There are three main types of resumes you may consider submitting during your job search. The three types of resumes are called functional, chronological, or a combination of the two.

The Functional Resume

This type of resume is usually submitted when you want to put more emphasis on the qualifications and skills obtained during your previous employment. It involves writing a detailed explanation about the experiences you have had that are related to the job you are applying for. Unlike the chronological resume, the main importance of this resume is to outline how well suited you are for the job based on your experience and accomplishments.

The Chronological Resume

The chronological resume is the format that most employers are familiar with. It involves listing in chronological order, the previous jobs held. The chronological resume is usually used to first show your previous employment, promotions, increases in responsibility and other accomplishments. It differs from the functional resume in that the previous employment and accomplishments are dealt with separately.

The Combined Resume

The combined resume is used to incorporate features of both the functional resume and the chronological resume. It uses the best components of each type of resume. The combined type of resume can be described as a resume that places emphasis on your qualifications and skills but in chronological order. Therefore, it will differ from the functional resume in that it lists employment in a chronological order. However, it will differ from the chronological resume by having more emphasis on your skills and accomplishments, and not discussing these components separately.

The Type To Use

It should be stated that the type of resume you submit would depend on the type of job you are seeking. Many employers prefer the functional resume because they are more familiar with it since it is the most common type of resume. You may consider creating resumes of each type and use them to meet the expectations of a particular employer. Generally, if you are responding to an advertised position you can get some idea of what the prospective employer expects from the applicant.

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While you still have a job, why not start a parallel career by freelancing and aim towards the end goal of being your own boss (which is what changing career the Parallel Career Way is all about)? Don't wait until you face a midlife crisis or after you lost or quit your job.

Today, literally millions of people all over the world have established highly-successful careers as freelancers. Many of these work-from-home professionals have found that freelancing offers a dream lifestyle - flexible working hours, free from bosses, total control, independence and 'good money'.

As a freelancer you act as an expert or specialist in your field on a project/contract basis. You're an independent contractor or some call you a Free Agent. You're not on anyone's payroll. You're self-employed. Your remuneration for each project/contract is based on a fee.

The type of projects available for freelancers are as many as there are job functions in the traditional workplace. These include auditing, copywriting, research, text translation, creative and commercial writing, quality assurance, forensic accounting, website design and maintenance, medical law, graphical work, software development, technical writing, data entry, research, training and motivation, engineering design, raising equity funds and venture capital, mergers and acquisitions, corporate law, international law, etc. etc.

First…You'll Have to Be Sure…

But because you're still working for someone else, there're pros and cons in freelancing as a parallel career. Your current job will surely provide you with some 'Assets' BUT at the same time you've to be sure that there's no conflict of interest with your employer.

*Is the freelance project for a client who is your employer's competitor?

*Is the nature of the project such that to undertake it, you'll have to disclose some of your employer's proprietary secrets? (These secrets could be sources of supplies, technological know-how, formulas/recipes, product costing calculations, or any information that gives your employer's company a competitive advantage in its industry/market).

Re-read your employment contract thoroughly, and if still in doubt, consult a lawyer. Paying fees for such legal advice is money well spent.

The Good Thing Today…

The good thing about freelance project opportunities today is that most likely you'll be undertaking project work for a company too far away to have any conflict with your local employer. Or the scope of your project does not 'threaten' your employer at all.

For example, you live in Los Angeles and work for a medium-size accounting software company twenty miles from your home. It's very unlikely that there's a conflict of interest if you were to take on a programming project for a company in Italy to develop an inventory management program. BUT there'll be a potential conflict if you undertake a freelance project to develop an accounting software for a company not too far from LA (say in San Diego) because this new accounting program may 'eat' into your present employer's product market share.

Another example: You are the head of your company's quality assurance team. You've a good working knowledge of the International Standards ISO9001. There is no conflict of interest if you were to take on a freelancing project to write the quality manual for another company nearby as long as that company is not your employer's competitor.

Is There Demand for Freelancing Professionals?

Yes.. Aye...Si...Ya! There are many reasons why companies need the expertise of a freelancer:

1.There is a sudden burst in business activity and the company's existing workforce cannot cope.

2.The company has a one-off project (example: a takeover of another company or production of a massive catalogue).

3.Deadlines must be met.

4.The company needs specialised skills not available within the company.

5.The management cannot justify the long-term expense of employing a full-time person

What Qualifications Do You Need?

What qualifications DON'T you need? Generally, you don't need to have any special license, insurance, a company, an office or employees.

But you DO need to be sure that you will be able to do the project. Afterall, this is what you'll be paid for. Knowing your 'Assets and Skillset' will give you a good feel of whether you can do the project.

You'll need to put together a profile or portfolio that is more convincing than a resume. It needs to be more like a marketing presentation. Remember there are others out there who can do the project as well.

Keep in mind that there will be opportunities to secure future projects with the same company. So it's worthwhile doing it right for the first project.

The Parallel Career Way

To be a full-time freelancer, the biggest challenge is finding enough work to justify giving up your full-time job. How can you be sure that you will have enough work to pay all your bills?

The Parallel Career Way makes it less stressful and risky because you start developing your freelancing career while you still have a job. And thanks to the Internet, things are now much easier.

