Jobs in the leisure tourism industry

Jobs in the leisure tourism industry by Michael Cheary A life of leisure needn’t be restricted to the rich and famous.Think it’s time you turned your love of travel into a career? Or looking for a more creative occupation to help make the most of your skills?Whatever the reason, if you’re considering a career in the leisure and tourism industry but have no idea where to start, we’re here to help. Here are some roles you could consider, and some of our top tips to help you get to there:Beauty TherapistWhat they do: Provide and administer beauty treatments to help enhance a client’s physical and mental wellbeing. Potential treatments could include waxing, facials, massaging areas of tension, manicures/pedicures and even spa treatments and electrolysis.What you need: You’ll need to be personable and friendly, putting candidates at ease whatever treatment they’re having. Tact is also key. Clients may want a make-over, but that doesn’t mean you can tell them exactly what you think of their old look (n o matter how hideous you may feel it is). A degree is not essential, but industry specific qualifications (such as NVQs) will be essential.What you can earn: Somewhere around £12,000 for a first position, with an average of around £18,000 once fully qualified and with experience. However, many Beauty Therapists choose to be self-employed, and this can certainly be a lucrative option for those who want to be their own boss.Perfect for: Those who are always offering make-overs to their friends and familyOur advice: If you’re already a qualified Beauty Therapist, finding the right job is all about showing what you can do. Build your own personal brand using your online profiles, blogs, social media accounts and more. Include a link to each of these on your CV, and a recruiter can really start to see your work. And, looking the part at interviews is vital. So take your time with those preparations…How to become a Beauty TherapistView all Beauty Therapist jobsCabin CrewWhat they do : Assist customers travelling on commercial airlines. They perform a number of tasks, from serving food and beverages to dispensing important safety information and administering first aid. However, their main function remains the same â€" to provide excellent comfort and customer service to all passengers travelling aboard every flight.What you need: A polite and friendly manner, not to mention confidence, especially when speaking to the entire plane. A welcoming smile is also absolutely vital, as is colour-normal vision. A degree is not necessary, although you will have to be over the age of 18. Nervous flyers need not apply.What you can earn: £14,000 for a first or trainee position, rising to the £25,000 range for senior crew members.Perfect for: People who like their careers here, here and here.Our advice: Becoming a member of Cabin Crew is highly competitive, and a large number of applicants apply for each role. In order for everyone to be seen, many of the top airlines run o pen days across the country. These are a great way to get noticed, and allow you demonstrate some of the key skills needed to get started in this industry. And as full training is provided as standard, your skills are what really count when it comes to finding the right role.How to become a Flight AttendantView all Cabin Crew jobsHoliday RepWhat they do: Help people get the most out of their holidays. This could be collecting guests from the airport, arranging transfers and excursions, giving them further information about the resort, arranging car/ski hire and even helping resolve emergency situations.What you need: An outgoing personality and excellent organisational skills. Most of the time you will be working on your own, so drive and self-motivation will be key. You must be over 18 years of age, and being able to speak a different language may help you find work. The ability to avoid distractions would also be a distinct advantage…What you can earn: Holiday Reps work on a sea sonal basis, and therefore there is no real annual salary for the position. However, the basic monthly salary will be somewhere close to £500, with commission available for those who are good at selling various add-ons. Accommodation will also generally be included.Perfect for: People who never wanted to come home from Faliraki.Our advice: This position is all about getting your timing right, and working out exactly what it is you want to do. If you’re looking for the summer season, many annual recruitment drives for Holiday Reps start around November. For ski resort jobs, starting your search in September may yield the best results. Also, brushing up your language skills can really set you apart.How to become a Holiday RepLifeguardWhat they do: Some people stand in the darkness. Afraid to step into the light. And some people like to quote the lyrics of the Baywatch theme tune. Most Lifeguards do neither. Instead, it is their job to ensure the safety of, and supervise, swimmers i n the ocean, inland and in swimming pools. This could include monitoring those in the water, providing first aid and checking conditions.What you need: First and foremost, you’ll need to be an incredibly confident swimmer. Excellent personal fitness, strength and the ability to maintain concentration for long periods of time are similarly essential. A degree is not required, however, you will need certain industry specific qualifications and first-aid training to get started.What you can earn: Somewhere around £12,000 for a full-time, trainee position, rising to with an average of around £20,000 once fully qualified and experienced. However, many Lifeguards work in a part-time capacity, and hourly rates usually reach around £10 or so.Perfect for: People who like to run in slow motion.Our advice: Becoming a qualified lifeguard is a relatively simple process. The most widely recognised lifeguard qualification in the UK, the National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) only takes 36 hours to complete, and will allow you to work as a pool lifeguard as soon as you’re qualified.  