Most of us have tripped into our careers. Even those who went into professions like law and accountancy tell of taking up the training as nothing else had happened for them.

Why is it that most of us have not experienced career advice? In schools it is usual that the careers teacher is doing that job as one part of a wider portfolio. And that role is often administrative as the expectation is that there is a library of information that students can access. In universities it is not much better. One of the UK’s top universities requires students to pre-book a session where the student then has 15 minutes help with their cv. It is probably useful advice. How useful is it in the context of career advising as we might want it?

In business schools the students invest significantly for their programmes. The full-time MBA is paid for by the student who has also the opportunity cost of not working. The benefit and risk issues is significant to them. The part-time MBAs at business schools are over 2 years and are usually sponsored by the employer of the student. There is less risk to the student; they continue to be paid and their job continues after their MBA has been completed.

In these business schools, careers advice and support is critical to the full-time student. The student needs to understand fully the level of support that they will get throughout their course as the course budget gets squeezed by the costs of all the other components of the programmes. On the part-time MBA, the employers are skeptical (scared?) of any career advice lest the students walk away after the MBA is completed.

The stages above are just 3 examples of where career advice is useful. Some people are fortunate that they have access to good advice. They may have a parent or parents who take an interest and who are able to encourage their offspring down an appropriate channel. Sometimes there is a teacher or a mentor who has specific experience that is helpful. For most, though, the career issue is not prevalent until it lurches into view at key moments – when one leaves school or university or when when has finished that Masters.

These examples are obvious as they are at “rite of passage” points in our lives or where we may have taken a key decision to invest in our career. What would happen if careers were more central to our learning experiences at these key stages?

The best careers advice is achieved by understanding the capabilities of an individual. In a school context this is often well understood by the teaching community as they are working with the students regularly in an academic, pastoral and ex curricula way. They are also measuring regularly to feedback to students and parents and also to relevant external bodies. The wherewithal to undertake good career advice is there. Most schools are not resourced to provide it.

The main issue seems to be that, as a society, we do not value careers as an important subject. Whether it is in schools or with people in work who are careering (rather than controlling) in their careers, the lack of value pertains. Some people do take proactive action and they broadly fall into 2 camps – they are in pain and distress because they have lost their jobs or they are bored and frustrated and know that they have to move out of what they are doing.

Taking care of your career is a lifelong responsibility. The earlier that we can value that notion and learn how to take care of it, the better it will be for the whole of one’s working life.

Simon North is the founder of Position Ignition – a modern day, very personal careers advisory service for professionals. Simon is a career and transition expert with over 25 years experience in helping individuals with their careers. He uses his unique approach to help individuals with their personal and professional development.

http://www.positionignition.com

Blog: http://www.positionignition.com/blog

Author: Simon North

The economy is rough nowadays, and with mass lay-offs and plenty of discouragement, its a good idea to look for career advice to change your focus to something you can be passionate about. The difference between a job and a career is that the first option is labor oriented and usually does not have much advancement involved, and the second option is passion oriented, allowing you to advance and grow using skills that you have learned through some kind of formal or technical education. If you do not know what direction to go into, seeking an advice is an excellent first step to organizing your goals while helping you head down a path that will encourage and motivate you to succeed.

As you begin your quest for a career, you may not have an idea about what kind you should be pursuing. An easy way to determine what direction to take, and the first bit of advice to edge you forward, is to think about what you have always loved to do with your time. There are activities that you take part in because you enjoy them as hobbies, and activities that you take part in because you could see yourself doing them to make money seriously. Those activities that you could see yourself turning into a career should be your first stepping stone to paving the road to success for yourself.

The second point of advice for is to consider going back to school or taking some kind of training to help enhance your skills. You may not be equipped with the necessary skills and education to begin your future plans right away, and finding a job without the right skills will be nearly impossible. It is best to research what colleges and institutions you can attend that will allow you to get a degree, certification or license in the field that you are interested in. Choose a college or program that you will enjoy going to in a location that makes you excited to be there. This will help to motivate you to continue on with your studies.

