How to Quit Your Career Professionally

How to Quit Your Career Professionally

When you have finally decided to quit your job, one of the question that many people have is how to quit their career in a professional manner. There may be many reasons why you have decided to quit your job.

Some quit their job because they could no longer stand their superior at work. Some managed to find better prospect elsewhere. There are also those who quit their career because of lifestyle changes and commitment such as additional time required to tend to their children or sick parents. There are also those who quit their job because they are relocating to another place.

Whatever your reasons for quitting your career, it is wise to quit in a professional manner. Resignation from a job is an important process in one’s career, both personally and professionally. To the employer, the resignation is also an important process as it entails a hand-over of responsibility to another personnel and there should be minimal disruption to business operation.

So, how do you resign or quit your career in a professional manner that is beneficial to both yourself and your employer? The following tips may help.

It is always good to tender a formal letter of resignation when you resign, regardless of th company culture or how close you are with your employer. This tender of resignation letter acts as an official notice that you wish to terminate the employment following the employment contract.

Different employment contract may require different duration before the resignation becomes valid. This usually depends on the importance of your position in the company. Most of the time however, one month’s notice is considered reasonable, and if your employment contract do not spell out the advance notice to tender a letter to resign, you should follow this guideline.

Giving one month’s notice when you decide to quit is also necessary for the employer to find a replacement for you. In many cases, it is also good for you as you are able to hand-over your job responsibility smoothly. You would not want your ex-employer to continue calling you after you have quitted.

Writing the resignation letter require some skills. The letter should be as brief as possible. In it, you may or may not want to give the reasons for your resignation. Begin the letter with a formal statement on when you wish to make the last day of your work. Include a brief paragraph to thank your employer for the employment and opportunity given to you during your employment. It is up to you whether you would want to state which company you shall be joining upon your resignation, but there is no fast rules to this.

If you resign due to unpleasant circumstances, or if you are joining a competitor, then it is unlikely that you would want to let your employer know who you are joining. End the letter for an offer of assistance to make the transition easier for the company.

You should try to tender your resignation in a face-to-face meeting with your immediate superior. Your resignation letter may be copied to the human resource department, if there is one. Take the opportunity to thank your immediate superior and be quick to ask him who your successors will be so that you may facilitate a proper hand-over.

Before you meet your immediate superior to tender your resignation letter, you may want to list out all the outstanding works that is currently in your hands. During the face-to-face meeting, brief your superior and agree on what are the outstanding tasks that you may be able to complete in the remaining employment duration.

Use your remaining time with the company to tidy up and ensure a proper hand-over. You do not want your company to keep calling you for some missing files or client’s details.

Around two weeks before your last day with the company, request for a written testimonial from your superior. This written testimonial is especially useful in your next career search and much attention should be given to its writing. Ask your superior if he need your help to draft out one for him. Some superiors are more than pleased to get some assistance.

If you superior accepted your assistance, then provide a good impressive draft of your testimonial. Be honest, but you do not need to be humble. You may want to get some help from some experts on how to write a good testimonial. Use assertive words such as dedicated, diligent, responsible, etc.

You should make your job resignation as smooth a transition as possible for yourself and for the company. In today’s society, you may well meet again or deal with your bosses and colleagues again, although it may be on different level and platform.

Most Popular Healthcare Careers

More and more people are searching for a career in healthcare. There are many good reasons to choose healthcare careers. For a start, it is one of the most satisfying and rewarding career. As most of us spend almost half of our lives working, it is important to choose a career that you are satisfied with.

Healthcare careers also pay well. Many people are searching for high salary career. Entry level workers into the healthcare industry earn an average of $15 to $50 per hour. The more experience you have, the more you will earn in your healthcare career. You can find out more on how much you can earn from your healthcare career from Explore Health Careers and others.

As the world economy is entering into a stage of uncertainty, there is actually plenty of job security if you are pursuing a career in the healthcare industry. The healthcare field is in fact growing very rapidly. By year 2014, U.S. Department of Labour expects 4.7 million new career openings in the healthcare industry. Healthcare careers also have excellent job prospects and cover a variety of area. Hence, you will not have problem in finding a job.

Healthcare careers can also lead you in many career developments and directions. Some healthcare workers work in an office, some treat patients and there are others who do research. You may work in a small doctor’s clinic or manage a hospital. The range of skills and experience in the healthcare career is unlimited.

Some careers are popular in one area over another. This is not necessary true for healthcare careers. Almost all region in the U.S. and around the world demand healthcare professionals in many fields. When you become a trained health workers, you can basically choose where you want work in.

Many people will continue to advance their education beyond graduation. Some healthcare careers require up to 10 years of specialised education after graduating from high schools. There are also others that offer short courses at your local community colleges. Many of these healthcare career training programs involve both classroom and hands-on learning. You may need to be attached to a health institute for internship.

Perhaps the most satisfying aspects of healthcare careers is that you could make a difference in other’s lives. You are helping to make our world a healthier, safer and better place to live in.

With so many reasons to be involved in healthcare careers, small wonder that the U.S. News and World Report classified healthcare career as on of the best career in 2008. The followings are four healthcare careers that are considered among the best career in 2008:

Audiologist

The advancing technology to make people hears better had provided audiologist many different settings. Before this, there were also not many students who pursue a study in audiologist, hence making this field with bright job prospect.

An audiologist measures hearing ability. They diagnose hearing disorders and assess amplification devices for their patients. The also provide training in speech reading, and hence can work as consultants to government and industry on issues concerning noise-induced hearing loss.

Basically, an audiologist treat patients from birth through adulthood. A healthcare career as an audiologist basically involves the diagnosing and treatment of hearing problems through modern earwares. They also develop and implement prevention and offers hearing protection training program in various fields.

Dentist

Most dentists work for themselves, and are able to keep regular hours. They are also needed anywhere, which makes them one of the best healthcare career to pursue.

Dentistry is a branch of healthcare careers that is devoted to oral health. Dentists have excellent compensation and the demand for dental care is not going to decrease in the future.

There are many healthcare careers opportunity as a dentist. These include academic dentistry, general dentistry private practice, dental research, dental public policy, international healthcare, and in federal governments.

Dentists use latest techniques and equipment to provide oral healthcare for their patients. Today, dentists also use the latest radiographic and computer-generated imaging to identify diseases of the teeth.

There are also many people who visited dentists today for mal-positioned teeth to improve chewing, speech and appearance. Approximately 80% of all dentists are general dentist. There are also specialist dentists such as Endodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Pediatric Dentistry and others.

Occupational Therapist

As an occupational therapist, you assist clients performing all types of activities to help your patient improve their ability to perform daily activities. These include comprehensive home and job site evaluations with adaptive equipment recommendations and trainings on its usage.

Physician Assistant

Healthcare careers as physician assistant is one of the top 10 best jobs in the U.S. What does a physician assistant do? A physician assistant provide healthcare under the supervision of a physician. They are formally trained to provide diagnostic, therapeutic and other preventive healthcare services.

A physician assistant take medical histories, examine and treat patients, interpret X-ray results and prescribe medications They also help treat minor injuries. In rural clinics, physician assistants may even be the principal care providers with the physician only present for 1 or 2 days each week.

