It s Never Too Late For a Change in Career

Jobs. Careers. Ways to make money. Doesn’t matter what you call it, we all need one to survive and thrive in the world. I am one of those “let’s change careers in mid life” type of people. I followed the correct path of going to college and getting a job in the business world and I was completely miserable. Fourteen years of my life was spent going to work in little tiny cubicles, doing grunt work that I was not paid well for nor appreciated for. So when I was laid off in 2007 I decided that I could no longer ignore my gut instincts. I had to make a change. But what should I do? I finally sat down and really thought about it.

I knew that I liked to bake and do things with my hands and that I wanted what I did to matter, not just be another nameless cog in the business machine wheel. One day I opened up the paper and saw an advertisement for a Massage Therapy School and I knew that this was it. I researched the subject on line to find out what it entails and more importantly what it paid. The results were encouraging to me. I went to school for six months full time, at nights, and now I can happily say that I am employed as a Massage Therapist and I love it. So have heart, you may be like me and need a “few” years to figure out what you want to do for a living but when you finally do it will be all worth it.

Right now I am also researching ways to make some more money, since I only work as a Massage Therapist part time. I am looking into offering a class at our local township s community center on How to massage your infant and also teaching a class on Learning how to massage your partner . Not only is it a good way to make money but it could also drum up more clients for my massage business. Some other ideas I have are working for a business where you can make your own hours, for example working for Avon or Pampered Chef.

I have known people that worked for both these companies and while you can t get rich you can certainly make some money. They are both online and you can easily find information on them, plus they have been around for a while so you don t have to worry about working for a scam company.

It is a tight job market out there and it seems like everyone is looking for a job. But remember you are a unique individual with special talents, if you are willing to take a chance and make a change then go for it; change careers. You may not become rich right away, but it will come. If you have a passion for what you do, it will always be the right choice for you in the end.

Resumes are written documents that should include the personal information, the educational background and the work experience of a person. Having a professional resume is important especially if you are seeking for a job. For free quality resume samples visit http://www.prosampleresumes.com/

Exploring Your Internship Goals

Most employers these days expect college graduates to have ‘real world’ experience in their chosen field. It isn’t enough to merely have a degree—you need to have hands on job training. Internships are one of the best ways for you to gain that type of experience.

Before looking for an internship, you need to consider what goals you would like to achieve through your internship. By determining these goals, you will be better able to select the internship that is right for you. Think about the following questions:

• What are your career interests? Choose an internship that helps you to refine your career goals. For example, if you have majored in marketing you may want to opt for an internship in advertising as well as an internship in public relations in order to help you decide which type of career path you want to follow.

• What do you want to gain from your internship? Perhaps your main goal is to decide upon a career path, as in the example above. Or maybe you would like to learn new skills or experience different types of work positions within your chosen field. You might be interested in networking and meeting people. Some people hope that their internships lead to full time positions within the company; is this one of your goals? Deciding upon your goals can help you to choose the best type of internship.

• What type of organization interests you? Are you hoping for an internship at a large, multi national company, or would you rather spend time at a not for profit organization? Perhaps you would rather work at a small, casual business rather than in the corporate climate. Think about the type of organization that you would prefer when choosing an internship.

• What type of industry would best suit your needs? Is there a specific industry in which you would like to intern? For example, you may want to intern in the advertising department of an organic company rather than for a chemical company. Or perhaps you would like to work in the corporate sales department of a department store rather than in pharmaceutical sales. Thinking about this question is important because you may know your field—such as marketing or sales—but deciding upon an industry is an entirely different decision.

• In what location would you like your internship? If your internship is during a regular college semester, you will certainly need the location to be close to the college campus. If the internship is at any other time, however, your options are open—you could choose to have an internship close to home, for example, or maybe even in another country.

• Are you considering paid and unpaid internships? Unfortunately, not every internship opportunity offers payment—in fact, many do not. If you can afford to go without payment, you will have more opportunities available, but the choice is yours.

• Is college credit for the internship important? While this can be helpful as far as your graduation goes, it can also be restrictive as far as the internship program guidelines go. Think carefully before making a decision about this.



Kevin Mastill is an educator and career coach. He helps individuals determine their best plan for http://careerscatalyst.com/ internships and what paths guarantee a dream http://careerscatalyst.com/ graduate job, such as the best course of action for an http://ibgraduate.com/ investment banking graduate.

Jack Of All Trades, Master Of None...Changing Careers Again?

It’s a little frustrating not knowing what I want to be when I grow up!
I have talent, I have good skills, I am a hard worker yet I haven’t figured out where to really focus! The common saying of ‘jack of all trades, master of none’ truly applies to me. Career match quizzes don t get who I really am. They re missing something.

