Understanding Career Clusters for a Better Future

Most of the states in the United States have a provision and set guidelines for all students. It is mandatory for all children to be educated; this is because education is highly necessary for empowerment. That is why for children living in the states, the federal government has provided some guidelines to help all students. By setting definable strategies, these clusters help under-graduates to find a suitable career path, and make the right choice. It is paramount to understand the intricacies of career clusters.

These guidelines are known as career clusters and are very important to each and every student in the lower and upper level of the education system; that is from first grade to the twelfth grade. However, the importance of clusters is mostly set for the upper level students, since they have a better understanding as young adults on what they would wish to do in future, as grown up adults. That is why the clusters are enforced and put into place; to guide and direct these young adults as to the main areas and scopes of career and how one can achieve that.

A career cluster helps and informs these young adults as to the main and different types of career paths, what these careers require and what they must take as a study path in college, so as to attain their goals in life. A career cluster consists of 16 clusters that are categorized and set forth by the US government and several other educations and career related bodies.It was created to make sure that students transit smoothly from high school to tertiary education with a set mind and goal as to the studies they would follow. This way, they get empowerment in the career fields they choose in the clusters.

There are different career paths set in them and has incorporated many different career jobs in the different sub categorized clusters. This is to mean that nearly all career options are set in a certain cluster, meaning the jobs in a cluster are more related to each other and have their own differences in execution and working. That is why with the clusters, once a student chooses a certain career cluster; he / she will have to make sure to choose a fitting career path, which he / she would love to go for, so that he / she can get to know the right study path to attend, in order to get to that career field.

The integration of the career clusters in the US education system back in the mid 90s, provided for students a chance to set a goal and an objective as to the career they would love to go for. Offering them the paths and spheres to attend and go for to get to that profession. This way, the system has ensured to nurture and build a higher probability of accomplishment in school and work by most of the students who have already gone through the system. The end product of this is a competent and able working force once done with school.

A pathway level, in the career clusters, sets forth the standard and needs required to get through to a certain career field, setting the detailed proficiency and knowledge, academic and technical needs required, to pursue the field one wants to go for as a career. This way, the student can gauge whether they are fit or able to go to the specific career field and if so, what requirements they have to attain to find a space in the career field.

career clusters
A great tool for teachers, counselors, and parents in helping students identify their interests and goals for the future. Use in guidance offices, career labs, libraries, and as a great enhancement to any state career information system.
Click here for 16 career clusters

Career Development And Planning - Tips To Land A New And Better Career

Individual career planning development is centered on current skills, future personal growth and training. In these modern times, more and more individuals take it upon themselves to get the best possible education available and the work required for them to be successful in any given profession.

When employees put more emphasis on their career development and planning, they become better prepared to enter the workplace, climb higher up the professional ladder. Career development and planning is implemented in various stages. Some people purposefully shape theirs towards each given stage, while some simply are easily motivated and are prone to choose what's currently required and maybe needed in the times ahead.

Career plans based on short term planning may force the individual to think objectively and realistically about the accomplishments for a period of five or more year's timeframe. Location, skill, schooling and other costs come into focus during this period.

Long term based career development and planning usually keeps the individual inspired. It is a continuous process of reviewing current skills and the desire to enlarge and utilize them in advancement.

Counselors of career planning and development can be useful in helping individuals stop an on going behavior or the guilty conscience that comes with changing career course. For a person to be successful, he's expected to ignore the subjective and objective forces that may try to (either deliberately or non-deliberately) to impede his progress. Pressures from the family can be a big barrier for that matter; this may include family members who expect you to join up the family business, or believe that your career is below them. Absence of motivation, mediocrity and postponement of major decisions is another big barrier. An individual may postpone a decision to drop that job he dislikes for a better one because of the security the current one provides, and the doubt involved in looking for and starting a new career. This especially holds true if the full-time worker has a family to feed and cater for.

Many people feel immobilized by the thought of steering their careers in a new direction the fear factor plays a major role here, especially the fear of failure, of leading their families down a path and maybe losing all that they have strived to achieve. Such fears, though mostly rational, can force a talented individual to change his mind. Career Development Planning Counselors come I handy at such moments, because they can offer valuable guidance to enable an individual decide on what's best for them. This in turn removes worries and pressures associated with career change.

