Archive for the ‘Career’ Category

Secrets to Snagging the Most Popular Teen Jobs

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

All teen jobs are not created equal. Lucky teenagers grab jobs at high-dollar restaurants, laid-back coffee shops or clothing stores like Hollister and American Eagle. Unlucky teens get jobs frying fish sticks at Uncle Leo’s Seafood Shack.

How can you be sure you get the job you want? Here are a few tips especially for teens.

Defy stereotypes. Many managers almost expect teen job seekers to be less professional-and even less respectful-than older applicants. Show them you’re different. Arrive on time to the interview. Shake hands firmly. A suit’s appropriate for an interview at an office job; for more casual jobs, an ironed shirt and a nice skirt or pants are fine.

Be what the company’s looking for. Read job descriptions carefully to get a mental picture of the employer’s ideal candidate. Take these two:

“Enthusiastic servers wanted for fast-paced, high-energy and FUN environment.”

“Responsible individual needed for highly visible front-desk position at downtown law firm.”

The smart teen job seeker will tailor his or her interview style to match the tone of the job description. Naturally bubbly? Play it up for the server job; put on your serious face for the receptionist post.

Tell them what they want to hear. Teen job seekers should practice interview questions ahead of time with a friend or parent. One you’re guaranteed to hear is “Why do you want to work here?” This is a trick question it’s not really about you, it’s about the company.

Wrong answer: “Well, I think I’d enjoy working here. My friends say it’s a pretty chill place.”
Better answer: “I’m excited about working for one of my favorite stores and I really like the team atmosphere here.”

One more classic: “Why are you a good fit for the company?” Again, think about what you can offer them, not the perks they’ll offer you.

Wrong answer: “I like the flexible work hours and the uniforms aren’t too hideous. Besides, how could I say no to free burritos?”
Better answer: “I’m a hard worker and I have a lot of energy. I think I would be a strong addition to your team.”

Don’t be scared to talk about money. Money’s a good thing. Money’s the reason you want a job, right? However, many teen job seekers-and adults too-find it difficult to bring up the subject in a job interview.

Be brave and do it! Ask about the hourly wages. Ask how long it takes, on average, for an employee to get a raise. Ask about vacation days, sick days, insurance and benefits. If you don’t ask now, you won’t find out until after you have the job-and by then you could be stuck in no-paid-vacation-ever-land.

Be realistic when you’re talking about your pay, however. Use an online wage calculator to figure out what the average wage is for the job you’re interested in. And keep in mind that if the employer won’t budge on salary, maybe you can negotiate flexibility on other things, such as scheduling or sick days.

SnagAJob.com is the number one source for hourly jobs. Read more job search tips and get advice on finding teen jobs, summer jobs and part-time jobs at SnagAJob.com. Start your job search today!

Three Classic Summer Jobs For Teens

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

Are you a teenager wondering how to spend the summer? You can’t go wrong with these classic teen jobs. (Air conditioning not included.)

Lifeguard

Being a lifeguard looks like the easiest teen job out there. You sit on a high chair, twirl your whistle and tan-right? Actually, there’s a bit more to it. Becoming a lifeguard requires extensive training, including swimming tests, written tests and CPR certification. Once you have your basic certification, (in most places you must be at least 15 years old), you have to decide what kind of lifeguard job fits you best.

Working at a hotel pool or small community pool is a good choice for teens looking for a relaxing lifeguarding job. There are generally fewer swimmers and no diving area or deep end. This job can be boring-on overcast days you may find yourself playing a lot of solitaire-but be careful to stay alert. You may also be responsible for testing the water each hour, adjusting pool chemicals and cleaning the bathrooms (fun).

Working at a big pool or water park is the perfect job for teenagers who want an action-packed day. You’ll be part of a large lifeguard team watching hundreds of people, including hordes of rambunctious kids. You may also administer swimming tests and teach swimming lessons (this can earn you a little extra cash). Staying alert is essential-you will have to rescue people.

Teens who are serious adrenaline junkies should look into beach lifeguarding jobs. You have to be in top physical shape for these positions; applicants often have to compete for open positions in swimming and running tests. Beach lifeguard pay is usually high for a teen job, from $16 to $25 per hour.

Theme park worker

There are tons of summer job opportunities for teens in amusement parks-the trick is picking one you’ll enjoy. Do you have the stamina to prance around in a SpongeBob SquarePants costume all day? Can you handle wearing lederhosen and serving bratwurst? How about shouting “Please keep your hands inside the car at all times” 500 times a day?

