Thursday, April 28, 2011

Tip of the Day


Dressing for Success

your office has a written dress code, your problems are solved, and you can dress cookbook-style. If necessary, go shopping with the dress code in hand and pluck appropriate stuff from the rack.

For men, traditional attire includes:

—A button-down shirt.

—Polished black shoes.

—A blue, black or gray jacket.

—Slacks that complement the jacket.

—You can't go wrong with a conservative tie.

—Don't forget the socks. buy two dozen pairs of identical black or blue socks so you can pluck two at random from your drawer each morning and always have a match.

For women, the traditional look includes:

—A skirt that hits just above the knee, slacks and perhaps pantsuits.

—Simple jewelry.

—Just a hint of makeup. Skip the perfume, especially during a job interview or the first few days at a new job.

—Polished flats or moderate heels.

—Sweaters.

—Pantyhose may be the office standard. Ask.

Keep an eye out for regional differences; what's standard in the Northeast may be seen as stuffy and impractical in the Southwest.

http://www.forbes.com/2006/04/11/office-dress-codes-cx_sr_0411officedress.html

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Work Abroad Wednesday


Staying Healthy During your work abroad

Visit a doctor before you leaving
The first thing you may want to do is consult a travel doctor 4-6 weeks before you go abroad to get the appropriate vaccinations and medications, if necessary. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a great resource for getting all the information you need about travelers’ health.

Before you go overseas, contact your destination country’s Embassy to get a list of English-speaking doctors in the areas to which you will be traveling. That way, if you do get sick, you will be able to get treated even if you don’t speak the local language. You should also make sure you are covered by international health insurance and always carry your insurance information with you.

You should bring any medications with you that you are currently taking as your prescription medication may not be available or could be very expensive. Call your airline to ask how much of the medication you can bring. You should also get copies of your prescriptions to take with you.

Pack a first-aid kit
Put together a small bag filled with specific items you may not be able to find abroad. Your first-aid kit may include the following: prescription medications such as anti-malaria pills (carry copies of prescriptions), anti-diarrheal medication,sunscreen, hand sanitizer, pain relievers, antihistamine, antibiotic ointment, band-aids, mosquito repellant with DEET, Germol. You may also want to spray your clothing with a special repellant and sleep with a mosquito net if you are going to a place with a high risk of malaria.

Eating food overseas
If you’re not sure how your digestive system will react to eating different types of food, start taking acidophilus supplements about two weeks before you go. Acidophilus is a probiotic that aids in digestion. You can take one before each meal.

Once you are abroad, only eat food that is fully cooked and avoid food from street vendors. In developing areas, only eat fruit and vegetables that you can peel yourself and avoid salads.

Drinking water overseas
Do not drink tap water or fountain drinks in developing areas. Pass up ice at restaurants unless you know the water has been filtered. Don’t brush your teeth with tap water and, when you bathe, avoid getting the water in your mouth.
At the same time, you must stay hydrated, especially in hotter places you may not be used to. You should carry bottled water with you wherever you go.

Other risks
Avoid touching animals, unless you are in a program dealing with wildlife or helping stray animals. In these cases, always abide the rules of the project to avoid getting infected.


http://interexchangeworkingabroad.wordpress.com/2010/06/03/top-5-tips-for-staying-healthy-during-your-working-abroad-program/

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Tip of the Day


Career Advancement Tips

Apply Yourself
A great idea alone will not succeed as much as a good idea with great effort. Thomas Edison did not invent the light bulb with a single stroke of genius, but rather with consistent applied effort to test, study the results, and try again. Inspiration springs from busy hands and busy minds. Keep challenging yourself, keep applying yourself, and you will amaze yourself.

Some people allow themselves to be limited by accepting lower expectations or making minimal commitments, but not you. You have talent, skill, and experience that make you unique. As you apply your talents, you will learn more about how to use your skills. Like a professional athlete or an artisan, consistently exercising your talents will not exhaust them, but rather make them even better. Surprisingly, the more that you do, the more that you are capable of doing. You do not need to wait to be challenged, or wait for responsibility to be thrust upon you. Rather, set very specific goals for yourself and apply yourself to attain those goals. Every achievement will build more confidence, more excitement, and more desire.

Helpful
If you want to get ahead, hone your personal skills, but keep constant attention on opportunities to help those around you to succeed. It may seem contrary to think that building personal success is predicated on supporting the success of the people around you, but it is a fundamental truth. Some people call it Karma, and some people call it common sense. The way that you treat your peers, your partners, your customers, and your coworkers will all come back to you.

Ethics
Act with integrity. Regardless of what position you have or what you do, ethical behavior is critical to your personal success. Integrity is built on ethics and is the cornerstone for credibility. If you can be trusted, then your commitments can also be trusted. Customers are reluctant to make purchases, even at discount prices, from an individual or an organization that does not have a reputation for ethical behavior. Why is this so? How can a good price commitment be trusted if the quality, commitment, or integrity of the individual or organization can not be trusted? By contrast, if the individual or organization can be trusted and continually demonstrates a commitment to ethical behavior, then isn't it more likely to have confidence in a good offer? The same logic applies to customer service, finance, and even management.

http://www.executiveblueprints.com/tips/080224_getahead.htm

Monday, April 25, 2011

Mentoring Monday


Tips for being a great mentor

Encourage Your Protégé to Communicate Openly:
He/she might see you as an intimidating authority figure; it may take time for him/her to open up to you. If after your third or fourth meeting you still feel like your protégé is hesitant about speaking up, try asking him/her some tough questions to encourage breakthroughs in conversation, possibly questions about their views or passions.

Set Firm Guidelines and Expectations from the Beginning:
Determine how frequently or infrequently you will meet. You should have
a specific idea about what the person hopes to gain from the relationship, and he should know what you are hoping to accomplish. Find out what skills your protégé wants to develop.

Provide Clear Performance Measures: This way, your protégé can chart his/her career progress. Follow up with him/her the next time you meet.

Practice Active Listening:
Don't dominate the conversation; be an engaged listener and respect what your protégé has to say.

Be patient:
Building trust takes time. A young person may not show it at first, but your help may
be just what is needed. Be persistent.

Praise is power:
A word of praise in a critical world works miracles in the life of a student.

http://www.uccs.edu/~mosaic/mentortips.pdf

Friday, April 22, 2011

Freelance Friday


Delivery and Time Frames

When a client pays you to do a job, it is your responsibility to do not only a good job, but also to do it on time. In fact the quality of the job and the efficiency with which you do it all are almost equal in the sight of many clients and you will get an extremely high reputation if you always deliver on time. In business most people want something they can rely on, even if it means sacrificing some level of quality. Of course having the highest quality work delivered on time is even better!

