What Career is Right For Me?

By Waller Jamison


Choosing a career can be difficult, after all, you can't really know what a job will involve until you've actually done it. But if you need to spend years training before you can try the career, choosing one in the first place could be a problem.
So, how can you answer the question "What career is right for me?" before you embark on a long and possibly expensive training or degree course? This can be especially difficult during a recession, when so many people who thought they were secure are losing their jobs.
Career decisions are often made quickly, often without enough background information, simply because schools and colleges don't focus on providing advice on a wide range of careers, and young people don't know how to access this information themselves.
This pattern is often repeated later in life, when someone decides to change career. Decisions are often made due to factors such as salary, perks and the possibility of job security or promotion. Although these are all good points and need to be considered when making a career choice, they should not be the main considerations.
Job satisfaction is one of the most important aspects of anyone's career. After all, you spend a lot of time at work: up to 40 hours a week, in some cases more, for around 40 years of your life.
However, job satisfaction means different things to different people and so one of the first steps in deciding which career is right for you, is to decide exactly what job satisfaction means to you.
What do you want most from your career? Do you want to work with people or with computers or with words or figures - or a combination of these? Or perhaps something totally different. Are you passionate about animals or self sufficiency?
What activities or feelings are essential for you to feel fulfilled at work? Would you like to use specific skills, such as languages or teamwork or writing? Do you feel good when you are helping people, learning new skills or teaching other people how to do something?
Once you've made a list of the most important skills and activities should be part of your job profile, you can then look for careers which fit. In some cases, the choices will be obvious, but many skills can be used in a vast range of different jobs and so you might be surprised at the range of possibilities open to you.
This is also important in relationship to an economic downturn. There are some industries which will continue business as usual, for example health care, accountancy and education, but don't forget that these industries employ people from a wide range of disciplines. So, if you are interested in accountancy, working in a health related organization would double your chances of a recession proof future!
Get 2009 off to a good start - learn how to recession proof your career
For more tips on how to find a new job and make yourself recession proof go to: http://www.coolercareers.com
Waller Jamison is a careers advisor and university lecturer, who understands the difficulties involved in choosing or changing careers.
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Resume Tips For Military Spouses

By Krista Wells

My friends came over for the weekend and brought two small gifts for my kids. One gift was a small stuffed animal and a book, the other a small puzzle; but what stood out was the presentation! Clear cellophane wrap around the book and beautifully tied rawhide ribbons tied in a bow that was so beautiful I didn't even want to open it, or at least I wanted to somehow save it for re-gifting purposes. Presentation does make a difference! So I keep this in mind when I am looking at clients resumes. I like a resume printed on a good quality printer with no smudging, thick ecru paper, and if you are delivering it via email no italics and I like a little white space. If you are delivering the resume in person to a company or passing it along at a networking event, make sure you have a fresh manicure and a good haircut to boot. Clients often want to know a savvy way of combining their chaotic work history and how to package the gifts they have obtained throughout their military lifestyle. Should they go for "spouse-friendly employers" or hide the fact that they are a spouse on the run; they remember the hiring managers making comments on why they should or should not hire a candidate. Consider these tips as you go after the job of your dreams and remember that the law of attraction also applies to resumes, so regardless of my tips, if you love your resume others may love it as well!

1. Looks matter.
First impressions count so make your resume pretty! Consider limiting any bold or italic font as it often looks messy if the resume is scanned; better yet, try creating a clean PDF version of your resume as well so that it can be submitted to jobs electronically and not lose its professional appearance. Hiring managers are turned off by hard to pronounce names so if you have a difficult name put a nickname in parenthesis next to it for the job hunt-they can learn how to pronounce Vandana after you are hired. If you have an equally exquisite email address, consider changing that too. While friends may enjoying sending email to lovemymilitaryman@aol.com consider revamping the email listed on your resume to your initials or your first and last name and the internet provider; it will appear much more professional. You never know if a hiring manager is spying on MySpace or judging your personal address. In addition, make sure your home and cell phone voice mails are short, professional, and clear while you are job hunting.

