How to Choose the Better and Right Career Path

Most of us find our eight-to-ten-hour jobs very monotonous and tiring. We tend to simply complete our work like machines. The chances of making mistakes and experiencing a decline in performance also increase.

People who do not explore their real interests at an early age tend to get lost in a lifetime of dissatisfaction and unhappiness.

Pursue Your Ambitions

In the pursuit of contentment, choosing the right career becomes a priority. However, this is not necessarily as easy as it seems. For one reason or another, most of us are not able to pursue our real ambitions. For example, in childhood most of us tend to dream of careers that parents, teachers, siblings, and friends suggest.

By the time we grow up and realize our real callings, it’s too late to start over. By this time, there are more demands on us. This is when we usually realize the importance of choosing the right career path.

Self Appraisal

Choosing the right career path is not all that difficult. You need to patiently conduct some self appraisal and think about what you want to accomplish in your life. A step-by-step review with the help of teachers will help you think about these things. Many colleges and junior colleges offer programs that help individuals make such life choices.

Call the career center at a college near you and tell them what you need. These services are government-supported and are usually available free of charge or at a minimal charge both to students and non-students.

These programs often open up new employment possibilities and new ways of thinking about careers. It’s better to conduct these searches before jumping into a career and it’s certainly better to accomplish this while you’re still young; however, even people who have been in the workforce for some time and are seeking to pursue new career paths can use these tools.

At the right time, with an understanding of your own capabilities and interests, and with the assistance of teachers and career counselors, you can choose a career path that will lead to a satisfying and productive life.

By Tony Jacowski

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Rotary Employment Fair 2011

employment.fair@jobmastergroup.com to be registered and receive an invitation that will allow you to enter the event, kindly be noted that invitations will be sent based on candidates qualifications after matching them with the available vacancies.
26-11-2011 
Intercontinental city stars

Employment fair in Egypt

How to Write a Business Memo

Example Memo
From: Management
To: Northwest Area Sales Staff
RE: New Monthly Reporting System

We’d like to quickly go over some of the changes in the new monthly sales reporting system that we discussed at Monday’s special meeting. First of all, we'd once again like to stress that this new system will save you a lot of time when reporting future sales. We understand that you have concerns about the amount of time that will be initially required for inputting your client data. Despite this initial effort, we are confident that you will all soon enjoy the benefits of this new system.
Here is a look at the procedure you will need to follow to complete your area's client list:

1. Log on to the company web site at http://www.picklesandmore.com
2. Enter your user ID and password. These will be issued next week.
3. Once you have logged on, click on "New Client".
4. Enter the appropriate client information.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you have entered all of your clients.
6. Once this information has been entered, select "Place Order".
7. Choose the client from the drop down list "Clients".
8. Choose the products from the drop down list "Products".
9. Choose the shipping specifications from the drop down list "Shipping".
10. Click on the "Process Order" button.

As you can see, once you have entered the appropriate client information, processing orders will require NO paperwork on your part.
Thank you all for your help in putting this new system into place.
Best regards,
Management

Important Points to Remember

• Use the following structure to begin a memo: MEMO
  From: (person or group sending the memo)
  To: (person or group to whom the memo is addressed)
  RE: (the subject of the memo, this should be in bold)
• The term "memorandum" can be used instead of "memo".
• A memo is generally is not as formal as a written letter. However, it is certainly not as informal as a personal letter.
• The tone of a memo is generally friendly as it is a communication between colleagues.
• Keep the memo concise and to the point.
• If necessary, introduce the reason for the memo with a short paragraph.
• Use bullet points to explain the most important steps in a process.
• Use a short thank you to finish the memo. This need not be as formal as in a written letter.

http://esl.about.com/od/businessenglishwriting/a/bizdocs_2.htm

How to Write a Business Report

Reports: Example Report

Terms of Reference
Margaret Anderson, Director of Personnel has requested this report on employee benefits satisfaction. The report was to be submitted to her by 28 June.
Procedure
A representative selection of 15% of all employees were interviewed in the period between April 1st and April 15th concerning:

1. Overall satisfaction with our current benefits package
2. Problems encountered when dealing with the personnel department
3. Suggestions for the improvement of communication policies
4. Problems encountered when dealing with our HMO

Findings

1. Employees were generally satisfied with the current benefits package.
2. Some problems were encountered when requesting vacation due to what is perceived as long approval waiting periods.
3. Older employees repeatedly had problems with HMO prescription drugs procedures.
4. Employees between the ages of 22 and 30 report few problems with HMO.
5. Most employees complain about the lack of dental insurance in our benefits package.
6. The most common suggestion for improvement was for the ability to process benefits requests online.

Conclusions

1. Older employees, those over 50, are having serious problems with our HMO's ability to provide prescription drugs.
2. Our benefits request system needs to be revised as most complaints concerning in-house processing.
3. Improvements need to take place in personnel department response time.
4. Information technology improvements should be considered as employees become more technologically savvy.

Recommendations

1. Meet with HMO representatives to discuss the serious nature of complaints concerning prescription drug benefits for older employees.
2. Give priority to vacation request response time as employees need faster approval in order to be able to plan their vacations.
3. Take no special actions for the benefits package of younger employees.
4. Discuss the possibility of adding an online benefits requests system to our company Intranet.

Important Points to Remember

• A report is divided into four areas:
  • Terms of Reference- This section gives background information on the reason for the report. It usually includes the person requesting the report.
  • Procedure- The procedure provides the exact steps taken and methods used for the report.
  • Findings- The findings point out discoveries made during the course of the report investigation.
  • Conclusions- The conclusions provide logical conclusions based on the findings.
  • Recommendations- The recommendations state actions that the writer of the report feels need to be taken based on the findings and conclusions.
• Reports should be concise and factual. Opinions are given in the "conclusions" section. However, these opinions should be based on facts presented in the "findings".
• Use simple tenses (usually the present simple) to express facts.
• Use the imperative form (Discuss the possibility ..., Give priority ..., etc.) in the "recommendations" section as these apply to the company as a whole

http://esl.about.com/od/businessenglishwriting/a/bizdocs.htm

How to Write a Business Email

Example 1: Formal
Hello,
I read on your web site that you offer Music CD copying for large quantities of CDs. I'd like to inquire about the procedures involved in these services. Are the files transferred online, or are the titles sent by CD to you by standard mail? How long does it usually take to produce approximately 500 copies? Are there any discounts on such a large quantity?
Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. I look forward to your response.
Jack Finley
Sales Manager, Young Talent Inc.
(709) 567 - 3498
Example 2: Informal
At 16.22 01/07/2002 +0000, you wrote:
> I hear you're working on the Smith account. If you need any information don't hesitate to get in > contact with me.
Hi Tom,
Listen, we've been working on the Smith account and I was wondering if you could give me a hand? I need some inside information on recent developments over there. Do you think you could pass on any information you might have?
Thanks
Peter
Peter Thompsen
Account Manager, Tri-State Accounting
(698) 345 - 7843

Important Points to Remember

• Email is much less formal than a written letter. Emails are usually short and concise.
• If you are writing to someone you don't know, a simple "Hello" is adequate. Using a salutation such as "Dear Mr Smith," is too formal.
• When writing to someone you know well, feel free to write as if you are speaking to the person.
• Use abbreviated verb forms (He's, We're, He'd, etc.)
• Include a telephone number to the signature of the email. This will give the recipient the chance to telephone if necessary.
• It is not necessary to include your email address as the recipient can just reply to the email.
• When replying eliminate all the information that is not necessary. Only leave the sections of text that are related to your reply. This will save your reader time when reading your email.

