According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics National Compensation, white-collar earners are paid on the average a little more than $20 per hour, while blue-collar workers receive an average of $15 per hour. The occupational group that is paid by the hour usually receives an average pay of about $10 per hour.

When it comes to landing the jobs that offer the most pay, education is key in making the grade in the high-paying work world. For some companies, at least a four-year college degree is required from their job applicants. In the United States, there are certain job fields that have consistently presented the most appealing salary packages over the years. Leading the way in high-paying job listings are positions in the medical, judicial, and technology fields.

Overall Top-Paying Jobs

When achieving an advanced degree, many doors will open up with numerous passageways leading towards a wealth of competitive top-paying jobs. After all the years of medical school have been completed, doctors and surgeons will make an average of $147,000 per year. As for dentists, they linger around an average pay of $90,000. Looking for a career in pharmacy? Average pay includes a yearly salary of $85,500.

While police officers scour the streets in search for the individuals who lead to the bread and butter of the judicial system, lawyers and judges receive an average yearly pay of $99,800. If you've trained to fly the friendly skies and are good at what you do, you may earn an average salary of $133,500 as an aircraft pilot. Managing a company is also a rather profitable job with average yearly pay totaling $116,000 for some chief executives.

Engineers also make a pretty penny with an average yearly salary of $112,000 just for learning the ropes of the electrical and electronic field. Depending on the area you are situated in, the following job titles fetch an average yearly salary between the low- to mid- $80,000 range: management analysts; computer and information system managers; financial analysts, managers and advisors; marketing and sales managers; and education administrators

As you scan the job prospects in your area according to title, you should know that your location will affect the high pay received. For example, different cities, states, and neighborhoods display a wide-range of fluctuating low, median, and high base salaries per job description. For example, a real estate attorney in Battle Creek, Michigan aims to make an average of $87,000 to $164,000 per year, whereas the same real estate attorney situated in Bronx, New York is looking at making between $100,000 and $188,000 per year. Of course, the cost of living makes some yearly salaries appear better than what they really turn out to be.

Top Paying Jobs: Without a High School Degree

For those who did not finish out their high school education, there are still jobs in the work force that allow on-the-job training and work experience to fetch a reasonable salary. When formal education and schooling is lacking, some individuals have found profit in becoming an industrial production manager ($36,000); bailiff or correctional officer/jailer ($36,400); drafter ($36,000); construction manager ($33,600); and electrician ($31,900).

Top Paying Jobs: High School Graduates

On-the-job training and work experience also helps high school graduates make a decent living as computer software engineers ($58,900); computer/information systems managers ($56,400); computer programmers ($55,000); network systems and data communications analysts ($49,000); general and operations managers ($48,000); and database, network and computer systems administrators ($48,000).

Top Paying Jobs: Two-Year College Degree

Job-specific training and proper certification can land a two-year college graduate a job as a health-care practitioner for an average yearly salary of $66,000. Additional job prospects include business analyst ($58,000); electrical and electronic engineers ($57,000); mechanical engineers ($56,800); and general and operations managers ($54,000).

Top Paying Companies

Sometimes job seekers will search for the companies that promise the highest pay and then see where they can fit into the inner workings of the business. It is important to remember that there is always room to rise within a large company and promotions can be earned in some arenas in less than a couple of years. Depending on the job title you wish to pursue, you should prepare yourself for a highly competitive world for securing the positions that pay the most. Below are a few companies who are topping the lists for the best places to work with the highest pay:

1) Nixon Peabody: Associate attorneys within this job setting earn an average total pay of $181,000 per year, which is considered one of the largest law firms within the United States. With about 600 attorneys spread across more than 15 cities, some of the top lawyers can be found in their Boston and New York City offices.

2) Bingham McCutchen: Associates working at this Boston-based law firm receive an average total pay of $180,050, which has been regarded as one of leading firms to accept the highest amount of female applicants.

3) Adobe Systems: As a senior computer scientist, you stand to earn an average paycheck totaling around $161,000 for one of the most pioneering software companies in the world. Employees also receive quarterly profit-sharing bonuses with all beginning employees given a stock option grant.

4) EOG Resources: As an engineer, you stand to earn an average yearly salary of $145,000 when working for one of the largest independent oil and gas drillers within the nation. Employees also enjoy some of the most liberal 401(k) matches.

5) Network Appliance: The average total pay for engineers that provide support for various hardware and software is about $130,000 per year.

6) SRA International: Project managers working at this company earn about $129,000 while working alongside government agencies like the Department of Defense, Homeland Security, and the Department of Justice.

