Don't Quit Your Day Job! Why Turning Your Passion Into a Career May Sound Better Than it Is

By : Milly Welsh

As a child people would often ask me, "What do you want to do when you grow up?" Without hesitation I would state that I was going to be an artist. I wasn't specific about what type of artist I would be or what medium I would use. The only thing I knew is that no matter what, I was going to make a living creating artwork. Many people would point out to me the difficulty of this endeavor, but I never listened. I just knew that somehow I would figure it out.

As I wake up every morning, turn on my computer and stare at lines of code the irony is not lost on me. As a web developer I absolutely get to use my creativity and I even illustrate on occasion, but to be honest I spend more of my time writing code than anything else. My 6-year-old self might not approve but looking back I'm happy the way things turned out. Just because I don't make an income off creating works of art does not mean I have to give up my dream of becoming an artist. To the contrary there are many aspects made easier due to the fact that I have a day job.

After studying ceramics and animation at the School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago, I did have some opportunities to make money as an artist. I moved back to Maine and worked at Portland Pottery for a while. People began to approach me about making commissions. At first I thought, "This is great, I'm making money doing what I love." However, as time went on I began to get less and less excited about commissions. The problem I found was that the income wasn't steady enough to rely on and truthfully making things for other people isn't nearly as fun as making things just because I feel like it. For me, turning art into a job took all the enjoyment out of it.

I had an epiphany last year when I finally finished the soundtrack for an animation that I had created in college. I sent it off to a few film festivals just for fun, not thinking that I actually had a shot at getting in. Much to my surprise my film "Nature's Sweet Revenge" was accepted to the Atlanta Underground Film Festival! I was so excited that despite the fact that I was pregnant and I couldn't really afford to take a vacation down to Atlanta, I went anyway. It was a small festival. There were only about 25 people in the theater the night my film made its grand debut along side a dozen other animations that had been accepted to the festival. Regardless, seeing my film on the big screen gave me a sense of purpose and accomplishment that I hope everyone gets to have at least once in their lives.

I didn't win a prize or make any money at the festival. In fact, I put myself into considerable dept to be there. What I realized from this experience was that this is what it's all about! I don't make art to make money. I make art to be happy.

Maybe someday I'll get my big break and some works of art I create will catapult me into fame and fortune allowing me to spend all my time as an artist. Hey I can dream, right? Until then I'll happily develop websites to pay the bills and work on the art I feel like making in my spare time.

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Levering LinkedIn Connections in Your Job Search

By : Amanda Collins

Who doesn't love to talk about themselves? While it may seem self-serving, this little tidbit of knowledge may be the key to landing your next job through social media. It works particularly well on LinkedIn.

Imagine that you are targeting IBM for your next position as a Director of Marketing (this works with any position or company, by the way). LinkedIn allows you to search for people based on company, so head over to the advanced search engine and look for people who currently work at IBM in marketing. I found 370 in the U.S. who fit that category. Say you want to work in New York; that search garners 80 results. You want to shoot for the person who is at least one level above you, so I found Matt Preschern, the VP of Marketing at IBM. He is my second-level connection and he only has 144 total connections, so he's more likely to take a look when he gets an e-mail.

Since Matt is connected to me through two people, I can either ask for an introduction from one of them, I can connect with him on LinkedIn, or I can Google him to see if I can get his e-mail address. When I did Google him, up he came - with all of his contact information. So now I can go back to LinkedIn and put in his e-mail when I connect with him, so LinkedIn thinks I know him.

In that initial contact, what you say is very important. DO NOT ASK FOR A JOB!! I cannot stress this enough. You are on a fact-finding mission. Here's an example of what I might send Matt:

"Hi, Matt. I was looking through LinkedIn and came across your profile. I see that you're currently at IBM and have a depth of experience in the company. I'm fascinated with what you're doing over there, and I was hoping to connect and bend your ear for a few minutes to learn more. Perhaps we can set up a time for coffee / a phone call in the next week. I look forward to connecting and learning more about you."

Notice that no mention of job seeking was made. You are looking to learn more about him. Hopefully, Matt will be receptive to the e-mail and will return the favor. While you have him as a captive audience, do ask about what he's doing at IBM. What is their current marketing strategy? What goals do they have for the future? Where are they having challenges moving forward? Essentially, you are gathering information to set yourself up as the solutions provider!

After you've learned about Matt and his role at IBM, business etiquette suggests he will ask about you. That's when you tell him where you are. Provide solutions to what his current and future needs are, tell him you're currently researching opportunities in marketing and IBM is one of your target companies. Suggest that you're open to consulting positions or something more permanent. Since you've already showcased your value, you're now positioning yourself to be offered a job.

Now, I'm not saying this is 100% fool-proof and will result in a new job, but it can't hurt. At the very least, you will have made a new connection - and you have no idea who this person knows.

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Building a Solid Relationship on the New Job

By : D.P Brown

Now that you have landed that dream job, it is vital to keep it, right? That doesn't mean you should feel the need to be a 'brown-noser' or be constantly volunteering whenever the boss is looking for someone to take on additional tasks. What it does mean is to find common ground on which to forge a closer relationship with your boss and co-workers to strengthen the cohesiveness of the workplace. In so doing, the job at hand might not end up being so much work!

Once you have begun your new job, keep in mind that one of the reasons you were hired was because your employer took a liking to you. Otherwise, even with all your qualifications, you might not have gotten the job in the first place! It is now important to build on that first impression to maintain a positive atmosphere within the workplace. Following are three solid recommendations to building a lasting camaraderie with your co-workers.

1. Seek Common Ground
Ask yourself in what areas you may have something in common with your co-workers. Do your co-workers enjoy being active? Do you share a love for fine dining? Are you movie connoisseurs? Even though it is unlikely that you will share all things in common, discovering mutual likes or dislikes can build a bond.

2. Cultivate the Relationship
Once you have made common interest discoveries about your fellow employees, as well as your boss, continue to show interest in growing those relationships. Get together with a group of co-workers, along with your boss, at a favorite lunch spot. When you take the initiative suggesting doing something special with your co-workers, it will reflect positively on you as a colleague as well as a friend.

3. Prove Yourself Professionally
It isn't enough to simply be the 'life of the party'. In addition to establishing a personal relationship with the team, you must also prove yourself professionally. Even though your co-workers or immediate superior may be easy to socialize with, those further up the chain of command may be either too busy or simply uninterested. Even so, getting face time is essential. Look for ways to collaborate with your co-workers or boss on projects important to them. By doing so, associating yourself with key assignments will allow your skills to shine. Your fellow employees and boss will see first-hand that you are eager to contribute to the team.

Finally, keep in mind that building a relationship with those you are now employed with won't happen overnight. It is a fact that, given time, your relationship will grow once you've discovered and then built upon that common ground. The bottom line is for you to prove you are a valuable employee. Never hesitate to demonstrate your skill sets on key projects that will both benefit the department and the bottom line. If you put into practice these steps, you'll quickly ride the path to professional success!

