Facing A Career Transition - You Are Not Alone

Whenever I meet someone to discuss their career needs, it is not unusual for them to feel as if the career issues they face are unique. While the specifics are unique, facing a career transition is not.

How can I be so sure? Well, besides my years of experience in this area, there is also an author who writes about the stages of adult development which MUST include career/life transitions. The author is Gail Sheehy who has two books of interest: NEW PASSAGES and UNDERSTANDING MEN'S PASSAGES.

When I first read Gail's book, I was so relieved to know that it is natural to face these transitions - that we don't need to know what we want to be at age 20. Even if we did, we would face a time when we questioned this choice. This relief quickly ended when I faced my first career transition. Who would ever want to feel the distress of this time of questioning? YUCK!

Gail describes the natural stages of adult development: building stages and transition times. During building stages you feel energized and excited by your life and your career. Then, suddenly, without warning, you enter into a transition time. During this time you feel confused, anxious, distressed. Sometimes you know what caused the transition to occur, sometimes not. Being human, it is natural to want to get out of these transition times as quickly as possible. Who wants to feel the "YUCK"? We all want to feel the "GOOD STUFF" of being in a building stage. If, however, we don't take the opportunity to explore what the next steps need to be while we are in the transition time, we will keep bouncing back to the transition no matter how hard we try to push ourselves into a building stage. The result is to prolong the transition.

Most of us have never been taught how to move through this transition time. Most of us have never been taught how to create a career/life vision and plan. The worst time to learn this is during a transition time. Why? We need to add to the learning the management of emotions to ensure that we are not making choices based on emotion. However, again because we are human, it is usually during the time of transition that we have the need to learn the skills necessary to make a wise transition. The first step is to understand that this is a natural transition and that the emotions need not guide you. By using a process you can guide the emotions for more effective results. The second step is to find a process to develop a career/life vision and plan that uses your needs, wants and desires to direct the next steps of your life and your career. Using these two steps, you can manage the "YUCK" and lead your life to a new area of "GOOD STUFF".

Cheryl Leitschuh, Ed.D. is a coach and consultant creating environments of success for individuals, teams and organizatons.

Practice services include:
*Career Development assessment, retreats and coaching.
*Professional Practice Development coaching and assessment.
*Key leader development and assessment.
*Executive Coaching.
*Team Coaching.
*Performance Improvement Coaching and Assessment
*Speaking and training on key aspects of workplace development.
*Succession Planning.

For information on services and resources for individuals and organizations visit http://www.career-future.com/

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Want A Portable Career? A Career In Your Suitcase (Book Review)

Once upon a time, getting a job was the ultimate goal. Along came Generation X and the goal posts shifted: esteemed jobs needed to be international -- and well-remunerated to boot.

Now, thanks to Generation Y and 4 hour work week advocates like Timothy Ferriss, the playing field has changed again: why wait for a job offer when you can create your own international career and work your own hours -- anywhere, anytime?

Jo Parfitt is at the forefront of the portable career movement -- writing and speaking about it for years before Timothy Ferriss came on the scene. Jo is a portable career expert who has been practising what she preaches while riding the expat rollercoaster in Dubai, Oman, Norway, England and The Netherlands for more than 20 years.

Much to the delight of those who loved the first and second editions, the third edition of this definitive portable career bible, A Career In Your Suitcase, has just been released and it is better than ever. It is jam-packed with tools to help you self-assess your passion, drive, skills and goals, plus real-life quotes from men and women living the portable career dream abroad.

There is also a great chapter entitled 60 Brilliant Ideas -- all of which Jo attests have worked for either herself or people that she knows. These ideas will surely get you started and include: looking after holiday homes off-season; teaching people to do the things that you find easy; exporting local goods; importing goods from home; selling your artistic creations, or teaming up with someone artistic and marketing theirs; writing travel articles; and/or becoming a freelance photographer -- the list goes on.

Whatever your generation, if you have ever dreamed of creating a career that allows you to follow your passion and/or follow your partner, at home or abroad, A Career In Your Suitcase is for you. With its comprehensive advice, real-life stories, ideas, checklists and hands-on exercises, this book is not only a wonderful read, but it could just be the catalyst that you have been looking for to positively change your life forever.

Copyright belongs to Andrea Martins.

Reprints welcomed.

First published by The Telegraph (UK) online on 14 May 2008.

Andrea Martins is the Director and Co-Founder of ExpatWomen.com (http://www.expatwomen.com/) -- a global resource site full of inspiring features to help all women living outside of their home country. Visit ExpatWomen.com today as your first-stop website to get inspired, share stories, network globally, develop personally and find the best resources.

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Book Review: Now What: A Young Persons Guide to Choosing the Perfect Career by Nicholas Lore

As a career consultant I try to read as many books on this topic as I can. I just finished reading Now What: A Young Persons Guide to Choosing the Perfect Career by Nicholas Lore. I had very high expectations going into this book based on the last book that I read from this author. I must say that I was not disappointed.

The first couple of chapters are pretty basic and kind of boring as the author describes various tests that college students can take to learn about their personality types and which careers they would be best suited for. The best part of the book is the tool kit that Lore provides. This allows the reader to become engaged and learn as they read. The book forces you to take action towards your career and actually provides encouragement and motivation along the way.

There were a couple of negatives though. The one thing that I did not like was the author plugs his testing and coaching services and at times I felt like I was reading a promotional piece for his business instead of a book that was supposed to inform and educate. The other negative was there was never any mention of the negative economy we are in and how that impacts people that are starting off in their career.

Overall, I do recommend this book for any high school or college student that is ready to start searching for a career. It is tough out there so the more you can read and prepare for the better off you will be.

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Career Book Review - 101 Secrets To Career Success by Rashika Fernando - A Holistic Employment Model

Current U.S. unemployment reigns at roughly 9.5 percent, with at least 14 million jobless Americans. Statistics show approximately 5 applicants for every one available job. Economists predict a multi-year experience of higher than usual U.S. unemployment. Today's global marketplace is restructuring employment opportunities. It's challenging. Now, having the perfect resume and knowing the answers to "tough" interview questions no longer guarantees a job. Many who are working feel unfulfilled, desiring to change careers; yet hesitate for a variety of reasons. 

Following is the first of three articles summarizing "101" career books published by Course Technology. A different author highlights what it takes to achieve career success in the 21st century for each book. Here, it's businessman Rashika Fernando. His new book is entitled 101 Secrets To Career Success.

Fernando sports an impressive corporate career, working primarily in Global Finance. His message transcends the corporate world, addressing careers in general, whether you're employed or unemployed. "101 Secrets" offers a holistic approach to employment, integrating both your personal and professional presence. In today's marketplace, the more these two worlds converge, the happier you'll be. Fernando's 101 career secrets are dispersed among 17 succinctly written chapters, providing an expedient, enlightening read. Following are highlights from four chapters.

