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By on February 6, 2018 in In the Workplace, Search Strategies

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HR and payroll jobs bring opportunities and challenges. If you’re planning a career in the field, make sure you know what to expect – and what will be expected of you…

Although their work takes place behind the scenes, HR and payroll employees are crucial components of business success. Contrary to common belief, HR and payroll departments don’t just focus on hiring and firing, or calculating wages and salaries – their roles draw on a spectrum of educational disciplines, involve a wide range of challenges, and take place across the industrial spectrum in every corner of the world.

So what do you need to begin a career in HR or payroll – and where can you expect it to lead?

The HR Domain

While the HR department is responsible for recruiting, maintaining, and managing the company’s employees, on another level, they work to realize their employer’s vision for the organisation, and shape its future. Broadly speaking, the duties of HR employees involve:

  • Recruiting employees with skills that will enhance their organisation
  • Participating in salary and contract negotiations
  • Inducting new employees
  • Disseminating company policy and promoting employer philosophy
  • Addressing employee needs and enquiries
  • Organising and delivering employee training
  • Providing professional oversight and advice
  • Participating in and mediating the dispute resolution process between employees and employers

Beginning your career

HR positions normally have no specific academic requirements, but in a crowded job market, university-level qualifications are obviously an advantage. Certain subjects and disciplines are particularly useful for HR roles, including IT and communications, psychology, sociology, math, and anything business-related, such as management or economics.

It’s certainly possible to kick-start your HR career with an industry-recognized accreditation, and a number of industry bodies provide training courses specifically focused on the field. Explore your options at institutions like the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), which offers training for both prospective HR employees and those already on the career path.

Beyond academic and professional qualifications, certain skills and talents are also relevant for prospective HR professionals. Strong interpersonal skills are advantageous since much of the role involves dealing with inquiries by other employees, while organisational, administrative, and communication skills are also useful in most contexts.

Choosing your path

HR careers could take place in any corner of the working world, and follow a number of paths. While HR careers are generally focused on serving client-employees, there’s plenty of scope for specialization within a certain industry or sector – or as a global HR specialist. HR roles include:

  • Assistant: Administrator positions are normally how most employees get their start on the career ladder. Basic duties involve procedural office administration and addressing client queries. Average Salary: $31,840
  • Administrator: With increased responsibilities, HR administrators play a part in recruitment, interviewing, and training for their employer organisations. Average Salary: $45,667
  • Manager/Supervisor: HR managers bear responsibility for their wider HR team, or or may lead their department. At this career stage, professional accreditation may become a necessity. Average salary: $98,818
  • Director: HR directors are high level personnel with an important role in shaping their employers’ decisions and policy regarding recruitment, training and employee management. Average salary: $137,274

The Payroll Domain

Payroll employees work not only to calculate and pay wages to an employee population but to ensure the pay process takes place accurately, on time, and in compliance with the rules and regulations of their territory. General payroll duties include:

  • Logging employee work hours and overtime
  • Calculating salary
  • Calculating tax and social security contributions and other relevant deductions
  • Reporting to relevant tax authorities
  • Issuing pay and payslips
  • Inducting employees into payroll system
  • Maintaining and updating payroll records
  • Addressing employee payroll queries
  • Augmenting the pay process to maintain compliance

Beginning your career

Payroll jobs are similar to those in HR in that they suit candidates from a range of academic backgrounds, however, thanks to the field’s focus on calculation and data, subjects like math and any other numeracy-based disciplines are especially useful to prospective employees. With that said, while math and accountancy graduates (at both high school and university-level) will likely stand out to payroll recruiters, achievement in IT, communications, management, and any business-centric subjects will also be valuable.

Ideally, payroll employees should be diligent and conscientious, and show strong attention to detail. Given the deadline-based challenges of the role (employees need to be paid on time), creative thinking and problem-solving skills are also vital – along with an ability to communicate clearly with clients and other team members regarding urgent pay queries.

Entry-level payroll positions will tend not to require industry accreditation, but this may become a necessity with progress up the career ladder. A number of internationally-recognized institutions offer payroll accreditation, including the American Payroll Association (APA), which trains employees in the Fundamental Payroll Certification, and the Certified Pay Professional certification.

