Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Modify a Bad Reputation

Reputations are built after a stream of first impressions meet and people start communicating and comparing notes about their experiences then reveling in the common ground whether it be optimistic or negative. It is just a human nature and an important endurance skill.

It takes consistent change of performance for an extended duration of time to change a bad reputation. It also takes readiness on the part of the one who made the judgment to let go of their personality and be open to changing their mind. No easy task to change a reputation to be positive.

Priority -1: Take on a marketing campaign emphasizing the change. Be serious in admitting an accepting about why things needed to change and the ensuing empowerment and eagerness since making the change.

Priority -2: Struggle to make every future first impression optimistic to the extent possible. Release the anxiety when finding those who refuse to let a reputation to change or who form a unenthusiastic first impression due to reasons you can’t control.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Top Tips for Interview


An interview is a discussion between you and an employer to find out if you can do the job. However, there are certain rules and conventions to follow in interviews. Here's a checklist of the main do's and don'ts.

Do's

  • dress smartly, look bright and attentive, and speak clearly and confidently. Don't forget that only 7% of the interviewer's opinion of you is formed by what you say - the rest is judged on how you look, act and sound

  • find out where the venue is beforehand, how to get there and how long it takes

  • get your outfit ready the night before

  • find out what kind of interview it will be so you can prepare

  • examine the person specification and your CV/application form, and think about what type of questions they will ask you

  • prepare answers for the main questions - for example, why do you want the job, what are your strengths and weaknesses, what are the main tasks in this job

  • make about three or four points in each answer

  • quote real examples of when you've used certain skills - just saying you've got a skill isn't enough

  • take your time when answering the questions. Make sure you understand the question and take your time if you need to think

  • sell yourself. No-one else is going to! Be positive about yourself and your experiences

  • prepare some questions to ask at the end - use it as an opportunity to find out more about the role and the company. But don't ask about money or perks just yet!

  • when discussing salary, know your market worth and start by quoting a little higher than this

  • get feedback on your performance, whether you were successful or not

  • turn off your mobile! Treat the interviewers with respect and give them your undivided attention

  • keep your answers focused on what you can do for the employer, not what they can do for you



Don'ts

  • don't be late!

  • don't swear or use slang words

  • don't slouch in your seat or do anything else that makes you look disinterested

  • don't smoke

  • don't lie! The interviewer may see through you. Even if you get the job, your employer can dismiss you if they find out

  • don't let your nerves show too much. A few nerves are normal but extreme nerves will affect your performance. Use breathing techniques and try to remember that it's not a life and death situation - there are plenty of jobs out there!

  • don't be arrogant and assume you've got the job. Nothing turns off employers more than someone who is disrespectful and over-confident

  • don't discuss controversial topics such as religion, politics and gender relations

  • don't read from notes or your CV. You should be familiar enough with your own history to be able to talk about it unprompted

  • don't criticise former employers or colleagues. Interviewers may mark you down as a troublemaker and a gossip

  • don't argue with the interviewer, no matter what. Remember to keep things positive!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

20 Career Tips as of Chicago Business Women

I recently had the superior luck to be the only male at ceremonial dinner with 78 dynamic women.

I assist position pro bono PR support for Camp CEO, supported by the Girl Scouts of better Chicago and Northwest Indiana, so they requested me to the group's reunion dinner where high school and college-age women reunited with C-suite executives who go to site with them over the long-ago three summers. It's an wonderful program that is moving and altering lives of the students and volunteers.

Girl Scout Board Member and Camp CEO chair Mary Lee Montague, EVP for the managerial employing firm DHR International, is so passionate about the program that she has decided to chair the week-long camp for the fourth year in a row. Camp CEO helps young women improved appreciate and navigate the business world.

Mary Lee stopped up the dinner by opening a list of top-of-mind "words of wisdom" that had been public by the decision-making women while participate in this year's camp plan called "Dreaming Your Future".

These 20 short expressions are motivational for everybody, not just Girl Scouts:

  • You don't forever know what you desire to be when you grow up until you get there.

  • Have the bravery to make the change.

  • Move to new places...a magnificent world out there!

  • Be a good listener.

  • Have the bravery to stand alone.

  • Whatever you do be the top at it you can be.

  • Leadership is...the skill to bring the best out of people.

  • Create the unforeseen.

  • Find your fervor in life.

  • What will you do to carry hope to others?

  • You can have all but not all at the same time.

  • Find your say.

  • If you come to a hit in the road don't make it a mountain.

  • Treat people with respect; Tell them the truth.

  • Every time challenge yourself.

  • You may have to reinvent yourself.

  • Partnering is key.

  • Primary is not about being the boss...it's about having people go after you.

  • Obtain away from people who don't believe in you.

  • Show up on occasion!

Friday, December 11, 2009

Database Administrator

The Internet and electronic commerce (e-commerce) generate lots of data. Computer databases that store information on customers, inventory, and projects are found in nearly every industry. Data must be stored, organized, and managed. Database administrators work with database software to find ways to do this. They identify user needs, set up computer databases, and test systems. They ensure that systems perform as they should and add people to the system as needed. Database administrators often plan security measures. Data integrity, backup, and security are critical parts of the job.

Database administrators work in offices or labs. They usually work about 40 hours a week. But evening or weekend work may need to be done to meet deadlines. Telecommuting—working from home—is common for computer professionals.

Like other workers who spend long periods in front of a computer, database administrators can suffer eyestrain, back discomfort, and hand and wrist problems.

In Future
The number of database administrators is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2016. This is because many database administrators work in computer system design and related services, one of the fastest growing industries in the U.S. economy. In addition, the Internet and e-commerce will continue to expand. There will be a continuing need to build and maintain databases. Also, the increasing importance being placed on "cyber security"—the protection of electronic information—will result in a need for workers skilled in information security. For these reasons and others, there will be a continued need for database administrators.

Those having a college or graduate degree in computer science or a related field will have a good chance of getting a job. Those having a lot of related work experience will also have a good chance.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Tips on How to Successfully Interview Job Candidates

Hire the right people by knowing how to uncover a candidates abilities, talents, strengths, and weaknesses.

An interview is your opportunity to find out if the applicant is qualified for the job, if they're truly interested in the available position, and if they fit your company's culture. A successful interview is a matter of asking the right questions, listening to the answers, and getting candidates to talk honestly about their abilities and attitudes.

Once you've received the bulk of your responses, narrow your stack of resumes to the top 10 candidates or so, and start by preparing a basic list of interview questions. You may want to consider briefly talking to candidates over the phone before you bring them in, as the candidate may look good on paper, but will make a terrible phone impression. When you call an applicant in for an interview, qualities to look for include good communication skills, a neat and professional appearance, and a friendly and enthusiastic manner. Remember to take objective notes and record responses during the interview to help you compare candidates when it's time to make a decision. Following are some tips to help you screen candidates and improve your job interviewing skills.

Set the framework of the interview

Tell the applicant about the interview format, introduce yourself and put the candidate at ease by outlining the basic structure of the interview. Have the applicant feel comfortable so as to speak freely and provide detailed answers to your questions. Be prepared to discuss your business' core functions, history, future plans, and culture. You may want to prepare a fact sheet that lists relevant company information.

Avoid questions with an obvious response

Try to avoid general questions that won't tell you much about the candidate. Avoid any question that can be answered with a simple yes or no. The idea is to find out how the person will perform in a specific role. Formulate your questions based on your list of desired skills.