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Five Ways to Get All the Field Inspection Jobs You Can Handle

By : Craig Wallin

As a field inspector, you can work as little or as much as you'd like. Naturally the more you work, the more money you can make. You'd really like to get a lot of field inspection jobs. How can you get all the field inspection jobs you can handle? Here's how:

1. Do really great work

This sounds obvious, but is what holds some field inspectors back. Do really great work. Take clear, bright photos. Fill out forms completely. Meet your deadlines. If at all possible, get inspections done considerably before the deadline. If you can consistently supply really great work, inspection companies will notice and keep throwing work your way. Keep the inspection companies happy, and you'll be happy with the big profits coming your way.

2. Sign up with a lot of field inspection companies

The more you sign up for, the more jobs you can potentially get. Don't feel you have to only sign up with one or a few companies. Sign up for as many as you'd like. There are a lot of inspection companies out there that are eager for good inspectors. That could be you.

3. Offer several zip codes

The more zip codes you can work in, the more work you'll get. A zip code a few miles away might be full of field inspection jobs that can pay great money. Be careful, though. Don't take on more than you can handle. Only select zip codes that you think you can reach easily and complete the jobs within the required deadline.

4. Check your email often

You probably never thought you'd need an excuse to check your email more often than you already do, but here's one: the more you check it, the more work you could get. You want to be the first to respond to a job offer. Also, keep your cell phone turned on and on you at all times. Ideally, you'll have a cell phone with email capabilities, so you can frequently check your email while you're out doing jobs.

5. Do FEMA inspections

A natural disaster can mean a lot of work for field inspectors. FEMA sends in inspectors to assess property damages. So that's why you might want to consider becoming a trained FEMA inspector. Two companies contract with FEMA to provide field inspectors: PaRR Inspections and PB Disaster Services. Contact them to find out more.

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What Do Layoffs Mean in the Job Market Today?

By : Erin Kennedy

Layoffs. Layoffs. Layoffs. Earlier this year, layoffs was the only word we were hearing. Most people read the news and thought: "Oh great, more people to compete against me when there already aren't enough jobs." They were right.

Not so fast, though. Those same people missed something few people realize about layoffs. Layoffs do not mean that jobs are getting cut. Some companies hire when they fire. As a result, a company that just laid off thousands of employees can be a great place to job search.

My job search advice for you is simple: don't ignore media reports about layoffs. Print them, clip them and save them.

Layoffs don't mean "Not Hiring"People often assume that a company that lays off employees is not hiring. Sometimes that is the case. However, more often than not, those companies made the layoffs not only for cutbacks but to get better, younger (see: cheaper) or healthier employees to address bottom-line concerns. The companies also want to weed out weak talent under the guise of "budget cutbacks."

Additionally, a company may be firing to reduce bloated departments and hiring to expand short staffs in growth areas. Tough times mean a company cannot afford to support under-producing departments. That's been what happened with the newspaper industry. Large staffs rife with unnecessary employees were reduced as profit margins shrunk. The change simply means more competition in the job search and a greater emphasis on top-tier employees.

Read about layoffs

I admit I closed my browsers or shut the newspaper when I saw another report of layoffs. Layoffs were hard to escape last year especially with struggles in the American automobile industry.

If you're searching for a job, ignoring media reports on layoffs can be a missed opportunity on the level of missing out on a soaring stock. Studying up on layoffs gives you companies to target. If you target these companies, there is a chance they will hear you out. Use the layoffs as motivation. You can take layoffs as a reason to ramp up your job search. If you know these companies are expecting top-tier talent, then you know what you need to deliver.

Job Search 101: study layoff history

I'd encourage anyone to look at old news reports in their job search. If a company laid off thousands of employees a year ago, then more than likely they will want to hire now that the recession seems to improving. They will not replace all those old jobs, but there will be jobs for the taking, and your skills may be a better fit than even you know.

Also, send your resumes, cover letters and feelers out to these companies. They will hire at some point and if you make the effort during the downturn, a good first impression will make you memorable for when they do hire.

Additionally, don't wait for these companies to post job openings on the Internet. It's a sad truth that most jobs are already filled by the time they get posted online. Those jobs get filled by people that network, or made overtures beforehand.

Remember what grandma always told us: the early bird gets the worm.

Erin Kennedy, CPRW, CERW, BS/HR, is a Certified Professional & Executive Resume Writer/Career Consultant, and the President of Professional Resume Services, Inc. She is a nationally published writer and contributor of 9+ best-selling career books. She has achieved international recognition following yearly nominations of the prestigious T.O.R.I. (Toast of the Resume Industry) Award. Erin has written thousands of resumes for executives and professionals.

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Which is a Better Mode to Prepare For PMP and CAPM Certifications?

By : Dr.Joseline Edward, Ph.D

At some point of time, we all think about out career. When we join as a team member in a team, we aim for the next role. It can be a senior team member or a team lead position depends on the organization structure. When we reach the next level, we aim for the next higher role. In order to reach the next level, we put efforts to improve ourselves to know more about the next role. For example, a JAVA developer may go for a certified JAVA programmer certification to improve his programming skills which he might think could help him to reach his next target. Likewise, a Network engineer may go for a CISCO certification to before a senior Network engineer. Similarly, a professional wanted to get into managerial role, he might go a PMP or CAPM certification. There are several ways to prepare for a certification. We can join a course in a reputed institution related to that exam or we can take an online course for the same. Besides, we can go for a blended education model where the combination of both class room and online to gain knowledge to prepare for certifications. Before suggesting a suitable preparation mode for PMP/CAPM exam takers, let us discuss the existing education modes in details.

In class room training, we register for a full time or weekend course in an institution where they teach project management. The institution might have experienced instructors to teach the concepts, and conduct exams to evaluate course takers knowledge and provide appropriate guidance to them. In online training mode, course materials and audio & video presentations will be available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The students have the ability to read & re-read the materials, access the audio& video & re-read the same to gather knowledge about project management. The blended education mode, sometimes called as "hybrid learning" where both class room training and online training is combined. In other words, the institutions may conduct a one or two weeks programs to teach project management, and provide online medium where students can discuss their questions and access the course materials to help them to prepare for the exam.

In all the three modes, we can see pros and cons. For example, in the class room training mode, you need to go to an institution (it is fine if it is near to your living place) where you need to spend few hours to learn. In online mode, you can sit at your home and prepare for the exam. But you won't have face to face interactions with the professors and your fellow learners which is a drawback most of us agree. But some says in online mode, you have few distractions, no need to rush to the institutions or else we miss the classes. The blended mode can resolve the problem. But still you need to take few weeks day off which your company may not permit or you need to sign up a weekend course where you have to scarify your personal time. Apart from that, I do not see much difference when looking at the modes.

Let us say most of us have a full time job or business which would consume mostly 8 to 10 hours of our time. Apart from that, most of us wanted to spend time with our family and friends which is only possibly during weekends. Hence my view is that the better mode you select depends on your availability of time to spend on the preparation for the exam. If you think you have enough time to go to an Institution, I would recommend you go for class room mode. If you do not have enough time, you can go for online mode. If you have limited time available you can go for the blended mode. Doesn't matter whatever mode you select, the right approach would be learn something, then apply whatever you learned in your day to day work to improve your project management skills. Finally read PMBOK at least thrice including Appendix sections. I'm sure you will pass the exam. To summarize, whatever is convenient for you is the best mode for you to prepare for the exam.