2. Don't play hard to get:
You don't want a potential employer to call your house and be scared off by your sarcastic recording. Bottom line, make sure that you include a correct name, email, and mobile phone number that you can access at all times. Try to send resumes when you will have time to interview as well. If you are working full time, taking night classes, and about to have a baby you may not be free for potential interviews, and if a company calls you to come in and you postpone the date, another candidate may be hired on the spot just because they show up first. Perhaps postponing sending the resume until your summer holiday or three months postpartum will up your chances of being picked.

3. Making up for lost time:
Spouses often struggle with the proverbial gaps in their resume. Stop worrying about it so much and just think of what you did during that time that would still be worth listing. When you have a career gap it is ok to include those part-time extra jobs you took just to earn some money, and remember to word them as professionally as you can and include transferable skills such as customer relations or multitasking so your future employer sees some benefit to the work. You can also fill a gap with any volunteer work or schooling that may have been completed, especially if it is relevant to the job you are after. If you do have a lengthy gap in your resume try filling the gap with a few bullets rather than a lengthy explanation in a cover letter that should be focused solely on your strengths. If the gap is so big that you can't even fill half a page, then go take an intro to computer class and volunteer at organizations associated with the type of work you want to do, join some professional organizations or attend a conference so you have something current to brag about.

4. Boldly define benefits:
Job selection experts are not mind readers so don't assume they will understand military-spouse jargon; make sure your resume is clear and to the point. Write the resume with the company's needs in the forefront of your mind rather than highlighting what you are seeking. Resumes are not job descriptions of what you did, but rather a personal press release that displays accomplishments in clear succinct bullets highlighting your strengths, your transferable skills, and past contributions that will cause you to stand out and pique their interest rather than a recap your entire employment history. Companies should be able to quickly see your credentials and spot highlights that make you a good match for their company.

5. Size doesn't matter:
While one really good page is better than two so-so pages, don't cut back or start shrinking text to comply. Remember that short and sweet is all you need; and I say go for the trendier "profile" instead of a generic objective (description of the job you are after). The company knows the objective if you are applying for a job and a profile summarizes your selling points. One page resumes are back in style so consider moving some of those accomplishments to the cover letter and pairing down the resume content to look more like a sales brochure than a dissertation. In addition to choosing a clean simple typeface, have your resume professionally edited, and avoid any jargon. Keep in mind that a positive tone and active first-person tense reads more attractively.

6. Don't fake it:
Some spouses hire a fancy resume writer that rewords what they have done in old jobs to percentages and dollar signs of what they have accomplished, but then get stumped during interviews when they are quizzed on their own resume. Don't list that you are an expert at databases if you have never worked with one. And instead of scattering resume buzz words and clichés throughout, make the resume authentic. First think of your top strengths and then use a strong verb that describes where you really excel rather than what looks good on paper. Not only will your confidence shine through, but once you are hired for the job it will end up being a much better match than if you exaggerate in your resume and end up being placed in a job that requires the "attention to detail" work you abhor.

7. Peeking isn't cheating:
Go have a coffee at the library or local bookstore and peek at the resume book section. Do an online search, or better yet ask friends who are in good jobs if you can use their resume as an idea template. I am not saying to plagiarize a resume manual word for word, but as you read others' resumes it may "remind you" that you also were awarded something that slipped your mind. It can even be useful to go back to your old employee handbook that describes your past job description to help jog your memory about your skills and successes. As long as your ideas come from enough different sources and really resonate with who you are, it isn't cheating.

8. Tell your friends to brag:
As with everything else in military life, it never hurts to be over prepared. When you go to an interview bring a few extra copies of your resume in case you need to pass it along for a second interview-you never know. If you wrote "references available upon request" make sure that you actually have references and have a pre-typed one pager of these references and their contact information ready and on hand. Don't forget to let folks know you have used them as a reference so they don't blow your cover and say "Sara who" when a future employer actually calls.

9. Don't assume:
Don't assume the hiring manager knows how you are connected. If you know someone in the organization well, include your "contact" in the cover letter's first paragraph. Some spouses assume that an employer knows they are proficient at the computer or that they have references available upon request. It never hurts to include all relevant job skills. Another assumption people make is that the human resource professional reviewing your resume knows all the jargon associated with each job. You want to stay away from abbreviations and jargon no matter how common you think the word is.

