5 Smart Steps to Changing Careers

By Ruth Klein



A new year is when many people ask themselves, is it time to change careers? People in this generation will change jobs more often than in any previous generation, and fewer jobs are offering the kind of security enjoyed by our parents.


Sometimes changing careers means going to work for yourself. Indeed, one study by economists at Northwestern University and the University of Wisconsin found that people who change careers to work for themselves feel more secure in their self-employment than those who work for others.


More than 30 million workers in the United States today are self-employed or own their own businesses. So changing careers is not just limited to changing employers; it also can be about making your new boss yourself.


Whether you want to work for someone else, work in a different field or become self-employed, following an action plan and organizing your step-by-step progress will help you make a smoother, more productive transition.


Here are five smart tips that will help you reach your goal:

1. Create an Action Plan. Pro-active steps can put you in charge of your career, instead of the high stress than comes with not being in control of your own destiny. If you are unhappy with your job, and find that you cannot make changes that will allow you to be happier at your job, then decide right now to change jobs, and get started on your action plan. Create a chart on paper. Give yourself a week to research career change options. Ask yourself, what am I truly interested in doing in my work and in my life? During week two, whittle down your findings to one or two potential careers that fit your goals. Then, "go deep" during the third week exploring the advantages and disadvantages of each. Next, start looking, and chart your progress each week to keep yourself on track.

2. Network. Networking still is the most powerful way to find a rewarding job. If you are changing careers, then change your professional networks to zero in on the career you really want. Invest in a membership at your local chamber of commerce, and join committees or subgroups related to your next career, not your current one.

3. Integrate your Lifestyle Goals. Don't just think about changing careers; think about how you can reach your lifestyle goals, incorporating your career change. For example, if you want to spend more time with your family, consider changing to a career that might pay less, but provides the priceless dividend of time. If you want to be healthier, consider changing to a career that does not force you to sit at a desk for 10 hours a day. It's ultimately more rewarding to downsize your budget to accommodate a lower-paying, but less stressful job, than to shorten your life with an unhealthy career.

4. Enlist a Coach. Enlist an outside coach to help you integrate your lifestyle goals you're your career search. I've helped hundreds of people change careers and lifestyles through Ruth Klein's Dream Maker's Circle with 180 days of personal consulting, monthly and weekly tele-coaching sessions, seminars, and hands-on help with changing careers or starting your own business. Visit http://www.ruthklein.com, and click on Dream Maker's Circle under "Upcoming Events" to learn more.

5. Organize. To change careers, you must organize your time to allow you one hour each day to focus on your career change. Make a schedule and stick to it, creating one hour each day to devote to career research, networking, to your coach or to other tasks you have outlined in your action plan. Simplify chores, meals and other responsibilities to create this extra hour in your day.

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Career Exploration Tips

By Nimish Thakkar



If fretting about your career is affecting your professional performance and personal life, it may be time to consider a career change. Sometimes a career change may not be necessary at all; rather, small changes in the way you do your job may do the trick.

Rule out job-related factors

Sometimes extreme work pressure, long commutes, bad bosses, lower salary, and a host of other factors may be contributing to your dissatisfaction and a career change may not be necessary at all. A new job or a different industry (using your existing strengths) may just do the trick and is much easier. If, however, you determine that it is your profession that you are unhappy with, it may be time to explore a new career.

Keep the following tips in mind before embarking on a career exploration.

Take stock

What is it that you like to do most? Why? Is there any activity or interest that you particularly love or enjoy? Example, do you love traveling? Is it because you get to see new places? Or, is it because you love nature? Or, is it for the thrill of flying? Or, the joy of meeting new people? It is not enough to know what your interests are; you need to go a step further and evaluate why. These underlying reasons may often hold the clue to your inner passions and a potential line of work to fulfill them.

Your skills, interests, values, personality -- all of these should be carefully considered during the process of career exploration. Avoid thinking about financial responsibilities, barriers, etc. Just let your fancies lose. Don't worry you are still at the stage of brainstorming; thinking about other things won't let the creative juices flow freely.

Assessments

Assessments such as Myers Briggs Type Indicator, Strong Interest Inventory and an assortment of assessments can help navigate options. Be careful, though, assessments need to be interpreted carefully (by an expert) and should in no way be considered a final verdict.

Develop goals

What are your short term goals? long term? Unless you know your life's purpose how can you make a meaningful change?

Research, research, research

Once you have narrowed your options to two or three choices, it is time to undertake extensive research. What growth opportunities exist in your industry? What is the median salary? What are the entry requirements? How stable is the career? Which area of the country are most jobs available? What are the work conditions like? Are there any certification requirements? What kind of experience is desired? These are just a few of the questions you need to ask. Familiarize yourself with every aspect of the industry. Our career planning resources and industry research section can be helpful at this stage.

Network

Informational interviewing, the process of gathering information through networking is an effective means to gather different perspectives from insiders. At times, these conversations may also open doors to potential job opportunities. Ask your network questions like what they love the most about that job? Least? What does the job entail? Prepare a list of questions and see if you fit the bill.

Try testing the waters

Internships, volunteer opportunities, opportunities within the same organization are just a few ways you can actually get a feel for the profession before making a full career change. Experiencing a new profession from within can really give you a good idea about what the job would entail. Sometimes, it may be possible to get your feet wet within the same company you are at. Try voluntarily taking on extra tasks in the new area you are interested in. It may mean more work but the effort could be worth the rewards.

Cost Benefit Analysis

Now, it is time to conduct some cost-benefit analysis. What will switching careers at this stage cost you? How much income would you lose? Is there a part time job or freelancing opportunity that you can add to supplement your income? A career change may at times require a new degree, certificate, or training; are you willing to get one? Sometimes, you may decide to take the cut and switch; while under other circumstances you may decide to stay put in your current position. In either scenario, conducting a cost-benefit analysis is absolutely essential.

Transition slowly if necessary

Depending on your personality, you may want to take the transition slowly. Adding a part time job in your new career and slowly transitioning to a full-time position may work for some, while for others it may not be necessary.

