Career Book Review - Conquer Job Search Barriers For a Great Job Interview and Career Success

Although technology mandates advanced methods for a job search that may not have been used 15 or 20 years ago, there are still some basic principles that remain timeless. Many books and resources agree on the proper attire, methods of answering questions, and other things critical for a successful job interview.

But one book, while written in the 1990s, still provides exceptional insights into overcoming barriers to employment. "No One is Unemployable," by Debra L. Angel & Elisabeth E. Harney, WorkNet Publications, Hacienda Heights, California, (1997), pp. 274, ISBN: 0-957057-0-6.

Job Clubs Help
Job clubs are a great way of transitioning through the stages of unemployment. As more job clubs are formed across the nation, job seekers have the opportunity of getting expert help with job search skills and practice their networking techniques on a regular basis. If you facilitate a job club, or if you are a job seeker looking for help with your next job, this book would be a good resource to use.

This book is written for the benefit of a job coach or career mentor, and how they can help candidates advance through a job search using suggested scenarios.

On the other hand, a job seeker can quickly find information pertinent to their unique situation, and how to conquer barriers to employment based on their individual circumstances.

Two Sides of a Problem
The authors outline a ten-step process for overcoming barriers to employment. A key element of this, after identifying the barrier, is understanding the candidate's perception of the barrier, as well as the employer's perception of the barrier. This factor, seeing a situation from both sides of the coin so to speak, is part of what makes this book such a great resource.

Half of the book includes an Encyclopedia of Barriers, arranged alphabetically, and how to conquer those barriers. The authors state, "The only barriers which cannot be solved are those which you do not take the time to address, or those which the candidate is unwilling to address."

Proactive Methods to Conquer Employment Barriers
In more than 150 pages of the book, this section identifies barriers to employment, the employer's concern as well as the candidate's concern with that barrier, suggests proactive methods to address the barrier, and cross-references other barriers of similar topics to learn from. There are also mini case studies of candidates' experiences in overcoming these barriers.

Through the use of examples, every type of situation from A to Z is discussed - candidates who are homeless, gang members, convicted felons, overqualified professionals, displaced homemakers, and more. It also addresses physical barriers, such as hygiene issues, disability, obesity, etc. The book also covers emotional, behavioral, and knowledge barriers.

The book also gives hints and tips for overcoming the barriers while developing resumes and other marketing documents, filling out application forms, and while preparing for a job interview.

While this book may be dated, according to the publication date, the information inside is not dated, and is pertinent to job candidates in just about any situation, even today.

By now I bet you are wondering what you need to change in your own resume in order to land a job in today's economy? Get FREE Instant Access to a video series at http://www.HowDoIGetHired.com/getvideo where you will get short, easy-to-understand videos outlining the components of a value-based resume, PLUS additional reports to help you in your job transition.
From Naomi Lolley - Helping You Stand Out In The Crowd During Your Job Search.

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Career Book Review - 101 Secrets To Career Success by Rashika Fernando - A Holistic Employment Model

Current U.S. unemployment reigns at roughly 9.5 percent, with at least 14 million jobless Americans. Statistics show approximately 5 applicants for every one available job. Economists predict a multi-year experience of higher than usual U.S. unemployment. Today's global marketplace is restructuring employment opportunities. It's challenging. Now, having the perfect resume and knowing the answers to "tough" interview questions no longer guarantees a job. Many who are working feel unfulfilled, desiring to change careers; yet hesitate for a variety of reasons. 

Following is the first of three articles summarizing "101" career books published by Course Technology. A different author highlights what it takes to achieve career success in the 21st century for each book. Here, it's businessman Rashika Fernando. His new book is entitled 101 Secrets To Career Success.

Fernando sports an impressive corporate career, working primarily in Global Finance. His message transcends the corporate world, addressing careers in general, whether you're employed or unemployed. "101 Secrets" offers a holistic approach to employment, integrating both your personal and professional presence. In today's marketplace, the more these two worlds converge, the happier you'll be. Fernando's 101 career secrets are dispersed among 17 succinctly written chapters, providing an expedient, enlightening read. Following are highlights from four chapters.

Purpose/Meaning. Fernando asks, "Why do you live and go to work?" Each one of us has a purpose in life, waiting to be discovered, he writes. Once we know our purpose in life, everything else falls into place. He believes our overall happiness includes these elements: 1. Be happy with the life that we have. 2. Ensure the continuation of life. This would include procreating, or aiding future generations by volunteering, adopting/sponsoring orphaned children, etc. 3. Enhance life by donating to causes, offering comforting words to someone facing a difficult challenge, etc.

Finding our purpose can be a long journey, unique to our being. Ultimately our career choices should make us happy while getting paid to do it. Combine a mission with your purpose; believe in it and execute it. To act on your purpose, you need a strategy. It allows you to connect high-level dreams into actionable plans. Career Success Secret: "Wanting to understand your life's purpose is the biggest step forward you can take towards success."

Career/Life Strategy. Arguably the best chapter in the book, "Strategizing Your Career and Life" emphasizes the importance of planning. Strategy is the approach you take to close the gap between where you are and where you want to be. It brings choices into action. There's no formula for strategy, as each of your goals is unique. We strategize every day on a simpler level (mapping out a travel route, daily To-Do lists, etc.) Achieving big dreams is difficult and complex. Strategy brings our dreams to the level of other day-to-day realities. While there's no strategy formula, there is a Strategic Planning Framework: Definition-write down the problem to solve and the goal, which serves as a reference point for planning. Data/Analysis-record what you already know about the problem or goal, analysis you've done, or any assumptions. Strategy-devise your approach to obtain the goal. Tactics/Resources- identifies the smallest details of your plan, Monitoring- review progress in your plan. Career Success Secret: "It is very important that you make a choice rather than hiding behind analysis."

Being Proactive. Proactive people actively participate and anticipate various diversions in their plans, influencing the change towards their goals. Being proactive creates better quality of results and better quality of life. Any quest for success will include competition. Anticipate and plan for inevitable competitive situations. On your journey towards success develop the ability to see what will happen in the next several years. "You can always see the signs of tomorrow today," says Fernando. Regarding the workforce, anticipate continual technological advancements. "Give up what you already know, to learn what you don't know." Career Success Secret: "Being proactive builds your confidence."

Networking. Our success depends on our relationships. To be successful, we need to learn the art of networking and feel comfortable doing it. Networking is essentially being a good friend to others. Our existing contacts and friends are our most powerful network we have. Networking provides friendship, emotional support and encouragement. Connecting with other people helps you realize your own accomplishments and the value that you add. The best reason to network is the wealth of opportunities it provides you. Career Success Secret: "Networking is a matching process whereby your strengths are matched with new opportunities, increasing your chances for success."

Amidst anemic job markets and media stories featuring the distress, we can only direct our own lives. If you're dissatisfied with your career or frustratingly unemployed, read "101 Secret's" Chapter 4: "Controlling Your Destiny." The global marketplace presents an evolving employment landscape. Old industries fade to reveal new career opportunities. Experiencing career success in today's marketplace requires a paradoxical selfishness. Only by engaging in relentless introspection (regardless of age), with a goal to integrate both your personal and professional being, can you best contribute to society. Fernando's holistic approach to career and life offers steadfast advice in today's tumultuous world.

