Job markets are continually shifting, and having what it takes to be hired is an evolving set of guidelines. Another question to ask is if you have the knowledge necessary to meet the demands of the current job market? Upon having this knowledge, can you beat out the competition?

If you answered no to the previous questions, then you should consider seeking the help of a career expert. Once you’ve decided whether or not expert advice is needed, the next step is to find the ‘right’ expert. There’s a framework for hiring the right expert, and keeping these tips in mind will go a long way in finding the right expert for you.

There are very few indicators of a career expert’s skill as the opinion of prior customers. Ask around, read reviews online. If someone you’re inquiring about has a history of customer satisfaction, then it’s a good indicator you’ll be satisfied as well.

Take certifications and degrees with a grain of salt. While having a good education can be a barometer for determining intelligence, having the skill sets to to get hired go beyond what one can learn in a traditional learning environment. While having degrees and certificates is never a bad thing, they can certainly be overrated.

Much of the decision to hire or note hire a career coach can only be determined by meeting with the candidate. Establishing a good repoire with a career expert is probably the most important step in the process, as the act of finding and obtaining a job is a very personal experience. Always interview a candidate before hiring them.

Here are some questions to ask a potential expert:

How long will it take go through the process?

How often will we be in communication?

What should my expectations be concerning your service?

Coaching styles can be extremely different, and it’s important you try various ones before running with a single style. Some people react to various methodologies different, and you’re no different. The important factor to remember is to seek diversity in the various career experts you interview.

Finding a job should rarely be a solo project. Seeking advice and support of friends and family is always a good step to take, and if a more drastic action is needed, hiring an expert. No one should feel ashamed for needing this help, as we all have strengths and weaknesses which aid in different skill sets.

1. Web Training
2. Distance Learning
3. Local Communities
4. On-the-job Training

Of all the various methods of learning listed above, web training provides the most extensive options. The problem with web training is that it can be very limiting, depending on what field you’re trying to expand your knowledge base in. Especially if your career is hands-on. However, one benefit of web training is the lower costs, due to less resources needed for the training curriculum.

Distance learning is much like web training, but many times provides more personal involvement. While web training might simply be studying content or taking tests, distance learning is traditionally styled but with the benefit of learning outside the classroom. It is generally more expensive than other forms of web training, as there is a teacher involved and other needed resources. Along with the cost, one has a greater chance of receiving a better quality form of training.

If you live in a metropolitan area, then you have the option of being involved in local communities. Universities, and other centers can provide various forms of training. You’re not guaranteed to find relevant sources to improving your craft, but keeping an eye out never hurt. What’s great about getting involved locally, is you can also gain contacts along with job related training.

The final form of training is probably the most beneficial, if you have the means to acquire it. Certain companies, generally the larger corporations, will provide on-the-job training courses. It is vital that you keep track of these, as improving your knowledge bank within the company can do nothing but help you. Adding to your job related certification can lead to all sorts of positive outcomes. The greatest being a promotion.

Keeping well trained is one of the greatest tools to have when bolstering a resume. If potential employers see you well versed in various areas, then you’ve just improved your value. The trick is to keep a continual eye out for training programs. If you keep track of the list above, then you’ll certainly have a head start.

If you’re an intern, you’re probably reading this while in your late teens or early 20′s. Life is ahead of you, and the sky is the limit. You might be looking at your summer internship as just something to get past, or simply slap on a resume. Alison Green, of USNews,provides some wonderful tips on how to make your summer internship more than just something to get through.

When you’re going through your last day, be sure and leave thanking everyone you worked with. Establish ties which can later be used in your favor. You never know when planting a seed will help you in the future, so be sure to keep all the work relationships you established healthy upon departure.

Being young, you might think you know everything. However, you have faults and strengths just like everyone else. Talk to your manager, and receive criticism about your time working at your internship. Discovering faults and improving upon them can be one of the greatest blessings you can receive from an internship.

Finally, always be sure to list everything you were responsible for at your internship when writing up a resume. Much of the reason you’re at your internship is to receive real-world experience. Use this experience to your utmost advantage. You never know what a potential employer might see on your resume, that could lead to a potential hire.

For the Bosses/Managers

Grooming, teaching, and even learning from an intern can bring about some benefits you never imagined possible. Of course, there’s just as good a chance some glaring negatives will come about from a summer intern as well. The important thing to remember is keeping an open mind, and being patient. Try and remember these important tips.

Interns are young. Being so, brings about a long list of positives in negatives. Young people are impetuous, gung-ho, impatient, and many times will think outside the box compared to your paid employees. The key for you, as a manager, is to groom your intern by accentuating their positives while rebuking their negatives. This can be a tight rope to walk, as addressing faults with young people can become tumultuous. Just remember – be patient.

Just as the tip listed above for the interns, keep the lines of communication open after an intern’s time is up. Valuable resources can come from all sorts of places in business, and interns can become a part of that equation. You just have to make sure you are able to utilize that resource, and draw upon it in the future.

Whether your an intern yourself, or a boss hiring an intern, be positive about the experience. There might be little to no money being paid out, but that doesn’t mean there’s no investment in the endeavor. Keep an open mind, be patient, and keep communication lines open, and you might just have an awarding experience for years to come.

With a turbulent setting, people’s minds tend to lead them in safer directions. The problem being, what they think is safe might end up hurting them. For instance, in a market of uncertainty, people might assume that searching for a job within a long standing company would be the best course of action. According to this study, these pre-conceived notions might be wrong.