Stay financially strong

If you don't have a financial cushion or part time or freelance job to support yourself, the transition may be much harder due to financial worries. It is always a good idea to have a cushion or supplemental income during this process.

Work with a professional

Career exploration is a complex process. Having a coach or counselor on your side could make all the difference. Your local Career One Stop center, community college, university, or government sponsored programs may also be able to help.

How does your move impact your overall career goals

What is long term career goal? Does your career exploration lead you to a career in that direction.

Sometimes you may be able to keep your regular job while you explore new waters during nights and weekends. It may not be a good idea to burn bridges with your current employer for some companies do not appreciate the idea of a second career. No matter what or how you decide, carefully plan your move. You must also be careful to not alert your employer beforehand.

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Best Holiday Jobs for Teens and College Students

By Gipsy

Associated Content


Christmas may still feel comfortably far away, but retail and customer service managers are hiring now for their Christmas holiday work force.

Christmas may still feel comfortably far away, but retail and customer service managers are hiring now for their Christmas holiday work force. In fact, many big box retailers break the season into Holiday I, Holiday II and Holiday III zones, and the first of those marketing zones starts next week. Retail managers want their holiday staff trained and ready to go long before Black Friday.

So if you need a little extra cash this holiday season, now is the time to be aggressively applying and interviewing for those holiday jobs. Most of these jobs are temporary and will end by mid-January. However, if you decide you enjoy the job, and prove yourself well during the holiday season, you have a good chance of being hired on-staff permanently.

Follow these tips to find the best holiday job to fit your skills and needs.

1. Consider the perks. Let's face it. Holiday retail is pretty much rock bottom. Customers are never more rude and condescending than during the holiday shopping rush. After really bad days, even the paycheck may seem too small to be worth it. Choose a job with perks that will make your job fun or at least make the hassle worthwhile. If you are technology junkie, consider working at a big box chain like Best Buy or Circuit City.

The discount is usually a percentage above cost, which means you can rack up with sweet discounts on accessories like cables, memory cards, cases, and blank media. Because these stores actually make very little revenue on the core products (TVs, cameras, gaming systems, etc.) the discount will be very small. But, still, the extra $100 of a $1000 HD TV or $5 off new-release DVDs may thrill you enough to make the closing duties worthwhile.

Service based jobs have other perks. Outback employees get 50 percent off their bill up to two people at any Outback. Many other restaurants offer similar discounts, so you and your date can eat well wherever you are. Day spas offer discounts and sometimes even free services to employees.

2. Make the training work for you. Look at the job requirements and training you will receive, even in a temporary job. Pick up some extra hours at a local recording studio and learn what you can. Sign on as a short-order cook and learn your favorite restaurants recipes. Apply as an assistant at a local photography studio and learn lighting during all those holiday portrait shoots.

Another example, take a look at big box technology stores. If you are chosen for a certain department's sales, you will receive extensive training in that department's technology. Pick a store that sells products for an industry you are interested in.

Considering photography? Train to sell cameras at Best Buy and you'll receive tons of knowledge and training on equipment. You'll also be exposed to the newest technology as it is released and get a chance to play with it when there are fewer customers.

Need to know more about computers or home theater installation? Train in one of those departments. Make your part-time job work for your future. Take advantage of the knowledge of your supervisors and ask questions about the technology. At the end of the holiday season you will be more empowered to make consumer choices about these confusing technologies than before.

3. Network, network, network. When you're in your late teens and early 20s, look for a part-time job with a later pay-off, to supplement that minimum wage check. Use your contact with the public to make connections that could benefit your future. Pick a job in an industry that you need connections in and then network like crazy. Talk to everyone. Learn as much as you can and ask questions.

Even if you are just working simple customer service at a retail store or fast food place, take advantage of every contact with the customers to get to know different people. I hand out examples of my photography work at the camera store I work in part-time. This has already helped booked me several portrait sessions which pay considerably more than my hourly wage. You never know who will walk through those doors and who might hire you into a better position later down the road.

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Great Part-Time Jobs With Discounts

By Careerbuilder.com     

Extra cash and work experience are two great reasons to pick up a part-time job. But the employee discount never hurts.
Employee discounts are all but expected in some industries -- retail being a prime example. According to a poll by Maritz Research, 89 percent of people looking for retail employment want their companies to offer discounts on its products or services.

Employers have even started offering employee discounts to the general public. In 2005, Ford, Chrysler and GM all offered all of America the chance to cash in on the discounted automobile rates paid by their employees.

"(Offering employee discounts) definitely improves retention," says Bob Schiff, senior vice president of YouDecide, a company that helps employers provide voluntary benefits and discounts for their workers. Schiff says that after his company puts all of an employer's benefits on one portal on its HR intranet, "it increases intranet traffic by 300 to 400 percent."

Even colleges and universities have gotten into the game. Duke University, for example, offers its employees everything from discounted cars to cheaper salon services, gym memberships and foreign language classes.

Not all companies advertise their discounts, so to get more information on a company's incentives, your best bet may be to talk to current and former employees or read online message boards. But here are a few hints for finding employment that will bring you more than just a paycheck:

If you're a fashionista...
Consider a job in retail. Most stores encourage their employees to wear their apparel at work, so they offer hefty discounts to their workers. Gap, for example, reportedly offers employee discounts ranging from 30 to 50 percent at Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic.

If you're a caffeine junkie...
Consider a job as a barista, where you can get your caffeine fix both at work and out of the office. At Starbucks, for instance, you get free drinks while working, and employees get to bring home a pound of coffee each week!

If you're a jet-setter...
Look for open positions at an airline. Beginning on their first day of employment, employees of Southwest Airlines get unlimited free flights, as long as there is space available on the plane. Southwest also has discounted travel arrangements with other carriers.

If you're a foodie...
Consider working for a grocery store, where you can stock up on all your recipe ingredients for cheap. Trader Joe's gives all employees a 10 percent discount and Publix Supermarkets offers premium pay for working Sundays or holidays.

If you're a movie nut...
Consider a job at a movie theater or video rental company. Blockbuster reportedly offers its employees free DVD rentals -- enough to satisfy nearly any movie lover.

