Five Tips for Young Professionals

When making forecasts about your career future, one thing is sure: it’s going to be buffeted by change. As a young professional, you can take steps to be ready for some likely twists and turns.

Get on a learning curve
Identify what you need to learn in the next http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=13657256six months and create a plan for accomplishing this goal. Continue to set learning agendas for yourself. As the world keeps changing, successful professionals will stay up with new developments.

Be technically knowledgeable
Virtually all work in the future will require technical competence. You don’t have to be a programmer, but you should be competent on basic computer systems and software programs and aware of how technology can be applied.

Improve your personal-interaction skills
More routine work will be automated, leaving employees to do what’s left. Young professionals will stand out if they can interact with and manage people effectively.

Be good at balancing work and life
As work spills over into life, and vice versa, professionals must know when work starts and stops and help other employees to set those boundaries as well.

Take time to look over the horizon
Be a futurist. Cultivate the ability to forecast what’s just around the corner, so you can prepare for it.

10 steps plan to career changes

1: Assessment of Likes and Dislikes

Many people change their careers because they dislike job and company. So, identifying the dislikes is often the easier part of this step; however, you will not know what direction to change your career unless you examine your likes.

2: Researching New Careers

Once you've discovered your passion, spend some time researching the types of careers that center around your passions. Don't worry if you're feeling a bit unsure or insecure -- it's a natural part of the career change process.

3: Transferable Skills

Leverage some of your current skills and experiences to your new career. There are many skills that are transferable and applicable to what you want to do in your new career. You may be surprised to see that you already have a solid amount of experience for your new career.

4: Training and Education

You may find it necessary to update your skills and broaden your knowledge. Take it slowly. If the skill you need to learn is one you could use in your current job, see if your current employer would be willing to pick up the tab.

5: Networking

One of the real keys to successfully changing careers will be your networking abilities. People in your network may be able to give you job leads, offer you advice and information about a particular company or industry, and introduce you to others so that you can expand your network.

6: Gaining Experience

Remember that you are starting your career again from square one. Obtaining a part-time job or volunteering in your new career field not only can solidify your decision, but give you much needed experience in your new career.

7: Find a Mentor

Changing careers is a major life decision that can get overwhelming at times. Find a mentor who can help you through the rough patches. Your mentor may also be able to help you by taking advantage of his or her network.

8: Changing In or Out

Some people change careers, but never change employers. Unfortunately, only the very progressive employers recognize that once happy employees can be happy and productive again - in a different capacity. It's more than likely that you will need to switch employers to change fields, but don't overlook your current employer.

9: Job-Hunting Basics

If it's been a while since you've had to use your job-hunting tools and skills, now is the time for a refresher course.

10: Be Flexible

You'll need to be flexible about nearly everything - from your employment status to relocation and salary. Set positive goals for yourself, but expect setbacks and change - and don't let these things get you down.

10 Top tips from employers to job seekers

Loyalty: One of the key things mentioned, particularly by Production Manager Lotty McWilliam for Eon Media, was that loyalty to their company was “key”, showing commitment to the company or potential employer.

Enthusiasm: was also mentioned by many employers as important. Lincoln Co-operative worker Faye Amberson said: “It would be great if the employee had enthusiasm about the job.”

Passion: Another top tip would be displaying passion for the company. Lee Johnson from Rock Star games said it was key, particularly for his line of work, to have some love for the job: “You need passion, and for this job it needs to be for games.”

Friendliness: Rockstar’s Johnson also said that this is a desirable quality from a possible employee, particularly “a nice bloke,” simple to get on with.

Creativity: Displaying some imagination got the head nodding for Eon Media Lotty McWilliam, who found “showing some creativity” made a candidate stand out.

Well prepared: A huge factor of getting a job was bought up by Business Link’s Mike Gibbs, who said preparation was totally vital for success to getting a job and maintain a successful career.

Willing: Eon Media produced one more key tip: “We want people to be willing to put themselves out there and show confidence in their work.”

Know your market: A big thing for self-employed and employed workers. Mike Gibbs said: “Understanding your client base and what they want is a big thing.”

Eager: Showing that you’re keen and excited about a job ticked the box with the Lincoln Co-op’s
Faye Amberson: “It’s great if you can show eagerness at the occupation.”
Understanding company ethics: Several companies like the Lincolnshire Co-operative have a code of ethics and beliefs, which they expect candidates to share

10 tips to build your career in IT

So you've heard that, despite doubts about the economy, CIO salaries can still reach £200,000 - or higher. You'd like a slice of that action. But first you need to build your IT career. What's the secret of the high-earners?

When you meet some of the most successful IT professionals in the world, one fact shines out: none of them set out with pound (or dollar) signs in their eyes. They simply wanted to be great IT people who added value to their organisations. And because they were, the success and the stellar salaries (in some cases) followed as a matter of course.

