When to Ignore Common Career Advice

When to Ignore Common Career AdviceWhen to Ignore Common Career Advice It seems everywhere we turn in life, there is always someone eager to share advice. But which advice is good? And which tips should you ignore?On top of it all, you may be part of the group that is fruchtwein commonly targeted by these well-intended advisors college graduates . Even though youve left the classroom, the education hasnt ended. You have one last lesson to learn when to trade common career advice for more logical and fulfilling alternatives. No matter what task you are facing - writing your resume , buying an interview suit, paying your dues as the newbie - people will offer their input. But there is no task that draws as much critique as choosing your first job . Perhaps the reason for this is because it is one of the biggest challenges college graduates face. Its a struggle to determine your calling, which path you should take. Even those who have narrowed their focus to, say, t eaching or becoming a doctor, still have important decisions to make. For example, which school district is best? Which grade? Your loved ones will try to make this decision easierby offering badeanstalt advice and old clichs. LikeFollow your passion and youll never work a day in your life. Start by looking for a job in your chosen field. Just find a way to put food on the table. All in all, thats not a whole lot of encouraging, actionable advice.If you ask more than one person for their advice, youre bound to receive different messages. And chances are, those messages will be contradictory. And neither option will likely be the best advice.For example, some people might tell you that you shouldnt base your decision on how much youll earn. Money cant buy happiness, and all that. However, establishing financial stability is a responsibility a lot of people struggle with. You should be thinking about your monthly expenses, your emergency fund, your savings, and your retirement - and how much youll need to earn to take care of all those things. On the other hand, people might tell you to just accept any job so you can start earning a livingand probably paying off student loans . But should you really base your decision on which job pays the most? (No)At the other end of the spectrum, people might encourage you to choose a job based on emotions instead of finances. What makes you happy? This, unfortunately, isnt sound advice either.While it is important to choose a job you enjoy and gives you a sense of purpose, it is foolish to think your career will be the source of your happiness . Want to test this statement? Ask those people who claim they love their job if theyd work for free. The answer is probably no. The reason for this? Psychologist Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic says its because work is a poor vehicle for self-actualization. Pretending otherwise adds heaps of unfair pressure on the average employee to find their dream job. Its raised career aspirations beyond what it is feasibly achievable for most.Yet, settling isnt the answer either. If you dont feel a sense of purpose at your job, it could be hard to even get out of bed in the morning. So what is the advice you should follow?Author Tim Keller encourages job searchers to consider three thingsDetermine what you are good at, what you enjoy, and what is available. When these three things align, youve found your calling. Of course, these three things wont necessarily align immediately. It might take some time to figure out the first two and for the third to emerge. So, start at the top. You might have to try a couple of jobs to figure this out, to determine what skills you have and how they relate to the workforce. Then, think about how using those abilities could bring you enjoyment and purpose. For example, using your writing skills to keep on writing papers the way you did in college might not seem rewarding, but using those same skills to craft grant propos als for a non-profit might be. You may stumble upon an opportunity to combine your abilities and affinity , but in all likelihood, youll probably have to search a little. Get creative. Think outside the box about how your abilities can be used. In reality, there are probably way more opportunities than you realize. Remember, striving for the dream job will simply raise career aspirations beyond what is feasibly achievable. That being said, dont stay at a job just because you found an opportunity. If you discover the first two components are missing - ability and affinity - you still havent found the right opportunity. Think of your job search as a marathon, not a sprint. The advice others give is bad because it is aimed at creating a short-term solution, but your career is a long-term responsibility. Take your timeyoull get there eventually.