Complement Fernando's message with Jay Miletsky's "101 Ways To Successfully Market Yourself," and Carol A. Silvis's "101 Ways To Make Yourself Indispensable at Work," to jump-start your career, whether employed, unemployed, seasoned or novice.

To view the Table of Contents for 101 Secrets To Career Success, visit http://rashikafernando.com/Book_Details.html.

Timothy Zaun is a blogger, speaker and freelance writer. Visit him online at http://timzaun.com/.

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Career Book Review - Have You Punched in Yet?

Looking to get a job and eventually move up in the world? Do you need to get experience or perhaps, just get a job even if it is a step down for you; under-employment? If so, wow, there is a great book I read mostly for fun, but as I read I felt I was there, and got a much better understanding of what the front-line employees in the US go through. The book I'd like to recommend to you is:

"Punching In - The Unauthorized Adventures of a Front Line Employee," by Alex Frankel, Collins Publishers, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, New York, NY (2007), pp 223, ISBN: 978-0-06-084966-5.

An interesting article to read which immediately made my memory recall upon reading this book was one I read in Quality Progress, an industry trade journal in November of 2007, beginning on page 55 titled; "Turning the Tables: Six Questions to Ask Your Interviewer," writer by Joe Conklin. In that article he suggests how to turn difficult questions during the hiring procedure into conversations which uplift your intellectual status, thus your value, while allowing you gain pre-employment intelligence.

The author of this book writes in a similar genre as the author of "Nickled and Dimed" but at a higher level of employment, namely rather than working at places like a 24hr. Waffle House, Walmart, or Gas Station mini-mart - the author of "Punching In" worked for UPS, Starbucks, Whole Foods, and sold iPods at the Apple Store, and also entered the well-known manager program for Enterprise Rent-a-Car.

Have you ever wondered the secret of how corporations turn their workforces into brand loyalists, and absolutely an army of productivity? Well, read this book, and learn about how to win in your career for both the company, the team, and yourself. This book is written extremely well, and the writer is pretty funny, and shows off his writing style with great stories. He also writes for Wired Magazine, so perhaps you've seen his pieces there.

Seriously, you have to read this book, it will totally enlighten you, and give you a better understanding of what it's like to work in a big corporation on the front-lines, companies with 1,000s of outlets and a specific way of doing things. As you read you will laugh, frown, and be disturbed, but you will definitely learns something, many things you probably didn't know and it will give you a much better understanding of the reality of jobs in America, especially at the retail level, you will be amazed.

Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank. Lance Winslow believes it's hard to write 20,000 articles; http://www.bloggingcontent.net/

Note: All of Lance Winslow's articles are written by him, not by Automated Software, any Computer Program, or Artificially Intelligent Software. None of his articles are outsourced, PLR Content or written by ghost writers.

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Book Review - Crisis-Proof Your Career

Some ideas are timeless and when it comes to your career it really doesn't matter that the book "Crisis-Proof Your Career" was written in the 1990s.  North America and many of the world's economies are leading employees to consider the risks and options that they have for the future.

Author, Peller Marion, Ed,., D. challenges the read to not only examine whether you are "endangered" in the workplace but also helps you helps you to identify factors and barriers that prevent you from doing well.  Then he offers strategies and information to help you implement a plan that is "crisis-proof" which you can use on a daily basis to reach success.

Ken Blanchard, coauthor of The One Minute Manager and writer of the Foreword states:  "A crisis-proof career gives you the flexibility, courage and personal security to survive and even prosper in hard times as well as good times.  Peller Marion's book can show you the way!"

This book not only provides you with information about how to become marketable, but also provides specific and practical worksheets and action plan templates that will help you to turn the knowledge into effective task lists.  He promotes networking, teaches resume basics and tips on how to get the most from an interview. 

Besides the outward behaviours and activities, Mr. Marion challenges the reader to deal with the inner self through nourishing of the spirit.  He also recommends techniques to achieve a positive frame of mind.

If you are concerned about your career and want to read about how to improve your situation, this book offers you good common sense as well as specific methods for moving into a situation where you can enjoy security and emotional health.  I highly recommend it.

And now I would like to invite you to claim your Free Instant Access to a complimentary list of 10 Steps to Making Your Life an Adventure when you visit http://www.lindahancockspeaks.com/

From Dr. Linda Hancock, Registered Psychologist and Registered Social Worker

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Career Book Review "101 Ways To Successfully Market Yourself" by Jay Miletsky

In today's marketplace, your career is 100 percent your responsibility, including marketing your strengths. Unfortunately, marketing can be maligned, especially when you're the product being marketed. Honest attempts can appear boastful, so we hesitate to do so. Yet, if people aren't aware of your strengths, how will they know when, where, and how to use them?

The best self-marketing centers around building relationships and having fun doing so. Successful self-marketing can, among other things, enhance your job search, promote your own company, grab a piece of the spotlight (i.e. become a thought leader/industry innovator), and make new friends.

Following is the second of three articles summarizing "101" career books published by Course Technology. A different author highlights what it takes to achieve professional success in the 21st century for each book. Here, it's businessman and marketing expert, Jason Miletsky. His new book is entitled 101 Ways To Successfully Market Yourself."

Miletsky is CEO and executive creative director for a leading marketing communications agency in New York City. He's a featured speaker for numerous companies and seminars and guest lectures for universities.

"101 Ways To Successfully Market Yourself," is a short read of 88 pages, long on self-marketing tips. You're bound to learn some new applications to advance your career. Use Miletsky's ideas to gauge how many techniques you currently incorporate to promote yourself, and decide which ones best suit your needs.

The book reads in three easy parts. The first is entitled, "27 MYM (Marketing Yourself Mandates);" and establishes the foundation of your self-promotional efforts. Miletsky's tips include:

Understand Your Personal Brand. Your personal brand is your personal reputation. It's key to successfully market yourself and sustain relevant long-term connections. People will decide to befriend or distance you based on your personality, sense of style, unique qualities, what and how you say it, commitment follow through and what you potentially bring to the table.

22. Do Something Specific to Stand Out. Accomplish something that separates you from the crowd, and you'll find yourself in more demand. Suggestions include write a book, or articles for popular print/online publications, record a series of Web videos, and hold a seminar.

27. Don't Give Up-It Won't Happen Overnight. "Marketing yourself is a process," says Miletsky. It takes time to meet new people and build a following. Persevere.

Part II is titled, "Make The Most of The Web." Miletsky emphasizes that to effectively market yourself today, you need to include the Web. "Social networking may die down a bit over time, but it's here to stay," he says. For space interest, Miletsky assumes you have a basic knowledge of the three big social networking sites: Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. If not, he advocates learning their attributes as soon as possible. Highlights include:

28. Make Social Networking Part of Your Daily Routine. Social networking does take time and effort. It can take a while before you see results. "This can be frustrating, because thanks to the speed of the Web, most people have lost their patience to allow things to happen over time," says Miletsky. Incorporate social networking into your daily routine, using the Big 3 sites. Send an e-mail blast once a month to your contacts. Inform them of your new blog posts and other information.

63. Get Your Name in a URL. Make sure you secure your name as a URL. It's good marketing for any of your online activities you engage in. Defensively it prevents someone else from cashing in on your name, as you become better known.

