1. Education is Everywhere

Unlike a traditional classroom, online classes allow learning to occur virtually anywhere. Whether you juggle a career, family, participation in the community, or other obligations that take up a great deal of your time, you can make your education fit in with your schedule instead of the other way around. Through the use of devices like tablets and educational mobile apps, keeping in touch and squeezing in study sessions is always conveniently accessible.

2. Learning Takes on Different Forms

Are you a visual learner? Verbal learner? Audio learner? Or do you learn best through a combination of a few different techniques? No matter what your preference is for discovering new materials and concepts, online education allows you to tailor your learning experience according to the medium that resonates most for you personally. Many online programs utilize a variety of different materials, including physical and digital textbooks, videos, audio recorded lectures, PowerPoint presentations, interactive charts and more. This diverse collection of material facilitates a holistic education.

3. Online Education is Environmentally-Friendly

One of the less emphasized benefits of online education is that it’s the greener choice compared with attending a traditional institution. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, for every 2,500 miles you drive, you release approximately one ton of carbon dioxide into the earth’s atmosphere. Say you lived just ten miles from your college and attended classes there three to four times per week. This equals almost three tons of greenhouse gases released during the course of the four years. Multiply that by all of your classmates and you’ve got an environmental crisis!

4. Greater Access for Students with Disabilities

Although traditional college classrooms may have established special programs and classroom features that accommodate students with disabilities, online learning typically offers more resources and flexibility for these unique learners. Students who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or have other visual complications can use online learning materials to achieve a better grasp of concepts that may have been difficult to understand through traditional classroom instruction.

Overall, online education grants heightened convenience to students who may have otherwise felt intimidated or excluded from achieving a higher degree because of the limitations of traditional institutions. By improving the ease and accessibility of learning and obtaining a degree, online courses and programs make education more appealing and feasible for students who are limited due to factors such as a career, family, and obligations that often consume a student’s time. When making your own decision about whether or not to choose online learning, be sure to keep the above four factors in mind.

My job title is Account Executive for a mid sized advertising agency in Ohio called Justinity Advertising. I work in the advertising industry and I have had 12 total years of experience in this business.

I would describe what I do as drawing in a businesslike fashion and suggesting places for these drawings to be displayed.

I would rate my job satisfaction at a 10. I’m happy as this job moves my heart.

I got started in this line of work once a professor noticed my graphic design skills. I did not know how I would make a living off of them. He suggested that I intern at an ad agency and I loved it.

I learned the hard way that people have varying perspectives on the artistic portions of this job and you cannot take it personally. They do not see you as an artist; they see you as a businessman. Therefore, they will be quite harsh when judging your hard work.

The working world has told me that hard work beats talent any day, whereas in school, talent rules. This is the number one lesson, I think, for anyone to learn about the world.

I get up and go to work each day because I love seeing my work out there knowing that I am influencing someone to purchase something. One example of something that made me especially proud was when my campaign completely turned around this local tire business that was about to fail. The proprietor was a personal friend, and he had kids to feed. I was very glad that I was able to help him stay in business.

The challenges that I handle that make me want to pull my hair out all stem from clients who do not know their own business. If they do not know their own business, they tend to take it out on you. They want this; they want that. They switch their minds on a dime. You end up creating like three campaigns for them instead of just one.

My job is actually quite stressful. I am only as good as my last campaign, so it’s almost as if I am a rookie with every single client, no matter how long I have known them. I really do not maintain a great work / life balance. My job can easily become my life. I give away my personal phone number to clients. This is a practice that I definitely do not recommend if you have dependents, because they have no compunction about using it at very weird hours.

My position (in my size company) will earn the average person anywhere from $60 – 85K per year. This is enough for me to live. Ohio is definitely not that expensive. However, people in my position in more metropolitan areas should demand more because of the higher costs of living. The market can afford to pay them more out there.

