Your Career In 2008…Get A Fresh Start

Have you thought about your career goals for 2007? What worked to years ago in planning and managing your career will not work for your career development in the 21st Century. Managing your career in the 21st Century requires preparation, career goal planning and career guidance and ensuring that your time is directed meaningfully.

Here is how to find enjoyment and continue to progress in your career.

1. Determine if your present job is in line with who you are, what you value, and what you are good at. Are you really doing what you want to do? Being self-aware means you become clear about what you stand for and what you have to offer. When you know what you have to offer, you become more powerful and intentional in your work. Doing a good job is no longer good enough to guarantee your career will go well. You are your most important asset. Self-branding provides direction and clarity of purpose for how you work, not just what you do for a living.

2. Identify your job satisfiers and dissatisfiers. Find a way to do more of the tasks/projects that you enjoy.

3. Identify your accomplishments.

4. Take the time to build and maintain relationship with individuals who might impact your work. You will benefit personally and professionally from the time you invest in such relationships.

5. Determine and write down your vision for your professional life. What actions do you need to take that will get you there? Celebrate the steps you take daily to achieve your vision. You can create the life you want! Here are some ways you can do that:

* Keep work in perspective - remember how you left work on time in the summer?

* Manage your stress - identify what causes you stress and how it affects you.

* Take time out - close your door (if you have one), call forward your phone, turn off your e-mail, take a walk. Use this time “during your work day” to prepare for a big meeting, a presentation or work on a project.

* Delegate - are you spending too much time on the administrative process of your job and not utilizing your skills to benefit your long-term goals and your company’s goals?

* Work/Play Balance - what did you enjoy doing during the summer that you want to continue (going to the movies, playing tennis, volunteering, spending time with your kids, seeing friends, etc.)? Put it on your schedule.

6. Be Bold! Don’t be afraid to take on some responsibilities in positions above you. Aim to always exceed expectations.

7. Manage your own time. Set boundaries. Learn to say “no” to non-essential use of your time.

8. Look for way to do things better, and more efficiently. Change a routine task - develop a new process. Instead of handling your e-mails as you get them, set aside specific times during the day to respond.

9. Be great at what you do. The knowledge and skill that create success in your current job will position you for your next move.

10.Be aware of roadblocks that can limit your potential to move upward.

11.Take on projects that will most likely benefit you.

12.Have passion for what you are doing and working toward. You will automatically put more effort into it. If you are not feeling passionate about your work ask yourself: is what you “should” be doing interfering with what you want to be doing?

Remember! Your career must contribute to your life, not the other way around!

The “Yes Factor”: How to Negotiate to Get What You Want Out of Life

Expert’s Top 7 Tips for Leveraging Business Negotiation Skills as a Life Skill

Everything is fair game; whether you covet a new job, a raise, a business deal, a new car, some new bling, or need to rectify a problem with a loved one, the “art of negotiation” is your secret weapon to achieving the result you want. Indeed, among the greatest strengths of very successful business people is their ability to out negotiate with others to achieve their desired result.

Negotiating need not be back and forth, point-counterpoint banter. Rather, the most proficient negotiators manage these conversations in such a way that the other party likely does not even know they are engaged in a bargaining process. The bottom line is simple: if there is something you want that is in someone else’s control, knowing how to negotiate will stack the odds in your favor.

With this in mind, here are my top 7 tips on turning business negotiation skills into a life skill:

1. First and foremost, be prepared to walk away. This is single most important strategy to getting what you want out of life. If you aren’t prepared to say, “No” and mean it; then you are likely to end up settling for a lesser outcome. Before entering into the negotiation, know in advance exactly what you are and are not willing to concede, so that you do not need to process this information on-the-fly without adequate time to weigh the pros and cons of each.

2. Know when to forego all together. A good deal comes together quickly – a bad deal takes way too long. Take a clue from the amount of time it’s taking to get what you want and, if exceedingly long, don’t waste valuable time and effort with the misguided notion that “just one more” give or take will make the deal work. If you have to “force it,” chances are it will come back to bite you later on.

3. Deal at the right level. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to do a deal with an individual who can’t make the final decision. It’s like negotiating against yourself – you address an issue and try to come to a conclusion and then the other person takes that to someone else “behind the scenes” only to come back and say it can’t be done on those terms. It’s far more efficient and effective to find the right person to negotiate with directly, “(wo)mano y (wo)mano.” If you don’t know or if it’s not obvious if you’re dealing with the right person, directly ask up front if they have authority to make a final decision on the matter.

