Seeing is Believing (Visualization as a Job Search Strategy)

Creative visualization is a technique that can impact job seekers and help them succeed in decision-making, interviewing and other important steps on the career path. Whether you are undecided about a career or stepping closer to victory, these techniques can make your journey an easier and less stressful process.

Write Down What You Want

Have you ever heard people talk about the power of the written word? Or heard people say that the pen is mightier than the sword? Some people believe that writing down what we want out of life can figuratively send a message to the universe so that those things come to us.

The same pattern works when you are searching for a job. If you haven't yet decided what career suits you, making a list of scenarios in your life where you have felt positive and rewarded might help you stumble on the secret to your passion. And if you have already decided on a career path, write down the qualities and virtues that you might offer that particular profession. Tape your list somewhere you'll see it and remember to read over it each day. The bathroom mirror and the refrigerator door are no-fail options. Read them as often as you can.

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3 Reasons Why TEFL Should Be Your Next Career Move

When people hear of TEFL most people tend to think it’s a range of non-stick pans...this is false. TEFL actually stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language – and is the next logical step for anyone suffering from a case of continuous job application rejection, wanderlust or dead-end job blues. Interested?

Here are 3 reasons why getting TEFL qualified should be considered by gap year students, career-breakers, life-swappers...everyone.

You’re Following Your Dreams

It sounds cheesy, but it’s true. Becoming a TEFL teacher allows you to live in the destination of your choice, earn money, travel and gain some amazing life experience. So if you’ve always wanted to spend a year in Japan, TEFL will take you there.

To Escape!

If you’re a resident of the western world, you might have noticed the recession...this is just one reason why uprooting and heading abroad might just be the next move for you.

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A Day in the Life of a Typical Social Worker

The job and responsibilities of a social worker may vary based on the specialty area they work in and the setting that the social worker is working.

General Duties of Social Workers - There are some daily duties that are relatively common with most social workers.  Every day, a social worker strives to improve the quality of life for a person either directly or by giving that person the resources they need to resolve the problems and challenges they face.  Not all social workers work in a counseling work setting, but most of them offer some type of counseling and support for the people they assist.  During the working day, a social worker will help clients with their issues and offer assistance to their family members as well. 

Assisting Children and Family – Depending on where a social worker is employed, their workday can vary.  Social workers who work for family and children’s services, such as the department of child welfare, help protect children from neglect and abuse. 

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E-mails to Never Send at Work

There is so much going on in social media today that it is safe to say that nothing is sacred in this arena. We have all seen on the news about celebrities saying the wrong things and being put in the position to apologize. Just because we are not celebrities does not mean we can say anything we want either.

There are several subjects that should never be sent in work e-mails. Most of these are common sense to most but these things continue to get circulated so many of us are lacking in common sense or we just do not care. If you are either one of these people you are at risk of serious retribution by your employer or at the very least your co-workers.

Your boss - Do not discuss your boss on an e-mail. If you feel the need to vent then go in person and talk to someone about your boss but do not do it over e-mail. If you say it in person did was it really said? If you put it down on e-mail then there is hard proof that it has been said and exactly who it was that said it. The best idea is to not say anything at all or at the very least keep it until you leave but I realize that at times the pressure cooker is whistling and the lid is about to blow off so we must. Use a little discretion and a lot of wisdom in this case.

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7 Reasons to Stand Up at Work

Sometimes even the best of intentions need a little help along the way. If your New Year's resolutions include exercising or generally improving your health, it's important to put the groundwork in place to facilitate moving toward your goals. Considering that many of us spend the majority of our days in sedentary positions, sitting at a desk or at home on a couch, replacing much of those hours with a more active lifestyle has obvious appeal (although who among us can power down the computer and still make a living these days?)

For those looking to make a small or even a dramatic change to their sit-down lifestyle, a standing desk can set the tone for a new approach. By eliminating eight hours of sitting from your day, it's possible to reduce heart attack risk by over 50 percent. That's not to mention the general energy you'll feel from being able to move about, walk in place, and get your blood flowing.

If you're considering a stand-up desk but not quite convinced, here are seven reasons that standing to work may be a good idea:

1. You Can Lose Weight

Just in time for that resolution, right? Standing requires more energy than sitting, so you'll burn more calories throughout the day and maintain a faster heart rate. You'll also be able to release more energy throughout the day if you grow restless. Don't be afraid to run in place, jump up in down, or dance a little bit to get your blood flowing.