In order to get hired, it definitely helps to have a degree from an accredited four year university at least. There is really no other barrier to entry. If you have graphic design skills, however, you may be able to forego the degree. All of the old owners who wouldn’t know a computer from a typewriter need the young, computer savvy types to keep their firms relevant. In order to succeed in the field, you need to be ready to work late. You also need to be very empathetic to other people’s needs, since that is what you will be serving for a living. Leave your ego at the door.

Concerning my line of work, I would tell my friend that he (or she) should be ready for a lot of late nights. You would never think that getting someone’s message out there would be so difficult, but if you want to really differentiate your clients from the competition, you have to burn the night oil. It really is a time oriented business, because great ideas tend to come in their own time. It’s almost as if you have to be awake to receive them. If you are not, they move on to the next person.

If I could write my own ticket, I would definitely be running my own ad agency. I believe that I have the experience and the contacts now. Many clients have said that they would follow me if I took that step.

Start with Visual Attractiveness

It may seem that creating a visually attractive resume isn’t important, but nothing could be further from the truth. While you don’t need to spend your time adding pretty borders or cutesy fonts, you do need to ensure that your document is readable.

Creating white space with the use of bullet points and subheadings improves readability tenfold. Also, ensuring your fonts are professional can make a huge difference in guaranteeing your resume will be read by a hiring manager.

Create a Standout Branding Statement

When a hiring manager reads your resume, he or she wants to determine within a few seconds that you’re right for the position. Creating a solid branding statement helps to deliver this message.

The branding statement, which is typically situated near the top of your resume below your name and contact information, allows you to brand yourself by stating your title, disclosing your contributions to other companies, and communicating your expectations of making a difference in the future.

The branding statement can absolutely encourage the hiring manager to read the rest of your resume. In fact, if written correctly, it could help you get the interview call you want most.

Add a Career Summary or Certification/Training Section

Another great section to add to your resume—typically directly below the branding statement—is the career summary or certification/training section.

In your branding statement, you’ve outlined your contributions to previous employers. Now you want to highlight top moments in your career that show you’ve made a huge difference—whether you’ve raised tons of money, or perhaps changed the direction of a company for the better. You can also use this section to list your expertise in the form of certifications and training courses.

As you write your resume, you always want to consider qualifications that make you stand out as a top candidate. What value do you bring to the table and how can it make a difference for the company you’re applying with? By making these considerations when tailoring your resume you can prove you are indeed the right person for the job.

Author Byline: Global resume authority Jessica Hernandez of http://www.greatresumesfast.com is a former HR Manager who partners with professional- and executive-level candidates to create authentic, branded resumes and cover letters.

Author Website: http://www.greatresumesfast.com

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

“You’ve posted your resume online and are submitting resumes and cover letters for all the job openings that seem to fit you. Is there anything else you can do to look for a job? Absolutely! In fact, the more diverse your job-hunting strategy, the more effective it’s likely to be.”
– Career-Advice.Monster.com

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a great static resume to have online. With your qualifications clearly listed, you’re available for anyone and everyone. However, LinkedIn can provide a number of other job hunting opportunities that differ from any other medium you may be using.

• Groups: LinkedIn has over 500,000 groups you can join that already have a large amount of members. Within these groups people post jobs, ask for advice or suggest topics to be discussed. This is a great way to jump on a job before it’s posted somewhere else online. With email notifications, you’ll be on-top of your LinkedIn job search.
• Job directory: Tweak your resume and LinkedIn info while you search for jobs. You can search within connections as well, giving you the opportunity to take advantage of networking you’ve already done.

Twitter

Although Twitter is seen as platform for business marketing and casual conversation, it’s actually a valuable tool for job searching. Getting the job you want is all about networking, and what better way to network than through Twitter. There are a number of tactics you should utilize.

• Who you follow: Be sure that you’re following the right people. This means, following companies you would love to work for, professionals in the field, job search engines, etc. You’ll get up-to-the-minute job opportunities.
• Tweeting it out: Go ahead, tell everyone you’re looking. The Twitterverse is one big community, and you never know who will end up seeing that Tweet. Consider directly tweeting a company that you want to work for; worse comes to worse, they don’t respond.
• Let visitors know: The about me area of your Twitter profile is the perfect spot to announce you’re on the hunt for a position. Be sure to include what you do, any titles you have, what you want and how to contact you. It can be as simple as, “Professional blogger, owner of iwantajob.com, looking for a writing position – Tweet me!”