The final point of career advice is to learn how to negotiate your salary so that you can live a lifestyle that is enjoyable. Research the high, average and low incomes for your career so that you know what kind of base salary to expect with your experience and skill set. The skills you have obtained my be high end skills that allow you to select a salary that compliments what you have learned. Be confident when you negotiate your salary, but not cocky. It is always better to be humble than to come off as obnoxious or snobby, so keep your attitude in check and enjoy making the money that reflects what you are worth.

Author: Uma A Ilango
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

If you interview a number of really successful people, you will find a common thread to the reason for their success. That common thread is passion.

Successful people are driven by passion for their career. Notice the choice of the word career, not job. These people do not view their profession as a job, but as a career. To most, the connotation of the word job is a where they have to go a set number of hours each day to make just enough money to survive. A job does not evoke passion.

Conversely, successful people feel a real passion for their professions. They awaken each morning with a sense of excitement about the opportunities that await them. There is not the feeling of drudgery that many people feel as they head off to their job each day. They are living their dream.

Passions are those emotions that lift your spirit and make your heart sing. Passions help to define your purpose in life. Understanding and acting upon those things in life which you are passionate about creates a synergy that is contagious. That synergy attracts other successful people and fuels success. Doors of opportunity are opened to those people with the courage to act on their passions.

Few people ever take the time to really explore their passions. It is all too easy to get caught up in the daily routine of just making a living. Pushed aside is the time to do only those things that truly make you feel passionate. The sad fact is, lack of time or money is not the reason most people do not follow their passions. They are afraid to step outside their comfort zone. They are afraid to take a chance on themselves. Regardless of how unfulfilled their life may be, it is easier to maintain the status quo than to risk following their passions.

What would your life be like if you made the choice to only do those things you are passionate about? Would you welcome each day? Would your achievements mean more? Would your life be enriched? Would your soul sing? Take the time to write down what you think you are passionate about. After you have written them down, spend some time examining them. Once you have explored the validity of your passions, be willing to step outside your comfort zone and follow them. Live your dream!

Author: Dan Chambless
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

From time to time, we can all use some good career advice, and new graduates in particular often need some guidance to get them started on the right career path, and to land that all-important first job.

The job market these days is tight, and many Americans are feeling the pinch. New graduates, especially, can feel a bit overwhelmed as they head out into the “real world” looking for that dream job, only to find that there are more closed doors that open these days.

With this in mind, we will present some of the best career advice for both recent graduates and seasoned workers, the goal of which is to help you land a great job.

Tip number 1 — Be your own career coach.

If you’re tired of filling out endless applications and constantly checking the job web sites, one great tip is to look at your situation from the outside. In other words, see yourself as the applicant and be your own career coach. From this outside perspective, give yourself your best advice on how to land a job.

Getting outside yourself in this way will often show you the weak spots in your rsum, credentials or appearance, and provide you with clues on how to accentuate the positive in your situation.

Tip number 2 — Don’t dress for the job you are interviewing for; dress for the job you eventually want to have.

If you are applying for a job in the mailroom of a large corporation, but your actual goal is to be in upper management, don’t show up wearing khakis and a short sleeve shirt. Even after you have secured a job, one of the most important rules of business success is “never dress for the job you have; dress for the job you want.”

This may seem pretentious, or it could even make you feel that you stand out in a way that is uncomfortable, however, the more you stand out, the more likely it is that you will be noticed by higher-ups at the company. Whether we like it or not, the world we live in judges all of us by appearances. Take advantage of this fact by presenting yourself as neatly and professionally as possible, and always — and I mean always — dress above your current position.

Tip number 3 — If you cannot land at your dream job, take a lesser job and turn it into your dream job.

When the job market is really tight, sometimes it may be necessary to take a job that you feel is beneath your qualifications. If this should happen, it is important that you do not get despondent about it, but rather see this job as an important step toward a better career overall.

It is also important to remain flexible, because the career path you outline for yourself at age 20 may not make a whole lot of sense to you at age 26, for example. Some of the best career advice you can get is this — work hard and give your all to any company and any position you find yourself employed in.