Happy Learning!

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Beyond the Coffee Run

By : Katie R

So you've got an internship and you were initially excited. But that soon faded after you spent your first few weeks just sitting around, picking up lunches, getting coffee, and filing things. Well, for one thing you shouldn't let that discourage you. Every single thing you do on your internship is an opportunity to learn something or to make a good impression. But I'll save that for another post. If you're a summer intern right now you're probably starting to enter the phase that can make the difference between a great or lackluster internship experience. So, how do you move beyond the menial tasks and start getting some jobs that are resume worthy?

- Get Off Facebook
Yes I know you're bored sometimes but sitting on Facebook just looks like you're wasting the company's time...probably because you are. This goes for Twitter, Myspace, texting or anything else blatantly unproductive.

-Ask for It
Need something else to do? Why not try asking. You don't really have anything to lose as long as you're polite about it and your boss will likely appreciate the initiative.

-Do the Dirty Work
Taking out the trash and picking up coffee can sort of serve as a stepping stone to the bigger stuff. If you can use it to prove you're reliable and can do a great job without complaining, you're far more likely to get a real task next time one comes up

-Think of Something
If you're waiting around for something to do try coming up with a new promotional or other idea on your own and presenting it to your boss.

So next time you're feeling frustrated give these tips a try. It is all about building some trust and making a good impression. You can't just expect great tasks just for showing up.

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Making a Bad Job Good Everyday

By : Craig Calvin

Technology could be defined as improvement and advancement of tools we already have and use, or wish we had and were able to use. Working hard usually isn't much fun but a necessary task. Working smarter is beginning to shine as the fun and more acceptable way to work. Here is a good starter tip: work smarter, not harder.

The funny thing about jobs is that they are supposed to require effort, which is part of the reason that it is called going to 'work' and not going to 'do nothing all day'. It would be nice if you could get away with doing nothing all day and enjoy a successful career, but very few people are able to do that. The ones that do generally have worked their tails off for many years to get to that point. If you're looking to make your job a little less stressful and effort-filled, there are many different things that you can do. Check out the tips below to get started:

Focus on the fun in your job. Do you enjoy what you do? If so, try to keep the attitude and mood lighthearted and fun. Never get stuck in a rut where you are miserable because this will make every day that much more work and less play. Find things that you enjoy, even if you hate your job. Pick apart the smallest, most insignificant and mundane tasks, and figure out how you can enjoy them or make them a little more bearable for yourself.

Socialize with co-workers. Having relationships with the people that you work with can always make the workplace less work and more enjoyable time. You shouldn't spend all day fraternizing when you're supposed to be working, but you'll at least be more comfortable, which can alleviate a lot of stress in the workplace. Figure out what stresses you the most in your job. Find a way to avoid that situation, change how you handle it, or do something to make it more bearable. Often, it's as simple as a change in attitude to be able to stress less and enjoy more at work, or anywhere for that matter.

Doing your job the proper way is very important. Doing the job wrong as well as neglecting your responsibilities will lead to more undue stress and conflicts. If you are creative, it should be easy for you to find new innovative ways for the various routines associated with your job. You might be surprised at how receptive management will be to a good innovative job improving ideal. This should also be easy to do if you are stuck in a job you don't like; you can focus your attention on creative ways to do the same job while being entertained with the new challenge. This should in theory make your job more interesting, more tolerable and more enjoyable with less work involved. This in turn will lead to less stress and could actually make your job enjoyable for once.

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Career Development - Top Three Problems Faced by Job Hoppers

By : Joseph Stutzman

Young professionals are energetic and vibrant, but often restless. Because of this, many of them have the tendency to job hop. Job hopping happens when a person changes jobs too often, often in a span of just a few months. Typically, job-hopping implies having to transfer from city to another, and this fact can hurt people's budding careers in ways that one would not be able to realize right away. If you are a young professional who can relate to this, then by all means, read further.

First, it's very expensive to change jobs and move residences. The down payment for the rent of your new flat, payments to the movers, home improvements - all these can be very expensive. Job hoppers typically experience relatively long periods of joblessness, and that adds even more to the financial burden. In short, it's messy and expensive.

First, changing jobs and residences too often will make it more difficult to establish your career. Keeping a single job for a relatively long time is the first major step towards building your own portfolio. Typically, real job experience can be gained only after a few months into the job, and job hopping makes this impossible. As they say, you can become a jack of all trades, but you will be the master of none.

While there are people who actually found ways to make it work, a lot of employers look for patience and diligence in every job applicant. They want to know if you can exercise company loyalty. On the business side of things, they want to feel that whatever resources they will use to develop your skills will benefit the company as a whole, and not just you.

Third, you still have a short and fragile credit history, and it will get hurt. Credit scores are not only computed based on your existing loans, but are also based on other financial variables like your length of stay in a single residence and job, and if you pay your monthly rent on time. Furthermore, every time you apply for a new flat, your landlord or landlady typically performs a credit check on you. This hurts your credit score even more.

Hence, if you hate your job, find ways on how to resolve it without quitting. After all, it's you who's going to suffer the most if you do.

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Certified Nursing Assistant Jobs & Training

By : Michael Ekman

Not everyone who goes into the medical field wants to be a doctor or a nurse. Not everyone has the time to complete even the year of schooling that it takes to become an LPN. A person who wants a medical career should looking into available certified nursing assistant jobs.

Even though additional education is not needed for most certified nursing assistant jobs, a candidate must still possess a high school diploma to qualify for this position. A knowledge of how to write and speak English are essential, as is a working knowledge of basic mathematics. CNAs usually do not administer drugs, although they may be required to draw blood for testing purposes.

Having a high school diploma is a qualification for most certified nursing assistant jobs, but there is more to qualifying than just this. Most candidates must complete and pass an examination before they can apply to become a CNA at a hospital or a nursing home. The certification is specific to the state where it is taken, although most states will take another state's certification.

CNAs take care of patient tasks such as delivering medicines, preparing a patient for lab work, sometimes removing bed pans and sheets. The exact duties for certified nursing assistant jobs depend on the institution where he or she works. Changing diapers, lifting patients, and cleaning changing wound dressings are only some of the tasks a person in this profession is expected to perform on a daily basis. The work performed by the people in this profession is physically demanding. For some, it is a good career in itself, for other people, it can serve as a stepping stone to a different medical career.

The shift for a person who has any of the common Certified Nursing Assistant Jobs starts by making the rounds with the CNA they are relieving. The person on the earlier shift alerts his replacement to any potential problems and the instructions left by the doctors and the nurses for each patient.

Another duty that does not get covered by most hospitals, but is an important part of the job is to watch out for patient abuse or neglect. This duty falls under the moral imperative category. Any hospital or nursing home employee who witnesses abusive treatment even outside of his rounds is obligated to report it to his supervisor. Reporting it to the family is a good idea, although he or she may risk his job by doing so.