How to become a LifeguardView all Lifeguard jobsPersonal TrainerWhat they do: Assess a clients physical condition and tailor an effective training programme based on the results and the client’s wishes. Typically work one-on-one with individuals, providing support and guidance to help them hit their targets. Potential target could include strength, endurance, weight loss and overall fitness. Personal Trainers can work at a clients home, at the gym, outside, or, most commonly, a combination of these.What you need: Discipline, motivation, endurance and a passion for fitness are essential. A degree in Sports Science is preferred, but is not essential. There are a number of vocational courses which could, when combined with experience, help candidates progress in the industry.What you can earn: Typically around £20,000+Perfect for: People who spend a lot of time in the gym (mainly tel ling other people how to work out).Our advice: If you dont have a degree or any previous experience, look into courses available which may be specifically tailored to becoming a personal trainer. Once youre qualified, apply to local gyms and fitness centres or put an advert out and work independently. This can be a great way to gain some vital experience and prove your credentials moving forward. Oh, and stay in shape. That too…How to become a Personal TrainerView all Personal Trainer jobsTravel AgentWhat they do: Find their customers the perfect holiday. So whether you’re mad on Magaluf, or you’d prefer to spend your weeks off with only a backpack, a blanket and a battery-powered bug blaster for company, a great Travel Agent should be able to find the best trip available for you (and/or Bear Grylls).What you need: Aside from excellent customer service, a good knowledge of IT, a keen interest in travel and exceptional sales skills are all necessary requirements for those looki ng to become a Travel Agent. If you don’t often venture outside a weekend break in Bognor Regis*, this may not be the right role for you. (N.B. If you live in Bognor Regis, please feel free to disregard).What you can earn: Travel Agents earn an average salary of around £20,000 £25,000 per year. There may also be commission or bonuses included in the salary package, as well as generous staff discounts for some providers.Perfect for: People who spend too much time booking holidays and watching “Wish You Were Here” re-runs.Our advice: Don’t be afraid of role-plays. A common interview question a travel agent may come up against is simply something along the lines of ‘sell me a holiday’. To answer successfully, you will need to ask questions which may help you come up with an ideal destination (e.g. what sort of things do you look for in a holiday, where have you been before, etc.) This position relies on excellent sales skills, as well as personality, so practice your app roach before you begin applying.How to become a Travel Agent  View all Travel Agent jobsOther media roles to consider: Nail technician, Massage Therapist, Tour Guide, Ski Instructor.*reed.co.uk would like to point out that we have absolutely nothing against Bognor Regis, or its people. We just quite like alliteration. Top tipsBe yourself â€" Sometimes the old advice is the best advice. Working in the leisure and beauty industry requires excellent interpersonal skills and confidence in your abilities. Coming across as natural can often be the key to success.Be prepared â€" Whether you’re preparations involve ensuring excellent personal appearance, or building up your local knowledge of different destinations to help you sell holidays, don’t ever go to an interview without an appropriate amount of research, practice and/or preening.Build your brand â€" In the beauty industry in particular, never underestimate the importance of your ‘personal brand’. Write a blog, upload pictur es of your work to Instagram, and build an online portfolio you can share on your CV. Not only will it show what you can do, it’s also a great way to demonstrate your passion for the industry.Keep up-to-date â€" Travel, leisure and beauty are all fast-paced industries, so always take note of what’s trending. Knowing all the latest developments, treatments and the hottest destinations will be a valuable weapon in finding the right role.Get qualified â€" Many jobs in the leisure and tourism industry do not require a degree, but often include some form of qualification as a pre-requisite. In some instances an employer may help you pay or provide on-the-job training or apprenticeships. However, many of these qualifications can be studied independently and fit around your current schedule.Smile â€" As many roles are customer facing, a friendly and approachable manner is vital. Think of examples of when you went above and beyond in the name of customer service. And don’t forget to s mile. Trust us, it makes a difference.Ready to find your ideal position?  View all leisure and tourism  jobs now.Find a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the terms and conditions applicable to our service and acknowledge that your personal data will be used in accordance with our privacy policy and you will receive emails and communications about jobs and career related topics. What job suits me?