Choosing your path

Given its importance and complexity, ambitious payroll employees can forge long, rewarding careers – and can expect to find exciting opportunities across professional landscapes. Typical payroll positions include:

  • Administrator: An entry-level position, payroll administrators will have processing and general administrative duties including inducting new starts onto the system. Average Salary: $25,000
  • Assistant: Payroll Assistants assume a higher-level of administrative responsibility and may be responsible for directing colleague activities and addressing queries. Average salary $31,000
  • Technician: Payroll technicians will facilitate the procedural aspects of the pay-cycle – maintaining software platforms and other technical components.
  • Manager/Supervisor: Payroll managers may be in charge of their team or department, and will communicate regularly with senior employees. Average salary $94,500
  • Director: An executive position, payroll directors will be responsible for guiding policy and advising senior employees. Average salary: $111,484

Many businesses choose to outsource their payroll process to third-party service providers. Outsourcing is particularly popular for businesses paying employees on a global scale, since it offers a chance to import compliance expertise for local tax laws. With this in mind, global payroll specialists are often in high demand.

This article was contributed by guest author Sandra Sommerville.

 

 

By on January 18, 2018 in In the Workplace, Search Strategies

Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash

Finishing college and getting a degree is essential for pursuing your future career but it will not completely prepare you for business life. While it is very important to have a college degree, in order to make it beneficial as well, it is crucial to take key courses and to take advantage of the opportunities around you to prepare yourself for life after school.

The first thing you have to realize is that attending every class won’t magically make you an expert in your line of work. That means that you should go out, get your hands dirty and try to learn as much as you can in practice, i.e. outside the classroom. Take advantage of the opportunities around you and available resources of your college. If you limit yourself, you will limit your career opportunities and slow your professional growth at the beginning of your business life.

Start planning on time

It is very important to start planning your future career on time. As soon as you start college, you should make a plan for your future business life; thinking about jobs related to your career interests and setting a list of goals. That way you will have a clear idea of what needs to be done in order to prepare yourself for the job you want. Ask for help from your parents and college professors because it is always good to hear both subjective and objective opinions on your skills and character that may help define your future career if you are not sure about the choice you made or don’t know what to choose. If you start planning on time you will be less stressed about it at the end of school.

Self-development is essential

Work on developing skills you will need while doing everyday tasks for school, for example. Start networking with professors and other members of the faculty. It will help you improve your communication skills and you will meet people and make connections that can lead to career opportunities later on. Enhancing your leadership skill development will help you become more confident work-wise while you are striving to reach your career goals. Improve your skills by taking additional courses to ensure you have good qualifications for your future job.

Take on an internship

Gaining work experience while you are still studying is a great way to prepare yourself for a career in business as well as increase employment opportunities. Use your summer break to take on an internship or a job related to your line of work. That way, when applying for a job requiring work experience, you will have a better chance of employment even though you are a recent graduate. Also, you will gain practical experience, earn course credits, and of course, improve and develop skills.

Prepare yourself for the job

Using internet tools is also a great way to become familiar with business terminology and programs used for various business areas. Find tools or software you will need to use for your future job and learn as much as you can about how to use them and how they function. It will help you add to your skills and be well prepared for the future. You can find all sorts of information online, so make sure you search official sites and find official software to work on while preparing for business life. If a certain company caught your eye and you are striving for a career with it, educate yourself on their line of work and find out exactly what they are looking for. Get in contact with people who work there and ask for volunteering options since business owners appreciate confident, talented individuals who are taking initiative.

Know your skills

Many graduates don’t really know what they’re good at or what their skills are. To solve this problem, do a skills assessment test that can direct you and even create a particular career path according to your personality and your abilities. You can find a lot of these tests online or you can consult with your college professors and ask for suggestions or recommendation for the best ones to take. Don’t push yourself on developing skills that are not compatible with your character; instead concentrate on what you know and what you’re good at.

