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What to Look For In Career Technology Education

By leidson on Friday, January 24, 2014

Whether you’re considering expanding your education for the first time or wanting to learn a new trade, your local career technology school could be just what you’re looking for. A career technology education often provides quality training for less time and money than more formal university programs. And, with Harvard University’s 2011 “Pathways to Prosperity” report showing that more than 25% of those holding post-secondary licenses or certificates from a career technology education earn more than the average bachelor’s degree recipient, getting a career technology education is a great way to further your career and increase your earning potential.

If you do decide to attend a career technology education, you still need to do a little research to make sure you’re choosing the best one for your needs. Here are four things to keep at the top of your checklist as you make your decision.

The Program You Want
Not all career technology education’s offer the same programs and certifications, so start out by finding the ones that offer what you’re looking for. If you aren’t quite sure what type of career you’re interested in, career technology schools are also great places to try different fields of work until you find one that fits. According to the New York Times, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that “of the 30 jobs projected to grow at the fastest rate over the next decade in the United States, only seven typically require a bachelor’s degree.” So you might take job security, projected growth, and earning potential into consideration as you decide on a program.

A Price You Can Afford
One of the best aspects of a career technology education is its affordability. “Because trade and technical schools are often directly tied into the employment needs of their region or state, prospective students can find low cost or free programs,” Mary Docken, director of market development at Hobsons, an education solutions firm, told Fox Business News. It is important to compare all the career technology schools within driving distance to see if one is cheaper than the others or if one has better scholarships or financial aid options.

Quality Teachers
Once you decide on your area of study, take a look at the various career technology teachers. What type of training do they have? Have they worked in the real world? What’s their reputation among their students? Often times, the instructors are more down to earth and approachable than university professors. “Instructors are usually well seasoned professionals with direct experience in the field, which is often not the case in the traditional college setting,” Erin Davis, director at McGraw-Hill Higher Education, said in a Fox Business News article.

A Good Reputation
Attending a career technology school that has a good reputation with local professionals and employers is critical if you want to maximize your chances of quickly landing a job after completing your training. So try to talk with some potential employers and find out what schools and programs they prefer to hire from. When a career technology school has a good enough reputation, some employers will even hire students before they graduate.

Just because career technology schools don’t receive all the hype that universities often do doesn’t mean they aren’t a great, viable option for you. Many of the jobs you can receive training for from a career technology school will provide stable, well-paying careers. And, even if you were already proficient in your field of work, sometimes getting that formal certification is what it takes to make you stand out from other job seekers.

Did you attend a career technology school and now have a great job? Do you think career technology schools can prepare you for a career just as well as universities? Let us know in the comments sections below.

At Work Career Advancement Career Options New Job Tips The Daily Grind The Job Search Uncategorized Work/Life Balance Workplace Relationships

Achieving Your Goals in 2014

By leidson on Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Now that 2014 is in full swing, it’s time to take a good look at your goals for the year. What are you doing to reach your goals this year? Are you working hard and setting a good pace to accomplish your goals and new year’s resolutions or have you already gotten off track? No matter what the case may be, you can still achieve the goals you’ve set to better yourself this year.

Goal setting is needed to succeed in everyday life especially if you’re searching for a job or working to advance your career. Without goals, you’re letting life push you around. It’s never too late to set goals and make positive changes in your life. Here are some tips and easy steps to follow to accomplish your goals in 2014.

Write Them Down
The secret to achieving your goals starts with writing them down. When you have to make decisions being able to see your goals will help you stay focused on what is most important. Make sure to write down your goals and post them around your house and workplace to help keep you focused. Regularly seeing the goals you’ve written will help motivate you to take action and help you become more successful. Try writing your short-term milestones on a poster board or dry erase board, so you can see them every day and check off each goal as you accomplish it.

Take Action
You could write down goals all day long, but until you take action, they amount to nothing; and you could possibly be right back where you are a year from now, still wishing you’d made a difference in your income, found a better job, or changed your eating habits. Writing down your goals is only the beginning. Next, you have to make a move! Be intentional by pursuing your goals daily and taking action to accomplish them.

