Monday, October 18, 2010

Switching Careers

Surprisingly, if you've been considering a career move, you're not alone. In fact, many people are unsatisfied with their jobs and want to make a change, but it can be scary if you don't know where to start.

For some, it may be necessary to return to school. For others, you might be able to achieve a career transition through other means. In both cases, to make the shift as smooth as possible, it will be necessary to plan ahead before deciding whether or not it's worthwhile to take the plunge.

Every well-planned change of careers begins with self-assessment. Evaluate your likes and dislikes, your goals, values, interests, and skills. You may be able to enter a new field using the same knowledge base you already possess. For instance, a computer programmer might hate working for an oil company, but he/she can quite easily find a computer programming job in another industry.

But even if you need to make a complete change, the process doesn't have to be overwhelming. Once you've identified your core values and goals, you might have to go back to school to upgrade or add to your knowledge base. For people looking to enter an entirely new field of work, education is a must. Your new goals may require a Master's degree, for example. In this case, night classes at your local college or university are a good option, especially if you plan on continuing your day job in order to pay the bills. Take the time you need to complete the degree so the transition doesn't have to be overly stressful or painful. Many people who go back to school mid-career often take the time needed to obtain their degree - not rushing may actually save you time in the end.

Going back to school is necessary if you need to learn entirely new skills and earn a degree or certificate that offers you credibility in the field, but for many people, attending school really is too expensive and time-consuming. Luckily, alternatives exist that make it easier to attend school and keep working. You might try an online school because of the flexibility offered by such institutions. Online learning can also be more affordable because of the low overhead costs associated with learning through your own computer. Or consider earning a technical certificate or undergoing other short-term training in lieu of more expensive choices.

Once you've updated your education, the next step is to find a job and get a foot in the door of your new career. If you still work in your old position, you might be able to make a change internally, with the same company. A good way to do this is by taking advantage of tasks that no one else wants to do and volunteering to take on the extra workload. A larger workload can be difficult at first, but it does pay off. After identifying opportunities, network with hiring managers and before you know it, you could be promoted to a new position.

If you're pursuing opportunities outside of your current employment situation, be proactive. Network with people in the industry, and do everything you can to gain work experience in an area related to your chosen career.

Changing careers may seem like a daunting task, but if you seek positive change in your work life, you won't regret the effort required to make the transition.

Changing Careers Made Easy

Are you finally ready to move on with your life? While it may sometimes feel like you are the only one in the world trying to change your plans, the average jobseeker actually changes careers seven times during his or her lifetime. That’s good news because at least you know that other people have successfully made career changes.

So what are the options for successfully making the transition?

Option 1: This option is to stay at your current job while you carry out volunteer work to gain the appropriate work experience. You may have to do such work on weekends, during the evenings or from home by special arrangement. Most small businesses do welcome those who can do volunteer work.

Option 2: Another option is to move to the new company and field and continue doing your normal job role. In doing so, you can carry out work that you feel comfortable with while taking stock of the new environment. This will give you valuable exposure to the new job so that you can informally initiate and be proactive at assisting and helping out in any capacity within that job role.

Option 3: In some professions, it is impossible to successfully make the transition without first re-training. This often involves acquiring professional qualifications. Never dive into the first training option that comes your way but rather do thorough research to ensure that you end up selecting the very best option available to you.

Option 4: According to our research, many career changers have decided to forgo working only one job in favor of taking on multiple jobs. You may want to consider whether you want to be part of this growing trend and increase both the pay and flexibility of your lifestyle.

Working Through Your Options: Selecting an appropriate option or options boils down to what kind of career change you are after and the level of flexibility provided by that industry. It is critical, therefore, to research and weigh what option will best serve your purpose by realistically evaluating your personal, social and financial commitments. You may discover in the process that, for instance, the fastest option is not the best suited to you due to certain obligations; you may need to pace or stagger the transition. Be realistic and set sensible goals that will not frustrate your career change efforts.

The bottom line is this: no matter what your circumstances and commitments, you can achieve your career change goal. Just be patient: it may take a little bit longer than you may have anticipated. To keep things moving as efficiently as they can, start acquiring the skills you need to begin working on your career change today. To test how good your current job market skills are, start by taking this FREE Job Market Performance Assessment.

changing careers

Sometime in your life, you might decide that your current career is leading nowhere, or you might just be tired of doing the same old thing and feel that something better is waiting to be explored. Whatever your reasons for making a change in your career, it is important to take things into consideration.

