Target Your Resume to Prospective Employers' Needs

By : Careerbuilder

Your résumé isn't about you, it's about them. That is the first guiding rule you should remember as you craft your employment history and achievements to match the needs of the companies you want most to hire you.

Consider your audience by researching the company and its industry, and tailoring your résumé to the challenges faced by both. Point out how your talents and training dovetail with the company's needs, so hiring managers can picture you in the job they have available or other opportunities that come up in the future.

Start out with a short professional profile that succinctly draws a picture of your job skills, work ethic and natural abilities that translate into the kind of worker you are. The rest of the résumé should follow suit as it lays out a clear story of your work experience, education and the skills you developed.

Understand that most hiring managers are viewing your job history in a quick sweep. They want to see something that is easily readable. Don't use industry jargon or long sentences that create dense, hard-to-read narratives. Tell your story in bulleted form to create punch. Don't resort to résumé formats that look like a thousand others.

Throughout the résumé, aim for action. Using words like "I was responsible for ..." don't get to the heart of your abilities. Be specific about accomplishments, punctuating them with hard numbers -- increased production, sales figures -- where applicable. Use details to explain your work story. A résumé isn't just about what you've done, but about what you have learned, achieved and produced.

Online portfolio and extracurricular activities can play a role in your résumé
Don't indulge an inclination to show how social media-savvy you are by providing links to personal pages on YouTube or Facebook, because they are just that -- personal. A more professional tool is to have a link to an online portfolio that has visual presence with well-written sections about your accomplishments, career highlights and leadership and work style. Or direct people to your professional biography on LinkedIn or BrightFuse.

At the same time, your extracurricular activities or community service may tell something about the skills you bring to the job. If they show qualities such as organizational ability, leadership potential and creative thinking, list them along with work and educational history to show how you use your talents outside the workplace.

There's never a good reason to lie on your résumé, and any overstatement of job history or academic achievements can easily tarnish your credibility. Routine background checks and online research can so easily expose an untruth that the risk simply isn't worth taking when your integrity is at stake.

The progress you've made in your career shows a prospective employer the kind of direction your work experience has taken. This may be especially necessary for those moving into a new industry, where transferable skills are particularly important. Showing how your job skills are relevant to the requirements of a company's industry, as well as the company itself, is one way to portray yourself as the solution seeker they are looking to hire.

Job Vacancy , Indonesia Job , Job Indonesia

Transforming Your Resume From Military to Civilian

By : Beth Braccio Hering

Duncan Mathison, co-author of "Unlock the Hidden Job Market: Six Steps to a Successful Job Search When Times Are Tough," recalls working with an ex-Navy SEAL who was trying to land a civilian job.

"He realized that most people thought his skills consisted of landing on beaches and blowing things up. Impressive skills, but not really needed in the business world," Mathison says. "As a result, we reframed his experience to highlight his abilities to lead small teams as well as creative problem solving and planning in the face of uncertainty."

While civilian employers may respect military experience, they may struggle to see it as relevant to their workplace. The challenge for veterans is to present their background in ways that civilians can understand and appreciate.

Talk the talk

The first thing that must go is military jargon. Job titles and codes that are second nature to military personnel are like a foreign language to many hiring managers, so translation is essential.

Lisa Rosser, author of "The Value of a Veteran: The Guide for Human Resource Professionals to Regarding, Recruiting and Retaining Military Veterans," suggests converting military skills to civilian equivalents using a tool such as O*Net Online. "The service member can type in his or her Military Occupational Code and see what a civilian equivalent would be and some alternate civilian job titles. The civilian job description will also list skills, knowledge and attributes commonly held by someone in that position. So, for example, a 90A (army logistics officer) would be a logistician or, alternately, an integrated logistics support manager or a production planner."

Armed with this information, Rosser then recommends job seekers "get busy on a site like CareerBuilder and search on the very general and the very specific job titles." Reading through ads will give the applicant a better idea of qualifications needed for various civilian jobs and will provide insight about key words to use on a résumé.

Putting your best self forward

"Military professionals are groomed to lead others and excel in a team-oriented environment," says Abby Locke, master résumé writer and personal brand strategist for Premier Writing Solutions in Washington, D.C. "Consequently, they find it hard to really market and promote themselves as effectively as they should in the job search process."

Experts offer these tips to help veterans sort through their experiences when creating application materials:


* Focus the cover letter on skills most pertinent to the given position; don't give a generic summary of everything you're qualified to do.

* Tailor the résumé to the specific job, and keep it to a maximum of two pages.

