Transferable Skills, Bringing Your Skills to a New Career

By Dawn Rosenberg McKay, About.com Guide

You've had enough of your current job. As a matter of fact, you've had enough of your current career. It's time for a change. But what about all that valuable experience you've been stockpiling while toiling away at your job and the jobs that came before it? Do you really have to throw it all away and start from scratch? No you don't. That's where transferable skills come in.

What Are Transferable Skills?

Transferable skills are the skills you've gathered through various jobs, volunteer work, hobbies, sports, or other life experiences that can be used in your next job or new career. In addition to being useful to career changers, transferable skills are also important to those who are facing a layoff, new graduates who are looking for their first jobs, and to those re-entering the workforce after an extended absence.

How to Identify Your Transferable Skills

The job titles you've held may tell little about what your actual jobs entailed. In other words, formal job descriptions are often very different from reality. That is why it's important to dissect each job you've held in order to discover what skills you actually used to do that job. If you are re-entering the workforce or entering it for the first time you'll have to look at your life experiences to get this information. Use this worksheet to help you organize and rate your skills.

Find Out How You Can Use Your Transferable Skills

When making a career change you should do a thorough self assessment to determine what career is most suitable for you. Part of this self assessment involves finding out what careers best utilize your skills. To learn about various careers and what skills are required you can do the following:

• Gather occupational information.
• Read job descriptions in help wanted ads.
• Contact professional associations.

Selling Your Transferable Skills to a Prospective Employer

You've identified your transferable skills. You know where you can use them. Now you have to convince potential employers. Simply presenting your job titles on your resume won't do the trick since those titles track your old career path. One way to do this is to write an objective that tells which skills are applicable to the position you are seeking. The other way is to write a skills-based resume — either a functional or combination resume. A functional resume describes each of your skills. A combination resume combines a functional resume with a chronological resume, listing your work experience in addition to your skills.

10 Job Search Scams to Beware of.

In a tough job market, it's easy to get desperate. But don't get so hard up that you forget to pay attention to what you're doing. If you're not careful, you could end up falling prey to one of these job search scams. Read on to learn about how these scams work, and how you can avoid them.

1.Package forwarding: Jobs that advertise package handling or forwarding are often cons that can hurt in two ways. First, by taking your money, and then, possibly getting you into legal trouble. You'll receive packages typically containing stolen goods, send them out with your own money, and possibly receive a visit from the police about receiving stolen goods at your address.

2.Identity theft: Jobs often get sensitive information from employees, and many ask for this information before you're even hired. But you should be careful about what you give out. Some scammers will check out your online resume to call as a prospective employer, then ask you for your Social Security number and other personal information that can be used to steal your identity. You should be careful to only share sensitive information once you're further along into the application process.

3.Work at home scams: Although there are many legitimate ways to work at home, work at home opportunities are often scams. You may be asked to assemble crafts or stuff envelopes, but you'll have to buy a starter kit first, and end up not actually being able to sell anything. Others send you a list of companies looking for home workers, or potential clients that are outdated or wrong. Still others will have you duping others with the same ad that you fell for to get the "job."

4. Email job offers: You probably won't remember applying for the job that's emailed to you, but they are very, very interested in hiring you. Of course, you'll need to send them your Social Security number and other personal information, which they'll use to steal your identity. Make sure that you're getting emails from a legitimate company that actually wants to hire you.

5. Federal job scams: Information about job openings in the government or postal service is free and easily available, and applying for one is free, too. But scam artists often advertise to help job seekers find positions within the government, and they charge for this service. They may tell you that you have to pay for study materials that will help you pass the exam required to get the job. The truth is, there may not even be a job available in your area, and their materials may be worthless.

6. Fake search sites: Bogus websites may look professional, but they're just trying to gather your personal information. In order to register as a job seeker and see job postings, you'll have to share sensitive information that will be used to steal your identity.

7. Money processing: Money processing jobs are typically designed to turn you into a money mule. As a money mule, you'll transfer stolen money or merchandise. Of course, you won't be told that what you're moving is stolen. They're advertised as "payment processing," "local processing," or "money transfer agents," and they're all scams.

8. Job search assistants and services: These scams offer help finding a job, especially in a tough market. They're not out to help you-they are just after your personal information.

9. Legitimate employers that aren't: Scammers may post jobs on a website claiming to be a legitimate employer, using corporate identity theft. They're posting bogus jobs that aren't related to the employer, and they're using them to get you to share information they can use to steal your identity.

10. Direct recruiters: "Direct recruiters" may call you up, offering to help you find a job. Don't give them your personal information-ask them for their name and business number, and then look online to find out if there are any scams affiliated with them.

Why a good resume is so important.

It's the first meeting between you and a prospective employer...

You have heard the expression "First impressions are lasting ones." Well, your resume is the first meeting between you and a prospective employer more often now than ever. So, how do you want to be remembered? Wrinkled and unorganized. Neat and structured. Long and boring. Precise and interesting. Companies do not have the time to interview every applicant that is interested in the job. If they did, there would not be a company to work for. They use an eliminating process. That's right - resumes.

They tell the employer a great deal about you...

Resumes tell an employer a great deal about you. Where you have been, where you are and where you are headed. However, the story must be told quickly and clearly. You only have a few moments to convince the employer that your resume deserves further attention before it's trashed. Your resume needs to shout - professionally, "I am the one you want on your team." So much so, that even if you are not appropriate for the advertised position, he or she would be inclined to start one for you.

They tell you a great deal about yourself...

Resumes also tell you a great deal about yourself. Many people are unsure of exactly what they do for a living. Most people underestimate their importance to the overall success of the business. Once you stop and think about your job responsibilities , you realize you do and know a lot. You begin to gain confidence about you and your qualifications. This new found confidence can be carried to the interview.