Encourage candidates to talk about themselves

To avoid pre-planned responses construct open-ended questions that invite candidates to share information and talk about their experiences in detail. Have a good mix of experienced-based, work style-based, and behavior-based questions that will provide a complete view of the candidate's background and personality. These questions will help you gather some real information about a person's judgement, willingness to take risks, and decision-making capabilities. Following are some examples:

Experienced-based

  1. What were your three biggest accomplishments in your last job? In your career?

  2. Tell me about a recent project you've completed.

  3. When working on a group project, what role do you typically play? Why?

  4. Tell me about a time you had to make a critical decision, and what went into that process.

  5. What are three things you really do well?

  6. What are three areas where you need help? Work style-based


Describe a typical day on your current job.

  1. What do you like?

  2. What don't you like?

  3. How would you react in a scenario that would require you to work independently?

  4. In what situations have you disagreed with your boss?

  5. What was the outcome?

  6. What risks did you take in your last job and what were the results?

  7. What methods do you use to make decisions?


Behavior-based

  1. Describe three situations where your work was criticized.

  2. Tell me about the last time that you missed a project deadline. What happened and how did you manage the problem.

  3. What is the best environment for you to function?

  4. What would your best reference or people you work with say about you?

  5. What wouldn't they say?

  6. Questions not to ask during an interview


The law is very strict about what you can't ask during an interview, and asking them can lead to a discrimination lawsuit. Questions on non-job related information such as age, race, marital status or disability are legally forbidden. When conducting an interview it is advisable to focus on the professional topics.
Sample questions of what not to ask include:

  1. How old are you?

  2. Are you married?

  3. Are you a citizen?

  4. Are you planning on having children soon?

  5. Are you disabled?

  6. Do you have any medical problems?

  7. Have you ever filed for worker's compensation?


Bringing the interview to a close

  1. Leave time at the end of the interview for the applicant to ask questions and pay attention to what he/she asks.

  2. Based on the kind of questions asked you'll be able to judge if the applicant researched your company, or if they are only interested in what they can get out of the job.

  3. End the interview by letting the candidate know what to expect next and when they can expect to hear from you.

  4. Take 5 or 10 minutes to write down the applicant's outstanding qualities and evaluate his/her personality and skills against your job description and specifications.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

CDC Careers

What's the best thing about working for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one of the world's top public health organizations?

For Hilda Shepeard, a team leader and senior health communications specialist at CDC headquarters in Atlanta, it's not the prestige or pay: "There's an enormous opportunity to really do something meaningful -- you're touching people's lives."

Here's a closer look at what these public health protectors do and how they got where they are.

Infectious Disease Containment and More

The CDC's 8,500 employees have plenty to do. The agency's current priorities include stemming the spread of infectious diseases, such as pandemic influenza, and increasing the nation's preparedness for bioterrorism, natural disasters and other potential public health emergencies.

Most CDC job opportunities are typically for medical officers, epidemiologists, microbiologists and public health advisors/analysts. Their main activities range from researching health problems and disease-control programs to identifying epidemics, carrying out lab science, and advising state, local and foreign governments on public health matters.

But the CDC isn't just about detecting and stopping infectious diseases. For example, in response to increasing violence in society, the agency created the Division of Violence Prevention to help curb youth violence, child mistreatment and other forms of abuse.

Also playing key roles in fulfilling the CDC's mission are business disciplines such as program management, information technology and communications. Says Shepeard of her department: "We develop health communications strategies regarding sexually transmitted diseases to try to influence individual and community behaviors. It doesn't matter how good the science is; if we don't communicate it, we haven't done anything."

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

Guidelines To Offshore-Proof Your Technical Career

Some of the top tips also are parallel to tips experts advise for any IT career succession, whether offshoring is a risk or not.

Some of the best advice usually falls under three wide categories –
  • Technology and business skills diversification

  • Self promotion

  • Soft skills and networking.

Skills diversification:
"If you want to move up the food chain, and keep your career secure, you've got to be a perpetual learner," says Steven Creason, assistant professor in MIS at Metropolitan State University in Minnesota and a former Accenture consultant and employment lawyer.

"Whether it's taking classes or moving around within a company, you need to broaden your skills and stay relevant to the business' needs," he says. "How many times do I need to reinvent myself? As many times as it takes," he says.

One key characteristic that can help offshore-proof your own job is education how to manage relationships with service providers and vendors -- those skills are a bonus if your company does offshore work to a third party. So, instead of becoming a aim of offshoring, you're a possible link.

However, only 55% of IT staffers say they currently have an additional important connected skill-set -- significant how to build vendor relationships. More managers -- about 77% -- maintain they have those skills.

Self promotion:
While some people shy away from self promotion, too much reserve might really hurt you career-wise. "Being a manager, marketing yourself internally, and also having a enthusiasm to step out of your comfort zone during your career" can help construct offshore-proof defenses, says Bill Wisley, who spent 20 years as an IT pro previous to joining nationwide IT staffing firm XSell as director of ERP solutions.

Once you step further than the IT comfort region, "immerse yourself into day-to-day operations, building relationships with users, and understanding how tech tools can be an asset to them and their processes," he says. "If you're coding, understand why you're coding," he says.

But most important, "make sure your direct organization knows you're maximizing your skills," Wisley says

Soft skills and networking:
Increasing solid interpersonal skills also is significant. "The strongest and best things people can do to stay valuable is to develop teamwork and communication skills," advices Mike Biela, a 20-year IT expert who last year reinvented himself as a mentor after becoming a casualty of a former employer that determined to outsource its IT process . "Acquire those interpersonal skills through training, on the job or outside the job, whether it's at a local or community college," Biela says.

Also helpful in developing valuable business and communications skills is involvement with IT professional organizations, Wisley says. Networking with other professionals in and outer your association could help you land your next job, mainly if you do get the boot since of offshoring or outsourcing.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Travel Health Guidelines for Students Studying Abroad

Study-abroad programs offer students an exciting opportunity for learning and cultural exchange. Study-abroad programs are increasing in availability and geographic diversity; thus, students can expect to deal with cultures and environments that are very different from their own.

Students may be at increased risk of illness or injury due to these cultural and environmental differences, such as climate extremes, the presence of certain insects, inadequate sanitation, and poorly lit roads. Travel to developing regions of the world, especially for a period of several weeks or months, can be particularly challenging.

Few events can negatively impact the travel experience more than becoming sick or being injured while far away from home. To reduce health risks while studying abroad, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following general guidelines for students:

Before travel

  • Be sure to check with a health-care provider to make sure you are up-to-date with all routine vaccinations (i.e., measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, hepatitis A and B, meningitis, influenza, and polio). Diseases such as measles and mumps remain common in many parts of the world, including some developed countries.

  • See a health-care provider or a travel medicine specialist, ideally 4-6 weeks before travel, to get any additional vaccinations, medications, or information you may need to stay healthy abroad. If it is less than 4 weeks before travel, you should still see a health-care provider since there may be some vaccinations, medications, or prevention information that could be beneficial to you. The section of the CDC Travelers' Health website entitled Travel Medicine Clinics has information about locating a travel medicine specialist or a travel clinic.

  • It is especially important that you consult a health-care provider who specializes in travel medicine if you have a complicated travel itinerary (e.g., travel to rural areas of developing countries) or have a current medical condition that will need to be managed while abroad.

  • Visit CDC's Travelers' Health website to educate yourself about any disease risks and preventive measures for the countries where you plan to study. If you are visting a developing country, you are at greater risk for illness or injury than those who travel to developed countries (e.g., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Western Europe), where the health risks are similar to those found in the United States.

  • Prepare a travel health kit that includes

    • an ample supply of your prescribed medications in their original, clearly labeled containers (copies of all prescriptions should be carried, including the generic names for medications, and a note from the prescribing physician on letterhead stationery for controlled substances and injectable medications);

    • an antidiarrheal medication;

    • alcohol-based hand gel (containing at least 60% alcohol);

    • an antibiotic for self-treatment of most causes of acute bacterial illness;

    • a thermometer;

    • insect repellent containing at least 30% DEET if you plan to study in or visit a tropical or subtropical area;

    • the name and telephone number of your primary health-care provider;

    • a copy of your vaccination record.