* Scour military performance reviews for relevant achievements (and to jog your memory).

* Use numbers, percentages, statistics and other concrete examples when possible to demonstrate competencies.

Education and training

Locke notes that military professionals often have completed hundreds of courses, training assignments and certifications. Instead of turning the education section of the résumé into a laundry list, however, she recommends "cherry picking" to make sure the training that is most relevant to the given position is apparent.

Mathison suggests listing any training that is applicable to the job whether or not you have a degree or a certificate. "For example, you may have had one class in wireless communications and another in management out of 355 hours of training on a wide range of topics. In the résumé under a training or education heading, write 'More than 350 hours of professional development training including wireless communications and management.'"

Remember you're a civilian now

While a veteran's military background will always be a part of his identification, it is important to keep in mind that hiring managers encountered for civilian jobs may not have the same thoughts or experiences.

"Everyone has an opinion about the war," says Michael Coritsidis, a career coach from Lido Beach, N.Y. "Keep emotion out of the equation, and stay neutral."

Experts generally recommend avoiding potentially charged words such as "war," "warfare" or "weapons" (unless applicable to the specific industry). Likewise, it is better to concentrate on your skills and why you are the best candidate for the position rather than focusing on the military conflict or combat.

Remember, though, that military experience has helped you become who you are today, so bring confidence to the civilian job hunt.

Job Vacancy , Indonesia Job , Job Indonesia

Should You Ever Leave Your Education Off Your Résumé?

By : Rachel Farrell

After years of job-hunting without success, Adrienne Rodney decided that perhaps her master's in journalism was to blame: Maybe employers were considering her overqualified or at risk of jumping ship the moment the market improved.
So, she removed it from her résumé.

"It felt dishonest, so I asked the hiring manager how he felt about people who do that. He says that it was the conversation that got his attention, not whether I have a degree or not," she says.

Brooke Allen, who hired Rodney as an assistant to work both in his trading group at Maple Securities, USA, Inc., as well as to help with his website http://www.noshortageofwork.com/, says he thinks she did the right thing by leaving it off.

"Soon after sending her résumé, she confessed she left off her master's. By this point I wanted to meet her, even though, frankly, I had not yet even glanced at her résumé," he says. "Honesty is very important if any relationship is going to work and it is critical in the workplace. While I do not consider leaving off qualifications to be dishonest, some [employers] might feel otherwise."
The discussion about whether or not job seekers should leave education off their résumés at the risk of seeming overqualified -- or not qualified enough -- is common. And as with most debates, there are two arguments to be made.

"I believe omitting the standard field of education on a résumé is a fatal mistake. I am looking for reasons to drop someone off the pile," says Amy Stoehr, founder, Changing Lanes Consulting. "I want honesty and creative ability. If your education isn't impressive, then showcase what is impressive about you -- and tell me the truth. Lead with your strengths. Use your cover letter to give me a specific, compelling example of why you're a good fit for the position I'm hiring."
While almost every employer feels that honesty is the best policy when applying for a job, some employers agree that excluding your education from your résumé is necessary at times -- like if it gives the impression that your career interests lie in another direction.

"Recruiters will make assumptions about what type of job will be a good long-term fit for you," says Lori Gale, CEO of FastLanesHire.com. "If you have a degree that is very specific, yet completely unrelated to the position to which you are applying, a recruiter will likely dismiss you as a serious candidate. Once again, you should never lie, but perhaps you are best off explaining your career change in person rather than via your résumé."

If your education is less than stellar, there are still ways you can play up the most impressive parts of your résumé to catch an employer's attention.

1. Play up your work experience

"If you have a lot of experience that's directly related, some companies may overlook the lack of a formal education," says Linda Duffy, president of The Leadership Habitude. "Point to your significant accomplishments and hopefully they'll focus on those and not your lack of education."
2. Apply for and obtain professional certifications in your field

"There are accredited professional organizations in almost every field that offer recognized certification programs. These certificates demonstrate that you not only are capable of passing exams in your field, but that you are peer recognized," says Tom Taormina, forensic business pathologist®, The Taormina Group, Inc.
3. Emphasize your other abilities

If you're lacking a good education, then you need to highlight your work experience. Play up your other abilities by using strong adjectives throughout your résumé that jump out of the page, suggests Erica Moore-Burton, a private career coach. "If a hiring manager is looking for a qualified person, your experience is right on the money and they can see this from the content of your résumé, then your education will be secondary and chances are that you will at least land an interview; where you can impress them even more when you talk about your experience. Very seldom do hiring managers talk about your education in detail, it's the experience that they want to know about."