Its purpose is to get the interview...

The purpose of the resume is to get the interview. After reading it, employers should want to get to know you better. Your resume is your friend, if properly prepared. If not, it could be just the thing that loses your opportunity. Use it to your advantage. You have complete control over whatever employer knows about you. Never falsify information, but emphasize the good, and de-emphasize the bad. Make sure your lasting impression is a profound and positive one.

Going to an Interview

As you prepare to go job hunting, you should begin preparing for interviews. One way to get good at interviewing is by going on them. Going on interviews may allow you to get comfortable with yourself and the types of questions most interviewers ask. You may also learn ways to make yourself stand out from the crowd. Here are some basic tips to help you with interviews.

Interview Research

Before you go into the interview, you may need to do some research on the company. What are their major products? What are some basic statistics, including revenue and employees? What is the structure of the company? What are the starting salaries for other entry-level employees in the same field? You may also want to know how people inside the company think and feel about the company.

Bond with the Interviewer

Many interviewers interview several people in one day, so they may be bored and tired. Try to establish some type of connection with the interviewer. This connection may not be work related, but it still may be able to help you stand out. You may want to talk about a personal experience that represents qualities that you may need at the position that you're applying for. Your interviewer may be impressed with your storytelling abilities, personality, and personal skills.

Ask Questions

During the interview, ask questions. Try to ask good questions that show that you have done your research. By asking questions, you're showing the interviewer that you're able to take initiative in a situation, and you're truly interested in the position. It also shows you that you have prepared for this interview.

Be Confident

Confidence may help you win over the interviewer. When you walk into the room, you want to look like you feel comfortable in the situation. Giving a firm handshake may be the first step to showing your confidence. Confidence is important because if you don't believe in yourself, why should the interviewer? 

Highest Paying Jobs in the US

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Do what you love and the money will follow is great in theory, but the truth of the matter is, certain jobs and fields simply pay more. The Bureau of Labor Statistics National Compensation Survey showed, for example, that white-collar earnings, which averaged $21.85 per hour, were the highest among occupational groups. Blue-collar pay averaged $15.03 per hour, while the hourly pay of service occupations averaged just $10.40.

The jobs that pay the most require at least a four-year college degree. According to the most recent data from the Employment Policy Foundation, the national 12 top-paying jobs -- and the mean annual income reported in 2003 for each -- were:

Top Paying Jobs Overall

Physicians and surgeons -- $147,000

Aircraft pilots -- $133,500

Chief executives -- $116,000

Electrical and electronic engineers -- $112,000

Lawyers and judges -- $99,800

Dentists -- $90,000

Pharmacists -- $85,500

Management analysts -- $84,700

Computer and information system managers -- $83,000

Financial analysts, managers and advisors -- $84,000

Marketing and sales managers -- $80,000

Education administrators -- $80,000

Though many of these occupations require an advanced degree, there are jobs at every education level that pay more than other jobs for workers with similar levels of schooling. Here, courtesy of the Employment Policy Foundation, is a look at the best-paying occupations at varying education levels:

Top Paying Jobs That Do Not Require a High School Degree
These jobs tend to require substantial on-the-job training and work experience rather than formal education and schooling:

Industrial production managers -- $36,000

Bailiffs, correctional officers and jailers -- $36,400

Drafters -- $36,000

Construction manager -- $33,600

Electricians -- $31,900

Top Paying Jobs for High School Graduates
These occupations emphasize work experience and on-the-job training rather than formal education:

Computer software engineers -- $58,900

Computer/information systems managers -- $56,400

Computer programmers -- $55,000

Network systems and data communications analysts -- $49,000

General and operations managers -- $48,000

Database, network and computer systems administrators -- $48,000

Top Paying Jobs for a Two-Year College Degree
The following jobs tend to be technical in nature, emphasizing skills developed on the job as well as job-specific training and certifications:

Healthcare practitioners -- $66,000

Business analysts -- $58,000

Electrical and electronic engineers -- $57,000

Mechanical engineers -- $56,800

General and operations managers -- $54,000

Computer and information systems managers -- $50,400

"A look at expected earnings over a lifetime shows the economic benefit of higher education attainment," says Tony Carnevale, who chaired President Clinton's  National Commission for Employment Policy and authored several books, including "America and the New Economy: How New Competitive Standards are Radically Changing American Workplaces."

A person with a doctoral or professional degree, for example, is expected to earn about $3 million over the course of his or her working life while a person without a high school diploma is expected to earn less than $1 million. "Despite an increasing supply of well-educated workers, the college wage premium has nearly doubled since 1980, largely because of the added value of a college education in the new knowledge economy," adds Carnevale.

The Employment Policy Forum concurs, but stresses that these numbers are only averages. Individual earnings depend on many factors inducing geographic location, employer size (average hourly earnings ranged from $15.06 in organizations employing between 1 and 99 workers to $24.09 in those with 2,500 workers or more), industry (workers in goods-producing industries earned $18.46 an hour vs. those in service-producing industries who earned $16.44 an hour) and the workers skills and characteristics.

Top 10 tips for keeping a job

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1.Try and Make the Job Work. Is there anything you could be doing differently to make the job work? Could you ask for a transfer or a shift change? Is there anything that would make a difference and convince you to stay?

2.Work Hard. Most employers don't mind a little time spent on Facebook or texting, but do focus on your job and give your employer the time you're getting paid for. When it comes to making lay-off decisions, and the company has to choose, the most productive employees will get to keep the job.