1. Pay Increase or Pay Cut: Will your career change lead to a pay increase or a pay cut? It is important to consider this option in order to plan for your budget. If you have debts or any recurring payments such as a mortgage, car payments, cell phone bills, etc., you would need to know that you would still be able to afford these luxuries.

2. Location: Will you have to move in order to make the career change? This is another question that you have to take into consideration. Some people can move within their companies to do different things, others might have to physically move to a new company to make the change. Due to an increase in gas prices, being located near your principal place of business is important. If you are close to your job, you can easily save on gas.

3. Finding the right career: Have you done your research as to what career your want to change to? Do you know what will make you happy? Finding the right career is important to being happy and staying at a particular company. It is important to find a job that you will enjoy; otherwise you will just end up switching companies or switching careers all over again. When asked the question "What's more important, the job or the money?" how would you answer?

4. Skills: What skills do you have that can be useful to your new career? Most soft skills such as communication and interpersonal skills will always be useful to a company. Any managerial skills and technical skills will definitely help out as well. Being in the 21st century, technical skills can definitely be useful in almost every type of career you may decide to switch to.

5. Education, Training, and Certifications: Will your new career lead to more education and training? How much time and money will it take to get to where you want to be? Like most jobs, you learn by doing. But with other jobs, you may need to get more education, training, and certifications in order to get you to where you want to be. With some careers, you may be able to easily pick up on the daily activities, other careers you may need to get some professional training and/or certifications in order to get considered for the position. Whatever the case may be, be sure to research what is in demand for that particular career.

6. Using your contacts / Networking: The best possible way to find your new career is to utilize your contacts. The people that you know may be the very people that can put in a good word for you or to give you advice as to what you should do or what industry you should get into. Other ways to broaden your network is to join different organizations or associations. If possible and available, go through your alumni association.

These are some helpful tips for you to consider before switching careers. Always remember that the choices that you make can either break or make you. Be bold and take risks. If you are unhappy with where you're at, do something about. Otherwise you may end up asking yourself "what if...?" This way you'll know that at least you tried.

Work At Home With No Experience

I see this question asked pretty frequently, and today I'd like to offer some tips about how to get started working at home when you have no experience.

- Consider the experience you do have, whether it's work or life related. Chances are you know how to do SOMETHING, even if you haven't done it in a job capacity. See if you can find jobs that would use the knowledge you have, or at least touch on them in some way.

- Aim for "easier" jobs to begin with, like outbound telemarketing. Most of the ads I see for those jobs don't require experience, they will teach you everything you need to know. Granted, these are usually commission-based jobs, but sometimes they do offer a small salary too. If anything, you could work this job for a few months to get experience, and then apply for other jobs later.

- Start your own business. Some people do incredibly well by finding a home business that matches their interests and life experience. While you may be tempted to search for a regular "job," know that that is not your only option! Give some thought to your strongest interests and passions in life. Then start looking for a home business that reflects them. There are hundreds (even thousands) of direct sales companies with great products out there. You just have to find the one that works for you.

- Educate yourself. Sign up for some adult education classes to expand your education. Take courses on Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint. Learn about accounting software. Do a search online for "free tutorials," and see what comes up. You can also include the type of tutorial in your search, like "free Paint Shop Pro tutorials," if you need to learn a certain program. Whatever field you want to be in, seek out affordable classes to learn about it. Then, even if you don't have experience, an employer might be willing to train you because you have the basic knowledge needed for the job.

Just don't give up, and don't let your lack of experience stop you! Everyone has to start somewhere.

Get Paid To Test Video Games

Among the flurry of get rich quick schemes and offers on the internet, you might find one telling you that you can "get paid to be a video game tester." Although a first you might reject this offer, wondering how in the world it is possible to get paid for sitting around all day in playing video games. In the end, you probably end up close in web page in a second of unbelief.

I don't blame you for not believe in that you can get paid to play video games. After all, the vast majority of these supposedly "easy money" offers are scams. But this one isn't. Companies really do need you to play video games for them - and for good reasons too!

First of all, companies want to know that their game is exciting and fun to play. Video game companies know that a boring game will never sell well. They need some people that have played a few of before to analyze their game by playing it a couple times. That way, they can improve their game and avoid creating a boring game altogether by having people test it first before they release it.

