How to Qualify for Freelance Jobs

By : Adam Boulton
If a person does not want to take up a full time job working under the control of a boss and wants to be a boss for himself, one of the options for him is to work as a freelancer. Many people have been benefited in this kind of job working from home as a rewarding career. They are even able to earn more by working in their free time. In this case the traveling time and energy can also saved.

The Freelancers are people who perceive their career without any long term commitment to any particular employer. The areas where freelancing is common are journalism, copywriting, graphic design, consultation in any field, survey online, internet research etc. Due to the prevalent of internet there are many chances of getting a freelancing opportunity these days. It acts has a largest economic sector in the intensifying markets. Freelancing prevails a lot in the software field especially in website design, business documentation etc.

Freelance depends upon company to company; some companies require people to sign an agreement and many others do only by word of mouth. It totally depends upon the related work. The payment for the work also varies depending upon the work done. It might be based on day or hour package or payment per project. It totally depends on the project work done. It might be through value based pricing method or custom payment or percentage upfront or on completion of the project.

Some of the advantages of freelance jobs are as follows:

Options of getting variety of assignments or projects are possible.
Freedom to opt for the work schedule.
Experience adds a broad portfolio of work.
Networking of more number of clients is possible.
Some Freelancers form a group or work with some more freelancers to form a virtual agency. In turn many people get a job.

Some of the disadvantages of freelancing are as follows:

The uncertainty of work prevails a lot.
Regular Income will not be possible.
Lack of benefits like pension, gratuity, health insurance, bonus, paid holidays etc.
Contracts must be handled often.
Legal issues, accounting aspects and other business functions have to be handled by the concerned person. If the freelancer appoints somebody else for these works, then he will have pay out of his pocket.
Sometime the working hours may exceed the normal office working hours.

It is very much essential for the employer to identify a qualified professional freelancer before deciding on one. As it is a project based long term activity it must be profitable to the freelancer. Then only the freelancer will also have interest to work on the project in the course of which the company in turn will get benefited. Thus a Freelance job has its own advantages as well as disadvantages and it is in the hands of the individual to decide.

Sources to Become a Freelance Copywriter

By : Adam Boulton
Copywriting plays a vital role in freelance market. Among other freelancing, copywriting is very much promising and easy to opt for. Each and every word in a brochure or advertisements, websites etc is written by someone. Some of these will be written by company itself or through freelance copywriters.

Many ways are available to become a freelancer, it might be when the person is working full time or part time or who are crazy in writing and they will be successful only if the clients pay them properly on time. But to reach this level, it takes a lot of time and effort and personality traits also included in this. The freelance jobs help to gain money by using the individual's ability to complete the work in a particular time frame by using his skills, talent and knowledge.

Being a copywriter he can choose the area in which he is skilled and to work with and he must have the capacity to write according to the clients’ requirements. The capacity is not only in writing but also in the research of the topic. The copywriter has to write with some imagination and very important is idea formation and must be more. If the freelance copywriter provides his profile on the internet he can to identify new business clients but constantly sticking to one good client who can provide him enough jobs is also a good option.

Nowadays freelance copywriting covers major areas like television, radio, advertisements, direct mail, magazines, brochures etc. Earlier it was not the case, as the copywriting was restricted only to advertising agencies. Due to the changes in the market conditions and through internet, the work of copywriter has become easier and it is also easy to find the content of the writing. This makes the business easy from home itself and offer a chance to earn a good income. Only a small amount has to be spent initially. Things necessary for this purpose is a computer and internet connection.

Sources to become freelance copywriter:

Think about the knowledge capacity and acquire the experience by creating a chance of your own and make it beneficial for yourself.

The internet provides loads and loads of information and gives an opportunity to build a platform for the individual.

Laying a good and strong foundation is very important in a business, so act slowly and steadily.

Due to the rapid changes in the development of the market, it is an excellent opportunity for the copywriters to gain a good number of clients and get into the content writing for some regular websites or news papers. The rates of remuneration for copywriting will vary according to the work done and also depend on the project. With all the freelancers, it is the fact that the client will be saving money by contacting the professional directly. So payment for advertisements, marketing agency or recruitment agency is avoided.

Advantages of Freelance Web Designers

By : Adam Boulton
In today's developing technology most of the activities tend to change all over the world. It has also created the awareness to the people especially in using the internet. Many new jobs are being created and one of them is a freelance web designing. Freelance web designer usually create an entire website from designing to technical programming of the same on his own.

Many people don't know the importance of web designer jobs and the need of it in most of the companies. Nowadays, large companies have started to recruit more number of web designers in order to update their companies’ websites or to create a new website. Web designers are paid well and their challenges are also high compared to other jobs.

The web designing job can be done as a home based work also. The freelance web designers are quite cheap compared to the full time employees. Some of the advantages to appoint a freelance web designer are as follows:

First advantage of freelance web designer is that the costs are very low compared to full time web designer.

Freelance web designer offers low rates because they don't have any big overheads, as they do it from their home or from a small space.

The company or the corporate will expect the web designer to be qualified for the job. But it is very easy to learn. Most of the companies do prefer a person working independently, that is a freelancer. But most of the freelancers work on a contract basis and complete the given job at the right time with desired specifications. Even though when companies offer projects to large internet design companies, the results are not up to the mark and the clients are unhappy. This in turn has resulted in freelance designers with good experience and ability to deliver quality work being able to get considerable job opportunities and the clients will also be satisfied if they are able to get things done easily, quickly and correctly.

Most of the freelance web designer jobs can be obtained through internet and people can find them easily by registering their profile in many job portals with their samples posted in that. Mainly people get attracted to the freelance web designer job is because of the own work schedule and work can be done in the individuals spare time. This job is more flexible, variety of work, involves more creativity and constant learning about the work. Many full time web designers turn into a freelance web designer to earn more income by working in part time and be their own boss. Whatever the case may be the freelance web designer must be in a position to market his skills and talents in this competitive world.