http://esl.about.com/od/businessenglishwriting/a/bizdocs_3.htm

Formal Letter Structure

Formal letters written in block format place everything on the left hand side of the page. Place the your address or your company's address at the top of the letter on the left (or use your company's letterhead) followed by the address of the person and / or company you are writing to placed on the left side of the page. Hit the key return a number of times and use the date.
Formal Letter Structure: Standard Format
In formal letters written in standard format place your address or your company's address at the top of the letter on the right. Place the address of the person and / or company you are writing on the left side of the page. Place the date on the right hand side of the page in alignment with your address.
Formal Letter Structure: Basic Structure
First Paragraph
The first paragraph of formal letters should include an introduction to the purpose of the letter.
Body Paragraphs
The second and following paragraphs should provide the main information of the letter, and build on the main purpose in the introductory first paragraph.
Final Paragraph
The final paragraph should shortly summarize the intent of the formal letter and end with some call to action.
The Start
Dear Mr, Ms (Mrs, Miss) - if you know the name of the person you are writing to. Use Dear Sir / Madam if you do not know the name of the person you are writing to, or To Whom it May Concern
VERY IMPORTANT: Always use Ms for women unless you are specifically requested to use Mrs or Miss
Formal Letter Structure: Beginning Your Letter
Starting with a 'Thank You'
Formal letters are often begun by thanking someone. This is especially true when writing in response to an inquiry of some kind. Here are some useful phrases:
Thank you for your letter of (date) inquiring about ...
We would like to thank you for your letter of (date) asking for / requesting information about ...
In response to your letter of (date), we would like to thank you for your interest in ...
Examples
I would like to thank you for your letter of January 22nd requesting information about our new line of lawn mowers.
In response to your letter of October 23, 1997, we would like to thank you for your interest in our new line of products.
Reason for Writing
If you are beginning correspondence with someone about something, or asking for information, begin by providing a reason for writing:
I am writing to inform you about ...
I am writing to ask / inquire about ...
Examples
I am writing to ask about information for small businesses.
I am writing to inform you that we have not yet received payment for ...
Asking for Help
Use the following phrases to ask for help:
I would be grateful if you could + verb
Would you mind + verb + ing
Would it be to much to ask that ...
Examples
I would be grateful if you could send me a brochure.
Would you mind telephoning me during the next week.
Would it be to much to ask that our payment be postponed for two weeks.
Offering Help
The following phrases are used to offer help:
I would be happy to + verb
We would be pleased to + verb
Examples
I would be happy to answer any questions you have.
We would be pleased to assist you in finding a new location.
Enclosing Documents
In some formal letters you will need to include documents or other information. Use the following phrases to draw attention to any enclosed documents you might have included.
Enclosed please find + non
Enclosed you will find ... + noun
We enclose ... + noun
Examples
Enclosed you will find a copy of our brochure.
Enclosed please find a copy of our brochure.
We enclose a brochure.
Closing Remarks
Always finish a formal letter with some call to action, or reference to a future outcome you desire. Some of the options include:
A referral to a future meeting:
I look forward to meeting / seeing you
I look forward to meeting you next week.
An offer of further help
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions regarding this matter.
If you need any further assistance please contact me.
Finishing
Sign the letter with:
Yours faithfully,
Yours sincerely,
for formal letters OR
Best wishes
Best regards
http://esl.about.com/od/businessenglishwriting/a/Formal-Letter-Structure.htm