Sites dedicated to career development and also conferences offer interested persons information that deals with the various classes and types of courses they provide, tutors available, and the class environment requirements. Brochures and other related articles on career development and planning stages and worksheets are accessible in the internet at no price from many institutions. These worksheets incorporate checklists and goals for specific career choices, or just broad questions for anyone's use.

Abhishek is a Career Counselor and he has got some great Career Planning Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 71 Pages Ebook, "Career Planning Made Easy!" from his website http://www.Career-Guru.com/769/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

Career Planning - 5 Quick Start Tips to a Better Future!

Career Planning:5 Quick Tips to Control Your Career and Your Future!

It's unlikely that anyone today will stay with one employer their whole working life. As you make choices regarding your career your identity comes from these choices and not your employer.

Who is making a lifetime commitment to your career? It's surely not your employer, no matter how benevolent they might be. The person controlling your life is you, so if you take responsibility for your life and your future you'll be far ahead of most people. It's counterproductive to blame circumstances you cannot control or to blame your employer, your supervisor or co-workers.

If you feel powerless because of where you work, or the career you are in, wake-up and get started on your future. Everyone, with a bit of planning has the ability to quit their jobs and start with another employer, another career or start working for themselves.

The job market is relatively soft right now, but the economy will change and if you plan for a job or career change you future success starts now.

Five Ways to Quickly Get Control of Your Career and Your Future.

1. Research job opportunities all the time.

This doesn't mean you need to send out five resumes every day. What is does mean is you are constantly looking for opportunities. Some may be internal-with your current employer-some may be external.

Some opportunities may be additional education, self-study, networking with outside organizations, and becoming a player in a career related organization. All will provide you with a constant stream of valuable career information.

If you get stuck and don't see a way out, work hard at getting help. Career coaches are everywhere, how about a mentor or someone from your network.

Build up your support team and soon you'll have a group of people working on your behalf.

2. Don't use money issues as the reasons holding you back.

If you use this as an excuse for making a career or job decision you are shortchanging yourself. If you think you need a certain income to live well, there are many families living better but earning 10%, 20% and even 50% less than you do. How do they do it? Do some research.

After your research then make your plans and you'll soon find that financial issues will drop off your worry/excuse list.

3. Honestly assess where you happiness comes from.

If it were money, millionaires would be the happiest people on the planet. And earning 25% more may or may not increase you level of happiness. Probably not as there is always 25% more, and 25% after that.

After you've built your career plan and you take action this is the fasted path to fulfillment and happiness, not ruminating about what you cannot control.

4. Blaming others or taking a routine negative approach to a situation is a lose-lose proposition.

How you view situations matters. If a problem becomes framed as an opportunity you'll be well on your way to controlling the situation. Search for the best in every situation, taking the optimistic approach will put you more in control of your career and your future.

5. Do the best presenting in your "brand."

Looking your best starts with physical conditioning. What is your ideal weight? Do you regularly exercise? Do you go out of your way to build in some physical activity into your daily routine?

Working in a three story building-how often do you use the stairs? Going shopping? How about parking at the edge of the parking lot and getting in some extra walking. You get the idea.

What you wear can make a difference. Recently I meet with a manager who was dressed in what looked like Goodwill castoffs. He didn't impress any member of my team and he had to work extra hard to get his points across. This is not to suggest that he had to wear a $2000 designer suit, but freshly pressed khakis, with a shirt without a frayed collar and shined shoes would have made at least a neutral impression.

Need assistance with the rest of your appearance? Get help, get a regular haircut, etc.

Also, as part of your career planning work hard to improve your ability to communicate, both in writing and in making an oral presentation. Improvement in this area will also improve your "brand" and will pay big dividends.

Controlling your life, career and future is no easy task. Once you make the decision to start, work through one thing at a time. Keep it up and before you know it you will put together a record of personal achievements and career advancement. The time to start is now.

John Groth is a Career Coach and former HR executive. On his site find Career Planning Ideas valuable articles and exciting ideas to build a successful career plan. Discover up to date career and recruitment strategies at Careers After 50 Blog all to assist you in advancing and managing your career.

Career Downtime: Tomorrow Will Be Better!

Every career has its ups and downs. It's not always that people get compensated and recognised for a job well done. There will be times when our careers are stagnant and boring. If you are in a stagnant career right now, know that there are a lot of things that you can do to turn a sluggish career into something exciting and rewarding.

1. Creating a successful career starts with a positive mantra. Believe that all challenges, including those pertaining to your career, will pass. Someday you will look back and remember the wisdom you've gained from this career downtime in your life.