Finding Freelance Graphic Designing Jobs

By : Adam Boulton
Graphic Designer is an artist who designs his artistic work like art, painting, photography, typography and computer design software. To become a graphic designer, he must have good interpersonal skills and ability to sell the ideas to the clients. The individual should have sense of color, composition and knowledge also how to present his ideas and talents. It is preferred to have drawing experience if possible to develop the knowledge of art. Most companies choose the graphic designers with appropriate degree and experience.

Graphic design has started to prevail a lot and many people instead of going to an office for work, opt to do freelancing and they really earn good cash. To be independent in the business, first and foremost part is communicating and starts working with small business owners on project basis or day to day basis. By doing freelance jobs the person will not have the traveling difficulty and save time and energy by working from home. Nowadays the demand for graphic designers has been increasing.

A freelance graphic designer job can be an exhilarating experience and sometimes stressful also. If the person is not well prepared or knowledgeable in the field of freelancing, then he will fail in this regard. To get to know things or to learn about graphic designing and freelance, the better place is the Internet. The main requirement to become a successful freelance graphic designer is to build a good portfolio which will impress the employer or the client.

A good workspace is very much essential for a graphic designer; it might be an extra room in his house or rented office according to his capacity to spend money. But it must be a studio where the designer can do his work and store properly. To have a work place separately is very much necessary. Through online resources the freelancers can do the project work according to their area of expertise. By listing the name and contact details online the freelance graphic designer will be able to get clients.

Some of the cost effective methods of advertising on freelancing are as follows:

Easiest and cheapest form of advertising is through word of mouth.
Registering in online free websites
To have an own website and it has to be updated often and it must impress the client with some great work in it.
To have a well designed portfolio on hand.

For doing a freelance graphic design work the most essential things are the computer and the internet connection. Both hardware and software must be considered by the freelancer. Appropriate memory, graphics card to process graphic files, and processor are to be considered while purchasing a computer. Final part to be well thought-out is to give client interaction and to satisfy their needs.

Author Resource:- http://www.careercounsel.info is an online resource guide for finding freelance jobs worldwide. http://www.myhomebizguide.com helps find genuine home based jobs.

A Guide to Get Started in Freelance Photography

By : Adam Boulton
Freelance photography is a very high rewarding career and people working as photographers have very good scope in this field. The traditional sources like magazines, newspapers and the internet usage help to gain more contracts. Due to the decrease in usage of ordinary cameras with the old dark room method which is very much time consuming latest methods of photography like digital have become more popular. The photography is into different types and many people enjoy it in different ways.

Some people make photography as their hobby, because photos are memories of places or events happened in their life. So many people love photos and photography also. By loving photography, many people can make it for their living. Working as a freelance photographer helps to gain income and the individual can be a boss and it is not necessary to work under any body. The work can be done on part time basis for any magazines or newspapers or any websites etc. But he must be paid for the work done.

Many people consider freelance photography as their career and some do in their spare time to earn extra money. But it is beneficial if any individual turn the hobby into a career and works at his free time and makes profit. He can also do what he loves to do very much.

To become a freelance photographer, the individual need to prepare a portfolio, in which he has to furnish his sample works in an expressive manner and his skills, developments, accomplishments etc. So this will guide the person in a right path in his career. The quality of the work plays a vital role in deciding the payment made for it. Some have the talent of taking natural pictures and some may thrive to learn so. They can even get a degree in photography in good authorized schools. Initially the person can learn things from local schools or colleges which teach photography. In some cities people form into groups often to share their photos and to discuss about photography and the tips involved. This was the case in olden days, but in recent times this can be done through online, which is much easier and as and when they come across some variety they can share with others.

Try to compare the photographs taken by famous people, so that the knowledge of compare and learn will help in the future. Main criteria to be learnt in photography are focus, colors, lighting and backgrounds. Participating in more number of contests which will in turn help to improve the individual’s skill set. The need of photography is for Magazines, Newspapers, Books, Cards, Calendars, Posters, web sites and individuals. According to the field the rate will also vary from work to work. Some works of the photographers will earn commission and some income from selling the photos.

Author Resource:- http://www.careercounsel.info is an online resource guide for finding freelance jobs worldwide. http://www.myhomebizguide.com helps find genuine home based jobs.

Tips For Transition At Senior Levels

There is a lot of support for the emotional and psychological stress that is endured by executives looking for a new job. It is important to remember that it is not only the executive who is unemployed is stressed, but also the whole family as it affects them in several ways, too. There is also an abundance of tips on improving resumes and appearance. You can also get tips from career experts, who can guide you on how to improve your chances of landing a suitable position.

Job hunting is a very good learning experience. Once you have done it for your transition as a senior level executive, it is going to be that much easier and simpler for you, as you have already been through the process. And what makes it simpler is the fact that you have let go of the old methods and accept the riskier, more competitive methods of today.

The Job Tool Kit

To get on the right track of job-hunting you need to have a few things in your job "tool kit". These are things that are going to benefit you and make your transition simpler:

Match It

Whatever employers are looking for, make sure you match your skills and talents to it. You may be very well accomplished in a variety of fields, but if it is not what the organization is looking for, it is useless. Move away from the mentality of what you can do and what you have accomplished and focus on what the unmet needs of the organization are and how you can benefit them.

Make Yourself An Expert

Do not present yourself as a do-it-all to the employer. Instead, work towards being an expert in the particular field that they are interested in. Once you are a part of the organization, then you can make them aware of all your skills and talents.

Don't Waste Time Online

You need to realize that by literally attacking all the online job forums you are not going to get a job. What you need to do is focus on one or two of the most important forums and put your best efforts into that.