Types of Business Letters

There are a number of types of business letters in English. Accomplished speakers of English also need to be able to write the following types of business letters to be successful in business. Begin with a clear understanding of business letter writing basics. Once you've understood basic layout styles, standard phrases, salutation and endings, continue to improve your business letter writing skills by learning to write the following types of business letters.
Making An Inquiry
Make an inquiry when you are requesting more information about a product or service. This type of business letter tends to include specific information such as product type, as well as asking for further details in the form of brochures, catalogs, telephone contact, etc. Making inquiries can also help you keep up on your competition!
Sales Letters
Sales Letters are used to introduce new products to new customers and past clients. It's important to outline an important problem that needs to be solved and provide the solution in sales letters. This example letter provides an outline, as well as important phrases to use when sending out a wide variety of sales letters.
Replying to an Inquiry
Replying to inquiries are one of the most important business letters that you write. Customers who make inquiries are interested in specific information, and are excellent business prospects. Learn how to thank the customers, provide as much information as possible, as well as make a call to action for a positive outcome.
Account Terms and Conditions
When a new customer opens an account it is essential to inform them of account terms and conditions. If you run a small business, it is common to provide these terms and conditions in the form of a letter. This guide provides a clear example on which you can base your own business letters providing account terms and conditions.
Letters of Acknowledgment
For legal purposes letters of acknowledgment are often requested. These letters are also referred to as letters of receipt and tend to be rather formal and short. These two examples letters will provide you with a template to use in your own work and can be easily adapted for a number of purposes.
Placing an Order
As a business person, you will often place an order - especially if you have a large supply chain for your product. This example business letter provides an outline to make sure your order placement is clear so that you receive exactly what you order.
http://esl.about.com/od/businessenglishwriting/a/Types-Of-Business-Letters.htm

Writing a Business Plan

One of the most important things you can do for your business, new or existing, is to write a business plan. Businesses have different reasons to write a business plan but the process of creating a business plan will only help the business become successful.
Before beginning to write a business plan, research your market and gather current industry data. Retailers will find a variety of official statistics for the industry, general demographic information, polls, trends, and other retail analysis online.

Sample Business Plans & Software

A business plan for a retail store can be a complex multi-page document created using special software or it can be a page torn from a notebook. Whatever format is used, be sure to include the essential parts of a retail business plan. If you're having trouble writing a business plan or need help creating a format, download a free business plan template, get sample business plans, or use a business plan outline to get started writing your business plan.
There are various business plan software packages on the market today. Most of the business plan programs provide document templates, free sample plans and advice for writing a business plan. Before investing time and money in a software package, find out what you need to know before you buy business plan software.

Recommended Reading

Many business planning books have been written on starting a business and the necessity of writing an effective business plan. Some books have forms and outlines, others include sample business plans to review. Many of the business planning books feature step-by-step guides on content, presentation and execution of a business plan.
Once you have finished writing a business plan for your new venture, have a friend or family member look it over. Any feedback you may receive will help you polish certain sections that may need attention. If you will be submitting your business plan to lenders, consider having it professionally printed and bound.
http://retail.about.com/od/freesamplebusinessplans/a/writing_a_plan.htm

Business Plans

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A well-written business plan must include long-term targets and means for achieving goals in quality, cost, delivery, and morale. A number of factors concerning the company's strategy should be discussed including: short term launch projections, long term goals, product advantages, financial backing and competitive advantages. Other important categories include the following information:

• Quality/Customer Satisfaction
• Sales, Market Share, Labor Costs, Production Costs, Profit Margin
• Number of New Products or Services, R & D Costs, Accuracy of Research
• Office Location, Headquarters Location, Business Expansion Plans

Business plans should be to the point. Prospective investors need to find convincing information quickly, while being persuaded of potential market growth and profitability at all times. Business plans should convince without hard selling. Let your most impressive statistics speak for themselves and investors are bound to be impressed. When trying too hard to sell a product in a business plan, potential investors question the underlying facts of your presentation. Key Vocabulary Notes long-term / short-term targets = specific business goals such as sales, market share, etc. morale = how employees feel Our long-term goals include opening stores in California. Our short-term goal is to increase production at our new facilities. launch projections = A launch is made when a new product is introduced. A launch projection is a forward looking estimate at how the product will do in the market. Our launch projections estimate that we will obtain 5% of market share in the first year. financial backing = what financial resources will support the business plan Financial backing is provided through an initial investment of $500,000. competitive advantage = the advantages of your product over the competition Our competitive advantage has been secured through multiple patents. market share = the percentage of a market that a product or business has We expect to obtain 15% market share in Canada within three years of launch. profit margin = what percentage of profit will be made once costs are deducted At $29.99 the profit margin per item is approximately 35%. R & D costs = research and development costs R & D costs will total $200,000 for the year. to the point = direct, concise Please get to the point. potential market growth = the total opportunity of a new product http://esl.about.com/od/businessenglishwriting/a/Writing-Business-Plans.htm