Determining when work is due must happen at the beginning of the job. For this reason it is a good idea to do some form of scoping to determine what the job entails. This is more important in some fields of work than others; in particular software and programming often require very in-depth analysis before work commences.

Once you have a good idea of how much work there is to be done and you and your client have agreed upon its nature it is time to provide delivery dates and time frames for the work. These milestones will usually have deliverables for the client to inspect and can include payment schedules as was discussed previously.

After committing to a schedule it is absolutely imperative that you stick to it. I cannot stress how important delivering on time is and how much repeat and referral work it will get you.

http://freelanceswitch.com/start/a-comprehensive-guide-to-starting-your-freelance-career/

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Tip of the Day


Keep your resume up to date


You never know when opportunity will knock. Even if you aren’t actively job searching, your resume should always be ready to go so you don’t get stuck making last minute updates.

Your resume is one of the most important documents you have to offer so you don’t want to rush it or ignore it for years on end. If you haven’t looked at it since starting your current job, pull it out, brush off the dust, and add the relevant information. If you’re not extremely proud of it, keep working. Your resume is no place to slack off. Now—while you’re not in a panic searching for a new job—is a great time to work on it.

You never know when the perfect position will open up and you’ll want to jump on it immediately. If you’ve been proactive about keeping your resume updated, you’ll be ready to pounce.

http://www.ibtimes.com/blogs/articles/25441/20110331/5-simple-career-management-tips-everyone-should.htm

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Work Abroad Wednesday


Make New Connections before working abroad

You want to make your new connections as diverse as possible. Don’t restrict yourself to your own field or your own profession. Get to know people from all walks of life, all ages and all backgrounds.

You never know who may have the information or the contacts you need. You never know who will come up with the genius suggestion or the fresh perspective (“Hey, did you know about this? Sounds right up your alley”) that will lead you straight to your dream occupation.

Besides, folks who work outside of your own field have no reason to feel threatened. You’re not directly competing with them, so they can give freely of their advice and support. By contrast, those in your field may be less forthcoming with help… just in case you end up going after their own job!

http://www.winningaway.com/looking-for-a-job-abroad-5-tips-to-start-off-on-the-right-foot/

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Tip of the Day


Smart Career Tips

1. Look out for "number one."
Take responsibility for your own career development. Many large organizations have scaled back on training and development--a common outcome of the economic downturn--and small companies can rarely provide significant support.

2. Be strategic.
Have a long-term career strategy or, at the very least, a sense for where you’re headed. Ask yourself, “What do I really want to do?” or “Where do I see myself in five to ten years?”

3. Work in step with your company’s goals.
Connect the dots from your role to your company’s vision and key objectives. How does your work align with the organization’s goals? What can you do to maximize your contributions?

4. Be customer-centric.
Whether your customers are internal or external, know their wants and needs, and be fervent about meeting them. Bring the voice of the customer into your day-to-day work and let it enhance your decisions and deliverables.

5. Collaborate.
Working with and through others is requisite to innovating, creating, and producing business results. Adopt a mindset for teaming and collaborating, and put it into daily practice.

6. Hone your communication skills.

Communication skills can make or break careers. Pick one area that needs your attention--considering skills such as listening, presenting, influencing, persuading, or distilling a message--and commit to improvement.

7. Cross over functionally.
Many successful executives have risen through the ranks by taking cross-functional roles, such as moving from finance to sales or from marketing to IT. Follow their lead, and you can grow your skills, your network, and your political capital.

8. Expand your experience.
Volunteer for special projects or assignments that are outside your everyday role. Discuss your goals with your boss, an HR representative, or a senior leader, and ask for help in finding opportunities to broaden your experience base.

9. Find a guide.
Mentors can serve as influential role models and provide important guidance for your career. Reach out to a potential mentor within your company or industry, and see if he or she would be open to mentoring you for a specific purpose and timeframe.

10. Network--now.
The best time to increase your network is today. Starting now, get involved in groups such as professional associations, charitable organizations, or even sports leagues. Step into leadership roles, and make your expertise known.

11. Specialize.
Today, companies look for specialists, not generalists. Develop a personal brand, distinguish your skills and strengths, and determine how to best market yourself.

http://monster.typepad.com/monsterblog/2011/01/11-smart-career-tips-for-2011.html

Monday, April 18, 2011

Mentoring Monday


Tips on Mentoring Students


Develop and Sustain Trust
To be an effective mentor, you must establish a line of communication and build a solid foundation of trust. One of the easiest ways to build trust is to be consistent and keep promises, even if the student does not. Let him/her know that you are there for him/her and what he/she tells you stays in confidence between the two of you.

Be a Friend
A mentor is not the student's substitute parent, guardian or an authority figure. Leading by example, a mentor should inspire his/her student to make good, solid decisions and allow his/her student to form his/her own opinion rather than preach personal values and morals. Criticizing his/her actions or shared opinions puts distance between the mentor and student, stifling the flow of communication. Focus on establishing a bond, a warm friendship.

Be Positive
A few encouraging words can lift the self-esteem of a young person. When helping a student with schoolwork or discussing grades, find a positive aspect to build on before tackling challenging issues or negative marks. Building his/her self-confidence is as important as assisting with fractions and ratios. Asking the student to explain his/her solution to an academic task is an example of how to build self-confidence because it allows the student to show off his/her knowledge of a particular subject.

http://www.ehow.com/list_7623745_tips-mentoring-students.html

Friday, April 15, 2011

Freelance Friday


Recognizing Trouble clients

Not all clients are the same, and with experience you will find you become adept at recognizing clients who may be troublesome later on down the track. Here are a few potential tell-tale signs

1.Clients who are overly protective of themselves.
Sometimes you will get clients who ask you to sign lots of legal documents, such as non-disclosure agreements; terms of supply agreements; contracts and so on. Generally speaking these are not a bad idea with a lot of careful reading that is; however over time it has been my experience that clients who are worried about being ripped off tend to start thinking they are being ripped off.

2.Clients who ask a lot of questions about whether they will need to pay for things if they don’t like them.
This happens a lot in the design business, a client will say something like “What happens if I don’t like the logo designs you do, do I still need to pay for them?” This shows the client does not value your time, does not trust your service, and almost always means they will be hard to deal with.