I already know I can ‘learn’ whatever I need to for the job. Been there, done that! In fact, I’ve even paid out of pocket money and taken courses in anticipation of finding a job, and instead ended up with a job where I’ve never even used those skills! Now there’s kind of a waste of time and money, right? Well, try and stay on the positive side of all this. It’s all learning. And it is said, if we’re not learning, we’re dying. It’s all part of life.
But what do I do with it all? Does any of this sound familiar?

There is hope in putting it all together
So now I have the ‘opportunity’ to find work again.(Yes, I’m a statistic of today’s economy). The stuff I love to hear as I research new jobs is ‘that it’s time to do what you love, not just find a job because you have to’ ‘How to Find Out What You Really Love To Do’, and ‘You Have Whatever It Takes To Follow Your Dreams’… it’s actually true if you want it to be.

Yes, IT CAN BE DONE, however, there are a few things to consider along the way:
Everyone knows how hard it is to get along with others when there s a personality conflict – so imagine how hard it is to be happy in career that does the same thing. Similar to when you re looking for a mate, you want to find a career that complements your character, not conflicts with it.

For example, if you re active and outgoing, you might not do well sitting at a computer at a desk all day.

On the same token, if you re shy and soft spoken, you might not do well in a public relations position that requires constant interaction.

If you like working alone, you wouldn t thrive in a setting where there is team consensus involved.

So do some thinking and considering about the following attributes and then ask yourself the questions that follow:

Personality. Is there a good match between your personality and chosen or desired career? This can have a significant impact on whether you find your work fulfilling.

Motivation. This is one of the most important factors for long term career satisfaction. Find a job that motivates you and you ve found the right career. Motivation covers your unique interests and what gives you a sense of achievement .

Skills. You must always include your innate ability and aptitudes; too many people sell themselves short because they forgot to look inside themselves! What are you already good at?

Values. Think about the lifestyle you want, your beliefs, religion or ethical guidelines, the type of organization or people you want to work for, the product or service you want to contribute towards

Constraints? Forget any constraints you may come up with; where there is a will, there is a way! This is so true.

Opportunities. Opportunities abound once you start looking for them.

Some questions for you, be completely honest, this is a discovery process not an interview. There are NO wrong answers:
1. What did I enjoy most about my old job?
2. What were the most difficult parts of my old job and would I want to avoid them going forward?
3. Did I use and develop my talents at my old job?
4. What am I passionate about?
5. Based on this inquiry, what career is right for me? And what would be the elements of my dream job?

Are you writing any of this down?
You’ve heard about the study Anthony Robbins talks about where , where he quotes a study – “In 1953, researchers surveyed Yale s graduating seniors to determine how many of them had specific, written goals for their future. The answer: 3 . Twenty years later, researchers polled the surviving members of the Class of 1953 and found that the 3 with goals had accumulated more personal financial wealth than the other 97 of the class combined.”

Start making notes about what your dream job needs to entail.
Spend sometime exploring who and what you’re about. But not too much, there is such a thing as over analyzing. Keep it simple! If you ve seriously thought and answered the questions above, you have a starting point already.
Then focus and get going. There are lots of resources, articles, books and courses to help you find who you are, or what it is that’s in your way.

Action is the antidote to despair. – Joan Baez


Foxton and friends are putting together resources to help you start thinking outside the box. Find more help and some career ideas,at http://www.PersonalityAndCareers.com.

Application Forms For Employment – Top 11 Tips For Success

Application forms for employment are some of the most important documents you will ever complete. If you are not willing to give the necessary time and thought to them, then really you should not consider applying for the post.

Job application forms should only be looked at once you have done your research on the company, spoken with some people who work in the organisation and have reached the conclusion that this is a company you could work for and be happy in.

In the words of George Bernard Shaw “take care to get what you want, or you’ll be forced to take what you get”. These words have never been more relevant to the job search arena.

If you just want a job, you lack ambition and are happy to do anything, then that is okay for you. If, on the other hand, you are ambitious, know your strengths and have good skills set and are seeking a career as opposed to a job, then you really want to be taking as much time as possible to get the application forms for employment just right.

2 types of application forms for employment

There are 2 main types of application forms for employment and they are competency based (most common) and basic. The basic is as the title suggests where the employer is asking for basic but directly relevant experience. Competency application forms for employment are more in depth and the employer is looking for many other transferrable skills.

Here are my recommended tips for getting competency based application forms for employment right:

Tip #1

Read all the instructions, and then read again. If it states it is to be completed in capital letters and in black ink then do this exact thing. If it states the application must be completed online, do not print it off and send it hard copy. If the instructions state, DO NOT SEND A RESUME/CV then DO NOT do it. If it states 300 words of less for EACH competency, you are allowed + or – 10 for this, no more, no less.

