The Senior Series Should Seniors Skip Spring Break this Year

The Senior Series Should Seniors Skip Spring Break this Year At the end of my summer internship two years ago, my boss offered a single piece of advice for the remainder of my college career: take an awesome senior-year spring break. Why? He said that once I graduated into the career world it would become nearly impossible to ever find one week during which all of my friends and I would be free to go anywhere and have fun. Im disappointed to report that Ive let my former boss down. Instead of relaxing in sunny Florida, Ill be spending my spring break in snowy Ohio, working hard to land an entry-level career. The frustrating part is, I already spent a big chunk of my spring break savings back in January traveling for an out-of-town job interview and now I feel like the responsible thing to do is save the rest for future non-reimbursable interviews. Theres something else about spring break that just doesnt feel right given todays employment environment. Senior year spring break is supposed to be a celebration.. a last chance to commemorate the days before our careers become the focus of our lives. But right now many of us dont have careers, or upcoming-careers; some dont even have career-prospects. In two and a half months many seniors will graduate into unemployment and move back in with mom and dad. On the other hand, maybe spring break can be a chance for seniors to cheer themselves up from the bleakness of the employment environment. Maybe some, if they play their cards right, will turn vacation into a networking opportunity. If youre a senior, did the employment environment alter your spring break plans this year?

How to Write an Athletic Trainer Resume

How to Write an Athletic Trainer ResumeIf you are looking for a job as an athletic trainer, you need to know how to write a resume that will get you noticed. This is an entry level position that requires athletic ability. In addition, you will be training young people with various medical conditions, many of which are not well understood. So to find the right job, it will take time and determination.An athletic trainer is responsible for developing exercises and exercise regimens for a variety of athletic patients. To do this, he or she must have good coordination and multitasking skills. Many athletic trainers have to work with other health care professionals, such as physical therapists, orthopedists, psychiatrists, and even nurses. Another job requirement is that the person must have solid interpersonal skills. The job duties include supervising the workout regimen of the athletes, instructing them on how to properly perform their exercises, and evaluating them and making recommen dations for improvement.A typical athletic trainer resume will emphasize the fitness credentials that are necessary for the job. If you do not have formal education in medicine or physical therapy, you can still be successful as an athletic trainer. You may want to write a personal statement that highlights why you want to become an athletic trainer.When you are working on your athletic trainer resume, you should be creative and have some leeway in formatting. You can choose to use a full page resume or you can divide the paper into sections. You should include the date of your first day of work, when you got your certification from your medical school, any awards that you have received, if any, your emergency contact information, and any hobbies or passions that you have. You can even include details about the equipment that you use to provide your patients with exercises. Once you begin to make your athletic trainer resume, be sure to include in bold the sections that pertain to y our athletic training.There are several ways to format your athletic trainer resume. One way is to include a sheet of paper at the bottom of the paper. You will use this to type out your personal information and the section that pertain to your athletic training. Then you can attach the sections as you go through the sections of your athletic trainer resume.A sample athletic trainer resume is attached below. The sample can be used to get you started and you can include your information as well as that of your co-workers. So, do not hesitate to use this sample as a guide and put your athletic training experience into the proper context.You should consider taking college courses, or obtaining the necessary training before you apply for an athletic trainer position. This will help you be better prepared to give your information on your athletic trainer resume. You may also want to contact a medical writing service to help you prepare for your athletic trainer resume.You may want to use the information listed here to help you get started on your athletic trainer resume. There are other details that you may want to add, depending on your particular situation.

Everyone Needs a Father Figure

Everyone Needs a Father Figure Its Fathers Day and I am preaching about the importance of having a father figure in your life. We all need one- an male influence who shares different perspectives on lifes experiences and makes us see and think about things differently. Someone who is older and wiser. A man who makes us toe the line, stand up straight and do the right thing. In my life, I was lucky to have Pop to show me the ropes of life. He influenced my life in ways I couldnt have predicted or imagined. He also served as advisor for many others seeking knowledge, insight, advice or a pick-me-up. He wasnt perfect, nor a saint. He was human, flawed like the rest of us. However, he held a constant presence in my life. That presence was everything, looking back. In my circle of friends, I sadly have lots of fatherless friends- their dads left too early. On purpose or by cosmic design, new male influences step up and into the lives of those who are fatherless. These new father figures fill the void or pick up the missing pieces, those things only a guy can do. So this Fathers Daycelebrate and honor those father figures in your life. Say thank you. Appreciate their presence. And reflect on the impact they have on you today. Who knows what the long term outcome will be, but life will somehow be richer because of it. Hugs and cheers to all my fatherless friends. And step forward father figures, you know who you are, and do the right thing. Everyone needs a mentor, role model or sounding board. Do you have one?