2. Visualise yourself being successful. Do this by understanding yourself better - what you really want, your priorities and competencies. Ask yourself what it is that you really want to achieve in your career and write these things down. This will allow you to have a clear and realistic goal of how you would turn your sluggish career into a successful one.

3. It is also important to understand why your career is on the rocks at the moment. Are you doing your part in making your career work for you? Do you still excel in your role? Are you being responsible in the tasks you do? Are you still productive? Are you still valuable to the company? These questions will help you realise the reason for your stagnant career.

4. Create a career plan. Once you've done a self analysis, you can now devise a career plan. Having a plan is essential to your success. A career plan will make it easier for you to achieve a successful career. Be specific in creating your plan but make sure each part of your plan is realistic and achievable.

5. Work on it! Once your plan is created it is time to work your way to a successful career. Perhaps you want a promotion or a salary increase. The best way to do this is to work hard and stick to your plan. Make your boss notice you by excelling in everything that you do. Don't just work on what is expected from you but go the extra mile by volunteering to do new tasks and show yourself to be a leader and an innovator.

6. Believe that you can turn a sluggish career into the career that you really want. Remember that what you think of yourself is probably what you show to your work colleagues and employers. If you value yourself and are confident with your capabilities, your peers and employers will see you as someone dependable, valuable and worthy of a better position in your company or a salary increase. So be positive. Believe in yourself and work on achieving your dreams!

Life Directions Institute's expertise is in career development and aims to help people achieve a successful career through outstanding coaching sessions and career development trainings and tools.

http://LifeDirectionsInstitute.com Jenni Proctor is a career coach and career consultant based in Brisbane Queensland Australia. Life Directions Institute offers career coaching programs which are available by Skype and telephone and are supported by outstanding career resources, empowering clients to develop their own career management skills while being supported through regular coaching. Visit http://LifeDirectionsInstitute.com today to request our 7 day Refresh Your Career video series.

New Mexico's retail sector employment performs better than most States

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

New Mexico's retail sector employment performs better than most States  
Wednesday 28 December 2011 source: Business Journal

Things can be look up for retailers, but it is still a long way from a full recovery.
Only six of the 50 States have more retail jobs today than they did at the end of 2006, according to an analysis on numbers of
UK foreign policy in 2012 is likely to see an extension of that of the past decade, the most capastrophic since the 1930s. Britian's eyeing Burma, Somalia, Syria and Iran.

Breaking News
Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Our flyer service network provides a medium for your important news commissioning a flyer on the web.
Whether it's a new product launch, is a community event notify, promoting a Web site or advertising for your company, then our Flyers network service for you.
Click here for more details

View the original article here

Land A Better Job!

Imagine Being Able To Find And Land The Highest Paying Job Offers In Your Industry Faster And Easier Than Ever Before! Learn The Little Known Secrets Of Landing A Better Job Today! Visit www.landabetterjob.com/affiliates.html For Free Affiliate Tools

Check it out!

Top 25 Tips For Finding a Better Job

Is a job change in order? Peruse the 25 most effective ways to job hunt. If it's time for new beginnings, and if you're searching for a job, it's a good time to make sure your priorities are in check. Begin with some basic soul-searching, move to creative networking, and conclude with the foremost ways to investigate prospective companies. These are all sure strategies for getting a competitive edge in the job market. But finding a job means more than being competitive. In the bewildering new world of technology-online boards, career centers, and growing numbers of complex web sites-it also means knowing your way around. Here are 25 tips to learn how to maximize your time, your effectiveness, and your chances of success in your next career search!

First and foremost-take a personal inventory. Job hunting gives you the opportunity to go back to "square one" and inventory all over again what you are all about, what skills and knowledge you have acquired, and what you want to do. Who are you? What do you want out of life? A job? A career? Where are you going? Do you know how to get there? Have you been happy in your work/career/profession? What would you like to change? An inventory such as this is the best job hunting method ever devised because it focuses your view of your skills and talents as well as your inner desires. You begin your job hunt by first identifying your transferable, functional, skills. In fact, you are identifying the basic building blocks of your work.

Apply directly to an employer. Pick out the employers that interest you the most from any source available (web listings, yellow pages, newspaper ads, etc.), and obtain their address. Appear on their doorstep at your first opportunity with resume in hand. Even if you don't know anyone there, this job hunting method works almost half the time, if you are diligent and continue your pursuit over several weeks or months.