Purpose/Meaning. Fernando asks, "Why do you live and go to work?" Each one of us has a purpose in life, waiting to be discovered, he writes. Once we know our purpose in life, everything else falls into place. He believes our overall happiness includes these elements: 1. Be happy with the life that we have. 2. Ensure the continuation of life. This would include procreating, or aiding future generations by volunteering, adopting/sponsoring orphaned children, etc. 3. Enhance life by donating to causes, offering comforting words to someone facing a difficult challenge, etc.

Finding our purpose can be a long journey, unique to our being. Ultimately our career choices should make us happy while getting paid to do it. Combine a mission with your purpose; believe in it and execute it. To act on your purpose, you need a strategy. It allows you to connect high-level dreams into actionable plans. Career Success Secret: "Wanting to understand your life's purpose is the biggest step forward you can take towards success."

Career/Life Strategy. Arguably the best chapter in the book, "Strategizing Your Career and Life" emphasizes the importance of planning. Strategy is the approach you take to close the gap between where you are and where you want to be. It brings choices into action. There's no formula for strategy, as each of your goals is unique. We strategize every day on a simpler level (mapping out a travel route, daily To-Do lists, etc.) Achieving big dreams is difficult and complex. Strategy brings our dreams to the level of other day-to-day realities. While there's no strategy formula, there is a Strategic Planning Framework: Definition-write down the problem to solve and the goal, which serves as a reference point for planning. Data/Analysis-record what you already know about the problem or goal, analysis you've done, or any assumptions. Strategy-devise your approach to obtain the goal. Tactics/Resources- identifies the smallest details of your plan, Monitoring- review progress in your plan. Career Success Secret: "It is very important that you make a choice rather than hiding behind analysis."

Being Proactive. Proactive people actively participate and anticipate various diversions in their plans, influencing the change towards their goals. Being proactive creates better quality of results and better quality of life. Any quest for success will include competition. Anticipate and plan for inevitable competitive situations. On your journey towards success develop the ability to see what will happen in the next several years. "You can always see the signs of tomorrow today," says Fernando. Regarding the workforce, anticipate continual technological advancements. "Give up what you already know, to learn what you don't know." Career Success Secret: "Being proactive builds your confidence."

Networking. Our success depends on our relationships. To be successful, we need to learn the art of networking and feel comfortable doing it. Networking is essentially being a good friend to others. Our existing contacts and friends are our most powerful network we have. Networking provides friendship, emotional support and encouragement. Connecting with other people helps you realize your own accomplishments and the value that you add. The best reason to network is the wealth of opportunities it provides you. Career Success Secret: "Networking is a matching process whereby your strengths are matched with new opportunities, increasing your chances for success."

Amidst anemic job markets and media stories featuring the distress, we can only direct our own lives. If you're dissatisfied with your career or frustratingly unemployed, read "101 Secret's" Chapter 4: "Controlling Your Destiny." The global marketplace presents an evolving employment landscape. Old industries fade to reveal new career opportunities. Experiencing career success in today's marketplace requires a paradoxical selfishness. Only by engaging in relentless introspection (regardless of age), with a goal to integrate both your personal and professional being, can you best contribute to society. Fernando's holistic approach to career and life offers steadfast advice in today's tumultuous world.

Complement Fernando's message with Jay Miletsky's "101 Ways To Successfully Market Yourself," and Carol A. Silvis's "101 Ways To Make Yourself Indispensable at Work," to jump-start your career, whether employed, unemployed, seasoned or novice.

To view the Table of Contents for 101 Secrets To Career Success, visit http://rashikafernando.com/Book_Details.html.

Timothy Zaun is a blogger, speaker and freelance writer. Visit him online at http://timzaun.com/.

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Taking Control of Your Career, I Know You Want Too - Book Review

Indeed, I suppose everyone is concerned with their career, and we all realize that there are choices we make now which will have drastic effects on the rest of our lives later. If you make all the right moves, you will move quickly to the top, of course you need the savvy and skills to stay there, and you'll need the leadership talents to do it right, once you do achieve such lofty heights. Thus, career planning is paramount.

If you wish to advance in your career, if you want to find the right job and keep it in a solid industry you will need to do a little bit of research, study, and get the correct information. Not long ago, I was discussing this with a friend and I recommended a very good book for her to read. It's one I could just as well have recommended to you as well. In fact, let me do that now - the name of the book is:

"What Next?: The Complete Guide to Taking Control of Your Working Life," by Barbara Moses, published by Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd, England; (2003), 336 pp, ISBN: 978-075136-4460.

If you want upward mobility in your career then this is the book to read, and there are chapters on getting the right job, surviving in the workplace, and seizing opportunity. Also, you'll learn how to be the best boss with the best leadership schools in this fast pace world of ours. Why is that important you ask? Well, once you get to the management level, you are in charge and you can make or break the company and your team. For instance let me give you a recent example, no not in the book, but it made me recall the advice I learned in this book;

An interesting article in Government Executive, an insider US government publication with an online newsletter; "Executive Coach; BP's Tony Hayward: Worst Leader of the Year," by Scott Eblin and it was essentially about the reality of taking your career to the next level, written on June 9, 2010. The article had this quote, but I recommend that you do go find this article online and read the whole thing to form your own opinion;

"I'll acknowledge that it's just too easy to nominate BP CEO Tony Hayward as the worst leader of the year. Granted, he's got some stiff competition, but he deserves every inch of the big target on his back. Like a lot of people, I've got a crick in my neck from shaking my head after all of the stupid things he's said and feckless things he's done."

Had Tony Hayward read this book by Barbara Moses, I just bet he'd have been able to handle the onslaught of negative media which has taken 10s of billions of dollars from the BP market cap after this spill. If you plan your career from the start, from the time you get out of college and get that first big break, until you one day become the boss, then you'll need this book.

Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank. Lance Winslow believes it's hard to write 20,000 articles; http://www.bloggingcontent.net/

Note: All of Lance Winslow's articles are written by him, not by Automated Software, any Computer Program, or Artificially Intelligent Software. None of his articles are outsourced, PLR Content or written by ghost writers.

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The Career Fix-It Book - How to Make Your Job Work Better For You

"The Career Fix-It Book: How to Make Your Job Work Better For You" by Diana Pace is a workbook designed to help you think about the concept of career in your life. The book is full of exercises to make you think about those things that are really important to you and to evaluate just where you are and where you want to go in terms of your career and life. It really is a book to be used, not just read.

The book begins with a chapter on clearing out the cobwebs, for as the author puts it, in order to take a fresh look at what's wrong or right in your work life, you must first clear out the old misconceptions. There are then a series of exercises which are as good as the work you put into them. These focus on remembering what you wanted when you were young, recognizing the influences of your past and present, what career means to you, and exploring traditional versus nontraditional paths.

The book progresses in a similar manner with short chapters and many exercises and questions to ask yourself. The author suggests in chapter two that you choose your career as you would a lover. Not bad advice really. The book continues with chapters on being stuck, parts of the job such as co-workers, environment, and the transition between home and work to determine the areas you are happy and not. Chapter five was interesting because it talked about standards, but also had an exercise to help determine if you are a workaholic or not. Sure, a simple little quiz does not tell everything, but if you are honest, these quizzes and questions just might bring answers out of you that will surprise you, and if they do, that will be the start of your journey toward something better.

