We say “Take Control”.

Part of the answer could lie in the fact that there is little or no progression within the job. The career doors you thought may open are firmly shut or even worse, they’re non-existent. Many organisations have tasked their management and HR professionals with tasks such as succession planning and internal fast track programs for talented employees with a view to promote from within but what happens if you are overlooked for such programs? Does this mean you don’t have the necessary skills? Not necessarily. You must always remember that the primary responsibility for your career development is yours, so stepping up to the challenge of your responsibility is the first positive step you must take.

The key to ensure that career development opportunities arise within your position is to make certain that your employer is aware or your skills and view you as an innovative source that adds value of their business. An individual who is worth the necessary time and financial investment to increase the value you bring to the organisation. Seek out areas where you can consistently demonstrate enthusiasm, passion, drive, initiative, creativity, problem solving and logic. Taking such steps can only improve your chances for career advancement and improved financial remuneration for your services (that all important pay-rise).

It is very important that you are visible within the business. Take the time and effort to get to know your colleagues and build some rapport with those around you. If you would normally send an email a colleague on another floor or the next room, why not get out from your desk, stretch your legs and go see them face to face. You would be surprised at the impact such minor actions will have on your over all goal. Do your best to engage your manager from time to time. Do you know how they feel about you and the quality of your work? Can they informally suggest areas for improvement? Do you know what aspects of your job they are happy with? Having some insight to such questions gives you something to work towards and goals you can aim to achieve. Such actions demonstrate a willingness to learn and improve which are very desirable personal qualities.

On a more personal note, you must also be real with yourself and try to answer some tough questions. Do you feel you are making any progress in your job? If you can answer yes, then you are on the right path, taking the right steps to develop you career. If your answer to this question is no, we suggest you arrange a meeting with your manager and express your concerns with the view to formulate a plan that should hopefully get you back on track. Employers want to see that you are committed to your career development and how this will benefit their business. Providing such evidence improves your chances of attracting their interest in your professional development and could open the doors to opportunities that may not have been available to you.

Don’t be complacent. Complacency is the killer of ambition and dreams as you end up settling for less than what you are truly capable of doing and achieving. Stay motivated, enthusiastic and on the look out for challenges that can improve your skills and capabilities. If you feel such opportunities are not readily available, speak to your manager and let then know that you are looking to take on more responsibility and challenges. This shows interest and also a can do, will do attitude which is very much sought after.

So you feel you’ve tried everything. You’ve been visible, asked for more challenges, improved on your education and completed tasks to very high standards but it still its not working out. As time goes on, you seem to have lost your passion, enthusiasm and motivation for the job then maybe, just maybe, it might just be time to start considering other options for alternative employment. Some organisations do not have much opportunities for progression within their business and choosing to stay may do your career more harm than good.

Isn’t it high time that you started taking an proactive interest in your career. This is your life and your career, so it is your responsibility to ensure that your career is what you always dreamed about. Make sure you settle for jobs that offer progression if not, there’s not better time than the present to take control of your career.

Money is always at the top of the list of problems no matter who you are or where you come from, unless your filthy rich of course. Therefore, when our so-called government announces a collapse in the economic climate, we can only assume another RECESSION is upon us.

How do you keep your monthly pay packet safe? You need to get yourself a CAREER that is RECESSION PROOF, try not to drift off with the fairies by thinking there are magical jobs out there. Most of them are very easy to find and fall into and surprisingly obvious. Listed below are the top five most popular RECESSION PROOF CAREERS.

1. Health – you could give nursing a try, the NHS are always short-staffed RECESSION or not. Because people still get sick young and old.
2. Education – children still have to learn, no matter how poor the country may be, parents will still send the little nippers of to class in the hope they will grow into, maybe the next prime minister.
3. HMS the army is a good one, reason being you get food and board supplied with no monthly bills to pay out such as gas and electric. The best part is you are paid a good decent wage.
4. Gaming – the gaming industry would increase its business because when people are trying to make money quickly. The first place to go would be to a bookmaker or a casino and these particular CAREERS offer in-house training that only last for around six weeks.
5. Hairdressing – no matter how bad the economic climate may be, a woman will always find the money to get her hair done.

This is just a few of the many choices out there, you could always do second job and freelance yourself. This is a good back up to have under your belt if such an occasion like redundancy should arise, at least you won`t be left up the creek without a paddle. It is easy to get yourself a RECESSION PROOF CAREER.

How to ask for a job reference/ recommendation letter from volunteering

Job references and/or recommendation letters are not always required when applying for a new job; however, some employers do request them. For most of the work force this is not an impossible task, what happens when the only work history you have is volunteering? How do you get the information you need?

First of all what you need to remember is that volunteering is still classed as work, it is categorized as volunteering because it is not for profit. It makes no difference on the amount of hours you have put in for one particular charity; you may have volunteered with many different charities’s giving each of them only a few hours of your time. On the other hand, you may have given hundreds of hours to one charity.

The point is you are well within your rights to ask for a job reference or recommendation letter to pass on to a potential new employer. The truth is most volunteer organizers will be more than willing to help you out, all you have to do is ASK!

Click the link to register for email updates and much more http://www.thejobcouncil.com

I would say my employement situation, It would be nice to earn a better living!!

Many STUDENTS have successfully set up a BUSINESS whilst continuing with their studies. If you have the intention to one day own your own little empire then this would be a good time to start. You have the fervour a venture like this would need, as well as motivation and time.

Any STUDENTS who would like to set up a BUSINESS should follow the ten steps to success; this is a simple guidance plan to help you achieve your goal.

Step one – If you have not already done so you need to decide on the nature of BUSINESS you want to run, e.g. if you want to buy and sell or maybe it is a cleaning service you want to offer. There are many possibilities to explore, you can now move on to the next step.

Step Two –to gain a better knowledge of what people want plenty of research is essential, find out what the competition is like; is there more than one? How many customers they attract? Were they are based? You may find that by doing a survey of some sort would give you more knowledge; a good one to try would be to ask 100 people if they would or do buy or use what you are offering. As you are a STUDENT, it should be easy enough to find 100 people willing to co-operate.

Step Three – the most important step for any STUDENT who is starting up a BUSINESS is the cost! This is something that you cannot second-guess. To find out how much capitol you need you must take into account everything that is going to cost you money. Do you need to rent any premises? Do you need to buy a licence? Are there any legal fees involved? Will there be any bills involved such as gas, electricity, water, telephone, and then you need to price up your stock and equipment if any.

As complicated, as all this may sound it is easy once you get started, do not let it put you off trying. Because you are a STUDENT trying to set up a BUSINESS the risk level is small because you do not have a career as of yet to give up. Do not give up your studies to do this be sure to finish your course it is wise to have a backup plan.