Are You Ready for a Promotion?

By : Anthony Balderrama

You're probably due for a promotion, right? I don't know you, but if you're like most other workers, you think you deserve a promotion. You are the glue that holds the entire organization together. Everybody knows it. Everybody except your boss, that is. She doesn't seem to realize that you're ready for and deserving of bigger things.

On top of doing your job (and the jobs of several other colleagues, undoubtedly), you have a new task at hand: proving that you should get a promotion. It's not just going to land on your desk one day; you need to be proactive. Your perfect opportunity for making your case is when performance review time rolls around, but you should start preparing ahead of time.

Start with a job description
Steve Moore, a team manager with HR outsourcing company Administaff, recommends looking at your job description before you do anything else.

"Using a current job description, assuming one is available, honestly examine your strengths and weaknesses. Devise a plan to make your strengths work in your favor, to not only meet but also exceed expectations," Moore says. "Then develop a strategy to improve your weak points. It might also be a good practice to work with your manager to set performance objectives based on the job requirements and your personal evaluation."

If you don't have a job description, Moore suggests asking your manager for one. Not only do you get the information you need, but you also display initiative to your boss and prove you're taking an active interest in your career.

Once you get a look at the role's description and possibly consult with your boss, you should have a good idea whether or not you're performing the duties and at what level. Whether or not you deserve a promotion is still another issue. Workers who deserve promotions are workers who redefine their roles.

"Focusing only on the tasks necessary to fulfill the role is the strategy to implement if an employee wants to keep his current job," Moore advises. "Employees who go above and beyond and add more value to the organization are truly poised for a promotion." Only then will management understand that you've taken the position as far as you can and are ready for new challenges.

How to perform well at your review
Annual performance reviews happen in many organizations, and some companies even offer them on a quarterly basis. During these reviews, the boss assesses how an employee has fulfilled job requirements, shown progress and demonstrated areas for improvement. It's also when conversations about raises and other important career decisions take place. If you want to discuss a promotion, you need to walk into the meeting ready to make your case.

"Start by compiling a file with evidence that displays your ability to perform your current roles and responsibilities," Moore suggests. "In addition, take time to document all achievements above and beyond expected tasks and provide solid examples of how the company has benefited from your drive to excel."

The more specific you can be, the better, says Moore. "For example, have your contributions in your current role increased profits or sales, added new clients to the roster or grown the business of existing clients?"

Nevertheless, Moore cautions against putting all of your hopes and energy on just an annual review. The timeline for receiving a promotion might not align with the performance review schedule, so don't get fixated on the review as the only opportunity you have to get what you want.

"Putting everything on paper and only evaluating it once a year during a performance review can be futile," Moore says. "Supervisors and employees should work together to create a plan and review it periodically throughout the year. Adjustments should be made when appropriate, but more importantly, supervisors should help employees determine the best approaches to reach milestones." Feel free to take the initiative to ask your boss for these conversations if he or she hasn't approached you about it.

Confidence above all else
Workers get understandably nervous and even bashful when discussing their goals. Like salary talks, discussions about promotions might cause you to doubt yourself. Are you deceiving yourself by thinking you deserve a new title? Is your boss going to laugh you out of the office? If you do get what you want, will your colleagues scoff at your step up?

If you have a specific role in mind, learn from the person who currently has or previously had the position. You can set yourself up to get the position by not only exceeding your job duties but also by demonstrating that you have the knowledge and ability to fulfill the requirements. Moore also recommends understanding how the performances of the people in that position have been measured. You'll have more confidence if you learn as much as you can about the role.

As for the fear that your colleagues and current co-workers might not embrace you with open arms upon your promotion, Moore says to stay focused on your concerns, not theirs.

"As an employee now in a higher position, it's important to display the abilities your manager rewarded by promoting you," Moore says. "The skill sets and character traits that make you worthy of this position may have already been noticed by your former colleagues. If not, you will have the opportunity to earn their trust as your talents are revealed over time."

Ultimately, confidence informs all aspects of a promotion, from the early talks to your first days in the role. And that confidence has to come from you, otherwise no one will take you seriously.

"When seeking a promotion, confidence is key and an employee should not be shy when discussing his goals with a manager or supervisor," Moore says. "Let the supervisor know your intentions, ask him or her what is needed to reach a higher level, and request consistent advice and guidance. Even if you aren't granted a promotion this time around, you will have constructive feedback that can help prepare you for the next review."


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Want Job Security? Work on Your Education

By : Anthony Balderrama

Job security has become a bit of a professional artifact. It existed at one time, and your parents or grandparents can attest to it. You probably didn't witness it firsthand, but the stories they tell are fascinating. If you showed up on time, worked hard and delivered results, you didn't worry about your job. And if you had a college education? Well, you could pretty much bronze your nameplate because you weren't going anywhere.

Then the world changed and workers realized they could be gone tomorrow. It sounds a bit like a disaster movie, but it's the truth. You might think your job's pretty safe, and chances are your hunch is right, but you probably wouldn't bet your life savings on it.

No one can guarantee you a sure-fire way to keep your job forever. What I can tell you is that a proven asset for professionals is education. Not just a degree in business if you want to go into sales, or in accounting if you want to be a CPA. While both are good paths that work for many people, you should also consider other educational credentials that augment your experience.

A bonus degree
A relevant college education is often a prerequisite just to land an interview, but that alone won't guarantee you the job. You need skills, experience and the right qualities for that position. Once you have the job, you still need to pile on the qualifications. That's what financial educator Christine D. Moriarty did. Moriarty, president of MoneyPeace Inc., earned her credentials as a certified financial planner, which gives her a strong foundation for financial planning. She still went on to earn an M.B.A.

"I knew years ago I wanted to be a certified financial planner," Moriarty says. "I am glad to have that credential. It is limiting as opposed to the M.B.A., which is broader and allows me more exposure to other careers if I wanted. When I considered an M.B.A., I was told by many people that I did not need an M.B.A. to be a CFP. However, I found it to be my best credential for job security, insight and flexibility."

Moriarty had to weigh the cost of earning her M.B.A. against the benefit of staying in the professional world with just her CFP credentials. There's no easy way to measure the true expense of getting the degree, and no single piece of advice can tell you what the right decision is.

"There are endless studies on whether getting an M.B.A. is worth it, mostly in the financial lingo of opportunity cost, which includes missing [out on] employment for two years compared with increased salary," Moriarty explains. "The ones I have seen say it is not worth it. However, my experience says what you get along with the credential that does impress people is confidence. You have been exposed to many more situations and reviews of industries, which make you better in a host of analytical situations."