Companies also want to get feedback on their new games. Being a video game tester doesn't mean only sitting around and playing games. You have to give the video game companies feedback on their new game that you have just tested. Usually, this will be in the form of a survey that you fill out after playing the game, with questions like how fun the game was, how exciting the game was, how you liked the graphics, etc.

How much do video game companies usually pay to have their games tested? It varies a lot depending on the company, the importance of the game to the company, how much time you spend on the game that you are testing, and how long the follow up survey is. Normally, however, companies usually pay between $9 and all the way up to $80 for a single game testing.

Now, who can apply to be a video game tester? The answer is anybody that is 15 years old and up. It's also good to have a little video game experience so that you will know the basics of playing before you start. You don't want to jump into the job cold.

This concludes this article. What now? You should go and learn more about video game testing so that you know how to start. There is an eBook on this that I highly recommend you check out. You can download it here: "The eBook Guide To Video Game Testing."

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Film Special Effects

Getting a break in film special effects is hard, but not as hard as you may think. The following ten things will go a long way to help you achieve your dream job.


1) Understand the Industry

If you want to work in special effects, it’s important not just to know the difference between a Stag (stagehand) and a Director, but know how special effects itself is divided up. Long gone are the days when Ray Harryhausen (Jason and the Argonauts) would lock himself in a shed with a small team of people and do all the special effects himself. Now, everything is spread across different teams and departments. So, if you’re interested in sculpting sets and large monsters, you want to work as a film sculptor; if you'd prefer smaller more technical projects you’d be better off choosing the model unit.


2) Be a Realist

Working in the creative industry and particularly the film industry is not easy. You’ll often be faced with challenging projects and demanding deadlines and there’ll be dozens of different people waiting for you to finish so they can complete their own jobs. You’ll have to strike a balance between the time allowed and quality of what you produce; you can’t get too precious about your work. Not only that, you’ve got to promote yourself – all special effects artists are freelance and you’ve got to hunt down the jobs out there.


3) Study Art

Whether you’re self-taught or went to Art College, it is vital you have a keen interest in Art to work in special effects. If someone asks you to sculpt a life-size Roman-style Statute or an Egyptian sarcophagus it’s invaluable to have a point of reference in your own mind. But more important than this, it’ll make the job more enjoyable. You may be flicking through an art book over the weekend, and on Monday morning you’re asked to recreate one of the pieces you’ve been admiring.


4) Drawing

In the film industry all technical drawings are done by draughtsmen in the Art Department. So is this just padding to reach the magic '10' steps? No. If you want to create any 3D object, particularly the human form, it is vital to learn to draw and keep practicing. Sculptors regularly liken sculpting to drawing their subjects in clay from various angles. The key to good sculpture, like drawing, is defining the lines and shadows.


5) Practice

This is obvious but it's also vitally important. If you practice creating and sculpting things in your spare time, you will improve. It is also very valuable to recreate a film working experience – so limit yourself to reference photographs (rather than a life model) and give yourself a challenging deadline for the job. A little more difficult, but just as valuable, is to try different mediums. You may be an expert in steel construction and welding, but unless you join the engineering side of special effects or metal work team, these skills are useless. The materials of choice in the films tend to be low-grade potter’s clay and polystyrene.


6) Approachable

Almost everyone in the film industry is self-employed and so they understand the only way to get work is to promote yourself. This doesn’t mean you should go around to a potential employer’s house or create wacky self-marketing campaigns; it means most people in the industry are approachable. If you cold call a relevant Head of Department (HOD) and show commitment and desire to learn they’ll often agreed to meet you for 5-10 minutes to look over your portfolio.


7) Persistence

When you do finally meet the man or woman you’re hoping to be your future boss, don’t stop there. They’ll take your details but it might be 18 months before they have a suitable project and give you a call. You need to make sure you meet as many future employers as possible, and stop and have a chat with other people in the department if you feel brave enough. Try and leave a card or better still, copies of your favourite 1 or 2 pieces of work with your contact details on (and ideally your online portfolio address if you have one). Then, give them a quick catch-up call every 6 months or so – even if they can’t offer you a job, it’s amazing how much information you’ll get about different opportunities.


8) Portfolio

Vital. In a word. The key rules to a good portfolio are simple:

>Diversity – show different types of work you may have done – you may be proud of the series of 18 statutes you’ve done, but don’t show them all. Also, you may not think that 30ft polystyrene snow drift shows you’re finesse as a sculptor, but it shows your versatility so put it in.

