Get To Work

Whether you are looking for your first job, a new job, or simply to improve your skills, there are steps you can take to get ahead.

A lot of people re-examine their lives in the beginning of a new year. Getting a new job or making a career change is often at the top of the list. Here are some tips to help you get clear about what you really want out of a job and how to get it.

When you are applying for a new job it is important to be confident in your abilities and what you bring to the table as an applicant. In my latest article for Monster College, I discuss ways you can be sure that you are a confident applicant and land your next job.

If you find that you do not have enough experience to get the job you really want, here are some things you can do right now to gain experience.

Even if you have a ton of experience and education, there are still many things that you can do to ruin your job interview. In this article from Fastweb, I share, "Seven Things That Can Ruin a Job Interview".

Once you get the job, it is important to understand that you are in control of your job satisfaction.  There are steps you can take to make sure that you remain happy with your job. 

Here's to improving your skills, gaining confidence, getting hired, and loving your new job.

Who Are You Meant to Be

I came across this quiz on Oprah.com. Always a fan of a good quiz I took it to discover that I am an "intellectual". Or at least that's what my answers revealed.

If you have ever questioned your past career choices, or  are thinking of making a new move you should take this quiz.

Let us know your results in the comment section.

Guest Post-Tips for Getting Out of Your Dead End Job and Into a Career You Love

With today’s tough economy it’s becoming more and more common for people to take whatever job they can find, whether it’s one that they love or not, just to make ends meet. In an effort to pay the bills passions get pushed to the side in favor of survival, and understandably so. But just because you take a job you don’t like doesn’t mean you have to stay there. Use these tips to find a career you love while stuck in a job you hate:

1.       Take online courses. Sure, the thought of taking online classes after work each night may not sound like the most appealing route to take, but taking a few courses to help bolster up your knowledge of your dream career will be well worth the effort. Not only will it pad your resume when you do start looking for a new job, but you’ll find yourself more knowledgeable and better equipped for a position should one open up. Plus, since it’s your passion, it will probably be more fun than work.

2.       Volunteer. Find different ways to volunteer your time with organizations that supplement your dream career. Getting involved through volunteering will help you meet people that can help you move forward on a new career path, add to your resume, and allow you to test things out to see if it’s really something you want to pursue. For instance, if you’re interested in a career with education, volunteer at local schools. If you want to help underprivileged children, find a non-profit group that you can offer your time to. Get involved wherever you can.

3.       Use your disdain for your current job as motivation. Far too often people decide they hate their current job and quit in a fiery passion, leaving themselves jobless, which can create even more stress than the job itself did. Instead of quitting your job before you find a new career that you’re better suited for, use your disdain to help motivate you forward towards finding a career that does suit your interests.

4.       Attend networking events. There are a wide array of professional networking groups that put on weekly and monthly events in nearly every city. Take advantage of these events and use them to brush shoulders with people in the industry you’re interested in breaking into. The more people you know, the more likely you are to find an employer who is looking for someone just like you.

5.       Don’t give up. Working in a job you hate while trying to find one you love is a frustrating process, and it can end up wearing on the most patient of people. Don’t give up! There are going to be times that you want to quit but you just have to keep pushing forward.

It’s never too late for a second chance in life, and you don’t have to be stuck in a career that pays the bills but does little other than that. No matter where you are in life you do have the power to change your destiny, it just takes a little elbow grease and faith to make it happen.

Author Byline:

Kelsey is the editor in chief for www.findananny.net/. She loves to write article and ideas that parents & nannies would be interested in hearing. She helps society on giving information about nannies through nanny services. She is a professional writer & loves writing on anything.

Scared to Succeed, Do it Anyway

The concept of success is different to every person.  What would it take for you to consider yourself successful? For some success means being rich beyond their wildest dreams. For others success means, being able to run a full marathon, raise a healthy family, or  make a difference in their community. The concept of success depends on what's important to each person.

Most people would say that failure sucks. As someone who has been rejected or has failed to accomplish some of my goals in life. I can attest that yes, failure does suck. But what about success? Does it suck?

About a month or so ago, I applied for a new project. Getting accepted for this project would help me to further my career goals. Last week I received an email from the director of the project. He emailed me to ask some follow-up questions. He didn't say yes, or no to me regarding the project, but just said that he would be in touch.

The fact the he even acknowledged me as a possible candidate for the project made my heart race.
What if instead of the no, I've gotten fairly used to receiving, I actually get a yes this time? Then what?

By recieving a yes, I would have to leave my comfort zone. I would have new responsibilities, and have to demand much more of myself than I currently do. Which is exactly what I want. Yet, I couldn't shake the nervousness I was feeling. That's when I realized even though I have all of these goals and dreams, I'm scared to succeed.

Being scared to fail or succeed causes a person to procrastinate. They don't do what it takes to make their goals a reality. If their goal is to make a career change, they look up new jobs, but never actually apply. They keep coming up with excuses to not get that new cover letter written. If their goal is to begin volunteering, they talk to their friends and family about what changes need to be made in the community or world, but never actually sign up with any organization to help out. If their goal is to complete their college degree, they sign up for school, but then never go to class. You get the idea.

In the past, I have done all of the above mentioned things. Until I realized that I was doing nothing but hampering my own success. Now although I get nervous at the prospect of doing something different that will better my life, I apply for that program, complete that class, submit that piece of writing anyway.

Now that I'm actually walking through my nervousness, it feels pretty good. I am finally doing what one of my favorite books says to do...Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway.