From Education to Tech

From Education to Tech Success Story > From: Job To: Job From Education to Tech “I realised that change couldn't be worse than being stuck forever in a place Ididn't want to be.” * From Education to Tech Helena Kalaninová realised that she didn't just hate her current job; she'd dislikedall her previous jobs. So, she decided to shiftto a completely new career. Here's how the 'internet of possibilities' helped her finally findher tribe. What work were you doing previously? I studied to be a social sciences teacher, but didn't find a job in thefield after finishing my studies, so I worked various jobs in education and in NGOs. I also worked for the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs in the Czech Republic. What are you doing now? Now, I work as a Junior QA analyst, in a software company that makes military simulations. How did you feel in your work before you decided to make the change? My last job was at an NGO, which had a great reputation. I went there because I thought it would be my dream job. It wasn't â€" it turned into my worst nightmare. I quickly reached burnout. Why did you change? Work is probably the most important thing tome. Yet, ironically, at that time I had no interest in the field I was working in. I wanted to change this. When was the moment you decided to make the change? A friend suggested I change career, since I hated my job. I started to think about that. I was thirty and I'd hated not just my current job but most of my previous jobs. I realised that it didn'tmake sense to be afraid of change, because it couldn't be worse than being stuck forever in a place whereI didn'twant to be. So, I decided to quit and start a brand new career. How did you choose your new career? I did some research around what else I could do. I was drawn towards IT, and decided to go into the gaming industry, because it had alwaysbeen a passion. Are you happy with the change? Yes, very. I feel like I have finally found my tribe. What do you miss and what don't you miss? I actually don't miss anything from my previous jobs. There's a lot of stuff I ´d like to forget completely! How did you go about making the shift? I started to prepare a few months before I left my last job. I bought a new computer and I saved some money for training. I made a plan to go unemployed for half a year, so I'd have time to study, relax and get myself together properly. What didn't go well? What wrong turns did you take? Well, I chose a training course â€" it was expensive and not worth the money. The overall quality of IT courses in Prague isn't very high (based purely on my experience and research). Also I had some unexpected expenses, which meant I had to take a part-time job in a bar for a while. How did you handle your finances to make your shift possible? I had some financial aid while not working (from the state, for a few months), and also some savings. What was the most difficult thing about changing? Social pressure from family. They really didn't understand what I was doing. They also thought it was a big gamble. Their career tracks were very simple (almost everyone in my family is a doctor). They didn't understand my struggle to find my dream job, or to change track. What help did you get? I've had lots of support from my friends. What resources would you recommend to others? I did lots of online courses â€" on Coursera (for free) and Udemy (that cost some money). It's corny, but the internet is full of possibilities to learn for free. I also recommend studying at the library â€" the environment helped to keep me on track. What have you learnt in the process? Lots of technical IT stuff â€" I'm still learning every day. What would you advise others to do in the same situation? Don't be afraid that you are too old or too inexperienced to change things that are making you miserable. What lessons could you take from Helena's story to use in your own career change? Let us know in the comments below.

Whats going to happen to the graduate job market University of Manchester Careers Blog

Whats going to happen to the graduate job market University of Manchester Careers Blog I cant pretend to know whats going to happen in the UK in the next half hour, never mind the next 6 months other than Im pretty sure well soon hear lots of press stories and anecdotes about problems in the job market (theyve started already). Were in unprecedented times so history may not be an accurate predictor of whats to come, but its worth looking at what happened to the graduate job market in the last recession. The press quickly dubbed the graduating classes of 2007/8/9   The Lost Generation, with story after story about how there were no jobs out there. These certainly were tougher times and some types of work were in very short supply, which caused some graduates real problems. However, to put these stories of job market meltdown into perspective, this is what happened to the number of vacancies for full-time graduate jobs which came into the Careers Service at the University of Manchester over the early years of the recession and the preceding years: You can see that the number of ads we received did drop but 2008/9 was still above the number of ads we received in 2004/5. And thats as bad as it got for us. Whats happened since: Unfortunately, we changed our database and the way we classified ads at that point, so Ive got a year missing but heres our latest data: You can see we quickly recovered and we soon exceeded our highest point over the previous 10 years. Whats more, this year has been about 10% up on last year so far. Were certainly not complacent and well continue to track vacancies as they come in to us, to look for any early warning signs of problems emerging. However, weve learnt that you cant immediately assume that what you read about graduate jobs in the press is the whole story Graduate jobs down a bit, but still lots to play for is never going to make it as a headline. Well keep you updated with any trends as they emerge, but more importantly, were here if any University of Manchester student or recent graduate (within the last two years) needs us talk to us in person, by email, by phone, by Skype or by online chat, all through the summer and beyond. Right, now Im off back to social media to find out what on earths happened since I started writing this post Save Save All Graduate International Postgraduate Undergraduate Graduate jobs job hunting job market