How to Win the Job Search Competition

When you talk about hiring an employee, sometimes it seems that a job applicant prevails because of a favorable convergence of the sun, moon, and stars.
Or, maybe hiring an employee is just like a crap shoot. Or, hiring an employee is like throwing a bunch of darts and hoping one sticks in the target. I have heard all of these references to the process of hiring an employee.
But the fundamental question remains. What makes one applicant the winner in the job search competition? Employees who were hired did a lot of things right. Better, they did almost nothing wrong. How did Mary get the job?
When comparing candidates, an employer has to differentiate between well-qualified applicants. Candidates who appear to have the qualities, skills, education, experience, and knowledge the employer seeks are invited to interview. One is selected. How do you get to be the one?

Your Personal Presentation Must Make You Stand Out

An effective, targeted, customized resume and cover letter got you in the door. Perhaps a telephone screen allowed you to highlight experience and interest that matched the employer's needs. You're on track and an interview is scheduled.
From this moment forward, the potential employer is assessing your fit for the job, the culture, and the needs and strengths of the team. At this point, the employer is giving you every opportunity to blow your chance.

• Your physical appearance matters. It's the first thing the employer sees. Your clothing, hair, makeup, jewelry, and accoutrements make an immediate impression. Make the best possible first impression. Your presentation of yourself as a candidate must be flawless. Unpolished shoes do sink job searches.

Your Interaction During Interviews Either Nails Your Job - or Fails

• Your preparation for the interview needs to include formulating specific, professional answers to potential questions. You want to sound knowledgeable, competent, and experienced. You need to be able to cite examples of what you have accomplished, contributed, and believe is important. This is not something most people do well off the cuff. Prepare responses.
• Pay special attention to the physical parts of you that will be in evidence throughout an interview across a desk or conference table. Dirty finger nails matter as does that faint stain on your shirt. They send loud messages about your attention to detail and personal care habits.
• Relaxed communication is critical. Talk about workplace issues and goals that are important to you. Ask questions to assess whether the culture is a good fit for you. You don't want to join every organization you encounter in a job search. Trust me; sometimes it's better to keep looking.

Your Past Will Come Back to Haunt You

• Smart employers, before making an offer, send out a wide networking inquiry to find people who have known you in your past jobs, professional associations, and community involvement activities. Smart employers also do extensive background checking. What people say about you matters.
• You may find it difficult to believe that how you live your life and comport yourself in the workplace matters. But, your values and their manifestation in your work life do matter. Living with integrity, playing well with coworkers, leaving friends - not enemies - in your prior jobs will support you in your job search. And, when the employer who has the job you really want casts his net to solicit feedback, ensure what people say about you will win you your dream job.
• Prepare your references and former supervisors to quickly and professionally return the call of your prospective employer. Smart employers call them and ask many questions. References who are unreachable can torpedo your job offer.
• Employers customarily "google" their candidate's names and do online searches to background check the candidate. If you have odd Internet references to your work, your life, or your background, beware. If you blog or write a web site, your comments will impact hiring decisions. You may never know why you were not hired for the job. The interested employer will ask about their concern, however.

Behave as if Every Interaction Matters Because They Do

From the initial phone screen or the phone call during which an employer sets up an interview, every interaction matters.

The receptionist has a vote. She or he makes statements like, "I really liked that candidate. He was so nice." "Did you see how late he was and he never even apologized?" "I didn't like him at all."

