10 Home Working Careers To Make Money From Home

Posted on May 16, 2012 by admin

Internet is one of the best platforms that provides awesome home working jobs and opportunities to everyone looking for earning extra income. Work from home jobs are the best for stay at home moms, retired people, people with disabilities and students looking for part-time work. All you need to do is identify what you can do best as per your interest and availability of time, and you will find numerous work from home career options. Given below are 10 popular options to make money from home:

Selling on E-Bay: You can work from home by selling products on e-bay. These can be anything from new to second hand products. You can sell electronic items, books, e-books, gift items to lots more. The website explains very clearly how you can do so step by step.

Ecommerce website: You can make your own ecommerce website as well where you can  sell goods, Any item which you think is in high demand can be sold. Make sure you market it online effectively in order to get many orders. For example, you can sell craft items, home made artifacts, etc.

Content Writing: You can go for writing jobs as well if you think you can write articles and blogs. There is high demand for good writers by SEO companies. You can work for a specific company or do your own freelance writing. Another good homeworking career is to write e-books on varying subjects and market it online. You can write e-books on any subject ranging from training pets to moving a house.

Virtual assistant jobs: You can also be a virtual assistant and offer administrative and secretarial services to various clients. Again you can easily find such jobs on online job sites.

Transcription: You can do work from home transcriptionist jobs as well where you will need to transcribe and edit recorded reports at home. You can do medical transcription or legal transcription. This requires specialised knowledge.

Tutor: You can also work as online tutors for education sites and companies that offer online assistance to students on various subjects. This homeworking career is ideal for teachers who want to earn extra income.

Translation jobs: If you are fluent in more than one language, then you can take up home-based translation jobs.

Web developer/designer: This again is a very good work from home career for those who have web designing and programming skills. There are many websites that offer projects related to website design, website redesign, web templates designing, coding updates and more.

Google Adsense: This is yet another smart option to work from home. All you need to do is create a website or blog on any theme and implement the Google Ad sense to display ads. You will earn on the basis of number ad clicks.

Affiliate Marketing: Online affiliate marketing is one of the most promising work from home jobs which includes the marketing the products and services of some other company on a commission basis. Once you understand the concept and are able to market a product successfully, you can be an affiliate marketer for more products.

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What is an apprenticeship?

Posted on May 3, 2012 by admin

Apprenticeship Overview:

So what is an apprenticeship? The term apprenticeship is used to define a system of innovative, structured and organised training based on competency and skills of the apprentice or trainee. An apprenticeship (also known as traineeship) is an agreement between the employer and the apprentice according to which the apprentice, trainee or employee learns occupational skills through on the job training. As an apprentice, one earns and learns practical skills through workplace experience.

There are various levels of apprenticeships, which includes the basic and advanced stages. Along with practical knowledge, apprenticeship also forms the fundamentals for theoretical education. It can be done during the educational phase of individual levels via technical degrees and one can also take up this formally at their workplace. In the latter, the employee usually gets paid during this tenure and the program is sponsored by the company or their employer.

Apprenticeship professions

Apprenticeships can be availed for almost any kind of job or profession. These may include construction and conventional jobs like pipe lifting, plumbing, electricity, repairing, etc. It can also be for healthcare industry including nursing, chefs, childcare workers, etc. Today, apprenticeships are also common in non-traditional occupations like information technology and finances.

Certification for Apprenticeship

All apprenticeship programs have valid certifications and accreditations. This is vital because these days a number of hoax programs and educational institutions have been set up that charge exorbitantly while providing poor quality apprenticeship programs. An accredited apprenticeship comes with a valid certification, which helps the individual to get a job or profession that suits his qualifications. In fact, with an apprenticeship, the chances of getting paid higher and being recruited are almost definite.

Benefits/Purpose Of Apprenticeship Programs

The basis of apprenticeship is to create a statistical and skilled base for a particular trade or profession using measurable competencies. An apprenticeship can be full-time or part-time and is a useful training period that helps the apprentice get work experience and help start a career in his chosen industry.