Because she's self-employed, the business know-how has helped her navigate the fluctuating economy.

Confidence builder
When consultant Helen Cooke decided to pursue a master's degree in organizational development, she was looking for a way to reinvigorate her career, or at least interest in her career. At the time, she found her job lacked the challenge it once had.

"By taking advantage of the company's tuition reimbursement, I was intellectually stimulated and able to contribute at higher levels while making my job more interesting as I applied new concepts and models," Cooke says. "It was a win/win and ensured I was contributing as a high performer with new innovations rather than sitting around bored, disgruntled and complaining."

The job security was less about showing her qualifications and more about stepping up her performance. Not only did she break out of her rut, but she actually became a better worker, which is perhaps the best way to stay employed. Cooke also says part of improving your performance comes from confidence in knowing that you are a better worker because of your educational endeavors.

"[Educated workers] know that they are extremely capable of learning and applying new information; comprehend that ongoing development is critical to not losing ground in the workplace; possess the foresight to invest the time and energy (and money if they don't have an employer who supports ongoing education); and have the fortitude to stick with it despite the usual competing priorities," she says.

Whether you're bored at your job or you're looking to increase your odds of landing a new one or to increase job security, you can choose from a variety of educational endeavors:

· A new degree (or a first one)
If a degree exists to complement your existing one, or you if haven't yet earned one in your field, now's a good time to enroll.

· Certification
Depending on your industry, various certifications might be available to help you qualify for new positions. Some certifications, such as the ones you can get at CB Institute, improve skill sets that are transferable to any industry.

· Training
Training courses don't get you a new abbreviation to put after your name, but they do keep you current with industry trends and findings. If you want to show an employer that you're proactive about your job and you're not just going through the motions, training courses or seminars will do the trick.

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Career Coaches: Are They Worth the Investment?

By : Rachel Zupek


In the current state of our economy, more than 15 million people are unemployed. That's 15 million people who are all looking for a little help, whether it's in the job search, writing a résumé, interview advice, networking or even finding a new career path.

Many times, people who need job-search help enlist a professional. Career coaches and counselors are usually certified professionals who focus on career exploration or choice, changing career paths or helping you beef up your résumé and perfect your interview skills.

In the 2009 International Coaching Federation Global Coaching Client Study, 15 percent of coaching clients said career opportunities are the most important reason to enlist a coach, compared with business management (14 percent) and self-esteem or self-confidence (13 percent). The study, which included input from more than 2,000 coaching clients in 64 countries, also cited more than 80 percent of respondents indicating a positive change in areas such as interpersonal skills, work performance and team effectiveness.

Costly counseling
While career coaches can definitely be a useful resource, good advice doesn't come cheap. In a 2007 study by the coaching federation, which focused on coaches rather than clients, the average fee for a career coaching session was $161 per hour. Depending on your financial situation and employment status, considering you're likely to want more than one session, that's a hefty investment.

Is it worth it?

It wasn't for Nick Pitarys, owner of the Arizona Cheesecake Co. Pitarys says that he was extremely disappointed with his experience in hiring a career coach and that it was definitely not worth the money.

"After an $8,200 investment and the entire 12-month period, I had nothing to show for it," he says. "My adviser -- also the owner -- had way too many clients to satisfy, and thus the effort she applied to me was less than substantial."

But there are two sides to every story. Although some people think their investment in a career coach was a waste of money, others think it was money well-spent.

Sixty-eight percent of individuals surveyed indicated that they had at least made back their initial investment in coaching in increased earnings from personal salaries or investments, or through increased savings through debt reduction, according to the coaching foundation study, which was conducted by Association Resource Centre and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Here are just a few testimonials from people who thought their career coaches were worth the investment:

"My career coach was most definitely worth the investment. I am an educator with absolutely no business background or experience. She helped me parlay the skills I do have into a successful side business that has grown at a manageable pace. I feel very in-control of the business growth and am able to balance the two jobs with my life, which is a priority for me. My coach provided a calm voice when, internally, I was going a bit crazy. I eagerly anticipated our sessions because I knew I would leave with concrete actions that would assuredly promise success. We could ALL use a coach!" ­- Laura Glaser, executive director, Austin Food Scout

"I hired a coach about nine months before I was laid off and it was the best thing I ever did. What I learned about myself was that I was more passionate about starting my own business instead of staying where I was. I never believed I would be laid off -- I always had great performance reviews and won the top award at the company a few months prior -- but I was. I was also very prepared. Two weeks prior to the layoff announcement I had just given my Web site team the verbal OK. All is well and I couldn't be happier." -- Thomasina Tafur, owner, Thomasina Tafur, a consulting company

"I used a career coach about eight years ago while I was trying to figure out how to continue my career after having two children and being ready to get back to work. The career-coach experience was great for me, in particular where I realized that some aspects of my career to date did not excite me the way other parts of it did. The four sessions ($300/each) helped me to really understand how I wanted to define the next part of my career. I went back in a previous direction with more confidence. I now understood how teaching excited me and how I could teach using some of my newly acquired expertise, and not just go into a traditional classroom. It helped me bring great enthusiasm to the work I've chosen for the last eight years. I'm convinced that this subtle 'ah-ha' moment made all the difference for me." -- Kate McCauley, MEd, MSW, founder of Key Concepts, a drug and alcohol use prevention program

If you want to try enlisting a career coach, Miriam Reiss, a career coach, offers these five tips:

1. Choose wisely
"[Choosing] a career coach is not like buying a vase. For coaching decisions, you need live contact. Admire great Web sites and recognize that Web sites demonstrate writing, not coaching skills," Reiss says.

2. Mass solutions won't work
"Career transition is an individual journey. Beware of one-size-fits-all career programs and vehicles like group coaching. These may sound good and fit your budget but ultimately leave you frustrated. There's no substitute for the undivided time, attention and results you get from having individual coaching sessions."

3. The difference is in the numbers
The difference between a good career coach and a great coach is about $100-$150 per month -- a fraction of one monthly paycheck. "Unlike some professions, there's not that much price differential between coaches with a few years of experience and senior coaches. A seasoned career coach can save you months of fruitless wandering."

4. Look out for 'fast' promises
"No career coach, regardless of seasoning, can predict just how long your individual career process will take. Coaches know you don't like this answer, but that's the truth. Timing considerations include how diligent you will be around fieldwork assignments, what careers you wind up exploring and much more."