4 Tips for Using Résumé Keywords to Get Found - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

4 Tips for Using Résumé Keywords to Get Found - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Most of the résumés employers receive either as hard copies or that are uploaded electronically reside in databases. If those databases were in graphic form, each résumé would resemble a lonely tombstone in a cemetery. In the majority of cases, submitting résumés is futile because they get resurrected only if they include keywordsâ€"specifically, those keywords used via computer queries made by employers, recruiters, or hiring managers. Typically, keywords are phrases and nouns that have to do with technical and professional areas of expertise; projects; industry-related jargons; tasks; achievements; job titles; and so on. That contradicts what we suggested years ago by saying that it’s verbs that make a résumé desirable. We now find that an effective combination of nouns, phrases, and verbs is necessary because the human eye is attracted to verbs, whereas applicant tracking systemsâ€"the kinds of software used by employers and recruitersâ€"are searching for keywords. Applicant tracking systems are searching for keywords that appear primarily near the top of the résumé. Therefore, it is advisable to include keywords in the résumé’s first paragraphâ€"immediately after the contact information. Additional keywords should appear in lists as bulleted items in the section that follows and that could be titled Skills. Appropriate keywords should be harvested from job descriptions or ads for job openings. Commonly, a job description is rich in listing a job’s requirements in terms of skills and accomplishments. For instance, if the position is technical, the ad often lists computer languages, proprietary software, and the like. Pam Dixon lists such examples in her book Job Searching Online for Dummies, as follows. Keyword summary, example 1 PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY: Award-winning corporate controller with more than 10 years’ experience in two $500-million corporations. Impressive record in implementing financial record database architecture that saved over $2 million annually. Proficient in Oracle, Prism, Red Brick, and SAP systems, as well as MS Project, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and FrontPage. Keyword summary, example 2 SKILLS Languages: C, SQL, C++, Assembler, Pascal Software: Oracle Developer 2000, Informix NewEra, FoxPro OS: UNIX, Windows NT/95/3.11, MS-DOS RDBMS: Oracle7, Informix 7

Planning for Retirement 3 Considerations for Self-Employed Women -

Planning for Retirement 3 Considerations for Self-Employed Women - For much of the working world, planning for retirement is a given. Contributions come out of every paycheck automatically and are invested in a retirement plan. The whole thing works rather seamlessly. For most of us who are working stiffs, the plan is handed to us, said Ric Edelman, CEO of Edelman Financial. However, people who work for themselves “tend not to create a retirement plan in the first place. The research backs up Edelman’s comments. A study from  TD Ameritrade  shows that 28 percent of self-employed people do not save for retirement and 40 percent only occasionally put aside money for their later years. Instead, they get trapped in a cycle. Any extra money goes to savings in case money is tight next month or the money gets reinvested in the business. It might make sense on the surface, but that’s actually bad business. The money you invest in your business could be paid for over time using financing instead of paid out of pocket â€" and if you aren’t saving for retirement, you are missing out on the value of compounding returns. To make matters worse, many women tend to save  half as much  as men do when it comes to retirement. Blame on the wage gap or the taking of time off to raise children, but the reality remains the same. If you are a self-employed woman and you want to retire comfortably, the time to start planning for retirement is now. Managing Investments You can begin planning for retirement by looking at your current investments. If you are not currently saving money each month, that’s a good place to start. Automating savings can help. Even small contributions, when made consistently, will have a positive effect on your retirement portfolio. The key is to start saving early so you can enjoy the benefits of compounding. Once you have some money saved, make sure you understand your  retirement planning options. Investing in IRAs, mutual funds and the stock market are ideas, but they aren’t the only ones. As a self-employed person, you could invest in a solo 401(k) as long as you don’t have employees. Defined benefit plans are another possibility. Planning for Spending Also, plan for your spending in retirement. Saving money is great but it helps to have a goal. According to  The Street, people who are 65 or older spend over $44,000 per year on average. The media is much lower at just under $31,000 per year, but it is still more than many self-employed people have saved. While you might be able to afford a more comfortable lifestyle if you continue working to some degree, if you start planning now you could avoid working after a certain point altogether. For instance, housing costs account for 35 percent of spending in retirement. If you plan ahead, you could avoid some of that expense by paying off your home before you retire. Don’t Forget Health Insurance Another serious expense is healthcare â€" specifically health insurance, medical care and medication. For households over 75, healthcare is roughly 15 percent of their expenses. Choosing individual health insurance plans based on price alone might seem like a good way to reduce your fixed expenses, but cheaper plans tend to cover less. You might be able to reduce your total healthcare costs in retirement by choosing a  health insurance plan that covers more, even if it costs more. Going Forward Some self-employed people believe that their businesses are like  retirement plans. By putting everything into their businesses, they can grow it to the point that they can collect enough income to retire comfortably â€" but that is a big risk. Instead of putting your eggs in one basket, diversify your approach. Start saving for retirement right now â€" even if it is just a small amount each month â€" and educate yourself on the costs you will have in retirement. Spend time getting your investments in order, planning for spending and arranging for health insurance.