Following these steps can help you prepare for the after-school life and getting ready for your future job. Keep in mind that it is crucial to start early and work on developing career-related skills. Taking on an internship will give you the necessary experience and advantage when applying for your first job, so be smart, and start planning your future on time!

This article was contributed by guest author Ian Pearson.

By on November 16, 2017 in Search Strategies

Photo by Piron Guillaume on Unsplash

Choosing to enter the medical field after high school is a wise decision. It is one of the most promising career fields in America, as it is constantly growing and advancing. It is also an excellent field where you can get your foot in the door without having prior experience or a degree. Below you will find the top 5 medical jobs to get you started in a medical career, right out of high school.

Medical Assistant

As a medical assistant you will help doctors take blood, administer certain medications, record vital signs and maybe even assist in some office procedures. In other environments you may have clerical duties such as scheduling appointments, answering phones and greeting incoming patients. In either situation, your job is to keep your doctor on time and up to date with vital information about patients. Many places will hire you right out of high school and provide educational assistance or on the job training. In order to further your career, consider getting your medical assisting degree, which can be done without quitting your current job.

Surgical Technologist

If you are interested in watching surgeries, you may want to consider becoming a Surgical Tech. In this profession, you will prepare the operating room for surgical procedures. This includes making sure all of the necessary tools, sponges, sutures and other equipment needed for the operation, are in place. In some settings you may also monitor patients during surgery. Many hospitals and surgical centers will hire you with a high school diploma. However, there are several programs that will provide you with education and a diploma after high school.

Occupational Therapy Aide

As an occupational therapy aide you will help a certified occupational therapist in various areas. You may be the person who transports patients to and from their appointment. You may also be asked to wash linens or clean treatment areas. You may also be the person who schedules patients for follow up appointments. The certified therapist may also rely on your eyes and ears by paying close attention to the patient. You may be able to pick up on certain things that the therapist may miss. In this career, you can provide very helpful insight as the therapist’s “second set of eyes.”

Emergency Medical Technician
An occupation as an EMT is a great way to help others in need and also have time to take online college courses, as you will have down time between calls. As an EMT you will be one of the first responders to accidents or homes to provide care for sick or injured people. As an EMT you may also assess patients, provide CPR, help victims out of dangerous situations and more. You have the opportunity to progress your EMT career into different levels such as Intermediate EMT and Advanced EMT. Additionally, you can choose to go to school to become a Paramedic.

Personal Care Aide
If you have a lot of compassion and enjoy helping others, you may want to begin your medical career as a personal care aide. In this occupation you will be helping elderly people, those with chronic or severe illnesses as well as those with diminished mental capacity to live their daily lives. The people you help will also have varying degrees of abilities. You may have one patient that can do most things of him or herself, while another patient may need your assistance with basic functions, such as eating. Many companies will hire you right out of high school and will provide you with any required training.

This article was contributed by guest author April Adams.

By on October 31, 2017 in Search Strategies

Image by Startup Stock Photos, pexels.com

There’s no denying it. College is expensive. For most students, it’s not feasible to put work on hold for four years just to earn a degree. Even if you could get by without extra income, working during your time at college is a great way to help shape your career trajectory, build a professional network, and even help you decide what classes will be most valuable for you.

But working while studying can also be risky. How do you balance the demands of the classes you’re paying for with the requirements of the job that’s paying you? What kind of jobs for students are available, and what should you be looking for in a student job? Here are some tips and tricks for striking just the right balance.

1. Know Your Limits

Earning a college degree is important, because it increases your chances of landing a high-paying job and building a successful career down the line. In order to pay for college, there is no doubt that you must take up a job as soon as possible. However, if you’ve just arrived on campus for the first time, now is probably not the best time to be looking for a job. Take some time to get acclimated to your new schedule and figure out the demands of your class load.

Not only will this keep your stress levels from getting too high—no one wants eight hours of homework to complete after a shift at work—but prospective employers will appreciate your forethought when you come to them knowing exactly when you aren’t available, and when you may need extra time for exams or other class obligations.

