by guestcontributor on January 23, 2012
Moving to start a new life in a different area can be scary enough, but if you don’t already have a job lined up, you may be beginning to reconsider. People move for hundreds of different reasons, and it’s highly possible that you don’t have any other options. A new life in a strange place can be intimidating, but don’t fret. However, that doesn’t mean you should ignore the challenges: you may not know very many (or any) people, you are unfamiliar with the area, or you feel that you need to be physically present to do the searching yourself before you actually move. You will overcome all these hurdles in time. Meanwhile, here are a few strategies to help with the job search:
Research. Before you move, do some simple online research in advance. This may include subscribing to nightly emails from Monster.com that will tell you available positions in a specific area, or simply compiling a list of businesses or companies that you think you might be qualified to work for. You may even want to check Craigslist.com to see what temporary positions are available.
Network. With the advent of prodigious social media like Facebook and Twitter, the odds are good that someone you know knows someone else in your new area. Ask around: accumulate as many contacts as you can, then email those people and see if you can meet with them in person once you get settled. These new connections are your best bet to help you out in a pinch.
Manage your money. Try to save as much money as you can before you move. If you’re feeling particularly optimistic, plan to live for three months off your savings, though six months is more realistic. Cut corners wherever you can, and remember to include moving expenses, which can be highly cost prohibitive. You may want to research used flatbed trailers for sale to help when you actually move, which may be less expensive than renting a Uhaul, and you can always sell it when your move is complete.
In the meantime. Before you actually find your dream job, you will probably have to accept whatever positions you can, whether that’s working part-time slinging lattes, bartending, housesitting, dog walking, etc. As you settle into your new life, more opportunities will crop up, and who knows? Maybe you’ll meet someone on the hunt for a new employee who is completely wowed by your coffee making skills.
Arrivederci! Remember, this might not be forever, and it might not work out. It never hurts to have an exit strategy, some plan for the future in case your current situation becomes unendurable. Continue to save money when you can, and if you don’t find the right job – or you can’t afford to pay your rent – you need to have a plan you can fall back on just in case. Hopefully that doesn’t mean moving back in with mom and dad. Continue to make contacts and friends who can help you out when you need it, and you may be in for a brighter future.
by guestcontributor on January 17, 2012
Difficult times require difficult measures. Since the economy continues to challenge the country, many people fight its effects by returning to schools. But is that the right path for you to take? If you have a bachelor’s degree, you might be considering the possibility of applying for entrance to a graduate program where you would work toward earning your Masters of Business Administration. Consider these approaches to your potential new career as you ponder the worthwhileness of an MBA and if they sound like they might be a good fit for you.
Business administration. The core curriculum of any business program, these courses require you to study accounting, communications, marketing, and human resources, among other subjects. You will also be required to work in groups as well as on your own as you practice giving presentations and researching case studies. This path would lead you eventually to becoming a general manager, with a potential six digit salary.
Management. This course of study focuses specifically on increasing your managerial skills while helping you focus on the particular aspect of the business world you are interested in joining. You will learn how to improve your leadership skills while working toward team building by honing your communication and problem solving abilities.
Human Resources. You can outdo the undergraduate HR degree, which is usually a gateway to entry-level positions, by learning to understand more complex ideas such as union and labor laws. You may be asked to learn about negotiating contracts or mediation. Once you achieve your degree, as the HR person in a business or corporation you would find that, once again, on average the Human Resources Manager makes over $100,000 annually.
Marketing. A degree that focuses on this aspect of the business world requires that you understand how the nitty gritty of selling products, services, or the very idea of the business itself. Following this course of study requires that you learn about public relations as well as advertising and helps you hone your communication skills, which must be stronger than the average person to help you succeed in this field.
Accounting. This specific field requires that you are good with numbers and that you have the potential to understand how the financial system of the company you represent affects its operation and business decisions.
Earning an MBA will help you advance in your original field of study or any other you decide to enter, especially if you are bored with your current job or feel that it isn’t an appropriate fit. An MBA helps you be upwardly mobile as well at the same time it grants you the ability to change careers by offering you credibility. Ultimately, this degree will help you earn more money in the beginning as well as helping you cement your place in the world.
Once you’ve decided that you really want to earn your MBA, you can consider applying to one of the top online business degree programs where you will join others with your go-getter mindset in earning top business degrees.
Moving to start a new life in a different area can be scary enough, but if you don’t already have a job lined up, you may be beginning to reconsider. People move for hundreds of different reasons, and it’s highly possible that you don’t have any other options. A new life in a strange place can be intimidating, but don’t fret. However, that doesn’t mean you should ignore the challenges: you may not know very many (or any) people, you are unfamiliar with the area, or you feel that you need to be physically present to do the searching yourself before you actually move. You will overcome all these hurdles in time. Meanwhile, here are a few strategies to help with the job search: