How to Find a Career Path - Your Career Intel

How to Find a Career Path - Your Career IntelSometimes theres a real difference between what youre good at and what you love to do. Sometimes theres leid and they are one and the sameansicht are the really lucky folks who dont have to do much work trying to find a career path. For those who dont know what to do next professionally or which direction you want to go in, here are some tips on how to find a career path.Step 1 Quiet your rational mind. By this I mean, open up to the entire world of possibilities, regardless of how much you think a job pays, where youd have to move to, how it would affect your partner and everything else your mind likes to break in and tell you as youre daydreaming about your career goals. What would you do if you could do ANYTHING?Step 2 Think about yourself. What do you ENJOY? What types of work environments would you thrive in? For example, do you get energized by putting on a suit in the morning and heading to a formal corporate environment or do you f ind more satisfaction in an edgier space where you can be casual and work in a shared, open floor plan workspace? Are you social or do you like to work solo? What do absolutely NOT like to do?Step 3 Start down a path even though it might not lead you to your forever career. Theres a certain amount of trial and error when it comes to finding a career. So figure out what you enjoy and try something in that vicinity. If itdoesntwork out, go back to the starting point of the core of what you love to do and try something different. Over time, you will refine your career goals and find the trail that works best for you. But you have to keep at it and follow your instincts.And dont beat yourself up about not finding the perfect thing immediately Thats pretty rare.