Maybe it is time to move. Chapter six explores this possibility. The next chapter looks at financial matters, while chapter eight takes account of your life outside of work. Volunteering fills a void for many people and chapter nine looks at this. Chapter ten discusses being prepared with the right skills for the career you desire. Next, the author addresses career development and then looks at jobs are just jobs. The last two chapters are on the free agent concept and putting it all together.

This is a short book and very easy to read. However, if you take the time to really think about the questions Pace asks throughout the various chapters, it could take quite a bit of time, and that time would be well spent, because the questions are aimed at determining just what you want out of life and your career. The more you put into answering the questions, the more you will get out of this book, and the more you will expand your thinking to areas not covered here. If you are feeling lost in your career, this book just might provide the questions to help you find the answers.

Alain Burrese, J.D. is a writer, speaker, and mediator who teaches how to live, take action, and get things done through the Warrior's Edge. He is an expert on conflict and mediates and teaches conflict resolution and negotiation. Alain combines his military, martial art, and Asian experiences with his business, law, and conflict resolution education into a powerful way of living with balance, honor, and integrity. He teaches how to use the Warrior's Edge to Take Action and Achieve Remarkable Results, as well as resolve conflict and negotiate. Additionally, he teaches physical conflict skills in his Hapkido and Self-Defense courses, lectures, and seminars. Alain is the author of Hard-Won Wisdom From The School Of Hard Knocks, the DVDs Hapkido Hoshinsul, Streetfighting Essentials, Hapkido Cane, the Lock On Joint Locking series, and numerous articles and reviews. You can read more articles and reviews and see clips of his DVDs as well as much more at http://www.burrese.com/ and http://www.yourwarriorsedge.com/

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Get Ahead By Going Abroad -- A Woman's Guide To Fast-Track Career Success (Book Review)

Could Rhonda Byrne be wrong? Could there really be another Secret? According to C. Perry Yeatman and Stacie Nevadomski Berdan, the authors of Get Ahead By Going Abroad: A Woman's Guide To Fast-Track Career Success, there is indeed another secret: working abroad gets you up the career ladder faster -- especially if you are a woman struggling to break through the proverbial glass ceiling at home.

Perry and Stacie are living testimony to the power of working abroad. Perry was a 25 year-old account executive making US$25,000 a year when she moved from Baltimore, Maryland to Singapore to accept her first job overseas. Ten years later, with additional stints in Moscow and London, Perry catapulted to earning US$500,000 per year and found herself touring exotic cities with global CEOs and former heads of state like Margaret Thatcher. Today, Perry is one of the top fifty executives at Kraft Foods, the second-largest food and beverage company in the world.

Stacie moved to Hong Kong the day after her wedding, at age twenty-seven. She took up a vice-president position at Burson-Marsteller -- a leading global PR firm. Upon her return to Washington, D.C. only three years later, Stacie became a global managing director. By the age of 34, she was named a partner in WPP, parent company to Burson-Marsteller, and ranked in the top 1 percent of the largest communications conglomerate in the world. Today, Stacie is a successful author and a sought-after speaker and consultant.

But it is not just Perry and Stacie who have shot ahead by going abroad. To prove their theory, the authors conducted a global online survey of more than 200 women who had spent significant time abroad. A convincing 85 percent agreed that going overseas had accelerated their careers. Now that is a figure not to be scoffed at.

As a former expat in Indonesia and Mexico, I loved reading Get Ahead By Going Abroad because it took me up close and personal with Perry, Stacie and other similarly successful expat women -- who share insights never normally offered to anyone outside their trusted inner circles. I also enjoyed the fact that the book is written differently from your standard how-to fare: it intersperses advice, checklists and get-ahead tools with loads of quotes from the 40 women the authors interviewed in-depth to make their material real.

Whilst aimed at the niche female market, this book is a must-have for anyone wanting to: land an international assignment; negotiate the best possible contract; know what to expect when they arrive; and strategically transition themselves into a premium position upon repatriation.

If you fancy a stab at accelerated success, doused with the excitement of living in a foreign land, Get Ahead By Going Abroad is definitely one of those books you should Google today.

Copyright belongs to Andrea Martins.

Reprints welcomed.

First published by The Telegraph (UK) online on 14 May 2008.

Andrea Martins is the Director and Co-Founder of ExpatWomen.com (http://www.expatwomen.com/) -- a global resource site full of inspiring features to help all women living outside of their home country. Visit ExpatWomen.com today as your first-stop website to get inspired, share stories, network globally, develop personally and find the best resources.

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Career Renegade - How to Make a Great Living Doing What You Love by Jonathan Fields

"Career Renegade: How To Make A Great Living Doing What You Love" by Jonathan Fields is more than a "rah rah" do what you love book. It's full of practical advice on building a living around what you love to do, and following your passion rather than a paycheck. Fields himself, once a mega-firm lawyer who was killing himself for the job, left his high paying position to become an entrepreneur and follow his passion. You might not picture a high paid lawyer quitting his job to open a yoga studio, but it worked for Fields, and he insists that following your passions and doing what you love can work for you too. This book is his guide to show you how.

Again, I found this book to be much more than a bunch of motivational "you can do it." Fields shares examples, stories of others who've achieved success following their dreams, and resources to assist you make the transition toward your passions. The first part consists of two chapters that get you thinking about what you really want. Part two explores what kind of renegade you want to be. Fields looks at different career renegade paths and opportunities available to make a living while doing what you enjoy.

In part three, Fields covers topics such as getting social online and building on blogging and social media, areas that he has been extremely successful with. Marketing is a key to building a business, and Fields offers some good advice in this area.

The final part focuses on topics such as cultivating the renegade mind-set, not doing it alone, holding on to your life preserver until you can swim, and being your own guru. This final chapter was motivating, but also grounded in reality. I like the Helen Keller quote near the end, "Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing." Fields then asks, "What are you waiting for?"

Some of the stories and examples Fields uses were people and business I was familiar with, and others I'd never heard of, but all of them fit well with the lessons he was sharing. He also provided numerous websites for additional information. I really did feel the book had a good mix of motivation, practical tips, resources, and examples that engaged and instructed the entire way through. It is also a book to look back to as you plan your own career. If you are not making a great living doing what you love, check out this book and it may just provide the stimulus and advice to help you along that path.

Alain Burrese, J.D. is a performance and personal development expert who teaches how to live, take action, and get things done through the Warrior's Edge. Alain combines his military, martial art, and Asian experiences with his business, law, and conflict resolution education into a powerful way of living with balance, honor, and integrity. He teaches how to use the Warrior's Edge to Take Action and Achieve Remarkable Results. Alain is the author of Hard-Won Wisdom From The School Of Hard Knocks, the DVDs Hapkido Hoshinsul, Streetfighting Essentials, Hapkido Cane, the Lock On Joint Locking series, and numerous articles and reviews. You can read more articles and reviews and see clips of his DVDs as well as much more at http://www.burrese.com/ and http://www.aikiproductions.com/

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Career Book Review: Job Searching After 50 by Carol Silvis - A Mature Worker's Competitive Advantage

Long-term unemployment is recognized as any individual who has been jobless for six months or longer. Currently, 5.8 million Americans define that category; and among them, are many people over the age of 50. Older adults face unique challenges when seeking employment.

