Five Promising Career Paths

Exploring your career options? Consider these promising paths. 

If you've picked up a newspaper, turned on a TV, or booted up your computer in the last couple of years, you've probably been bombarded with news about the country's economic downturn and high unemployment rates. Not great to hear when you're thinking of going back to school or starting on a new career path.

But do you want to know a secret? Not all industries have been hit equally hard. Many industries are showing signs of job growth and opportunity - something you may want to consider when plotting your next career move. 

o help, we looked at U.S. News & World Report's "Best Careers 2011" and the U.S. Department of Labor to find careers with promising growth opportunity.

Keep reading to learn more about these career options.

 

Promising Career #1 - Accountants

Accountants help businesses run smoothly from a financial standpoint, often handling taxes, audits, budgets, and bookkeeping, among other things.

Why it's promising: Accounting is a hot field right now because the economy is improving, according to U.S. News. The Department of Labor projects a 22 percent employment growth for accountants and auditors from 2008-2018.

Education: Consider earning a bachelor's degree in accounting. According to the Department of Labor, this is a common requirement for many positions.

Average earnings: $68,960*

Start Your Accounting Education - Find Schools Now

 

Promising Career #2 - Computer Support Specialists

Computer support specialists help businesses run efficiently from a technological standpoint. They can do this by providing assistance, advice, and support on what kind of gadgets to use and what kind of software to run.

Why it's promising: Technology careers make up a decent chunk of U.S. News' "Best Careers for 2011" list, but this is the first time that computer support specialists made the cut. The Department of Labor projects good opportunities for college graduates with related skills.

Education: Consider earning a certificate, associate's degree, or bachelor's degree in a technology-related field.

Average earnings: $49,930*

Start Your Technology Support Education - Find Schools Now

 

Promising Career #3 - Sales Managers

Setting sales goals and assigning sales reps to certain territories or industries is the job of the sales manager, who is also usually responsible for assisting his or her staff and offering suggestions on how to improve their technique.

Why it's promising: As the economy improves, so do sales, putting sales managers on U.S. News & World Report's list of best careers for 2011. The U.S. Department of Labor projects faster than average job growth for this position.

Education: Consider earning a bachelor's or master's degree in business administration with a marketing focus - according to the Department of Labor, employers tend to prefer this credential.

Average earnings: $114,110*

Start Your Business Education - Find Schools Now

 

Promising Career #4 - Lab Technicians

Laboratory technicians, sometimes called medical technicians, are responsible for performing and analyzing the sort of tests often administered at a doctor's office.

Why it's promising: In general, health care opportunities will increase due to the needs of a large aging population, according to U.S. News & World Report's "Best Careers 2011: Healthcare Jobs." The U.S. Department of Labor also foresees "excellent opportunities" and "rapid job growth" for lab technicians.

Education: Lab technicians usually have an associate's degree or certificate. These types of programs can be found at vocational schools, community colleges - and even at some hospitals.

Average earnings: $38,190*

Start Your Medical Technician Education - Find Schools Now

 

Promising Career #5 - Dental Hygienists

If you're passionate about dental care, consider a career path in dental hygiene, where you would likely be cleaning and examining patients' teeth and gums, and teaching them proper oral hygiene techniques.

Why it's promising: The U.S. Department of Labor put dental hygienists among the fastest growing occupations, projecting 36 percent growth through 2018. Dental hygienists also made U.S. News' Best Careers 2011 list.

Education: To earn an associate's degree or certificate in dental hygiene, consider one of the programs accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. After school, graduates must get licensed in their state.

Average earnings: $68,680*

Start Your Dental Education - Find Schools Now

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Source education.yahoo.net

5 Low-Stress Career Options

Looking for a laid-back career option? Read on...

Do you hate your stressful job? Looking for laid-back career options?

You're in luck. Laid-back, low-stress careers do exist, according to CNN Money/PayScale, who surveyed more than 40,000 American workers to compile a list of least stressful jobs.
If you want to join the ranks of low-stress workers, keep reading to see some options.