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It isn't the end of the world, even if it seems like it. Losing your job can be a heart-breaking experience. After all, your security in life and your abilities is now in question. You can feel disillusioned and there is the ever-nagging question of: What do I do now?

Well, you start over. Don't develop a "victim's mentality". When one door closes another door opens for greater opportunities. Everything in your life happens for a reason.

Turn your former employer's loss into your gain. This minor setback is just what you need to jumpstart a new life. Now, you can revisit your dreams and former desires (things you may have left behind for the sake of a career). When you search for a new job, you can find one that fits your identity perfectly. Starting over can be a positive, a great thing.

Just because you're unemployed doesn't mean you're helpless. You still have all of the desirable qualities that kept you at your old job for so long and, now, you also know the qualities that may have gotten you fired. See it as a learning experience. You have all of your experiences, skills, talents, and ideas. The only thing that has changed is, now, you can put them to better use.

Decide what matters most to you. Do you want a job that allows you to explore your creativity? Or do you want something that delights in your scientific mind? What are your personal convictions and how will they shape this new you? Well, why not find this position? You can—all you have to do is decide what you want and go for it.

Your personality and personal goals can be reached. Yes, you lost a job. It happens; accept it. That's the first step to finding yourself and the job of your dreams. The second step? Self-awareness. Take time to search yourself. Decide what is important, what is essential, and where you want to go in life. The possibilities are endless.

Once you've accepted your job loss and have decided on what you want in life, the only things left to do is go for it. Remember: this will not be easy. You will have to work for what you want, especially since this new life should be an improvement over your last. You want the best and that takes time and determination. But, it is worth it. Your happiness is worth it.

Losing a job can be difficult; however, it can also be the first step to a happier, more fulfilled life.

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Travel writing jobs are few and far between. Getting into this field is hard to do and requires a lot of training and experience. But, there are many benefits to them. There are many individuals who would love to get employment opportunities in this field. And, because the world is faster and faster becoming accessible to more people, increasing employment availability can be found for travel jobs as well. But, how does a person get in and how do they do their job?

Travel writer jobs belong mainly to freelance authors, travelling far and wide. They learn about the amusements, the attractions, and the little secrets of the towns, cities, and countries they visit. Then, they provide this knowledge to the general public in the form of articles, books, or even transcriptions. It is amazing that many people go from location to location by simply learning about different areas and using this knowledge to write. But, this work is far from easy. It may be costly to afford to do this type of traveling. It often does not pan out as a worthwhile adventure anyway. It is often difficult to find publishers or employment vacancies in this area as well.

To get these types of jobs, it will often take experience in the writing field and the researching field. Freelance opportunities, in which the author will visit locations at his own expense, are necessary. In other, simpler cases, a breakthrough into the business can be done by working for the local newspaper or through a magazine. In any case, though, it will require time to develop the necessary knowledge.

When looking for vacancies like these, it would be wise to realize that it will take time to build up the reputation needed to get these opportunities. Perhaps working on less glamorous writing jobs will have to be taken in order to have stepping stones out into the travel writing world. If you have the funds and the talent it is easy to go out and find locations to write about without being commissioned to do so. But, there is no guarantee of any of this type of work paying off. Patience may be the only way to get into and maintain a career in this field of writing.

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Most of us enter the world of work as employed and soon start to wish that we could change career or be our own boss.

It is probably true that after a while a large percentage start dreaming they could work from home or start a home based business, few actually do something about it. They continue dreaming

These days this is in explicable because it is possible to change career no matter what your age or profession. There is now less continuity in employment so adaptability and being forced the make a career or job change could face anyone at any time. You are certain to know someone who has faced such a dilema.

With the advent of the computer and associated equipment more and more people are changing career, deserting the corporate world and joining those of us who have successfully started our own businesses working from home and who continue to reap the benefits of being our own boss.

The technical advances of recent years have made owning and working in your own business not only possible but also practical. This apparent change of career is really a change we make in the way we work.

As we progress through life we all acquire skills and experience. It is these skills and experience, which, with imagination and persistence can move you into the realms of working in your own home, employed, freelance or in your home based business.

Many people start working from home for their current or some previous employer. The only difference is that they may take responsibility for employment costs, insurance, holiday pay, tax etc.

Telecommuting is now a reality. Approximately 15 million people in the USA telecommute in some form. Major employers in the UK are actively encouraging this trend.

Working from home requires skills, experience and discipline so it's very important to make an inventory of what you have to offer to employers and or clients. When listing your skills and experience, don't limit yourself to past job experiences.

Include anything that you have learned or can do that is related to a hobby, interest, pastime or volunteer experience.

Skills that translate well into working from home include researching, writing, computer skills, phone communication skills, and sales and marketing experience.

If you are looking to be employed in a work at home job the key is to search where people post jobs. Employers are looking for qualified people to fill genuine vacancies. It is the position they advertise, and they advertise on job related sites.

That does not mean that scams will not be posted on job sites but for the most part you can be sure that work at home jobs won't be posted in search engines.

If you are looking to offer new clients your freelance services then many of the same job search principles apply but with different terminology.

