Most of us will complain that our job is causing us to feel stressed out from time to time. An impending deadline for a barely completed client report or a ‘To Do’ list that never seems to get any smaller can be enough to make anyone feel as if they are going to suffer a mental breakdown!

Keeping stress to a minimum is imperative for good health since constant worrying often leads to headaches, an upset stomach, high blood pressure and even strokes and heart disease. The emotional ailment can even see some workers being prescribed time off of work and in some instances, stress can even be deemed as the cause of an accident which occurs in the workplace. Employers may be liable to make compensation payouts to employees who hurt themselves as a result of stress and to those that suffer psychiatric problems due to work pressures.

No matter the challenges you face in your own employment though, it is unlikely that they will compare to those faced by individuals working in the five jobs that I consider to be the most stressful in the world (unless you do work in one of the following occupations obviously!)

School Teacher

How could the job of school teacher not appear on this list? Some parents find it difficult to control just one child and so a room of 30 or more can be a right nightmare!

There are some people who would argue that teachers have very little to complain about considering their working hours (usually 9am – 3pm), long summer holidays and better than average pay packet but a teacher’s life really isn’t an easy one.

Teachers are not only responsible for the education of their students (who are often rude, rowdy and refuse to sit still) but they must also aid their emotional development, protect them from the threat of bullies and warn them of the perils involved in drug taking and under aged sexual activity. This is besides constant meetings with other staff members and the parents of troublesome kids, as well as endless evenings spent producing lessons plans and report cards.

Surgeon

I never really got the hang of using a needle and thread and so pursuing a career as a surgeon was never really an option for me!

Whereas most of us can get away with going to work for a day without having had an adequate amount of sleep the night before, the consequences of this can be devastating for a surgeon. Just the simplest of mistakes can see accident compensation claims being made against a surgeon and the medical practise for which they work.

Horror stories involving surgeons include those that accidently sew up patients whilst they still have pieces of surgical equipment inside of them and inadvertently performing surgery on the left – instead of right – organ or limb (or vice versa). Constantly witnessing the awful ailments that others suffer must also see surgeons constantly fearful for their own health.

Commercial Air Pilot

Human beings were never designed to fly and so being in control of a vehicle which allows people to do exactly that must be quite daunting! There may be some things that are out of the control of the pilot when up in the air (a flock of birds flying into a plane’s jets, for example) but as a rule, that one man is responsible for the lives of everyone on board.

Airline customers can be quite grumpy thanks to the delays they often face. Imagine being the pilot of a ridiculously late plane filled with disgruntled customers who you must then address cheerily through the plane’s intercom.  Also imagine having to leave your family at home for days at a time when controlling an aircraft on a long-haul flight and having to rely on the advice of control tower operators – which the headlines recently revealed have a tendency of falling asleep whilst on the job – to land safely.

Add the recent threat of terrorist attacks to the equation and you have one very stressful career!

Paparazzi

You might think that pointing and clicking a camera is a rather easy job but anyone who takes and sells photographs to the press for a living is very likely to lead an extremely manic existence!

Snapping that hot celebrity looking absolutely awful or securing the first shot of an A-List couple’s newly born baby isn’t going to be possible unless said snapper is forever on the heels of the rich and famous. Paparazzi must always be careful when following celebs for being spotted could lead to a claim of harassment and/or a nasty punch in the face.

It is not just candid photos of celebrities which fetch a high price either – members of the paparazzi can also make themselves a significant amount should they take great pictures at the scene of a natural disaster or terrorist attack. It is not unheard of that a photographer will risk their own wellbeing for the perfect shot.

Housewife

There are many people that would argue that being a stay-at-home-mum does not count as a real job but the women actually in this role know only too well the hard work that is involved! This is especially true for mothers who have multiple children.

Housewives not only have endless loads of laundry to wash and dry throughout the day but they are often left to pay the bills and complete the weekly grocery shop too. To top it all off her husband and kids are sure to bring more problems/chores home with them once their working/school day is over. The fact that Mum is at home “all day” means that the rest of the family expects the house to always be in tip top condition and dinner to ready on the dot because it’s not as if she has had anything else to keep her occupied, is it? (Note the sarcasm).

If you make a mistake at an office job or in a commercial kitchen, you could upset – or even hurt – a customer (read as; stranger) whereas the actions of mothers can directly affect the lives she has created and so the role of Mum is arguably more traumatic.

What do you think? Do you agree that these are the five most stressful jobs in the world? Share your views in the comments below.

Sarah Cole is the author of the blog post. Sarah is the designer of a popular online injury compensation calculator.