Physician assistants may also answer to house call. However, in all cases, physician assistants work under the supervision of a physician.

If you are still uncertain if healthcare careers may be for you, you can also try to enrol in some courses offered by community hospitals and volunteer for hospital services. Through such services, you should be able to develop quite an assessment on whether healthcare careers are truly suitable for you. You may also want to read about Careers in Nursing at this site.

Nutritionist Career

In the U.S., one of the most searched careers is the nutritionist career. Many career guides have been written about nutritionist career. What exactly does a nutritionist do?

A dietician or a nutritionist is someone who plans food and nutrition program. They also supervise the preparation or serving of meals. All patients who are ill need healthy and suitable diet and a nutritionist or a dietician accomplishes that by promoting healthy eating habbits and suggested diets.

A dietician or nutritionist carries out diet service systems for health institutions. They carry out research and educate people on what constitutes a healthy diet. Their place of employment include the clinic, the community and as consultant dietetics.

In the year 2006, there were 57,000 people who hold a nutritionist career. More than half of this number works in hospitals, clinics or the nursing homes.
To have a nutritionist career, you need a bachelor’s degree in dietetics, nutrition, food service management or any related fields. There may also be a state law that require that you need to have licensure to be a nutritionist. Some other states require registration.

You should also have good foundation in science subjects such as chemistry and biology. You should also be interested in caring and helping people in their recovery.

There is plenty of career advancement opportunities for the dieticians and the nutritionists. You can advance to associate or director of a dietetic department or even set up your own practice. Some who left the field becomes sales representatives for medical equipment or food manufacturers.

The nutritionist career is having a good job outlook. It is expected to grow through year 2016. Growing and aging population will increase the demand for nutrition counselling and healthy eating habits. Many food service operations for health institutions will require dieticians.

What is the salary scales of a dieticians or a nutritionist? The median salary of a nutritionist or a dietician is reported to be $46,980. The highest median salary of a nutritionist or a dietician is from the general medical and surgical hospitals at a salary of $47,320.

According to the American Dietetic Association, median annualized wages for registered dietitians in 2005 varied by practice area as follows: $53,800 in consultation and business; $60,000 in food and nutrition management; $60,200 in education and research; $48,800 in clinical nutrition/ambulatory care; $50,000 in clinical nutrition/long-term care; $44,800 in community nutrition; and $45,000 in clinical nutrition/acute care. Salaries also vary by years in practice, education level, and geographic region.

What is in a day of a nutritionist career? A clinical nutritionist provides services to patients in hospitals and nursing care facilities. They assess, develop and implement nutrition programs. They will also evaluate and report results of the nutrition program. They regularly communicate with doctors and other professionals.

A community nutritionist provides counselling to the community on good nutrition habit that can prevent disease and promote good health. They usually works in public health clinics or health agencies.

A management nutritionist supervise and plan for large-scale meal preparation in health care institutions and other institutions such as company cafeterias, prisons or schools. They also perform budgeting and purchasing of food, equipment and supplies.

A nutritionist career as a consultant involves working under their own private practice. They will perform nutrition screenings and offer advice and consultation works on diets.

Nutritionist works in very clean environment and are on their feet for many hours of the day. Their regular working hours are usually on a regular 40-hour week.

Careers in Nursing

If you are choosing careers in nursing, then you are choosing a career that is filled with both personal and professional rewards. To be a good nurse, you should be prepared to spend your life to help others. However, to have successful careers in nursing, you need to blend scientific knowledge with a heart to care.

There are more than 2.6 million registered nurses (RN) in U.S. There is a need for many more nurses. There are many opportunities for careers in nursing. In fact, there is no shortage of jobs for a nurse.

What do Nurses do?

Everyday of a nurse’s job entails continuous learning, as if learning in a nursing school. Even for those who already have careers in nursing, many take continuing educational courses to keep up with the latest nursing science. Nurses work closely with doctors and other health care professionals. Nurses are also the advocates for patient and families.

What does careers in nursing entails? Nurses gather information about patient’s physical condition, emotional state, lifestyle and etc. They also identify patient’s problems or needs and involves patient to plan for their care. Nurses also implement medication plans and regularly reviews the results of the medical plan.

The Job Market for Careers in Nursing

Statistics have shown that there are great job markets for those who are considering careers in nursing. If you are wondering why, here are some reasons:

• The advancement in health care has help people live longer, hence there are more elderly people who needs care;
• More skilled nurses are required for the growing number of people who gets more sick;
• Nurses are required not only within hospital settings as in the past. Now, nurses are required out of hospital too.
• Many current nurses are retiring, and there are many more who are expected to retire within the next 10 to 15 years.

It is estimated that by the year 2020, there shall be a shortage of 800,000 nurses in U.S.

Taking all the above into consideration, there is great job market prospects for those who are considering careers in nursing. This is in particular true, for those who hold a bachelor of science degree in nursing.

What kind of salary can careers in nursing provide? The typical starting salary for careers in nursing is $44,600. This is higher than the starting salary of for those who are considering career in Accounting, Marketing, Economics or Teaching. The median salary of registered nurses is $52,330 and the highest 10% of this median is earning more than $74,760.

There are also some hospital that is offering a $14,000 sign-up bonus.

If you are wondering how much does a clinic nurse earns, the following figures may provide some insight:

• Clinical Nurse Specialists make about $41,226.
• Nurse administrators average $45,071.
• Nurse anesthetists earn about $113,000.
• Nurse practitioners average $71,000.

Today, careers in nursing is much more broader than what it used to be. Many nurses works out of the hospital environment. Some of those who works out of hospital environment includes:

• Long-term-care centers (rehabilitation, nursing homes, hospice)
• Community health clinics
• Freestanding outpatient and surgery centers
• Medical offices (eye doctors, dentists, obstetricians, surgeons, and others)
• Home care (visiting nurses, private duty nurses)
• Nursing schools (as professors)
• Corporate health centers (occupational safety, consultants, educators)
• Insurance and managed care companies
• Other companies (pharmaceutical, medical technology, biotech, and others)
• Research centers (research nursing)
• Schools (including K-12, university clinics)
• Military
• Peace Corps and international service organizations
• Hospital regulators (conducting surveys, inspections)

For those who are considering nursing careers in hospitals, these are the locations where nurses may work in:

• Patient care units at the bedside
• Operating rooms, trauma centers, and emergency rooms
• Medical records or other hospital offices
• X-ray and other diagnostic units
• Intensive care units
• Surgical and recovery units
• Same-day surgery centers
• Pediatrics, caring for children
• Hospital nurseries or neonatal intensive care units, caring for newborns
• Obstetrics, helping new moms give birth
• Psychiatric and drug treatment centers
• Laboratories
• Helicopters and ambulances, caring for patients in transport to hospitals

Nurses may have great advancement in their nursing careers too. Nurses may advance their career to:

• Clinical nurse specialists, who perform advanced work in specialized fields such as cancer or mental health;
• Certified nurse midwives, who help women through pregnancy, through childbirth, and help care for their newborns;
• Nurse anesthetists, who anesthetize patients in the operating room, emergency room, and elsewhere;
• Nurse researchers, who study ways to improve nursing methods, evaluate patterns of patient care, and more;
• Nurse practitioners, who perform many advanced medical functions that once only physicians were permitted to do; and,
• Psychiatric nurse practitioners, who perform functions that once only psychiatrists were permitted to do.

