By simon elliot
Planning your career is a wholly worthwhile step to ensure your future happiness. Enjoying your work, the environment you work in and your duties is essential if you are to have a fulfilling career ahead. If you have a strong idea of the direction you would like your career to head in, it’s a good idea to take some time out in order to think through what will be needed to make your career plans flourish. The average working week in the UK lasts for 43.2 hours. As your work is a fundamental aspect of your life, the decisions you make will inevitably impact on your lifestyle and happiness, so forward-planning can only enrich your career, helping you to hit your personal targets. It’s wise to get started as soon as you have a concrete idea of where you would like to be in the future.There are numerous points to consider, from those that may seem trivial to those which are absolutely essential.
Enjoyment
Critical to your happiness is whether you enjoy of your job. Think about the elements of your employment which bring you the greatest satisfaction and which gain you the biggest plaudits. Is it possible to move into a similar role with a stronger focus on the elements you enjoy the most? Employers will generally prefer to play to your strengths rather than have you perform a job you’re unhappy doing. If you need experience in an area which you know you will find challenging and fun, mention it in an appraisal. This could result in an enriched and ultimately more satisfying role for you.
Industry Fit
The atmosphere and environment of offices from sector to sector can vary enormously. For example: a company in the media sector is more likely to have a more relaxed, dress-down environment than a City based brokers, simply because this industry demands a certain kind of behaviour. Different industries have different etiquette and it’s very important to ensure that you choose the right industry for you. You know your own personality better than any recruiter, so do some research on the kinds of environment that might suit you and ask your friends about the feeling in their offices.
Skills & Qualifications
When checking that your CV is up to date, have a look at the skills and qualifications you have listed. These are your personal assets and there is always room to build on your existing abilities. A ‘skills audit’ will allow you to see what might stand as a barrier to your progression. A skills audit involves breaking down all of your qualifications and past training as well as skills you have acquired through your day-to-day work. Putting them down on paper will enable you to see exactly which areas you can improve upon and where training will improve your chances of finding the role you desire. To step up from a junior role in any profession may require a qualification or some in-house training. Have a look online at the kinds of industry qualifications that are available in your sector and then take a look at the roles which demand them. You will probably notice that the salaries for those roles take a leap up upon qualification. Again, speak to your Manager about the possibility of your current workplace sponsoring your study. After all, your newfound skills are as much a benefit to them as to yourself.
Practical Work Experience
Many roles will list demonstrable work experience among the criteria in the job specification. If the criteria is impossible for you to match within your current role, think about where you might be able to gain the kind of experience that is being demanded. If this means a change of role, think carefully about your willingness to make the change. In some sectors, particularly in the creative field, unpaid work experience is unfortunately the only option. If you’re determined to succeed, it may be possible to save the money required or even take on part time work to ensure you gain a foothold in your desired area. Keep in mind that the financial stress of unpaid work can be quite a load to bear, so think also about the period of time you would be able to sustain such work.
Family and Lifestyle
It may not seem particularly relevant, but at some point your family status will affect the work you plan to do. A good example might be a role which would require a great deal of travel, as this could eventually affect your home life. Other aspects of your working life that may impact upon your family life might be the location of your workplace in relation to your family home - a long commute can become a source of anxiety for some. The hours you work will also make a difference to your presence at home, while your salary will obviously impact upon your family. Though it may seem far off, it’s wise to give this some thought before embarking on your new career path.
Long term goals
If you wish to retire comfortably and at a younger age than most, the planning you make early in your career will be pivotal to the enjoyment of your retirement years. Take some time to think about timescales and your long-term goals. When are they achievable by? What progress will you have to make to reach that kind of success?
Perhaps your aim is to own your own successful company by a certain age? Again, it’s necessary to consider what kind of capital you will require to finance this start-up; how you will gain that money; and where you will gain the skills to get that company up and running.Planning your career may seem a daunting prospect at first. Bear in mind that the plans you make now are flexible and are simply a way of ensuring that you get the best from yourself and make full use of the resources available to you. Remember that if you can plan for a successful future, it’s easier to make it happen.
This article is free for republishing - One link must be active. © 2008 Simon Dance
Witan Jardine are a leading recruitment agency in London specialising in accounting jobs in banking and recruitment consultant jobs in London .
Article Source: http://www.free-articles-zone.com
Showing posts with label extra work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label extra work. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Social Networking: 8 Ways to Use it to Get a Job
Author: Joanna Penn
Unemployment rates might be rising in some countries but there is always work out there for people who will apply themselves, be flexible and offer good value for their pay. Social networking is becoming more dominant as a force for change on the internet, so here are some tips for how to use it to get a job or extra work.
1) Build your online profile with the intention of using it for work. If you build a page at LinkedIn or other sites, make sure it is professional enough to be used as a resume. Once you have loaded your job history, become friends with former colleagues and get recommended for previous work. If you are straight out of college, have a profile anyway as it makes you look serious about getting work. If you have a blog or a separate website, make sure it is professional. Google yourself and see what comes up. You can direct potential employers to this information in your paper resume if necessary.
2) Keep your professional social networking separate from your personal. Profiles have public and private settings. Sites like Facebook may be for your friends and other sites might be your professional look, but both come up on search engines. Make sure you separate the two as professionalism still counts online.
3) Get friendly with recruiters. Many recruitment firms now have profiles on social networking sites like LinkedIn. Find recruitment agencies in your area of expertise and become friends with them. You can say that you are looking for work, and the recruiters will often post on the site with jobs.
