Smart Work Centers Change How We Work And Live

The traditional work space has already undergone changes due to technology. Communications between employer and staff take place via computer, skype, webinars and phone conferences on a boardroom basis. Freelancers, telecommuters and individuals that work contractually have used these methods to decrease the amount of time involved in assignments and increase production time. Individuals spend less time on basic necessities such as travel and these self-disciplined workers are able to contribute in a timely effective manner. Elder professionals can also take advantage of telecommuting as in cases of disability and decreased mobility. This can prolong the age that elder workers are able to contribute to their employers. So how does smart work centers fit into the already active telecommuting schedule of independent contractors and salaried workers? A smart work center provides teleconferencing and supervision of workers individually and caters to the needs of every individual by providing company benefits that are exempt under normal circumstances to independent contractors with social services such as childcare services. In this way smart work centers operate as community centers by facilitating recreational and personal needs.

Convenience is provided by smart work centers for the employer who will have more access to employees visually and at all times. Smart work centers also lower the cost of the traditional brick and morter building since they can be used on assignment whenever employees are available to work.

Companies are able to benefit from having their in house workers and out of house workers co-habit the same workspace and co-work together. Both teams are able to compare and share information more quickly breaking down walls of distance and experience. Whether you find employment virtually or traditionally salaried workers like telecommuters benefit by receiving flexible work schedules, the fusion of work life and home life and accessibility to work facilities that are near their home communities.

Will smart work centers foster a community mindset to work or will the employees and contractors continue to use their individual talents, creativity and skill and employers retain employee satisfaction in the virtual world? One of the reasons why workers enjoy what they do is because of what they are able to accomplish and be rewarded for on an individual level as well as on the company level. Regardless of benefit smart work centers are no substitute for the person of employer, manager or supervisor knowing their workers personally and learning what motivates them. Interacting with workers outside of the television or computer screen will always take precedence over impersonal methods of communication and work.

Revitalize Your Job Search Today

The way we job search and interact with each other to find opportunities using online or offline methods is changing there are many roadblocks to finding success. In the job search persistence is worth its weight in gold. You may have already done a number of job searches online and that's a good start. Apply directly on the company's website and an executive recruiter can get back to you directly via e-mail or phone. Maybe you've already applied to dozens of online sites and haven't received any responses or you've received many offers to interview but haven't landed the job. You will deal with a lot of rejection on a daily basis but keep your chin up. If you were about to throw in the towel don't just yet wait until you've tried some of the following tips to revamping your job search.

1. Recruiters

Recruiters are an invaluable resource for just about any job seeker and especially if you are a highly skilled worker with skills that are company specific. Recruiters have active job openings that must be filled in a certain time frame. These active job openings are many times not advertised publicly so you will have a better chance of showcasing your talents above the noise of a thousand applications. Contact recruiters periodically to keep abreast of current job openings in your field. Many recruiters work primarily and only in certain fields such as Information Technology or Chemical Engineering. While others may work on many openings as is the case with staffing firms that have general openings in all fields such as sales and management. Recruiters know other recruiters so don't be shy about asking about job openings in your field of work.

2. Internships

Have you ever watched "The Apprentice"? Like an apprentice the intern may be paid or unpaid. Offering to perform a free Internship will provide you with the skills you need to beat the competition. And who knows if you are able to 'wow' the employer you may have a job offer on the table when the internship has been completed.

3. Career Services

Recent graduates and prospective graduates alike have the opportunity to build relationships and job proposals through free on-campus job fairs offered by their college or university. Remember companies pay to be there and are looking for you so put your best foot forward and make some contacts. Placement with certain companies that are a part of the alumni of your college can be something to look into and make a part of your job search portfolio. Paid services such as hiring a career coach may be an option if you can afford one and need help refining your interview and presentation etiquette as well as your resume.

4. Peer Referrals

The best way if any to get the job is through a peer referral. Your family and friends is the number one tool in your arsenal to finding a career besides your level of experience and schooling. They have already built trust and have experience or seniority within the company they are currently working for. Their referral gives you a leg up. I've tried it using a referral from one of my family members and got the job on the spot. The advantage with peer referrals is that the people in your network your family and friends know of job openings in the company they work for before anyone else knows about it; before it is advertised or given to a recruiter to source candidates.

5. Social networking

Social media is still going strong and with the advent of the 'apply via' LinkedIn or Facebook buttons separate your social profile from your professional social profile to give recruiters and employers a positive and expert view of you. If using twitter subscribe to professional recruiters timelines and send them a personal message of your interest in available positions. Social networks also have job openings posted on their site such as Branch Out on Facebook which lets you pinpoint companies by how much associates you know within the company. You can also search LinkedIn. Niche sites such as Mashable posts job openings that are specific to social media and marketing.

