Career Opportunities Guide

Career opportunities are limitless; it�s how you actually pursue them that makes the difference. When looking for a career, one of the best things to get started is to build a network. A good network is one that allows you to be exposed to new people and more career opportunities.

You might ask why you need a network when looking for a career, it is because:

1. Career networking is very powerful since it brings you closer to new people and opportunities.
2. It helps you get noticed and be remembered by people and companies.
3. It allows you to secure a position in a particular career field.
4. It makes for a strong representation since you become more exposed to the employment world.
5. It builds your confidence since you become a part of a group that strives for a common goal.

To retain young employees and prepare for the retirement of the baby boomers, many companies are launching programs that support career changes to help those who would like to have a career switch. This time, it’s just within the company.

According to an article from the career section of Wall Street Journal online, companies are stepping up efforts in providing their employees with programs that suggest new career paths.

Obviously, this strategy gives employees a chance to advance their careers. The advantage is that you don’t have to get back to basic and adjust to a new corporate culture that are a must if you transfer to a new company. The disadvantage is you get the same treatment in a familiar setting. I guess this is a judgment call on the part of employees and a reassessment of values and priorities should be done to be able to arrive at a sound decision.

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If there is one career that is fulfilling and fun at the same time, it’s the job of chefs. We usually find chefs in hotels and high-end restaurants cooking savory dishes and sinful desserts. They make use of their creativity and passion for food in providing customers with good food.

Basically, the responsibilities of chefs include creating recipes, preparing meals and ensuring the quality of food served to people. To become a chef, one has to get culinary arts education or training. Serious cooking skills are usually acquired on the job.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the income of chefs differ with location and restaurant profiles. In 2002, the middle hourly earning of chefs was $13.43.

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This tip is for the other side of career hunting and opportunities–for HR managers. If you think that only interviewers have their list of questions, then think again. Job candidates also have their own set of questions and possible answers! Even before they apply for a job position, they search the web for interview questions. Therefore, the primary purpose of interviews is lost. Though candidates are prepared, their skills aren’t that assessed.

To avoid getting scripted answers from your applicants, try taking them out to meet clients. For example, when interviewing for sales positions, let them know beforehand of the prospect, and then watch them sell. This is like demonstrating – on the spot! No preparations and pretensions; Just pure talent and skill.

After the sales call, treat the applicants to relaxing lunch or dinner. Watch how they relate to waiters, guests, and you. This tests their social skills. Sales people not only need to be good in marketing and sales talk; they also have to be good conversationalists. If a candidate turns out to be unpleasant and impolite, then you know that he’s not worth to be hired.

Choosing a career isn’t really a tedious experience. But like any other course in life, it also involves much consideration and careful planning. It is important that you employ a series of steps, instead of being impulsive and laid-back. Career planning encompasses choosing the right occupation, getting employed, growing in the job, changing careers, and lastly, retiring.

Career Planning actually consists of four steps. The first one is making a self-evaluation. It is a process wherein you assess yourself, of what you want, what your interests and values are, and in what areas you excel in. Before you choose a career, you have to ask yourself these questions: Would this job meet my needs, financially and emotionally? How much salary would be okay for me? What occupation would suit my personality? Am I that committed enough to work for long hours? These questions all point to yourself, because basically, it is you who decides what you want for your future. Make an honest inventory of your skills, values, interests, and personality. The first step would be a breeze for you.

The IT sector is the most vibrant of all industries, especially in terms of new placements and area for fast career development.

But entering it might be a little tricky. Jide Awe, an IT specialist who have been published by a number of well-known IT publication and websites, have a very concise and directed tips and suggestion as to the best way to enter and monitor the very vibrant IT sector.

See those tips here.

One notable advise Mr. Awe had given was on the importance of maintaining connections and a good network within the industry, and not to stick to the traditional way of approaching careers in such field.

Be in the know and be aware of new trends and movements within the sector. In a fast-changing field, it is best to be always updated and therefore, a good network would be the best way to go.

( image from ssouth.com )

Staying in a career that is utterly boring and does not pave the way for your professional growth is unhealthy. People should have the courage to come out of their comfort zone and take the risk of exploring new career options while it is not too late.

A bad career can be smelled from miles away if you know the signs. Here are the things you should look out for to know that you are leading a bad career:

1. It barely pays for all your bills.
2. It is a boring job you took five years ago because you don’t have any other choices at the time.
3. The job makes you disgruntled and dissatisfied with reasons ranging from nightmare officemates to inconsiderate projects.
4. You are not growing as an individual and as a professional.

Needing 100,000 personnel each year, big profit companies like Boeing, Microsoft and the U.S. Military is focusing on their search for top qualified individuals to fill up positions left by many retiring members of their workforce, as a generation of old workers are fast depleting into retirement.

( image from ablepersonnel.co.nz )
There is a generational shift in America today and this opens up a very promising field for the young highly able individuals just out of college. This circumstance brings forth brighter career potentials for young executives today.

The big companies are aiming for the top applicants and they are scurrying for it. So it’s about time to grab this wave of recruitment. One day the recruiters might just be around your corner. So be prepared and be a top gun.

According to studies, an average working American will have three to five careers and 10 to 12 jobs during his lifetime. Unbelievable, but true. That goes to show how broad a person’s perspective when it comes to career, job satisfaction and job maturity.

Job dissatisfaction is one of the top reasons why people make a career change. Other factors can also come into the scene such as professional and salary growth, lack of opportunities in the present career field, relocation and family obligations and problems.

Before you plan a career change, take time to think things over first. Ask advice from family and friends so you could hear different views other than yours. This way, you don’t regret your decision in the end.

While it is easy to find job sites and send resumes online, the competition starts after your resume has reached the desk of recruiters or employers. Getting their attention and making them hire you finally are always a problem that needs to be settled, unless you really don�t want the job.

Here are some tips to get the attention of recruiters online:

1. Assume the mind of recruiter. Anticipate what the recruiters want in a job applicant. This way, you�ll get a fatter chance of getting hired.
2. Brag about your qualifications. It takes only a minute or even less for a recruiter to scan your resume, you can get the attention by putting your relevant jobs and qualifications on top.
3. Send your resumes repeatedly. While this could be confusing, sometimes you have to take your chance. You never know if your resume reaches its destination, better be sure by sending them repeatedly, but with intervals.