Be Strategic

Make sure you make yourself known to the people who matter. Think about where all you can do the necessary strategic work. Get on company websites, be aware of press releases and use search engines. Make a connection with someone who can help you with your job prospects. It is all about networking.

Get Ahead

Make sure that you are ahead in the job-hunting race. Do not be passive and wait around for employers to seek you out. Make sure that you get out there and look for the hidden jobs that are waiting for you to discover them. Create the jobs for yourself. Select a few companies; make sure they are the kind you want to work with. Prepare presentations and approach these companies. It is in your best interest to make them realize that they need you; it could be to increase revenue, boost sales or profits.

In today's job market, you have to take risks; that is, if you want to be successful!

Job Research . . . Kick Butt With 4 Powerful Strategies!

By : PAUL BOWLEY

Powerful job research strategies are critical to your job search success. It's a key part of learning to become a"job entrepreneur." Job research must be right at the top of your job campaign to-do list. Very simply, job research is a key part of running your job search like your own business.

Becoming a job entrepreneur is an
exciting "alternative" job search method and a powerful personal development technique. There are many aspects to conducting your alternative search methods like a job entrepreneur.

First, it means abandoning any kind of mass marketing approach like mailing hundreds of resumes or answering a lot of ads. Or posting your digital resume on a job website like Monster or HotJobs. If you've tried these approaches you already know they don't work. Not unless you're willing to wait weeks or months for something to develop.

Once you decide to get serious about making a job change . . . and you want to see some results in a matter of days instead of months . . . then choosing alternative strategies like becoming a job entrepreneur is the only personal development solution.

Once more, the very first technique to put to work in becoming a successful job entrepreneur is "research." The good news is you can do your job research very fast and conveniently online. Here's what to do:

1. Decide what useful information you want to acquire, e.g. corporate literature, Who's Who for specific decision makers, product or services information, job change tips, resume-writing examples, interviewing techniques, etc. Also take advantage of college alumni, community, headhunter, and newspaper sites.

2. Save, digest or bookmark sites you discover using good search engines. Put them into easily accessible digital files.

3. From all this information select areas of interest starting with geographical preferences. Then move on to products and services that attract your attention or that match with your interests or work history. Finally make a list of companies that fall within your parameters.

4. The last piece of essential research is perhaps the most important of all . . . identifying specific decision-makers by name who could possibly be your next boss. You'll find this information at the corporate websites, Who's Who, local service club info, online newspaper files, alumni sites, etc.

Once you\'ve acquired this important preliminary research your in a unique position to develop entrepreneurial strategies for getting in front of these selected decision-makers. You need a good plan of action that can show you step-by-step how to get in front of these decision-makers. And turn these contacts into a job offer. That's when the fun really begins!

The Satisfaction Of Being Self Employed

Some people wonder if they will be able to market a product without the support of a formal marketing department or worry about paying the bills until their new business venture proves to be profitable. If you follow any person who embarked onto the road of self-employment, then you will notice that personal fulfillment is the top priority for them and it ranks the highest in their ratings of satisfaction; but there is a sense of professional fulfillment as well.

You get professional fulfillment if you do a job well. You will have to try and prove yourself to people that it is possible for you to take an existing product and devise a marketing strategy for it and even implement the strategy. If you have done something like this previously for an employer, then you will get more satisfaction out of not needing a company to succeed. This way, the very thought of being successful on your own will encourage you to take greater risks.

Professional Fulfillment

Professional fulfillment for any individual begins with knowing that you will have to strive for success and prove that you are able to do a better job than any particular established company. You can add to this fulfillment the financial benefits of working for yourself, and your sense of professional success will increase all the more.

Self-employment is considered the ultimate goal, because it allows you to be the master of your own destiny and implement your own ideas your way. In the regular job market, initiative and creativity is limited to the aspirations and goals of the company - individual achievement is somewhat stifled.

If you have a business of your own, then you can enjoy the freedom of developing, designing and delivering ideas in a manner that will suit your own goals. Even though being self-employed can help you reap a lot of profit and freedom, you need to realize the reality as well. You can achieve all this only when you will are able to spend the effort and time needing to get what you want. Money does not grow on trees and you need to work hard for it.

From a business perspective, it is important to set up a company for your personal needs. It is a commitment and you need to work hard. Before you become self-employed, you will have to assess your skills and examine your attitude and experiences. You will have to understand the personal as well as professional objectives in order to know whether owning a business is the right option for you.

How To Achieve Multiple Career Goals

By : Michael Fleischner

Many people aim to achieve different or unique career goals with their resume. And in today\'s environment, having multiple career goals isn\'t all that unique. Many individuals feel that different career goals require different resumes. Nothing could be further from the truth. It\'s certainly not necessary to have different resumes for each of your career goals.

The manner in which you construct an resume for multiple career goals does however depend upon how you prioritize and organize data. Furthermore, you must think about how you would answer the following questions: Are the career fields similar? Are the career fields diverse?

If the career fields you\'re considering are similar, then your resume can cover both the specific and general aspects of your experience. For example, if you\'ve been a nurse, let\'s assume that you have worked in a hospital, served as an administrator of a nursing home, and taught nursing students. They are three distinct careers, but all basically related. A resume in this instance can be both general (for application to many jobs) as well as specific (targeting only one job). It all comes down to how you organize and prioritize the information on your resume.

For example, your Professional Experience can be broken down into three categories on your resume: Nursing Experience, Administrator Experience, and Teaching Experience. You can list the appropriate employer and duties listed within each section. Make sure to list them in reverse chronological order. Update your resume to promote the proper section. When applying for Nursing positions, that section would be listed first. When applying for a Teaching position, that section would be listed first. Using this approach, you can use one resume with only slight modifications for a number of postings.