7) Boston Consulting Group: With an average total pay of $129,000 per year, consultants at this firm conduct business with an assortment of Fortune 500 companies. Exceptional bonuses are also included.

Labels: Top Paying Jobs

The reason asking for a raise is a stressful and difficult task is because employees aren't usually trained to handle this type of situation. Under these circumstances, there is a proper way to ask for more money and a right time to seize the opportunity. Successful salary negotiations occur when you have received a favorable response and the communications between your employers is still kept positive. During your conversation regarding salary increases, it is important to keep in mind that whatever you say or the type of stance you take will still follow you for the duration of your time at the company.

Assess Your Chances

Before you put yourself out in the open by asking for a raise, you should first assess your chances of receiving one. When you work at a job and you are making noticeably lower than the salary cap, asking for a raise is not unreasonable. Usually, salary caps increase for employees that have been with a company for many years. If you do not negotiate your terms of salary, you will soon see newer, untrained employees with less experience making more than you.

Since it takes more time and money to hire and train new employees, your record as a qualified, cooperative employee that has good job performance and attendance will work in your favor. This is because companies benefit more from keeping a worker that has served the business well over the years. Often, the best way to keep a valuable employee is to increase their salary.

If you notice that the company has undergone recent financial difficulties, you will most likely suffer a denial when asking for more money. During this stressful time in a business, executives are more concerned with cutting their losses than rewarding their employees with higher salaries. It is best to wait for a salary discussion once the company bounces back from a disappointing quarter.

When Salary Negotiations Turn Sour

Just because you feel it is the right time to ask for a salary change, doesn't mean you will automatically receive one. Even if you have flawlessly plead your case, there is still a chance that you won't get the terms you have negotiated. One of the most common mistakes that an employee will make is threaten to quit if they do not receive a raise. Before you receive an answer or after you've been denied (unless another job is readily awaiting your arrival), threats will only hurt you. Some people spend at least five months trying to locate a new job.

What Your Employer Will Assess

When a worker comes to an employer looking for an increase in their pay or a new employee is making a salary negotiation, the boss will look at many different factors. They will assess the skill level of your job within the company. If you work in a branch of the office that showcases scarceness of skills and experience necessary to complete the job, you will have a bit of leeway to negotiate. This means as an employee, you are needed.

If you have progressed within your position, this will help you when you ask for a raise because it shows that you have a legitimate reason to receive more money for the contributions you offer to a company. An employer will also do a little research to see whether or not you are currently getting paid the amount that is comparable to your geographic location, company growth, and other surrounding economic conditions.

Tips on Discussing Salary

Before you approach your boss with discussions regarding a salary increase, you should consider the following tips:

1) When speaking to an employer about salary, you should be well educated on the amount of money you should be making based upon your current degree, type of duties, skills, and other demographic details. This will help you properly negotiate without asking for too much or too little. You will also have concrete evidence to support your desire for a salary increase.

2) If an employer won't negotiate a salary, you may suggest other ways in which to receive extra benefits, such as receiving more vacation time or other long-term compensation.

3) Before starting a new job, take a few days to review salary offers before giving a final answer. This allows you to make the best decision for yourself.

4) Plan what you are going to say before you have your meeting so you sound well prepared and confident.

5) Set a target salary for yourself, but present a minimum and maximum range for your employer to consider.

Labels: Salaries

Why Write a Resignation Letter

The proper way to alert an employer that you no longer wish to work for them is through the writing of a resignation letter. As you navigate through the proper channels of policy, it is this act that will secure your legitimacy as a responsible worker when applying for other means of employment. Walking away from the job scene shouting the words, "I quit," is highly unacceptable. It will surely reflect on your job performance reviews and seriously hurt the positive remarks your last reference will furnish.

Many employees write resignation letters because they have found a different job that either delivers the type of environment they are interested in or pays a higher salary. Usually, money is the defining factor that leads workers to flee their current job situation. Sometimes, it is for personal reasons, such as creative differences with the higher ups. Others have simply had enough of their current job position and possibly their boss to the point that they dread returning to their office day after day. In the worst cases, some will write a resignation letter before they have even found replacement employment.

Resignation letters also come when employees have a sense that they are about to be fired. It allows them to beat their bosses to the punch and save a few shreds of dignity. On a future job application, it always looks better to have left a previous job on your own accord than state that you were fired.

Even if you have verbally resigned, a resignation letter is still an appropriate action to complete. Hopefully, you can still maintain a positive association with your old employer, who might be called upon to write a letter of recommendation in the future. Resignation letters should be completed in a professional manner - typed and neatly presented.

