How to Help Your Staff Adjust to Change

Change is one of the hardest issues that managers deal with in the workplace. Whether it is updating the company's technology, adding in new staff members or simply replacing the furniture, employees typically resist change. While it is inevitable that managers will often have to make changes to keep business running smoothly, there are ways to mitigate the effects it will have on your staff.

Help Them Get Used to the Idea

One of the best ways to introduce something new to the workplace is to allow your staff to gradually adjust to it. Let them know in advance that you will be remodeling the office and that their desks will be replaced. Start by gradually replacing the furniture in common areas, then finally their personal furniture. This principle can work with other changes as well. Let them test out a demo version of a new software while still using their old system. They will be able to accept change better if it is gradual.

Understand That They Will Go Through Stages of Grief

Adjusting to change is often akin to the adjustment to any major loss in life. People will go through denial, hoping that the news of a change is simply a rumor. They will then go through anger, lashing out and becoming enraged at the thought of having a new boss. They may try to bargain or negotiate, hoping that improving their work performance may stave off the change. Finally, they will accept the new change and start to move on in their work lives.

Helping your staff get used to the idea of change means understanding these stages and helping them through them. Expect anger, disbelief and shock. Taking change management courses can help you to better understand these concepts and manage your staff.

Communicate With Them

When you are introducing new policies or staff, it is important to communicate with your existing staff. If you don't tell them what is happening and how it will affect them, they will start to spread rumors. This will lower morale at the company and lead to a loss of productivity. When you communicate with them openly and honestly, they can make the right conclusions and feel more secure about their role in the workplace.

Be Flexible

When you introduce something new to your workplace, understand that everything may not go smoothly. In change management training courses, managers are taught to recognize the signs that the change is not going according to plan. Perhaps one of your staff members was on vacation when you trained the staff on the new software and you now have to train him separately. Maybe the assistant does not work well with her new boss. The IT department may have a hard time integrating your new software with the old operating system.

When you make major changes in the workplace there may be setbacks and delays. If you anticipate these setbacks, you will be in a better position to overcome them.

Keep Spirits High

New change may mean that some well-liked staff members move to different departments or a favorite chair is replaced by new, ergonomic ones. The key during major change is to keep spirits high. Now is the time to pull out all the stops when it comes to enjoying a happy staff. Bring in breakfast a few days a week and give out incentives for excellent work. Openly praise and thank your staff for their cooperation and reassure them that they are still doing a good job. If they feel secure that they are still valuable to the organization, they will be able to keep up with their work in spite of any new changes.

As a manager, there are times when you will have to help your staff adjust to workplace changes. Even small changes can change the dynamic in an office, and handling these with finesse is key. A Diploma of Change Management will help you to get the skills you need to manage these workplace changes. Start on the road to this exciting diploma program today.

How to Attract Top Talent to Your Company

Companies that are looking to hire top talent need to come up with clever ways to add that talent to their teams. While hiring an executive is more complicated than hiring a cashier or another low level employee, there are several sensible steps that companies can take to get the executives that they are after.

Allow Your New Executive to Make Mistakes

There is a good reason why your company is looking for new leadership. Most likely, your company has been in a rut or suffering from customer or regulatory backlash. This means that there is a lot that needs to be changed or scrapped before the company can compete and thrive.

When a new executive comes in, he or she is going to have to take distinct action as soon as he or she starts. Therefore, mistakes are most likely going to be made and will need to be ironed out as time goes on.

If the executive doesn't have the support of those around him or her, that person probably won't want to take the job. When someone is in a bad situation without any support to help fix the problem, that position is going to be seen as toxic and not worth touching.

Allow That Person to Bring in His or Her People

The typical executive has spent years or decades working up to the executive level. Along the way, he or she has developed many connections and business relationships. Allowing your new leader to bring in people that he or she is comfortable with can be a great way to entice that person to come join your company.

When your executive has people that he or she can trust, it makes it a lot easier for that person to lead. It is also in the best interest of the company to bring in as much talent as possible. Those who have a proven track record aren't easy to acquire in today's business world.

Give That Person Ownership of the Company

To get the right person, you may need to cede a large part of the company to that person. While this may be scary to some shareholders, it means that the new executive has an incentive to do well. If compensation is tied to the performance of the company, that executive has to make moves that benefit the company. This presents an opportunity for everyone from the CEO to the person stocking shelves in the store to benefit from the success of the company.

Offer the Opportunity to Cement the Executive's Legacy

Those who are stepping into a new position for the first time want to be able to take credit for something. This helps to cement their legacy and gives that person credibility. If your company is looking to roll out a new product or wants to completely change company culture, allowing the new executive to take charge of that could entice him or her to want to be with your company. In some cases, merely allowing an executive to take credit for something that may have been in place before he or she came on board could do the job.

There is a lot that has to be done to attract a top executive. For companies that are eager to get the search underway, it may be a good idea to partner with an executive recruitment agency. The recruitment agency can help your company find the right people with the right skills to lead your company into the future. It could be the difference between taking the company to the next level and shutting down operations for good.

What Employers Look for when Employing New Staff

For an employer, new staff can bring a wealth of experience and skills to a company. Recruiting the right employee can be a great asset. From the moment a potential employee walks into an interview, the employer will assess their integrity, their likeability and their competence. Employers now have access to social networking sites. These sites can show your political views, your personal life and good and bad moments. Social networking can be used to your advantage, but just remember to keep them digitally dirt-free. 