10. Show off your stuff:
A beautiful resume that stays on your computer isn't going to get you that job. Contact all the military-spouse job resources and post your polished resume. In addition, print some extra copies and bring them with you so as you network you can pass them out. Try traditional job-search sites as well and don't be afraid to put yourself out there. You have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince, and the same goes for job hunting. Buy some nice folders and place a few resumes in them to drop off at your idea organizations. If an organization isn't hiring, ask them if they can keep your resume on file just in case something opens up.

Now let's get started!

• Write down everything you have done in the past about your work history from your first job until now. Include relevant volunteer work, seminars, and training you have received, and next to each item list the skills you acquired, such as answered a 5-line phone, presented to a group of 50, brought in X number of dollars in revenue, etc.

• Create a skeleton resume with the main content you want to share with potential employers, and then save this as "resume skeleton" on your computer; and then you may want to create two different resumes for the two directions you are headed. For example, one resume may include all your military volunteer work and be terrific for applying for that perfect position with a spouse-friendly employer, and the other resume may look more corporate and include only your work history, a P.O. box, and that "great" corporate contact in the cover letter.

• Have mentors (outside the military) review your resume and give you honest feedback. Consider the resources available to you on base or e-mail me at Krista@militaryspousecoach.com to schedule a resume consultation, which includes editing, discussing your resume, and lots of support, coaching you to take the next step in your career!

If you would like to work with me as your coach or have any questions about the profession, please feel free to write: Krista@militaryspousecoach.com and please sign up for The Military Spouse Coach ezine that offers low cost, high quality coaching products that you can take advantage of!

Krista Wells is a professional career coach; she ensures that her military spouse clients consistently reap the benefits of her proven expertise in dealing career and life transitions. Through powerful support and encouragement, her clients achieve greater balance and fulfillment, and embrace military life with passion! Visit http://www.militaryspousecoach.com today!

Please visit The Military Spouse Coach ® at http://www.militaryspousecoach.com

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Career Assessment Do's And Don'ts

By Tony Jacowski

As a child, you probably thought you were sure about your goals in life. However, your thought process and priorities may have changed today. This may be a result of the realization that your skills and interests have changed with time. If you are unsure of what career you would like to pursue, a career assessment can guide you towards the right career. It helps you identify your strengths, interests and weaknesses.

Career Assessment Tools

Career assessment tools can give your career some direction. The tools consist of several questionnaires and tests that help you in discovering your interests and skills. If you are not sure about the nature of job you want to do, then you can go through these tests and identify the possible career choices open to you. You can also find these career 'discovery' tests on the Internet. The assessment test for college and school students consists of career and academic planning. There are assessment tools for people who want to change their present career, and for fresh candidates in search of a job.

Career counselors can also help you in the assessment, through counseling sessions and various related assessment tools. These counseling sessions are meant to make you aware of your natural flair and aptitude. They help you to identify your interests and match them with your strengths.

Do's

If you are planning on taking an online assessment test then make sure that you compare several tests, in order to find the one that suits your requirements. You can also attempt more than one test. Once you have taken the test, remember to keep a print out of all the results so that it is easy for you to compare and make the right career decision. If you are using the help of a career counselor, then they can administer and interpret the assessment. Keep tabs on the results since the final decision is yours. Attempting a career assessment test can be a very enlightening process, as you get to discover a lot about yourself. So the key is to enjoy the whole process and have fun!

Don'ts

Do not indulge in only one assessment test. Try several tests so that you get to learn more about yourself. This will also help you in determining the most reliable test that provided you with the desired result. Always remember that you cannot rely completely on the career assessment tests and questionnaires to make a career decision. They can only provide the initial guidance. If an online test reveals something that you feel is untrue, then do not accept it. It is best to disregard that piece of information. Do not consider the online assessment alone for guidance. Seek advice from a counselor as well. If you are a college student you can avail of an inexpensive access to a counselor. They not only guide you but even help in interpreting the results of assessment tests. Your skills and interests may change with time, so it is essential to attempt a career assessment periodically.

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solutions - Six Sigma Online ( http://www.sixsigmaonline.org ) offers online six sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.