What Does an Employment Lawyer Do CareerMetis.com

What Does an Employment Lawyer Do â€" CareerMetis.com Employment lawyers generally handle disputes and lawsuits that are related to the workplace and affect the employer-employee relationship.The job has its own unique challenges but it does offer a lot of opportunities for technical and personal growth for the lawyer.What Employment Lawyers Do?evalEmployment lawyers advise employers and/or employees in all aspects of employment, from hiring to termination. Their counsel can be conscientious or non-conscientious.Conscientious advice involves representing and helping clients prepare for and go through the litigation process or even internal processes like disciplinary hearings.Meanwhile, non-conscientious tasks usually involve providing day-to-day support to the Human Resources departments of companies, such as drafting, reviewing, and advising on employment contracts, employee policies, compensation and benefits policies, etc.Cases on Employee LawEmployment lawyers advise on a variety of issues and cases that crop up in the workplace se tting.These can include â€" employee handbook provisions, compensation issues, workplace harassment, workplace discrimination, disciplinary action and termination, human resource practices and policies, reduction or retrenchment programs, restrictive covenants or confidentiality agreements, severance agreements, employee benefits like leaves and retirement plans, workplace investigations, drug and alcohol testing, waivers and releases, etc.Skills of an Employment LawyerEmployment law involves knowledge in common law and domestic and statutory legislation. Employer lawyers need excellent analysis, communication, and interpersonal skills since they often serve as mediators for employers and employees. Their job requires them to talk and work directly with people a majority of the time.evalNaturally, the job also requires empathy because employment lawyers will have to handle certain cases that involve discomfiting or personal allegations against the client. They must be able to establ ish and maintain trust and confidence with not only the client but also the other party involved in the case.Workplace and Employment ProspectsEmployment lawyers have a lot of employment options available to them. They can work for a private law firm, practice alone, work in the legal departments of private corporations or non-profit organizations, or work in government or public interest organizations to provide their legal services to employees.Most large corporations hire and maintain their own in-house employment lawyers, so there is much opportunity in working as a full-time lawyer for a specific company or organization.Challenges and BenefitsEmployment lawyers should be able to easily adapt to the constantly changing and evolving nature of employment law. Legislation related to the workplace is often dependent on the government’s policies and priorities.evalOften, old laws are amended, many new laws are passed, and judges have different interpretations of the law and its det ails. The outcome of cases is always unpredictable. However, the dynamic nature of employment law assures employment lawyers of constantly being intellectually challenged.What makes the job of employment lawyers intriguing and exciting is the human interest of their practice, which most other kinds of litigation do not have.Employment cases are all about people and usually involve intriguing scenarios and stories. Cases like discrimination and harassment claims allow lawyers to see the complex relationships between people in the workplace.Employment lawyers also have the opportunity to work a diverse range of clients â€" organizations of all trades and industries employ people and require counsel.Working with different businesses and industries allows lawyers to be better-rounded and more experienced in handling industry-specific situations. The ever-changing scenarios of their cases keep employment lawyers interested in their work even after years of practice. There is always an op portunity for growth.However, the highly personal nature of their cases can also be disheartening to some employment lawyers. Employment lawyers often have to deal with termination cases.The litigation or negotiation process can turn out to be difficult and confrontational. Lawyers usually have to impose on the personal lives of their clients and other parties, which can be unpleasant.Ultimately, a career in employment law can be very exciting and fulfilling. They will certainly encounter many challenges in their line of work, but employment lawyers will never be bored by their cases and their day-to-day tasks. The nature of their work is dynamic and always interesting.