What if you are considering diverse career fields? Today, many individuals are not only changing jobs, they are changing professions. For example, you may have begun your professional career in real estate, but then transitioned to the paralegal field, and finally chose yet another career in bookkeeping. These are three very different careers that would seem to require three separate resumes, but that\'s certainly not the case.

To avoid producing resume after resume for each job, and if at least some of the skills are transferable within different industries, then a functional format is best for you. Functional resume formats stress professional skills, rather than employers or industries. Instead of providing a reverse chronological resume that clearly shows that you\'ve been moving from career to career and back, which some employers might find troubling, a functional resume states core qualifications beneath varying subheadings.

The example given above would warrant three or more subheadings. For example, Contract Negotiation (Real Estate); Sales (Real Estate); Contracts (Paralegal); Payroll (Bookkeeping). These subheadings can be organized in order of importance to the targeted position (eg: if Sales interests you, then you would list your Real Estate Experience first, followed by your other experience).

The subheadings can also show broad experience that could very well be valued in an economy where employees are expected to have diverse skills and perform many functions. This format allows you to turn your various jobs into a position of strength that illustrates your broad experience.

Before creating your resume, consider your background. Do you have a homogeneous background or one that\'s diverse? Also, consider your career goals. Are they aligned to a specific industry or job, or multiple ones? Answers to these questions will help you determine which form or resume is right for you.

Surviving A Job Loss

By : Tony Jacowski

Many people get depressed and experience feelings of bitterness and hopelessness after a job loss. It is tough getting over rejection, but there are many ways to move beyond bitter feelings of despair. Remorse, regret and despair are emotions that will get you nowhere. As the old adage goes \'don\'t cry over spilled milk\'. What has happened has happened and so its time to move on and start a better life. But moving on can be a difficult process, so here are several ways to help you survive the loss of your job:

Ways To Get Over Losing Your Job

-Try to let go - The initial reaction for most people who experience a job loss will always be shock, followed by intense anger and then the feeling of being victimized. While these are normal reactions, dwelling on them for days on end will not help. The best thing to do is to try and move on. The worst thing you can do is wallow in self-pity.

-Find out why - If you\'ve been sacked, you need to find out the reason as to why this happened. In many cases, it has absolutely nothing to do with you, but if it does, then you must find out the reason so it will never be repeated again. If your performance, attitude, abilities or behavior were to blame, then try to learn from the experience and never repeat the same mistakes again. Getting fired can sometimes be an eye-opener that spurs people towards positive change and a better future.

-Don\'t blame everyone around you - A layoff is completely different from a firing. Most of the time, layoffs deal with company decisions to downsize, or restructure and are very rarely are they about you as an individual. So it is very important to not take this situation too seriously - and you must never allow it to turn you into a bitter, angry person.

-\"Misery loves company\" Yes, it is important for you to grieve, get frustrated, and angry. But what you shouldn\'t do is dwell on the fact that you\'ve been fired for too long. It might relieve you to badmouth your employer, but in doing so, you are badmouthing yourself as well as everyone around you. Never discuss bad layoffs at job interviews. By doing this, you can damage your job prospects and you can isolate yourself by remaining bitter and withdrawn.

-Positive thinking and productivity - Try writing down all your thoughts in a journal and limiting the amount of time to be angry. Find positive people who can lift you up and try to keep yourself busy with job-related and non-job related activities. By cutting out all the negativity and focusing on the positive, not only will you be more productive, but also you will be out of the dumps in no time at all and on your way to new and better job much faster.

Cover Letters - What to Say and What Not To Say

Intro To The Cover Letter

The cover letter makes a first impression to potential employers and adds a personal touch as well. There are basically three types of cover letters. One is in response to a job opening, known as the application letter. The other is to inquire about possible job openings and is known as the prospecting letter. And then there is the networking letter, which is used to ask for information and help in a job search.

What To Say

This should be the first paragraph of the cover letter and it should include the purpose of writing the letter and for what position you are applying, or interested in when doing a job search. Make an effort to include the name of a specific person who is a mutual contact and who referred you to the employer. If you heard of the position through a flyer, advertisement, a family friend etc., remember to mention the source. Then, if it is a prospecting letter include the job objective and if it is a networking cover letter make it clear as to what information you are asking for.

Why Read The Cover

The cover letter is the reason that would make you a candidate that the company would like to hire. If not that, then at least your resume will be looked at - the rest is dependent on your skills and the personal interview. The best way to make the cover letter interesting is to take a few points from your resume that the potential employer would be interested in and give them a brief idea of your capabilities. It is best to sugar coat the language used in this paragraph, because this is what attracts the employers. Then you should try and highlight your achievements as well.

What To Say Later

This is the last paragraph of the cover letter, and it should always be left open ended. Give the reason for interest in the job, and include your contact details from telephone number to email id and also let them know when they can call you. If you have experience on your side, take the initiative of suggesting a time and day for a follow up conversation by phone. This is basically done when the job interview is for a high-level position - but always be punctual about making the follow up call. However, some employers prohibit any form of contact from job seekers; still, you could call to check if they received your material and ask if the application is complete.

The cover letter is an introduction to your resume, so it should be written to fit in a single page. It should include about three to four paragraphs and every sentence should make the objective clear as to why you have applied for the job.

Dealing With Interviews

By : Tony Jacowski

Before the interview, rehearse what you are going to say and the best answer to every potential question. Human resource professionals, as well as various career experts all agree on one principle - that one of the best ways to tackle an interview is to anticipate the questions and then develop appropriate answers.

There are plenty of websites that offer job interview questions and answers and then practice. Interview is basically selling your talent and skill. There are simple steps that can guide you through your interview.

-Research The Company- Try finding out everything about the company, its customers, its mission statement and about its working environment. By finding out about these points, you can get insight about the company and also about the questions likely to be asked by the interviewer. Being well-prepared will project you as a person who has done their homework.