How do you prepare yourself for a career in nursing? Nursing schools require high school diploma and sound academic knowledge in English, chemistry, biology and psychology. You will also need some soft skills such as leadership, organisational skills, people skills, patience, compassion, problem-solving skills and sometimes a sense of humor too.

If you like to know how it is like to have a career in nursing, you may volunteer at a local hospital. There are plenty of nursing schools around. However, you should only apply to state-approved and accredited schools of nursing. There are generally three types of training programs for nurses:

  • The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is usually a four year program offered at colleges and university around the country.
  • The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is a two year program offered at junior colleges and community colleges.
  • The Hospital Diploma is a two or a three yea program based in hospital settings.

You may also further pursue your education in nursing to a master’s degree, usually for those who are in the fields of nursing practitioner, nurse anaesthetist, nurse midwife, clinical nurse specialist or RN first assistant in the operating room.

To be a registered nurse (RN), you must pass a national licensing exam. This exam is offered by the Board of Nursing. Some states may require continuing education or practice to maintain a nursing license.

There is a great job market for those who are considering careers in nursing!

Career in Engineering

A career in engineering may be a rewarding career. Engineers are the people who apply the principles of science to develop practical solutions to technical problems.

There are many disciplines in engineering career. Some engineers design products, then the machinery to develop the products. Others design, plan and supervise the construction of buildings and infra-structure. There are also engineers who work in petrol chemical industry.

There are more than 25 major specialties in engineering career that are recognized by professional societies. Engineers may also choose specialties even within the same discipline, such as motor vehicles or turbines or semi-conductor materials. Among some of the major engineering disciplines include:

Aerospace Engineering
Agricultural Engineering
Architectural Engineering
Bioengineering
Ceramic Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Computer Engineering
Construction Engineering
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Engineering Management
Engineering Mechanics
Engineering Physics / Engineering Science
Environmental Engineering
Forest/Paper Engineering
Geological Engineering
Industrial Engineering
Manufacturing Engineering
Materials Science and Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Metallurgical Engineering
Microelectronic Engineering
Mining Engineering
Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
Nuclear Engineering
Ocean Engineering
Petroleum Engineering
Software Engineering
Surveying and Geomatics

What is the pre-requisite for a career in engineering? For all entry level engineering career, a bachelor degree in engineering is compulsory. College graduates with a degree in a physical science or mathematics may also sometimes qualify for some engineering career. Engineers who are trained in one branch may sometimes work in related branches.

Most engineering programs in a college offer courses in mathematics and science and involve a concentration of study in an engineering specialty. There is also engineering technology courses. However, engineering technology graduates are not qualified to register as professional engineers.

In the U.S., there are about 1,830 engineering programs that leads to a bachelor degree in engineering that are accredited by Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, ABET. To be admitted into a bachelor degree in engineering program, solid background in mathematics, science, courses in English, social studies, humanities and computer and technology is required. Most engineering degree courses can be completed within 4 years.

To advance in your career in engineering, you should obtain your Professional Engineers (P.E.) licensure. This is required for engineers who offer their services directly to the public. The P.E. licensure requires that the engineer has an engineering degree that is accredited by ABET. In Canada, the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board was established to accredit engineering degree programs.

Mechanical Engineering is now the largest undergraduate engineering discipline. The Electrical Engineering numbers are relatively steady while Computer Engineering had declined by 18% since 2001. Civil, General and Chemical engineering is the next largest group.

Engineers work a standard 40-hour week. There are extra pressure for engineering career with deadlines and engineers may need to work longer hours. Most engineering career will require that the engineers works in office buildings, laboratories, or industrial plants. Other engineer careers will require that the engineers work at construction site, oil and gas exploration and production sites.

To be successful in a career in engineering, you need to be creative, inquisitive and analytical. You should be able to work as part of a team and to be able to communicate well, both orally and in writing.

Graduates who are starting their engineering career usually works under the supervision of experience engineers. As they progress in their engineering career, they are given more independence to work on more complex projects.

What is the salary for a career in engineering? How much does an engineer earns? According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers in their 2007 salary survey, the average salary of mechanical engineering graduates is $54,587. The average salary for chemical engineering is $60,054. Civil engineers has an average salary of $47,145. Electrical engineers have an average salary of $54,599.

In the U.S., there are 1.5 million engineering jobs. About 37% of the engineering jobs are in manufacturing industries, 28% in the professional, scientific, and technical services. About 3% of the engineers are self-employed, most of them consultants.

The distribution of employment by engineering specialty is as follows:
Civil engineers 256,000
Mechanical engineers 227,000
Industrial engineers 201,000
Electrical engineers 153,000
Electronics engineers, except computer 138,000
Aerospace engineers 90,000
Computer hardware engineers 79,000
Environmental engineers 54,000
Chemical engineers 30,000
Health and safety engineers, except mining safety
engineers and inspectors 25,000
Materials engineers 22,000
Petroleum engineers 17,000
Nuclear engineers 15,000
Biomedical engineers 14,000
Marine engineers and naval architects 9,200
Mining and geological engineers, including mining safety
engineers 7,100
Agricultural engineers 3,100
All other engineers 170,000

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, engineering career opportunities are expected to grow by 11% in the next decade. This is as fast as in other career.

As competitive pressures and advancing technology force companies to continually innovate, engineers are in demand to increase productivity and expand output of goods and services.

There are also some threats to those who are considering a career in engineering. One of this threat include the outsourcing of engineering works to offshore engineers. However, onshore engineers are still required to interact with other employees and client.

The overall job opportunities for career in engineering are expected to be good as the graduates produced is in good balance with the number of job openings. There are also other engineering job openings created by the need to replace current engineers who retire, promoted to management levels or those who leave the engineering career.

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Career in Banking – Opportunity, Challenge and the Future

This article at Career Search Guide is about a Career in Banking. Since the 1980s, career in banking becomes one of the most sought after career choice by high calibre accountants. Choosing a career in banking is now no longer limited to a selected few. Career in the banking and financing industry had come a long way.

Most people choose a career in banking for the following reasons:
Remuneration
Training and Development
Intellectual Challenge
Career Mobility
Global Industry
IT and Infrastructure Support

Salaries for a career in banking and finance sector and other high salary career had narrowed to quite an extent over the past few years. However, in terms of higher earning potential, a career in banking and finance is still an attractive industry given the generous benefits and bonus package. There are also instances where those who has a career in banking had a bonus of 100% of their base salary.

Many join the career in banking and finance sector because of the industry’s commitment to hiring and training staff to acquire and develop professional and business skills. Most major banks will offer training and development in the followings – product training, coaching and presentation skills; in-house technology training; skill set development with senior managers covering topics such as reporting in various area; and strong rotational policies which allow you to have an overview of how the banking industry works. Hence, you hardly get bored with a career in banking.