5. Take advantage of sample sessions and don't overshop
Some coaches offer a free, introductory session so you can get a feel for each other. "Decide how many coaches you want to talk to, and then pick your coach. Talking with too many coaches will confuse you, create inner commotion and impede the process."


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Certification Programs and the Job Search Edge

By : Rachel Zupek


Have you ever seen "CMP," "CQM" or "PMP" behind someone's name and not had a clue what it meant -- or if it meant anything at all?

Contrary to what you might think, those letters aren't just for show. In fact, those two or three symbols can separate you from the pack or be the reason you get the job over someone else.

"Especially in today's business climate, anything that differentiates you from the crowd and emphasizes your commitment to your profession is career critical," says Kent Johnson, partner for Da Vinci Search, a Minneapolis-based recruiting firm. "As hiring managers pore over the multitude of résumés for an opening, their eyes will naturally pick up those with the all important initials that trail their name."

Sheri Rice Bentley, APR, a public relations specialist for Knupp & Watson Inc., says earning her Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) enhanced her career tremendously. APR, the only certification that exists for public relations professionals, consists of presenting work to a jury of PR professionals, followed by a written exam. After Rice Bentley passed the exam, she was immediately headhunted into a position that paid 50 percent more than her previous salary and boosted her to the managerial level.

Lesly Simmons, APR, a media relations specialist with the American Red Cross, concurs that the designation has been a huge professional improvement.

"In a field like PR that doesn't typically have degrees associated with it, it shows my peers that I have a certain level of expertise on the field. It wasn't easy, but it was definitely worth it," Simmons says.

How can credentialing help you?

Certifications show employers your dedication and commitment to your profession. They show you're credible and knowledgeable about current trends and best practices in your field. In addition, designations polish all skill sets -- not just the hard skills you might need in a position. In fact, 64 percent of employers in a recent CareerBuilder.com survey found social interview skills and the ability to communicate well were the most important assets in a potential employee.

"Staying on top of soft skills such as critical thinking and time management while maintaining expertise in hard skills such as widely used software programs provides candidates and employees with a necessary edge," says Christian Idiodi, director of CBInstitute.com, a division of CareerBuilder.com that offers online courses and certifications.

Even if you already have a designation, employers expect workers to consistently improve their current skill sets. According to the survey, the following percentages of employers want their employees to sharpen their skills in the following areas: time management (62 percent), customer service (45 percent), Microsoft Excel (44 percent), leadership (39 percent), interpersonal skills (33 percent), business etiquette (26 percent) and business ethics (17 percent).

While there is no doubt certifications open the door and improve your chances of getting an interview, official recognitions are not the silver bullet, says Wayne Botha, a project manager with two designations: Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) and Project Management Professional (PMP).

"Certifications are especially beneficially when coupled with an appropriate number of years of experience in the field that you work," Botha says.

In some cases, however, certifications might count for more than just an added skill. Joe Palmer doesn't have a degree but believes his certifications as a bookkeeper, notary public, registered representative (series 7 & 63), and business coach and trainer count as qualifications in the absence of a degree.

"Years of experience are a great gauge, though interviewers had to see my highlighted accomplishments to even entertain me," says Palmer, a life coach and certified sales and leadership trainer. "I absolutely believe that my certifications are important and attractive to employers."

What kinds of certifications are out there?

There are literally thousands of certifications available to people, both on and offline, specializing in hard and soft skills, and in every industry. CBInstitute.com, for example, offers more than 4,000 courses and certifications in topics ranging from business etiquette and workplace safety to language skills and customer service.

"CBInstitute.com offers easy-to-use online courses at all levels to help employees get ahead in their current jobs or improve their skills to land the job they aspire to have," Idiodi says.

Looking to expand your skill set, boost your salary and make yourself more marketable to employers? Here are several certificate programs that you might not have known about to beef up your résumé:

Designation: Certified florist

Where you can earn it: Only a few states offer floral design certifications through their state floral associations. Among them are the California Certified Florist (CCF) and Texas Master Florist (TMF) programs. Shenlei Winkler received her TMF and says it always earned her a higher salary and more respect on the job.

Designation: Search engine marketing

Where you can earn it: There are several search engine optimization and marketing programs that offer certifications; you just need to find one that's right for you. Jon Negrini, founder of the search marketing firm Arrive Digital Marketing Solutions, is certified in SEM with Google Adwords and Yahoo! Search Marketing. Negrini says his certifications with these companies, who are industry leaders in search marketing, add a nice touch and a level of professionalism to his résumé.

Designation: Certified plant maintenance manager

Where you can earn it: The Association of Facilities Engineering will administer an online and classroom course beginning in February 2009. The CPMM certifies these professionals are qualified in preventive and predictive maintenance, work-flow planning and scheduling and overall productive management.

Designation: Accredited jeweler professional

Where you can earn it: The Gemological Institute of America, which developed the four C's of diamond value (color, cut, clarity and carat weight), offers an accredited jewelry professional diploma program that focuses on product knowledge and proven sales techniques. It's offered through distance education only and is accredited by the Distance Education Training Council.

Designation: Certified purchasing manager

Where you can earn it: The American Purchasing Society has a purchasing certification program for professionals in the purchasing industry. If offers two certifications: a certified purchasing professional (CPP) and a certified professional purchasing manager (CPPM).

Designation: Professional in human resources

Where you can earn it: The HR Certification Institute offers several certifications for HR professionals, including Professional in Human Resources (PHR), Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR). The requirements and qualifications for each vary, as do the conditions to keep certifications current. Cathy Missildine-Martin, SPHR, has had her designation for 13 years and says it's helped her establish authority. "HR historically has not had a lot of credibility, but I have found that having the certification helps with that," she says.

Designation: Certified wedding consultant and coordinator

Where you can earn it: It may seem obscure, but wedding certifications are actually available through a number of media and in a number of different ways. Some companies offer online certification, while The Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants, for example, says certification is available after working two years as a consultant, completing 18 weddings and obtaining 14 letters of recommendation.

Designation: Certified professional organizer

Where you can earn it: The National Association of Professional Organizers sponsors the Board of Certification for Professional Organizers, which offers the certified professional organizer (CPO) designation to anyone, not just professional organizers. Candidates must document 1,500 hours of paid work experience in the last three years, according to the BCPO Web site. CPOs must also adhere to a code of ethics.

