In a survey of young people in today’s economy, 79% believe that a college education is a vital factor in their future. With this many people planning on attending college, and that number likely to increase, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the availability of careers upon graduating will increase as well. Unemployment rate for recent graduates has reached 9.1%, the highest rate in recent history. The fact of the matter is, whether these people are able to secure a career or not, the debt accumulated while in college will be present either way. The majority of this debt is from student loans, with only an astounding 21% of students graduating with a manageable amount of student loan debt. This has led to 8.8% of 2-year cohort students defaulting on their loans at the end of 2010 (over 320,000 people). Financial Aid options, such as the Pell Grant, offer money to low income students, but politicians today are even looking to lower these grant amounts to reduce the U.S. deficit.

From: topcollegesonline.org

The rise of the smartphone has only meant one thing; the rise of the smartphone app. Now you can pretty much get anything you want on your phone and, what’s more, you can get it on the move. Hunting for a new job has never been more accessible, so we take you through 10 of the best smartphone apps to help your job hunt.

C-V Library

This free app allows the user not only to search over 50,000 live job vacancies, but also apply directly via the app itself. Users can narrow their search by looking at specific industry vacancies and they can save jobs as well as email them to themselves or a friend to save for later application. New vacancies are added all the time and you can edit your cover letter on the app itself and tailor each application.

Job Compass

If you want to search jobs within your region then Job Compass is an extremely useful app. Free to download it uses the iPhone GPS locator to find your location and then searches for jobs within a radius which you can set yourself. The app can then give you additional information about the jobs which you are interested in and also the ability to apply from your iPhone itself.

Career Bliss

Career Bliss is an app that not only helps the user to search job vacancies, but is there to ensure happiness in the workplace. It is an online career community with over 3 million vacancies and allows access to independent company reviews and salary expectation to ensure that you know the most about the company that you are applying to.

BusyBee

BusyBee is an app aimed at freelancers, and features companies who want to out-source temporary jobs or one-off specialist roles. You can search roles via specific locations or narrow the search to your specific skill set. It is a great app for those job seekers who want a more flexible approach.

Jobs and Career Test

If you are unsure which jobs you should be applying for, and indeed which jobs you are suited to, then this free app is for you. Through a series of questions this app will help you find out your personality type and tell you which workplace you would be suited in and what jobs you should look out for.

Linked In

Linked In is a professional social networking site and this app makes your Linked In profile accessible on the move. Your professional profile can be used to find other like professionals and career opportunities. With over 161 million worldwide users you can share content and connect with people from all industries. The app will also keep you up to date with all the latest industry news.

Monster Jobs

Monster Jobs is already a popular jobs website and the app allows you to access your account from your iPhone. You can search and apply for jobs as well as having jobs that fit your criteria emailed to you. As well as being able to edit your pofile it connects to other social media sites such as Foursquare, allowing you to search for jobs near the locations that you visit frequently.

Business Card Reader

Face to face networking is often a great way to meet new business contacts and find new job opportunities, and now exchanging information by business card, has never been easier. As opposed to the conventional business card which is often impractical and may be misplaced, the business card reader available on your smartphone can scan in the information on the card and store it to your phone so the contact will never be lost.

Good Job

Being organised will help you stay ahead in the job market. This app allows you to track and save all to do tasks as well as interviews and job contacts. Having all this information in one place makes it easier prioritise to and work out when you have interviews booked or CVs to send off to. It is fully customisable and allows you to assign “priority statues” to each task.

Job Finder

Job Finder allows you to search jobs via location and type but also taps in to other jobs sources such as Monster Jobs and Indeed.com making the jobs available a very comprehensive list of the jobs available. You can also contact the employer directly from the app itself and save jobs you wish to apply for at a later stage.

Jonny D loves collecting apps, gadgets and anything else tech related that he can get his hands on! He currently works for Ladbrokes.

One rather delicate aspect of career advancement is having to request a raise every now and then. Unfortunately, there are many managers out there that have no intention of ever offering their employees more money, regardless of how hard they work. Should you find yourself working under such a manager, you are going to have to take the matter into your own hands.

You are going to have to come up with the right things to say, you are going to have to get the timing right and then you are going to have to pounce. Regardless of whether you like the idea or not, under some managers, doing so is the only way that you are ever going to get more money for your hard work.

If you are currently in the process of building up the courage to make your move, there are a few important questions to ask yourself first. If you can come up with the right answers, your chances of success will be greatly increased.