Ask relatives and friends about jobs where they work. Ask every relative and friend you have now or have ever had about vacancies they may know about where they work, or where anyone else works. It may take a village to raise a child, but it takes an entire network to find a new job! If you tell everyone you know or meet that you are job hunting and that you would appreciate their help, you more than quadruple your chances of success.

Search hidden job markets. Networking is the "Hidden Job Market." Because every time you make contact with a person who is in direct line with your career interest, you set up the possibility that he or she will lead you to more people, or to the job you are seeking. People are connected to one another by an infinite number of pathways. Many of these pathways are available to you, but you must activate them to make them work to your advantage. Most of the available jobs are in the hidden job market. They aren't listed in the classifieds or placed with a headhunter. Find them through your network of contacts. This is your most valuable resource!

Ask a professor or old teacher for job-leads. No one knows your capabilities, dedication, and discipline better than a teacher or professor who had the opportunity to work with you in school. Since more people find their work through direct referral by other people than by any other way, this is a target audience you don't want to miss

Spend more hours each week on your job hunt. Finding a job is a job! Treat your job hunting just as you would a normal job and work a normal number of hours per week, at least 35, preferably 40 in the process. This will cut down dramatically on the length of time it takes you to find work. Did you know that the average person in the job market only spends 5 hours or less per week looking for work? With that statistic, it isn't surprising that it can be a long, tedious process. Improve your chances and demonstrate your discipline and determination. Devote Sundays to answering ads and planning your strategy for the next week. Don't spend precious weekday hours behind a computer. You need to be out there researching leads, networking, and interviewing. Work smarter for yourself!

Concentrate your job hunt on smaller companies. Most new jobs will come from smaller, growing companies, typically with fewer than 500 employees, not large, restructuring companies. Although larger employers are more visible, well known and aggressive in their search for employees, it is with the smaller companies that you may have the best chance of success in finding work. Pay particular attention to those companies that are expanding and on their way to prosperous growth...they are easier to approach, easier to contact important personnel, and less likely to screen you out.

See more employers each week. If you only visit six or seven employers a month in your job search (which is the average, by the way), you will prolong your search and delay your successful outcome. This is one reason why job hunting takes so long. If you need to see 45 employers to find a job, it only makes sense to see as many employers a week as possible. Determine to see no fewer than two employers per week at a minimum! Do this for as many months as your job-hunt lasts. Keep going until you find the kind of employer who wants to hire you! Looking for a job is a numbers game. The more contacts you make, the more interviews you'll get. The more interviews you have, the more offers you'll get.

Be prepared for phone interviews. Would you believe that over 50% of prospective candidates are disqualified after the first phone contact is made with them by an employer? In today's world, employers don't have time anymore to interview every possible applicant and are using phone calls as a less expensive, less time consuming way to weed out potentially unqualified candidates. The phone interview catches many people off guard. You might receive more than just one phone interview, and you have to pass them all. The interviewer usually makes up his or her mind within the first five minutes. The remainder of the time is spent just confirming first impressions.

Create a support group. It is easy to get discouraged, depressed and despondent (the three D's) in the job-hunt process. This can be one of the toughest and loneliest experiences in the world and the rejection you may have to face can be brutal, but it doesn't have to be. The key is in understanding that you are not alone. There are literally hundreds of thousands of people looking for work, and you can team up with one if you choose. Many job-hunting groups already exist, such as the local Chambers of Commerce and online support groups through the Internet. Find a partner, or a larger group, and support and encourage each other. The path to success is literally a phone call away.

Contact potential employers directly through professional associations. Professional associations provide excellent networks for your benefit. Almost all committed professionals are members of at least one or two professional networks. Usually membership includes a directory, which provides you with a direct networking resource for verbal contact and mail campaigns. Additionally, most professional associations hold regularly scheduled meetings, which provide further opportunities to mingle with your professional peers on an informal basis. Finally, professional associations all have newsletters that are a valuable resource for other trade publications, associations, and help wanted sections.

Post your resume online. In today's world there are numerous resume databases on the web. Job hunters can now tap into giant online databases when launching a search prior to interviewing. There are three primary ways to job search electronically or online: Joblines, Bulletin Board Systems (BBS), and the Internet. Many employers today have their employment opportunities accessible through a simple phone call. You can also use the advanced Resume Caster feature in ResumeMaker to post your resume to all of the top career centers on the web for thousands of hiring employers to review. You can also use the Job Finder feature to search from among more than 1 million online-listed job openings for a specific job title in the state you specify. The data is all there, waiting for you.