>Honesty – it should go without saying but it doesn’t. Only one thing gets a HOD's back-up more than seeing a large piece of work with someone claiming to have created it single-handedly, and that’s seeing a piece of their own work being claimed by someone else. Believe me, it does happen. So, be honest. If you did the left foot of a giant, then say so and don’t be ambiguous about it.

>Concise – use your opportunity wisely. 10-12 photos are definitely enough to show a range of your work and skills.

>Best Foot Forward – most people will make a decision about your work within 2-3 examples so put your best work at the very front.

>Presentation – try not to have scraps of paper tumbling out of your moth-eaten portfolio. Invest in an easy to carry A4 portfolio and use plastic binders. If you have any Photoshop skills to improve the presentation of your work then use them. Don’t feel the need to take in an example of your sculpture – you will be showing your work to professionals who are very used to assessing work through photographs.

>Information – you may have produced a full-scale replica of Michelangelo’s David, but if it took you three years it’s no good to the film industry. Make sure you note down the scale of each example of your work, what material you used and how long it took. These simple pieces of information are important for HODs and will be appreciated.

>Online Portfolio – if you can, get an online portfolio designed and make sure any contact details contain the address. Ideally, try and get the HOD’s email address so you can send them the link. Any time you update the contents of the portfolio, it’s a good excuse to contact the HOD with another link to your work.


9) Networking

Networking can feel a bit uncomfortable and embarrassing at times, but it is important to get to know what jobs are out there. After you’ve worked on a job or two you’ll get the phone numbers of a few fellow workers – make sure you give them a ring. But be warned, if you’re first to hear about the new James Bond film and then tell everyone, you’ll find yourself joining the queue to show your portfolio. This doesn’t mean you shouldn't share information you may have about up coming jobs, it means you should bear in mind that everyone is trying to get employment. It's also a good idea to keep an eye on movie news websites.


10) Watching Films

A great perk for those times when you’re not in work – you can watch films and claim it’s research. Obviously, it’s a great feeling to see your own work on the big screen, but it’s also exhilarating to see the work and names of people you know. After your first job or 2 you’ll very quickly start to feel part of the industry and start recognising names and faces. Also, for those jobs you missed out on, you can go and have a good grumble about how you would have done it better!

Working in the film industry is not for everyone; but if you’re keen and develop you’re skills and knowledge, then you’re likely to get an opportunity to show what you can do. Best of luck!

Radiology Technician Jobs

Are you interested in the field of radiology? Have you ever considered becoming a radiology technician? If you're looking for information on radiology technician jobs, you've come to the right place. Below, you'll find all the information you need to know regarding this job, including what will be required of you and what types of jobs are available. Let us help you decide if it's the right career choice for you.

Job description

What, exactly, is a radiology technician? If you've ever gotten an X-ray or an ultrasound at the doctor's office, then you've dealt with a radiology technician. Radiology techs are trained to use X-ray machines, ultrasound machines, positron emission scanners, and various other types of machines to view the inside of the human body. The information gathered from these scans is put into image form, and the tech is in charge of developing the images. The physician then uses them to help diagnose any illnesses the patient may have.

Some radiology technician jobs are highly specialized, dealing with certain types of equipment and scans. All radiology technicians are expected to deal directly with the patient; in fact, part of the job description is to prep the patient for the scan and make sure they are comfortable.

When X-rays and other potentially hazardous machines are involved, radiology technicians must set up the machines properly and ensure that the room is arranged safely. Lead screens and shields must be arranged at a certain distance from the X-ray, and the room must be properly sealed. Radiology technicians are well-trained in all of these aspects of handling X-rays and other machines.

Techs work closely with physicians and health care practitioners, who are in charge of analyzing the images produced by the X-rays or other procedures. Most general physicians will set up appointments for their patients with radiologist techs, and specify what types of procedures need to be performed. The radiology technician is in charge of getting clear and correct images as specified by the physician.

Some radiology techs, such as sonographers, work specifically with a certain type of procedure. Sonographers, for example, work with machines that produce images by sending sound waves through the body. In these cases, the tech is also trained in how to interpret the results, and they will often assist the physician in reading the results and diagnosing and treating the patient's illnesses.

Requirements of the job

Radiology technician jobs are plentiful in today's medical world, and those with the proper training shouldn't have any trouble finding a job. Techs are required to have a high school diploma or its equivalent. They must then attend and graduate from a training program that specializes in radiology. Training programs generally last from two to four years, and can be found either through schools or through hospitals and clinics.