The Ups and Downs of Resignation Letters

Before you sit down to write out your resignation letter, you should have already thoroughly thought out why you want to leave your job and that you are absolutely sure this is what you want to do. Many times, employees have written the letter, submitted their resignation, and after finding alternative measures worse than before, wish to come back. Unfortunately by that time, returning to their old job is no longer an option.

Sometimes, returning to your old job is a possibility, but the way you express yourself through the resignation letter will determine whether or not it is one for you. If you have carefully chosen your words as to not offend your employer, you might have a position waiting for you at your old firm or office. If you have presented your resignation with attitude, disgust, and willfulness, chances are you will not be welcomed back with open arms.

Proper Procedure

As a rule of thumb, two weeks is the most acceptable and reasonable time frame to give notice in your resignation letter. The only exception to the rule is if you have already signed a contract that states otherwise. In some cases, it could be one week, while others might have to wait one month.

If an employer asks you to stay longer than two weeks or beyond your contractual agreement, you do not have an obligation to stay. Depending on your situation, you may have a new employer waiting for you to start your first day or perhaps this is one of those situations where the boss is still trying to take advantage of you. Two weeks is the maximum amount of time your job has to reap the benefits from your hard work.

Tips on Writing a Resignation Letter

When writing a resignation letter, you should leave the personal banter out of the text and stick to the announcement of moving on from the company. Emphasizing the positive will score points with your former boss (if needed) and talking about how the company has helped you to grow is also suggested. When it's time to move on, a reason should always be given. Negativity serves no point since you are already leaving; therefore leaving on good terms will work much more in your favor. Below you will find a few additional tips to consider when it comes to writing a resignation letter.

1) After the salutation, begin your resignation letter with the purpose of your leaving. Regardless if you are relocating to Boston or have found employment elsewhere, you should state the reason why you are leaving so employers do not feel slighted.

2) Show praise by stating the opportunities, experience, skills, and knowledge you were able to acquire during your time with the company.

3) Offer help, such as telling them that you may be of some sort of assistance during the transition. This may entail training a replacement during your last two weeks on the job.

4) Tell the employer that if they have any questions or need any further details, you can be contacted. Supplying up-to-date contact numbers in the letter is recommended.

Labels: Resignation Letters

Apprenticeship programs are created to assist young people in gaining the knowledge, qualifications and competence needed to progress into the workplace within their chosen industry or career path.

Programs vary depending upon the employer offering the apprenticeship program, but in most cases the individuals receive both classroom and on the job (hands-on) training, as well as receive information and advice from a mentor. Mentors are people already working in the industry, and they are able to assist the apprentice with questions or concerns while they're going through the program.

How to Find and Apply for Apprenticeship Programs

Finding an apprenticeship program is easier than you might think. Most states offer information for interested individuals regarding the location and applying for an apprenticeship program. Many of the state websites for apprenticeship information include searchable formats by both the county and geographical location as well as a search by specific industry of interest. If you're unable to find programs within your state listings, the Federal Government offers information and contact details for various apprenticeship programs through the United States Department of Labor website (http://www.doleta.gov/OA/fndprgm.cfm).

Not every industry offers apprenticeship programs. In some cases, it's just not practical. Industries that tend to offer apprenticeship programs include information technology, homeland security, automotive, construction, health care, and financial services. Other industries may also participate, but these areas are the most common for apprenticeship programs.

There are different qualifications involved for applying to apprenticeship programs, and it depends mostly upon the employer providing the program, as well as the type of industry. Most manufacturing programs require that people are over the age of 18, while computer and retail industries may allow people to start as young as 16. Certain education requirements are often required for each program - whether it is that you've completed a high school education or you've had college level coursework within the industry of your selected apprenticeship program. This information will be provided to you with the application for any apprenticeship program you wish to apply for.

The Registered Apprenticeship Program

If you think apprenticeship programs run like the reality television show with Donald Trump, "The Apprentice", you're probably in for a bit of a surprise! For many years, the Registered Apprenticeship model has helped a variety of businesses and industries with their training needs. The model gives apprentice participants the opportunity to learn on the job as well as experience classroom training through a comprehensive process. The registered apprenticeship program provides a standardized process for delivering the hands on training and classroom learning, followed by a degree or certification which is extremely helpful in securing a job for participants once the training aspect has been completed.

In addition to the on the job training that participants find extremely helpful to learning the intricacies involved in the daily activities of their chosen industries, and the classroom education - the Registered Apprenticeship Program also provides support through the use of mentors.

As the apprentice advances through the structured programs that are established by the participating employers, the apprentice receives increases in pay as they complete each stage and until the training has been completed.