Tip #2

If you are completing an online application, it is best to copy the actual competency required into a word document and compile your evidence this way. Once you are happy with it, just cut and paste back into the application form.

Tip #3

Always try and give examples of competencies from a work based perspective. If you find you are really struggling to come up with some evidence, then you can use something you do for a hobby or something you do outside of the workplace.

Tip #4

To structure your answers and avoid going off at a tangent, consider the acronym C A R which stands for Challenge, Action, Result. You would consider this before structuring your answer so it flows chronologically. For example:

Challenge
What was my aim/mission/task?

Action
How did I go about it? At this point, I would advise short bullet points outlining exactly what action YOU took; it must be actions by you and not about the team at this point.

Result
How successful was it? What would I do differently if I was approaching the same task tomorrow? What did I learn about myself in the process?

Tip #5

Once you have completed the application forms for employment, and presuming you are sending in hard copy, check it over at least twice then ask someone else to look over it for you. Ensure there are no spellings or grammatical errors and that you have answered all the questions and remained relevant throughout.

Tip #6

Write a covering letter to go with the application form, drawing out 3 or 4 main areas that you feel are worthy of mention and where your experiences are a direct match to what the employer is asking for.

Tip #7

Sign and date the form ensuring you are well within the closing date. If the date is looming and there is a possibility it could be held up in the postal system, then hand deliver it or ask someone who may be going in that direction to do it for you.

Tip #8

If the addressee on the application is the Human Resources Manager and there is no name, contact the company and ask for the name and address it to the person. This shows a bit of initiative and has a more personal touch and could easily make you stand out from other applicants.

Tip #9

Do not fold the application form for employment. It may sound silly, but make sure there are no coffee cup stains or any other form of embellishment on it and that it is in pristine condition. Read over the instructions again, ensuring your compliance with them all.

Tip #10

Put your application form along with your covering letter inside a large A4 hard backed envelope. If you can type an address label then do so, if your handwriting is not that neat, ask someone who can write better to address the envelope for you.

Tip #11

If you hear nothing after a few days, contact the company to ensure they have received your application form. This could indicate to them your real interest in the position.

Trish Mullen now works in her own home business opportunity after 15 years in corporate management within career guidance. If you too have had enough of job applications, why not work from home? Visit Trish's website http://www.WealthyIncome4U.com

Your Job and Your Attitude

Attitude makes all the difference in how much you like your job. Or, more likely, your jobs. If you are typical, you will have quite a few jobs throughout your lifetime. Many people start out quite young, with odd jobs for neighbors such as baby sitting, taking care of pets while the owners are away, yard work, and so on. You will find that even in these early situations, a positive attitude will result in many benefits.

Your neighbors will be more likely to re hire a cheerful and friendly worker. Often, they may give you a tip just because you are pleasant to be around. As you transition into the more official working world, you will be in the position of looking for a job. The job hunt can be frustrating or perhaps scary at times, but again, keeping a positive outlook can be of great assistance. Employers will respond to a confident, friendly person in an interview. Though many will understand that the job applicant may be nervous, they would not be as appreciative of an unhappy or unfriendly seeming person. Always remember the old saying, You catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Once you have secured a position in the workplace, your days will be much happier if you keep looking up. Enjoy what you do, and you ll not only be a more contented person, you will find that your co workers are more likely to give you a helping hand when you need it.

Co workers can be a great source of friends both inside and outside of the workplace and friends inside the workplace make a big difference. You can be more successful when dealing with customers, clients, or vendors if you can rely on the expertise of the friends (or friendly acquaintances) that you have made. You may even find that you make fewer errors, and get more done, just as a result of your positive thinking. Don t forget that, for most, your job is about one third of your life. That alone is the biggest reason to find ways to enjoy working for work s sake.

Your job does not have to be just a means to an end it can be an end in itself. Many people find that their job gives their life a purpose. Ask many a retired person, and you ll find that they miss many aspect of the workplace: the camaraderie with co workers, learning new skills, the feeling of accomplishment that comes with a job well done. Maybe you ve heard the advice: Do what you love when it comes to choosing a job or a career. My take is somewhat different : love what you do. You may not come up with a cure for cancer. You may not save the planet by inventing a car that runs on water. You may not be the greatest game inventor ever by coming up with and ESP interface for the computer. But you will have a successful life, and that s what counts most in the end.


Resumes are venues of promoting oneself in the business world and they can definitely open windows of opportunities that would help you be successful in your chosen field. For more information, visit: http://prosampleresumes.com

Career and Job Planning

Each individual is responsible for building his or her own career. In this ever changing world, everyone is looking for new ways to earn living. The purpose of career and job planning is to develop strategic plan based on one’s talents, aspirations and background, leading to a happy personal and professional life. Career planning involves identifying your choices, and then forming the goals that suit your individual needs, and the realities of job world.