Stay Positive
Forget the negative and dwell on the positive. Sometimes, you may feel like giving up, but you’ll eventually overcome if you stay positive and keep your eyes on the prize! Just remember every meaningful endeavor, dream, or goal will encounter resistance. Overcome the obstacles by focusing on the positive.

Celebrate Your Accomplishments
When you’re experiencing success, it’s easy to celebrate. But if you’re not seeing results, it’s difficult to see the silver lining. Think about how far you’ve come and what you still need to do to accomplish your goals. Remember to look at the goals you’ve written down. Think of those goals as mile markers on a highway. Don’t turn around if you make a mistake. Keep moving forward and take time to celebrate your accomplishments!

What steps are you taking to accomplish your goals? Share with us in the comments section below.

The Daily Grind Uncategorized Work/Life Balance

5 Things to Know This Month

By leidson on Wednesday, January 8, 2014

With each year comes new opportunities for improvement in your life, and what better time to make much needed changes than at the beginning of a new year. We all know making lifestyle changes can be difficult, but if you take one step at a time you’ll be on the road to a happier, better you in 2014. Check out these five things to know this month.

National Mentoring Month
Did you know January is National Mentoring month? There are many ways to make a difference through mentorship in your community. Spending time developing relationships with people can make a lasting impact in their life and yours. Check out Mentoring.org for opportunities to help make a difference and for information on how to start a mentoring program in your community. If you’re looking to be mentored, here are a few tips on how to pick the right mentor.

MLK Day – Jan. 20
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is celebrated on the third Monday in January. MLK Day was officially signed into law as a national holiday in 1983 by President Ronald Reagan, but was not observed by all 50 states until 2000. This day is all about honoring the achievements and life of pastor and civil rights leader, Martin Luther King, Jr. Let this day remind you of your achievements, and motivate you to see your dreams realized.

National Letter Writing Week
Traditionally, the second week of January is designated as National Letter Writing Week. During this week, take time away from your keyboard to write a handwritten letter to someone. Cards, letters, and notes are precious to those who receive them. If you can’t think of a way to start a letter begin by saying, “In honor of National Letter Writing Week, I wanted to write you.”

National Blood Donor Month
Blood donation is very low this time of year yet incredibly important during winter. Help change a life by giving blood during National Blood Donor month. You’ll feel good knowing that your donation helped save a life.

National Hobby Month
Whether or not you’re a creative person, you can find some way to celebrate National Hobby month. This month is a great time to expand your horizons. Ask yourself what you enjoy doing and what those interests mean to you. Taking up a new hobby is a good way to reenergize, inspire, and expand your mind. And, it could help you make some extra money or land a job.

January is full of holidays and reasons to celebrate, so there is plenty to experience and do during this beautiful winter month. What do you like to do in January? Let us know in the comments section below!

Career Advancement New Job Tips The Daily Grind The Job Search Uncategorized

5 Resume Resolutions to Keep in 2014

By leidson on Friday, January 3, 2014

2014 is here, and for many people, with a new year comes new resolutions. To achieve the goals you’ve set, make sure you have a clear plan for success. Start with small changes that can make a difference in the long run.
If one of your goals is to get a new job, explore a different career path, or get a promotion, this information is for you. Here are five resume resolutions to keep this year.

1. Stay Up-To-Date
It’s important to keep your resume updated. Adding your current experience is much easier to do when you’re in a specific position than when you’re looking back and trying to remember. Also, you may forget important information if you don’t update your resume on a regular basis. If you’ve recently completed your annual review, consider moving some of your high points into achievements on your resume.

2. Keep It customized
Since every company and job you’re applying for may be different, you need to tailor your resume for each specific job. For example, if you’re applying for an administrative job you’ll need to have a resume targeted toward that position.

3. Have Relevant References
Make sure contact information for the people you have listed as your references is still accurate and up-to-date. When you look for references, be sure to select people who can speak to some aspect of your work abilities, character, leadership, work ethic, or knowledge.

4. Easy To Read
If your resume is too “wordy” or not focused on the specific job you’re applying for, the person reading it may not think you’re qualified and may toss it out. Great resumes are easy to read and worded to target specific opportunities. Sharing numbers is another way to make your resume easy to read. For example, share how many words per minute you can type. By putting numbers in your resume the interviewer can define your capabilities easier.