  • Familiarize yourself with basic first aid so you can self-treat minor injuries.

  • Learn how to swim if you are inexperienced and plan to participate in recreational water activities while abroad.

  • Consider a health insurance plan or additional insurance that covers medical evacuation in case you become sick or injured, if your plan does not already offer this service. Information about medical evacuation services is provided on the U.S. Department of State web page, Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad

  • Identify in-country health-care resources in advance of your trip in case of a medical emergency. This is especially important if you have a pre-existing medical condition. The U.S. Department of State provides links to U.S. Embassy or Consulate websites for the country or countries you are visiting that can assist in locating Doctors/Hospitals Abroad. Several private travel medicine organizations provide assistance in locating medical care abroad; see Seeking Health Care Abroad in CDC Health Information for International Travel 2008.

  • Register with the U.S. Department of State’s Travel Registration website, so the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your destination country knows of your whereabouts in the case of an emergency when it might be necessary for a consular officer to contact you. This registration is especially important if you plan to stay abroad for longer than one month, if you will be visiting a country that has an unstable political climate, or if there is a natural disaster, such as an earthquake or hurricane.


While residing abroad
To reduce your risk of illness

  • In developing areas, boil your water or drink only bottled water or carbonated (bubbly) drinks from cans or bottles with intact seals. Do not drink tap water or fountain drinks or add ice to beverages. Avoid eating salads, fresh vegetables and fruits you cannot peel yourself, and unpasteurized dairy products.

  • Eat only food that has been fully cooked and served hot, and avoid food from street vendors. If living with a host family, discuss any food allergies or dietary preferences in advance.

  • Do not touch animals, including domestic pets, and especially do not touch monkeys, dogs, and cats, to avoid bites and serious diseases (such as rabies and plague). If you are bitten or scratched by any animal, get medical attention right away, and immediately clean the wound well with large amounts of soap and water and a povidone-iodine solution, such as Betadine®, if available.

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially before meals and after going to the bathroom. If soap and water are not available and your hands are not visibly dirty, use an alcohol-based hand gel (containing at least 60% alcohol) to clean your hands. Cleaning your hands often with soap and water removes potentially infectious material from your skin and helps prevent disease transmission.

  • If visiting an area where there is risk of malaria, use insect repellent and a mosquito net for sleeping, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants outdoors between dusk and dawn, and make sure to take your malaria prevention medication before, during, and after your trip, as directed.

  • If you are visiting a country that has experienced an avian flu (bird flu) outbreak, avoid poultry farms, bird markets, and other places where live poultry is raised or kept. For more information, see the Outbreak Notice: Guidelines and Recommendations, Interim Guidance about Avian Influenza A (H5N1) for U.S. Citizens Living Abroad.

  • Be aware that sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV/AIDS, are among the most common infections worldwide. The most reliable way to avoid transmission of sexually transmitted diseases is to abstain from sexual activity or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship. For people whose sexual behaviors place them at risk for STDs, correct and consistent use of latex or polyurethane condoms when engaging in sexual activity can greatly reduce a person’s risk of acquiring or transmitting STDs, including HIV infection. For more information see Sexually Transmitted Diseases.


For your safety

  • Automobile accidents are the leading cause of preventable deaths in travelers. Wear your seat belt and follow the local customs and laws regarding pedestrian safety and vehicle speed. Remember to check on what side of the road people drive, because this may differ in the country or countries you will be visiting. Use helmets when riding bicycles and motorcycles.

  • Remember not to drink alcoholic beverages and drive. The most important risk factor for road traffic injuries is the presence of alcohol in the blood of a driver or pedestrian who is injured.

  • Be aware of the cultural impact of being involved in or causing an accident that includes injury to the local population. In unfamiliar or foreign environments, utilize a local driver. It is important to note the legal age for driving varies by country.

  • Swim in well–maintained, chlorinated pools, and only if you are an experienced swimmer. Drowning is also a leading cause of death in travelers.

  • If visiting an area which has risk of water-borne infections (i.e., schistosomiasis), do not swim in lakes or streams or other fresh bodies of water.

  • When spending time outdoors, wear sunblock for protection from harmful effects of UV sun rays. This is especially important if you are visiting tropical areas or areas in high altitudes. See Sunburn and Skin Cancer Questions and Answers for more information.

  • To prevent infections such as HIV and hepatitis B, avoid receiving tattoos, body piercings, or injections.


After your return

On return from study abroad, if you are not feeling well or have been injured, get medical attention, including psychological support and counseling, if necessary.


  • It is especially important for you to get health care if you have a fever, rash, cough or difficulty breathing, or any other unusual symptoms.

If you are returning from malaria-risk areas and become sick with a fever or flu-like illness, for up to 1 year after your return, get immediate medical attention and be sure to tell the doctor or health-care provider your travel history.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Opportunities in Speech & Hearing Science

Speech disorders can arise in various parts of the nervous system and muscles and other apparatus involved in speech. These may lead to inability to communicate effectively. Some of these disorders however are disturbances of language rather than of speech since they result from an impaired ability to understand or to form words in the language centres of the brain rather than from any defect in the apparatus of speech production. People with speech and language disorders can be helped by speech therapy. Hearing impairment (deafness) may be complete or partial inability to hear.

Total deafness is usually congenital. Mutism – refusal or inability to speak – is a symptom off profound congenital deafness. Rehabilitation professionals in this field help people with three inter-related problems of speaking, language, and hearing. There are three types of professionals – speech and language therapists, audiologists, and teachers for the hearing impaired. Speech therapists diagnose and evaluate the individuals, speech and language abilities and plan treatment programmes to restore or develop patient’s communication skill. Audiologists are concerned with the prevention of hearing impairment.

Speech and hearing science is the study of normal functioning and disorders of the auditory system, the speech mechanism, and language processing. It is a diverse field with connections to a number of other disciplines, including anatomy, physiology, psychology, linguistics, medicine, and education. Students pursuing a major in speech and hearing science are introduced both to basic and applied research and to clinical applications. Ultimate career paths can include speech science, hearing Science, speech-language pathology, or audiology.

Hearing, speech, and language scientists study such topics as sound localization, speech perception, and language learning in both normal and impaired persons. Their research may be basic in nature or may be more applied, as in studies of the effectiveness of clinical hearing aids or voice therapies.

Speech-language pathology and audiology are concerned with evaluation, treatment, and research in human communication and its disorders. Speech-language pathologists assess and treat persons of all ages with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. They also may work with people who have oral motor problems that cause eating and swallowing difficulties. For individuals with little or no speech, speech-language pathologists select alternative communication systems, including automated devices and sign language, and teach their use.

Audiologists specialize in prevention, identification, assessment, and rehabilitation of hearing disorders. When a hearing loss exists, they determine the nature and extent of the hearing loss and recommend appropriate treatment, including hearing aids or other assistive devices. Audiologists also test noise levels in workplaces and conduct hearing protection programs.

For more info visit http://www.employmentnews.gov.in/career_details-career-opportunity-in-speech-hearing-science-232.html

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Career Discussion Tips

Career discussions” are essential to career management. This website provides a great deal of information on careers, and links you to a lot of internet-based tools and resources. But the real mover of most career management comes in career discussions. Planning and carrying out a discussion of career issues can be challenging. Everyone means to do it, but often the career discussion becomes a few minutes tacked onto the annual performance review. So just what makes for a really useful conversation about your career? In this article we’ll look first at who career conversations can be held with, and then share tips for how to set them up. In part 2, we’ll look at tips for conducting the discussion itself.

