Your résumé is one of the key factors in the process of getting the job of your dreams. Its purpose is not to actually get you that job, but to make the employer want to interview you. I’m going to explain why you should write it yourself.

Most people hate writing résumés, I sympathize; it’s not my favourite activity either! But it’s important; so important that I’ve written an e-book about it. I did this because I’d worked with so many people who had no idea how to create a résumé (or CV as they are called here in the UK), let alone the covering letter which must always go with it.

A lot of people turn to the CV or résumé writing services which are springing up all over the place. If you choose wisely, you’ll find someone who knows what they are doing. So why am I telling you that you should write your own? Read More »

Technology is another trend which keeps on growing, with computer-related jobs also expected to experience massive growth, but you can still cash in on this without entering a high-tech career. The increased application of technology in daily life also creates more jobs in sales and if you enjoy teaching, there is plenty of scope for educating people in how to use the latest inventions. These jobs do require a certain amount of technical knowledge, but their main focus is on other skills and you can specialize in one small area. Of course, technology moves incredibly quickly and you’ll have to keep up. So you’ll have to enjoy ongoing learning!

And for those of you who truly hate technology, how about helping people deal with the increased stress that technology causes? This seems to be more topical than the time-saving benefits which were talked about so much in the past!

The rapid growth of the internet has led to many new opportunities, not only for young computer geeks, but also for people of all ages who want to make a living from home. Many internet-related skills are therefore in demand, from teaching beginners how to surf and send email, to programming and designing websites. Depending on age (despite laws against age discrimination, computer-related jobs tend to go to younger workers) and ability, jobs in these areas can be in full-time employment, on short-term contract or on a freelance basis. Anyone with internet skills can use them to build their own online business or help other people build theirs.

And if you don’t like the internet, how about organizing internet-free activities for families? With kids spending so much time in front of computer screens, communication within the family is an area in need of encouragement.

If you are at the beginning of your career or intending to change career, you might find it useful to know which sectors are growing fastest at the moment.

Naturally, this is not the only factor you should be taking into account when you decide on your career path, but the areas predicted to experience the most growth in the next 10-20 years are certainly worth considering.

These careers are likely to offer more security than some others, but that in itself isn’t a good enough reason to choose them. However, looking at areas of growth and then expanding your outlook to take in the bigger picture will help you to find a career you do enjoy and which isn’t likely to disappear overnight. Read More »

With thousands of new graduates entering the job market over the summer, those who haven’t yet found a post will be starting to get a little despondent, especially as Christmas approaches. Whether you are a new graduate or simply looking for a career change, it may be time to reassess your strategy.

If you find you can’t get a job because you haven’t got the right experience and you can’t get the experience because you can’t get the right job, it may be time for a radical rethink.

If you are stuck in a Catch-22 situation, one alternative approach is to think about volunteering. This has a couple of big advantages – it will get you both the valuable experience you so desperately need and it will get you a reference. Not having a good reference in a relevant field can be a sticking point if you are just out of college or have been out of the workforce for some time. Read More »

If you are just starting out in the world of work or contemplating a career change, it’s important to be aware of the best way in which you can find a job. The majority of jobhunters rely on classified ads or online job boards. But these are actually bottom of the pile when it comes to effective ways to find a job

You’re probably very aware of the expression “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know”, which has become a bit of a cliché, but is nonetheless true when it comes to finding work. You may be surprised to learn that employers are now actively encouraging employees to recommend their friends for jobs and sometimes even rewarding them when a position is filled.

This technique is a good deal for both parties; the company doesn’t have to fork out large sums of money for advertisements or devote hours to interviewing a string of candidates. And the jobseeker is in the fortunate position of being able to suss out the job in advance.

Think about it, you can ask any question you like – I’m sure you can think of plenty which would definitely be very out of place at an interview, but could give you a much better picture of the culture and the people you’d be working with. That’s important information which could help you decide whether or not the job is right for you. If you are interested in the post, you’ll be well prepared before the interview and should feel a lot more relaxed than otherwise. Read More »

Careers are not what they used to be and the jobs we love to hate are rapidly disappearing, at least in the format in which we expect them to show up.

Previous generations expected to graduate from college or high school and start out in a job or career in which they stayed for life. Most people expected to progress in the firm, or perhaps move to a company in the same industry, but although many gained promotions and pay increases, it was unlikely they would move too far from the starting point in terms of location and industry.

Things have changed – dramatically. Young people starting out today can expect to re-train around seven times over the course of their working lives. Yes, re-train for a new career, not just update skills or move to a different job in the same field. Read More »