 

Laid-Back Career #1 - Technical Writer

Technical writers often write articles, manuals, and instruction booklets on a variety of topics, including science, technology, business, and medicine. If you're passionate about the written word, you might be interested in a career as a technical writer.
Laid-back features: Technical writers, which ranked sixth on CNN Money and PayScale's list of "10 least stressful jobs", said they felt less daily deadline pressure because many of the assignments are long term.
Education: Employers in this field look for candidates with a bachelor's degree, often preferring those with a major in communications, journalism, or English, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.*
Potential earnings: The average annual salary for technical writers is $66,240.**
Start Your Communications Education. Find the Right School Now.

 

Laid-Back Career #2 - Marketing Consultant

Often self-employed independent contractors, marketing consultants advise businesses on market trends and product promotion. This could be a great option for strong communicators who crave a low-stress work life.
Laid-back features: More than half of the marketing consultants surveyed saying that the independence and flexibility afforded by this job outweighed the pressures of being self-employed.
Education: Employers look for candidates who have a bachelor's degree in marketing or business. While a bachelor's degree is sufficient to seek employment, a master's degree in marketing, business administration, or a related field could potentially provide a competitive edge.
Potential earnings: Pay will vary depending on the level of consulting work, years of experience, and other factors. According to PayScale's national salary data, the average is $29,287-$100,792.
Start Your Marketing Education. Find the Right School Now.

 

Laid-Back Career #3 - Web Developer

Tech-savvy, calm-craving people can rejoice - there's a laid-back career option for you, too... Web developers are often responsible for designing, testing, and managing websites within large companies or as independent consultants.
Laid-back features: Web developers generally enjoy a lax dress code (if they go into an office at all) and have deadlines that are often weeks or months away.
Education: Web developer positions generally need a bachelor's degree in a computer-related field. For some positions, related experience and certification may be enough.
Potential earnings: The average annual salary for this position is $79,370.
Start Your Web Development Education. Find the Right School Now.

 

Laid-Back Career #4 - Geographic Information Systems Analyst

If you're good at reading maps and navigating the road, you might want to consider a career as a geographic information systems analyst. These analysts gather and present geographic data used to inform higher-ups about issues from improving local traffic flow to evacuating major cities.
Laid-back feature: Although this job could potentially be high-stress - it isn't an everyday norm. A typical low-stress assignment might include suggesting ideal locations for stores or forecasting flood zones, notes the survey.
Education: A bachelor's degree in statistics, geography, or a related field is typically required for this career.
Potential earnings: The average annual salary for this position is $79,370.
Start Your Education. Find the Right School Now.

 

Laid-Back Career #5 - Statistician

If you already have a bachelor's degree and have a knack for crunching numbers, you might want to look into pursuing a statistician career. This low-stress career involves collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting numerical data to everyone from policymakers to researchers.
Laid-back feature: Ranked third, job security and the ability to work in a variety of environments contribute to statisticians' perception of their work as low stress, says CNN Money and PayScale.
Education: A master's degree in statistics or mathematics usually is the minimum educational requirement for most statistician jobs.
Potential earnings: The average annual salary for a statistician is $76,070.
Start Your Education. Find the Right School Now.

Use LinkedIn To Get a Job Now

Linkedin is like baking soda. You know you’re supposed to have it. You’re not exactly sure what you’re supposed to do with it. So it just sits there and does nothing except bring you false comfort.

Time to change that. Made Man interviewed career expert Tom Dezell, author of Networking for the Novice, Nervous or Naïve Job Seeker, and asked him how to punch up a LinkedIn profile. Here are eight tips that will increase your chances of getting a job through LinkedIn.

1. Complete your profile and nail the summary
Dezell encourages you to take advantage of the 2,000-character count profile summary. On a resume, you have limited real estate to tell the story of your career. On LinkedIn, you have the luxury of space. Take advantage. Tell stories of how you got to where you are. Weave in your successes. Play up your progressions.