5 Tips for Job Fair Success - CareerAlley

5 Tips for Job Fair Success - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. There are many job opportunitiesout there, and if youare looking for a job,sometimes the best way to do so is by attending a job fair or convention. In this case, you want to leverage the time spent to ensure you get the best return. To ensure great results, youll need to approach things a bit differently than a normal interview process. Instead of interviewing for a specific job, youll need to sell yourself to the companies that are looking to hire. PrepareaFocused Interview Usually when you interview for a job opportunity, you are focused on a specific role and job description. At job fairs, you need to be prepared to get a quick sense of who the hiring manageris before the full interview. That being said, you are in a room full of competitorsvying for the same companies and jobs that you want, so youll to be focused in your interview approach. Have a quick interview prepared (see Your Elevator Speech) to ensure that you get all the important informationyou want discussfrom yourresume. Suggested Reading:97 Ways to Stand Out at a Job Fair: Get Noticed and Get Hired! Tell them why you want to work at their company More likely than not, there will be a list of attending companies that you can look at prior to attending the job fair. Do your homework and review as many companies as feasible prior to the event. Tell them why you want to work at their company (use phrases such as great company culture or leader in your industry. Alack of a basic understanding of the company will probably cost you consideration for additional interviews. Employers not only want the right person for the job, they want someone who selected the company for specific reasons. You must do your research on each of your target companies before you job fair. This will ensure thatyou are moreproductivein the interview process. Prepare and Practice No one knows your experience better than you, andspending sufficient time preparing can only help. Think about all the time and preparation you put into your resume. Prepare as best you canahead of time, and practice interviewing with friends and relativesif necessary. Go over all the information youll want to convey when you meet with companies at the fair. Be Preparedto Answer and Ask Questions Think about the kind of questions interviewers usually ask duringthe interview, and make sure you have all those answers up front. Know the requirementsfor allpositionswhere you might qualify and focus your answers (and questions) to focus on why you are uniquely qualified. The more informed you are, the better the chances thatthe company willkeep you in mind. Promote Your Brand If youve been to a job fair, youve probably seen that somecandidates do not make much of an attempt to be stand out from the crowd. They put in little effort to promote themselves. Now is not the time to be shy. During your short interviews, sell yourself by highlighting all of your skills and experience. Hiring managers at job fairs have a limited amount of time to decide who will make it to the next round. e. Companies who participate in Job Fairs are looking for talented people want to work for a company such as theirs. The are looking for candidates with drive and passion for what they do. If you follow these tips, hiring managers will see that youre generally interested in workingthem. Youll leave the fair confident youve given your best impressing and have laid the groundwork for yournext big thing. Career Tip of the Day:5 Reasons Why You Wont Get a Job Offer We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. Good luck in your search,Joey Google+ what where job title, keywords or company city, state or zip jobs by What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Find out how to identify and land your dream job. Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy + Disclosure home popular resources subscribe search

How To Choose A Professional Resume Writing Service

How To Choose A Professional Resume Writing ServiceIf you are in need of a professional resume writing service Nashville TN can provide you with the services you need. It is a good idea to get a professional resume written for you, especially if you do not have a lot of experience or it's been a while since you've changed jobs. When you use a professional resume writing service, you will be able to write a highly polished resume that is specific to your position and career goals.If you have a formal business meeting coming up and want to create a resume for your boss or hiring manager, a professional resume writing service can help you with this task. Professional resume writing services will focus on the needs of their clients, and provide them with a professional resume that includes contact information. A professional resume can mean the difference between a call back for an interview or a rejection letter.A professional resume will be written according to the company's specific n eeds. In order to get the most out of a professional resume writing service, be sure to research the companies that you are thinking about hiring for a job. You should always be able to find past clients to ask any questions that you may have.Find a professional resume writing service that offers customization and customized services as well. This will allow you to choose specific items on your resume and will make it easier for the resume to stand out from the rest. A custom designed resume can be sent to potential employers and is a great way to shine in a crowded field.The purpose of a professional resume is to help you highlight your specific needs. The best way to find a good resume writer is to ask around among your friends and family, or do some research online. It will also be a good idea to look through professional resume writers directories such as CareerBook.com and Psychpages.com.Using a professional resume writer is the only way to achieve the professional touch you wa nt in your career. A professional resume service has the experience and training necessary to make your resume stand out and attract employers. By using a resume service, you will have a professional resume prepared for you.Many professionals believe that the first thing that they need to do when looking for a professional resume writing service Nashville TN is to ask for samples of previous work. While this is important, it is not a necessity. A professional resume writing service can create a professionally written resume that is customized to your particular needs.When you need a professional resume Nashville TN you should consider a service that will create a professional resume for you. A professional resume writing service should offer custom work and create a resume that contains all of the information required. A professional resume writer is the one who will be able to make your career dreams come true.