Heres the Management Mistake Were All Making, According to 1 Sales Manager

Heres the Management Mistake Were All Making, According to 1 Sales Manager As a Sales Engineering Manager at Trimble, a positioning technology company, Jenna Dobrovolny manages a kollektiv of technical sales engineers that work with customers to make the world go round. She sells important positioning ordnungsprinzips to customers in a wide variety of industries, all while learning the ins-and-outs of unique businesses.But Dobrovolny didnt know she would wind up being a salesperson at one of the most unique companies in the U.S. With a background in marketing, she took a winding path to get where she is today and she has celebrated every minute.How long have you been in your current role, and what were you doing previously?Ive been in sales engineering at Trimble for a little over 3 years. Previously, I welches in Product Management at Trimble.Whats the first (and/or last) thing you do at work every day?Im a morning person, so I try to get in early. The first thing I do is a mental s can of what my week looks like. I occasionally make to-do lists, but I detest procrastination. If I think of something I need to do, I try to do it right away. I usually have a pretty good handle on my schedule, but I double check my calendar anyway.Whats the most unique or interesting aspect of your job or company?I think the most unique thing about my job is the group of customers I get to work with. ur customers are the heartbeat of our economy. Transportation, agriculture and construction all come together to make sure we have clean water, houses to live in, prescription medications to survive, and all the wants that internet shopping has made available to us.For example, take natural disasters something that is extremely relevant right now. From the supplies we get when the first disaster strikes to the rebuilding process, we rely on the men and women in our industry doing a very unglamorous job to help us put our lives back together. Its incredibly humbling to step onto a tr uck yard and realize that when stuff gets real, these individuals are the ones called to action. Whats something you think most people (perhaps even current employees) dont know about your company that you think they should?I think a common misconception about my company is that you must fit into a certain mold to work here or work in a certain department. While company fit is certainly important, my team has individuals from all backgrounds. Some have trucking experience and some that are new to the industry. Some are more advanced in their careers and some are just starting out. I have a bachelors in Communications and Public Relations, and a background in marketing. But about 9 years ago, I got into technology and now I work in sales.Whats something youre especially good at at work?Public speaking. I enjoy it. Its a rush for me, but thats probably because I have a bit of an ego.What about outside of work?Im pretty good at handling money. I like organization and money makes sense to me.What are you trying to improve on?Trusting people that I work with. Its not natural to me and has nothing to do with the other person. Im naturally suspicious and in some cases, thats just a time-waster.Whats your favorite mistake?There was a time a few years ago when I didnt stand up for myself on something. It was mostly gossip-related. I let my anfhrer at the time dictate how a situation was going to be handled, and I felt powerless. Thats the feeling I am most uncomfortable with.It taught me not to rely on others to do your bidding. If someone you work with has a belief or understanding about you that is false, say something. Id rather get a reputation that I wont take crap than let others define me. Whats the one career move youve made that youre most proud of?Moving into an industry that is mostly male-dominated. It is not uncommon for me to be the youngest and only female in a customer meeting. Ive always been fairly assertive, but in my business, thats not seen as a ba d thing. I think in other industries a softness is required. You try and win over business on a relationship level. My job is to help make our customers more successful and competitive in their own right, and that takes a certain amount of bravado.What do you love most about your job or your company?A new employee on my team mentioned that we have a lot of passion for what we do, and I believe that to be so true. We also have an unshakable desire to get better. Were pretty hard on ourselves. If you value activity over productivity, this isnt the place for you. We are driven by results.What are you currently reading/watching/listening to?I get both the New York Times and FreightWaves (an industry publication) delivered to my inbox daily. I also just finished Anthony Bourdains Kitchen Confidential, which I found to be wonderfully relevant to both being a manager and to the food delivery business (many of my customers work in this industry). I think its important to read books for busi ness, but its also important to read for the human element. Id rather read a biography about a successful individual than a how to book. That said, Ive read my fair share of good business books as well. Smarter Faster Better by Charles Duhigg was eye-opening. It changed my way of thinking entirely.Whats your 1 piece of advice for women who are looking for jobs right now?Your resume must be results and success driven. Dont say I worked on our RFP process. Define how much you improved the process. If you brought in revenue to your company, say how much in dollars. Quantify everything dollars, percent improved, efficiencies gained. Ive seen a lot of resumes recently and numbers jump off the page to me. It also shows that an individual knows their value, which becomes extremely important upon salary negotiations.Who is/was the most influential person in your life and why?My mother. She is absolutely the hardest working person I know, and her compassion for humanity is unwavering. Shes n ot afraid to call others out for their lack of understanding, and believes in being fully educated before voicing an opinion. She follows her heart, even when it is contrary to the belief system she was raised with. As her daughter, its empowering to see that and it gives me confidence as well.Whats the most memorable piece of career advice youve received?What other people say and do is not about you. Ever.What was the best quality of the best boss youve ever had?Allowing for independent action and thought. Delegating and micromanaging can sometimes look like the same thing. When you delegate, you identify a problem that needs solving. When you micromanage, you tell others how to solve it. Micromanaging is a cheap way to manage people. And its extremely unsuccessful. Having a boss that delegates and asks for my opinion makes me feel valued.--Fairygodboss is a proud partner with Trimble. Find your job today

