Job Search Lessons I Learned on HGTV

Job Search Lessons I Learned on HGTVJob Search Lessons from HGTVJob Search Lessons I Learned on HGTVHeres the cold, hard truth I am an addict, and HGTV is my drug. (Thats Home Garden Television for the uninitiated). And my addiction is only partly attributable to the insanely good-looking Eric Stromer more on him later. Im sharing my secret with you because the real estate principles they teach on HGTV are highly relevant to job seekers. Take, for instance, my three favorite shows, Designed to Sell, Over Your Head, and House Hunters. Each showcan teach us some great lessons that apply equally well whether youre sellingyour house or selling yourself.DESIGNED TO SELLteaches house sellers how to rearrange, declutter, and spruce up their homes to make a strong first impression on buyers. The goal is to sell the house as quickly as possible, for the highest price possible. The Job Hunting Lesson With only 15 seconds to entice its reader, your resume had better be designed to sell or YOU will be on the market longer and your bottom line will suffer. Neither house buyers nor hiring managers have the time or patience to overlook clutter or disorganization. Make sure your resume and cover letter are well organized, up to date, and error-free. Highlight your fruchtwein valuable features, edit out the personal details, and make it EASY for employers to immediately see the benefits of hiring you. HOUSE HUNTERSletsviewers witness the decision-making process as prospective home buyers choose one of three houses, each of which fits their geographic, budget, and size criteria. The Job Hunting Lesson The job candidate who ultimately gets the offer is not necessarily the most qualified, the lowest-priced, or the most attractive. Many, many factors go into a home-buying or hiring decision, and each buyer has a unique set of priorities. A factor thats a deal-breaker for one may be irrelevant (or even desirable) to another. If you dont get the job, chalk it up to some factor you couldnt control, and know that your buyer is still out there, hunting for youOVER YOUR HEAD,hosted by the aforementioned Eric Stromer, focuses on homeowners who have attempted a do-it-yourself home renovation project, only to realize theyve gotten in over their heads and cant finish it themselves. The Job Hunting Lesson Sometimes you can have the right tools and the right motivation, but you still need the help of a professional to finish the job. When it comes to resume and cover letter writing, provides (what we think are)fantastic online tools for the do-it-yourself resume writer. But we also give you the option of turning the job over to a certified, professional resume writer if you find yourself in over your head.

Analysis by Kathryn on President Obamas State of the Union Address

Analysis by Kathryn on President Obamas State of the Union AddressAnalysis by Kathryn on President Obamas State of the Union AddressAnalysis by Kathryn on President Obamas State of the Union AddressListening to President Obamas State-of-the-Union speech, I welches looking for specific ideas, hope and inspiration for jobs for Americans for 2011.What did the President say about Jobs in America for 2011?What industries, jobs, competencies and education can help you with your career in 2011?Heres my analysis of the speech and whats important for job seekers who are looking for competitive jobs and industries for today and in the near futureMany of President Obamas ideas wont mean new jobs for at least another five years down the road. However, these jobs will likely be the wave of the future, so in order to prepare for this wave, think about what you will do today to prepare for the jobs that will be available, especially if you thinking about what to major in in college, or about prepar ing for a career change.Best competencies and keywords for 2011 Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Imagination, High Performance, High Expectations, EfficiencyCritical for Success Specialized Education and Training (Math and Science), Languages, ComputersHot Job Industries Clean energy, high-speed www, high-speed rail, exports, domestic construction, biomedical research, research and development, renewable energy, electric cars, transcontinental railway, information technology, global business, teacher, trainer, education, governmentImportant Government Fixes Some redundant federal agencies, government spending, improve efficiency in government, sell some government lands, DOD spending, freeze government employee salariesThe Presidents Address is excerpted here to emphasize talking points concerning jobs, industries, training and competencies for future jobsCreativity and InnovationPresident Obama None of us can predict with certainty what the next big industry will be, or where the new jobs will come from. Thirty years ago, we couldnt know that something called the Internet would lead to an economic revolution. What we can do what America does better than anyone is spark the creativity and imagination of our people. We are the nation that put cars in driveways and computers in offices the nation of Edison and the Wright brothers of Google and Facebook. In America, innovation doesnt just change our lives. Its how we make a living.Kathryns Comment If you are creative in your business or job, this will be important in your career for the future. Keep track of your creative ideas. This is also a KEYWORD for