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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Where to Find Jobs Online: Hidden Sources for Employment

Search Engines
Job search engines are a good place to start when searching for jobs, because you can find jobs from a wide variety of sources with one simple search, but there are other types of sites that come highly recommended. Many niche sites, or sites that focus on a specific career field, industry or type of job, are one type of site that can have great results. Industry specific job boards such as healthcare, engineering and education produce better results than the bigger, broader job boards. Look beyond the obvious job posting boards and you might have better luck figuring out where to find jobs with the smaller, more specialized sites.

Professional Networks
Using a professional association works, as well. Many of these organization host websites and forum that can be a useful resource in networking and looking for otherwise overlooked opportunities. By posting your needs and qualifications among people who are already familiar with your field, you're doubling your chances of making a valuable contact.

Job Board Sites
While there isn't any one place that is best for finding jobs online, there isn't any site you shouldn't use. Use all available resources, and then stick with the sites where you get good responses and inquiries from hiring managers and recruiters. Also look for sites where you see an abundance of job postings in every field. It may take some work figuring out where to find jobs, but thinking outside the box and digging a little deeper will only help your search.

Smile and Dial
Another good way to find out about job listings is by cold-calling or contacting prospective employers directly. This will enable you to tap into the reservoir of numerous vacancies that are not advertised. In most cases, unadvertised jobs will be filled by family members, friends and other contacts of individuals already in the organization. If you don't already have an idea of which prospective employers you wish to contact, a good place to start would be online, in the Yellow Pages, as well as the vacancies and business section of your local paper.

Trade Journals/Career Expos
Other sources of job listings include professional and trade journals. Such journals can be purchased or even sourced from your local library or on the internet. Career expos are another good source of job vacancies. Recruitment agencies, industries, universities and colleges periodically hold job expos where employers can provide information about the opportunities available at their companies. It is often possible to apply for such positions at the expo, so be sure to take along with you several copies of your resume and be prepared for impromptu interviews.

Career Connex is the leading social networking and career site dedicated to connecting Job Seekers and Students with Employers, Educators and other professionals offering job opportunities, mentoring, coaching and networking in their respective careers. For more information visit http://www.careerconnex.com/

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Government Jobs: A More Secure Choice for Employment

Looking for Government opportunities?

If you are looking for a job in government, this article is the place to start. A steady paycheck, benefits and the security of a government job have drawn many people toward becoming government employees. US citizenship is required for most federal government jobs and Employment Opportunities.

Law enforcement, border patrol, and other governments careers, citizenship and immigration services, transportation security administration jobs are a few of the categories of jobs that are available for the government. Jobs are available nationwide and overseas and additional growth is projected due to recent legislation. Thousands of federal government jobs are advertised on any given day. However, not all government jobs are advertised on their site.

Education Requirements

Most jobs require an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree although with the recent economy many are requiring master's degrees and above for certain job vacancies. Most government jobs will also allow you to substitute job experience in addition to or in place of education requirements, it is important to read the job announcement and submit the proper documentation in accordance with the job vacancy announcement.

Military Experience

If you feel your military training was so specific you aren't qualified for anything outside your chosen field, you might be completely wrong. Many veterans are under the impression that they do not have the qualifications for certain jobs advertised on various job boards often overlooking some of the "indirect training" the received while in the military. For example, a veteran may have had their primary job description be a Computer Operator however as many veterans know as you progress in rank you are given additional responsibilities to include: training and supervising subordinates. If a veteran only searches for "Computer Operator" jobs they may miss out on many supervisor or training jobs listed, it is best to review the job posting description and apply by uploading your resume and filling out your KSA's.

KSA's

KSA stands for Knowledge, Skills and Abilities; these essay statements are frequently required when applying to government jobs. These are narrative or essay statements, which are frequently required along with a resume when applying for government jobs. How well an applicant can show that he or she matches the position's defined KSAs determines whether that person will be seriously considered for the job. Your goal is to receive a high proficiency ranking from the information provided on your. Key words and phrases must stand out and support your application and background. If you have never written a KSA, I would recommend performing a Google search for KSA writers. When choosing a potential provider look to see if the KSA writers offer a guarantee, turnaround time, success rate and if they offer examples not just the price. Though the cost may seem pricey to some the return on investment is something that cannot be overstated.

Rating

Most federal jobs in which you apply for will send you a notification in the mail after the close out of the job vacancy announcement. Applicants will be given a numerical score for each job they apply for. Some factors affecting the applicants score are: resume weight, KSA questionnaire, veteran's preference, disability rating, education, and in some cases spouse preference. The higher your score the better your chance at landing the job, it is important to provide all necessary documentation when applying for job vacancy announcements as failure to do so can cause delays in processing or your application not being accepted at all. Also ensure you submit documentation for every job announcement you wish to apply for, even if the applicant system stores your resume or KSA's.

Below is a list of the most common Government Job Sites:

USAJOBS.opm.gov

Commerce.gov

DOL.gov

Fedjobs.com

Hirevetsfirst.gov

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