How to get a return on investment for re-training

How to get a return on investment for re-training How to Get ROI on Re-Training I have been working in information technology in the same area for the last 15 years. I have been burned out for several years but make a high level of salary. I decided that in order for me to revive my excitement for IT, I should update my skill set to something that interests me. I enrolled in technical classes in the evenings and have knocked out six IT certifications. I already have many older certifications, a bachelor degree, and an MBA. My question is, how do I get the experience in my new set of skills without taking a huge cut in pay? I want to make all of my hard work and studying pay off. I am excited to try a little different slice of the IT world. Answer from Dana: Thank you for sharing a number of challenges common to many of my clients and readers: burn-out, trying to get excited again, getting more certificates or training, needing to keep current income levels steady, and hoping for a short-term return on investment on training. I’ll address each one: 1. Burn-out It’s important that you understand why and how you burned out so you can avoid doing it again. List the attributes you strive for in your new role and things you want to avoid. No training or certificates can help you find the right next move that you will enjoy. 2. Re-energizing What else are you doing to get ready for your next role? Did you clear your head, and perhaps take some time off? Are you networking right now with industry associations and discussion groups, and meeting inspiring people? What are you learning about yourself that will change what you will do differently next time? 3. Getting more certificates Congratulations on doing this. However, I hope you did it for your benefit as well as for an employer’s future benefit. You learned more about your profession, updated your skill set and knowledge, and will add more value to an organization in the long term. 4. Hoping for a short-term payback from your certificates The short answer is it won’t happen. I recently met a soon-to-be MBA graduate who was employed by a large company here in Seattle. He was proud to announce to me that he would be going into his boss’s office the day after he graduates and demanding a salary increase since he got his MBA. I wish I had gotten his number to ask him how that conversation went. New education does not entitle anybody to more money, a better office, or a bigger title. You have choices now: Request a new role and stay with your current company Job-search to join a new company (ideally, while you are gainfully employed). Update your résumé, looking at the whole document in a fresh way. Update the way you apply to your next positions.

I Quit My Job The 18 Month Update (eek)!

I Quit My Job The 18 Month Update (eek)! Aw, my business is almost a toddler! Soon enough I wont be able to refer to it in months anymore, but in actual years. My babys growin up! That said, I still feel like Im learning ( probably wont stop anytime soon) and had quite the Caution: Head Explosion Ahead! month. Heres why: Theres still time to win your spot in Relationship Finishing School! Comments close on Thurs 9/22 at noon, so head on over get you some.

Tips for Writing a Resume After 20 Years of Work

Tips for Writing a Resume After 20 Years of WorkBeing able to write a resume after 20 years of working is something you will be able to do without having to worry about things like writing for a computer. What are some things you should be prepared to remember as you try to write your own resume?In order to write a professional resume you should know a few things about the industry. You can learn a lot by reading about the companies and what they are all about. Read the company's history, and the type of work they do. Find out if they have specific requirements that need to be met in order to receive employment from them.Look at their recruitment records in order to see what their recruiting department looks like. Did they pay attention to anyone that was let go during the recession, or did they have a hard time finding people that could meet their needs? Get some ideas as to what the company does that might be worth remembering and some of the things that you should be prepared to i nclude in your resume.When it comes to the technical information on your resume it is important to include this information in order to make yourself stand out. You can take things like tools and equipment that you use at work and include it in your resume. For example you can talk about what kind of webcams you have in your work area. Having these tools in your resume helps to make your resume stand out in a sea of resumes.Another thing you can include in your professional resume is the type of awards or honors you received for the type of work you did. Think about which awards you received, or what professional organizations you participated in. This can help to tell people who you are. It may not be the right place to discuss who you are, but it may be a good way to learn a little more about you. If you did not receive any awards you can explain why you did not receive any awards.Read the bestseller list and look at the titles of the books you are reading. Are they part of a seri es of books or are they new? Look up the ones you like and include those in your resume. You should include a good number of the titles that you like.These are just a few things that you can do to help yourself get a job when you are ready to move into the work force. These tips may seem small, but they can have a large impact on your future. Take your time and make sure that you are prepared before you write your resume after 20 years of work.