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Trik Lolos dari Kejaran Deadline

Pernahkan Anda merasa diburu pekerjaan? Satu tugas belum selesai, ada lagi tugas baru dari atasan. Hal ini tentu membuat kita sulit mengerjakannya. Apalagi jika waktu yang diberikan untuk mengerjakan tugas-tugas itu tidak banyak. Kita pasti akan kebingungan karena dikejar-kejar oleh deadline. Hal terpenting yang dapat menyelesaikan masalah ini adalah pengaturan waktu yang tepat yang diiringi dengan kinerja yang efektif dan efisien. Berikut beberapa cara yang dapat Anda lakukan agar tidak terjebak oleh deadline.

Pahami Tugas yang akan Anda tangani.
Ketika memberikan sebuah tugas, klien/manajer Anda pasti menjelaskan terlebih dahulu segala hal mengenai tugas tersebut. Untuk menghemat waktu ketika pengerjaan, Anda harus menyerap informasi sebaik dan sebanyak mungkin. Bila perlu anda catat poin-poin penting mengenai tugas tersebut. Anda tidak perlu ragu untuk bertanya mengenai hal-hal yang kurang dimengerti dan ada baiknya juga Anda bertanya mengenai hal-hal yang mendetail seperti, “Apa yang Anda harapkan setelah proyek ini selesai?” atau sebagainya. Semakin banyak pertanyaan yang Anda ajukan, semakin besar kemungkinan Anda dan klien/manajer mampu menyamakan persepsi sehingga bentrokan yang mungkin terjadi mengenai proyek tersebut dapat dihindarkan.

Perencanaan Strategi
Pastikan Anda telah matang dengan tugas yang diberikan sehingga Anda tidak menghabiskan waktu untuk bertanya-tanya kembali. Setelah itu, sekarang saatnya Anda membagi pekerjaan tersebut menjadi beberapa bagian kecil yang dapat Anda kerjakan secara terpisah. Hal ini akan memudahkan Anda dalam penyelesaian tugas, karena sering kali bila tidak dibagi-bagi, sebuah tugas akan terlihat sangat banyak dan terlalu rumit untuk diselesaikan. Bila perlu buatlah daftar pembagian tugas tersebut sehingga Anda dapat memberi tanda check untuk setiap tugas yang telah diselesaikan.

Disiplin
Manajemen waktu dapat dikategorikan sebagai keterampilan berdisiplin. Bila Anda terbiasa untuk disiplin, tentu ini bukanlah masalah besar. Namun bila Anda adalah tipe pekerja yang terbiasa menunda waktu, tentu ini adalah masalah besar yang harus Anda ubah demi produktifitas kerja. Setelah menyusun proses kerja dengan segala pertimbangan waktu, kini Anda tinggal mengerjakannya dengan memegang teguh konsep disiplin. Disiplinlah dengan apa yang telah Anda tetapkan sama seperti Anda disiplin dengan waktu yang telah ditetapkan bersama perusahaan.

Tentukan Prioritas
Terkadang memang Anda akan menemukan situasi dimana ada beberapa tugas yang diberikan dalam waktu hampir bersamaan dan harus selesai dengan waktu yang hampir bersamaan pula. Prioritaskan dan fokuslah pada apa yang seharusnya Anda selesaikan terlebih dahulu. Anda tidak akan mendapatkan hasil yang maksimal bila konsentrasi Anda terpecah, so fokuslah pada hal yang sekiranya bisa mendatangkan pencapaian terbesar terlebih dahulu.

Hindari Menjadi Seorang ‘Perfeksionis’
Anda tidak perlu menyia-nyiakan waktu hanya karena terobsesi mengerjakan suatu hal sesempurna mungkin. Yang dibutuhkan dari proses kerja Anda bukanlah sebuah kesempurnaan namun pemaksimalan kinerja Anda. Anda dapat melakukan sesuatu yang lebih baik dan lebih banyak lagi ketimbang memikirkan suatu pekerjaan yang menurut Anda tidak sempurna-sempurna.

Beristirahatlah sejenak
Walaupun Anda merasa terus diburu oleh waktu dan pekerjaan, Anda tetap perlu beristirahat untuk menyegarkan pikiran. Anda tidak perlu memaksakan diri karena hal ini hanya akan mengakibatkan Anda kelelahan dan kinerja Anda justru akan merosot. Beristirahatlah sejenak dengan meminum kopi, teh atau memakan cemilan. Hal simpel ini sangat bermanfaat untuk me-refresh otak Anda. Namun perlu diingat untuk tetap menjaga waktu kerja Anda agar jangan terlalu banyak tersita untuk istirahat.

Hindari obrolan yang tak jelas
Berinteraksi dengan rekan kerja memang sangat penting. Namun Anda harus memprioritaskan pekerjaan Anda ketimbang hanya menggosip atau ngobrol yang tak ada juntrungannya. Selain hanya akan merusak dan membuang-buang waktu, hal ini dapat merusak konsentrasi, mengganggu pikiran, serta membuang moment yang Anda miliki. Anda tidak perlu menolak, tetapi Anda hanya perlu menunda dengan halus ajakan teman  untuk menggosip. Katakan terus-terang bahwa Anda sedang menyelesaikan proyek penting, mungkin dilain kesempatan bisa berbincang – bincang dengan mereka.

Kini Anda dapat mulai menyusun rencana untuk mengatur pekerjaan yang menumpuk dan Ingatlah untuk selalu disiplin. Terlepas dari hal itu terkadang Anda membutuhkan konsep deadline untuk diri Anda sendiri, karena deadline dapat memotivasi kinerja Anda ketika menyelesaikan pekerjaan. Anda akan memiliki kinerja lebih, jika dituntut memenuhi deadline. Cobalah Anda membuat deadline untuk diri sendiri.

