job & interview

6 Ways to Hunt for Headhunters

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6 Ways to Hunt for Headhunters</h1>
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Help recruiters help you.</h2>
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Learn how recruiters do their job, and you're more likely to build a beneficial relationship with one of them.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">In many areas, the U.S. economy is heating up. While long-term unemployment remains persistently high, in many labor markets, employers are finding it increasingly difficult to find talented people for key hard-to-fill roles. For example, the Boston Business Journal recently reported that the rate of unemployment for well-qualified information</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;"> </span><a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/best-technology-jobs" style="color: #005ea6; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/best-technology-jobs">technology professionals</a><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">in Massachusetts is down to 1 percent.</span></div>
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More than at any time since the financial debacle that began in 2008, employers are now clamoring to find and attract quality employees. Their search for talent requires companies to rely upon and engage third-party recruiting companies for IT and many other fields.</div>
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Working with a recruiter can be a great option if you are looking for a new job and have the particular skill set and experience for a hard-to-fill position. Bear in mind that they are invariably paid by the employer. Given that, some recruiters go out of their way to be helpful to candidates they know they can’t place, while others limit their focus to what they call MPCs – Most Peaceable Candidates.</div>
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Because commissions are based on the principle of "first touch," a candidate has no value to a recruiter if he or she has previously <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/08/12/how-to-avoid-the-resume-black-hole" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">submitted a résumé</a> to a client. The value is also limited if a recruiter knows that the candidate is working with the competition and is likely to come to a position of having to choose between multiple offers.</div>
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It can be very helpful to understand how headhunters go about finding candidates in order to position yourself to be easily found.</div>
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<b>1. Internal database.</b> The soul of every recruiting company is its own internal proprietary database of people and résumés. Included will be potentially interesting candidates, people who have referred them to others and just about everyone the recruiters have ever dealt with.</div>
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There are free services that will blast your résumé out to hundreds of recruiters in the hopes that it will “stick” somewhere. But beware that many recruiters see this is a self-defeating act of desperation, which also improves the chances that you will be working with their competition.</div>
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<i>Tip:</i> Develop relationships with a few <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/07/30/3-types-of-recruiters-and-how-to-impress-them" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">key recruiters</a> who specialize in placing people like you to become a part of their database.</div>
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<b>2. Sourcers</b>. There is a mostly "underground" industry of people and firms paid to source the names and contact information of potential “passive candidates” – currently employed individuals who are not overtly looking to be found. Sourcing companies do the dirty work of calling companies and getting past gatekeepers to determine who works in the relevant departments or serves in target roles. They also do extensive research on LinkedIn and through sophisticated Google searches. For example, they will cull lists of membership roles of professional organizations and lists of attendees at industry and professional conventions and conferences. </div>
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Recruiters will take the lists of contacts that sourcers develop and reach out to anyone and everyone. If you get the standard line: “Do you know anyone who would be interested in or be a good fit for such-and-such role,” take that to mean: “Are you interested and available?” Of course, if the role sounds even a bit intriguing, don’t hesitate to begin a conversation.</div>
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<i>Tip:</i> It's pointless to try to introduce yourself to a sourcer. Instead, leave professional tracks online. Attend and make presentations at meetings. Write blog posts about areas of your expertise using keywords particular to <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/the-100-best-jobs" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: null">job descriptions</a> for which you would be a good fit.</div>
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<b>3. Job board </b><b>résumé</b><b> databases</b>. Recruiters and internal human resources staffing pros pay to gain access to résumés posted on the mega job boards, such as CareerBuilder and Monster, as well as relevant smaller industry or skill-specific job boards.</div>
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<i>Tip: </i>When you post your résumé, you lose the ability to tailor it to specific jobs. Nonetheless, if you have a strong generic résumé, it may well be worth posting.</div>
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<b>4.</b> <b>Job board ads</b>. Recruiters frequently advertise the key positions they are seeking to fill.</div>
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<i>Tip:</i><b> </b>Respond with a personalized cover letter and highly targeted résumé if you are qualified for the role. If you suspect you aren’t a great candidate, don’t apply! Instead, get in touch with the recruiter for the purposes of introducing yourself and building a relationship. And if you know someone who would be that great fit, do refer him or her!</div>
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<b>5. Networking events</b>. Good recruiters understand that it is as much of a relationship business as a transactional one. They will frequently attend <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/09/09/7-tips-for-networking-success" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">networking events</a>, conferences and professional meetings to learn about and meet the “who's who” of any given group.</div>
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<i>Tip:</i><b> </b>Attend these events, bring your business cards and prepare to network!</div>
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<b>6. Social media.</b> Recruiters are all over sites like LinkedIn and find people based on status updates, group discussions and sophisticated searches of profiles for the right keywords.</div>
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<i>Tip: </i>Make sure your profile is strong and keyword-rich. Post interesting updates, participate in groups and keep it entirely professional.</div>
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Happy hunting!</div>
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<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/09/23/6-ways-to-hunt-for-headhunters" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

6 Ways to Hunt for Headhunters

6 Ways to Hunt for Headhunters Help recruiters help you. Learn how recruiters do their job, and you're more likely to build a beneficial relationship with one of them. In many areas, the U.S. economy…