Career discussions can be held with a wide variety of people. There’s really no limit…the list of useful people should begin with your immediate supervisor or manager, but can include other people in your area’s management team. Really, anyone who can give you useful guidance or answer your questions is a potential career advisor. This can include people such as formal or informal mentors, counselors, coaches, and Human Resource Management and Development Specialist within HR. People who know you well from other parts of your life can provide advice, as can other NASA people who you believe to have information that could be useful. The key is not who or where people are, but rather what they can say that will help you move forward.

Having said that, there are some basic tips that apply to setting up any useful career discussion:

Complete relevant self-assessments
Knowing yourself and your needs and wants is the first step in career self-management. Don’t approach help-providers with a totally blank slate on which you want them to write their thoughts. Rather, explore through instruments, feedback and counseling just who you are, what you have to offer, and some preliminary thoughts about what you want. Asking for feedback and reaction on these can be a good starting point.

Print out or send ahead any relevant documents

Much career-related data can be shared usefully ahead of time. Various forms and other pieces of feedback that you may have collected can be printed out and taken along (e.g., Individual Development Plan, mission statements, career goals, etc.). You might have to explain some of these in order for your guide to truly understand them. Or, you can offer to send them on ahead for him or her to read.

Determine and communicate the focus of your conversation
Career discussions work best when they have a definite purpose. While people may be helpful, it can be confusing to try responding to very general wishes to “give me some feedback,” or “help me think things through.” Depending on where you are in the career self-management process, you might want to focus on: interpreting feedback results, gathering information on options, getting feedback on a first draft career goal, or learning another person’s experience in a new role you’re considering. Clarity and specificity make it easier for people to help.

Determine outcomes
Related to the previous point is the need to have in mind a particular outcome from the career discussion. Based on where your focus will be, consider just what you want to get by the end of the conversation. This could be “a thumbs up or down judgement on my new career goal,” or “a list of other people who have made the change I’m considering,” or “suggestions for how I should develop the skills I need for that new position.” Knowing where you’re going will make it easier to set up and manage the conversation.

Schedule a time free of interruptions
Everyone’s busy. Some of the people who can help you most will be especially busy. The nature of career conversations makes it important to have uninterrupted, dedicated time. With people in management roles, you might want to ask for time away from their office, so there will be no interruptions. Depending on who you’re meeting with, meetings in the cafeteria might be useful (although they also can involve distractions). In any case, ask for some dedicated time.

Monday, October 05, 2009

Things to remember before and after your exams.

What are the most important things to do the night before an exam?
Don’t skip meals. Food is fuel for the brain, so make sure you get enough of it. Get some sleep, so you’re not tired for the big day. Get some fresh air and exercise.

What should I do on the morning of the exam?
  • Eat breakfast – it’s hard to concentrate on an empty stomach.

  • Give yourself plenty of time to get to the exam.

  • Read all the instructions carefully when you’re in the exam room, and make sure that you understand the question before you start to answer it.

  • For essay questions, write a plan first to help make sure you don’t miss anything out. Don’t spend too long on any one question – although it makes sense to spend longer on a question with 20 marks than one with only two.


Golden rules for revision
  • Keep the noise down. Find yourself a quiet place to work and take regular breaks to keep your mind fresh.

  • Reminders. Write important points, facts and formulae on sheets of paper and stick them by your bed, in the bathroom, on the fridge - anywhere you’ll see them regularly so they will sink in.

  • Test yourself. Sit down and test yourself with past exam papers and try them against the clock.

  • Highlight. The first time you read something, highlight the most important points. Use different colours and symbols to help you remember the important facts.

  • Break it down. Summarise or break down whole chapters and subjects onto cards or single sheets of A4.

  • Plan it. No matter how clever you are, the odd hour slotted round the TV or sports practice isn’t enough. Before you start, draw up a revision plan and keep to it. Give each subject a decent amount of time.

  • Tape it. You could try putting important information on tape – some people find this helps them remember.


Life after exams
It’s important to keep things in perspective when you’re waiting for your exam grades. Yes, it’s great if you do get the grades you want, but it’s not the end of the world if you don’t. Remember, you can retake them next year. There’s always the option of taking them again later in your career.

Think positive! If you believe you’re going to succeed, you probably will.

Thursday, October 01, 2009

Choosing the best career that suits you

What are they and why do I need them?
Qualifications prove you've acquired knowledge or developed skills. They're documents that prove your achievements. For some careers like medicine and law, it's essential you have specific qualifications. For others, such as journalism, it helps to have a particular qualification.

You'll need qualifications to get onto certain courses. Most universities set entry requirements for degree courses. Mature entrants don't always need formal qualifications, but need evidence of recent study, relevant work experience or professional qualifications.

What type of course should I do?
There are work-related (vocational) and academic courses; and practical and theoretical courses. Further education colleges offer academic courses and work-related courses. Universities offer higher education qualifications, such as academic first degrees, and higher degrees, and the more vocational BTEC Higher National Diplomas.

For plumbing, a vocational course is essential. For teaching you need a degree. However, for many jobs, you have a choice between academic and vocational courses. A vocational course is better if you like doing things and learning practical skills. You might prefer an academic course if you like researching, analyzing and presenting arguments.

Which type of study would suit me best?
Do you prefer on-the-job training - or do you prefer to research and gather facts? Do you like working in a group covering the same topics and working towards the same goal?

If you want to work on your own, at your own pace, an open or distance learning course might suit you. You study from home, with the help of tuition packs, computers and tutor support via telephone or e-mail. You can speed through the course or take your time. But you do need self-discipline and motivation.

What about my financial circumstances?
Be realistic about the costs. Can you afford to give up work and study full-time? Full-time study will usually affect your financial and personal circumstances the most. Investigate sources of funding. Funding for adult, further and higher education is complicated. It depends on the type of course and your personal circumstances. Work out your outgoings - mortgage, rent, bills etc. Review your assets and income, (house, savings, partner's income) and see what your budget is.
There are hidden costs too such as daily travel, books, equipment, and money for trips. Think about equipment - will you need a computer for example?

How can I be sure I'm making the right choice?
Be realistic about your chances of success. It's easy to make snap decisions about wanting to change career. If you've not been in education for a while think about a course to ease you back in. Be clear of your goal. If you've decided on a particular job, get an idea of what the job's about and if you'll like it. Read careers information, buy trade magazines, and speak to people currently working in the job.

This research is well worth it. It's better to take your time rather than doing a course that leads to a job you might not really want. You'll ensure that you don't waste any time or money.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Top interview tips

An interview is a discussion between you and an employer to find out if you can do the job. However, there are certain rules and conventions to follow in interviews. Here's a checklist of the main do's and don'ts.

What to do:

  • dress smartly, look bright and attentive, and speak clearly and confidently. Don't forget that only 7% of the interviewer's opinion of you is formed by what you say - the rest is judged on how you look, act and sound

  • find out where the venue is beforehand, how to get there and how long it takes

  • get your outfit ready the night before

  • find out what kind of interview it will be so you can prepare

  • examine the person specification and your CV/application form, and think about what type of questions they will ask you

  • prepare answers for the main questions - for example, why do you want the job, what are your strengths and weaknesses, what are the main tasks in this job

  • make about three or four points in each answer

  • quote real examples of when you've used certain skills - just saying you've got a skill isn't enough

  • take your time when answering the questions. Make sure you understand the question and take your time if you need to think

  • sell yourself. No-one else is going to! Be positive about yourself and your experiences

  • prepare some questions to ask at the end - use it as an opportunity to find out more about the role and the company. But don't ask about money or perks just yet!

  • when discussing salary, know your market worth and start by quoting a little higher than this

  • get feedback on your performance, whether you were successful or not

  • turn off your mobile! Treat the interviewers with respect and give them your undivided attention

  • keep your answers focused on what you can do for the employer, not what they can do for you



What not to do:

  • don't be late!