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9 Job Blogs You Should Be Reading

By : Anthony Balderrama


Blogs -- what did we ever do without them? Remember when we didn't even understand what that ugly word meant? Blog. Is it a noise? An affliction? No, no, we soon learned, it's shorthand for the term "weblog" and it's where people just write ... stuff. Whatever they want.

Now, we can't imagine living without them. Without blogs, where would you find out that a celebrity is supposedly cheating on another celebrity according to close friends who wish to remain anonymous? Nowhere, I say.

But there are worthwhile uses for blogs, too. You can actually learn from them. Link-hopping from one blog to another can be not only fun but can improve your job search and your career. Some blogs are written by experts who give their own advice, while others are penned by authors who direct you to interesting and relevant stories written by others.

Here are nine job blogs you should be reading on a regular basis:

Brazen Careerist
Who's blogging: Penelope Trunk
What she's blogging about: Career advice and personal experience.
Why you should read it: Trunk dishes out advice that's often the exact opposite of what you've been told your entire life, and she does it without kid gloves. Her take on salary negotiations or constructing a résumé might make you change your mind or it might enrage you. Either way, it's always an entertaining and informative read that's often peppered with events going on in her personal life.

CareerDiva
Who's blogging: Eve Tahmincioglu
What she's blogging about: Current events and personal experiences as they relate to the professional world.
Why you should read it: You can learn something from bloggers who don't just dispense advice. Tahmincioglu often raises issues without giving you a clear-cut answer. Her thought-provoking posts can leave you scratching your head and re-evaluating issues. For example, her recent entry on "American Idol" might sound silly and unrelated to the world of work, but it was actually a springboard for discussing equal pay for men and women.

CAREEREALISM
Who's blogging: J.T. O'Donnell and various contributors
What they're blogging about: Any questions job seekers might have.
Why you should read it: The site's tagline is "Because every job is temporary," and you can't argue with that logic. Whether you're looking for a job now or don't ever intend to again, you never know when you might find yourself preparing for an interview or writing a résumé. O'Donnell and company also give advice on current topics, such as social media, and how they relate to professionals.

Evil HR Lady
Who's blogging: Evil HR Lady
What she's blogging about: The questions you'd ask your HR representative if you didn't think he or she was, you know, evil.
Why you should read it: Despite her nom de plume, Evil HR Lady is an affable blogger who realizes that she and her fellow industry comrades have a bad reputation as uptight policy wonks -- not to mention that they're often the faces associated with layoffs. She explains how HR minds work, while helping you deal with your own professional quandaries.

On the Job
Who's blogging: Anita Bruzzese
What she's blogging about: Career advice both in and out of the office.
Why you should read it: Your standard job advice is always good to know, but when your problems are bigger, it's nice to have someone like Bruzzese who tells you how to clean up your online persona or how to deal with an immature boss.

On Careers
Who's blogging: A bevy of career writers
What they're blogging about: Everything from finding a job to knowing what kind of worker you are.
Why you should read it: Only a portion of the job hunt is about finding the job posting; the rest is about understanding what's available and where you want your career to go. With these experts advising you, you'll get plenty of advice and differing opinions on a range of issues.

Personal Branding
Who's blogging: Dan Schawbel
What he's blogging about: Applying marketing tactics to your career and building your personal brand, which is essentially the image that you create for yourself.
Why you should read it: On some level, we're all brands. Our work history, age, experience and talents project an image to employers and colleagues, so you should know how to control your brand to get what you want.

Punk Rock HR
Who's blogging: Laurie Ruettimann
What she's blogging about: Workplace trends and current events as they relate to workers.
Why you should read it: Ruettimann's been in HR long enough to know what she's talking about, but she's tired of the beige walls and saccharine tones that come with it. Instead she talks to you like the irreverent friend you sometimes shake your head at, but love to listen to. She's also on top of HR trends so you understand what changes might be coming down the pipeline at your company and know how to handle them.

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Bad Habits Can Be Good for Your Career

By : Careerbuilder.com

Everyone has a bad habit or two (or six). Bad habits don't necessarily have to work against you. After a long day at the office, keeping all of your emotions in check and your work in focus, you could use a little de-stressing to wind down. Here are some bad habits that could actually work to your advantage if you work 'em the right way:

Playing Video Games
If you regularly settle down to devote hours of your free time to Halo, or you nestle into your wheelie chair on your daily lunch break to conquer a round of Minesweeper, you're probably a gamer -- or you're really good at hiding it. The truth is, a little time in fantasy land could be just what you needed. Dr. Kathleen Hall, founder of the Stress Institute and author of "A Life in Balance: Nourishing the Four Roots of True Happiness" recommends 10 to 15 minutes of online computer play to refresh and get you ready to work. Even video games can have a positive effect if you keep your play time to a minimum. Current studies show that certain games and game time can actually help kids concentrate.

Dressing Your Worst
There's the right way to dress for work and the wrong way, but when you're no longer there, you can wear whatever you want. Unless you've hit celebrity status and are under the constant eye of the paparazzi, ditching your work duds and slipping into something a little more comfortable can help create a whole new attitude to fit with your changed environment. It's similar to the effects feng shui can have on your office or your room. Feeling good in what you're wearing gears you up for what's next -- whether it's mowing the lawn, doing the laundry or taking a much-needed break.

Watching TV
Whether it is "Seinfeld" reruns, reality TV or ESPN filling your tube time, there's a solution: Keep it under an hour and everyone wins. Dr. Gary Solomon has not only studied the therapeutic effects of movies and TV shows, but he's even trademarked the term "cinematherapy." Solomon says that flawed characters in these shows enable you to dig a little deeper and see that not everyone's perfect. To give yourself a motivational kick, Solomon suggests viewing a movie along the lines of "North Country" or "Working Girl."

Swear It All Out
If you desperately need to let it all out without censoring yourself, take your day-at-work reviews to the most reliable confidant you have -- yourself. Keeping a journal or sketch book gives you the chance to say everything on your mind without the same consequences you may have telling a real person. If you've got your mind in the gutter, a mouth like a sailor or fear your book could get discovered, you may want to take your musings to an online journal. It eliminates the worries of where you left it and who could find it, with your own password to access it whenever you choose. Just remember to select the "private entry" mode when you write something you're not ready to share.

Gambling
You've whipped out the bills in your wallet so many times that you have actually gotten paper-cuts. Or maybe your dream vacation is a trip to Las Vegas with access to place "just one more bet" over and over again. Well, unless you have the funds to back that kind of desire without watching your life savings dwindle, you could be in trouble. Instead, take the money-losing part out and counter it with online gaming. A non-backed bet on the computer could even provide you with practice to learn more about it before you place your bets. If that's not your scene, try a friendly weekly game of poker with friends who live as frugally as you do. You could multitask by making your time with friends fun, educational and maybe even profitable.