4. Due diligence to come prepared. The more information you have surrounding the circumstances of your endeavor, the “marketplace,” for example, the more likely you are to not only prevail, but also get the best deal possible. While you may actually prevail by shooting in the dark, not knowing the extent of the opportunity could result in your leaving a lot on the table. Whether it’s the average pay for a given job, the price typically paid for a product or a service, or who you are in competition with for a new position – knowledge is truly power.

5. Don’t take anything personally. To maintain objectivity, treat every negotiation as if you are doing a deal for someone else who has hired you as the professional “closer.” When you allow yourself to get emotionally involved, rational thought often goes by the wayside and you’re far more likely to concede to your later regret. Cool heads get the best, and most, out of what they are seeking.

6. Anticipate objections. Prior to the negotiation, brainstorm all the reasons or objections that may prevent you from getting what you want – and prepare a thoughtful counterpoint for each, one at a time. During a negotiation, people conjure all sorts of reasons why something can’t be done, many of which are often bogus. Until you know the valid sticking point, you are just spinning your wheels.

7. Don’t underestimate Karma. What goes around indeed comes around. The best deal is one where both parties walk away feeling positive about the result of the negotiation. The worst deal is that where one side leaves the table feeling slighted with the short end of the stick. If you’re the kind of person who “has” to win and is prepared to humiliate or otherwise make someone feel bad as a result, sooner or later the gain is likely to come back to haunt you. Accordingly, consider in advance what would satisfy the opposition and be prepared to pull those “cards out of your pocket” strategically during the course of discussion.

How to Handle Discrimination Tactfully During the Interview Process?

On the job discrimination is more common than you might think, and you need to know how to handle discrimination when, not if, it becomes an issue in your workplace. This is a lot easier if you already have a job, but what if you feel that you are being discriminated during the interview process? It’s hard to prove that you’ve been discriminated against during the hiring process, but there are things you can do to address the situation.

The best way to prove discrimination is with a document or some other sort of documental proof. Evidence of a line of questioning or comments made during the interview can prove that you were discriminated against for a specific reason. Documented evidence is best but it can be hard to get since most interviews are performed orally.

The first thing you should do is speak to the interviewer that discriminated against you. If this doesn’t work, talk to someone who is a position above the person who interviewed you. You may even have to take your complaint all the way to the top. Ask for an investigation into your situation. Most companies have processes in place that outline exactly how to handle discrimination during the hiring process.

Just because companies have policies against discrimination doesn’t mean that they enforce them. In some instances, discrimination is firmly entrenched in the company. If this is the case, you may need to contact an attorney. There are numerous attorneys that practice discrimination law. They will be able to tell you what your options are and point you in the direction that you should go.

Be sure to do your homework. Talk to other applicants and employees to see if they have been treated similarly. If you can gather numerous witnesses, you will increase your odds of winning your case in a court of law. Again, an attorney can help you with this.

There are numerous reasons why people are discriminated against and you need to know how to handle discrimination when it arises. Discrimination against race, gender, religion, age and sexual orientation are among the most common. Remember; discrimination can come in many forms such as refusing to hire, unlawful termination, promotion avoidance and so on. Discrimination can be hard to prove, but proving these cases is vital when it comes to upholding employee rights.

Top 10 Most Wanted Careers

Are you having difficulty deciding on a career to pursue? Are you still in the middle of choosing the right job? Want to be in a practical, yet emotionally fulfilling kind of work? Then this article is for you.

Below is a list of the Top 10 fastest growing jobs in the United States, as stated in the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. These jobs are expected to be the most wanted occupations by 2016. One of them might be your key to a successful career.

1. Network systems and data communications analysts

These are people in charge of managing network systems and data communication devices. They are wanted almost everywhere since the Internet has evolved from being just a trend into a desperate need.

2. Physician assistants

If you have dreams of becoming a doctor, then this is a good training ground for you.

3. Computer software engineers, applications

They take part in creating new technologies in the world of computer software applications.

4. Physical therapist assistants

Physical therapist assistants help physical therapists both in actual as well as administrative PT work. This is as well a good stepping stone if you want to be a licensed PT.

5. Dental hygienists

Dental hygienists focus on keeping your teeth and gums healthy through constant cleaning and polishing. They also come up with new techniques in promoting oral health care.

6. Forensic science technicians

Dreaming of becoming a real life CSI? Here’s your chance to do so!

7. Medical and health information assistants

They help out in providing health information as well as assist in providing your health needs.

8. Fitness and aerobics instructors

Fitness and aerobics instructors continue to be a need in various fitness centers, especially now that people are so obsessed with keeping their body in shape.

9. Veterinary technicians

Veterinary technicians are needed to provide quality health care to animals by performing medical tests for diagnosis and treatment. They are usually found in the fields of biomedical research, livestock management, and wildlife medicine.

