Top career change ideas

Top seven career change tips is mention below:

1. Forget Job Titles
Job titles really inhibit your thinking. If I asked you to list all the jobs you could think of, you might come up with a couple of hundred before you ran dry. In reality there are thousands of jobs out there that you would never identify under your own steam, so forget the job title and focus instead on the key themes that are important for you in a job.

2. List what you dont want to do
This is often quite easy to do if you are in a job you hate and it is a very useful exercise. It helps you focus on the aspects of a job that really drive you nuts and then also pick out those that are annoying in your current job but actually you would be prepared to put up with to some degree in a different situation.

3. List what you think you should want to do
What do you think your career should look like? What pressure are you putting on yourself to confirm to certain expectations. Just check with yourself whose rules you are following here. Who exactly says that your career must look like this?

4. List what you would do if anything were possible
Yes, you are allowed to take the brakes off here and create a big dream. Forget the constraints you put on yourself, wherever they come from.

5. List what you would do if you gave yourself permission to say that you want it
So often, we limit the possibilities in our lives because we just dont allow ourselves to want something. Maybe you want to earn lots of money but that seems too greedy. Maybe you want to have an easy, quiet job - but that seems too lazy. Maybe you want to set up your own business but you cant because you have to think about so many other people in your life first.

6. Reinvent yourself
If you could rewind the tape on your life and re-run it, what would you do? If you could dump all the stuff, the rules, the history that you have gathered on your journey through life to this point and travel light without the baggage, where would your journey take you? What would the new you look like and what work would this new person be doing?

7. Think big and think small
Your new career does not have to be something world changing and grand. If you want to change the world, great! Go ahead and build your new career around this big vision. But if you feel drawn to operating on a more local scale, thats fine too. Small changes can be just as transforming for your career and your life as big ones, so dont be fooled into thinking that bigger is necessarily better. Career change success is about finding what feels right for you.

career change planning

A career change is a move that should be thought of in all seriousness. Before making the decision, you need to find out if you're fit for a career change. Ask yourself these questions.

Are you finished soul searching?
Quitting "unprepared" will only lead to a disaster. Before you throw in the towel, look for industries that match your personal passions. And then find out whether these industries are actually hiring.

Can you consider yourself "better" than most job hunters?
Experience is not enough in today's job search. Figure out the skills that you need to be qualified for the new job that you want. Then try to attend as much seminars as you can. You might want to get a new degree too.

Is your network enough to get you moving?
We've always been saying that networking can do wonders in job search. When the going gets tough in your job hunting, your contacts will be the ones to keep your optimism intact as they can provide you first-hand job leads.

Lastly, are you prepared for the stress?
Chances are it has been a long time since you've been on a job hunt and the present situation of the job market may surprise you a bit. Always remember to look at things in a positive light and don't let your ego get in the way.

Ten Tips for Career Changers

1. Understand what’s behind your desire to make a change.

Maybe you are starting to become disillusioned with your job. You’re bogged down. Perhaps you’re no longer on the way up. This is the time to step back and start to think about life more broadly. But be warned, career changers can go into mourning. All of a sudden, you realize how you miss their old career, and you’re not really open to replacing those things.

2. Get your life in order.

Get physically and financially fit. Change is stressful. When you’re physically fit, you have more power and are mentally sharper to face the challenges ahead. Starting a fresh career later in life takes an incredible amount of strength and energy.

3. Be practical.

If possible, make your move in stages. You may need to upgrade your skills and education, but take one class at a time. If you’d like to go to graduate school, maybe start by taking a night classes. You don’t have to enroll in a full-course load. You can include more classes as your direction and motivation become clear.

4. Find a mentor.

Ask for help. Seek advice from people who have been winning in the field you are interested in switching into from the start. Everybody likes to be asked for counsel.

5. Be prepared for setbacks.

It’s not all-smooth sailing, but if you’ve laid the correct groundwork, you’ll get through the rough patches. Having your family or partner at your back for support will help tremendously. They don’t have to own your dream, but be supportive.

6. Volunteer or moonlight.

You might try on several jobs before you find the one that’s correct. Anne Nolan, executive director of Crossroads Rhode Island, the state’s biggest homeless shelter, started as a volunteer. She didn’t know what she wanted to do when she lost her executive-level career. She had a year’s salary and time to think her options through. She decided to volunteer at the shelter–not because she dreamed it would turn into a full-time job.