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Taking Free Career Tests

By Sharon Walker

You may already have heard about free career tests, but you might be wondering whether they are actually useful.

Like many other people, it is quite possible that you started on your career path with a lot of enthusiasm and that, some point later, you start to feel lost, confused or even ready to give up on your chosen career. One good way to help you decide on which direction to go with your career is to take career tests.

There are free and paid career tests, and you can take them either in a career testing center or online. There are no right or wrong answers, but the answers you give can tell a lot about whether you should move on to a different career or simply strive harder in your present one.

While you can usually get reliable results if you took one given and interpreted by a qualified professional like a career counselor, there are a couple of good online tests given for free. Like the paid one, many of the free tests are very convenient to answer and take only a few minutes to complete. Some sites even interpret your results right after you take them.

On the other hand, though, many free online tests are not standardized. They may come with disclaimers stating that the test is only really for fun. It is therefore important to take these tests only as a guide and combine the results with more reliable advice such as the assistance of a professional career counselor. Even reliable standard tests should not be viewed as an oracle that has to be strictly followed.

There are also some sites that offer free tests only as a teaser., and they are questions and test items that may perk your interest. In reality, these test questions may just be a small portion of a more reliable and comprehensive career assistance package being offered for a price.

There are times when it makes a lot of sense to register with sites that offer more services than just a free test. You may have to pay a registration, membership or monthly fee, but what you pay may be really worth it. After all, your career is part of your life and you would want to end up feeling happy and fulfilled.

In any case, taking some initial free career tests can be a good idea if you are just beginning to question your career choices. A test that does not ask you to deplete your wallet can be a good starting point to convince yourself that you need more help to steer your career in the right path. After all, it can be emotionally, physically and financially costly to stay in a job you do not really like.

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Take A Free Career Test - First Step To A Successful Career

By Abhishek Agarwal

Deciding and choosing what career an individual must take is thrilling and interesting. But, sometime after, some will be left wondering if they chose the right career path. Life has its own ups and downs, but getting stuck in a job you hate is the pits and can drive the individual to depression. The individual then feels the need to assess and begins to question his/her decisions. A possible solution to this problem is by taking a career test, many of which are online or if you want, a career center in the community. One has to answer the answers truthfully, only then can the individual know if s/he needs a career change or not.

Looking for career tests are easy. Many are available in the internet and most have taken one or two of these tests. Career tests are very simple and easy to read, and can easily become a part of a career planning program. A word of caution though, one must read the fine print at the bottom or top of the page, a lot of these career tests were first devised for entertainment, so a little caution should be exercised. Nonetheless, results should be utilized as a reference, even if it's a legitimate career test, not as the ultimate answer or solution. People who are in limbo about their careers might find it comforting to read the results of these exams. These tests can also give the job seeker the right direction they want.

These tests are sometimes condensed from larger career tests. Online tests often give out general results, and if the individual wants a deeper interpretation of the test, s/he must pay a certain amount to the site owners to gain access to it. Career tests are helpful but one has to remember that there are other methods available too. Signing on to a career management site can give you useful insights and information. After reading the information the next step is to check if the kind of career you are looking for offer the duties and salaries you want.

An individual should not be afraid to examine their career choices every once in a while. Career tests that are free are extremely useful as an individual doesn't have to spend anything. For beginners and new graduates taking these tests can be of great help and can stop you from making the mistake of pursuing the wrong career. Career tests can also help the individual figure out if s/he fits another position in the same industry.

Abhishek is a Career Counselor and he has got some great Career Planning Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 71 Pages Ebook, "Career Planning Made Easy!" from his website http://www.Career-Guru.com/769/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

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Career Advice - Military Careers Have Good Benefits

By Lance Winslow

Giving career advice is never easy, but it is often needed. The advice given sometimes is not well taken, people don't really want to know the truth, people don't really want to change, and people really do fear for the situations and scenarios beyond their control. Not long ago, a middle manager of a fairly large Corporation came to me and asked me what he should do because he needs to feed his family, he has been laid off and now he's worried about his home being foreclosed on.

He got out of the military about eight years ago, and now has nowhere to turn.