10. Database administrators

They are responsible for managing database management systems in order to keep and extract important data in an understandable way. This job is expected to rise by almost 50 percent by 2016.

The Right Approach To Job Interviews

Do as much research as you possibly can and learn as much as you can about the company, its structure, its policies, and its ethics. This will help when you face the interview panel. Preparing for the interview is the difference between getting the job and being rejected. Prepare wisely and approach the interview in the right manner.

Interview Tips

There are some simple yet effective tips that will help you crack that important interview.

• Punctuality - there is nothing worse than being late for an interview and making the interview panel wait for you. Your tardiness or your lack of punctuality shows that you have no respect for people’s time. Avoid this mistake at all costs. Make sure you know all the details of your interview well in advance and can prepare for it. Know the venue and get directions to it. An excuse like you got lost just does not hold. Come early for the interview. Give yourself plenty of time for traffic jams and other emergencies that can come up. Arriving early for the interview gives you time to familiarize yourself with the organization.

• Dress formally - what you wear is important to your image in a job interview. You want to come across as serious, business-like and intelligent. Dressing up casually is not acceptable in most organizations. Do not come to work with glitzy accessories or over-the-top make-up. The impression you want to give to the interview panel is that of a no-nonsense and efficient person.

• Prepare yourself - it always helps to be prepared before you go for an interview. Know about the company, its products, its structure, its policies, and other relevant information. Be sure to do your research before you go.

• Be calm and composed - interviews are stressful and scary but you have to remember to be calm and keep your cool at all times. Nothing is going to be achieved by you stressing out about the interview except make you more nervous and jittery. It is essential that you be composed and positive.

• Thank the right people - remember to thank the board, panel, or whoever has taken your interview. They have given up precious time to interview you and that deserves a word of thanks irrespective of whether or not you get the job.

Interviews are all about first impressions. The minute you enter that interview room to the minute you leave, you are being judged. Make the most of that time and try to convince the interviewer that you are the perfect person for that job and there is no need to look further.

There are certain things you should never do on a job interview. The most important of them all is to sit and let the interviewer ask all the questions. This gives the impression that you know nothing about the company and would not want anything clarified. Asking questions during an interview is as important as answering the ones being asked.

Remember that there are no right answers to cracking that interview. It is all about how you deal with it. Keep a positive attitude throughout the entire process, be professional, dress nicely, stay punctual, and always be curious about the company - while still demonstrating that you are knowledgeable about the company.

Plan Ahead for Job Interview Questions

One of the most important things you should do when preparing for a job interview is spend some time thinking about the questions you’re likely to be asked and how you are going to answer them. It’s a good idea to figure out the best way to respond to typical general job interview questions. Beyond that, it’s also important to think about questions you might be asked specific to the job in question. For example, if you’re applying to work at a weight loss clinic, you might be asked diet specific questions. If you have this type of interview coming up, you might need to brush up on the list of best diet pills and popular exercise programs. You’ll greatly improve your chances of getting the job if you’re ready and able to answer relevant questions.

How to Avoid Just Being a Gofer and Rise to the Top

While most of us love the things that money can buy, it's not easy to manage the stuff, much less make a career out of it. Those up for the challenge, however, will find that a finance career can be incredibly lucrative and exciting.

Unfortunately, it's also very competitive, and, especially at the beginning, it can be easy to find yourself simply fetching coffee and crunching numbers. In order to avoid spending years as a thankless gofer and get into that corner office and pinstripe power suit, you will need to make a few strategic moves.

Make Some Key Decisions

When embarking on your career path, it's crucial to choose a direction. Finance careers can lead any number of places, so before diving in, research a variety of types of jobs and think about what aspect of the industry most appeals to you. Some of the major subfields of finance include corporate finance, financial planning, investment banking, private equity, investment management, commercial lending, and sales and trading. Having a sense of where you want to go will allow you to choose what kind of work and knowledge to pursue. This foresight and direction will help you develop targeted skills and thus create a niche for yourself in the fast-paced and widespread finance industry. Additionally, actively pursuing a specific career goal will let your superiors see that you have a heightened level of dedication and motivation

Start with a Finance Education...and Keep it Up

Given the complexity of financial processes and instruments, the government's frequently changing regulation of the finance industry, and emerging worldwide markets, education is absolutely essential for a finance career. While, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a bachelor's in business from an accredited school is a minimum requirement for the field, success in the finance world is easiest to be had with a specific finance degree. While many people work their way up from the entry level job they attained with only a bachelor's, many top finance professionals got a head start in the field by earning an MBA.

To get a real rocket boost up the corporate ladder and out of the copy room, you'll need to continue educating yourself. Specialists who keep up on the latest laws and methods through journals, conferences and professional organizations have a clear leg up when it comes to getting a big promotion.

Meeting People, Making Connections

While the cliché may claim that in Hollywood "it's not what you know, but who you know," in finance it's both. Employers want to know both who you are and what you can do, and they're not likely to rely solely on your resume for that information. Networking will not only allow you to meet people in the field and learn more about finance in general, but it will also help you create the invaluable personal connections that often drive vertical career movement.

How To Gain Respect And Support For Yourself And Your Business

“He that respects himself is safe from others; he wears a coat of mail that none can pierce”
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

To gain respect from others, you have to respect yourself first. People will give you their undying respect as long as they recognise that you portray these 3 key attrib-utes: trustworthiness, integrity and mindfulness. Because having these qualities demonstrates your level of consciousness and maturity.

When people respect you, it is easier to get their support. Getting people to give you continuous support, also requires you to apply yourself. Here are ways to help you make an impact on people whom you want respect and support from.

1. Be exuberant and passionate about what you do and your life
People love those who exude vibrancy and passion about their life, particularly about what they do. Think of this: how stimulating do you find people who are forever talking about their “big ideas” and what they want to do and yet, never starting anything? Now that’s a damper!

2. Be unique and individualistic in your views and opinions
Are you unique and stand out with your own style and personality? If you are afraid to voice your opinion, and would rather fit in, I can assure you that it will be difficult to command respect from others. And without respect, no support. This doesn’t mean that you have to constantly come up with new innovations. It simply implies that you don’t suck up to people, just because you want validation. The best validation is to be true to yourself.

3. Be a great listener. All great listeners are magnetic and charismatic.
There is no charm that equals that of a good listener. Here is an experience I had in a restaurant with my husband not too long ago. I noticed that my husband was fascinated by a woman sitting a few tables way from us.
When I asked him what got him so fascinated about her. He replied that the woman was just fascinating to watch, because she was listening so intently to her partner. Her eyes were on him, as she leaned forward, giving him her feedback, and at the same time not interrupting him. While she let him know that she was hearing him, she also held up her end of the conversation.

Then my husband said something remarkable: “She’s the kind of woman I normally wouldn’t pay attention to on the street, but while sitting there, listening and being interested the way she’s doing now, makes her attractive.”
True listening embodies careful attention, patience and honestly wanting to understand what the other person is saying. It also fosters good relationship.

4. Be a life long student. Let people know that you’re willing to learn from them and be genuine about it.
Learning is growing, and growing is learning. You cannot learn all by yourself. To truly grow, you need others along the way. And when you show people your willingness and enthusiasm to learn from them, you’ll be amazed how helpful and happy they will be to support you.

Be open and get to know people who are different from you. If you’re interested in something, never be afraid to ask questions. You won’t be ridiculed for showing real interest.

Do you know people who have stopped learning? Do you find them interesting to have around? Probably not! So do yourself the favour of becoming an avid learner.

5. Be authentic and reliable.
Before you make a promise, make sure you can deliver. Keeping your word is very crucial to building trust and credibility. There’s nothing more detrimental to your im-age, than having people believing in you and letting them down.

There are times you may genuinely try to fulfil your promise and it just doesn’t work out. In that case, be honest about it and apologize. No one will hold that against you.

6. Be generous.
A generous heart gives freely without having any expectations. Don’t try to buy people’s loyalty or support. It will backfire on you! You will reap more benefit and reward by giving truly from your heart, rather than being calculating. Even if you don’t get something in return, the eternal laws of reciprocity will find a way to balance things out for you and give you your dues.

7. Be direct and have boundaries.
When you have something to say, just say it and let people know where you stand. Letting people know what you want and don’t want, liberates you and those around you. Don’t allow people to walk all over you. Let them know your boundaries.

For instance, to avoid lying about a proposition which may not interest you, a more appropriate answer could be: “I’m sorry that doesn’t work for me right now”. This is a straightforward and truthful answer making it easy for you and for others to move on.

In conclusion, do you trust and respect yourself? Because if you don’t, no one else will. This especially means be true to yourself and what you believe in. Just as Ralph Waldo Emerson said “Whatever games are played with us, we must play no games with ourselves”.

Your 9 most important career planning tips

1. Never Stop Learning

Life-long learning is your keyword.

The world is constantly changing, and everybody is looking for new ways of doing business.

If you have decided that your current skills are good enough, you have also decided that your current job is good enough.

But if you want a career in the future, you should add regular updates to your skills and knowledge.

