Friday, April 3, 2009

How To Get A Good Job - Without A College Degree


Most of us are taught at an early age to get a good education so that we can get a good job when we grow up. Our teachers, our counselors, our parents all have instilled these ideas into our brains to "Finish school, and then get a good job." As a parent, I couldn't think of any other lesson more valuable to teach a child. 'Knowledge is power', 'a good education will open doors', or my personal favorite "don't be a fool-stay in school". READ FULL STORY HERE

Thursday, April 2, 2009

How to Get a Green Job




It's an exciting time to launch a Green career and the best part is anyone can do it. Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to be a scientist to work in a green job. Maintenance workers, writers, lawyers, and financiers will all be part of the boom.However, if a green job is likely to be part of your future, it's smart to get some science-related classroom training. Understanding the inner-workings of our global problems will make you more effective in any green job.
If you're making a huge career change, first identify your field of interest and create a resume that highlights any relevant areas of experience. Project management, community organizing, and supervisory experience can sometimes pave the way into a new field. Graduate degrees in business, law, and urban planning are also highly marketable in the world of green businesses.Once you've picked a direction, kick off your career search. Explore a variety of resources, build your network, and stay abreast of new trends. Before long, you'll be a hot property in the green job market.Check out these ideas and resources for green job seekers:
Get some training. Apply for a year of free training through Greencorps.org. You can apply online.
Go to a green jobs conference like this one sponsored by the Solar Living Institute.
Hire a green career coach. Check out Green Career Tracks for more information.
Grow your green network. Networking is an artform. This article on The Art of Green Networking explains how to do it.
Get a recruiter working for you. A great recruiter performs miracles to get you the job you always dreamed of. It's the best way to maximize your exposure. Try The Cassillion Group and Organic Recruiting.

Monday, March 30, 2009

Recession-Busting Tips for Getting a Job in Tough Times



There is a lot of doom and gloom out there. With all the grim headlines, it’s pretty easy to feel down and out about your job search. If you were laid off, downsized, or euphemized, then it’s hard to stay positive and vigilant about taking a bright, successful next step.


The good news is that there are some recession-proof industries such as education, healthcare, energy, international business, the environmental sector, and security that are still hiring. There are also a few great tips for any job seeker in any industry to help with a difficult job search:


1. Network, network, network.You’ve heard it before - networking is the key to getting a job. Recruiting directors want a safe, easy hire. If they met you at a networking event or if your name was passed along to them by a friend or colleague, then you likely will stand out from the sea of candidates and resumes.
For some reason, many people dread this horrible word, “Networking.” Really, networking is just having conversations with your friends, family, colleagues, and peers. Here are just a few ideas to get started:


Your friends’ parents
Your parents’ friends
Your dentist
Your neighbors
Your college professors
Your alumni association
Your hair stylist


Talk to everyone you know. Reach out, and let them know what you’re seeking. You may be surprised with all of the connections your Uncle Phil has.


2. Join a professional organization.Even though you are out of a job, you want to stay in the game. By joining a professional organization, you can stay up-to-date with industry news and developments. Of course, you also will meet leaders in your field. You can learn from them and make professional connections at numerous companies.


3. Volunteer your time.Now that you have a little extra time on your hands, it’s the perfect opportunity to volunteer in your community. Serve on a board, organize a neighborhood recycling program, or design marketing pieces for a charity pro-bono. Helping others gets you off of the couch and thinking positively. You may even develop your skills and meet someone who can help you get a job.


4. Think differently.If you’ve been out of work for awhile, it may be time to broaden your view on what your next step could be. Instead of one of the top, five advertising agencies, would you like to work at a regional agency or in the advertising department in-house? Maybe you can relocate or make a career change. You may even take a 10% pay cut, but you can bargain for an extra week of vacation. Think creatively on how you can make a successful next step.


5. Be Persistent.It’s not going to be easy. Unfortunately, the game has changed a little bit, and companies can afford to be more selective. You’re going to have to network a lot, apply for numerous positions, and receive a few rejections. Hang in there. Follow up with recruiting directors if they don’t get back to you. If you didn’t meet anyone at the last networking event, go to another one. Who knows when you will be in the right place talking to the right person at the right time.


How To Get A Retail Job


A retail job requires you to sell products or services to potential customers. It is not much different from your everyday life. You also sell your ideas and opinions to others on a daily basis. For getting a job in retail, you need to pass the interview, in which you are required to do nothing more than sell your ideas to the prospective employer. Since there are so many applicants for a single job, you need to convince the interviewer that you are the best amongst all. In the following lines, we have provided some tips to help you in getting a retail job, by making yourself stand out above the rest.....READ FULL STORY HERE

Getting a job with Uncle Sam

Would you like to apply for a job with the biggest employer in the country? One that increases hiring every single year? And, no we’re not talking about Wal-Mart.
The government employs 1.93 million people. This figure includes full, part-time and seasonal employees (not postal workers). Over the last few years, the increases in government hiring have been astonishing.
Total number permanent new hires:
2004 – 78,732
2005 – 87,498
2006 – 91,552
2007 – 99,335
2008 – 91,702 *
*Figure is for first half of 2008*Source: Office of Personnel Management
Any job you can find in the private sector you can find in federal service. The government hires chemists, biologists, doctors, nurses and even art appraisers. And, of course, there are the usual office managers, personal assistants and engineers.
READ FULL STORY HERE

What to wear to an interview


Think your choice of outfit doesn’t really matter when you’re interviewing for a part-time job? Guess again.
Your appearance can make all the difference, especially if the job you want will have you dealing with customers. Dress pants and a nice top will do a whole lot more for your image than tight, low-cut or baggy club wear.

6 Tips for Landing Your Dream Job


Do you have a job that's just like everyone else's? Are you looking for a 9-to-5, but wish you weren't? Do you wish there was another option, one that would lead to an exciting, unique, and fulfilling line of work?
I recently interviewed more than 100 people who currently hold their dream jobs as research for a new book called "How'd You Score That Gig?" These individuals, who are travel journalists, event planners, fashion designers, forensic scientists, interior decorators, Internet business owners and more, have one thing in common -- persistence.
As unattainable as a dream job might sound, with the right amount of forethought and preparation, you can make the move as well. Following are six tips to get you started. Read Full Story Here