You need to realise that you most likely will not find your perfect job/client on your first attempt just as it has always been.

People seem to expect that they will find the perfect job/assignment straight away. This market is no different from the classified job advertisements in the newspapers.
Job searching requires just as much effort, persistence and diligence.

At all times be professional. Your standards and presentation must be of the highest order just as if you where applying for traditional employment. Possibly more!

You must submit professional quality resumes, portfolios and applications. Your written submission is the first and only chance you have to make an impression. The competition will be fierce.

You need to set your submission apart from the rest.

Here are some tips;

1. Learn about resumes and cover letters.

2. Submit your resume to a person.

3. Follow the directions indicated in the job announcement.

4. Gear each resume to the job/assignment you are applying for.

5. Don't give up - ever!

6. If you have been looking for 6 months you need to re-evaluate your efforts.

7. Are you looking in the right places?

8. Are you willing to consider variety?

9. Are you pro-actively marketing yourself and your skills?

10. Do friends and former colleagues know about and fully understand your attempts to change career?

11. Have you been submitting top quality literature, letters, resumes and applications?

Have you been working on your goal on a regular basis for 6 months?
Wishing to work at home for 6 months isn't the same as actively looking for a job for 6 months.

This career change is potentially the start of a new way of life. You can turn your work at home dream into a reality. It may become the start of your own business as you get used to the disciplines.

Use the foregoing to make that vital career change which could be the start of the most exciting time of your working life.

Tip;

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.

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Valuable career advice can come from aptitude test as they can help in identifying suitable job options. Career tests include tests such as personality profiling, leadership skills, motivation, management style, etc. The results of such tests can give you the career advice that can direct you to a suitable career, by matching your interests with career options.

Many career tests are offered online. They may be free or available for a small fee. Many experts provide the career advice to employment seekers to take some time to plan their career and set their goals.

Knowing your career goals can provide you with valuable guidance.
Remember that career planning and goal setting is an on-going process, changing as you continue on your career.

The web can be a great source to find valuable career advice. It can provide you with many resources to research new career choices and find out information on a particular career field such as average salary, work environment, job responsibilities, etc.

Use Resumes That Give You an Advantage

Whether you are starting a career, changing careers or looking for a different job in your present career, the best career advice is to have a great, eye-catching resume.

You may be thinking about using your old resume, maybe the one you made after graduating from college. However, you will have to make changes to that resume to make it relevant to your present situation.
Upgrade your resume with the additional skills and experiences you have acquired.

People going through a career change, need to present the skills they have acquired through the years in a way that makes it relevant to the new career jobs for which they are applying.

You may not have all the standard education for that career, so you need to convince potential employers that your previous education and work experience have given you the skills that make you a suitable candidate to transition into that job.

Career planning involves gaining information that can ease your transition to a new career. This information can help get you out of your current dreary jobs and into a dynamic and interesting career.

Act Now... and Take Control of Your Career

It's never too late to think of making a career change... seek professional career advice and give yourself the best chance of achieving your career goals.

Why Career Advice Is So Important

Choosing a career presents a nerve-racking decision, as it can have a life-long impact on you. Do not fret, as you can gain a clearer outlook into your future by thorough career planning.

Having a clear vision of the future can guide you by helping you set career goals and helping you on your way towards attaining them. Whether you are starting out on a new career or looking to change your current career, you will benefit enormously from taking sound advice.

Don't Spend Most of Your Life Doing ...

Chances are that you will be spending a great deal of time at your job, about 40 hours a week. Career advice and career profiling can guide you to a job that is enjoyable for you and matches your interests.

There are many reasons people change their careers and career advice can help them along the way. Some frequently cited reasons are:

·Stuck in a dead end job.

·Lost interest in current line of work.

·Gained a new interest in a different career option.

A Job For Life ... Not Anymore

In today's world, there is increased job rotation ... also with the down turns in the economy, many people can be laid-off.
Good career advice for unemployed persons would be to consider a career change. Some of the fastest growing occupations are Medical Assistant, Network Systems Analyst, Physician Assistant, etc. Occupations that are struggling to gain workers can be a suitable option for currently unemployed individuals.

People often back off from changing careers if they are unsure of the effort it might take to start a new career and learn a new trade. If you are one of these people, career advice from professionals can help you make a knowledgeable decision.

How To Identify Your Career Choices

When choosing a new career field, career advice and career planning can help you figure out your career choices. When embarking on a new career, you need to take into account your previous education and work experience.

You should start thinking about the skills you currently possess and how they can be beneficial in each of the new career options available to you.

Have You Considered a Career Test?

Valuable career advice can come from career tests as they can help in identifying suitable job options. Career tests include tests such as personality profiling, leadership skills, motivation, management style, etc.

The results of such tests can give you the career advice that can direct you to a suitable career, by matching your interests with career options.

Many career tests are offered online. They may be free or available for a small fee. Many experts provide the career advice to employment seekers to take some time to plan their career and set their goals. Knowing your career goals can provide you with valuable guidance.

Remember that career planning and goal setting is an on-going process, changing as you continue on your career.

The web can be a great source to find valuable career advice. It can provide you with many resources to research new career choices and find out information on a particular career field such as average salary, work environment, job responsibilities, etc.