Additionally, if you are a favored candidate for hiring, the HR staff or the hiring manager will stay closely in touch to give you feedback. They will let you know how the hiring process is progressing, because they think you may be the one. When these calls start coming, you still have competition from other job searchers, but you are definitely on the short list.

These interactions and the relationship building are critical to the employer hiring an employee. When the eventual offer comes, you already have a relationship with the new employer. Building the relationship matters.

These tips for winning the job search competition are based on recent hiring. I asked myself the question, "why Mary, not Jim?" These are my answers. May they help you win your job search competition.
We have whole sites devoted to job searching including Job Searching and Job Searching: Technical at About.com. Check them out.
http://humanresources.about.com/od/careerdevelopment/a/got_job_2.htm

How to Break Into a Career in Human Resources

Many people are eager to start a career in Human Resources, as it is a fast-growing field with many lucrative opportunities. Career analysts expect the number of HR jobs to increase in the projected future and the median annual income is above the national average. For these reasons and more, you are probably wondering how to start an HR career of your own. You will find some useful information below that will guide you through the process.

Education and Training for a Human Resources Career

There are HR professionals with a wide variety of educational backgrounds. However, many HR positions require candidates with a minimum of a four-year degree. A bachelor's degree in human resources, personnel or some other related subject will offer the best training for an HR career. Such a degree will also be more highly regarded amongst hiring managers.
This is not to imply that current HR professionals without degrees are unsuccessful. Many HR professionals have developed successful careers in Human Resources without degrees. Times are changing in all professional fields, however. If you're starting out or thinking about switiching to a career in Human Resources post 2000, you need to obtain a degree.
If you would like to pursue a managerial position or specialized career in HR, some schools offer business degrees that are more focused on a certain area of human resources. Naturally, a graduate-level degree in a related field will help to place you on more hiring shortlists.
Whether you pursue a general HR degree or a more specialized practice within HR, you should be sure to take courses that cover topics such as management, recruitment, training and compensation. Of course, there are many other business courses that relate to the HR field, so an interdisciplinary program is good.
In addition to a college degree, many professionals will have the opportunity to seek certification in certain HR disciplines. In fact, large companies will sometimes offer workshops and classes that broaden an existing professional's HR skills. By completing a professional certification course, you can increase your earning potential. Examples of certifications include the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).
If you are already working in an entry-level HR position, earning a certification could help boost your career. Likewise, it could help you transition from a different department to an HR position.

Finding Work Within the Human Resources Field

Finding a position within the HR industry is similar to finding any other kind of job. There are many online resources for jobseekers, such as About.com's Job Search, Monster, and CareerBuilder.
In addition to those general career sites, however, there are online job board resources that are more specific to the HR field. The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), for example, offers a job board that is primarily for HR professionals. Additional job boards specialize in the field of Human Resources.
Some businesses will first look for candidates within the company. Keep this in mind if you are currently working for a large company and wish to enter the HR department. If your company has an internal resource for new positions, such as a private online job board or internal job postings, check regularly for your chance to get your foot in the door.
More candidates for HR jobs are finding their way into HR careers via professional networking and online social networking sites these days, too. If you're still a student, or just out of college, an internship in an HR department can provide the relevant experience you need for your HR job search.
Just like any other profession, finding a career in HR is easiest for those with a college degree in the field and /or professional certification. But, people with related majors in such areas as business, sociology, psychology, and social sciences are also considered, especially for more entry level jobs. There are many HR positions available and there will be more opportunities in the future. With the proper training and some diligent job seeking, you can join other HR professionals in what is a most lucrative and satisfying career

http://humanresources.about.com/od/hrbasicsfaq/a/HR_jobs.htm?nl=1

Human resources Planning, see this video

Leran more about human resources planning

What Kind of Job Do You Want

One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is to start looking for a job before they're really ready — even before they have figured out what career field they want to work in and what job they are qualified for. Before you begin your job search, you must have a clear picture of what you want to do, what you can do, and where you want to do it. You need to define your objectives clearly. Good career planning is essential. Remember, it's not just a job; it's a step in your career.

