During the last couple of months, I have interwoven a somewhat common theme of self-improvement throughout my blogs. I have written about keeping up with technology and math. I wrote of having passion, writing down your goals and making constant improvements. I have blogged about overcoming road blocks to employment, job interviews, changing careers and networking with people. And I have written of education being freedom and how making decisions today can better your future tomorrow.
Where do I get the ideas to blog about all this? Sometimes my own thoughts lead to ideas to blog about, but often my blog topics are inspired and influenced by the people I encounter on a daily basis, some being my co-workers, others being students.
I work with some of the best people I have ever experienced. The staff at the Accounting and Business School, myself included, really do care about the success of our students. We go the “extra mile” to provide our students with an excellent educational experience to help them on their way.
I witness many students enrolling in and progressing through any of our certificate programs. I enjoy watching them gain a new sense of confidence. Many successfully parlay their experience with our school into a new career. It gives me immense satisfaction to know I have played a role in helping other people to achieve success.
There are a number of exciting events happening at ABSR. We have improved our courseware and are expanding it to include self-paced on-line or take-home courses for those who struggle to find time in their schedule to go to school.
Starting near the end of April this year, we will be offering a PAID INTERNSHIP program for students who pay in full, either out-of-pocket or through a grant or funding agency, to enroll in our Professional Bookkeeping Certificate program (2-5 months long) or our Office Skills Training (1 month long). Upon completion of the educational program, those who have met the school criteria (such as a good attendance record and a grade of 75% or better), will be placed in a one-month 20hrs/week job.
If you are interested, we can help! Please call us so we can help get you started on your track to success.
We offer short-term Certificate programs for Professional Bookkeeping, Administrative Assistant, Office Management, Office Skills, Call Center/Customer Service, Microsoft Power User and Project Management bootcamp. We also offer Securities training for those interested in passing the Series 6 or Series 7 licensing tests. Please call us today at 303-755-6885 to learn more about exciting opportunities to make your future reality a good one!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Write Down Your Goals!!!
In 1953, Yale University conducted a study where a group of fresh graduates was asked if they had their goals written down. The survey revealed that only 3% of the students wrote down their goals.
The other 97% percent did not have clearly defined goals written down and apparently adopted the attitude of living one day at a time without having a destination and goals to focus on.
Twenty years later, those students were re-surveyed. Are you ready for this? It was revealed through the follow up survey that the 3% of students who had written down their goals earned a combined income three times greater than the combined income of the other 97% who did not bother to write down their goals.
So if you are really motivated to achieve your life’s goals, I would suggest that if you have not written down your goals, now would be the best time to start. Obviously, just writing your goals is not enough to achieve wealth and clout beyond your wildest dreams! One has to take action as well. But it would appear from the results of this survey, that having focus can make a really big difference.
Personally, whenever I set goals, I write them down and I make a point of reviewing them and re-evaluating them from time to time. In addition to stating what you want, be sure to also include a deadline or timeframe as to when you intend to get it. It’s also helpful to spell out the actions needed to accomplish your goals. In other words, set your goals with a time table and then begin to take action toward your aspirations and endeavors.
We offer short-term Certificate programs for Professional Bookkeeping, Administrative Assistant, Office Management, Office Skills, Call Center/Customer Service, Microsoft Power User and Project Management bootcamp. We also offer Securities training for those interested in passing the Series 6 or Series 7 licensing tests. Please call us today at 303-755-6885 to learn more about exciting opportunities to make your future reality a good one!
The other 97% percent did not have clearly defined goals written down and apparently adopted the attitude of living one day at a time without having a destination and goals to focus on.
Twenty years later, those students were re-surveyed. Are you ready for this? It was revealed through the follow up survey that the 3% of students who had written down their goals earned a combined income three times greater than the combined income of the other 97% who did not bother to write down their goals.
So if you are really motivated to achieve your life’s goals, I would suggest that if you have not written down your goals, now would be the best time to start. Obviously, just writing your goals is not enough to achieve wealth and clout beyond your wildest dreams! One has to take action as well. But it would appear from the results of this survey, that having focus can make a really big difference.
Personally, whenever I set goals, I write them down and I make a point of reviewing them and re-evaluating them from time to time. In addition to stating what you want, be sure to also include a deadline or timeframe as to when you intend to get it. It’s also helpful to spell out the actions needed to accomplish your goals. In other words, set your goals with a time table and then begin to take action toward your aspirations and endeavors.
We offer short-term Certificate programs for Professional Bookkeeping, Administrative Assistant, Office Management, Office Skills, Call Center/Customer Service, Microsoft Power User and Project Management bootcamp. We also offer Securities training for those interested in passing the Series 6 or Series 7 licensing tests. Please call us today at 303-755-6885 to learn more about exciting opportunities to make your future reality a good one!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Job Interviews
When you are interviewing for a job, it is important to remember that this is your one and perhaps only opportunity to represent yourself in the hopes of landing the job. Therefore, treat such opportunities with due respect.
Do not be late! If from the very beginning you are unable to make an appointment on time, imagine what the employer will think. Be 15 minutes early. Often the employer will have you fill out a job application during this time so that you are ready when the interviewer is ready to see you.
Do not be unprepared! I take a folder with me that contains all of the information regarding my employment history, such as references and their contact information, former employers, addresses phone numbers, responsibilities, salary history, etc. If you have not interviewed for a while, I highly recommend finding someone willing to do a mock job interview with you. If you know someone who is a hiring manager, they could really help you when it comes to knowing what to say and do verses what not to say or do. Also, make sure your resume is perfect, without any errors of any kind.