Why Resume Writing Services Are Necessary

Why Resume Writing Services Are NecessaryResume writing services will be at the top of the list when it comes to new job seekers who want to land an opportunity that they can get easily and with ease. The reasons for this are:The increase in the number of job opportunities has created a huge demand for professional skills. The demands of a job market for a particular skill are rising day by day. This is the main reason why there is an increasing demand for people who have professional skills.This service provider can help those who are just starting their career or those who are getting ready to move up in their field to land the job that they want within a short time span. The new service providers will take care of all your professional requirements and can write your resume effectively. The level of professionalism that can be expected from a service provider is great. There are a high standard as well as consistency when a person uses a professional service provider.The amount of people who require a service provider who can write resumes to land jobs on demand is growing every day. The demand for this kind of service is not limited to those who require it but also to those who will like to hire professionals for different reasons. As the needs of the customers are ever increasing, a service provider is required to keep up with the customer demands.The need for professionalism and quality from service providers is very important as they play a major role in shaping the appearance of resumes for those who require it. The look and feel of the resume are very important for the prospect or applicant. Without the right presentation of the resume, it will not succeed in getting the desired results.The appearance of the resume is the core factor that can determine whether the person who is going to be hired is suitable for the job or not. Once the resume is written, it will be sent to the client along with the other important documents. The service provider must e nsure that the resume looks professional and is presented in a manner which is the best one possible.After the service provider has provided the resume to the client, it is the his/her responsibility to follow the instructions as to how it should be presented and where it is sent after that. The personal touch of the service provider is great and makes the most of the prospect's interests.If a person wants to find out the best resume writing services for himself/herself, there are a few things that one should keep in mind while doing so. The choice of resume writing service provider should be done keeping the above mentioned factors in mind. The decision should be made accordingly so that the best service provider can be chosen.

Are careers fairs worth attending for postgrads University of Manchester Careers Blog

Are careers fairs worth attending for postgrads University of Manchester Careers Blog Our two big Autumn recruitment fairs are taking place on Wednesday 17th October (Engineering, Science and Technology) and Thursday 18th October (Finance, Business and Management) at Manchester Central (G-Mex as it used to be called). Time is tight but its a difficult job market, so should you go? Here are my views, the short video version (recorded last year), and a longer text version below: So, should you go? It all depends: Yes if employers youd like to work for are attending, and you havent already  met them at  a recent recruitment event. You can find a list of whos attending on our website (Finance etc Fair  attendees and Science etc Fair  attendees). In particular, in a recession where its a very competitive job market, any extra information you can glean to add to your application is worth the effort. No if youre looking for a niche job with a small employer or a job in the non-commercial sector (though we do have some Government departments attending). It tends to be large recruiters who want several graduates/postgraduates who go to the expense of sending someone, so check first so youre not disappointed. Yes if you want to talk about jobs suitable for postgraduates No if you are expecting lots of jobs and promotional material aimed at postgraduates. Confused? Youll probably be disappointed to find out that few exhibitors specifically mention postgraduates in the Fair Guide but that doesnt mean to say they dont want to recruit you. Some of the biggest employers of postgraduates in the country promote their jobs at this time of year simply as graduate jobs, even though we know theyre very keen to speak to postgrads.   This re-inforces some research we did a few years ago at the fairs, when only 2 organisations out of 80 we talked to didnt want postgrads but only 5 specifically targeted postgrads all the rest were perfectly happy to talk to you  but called all their jobs graduate jobs They may have separate career tracks for postgrads, but many will bring you in on the same level as the undergrads. However,   time after time, we hear of postgrads whose careers rapidly outstrip their fellow undergrad new starters, as they prove what they can do with that extra maturity and experience. If you are going to attend one of the fairs, youll get a lot more out of it if you recognise that you may not be able to talk to someone who can give you detailed info on the specific job youre interested in. Youre much more likely to get to talk to a recent graduate who will tell you to look on the website for the specific vacancies. So what can you get out of them? Easy! You get to figure out whether you would want to work for an organisation by the way it treats its recent recruits (and with a bit of luck, the new grads will be unguarded enough to tell you the truth about what its really like at work). Id suggest asking about: What training did they get/do they offer? How do they get measured? (If you find out what the organisation values in its employees, could you realistically expect to deliver the results which will result in fast promotion or increased pay?) Do they know any postgraduates working for the organisation, what jobs are they doing? Whats their boss like? (probably just for the new grads, that one!) What do they think is different about their organisation compared to their competitors Its all good material for that bit in the covering letter or during interview on Why do you want to work for us?. Its so much more impressive to say when I was talking to your RD Manager , rather than well, it says on your website , which every other candidate will have read. And a final tip if you get there earlier, youre more likely to get a reasonable amount of time with exhibitors, you will get to talk to them before they get into their fixed patter mode (where theyre so tired, they just reel off the same thing to everyone they see) , and, of course,  you should get the pick of the freebies. All Postgraduate Careers fair jobs networking