69. Broadcast What You Write. Get the URL for any blog post you write or comment you leave on someone else's blog (shorten the URL through bit.ly or some other shortening service). Broadcast it on Twitter, use it in LinkedIn conversations, and post it on relevant Facebook groups and your Facebook wall.

"There's Life Offline-Get Out and Meet Real People," is Miletsky's third message. Among his suggestions are:

78. Become a Regular. Frequent various places. Over time, people will recognize your face, making connections easier.

82. Seek Out Public Speaking Opportunities. Meet numerous people all at once. Be a featured speaker in a room full of people listening. Speakers command attention, are focal points for attendees; and many will want to befriend you afterwards.

101. Make Follow-Up a Ritual. Make sure you follow up with each new contact within 24 hours after your initial connection. Send a quick e-mail to remind new contacts who you are, how you met, and conversations had. Suggest a future meeting when you sense mutual benefits.

Six appendices enrich the book; with the first listing Miletsky's top 30 Twitter tools. "Twitter is one of the absolute best ways to get people to notice you," he says. Endorsements include:
Tweetdeck. Provides numerous columns to allow simultaneous monitoring of people you follow, tweets mentioning you, direct messages and any other keyword/group you choose. Twitterholic. Checks your relative ranking and graphs your followers over time. Nearby Tweets. Enhances local marketing by entering desired geographical location/keyword. Site shows the people within that radius that fit the description.

The " Who You Should Follow On Twitter" List is Appendix B, and details 31 active links to find good people to follow on the site. Included are:

25 SEO Gurus. 50 Users to Follow for Job Searching. Top 237 People to Follow on Twitter Who Will Follow You Back.

The most comprehensive appendix, titled, "Strategies for Success," specifies how to maximize your achievements at work. Its nine tips include "Visualize Success," and "Learn How to Advance within the Company;" which features 30 soul-searching questions pertaining to seeking a management position. Those queries include:

Are you decisive? Can you see yourself calmly and objectively handling crisis situations? Do you do your best work all the time?

Other appendices highlight LinkedIn groups, networking events and additional social networking sites.

Marketing yourself is no longer an option. To enjoy long-term career success, learn and hone a process that works for you; and have fun doing it.

Complement Miletsky's message with Rashika Fernando's "101 Career Success Tips," and Carol A. Silvis's "101 Ways To Make Yourself Indispensable at Work," to jump-start your career, whether employed, unemployed, seasoned or novice.

You can follow the author on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/jaymiletsky.

Timothy Zaun is a blogger, speaker and freelance writer. Visit him online at http://timzaun.com/.

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Can You Be a Career Renegade? A Blueprint For a Fulfilling Career That Pays the Bills

Get a pad and pen and sit down at your computer before you begin reading Career Renegade by Jonathan Fields [Broadway, 2009]. You'll want to jot down notes and visit websites while reading -- and Fields provides a lot of ideas and resources in this fast-reading, career-building guide.

What Do You Want to Do?

Fields begins by leading you through finding your passion, the activities that you love doing so much you get lost in them, and the people you need to surround yourself with to be successful.

How Will You Do It?

In the next section of the book, Fields lays out general career renegade paths you can follow or adapt to your own circumstances. Each path is highlighted with stories of real entrepreneurs who have created wonderful careers for themselves while finding their passions. He presents categories of people's needs and discusses ways to use those needs to build your new career.

In addition, he provides a treasure trove of research tools and ideas to help you ensure that you find the right niche for your passion. Finding the right niche is essential if you are to earn a living, not just pursue a beloved hobby.

How Will You Share It with the World?

Next, Fields discusses the social networking and traditional tools you will need to use to build a platform for your new career. He provides tips for using each medium to the greatest effect for your own needs. He also shares valuable etiquette that will help you ensure you don't alienate any of the people you need to surround yourself with as you build your brand.

How Will You Make It Work?

Finally, Fields shares his own story, his failures and successes. He highlights the importance of believing in what you are doing and of ensuring that the most important people in your life (your spouse, children, and close friends) also believe in you and your dream.

Fields provides tips for contacting and networking with influence makers so that you can learn from their expertise. 

He closes with a powerful statement that should become a mantra for anyone seeking to follow in Fields' footsteps and make their passion their new career: "I began to accept responsibility not only for my life to date, but for the process of making it come alive from that moment forward."

Career Renegade: How to Make a Great Living Doing What You Love is a new breed of career discovery and business book - and it is useful to those looking for a career shift and those looking to start their own business. Career Renegade is highly individual and depends heavily on the interactive participation of its readers. You have to work the book to make it work for you.

Jennifer Roland is a an experienced writer and editor living in the Portland, Oregon, area. Her nonfiction covers such areas as educational technology, personal finance, entertainment, pets, and health and fitness. She also writes fiction, mainly paranormal and contemporary romances.

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Back on The Career Track - Book Review

Are you among the growing number of moms returning to work after leaving paid employment to care for your family? Maybe your youngest child is learning to walk, starting kindergarten, or leaving for college. You may be yearning for the rewards of your former career, feeling the isolation of your "empty nest" or in need of more household income.

Women return to work for a variety of reasons, but they all face similar challenges that can be minimized with smart planning.

Back on the Career Track - A Guide for Stay at Home Moms Who Want to Return to Work by Carol Fishman Cohen and Vivian Steir Rabin is a very good road map for women who have left paid employment to raise a family and are considering a return to work. In this book, the authors lay out an effective plan for stay at home moms who want to return to work. They are realistic about the challenges moms returning to work will face, and they provide effective tips for protecting your career while you are out of full time employment.

I've worked with plenty of relaunching moms and have found that when moms return to work, they have more success in reestablishing a career when they have found a way to stay connected to their former colleagues, their industry and developments in work related technology while they were at home with their kids. Back on the Career Track is full of tips for stay at home moms who want to maintain or reestablish professional connections, and for that reason, smart stay at home moms will benefit from implementing the tips in this book even before they are ready to return to work.

The book is remarkably thorough and addresses:

Fears and insecurities that stay at home moms often face when relaunching a career Realistic career considerations and options when moms return to work Typical challenges that arise from employment history gaps Changes in family and social dynamics when stay at home parents return to work Societal and employer views on relaunching moms

Although I'm a big fan of this book, there are two shortcomings in Back on the Career Track. The first is the fact that the authors have chosen to focus on college educated women who established high level, elite careers prior to starting families. The choice to use primarily doctors, lawyers and MBA graduates in the examples in the book is unfortunate.

The excellent advice in this book applies to all stay at home moms who may want to return to the workforce, not just women who left high level careers. If you are not a doctor or a lawyer or you don't hold an MBA, you can definitely benefit from the strategies in this book, but you'll have to remind yourself that all of the tips apply to any stay at home mom from any field of work.

The second shortcoming in the book is in the resume examples in the resources section. Addressing employment history gaps on resumes is an important issue for stay at home moms returning to work. The gaps in the sample resumes in this book are absolutely glaring. There are simple, effective strategies to minimize gaps on your resume while maintaining credibility with employers; those strategies have not been used in the examples here.

Go ahead and apply any and all of the other strategies for returning to work that are outlined in the book; the advice is excellent. When it comes time to write your resume, however, I'd recommend consulting another source for effective tips on minimizing gaps in your work history.

