Stuck In A Career You Don’t Like? 5 Steps To Make A Successful Career Switch!
Making a career switch is never easy . . . especially if you’re dissatisfied with the one you’ve invested in. But it happens. And it’s better to be realistic than suffer from an unwanted career.
I remember a customer of mine a few years ago. He was very upset with his career choice. He realized after many years he had made a mistake. I asked him how he knew. He said, “Because I throw up Sunday night thinking about having to go back to my career on Monday morning.”
Fortunately, for most people, thinking about making a career switch isn’t quite so violent. But it can be distressing . . . especially if you’ve invested time and education in your career choice.
But, if you’ve come to the realization that what you’re doing right now just isn’t right for you, then it’s time to take some steps to make a career switch. So, here’s what you need to do.
1. Don’t act precipitously! If you’ve made a mistake, jumping into something just so you feel better or to avoid some pain is definitely not the way to go. Take your time to sort out your options.
2. You DO have options! But you’ll discover what they are only by doing your homework. You’ll discover that what you’ve got going for you will suggest some directions for you to pursue. But you have to be ready to think outside the box. Don’t rely on job descriptions to determine your career path.
3. The first piece of home work is to do a serious self-assessment. Take the time to make a list of your skills, capabilities and assets. Don’t think only in terms of your work history. And be sure to include strengths you’ve acquired outside the job, e.g. people skills, leadership experiences, organizational abilities, etc.
4. Match up your personal profile with the kind of jobs you’d be willing to entertain as part of a new career direction. Think in generic terms. Picture yourself doing jobs you would enjoy and find fulfilling. Do not think specifically about who would hire you.
5. Finally, identify the kind of work environments you would find satisfying. Stay away from naming specific companies. Rather focus on describing the kind of situations you would find most fulfilling, e.g. surroundings, attitudes, physical characteristics, managerial styles, etc.
Once again, you have options. There’s no one thing at this stage in your investigation that should be your ultimate career choice. In fact, you can’t make a real choice until you have options. So the result of your homework should be to deliberately come up with several optional career directions.
Like I said, making a career switch is never easy. But if you take your time and do it the right way, you’ll be gratified to discover there are probably several career directions you could take that make sense. Then, when it comes time to match your profile with specific job opportunities, you’ll be in the enviable position of selecting your next job rather than settling for it!
Paul Bowley manages EEI, the world-class pioneer in alternative job search techniques and innovative e-business strategies . . . since 1985. Check out THE WORLD’S FASTEST JOB SEARCH PLAN! And grab our stunning FREE REPORT! http://www.fastest-job-search.com
How To Become A Successful Freelance Translator
Tips On How To Become A Successful Freelance Translator
-Once you have graduated, you should first gain a few years practical experience in a translation firm. Often, a senior translator will act as your supervisor and will monitor your progress, by informing you about your strengths and weaknesses, while revising your translations. This will help you to acquire all the necessary skills and abilities that are required for you to become a freelance professional translator.
-If employment opportunities are not available, you can also apply for the post of an unpaid, “volunteer” trainee. Many translation agencies do not have the financial resources to hire new staff, but they are equipped to provide you with excellent training.
-After honing your skills in an established translation agency for a couple of years, you will be capable of identifying potential clients. You could sign a part-time contract, which will provide you with more time to identify clients and more importantly, enough money to survive on.
-Once you have been able to get sufficient freelance work to keep you busy through the week, you can also consider ending your employment contract and dedicating all of your extra time and effort to attracting new clients. Any experienced freelance translator can earn as much as or even more than most salaried, full-time translators.
Where To Look For Jobs?
-Translation Agencies: In general, most translation agencies are not too keen on hiring the services of new and inexperienced freelance translators. It takes a while for a freelancer to prove themselves. They need to prove that they can meet deadlines, provide a consistent level of good quality work and consult appropriate resources to deal efficiently with any required specialization. To reduce the risk of loss and to avoid related costs, most translation agencies only hire freelancers who have been exposed to a minimum of 2-3 years of experience in the business.