If during the interview you are asked an open question such as, “Tell me about yourself”, do not answer by talking about your personal life, hobbies or interests. Use the question as an opportunity to explain why you are right for the job rather than talking about your hobbies and personal interests.
A good interviewer will open up the interview at some point to allow you to ask questions. It’s best to wait until then to ask your questions. Until then, allow the interview to set the direction. Don’t ask about salary or hourly wage or benefits until it is appropriate. Generally questions of this nature should be asked later, rather than sooner during the interview. Ask if there will be a second or third interview. If so, it’s best to wait until the later interviews to ask about benefits and compensation.
And finally, make sure to follow up quickly with a phone call or a brief written thank you letter or note.
We offer short-term Certificate programs for Professional Bookkeeping, Administrative Assistant, Office Management, Office Skills, Call Center/Customer Service, Microsoft Power User and Project Management bootcamp. We also offer Securities training for those interested in passing the Series 6 or Series 7 licensing tests. Please call us today at 303-755-6885 to learn more about exciting opportunities to make your future reality a good one!
Do not be late! If from the very beginning you are unable to make an appointment on time, imagine what the employer will think. Be 15 minutes early. Often the employer will have you fill out a job application during this time so that you are ready when the interviewer is ready to see you.
Do not be unprepared! I take a folder with me that contains all of the information regarding my employment history, such as references and their contact information, former employers, addresses phone numbers, responsibilities, salary history, etc. If you have not interviewed for a while, I highly recommend finding someone willing to do a mock job interview with you. If you know someone who is a hiring manager, they could really help you when it comes to knowing what to say and do verses what not to say or do. Also, make sure your resume is perfect, without any errors of any kind.
If during the interview you are asked an open question such as, “Tell me about yourself”, do not answer by talking about your personal life, hobbies or interests. Use the question as an opportunity to explain why you are right for the job rather than talking about your hobbies and personal interests.
A good interviewer will open up the interview at some point to allow you to ask questions. It’s best to wait until then to ask your questions. Until then, allow the interview to set the direction. Don’t ask about salary or hourly wage or benefits until it is appropriate. Generally questions of this nature should be asked later, rather than sooner during the interview. Ask if there will be a second or third interview. If so, it’s best to wait until the later interviews to ask about benefits and compensation.
And finally, make sure to follow up quickly with a phone call or a brief written thank you letter or note.
We offer short-term Certificate programs for Professional Bookkeeping, Administrative Assistant, Office Management, Office Skills, Call Center/Customer Service, Microsoft Power User and Project Management bootcamp. We also offer Securities training for those interested in passing the Series 6 or Series 7 licensing tests. Please call us today at 303-755-6885 to learn more about exciting opportunities to make your future reality a good one!
Friday, March 4, 2011
Changing Careers
I’ve done it twice now. It’s not easy. If you are looking to make a career change, I can offer some advice.
1. It’s a profound, life-changing event, so really think it through and decide what you want to do before doing it.
2. Be realistic. Expect it to be difficult, not impossible, but difficult. Save money and plan ahead. Expect that you will have to start at the bottom and work your way up. Even if you are advanced in your current career, do not expect that to give you much of a head start in your new career – even though you might think or know it should. It’s currently an employer’s market. You will likely have to start at a low wage. You may have to take an internship.
3. If you are serious about making the change, do anything and everything you can to show prospective employers that you are serious. Research, read, network, volunteer, join professional groups, and/or consider going to school. Anything you can do to bolster your vocational knowledge or experience will likely make you more attractive as a job candidate.
4. Write your new resume for your new career. Your new resume should be fashioned for your new career, not your old one.
5. Talk to people. Talk to people who have made career changes. They may have very valuable thoughts about it. Talk to people who work in the career you want. They may offer valuable insights as well.
6. When you finally get a job related to your new career, respect it and work smartly and show your employer they made a good decision to hire you. That way you will advance and grow and increase your income.
We offer short-term Certificate programs for Professional Bookkeeping, Administrative Assistant, Office Management, Office Skills, Call Center/Customer Service, Microsoft Power User and Project Management bootcamp. We also offer Securities training for those interested in passing the Series 6 or Series 7 licensing tests. Please call us today at 303-755-6885 to learn more about exciting opportunities to make your future reality a good one!
1. It’s a profound, life-changing event, so really think it through and decide what you want to do before doing it.
2. Be realistic. Expect it to be difficult, not impossible, but difficult. Save money and plan ahead. Expect that you will have to start at the bottom and work your way up. Even if you are advanced in your current career, do not expect that to give you much of a head start in your new career – even though you might think or know it should. It’s currently an employer’s market. You will likely have to start at a low wage. You may have to take an internship.
3. If you are serious about making the change, do anything and everything you can to show prospective employers that you are serious. Research, read, network, volunteer, join professional groups, and/or consider going to school. Anything you can do to bolster your vocational knowledge or experience will likely make you more attractive as a job candidate.
4. Write your new resume for your new career. Your new resume should be fashioned for your new career, not your old one.
5. Talk to people. Talk to people who have made career changes. They may have very valuable thoughts about it. Talk to people who work in the career you want. They may offer valuable insights as well.
6. When you finally get a job related to your new career, respect it and work smartly and show your employer they made a good decision to hire you. That way you will advance and grow and increase your income.
We offer short-term Certificate programs for Professional Bookkeeping, Administrative Assistant, Office Management, Office Skills, Call Center/Customer Service, Microsoft Power User and Project Management bootcamp. We also offer Securities training for those interested in passing the Series 6 or Series 7 licensing tests. Please call us today at 303-755-6885 to learn more about exciting opportunities to make your future reality a good one!
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