2. Post a professional-looking photo
Think of LinkedIn like a dating website. Photos draw more attention to your profile page. They also have another benefit. If you meet someone at a work or social function, and you request a connection with them on LinkedIn, they might not remember your name but they will probably remember your face. If you do not have a professional photo, have one taken. Potential employers do not want to see a cropped photo, or the logo of your favorite sports team, or nothing at all.

3. The real estate beneath your name is important
After your photo and your name, the next thing a potential employer will see is the area titled Professional Headline on the backend of your profile. Use this area to list any relevant certifications, and, not just your company job title, but where you see yourself within your industry. Feel free to list a few such items in this space. In the example below Dezell lists Career Advisor, Trainer and Author of Networking for the Novice, Nervous or Naive Job Seeker.

4. Title your website/blog
If you want to draw attention to your website or blog, edit the Additional Information section, go to Websites, select Other and manually type in the name of your site/blog and add the URL. Most people don’t know they can do this, and instead of a creative title that leads to their art portfolio, potential employers just see the word BLOG. Really, is there a less-attractive word in the English language?

5. Customize the title of your page with your name
This will push your name higher in Google search results. When potential employers search your name – and they will – you want your LinkedIn resume at the top of the page.

6. Use the network activity bar
Let your network and potential employers know what you are working on, or where you are applying for work. You can hook this feed up with your Twitter account, but other users might develop Twitter fatigue from all of your posts, so be careful if you take this approach. Interact with other people’s status bars. Like Twitter, the more you are able to successfully interact with people, the more valuable you are in your network.

7. Don’t waste your introductions
Let’s say you are interested in working for a company, and you have a first connection who has a second or third connection at that company. Don’t waste your limited introductions on that second or third connection. Instead, contact that first connection, whose e-mail or phone number you already should have, because you know them, and ask for an appropriate introduction with the person you’re interested in meeting.

8. Show that you know your industry
Include the main keywords in your industry in a way that shows your mastery and expertise in your field. Employers want to see that you fit within their space and that you know what you’re talking about.

Your audience on LinkedIn is, to a small extent, your network, and to a larger extent, potential employers. In addition to being an author, Dezell is a professional career advisor. He said that LinkedIn is emerging as a force in the world of job search and is a must for any job-seeker. “More and more, when people are talking about how they found their jobs, they are saying, ‘They found me on LinkedIn,’” Dezell said.

The reason LinkedIn is growing in importance is because it saves employers time. Only around 20 percent of all jobs are posted on job boards. Why? Public hiring is a time-consuming process. Instead of posting a job on a mega-site and wading through hundreds or thousands of resumes, employers can search LinkedIn and contact qualified candidates. LinkedIn is so efficient at matching employers and employees, Dezell said that it is making some headhunters nervous.

To completely master the world of LinkedIn, Dezell recommends that you check out the book I’m On Linked, In Now What? by Jason Alba. There are also a number of LinkedIn tutorials on YouTube.

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source mandeman.com

10 Things Smart Job Seekers Do

1. They realize a potential job lead could be anywhere.
Smart job seekers aren't afraid to mention occupational aspirations to their book club, their parents' friends or their dentist. One never knows whose golf partner might be the ticket to getting a foot in the door. Caroline Ceniza-Levine, a partner at SixFigureStart -- a career coaching firm in New York City composed of former Fortune 500 recruiters -- recommends putting your LinkedIn public profile hyperlink in your automatic e-mail signature. "This is an elegant way to attach your résumé to every correspondence you send. Even friends who think they know you may click through to your profile, learn more about you and perhaps think of you for a job or lead that they might have overlooked."