3.Clients who say they just had a very bad experience with the last writer/developer/designer.
Sometimes they really have had a bad contractor, however sometimes they were the problem themselves. This is a bit like people who seem to always have bad relationships; when you look carefully often the common factor in all their relationships is them.

Paying attention for these and other warning signs may help you to protect yourself against trouble in the future.

http://freelanceswitch.com/start/a-comprehensive-guide-to-starting-your-freelance-career/

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Tip of the Day


Dressing For Success

Rules for Casual Dress at Work
Although in theory most people love the idea of not having to wear a suit to work, they are often confused by the casual dress policies some employers have instituted over the last few years. Here are some simple rules:
•Casual doesn't mean sloppy. Your clothing should still be neat and clean.

•You can't go wrong with khakis and a sport shirt or a nice sweater.

•If you are going to a meeting or making a presentation, professional attire may be in order.

Dressing for a Job Interview
In addition to following the general rules for dressing for work, heed this advice when you go on a job interview:

•Adhere to the employer's dress code: find out whether it's formal (suit and tie) or casual by asking around or by observing employees arriving for work.

•Dress slightly better than you would if you were an employee. For example, if the dress code is very casual, you should take it up a notch.

•Cover up tattoos and remove body jewelry until you know whether they are acceptable at that particular workplace.

http://careerplanning.about.com/cs/dressingforwork/a/dress_success.htm

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Work Abroad Wednesday


Benefits of working Abroad

Earn and save money
Traveling is expensive. However, finding time to work will keep you from draining your bank account. In working, you will be able to provide for your needs while overseas and even save money. This will assure that you will not return home with an empty pocket.

Aquire new skills
A fatter bank account is not the only thing you may gain while working abroad. It will also be a great opportunity to learn new skills. Different countries offer different jobs of all sorts, from teaching English to picking strawberries. You may find yourself trying out your luck in odd jobs and in the process learn new things.

Be Independent
Away from your families and friends, you will have no one to depend on but yourself. Being able to live and survive overseas is an achievement that will hone your independence. It is wise to expect the problems and trials you will experience along the way as you struggle in a foreign land. Look at it in a positive light, as it will make you stronger, wiser, and generally a better person.

Broaden your horizon
Travel will expose you to a different culture, different language, and different people. In short a totally new way of living.

Improve your resume
Working abroad will give you an edge over other applicants. In this age of globalization, employers prefer applicants that have overseas working experience.


http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=8377101709673517492

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Tip of the Day


Interview Tips

1. Thoroughly research the job and company. Try to know as much about their product(s) and services as you can. Preparation will make you feel confident and you won't be nervous if you are asked specific company-related questions.

2. Be prepared to describe your Strengths and Weakness.

3. Maintain eye contact. It shows that you are focused and confident.

4. Demonstrate interest and enthusiasm about the company.

5. Dress professionally. "Professional" can be interpreted in many ways these days. Basically, whether the company's style requires a suit or is laid back, make an effort to look presentable. It REALLY matters.

6. Try to respond to questions within 60 seconds. You don't want to give very short answers but lengthy responses will make the employer lose interest and you might lose your own focus.

7. Listen and respond to answers directly. If you are unclear about a question, ask for clarification.

8. Be prepared to discuss how what you've done in the past will affect how you'll perform in your future position. Give examples that show your value.

9. Ask questions. Sharp questions show that you are proactive and want to make sure that this company is the right place for you.

10. Bring an extra copy of your resume.

11. Send a thank you note within two days of the interview. Express your interest in the position and thank the interviewer for his or her time.

http://www.jobsearch-in-canada.com/12_tips.html

Monday, April 11, 2011

Mentoring Monday


How to be a good Mentor

Teach by Example
A mentor's focus should be to help a less experienced person acquire the knowledge and character needed to meet his or her goal. They provide opportunities for growth and new experiences.

Counsel the mentee wisely
Provide the benefit of your knowledge and experience keeping in mind that because of unique personalities every situation is different. However, an explanation of how you handled certain situations can get the mentee thinking about how to solve their own problems.

Offer encouragement
Most people become stagnant out of fear. Fear of failure, fear of success and fear of something different. The mentor will need to encourage the mentee and help them over self-doubt.

Encourage professional behavior and confront negative behavior
Teach the mentee how to dress and act professionally. Teach him or her social graces and proper etiquette. When the mentee performs poorly or act badly, call them on it - in private. But as a mentor, you must let them know when certain actions are unacceptable.

Challenge the mentee
To encourage growth, you must challenge the mentee. Give them opportunities that they would not normally have at their level. Be with them throughout the project to make sure it is going well. At the end, publicly acknowledge their contribution, if appropriate.

http://www.ehow.com/how_4513054_be-good-mentor.html

Friday, April 8, 2011

Freelance Friday


Freelancing your Expertise

Let Freedom Call

Freelance doesn't start with the word "free" for nothing. Freedom is a major perk of freelancing. As a full-time freelancer, you'll work when you want. You can take vacations when you want, for as long as you want. Weekend getaways won't have to be confined to weekends, and business suits are mostly a thing of the past. There's no boss breathing down your neck, nagging you.

The best way to ensure your freelancing future is to offer a service you know people want. Just because you'd like to do something doesn't mean that there's a readymade market for it.

Don't Quit your day job just yet
A good rule of thumb is not to give up your day job until you have between six months and one year's worth of savings, more if you're the sole support for your household.

Of course, moonlighting while working for your current employer can be tricky-especially if you're freelancing in the same field.

Generating Business
As in any business, your freelancing career is only as strong as the sales you make. Finding clients is the number-one challenge for any freelancer just starting out.

1.Develop a portfolio to demonstrate the scope of your skills.
2.Tell everyone you know--colleagues, friends, family, neighbors--about your new freelance gig.
3.Join professional organizations--online or in the community--that serve your field.

http://www.entrepreneur.com/startingabusiness/businessideas/article79088.html

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Tip of the Day


Tips to Career Success

Set goals
Be clear on where you would like to go with your career and formulate a 1, 3 and 5 year plan to get there. Set realistic milestones and targets, take inventory at frequent intervals and update these plans regularly.

Work on your interpersonal skills
Treat others as you would like to be treated - manners, respect and generally courteous behaviour travel a long way in the workplace.

Develop a reputation as an expert in your field
Seek to become known as a true professional, a star player, someone who goes an extra mile in his/her job and who is a genuinely invaluable resource in a particular area. A reputation as an outstanding performer is your best asset in negotiating raises and promotions.