Author: Craig Thornburrow
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

According to Merriam-Webster, destiny is defined as a predetermined course of events often held to be an irresistible power or agency. Whether you believe that your destiny is determined by a higher power or not, one thing is certain – we all have special gifts that we have been endowed with since birth. Sometimes these gifts are apparent very early on in our lives and sometimes we are not aware of them until we are much older.

For that reason, a great number of people are working in careers or at jobs that don’t take full advantage of their naturally occurring gifts and abilities. Another thing to consider is that as a human being, you tend to enjoy doing those things that you’re good at. So if you have gifts that enable you to do something well but are not using those skills on a daily basis in your career or job, there is a strong possibility that you may not be totally satisfied with your employment situation.

Acknowledging your destiny begins with acknowledging your personal gifts. By understanding what you are good at-and more importantly what you enjoy-the question of what you should do for a living becomes readily self apparent. All too often we become slaves to our careers as we pursue income to live and forget about our dreams and passions. By confronting yourself and exploring your true feelings about your day-to-day existence, by asking the hard questions of yourself as to what you do and why you do it, and then ultimately acknowledging your destiny, you begin the process of breaking the bond of career slavery and moving your life in a new and positive direction.

Some people believe that we were put here for a purpose. Perhaps that is true, perhaps not. But the fact remains that we are all good at something. Sometimes in the course of our day-to-day existence we neglect to acknowledge of what our gifts really are. Occasionally at work we may see a little glimmer of our true genius and potential. But unless we have positioned our careers to take full advantage of our naturally occurring gifts, it is highly likely that we sense a growing dissatisfaction with our jobs on a daily basis.

One method of acknowledging your destiny is to conduct a simple inventory of your skills and abilities, as well as your likes and dislikes. If you find after conducting this exercise that your job does not tap into and leverage that which you are good at and that which you enjoy, perhaps it is time to chart a new path and find a new.

Author: Scot Poole
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Taking some time off to re-energize the batteries and re-acquaint yourself to your spouse and children after a 2009 layoff may be a good idea. Remember that the situation of unemployment affects everyone in the family, not just you. Children are very sensitive to the changes in the household and it is important to be open and honest with them. The support you gain from them will help you keep focused on your end goals.

Household Review

Now that the dust has settled, the goodbyes have been extended and the ceremonial exchange of e-mail address and cell phone numbers have been completed, it’s time to get down to business.

Family Time

Taking some time off to re-energize the batteries and re-acquaint yourself to your spouse and children may be a good idea. Remember that the situation of unemployment affects everyone in the family, not just you. Children are very sensitive to the changes in the household and it is important to be open and honest with them. The support you gain from them will help you keep focused on your end goals.

Since you are no longer out the door every morning, it may be a chance to take your child to school or see them in sports events that were always held during your normal work day.

Financial

If you are like many people, you have not saved much for a rainy day like today. If you have a month or two of salary in the bank, you are probably better off than most in your position. It is time to survey your personal/family balance sheet to identify your financial position.

Just like your previous company, you now need to list the current monthly expenses to see what can be cut from “The Budget”. If you have not done this exercise in awhile or at all, the data will be much more meaningful now that the income line (steady paycheck) is severed.

Income Streams – Your ability to survive financially will partially depend upon the amount of income you will have access to during the job search process. Accounting for severance, savings and unemployment compensation, knowing the overall amount of money coming in will be paramount to your sustainability.

Of course, if you are married, your spouse’s income may provide much needed financial support and health benefits during this time.

Expenses – No more morning $4.00 lattes and $10.00 lunches at the Deli… Eliminating the waste and trimming the fat is where you will have the most control over your financial position. Listing the monthly bills; mortgage, utilities, food and other essential expenditures will help map out the discretionary spending that may be able to be reduced or totally removed.

Self Evaluation

Now that you have a clear mind, know where you stand financially and have the support of family and friends, it is time to “Go Deep”. Have an open mind, clear thought, take a deep breath and look at yourself from the ground up.