So what is the secret of their success? Here are 10 characteristics which the top IT leaders share

1. They understand how IT can help their businesses grow.

To put it another way, they know what part IT should play to help realise the organisation's strategy. Take, for example, Sharon Bevis-Hoover, Coca-Cola's director of IT global transformation. Last year, she caught the eye of Coke's new chief executive Muhtar Kent, who asked her to work out how IT could help transform the global business.

2. They lead from the front.

They know that's the way to build a high-performing IT team. Jacqueline Guichelaar, who has a high-profile IT role at Deutsche Bank, can provide a lesson or two there. Her ability to build and lead teams of IT professionals has propelled her career through a succession of big IT jobs around the globe.

3. They know how to make change happen.

That is important when so many people feel threatened by IT-led change. You can't manage change well unless you're as fascinated by people - and what makes them tick - as with technology, advises Graham Johnson, transformation director at Ecclesiastical Insurance.

4. They are great IT talent-spotters.

They know that effective IT leaders don't grab all the glory for themselves. Every one of the top IT leaders has that ability.

5. They talk business language.

They know managers aren't impressed with technical jargon. As Abby Ewen, director of business transformation at global law firm Simmons & Simmons, say, "I can have nerdy conversations with the best of them, but I can also have strategic conversations. And I think that part of being a good manager is being able to make the leap between high-level and low-level subjects."

6. They know that great IT projects come from great teams.

Heather Allan is corporate services director at The Global Fund, which deploys a £2bn each year to fight Aids, tuberculosis and malaria. She says, "You have to motivate and inspire a team with a clear vision of the future and you have to energise and motivate people to want to achieve it."

7. They create strong relationships with their stakeholders.

To put it another way, you need to win friends and influence people. Take Ian Woosey, group IT and e-commerce director at Carpetright. He worked with people throughout the company to help design end-to-end processes which new IT systems would support. Then he gave people in the business a role in defining the new system requirements.

8. They manage expectations of IT.

IT is not a 'silver bullet' that solves all problems. Allan Paterson, director of information systems for the Isle of Man government, says, "The key to a successful career in IT is delivery, delivery, delivery." But, notes Paterson, that doesn't mean agreeing with every off-the-wall idea that comes your way.

9. They use new technologies to deliver competitive edge.

One top IT professional who knows about this is Richard Cross, technology director at ITV. Cross has been proactive in finding ways to use IT to cut costs. And he was also at the forefront in helping ITV harness digital technologies to deliver new viewer services.

10. They contribute to senior management decision-making.

In order to do so, they acquire deep industry knowledge to add to their IT expertise. And that lesson applies as much in the public as the private sector. For example, the fact that Alan Cook acquired a deep knowledge of local government as well as IT made him an ideal choice for head of service business improvement and IT at Cumbria County Council.

Sell yourself

Dressed to impress, Rachel Schallenberg shook his hand with confidence. She had done the easy greeting before. Then he stopped her and made her do it again. Her professional shake did not meet his standards.

Thankfully, this was a learning environment. Using the career services at KU, Schallenberg, Olathe senior, left her mock interview prepared to pursue a real job.

A quick shake counts for three hours of continuous interaction says Patti Wood, body language expert. Start every interview with these 10 steps and you’ll be closer to getting a job.

Walk to the person confidently with head level and hands at your side, not in your pockets. If carrying a purse or portfolio, switch it to your left hand.

If sweaty palms or clammy hands plague you, wipe your hands before any handshake.

Briefly smile but don’t go over the top and look cheesy.

Make eye contact, but don’t stare. This lets the person know you want to interact.

Face the person directly, not at an angle.

Make sure you fully extend your right arm, or you may look timid.

Position your hand straight up with thumb on top.

Open the space between your thumb and index finger so your hand easily slides into theirs, keeping your other fingers straight so your palms touch.

Wrap your fingers around their hand and lock hands.

Shake firmly three times and release. The grip is not a contest of strength. Make sure to match the pressure of the other person.

Learning how to interview can help students feel more confident when they nervously sit down to impress future employers. At the University Career Center (UCC), students can get personal guidance on preparing for interviews.

To prepare, the UCC has practice questions, mock interviews and a virtual interview program online. Talking through questions with family and friends can help students get comfortable talking about themselves, says Ann Hartley, associate director at the UCC. For professional advice on interviewing performance, Hartley says the mock interviews at the UCC can help. The staff records and watches the interview with the student. “As much as students hate it, seeing yourself can help you notice the umms and pauses,” Hartley says.

When the interview has arrived, Hartley reminds students to take a résumé, pen and paper, but to leave the cell phone behind. “The danger of forgetting [to turn it off] is high, and that won’t make a good first impression,” Hartley says.

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.

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.

Sales tips and advice from our live Q+A expert

Here is a compilation of their best tips:

Why should you go into sales?

Both Dennis and David agreed that the potential to control how much you earn was a big factor.