2. They surf job boards for more than just open positions.
Ceniza-Levine calls job boards "goldmines" for research. "You might see companies you didn't know before -- add these to your list of targets. You might see the same requirements again and again -- this indicates a standard for the job you want, so incorporate these items into your pitch and cover letters."
3. They put adequate time and effort into their applications.
"Spend time to make your résumé the best possible written advertisement of you," says Lisa Quast, author of "Your Career, Your Way!" and founder of Career Woman Inc., a Seattle-based career development consulting company. "Analyze the job requirements against your own skills and abilities, and customize your cover letter."
Obviously, all correspondence should be free of errors and typos. And before sending off the application packet, look at the job posting one last time to ensure all desired material is included.
4. They do their homework.
Smart applicants know something about potential employers. From Googling a company to checking out its financial statements, they learn what they can -- and use the info to enhance their correspondence.
5. They know employers do their homework, too.
"According to [a 2010] Coremetrics [study], 75 percent of companies require recruiters to research job applicants online, so you'll want to be sure you know what they'll find," says Sherrie Madia, co-author of "The Online Job Search Survival Guide." Besides thinking twice about what you choose to post, she suggests doing a Google search on your name. If you find something undesirable, try to have it removed.
6. They make their value known quickly.
"An employer gives each résumé about a three-second window of time before he decides to either 'delete' or read further," says Patrice Rice, author of "How to Interview" and president of the recruiting firm Patrice & Associates in Dunkirk, Md. A smart applicant answers the question, "What can you do for me?" right off the bat with a summary of strongest accomplishments at the top of the résumé.
7. They look and act like a professional.
Simple but effective: A smart applicant arrives on time, dresses appropriately, both talks and listens, displays confidence and minds his manners.
8. They show that they want this job.
Smart job seekers are not "tire kickers." They focus on the needs of the employer and demonstrate how they are perfect for this particular position.
"Show enthusiasm during the job interview," Rice says. "Always make certain that the company you're interviewing with feels as if it is your first choice, no matter what other companies are involved in your job search."
9. They don't get ahead of themselves.
As much as she may be dying to know about promotions, raises and vacation time, a smart candidate doesn't jump the gun and tackle these issues during the first interview. She focuses on landing the position, then on whether the package is suitable.
10. They ask for the position, follow up and  offer thanks.
"As strange as it sounds, you need to ask for the job," says Catherine Jewell, author of "New Résumé New Career: Get the Job You Want with the Skills and Experience You Already Have." "At the end of the interview, sum up your strengths, tell the interviewer that you are excited about the position and say, 'I would really like to contribute to this company. I am hoping you select me.'"
Then, a smart interviewee keeps his name in the game with a follow-up note reiterating interest and offering thanks -- knowing that a great last impression can seal the deal.

11 job search tips for 2011

It's 2011 and it's time to take control of your job search. This year, it's no longer up to companies to hire you, it's up to you to get hired. Forget about how the economy is doing. Reflect on last year if you must, but then forget about that, too. This year, your focus will be on finding the right job for you and doing everything you can to be the best candidate for that job. The competition may still be tough, but here's how to turn the tables in your favor.

1. Narrow your search. Stop applying to jobs that you're not qualified for or don't really want. It's a waste of time. Be honest with yourself when evaluating job postings. If you had to start the job tomorrow, do you have all the skills you'd need to succeed? Or are there areas of the job description that you don't have experience in? While it's always great to be willing to learn, most companies want to hire someone who can jump right in and get started without being trained from scratch. Focus your time on creating great applications for jobs you are well-qualified for instead.

2. Know exactly what you want. Narrowing down your job search may force you to ask yourself tough questions like: What kind of job am I really after? And what skills can I offer an employer? If you're unsure of the answer, make one list of the job skills you excel at and one of the skills you like to use most. Use these skills as search terms in your job search.

3. Re-evaluate your skills. If you feel as if you've looked at every job posting on earth and you still can't find one your skills match up with, then it's time to get some new skills. The good news for those who are unemployed is that it's the perfect opportunity to go back to school. You won't have to divide your time with your job obligations, and there's also the possibility that the economy will have recovered a bit by the time you graduate, giving you a double leg up. Government funding and other programs are available for out-of-work job seekers who want to enroll in training or continue their education.