Secure An Informational Interview

Although your job search is about getting actual interviews, it can be helpful to get yourself an informational interview or meeting. What is an informational interview? According to Quintcareers.com, “An informational interview involves talking with people who are currently working
in the field to gain a better understanding of an occupation or industry — and to build a network of contacts in that field.” So, how does this work for you?

• Email a point of contact at the company you’d like to work, and ask outright.
• During the meeting, ask about their success story, their advice, potential pitfalls, etc. Take time beforehand to come up with an extensive list of questions – you want to take advantage of this opportunity.
• Follow up afterward. Thank them for taking the time to talk with you, and express your interest in a position if it should come available.

Diversifying your job search will expand your view of the job world. In an under-employed society, it’s important that you are seeing all your options, instead of sticking with the same old sites. Taking your job search off the beaten path may lead to you to a position you would otherwise never find.

Bio: Jessica Sanders is an avid small business writer touching on topics from social media to telemarketing services. She writes for an online resource that gives advice on topics including payroll processing for lead generation resource, Resource Nation.

Volunteer
Volunteering can be one of the best ways to gain direct experience in the area of work you are interested in entering. If you are having trouble finding work or can only find a part time position, try taking on some volunteering opportunities. Find areas that relate to the professional field you are interested entering and look for volunteering options in those areas. While this doesn’t actually count as “work experience”, it can add a lot to an individual’s resume. Try to find volunteer positions that would directly relate to the area of business you are interested in. While this can be tricky, they are surely out there. Not only can this be a wonderful addition to your resume, it’s also a great way to make professional connections. Networking is key for job searching today. Volunteer and get to know your peers and supervisors. They may be just the person you need to know to get your foot in the door in the right office or business. Even though it’s not paid, volunteering demonstrates that you are passionate about your field of interest and you want to stay busy even in your unemployment—all positive things to a potential employer.

Take an Internship
Just as a volunteering opportunity can look good on a resume, so too can an internship. Of course, a paid internship would be the ideal situation for any job hopeful, unpaid internships are also greatly worthwhile. An internship that is related to the area of work that you are interested in entering provides valuable experience for your resume and for future employers. An internship for many is as good as “real” work experience. Be sure that you use the opportunity to network and get to know the business. Many people enter internships simply so they have something to put on their resumes. Get to know the people you are working with. Try to make some business connections that might be able to make the difference in your job search. At times, just knowing the right name during a job interview can make all the difference. It is important that you make the most of every opportunity that is presented to you.

Education
While this may sound like a back step to some, adding some education to your resume can be a good step to take if your job search has fallen flat. However, rather than heading back to school and taking on more student debt, consider other educational opportunities. Of course, this all depends on the area of industry that you are interested in entering, but there are typically some certifications or specific classes that can really supplement your resume in a positive way. Look into taking accelerated programs for certifications that will look good to a potential employer. If there are no certificates that you need, look into online or open courseware classes that you can take to supplement your resume. Many big name universities throughout the US offer online open courseware options for any individual with internet access. You can take specific classes from MIT, Harvard, Stanford, and many others that can look really good on a resume and add to your body of knowledge on a subject. Explore you educational options. This doesn’t meant that you have run back to school for a masters or a new bachelor’s degree. Think smaller. Even just one specific class can be a huge attribute to your resume.

Author Bio:

This is a guest post by Nadia Jones who blogs at accredited online colleges about education, college, student, teacher, money saving, movie related topics. You can reach her at nadia.jones5@gmail.com.

Moving for Work

​If your job transfers you to a new office, you may have very little say on where you end up. It’s important to research your new area. Odds are there are opportunities that may surprise you. Get a feel for local restaurants, parks and trails, and cultural events. Local magazines or papers are a great resource for activities in your new neighborhood. Then, once you are settled, consider using this as an opportunity to broaden your skill set, to keep your mind sharp and meet new people. If your area doesn’t have the kind of coursework you are interested in, look into online classes. For example, you don’t necessarily have to live in Colorado to attend an online college with a multitude of educational offerings.