your resume.Investing in ResearchPresident Obama Our free enterprise system is what drives innovation. But because its not always profitable for companies to invest in basic research, throughout history our government has provided cutting-edge scientists and inventors with the hilfestellung that they need. Thats what planted the seeds for the Inter net. Thats what helped make possible things like computer chips and GPS.Kathryns Comment If you are considering a college major, I would recommend science and information technology. Government funding could be coming for research.Science Unleash the Wave of InnovationPresident Obama Half a century ago, when the Soviets beat us into space with the launch of a satellite called Sputnik, we had no idea how wed beat them to the moon. The science wasnt there yet. NASA didnt even exist. But after investing in better research and education, we didnt just surpass the Soviets we unleashed a wave of innovation that created new industries and millions of new jobs.Kathryns Comment President Obama is all for education in research and new industries. Entrepreneurs in science and technology should be getting mora stab und sttze in the next few years.Invest in Biomedical Research, IT and Clean Energy TechPresident Obama This is our generations Sputnik moment. Two years ago, I said that we needed t o reach a level of research and development we havent seen since the height of the Space Race. In a few weeks, I will be sending a budget to Congress that helps us meet that goal. Well invest in biomedical research, information technology, and especially clean energy technology an investment that will strengthen our security, protect our planet, and create countless new jobs for our people.Kathryns Comment mora hot college majors biomedical research, IT, and clean energy technology. Hot jobs in 2015 or soonerElectric VehiclesPresident Obama At the California Institute of Technology, theyre developing a way to turn sunlight and water into fuel for our cars. At Oak Ridge National Laboratory, theyre using supercomputers to get a lot mora power out of our nuclear facilities. With more research and incentives, we can break our dependence on oil with biofuels, and become the first country to have 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2015.Kathryns Comment If you are in your engineer ing degree now, make sure you get a project with an electric vehicle this could help land a position in the future automotive industry. Write about this in your resume to demonstrate past wertmiger zuwachs.Study Math and Science Get EducatedPresident Obama Think about it. Over the next ten years, nearly half of all new jobs will require education that goes beyond a high school degree. And yet, as many as a quarter of our students arent even endbearbeitung high school. The quality of our math and science education lags behind many other nations. America has fallen to 9th in the proportion of young people with a college degree. And so the question is whether all of us as citizens, and as parents are willing to do whats necessary to give every child a chance to succeed.Kathryns Comment Math and science grades will make a difference for future jobs in clean energy, electric cars, and other high technology positions. Get a tutor if you need one. Math and science tutor positions should increase after this speech.Teaching or Public ServicePresident Obama In fact, to every young person listening tonight whos contemplating their career choice If you want to make a difference in the life of our nation if you want to make a difference in the life of a child become a teacher. Your country needs you.Kathryns Comment The government will always be hiring. Government positions will require specialized experience, depending on the positions you are seeking. You can read about federal jobs at www.usajobs.gov. You can find jobs by college major, job title, geographic location, and agency name. Teaching positions are available if you have the right education and certifications. Also, some school systems are talking about top student performance salary incentives for teachers.Tax Credit Increase for Tuition Tax CreditPresident Obama Of course, the education race doesnt end with a high school diploma. To compete, higher education must be within reach of every American. Thats why weve ended the unwarranted taxpayer subsidies that went to banks, and used the savings to make college affordable for millions of students. And this year, I ask Congress to go further, and make permanent our tuition tax credit worth $10,000 for four years of college.Kathryns Comment After this speech, education will be critical to succeed in these industries. Government jobs sometimes offer tuition reimbursement for students and parents who have student loans. Ask for this if you get a job offer.Train for New Jobs and Careers in Todays Fast-Changing EconomyPresident Obama Because people need to be able to train for new jobs and careers in todays fast-changing economy, we are also revitalizing Americas community colleges. Last month, I saw the promise of these schools at Forsyth Tech in North Carolina. Many of the students there used to work in the surrounding factories that have since left town. One mother of two, a woman named Kathy Proctor, had worked in the furniture industry s ince she was 18 years old. And she told me shes earning her degree in biotechnology now, at 55 years old, not just because the furniture