Archives for 2012

Job Hunting Success: How to Make Yourself More Employable

November 8, 2012 by Karen Schweitzer

Job hunting success can be difficult in a tough economy. There is a lot of competition from other job seekers and fewer positions available. The good news is that there are a few things you can do to make yourself more employable. These tips will help you stand out among the competition.

Job Hunting Success Beings with a Good Resume

Job hunting success begins with a good resume

A poor resume is the reason many applicants do not get a call back from a potential employer. Even if you have a good record of work experience, it may not be fully demonstrated in your resume. Take time to really flesh out the work and academic history portions of your resume. Make note of your accomplishments and awards you may have received. Use numbers and statistics whenever possible to demonstrate proof of performance. If you have leadership experience, be sure to mention it. Keep all of the details to one or two pages maximum. If you need more room to go into detail about your work history, get rid of things like the resume “objective”–it’s fluff. The objective of every job seeker is to get a job that matches their qualifications, desires, and knowledge level; the potential employer knows that. If necessary, get help with your resume from a friend, family member, or a professional resume writer. [Read more…] about Job Hunting Success: How to Make Yourself More Employable

An Information Technology Career

November 7, 2012 by Sachin

Information Technology

With the rapid expansion of new technologies across the entire computer universe, it’s a great time to be interested in a career in the Information Technology field. There are so many different job opportunities available as companies struggle to maintain a leadership position in their industry. Almost any type of business, from retail to manufacturing, is implementing more and more computersystems and methods in an effort to stay competitive. It requires everything from knowledge of basic personal computer operations to networks, servers and even the latest wireless devices. It is certainly more complicated today than at any other time in history, and that is why well-trained, professional Information Technology personnel are always in demand.

Education is an important key in getting a job in the information technology field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are a variety of careers in Information Technology including:

Computer programmers which require a Bachelors degree and earned an average of $71,380 in 2010. Computer systems analysts earned an average of $77,740, Database administrators averaged $73,490, Network and computer systems administrators earned $69,160, while Software developers earned $90,530. With only some college Computer support specialists were still able to earn an average of $46,260 at the other end of the spectrum Computer and information research scientists require Doctoral or Professional degrees and average over $100,000 per year. So there are a variety of different types of positions available in the Information Technology field to suit a variety of different career needs at a variety of different education levels.

The question for you is: what kind of company you want to work for, and what kind of position you want?

Get Rid of IT Career Stagnation Once and for All

Answer the Basic Questions

The most efficient way to find the right career for you is to use a professional IT recruiter. If you’ve recently graduated from technical school, or if you have many years of previous experience, you have to set goals for yourself and decide exactly what you want to do with your career:

The Impact of Unemployment on Housing

November 6, 2012 by JaredDiamond

Whether you believe the accuracy of the 7.8% unemployment rate announced by the Bureau of Labor Statistics this fall or that the government is manipulating the unemployment numbers to affect the presidential election, one thing is certain: the government isn’t funding potential home buyers’ lack of ambition when it comes to a milestone investment such as financing a home. Unemployment rates are only a piece of the puzzle when it comes to understanding why some U.S. families may be redistributing funds they had previously set aside for a home sweet home. The bigger picture suggests that a reduced sense of urgency, types of employment, and the unique circumstances of the “baby boom” generation will also keep the real estate market stagnant at least into the next few years.

Unemployment Impacts Housing

Purchasing a home has long been a big financial undertaking. For many, the thought of a looming home loan becoming more and more swollen with interest over the next 20-30 years isn’t exactly the most alluring aspect of having your own hearth to decorate each holiday. In short, it’s a decision you can drag your feet to make; combine that with the fact that the market is currently tipped in favor of buyers who have more time and reduced pressure to find a quality, affordable home without fear of their options disappearing. In this buyer’s market, families looking for a new home know they have the luxury of more and better options when it comes to financing and overall home prices and they’re taking their time. According to CNN Money, home prices are down on a national average of 34% (although home prices have increased five months in a row as of October 2012) although they’re predicted to increase in the coming years, the increase won’t be substantial enough to spur would-be homeowners into a buying frenzy. [Read more…] about The Impact of Unemployment on Housing