4. Set goals. Yes, your overall goal may be to get a job, but setting short-term, specific job search goals for the year will help you grow and force you to continuously evaluate your progress. Improve your networking skills, for example, by making January's goal to join a professional organization and February's to attend a college alumni event. Holding yourself accountable for achieving these goals will boost your self-esteem and motivate you to continue searching by providing you with new leads and information.

5. Try something new. If you're stuck in a job search rut, add a new strategy to your repertoire. Instead of only job searching online, try working with a recruiter and setting up informational interviews with industry contacts, too. A multifaceted approach will get the best results.

6. Get a leg up on the competition. If you come across a job that seems perfect for you, do something that will subtly help you stand out from the crowd. When you find a job posting you want to apply to, find out the name of the hiring manager or someone who works in the same department, and send the person an e-mail directly. It's 2011, which means almost anything can be found online, including names and e-mail addresses. A LinkedIn search on the company should turn up a list of employees and their titles, from which you can select the most appropriate person. Then, search the company website or press releases for the company's e-mail format.

7. Get ahold of your online reputation: When human-resources managers search for your name online – and they will do it – you can either take control of what they see, or you can leave it to the powers of the crawl search gods. Search results that are professional and consistent and that establish you as an expert in your field will be far more impressive than Facebook pictures from Thanksgiving. Things like a Facebook or LinkedIn profile and a Twitter feed will all show up on the first page, so signing up for these sites and populating the accounts with up-to-date, professional content will make a great impression.

8. Start a website: If you want to take your Internet presence one step further, starting a website will showcase your skills and talents in a thorough and interesting way, and it'll add to your professionalism and give you credibility. Plus, it's not as costly or as time-consuming as you might think. Domain names (i.e. YourName.com), can be registered on sites like GoDaddy.com or Bluehost.com for around $10, and web hosting can cost as little as $3 per month. If you're not particularly tech savvy, premade blog templates give you a professional look with minimal hassle. Wordpress.com has tons of template options and also provides great technical support for novices.

9. Stay current: You should always be in the loop, even if you're out of work. Read trade publications, comment on industry blogs and stay on top of any emerging technologies or policies that may affect your career path. This will not only help you have a great conversation with an interviewer and keep your professional edge, but it may also give you new ideas about where and how to look for a job.

10. Sell yourself: An interview is no time for modesty, especially in times like these. When you land an interview, go prepared with at least five examples that demonstrate your best qualities. That way, when an interviewer asks, "Why should I hire you," you can talk about how you're such a quick learner that you taught yourself Photoshop in a week and how your entrepreneurial spirit led you to start your first lawn-mowing business at age 16. Be sure to leave the interviewer with the phone numbers of references who will back you up with glowing recommendations.

11. Keep that glass half-full approach, all year: A job search will always have its frustrating moments, because things don't always happen when or how we want them to happen. But instead of letting setbacks ruin motivation, take them as lessons. Your lack of interviews may mean it's time to re-evaluate your career path or  skills, which could lead you to a more fulfilling career. This type of positive attitude will be much more productive in helping you find your next job.
The bottom line is that job searching will be tough this year, but landing a job -- even your dream job -- can still be a reality. A proactive job search is your best bet, so take the necessary steps to ensure you get the job you want.
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Source msnCareers

6 tips to help you use LinkedIn more effectively

Savvy job seekers know their work isn't over after they've posted their résumé on the Web or submitted an application for employment. If they want to meet their goals, they must continue to manage their job search with consistent, proactive efforts that put them in direct contact with hiring managers, human resources personnel and recruiters.

Your strategy for using LinkedIn, the leading site for professional networking, should mirror this concept. Simply creating a profile isn't enough to help you meet or reconnect with people, find jobs or stand out to potential employers. You have to participate in the community and market your presence on the site to achieve results.

Diane Crompton and Ellen Sautter, co-authors of "Find a Job Through Social Networking," say it's easier to understand this concept if you liken social networking to advertising.