22 Nov 2014

How to Return to the Working World Like You Never Left

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How to Return to the Working World Like You Never Left</h1>
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Here's what you need to do to be ready for the grind once more.</h2>
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The real secret to coming back to work after a long absence? Network, network and network some more.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">If you’ve spent years out of the workforce</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;"> </span><a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2014/05/09/6-tips-for-returning-to-work-after-maternity-leave" style="color: #005ea6; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2014/05/09/6-tips-for-returning-to-work-after-maternity-leave">to raise children</a><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">, care for a loved one or are unemployed due to a layoff, it’s intimidating to get back into the work game. Going back into an office environment where you're required to show up at a specific time and answer to an employer is going to take some getting used to. How can you ease your mind, feel like you're in-the-know and generally prepare yourself to get back into workplace grind?</span></div>
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First, relax. You’re not the first person to go through this transition. It may help to seek others in your network of friends and family who have returned to work after an absence. Ask them to tell you how it went and what they wished they had done differently to prepare better. They may offer some insight into how they made themselves stand out.</div>
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The other daunting prospect of course is how to even <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/the-100-best-jobs" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/the-100-best-jobs">begin the job search</a>. Things do change quickly in the professional world, but the standard “who you know” is still one of the best ways to get a job. This is another area where your network can help you, or at least advise you on what worked and what didn't<i></i>; remember to ask the latter question because it may save you precious time. LinkedIn is a powerful tool for finding old colleagues, friends, classmates and acquaintances, as well as job postings. If you’re not yet on there, set up a profile and start using it.</div>
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<b>Update your documents. </b>The first step is to update your résumé and LinkedIn profile, if you have one (or create one as soon as possible). You will meet professionals soon who may ask to see your résumé and Google you to find your <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/16-things-youre-doing-all-wrong-on-linkedin" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/16-things-youre-doing-all-wrong-on-linkedin">LinkedIn profile</a>. Consider what you’ve done since you last held a part- or full-time position. Have you volunteered or advocated for particular causes? Are you the head of your child’s parent-teacher organization? Do you lead an intramural sports team? Have you done odd jobs? These should go on your résumé and LinkedIn profile.</div>
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<b>Read articles online. </b>Search online for articles about your industry and field. There are also lots of blogs and materials out there about career development and different work environments. Read through some of these to help you feel more connected with the professional world as you re-enter it. It may also make you more knowledgeable about current trends in your particular field, which will help you in interviews.</div>
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<b>Take classes at home</b>. There are many websites where you can sign up for <a class="" href="http://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/articles/2013/05/10/learn-for-free-with-moocs" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/articles/2013/05/10/learn-for-free-with-moocs">quality classes</a> to take from the comfort of home. Some are free and others paid, and subjects range from yoga to computer programming. Two well-rated websites are Coursera (which offers free courses) and Udemy (which has both free and paid). Coursera has more than 600 free courses from top universities and organizations. Some classes can be taken at your own pace, while most are six to 10 weeks long with up to two hours of video lectures per week. Udemy offers 16,000 free and paid classes, which you progress through on your own time. Prices are typically less than $100 and are determined by the course instructor.</div>
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<b>Go to industry networking or social events.</b> Many networking and professional-oriented events are free, while some charge an entry or nonmember fee. Search online for local chambers of commerce, rotary clubs or other local associations and organizations. Meetup.com offers industry-specific professional networking events in many cities.</div>
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<b>Reach out to old colleagues over email and phone and set up coffee or lunch dates.</b> Don’t worry if it’s been a long time. People with whom you worked well and had good rapport will be happy to hear from you again, as long as you make the contact meaningful. What does that mean? Don’t just send a standard LinkedIn request or email. <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/06/18/how-to-ask-friends-and-family-for-help-with-your-career" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/06/18/how-to-ask-friends-and-family-for-help-with-your-career">Personalize each one</a> with a few details on what’s happening in your life, and definitely ask about them, their family, etc. It will garner many more responses.</div>
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If you were getting back into playing a sport or a hobby you enjoyed many years ago, you’d need to give yourself time to adjust and reorient yourself. You’re not going to be the star basketball player at 40 that you were at 18, when you last played the game. Give yourself time to let it happen. Take a deep breath and prepare yourself. It is going to take some practice, but you’ll be back in the work game in no time.</div>
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<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/07/03/how-to-return-to-the-working-world-like-you-never-left" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

How to Return to the Working World Like You Never Left

How to Return to the Working World Like You Never Left Here's what you need to do to be ready for the grind once more. The real secret to coming back to work after a long absence? Network, network an…

21 Nov 2014

11 Tips for the Newly Unemployed

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11 Tips for the Newly Unemployed</h1>
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Lost your job? Here's how to bounce back and find a new one.</h2>
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Get out there! Volunteer, join professional associations and attend networking functions.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">No one who has been unemployed expects it to last very long. The reality is that you will be</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;"> </span><a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/the-100-best-jobs" style="color: #005ea6; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/the-100-best-jobs">looking for work</a><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">longer than you want. You can’t control the fact that it is taking an average of 24.9 working days to fill a position, according to Dice Holdings August hiring report. However, you can control what you are doing to be more effective in your approach to job searching.</span></div>
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<b>1. Nail down the basics. </b>The people you know want to help you – they just don’t know how. The best thing you can do to help them help you is to provide three pieces of vital data. First, state the specific types of jobs you are most interested in. Second, know which companies you want to work for. And third, be able to communicate why you are great at what you do. (In other words, perfect your elevator pitch.)</div>
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<b>2. Reach out. </b>Be purposeful in your outreach. Create a list of everyone you know and systematically contact people on your list to ask for help and advice. Sending out a blanket email won’t generate the type of response you are looking for. Your contacts want to help, but an impersonal plea for help falls lower on the list of priorities. Personalize your outreach one email or phone call at a time.</div>
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<b>3. Get connected. </b>Volunteer, and join professional associations and <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/06/04/how-to-become-a-networking-superstar" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: null">networking groups</a> for job seekers. Connecting with unemployed and employed professionals helps you stay active and engaged in what’s happening in your community and in your field of work. When you volunteer, you are actually killing two birds with one stone. First, it provides you with a feeling of value and worth to help others. Second, you will be interacting with like-minded volunteers and group leaders who can become networking resources.</div>
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<b>4. Connect online. </b>Before you begin connecting with people on LinkedIn, be sure your profile is up to date. Once you’ve done this, begin connecting with new contacts, as well as past colleagues, friends and others you know. Your LinkedIn network should represent your real-life network, so start building it. Learn how to use LinkedIn to stay in touch with your network, and mine it for valuable data.</div>
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<b>5. Polish your r</b><b>ésumé. </b>This is 2014, and résumé rules have changed since you last updated your document. Do your research and consult expert resources. Once you have <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/the-abcs-of-resumes" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/the-abcs-of-resumes">created a résumé</a> that positions you as a fit for the perfect job, begin using it. Be sure to adapt it for every job you apply for. How do you know if it's working? If you are applying for jobs, and your phone is ringing off the hook, don’t change a thing. Otherwise, go back to the drawing board. Share it with trusted colleagues, and ask for feedback. One word of caution: Everyone has an opinion about résumés, and the recommendations will sometimes contradict one another.</div>
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<b>6. Take care of you. </b>As the flight attendants say, “Put your oxygen mask on first so you can better assist those around you.” This means you should eat well, exercise and spend time doing the things you enjoy.</div>
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<b>7. Consider plan B. </b>Don't wait until your unemployment or severance runs out to begin creating a backup plan. Start today. What will you do when you are one month away from the end of your unemployment? How will you generate income? Will you take a temp job or work in retail? Would you be willing to take a job outside your current city? Or would you consider <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/07/02/9-tips-for-starting-a-business-while-working-full-time" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">starting your own business</a>? It is never too early to begin actively pursuing your plan B options.</div>
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<b>8. Find someone to hold you accountable. </b>You will become discouraged – that is just part of the process. You will need the support of someone who can give you a kick in the pants and who will listen to you objectively. Of all the actions mentioned, this may be the most important. When you identify and use an accountability partner, you feel rejuvenated and regain your momentum. You also have an external source of motivation and a fresh perspective to draw from.</div>
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<b>9. Keep an open mind. </b>This isn’t the same as being open to any opportunities. You should stay focused on the type of job you want. Keeping an open mind means you listen without judgment and don’t make assumptions. If a past colleague presents you with a job opportunity you don’t think is a fit, don’t shut them down. Ask questions, and understand why they are <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/07/15/the-5-elements-of-a-compelling-job-recommendation" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">making this recommendation</a>. Likewise, if someone you know suggests you should speak with one a contact, ask why and how you both would benefit from meeting.</div>
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<b>10. Move with a sense of urgency. </b>Each day you are unemployed, it becomes more difficult to feel secure in your abilities. Rejection and dead ends have a way of eroding your self-confidence. The best cure for these feelings is to do something – anything – that makes you feel productive and successful. Focus on the small wins, such as getting an email response, finding a contact name inside a company you want to work for and attending a networking meeting.</div>
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<b>11. And remember the other stuff. </b>The list of things to do while job searching is endless. You need to develop relationships with recruiters, find the right job boards for the type of work you are looking for, write solid cover letters and thank-you notes, master the art of small talk and thousands of other things that will push you outside your comfort zone. Take a deep breath, and mentally prepare for this marathon.</div>
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<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/08/27/11-tips-for-the-newly-unemployed" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