Use Resumes That Give You an Advantage

Whether you are starting a career, changing careers or looking for a different job in your present career, the best career advice is to have a great, eye-catching resume.

You may be thinking about using your old resume, maybe the one you made after graduating from college. However, you will have to make changes to that resume to make it relevant to your present situation.

Upgrade your resume with the additional skills and experiences you have acquired. People going through a career change, need to present the skills they have acquired through the years in a way that makes it relevant to the new career jobs for which they are applying.

You may not have all the standard education for that career, so you need to convince potential employers that your previous education and work experience have given you the skills that make you a suitable candidate to transition into that job.

Career planning involves gaining information that can ease your transition to a new career. This information can help get you out of your current dreary jobs and into a dynamic and interesting career.

Act Now... and Take Control of Your Career

It's never too late to think of making a career change... seek professional career advice and give yourself the best chance of achieving your career goals.

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Many jobs require jobseekers to complete an application instead of submitting a résumé. But an application is a résumé in disguise: Its purpose is to show your qualifications. Here are some tips for making the best impression with a job application:

When you pick up an application, don't miss an opportunity to make a good first impression. Dress as you would for the job. Politely request two copies of the form, or make your own copies of the original before you start filling it out.

Read the entire application before you begin. Then, use one copy as a rough draft and the other as the final product. Use a typewriter or write neatly with black ink.

Answer every question on the application. Write "not applicable" or "none" if a question does not apply to you. Some reviewers suggest answering "will discuss in interview" if asked for information that might disqualify you.

Make a copy of your completed application. If you go back for an interview, take this record with you. Having a completed form will also make it easier to fill out the next one.

Although forms do not offer the same flexibility as a résumé, you can still find ways to highlight your best qualifications. For example, you can use strong action verbs to describe your duties. If you do not have paid experience, you can give job titles to your volunteer work or list relevant academic experience, substituting student for job titles.

Computer applications

If you are filling out an application for a computer database, you will want to use keywords and simple formatting--no boldface or bullets. Put the most important information first.

Include as much information as you can for each question without becoming wordy or repetitive. The more relevant details you provide, the better your chances of using a keyword that matches an employer's requirements. Before submitting the form, copy and paste your answers into a word-processing program so you can check the spelling.

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Your perspective on resumes – what they are and how they function – will doubtless influence how well you can write your own. To create an outstanding resume, begin by questioning and replacing some of the commonly held assumptions about resume writing.

ASSUMPTION: "A resume is a personal history, and prospective employers will read it primarily to learn about past jobs and accomplishments."

Replace with: A resume is best thought of as a proposal, rather than a history.

Although a resume does primarily include information about your personal history, its chief aim should be to convey this information in a way that is highly relevant to the job in question. Thus, the key question to address is: How are you uniquely qualified to do well in the position for which you are applying? Writing to answer this question can turn a dry personal history into an attractive employment proposal.

ASSUMPTION: "My resume probably won't be that important anyway – it's connections and luck that will get me a job."

Replace with: Revising and improving your resume can play a central role in landing your next job.

No reasonable person would deny that connections and luck help. Nevertheless, not everyone has or finds the right connections, and not everyone wants to wait on luck. Take the initiative, instead, to craft a strong job-search strategy, and include revising your resume as a central piece of this process.

Doing so, at a minimum, will accomplish three things: 1) you will gain clarity on your strengths and all that you have to offer in your next job, 2) you will have an important vehicle for introducing yourself to potential employers, and 3) you will have a springboard for a strong interview.

ASSUMPTION: "The previous version of my resume was good enough, and probably needs very little done to it."

Replace with: Just about any resume, even one used with success before, can benefit from careful scrutiny and periodic revision.

Your resume should evolve as you do. In addition to acquiring new skills, experiences, and accomplishments, you may have shifted in your professional focus or interests. Perhaps you have gained insights into what employers are really looking for in your line of work.

Above all, your resume should be revised so that it is tailored to the employer who will receive it. Even if you have little to add in the way of content, you can always improve your resume by refocusing it on the specifics of the position you are seeking, and by strengthening its wording and overall appearance.

THE BOTTOM LINE (A Winning Perspective):

Take on the task of writing or revising your resume with the conviction that any resume can be made stronger, that you have an important employment proposal to bring to the eyes of potential employers, and that doing so can be the avenue for landing the job you want. It is with this perspective that you will produce a resume good enough to open doors!

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In the last decade, there has been an increase in the virtual job market. This is due to the major decline in corporate jobs. Whether you have a college degree or high school diploma, the higher paying positions just aren't there for the taking. That is why so many people have turned to the Internet for employment.

It's all about finding your niche` in business. Most people take their prior experience on the job and mold it into a lasting career. This then sets the guidelines of their business structure and things are quickly transformed into a work-at-home environment.

With the threat of a recession on the horizon, corporations and small businesses are cutting back on health care benefits and downsizing their staff. Although many jobs are lost, virtual professionals benefit from this happening. Now business owners are looking online for outsourcing service providers and cost effective means of managing their business.