Life After Law School What You Need to Know About Starting a Career in Law

Life After Law School What You Need to Know About Starting a Career in Law Take the LSAT. Go to law school. Pass the bar exam. Become a lawyer. Sounds straightforward, right?However, if you ask law school students close to graduation about their future careers, youll get a much different reaction. Those approaching graduation have just dedicated three years of their lives to grinding away with high hopes and aspirations of becoming the next big lawyer. Now, anxiety is at an all-time high. The opportunities after law school are endless, but they can also be extremely overwhelming, and many law school students are extremely concerned aboutmaking the right decision.What better way to ease some of that stress than to ask a successful lawyer whohas gone through it all for help? Jeff Rosenbaum, a personal injury attorney in Philadelphia, received his J.D. from Villanova University and founded Rosenbaum Associates. To help those law students who may feel an xious about graduating, Rosenbaumsat down and answered some of the questions soon-to-be lawyers often ask about life after law school.Katie BassettWhat does the partner track actually look like? How long does it usually take? Why do I want to be a partner?Jeff RosenbaumIn its general form, partner track looks like this Get to work early, pump out reliable work product, befriend current clients to instill confidence, befriend potential clients with the hopes of them sending business to your firm, stay at work late, repeat.At the end of the day, its about business and the firms bottom line. If you serve to increase the firms bottom line, then you are an asset. When a firm wants to retain an asset, they make that asset a partner. If you plan to stay at a firm for an extended period of time, then of course you want to be a partner. There is no better testament to the quality of your work and the value you bring to the firm than being made partner. Plus, it comes with the added benefit o f more money.KBWhat are the benefits of staying with a law firm vs. going in-house?JRTwo major benefits of staying with a law firmmoney and opportunity. In-house gigs are fine. They are reliable. They are predictable. There is no pressure to bring in business/clients. But they are also somewhat stagnant. By that, I mean the opportunities for advancement are limited and the opportunity to meaningfully increase your salary is negligible when compared to firms.In contrast, working at firms provides you the opportunity to interact with individuals up and down the corporate ladder, both internally (at your firm) and externally (your clients business). This has the added benefit of potentially opening many doors if you decide to make a move at some point down the road.KB If I want to work in-house, how can I work towards that track?JRAs is the answer to many legal questions, it depends. If you are talking about working in-house with a business on the transactional/corporate side of the sp ectrum, then I would have geared my elective courses in law school in that direction.In the world of business, who you know is as important as what you know. Get to know the people around you. What do they do? What do their parents do? Talk to as many people as possible. Find out who the attorneys at business are and send them emails expressing interest. Be a pest. Its a numbers game. Try enough times, and something will pan out.If you are talking about being an in-house attorney in the claims department of an insurance company, then there is no real track. Get a few years of handling general liability cases under your belt at a firm and then scour the Internet for a job opportunity. If the firm does a great deal of work for a particular insurance company, then do your best to get to know as many representatives and adjusters from that company as possible.KBHow do billable hours work? How can I make sure that I get all of my hours in?JRBilling your time is an acquired skill that jus t takes a little getting used to. There is no real trick. Just make sure you keep track of what you are doing as you are doing it. If you wait until the end of the day to try to figure out what you did, you will inevitably forget something. That stinks. Effectively capturing your time is important, and if you dont do that contemporaneously with the work you are doing, then some billable hours will get s-lost in the shuffle, never to be found again.KBHow can I get more involved in the firm? Joining a committee, etc.? Would you encourage this, or should I just try to conquer associate life before taking on more work?JRSay yes to everything every committee, every work event, every drink after work, every lunch, every softball game, every client function. This is important when you first start. You want to make a good first impression. People like positivity. People like other people who say yes. If the people around you like you, they will be there for you when you need them whether i t be for advice, help with an assignment, or a positive evaluation at the end of the year. You are going to be working more hours than you want to be working anyway. What difference does a couple of hours here and there make over the course of the year when it could be beneficial to your career?KBAside from salary, what are the benefits of joining a big law firm rather than a medium-size or smaller law firm?JRMy prior responses get tied in here. The way I see things, very few people remain at their first job out of law school for the rest of their career. Many people use their first job as a catapult, and working at a big firm can be just that. Big firms have more people. More people means more relationships. More relationships means more opportunities. More opportunities bring you one step closer to finding that job that you really like and that job that is really satisfying.But really, saying aside from salary is a loaded question. Salary is a pretty big thing to put aside. It is doubtful many people would voluntarily turn their lives into endless six-minute increments without the salary. It is sort of like asking, Aside from the cheese and sauce, what are the benefits of pizza? Sure, that in gleichem abstand nebeneinander is somewhat extreme, as big firms are not simply plain bread, but the salary (i.e., the cheese and sauce) make them much more palatable.KBHow realistic is it to go from a medium-sized firm, in-house job, or non-legal job to a big law firm?JRAs long as you have a transferable skill set, it is not difficult to change jobs. A person whose role is extremely specialized may find it difficult to switch firms. So, wherever you end up, make sure not to get pigeonholed.Katie Bassett is a digital marketing specialist and avid blogger based in San Diego. You can follow her on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Watch out for these 4 downsides of moonlighting