Job , Jobs, Career

Hal-Hal Yang Membuat Anda Harus Pindah Kerja

Mendapatkan pekerjaan memang bukan pekerjaan yang mudah. Tentu Anda ingat saat harus berburu lowongan pekerjaan, mengirimkan surat lamaran dan CV, deg-degan menghadapi interview sampai akhirnya pekerjaan tersebut akhirnya Anda dapatkan. Namun kenyatan tidak seindah bayangan. Saat dijalani ternyata pekerjaan tersebut tidak memberikan kepuasan dan imbalan yang diinginkan. Malah menguras energi, emosi dengan sedikit atau sama sekali tidak memberikan penghargaan. Saat hal ini terjadi hal yang wajar jika Anda lalu memikirkan untuk pindah kerja.


Namun jangan terburu-buru mengambil keputusan untuk mengundurkan diri. Terkadang masalah yang dihadapi setiap hari adalah konflik yang biasa muncul dalam keseharian dan rutinitas pekerjaan Anda. Nantinya hal tersebut bisa jadi pelajaran yang menempa kematangan karakter Anda. Jika Anda masih memikirkan untuk pindah kerja, telaahlah hal-hal berikut, apakah Anda mengalaminya? Jika iya, berarti Anda sudah saatnya untuk mulai pencarian kerja baru.


   1. Perusahaan mengalami downward spiral. Perusahaan kehilangan pelanggan dalam jumlah yang signifikan, lalu ada rumor dan tanda-tanda perusahaan akan ditutup karena mengalami kebangkrutan. Alasan - alasan ini lebih dari kuat bagi Anda untuk mengakhiri hubungan kerja dengan perusahan Anda. Hal ini bukan berarti tidak loyal terhadap perusahaan, tetapi untuk mengantisipasi langkah Anda selanjutnya, seperti menyiapkan diri kembali untuk mencari pekerjaan baru yang prospenya lebih besar.


   2. Hubungan yang buruk dengan manager atau atasan. Ada banyak sebab yang membuat hubungan tidak baik terjadi, namun pastikan Anda sudah melakukan sesuatu atau bersikap proaktif untuk memperbaiki hal ini. Jika ternyata hubungan Anda dengan atasan sudah tidak bisa diperbaiki lagi, dengan alasan apapun, akan lebih baik jika Anda mengundurkan diri dan mencari pekerjaan baru. Keadaan seperti ini akan menimbulkan situasi yang tidak kondusif dan tidak nyaman untuk bekerja.


   3. Tidak ada penghargaan yang sesuai. Anda sudah bekerja dan berprestasi mencapai bahkan melebihi target. Anda juga loyal dan bersedia mengorbankan waktu dan energi ekstra demi pekerjaan. Anda bersedia untuk belajar hal baru karena tanggung jawab ekstra yang dibebankan kepada Anda. Namun ternyata tidak ada juga peningkatan remunerasi walaupun Anda sudah bekerja cukup lama dan sudah berusaha membicarakannya dengan manajemen. Prestasi Anda seakan tidak dikenali dan atasan maupun manajemen menganggapnya sebagai hal biasa yang sudah sepantasnya dikerjakan. Jika ini terjadi, mulailah
memikirkan untuk bekerja di perusahaan lain.


   4. Tidak ada perkembangan dalam karir Anda. Bila Anda salah satu dari orang yang senang dengan tantangan, besar kemungkinan Anda akan merasa tidak nyaman untuk bekerja dalam rutinitas. Demikian juga sebaliknya, Anda lebih suka bekerja dalam rutinitas, namun Anda ditempatkan di posisi yang tidak sesuai. Hal ini menutup jalan dan kesempatan bagi Anda untuk mengembangkan potensi diri sesuai dengan kepribadian. Daripada 'menyeret' diri untuk berangkat ke kantor setiap hari, depresi dan bosan dengan pekerjaan yang dilakukan sekarang, maka percayalah bahwa tantangan dan tempat baru adalah jawaban yang lebih baik.


   5. Perbedaan prinsip dengan kebiasaan dan kebudayan perusahaan. Sebagai contoh: perusahan menerapkan peraturan baru yang mengekang kepercayaan dan prinsip Anda. Atau tidak bersedia mengembangkan sistem dan teknologi sesuai dengan jaman demi efisiensi kerja. Bagaimana Anda bisa berkembang secara pribadi dan professional jika perusahaan mengekang pertumbuhan Anda?


   6. Sudah tidak menikmati pekerjaan seperti dulu. Mungkin Anda sudah merasa tidak enjoy lagi dengan pekerjaan, lingkungan yang sudah tidak mendukung Anda lagi, atau mungkin pekerjaan yang overload, semuanya seakan terakumulasi dan membuat Anda sudah tidak sanggup untuk memikirkan pekerjaan lagi, maka sudah saatnya untuk berhenti dari pekerjaan Anda.


   7. Tingkat stress Anda ditempat kerja terlalu tinggi. Pekerjaan dan tekanannya membuat hidup Anda tidak nyaman sehingga mempengaruhi fisik dan mental Anda. Anda mengalami kesulitan untuk bersosialisasi dengan keluarga dan teman - teman Anda, sering kehilangan kendali akan emosi Anda, kinerja yang menurun, semangat dan energi menjadi hilang, sehingga kreatifitas dan inovasi berkurang dan lain - lain. Jika dibiarkan terlalu lama, tentunya akan melelahkan Anda sendiri, dan berdampak untuk perusahaan juga.

Job , Jobs, Career

Kinerja Anda Menurun Menjelang Akhir Tahun?

Memasuki minggu kedua bulan Desember, dengan sederet rencana untuk menghabiskan cuti dengan berlibur, atau merayakan Natal dan Tahun Baru bersama keluarga dan teman membuat akhir tahun dinanti dengan penuh antisipasi. Selain excitement yang meluap-luap karena akan menghadapi berbagai hal yang menyenangkan, pernahkah Anda menyadari bahwa di saat seperti ini justru produktifitas kerja menurun dan Anda jadi tidak bersemangat bekerja? Rasanya otak Anda sudah dipenuhi dengan angan-angan untuk lepas dari pekerjaan, bersantai dan melarikan diri sejenak dari rutinitas kerja sehari-hari.

Beware then! Jangan sampai Anda meninggalkan pekerjaan yang tidak selesai saat cuti. Selain membuat kredibilitas dan profesionalisme Anda dipertanyakan juga akan membebani rekan kerja yang bertugas ‘jaga kantor’ sampai Anda kembali. Lagipula, Anda masih ingin bekerja saat Anda kembali dari liburan bukan?