Be passionate about what you do
The best way to excel is to be genuinely passionate about what you do. Enthusiasm is both visible and infectious and you will find others in the organisation as well as clients naturally gravitating towards you as your eagerness and passion for your job makes itself known.

Look the part
The most accomplished professionals are not necessarily the best dressed but good grooming and professional attire do convey the image you want to portray and leave an important lasting first impression.

Be a team player
Today's workplace necessitates being a teamplayer and working well with others. Be co-operative, eager and always willing and prepared to pitch in to make a project succeed.

http://www.bayt.com/en/career-article-1301/

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Work Abroad Wednesday


Things to research before you plan to leave

Housing
Think about what type of housing you want to live in. Do you want the comforts of home, such as air conditioning, TV, and a washer and dryer? Or would you rather live as the locals do?

Transportation
What is the transportation like in your new country? How will you get around, especially from your home to your new job? You should also consider how much plane tickets from your home country to the country you’ll be working in will cost.

Money
It’s important to note the conversion rate from the currency of the country you’re moving to.Are ATMs available? Will your credit cards work?

Communication
How will you communicate with your friends and family back home? Can you get a cell phone and/or the Internet?

Visas
Learn what the Visa requirements are. How easy is it to obtain a Worker’s Visa? If you don’t get a Worker’s Visa, how often do you have to leave the country? Will the company you work for pay these expenses?

Cultural Differences
Every country is different, and so are their citizens. Be aware of how people interact in your new country. What kind of lifestyle are your new coworkers used to living?

Medicine
If you’re not going to get insurance through your company, you should look for insurance specific to your country. Some insurance providers have worldwide coverage; however, they may be pricier.

http://www.choosewhat.com/blog/working-abroad-tips-beginning-your-journey

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Tip of the Day


Job search Tips

Be Prepared. Have a voice mail system in place and sign-up for a professional sounding email address. Put your cell phone number on your resume so you can follow up in a timely manner.

Be More Than Prepared. Always have an up-to-date resume ready to send - even if you are not currently looking for work. You never know when an opportunity that is too good to pass up might come along.

Get Help. Utilize free or inexpensive services that provide career counseling and job search assistance such as college career offices.

Create Your Own Templates. Have copies of your resume and cover letter ready to edit. That way you can change the content to match the requirements of the job you're applying for, but, the contact information and your opening and closing paragraphs won't need to be changed.

Use Job Search Engines. Search the job search engines. Use the job search engine sites to search the major job banks, company sites, associations, and other sites with job postings for you.

Time Savers. Strapped for time? Consider getting help writing or editing your resume.

References Ready. Have a list of three references including name, job title, company, phone number and email address ready to give to interviewers.

Use Your Network. Be cognizant of the fact that many, if not most, job openings aren't advertised. Tell everyone you know that you are looking for work.

Don't Stop. Don't limit your job searching to the top sites like Monster or CareerBuilder. Check the smaller niche sites that focus on a particular geographic location or career field and you will find plenty of job listings.

http://jobsearch.about.com/cs/jobsearchhelp/a/jobtips.htm

Monday, April 4, 2011

Mentoring Monday


10 Key points for the Mentoree

1. It's your job, not theirs. The focus of mentoring is on you, the mentoree. Therefore, don't expect your mentor to do all the work. His or her role is to facilitate your development, not do it for you. Take the initiative and follow-up on agreed upon goals.

2. Think commitment, not lip service. Regular, ongoing contact is one of the most important building blocks for successful mentoring. Agree with your mentor to meet on a regular and ongoing basis and avoid canceling appointments.

3. Show up for the relationship. Be prepared before your meeting with anything agreed upon and with an issue to discuss that's important to you.

4. Give back and get more. Mentors don't usually ask how the mentoree has benefitted from the relationship. Take the time to share examples and to say "thank you" on occasion, and you'll often find that the mentor will give more without your having to ask.

5. Keep expectations realistic. Unstated assumptions or expectations can easily derail a relationship. To avoid this, you and your mentor should both discuss your expectations of each other and the relationship.

6. It's risky, but it's healthy.
A mentoring relationship is not meant to make you comfortable with where you are. It should challenge you both professionally and personally. This can't happen unless you're willing to take risks.

7. Be yourself; we already have everybody else. You needn't act exactly like your mentor. You are a unique person. Recognize your uniqueness and resist the temptation to clone your mentor. This is especially important when considering diversity initiatives.

8. Don't be afraid of your mentor's silence. You're in a mentoring session and you seem to run out of things to say, and your mentor isn't helping because all she or he is doing is keeping quiet. This is a good thing! Your mentor's silence is inviting you to probe more deeply into what is on your mind, and it's an opportunity to share more deeply in the relationship.

9. The elephant will crush you. Don't sit with an issue that you should discuss with your mentor; otherwise, it will severely impact and could derail your relationship. If something is not working in the relationship, chances are your mentor is feeling similarly, but neither one of you is taking the responsibility to deal with it.

10. Pass it along. Since you're enjoying the mentoring experience, give back by becoming a mentor to someone else. Whether it's a peer, a subordinate, a family member, share with others so that what your mentor has shared with you gets passed along through you.

http://www.management-mentors.com/resources/april-2009/

Friday, April 1, 2011

Freelance Friday


Maintaining Good Customer Service


Always Offer Top Quality Service
No matter how nice of a business owner you are or what credibility you have gotten even being the best in your sector, if you fail to offer top-quality services it will diminish the rate of business offers you get from your clients. Therefore, It is very vital to always offer top quality services so as to keep your client from coming back for more business transactions and refer you to more clients.

Contact with Clients Is Beneficial Should Job Related Changes Be Needed
It is also a good idea to maintain contact with your clients as it keeps the line of communication open should any changes be needed to the job which you are completing for your customers. In addition, this will gives your client rest of mind and assurance that they are dealing with a transparent and honest freelancer that can be contacted at any time they feel it is necessary to discuss changes with you.

Make Conversation with Your Clients
Really it is quite essential to discuss business matter clearly with your clients is as well very important to be open to other discussion aside business matters. By so doing will give your clients the motive that you are not just after the income you generate from them but care about their doing. It is always necessary that you speak less and listen more to your customers when you both are discussing.