3.Be On Time. The workers who are late to work, take a long lunch hour, use a ton of sick time, and/or leave early every day aren't going to win any points with their boss. Be punctual and be there, instead of making excuses for why you can't be at work.

4.Be a Team Player. The employees who don't get along well with others, who gossip about other workers, or who aren't willing to pitch in to help, aren't going to be appreciated.

5.Be Flexible. Flexibility can be a key component of hanging on to your job. When the company needs someone to change shifts, work weekends, put in some overtime, or work a different schedule, think about volunteering if your personal schedule permits.

6.Don't Complain. Nobody likes complainers, regardless of how legitimate the complaints are. If you don't like your job, I can guarantee there are plenty of other people who would jump at the chance to get it. When the job market is as upside down in the employer's favor as it is now, be really careful about complaining.

7.Offer to Help. One of the best ways to get (or keep) job security is to volunteer for new initiatives, to offer to help with projects, and to take on more responsibility.

8.Keep Your Thoughts to Yourself. Even if you hate your job, keep it to yourself and your family or close friends. Don't tell the world, because the wrong person is probably going to see what you posted. That, in and of itself, can cost you your job.

9.Be Positive. Negativity is contagious, but so is a positive attitude. I have a Post-it not on my desk with a quote from Rosanne Cash which says: Cheerfulness is a choice. The more you stay positive, even if you're in a tough situation, the better you'll be able to manage.

10.Suck it Up. Maybe it's not your favorite job. Maybe you'd rather be doing something else. However, it is a paycheck and if you need the income, it can make sense to stay until you secure a new position.

When All Else Fails. When keeping your job simply isn't feasible, and it isn't always, take the time to prepare to job search and plan your departure, so you're not scrambling to find a job because you just got terminated.

4 Weird Ways to Find a Job

"4 'Weird' Ways to Find a Job"  by Kevin Donlin

It was gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson who said: "When the going gets tough, the weird turn pro."

When it comes to your job search in this sluggish economy, you might try this advice: When the going gets tough, the tough get weird.

In other words, be daring. Different. Zig when other job seekers are zagging.

Here are four ways to get "weird" -- and more importantly, get hired -- by being unconventional in your job search ...

1) Seek The Path Less Followed
Everyone advises you to post your resume on leading sites like Monster.com and HotJobs.com. And there's nothing wrong with that -- my clients have been hired using both.

But don't forget the growing number of job postings found on niche Web sites that cater to specific industries, associations and other affinity groups.

One woman named Carla S., from Marshall, Minnesota states:

"I interviewed for and got offered a great job this week after applying to openings on sites from my industry, like www.jobsinlogistics.com and www.careersinfood.com," says Carla.

If you follow Carla's lead and focus your search on sites that appeal to a narrow audience, you'll likely find you have less competition for jobs that are closely matched to your qualifications. That's a win-win scenario, don't you think?

Find niche job boards at sites like www.nicheboards.com and by doing searches for keywords ("YOUR INDUSTRY + jobs") at search engines like www.google.com, www.yahoo.com, www.teoma.com and www.kartoo.com.

2) Network Backwards
Another person, Jeff R. from Prior Lake, Minnesota, hit pay dirt in December by networking among contacts most people would never consider calling -- potential employers from his LAST job search.

"I emailed a manager I had interviewed with two years ago, before my latest job. He had moved to a different part of the company, but he referred me to the right decision maker. That new person interviewed me and offered me a job," says Jeff.

So don't forget to look both ways when you network - forward and back, all the way back to your college career office and internships, no matter how long ago you graduated.

3) Reject Rejection
Your response to a letter of rejection may, incredibly, get you the job, according to California-based James Adams, a career expert and former job-search consultant to the U.S. government

"I was consulted by a woman who interviewed very well for a position, but still got a letter of rejection after applying. Most people would have torn up the letter and gone on to other things," says Adams.

Instead, Adams told her to write a gracious reply, thanking the company for their time and reaffirming her strong desire to work for them.

Did it work?

"The top contender for the position had to relocate on short notice. The hiring panel remembered the letter they got from the really eager and pleasant woman who replied to their rejection letter. She got the job," says Adams.

4) Networking Begins At Home
When networking and sending out resumes, most folks tend to search far and wide for job leads. But don't overlook your own family as a potential gold mine of employment information.

Paul W. from Columbia Heights, Minnesota, found a job this way in accounting and financial management:

"I emailed over 100 resumes to employers and was networking seriously, eventually getting 8-10 good interviews. But it was my wife who helped me find my new job," says Paul.

His wife told her friend, who told her boss about Paul's qualifications. That wife's friend's boss offered Paul an interview, and eventually, a job. It's proof that you should leave no stone unturned in your networking efforts, even under your own roof!

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Kevin Donlin is Managing Editor of 1 Day Resumes. The 1DR writers provide same-day, one-on-one resume writing assistance. He is also author of "Resume and Cover Letter Secrets Revealed," a do-it-yourself manual that will help you find a job in 30 days ... or your money back. For more information, please visit Resume and Cover Letter Secrets




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The Importance of Updating your Resume

How many of us actually bother to keep our resume regularly updated? If you were approached for the job of your dreams, the job you have always wanted, would you have your resume updated and ready to be sent?

Update It Yearly

This is what most people should be doing but are not. It is good to update your resume every year. What happens if there is a job opportunity and you find that your resume hasn't been updated in years? You will lose out on a great offer because you could not submit your resume in time or update it accurately with the relevant information that could have been beneficial. It is best to update your resume every year so that you can keep adding your accomplishments or new projects. Do not wait for years to do what you can do for your resume now. Who knows - you may forget important information and that will definitely be detrimental to your career.