​A Fresh Start

For late-in-life career changers, sometimes a new job must be accompanied by a new home. If your passion is publishing, you may need to move to a literary hub like Boston or New York. But if you have a fondness for the Midwest, and you’re ready to open your own business, maybe you’d prefer Indiana. Things are looking up there, many would argue, due to economic growth and a climate that is good for business. When starting anew, consider using resources like Richard M. Bolles’ popular series “What Color is my Parachute?” ​He recommends focusing on your skills and the activities that make you happy such as leadership, creativity, organization, or research for example. Then, instead of distributing resumes everywhere, do a focused search and contact the people with the authority to hire you directly. Being willing to move may help you get the job.

Continuing Education

Even if you are happy with your career, there’s something to be said for a lifetime of learning. You can get up-to-date information about topics in your field, learn something new, and simply enjoy the educational experience. If you’re looking for a specific degree program or certificate, you may have to move out of state. However, you also have the option to do online learning, everywhere from Colorado to Connecticut. Online education allows you to work on your own schedule, eliminates transportation costs, and in many cases allows you to design a personalized curriculum, tailored to your needs.

Geographical constraints are less limiting today than they were in the past. Now, you can consider your interests and passions when looking for a new job, instead of just seeing what’s available near you. International education options available through the Internet mean that you can get a degree in a specific area of interest without moving to a specific area of the world.

The Goal

This book tries to help new graduates formulate a strategy for finding their dream job using Pete’s experiences and techniques as a guide.

The Good

• Pete has done a good job of breaking down the process into easy-to-understand acronyms (SIMPLE and BEPRO). I’m a big fan of this technique and it will help you (the reader) better identify with what Pete’s trying to teach you.
• I loved the section on not making excuses. Probably my favorite section in the entire book. People make too many excuses these days when they come up short.
• It’s comprehensive. I couldn’t think of a topic that I would have added.
• The section on having no backup plan is both interesting and provocative. It seems to follow the “leap and the net will appear” philosophy. I hadn’t thought of it in this way, but it makes a lot of sense. Go big or go home.

What Needs Work

• I loved the story of how Pete got his “dream job” with the Washington Wizards. I just wish that you didn’t have to wait six chapters to get the full story. I don’t like delayed gratification.

A Note on “Dream Jobs”

• In Chapter 3, Pete describes his definition of a dream job and it’s one I don’t agree with. With my definition, it’s a job that you will want to do for the rest of your life because it has all of the factors that are important to you (compensation, variety, advancement, etc). However, Pete’s definition is much looser and thus, easier to achieve. It’s closer to my framework of a “rewarding career” as opposed to a “dream job”.  To me, that felt like a bit of a “bait and switch” as I don’t believe that most people will agree with Pete’s definition. However, that doesn’t mean that the advice in the book isn’t first rate.

The Result

I was skeptical at first. Even though I don’t believe that most new graduates will find their dream job right out of school, Pete does have some great advice centered around networking and a laser like focus on one’s goals. I’d recommend this to anyone who is about to graduate and is looking for their first job.

That’s not to say you won’t benefit from some basics. Practice your handshake, keeping good eye contact and remember to speak slowly and clearly. Not only will this help your interviewer to understand you, but it will also help you during those moments of having to think on your feet. One of the best ways to prepare yourself is to really review your work and personal history, and pay special attention to what makes you unique, what shows off your best qualities, and then find ways to work that into your answers.

Now, for the tricky part: interview questions. The best advice here is to expect the unexpected. It’s nebulous advice, to be sure, but valuable nonetheless. For an inside scoop, you can look at this interview form created by Exact Hire, a company that helps employers with everything from onboarding to creating the software that more and more employers are using. If you’ve been job searching for a while, you’ve undoubtedly seen their name in some URLs along the way. The form offers a glimpse of what the employer sees and can give you a leg up in preparing for interview questions and format.