Course Technology publishes a variety of Professional, Reference and Technology titles. One of its current releases is Job Hunting After 50 by Carol A. Silvis.

Silvis has a master's degree in Adult Education and is an assistant director and department chair at a Pennsylvania business institute. She also presents workshops and seminars for schools, businesses and professional organizations.

Eight chapters comprise Silvis's message. Following are highlights from each topic to help jumpstart your job search as a mature worker:

Skills and Qualifications

The job search process begins by matching your unique abilities with a company that needs them. Define your purpose for working. Whether it's full or part-time will guide your employment pursuits. Shift the focus from your age to how your workplace, transferable and life skills meet the needs of the employer. Consider too, your personal traits, like energetic and forward thinking, vs. the old-fashioned ways of a mature worker. Share only relevant abilities vs. listing every duty you've done over your 30-year career span. Too much experience can shun an employer. This is the age of lifelong learning. Keep your skills current by attending classes, workshops, earning a degree or certification, participating in online webinars, etc.

Resumes and Cover Letters

No career assessment would be complete without attention to resumes and cover letters. For older workers, key elements to a successful approach include:

Accomplishments vs. Duties. Highlight your unique value-added accomplishments at companies you worked for, vs. mere duties.Contact Information. Provide any links to your professional online presence, including blogs and/or websites.Digital Resumes. Write a targeted resume for each desired position. Use industry-specific keywords to help with search engine optimization (SEO), to increase the odds of being read by a person.Education and Training. If you earned your degree more than 20 years ago, omit your graduation date.Qualifications Summary vs. Objective. A qualifications summary highlights your major accomplishments, skills, education and personal traits. It's a brief paragraph or bulleted list that employers can easily scan; and provides more insight than an objective.

Always include a well-written cover letter. It increases your odds of grabbing an employer's attention; and provides an opportunity to expand on information not resume appropriate, including salary history.

Technology

Today, computer skills are essential, both in the workplace and during your job search. Increasingly, employers require such abilities for hire; and many available jobs are now posted exclusively online. Research a company's website to determine its key players. Use industry-related key words in online applications, cover letters and resumes. "This is not the time to say you are too old to use technology or have no use for it," says Silvis.

Now, social networking is a necessary component of your job search. Maintain a professional presence on the big three platforms: Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. Many employers use these sites as recruitment tools; and mastering them can increase your odds of being discovered for industry-related positions.

Networking

Networking is a ubiquitous word; and its need is often downplayed, especially regarding mature workers. "Creating a solid support system is important for job seekers, especially as they age," says Silvis. It's challenging to conduct job searches in a healthy economy and even tougher in an anemic one.

Build and nurture long-term relationships; and you're networking. It's also a two-way process. Before constructing a contact list, define your networking goals. The most successful network includes a mix of both personal and professional contacts. Consider everyone you know, including your dentist, hair stylist, Post Office clerk, etc. Choose enthusiastic, optimistic people. Finding a job is often a numbers game; and it's never too late to begin or resume networking.

Attitude, Appearance and Energy

It's not easy to maintain a positive attitude when you experience a job loss before you're ready to retire; but you must, especially as a mature worker.

It's hard to hear that your appearance needs updated, but it may be a roadblock in your job search. Comb-overs on balding men, and outdated hairstyles can convey antiquated skills as well. Consider doing a makeover at a department store or salon. It will not only enhance your appearance but boost your self-confidence too.

Employers seek candidates who will fit in and bring positive energy to the workplace.

Mistakes Job Seekers Over 50 Make

Failing to Get Along with Other Generations. Today's workplace is multi-generational, with as many as four different generations working together. As a mature worker, you must ask yourself how you'd feel being interviewed by someone your children's or grandchildren's age? Could you interact as a colleague instead of a parent figure?Unwillingness to Change. A younger interviewer may be concerned that an older worker is stuck in their comfort zone; and resists change. Expand and consider how your skills can be industry-transcendent, if your former field is extinct.Being Overqualified. "Having too much baggage, even in the form of experience, should not be mentioned," says Silvis. Focus on specific skills and accomplishments, not your previous titles, which can make you seem overqualified."Not Embracing Technology. Make sure you're current in the software programs employers are requiring in want ads and job descriptions.Lack of Enthusiasm. You must convey your enthusiasm and eagerness to land the job through your mannerisms and words. Express your anticipation.

Who's Hiring?

Job seekers over 50 may be surprised at the number of their seldom-considered employment options. They include:

Adjunct or Full-Time Teacher/Tutor. Teaching is a wonderful opportunity, for you as an older worker, to convey your expertise to younger generations.Entrepreneurship. Launch a business of your own, utilizing your niche skills and expertise.Government. Think out of the box with regards to government jobs. Consider Homeland Security, the IRS and U.S. and state transportation departments, parks and recreation, etc.

Instead of applying for traditional jobs, use your imagination and creative skills to land an exciting, enjoyable job in a fun environment, or create your own. "Sometimes a complete change of venue affords the most rewarding opportunities," says Silvis.

Creating a Success Plan

Statistically, mature workers endure a longer job search. Persevere. Be willing to put everything you have into your employment search, until successful. Set goals, write them down; and take consistent action to achieve those goals. Break major goals into secondary goals that serve as benchmarks toward your progress. Tie each secondary goal to action steps. Realize that setbacks are inevitable, but persist.

Expect to find the right position for you. Reinvent yourself, if necessary; and adapt to available jobs. Challenge yourself. Step out of your comfort zone; and try new things. Visualize success. Be constantly aware of what you're aiming to accomplish, and what it will like when realized it's realized.

No one will ever care more about your career and job search than you. Throughout Job Hunting Over 50, "Take Charge" summary boxes serve as signs of your career success accountability.

Finding employment in mid-life does have its own challenges; and Silvis shows us it's possible. Preparation, persistence and positivity are key. Many libraries and programs funded at the federal, state and local level, provide workshops on topics including Behavior-based interviewing and resumes. Make sure you're utilizing your community resources to gain a competitive advantage; and realize your employment goals.

Timothy Zaun is a blogger, speaker and freelance writer. Visit him online at http://timzaun.com/.

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Career in Finance: What to Look For

After you graduate, the next step is to look for a stable job so that you can have a bright future. However, this is not an easy thing to do since there are several people, like you, are also searching for a job. If you are competent enough, you will surely find one that will best suit your degree and your chosen profession.

A career in finance is one of the most sought after job all over the world, especially those who have a degree related to this kind of field. There are several various firms that you can work for after your graduation. This is the main reason why you need to do a thorough research to discover some of the careers of the industry that catch your attention.