-Business Clients: In an attempt to directly identify the companies, freelance translators have found it increasingly difficult to find clients and get work. Most companies prefer to outsource translation services to their business partners. Companies look for translation agencies that can meet their requirements in a number of languages. Agencies are easily available and are capable of completing tasks and meeting deadlines.
The translation field is very competitive. However, if you are willing to take some time building your clientele, proving yourself and improving your language translation skills, you can build a successful career as a freelance translator.
Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solution’s Six Sigma Online ( http://www.sixsigmaonline.org ) offers online six
sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.
Teen Jobs . . . Where Do You Start? 5 Simple Guidelines!
Looking for teen jobs? Maybe summer work? Or after school?
The good news is that there’s a strong demand for teenagers who want to work hard. And good money to be made. But you’re not going to get it just by wishful thinking. In fact, you have to be prepared to work for it.
However, if you go about your teen jobs search the right way, you can dramatically move the odds in your favor by following some simple guidelines.
1. Look at many options. Don’t limit yourself to one particular job or one special employer. Go around to several businesses in your area and pick up employment applications. While you’re there, look around. Get a feel for the operation. Is it a place where you could feel comfortable working? What would your fellow workers be like?
2. Do some basic intelligence gathering. Get some information about the organization and what they’re looking for in a successful employee. Probably your best source of intelligence is to ask people who are currently working there.
3. Fill out all the applications correctly and neatly. Remember, this is the first exposure you’ll have to an employer. So you want it to be one that makes you look good. Speaking of looking good, dress neatly when you return the application. Ask to speak to the manager so he/she can put a live face to the written application. Being memorable helps a lot.
4. You pick the one that’s right for you. Not all applications will be accepted. But if you’ve approached several businesses, the chances are you’ll net two or three invitations to come in for an interview. It’s there that an employer will make a hiring decision about you. And when you’re picked, that’s the time to decide which opportunity is the best one for you. There’s nothing like having options!
5. Look and act like a pro! You get one shot at making an impression on an employer. When you meet face-to-face it’s make or break time. So dress neatly. Look the employer directly in the eyes with a smile. Have a firm handshake. Answer questions enthusiastically. And be sure to say that you’re honest, hard working and have a habit of showing up on time.
Look. Teen jobs are readily available these days. But only to those who can give the employer the reassurance that you will fit in as a productive member of the team. Only you can communicate that. Don’t presume that an employer will figure it out. You need to be assertive in promoting yourself.
For teen jobs, employers are looking for someone who’s trustworthy, on time, has reloiable transportation, a team player and eager to learn. Present yourself that way and you practically guarantee yourself a good job!
Paul Bowley manages EEI, the world-class pioneer in alternative job search techniques and innovative e-business strategies . . . since 1985. Check out THE WORLD’S FASTEST JOB SEARCH PLAN! And grab our stunning FREE REPORT! http://www.fastest-job-search.com
Heavy Equipment Training Programs
Machinery such as bulldozers, cranes, excavators, forklifts etc that are used for construction are considered as heavy equipment. Since they are large in size are use for heavy-duty work, those who operate the must be adequately trained and be highly skilled. Those who handle these are called heavy equipment operators.
Heavy equipment operators generally specialize in equipment like bulldozers, backhoes, graders, cranes, etc. They repair, operate, maintain, and adjust these machines. They need to learn about the mechanism of various types of gear like pedals, levers, switches, hydraulic controls, turn dials, and various other devices that are present in equipment.
The work of the heavy equipment operator includes the handling of mining equipment, excavation equipment, and material handling equipment, or road construction equipment to excavate, grade and landscape the earth, or to transport workers, materials and equipment. Like other professions, this career requires a certain level of education and training in special schools.