-Be Familiar With The Job Description- Analyze your strengths and weaknesses and then see how you are the best match for the job. If you have previous experience, then make note of all the times where you achieved specific results, as employers give more serious consideration to those applicants who have a background of a good track record in the same job.

-A Good First Impression- \"The first impression is the last impression\". It is true - so arrive 15 minutes prior to the interview and always maintain eye contact throughout your interview. Always be enthusiastic and project sincerity towards the people you meet.

-Project Yourself As A Problem Solver - Every job requires skills, so justify your candidacy with a problem solving answer to questions put forward by the interviewer. You should also give some tips on how a specific problem can be tackled. Be calm and confident. Don\'t project nervousness by fidgeting or nail-biting - this will immediately project how well you can handle stress.

-Ask Questions- Always ask questions if you have any and do not go blank when asked questions. Ask about the company\'s track record and also about your potential job responsibilities. Always remember that while you are selling yourself to the company, you are also finding out about them, and determining whether or not you want to work there.

-Deflect Objectionable Questions- If an interviewer asks an inappropriate question that makes you uneasy or uncomfortable, smile politely and ask the interviewer the reason of this probing question. Don\'t be scared to speak up, as companies are prohibited from asking personal questions, including references to your race, gender marital status, sexual preference as well as child care situations. Your interview should be only based on your job skills and not on your home or family.

Follow Up- Once your successful interview is over, follow up with a thank-you note. Always highlight your strengths and qualifications in the resume. When following up add specific discussions or conversations you had with the interviewer to help him or her recollect that you are a polished and enthusiastic candidate.

5 Keys to Deciding on a Certification

There is clearly value and knowledge gained with earning professional certifications. The key to success is choosing the right certification. The best choice that is most likely take you toward your goals is usually one that you can apply as soon as possible.

There is some controversy surrounding certifications, as many dispute the value or are critical of the process. Really, just about anything is subject to scrutiny and controversy, but here are some key points to be considered about earning certifications.

1. Some say that the requirements for many certifications have been dumbed down. However, if you look into it, it looks like quite a bit of effort (not to mention money) goes into earning many of the more valuable IT certifications and the Project Management Professioanl (PMP). There is clearly value and knowledge gained, and the key to success is choosing the right one.

2. An IT certification is relatively short-lived. Generally, you cannot go to school for it, as it will become outdated within a few years. Then you will need an update, if not a total re-planting in a different direction. IT certification is meant to be a demonstration of a specific piece of knowledge, often related to a particular implementation of technology. The mobile work force in technology needs a mechanism to adapt and reinvent itself every few years. Certification is a big part of that mechanism.

3. IT certifications provide evidence of a minimum level of knowledge of the subject. It definitely takes work to earn one, and often it is very difficult to do if you do not have some experience in the particular technology. The purpose is to enable vendors to have an up to speed workforce in place with sufficient expertise to implement and support their products. It is in the best interest of both the vendors and the individuals to attain as high a level of proficiency as possible. In other words, there is every reason for the vendor and the practitioner to maintain the highest standards.

4. Where I have a concern is with the offering of degrees in lieu of certifications. In my opinion, a degree should be an exercise in maturing, learning to think, and seeing a pretty broad view of things. It should provide a person with a foundation so that as they progress in their career, they can learn what they need to know as they go. A strong formal universtiy educational foundation can make it easier to earn appropriate certifications as desired and needed.

5. The true rating system for a given certification is the market. If a particular certification is not that valuable, or represents a dumbed down achievement, it probably will not be worth much in the eyes of employers. There is a lot of information on the internet that can provide insights on the demand for particular certifications. Just go to Google and search, or go to some job boards, like DICE or Monster, and search on the particular certification.

In my opinion, certification is worthwhile, and individuals must make the choice on what subjects to spend their time. While many situations do not require it, mobile employees and contractors that move from position to position, as well as internal employees who want to advance, will benefit the most from certification. If nothing else, it gives confidence and indicates a high level of motivation, which are not bad things to have!

Finding The Right College Is Easier Than You Think

By : Michael Fleischner

Most college bound students find the prospect of finding and applying to the right school a real challenge. Peer pressure from your friends and family can make the prospect of an objective search seem impossible. Even with a variety of opinions about your future being discussed, don\'t despair. Find the right college for you is easier than you think.

The first step in finding the right college is to consider key selection criteria. Here are a number of criteria to consider when making a college choice. Remember that even once you\'ve narrowed down your options, nothing beats an actual campus visit.

Location, Location, Location.
So where do you want to go? Obviously, academics play a huge role in determining the right school for you, but so does location. Are you looking for an exotic location or something close to home? What are your hobbies? Will you be in a location that allows you to continue doing what you most enjoy doing?
Are you looking for a rural setting or an urban one? Start your college planning with the type of location that you will be most happy with. This can have a tremendous impact on your experience and can do a lot to help you narrow your choices.

If you\'ve always lived in the suburbs, an urban campus can result in culture shock. After a few weeks, you may be in need of grassy fields and open space. On the other hand, if you\'re used to malls and movie theaters and choose a college in a rural area, will you be racing into the student center at midnight, desperately seeking noise, lights, and people? Think about where you grew up and how much of a change you want.

Campus Size
Are you thinking big? Or do you prefer something much more manageable? Colleges come in all shapes and sizes, from a school in New Hampshire that enrolls less than 100 students to a school like Penn State that can enroll 30,000 or more. Which is better? That depends on your preferences.

Do you like being places where everybody knows you, or do you like the anonymity of a crowd? You might even want to think about how far you want to walk between classes. Large schools typically have large campuses, as well as a healthy selection of student services and things to do. On the other hand, a smaller college may offer individualized attention, as well as a more intimate and personalized experience for each student.