To give you a suggestion, some of the careers that you can have are sales and trading, private equity, investment banking, financial planning, corporate finance, commercial lending and commercial banking. If you do some thorough research in each category, it will be easy for you to extend your abilities that are needed to stand out in this field in the future.

A career in finance can take place if you have a degree in statistics, economics and math. However, since the market is extremely aggressive, you have to make yourself excel by gaining an MBA course afterward. You do not have to obtain one after several years of work because there are some people who are still studying even if they are old.

Aside from this, it is good to read some journals and join some seminars or become a member of a specialized association. You also need to be well informed of the newest developments and upsurge your set of connections because someone you know may find you a particular job you are looking for. On the other hand, for those who do not have any idea at all on what career in finance to practice, you can ask your professor or other people that have knowledge in this matter.

Definitely, they can tell you what sort of job is very much associated to your degree. If you know exactly what you are looking for, then this is the time to search for companies that will give you an appropriate work. If the company that you search does not have any positions available, you can leave your resume so that if there is an opening, they can contact you.

There are several people who are looking for a career in finance since there are many careers available out there. If you want to understand more about this topic, you can visit http://whatisthetrend.net./.

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Find Your Passion and Add Perseverance! A Book Review For Career Success

We've heard the modern day business Titans tell college students who are graduating to get involved in an industry or profession that you love, one that you have passion for, and then work very hard and you will be successful. Indeed, no one could ever argue with that advice, because if you can find your passion and add perseverance to it, you will be successful, even if you don't make a lot of money. You will be one of the 20%, as goes the 80/20 rule in that area of human endeavor.

Not long ago, I picked up a very interesting book, it was written by someone who I very much respect Sir Ken Robinson, and also written with a co-author. I'd like to recommend this book to you in case you doubt what I've said above, you see, rather than trying to convince you of this reality, I'd just as soon point you towards this excellent book to read;

"The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything," by Ken Robinson and Lou Arinoca, Penguin publishing company, New York, New York, (2009), pp. 288, ISBN: 978-014311-673-8.

The book speaks to issues of perseverance, talent, passion, success, and achievement. It is written by a couple of very well-respected authors specializing in education. You see, we all have natural abilities and talents, and it is important we find what we are good at, where we excel, and concentrate our efforts there.

Although not all the examples in this book are people I would consider my idols, the explanation in the examples of each person mentioned as a case study, well, all together, it makes it easy to understand, and really hard to debate the points that the authors are trying to bring forth.

They also suggests that we can transform our societies, civilization, towns, communities, nations, businesses, government, and education along with these principles, and we will achieve more, with happier people, more productivity, and more success overall. Indeed, I hope you will please consider this.

Lance Winslow is the Founder of the Online Think Tank, a diverse group of achievers, experts, innovators, entrepreneurs, thinkers, futurists, academics, dreamers, leaders, and general all around brilliant minds. Lance Winslow hopes you've enjoyed today's discussion and topic. http://www.worldthinktank.net/. Have an important subject to discuss, contact Lance Winslow.

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"Getting From College to Career" - Book Review

I just finished reading "Getting from College to Career" from Lindsey Pollak. As a career consultant, author and owner of a job board that focuses on jobs for high school and college students, I have read almost every book in this niche. In my opinion this book ranks among the best in the after college niche. The author stresses three themes throughout the book, she encourage entry level job seekers to be smarter, faster, and better.

What I like most about the book is that the author really stresses the importance of attitude. I have seen this time and time again in my experiences with young job seekers. If you have a great attitude you are destined to achieve and if you are miserable and have a negative attitude it will be very difficult to land a job. I also like how the author emphasizes the networking portion of the job finding phase. I like when she says that networking is not about who you know, it is about who knows you. Her advice to students to set up a linked in account and make sure that their MySpace and Facebook pages are sanitized for employers is great relevant advice to students.

My major criticism is that some of the information is rather basic and seems like she added some fluff at times to fill some pages.

In closing, I would recommend this book to all college students that are close to graduating. The book is up to date and provides a lot of relevant tips and suggestions that should help you land your first job out of college.

Dan Keller is the CEO of the popular Teen Job site called TeenJobScene.com. He also runs several Teen Forums [http://www.teenmovement.com/]

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Career Book Review - Conquer Job Search Barriers For a Great Job Interview and Career Success

Although technology mandates advanced methods for a job search that may not have been used 15 or 20 years ago, there are still some basic principles that remain timeless. Many books and resources agree on the proper attire, methods of answering questions, and other things critical for a successful job interview.

But one book, while written in the 1990s, still provides exceptional insights into overcoming barriers to employment. "No One is Unemployable," by Debra L. Angel & Elisabeth E. Harney, WorkNet Publications, Hacienda Heights, California, (1997), pp. 274, ISBN: 0-957057-0-6.

Job Clubs Help
Job clubs are a great way of transitioning through the stages of unemployment. As more job clubs are formed across the nation, job seekers have the opportunity of getting expert help with job search skills and practice their networking techniques on a regular basis. If you facilitate a job club, or if you are a job seeker looking for help with your next job, this book would be a good resource to use.

This book is written for the benefit of a job coach or career mentor, and how they can help candidates advance through a job search using suggested scenarios.

On the other hand, a job seeker can quickly find information pertinent to their unique situation, and how to conquer barriers to employment based on their individual circumstances.

Two Sides of a Problem
The authors outline a ten-step process for overcoming barriers to employment. A key element of this, after identifying the barrier, is understanding the candidate's perception of the barrier, as well as the employer's perception of the barrier. This factor, seeing a situation from both sides of the coin so to speak, is part of what makes this book such a great resource.

Half of the book includes an Encyclopedia of Barriers, arranged alphabetically, and how to conquer those barriers. The authors state, "The only barriers which cannot be solved are those which you do not take the time to address, or those which the candidate is unwilling to address."

Proactive Methods to Conquer Employment Barriers
In more than 150 pages of the book, this section identifies barriers to employment, the employer's concern as well as the candidate's concern with that barrier, suggests proactive methods to address the barrier, and cross-references other barriers of similar topics to learn from. There are also mini case studies of candidates' experiences in overcoming these barriers.

Through the use of examples, every type of situation from A to Z is discussed - candidates who are homeless, gang members, convicted felons, overqualified professionals, displaced homemakers, and more. It also addresses physical barriers, such as hygiene issues, disability, obesity, etc. The book also covers emotional, behavioral, and knowledge barriers.

The book also gives hints and tips for overcoming the barriers while developing resumes and other marketing documents, filling out application forms, and while preparing for a job interview.

While this book may be dated, according to the publication date, the information inside is not dated, and is pertinent to job candidates in just about any situation, even today.

By now I bet you are wondering what you need to change in your own resume in order to land a job in today's economy? Get FREE Instant Access to a video series at http://www.HowDoIGetHired.com/getvideo where you will get short, easy-to-understand videos outlining the components of a value-based resume, PLUS additional reports to help you in your job transition.
From Naomi Lolley - Helping You Stand Out In The Crowd During Your Job Search.

