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As a resource to all current and prospective students, Allied Schools, Inc. has developed this blog to bring relevant information into your lives. Use this blog as your "career guide," turning to Allied Schools Career News for industry updates, career trends, and job search advice. We thank you for visiting!
A resume is the first thing a potential employer sees when you apply for a job. This simple piece of paper represents you and your employment history. It can determine if you get called for an interview or overlooked for another candidate. Considering this importance, you should make sure that your resume makes a good impression. You've created a resume before, but there might be additional tips that you didn't know. Use this helpful advice to get your foot in the door:
-Include a clear and concise job objective. Make sure to highlight this at the top of your resume. Give potential employers a clear idea of your professional goals.
-Modify your resume for the role you are applying for. You should tailor your resume to match the type of job you want. Change the objective and emphasize relevant skills. You don't want the main focus of your resume to be on experience that has nothing to do with the type of job you want.
-Make sure you have relevant job experience. You need to have experience in the type of job you are applying for. Volunteer to get the skills you need, or highlight your existing skills and illustrate how they apply to the new position.
-Include 10 to 15 years of work experience. This can help shorten the length of your resume and provide the most relevant work experience. If you have important experience beyond those years, you can mention it in your cover letter.
-Don't include hobbies or personal information. Unless the hobby or information is relevant to the type of job you are seeking, you shouldn't include it on your resume.
-Use action words to describe your duties. Pick strong verbs to explain your work history. Words such as "managed, maintained, budgeted, performed, and exceeded" are good ones to use to describe your duties.
Make sure you get the interview you want. Review your existing resume and make sure it adheres to the guidelines above. It might make the difference of receiving a phone call or getting passed over in favor of a candidate with a better resume. Even if you are the best choice, you are only as good as your resume.Labels: Career Counseling, employer, job objective, Resume
Are you being adequately compensated by your employer? Believe it or not, more than 50% of Americans believe that they are underpaid. Salary is one of the most important factors to consider when accepting a job. Whether you already have a job or are seeking a new position, you can make sure that you get a salary that fairly represents what you are worth.
You can prepare yourself by:
Getting the right experience -- Do you have the right training and credentials? Make sure that you are qualified for the position that you want. You can support your claim for a higher salary by being a well qualified candidate. Get the skills that will give you an extra edge.
Conducting market research -- Do you know the appropriate salary range? It is extremely important to do your homework, so you know what other people in similar occupations earn. Use the Internet and resource books to research the salaries by professions and geographic regions. You will be prepared when asking for a raise or receiving a job offer.
Knowing what you want -- Do you have a specific salary in mind? It is important to have a firm idea of the salary you want to earn. Use the research you get to determine a suitable and fair salary based on your experience, skills, geographic area, etc.
Negotiating the right salary -- Did you know you have some bargaining power when it comes to your salary? You don't always have to accept the first offer. If you feel that you are entitled to a higher compensation, you should negotiate your salary with your current or future employer. Sometimes it is helpful to start with a higher salary, so that you can be sure to get what you want when the negotiating begins.
A salary is one of the most important factors when it comes to employment. It's the reason that most of us work in the first place. Equip yourself with the information you need to successfully negotiate the salary or raise you deserve. Remember to research salaries for the career field and the geographic area you're interested in. If you are prepared, you will be able to get the results you want.Labels: Career Counseling, Continuing Education, Job Success
Career Guidance: Is a career change in your future?
Is a career change in your future?
Answer the following questions either "Yes" or "No":
Have you felt that your true skills and talents were not put to good use in your previous jobs?
Do you feel that the work you're currently doing is unfulfilling?
Do you feel restless, like there is "something else" that you should be doing, but are not sure what?
Do you feel that you're capable of doing more with your life?
Do you dread Monday mornings?
If you answered "Yes" to two or more of these questions, then maybe it's time to consider a career change.
Making a career change is a serious decision. It's not just about changing your job; it's about changing your entire future. Of course, any kind of change can be scary, but as the old saying goes, "Do what you love and you'll never have to work a day in your life." Ideally, it makes sense to find work that is best suited toward your talents – you'll be happier, and in turn, you'll be more productive!