The registered apprenticeship programs are usually conducted by employers to train and upgrade their employees’ knowledge at par with current industry norms. Given below are the benefits of apprenticeship:

  •  Increasing productivity
  •  Help the individual get accepted by the industry as journey-workers
  •  Has provision for on-the-job training
  •  Required classroom instruction
  •  Assured wage structures
  •  Higher incentives and pay packages
  •  International or national recognition
  •  Overall improvement in future prospective
  •  Provide authenticity and consistency

How do apprenticeships work?

The apprenticeships are usually sponsored by one or a group of employers. These may be in sync with certain industry standards and are aligned with current occupational norms. According to this, the individuals are taught skills on mastering a particular job or profession. The programs offer them with beginning-to-expert levels of education and relevant training.

A lot of apprenticeships do have a selection process so that only the most skilled and capable individuals are selected. There are specific classroom hour requirements and failure to live up to these norms may result in cancellation of the apprenticeship. However, successful completion of the same ensures better prospective with on-the-job training.

Private or state sponsored apprenticeship

Apprenticeships can be private or state sponsored. The choice for the same depends on the sponsors, who select the candidate for the classroom instruction program. Though private training sessions ensures better perspective and more focus, the government or federal apprenticeship programs fare well at a professional level. Here the apprentices get enrolled for public institutions, which mean exemptions from many taxes, registration fees and other similar costs. Unlike many similar workforce related programs, public or state funded apprenticeships have stricter selection criteria.

Duration of apprenticeships

The duration of apprenticeships vary based on the qualifications or expertise that an individual seeks. These can range from 1-5 years, depending on the city or state. At times, the candidate can also choose an extended tenure that suits the time they are able to put in.

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How to Land a Job with Branch Out

Posted on April 24, 2012 by admin

Looking for a way to land your dream job? Branch Out can help you to turn your dream into a reality. Branch Out is a free online application that lets you create your professional profile with your educational qualification, job history and other details on Facebook.  Millions of people in more than 200 countries use this application to leverage their Facebook network to find a suitable job, build relationships with their professional contacts and recruit new employees. You will be amazed to know that this professional networking application has 25 million members and more than 400 million profiles. It is also worth mentioning that Branch Out have over three million jobs and 20,000 internships. A leading job board on Facebook is also managed by Branch Out.

 Tips To Land a Job with Branch Out

If you spend your time submitting your resumes to job boards and checking the jobs listed in the newspaper or internet, you may be missing out the latest and most efficient way that can help you land a job. You can land a job easily with Branch Out. This application will import your entire professional information and collect all the relevant information on what your Facebook friends are doing and where they are working. You can use some simple yet effective ways to find a job through Branch Out.

Get Noticed And Get A Job

If you enter into a job fair where there may potential connections, give them a strong reason to remember you. Use every face to face opportunity to create an unforgettable impression. Be sure to add your Branch out Profile URL, so that the contact will get a chance to reach you.

Use Skills Tagging

A great way to land a job with Branch Out is to use its new feature- Skills tagging. You can add skills to your profile in HTML or Associate Press Style. Add keywords to your profile highlighting your skills. This helps increase the chance of many recruiters finding you.

 Get Some Help From Your Friends

Many people get jobs through their real friends. Hence, the value of your Facebook network is very important. Branch Out provides you with an ability to find friends and friends of friends at the company you want to work. It is easier to find open jobs with these inside connections than those listed in newspapers and internet.

Once you decide the company you want to work, you can search Branch Out for contacts you have in that company. You can then reach those contacts and ask them the names of the industry-specific recruiters and HR managers. You can then send emails to them, which outline the reasons for why you should be interviewed. Your resume passes on to helpful contacts who send it to the decision makers at the intended company. This increases your chance to enter into the company’s applicant tracking system.

 Prove Your Expertise

You can land a job with Branch Out easily and quickly, if you demonstrate your expertise. You may have amazing web designing or writing skills. Be sure to update your Branch out profile picture and content. You can even ask for endorsements from your past colleagues. Use their support to prove that you were a great employee.

Branch Out unleashes the power of millions of Facebook users to connect recruiters with the best candidates. A study shows that more than 75% of employers verify the candidates’ Facebook profiles during the recruitment process. Hence, it is sensible to have a professional profile to demonstrate that you are a better candidate. While creating a profile, add all the information that you feel important for recruiters. Finding more Facebook friends who use Branch Out can help you get a more suitable job.