The Good, the Backdoor and the Ugly

The Good, the Backdoor and the Ugly Recruiters! Stop getting off on your back door chasing! Picture this. It’s a dusty street. Three figures are in the shot. A scruffy dog runs stage left to right, weeds tumble through the dirt. Recruiting is a Spaghetti  Western! Close up  (You’re a recruiter.) You’re wearing a poncho, you have a cigar in your mouth, a single-round revolver in your hand and someone is playing a whistle. Opposite you, down the road (a bullet away) is a client. They too have an attitude, and they say: “Did you get the idea? We don’t like to see bad boys like you in town!” (Please read this with a wicked Mexican accent and please don’t think I’m sexist I didnt write the script!) Now pan right â€" there’s a lowly candidate, sat in the dust looking a little coy, leaning towards the client. You can just see the tremble in their hands and they won’t look you in the eye. The good, the bad and the ugly: You’re the recruiter â€" you think you’ve done a great job. You’ve taken the job brief, written the advert, posted it across numerous places. You’ve interviewed countless candidates (binned countless more hopeless hopefuls) and you’ve put the shortlist in front of the client. You may run the risks, my friend, but I do the cutting. If we cut down my percentage? Liable to interfere with my aim. A fist full of dollars: The client has no perception of the value you’ve delivered â€" and they back door you. Such ingratitude after all the times Ive saved your life. For a few dollars more: The candidate wants the job and has a fit of amnesia about what you have done and grabs the offer from the client. The way I figure theres really not too much future with a sawed-off runt like you. Now I get that the trilogy I’ve outlined above seems a little skewed. I’ve been writing about back door placements for a year, and even interviewed software businesses about tech to prevent them. I’ve sparred with people online when they claim that only crap (censored) recruiters get back doored â€" I see that as an easy and boring statement made to simply get effect. Bad things happen to good people. They also happen to misguided, misrepresented recruiters! You see, in this world theres two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig. The good, the bad and the uglier: The recruitment industry has become either fixated on pursuing the back door placement (and they often get off on it), it is actively ignoring them or it is blissfully ignorant. All = bad dog! In any event, they happen. Do they happen to the innocent? I agree with Mitch Sullivan, when I don’t believe the recruiter is innocent, but I vehemently believe that no-one is innocent. Stop playing chicken with your clients: When I speak to recruiters about back door placements, many of them light up with stories of legal pursuits and stuffing terms down clients’ throat. I get why they need to feel victorious, but feel that this is a screwed up approach (and mainly designed to mask the obvious feeling that they may have brought it on themselves?) Client Eastwoods silver bullet to backdoors? If all you want to do as a phase 1 project is to track whether you’ve had any back door placements, then the below list is a start. Check your CRM â€" does it have processes within which you can use to quiz the system on candidates who have attended interview but were not offered? If it doesn’t, sort it! (I created a script in my Bond Adapt system back in 2003 â€" surely the world has moved forward?)  Hirabl exists as a super-speedy sci-fi version of my clip. Back door placements needn’t be a Spaghetti Western! If you want to prevent future back door placements, then you need to be better. What do you do leading up to sending out info to clients? Have a really good look at what you have done, said, and whether you have recorded any of this on your system. Hunting through your emails takes time (and this costs money). Theres no excuses for poor data management in any recruitment firm. Obvious statement 1: When you’re sending out CVs / emails about candidates, are you sending terms each time? And if you are, are they PDFd, or are people able to be a bit sneaky and change your lovely Word docs? Obvious statement 2: Are you actually agreeing terms before sending CVs to a client, or stealth bombing them with terms during a CV raid? Obvious statement 3: Have a content plan which resolves around them, not just you (and your jobs). Make it clear you know your stuff (and you have to know your stuff to make that clear!) Make it clear what your job is (newsflash it’s not to place candidates, it’s to work with passive and active talent to get them engaged and remain engaged beyond their start date). It’s to understand your sector and work with clients to fill their vacancy problems (a job is a problem, a gap, not just a job spec which needs advertising.) Bear in mind that candidates are not engaged by the current poorly written adverts (see other blogs for my thoughts on this). And once you have done all of this, grab your poncho, cigar, jump on your donkey and ride off into the sunset to buy a really good horse! Sure. Well after a meal, theres nothing like a good cigar.

