Do More With An 'Unprofitable' Degree
Posted on Feb 23rd, 08:07 am, under Career Advice
Colleges adjust and adapt their course offerings according to real-world demand, and right now, business and engineering courses are what students want most. Degrees such as philosophy, once regarded as staples of a college course selection, are now being dropped in favor of more in-demand degrees. It's only natural that graduates expect a return on their investment of time and money during college. And because of this, some degrees have gotten a bad rap lately, being labeled "useless" or "unprofitable" in today's economy. You know the usual suspects: English, history, philosophy, and other liberal arts disciplines. This is entirely understandable, given the poor state of the current economy and job market. But no matter what your chosen specialization is, it is entirely possible to make your course work for you. The trick lies in how you apply your unique expertise to different areas of the job market. So how do you make the most of an "unprofitable" degree? Here's how: 1. Start thinking creatively. As mentioned above, you need to come up with new ways of using your knowledge and training, and then selling your ability to employers. With today's limited job offerings, you can't limit your options to the careers that are traditionally associated with your particular degree. Cast a wider net when looking around for job leads. 2. Get more training. If you're having trouble getting a job, supplementing your degree with more training might help. You'll have to decide if you just want to take a few extra courses or pursue a full post-graduate degree. With the right choice, you'll definitely boost your competitiveness. 3. Define yourself with your unusual degree. If you look at the IT industry, you'll find mostly graduates of technical courses. The banking industry, on the other hand, is overwhelmingly staffed by graduates with finance backgrounds. It's true that some careers require employees to have a particular specialization; other jobs, however, are much more flexible in their entry criteria. This is where you come in. With your unusual degree, you'll catch the attention of potential employers and immediately set yourself apart from the typical applicant. Use this to your advantage, get your foot in the door, and prove to them that you're worth hiring.
Overqualified? Don't You Believe It
Posted on Feb 23rd, 08:05 am, under Career Advice
If you've just lost your job and you're trying to get back on your feet, you may consider applying for positions that pay less than your old job, or that are less prestigious. The problem is that, more often than not, you'll be written off as "overqualified" when applying for these jobs. Employers are afraid that once they hire you, you'll be looking to move to greener pastures before the first month is over. So how do you overcome this labeling? Read on: 1. When asked to detail your experience, stick to the truth. It's never a smart thing to lie or cover up any facts pertaining to your previous employment and compensation. Yes, it's true that some employers may examine your previous compensation right off the bat in order to eliminate applicants they consider "too expensive". If you were earning six figures at your last job, don't try to deny it. However, do note that we didn't say that you had to openly advertise your salary history in every application you send out. If they don't ask you about it, there's no need to bring it up if you just need to get your foot in the door. The best way to approach the salary issue is to include a possible income range in your cover letter. Alternatively, you could also say that you assume they pay a competitive rate for the position. During interviews, try to shift the topic away from your salary history and toward your achievements and qualifications. If you've moved laterally before, this would be a good time to bring it up, since it will help to allay any fears they may have. 2. Tweak your resume. As we've stated before, always write your resume to suit each position you're applying to, such as changing the tone or emphasizing the parts that you want your potential employer to notice. Highlight the skills that they're looking for, and include appropriate phrases and terms. 3. Check the job description again. You may have had more responsibility or a higher salary before, but that doesn't necessarily mean that you're overqualified for the new position. In fact, you may even find that you don't meet all the requirements (for example, you're not familiar with a particular technology) - in other words, you're underqualified. And if you do meet all the requirements, then consider yourself highly qualified, not overqualified. 4. Check your attitude. If you go into an interview feeling that the job is "beneath" you, it's going to show. And that certainly won't help your chances of landing the position. Instead, come in with a list of relevant questions about the company and the job. This will show that you understand them and that you're genuinely interested in working with them. 5. Tell them why the job matters to you. Make a good case for why you need the job. You want to come across as passionate and interested, but not desperate. Provide them with reasons why this would be a good move for you, both professionally and personally. 6. Other elements can improve your chances. Besides meeting the technical requirements, employers want applicants who look like they'll fit into company culture. Make sure you do your research beforehand and familiarize yourself with what they're looking for. Age discrimination does exist and should be expected to some degree. Having some recent contacts and references can help alleviate this. A new haircut and wardrobe can also keep you looking up to date, but take not to go overboard, or you might end up looking silly. In the end, the best way to make a good impact is to show that you understand their needs and problems and explain why you're the best choice for the job.