6. Reinvent Your Resume

Resumes are taking on a life of their own presently to foster more attention from employers. First know what is important to the company you are applying to. Whether it is cultural awareness, productivity or social interactivity, incorporate it into your resume format. The video resume takes away the paper wall between you and your interviewer. Make your presence felt. The social resume incorporates not just experience and reference numbers but quotations on your productivity from former employers. Tailor your resume to be industry specific and provide live samples of your work.

7. Polish Your Interview Skills

You really do have to practice interviewing. It will take time and perseverance to master this skill. Practice with a friend or career coach. Career coaches come in handy in this respect. Get more practice by setting and attending more interviews.

8. Improve your marketability

Stay current in your job search. Further your education and become certified in other areas that compliment your current job role. Transitioning to growing industries will also require additional learning and certification.

9. Join a professional association

Professional associations provide informational newsletters and seminars that help stay aware of trends in your industry.

10. Start a business based on a hobby or professional experience

If you are going through months or a yearlong period without employment try doing consulting work based on your experience. It is a good place to start your own business. It is also a great way to add to your resume showing initiative and independence.

11. Use the Buddy System

If you know a friend or someone who is also unemployed you can spend time searching for open job opportunities together. Support each other in the job search and share similar experiences of success or failure. You don't have to do it alone if you don't have to.

12. Community Service / Volunteer Work

Volunteer work will benefit you personally and exemplify you as a well-rounded candidate competent on social and professional levels. Building a relationship with managers and employers through volunteer work that correlates to your job search can move you one step further to obtaining a job opportunity.

13. Learn a new language

Learning a new language can take your career to another level. Due to the changing social culture and business culture you will find that companies are becoming more and more diversified.

14. Career Planning

Taking a temp job to weather the storm is beneficial in the short term and in the long term if it leads to full time employment. While the short term if very important set future goals for employment. Never stop networking whether you are working a series of temp jobs in your field of work or have had stable employment. New and better opportunities may arise or you may be forced to start over so keep your options open.

15. Relaxation

Spend time away from the computer screen with your friends or family. Go for a walk or spend time in nature. Keep from becoming overwhelmed under a cloud of rejection and isolation. Encourage yourself and be patient.

Enjoy Benefits From A Healthcare Staffing Agency

If you are planning on working as a healthcare staff, you do not need to think twice about your decision. There are so many benefits which you will gain in this field. You will not only get to fulfill your dream, but you will be able to enjoy working as one. To achieve this goal, it is recommended for you to consider working in a healthcare staffing agency. They offer the best benefits for their staff. You will be able to appreciate the job that you have as well as enjoy the rewards that you get from them.

What are the benefits that you will get from this career?

A healthcare staffing agency will treat you with care when you work for them. They will ensure that you will get the best jobs there is in your field. In order to do this, they will help build you up into being a competent employee. You do not need to worry about anything when you work for an agency, it will even work for your advantage.

When you apply to an agency, there are tools that will help you be successful in your career. You will be sure that you are taken care of these agencies and only want the best for you. They help you in finding a job, which makes it easier compared to applying alone. These are resources that will help you improve your skill in interview as well as in making your resume which will make you the perfect choice for hiring. These agencies really take care of you and ensure that you will be hired by any of their clients. Make sure to be cooperative enough so that you will immediately land a job in your chosen career.

You will be assigned to the best job opportunities that there is in the business. Compared to finding a business individually, most big time healthcare facilities do recruit from healthcare staff agencies because they believe that these agencies have the best staff that the workforce has to offer. Because of the strict screening procedures, it is ensured that an agency will have the best of the best and the most competent staff there is. You will have a big chance of having a job in a trusted healthcare rather than in some facility that you do not know of.

There are agencies which even support traveling nurses. They give free accommodations and traveling costs. This can really be an advantage for you. Usually, agencies even give allowance to the nurses to be able to live there. Also, there are some costs that may be necessary when you become a traveling nurse, you may have to undergo additional training which will be paid for the agency. Being a traveling nurse is not really that hard to achieve. It is not true that these agencies will leave you hanging once you have left the country because they will ensure that you get the best care that you will have even of you are in a foreign place.

Tips on Finding Your Dream Job

Finding a job can be difficult, but finding your dream job can be one of the hardest tasks you'll ever perform. It can take weeks, months, even years to land the job that you've always wanted, especially if the job is highly specialized and there aren't many openings. You may need to wait for an opening to crop up, someone to retire, or to convince a company to hire you.