Back on the Career Track is a wonderful, much needed resource for moms returning to work. There is plenty of advice that you can apply well before you are ready to relaunch your career, so this book is a great read for women who are just leaving paid employment to become stay at home moms as well as those who are ready to return to the workforce. The authors do a great job of balancing honesty about the challenges of relaunching a career with the optimism that returning to work is absolutely achievable.

Stay at home moms returning to work can relaunch their careers. I've worked with plenty of moms from all walks of life who achieved this goal. Successful relaunching does take commitment, work and planning, and Back on the Career Track will show you how to do the work to make it happen.

Lisa McGrimmon publishes http://www.careerchoiceguide.com/ a career management and job search resource. To find out how parents returning to work can minimize gaps in their work history, visit http://www.careerchoiceguide.com/parents-returning-to-work.html

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"Getting From College to Career" - Book Review

I just finished reading "Getting from College to Career" from Lindsey Pollak. As a career consultant, author and owner of a job board that focuses on jobs for high school and college students, I have read almost every book in this niche. In my opinion this book ranks among the best in the after college niche. The author stresses three themes throughout the book, she encourage entry level job seekers to be smarter, faster, and better.

What I like most about the book is that the author really stresses the importance of attitude. I have seen this time and time again in my experiences with young job seekers. If you have a great attitude you are destined to achieve and if you are miserable and have a negative attitude it will be very difficult to land a job. I also like how the author emphasizes the networking portion of the job finding phase. I like when she says that networking is not about who you know, it is about who knows you. Her advice to students to set up a linked in account and make sure that their MySpace and Facebook pages are sanitized for employers is great relevant advice to students.

My major criticism is that some of the information is rather basic and seems like she added some fluff at times to fill some pages.

In closing, I would recommend this book to all college students that are close to graduating. The book is up to date and provides a lot of relevant tips and suggestions that should help you land your first job out of college.

Dan Keller is the CEO of the popular Teen Job site called TeenJobScene.com. He also runs several Teen Forums [http://www.teenmovement.com/]

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Career Book Review - 101 Ways To Make Yourself Indispensable at Work by Carol A Silvis

Today's workplace continues to evolve, becoming more mobile and individualized. Employers are looking for savvy professionals with a can-do attitude, determination and motivation to meet their needs. Tighter job markets require you to have a plan for career accomplishments.

Following is the last of three articles summarizing "101" career books published by Course Technology. A different author highlights what it takes to achieve professional success in the 21st century for each book. Here, it's businesswoman and educator, Carol A. Silvis. Her book is entitled 101 Ways To Make Yourself Indispensable at Work.

For over two decades, Silvis has trained adults in how to get a job, keep and enjoy it and get ahead. She has a master's degree in Adult Education and is an associate director and department chair at a prominent business institute. She also gives talks and workshops to organizations on a variety of business topics.

Opening, Silvis lists all 101 ways to make yourself indispensable at work, for easy reference. Nine chapters categorize her tips with their succinct, important message.

Chapter 1 is entitled "Surpass the Competition." Among its eight pointers are:

Gain a Competitive Edge. You need a competitive edge to keep your job and earn a promotion in a tough economy. If you're not getting the results you'd like from your job, consider your output. Do you stand out among company employees in a positive way? Do you need to make any changes in your behavior, work habits, and productivity to become an outstanding employee?Be Self-Reliant. Self-reliant employees free up the boss so they can tend to other matters. Once you're trained, know your duties, and how to complete them, do the work with minimal supervision. Trust your own judgment and skills. "Having the ability to work independently sets you up for promotions by demonstrating your self-reliance and confidence," says Silvis.

"Build Positive Work Habits" is Chapter 4. Here, sixteen tips comprise its message.

They include:

Give a Good Day's Work. While you are at work, do your work, and give it your full attention and effort. Complete assigned tasks with efficiency, accuracy and expediency. Observe others who do similar jobs and compare your productivity to theirs. Is there a way to measure your output against workers in similar jobs? Do you accomplish more than they do? Are you as accurate as they are? There will be days you may feel tired, irritable, or bored. The professional moves past these feelings to continue performing his job to the best of his ability.Do Not Complain. Enthusiasm is contagious; unfortunately, so is complaining. If you do have a legitimate problem or complaint, you should try to propose a solution when you bring it to the attention of someone who can do something about it. Avoid constant complainer mode by searching for the positive aspect of any given situation. Fear of layoffs or company closings during economic downturns can place undue stress on employees who are concerned about keeping their jobs. Negative comments and complaints only heighten the anxiety and worsen the situation. Therefore, it is critically important to maintain a positive, upbeat attitude.

Jay Miletsky, author of "101 Ways To Successfully Market Yourself," credits Silvis's Chapter 8; "Strategies for Success," which he uses in its entirety as Appendix F. Key tips include:

Learn How to Advance within the Company.Be a Representative for Excellence.

Chapter 9 concludes the book and is titled "Have a Plan." Its eight tips include:

Set Personal Goals. What do you want to accomplish in your life? What is your motivation for what you want? Without clearly defined goals, your path of success will be uncertain. Set short-term goals that start from the day you create them through the first year or two, and set long-term goals that cover from five years through your entire lifetime. Set the bar higher than where you are now and surpass what you have already achieved. When you set personal goals that work toward increasing your job satisfaction and advancement, be sure they align with your career aspirations.Be Aware of Office Politics. Anywhere people gather together, politics will come into play, which is especially true of the workplace. It is the way people interact. "Many people try to avoid "playing office politics," but it is nearly impossible to do it, because they are dealing with people," says Silvis. There is a good and bad side to office politics. To stay on the "good side" be sincere, honest, reliable, helpful and agreeable.

Exercises and self-evaluation forms throughout the book promote critical thinking, stimulate creativity and identify areas where improvement will enhance your career success.

With 101 tips, it's inevitable that you'll see your own work behaviors reflected, both good and bad. Read Silvis's book, and you'll finish with a renewed perspective on the workplace and your role in it.

"101 Ways To Make Yourself Indispensable at Work"" is an invaluable read for both novice and veteran workers. Conjoined with Course Technology's "101 Secrets To Career Success," by Rashika Fernando, and "101 Ways To Successfully Market Yourself," by Jay Miletsky, they make an influential triad of career-based reading. One or all three books would make great gifts during the approaching holidays, birthdays or graduations.

Employers could benefit by bulk purchasing Silvis's text for employee distribution. Or, consider starting a business book library/book talk at work, and include Silvis's text in the collection. Open discussion among workers could spark a rejuvenated awareness and approach to the workplace.

Challenging times or not, "101 Ways To Make Yourself Indispensable at Work," emphasizes the workplace agreement to be compensated for an honest day's work.

To view all Course Technology books, including Professional, Technical and Reference, visit http://courseptr.com/.

Timothy Zaun is a blogger, speaker and freelance writer. Visit him online at http://timzaun.com/.

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Career Book Review: Job Searching After 50 by Carol Silvis - A Mature Worker's Competitive Advantage

Long-term unemployment is recognized as any individual who has been jobless for six months or longer. Currently, 5.8 million Americans define that category; and among them, are many people over the age of 50. Older adults face unique challenges when seeking employment.

Course Technology publishes a variety of Professional, Reference and Technology titles. One of its current releases is Job Hunting After 50 by Carol A. Silvis.