Many find being let go from a job can be a time of reflection, a re-evaluation period to determine if the path you were traveling is still the one you want to continue on. Depending on your situation, you may elect to look at other industries, job descriptions or organizations that may interest you. The skills and talents you posses may be applicable and marketable in other sectors or industries that you may or may not have thought of before.

If you have an interest that has been hobby or side interest, you may elect to expand into that area. It is widely known that if you can earn a living doing what you love, you are truly a successful person. What better way to make a living, whether it be starting a business or landing a job that deals in that interest or area.

Take a look at the pros and cons of your previous role, the responsibilities you had and categorize them into what you enjoyed, and what you tolerated because it was part of the job. Search for the characteristics that define your likes and dislikes and list them out as a way to keep you focused on new opportunities that drive you in the direction you want to move toward.

Obviously, it is a personal decision whether or not the job you had is the type of job you want. Even though many people do not take the opportunity to step out of their comfort zone to toward their dream, but those that do, see their job loss as a launchpad for a new happier life direction they may not have taken if not for the downsizing they experienced.

Surviving alayoff in 2009 is not easy but, in this day and age, you do have a technology and tools to help you get back to work if you stay focused and organized.

Author: Oliver Stewart
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

People born between 1982 and 2000 the so-called Generation Y – represent 28% of the Australian population and worldwide, are the largest generational sector since the post-war baby boomer explosion of 1946-1964. It’s important, therefore, to understand who they are, why they are different and how this will impact the business world as employees.

Generations defined: Veterans 1926 – 1945 Boomers 1946 – 1964 Gen X 1965 – 1981 Gen Y 1982 – 2000

These are approximate dates as some demographers define the above differently. Whatever the period, all agree that Gen Y is different to all the previous generations and these differences will change the way we think about staff, job satisfaction, retention, customers and patients. So ready or not, you are going to face new challenges on how you communicate and do business.

Generational diversity All four generational groups are represented in your business and your patients. Each generation brings its own distinct set of values, view of authority, global outlook, sense of loyalty and work expectations.

The oldest generation grew up to respect authority, law and order, had a strong work ethic, carried with them experiences of economic depression and wartime shortages. They are the generation who keep reminding their children that “in their day” they had none of the luxuries. They grew with a view that nothing came easy; you had to work and importantly save and not squander your money.

The Baby Boomers had no such restraints. Boom times were on, unemployment was low, if you went to university and got a degree you were assured of a good paying job and career future. This group was rebellious, introduced music and fashion that “shocked” their parents, smoked cannabis and discovered promiscuity. It’s as if the end of the war wiped the slate clean and this group was redefining civilisation. What kept most in check was their respect for their parents who kept telling them of the deprivations they experienced in their youth.

Gen X were different again. Most had both parents working thus they became more resourceful, self-reliant and focused more on themselves which made them easy to employ but hard to retain. They were not interested in long term careers and university was not that important in order to get a good job. They made their own decisions. Gen X were creative and not regimented in their thinking and as a result, produced innovation the likes the world had not seen before. From dentistry to space travel; from digital devices to computers. The range of technology products, internet and online shopping were mind boggling.

Now we have GEN Y, who have been technologically-based their entire life. This generation has grown up with a computer, Playstation, iPod and mobile phone. Technologically the most savvy of all generations to date, GEN Ys are refining new frontiers on how we communicate: Text messaging, Email, You Tube, Facebook, MySpace, Podcasts and the list goes on. In fact, to earlier generations, there’s a new language being spoken that they have no clue as to what it means. In 2006, the University of Melbourne conducted a study of first year students. 56% had a laptop, 90% accessed the internet at least once a day, 90% checked their email every day, 96% had a mobile phone and 40% owned a device with wireless internet access.

GEN Y – want the best, demand the best, expect the best, be the best Where GEN X moved in an out of the workforce to accommodate kids and outside interests, GEN Y does not distinguish between work and home. They just want to spend their time in meaningful and useful ways no matter where they are. As children, the GEN Ys have been helped by their parents more than any previous generation.

