Author : Alvah ParkerWhen I was laid off in 1997 I was told by many to let everyone know I was starting a job search I had been successful at my last job and was a star sales performer for many years People who knew my history were eager to help me But I knew something wasn’t right about their advice

Don’t get me wrong I was certainly appreciative of my colleagues’ willingness to help but they made the assumption I would be looking for work that was similar to the work I had done in the past I wasn’t so sure that was what I wanted Still there was a gnawing feeling in me that I should jump at their offers and get back to work as quickly as possible

There are three questions job seekers must ask themselves before they start to look for work Without asking these questions they run the risk of being unhappy in the job they find, not finding the work they want or worse being fired from a job they were unsuited for

First start with some self assessment questions like: What kind of work do I really want to do? It may be that you loved the work you were doing and do in fact want to return to that type of work Others of you may have felt you had learned everything you could from that job and were ready to move on to a different experience Still more of you may have disliked the job you had and were really ready for a change
What ever your situation now is a perfect time to make a correction in your career path or seek a change

The second question to answer is: What are my skills, talents, values and qualities? This is a really important question for every job search Thinking about this before your job search will enable you to put together a job search strategy that will be compelling You will want to be sure that what you offer to an employer is exactly what is needed for the type of work you want

Finally the third question you want to ask is: What are the trends I see in the marketplace today? No one wants to be in a dead end job or working for a company whose business is dying That is exactly what happened to me AT&T’s business had changed dramatically by 1997 Every year there was another layoff because the long distance business was drying up I could see that it wasn’t a good place to be

The majority of job seekers start in the middle of the job search process If you’ve started your search by simply updating your resume and calling your network, back up a bit By doing the necessary ground work of self assessment and job search strategy, you’ll be in a better position to find a job that you will like, in a solid company and a growing industry

Take action:
1 Make a list of your strengths, skills, and talents Not sure what they are? Assessments can help Sometimes assessments are valuable in helping you to identify where your strengths are There are free ones available on the Internet Another alternative is to have a coach give you an assessment and review the results with you Sometimes a professional has insights that you might miss

2 Make a list of what you liked and what you hated about your job Knowing that there will always be parts of your job that you prefer over other parts begin to make a list of activities you really enjoy, ones you like but aren’t good at and ones you dislike but are good at Decide on what is negotiable and what is not

3 Check websites like the Bureau of Labor Statistics for trends in the industry or industries you are interested in Alvah Parker is a Practice Advisor for Attorneys and a Career Coach as well as publisher of Parker’s Points, an email tip list and Road to Success, an ezine with career and business information. Subscribe now to these free monthly publications at her website free monthly publications and receive a free values assessment along with your subscription.

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Author : Amy NuttTo make a positive and lasting impression at a job interview, you have to be prepared The interview is where an employer will decide if you will be an asset to the company Knowing the proper way to conduct your self is a key factor to achieving a successful interview You need to be familiar with the interview jargon The following is a list of language tools you should be well versed in before attending a job interview:

1 Don’t Use Unfamiliar Terminology Don’t use terms an interviewer is not familiar with You should be well versed in the language the employer understands For example some employers are not well versed in computer technical terms If possible, research information about the employer and the company

2 Don’t overuse the Word “I”: If you use “I” too much when discussing past experiences, an employer may think that you are taking all the credit for work that others did If you don’t use “I” at all, the employer may think that you unable to work independently from others Make sure you use both “I” and “We” during the interview

3 Relaxed Communication: An employer wants to learn all about you You have to be able to speak as though you are having a conversation Say more than just “yes” or “no” You’re your speaking style should flow and demonstrate that you are comfortable in any situation

4 Overusing a Word or Phrase: Don’t use a word too many times as it gives the impression that you are nervous For instance, saying a word like “however” many times can distract an interviewer

5 Don’t Use Marginal Words or Phrases: It does not sound professional if you keep repeating words or phrases such as “Like” or “you know” Always use professional words

6 Engage The Employer: Don’t just list your experiences Use experiences to highlight particular qualifications For example, if an employer wants to know how well you work with others, tell a story about an experience about when you and former employees worked together to solve a problem

7 Prepare For Basic Questions: Don’t focus solely on difficult questions an employer might ask There are general questions that almost every employer asks One such question is: Why do you want to work for us? You should be prepared to answer general questions