Able to work in a team

All employers hope that their company will work as a team. Teamwork leads to greatness; not just one person. Praise for a team will lead to great success and recognition for all staff, as well as the company. Employees who can leave what they are doing to work as a team to meet a deadline are invaluable. 

Ability to organise and prioritise

A self-motivated employee will be able to prioritise what needs to be done, even if this means organising schedule shifts and solving problems. Managers can guide you but if you need constant guidance when performing daily tasks, you will become a burden to the company. Employees must possess inner drive and self-motivation to be able to tackle unexpected hurdles when they arise. 

Ability to make decisions

Businesses are fast paced and employees must be able to multitask and be able to manage different projects at the one time. Being able to handle a variety of different tasks, being able to make split second decisions and showing a passion for your assignments are all qualities that employers look for. These are all qualities that can lead to advancement. An employee must also have the ability to be able to adjust and not be too set in their ways. 

Knowledge relating to the job

It is important to have technical knowledge or experience relating to a particular job. Employers may want the applicant to walk straight into a position without undertaking much training. Solid references and a detailed resume can attest to an employee’s attributes. 

Dependable

Getting to work on time is only a small part of showing you are dependable. Working and dressing in a professional manner and having a positive attitude will enhance the company’s reputation and brand. A positive attitude will carry a good employee through difficult situations. This attitude will make fellow employees feel secure and will help create good morale amongst staff.

All employers want to hire people who are intelligent, trustworthy and dependable. These traits will make them good at their jobs. A great employee will have balance in the workplace, as well as outside the workplace. Balancing the two will make for an employee with a better attitude. Joining a company is like gaining another family. 

Companies like www.mabeyhire.com.au stand behind their employees and make sure employees are a good fit with their company. An employee who fits in well with the company will bring enthusiasm, confidence and initiative to that company, which will help that company succeed.

Getting Hired: 5 Positions New Businesses Are Always Looking to Hire

Although the sluggish economy has definitely taken a toll on many individuals, people would be surprised that some employers are always looking to hire certain positions. Moreover, many employers have a hard time filling these positions. For some positions, certain skills are needed, and employers can often only find a few people who have these unique set of skills. If you are having a hard time finding a job, then you should consider gaining the skills to acquire one of these five positions listed below. 

Accountant

Many employers are often in need of qualified accountants. Since the economic recession, the government has placed tight regulations on the ways that people have previously done business. As a result, employers are finding themselves having to keep all of their financial records current. If you are interested in this career, it is important to obtain a bachelor’s degree in accounting, and for the best chances of getting hired, you should also obtain a master’s degree in an accounting related field.

Dental Hygienist

Recently, more people have begun to take steps to stay healthy, and one of the ways that they are doing this is by practicing good oral hygiene. Dental hygienists are needed to clean teeth, take x-rays, and look for signs of decay in a person’s teeth. The field is growing rapidly because many dentists do not desire to have private practices anymore, but instead, they are looking to work in larger offices with lots of dentists. As a result, many hygienists are needed in these offices as well.

Management Information Systems

One of the fastest growing fields is management information systems. Many employers are looking for individuals to help collect and organize their business operations. People who work in the field of management information systems should have a clear understanding of businesses and computers. Since this field is growing so quickly, many colleges are offering online MIS degrees. The UAB Masters MIS program is designed to prepare individuals to pursue careers in the area of management information systems.

Personal Financial Advisor

Since the economic downturn, many people are weary about investing in certain stocks; therefore, they rely on personal financial advisors to educate them about the risks associated with investing. However, their advice is not limited to stocks, but they also educate people on the best ways to save for college and retirement. In order to pursue this field, an individual can get a degree in finance, economics, law, or business.

Medical Manager

A final position that employers are looking to hire is medical manager. A medical manager directs the daily activities of a hospital or other healthcare clinic. With the retirement of many baby boomers, the healthcare field is growing quickly. In order to pursue this career, it is important for individuals to get a degree in healthcare administration.

Even though the economy has caused many degrees to be useless, there are certain fields that can land you a job quickly. By pursuing one of the jobs listed above, you will have a great chance of beginning a career.

April Labarron is a native to Southern California. She has her BA in English/Literature from MSJC in Menifee, Ca. She views her freelance writing, not only as a career, but as her passion. Other areas of interest include; movies, food, singing, soccer, traveling, shopping and a continuous desire for learning. She lives on her own and is accompanied by her Pomeranian named, Elvis. She currently resides in Temecula, CA.

How Businesses Can Stay On Top of the Hiring Process

One of the largest investments a business makes is in its employees and payroll. From health benefits to worker's compensation, employees cost a lot to hire and keep on, but they bolster the company and fly it into higher realms of success. Staying on top of the hiring process is one of the best ways to vet prospective employees, and find top-notch candidates for your niche workplace. 

Paperwork Pile

Although it is a tedious job, screening for drugs and criminal activity is a must before offering the candidate a position. Liabilities abound if a known drug-user operates workplace machinery, and an employee ends up injured. Check that human resources is completing paperwork and research prior to any job offers.

Call Around

Everyone has some professional contacts, but they are often bound by legal protocol. True insight into an individual starts with their friends. Ask for a personal reference and follow up on it. A candidate with only moderate skills may shine brightly after talking to their best friend from elementary school. A workplace is not just a cluster of random people, but forms a unique culture that is either productive or lackluster.

