Everyone who is on a job search has different preferences – however, for practical reasons, your job search can’t be longer than what is reasonable. Unfortunately, many job seekers aren’t aware of the intricacies involved in the recruitment process of any organization which can result in longer job search lead times. The second unfortunate thing is that a good percentage of these job seekers have wrong ideas, or worse yet, overestimation of their skills and abilities. This can result in total failure at the prescreening stage.
1. Always Begin With Self-Assessment: This is equally applicable to those seeking subsequent job changes as well as new candidates. Your self-assessment should tell you more about your character type, your job preferences, willingness to take responsibilities and abilities to take risks, as well as whether you are a leader or want to tread a safer path. It should also shed light on your salary needs, in addition to your skill sets and experiences. This includes revelations on your perception of life and your job, the job security you need, ability to multitask and motivate employees.
If you are brutally honest in your self-assessment, it will help you acquire those skills that you lack and target your resume to those jobs that call for matching abilities.
2. Research The Job Market: This is not about just looking at the classifieds in different media, but categorizing them to analyze later as to how many of them match you to about 90-95%. If your tabulation is skewed unfavorably, try and find out the reasons, which could be anything from your ambitious expectation of salary, mismatched skill/age/experience or location preferences. This is what they call the proverbial pin pointing of the problem. Once you identify it, it becomes easier to deal with realistically.
3. Choosing a Career Field: Although this is broadly decided through your education, you need to identify your niche to choose a field and narrow down your job search. Bear in mind that your chosen field probably has prospects and growth potential within the industry to make room for future job changes. For example, choosing to be a cost accountant has a higher scope in every respect than a broad-based job search for an accounting position.
4. Improve Your Job Search Skills: Student counselors and HR counselors assess and guide your job search skills. Being on track and informed keeps you abreast with changes in job market demands. Job search skills include adaptation to circumstances with respect to your resume, interviews, and handling salary issues and behavioral issues effectively. Career workshops are critical to learn what employers’ expectations are, how they are changing and how to handle sticky issues effectively.
5. Job Search Campaign: Begin your campaign with realistic targets for a start date, job position, location and salary. Shorter targets normally mean accepting smaller salaries and organizations. Expanding your network, pursuing advertisements, approaching employers directly, having target cover letters and resumes and being enthusiastic & persistent will pay off handsomely in both the long and short run.
Your job search strategies should address all the concerns of both the employers and yourself. The five tips above lead you on the path to a better job search and are effectively designed to plug the holes on either side.
http://www.articles4business.com/Article/Five-Tips-For-A-Successful-Job-Search/14725
Monday, July 9, 2007
Get The Results You Want By Using An Executive Summary On Your Resume
In the not-so-distant past, the resume objective section was widely used. The resume objective, simply put, is a 2-3 line statement summarizing the goals you have set for yourself and the position you seek.
Many experts in the field feel that a section on resume objectives may be omitted. They suggest the use other useful information instead. A resume objective focuses on your personal goals, which often reads like a wish statement - in most cases, in complete disregard of what the employers want to know and expect to get from you. For this reason, more and more job seekers are using the executive summary instead of a resume objective section.
Resume Objective vs. Executive Summary
Resume objectives can be construed as being self-centric. For example, “Seeking a position in the sales department with an opportunity for faster career advancement” focuses completely on you. It does not tell the employer anything about your past career, your strengths or what you can do for them.
• A resume objective could lead hiring managers into thinking about the specifics of your objectives (i.e., what you want) instead of your skills and strengths.
• Resume objectives tend to be career-limiting and one-dimensional
• A resume objective narrows down your opportunities when you are multi-skilled and qualified for more than one position.
An executive summary, on the other hand, talks about the results that you have achieved and the potential you possess which makes recruiters take notice - it also helps establish your professional identity. An executive summary presents you, in terms of your career skills, accomplishments and abilities, to the hiring manager or organization before they start reading your resume. That is why the executive summary is so important today.
Think of the executive summary as the introduction to a novel. You can read the introduction, find out the main characters and the plot before you actually start reading the novel itself. The introduction gives you the push you need to actually begin reading the book. If you like what you read in the introduction, you usually go on. It's the same thing with the executive summary and your resume.