jobs are gone, but because she wants to inspire her children to pursue their dreams too. As Kathy said, I hope it tells them to never give up.Kathryns Comment As jobseekers, continue to train to stab und sttze these new industries. New training and education will be critical for career success. Jobs in curriculum design and planning, instructor-led programs, eLearning, distance learning, train-the-trainer will be growing to prepare people in all of these new industries.Our Infrastructure Used to Be the Best But Our Lead Has SlippedPresident Obama South Korean homes now have greater internet access than we do. Countries in Europe and Russia invest more in their roads and railways than we do. China is building faster trains and newer airports. Meanwhile, when our own engineers graded our nations infrastructure, they gave us a D.Kathryns Comment Civi l engineers, mechanical engineers, construction trades, administrators, contractors, materials providers, and equipment providers will benefit from infrastructure funding by government and states. Our internet success will grow with more IT specialists, cyber security experts, and IT support personnel.Increase Construction Industry JobsPresident Obama Over the last two years, we have begun rebuilding for the 21st century, a project that has meant thousands of good jobs for the hard-hit construction industry. Tonight, Im proposing that we redouble these efforts.We will put more Americans to work repairing crumbling roads and bridges. We will make sure this is fully paid for, attract private investment, and plektron projects based on whats best for the economy, not politicians.Kathryns Comment This is great news for construction industry jobs. Building roads, bridges, and infrastructure CAN create more jobsNew Businesses in High-Speed Rail and High-Speed InternetPresident Obama The th ird step in winning the future is rebuilding America. To attract new businesses to our shores, we need the fastest, most reliable ways to move people, goods, and information from high-speed rail to high-speed internet.Kathryns Comment These industries will require engineers, IT specialists, as well as supporting professionals in administration, contracts, budgets, and human resources.Transcontinental RailroadPresident Obama We have to do better. America is the nation that built the transcontinental railroad, brought electricity to rural communities, and constructed the interstate highway system. The jobs created by these projects didnt just come from laying down tracks or pavement. They came from businesses that opened near a towns new train station or the new off-ramp.Kathryns Comment Building new trains and jobs across America is another great idea that could create varied positions to support the new railroad.High Speed RailPresident Obama Within 25 years, our goal is to give 80 % of Americans access to high-speed rail, which could allow you go distributions-mixs in half the time it takes to travel by car. For some trips, it will be faster than flying without the pat-down. As we speak, routes in California and the Midwest are already underway.Kathryns Comment Again, the President is envisioning a new US-wide industry that will create jobs for many skills, including trades, engineering, administration, customer services, purchasing.High Speed Wireless to 98% of Business, Faster Internet Into Digital AgePresident Obama Within the next five years, we will make it possible for business to deploy the next generation of high-speed wireless coverage to 98% of all Americans. This isnt just about a faster internet and fewer dropped calls. Its about connecting every part of America to the digital age. Its about a rural community in Iowa or Alabama where farmers and small business owners will be able to sell their products all over the world. Its about a firefighter who can download the design of a burning building onto a handheld device a student who can take classes with a digital textbook or a patient who can have face-to-face video chats with her doctor.All these investments in innovation, education, and infrastructure will make America a better place to do business and create jobs. But to help our companies compete, we also have to knock down barriers that stand in the way of their success.Kathryns Comment IT specialists (website) and Telecom fields will grow with more and more people being online and with greater dependence on the internet for business development and visibility.Goal of Doubling Exports by 2014Export Jobs with South KoreaPresident Obama To help businesses sell more products abroad, we set a goal of doubling our exports by 2014 because the more we export, the more jobs we create at home. Already, our exports are up. Recently, we signed agreements with India and China that will support more than 250,000 jobs in the Unite d States. And last month, we finalized a trade agreement with South Korea that will support at least 70,000 American jobs. This agreement has unprecedented support from business and labor Democrats and Republicans, and I ask this Congress to pass it as soon as possible.Kathryns Comment International business development will be growing in the near future. International studies, language , and contracting skills will be required for jobs in exporting goods to South Korea.Pursue Agreements with Panama Asia Pacific for JobsPresident Obama Before I took office, I made it clear that we would enforce our trade agreements, and that I