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Candidates Guide To Career Coaching

Posted on April 19, 2012 by admin

Choosing the right career can be a challenging task especially today when competition is fierce. There are many career opportunities that an individual is exposed to. It is important to remember that careers have the power to break or make one’s life; hence it is crucial to choose the right one depending on one’s interest and capabilities. Career coaching can help a candidate pursue the right course in the right college or institute and choose the perfect job.

The chosen career can be satisfying if the choice made is the right one. In fact if you choose the job that gives you lot of happiness then work will not be a burden. However, a wrong decision can leave you repent for your choice the whole life.

As an eligible candidate if you are going for a career search it is important to have the right information on the career you want to choose.  As a matter of fact a well informed choice is a safer bet than the one that is uninformed.  The career advice if given right can help you to take up a career that can suit your aspirations and your personality.

The access to career information and education plays a prominent role in you getting the right job in the field you choose.  The first thing to get the dream job is the qualification. You need to be well qualified to get the right job. If you are educated and have the right qualifications, you will be open to some top careers. The best part about being qualified is that power of choice will always be with you and not your employer. So education is the key in getting the right job.

Proper career coaching can open up a number of opportunities for you. If you take the right direction your career can be satisfying and a fulfilling one.  A career counselor or career coach is the right person who can guide you about choosing the right career by assessing your aptitude, experience, qualifications, goals and interests. The right support and guidance on career to the candidates can help shape the career.

A career coach or a counselor can help a job seeker to move on to his next employment opportunity in the most expedient and efficient means possible. These services provided by the career coach are basically targeted for unemployed individuals who are looking for a change.

Career coaching, as it is known today has originated from corporate coaching that was prevalent in the 1980’s. For those who look forward to establish a relationship with a career coach should first understand the process. It is wise to connect with a career coach who will act as a powerful mediator between your qualification and your job.

You must go for career coaching early in life. The right career counseling can guide you in choosing the courses that can be the right fit for you.  It can either be a Bachelor’s degree course or a master’s course. For some jobs, a master’s degree is a must while for others a bachelor’s degree would do.

When it comes to choosing a good job, the choice of the university is crucial as each university has its own ranking and differs in its approach and outlook. Various universities offer a vast range of courses, some offering online degrees while some offer associate degrees. Your career coach will guide you in this regard too.

This is more applicable if you are already working in some company and looking for a change in career. The same logic is also helpful, if you are planning to go for multiple courses all at the same time.

Job search can be made easy with proper career coaching. You can see that with proper guidance you can bridge the gap between your qualification and job-availability.  Career coaching comes in handy when one is looking for a change in current career or establishing a new career. Proper career guidance can help in carving out the most suitable path for you.

Looking for UK local careers information then click to view by city.

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How to Write A CV That Gets You A Job

Posted on April 10, 2012 by admin

How to Write A CV, whether you are a graduate, IT specialist or any other professional looking for a job, promotion, job change or internship, writing a good CV is crucial to get noticed in the crowd. You need to know how to write a CV (Curriculum Vitae) that will increase your chance to get a job. Including some important information in the CV can help you meet the expectations of the interviewer.

Your CV must sell you to a prospective employer. Hence the challenge in writing CV is to make it more appealing and attractive. You need to present your CV in a professional manner and in a way that indicates you are a right candidate for the job. Here are a few tips on how to write a CV that gets you a job.

CV Heading

In the heading of the CV, write your name, surname, address, phone number and email ID. If you are applying for a job abroad, you need to include the international dialing code of your location as well. Making this information available at the top of the CV increases your chance of being contacted by the interviewer.

Objective

The CV objective should be a brief statement that should state the type of position you are seeking and your career objective. It should also state how you aim to benefit the company. Candidates who are hunting for a job must have various CVs with variation in objectives for different jobs.

Education & Skills

The best tip on how to write a CV is to focus well on the skills summary section. This section gives you an opportunity to make your strengths and capabilities known to the recruiter. You should include your qualification and knowledge in this section. If you have completed any relevant courses related to the job vacancy for which you are applying for, include those details too. Ensure that the information included in this section is relevant to what your prospective employer is looking for.

