sites While Monster and CareerBuilder may be the most famous names in the online job hunt, Indeed.com offers a one stop shop, combining many of various job posting forums into one searchable database. If you are entering or looking for a new position within a specific industry, it might be more helpful to search websites that cater to that specific discipline. For example, JournalismJobs.com seeks out relevant positions for Journalism majors and professionals.College Career Centers Many campuses across the country offer career services centers. Not only do these offices spend their days seeking out potential employment opportunities for their students but many companies actually contact career centers themselves in hopes of attracting the best candidates, hoping avoiding the innumerable unqualified applications they would receive from an open job posting.Local Newspaper Classifieds While the print industry may be struggling, there are still employers taking out ads in the paper (both literal and digital forms) for open posts in the area. If you know you want to live in a certain city or geographic area, newspapers can still be a valuable resource some searchers might not think to check.