David said: “I think the key attraction to the majority of people that move into sales is the earning potential.

The vast majority of positions reward employees with some form of bonus scheme in addition to a basic salary, so if you can sell – then you can afford yourself a very nice lifestyle.”

However, they both said that other factors are also important – Dennis found real satisfaction in working with large and varied groups of people, while David said that the satisfaction of closing a deal and beating your competitors is hard to beat.

Being successful in Sales

When it came to the question of what makes a successful salesperson, both experts were in agreement that you need to be a good listener.

Dennis added that it was also important to be honest, have integrity and the ability to ask the right questions.

David said that you’ll also need self-confidence, a thick-skin and the ability to work under pressure.

Most memorable experience

Matt asked the panel about their most memorable selling experiences. David said it was all about hitting targets – in particular, meeting one in his first month at a new company that others had been trying to hit for years.

It was also the big business deal that swung it for Dennis, his new order was the largest ever done at his company at the time, which he said came from really understanding his customers needs.

Long periods out of work

With our job-seeking blogger looking for advice on getting back into sales after long periods out, our experts were on hand to help.

Dennis suggested contacting decision makers early in the morning and late at night – they work long hours, he said, and might be more responsive than at busier times of the day.

Recruitment expert David Bromwich said that it was imperative for James to keep his motivation and not just look for jobs through adverts, but through networking and word of mouth as many sales positions are filled this way.

LinkedIn

With so many sales professionals on social networking site LinkedIn, Todd Nash wondered how our experts used it for their work.

David said: “LinkedIn is my bible!

“If structured correctly, your Linkedin account can also give you real credibility and will open doors for you in terms of identifying key contacts and being up to date with market events.”

Dennis also used it, but was a little more cautious and warned not to expect it to work overnight. He said that the main benefit of LinkedIn was to keep record of your own ‘contact network.’

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.

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.

All students welcome at job fairs

Business suits, high heels and ties are about to be busted out over the next few weeks with numerous career fairs coming to campus.

In September alone, there are seven fairs, beginning with the Computer Roundtable on Thursday. On Sept. 14 and 15, Purdue Engineering Student Council will host the Industrial Roundtable. Over 200 companies will be present.

Tim Luzader, director of Purdue’s Center for Career Opportunities, said all students are welcome to attend all job fairs, no matter what their majors are. The CCO also posts any career fairs they find out about in surrounding cities such as Indianapolis or Chicago.

Linden Petrin, associate director for career development at the CCO, said students who are interested in attending the fairs are encouraged to attend the CCO’s Resume Blitz, which will take place Thursday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to help student get their resumes up to par.

Petrin said students should also be working on their elevator pitch for the fairs.

“When you’ve waited in line and you go up to the recruiter, what do you say in that short amount of time,” she said. “Because there’s people waiting to speak with them so they’re not going to spend a lot of time with you, so what do you say to catch their eye?”

Petrin said their are videos on the CCO website that can help students develop their 30-second speeches.

The College of Liberal Arts’ career fair has been canceled for the past several years, but Petrin said that shouldn’t stop liberal arts students from seeking opportunities.

“There are lots of jobs – companies who may not be coming to campus, but are looking for students with all majors,” Petrin said.

Luzander expressed the importance of knowing background on each company and their missions.

“An important piece students (should know is) get a sense of what is important to the company, get a feel of their culture ... the more you know of an organization, you may think differently of how you might present yourself,” Luzander said.

Petrin and Luzander both emphasized that students should not worry about going to the career fair because of the fear they do not have internship experience or as much experience as another student.

“It’s not so much what you did, it’s what you learned,” Luzander said.

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.

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

Which career is right for you?

Finding the right career can be hugely rewarding, so it’s worth putting some effort into career planning. Start by thinking about what motivates you as a person, then identify careers that match your skills and interests.

Finding a career to suit you

While it can be tempting to skip straight to looking at specific careers, it’s often a good idea to first spend some time thinking about what motivates you as a person.

What are your interests, inside and outside work - and what are you looking for from a career? Once you’ve worked this out, you can start building up a picture of your ideal job - then find out which careers match it most closely.
Career planning: where to start

Unless you’ve got a clear idea of what you want to do, it can be difficult to know where to start. And if you do have a career in mind, how do you know whether you’ve considered all your options?

As a starting point, you could try sitting down with a piece of paper and listing:

* courses you’ve taken in the past, or are taking now
* any jobs you’ve had, including voluntary work
* interests outside work
* any other significant experiences, like travelling

Then ask yourself:

* why you chose to do them
* which parts you really enjoyed
* which parts you found frustrating or boring
* which parts you were best at
* which parts you found a challenge
* what other people have said about your contribution
* what other people have told you you’re good at

You should start to see some patterns emerging: the types of skills you enjoy using, the sort of environment you perform best in and the types of people you like working with.

You can use this knowledge to help pinpoint areas of work you might enjoy.