8 Don’t Slight Past Jobs: Don’t ridicule past jobs If you worked at a fast food restaurant and make negative comments about it, an employer may think you have a bad attitude It would be more impressive to say what you learned from working there and how it allowed you to save money for college

9 Be Attentive: Make eye contact with the employer Listen carefully to what the employer is saying and make your answers complete to show you understand what the employer is saying If there is more than one interviewer, make eye contact with all of them as you speak

10 Don’t use Slang: There is standard of acceptable business communication Words like “buddy” and “dude” will not impress an employer The employer wants to hire someone who communicates professionally

11 Avoid Profanity: If you swear during an interview or use vulgar and offensive language, don’t bother sitting by the phone waiting for the employer to call Businesses expect their employees’ language and behavior to be professional and respectable

12 Body Language: Don’t fidget in your seat Keep calm, relaxed, and always smile Don’t play with your hands It is important to keep your mind and body composed during the interview By maintaining a relaxed and happy composure, you will give the impression of competence and confidence

13 Ask Questions: Employers expect that an interviewee is going to ask questions Make sure your questions are clear and relevant to the business Do some research about the company so that you can ask a good question

The job interview is the stage where one can make a first-rate impression How you conduct yourself at an interview will drastically increase your chances of getting a job Learning English is easier than before with free English lessons now offered online. Visit our job interview questions section.

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Author : Beth IbarraWhen they decide to pursue a means for gaining a little experience before they graduate, many students turn to an internship to give them the chance to develop and expand upon job skills Students should take advantage of these programs, as having as much experience as possible will be of great value when the student enters the job market after graduation They will gain an advantage over many of their fellow students when it comes time to interview for jobs after earning their degrees

When a student finds a good college internship, they will be worlds ahead of their peers when it comes to preparing for the real world A student with an internship under their belt will understand what to expect from the next level and what challenges may be thrown their way when they get there This exposure at an early stage often prepares the student for anything and will impress an interviewer Interviewers usually get tired talking to the same tired applicant, so going in with fresh ideas and stories will grab their attention and make the interview memorable Sticking out in their head is a good thing, so doing all they can to make an impression is important

Students that make good impressions usually have better results on the job market When the student is able to walk into an interview and impress the interviewers with their experience and demonstrate leadership, they usually leave at an advantage over their peers and the other applicants Being able to stand out among the rest is a good thing and with a college internship, many students end up looking more attractive and better prepared to handle the rigors of the real world A little job experience goes a long way in this job market, so going in with none can be a killer to an applicant’s chances A college internship is a great way to get a little experience and hopefully pay for college tuition at the same time

Students should take advantage of their college internship to the fullest extent possible Opportunities like this may not come around again, so taking full advantage the first time around is important When the student uses the internship as a means to develop important job skills and become a better job applicant, they are getting the most out of the experience and will probably increase their chances of being hired Finding a job they really want is important, as nobody wants to find themselves stuck in a job they hate for years

With a college internship, students are able to learn leadership, financial management skills, sales skills, organizational skills and other important talent that comes in handy at the next level Interviewers and employers will especially love to see students coming out of college with some real leadership experience and ability Leadership is something all companies covet in their employees, so having an opportunity to develop leadership skills while in college is important and will come in handy when interviewing for a good job that will prove both engaging and helpful as the student embarks on their career path More information on college internship, College Works Painting estimates and College Works Painting resources in your area is just a click away.

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Author : Alvah ParkerPerhaps like me you chose a major in college or had graduate work in a field that you sort of fell into It is hard to know exactly what you want when you are 16 or 17 years old In my day the choices for women were nurse, secretary, or teacher I chose teacher because I couldn’t type and hated the sight of blood

Today I am a coach and practice advisor not too far from my teaching roots but I have had years to really think what I wanted from my work and how to insure that it was meaningful work

Are you doing meaningful work? At the beginning of your career of course you are just concerned about supporting yourself and your family Once those necessities are consistently provided then your thoughts turn elsewhere

If you are doing a job that makes you ask the question from that old Peggy Lee song, “Is this all there is?” then you are at the beginning of a search for meaningful work

Since most people work eight hours or more a day, wouldn’t it be wonderful if the work was nourishing rather than boring or depressing Meaningful works keeps you happy and engaged

So what is meaningful work for you? Like the word “success” you will have to define it for yourself I think however there are three characteristics you can look for that might help you to define it for yourself

The first characteristic is that it doesn’t feel like work With meaningful work you get so involved in it that time passes without your being aware of it The result of your work at this point is less important than doing the work The work is compelling