7. Research. Look for jobs that leverage experience.

Check out job web sites like encore.org, retiredbrains.com, workforce50.com, to get a flavor for what others are doing and what jobs are out there at the present. Investigate fields like healthcare, the clergy, eldercare and education that have a growing demand for employees. The Bureau of Labor Statistic’s Occupational Outlook Handbook is a good reference.

8. Don’t lock yourself into a must-have salary.

Salary is the biggest roadblock for most career changers. Chances are when you start-over in a new field or move to a nonprofit, you will need to take a salary cut at least primarily. If you have an emergency fund to buy you time, you can to do a more thoughtful job hunt. Pare back your discretionary living expenses to reflect a more realistic view of what you’ll earn. What are the things that are main in your life? What things are actively giving you pleasure that you might have to give up?

9. Keep your hand out of the cookie jar.

Don’t dip too deep into your core savings. Of all the mistakes older employees make in launching second careers, this is probably the bad. Would-be entrepreneurs aren’t necessarily raiding retirement accounts to launch businesses, but they’re tapping home equity and other savings, and that has obvious implications for retirement safety.

10. Do something every day to work toward your goal.

Changing careers can appear overwhelming. Don’t struggle to find an ideal initial point or perfect path, is great advice I gleaned from Clearways Consulting career coach Beverly Jones, a second-acter herself. Once you have some picture of where you want to go, get things moving by taking small steps toward that vision. What really matters is that you do a little something on a regular basis.

Broaden your scope when it comes to career ideas

Whether you are at the start of your career, looking for a change, or simply after a new job, it is a good idea to brainstorm different career ideas and approaches.
This section outlines how to network and provides a list of tips, books and websites, all dedicated to career ideas.

How to network

Networking isn't necessarily asking for a job. It’s about letting people know you are available so if a vacancy comes up, they will think of you. In fact, tapping into your existing network is often the best way to find new opportunities or generate new career ideas.

Three steps to effective networking

1. Start by making contact with someone you know. Unless you see them regularly (at work or at weekly social or sports events) it is quicker to contact them by telephone.
2. Then try a 'warm call', that is, use the name of a mutual friend or acquaintance as an introduction when you call someone you don't know personally.
3. Finally, try 'cold calling' employers to ask whether they are likely to recruit people with your capabilities and skills.

Tips for making contact

It isn’t always easy speaking with people you don’t know. Follow these tips to take the pressure off yourself and ensure you give a good impression.
• write down what you want to say and rehearse it
• tell them your reason for contacting them
• check if they have time to talk at the moment – if not, call back later
• keep the phone call short and focus on your reason for calling – this makes a professional impression
• research the organization before you go to a meeting – potential employers will be impressed by your initiative
• follow up your meeting with an email or letter thanking them for their time.

Ten worst job seeking tips ever

1. Don't give a summary for your resume.

2. Include as much as possible in resume. No,no! Editing is a business talent.

3. Use corporate speak. Do you ever warm to teachers who use teacher speak? Have you any plan what they are really saying? The most up-to-date advisers recommend writing your resume the way you speak.

4. Don't ever postpone the phone screen..

5. Don't bring up money. Do bring up cash. Why waste time?

6. Send your resume via an online job ad or company site only.

7. Don’t send a paper resume.

8. Wait for them to call your name. Don't follow this opinion. Instead, use your LinkedIn connections to put you in tough with someone who can put in a word with the hiring manager.

9. Give them all. Hold off on references.

10. Post your resume on all job board. No. You don't want to be overexposed and undervalued.

Job-Hunting Tips For 2011

1.Keep your social networking alive, well and professional.

If you've been neglecting your Linkedin account and playing Farmville instead, it's time to switch gears and look at social networking as one more step in the successful job search. It's okay to have accounts for personal social networking, but spend less time on those and lot more time on the profiles you have that relate to your past, current and future career. Get involved in local groups on Linkedin, update your professional blog every day and follow professionals in your field on your Twitter account.

2.Find a job with Twitter.

Twitter is helpful for far more than to-the-minute updates on the personal lives of your favorite friends and/or celebrities. Twitter can help land you a fresh job. First, follow influential folks in your field. Keep up with what's going on. Participate. Be part of the profession even if you're still looking for a job. Second, use a Twitter search device to look for jobs, conferences and networking opportunities with people in your field

3.Polish up your resume.

Social networking is a great way to get the contacts you need, but most often you'll still have to send in a resume for those job applications. Don't send an outdated resume in after you've updated your online presence. Make sure that both your resume and your online profiles are current and the best representation of your job experience and education.

