Breakthrough Career Solutions

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.

Although the initial stages of career planning are crucial to success, looking well into the future when career planning is essential if that success is going to be maintained. Careers change, the market changes, the economy changes. If you want to make sure that you remain a hot commodity in your career, you need to make sure that you can roll with the punches.

The best way to look into the future, you must start by looking into the past. What have been the trends of your industry? Where has its competition come from in the past? What companies have survived and which haven’t? Why?

Next, look at the current state of the new industry in which you hope to work and ask the same questions. Choose case studies in the form of major companies. Find out who the key players are in these companies and check out their career path. What did they do after school and entry level positions? Read business journals and check out industry forums online. Where is the current threat coming from? What are people saying about the future of the industry? How will that affect your ability to get a job in your chosen career and keep it five, ten, twenty years down the road?

Now, look at both of these groups of facts and consider your future. What areas will you need to acquire frequent updates on information and skills in order to maintain your position and move up? A certain amount of critical thinking is necessary to prepare yourself for the possible twists and turns of the market as it concerns your chosen career. By assessing the past, taking note of the present, and planning for the future, you will have a much higher chance of not only holding onto your new career but excelling at it as well.
Careers, The Correct Qualifications

Knowing what those at the top of your chosen industry have accomplished in order to reach their positions will be one of the most helpful things you can do for your career. Getting these correct qualifications for yourself should be your first priority as far as achieving your goals.

Go online and look at resumes that are posted. Check out the bios of top CEOs. Read articles on the business and as many books as you can find on the industry in which you are interested. Because few people will follow the same path to the top, make a list of entry level, mid level, and upper level positions that different people in the business have acquired. You may find that it is easier to make your way into a related industry and then transfer over to your career of choice. By looking at what those who have come before have done, you can shape your path accordingly.

Education is the logical first step when training for a career. Online classes and night school have made it possible to train for a new career while maintaining your day job. In the event that you need a higher degree that you can’t get through the Internet, there are a variety of grants and loans available to fund your education. If you are confident that the career you are training for is really what you want and that this career will give you the funds to repay the steep fees for a higher degree, this may be the best choice. Networking in grad school may do more for your career than the classes you take.

On the other hand, hands on experience is a great teacher as well. Look for assistantships, internships, and volunteer work in the industry of your choice. You may find that another career is more to your liking. The process of acquiring the correct qualifications for a given career may show you a totally different career that you didn’t even know existed.
10 Questions an Interviewer May Ask

Once upon a time job interviews were comprised of a conversation between interviewer and interviewee and based on this conversation, the job seeker was either hired or sent on their way. Within the context of this conversation, questions were asked, but today much of the conversation has disappeared as more and more interviewers are using custom made interview forms. Some of the questions you may encounter include:

1. What is your greatest strength?

2. What is your greatest weakness?

3. Why did you leave your last job?

4. What did you like most about your last job?

5. What did you like least about your last job?

6. How did you solve a problem regarding an angry or dissatisfied customer?

7. How do you handle stress?

8. What would your previous co-workers say about you?

9. Give an example of your ability to make decisions under pressure.

10. Why do you want to work for this company?

There are many variations on the above questions but most of these are pretty standard. Of course, work experience is a given and some employers want to know if you smoke. Often, employers ask questions they are not supposed to ask but it is usually career suicide if you bring up that fact.

The best thing you can do to prepare yourself for any interview is to find out everything you can about the company you are applying for. In addition, make sure you have all the dates clear as to where you worked and how long you worked there. Even if you have already sent a resume take one to the interview with you so that you can glance at it if you need to. Above all, be on time and be prepared!

One of the most frustrating parts of running a business for many business owners and manager is finding the right employees. A vacancy opening usually leads to plenty of applicants, but finding the candidate that not only possesses the right combination of skills, experience and education as well as has important qualities as teamwork, initiative and loyalty can be a difficult task to manage.