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Using Technology in Your Career Plan
We live in a rather marvelous age when it comes to technology. 100 or even 50 years ago, we did not have access to the same wealth of information that we do now, often wherever or whenever we want it. Really, it’s a rather marvelous thing that you can hold a compilation of all human knowledge in the palm of your hand and learn anything at the touch of the button, though I must personally admit to being partial to looking at funny cat photos. With access to such a wealth of information, it would be a shame not to use it to create and follow a career plan. There are many ways to use your PC,...
read more7 Ways to Career Plan Effectively
In Elementary school, I was under the impression that when you graduated college you were handed both a degree and a career path. “Congratulations on finishing 16+ years of education, here is what your career path looks like based on those 16+ years!” You may be chuckling to yourself, but you can’t blame seven-year-old me for imagining this to be the case. However, it turns out that a “career” is a much more complex and mutable beast than 7 or even 21 year-old me thought it would be. Careers take planning, but planning something as capricious as a career can seem a daunting task. Before you...
read moreTen Don’ts on Your Next Cover Letter
Approaching a cover letter can be a difficult task, especially if you’ve burnt yourself out writing a resume. However, it doesn’t have to be a lengthy, grueling process if you keep these pieces of advice in mind. Here are ten do nots for your next cover letter: Don’t rehash your entire resume. The point of the cover letter is to act as a supplement to your resume, not to repeat it. Focus on the most relevant skills for the position, and explain why you would be an excellent fit. Don’t be generic. It’s easy to write a one-size-fits-all cover letter and call it a day, but this will end up...
read moreKnock, knock…Who’s there? Your cover letter!
Do I really need a cover letter? YES! It is the “knock on the door” before being invited in. Cover letters are an introduction to skills, expertise, and background that your resume cannot convey. A resume is focused on you; a cover letter is focused on the company. Your cover letter allows you to emphasize specific examples in your career that relate to the job you are applying for. When writing your cover letter, be brief. Most hiring managers will only glance at your cover letter. Who are you and why are you here? Have a strong opening statement. Catch their attention right away by...
read moreFive Myths About Having a Career
One of the big phrases in the working world these days is “pursuing your career.” Rather than just having a “job,” employees are encouraged to pursue a career which they will have for the rest of their lives. Now, having a career is not a bad thing, but being convinced of one the myths surrounding having a career can be damaging, both to your work life and your emotional life. Here are five untrue tales we tell about having, searching for, or attaining a career: There is one perfect career waiting for you. It is the only thing you will ever be really good at. This is profoundly untrue. For...
read moreJobs in 100 Years?
About a year ago, I was asked what I thought the world would look like in 100 years. Truth be told, I can no longer remember the answer I gave, though I’m almost certain it involved flying cars and Star Trek-like teleporting pads. But the question has stayed in my mind ever since, and it is (in part) the topic today. A study posted on Build the Enterprise in 2013 (find it here) examined job distribution from 1910 compared to now. Private household service workers, farmers, and laborers have all decreased dramatically, while jobs as managers, professional and technical workers, and sales...
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