Business & Finance News

Archive for February, 2010

Career development is an avenue that a person must adhere to in order to prepare for, sustain and to advance in the careers they have chosen.

Before now, many big name companies had conferences that centered on the topic of career development for their employees. It was good for 2 reasons; it helped its employees gain the needed skills important to enhancing their future goals in their career.

Many companies will still educate their employees, however nowadays it is important for the individual to assume this responsibility by taking control of their own education and progress through career development. The more the person prepares himself the more chances he will have at advancement.

One of the most important things that a person can do is to examine the career development goals and the skills they possess. They should know what they are going to be, if they are good at organizing others, and can they work in one to one situations with their clients. Companies are interested in the skills their new employees will bring to the table.

The next aspect of career development is the decisions you will make about what career is best for you presently. An example would be, Joe wants to be a graphic artist, he knows he will need schooling and talent in the graphic arts, and maybe even some mathematics in his bag of tricks.

Once he knows what skills he can market in his career choice, then he can fully realize what areas will need tweaking if he is to move up in his career. In career development education is a key factor.

While deciding on classes to take to enhance your career it is a good idea to choose a few career development classes as well. You can do this at anytime during your career development process. These classes teach important skills such as writing the perfect resume, and may also recommend seminars or conferences that will further your career objectives.

Continuing Education is an important part of change; it makes you more prepared for the new avenues your company may want to explore.

There are many career development studies and surveys which watch for the stress levels of the employee. Companies want to have an idea of how well you will cope with stressful situations, whether or not you can get others to do their job effectively, are you a social or solitary person, Is he the type of person to explain problems to his employer, or hold it bottled inside, or to take it out on others.

There are many other things to consider, but here is a few to get you on the right track to your perfect career.

 

For college students, gaining work experience with a part time job while in school is a smart idea. When you graduate and begin your job search, your work experience will make you stand out from other job applicants.

A part time job is the most practical type of job for young people. Part time jobs can be found in a variety of ways. You can look for jobs online. Try looking for good part-time jobs in classified ads is also a smart choice. Or you can simply get out and  pound the pavement in your neighborhood.

You Do Need a Good Resume for a Part-Time Job

Create a resume for your part time job search. Even if you don’t have previous work experience, you can include your academic achievements. Highlight your strengths and think of any experience you have that will make you stand out.

Dress for a Full-Time Job even You are Applying for Part-Time Job

When you apply for a job, make sure you dress appropriately. This will show you are sincere and will make a good employee. Your fingernails and hair should be well groomed. Business casual is an acceptable way to dress for an interview for most part time jobs. For example, khaki pants and a polo shirt for men or a skirt and polo shirt for women are good outfits for an interview. Stick with a pair of conservative shoes. If you’re in the habit of wearing lots of jewelry, pare it down to the minimum.

Don’t Forget to Make a Follow-up Call after a Part-Time Job Interview

After your interview, it’s acceptable to call the employer to find out if you got the job. Every time you go on an interview, strive to make a connection.

Don’t be over confident during your interview for a part time job, and don’t take it personally if you don’t get the job. There’s a lot of competition out there, especially for part time jobs in college towns. If you don’t get one job, just move on and look for another.

 

A personal career development plan enables you to keep track of progress in your own career. It is a reliable way to analyze your motivations, aspirations, and achievements. Several career-oriented individuals create a career development plan not just to accomplish certain goals, such as a promotion or raise in the job, but also for further career advancement. Hence, it should be given much focus.

Essentials In Career Development Plan

Creating your career development plan must be done continuously, instead of focusing on specific work objectives. That way, you can easily keep track of whatever improvements you have or where there is need for one. It is not just confined to career-related documents but may also include materials that you have collected over time that reflect your motivation and aspirations when it comes to your career.

Below are few things you can do to back up your career development plan:

Update your resume. – Your resume is a crucial reflection of your career path. Therefore, if you have new or existing skills, achievements in previous employment, or personal achievements, make sure to include it in your CV.

List all your job descriptions. – This is essential to your career planning. By evaluating and analyzing your performance from previous jobs, you will be able to detect whether there are improvements or recognize which areas you need improve on. If you can, gather evidence of any achievements you have for they might come handy during job interviews.

Gather job advertisements. – This tip is helpful even to those employed individuals. This will enable you to identify whether there are any other existing jobs that are more suitable for your qualifications and that offer self-fulfillment.