In general, including education is, of course, preferable. And you should NEVER lie about your education. Use your discretion when deciding whether to include your education your résumé, but know that not including it doesn't mean you won't get the job.

"The key to how to communicate one's education in a résumé is all about the industry and context of the job and employment being considered. If you're applying to be a professor or a doctor it goes without saying that you need to have certain degrees and levels of education to qualify for consideration. If you're applying to be a business leader it's helpful to have a college degree, but don't we all know of the 'richest man in the world' who never completed college yet went on to develop a most successful computer company?" reminds Joan Tabb, author of "Great In 8: The Fastrack to Career Success." "Define your résumé to your particular strengths; whether they are your education, employment achievements, industry recognition or a combination."

Job Vacancy , Indonesia Job , Job Indonesia

Rock Your Résumé in Any Situation

Whether you're currently employed, facing a layoff or looking for a job, keeping your résumé up-to-date is always important. In today's economy, however, it's even more vital to have a current copy of your résumé on hand. After all, you never know when an amazing job opportunity -- or pink slip -- might fall into your hands.

"You have to be ready to submit your résumé on short notice," says Dustin DeVries, senior director of LEAD DAWG, a job search consulting firm. "Candidates who have taken time to update their résumé may be passed over for another candidate of similar caliber that is ready to go now. You just never know when that opportunity may land in your lap and you have to be ready to act."

Updating one's résumé today, however, may not be as easy as it once was. As job losses and layoffs continue to swell, people have to do more with less to enhance their résumés. Job seekers are unsure how to deal with lack of employment, gaps between work, title demotions, less duties and shortened job spans when updating their résumés.

Here are some ways to beef up your résumé if it is lacking in any of the following areas:

You have a gap between jobs:
Depending on the length of the gap, Miriam Salpeter of Keppie Careers, says you should fill in the gap with something you've been doing in your time off. This will show employers you've taken initiative during this period rather than waiting for something to fall into your lap.

"Consider getting actively involved in volunteer projects and/or consulting opportunities, even if you do the work for free," Salpeter says. "This will allow you to use your skills in a way that is worth describing on your résumé."

You've been laid off:
No employer will be surprised see an applicant who's been laid off. Be honest about your departure, DeVries says. "In this economy, it's going to happen. Don't misrepresent that you're still employed by dating your last position as 'to present' if you're not currently with that company. [It's a] red flag if a recruiter sees [you] as currently employed when in fact you've been laid off."

You were hired recently but laid off right away due to the economy:
Don't leave any employment off your résumé, no matter how short a period you may have worked there. Just don't explain the details on your résumé.

"In today's economy, most people will give you the benefit of the doubt that your departure was not a result of your performance," Salpeter says. "Be prepared to discuss it if it comes up in a conversation or interview."

You were demoted or had a title change:
Titles are just that -- a title. It says nothing about your specific accomplishments and your track record of meeting or exceeding metrics for your organization, DeVries says.

"State your title, but focus [on] your achievements for the organization. Any good recruiter or potential employer is going to be most interested in your track record of meeting objectives no matter what your role," DeVries says. "A 'director' of marketing for one company may require something completely different from a 'director' role at another company. Focus on your measurable accomplishments."

You went from a senior-level position to a "filler" position at lower level:
In this situation, it's critical to include an objective that outlines what type of position you're looking for at the company where you're applying, DeVries says.

"If you have to take a 'filler' position between professional positions, you need to include the role but place your focus on the activities you have maintained during that time to remain current in your professional field," he says. Volunteering, professional networking and taking classes are all things that will help keep you current.

You're a recent college graduate with little experience:
Most people have skills that they don't realize are important résumé builders, Salpeter says. DeVries agrees, saying that experience occurs any time you're gaining insight and perspective in your chosen field. Classes, volunteer experience, internships, leadership activities and professional networking groups are all examples of experience you can incorporate in your résumé.

Now that you know how to correct any potentially sketchy parts of your résumé, here are five tips for keeping it up-to-date.

1. Keep up with trends
"Keep up-to-date with current trends for résumés and online profiles. Be sure that you are highlighting how you stand out and emphasizing what makes you special," Salpeter says.

2. Keep a brag book
DeVries suggests keeping a log of your performance reviews, coaching reports from managers, sales reports, goal assessments and the like to use as content for your résumé.

"You're going to be measured against someone else in most any position you may hold," he says. "Update this list each time you receive an e-mail from your manager or a report from your company. Include achievements applicable to the position to which you're submitting your résumé."