Analisa beberapa penyebab yang membuat kinerja Anda menurun sebelum Anda mengambil tindakan untuk memperbaikinya :

• Pengelolaan jam kerja yang kurang strategis sehingga banyak pekerjaan yang terbengkalai.
• Tidak menaati "to do list" untuk hari ini.
• Menyusun prioritas yang salah.
• Tidak memanfaatkan sumber daya yang ada secara maksimal
• Terlalu banyak waktu dihabiskan untuk melakukan hal-hal pribadi seperti menelepon teman, terlalu lama browsing situs pertemanan, menuruti ‘nafsu’ untuk main game. Semuanya dilakukan dengan alasan ingin istirahat sejenak dari jenuhnya pekerjaan.

Berikut beberapa tips yang bisa membantu Anda mengoptimalkan waktu sebaik-baiknya sebelum Anda berlibur :

• Niatkan diri Anda untuk mendisiplinkan diri menjalankan setiap daftar pekerjaan yang harus Anda selesaikan hari itu. Jika perlu tempelkan kertas yang bertuliskan to do list lengkap dengan deadline nya di depan Anda sebagai reminder konstan ada pekerjaan yang perlu Anda selesaikan segera.
• Berusahalah untuk jadi produktif sebelum jam makan siang karena otak bekerja lebih baik saat pagi hari. Kerjakan pekerjaan yang membutuhkan konsentrasi dan kreatifitas tinggi di pagi hari, dan kerjakan tugas rutin di sore hari.
• Berikan reward kecil setiap kali Anda menuntaskan satu pekerjaan. Contohnya dengan membaca email dari teman, membaca majalah atau meng-update status di akun situs pertemanan Anda. Hal ini akan memberikan Anda sense of accomplishment.
• Dengarkan musik yang bisa menambah semangat Anda. Musik juga bisa membantu Anda untuk konsentrasi pada pekerjaan dan menghindari Anda ikut-ikutan dengan obrolan di kubikel tetangga. Sesuaikan dengan kebutuhan mood Anda untuk menyelesaikan pekerjaan.
• Manfaatkan waktu istirahat sebaik-baiknya. Saat makan siang, kembalikan energi Anda dengan makan bergizi dan jika ada waktu sisa, sempatkanlah untuk tidur sejenak di meja Anda.

Job , Jobs, Career

Job Fairs - create a lasting impression at job fairs

by Scott Boyd


Job fairs. Speed dating for job seekers and employers! Or like a cattle market.


Most Colleges and Universities organise job fairs round about graduation time to allow students to meet new employers - it's a fairly common method of recruiting recent graduates.


Job seekers can use job fairs to find out a bit more information about employers, working life and general industry information. This is what most people use job fairs for.


However, the opportunity exists for job seekers to use the brief few minutes they have with employers to create a lasting impression (er, a "good" lasting impression!) and sell themselves, for job fairs are also an opportunity for the cream of the crop to rise to the top!


So who are those people hanging about the tables?

Employers and recruiters tend to send HR personnel along to job fairs to either weed out unsuitable candidates or pick out some young potentials from the crowd.


Unlike trade shows (which have basically the same format), job fairs aren't "staffed" by marketing people - they aren't trying to sell you anything. They are there to be sold by YOU! (the obvious exception is where you are such an attractive prospect, you get them chasing you, but let's face it - if that was the case, then you wouldn't be reading this!)


You are a salesman competing for business amongst hundreds of others. You could leave your CV with the recruiter. Would they remember you?


Dress for an interview!

Yes, job fairs are interviews and you should treat them as such.


Simply sauntering along in jeans and a t-shirt to see what's going on isn't going to get you anywhere, regardless of your skills and abilities. There are literally hundreds of other people there with the same aim as you - finding meaningful employment!


So, go along to job fairs and be prepared to make an impression!


Do your homework on the fly!

You see those glossy brochures the recruiters have strewn all over their little tables? And the posters on the walls? And the conversation the recruiter is having with the other jobseeker next to you?


This is all valuable information! And you NEED to use it to make your impression!


Find out about the company. Find out about the jobs they are offering or their graduate programme. Listen to the questions the recruiter asks other people and the information he or she gives out.


If you wander on up and ask some vague question about health plan or holidays, the recruiter is simply going to answer you and will soon be distracted by someone else. There it was. That was your chance. It's gone now.


You need to engage the recruiter - not simply hold a one sided conversation with them! At a job fair, a conversation is your best friend, because the longer you spend talking with the recruiter, the more likely they are to remember you.


At least....

The least you should leave a job fair is with some background about your industry (an idea of the types of jobs available), and some information about employers. At best you leave having made a positive impression on several employers and have a few job prospects to look forward to!


Job , Jobs, Employment

How to Survive a Bad Team Leader

by Larry Buhl, for Yahoo! HotJobs

For almost everyone, having a job means working on teams. But not all team leaders know how to create successful teams--by building consensus, setting agendas, meeting deadlines, encouraging good ideas, and so on. In fact, many team leaders are thrown into the role without training in any of these areas. If your leader seems to be less than fully competent, there are ways you can make the experience bearable, and even successful, without stepping on toes. Experts recommend the following:


Set a good example.
Maybe your leader isn't setting the most positive course for the team. But you should still be the kind of person you'd want to work with, experts say. Before you start casting stones at others, make sure your team behavior is exemplary. Are you on time for all meetings? Do you complete your action items? Do you leave your ego at the door? Do you respect other peoples' ideas and acknowledge their contributions? Do you attempt to build consensus?


Build camaraderie.
A team thrives on connections, according to Stephen Balzac, president of the organizational and management consulting firm 7 Steps Ahead. "Talk to people, and take the time to get to know your coworkers as people and find common interests," Balzac says. "It's the little things that hold the team together."


Balzac adds that looking for opportunities to praise other people will go a long way toward encouraging group cohesion. "Appreciation builds camaraderie," he explains. "For example, if you hear that a coworker's child just did really well in a soccer game or landed a big part in a school play, congratulate them."

