What Are You Hoping for in 2012?

 

Are you ready for the new year? Are you ready to put 2011 behind you and move on to what is waiting for you in the new year? If you are as ready as I am to say goodbye to the old and prepare for a new and promising future, then I suggest that you begin to expect the best and HOPE for blessings to begin coming your way.

Hope—like faith—is the ability to expect and anticipate God’s blessings and goodness. For we are asked to believe in and hope for what we cannot see, what is not tangible, but what can occur and come into fruition. We are told in Hebrews 1:1 that “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” It is through faith and hope that we build a relationship with God that allows us to trust in and believe in His goodness; a relationship that instills in us the fact that without faith we have no hope, we have no promise for the future. 

So what can you do to begin your journey of hope for the new year? It’s simple—be hopeful, and expect doors to open for you. Expect that your life is in transition into new and exciting opportunities. Expect that 2012 is just the beginning of more blessings and promises that God has in store for your life. And that His plan can be all that you ever desired or imagined when you simply decide that faith and your relationship with Him can bring a new beginning. 

Small Town Girl Wins Big!

Wit, skill, and just plain know how it what Sophie Clark used to out smart and out maneuver her competition in this season’s finale of Survivor on CBS. Held in the South Pacific, the winner is a 22 year old medical student from Willsboro, NY. Clark states that "I think I had my finger on the pulse of the game the whole time," after it was announced she won.

 

While watching the finale, I was at first a little skeptical about the whole thing since I am not much of a reality TV fan but some friends talked me into it and soon I began to lighten up once they clued me in on some of the history behind the show. For example, the infamous Uncle Russell who has frequented the series often but never won is such an interesting character that he was interviewed during the finale. His nephew Brandon was one of the competitors who just happen to give his immunity to another player (Albert) that made it to the final three. That a huge mistake. 

 

Then there is Coach Wade. This season was his third attempt on the show. As the leader of his tribe, his big mistake was thinking that he could remain loyal to everyone. Guess what, he couldn’t, and that came back to haunt him when the jurors had to vote for the winner. Last be not least is the fan’s favorite Ozzy. Perhaps because Ozzy spent more time on Redemption Island than anyone else, he won more challenges than anyone else. He certainly increased his strength and endurance while he was there which made him a more challenging opponent. But all of his hard work paid off and he didn’t walk away empty handed. Fans rewarded him with the Fan’s Favorite prize of $100,000

Overall I must admit that the finale was exciting, exhilarating and so pleasant to watch a woman win Survivor. Go Sophie! You are the Sole Survivor.

Educated and Jobless

Not since WWII have young Americans faced such a troubling time when it comes to gaining employment. Sure, everyone is feeling the pinch all over, but our young and newly degreed professionals are finding themselves prepared for a career, but lacking the opportunity to spread their wings. 

A little less than half (45%) of consumers between the ages of 16 and 29 are unemployed, 25% of consumers between the ages of 25 and 34 are residing with their parents, and consumers under the age of 35 earn 68% less than consumers their age did 25 years ago. What adds to this dilemma is the cost of a higher education. Students graduating from college owe an average student loan debt of $24,000, which represents a staggering $829 million dollars in total student loan debt across our nation.

To read more about this debt crisis facing American youth, read the full article available at NPR.  

10 Tips for Making Your Resume Stand Out

Guest Post by James Adams 

 

If you are one of the 9.8% of people who are unemployed in the United States, then you need to spend some time making your resume stand out from the rest of the crowd. Employers receive mass amounts of resumes for every job opening and do not have time to thoroughly investigate each one. The goal of your resume should be to make yourself memorable. If you can capture the employer’s interest instantly, then you will have a better chance of getting an interview. Here are ten tips to help make your resume stand out.

 

 

 

1. Make Your Resume Relevant To the Job

In previous years, it was okay to have one general resume that outlined your career history and accomplishments. However, jobs are much more competitive now and employers are looking for those who are most qualified. When applying for a particular job, only include past jobs and acquired skills that are relevant to the position you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a manager position, don’t include your cleaning skills.