11 Tips for the Newly Unemployed

11 Tips for the Newly Unemployed Lost your job? Here's how to bounce back and find a new one. Get out there! Volunteer, join professional associations and attend networking functions. No one who has …

21 Nov 2014

The Best Questions to Ask During a Job Interview

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Faced with one pointed question after the next regarding your career, a job interview can quickly take on the<br />
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The Best Questions to Ask During a Job Interview</h1>
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Your interviewer shouldn’t be the only inquisitor in the room.</h2>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">Faced with one pointed question after the next regarding your career, a job interview can quickly take on the feel of an interrogation.</span></div>
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But employers aren't the only ones who get to poke and pry during the sit-down. At some point, <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/the-25-best-jobs-of-2014" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/the-25-best-jobs-of-2014">job candidates</a> can make inquiries that flesh out everything from expectations to why their prospective boss enjoys working for the company. By asking thought-provoking questions, you can not only collect valuable information but also distinguish yourself from the pack.</div>
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"It means that you're thoughtful about the process and that you're very interested in the position because you took the time to think of questions that would be substantive," says Cheryl Palmer, a career coach and founder of the career coaching firm Call to Career.</div>
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Here are some <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/how-to-be-an-active-interviewee" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/how-to-be-an-active-interviewee">questions you can ask</a> and tips for interpreting the responses from your interviewer.</div>
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<strong>1. How has this position evolved since it was created?</strong></div>
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Getting a brief history on the role should clear up whether the position has expanded over the years or has been a dead end for employees, Palmer says.</div>
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<strong>Interpreting the response: </strong>If the interviewer says <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/the-100-best-jobs" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/the-100-best-jobs">the position has expanded</a> beyond its original scope (and is continuing to do so), that signifies an opportunity for growth within the company. If the position has stayed static for years, don't expect to blossom there. Depending on your career ambitions, the latter response isn't necessarily bad, Palmer says.</div>
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<strong>[Read: <a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2013/08/21/9-things-to-put-on-your-job-interview-checklist" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2013/08/21/9-things-to-put-on-your-job-interview-checklist">9 Things to Put on Your Job Interview Checklist</a>.]</strong></div>
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<strong>2. What have past employees done to succeed in this position?</strong></div>
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Knowing how the organization measures achievements will help you understand <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/21-things-hiring-managers-wish-you-knew" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/21-things-hiring-managers-wish-you-knew">what the expectations will be</a> and whether you have the skill set to meet them, Palmer says. But don't undermine your past accomplishments just because your route to success doesn't match up with the one embraced by the company. "You also don't want to be too narrowly defined by what other people have done. Because you're a different person, you may approach things a little differently," she says.</div>
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<strong>Interpreting the response:</strong> You may hear a description that highlights the positive and negative attributes of your predecessor. That could be a good indicator of the company's culture. "Typically, what one person has done to be successful is what the organization tends to do to be successful," Palmer says.</div>
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<strong>3. What have you enjoyed most about working here?</strong></div>
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<a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/15-ways-good-bosses-keep-their-best-employees" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/15-ways-good-bosses-keep-their-best-employees">Your prospective boss</a> can relay what he or she values most and what led to his or her personal success with the organization. Then, Palmer says, you can internally ruminate about whether you share the same values and can envision yourself working there.</div>
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<strong>Interpreting the response: </strong>Your interviewer may commend the company for everything from benefits to year-end bonuses. On the other hand, "if they're struggling to come up with something positive about why they like working there, chances are good that you're not going to be able to come up with anything positive after having worked there either," Palmer says.</div>
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<strong>[See: <a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/the-abcs-of-interviewing" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/the-abcs-of-interviewing">The ABCs of Interviewing</a>.]</strong></div>
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<strong>4. What is the top priority for the person in this position over the next three months?</strong></div>
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<a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2011/01/24/the-10-most-common-job-interview-questions" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2011/01/24/the-10-most-common-job-interview-questions">This question is helpful</a> so you know what to focus on if you do get the position, Palmer says. Without a clear expectation, she adds, you won't know what to accomplish or how to make the right impression during your first days on the job.</div>
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<strong>Interpreting the response:</strong> You may be told that you need to complete 15 tasks rather than two or three. "If these are all big initiatives that they want you to handle, probably not that doable," Palmer says.</div>
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<strong>5. What are the qualities of successful managers in this company?</strong></div>
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If you're interviewing for a managerial position, you'll want knowledge of the skills and core competencies the company treasures in a leader, says David Lewis, founder and president of OperationsInc, a Connecticut-based human resources outsourcing and consulting firm. If excellent people skills and multitasking top the list, emphasize how you've demonstrated those traits throughout your career.</div>
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<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2013/10/23/the-best-questions-to-ask-during-a-job-interview" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

The Best Questions to Ask During a Job Interview

Faced with one pointed question after the next regarding your career, a job interview can quickly take on the The Best Questions to Ask During a Job Interview Your interviewer shouldn’t be the only i…

21 Nov 2014

Where Are the Best-Paying Cities?