Self-Assessment

If you are in the process of choosing a career, a self-assessment is in order. A self-assessment looks at your interests, values, skills, and personality. These factors help determine which careers you will find most satisfying and in which you will be the most successful. Although it's been said that you are what you do, think about this phrase reversed: You do what you are. Your personality, likes, dislikes, and values should determine what you do and where you work, not the other way around. Self-assessment is usually done through vocational or career tests that include interest inventories, values inventories, skill assessments, and personality inventories.
Interest inventories let you home in on your interests by presenting you with a series of statements and then asking you whether you agree or disagree with each one. The premise of interest inventories is that people with similar interests will be successful in the same type of work. Here are some statements you might find on an interest inventory:

• I enjoy playing golf.
• One of my favorite activities is reading.
• I would rather participate in sports than watch sports.
• I would rather watch sports than participate in sports.

A test that focuses on your values will consider the importance to you of different values. Here are some questions you might find on a values inventory:

• Do you enjoy making a difference in people's lives?
• Is having a prestigious job important to you?
• Do you need to have a lot of leisure time to be happy?

A test that assesses your skills will not only ask if you have certain skills, it might also ask if you enjoy using them. Although you may not have the skills you need to work in a particular field, it doesn't mean you shouldn't consider that career for the future — after you've obtained them. Here are some questions you might see on a skills assessment:

• Are you good at working with numbers? Do you enjoy working with numbers?
• Do you pay attention to details? Do you like having to pay attention to details?
• Are you good at working with people? Do you enjoy working with people?

Career-planning professionals have discovered that people with certain personality types are well suited for some careers but not for others.
A personality inventory like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator will look at factors such as traits, motivations, and attitude.
http://www.netplaces.com/job-search/before-you-begin-your-job-search/what-kind-of-job-do-you-want.htm

A Good Match

Time and again, career counselors report that one of the most common problems job seekers run into is that they don't consider whether they're suited for a particular position or career. Keep in mind that, on a daily basis, you'll spend more time on your job than you spend doing anything else. It's important to know that you'll enjoy the work. If you are thinking about becoming an elementary school teacher, be sure you enjoy spending a great deal of time with children. If you want to be an accountant, ask yourself if you're meticulous and if you like detail-oriented work. If you want to work for a daily newspaper, be sure you can handle a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.

A Job and a Lifestyle

When you choose a career, you are also choosing a lifestyle. If you decide, for example, that you want to be a management consultant for an international firm, it is likely you'll be spending a great deal of your time in an airplane. You'd better like to fly!
You also have to think about where you will have to work. Some jobs exist primarily in certain areas. Do you want a career that would require you to live in a large city? Or would you rather live in a less populated, rural area?
Compensation is another important factor you must consider. Do you feel it is more important to make a lot of money or to be fulfilled by your work?
What will your work schedule be? If you want to have a flexible work schedule, you will have to choose a job that allows for one. Are you willing to work the long hours that are common in certain fields? If not, there are some jobs you shouldn't consider, like most jobs in the legal profession.
Think about how fast you want to advance. Some careers offer a much greater chance than others do to advance quickly. In other fields, the opportunities for advancement are virtually nonexistent. When looking for a particular job in your field, you should also be aware that companies do not all offer the same opportunities for advancement.

Are You Working Long Hours on Work You Love?

Are you working more, enjoying it less, and dreading the time you spend most days at your work place? If you answered "yes" to this question, take some time to explore your current career choice and consider all of the other options life has to offer. You spend a substantial portion of your life at work. Why not make that time as professionally and personally rewarding and fulfilling as possible? You have nothing to lose, and potentially a great deal to gain, by spending time exploring your interests, values, and options. I believe you really, ought to want to love what you do at work.