2. Include a Cover Letter

Employers don’t just want to know about your job history and skills; they want to know why you are interested in working for their company. Show them that you know what their company stands for by including a cover letter with your resume. Include why you would be a good asset to them and how you intend to improve their company.

3. Use Proper Keywords

If you are applying online, it is especially important to use the proper keywords. Online application services often weed out unqualified candidates by searching for keywords in their resume. If you do not use the correct language when writing your resume, it could cost you several job offers. Pay attention to what the company is looking for in an employee and include those keywords in your resume.

4. Keep Page Number to a Minimum

Resumes that are three or more pages long are often not looked through by employers unless you really caught their attention in the very beginning of it. It is exhausting after 100 resumes for a human resources representative to examine a three page resume. Keep your resume concise and try to keep it at one or two pages long. If you go over that, you better have some really flattering information on that third page.

5. Keep it Neat and Tidy

Employers are looking for candidates who know how to be professional and your resume is a good indication of that. Do not write in paragraphs because it does not look neat and no one is going to want to read it. Use bullet points to describe your job duties and accomplishments. Choose a font style and size that is easy to read and looks professional. The easier to find the information, the better, so make sure you have plenty of white space.

6. Include Most Important Information First

Whatever you want the employer to know first should be on the first half of the first page. If you have more than one page to your resume, the person viewing it will not look on the next page unless you have already captured their attention on the first page.

7. Highlight Your Accomplishments

When describing what you did for a previous job, don’t just list your job duties. List what you accomplished at that job. Employers want to know how well you performed at previous jobs, not just what you were required to do. This will help employers know what kind of potential you have.

8. Check for Spelling and Grammar

The worst mistake you could make on a resume is a spelling or grammar mistake. Having great communication skills is important to employers and if you can’t communicate the English language properly in your resume, they will just move on to the next. Make sure to proofread and spell check your resume.

9. Include Most Recent Career History

Employers typically like to know your past ten years of work experience. Anything before that is usually irrelevant. If you feel the need to include a job you had more than ten years ago, make sure it is very relevant to the job and is a job you accomplished a great deal in.

10. Include Volunteer Experience

Including volunteer experience in your resume shows employers that you value something other than money. It shows them that you work hard at everything you do and that you spend time doing things you care about. It also shows them that you have good character and excellent morals.

James is a researcher and writer at Cartridge Save where he reviews ink cartridges for a range of printers. When he isn't reviewing products, he enjoys writing about technology and design.

Count Your Blessings

Once a year we are reminded of all the things that we should be thankful for, the blessing that we have experienced and the gratefulness that we can acknowledge because of God’s goodness in our lives.

For some, it may be difficult if you are one of the many Americans who are faced with dealing with the impact of this recession. Perhaps you’re unemployed, or you are experiencing the backlash of the real estate crunch, or you are simply challenged to make ends meet. 

Regardless of what you may be experiencing, you could actually bring some joy back into your life if you took a moment to count your blessings, acknowledge what gifts and opportunities that have been presented to you and know that all things work out for good.

  

A Career as a Pharmacist?

Have you ever considered what could happen if a pharmacist was not available to fill your prescription at your local drugstore, or to recognize medication errors if you are taking multiple prescriptions?  This scenario could be a reality.  

Since the healthcare industry is one field that career experts have predicted to continue to be on the rise and in demand, a possible career choice that provides promise in this unstable employment market could be to become a pharmacist. Consumers are living longer and healthier lives, and pharmaceuticals are playing a major role in aiding to our longevity. The only concern is if there will be enough pharmacists to address our needs in the future.

Shortage of Pharmacist

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, hundreds of pharmacist positions are left unfilled every year, and 34% of facilities reported a consistent concern with unfilled pharmacist positions last year—even now, during a time when employment opportunities are scarce. If you have an interest in healthcare and specifically assisting others on their road to recovery, a pharmacist position might be worth pursuing.