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Career Warfare - A Book Summary

It is a tough and competitive business environment you
live and it is getting more and more difficult to achieve
your goals. You have to stand out among your colleagues
and competitors. You have to work hard for career
advancement, and better compensation.

Whether you are a senior executive, an entrepreneur or
an employee, this book will show you the best way to
succeed, accomplish your personal and career goals,
outshine your competition and differentiate yourself
from the pack. David F. D'Alessandro shows you how to
stand out from the crowd by developing your own
"personal brand"; and provides valuable lessons in
the etiquette of reputation building.

What is Personal Brand?

You need to realize that success does not only come
from hard work and appropriately playing the part.
To be successful in business and in your career, you
must be able to distinguish yourself from the rest of
the pack - you need to develop, build and defend your
reputation.

Personal branding is a way you manage your career or
business. It is a way of communicating that makes you
different and special. By using these qualities you
can distinguish yourself from your peers so that you
can expand your success.

There are 10 rules you can follow for building a
successful personal brand and keeping it:

Rule 1: Try to Look Beyond Your Own Navel - The biggest
obstacle in building a positive personal brand is your
own ego. In order to develop an attractive personal
brand, you need to have self-respect and you need
to respect the people around you.

Rule 2: Like It or Not, Your Boss is the Coauthor of
Your Brand - You must realize and accept the fact that
early on in your career, your boss will reap most of
the rewards for ideas you give, money that you brought
in, etc. This is how the corporate world operates. Do
not fight the power structure. Instead learn how to
play and live by it.

Rule 3: Put Your Boss on the Couch - Not all bosses
will help you. It is best that you recognize what type
of personality your boss has so that you would realize
what advantages and disadvantages this person can
cause to your brand.

Rule 4: Learn Which One is the Pickle Fork - Good manners
are crucial in developing and enhancing your personal
brand. Manners are about consideration and respect,
knowledge and patience. Practice good business etiquette.

Rule 5: Kenny Rogers is Right - While it is important
for you to seize the opportunity to build your brand,
it is equally crucial to know what battles to take. Know
when to keep on fighting and when to move fold.

Rule 6: It's Always Show Time - You must realize that
reputations are not usually made by big events -
sometimes it is those big events that smear your brand.
What builds your reputation is your day-to-day
behavior in the business setting, such as how you deal
with people, how you make decisions, your work habits,
etc.

Rule 7: Make the Right Enemies - The best personal brands
include courtesy, fairness, tolerance, self-respect and
having good and proper manners. However, a small amount
of ruthlessness is good for your brand. Your reputation
will not suffer much if you fight your enemies,
but it will suffer if you lose your self-respect.

Rule 8: Try Not To Be Swallowed By the Bubble - Once you
are successful in building your brand and is rising in the
ranks, do not lose sight of the forest. Do not be too
full of yourself that you will be swallowed by success.
It is bad for your humanity, and bad for your career.

Rule 9: The Higher You Fly, the More You Will Be Shot
At - Everybody makes mistakes. The higher you are in the
ladder of success, the more likely that your mistakes
will be highlighted. Accept the fact that bad press comes
with prominence in any field.

Rule 10: Everybody Coulda Been a Contender; Make Sure You
Stay One - Set yourself to be distinct from your peers.
Since you are constantly being compared to your peers,
don't be afraid to offer something unique or distinctive.
Don't give up easily. Don't throw in the towel immediately
because of a setback or two. Learn from your mistakes and
turn it into an opportunity. Don't lie, cheat or
steal. Be cautious of the reputation you are building.

By: Regine P. Azurin

Regine Azurin is the President of BusinessSummaries.com, a company that provides business book summaries of the latest bestsellers for busy executives and entrepreneurs.

http://www.bizsum.com/freearticle.htm

"A Lot Of Great Books....Too Little Time To Read"

Free Book Summaries Of Latest Bestsellers for Busy Executives and Entrepreneurs

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Book Review - Crisis-Proof Your Career

Some ideas are timeless and when it comes to your career it really doesn't matter that the book "Crisis-Proof Your Career" was written in the 1990s.  North America and many of the world's economies are leading employees to consider the risks and options that they have for the future.

Author, Peller Marion, Ed,., D. challenges the read to not only examine whether you are "endangered" in the workplace but also helps you helps you to identify factors and barriers that prevent you from doing well.  Then he offers strategies and information to help you implement a plan that is "crisis-proof" which you can use on a daily basis to reach success.

Ken Blanchard, coauthor of The One Minute Manager and writer of the Foreword states:  "A crisis-proof career gives you the flexibility, courage and personal security to survive and even prosper in hard times as well as good times.  Peller Marion's book can show you the way!"

This book not only provides you with information about how to become marketable, but also provides specific and practical worksheets and action plan templates that will help you to turn the knowledge into effective task lists.  He promotes networking, teaches resume basics and tips on how to get the most from an interview. 

Besides the outward behaviours and activities, Mr. Marion challenges the reader to deal with the inner self through nourishing of the spirit.  He also recommends techniques to achieve a positive frame of mind.

If you are concerned about your career and want to read about how to improve your situation, this book offers you good common sense as well as specific methods for moving into a situation where you can enjoy security and emotional health.  I highly recommend it.

And now I would like to invite you to claim your Free Instant Access to a complimentary list of 10 Steps to Making Your Life an Adventure when you visit http://www.lindahancockspeaks.com/

From Dr. Linda Hancock, Registered Psychologist and Registered Social Worker

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Can You Be a Career Renegade? A Blueprint For a Fulfilling Career That Pays the Bills

Get a pad and pen and sit down at your computer before you begin reading Career Renegade by Jonathan Fields [Broadway, 2009]. You'll want to jot down notes and visit websites while reading -- and Fields provides a lot of ideas and resources in this fast-reading, career-building guide.

What Do You Want to Do?

Fields begins by leading you through finding your passion, the activities that you love doing so much you get lost in them, and the people you need to surround yourself with to be successful.

How Will You Do It?

In the next section of the book, Fields lays out general career renegade paths you can follow or adapt to your own circumstances. Each path is highlighted with stories of real entrepreneurs who have created wonderful careers for themselves while finding their passions. He presents categories of people's needs and discusses ways to use those needs to build your new career.

In addition, he provides a treasure trove of research tools and ideas to help you ensure that you find the right niche for your passion. Finding the right niche is essential if you are to earn a living, not just pursue a beloved hobby.

How Will You Share It with the World?

Next, Fields discusses the social networking and traditional tools you will need to use to build a platform for your new career. He provides tips for using each medium to the greatest effect for your own needs. He also shares valuable etiquette that will help you ensure you don't alienate any of the people you need to surround yourself with as you build your brand.

How Will You Make It Work?

Finally, Fields shares his own story, his failures and successes. He highlights the importance of believing in what you are doing and of ensuring that the most important people in your life (your spouse, children, and close friends) also believe in you and your dream.

Fields provides tips for contacting and networking with influence makers so that you can learn from their expertise. 

He closes with a powerful statement that should become a mantra for anyone seeking to follow in Fields' footsteps and make their passion their new career: "I began to accept responsibility not only for my life to date, but for the process of making it come alive from that moment forward."