Open Space for Comments
You can win a lot of clients with a very good service but if you don't seek for what they feel about your services, you could tend to loose some customers at some instance. Although, you might have done the necessary requirements to satisfy your clients but at some instance you just cant tell what your clients are expecting from you and what improvement they think could change your services for better.


http://ezinearticles.com/?Maintaining-a-Good-Customer-Service-for-Your-Freelance-Business&id=5057874

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Tip of the Day


Some tips on Career Growth

1. Do more than is expected of you. Prove that you’re capable of handing more responsibility. Volunteer for special assignments.

2. Take initiative and do what needs to be done, before being asked.

3. Learn the skills you’ll need to advance. Take advantage of on-the-job training, but don’t rely exclusively on that. Consider taking (and paying for) skill-enhancing courses on your own.

4. Be loyal to your boss, your team, and your company. (Yes, you can be loyal without being a “brown-noser.”)

5. Be patient and don’t expect to be promoted without demonstrating your abilities over time.

6. View the big picture and understand your company’s mission. Find ways to help them accomplish it.

7. Save money for your company by identifying ways to boost revenues, reduce expenses, or streamline processes.

8. Offer solutions to the problems you must take to your boss.

9. Show respect to everyone — superiors, peers, subordinates, and especially customers.

10. Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know.” If you don’t know something, say so; don’t try to fake it. Find the answers you need.

11. Take responsibility for your actions. If you’re at fault, admit it and take the blame. If you’re wrong, apologize.

12. Never gossip. Gossip can hurt the careers of two people: the person being talked about, and the person doing the talking.

http://moralsandethics.wordpress.com/2007/02/08/20-powerful-tips-for-career-growth/

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Work Abroad Wednesday


10 Working Abroad Tips

1) The first thing you need to do is decide where you want to go and work! This may sound very obvious – but aside from picking a random nation to land in and bestow your skills upon, there is actually a little more thought that needs to go into picking a location.

2) Then pick the region or even town or city that you want to base yourself in. For example, you’ve just finished studying French at university and you want to go to France for the summer and work. Well, do you want to head for the south coast and work in a tourist bar, do you want to end up in Paris working as an au pair.

3) With a nation and a location in mind you have to think about getting a work permit or residency visa – if you’re an EU national and you’re going to work in another EU country then you will not have to worry so much about this side of things. It’s likely that you will have to register your presence in the nation with the local police station of immigration office – but for those going further afield or for Aussies, Americans or Kiwis heading for Europe, there is paperwork to be completed. Contact the nearest embassy to you of the country you want to travel to and work in. Embassies are usually in capital cities and they often have a strong web presence as well which can at least give you a basic grounding in the paperwork you will need to complete to be allowed to work abroad.

4) With the country, the city and the paperwork sorted it’s time to think about actually working abroad and the capacity in which you are hoping to be employed. If you’re simply seeking casual work and you don’t mind what you do, it can be sufficient to just arrive and go from bar to bar, farm to farm or shop to shop asking for a job.

5) Looking for jobs abroad can be done via the Internet – you can contact employment agencies local to the country or even town you’re hoping to head for, you can contact agencies specialising in international recruitment, you can contact agencies specialising in recruiting for the work you’re hoping to secure.

6) Another top tip is thinking about whether you know people who live abroad. If you do, are they in locations that you might like to work in? If so this can be a great way in for you to get acclimatised to living and working abroad. Think about the useful people you know and consider targeting them for advice and assistance with your plans to work overseas – you’ll be surprised how happy people are to help when you show an interest in their lives and their nation.

7) If you want to travel and work abroad, consider getting a qualification or gaining skills in an area of employment that is portable. One of the favourite choices for those hoping to live all over the world and work is TEFL – or teaching English as a foreign language. The best, most recognised courses are those that are accredited by the Cambridge examinations board – steer clear of distance learning or Internet based courses as you will gain no practical experience and employers will not give your resume a second glance.

8) If you have a particular skill or area of expertise and you’re not sure where in the world you want to work abroad, try and find out where your skills or areas of expertise are most in demand.

9) Think about the financial aspect of moving abroad very seriously. Even if you have a job lined up for when you arrive or you intend to bum around and don’t care if you earn all that much, you will have an initial outlay at least for accommodation.

10) And finally – even before you go and certainly when you’re on the road travelling overseas, remember to network actively! It’s not what you know in life but who you know! When it comes to getting on in life, you can never have too many useful contacts.

http://www.shelteroffshore.com/index.php/living/more/ten-working-abroad-tips

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Tip of the Day


Career Building Tips

1. Go out on a limb
If you are still in school, work with the career counselor to set up a "shadowing" program. Contact several business leaders in the community and see if they are amenable to having a student go to work with them for a day. Nothing can compare to following a worker through a real "day in the life." On your assigned day, be respectful and spend the majority of time really listening but assist if you are asked.

2. Build Relationships
Don't hesitate to further establish your reputation by building relationships. Earning your client's and customer's trust will go along way toward shaping who you are and what you hope to achieve.

3. Do Outreach
Who can you possibly help? Anyone who is in a position to learn what you already know. Act as a mentor in your community for those less fortunate. Volunteer and find a way to "pay it forward" for teens who might need some friendly advice.

4. The visibility Factor
Acting as a mentor, working on community projects and building relationships all help to give you a brand---defining who you are. But take your visibility one step further by using advertising, a webpage or writing articles online or in your community newspaper to share more of what you know and what you're up to.

5. In the Loop
Networking is how people find out about the little things. And word spreads fast in our information culture. Look for ways to remain "in the loop." Stay in touch by going to church, joining a rotary club or showing up at job fairs. Pass out your business card, shake hands and find out what others are doing.

6. Stay Motivated
Read management books, listen to motivational tapes, and use positive reinforcement vehicles to keep up your spirits. Bad language, poor attitudes and lack of cooperation can kill branding and your reputation faster than anything.

http://www.ehow.com/way_5154020_career-building-tips.html

Monday, March 28, 2011

Mentoring Monday


Workplace Motivation

1. Know your Goal
It is essential that you and any co-workers understand exactly what you are working towards. Make sure that you have a very clear idea and vision for your business goal, and make it very specific. This needs to be made clear to every person working on the project. Without this understanding it will be difficult to achieve it.

2. Know your Reasons
What are your reasons for reaching this goal? If you do not have a very good reason, you will not be motivated. If you work alone your reasons may be personal, but for your colleagues, your understanding of what motivates them needs to come into play here. This understanding will help you to create powerful reasons for anyone you work with.

3. Know your Strategy
After following the first two steps, the motivation that is created will help you to create powerful strategies for achieving the goal, and those who work with you will be able to contribute valuable ideas because they have a reason for doing so.