Finding your dream job online requires a tenacious effort and a plan for your job search. The plan is key to being successful. You'll want to create a budget for your job search, especially if you are not working. Map out how much it will cost you per month to be unemployed. Take into account gas that you'll need to buy to get to interviews, or money you will spend taking buses and trains.

Then you'll need to outline how you are going to tackle your job search. How many applications do you plan on completing per day? How many job sites do you want to register with? How many hours a week will you spend networking? You'll want to create a detailed spreadsheet listing every job you apply for, the contact person, and whether or not they get back to you.

After a plan is formulated, tackle the revision of your resume and cover letter. The cover letter should be no longer than two to three paragraphs and should outline why you want the job, why you'd be great at the job, and a summary of your years of experience. It may be that your cover letter isn't long enough or doesn't divulge enough information.

After revising your cover letter, do a Google search for resume templates and upload some new ones, free of formatting. It's always a good idea to change up your resume if you haven't received any responses during your job search. Make sure all the appropriate key words related to your job are found in your resume.

Now that you are equipped with the tools, lists, and spreadsheets needed to take on a job search, you can begin applying for jobs. Once you have established a daily routine of applying for jobs, it is important to remain diligent and search for jobs at least four days a week. Job searching is a job, often a seven-day-a-week job. You'll want to apply to all the new jobs, but never discount ones that are thirty days or older. Sometimes a company goes through several rounds of interviews but does not find the right candidate.

Decide which job boards you want to utilize on a daily basis. There is a job board for everyone out there. Niche sites are for those who are specializing in something, such as healthcare or biotechnology. There are also diversity sites and general job boards. Classifieds are also a popular method, although don't expect too many call-backs through these because they tend to be super-saturated with applications. You can use search tools within job sites to bring up relevant jobs. You can search by geography, salary, job title, or experience level. Always follow the job application instructions as closely as possible.

Reshav Singhal writes on behalf of Americasjobexchange.com, a leading job portal for America. Americasjobexchange.com is a recruitment platform that provides job opportunity in many areas like entry level jobs, data entry jobs etc.

Making the Best Career Decisions

Those who make the best career decisions will be the most successful. Making the best decisions includes weighing each option carefully, doing your research, and not accepting the first tempting offer that comes along.

For example, many people are currently looking to make a career change. Maybe they were laid off during the recession and there simply aren't a lot of jobs in their field anymore. Or they are looking to change careers and give themselves more of a challenge. They say the average person changes careers several times during their life, so it's best to be informed each time this comes up as viable option.

If you are looking to change careers, do your research, and do a lot of it. You'll want to know if you'll need more education and what level of education is preferred or mandatory. You'll need to know what kind of licenses or certifications is mandatory. Sometimes the extra educational requirements could take years and plenty of money, so you'll need to be prepared to commit the time, cash, and effort. Healthcare, law, science, and engineering careers, for example, will definitely require a redoubling of efforts and tenacity to complete the education portion. A full career change might not always be the best option if you are leery of the commitment. Changing careers usually takes a lot of time and money. Often the person isn't any happier in the new career, especially if the decision hasn't been thought out well. Take the time to analyze whether it's just the job/employer/boss that you hate, or whether it's the career/skills/work that you dislike. Before considering a career change, try a new position within your current career, or try to get your job description changed to suit your strengths.

After you've done your research and pulled enough career information that you are comfortable with proceeding, it's time to develop a plan of action. Outline exactly how you will achieve your goal and in what time frame. There will be time for edits later, but a rough sketch is necessary. Having a detailed action plan (including items such as strategies, finances, research, and education/training) is essential to your success.

Next you'll want to search your network to find contacts that can help you in your quest. Maybe you have a doctor or lawyer friend, or a family member works for a nonprofit. Having connections will ease the transition and can help open doors. Don't be afraid to ask for advice or referrals; remember, they were in your place once and someone helped them succeed.

Then you'll want to do some basic research on the job prospects, outlook, and the opportunities available in the line of work you are seeking. If the jobs are limited, consider ways you can begin working to differentiate yourself from other applicants. If the outlook is poor, maybe there is a similar job that has more openings.