The virtual industry is more profitable than most realize. BUT…there will come a time when virtual customers will want more than your WORD and PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE to consider you for a job. By the year 2008, virtual employers will require the same credentials of their virtual professional as they would an employee. This means to have an advantage over your competitors you need to become a Certified Virtual Professional.

What is a Virtual Professional? A virtual professional is often referred to as a Virtual Assistant (VA) or Administrative Assistant in a conventional office. The term 'virtual' pertains to the online ommunity. The assistant that services the online community via computer is a virtual professional. Both types of assistants' perform the same job duties.

Professional service providers supply services as needed. Their business world is your reality. A phone call or e-mail and you've set up a 'work order'. VA's are self- employed or an employee of a VA service offered by a company.

The virtual professional is often a well-educated, hard working, computer literate, and expert in their field. In general, a virtual professional has the ability to meet all of the outsourcing needs of a company.

Accounting/Bookkeeping
Business Writing/Correspondents
Data/Word Processing
Transcription/Research

The CVP program will walk you through the steps you need to take in opening your virtual office. Each day material will be sent via email and students will be expected to read the material and complete the day's assignment. At the end of the week, a test will be given covering the material. A passing grade will bring you closer to receiving your certificate.

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From an employee's perspective, management often conducts itself in ways that make no sense. When the economy is slow, jobs are few and far in between or people are fearful, staff will tolerate management behaviors and policies that are nonsensical (in their eyes) or they judge are harmful.

But when staff gets together for lunch and they start critiquing management, these are the Top 10 Reasons Why Staff Quit.

10. "My boss is arrogant and believes his own press clippings." As a result, staff feels taken advantage of..

9. "My manager micromanages rather than trusting staff to perform." Staff hates the boss and looks for ways to resist being over controlled.

8. "My manager is crushing my drive and desire." Hired because they were smart and energetic, the manager is afraid that she will not be seen as the shining light (the reason for success) and crushes the very qualities that made the new employee attractive to hire (and desirous of joining).

7. "My boss guesses what is needed without resorting to data or facts." Maybe he has the facts, but they sure aren't being communicated leaving the impression of "It's my way or the highway." There are a lot of new roads being built in this country and staff will leave rather than be abused.

6. "I'm treated like a child." Look, there are often generational differences between how managers and employees work. Younger workers may have "know-it-all" attitudes and unfamiliar techniques using technology to accomplish tasks. Staff feels misunderstood and resent their boss.

5. "Manager promotes someone from a different function who does understand the job and how to be successful." Staff does not believe they can learn from this person, judges her to be an anchor around their department and resents that they were passed over for promotion.

4. "My boss is extremely critical." The only way they interpret their boss is pleased is in the absence of nit picking.

3. "I get ideas lobbed at me with little clarity and I have to figure out what is really wanted." Staff is caught between a rock and a hard place and doesn't know the target of the task or have a clear idea of what needs to get done.

2. "I don't have sufficient resources to get the job done." Fitting 10 pounds of stuff into a five pound bag is pretty tough. Imagine you're the ten pounds and have to get squeezed in there! Staff often believes they have inadequate resources to get a job done.

And the number one reason your staff wants to quit:

"My company is grossly underpaying me." Show me the money! Staff can read job ads online and learn what their real value is. As much as they may love you and their work, eventually people realize they need to pay their bills and start to think of leaving.

Your staff, the ones you are mistreating or taking for granted are your competition's staffing solution (just as theirs is for you). Rather than taking their continued employment for granted, motivate them, excite them, coach and encourage them and they will go do anything for you (at almost any price).

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It's no secret that career job search times have changed. Especially in the 21st Century marketplace.

Just take a look at the dramatic changes that have occurred in the last few years:

1. Changing jobs every three years is no longer frowned upon.

2. Lifetime employment went out with the dinosaurs.

3. Corporate loyalty to workers in terms of job guarantees is dead.

4. Employees are now totally responsible for their own careers.

It was largely the corporations that ended the traditional employment contract in the late 80's and early 90's. Since the notion of "loyalty in exchange for lifetime employment" no longer made bottom line sense to many organizations, hundreds of thousands of workers lost their jobs.

So, the new 21st Century program is this:

Unless you become pro-active and self-reliant in your career you could be dead in the water.

Because of the changes listed above, employers have changed too. Their expectations of job candidates has evolved as well.

For example, if you're not prepared to demonstrate specifically how you can make a bottom-line contribution to the organization . . . you're out!

Or if you're unable to respond to tough questions about your background like a pro, you just lost out to someone who can.

Or if you're counting on your resume to sell you to a prospective employer, you go to the end of the line! Because today's savvy job seeker knows that resumes to make hiring decisions . . . people do. And being able to assertively represent yourself in a face-to-face meeting is the only way to land a high-paying job.

That's why you need 21st Century tools and techniques . . . the kind that help you identify precisely who you should be talking to. And then shows you step-by-step how to convert that encounter into a job offer.

Times have changed. Have you changed with them?

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Career Education Strategy: Your Job Search Is A Business Venture

If you learn only one career education strategy, it should be this one: the employment market follows the same rules for success as the business market.

This is a key insight that supports alternative or non-traditional job search strategies. We're able to cut through the fog of traditional job searches that can take weeks or months.