 Experience

Mention your job roles and responsibilities under this section. Do list all major projects you have worked on that are relevant to this job. Keep this section of your CV simple, easy to read and catchy. Take time to tailor it to meet the expectation of the recruiter. It is advisable to avoid going into lengthy descriptions and at the same time mention everything important. You can write it in bullet points to increase its readability.

Things To Avoid While Writing A CV

The main purpose of writing CV is to get an interview call. You need to understand that there are some things that may put the recruiters off. While learning how to write a CV, understand what it should not have.

  • Lengthy CVs do not get more attention. Writing brief sentences with the right words can help create an impact.  Ensure that you use the same tense throughout your CV. Changing the tense in the middle may confuse and irritate the reader.
  • Many job seekers make a common mistake of using I, MY, He and/or She in the CV. The usage of these makes your CV look unprofessional. Instead of using them, you can use bullet points to list out your educational qualification, skills and experience. For instance, instead of writing, “I was a team leader for ABC Company from 2008 to 2009, write “Team Leader in ABC Company from 2008-2009.
  • You should not lie about your qualifications and past jobs.  You may be able to get a job by telling lies, but they may cause a serious impact on your career later.
  • More often, candidates fail to provide details about their employment dates, job titles and gaps between employments. One of the useful tips on how to write a CV is to avoid these inaccuracies as far as possible.
  • Be sure to include your achievements, rewards, activities, interests and hobbies in your CV, as they would represent your personality.
  • It is always advisable to avoid using abbreviations and jargons that are difficult to understand. If the recruiters do not understand any term in your CV, they simply throw it in the trash can.

These tips on how to write a CV perfectly will help increase your chance to get an interview call and a good job. View what is a CV for more information.

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Psychometric Testing: A Perfect Way To Evaluate Candidates

Posted on April 6, 2012 by admin

The term “psychometric” is derived from a Greek word that means mental and measurement. Basically a person’s mental ability and personality is analysed using psychometric tests. Today many employers use this test to screen the candidates during the hiring process. There are many types of psychometric tests that are available. Some tests are specifically designed to facilitate the employers with a fitting process of selecting the right candidate for the right job.

Psychometric tests are one of the various methods that are used by the employers during the process of selection. The initial screening process of companies usually consists of the following:

Advertising about the job using various media sources.

  • The potential candidates are required to send in their resume.
  • The organisation evaluates whether the candidate can be the right fit based on the educational qualification and experience.

Once this initial screening is done, the candidate is then asked to take the psychometric test. These tests are mainly conducted to test the candidates attributes like:

  • intelligence
  • aptitude
  • personality

Psychometric tests provides the potential employer to know more about the candidate and how well he/she can work with other people and if they have the ability to handle stress. These tests also determine whether the candidate will be able to gear up and deliver the intellectual demands of the job.

In general there are two types of psychometric tests that are used by many employers.

  • Personality and interest tests
  • Aptitude and ability tests

Personality and interest tests basically measure the way the candidate does his job and how he/she can interact with his/her environment. On the other hand, the ability tests are conducted to measure the ability of the candidate to carry out different types of tasks.

How do Aptitude Tests benefit?                                                                                            Ability and aptitude tests cover the following:

  • Verbal Ability
  • Numeric Ability
  • Abstract Reasoning
  • Spatial Reasoning
  • Mechanical Reasoning

These tests are designed in a way that can help assess the candidate’s logical reasoning or their power to think on a particular issue.  All the ability tests usually are multiple choice questions and they are conducted like other exams. There is a time limit to complete this paper.

Verbal Ability – As the name suggests, this paper puts forth a series of questions before the candidate to test his/her ability on spelling, grammar and other analogies. The detailed instructions have to be followed and written accordingly.

Numeric Ability – Numeric ability tests consists of tests on basic number sequences and arithmetic. However there are more complex critical reasoning numerical questions that may necessitate interpretation.

Reasoning - This test is done to test the logical reasoning and is based more on diagrams. These tests measure the candidate’s ability to identify the logic of a design and arrive at a solution.