Factors That Make Up an Effective Employee Training Program

Employee training programs - such as Customer Service Training, Sales Training, Management Skills, Communication Skills, Leadership Skills, Change Management, Organizational Change, Team Building, Goal Setting and Time Control, Safety Training, Audit Skills Training, and Presentation Skills - are important to any company. A number of companies, in fact, go beyond these training programs and other educational opportunities that are job-related to offer short courses on setting up a small business and the like. And there are not a few well-known organizations like Xerox, Sprint and McDonalds that have even established corporate universities to further emphasize that the company values education and supports education efforts in the company.
What factors help build an effective employee training program?
* Constant and effective communication. Being able to communicate in a consistent manner and being able to spread the word effectively helps make sure that the entire organization are on the same page regarding the goals of the company. You should be able to communicate clearly how these goals are aligned with the goals of the incentive programs and that of the teams or departments and their individual members. Show also how the goals of the company are aligned with that of the incentive programs and of the training program that supports the incentive strategy. You should also be able to clearly express how the training is directly related to the work that they do and the results of these training programs contribute towards achieving the goals of the teams, individual employees and the company.
* Another key message - and an important factor in building a successful training program - is how the employees and the management are all part of the same team and how everyone is part of the company's future. Communicating this message well can help make the training program a powerful way to motivate employees.
* Build the training program using a holistic perspective. Look at the big picture. It should ideally begin with the company's missions and goals. From these goals, you should be able to create an incentive strategy. This incentive strategy should be the foundation of your specific incentive programs which are in turn supported by a sound training program. Make sure that the incentive program that the training supports has specific and measurable goals. These specific goals are based on exactly what you want to achieve. This could a particular number of outputs from the workforce or maybe a specific change in behavior or a behavior that you want to encourage. The corresponding measurable elements of these goals should be the basis of your incentive program targets which should in turn guide your training program. This kind of approach helps you focus on the goals and make the best use of the training funds at the same time.
* Measurable results and goals help keep employee training programs on track towards success. Specific and measurable goals is that they show everyone in the company that the reward program is objective and not just based on favoritism or the management's whims. Measurable goals also make improvements and performance easier to track which in turn helps in delivering effective feedback and in setting expectations.

Energy Broker: Is It the Right Career For You?

For many years, power companies monopolized the energy industry. However, because of the deregulation policy, the US government has mandated these utility companies to discard their generation plants through transfer to a deregulated venture. This has forced both the supplier and the utility company to use the wholesale energy industry to purchase power commodities.

As a result, individual consumers have the liberty to select any supplier of electricity and gas that they want. Now, there is a larger opportunity for common people, without any technical know-how and experience, to explore a new career as an energy broker who can help other individual consumers or business establishments to select an external power company which could allow them to save on energy costs.

Here are some important questions you must ask yourself before you dive into this career:

Are you ready to help other people to save on their energy bills?

Are you ready to share information that is crucial in the energy industry?

Are you open to the idea of saving on electricity and gas money?

Do you have ambition?

Do you want to create a passive source of income?

If your answer to most of the questions above is yes, then a career as an energy broker is suitable for you.

As a consequence of several major setbacks in our economy, millions of people are now searching for innovative and alternative ways to boost their income and to save on expenses. A career in energy brokerage and consultancy is a good choice because you this means that you are in the business not only for your personal goals through the help of an extensive network.

You can choose to be home-based so that you can work on your own time and convenience, as hard as you need to and you can also work on your own terms. Depending on your personal and money goals, you can have the chance to tap a passive and large source of income as an energy broker.

There is no need to have extensive knowledge and experience in sales and marketing to become lucrative in this career. There is no need to sell anything since the only thing you need to do is to share a crucial information to the people around you and beyond on how they can save on money.

If you are determined in searching for your own financial security, then a career, as energy consultant or a broker is a smart option. There are many power suppliers you can choose to work with. However, you must be wary since most of these suppliers would charge large membership or start up fees before you could work as a broker for them. In fact, many power suppliers charge at least a few hundred dollars aside from the monthly fees. Bear in mind that you do not need to pay anything to a company to become a broker.

Look for a supplier that does not ask for fees or make profit from those who are interested in becoming an energy broker. An optional fee for a background review is tolerable. This will provide you all the necessary trainings and tools you need to become lucrative in the industry.

Industry Training For B. Tech Students

Today, acquiring a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution is no longer enough to guarantee a rewarding career. Most of the country's employers look to hire candidates that have real hands-on experience in their chosen subject areas alongside higher level qualifications. If you are currently making plans for life after graduation, you should be aware that you are more likely to find a stimulating employment opportunity if you were to take a training program prior to or immediately after finishing your degree course.

There are a number of companies and institutions who offer comprehensive training programs to B. Tech students and graduates. These can be as short in duration as two months, or as long as six months. Though there would be an obvious outlay involved with enrolling for such a program, the return on investment can be great, especially when considering how such action would bolster one's job prospects.

B. Tech students should ensure they have ample industry exposure in relation to software and hardware development if they are to be ready to handle real world projects after completing their studies. It is all well and good being an accomplished student, but putting into practice the concepts and theories learned require an altogether different set of skills. This is why industrial training has so much value.