As a result, we're able to guarantee customers who practice this insight the possibility of a job offer in as little as 14 days. It's the career education strategy of a lifetime!

I recently read an article that quoted Larry Thompson, a film producer. He says there is a simple four-step plan for success. He uses it with all the Hollywood stars whose careers he manages.

While Thompson's alluding to success in the film-making business, it occurred to me that the same principles apply to job search success . . . especially if you understand it as a business venture.

1. Identify and focus on your capabilities and assets. Too often we get hung up on what we can't do. Do what you dream of doing--not what others want you to do. Build a list of your talents and match them with opportunities. Your talent never limits you. Only a shortsighted vision can do that.

2. Failure-is-not-an-option commitment. Write down event or feelings in your life that can deepen your commitment to take advantage of your capabilities and assets.

3. Build your personal dream team. Every successful person has a team of supporters, mentors, professional, role models, motivators, and reality checkers. Ask them for advice. Test them. If they don't support and encourage you, drop them.

4. Make your own luck. How? Work hard, prepare for opportunities, be in the right place at the right time. Make a list of your top accomplishments. Acknowledge the effort and commitment it took to achieve them. Then go after your job opportunities, knowing that with passion and persistence you can do anything.

This formula for Hollywood success struck me because it's the same formula you need for job search success. It's one career education strategy that will for the rest of your life.

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From the moment you are born and you take your first breath, you begin to die.

It's just a fact of life. And to illustrate another truth: From the day you are hired by a company, you move closer to the day you will move on. This is either a natural occurrence or a purposeful severing of ties.

Statistics show that the average person will hold at least ten to twelve different jobs in what would nonetheless be seen as an illustrious career. Moving from one job to the other is a natural progression, each job or situation representing a stepping stone to the next. The bottom line is that staying in one job for your entire career is not to be expected.

Having said that, we can look at being let go as a positive experience. It is a way of moving along your career in a very decisive way. There are many reasons for moving on such as being downsized or terminated. Regardless of the reason, being free to make a new career move is a positive condition which leads you to your next step.

So what are the signs that you are about to be terminated? It can be any one or a number of the following:

• A subordinate is beginning to ask you questions about your responsibilities
• Your boss is displaying an increased micromanagement style toward you
• Some of your responsibilities are being taken away from you
• Your next performance review is rescheduled to an earlier date
• In meetings with your boss, you realize he is taking more notes than usual
• You receive more written and less oral feedback about your performance
• You haven't received a raise in a longer amount of time than usual
• You realize your boss is observing you more than usual
• Your company is going through a downsizing

When you begin to see signs that you are on the cutting block, rather than begin an emotional reaction that doesn't serve you, see it for what it is. It is time to move on. Your next step awaits you. Begin to explore your career options. Don't wait until the axe comes down. Be proactive and determine your best next steps. Then, when you are let go, it can be cause for celebration. You have successfully completed this phase of your career, and now it's on to the next. It is a natural progression. It is purposeful. You are exactly where you need to be. You are on your way to the next successful phase of your career, and life.

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In the process of musing about our perennially awake world for my Social Psych blog, I started to think about our present work world and how its operations have changed the lives of millions of workers.

I manage a 24/7 emergency crew (mental health). We handle callers from early evening until 7 AM, plus weekends and holidays. During the course of the night, we talk to hundreds of people from all walks of life. Until a few years ago (except for intermittent wartime production requirements), the people who worked through the night were limited to emergency services (police, fire, hospitals), the telephone company, a few booming manufacturing plants, and the military. Now we expect to order items, day or night, by telephone. We demand that support services for all our transactions be available 24/7.

How do night workers cope? For some, night work is a blessing, freeing up daytime hours for childcare or school. For those with limited skills and reduced income potential, moonlighting at night is a chance to earn a decent income. But night workers also pay a price: they never get quite as much sleep as their daytime compatriots. There is always so much more to get done during the business day and they receive constant interruptions from a world operating on an opposite schedule. After a period of time, they either adapt or quit.

Studies have shown that night workers suffer more injuries, make more errors, and experience more medical problems than do first shift employees. Those figures suggest that we function more efficiently in the historical tradition of sunup to sundown. We are not, by nature, nocturnal creatures.

The most difficult schedule to absorb, though, is one that undergoes frequent change. In some companies, shifts change monthly. I worked with a large manufacturing company years ago (a lot of their employees suffered injuries and needed my services), that held weekly seniority bids on all frontline positions. This meant that relatively new employees might work days one week, swing the following week, and graveyard the next. When I pointed out a possible connection between these horrible work schedules and the company's accident rate, I was told that the Union refused to allow any changes in the system.

Now unions are supposed to represent the needs of the workers, aren't they? How could they possibly justify the stress they were causing their own members?

I finally figured out (sometimes I'm a little slow!) that their members with seniority liked the system because they could easily change their work hours for a week if something came up or they wanted to avoid working for a particular foreman.

Those who had the luck to get in early had a terrific advantage over the newbies. Like the initial members of pyramid schemes or Multi-Level-Marketing scams, they were on the gravy train. And the newcomers - the recently unemployed, minorities, women, the disabled - were left the dregs to fight over while mired in their constant vulnerability to layoff.