Spatial Reasoning – This test focuses on measuring the ability of the candidate to manipulate figure in two dimensions or imagine a three-dimensional object that is presented as a two-dimensional picture.

Mechanical Reasoning – The candidate’s physical and mechanical principles are derived by using the mechanical reasoning tests.

Raw scores can be derived by conducting aptitude tests.  One candidate’s score may indicate his/her ability and show that he/she is better than say 80% of graduates or is  competent to carry out certain tasks that the job requires.

Overall it has been seen that aptitude tests are completed only by a few candidates. Not all the candidates appearing for the tests can complete the tests. As a student, you need not be worried if you cannot complete all the questions.

Employers Who use Psychometric Tests

Psychometric tests are conducted by 80% of the Fortune 500 companies located in the USA and 75% by the Times Top 100 companies in the UK. Today we can find several employers in IT, energy, engineering, consultancy, banking, accountancy use psychometric tests to choose their employees.

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Candidate’s Guide to Aptitude Tests

Posted on April 2, 2012 by admin

Aptitude tests or psychometric tests are used by many recruiters in almost all the fields for the purpose of recruitment and development. As a candidate willing to appear for the interview you should be aware why this test is conducted and what can be the outcome of the same.

Understanding Psychometric Tests

Employers across various fields use psychometric tests before they take any decision on a particular candidate after their selection. These tests are used to check the ability of the person by means of various tests that include personality tests, reasoning tests, motivation questionnaires and ability evaluation. The results obtained from these tests are also used to assist them in training and development of the candidate. Apart from this the candidate’s preferred work style is also understood with the help of personality questionnaires.

 Aptitude Tests and Ability Tests

Some employers consider this test as an important part of their recruitment process that can help them short list the candidates who come for the interview. This test can help the employer to assess the skills of the candidate that includes his verbal, written and numerical ability and make the right choice. Ability tests are plenty in number and can test a range of skills. So the right aptitude test suitable for that particular job is conducted to assess the candidates who have applied for the same. The length of each test may also differ.

With the advent of technology, ability tests can be done online too. The company decides the mode on which these tests will be conducted. Whatever be the process all candidates appearing for the test would be informed about the rules and regulations apart from the time that is allowed for the test.

 Personality Questionnaires

Personality tests are not like ability tests as there is nothing right or wrong when it comes to the answers. This test just gives an idea to the potential employers about the candidate’s preferred style of working.

 What can one know from a personality test:

• If the candidate is a team player or likes to work alone. This would also help the employer evaluate if the candidate can work both in a team and alone.

• If the candidate can be a good sales person.

• If the candidate like to work in a logical fashion or in a creative way.

It becomes easy for the employer to understand how the candidate prefers to work. If the candidate shows more traits for being a sales person it would be great mistake if he/she is appointed for some other role.

Unlike ability tests, there is no specific time limit that is used in personality test. However, the candidates are informed not to spend too much time on completing the questionnaire and give their response soon. Some companies use the personality test score later and make it a part of the recruitment process and interview.

 Benefits of Using Psychometric /Aptitude Tests

These tests are used mainly for the following reasons:

• Recruitment of the right candidate for the right job

• To know if the candidate can work as a team

• To gain additional information about the candidate that is not presented in their CV

 Taking the Psychometric Test- Approach

Here are some tips if you are asked to take the psychometric test in order to get the job:

• Do not panic. It is important for you to understand that these tests are mainly conducted to judge if you are the right person for the job.

• It is important to work through the questions accurately and quickly as there are time limits set and you need to complete the questionnaire.

• For a personality questionnaire it is best to be yourself and be honest when you answer those questions. It is not worth it to guess what your employers look for. When it comes to personality tests there is no right or wrong answer.

All the results will be kept confidential and will be shared only with the HR department and the line manager who is in charge of recruitment.

There are various different styles of tests and employee screening solutions, just remember relax, try your best, and be yourself.