If you are interested in getting trained by enrolling into a heavy equipment training program, there are a variety of advanced levels of certificate programs provided by the National Association of Heavy Equipment Training Schools (NAHETS). These are the most comprehensive and innovative career programs designed for people who are interested in this field as a career. These programs offer fully accredited equipment career training for both new and veteran operators. After being certified, there are many job opportunities available in various industries like highway contractors, grading contractors, road contractors, housing development contractors, etc.
Many websites too offer some of the best on-line heavy equipment career training programs. The curriculum of the career training programs provide an overview to the heavy equipment industry, and train operators on the basic and advanced mechanisms involved in HE operations. The training is chiefly targeted at candidates looking for entry-level jobs. Many of the heavy equipment operator training courses are offered throughout the academic year, and can be taken to upgrade current skills, or fulfill degree and certificate requirements
Specialized training is also offered for a number of types of equipment. These include dump truck, tractor, scraper, wheel loader etc. Candidates learn how to safely and efficiently operate and maintain bulldozers, backhoes, excavators, wheel loaders, skid steers, forklifts, and so on. These training programs include acquiring expertise and knowledge in the basic operations of the equipments, as well as the safety precautions the operator must take. First aid certification is also given to the students. The duration of these programs are from 4 to 10 weeks, at the end of which the completion certification is awarded to the candidates.
After completing the course successfully, candidates will have the academic preparation and practical training required for jobs that can pay anywhere from $10 to $25, depending on the level of experience, expertise, and the employer.
According to the 2005 Occupational Outlook Handbook, the demand for construction equipment operators is expected to remain high right through to the year 2014. The handbook also reports that the average salary of construction equipment operators will be $17.00 per hour, but that highly skilled and experienced operators can earn over $29.34 per hour.
Become a Heavy Equipment Operator, with National Training. Check out our Heavy Equipment Graduates for real testimonials from regular people. Check out our website at http://www.earthmoverschool.com.
Network Engineering Jobs
Network sizes can range from a few hundred users to several thousand. Due to this growing need for networks, the field of network engineering is experiencing phenomenal growth.
Network Engineering
Network connectivity is vital for the emerging business world. Network engineering is essential in establishing and maintaining the network connectivity capability at universities, corporations and hospitals. It is a vast field that is a major part of the world of computers, telecommunication and radio technology.
Role Of Network Engineers
Network engineering in telecommunication includes the internetworking service components for switched networks and executing and developing software and hardware to meet the requirements. In the sphere of computers, network engineering deals with the development of software and hardware required to complete the computer design network purpose. In radio communication, network engineering is involved in the creation of network topologies. Its role in computing involves the building, maintenance and administration of computer networks.
This practice varies from company to company and frequently involves troubleshooting hardware and software and provides software support and system analysis and design. Generally, there are four types of computer networks: Wide Area Network or WAN, Local Area Network or LAN, Global Area Network or GAN and Metropolitan Area Network or MAN. Network engineers are expected to set up a network for the client. They work with the network manager to configure and design systems that manage and improve efficiency, to meet the business needs of the clients. The engineers are expected to be involved in daily administration of the installed system. The job activities that are involved in network engineering are:
- Setting up user accounts
- Issue of passwords and permission
- Maintenance of adequate security at the junction point of Internet and network
- Monitoring the network usage
- Installation and support for new software and hardware
- Implementation of preventive maintenance schedules
- Providing technical support to the end users
- Providing training on new systems
- Implementation and planning of future developments
- Working in coordination with other IT professionals
Qualifications For Network Engineering
The network engineer should possess good analytical and IT skills, the ability to prioritize the tasks, capacity and knowledge to explain the technical issues clearly, good interpersonal skills, excellent knowledge about networking technologies and the ability to remain updated with the latest developments. Network engineers should know how to use the basic network devices and they should have the required knowledge about the configuration and set up. There are job opportunities for network engineers in retail, finance, national and local government utility companies and health services.
Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solution’s Six Sigma Online ( http://www.sixsigmaonline.org ) offers online six
sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.