Update If Switching Careers

If you are thinking of switching careers then it is time to change your resume. Your new updated and improved resume should focus on skills that will benefit new career opportunities - these skills are called transferable skills. This helps in presenting yourself as a stronger and more capable candidate for a job in the new field. Match your accomplishments to your transferable skills, which will make a better impression on the interviewer.

Update When Anticipating Layoffs

Layoffs are becoming more and more prominent in every organization in every field, largely due to the state of the economy. So in the worst case scenario where you are laid off, you should at least have your resume updated.

What happens to most people is that they are not prepared for a layoff. They think it will not happen to them. If you expect it and are not laid off, great! But if you are laid off...you may end up jobless - and without an updated resume. If you know that your organization is in the process of layoffs then prepare for it. Keep your resume updated. Look out for new job opportunities. You are a better candidate while you are employed as opposed to laid off and unemployed.

Update If Not Happy With Your Job

If you are unhappy with your job, if you are dissatisfied and frustrated with the job you are doing, then you are losing more than you would if you just quit. If you are planning on quitting, it is best that you keep your resume updated so that you can submit it as and when the need arises.

Updating your resume is a task that is quite time consuming. You need to decide on what kind of update your resume requires. While updating your resume you can also change the look of your resume in terms of the format. A well-written resume makes all the difference. It is your best sales tool in finding that better position that you have been looking for.

If you are having problems with how to actually go about updating your resume, contact Successful Career Solutions and we can make the process less stressful for you. 

Recession Proof Careers

During this economic turmoil, while everyone is either holding on furiously to their current position or looking feverishly for a new job, there are 9 careers that will continue to prosper during this recession.

1. Education
Math and science teachers will be in demand as the U.S. struggles to compete with other countries in engineering, technology, and medicine. A growing immigrant population means more English-as-a-second-language classes will be needed.
Postsecondary teachers - Median salary: $56,120 Education: bachelor's degree and often a master's or doctorate
Teacher assistants - Median salary: $21,580 Education: some post-secondary education or vocational training
Educational, vocational, and school counselors - Median salary: $49,450 Education: secondary education, associate's, bachelor's, or master's


2. Energy
Some of the jobs in this field are the result of projects started a year or more ago. But the real boost will come from the new administration's commitment to a more efficient national energy system. "Growth of energy consumption around the world will keep this sector strong," says Laurence Shatkin, coauthor of 150 Best Recession-Proof Jobs.

Power plant operators - Median salary: $56,640 Education: vocational training and several years of on-the-job training
Insulation workers - Median salary: $31,280 Education: secondary education and vocational training
Electrical power-line installers and repairers - Median salary: $52,570 Education: vocational training and several years of on-the-job training

3. Environment
Green is getting the green light in a nationwide push to make homes and office buildings more energy-efficient and to develop alternative energy sources (solar, wind, nuclear) as well as fuel cell technology. "Anything involved with wind power, either the design or related products, will be big," says Laurence Stybel.

Environmental scientists - Median salary: $58,380 Education: master's
Environmental engineers - Median salary: $72,350 Education: bachelor's
Hydrologists - Median salary: $68,140 Education: master's

4. Financial Services
Rising from the ashes of a very bad year, financial services have a bright future. Corporate America's wretched excesses mean more government regulation. Workers who are retiring will need advice on how to make their money last. Small businesses may outsource accounting services. As we get to the middle of the recession, there will be a wave of mergers and acquisitions, Stybel predicts. "People with experience in managing the process-corporate attorneys, investment bankers, and accountants-will be in demand."

Financial advisers - Median salary: $67,660 Education: bachelor's
Accountants and auditors - Median salary: $57,060 Education: bachelor's
Sales agents (securities and commodities) - Median salary: $68,430Education: bachelor's

5. Government
More than half a million federal employees will retire by 2016, leaving open positions at agencies from the CIA to AmeriCorps to NASA. There will also be opportunities at the state and local levels. "In addition to police work and homeland security, government inspects and regulates many industries," says Shatkin. "Workers can sometimes capitalize on their experience in an industry by moving into a regulatory job."

Government property inspectors - Median salary: $48,400 Education: vocational training, associate's or bachelor's
Immigration and customs inspectors - Median salary: $59,930 Education: bachelor's
Urban and regional planners - Median salary: $57,970Education: master's

6. Health Care
Health care pops up at the top of just about every list of hot careers. All of us are getting older and living longer, sometimes with chronic health conditions. What's more, health insurance practices may undergo a radical revision during the Obama administration, which has announced plans to address three central issues: coverage, cost, and quality of care. "Health care is a growing industry," says Bettina Seidman, "and not just for health care professionals. There will also be jobs for secretaries, accountants, and administrators."

Registered nurses - Median salary: $60,010Education: associate's or bachelor's
Dental assistants - Median salary: $31,550Education: secondary education, plus a few months to one year of on-the-job training
Medical records and health information technicians - Median salary: $29,290 Education: associate's

7. International Business
Corporations, consulting firms, nonprofits, and even governments are going after global markets. People with international expertise, foreign-language skills, or a willingness to move abroad will be in demand. "The global economy is only going to grow," says John Challenger. "U.S. involvement will expand, short and long term."

Interpreters and translators - Median salary: $37,490 Education: bachelor's
International management analysts - Median salary: $71,150 Education: bachelor's or master's
Market research analysts - Median salary: $60,300 Education: bachelor's or master's

8. Law Enforcment
International terrorism makes daily headlines, and fear of financial insecurity is matched only by concern for our physical safety. "Crime doesn't go down in a recession," says Shatkin. "It may even increase."