Interview, and Then Interview

You may have several candidates, such as those applying through job listings for media sales, that were actually found through headhunters. Although they have the skills necessary for the position, they may not be completely on board with a new employer. Instead of one interview and an automatic hire, interview the candidate two more times, but under different circumstances. Invite them to a lunch hour to see employee chemistry in action, for example. Candidates looking for an outgoing type of position, like advertising sales jobs, must possess good social skills to create clients and support other loyal customers.

Be Clear

The first three months of employment tells a lot about a candidate. Once acclimated, you see the person's true character on a day-to-day basis. If the employee is unhappy, it shows through immediately after the initial honeymoon period. These three month probationary periods provide a cushion for the employer to remove the candidate, and search for a new person, without the threat of legal retribution.

Employees provide support customers need for continued sales and service. By treating employees respectfully during the hiring process, you reflect potential treatment as a long-term employee. The key to staying on top of the hiring process is clear communication between the candidate and employer, along with thorough research and interviewing.

When Is It Too Late To Start Your Pension

If you’re knocking fifty, chances are you’re becoming a little concerned about how you will pay for yourself upon retirement. The problem began in the 1980s really, when rich folks were having such a fantastic time under the Thatcher government that they forgot to start saving for their old age. Because of that, there are now millions of soon-to-be pensioners with no financial backing at all - so don’t worry too much, you’re certainly not alone. 

With that in mind, surely you must realise that even now you still have enough time to start paying into a pension scheme for when you retire. Okay, you won’t be a well-off OAP, but you’ll definitely be in a better position - that much is guaranteed. 

So, if you’re considering starting a late pension, then have a quick read through the rest of this short article and I’ll do my utmost to help you out. 

Find Out What You’re Worth

Before opting to pay into a pension scheme at this late hour, it’s important that you spend some time working out how much money you’re currently worth. You might find that you’re living in a fully paid for property that’s worth over £200,000, and if this applies to you, it might be more sensible to sell the house, downsize, and live off the profits. 

However, if you have no assets and determine your worth to be less than this amount, it probably is worth looking at your options for pension schemes.

Utilise Tax Relief Programs

Okay, so, you might not realise this but the UK government allows for tax relief on pension payments, meaning that if you pay into a scheme during your working life, you are taxed less on your wage. In effect, for every £1 you pay into a pension scheme, it only costs you around 70 pence.

Make Maximum Payments

As you’ll be joining your pension scheme far later than most, it’s vitally important that you opt for the largest payments possible. This will obviously depend on how much you can afford, but if you want to see substantial returns when you finally retire, it’s worth paying as much as you can now. 

Also, don’t forget that if your pension pot is large enough, you could still buy an annuity when you reach retirement age that would provide you with a stable income until the day you die. However, this annuity won’t be large enough to cover day-to-day living expenses if you don’t start saving fast.

Always Seek Impartial Advice

When looking for a suitable pension scheme you won’t really have a lot of time for calling round hundreds of different providers, so make sure you seek out advice from an impartial body who have your best interests in mind. Don’t simply trust the word of the pension provider, as they will nearly always claim they offer the best deal - and they can’t all be right, can they?

My grandmother was in the same boat as you last year, and she chose to get in touch with the annuity specialist, as they offered fantastic advice as well as pointing her in the right direction to find a good provider. 

I hope that helped somewhat and you now feel more confident about making the leap and sorting your pension out before it’s too late. So the answer the question proposed in the title of this article “No, it’s never too late”.

5 High-Paying Jobs After Retirement

retirement (Photo credit: 401(K) 2013)

When going through the burdensome days of employment during the peak of your working career, sometimes, there is a possibility that you may relish the idea of retirement. To put it simply, retiring may bring an unfathomable joy considering the fact that you will not have to stick to any kind of deadlines or wake up in the early mornings to rush to your workplace. 

Besides, the idea of retirement conjures up images of an idyllic life playing golf and spending all your savings on premium vacations and just lazing through the entire day. While this may sound like music to your ears now, you are sure to feel the emptiness that will be created due to the absence of a work pattern. 

The idea of not being able to do anything and just sit idle, counting hours away may not exactly seem ideal and therefore, you can consider doing some good high-paying jobs to kill time and most importantly to enjoy yourself. You could opt for jobs with a criminal justice degree or something more relaxed, the choice is yours. Given below are some high-paying jobs that you can consider taking up after retirement.

1.) You can consider being a consultant:

This holds true especially if you have done jobs with a criminal justice degree or other such highly specialised and intensive studies in your formative years. it gives you an upper hand over the other consulting firms for the simple fact that you have spent a large chunk of your life working in that particular field and therefore, you can most certainly provide superior quality services that will benefit not only your clients but yourself as well.

2.) Opt for running a retail business:

There is nothing like being your own boss and taking control of the situation by running your own retail business. If you are good at DIY products and are confident of the quality, you must most certainly consider making and selling them. This does not call for you to get into the technicalities of buying your own shop and investing a large sum of money in the same. You can open your shop virtually without really paying a penny and you can sell your products on such platforms.