Making The Shift to Telecommuting
Posted on Feb 23rd, 08:02 am, under Career Advice
If you've gotten tired of your daily commute to and from the office, then you've probably wondered if you could telecommute instead. You're not alone: more and more people have begun to work from home, for various reasons - a better work-life balance, family obligations, health reasons, and so on. However, you must realize that it's very rare to find a job that allows you to telecommute from the very first day. Instead, what usually happens is you convince your employer to allow you to convert your current job into one that allows you to work from home. In addition, you probably won't be allowed to telecommute every day of the week. Realistically, you can expect to work from home for two or three days out of five. So if you're still intent on telecommuting, you'll need to present your boss with a solid proposal about why allowing you this arrangement will benefit the company. There are a few steps you should take in preparation before you do so: 1. Check if your employer already allows telecommuting. Sometimes, companies already have a program or regulations governing employees who work from home. Usually, these are not publicly disclosed, since they naturally don't want everyone applying for a telecommuting arrangement. But you should ask your human resources director just in case. 2. If there are no provisions, do more research. In the likely case that there is no telecommuting program at all, you'll need to do more digging and reading. Examine your employee manual carefully and look for any rules that explicitly prohibit working from home. In addition, try to gauge whether your boss may be inclined to allow you to telecommute. (For more tips on how to get a feel for your employer's opinion, check out WorkOptions.com) Usually, companies that allow their employees to work on flexi-time are more open to them working from home. However, you must also consider if securing a more convenient working arrangement will affect your chances of getting promoted. 3. Check if competitors or other local employers allow telecommuting. Besides reading up on company rules regarding telecommuting, you should also see if competitor firms and other local companies let their employees work from home. This will help you present a stronger case to your boss. Gather information about the benefits of telecommuting from different sources. A good place to get started is this site. 4. See if you're really ready for it. Have you got the right disposition to be an effective telecommuter? If you're going to make this work, you'll need to show your boss that you're responsible, capable of time management, a reliable self-starter. Telecommuting requires trust from your boss that you'll get things done on time, without supervision. In other words, it'll be easier to convince your boss to let you work from home if you've already got a proven track record of good performance. By following these steps, you'll lay the ground work for your telecommuting proposal. However, you're only halfway through, because the hard part is up next. Check back next week to see how to convince your boss to let you work from home.
Starting Up A Home-Based Career
Posted on Feb 23rd, 08:01 am, under Career Advice
Thinking of launching a career from the comfort of your own living room? Here are several things you should consider before starting a homebased career: 1. What interests you? Look at what you're passionate about and see if you can start a homebased business on that interest. There are many books and websites out there that can look at for inspiration and guidance during the starting up process. 2. Do you have the right personality for it? The number one quality that you need to make a homebased business succeed is self-motivation. If you need another person to direct your work on regular basis, then this may not be the right career for you. 3. Will you need additional training? Some lines of work are more technical than others. Fortunately, even your training can be done online nowadays. If you think that extra training will be vital to your job, look into getting it right away. 4. Do you have realistic expectations? There are many online forums and message boards where homebased workers can discuss the various issues they face and how they manage their careers. You should check these to get a feel for what you can expect from this kind of career. See more myths and misconceptions about working from home here. 5. Do you have equipment and workspace for homebased work? Aside from your computer, you'll probably need a printer, fax machine, and maybe another phone line. You'll also need a quiet place where you can focus on work. 6. If you have kids, will you have enough time for them? One big advantage that working from home offers is the chance to spend more time with your children. To make things easier though, do draw up a plan for how to manage your time with your kids. Sites such as Mompreneurs Online and BizyMoms.com can help you out. 7. Do you know how much homebased work will cost? Yes, there are costs to this career that you may not have considered yet. These include marketing costs, taxes for self-employed workers, and health insurance. Make sure you read up thoroughly on each of these vital topics before you start your homebased career.