Entrepreneur to Employee How to Find a Job After being Your Own Boss

Entrepreneur to Employee How to Find a Job After being Your Own Boss Spread the loveThere are few things in life tougher than being your own boss. Many of us dream of quitting our jobs and becoming an entrepreneur, but few ever succeed in the effort. According to estimates, as many as 80 percent of all businesses fail within the first ten years. Given those odds, it’s no surprise that so many former entrepreneurs eventually find themselves reentering the workforce as someone else’s employee. Unfortunately, the transition from entrepreneur to employee is not always easy. In this post, we will look at some tips that can help you find a job after being your own boss.Transitioning from Entrepreneur to Employee: The ChallengeIt’s important to understand the challenges that you might face when going from entrepreneur to employee. Many former entrepreneurs can find themselves confused by the barrage of rejections they often receive when applying for a new job. They may wonder why companies are not beating down their doors to hire them. As it turns out, companies often have some very valid concerns.Most of those concerns involve questions about your ability to transition from entrepreneur to employee. Some may wonder whether you can adapt to the company’s culture after running your own company and doing things your way. Can you take orders without question? Will you be able to work with a team when you’re not in charge? These are all valid concerns that could prevent a company from even giving you a second glance.(We wrote a good post here on writing a resume after youve been an entrepreneur)Tips for Effectively Going from Entrepreneur to EmployeeIf you’ve experienced rejection while transitioning from entrepreneur to employee, you’re not alone. But take heart: there are jobs for former business owners, if you have the right strategy for your job search. The following tips can help:Focus Your Mindset on Getting HiredThe single most important thing you must do is commit to getting hired. One problem that many entrepreneurs have when seeking a new job is that they never fully set their mind on being someone else’s employee. You cannot transition from entrepreneur to employee if part of you is still holding out hope that you can continue to be your own boss.Are you thinking of ways to revitalize your failed company? Mulling over a new business venture? Or are you maybe resistant to the idea of taking orders? If so, then work on fixing that mindset. If you’re not fully committed to being part of a company’s team, employers will quickly figure that out.Polish Your ResumeWhen’s the last time you looked at your resume? Well, you better break it out, update it, and really put a shine on it â€" because you’re going to need it. Your resume is the most important tool you possess when transitioning from entrepreneur to employee.Make sure that it is as polished as possible, and really showcases the value that you can provide as an employee. If it’s been a while since you’ve thought about resumes, ch eck out our great post, How to Make Your Resume Really Stand Out.Remember that most companies use an ATS (Applicant Tracking System) to automatically screen resumes. Make sure you use a standard ATS friendly resume format and optimize your resume with keywords.  ATS Resume Test  You can see how your resume performs in an actual ATS scan with our Free Resume Review:Free Resume ReviewTone Down Your Role as Company OwnerRemember how we told you that employers are leery of hiring entrepreneurs? One way that you can put their mind at ease is to minimize your role as founder and owner. Many experts recommend avoiding those labels altogether. Instead, describe yourself as the company’s manager, or list another role that you played during your time as an entrepreneur. You can even use the title of the job that you’re seeking, since you probably filled that role in your own company.Stress Your Desire to Work as Part of a TeamYou can certainly mention your time in your own company, but it is often best to do this in your cover letter and an in-person interview. Again, don’t emphasize your position as boss. Instead, focus on explaining why you are so eager to work for someone else. One great option here is to stress your desire to collaborate with other dynamic individuals and work for a common goal. Talk about how you have missed the collegial atmosphere of the company environment. Employers want to hear that you are interested in being part of a team.Quantify Your Accomplishments and Potential Value as an EmployeeWhile you should minimize your leadership role at your own company, that doesn’t mean that you need to shy away from your achievements. Quite the contrary, in fact! You need to cite those accomplishments and quantify them with real numbers.You can use those achievements to emphasize your experience, expertise, and potential value as an employee. If the employer can envision you adding to his bottom line, he will be more likely to help you transition fr om entrepreneur to employee.Obviously, there is no magic bullet that will help you make the move from entrepreneur to employee. Even with these tips, landing a new job will remain a real challenge. However, with the right mindset and approach, you can improve your odds of landing more interviews â€" and that will open the