Schmoozing and praising work, but gossip doesn't, experts say. Gossip kills group cohesion and it can come back to haunt you.


Sharpen your communication skills.
Non-verbal communication is just as important as what's being said, according to team-building training expert Bob Lancer. "Most communication goes on non-verbally, so you have to observe others closely to receive the messages they are sending you. From that skill, develop adaptability. In this context, adaptability means that you work on relating with the unique individuality of each person in ways that work for you, rather than against you."


Focus on issues, not personalities.
"Many people on teams will say, 'If I can get that guy to shut up and listen, everything will be fine,'" says business strategist and speaker AmyK Hutchens. "But they need to not focus on the perceived troublemaker. Rather, they should ask the group how to create better dialogue in meetings. That way, they direct their attention to the issues, not the person."


Lancer agrees. "One of the most essential keys to effective teamwork is disciplining yourself to respond to your teammates functionally, rather than personally. This means that instead of being judgmental about others, or interpreting others' performance in ways that cause you to feel offended, betrayed, or taken advantage of, you take responsibility for the effectiveness of your responses. Focus on how your responses are working for you, instead of focusing on what others are up to."


Ask questions.
Sometimes team members fall into the assumption that everyone is on the same page, when they're really not. As a result, deadlines aren't met, tasks slip, and some people feel burdened with what should be someone else's responsibilities.


If you're not the leader, you can help by asking questions, Hutchens says. "Ask, 'What are we doing? Why are we doing it? How do we accomplish it? And how do we know when we've succeeded? Ask questions that move the team forward. Don't just say, 'I have the answers.' Ideally the team should agree to five rules and a schedule, and deadlines and consequences for missing deadlines."


Know how to involve a supervisor.
If all of your efforts to prop up the group fail, you may need help. "This is especially true if rights and/or policies are being violated," says Cynthia E. Kazalia, placement specialist at New Directions Career Center in Ohio. She suggests that when you need to involve a supervisor, you ask for a private meeting time, have documentation ready, stick to the facts, refrain from character assassinations, and be specific about how you want him or her to fix the situation.

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

Should You Keep Your Salary a Secret?

by Caroline M.L. Potter, Yahoo! HotJobs

You share a lot with your coworkers over time: Projects. Lunches. Office space. Cocktails. Family photos. Birthday cake. But, even after many years of working together, should you share the details of your salary and compensation package?

No, says compensation expert Dick Dauphinais of Strategic Compensation Partners. "We all know employees talk, and things can never remain totally confidential," he says. "But an outright exchange of salary details probably isn't the best idea."

Keep It Secret, Keep It Safe

When companies have different employees on the same job and one of them is paid differently, many unfairness issues surface. "It can happen in any 'open shop' that differentiates pay for any reason (seniority, performance, etc.)," says Dauphinais. You could run the risk of alienating valued colleagues if they learn you earn more for what they perceive to be the same job.

Dauphinais, who has more than 30 years of human resources experience specializing in both the compensation and benefit areas, instead urges organizations to focus on structure. "I am a big fan of sharing the compensation 'structure' and all the components that dictate how employees progress through that structure with staff members."

Democracy Doesn't Always Work at Work

There are organizations that openly share compensation information around the office. However, warns Dauphinais, "Unless all similar jobs pay the same rate, I would advise that open salary concepts don't work well."

The confidential nature of your salary, in fact, can be a greater benefit to you. "It creates an opportunity for a manager to have a confidential discussion with employees as to why they are being paid what they are -- and how they can work toward making more money," he says. "Each employee can then move forward with confidence that they have 'bonded' with their supervisor on their individual issues -- good and bad -- without involving others in the process."

 

Don't Let Under-Compensation Undermine You

If you learn that someone who holds a similar position earns a bigger paycheck, don't panic. First, do some due diligence to determine if you are being underpaid in general. Use the Yahoo! HotJobs salary calculator, and also reach out to your out-of-office network to find out how people at other companies are being compensated.

Next, says Dauphinais, "I would go to my boss and ask the reasons why." Open a rational dialogue to understand what skills or experience you'll need to improve your performance -- and earn more recognition and financial rewards.

Indonesia Job, Job Indonesia, Job Vacancy

Salary Secrets Your Employer Doesn't Want You to Know

by Maria Hanson, LiveCareer

In down economic times, companies seem to have carte blanche to limit salaries and make low-ball offers. But that shouldn't be the case.
Below are the top salary secrets your employer doesn't want you to know. With this information in hand, you'll be in a better position to get the pay you deserve.


Employers don't always offer a fair salary.
Some employers think they're being fair, but they're not up-to-date with the latest salary information. Others may try to pay less than the market value because they're financially strapped. That's why it's important that you know exactly how much money you should be making. A free salary report can help you calculate how much you should be earning in any job.


You can negotiate your salary in a tight job market.
In a recession, many people would rather take a pay cut than lose their jobs. Raises are hard to come by and new hires may feel they have less negotiating power. But that doesn't mean it's impossible to bump up your salary; it's just a little more challenging.


According to a recent survey from the Society for Human Resource Management, 80 percent of HR professionals say employers are willing to negotiate salaries. So, if you're looking for a raise at your current job, come armed with your marketplace worth and make your case. And, if you've been offered a job that pays less than you like, don't be afraid to name your realistic asking price. Keep in mind that, if you got the offer, you're clearly the best candidate for the job -- even in this highly competitive job market.
New hires sometimes earn more than long-term employees.


When there's a strong job market, organizations need to do whatever they can to attract top candidates. This often means that starting salaries may be higher for newbies than they are for long-term employees. Given the current economic conditions, that's less the norm these days, but it still happens in certain industries. If you suspect that a new hire with similar responsibilities is making more than you are, use current salary data to approach your manager with the request to bring your salary up to par.


Your performance doesn't decide your pay.
While your performance is one important factor in the salary equation, your pay is also a reflection of many other factors, including:

• The job market -- lower pay is more acceptable in tighter job markets.
• Location -- generally the higher the cost of living, the higher your salary.
• Years of service -- in many cases, the longer you've been with a company, the higher your pay.
• Organization size -- large organizations tend to pay more than small ones.
• Education level -- in most cases, the more education you have, the higher your pay. Take a free education test to find out how going back to school can help you earn more.
  