Pharmacy graduates can expect a variety of possible career directions as well as four or five job offers upon graduation. Besides earning an annual average salary of $111,000, according to the U. S. Department of Labor Occupational Employment Statistics, pharmacists can choose from a wide variety of employment settings, from research laboratories to poison control centers to veterinary clinics.

States that offer the highest pharmacists salaries 

Specifically, mental health and substance abuse facilities pay pharmacists an average salary of $122,380.  Pharmacy consultants for scientific or technical positions in management can earn over $121,000. Some of the top states in terms of what pharmacists earn include Maine at $58.40 per hour or $121,400 a year; California at $57.12 or $118,000; Alaska, very close to California’s numbers; Alabama at $56.70 hourly or $118,000 yearly; and Vermont at $56.68 or $117,900. With such a positive earning potential and outlook for the future, a career as a pharmacist is certainly worth considering.

10 Questions to Dazzle Would-Be Employers

Guest Post from Kristyn Graham

Your suit is crisp - you look impressive. Your résumé is flawless - you seem great on paper. Now, for the last piece of the successful job search puzzle - "wowing" them at the interview.  How do you do it? Try asking questions. Besides showing your interest in the position and the company, asking questions gives you an active role in the interview and lets you steer the interview into areas where you shine.  To make sure your next interview is as smooth as your freshly pressed suit, try these 10 questions on for size:

1.      "What type of growth and advancement opportunities does this position and the company offer?"
This tells the interviewer that you have a long-term vision for your professional future and that you're not just looking for a paycheck; you're looking to secure a career.

2.      "How do you see me benefiting the company?"
Finding out why you were selected out of possibly hundreds of other candidates gives you a chance to expand on the qualities that caught their eye, further making the case for your hire.

3.      "What would my first project be if I'm hired?"
This will give you a specific idea of what you can expect when you walk into the office that first day after being hired. It also can give you a heads up as to what will be expected of you, allowing you to build on those attributes during the interview.

4.      "Are continuing education and professional training stressed?"
This shows your willingness to learn new skills and adapt to new challenges or initiatives.  Adaptability is very important in today's fickle economy and could be key to retaining your job in a reorganization.

5.      "Why did you choose this company?"
Hearing why a current employee opted to work at the firm can give you some insight into some of the strengths and opportunities within the organization.

6.      "What is the company's culture?"
This will reveal those "intangibles" of a company that have nothing to do with professional experience or required education. If you need a traditional, office/cube environment to stay focused and get the job done, a more creativity-driven workplace which allows music streaming from computers, nerf hoop tournaments and ultra flexible schedules may not be conducive to your productivity.

7.      "Who will evaluate me if I'm hired?"
Ask this question, and you'll discern the company and departmental structure under which you will be working. For instance, will you report directly to the vice president or will there be a succession of middle managers between you?

8.      "What exactly are the job responsibilities?"
Job ads usually list the general areas of responsibility for a position. It's always good to confirm what the actual duties will be. You don't want to start your new job as an engineer and find out you're responsible for the weekly doughnut run.

9.      "When will a decision be made on the successful candidate?"
Knowing this helps you determine the timing of your interview follow-up activities.

10.  "May I contact you if I have other questions?"
It's always good to wrap up the interview with this question. It keeps the door open for further communication, giving you one last chance to make your case.

Start your Job Search here with Careerjet

Following up on last week's post on real-world degrees and careers that are in demand now and will continue to be in demand in the future.

You can now start your job search here, whether you have an interest in the real-world jobs that were featured in last weeks post such as careers in the fields of IT, Business Administration, Health Care, Criminal Justice or Communications and Marketing.

The Careerjet database that is located on the left is literally filled with positions all over the world. What's stopping you? Start your job search NOW with Careerjet.

Top 5 College Degrees for the Real-World

Considering earning a college degree that will always be in demand? Then you may want to consider looking into one of the following degree options that can offer real-world, work-relevant value.