Apprenticeship Program Tips

As you graduate high school and start to consider your career options, you might want to take into consideration areas that are either experiencing growth or industries that are expected to maintain their need for employees for the long term. Industries that effect the American health as a whole are often considered to be strong industries that will lend little to no difficulty in getting a job once you've reached the qualifications for education and training. Financial service is another large industry that shows no signs of slowing down, and same with the Hospitality industry. If any of these areas are interesting to you, chances are you can find qualified apprenticeship programs within the industries and get your foot into the door of an employer that much quicker.

Some people find it difficult to select an industry and plan their future careers. There are programs that can help you decide and plan, as well as help you find and apply for apprenticeship programs that can help you along the way. Career Voyages is sponsored by the United States government, and offers useful information as well as career advisors who are specially trained for helping young people decide what direction they want to go in their careers (http://www.careervoyages.gov/).

Labels: Apprenticeship Programs

Finding the right career is a hard endeavor. We have placement tests that will tell us where our strengths lie as well as many Internet sites that will help us in planning a career. Knowing the career that is right for you may take much research and time invested, but the end will reap a great many rewards. The following information will help you with the importance of planning a career, some services that are available, when to start planning your career, and some tips for planning.

A career that you are happy with, that will help solidify your needs, and support a family is not grasped easily. Without a little planning, your dreams for the right career will hardly be realized. Careers take education, involvement in the job market, and of course planning. As an example, we will have a person who desires a career in management. Management takes a great deal of business sense along with knowing how to handle employees. The first step for anyone seeking a management position should be education in the business and management areas. Seeking a position with a company that can help pay for this education while you are working with in their company to obtain a management level is also important. Most individuals begin at the bottom of a job to obtain the career they desire. Management in this example is no different. Thus career planning is important. Once you know the goal you seek you need to understand what you need to do to accomplish that career. In other words, you need to understand the steps it will take to get you to the career. Most individuals don't wake up one day and decide to be a manager and then find an immediate position. They need to have skills along with an education.

Deciding to plan your career is the first step. Next you will want to seek a service that will help in planning your career. This can be a university or college that will help get you on the correct education path. It could be the job you have helping you towards the knowledge within the company to obtain the position you seek. Many employers will ask what your goals are and help you in achieving them. There are also special career planning services that you can seek outside of your job or university. One such place is called National Career Assessment Services, INC. They not only offer career tests to help point you towards a career you will enjoy and have the skills for, but they can help you plan for the career you finally choose. Careerbuilder.com is another service that not only has many job openings posted, but can help you in planning and finding the right career for you.

You might be asking yourself now, when is the best place to plan for a career? There is no easy answer to this question. Most individuals start planning their careers or at least the ideas they have when they are in their last two years of high school. High school students are told to begin planning for college and of course most parents and teachers hope they have an idea for a career. This doesn't limit those individuals who have already been through college. Once you are in college it is of course a good idea to begin planning in more detail for a career. Adults who find they are unsatisfied in their current path may decide to revisit career options. Planning for a career should be done when someone is about to leave school or when someone is unsatisfied in their current endeavors.

A few tips for planning a career are important when you launch into the idea. First take the assessment tests. Find out where you fit, what do you like, are there viable career options to use those likes? Speak with a career service about options. If you already have a career idea, search out research materials that can help you decide if it is right for you. Once you have firmly established your new career seek advice on how to obtain it. Do you need further schooling, what is available to help you gain that schooling? Will your current position help you gain you goals? Write a list of things you need to accomplish. Create a time line for what you will accomplish when.

Planning for a career is important not only for happiness, but to obtain support for your life. Following some tips and advice on when to start planning for a career can help you accomplish your goal in a timely fashion.

Labels: Career Planning

No job lasts forever and for some, the sour taste and deflated feeling of getting fired may occur once or even more than once in a lifetime. This event may or may not have been of his or her doing. Dealing with a job termination doesn't have to be your fault; you may have exhibited a personality clash with your supervisor, manager, or head employer. A merger or downsizing might have been the cause of your job loss. Perhaps, you never found a niche within the business and weren't performing to company standards. Sometimes, you simply made a mistake that was large enough to cause the termination of your job. Whatever the act or circumstances, there are plenty of things to consider once you lose your job.

Dealing With the Loss of Your Job

The way you have conducted your affairs prior to your job termination will make a heap of difference. For some individuals, a reasonable nest egg or tucked-away savings may help them survive until new employment can be found. For others, they are strapped for cash and more stressed out. The first thing to do after job termination is to exhale and breathe deeply. You should take a short amount of time to relax because the event is nearly 100% irreversible, meaning you need to focus on the next steps to take. You should keep a positive attitude because the dark cloud of the termination will only slow you down from moving on.