If you're a valued employee who isn't making the money you deserve, you do have options. Know your value and make your case with the help of your free salary report. And know too, that many employers -- particularly larger employers -- have a little more in the "raise kitty" than they let on.


careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

Easiest Health Care Jobs to Break Into

This won't hurt a bit! Check out these hot jobs in a fast-growing field.

by Lydia Dishman, PayScale.com

Sure, the unemployment numbers are dismal. But there's one industry that's looking rosier every day--health care. Recent reports from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics confirm this: over the past 12 months, health care added 231,000 jobs--27,000 in July alone.

Though many people would like to get in, few make it past perusing the classifieds before becoming discouraged by the educational and experiential requirements. Though it's true that becoming a doctor, nurse, or specialized technician demands an advanced degree, there are some positions in health care that can be had without a four-year college commitment, and without a lot of experience.

But before you toss those thick course catalogs, know that many of these positions do require certification and/or a two-year associate's degree. The good news is that much of the schooling can be done on a flexible schedule or even online--perhaps while you're holding down the job.

Phlebotomy technician (PBT): median annual salary, $28,939
If you've got a high school education, an interest in science, and some health care experience, the American Society for Clinical Pathology wants to help you land a job as a PBT, collecting and analyzing blood samples from patients. The ASCP's Gelasia Croom says these workers are in high demand, due to lack of awareness about the job and retiring baby boomers.

Health-insurance agent: median annual salary, $38,205
Health-insurance agents provide easy-to-understand information and access to expert advice so consumers can make smart decisions about insuring their health. However, Fred Adams of HSA America notes that most insurance agents don't need an advanced degree. They must hold a license in the state where they plan to do business, but that license can be obtained in about two weeks, with no previous experience required.

Medical-records clerk: median annual salary, $25,189
If you're a stickler for accuracy and have great organizational skills, a career as a medical-records clerk may work for you. This is one of the few health care positions that doesn't require any patient interactions; workers assemble patients' health information--including medical history, symptoms, and exam and diagnostic test results--and manage the data for quality, accuracy, and security. Most applicants have an associate's degree along with a good command of computer software programs.

Physical-therapy (PT) assistant: median annual salary, $43,655
Thanks to aging baby boomers, demand for professional PT assistants is on the rise. If you have a high school diploma and good people skills, earning certification can take as little as six months. Then you can work with physical therapists to help patients exercise or learn to use crutches, for instance, and provide therapies such as traction, ultrasound, massage, and balance training.

Medical transcriptionist: median annual salary, $25,559
How fast can you type? Fingers fly when medical transcriptionists listen to dictated recordings made by doctors and other health care professionals and transcribe them into medical reports, correspondence, and other administrative material. Though more than half work at hospitals or physicians' offices, many medical transcriptionists telecommute from home-based offices. Slackers need not apply--accuracy is a top priority to prevent errors in patients' records.

Dispensing optician's apprentice: median annual salary, $23,600
Want to help people see better and look great? With a high school diploma, you could snag a position at an optometrist's office and receive technical instruction on the job, along with learning the finer points of office management and sales. Apprentices work directly with patients, fitting them for eyeglasses or contact lenses, while being supervised by an experienced optician.

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The Job Seeker's Workweek

by Brad Attig, for www.123Movers.com

When you're looking for a new job, having an organized plan of attack is one key way to stay ahead of the competition. Brad Attig, of MyRetailCareer.net, offers his tips on how to organize your job-hunting tasks for each day of the workweek:


Monday: Reflect and Plan
Resist the urge to jump into Monday and contact everyone you met or talked with last week. Use the day to recap your prior week's activities and plan this week's attack. On most Mondays, inboxes are filled and schedules are full of meetings. As a job seeker, you want to be noticed for skills and accomplishments, not your 9 a.m. Monday call.


Use Monday to look at your network and ask yourself, "Who did I reach out to? Who did I actually reach? Who do I need to reach back out to?" Also, look at the status of any interviews in process, positions that you applied to and haven't heard back on, and positions you were recently made aware of.
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday: Strategically Implement
Start Tuesday with your prioritized plan of attack in hand. Resist the urge to just jump on the Internet and start sending resumes like a crazy person. Make your follow-up phone calls first (you are freshest in the morning) before staring at a computer screen all day. Afterwards, do your follow-up correspondence. Reach out to your network and make at least three dates to meet contacts during the week (lunch, coffee, informational meetings, networking functions, and so on).


Tuesday Afternoon, Wednesday, and Thursday: Apply for Positions
You need to develop a balanced approach to your search. Use this time to apply for appropriate positions. (Don't waste your time applying for positions you aren't qualified for or aren't interested in.)


You will probably have differing levels of interest in the job openings you've found--we'll call the most interesting ones the "A" jobs. Don't tackle all the A jobs in one day. Split the As, Bs, and Cs up by starting each morning with a few of the A positions. These are the jobs you will most likely be spending a lot of time and energy on. Fill in gaps with the Bs and Cs while taking breaks to keep from burning out.


Friday: Attack
Use Friday to hit the phones again. It may be hard to believe, but a lot of people are easier to get on the phone at the end of the week. Also, a lot of people like to "clear" their desk on Fridays, and if you happen to call at the right time, you give them that opportunity. And some people like the distraction of an unplanned call, which will give you more time than expected for discussing your needs, too. After making calls to potential employers, reevaluate your networking efforts and reach out again to those who might be helpful.


Jobs Info , Career Sources , Job

A simple, 5-step plan for creating a new professional ally

by Charles Purdy, Monster+HotJobs senior editor

Whether you're looking for a job or trying to advance your career, networking is very important (in a recent HotJobs poll, 57 percent of respondents said that networking was a factor in landing their most recent job). And networking shouldn't end when you log off of LinkedIn or head home from a conference. Valuable contacts are on the perimeter of your social circle, they're the parents of your kids' school chums, they're sitting next to you on airplanes--basically, they're all around you every day. So how do you turn these people from relative strangers into valuable network contacts?