Rocking Out Your Air Guitar
The song starts and you're center stage, guitar in hand, rocking out and singing every song like you own it. Only you don't really own it. In fact, center stage is actually your living room and the only instrument you have is the hairbrush you use as your microphone when you're not belting out your hair metal solos. Well, all the energy you pour into your private shows not only helps you memorize every note, it also releases endorphins, entertains and could even help you win some money. And if you practice enough, you could find yourself in the U.S. Air Guitar contest and be in the running to be an international air-superstar.

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6 Tips for Making a Career Resolution You'll Actually Keep

By : Alexandra Levit

According to recent research, nearly half of all Americans make New Year's resolutions each year. And -- you guessed it -- more than half of those individuals forgo their resolutions within the first six months.

If you're looking to improve your career situation in 2010, making a resolution is critical. People who do so are 10 times more likely to attain their goals than people who don't, but the type of resolution you make and the way you go about achieving it are important factors in how successful you'll be this year. Here are six suggestions to get you moving in the right direction.

1. Plan
The problem with most New Year's resolutions is that people make them on a whim and then, once the moment has passed, quickly lose their excitement and motivation. Instead, consider your resolution carefully over a period of days and weeks and then write down the answers to these questions: What are you going to do, what steps will you take throughout the year, and how will accomplishing this resolution make your career better in 2010 than it was in 2009?

2. Set micro goals
There are lots of theories on how to set goals, but I advocate the SMART approach of identifying goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. For instance, instead of setting an empty goal such as "change my career," which sounds lofty and overwhelming, how about devising something more concrete and manageable, such as "conduct 10 informational interviews in the marketing field by June." Break large goals down into shorter-term micro goals so that you aren't taking on too much at once or spreading your attention too thin.

3. Create a to-do list
When we're busy and frazzled and it's all we can do to keep up with our daily work responsibilities, career development goals are the priorities we typically give up first. Ensure that you don't allow this to happen by creating a goal to-do list every week. Even if a goal isn't achieved in its original time frame, keep putting its action items on your list until you complete them.

4. Reward yourself
At the moment that we achieve a micro goal or a major goal, the tendency is to already have our heads in the next big thing. Remember, however, that your career is a marathon, and in order to keep up momentum, you have to acknowledge and celebrate the little successes along the way. Go out for drinks with friends or treat yourself to basketball tickets or a spa appointment. Build in these rewards to your to-do lists so that they serve to push you toward the finish line.

5. Enlist friends and family
Make certain that you broadcast your career resolution, and the goals associated with it, to the world. Tell your loved ones that you want them to remind you of how badly you want to achieve your resolution, and to speak up if they see you starting to slide. Talk about your goals on your social media sites so that your virtual contacts can cheer you on, too. It helps your cause to know that a network of people is supporting you and expects you to follow through on your commitment.

6. Consider the consequences
When your motivation flags, look back and remember why you made the resolution in the first place. How will you feel if you reach December 2010 and you've made no more progress on your career aspirations? Will your life be negatively impacted? Every time you're tempted to put off your goal for another month, think about all of the wonderful developments that are sure to result from your persistence.

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5 Career Resolutions You Shouldn't Make

By : Robert Half International

It's the beginning of a new year, and, for many professionals, that means making career resolutions. Unfortunately, as earnest as some people may be when it comes to reaching goals they've set, their resolutions aren't as motivating as they were intended to be and are soon forgotten. If this has happened to you, it may be because you're making the wrong resolutions, thus setting yourself up for failure before you even get started. Following are a few examples of resolutions you'll want to avoid this year:

Bad Resolution No. 1: "I resolve to do better work."
Although this is a noble goal, the problem with this resolution is that it's much too vague. Doing better work can mean many different things, from enhancing your industry expertise to improving your time management skills to putting more energy into your assignments. This type of uncertainty can prevent you from making any real progress. That's why it's best to set measurable objectives. For instance, "I resolve to read one industry publication per week" or, "Before turning in my work, I will review it thoroughly so I don't let any errors slip through."

Bad Resolution No. 2: "I resolve to earn a raise."
This is a resolution many people can relate to; after all, most professionals have probably wished for higher pay at some point in their careers. Unfortunately, you don't always have control over the outcome of this objective. In addition, during a down economy, a raise may even be an unrealistic expectation, depending on how your company is doing financially. It's better to set goals you can control. For example, you might resolve to take a class in order to learn a software program that you plan to use more frequently at work. In this case, you are the only person who has a say in the final outcome, making it more likely that you'll reach your goal. Plus, the more training you complete to improve your skill set, the better the case you can make for earning more money.

Bad Resolution No. 3: "I resolve to do X and Y and Z and ..."
This is like visiting a buffet and filling your plate to the brim. You're hungry and think you'll be able to eat everything, at least initially. But it's more than likely you won't touch a good portion of the food you grabbed. By setting a lot of goals, you can spread yourself too thin and have trouble accomplishing all of your objectives. The key is to choose one or two resolutions and focus on those alone. With fewer ancillary targets to distract you, you'll have a better chance of accomplishing your objectives. Once you reach those goals, you can select new ones.

Bad Resolution No. 4: "I resolve to land the corner office."
Depending on what position you currently hold, you may be setting your sights too high. Yes, you want to make resolutions that challenge you to stretch your abilities, but you also want to pursue objectives that you can realistically accomplish. A more appropriate target is to work with your manager and establish a plan for your career progression. While you might not take over his or her job -- or even earn a promotion -- in the year ahead, you'll take steps to move your career forward.

Bad Resolution No. 5: "I resolve to bring my lunch to work to save money."
This is an excellent personal resolution, but career resolutions should focus on your job growth. Ideally, they should be goals that will allow you to eventually take on new assignments, tackle new challenges and improve your marketability.

Finally, once you decide on a resolution, it's important to set a deadline for accomplishing the goal. Having a specific time frame in mind will help you narrow your focus and give you additional motivation to achieve your objective. Whether your deadline is a week, month or a year away, maintain a "status report" so you can continually see how you're progressing and determine if you need to revise the target date or the goal itself. By making the right career resolutions and keeping them top of mind, you'll improve your chances of accomplishing them and moving forward professionally as a result.