2. Make It Count

The transition from high school to college can be tricky. All of a sudden, you’ve gone from learning facts and figures to building the skills you’re going to need in the workplace…and you may not have any idea what kind of workplace you’re looking for yet! While there are probably plenty of jobs for students right on campus—great when you’re short on time or unable to commute—it’s also a good idea to use your student employment to examine different career paths.

Many highly successful professionals, from Anderson Cooper to Steve Jobs, explored a variety of career options through student jobs and internships. Some ended up pursuing those first jobs further, while others realized they were better suited to other paths. Use your own student job to explore!

3. Mentors Matter

One of the most valuable aspects of a student job is the opportunity for mentoring. Working professionals have so much to offer students just getting their feet wet, and many are eager for the opportunity to share.

Once you have an idea of what kind of field you want to work in and are pursuing related job opportunities and internships, be sure to ask questions about whether there’s an existing structure in place for mentorship, or whether you would have the opportunity to work closely with more senior professionals to get a sense of what the work is really like.

Meet with different potential mentors and try to determine who can support and challenge you as you learn and grow.

4. Be Upfront with Your Employer

It may be only a “college job,” but remember that your boss can either be a great reference or an awkward topic to discuss with your next employer. Always be honest with your employer. If you know you’re only going to be available during the school year and not during the summer, that should come up during your interview.

If your class schedule for the next semester changes and you’re unable to pick up as many hours, it’s better to let your boss know right away rather than have to revise the schedule later, or, even worse, missing shifts or turning up late.

Keep in mind that not all employers are flexible, especially if they don’t frequently hire students. Be sure to discuss issues like this during the hiring process. If an employer isn’t willing to occasionally work with you for things like exams or lab times, it might be best to keep looking.

5. Be Professional

All too often, students fall into the habit of thinking of their work as “just a student job,” something to kill time and make a little extra money while waiting to start their “real job.”

The truth is, however, that your student job is practice for the real world. The habits you develop now are the ones that will follow you throughout your professional career, so if you flout dress codes, turn up late, and forget to call in, not only will it result in a bad reference, but they’re habits that will be hard to break once you finally land that “real job.”

Conclusion

Ready to start submitting applications? Your first stop should be your school’s career counseling or professional development center. They’ll likely have extensive lists of jobs for students, as well as internships and career mentoring opportunities.

They can also help you hone your resume or curriculum vitae and practice your interviewing techniques. With a bit of searching and a little luck, you’ll find a student job that not only helps pay the bills, but also gives you a toehold in your career long before you graduate!

This article was contributed by guest author Amanda Wilks.

 

By on October 12, 2017 in Search Strategies

Photo by Drew Hays on Unsplash

While most people assume everyone who graduates from medical school automatically enters a private practice upon graduation, that’s not always the case. With more and more opportunities becoming available to graduates thanks to technology and other advances in the field, a variety of new and exciting opportunities now exist for new doctors and medical professionals. If you’re preparing to graduate from medical school and are wondering where to look for employment, here are some interesting options to consider.

Medical Writing

If you enjoy writing and want to share your medical knowledge with others, consider using your medical school education to become a medical writer. With jobs available at pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, textbook publishers, and various nonprofit organizations, graduates can use their medical knowledge to create posters, books, and websites for public education.

Health Administration

For medical students who have a head for business, a career in health administration may be the ticket to success. By aligning themselves with an online medical recruiting service, students can often find employment with hospitals and other healthcare facilities, where they can oversee the day-to-day operations while still interacting with patients or residents. A background in Human Resources is a big plus for this one and you might not need to have quite the same medical education to get the job. MedSource Consultants Recruiting says these positions are often attractive because of their benefits as well as connections forged at many different hospitals and clinics.

Public Health

By choosing a career in public health, medical students can use their skills in numerous ways. For those with an interest in international affairs, they can travel abroad with medical organizations to help impoverished nations, conduct educational programs about better health practices, and provide much-needed medical services to various populations. Or if they prefer, they can work with local health departments to study various diseases and help educate the public on preventive measures.