The interviewer might ask you questions that range anywhere from what kind of an animal you would choose to be, to which famous person you would like to have lunch with. Other types of questions that you can practice for would be: if your house was on fire, what items would you save, or what would you title your autobiography? In these instances, there is really no right answer, but you should answer honestly. Don’t spend too much time thinking about what would impress the interviewer, but what answers will represent you the best. In most cases these types of questions are designed to catch you off-guard and see how you respond to a curveball. Therefore, no matter what your answer is, you should strive for grace under fire.

The interviewer might also ask you questions that are based in your real-life experiences, such as: how would a former co-worker or boss describe you? Or to talk about a time that you were a part of a team that failed to meet its goal and what did you learn from that experience? They might also want to hear examples of your creative thinking process.

If you find that you don’t know the answer, something you can try is to take a moment to collect your thoughts, and then talk the interviewer through your thinking process. Talking out loud in a logical manner will come across in a more professional manner than sitting there in silence. If the question is confusing, ask for clarification. However, if the question is outside your field of expertise, take the interviewer through what you do know.

As a recent college graduate, you’re coming into the work force with freshly gained knowledge, and your hopes are as high as they have ever been. However, with the amount of people attending college, and even graduate school, the competition is fierce, and laying the proper groundwork is key. When it comes to searching for and securing a job, preparedness goes a long way. Luckily, there is a wealth of information and tools available to you.

I am a Technical Writer who works in the IT industry. I have about five years experience in this position.

I write technical documentation, white papers, software training materials and other items, such as presentation documents, for others. My work entails writing for the IT industry, mostly about software and web-based applications. A common misconception is that Technical Writers are not as bright as software engineers and programmers. The fact is, Technical Writers are more intelligent in some ways, particularly when it comes to mastery of the English language and writing skills. However, the IT industry favors the skills of developers and programmers. The IT industry is notoriously biased toward technical individuals and away from those who are not as technically skilled.

My job satisfaction would be rated about an 8 on a 10 point scale. I love the work, however, the pay could be better. With more money, the job satisfaction rating would be a 10. I am pretty enthusiastic about what I do. However, to enhance my enthusiasm, about $20k more per year would surely do it – only if I were able to do exactly what I do now. I would not be happy if the job changed just to account for more compensation.

The job of Technical Writer moves me and stirs my heart. I wake up every day ready to work – with very few exceptions. For example, if I have worked for 10 days straight with no day off, Day 11 might be a little challenging. For the most part, though, I love every day of what I do. I believe this job is my “sweet spot” in life.

My situation is fairly common for those in the Technical writing field. My roommate is also a Tech. Writer and we basically operate in the same way and enjoy what we do.

I began writing as an English minor in college. My major was Psychology but I seemed to have a penchant for writing. I thoroughly enjoyed writing and did well with my papers for all classes. I think I always knew that I would be writing full time at some point in life. I would not change anything with regards to the path I took to get here. I feel I am right where I am supposed to be.

This job taught me how to deal with criticism about my work without internalizing it and taking it personally. As a writer, you will have your work critiqued – either by editors, stakeholders or by other clients. You just need to develop a thick skin, not dread being edited and use critiques as useful devices to hone your skills. The first few editors I had taught me how to accept constructive criticism and use it to make my writing better. The emotional reaction to critiques eventually gave way to welcoming a second or third set of eyes for my work.

The single most important lesson I learned when leaving school and entering the work world was just how hard you have to work! College was great and I loved the academic experience. However, when I started working in the “real world,” I witnessed people who would work 12 or more hours per day – something I never even dreamed was possible, much less do-able. Now, I do it myself on a regular basis.

The strangest thing that ever happened to me in this job is an ongoing occurrence. It is the discovery of new software and devices that I explore on my own and end up adopting. I have found very useful web-based tools and other sites that have enriched my life, both professionally and personally.

What makes me get up every day to do what I do is that I get great feedback from those for whom I write. I am evaluated on a regular basis and usually am evaluated at the highest possible scores. That makes it fun! Being good at what you do makes it a blast to do.