College Type
Despite popular belief, all college are different. Some devote much of their time and resources to research. Others focus their attention on teaching and learning. Some have a specialty in one area, while others are known for providing students a broad end enriching education. Other differences to consider include whether schools are single sex or coed, if have a religious affiliation. There are a variety of colleges that focus on a particular ethnicity. Your options are almost limitless and your personal learning style, preferences, and available resources will help you find the place where you will best succeed.

There are many factors to consider when deciding where you want to go to college. Begin by considering location, campus size, and type. By knowing the kind of university you wish to attend, you can narrow your choices and focus on curriculum and affordable options.

Writing For A Living Online

If you have the skills to sell, then there are some jobs waiting for you on the internet… jobs that you can earn from, and at times, can even rival any day job you can have. The World Wide Web is indeed a haven for many skills, and if you possess any of these skills, you can establish your own online service business.

The correct term for such a task is freelancing. There are many freelancing opportunities that you can choose from, depending on the skill set you have.

The most lucrative of these freelancing opportunities is writing. Now, there are many kinds of writing assignments you can choose to accept. These are:

1. Content writing. Content is what fuels the internet. And webmasters from all over the world are constantly pressured to provide content for their visitors. We’re talking about a demand that will not cease. And you can charge for your services on a per word basis. The average going rate is $0.02 per word, but of course, you can charge more if your talent deserves such disctinction.

2. Ghostwriting for eBooks/special reports. There are a number of internet marketers who are looking for fresh information products to sell. These requests vary, depending on the niche they are focusing on. If you have great research skills and again, the writing flair to present it in a readable way, then you can try ghostwriting. Average going rate is $7 per page, or $500 per 10,000 words.

3. Copywriting. If you want to go for the big time bucks, then copywriting is the opportunity for you. Copywriting involves the creation of sales letters, or sales copies, that will help your clients sell a product or a package. These sales letters or sales copies are often 3,000 to 7,000 pages long. Bear in mind, however, the copywriting is more than just hype writing. It’s a science that you have to study and master. Also, you must familiarize yourself with the product or products you will be writing about, as well as the needs of the market they will be catering to. Expect to be paid $1,000 per project, at the average.

If you’re going to pursue writing on the internet, there are 3 cardinal rules which you should remember:

- By no means should you plagiarize existing works, more so, works that are already published in the World Wide Web. Remember that your clients will hire you to write unique, original works. This means that you should not copy ideas nor the ways by which they are presented. Also (and this is asked quite often), you cannot plagiarize yourself. You cannot sell to others what you have already sold to another.

- Upon completion of the project, you are to transfer all the rights to the works to your client. This means that you will no longer own the assignments. The client will have all the rights to them, including naming himself as the author thereof.

- Respect deadlines. Always remember that your clients’ businesses are dependent on the submission of your assignments.

There are many places where you can look for clients. You can try viewing the project requests from freelancing websites such as www.rentacoder.com , www.guru.com, www.elance.com and www.scriptlance.com .

Also, you can try out forums devoted for webmasters. The online communities at www.digitalpoint.com and www.webmasterworld.com have their own categories for writers seeking work.

In the writing business, your name is your worth. If you’ll build a name for yourself as an excellent writer who respects deadlines and churns out quality work after quality work, then rest assured that there are many, many jobs waiting for you in cyberspace.

Find a Job Online

By : Jay Moncliff

The Internet has simplified everything from shopping to banking and now even employment has been made easier because you can have a job online. That is right, as amazing as it sounds you can work from the comfort of your home, while traveling, or anywhere you have a computer because your job online only requires you meet deadlines. You can work whenever fits your schedule, meaning you have more time for the important things like your family and have your job online to help pay the bills. If you are interested in finding a job online, but are not sure what you could possibly do, consider the following job titles. Right now you can find a job online in any of these markets as well as many others.

Job Online Suggestion #1 Writing
The Internet is made up of words, mostly, so writers have a great opportunity for finding a job online. Web sites always need new content, other sites need new e-book titles, and companies need individuals to write things as well. Finding a job online if you are a writer should be a mouse click away.

Job Online Suggestion #2 Transcription
Experienced transcriptionists can find a job online in a hurry simply by doing a quick search in Google. This is because many medical offices prefer to contract out transcription work, which is good for you because it is a job online that lets you live your life and work when you want to.

Job Online Suggestion #3 Administrative Assistant
Many administrative assistant duties can easily be performed online from typing to creating reports, making travel arrangements, and other similar duties. Because of this many administrative assistants have a job online that allows them to meet the demands of their work yet spend time as they choose.

Job Online Suggestion #4 Programming
Computer programmers have long since had a job online simply because of the nature of their expertise. Beyond programming, webmasters, designers and anyone with computer knowledge can find a job online.

5 Easy Ways To Become a Job-Search

By : Jason Adams
According to current Department of Labor statistics, today's college graduates will, on average, have 8 to 10 jobs and as many as 3 careers in their lifetime. In addition, in today's job market with downsizing, rightsizing, layoffs, mergers and acquisitions, etc. your job skills and job-hunting skills need to be constantly updated and refined.

The job market is getting tougher and your competition is getting smarter. That's why you need to gain every advantage you can. You need to become a Job-Search "Commando". Commandos commonly use guerilla tactics to win. What I am about to share with you are tactics that have helped me find good jobs over the last 28 years.

Commando Tactic #1 - Problem solvers get jobs!
All companies have problems. Demonstrate that you can solve a company's problems and the world will beat a path to your door.

What type of issues do companies have?
* Sales are down
* Expenses are up
* Market share is decreasing
* Layoffs are coming
* The company is in acquisition mode
* New departments/divisions are being formed
* Someone is retiring or going on leave
* The company is entering a new market
* A new product has been developed
* New ad campaigns are being discussed
* A department that was outsourced is now being brought in-house (ad agency, Public Relations)
* They are in need of new leadership
* Assignments/goals/objectives are not being met
* The competition is continuing to gain market share.