Government Services

With healthcare being such a complex issue in today’s society, many healthcare professionals have chosen to work in numerous types of government positions in an effort to make improvements. For some, that may involve becoming lobbyists, where they can work with elected representatives on various levels of government to help key legislation get passed. And in other instances, they may choose to work at colleges or universities, serving as heads of health services centers. In these positions, they work closely with the student population, educating them on various policies and procedures.

No matter which career path they choose, medical students should realize they have a world of possibilities ahead of them. Whether traveling abroad to help third-world nations rid themselves of disease, discussing the latest health concerns with politicians, or being the administrator of a state-of-the-art healthcare facility, medical students can take their knowledge and skills and help change the world.

This article was contributed by guest author Eileen O’Shanassy.

By on September 26, 2017 in Search Strategies, Self-Assessment

Photo by jesse orrico on Unsplash

Being a medical professional is not just a job, it’s a passion. Students who find themselves drawn to medicine are often well-suited for a career in this field, but it’s important to take the time to consider the factors that make up this profession. These eight issues should help a student narrow down whether or not a career in medicine is right for them.

1. Commitment to Serving Others

The first question any student should ask themselves before entering into a career in medicine is whether or not they want to commit themselves to serving others. Because medicine is geared towards saving lives, students must be passionate about making a difference in this way.

Service-oriented fields like medicine are perfect for students who want to make a difference in other people’s lives; however, not everyone feels the need to contribute to society in this way. That’s why students must first sit down and consider if a career in medicine is the best path for them.

2. Education

Entering the medical field requires a great deal of education. With 14 years being the average time a student spends in school and residencies in order to become a doctor, and with other positions taking between six and eight years, the time it takes to become educated enough to earn a position must be taken into account.

Students who want to specialize will often be in their 30s before they begin their careers as a licensed professional. Even then, these professionals are required to continually learn, evolving their practice as technology advances the field.

3. Salary

Salary is often one of the major factors in a student’s decision to enter the medical sector. With large salaries available for most jobs, it is easy to understand why. Surgeons and physicians can easily make over $100,000, while other specialties can earn more, even at the start of their career.

However, there are some factors that influence the salary of a plastic surgeon, physician, or other medical professions. This includes the cost of living in a certain region, education level, accreditation, licensing, previous work experience, and more. It’s also important to remember that many students enter the workforce with debt, meaning that much of their salary could go towards paying off what they owe.

4. Job Opportunities

Job opportunities in medicine abound, with the average annual growth hitting roughly 400,000 new jobs every year. That number is only climbing and the medical sector is the number one employer in the United States.

With that said, opportunities for specific jobs will remain competitive. Specialized fields often call for extra certifications; students should remember that when it comes to getting licensed for their profession.

5. Lifestyle

All medical professionals have a stressful, busy lifestyle and often suffer from work overload. From physicians being on-call at all hours of the day to surgeons and nurses preparing and carrying out operations, to even technicians who have the job of ensuring medical technology is accurate, the lifestyle of a medical professional is not without challenges.

6. Cost of Training

Students who go into a medical career often need to attend medical school or other graduate programs prior to getting a job in the field. Because of the extra training, students in America often accrue a debt of $100,000 or more. This number is expected to rise with the annual increase in tuition.

Training for a medical profession is costly, but there is good news: there are a variety of loan forgiveness programs, scholarships, and grants to help ease the cost of schooling. Most students will still incur debt, however. That’s why the cost of training is a factor for students looking to specialize in the medical field.

7. Teamwork Scenarios

Becoming a professional in the medical field is about teamwork. Every professional in a hospital, clinic, or healthcare facility is a valued and integral member of a team that saves lives.

This means that students should think long and hard about whether or not they want to be a part of a team. Collaboration with others is critical, and medical professionals need to have a good working relationship with their colleagues in order to save lives, so a career in medicine is not for the independent-minded professional.

8. Personality Fit

Does a student’s personality fit really matter? In medicine, it can make a real difference. That’s because a student’s personality, goals, interests, and values can mold the kind of profession in medicine they decide to pursue.

Students who are compassionate, hardworking, and analytical make the best candidates. Health care is a person-oriented profession, so it’s important that a student can manage their temper, deliver news in a compassionate way, speak professionally and accurately with colleagues and patients, and more. By understanding their personality, a student can determine whether medicine is the right choice for them as a career.