When choosing a program, it is important to select from those that provide guidance in relation to today's most in-demand technologies. What subjects should best be covered would depend upon the nature of the work that you would like to undertake after completing your studies. Apart from a syllabus that offers a hands-on approach to skill acquisition, the learning environment should be conducive to success.

Training and guidance should be imparted in a team based settings so as to mimic the dynamics of the workplace. Project development should form the core of the leaning experience, with guidance from managers that have ample experience in industry. The goal should be to build on the knowledge already acquired in a Bachelor's degree and understand exactly how this can be used in real world applications.

Technology training for B. Tech students is very much in demand. The institutes that offer the opportunity to enhance one's knowledge in this area have grown in number considerably over the last few years. As when enrolling for any program, take your time to compare options and do not commit yourself unless you are sure it is the right step to take.

Is Teaching the Right Career for You?

Those who can't do, teach! We have all heard this phrase before, but it couldn't be further from the truth. Teaching is more than just a profession; it is a way of life. The job requires you to take on a variety of roles, throughout a single day. The skills required are varied, but the challenge in itself can be extremely rewarding. It is not a job that would suit everyone. In fact, many teachers leave the profession within the first 3-5 years.

Teaching, whether at a Primary or Secondary level, can be a very rewarding job. No day will ever be the same. It is essential for a teacher to take on a number of different roles during their working day; using teaching expertise, working as a facilitator or as mentor, to name just a few. Every pupil is different. But each pupil has the potential for success. As a teacher you could help them to reach their goals. The joy of the job comes when pupils figure out the missing piece of the puzzle that makes everything else fit into place. Having those moments in a classroom certainly beats sitting behind a desk in an office.

So many of us have memories of our own teachers, whether those memories are good or bad. So many teachers go into the profession because a great teacher inspired them. Or, because they had a bad experience and they want to improve the way their subject is taught to the next generation. It is a challenge to come up with new ways to convey learning to pupils that gets them excited about their own learning.

Although there are restrictions placed on teachers about what they must teach within the curriculum, they are the ones who decide what is going to happen in their classrooms. Teaching offers the chance to be creative and really share a passion for the subject we are teaching. Very few jobs provide an individual with so much room to be creative and autonomous each day.

Teachers will find things to laugh about every day. Sometimes it will be silly jokes that are incorporated into a lesson that might get a laugh from your pupils. Sometimes pupils will come out with the funniest statements without realising what they've said. Being around young people everyday will help you remain knowledgeable about current trends and ideas. It also helps break down barriers.

Perhaps the biggest perk of the job is the amount of holiday teachers get each year. Thirteen weeks in fact. These holidays can be fantastic, particularly the six weeks during the summer. They are also conducive to family life, if you want a family in the future, or already have young children of your own, you can be available for your children after school and during the holidays.

However, be prepared for people's views on your profession. Those not involved in education tend to think that you arrive at 9am and leave at 3pm when the pupils do. And those thirteen weeks holiday are uncalled for. Any teacher will tell you that they work more than six hours a day, often taking work home with them. Marking, planning and report writing take up a great deal of time after the school day ends.

Just as with any job, there is pressure to perform, government targets that must be met for each of your classes and the school as a whole. It can be a very stressful environment, where your teaching methods and results are scrutinised. You cannot help to become emotionally involved in the job, after all, as a teacher you want your pupils to do their best, and your teaching is reflected in their results.

Behaviour management can be a challenge for any teacher. Every class is different, as a result, they will respond differently to you and the subject you teach. There will be that one pupil who will try your patience to the limit. Those considering a career as a Secondary school teacher will have to contend the onset of hormones, and the other problems that come with puberty. It takes patience. Part of the skill of teaching is working out how to engage those pupils in their learning.

There are a number of ways to get into the teaching profession. It is important to look at the right course for you, which will suit your style of working and study. There are schemes that put you into the school environment from day one. Such as School - Centered Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) and the General Teacher Programme (GTP.) Under these programmes you will gain your Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) while training and working in a paid teaching role. Or you could consider a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE,) focusing on the skills you need to teach, sharing your time between college and your school placements.

5 Signs That You May Be Ready for a Job/Career Change

The right job or career can help fulfill your purpose in life and give meaning to your days. While changing jobs in the current economy may not be as easily feasible as it was in better times, it is still worth keeping your eyes and ears perked for possible new opportunities. We spend a majority of our lives working and if your job/career brings forth feelings of burden and dread more often than feelings of fulfillment and satisfaction, it may be time to consider a change. Keep in mind though, if your situation cannot be changed, then consider changing your attitude!