4.Get active even (especially) if you're unemployed.

Local connections are one of the most powerful ways to find a job; and you'll only get depressed if you sit at home in your sweats every day. Join local organizations, volunteer and get involved in your community. Use your expertise to help other people out. Offer free seminars in your church or community association, write articles for the paper or mentor someone who's new to the field.

5.Look for ways to be an expert.

If you're a fresh graduate looking for your first job, then that whole "job experience" section of the resume is often a painful subject. You may not be able to fill it up with years on the job, but do what you can to establish some expertise in your part. Attend conferences and seminars, take classes and get certifications.

The big switch: Eight practical steps to making a career change

1. Review your history.
You know the saying: You can’t know where you’re going until you know where you’ve been. So think back, way back, to that third, fifth and ninth job and write them all down. For one, it’ll explain you how far you’ve come, and, if you’re like most Americans, it’ll illustrate just how many different tasks you’re capable of carrying out. Don’t forget to include volunteer positions.

2. Make a list. Or three.
Write down all the skills you mastered at each of those jobs, even the seemingly trivial. That major makeover you pulled on the office lunch room may seem inconsequential, but it may be a clue that you have a hope in interior design. On another page, list your interests. The things you like to do when you’re not earning a paycheck.

3. Find a direction.
The lists you made are clues to a new way, but you have to have the right tools to decode the signs. Soloway suggests using professional career and personality tests (check out careermaze.com as an example) to figure out what your skills and interests are telling you. Career counselors at JVS use the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, among other tools, to narrow down the types of careers that fit your individuality and talents

4. Try on some shoes.
You’ve narrowed down your options. Now how do you select between pastry chef and greeting card designer? Dig in and find out everything you can about your prospective career: which skills are needed, which degrees are required, what is the pay, what the job conditions are like. Simple online research can fill in many of those blanks, but for the real dish, you have to network face to face.

5. Stay busy.
Spending days at a time in your pajamas, rotating laptop, Blackberry and TV screens in front of your face will not only drag down your feel, it’ll sully your resumé. utilize your free time wisely to show prospective employers that you are active, resourceful and willing to work, even without a paycheck as motivation. Volunteer at your synagogue, a local shelter, school or food bank. Bonus points if you do something that’s relevant to your field of interest. Look for internships, freelance opportunities and other ways to get your foot in the door.

6. Hit the books.
To snag certain jobs, like an X-ray technician or an electrician, you’ll have to sign up for a vocational school. For others, you may be able to fill in the educational gap with classes at a community college, an online course, or some how-to books: i.e. Bartending for Dummies, Day Trading for Dummies, Event Planning for Dummies. Educating yourself shows initiative and drive, and even if the most important thing you study in your creative writing class is that you can’t string a sentence together, at least you can cross Romance Novelist off your list of potential careers.

7. Take baby steps.
Going from school psychologist to web designer is quite a leap, so consider making the transition in several steps. Soloway encourages clients to get “stepping stone jobs” that move them one step closer to their desired career. For instance, our psychologist can apply for a job writing content for the LAUSD website to gain some basic knowledge of what makes a site appealing.

8. Recruit cheerleaders.
Job hunting, particularly for career shifters, is incremental in nature and may take years to achieve the final goal. You’re going to require a cheering section, with verve, and stamina for the long haul. The career counselors at JVS are there to hand you cups of water and granola bars throughout the marathon, Soloway says. But you can recruit your best friend, your daughter, your neighbor – whoever will be genuinely interested – to keep track of your progress and help you focus on the positive.

Five Tips for Green Job Seekers

Here are five tips to assist you in your search:

1. Review online job boards. Green jobs are posted regularly on general-purpose job boards and job boards that are specific to the green economy or a sub-sector of it (such as Careers in Wind from the American Wind Energy Association). You can get a list of relevant job boards here.

2. Network. It is often cited that several people find jobs via their connections. Examples of ways that green job seekers can expand their network include attending networking events organized by groups such as EcoTuesday and Green Drinks or by participating in the local chapter of a national organization such as Net Impact or the American Solar Energy Society.

3. Network (the online version). Websites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter be able to serve as platforms for online networking as well as locating job postings. For example, GJN runs a 20,000-member group on LinkedIn in which members ask questions, share information, and post jobs.