Parents are involved in decisions regarding schools, subjects and careers. They have given them a strong belief in themselves and their self worth – “you can do anything you want” mentality. They have been raised by active parents. From a young age, they have been told both at home and through the media that they can have it all. This generation has a strong sense of entitlement. They strive for a quality of life only known by the rich and famous, wanting the best and thinking they deserve it. This makes GEN Y driven and ambitious with high expectations.

Having access to a wealth of information available in micro-seconds, more TV channels to choose from than ever before and an unending supply of DVD’s and games produces a notion that if they don’t get what they want from one source they can immediately go to another.

Why? It’s not a coincidence that this generation is called Y. The question they will ask most is “WHY?” They need to know why things are important and how they fit in to the whole scheme. They need to understand how everything works so whether they are staff or patients, help them to understand the context and big picture.

Employing GEN Y – “they want a life” For most employers this can be hard work. It requires constant feedback and encouragement. It requires clear goals and objectives. It requires that you demonstrate a care for the environment and how you are “saving the planet”. Remember as children, they were told that it was not important if they won or lost; they were all winners and could be what ever they wanted and whatever they did was good as long as they gave it their “best shot”. This unrealistic expectation is carried over to the workplace where they face the “real world”. They can’t be the boss after two weeks. Gen Y’s want to start at the top, or at least climb the ladder within six months.

GEN Y’s are into work life balance. Friendship is such a strong motivator for them that they will choose a job just to be with their friends. A GEN Y researcher said “they don’t want to sacrifice everything for a job – they want a life. They’ve seen the toll workaholics have had on their home life and are unimpressed”. These demands are forcing employers to re-think their hiring and retention practices. GEN Y are not against hard work by any means. This is not a lazy generation, just one that expects immediate gratification due to a childhood of receiving it. GEN Y employees want to do the work better and faster than their co-workers and being competitive with themselves and others is in their nature.

On the move Don’t expect GEN Ys to stay in the job forever. If you get two years you’ll be doing well. They are a generation on the move and with low unemployment they have always experienced job opportunities.

They are flexible and open minded to career change. Job security does not rank high. What ranks higher is opportunity. So to keep them, you have got to challenge them – new projects, new assignments, new skills and so on. This is a generation that likes to learn and is respectful of information passed on by older people.

Coaching has become the new management buzz word. Mentoring works better than telling. Do not expect blind acceptance. GEN Y will challenge your decision or instructions and “do it my way cause I’m the boss” will have them out the door faster than a Google search result.

Characteristics of Generation Y Employees – The Pros 1. Adaptability: Gen Y is used to adapting and being comfortable in various situations. 2. Technologically savvy: Growing up in the age of technology and taking advantage of it. 3. Ability to grasp new concepts: This is a learning-oriented generation. 4. Efficient multi-taskers: They will do it faster and better than their competition. 5. Tolerant: Generation Y will make the increasingly diverse workforce feel at home and comfortable.

Characteristics of Generation Y Employees – The Cons 1. Impatient: Raised in a world dominated by technology and instant gratification. 2. Sceptical: In recent years there has been more scamming, cheating, lying and exploiting than ever from the major figures in the media. This includes everyone from rock stars to the president. 3. Blunt and expressive: Self expression is favoured over self control. Making their point is most important. 4. They are image-driven: Making personal statements with their image is very important. 5. They are still young: Although they have a “seen it all, done it all” air about them, lack of life experience means that they do not know everything yet. They are aware of this and are not afraid to ask questions. For this generation, it is better and more time-saving to ask questions, than to waste time trying to figure it out.

Author: Len Eagles
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Programmable Multi-cooker

Unless you’re just about to begin your career, you’re almost certainly familiar with a “job description” which consists of one or more pages listing your job title and a dozen or more of your responsibilities.

Job descriptions exist because employees are very expensive, so smart hiring decisions and human resources policies are pivotal factors in companies being profitable rather than bankrupt.

This means that few managers will be able to secure approval to hire an employee without ample justification. It isn’t enough to say “I really need another person in my department”. Instead, any manager looking to hire additional staff has to spell out exactly why he has a specific need for that person.

