Ten Tips on Career Advancement

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. Your boss will respect this display of confidence and maturity.

2. Ask for More Work

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 target industry.

4. Sharpen Your People Skills

Strong interpersonal skills play a crucial role in gaining the respect of your boss and co-workers; 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 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 of your 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. Expand Your Network

Strengthen your personal network by joining professional organizations, attending industry conferences, or even volunteering. 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.

Tips for becoming a good professional on the job

The first tip is to always strive to show up early, and stay late. You don't have to show up at 5am and work until midnight, but showing up at 8:50 in the morning and working until 5:05 at night will show that you aren't just looking to leave as soon as the clock says so. It means that you are willing to get a good jump, and not leave until the work is finished and everyone is set for your to leave.

Be nice to people. It will allow you to cultivate good relationships. If people like you it will make it easier for you to do your job, and it will make you look like a real professional. This will help your career out immensely because these contacts are going to make it easier to do your job, and easier to stay calm and professional when things go wrong because you will have help.

Stay calm under pressure, and don't panic. A true professional will make sure that they are leading by example. Make sure you are able to be calm under pressure because business often is about pressure. Make sure that you are able to show those around you that your head is in the game no matter what happens. This goes a long way toward proving you are a responsible professional.

Don't fret when things go wrong. If you get demoted, take it in stride. If you are fired, you should make sure that you are taking it as well as possible. Don't bad mouth or take out your frustration on others. Simply look for the next opportunity out there and make sure that you learn from your mistakes in the process.

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!

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.