4. Attend events. A number of different types of events can be relevant for green job seekers. First, there are an increasing number of green job fairs and green career programs taking place across the country. For example, a Virginia Green Jobs Fair recently took place in Richmond and a Green Building Job Fair will be taking place in Chicago in November (a calendar containing these and related events is available here). Second, there are panel programs, conferences, and expos that focus on various aspects of the green economy. Attending these events can offer numerous benefits such as increasing your knowledge of topics relevant for your career and meeting representatives from organizations in the green economy — some of which may be hiring (for example, the upcoming Green Festival in Washington, DC and San Francisco will feature hundreds of exhibitors).

5. Follow the money. There continues to be private and public sector investment in existing and new enterprises in the green sector. The recipients of these investments can serve as sources of present (and future) job opportunities.

Career expert offers tips on acing a second job interview

Bravo! You've shown you're a qualified applicant and have been invited to a second interview. The odds of being hired have increased, but question will be tougher and you'll likely be expected to meet - and impress - more people.

"Feel fine because they like you, but be on your toes because they're not 100% convinced," says Maureen McCann, senior career consultant with Graham Management Group of Toronto.

Consider these dos and don'ts:

•Find out in advance what the plan will be and who will be interviewing you. Find as much as you can about them using tools like Google and LinkedIn.

•Find out how much time you need to dedicate to the interview and brush up on correct etiquette. If you're going out for lunch or dinner, for example, be aware of the establishment's dress code.

•Don't drink alcohol, unless you're being interviewed for an alcohol-related company. If you do have a drink, limit yourself to one n analysis your performance in the first interview. "Get a coach for mock interviews," McCann says. "Talk to your references and let them know how they can help if they get a call earlier than your second interview."

•Set goals. "Make a list of five things you're going to talk about before you go the interview," McCann says.

•Build a rapport with interviewers, then ask what the ideal candidate looks like and how they'll recognize necessary qualities or skills.

•Build on the research you did for your first interview. Review sources like trade publications and industry associations.

•Don't be caught off guard if asked about salary. Try to save that conversation until there's a job offer with a response like, "I'm sure you're a very fair company and I'm willing to consider your very best offer when the time is right." But suggest a salary range if pressured to reply.

•Reiterate your interest in the job when the interview ends. Inquire about when you can expect a reply.

•Send a handwritten thank-you card within 24 hours.

5 Best Career Tips for Young People

Invest in yourself.

Professional coaching can turn you into the star podcaster you’ve dreamed of becoming, or it can teach you how to be a better leader. Sometimes, a career coach or development course can help you get “unstuck” from a career rut. Talk about your goals for the session ahead of time to make sure you get what you want out of it. (The price of one-on-one coaching typically starts at around $200 an hour.) Less formal advice can come from meeting with more experienced colleagues and mentors over lunch or coffee; they will often be happy to talk with you.

Raise your rates.

Chances are you’re not getting paid as much as you’re worth. Do some research on salary comparison websites, such as salary.com or payscale.com. If the estimates seem way off base—which they can, especially if you have an unusual job or one with a difficult-to-understand title—then dig deeper.

If you’re close to a coworker, then ask that person what he or she thinks the pay range should be for a variety of jobs at your workplace to get a sense of how you stack up. If more than a year has passed since your last pay increase—or if you discover that you are underpaid compared to your peers—then it’s time to make your case.

Write a memo that outlines why you deserve a raise, including the contributions you’ve made over the last year. Run the request and your reasons by a trusted friend or family member and rehearse how you plan to bring it up.


Get a second (or third) job.

Diversifying your income is the best way to create job stability. Could you start selling your crafty inventions on etsy.com? Do you enjoy organizing other people’s desks, or designing T-shirts? Or do you have an unusual skill, such as woodworking, that you could advertise on Craigslist.org? Make a list of all of the ways that you could earn money outside of your current job. Then, pick an item on your list and get started, perhaps with a small step such as purchasing a domain name.

Fly solo.

When Tim Bradley, twenty-nine, and his wife, Anne Morrison Bradley, twenty-seven, started brainstorming about the kind of business they could start, they thought about what they love. They settled on two things: their dogs, and design. The couple decided that there was a need for upscale, modern design products for people with pets that they could fill. While Tim was finishing law school and Anne was working in corporate development in Ferndale, Michigan, they hired a graphic designer, formed a company, and built their website, for a total start-up cost of around $5,000.

By the end of the first month, The Premium Pet had already made its first $1,000 of sales revenue. While both Tim, a lawyer, and Anne, who works in corporate development, are holding onto their day jobs for now, they know have a backup plan—and a dream for one day making it their full-time job.