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Where Are the Best-Paying Cities?</h1>
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To earn more money, you may have to relocate to a coastal town.</h2>
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The highest-paying cities are clustered in the <span class="example"><span class="example">San Francisco <span class="hlt">Bay</span> <span class="hlt">Area and the Northeast.</span></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">Whether it's to compete for top talent, adjust for a higher cost of living or meet union standards, some cities compensate workers better than others. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest-paid electricians worked in Trenton, N.J., in 2012, while elementary, middle and high school teachers working in Nassau, N.Y., earned more money in 2012 than teachers in other parts of the country.</span></div>
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Among U.S. News' Best Jobs of 2014, these 10 coastal cities consistently offer the highest salaries.</div>
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<b></b><b>[See: <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/the-100-best-jobs" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">The 100 Best Jobs</a>.]</b></div>
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<b>1. San Francisco.</b> This city has a vibrant cultural community and plenty of technology, construction, health care, business and social services opportunities. According to Bob Linscheid, president and CEO of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, “It’s a world-class city. There’s not anything that is not present. There’s a diverse population and workforce and outstanding sports teams.” According to the BLS, database administrators, nursing aides, patrol officers, blockmasons and brickmasons, and bookkeeping, accounting and audit clerks earned higher salaries in this city than their counterparts did in other cities in 2012. That year, database administrators in San Francisco made $96,390, which is almost $20,000 more than the national average for this position. </div>
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According to Sophia Koropeckyj, managing director at Moody's Analytics, “San Francisco has the highest minimum wage in the country, and there are a lot of financial institutions with strict regulations, so there is a lot of demand for support occupations.” Koropeckyj also says given the area's high cost of living, employers pay higher wages in San Francisco to compete with other employers.</div>
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<b>2. San Jose, Calif.</b> According to the BLS, Web developers earned more working in San Jose than in any other U.S. city. They brought home $90,760, which is almost $25,000 more than the average pay for this occupation in 2012. Koropeckyj says the concentration of tech companies in the area drives demand for top talent seeking top salaries. “Sometimes [tech companies] will poach each other's workers,” she says.</div>
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Matthew Mahood, president and CEO of the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce, wrote in his Economic Forecast for 2014: “In 2013, the Software Publishing, Internet Publishing, Web Search Portals and Big Data companies carried the load of job creation. Professional and business services have been clicking right along, recently becoming the fastest growing sector, followed closely by the construction industry.”</div>
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Customer service representatives, lawyers and pharmacy technicians also earned higher salaries in San Jose than in other cities.</div>
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<b>[Read: <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2014/02/27/what-it-really-takes-to-snag-an-awesome-tech-job" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2014/02/27/what-it-really-takes-to-snag-an-awesome-tech-job">What It Really Takes to Snag an Awesome Tech Job</a>.]</b></div>
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<b>3. New York City.</b> The Big Apple is a strong financial hub with a high cost of living. The BLS reports that financial sector jobs like accountants, sales managers and operations research analysts garnered large paychecks in this city in 2012. Accountants made an average of $91,240, almost 30 percent more than the national average for accountants that year. Koropeckyj says sales managers and operations research analysts function in support roles of corporate operations headquartered in New York, while accountants are in high demand to aid corporations seeking to comply with financial sector regulations.</div>
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<b>4. Nassau, N.Y. </b>Nassau is a good place to work in social services and construction. According to the BLS, plumbers, cement masons and concrete finishers earned top salaries in this city in 2012, as did elementary, middle and high school teachers. Elementary school teachers in Nassau made $95,420, which is $39,290 more than the national average. “Nassau-Suffolk has the highest state and local taxes, particularly property taxes, which support public education,” Koropeckyj says, adding that New York state has powerful labor unions and the highest unionization rate in the country. This, coupled with the high cost of living in Nassau, ensures higher wages for the area's plumbers, cement masons and concrete finishers.</div>
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<b>5. Vallejo, Calif.</b> Health care professionals are in high demand and are highly compensated in Vallejo. The BLS reports that surgical technologists who worked in Vallejo in 2012 earned more than their counterparts in other U.S. cities. Surgical technologists earned about $30,000 more than the average salary for this profession. Koropeckyj says the concentration of medical centers in Vallejo drives salaries and employment.<br /><b><br />6. Bridgeport, Conn.</b> Bridgeport has a thriving banking and financial sector. According to the BLS, estheticians, computer systems analysts, compliance officers and financial analysts earned higher salaries working in Bridgeport in 2012 than their peers in other parts of the country. According to Koropeckyj, the affluence of nearby Stamford, Conn., partially contributes to the higher paychecks, at least for estheticians, since the Stamford's residents are able and willing to pay for skin care services. She also says Bridgeport's concentration of hedge fund firms and investment banks contributes to the high salaries for financial analysts and compliance officers.</div>
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<b>7. Oakland, Calif.</b> In 2012, epidemiologists and phlebotomists working in Oakland earned higher paychecks than their counterparts in other U.S. cities. Epidemiologists earned an average salary of $120,540, which is almost $50,000 higher than the average pay for this profession. Koropeckyj says Kaiser Permanente, a big employer in Oakland, may have sourced some of the high salaries.</div>
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<b></b><b>[Read: <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2014/02/21/the-9-top-jobs-for-work-life-balance" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2014/02/21/the-9-top-jobs-for-work-life-balance">The 9 Top Jobs for Work-Life Balance</a>.]</b></div>
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<b>8. Trenton, N.J.</b> The capital of New Jersey has a booming construction sector with skilled labor workers earning higher wages. According to the BLS, electricians in this city earned more than $25,000 over the average pay. Koropeckyj says electricians in Trenton are likely to belong to a union and therefore earn union wages.</div>
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<b>9. New Haven, Conn.</b> Located between Boston and New York, New Haven pays construction workers well. The BLS reports that in 2012, glaziers in New Haven earned $80,180, which is more than $35,000 higher than the average pay.</div>
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<b>10. Norwich, Conn.</b> According to the BLS, Norwich paid its medical secretaries, veterinary technologists, veterinary technicians and restaurant cooks higher-than-average salaries in 2012. For example, medical secretaries took home $46,590, which is a little more than $13,000 over the national average for this job. Koropeckyj says global research and development operations of the pharmaceutical company Pfizer in the Norwich area may contribute to the high medical secretary salaries.</div>
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<i></i><i>Editor's note: U.S. News released the Best Jobs of 2014 in January 2014. The rankings are partially based on salary data from May 2012 that was collected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The BLS has since updated its salary information to reflect salaries from May 2013.</i></div>
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<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2014/04/08/where-are-the-best-paying-cities" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

Where Are the Best-Paying Cities?

Where Are the Best-Paying Cities? To earn more money, you may have to relocate to a coastal town. The highest-paying cities are clustered in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Northeast. Whether it'…

21 Nov 2014

How Millennial Employees Can Embrace Older Colleagues

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How Millennial Employees Can Embrace Older Colleagues</h1>
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These tips will help bring harmony to the trio of generations in your office.</h2>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">The presence of millennials in the U.S. workforce is set to rapidly increase, according to a 2012 study from the University of North Carolina. Next year, millennials, usually defined as those born between the early 1980s and 2001, will comprise 34 percent of workers. By 2020, that number will jump to 46 percent.</span></div>
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Working alongside millennials will be baby boomers (people born between 1946 and 1964) and Generation Xers (usually defined as those born between the mid-60s to early 80s). While relations between the older and younger generations in some areas are healthy, in others, there's a real rift. For example, a recent study by The Hartford, a financial services group, showed that millennials resent some baby boomers for not retiring earlier, thus preventing millennials from getting hired or promoted. Meanwhile, the same survey showed 74 percent of Gen Xers agreed that the "entitlement generation" is an appropriate nickname for millennials.</div>
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While some resentment may last, there are ways millennials, also known as Generation Y, can grow from having a quality relationship with their senior co-workers. We've detailed some below.</div>
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<strong>Be a good listener. </strong>Lending your ear can pay dividends, especially if you've run into a problem that your knowledge can't resolve. Also, don't perceive seeking advice as an admission of weakness or inexperience. "It doesn't mean that you're not fully capable of executing on your own, but getting diverse perspectives at any age is always going to be valuable to your success," says Lindsey Pollak, a millennial generation expert and author of "Getting from College to Career."</div>
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<strong>[Read: <a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2012/11/14/8-things-millennial-job-seekers-do-that-we-all-need-to-try" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">8 Things Millennial Job Seekers Do That We All Need to Try</a>.]</strong></div>
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<strong>Strike up a mentorship. </strong>Your company may have a mentorship program that matches up employees from different generations. Or you can take a less formal route and find one or two senior co-workers to regularly chat with over coffee or lunch. Through these interactions, millennials can get "a leg up in terms of the ability to learn about the culture of the company, the ins and outs of the politics that are going on [and] general business etiquette," says Lisa Orrell, a California-based consultant who specializes in generational dynamics in the workforce. Fortunately, many millennials like the idea of a mentor. MTV's 2012 "No Collar Workers" survey showed that three-fourths of millennials would like to have a mentor and eight out of 10 want feedback from their boss.</div>
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<strong>Recognize the experience older generations have on your peers.</strong> Orrell warns about the perils of only interacting with co-workers in your age bracket, or as she phrases it, staying in the "millennial cocoon." "You don't expand your horizons," she says. "It's hard to learn how to be an effective leader, manager, communicator [and] how to work in high-pressure situations if you're only making your workforce peer group people who are the same age as you." Increasingly, Gen Yers are aware and appreciative of the exhaustive résumé a more senior colleague may have. According to The Hartford survey, 90 percent of millennials agree that baby boomers bring substantial experience and knowledge to the workplace.</div>
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<strong>[See: <a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/mutual-funds/slideshows/12-surprising-facts-about-boomer-retirement" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">12 Surprising Facts About Boomer Retirement</a>.]</strong></div>
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<strong>Appreciate the values of baby boomers.</strong> According to Meredith Wells-Lepley, director of research and consulting at the University of Kentucky's Institute for Workplace and Innovation, boomers "are known to be really hardworking and really loyal to their organization." EY, the professional services firm formerly known as Ernst & Young, conducted a generations survey of 1,215 company professionals throughout the U.S in June. The survey found that managers and non-managers from all three generations gave boomers high marks for being hardworking (73 percent) and team players (56 percent). By contrast, millennials scored highest in three out of four negative traits in the survey, including being most difficult to work with (36 percent) and entitled (68 percent).</div>
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<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2013/11/07/how-millennial-employees-can-embrace-older-colleagues" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