"If you know anything about advertising, you know that placing an advertisement once is usually not sufficient," they explain. "Media campaigns involve repeated placements of ads over time and often in multiple media sources, such as newspapers, magazines, websites and maybe even television or radio. If you are marketing yourself for a job, career advancement or business development, you need to have a multipronged approach to getting out the word about you and what you have to offer."

To help you implement this strategy, Crompton and Sautter offer guidance on how to use LinkedIn more effectively, which will help you do a better job of marketing yourself online. Here are some of their tips:

Use keywords relevant to your expertise
Keyword searches are a popular way for recruiters and employers to uncover potential job candidates on LinkedIn, Crompton and Sautter say. To ensure your profile turns up in searches related to your expertise, industry or occupation, they suggest that you "enter relevant keywords in your professional headline, in the specialties section and throughout your profile to drive traffic your way. Be sure to use all variations of keywords -- full names, abbreviations, acronyms and alternate words -- to increase the chance that you will be found in searches."

Share your LinkedIn URL with others
"Consider adding your LinkedIn URL to your résumé, e-signature, business cards and other marketing materials," Crompton and Sautter suggest. Not only will this strategy point people to a place where they can quickly learn more about you, it also helps you establish yourself as a professional who is savvy about online networking.

Customize your invitations to connect
When you reach out to potential connections, the default message that accompanies your invitation simply says, "I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn."
"Sending this canned note is a sure sign that you didn't take the time or care enough to personalize the invitation to remind the invitees who you are and how they know you." Crompton and Sautter say. "Such a message may even be viewed as spam by some LinkedIn members."
For a more meaningful invitation, Crompton and Sautter say it's best to politely and briefly explain how you know the invitee and why you'd like to connect.

Write recommendations
LinkedIn recommendations are endorsements you can post on the profiles of your colleagues, supervisors, vendors, customers or others you've interacted with.

"Writing a recommendation often yields a reciprocal recommendation." Crompton and Sautter say. "In fact, when you write recommendations, the people you recommend are prompted by a message asking if they would like to reciprocate and write a recommendation for you. So if you are timid and reluctant to ask someone for a recommendation, this can be a more subtle approach."

List your Twitter handle
LinkedIn allows users to connect their Twitter accounts with their LinkedIn profile. This function is ideal if you're hoping to open a dialogue with your LinkedIn connections or if you want connections who are non-Twitter users to be aware of what you're posting beyond LinkedIn.

On the other hand, if you're tweeting off-brand, personal matters, you may not want every one of your tweets to be streamed on LinkedIn. In that case, don't sync your Twitter handle with your profile and consider Crompton and Sautter's following tip:

"On Twitter, you can select specific tweets you'd like to share with LinkedIn connections by manually adding either #in or #li to tag your tweets to 'go live.'"

Join groups
"Groups are one of the best tools and best-kept secrets on LinkedIn. There are groups for every conceivable shared interest. You'll find alumni associations, professional associations, networking groups and many other special-interest groups," Crompton and Sautter say.

"One of the biggest reasons to join them is to have an easier way to connect with other like-minded LinkedIn members," they explain. "Depending on the protocols of each group, you'll most likely be able to communicate with your fellow group members through direct messages to individual members or the entire group by posting questions or comments for group discussion and response. So it becomes a way not only to expand your network but also to bypass the need to request an introduction or send an InMail to reach others."
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Source msnCareers

Top 10 Online Job Search Tips

While the popularity of online job boards puts millions of jobs at one's fingertips, it has also made the job applicant pool that much bigger.  For this reason, national job search sites and the Internet as a whole have gotten a bad rap from some industry professionals as an ineffective job seeker tool; on the contrary, the Internet actually can be a great resource for job seekers -- they just need to know how to use it. 

When it comes to a fruitful online job search, successful job seekers follow these 10 guidelines.

1. If you build it, they can come. 
Instead of simply posting your résumé on a Web site, take it one step further and design an easily-navigable Web site or online portfolio where recruiters can view your body of work, read about your goals and obtain contact information.

2. Check yourself to make sure you haven't wrecked yourself.
Google yourself to see what comes up -- and what potential employers will see if they do the same. If you don't like what you find, it's time to do damage control.