How to Find Social Workers Resumes Samples

How to Find Social Workers Resumes SamplesYou need to take the time to find some good social workers resume samples because they are important to make sure you choose the right one. They can change your life if you go and get one that suits you. It is not always an easy thing to do, but if you find some good samples that are high quality you will be well on your way to landing a great job.So where do you start looking for social workers resume samples? The easiest place to start is with the ones that you see on job sites. You have probably noticed many of them there already. This is good because it can give you an idea of what is popular or something that is truly good.You want to make sure that you check out all of the information you find because it will come in handy later. For example, if you see a resume that says something like 'Mother Teresa volunteer' there is nothing wrong with that because the information is good and there is nothing wrong with it.However, you will notice t hat if you look at other sites you will see that most of the information you find will be just the same. This can be frustrating and very disappointing. You want to make sure that you take the time to find the best information and the ones that show how the person is able to write for them.You also want to find out if the person you are going after isn't an actual person or if they have created their own resume or their resumes are of low quality and that they don't need your help. Then you should move on to another person.Most of the social workers resume samples that you will find online are the ones that are created by real people that have all of the necessary information you need to get you started. There are all different types of people who can help you, so you should take the time to research each one to make sure you are using the correct one. That is why they are called social workers resume samples.Another important aspect to look for is if they are offering you any kind of training. You should look for any training that is offered and see if it is something that will make you a better applicant. This will help you learn how to be an excellent social worker as well as someone who will give you the training and education needed to be able to fill the position.If you take the time to find some good social workers resume samples you will have the right answer for every question you may have. The time will fly by and you will have landed the job of your dreams!

Should You Have a Mortgage in Retirement - Guest Post - Career Pivot

Should You Have a Mortgage in Retirement - Guest Post - Career Pivot Should You Have a Mortgage in Retirement? Conventional wisdom says to pay off your mortgage by the time you reach financial independence. Why is that not always the best approach? It seems to make sense â€" a mortgage paid off before retirement reduces your monthly expenses and reduces the amount of debt you hold. So common is this desire that Wikipedia has an entry on mortgage burning. When then must you carefully evaluate whether this approach works for you? The decision involves more than math. Possessing a high confidence that you will earn more (after-tax) on your money than you pay in mortgage interest indicates you should keep the mortgage. Yet that ignores the psychological benefit you get from a paid-in-full home. And if you have a high aversion to debt, would you prefer to be mathematically correct or to sleep well? You should not ignore other financial goals. After paying off the mortgage, can you still deal with unexpected expenses, health care needs, home renovations, or helping out family members? Do you still have high-interest rate credit card debt that should be paid off? Do you feel comfortable with the size of your retirement nest egg or should you direct funds there instead? Gauge your feelings toward alternative approaches. Some clients view their mortgage as paid off as long as they have the assets available to pay it off at any time. Some would consider the more consumer-friendly reverse mortgage. You may even have the ability to shore up other weaknesses in your financial picture while reducing the debt in the home. To learn more, check out these recent articles: Should you pay off your mortgage when retiring? (CNBC) Maybe You Shouldn’t Pay Off Your Mortgage Before Retirement (Fox Business) Reverse Mortgages (Federal Trade Commission) This decision is not easy. Various economic, psychological, and outside factors all play a role in the right decision for you. Consider seeking out guidance from a qualified financial adviser to avoid missing out on creative solutions to this challenge! Think about your own situation. Is a mortgage in retirement a burden or a liberating opportunity to use those assets elsewhere? Biography Elliott Weir, MBA, CFP ® has been working with families to help them navigate retirement since 2004. He started III Financial in 2012 to focus on helping address the financial realities faced by people over age 50, without the sale of products or the large asset fees of money managers. He is also the editor for the Society of Financial Service Professionals “Retirement Counseling” newsletter. Elliott earned his MBA in 2002 through the McCombs School of Business (University of Texas at Austin). He enjoys watching the US National soccer team, tinkering with technology alongside his son Travis, keeping up with his son Tyler, and going to see movies with his wife of 17 years, Carrie. Listen to the most recent episode For more, please read his full bio. Like what you just read? Share it with your friends using the buttons above. Like What You Read? Get Career Pivot Insights Check out the Repurpose Your Career Podcast Do You Need Help With ...

Find The Right Company Culture

Find The Right Company Culture 6 Ways To Learn About It You want to find a place to work where you feel you belong, right? You want to do work you enjoy alongside people you like. Your happiness and success depend on both. It comes down to finding a company with the right culture for you. Company culture is a hot topic among both companies and individuals, but it can be difficult to define. I had the opportunity to talk with  Josh Bersin, founder and principal at Bersin by Deloitte, about engagement and company culture. Bersin and Deloitte recently conducted research on company culture and engagement, and  found these two factors are the most important issues facing leadership today. Heres the headline: In an era of heightened corporate transparency, greater workforce mobility, and severe skills shortages, culture, engagement, and retention have emerged as top issues for business leaders. Identifying the right culture impacts you as a job seeker and employee so lets take a deeper dive and look at six things Josh Bersin recommends you do! So What Is Company Culture? The best way to describe it is to talk about the artifacts of culture, or the examples of culture, says Josh Bersin, founder and principal at Bersin by Deloitte, a provider of research and advisory services focused on corporate learning. Culture can be represented by the companys facilities, charismatic executives annual events or awards received. And as difficult as it is for a company to define its culture, its even more challenging for a candidate to learn about it. Bersin says the best way to discover the authentic company culture is to observe it: Learn A  Lot By Looking Around Bersin often tours companies he consults with and says he can tell in less than two minutes what the culture of the company is like. Culture is something you can feel, he says. Do people look excited? Are they talking and collaborating? Does it look like the company is investing money in the facility? Look around. Are there people your age who you would enjoy working with? As a candidate, pay close attention to these types of details as a way of assessing your fit within the company. Youll also need to ask questions to learn more about the company. Candidates should have their own set of questions. Early in your career, sometimes it can be intimidating Bersin says, but he adds that there are many questions to help all levels of employees uncover the company culture. Question If the Company Understands Your Needs Early in your career, look for an organization that understands your unique needs. Bersin suggests looking for companies that have programs for young careerists, such as onboarding and career development programs for new people. Bersin also recommends asking questions such as: What does an early career look like here? How will I be evaluated? What have other people my age done during their first two or three years here? Some progressive employers even offer rotational development programs. Later in your career, Bersin says you may want answers to these questions: Is this a company that builds leadership? What can I do at this stage? Can somebody come in from the outside and instantly build enough credibility, or does he she have to be here a long time? Talk To Employees There is no better insight than speaking with someone who works in the company. Bersin recommends asking the recruiter or interviewer if you can talk to other people who work there. If so, ask them how they got ahead and what developmental experiences they had. Other questions to ask: How easy is it to make friends? What assignments and projects were you able to take on? What do you do when things dont go well around here? Technically, you can also identify employees in advance of a formal interview, by researching the company on LinkedIn, and ask those same questions. Ask: What Will I Learn? It isnt just the warm and fuzzy stuff that matters. One question that Bersin recommends asking is: What am I going to learn in my career two to three years from now as a result of working for you? It should go without saying that you commit to giving the company 100 percent of your effort. Bersin says he can look back on each job during his career and point to exactly what I learned during those periods of time and contributed to who I am today. If you are new in the workplace, understand that your job isnt just about how much money youll make, the fun youll have or if you enjoy the work. You want to look back knowing what you got out of that experience, Bersin says. Dont Fear Asking Questions Do you feel like asking too many or too tough questions could turn off the interviewer? Dont worry about that. Bersin says he likes being asked questions that challenge him or that he may not be able to easily answer. It shows you are interested, serious and actually did some research. Bersin uses the example: If you ask about the patterns of successful leaders, a recruiter might say, Thats a great question; let me connect you with someone who can answer that. This can result in the opportunity to speak with a person you normally wouldnt have met. Research Online You can also research companies using Glassdoor, LinkedIn and Facebook, Bersin says. And dont forget to check past and present employees. Look for patterns or trends in where employees came from. Some companies tend to have, for better or worse, a pattern for hiring similar people from similar backgrounds and experience or companies, Bersin says. This could indicate how difficult it may be for you to get in if you are not from the same groups. Is there a manifesto or videos of employees on the companys website? Bersin has noticed more companies are attempting to capture the culture with these types of tools. Research the stock price and where the company is financially and where they have been, Bersin recommends. Any changes in these numbers could show an investment in the company culture. Bersin notes that companies that recently experienced a crisis may be poised to make the right types of cultural change. By conducting research, making observations and asking smart, insightful questions, you should be able to determine if these are your people. In other words, Bersin asks: Do you feel like you belong there? Originally posted on US News World Report