3.) Opt for freelancing:

If you are good at photography or writing you could consider looking for clients who may be interested in your work and start offering your services. Besides, if digital media is your strong point, web designing for instance, you could most certainly post ads on the plethora of job seeking websites to reach out to your prospective clients. It is an excellent way to do what you enjoy and earn a good chunk of money from the same.

4.) Be on the lookout for part time jobs that do not require much effort on your part:

Rigorous work may wear you down and therefore, it is important that you constantly look out for jobs that follow a stress free pattern and does not call for you to exert too much mental stress. You could consider working at a call centre or start a tutoring business. Although not high paying, it can be fulfilling.

5.) Temporary jobs are excellent for a fresh change:

Temporary jobs are the perfect way to enjoy your work in a more flexible manner as you get to do varied jobs on a temporary basis and therefore, you can find time for both earning money and enjoying doing activities that you love. Your job position can change quite frequently giving you the opportunity to learn something new every single day.

Want To Grow In Your Career? 5 Ideas That Will Get You Noticed

Even if you believe you're completely secure at your current job level, know that job promotions and salary increases don't grown on trees. If you want to grow in your career, here are five ideas that will get you noticed and on the road to a higher job title and the higher income that goes with it.

Go Beyond your Current Job Performance

Make sure you know exactly what your particular career description entails in all of its duties and functions. Compare it to what you have been accomplishing on a daily, weekly and quarterly basis. If sales figures or quotas are involved in your job, take that into account as well. Now make an effort to perform those tasks at 110% of your abilities at all times. Management and higher ups will be sure to notice your dedication.

Knowledge is King

Impressing upper management with your increased knowledge and education in your field, can make you a highly sought after team member. Advanced college degrees and certificates in most fields can now be granted by taking courses over the internet. An excellent form of web learning is the system at atrixware.com. Here you will find software tools for excellent e-learning design, delivery and development strategies. Online courses can be customized to meet your needs for best results and understanding.

Take on Additional Duties and Responsibilities

Be proactive in your approach to job requirements and leadership roles. Ask for an additional assignment or chair a committee or meeting without being asked. Volunteer to organize a holiday party, social event or community project.

Learn to Delegate Judiciously

While maintaining a heavier workload for yourself, be sure to learn the fine art of delegating items to fellow employees when necessary. Make sure you are fully bound to the project material so that other workers asked to help carry the burden do not feel exploited or taken advantage of.

Cordiality is the Key

A congenial and cordial tone is crucial to being liked and respected by fellow employees within your office or corporate environment. Show deference to those in management above your ranking, while showing respect to employees below your title or company stature.

An increasingly competitive job market could mean that a fork in the road or a wrong turn on the corporate highway can lead the most experienced employee astray. Especially at a time of corporate downsizing, each individual must make an effort to stand out amongst his or her company comrades.

Brionna Kennedy is native to the Pacific Northwest, growing up in Washington, then moving down to Oregon for college. She enjoys writing on fashion and business, but any subject will do, she loves to learn about new topics. When she isn't writing, she lives for the outdoors. Oregon has been the perfect setting to indulge her love of kayaking, rock climbing, and hiking.

Five More Reasons Not to Look for a Job

Looking for a job has been unproductive for you and for good reason. I have written on this issue a number of times on my own blog and here are yet more reasons why looking for a job is an activity left over from the last century and won’t be productive this year, next year or in 10 years. 

1. You are one of 300 resumes for one open position. The odds are way against you so why waste your time. You are likely someone that also buys lottery tickets figuring that someone has got to win. Good luck to you. 
2. A robot will likely replace your job or has already done so. If you don’t watch Sixty Minutes, you should. A recent episode explains how so many jobs have already been replaced by robots and way more to come. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18560_162-57601121/are-robotshurting-job-growth. People who are unskilled are now also unneeded. Sorry, but if you could not figure out why you had to learn geometry on ninth grade (it was to learn how to think) and now you have no skills and no ability to think and need a job where someone shows you what to do, you are out of luck. 
3. Looking for a job is backwards. You are trying to find someone who needs a worker and then you will fit yourself to the position. That is backwards. The way to make money is to figure out what people value, what they will happily pay for and then learn how to provide it. That is called making yourself of value. Note that learning something does not necessarily mean going to school. Some of the most successful people are self-taught. 
4. You place yourself in a continuous position of dependence. If the job disappears or the company goes out of business, you are back in the same place. Don’t look for a job—figure out how to earn income that is independent of some company or someone giving you anything. Make yourself valuable so that people want what you offer. I pay the woman who cleans my house $160 for 5 hours of work. She has worked for us for 30 years and I hate to think she might ever retire. She has no education, speaks only some English but is valuable. 
5. Looking for a job is just laziness. Up until the year 1900 or so, there were no jobs. People farmed their land, learned a trade or took up a profession. These people sold their talents and skills to other people in town. Looking for a job is finding someone who has already done the hard work or creating excess work so that you can simply show up and get paid. The good times are over. There is no excess work. 

A few months ago, I saw an interview on CNBC with Jack Welch, the ex-chairman of General Electric. He said that one of GEs business was hurt so badly in the recession, that its revenues would not recover until 2014. However, that division would achieve its pre-recession revenues with 14,000 people instead of the 23,000 employed pre-recession. The point—if you are just "labor," this economy has little need for that. What the economy needs is skills, talent, ability to innovate, motivate, create and move an idea from inception to fruition.