10 Skills for Working in Information Technology

10 Skills for Working in Information Technology10 Skills for Working in Information TechnologyWhether you are just starting your technical career or looking to make a career change, it helps to know what career skills are hot in the job market. The following list is of technical skills that are currently in high demand. The list includes information, a brief history of each technology, and links to training resources. 01Unix Operating Systemgilaxia/E/Getty ImagesThe Unix Operating System is the foundation of the internet. Unix is a critical skill for a career in Information Technology.02Linux Operating SystemThe Linux Operating System is a Unix-like operating system that is being used by many large companies. It is quickly growing in popularity and is a popular operating system to develop for. Linux is a great career skill if you want a career as a System Administrator.03Java Programming LanguageJava is an object-oriented programming language developed by Sun Microsystems. Java is a popular career skill if you want to be a Web Developer.04C++ Programming LanguageC is another high level, object-oriented programming language. C is often used in commercial application software development. It has beenand continues to be a hot programming career skill in the market. A career as a Software Engineer would be the most likely with C expertise.05Perl Programming LanguagePerl is a dynamic scripting language that is used quite often in networking, system administration, and website development. Knowledge of this multi-use language is a must-have for many career paths.06MySQL Database ManagementMySQL is a database management tool that is widely used. Knowledge of MySQL is necessary for many careers, including Database Administrators, Web Developers, and Software Engineers.07Microsoft C Programming LanguageThe C programming language from Microsoft Corporation is rapidly gaining popularity as more companies utilize the .NET framework. Itis one of the hottest career skills in the market right now for developers.08XML - Extensible Markup LanguageXML or Extensible Markup language is a popular language that makes information on the internet viewable across many different platforms. It is relatively easy to learn. While many developers know XML, fewer of them are experts in XML. It is a specialty focus that is gaining popularity for a career in webdevelopment.09Project Management Management of technical projects is a necessary career skill for advancement, no matter which technical career path you choose. Formal projectmanagement training is a great start to more senior level technical roles.

