Tag Archives: careers

Celebrate International Update Your References Week

International Update Your References WeekThe first full week in May is International Update Your References Week. Now is a great time to make sure your contacts maximize your candidacy and their information is current. It’s also a great time to touch base with any references you haven’t talked to in a while.

References are important because outside opinions can provide a positive testimony to your skills, ability, and commitment. To help build, update, or fine-tune your reference list, here are some Movin’ On Up articles that can help.

Top 10 Go-To People For Good Job References
Getting a Good Job Reference After You’ve Been Laid Off
5 Steps to a Brilliant Reference List
3 Tips on How to Ask Someone to Be a Reference
What Makes a Good Reference a Great Reference?
What to Do With Your Job References After you Get the Job

Do you have any questions about your reference list? Let us know in the comments section below and your question could be featured on our blog.

What Are the Best and Worst Jobs of 2013? New Survey Shows Surprising Results

Best and Worst Jobs 2013I remember sitting in journalism school listening to countless professors, guest speakers, and journalists telling me that I’d better love the news, because I’ll be miserable working there. While my concentration wasn’t in news or media, I never understood why working for a newspaper would be that bad. I interned at a magazine and it was rather rewarding.

A new survey by career development website CareerCast has proved me wrong by labeling “newspaper reporter” as the absolute worst job of 2013. If newspaper reporting is the worst kind of job, what’s the best kind of job this year? According to the survey, an actuary, – a professional who assesses financial systems to calculate the impact of risk and uncertainty, is the best job around.

Apparently, writers are out and mathematicians are in for the job market of 2013. Do you agree that the need for workers with math and statistics is on the rise while writers are a dime a dozen? Read the rest of the survey here and let us know in the comments below.

Best and Worst Jobs of 2013

Did College Prepare You For The Workplace? Take Our Poll!

Job Seeking and Career Advice PollLast year, Woods Bagot – a global architecture and consulting studio released a survey asking whether or not recent college graduates are ready for today’s workplace. Of the more than 500 C-suite executives surveyed, 70% believe fewer than half of the graduates entering their companies have the skills to succeed in entry-level positions.

What do you think? Did college prepare you for a successful career? Do you think completely achieving any higher education or a training program gives you the necessary skills in the modern workplace? Let us know in our survey below.

2013 is Expected to Be a Year of Job Changes. Will You Join?

Look For a New JobInc. Magazine recently reported that 86% of employees plan to look for a new job in 2013. The article also depicts a workforce that has become dissatisfied and disgruntled because of how they’ve been treated during the recession.

For the past few years, employees have been sticking to jobs they didn’t enjoy in fear of the sluggish economy. But, 2012 showed promising growth, and 2013 is being viewed as optimistic for new job opportunities that fit with workers’ needs. The growing millennial generation is also seeking different benefits and perks to their jobs that older generations haven’t requested before.

For those looking for a job or interested in switching careers, 2013 may become an interesting year. What do you think? Sound off in the comments section below if you agree or disagree with the article.

http://www.inc.com/magazine/201212/matthew-wong-what-makes-employees-unhappy.html

Do You Believe in Job Security? Take Our Poll!

Job Seeking and Career Advice PollThe average worker today stays at a job for 4.4 years, according to The Bureau of Labor Statistics. With younger generations averaging even shorter employment periods, it can make the phrase “Every job is temporary,” seem like a fact.

While the economy is improving and more employees are planning to look for a new job in 2013, we wondered if today’s job seekers and new professionals believe that job security even exists. Let your voice be heard in our poll below.

Give Your Career a Boost With These Certifications

career boosting certificationsWhile you should always try to have specific examples of how you’ve been able to demonstrate and utilize your skills, sometimes it takes a certificate or recommendation from a credible organization to get the attention of a decision maker or hiring manager.

There are several industries and jobs that may not require a college degree, but do need a form of accreditation or certification. There are also certifications that, while not mandatory, can greatly improve your chances of getting a job, promotion, raise, or new responsibilities. Here are some in-demand certificate programs to consider that can help open doors in your career or job search.

Foreign Languages
If you work in a retail or customer service environment, having the ability to speak more than one language can make you a valuable asset to current or potential employers. It can be difficult to prove on your own, so having a certification in a language can be a significant boost. Contact your local community college, university, or distance learning center for relatively inexpensive programs in foreign languages that may result in a certificate, but not a degree.

Computer Support
Many large companies have their own IT department or specialists, but software is always changing and it can be beneficial for you to keep up with those trends through training like Microsoft’s learning and certification programs. IT workers could benefit from these programs.

Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
A great alternative to spending several years and lots of money getting a college degree in the medical industry, consider looking into a critical clinical medical assistant (CCMA) program that is offered by technical or vocational schools. A CCMA offers training in clinical and laboratory procedures, and administrative training that could help give you a boost in the medical industry.

Project Management Certification
If you have much experience in project management, earning a project management professional certification (PMP) is almost required. But if you are looking to move into management, earning a PMP from organizations like the Project Management Institute can not only get you ready, but also demonstrate to your manager that you are working toward management.

Sales! Sales! Sales!
It’s difficult to find college degrees specializing in sales, but there are several worthwhile certifications that can help you prepare and grow as a salesman. Since there are different fields and industries in sales, talk to a mentor or network with sales professionals to find out which industry-specific certification program you should consider if you’re new to the field, the National Association of Sales Professionals offers a general certification that can give you a starting point.

You don’t have to rely on yourself to gain extra knowledge and experience to stay on top of your industry and boost your career. There are several options that are cheaper and less time consuming than earning college degrees. What are some accreditations or certifications you have earned that helped your career?

Are You Networking Hard or Hardly Netting Work?

NetowrkingHave you ever heard, “It’s all about who you know?” It’s especially true when it comes to job seeking. Many open positions aren’t posted on job boards or classified ads, but are sent throughout the organization to see if anyone knows of a qualified candidate through their network.

According to The Wall Street Journal, 94% of successful job hunters claimed that networking had made all the difference for them.

While it’s still important to have an effective resume, transferable skills, and strong interview experience, you shouldn’t ignore the great value networking can have on your job search. Check out this animated clip that illustrates the value of building a web of relationships for your job search.