  • don't swear or use slang words

  • don't slouch in your seat or do anything else that makes you look disinterested

  • don't smoke

  • don't lie! The interviewer may see through you. Even if you get the job, your employer can dismiss you if they find out

  • don't let your nerves show too much. A few nerves are normal but extreme nerves will affect your performance. Use breathing techniques and try to remember that it's not a life and death situation - there are plenty of jobs out there!

  • don't be arrogant and assume you've got the job. Nothing turns off employers more than someone who is disrespectful and over-confident

  • don't discuss controversial topics such as religion, politics and gender relations

  • don't read from notes or your CV. You should be familiar enough with your own history to be able to talk about it unprompted

  • don't criticise former employers or colleagues. Interviewers may mark you down as a troublemaker and a gossip

  • don't argue with the interviewer, no matter what. Remember to keep things positive!

These rules apply for most jobs. However, employers in some industries can use more relaxed and informal interviewing techniques. In some creative fields (design and media for example) it may be expected that you turn up for the interview in casual clothes, as that is the dress code in the office. If you're in any doubt, do some research on typical interview technique in your line of work.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Questions that are generally asked in interview

What if I was fired from my last job?

If you were laid off as part of a universal reduction in the workforce, be honest about it but then move on quickly. But if you were excited for misconduct or not fulfilling your responsibilities as laid out in your contract, deal with this differently.

You can confess to occasional failings if you show that you've learnt from them. For instance, if you lost motivation, became lazy and got caught, describe how you intend to stay provoked in future. If you broke company policy, you could say you were going through personal or economic problems at the time, but that now they are resolved.

You should check out your references. If it was your last boss who fired you, and you have to list your last boss as a reference, phone them up to try and clear the air. Say you understand why they had to fire you, but you've learned from the experience and are looking to start afresh.

Explain that you're looking for a reference as you’re looking for work. Ask what they would say about you. Ask if they would say you were fired or if they would say you resigned. Not many bosses would keep giving you a bad reference to prevent you getting new work.

So even with these questions, honesty is the best policy. But always end with a positive, and show how you learnt from a negative experience.

What if I get asked why I've been out of work for a long time?

Firstly, stress any positive activities you've undertaken during your period out of work, such as:
• voluntary work
• courses
• keeping up with developments in your field
• treating job seeking as a full-time job
• keeping fit
• networking

You can also say that you were being selective, and not taking the first job that came along. Stress you were waiting for the right opportunity, such as the job being offered by the employer interviewing you.

What if I voluntarily left my job?

Make sure you state positive reasons for leaving. The best reason is to say that you wanted a fresh challenge, and you wanted to fully concentrate your efforts on finding your next opportunity. Reflect positively on your time in your previous job - describe how you developed in the role and say you were grateful for the opportunity.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

What is the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL)?

The European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) is a Europe-wide qualification in basic computer skills. If you have passed ECDL, employers know you have the skills to carry out the main tasks on a computer. The ECDL is the first qualification in personal computing skills to be recognised throughout the EU. And it looks great on your CV!

You might do an ECDL if you want a basic qualification in computing to enhance your career prospects, to improve your skills or just for general interest. ECDL is open to anyone - regardless of age, education, information technology (IT) experience or background.

What does it involve?

You get a logbook listing all the modules. As you pass each module, the accredited testing body will sign your logbook. You can take the modules in any order or even all at once. Normally all tests should be completed within three years of starting.

ECDL consists of seven units, each of which has a 45 minute test. The modules are:

  • Basic concepts of IT

  • Using the Computer and Managing Files

  • Word Processing

  • Spreadsheets

  • Databases

  • Presentation

  • Information and Communication.

Advanced ECDL
The ECDL advanced qualification aims to take your computer skills to the next level. You’ll get a certificate for passing each module.

In the UK you can study the following ECDL Advanced modules:

  • Spreadsheets

  • Databases

  • Presentation drawing

  • Word processing

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

What is the job of Atmospheric Scientist?

Atmospheric science is the study of the physics and chemistry of gases, clouds, and aerosols that surround the planetary bodies of the solar system.

Research in atmospheric science focuses upon such areas as:
Climatology. the study of long-term weather and temperature trends,
Dynamic meteorology. the study of the motions of the atmosphere,
Cloud Physics: the formation and evolution of clouds and precipitation,
Atmospheric chemistry: the study of atmospheric chemical reactions,
Oceanography: the study of the Earth's oceans and how they affect the atmosphere.
Some atmospheric scientists study the atmospheres of the planets in our solar system, while others study the Earth's atmosphere.

Atmospheric scientists may work in the following areas: field research, laboratory studies and/or computer analysis and modeling. Good communication skills (oral and written) are necessary as atmospheric scientists attend conferences and workshops, where they share their results with other researchers. They write papers and technical reports detailing the results of their research, give progress reports, and disseminate information on satellite data.

Atmospheric scientists may also be found working for private weather services, television and radio stations, commercial airlines, state governments, colleges and universities, public utilities, consulting firms, and aircraft and instrument manufacturing companies. They often work in groups where their different skills and backgrounds can be combined to study specific scientific questions such as the effects of aircraft emissions on the atmosphere. These multidisciplinary teams usually include people in other related careers such as aerospace engineers, electronics engineers, computer and communications technicians, photographers, science writers, data systems analysts, astronauts, pilots, astronomers, physicists, geologists, oceanographers, and biologists.

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Internet Safety Tips for Parents

General rules for ensuring Internet safety.
  • It’s important to be knowledgeable about the Internet, because even if you don’t have a computer at home, your child can access it at school, at a friend’s house, or at your public library.

  • Create a family agreement for Internet use, including hours of use, which sites can be accessed and which ones shouldn’t be.

  • Place your computer in a central, open location, like the living room, so Internet use can be supervised.

General rules for ensuring Internet safety.
  • Look at the sites your child visits.

  • Look into software or online services that filter out offensive material. Check with your Internet service provider (ISP) for any blocking features they might offer.

  • Consider installing a children’s search engine, like Yahooligans.

  • Create a special folder of “bookmarks,” or “favorites,” for your child on your computer’s browser.

Preserving your family’s privacy
  • If you have a web site, avoid putting your children’s pictures on it.

  • Teach your children to never give out identifying information about any family member. This includes: names, addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, passwords or credit card numbers.

  • Encourage them to tell you if anyone is pressing for personal information.

  • Teach your children that talking to a stranger on the Internet is no different than talking to a stranger on the street.

Minimizing possible risks
  • Talk to your children about potential online dangers such as giving out personal information to strangers. Chat room acquaintances are strangers and your child should never arrange to meet them in the real world unless you give permission and/or know who they are.

  • Better yet, if your children are young, steer them away from chat rooms. Older children should only participate in chat rooms you approve of.

  • If your child starts receiving phone calls from strangers, or places calls to people you don’t know, get to the bottom of it immediately.

  • Tell your children that if someone harasses them on-line, says something inappropriate, or makes them feel uncomfortable in any way they should tell you, their teacher, or a trusted adult.

  • Contact the police immediately if your child receives child pornography, has been sexually solicited or has received sexually explicit images from an adult.

Friday, September 04, 2009

Tips for preparing an effective personal statement

A compelling personal statement will enable you to stand out in a field with other high-achieving persons. It will help you overcome any gaps or inadequacies in your record. It can predispose the interview panel to want to give you a Truman Scholarship rather than to merely hear your case and then decide.

The passions, accomplishments, ambition, and creativity that you present in a carefully prepared personal statement will go a long way toward success in the Truman competition. Your ability to portray well these characteristics should be of enormous value in competitions next year for graduate fellowships and admissions to highly selective graduate schools.