would only sign deals that keep faith with American workers, and promote American jobs. Thats what we did with Korea, and thats what I intend to do as we pursue agreements with Panama and Colombia, and continue our Asia Pacific and global trade talks.Kathryns Comment International studies will be important for global business development.Freeze Government Spen ding for Five YearsPresident Obama So tonight, I am proposing that starting this year, we freeze annual domestic spending for the next five years. This would reduce the deficit by more than $400 billion over the next decade, and will bring discretionary spending to the lowest share of our economy since Dwight Eisenhower was president.Kathryns Comment Even with possible government spending freezes, the government will be hiring more workers to support grants and programs for all of the ideas presented in this speech. Engineers, international experts, contract specialists, IT specialists, administrative, accounting, and many professionals will be needed to support the numerous growth career and industry areas. The government is very interested in hiring new graduates to grow into these new industries.Freeze Federal Salaries for the Next Two YearsPresident Obama This freeze will require painful cuts. Already, we have frozen the salaries of hardworking federal employees for the next two years. Ive proposed cuts to things I care deeply about, like community action programs.Kathryns Comment The salaries will be frozen, but the career ladder positions in government will still get promotions. The government jobs are still the best in the country with excellent benefits and programs. The performance-based promotions to new grades will still be available to employees.Department of Defense FreezePresident Obama The Secretary of Defense has also agreed to cut tens of billions of dollars in spending that he and his generals believe our military can do without.Kathryns Comment Even with DOD freeze and cuts, there will still be DOD jobs to support the warfighters and Defense operations. The jobs could be less, but the positions will be available due to retirements, BRAC, and other reorganizations in DOD agencies and military bases.Make Government More EfficientPresident Obama Let me take this one step further. We shouldnt just give our people a government thats more affordab le. We should give them a government thats more competent and efficient. We cannot win the future with a government of the past.Kathryns Comment If you have been efficient in your career, when you write your resume, add your efficiency ideas, programs, and projects. This could help you to stand out as an excellent candidate for a government job. Keywords for your resume efficiency and effectiveness of programs, workflow, and processes.Technology, Medical Records are Automated, Sell Government LandsPresident Obama Now, we have made great strides over the last two years in using technology and getting rid of waste. Veterans can now download their electronic medical records with a click of the mouse. Were selling acres of federal office space that hasnt been used in years, and we will cut through red tape to get rid of more. But we need to think bigger.Kathryns Comment Automation of records is always important for government programs. If you have skills in records management, automatio n, electronic medical records, you will be competitive for federal positions. Realty Specialists will be required to sell and dispose the federal office space that hasnt been used in years.Merge, Consolidate, Reorganize the Federal GovernmentPresident Obama In the coming months, my administration will develop a proposal to merge, consolidate, and reorganize the federal government in a way that best serves the goal of a more competitive America. I will submit that proposal to Congress for a vote and we will push to get it passed.We live and do business in the information age, but the last major reorganization of the government happened in the age of black and white TV. There are twelve different agencies that deal with exports. There are at least five different entities that deal with housing policy. Then theres my favorite example the Interior Department is in charge of salmon while theyre in fresh water, but the Commerce Department handles them in when theyre in saltwater. And I h ear it gets even more complicated once theyre smoked.Kathryns Comment When agencies reorganize, they also create many new positions with newly-structured departments. Watch the news for the new agencies that are restructured or blended.The American DreamPresident Obama That dream that American Dream is what drove the Allen Brothers to reinvent their roofing company for a new era. Its what drove those students at Forsyth Tech to learn a new skill and work towards the future. And that dream is the story of a small business owner named Brandon Fisher.Kathryns Comment The American Dream is wonderful I am an entrepreneur and am always thinking of new ways to help people land federal jobs and cope with the complex hiring process. This year, I am building a high-tech training room in my office so I can lead more USAJOBS job search webinars that can be viewed by people around the world. I hope that SBA can help support entrepreneurs and small business owners with funding.New Ideas and Per severencePresident Obama Brandon started a company in Berlin, Pennsylvania that specializes in a new kind of triole technology. One