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Is it Time to Find a New Career?

By : James Copper

If you want to find a new career there are two ways of going about it, the right way and the wrong way. You will see people changing jobs and there are various reasons they do it. If you think you are struck in a career that is not going places then it presents you with an ideal situation where you can look for a career change that will be satisfying and financially rewarding too. You can reap the benefits of a career change if you plan it out properly. There are many unconventional job avenues that are open in today's world and if you do not want to traverse the same beaten path. Let us some at some of these new career opportunities that are available but before we do those let us look at the different reasons that you might want to opt for a new career.

The various reasons that people want to find a new career are to earn more money, a challenging work atmosphere, new challenges in work, you would like to be your own boss, want something more fulfilling and rewarding and want to have less work related stress. There should be joy in what you do and only then you will be able to grow and prosper in your chosen career path as unhappiness hampers productivity. Before you make the career switch you must also take into consideration that the industry that you choose has ample opportunities for you to grow in the coming years too.

You will be surprised to know that the unconventional jobs that people are opting for range from plumbing, phlebotomist, electrician, professional property marketer, domestic energy assessor, non domestic energy assessor and domestic green engineer to name just a few. The biggest advantage of all these new careers is that there is a continuous demand for these specialized skills even during times of recession and you need just a few months to acquire these new skills.

There are also many schools and colleges that are offering courses in the various new age careers and as these are available online you can work and study at the same time in order to acquire these skills. You can also decide to use these skills for a new career on a part time basis initially and then turn it in a full time career option. You must also take time to research about the various career options that are available after you complete a particular course and the industries that can use these unique skills of yours.

You would also need to think out of the box in order to get a dream career. There are a number of applicants who are opting out of conventional and traditional careers and opting for the new challenging opportunities that exist. As these careers are in fast growing industries the ability to grow in your career are pretty high. You must have a proper power plan to take your career to new heights and make it recession proof.

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How To Successfully Search For A New Career

By : tony Jacowski

Looking for the right job is a journey - it doesn't happen overnight. However, there are certain steps you can take to accelerate the process.

Identify Careers That Are Suitable For You

The first step in switching to a new career is to understand the various careers that are right for you. In situations like these, people turn to career coaches who help assess and determine their weaknesses and strengths. Above all, they help in identifying opportunities that best fit an individual's character. There are many career coaches and online resources that are helpful in selecting a particular career path.

There are assessment tests that will tell you about the job options available for you. They also work as a tool for uncovering experience, training and education needed for your next career. Additionally, they simplify tough career decisions and suggest careers you might have otherwise neglected.

Focus Your Efforts

In the long run, making the right educational decisions can help in securing a good career. There are numerous careers and various academic majors. With such a plethora of choices, it is hard to know where you should start. After narrowing down your field, it is easier to conduct your search.

Talk To Others

Consult professionals who are already in your selected field, as they are the best source of insight and knowledge into the career you are planning to pursue. By setting up informational interviews you can get a feel for the industry and what it is like day-to-day.

Make a Lateral Career Change Move

Whenever you plan to make a career change, you may want to consider making a lateral move in your new field. For example, if you are a medical lab technician with considerable years of experience, then you can attain some computer certifications to make a career change to information technology (IT). There are numerous healthcare facilities that need IT people as well. Consequently, you can try making a lateral move to an IT job within the medical field, by banking on your background for getting your foot in the door.

Write a Targeted Resume

The final step in successfully landing a new career is to write a targeted resume. Among all the given resume formats, today employers usually favor the chronological format. A good suggestion is to opt for a hybrid resume or a combination resume instead. This resume combines all the best features of the chronological and functional resumes. In addition, it draws attention to your transferable, career-change skills, in compliance with the favored format.

Making a career change is never easy. However, you can make the most of the opportunity by being prepared and knowing where to go for education and information.

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Starting a New Career With Excitement

By : James copper

Instead of a new career being something dreaded, this should be looked at as a new opportunity, a chance to enjoy an exciting change, a way to learn and meet new people, an avenue that leads to success. While there is always a little bit of anxiety that comes along with a new career, being prepared and choosing the occupation that complements your skills will ensure you end up doing something you excel at but also something you enjoy.

When it comes to a new career, there are right and wrong reasons for wanting to make change. The important thing is to choose a new job based on reasons that are going to support success, not reasons that could put you in a position of failure. For instance, if you work for a company but have a difficult boss, you should consider a different job, not necessarily a different career. If you are not getting deserved recognition, again, it might make more sense to look at a different occupation rather than career. You would not want to start a new career as a means of building a social network, but to succeed in business.

Just as there are times to look at a different type of job rather than a new career, there are also reasons when moving on to a different career opportunity makes perfect sense. As an example, if you are creative, have strong leadership skills, or you are analytically minded, you might want a new career that would allow you to use the skills you possess, not a job that stifles them.

You should also consider looking into a new career if you live in a city where the type of work you want is not available. For instance, California is known for having some of the best IT jobs in the country whereas New York is known for fashion and finance. Simply look at the new career you want and the skills you offer, determining if you need to consider moving to a different part of the country to get what you need. You might even be interested in working in a different occupation if you want less responsibility and fewer hours.

The bottom line is that starting a new career can be a great move, one that would lead to stability, great pay, advancement, and happiness but only if the change is done for all the right reasons. For this reason, it is imperative that you be realistic about expectations and decisions that would need to be made. With this, you have a much better chance of making the right change, ending up in a new career that is everything you wanted and more.

One important note if you are thinking of a new career is that your resume is going to play a key role in you being offered a position or not. Two areas in particular a prospect employee would examine include past employment and education. For your work history, it is important that you not move around too often, even if you are moving up. The reason is that employers become concerned when they see someone staying at a job less than a year, even if it is positive, to the employer, this would be seen as something negative. Therefore, if you want to start a new career, it is vital that you go through a planning process to eliminate job-hopping from occurring.

Then for education, if you have gone through a self-assessment, talked to a professional career counselor, looked at a number of career opportunities, or even completed an internship, use this to your advantage. You should have gained insight into the type of training, education, or certification the new career would require. Rather than wait, while still employed, we recommend you get the education needed so when employers go over your resume, they will be impressed enough to hire you, making it possible for you to begin your new career with full confidence.

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What You Do Online Could Affect Your Job Search

By : Danielle Gibbings

Anyone who enjoys the social aspects of Facebook, Twitter, or MySpace has likely come across pictures of friends that show just a little too much - too much skin, too much alcohol, or even too much illegal substances. In fact, you may even have access to pictures of people that you do not know very well showing too much. It's important to remember that if you can see it there is a good chance that employers can see it as well so you should re-examine what YOU are showing other people!

Recently, Ars Technica, a blog about technology did some research on the subject that illustrated that employers are using social media to check up on potential employees. In fact, Ars Technica found that the numbers of employers using this technique have doubled and almost half of employers that are hiring are using this tool. They found that Facebook was the most used site to investigate future employees, with LinkedIn coming in second and MySpace right behind them. Blogs and Twitter were not ignored though.