Free up your time and energy by outsourcing chores.

Think of money spent on a cleaning service or getting your groceries delivered as investments in your career, because they free up more time (and energy) for you to focus on your day (or night) job. Instead of vacuuming the living room, consider scheduling a creativity session: Block out an hour on the weekend or evening to dedicate to exposing your mind to new ideas. Bring a couple magazines that you would never normally read—a software engineer might want to pick up a copy of Vogue, for example – and a pen and notebook, and see what ideas strike you.

(10) Tips for Staying Focused in Your Job Search

When you are looking to reposition yourself in your career, you need to clear your calendar and to focus on only one mission; to find a job! Here are some tips to help you remain focused on your goals to get you back in the workplace.

(1.) Set up a comfortable work area in your apartment or house with all the tools you need close by. Make sure you have good lighting.

(2.) Set up a schedule for yourself for your job hunt. Your day should be organized into three areas: searching for potential job openings, responding to job leads and postings, and networking/follow-up.

(3.) Stay away from the refrigerator and the TV. Both of these are unneeded distractions. Eating too many snacks will make you lethargic and fat. Watching the news or Oprah will distract you from your work.

(4.) Put your volunteer and charity activities on hold until you find a job. They take up too much time and usually don't help you in your job search, unless you are interning in an area of work you are interested in working in.

(5.) Stay off of the social media sites during the day. Respond to your Facebook friends after 5pm.

(6.) Don't blog unless you are paid for it. Blogging is a major time commitment and rarely leads to a new job or career. It is a great tool to develop your brand, but this takes time. When you are out of work you don't have time to blog.

(7.) Remind your friends and family that you can't communicate with them during work hours, 9-5 and they should contact you after 5pm unless it's an emergency.

(8.) Use your lunch hour to meet with people that may be able to help you find a job. It's important to use this time for useful leads for your search. Attend networking events whenever possible.

(9.) Stay organized by developing a spreadsheet listing of who you are going to contact, where you sent your resume and what companies/people you need to meet. Update this list daily.

(10.) Remind your partner, roommate or significant other that you are not available to run errands or do household chores during your work hours.

Library's website helps with music, career tips

Free job coaching and music downloads await Amarillo Public Library cardholders who visit the system's upgraded website.

A Loan Star Library covered the Amarillo library system's cost to add JobsNow and Freegal Music to its eLibrary, www.amarillolibrary.org.

Between 2 and 11 p.m. daily, card-holding job-seekers can use JobsNow to connect with job coaches to review and polish resumes, enhance interview skills and decide career interests, according to library information.

"Every day, we have requests for people needing help looking for a job, especially now," said Technology Services Librarian Melody Boren. "In the last two years, the need has just exploded.

"This is an online center. Our cardholders can access this site and have one-on-one help."

The service also provides 24-hour access to a library of online study aids for preparation for tests, including the general educational development (GED) test and the U.S. citizenship test, Boren said.

Patrons also can make free and legal music downloads on the Amarillo library website, via Freegal Music. The service allows a patron three free music downloads per week from hundreds of thousands of songs in the Sony Music catalog.

Library cardholders also can create wish lists for future downloads, a library news release said.

The new site is easier to navigate for catalog searches, renewing materials and finding online services, Library Director Donna Littlejohn said in the release.

The Loan Star Library Grant covered the $8,000 cost of adding JobsNow as well as the $9,000 cost of adding Freegal, according to information from Boren.

Amarillo Public Library cards are free to Amarillo residents. Nonresident cards can be purchased for $15 per year for an individual and $30 for a family.

A 10-second chance: Tips for writing resumes that get noticed

Selling yourself and your professional accolades in just one page can be overwhelming.

Keeping your resume to one page, however, is one of resume building's golden rules. This is where brevity counts.

Dianne Schuler, business service manager of the Business Employment Skills Team office in Ottawa, also recommends keeping it simple, meaning nothing elaborate like graphics, unless pertinent to the job you're applying for.

At the Ottawa BEST office, a resource room is dedicated to people wishing to construct or update their resume.

Many websites today, such as www.monster.com, help people prepare their resume, Schuler said.

"It's personal preference," she said in terms of employers' resume preferences. "Everyone's going to be different."

A few rules are all-encompassing, though, Schuler said. She said to make sure the professional experience section is specific to the job you're applying for.

According to career coach and author Ford R. Myers, the professional experience section, a listing of past jobs, roles, responsibilities and accomplishments, is where employers and recruiters focus 90 percent of their attention.