Watch out for these 4 downsides of moonlightingWatch out for these 4 downsides of moonlightingLooking at moonlighting to boost your income? It may seem like a great way to earn some extra bucks, but be aware there may be some drawbacks, especially in the personal side of your life.Men and women who moonlight a second job are just as productive and engaged as their one-position counterparts, but according to a new study from tanzabend State University, led by Ball States Bryan Webster, Ph.D., a management professor, moonlighting may lead to family conflict - possibly due to the number of hours spent outside the home.Work-life balance may be an issueIn the Ball State study, it was cited that dual jobholders dont report lower levels of work engagement at the second job compared to the primary job, but conflicts may arise on the home front. In general, it appears that dual jobholders are able to perform as adequately as their single job holding counterparts, Webster says. However, dual jobholders reported higher levels of work-family conflict as compared to single job employees.Dual jobholders work an average of 46.8 hours per week as compared to the average American employee who works 38.6 hours per week. Less free time mean less time for family.Workers may not prioritize primary job over moonlightingAcross a series of three studies, says Webster, two important findings were learned. First, moonlighters appear to exhibit the same amount of work engagement at their primary job that they exhibit at their second job.This suggests dual jobholders do not prioritize one job over the other, he explains. This finding studied moonlighters from an array of jobs such as ministers, network analysts, and physical therapy assistants.Secondly, across a sample of bartenders and a sample of teachers, it was found that moonlighters exhibit the same levels of work engagement, job performance, and citizenship behaviors (i.e., going the extra mile) as single jobholders.That second jo b may drain your staminaMoonlighters, or those thinking about undertaking a second job, may need to consider the effects a second job will have on their lives outside of work in the form of time, attention, and energy devoted to family life outside of work, Webster says. With fewer hours at home, and more mental and physical demands, this devoid in energy can take a toll you.Consider the risks to your careerCareer analyst Laura Handrick of FitSmallBusiness.com says although moonlighting is great for extra income, she recommends to clear it with your employer, as you may be risking your day job.Many employers provide clauses in their employee handbooks that require you to disclose any work outside your primary job, she says. Handrick says once they know that youre working two jobs, they may be concerned you may not be giving full attention to your daytime position. Then, your coworkers know that too and may resent that youre not 100% focused on your day job.Your coworkers may also re sent that youre earning money on the side, and may feel that youre doing so at their expense, or at the expense of the company. Even more, she says your employer may also be reluctant to share customer or other information with you as they may worry about their proprietary information getting into others hands by you. Be sure to check what your companys policy is regarding moonlighting.

Mechanical Apprentice) (FN)

Mechanical Apprentice) (FN)Fireman (Engine/Mechanical Apprentice) (FN)This enlistment program option enables men and women to qualify for one of several Navy engineering or mechanical skill specialties (ratings) through on-the-job apprentice training. The training received as a Fireman or in the related engineering skill specialties is equivalent to that received as an electrician, electrical or power plant/co-generation plant operator or supervisor, diesel mechanic, or electronics repair technician. Equipment associated with Fireman training includes propulsion and, and diesel engines electronic machinery plant control systems and networks and intricate electrical wiring and distribution systems. The Importance of the Navy Firemen The name Fireman enjoys a proud and storied history. The name originated in the days when the Fireman welches responsible for keeping the fires burning in the ships boilers which were used to make steam. The steam-powered large turbines then produced t he ships electricity and turned the ships propellers. After completion of recruit training, enlistees in the Fireman Apprenticeship Training program attend a three-week course on naval engineering fundamental skills in shipboard operations and evolutions. After successful completion of this training, Firemen are usually assigned to shipboard duties where the Navy needs them the most. Firemen can request and may receive on-the-job training in a rating that they are interested in, qualify for, and that is available at their first command by completing correspondence courses and personal advancement requirements. They must also be recommended by their Commanding Officer for the Navy rating they desire. Firemen may also attend special Navy schools to learn about general damage control, shipboard firefighting, preventive maintenance of special equipment, and the use of special tools used in the rating they are working in or seeking. Firemen Duties The duties performed by a Fireman in clude Standing underway engineering watches and operating analog, digital and plasmatic display units.Using hand and power tools while working with complex machineryRepairing, maintaining, and preserving engineering and associated equipment in preparation for underway operationsKeeping accurate electronic and written recordsObserving safety standards associated with engineering machineryStanding power plant and ship security watches while in port and underwayOperating electrical and sound-powered communication systems Serving as a member of damage control, emergency, and rescue and assistance teamsTaking parte in the underway replenishment (transferring fuel and supplies from ship to ship at sea)Working with qualified personnel to gain on the job training and experience, which will qualify for college credits. Other Requirements Must have normal color perception. Must have normal hearing. Security Clearance, (SECRET) required. Must be a U.S. Citizen. Technical Training Informatio n Firemen are taught fundamental skills needed in a shipboard environment. Most training takes place at the first duty station in the form of on-the-job training in the rating for which they are striking. By striking for a specific Navy rating, a qualified person may be assigned to a Navy class A technical school for further training in that rating. Firemen may also be able to participate in advancement exams without additional schooling once qualifications for selection into the rating of their choice have been met.