"Work based learning appears to be the best way for the majority of young people to prepare for the world of work," according to a Harvard Graduate School of Education 2011 study, which supports the concepts of a career-based approach.   

This type of learning goes hand in hand with how college students gain real-world skills and prepare for careers that are work relevant now and in the future. Listed below are the top 5 college degrees that analysts have predicted will be in demand.               

#1 Degree –Bachelor's in Information Technology (IT) & Information Systems

What’s consistent about technology is that it’s always changing and transforming our world by improving efficiency and solving business problems. Can you see yourself as part of these solutions? If so, as part of the real-world degree program, you can expect to study topics and gain practical experience that includes internet applications, network solutions, and operating systems. A degree in this field will launch your career as a web developer, software engineer, or business systems analyst.

#2 Degree – Bachelor's in Business Administration 

The National Association of Colleges and Employers report that 52% of employers will hire graduates with a four-year degree in business. If you know that you would enjoy working for corporate America then you should be thrilled about the prospects of your highly employable future. When considering potential career opportunities, the possibilities are endless. Employment in this field is vast and covers a wide range of opportunities. However, you just may want to consider expanding your niche and tailoring it to include various options just in case you don’t end up in the specific market that you were hoping for.       

#3 Degree – Bachelor’s Degree in Health Care

The need for health care and health related assistance has increased over the years as Americans and consumers globally have lived longer and more vibrant lives. Therefore the need for medical assistance and educated professionals will continue to be in demand. By studying real-world degree programs in this field, you'll gain skills in the classroom and in the lab that you can later use in a doctor's office or clinic. Some of the more popular careers that you can pursue with a bachelor’s degree in this field include dietitian, registered nurse, clinical laboratory technician, physician assistant, biological technician, and medical and health services manager.  

#4 Degree – Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement 

Earning an associate's degree in this field can open a few doors through studies as a paralegal. And according to the U.S. Department of Labor, this degree is becoming more popular to gain entry into this field. But if you have an interest in working on the state or federal level then a bachelor’s degree is needed and the monetary benefits will be well worth the additional two years in college. Typical careers with a bachelor’s degree include secret service agent, probation officer, bailiff, private investigator, warden, FBI agent, and legal assistant. 

#5 Degree – Bachelor's in Marketing/Communications 

According to the NACE 2010 Job Outlook report, each year employers are asked to rate the importance of certain skills and qualities when hiring possible job candidates, and each year without fail, “strong communication skills” are at the top of the list. 

If you are a college-bound student and communications and perhaps marketing is part of your career interest, you should strongly consider a four-year degree in this field. In addition to studying communications, you'll also take business-related courses that cover how basic business intersects with communication tools such as social media, public relations, advertising, and even sales.

25 Ways to Sabotage Your Job Search: After The Interview

Guest Post by Kristyn L. Graham

After the interview

21. Not sending a thank-you note

Interview etiquette extends beyond the goodbye handshake. Follow up with the interviewer by sending a thank-you note, either by e-mail or in the mail. Not only is it standard business practice, it's also common courtesy. 

22. Being over-aggressive in follow-up

Thanking the hiring manager for the interview is acceptable. You can even check in to see if a candidate's been hired if you were given a deadline for the decision. However, calling, e-mail or stopping by the office repeatedly is not persistent; it's annoying.

23. Not learning from your mistakes

Not every interview goes off without a hitch, so don't beat yourself up if you flubbed an answer or two. However, if you don't take the time to review each interview you go on, you're bound to repeat the same mistakes again and again. 

24. Forgetting where you've applied and interviewed

After a few weeks, you've applied at more than dozen places and probably interviewed with a few companies. Eventually it's harder to remember where you've sent a résumé or interviewed, and applying to the same place makes you look like an applicant who applies to any posting that pops up, not the best fit. 

25. Stopping your job search while you wait for a response

Even if your interview for the job of a lifetime went well, don't freeze your job hunt while you wait to hear back. For a variety of reasons you might not get the job, or you might stumble upon an even better opportunity. You don't have anything to lose by continuing the hunt.