Writing an effective personal statement is difficult. Points in this section should help you — but count on a lot of thought, effort, feedback from the Truman Faculty Representative, rewriting and editing to produce an outstanding personal statement. The skills that you develop in writing an excellent personal statement for the Truman competition will likely be skills that you will employ throughout your professional career.

The secret of good writing is to strip every sentence to its cleanest components.
William Zinsser from On Writing Well

Recognize that the people who read your Truman application and decide whether you advance in the Truman competition are pros. Veteran members of the Truman Scholarship Finalists Selection Committee have read hundreds of Truman applications. They distinguish easily between the sincere and the insincere, the truth and the puffery, the carefully prepared and the hastily prepared, the substantive and the superficial. Don't try to guess what they want to read. Just write honestly, simply, and clearly about yourself and your aspirations.

Understand your motivations for a career in public service. Think about why you want to be in the public sector as opposed to the potentially more lucrative and less emotionally challenging private sector.

Get a mentor/critic to help you with the Personal Statement. Generally, this will be the Truman Faculty Representative. If you are unable to work closely with your Faculty Representative, find a professor to assist you and to encourage you when you bog down in telling your story.

Before answering any of the items, think strategically about yourself and your candidacy. Ask yourself: "What are the most important characteristics and values, goals and ambitions, life experiences and service activities that define who I am?" Then decide which of these you wish to emphasize in your Truman personal statement. Don't try to cover every aspect.

Everybody has a special story - some people just tell their story better. Share those stories that have been formative in your development as a potential change agent. These stories are often interesting and compelling.

In telling your story, you want to use your responses to Items 7-9 and 14 to bring out some dimensions that are not obvious from reading your list of activities (responses to Items 2-4). Reveal why you are committed to public service.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Writing the Chronological Resume

While there is no one correct resume style, there are some general guidelines to follow to prepare a high quality resume. Plan to group information under category titles that employers will easily recognize, such as objective, work experience, and education. Follow the step by step outline below to write and lay out your resume into a chronological resume style.

  1. Provide your full name, address and telephone number with area code.

  2. Objective
    Write only one objective statement per resume. The objective should state what position you are applying for, and include a couple of reasons why you should be considered for the job. It is a good idea to write the objective to aim toward the employer's job duties and needs.

  3. Work Experience
    • Begin with your most recent employment and continue backward to report your work history or volunteer activities.

    • List the dates of employment.

    • List the name and address of the employer.

    • List the job title.

    • Explain job duties and responsibilities in one to two sentences followed by a bulleted list.

    • Try to begin each bulleted sentence with an action word.

    • Write about your experience and skills to aim toward the job requirements.

    • Provide the most information about your most recent job. For example: write a brief description consisting of a few sentences followed by a short list of bulleted items.

    • Provide less information about your remaining employers with a briefer description and fewer bulleted items.

    • Show growth and progress with responsibilities.

    • Stress achievements and accomplishments.

    • List any volunteer work or civic activities that you are involved with that are related to the job. Include the dates of your volunteer service.

    • Example:

      (Date)

      2000 to present Job Title Employer's Name and City and State

      Explain job duties with one to two brief sentences. Then add a bulleted list that explains your responsibilities and accomplishments. Begin each sentence with an action word.



      • Built . . .

      • Installed . . .

      • Repaired . . .

      • Ordered . . .


      1997 to 1999 Job Title Employer's Name and City and State

      (As above, except briefer. See "Sample Chronological Resume" below.)




  4. Education
    Under education, start with your highest degree.
    Avoid using dates.
    Include academic honors.
    Leave out high school information if you have college education.

  5. Licenses or Certificates
    List job-related special licenses or certificates that you may have, such as special class drivers license, guard card, or certified nurse assistant certificate.

  6. Activities (Optional)
    List community activities or club memberships that you are involved with that are related to the job.

Monday, August 24, 2009

What to do what not to do in an interview

What to do:

• dress smartly, look bright and attentive, and speak clearly and confidently. Don't forget that only 7% of the interviewer's opinion of you is formed by what you say - the rest is judged on how you look, act and sound
• find out where the venue is beforehand, how to get there and how long it takes
• get your outfit ready the night before
• find out what kind of interview it will be so you can prepare
• examine the person specification and your CV/application form, and think about what type of questions they will ask you
• prepare answers for the main questions - for example, why do you want the job, what are your strengths and weaknesses, what are the main tasks in this job
• make about three or four points in each answer
• quote real examples of when you've used certain skills - just saying you've got a skill isn't enough
• take your time when answering the questions. Make sure you understand the question and take your time if you need to think
• sell yourself. No-one else is going to! Be positive about yourself and your experiences
• prepare some questions to ask at the end - use it as an opportunity to find out more about the role and the company. But don't ask about money or perks just yet!
• when discussing salary, know your market worth and start by quoting a little higher than this
• get feedback on your performance, whether you were successful or not
• turn off your mobile! Treat the interviewers with respect and give them your undivided attention
• keep your answers focused on what you can do for the employer, not what they can do for you

What not to do:

• don't be late!
• don't swear or use slang words
• don't slouch in your seat or do anything else that makes you look disinterested
• don't smoke
• don't lie! The interviewer may see through you. Even if you get the job, your employer can dismiss you if they find out
• don't let your nerves show too much. A few nerves are normal but extreme nerves will affect your performance. Use breathing techniques and try to remember that it's not a life and death situation - there are plenty of jobs out there!
• don't be arrogant and assume you've got the job. Nothing turns off employers more than someone who is disrespectful and over-confident
• don't discuss controversial topics such as religion, politics and gender relations
• don't read from notes or your CV. You should be familiar enough with your own history to be able to talk about it unprompted
• don't criticize former employers or colleagues. Interviewers may mark you down as a troublemaker and a gossip
• don't argue with the interviewer, no matter what. Remember to keep things positive!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Atmospheric Scientist

Careers in NASA

Atmospheric science is the study of the physics and chemistry of gases, clouds, and aerosols that surround the planetary bodies of the solar system.

Research in atmospheric science focuses upon such areas as:
  • Climatology. the study of long-term weather and temperature trends,

  • Dynamic meteorology. the study of the motions of the atmosphere,

  • Cloud Physics: the formation and evolution of clouds and precipitation,

  • Atmospheric chemistry: the study of atmospheric chemical reactions,
  • Oceanography: the study of the Earth's oceans and how they affect the atmosphere.


Some atmospheric scientists study the atmospheres of the planets in our solar system, while others study the Earth's atmosphere.

Atmospheric scientists may work in the following areas: field research, laboratory studies and/or computer analysis and modeling. Good communication skills (oral and written) are necessary as atmospheric scientists attend conferences and workshops, where they share their results with other researchers. They write papers and technical reports detailing the results of their research, give progress reports, and disseminate information on satellite data.

The majority of atmospheric scientists in the United States work for the Federal Government. The largest number of civilian atmospheric scientists work for the National Weather Service and other branches of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as well as NASA, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Forest Service, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Energy.

Atmospheric scientists may also be found working for private weather services, television and radio stations, commercial airlines, state governments, colleges and universities, public utilities, consulting firms, and aircraft and instrument manufacturing companies. They often work in groups where their different skills and backgrounds can be combined to study specific scientific questions such as the effects of aircraft emissions on the atmosphere. These multidisciplinary teams usually include people in other related careers such as aerospace engineers, electronics engineers, computer and communications technicians, photographers, science writers, data systems analysts, astronauts, pilots, astronomers, physicists, geologists, oceanographers, and biologists

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Steps in filling application forms

Before you start…
It's important to plan how you're going to complete the form. Make sure you read the instructions on the form carefully. If it asks you to put the information in a certain order then make sure you do!