Probation officers - Median salary: $44,510 Education: bachelor's
Court reporters - Median salary: $45,330 Education: postsecondary vocational training
Paralegals - Median salary: $44,990Education: associate's degree in paralegal studies

9. Technology
New uses of technology in services and products like electronic health records mean that this sector will continue to be strong. "We have just begun to use the Internet as an entertainment medium in publishing, music, and film," says Peter Weddle.

Computer systems analysts - Median salary: $73,090 Education: bachelor's
Network systems and data communications analysts - Median salary: $64,600 Education: bachelor's
Computer, ATM, and office machine repairers - Median salary: $37,100 Education: high school or vocational training

Using Twitter to Network and Find a Job

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article by Jason Buss

As unemployment continues to soar, job seekers and candidates are pulling out all the stops and doing everything possible to network and look for new opportunities.  This includes using social media and social networking sites as another tool during their search, and while these are not new methods, more and more candidates are getting creative to give themselves an edge.
Twitter, as an example, is getting more and more attention on the hiring scene.  In fact, at a recruiting conference a few months ago, the site was mentioned (in addition to the use of social media and social networking) in almost every session for Recruiters.
Here are 7 ways to use twitter to network your way to an interview or to land your next job.

• First things first! Be creative and selective with the 160 characters you use in your bio.  People find you this way, and Recruiters search using keywords.

• Follow @JobAngels. What started just 3 days ago is quickly gaining traction.  What is it? Job Angels is a grass-roots movement to help people find work.

• Connect with Recruiters. Look for those within your industry and with connections.  You can use sites like TweepSearch that searches twitter profiles - which currently lists over 350 HR Professionals and over 900 Recruiters.  Use other key words (talent acquisition, sourcing, executive search, etc.).    TweepSearch also shows when their last status update was in the search details so you can get a quick feel how active they are before making a decision to follow.  Another recommended tool to search profiles and locations is Twellow.

• Get listed in justtweetit.  After listing yourself, search for other tweeps that might be in the same industry or share the same interests.  Look for additional ways to broaden your network.

• Follow @jobshouts and @TwitHire. Visit their sites, and job listings that are published on twitter - or sign up for a RSS feed.

• Think like a detective. Use Summize to search terms / hashes like job, hiring, employment, haj (have a job), or naj (need a job).

• Tweet appropriately, and be yourself. When you start following Recruiters and others within your industry and get followed back, remember you are building your brand.  A tweet like “Looking for an opportunity in SEO and open to relocation” might go over better than “Being lactose intolerant just sucks”.

Whether or not you get an interview or land that next job via twitter depends on a variety of factors including how much time you invest in it, who you connect with, the content of your tweets, and more.  A multi-faceted networking and job search strategy that includes elements of social media and networking is key.

Something for future Doctors and Nurses

 This article comes from Tina Sans from "Best Universities."  The article provides a great look into how technology and new ideas will revolutionize medicine.  For all those who are thinking a career in medicine, this article provides a look into the future including how expectant mothers can now monitor fetal heart rate on their iPhones.


20 Incredible TED Talks for Nurses and Doctors

40 Funniest Cartoons to Share With the Nurse in Your Life

40 Funniest Cartoons to Share With the Nurse in Your Life by Ken Martin from http://www.nursingschools.net/blog

Nursing is one of the most in-demand industries right now, but nurses still don't always get the respect they deserve. Long shifts, irritable patients, and impatient doctors make work even more stressful, no matter what kind of nurse you are. But these cartoons can cheer you up when you're having a bad day or just want an extra boost of confidence and energy. Here are 40 of our favorite cartoons to hang up in your ward or to share with the nurse in your life.

Patient Care

Keep your sense of humor when it comes to difficult patients or patients you wish you had more time to care for.

1. A little pinch: This cartoon pokes fun at the oft-used nurse's phrase.
2. I would have been here sooner: A patient who's passed on apologizes for not making it to heave on time.
3. Nurse Training: Get a chuckle out of this illustration of nurses training.
4. Nurse Cartoon 3: Laugh at past experiences with demanding patients when you read this cartoon.
5. Vitamin D: You'd sign up for this treatment, too.
6. Will Look Up Famous People: If you've ever felt that patients expect too much coddling — or for you to be their personal Google — print this out.
7. Scale: Maybe this will help you deal with patient vanity.
8. Rate Your Pain: Sometimes, it's just easier this way.
9. Blood Pressure: Medicine isn't the cure for everything, we're sure you know.
10. Emergency Lollipop: Here's a cute cartoon to hang up, especially if you treat kids.
11. Try to get some rest: You may find certain parts of your job a little ironic.
12. Burger Mold: If you feel guilty when you serve your patients hospital food, read this cartoon.
13. John Tesh: Oh, the things you wish you could do to kill the time.

Doctors

Sometimes, you have great doctors. Other times, your supervisor is a bit of a jerk. Here are cartoons to keep it all in perspective.

14. Um, excuse me doctor: If you've ever had to school a doctor in medical instruments, you'll laugh at this toon.
15. Cranky doctor: If you're suspicious of your doctor's motives, try out this test.
16. Oops!: This cartoon pokes fun at doctors and cartoonists.
17. Never talk down to patients: The same rule applies to nurses.
18. Donuts: This cartoon is for all the nurses who feel unappreciated at work.
19. The doctor will be a little late: Here's a smart-alecky solution for late doctors.

Nursing Profession

These cartoons will help you laugh at everything from paper work to school nursing to nursing education and training.