How Millennial Employees Can Embrace Older Colleagues

How Millennial Employees Can Embrace Older Colleagues These tips will help bring harmony to the trio of generations in your office. The presence of millennials in the U.S. workforce is set to rapidly…

20 Nov 2014

9 Tips for Starting a Business While Working Full Time

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9 Tips for Starting a Business While Working Full Time</h1>
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There is a way to juggle your current responsibilities with your growing aspirations.</h2>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">With the Fourth of July this week, perhaps you’re thinking of your own independence. Have you considered</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;"> </span><a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/best-business-jobs" style="color: #005ea6; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: null">starting an entrepreneurial venture</a><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">? You would be in good company. Since 2011, the overall number of independent workers has grown more than 15 percent, to 17.7 million, according to a survey from the business services firm MBO Partners</span><a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2014/0608/Rise-of-the-flex-economy" style="color: #005ea6; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2014/0608/Rise-of-the-flex-economy"></a><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">. If you aren’t ready to leave your existing job (or salary) at this time, you’ll want to make some carefully considered plans to plot out your future move.</span></div>
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Karla Trotman, owner of BellyButtonBoutique.com, an online business with a global clientele, launched her business while working full time. Here are her tips to help you do the same:</div>
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<b>Keep track of your ideas</b>. Trotman suggests you carry a notebook to record your thoughts, ideas and inspirations. As your idea takes shape, you can refer back to the points from your brainstorming sessions. “My notebook became the basis of my business plan," she says. "I wrote in it <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/15-activities-to-try-on-your-lunch-break" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/15-activities-to-try-on-your-lunch-break">during my lunch hour</a> or while waiting for the kids to finish their activities. The notebook lived in my purse and I would pull it out whenever I had to get an idea out of my head and onto paper.”</div>
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<b>Leverage your library</b>. “Google is great, but the library is awesome,” Trotman says. Visit a university or community college library, or see if your local system runs a business library. Ask the librarians to direct you to resources to find information pertinent to the business that you're about to start. “You will want to know who your competition is, what products and services are available but do not have wide spread distribution, what demographic is best to target, etc.," Trotman says. "Library professionals are trained in the art of utilizing databases that are not available to the masses. Hoovers and Mergent are great resources that you cannot access without a subscription, however many educational institutions and public libraries do provide access.”</div>
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<b>Read business books</b>. “When I launched my business, I devoured any and all books that had to do with online business, search engine optimization, social media and small business," Trotman explains. "Six years later, I'm still reading and its helped not only my business, but also my family's 28-year-old manufacturing firm. Knowledge is power and books are the key.”</div>
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<b>Avoid distractions</b>. When you’re planning your<b> </b><a class="" href="http://www.keppiecareers.com/start-business-side-working/" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://www.keppiecareers.com/start-business-side-working/">business on the side</a><b></b>,<a href="http://www.keppiecareers.com/start-business-side-working/" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://www.keppiecareers.com/start-business-side-working/"></a> it’s tempting to sit down in front of the TV or to spend hours aimlessly reading Facebook updates after working a full day. You’ll need discipline if you want to launch your own business, so don’t let yourself fall down the proverbial rabbit hole when it’s time to get some work done.</div>
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<b>Be selective when choosing confidants</b>. “There were people who pretty much laughed at me when I told them my idea for my online store," Trotman says. "Had I not been so driven, I would have quit.”</div>
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<b>Plan for launch</b>. Once you’ve researched your client base and competition, investigated all of the ins and outs of your business idea and decided that entrepreneurship is for you, put a launch date on your calendar and schedule your deliverables backward. Trotman explains that she wanted to launch her website on August 8, 2008. "My registration, website creation, supplier agreements, packaging, branding and everything required for the launch needed to be ready by that date," she says. "By establishing a hard finish, I kept the project from lingering. I got everything done from start to finish in four months.” It may take you more or less time, depending on your plans and schedule, but the important thing is to give yourself a deadline.</div>
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<b>Invest in professional-looking visuals</b>. “People want to know that you are a legitimate business.<a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/04/30/7-key-elements-of-a-great-personal-branding-statement" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/04/30/7-key-elements-of-a-great-personal-branding-statement">You can't pull that off</a> with a ClipArt logo and a website that looks like your seven-year old designed it,” Trotman says. She suggests exhibiting professionalism and polishing anything related to your brand or business.</div>
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<b>Seek and implement systems</b>. For example, if your business will require someone to answer the phone, make sure you set it up ahead of time so you aren’t stuck trying to respond to calls when you’re at work. “I use Solid Cactus as my call center," Trotman says. "They created a Wikipage for their staff and have answers to all of the most frequently asked questions. They can also access parts of my ordering system and will elevate any issues they cannot handle on their own. Utilizing this service, which only costs around $75 per month has given me more free time.”</div>
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<b>Network and attend conferences</b>. <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2013/09/04/the-secret-to-juggling-a-9-to-5-job-with-an-entrepreneurial-venture" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">It can be a challenge</a> to work all day, run your business and network, too. Conferences can be expensive for a startup owner. However, you never know what you can learn when you spend time with like-minded individuals who are driven similarly and dedicated to the growth of their businesses. Trotman also benefitted from connecting with a group of other women who were also starting businesses. “Most of my friends couldn't relate to my entrepreneurial vision, so it was nice to have a core group that understood my journey," she explains. "A few years later, members of the same group shared their media connections. One connection even helped me land a monthly feature on the evening news in my city.” When you network, make sure you make a point to give as much as you take.</div>
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<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/07/02/9-tips-for-starting-a-business-while-working-full-time" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

9 Tips for Starting a Business While Working Full Time

9 Tips for Starting a Business While Working Full Time There is a way to juggle your current responsibilities with your growing aspirations. With the Fourth of July this week, perhaps you’re thinking…