4. Review
In order to maintain motivation, make sure that your goals are regularly reviewed by yourself and any others. Check that your action plan is working, and make any adjustments necessary to the goal or the strategy to make sure you are staying on task.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Business-Coaching-and-Mentoring---Workplace-Motivation&id=2115552

Friday, March 25, 2011

Freelance Friday


Easy Steps to start your Freelance Business

1. Develop an online presence as a freelancer.
You can’t get work as a freelancer if no one knows that you are available for projects. One of the best ways to let people know that you freelance is through your blog or portfolio site. If you don’t have a website already, it’s time to set one up.

2. Add freelancing availability to your social media profile.

For many freelancers, one of their best sources of clients is the people they already know. If you keep in touch with friends, family, former classmates, or colleagues through social media then you need to make sure that your social media profile includes the fact that you are willing to take on freelance work. Also, many organizations now use social media to recruit freelancers for projects.

3. Build a professional profile on a bidding site.
While bidding sites may not always offer the best opportunities, if you understand how they work it is possible to land some good jobs there. Remember, many successful freelancers got their start by first finding work on a bidding site. When your profile is complete, don’t forget to bid on some projects.

4. Find freelance job opportunities online and apply for them.
You can use online tools such as iGoogle to search for and find online job postings. The more projects that you apply for, the more likely it is that you will be selected for a project. (Repeat this step of searching for and applying for jobs online frequently.)

5. Offer to do something for free.
While typically working for free is not a very good idea, when you are just starting out as a freelancer taking on a project that you can use for your portfolio and as a sample of your work is not always a bad thing. Also, getting involved in a project (even a gratis one) can help get you into the mindset of a freelancer and give you the momentum you need to keep going.


http://freelancefolder.com/five-ways-to-start-a-freelance-business-right-now/

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Tip of the Day


Interview Tips

- Learn as much as you can about the prospective employer by reviewing its Web site thoroughly, reading industry publications and talking to others who may know about the company's culture and what the firm may be looking for in an employee.

- Review your resume. Think about how your skills and accomplishments can be assets to the company.

- Be prepared to answer these standard questions:
1. Can you tell me a little about yourself?
2. Why do you want to work here? What do you know about the company?
3. What are your strengths/weaknesses?
4. Why did you leave your last job and what have you been doing since then?

- Also be prepared for off-the-wall questions, which are increasingly common. Don't be surprised if you're asked a questions such as, "If you could have lunch with someone famous, who would it be?" These questions provide information about your personality and how you think on your feet.

- Practice answering interview questions out loud. You want your responses to sound confident but not rehearsed.

- Prepare your own list of questions to ask the interviewer. Remember: this is your opportunity to learn more about the position and the company's culture.

- Complete a list of two to three professional references, or people who can speak positively about your skills and work ethic. Just be sure to ask if they are willing to serve as your references before you give out their contact information.

- Be prepared to complete a written application, which will likely ask for your contact information and the addresses and phone numbers of your previous employers.

http://www.dressforsuccess.org/careers_careertips.aspx

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Work Abroad Wednesday


Work Abroad Tips

The country
The country you choose to move to may well be dictated by your profession and the ability to find suitable employment there - alternatively, if you’re looking for a fairly casual contract of employment your country choice options may be far broader.

Permissions
Depending on the country you herald from and the one in which you’d now like to work, certain visas, permits, permissions and approval may be required to enter the country, reside there and take up a job. Make sure you check out all the requirements before making a commitment to a country and find out whether it’ll be easier for you to get all your permissions if you have an offer of employment already.

Your Qualifications

In some countries many standard university and further education qualifications translate like for like. Some professional qualifications however do not translate and different countries have different standards, working practices and governing bodies that people with certain qualifications operating in certain trades or professions will have to have translated.

Taxation
Don’t forget that some countries have an even more restrictive taxation regime than your own! Check out the rates of tax you’ll be liable for based on the country you’re interested in moving to and the salary you can expect to earn. Remember that as an expatriate living abroad you’re entitled to all the tax breaks offered in your new country of residence and you may also be entitled to more breaks especially if you have to support two households.


http://www.shelteroffshore.com/index.php/living/more/tips_for_working_abroad

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Tip of the Day


Create a plan

The most important benefit of having a plan is that it gives you a sense of direction in helping you reach your goals.
In real life career planning, we choose the paths that we believe will take us to our destinations, but we have to be open to embarking upon new paths which may emerge in the course of our journey.
Just as having a plan is important, so is the importance of planning to be flexible. It will keep you open to a realm of possibilities and help you arrive at your rightful destination.

http://ezinearticles.com/?8-Career-Planning-Tips-That-Work&id=2162515

Monday, March 21, 2011

Mentoring Monday


Mentoring Tips for the Workplace

Knowledge: Be aware of your roles and responsibilities
- Observe: Watch what is going on around you, be aware of the things that are happening, and not happening in the workplace.

- Learn: Be open to the learning opportunities surround us all the time. Try a different method or approach. Model continual learning!

Attitude: Attitude determines how you interpret the things that come your way. Be positive. Choose to see things positively.

- Get to know people: Strike up a conversation during lunch or break. Work on building trust. Find out what interests people...You might have more in
common than you knew.

- Ask questions: Never be afraid to ask a question. If you do not get what you are looking for, try asking the question a different way. Be aware of what you say, and how you say it.

- Listen: Remember that silence and listening are NOT the same thing. If you ask a question, be sure to really listen to the response.

Behaviour: Be patient with yourself and those that you are working with.Do not be in too much of a rush. Do not rush your work.

- Take action: Show initiative. If you see something that needs doing, do it.This sets a great example for others.

- Give your best effort: Do things yourself the way you would want them to be done - Model best practices in what you do.

- Share: Share your knowledge and experiences with others.

http://apprenticeship.nscc.ca/mentoring/Mentoring.Resource.Handout.Tips.pdf

Friday, March 18, 2011

Summer Job Blitz


How to use your summer job to aquire skills to advance your possible career

1. Identify what you like the most- Decide what tasks that you enjoy the most and what tasks you enjoy the least.

2. Skip the rumors- When you finish your summer job, always walk away with a good reputation and reference.

3. Hone your communication abilities- To learn to communcate effectively choose a job that requires lots of interaction with other people.

4. Learn problem solving- If you are given expectations, you know what is asked of you and you can take the initiative to identify problems in the workplace and solve them instantly.