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One Year to a New Career

By : Anthony Balderrama

You've counted down from 10 and watched the ball drop in Times Square. As happy as you are to usher in a new year, you can't help but remember a vow you made to yourself last Dec. 31. "By this time next year, I'll have a new career."

A year passed and not much changed.

When you're unhappy in your job, a year can seem like a long time. Twelve long months of wanting something bigger and better. Not anything outlandish, just a job that doesn't make you cry a little when you leave your home every morning. Yet, when you look back on the last year, didn't that time seem to speed by? Who had time to change careers when you had all that work to do?

We've put together a list of ways for you to make a career switch possible. Next year you can look back at Jan. 1, 2010, and realize you've finally done it.

Foreign language courses
The United States is a country filled with many languages. People who speak English as a second language or are still learning English need goods and services, and that's where bilingual professionals come in. If you studied a language in college but your tongue has grown a bit rusty since, this year is perfect for taking refresher courses. You'll be surprised by how much you know and you'll open a whole new set of doors for your career. You'll be as qualified and experienced as you already are -- only now you'll be able to reach a whole new group of potential customers.

Public speaking courses
Have you ever sat through a boring presentation? And by "sat through" I mean "scribbled on your notepad until you fell asleep sitting up." Not everyone is a good public speaker, and even more people never even try to improve. If you know you have it in you to successfully present to a crowd, you should get more training so that you're a standout. Companies need people who can wow a VP or entertain a crowd without mumbling and sweating through their shirts. When you can add excellent presentation skills to your résumé, you immediately gain access to positions you didn't know were available.

Professional certifications
If you don't hate the industry you're in, but you do hate the professional plateau you're on, a certification can give you a boost. Whether you have one degree or two, many times a new certification (such as one for a paralegal or legal assistant) can show employers you're serious about your job. You've just set yourself apart from most other candidates. Look into different professional organizations in your field and you'll be surprised how many certifications are available.

Associate degrees
Most associate degrees take two years, but many only take one, or they can be accomplished in one if you barrel through school. An associate degree is different from a certification because an associate degree can singlehandedly set you in a new direction. Where a certification might only enhance your standing in the current industry, an associate degree -- which you can get at specialized institutes, community colleges and universities -- is often enough to qualify you for certain jobs regardless of your previous experience.

Workshops
Sometimes what you need to move to a new level is just a refresher course or a way to reassess what you know. Many companies offer internal workshops and seminars to help their employees. The topics might range from a specialized task that's part of your job duty to a general issue, like time management or supervisory skills. Enrolling in one of these workshops, or an external one at a nearby institute, can show your boss that you're serious about advancement. You could even approach the boss to find out if there are certain areas he or she would like to see you improve upon (or you might know this from your performance review) and use that as a jumping-off point.


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5 Books That Will Help Your Career

By : Rachel Zupek


These days, many of you could use some good career advice. Whether you're unemployed, just out of college, looking to increase your paycheck or in need of résumé advice, the market is saturated with information. While we do our best to give you the most accurate information, we also know that there are other experts out there with some great advice.

Of course, we're big fans of the books we've written ourselves, "Cube Monkeys: A Handbook for Surviving the Office Jungle," and "Career Building: Your Total Handbook for Finding a Job and Making It Work," both from the editors here at CareerBuilder. But, if you want to add more literature to your professional library, here are five other books to check out:

1. "Knock 'Em Dead: The Ultimate Job Search Guide 2010," by Martin Yate, CPC
Topic: Job search
Why it helps: "Knock 'Em Dead" covers all of the job-search basics and then some, whether you're looking for your first job, you're returning to the work force or you've just been laid off. The book is a series of parts, from building and customizing your résumé to effective networking tools and negotiating the best salary and benefits.
The best part: This latest edition to the series offers a new section, "Where the Jobs Are," which shows you what industries are experiencing the most growth.

2. "101 Toughest Interview Questions ... And Answers That Win the Job!" by Daniel Porot and Frances Bolles Haynes
Topic: Interviewing
Why it helps: Interviewing is the most stressful part of the job search. Thinking about what to ask, how to answer, what questions mean and what hiring managers want to hear is enough to drive a person crazy. This book is the secret to every interview you have from here on out. It features the toughest and most commonly asked questions, featured in a flashcard-like format, as well as several possible responses to each, which you can tailor to your own experience.
The best part: It fits in your purse or bag, so you can freshen up on questions before the interview.

3. "Beyond Paycheck to Paycheck: A Conversation About Income, Wealth, and the Steps in Between," by Michael B. Rubin
Topic: Salary
Why it helps: With 61 percent of workers living paycheck to paycheck, according to a CareerBuilder survey, it's about time for everyone to learn a few monetary lessons. "Beyond Paycheck to Paycheck" is a comprehensive book that will help anyone struggling to make ends meet. It runs the gamut from simple saving strategies to taking advantage of your benefits to retirement planning.
The best part: It's easy to read and funny, neither of which are commonly used to describe a finance book.

4. "Am I the Only Sane One Working Here? 101 Solutions for Surviving Office Insanity," by Albert J. Bernstein, Ph.D.
Topic: Workplace culture
Why it helps: One paragraph in the introduction sums up this book perfectly: "Each day, you try your best to get some work done, but the woman in the next cube is screeching at her kids on the phone, and the guy behind you keeps popping his head up to tell you what he saw on TV last night. Another staff meeting starts in 10 minutes. Meanwhile, you have 736 unread e-mails in your inbox, 700 of which have nothing to do with you. You stare blankly at your screen and wonder, 'Am I the only sane one working here?'" This book offers 101 types of people and situations you likely have or will encounter at work, and best way to respond to each one.
The best part: Each scenario stands alone and offers clear, concise explanations about what is going on and what you should think, do and say to survive.

5. "Strategies for Successful Career Change," by Martha E. Mangelsdorf
Topic: Changing careers
Why it helps: Today's economy has an increasing number of workers changing careers, whether they want to or not. In "Strategies," Mangelsdorf features dozens of in-depth interviews with real people who have successfully changed careers. The book gives you helpful information about finding a new career path, testing out a new job, pitfalls to avoid and steps to take, and how to do it all financially.
The best part: The real-person interviews are inspiring and show you that even though it's hard work, finding the right career can improve your happiness.

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Are You Getting Bad Job Advice?

By : Anthony Balderrama

Your support network probably consists of your closest friends and maybe some trusted family members. You know these people will help you out in any way possible -- when you're at your happiest or feeling defeated. That's what friends are for, just like Dionne Warwick sang.