Challenges that I face revolve around incomplete instructions or the inability to make a stakeholder or editor happy. When you just cannot “get” what someone wants in a content piece, or you believe you have made every change that an editor has requested but they are still not happy, this is a challenge and may be quite frustrating at times.

My job is not very stressful at all. I usually hit deadlines with plenty of time to spare, so I rarely feel like I am behind the eight ball. I feel that I maintain a healthy work-life balance in what I do.

The salary range for Technical Writer is a wide range. A Tech. Writer may start at $25k or $30k per year. However, depending on the niche, this salary could range upward to around $75k or more. I am happy with my salary range and I definitely live within my means.

I usually take a week off every year for a vacation. A week is plenty of time. After that, I begin to miss working.

To get hired in the Technical Writing field, you should have a Bachelor’s degree with some experience in a Technical industry. The degree is to ensure that your vocabulary is where it should be and the technical experience introduces you to the unique terms and communication styles in the IT industry.

I would tell a friend inquiring about what I do that if they have a penchant for writing, and some sort of technical background, to try it! The field is great for some people, and it really drives others crazy. I helped to train my roommate who absolutely loves what she does. She is a natural writer and I could tell early on that she would be great in this field. She is very good in the field and she enjoys it very much.

If I could write my own ticket, I would continue being a Technical Writer. However, I would ask to make about $20k more per year. In five years, I hope to be doing exactly what I am doing now. I may try editing, at some point. I believe I may like that line of work, as well.

Some careers, such as one in Human Resources or Nursing, will always be recession proof. After all, businesses will always need HR services and nurses will always be in demand. But what if you want to study art or creative writing? What if you are of a more scholastic bent and you want to delve into philosophy or history? Is it feasible to go into a career, such as teaching, that you know will be low-paying?

When faced with these questions, students must take an honest assessment of what their long-term goals are. What do you envision yourself doing for the long haul? Will your chosen profession be sufficient, or will you have to have a part-time job (or two) to make ends meet? This is where the threshing process begins in terms of choosing an appropriate major and minor in college.

While many view the current economy and job market as the proverbial death knell of Liberal Arts degrees, others argue that a liberal arts education “teaches students how to be creative, critical thinkers, gives them a broad base of historical knowledge to rely upon when solving problems and […] equips them with the told to continue assimilating new knowledge throughout the courses of their lives.”

Michael Crow, a science policy analyst and president of Arizona State University, wrote in a recent article, “The objective of public universities should not be to produce predetermined numbers of particular types of majors but, rather, to focus on how to produce individuals who are capable of learning anything over the course of their lifetimes. Every college student should acquire literacy in science and technology as well as the humanities and social sciences.”

So what to do if a liberal arts is in your future? If it is your intention to pursue a degree in the arts, such as art, drama, or creative writing (among others), then it may behoove you to major in marketing or business, and minor in your chosen field. This way, you will be prepared to market yourself when you are out of school. Additionally, you will have a back-up career that you can fall back into, for the times when living off of love and art doesn’t suffice.

If your studies are taking a more scholastic route, then be prepared to go straight into graduate school.  While it is possible to get a job at a university, museum, or what have you, it is becoming increasingly common for such careers to demand a minimum of a Master’s degree for consideration. Remember: the bleak job market has made it easy for employers to be choosy and only hire the best of the best, so be sure to stay in contention with your peers.

Finally, consider the seemingly no-win situation of choosing a career with a record of low pay, such as teaching or social work. Obviously, society will always need these professions, and it is unlikely that the pay will ever change substantially, so the best advice to these students is to become as qualified for your position as you can be, in order to ensure job security and advancement within your field. Whether this means getting additional certifications, or going for your Master’s, the key is to stay ahead of the curve at all times.

Many students have opted to ride out the recent economic storm by entering college, seeing this as a surefire way of gaining some sort of stability in their lives. And regardless of worries of a wasted college degree, the reality is that education is never a waste, and will always benefit you in some way. However, with a little planning and forethought, you can be sure to get the most bang for your buck, so to speak, as you enter the professional world.