Career Renegade: How to Make a Great Living Doing What You Love is a new breed of career discovery and business book - and it is useful to those looking for a career shift and those looking to start their own business. Career Renegade is highly individual and depends heavily on the interactive participation of its readers. You have to work the book to make it work for you.

Jennifer Roland is a an experienced writer and editor living in the Portland, Oregon, area. Her nonfiction covers such areas as educational technology, personal finance, entertainment, pets, and health and fitness. She also writes fiction, mainly paranormal and contemporary romances.

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Career Book Review "101 Ways To Successfully Market Yourself" by Jay Miletsky

In today's marketplace, your career is 100 percent your responsibility, including marketing your strengths. Unfortunately, marketing can be maligned, especially when you're the product being marketed. Honest attempts can appear boastful, so we hesitate to do so. Yet, if people aren't aware of your strengths, how will they know when, where, and how to use them?

The best self-marketing centers around building relationships and having fun doing so. Successful self-marketing can, among other things, enhance your job search, promote your own company, grab a piece of the spotlight (i.e. become a thought leader/industry innovator), and make new friends.

Following is the second of three articles summarizing "101" career books published by Course Technology. A different author highlights what it takes to achieve professional success in the 21st century for each book. Here, it's businessman and marketing expert, Jason Miletsky. His new book is entitled 101 Ways To Successfully Market Yourself."

Miletsky is CEO and executive creative director for a leading marketing communications agency in New York City. He's a featured speaker for numerous companies and seminars and guest lectures for universities.

"101 Ways To Successfully Market Yourself," is a short read of 88 pages, long on self-marketing tips. You're bound to learn some new applications to advance your career. Use Miletsky's ideas to gauge how many techniques you currently incorporate to promote yourself, and decide which ones best suit your needs.

The book reads in three easy parts. The first is entitled, "27 MYM (Marketing Yourself Mandates);" and establishes the foundation of your self-promotional efforts. Miletsky's tips include:

Understand Your Personal Brand. Your personal brand is your personal reputation. It's key to successfully market yourself and sustain relevant long-term connections. People will decide to befriend or distance you based on your personality, sense of style, unique qualities, what and how you say it, commitment follow through and what you potentially bring to the table.

22. Do Something Specific to Stand Out. Accomplish something that separates you from the crowd, and you'll find yourself in more demand. Suggestions include write a book, or articles for popular print/online publications, record a series of Web videos, and hold a seminar.

27. Don't Give Up-It Won't Happen Overnight. "Marketing yourself is a process," says Miletsky. It takes time to meet new people and build a following. Persevere.

Part II is titled, "Make The Most of The Web." Miletsky emphasizes that to effectively market yourself today, you need to include the Web. "Social networking may die down a bit over time, but it's here to stay," he says. For space interest, Miletsky assumes you have a basic knowledge of the three big social networking sites: Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. If not, he advocates learning their attributes as soon as possible. Highlights include:

28. Make Social Networking Part of Your Daily Routine. Social networking does take time and effort. It can take a while before you see results. "This can be frustrating, because thanks to the speed of the Web, most people have lost their patience to allow things to happen over time," says Miletsky. Incorporate social networking into your daily routine, using the Big 3 sites. Send an e-mail blast once a month to your contacts. Inform them of your new blog posts and other information.

63. Get Your Name in a URL. Make sure you secure your name as a URL. It's good marketing for any of your online activities you engage in. Defensively it prevents someone else from cashing in on your name, as you become better known.

69. Broadcast What You Write. Get the URL for any blog post you write or comment you leave on someone else's blog (shorten the URL through bit.ly or some other shortening service). Broadcast it on Twitter, use it in LinkedIn conversations, and post it on relevant Facebook groups and your Facebook wall.

"There's Life Offline-Get Out and Meet Real People," is Miletsky's third message. Among his suggestions are:

78. Become a Regular. Frequent various places. Over time, people will recognize your face, making connections easier.

82. Seek Out Public Speaking Opportunities. Meet numerous people all at once. Be a featured speaker in a room full of people listening. Speakers command attention, are focal points for attendees; and many will want to befriend you afterwards.

101. Make Follow-Up a Ritual. Make sure you follow up with each new contact within 24 hours after your initial connection. Send a quick e-mail to remind new contacts who you are, how you met, and conversations had. Suggest a future meeting when you sense mutual benefits.

Six appendices enrich the book; with the first listing Miletsky's top 30 Twitter tools. "Twitter is one of the absolute best ways to get people to notice you," he says. Endorsements include:
Tweetdeck. Provides numerous columns to allow simultaneous monitoring of people you follow, tweets mentioning you, direct messages and any other keyword/group you choose. Twitterholic. Checks your relative ranking and graphs your followers over time. Nearby Tweets. Enhances local marketing by entering desired geographical location/keyword. Site shows the people within that radius that fit the description.

The " Who You Should Follow On Twitter" List is Appendix B, and details 31 active links to find good people to follow on the site. Included are:

25 SEO Gurus. 50 Users to Follow for Job Searching. Top 237 People to Follow on Twitter Who Will Follow You Back.

The most comprehensive appendix, titled, "Strategies for Success," specifies how to maximize your achievements at work. Its nine tips include "Visualize Success," and "Learn How to Advance within the Company;" which features 30 soul-searching questions pertaining to seeking a management position. Those queries include:

Are you decisive? Can you see yourself calmly and objectively handling crisis situations? Do you do your best work all the time?

Other appendices highlight LinkedIn groups, networking events and additional social networking sites.

Marketing yourself is no longer an option. To enjoy long-term career success, learn and hone a process that works for you; and have fun doing it.

Complement Miletsky's message with Rashika Fernando's "101 Career Success Tips," and Carol A. Silvis's "101 Ways To Make Yourself Indispensable at Work," to jump-start your career, whether employed, unemployed, seasoned or novice.

You can follow the author on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/jaymiletsky.

Timothy Zaun is a blogger, speaker and freelance writer. Visit him online at http://timzaun.com/.

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Back on The Career Track - Book Review

Are you among the growing number of moms returning to work after leaving paid employment to care for your family? Maybe your youngest child is learning to walk, starting kindergarten, or leaving for college. You may be yearning for the rewards of your former career, feeling the isolation of your "empty nest" or in need of more household income.

Women return to work for a variety of reasons, but they all face similar challenges that can be minimized with smart planning.

Back on the Career Track - A Guide for Stay at Home Moms Who Want to Return to Work by Carol Fishman Cohen and Vivian Steir Rabin is a very good road map for women who have left paid employment to raise a family and are considering a return to work. In this book, the authors lay out an effective plan for stay at home moms who want to return to work. They are realistic about the challenges moms returning to work will face, and they provide effective tips for protecting your career while you are out of full time employment.

I've worked with plenty of relaunching moms and have found that when moms return to work, they have more success in reestablishing a career when they have found a way to stay connected to their former colleagues, their industry and developments in work related technology while they were at home with their kids. Back on the Career Track is full of tips for stay at home moms who want to maintain or reestablish professional connections, and for that reason, smart stay at home moms will benefit from implementing the tips in this book even before they are ready to return to work.

