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.