What's Next?
So by now you might be thinking about a career change, but how do you sort it all out? First do a little self assessment. What are your talents? Take a second to daydream. If you could do absolutely anything for a living, what would it be? Now think about reality. What are the outside factors that might influence your decision? Family? Money? While it's great to dream, it's just as important to be practical. You could need more training or education, you may have to relocate to a different city, or you'll need to save money for a certain length of time – all to make your career change happen!
It's also a good idea to spend time researching the field you'd like to enter. The Internet is a great place to start. Also, find someone who has your "dream job" and ask them why they chose that particular field, what they love most about their job, and what they don't. Get information about the pay, the typical environment, the stress level and so on.
Next, make a list of the specific actions you'll need to take to achieve your goal. How long would it take to get the education you need? Who can you contact for informal interviews? Write it down. Create a timeline for turning your goal into a reality.
Remember, if changing careers seems impossible given your previous experience (or lack thereof), keep in mind that even if you have no direct experience in the field you want to enter, you probably have a long list of transferable skills. The ability to effectively communicate is just one example of a valuable skill that all employers are looking for. Being detail-oriented, organized and creative are other important transferable skills.
The transition into a new career doesn't happen overnight. However, with a lot of hard work and self-evaluation, you can find a satisfying new career. Good luck!Labels: Career Counseling, Career Guide
Career Guidance: Choosing the Right References
You walk out of a successful job interview and think that the job is yours. Not so fast…the interview process is not over. Most likely an interested employer is going to ask for a list of references. Before you print out the standard list that's been circulated from company to company for the past few years, you should give your references some thought.
As mortgage and car companies will check your credit history before co-signing a loan, employers will check your references before offering you a job. It is important to make sure that your list includes current, relevant and positive information regarding your job history.
The following steps explain what you should do to maximize your reference list.
Choose effective references - Select individuals that have known you for at least one year. Your list should include four or five people, such as former or current supervisors, colleagues or subordinates, former customers or clients, former professors, or contacts from work-related associations.
Make sure your records are accurate - Verify all contact information, including phone numbers, addresses and titles, to make sure it's up to date. It is important to make it simple for an employer to reach individuals on your list.
Maintain active and positive relationships with your contacts - Keep in touch with your references and make sure they are abreast of your current progress. This can be accomplished through periodic e-mails and phone calls.
Advise references of an important opportunity - Be selective when contacting your references about potential job opportunities. You don't want to call them every time you send out a resume.
Use a reference-checking service - Make sure you know what a reference is going to say about you. This service will contact the individuals on your list and ask questions similar to that of a potential employer.
Ensure that you include references that complement your resume. The goal should be to pick individuals that confirm the details on your résumé and offer positive information about your skills and experience.
A good list of references may be the difference between you and another qualified candidate. Make yours count!Labels: Career Counseling, Career Guide
Career Guidance: Recruiters Get the Job Done
Let’s face it, we’ve all been there. We’ve spent countless hours pouring over newspapers or searching Internet job boards in an attempt to find the perfect job. With hundreds of other candidates doing the same thing, it’s hard to make yourself stand out.
Recruiters can help by doing the legwork for you. Basically, they market your skills on your behalf. Their job is to get your résumé and qualifications in front of the right people. Think of recruiters as matchmakers. Their goal is to successfully match your needs with the needs of a company. They do this with no out-of-pocket costs (although some recruiters do charge for their services).
The Benefits of Using a Recruiter
- They know the current marketplace and industry trends.
- They have a large database of contacts.
- They have access to unadvertised positions.
- They provide tips on how to strengthen resumes and improve interviewing skills.
The Process
- Doing your own job search takes a lot of time. Recruiters can make the process easier by:
- Evaluating your experience, qualifications and interests.
- Matching your qualifications with a suitable company.
- Scheduling interviews on your behalf.
- Helping you negotiate a salary and benefits package.
Remember to be up front with recruiters about your expectations for a job. By being honest, they will know your likes and dislikes. They will use your job histories, interview answers and references to make a good match for you. They will be informed to make better choices for your future.