20 Nov 2014

Don't Quit Your Job Until You’ve Accepted a New One

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Don't Quit Your Job Until You’ve Accepted a New One</h1>
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Yet to accept a formal job offer? Here are four reasons why you ought to stick around.</h2>
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Hold it! If you leave without a new job secured, you'll be at risk for prolonged unemployment.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">Have you ever been tempted to quit your job even though you don’t have another one lined up yet? Maybe you’re sure you’re about to</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;"> </span><a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/06/02/how-to-evaluate-a-job-offer" style="color: #005ea6; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/06/02/how-to-evaluate-a-job-offer">get an offer</a><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">, or maybe you just can’t stand working for your current boss. It can be tempting to give your notice on the spot, but it can also be an enormous mistake if you don’t have another job formally locked in yet.</span></div>
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Here’s why you should never resign from your job until you have an official job offer – one that you’ve finished negotiating and have accepted.</div>
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<b>1. It might take you a lot longer than you think to find a new job.</b> If you expect to find another job within a couple of months, think again. Finding another job can take a long time – often much longer than job seekers expect. In fact, in this market, it’s not uncommon for a <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/07/28/5-ways-to-modernize-your-job-search" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/07/28/5-ways-to-modernize-your-job-search">job search</a> to take a year or more. That means if you quit your job without first securing another, you might end up with a large gap on your resume, which can make it harder to get hired. It can also drain your savings and leave you in a precarious financial position – one where the pressure to find another job will quickly become greater than ever.</div>
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<b>2. It's much easier to get another job when you're still employed.</b> Rightly or wrongly, most employers prefer to hire people who are already employed. Many assume that people who quit their jobs without another lined up did so because they were either fired or about to be fired. Or they may think the candidate walked away when things got tough, which <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/04/21/9-ways-to-make-your-new-boss-regret-hiring-you" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/04/21/9-ways-to-make-your-new-boss-regret-hiring-you">worries managers</a>, because every job has challenges. That doesn’t mean it’s an instant deal-breaker, but it’s highly likely to raise questions from employers and potentially make your job search harder.</div>
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<b>3. The job offer you’re counting on might fall through.</b> Sometimes job seekers are so sure that an offer is forthcoming that they go ahead and give notice to their current employers. Sometimes this works out just fine, but other times it ends badly when the offer falls through. And if you’ve already given notice, your current employer may have already made plans to replace you, or they might not be willing to let you rescind your notice – which can leave you without the old or <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings">new job</a>. Because of that risk, you should never resign until you have an official offer in hand from your new employer – not a promise that an offer is coming, not very good signs that seem like they’re leading somewhere – but an actual, formal offer. Better yet, wait until you’ve <i>accepted</i> that formal offer, because otherwise it’s possible that your negotiations could fall apart.</div>
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<b>4. You might not pass the background check.</b> Sometimes an employer might tell you that a new job is a done deal, but you’ll notice fine print in the offer letter that says it’s contingent on you passing a background check or reference check. Even if you’re confident both of those will go fine, that’s never guaranteed. Sometimes mistakes are made in background checks, or a reference call doesn’t go quite the way you assumed it would. Until any contingencies like these are cleared, your offer could still hit a snag, which means you might not want to risk <a class="" href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/02/12/how-to-know-its-time-to-leave-your-job" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/02/12/how-to-know-its-time-to-leave-your-job">resigning your job</a> at this stage.</div>
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Perhaps a new employer pressures you to give notice while the offer still has contingencies attached to it. In that case, explain that while you don’t expect any problems with references or in the background check, you’re not comfortable giving notice until the offer is finalized. You can say something like, “As soon as the offer is firm and without contingencies, I’ll be able to give my employer two weeks notice. But I can’t resign my job until the new one is certain.”</div>
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<i>Are there any times when it’s OK to resign without a new job?</i></div>
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There are a few limited circumstances when it might make sense to quit your job before you’ve secured a new one: if you’re being subjected to egregiously abusive or harassing treatment, if your safety is being compromised or if you’re being pressured to do anything illegal, unethical or unsafe. But aside from those limited cases, you’re far better off job searching while you’re still employed.</div>
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<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/08/11/dont-quit-your-job-until-youve-accepted-a-new-one" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

Don't Quit Your Job Until You’ve Accepted a New One

Don't Quit Your Job Until You’ve Accepted a New One Yet to accept a formal job offer? Here are four reasons why you ought to stick around. Hold it! If you leave without a new job secured, you'll be a…

19 Nov 2014

How the Holiday Season May Make You a Better Employee

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How the Holiday Season May Make You a Better Employee</h1>
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Close out the year on a productive and generous note.</h2>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">Between Thanksgiving and the New Year, the glacial-like work pace in some offices may cause employees to slack off. On the other hand, they may use the period to catch up on work that has long been on the backburner. According to a 2012 survey of 3,000 U.S. workers by Regus, an office space company, 58 of percent of business employees think staff will use the time over the holidays to catch up on unfinished tasks.</span></div>
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But your productivity doesn't have to taper off or be strictly relegated to overdue work. Rather, finding new projects that "require creative and deep thinking are perfect for this time of year," says Lynn Taylor, workplace expert and author of "Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant."</div>
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By tapping into your holiday cheer, here are some ways you can become a more productive, thoughtful employee before the year closes.</div>
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<strong>Get close to your boss. </strong>Swamped with work, your boss may have passed on requests for one-on-one meetings during the year. But with both of your schedules opening up, you may finally have a chance to capture his or her attention. "Your availability during the holiday season can really be a rare opportunity to brainstorm [with your boss] about new initiatives or even gain traction on your existing ones," Taylor says.</div>
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<strong>[See: <a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/10-things-only-bad-bosses-say" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">10 Things Only Bad Bosses Say</a>.]</strong></div>
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<strong>Establish ties with a mentor. </strong>If you can't get close to your boss, try to forge a bond with a seasoned co-worker whose work you've always admired. Since each of you have some spare time, book that coveted meeting to find out what you're doing right and what you can do better. "Get some feedback as to how they see your performance, and gain some ideas from somebody who you respect and get their take on what you might focus on in the next year," says Anna Ranieri, career counselor and co-author of "How Can I Help?"</div>
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<strong>Spread knowledge. </strong>If you're an avid reader of material surrounding current and future trends in your industry, pass along important links to your boss, colleagues and clients. According to Taylor, sharing substantive information "shows that you have leadership qualities because you can mentor others on what's happening." Moreover, your boss, preoccupied with meetings or frequent travel, will appreciate you sending articles he or she would never have time to dig up.</div>
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<strong>Carefully consider additional time off. </strong>With family coming from out of town or your kids having a swarm of school holiday activities during work hours, the opportunity to take days off will be inviting. But your employer should provide you with a fair amount of time off. According to a Bloomberg BNA survey from last year, 58 percent of 628 employers scheduled at least three paid days off for the 2012-2013 holiday season, up from 42 percent in 2011-2012 and 36 percent in 2010-2011. Before requesting additional time off, it's a good idea to consider staff needs and current projects.</div>
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<strong>[Read: <a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2012/11/21/the-top-10-holiday-aggravations-at-work" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;">The Top 10 Holiday Aggravations at Work</a>.]</strong></div>
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<strong>Cover for a colleague.</strong> Inundated with personal activities, a co-worker may need some additional time off. If you're lacking personal obligations and don't mind putting in some extra hours, volunteer your services. "That's a great way to sort of build teamwork with people and gain further standing in the group by offering to do something for somebody who can't be there," Ranieri says.</div>
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<strong>Be flexible on your raise. </strong>Having put in some excellent work over the course of the year, you may be set on asking for a raise. But if the company you work for is in a financial slump and your personal finances are in good shape, you may want to hold off. Raise the issue with your boss and try to pinpoint when it will be financially feasible for the company to increase salaries. "Sometimes people have to moderate their own desires for the good of the team," Ranieri says.</div>
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<strong>Invite everyone to a holiday event. </strong>As the organizer of a potluck or a lunch out with co-workers, you may be tempted to exclude one or two colleagues you don't like. Instead, take the high road and invite everyone, and don't rule out the possibility of stirring up a conversation that mends fences. "By being inclusive, you might even start a new leaf with someone you've had conflict with throughout the year," Taylor says. "You can even use this as an opportunity to reach out to people who have been difficult to work with."</div>
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<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2013/11/20/how-the-holiday-season-may-make-you-a-better-employee" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

How the Holiday Season May Make You a Better Employee

How the Holiday Season May Make You a Better Employee Close out the year on a productive and generous note. Between Thanksgiving and the New Year, the glacial-like work pace in some offices may cause…

19 Nov 2014

What's the Best Résumé Format for You?