How to Plan Your Career and Job

Planning a career and job is an important step for anyone who is either looking for job, or is already employed. It helps to set clear goals, and map the future career path. This panning helps you determine your weaknesses and strengths, and also helps you learn about your career options in different industries. If you are yet to enter the industry, career and job planning takes the form of interviews with prospective colleges, assessment tests, networking with other students and advisors and then finalizing your plan over a period of time. This will equip you with enough skills, knowledge and tools to enter the work world.

Job and life experiences, educational backgrounds and personal goals can either minimize or maximize the potential target career and jobs. Planning for your career involves doing some deductive reasoning and research about the locality of your job search. The types of jobs that are currently in demand vary greatly depending on the location. Getting the basic knowledge of geographic location and observing the statistics can provide you good information regarding jobs that are most competitive and highest in demand.

If you are already employed, there are certain mistakes you need to avoid so that you can plan your career and job well. Do not look for employment in other field without doing intense introspection, do not enter any field just because someone else is doing well in it, do not look for hot fields unless you feel they are suitable for you, do not go back to school without doing some test drives in the new field, do not try to make the switch alone, do not make money the only deciding factor, be very careful when seeking services of search firms or placement agencies, do not expect to make the switch overnight and do not expect the career counselor to tell you which field to enter.

The foundation of your job search or career shift is solid, good and honest curriculum vitae. It must describe all your qualifications and entire professional career in detail. An effective resume can help you get your foot in the door and lead to personal interviews.

Knowing your salary range is an important aspect of career and job planning. This helps eliminate the prospective jobs falling outside your salary range. To know your realistic salary range, you need to do some research. The first important step is to know your fixed and variable expenses so that you know how much you need to maintain your current standard of living. While determining your salary range, keep in mind that what you might think you are really worth does not matter as much as what the employer thinks the job is worth.

Another important aspect of career and job planning is to get focused. You need to make real choices based on your career aspirations, skills and background.

Once you have successfully formulated you career and job plan, you need to find the employment through your contacts, friends, recent alumni, networking, professors and so on. If you are a fresher, it is advisable that you have a mentor who can also act as a resource in your job hunt. If you are planning a career move, yellow pages, classifieds, career fairs and employment agencies can be quite helpful.


If you want to change careers but don't know how to, read articles, tips and advice written by qualified careers advisors. You find reliable and relevant information of careers in business at Careers and Jobs http://www.durac.biz

The Best Methods to Landing Your Dream Job

For most people, jobs are an important means of survival and financial stability. However, hard economic times have made obtaining a job extremely difficult and almost impossible for most. Before the economic hurdle, all it really required to get a decent paying job was good resume and cover letter. But since so many people have lost their jobs after the economic crisis, thousands of people apply for the same job every day. This can make your job search extremely stressful and can be very time consuming. With harder economic times, you will need to think out of the box and consider more options in applying to all jobs. Here are a few methods to use in additional to the traditional methods of searching for jobs. An internet presence is just not necessary for all businesses, but it is also essential for job searchers as well.

Nowadays, there are so many social networking websites that focus on professionals, entrepreneurs, and job seekers. Membership with sites such as these can help you gain information about open positions that the general public may not know about. In many cases, employers ask trusted associates and business partners for job candidates before they post on popular job boards. Sites such as LinkedIn, will allow you to create a profile based off your education and skills, while you network with decision makers at different companies. Use professional sites to help you hear about opening to great jobs before anyone else does. In addition to using professional networking sites, you should also create an online profile or website. The website should function as a resume and effectively demonstrate your educations, skills, and abilities. If you have any samples of your previous work or projects, make sure you upload them to your website. Really use your online portfolio to sell yourself to future employers. Be professional and make it extremely easy for potential employers to get in contact with you. It is even possible that you can pick up some freelance assignments if you market your website effectively. Use any of the freelance experience that you pick up from your website as more experience in your field.

Freelance work is a great way to gain more experience and also a great way to make an additional income while you seek fulltime employment. Potential employers will view your freelance work and contracts as an excellent source of experience. Do not allow your temporary unemployment situation keep you from using your skills and industry knowledge. Be patient as you continue to search for jobs and remember that consistency is important. Always follow up after you have sent in your resume to a potential employer and prepare intensively for every interview. Try to learn as much as you can about the potential company that is hiring, and really try to figure out what it is that you can bring to the company. In most cases, employers would rather know how you can contribute and fit in with the company s objectives. The more you can demonstrate that to an employer, the better your chances of landing your dream job.

http://BestJobDescriptions.com was created to help employers determine the functions that are set forth in each career and what to expect from their employee's. For more info, visit: http://BestJobDescriptions.com