"The information you present here, and how you present it, can decide the fate of your candidacy within about 10 seconds scanning time," he said.

Resumes that get noticed focus on specific results. Whenever possible, Myers suggests quantifying results by including retention rates, sales, profit, performance and effectiveness by using percentages, dollars and hard numbers.

Numbers are good, but words are important, too. Use strong action words at the beginning of every sentence.

"Words such as 'direct,' 'launch,' 'initiate,' 'devise' and 'lead' have a lot more meaning than a vague phrase like 'was responsible for,' " Myers said.

Focus on information truly relevant to your career goal and edit out the rest.

"There is no need to focus on your after-school job or high school accomplishments if they are not relevant to the career you're looking for or if they're in your distant past," Myers said.

Schuler recommends having someone read over your final draft and to print it on white or ivory paper of good quality.

"Spelling errors or grammar errors still are not acceptable," she said.

Lastly, and it seems obvious, but don't lie on your resume.

"If you lie, you will always lose in the long run," Myers says.

September marks the 10th annual celebration of International Update Your Resume Month. The observance, originated by Career Directors International in Melbourne, Fla., provides job seekers with a proactive approach toward obtaining the next step in career growth.

Making A Midlife Career Change

It's never too late to make a career change. Here are some tips to help you get where you want to go:

• To begin your search, visit your city's employment office. They never have any jobs you'd actually want, but sometimes they have free coffee.
• If you are married and have children, it may prove difficult to change careers while maintaining financial stability. Consider moving across the country in the middle of the night and assuming a new identity.
• You were born to be an insurance claims adjuster, and the stars know it. Chase that dream.
• Switching to a brand-new field is a great way to reexperience that lost, helpless, fish-out-of-water feeling that sickened you so in adolescence.
• Why not sink your life savings into self-publishing a book of essays about your reflections on aging? There's a gold mine for ya.
• Attack your search for a new career head-on. Use a blunt, bludgeoning weapon and emit a blood-curdling shriek while charging forward.
• Know what you would be good at? Writing movies. After all, you watch a ton of them, and it's just thinking up stuff for people to say.
• It's easy to go from store greeter to grocery bagger if you just believe in yourself.
• You're never too old to go back to college. It's just that you're way too old to fit in socially in any way.
• Going from professional dancer to welder is the reverse of the traditional path. But you must do what you must do.
• Having the right mental attitude is the first step. Try not to think about how old, pathetic, and unqualified you are.

Where Can Fine Artists Receive Career Help?

Career advice to artists comes in a variety of forms. There are workshops that nonprofit arts service organizations offer from time to time, focusing on specific topics (tax time accounting, law, finding a gallery, for instance) and workshops -- the online ones are referred to as "webinars" -- that for-profit organizations offer, usually addressing the same topics. The continuing education divisions of some art schools, or universities that offer art degrees, may also hold workshops and classes on these and other subjects. State arts agencies periodically offer seminars on how to apply for funding to them. An assortment of business and career books for artists are available as well.

For those who prefer the more personal touch, artists may consult on a wide range of career matters with artists' advisors, either face-to-face or over the telephone, depending upon where each party happens to live.

Advice sometimes is free, oftentimes not. State arts agencies usually do not charge for their seminars, and continuing education talks are either free to the public or a nominal fee is asked. Nonprofit arts service agencies generally charge their members lower rates for attending the workshops than nonmembers ($20, for example, as opposed to $30), and career books usually cost somewhere between $10 and $30. Artists' advisors are the most expensive option, charging hourly rates (not including the cost of the telephone call) of between $100 and $500 per hour. (Katharine T. Carter & Associates of Kinderhook, New York adds travel time and travel expenses to that $500 fee when making an in-studio consultation.)

Artists' advisors can be distinguished from business managers (whose job is to run the artist's career) and reps (whose aim is to sell work) and public relations firms (whose aim is to publicize) by the fact that their primary goal is to set the artist on a career path. Advisors may draft a press release or a press packet for an artist, in the manner of a publicist, but more likely they will offer ideas on how the artist could create the release him -- or herself. Rarely if ever will an artists' advisor take on the job of contacting members of the press.

Tips for parents

Here are a few tips to consider:

Be receptive to and listen when your teen wants to discuss career and/or college plans.Have your teen explore career and college options and collect as much information as possible.

Encourage them to capture their ideas on paper. One idea is to create a scrapbook of their plans for career and college.