Do You Deserve a Raise?

First off, why the hell should they give you a raise? If your performance in recent months has been questionable to say the least, you are not going to be getting a raise regardless of how eloquently you request one. Therefore before attempting to negotiate a raise, you need to do two things. You need to make sure that your recent job performance indicates that you deserve one and you need to be able to prove it. General adjectives such as hard working and effective are not going to cut it, you need a list of specific accomplishments that you’ve made.

Will You Deserve a Higher Raise Next Month?

The best time to ask for a raise is often after you have completed a particularly long project or a particularly difficult task. It is of course during these times, when your value to the company is most apparent. Therefore if you are expecting to achieve something significant within the next few weeks or months, it is probably a good idea to hold off until that time.

Is Your Boss in a Good Mood?

Remember that when you are negotiating a raise, you are not going to be speaking to a robot. The person that you are negotiating with is going to be a human being just like you, one that has good days and bad. You don’t want to ask for a raise from someone who is having a bad day. Don’t put off the task for weeks on end but you should choose your time carefully. You will want to avoid asking him when he is busy with something, is stressed out about something or is simply in a bad mood.

Can Your Company Afford to Give You a Raise?

It’s important to remember that at times there is more at play than just your performance and your bosses mood. It doesn’t matter if you are the perfect employee and you absolutely deserve a raise, if the company you are working for is having financial problems, chances are you are not going to be successful. This point has never been more important than now as more and more businesses are facing an uncertain future. Should your company be experiencing such problems, you should probably put off requesting a raise until things are a little sunnier.

What’s Your Market Value?

It’s important to remember that you’re highly unlikely to be offered a raise significantly above what the market average is for somebody with your skills. You should therefore do your research and understand just what most people with your skills are getting paid. Check out nationwide salary statistics and ask anyone you know that does the same job as you what they are getting paid. Whenever you negotiate for a raise, you need to understand what sort of figure is a reasonable request. Asking for too little is pointless and asking for too much is likely to be just as counterproductive.

Are You Prepared for a Counter Offer?

Although you certainly don’t need to be an expert negotiator, you do need to be somewhat strategic. While your aim will be to get the largest raise possible, your boss will want to do the opposite. If you have been doing a good job, he will of course want to keep you around, but he will want to pay the lowest price possible for the privilege. You should therefore expect a counter offer. You can best prepare for it by asking for more than you are actually expecting to get. If you want a twenty percent raise, ask for thirty percent.

What do You Really Want?

Although the most common type of counter offer to receive when asking for a raise is a smaller salary increase, counter offers come in many shapes and sizes. Perhaps, you will be offered a more flexible schedule, the option to telecommute, or maybe even some more vacation time. You should prepare for these possible offers by deciding whether they are acceptable to you, before you are offered them. For some people, the only raise they are after is the financial kind, for others, a few weeks off would be very difficult to turn down.

Are You Going to Lose Your Temper?

Finally, when you have built yourself up to ask for a raise and you finally do so only to be turned down, it’s very easy to take the news rather badly. It’s important to remember however that just because you are turned down now, that doesn’t mean you won’t get a raise in the future. There is no reason why you cannot regroup, change your strategy and broach the subject again within a matter of weeks. If you lose your temper however, the game is very much over.

Sebastian is a financial advisor who gives information on how you can make your boss give you a raise as well as offers fundraising jobs on his website.

Interviews are never going to be a fun way to send your tie, but you can make it so much better for yourself by not doing any of the following. You would be surprised at how many people actually do these, and funnily enough don’t get the job!

First impression

Everyone one knows that making a good first impression is vital. Which is why most people put on a suit and make themselves look smart. It is also important to make the first few seconds of the interview a good few seconds. Nine times out ten you will be introduced to your interviewers and the dreaded handshake will come into play. Although it has absolutely no bearing on how well you can do the job if you do this badly you will be remembered for all the wrong ones.  Certain character traits can be gained from how a person shakes hand s so if you know what they are looking for you can avoid the pitfalls.

• Limp – Be firm, but remember it is not a test of manliness. Squeezing too hard is just as bad as a limp handshake. Your interviewers will take from this that you are disinterested.
• Over friendly – You don’t want to come across as over confident, and put more into the handshake than is needed.  This will only put you in the car salesman category, insincere.
• Avoidance – Many people try to avoid given a hand shake, more than you would think. So instead they panic and give a half handshake. Almost try and just grab your fingers rather than your hand. This is bad as it makes you look timid and quite frankly a little strange.

Next time you are out with your friends just give a few practice handshakes, if you have a bad one they will tell you soon enough. Once you know then you can easily change. Some people naturally give a bad handshake, but with a little practice you can easily improve your ‘technique’ and give a handshake like a pro.

Nervous talkers

I put myself in this category, as on a couple of interviews I have rambled so much when answering a questions I forgot what the question was. To avoid this I have learnt to hold back a little with my ramblings and try and focus on the question. Refer back to it and keep your answers concise. The best way to do this is to prepare for the interview, read up on common questions. Find out about the company you are hoping to get a job at. Normally it is when you are unsure that the extra chat starts to come out.

Being negative

It is so easy to slip into doing this without thinking, but never refer to current or previous employers in a negative manner. You may well have plenty of good reasons to think that your current boss is the worst on history, but keep this to yourself.  The interviewer will only presume that you will do the same to them. Keep positive and focus on how it has improved your experience and expertise.

Being late

It is pretty obvious this one but I would also put in the same camp being too early. Turning u a t a company only to sit outside the interview room for ages looks bad. Both just highlight bad time keeping skills. If you can’t judge your transport needs for an interview then what chances do you have at getting t right for just a normal day at work. Plane your route, test your route, and turn up on time. If this involves sitting in your car for half an hour then so be it. Make it look to your potential new employer that your time keeping skills are impeccable.

It‘s in the Eyes

Eye contact is a good indicator on your levels of confidence, so you need to try getting this right. Whatever you do don’t presume that staring at someone is making you look confident, in fact it will just make you look creepy. Similar to the over talking issue, getting the right balance of eye contact can be achieved from a little bit of role play practice.

Tell me about yourself question

It happens in almost all interviews, the about you question. It is really easy to stumble at this stage. People often find it tricky to big themselves up and realistically. Be honest on succinct if you don’t prepare for this you will just simply ramble.

Write you pros and cons down on paper and then try and relate these to actual job examples. I would suggest trying to come with three killer examples of your greatness in previous employment.  Include an example of how you see your career developing and how you see this happening within your new company.

This article was contributed by Haven Power – Business Electricity.

Source: Interfysio helps internationals find certified occupational therapist assistant jobs in New York City.

In today’s world of economic ups and downs, sometimes it can be hard to find a stable job. The search for jobs is at an all time high. So it’s more important than ever to make sure that you’re prepared. Being a step ahead of the competition just might land you the job. Here are 10 things that smart job seekers do.

They Make Sure they have a Professional Resume

A resume is the most important aspect of job searching. The sad fact is that many people make the mistake of not keeping their resume up-to-date. That makes them appear unprofessional and shows that they are unprepared. Therefore, job interviewers look at them as unprepared for the job – in essence, tossing their application in the trash. Smart job seekers always keep their resume up-to-date and only include things that add to their potential job worth. Sometimes it’s not about knowing what to include on a resume, but what not to include. Let’s look at some things that smart job seekers leave off of their resume.

Personal Information

First of all, employers don’t need to know the names of your children. They don’t need to know your physical description (unless you’re applying to be an actor). I only mention this because a lot of people add this information to their resume. All it does is clutters up the space and makes it look unprofessional.

Objectives

In the past, putting your personal goals on a resume was important. In today’s world, employers don’t care what you want. They only care about their needs.

Title

Whatever you do, do not include the word ‘Resume’ at the top. Employers know what they are looking at. Instead, use this space for keywords to show employers what your experiences are.

They Make their Resume Hook the Reader within the first Few Seconds

Let’s face it, employers get hundreds of applications when they get an opening. That’s a lot of applications and resumes to go through. Therefore, it’s important to hook them early on. That will lead them to actually finish reading your resume. This can be accomplished by utilizing keywords early on and tell the reader what value you can offer.

They Get a Website for their Resume

The Internet rules the world. Most companies are required to search potential employees using search engines. So why not use this to your advantage? Building a website is really easy. It costs less than $10 a month to host it. And getting your name ranked on search engines is easy. So take the time to build a resume website. When an employer searches your name and lands on another resume, you will make an impression.