The book is remarkably thorough and addresses:

Fears and insecurities that stay at home moms often face when relaunching a career Realistic career considerations and options when moms return to work Typical challenges that arise from employment history gaps Changes in family and social dynamics when stay at home parents return to work Societal and employer views on relaunching moms

Although I'm a big fan of this book, there are two shortcomings in Back on the Career Track. The first is the fact that the authors have chosen to focus on college educated women who established high level, elite careers prior to starting families. The choice to use primarily doctors, lawyers and MBA graduates in the examples in the book is unfortunate.

The excellent advice in this book applies to all stay at home moms who may want to return to the workforce, not just women who left high level careers. If you are not a doctor or a lawyer or you don't hold an MBA, you can definitely benefit from the strategies in this book, but you'll have to remind yourself that all of the tips apply to any stay at home mom from any field of work.

The second shortcoming in the book is in the resume examples in the resources section. Addressing employment history gaps on resumes is an important issue for stay at home moms returning to work. The gaps in the sample resumes in this book are absolutely glaring. There are simple, effective strategies to minimize gaps on your resume while maintaining credibility with employers; those strategies have not been used in the examples here.

Go ahead and apply any and all of the other strategies for returning to work that are outlined in the book; the advice is excellent. When it comes time to write your resume, however, I'd recommend consulting another source for effective tips on minimizing gaps in your work history.

Back on the Career Track is a wonderful, much needed resource for moms returning to work. There is plenty of advice that you can apply well before you are ready to relaunch your career, so this book is a great read for women who are just leaving paid employment to become stay at home moms as well as those who are ready to return to the workforce. The authors do a great job of balancing honesty about the challenges of relaunching a career with the optimism that returning to work is absolutely achievable.

Stay at home moms returning to work can relaunch their careers. I've worked with plenty of moms from all walks of life who achieved this goal. Successful relaunching does take commitment, work and planning, and Back on the Career Track will show you how to do the work to make it happen.

Lisa McGrimmon publishes http://www.careerchoiceguide.com/ a career management and job search resource. To find out how parents returning to work can minimize gaps in their work history, visit http://www.careerchoiceguide.com/parents-returning-to-work.html

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Career Book Review - Have You Punched in Yet?

Looking to get a job and eventually move up in the world? Do you need to get experience or perhaps, just get a job even if it is a step down for you; under-employment? If so, wow, there is a great book I read mostly for fun, but as I read I felt I was there, and got a much better understanding of what the front-line employees in the US go through. The book I'd like to recommend to you is:

"Punching In - The Unauthorized Adventures of a Front Line Employee," by Alex Frankel, Collins Publishers, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, New York, NY (2007), pp 223, ISBN: 978-0-06-084966-5.

An interesting article to read which immediately made my memory recall upon reading this book was one I read in Quality Progress, an industry trade journal in November of 2007, beginning on page 55 titled; "Turning the Tables: Six Questions to Ask Your Interviewer," writer by Joe Conklin. In that article he suggests how to turn difficult questions during the hiring procedure into conversations which uplift your intellectual status, thus your value, while allowing you gain pre-employment intelligence.

The author of this book writes in a similar genre as the author of "Nickled and Dimed" but at a higher level of employment, namely rather than working at places like a 24hr. Waffle House, Walmart, or Gas Station mini-mart - the author of "Punching In" worked for UPS, Starbucks, Whole Foods, and sold iPods at the Apple Store, and also entered the well-known manager program for Enterprise Rent-a-Car.

Have you ever wondered the secret of how corporations turn their workforces into brand loyalists, and absolutely an army of productivity? Well, read this book, and learn about how to win in your career for both the company, the team, and yourself. This book is written extremely well, and the writer is pretty funny, and shows off his writing style with great stories. He also writes for Wired Magazine, so perhaps you've seen his pieces there.

Seriously, you have to read this book, it will totally enlighten you, and give you a better understanding of what it's like to work in a big corporation on the front-lines, companies with 1,000s of outlets and a specific way of doing things. As you read you will laugh, frown, and be disturbed, but you will definitely learns something, many things you probably didn't know and it will give you a much better understanding of the reality of jobs in America, especially at the retail level, you will be amazed.

Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank. Lance Winslow believes it's hard to write 20,000 articles; http://www.bloggingcontent.net/

Note: All of Lance Winslow's articles are written by him, not by Automated Software, any Computer Program, or Artificially Intelligent Software. None of his articles are outsourced, PLR Content or written by ghost writers.

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Want a Super Stellar Career? Be Ready For Anything - Book Review

Everyone wants to advance in their career, and with so many people laid off or fearing they will be next, we see that it's time to get serious or get left in the dust. Do you want to get the dream job of your life? Apparently, many people do, you can tell by reading the business news these days, career articles, stories, and advice, it's everywhere. We have a whole new career now of personal coaches, helping others score their dream life and career. Surely, you've noticed all this online and in the media as of late?

Indeed, not long ago there was an interesting article in Forbes - "America's Most Surprising Six-Figure Jobs - Astronomers, ship captains, even writers can make more than $100,000 a year," by Susan Adams May 28, 2010. The article suggested that perhaps getting a great paycheck in a rewarding career means thinking outside the box and growing your skill sets organically. The article also indicated the need for networking and ability to keep doors and opportunities open. I'd recommend thinking on this, and some of the wisdom in the article.

Meanwhile, when considering this topic of career choices and good pay, let me recommend a good book by Harvey MacKay; "Dig Your Well Before You're Thirsty; Only Networking Book You'll Ever Need for a Rewarding and Successful Career," published by Currency Books, a Double Day Publishing company partner, New York, NY, (1997), pp 311, ISBN: 0-385-48543-3.

The author of this book also wrote the best-selling book; "Swim with The Sharks - without being eaten alive," which focused on the cut-throat corporate career game, and ladder climbing challenges of modern day business. Yes, things have changed since then, but in this new book; "Dig Your Well, Before You're Thirsty," we see it's all about networking to land that perfect job.

He makes an interesting statement in this book, whereas networking may not be rocket science, someone who is career driven certainly ought to keep it that way, and realize he wrote this book in 1997 prior to all these social networking websites and groups. Talk about on the leading edge of his day, Harvey was ahead of his time, Mr. MacKay. It appears that if you take the advice in this book seriously, and network efficiently you can very much hyper-accelerate your career using these tactics and techniques.

This book has been sitting in my personal library for as long as I can remember, so I pulled it out the other day, as I have a friend who got laid off, get this; "involuntary indefinite leave of absence without pay," yah right! He just lost his job. I am going to recommend this book, if he agrees I am going to give it to him. I'd recommend you read it too.

Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank. Lance Winslow believes it's hard to write 20,000 articles; http://www.bloggingcontent.net/.

Note: All of Lance Winslow's articles are written by him, not by Automated Software, any Computer Program, or Artificially Intelligent Software. None of his articles are outsourced, PLR Content or written by ghost writers.

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