Why the Executive Summary Is Used Now Instead
Obviously, resumes that win interviews are simple and focused. An executive summary achieves this by saying who you are (professionally), what you have achieved and how and what you can contribute. A recent survey revealed that more than 72% of resumes that win interviews are well summarized and focused. Also, many job seekers who have changed their resume format to include the executive summary instead of an objective section have acknowledged this. Here’s why the executive summary is more often used now:
• It highlights your career skills and presents them as desired by hiring managers
• It exhibits how you can benefit the organization by presenting your abilities and strengths as they relate to the current position that you are targeting
• Executive summaries grab attention, permits use of descriptive verbs (such as accelerated, delivered, re-engineered and generated).
Executive summaries help recruiters decide whether to call you for an interview – and we all know that the real test of a resume is whether or not it produces interviews. So replace that objective section on your resume with a rewritten executive summary. It just might get you the results that you are looking for.
http://www.articles4business.com/Article/Get-The-Results-You-Want-By-Using-An-Executive-Summary-On-Your-Resume/14738
Many experts in the field feel that a section on resume objectives may be omitted. They suggest the use other useful information instead. A resume objective focuses on your personal goals, which often reads like a wish statement - in most cases, in complete disregard of what the employers want to know and expect to get from you. For this reason, more and more job seekers are using the executive summary instead of a resume objective section.
Resume Objective vs. Executive Summary
Resume objectives can be construed as being self-centric. For example, “Seeking a position in the sales department with an opportunity for faster career advancement” focuses completely on you. It does not tell the employer anything about your past career, your strengths or what you can do for them.
• A resume objective could lead hiring managers into thinking about the specifics of your objectives (i.e., what you want) instead of your skills and strengths.
• Resume objectives tend to be career-limiting and one-dimensional
• A resume objective narrows down your opportunities when you are multi-skilled and qualified for more than one position.
An executive summary, on the other hand, talks about the results that you have achieved and the potential you possess which makes recruiters take notice - it also helps establish your professional identity. An executive summary presents you, in terms of your career skills, accomplishments and abilities, to the hiring manager or organization before they start reading your resume. That is why the executive summary is so important today.
Think of the executive summary as the introduction to a novel. You can read the introduction, find out the main characters and the plot before you actually start reading the novel itself. The introduction gives you the push you need to actually begin reading the book. If you like what you read in the introduction, you usually go on. It's the same thing with the executive summary and your resume.
Why the Executive Summary Is Used Now Instead
Obviously, resumes that win interviews are simple and focused. An executive summary achieves this by saying who you are (professionally), what you have achieved and how and what you can contribute. A recent survey revealed that more than 72% of resumes that win interviews are well summarized and focused. Also, many job seekers who have changed their resume format to include the executive summary instead of an objective section have acknowledged this. Here’s why the executive summary is more often used now:
• It highlights your career skills and presents them as desired by hiring managers
• It exhibits how you can benefit the organization by presenting your abilities and strengths as they relate to the current position that you are targeting
• Executive summaries grab attention, permits use of descriptive verbs (such as accelerated, delivered, re-engineered and generated).
Executive summaries help recruiters decide whether to call you for an interview – and we all know that the real test of a resume is whether or not it produces interviews. So replace that objective section on your resume with a rewritten executive summary. It just might get you the results that you are looking for.
http://www.articles4business.com/Article/Get-The-Results-You-Want-By-Using-An-Executive-Summary-On-Your-Resume/14738
Writing Your Cover Letter – You Really Can Do It
The dreaded cover letter. This is where you, the job candidate, have to convey all this important information as to why you’re the perfect person for the job. It shouldn’t be that difficult, right? For multiple reasons, however, it makes some job seekers procrastinate applying for jobs. Do you ever find yourself making the following excuses?
I’m Not a Good Writer
Even if you’re not a writer by trade, you can put together a great cover letter. If you know writing a cover letter is not your strong suit, then research some samples for your career to help you with wording and keywords.