There are also some banks and financial institution who is willing to pay for staff’s upgrade by attending professional courses and classes which lead to further qualifications to further their career in banking.

For you to have a career in banking, you have to be prepared to work as part of a big team. This entails the development of a culture of sharing ideas and knowledge across international markets and other business units. A career in banking is very challenging as the bank’s commercial success depends on how well it can find practical solutions to very complex problems for its clients. Problem-solving for a career in banking often requires you to think out-of-the-box and to think laterally. You are also expected to have great analytical and numerical skills.

Expect steep learning curve especially during your first year career in banking. Be prepared for inter-department transfer and change of job function.

Unlike many other industries, a career in banking is also exciting due to its global business nature. It is not uncommon for banks to become international and have major operation in overseas country. There is also the need to share highly complex information across and between banks. Information Technology and support is an absolute necessity in today’s banking industry.

There are many areas that you can be involved in your career in banking. Some of these areas include:

Product Analysis
Financial Control
Equity and Fund Analysis
Risk Management
Projects
Operational Risk Review
Corporate Finance

Product Analysis in Banking Career: You are regarded as a key knowledge resource within a bank. You work with traders to analyse and provide daily performance figures for the trader. You need above average academic results and has to demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Future career advancement include area in product analysis, risk management, fund management, equity analysis, financial control or trading.

Financial Control in Banking Career: As a financial controller in the bank, great sums of money are transacted daily and information is constantly sought for up-to-minute reporting. You are in a position that provides information that directly influences crucial decisions. All your reporting is also constantly monitored by regulating bodies. To seek a position in financial control in banking, you need to have practical understanding of accounting system and thorough understanding of spreadsheets. Future career advancement include the area of business analysis, product control, risk management, systems development and trade support.

Equity and Fund Analysis in Banking Career: This area of a career in banking is of high profile which involves detailed analysis of economics and business. You provide fund managers or equity trader with incisive recommendations. You need to have detailed knowledge of analysis tools such as key ratio, market trends, etc. The vacancy of equity and fund analysis in the banking career is extremely difficult to secure.

Risk Management in Banking Career: You work very closely with traders in monitoring trade limits and profit and loss data. You are involved in scenario analysis using spreadsheet. You have to be a highly mathematically inclined person, and it is not unusual for banks to seek MBA and PhD graduates for such a post.

Project Manager in Banking Career: Project roles can span across any area of the bank and cover any number of products. This role involves both strategic and tactical issues. Working with deadlines is a norm. To be eligible for this role, you have to demonstrate your management skill and the ability to multi-task, not to mention the ability to work under pressure. Future career advancement includes in the area of business re-engineering and strategy.

Operational Risk Review in Banking Career: This is another high profile role within the banking career, and your role is a broad role. This is an excellent entry point into a career in banking as you chart your own course in the banking career. You have to understand the inherent risk involved in each products which include market risk, reputation risk, regulatory risk and credit risk. A good university degree is expected and you need to have the ability to liase with people of all levels. Future career advancement include in the areas of products, risks, projects, central support and trade support.

Corporate Finance in Banking Career: This is the most prestigious areas of any bank or financial institutions. You are involved in mergers and acquisitions, management buyouts and major financial deal making. You work in a highly pressurised environment and you will find this an extremely business of the banking career. You are expected to hold a highly qualified university degree. Future career advancement include management, fund management or venture capital.

Next, we like to discuss in more specific, a career in commercial bank. Commercial banks are those banks that provide banking services to individuals, small businesses and large organisations. The followings are the position that you can find in commercial banking career:

Credit Analyst: This is a common entry level job into career in commercial banking. You evaluate business and consumer loan application. You also project a company’s future cash flow and analyse its financial health. You visit and interact with financial people and deal with lenders. You need to have knowledge in accounting and communication skills.

Loan Officer: Loan officer is a desirable career in the banking industry which involves making loans to business and consumers. You need good selling skills and the ability to understand a business.

Branch Manager: A branch manager of a bank is responsible for overseeing all activities in your branch. These include opening of accounts, loan, solving customer’s problems, etc. You need to have strong customer service skills and a good grasp of banking.

Trust Officer: As a trust officer in the banking career, you deliver trust services, financial products and advice bank customers.

Mortgage Banker: A mortgage banking career requires that you make mortgage loans to home-buyers and businesses. This involves frequent contact with people from the real estates, credits checks and new buyers.

Skills and Criteria for a Career in Banking

What makes a good candidate for a career in banking? People skills are essential. You will also need broad understanding of business. If you are a credit analyst or a lending officer, then accounting and writing skills are important too.

To make a career in banking, you are also expected to have strong work ethic. Lately, people with good marketing skills are also climbing the career ladder in banking. Corporate investment products are also in high demand, hence if you have the inclination and knowledge in investing, that is helpful for you to get a suitable career in banking. Be expected to put in long hours in your career banking.

The followings are a summary of the levels of requirements for your career in banking:

People Skills – High
Marketing Skills – High
Communication Skills – High
Analytical Skills – Moderate
Creativity – Moderate
Initiative – Moderate
Working Hours – 40 to 60 hours per week.

How much salary do you expect to earn from your career in banking? If you are looking for high salary careers, there are other options. Starting salaries in commercial banking for those with a bachelor’s degree range from $24,000 to $38,000 while those with MBA command a starting salary ranging from $30,000 to $50,000. With 10 years of experience, you can expect $60,000 salary for a career in banking. A Department Manager with 10 years of more of work experience can expect an annual salary of $100,000. If you are lucky enough to make it to the postion of Senior VP, then you can expect a salary exceeding $200,000.

If you think that the figures are not attractive, there are still those who make a salary in excess of $500,000 for a career in banking. There are the manager with a good portfolio.

What are the future and opportunities in the banking career? In 1992, banking career was reported as one of the top most satisfying career in the US. The banking industry is undergoing a period of consolidation, and therefore expect mergers and acquisitions to take place. With the advancement of technology, most people do their banking via ATM or online. Specialised banking are growing and middle management bankers are in great demand.

Typical employers for career in banking include: Merrill Lynch, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., Dresdner Kleinwort Benson, DLJ, Lehman Brothers, Goldman Sachs, BNP Paribas, NM Rothschild, VISA, Bear Stearns, CIBC World Markets, Deutsche, Close Brothers, Citigroup, WestLB Panmure, Pru-Bache, Abbey, 3i, AMP, AXA, QBE, Lloyds TSB.

We wish you all the best in your Career Search in a career in banking.

Free Career Test

Choosing careers can be a painful process if you do not know where to start with your career search. Fortunately, you can have a better understanding with some free career test available. However, how effective is the free career test? Which of these career placement tests are more reliable? If you are interested in a free career test, you should read on.

What is a career placement test? A career placement test is a test that you do to determine what kind of career may be suitable for you based on your personality. In this career placement test, you answer a series of questions regarding how you make decisions, your approach to problem solving and so on. At the end of the test, you are able to obtain a report on what kind of career may be suitable for you.

Why should you take career placement test or some of these free career tests? Choosing the wrong career not only lose you thousands of dollars on educational fees but also can affect your life satisfaction. This in turn, will affect your family and friends. Considering that we spent one third of our lives on work, it is important to find a job that truly suits you.