3. Narrow your options.
Many job boards offer filters to help users refine their search results more quickly.  You should have the option to narrow your job search by region, industry and duration, and, oftentimes, you can narrow it even more by keywords, company names, experience needed and salary.

4. Go directly to the source. 
Instead of just applying for the posted job opening, one of the best strategies to finding a job is to first figure out where you want to work, target that company or industry and then contact the hiring manager. Also, many employers' career pages invite visitors to fill out candidate profiles, describing their background, jobs of interest, salary requirements and other preferences.

5. Find your niche with industry Web sites. 
Refine your search even more by visiting your industry's national or regional Web site, where you can find jobs in your field that might not appear on a national job board.  More and more employers are advertising jobs on these sites in hopes of getting a bigger pool of qualified applicants.

6. Try online recruiters. 
Recruiters will help match you with jobs that meet your specific skills and needs.  Not sure where to start?  Sites such as recruiterlink.com, onlinerecruitersdirectory.com, searchfirm.com and i-recruit.com provide links to online headhunters for job seekers.

7. Utilize video résumés.
Video résumés are just one more way to stand out to employers.  Intended as supplements to -- not replacements for -- traditional résumés, video résumés allow job seekers to showcase a little bit of their personalities and highlight one or two points of interest on their résumés.

8. Run queries.
You run searches on everything else, from your high school sweetheart to low-fat recipes, so why not jobs?  Enter a query that describes the exact kind of job you're seeking and you may find more resources you wouldn't find otherwise (but be prepared to do some sorting).

9. Utilize job alerts.
Most job boards have features that allow you to sign up to receive e-mail alerts about newly available jobs that match your chosen criteria.  Or go a step further and arrange an RSS (really simple syndication) feed from one of these job sites to appear on your customized Internet homepage or your PC's news-reader software.

10. Get connected. 
How many times have you been told that it's not what you know, but who you know?  Thanks to the emergence of professional networking sites like LinkedIn.com, job seekers no longer have to rely on the old standby of exchanging business cards with strangers.  These sites are composed of millions of industry professionals and allow you to connect with people you know and the people they know and so forth. (A word of caution: When you sign up for online social networking sites, you are in a public domain.  Unless you are able to put a filter on some of your information, nothing is private, and it can be difficult to erase once it is posted.)

10 must-do tips for job seekers

As a job seeker, finding the right position can be frustrating.  But there are ways to make your search a little bit easier.

Here are 10 tips from career experts to simplify your job search:


1. Learn how to get past the generic HR inbox
Typically, emailing your résumé to human resources or filling out an online application means it will get short shrift once opened on the other end. Most of the time, they are screened by a software program for keywords that correspond with the job requirements. "People need to understand what an applicant tracking system is, what it looks for and how to maximize the odds that your résumé will pass through the [system], and move on to human eyeballs," says Jenny Foss, founder of Ladder Recruiting Group, who blogs at jobjenny.com. 

2. Don't stress over the résumé
If you have a limited amount of time, don't spend it all at your computer crafting a cover letter or preparing your résumé. "Cover letters and résumés come a distant third or fourth [as the most important part of] your job search -- never rely solely on them," says Rich Gee, an executive coach. Instead, Gee suggests using the time to make connections at your dream company even if there are no openings. "[Target] a company because you would kill to work there -- not because it has open positions," he says.

3. Create a job-search plan
Just because you're looking for a job doesn't mean you need to apply to every position that comes your way. Instead, take the time to think through a specific plan for how you're going to land your next gig, Foss  says. "Create an overall strategy, and then break it down into tactical efforts. Schedule your week, your days, your hours and know what you are going to do every day, before you get in front of the computer and surf aimlessly for eight hours," she says. 

4. Conduct research before each interview
Even if you've had a dozen interviews in the past three months, that doesn't mean you shouldn't prepare for the next one. Always take the time to understand the company -- beyond just looking at the website. Also, meet with people who have held similar roles or who work at the  company. Knowing about the company and the position can help you be calmer during the interview.