Think about what is most important to you to convey to a potential employer and jot that down. It doesn’t have to be perfect the first time around. Concentrate on getting your thoughts on paper. You’ll have time to go back and tweak the sentences.
I Don’t Know What Achievements to Include
Be sure to look at the job announcement for which you are applying. What made you interested in it to begin with? Why did you feel you were qualified? Whatever those reasons are, you need to include them in your cover letter. You may know why you’re qualified, but the employer still has to be convinced.
Once you figure out these key achievements, writing them in a short bullet list really makes them standout. Bullets help skimmers pick out the important information so they know right away if you have the “right stuff” for their company.
I’m Not Sure How It’s Supposed to Look
This is a common concern. You might have all the information you need but now you’re sitting there wondering if it’s formatted correctly and professionally. Don’t get hung up on this. You can waste a lot of time and energy if you don’t know exactly what you’re doing.
When you go to format your cover letter, be sure that the header matches your resume. You resume and cover letter should look like a cohesive package. Now, if you don’t have your resume written yet, then you can decide how you want the header to look. The header includes your name and contact information ¬– so you want to make sure it stands out so the employer knows how to contact you for an interview.
I Don’t Know How to Customize My Cover Letter for Each Position
As a rule, you don’t want to send out a generic cover letter to each company to which you apply. The employer will know that it’s generic and that you didn’t spend too much time or effort to make it special for the job they are looking to fill.
Instead, do your research. Find out what that particular company’s history is, what the position entails and what their future plans are. Include the company’s name in your cover letter, along with the position you are applying for. If you find out an interesting tidbit about the organization, include it. Be sure to do so in a natural way though. If you start including every little thing you find out, then the purpose of your cover letter will be lost.
So while it can be intimidating to write your cover letter, when you surround yourself with the information you need, it goes so much easier. If you get stuck, take a break and then come back to it. Sometimes a fresh mind is all you need.
http://www.articles4business.com/Article/Writing-Your-Cover-Letter---You-Really-Can-Do-It/14744
I’m Not a Good Writer
Even if you’re not a writer by trade, you can put together a great cover letter. If you know writing a cover letter is not your strong suit, then research some samples for your career to help you with wording and keywords.
Think about what is most important to you to convey to a potential employer and jot that down. It doesn’t have to be perfect the first time around. Concentrate on getting your thoughts on paper. You’ll have time to go back and tweak the sentences.
I Don’t Know What Achievements to Include
Be sure to look at the job announcement for which you are applying. What made you interested in it to begin with? Why did you feel you were qualified? Whatever those reasons are, you need to include them in your cover letter. You may know why you’re qualified, but the employer still has to be convinced.
Once you figure out these key achievements, writing them in a short bullet list really makes them standout. Bullets help skimmers pick out the important information so they know right away if you have the “right stuff” for their company.
I’m Not Sure How It’s Supposed to Look
This is a common concern. You might have all the information you need but now you’re sitting there wondering if it’s formatted correctly and professionally. Don’t get hung up on this. You can waste a lot of time and energy if you don’t know exactly what you’re doing.
When you go to format your cover letter, be sure that the header matches your resume. You resume and cover letter should look like a cohesive package. Now, if you don’t have your resume written yet, then you can decide how you want the header to look. The header includes your name and contact information ¬– so you want to make sure it stands out so the employer knows how to contact you for an interview.
I Don’t Know How to Customize My Cover Letter for Each Position
As a rule, you don’t want to send out a generic cover letter to each company to which you apply. The employer will know that it’s generic and that you didn’t spend too much time or effort to make it special for the job they are looking to fill.
Instead, do your research. Find out what that particular company’s history is, what the position entails and what their future plans are. Include the company’s name in your cover letter, along with the position you are applying for. If you find out an interesting tidbit about the organization, include it. Be sure to do so in a natural way though. If you start including every little thing you find out, then the purpose of your cover letter will be lost.
So while it can be intimidating to write your cover letter, when you surround yourself with the information you need, it goes so much easier. If you get stuck, take a break and then come back to it. Sometimes a fresh mind is all you need.
http://www.articles4business.com/Article/Writing-Your-Cover-Letter---You-Really-Can-Do-It/14744
Job Security Trends: Why Are People Changing Jobs?