One of the companies that offer free career test is Career Key. There are many others who offer free career test. However, most of those companies that offer free career test will give you a comprehensive report after the test. They will likely give you just a brief report. For a comprehensive report of your career placement test, you may be asked to pay some nominal charges.

All the questions in a career placement test are designed to get you to reveal many aspects about you. When doing a free career test, it is important that you be as honest as possible with the answers. There is no right or wrong answer.

If you are taking the free career test from Career Key, here is what to expect. There are altogether five screens in the free career test. The first screen consists of jobs that interest you. You are given a list of 43 jobs and you should check those jobs that interest you.

In the second screen of the free career test, you are asked about things that you like to do. There are six questions in this screen. In the next screen, you are asked to choose the best answers for six questions about your ability.

In the fourth screen of the free career test, you are asked six questions on how you see yourself. In the last screen, you are asked questions on what you value in life. Upon completing the entire free career test, you are provided with a summary of your major personality. This free career test provides information about whether you are a realistic person, artistic, social or conventional. Each of these characteristics are given a score ranging from 1 to 20. This helps you to determine which extreme you are leaning towards.

When you know better about yourself, you are able to click on those characteristic that you score highly. You will then be provided with a list of career choices that possibly suits you. It is entirely up to you how you make out of the results of this free career test.

The American Career Test provides a career placement test with three screens of questions. For each of the questions, you are given possible answers such as Rarely, Sometimes, Usually and Most Always. You can take the career test for free, but to get the report, they charge you according to the plan that you wish to purchase. There are 4 plans with different details for you to chose and purchase. Even though this is not a free career test, these test reports can help you get some insight about your personality.

Thinking Craft is another company that offers career placement test. Their career test questions focus more on personality choices. You are always given two pairs of personality traits in the career placement test. Example of the personality traits are individualistic / considerate or fearless / industrious. You have to make 18 choices altogether.

Thinking Craft’s test questions focus more on personality choices. You are asked to choose between two pairs of personality traits. In some cases, you will find yourself choosing a pair where you don’t like either choice, but you still must pick one over the other. An example of the 2 choices is: individualistic / considerate or fearless / industrious. The choices become difficult if you consider yourself individualistic and fearless, but not considerate or industrious. All in all you make 18 such choices.

When you have completed the free career test, you get a variety of data to analyse. The first of these datas is the Assement Graph, which provides you with a rating of different key characteristics. These characteristics are Interactor Style, Analyser Style, Synthesizer Style and Concluder Style. Detailed explanations are given as to what each of the characteristics mean.

This free career test also offers other extensive detail about your personality. There are also some suggestions on how you should react on them. These details include the Learning Style Assessment, Online Learning Guides, Classroom Strategies, Study Tips, You On the Job and How They See You On the Job.

There are a number of other free career test available. To give an example of what a report would look like from one these free career test, the followings is a sample report from a career placement test that we had conducted:

You would be very happy in a career that utilised your level-headedness, and allowed you to work mainly on your own. You want a career that allows you to be creative, without having to be involved with lots of people. Some careers that would be perfect for you are:

Artist
Historian
Career in Banking
Novelist
University Professor
Photographer
Career in Vetinarian
Paralegal
Graphic Designer
Online Content Developer
Webmaster
Producer
Managing Director
Nutritionist
Advertising
Career in Nursing


You like working and being alone. You like to avoid attention at all costs. You tend to keep to yourself, and not interact much with the people around you. You enjoy spending time with a few a close friends. You like to listen to others, but don't like sharing much about yourself. You are very quiet and private.

You are very practical, and only act after thinking things through. You don't like being forced to answer quickly. You have to evaluate the situation completely. You make decisions based on what you can verify with your senses.

You like to be deeply involved in one or two special projects. You like to be behind the scenes. You are very logical and fair. You feel you should be honest with others and protect their feelings.

You trust your gut instincts. You are easily inspired and trust that inspiration. You are very innovative. You analyse things by looking at the big picture. You are concerned about how what you do affects others. You worry about your actions and the future. You tend to use a lot of metaphors and are very descriptive and colourful in your choice of language.

You are very creative, and get bored easily if you don't get to express yourself. You like to learn new things. You don’t like the same old routine. You like to leave your options open.

Free career test are not just limited to career placement test. There are also other types of free carer test. One such career test is the career advancement test. This test reveals information about how well prepared you are in a career promotion.

This types of career test basically tells you what it takes for you to move ahead in your career. While there is no clear cut answers to what elements contribute to one’s career development and advancement, taking a career test helps one learn the different attitudes, characteristics and behaviour that helps one to move forward in their career.

To conclude a career placement test or free career test that you can easily find are not an imperfect science. It can help you learn more about yourself and it guides you towards a career that may be most suitable for you. However, it does not help you with career decisions. No career test could tell you what your career choice should be. They could only provide you with some ideas on what career to choose.

There is another type of free career test that you could take on your own. It is in the process of creating a career blueprint. To learn more about creating a career blueprint, please read it from the link from this Career Search Guide site.

High Salary Careers

Everyone who is doing their career search would have different criteria. However, one of the criteria that most candidates would look for is a high salary career. For some, getting a high salary career is important to support their family. To others, it is just a matter of moving on to the next level of career development.

That is why a high salary career is always a selling point. Many career search engines and agency in fact use this almost like a catchword. If you are looking for a high salary career even if only in your next job, you should start now. It is smart to invest your energy and training into a career with stability and good growth prospect.

If your are currently considering for college education or parents who are considering of sending your kids for college education, you may want to start planning on what type of college education will likely get you a high salary career.

According to some research carried out, the best paying high salary career requires strong interest in mathematics and science. Take for example chemical engineering. The average starting salary is around $60,000. High salary career in the engineering field also include electrical and mechanical engineering with starting salaries of $55,000. Computer science is another high salary career with an average starting salary of $53,000. Other high salary careers include those in the civil engineering, accounting, finance, management information systems, business administration and economics. All these career has an average starting salary from $40,000 to $48,000.

Most college students will just choose a major that will lead to a high salary career. However, having a high salary career does not always guarantee job satisfaction and these should be made known to college students. Instead, college students should choose a major that really interests them. Chances are that with career satisfaction, comes high salary.

There are some other tips which could help current college students to land in their high salary career upon graduation. Try to volunteer for some internship at a business that is related to the industry that you shall be working in upon graduation. At this stage, you should not be concerned with how much the internship is paying you. You should focus on getting a job function that will enrich your experiences and skills. Even volunteering for non-profit organisation is fine to get the work experience and position yourself ahead of your peers.

When you have the work-related experience, it is then easier for you to find yourself a high salary career upon graduation.

However, is there any statistic on what is the most popular high salary career? Indeed, there is. The Bureau of Labour Statistic list the fastest growing jobs through to year 2014. The high salary career always dominate the list as the most popular job. The followings are the best:

1. Computer systems software engineer

Computer systems software engineer tops the list as a high salary career. What do they do? They work to coordinate a company's computer needs and maintain its computer systems. These also include setting up a company's intranets. Most jobs require a bachelor's degree in computer science or computer information systems. The average starting pay of this high salary career is $81,140.

2. Computer applications software engineer

The second high salary career in the list is computer application software engineer. Computer applications software engineers use programming languages such as C++ and Java to design, construct and maintain general computer applications software. Most jobs require at least a bachelor's degree, but some more complex jobs require a graduate degree. The average starting pay of this high salary career is $76,310.

3. Biomedical engineer

The next high salary career is the biomedical engineer. Biomedical engineers combine biology, medicine and engineering to develop methods to solve medical and health-related problems. Most potential employer looks for graduate degree. So, you may need to invest more into your education before seeing any return. This high salary career has an average starting pay of $70,520.

4. Physician assistant

Physician assistants provide diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive healthcare services, and they are the fourth high salary career in the list. They assist doctors to examine, diagnose, treat and write prescriptions for patients, but they works under a doctor's supervision. A bachelor’s degree from physician is required. The starting pay of this high salary career is on the average, $69,250.

5. Environmental engineer

Why not do something for Mother Earth while your earn your high salary? The fifth high salary career in the list is environmental engineer. Environmental engineers work to combat environmental damage by researching and developing solutions to problems like pollution control, ozone depletion and wildlife protection. A bachelor’s degree in related studies is required. The average starting pay of this high salary career is $67,000.

6. Computer systems analyst

Another computer-related job? Yes, you are right. It seems that computer-related career is dominating the list as high salary career. Computer systems analysts help an organization get the most for their technology investment dollars. Education background varies. The starting pay for this high salary career is $67,000.

7. Database administrator

More computer-related job! Database administrators ensure system performance by setting up computer databases, testing and coordinating modifications to computer systems, identifying user requirements and adding new users to the system. Educational background varies but employers prefer those coming from technical background. The average starting salary is $62,000

8. Physical therapist

Similar to physician assistant, physical therapists help patients suffering from injuries or disease to restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain and prevent or limit permanent disabilities. Some licensure exams are required. This high salary career draws a starting salary of $62,000.

9. Network systems and data communication analyst

Network systems and data communication analysts are responsible for keeping electronic communications like Internet, voice mail and e-mail up and running. They spend much of their days testing and evaluating systems including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs) and intranets. The average starting salary for this high salary career is $61,200

10. Hydrologist

Finally, the last on the high salary career list is the hydrologist. Hydrologists study water -- its quantity, distribution, circulation, and physical properties both above and underground. Their work is particularly useful to environmental preservation and flood control efforts. A bachelor’s degree in related field is a must, and their starting salary is $61,000.

If you are searching for high salary career, we also suggest that you submit your resume for free using this Free Resume Posting service. That concludes our article on High Salary Career. Do return to Career Search Guide for more career search tips.

Career Search Engine Tips

Welcome back to Career Search Engine, a site on career search information.

Technological advancement has made job search much an easier thing to do for many job seeker. Besides using the conventional method to look for a job, many job seeker are also turning to career search engines. There are many method to increase the success rate of your career search using a career search engine. How can you efficiently use a career search engine?

Career Search Engine Tip No. 1: Use the right keywords

Use keyword that is relevant to your career search. For example, if you are looking for a job as a career search consultant, enter the word “career search consultant” into the career search engine. Try not to be too broad or too narrow with your keyword. You may need to experience with the keyword for a few round before you are able to achieve the right result.

Some career search engine also allows you to enter the occupation nature such as administrative, sales, management, executive and so on. We suggest that you start your search by using a broad keyword and gradually narrow it to more specific keyword. Therefore, you may want to leave this option blank at this stage.

If you are not willing to travel or relocate, then enter the city of where you intend to be positioned. You may not want to be too specific in the exact location at this stage.

At this stage of the search, you may leave some of the search boxes blank. Get a feel of what is being offered broadly first.

Career Search Engine Tip No. 2: Narrow or broaden your search criteria

At this stage of your search, you may want to further narrow your search by entering the occupational nature, the geography location and other information. If you are interested to work only in New York, then enter limit the location to only New York.

Some career search engine also allow you to provide the radius of the location. If you have entered New York as your preferred location but is willing to travel, say, within 25 kilometers radius from New York, then you should enter 25 kilometers into the radius. The career search engine will then try to limit your search to the specified location.

If the search returns too few results from the career search engine, then your criteria may have been too narrow. Consider reviewing it to be broader. Try to search for several cities, instead of just one. Or use a broader keyword “career search” instead of “career search consultant”. You may also try “job search consultant” instead.

Try to think from the perspective of the person placing the search. What are the keyword that he may use?

Career Search Engine Tip No. 3: Use a specific career search engine

Most career search engine offers position that is generic to all types of work. If you are seeking for a position in a highly specialized career, try to use a career search engine that is unique to your field. If you are looking for a position as a surgeon for example, try a search engine that is specific to the medical profession. Using a specialised career search engine may allow you to find positions not listed in the usual generic career search engine.

Career Search Engine Tip No. 4: Reviewing Job Search Results

Once you have generated a list of job position available, review your search results carefully. Pay particular attention about the position, job description, job location, working hours, job title and salary.

Apply for the job. Many of the career search engine allow you to apply for the job online. Although most of these online application are automated, you should still put in as much effort as possible as if you are submitting it by paper. Provide as much information as possible to enable the person reviewing your application to be able to get attracted to what you are submitting. Try to stand out from the crowd.

A major disadvantage about submitting your application online is the limitation to the information which you may be to provide. Another possible method is for you to note down the contact of the listed company and write “cold call” letters to them directly. This way, you are not only able to provide more information about yourself, but also be one step ahead of your competition.

Using a career search engine definitely will improve your success for a career search. Good luck!

Successful Career Search - 5 Simple Tips

You soon realise that a committed career search is an extremely time-consuming exercise. You shall need an updated resume to start with, and the exercise of preparing cover letters, researching for open positions and preparing for an interview is by itself already a daunting task.

Most of the job hunters rely on newspaper advertisement to search for their career. The main disadvantage of searching for a job using this manner is the stiff competition. We are not suggesting that you do not use this method, but there are many other ways that you should use concurrently.


Career Search Tip No. 1: Career Search Engine

Consider using a career search engine such as Monster or CareerBuilders.com Many of these career search engines automates the submission of a resume in a standard format and submitting to these search engines is a brisk, thanks to the technology that they employ.

Be sure to include your career achievement and objectives, where possible. Use assertive word when you write your achievement. Use words such as “achieved”, “successfully implemented”, and etc.

Many of these career search engines also allow you to input your preferred job location, expected salary and other information.


Career Search Tip No. 2: Career Search Agency

Register with a career search firm. Many of these career search firm maintain an updated database of potential employer. Prepare a list of job characteristic of what you prepare before you approach these agencies.

The more detailed is you list, the better chance it has for the job agency to be able to find a match to your desired career. Bring along an updated resume. Prepare extra copies of your photographs and other information such as tax payer reference no., etc.

Most of these career search firm charges the potential employee, and it is not likely that they will charge you. However, be sure to find this out for yourself.