Silvis has a master's degree in Adult Education and is an assistant director and department chair at a Pennsylvania business institute. She also presents workshops and seminars for schools, businesses and professional organizations.

Eight chapters comprise Silvis's message. Following are highlights from each topic to help jumpstart your job search as a mature worker:

Skills and Qualifications

The job search process begins by matching your unique abilities with a company that needs them. Define your purpose for working. Whether it's full or part-time will guide your employment pursuits. Shift the focus from your age to how your workplace, transferable and life skills meet the needs of the employer. Consider too, your personal traits, like energetic and forward thinking, vs. the old-fashioned ways of a mature worker. Share only relevant abilities vs. listing every duty you've done over your 30-year career span. Too much experience can shun an employer. This is the age of lifelong learning. Keep your skills current by attending classes, workshops, earning a degree or certification, participating in online webinars, etc.

Resumes and Cover Letters

No career assessment would be complete without attention to resumes and cover letters. For older workers, key elements to a successful approach include:

Accomplishments vs. Duties. Highlight your unique value-added accomplishments at companies you worked for, vs. mere duties.Contact Information. Provide any links to your professional online presence, including blogs and/or websites.Digital Resumes. Write a targeted resume for each desired position. Use industry-specific keywords to help with search engine optimization (SEO), to increase the odds of being read by a person.Education and Training. If you earned your degree more than 20 years ago, omit your graduation date.Qualifications Summary vs. Objective. A qualifications summary highlights your major accomplishments, skills, education and personal traits. It's a brief paragraph or bulleted list that employers can easily scan; and provides more insight than an objective.

Always include a well-written cover letter. It increases your odds of grabbing an employer's attention; and provides an opportunity to expand on information not resume appropriate, including salary history.

Technology

Today, computer skills are essential, both in the workplace and during your job search. Increasingly, employers require such abilities for hire; and many available jobs are now posted exclusively online. Research a company's website to determine its key players. Use industry-related key words in online applications, cover letters and resumes. "This is not the time to say you are too old to use technology or have no use for it," says Silvis.

Now, social networking is a necessary component of your job search. Maintain a professional presence on the big three platforms: Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. Many employers use these sites as recruitment tools; and mastering them can increase your odds of being discovered for industry-related positions.

Networking

Networking is a ubiquitous word; and its need is often downplayed, especially regarding mature workers. "Creating a solid support system is important for job seekers, especially as they age," says Silvis. It's challenging to conduct job searches in a healthy economy and even tougher in an anemic one.

Build and nurture long-term relationships; and you're networking. It's also a two-way process. Before constructing a contact list, define your networking goals. The most successful network includes a mix of both personal and professional contacts. Consider everyone you know, including your dentist, hair stylist, Post Office clerk, etc. Choose enthusiastic, optimistic people. Finding a job is often a numbers game; and it's never too late to begin or resume networking.

Attitude, Appearance and Energy

It's not easy to maintain a positive attitude when you experience a job loss before you're ready to retire; but you must, especially as a mature worker.

It's hard to hear that your appearance needs updated, but it may be a roadblock in your job search. Comb-overs on balding men, and outdated hairstyles can convey antiquated skills as well. Consider doing a makeover at a department store or salon. It will not only enhance your appearance but boost your self-confidence too.

Employers seek candidates who will fit in and bring positive energy to the workplace.

Mistakes Job Seekers Over 50 Make

Failing to Get Along with Other Generations. Today's workplace is multi-generational, with as many as four different generations working together. As a mature worker, you must ask yourself how you'd feel being interviewed by someone your children's or grandchildren's age? Could you interact as a colleague instead of a parent figure?Unwillingness to Change. A younger interviewer may be concerned that an older worker is stuck in their comfort zone; and resists change. Expand and consider how your skills can be industry-transcendent, if your former field is extinct.Being Overqualified. "Having too much baggage, even in the form of experience, should not be mentioned," says Silvis. Focus on specific skills and accomplishments, not your previous titles, which can make you seem overqualified."Not Embracing Technology. Make sure you're current in the software programs employers are requiring in want ads and job descriptions.Lack of Enthusiasm. You must convey your enthusiasm and eagerness to land the job through your mannerisms and words. Express your anticipation.

Who's Hiring?

Job seekers over 50 may be surprised at the number of their seldom-considered employment options. They include:

Adjunct or Full-Time Teacher/Tutor. Teaching is a wonderful opportunity, for you as an older worker, to convey your expertise to younger generations.Entrepreneurship. Launch a business of your own, utilizing your niche skills and expertise.Government. Think out of the box with regards to government jobs. Consider Homeland Security, the IRS and U.S. and state transportation departments, parks and recreation, etc.

Instead of applying for traditional jobs, use your imagination and creative skills to land an exciting, enjoyable job in a fun environment, or create your own. "Sometimes a complete change of venue affords the most rewarding opportunities," says Silvis.

Creating a Success Plan

Statistically, mature workers endure a longer job search. Persevere. Be willing to put everything you have into your employment search, until successful. Set goals, write them down; and take consistent action to achieve those goals. Break major goals into secondary goals that serve as benchmarks toward your progress. Tie each secondary goal to action steps. Realize that setbacks are inevitable, but persist.

Expect to find the right position for you. Reinvent yourself, if necessary; and adapt to available jobs. Challenge yourself. Step out of your comfort zone; and try new things. Visualize success. Be constantly aware of what you're aiming to accomplish, and what it will like when realized it's realized.

No one will ever care more about your career and job search than you. Throughout Job Hunting Over 50, "Take Charge" summary boxes serve as signs of your career success accountability.

Finding employment in mid-life does have its own challenges; and Silvis shows us it's possible. Preparation, persistence and positivity are key. Many libraries and programs funded at the federal, state and local level, provide workshops on topics including Behavior-based interviewing and resumes. Make sure you're utilizing your community resources to gain a competitive advantage; and realize your employment goals.

Timothy Zaun is a blogger, speaker and freelance writer. Visit him online at http://timzaun.com/.

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Career Book Review - 101 Best Ways to Land a Job in Troubled Times

High unemployment and a tough job market are causing stress across the nation. Are you a job seeker wondering how you will land your next job, and whether it will be something that you will enjoy doing long-term?

A job transition doesn't have to be stressful, when you take the time to understand your dreams and goals, develop a plan, and stick with it for ultimate success. Not long ago, I had the opportunity of an exclusive interview with Jay Block, and his genuine concern for helping others was as evident in the interview as he writes about in this book:

"101 Best Ways to Land a Job in Troubled Time," by Jay Block, McGraw-Hill Publications, New York, New York, (2010), pp. 194, ISBN: 978-0-07166328-1.

The material in this book, written by best-selling author, Jay Block, is groundbreaking during this time of high unemployment during a tough job market. Jay interviewed and researched with experts across the nation when writing this book; and he discovered that most of what we know in the area of resumes and job search methods is ineffective and damages the future aspirations of job seekers!

He dedicates the book to all job seekers who have not given up on their dreams or settled for less than they can be; and inside the book he explains how to dream and achieve those dreams in their entire life, not just their career.

Jay's passion for really wanting to help people comes out clearly in this book, where he gives personal examples of the processes he completed in similar situations. The content is written to be informational as well as motivational, which is not something usually found in a career-transition book.

These strategic processes are outlined in five chapters of the book, in addition to his Introduction, which focuses on How Beliefs Affect Outcome.