doors you need to land a new job. Entrepreneur to Employee How to Find a Job After being Your Own Boss Spread the loveThere are few things in life tougher than being your own boss. Many of us dream of quitting our jobs and becoming an entrepreneur, but few ever succeed in the effort. According to estimates, as many as 80 percent of all businesses fail within the first ten years. Given those odds, it’s no surprise that so many former entrepreneurs eventually find themselves reentering the workforce as someone else’s employee. Unfortunately, the transition from entrepreneur to employee is not always easy. In this post, we will look at some tips that can help you find a job after being your own boss.Transitioning from Entrepreneur to Employee: The ChallengeIt’s important to understand the challenges that you might face when going from entrepreneur to employee. Many former entrepreneurs can find themselves confused by the barrage of rejections they often receive when applying for a new job. They may wonder why companies are not beating down their doors to hire them. As it turns out, companies often have some very valid concerns.Most of those concerns involve questions about your ability to transition from entrepreneur to employee. Some may wonder whether you can adapt to the company’s culture after running your own company and doing things your way. Can you take orders without question? Will you be able to work with a team when you’re not in charge? These are all valid concerns that could prevent a company from even giving you a second glance.(We wrote a good post here on writing a resume after youve been an entrepreneur)Tips for Effectively Going from Entrepreneur to EmployeeIf you’ve experienced rejection while transitioning from entrepreneur to employee, you’re not alone. But take heart: there are jobs for former business owners, if you have the right strategy for your job search. The following tips can help:Focus Your Mindset on Getting HiredThe single most important thing you must do is commit to getting hired. One problem that many entrepreneurs have when seeking a new job is that they never fully set their mind on being someone else’s employee. You cannot transition from entrepreneur to employee if part of you is still holding out hope that you can continue to be your own boss.Are you thinking of ways to revitalize your failed company? Mulling over a new business venture? Or are you maybe resistant to the idea of taking orders? If so, then work on fixing that mindset. If you’re not fully committed to being part of a company’s team, employers will quickly figure that out.Polish Your ResumeWhen’s the last time you looked at your resume? Well, you better break it out, update it, and really put a shine on it â€" because you’re going to need it. Your resume is the most important tool you possess when transitioning from entrepreneur to employee.Make sure that it is as polished as possible, and really showcases the value that you can provide as an employee. If it’s been a while since you’ve thought about resumes, ch eck out our great post, How to Make Your Resume Really Stand Out.Remember that most companies use an ATS (Applicant Tracking System) to automatically screen resumes. Make sure you use a standard ATS friendly resume format and optimize your resume with keywords.  ATS Resume Test  You can see how your resume performs in an actual ATS scan with our Free Resume Review:Free Resume ReviewTone Down Your Role as Company OwnerRemember how we told you that employers are leery of hiring entrepreneurs? One way that you can put their mind at ease is to minimize your role as founder and owner. Many experts recommend avoiding those labels altogether. Instead, describe yourself as the company’s manager, or list another role that you played during your time as an entrepreneur. You can even use the title of the job that you’re seeking, since you probably filled that role in your own company.Stress Your Desire to Work as Part of a TeamYou can certainly mention your time in your own company, but it is often best to do this in your cover letter and an in-person interview. Again, don’t emphasize your position as boss. Instead, focus on explaining why you are so eager to work for someone else. One great option here is to stress your desire to collaborate with other dynamic individuals and work for a common goal. Talk about how you have missed the collegial atmosphere of the company environment. Employers want to hear that you are interested in being part of a team.Quantify Your Accomplishments and Potential Value as an EmployeeWhile you should minimize your leadership role at your own company, that doesn’t mean that you need to shy away from your achievements. Quite the contrary, in fact! You need to cite those accomplishments and quantify them with real numbers.You can use those achievements to emphasize your experience, expertise, and potential value as an employee. If the employer can envision you adding to his bottom line, he will be more likely to help you transition fr om entrepreneur to employee.Obviously, there is no magic bullet that will help you make the move from entrepreneur to employee. Even with these tips, landing a new job will remain a real challenge. However, with the right mindset and approach, you can improve your odds of landing more interviews â€" and that will open the doors you need to land a new job.