Career Opportunities Journal

Career fairs are one of the best places for job seekers to gain exposure and eventually land a job. They are usually organized by a government agency, an association or a network of companies. They focus on a specific industry and usually help fresh graduates.

Here are some tips when attending a career fair:
1. Dress properly.
2. Bring pens and paper.
3. Bring copies of your r�sum�.
4. Ask business cards from employers for possible follow-ups and for future references.

Career fairs gives out information on employment trends, skills needed for various positions, industry and corporate data and career guidance. This is the perfect time for job seekers to learn.

We all want a cutting-edge job, one that pays well and has a competitive and strong job market. But then, how far can a job go to become cutting-edge? Is popularity a factor? How about its relevance to our times?

We are all aware of the problems of global warming that has resulted in the emergence of movements and organizations working to save planet Earth from mankind’s bad ways. It is therefore not a surprise that environment-related jobs become increasingly popular today. In fact, the US News and World report has identified environmentalism to produce multiplier effect to environment-related jobs.

If this projection will materialize, aside from creating more job openings for the green working class, will surely bolster environmental efforts aimed at preserving our planet.

In this corporate jungle where everyone wants to get an up on everyone, and competition is stiff, you really need an extra edge to make you more noticeable.

One of the ways to achieve this is though the use of LinkedIn, a professional networking website. LinkedIn operates the same way as a social networking site – you make a profile, add contacts, and watch your network grow. The only difference is that LinkedIn users are building professional and corporate contacts for the advancement of their careers.

Many employers use LinkedIn because of its relative ease of use, where they can see a member’s qualifications related to the industry he or she is in. There is also a referral system, where a person can be referred because of exemplary work, which makes him or her more marketable for future jobs.

There is usually a part within any job interview, normally before it ends, where you will be asked for your reason why you left your past firm even with a good position and competitive pay. This is a trick question to see if you are a possible whiner who can be more of a liability to the company you’re applying into so be careful and tread easy. Past issues and brushes with the management with certain issues may give your interviewer clues to your resistance to company policy that is a turn-off. Companies avoid people who complain too much for they are very much at their own headaches. That is the reason why companies sometimes prefer entry-level hires for they are not at all prone to complain about working conditions, pay and many other employment factors due to lack of experience. Be professional with your answers so you do not dig your own grave and lose the employment opportunity of a lifetime.

One of the most important aspects of career building is career assessment. By making assessment of your career, you get to know your priorities, values and interest that could lead to success and a more fulfilling career.

Before you find a job or make a career change, take some time off your hectic schedule and do some career assessment. A career assessment allows you to see the signs of a good and a bad career. Identifying both helps you to put things in order while it is not too late. It also saves you from consuming precious amounts of time, energy and resources in working on worthless pursuits.

Dr. Debra Davenport, president of Davenfort Folio and a career counselor contributing articles to Yahoo! Hot Jobs, has a career assessment checklist located on the bottom part of her article for individuals who would like to know about themselves better, career wise.

This is the conclusion to my previous post on career risks. Without further a do, here are the three career risks worth taking:

1. Pursuing higher studies. Going back to school to pursue higher studies that will broaden your horizons and make you more competitive is always a smart decision.
2. Career change. If you think you have depleted your source of motivation and enthusiasm for your present career, and you have already used every strategy possible to cope with your career problems, then a career change is your next option.
3. Putting up a business. Being your own boss and helping create job opportunities for people by starting a business is the way to go only if you have the resources and the leadership to move people to accomplish things.

If you are a professional who is interested in learning through distance education, one should ask the question, “Am I Ready to Learn Through Distance Education?” Distance education has been around for a couple of years already which is very beneficial to those who wish to finish a degree or course but cannot be physically present in a normal school set-up.

So if you really want to pursue learning the distance education way, you should check out this quiz that will tell how good a candidate are you for succeeding in distance-delivered courses. This would tell if distance education is right for you.

Image source: continue.utah.edu

Risks are a part of life. May it be in school, at work or in daily life, risks are made and people eventually get used to them. In fact, risks are now considered by people as a part of personal growth and maturity. In the world of careers, taking risks can help step up your career and bring you closer to the realization of your goals.

However, some risks are overwhelming as it will require a copious amount of time, energy and resources as well as a lot of determination. Thus, it is up to the individual if he is capable of making huge sacrifices to reap success. (to be concluded)

By: ReginPaul

In one of my interviews with Pizza Hut’s branch manager I learned that she did not undergo the process of passing her resume and showing up for evaluation, assessment, and interviews. According to her, Pizza Hut contacted her and offered her a position. Without any hesitations, she gladly accepted the offer and continues to make a mark in the industry.

This story can be an inspiration to all job seekers but I am not telling you to just sit down and wait for your phone to ring. As a matter of fact, careers don’t just come knocking at your doors. Your actions, achievements, experiences, and skills are the tools you can use in attaining your goals. As a professional, you are the one who builds your own career.

In choosing a career we often ask, “What is the best job career?” Of course there are several factors to consider like the pay, the jobs satisfaction, length of time to obtain undergraduate and postgraduate studies and others. There is no doubt that there is a growing number of people taking up IT related courses as the IT industry booms. Of course experts can also see a great future for the health care industry and therefore, jobs within the health care industry would also boom.

In choosing a career, seeking the advice of the experts would be very beneficial. But despite all, your choice of career is dependent on your own abilities, knowledge, skills, passions and interests.

Image source: www.ashford.edu