The best résumé format for you depends on your work history and career goals.</P><P>Not all résumés are created equal – and they shouldn’t be. There are different formats out there that are accepted by recruiters. Consider your professional history carefully before deciding which one to use. Use the guide below to decide if you are using the right type of résumé for your background and career goals. </P><P><B>Chronological Format. </B>The traditional chronological résumé presents employment history from the perspective of time. This is the format to use if you have a consistent employment history without gaps, and you are trying to land a job similar to the one you have now. You can’t go wrong with a chronological résumé, since it’s the most common and widely accepted.</P><P>If you have a short period when you were a stay-at-home parent or went to graduate school, you should include that in the résumé rather than leaving a gap. Holes mean questions, and if the questions aren’t answered on the paper, it’s unlikely the recruiter will take the time to call you for an interview to find out why you weren’t working during a certain period. If you held many jobs for a short period and are worried about perceptions, you might consider including a brief and diplomatic explanation for why you left each company. </P><P><B>Functional Format. </B>If you have a minimal work history, gaps in employment or have frequently jumped around to different jobs types, this might be the right layout for you. It also works well for career changers. The functional format is set up to demonstrate your skills through your accomplishments. For example, if you’ve employed customer service skills at several jobs, you can use this as one of your skill headlines. Below the headline, include bullets that point to your key achievements related to that skill. It’s important to not use cliche phrases in your bullets, because your intention should be to show how you’ve exhibited the skill rather than tell. </P><P>You should also include a professional or work experience section, in which you list your place of employment, job title, location and dates. However, bullets with your achievements will fall under each skill headline at the top rather than below each job. </P><P><B>Combined Format. </B>The combined format can be useful for those who are switching careers, especially those in more senior positions or with longer career histories. As the name suggests, it is a blend of the functional and chronological résumé. This format allows you to translate your skills to the language of the new job or career field. You want to focus the recruiter’s attention on your skills relevant to the job at hand. </P><P>Below the skills and accomplishments, as with the functional résumé, you should include a professional experience portion where you list basic information for current and prior jobs. With this format, you can also include bullets below each position that reflect achievements that didn’t fit in to a specific skill category above. Even if you are a senior executive, you should still avoid including every single piece of information. Only use the most pertinent facts to keep it concise and readable. </P><P><B>Visual Résumés.</B> Nontraditional résumés have become popular recently. These types of résumés use graphics and other media to present information about the job applicant. While this is a way to stand out from the candidate crowd, many companies still want to see a traditional résumé. A story résumé might make sense for a person in a creative field, such as advertising, social media or communications – but probably not for an attorney. It’s worth researching a company’s culture before you send your résumé,  and it’s always a good idea to include a traditional version. </P><P>No matter which format you choose, make sure you include your name and how to get in contact with you. Education is another must. Other information, such as professional affiliations, volunteer work, languages and technical skills should be included if they are appropriate for the job you’re applying to. That information can also be helpful if you need to fill out your résumé more, like if you are an entry-level candidate. </P><P>In all cases, you should think about including a brief career summary at the top. This should be restricted to a few lines that tell the recruiter you fulfill the required (and possibly preferred) qualifications. The way to do this is to write how you meet the most essential credentials, which are usually listed first in a job description. </P><P>Choosing the right format is important, because your résumé is your chance to get your foot in the door. The traditional format might be hurting rather than helping you. If the person reading it cannot understand why you are applying to a job in the retail industry after spending 10 years in accounting, she is not going to take the time to reach out to you to find out why. Make sure it’s clear in your résumé why you are a good fit, which may require highlighting your skills up front instead of burying accomplishments under each job. </P><P><B><B>Marcelle Yeager</B></B> is the president of Career Valet, which delivers personalized career navigation services. Her goal is to enable people to recognize skills and job possibilities they didn’t know they had to make a career change or progress in their current career. She worked for more than 10 years as a strategic communications consultant, including four years overseas. Marcelle holds an MBA from the University of Maryland.<BR></P><br /><p><a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/09/04/whats-the-best-resume-format-for-you" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>

What's the Best Résumé Format for You?

The best résumé format for you depends on your work history and career goals.Not all résumés are created equal – and they shouldn’t be. There are different formats out there that are accepted by recr…

16 Nov 2014

3 Keys to Finding Your Perfect Career

Jealous of people who are good at what they do and actually enjoy it, too? Follow their lead.</P><P>Are you in the right job for you? If not, you aren't alone. According to Gallup’s 2013 State of the American Workplace report, 70 percent of American workers are either "not engaged" or "actively disengaged" in their work. The 2013 Philips Work/Life Survey states that 68 percent of working Americans would be willing to take a salary cut to work in a job that better applied their personal interests.</P><P>How can you find a role that is a good fit for you and your personality? With the advice to “do what you love” and “follow your passion” abounding online, many strive to match their vocations with their personal interests in an effort to be happier at work. Conventional wisdom suggests that people who are good at and enjoy what they do – while they may be in the minority – are happier and more successful in their jobs.</P><P>How can you be one of those people? Philip Hardin is the CEO of YouScience, a scientific, online profile that measures aptitudes and interests and helps students set a direction for their educations and careers. He believes the key to taking control of your career path is finding a career at the intersection of what you’re good at (aptitudes), what you love to do (interests) and what the market needs you to do (opportunity). These are his tips to help identify your path:</P><P><B>1. Understand your aptitudes. </B>Hardin defines aptitudes as the foundation for skill development. He asks: “Have you noticed how easy it is for you to acquire skills in certain areas, while in others – no matter how hard you try – you end up average?" Understanding your natural aptitudes allows you to play to your strengths and focus on those areas that will give you a true competitive advantage. “Everyone could use a competitive advantage in this tight job market, but every career requires a different blend of natural aptitudes.</P><P>It’s easy to assess your basic skills. For example, are you a strong communicator, or are you good at math? Read job descriptions carefully and map your skills to what the employers want. Some skills are a little less obvious. Do you think in 3D? (What are your spatial relations skills?) How quickly can you diagnose and critique a problem? (Do you have inductive reasoning capabilities?) Knowing your unique portfolio of aptitudes provides you with a foundation to help target your education, skill development and career.</P><P><B>2. Identify your interests. </B>Wouldn’t it be ideal if you could do what you love at work? Challenges to this proposition, which include not being very good at what you love and there being few prospects in the field you love, can make it tough to accomplish this goal. Hardin notes: “Doing what you love is one important piece of the career puzzle, but your interests are relative to your experience. Your interests evolve over time as you gain life experiences. They are important when considering a career, because they influence your choices and should direct how you apply your natural aptitudes.”</P><P><B>3. Find the opportunities. </B>The marketplace is constantly changing on an international, national and local level. Whether you are 18 or 50, before you focus on a particular career, it’s a good idea to assess the landscape and opportunities. “Is the tide coming in or out for a particular industry or occupation? You have a set of natural aptitudes and interests; it is your job to find out how best to apply them," Hardin says. "The job market is a moving target. If you are stagnant, it will hurt you.”</P><P>Don’t worry, you don’t need to get out your crystal ball or hone clairvoyant abilities to succeed. However, you do need to recognize when the world is changing. When you plan to invest in a career, take a long-term view. What does the job growth look like for a career 10 years from now, and what skills are required to compete? Keep your eyes open to trends, and read news in your industry. Ask people in fields that interest you what they believe to be the trends that will affect the industry and work.</P><P>Hardin suggests: “When doing your research, be sure to think globally, and try to understand how changing demographics and technology might affect your industry.” Position yourself to take advantage of opportunities as a result of new technology.</P><P>Awareness is a big step in the right career direction. Focus on your skills and how they fit the market that interests you, and you’ll be on a quicker path to job search success.</P><P><B>Miriam Salpeter</B>, owner of<B> </B>Keppie Careers, is often quoted in major media outlets for her job search and social media expertise. Author of three books and a sought-after speaker and coach, she leverages her extensive background and successes to teach job seekers and entrepreneurs how to easily use social media marketing<B> </B>to accomplish their career and business goals. Salpeter also provides strategic advice and support regarding interviewing, résumé writing and personal branding.<BR></P><br /><p><a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/08/13/3-keys-to-finding-your-perfect-career" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>