20. Hospital Food: This cartoon points out just how bad the hospital food is.
21. Super heroes: This cartoon gives medical workers the honor they deserve.
22. Nurses cartoon 6: You know what it's like to try to teach kids about nutrition, don't you?
23. Innies, Outies: Nurses in charge of newborns will love this cartoon.
24. Genius: You've got to train the new ones right.
25. Hospital Time: Everyone knows "hospital time" is a little more flexible than real time.
26. Catch of the Day: Will you get the flu, strep throat or another "catch?"
27. Why am I a nurse?: This cartoon says a lot about what nurses have to do each day.
28. Wounded Soldiers and Nightingales: Here's a vintage tribute to Florence Nightingale.
29. That Special Place: If you hate insurance companies, you'll want to hang up this cartoon.
30. FDA Approval: This cartoon takes a jab at the bureaucratic process.
31. Mongo: Here's a hilarious spin on the bizarre world of medicine and transplants.
32. Budget cuts: Try to laugh at something so depressing when you look at this cartoon.
33. Continuing education credit: …If only.
34. Bad Mood: Perk up a bit when you're in a bad mood, and realize what that means you can get away with.
35. Mental health day: Sometimes even nurses are at a loss for a valid sounding medical excuse.
36. Career Day: Even if you love your job, you probably have moments like this.
37. My job is mostly seasonal: If you divide your work cycle into seasons like this school nurse, you'll laugh.
38. 25 cents: Have another laugh at the expense of budget cuts.
39. Fruit Basket: If only you had your own office!
40. Why Nursing: The reason you became a nurse may be hard to remember sometimes.

Seven tips for finding a job

1. Update your resume and have a professional edit it. Even if you're an editor by trade, you should have someone else go through your resume and make helpful suggestions. You can, and should, change your objective on your resume to suit the requirements for the desired job. Tailor your cover letters to each company, nothing says, 'this company isn't worth the time,' like a fill in the blanks introduction.

2. Be optimistic. A positive attitude will have the best impact on the people you meet along your job search path. There are opportunities available; your ability to find them can show just how resourceful you are.

3. Make finding a job your full-time job. Have your updated and edited resume on hand at all times. If you don't want to carry around a folder, keep a personal business card available. Get some made with your name, information, and a web address to your online resume.

4. Use the Internet. Take advantage of the social networking phenomenon. Join the myriad of social networking sites with professionals in your industry and outside of it. Keeping your network open, and learning about the people you want to work for is invaluable when it comes time for the interview. Peruse job sites and specialty sites that apply to your field.

5. Flexibility is key. Being open to jobs that are more junior, or even outside your field, can open the door to employment. It may not be your first choice, but your goal is to get back in the game. Excellent performances at lower level jobs can also put you into consideration for future job openings.

6. Pay attention to the details and research the company. Read through the job description more than once and decipher what it trying to relay. 'Fast-paced work environment' can mean training will be minimal; 'self-starter' can imply someone who solves problems without asking for help. Are you qualified for the job, and are you willing to meet the expectations? Research the company you're applying for thoroughly. Have they recently been acquired by another business? Are they in the news for a big achievement? Google them, and learn as much as you can. Your future could be in their hands, make sure you know the facts.

7. Ace the interview. Now that you've gotten the call it's up to you to impress them. Practice going through the basic interview questions you may receive. Know the answers to the most basic questions; a question as simple as, 'Why do you want this job?' should not throw you for a loop. When in doubt about the dress code, always dress up. If you've read through all the steps in this article, you've brushed up on the company history and news, looked up the company's important people on social networking sites, and have a sharp resume ready to go over with the hiring manager. Apply your positive attitude; combine a good dose of confidence, and you'll be at a competitive advantage. Remember to follow up with a hand written thank you.

10 top job searching sites

1. Monster.com-Job Search Engine with Lots of Extras

I've been using Monster.com for several years now and have always found it to be one of the best job search engines out there. You can narrow your search by location, keywords, and employer; plus, Monster has plenty of job search extras: networking boards, job search alerts, and online resume posting.

2. Indeed.com- A Meta Search Job Engine

Indeed.com is a very solid job search engine. Unlike Monster, you cannot submit your resume from Indeed.com, but the job search engine more than makes up for that by being a meta search engine of many of the major job search engines and job search boards out there. I've found that Indeed uncovers a lot of jobs that you wouldn't normally find on most job search sites, and they do a good job of making their job search features as easy to use as possible.

3. USA.gov

Think of USA.gov as your gateway into the huge world of US government jobs. Navigate to the USA.gov home page, click on the Jobs and Education section, then Government Jobs. You'll find a wealth of resources here to help you find jobs working for Uncle Sam.

4. CareerBuilder

CareerBuilder offers job searchers the ability to find a job, post a resume, create job alerts, get job advice and job resources, look up job fairs, and much more. This is a truly massive job search engine that offers a lot of good resources to the job searcher; I especially appreciate the list of job search communities.com

5. Dice

Dice.com is a job search engine dedicated to only finding technology jobs. It offers a targeted niche space for finding exactly the technology position you might be looking for.

LinkUp

LinkUp is a job search engine that searches for jobs within company websites. Here are five search tips that will help you use LinkUp more effectively.

7. Yahoo Hot Jobs

Yahoo Hot Jobs is one of the largest and most well known job search engines on the Web.

8. SimplyHired

SimplyHired has been one of my favorite job search engines now for a while; mostly because of their SimplyFired contest. SimplyHired also offers a very unique job search experience; the user "trains" the job search engine by rating jobs he or she is interested in. SimplyHired also gives you the ability to research salaries, add jobs to a job map, and view pretty detailed profiles of various companies. I highly recommend SimplyHired.

9. LinkedIn.com

LinkedIn.com combines the best of two worlds: the ability to scour the Internet for jobs with its job search engine, and the opportunity to network with like-minded friends and individuals to deepen your job search


.

10. Craigslist

There are all sorts of interesting jobs on Craigslist. Just find your city, look under Jobs, then look under your job category. Non-profit, systems, government, writing, etc. jobs are all represented here.