What reasons would employers not hire someone based on what they find?

· Photos of drug use or partying (especially if drinking is involved)
· Photos that show too much skin
· Comments of a sexual nature
· Comments others have made
· Pictures you are tagged in
· Making negative comments about employers or your job

Think it can't happen to you? In the past year there have several instances of people being fired because of social media activity including videos posted on YouTube and Facebook and Twitter content. I'm pretty sure the people that got fired didn't think twice about it. And if people are getting fired for things they do online you can bet that there are many that are not getting hired, too!

Set privacy standards on your profile. Facebook allows you to control who can see your content and Twitter allows you to lock your feeds. Google yourself (with your full name in quotes) to see what comes up. Remove tags from Facebook pictures. The best thing you can do is to keep your private life private. It isn't necessary to share everything on the Internet!

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Assess Your Work Style

Find the best jobs for your workplace personality.

by Joanna Boydak, LiveCareer

Do you love to give public presentations? Are you the "go-to" person for people in need of a sympathetic ear? Do spreadsheets excite you? Your answers to these questions will help determine whether your work style is Assertive, Persuasive, or Systemic.

According to career experts, we all have a predominant work style that influences how we approach our work. If there's a good match between your work style and your career, you are more likely to love your job. To find your best career, you need to first identify your predominant work style and then find the work environments and jobs that complement it.

Read on to assess your own work style and for a list of great jobs (with median yearly salaries) for each style:

Assertive:

• Are you a daring risk taker?
• Do you love challenges?
• Do you thrive in a fast-paced work environment?
• Do you like to tell people how things should be?
• Do you enjoy supervising others?
• Do you like to know everything that is going on at work to make certain it is going the way it should?
• Are you comfortable with confrontation?

If you answered yes to most of these questions, your work style is Assertive.

Assertive types excel in management positions that require strong motivational skills. Some great career choices for Assertive types include:

• Regional sales director: $95,819
• Event planner: $76,805
• Restaurant manager: $30,884
• Advertising agency manager: $90,229

Assertive types also make great entrepreneurs. See if you have what it takes to start your own successful business by taking a free entrepreneur test.

Persuasive:

• Do you like giving advice?
• Do you take pride in your ability to influence others?
• Are you really interested in getting to know your coworkers and clients?
• Are you skilled at building strong relationships?
• Are you a great listener?
• Do you want to make a difference in the lives of others?

If you answered yes to most of these questions, your work style is Persuasive.

Persuasive types thrive in jobs that require constant communication and interaction with others. Some great career choices for Persuasive types include:

• Elementary teacher: $54,273
• Human resources administrator: $34,810
• Financial advisor: $71,324
• Health advocate: $93,207

Systemic:

• Do you focus on the facts, not on opinions?
• Are you known for your follow-through?
• Do you enjoy a steady routine?
• Do you have a system for everything?
• Do you apply persistent and steady effort to get things done?
• Do you prefer to ponder important decisions rather than making quick decisions on the fly?

If you answered yes to most of these questions, your work style is Systemic.

Systemic types value precision and efficiency and are excellent problem solvers. Some great career choices for Systemic types include:

• IT coordinator: $81,522
• Physical therapist: $68,163
• Accountant: $55,087
• Civil engineer: $74,878

LiveCareer is the leading online career destination that helps people find the right careers. Over 5 million people have used LiveCareer's products to make better career and educational decisions that have improved their lives. (Median annual salaries provided by LiveCareer's Salary Calculator.)

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Win Any Argument at Work

Celebrity therapist Xavier Amador (from 'Bethenny Getting Married?') shares his expertise on workplace conflict.

by Susan Adams, Forbes.com

Bethenny's therapist does a lot more than treat New York neurotics. Xavier Amador, the clinical psychologist on the new Bravo reality show "Bethenny Getting Married?" not only counsels individuals, but has also built a career as an author, an executive coach, and a consultant with a slew of corporate and government clients.

Amador, 50, uses many of the same methods with both individuals and corporate clients. His book "I'm Right. You're Wrong. Now What?" lays out a strategy he calls LEAP, which stands for "listen, empathize, agree, partner." It applies to salary negotiations, to disagreements with partners or colleagues or underlings, and even to challenging sales assignments.

Listen
An acronym enthusiast ("acronyms help me to remember"), Amador says the first step is "L," for "listen." That may sound simple, but often it's very hard. In sales, for instance: Before he became a psychologist, Amador worked for an Arizona company that sold solar heating. Rather than simply trying to push his product, he found he got further if he patiently listened to his potential clients' objections.

"What am I going to do with solar heat and hot water when I'm trying to cool our house and swimming pool four months of the year?" people would say. "I see your point," Amador would respond. "I wouldn't want solar heat during the summer and fall. It's too hot!" By acknowledging and accepting the protest with what he calls "reflective listening," he broke down defenses and made people curious about his product.

Another time, one of Amador's corporate clients claimed he hadn't sent her an updated version of two reports. Amador knew he had. It was a classic "I'm right, you're wrong" situation. When he insisted she was wrong, the client got upset and defensive. Then he changed the tone by listening reflectively. "You've checked, and it's clear I didn't send you the revised reports?" he asked her. "Is that the bottom line?" Without conceding the point, he made it clear he had heard her argument. The client instantly calmed down.

Amador says it's important to focus on what you need rather than what you want. In this situation, he needed to bring down the temperature of the clash and resolve the standoff. So he simply reflected his client's (wrongheaded) view back to her, and he resent the reports.

Empathize
After reflective listening, the next step is empathizing (the "E" in LEAP). That means trying to understand and accept what your adversary is feeling, even if you think what he or she is saying is completely wrong.

A useful tactic: Put off your final response, so your adversary can feel she's in control of the situation. Keep listening and empathizing. Say things like "I want to make sure I understand what you're saying." Amador gives the example of a chief executive he calls Brad, whose board requested an external audit. The chief financial officer, Elaine, objected to the idea of the audit and quickly became defensive. First Brad listened to Elaine's objections, carefully reflecting back his understanding of her opinions without reacting or contradicting her. Then she insisted he tell her what he thought. So he delayed, saying, "I'll answer that, but I'm getting a much better picture of your arguments, and I would like to hear more."

After getting Elaine to talk further, Brad finally said, "Do you still want to know what I think?" The question helped her feel ready for his thoughts. He apologized for disappointing her, and even admitted he could be wrong, but he stuck to his guns about the audit. She went along without objection.

Agree and Partner
Amador explains that it's effective to find common ground and agree on some aspect of a disagreement (the "A" in LEAP). When it came to his client who needed the updated reports, they both agreed that she needed the reports. This can help adversaries get to the "P" in LEAP, becoming partners.

Amador describes two colleagues at a law firm who disagreed about the firm's pro bono budget. Thomas wanted to increase that budget, and Charles, who was more senior, said the firm couldn't afford it. First the two had a heated argument, with Charles calling Thomas's idea "nuts" and Thomas responding, "Are you kidding? We can afford this and much more."