The first chapter, Learning How to Ride the Emotional Roller-Coaster, helps job candidates recognize and manage their fears and emotions when adversity affects their world. Jay outlines ten principles for successfully obtaining a new job in troubled economies and four emotional channeling techniques to conquer the fearful, negative thoughts that job seekers typically have.

Other chapters address goal definition, writing and using the correct self-marketing tools, creating a meticulous action plan, and actually taking action.

Jay takes time to show examples of the correct marketing tools needed for today's job transition, which in and of itself makes the book valuable for a job seeker at any level. He also explains why a "chronological obituary" resume is detrimental during a job transition, and gives examples of resumes that are successful in today's economy.

By now I bet you are wondering what you need to change in your own resume in order to land a job in today's economy? Then I would like to invite you to claim your FREE Instant Access to a video series at http://www.HowDoIGetHired.com/getvideo

You'll get short, easy-to-understand videos outlining the components of a value-based resume, PLUS additional special reports to help you along your job transition and career advancement.
From Naomi Lolley - Helping You Stand Out In The Crowd During Your Job Search.

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Book Review - Help! Was That a Career Limiting Move?

Have you ever been passed over for a promotion, or not chosen for a job that you really wanted and were qualified to do? If so, it's a good idea to spend some time examining the factors that might be keeping you from achieving the career success that you want and feel you deserve.

In Help! Was That a Career Limiting Move?, human resources and career development experts Pamela J. Holland and Marjorie Brodie, CSP, CMC, PCC offer valuable suggestions for identifying and overcoming challenges that keep people from achieving their professional goals. If you think you're doing everything you need to do to get ahead, but just never seem to be recognized for your accomplishments, this book is a must-read for you.

This easy-to-read, interesting, and entertaining publication provides examples of the communication, professionalism, knowledge, and attitudinal pitfalls that often keep people from getting what they want in the workplace. Many people sabotage their ability to get ahead by engaging in unintentional behaviors that keep them from being seriously considered for promotion and new job opportunities.

This book is a great resource for helping readers step back and examine their actions in terms of how they are perceived by decision makers in the workplace. Some of the tips and suggestions are easy adjustments to make (such as keeping your shoes on in the workplace and wearing clean clothes to work), and others require a little more mental effort (like setting objectives and becoming recognized as someone who honors his or her commitments).

Book Review provided by Mary Gormandy White, training and career expert with Mobile Technical Institute and MTI Business Solutions (http://www.mobiletechwebsite.com/). Visit http://www.dailybizsolutions.com/ for small business marketing, PR, and operations advice, as well as an ongoing series of business book reviews. See http://www.dailycareerconnection.com/ for professional development tips and career advice.

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Book Review: Now What: A Young Persons Guide to Choosing the Perfect Career by Nicholas Lore

As a career consultant I try to read as many books on this topic as I can. I just finished reading Now What: A Young Persons Guide to Choosing the Perfect Career by Nicholas Lore. I had very high expectations going into this book based on the last book that I read from this author. I must say that I was not disappointed.

The first couple of chapters are pretty basic and kind of boring as the author describes various tests that college students can take to learn about their personality types and which careers they would be best suited for. The best part of the book is the tool kit that Lore provides. This allows the reader to become engaged and learn as they read. The book forces you to take action towards your career and actually provides encouragement and motivation along the way.

There were a couple of negatives though. The one thing that I did not like was the author plugs his testing and coaching services and at times I felt like I was reading a promotional piece for his business instead of a book that was supposed to inform and educate. The other negative was there was never any mention of the negative economy we are in and how that impacts people that are starting off in their career.

Overall, I do recommend this book for any high school or college student that is ready to start searching for a career. It is tough out there so the more you can read and prepare for the better off you will be.

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Before You Seek a Career in Marketing

The Art of Marketing a product, service, government agency, political candidate or non-profit group is not something that you learn over night and yet you have to get it right. Marketing is a tough sport and there are winners and losers, and market share at stake, that means profits and survival too. So, without further displacement of your time, I would like to take this opportunity to recommend a couple of books to you:

"Marketing Warfare" by Al Ries and Jack Trout. 1986.

Filled with interesting quotes and abbreviated case studies, where the author attempts to find correlations to match his premise. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not. I liken this book to "What would Machiavelli Do?" which was more of a tongue and cheek book. This book is meant to be serious and it does make you think. I do not think I would recommend it to anyone, I felt it was a hastily written book and an attempt to appeal to the warrior type small business man. He puts examples of real warfare Karl von Clausewitz style to the burger wars, automobile wars, cola wars, beer wars and computer wars.

"Dynamic Management in Marketing" by Ralph S. Alexander and Thomas L. Berg. 1965.

Real academic and time tested business advice throughout this reference book. Part I and II are basic fundamentals such a marketing research, job descriptions of marketers, product management, product mix and studying the market. Part III has specific advice for retail and wholesale businesses on channel distribution, while Part IV discusses how to implement and design a real world marketing plan. Parts V and VI considers price points, marketing intelligence, marketing planning; and I am happy to report that Part VII is all about marketing ethics, which is so needed in the current modern day marketplace.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Blog Content Service. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance Winslow's Bio

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Career in Finance: What to Look For

After you graduate, the next step is to look for a stable job so that you can have a bright future. However, this is not an easy thing to do since there are several people, like you, are also searching for a job. If you are competent enough, you will surely find one that will best suit your degree and your chosen profession.

A career in finance is one of the most sought after job all over the world, especially those who have a degree related to this kind of field. There are several various firms that you can work for after your graduation. This is the main reason why you need to do a thorough research to discover some of the careers of the industry that catch your attention.

To give you a suggestion, some of the careers that you can have are sales and trading, private equity, investment banking, financial planning, corporate finance, commercial lending and commercial banking. If you do some thorough research in each category, it will be easy for you to extend your abilities that are needed to stand out in this field in the future.

A career in finance can take place if you have a degree in statistics, economics and math. However, since the market is extremely aggressive, you have to make yourself excel by gaining an MBA course afterward. You do not have to obtain one after several years of work because there are some people who are still studying even if they are old.

Aside from this, it is good to read some journals and join some seminars or become a member of a specialized association. You also need to be well informed of the newest developments and upsurge your set of connections because someone you know may find you a particular job you are looking for. On the other hand, for those who do not have any idea at all on what career in finance to practice, you can ask your professor or other people that have knowledge in this matter.

Definitely, they can tell you what sort of job is very much associated to your degree. If you know exactly what you are looking for, then this is the time to search for companies that will give you an appropriate work. If the company that you search does not have any positions available, you can leave your resume so that if there is an opening, they can contact you.

There are several people who are looking for a career in finance since there are many careers available out there. If you want to understand more about this topic, you can visit http://whatisthetrend.net./.

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Career Warfare - A Book Summary

It is a tough and competitive business environment you
live and it is getting more and more difficult to achieve
your goals. You have to stand out among your colleagues
and competitors. You have to work hard for career
advancement, and better compensation.

Whether you are a senior executive, an entrepreneur or
an employee, this book will show you the best way to
succeed, accomplish your personal and career goals,
outshine your competition and differentiate yourself
from the pack. David F. D'Alessandro shows you how to
stand out from the crowd by developing your own
"personal brand"; and provides valuable lessons in
the etiquette of reputation building.