How do you find a recruiter? There are recruiter firms and online networks available to everyone. Simply pick up a phone book or source the Internet to locate the one nearest you.Labels: Career Counseling, Job Interviewing, Job Success
Career Guidance:
Networking is the key to success in a marketplace filled with new technology and ever-changing skills. Every job seeker needs to have a Rolodex of contacts they can turn to for ideas, references, and possible job leads. Studies have always shown that "knowing someone" is the key to getting that dream job. For many people networking is one of the most difficult tasks involved with job hunting. We like to stay in our comfort zone going out only for the occasional cup of coffee or lunch meeting. Sound familiar?
The staff at Allied Schools knows that our career training will give you the tools that you need to succeed! However, knowing the ABC's of networking will give you the upper hand:
A - APPRECIATION
Whenever you come into contact with a person who is willing to assist you, always show your deepest appreciation. People tend to help others only when they feel their efforts are being appreciated. In today's fast-paced impersonal world, a simple thank you note or gesture of gratitude goes a long way. No matter how technologically oriented our world gets, people still need people. Honing your people skills will give you the corporate edge. Appreciate others and they will in turn appreciate you!
B - BOLD
Don't be afraid to be bold. Get out there and shake a few hands. The only way people are going to know who you are is if you initiate contact with them. It can be intimidating; we've all gone through this. Getting out of your shell and being bold in your interactions with others will help you build a diverse and strong network of contacts. No matter how insignificant your relationship with a person may seem, you never know when the most basic of relationships will yield the richest of results. As the old adage goes, the squeaky wheel gets the attention.
C - CHARACTER
When you get right down to it, the only true asset any of us has is our word. Without our word we are nothing, and without character we cannot become a model for others. In the networking world, people recognize those that have character.
Now, that doesn't mean that you tell jokes or have the most "colorful" personality. Character means that you do what you say, and you mean what you say. Networking with people you cannot trust or depend on is a pointless endeavor. Your job as a job seeker is to make people know that you are a person of character. You are a person they can depend on, and you will stand true to your ideals!
Now that you have the ABC's of networking, start on your networking activities with confidence and a clear objective. Allied is here for you every step of the way giving you the tools and techniques that you need to succeed in the day and years ahead.
Labels: Career Builder, Career Counseling, Career Guide, networking
Career Guidance:
Like it or not, technology is here to stay. No matter what job you hold, you are guaranteed that technology will be a part of your every day work activities. Making technology your friend is the greatest gift you can give yourself. The right training and comprehensive courses such as Allied's Appraisal Licensing and Home Inspection courses will give you the technical know-how that is needed to succeed in your given career.
In order to advance within your career however, you must be willing to grasp technology and adapt to the industry technology standards. Learn to run the computer or the computer will run you!
Every industry has its standard set of technology products.
From restaurant inventory systems to home inspection simulator systems, every workplace will contain technology tools to help make your job more efficient.
Technology is meant to make your job easier, not harder. When applying for a job it is important to convey a "tech friendly" attitude to your interviewer. Let them know that you are not afraid of change and that you welcome the opportunity to learn new software programs and tools. Oftentimes interviewers will use your willingness to learn new computer programs as a gauge to see how willing you are to learn in general.
When you begin the job hunt be sure to prepare yourself before your first interview or placement test. If you are expected to know a computer program fully upon hiring, go the extra mile to test yourself beforehand. No one wants to voluntarily take a test, but if it means securing a job, it is definitely worth it.
Here's a small example. If you are applying for a job in the administrative assistant field and you are expected to have advanced knowledge of all Microsoft® Office programs, don't enter into your interview unsure of yourself. You never know when your prospective employer will ask you to take a skills test, or ask you detailed questions on how a program works! In order to be prepared, take all of the classes you can ahead of time to perfect your computer skills. Offer up your Microsoft Office® knowledge before your interviewer even asks. Don't be afraid to show what you know, and don't be afraid to admit to yourself if you need practice beforehand.Labels: Career Counseling, friend, Job Interviewing, your career
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