After the two reached an impasse, Thomas approached Charles again and said, "My proposal sounds a bit inane. It's poor judgment on my part, right?" By reflecting back what Charles had said about Thomas's idea being crazy, Thomas moved them forward. The two wound up agreeing that the pro bono work was a moral obligation for the firm, and Charles even helped Thomas write the final memo about the budget increase.

Amador moved to the United States when he was three, as a refugee from Cuba. He says he has long resisted appearing on television as a therapist, but Bravo reassured him about how he would be portrayed on "Bethenny Getting Married?" which is a spinoff of another series, "The Real Housewives of New York City." Bethenny, whose previous marriage ended in divorce, has been the only single woman on "Housewives." After she got pregnant by her boyfriend, Jason Hoppy, the two started planning a wedding and shooting the spinoff show. On edge because of her abusive childhood and difficulty forming lasting romantic bonds, Bethenny turned to Amador for help making it to the altar.

"She's really serious about therapy," says Amador. He says he is still advising Bethenny, even though the series has wrapped.

More tips from Xavier Amador
1. Never use absolutes: They put people on the defensive and make them less willing to negotiate.

2. Don't "kitchen-sink" it. Bringing in past transgressions ramps up anger and defensiveness, and distracts from the issue at hand.

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Making a Transition Job Work for You

by Denene Brox, for Yahoo! HotJobs

Landing a job is tough these days. The job market is flooded with unemployed workers--so finding a job that's a good fit is even tougher.

If you're a professional who has been out of work for a while, you may have to take a "transition job" to make ends meet (or just to keep busy).

Transition jobs often don't require a lot of experience or education, are usually lower paid, and can be easier to land. Industries like retail, health care, and food service hire lots of workers in customer service and support roles. Temporary agencies can also help you stay engaged with the working world.

And there are many other benefits to taking a transition job--it's all about making the most of your opportunities, and spinning the job the right way. Here are some tips on making a transition job work for you.

Fill your resume gaps
In addition to providing you an income, transition jobs put you back into the ranks of the employed, the group most attractive to potential employers.

"Transition jobs help you avoid those large gaps of unemployment on your resume, which is a concern in this economy," says Nancy DeCrescenzo, director of career services at Eastern Connecticut State University.

"I don't think taking a transition job will hurt your resume, because the number-one thing that recruiters and employers ask is what you've been doing with your time. So you're better off doing something than nothing. It shows that you're a go-getter--that you're out there working hard, doing whatever it takes to pay your bills," says career coach Deborah Brown-Volkman.

Network in your target industry
Just because you spend a few hours a day creating latte art at a coffee shop doesn't mean you should stop networking in your desired industry. Continue (or start) to attend industry events and workshops in your target field, and don't neglect potential connections at your transition job.

"One of the big assumptions that people make is that our network has to be in our target industry," says DeCrescenzo. "But your network can be the customers or clients that you interact with in a transition job, that help you make your next move. It's all about networking right now."

Learn a new industry
If you're looking for a position in a different industry, taking a lower-level job in that field will give you the opportunity to learn the business from the ground up, says Joe Watson, the author of "Where the Jobs Are Now: The Fastest Growing Industries and How to Break Into Them."

"It's great to get a transition job in a growth industry such as green energy or health care because it gives you an inside advantage. As the economy recovers, those fields will have exponential growth," says Watson.

Keri Coffman-Thiede took a transition job in customer service while she trained for a new career as a life coach. "My transition job gave me the time to go through coach training and begin my own business," she says.

Focus on transferable skills
Any type of transition job will provide you with transferable skills that will not only help you in future jobs, but also look great on your resume. Highlight skills that are required in many jobs and industries--things like communication skills and project management.

Denene Brox is a Kansas City-based freelance writer. She regularly covers career topics and trends. Visit her online at www.denenebrox.com.

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Online Mistakes That Can Jeopardize Your Career

by Robert McCauley, Robert Half International

Some call it "egosurfing" or "vanity searching." Others call it a wise career move.

In today's digital age, it's becoming increasingly important to conduct a Web search to see what information about you is available online. Many employers now routinely perform web searches to learn more about the interests, experience, and expertise of potential hires. Beware: your online reputation could be damaging your career prospects and keeping you out of new jobs.

In a recent survey by Robert Half International, 69 percent of workers interviewed said they have entered their name in one or more search engines to see what results were displayed. (When searching for yourself online, it's important, especially if you have a common name, to try out a few combinations of terms--your name and your profession, or your name and your city, for instance--to find everything that's out there.)

Here are five common mistakes job seekers make when it comes to managing their digital footprint:

Not taking action
After your search, determine if any negative, controversial, or unprofessional content exists about you online. Then work quickly to reduce or eliminate it. Start with content in your control, such as information or images connected to your online profiles or personal website. Also untag yourself from other people's posted photos that you don't want hiring managers to see. Most photo-sharing sites and social networks like Facebook have features that allow you to do so. If you find unflattering content posted by another person, contact him or her and ask that it be removed.

Ignoring privacy settings
Social networking websites are a goldmine of information for hiring managers. That's why you need to control the message potential employers receive. Failing to properly use the privacy settings could mean that potential employers have access to your status updates or personal pictures--not all of which may be for public view. (Read more: "6 Things Never to Post on Facebook.")

Staying silent
Today's online world is all about interaction, and hiring managers expect job candidates to demonstrate their engagement in the conversation. As appropriate, consider contributing a guest post to an industry blog, adding a comment to an article or discussion post, or sending interesting links to your Twitter followers. You might even direct potential employers to your LinkedIn profile or an online article you wrote for a local professional association, for instance, by including links to these resources in your resume or cover letter.

Being indiscreet
Be aware that whatever you post may be seen by potential employers, and give careful consideration to how statements you make may be interpreted. While you want to show that you have a well-informed opinion, keep your comments constructive and avoid disparaging others.

Being out-of-date
In many ways, your online profiles--especially those on sites like LinkedIn--serve as digital versions of your resume. So it pays to keep them current. Revisit them regularly to ensure that they are up-to-date, and that they incorporate keywords that relate to your skills and expertise.

Keep in mind that, despite your best efforts, there may be unflattering information about you that persists online. In these instances, be prepared if a hiring manager finds the content and asks you about it during the hiring process. Have an explanation ready to address any potential concerns. Most employers will be understanding if you are honest about the information and can highlight the qualities and skills that make you ideal for the role.

Robert Half International is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm, with a global network of 360 offices worldwide. For more information about RHI's professional services, please visit www.roberthalf.com.

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Is Your Employer Taking Advantage of You?

by Larry Buhl, for Yahoo! HotJobs

Since the recession began in December 2007, more than half of all American workers have become unemployed, taken a pay cut, suffered a reduction in hours, or had to take a temporary job because they couldn't find a full-time position, according to the Pew Research Center's Social and Demographic Trends Project.

You probably don't need a study to tell you the job market is still less than robust. In such an environment, you might assume that employers are taking advantage of employees--by withholding raises and promotions, loading on extra work, and even eliminating fringe benefits long after their balance sheets are healthy.