Unfortunately, these people aren't perfect. You know they want the best for you, and that's why you turn to them for help. But a new survey from The Creative Group finds that those closest to you might not always be the best advice givers, especially when you need professional advice.

Who's giving the worst advice?
Of surveyed advertising and marketing executives, 58 percent say co-workers gave them bad career advice. Bosses didn't fare much better, as 54 percent blame them for bad career advice. Parents and relatives are better career counselors, but 35 percent of surveyed executives received unsatisfactory guidance from them. Thirty percent of spouses and significant others are blamed for bad advice (and probably had to sleep on the couch at some point). Mentors have the best record for dispensing advice, as only 21 percent have the finger pointed at them.

As to why so many of our nearest and dearest make such unreliable advisers, you could just chalk it up to human nature. "Nobody's perfect" might be a cliché, but it's true, and your support network isn't likely to sabotage you on purpose.

Well, sometimes they might. Survey respondents admit that some of the bad advice they received did more for the giver than the receiver.

"My former boss discouraged me from going to work for a competitor, saying that I wouldn't last, but I did," says one surveyed executive. "I later found out that he had made a wager that I wouldn't join that firm, and that was why he discouraged me to work there."

Another respondent recalls, "A co-worker wanted me to take her job so she could take a new position. It wasn't a good idea. I wasn't ready to fill that job."

Considering that your career decisions affect your colleagues and boss directly, perhaps their tendency to give harmful advice isn't surprising after all. For that reason, Donna Farrugia, executive director of The Creative Group, cautions you to evaluate the motives of the advice giver.

The do's and don'ts of asking for advice
According to Farrugia, workers seeking help can take some steps to get the best advice. She recommends keeping these five tips in mind:

Do seek out experience
The best advice comes from someone who has been in your position. Even if the specifics are a little different, a similar experience will give the best insight.

"For example, if you're looking to transition into a particular niche, talk to someone who made a comparable change," Farrugia says. "If you're having trouble finding suitable contacts, use social networks like LinkedIn to expand your reach."

Do follow your own goals
Although friends and family may have your best interests in mind, they don't have your same professional and personal goals. Remember to listen to their advice without forgetting what you want for yourself.

Do explain yourself
No one can help you make the right decision if they don't know what you're looking to get out of your career.

Farrugia explains, "By describing your professional objectives and values to your acquaintances, you'll help them give better guidance."

Don't have a one-track mind
Your network is composed of people with different backgrounds and experiences, and even if they haven't been in your shoes, they've probably observed someone who was. Don't rely on a single person to get advice. Instead, talk to as many people as you can to hear their opinions and then decide what best aligns with your needs.

Don't forget your manners
"Thank everyone who takes the time to provide career guidance, and keep in touch with all helpful sources, returning the favor when you can," Farrugia says.Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.

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Feeling Overlooked at Work? How to Get the Kudos You Deserve

By : Beth Braccio Hering

Congratulations! Despite daily news stories of layoffs and companies folding, you have managed to hang on to your job.

So why don't you exactly feel like celebrating?

While you may be grateful for employment, the fact is that corporate restructuring, budget cuts and a general air of uncertainty take a toll on all workers. What can you do if you are feeling underpaid, overworked, unrecognized or burned out?

Money matters
From waitresses expected to serve additional tables because of staff reductions to account executives putting in extra hours to land new clients, many employees are working longer and harder than ever before. Yet while demands on workers may be rising, their paychecks often are not.

Blame the employer? Joseph Grenny, co-author of the New York Times bestseller "Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High," cautions against doing that.

"You are responsible for your income -- not your employer," Grenny states. He thinks that if you believe you are underpaid for the amount of work you do, you've got three options:

· Persuade your employer
"Evaluate your contributions to the company and determine if the value you add to the company warrants a raise. If you think a raise is merited, make sure to adequately prepare for the crucial conversation with your employer, and be prepared to share specific examples of how you have benefited the company."

· Supplement your income
"If you do not think your company is in a position to give you a raise, consider supplementing your income with consulting in your area of expertise, a side business or another source of income."

· Shop around
"If you feel that you are underpaid and under-appreciated, it might be time to start looking for a new job."

Is "rocking the boat" dangerous in this economy? As Grenny sees it, "Employers these days realize that if today is a soft labor market, it will be tight again sometime in the future. Consequently, you can have more confidence than you might realize in approaching your boss. The key is to build mutual purpose -- to let the employer know you care about the needs of the company while wanting to be fairly compensated yourself."

Beyond a paycheck
Being happy in a job isn't solely about pay. Employees want to know that their talents and efforts are recognized and appreciated by those around them.

Janet Flewelling, director of human resources operations for Administaff in Houston, Tex., notes that in many cases when an employee feels he is being overlooked by management it has nothing to do with length of tenure or even job performance. "During a tough economy, when many companies have experienced layoffs, tensions are high and it is often the case that management is consumed with other concerns such as reducing operating costs or retaining clients."

Flewelling gives the following advice for workers looking to get noticed:

· Take a proactive stance
"Provide your supervisor with regular status updates of your work and candidly discuss projects and the milestones achieved before he or she requests the information. Taking the initiative to openly communicate with management will not only assist in keeping you top-of-mind, it demonstrates your drive to succeed, which is something no smart manager can overlook."

· Focus on career development
"Successful companies know retaining employees who want to constantly learn and develop their skills are the best investment they can make and therefore these employees are rarely overlooked."

· Support your company
"Employers look to employees to support leadership in an economic downturn. Employees should clearly communicate their support to management and let them know that they are ready and willing to pitch in and assist wherever necessary to help make management's vision a reality."

Getting out of the dumps
Irritability, headaches, stomach aches, fatigue and problems sleeping are some ways that job stress can manifest itself. When feeling burned out becomes the norm instead of the exception, it may be time for action.

Try a walk at lunch to clear your head. Skip hanging around the water cooler if office gossip is getting you down. Try a power nap after work instead of more coffee, and be sure you're eating something other than junk food from the vending machine.

Finally, consider utilizing services of employee assistance programs, which are typically available through insurance providers at no additional cost to the employee. "Oftentimes, workers do not take advantage of these programs because they do not know they are available or they worry the information will be made accessible to the employer," Flewelling states. "However, that is not the case. EAPs offer confidential counseling and referral services from trained professionals to help employees with problems at work or home, financial concerns, stress, depression and substance abuse, to name a few."