Was It Justified?

Before you fully lay the circumstances of your job termination to rest, you should know that experts in the field state that at least 250,000 employees are fired each year upon illegal or unjustified circumstances. Determining whether or not you fit into this category could help make your future plans clearer. If you think you were dealt with unfairly, you should gain the assistance and advice of another (preferably a lawyer). For some, this means obtaining access to unemployment benefits or additional compensation. The state unemployment office can also help.

Dealing With Resumes and Cover Letters

As you move on from a job termination, you should continue to present yourself in the best light when conducting a job search. In your resume or cover letters, it is not necessary to make mention of your termination. Your cover letter should mostly focus on basic information. The only time you should reveal the reason for leaving your last job is when you are asked.

Handling Applications

As you fill out job applications, you shouldn't add negative aspects pertaining to your job history (such as a job termination), but it is important to remain honest and refrain from lying. Almost always, this act will lead to mistrust and disaster when your background has been checked, eventually revealing your job termination. If an application specifically asks for the reason for leaving your previous job, you should use terms, such as "job ended,' "position ended," or "terminated."

When Interviewing

During a live interview, one of the most frequently asked questions is why you no longer work at your last job. Some job experts recommend to beat the interviewer to the punch and volunteer the information before the question is even asked, which may allow you to move on quicker from the subject. Brevity and honesty is the key to focus on when dealing with this subject. To deflect the negativity of the situation, you could offer a lesson that you learned from the experience or how the circumstances benefited you as a worker.

Practicing your answers for questions dealing with job termination will go a long way. The more you become comfortable with answering questions on the subject, the better your responses during interviews will become. It is important to keep in mind that lying will never serve a greater purpose. Most companies make sure they check references and investigate background details. The subject of a job termination is most likely to come up when contacting former employers.

Moving On

No matter how hurt you may feel from a job termination or how traumatic the circumstances, moving on from the situation will only make finding a new place of employment an easier journey. The best reaction to losing a job is to evaluate the condition in which the event took place so that the same dealings do not take place when you secure a new job. When interviewing and filling out applications, concentrate on the positive points and skills you have to offer a new company, business, or office. This will help you to better sell yourself to a potential employer.

Labels: Job Termination

As a volunteer, individuals offer their services without receiving a salary or wage in return. It is an act that is performed of his or her choosing and desire. Sometimes, volunteering is a decision that is made because one wishes to give back to their community or wants to feel the warmth of helping others, while others undertake volunteering for a different reason - furthering their job search efforts. In order to obtain a paying job, many turn to the allure of volunteering, which can open many doors from a wide range of opportunities that may emerge during their stay with a company, business, or association.

Although you are not getting paid for your time, energy, and effort, volunteer activity is real work, which often results in some sort of final performance, accomplished task, or level of exerted force. It is through various achievements that volunteers complete real work tasks that others may get paid to do. Often, volunteers assist those on the payroll in accomplishing the daily, weekly, monthly, and something yearly duties scattered about an office or other work setting. During these moments of helping out, a wealth of information and experience is gained. For some, the knowledge and additional skills they develop while volunteering can help in their search for paid employment.

Let's take the volunteer work that occurs within the medical world. Hospitals provide the perfect environment for future nurses and doctors to learn the ropes of the work setting they will hopefully fall into once they've completed their studies. By working side-by-side or in the same vicinity with the examples of the very profession they wish to undertake, they are preparing a great deal for landing the job they wish to acquire when the time is right or the opportunity presents itself.

The job experience allows one to tap into the hands-on familiarity that sets others ahead of the rest when preparing a resume or interviewing for an employment possibility. Volunteers at a hospital may learn tricks of the trade on how to deal with uncooperative patients or become aware in the latest techniques regarding getting the most accurate body temperature or blood pressure reading. The experience is invaluable as interactive contact provides lessons that books cannot teach or prepare students for.

Regardless of whether you are seeking your first job, need a new career path, or have been replaced by what some may view as a more accomplished employee, volunteering may give you the extra boost you need to get on the right path. Volunteering can also help fill in the gaps of a resume when you have been out of work or need to reestablish a new crop of networking options. When it comes time to prepare a resume for potential employers, volunteer labor counts as work experience, which appears as a positive aspect to those reviewing your credentials, skills, and know-how. Also, well-rounded individuals who have experienced a wealth of different job fields through volunteering, increase their marketability as the practice expands their overall scope of knowledge and skill.