Five tips on being a good employee

With ever increasing deadlines, decreasing resources, and changing workplaces, sometimes it can be challenging to be a good employee, much less a perfect employee.  The employee who can rise above the everyday problems and embrace challenges will be the person that every employer wants.

The following are five career development secrets to being the perfect employee everyone wants:

1. Respect.  Respect others with whom you work everyday.  What is respect?  Respect comes in many different forms. The following are just a few examples:

§      Respect fellow employees as individuals with unique ideas and thoughts that may be different from yours.  This diversity of ideas may seem a little different at first, but that is how we produce better solutions.  “Group think” often gets you nowhere fast.  Embrace diversity of thought so that you are open minded for better solutions.

§      Respect fellow employees by greeting them in the morning.  Many times I hear from employees who say that certain co-workers make it unpleasant in the office because they seldom say “Good Morning” or “Hello,” don’t smile, and are just plain nasty to fellow co-workers.  Take the time to give a pleasant greeting to your co-workers even when you may be having a difficult time.  You will be known as someone who is pleasant to work with, and guess what; more opportunities will come your way.  Also, you can break out of a bad mood and become more productive at work if you are pleasant to others.

§      Respect the work of others.  Appreciate the time and efforts of co-workers and let them know.  You may not agree on the final product, but you can respect the time and effort put into the project.

§      Respect others by practicing the Golden Rule…well sort of.  The Golden Rule states “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”  Well, there are many people, because of their poor self-esteem, who like to be “dumped on” emotionally and physically.  If we follow the Golden Rule, does that mean that these same people should “dump on” their fellow co-workers?  Of course not!  Treat your co-workers with the utmost respect and appreciation they deserve.

2. Knowledge.  Knowledge is the key.  The workplace is constantly changing.  Even the look of change is changing.  Also, change is happening faster and faster.  Just look around you in society, work, and technology.  The only way to master change is to gain the knowledge to be ahead of change.

Take the time to learn not only about your present job, but also about your future job opportunities.  This will make you a more valuable employee.  Also, take time to learn about the job that is one level above your present position.  When this position becomes available, you will be in a better position to receive a promotion.

Also take responsibility for your knowledge.  Time and time again I hear the following:

“Well, my company won’t pay for the class, so I’m not going to take the class.”

I say to that, “Find the way to gain the knowledge!”  There are too many educational options not to have the knowledge.  Whether you pay for it yourself, receive online training, volunteer, etc., there are ways to receive knowledge.

Remember, once you receive knowledge it is your knowledge to take anywhere you go in life.

3. Communication.  Communicate, communicate, and communicate.  Talking is one half of the communication process.  Listening is the other and sometimes the most important part of the communication process.  Listening means being open-mined to new ideas.

Communication also means learning how to give and receive feedback.  Giving feedback means giving feedback that is honest and fair and leaves the person wanting to do better.  Receiving feedback means information given to you, and it may include questions for clarity and understanding about what needs to be done.

Communication is also good follow-up with employees and management.  Do you inform your managers or co-workers about the process or changes in the project on which you are working? 

4. Appreciation.  Appreciate to motivate others.  Be accountable for your words.  Once you say something, it’s hard to take it back.

Show and give praise to others in the workplace.  Work at finding them doing something good and praise them. The more you do this, the more you will tear down barriers and motivate others in the workplace.

5. Solutions.  Be a solution creator, not a problem dictator.  Anyone can find problems; but the employee who can find a problem or challenge and create a solution is an employee that can write his/her own ticket for success.  Take it upon yourself to be a part of the solution and not a part of the problem.

Ask yourself these questions:

§         What is the positive that can come out of this challenge?

§         What will I learn from this challenge?

§         What are some solutions I can present?

§         How will I present my solutions so that the organization sees the immediate benefits?

Apply these career development techniques and you, too, will become the perfect employee and enjoy career advancement.

How to Use Facebook to Help You Get a Job

 Ten Ways to use Facebook to find a job from The SironaSays Blog

There are many tools out there in the social media space, and you could be confused by trying to cover all of them - especially if you have recently lost your job and need to find a new one. But for me it is about getting a balance with using a smaller number social media tools that stand the most chance of being effective AND suit you to engage with on a regular basis.So for me they are LinkedIn, Twitter, Blogging and of course Facebook. This then gives you an even spread across the business focused LinkedIn, the immediacy and 'freshness of Twitter', the personal brand building of blogging and the social networking that is Facebook.

Up until recently Facebook has been the preserve of social networking only, with any overt activity on the job front being somewhat frowned upon. However, two things have changed that - the first being the recession and the need for many people to find new employment, and second, the sheer speed at which Facebook is growing globally - literally millions every week! So now individuals, companies and recruiters are becoming more focused on using Facebook, both from candidate searching and job finding perspective..

I have looked at how you can use Facebook in the most effective way to to help job seekers find a job, and recruiters find the job seeker - both of which are very important in the proactive part of the job marketplace.

So here are ten ways to use Facebook to find a job:


1. Don't forget the public nature of Facebook
While I am sure you do appreciate the public nature of information on the internet; don't forget that, just because you are looking for a job. You must assume that everything you write is available for public consumption, and that means any future employers. Many companies now do some internet searching and check the validity of their future employees - yes I know they will all tell you they don't, but I can confidently tell you that's rubbish, they do!

So if you have a profile on LinkedIn and other sites, make sure they all tell the same story! Also make sure your details are all accurate. As I tell everyone, don't put anything on your online profile that you wouldn't want an employer to see.