Fast food workers can strike all they want but the reality is, none of the above is required to work in fast food service. Reality is just that, like it or not, fair or not. You can piss and moan or use this post as a description of the new reality.

Larry Klein is publisher of the Wealthy Producer Blog, is among the 1% and has not has not had a job in 33 years.

Look for a Job With Future Growth: 5 Industries That Have the Brightest Future

Finding a job that has a positive future outlook can ensure a much longer-lasting career choice. When you are seeking a position with future growth, there are a few industries available to choose from based on your own skills, interests and the type of work you prefer. Finding a job that has the potential for future growth and expansion will ultimately provide you with more career paths and options that can allow you excel financially even more.

Customer Service and Sales

Working in customer service and sales is possible if you are seeking a long-term career as long as there is a marketplace of any kind. When you work in sales and in customer service you can find positions that give you the option of working from home as well as by working locally for a corporation. Seeking out UK sales vacancies that allow you to work out of your home or locally can be done by using job listings near you as well as by searching online.


Once you are online you can begin to search for and compare sales options that are appealing to you. Browsing online using salesvacancies.com is a great way to compare online sales jobs and jobs that fall within the customer service industry.

Freelancer

Working as a freelancer allows you to run your very own home business, launch a website online or even provide services to individuals and business owners themselves who need help with their own endeavors. When you work as a freelancer you can do so on the road or out of your own home, giving you the ability to set your own hours and daily work schedule.

Computer Programming and Engineering

Computer programming and engineering jobs are steadily on the rise, especially with the advent of smart phones and downloadable applications.

Design

If you have a creative side to you and you are seeking a multitude of creative jobs, getting involved in the field of design is highly recommended. Design careers include illustrators, graphic designers, animators and even interior designers depending on your own specialty and the type of work you are seeking out.

Business and Marketing

Working in business and marketing is a viable option if you are seeking a career with the opportunity to excel and to climb a traditional corporate ladder. Business and marketing careers will continue to grow as long as the economy is steady and customers or clients are still interested in purchasing relevant merchandise and services.

Four Reasons Why Businesses Should Insure their Employees

Offering health benefits to employees should not be considered controversial. Yet, there will be quite a bit of deliberation on the part of many small business owners regarding whether or not they should offer insurance coverage to their employees. Often, the deliberations will revolve around whether or not the the business can afford benefits or if the procuring a policy will be cost-effective.
Once a small business owners looks at the benefits of having a company insurance plan, a decision to offer health coverage to employees will likely be made. The following are four reasons why this is so.

Health Coverage Helps Retain Good Employees

Good help is worth paying for because it is not always easy to find or retain good help. If a water boiler repair company has a top technician under its employ, it really does not want to lose him. To keep such skilled talent in the fold, offering health insurance would be one such way to do so.

Those Working for the Company Maintain Good Health

On the surface, making sure the health of an employee is maintained may seem outside the responsibility of the employer. Actually, the health of an employee can contribute to the fiscal health of a small business. A service company cannot send out its top technician on a job if he is ill. Health benefits ensure the worker is able to take better care of him/herself. As a result, less sick days are required and the worker will perform at the highest level of effectiveness when on the job. A boiler service, for example, would certainly not want to see technicians taking too much time off. Without workers available to handle repair requests, clients might go elsewhere.

There are Tax Breaks Available to Employers that Offer Health Benefits

The tax code might be complicated in certain areas, but it is rather straight forward when it comes to the deductions a small business can take when it offers health coverage to an employee. Quite often, the money saved on state and federal income taxes thanks to this deduction will contribute towards the money paid for the healthcare policy. As a result, the health coverage is bought at a discount.

Employees Can Acquire Group Insurance Through Your Offer

This can prove to be very appealing to employees. If the employees see this as an asset, they may keep it in mind when weighing options to stay with your company or moving elsewhere.

Offering health insurance coverage to employees benefits the employer as well. Once a small business comes to this realization, it becomes a lot easier to make the affirmative decision to make health coverage plans available.

13 Highest Paid Jobs in the Tech Industry

In life, it’s never too late for a career change. Today, technology based careers make up a large portion of the global job sector. Here are thirteen of the highest paying tech jobs you can find, all offering salaries between 50k and 100k+ per year.

13. Video Game Designer

Most of us love spending time playing video games, but might not have any idea how the games came to be. Or maybe video game design has been your dream job since you first touched a controller.

Designers use their knowledge of programming languages and personal creativity to create vastly entertaining virtual worlds. The average video game nowadays can cost up to $60 and generates millions in revenue, so talented designers of fun, popular games often earn pretty hefty paychecks for their work. 

12. Data Modeler / Architect

If you have a good head for math, then you might find work as a data modeler. Modelers use applied mathematics to create database systems and improve the transfer of data between them.

Those seeking this kind of work must be able to visualize the numbers through graphs and charts to analyze the data. Sometimes this job title is called data architect, because these workers basically construct storage and archival systems for information. 

11. IT Auditor

Interested in detective work? Information Technology Auditors investigate computer systems and collect info about accounting and controls to make sure companies obey all laws and practices. Working alongside systems admins, auditors insure networks are running efficiently and safely.

They also are responsible for consolidating all resources within a system so they operate at the highest performance possible. It's not exactly private eye level work, but it's a great job for anyone focused and observant.