Quick Tips for 5 Common Job Interview Emergencies

Quick Tips for 5 Common Job Interview EmergenciesQuick Tips for 5 Common Job Interview EmergenciesPrepare for the worst to ensure the best during your next interview. close dialog Advertisementclose dialog/* effects for .bx-campaign-1012257 *//* custom css .bx-campaign-1012257 */.bx-custom.bx-campaign-1012257.bx-type-agilityzone .bx-close z-index 2-ms-keyframes bx-anim-1012257-spin from -ms-transform rotate(0deg) to -ms-transform rotate(360deg) -moz-keyframes bx-anim-1012257-spin from -moz-transform rotate(0deg) to -moz-transform rotate(360deg) -webkit-keyframes bx-anim-1012257-spin from -webkit-transform rotate(0deg) to -webkit-transform rotate(360deg) keyframes bx-anim-1012257-spin from transform rotate(0deg) to transform rotate(360deg) bx-close-inside-1012257 top 0 right 0 /* KD - Remove padding from video wrapper and set height to 100% */.bx-custom.bx-campaign-1012257 .bx-row-video .bx-video-wrapper padding-top 0important height 100%.bx-custombx-campaign-1012257 bx-creative-1012257 .bx-wrap height auto/* KD - Change positioning to static as that was not necesaary and here you can adjust the height of the video element */.bx-custom.bx-campaign-1012257 .bx-row-video .bx-video-wrapper video position static/* rendered styles .bx-campaign-1012257 */.bxc.bx-campaign-1012257.bx-active-step-1 .bx-creative *first-child width 100%.bxc.bx-campaign-1012257.bx-active-step-1 .bx-creative background-color transparentborder-style nonemax-width 900px.bxc.bx-campaign-1012257.bx-active-step-1 .bx-close stroke whitebackground-color blackborder-style solidborder-color whiteborder-width 1px.bxc.bx-campaign-1012257 .bx-group-1012257-AFvXBOB padding 10pxdisplay fraktionwidth auto.bxc.bx-campaign-1012257 .bx-element-1012257-J0EiS8Y width auto.bxc.bx-cam paign-1012257 .bx-element-1012257-J0EiS8Y *first-child padding 2px 4pxfont-size 10pxcolor rgb(255, 255, 255)text-transform uppercasebackground-color rgb(0, 0, 0)background-color rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.34)Youre lost - and the interview is in20 minutesThe best option is to avoid this completely. Try a dry run by commuting to the office location at the same time of day your interview is scheduled so you are familiar with the route and can properly budget your travel time. If you still manage to get lost, pull out your smart device and use apps like Google Maps or HopStop to estimate how long it will take you to get to the office. If youre sure to be late, give your main point of contact a heads-up as soon as possible.You spilled coffee on your shirt en route to the interview.Always have a back-up plan. Keep some Shout Wipes in your glove compartment or work bag. If youre driving to the interview, it never hurts to put a spare shirt in the car. When all else fails, run a simple Google search on your smart phone to find the nearest clothing store.You forget to bring copies of your resume.Never fear theres an app for that Download the free Print Hammermill mobile app to print your resume and any other important documents directly from your phone or tablet fromany nearby printer connected to WiFi. Also, make sure you store a copy of your resume on iCloud or Dropbox so you can access it easily on the go.You realize youre being interviewed for a different position than you prepared for.When youre applying to multiple positions, theres a chance you may mix the job descriptions up. If you found the job on Ladders, review the job description while youre in the waiting room. You can also store copies of your job applications and other job-search notes in the cloud with services like Evernote.You forgot to mention something important to the interviewer.The thank-you note is a perfect opportunity to address any points you neglected to discuss during the interview. In your messa ge, highlight any relevant achievements, experiences, or other important qualifications you didnt get to mention in the meeting or clarify a response that was a little shaky. Remember, youre not simply following up after an interview youre positively influencing your candidacy.