Volunteering also comes back to you in ways that boost your chances of gaining paid employment. Most volunteer work results in providing a good reference, which is much needed when filling out job applications. The volunteer also learns valuable skills, such as communication, teamwork, and motivation that will carry on wherever their next job experience takes them. Volunteering also helps to build a professional network that can help future job searches.

Whether you are running an errand down the hallway, chatting with fellow workers in the elevator, or attending a company cocktail party, volunteering brings you closer to an assortment of people who could prove quite beneficial. This is why it is important to make a good impression wherever you are in the job setting; you never know who will be your next ally in your job search. Also, numerous volunteers have found paid employment within the very company or job site they have spent time at, just by proving themselves a worthy team member.

Making the Most of Volunteering

When it comes to volunteering with the aim towards further job experience, there are two different ways to approach this matter. The first is to interact with the people and familiarize yourself with the job setting of the career you hold the most expertise in. The more experience you receive in your field, the better your chances for landing the job of your dreams.

The second approach is to find a challenge that is outside of your normal range of skill. By picking up a different perspective within the work field, you may discover a career calling you never thought of. Plus, no matter where you volunteer, the skills and knowledge you acquire can be used in any setting. For example, volunteering at the Salvation Army Thrift Store may enhance your people skills, which can come in handy when you apply for a job as an emergency room nurse.

Where to Find Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteering can be accomplished most anywhere that you look. No one or one company is quick to turn down a bit of free assistance. Some of the best places to look include hospitals, libraries, United Way, American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, animal shelters, youth centers, and not-for-profit organizations, such as a domestic abuse prevention shelter.

Labels: Volunteering for job experience

An interview is tough work, tougher than writing a final exam: You may be mentally and physically prepared, but you don't know what kind of questions will be thrown at you, who will be asking them and how you will psychologically respond to them. Once an interview is over and done with, there is some etiquette you must follow - irrespective of the fact whether you get the job or not. Because a professional approach after the interview will stand you in good stead with your employers, or even if you haven't been hired, the people who have interviewed you will always remember you for your post-interview etiquette and attitude.

Here then is a small guide on post-interview etiquette:

1. Do not show any over-eagerness or emotion once the interview is over. If you didn't do your interview well, do not show overtly that you are very upset. Remain calm and collected, and keep your ears open. You've spoken during the interview, now hear out and remember the closing comments. And do not forget to thank the interviewees and wish them a polite goodbye. Each and every action of yours speaks out the strength of your character, and you never know what can impress or irritate the interviewing board members irrespective of how badly or well you fared in the interview.

2. As soon as the interview is over, make a note of all the important points that were discussed in the interview. Critical and strategic issues dealing with your role, responsibilities and promises of job enhancements may have been discussed during the interview, and it is better for you to jot them down rather than consign them to your memory.

3. After taking down the important notes, call up your recruitment agent, if you used his services, and inform him about what happened during the interview. Recruitment agencies know employers well and they can guess what is on their mind based on certain comments the employers might have made during the interview.

4. Always send or email an error-free "thank you" note to your interviewers. In your "thank you" letter, do not forget to apologize for any slip up you may have made during the interview, and before signing off, emphasize on your commitment to the job. Lastly, your letter must be short and sweet and to the point - no flowery language, no multiple pages, and you know the rest.

5. If your prospective employer says that he needs some time to think over your application, then do not call back or get in touch using indirect methods (friends, friends' friends, etc.). Give them the time they specified to decide your fate, and then get proactive and call them and make polite inquiries about your application. Do not display any eagerness or desperation while making the follow-up inquiry.

6. If you learn that you have not been selected for the job, inquire about the reasons and work around your shortcomings. And, even though you have not been hired, you must be courteous enough to send them a letter thanking them for calling you to the interview.

7. Once the interview is over, do not stop the process of hunting for other jobs because you never know what can come up. But do not pit one job against the other by telling prospective employers "I've appeared in a couple of other interviews too and I would appreciate if you could let me know your decision as soon as possible, or before so and so date because I need to make my decision." Do not pressurize your potential employer into taking a fast decision. This kind of bargaining is not appreciated in the corporate world.

8. Above all, remember that if you do not get the job, it is not the end of the world - there are many fish in the sea, and all you need to do is angle for another one.

In the end, an interview can be a fantastic experience - you learn more about others, your shortcomings show up along with your strengths and you come out of the experience mentally tougher. But, this happens only when you observe and absorb the goings-on in every interview and follow proper interview etiquette. So, work on all aspects of an interview and do everything right after the interview.