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The job market is tough enough these days without the existing barriers set by people who are discriminating toward others misfortunes. No one is perfect, not even the people who are setting these standards.

These are the three most awful barriers I have found:

If you have been unemployed for longer than x months, please do not apply. If you have only worked on contract jobs, please do not apply? If you cannot pass a credit check, please do not apply?

I have read articles that state that if a person has been out of work for longer than 3 months, they must be unstable. If they have only worked for contractors, they obviously do not want a "real" job. If they cannot pass a credit check, they just have to be irresponsible or not honest enough to take care of their obligations. Why not ask people questions regarding their situations?

Let me give you some examples of these three situations:

OUT OF WORK FOR MORE THAN 3 MONTHS

Example 1: Engineer out of work for 13 months. He has plenty of experience, has had plenty of interviews, but he and his family had to move from Atlanta so that he could accept a position in Middle Georgia while he lived with his parents until he could afford to buy a house for his wife and child. He did not know the right people in Atlanta.

Example 2: Accountant with a Bachelors Degree and over 5 years of experience moved to a new town and is still looking for a position after 7 months of sending out countless resumes. Responses are almost non-existent except for temporary agencies who want her to do janitorial work.

WORKED FOR CONTRACTORS

Many people work on short assignments. The only people getting hurt by this are the people who have to work these short assignments - they cannot budget much and constantly have to play the job-hunting game, which in itself is stressful. They also do not know when the next job may be offered. I really feel that most people would like a long-term job - one they can retire from instead of moving around so much.

PASSING A CREDIT CHECK

This is the worst one. If a person is not handling cash, why does this matter? All it tells you is that this person has had some bad luck. The longer this person is out of work, the worst their situation will get because no one will hire them so they can handle their finances. Most people do not want bad credit. If this person has not been convicted of a crime or the job has nothing to do with analyzing finances, then a credit check should be illegal for a company to request a credit check. Having bad credit does not reveal a person's personality or worthiness, it just reveals that a person has had a difficult time at some point in their lives. What if this person had a sick child and all of their funds went for doctor bills and medicine? What if their car broke down and they had to spend most of their money on taxi cabs to get to work? I could list a million situations, but to deny a person a non-financial-related job because of credit is discrimination.

There are some good, hard working people out there who want to work and have had some form of bad luck at some point in their lives. Just because wonderful opportunities have not fallen their way, does not make them any less worthy of having a job to take care of their families. So the next time you deny a person a job because of their credit - try looking at yourself in the mirror and ask "How would I feel if I had bad credit and could not get a job? How would I feed myself and my family?" If you can't imagine the impact of what it would be like to have bad credit and can't get a job, then I feel bad for you. Remember, what comes around, goes around. Stop playing Satan by imposing these silly barriers!

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Presidential candidate John Kerry is fond of stating that "... not since Herbert Hoover has any president lost more jobs than George W. Bush." And there is a kernel of truth to the statement; thanks to technology, jobs require less human intervention to complete. However, a larger factor in this seeming loss of employment is due to the evolution of the American workforce from a lot indentured to the confines of one company or one job title toward the Jeffersonian ideal of every person being a free agent, or indie.

The explosion in the number of people going indie has a number of causes. Downsizing created the realization that "job security" isn't something other people provide, but something you have to create. Two-income families discovered that with their increased tax burden and overhead expenses for daycare, cleaning, housekeeping services, home maintenance and lawn care, a second income from paid full-time employment can actually be a liability. Individuals interested in becoming self-employed can segue more easily from employee to entrepreneur via the indie route. Finally, career changers can obtain valuable experience and networking opportunities in their field of choice with contract work.

Indies may lose company-provided benefits, but that doesn't mean they are without means. As an independent contractor, they are eligible to create Medical Savings Accounts, or they may be eligible to participate in a group health plan through organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce. They can create their own retirement programs via SEP, SIMPLE, or IRA investments, or the direct purchase of government-backed I-bonds. If they work out of their homes, they have access to extensive tax deductions not available to wage earners.

What kind of jobs are available to independent contractors? Well, here are some of the indie jobs I've done:
1)Telephone psychic ($20.00 per hour, work from home)
2)Mystery shopper ($15.00 per hour + expenses)
3)Virtual assistant ($15.00 - $30.00 per hour, depending on the task)
4)Editor ($35.00 per hour)
5)Ghostwriter ($50.00 per hour)

Many creative and professional jobs, such as technical writers, webmasters, graphic designers, programmers, teachers and tutors, etc. are done by independent contractors on a project-by-project basis. However, the FedEx Home Delivery and Schwann's Ice Cream drivers are also independent contractors, so not having professional credentials is not necessarily a barrier to indie work.

Not everyone is suited to life as an indie. If you absolutely need the structure imposed by a job, a manager and a time clock in order to function, then don't consider going indie. If, however, you like having some freedom, are self-disciplined enough to complete jobs on time without being told, and can organize your day and yourself to maximize your productivity and meet your clients' needs, you have the necessary personality traits to become a successful independent contractor.

Ignore the gloom and doom scenario painted by politicians eager to have a job with perks you pay for. Join the indie revolution, and gain an income – and a life – without a traditional job. It's a choice you won't want the government to "help" you out of.