An example of this is that one chorister in the choir I am in said to me that she loved practicing in the rehearsals so much that she didn’t need the performance to feel satisfied With meaningful work you are not just focused on the result but everything that leads to it too

Another characteristic of meaningful work is that you recognize its importance and others will too Your vision of the work is the key here It must inspire you If you don’t believe in the work you are doing, no one will

If that belief is strong enough, then it won’t matter what other’s think With that inspiring vision though you will attract others who share it and they will give you positive feedback which will energize you even more

Finally for work to be meaningful you must look at it in a broader context to see that you are making a contribution to society as a whole The work isn’t just about you but about making life better for others

In his letter to his daughters entitled “What I Want for You And Every Child in America” published in “Parade Magazine” on January 18, 2009 then President-elect Barack Obama said, “it is only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you will realize your true potential ”

Isn’t that what we truly want for ourselves and everyone who inhabits this planet? What a world this would be if everyone was working toward the greater good, finding purpose and pleasure in what he/she contributed and realizing their own true potential!

It is my hope that you will recommit to finding meaning in the work that you do now or find a new career that is meaningful so that you too can realize your own potential You are needed!Alvah Parker is a Practice Advisor for Attorneys and a Career Coach as well as publisher of Parker’s Points, an email tip list and Road to Success, an ezine with career and business information. Subscribe now to these free monthly publications at her website free monthly publications and receive a free values assessment along with your subscription.

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Author : Sarah ClementsMany contractors are increasingly hearing this question when they interview for project management roles Over the last few years, many organisations have become extremely selective in who they appoint in contractor roles Unlike the late 1990s when there were not enough staff to go about, organisations have realised that they are now the ones with the power, and can therefore choose the best whilst still keeping rates low Even as the market picks up there is no slowdown in the appetite for professionally qualified staff

There are a number of project management qualifications in existence, all with their own structures, approaches and acronyms This article will attempt to lead you through the maze of acronyms and enable you to select a route that is right for you

PRINCE2
PRINCE2 was launched in 1996 by The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) in partnership with the APM Group who have developed and managed the accreditation of PRINCE2 The APM Group was established in 1993 as the trading arm of the Association for Project Management and became an independent organisation in 2000 The APM Group has offices in The Netherlands, China and Australia with new offices opening in America and India by the end of the year PRINCE2 examination material has been translated into 9 languages with 16, 000 people taking a PRINCE2 exam in the first five months of 2005

PRINCE stands for PRojects IN Controlled Environments and is a structured method for effective project management and has become the UK’s de facto standard for organising, managing and controlling projects It is a generic, best-practice approach for the management of all types of projects It has a reputation as a highly effective, process-based approach to structuring and organising project delivery

PRINCE2 has been adopted as the method of choice by the Government, a large number of Local Authorities and also by the National Health Service Commercial organisations are also keen users of PRINCE2 and are often required to use it if they want to work with any Government agencies

The use of PRINCE2 has leapt from the domain of the public sector and firmly implanted itself in the private sector The use of the methodology is broad, both in terms of its reach across IT, Finance, Accounting, Engineering, Construction, Media, Communications and Health; and in terms of its global reach across the UK, Netherlands, China, South Africa and Australia PRINCE2 exams have been held in over 60 countries to date

There are two levels of PRINCE2 qualification Foundation level indicates to employers that you have knowledge of the structure and terminology of the method Practitioner indicates that you have understanding of the method and how to apply it to different project situations The examinations are open to all and are recognised by UKAS, the UK Accreditation Service

PMI
The Project Management Institute was founded in 1969 in the United States It has developed a Member Code of Ethics for those involved in project management, and administers project management training and certification The Institute claims a membership of more than 200,000 in 125 countries, covering a variety of different professions The Institute aims to provide a controlled, integrated approach to project management through the certification, education, research, awards, publications and professional standards that it administers

The PMI methodology is contained in its publication “A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge” (PMBOK) The PMBOK splits project management into five Process Groups and nine Knowledge Areas The Process Groups cover initiating, planning, executing, controlling and closing a project The Knowledge Areas describe the additional skills that project managers need to help them to manage a specific project These include cost management, quality management and procurement management

The key qualification offered by PMI is the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification To achieve this level of certification candidates must possess educational qualifications, have at least 3 years experience and pass a four-hour, 200-question examination

PMI have also introduced the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) qualification for aspiring project managers or those in other roles CAPM candidates must first meet specific education and experience requirements and then pass an examination