Medicine is a challenging and rewarding career. Students will find themselves in a field that has a lot to offer them, both in personal and professional development. But it takes research to understand if this is a great fit for a student, so introspection is necessary before moving forward.

This article was contributed by guest author Jennifer Clarke.

By on July 4, 2017 in Search Strategies

Image by stockunlimited.com

The basic tenet of any successful business is to sell products and services for profit. However, in order to scale up a small business, one must possess a greater financial acumen which can help the individuals find additional ways of making money. Becoming a financial manager will expand your awareness level and increase your odds of being successful.

The importance of finance in successful businesses

Growing a business requires access to new financial resources. Expanding a business, launching a new product or performing mergers and acquisitions, all require core finance knowledge. Clients will trust your business and you with their money only if they have the confidence that your heart is in it.

Then again, if you think that you can go about nodding your head to whatever the accountant explains to you, you are doing yourself and your business a disservice. For concepts like profit margins, debt burdens, and asset management, your financial knowledge should be impeccable.

So what do you need to actually become a successful financial manager?

Become qualified

Becoming a financial manager is not an easy choice to make. The highly specialized nature of this field makes it imperative for serious aspirants to gain credibility and build a reputation, and until you gain some respect, money won’t come easily. Thus the first thing to do is earn a bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, economics or finance. These academic programs will acquaint you with financial analysis methods and technology, and help you develop the analytical skills required for career success. Soft skills are also taught as a part of the program as peer to peer communication is an important part of the job of financial manager.

Gain experience

Obtaining an entry level finance job isn’t the easiest thing in this world. Competition is tough, especially in fields like investment management. To make sure you do not waste your time looking for the perfect job, experienced professionals advise that you should accept any relevant opportunity that comes your way. This will help you gain a foothold in the industry, make new contacts and develop the relationships required to advance your career.

Get certified

Globally recognized certifications like Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Chartered Financial Planner (CFP) make you a good candidate for promotion or a salary hike at your workplace. These certifications have the best ROI and are therefore the most sought after. Employers also prefer candidates who have at least one professional certification highlighted in their resume. Needless to say, such professionals are paid exponentially higher than their counterparts who do not pursue these certifications.

Qualities of a good financial manager

Now, your decision to become a financial manager should actually be motivated by self-introspection of your qualities and traits. Performing well in a job is one thing, while being a great manager is another. So, besides all the technical knowledge and number crunching, what else sets a manager apart from a normal finance guy?

  • Ability to manage and motivate team members to do their best
  • High proficiency at formulating, implementing and evaluating sales policies
  • In-depth working knowledge of the whole financial industry
  • Sound investment acumen
  • Strong communication skills; clarity of thought and speech
  • Excellent time management and multi tasking skills

The rewards

Financial managers are some of the most handsomely paid professionals. With the right mix of experience, certifications and education credentials one can easily expect to earn a six figure salary. As per the USA Bureau of Labor & Statistics, the average median pay lies in the range of $109,740 annually.

This article was contributed by guest author Saurabh Tyagi.

By on June 29, 2017 in Search Strategies

Image by stockunlimited.com

Young people looking for green energy jobs may be a bit disheartened about job prospects without applicable experience. Fortunately, this should not be a barrier to pursuing a dream of working in green energy.

4 Things to Learn About Pursuing Green Energy Jobs

In a recent interview, the 28-year-old founder of Alcen Renewable, Tao Kong, offered insights to young people looking for green energy jobs. Here are four lessons from his experience to help you break into the field.

1. A Broad-Based Renewable Energy Education Is Essential

Educational institutions are developing new renewable energy programs to help keep up with the transition to low-carbon systems. Fortunately, the renewable energy industry is helping to speed up the process. The larger this industry grows, the more workers it needs. This information may not seem incredibly helpful for recent college graduates; however, Kong didn’t leave college with any specialized skillset or a significant amount of knowledge about renewable energy.

