Monday, March 19, 2012
Mostly Free Online Skills Training
Here are some links to online educational sites. From Computers to Academics
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
The Trouble With Training… Caveat emptor
Caveat emptor or let the buyer beware.
Be careful choosing career training. Remember schools, even state schools are in the business of selling training. Sometimes the training offered or pushed in some cases is not what the employers in your area or needing. Some schools sell training programs using national statistics that are not relevant in your local community. Remember there are “lies, damn lies, and statistics”. A statistical change from 10 job openings to 20 job openings would represent a 100% increase. But 10 new jobs statewide are not very many.
Some schools offer training that employers will not want or need. Sometimes the training is in demand nationally and not in your local area which means you may need to relocate to utilize it.
In some cases, employers offer the training free and with employment. Pharmacy tech and nursing aides are both offered by some employers. Blood donation collectors in some cases offer phlebotomy training.
Always check with employers and work your way back to training providers. Remember if the skill or training attained is not in demand by employers you have wasted time and resources.
Any kind of training offered by employers is usually in demand and will be needed by other employers. As a rule, employers generally do not waste money on useless training.
Balance what the school says about training with how much actually employers value the training. Remember, “Caveat emptor or let the buyer beware” and research and choose the appropriate training to further your career.
Links to training
Be careful choosing career training. Remember schools, even state schools are in the business of selling training. Sometimes the training offered or pushed in some cases is not what the employers in your area or needing. Some schools sell training programs using national statistics that are not relevant in your local community. Remember there are “lies, damn lies, and statistics”. A statistical change from 10 job openings to 20 job openings would represent a 100% increase. But 10 new jobs statewide are not very many.
Some schools offer training that employers will not want or need. Sometimes the training is in demand nationally and not in your local area which means you may need to relocate to utilize it.
In some cases, employers offer the training free and with employment. Pharmacy tech and nursing aides are both offered by some employers. Blood donation collectors in some cases offer phlebotomy training.
Always check with employers and work your way back to training providers. Remember if the skill or training attained is not in demand by employers you have wasted time and resources.
Any kind of training offered by employers is usually in demand and will be needed by other employers. As a rule, employers generally do not waste money on useless training.
Balance what the school says about training with how much actually employers value the training. Remember, “Caveat emptor or let the buyer beware” and research and choose the appropriate training to further your career.
Links to training
Monday, October 12, 2009
Low or No Cost Career Training
Being laid off is a good time to consider retooling your skills. There are programs that might pay all or some of your training costs. WIA (Workforce Investment Act) is one such program. To check for eligibility contact your local employment or career center.
Sometimes employers provide training. Hospitals and nursing homes are some of the employers that might provide training. For example some pharmacy provide training as pharmacy techs and nursing homes train certified nursing assistants
For a list of WIA eligible training providers in Alabama go here.
http://www2.dir.state.al.us/alcrs/
or Nationally
http://www.careeronestop.org/WiaProviderSearch.asp
Pell Grants are another source of funds for training.
Grants are not loans and are a great source of funds.
Federal Student Aid (grants and loans)
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
North Alabama Center for Educational Excellence (help with filling out grant and loan applications) http://www.nacee.net/
Apprenticeships allow you to work while you learn a trade.
For more information on apprenticeships try these links:
Career Voyages
http://www.careervoyages.gov/apprenticeship-main.cfm
U.S. Department of Labor
http://www.doleta.gov/OA/
Sometimes employers provide training. Hospitals and nursing homes are some of the employers that might provide training. For example some pharmacy provide training as pharmacy techs and nursing homes train certified nursing assistants
For a list of WIA eligible training providers in Alabama go here.
http://www2.dir.state.al.us/alcrs/
or Nationally
http://www.careeronestop.org/WiaProviderSearch.asp
Pell Grants are another source of funds for training.
Grants are not loans and are a great source of funds.
Federal Student Aid (grants and loans)
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
North Alabama Center for Educational Excellence (help with filling out grant and loan applications) http://www.nacee.net/
Apprenticeships allow you to work while you learn a trade.
For more information on apprenticeships try these links:
Career Voyages
http://www.careervoyages.gov/apprenticeship-main.cfm
U.S. Department of Labor
http://www.doleta.gov/OA/
Monday, May 25, 2009
The Thank You Note
The thank you note is an overlooked strategy. It is a sign of common courtesy that show you are detailed oriented and real want he position. Going the second mile and displaying a real desire for a position can empress a potential employer. Odds are most people don’t send a thank you note. The very fact that you send one after an interview puts you in a more elite group. Nothing like a stamped and mail note to set you a part. An email will not have the same impact.
The note does not have to be elaborate or long. Keep it simple and handwritten.
Example
******************************************************
Dear Ms. Smith,
Thanks for the time you took to interview me. I am very interested in the position. (Add a line mentioning something that you connected on during the interview) Look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
John Q. Jobseeker
*****************************************************
The key is to send it the day of the interview. Hopefully they will receive it while the decision making process is still ongoing. Make sure you get the name of the person you interviewed with. It is hard to send a letter if you don’t have that.
A thank you note might just be the edge you need to get the job. Remember keep it simple; an inexpensive thank you will do just fine.
The note does not have to be elaborate or long. Keep it simple and handwritten.
Example
******************************************************
Dear Ms. Smith,
Thanks for the time you took to interview me. I am very interested in the position. (Add a line mentioning something that you connected on during the interview) Look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
John Q. Jobseeker
*****************************************************
The key is to send it the day of the interview. Hopefully they will receive it while the decision making process is still ongoing. Make sure you get the name of the person you interviewed with. It is hard to send a letter if you don’t have that.
A thank you note might just be the edge you need to get the job. Remember keep it simple; an inexpensive thank you will do just fine.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Federal Employment
There are many opportunities for employment with the federal government. To obtain a position will take determination and patience. The process can be complex and hard to master. The rewards are great and federal employment is a solid career. The process is not to be undertaken in a hurry. Build your federal resume ahead of time.
To apply for jobs with the federal government you will need a detailed resume. The submission should have keywords. Include complete details of your skills, education, and work history. Remember some of these jobs require a security clearance and there will be extensive background checks.
You may be fortunate enough to attain a list of job specific keywords. You may also glean them from the job descriptions. This is a key factor to successfully applying for a federal job. This will give your resume an edge in the process. Details and keywords are essential and will help you be successful in obtaining a position.
Federal Employment:
USAJOBS - http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/
Look here for tips - http://www.usajobs.gov/infocenter/
Army and Department of Defense Positions
Civilian Personnel On-Line - http://acpol.army.mil/
You can also find jobs on the individual department websites.
To apply for jobs with the federal government you will need a detailed resume. The submission should have keywords. Include complete details of your skills, education, and work history. Remember some of these jobs require a security clearance and there will be extensive background checks.
You may be fortunate enough to attain a list of job specific keywords. You may also glean them from the job descriptions. This is a key factor to successfully applying for a federal job. This will give your resume an edge in the process. Details and keywords are essential and will help you be successful in obtaining a position.
Federal Employment:
USAJOBS - http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/
Look here for tips - http://www.usajobs.gov/infocenter/
Army and Department of Defense Positions
Civilian Personnel On-Line - http://acpol.army.mil/
You can also find jobs on the individual department websites.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Job Search Engines – try a meta search
A meta search engine searches many search engines and sources at once. With a meta search engine you can cover a lot of ground with one single search. Indeed.com is just such a search engine. With a keyword and a zip code you will see listings from the major career job search sites, company job sites, and newspaper listings.
You can customize your search area from 5 to 100 miles of a zip code. You can also change the search terms. For some interesting information give the salary and trends features a look. This approach to search engine is a one stop approach.
The Alabama Joblink site utilizing the same search capabilities in its Job Spider feature. The Job Spider will even map the results.
You can customize your search area from 5 to 100 miles of a zip code. You can also change the search terms. For some interesting information give the salary and trends features a look. This approach to search engine is a one stop approach.
The Alabama Joblink site utilizing the same search capabilities in its Job Spider feature. The Job Spider will even map the results.
Assess Your Skills - Typing Test
A great skill to include on a clerical or office type resume is typing speed.
If you can put a specific number on your typing speed, this will enhance your resume. A speed of 40 wpm or greater is a good skill to put on your resume.
If the speed is between 20 and 39 wpm, just mention you can type and perform data entry.
If you are unsure of your typing skills, try typing test.com. This is a great way to check your typing skills.
If you can put a specific number on your typing speed, this will enhance your resume. A speed of 40 wpm or greater is a good skill to put on your resume.
If the speed is between 20 and 39 wpm, just mention you can type and perform data entry.
If you are unsure of your typing skills, try typing test.com. This is a great way to check your typing skills.
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