Do any of the following ring true for you?

1. You no longer feel passionate about what you do for a living - Would you do your job on your own time, even if you weren't getting paid for it? If yes, then that is a good sign that you have a passion for it. One the other hand, if you feel 'blah', indifferent, or like a robot just going through the motions at work, then it is very likely that you have lost interest and excitement about what you do or never had it to begin with.

2. You dread going to work each day - Do you find it hard to get out of bed knowing you have to go to work? Do you sigh or grumble under your breath as you're getting dressed? Do you often find yourself running late for work or calling in sick? These are typical signs of resistance when we have to do something, go somewhere or see someone we don't want to.

3. You are uncomfortable or don't get along with coworkers - When you spend time with people day in and day out for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, month after month, year after year, you want to get along with them or at least be able to tolerate their presence. If you are not getting along with your coworkers or don't feel comfortable around them and have done your best to fix this, then it might be time to move on.

While there is no such thing as a perfect work environment, it is essential that you do not dread interacting with your coworkers. Good relationships with coworkers not only make the day go by and make it enjoyable, but also tend to increase productivity.

4. Your job is not fulfilling - Are you working in a position or a field that does not allow you to utilize your skills and talents? Do you find yourself bored or frustrated with your work? Although we need to earn an income to pay our bills and maintain our lifestyle, when we work to earn a paycheck but feel bored and frustrated day in and day out with what we do, we are likely to grow resentful.

Explore ways in which you can add responsibilities to your position or participate in projects that will tap your potential.

5. You have no desire to be the best you can be at your job - Would you want to hire someone like you if you were the employer? Are you putting forth your best effort or just getting by? You know you are in the right job or career when you put your heart into your work.

When you genuinely care about what you do and want to succeed. If you can't get into this mindset with your current job or career, think about what you could do that would make it so.

Did you recognize yourself in the examples above? Keep in mind that this is a condensed list of signs that may suggest it's time for a change. What other signs do you see? Have you taken steps to improve those situations or is it even possible?

No need to make any drastic, impulsive changes. Think things through and try to improve what you can. Sometimes an attitude adjustment it all it takes. At other times, we need to take further action. Good luck and remember to keep your eyes and ears perked for new opportunities. We have but one life to live, let's enjoy the ride!

Things to Note Before Becoming a Pest Control Technician

Contrary to what some may believe, you don't have to go to college to be successful in life. In some cases, people actually attain their degrees and end up working in a totally different field. For instance, they may get a degree in business and end up becoming a teacher. They may even get a degree in psychology and end up becoming a lawyer. There are even some cases where people choose a career path that didn't even call for any type of degree. Whatever the case may be, there are several roads to success. One of them is becoming a pest control technician. Although there may not be four years of college involved, there is still a great amount of skill and training involved. However, there are other important factors that a potential pest control technician should keep in mind if they are thinking about going into this field.

For instance, they should do as much research as possible. Many people are not aware of everything that is involved in working in this field. In their eyes, these are the people who go around to residential homes and spray every so often. Although this may be one aspect of their job, there is much more. In actuality, these technicians are also responsible for doing work on farms, in gardens and even in large factories. In other words, they work wherever they are needed. So, they aren't just limited to residential neighborhoods. This is important to note, before entering the field. That is because someone could begin their journey as a technician only to find that they are not cut out for the job. Therefore, it's best to go in with as much information as possible.

Another important thing for them to do is get as much advice as possible. A good idea would be for them to call around to some of the local pest control services and see if they can speak to a manager or be connected with an owner. They should let them know their plans and ask if they could come in and talk to some of the workers. This will allow them to get information that may not be available anywhere else, even in the most expensive text books.

On top of everything else, a potential pest control technician should make sure that this is something they are willing to work for. Although they don't need to go to college to enter into this industry, there are still educational and certification requirements they must meet. So, it's important to begin the journey knowing everything that is required of them. That way they don't end up wasting valuable time.

Fastest Growing Allied Healthcare Careers

Some of the fastest growing professions in the country are allied healthcare occupations. But what exactly does allied healthcare mean and how is it different from healthcare? Allied health refers to the services outside of the three main healthcare disciplines of medicine, dentistry, and nursing.

Allied healthcare covers a whole gamut of services including physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, home health aide workers, dental assistants, medical sonographers, speech pathologists, laboratory technicians, etc.

