Important Steps to Negotiating a Raise

Experts say that now is the time to ask for a raise. Employers are looking at their budgets and deciding how much they can spend. Although we’re well on our way to recession (we’re not technically there–at least not yet), it still may be time to pitch your worth to your employer. However, before you go in to ask the big question, a little preparation can go a long way. Prepare a List of Your Accomplishments Sometimes employers need a little reminding of how valuable you are to the company. Before you go in to convince your boss that you … Continue reading

Writing An Objective Statement On Your Resume

One of the most important parts of writing an effective resume is the objective statement. Simply listing your experience, doesn’t let your potential future employer know what your long term goals are. It also doesn’t let your employer know what type of position you’re looking for. Remember that when writing a resume first impressions count, and your objective statement is your first impression of your resume. An Objective Statement Should. . . * state what position you’re applying for * briefly summarize your main qualifications * use the company’s language when referring to the position and qualifications An Objective Statement … Continue reading

Is An Internship Really Worth It?

Internships, are generally unpaid positions (or they pay very little) doing necessary but menial work in a particular field. Generally they are offered college students. Despite their lack of pay, this is one invaluable experience that you shouldn’t pass up if given the opportunity. An Incredible Learning Opportunity Often internships give participants the chance to learn some incredibly interesting material. While it’s true that you may spend some time doing menial tasks, you’ll also spend some time learning the ins and outs of an office in your chosen career. Generally, people at an internship are open to questions and so … Continue reading

Trends to Watch in Careers

I think it’s always prudent to watch trends. It helps you see where something is going, (or not going) and it helps you predict possible patterns. I think it’s even more important to watch trends in your career. It’s the difference between advancing through your career and possibly stagnating in a career. So with that said, here are just a few trends to keep watching. The Rise of the Blue Collars Blue collar jobs are getting more and more respect and even college graduates might want to consider getting trade skills that are marketable once they finish college. Several things … Continue reading

Monday Morning Funnies: Mistakes to Avoid on Your Resume

Resume writing, or maybe it’s just writing in general, seems to be a lost art. It should go without saying that your resume should be free from grammatical, spelling and syntax errors. But apparently that’s not common sense. Here are a few mistakes to definitely avoid when presenting a resume. (These are taken from real resumes. I hope these applicants are not wondering why they didn’t get the job!) It’s all about the word choice! As a writer, I’m acutely aware that my word choice is a key element to my writing. Be succinct and to the point, but for … Continue reading

The Summer Job Market for Teens Looks Bleak

In just a few short months, school will be over for the summer and there will be a slew of teens and college students looking for work. But seasonal work this year might be hard to come by. In a survey released by SnagaJob.com (a website that features hourly rate jobs), most employers say they’re not hiring seasonal help this year. That makes for fewer jobs. Plus, experts agree that summer vacations, camps, and other activities that teens might normally enjoy are on the down swing this summer because of the recession. That leaves lots of available teens who might … Continue reading

Think You’re Dedicated to the Job? You’ve Got Nothing on This Man…

I was just reading a news story, and it made me laugh. Maybe that’s horrible of me (you’ll find out why in just a second) but I couldn’t help myself. It just seems like something I would do. A janitor in Poughkeepsie, New York, was mopping the floor on Friday night, the 23rd of February, when the door swung shut behind him. That wouldn’t be so bad, except the room was a “secure room,” meaning the door locked from the outside when it shut behind him. To top it all off, he left his cell phone in his coat pocket, … Continue reading

Should You Start a Direct Sales Blog?

I love blogging. In fact, I am addicted to it. I actually learned how to blog a little over a year ago and was hooked the moment I wrote my first post. As I was learning how to blog, I was also leading an direct sales organization of over three-hundred consultants. I spent much of my time dreaming of ways that I could use a blog to communicate with my downline teams, customers, potential recruits and hostesses. Unfortunately, my company had a policy which restricted any form of online advertising so I wasn’t able to put my ideas into action. … Continue reading

Insurance Careers: Entry Level

In the old days an “Entry Level” career position meant a person with a high school diploma could apply and expect a good chance for the opportunity to build a career from the bottom up. In the business world today “Entry Level” usually means after earning a college degree. This is true for the Business of Insurance, there are many careers that require a four-year college degree. However, there are still paths where talented and motivated high school graduates can work their way up. In the first part of this series, Insurance Careers I outlined the overall workforce and some … Continue reading

How to Make Your Sample Blogs Stand out from the Crowd

Yesterday, I talked about the first half of the required application: The topic you want to write about, and the ideas you have for covering that topic. Today, I want to cover the most important part of your application: The three sample blogs! Families.com hiring page specifies the following: 3. Samples – Please send three sample blog entries or articles with varying styles related to each of the proposed topics you are applying for. I think people have more hang-up about this part than any other part. Honestly, it’s just that simple: Three blogs that if you were working for … Continue reading