10. Database Admin

Someone has to be in charge of data entry. A database administrator (DBA) uses software to collect and organize important data, like client or financial information. They have to make sure the data is secure, accessible, and consistent between all systems, and frequently troubleshoot systems when things go wrong. 

9. Systems Analyst

You've probably resorted to calling an IT company when your computer won't work. Every IT company uses system analysts to make sure every technical problem gets solved. Analyst jobs can often be split between business and applications fields and have various responsibilities within each.

Application systems analysts are responsible for overseeing all network operations and use knowledge of computers to fix technical problems and errors. Business systems analysts decide what software and system is best for their organization and have to understand the ins and outs of those programs. 

8. Web Developer

Ever wonder who made it possible to surf the web? Thanks to web developers, people all over the world have an endless supply of sites to browse when accessing the Internet.

Developers use complex languages and scripts to create web sites and can work independently as a freelancer or even help big businesses maintain a functional presence online. They often work alongside designers to create the most aesthetically pleasing site possible.

7. Software Engineer

We've come a long way since the 80s. Technology is always evolving, so there is a great need for engineers who can help mold it. Software engineers use computer languages to create programs that help consumers stay on top of the latest advancements, trends, and needs. These engineers are responsible for extensive testing of their programs and often rely on user feedback to improve all applications. 

6. Mobile Application Developer

Smart phones are huge right now and will only become more popular and useful over time. There are plenty of jobs available for people who can develop programs and applications for mobile phones, such as time-wasting games, banking apps, or small-screen versions of major websites.

Without a mobile app developer, for example, mobile devices like the LG Optimus phone would not have the functionality that people come to expect from a smartphone. If you're interested in a challenging development field where you're developing for devices with limited resources, then this might be the field for you. 

5. Mechanical Engineer

If you're as creative as you are intelligent, you might want to research the field of mechanical engineering. Architects and contractors rely on mechanical engineers to make sure their plans are safe and logical through the use of computer programs.

Engineers also maintain technology in a public setting, like traffic light computers or ATM machines. There are even positions available in factories, on oil rigs, and in the military! Mechanical engineering is definitely a broad field.

4. Computer and Information Research Scientist

Technology is a complex thing. Computer and Information researchers solve difficult computer problems and improve current tech while looking for new ways to use existing programs. Because our world is so dependent on technology, the pay is fantastic. Only the best and brightest can snag a job like this, though -- you'll probably need a doctorate in computer sciences! 

3. Programmer

As you're probably well aware, there are all sorts of languages that only a computer can understand. Programmers have a strong understanding of computer languages like C++ and Javascript and can write software with them. They often work alongside systems analysts, software engineers, and web developers to create useful programs and video games.

2. Professional Hacker

Television and movies are full of depictions of hackers trying to get into a locked-down system. The hacking you see on a movie screen is mostly made up gibberish, but there is actually a real field of work for people who can hack their way around a computer. Believe it or not, you can take classes on ethical hacking and earn certifications in a field usually seen as criminal.

Companies and governments employ hackers who can help prevent illicit attacks on servers and use their wits to take vital information from encrypted systems. It may not be as glamorous as Hollywood usually shows it, but hacking is a great job for anyone who knows how to do it.

1. Security Admin

As head of security for systems or networks, you will oversee server activity to make sure everything is running smoothly, as well as install them and run support. These admins often manage big projects and keep the network connection running well and safely. Security admins are necessary for any major online company and require plenty of experience and a good sense of judgment when it comes to system access capabilities and privileges.

If you spend most of your time in front of a computer, why not make a career of it? With a little training and technological know-how, anyone can find a cool, high-paying job working with computer programs and systems. It’s never too late to learn something new!

How to Ask for and Get a Raise

Everyone knows that part of getting the most out of your money is to control your expenses. By managing the money that is leaving your household you can be certain that you are buying the things your family needs before you spend money on things your family simply wants. What people often forget to focus on, though, is the income side of the family finance equation. Reaching your full earning potential is just as important as controlling your expenses. 

So how do you reach your full earning potential? The first step is to confirm that you are currently receiving fair payment for the work you perform. During the tough economic situation of the past few years, many people have not received a raise for some time. Perhaps you felt lucky to have a job at all.

If it has been awhile since you reviewed your salary, it may be time to approach your boss about a raise. Before you knock on his door, though, take a look at the following tips to ensure that your request is granted. 

• Know what you're worth. Take advantage of the internet’s resources to determine what your peers are earning in your city or region. Being able to show your boss concrete proof that you're being underpaid makes it much easier to ask for more money. 
• List situations where you have gone above and beyond what was expected of you. Have you taken on new duties since your last raise? Be sure to detail those new responsibilities during your conversation with your boss. Did you come to the rescue during a crunch time at work? Make sure you point that out, too. 
• Give examples of ways that you help the company be more successful. Perhaps you have brought in several new clients to your company. Or maybe you've developed a new filing system that saves time. Be prepared to regale your boss with tales of your achievements since your last raise. If you're afraid that you'll forget them when you're actually in the boss’ office, write down a few notes to keep you on topic. 
• Avoid citing the length of time since your last raise. It can be very tempting to request a raise simply because you haven’t received one in a great deal of time. Don’t give in to the temptation. You don’t want your employer to think that you expect a raise just because you work for him. You’re much more likely to be successful if you stick to showing him objective ways you contribute to the company. 
• Don’t give ultimatums unless you’re prepared to follow through with them. Many people think that the easiest way to get a raise is to mention that you’re prepared to look for another job if you don’t get a raise. Or, even worse, to threaten that you already have a new job offer. Unless you really are ready to look for a new job or have that job offer, don’t issue ultimatums. Your boss just might end up wishing you good luck on your new endeavors and leave you with no income at all. 