The list is by no means comprehensive and there are tons of other allied health professions that are growing in demand. However, there are a few that stand out because of their minimal training requirement and immense potential. Some such fast growing allied healthcare careers are:

Medical Transcription: Medical transcriptionists held about 95,100 jobs in the year 2010.* The medical transcription practice involves listening to recordings of doctor dictations and converting them into factually and grammatically correct written reports. Being able to understand medical terminology, typing efficiency and editing skills are the core competencies required for this job. Medical transcriptionists may work at hospitals, offices of physicians, or firms that provide transcription services. Many of them are also self-employed and work from home.

To start a career in medical transcription, it's important to complete a postsecondary training program in the field. It's also desirable, though not mandatory to have a Registered Medical Transcriptionist (RMT) or Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT) certification awarded by the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI).

Pharmacy Technician:Pharmacy technicians are professionals who assist licensed pharmacists in performing a number of clerical, administrative and pharmacy-related tasks. A typical work day for a pharmacy tech includes completing tasks like helping pharmacists in filling prescriptions, responding to patient queries, mixing medications, maintaining patient profiles, managing cash register, packaging and labeling bottles, etc.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected growth in employment of pharmacy techs in the 2010-20 decade is 32 per cent**, much faster than average for all occupations. Formal training requirements are none, but completing a pharmacy tech course and getting certified will definitely provide aspirants to this career a competitive edge in the job market.

Medical Coding and Billing:Medical coding and billing specialists use various classifications systems to assign codes to treatments, diagnoses, tests, and other clinical procedures performed on patients. These coded documents are used for healthcare reimbursement purposes as well as to maintain patient records, medical histories and hospital databases.

Pros and Cons of Online Jobs

As with anything in abundance on the Internet, there are many pros and cons with online jobs. When dealing with anything online, you'll want to exercise extreme caution when submitting any personal information, including your resume, phone number, and address. Never give out your social security online - always wait to meet the person or company you are applying with.

The pros of online jobs are their sheer abundance. There is a job board and job advertisement for literally anything you can dream up. From zoologists to engineers to clothes folders or telemarketers, you'll find there's a job for that. There are job boards called niche job boards that specialize in a certain kind of job or industry. For example, a job board may have postings targeted for diverse individuals, such as minorities, veterans, or disabled workers. They may specialize in manufacturing, healthcare, or education jobs. If there a job, you can probably find a job board for it as well.

Another pro about looking for online jobs is the ease of use. Most people, both young and old, can figure out how to apply for online jobs. It's usually very straightforward: click on the job, read through, and follow the instructions carefully. This may involve putting in your job history and references manually, or you may be able to upload a resume. If you have a basic knowledge of computers and how to upload documents, you should find the process of applying fairly easy.

One con dealing with online jobs is the potential to get scammed. When searching for jobs online, it's important to be educated on how to detect scams. A scam is a job posting that lures you in with the promise of great things, but then asks for money up front for training, manuals, or software. More than likely if a company asks you to pay for your own tools, it is a scam. If the job posting does not have a detailed job description and a summary about the company, or the job posting link takes you to a questionnaire that does not ask relevant job interview questions, it is probably a scam. There are other ways to uncover scams. Unfortunately there are many scams posted on job boards, so finding them is actually very easy. The hard part is uncovering the trickier ones that can be more difficult to spot. Scams may be embedded in stay-at-home jobs on reputable job boards. Job boards are doing all they can to prevent the publication of these fake jobs, but some still get by.

Another con about online jobs is the fact that so many people utilize this, and your application might get buried under the competition. Hiring managers are literally swamped with resumes. Some claim there are stacks upon stacks of resumes on their desk. They may spend hours a day sifting through these stacks, and human error could result in a talented person getting placed in the inferior pile. Because they get so many resumes, often companies don't respond to your application, which can be a frustrating experience.

Reshav Singhal writes on behalf of AJE, a leading job portal for jobs in America. Americasjobexchange.com is a recruitment platform that provides many services like Federal Contract Compliance, Recruiting etc.

Starting a Career As a Secretary

Starting a career as a secretary takes patience and preparation. First the budding secretary will need to seek out and apply for multiple jobs. Fortunately there are many secretarial positions at companies throughout the United States. Finding these jobs takes a little sleuthing online and in-person networking offline.

Before applying for jobs, the job seeker may want to get a good idea as to what a day in the life of a secretary is like. To do this, he or she will want to take a look at some typical job descriptions.

Secretarial duties include answering the phone, directing calls, responding to queries, arranging travel, booking conference rooms, welcoming guests, shuttling guests around building, alerting people of visitors, tidying reception area, creating correspondence, and handling the coordination of mail in and out of the office. They send out emails, fax documents, retrieve files, cancel and confirm appointments, take and file insurance, write down messages, update appointment calendars, prepare travel vouchers, perform bookkeeping, word processing, file documents, collect parcels, and perform research over the Internet.