Job Market Trends
For the past decade it has been common knowledge that the average worker will no longer have the same lifetime job security that s/he had fifty years ago. Today’s workers are more likely to move between jobs, and to be involved in more projects and businesses over the course of their careers. Even in 1982 the average work-span for a worker at one job was 8 years. Why has the market tended towards shorter employment periods? Here are a few of the contributing factors:
Gendered Influences
A study in the United States using census data from 1973-1993 has established that there are two different trends in how long workers stay in their jobs. Men with little education (less than twelve years, which means no high school diploma) are less likely to have a lifetime job now than they would have twenty years ago. However, women with high school diplomas are more likely to be in lifetime jobs than they were twenty years ago. This shows that gender is having less of an effect in the workplace, and that education is now the deciding factor for many positions.
Educational Issues
In Ontario since the 1990, there has been a dramatic increase in employment growth by educational attainment. People without a high school diploma have very little chance of finding a job. Don’t let this figure scare you if you are still in high school: this relates to the final amount of education that prospective employees had. People with a high school diploma have about the same chance of finding a job now as they did in the early nineties. Most importantly, people with postsecondary education make up the majority of the workforce today.
Technology Matters
In Canada in the year 2000, a study of workers whose jobs are affected by increasing computerization found that technology has a dubious relation to job security. Of the people surveyed, a wide majority (68%) felt their job security had remained the same even with changing technologies. A quarter of those studies (24%) felt their jobs had become more secure. The smallest group, 9%, felt that their job security was adversely affected by the advent of new technologies.
How does this affect me?
This information brings positive news to most workers.
Firstly, if you are dissatisfied with your job, you can change jobs more easily. Making career changes later in life is not as difficult as it once was. In fact, it might be beneficial for you to change jobs.
Secondly, if you are changing jobs, depending on your field, you might be in a counter-offer or multi-offer position. This means that you might be able to ask for a higher salary from your prospective employer. You might even have more than one employer vying for your position.
Thirdly, education is key. Knowing the key to the job market means that you can easily find a job. If you know what education is required for your desired career, go get it. Take night courses if you want. However you choose to earn the education requirements needed for your career, at least education is a concrete and obtainable goal. Even if you don’t need a diploma or degree, consider taking short certification courses to keep your qualifications at their best.
And lastly, keep up with technology. Technology affects most job markets, and if you can prove to your prospective employers that you are most qualified to use the tools of the trade, you will likely secure yourself the position. Education or experience might be the way to demonstrate your up-to-the-minute skills.
http://www.articles4business.com/Article/Job-Security-Trends--Why-Are-People-Changing-Jobs-/14754
For the past decade it has been common knowledge that the average worker will no longer have the same lifetime job security that s/he had fifty years ago. Today’s workers are more likely to move between jobs, and to be involved in more projects and businesses over the course of their careers. Even in 1982 the average work-span for a worker at one job was 8 years. Why has the market tended towards shorter employment periods? Here are a few of the contributing factors:
Gendered Influences
A study in the United States using census data from 1973-1993 has established that there are two different trends in how long workers stay in their jobs. Men with little education (less than twelve years, which means no high school diploma) are less likely to have a lifetime job now than they would have twenty years ago. However, women with high school diplomas are more likely to be in lifetime jobs than they were twenty years ago. This shows that gender is having less of an effect in the workplace, and that education is now the deciding factor for many positions.
Educational Issues
In Ontario since the 1990, there has been a dramatic increase in employment growth by educational attainment. People without a high school diploma have very little chance of finding a job. Don’t let this figure scare you if you are still in high school: this relates to the final amount of education that prospective employees had. People with a high school diploma have about the same chance of finding a job now as they did in the early nineties. Most importantly, people with postsecondary education make up the majority of the workforce today.
Technology Matters
In Canada in the year 2000, a study of workers whose jobs are affected by increasing computerization found that technology has a dubious relation to job security. Of the people surveyed, a wide majority (68%) felt their job security had remained the same even with changing technologies. A quarter of those studies (24%) felt their jobs had become more secure. The smallest group, 9%, felt that their job security was adversely affected by the advent of new technologies.