At this moment, dozens of companies in your surrounding area are in immediate need of someone like you to help solve their problems; you just need to find them. That leads us to broadcast letters.

Commando Tactic #2 - Broadcast letters uncover positions in the "hidden" job market.
A Broadcast or Marketing letter is an excellent way to uncover positions that have not been announced yet. Many people call this the hidden job market. Once you tap into the hidden job market, your chance of success increase dramatically.

Why? Because you are not competing with a "million" other people that answered the same ad. There are no other people because there was no ad!

Broadcast letters can help generate leads for you because companies always problems that need to be solved. As they say, timing is everything so if your letter arrives at the right time, you may find yourself with a job interview.

In addition to solving a problem (see list above) that the company currently has or will have in the near future, considering you might actually save them money.

How? If you are the right candidate to help solve a problem or address a specific issue, they will not have to pay a recruiter, or place any ads on Monster.com, or in dozens of newspapers. - Everyone wins!

Commando Tactic #3 - Answering blind ads lessens your competition.
Many people think that answering blind ads opens yourself up to the possibility that you might be sending your cover and resume to your current company. While there is that possibility, the ad hopefully gives you enough information to recognize it as your won company.

What most job hunters don't realize it that blind ads will usually only get about 50% of the responses that a traditional ad would get. What that means is that you are competing with half the number of people you normally would. This essentially doubles your chances of having your resume and cover letter selected for a follow-up phone call.

Commando Tactic #4 - The best time to answer an ad?
Be the last resume received. I made it a habit of sending in my cover letter and resume 2 weeks after the ad ran. By then I knew I was not competing with 500 other resumes that were sent in right away. My information got more time because the hiring manager did not have to read 499 other resumes the same day.

Commando Tactic #5 - Answer ads twice
If you never hear from a company where you sent in your resume, send another cover letter and resume in about 2 months. Many times, the position was not filled because there was no qualified candidate or the company and candidate could not come to terms on a compensation package. This means they have to start from scratch. Your resume may arrive just at the right time and get a second look.

By following some of these Commando tactics, you chances of finding the job you want will increase dramatically.

How to Handle Illegal Interview Questions

By Todd Anten
Interviews are already stressful enough. Between promoting your skills, showing enthusiasm and laughing at the interviewer's bad jokes, you have plenty to concentrate on.

But when you suspect you've been asked an illegal interview question, stress levels can shoot even higher.

Fortunately, if you know in advance what kind of illegal questions are most apt to sneak into an interview, you can diffuse the situation immediately and move on to more important tasks -- like landing that job.

Three Ways to Answer Illegal Interview Questions

Most interviewers are not out to discriminate against job applicants. Many of the illegal questions that interviewers ask are unintentional -- in fact, if you tactfully point out the question is illegal, the interviewer will likely realize his or her gaffe and immediately retract the question.
The challenge for you is to figure out what to say while you're sitting in that chair, faced with an illegal question. You have three basic options:

Just answer the question. If you don't mind providing the information and you don't want to make waves, you can respond to the question and move on to the next one. Keep in mind, however, that you should only answer the question if you truly are comfortable providing the information -- it could come back to haunt you.


Refuse to answer the question. Inform the interviewer that the question doesn't seem to be legal or relevant to the specific requirements of the job. Be forewarned, though, that such a direct response should really be saved for questions that are offensive or deeply troubling.


Don't answer the question, but answer the intent behind the question. This is usually the best option, since it allows you to provide a tactful answer without sacrificing your rights. To answer the intent behind the question, try to figure out what the interviewer REALLY wants to know. For example, if the interviewer asks if you are a U.S. citizen (which is an illegal question), a smart answer would be, "If you mean to ask if I am legally authorized to work for you, the answer is yes." In cases like these, it's best to rephrase the question into a legal one and then answer it. This displays flexibility and composure -- strong job skills.

An Age-Old Question

Recent reports say that workers are planning to hold jobs well into their senior years. Many even plan to hold off retirement until their 70s or 80s in order to continue bringing in paychecks.

Unfortunately, this has resulted in an increase in complaints from older workers of age discrimination in the workplace, according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

The good news is that interviewers are not allowed to ask you your age during an interview. With some rare exceptions, the only age- related question they can ask is if you're over the age of 18.

One thing to keep in mind: The EEOC's Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 only protects workers who are 40 years old and older from age discrimination and in workplaces with 20 or more employees. However, some local governments have laws that also enforce age discrimination rules for younger applicants and smaller workplaces.

Married ... With Children?

Women make up nearly half of the U.S. workforce, according to the Department of Labor. And as their numbers grow, so do the potential pitfalls they may face during an interview, especially when asked about marriage, children and pregnancy.

While illegal interview questions surrounding relationships, marriage and children are generally more problematic for female job candidates, protection from discrimination applies equally to male candidates.

Basically, you should be suspicious if you are asked any questions about your marital status, your family status, your future plans for children or your child care accommodations.

So what can employers ask? Questions that deal directly with the job requirements (e.g., "Are you willing to relocate?").

Yes, many proud parents enjoy telling stories about their children, and there may be a temptation to trade toddler stories with a friendly interviewer who has a family picture on his or her desk. But to avoid potential problems, err on the side of silence.

A Race for a Job

A recruiter friend of mine told me a story of how she accidentally asked someone an illegal interview question.

"Oh, you have such an interesting name! What does it mean?" she asked a candidate with a beautiful name that was obviously of non-English origin.

Fortunately, my colleague caught herself and told the candidate that she didn't have to answer the question. But it does show how subtly the issues of race, ethnicity and religion might sneak into an interview.

For instance, according to Nolo.com, interviewers are not allowed to ask if you are a U.S. citizen or ask where you were born. However, they can ask if you are legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

So if you are asked about your race, color, religion or national origin, be aware -- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employers from making employment decisions based on such factors.