4) Use job blogs and networks to improve your resume and skills. There is so much information online that you can use to improve your chances to get a job. Check out sites that help you improve your resume or interview skills, or those that recommend new job search sites.
5) Keep an eye on company blogs or press releases. Smaller, more tech savvy companies are using online press releases, blogs or their own social networks for recruitment. If people have joined their RSS feed, or signed up for their newsletter, that person is likely to have an interest in their services and may be looking for work. So become a joiner for those companies/groups you are interested in working for, and keep an eye out for work opportunities. If you become an active part of these communities, you could even ask the group if there are jobs available.
6) Work remotely. With fuel prices rocketing, if you can work from home as a freelancer, you have the chance to work for anyone in the world. Elance.com is a site that connects people looking for work to be done, and those who can perform it. People submit projects, and then companies/individuals submit bids on the project. Payment is through the site by credit card, Paypal or their escrow service. Providers are rated and you can discuss projects on private message boards. If you have skills that can be used remotely, this is a great place to start. Although it is not a social networking site, you can use your other networking profiles to direct people to your elance provider profile which shows your availability.
7) Use Second Life. In May, the first virtual job fair was held on Second Life with big companies like Microsoft and Sodexho recruiting and avatars attending for discussions with recruiters. You can also drop into one of the virtual company headquarters and drop off your resume in Second Life. Virtual interviews are followed up on the phone or in person, so it might be an option for the tech-savvy person who can use their avatar professionally.
8) Use sites to find people to approach in the real world. If you want to approach a specific company, but don’t know how to stand out from the pack of resumes, make sure you direct yours to the right person. Use social networks and blogs to find out who the best person to approach is, and then send them your resume directly. Many companies have this information online, and you will be able to find out more personal information from social networks.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/career-management-articles/social-networking-8-ways-to-use-it-to-get-a-job-449717.html
About the Author:
Joanna Penn is the author of “How to Enjoy Your Job”. Packed full of strategies, ideas and tips to help you enjoy your job and your life now!
Get your FREE e-workbook from http://www.HowToEnjoyYourJob.com
BLOG: http://www.HowToEnjoyYourJob.wordpress.com
Unemployment rates might be rising in some countries but there is always work out there for people who will apply themselves, be flexible and offer good value for their pay. Social networking is becoming more dominant as a force for change on the internet, so here are some tips for how to use it to get a job or extra work.
1) Build your online profile with the intention of using it for work. If you build a page at LinkedIn or other sites, make sure it is professional enough to be used as a resume. Once you have loaded your job history, become friends with former colleagues and get recommended for previous work. If you are straight out of college, have a profile anyway as it makes you look serious about getting work. If you have a blog or a separate website, make sure it is professional. Google yourself and see what comes up. You can direct potential employers to this information in your paper resume if necessary.
2) Keep your professional social networking separate from your personal. Profiles have public and private settings. Sites like Facebook may be for your friends and other sites might be your professional look, but both come up on search engines. Make sure you separate the two as professionalism still counts online.
3) Get friendly with recruiters. Many recruitment firms now have profiles on social networking sites like LinkedIn. Find recruitment agencies in your area of expertise and become friends with them. You can say that you are looking for work, and the recruiters will often post on the site with jobs.
4) Use job blogs and networks to improve your resume and skills. There is so much information online that you can use to improve your chances to get a job. Check out sites that help you improve your resume or interview skills, or those that recommend new job search sites.
5) Keep an eye on company blogs or press releases. Smaller, more tech savvy companies are using online press releases, blogs or their own social networks for recruitment. If people have joined their RSS feed, or signed up for their newsletter, that person is likely to have an interest in their services and may be looking for work. So become a joiner for those companies/groups you are interested in working for, and keep an eye out for work opportunities. If you become an active part of these communities, you could even ask the group if there are jobs available.
6) Work remotely. With fuel prices rocketing, if you can work from home as a freelancer, you have the chance to work for anyone in the world. Elance.com is a site that connects people looking for work to be done, and those who can perform it. People submit projects, and then companies/individuals submit bids on the project. Payment is through the site by credit card, Paypal or their escrow service. Providers are rated and you can discuss projects on private message boards. If you have skills that can be used remotely, this is a great place to start. Although it is not a social networking site, you can use your other networking profiles to direct people to your elance provider profile which shows your availability.
7) Use Second Life. In May, the first virtual job fair was held on Second Life with big companies like Microsoft and Sodexho recruiting and avatars attending for discussions with recruiters. You can also drop into one of the virtual company headquarters and drop off your resume in Second Life. Virtual interviews are followed up on the phone or in person, so it might be an option for the tech-savvy person who can use their avatar professionally.
8) Use sites to find people to approach in the real world. If you want to approach a specific company, but don’t know how to stand out from the pack of resumes, make sure you direct yours to the right person. Use social networks and blogs to find out who the best person to approach is, and then send them your resume directly. Many companies have this information online, and you will be able to find out more personal information from social networks.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/career-management-articles/social-networking-8-ways-to-use-it-to-get-a-job-449717.html
About the Author:
Joanna Penn is the author of “How to Enjoy Your Job”. Packed full of strategies, ideas and tips to help you enjoy your job and your life now!
Get your FREE e-workbook from http://www.HowToEnjoyYourJob.com
BLOG: http://www.HowToEnjoyYourJob.wordpress.com
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