This lack of experience was hardly a hurdle, though. Almost everything he learned to land his first job in the industry was the result of self-study. Everything else he learned while on the job. For young people, this approach can actually be a huge advantage, as Kong points out. Without a new family or other major commitments, job seekers can follow Kong’s footsteps in learning about this new and exciting market.

2. Age Doesn’t Matter

Of course, it’s worth pointing out that Kong’s age hasn’t always played to his advantage. In the interview, he mentions that the industry seems split regarding his success. One half scoffs at his innovations. At the same time, Kong notes that these people tend to be part of the “status quo.” They don’t want things to change because they built their business models on what has always worked.

There are also the independent developers who, Kong points out, don’t really care about age. They’ll hear him out because they’re excited about what he may bring to the table. Anyone who is able to introduce improvements to the industry can succeed, regardless of age or background.

3. Ask Lots of Questions

Kong’s first real experience with the renewable energy industry was attending a conference. By this point, he had begun doing some preliminary planning for a family friend who was working on renewable energy projects in China.

To prepare for the conference, Kong committed to rigorously learning about renewable energy (he originally knew nothing). By the time the conference rolled around, Kong didn’t have all the answers, but he did know all the questions he had to ask. While many of the attendees wondered why he was there to begin with (due to his age), Kong was happy to explain himself because he got the answers he needed to help his employer.

Reinventing the wheel is not necessary. Kong probably could have come up with many of the answers he needed on his own, but it was far more efficient to simply find the people who had the information he needed and ask them.

4. Look for Green Energy Jobs with Startups

Kong cited a couple of important reasons why young people should look to startups for their green energy jobs. The first one is that startups are more likely to get excited about fresh ideas. An innovative idea can often beat years of experience in terms of getting a foot in the door.

Startups can also offer the opportunity to wear as many different hats as possible. This provides a broad-based education about the industry along with a better understanding of what roles might be good fits. Startups can usually offer this type of opportunity because of their lean structures; they need every employee to wear several hats at once.

Countless Green Energy Jobs Are Out There Waiting

Green energy jobs are growing. Solar, alone, is growing 12 times faster than the rest of the economy. A lot goes into finding the perfect job, especially for new job seekers. By utilizing Kong’s tips, including asking questions and providing fresh insights, the chances of finding the right opportunity are improved significantly.

This article was contributed by guest author Susy Bento.

By on June 2, 2017 in Search Strategies

Image by Green Chameleon, unsplash.com

There’s nothing quite as exciting as graduating from college. This transition will empower you to begin pursuing work and building a rewarding career that will present you with a wide range of opportunities. As you approach graduation, it’s important to start thinking critically about what you are going to do afterwards. Below you’ll find several things that can help you as you begin considering your career choices.

1. Take A Personality Assessment.
One great way to ensure that you make a prudent career choice is taking a personality assessment like the one on this Career Assessment Site. These assessments can be used to help you decide which occupation is the best fit for you. For example, highly sensitive people will often times thrive in careers such as teaching, given the service-based nature of the job. Personality assessments will provide you with the detailed data necessary to ensure you understand which types of jobs you would really thrive in.

2. Complete An Internship.
In addition to taking a personality assessment, make sure that you complete an internship. Doing so will provide you with hands-on experience that you’ll be able to list on your resume. Also note that the resume will give you an opportunity to determine whether you actually like a specific career field. Utilize online resources such as www.internships.com to determine which internship opportunities are available in your local area.

3. Go To A Job Fair.
Another strategy you can implement to remain on the road to vocational success is going to a job fair. This step is important because it will help you interact with prospective employers and determine what jobs are available in your local area. As noted in “The Ten Keys to Success at Job and Career Fairs,” there are several things you can do to have success when you attend the job fair. Some of them include pre-registering for the fair, researching the registered employers, and taking multiple copies of your resume to the event.

4. Have Your Resume Professionally Reviewed.
Another strategy you can implement to help you have success in the job hunt that you begin near graduation is having your resume professionally reviewed. This strategy will give you an edge over everyone else by ensuring that your document has no grammatical errors. Remember that an employer may receive one hundred resumes for a position posted. As such, you need to do everything in your power to stand out in her or his mind!