And in some cases, you'd be right.

"Now that corporations have learned they can do with fewer workers, many are using it to their advantage, whether it is essential to their survival or not--and that trend could go on indefinitely," says Douglas McIntyre, editor of 24/7 Wall Street.

Mike Manoske, a business development manager and recruiter for the staffing and consulting firm Yoh, believes that that up to a third of companies that are raking in gobs of money are not sharing it. He adds that such stingy behavior is usually not due to greed but rather to "nervous senior managers who are worried the economic recovery won't last."

"There are a lot of organizations who say, basically, 'You're lucky to have a job now, so here's more work,' but nobody in management is communicating why they need to take on more work," Manoske says.

If you suspect that your long days, flat paychecks, and stingy perks are helping make someone at your company very rich, experts offer tips on assessing the situation.

Don't believe everything you hear or read. "The rumor mills are on hyper-drive now, and people hear and repeat only half the story, but they rarely validate it," Manoske says. "Most of the time, it's a lack of communication from the top and from managers that causes rumors and resentment to run wild."

Holly G. Green, CEO and managing director of The Human Factor, agrees that it's important to learn the full story. "The company could have gone into deep debt to keep the doors open but has now had one great quarter--a long way from full recovery but starting to do well. There are times when externally facing statements don't really tell the whole story, so you have to be cautious about assuming too much from them."

When in doubt, ask HR. Manoske shares a story of a colleague who was given a raise in January that wouldn't take effect until June. It was a moot point, because the colleague was laid off in May. "What he should have done is reached out to someone in human resources in February and asked, 'Where are we?'"

That's not to say that HR will always share information, or that they even know. But it's still important to ask, Manoske says. "If HR doesn't know the answer, they will almost always ask upper management, and if upper management receives enough queries, they'll be forced to better communicate and explain the company's method of compensating employees."

Do your own snooping. You need to do some sleuthing yourself, Manoske says. One great source is people who have recently left the company: "Even though someone who quit may have an axe to grind, they still can have some valuable information to share about what's going on in the company." Manoske adds that it's up to you to determine what the truth is once you've consulted enough sources.

Ask, don't demand. If it looks as though your company is squeezing you unnecessarily, approach your supervisor to ask for more money, better hours, a lighter workload, a promotion, or perks. But don't demand. "The way you ask is important," Green emphasizes. "Start the conversation with phrases like 'It seems as if the company has really turned around and is doing well, based on our most recent quarterly results. Can you help me understand how this will affect employees as we continue to do well?'"

John O'Connor, president of Career Pro, advises against letting emotion get the better of you when you're asking for what you think you're due. "Don't speak out in anger because it will never advance your career," he explains.

Look for greener pastures. Some companies are hiring, and new hires don't always have to accept rock-bottom wages and meager perks. If you do some salary research and learn that the compensation structure in your company really is out of whack, you have options. "Companies are asking for a lot right now, but if they don't live up to their promises and it's affecting your health and sanity and performance, be looking for a place that validates you," O'Connor says.

Make sure you land a place in one of these greener pastures before quitting, advises O'Connor. "You don't want to voluntarily un-employ yourself right now. You should make sure you have another offer waiting."

"In the end, you have to decide if it's worth the trade-off to stay with an employer you feel is taking advantage of you, versus moving on to a new one in tough times," Green says.

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7 Top-Grossing Career Paths

by Clare Kaufman, FindtheRightSchool.com

The highest-paid careers might not earn you the most money--when you take into account the cost of education. A true top-grossing career is one that promises a high return on a comparatively low tuition investment. The following top-grossing careers offer the most direct route from a classroom to earning potentials of $100,000 and up.

With these kinds of numbers, it shouldn't take long for your degree to pay for itself--and then some.

1. Pharmaceutical or medical sales representative
With a generous commission structure and a top-selling product, you could be well on your way to six figures straight out of college. Pharmaceutical and medical-equipment sales jobs are among the top-grossing sales positions. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), technical and scientific sales reps reported 2009 average earnings of $81,370, with the upper 25 percent earning over $100,000.

An associate's degree with courses in biology, engineering, electronics, and business offers basic preparation for a career as a scientific sales representative. For the best opportunities, invest four years in a bachelor's degree program.

2. Investment banker
Traditionally, college graduates in search of a quick payday headed into banking. The crisis on Wall Street may have tempered these expectations somewhat, but investment banking continues to offer entry-level analysts the opportunity to earn six-figure salaries right out of the gates. The average starting salary nationwide is $56,534, but top Wall Street players still start some associates out at $100,000. The national average for all securities and financial-services sales agents, which includes investment bankers, was $91,390 in 2009.

A bachelor's degree in business, finance, accounting, or economics offers the best preparation for an career in investment banking. Eventually, you could upgrade your education with an MBA for more opportunities and earning power.

3. Marketing manager
Marketing managers help businesses turn products into revenue. This business alchemy requires a blend of communication with customers, market research, product development, and strategic pricing. Marketing managers earned an average salary of $120,070 in 2009.

A four-year bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or economics is the ticket to a marketing career. To accelerate your advancement, invest in an MBA degree.

4. IT manager
Information technology serves as the nerve center of business in the information economy, empowering workers to transmit, analyze, and store information. An IT manager coordinates the strategic implementation of technology--networks, computer systems, and databases--that makes high-level data management possible. As a reflection of the vital role they play in an organization, their average annual compensation stood at an impressive $120,640 in 2009.

A bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or management information systems is the minimum requirement for a management-level job in IT.

5. Lawyer
Lawyers serve as advocates and advisors to people seeking justice in the criminal or civil courts. They prepare and argue cases before judges and juries, create contracts and other legal documents, and represent their clients in negotiations. Lawyers earned an average salary of $129,020 in 2009.

A bachelor's degree and a three-year professional Juris Doctor degree qualify you for a career as a lawyer. While this intensive schooling can stretch your finances, high-paying corporate employers offer enough starting pay to recoup your investment, and some public service employers offer student-debt forgiveness programs.

6. Engineer
Engineering holds the distinction as the highest-paying occupation for new college graduates. Armed with just a bachelor's degree, engineers in high-demand specialties can earn impressive salaries right out of college. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), petroleum engineers earned a starting salary of $83,121 in 2009. The 2009 national average salary for petroleum engineers was $119,960.

Petroleum engineers need a four-year bachelor's degree in engineering in order to qualify for a position in oil- and gas-well production and design.

7. Airline pilot
Airline pilots operate the highly sophisticated technology on board today's passenger and commercial aircraft. In recognition of their skill and elite training, some full-time pilots with the larger airlines earn generous salaries; the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a 2009 national average of $117,060.

Traditionally, airline pilots qualified for their first job after completing a military or civilian flight training program. Today, most employers require a college degree. A bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering offers the most comprehensive view of advanced flight technology, but the most common qualification for pilots is a two-year associate's degree.

The bottom line
While no educational program can guarantee a salary, these seven paths can offer big returns on your educational investment. In some cases, a four-year stint in college puts you in line for six-figure earning power and more.