Container Tracking System – Great Help for Anyone in the Shipping Business

November 5, 2012 by Urbanosaurus

Container Tracking- High Tech

Not every product can be found for purchase in a nearby store. This is logical, since not all products are manufactured everywhere. That is why certain products are shipped, via various sorts of transport vessels, from the location where they are manufactured, to the address of the buyer. The shipping industry is responsible for a a growing number of jobs as more products are shipped long distances. In 2010 China alone exported the equivalent of 31.3 million 20 foot containers (TEUS) while the U.S. exported 11.2 million TEUS. The U.S. was the largest importer at 17.6 million TEUS and China was second at 12.0 Million TEUS. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2010 82,600 people in the U.S. worked in occupations related to shipping via water alone with an expected increase of 20% over the next 10 years. Median pay was $46,610/yr. in 2010. Another 82,200 people work as Cargo and Freight Agents coordinating incoming and outgoing shipments for transportation companies. The BLS estimates a 29% increase in these jobs over the next ten years. In 2010 Cargo and Freight agents earned a median salary of $37,150/yr.

We would think the container shipping jobs are all relatively low tech jobs but that is not necessarily so. Some jobs involve operating heavy equipment like cranes but a high tech aspect to shipping you may not be aware of is Container Tracking.

Since products are shipped very long distances, it is beneficial, both for the company that is sending the product and for the party that is awaiting its arrival, to be able to track and monitor the shipment. In these situations Container Tracking Services are used.

What is a Container Tracking System

The Container Tracking System is an on-line program that is used to track and monitor the container that is shipping a particular product or products. Apart from being able to constantly see the location of the container on a world map (usually provided by Google Maps), one can also monitor various other data that is connected to the shipment. This data includes the temperature within the container, the humidity, various images of the inside of the container that are constantly sent and updated (this is a sort of video surveillance), and so on. This can help prevent spoilage and theft or misdirection along the way.

Factors Which Influence Career Choices

November 4, 2012 by Dr. Amarendra Alapati

As the old saying goes, “The Choices makes the man” life is full of choices. In our academic life for instance, a person is given the choice about which career to take up, normally during their college years. With so many options to choose from, a person might become confused and overwhelmed.

Education influences Career Choices

Education, in general, is important in equipping a person to fulfill the dreams that they have. It is the thing which will mold a person to become successful one day. Choosing the right career will determine the future that a person might have. Basically, the journey of making a choice about a professional career starts with career development.

What is Career Development?

Career development is generally a long and engaging process in choosing the right option amongst the many employment opportunities available to a person. People who undertake career development are actually influenced by a lot of factors. It is the combination of educational, economic, physical, social as well as psychological factors that can influence the nature of work during the life of an individual. Each person will experience some, or even all, of these influential factors as they go through the process of deciding which career option to choose. [Read more…] about Factors Which Influence Career Choices

Sit, Stay, Good Dog: Become a Certified Dog Trainer

November 3, 2012 by Dr. Amarendra Alapati

Certified Dog Trainer-

If you love dogs and spending lots of time training them, you might consider a career as a dog trainer. Did you know that as a dog trainer, you’ll need to have lots of patience and understanding with people, too? Dog trainers actually spend most of their time teaching people how to train and manage their own pets, so you’ll have to be a people person, as well. With the proper training and knowledge, you can choose one of the many diverse careers in the dog training area, from dog show preparation to military dog training to puppy kindergarten.

What do certified dog trainers do?

Certified Dog trainers are professionals who have learned methods for correcting canine behavior. Not all abide by the same techniques, but the end game tends to be the same – they want to increase your dog’s good habits while decreasing behavior that is less desirable. Some use treats to reinforce desired actions, others mark good behavior through clicks that are associated with praise or food, and others may even [Read more…] about Sit, Stay, Good Dog: Become a Certified Dog Trainer

Why Do Employment Levels Lag Behind Economic Indicators?

November 3, 2012 by Will Kerr

Stagnant Employment Levels-

One of the most common complaints when an economy begins to turn the corner and pull out of recession goes something like this: ‘If things are getting better, why does it still hurt?’

People read the news about a recovery, and wonder why they still can’t find work. As with many things in life, a jobs recovery takes time. Economists refer to the unemployment rate as a lagging indicator, which means it follows broader moves in economic activity with a time delay, typically of a few months. Although it’s little consolation for the desperate job seeker, there are good reasons why this is so. Understanding this doesn’t ease the pain of joblessness, but it can make forward planning a little easier when you understand that the jobs recovery is around the next corner.