5. Having a summer job is a good way to learn about networking- Hold on to your network by staying in touch with the people you work with after the summer.

6. Look beyond the immediate- Understand that what you do may seem routine, but to the certain company, its key.

7. Recognize the skills your job is giving you- Look at the most complex tasks you have accomplished and understand what it says about you and to what extent you are able to perform.

8. Develop good habits- Learn about being punctual.

9. Go even deeper- If you had a summer job in the past, work at getting even more skills that are complex than you did the previous summer.

10. Because work can be stressful at times, chill out- Managing that stress can be accomplished by exercising and deep breathing.

11. Get Real- Summer jobs are an opportunity to get a realistic expectation of the workplace and to understand that nothing is perfect.

12. Get personal at your workplace- A summer job can create a chance to develop interpersonal skills in a diverse environment.

13. Once you finish your job at summers end, take notes of the skills you acquire, specifically what skills you have honed and which new skills you have developed- Walk away from your job at the end of the summer with better ideas of what your skills are and what you are good at.


http://www.wikihow.com/Use-Your-Summer-Job-to-Acquire-Skills-to-Advance-Your-Possible-Career

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Summer Job Blitz


Some Summer Job search links

Check these out for the latest summer job postings

Job Connect-http://www.loyalistc.on.ca/jobconnect/posting/SummerPostings.aspx

Quinte Student Jobs- http://www.quintestudentjobs.blogspot.com/

Job Bank- http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/intro-eng.aspx

Go Jobs - http://www.gojobs.gov.on.ca/Jobs.aspx

For more Summer job postings visit The Career Centre in room 2H3

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Summer Job Blitz

How to apply for a summer job

1.Begin your search early

Don't wait until school gets out; if you do, you will be facing a lot of competition. Start your search at least a couple of weeks before school breaks for the summer.


2.Have an up-to-date resume ready
A resume simply lists your career objective, relevant experience and education information, along with skills or qualifications that make you a suitable candidate for the job. You can learn how to write a resume that will attract the attention of an employer online.

3. Do a thorough search

In order to get summer work you need to look in many different directions. Look through your local classified section in the newspaper, pay attention when you are out running errands for "help wanted" signs posted, and search online using keywords that will narrow your search down to your city and state.

4. Apply during slow times of the day
If you are applying for a restaurant job, it's best not to visit during peak hours when management staff may be busy. Submit your resume and application during times when there is a lull in business, when you may be able to speak with the person responsible for hiring.

5. Follow instructions in the job ad
If you find a job advertisement online or in the newspaper, pay attention to specific instructions. If the ad states certain hours of the day to submit your application, that is when you should take it in.

6. Be persistent
Employers tend to hire those individuals who show a real interest for the job. After submitting your application and resume, follow up. Wait for a few days, then call the person responsible for hiring. When you are in the area, drop by to check on the status of your application. By simply dropping off your application and never contacting the hiring manager again, your chances of landing the job decrease substantially.

7. Present yourself in a professional manner
Most employers will be turned off by applicants who show up dressed in a sloppy manner, or who have tattoos and piercings all over their bodies. Cover up tattoos, remove piercings and dress in a conservative manner. You want to look neat, clean and polished in order to make a good impression.

When applying for a summer job, always be polite and speak clearly. Those who show enthusiasm for the position and follow up frequently usually land the job.


http://www.sampleresume.net/How-to-Apply-for-a-Summer-Job.html

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Summer Job Blitz

How do you keep your job search moving forward this summer?

Here are 5 tips to heat up your job search:

1) Capitalize on Seasonal Events: Summer is a terrific time to network. Using personal and social gatherings to let people know you are looking is an excellent strategy.

2) Keep a Job Search Schedule: Yes, it's summer, but don't be lulled into laziness. Even if it is just an hour a day, put structure in place to keep you going.

3) Build a Network: Form a group of like-minded job seekers to keep your summer job search on track.

4) Take Stock of Your Resume and Skills: Summer is the perfect time to assess and update your resume and skills.

5) Get Outside: Warm weather is the prime time for outdoor home improvement projects, and by helping your neighbors you can help your career at the same time. While you're helping that neighbor, you can share that you're job hunting and tap into someone else's network.

When it comes to your job search, you can use the summer months to find an ideal career fit. Your time and effort can reap big rewards and even land you a new job before autumn.

http://career-advice.monster.com/resumes-cover-letters/resume-writing-tips/sizzling-summer-job-search-tips/article.aspx

Monday, March 14, 2011

Summer Job Blitz


Are you looking for a summer job?

If you plan on working over the summer, now is the time to start looking for your summer job!

Many employers have already started recruiting for their summer positions. Don't wait until it is too late. Get ahead of the game and start applying now!

Friday, March 11, 2011

Freelance Friday


Branding Yourself

If you’re not a designer yourself, invest the money in someone who knows what they are doing as the difference is immeasurable and the impact of looking professional can make the crucial difference when your potential client hasn’t yet had the chance to know you by your quality of work.

When it comes to your website, make sure you get a domain name that is:
1.Easy to remember. Really long domains can be confusing, as can ones with odd acronyms or letters in them

2.Easy to spell. If you have to say your web or email address over the phone it’s always better if you don’t have to say it letter by letter with things like dashes or underscores mixed in.

3.Appropriately descriptive. A name that says something or ties in with your name or business name is best. Its easy to remember and immediately identifies you
Make no mistake, having a website and particularly a domain name is essential. Freelancing off a hotmail account just does not come across as professional or serious and impressions count.

When it comes to building your website, there are a few key pieces of information that must be on there, they are:

1.An introduction of some sort – usually just a statement is best
2.Your services, or else how will anyone know what you do?
3.Examples of your previous work
4.Contact details

http://freelanceswitch.com/start/a-comprehensive-guide-to-starting-your-freelance-career/

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Tip of the Day


Career Success Tips

Set Goals
The formation of achievable targets is key to increasing career motivation and, upon accomplishment of these goals, furthering career success.The employee should set out a career plan, detailing milestones which are to be achieved within certain timescales. This plan should be updated and monitored regularly.

Expand your Network of Friends
Employees seeking success in their career should endeavour to have a broad social network of colleagues, who will support the employee whilst also providing challenges to ensure that the best is being achieved at all times.The employee should seek not only to broaden his or her social network, but maintain ties with current associates, so that a wide range of qualities can be called upon if required during the lifespan of the career.