Guide for Freelancers: Working with Difficult People while Avoiding Problematic Scenarios

Facing daily challenges is not as difficult as dealing with people with problems. This article will help in explaining how to deal with difficult clients and how to handle their questions and reactions. 

Difficulty in Dealing:

Following are explained some reasons of why the freelancers perceive some clients as difficult:

• Communication Style Differences. Communication is the medium through which the complexity of any client can be predicted. Some people feel more comfortable in any type of communication medium. Some uses email, phone calls, chat or face to face meeting. The difficult people find a way in any type of medium to irritate the employer. 
• Knowledge Based Differences. Not everyone can understand everything and not everyone knows everything. Freelancers have to guide the client with proper knowledge and make him understand things he does not perceive correctly. Sometimes the client offers low price for large amount of work, for this freelancer have to elaborate the price scheme so that he understands the amount of efforts required. 
• Life Experiences’ Differences. It’s virtually impossible for a person to acknowledge what the other person has in mind and what he/she is going through unless he/she share. It’s an important note to memorize that mostly people have diverse behaviors in the stressed situations. 

Salvage Relationships:

The first choice for a freelancer should be to salvage the relationship if the client is difficult. If the reasons have been identified of client being difficult, proper steps should be taken in dealing and correcting the relationship. It can either be adjusting the way freelancers operate or by swallowing their pride. Below are various specific steps which could be taken for resolving the specific problems:

• Communication Style Differences. Communication is the medium through which the complexity of any client can be predicted. 
• Knowledge Based Differences. Not everyone can understand everything and not everyone knows everything. Freelancers have to guide the client with proper knowledge and make him understand things he does not perceive correctly. 
• Life Experiences’ Differences. It’s virtually impossible to acknowledge what other people are going through unless they speak of their problems. It’s an important note to remember that most of the people have diverse behavior in stressed out situations. 

Time of Ignoring People with Problems:

Salvaging the relationship with a difficult person is generally considered as best option. There might come some times when it’s best to ignore difficult person. Usually it’s preferable to ignore difficult people to avoid any irritation in work. For instance, if the client is asking for status reports on daily basis, it must be annoying but providing them with the reports. 

Last Resort:

Last resort for a freelancer is to cut off the difficult person from the work entirely. One should go for such act after much thinking because one it is done, it can’t be undone. Ending the relationship should be made if there is not step or chance of reconciliation left.

Author Bio:

Austin Richard is an IT professional from prepnerds. Are you really looking for Prepnerds.com Assistance? Take the benefit of Apple Certification Exams and pass your exam easily.

  

Financial Compensation for Teachers at Workplace Violence

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Teaching is seen as a noble profession. To nurture young minds, to impart knowledge, to watch boys and girls grow up into men and women is almost altruism personified. A teacher is the guide who leads the student through practice, to knowledge and finally to wisdom and sets of skills that will aid his life’s work. No job is without risks however and the recent phase of gun violence in school has teacher worried about their safety. If you are attacked and you are injured in your school you can claim compensation from the school authorities under the employment regulations. The school will be held responsible for the harm done to you in its premises. 

As per http://www.jigsawlaw.co.uk, you should concentrate following these issues that you can press your claim on:

Threats and Therapy

Students can be blossoming flowers, or they can be baby snakes on their way to be king cobras. A child is no longer an innocent, thanks to television and Internet. Many students especially in state schools are prone to violence, more so where the schools are in beat up and damaged sections of the city where crime prevails. Thee students are not afraid to threaten their teacher and to carry out that threat violently at the first opportunity. If you need therapy for such a threat and harrowing experience you can sue the school for compensation.

Injury

If a student physically injures you, for example by cutting you with a knife or shooting you in the leg or hitting you with a toe or bash you with a car while you are within the school premises you can sue for compensation because the school authorities are responsible for the behavior of the students. A suit may also be brought against the student for juvenile delinquency in which case the compensation will be paid by the parents.

Pay Back

The danger to the teacher is not limited to the action of the students. Some overzealous parents are constantly concerned about the welfare of their children, so much so that they do not hesitate to threaten the teacher with dire consequences if their child doesn’t attain good grades or performs like a champion in the sport field. In these cases an injury claim may be brought against the parent and the teacher will receive suitable compensation for mental and physical agony suffered including punitive damages to deter the aggressive behaviour of the parents.

Third Person

The school must guarantee safety and security to its employers. If a third person unrelated to students causes violence and injury to you while you are in the school the school board will have to compensate you for your loss, including charges for your medical treatment and therapy.

Conclusion

A school is like any other organization. If you are injured I the workplace the employer is liable to pay compensation and punitive damages if negligence is found on his part. Therefore though teaching may seem hazardous, it has safeguards to prevent abuse and misuse of the brave men and women who strive endlessly to build a better future of the country.

Second Careers Are Becoming A Trend For Boomers

Court Reporter tests his Stenomask (Photo credit: Wikipedia)Ask a Baby Boomer if age 65 is a finish line or a starting line and you will get an education about life. There are many things people can't understand about being self-reliant until you actually walk in their shoes. But earning a living and contributing to the community is important to boomers. Also because of the faulty retirement system and economic problems, boomers are also stepping up to fill in the financial gaps in their lives.