Career fairs are sometimes seen as worthless and just something to go to if you have time. Career fairs occur on college campuses nation wide and they are a lot more than just a bunch of random booths set up for looks. The next time your school has a career fair, take full advantage of it. There is so much you can learn from these fairs and actually a lot to gain from them. Here are some things that you should do and take advantage of when you have the opportunity to go to a career fair on campus.

Network other job seekers

Networking is a big part of this process. There will be a lot of other people searching for jobs right along with you. As you seek out jobs from different companies all over the United States, take a look around and get to know other students around you. They are in the same boat as you but if you get to know them, you can network and make sure that you have future contacts. Most likely, these other students will be getting jobs or internships eventually and in the long run, it is smart to keep in contact with them, Maybe one day they will help you out when you need a job.

Get advice from professionals

Career fairs are a great way to talk to real professionals. People who come to career fairs are true professionals and have worked for a while out in the real world. Many college students do not have any idea what it is really like to work in a big company. If you get a chance, sit down with someone who works in the field that you want to work in. They will be able to give you some amazing advice. I had the opportunity to sit down and talk to a manager at a huge advertising agency and she told me a lot of useful things. She told me what advertising agencies look for when hiring job applicants and it really gave me some good insights.

Practice your job interview

When you get a chance to sit down with a professional, it gives you a chance to practice your job interview skills. Although you are not actually in an interview, you are still around a professional and you need to act like one. When they ask you a question, think about your answer and give a solid and intelligent response. They might not even be looking for people to hire right now but think of it as a great time for you to practice your skills for when you do actually get a real interview with that dream job of yours.

About the Author
Meagan J Hollman is a writer for the website MyCollegesandCareers.com. My Colleges and Careers can help you get the education that you will need if you need to get into the top careers.

The best way to ensure that you do well in an interview is to prepare. Reviewing information about the company and rehearsing your answers to expected questions are two recommended activities that will enhance your performance. Being prepared boosts your confidence level and makes a positive first impression.

Making a Positive Impression

The importance of the chemistry component of interviewing should not be discounted. People hire people they like. It is critical to make an effort to smile and connect with company representatives. An interested demeanor wins the approval of hiring executives. Equally important is making eye contact during the interaction. Studies show that people who do not make eye contact during an interview often receive comments later about poor communication skills.

>Body language definitely impacts another person’s impression of you. Interview candidates need to be hyper aware of posture and other subtleties that impact perceived professionalism. For example, it is a good idea to pause before answering serious questions. Even if you have rehearsed the answer one hundred times, pausing before making an important statement is sure to earn more points for being thoughtful and serious about your answer. Using your hands and eyes to emphasize certain answers makes you seem more human and enthusiastic.

Treat everyone you meet at the company like a VIP. There are many cautionary tales about a job candidate not being hired because they were impolite to a receptionist or some other company representative, based on the assumption that person had no clout in the hiring process. Making that type of assumption can cost you a job.

Don’t joke around too much. If the interviewer makes a joke, then it is alright to laugh. As the job candidate, if you initiate jokes you might be perceived as not taking the job interview seriously. It is best to remember that an interview is a formal setting and should be treated as a serious interaction with definite rules to follow.

Do Your Homework

Hiring professionals expect you to conduct a search on Google at the very least to research the company. Anyone who has obviously completed some basic research on the company will be considered unprepared and unprofessional. Research is also critical for preparing a list of thoughtful questions. If you don’t ask good questions, you don’t really appear to be interested and prepared.

Another part of being prepared includes reviewing any requirements posted and gaining as much information before and interview as possible about the most important requirements for the job. Human resource professionals who schedule interviews can usually give you information about job requirements. As an interested party, it is up to you to get as much of this information as possible beforehand for the purpose of preparing answers to satisfy interviewers.

Deadly Interview Mistakes

There are certain interview practices to always avoid. Never say anything critical about a previous employer. Another definite issue to avoid initially in the interviewing process is bringing up salary or vacations. Let the employer be the first to bring up these subjects after there is some serious interest shown by the company. If you bring up these subjects too early, you risk being viewed as presumptuous and overly concerned about what the company can do for you, instead of what you have to offer the company.

Damian Wolf is freelance writer and part time blogger. He contributes on mining recruitment blog, one of the best Australian online destinations for job seekers.

You really want your job and you feel that it is the best industry. However, there is one thing you want to throw outside your office window. It’s your irritating boss. It’s as if he’s not busy with other things. Hence, his eyes are pasted on your works.

Even if you are sure that you have done tasks correctly, he never fails to embarrass you. Every single day he haunts you. You don’t want to let go of your job. That’s why you are looking for ways on how you can turn the negativities into a positive one.

This is your lucky day because I have collected some of the best tactics which can help you with your problem. The tips I have here are based from my experiences. These are simple and effective.

