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Certification vs. College Degree: What’s Best for Your Career (PODCAST)

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In episode #9, Keith Townsend (founder of VirtualizedGeek.com) and I discuss the options for career transitioners, IT professionals, and high school or college graduates. Keith has a Master’s of Science in IT Project Management and he explains why he decided to pursue his formal education as an adult and married with kids. Job seekers could apply these principles to his or her career as many of you are in similar situations Keith had faced.

We explore the following points:

Keith shares his story including his background and his dilemma on whether to continue receiving certifications or pursuing a degree that led him to opportunities that he would have never had.

I asked him, “Is there pay difference to make a professional distinction between certifications and degree?” Listen to what he said and why his blog played a major factor in his career path.

What are common judgment errors job seekers make in deciding which would be more beneficial?

Is it better to pursue a degree now or certification or both? Why? Why not?

What life considerations are there in pursuing all or none?

How valuable are pursuing the free online courses vs. paid courses?

Everyone can learn from Keith how to position yourself as an expert in the field of your choice, and create a career and life you desire.

by Sophie Samuel

Combine Old and New School Job Search Ways for Success

Editor’s note: Sophie Samuel wrote the article today. See her bio at the bottom of the article.

With the economy down and rising level of competition, it is becoming increasingly difficult to land a good job. While the traditional way is to look for job postings in newspapers or to apply to companies directly, many people are now adopting alternative and more creative ways to land a job. Instead of trying to land a job against massive competition with the same limited techniques, it is good to step out of the system and try innovative ways of a job search.

Make connections:

In today’s tech-driven world, connections can be made both real-time as well as online. Many people use Facebook and Twitter as job search tools. Using Facebook’s ad system is a great way to showcase yourself, and target age groups and areas. Since many employers post job openings on Twitter, use Twitter’s hashtag functionality to find conversations that interest you. Don’t be afraid to post that you are conducting a job search!

Apart from directly looking for job postings online, it is ideal to make connections with people who work in areas that interest you. Remember that the chances of landing a job through a person who knows you personally are much higher. Besides, even if you cannot directly access job openings, you can learn a great deal from people who have your dream job. They have a lot to offer and making connections with them somehow always trickles down to something fruitful.

Do job shadowing:

Many people are confused about what kind of job they want to land. Job shadowing is ideal for people who are trying to figure out what interests them the most. Even if you do know what interests you, it is a good way to make connections as well as get more information about how a company works. Job shadowing involves working in a company and literally ‘following’ another employee for about three to seven days. The best part about job shadowing is that you don’t have to invest a lot of time on your part unlike an internship! If you are getting your jobseekers allowance, you can use that extra time and money to creatively search for a job.

Try Google Adwords:

Using Google Adwords to display an ad about yourself or redirecting targeted companies to your resume is a great way to get noticed. A lot of times it is difficult to penetrate a big company especially if you don’t have connections. If you step out of the usual system of sending your resume along with other applicants and use Google Adwords instead, you actually end up getting more noticed. Use the power of the internet to your advantage!

Showcase yourself:

Try to do as many side projects as you can. Don’t be afraid to advertise and sell yourself. Always keep in mind that you are searching for a job while talking to new people, but never be pushy! If you feel that you have something to offer to someone through your skillsets, shout it out! If you don’t showcase your talent, people will never know.

Sophie Samuel is a blogger from London in UK. She loves to write articles on Technology, Finance, Health, Travel and Finance. As if now, she is conducting research on Jsaguide.co.uk and gathering information about it.

by Mark Anthony Dyson

7 Subtle Ways to Exploit the Unprofessional You

We all have seen the “I Quit!” video that went viral, and apparently she has found another job. I think it’s a stunningly unprofessional way of quitting it’s not original.

It’s no different that the employee that faxed an “I Quit” letter to the boss back in the day.

Warning signs often show up during the interview but many times outside of the interview.

1. Impatient

You have already called several times today to see if you will move to the next round of interviews. You have received the same answer several times in the same day. If you lack patience, then you’re unlikely job candidate.

2. Scattered brain

Forgetting names and faces right after you meet them is common, but it’s still unprofessional. Before you disagree with me, think about what forgetting names really mean? Disrespect.

3. Impolite

You can never say “I’m sorry,” “Thank you,” and “Excuse me” enough. A lack of chivalry can also be interpreted as being impolite. It depends on the individual and their value system but it is better to be conscious than to neglect social protocols.

4. What you don’t say, acknowledge, or avoid

Our non-verbal communication at times is louder than shouting from the mountains or someone’s ear. Behavior is a gauge that is used throughout the whole interview process. Avoiding a question or not directly answering a question is defiance and it’s likely you’ll be disqualified.

5. You have a big mouth

No one likes a big mouth. It may be entertaining to others but people are cautious. Talent can overcome the loud, obnoxious, and profane modus operandi of a co-worker a few times, but a newbie coming in the door with this foolishness is futile…if he or she is lucky to be hired. Will you be working with work products that are highly confidential? If so, a big mouth candidate has little chance to make it.

6. Oh, I’m so opinionated—I’m not opinionated

It’s one thing to boast he or she “keeps it real!” The trick is knowing when to be opinionated and when to hold back. Leaders are opinionated but the good ones know when and how to deliver the message. There are times when feelings will be hurt for the sake of the good, it cannot be a frequent weapon of choice.

7. You’re attire doesn’t match

This might cause a few arguments but an outfit with mismatched colors leaves a bad impression. Chalk it up to impression or the the Bill Blass embedded inside of you, male or female, the eye-roll wins.

8. Who do you speak positively about?

People are turned off if you speak negatively about everyone. This is more than bashing an employer or a former coworker. You don’t say anything about who you learned from and how they impact your decisions. This is more of a silent alarm that goes off, especially if you possess such loquacious genes.

We didn’t mention the sneezing, coughing, or loud body function noises that automatically turn people off. I’m sure that I didn’t cover all of the subtle signs that say, “I’m unprofessional!” Feel free to share some more in the comment section.