Promote yourself in unique ways. Promotion is creating an audience of potential employers and making them aware of your qualifications. There are many nontraditional ways to accomplish this task. For example, use electronic resume services to broadcast your resume. List yourself in appropriate trade association newsletters. Prepare 3 x 5 Rolodex cards that contain your name, address, and phone number on the front and your objective and skills from your resume on the back. Leave them behind wherever you go and give them to anyone who has reason to contact you later about a job.

Accept a temporary position or volunteer work. Be your own working advertisement by accepting a temporary position. This provides you with valuable experience, contacts, and references. Volunteer for organizations and activities with business sponsors and relationships that increases your visibility and personal contacts. Explore your possibilities and leave all options open. You never know which method may ultimately land you your ideal job.

Make cold-calls. Next to face-to-face meetings, the telephone is the most effective method available to find a job. Every call you make is an opportunity to sell yourself to a prospective employer, to pursue a new job opening, or to obtain a referral. Your technique in the initial telephone call can have a categorical impact on your chances to obtain what you want from the call. Complete at least 15 calls per day. You will be astonished at the results. Always be agreeable, gentle, and positive. Smile when you speak; the listener will hear it. Prepare a brief outline for each call and rehearse it. Create brief statements that outline how you can help your prospective employer accomplish their goals. Always, always, always ask for referrals.

Re-define your job hunt in terms of alternative possibilities. Successful job hunters always have alternative plans ready in the background and implement them at the first sign of difficulty. Prepare alternative ways of describing what you do, alternative avenues of job hunting, alternative leads and contact lists, alternative target organizations and employers to contact, alternative ways to approach prospective companies, and alternative plans to continue your job hunt through its successful completion. The jobs are out there-you just need to be sure you are using the right methods to look for them.

Seek career counseling or job hunting help online. Many service providers, through the Internet, are offering career counseling services, job hunting advice, and reference tools that you can turn to in your job hunt. Some of the best of these services are free, and the number is growing astronomically each year. Your first approach would be to visit the online career centers integrated with ResumeMaker and visit each site to determine what services they have to offer. There is a virtual community just waiting to hear from you.

Consider federal and local government sources. The federal government is a huge resource of potential job search information, available to you at little or no cost. Several Department of Labor publications, for example, can take you through your job search from beginning to end, and help with career counseling and industry research. Call your local employment office and take advantage of the services they offer.

Make sure you can survive financially between jobs. Budget for the time you will be looking for a job. It is always helpful if you can get an overall view of how your money will carry you through any work search or training you may need to take on. You will have enough worries and issues to deal with and do not want to have to be concerned about your finances.

Set and prioritize goals while job-hunting. You need to know what you want, or else you can't ask for it. There are literally thousands of jobs open around you. Determine what it is that you want, set your goals for achieving this, and prioritize the steps that you will ultimately need to take. The more specific you are about your goal, the better your chances of getting the job you want.

Zero in on a career position and research the market. Before you start meeting people, you need to know something about the industry or field you want to work in. The more you know, the better your conversations with prospective employers will be-and the more impressed they will be with you.

Interview others for information. Interview people whose occupations interest you. You can always find someone who has done something that at least approximates what you want to do. Find the names of such persons, and go see, phone, or write them. You will learn a great deal that is relevant to your dream.

Organize a job search campaign. Organize your job search campaign. Failing to do so is a common flaw in many people's job search strategy. Make a plan for your job search. This entails: planning and organizing your job strategy, setting up a base or operations center for your job hunt, preparing materials, and carrying out job search tactics.

Update your resume and be prepared. Update that resume! A resume is what nearly everyone you approach in your job search is going to ask for. Get your resume in top shape. Use a professional service or ResumeMaker to prepare a show-stopping resume!

Keep yourself dedicated, strong, positioned, and consistent. Job-hunting can certainly be one of life's most stressful experiences. You have more power to keep the pressures of job hunting under control, however, than you may think. The key is to focus your job search and stay strong, dedicated and consistent. One of the curious things about the human brain is that it focuses on only one thing at a time. So keep it focused on you-and finding a job!

http://globaljobcenter.com

A Better Job Interview

Learn To How To Answer Difficult Interview Questions By This Ebook

Check it out!