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Career Advice For Writing An Impressive CV

Posted on March 26, 2012 by admin

Most employers get CVs (Curriculum Vitae) by the dozen every day, which means your CV needs to grab attention in the first few seconds, else it could find itself in the garbage bin. Considering the high number of people around the world looking for jobs, competition has only got tougher. While there is no one formula for writing an effective CV, there certainly are tips which could help you. Here is some useful career advice for writing an impressive CV:

Write a focused career summary
Career summary is that section of the CV where you must communicate the kind of professional you are and why you should be hired. In the summary, you must talk about your positive aspects, skills, expertise and experience. You can choose to have a short 30-40 word paragraph or 4-5 bulleted points in the summary. Make sure you mention all your strengths that you want the prospective employer to know. Your CV must elaborate and support what you state in the summary.

Write relevant titles

Include useful information and discard irrelevant points. Remember, your potential employer has dozens of CVs to go through. Thus, an important career advice when writing an impressive CV is to include everything relevant and exclude everything irrelevant.

Titles and headings are one of the first things that catch an employer’s attention. Here are some titles or subheadings your CV must have.

  • Career Summary:                                                                                                                             This should be crisp and focused and mentioned above.
  • Personal & Contact Details:                                                                                                            Should be accurate.
  • Educational Qualifications:                                                                                                       Mention your degree and certifications under this.
  • Skills and Knowledge:                                                                                                                 Write about soft skills and other relevant knowledge you possess.
  • Work Experience:                                                                                                                         Always use words like managed, created, planned, supervised, etc. while writing this.
  • Interests and Hobbies:                                                                                                                    Be very precise while writing this.
  • References:                                                                                                                                   Mention two references.

Quantify wherever possible

Numbers always have a lasting impact than vague words. Make sure you follow this career advice when you write your CV the next time. Instead of writing something like “ensured client satisfaction at all times”, a better line could be “managed such and such number of clients on a regular basis.” As another example, if you are moving from a junior editor position to a senior editor position, including the approximate number of copies edited till date could leave a better impression on your potential employer.

Check your spelling and grammar

It goes without saying that the language of the CV must be error-free. In fact, it is the most important tip when writing a CV. No matter what position you are applying for, your grammar and spelling has to be immaculate. One spelling error and your CV could find its way to the garbage bin. Errors in grammar and spelling in your CV are not so much about your language skills. Rather, they give an impression of unprofessionalism, which no organisation would accept.

Tell them why you should be hired

The golden rule of selling is- you have to tell your customer how he will benefit if he purchases your product or service. When you are writing a CV, you are essentially selling your skills to an organisation. Thus, as an important career advice, try to tell your employers how they would benefit by hiring you.

For example, for a writing position, points like “ensured high levels of productivity and efficiency with a speed of so and so words per minute” gives out your efficiency at work and also tells the organisation what it would get by hiring you.

CV presentation

Do ensure that sentences are crisp and text font and size enhances readability. Use bulleted lists instead of paragraphs wherever possible. You can use bold or italics to highlight important information. It must be clearly structured and logically ordered. It must be easy to read, informative but not overcrowded.

While there may be no one formula for writing an impressive CV, the above career advice would help in presenting yourself better in front of potential employers.

Click to view more CV advice and CV templates or find out what is a CV

 

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Things You Must Know About Remote Working And Online Careers

Posted on March 16, 2012 by admin

With technology invading almost every sphere of our life and most of us managing multiple tasks at one time, job attitudes are changing. Although the trend of remote working is still alien to many employers as well as employees, it is definitely on the rise. The idea of being on your own, setting your own work schedules and working from the comfort of your home does appeal to many initially. However, like everything else, there is the good side as well as the bad side of working from home.

The good side

  • As an employee, remote working gives you the freedom of space as well as schedule. Most of the times, you are free to work whenever you want to as long as you meet deadlines.
  • An online career also gives you the advantage of a better social life and time for other important tasks. You don’t need to spend hours travelling to and from work which eats away your social time. This is especially advantageous for working parents or single parents who have a tough time handling kids and jobs simultaneously.
  • As an employer, you obviously get the benefit of cost savings. You save on infrastructure costs, travelling perks and other perks, such as health insurance, etc.