3 Keys to Finding Your Perfect Career

Jealous of people who are good at what they do and actually enjoy it, too? Follow their lead.Are you in the right job for you? If not, you aren't alone. According to Gallup’s 2013 State of the Americ…

16 Nov 2014

How to Leave Your Internship Like a Boss

Before you hit the exits, spend some time gathering feedback and saying thank you.</P><P>Ah, the thankless job of an intern: lots of hustle with little glory and even less (if any) payment. For your next gig, do you want to be a full-time, paid employee instead of an intern? Act like you already are. As you leave your internship, show the confidence to make connections, humility to say thank you and pride to finish your work strong. This maturity and professionalism will leave a lasting impression on your co-workers, who will remember your name when opportunities crop up in the future. </P><P>In essence: Act like the boss you want to be. Here's how:</P><P><B>Don't slack off. </B>Maybe you're giddy about returning to campus. Or if you're out of school, maybe you're distracted with finding your next job or internship. But showing decreased enthusiasm at the end of your internship, or worse – leaving assignments incomplete – is a major no-no. Plus, you really don't want to slack off as you ask your boss to write a letter of recommendation, says Lauren Berger, CEO of InternQueen.com, a website that connects young people with internships and career advice, and author of "Welcome to the Real World." "Until the end of the last day of that internship, you need to put 100 percent effort forward," she says.</P><P><B>[See: The Top 10 Intern Mistakes.]</B></P><P><B>Do something noteworthy.</B> Go out with a bang, says Diane Gottsman, national etiquette expert. She suggests creating a manual of your job responsibilities, along with a step-by-step workbook of your daily activities. This may help whoever inherits your duties and will leave a lasting impression with your boss, she says<STRIKE></STRIKE>, adding that you should make every effort to complete pending projects. Offer to answer questions about your duties after you've left, which Gottsman says will show your co-workers and boss that you genuinely care about the company and want everything to run smoothly.</P><P><B>Ask for feedback. </B>Exit evaluations are built into some internship programs, but if that's not the case for yours, have a 15-minute meeting with your boss before you leave. Ask about your performance and your strengths and weaknesses, suggests Yair Riemer, chief marketing officer at Internships.com. When discussing areas of improvement, thicken your skin and appreciate the value of the critique. "Constructive criticism is actually a good thing," Berger says. "It gives you something to work on, and it can help you really build your goals for your next professional experience." </P><P><B>Say thank you. </B>Berger suggests emailing co-workers to thank them for their involvement in your great internship experience. Provide your contact information, and snag their personal email addresses, in case they leave the company. Follow these emails with a handwritten note, which you should keep "short, sweet and to the point," she says. Thank them for their time, reference a special moment you shared and note that you'll be in touch. And then, of course, be in touch. Berger suggests shooting your colleagues a short note around the holidays and another in the spring, so they remember who you are and receive an update on your activities.</P><P><B>Express your interest in a future job (if you have such interest). </B>Don't assume this is a given. "You have to make sure your boss knows you want to work at that company," Berger says. "In a very polite and professional way, let the employer know that this is your dream job, and you're interested in pursuing a career at the company – if that's the case."</P><P><B>[See: The 25 Best Jobs of 2014.] </B></P><P><B>Secure a reference or two.</B> Listing references from this internship will show future employers that you were confident enough in your work to ask others to recommend you, Riemer says. But use some caution, he says, and confirm – don't assume – this person will happily vouch for you in the future. Always ask if he or she would feel comfortable serving as your reference first.</P><P><B>Ask for a letter of recommendation. </B>While a reference will speak on your behalf should a prospective employer call, a letter of recommendation is typically more useful for academic opportunities, like when applying to graduate schools, Riemer says. "I would really only save this for someone who you worked closely with," he says. "if it was a direct manager, and you worked with them everyday, and they told you were doing a good job and gave feedback, then I would definitely go for it."</P><P>The more time you can save this person as he or she composes your letter, the better. Send bullet points covering the work you've done or even a letter template, so he or she can fill in the gaps and sign it. Ask for the letter sooner rather than later, while you and your excellent achievements are fresh in the his or her mind. </P><P><B>Snag a LinkedIn endorsement. </B>While you're gathering affirmations of your hard work, make sure to get some LinkedIn love, too. Berger suggests first updating your profile to include your current internship. Then ask your boss to write a two- or three-sentence recommendation. Once again, the key is to make this task as quick and painless as possible for your boss. "Send them all the information," Berger says, mentioning hyperlinks and a sample recommendation. "So they have to make no more than like two or three clicks, and it's done." </P><P><B>[See: 16 Things You're Doing All Wrong on LinkedIn.]</B></P><P><B>After you leave, track your company.</B> Set up Google Alerts for your colleagues, company and company's clients, Berger suggests. That way you'll receive an email every time those names appear on the Web. Say the public relations firm you interned with works with Client Z, and you get an alert that Client Z was mentioned in The New York Times. Email your colleagues a congratulatory note on the client's good press. Or perhaps you're alerted when your former internship coordinator is promoted or quoted in a blog – another excuse to drop a line. Staying up to date "shows you're paying attention, you're doing your homework and still have great interest in the company," Berger says.</P><P><B>And finally, leave like a boss. </B>"Don't rush out of there in a hurry and leave like the building is on fire," Riemer says, pointing out that even if you're excited to go back to campus or begin new professional experiences, the internship shouldn't have just been a temp job or bullet on your résumé. The work you've done was, in part, to build a network. Leave your colleagues on a humble, thankful note. Gottsman adds, "before walking out the door, make one more round through the office and say a genuine goodbye. The extra effort will go a long way in building future goodwill."</P><br /><p><a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2014/08/12/how-to-leave-your-internship-like-a-boss" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View the original article here</a></p>

How to Leave Your Internship Like a Boss

Before you hit the exits, spend some time gathering feedback and saying thank you.Ah, the thankless job of an intern: lots of hustle with little glory and even less (if any) payment. For your next gi…

15 Nov 2014

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