Parks offer seasonal teen jobs in admissions, clean-up, food service, games , security and more. The work itself can be repetitive and the pay is generally a dollar or two above minimum wage, but the people-watching’s always entertaining. You may meet teens from other countries who come to the U.S. to work. Hey, it’s good to have a friend in Spain!

The best part of having a theme park job is the perks, like free park admission. If you’re a roller coaster junkie, you may start coming to work even on your days off. And you’ll suddenly become more popular when your friends find out you have a stack of free tickets.

Camp counselor

One of the best summer jobs for teens is working as a camp counselor. In just three months you bond with kids, get in shape and make close friends. You might even find a little romance on a moonlit canoe trip. Did we mention you’re living far away from your parents?

There are hundreds of summer camps in the U.S.-some single-sex, some co-ed. Some camps focus on athletics or riding and some are designed for campers with disabilities. Not sure if singing “Kumbaya” is really your thing? Adventurous teens should check out jobs at wilderness camps, which focus more on physical challenges and outdoor survival.

The salary depends on your title but generally ranges from $1800 to $3000 for the summer. Compared to other teen jobs, that works out to a pretty paltry hourly wage, considering you’re on duty almost 24-7. Room and board is typically free, however. On your days off you can have fun with your fellow counselors by hiking, swimming or catching a movie in town.

The downsides? Cleaning the bathrooms, dealing with pushy parents and handling that one kid who throws rocks at hornets’ nests and cheats at Capture the Flag.

SnagAJob.com is the number one source for hourly jobs. Read more job search tips and get advice on finding teen jobs, summer jobs and part-time jobs at SnagAJob.com. Start your job search today!

6 Reasons You May Want a Career Change

Tuesday, April 7th, 2009

Do you feel you’re ready for and need a career change? Some people choose a career right out of high school or college and choose this career for one reason or another. They may stay with this chosen career for their entire working life while others change careers several times in a lifetime. There are many reasons why an individual may consider a career change. Here are some reasons why you may consider a career change as a good choice.

1. You’ve had changes in your life. You may have had a career that required you to travel and now have decided you don’t care to travel anymore. You may have been single when you started your career but are now married and need something that’s more family oriented.

2. There are not as many opportunities available in your career choice now. The job force is ever changing with new job fields opening up every day. If you look at a college course description book, you’ll find a lot more choices than you had 10 to 20 years ago. When you chose your career years ago, it may have been an excellent choice but changes in economy, technology and the industry in general may have turned this career choice into a not-so-lucrative career.

3. You believe you’re getting job burnout from your current job. If your feelings about your job have changed, it’s normal as everyone experiences these feelings. However, if you’re going to bed Sunday night dreading the morning because you have to start another work week at this job, you are definitely experiencing job burnout. You may want to stay with the same career choice and consider switching employers. If you find yourself going through the same experiences with your new employer, you are ready and in need of a career change.

4. Too much stress on your present job. You’ll find that every job is different. While some may be almost stress free, others are filled with stress, which can be very hard on our physical and mental health. Stress is a major reason why many people choose a career change.

5. Your work no longer stimulates you. You’ll be surprised how many people continue to work at a job that completely bores them. If a job does not stimulate you and keep your interest, you’re not going to give it all you can and it’s going to show up in your job performance.

6. You want a large salary. Money is a driving force behind many career choices and career changes. While money isn’t the thing that will make you most satisfied with your job, it sure doesn’t hurt. If you can choose a career change and do something you live for a great salary, why wouldn’t you do that? While salary alone may not be a reason for a career change, although it is for many, it can be a deciding factor if you experience any of the other reasons mentioned above.

James Copper is a writer for http://www.trainingindex.co.uk where you can find information on how to get a career change

CCNA Training for Networking Professionals

Tuesday, April 7th, 2009

If there is one basic measure of competency for network professionals, it is the Cisco Certified Network Associate certification, commonly abbreviated CCNA. Individuals who carry this certification have demonstrated the required competency to serve as network administrators, have shown that they have a solid grasp of how networking works and have put themselves on the road toward getting more advanced degrees.

Cisco Systems constitutes one of the largest manufacturers of network hardware and software. Even where the major software vendor’s products are found being used as the server operating system, much of the hardware will be found to be manufactured by Cisco and the networking technologies developed by Cisco are industry-standard. Knowledge of their systems is a starting point for any career in networking, no matter what other certifications may eventually be sought by the network technician.