Types of Radiology Technician jobs

Radiology technicians work under a wide range of conditions. Traveling radiology techs go around to various hospitals that do not have trained techs on staff, and stay for a few months in each location. Radiology techs may also work in clinics, laboratories, nursing homes, or in private homes. The type of job you choose to pursue is entirely up to you.

The field of radiology technician jobs is advancing quickly, and there's never been a better time to get involved. With a shortage of radiology techs in the field, finding a job is easy, and many hospitals are eager to hire and help train newly certified techs.

Learn valuable skills with true opportunity for advancement, and give yourself the chance to really make a difference with a radiology technician job.

Lucrative Data Entry Jobs

Just like any other home based business, data entry jobs can be very lucrative and profitable if the work is done with persistence, determination and motivation. Online data entry jobs have been on the rise since the year 2001 due to the huge amount of information handled every day creating a need for data entry people. If the data entry process is not resorted to by companies or corporate houses there will be loads and loads of paperwork, which is considered to be non productive. It may also lead to loss of information, data and in turn revenue in the process. When data entry of the information is done, it preserves all the necessary information of the businesses and can help in the smooth flow of business processes towards profit.

There is a great potential for data entry jobs and the chances of making data entry jobs profitable is also very high. Many companies worldwide outsource data entry jobs. Some people even earn $1000 – $3000 as an additional income. To attain this level of earning, it is good to know what is required to become a good data entry personnel and the knowledge to source profitable data entry jobs. Data entry jobs provide a win-win situation for both the data entry person and the company which is outsourcing the job. The person can work as a freelancer and earn good money while working at the leisure of the home and the company can concentrate on more strategic issues than doing data entry jobs in-house. They also save a lot of time, money and energy due to outsourcing of the data entry to people working from home.

To make data entry jobs profitable, the person who is doing the job from home can adopt the following strategy. The person has to go through the available data entry jobs which can be done from home, then can narrow down the ones which can be profitable from 1 to 3 such kind of programs. From the narrowed down choices, he can choose the one with a money back guarantee program. The reputation of the company who is giving data entry jobs is very important.

Getting organized in work is also a step towards profit making. While working from home, the work area needs to be very comfortable to work. The monitor should be fully visible and there should not be any clutter in the work place as it will distreat the person distract from the work he is doing. When a person works on the job he should be feel inviting and comfortable to make profits.

The mail box folders have to be organized in such a way that any information can be got at any time without having to search relentlessly. Since, data entry job involve managing data and information, it has to be in a very organized manner. This will show the person as well structured and organized. The company providing data entry jobs will prefer only such people and give them more and more work, in turn making the data entry job a profitable one.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Healthcare Professional

Become a Healthcare Professional

The healthcare industry will see a great amount of growth in the next ten to fifteen years when the baby boomer generation reaches retirement age and transitions in to nursing care facilities. As our population ages, we will need to have a strong system of qualified healthcare personnel to help manage all aspects of health care management. The healthcare industry will see a great amount of growth in the next ten to fifteen years when the baby boomer generation reaches retirement age and transitions in to nursing care facilities. The baby boomer generation is considered to be one of Americas largest generations ever. This is an explosive time for the health care industry. Anyone involved in health care is going to have steady work for years to come.

Health care is a large industry that encompasses many different areas of expertise. There are doctors, pharmacists, and nurses to take care of patient needs. There is also a large business and administrative side to the health care industry. This portion of the business provides the infrastructure that allows patients to receive medicine and treatments they require, as they need it. People who are looking to pursue a health care career have almost endless job options. You can be involved in direct patient care, medical billing and coding, working for insurance companies, or even practicing holistic medicine. No matter what avenue you pursue in your healthcare career, having your degree and training will ensure your marketability in the workplace.

*According to the bureau of labor statistics, health care provided 12.9 million jobs-12.5 million jobs for wage and salary workers and about 382,000 jobs for the self-employed. Of the 12.5 million wage and salary jobs, more than 40 percent were in hospitals; another 22 percent were in either nursing or residential care facilities; and almost 16 percent were in offices of physicians. About 92 percent of wage and salary jobs were in private industry; the rest were in State and local government hospitals. The majority of jobs for self-employed workers were in offices of physicians, dentists, and other health practitioners-about 265,000 out of the 382,000 total self-employed.