Be aware of various deadlines for applications to colleges and financial aid. Put them on a calendar that both you and your teen can look at.

Suggest that your teens meet with a school counselor at least once a year, beginning in the 10th grade, to learn more about college and career planning.

Be supportive of your teens, and meet with their counselor if you sense that he or she needs additional help.

Encourage your teen by helping them see the connection between college and career.

Emphasize the importance of selecting a major that helps them prepare for a career.

If your teen is undecided about a career direction, do not try to fix it. Let him or her look into all the possibilities.

Obstacles to midlife career change

Question:
I am thinking about making a career change and am feeling overwhelmed. I am a 52-year-old male and am really anxious about it. Any tips?

Answer:
Midlife is a lot like being a teenager again--only with more wisdom. We may not stay out all night and run with a wild crowd, but many in their 40s and 50s experience the same restlessness and yearning for change. We're still asking questions about what we want to be when we grow up, but the concerns are deeper, more profound. This time we won't settle for less than what makes us truly happy.

This is especially true for the work we do. Yes, we want to pay the bills, support a family, save for old age. But, many of us now want our work to be meaningful and make a difference. We ask ourselves if not now, then when? What better time to act on those unfulfilled dreams? Work is one of the most profound ways we live our true selves, and now is the time to start doing that.

Yet, it can seem as if there's a chasm between the knowing and the doing. We know something's not right with our current job or career path, but we tell ourselves to live with it. We set goals but feel too overwhelmed with daily life to try something new. We worry that to make a change to follow a dream would be selfish, especially if it means a loss of income, or upsets our family and friends.

In fact, every person living out his or her dreams gives a gift to the world--he or she inspires others to do the same.

"We often hesitate to follow our hearts, to grow, because of perceived barriers," writes Carole Kanchier in "Dare to Change Your Job--and Your Life." Her book is one of many resources that help break down those barriers, the two biggest of which are fear and confusion.

Fear makes us think we're too old to change. We think, "If I switch jobs now, I'll have to start over at the bottom. What if I fail, then what?" Fear is normal, and it's important to acknowledge it. There are numerous tactics to help you through the fear. The most powerful may be looking to others who've gone through life/career changes.

Many of us are confused about what we want. We're often clearer about what we don't want than what we actually do want. We may have lived out others' expectations of us for so long we're not even sure what actually makes us happy. Or we're not certain how to turn our many talents and skills into meaningful work.

Coaches are an excellent resource to help you ask the right questions to sharpen your focus and goals. They can guide you to imagine and create real work that isn't just a job, but a whole new life.

Whether it's a new career or small shifts in how you work, making a change in midlife can bring new energy and joy to your life--like being a teenager again--only better.

Tips for choosing a career when you are undecided

Many people go through high school and begin college and do not know what career they want to enter into. What are some tips for choosing a career when you are undecided? Obviously, you do not want to go too far into college without knowing what you are going to pursue. Here are a few ideas for choosing a career when you are undecided.

Choose a career based on your strengths! You obviously want to pursue a career that you know something about. Some people choose a career based on what is in demand, and not what they know about. This is not the best route in choosing a career when you are undecided because you want to know about what field you will work for your entire life.

Get involved in a career that you enjoy. This is not the same as getting involved with a field that you are good at. There are many careers that you can learn as you go, that you will enjoy very much, but may not initially be very good at. Working a job that you enjoy is the ultimate goal of a lifetime. Sometimes, even the money is not the best it could be, but your life is a lot less stressful and you enjoy what you are doing. This should be the goal of every person pursuing a career.

Make sure the career you pursue is within your budget. A lot of careers like the medical fields and the legal fields require an expensive college education, which may be financially out of reach for some people. There is nothing that says you cannot pursue your dreams, but many dreams are very expensive and you need to prepare well in advance to afford the education needed for your career.

Make sure your career choice is realistic! A professional basketball player or a Hollywood actress is always possible to those who work hard enough for it, but make sure that is the career you want to shoot for and understand the percentages of people that actually make it to those careers. The chances of making it to the professional league or to Hollywood and succeeding is very low. It can be done, but very few do it.

Choosing a career and pursuing it with everything you have is a lot of fun and can be very rewarding.

Looking for a job? Check out these resume tips

When you're looking for work, you want to stand out from the crowd. But some people go too far.

One applicant's list of references included "God," but listed no phone number. Another job-seeker sent a video meant to hypnotize the HR manager into hiring him.

