New York Employment Report: Despite Drop in Employee Confidence Index, More Workers Optimistic About Job Availability<
> Which Direction For My Career
There comes a time for most people when they ask themselves about which direction they should take for their career. For some, this question is asked before their career even begins, perhaps even before entering college.
In most cases, the sooner you can decide on the direction that you would like to take your career, the better. Forethought and planning can help make the decision making process easier earlier on in your career. The first thing you need to remember is that you will likely not start off at the top of the ladder, but rather that you will need to work your way up to your goal career position.
One of the primary considerations when deciding on the directionality of your career is education requirements. Are there special degrees or certificates that you will need to advance your career and where are they available? Time may be a factor, especially if you are already working in the career field of your choice. There may be options of night schools or correspondence courses to get the degrees and certificates necessary to advance your career.
By defining your goals as clearly as possible, armed with information, you can set a course for career fulfillment and find a time frame that will suit your needs and career advancement.
Deciding on the direction you would like to take your career in is not an easy decision to make, nor one you should make hastily. Take your time and clearly define where you want to be in one year, three years, five years and ten years. Research for information to help you understand what you will need to accomplish to meet these goals.
Interview Techniques
Public speaking seems to be a problem with most people so it is no surprise that most people spend countless hours preparing for an interview as if they are going to speak in front of thousands of people.
Why is the Interview so Important?
Simply said; if you want the job then you better nail the interview. The interview is the gateway to having the job offered to you. If you are confident in your abilities and can vocalize them then you will more then likely receive and offer.
How can I prepare for the Interview?
First thing is to make sure you are well groomed. It is ok to dress up in a dark suit and matching tie for men or a nice dark business suit for women. Men should be clean shaven with a neat hair cut. Women should have their hair neat and also wear stockings and matching shoes. Heals are ok but not to the point where the woman seems awkward walking in them. Another thing you can do is practice what you are going to say to the interviewer in front of a mirror or other people.
Other Interview Techniques
Always shake the interviewers hand firmly, sit straight up, and pay attention. Always make sure to answer the interviewers questions accurately and concisely. It is a good idea to study about the companys history and current events just in case there is a mention of it. Always be prepared and do not let your eyes wander around the room. Do not bite your fingernails or show any signs of outward nervousness. The interviewer will read your body language and even though body language doesnt show your ability to perform a job, the interviewer will still take it into consideration.
Career Planning Considerations
There are a variety of factors to take into consideration when choosing the path you will take toward a new career. You will need to assess what you already possess in terms of skills, education, and experience that will apply to your new career. Next, you should consider what you need to break into the industry. If you have what it takes to get into the industry or are already there, consider what you will need to move to the position that you want. Knowing yourself, your finances, and the industry youve chosen inside and out is essential to career planning. Here are a few questions to ask yourself.
Do you need a degree, a certificate, or a skill set that you can obtain through a class to succeed in your new career?
If so, do you have the time and money to finance this education? Can you take out loans, take your classes online, or take some time off work to get this education?
Do you need to be certified? If so, a very specific career path has most likely been mapped out and followed. Find out what others in your area have done, where they’ve gone to school, and where to register for the exam to pass your certification. This will save you a considerable amount of time as you research what you need to do.
Are you sure this career is what you want? Is the time and money invested in education and entry level positions worth it to you? Will the job pay enough money to finance the lifestyle you want to live? Are the day to day characteristics of your new career compatible with your temperament and values? Realistically assessing your interests and capabilities could save you years if you are honest and sure that you are choosing your new career for the right reasons.
NEW YORK, Jan. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The New York Employee Confidence
Index decreased 1.6 points to 52.2 in December, according to the latest
Spherion(R) Employment Report. The monthly survey of New York workers,
conducted by Harris Interactive(R) on behalf of Spherion Corporation, shows
that while a higher percentage of workers indicate a lack of confidence in
their personal employment situation, many remain optimistic about job
availability.
Results from the New York Employment Report:
* Twenty-one percent of workers believe that more jobs are available,
compared to 19 percent in November.
* Dropping 11 percentage points from November, only 48 percent of workers
feel confident in their ability to find a new job.
* The number of workers reporting confidence in the future of their
current employer decreased seven percentage points to 54 percent in
December.
“Despite the drop in overall confidence, the bright spot from this
month’s report is that more workers are optimistic about the health of the
job market. That view makes sense, given the steady job creation we have
seen month-over- month across the state,” said Rich Mazelsky, regional vice
president of Spherion Staffing Services. “Looking ahead in 2007, we fully
expect job requests in the professional services area to remain strong,
especially for workers with accounting, project management, business
process re-engineering, and technology experience. Given the trends we are
currently seeing, I believe that the job market will remain healthy and
skilled candidates will continue to have their choice of available jobs
throughout the year. Employers had better hold onto their top talent,
because they will certainly have plenty of opportunities for movement.”
Link to full Report & Methodology:
http://www.spherion.com/press/employment_report/NY_employment_report_12-06.jsp
About Spherion
Spherion Corporation is a leading recruiting and staffing company that
provides integrated solutions to meet the evolving needs of companies and
job candidates. As an industry pioneer for 60 years, Spherion has screened
and placed millions of individuals in temporary, temp-to-hire and full-time
jobs. Positions range from administrative and light industrial to a host of
professions that include accounting/finance, information technology,
engineering, manufacturing, legal, human resources and sales/marketing.
With approximately 650 locations in the United States and Canada,
Spherion delivers innovative workforce solutions that improve business
performance. Spherion provides its services to more than 8,000 customers,
from Fortune 500 companies to a wide range of small and mid-size
organizations. Employing 375,000 people annually through its network,
Spherion is one of North America’s largest employers. To learn more, visit
http://www.spherion.com. For up-to-
date career tips and trends, visit Spherion’s career blog, The Big
Time(SM), at http://www.spherion.com/careerblog.