2. Standing Alleviates Back Pain

Most people who sit all day experience at least some occasional back pain. Standing provides immediate relief to lower back pain, keeping back muscles engaged and strengthening them for the long term. Keep those shoulders back and you'll even improve your day-to-day posture.

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Are Marketing Graduates in High Demand?

Despite a slow job market, marketing graduates are still in demand. All successful businesses invest in marketing. Marketing graduates are fortunate because they can choose from any industry. While degrees from prestigious universities, experience and internships will all help marketing graduates land a job, employers are looking for something more. Employers are looking for graduates who look good on paper, but who also have developed and can market their own personal brand. Companies want marketers who can take action and get results for their company. Once a marketing graduate has solid proof of their results, usually in the form of case studies and testimonials, the opportunities are limitless.

Summary of a Marketing Professional
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) cites the entry-level education for entry-level marketing positions is a bachelor's degree. In 2010, the median pay for advertising, promotions and marketing managers was $108,260 per year, or $52.05 per hour.

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What Teenagers Learn While Working for Fast Food Chains

Fast food positions are often looked down upon, or thought of as a last resort for the jobless. "Overworked and underpaid," as some begrudgingly put it, working as a cashier at your favorite burger joint may not be the ideal life-long career. But as a teenager the lessons learned as a fast food employee are more valuable than you may think. If you are interested in working in the fast food industry, visit job-applications.com to apply for jobs that will help you gain a surprising amount of real-life experience. This is what you'll learn:

How People Respond to the Way They Are Treated

An essential lesson to learn in life is that you can't control how others behave. In a fast food setting, you'll interact with a diverse group of people. Not only will you learn how to treat and not treat people, but you'll see how people respond to the way they are treated. Whether it's an angry customer's face that brightens after someone sincerely says they're sorry or an employee who spits in a customer's order because he or she was rude – there's power in learning how people react to the way they are treated.

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Medical Assistants Can Look Forward to a Bright Future

When considering career options, the future job prospects of the industry is an important consideration. It's wise to consider job markets that will expand in opportunities over time, giving you greater assurances of continued employment thanks to growing demand. While some job markets are projected to remain stagnant or even decline over the next decade, others are expected to boom in demand in the coming years, making them great avenues for earning a consistent income and enjoying long-term job security.

Consequently, more and more professionals are considering the completion of a medical assistant program to equip them with the skills and training needed to excel in the medical field. The job and its requisite training can fit well into a variety of lifestyles, attracting younger workers and single moms as well as professionals looking to gain experience before pursuing careers in nursing or healthcare administration.

The demand for medical assistants
Medical assistant jobs are expected to grow much faster than the national average for all jobs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of medical assistant jobs in the United States is expected to increase by 31 percent between 2010 and 2020.

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How To View Your Job Differently

If you feel in need of seeing your job differently, the first question  to ask yourself is whether you should you be looking for a new job? Maybe the reason you are having problems is because this job isn't the right job for you? Lack of fulfillment, poor work/life balance, long or unsociable hours, lack of control or autonomy, bad workplace politics and no promotional prospects are common reasons that people leave their jobs for. However, maybe you can't or don't want to change jobs, for whatever reason. You’ve weighed everything up and decided to stay but you know you need to change how you view your job. So what can you do to refresh your job for the new year?

Talk to Your Boss
See what options are available to you. Ask about other prospects and the possibility of promotions. Could you love to a different department and learn new skills or a new role within the company?

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Dress for Success!

We live in a society where impressions count, and the impression you make with your appearance at work can make a big difference. We, as humans, judge others on their appearance and how we dress at work will affect greatly how we are perceived as an employer, employee or as a co-worker.

The more appropriate our appearance to the type of work we are employed in, the better we will be associated with being better and more appropriately suited to it. It goes without saying that turning up to work wearing a suit if you work on a building site is not going to do you any favors but there are always ways to make the most of your appearance that will benefit your work.

Dressing well, and appearing well groomed can inspire self-confidence. With self-confidence comes better performance and a greater belief in one's abilities as well as more self respect. It's easier to respect someone who demonstrates self respect through caring about their appearance, especially if you recognise these qualities in yourself.

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