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You are treating your pharmaceutical job search like a full-time job itself, right? You are practicing a pattern of daily activities that include networking, cold calling, reading the employment section of the newspaper and surfing the Internet. You may even be maintaining your competitive edge by reading up on the latest pharmaceutical news. So, why are you ignoring your health?

When you are devoting most of your time to searching for a pharmaceutical job it can be easy ignore your well-being. Many of those who are actively looking for a job in the pharmaceutical industry state they don't have the energy to work out. The unfortunate thing is that exercise actually gives you more energy once you have established a routine. Additionally, physical activity helps you manage your stress levels. When you understand that your stress, when left unmanaged, can influence your job search you should begin to realize the importance your physical and emotional health when you are actively looking for a job.

Typically, researching and finding a pharmaceutical position takes at least a few months and staying healthy is essential so that you make the best impression you can when dealing with your networking contacts and potential employers. Some ways to ensure a positive physical regimen during your job search include:

* Get plenty of sleep! Go to bed and wake up at the same time every time.
* Try to engage in at least 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise between 3-4 times per week. This may mean a brisk walk, a tennis match with a friend, whatever gets you moving.
* Do your best to maintain a healthy diet. Try not to binge on junk food or eat at abnormal times through out the day. If you ate at specific times when you were working, try to mirror that schedule during your job search.
* If possible, try a new sport or exercise routine. When you step out of your comfort zone you increase your self-esteem, which in turn strengthens your optimism.
* Leave your house at least once per day, every day. It is important that you do not isolate yourself as this can lead to depression.
* If you are currently unemployed, allow yourself some time to reflect on the circumstances that led to your unemployment. Be realistic and ask yourself what you might do differently if given the chance. Once you have done that, move on. Never dwell on something too long. It is counterproductive.

When you are struggling with the decision to get up and get moving, consider all the networking opportunities you may uncover when you are at the gym, on the basketball court or in line at the health food store. That is reason alone to focus on your physical health, but remember that you need to recognize this time as a period of change. Change can be a great chance for you to overhaul your approach to life. Exercise can, and will, give you the energy to explore new opportunities and when you are healthy and have an upbeat mental attitude it comes across to everyone with whom you interact!

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The second step in getting a job is having an interview with a potential employer. The first step was sending your application and after careful review by the company, you are seen as candidate for the vacant position.

The employer got this information through an ad that was placed in the paper, referred by someone in the company or a headhunter, or by a person who simply submitted an application via the company's website.

The first impression employers always look at is your resume. Given the many that apply, this usually takes about 30 seconds and so with the limited words, one must be sure that the resume is well written and grammatically correct.

During the interview, most employers want to know more about person since the resume only gives certain information such as the person's name, age, address, contact number, social security number, past and current employment.

The employer will likely ask about the experiences, lessons and accomplishments one has done and learned working for another employer. This will usually include how the person handled a situation in the company, the challenges of the job and the relationship with coworkers.

Another question will be the relationship between the applicant and family members. This shows character with how the person interacts with people who are close and those that know the person for a long time.

The employer will usually ask why the person applied in the company and where you would like to be in 5 to 10 years. Long term questions such as this will show if there is dedication for the job at hand and if the company can provide something beneficial for both the applicant and the employer.

Companies follow a certain budget in hiring qualified personnel which is why the interviewer will ask how much one desires to get for the job. If what is being asked is too high, the employer will usually ask if the salary is open to negotiation.

After the employer asks questions, room is usually given for the applicant to ask questions in return. This is the best time to know a little bit more the company one might be working in and to get a feel of the potential company.

If there are no more questions, the interviewer will then end the meeting and call the applicant back if the person has passed the initial interview so that the next phase of the application process can begin.

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As you begin your job search, you will find that many employers will not only request your resume, but will expect a cover letter as well. Many people overlook the importance of a cover letter, and instead only focus on putting an effort into their resume. However, the cover letter is just as important in getting an employer to call you for an interview. The following article will outline how to write a cover letter with resume.

In considering how to write a cover letter with resume it is appropriate to first consider what must be written into your cover letter. First , your cover letter should state what job you are applying for, as well as, the qualifications you possess to do this job. The cover letter should leave the employer wanting to know more about you, and cause the reviewer to call you for an interview.

Another factor to consider beyond the content of the cover letter is its presentation. When learning how to write a cover letter with resume, the applicant should use quality paper to print the cover letter and resume. It is also a good idea to design a letterhead for yourself. If you are not creative enough to do this, you can hire someone or use a template from your word processing software.

Not only should the cover letter be printed on quality paper, it should look professional without any creases, stains or smudges. If you are terrible at spelling, it is highly recommended that you run the spell checker on your word processing program, and also get another person to read it over and correct any mistakes for you.

The reason it is important to put as much effort into learning how to write a cover letter with your resume is the fact that the cover letter will speak for you first. Within this letter, you will briefly provide the reasons why the employer should consider hiring you. The cover letter is an important tool in making your resume stand out from the other resumes that the employer will receive.

A well thought out cover letter and resume is the first key to your successful employment campaign. Spend the necessary time on these items and will be well on your way to career success.

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