8 Things You Should Consider Before Freelancing
Posted on Feb 23rd, 07:55 am, under Career Advice
Ever dreamed of working for nobody but yourself? If the idea of freelancing or consulting appeals to you, then you should know what it's going to take to succeed. Becoming a freelancer is a big commitment, so you should be absolutely clear on your motives for doing it before you even start. Is it because you need additional income? Do you have some extra time every week that you can fill? Or is this your first foray into an entirely new field? You must decide whether your freelancing will be done full-time, part-time, or as something on the side. We don't advise doing it full-time until you've got at least two or three years of part-time freelancing experience and a clear plan of where you want to take your career. On the other hand, if you don't intend to give up your real job, then you can afford to take more chances and take longer to achieve freelancing success. Either way, here are eight important points you should think about before you decide to start a freelancing career: 1. Think of your startup costs. Generally, you should avoid quitting your "regular job" unless you're either independently wealthy, or you have enough funding to both start your freelancing business AND keep yourself afloat for a year while you set everything up. Your costs will likely include a lawyer, tax advisor, office supplies, etc. 2. Offer something different. You need to get a good feel of the market you're about to enter. Can you offer something that nobody's seen before? Or can you deliver services better and cheaper than your competitors? If you're entering an already-saturated market, you're going to have a much tougher time drumming up business and keeping clients. 3. Get information on non-compete agreements. Your employer for your "regular" job may ask you to sign this type of document, which essentially forbids you from competing with your employer's business. For example, if you're a freelance masseuse, you may not take your clients with you when you leave the company. Review your employment documents before take your freelancing full-time. 4. Familiarize yourself with no-moonlighting agreements. This is another agreement that your current employer may have asked you to sign, forbidding you from working after your normal work hours. It's a less common agreement, but make sure you check your employer's policies first. You can get more information at your state's Division of Labor. 5. Know how freelancing will affect your taxes. Since you're making the move to self-employment, you'll probably have to file paperwork that you won't be familiar with. Instead of a W2, independent contractors typically file the 1099 form. Check with IRS.gov for more details about record keeping and tax filing for freelancers. 6. Check if you need insurance. Have you considered what might happen if something goes wrong while working as a freelancer? Your insurance requirements will vary depending on the nature of your business and assets, but it's something that needs your consideration nonetheless. 7. Check if you need a license. Does your chosen field require certification? Even if it's not mandatory, should you invest in getting a license to make your business more competitive? How much will it cost? 8. Talk to the experts. Will you need contracts for each of your clients? A lawyer can help you make a template that will fit most clients. You'll need to consider important factors such as payment terms, cancellation policy, liability, and arbitration agreements. On the money side, local small business associations and financial advisers can help you get started with information about start-up grants and loans.
Holding Down Multiple Jobs
Posted on Feb 12th, 04:56 am, under Career Advice
These days, it's even more common to find people who have more than one job. Usually, they take on extra work to pay for additional bills or to increase their savings. Some people may even get another job to pay for outstanding debts, to buy a house, even to go on vacation. If for some reason you need to get another job aside from your regular work, you'll need to be physically and mentally ready to face the increased stress. First of all, there's the challenge of actually finding an appropriate line of work that won't interfere with your day job. Then, you'll need to somehow juggle your multiple commitments simultaneously. So how can you be successful in more than one career? 1. Disclosure Before you even start looking for an additional job elsewhere, you must tell your present employer about your intention to do so. You won't need to provide all the details. You just have to be sure that your company will allow you to work after your normal hours (in other words, moonlighting). Otherwise, you might be faced with serious legal complications if you start working outside without your primary employer's knowledge or permission. Many companies, because of the nature of their work or their efforts to keep their company secrets, won't allow you to work with other firms in the same field. If you're planning to work with a non-rival company, tell your main employer about this and inform them of the nature of your second job. 2. Time Management Once you notify your current employer, the next challenge is finding another job that doesn't overlap with your regular working hours. It's a good idea to give yourself a time allowance of one or two hours between jobs, even if your second job is only a short distance away. This is so you can compose yourself and rest your mind and body after your first job. Giving yourself a little time to recharge can help you focus on upcoming work and helps stave off fatigue. Talk to your future employer about this so you are both clear about your time commitment. 3. Proper Preparation If you want to succeed at holding down two or more jobs, it's critical that you plan your actions on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. You'll need good time management and organization more than ever, because what you're doing and where you are in your first job will directly affect your performance in your second job. However, when making your work schedule, don't forget to plan your hours and days of rest as well. Getting proper "off-time" is extremely important. If you don't plan appropriately, you may end up using your resting hours for work instead. When that happens, you'll find yourself burning out within just a few weeks. So make sure you've got a good plan and the mental and physical readiness to put it into action.