5. Accept tea or water
Ward off nervousness by using this interview trick: "At the beginning of the interview, if the interviewer asks if you want water, tea, etc., always say yes," says Alesia Benedict, chief executive of GetInterviews.com. "It serves as a great prop if you need to stall a moment and gather your thoughts before responding to a question." Use it when the interviewer presents tricky questions that you'd like to take a few seconds to think about.

6. Pay attention to the details  
Anything from misspelling the interviewer's name in a post-interview thank-you note to coming in a few minutes late for an interview can cost you a job. To avoid mishaps, pay extra attention to all of your dealings with potential employers.

7. Tap into your alumni network
Many universities have well-maintained alumni networks; contact your alumni club for an up-to-date directory. Use the directory to find people who can help you land your next job. Many of them are eager to help fellow alums because of loyalty to the school.

8. Keep emails formal
Even if you're simply confirming the meeting time to your interview, it's important to put your best foot forward, Benedict says. Skip terms written in shorthand like "thanx" or "2morrow," which come off as unprofessional. "Your email messages should be as clean and polished as a cover letter would be," she says.

9. Include a ZIP code on your résumé
If you're looking for a job in your area, it's a good idea to leave your ZIP code in your address, even if it doesn't seem necessary at the time. "Recruiters often give preference to candidates who are local and will do a search on ZIP codes in the résumé databases to find candidates," Benedict says.

10. Be truthful
It can be tempting to appear as if you have far more expertise than you do, especially if you're just starting out, but exaggerating your experience will likely backfire. Employers are looking for trustworthy individuals and are unlikely to hire someone who they have a hunch isn't being totally truthful.
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History 101: Career lessons from the world's top leaders

Just because Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison aren't alive today, that doesn't mean their leadership lessons should be forgotten. Since history always repeats itself, some career advice never seems to change. Here, we take a look at the leadership philosophies of iconic leaders and how they can help you get ahead in your career.

1. "There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure." -- Colin Powell

Career lesson: When it comes to your career, it's impossible to take the easy way out. Most of those who've found success don't have some secret connections that have helped them get ahead. Moving up in a company or building a business is always done the old-fashioned way -- by striving to do your best.
Bing: What traits to highly successful people have in common?

2. "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." -- Thomas Edison

Career lesson: Not everyone gets it right 100 percent of the time, and the ability to rebound from career mistakes is just as important as getting it right the first time around. Companies are most interested in people who can work through problems instead of giving up.

3. "Logic will get you from A to Z; imagination will get you everywhere." --  Albert Einstein

Career lesson: These days, innovation is a buzzword, and solving problems creatively is a valuable skill. Companies aren't simply looking to hire clones, so understanding how to differentiate yourself in a corporate environment is a plus.

4. "Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Career lesson: There's never a perfect day at work, and dwelling on past mistakes or having a negative attitude can prevent you from making progress. Remember that most of your superiors and managers have erred in the past but somehow managed to score that promotion.

5. "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." -- Confucius
Career lesson: Just because a specific career is associated with a high salary or is in demand, that doesn't mean you should pursue it. Picking a profession you're genuinely interested in always makes it easier to enjoy your work.

6. "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great." -- Mark Twain

Career lesson: Finding great mentors and avoiding those who don't believe in you is a must as you start your career. Whether it's a bullying boss, a jealous co-worker or an unsupportive classmate, there's never a reason to be weighed down by negative opinions.

7. "The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." -- Theodore Roosevelt

Career lesson: Put your all into your career. Sometimes you will fail, and sometimes you will succeed beyond what you could have imagined. Take risks, make sacrifices, learn from your mistakes and keep going.  

8. "Every now and then go away and have a little relaxation. To remain constantly at work will diminish your judgment. Go some distance away, because work will be in perspective and a lack of harmony is more ready seen." -- Leonardo da Vinci

 Career lesson: Sometimes taking a break is just as important
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