Always exert effort to impress your boss

I bet that you don’t want to do this because you feel that it’s useless. But you have to show your boss what you are made of. Perhaps, he thinks that you suck at your job. But if your other bosses think the other way, he can’t do anything to you. And if you are confident that you have done the right thing, there’s no need for you to be worried.

Make friends with your colleagues (even the people from other departments)

Remember that your boss is not the only person in your office. Make your everyday working experience happy by making friends. This will make you eager to work.

Invite your boss for after – office night outs

Pretend that you don’t know his scam of making your life a living hell. You can casually invite him for dinner. If he declines, then that’s fine. As long as you have done your part, that should be enough,

Take criticisms professionally

As much as it gets irritating, you have to give the benefit of the doubt. Maybe, your boss has a different way of motivating his subordinates. As for you, take down notes and constantly improve yourself.

Leave your professional problems in your office

Never take your problems in the office to your homes. It will greatly affect your relationship with your family. I suggest that you talk to your parents or partner about this. However, don’t make them your ‘shock absorbers’. Make your homes your sanctuary and forget your problems at work. That way, you will be fresh the morning after. As a result, you will become more effective aft work.

In almost all business industries, there will be a power tripping boss. Don’t let them scare you away. Who knows if they are just threatened with your presence? Do your job well and he can’t do any harm in the future.

Kim Bookman is the lead journalist for Gowelding.org, the go-to-place for welding careers and welding classes. The site takes you through the four most common types of the welding process and how to become a certified welder.

There are a number of topics that should really be avoided when making small talk over the water cooler. Not only could an employee be found liable for litigation from an offended party, but the chances are they could stray into the realms of discrimination and face dismissal. We may defend the right to free speech, but the dynamics of running a team for a common purpose relegate this to second place, and it is advisable to practice restraint and think before speaking. At best, it can be inappropriate and offensive. To maintain harmonious relations there are several subjects that should be off-limits within the workplace. Although most of these points will appear to be pretty obvious, it never hurts to give them some thought before gathering to have a natter over a cup of tea. Avoiding them will also make your working environment a lot less stressful.

Religion

Belief systems should not constitute the focus of discussion. For every common point of reference between religions there are areas of doctrine that are not open for discussion or comparison without causing offence. This includes dietary preferences, religious symbols or clothing, or attempted conversion of people who already belong to another faith.

Politics

The workplace is not an appropriate location for political argument. Each member of the workforce is entitled to keep their political persuasions to themselves and not face prejudice as a consequence. Just as no employee is under obligation to reveal their salary, so no employee is under obligation to reveal who he or she voted for.

Personal Finances

A favourite topic of conversation which is rarely far from the headlines, gossip may lead others to divulge their own financial woes. This is not for public consumption. It can also give ammunition to those seeking to compare the personal finances of other employees within a pay grade comparable to their own. It may also cause others to formulate a negative opinion about the relative worth of an employee.

Relationships

Personal relationships are best left off the agenda. Salacious gossip can have a corrosive effect on morale and the perceived integrity of individual employees, especially if they conduct their affairs in private and talk about them in the workplace. And those who enjoy healthy, vigorous relationships outside the office should not really be discussing these with work colleagues.

Long-Term Medical Issues

Human resources should already be aware of any long-term medical conditions that may have an impact on a worker’s ability to perform. They will judge how to factor the management of this condition and its effects into the worker’s appraisal. Any other condition that an employee might choose to drop into the conversation should be treated with care. Managers will react negatively to employees making sweeping statements about the fragility of their own health, especially if they have not approached them through the official channels to seek advice, and begin to question their fitness in relation to their contribution.

This piece was provided by a leading expert in payroll software services.

There comes a time in everyone’s life when they bail out of the rat race. Some people retire voluntarily – happily even – and some people are forced to retire. Whatever the circumstances, the trick to surviving retirement is to keep busy. There are plenty of studies (none cited here), that say people who retire with nothing to do are more likely to die within the following five years than busy retirees. So, how do you keep yourself busy without your nine-to-five?

How about getting a part-time job?

What you need to know

For starters, the job market is intensely competitive and this applies to part-time jobs just as much as it does to full-time jobs. So, you need to be either very well qualified (or experienced) or prepared to sacrifice the salary and become a volunteer. Being a volunteer will keep you busy, but it won’t bring in any kind of income, not even a trickle.

Secondly, you need to consider your health and energy levels. Some part-time jobs could require nigh-shift work. Now this doesn’t bother all retirees because they may find that they need less sleep to function, but others are pretty set in their ways and the disrupted sleeping routine could play havoc with their health. Some jobs are physically demanding, such as swimming training or helping out at a crèche.

Ensure that whatever you do complements your lifestyle while meeting your needs.