Summer Lifeguard

Become A Summer Lifeguard

It is getting to be that time of year when students and young people of all ages are looking for a job to do in the summer. If you are one of those young people, and if you are anything like my own children, then you want a job that will pay you a lot and that you will really enjoy. Perhaps you should consider being a lifeguard this summer.

Being a lifeguard during the summer has many advantages. But first, you have to become certified if you want to be able to legally lifeguard. Look for information in your newspaper, at your school, or online about when and where the certification classes will be offered for lifeguard training. Whether or not you realize it now, being a lifeguard is a huge responsibility, so take it seriously and get the best training you can find.

Once you are properly certified to become a lifeguard, then you can begin looking for the right job for you. One of the most obvious benefits of being a lifeguard is that you get to spend your summers mostly outside. For people who love the heat and the water, there can be no better way to pass your days. Many lifeguards you see are the most tan people around by the end of the summer.

But don't become a lifeguard just to get a tan. Think instead about how many people's lives you are working to protect. Everyone needs to know that there job is valuable, and a lifeguard should be assured that their job truly matters and that they have an important role to play. Just think about the responsibility you have to keep an eye on the beach before you and to be the first to keep people safe and to rescue them if there is a problem in the water.

Learning how to lifeguard is a great skill to have. You will never regret learning how to swim properly and learning techniques for saving people struggling in the water. So find out the details about becoming a lifeguard in your area this summer and then pursue it. See what fun you can have spending your days on the beach, meeting new people and getting the chance to protect and keep them safe. There is no better feeling, and no better job, then one you love and that matters all at the same time.

Private Investigator

Becoming a Private Investigator

Is the job of private investigator as glamorous as it initially appears or as it's portrayed in the movies? Surely it's got to beat sitting on your butt for eight hours a day in an office cubicle, waiting for the weekend to come around again.

However, if you are used to working nine till five and like to have routine in your life then perhaps you should reconsider. A few cold, caffeine-fuelled nights staking out a target on behalf of your client and maybe that office cubicle doesn't look so bad after all.

Still interested? Then you are going to need specific training at a private investigator school as the profession is no place for amateurs and many US states require investigators to be licensed.

Don’t let the word "school" frighten you off – unlike studying at high school a private investigator course will involve studying a narrow field of expertise that is going to be of some interest to you.

Attending private investigator school will enable you to pick up years of hard-won experience in a short time as you learn the techniques of private investigation. Think that all it takes is a camera and a telephoto lens to become a private investigator? Think again.

There are methods of surveillance to learn, techniques on how to follow your subject, how to disguise yourself without causing suspicion, how to use modern bugging technology, online investigation and much more. You will also need to know how to gather evidence and what evidence will stand up in court.

There's also the fine line between legal and illegal surveillance and on a private investigator course you'll learn the difference. There’s no point invading your subject's privacy to gather evidence when your client cannot later use it in court because you obtained it illegally. Your client could lose the court case due to insufficient evidence, it would certainly damage your reputation and could even lead to you being sued so these are vital lessons to learn.

On the other hand, the rewards are good. Private investigators are well paid and the job is different every day. But what private investigators really do is solve their client's problems – and they can make a difference to peoples lives.

How about re-uniting a divorced mother with her young daughter after the father has run off with the child during his day of access? Locating the birth parent for an adopted client who has always dreamed of finding his real mother? Or running a background check and discovering that the nanny employed by your client to look after their children has a violent history?

Sure, the money's good, but you can't buy that kind of job satisfaction.

Becoming a Virtual Assistant

Becoming a Virtual Assistant: Frequently Asked Questions


What is the growth prospect of Virtual Assistant profession worldwide?


The virtual assistant industry is growing by leaps and bounds. Initially there were only few Virtual assistants, but, now there are at least one million people situated globally. Virtual assistants both collectively and individually are spreading this concept and many are joining them daily. Many administrative assistants, office managers and experienced professionals have recognized Virtual assisting as an achievable and viable option for them.

Why people choose to become Virtual Assistants?

The reasons are many. Many people think that it is a lucrative option to earn extra income, while others consider it as an option to have a control over their destiny and some take up because they can spend more time with their family, while some take due to illness and health problems. The internet revolution has enabled people to work from home. Many people become virtual assistants due to their aspiration to earn more, due to their experience and knowledge and also due to the potential of the Virtual Assistant industry.

Does any one need a business license to become a virtual assistant?

It depends on where he lives. In States like Georgia, every independent contractor or Virtual assistant needs to possess a business license while other States does not require. It is better to check with the local county and state to be sure of all the legal protocols before setting up a Virtual assistant business.