How does this affect me?
This information brings positive news to most workers.
Firstly, if you are dissatisfied with your job, you can change jobs more easily. Making career changes later in life is not as difficult as it once was. In fact, it might be beneficial for you to change jobs.
Secondly, if you are changing jobs, depending on your field, you might be in a counter-offer or multi-offer position. This means that you might be able to ask for a higher salary from your prospective employer. You might even have more than one employer vying for your position.
Thirdly, education is key. Knowing the key to the job market means that you can easily find a job. If you know what education is required for your desired career, go get it. Take night courses if you want. However you choose to earn the education requirements needed for your career, at least education is a concrete and obtainable goal. Even if you don’t need a diploma or degree, consider taking short certification courses to keep your qualifications at their best.
And lastly, keep up with technology. Technology affects most job markets, and if you can prove to your prospective employers that you are most qualified to use the tools of the trade, you will likely secure yourself the position. Education or experience might be the way to demonstrate your up-to-the-minute skills.
http://www.articles4business.com/Article/Job-Security-Trends--Why-Are-People-Changing-Jobs-/14754
Friday, July 6, 2007
Medical Social Worker
Job Duties
Medical social workers help people deal psychologically with the results of chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses. These may include such disorders as Alzheimer's disease, cancer, or AIDS. They may work with individuals, families, or certain vulnerable populations. They usually work with family caregivers as well as patients, planning for the patient's needs after they are discharged from the hospital. They may set up services such as meals-on-wheels or oxygen equipment. Some medical social workers work on specific teams that include other specialists. These teams evaluate certain categories of patients, such as geriatric or organ transplant patients. They may work for hospitals, nursing and personal care facilities, individual and family services agencies, or local governments.
Job Skills
Those interested in becoming medical social workers should have a number of desirable traits. They need to be very emotionally stable and mature. They must be able to handle a high degree of responsibility. They should have the ability to work on an independent basis without supervision. They need to be able to work well in a team setting and get along with coworkers. And they need to be able to inspire trust and respect in their clients.
Income
In 2002, medical social workers earned a median annual salary of $37,870. Earnings ranged from the lowest 10%, who earned less than $23,840, to the highest 10%, who earned more than $56,320.
Training and Education
The most common minimum educational requirement to obtain a job as a medical social worker is a bachelor's degree in social work (BSW). Those who have bachelor's degrees with majors in psychology, sociology, and other related fields may be able to qualify for entry-level positions. Many positions also require a master's degree in social work (MSW), particularly positions in health settings and clinical work. Jobs in public and private agencies may also require an advanced degree. There are about 436 BSW programs and 149 MSW programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. (CSWE).
BSW programs require a minimum of 400 hours of supervised field experience in addition to academic classes. MSW programs last 2 years and include a minimum of 900 hours of supervised field instruction. Part-time programs are available, usually lasting about 4 years. Social workers are required to be licensed in all States and the District of Columbia. They can advance to supervisor, program manager, assistant director, or executive director of a social service agency or department. You can explore more about training for medical social worker careers by clicking on this link for schools offering human services degrees.
Employment
In 2002, medical social workers held about 107,000 jobs. About 40% were employed by State and local government agencies.
Job Outlook
Between 2002 and 2012, employment of medical social workers is expected to increase faster than the average. This will be due to a rapidly aging baby boom generation and a growing elderly population, which will create a much greater demand for the services of social workers. Those specializing in gerontology can expect extremely favorable employment conditions, and many job openings will result from workers who leave the occupation for various reasons.
http://www.education-online-search.com/articles/careers/medical_careers/medical_social_worker
Medical Coding Career
Medical coding allows the insurance industry and the government, the two bodies that handle the majority of financing for the health care industry, to be able to agree to and pay for medical procedures in a simple and planned fashion. Most medical procedures that can be paid for via medical insurance are pre-agreed by the insurance industry and the AMA, and this list is the basis of the coding system. Medical procedures are recorded on the patient records, and these are then coded by professional coders and used for billing information. This billing information is passed to the insurers, and the procedure is paid for.