Here's wishing you all the luck for all your forthcoming interviews.

Labels: Job Interview

Familiarize Yourself with Potential Interview Settings

While many job seekers prepare for the typically one-on-one job interview, they are unaware or do not recognize the importance for being ready for any type of interview setting. In some cases, interviews take place with more than one interviewer, such as a panel of executives with their own set of questions. Others may find themselves interviewing at the same exact time and setting as their closest competitors. Overall, there are five main types of interview settings you may encounter: screening, selection, group, panel, and stress.

The screening interview is often the first contact you will make with a potential employer. Typically, a member from human resources conducts this type of interview, which may take place over the telephone or in person. A copy of your resume will be handed in and everything on it will be verified. This is the time when your qualifications are assessed to see if you should reach the next level of the interviewing process.

A selection interview is often the process that causes the most stress. You have already been accepted as a qualified applicant, but will your personality and work ethic fit within the scheme of the company? This is the time where potential employees interact with the management, as well as others already on the team. Some will undergo more than one selection interview before a final decision is made.

The group interview involves the questioning of more than one job candidate at the same time. This is an attempt to separate the leaders from the followers. The natural leader will appear in a group, as they are a bit more aggressive in their actions and words. Sometimes, it isn’t a leader that an employer is looking for and is more interested in finding a "team player." The best way to handle this situation is to be yourself and let your natural talents speak for themselves.

With the panel interview, several different people will interview one candidate at the same time. For some, this is quite an intimidating situation as questions are rattled off in succession from a diverse group of questioners. Remaining calm and establishing your own link with each member is key. Making eye contact with all members of the panel during their question is also a positive move.

In a variety of highly competitive companies, a stress interview may arise. The technique involves the weeding out of potential employees who cannot handle the stress and hardship pertaining to a job. Flustering situations and odd questions might also be asked in attempt to see how a candidate will deal with such inquiries. This particular approach is less often encountered.

What to Wear on a Job Interview

The term, "dress for success" wasn't created for nothing. It is important to make a grand first impression with a potential employer. One of the best ways to accomplish this is through the clothes you wear. What you choose to wear to an interview (right down to the color) can leave a lasting afterthought. As a rule of thumb, the more conservative the job field you are entering, the more conservative your suit should be.

Men should stick with conservative suits (navy blue or dark gray) with a traditional shirt and tie. Dress shoes should be polished. Facial hair, visible piercings, and earrings are not recommended. For women, a solid color skirt or pant suit (preferably dark colors) is suggested with the use of limited accessories. It is also important to pay attention to the length of the skirt and neckline. No matter what season or temperature the day brings, pantyhose are a must. Too much jewelry or make-up is also a no-no and wearing perfume or cologne may adversely affect an interviewer's receptiveness.

When it comes to shoes, closed-toe selections should be worn. Under no circumstances should you walk into a job interview wearing a pair of sandals. Black shoes are your best bet because they tend to match with every outfit, including a navy blue suit. For women, the heel of the shoe should be kept low.

What To Bring and Know Before an Interview

Before your interview, you should already have directions to the site and give yourself enough time to get there and find a parking space. You should also plan to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. Before leaving the house, check to see if you have extra copies of your resume, a list of references, a notepad, daily planner, pen and pencil in your possession.

Carrying a briefcase, folder, or portfolio will enhance your look of professionalism, but it is also a must to focus on additional details. You should know the name and title of the person you are meeting with (some people actually forget) and have already conducted research on the company and position you are applying for. Also, it is suggested to prepare for tough questions that might make you pause, including where you see yourself in 5 or 10 years.

Labels: Job Interview

Inform Employers Immediately

The first thing that you need to do if you are injured on the job is to notify your employer as soon as possible. If you fail to report the accident immediately, you may find that there is trouble getting coverage later, since the accident may not have been documented. It is imperative that you inform your employer and make sure that an accident report is written up as well. Your employer is required to give you forms to fill out for insurance company and for the state workers compensation, and you need to fill these out immediately. If you do not turn in your forms on time, you may be denied coverage and benefits from both parties.

Overcome Fear

Unfortunately, many people do not report their injuries because they fear retaliation from their employer or even loss of their job. If you do not report your injury, then you are not eligible for benefits, so do not let fear ruin your chances to be repaid. In most states there are laws regarding retaliation and job termination of people who make workman's compensation claims, and these laws are in place to protect you. If you are not familiar with your state's laws you may want to check into them to be sure about their content. As a general rule, most companies will not retaliate against you for a claim, and in the even that they do, you can then take legal action against them.