Step 1: Identify good contacts.
An effective professional network has a wide variety of types of people, including people from outside your industry. So how do you decide whether someone you meet at a cocktail party is someone you want in your circle? Career expert Liz Ryan says it's more about "feel" than logic: "You've got a certain style and approach, and people who are comfortable with you and with whom you're comfortable will make up your A-list for network cultivation."


Look for people who are active in and passionate about their field (whatever it is), and who seem interested in what you're doing. Also, people who communicate well are likely to be "connectors" who have their own networks that you may be able to tap into.

(Think you're too introverted to be a successful networker? Get tips on networking for shy people.)

Step 2: Manage your contacts.
Productivity expert Stever Robbins, the author of "Get-It-Done Guy's 9 Steps to Work Less and Do More," offers tips for managing the business cards you receive:

First, if you're at a conference or a similar event where you're receiving a lot of business cards, Robbins suggests jotting down quick memory-aid notes on the backs of cards--so when you enter the contact in your digital address book, you can record (in the Notes field) the name of the conference and what you talked about.

Then, immediately after you put a new person into your address book, send a brief "Great to meet you" email--with a note about your conversation and a brief follow-up.

(Read all of Robbins's tips on following up with new contacts after a conference.)

Step 3: Offer value.
Effective networking begins long before you need to get something from your network. First, you must demonstrate that you have something to offer--this builds a foundation of goodwill. Every time you talk to someone in your professional network, you should ask what he or she is working on, so you're aware of the problems your contacts are trying to solve.

In his book "Well Connected: An Unconventional Approach to Building Genuine, Effective Business Relationships," executive coach Gordon S. Curtis offers suggestions on how to offer value to a new contact: consider how you could supply information, new clients, or interesting products--or even other contacts. Curtis explains, "If you make the right introduction, both parties will feel you've done them favors."

Step 4: Stay in touch.
Your efforts to meet, record, and court new contacts are wasted if you let relationships lapse. An effective networker is participatory and involved.

Sound like a lot of work? It doesn't have to be--in fact, your networking efforts shouldn't take a lot of time (don't "spam" your network by mass-sharing things of little value). Read an interesting article or book? Ask yourself who else might benefit from it. Planning to attend an industry conference or networking event? Find out how you can get more involved. Have something to say? Update your blog, and comment (thoughtfully) on the blogs of people in your network.

Step 5: Get back from your network.
If you've been conscientious about maintaining connections with your network, asking for something like an introduction or a favor will seem less like an imposition.

One key to getting results is to make specific requests of specific people. Sending your entire network a tweet saying, "My interior-design firm is accepting new clients!" probably isn't enough--because it's not speaking directly to anyone, and it's not offering a tangible value. A better tactic is a targeted message to the right people--for instance, an email, describing your expertise in decorating boutique-hotel lobbies and asking for an introduction, to a contact in the hotel business.

Be concise with your requests, don't pester people, and don't take it personally if someone isn't able to help you--the reasons may be beyond his or her control. And finally, don't forget to say "thank you"--if one of your contacts finds a way to help you, look for a way to help him or her, so your relationship will grow even stronger.


Jobs Info , Career Sources , Job

How to Negotiate Working from Home

by Lydia Dishman, PayScale.com

A huge corner office was once a universal symbol for making it to the top of the corporate heap. Today, according to Alan Blume, the author of "Your Virtual Success," more people measure their success by being office-less.

But while the number of U.S. telecommuters ranges from 2.8 million (the number of people who list their home as a primary place of work, not including the self-employed) to 44.4 million (the number of people who work at home at least once a year), Blume points out that more than 50 million people have jobs that could be done remotely or have businesses that could be based at home.

"Even large companies are recognizing that having a virtual business means enormous financial savings, lower turnover, improved productivity, and no costly overhead," says Blume.

Do you have a "pajama job"?
You don't need to assemble crafts or take surveys in order to work from home--but you need to know whether your job is suited to being done off-site. Workers who can access networks, files, or databases remotely are good telecommuting candidates. For instance, IT and computer-systems analysts who design and maintain business networks can tackle a workload from a home office, via virtual desktops and virtual private networks--as long as they have a speedy Internet connection in place. Paralegals, medical transcriptionists, and insurance-claims processors can work remotely with reliable computer access. Many companies will also outsource sales and public-relations efforts, as those jobs require more time spent with clients than in the office.

(See more of the top jobs for telecommuting.)

Are you prepared to prove yourself?
Many would-be telecommuters think that once they can work in their bunny slippers, they'll be more productive than ever. The key is to convince the boss. Bruce A. Hurwitz, Ph.D., president and CEO of Hurwitz Staffing, says there are three ways to ensure that you'll get permission to telecommute:

1. Establish yourself as a reliable and trusted employee. Lin Grensing-Pophal, the author of "Managing Off-Site Staff," says, "The biggest barrier to telecommuting is trust, but, in reality, it's no different from managing employees who work in branch offices or other remote locations--even internationally."

2. Show the company it will cost them nothing. The focus needs to be on measurable results and on the business. Don't talk about how it will benefit you.

3. Show managers how they'll get a full day's work from you. For instance, explain how commuting time will become actual work time. And communicate, says Grensing-Pophal. Supervisors expect that employees working from home will be as accessible as they are in the office.

Hurwitz suggests keeping an accurate log of your productivity. "There is always the danger that other employees will complain. The log gives the employer the evidence to justify their decision."

If you're still stuck on how to make the right approach, Michelle Goodman, the author of "The Anti 9-to-5 Guide" recommends downloading a telecommuting proposal template, such as the one available at WorkOptions.com.

If at first you don't succeed ...
Goodman says you shouldn't give up. "Ask what conditions would need to be met in order to work from home, and then work to meet them," she recommends. You could also try to negotiate a short trial period or less frequent time off-site.

"Ask whether your boss would be open to revisiting the topic several months down the line," suggests Goodman. And while you wait, look around for evidence that telecommuting benefits other companies in your industry. Still getting the "no way" vibe? Goodman says, "It may be time to start poking around for a new position."

Jobs Info , Career Sources , Job