Explore Careers for Women

Exploring careers for women provides a basis for making a selection among many popular options. Based on interests, summaries of a wide range of careers are available including the training and education necessary.

See the website here for an interactive exploration.

Careers: Graduation vs Job Availability

The odds are that you will change careers several times during your working years. It then makes sense in career planning to gain skills that are transferable and select education targets that meet future opportunities. Do the research necessary to keep you career flexible and responsive to the job market.

For a discussion of the current career – opportunity picture, see the article here.

Top Career Opportunities by Degrees

Whether in school or in any stage of employment, looking forward in time is a good idea. A time horizon of several years is useful for making mid course adjustments in your career, or course of study. Being aware of the likely-hood of a demand for your skills and talents is a realistic objective.

The article here presents projections of employment demand in various fields and for varying levels of  educational programs.

Careers: What is Your Plan B? Plan C?

Whether you are a youth preparing to attend college or a working adult, the odds are your career path will change a few times both during your education and working years. It is a good idea to plan to gain skills that are transferable and select education targets that match future opportunities. Be aware of the trends and keep you career flexible and responsive to the job market which will certainly change during your college / employment years.

Here's a look at the current changing career – opportunity picture in Colorado which is the first-part of a four-part career planning series.  See the article here.

Research with an Informational Interview

An informational interview is a meeting to learn about the real-life experience of someone working in a field or company that interests you.

It's not a job interview, so it's important to keep focused on getting information, not a job offer. It has future value in its planning and conversational interaction. Three steps will outline the process:

• Find contacts.
• Make connections
• Hold a meeting. 

For details on utilizing an informational interview, see the article here.

Change Your Career Successfully

If you’re considering a career pivot, follow these key steps:

1. Start With the Why
2. Get Clear on the What
3. Figure Out the What’s it Gonna Take
4. Make an Action Plan
5. Track the Effort
6. Shift Your Brand
7. Mobilize Your Network
8. Get in With the Right People

For details on these steps see the complete article here.

Have a Career Network

A career network should be in place when you need it, both for job searching and for moving along the career ladder. Since you never know when you might need it, it makes sense to have an active career network, even if you don't need it today.

Career networking, or "professional" networking, involves using personal, professional, academic or familial contacts to assist with a job search, achieve career goals, or learn more about your field, or another field you'd like to work in. 

Networking can be a good way to hear about job opportunities, or get an "in" at the company you'd like to work in.  For 7 tips see the article here.

Career Change in 10 Steps

Perhaps you just begin to lose interest. Perhaps you find something that interests you more. Perhaps your company is downsizing. These are some of the reasons people find themselves on the cliff looking back on their career just as the dirt begins to crumble beneath them.

Faced with a career change plunge? Do you wish you were? Take it slowly and make sure what you really want to do is change careers. Career change is a natural life progression; most studies show the average job-seeker changes careers (not jobs) several times over the course of a lifetime.

Get on a path toward career change success; find a 10-step plan here

Develop a Strategic Career Vision

If you’re like most people, you’ll change careers at least several times over the course of your life. Success in making transitions among careers can be partially attributed to career planning and preparation.

Job-seekers need to take the time to step way from the day-to-day work and spend quality time reflecting on career and developing plans for the future. Think of career planning as building bridges from your current job/career to your next job/career; without the bridge, you may easily stumble, but with the bridge there is safety and direction.

See basic guidelines for short and long-term career planning here.

Example Career Changes after 50

Reinventing your career; it’s not easy but it’s never too late. That’s the message from people who made life-altering career changes in their 40s, 50s, 60s or even older.

Some second acts aren’t by choice, some have described being forced into midlife career changes after losing their jobs and failing to find similar work because of the economy, their age, a disability or discrimination.  Some people start a second or third career because they can’t afford to stop working after retirement. Some discover they’re happier working, even if they can afford to retire.

See six examples of later-in-life changes here.

Returned Missionary Career Steps

Home from a mission begins a new and exciting chapter in life. The next steps might include finding employment or seeking further education and make this a dynamic time of career exploration. While there may be a feeling of uncertainty, know that your experiences and your missionary service have prepared you for the decisions ahead. 

As you start on your path to building a career, consider the following tips.