You Work Long Hours: Invest Them in Work You Love

The average American manager works 42 hours per week, but a substantial number of managers and professionals - three in 10, or 10.8 million people - work 49 or more hours per week. Of male managers and professionals, four in 10 work 49 hours. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2000 report, this number of working hours is substantially unchanged since 1989. More managers and professionals are working over 49 hours, but more are also working less which keeps the number steady.
Comparatively, the hours that people work in non-supervisory or production jobs have steadily declined since the early 1960s in all categories except manufacturing, construction, and mining. In these jobs, hours have increased, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics Monthly Labor Review, July 2000.
While the overall trend in working hours is down, with the average non-supervisory or production employee working 34.5 hours in 1999 as compared to 38.7 in 1964, this figure is skewed by workers in services and especially retail, who are working substantially fewer hours.
Remember, too, that these hours do not include time spent dressing for work or commuting. Getting to and from work can add an additional five to 20 hours to your work week. So, when you consider all of the time you spend related to work, you are working long hours.

You Feel as if You Are Working Harder

Managers and professionals perceive that they are working harder. Combine the extra hours relating to work with the actual hours worked, and a substantial portion of your week is filled. The pace of the modern work place is stressful. With most spouses and partners working and two schedules to balance with the needs of the family, life, in general, is stressful. Technology inventions allow you to communicate with work twenty-four hours a day if needed. With email, cell phones, laptops, and PDAs, is it any wonder that you feel as if you are working all the time? Even if you're not, you have the constant potential to fill every waking hour with work.
A Gallup Management Journal Survey summary reports that nearly one-fifth of workers are actively disengaged, or disconnected from their work. These workers have high absenteeism and are less happy with their personal and professional lives.
According to the report, "Gallup has calculated that they are penalizing U.S. economic performance by about $300 billion, or about the size of the nation’s defense budget." These attendance and dissatisfaction issues make work longer, harder, and more stressful for the remaining workers.
Additionally, in many work places fewer people are doing more work as workers are not replaced when they leave or retire. In other organizations, finding qualified staff remains problematic, especially in areas relating to engineering and other technical careers.

Solutions to Ensure That You Love Your Work

Now that I've convinced you that you're working long hours and working hard, why not follow this prescription for making sure you love your work. If you're going to work this hard, your work must be something you love. You need to take some career exploration steps to find work that you really love.
So often in life, people seem to fall into jobs because one was handy or available at the right moment. Maybe you started in one position with a company hoping to move into something you liked better later. Maybe you started life as a teacher and continued to teach out of inertia or because you had so many years invested in the retirement system.
No matter your current position, every once in awhile, it's time to assess whether the career you have created is the best career for you. Recognizing that there are certain economic and social realities, think about where you'd really like to spend the time of your life. These steps will help you explore and find work you really love.

Spend Some Thinking Time to Know Yourself

Take time on your vacation or on a long weekend to devote exclusively to thinking about your work and career. Ask yourself some tough questions. Do you get to do what you like to do at work every day? Does your job match your values and make a difference? Do you make the money you need to achieve your goals?
Does your career provide the work-life balance you desire? Do you love your work or is there another type of work you'd prefer? Be honest with yourself and if you answer these questions negatively, it's time to explore further.
One exercise that I have found particularly useful is to write down everything you want to do, accomplish, see, try, visit, and so on. If your current career will allow you to accomplish these goals, okay. But it's not okay, if you don't have a shot at getting what you want from life.

Read Career Books and Do the Exercises

Here are several excellent career exploration books. Take time to read several of the books and do the exercises recommended by the authors. Think of it as guided career exploration to discover work you will love.

Take Career Assessments to Find Work You Love

The Web provides an excellent opportunity to take online career assessments to identify your strengths and explore your needs. Purchasing the book, Now, Discover Your Strengths, also provides an access code to an online assessment called StrengthsFinder.com, which is useful.
Several sources of career assessments you might want to explore to learn about yourself include these. You can pursue these assessments on your own or you can consider talking with a career professional.
http://humanresources.about.com/od/careerplanningandadvice1/a/loveyourwork_2.htm