day last summer, he saw the news that halfway across the world, 33 men were trapped in a Chilean mine, and no one knew how to save them. Later, one of his employees said of the rescue, We proved that Center Rock is a little company, but we do big things.Kathryns Comment New ideas can save lives and provide great services to Americans. If you have a new idea, a first step you can take is to enroll in an SBA Business Plan Writing course.We Do Big ThingsPresident Obama From the earliest days of our founding, America has been the story of ordinary people who dare to dream. Thats how we win the future.Kathryns Summary President Obamas speech included many new job and industry ideas. Most of the proposed jobs require specialized training and education. Pay attention to the industries, legislation and programs in support of these programs, and FOLLOW THE JOBS. In the meantime, look up courses and college majors that can support the new industries. A career strategy will be needed to succeed in these new industries. Start planning now, listen to President Obamas additional speeches to see more activities and movement on these new jobs and training ideas.Thank you for reading, and please leave me your comments I would love to hear your thoughts. Kathryn Troutman, Author, Ten Steps to a Federal Job and www.resume-place.com

Top Reasons You Should Become a Vet Tech

Top Reasons You Should Become a Vet TechTop Reasons You Should Become a Vet TechVeterinary technicians are highly visible members of the veterinary team. Here are ten of the best reasons to consider pursuing a career as a vet tech 1. Strong Demand for Vet Techs The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the job market for veterinary technicians will expand at a rate of more than 30 percent over the decade from 2012 to 2022. This extremely strong rate of growth far exceeds the average for all professions surveyed. Qualified vet techs should have no trouble finding employment as the veterinary industry continues to expand. 2. Graduate in As Little As Two Years Veterinary technicians can complete their Associatedegree in just two years through traditional college programs. There are also AVMA accredited distance learning programs that allow students to work full or part time at a veterinary clinic while completing their formal degree. 3. Many Specialty Certification A reas There are many specialty certification areas for vet techs including clinical practice, clinical pathology, emergency and critical care, equine, zoo, internal medicine, behavior, surgery, anesthesiology, dental care, and nutrition. Certification is achieved through documentation of experience (usually 3 to 5 years), case logs, continuing education credit hours, and a formal exam. Specialists may enjoy higher earning potential after achieving the certification that officially recognizes their advanced skill level. 4. Each Day Is Different No two days are alike for a vet tech. As a tech you will work with many patients over the course of the day. You will treat a variety of injuries, assist with emergencies, and use many different diagnostic tools to assist the veterinarian with the overall treatment plan. You never know what sort of case will come through the door. 5. Varied Responsibilities Vet techs are responsible for an extremely wide variety of tasks in the clinic environment. They prepare animals for surgery, clean and organize surgical tools, collect samples, run lab tests, take x-rays, administer anesthesia, perform dental cleanings, clean cages, update client files, fill prescriptions, interact with owners, and assist the veterinarian with any other duties that may be required. Large animal vet techs often ride along on farm visits, assisting with animal restraint and treatment in the field. 6. Options Beyond Private Practice You can use your veterinary technician experience to transition into a variety of roles with veterinary pharmaceutical sales companies, laboratories, animal production facilities, zoos, public health organizations, and more. The veterinary technician career path does notlage limit you to private practice. 7. Help Animals on a Daily Basis Technicians are active participants in the treatment process. You can help animals every day by treating injuries, catching problems early by running routine lab tests, perfo rming dental cleanings, and other routine activities. It is very satisfying to see an animal make a full recovery under your care. 8. Work With Other Animal Lovers Vet techs get to work closely with others who have devoted their lives to helping animals. Veterinarians, techs, kennel staff, receptionists, and other staff members have the opportunity to do what they love and become valued parts of the veterinary team. 9. Utilize New Technology Modern vet techs must stay abreast of new developments in the field of veterinary technology. Clinics are continually upgrading their computer-based record systems, digital x-ray machines, and diagnostic test procedures. Techs never stop learning. 10. Interact With the Community Vet techs have a particularly high level of interaction with clients and may provide advice on a variety of topics (from flea control products to pet food) when it is requested. They have the opportunity to make connections with a wide cross section of the co mmunity during their appointments. This level of interaction makes it a great career path for those who like working with both pets and people.