What is Personal Brand?

You need to realize that success does not only come
from hard work and appropriately playing the part.
To be successful in business and in your career, you
must be able to distinguish yourself from the rest of
the pack - you need to develop, build and defend your
reputation.

Personal branding is a way you manage your career or
business. It is a way of communicating that makes you
different and special. By using these qualities you
can distinguish yourself from your peers so that you
can expand your success.

There are 10 rules you can follow for building a
successful personal brand and keeping it:

Rule 1: Try to Look Beyond Your Own Navel - The biggest
obstacle in building a positive personal brand is your
own ego. In order to develop an attractive personal
brand, you need to have self-respect and you need
to respect the people around you.

Rule 2: Like It or Not, Your Boss is the Coauthor of
Your Brand - You must realize and accept the fact that
early on in your career, your boss will reap most of
the rewards for ideas you give, money that you brought
in, etc. This is how the corporate world operates. Do
not fight the power structure. Instead learn how to
play and live by it.

Rule 3: Put Your Boss on the Couch - Not all bosses
will help you. It is best that you recognize what type
of personality your boss has so that you would realize
what advantages and disadvantages this person can
cause to your brand.

Rule 4: Learn Which One is the Pickle Fork - Good manners
are crucial in developing and enhancing your personal
brand. Manners are about consideration and respect,
knowledge and patience. Practice good business etiquette.

Rule 5: Kenny Rogers is Right - While it is important
for you to seize the opportunity to build your brand,
it is equally crucial to know what battles to take. Know
when to keep on fighting and when to move fold.

Rule 6: It's Always Show Time - You must realize that
reputations are not usually made by big events -
sometimes it is those big events that smear your brand.
What builds your reputation is your day-to-day
behavior in the business setting, such as how you deal
with people, how you make decisions, your work habits,
etc.

Rule 7: Make the Right Enemies - The best personal brands
include courtesy, fairness, tolerance, self-respect and
having good and proper manners. However, a small amount
of ruthlessness is good for your brand. Your reputation
will not suffer much if you fight your enemies,
but it will suffer if you lose your self-respect.

Rule 8: Try Not To Be Swallowed By the Bubble - Once you
are successful in building your brand and is rising in the
ranks, do not lose sight of the forest. Do not be too
full of yourself that you will be swallowed by success.
It is bad for your humanity, and bad for your career.

Rule 9: The Higher You Fly, the More You Will Be Shot
At - Everybody makes mistakes. The higher you are in the
ladder of success, the more likely that your mistakes
will be highlighted. Accept the fact that bad press comes
with prominence in any field.

Rule 10: Everybody Coulda Been a Contender; Make Sure You
Stay One - Set yourself to be distinct from your peers.
Since you are constantly being compared to your peers,
don't be afraid to offer something unique or distinctive.
Don't give up easily. Don't throw in the towel immediately
because of a setback or two. Learn from your mistakes and
turn it into an opportunity. Don't lie, cheat or
steal. Be cautious of the reputation you are building.

By: Regine P. Azurin

Regine Azurin is the President of BusinessSummaries.com, a company that provides business book summaries of the latest bestsellers for busy executives and entrepreneurs.

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Choosing and Succeeding in a Career That's Right For You

Many of us, the working people of today, tread on the ever winding road of our career path in blindfolds. We work, because let's face it, we have to but a vast percentage of the 20 to 40 hour employee population that hold steady jobs are extremely unhappy with the careers they currently hold. This is a factor for a number of reasons and believe it or not the main reason derives simply from the fact that individuals sometimes don't really know what it is that they want to do for a living. It doesn't even matter if you have a college degree. Thousands of adults hold degrees in fields that they aren't absolutely head over hills for. The fact is still argued that doing what you love and getting paid for it, is still for some American's, an American Dream.

So, how do you find the dream? How do you ignore the voice in your mind that pulls you to your current job as a receptionist each day because you "have" to go, and begin to listen to the voice in your heart that really wants to open that daycare center. You may love your job as a receptionist, but may have a longing to contribute to the care of school aged children. Or you could possibly not have a clue about what you want to do and the only thing you are sure of is, it isn't what you are doing right now.

What some of us have to realize is choosing the career path that is right for ourselves is the first step in true success. When you love what you are doing, it doesn't feel like work. People who are in fields that fit them, are said to be happier and healthier in life. Do you know anyone who is stressed out because they are unhappy at work? Men and Women who choose careers that fit their personality seem to strive harder to be number one in their fields and hold the potential to make a great financial living. They are more willing to put in those extra hours because they enjoy what they do! They enjoy making the difference.

Now let's discuss a few of the factors associated with embarking on your personal career path.

• Your personality

No two personalities are alike. There are many test out there in the internet world that help you narrow down the types of jobs you may excel at and enjoy, based on your personality. Many colleges give these tests to help students when choosing their majors. If you are in college and unsure about your career path, ask your counselor. Some employers give these tests before hiring to ensure a proper fit with the company. There are also a few books with great advice and/or a few self analyzed tests you can take at home. Some of my favorites; Discover What You're Best At, by Linda Gale, Zen and the Art of Making a Living, by Laurence G. Boldt, and Career Solutions For Creative People, by Dr. Ronda Ormont.

• Motivation

You want to work for yourself. You want to quit your full time job and work part time so you can go back to school to get that Accounting degree you've always wanted. You know you need a business plan, a better resume, or you need to move to a bigger city to submit those Movie Scripts you finished years ago. Why don't you? Lack of motivation or maybe fear of the unknown. There is nothing to be ashamed of when feeling this way. These two obstacles are almost expected when beginning on a new career path. Sometimes having friends and family telling you that you can do it isn't enough. I recommend these self help books for getting you motivated not only in your career choice, but in life; The Practical Dreamers Handbook, by Paul & Sarah Edwards, and Life Without Limits, by Lucinda Bassett.

• Follow Through

You may already have the degree and funding to be able to apply for that new job or to begin your entrepreneurship. If so, great! Now you have to follow through. You need to be able to compete with the others in your field without fear and hesitation. The best way to do this is to be prepared. Have a great business plan written, or revamp the Resume you haven't updated in a few years. Whatever you need to feel prepared, do it! That way while walking on your newly found path, you can feel more confident in each and every step you take. Seven Steps to Getting a Job Fast, by Michael Farr is great for helping you prepare for those interviews, and Business Plan Writer Deluxe, by Nova Development is an efficient software choice when writing your business plan.

If the average adult works for 40 hours a week for 40 years, they will have worked for 76,800 hours. That is a lot of hours away from your family and friends. Wouldn't it be a little better if those hours were spent doing your dream job? The first true step to take- is you believing you can do it!

For the past five years I have been working in the Human Resources Field, and I strongly believe in doing what you love for a living. Also, I have happily been in the Writing Business for most of my life and have started a writing business The Writers Emporium.

[http://genesiscompanypensacola.com/TheWritersEmporium.aspx]

Take a personality test for fun at http://www.humanmetrics.com/

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Facing A Career Transition - You Are Not Alone

Whenever I meet someone to discuss their career needs, it is not unusual for them to feel as if the career issues they face are unique. While the specifics are unique, facing a career transition is not.