Common Interview Questions for Executive Level Jobs

Common Interview Questions for Executive Level JobsCommon Interview Questions for Executive Level JobsWhen you are bewerbungsgesprching for an executive level job, some of the most important factors the company will consider are your leadership style and how it will fit in with company culture, how you would implement change, and how you manage employees. At this career level, you will be in a leadership punkt, responsible for setting and meeting lofty goals and making sure that the people you manage are in a position to support these goals as well. People inC-levelpositions are expected to make important decisions and deliver results, so come prepared with examples of how you have done so in previous positions. Before an Interview for an Executive Level Position As with any interview, advance preparation gives you a huge advantage. Plan your interview outfit the day before. Make sure to wear something that is appropriate. You dont want to look like youre playing dress-up during the interview you should comfortably inhabit your clothes. Planning your outfit ahead will help you avoid unpleasant day-of realizations, like that you have a stain on your favorite interview shirt, cant walk confidently in your shoes, or have an itchy tag on a new interview outfit. Thoroughly research the company. That way, ifyou are asked about specific company-related strategies or to share feedback, you can provide a thoughtful response. As well, you should feel comfortable answering commonplace interview questions. Think Whats your biggest weakness? or Where do you see yourself in five years?Review the questions below, which you can expect during an executive level interview, as well as these top 10 interview questions.This will help you speak confidently andcoherentlyduringthe interview. During the Interview Avoid rambling or disjointed answers. If you are unsure what you want to say, pause for a second to frame your thoughts. Try using stalling phrases such as Thats a rea lly thought-provoking question to buy yourself a bit of time to formulate your thoughts. As well, remember that the interview is a two-way street Not only should you ask questions yourself, but if the interview does not touch on something you believe is relevant to the position, you can bring it up yourself. Executive Interview Questions Here are a number of questions you might be asked during an interview for an executive level position.How would you describe your management style?Why are you interested in our company?What do you think makes you a good fit for this position? Thinking about this specific role, what aspects do you think would be the biggest challenge for you?What is the most difficult thing about being an executive or manager?What are the methods you typically use to evaluate an employees job performance?Tell me about a time in which you brought productive change to a company. How did you implement this change? Describe a time when you had to deal with difficult or unmotivated staff.Describe your experience reading and interpreting accounting and financial reports.If you were hired, what would be your priorities in your first three to six months on the job?What are two things you believe our company is doing well? Whats one thing that you think we should change?What do you look for in an employee? What behaviors and performances do you expect of an ideal employee?Tell me how you have created a shared purpose among people who initially differed in opinions or objectives. Give us an example of a method you have used to successfully encourage/motivate your staff.How would you handle an unforeseen obstacle or a situation that resulted through a third-party, that affects your bottom-line?Whats your communication style?Describe a time when you confronted an employee whose results were inadequate.What did you do to increase company revenues at your current company?