One such second career that is popular is a court reporter. Many people looking to have a second career and wanting to be in a stimulating, active work environment are choosing the court reporter career.

Of the 21,000 court reporters, over half work at federal, state or local government jobs, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Projection data by the the U.S. Department of Labor states that by 2018 job growth will rise by 18 percent.

The median salary of court reporters is $57,200 and if you can type 200+ words a minute the average pay can be $105,000, according to Payscale.com. Beyond getting your certification, many factors are necessary for a court reporter to succeed in their job. Having good listening skills, knowledge of grammar, writing speed, and vocabulary skills are necessary.

Opportunities are available and educational costs are reasonable for a court reporter career. You can have a flexible schedule instead of the traditional 9 - 5 job. Having more freedom for yourself and still earning good money is what makes a second career great.

10 Job Fair Tips That Will Help You Get Noticed By Employers

Job Fairs have become a staple in today's job hiring environment. Employers want to meet a lot of possible employees quickly and in this time frame they have to access your skills and capabilities. You have to be able to show every thing you have in this short period of time because you want to turn this job fair into a job interview. 

In many ways a job fair is like a speed dating for jobs. You only have a small amount of time, so being prepared is the top priority. This list of tips came directly from interviews from job recruiters at job fairs. These tips are just what they want to see in a possible employees.

Remember, their job is to recruit employees. They go to many job fairs all over the country and see hundreds of job recruits. They are able to size you up fairly quickly. They know what the company needs and they are good at their jobs.

10 Job Fair Tips from Actual Job Recruiters:

1. Be a clear communicator with great passion, lots of energy and great enthusiasm.

2. When coming to a job fair come with a specific plan. Know who you want to talk to, know about the companies you want to talk with and ask intelligent questions.

3. Spend your time wisely and know that you can't possibly talk with everybody there. Focus in on the companies that you are really interested in.

4. Know before hand which companies you want to talk to by doing research on them before you arrive. Go online, looking at companies' websites, looking at jobs that are posted on their websites. Do you really know what the company does and what are the functions of the people working there. Use your knowledge learned so you can ask the recruiter intelligent questions about the company.

5. Determine if you are just looking for a job or along term career path. Knowing your own goals well, will help you be more focused and it will show when you talk to recruiters.

6. Don't oversell your resume. If you don't know something say you don't know. Use your previous skills and what you do know to build on your resume. Overall be honest.

7. Keep an open mind about the type of job you want. While at the fair you may come across a job you may of never thought would be right for you.

8. Be confident. Approach those employers with confidence and it will sell you. Sell yourself with confidence.

9. Focus and make eye contact. Speak clearly and be professional. You only have a few minutes to show what you have.

10. Be yourself. Be relaxed, show your passions, extracurricular activities, or things that really drive you. You can't fake that. Being passionate will show your not fake and it will leave a lasting impression.

Lastly, make sure you show lots of energy in your manner. Companies are not looking for worn out, tired people. Showing you strengths will move you to the top of the recruiters list.

The Top Eight Reasons to Get a Seasonal Job

Image via WikipediaThe holiday season will be arriving soon and with money in short supply it's just what the doctor ordered. You may of been out of work for a while, this is a good time to get your foot in the door and maybe turn it into a permanent job. Sure it's only September but companies are now hiring for the up coming season. Don't be shut out, start looking today. 

You may already have a job, but having a seasonal job has many benefits. 

Here are eight reasons why a seasonal job might be a good idea.

1. Make money for the holidays. Whether you already have a full-time job and you want to work part-time to supplement your income, or you just need extra money for gifts, you’ll definitely have more green in your wallet after your first paycheck of the season.
2. Flexible scheduling. Are you a student on winter break? A parent who has to watch your kids now that school is out? Holiday jobs offer a variety of scheduling options, and because stores and restaurants are open later, there’s bound to be a shift that fits your needs.
3. Get a great discount. Don’t want to wait until Christmas Day to wear that sweater you've had your eye on all season? Many companies offer their workers employee discounts on merchandise, even if they’re only on the staff for the holidays. So you can get gifts for everyone on your list—including yourself—at cheaper prices.
4. Learn a lot in a few weeks. Though holiday jobs can start anytime in October, November or December, most are over sometime in January, making seasonal employment a great way to test the skills you already have, as well as pick up some new ones to use in your next job search.
5. Find your next job. A seasonal job is a great opportunity to get your foot in the door and make a good impression, which can turn into part-time or full-time work after the holidays. Some employers ask superstar seasonal workers to remain on the staff once the holidays are over, so if you do your best, you could have a spring and summer job as well.
6. Test drive a new job. A part-time job during the holidays allows you to try out a job you're interested in to decide whether or not it's really right for you. Whether you end up loving or hating it, your pockets will be fuller either way.
7. Make new friends. Most businesses are fully staffed during the busy winter months, so you'll have plenty of opportunities to meet new people and bond with coworkers. Suggest a company Secret Santa drawing and you could even get yourself an extra gift.
8. Get a reference for your next job search. When the hustle and bustle of the holidays is over, ask your boss if he or she would be a reference for you when it comes time to search for summer jobs.