The study is called ‘The Importance of Startups in Job Creation and Job Destruction’. It shows that start-ups are responsible for most of the job creation in this country.

Digging deeper into details, start-ups and newly established companies fare better in a recession market as well. Between 1977-2005, start-up companies created an average of 3 million jobs per year. While established businesses lost 1 million jobs a year.

Taking these numbers into account, what should be your course of action moving forward? First, it would be beneficial to stop looking at established companies solely. The uncertainty of start-ups is what turns most people off from going in that direction. Their instincts aren’t without warrant either, as 95% of start-ups don’t last more than 5 years.

Taking that failure rate of start-ups into account, it would seem as though you might not want to look in that direction, even with all the job creation. However, the best course of action is to determine your own situation and determine if the chance of failure is worth it. For those who are looking at entry level status, start-ups could be the perfect stepping stone. As many entry level jobs rarely last longer than five years anyway. And even if the business fails, you have experience to reference in an application.

Taking all of the data and scenarios of this article into account, the point is to always keep your options open. Don’t be close-minded when job searching. Though your apprehensive mindset might tell you to stay away from start-ups, the data shows the job market is welcoming to these new companies.

Happiness at Work

Maximizing Your Psychological Capital for Success

By: Jessica Pryce-Jones

Published: April 2010
Format: Trade Paperback, 254pp
ISBN-13: 9780470749463
ISBN-10: 0470749466
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Jessica Pryce-Jones recognizes that the very concept of workplace happiness has not been given the study and attention that it so richly deserves. The author undertook an enormous five year study of the concept and implications of happiness at both work and at home. The result of the intensive interviews underlined the critical importance of workplace happiness, and its correlation with a happier personal life. At the same time, the extensive research proved that companies benefit, as do the staff members, of building and maintaining a happier work environment. The author based the book on four principles:

* You are responsible for your own levels of happiness
* You have much more room to maneuver than you think
* There is always a choice
* Self-awareness is an essential first step

Jessica Pryce-Jones (photo left) understands that happiness in the workplace is a state of mind where people choose to increase their performance, while their companies boost their overall productivity. For the author, employee happiness is a win-win outcome that benefits both the staff member and the organization. To build personal workplace happiness, Jessica Pryce-Jones offers a five part outline to achieve success:

* Contribution
* Conviction
* Culture
* Commitment
* Confidence

Combined with the organizational values of Pride, Trust, and Recognition, the “5-Cs”, form the foundation for each employee to maximize their happiness, while boosting their performance.

For me, the power of the book is how Jessica Pryce-Jones provides a comprehensive, research based case for the positive benefit of workplace happiness. Through her exhaustive study of both individuals and organizations, the author makes clear that happiness creates a better work and life experience for employees. At the same time, Jessica Pryce-Jones demonstrates that employers would be well served by building a happier workplace culture, as happier staff members are much more productive than those who dislike their jobs. The author dispels a number of myths that have grown up around and about happiness, and replaces the myths with research based evidence of the importance of happy employees to an organization. The author also describes a system for creating an organizational culture of happiness that benefits both the employer and the employee.

I highly recommend the landmark book Happiness at Work: Maximizing Your Psychological Capital for Success by Jessica Pryce-Jones, to anyone seeking a research backed analysis of the often misunderstood topic of workplace happiness. This book breaks new ground in the overlooked, yet very critical area of the importance and development of employee happiness.

Read the fascinating and paradigm altering book Happiness at Work: Maximizing Your Psychological Capital for Success by Jessica Pryce-Jones, and discover how happier workers are more productive, and how companies that encourage workplace happiness are more profitable and hold a competitive advantage over their rivals. Let the power of happier employees propel your business to leadership in your industry.

Comments

What do you want your career to provide? Do you want a position that caters to your intelligence? Do you love to work outside? Write a list of all the things that you want from your next position.

2. Take a look at what you do in your spare time

Do you love to cook? Are you always in your garden tending to the vegetables? Do you want to bowl a perfect game? Write down what you love to do. This list will assist you in your next career move.

3. Research

Every career has a name and a definition of duties. Check out a site like the Bureau of Labor Statistics to find out which jobs best match what you want and enjoy. Find out the range of expected salaries for your potential position.

4. Find out what skills you have

What are some of the things that will carry over to the new position? Can you type 80 words a minute? Are you great at managing people? These skills can be a benefit to you.

5. Look into the past

What were the accomplishments at the jobs that you have had? Were you employee of the month? Did you bring your department’s sales up? What do you enjoy about the jobs that you’ve had?

6. Network

Do you know anyone who does the job you want? Talk with them and find out what kinds of jobs are available in their field. The network you develop has front-line knowledge that may not be easily gleaned from a newspaper or website. Look in the local paper for networking meetings.

7. Look for training

Do you know that you need to have X degree or Y certificate? Find out if there are any schools or universities in the area which train for your career. Don’t overlook the online degree and certificate programs.

8. Get an internship

Internships are available in many professions. You can gain first-hand information about your new profession. Architectural and engineering firms offer internships as do many of the skilled trades positions.

9. Job search

Read the job listings. See what you might enjoy and apply for the positions. Ask questions and maintain a positive attitude.

10. Talk with a career counselor

Career counselors have the tools available to assist you with your path. They have questionnaires and assessments. Most of all, a counselor can provide reassurance and direction when choosing a career path.

Researching a new career path can be both frustrating and rewarding. Study what you have done. Find out what you love doing. A new and fulfilling career is just around the corner.

James Adams is a technology analyst who works with a print cartridge store specialising in the supply of ink cartridges to industry and consumers in the UK.