5. Always Proof Your Resume
After you’ve made changes to your resume, you should always check for grammar and spelling mistakes. Typos and other slip-ups are small mistakes that are very costly. After you’ve worked on your resume for a while it’s easy to miss little mess ups, so take a break and come back to it with a fresh set of eyes. You may be able to catch something you missed the first time.

What are some resolutions you’ve made this year to help further your job search? Share with us in the comments section below.

And what are the odds of you keeping those resolutions? Share with us in our poll.

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Poll: What are the odds of you keeping your new year’s resolution?

By leidson on Monday, December 30, 2013

According to Forbes, only 8% of people actually achieve their new year’s resolutions. So, don’t feel so bad about your 2013 resolutions that you didn’t achieve. 2014 is a new year and another chance to make those needed changes in your life. But don’t overextend your resolutions or you’ll end up right back where you are a year from now.
Your attitude can help or hurt you as you make your list of resolutions for 2014. So remember to stay positive. You’re more likely to achieve your resolutions that way!

What are the odds of you keeping your new year’s resolution?

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Maximize Your Seasonal Job

By leidson on Friday, December 27, 2013

Have you ever wondered if your seasonal job could potentially lead to a full-time opportunity? If you take the right steps, there’s a great chance that it can. Throughout the holidays, managers pay close attention to holiday help. They look to see which temporary employees have the characteristics and skills of full-time and long-term employees. Many seasonal employees may plan to work for only a few weeks, but some people desire to keep their position long after Christmas. If you’re interested in staying on full-time or working at the same place again next year, here are a few ideas to keep in mind as your seasonal work wraps up.

Impress the Boss
If you desire to keep your seasonal job, it’s important to show your boss you mean business. In some sense, a seasonal job is like an extended interview. So if you want to become a full-time employee and work more than just during the holiday season, impress your boss with your actions and work ethic. It’s also okay to let your manager know about your wish to work full-time. Let them know how much you’re enjoying yourself. Managers like to know their employees are excited about coming to work every day. Tell your boss you would be able to help during other peak times and ask when they expect that to be so you can follow up.

Be Personable
Attitude matters. Employers appreciate employees who get along with customers and co-workers. Customer service is an important quality to have. With the high traffic and busyness of the holidays, people can be rude and lack manners, especially when they’re shopping through crowds and looking for last-minute gifts. To handle not-to-so nice people, it’s necessary for businesses to have employees who show great customer service and holiday cheer.

Stay Positive
Keep in mind, your manager may not be able to hire you full-time at the end of the season, but he or she will likely be willing to write a letter of recommendation, which can help you find employment at another company.Get the most out of your experience. Update your resume with your recent assignment; connect with your new contacts on LinkedIn. Let your manager know if you are looking for full-time work and if they can keep you in mind if they hear of anything. Follow up in a few months with an update on your current employment status.

Do you have tips on how to keep a holiday job? Share with us in the comments section below.

At Work Career Advancement Job Interviews New Job Tips The Job Search Uncategorized Work/Life Balance Workplace Relationships

Ted Talk– Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are

By leidson on Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Have you ever heard the saying “actions speak louder than words?” Amy Cuddy, a social scientist and associate professor in the Negotiation, Organizations, and Markets unit at Harvard Business School, firmly believes that saying to be true. Cuddy‘s research on non-verbal body language reveals that we have the ability to change other people’s perceptions and our own body chemistry simply by changing our body positions.

In fact Amy has pinned the saying, “Our bodies change our minds, our minds can change our behavior, and our behavior can change our outcomes.” Changing your body language can take time, but it is worth it. Amy believes as your posture and body language improves, your thoughts will soon change for the better as well. Our body language affects how others see us, but it can also change how we see ourselves.

Amy is well known for coining the term “power posing,” which means standing in a posture of confidence, even when you don’t feel very confident. This stance can affect testosterone and cortisol levels in the brain and can potentially have an impact on your chances for success.

“Don’t fake it till you make it. Fake it till you become it,” is a motto Amy lives by and it’s great advice for job seekers to live by as well. Whether you’re searching for a job or preparing for an interview, your body language can make or break you.

What are some mottos you live by? Share with us in the comments section below.