When discussing this with him, I asked him; "Why don't you go back into the military and sign up for another 4 to 8 years?" Amazingly enough, he had not considered this, in fact, he felt as if he was done with the military, that he had given his service, and that he no longer owed the nation any more of his life.

Well, that is one way to look at it, and from his perspective and point of view he may be correct. However, if the military is willing to return the favor for his past service and allow him to serve for another four years until the economy is back where it should be, then this could be an excellent solution.

Turns out, he went down and talked with some folks, signed up for another four years, and will receive training which could help him get a job after he serves some more. The military is looking for a few strong good men, they always are. And since he was one of them, that was my career advice. Perhaps you should consider this.

Lance Winslow - Lance Winslow's Bio. Lance Winslow is also Founder of the Car Wash Guys, a cool little Franchise Company; http://www.carwashguys.com/history/founder.html/.

Note: All of Lance Winslow's articles are written by him, not by Automated Software, any Computer Program, or Artificially Intelligent Software. None of his articles are outsourced, PLR Content or written by ghost writers. Lance Winslow believes those who use these strategies lack integrity and mislead the reader. Indeed, those who use such cheating tools, crutches, and tricks of the trade may even be breaking the law by misleading the consumer and misrepresenting themselves in online marketing, which he finds completely unacceptable.

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Job Change Advice on Finding a More Meaningful Career

By Seth Kaufman PsyD

Those who find meaning in their work reap the joys of professional fulfillment. Unfortunately, those who do not find personal satisfaction in their work often experience a void, disenchantment, or internal distress.

Equally important is that those who do feel passionate about their work, also report the highest overall levels of motivation, job fulfillment and career success.

As we go about our busy days, however, it is the desire to find meaning in our work that we often neglect. Why is this so? For many, it is simply easier to stay on the path of least resistance - rather than to upset the status quo. The risks of not addressing a lack of personal meaning in your work include:

• Boredom
• Burnout
• Stagnation
• Termination

This is not to say that taking on the challenge of career re-evaluation is easy, or that it is recommended for the faint-hearted. Taking on this challenge requires clarity, confidence, determination, and a well thought out plan. The prerequisites for attaining more meaning in your career include:

• The strong desire that your career is in synch with your personal values and natural talents
• Your being open to new possibilities
• The desire to break through your own glass ceiling

In my own career, after years of working as a psychologist I felt worn down and out of synch with the limitations of the disease based medical model. I could have continued to coast along, but I knew that something had to change for my own well being. After much searching, I found that professional coaching with its positive framework, future focus, and grounding in the belief of the inherent wisdom within each of us, offered the human affirmative perspective I was seeking.

Having trained and worked as a coach now for several years, I am happy to report that making this transition was well worth the time and effort it required.

If you are seeking more meaning in your career, a good place to start is to ask yourself these questions:

• What are the social and personal issues you feel most passionate about?
• What clues do these issues suggest about what would give more meaning to your career?
• What would have to happen for your career to be in synch with your personal values and natural talents?
• What action steps might you take that will make having a deeper sense of satisfaction in your work a reality?

If you are ready to explore how you can find more meaning in your work life, I can help you discover the best career path for you; one that will bring you joy, success and fulfillment.

Seth Kaufman, psy.d., Certified Career Coach

Seth Kaufman, psy.d., Certified Career Coach, is the owner of Creative Vision Coaching. He works with clients from anywhere in the U.S. and around the world by phone, or in person at his Philadelphia office. Dr. Kaufman has for over twenty years helped accomplished professionals achieve their highest career aspirations. He is a highly skilled coach who is trained in using the 7 Step Coaching Model for Career Clarity and Results, positive psychology, and the dynamics of successful change. He specializes in coaching professionals from an array of industries on how to discover and make your ideal career a reality, leverage your strengths to move your career forward, and strike a work/life balance that gives you the freedom to enjoy the rest of your life.

To learn more about how Seth can help you and to download his free Special Report: "10 Ways to Jump Start Your Career by Leveraging Your Strengths," visit his website at: http://www.CreativeVisionCoaching.com
or email him at Seth@CreativeVisionCoaching.com

(c) Copyright - Seth Kaufman. All rights reserved worldwide.

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