An Agreeable Employer

Many times employers will agree to cover your on the job accident, and if they do this is excellent for you. It is important to realize that if your employer does decide to cover your accident, you cannot file any separate suits against your employer. The situation is best if your employer agrees to cover the accident; however, many times this is not the case.

What if My Employer Refuses to Pay?

There are times when an employer may feel as if the accident was not related to the job, or they may have another reason for refusing to cover your accident. If so, you will need to have an arbitration hearing with the Board of Workers Compensation about the matter. In the event that the Workers Compensation board agrees with your employer, you do have the ability to go on and appeal the decision that was made.

Seek Legal Help

If you have been injured on the job and are working to make any worker's compensation claims it will be worth your while to seek legal help. It can be quite difficult to understand all the legal terms and legal matters that you need to deal with when making worker's compensation claims. A good lawyer can help you with your claims and ensure that you file them correctly to expedite your benefits. Acting without an attorney may result in difficulties, so if you feel you have a case, it is wise to start by consulting with an attorney.

Dealing with an injury that occurs on the job can be very difficult, but it is important to realize that you do have options. There is no need for you to have to deal with an injury without being compensated for medical bills and pain in suffering. Making sure that you report the injury and make the appropriate claims can help you receive the money and benefits that you deserve, and an attorney can make the process much easier for you. While you cannot change the injury that has occurred, you can decide to make sure that you get the compensation deserved.

Labels: Work Injuries

A cover letter is generally a prerequisite to a resume. This is the first thing any potential employer or hiring manager will look at before even looking at your resume in most cases. A cover letter is essentially your formal introduction to the person who controls your fate in that company. There are several things an employer is looking at when reading a cover letter.

1. Your personality 2. Your Written Skills 3. How well they think you click with the company

Remember, this cover letter is before they even get to the resume, which will explain why you are qualified; therefore, it is important to make sure you are offering an excellent, well-written cover letter right from the start.

With that being said, you understand just how important it is that your resume include a cover letter. In this article, we will discuss some of the most important keys of cover letter writing, as well as some Do's and Don'ts.

The DO'S of Cover Letter Writing

When writing a cover letter you want to make sure you DO:

Addressing - You want to make sure you always address your cover letter to a person. This person should be the one in charge of hiring. If a resume and cover letter is requested, with no knowledge of a named person, you should address the letter to "human resources" or the "hiring manager".

Be Original - You want to make sure your cover letter is original with each different employer. You never know who talks to who and who can be comparing. Furthermore, when each cover letter is original, you are personalizing yourself specifically for that company.

Make it an easy read - Focus on the task at hand, write your cover letters as simple and forthright as you possibly can. Unnecessary words are just that, unnecessary, you do not need them.

Include Job Requirements - It is important to touch on the job requirements placed in any ad or job descriptions. For the most part, companies have several positions. Therefore, you must identify which position you are seeking.

Brief is the key - Never write a cover letter that is longer than one page. As a guide, paragraphs between one and three sentences are a good idea.

Sell Yourself - Give the employer reasons as to why you are an asset to his or her company. Provide examples that will prove any claims you have made, give them a reason to consider your cover letter and resume further.

Contact - Make sure contact information is provided in a clear and viable place within the cover letter.

The DON'TS of Cover Letter Writing

When writing a cover letter you want to make sure you DO NOT:

Forget - Do not forget to include a resume with your cover letter

Salutations - Do not be pointed within the salutation, you never know in what hands your cover letter will fall, male or female. Therefore never use salutations such as "Ladies" or "Gentlemen".

Writing - Do not be boring in your cover letter. Be attentive, catchy, and bold.

Cliches - Avoid the use of any cliches that are extremely common within cover letters. Your potential employers do not want you telling them that a resume is enclosed or like example, they are perfectly aware that your resume has accompanied your cover letter.

Follow Up - Do not forget to follow up with potential employers. You cannot rely on the potential employer to take any type of action; you must ask them to, ask them for an interview.

Grammar, Spelling, Punctuation - Do not forget to run a spell check or similar check on your cover letter before you send it. If you fail to find and correct spelling, punctuation, or grammar errors you will definitely have a hard time convincing any potential employer that you are the person for the job.

Clean and Crisp - Avoid sending any cover letters that have any grease, smudges, or unnecessary wrinkles within the paper.

Signature - You must not forget to personally sign your cover letter, in ink. By signing your cover letter you are adding a very personalized and real touch to the entire cover letter.

There you have it, the Do's and Don'ts of cover letter writing. With these tips, you will have no problems in producing a solid and well-written introduction to any company.

Labels: cover letter