5 Part-time options for retirees

Bookkeeper

Kerry Hannon lists bookkeeping as one of her top five part-time jobs for retirees. Bookkeeping is great for retired accountants because it keeps their minds active in a familiar field but eliminates the stress of working in the corporate world. Part-time bookkeepers generally offer their services to small businesses that don’t have complicated financial needs. You can choose to go into the office to work or to work from home. You can work exclusively for one business or take on as many clients as you think you can manage. The advantage of taking on jobs like this in your retirement is that you don’t have to deal with unpleasant clients. If someone consistently pays you late or makes unnecessary demands, you can just fire them.

Carer

The kind of care you’re prepared to give will determine the qualifications needed. If you want to work with the elderly (to get a peek of what you’re in for) you’ll probably need at least one aged care course under your belt. But, if your primary aim is to provide companionship then all you really need is a friendly personality, patience and some CPR. The hours you work will depend on your dedication and the needs of your clients. Some people only want a carer to come in a couple of times a week to do the shopping, pay bills and read to them. In other cases you might be part of a small team of people who work in five-hour shifts to keep bedridden patients fed, clean and entertained on a daily basis.

Child minder

Think about this carefully before you leap in. You’ve probably raised your own children, so you know that kids take a lot of energy. You might even have grandkids to deal with, in which case they should serve as a constant reminder of how much work children can be. Child minding is not a job for someone looking for a nice relaxing time surrounded by the sound of children’s laughter and nothing else. In addition to occasionally being little cherubs, kids run and cry and scream and bully each other and break things (their bones, toys, your prized orchids and the china your grandmother gave you). If you still think it’s worth it, you can take on the responsibility of looking after other people’s kids in the mornings, or afternoons or on a needs-only basis. Or, you can try babysitting instead. It’s less stressful and you won’t have to get any licences or abide by any official child-minding regulations.

Swimming trainer

Little kids need to learn to swim. Most little kids go to swimming lessons. You can start your own afternoon swimming classes. You’ll need a pool, or access to a pool. It shouldn’t be too deep or too big. You’ll need to know CPR and you’ll need a shrill whistle to get attention.

Librarian (sort of)

This also makes Hannon’s list. Now, you don’t need to be a proper librarian with a degree in library science and intimate knowledge of the Dewey Decimal System. You can work in the kiddies section in the afternoons or on Saturday mornings, reading to the kids or organising fun kids’ activity days. You can also help pack away books because kids never put anything away – but only if the librarians will let you.

Sandy writes on behalf of Now Learning, which promotes online courses in Australia, such as IT courses, marketing diplomas and management certificates.

Whether you have been in your current job 5 months or 5 years, deciding to change your career can be both daunting and challenging. If you are considering changing career, there are a number of steps to go through before finally taking the plunge:

Self Assessment

Before making a decision as big as changing your career, you need to establish a few things about yourself. Are you in a position to change work? Is it best for you and what you want? You need to assess your current skill-set and identify what it is you want to achieve.

Have a clear vision in mind about where you want to be and what career you want. Make sure you have researched the options open to you in your chosen career and are fully prepared to make the change.

Education and Qualifications

Once you have researched your potential new career, you need to research what qualifications you will need. Will you need to go back to university, and gain certain qualifications before even being considered for a role?

If this is the case, is on-the-job training provided? Or will you have to be out of work for a considerable about of time before you get a new job? If you already have some qualifications, are they still in date and acceptable?

Experience

Many employers value on-job experience as highly as qualifications. If the job requires you to carry out work experience, contact as many companies as possible looking for placements. Some may even take you on as an apprentice.

Apprentices earn a reduced wage but gain real-world experience and training on the job. Many apprenticeships will fund, or partially fund, any qualifications so it is worth shopping around. Interning at companies is also a great way to get experience, though more often than not you won’t receive a wage.

Networking

Networking is a great way to learn more about the industry you want to work in. Speak to seasoned professionals and find out exactly what you’re getting yourself into – before you take the plunge. It is important you don’t change career simply because “the grass is greener”.

Reading forums, commenting on blogs and joining the conversation on social media are great ways to speak to people who know the industry inside out. The more you know about the job before you take the plunge, the better. You don’t want to leave a stable career to find that your dream job is more of a nightmare.

Financial Planning

Possibly the most important step to take before changing your career is planning your finances for the long term. If you are going to be out of work and studying for any length of time, have you got the money to fund education and live comfortably? This will be the biggest test of all and is often the biggest downfall.

Speak to your partner, and check they’re happy and stable enough in their own career to be the breadwinner while you retrain. It is important your normal life is disrupted as little as possible by your decision to change career.

This article is a guest contribution from Outcomes UK, a specialist in interim management, social work recruitment and executive search and selection. Contact them today to see what they can do for you.