5. Utilize Recruitment Services.
One final strategy that you should implement as you prepare to graduate and enter the work world is utilizing recruitment services. Professional recruiters have extensive experience in connecting job candidates with the ideal employer. Also note that they will often learn of available openings before the general public. Do an online search to determine which local recruiters have the highest success rate in terms of helping people find great jobs quickly and correctly.

Don’t Delay: Start Preparing For A Rewarding Career Today!
If you’re on the verge of graduation and have begun considering career choices, now is the time to implement strategies that will entail success. Utilize some or all of the tips outlined above to ensure that you get on the road to vocational success now!

This article was contributed by guest author Kara Masterson.

By on May 29, 2017 in In the Workplace, Search Strategies

Image by MAROQUOTIDIEN PLUS, unsplash.com

Is it possible for students to focus on GPA scores when they have a part-time job? Even though it is a major distracting factor, a job can have a positive influence on the studying process. It is all about prioritizing. If you put your studies first, you will get the results you want. On the other hand, working too hard can lead to wearing oneself out and therefore bad grades. There are many things to consider before making the decision to get a job while studying in college. These pros and cons will help you make up your mind!

Pros

Stable income

This is the first benefit that comes to mind. It is a great opportunity to start earning money. Students often complain about their financial situation and getting a part-time job can fix it. Take this decision seriously and try to understand if you are ready to take on this kind of responsibility. Do not look for a job with the sole intent to earn money. Think carefully about the responsibilities you will have and evaluate your skills objectively.

Ability to spend money wisely

Having a part-time job teaches students not only to earn, but to spend money as well. It is very tempting to buy all those little things you’ve always wanted now that you’ve received your first paycheck. But it is wiser to start saving. Life is full of surprises. You never know what you might need that money for in the future. It is more practical to have some savings than exchange your remuneration for a fading instant joy.

Improved time management skills

Always being late is not a good characteristic for an employee to have. It is a sign of disrespect and irresponsible attitude. Some students think that there is no way to combine classes and work without sacrificing something. There is a constant dilemma of skipping classes to be on time for your shift. To solve this problem, you need a job with a flexible schedule. Discuss the schedule with your manager and ask if there is a chance to adapt your work shifts according to it. Have a study plan and manage your time taking it into consideration. The tight schedule will help you to understand the real value of time and spend it wisely.

Valuable experience

No matter what kind of job students can find, there is always an opportunity to get useful experience for your future career. The working environment can improve your communication skills. A candidate who can easily find common ground with others has more chances of landing a job interview than the one who does not. Your first job can teach you to solve conflicts, find non-trivial solutions to all kinds of problems, and be more responsible. All of these qualities will come in handy after the graduation.

Networking

The people you get to know while working might have a tremendous impact on your future professional development. You never know who will be your lucky ticket to the business world. Be polite and try to maintain good relationships with your colleagues and managers. It is often a friend of a friend who knows someone and can arrange a job interview for you.

Cons

Bureaucracy issues for foreign students

Foreign students will have to go through more stages before they can get a job. They will need to fill out paperwork to prove that they are students and have permission to work. As a rule, such permission does not give foreign students the right to get a part-time job somewhere in a private business sector, so your college is one of the few places you can take your chances to find a job.

Constant exhaustion

Be ready to face the unwelcoming reality of sleep deprivation. Being tired all the time is an annoying component of working. Your time management skills might have nothing to do with it. Putting too much on your shoulders has its drawbacks and exhaustion is one of them. If you see that this feeling does not go away, think about the health issues you might have. Your health is by far more important than getting a salary.

Lack of time

The sad truth about having a job while you are still in college is the need to reject the invitations from your friends because there is no time left for fun. That is not entirely true, but you may meet up with friends less often than you did before.

Thoughts of leaving college

This might be one of the negative consequences of earning money so early. Students do not see any sense in going to college if there is a possibility to get paid without a diploma. Although there are some examples of people without college degrees starting a successful business, it is better to have one just in case.

This article was contributed by guest author Peter Druker.