Find a Mentor and also mentor somebody
The employee should identify a person within the same industry from whom advice and guidance can be sought, as well as assistance in times of need.As well as seeking a mentor, employees looking to further their career should become a mentor themselves, in doing so building a reputation whilst proving to those in higher authority that management skills are possessed.

http://www.suite101.com/content/top-tips-for-career-success-a201803

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Work Abroad Wednesday


Looking for jobs abroad can be done via the Internet

You can contact employment agencies local to the country or even town you’re hoping to head for, you can contact agencies specialising in international recruitment, you can contact agencies specialising in recruiting for the work you’re hoping to secure.

Additionally you can often get hold of newspapers from all over the world on the Internet – and jobs are often advertised therein – or the final option open to you is directly targeting potential employers with an application for employment.

http://www.shelteroffshore.com/index.php/living/more/ten-working-abroad-tips

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Tip of the Day


Reflect on your Likes and Dislikes, Needs and Wants

Change is a factor of life; everybody changes, as do our likes and dislikes. Something we loved doing two years ago may now give us displeasure. So always take time to reflect on the things in your life -- not just in your job -- that you feel most strongly about.

Make a two-column list of your major likes and dislikes. Then use this list to examine your current job and career path. If your job and career still fall mostly in the like column, then you know you are still on the right path; however, if your job activities fall mostly in the dislike column, now is the time to begin examining new jobs and new careers.

Finally, take the time to really think about what it is you want or need from your work, from your career. Are you looking to make a difference in the world? To be famous? To become financially independent? To effect change? Take the time to understand the motives that drive your sense of success and happiness.

http://www.quintcareers.com/career_planning_tips.html

Monday, March 7, 2011

Mentoring Monday


Know your goals

As a mentee, you need to be in the driver's seat of your mentoring relationships-not in the passenger seat while your mentor makes all the important choices about your career. To have that control, you need to do a personal inventory and know your career goals. You need to be able to articulate where you would like to go over the next period of your career and beyond and share what passions you have for a particular research field. Once you've articulated your goals clearly, your mentor will be better able to advise and guide you on possible steps and opportunities.

By knowing your goals, you will be in control of the path that you choose to take-and are more likely to be satisfied with your career decisions.

http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_magazine/previous_issues/articles/2009_08_14/caredit.a0900101
http://www.google.ca/imgres

Friday, March 4, 2011

Freelance Friday


Tips to keep your freelance business running while your on vacation

1.Work in Advance
For a freelancer, going on vacation is doubly expensive. Not only do you have to fork out on flights, accommodation and spending money like everybody else, you have to account for the money you’re not making while you’re away. If you want to maintain a steady income, spread extra work out over the weeks prior to your departure.

2.Choose Your Dates Carefully
An obvious one, but very important nonetheless–make sure you book your vacation for a time when you have relatively little work to do. If you have seasonal downtime in your industry, identifying the best time for a vacation is easy. If you don’t, try and line up your trip to coincide with the completion of several big projects.

3.Inform All Clients
There’s no use just sticking an Out of Office auto-reply into your email the night before you go away. An auto-reply is essential, sure, but you need to inform your clients well in advance of your departure. Important clients should be informed personally–don’t be scared, they’ll understand. Make sure they know that you’re contactable in an emergency. A short message should be added to your email signature, months before you leave, to inform everybody else.

4.Prepare Email Responses
Whether or not you intend to work while on vacation, you need to be sure that you still have jobs coming in while you’re away, to do on your return. To save time, you should prepare some canned responses for any potential new clients that might get in touch. Something like–I’m traveling until the 25th December, but I’d love to take a closer look at this on my return, please send over all the details and I’ll contact you as soon as I get back.

5.Outsource
If you really can’t fit all the work you need to do into the weeks prior to your vacation, consider outsourcing it to a trusted colleague. You might lose money in the short-term, but they’re bound to send work your way when they go on holiday themselves. Furthermore, it’s better to take on work offered by a client and give it somebody else you trust than it is to turn it down. Turn a client away once and you might never hear from them again.

http://freelancefolder.com/15-tips-to-keep-your-freelance-business-going-while-on-vacation/

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Tip of the Day


Career Building tips

Always have an up to date copy of your resume
It’s easier to keep your resume current if you add new skills, projects and achievements to it as you go along. This is a good starting point for your career planning as it helps you to review your career path so far, and provides an at a glance picture of where you are at the moment.

Keep copies of job descriptions, appraisals and reviews, work objectives etc
These will provide the nuts and bolts of your career planning, and you can look back over them to see how you have changed and developed from job to job, and year to year.

Gather evidence of your achievements and times when you have done a job particularly well and received positive feedback
This may be letters or emails from your boss or colleagues praising your work, sales or budget figures, or samples of work you have produced. Not only will this boost your confidence and remind you of your successes, you will have these examples at your fingertips in interviews.

Start collecting copies of job ads that interest you
Even if your longer term goal is to stay within your current company, this will help you to identify the kinds of roles that attract you, and you can start to build up a picture of the skills and qualities you’ll need for those roles.

Think about what motivates and demotivates you
What you like and dislike doing. Try to analyse your strengths and weaknesses, in terms of your skills, qualities and experience –be as objective as possible, and base this on third party feedback where you can. Write all this down, and review it periodically– your motivation and strengths and weaknesses can change, particularly if you are aware of them and take steps to address them.

Set yourself objectives in relation to what you want to achieve, and make sure these are SMART
For example, if your long term goal is to become Managing Director, which could take you ten years, you need to break this down into smaller chunks so that you can see that you are moving closer to this goal. So you might set a medium term goal of gaining two years’ middle management experience, or a short term goal of attending a leadership training programme within the next two months.

http://www.aboutcareereducation.com/pages/practical-building.php

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Work Abroad Wednesday

Working abroad after college

Finding Work Abroad that Pays
Most bachelor’s degrees come at a steep price, leaving many graduates with hefty school loans to pay back. If you have financial obligations that make it necessary to find paying work abroad, consider the following suggestions:

Join the Peace Corps. Volunteers are provided with a modest living stipend and receive a transition allowance at the end of their service. They can also defer payment of their school loans and may qualify for a 15 percent cancellation of their outstanding balance for each year of service.

Do freelance work If you have experience where work is often contracted, consider marketing yourself as a freelancer. Extensive research in finding employers will pay off with a flexible schedule that allows for travel.

Plan on Changing Your Plan
Plans sometimes go your way but they can change in the snap of a finger, make sure you have a back up plan.


http://www.transitionsabroad.com/publications/magazine/0411/how_to_work_after_college.shtml