Is training necessary to become a Virtual assistant?

It all depends on the person. Some would have got all the experience from the previous jobs, while some require to undergo training to gain confidence and knowledge to handle certain issues and tasks. As the virtual assistant industry is growing day by day, the competition and the business require to undergo a training to stay successful.

How can the Virtual Assistant business marketed effectively?

Virtual assistant business can either be marketed via Internet or offline. When opting the offline method, brochures, flyers, business cards, press releases, postcards, advertisements in yellow page and writing articles are very effective. Through internet, websites and online ads can be used to advertise effectively.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Make Money Online - Auto Recovery

Making money online in the comforts of your own home is a dream come true for anyone with the desire to get out of the everyday 9-5 routine.

Advantages
You can learn what real freedom is; you will have more time to take care of your family, be your own boss in your own home business, work when, and where you want, have flexible hours and no dress code. You will have the opportunity to earn income in over from all over the world. It is much less expensive to start your business online, then through the conventional ways. Your family can even help you in your online business.

Proven Success
Many business people are making a good living by having their business on the Internet. And this is just the beginning! Each day more and more people are getting away from the traditional lifestyles that working for other people provide. They are able to have more free time with less stress.

Training
There are many ways to build a highly lucrative business on the Internet. With the vast number of people who are willing to provide you with all the latest tips, ideas, and insider how-to information to create multiple income streams, you cannot lose.
Where else can you can learn in as few as 3-5 hours a week, how to earn a full-time income without interfering with your current job, profession, or career. How to use Internet technology to be in 50 places at one time or get all your advertising for free

Low Cost Way to Earn Income Online.
Because of the Internet, your business expenses are minimal. You have easier access to customers that traditional business does not offer. Instant communication -- All free! Remember that you have access to people all over the world with an online business.

Turning Dreams into Reality.
Anyone, regardless of financial situation, education, what country you are from, or background has the opportunity to reap the rewards of success with Internet business opportunities. This is because your income can come from the productivity of people in dozens of countries. You can live in a very small country without a lot of economical growth and make the kind of money that people in the richest countries are making.

Global Income means a Secure Income.
The economy of one nation can affect the financial situation of all other countries; this is because we are becoming a global nation. Your income is steadier by coming from different nations.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Becoming a Graphic Designer

You were doing your grocery one day in one of the largest shopping mall in town. You noticed that when buying soaps, toothpaste and canned goods among others, you were picking up those products that has packaging and logo design that appeals to your eye. And the lady next to you was doing the same. Then you wondered what made these products appealing and saleable to consumers. And your thoughts wondered onto who were responsible for doing these attention-grabbing and money-making packaging designs.

Basically, the person responsible for making a logo or packaging design look superb and marketable is called a graphic designer. They are the ones responsible for attracting potential customers and increasing a company’s sale. In order to be a successful graphic designer, one must have excellent interpersonal skills and the knack to sell their ideas to executives.

If you wish to be a graphic designer you must be prepared to receive a college degree in advertising or fine arts focusing in graphic art and computer graphics. Although there are some who make it to the industry just by talent alone, most still need a degree or some sort of certificate to land a job as a graphic designer. Employers won’t even look at you if you lack the piece of paper that shows that you have been trained in graphic design related program. In addition, much of your competition would be graduates from college so it is better if you come prepared before plunging into the exciting world of graphic designs.

There many schools across America that offers graphic design related courses. There are courses in visual communication, graphic design, animation, advertising, and multimedia and web development among others. There are short term and long term programs offered in different schools. Short term programs are usually for one or two years while long term programs such as Bachelor of Fine Arts degree are often for three to four years. Nevertheless, both these programs offer a work placement in a business or studio during or after your studies. This can be a stepping stone for you in gaining the experience that you need to get hired.

To improve your experience in graphic designs, you can also do freelance work whenever you can. This will help you have a solid portfolio to present to your prospective employer when you get out of school and hunt for a real job. Likewise, you have to pay attention to the packaging designs and advertising trends in all forms of media to keep you updated with what is the latest in the industry.

Remember that being a graphic designer necessitates you to learn new software and be up to date on design trends constantly. There is more to being a graphic designer than sitting in front of the computer. Thus, you need to learn how to speak efficiently and learn how advertising and PR influence design decisions.

Become A Flight Attendant

Are you looking for a career that is consistent and yet offers flexibility? Perhaps you want to work full-time but also have this itch to see the world? If you can answer yes to these questions, perhaps it is time for you to consider becoming a flight attendant.