TheLadders Top Recruitment Professionals in America

TheLadders Top Recruitment Professionals in AmericaTheLadders Top Recruitment Professionals in AmericaLadders honors our most active hiring professionals in this quarters Top Recruiters list.Each quarter, our CEO Alex Douzet publishes our list of the best employers and recruiters in the country. These represent the savviest, most supportive and most successful hiring professionals in the USA, and we are pleased to have them be part of the extended Ladders family.With great pleasure, acclaim, and gratitude, may I present this selection from our most recent Top Recruitment Professionals in America list, for Spring 2014Top Corporate Recruitment ProfessionalsStefan BoydSr Finance Manager at AmazonSenior Finance Manager San Bernardino, CAFinance Manager Operations Hazleton, PASenior Financial Analyst Moreno Valley, CAChristine FoglioSourcing Strategist at QVC Inc.Manager Statistical Modeling West Chester, PASenior Online absatzwirtschaft Coordinator West Chester, PABusiness Analys t Innovation and Intergration West Chester, PASurya PrakashRecruiter at Radiant SystemsClinical Data Manger Franklin Lakes, NJProject Manager Detroit, MISr Technical Operations Engineer Shelton, CTCharmane CrollTalent Acquisition Specialist at Lexis NexisSr. Financial Analyst Dayton, OHTerritory Manager Miami, FLTerritory Manager Dallas, TXAngela BoeckmannSenior Strategic Sourcing Strategist at UnitedHealth GroupOptum Strategic Account Executive Western Region Denver, COOptum Strategic Account Executive Western Region San Francisco, CAOptum Strategic Account Executive Southeast Region Nashville, TNMackenzie DavisTalent Sourcer at Nestle Purina PetCare CompanyCategory Development Manager Fayetteville, ARCategory Analyst San Antonio, TXNicole VachonTalent Acquisition at CVS CaremarkOperations Shift Supervisor Wilkes Barre, PAHuman Resources Generalist Scottsdale, AZSenior Compensation Analyst Woonsocket, RIJeffrey McCarthySourcing Specialist at General MotorsSoftwar e Integration Engineer Warren, MIJava Developer Warren, MIJava Developer Atlanta, GACathy FinnieSearch Consultant at Marsh, Berry CompanyOutside schlussverkauf Representative Boston, MAOutside Sales Rep (IMA) Worcester, MAOutside Sales Representative Jacksonville, FLMohammed WajiSenior Technical Recruiter at CORE Education Technologies Ltd.IBM Datapower Consultant Warren, NJBusiness Analyst Tampa, FLIdentity Management Siteminder LDAP Irving, TXPaul CrowleySales Recruiter at Care.comAccount Executive Benefit Solutions New York City, NYAccount Executive Benefit Solutions Chicago, ILAccount Executive Los Angeles, CARon SilverFounder and CEO at Nova Training Systems, Inc.Sales IT Services and Consulting Parsippany, NJIT Services / Consulting Account Executive Parsippany, NJPeter AnsaraHR Recruiter at ABFSoftware / Pre-Sales Engineer San Francisco, CALead Development Representative Newton, NCAccountant San Francisco, CAAmanda MolloyLead Recruiter at TaxwareEnter prise Software Sales Executive Wilmington, MAEnterprise Software Sales Executive Houston, TXPamisetty RajeshTalent Acquisition Specialist at KMM TechnologiesERP Business Systems Analyst Arlington, VAERP Project Manager Arlington, VAAlexis AubreyCorporate Recruiter at Moguldom Media GroupDeputy Editor Los Angeles, CAManaging Editor, Hispanic Online Properties Los Angeles, CAData Analyst Digital absatzwirtschaft Fort Lauderdale, FLDionne HeardNorth American Sourcing Strategist at AccentureCorporate Accounting Specialist Chicago, ILContracts Negotiation Manager Cincinnati, OHCompensation Design / Discipline Manager Houston, TXTop Executive RecruitersJanet BloomOwner at JBC Executive SearchSales Professional B2B Sales Virginia Beach, VASales Professional B2B Sales Bellevue, WASales Professional B2B Sales Pittsburgh, PAElisa ShefticPresident at Right Executive SearchContent Marketing Manager (Financial Services) Jersey City, NJStock Loan Analyst Greenwich, CTVP Sales Account Mgmnt (Mutual Funds, Solutions) Deer Park, NYMartin AppelsonPartner at Bradford Group Consulting and StaffingHybris Solution Architect Miami, FLHybris Solution Architect Edison, NJHybris Solution Architect Boston, MAMike SchoenRecruiter at Concepts in StaffingC++ Programmer New York City, NYSr. Systems Engineer Distributed Systems New York City, NYCore Java SOA Developer New York City, NYSteve WeberPrincipal Recruiter at Access StaffingSenior Residential Property Accountant / Analyst New York, NYDivisional Controller New York, NYController Financial Reporting and Planning New York, NYPhillip MarquartSegment Analyst at Pinstripe Talent, INC.Territory Manager Sales Rep. / Trade Marketing Minot, NDTerritory Manager Sales Rep. / Trade Marketing Stanley, NDTerritory Manager Sales Rep. / Trade Marketing Williston, NDZachary StraubRecruiter at CNI Consulting INCInside Sales Professional Minneapolis, MNInside Sales Professional Seattle, WAAccount Executive Kansa s City, MOMohan RaoRecruitment Professional North America at Innovalus Technological IncData Network Architect / Consultant Corning, NYStorage Consultant Corning, NYDatabase Architect Corning, NYRon SimpsonPrincipal Search Partner at Hire-Search GroupSenior Tax Manager Denver, COTax Manager Boston, MATrust Estate Tax Principal / Senior Manager San Francisco, CARoger PreblePresident at Cornerstone Search and ConsultingSans, Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, Verdana, sans-serif Senior IT Security Engineer Greenville, SCSenior IT Security Engineer Charlotte, NCRegional Sales Director Chicago, ILCongratulations to them all For the full list of 200 Corporate Recruitment Professionals and 200 Executive Recruiters, click here.