How can I be so sure? Well, besides my years of experience in this area, there is also an author who writes about the stages of adult development which MUST include career/life transitions. The author is Gail Sheehy who has two books of interest: NEW PASSAGES and UNDERSTANDING MEN'S PASSAGES.

When I first read Gail's book, I was so relieved to know that it is natural to face these transitions - that we don't need to know what we want to be at age 20. Even if we did, we would face a time when we questioned this choice. This relief quickly ended when I faced my first career transition. Who would ever want to feel the distress of this time of questioning? YUCK!

Gail describes the natural stages of adult development: building stages and transition times. During building stages you feel energized and excited by your life and your career. Then, suddenly, without warning, you enter into a transition time. During this time you feel confused, anxious, distressed. Sometimes you know what caused the transition to occur, sometimes not. Being human, it is natural to want to get out of these transition times as quickly as possible. Who wants to feel the "YUCK"? We all want to feel the "GOOD STUFF" of being in a building stage. If, however, we don't take the opportunity to explore what the next steps need to be while we are in the transition time, we will keep bouncing back to the transition no matter how hard we try to push ourselves into a building stage. The result is to prolong the transition.

Most of us have never been taught how to move through this transition time. Most of us have never been taught how to create a career/life vision and plan. The worst time to learn this is during a transition time. Why? We need to add to the learning the management of emotions to ensure that we are not making choices based on emotion. However, again because we are human, it is usually during the time of transition that we have the need to learn the skills necessary to make a wise transition. The first step is to understand that this is a natural transition and that the emotions need not guide you. By using a process you can guide the emotions for more effective results. The second step is to find a process to develop a career/life vision and plan that uses your needs, wants and desires to direct the next steps of your life and your career. Using these two steps, you can manage the "YUCK" and lead your life to a new area of "GOOD STUFF".

Cheryl Leitschuh, Ed.D. is a coach and consultant creating environments of success for individuals, teams and organizatons.

Practice services include:
*Career Development assessment, retreats and coaching.
*Professional Practice Development coaching and assessment.
*Key leader development and assessment.
*Executive Coaching.
*Team Coaching.
*Performance Improvement Coaching and Assessment
*Speaking and training on key aspects of workplace development.
*Succession Planning.

For information on services and resources for individuals and organizations visit http://www.career-future.com/

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Make Money Online - Will the Kickstartcourse Really Kickstart Your Online Career?

Great name for an internet marketing course for beginner and intermediate marketeers or anyone looking to make money online! The Kickstartcourse from that dynamic duo Tony Shepherd and Sara Brown could be just the kickstart a lot of budding online businesses need, but will it really deliver?

If you are familiar with Tony and Sara's material already, and you like their style, then you won't be disappointed if what I've seen so far is anything to go by. I must give you fair warning though, I'm biased, because I do like their style and always enjoy their writing. So far, true to form, the Kickstartcourse has been entertaining, informative and straight to the point.

Everything you need to know to make money online and kickstart your online business is what's promised, in weekly installments over the course of a year.

You get a lesson in the form of a pdf report each week which gives you the exact details you need to get your business started from scratch with minimum outlay.

From choosing your product to getting your sales page and website up and running to driving traffic and making a consistent long term income from your business; each step is covered in easy to follow steps with no padding written in a style that makes it a pleasure to read even if you know how to do it already.

The one drawback for me I find is that I'm frustrated by the fact that I have to wait for each lesson. I would love to have the whole course in one giant ebook so that I could keep on going!

For someone who knows quite a bit of what's on offer in the early lessons it might be frustrating, as it is for me, to have to wait. But even so, there are gold nuggets in there that even fairly experienced internet marketeers will be glad to find. Plus, you would learn a lot about how to write your own content and be inspired to create more products yourself by their approach and their ideas.

You will find yourself saying 'I wish I wrote this!' a lot!

And if you are a complete beginner this is a goldmine. I wish I had this kickstartcourse when I first got started - without any kick!

It's just that I hate waiting!

But I realise when I think about it that the weekly installment is a good idea. Each week you are given some tasks to get you further along the money making track, and each week you are reminded by the arrival of the next lesson to stay focussed. And you will be told at the start of each lesson what you should have accomplished by that stage. Just knowing you have to finish your homework before the next lesson is great to keep you working on what you need to do!

Chances are with one ebook, you would get all fired up, but lose your momentum after a while.

So my only complaint turns out to be a good thing too!

You can follow Steve's progress as he takes the Kickstartcourse on his blog at http://get-started-online.com/blog/kickstartcourse/

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Multiple Career Choices

Multiple Career Choices
Author: Devjit Bhuiyan
ISBN: 8122307795

An activity undertaken with a missionary spirit, backed by thorough research, by a person who is eminently qualified for the task, and executed with professional competence, cannot fail to achieve its objectives.

Devajit Bhuyan has authored a book, which is better described as a digest, in which he has meticulously explored and mapped the cavernous paths of the world of careers, which exist today.

The book is outstanding in that though the title is an innocuous - "Multiple Career Choices," and like many others of its kind, could be a matter-of-fact statement of uninspiring facts and figures, the author has offered a fascinating guided tour of the complex world which every young person must undertake, if he or she wishes to enter a profession or career, best suited to the aptitude, circumstances, aspirations, and capabilities which are unique to every individual.

"While choosing a career one must give due importance to personal values and opt for a profession that is more in sync with these. An overemphasis on money can only lead to short-term gains but long-term unhappiness with the extra money being spent on visiting doctors and psychiatrists. Therefore think wisely before opting for a career."
Devajit Bhuyan is imbued with the sense of concern exhibited by a parent, whose offspring is about to embark on the most important aspect of life - the choice of a career, which will enable the youngster to live a happy, healthy, profitable, and rewarding life, usefully employing the talents nature has gifted, and the education that has been provided.

He stresses the importance of having a mission, an aim, and a goal. A career should be by choice, not by chance, with awareness of one's SWOT Analysis - Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.

The author details nine career drivers - Material Rewards, Power and Influence, Search for Meaning, Expertise, Creativity, Affiliation, Autonomy, Security, and Status.

He emphasizes the value of * Benchmarking - finding and implementing the best practices, instead of reinventing the wheel and setting one's own standards.

The book details the best jobs of the 21st century, the changes in career preferences over the decades, the top 20 challenging jobs, and the factors to be kept in mind while choosing a career, e.g., Intelligence, Personality, Interest, Aptitudes, Physique, Gender, and Age.

It lists hundreds of career options available, the courses of education needed for them, the Colleges, Universities, Deemed Universities, and other institutions with details including the websites, Specialised Courses, Diploma Courses, Degree and Post Degree courses, and various branches of Engineering, Examinations and Tests.

It clarifies through a Question and Answer section, many needed facts about professions.

Professions gaining in importance, Optical Physics, Robotics, Micro Technology, Ocean Engineering, Nanotechnology, Safety Engineering, Financial Engineering, etc. are among those described.

Educational Consultants and Recruiting Agents, the criteria on how to choose a Computer Institute, and Registering for Admission Tests, are among the wealth of chapters in the book.

If your children or wards are entering the upper stage of secondary education, it is time for you to acquire the knowledge offered in this book. If they are already at the stage of having to choose a career, it is still not too late to "look before they leap."

It is better to spend time and efforts studying the vocational landscape, admirably portrayed in "Multiple Career Choices," than having our youngsters undergo a lifetime of regret and frustration.

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