They Build a Video Resume

Not everyone will get a face-to-face interview. In fact, most of the time employers will research you before even considering setting up an interview. Again, why not go ahead and prepare for that? A video can act just like an interview. So instead of waiting for an employer to schedule you, you will have the chance to show them who you are. Chances are that if an employer stumbles across a video resume, they are gonna want to watch it.

They Research Potential Employers

Before filling out an application, job seekers should research the company using the Internet. Knowledge is power. This power gives job seekers the ability to customize their resume specifically for the company they want to work for.

They Look Everywhere for Potential Job Leads

Having a great resume isn’t the only step to finding a great job. The smart job seekers will look everywhere for a potential job. This could include the local supermarket (where there is usually a job board), family, friends, and even the doctor. Word of mouth can go a long way towards finding a job. The smart job searchers know this.

They are Always Professional

During an interview, it’s best to remain professional in both appearance and demeanor. That means showing up on time, dressing professionally, and speaking in turn. Answer questions promptly and always listen.

They Always Ask for the Job

Many people don’t realize this, but it’s important to always ask for the job during an interview. It shows both potential and confidence.

They Never Ask about Raises or Promotions During an Interview

Doing the proper research will allow an applicant to know this information ahead of time. There is no reason to mention it during an interview. Those who do come off as the type of person who is only interested in money. Money is definitely an issue, but employers want people who actually want the job, not only the money.

They Clean up their Internet Profile

Finally, successful job applicants always make sure their internet profile is positive. Search your name on Google, Yahoo, and other search engines. Be absolutely sure there’s nothing negative that shows up.

If you are searching for ways to lower the cost of your auto insurance, be sure to visit Kanetix – Canada’s premiere online insurance marketplace. Kanetix is partnered with over 40 insurance companies in Canada and can assist you in finding the cheapest auto insurance rates in just a matter of minutes. Apply online today.

There are a lot of odd jobs out there, but the occupations that have certain stigmas are also often the ones that pay the most.

So if you’re looking for a new job, or maybe want to embark on a more out-of-the-ordinary career, check out these 10 odd jobs that pay well:

Arachnologist

This job entails the study of spiders and other creepy bugs such as scorpions. This is a pretty creepy job that not many people want to do, which is why Arachnologists earn an average of $61,660 per year.

Sommelier

If you like drinking, then this is the job for you. Sommeliers are wine experts who know everything from how to store wine to what food goes well with what wine, and they can earn up to $60,000 per year, depending on where they work.

Animal sitter

Taking care of your own pets is enough work, but some people make a living by taking care of other people’s animals while they’re away at work or on vacation. While this job doesn’t require a lot of training, it does require a compassionate and reliable person. The average salary is only $28,000 per year, but if you’re running your own business, you can charge whatever you want!

Sex therapist

Any form of therapy is a pretty well-respected career field, but it’s a little weird to coach people on their sex lives. But if you’re willing to talk dirty with your clients, you can earn at least $36,000 per year, and usually more since most therapists set their own hourly rates.

Human directional

These are the people you see outside spinning signs for new businesses. This can be an exhausting and uncomfortable job – especially if you’re working in the extreme heat or cold – but you can earn an average of $58,000 per year.

Cyber police

It’s long been thought that America’s next great threat will be a technological one, which is why we’re placing a strong emphasis on cyber crime prevention. Cyber police, who patrol all forms of technology for bad guys, earn about $52,000 per year.

Rodeo clown

An extremely dangerous occupation, rodeo clowns protect fallen bull riders from being attacked by angered bulls by providing a distraction. In some cases they may also provide crowd entertainment. Rodeo clowns can earn at least $50,000 per year, and many even make six-figure salaries.

Psychic

Some people believe in their craft and others don’t, but psychics claim to be able to predict the future. Those who do believe will pay good money to find out what’s ahead, which is why psychics can earn roughly $41,000 per year.

Repo man

These workers are hired by businesses who need to take back items that customers bought but never paid for or by institutions that need collateral. Since people don’t generally like their stuff being taken away, this can be a dangerous job, and therefore pays about $73,000 per year.

Bounty hunter

Known in the U.S. as bail enforcement agents or fugitive recovery agents, these workers hunt down prisoners who were let go on bail and then skipped town. Bounty hunters earn at least $30,000 per year and can also take in a part of the actual bounty placed on a person.

Salary info is from CareerCast and SimplyHired.

Blogging about employment, recruiting, and social media. Check out http://www.pcrecruiter.net/home.htm for more.