Being a flight attendant is perfect for people who love a consistent job but still need adventure. One of the greatest perks about being a flight attendant is that you get the best of both the familiar and the unknown. What could be better than getting to work with great people, getting to serve great customers, and getting to see parts of the country or even of the world in the meantime? Many jobs that pride themselves in being adventurous are inconsistent or sporadic at best. Working as a flight attendant allows you the freedom to fly to new places but gives you many hours of work to do each week.

Another great thing about working as a flight attendant is that you get to work with a variety of people. Not only will you get to interact with other flight attendants, pilots, and other airline personnel, but you will daily get to spend time with customers on your flights. Flight attendants will meet young children and senior citizens all within the course of a normal day. As a flight attendant you will learn to interact with people from a variety of cultures as well. What a great way to learn about the world and about people different than yourself.

Many flight attendants love the job because of the time they spend in between flights in new cities all over the country and the world. Can you think of another job that allows you to work for ten hours on a flight to London and then gives you three days to rest and enjoy the sites of London before you return home? The longer you are a flight attendant for most airlines, the further you can travel and the more exotic places you can visit.

If you are looking for a new job or to change to a more exciting career, check out the opportunities that exist to train to be a flight attendant. Most flight attendant positions only require a few weeks of training and then you can start working right away! So consider whether or not being a flight attendant might be the perfect job for you!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Becoming A Freelancer

One very popular and common way of earning income is becoming a freelancer. Literally thousands of people every day choose to become their own boss by working as a freelancer. If you have a skill or talent, your services are highly needed in the internet industry and it is absolutely possible for you to make excellent money by doing what you know and love. Many website owners choose to use a freelancer for a variety of reasons, some reasons could include:

• Not enough time to do the work themselves
• They do not have the knowledge to perform the tasks
• Freelancers are often cheaper than hiring a company (Because of less overhead)
• Freelancers generally work faster
• They are too busy with other projects

These are just a few of the reasons that most business and website owners opt for a freelancer instead of a large company. Typically a freelancer is cheaper than that of a larger company for a variety of reasons. One of the biggest reasons is that a freelancer has no overhead costs, generally they work out of their own home and do not have any employees they have to pay. Additionally, by working out of their own home they do not have the type of running expenses that a larger business will have, this means that they can offer clients a more competitive and cheaper price for their services.

Another excellent aspect of being a freelancer is the ability to offer high quality and personalized service to your clients. This alone can be more appealing to a client than the prices you charge. Many large businesses have so many things going on at once, that they cannot always give the personal attention that a client often wants. Additionally, they do not generally work as fast as the client would like them to. A freelancer typically only works one project at a time allowing them to quickly finish their projects in a high quality and timely fashion.

There are freelancers in a large variety of areas and if you possess specific qualities and experience the client wants you will have no troubles in finding work. There are many websites available all over the internet that are dedicated to helping freelancers find work such as scriptlance and rentacoder.

Become a Computer Software Engineer

According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, computer engineers will be one of the fastest growing occupations over next 7 years. To help meet this demand, students seeking Computer Careers will need at least a bachelor's degree in computer engineering or computer science. If you're interested in taking advantage of this projected boom, you will need to pursue a Career in IT. You can either earn your degree from Online Computer Schools, or campus based Computer Training.

Computers and information technology is a part of our daily lives, and new technology is being developed at a fast pace. Computer Training is needed to help expand new computer software systems and to include new technologies and applications. The skills needed for Careers in IT change all of the time reflecting changes in technology and the growing needs of companies. Computer software engineers research, design, develop, and test operating systems-level software, compilers and network distribution software. They work with medical, industrial, military, communications, aerospace, business, and scientific and general computing applications. Software engineers set operational specifications and formulate and analyze software requirements

Computer engineers need the skills to create functional and technical design qualifications for software development. They must also have solid programming skills, and be familiar with data types, syntax and control structures. Along with the ability to correctly analyze information, software engineers also need to be able to fix multifaceted application glitches and be able to produce quality requirement specifications, design documents and test plans. Problem solving and working as a team are also necessary parts of working as a software engineer.

Now is the time to earn a Computer Degree in a computer-related discipline, as it is required for most software engineering positions. Growth in the technology field will be driven by the rapid growth in the technology sector. Demand for careers as a computer software engineer is expected to grow as computer applications continue to expand.