Keeping Your Job in A Recession, Part Two
Posted on Feb 12th, 04:54 am, under Career Advice
We continue our article for protecting your job in hard times with the second part of our tip list: 1. Always have a secondary plan. Keep an ear to the ground regarding industry developments and the state of your company. If your industry is shrinking, or if your employer is experiencing difficulties, it is never wise to ignore reality and pretend that everything is all right. Prepare a plan for dealing with a possible layoff (including a new job-search strategy and budget plan), and start saving if you haven't done so already. 2. Do not ask for a raise or promotion. If your company is already struggling and laying off employees, this is obviously not the time to ask your employer for more money. 3. Keep your focus on your goals. In a recession, you may feel like you're stuck in your present position, with no other real short-term options for getting out. However, this doesn't mean that you must give up on your long-term goals, so don't lose hope. You'll need to adjust your timetable, but you should still keep working towards achieving your career goals. Be prepared for when the economy picks up, as it inevitably will. 4. Take the opportunity to build your name and brand. The more highly you are regarded, the easier it will be to land a better job. Of course, you'll need to build yourself up in a more conservative way that doesn't hurt others. If you overdo your image polishing, you'll just end up hurting it. Instead, build your brand by adding value to your organization and profession. For example, write position papers for your professional association, use social networking sites to advertise your skills, or put up your own blog or website. 5. Never stop looking for other jobs. No matter how bad the economy gets, there will still be some companies and organizations out there that need new hires. Yes, job-hunting will involve much more energy, patience, and time than usual, but as long as you've got a good plan to put into action, you'll get what you're looking for. Obviously, don't let anyone at work know that you're looking for a new job. 6. Keep networking. As we've emphasized in several posts, time and again, networking is king. It lets you find new jobs AND also helps you keep your current one. Take the time to build your professional relationships, both outside and inside your current organization. You'll improve your reputation and protect your position with a good internal network, while getting outside contacts will help you find a new career if you should ever lose your current job. 7. Keep your resume updated. It's always a good idea to keep your resume current by adding your most recent achievements, but it's especially critical in times when your job security is not assured. 8. Acquire new skills and maintain your current certifications. Even if your present employer won't have much use for them, you'll want to be able to show potential new employers that you've been keeping up with the latest developments in your field. Almost all of us will go through times when we'll have to do our very best to protect our jobs, even if we may not particularly enjoy them. Hopefully, with the advice we've given you in this two-part article, you'll be well-equipped to fight for your current position while being sufficiently prepared to find and get a new job, should the opportunity come up.
Finding Jobs in Bad Times, Part Two
Posted on Feb 12th, 04:53 am, under Career Advice
Last time, we took a look at the many things you should do to get a job in a bad market. We bring you part two of our to-do list of job-hunting advice: 1. Take a little time off before getting back into the job market. If you've been recently laid off or downsized, it may be a good idea to take some time off before looking for another job. During a job search, it's imperative that you put your best foot forward and project an image of confidence and competence , and you won't be able to do that until you've come to terms with your termination. Without self-confidence and focus, you may find yourself unintentionally making mistakes while searching for another career. 2. Put more effort than before into your job search. We all know that job-hunting requires a lot of time and effort, but this is never truer than during a recession. Make a list of objectives for a weekly or daily basis. Tasks should include getting job leads, following up on applications, sending out resumes, meeting new professional contacts, coordinating with existing contacts, going to job interviews, and so on. Set a number to meet or beat (for example, "send out five applications" or "get ten new job leads") and stick to your schedule diligently. 3. Tailor your resume and cover letter to match each opening. Whenever possible, don't send out a generic resume and cover letter. Instead, do research beforehand about the company and position you're interested in, and then insert this information into your application. For more information, check out our post on cover letters here. You want to come across as someone capable and pro-active, and taking the time to customize your application is a great way of showing them you're exactly that. 4. Use your entire network. A good professional network is the most powerful tool for generating new job leads. Tell your contacts that you're on the hunt for a new career so they can alert you if they find any appropriate openings. With few companies actively looking for new hires in a bad economy, networking should be your primary means of finding good jobs. Always remember to enlarge your network whenever you can. Many people you'll meet, both offline and online, are potentially valuable additions to your network of contacts. 5. If employers haven't responded, don't panic. Hiring cycles in a bad economy are much longer than usual, so delays are to be expected. But always follow up politely with potential employers to show that you're still interested in the position. In the meantime, keep searching for other opportunities. 6. Consider getting career counseling. Landing a new job is a real challenge, and if you find yourself struggling, you may want to get career counseling. Your former college's career office offers this service, as do career coaches or career centers. 7. Beware of job-hunting scams. There are thousands of frauds and con artists working the job market, preying on the desperate and gullible. Make sure you're not one of their victims. A typical scam involves job placement firms and headhunters who guarantee you a job but demand payment before doing so. Always exercise caution when you're asked to pay for job placement services. Read more on job scams and how to avoid them here. Keep these tips in mind when you step into today's job market. Things are undeniably tough all around, but with perseverance, intelligence, and patience, you'll find yourself a new job sooner or later.
Relocations Done Right
Posted on Feb 8th, 12:17 am, under Career Advice
Moving to another location because of a new job can easily cost you thousands of dollars, especially if you're moving somewhere far or if you're transporting a lot of items. Relocating doesn't have to be this expensive, however. There are several simple things you can do to cut your moving costs: 1. Get packing materials for free. Your first impulse might be to buy brand-new moving boxes, packing materials, styrofoam peanuts, and bubble wrap. Don't bother. You can get most of these things for free at wholesale clubs, supermarkets, and liquor stores. These places have excess amounts of packing materials on hand, are usually willing to give you these items for free. In addition, check sites like Craigslist to see if anyone who has recently moved into your area, and if they're looking to offload their moving supplies. 2. Cut down on your baggage. It may be a good idea to sell of the things you no longer need or want. Take a good hard look and decide what is indispensable and what you can do without. Furniture you don't need, clothes you don't wear anymore, and more; you can sell almost everything quickly for cash, either online or in a yard sale. If you don't want to bother with selling your items, you can always donate them to charity and use it as a tax write-off. 3. Pack it yourself. The more things you do yourself, the more you can save. This includes packing your own belongings. Having a moving company do it for you can really run into money, especially if you consider the costs of labor, packaging items, and fragile item care. Get some friends or family members to help you out instead for free, and reward them with lunch or dinner perhaps. If you want to do it on your own, start a few weeks before your moving date and aim to get at least one box packed away each day. This way, you'll be more in control since you'll know how everything is organized. 4. Compare moving companies. It's always better to do comparison shopping whenever possible, and this includes moving companies as well. Sites like 123Movers.com offer a quick and easy way of comparing rates in your area. This way, instead of having to call each moving company in turn, asking about their prices, they will call you at home themselves. If some offers seem like a good deal, ask them to do an in-home estimate in order to get a more accurate quote. This saves you money, effort, and precious time when relocating.
Career Strategies: Moving Sideways
Posted on Feb 8th, 12:15 am, under Career Advice
Not all careers offer prospects for rapid advancement. If you feel that you've been in your spot for too long now, have you ever considered moving sideways instead? When moving up your career ladder isn't imminent, you may be able to improve your chances by transferring to another employer, or perhaps another department in the same firm. There are many reasons why a sideways move could benefit your career: 1. A prelude to future career progress. If your current company sees a lot of internal competition or has a very flat organizational system, it can be very hard to get promoted. You may be better off looking elsewhere for advancement. A sideways move can give you valuable additional skills and more industry contacts for the all-important professional network. Both of these factors can really help you when a higher-level position appears. 2. Better perks and benefits. When looking for another job to move to, don't just look at the pay, examine the total compensation package. If it offers you lots of non-cash benefits, such as health insurance, flexible spending accounts, and retirement plans. Other companies offer more perks, such as tuition assistance, on-site childcare, or work-from-home opportunities. 3. Same salary, more take-home pay. Your new position or job could still be at the same pay grade, but you may be able to get a more favorable bottom line out of it. For example, your new position may involve a shorter commute everyday or cheaper parking than your old job. If you have to relocate for a new job, you may be able to move to an area with a lower cost of living. In this instance, your new employer may even subsidize your relocation costs. 4. Better alignment with long-term goals. If you're not seeing any career growth in your current company, a lateral move can get you into another firm or industry that better suits your long-term plans. Even if it does not result in a financial gain, the morale boost and renewed sense of purpose that you'll get from this move cannot be underestimated. 5. A chance to learn new skills. The new job may offer a similar title and a similar salary, but it could provide you with a new set of skills or learning opportunities. As employers move to leaner settings, the more skills you have the better. The varied experience will make you more marketable should the opportunity for a promotion arise, or for the next time you may need to explore a career move. The added skills can also protect you from being at the top of the list when it is time for a cut. 6. Getting out while the going is good. Being laid off is rarely a pleasant experience, and it doesn't really do any favors for your resume either. If you think that your current position is in danger of being eliminated, you can either stay on and try to keep it, or you can do a preemptive transfer to another position. This helps prevent potential financial insecurity by keeping you employed, and keeps your job record clean. So is a lateral job transfer the right choice for you? That's for you to decide. It may be worthwhile, but it can also be a risk. Evaluate your professional and personal situation carefully before you make the choice.