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Finding New Job Opportunities at Your Current Employer

By : Beth Braccio Hering


Thinking about changing jobs? Your best source of new employment might be your current employer.

The Wall Street Journal reports that internal transfers and promotions accounted for an average of 51 percent of all full-time positions filled in 2009. And with good reason -- current employees have first-hand knowledge about the company and a proven track record in that environment. Employers know what they're getting.

Take Stew Leonard's, a food retailer headquartered in Norwalk, Conn. Eighty-two percent of its managers have been promoted from within. "By the time a team member reaches the managerial level, he or she typically has gained experience in several departments," states Karen Mazako, vice president of human resources. "This diversity promotes cooperation because management has a deep understanding of the different aspects of Stew Leonard's. They have also earned the respect of the people they will be supervising."

Changing roles
Whether you're looking to advance in your current department or seeking to change to a new one, there are things you can do to increase the likelihood of reaching your goals.

Susan Shanklin, senior recruiter for the online marketing and sales company Red Ventures in Charlotte, N.C., offers these tips:

· Be a superstar in your current position. Management will be more likely to give you new responsibilities if you're successful at what you currently do.

· Have a clear and concise message about the positive impact you've made on the company and how those skills will translate to your proposed position or new job duties.

· Look beyond your job description. What additional responsibilities can you take on in your current role that will best position you to make a transition to your desired group?

· Be open to taking a step back either in compensation or responsibilities as you move into a new area. As you transition, you're in learning mode again. Remember that if you perform, you'll end up with more responsibilities and eventually a higher compensation, not to mention a job that you love.

Creating a position
Finding a new position often involves checking the company's Web site for openings and contacting human resources about interests. But what if you're interested in something totally different?

Just because your dream job doesn't exist at your current company doesn't mean it never will. Presenting the right people with a thought-out plan of how your skills could be used in a different capacity to fill a need can have mutually beneficial results.

Consider these success stories:

· AJ Ratani, a Web developer, noticed that his company needed a more analytical approach to optimizing its sales centers. After approaching the president of the business on how he would tackle this need, a new group (sales ops) was created -- with Ratani as sales operations director. This function now exists on all of Red Ventures businesses and has created millions of dollars in profit for the company.

· An employee at Stew Leonard's who was affectionately known as "the singing butcher" felt he could better use his special talents on a regular basis to support the store's unique entertainment-oriented atmosphere. After a conversation with the CEO, a new position called "Director of Wow" was created -- with duties such as singing birthday wishes to customers and using song to get across messages at training programs.

Relocating
Sometimes an employee likes his job but needs to move to a new location for personal reasons. While transferring may be easier when companies have multiple locations, don't assume you're immediately out of luck if your employer does not have a branch facility in your new town.

"It is not a foregone conclusion that the company would not consider allowing the employee to work from a different location or remotely, depending on the position and the value derived from the employee," states Stephen Bruce, vice president of human resources for Peopleclick Authoria in Waltham, Mass. "Also, if the company is large, there may be different subsidiaries and/or other business units that may have job opportunities available to the employee."

Even if there isn't an opportunity available within the company, talking to your boss, your human resources department or even your co-workers about relocation needs can be profitable. Somebody may know somebody where you are headed and help you get a foot in the door.

"Once the family has made a decision to relocate, if the firm has a good and loyal employee, it is in their best interest to help in the process," states Alexandra Nason-Aymerich, president of the executive search firm Nason & Nason in Coral Gables, Fla. "It is good politics in the long term as that person will always be an 'alumnus.'"

Bottom line: If you are a worker worth keeping, chances are your employer will do whatever he can to help your career dreams become reality.

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How to Translate Your Skills for Work in Today's Growing Industries

By : Joe Watson

There is no job fairy who's going to come and magically change the situation so everyone can get back to work in exactly the same jobs they used to have. In order to get back to work, with an eye toward lasting career stability, you have to go where the growth is. The key growth industries are: health care, biotechnology, green energy, education, security, information technology and government. The scary part for most people is how to make the first move towards an unknown growth industry.

The shift towards a new role in a new industry can be daunting. The first step is to determine whether you are looking to simply translate your existing skill set to a new industry or looking to learn a new skill set and then move into a new industry. Either choice will require that you acquire a significant understanding of your targeted growth industry.

What are my transferable skills?
It is easy to confuse the need to translate your existing skills with the need to learn new ones. It is in this confusion that many people abandon a logical move towards growth industries, thinking that they don't have the time to return to school for several months or years to learn a new skill. The ability to draw a distinction between the need to translate skills and the need to learn new skills can be the difference between moving quickly or slowly into a new growth industry career.

Translating your existing skills into a new industry is not as hard as it appears. There's no reason an accountant from Wall Street can't find another accounting position at a government agency or a health care establishment or a university. Will the compensation be as much as what the Wall Street firm paid? Maybe not, but the salary will still be good, the job will be secure, you'll get your benefits back, and you may even have a solid pension.

Here are some of the jobs that are performed almost the same way regardless of industry: administrative personnel, truck driver, Web design, auditor, shipping/receiving, customer service, payroll clerk, general maintenance, laborer, heavy equipment and human resources. Translating your existing skills to support the manufacture of wind turbines or medical equipment instead of hoping car companies will start opening plants again can be the difference between losing your home and keeping it.

Identifying the right industries
The key to successfully translating your existing skills is to become extremely well versed in your targeted growth industries. The goal is to look for the similarities between your old industry and the targeted growth industry and to begin seeing how your current skills would translate.

One great way to accomplish this is by finding people currently working in your targeted growth industry and asking them to help you make the translation. So if you are an accountant, interested in working for a hospital, it would be great to find someone who currently works for a hospital in finance and have them help you establish the commonalities. Keep in mind, however, that the way to make this dialogue productive is to have studied up on that industry first, so the conversation's focus can be on how your current skills translate, as opposed to what they do.

The good news is that the growth industry data you need can be readily found in books and online. Yes, it will take you time to learn about the green energy or pharmaceutical industries, but in order to speak intelligently and effectively translate how your accounting or administrative skills can add value to an employer in a new industry, you must understand what they do, how they make money and where you can add value. There are no shortcuts.

It's a whole new day out there, and in today's job market the old rules of job hunting and career management no longer apply. That means making big adjustments in order to get back to work.

You can't afford not to expend the effort required to translate your skills to a new growth industry. Besides, it's nowhere near as daunting as you might think. Certainly, not as daunting as the prospect of losing your home, watching your retirement funds evaporate and not being able to feed your family.

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