That’s why job descriptions tend to be lengthy: a job description with only three or four responsibilities won’t demonstrate nearly as much “need” as one with 15 or 20 responsibilities. That leads to padding, of course, since the executives at the top will say “yes” only to those managers who seem to have the greatest need for new staff.

So the first three or four listed responsibilities will be the main ones. But the next 10 or 15 will be mostly “filler” items designed to sound impressive and important while remaining short on specifics.

And the last responsibility will be a catch-all: “Any other duties assigned by management”. (That way, you won’t be able to point to your job description to get out of certain tasks you don’t want to do, or else seek a promotion and a raise as a reward for the “new responsibilities” that your manager eventually tries to add to your workload.)

But what’s more interesting about job descriptions is what isn’t in them. Regardless of what you actually do, there are several important (but unstated) responsibilities that make the difference between just getting by and getting promoted.

No matter what your job, your #1 responsibility is to “Make your boss’s job easier”.

That same dynamic holds true all the way up the corporate ladder. Your boss’s #1 job is to make his or her boss’s job easier. And so on all the way to the top. That seems simple enough, but most employees don’t actually practice this when they’re at the workplace. So let’s look more closely at how to make this concept work for you.

When your boss gives you work to do, that’s called “delegating”. It makes your boss’s job easier since it takes work off his (or her) desk by moving it to your desk instead.

But most employees sabotage their chances for upward progression by sending work in the opposite direction right back to their boss. That’s called “delegating up”.

Have you ever encountered a problem in the workplace with a client or a supplier and asked your boss “How should I handle this?” If so, that’s delegating up because you’re giving the problem to your boss to solve.

Should you solve it on your own? If a minor problem, yes.

But if it’s a major problem or if it has the potential to escalate into a major problem, then your boss will want to be aware of what’s going on and perhaps also make the final decision.

There’s a more efficient way of handling problems, though. Do the thinking for your boss and come up with what you believe to be the best solution. Then sit down with your boss, give a brief summary of the problem – and your proposed solution – and then ask your boss whether he or she would prefer a different solution.

Nine times out of ten, your solution will be a good one and your boss will tell you to proceed accordingly. And the tenth time, your boss will instruct you to handle it in a different manner and give you an alternative solution.

This means that over time, this problem-solving approach will reduce your upward delegation by 90% while still keeping your boss in the loop in your area of the company. And that’s something that your boss will notice – and appreciate – no matter what your job.

A happy boss who knows you can solve problems and communicate solutions well is a boss who will be looking to promote you so you can make his or her job even easier. After all, the more authority you have, the more upward delegation you can slash by 90%. That means good things will happen for you and your career if you keep up the good work.

By the way, your rsum or CV can benefit from the same principle. When marketing yourself to prospective employers, does your rsum or CV demonstrate how you’ve made your boss’ life easier? Your clients’ lives? Your customers’ lives?

Demonstrating that you provide real and tangible benefits is one of the major keys to a great rsum or CV. In fact, you could say that it’s your rsum’s or CV’s #1 responsibility to explain how you can “Make your next boss’s job easier”!

Author: Nick Thomas
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: TEXT Creatives / Special Forces Extreme Beam Flashlight

Why Career Advice Is So Important

Choosing a career presents a nerve-racking decision, as it can have a life-long impact on you. Do not fret, as you can gain a clearer outlook into your future by thorough career planning.

Having a clear vision of the future can guide you by helping you set career goals and helping you on your way towards attaining them. Whether you are starting out on a new career or looking to change your current career, you will benefit enormously from taking sound advice.

Don’t Spend Most of Your Life Doing …

Chances are that you will be spending a great deal of time at your job, about 40 hours a week. Career advice and career profiling can guide you to a job that is enjoyable for you and matches your interests.

There are many reasons people change their careers and career advice can help them along the way. Some frequently cited reasons are:

Stuck in a dead end job.

Lost interest in current line of work.

Gained a new interest in a different career option.