Online application forms
If the form is online, draft your application offline first – in a word processing package like Word – and save it to your computer. This way you'll be able to run a spell check before you copy the info into the online system. It also means you'll have a back-up if there's a problem with the form.
More and more sites offer the option of storing your application online and coming back to it. If you do this in more than one sitting, keep a record of any usernames and passwords so that you can get back in!Online forms can be longer and more complicated than paper forms – follow the instructions carefully and check how many screens you have to fill in before you can submit your application.

Paper application forms
If you’re filling in a form by hand, write as neatly as you can in black ink and use block capitals if the form asks you to.A good way to avoid mistakes and crossings-out on the final form is to photocopy the original and practice filling in this copy first. Take care of the form – don’t spill anything on it or leave it in your bag to get creased!

Some important final checks…
Whether your form is online or on paper you should:

  • read it over a few times to check for spelling and grammatical errors – these are one of the most common reasons applications are rejected
  • someone else to proofread it for you
  • Check you’ve filled in all of the boxes that are relevant to you – if you leave an empty box the employer may think your form is incomplete. If a box isn’t relevant, put ‘N/A’ (not applicable)
  • Photocopy or print out the finished form, so you have a record of what you’ve put. You'll need to be able to refer back to it at the interview stage
  • Take note of the closing date and send your application form to arrive in good time.

Tips About Career Consulting Firms for Job-hunters

Before you sign a contract or pay anything to a career consulting company you have seen advertised, take the following precautions to protect yourself and your livelihood:


  • Be skeptical of any employment service firm that promises to get you a job for an up-front fee and guarantees refunds to unhappy customers.

  • Consider the cost versus the likely benefit of their services.

  • Ask to meet with the representative in his or her office, rather than a hotel room or other temporary location.

  • Get a copy of the firm’s contract and review it carefully prior to signing. Understand the terms and conditions of their refund policy. If oral promises are made that do not also appear in the contract, reconsider doing business with them or, at a minimum, have these written into the contract.

  • Check the company’s track record in Georgia and nationally through the Better Business Bureau. Remember, even if there are no complaints, they may have changed names or may be too new for complaints to have been registered against them.

  • Follow up with the corporate office of any employer listed in an employment service ad to confirm that the company is really hiring.

  • Be wary of firms promoting “previously undisclosed” federal government jobs. All federal positions are announced to the public.

  • Do not give out your credit card or bank account information on the phone unless you are familiar with the company and agree to pay for something. Anyone who has your account information can use it to take money from your account.

  • If you call an 800 number, you cannot legally be transferred to a 900 number. If this happens, you will be charged excessive fees in violation of federal law.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Do you need to know what the job of a pilot is and how to become a pilot?

Pilots fly airplanes and helicopters in order to get various jobs done. Most pilots fly people and cargo from place to place. Some pilots test new planes, fight fires, do police work, or rescue people who are hurt or in danger.

Before they take off, pilots plan their flight carefully. They check their plane to make sure that it is working properly. They also make sure that baggage or cargo has been loaded correctly. They check the weather forecast to see if they will run into any bad weather on their trip. They then decide what route they should take and how high and fast they should fly.

Takeoff and landing are the hardest parts. Pilots must be especially careful during those times. The rest of the flight is fairly easy, if the weather is good. Planes have indicators to tell pilots if their trip is going according to plan. These indicators show whether there is enough fuel, whether the weather is changing, and whether the plane is on course. Pilots must check these indicators often during the trip to be sure that all is going well. If problems come up, the pilots take steps to solve them.

The law says that pilots who work for an airline cannot fly more than 100 hours a month or more than 1,000 hours a year. Most airline pilots fly about 65-75 hours a month, and work another 75 hours a month at other parts of the job. When they are flying, airline pilots must very often stay away from home overnight. Airlines have flights at all hours of the day and night. This means that airline pilots often are asked to work odd hours.

Pilots who do not work for the airlines can have unusual work schedules, too. For example, they may fly 30 hours one month and 90 hours the next. Most of them do not have to stay away from home overnight, but they may have to work odd hours.

Pilots who fly very long distances may have "jet lag." This is fatigue caused by moving through different time zones. The work of pilots who test new planes may be dangerous. Pilots who work on farms or who help police and firefighters also might get hurt on their jobs.

Flying does not involve much hard physical work. However, pilots can feel a lot of stress because they know that they are responsible for the safety of their passengers. They must be careful and quick to react if something goes wrong.

All pilots who are paid to fly must have a license from the Federal Government. They must be at least 18 years old. They must have flown at least 250 hours. To get an airline pilot's license, a person must be at least 23 years old. The person must have flown for a total of 1,500 hours, or have gone to a special school for pilots.

A doctor must also examine the person. The doctor makes sure that the person can see and hear well, and is healthy enough to fly. Pilots must also pass a written test to show that they know how to fly properly. The pilot's employer may ask him or her to pass other special tests as well.
Many pilots learn how to fly in the military. Others become pilots by going to flight schools. Most companies want the pilots they hire to have some college education. In fact, most people who enter this occupation have a college degree.

Thursday, August 06, 2009

Three Reasons to Get Over Your Fear of Networking ... Now!

If you are a job hunter you’ve likely heard much about the importance of networking. Perhaps you’re reluctant to give it a try. You’re not alone.

According to a recent study conducted by Pepperdine University and Upwardly Mobile, Inc., “both the corporate and academic realms are seemingly blind to the power of networking, evidenced by a large population of students and employees who want to network but do not believe they are skilled enough to do so effectively.”

If your fear of networking is holding you back in your job search or career, here are three good reasons to get over your fear of networking fast:

1. Networking is a critical business skill.

Networking — the ability to meet new people and build mutually beneficial partnerships — is an essential business skill. It is far more than just getting out and meeting people, collecting stacks of business cards, or making countless “friends” or “connections” online. Networking effectively necessitates long-term, strategic thinking.

“You know those Verizon commercials where the entire network is standing behind a person? That’s how I see people. Everyone in my mind has a network standing behind them,” says Molly Wendell, President & CEO of Executives Network, a quickly growing peer-networking organization for executives in transition.

Individuals within your network may or may not be able to help you personally. However, they are more than willing to introduce you to people in their network who can. The ability to develop and tap into an extensive professional network is fundamental to success in business. This is true whether you are networking as a professional, job hunter, or entrepreneur.

2.Your ability to network effectively can directly impact your career achievements and income.

The Elite Networker study mentioned earlier reveals that networking is a key driver behind higher salaries and career advancement. This is particularly true of high-earning, “elite” professionals. They are adept at cultivating richer relationships and gaining more access. Thus they enjoy a higher level of success in their careers and personal lives.

ExecuNet.com – a recognized authority in executive recruiting and human capital – states, “Career advancement is all about making connections with people who can share ideas, leads and opportunities.”

The Elite Networker study illustrates that anyone can benefit significantly by improving their networking skills, habits, and mindset.

3. Networking is the most effective job search strategy.

Networking is a highly-effective job search strategy. According to the Elite Networker study, 40% of respondents found their current position through networking and referrals. Yet another study, ExecuNet’s Executive Job Market Intelligence Report 2008, reveals that 70% of job search executives found their current positions through networking.

Molly Wendell can testify to the effectiveness of networking. A few years ago, also during a tough economy, Molly spent more than 21 months looking for a job with barely an interview. Then she decided to change her approach to her job search.

Source: http://www.womenco.com/benefits/articles/3712-three-reasons-to-get-over-your-fear-of-networking-now?page=2

Friday, July 31, 2009

Ten Tips on Career Advancement

Many career experts agree that the best time to look for a new job is while you are still comfortably in your old one. If you’re starting to feel unchallenged in your present position, you may be ready for a promotion to the next level. If there aren’t many career advancement opportunities where you work, the best next job may be waiting for you elsewhere.