Most employers require coders to have a background of medical information so that they can code accurately and verify the information they receive. Increasingly employers are asking for qualifications in order for coders to enter the industry, and these are usually diplomas or certificates from one year courses, or associate degrees from two year courses. Subjects studied include anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, medical terminology, and other medical related subjects. Students learn computing, and insurance procedures – they need to be absolutely familiar with the forms that are required to be filled in detail. They also learn about the background of both the health care industry and the insurance industry.
Salaries are between $15 and $40 per hour, depending on qualifications and experience. Prospects are good, as the health service industry is expanding and will continue to do so for at least the next ten years.
Directory of Schools Offering Medical Coding Training
http://www.education-online-search.com/articles/careers/medical_careers/medical_coding_career
Most employers require coders to have a background of medical information so that they can code accurately and verify the information they receive. Increasingly employers are asking for qualifications in order for coders to enter the industry, and these are usually diplomas or certificates from one year courses, or associate degrees from two year courses. Subjects studied include anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, medical terminology, and other medical related subjects. Students learn computing, and insurance procedures – they need to be absolutely familiar with the forms that are required to be filled in detail. They also learn about the background of both the health care industry and the insurance industry.
Salaries are between $15 and $40 per hour, depending on qualifications and experience. Prospects are good, as the health service industry is expanding and will continue to do so for at least the next ten years.
Directory of Schools Offering Medical Coding Training
http://www.education-online-search.com/articles/careers/medical_careers/medical_coding_career
Marriage Therapist
Job Duties
Marriage therapists work with individuals, couples, families, and organizations to help them resolve personal and emotional conflicts. They employ a wide variety of principles, methods, and techniques to their work. They help people examine their perceptions of certain situations and suggest changes they can make in the way they look at problems. They attempt to help people change their behavior and enhance their communication skills. The goal is to increase their clients understanding of each other's points of view and to prevent family and individual crises from occurring. Some marriage therapists work in nonmedical psychotherapy. They may refer patients to psychiatric resources. They may also work in research and teaching related to human development.
Job Skills
Those interested in becoming marriage therapists should have a number of desirable traits. They should be interested in counseling and helping people who are experiencing challenging situations. They need to be able to inspire trust and respect in their clients. They should have the ability to work independently without supervision. They also need to be able to adhere to the code of ethics for their counseling certifications and licenses.
Income
In 2002, marriage therapists earned a median annual salary of $35,580. Earnings ranged from the lowest 10%, who earned less than $20,960, to the highest 10%, who earned more than $59,030.
Training and Education
A master's degree is the most common minimum requirement for marriage therapists. This is usually a requirement to be licensed or certified. In some States, therapists who are employed by public agencies are required to have a master's degree, while some States only require a bachelor's degree. College courses include study in college student affairs, education, gerontological counseling, marriage and family counseling, substance abuse counseling, rehabilitation counseling, agency or community counseling, clinical mental health counseling, counseling psychology, and career counseling.
There are about 176 institutions in the U.S. that have counseling programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Many therapists become voluntarily certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc., earning the credential of "National Certified Counselor." Voluntary certification is also offered by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. Therapists can advance to become supervisors or administrators, or they may move into research, consulting, or college teaching. You can explore more about training for marriage therapist careers by clicking on this link for schools offering human services degrees.
Employment
In 2002, marriage therapists held about 122,00 jobs. A growing number are self-employed.
Job Outlook
Between 2002 and 2012, employment of marriage therapists is expected to increase faster than the average. There are usually fewer graduates of counseling programs each year than there are job openings, resulting in very favorable opportunities. Demand for marriage therapists will grow mainly because of a growing societal acceptance of people who seek professional help with their personal and family problems. More employers are offering programs in which employees can receive help with mental health and alcohol and drug abuse problems. More and more people will turn to marriage therapists for help with these problems, as well as for assistance with improving their everyday well-being and stress management.
http://www.education-online-search.com/articles/careers/medical_careers/marriage_therapist
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