Dr. Clare Kaufman is a freelance writer who covers business and education topics.

Source: Yearly salary figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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Factor Model For Portfolio Management

Written by Sania Wilson Jun 07, 2009 www.jobsarticle.com

Before going further into the articles, let me give you a brief idea about Portfolio Management. Portfolio management is more than running multiple projects. Each portfolio needs to be assessed in terms of its'business value and adherence to strategy. Basically, a portfolio is designed to achieve a defined business objective or benefit.

The three-factor model, also known as the Fama and French three-factor model, and was developed in 1993 by Eugene Fama and Kenneth French. This three-factor model is widely canvassed by fund managers and investors to analyze and return consociated market/instruments to make the highest return for the risk taken.

CAPM (Capability Asset Pricing Model) model is the original model of the three-factor model. Hence, it is necessary to understand this model, for a good understanding of the three-factor model. The formula of CAPM is: R= Rf+ beta * (Rm -Rf), where R is the return, Rf is the return rate of risk-free investments, beta is the risk associated with a security market, and Rm is the return rate expected from the market. CAPM model successfully explains around 80% of returns.

The formula of three-factor model is: R= Rf + beta* (Rm-Rf) + Bs*SMB+ Bv* HML.SMB is called as the Small Minus Gap, and HML is known as "High Minus Low". Bs and Bv are beta corresponding to small cap and large cap portfolios having values of either 0 or 1.

The idea behind this model is that, value and small cap stocks often outperform large- cap stocks. The potential reasons for this could be a higher reward for making up higher risk taken and early mispricing of equities. Fundamentally small-cap companies often show better growth and this is reflected on their stock prices.

This model has helped a number of investors and fund mangers to calculate their risks and profits, thereby radiating their portfolio management and belittling risk strategies.

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Job Hunting Is Your New Job – Here Is Your Daily Plan

Written by Ron Herzog Jun 07, 2009

You’ve just lost your job. Give yourself a few days to deal with the emotions involved and then get moving toward finding your next position. Under any circumstances, finding a job can be time-consuming. Given the current economic climate, those job-seekers that are organized and dedicated to the search will get the positions. It’s important to realize that conducting a job search is a full time job. Here are some guidelines for items you need to have on-hand for a successful job search as well as some help determining your daily structure.

Your New Workplace
Designate a place in your home which you can call your job-searching base. All your lists and notes should be in one place.

• Create an off-line file and an online folder dedicated to job search materials.
• Get a notebook solely for your job search in which you can take notes from conversations and research.
• Make sure you tag people as job search networking resources in your email contacts or address book.
• If you don’t have one already, you MUST get a calendar, there is nothing worse than missing an interview or scheduled call due to a scheduling error.

Getting Started - Deliverables List
Start by creating a list of the things you need to start your search. For example:
1. Resume
You always have to have an updated resume at your fingertips outlining your latest skills and contributions to your previous companies.

2. List of skills & potential contribution
While some of this is covered in your resume, some of it is not. You need to determine what your quantifiable contribution to your next company will be. What do you bring to the table Essentially "why should they hire you?"

3. 30-second pitch
You never know when you are going to run into someone who can help you in your search. When someone you just meet asks "what do you do?" or a friend asks "what are you up to these days?" simply responding "looking for a job" will get you nowhere. You need to respond by saying "I was recently working as an X in the X industry. I’ve had a lot of success doing X for my last company.? I am currently in the job market. Do you know anyone who I can network with?"

4. Networking contacts professional
Make a list of everyone that you already know in the business world that you can network with. You will add to this list as you make new business contacts.

5. Networking contacts friends and family
Remember that people you know also have professional lives. They may have contacts that you need to know. Make a list of friends and family who will be helpful networking sources. People want to help and they are better equipped to do so if you give them a really clear understanding of exactly what you need them to do.

6. Set up accounts on LinkedIn and other business networking sites
Business networking sites are growing at the speed of light. LinkedIn is adding a new user every second, according to some reports. If you are not using it yet, do it now.

Measurable, Achievable Goals
One of the biggest challenges of a job hunt is dealing with the emotional ups and downs. It’s important to keep a positive outlook during a job hunt, so one of the things you can do is to have small successes along the way to the ultimate goal of finding a new job. Set small, achievable goals such as "find 5 new contacts to network with today", or "set up an informational interview" or "connect with 10 new people on LinkedIn." Make sure they are realistic and achievable in a relatively short time span.

Since job searching is your new job, you need to show up to work every day. Set a realistic daily schedule with a do-able amount, so you don’t get burned out. A schedule will allow you to achieve some of your short-term goals every day. An example of a daily schedule may look like this:

Sample Day
Monday
9 - 11am
Log into networking accounts and locate new contacts relevant to your search, answer questions posed by others in your area of expertise to gain exposure and credibility. Add people to networking list to be contacted.

11am
Contact 5 new people

12pm
Lunch

1pm 3pm
Research companies on LinkedIn to see if you know anyone at the companies you want to work for. Research contacts from alumni associations and add them to contact list

3pm Exercise any form of exercise that you find invigorating or centering - get outside (if you can) and walk, run, bike or do yoga

4pm Contact 5 new people

5pm Set specific goals for the next day

If you have kids that are home, put time in your schedule to spend time with them.? Family time is one of the things we miss most when we work, so take advantage of this time to reconnect.


You are Your New Boss
It may sound strange to think of yourself as your own boss, but you need to wear multiple hats in your job search. One of those hats includes the boss. Don’t let yourself give yourself excuses for why you don’t want to work on your job search that day. This is why your schedule needs to be comfortable enough that you won’t find yourself justifying why you really need to go fishing for a week. Build in enough time for yourself so you can focus when it comes time to focus.

Checks and Balances
It’s always helpful to have an accountability partner. Someone who, besides you, can be kept apprised of your progress. It can be a spouse, friend, relative or even kids can make great accountability partners. It feels good to report successes and activity to someone else. It doesn’t feel good to report no progress, so designate someone as your accountability partner and report your progress to them (daily or weekly, whichever is more appropriate.) Be specific with them as to what you need them to do.

Time for Yourself
Most people are employed for the majority of their adult life, so when you are in between jobs, you can build time into the schedule for yourself - reading, walking, exercising, or socializing. It shouldn’t replace the job search time, but feeling good is such an important part of how you project yourself to others, so schedule time for yourself into your day.

Time for Others
Volunteering builds self-esteem and is another networking outlet. It also gives a hiring manager a greater depth of understanding of who you are and what you are about to see volunteer roles on your resume. It will make you feel good about yourself and your contribution and that extra confidence is helpful during a job search, especially if it turns out to be somewhat more extended than you have experienced before.

Professional volunteering not only gives you a boost on your resume but it is an outstanding networking opportunity. Offer to give a talk to an association or company in your area of expertise. Host a networking event. Write a white paper for a publication. Any opportunity to get in front of your peer group is one worth taking.

In Summary
Provide yourself with structure and confidence and your job search will be much more focused and effective. If you are not used to networking, do some research to find out how to network effectively.

Job Info , Jobs Sources , Career