The bad side

  • On the flip side, remote working and online careers can be boring for those with an outgoing personality who love to interact with people. You are on your own all day with nobody to talk to which can get to you in the long run.
  • Lack of motivation is another disadvantage of an online career. Once you get into the habit of waking up late and doing things at your own pace, it can be difficult to stay motivated. As an employer too, you can find it difficult to motivate your remote workers since you are not face to face with them at all times.
  • A complete opposite to the above could be becoming addicted to your work. When you work from home, it is easy to be constantly connected to your work e-mail, checking it frequently throughout the day, which could disturb your sleeping pattern at night.

How do you manage online careers from home?

While there is the good as well as bad side of remote working, with some help, you can manage it and ensure you enjoy the best of everything.

  • Have a well defined workplace at your home. It is important to designate a corner in your home as your workplace to bring some semblance of an office.
  • Stay connected. To have successful online careers, it is important to stay connected with your employers at least for some time during the day. Whether you are working as a freelancer or as a contractual employee, staying connected ensures you project a professional attitude and remain in the good books of your employer.
  • Do not work 7 days a week. With remote working, it is easy to slip into a 24/7 work mode. If you work 7 days a week, it could lead to a burnout and hence, erode your motivation of doing work. Make sure you take at least a day off from work every week. It could be any day you feel comfortable with as long as it does not compromise the deadlines.
  • As an employer, have regular interactions with your remote employees. Remote employees too need a sense of belonging to an organisation. Thus, as an employer, make sure you have regular interactions with them, either personally or over the phone, Skype etc. It helps them stay motivated.

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5 Tips For Those Planning A Career Change

Posted on March 9, 2012 by admin

While every individual worth his salt may advise others of being clear about their goals and objectives in life, in real-life situations, that seldom is true. There are a significant number of people around the world who change careers or at least think of doing so at some point in their life. Career change refers to finding a completely new industry, new position and a new set of responsibilities.

While finding a new career is relatively easy for those just starting out, it can be a stressful affair for those facing a mid-life crisis. Nevertheless, career change requires planning and preparation to ensure that you do not go through a mental or a physical breakdown. Here are 5 tips to keep in mind for those planning to change careers that could help them tide over this sensitive phase in life with confidence.

1) Network well

Before you decide to jump careers, it is a good idea to have a good network to dig into. Use Linkedin, Facebook and other social networking sites to interact with the right people at your present workplace and invest your time in building relations that will help in your new career path. Building a good network is essential for ensuring that you don’t have to wait long to find yourself a job in a new industry.

2) Take care of your financial health

When you go in for a career change, be prepared to wait for some time. To ensure that you are comfortable during the waiting period, plan things in such a way that you have an adequate financial cushion to keep you at ease. So, once you have decided to switch careers, start saving and make a monthly budget for yourself. If you are comfortable in the transition period, you will find it way easier to stick to your plans and move into a new career.

Many people don’t pay heed to the financial factor and have to bear the brunt of going broke, which in most cases leads to change of plans and ambitions.

3) Acquaint yourself

It is important that once you have decided to move into a new industry and a new role, etc., you acquaint yourself with the responsibilities of a new job. This could involve going in for training courses in the relevant field or adding to your educational qualifications. For example, for somebody wanting to move from the field of software designing to a position of marketing in an IT firm, it is a good idea to acquaint yourself with the latest in the field of marketing and maybe undergo a short term training course in the same field.

4) Be patient and positive

A career change, most times, will take some time. Be patient and positive and try to focus on the job at hand. Do not try to rush into things, because change is always gradual. Rushing into things can make a perfectly good situation bad for you. Although it is human tendency to get the things you desire immediately, you need to be patient with your career, else you can ruin it. Also, it is important that you stay optimistic.

5) Have a backup plan

This is critical. Many times, things don’t go as we plan. For example, something that you thought would be enjoyable may not turn out to be as enjoyable; or you may encounter unfavorable circumstances that could force you to drop your plans for the time being. Be prepared to face this unpredictability of life. Have a backup plan so that you don’t have to go through misery and despair. This could mean having an alternate career option or going back to the same job that you once had.

With this career change information, you will surely be able to go through your career transition phase fruitfully without facing any disappointments.

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Good Luck for the future!

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