In addition to these embarrassing submissions, a Career Builder survey found 38 percent of managers saying, on average, they spent less than a minute reading each resume, and 18 percent spent fewer than 30 seconds.

Almost half of managers in charge of hiring told Career Builder they looked at fewer than 25 resumes for each position they fill.

One common tip from HR managers was that they paid more attention to customized resumes -- ones tailored to the opening they want to fill.

Here are some other tips:

* Quantify your experience. If you have helped increase your employer's business or productivity, put that on your resume.

* Keep your resume professional and avoid giving too much information. While you may include business-related interests such as volunteer work or membership in professional organizations, don't use emoticons, smiley-faces or cutesy fonts. One jobseeker's e-mail address included the words "loves beer" - a no-no.

* Make it easy to read. Large blocks of text are a minus. Use bullets to break up information and help those who hire focus on important points. Don't use ornate fonts that will not translate into commonly used typefaces when your resume is e-mailed.

* Think of your resume as promotional literature. Your employer may not need to know where you went to high school and every restaurant where you washed dishes while attending college.

10 Tips for Veterans at College

1. Start by applying. Whether you are a first time college student or a transfer student, you must fill out an application. Go to the school's website to find the requirements and deadlines. Provide transcripts and test scores as needed and your DD-214 for credits you might have earned while in the service. Take a tour of the campus—either on the web or in person. If you don't know where you want to go, one of the places to help you decide what college or university best suits your needs is www.military.com.

[Read about questions to ask on campus tours.]

2. Meet the Veterans Administrator. You are entitled to GI Bill Education Benefits. You want to use them … now what? Find the Veterans Office on campus and introduce yourself. Staff at this office will explain and guide you through the give-and-take process to receive your benefits. You will be asked to provide various documents and complete different forms so your enrollment can be certified to the VA.

3. Get your GI benefits. There is a wide a variety of education benefits offered by the Veterans Administration, including the new Post 9/11 GI Bill, the Montgomery GI Bill, the Yellow Ribbon Program, Transfer of Benefits, and Veterans Vocational Rehab, to name a few. Additionally, individual states offer varying opportunities to National Guardsmen (some of the benefits come with different levels of eligibility). Whether you are a reservist, in the National Guard, or on active duty, you should check the VA website or discuss your benefits with the school's Veteran's Administrator. You can find a wealth of information -- as well as the application for benefits -- at the GI Bill website.

4. Apply for financial aid. All students can apply for financial aid by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by going to www.fafsa.gov. This aid can be for grants, loans and/or work-study. While you are eligible for GI Benefits, some colleges and universities look to have bills "resolved" or "covered" while waiting for the VA to send the school the tuition and fees if you are eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill.

[Watch video tips on filling out the FAFSA.]

5. Apply for scholarships. There are many types of scholarships available, including based on merit, academics, athletic, private, and general by area of interest. Some schools offer scholarships specifically for veterans. You have to look. Check the school's website and always remember: Do not pay for any scholarship application.

[Find out how to build your own scholarship.]

6. Find a place to live. The key to being placed in housing is making sure you indicate you are a veteran on all forms. By doing so you may be able to select a roommate from the onset. Otherwise you might be assigned to a room with traditional students (just out of high school), which could be awkward with your recent military experience. Many colleges have housing set aside for veterans; make use of it.

7. Get an adviser. Every student is assigned to an adviser. Some schools have advisers specifically for veterans; smaller schools may not, but curriculum is standard for majors at each school. Interaction with the adviser will assist you to develop a suitable educational plan, make your course selections, and determine your major. This person will get to know you and empower you in decision-making skills in education, career, and life choices.

8. Take the CLEP. The College Level Examination Program is a series of exams you can take to test your college-level knowledge on what you have learned through on-the-job training, professional development, etc. There are a wide range of exams both general and subjective, worth up to six credits. The cost of a CLEP exam is fractional compared to the cost of tuition and fees. It could assist in skipping general introductory courses, general education classes or could even demonstrate your ability in a foreign language.

9. Connect with other veterans on campus. Veterans Centers are popping up on many campuses. They are the place to meet other veterans, to do peer-to-peer networking, to connect student veterans with resources, and to help you to get involved—or simply hang out. If there is no center on campus, start one. Student Veterans of America can assist you in forming a chapter at your school.

10. Get career training and develop skills. Career services and job placement are available for you while getting your education. Résumé writing and mock interviews are offered. You can be placed in an internship or co-op related to your career goal and earn college credits as well as a stipend or small paycheck.