A Job For Life … Not Anymore

In today’s world, there is increased job rotation … also with the down turns in the economy, many people can be laid-off.
Good career advice for unemployed persons would be to consider a career change. Some of the fastest growing occupations are Medical Assistant, Network Systems Analyst, Physician Assistant, etc. Occupations that are struggling to gain workers can be a suitable option for currently unemployed individuals.

People often back off from changing careers if they are unsure of the effort it might take to start a new career and learn a new trade. If you are one of these people, career advice from professionals can help you make a knowledgeable decision.

How To Identify Your Career Choices

When choosing a new career field, career advice and career planning can help you figure out your career choices. When embarking on a new career, you need to take into account your previous education and work experience.

You should start thinking about the skills you currently possess and how they can be beneficial in each of the new career options available to you.

Have You Considered a Career Test?

Valuable career advice can come from career tests as they can help in identifying suitable job options. Career tests include tests such as personality profiling, leadership skills, motivation, management style, etc.

The results of such tests can give you the career advice that can direct you to a suitable career, by matching your interests with career options.

Many career tests are offered online. They may be free or available for a small fee. Many experts provide the career advice to employment seekers to take some time to plan their career and set their goals. Knowing your career goals can provide you with valuable guidance.

Remember that career planning and goal setting is an on-going process, changing as you continue on your career.

The web can be a great source to find valuable career advice. It can provide you with many resources to research new career choices and find out information on a particular career field such as average salary, work environment, job responsibilities, etc.

Use Resumes That Give You an Advantage

Whether you are starting a career, changing careers or looking for a different job in your present career, the best career advice is to have a great, eye-catching resume.

You may be thinking about using your old resume, maybe the one you made after graduating from college. However, you will have to make changes to that resume to make it relevant to your present situation.

Upgrade your resume with the additional skills and experiences you have acquired. People going through a career change, need to present the skills they have acquired through the years in a way that makes it relevant to the new career jobs for which they are applying.

You may not have all the standard education for that career, so you need to convince potential employers that your previous education and work experience have given you the skills that make you a suitable candidate to transition into that job.

Career planning involves gaining information that can ease your transition to a new career. This information can help get you out of your current dreary jobs and into a dynamic and interesting career.

Act Now… and Take Control of Your Career

It’s never too late to think of making a career change… seek professional career advice and give yourself the best chance of achieving your career goals.

Author: Roger Clark
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

By Mary Gormandy White

Worst job interview questions listed here are asked many times by novice HR Managers. Read it all to see if you have ever been asked one of these questions. Good interview question are important as they help employers evaluate the the technical qualifications, people skills, problem solving approach, and team playing abilities of potential employees. Worst interview questions do none of these. Instead, they confuse, irritate and sometimes even offend the applicant. This Top 10 worst job interview questions list contain all the questions that fit one or more of the following criteria:

1. Illegal – Ask about certain topics which an employee has no right to question about. The one being interviewed can even sue the person. Employers and Recruiters are Warned to stay clear of such questions.
2. Useless – These Questions test trivial knowledge that has no relevancy and most often be asked in situations where the interviewer is trying to impress his colleagues present.
3. Copycat – These kind of questions are often downloaded from web and the interviewer often have them in printed form in front of them. this is just too lame. Everyone knows answer to those. They have been asked over a million times.

Enough rambling, here are Recruiter’s Blogs Top 10 worst job interview questions.It is very important to point out that if you are asked one of these questions or somewhat like this.Please note that being asked any of these questions. You should take a step back and re-consider for a while. Can you really trust your livelihood and sanity with this organization? What follows is the list.

Question 1: Where do you see yourself in five years?

Question 2: What is your biggest weakness?

Question 3: Do you ever abuse alcohol or drugs?

Question 4: What is the airspeed of an Jet Flying MACH2?

Question 5: How do you define sexual harassment?

Question 6: If you were a ‘Lost’ character, which one would you be?

Question 7: Can you work under pressure?

Question 8: Why did you take the pen from me?

Question 9: Have you ever brought a lawsuit against an employer?

Question 10: What interests you about our company?