Secretaries input data into databases and manage the dissemination of this information. greet visitors and manage the scheduling of the board room or common conference area. Many receptionists work in salons and spas, greeting customers and booking appointments.

They also use computer software to create spreadsheets, compose messages, manage databases, and produce presentations, reports, and documents. They may negotiate with vendors, buy supplies, manage stockrooms or corporate libraries, and get data from various sources.

Finding a job as a secretary may prove to be easier than finding a highly specialized job. Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive is the largest subcategory of secretaries and administrative assistants, according to the BLS. They handle an office's administrative activities in almost every sector of the economy, including schools, government agencies, and private corporations. Therefore there is an abundance of these jobs in all industries.

After determining the duties of a secretary, the job seeker will want to start looking at jobs online. Try general job boards or more niche-specific job boards. You can also look at company career sites. Try a search for 'secretary.' You can also look under the category 'receptionist,' since these job titles can be interchangeable.

After searching, you'll most likely get a list showing several hundred results. Narrow this search by selecting only those that are in the geographical area you want to work in. You can further narrow the search by experience level, company, and salary.

After the search has been narrowed, you'll have a chunk of jobs that are relevant to your skillet. Now you can start applying. Be sure you read the instructions very carefully. Submit a cover letter and resume to each posting. If the job posting calls for an application, you'll want to answer all questions with honesty and integrity.

Now that your applications have been submitted, you'll want to keep a close eye out on your phone and email. Always call back a potential interviewer as soon as possible. When getting interview instructions, ensure you know exactly where the business is located. Arrive promptly, but not too early. You'll want to bring a copy of your updated resume and references.

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner: A Career Overview

A psychiatric nurse practitioner or (PMH-NP) is a trained nurse who provides expert mental care for adult and child patients in a primary health care setting or in outpatient settings. The PMH-NP can carry out a range of duties without the supervision of a doctor.

Psychiatric nurse practitioners can diagnose mental conditions of adults and children, conduct therapy, and prescribe medications for their patients. They can diagnose and treat a range of medical conditions like psychiatric disorders, medical mental conditions, substance abuse disorders, learning disorders etc. The PMH-NP can also provide emergency psychiatric care for patients followed by crisis intervention and counseling.

These practitioners are licensed to make physical assessments, plan treatment and manage patient medication on their own. They can work independently in hospitals, clinics, schools, nursing homes, and run their own practice.

Education

Psychiatric nurse practitioners are post graduates with master's degrees in their fields. For example, a student must complete a four-year degree in nursing to get their BSN degree. Students may also complete a two-year associate degree or a three-year diploma in nursing to complete their BSN or RN degree. Once they have completed their BSN or RN degree, the student then has to apply to an accredited psychiatric nurse practitioner program. The psychiatric nurse practitioner program will provide additional training in psychological diseases, and management and administration of psychiatric medication. Most courses are for two years and result in a master's degree in nursing. Students will have to complete a supervised clinical rotation before they are certified as specialists in the field of child or adult psychiatric nursing. Students who opt for the master's degree will have to complete a one-year training program to sit for the NCLEX-RN.

Once the student has completed the master's degree, they can also opt for additional certification to become a Doctor of Nursing in Psychiatric Nursing. Apart from full-time programs, there are quite a few accredited online programs that are also useful. For example, the University of Pittsburgh, Brandman University, and University of Cincinnati offer a range of online graduate and postgraduate degrees in psychiatric nursing which can be a boon for the working candidate. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the National League for Nursing are responsible for accrediting nursing programs in the U.S. Before choosing degrees and enrolling to study for them, students should check with the schools to find out about their current accreditation and licensing.

Licensing

Once the student has completed the psychiatric nursing degree, he or she will have to sit for state licensing exams. Each state has different degrees and titles that are awarded to psychiatric nurse practitioners. The candidate must submit an application to http://www.ncsbn.org to apply for licensing in the state they in which they are interested. There is a $200 fee that must be paid at the time of application. The association will mail exam details and test admission cards directly to the student at their specified address and other information to the mail ids provided by the applicant.

Being a psychiatric nurse is completely different from being a psychiatrists or social worker since PMH-NPs can work independently of doctors. They can prescribe medications and even treat patients in their own clinics. With the current boom in the healthcare industry, PMHs can expect that jobs will be plentiful in both private practices and in the public sector. These professionals receive impressive salaries for working in a demanding field. In addition to monetary compensation, the psychiatric nurse will have the satisfaction of knowing he or she can help troubled people who need psychiatric treatment.

The author has spent a lot of time learning about medical technicians and other related topics. Read more about pharmacy technicians at the author's website.