2. A good listener can learn a lot.

Listen to your co-workers, your boss, and your superiors. You can learn a lot from their experience.

Ask about issues that interest you, and listen to what they say. Let them tell you about how things work, and what you could have done better.

Most people will love to be your free tutor.

3. Fulfill Your Current Job

Your current job might be best place to start your career.

It is often very little that separates successful people from the average. But nothing comes free.

If you do your job well and fulfill your responsibilities, this is often the best way to start a new career.

Talk to your supervisor about things you can do. Suggest improvements. Offer your help when help is needed. In return ask for help to build a better career. It is often possible - right inside your own organization - especially if you have proved to be a valued employee.

4. Build Your Network

Your next career step might arise from your contact network.

Did you know that more than 50% of all jobs are obtained from contact networks?

If you have a good contact network, it is also a good place to discover future careers, to explore new trends, and to learn about new opportunities.

Spend some time building new contacts, and don't forget to maintain the ones you already have.

One of the best ways to get serious information from your network is to regularly ask your contacts how they are, what they do, and what is new about their careers.

5. Identify Your Current Job

Your current job should be identified, not assumed.

Make sure you don't work with tasks you assume are important. This is waste of time and talent.

When you start in a new job, talk to your superior about your priorities. If you're not sure about what is most important, then ask him. And ask him again. Often you will be surprised about the differences between what you assume, and what is really important.

6. Identify Your Next Job

Your dream job must be identified.

Before you start planning your future career, be sure you have identified your dream job.

In your dream job, you will be doing all the things you enjoy, and none of the things you don't enjoy. What kind of job would that be?

Do you like or dislike having responsibility for other employees. Do you like to work with technology or with people? Do you want to run your own business? Do you want to be an artist, a designer or a skilled engineer? A manager?

Before building your future career your goal must be identified.

7. Prepare Yourself

Your dream might show up tomorrow. Be prepared.

Don't wait a second. Update your CV now, and continue to update it regularly.

Tomorrow your dream job may show up right before your nose. Prepare for it with a professional CV and be ready to describe yourself as a valuable object to anyone that will try to recruit you.

If you don't know how to write a CV, or how to describe yourself, start learning it now.

8. Pick The Right Tools

Pick the tools you can handle.

You can build your future career using a lot of different tools. Studying at W3Schools is easy. Taking a full master degree is more complicated.

You can add a lot to your career by studying books and tutorials (like the one you find at W3Schools). Doing short time courses with certification tests might add valuable weight to your CV. And don't forget: Your current job is often the most valuable source of building new skills.

Don't pick a tool that is too heavy for you to handle!

9. Realize Your Dreams

Put your dreams into action.

Don't let a busy job kill your dreams. If you have higher goals, put them into action now.

If you have plans about taking more education, getting a better job, starting your own company or something else, you should not use your daily job as a "waiting station". Your daily job will get more and more busy, you will be caught up in the rat race, and you will burn up your energy.

If you have this energy, you should use it now, to realize your dreams.

Will your referees help you to secure that dream job?

When applying for a new position, strategically picking the correct referees requires as much thought as tightening your CV and preparing to impress in that all important interview.

"Picking a suitable referee is more than just getting someone to say something nice about you. A good reference can give you the edge you need to help convince a prospective that employer you are the right candidate for the position" said Amy Klingel, Division Director of Office Team.

"In the competitive job market, the outcome of a reference check can ‘make or break’ your chances of securing a position" continued Amy.

According to Klingel, there are a few tips to keep in mind when selecting your next referee:

· Always select someone who can discuss your skills and experience in relation to the position you are applying for.

· Brief your referee on the position you are applying for, including the qualities and characteristics you feel are essential for the role. It is also a good idea to forward an updated copy of your CV to remind your referee of your accomplishments that may be of interest to a potential employer.

· A referee will need to demonstrate your strengths and experiences by providing examples of how you have applied your skills within the workplace. Will your referee be able to articulate this?

· Ensure your referee is someone you have spoken to recently and with whom you have maintained a good relationship. Including references from your most recent employment can help highlight contemporary experiences in a concise manner.

· Let them know in advance that they may be contacted to allow them ample time to prepare. Apart from being the polite approach, this is also a great way to make sure contact details are correct and to discuss the role you are applying for. Don’t presume a referee will effortlessly be able provide a captivating reference, especially if they are caught unprepared.

· Show your appreciation by writing a thank you note to each of your referees, letting them know the outcome of your job search. This will not only help expand your network, but can also increase your job referrals.

"Remember, referees are a vital part of a job search and shouldn’t be overlooked. The information they provide can impact your chances of securing the position" concluded Klingel.