As comprehensive as the CCNA certification is, there is no advanced knowledge required to obtain it. The CCNA certification is commonly sought by those taking their first steps into the networking world. One need not have years of on-the-job networking experience to understand the materials or even have much prior experience with computers in general. This is a vendor-neutral certification which means that the knowledge obtained applies to the basic function of the technology, not that technology as utilized by one manufacturer’s products.

The basics of networking, including Ethernet, access lists, IP, RIP, VLANs, Serial and Frame Relay are all covered by this exam. Anyone who takes these courses will eliminate a great deal of the trial and error generally involved in learning networking on-the-job and can potentially save their company a great deal of money by eliminating the need for most service calls. Though this may be an entry-level certification, the usefulness of the skills obtained to any company or individual are potentially endless.

For employers looking for a way to inexpensively expand the capabilities of their IT department, CCNA training is an excellent way to start. If the training proves beneficial, other certifications such as the Cisco Certified Network Professional and the Cisco Certified Design Professional may be offered to the employee, either of which constitutes a significant increase in skills and knowledge.

Though this is the most basic of Cisco certifications, the exam is not easy. For the vast majority of technicians, training will be required to prepare for the test. This certification’s popularity means that training is available from many sources. There are endless options online as well as many physical locations at which this certification is offered. The testing can be done in two parts or in one combined test. The certification is valid for three years. If the certified individual wishes to retain the certification, the tests must be retaken. Oftentimes, owing to changes in technology, training must be sought again, as well.

For individuals who are serious about a career in networking, the vendor-neutral nature of this certification makes it the best starting point for a potentially lucrative career in networking.

James Copper is a writer for http://www.trainingindex.co.uk where you can find information on computer training courses

Affiliate Marketing Training Courses

Tuesday, April 7th, 2009

Affiliate marketing is a program that offers great money making opportunities to all involved. However, to be as successful as possible involves knowing the best way to generate traffic and convert traffic into sales. An Affiliate Marketing Training Course is the answer to many individuals choosing this lucrative career choice.

What is Affiliate Marketing?

Affiliate marketing involves using one website to generate and send traffic to another website with the intent of making a sale, a process where both parties benefit. For example: I’m selling dog training books and supplies on my website. You wish to become an affiliate partner with me and try to help sell my products to the public. You set up your own website or links advertising my products. Each time someone comes to my site or buys one of my products from your link, page or referral, you get a commission on the sale. The commission rate varies by business but affiliate marketing is a great way to make money by sitting back and doing next to nothing. However, setting up an attractive site or advertisements to encourage traffic is necessary to generate the traffic and make sales and this is not always easy. In fact, this can be quite challenging.

Why an Affiliate Marketing Training Course?

You get a lot of helpful information on successful affiliate tips in an affiliate marketing training course. An Affiliate marketing training course will give you techniques, strategies, and tips on how you can contribute to your affiliate program and make it more successful. Affiliate marketing training courses are helpful and recommended to affiliate networks or individual clients that are working with affiliates, planning an affiliate program, or becoming one of them. An affiliate marketing training course will give you the technical knowledge you need to look at your present affiliate market program and determine ways to increase leads and sales. You’ll also learn how to select beneficial affiliate partners as well as how to maximize their contributions to the affiliate programs.

What Can You Learn in an Affiliate Marketing Training Course?

An affiliate marketing training course will give you a good understanding of all aspects of affiliate marketing. It will also help you to determine a strategy for your affiliate partners, track their online activities and help them to increase their leads and sales potential. By providing you with a list of do’s and don’ts, they’ll also help show you the most effective affiliate incentives for you and your partners.

The affiliate marketing training course will not jump into the middle of the programs aspects, expecting you to jump in with them. It will help you with the planning of your affiliate program, determining an effective toolkit for the program and setting objectives that are realistic yet promising.

An affiliate marketing training course will also teach you effective methods of advertising such as search engine optimization, ad words, designing an attractive website and more.
You’ll also learn how to choose an affiliate partner or network and the advantages and disadvantages of certain networks and affiliate partners. Everything you need to know about this exciting career path you can learn in an affiliate marketing training course.

James Copper is a writer for http://www.trainingindex.co.uk where you can find information on marketing training courses