Batten Down The Hatches

When economists talk about recession they use a rather dry technical definition that doesn’t always match the experience of individuals in the labour force. To an economist, a recession comprises two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth. That is to say the Gross Domestic Product, the total sum of all economic activity of the economy in question, falls for 6 months (two quarters).

The good news about unemployment being a lagging indicator is that employers usually try to weather the storm when recession hits. Even after the requisite two quarters of decline have passed, businesses generally continue to hope the downturn won’t last too much longer and won’t be too deep. Sales may drop, some customers walk away, but the business will try to hold on to staff.

After all, the staff are a major investment and asset. They cost a lot to recruit and train, and their experience and abilities are what keep the revenues rolling, so employers will usually wish to keep them in place for when conditions pick up again. Of course, there’s also an undeniable human factor. Whilst it’s easy to look at the numbers and decide a change of approach is needed, it’s much harder, especially for small workforces, to let members of the team go. Call it optimism, compassion, or a lack of responsiveness, layoffs are usually a last resort.

Creative Destruction Takes Time

However, if the recession is particularly deep or prolonged, lay-offs become increasingly necessary to reduce operating costs and ensure the business stays afloat. Hence, as the lay-offs follow [Read more…] about Why Do Employment Levels Lag Behind Economic Indicators?

What are the Opportunities for Nurses in Health Informatics

November 2, 2012 by Justin Epley

With today’s advances in technology, health informatics has become one of the fastest-growing fields for healthcare professionals. Health informatics specialists are in demand not only in hospitals, but also in private practice and emergency care clinics throughout the country.

Health informatics involves the processing of information through computers and other electronic devices. This information includes medical records as well as patient care delivery and instruction. Many of the leading software and hardware companies are actively hiring nurses to train healthcare professionals to use highly specialized technical equipment. These nurse informaticians, as they’re called by the American Nurses Association (ANA), are in demand throughout the health industry.

Training You’ll Need for Health Informatics

To apply for an advanced position as a nurse informatician, you’ll need to get a certification. Nurse informaticians are required to have the basic clinical and technical knowledge required of any nurse and are also required to have strong communication and verbal skills, as well as good analytical skills. [Read more…] about What are the Opportunities for Nurses in Health Informatics

5 More Phone Interview Tips to Help You Get a New Job

November 1, 2012 by AzouzGmach

When a company has a large pool of applicants for a job, it won’t have time to meet everyone personally. One way companies narrow down their search is through a phone interview. If you’re scheduled for a phone interview, it’s your first step towards a new job. Here are some tips to keep in mind so you can ace your phone interview and earn yourself a chance to meet the employer in person.

1) Be Prepared for the Interview

You want to make sure you’re well prepared for your phone interview before it starts. Print out a copy of your resume ahead of time so it is easy to reference during the call. You should also write out a few questions about the job and any information you definitely want to mention to the interviewer. Keep these papers in front of you during the call so you can use them as a reminder.

It can also be helpful to have computer access for your call. Load up the interviewing company’s website so you can reference it during your conversation. If your interviewer starts talking about something you don’t understand, you can do a quick web search while he’s talking. Just be careful not to let the computer take your mind off the call.

Note: If you’re worried about your ability to multi-task, you may do better leaving the computer off for your interview.

2) Remove Distractions

One of the problems with a phone interview is that it can [Read more…] about 5 More Phone Interview Tips to Help You Get a New Job

Highly Skilled Worker Shortage in a Recession?

October 30, 2012 by Jorgen Rex Olson

Could Vocational Training Solve Unemployment?

The shortage of highly skilled workers became a global concern several years ago and continues to grow despite the emergence of an economic recession. A report compiled by Deloitte for the Manufacturing Industry shows 600,000 jobs in the U.S. need employees who are skilled in various jobs. The number is expected to increase over the next five years, the report states, as many current workers reach retirement age. Many of these careers offer generous pay and immediate employment upon completing vocational school. Shortages are also predicted in health care and other fields.

Why the Lack of Skilled Workers?

One reason for the lack of skilled workers centers on society and parents placing too much value on a four-year college degree, which came with the promise of landing a lucrative job. Many college graduates find scarce employment opportunities in their field of study and end up in debt from the costs of earning their degree.

This push towards college and away from vocational training contributed to the current shortage of trained, skilled workers in many areas, including healthcare, manufacturing, technology, and other vocational careers. During this same period, many [Read more…] about Highly Skilled Worker Shortage in a Recession?