2. Pimp your profile.
You need to ensure that you have a full profile, and that it reads akin to a CV or Resume.What you must remember is that when companies or recruiters are searching for candidates, they are 'conditioned' to view prospective candidates in a traditional way (right or wrong). So in the art of stating the obvious - give them what they expect.

It is important to highlight your assets and project an accurate representation of yourself. Make sure your education history is correct, with correct dates; your employment history need to be correct, again with correct dates - and just in case you think you can get away with changing the dates, don't even bother - it is very easy to check! ; list any volunteer work or work done through your degree (sandwich courses); check your group memberships  -you may want to remove some of the more 'seemed fun at the time' groups you joined - would you want an employer to see them?

3. 'Review' your photo's
This is one of the best parts of Facebook, but it is also potentially one of the most damaging parts.
First make sure your profile photo is a clean head and shoulders shot of you in a non-stupid pose. Make sure it represents  the 'professional' look that you would expect to portray at an interview.
Second, make sure all the drunken and stupid photos of you collapsed over furniture (and other people!) are removed. You really don't want to give any future employers the impression that you are a drunken party animal - even if you are!! Remember, as will all social interaction, and especially with employers - first impressions count (even if they are just photos on Facebook!).

4. Don't be boring
I may have started by suggesting you clamp down on some of the 'mad excesses' in you life, and is correct. but whatever you do, make sure you let your true personality shine through on your pages. You can express your humour, fun times and 'mad moments'  - that is exactly what Facebook is all about - but keep them clean and keep them unoffensive! Employees want fun employees - they don't want overly sarcastic, rude or too opinionated employees!!

5. Don't be bashful
The recession has removed people's stigma about looking for a job. There used to be a reservedness towards telling people that you were out of work and wanted to find a new job. With so many people on Facebook, and with so many people looking for work, this is no longer an issue. Your friends, colleagues and people in your network will even expect you to help you in your job search process, they will want to refer you to anyone that can possibly help. All you have to do is actually tell them you are looking for a job!

Make it clear in your profile that you are seeking a new job. Also, use your status updates to indirectly tell everyone that you are engaged in job seeking activities; rewriting your CV, meeting with recruitment consultants, interviewing (but don't tell them who with, obviously!) etc.
Your network will see these and they may well prompt referrals and recommendations, so these indirect communications can work.

6. Show your knowledge to your network.
Again like above this is an indirect method to attract your network to your skills and expertise in your chosen industry/sector. By sharing interesting information and links on your wall, you can build up a profile of being an knowledge expert about your sector. Obviously don't do this all the time, working on the same premise above in No 4, mix up the messages to get your own personality to come through. You will be surprised how effective this can be, over a period of time. Showing that you are passionate and interested in the areas you're looking for a job, is a great way of demonstrating your desire to get a job in the sector and more importantly IF an employer or an agency finds you in a search, they can see that you are serious (especially if you put it on Facebook!) about presenting yourself in the right way.

7. Search
You can of course use Facebook to search for people from different industries, schools, universities etc, but there are different tools out there that will now do an open search on the 100's million Facebook profiles for you, much easier.You could try tools like Wink, which is a great way of drilling down searches to locations and industries.

Focus on your chosen industry, sector or chosen profession. Try and think a little laterally with your searching - this concept is no different to when you are looking for products on Google! Write down relevant keywords, job titles, brand names, buzz words etc from your target areas and search them. It will definitely yield people you should be networking with on Facebook. Find them, engage with them and friend them, not forgetting to see who they are friends with along the way. People ALWAYS network with some of their work colleagues, so not to offend them, so if your target works for company X, then chances are you will find others in that company to network with as well!

These searches are only limited by the time you invest in the exercise. There should be no excuse for not finding the people you want -  there are 100's of miilions of people on Facebook, after all!

8. Groups
Using the search tool within Facebook, search for topical and relevant groups within Facebook. There are literally thousands on Facebook, and they give you a great entry point into groups of people with similar interests. There will definitely be groups on your subject / industry or work interest - you just need to find them. There are many types of networks, and it will take a little time to do these searches, but I guarantee this method will open up new networking opportunities with like minded people, more than happy to engage with a focused, professional person like you, that is happy to share information and experiences with others (No 6 comes into its own here!).

9. Engage and share with people
You have already demonstrated that you are a giver in No 6  by sharing links to industry articles and interesting sector information etc. Now you need to take this a stage further and start engaging with others. Get involved with the conversations going on within your network, shown on your news feed. Don't make meaningless comments, add some opinion and in depth answers - start to engage in proper conversations. Your network will see you commenting in this meaningful way, and as I have mentioned a couple of times, it helps build credibility and presence.

Don't be afraid of asking questions, it helps conversation and encourages responses. If you have a large network, and don't know them all personally, then the first thing the person you are engaging with will do, is read your profile. The effect of engaging is driving people back to your profile, and if you have that looking good (you should by now!), then the response will be even better.
I am sorry if this sounds so obvious, but you will be surprised how many people are just reactors when it comes to social networking - pro activity tends to shine out!

10. Network, Network & Network some more
The bigger your network, the more secondary and third level contacts you will be exposing yourself to. Sometimes it isn't the people in your network that are the targets, it is the people that they know that are the targets!

When you are communicating, most people use emails. So have you put all your details in your email signature? Have you included your LinkedIn profile url, or your Facebook profile url or even your @Twitter name? I see many emails every day from job seekers, and I can tell you the answer is most don't do it! So make sure you finish reading this post and fill out yours, it is very easy to do -  and then everyone you email will be able to find out all the good stuff about you online.

The searching that you have done in No 7 will put you in contact with some people you should be linking up with on Facebook. Once you have established some credibility (covered in no 7 above), ask to join their network (ie become friends).