Nowadays, it’s up to you to take control of your professional future and make sure that you are progressing wisely down the right career path. Here are 10 proven strategies to help you get started:

  1. Talk to your boss. Sit down and have a very direct and pointed conversation with your boss about your future in the company. Stress that you want your job performance to meet the company’s goals. Share your own career goals with him or her. Your boss will respect this display of confidence and maturity.

  2. Ask for more. Volunteering to help out other departments or teams — or simply asking for more responsibilities — increases your value within the organization. Asking for additional work shows an interest and desire to help your department and company to succeed. It also puts a spotlight on your value to the business.

  3. Volunteer for boards. If you have your career set on something beyond what you are doing in your present position, seek out opportunities to volunteer or serve on advisory boards, where you can build a reputation as someone who is passionate and dedicated to your particular industry.

  4. Sharpen your people skills. Strong interpersonal skills play a crucial role in gaining the respect of your boss and coworkers; they will also attract the notice of outside influencers who might open new doors of opportunity for you. Be friendly, outgoing, and personable. Listen carefully to people, and practice being a clear and effective communicator.

  5. Be innovative. Never be afraid to think outside of the box and put your business acumen to work. Stay on the lookout for creative solutions to problems that will make you — and your boss — look good.

  6. Find a mentor. Develop mentoring relationships, either inside or outside the company. Recent studies have shown that four out of five promotions are influenced by a mentor higher up in the company. Mentors are also great sources of information and career guidance.

  7. Sell yourself. Learn the fine art of self-promotion. If you have had major accomplishments or created successful programs, make sure people know about it — especially those in influential positions who could help you advance professionally. Let it be known that you are seeking a promotion or the next step up in your career.

  8. Keep learning. A proven way to advance in your career is to be continually acquiring new knowledge. Stay on top of trends or developments in your field and make sure that your current résumé reflects those needed skills.

  9. Network. Strengthen your personal network and join professional organizations, attend industry conferences, or even volunteer. The more people who are aware of your strengths and abilities, the better your chances of hearing about any new opportunities that might arise.

  10. Build your reputation. In business, your reputation is the most valuable thing you own. Be known for being dependable, professional, and cooperative. Act and look the part by dressing professionally. Make a name for yourself by attending conferences, delivering speeches, or writing articles.

Source : allbusiness.com

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Career Planning Tips

Building a Career
The 9 most important career planning tips is listed below:

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. Ask, Listen And Learn
  • 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.
source : w3schools.com

Friday, July 17, 2009

Career tips for professionalism

When you step out into the world with your skills, it’s important to keep a professional attitude going. What is professionalism? This term means that you have to strike that all elusive balance when things are going over the board. Keeping a distance from your peers and colleagues is a healthy sign. Keep the attitude as positive as possible, even when the going gets really tough is absolutely essential. At work we are unnecessarily surrounded by problems that we have nothing to do with. All these generally add to our distractions and instead of conserving our energy for the task at hand, we get trapped in gossip, petty politics and just a waste of time tactics. It is important to keep social contacts but you don’t necessarily have to enter the households of every person you meet.

Focus is very important. You have to deal with distracters and detractors firmly. Time management is an important tool, and so are deadlines. Everything we do is governed by time, so having an attitude that goes beyond timeliness is certainly non-productive. You can strive to excel, but remember all your actions and thoughts have to produce results in the given time frame. Gaining popularity is good, but as you scale the ladder, do not compromise your standards of ethics and productivity for a few moments of cheap fun and publicity. Some people are too harsh and others too soft, you have to fine-tune that balance between acceptable and unacceptable behavior.

You yourself are important. If you suffer from low self esteem, people are going to walk all over you. In the long run, don’t keep slaving for others and forget yourself in the bargain. When you are at the giving end of the spectrum, make it felt that you also receive some benefits. Nobody is working for charity in a corporation. If you feel sensitive to an issue mull over how you are going to voice over your concerns to your seniors. Do not allow your seniors or your juniors to get away with wrong doing. Sometimes you have to educate others that what they are up to is no good. For this you need good communication skills, you have to stand up for what you believe in and for yourself. Bring to light all issues being swept under the carpet, but do it diplomatically and with some subtlety and skill. There are some problems you can solve just by facing them squarely instead of covering them up or sweeping them under the carpet.

If you are in a position of power, you can make your subordinates feel really lowly, but give them a positive signal or two so that some hope floats. Lastly, you can be a positive influence of change, even if it means deflating an ego or two. But it’s important that you don’t kill the spirit of the defaulting person at the same time.
Source : http://blogs.mybandra.com/2009/03/05/career-tips-for-professionalism

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

Powerful Networking

One of the first things you find in situations where you are meeting new people is that they want to know about your work…what you do. They don’t want some long drawn out life history and it would obviously be rude and nonproductive to wave off their interest. Yet, you need to be able to effectively and naturally deliver the info they seek. Stuff like, what your work consists of now, what your experience (work &/or education) is, and maybe a bit about your career goals. They just need to be able to categorize you a bit. Getting categorized sounds rude but it is meant to be helpful. If an opportunity comes up that they want to share, they need to be able to quickly pull you out of their mental filing system. Many people love to make connections and help others this way especially if it is easy and they know just the right person to refer.

So, have you spent time practicing your one minute bio? The exercise feels kinda lame and unnatural but the important thing is that you give it some thought and practice putting your voice to your thoughts about your work — where you have been careerwise and where you are going.

There is an art to networking. It is quite difficult to remember to take a moment to understand who you are interacting with and how to best present yourself in various situations. But keep your mind on it and stay aware for opportunity, not just opportunity for you but opportunity to help others somehow — that is powerful networking. The person you help may not be the one to help you but you set wheels into motion by being generous with your knowledge, info, and positive energy.

Source : http://www.steviesue.com

Friday, July 03, 2009

25 Graphic Design Career Preparation Tips

The Graphic Design Career is a fast growing career that is becoming more and more competitive with every passing day. People are realizing how much money is available and how flexible the graphic and web design career really is. You can work full-time in house in a small studio or large agency. You can earn extra money on the side, you can freelance full-time from the comfort of your own home or you can even use your skills in design to you accomplish business projects.

The bottom line is its a great choice for creative people looking to express themselves and earn a decent and comfortable living at the same time.

In order to survive in such a fast growing and competitive field though it is essential you do everything you can as early on as you can. I started in college, but I know people who are freelancing and running businesses and websites at age 14 and even younger! The age aspect should not discourage you, but should rather inspire you to get your butt into gear before other graphic designers leave you in the dust!

So no matter what age you are or what stage you are in, we have created a list of things you can do to get your dream graphic design career going in the right direction.

Graphic Design Career Preparation Tips

  1. Major in Graphic Design

  2. Figure Out Your Specialization

  3. Plan Your Credits Carefully

  4. Take Advantage of Your Counselor and Teachers

  5. Take Advantage of Career Services

  6. Become Involved in School Events

  7. Develop Friendships With Your Classmates

  8. Get an Internship

  9. Get a Certificate in Graphic Design

  10. Practice Your Photography

  11. Learn HTML, XHTML and CSS

  12. Take Some Business Courses

  13. Master the Adobe Suite

  14. Stay in Touch With Your Roots

  15. Express Your Creativity

  16. Create a Portfolio Website

  17. Create a Print Portfolio

  18. Create Your Own Personal Identity System

  19. Create a Resume and Cover Letter

  20. Research Job Requirements

  21. Start Freelancing

  22. Take Advantage of Design Contests

  23. Build Up Your Vault of Free Design Resources

  24. Get the Graphic Artist Guild Handbook

  25. Start Networking
For more information : http://www.youthedesigner.com/2008/10/08/25-graphic-design-career-preparation-tips/