Create A Personal Vision

Some people constantly change careers not because of compensation or competition, but more often because they are not personally satisfied with their careers. Therefore, when devising your own career plan, you have to create your own personal vision.

Your career plan or objectives can be either long or short term. Hence, before you move on with your career planning, you have to determine yours first. There are a lot to consider when planning your career path, however personal considerations should be on top of the list.

What are the personal barriers that impede your progress? Are you doing this for personal satisfaction and achievement, or is this what my family desires for me? As long as you have considered factors that not only involve the people around you but also yourself, then you can remain motivated in achieving the goals you have set for yourself.

Personal Career Planning Steps

1.If you are contemplating on multiple careers, try narrowing them down so you can focus on the career most suitable for you.

2.Research about your prospect career. When you have more information and knowledge about your chosen career, you will also recognize the skills needed in order to succeed in that career.

3.If you are looking to make a transition from one career to another, identify the necessary qualifications.

4.Once you have determined the qualifications needed for your new career, compare it with your current career profile. Evaluate what skills or knowledge you need to acquire in order to match the job search. If it requires a lot of work, then you might need to reconsider whether changing careers should be an option. If you are close to the qualification, then you can move on.

For long-term career planning, you need to be more precise and specific with your guidelines. After all, you will have to be the one dealing with the consequence of your choices. When creating your personal development plan, you must consider not only career opportunities in the market but also your own skills and abilities.

In difficult economic times, a college student’s parsimonious lifestyle can teach us how to cut back.

I was extremely careful with my money in college. I knew how much I could spend, how long the money had to last, and where my best investments were. This vigilance didn’t stem from an innate conservative disposition—like most students I would have blown every last penny within hours had I more money coming in—but rather from simple necessity. I was in school. I had expenses. But I could only work part time, and the money was not good. I was poor.

Even now, nearly 10 years on, I am still paying back my student loans. Except for a couple of rare instances, the knowledge that I have to watch my budget never left. Sure, I have a decent job that supports me. I am able to pay my bills. My student loans are difficult, but I try not to complain. I cannot save any money. I cannot travel. I cannot eat out every night. But I am staying afloat.

I suspect many people relate to my situation. The media covers this topic relentlessly. Every day I read articles about people losing their homes, jobs and savings. It’s depressing. But it’s prevalent. Only a select few remain unscathed by our struggling economy. For the rest of us, it’s time to buck up. Our country’s over-spending and over-indulgence has pushed us into a recession. The time has come to adopt a conservative mentality. Remember college. Remember planning a tight budget. Now use what you learned. It’s one of the most valuable skills you have.

Students today are worse off. They face a higher cost of living, fewer jobs, scant loan opportunities and heavier course loads. And when they do get out of college, the debt they inherit will far exceed the debt I faced only 10 years ago.

The Poughkeepsie Journal published an article about the situation. Here’s a sample:

A flagging economy, tight credit and rising tuition are teaching college students some hard lessons these days. And their reward for surviving until graduation? A lean job market and plenty of debt.

“We are in a daunting time – not only because of the financial crisis and the credit crunch, but also because state budgets are being pinched as well,” said Kim Anderson of Got Tuition?, a nonprofit group that advocates for college affordability. “One of the first places that gets cut when there’s a downturn is support for higher education.”

Tuition and fees for in-state students attending a public or private school rose slightly more than the 5.6 percent inflation rate this year, according to a new report from the College Board, which tracks higher-education expenses.

For in-state students at a four-year public university, those expenses will average $6,585 this academic year, according to the College Board. For out-of-state students, the average will be $17,452. The average bill for private colleges will total $25,143.

No denial can penetrate these facts. The forecast is grim. But from our struggles we grow. We find creative alternatives, spend our money wisely, and plan for the future.

Every city is the United States is facing these challenges. Some cities, like Atlanta, have a large number of colleges and universities. A large student body requires a large pool of apartments and real estate opportunities. Fortunately, there are numerous services and organizations in Atlanta. Apartment Finder is a good choice. They have listings for apartments all across the Atlanta metro area, as well as colleges, like Georgia Tech apartments.

For today’s students, it is important to have a stable, comfortable apartment in which to study, relax and entertain. College is tough. The economy is tougher. But if people use the monetary pluck of a college student, we might just get through this thing in one piece.