Somebody Call the EEOC!

Discrimination is an ugly word, but you can't deny that it does occasionally happen. If you are certain that an interviewer asked you an illegal interview question with the intent of using your answer as a basis for a hiring decision, it's time to talk to the pros.

The EEOC is the government agency in charge of handling complaints of workplace discrimination.

While laws can vary from state to state, the EEOC recommends that you file a charge of discrimination if you feel you have been discriminated against on the basis of any of the categories below:

Race
Color
Sex
Religion
National origin
Age
Disability

To file a charge, contact your local EEOC office. To find your local branch, go to the EEOC "Filing a Charge" Web page here:

http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/howtofil.html

Keep in mind that there are time limits by which you must file a complaint. For more information on these limits, contact your local EEOC branch.

Alternatively, find a lawyer and have them help you with your complaints.

While illegal questions do add an extra level of stress to an interview, remember that as long as you are aware of what's fair game and what isn't, you'll be one step ahead.

Discuss with other job seekers: HotJobs Messag

How to Get Answers to 5 Key Questions Before Taking a Job

By Margaret Steen
Three times during his career, Leslie G. Griffen has asked a prospective employer whether he can walk around the company and talk with employees about how they like their jobs. Twice the employers gave him the go-ahead, which told Griffen they were confident their employees were happy. One employer balked - a sign that this was not a good match.

"Most companies will talk the talk. They'll talk about how important employees are," says Griffen, who is now principal of The Griffen Group, which provides human resources and career coaching and consulting services, in Lee's Summit, Mo. How an employer responds to this request is almost as telling as the answers employees give. "If they pull back in their chair and say, 'You want what?' it's probably an indication that they might not be being straight up with you."

When you're considering taking a new job, it's important to find out how a potential employer treats employees. But getting the answer to that question, along with others that will help you determine if you'll be happy at the company, may take some sleuthing. Here are five questions that will help you decide if the company is a fit - and some unconventional ways to find the answers:

What makes employees join this company and stay here? You can always ask your potential manager this question in an interview. But if you ask the employees you see while walking around the premises, as Griffen did, you'll get a wider variety of answers - and possibly more honest ones.

How are people treated here? You may not even need to ask anyone this - just observe carefully from the time you set foot in the building. When you arrive for your interview, are you kept waiting with no explanation? Does the interviewer interrupt your conversation to take phone calls? "Try to come at different times if you have multiple interviews," advises Gail Ginder, a leadership coach with the Claros Group in Healdsburg, Calif. That way you'll see if the mood around the building changes with the time of day.

What are the unspoken rules? For this and other questions that are best asked of employees, you have two options. One is to use your network to find employees who work at the company but aren't involved in hiring you. The other is to ask your interviewer - but only when it's clear that the interviewer has decided you're the best candidate and is trying to get you to sign on. "When they've decided you're the one, you can ask pretty much anything as long as you ask it well," Ginder says.

What happens when people make mistakes? The answer to this will give you insight into the company's management and culture. You can ask it of an interviewer late in the interview process, or ask employees who aren't involved in hiring. The key is to pose the question without sounding like someone who is planning to make a lot of mistakes. Use humor, Ginder advises. "Say, 'If I were lucky enough to be offered this job, I would never want to make a mistake. But what happens here when people make a mistake?'"

What is a typical week like? The answer to this question can give insight into everything from how long the workdays are to how many after-hours phone calls you can expect. Vic Snyder, senior career counselor at the University of Washington's Center for Career Services in Seattle, suggests that in informal conversations with employees, you pair this question with one about how often employees take their full vacations.

How to Answer the Toughest Interview Questions

By Caroline Levchuck
You know they're coming: Those seemingly unanswerable questions that pop up during job interviews.

You can't clam up. And you don't want to stutter and stammer. So what's a job seeker to do?

The 'Future' Question

Otherwise known as the "big picture" question, the future question goes something like this: "Where do you see yourself in five years?"

The best tactic: Talk about your values.
Don't get too detailed about your specific career plan. Instead, discuss things that are important to you professionally and how you plan to achieve them. If growth is a goal, mention that. You can also talk about challenge, another value that employers prize in their employees.

The 'Salary' Question

Most people will tell you that whoever answers this question first loses. But that's not necessarily true.

When an interviewer asks your salary requirement, try first to gently deflect the question by inquiring about the salary for the position.

If the interviewer presses you for a number, give a range. To decide on a range, think about the salary you want, your salary at your most recent position and the industry-standard salary for the job.

The bottom line: The salary question is one of the most important, so you should prepare for it in advance and plan what to say.

The 'Why' Question

There's a fine line between boastful and confident. And you need to learn it.

When an interviewer asks you why they should hire you, you're going to have speak confidently and honestly about your abilities. But you should avoid sounding overly boastful.

Aim for earnest and prepare by practicing. That's right: Stand in front of the mirror and acknowledge your abilities and accomplishments to your reflection. Tell yourself: I have a very strong work ethic. I have integrity. I have excellent industry contacts. I aggressively pursue my goals.

It's sometimes hard to praise yourself, but after a few sessions you'll sound sincere.

The Seemingly Silly Question

If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be? What if you were a car? Or an animal?

These type of questions can bring your interview to a screeching halt.

First, don't panic. Pause and take a deep breath. Then remind yourself that there's no "right" answer to these questions. The job isn't hinging on whether you choose to be a spruce versus an oak.

Interviewers usually ask these questions to see how you react under pressure and how well you handle the unexpected. It's not so important what type of tree (or car, or animal) you choose as that you explain your choice in a way that makes you look favorable.

So, be a spruce -- because you want to reach new heights in your career. Or be an oak -- because you plan to put down roots at the company. Either way, you'll get it right.