• Keep Your Momentum
• Develop a Career Plan
• Plan for Education and Finances
• Communicate the Skills Gained from Your Mission
• Use Additional Resources
• Move Forward with Trust in the Lord

If these topics sound interesting, see the full article here.

Job offer? Ask yourself 5 questions

If your carefully crafted Resume, job searching and a few interviews have finally landed you a job offer, what now?  No longer is it necessary for job seekers to jump at the first opportunity that comes along; if you’re talented, experienced and personable enough, there will be more where that came from.

But for candidates, simply realizing they have a certain amount of agency and leverage in the job hunt is only the first step. After all, having a measure of power is one thing, but making a power play is another. If in the course of your search you land on a job that, on the surface, appears to suit your interests, it’s important to ask some difficult questions of the position, the company, and yourself before saying yes.

See five key issues to consider here.

Turn around Workplace boredom

Time is a resource with high monetary value, and any boredom is a symptom of wasting time you should be putting to good use. Take advantage of the situation and do something you wouldn't ordinarily be able to do. 

Start a new initiative, develop your professional skillset, or reorganize your current strategies; you'll make yourself more valuable and ultimately, you'll position yourself for a respectable salary increase at your next formal review.

The next time you find yourself bored at work, try the ideas here.

Five Meaningful Soft Skills

While your experience and education may land you an interview, you need to be prepared for an additional assessment on how well you would fit into the company culture.

Many assume that a solid education is what employers deem most important when determining the right candidate, but this is not always the case. Soft skills, the traits that measure a person's emotional intelligence, are a good indicator of job performance. Soft skills, aren't necessarily learned at school. They include the following:

1. Communication 
2. Time Management 
3. Team Player 
4. Motivation 
5. Flexibility 

For more detail on these skills, see the complete article here.

Career Change Planning

There are many reasons that people face career change. Sometimes career change can comes as the result of a long anticipated layoff while other times it can occur suddenly without warning. But don’t think you’re alone. Know that career change (not job change) happens to everyone sooner or later. The average job-seeker will change careers several times over the course of a lifetime. Whatever the reason, the key to having a successful career change is having a good plan.

See several steps you should follow in order to have successful career change here.

Upgrade Your Skills

Is your career up for the challenges of a tough job market and the rapid pace of technology? Experts agree that ongoing professional development should be part of your career plans no matter what stage you’re at. Keeping your skills current can help you stay competitive and make sure you’ll be an asset to any employer.

Review some practical ways to stay sharp here

Career Change Planning

There are many reasons that people face career change. Sometimes career change can comes as the result of a long anticipated layoff while other times it can occur suddenly without warning. But don’t think you’re alone. Know that career change (not job change) happens to everyone sooner or later. The average job-seeker will change careers several times over the course of a lifetime. Whatever the reason, the key to having a successful career change is having a good plan. 

See several steps you should follow in order to have successful career change here.

Fill in with a Part Time Job

Part time jobs can supplement your current job or be a fill in while unemployed. If unemployed recognize that the benefits you receive are partly reduced by your income. If you may be out of work for some time, your benefits could be stretched for a longer time before expiring.

Part time work may provide you with funds to pay down credit cards., or some other specific financial objective.

For an on-line source of part time jobs visit the site here.

Best Jobs in America

It is in your best interest to actively manage and monitor your career. Whether employed, looking for work or a new career, being aware of the jobs market place is prudent. 

The job market’s getting stronger, to find America's Best Jobs this year, analysts reviewed professions that offer great growth opportunities, and that are satisfying as well. Other big factors considered: pay (how strong it is now, and how fast it's growing) and how many jobs are in the field overall. Also included weighed how meaningful or low stress a job is, how difficult it is to enter the field, the likelihood of moving up the ladder and, where possible, the ability to telecommute. 

See the listing of the 100 top ranking jobs in America here.

Finding a Job Can Take So Long

Finding a job often takes much longer than job seekers expect. 

The rule of thumb is to plan for at least one month of job searching for every $10,000 of salary desired. This means that a job seeker who expects to earn $60,000 needs to prepare for a six-month-long job search or more. 

Why does finding a job take so long? See the complete article here.