Career Search Tip No. 3: Local government employment department

Register with your local government employment department. Many potential employer who would not want to spend too much money and time on job advertisement would likely just register with the local government employment department.

One of the advantage of registering is that this job search method is for most of the time not a popular one for the executive-level job seeker. For all you know, you may actually find an excellent job that is missed out by most of the other candidates.


Career Search Tip No. 4: Write to a Head-hunter Agency

This is a method that many job hunters had missed out. Many top employers in the industry is always hunting for a better job candidate, especially from their competitor. Not wanting to be too obvious in this exercise, they go to a head-hunter agency instead.

The main advantage of using a head-hunter agency is that you may be able to find a well-paid salary job. However, please also bear in mind that a potential employer is looking for those who could really out-perform their competitor from a head-hunter. Otherwise, they could have just gone to a career search agency.

If you do get a job offer, be sure that you receive your offer letter before resigning from you present job. There has been reported cases where a candidate having promised a job, resigned to find out that the potential employer had employed someone else instead. Remember, you are usually dealing with an aggressive employer.


Career Search Tip No. 5: Write Cold-Call Letters

Write directly to a potential employer, regardless of whether he is employing or not. Do your research from a career search engine, from the website or company annual report of your potential employer. Call them up to find out who is in-charge of human resource.

Address your letter directly to the person in-charge of the human resource. If you are not sure, you may just address it to the Managing Director. Include a standard reply letter with a stamped self-address envelope.

You will be surprised of the success rate of getting a job interview using this method.

Take every successful and non-successful exercise to further improve on your career search. Get your engine started and good luck in your career search!


Career Search Engine – How to Create a Career Blueprint

Career Search Tips

Before you start with your next career search, why not sit down and develop a career blueprint first? A career blueprint is a plan where you intend to be in 5, 10, 15 or 20 years from now. It should also be a roadmap to assist you to make career search decisions at different stage of your life.

Our aspirations and view towards life change at different stage of our career lives. When we first graduated from college, we may search for a job that allows us to learn new things. As we proceed in our career and in life, the remuneration and the exposure would probably be the main search priority. This priority may change when we reach mid-life and it will also be different as we enter into our retirement stage. We also search for different goals out of our career when we face crisis in our lives.

A career blueprint is especially useful when we start with our career search. It is also extremely useful to help us make career change decisions later on in our lives as we develop our career. In a nutshell, a career blueprint should be the road map to help us to proceed with our career lives.

What does a career blueprint consist of?

Identifying your career goals



The first step in creating a career blueprint is to identify what are your likes, dislikes and what would be fun for you. Think of your previous job. What do you like and what do you dislike about your previous job? Make a list for several segments. These segments can include:

- Employer
- Industry
- Nature of Work
- Office political environment
- Size of company
- Salary
- Culture
- Client
- Office Facilities
- Stress Levels
- Location of work place from home
- Job functions

This is not supposed to be a 15-minute exercise. Think about each of the segment carefully. We suggest that you work on what you dislike first. This way, you are able to identify better what you really like. This is called clarity through contrast method.


Your contrast list – what your dislike about your job



Your contrast list may look like this:

Disliked about boss:
- Always micro-manage details
- Over-critical
- Do not motivate staff
- Treat staff as slaves instead of colleagues

Disliked about the industry:
- Too contractual
- Over-focus on production rather than on quality
- Low level of ethics
- Hazardous

Disliked about the Job Nature
- Too competitive
- Have to constantly generate fresh ideas
- Too monotonous
- Not able to see the bigger picture
- Not enough exposure to international business environment

Clarity List - What You Like About Your Job


Based on your contrast list, build your clarity list – what you would like to have about your job. Note that your clarity list is “must-have” list. Your clarity list may look like this:

What I like to have about my future boss:
- Allow me to manage my own work
- Encouraging
- Always motivate staff
- Treat staff as colleagues

What I like to have about my work industry:
- Non-contractual
- Focus on quality of works
- Ethical
- Non-hazardous

What I like to have about job nature
- Challenging but not over-competitive
- Well-defined job functions
- Variety of different job functions
- Able to participate in the larger picture of the whole industry
- More exposure to international business environment

There is another list which you need to generate. It is called the “Career Fun List”. While this list is not a definite must-have, it will be great to have it. Your career fun list may look something like this:

Boss
- Like to hang out with us
- Occasionally treat us to sumptuous dinner
- Like to be called by his first name

Industry
- Provide on the job training to visit other factories
- Respected by the public

Job Nature
- Flexible working hours
- Opportunities to travel overseas

After you have created the above three lists, study each of segments carefully. Study the patterns of your previous jobs that make you happy or unhappy. This is a soul-searching exercise and adequate time should be given to ponder over each item on list carefully.

Next, you should write your job statement based on the clarity and fun list that you have created. For eg., the statement related to your boss may look something like this: I like to have a boss who is understanding, encouraging and allows me to manage my own work. It is great to have a boss who always motivates the staff to work for the benefit of the company and for the staff themselves. I like to have a boss who treats us like his colleagues instead of as a subordinate. It will be fun if he always likes to hang out with us and treat us to sumptuous dinner occasionally.

You should build this statement for each of the segment mentioned above. Remember that the results for this exercise are different at different stage of your career life. Hence you should do these exercises each time you intend to pursue a career change.

There is one more final exercise that you should do. Write an essay about your ideal first day at the job. You do not need to be realistic in this essay. Write whatever that you think would make you feel happy. You can write that on arrival at your office, you are shown into a 500 square feet room which shall be your work space. You are then introduced to your personal assistant who is gorgeous. Put in a lot of fun elements into your essay.

As what we have said during the first part of this article, all of us look for different things during different part of our career lives. The main thing that we want out of our career lives may look something like this:

Age: 24 – 35 Opportunity to learn and be exposed to different work environment. Good salary is not the most important factor but it would be fun to start getting high pay.

Age 35 – 45 Managerial role that require leadership skills. No longer looking forward to “donkey-works”. Potential for salary increment is important as there are now more commitments due to family life. It would be fun to have occasional overseas travel for business.

Age 45 – 55 Senior managerial role is preferred. Job stability is important. Freedom to have own working time without being bound to strict working hour is important.

Age 55 and beyond Advisory role with constant income without even reporting to work!

If you are able to develop a wonderful job statement and the ideal first day at work for every different stage of your career, then you would have develop the perfect career blueprint for your life.

We suggest that you review and make adjustment to this career blueprint every 5 years of your working life. Things may change and the work industry may change. The work industry that you would like to get involved in may not even exist anymore!

Good luck in your career search exercise!

"Cold Call" Letter for Job Interview

These are samples of letter quoted in previous post Career Search - How to Get Your Job Interview Without Looking at the Newspaper Ad.

Sample “Cold Call” Letter for Job Interview


[Date]

[Company Name & Address]

Attn: Mr ….

Dear Sir,

I am writing to you because you may find my career experience useful to you. I am a Senior Sales Manager with 15 years of related working experience, and I am looking for a better prospect with a company with international business.