APM Body of Knowledge
The Association for Project Management focuses on the UK and is the largest independent professional body of its kind in Europe It has over 14,000 individual and 350 corporate members throughout the UK and abroad APM’s focus is to promote and develop project management across all industries and sectors through activities including qualifications, accredited training, research, publications and events The APM has sixteen regional branches throughout the UK, Singapore and Hong Kong

The qualifications offered by the APM are based around the APM Body of Knowledge that covers the forty-nine areas of knowledge required to manage any successful project There are 4 levels of qualification

The first level is the APM Introductory Certificate, which is designed for those wanting to understand the principles of project management Approximately 3000 candidates are qualified at this level

The second level is the APM Professional (APMP) that demonstrates the fundamental knowledge of what is required to manage a successful project It is a knowledge based foundation level qualification enabling you to participate in projects ranging from individual assignments to large capital projects Approximately 3000 delegates are qualified at this level

The third level is the APM Practitioner Qualification, for Project Managers, Project Co-coordinators and Team Leaders with more than three years experience managing non-complex projects

The fourth and final level, the Certificated Project Manager recognizes the competence and ability of an individual to effectively manage significant projects or programmes of change Approximately 250 candidates are registered at this level

Overall, all the qualifications mentioned above are valuable as certification will increase your knowledge and act as signal to prospective employers that you are capable of doing the job at hand In terms of marketability in the UK job market PRINCE2 is certainly the most widely used and recognized Maven Training are a leading provider of project and programme management courses and are experts in Prince2 courses and Prince 2 training.

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Author : Alvah ParkerThere are many parts to a successful job search and the job seeker has to orchestrate them in a way that gets them to all come together so that he/she receives in multiple offers simultaneously Here are some tips for those of you in the midst of a Job Search They will be useful if you are part of a layoff or making a job or career change

1 Assess your feelings If you are unhappy about a lay off, you will need to grieve the loss It may be important to get into action quickly but first you must find some ways to adjust and accept what has happened A friend or a coach can help If the anger persists, a therapist may be helpful

2 Stay positive - Sometimes it takes time to find just the right job Attitude is key If you have been part of a lay off, let go of the anger If a hiring manager senses anger, frustration, or lack of confidence he/she will move on to another candidate

3 Know your strengths - Now is not the time to hide your talents, skills, values and strengths They will be an important part of your job search Identify the ones that have been important to your success in the past and will be valuable to a new employer Be sure to include these in your career commercial (elevator speech) and resume

4 Write your accomplishments - A good accomplishment statement identifies the problem you solved, the solution you came up with or the actions you took, and the results These will become an important part of your resume

5 Update your resume - Use the strengths you have identified in #3 and the accomplishments you wrote in #4 to write a coherent focused resume

6 Practice your career commercial (elevator speech) - When you call someone in your network that doesn’t know about your job search you will want to tell them briefly about your career, write out and practice a 30 second explanation highlighting your strengths and past experiences This 30 second career commercial(elevator speech) can be used and expanded to answer the interviewer’s question: Tell me about yourself

7 Organize your Network - Begin by organizing and collecting your network contacts Consider friends, family, work colleagues, past managers, classmates, college alumni associates, and anyone else that might know of people in companies with job opportunities Collect names, addresses, telephone numbers, and any additional identifying information that will help you reconnect with them Use a contact management system or Excel to keep track of your contacts

8 Call the people in your network - Use your career commercial (elevator speech) with those who haven’t heard from you in a long time and don’t know about your job loss Ask this person for names and numbers of people he/she thinks might be helpful Have a list of companies you are interested in and see if the called party knows anyone in those companies

9 Check job boards and social networking sites for possible jobs and/or ideas of jobs - Applying for jobs online can be discouraging since companies often do not acknowledge that they received your application and following up by telephone is not always possible Use your network to find an employee inside the company to help you follow up on your application Your online social network can also be helpful here Online job boards are also helpful to learn who is hiring so you can add new companies to your potential employer list

10 Get support - Take some kind of job search training program, hire a coach, and/or go to a support group for job seekers It is important to stay positive and connected afer a layoff Alvah Parker is a Practice Advisor for Attorneys and a Career Coach as well as publisher of Parker’s Points, an email tip list and Road to Success, an ezine with career and business information. Subscribe now to these free monthly publications at her website free monthly publications and receive a free values assessment along with your subscription.

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