What happens when you live for your retirement - When I Grow Up

What happens when you live for your retirement - When I Grow Up My Dad is in his mid-60s. He and his wife recently moved out of their condo and into a retirement community an hour or two away from where they were living. They made the move earlier than they planned, but  are enjoying the  semi-retired life thats spent doing  a bit of work and a lot of leisure. In late October, my  Dad came to visit from Florida. He was here for a family celebration, and was in my apartment with his wife, my mother-in-law, myself and the baby. I walked into a conversation that my Dad was having with my mother-in-law, and its stuck with me since. He was explaining to her how much they love their new home and lifestyle, and how devastated they were to hear that a close friend of theirs was newly diagnosed with terminal cancer. A man in his 60s, he was given just months to live. Here we are,  finally reaping the rewards of what weve worked our whole lives forand it can be taken away from us just like that. Its not fair. And while I absolutely sympathized with the words I heard my Dad speak and the feelings behind them my first thought was: Im so thankful I dont live my life like that. Im so thankful I didnt  trudge through 40 years of my life because I  decided that  my career wouldnt (or couldnt!) feel fulfilling, or exciting, or meaningful to me. Im so thankful that I didnt deny myself what would truly make me happy, both personally and professionally. Im so thankful that I listened to the scary whispers from deep inside my heart, telling me to be a career coach for creative womeneven though I felt slightly insane for doing so. Im so thankful that I dont dread Mondays, live for the weekends, and hate the days in between. Im so thankful that I can pay all the bills, put some in savings, and build towards a retirement that  wont feel like a Get Out of Jail Free card. Come to think of it, Id be surprised if I fully retired at all! I just want the option to continue to wake up and be able to do what I enjoy doing. Im so thankful I can be  The When I Grow Up Coach, a mother, a wife and a friend  all at once. No matter what time it is or where I am, I rarely have to choose who I get to be. Im so thankful that I can be me, 24/7. Want the same for yourself, but not sure where to start? Career Camp registration closes tomorrow!