During my current and past career, I have demonstrated my tenacity, leadership and ability to complete tasks which were handed to me. Among some of my specific achievements included:

- Generated 75% of the company annual sales

- Handled a staff size of 30 sales executives

- Successfully implemented quality management system to ISO 9000 standards without engaging external consultants which led to the firm’s certification in June 1999.

I appreciate your taking time out of your busy schedule to review my resume, and kindly advise me on the possibility of contributing to your firm’s growth and development.

Thank you.

Very truly yours,

[Sign & Name]


*******************************************


Sample Pre-formatted Reply Letter to Application for Job Interview Letter


From: [insert your potential company here]

Dear Mr [your name here],

REPLY LETTER

My reply to your letter dated ….. are as follows:

[ ] Please call me for an appointment. My contact number is: . Please ask to speak to .

[ ] We do not have any openings right now, but expect to have opening on (date).

[ ] This letter reached the wrong person. You should contact:

Name: ...........................................

Title: .............................................

Address: ........................................

Contact No.: ..................................

[ ] We do not have openings for application of your nature and qualifications. However, you may wish to contact:

Name: .............................................

Title: ...............................................

Address: .........................................

Contact No.: ...................................

Comments
...........................................................


To increase your job search success, we also recommend that you submit your resume to some resume posting services such as to this Free Resume Posting services. You do not need to pay anything and there are testimonials from some readers who had reported getting their job very fast by using the service. You may also post your resumes to several job search sites at the same time.

Career Search Engines - How to Get a Job Interview Without Looking at the Newspaper Ad

There are many ways to do an effective career search . Many people search for their next career through newspaper ad. We do not advise that you do that as the only way to search for your next career.

The reason for that is simple. Doing a career search through newspaper ad is the thing that most people do. The next more popular method is to register with a career search agency. You may even need to pay a sum for such a service, but most career search agency charge the potential employer. Either method, you are competing with hundreds of potential candidate for the post.

There are more ways to get a job interview.

Career Networking

Survey shown that more than 70% of the most wanted career in the United States of America was not advertised in the daily newspaper. They were offered to the candidates through networking. That is how another great career opening was taken up, without the employer having to pay for advertisement and the hassle of interviewing hundreds of potential candidate.

So, what if you do not have a network that is able to get you to the career that you want? In fact, all of us have our networking. What about your friends, relatives or family members? Are they able to help you?

Let people in your contact list know that you wanted to make a career move. Ask them for references. Tell them what type of career or industry that you will be interested to get involved in. You will be surprised at the results that come in. Most people are willing to help, only if you allow them and provide them with the right information.

However, even though people are willing to help, not all opportunity appears at the same time. Leave them a copy of your resume. When you meet new friends, tell them of your intention of making a career move. Through consistent effort, you will soon realise that more and more people will act as your agent for your career search. And it’s for free too!


Making Cold Calls


Making cold calls are likely not to get you much respond, as not many people are willing to receive cold calls. However there is another method which is similar but is less intrusive in your career search exercise.

Write letters directly to a potential employer to express your interest to make a career with them, whether he is employing or not. Many potential employer would likely just scan through your letter, and you should make your letter as concise as possible.

In your letter you should give a brief introduction of yourself and mention how you are able to contribute to the company’s growth. Summarise the achievements that you’ve made so far in your previous career. Use key words, such as “achieved”, “successfully implemented,” etc. Write assertively.

Finally end the letter with a suggestion to meet up at a time convenient to your potential employer, to further discuss how you can start career with them. Your potential employer is not obligated to meet you, but since he has nothing to lose, he will be interested to meet you to see what you have to offer.

You can find a sample of the "Cold Call" Letter for Job Interview" here.

Attach a copy of your most-updated resume.

To make it even easier for your potential employer to respond to you, you should prepare a self-addressed envelop with a pre-formatted reply. This reply should be brief and include checkboxes for quick reply. Your pre-formatted reply should consists of options of either to ask that you call to arrange for an interview, or referencing you to other career opening, or just a flat refusal.

As it takes no more than 5 minutes for your potential employer to reply, there is a high likelihood that they will reply. Even though the company you are writing to do not have any career opening, your potential employer may recommend you to other company that may have an opening.

If you were asked to call to arrange for an interview, do it promptly. This shows that you are genuine and honest to start a career with them. If the company referenced you to another company or flatly refused to meet up, you should at least appreciate that they have taken the trouble to respond. Tell them so. Write a letter to them to thank them for taking the trouble to reply to you.

If you have dealt with the entire process in a professional manner, chances are that your potential employer are impressed. If there are no openings at the moment, they will likely keep your resume for reference. If you are indeed called up for an interview, you have already made a head start in your career search, compared to other potential candidates who are searching for a career opening.





Career Search Engines - Learning from Migrating Cranes

Career Search

What has the migrating cranes got to do with our career development , you may ask.

There is a lot to be learnt, actually. Due to seasonal change, cranes often migrate from the colder climate place to a warmer climate location. Some of these migration stretch thousands of kilometres. Migratory cranes spend several days of weeks at pre-migration stage building up their fat reserves and integrating into life as flock. Then they commence migration. After feeding for several hours in the morning, they rise into the sky. They climb as high as 2000 meters. They stop flagging their wings when they reach this height, extend their wings and assume a ‘V’ formation.

You may ask, what has that got to do with my career development?

'V' Formation And Efficiency

When cranes fly in a ‘V’ formation, they actually improve their flight efficiency by 71% compared to when they are flying alone. Teamwork and unity increases our works efficiency. Let’s say that you have a career in the building industry and you have been contracted to build a building similar to the Empire States Building. You certainly can’t do the job alone. Even if you were to employ one thousand workers, they will not be able to perform their job efficiently if they were to act as individuals. The moment they were organised to work as a team, through your leadership, their efficiency improves tremendously. Lesson no. 1 is, we work more efficiently as a team.

Reaching Our Career Goals Faster

When one of the crane were to leave the formation and to fly alone, immediately, it shall feel the resistance of the wind. It quickly gets back to the formation. Lesson no. 2 that we can make out from these cranes related to our career, money and personal development is, it becomes easier for us to reach our goals when the actions we take is in tandem with our team’s. The journey suddenly becomes more enjoyable. Stick with the organisation.

Leadership

When the leader of formation tires, it shall move to the back of the formation. Lesson no. 3 related our career, money and personal development is, share your leadership. You will be amazed by the amount of fresh ideas generated by someone new.

Motivation

As they fly, cranes quack each other. In some cases, people hear their quacking voice even before seeing them. Why do they quack each other? When they quack each other, they were encouraged to move on, no matter how difficult the condition is. We need to encourage each other in reaching our career, money or personal development goals.

Mutual Concern

The final lesson that can be learnt from the migrating crane is, caring for our team members. When a sick or injured crane leaves the formation, immediately few other cranes will also leave the formation and fly with it. They will form a smaller ‘V’ formation. They will stay with this injured crane until all of them reach their destination or when it dies.

There is a lot to be learnt from the migrating cranes related to our career, isn’t there?

Career Search Engines - Introduction

Career Search Engines



Welcome to the site of Career Search Engines.

This site provides you with all the information you will ever need to know about career search, career guide and career development.

Happy reading and please return soon for more article related to career search.