Additionally, Salpeter suggests keeping a file of any nice things that supervisors, clients and colleagues say about you, and asking for recommendations on social networking sites like LinkedIn.

3. List more than job duties
"Listing job duties on your résumé is OK, but include the metrics you were held accountable for and your performance to those goals," DeVries says. "Many people just list the duty but don't include the scale of their accountability and how they performed."

4. Always ask for feedback
Never stop asking for feedback or critique from colleagues, friends and experts. "You never know what someone may see in your résumé that needs further enhancement or may just need to be eliminated," DeVries says.

5. Keep lists
In order to keep your résumé up-to-date, you need to keep a running list of your accomplishments and things you've done in the workplace, and add to it regularly, Salpeter says. Keep track of your digital profile, too, and recognize that your digital footprint is an important part of your professional presentation and job search.

Job Vacancy , Indonesia Job , Job Indonesia

10 Ways to Get Your Resume Noticed

"Out with the old, in with the new," isn't that what they always say? The same thing applies to your résumé. Chances are you applied for hundreds of jobs during the Great Recession, only to be ignored or rejected. That means that something has to change.

"Because hiring managers are receiving large volumes of applications, job seekers have just seconds to make a lasting impression," said Jason Ferrara, senior career adviser at CareerBuilder. "55 percent of hiring managers told us they spend a minute or less reviewing a new resume, while another 29 percent spend one to two minutes reviewing one."

If you've been sending out résumés without any response, here are 10 ways to get your résumé noticed:

1. Start from scratch
A new year means a new résumé. Even though it might not sound like fun to rewrite your whole résumé (it probably won't be), give it a try. Obviously, if you didn't get any bites last year, something was a little off with your current résumé. Rearrange some sections, try a different format and use a different font. Just switch things up a little bit and see what happens.

2. Use a different format
Many job seekers don't realize that there are different formats to use when writing a résumé. The most common form is chronological, which lists each job you've had in reverse sequential order, so you start with your most recent job. This form doesn't work for all people, though. For example, if you've done a lot of job hopping in recent years or if you haven't had a job in a long time, a functional résumé is a better option.

A functional résumé focuses on your skills versus your work experience. For this, you would list a pertinent skill for the job to which you're applying, followed by a list of accomplishments that demonstrate that skill. If you don't have relevant skills or a strong work history, you could use a combination résumé, which combines elements of both a functional and a chronological format.

For a combination résumé, you should list your applicable skills and the accomplishments that demonstrate each one. Below that, you'll list your work history, starting with your most current job and working backward, but you won't list your job description. Doing this allows you the chance to play up your skills while proving your solid work history.

3. Ditch the empty words and vague phrases
Many job seekers fall prey to a common mistake that irks most employers: using cliché keywords. In a 2009 CareerBuilder survey, employers cited these common phrases as overused and often ignored by hiring managers:


* People person: 39 percent

* Go-getter: 38 percent

* Team player: 33 percent

* Hard-working: 29 percent

* Multitasker: 28 percent

* Self-starter: 27 percent

* Results- or goal-oriented: 22 percent


These words are just empty fillers that don't say anything about your achievements. For an accountant position, for example, keywords might include "accounts payable" or "month-end reporting" -- words that actually say something about what you can do. Look over your résumé and find where you have listed generic qualities about yourself and replace them with keywords that match the job to which you are applying.

4. Make your achievements stand out
Many job seekers list their job duties on their résumés, but not their accomplishments. Although your past duties are important, employers care more about your ability to produce results. Try separating your daily functions from your achievements by first listing your job duties in a paragraph format, and then incorporating a bulleted area below that is titled "key accomplishments" to list your successes.

5. Quantify your accomplishments
Applicants often don't know the difference between quantifying results and just stating a job responsibility. A job responsibility is something that you do on a daily basis; a quantified achievement is the result of that responsibility. By quantifying results, you show employers what you can actually do for them. So, if your current résumé is a block of words and you don't have one number in there, whether it's dollars, percentages or comparative numbers, you need to make some revisions.

6. Include a summary or objective
Including a summary on your résumé is one of those steps that many job seekers forget to take -- and if they do remember, they usually include the wrong information. Employers want to know if you're a good fit for their organization, so writing something like, "To gain experience in X industry," doesn't say much about you or what you can do for the employer. Your career summary should portray your experience and emphasize how it will help the prospective employer. It should be specific and include explicit industry-related functions, quantifiable achievements or your areas of expertise.

7. Fill in the gaps
Most people will tell you to wait to explain any gaps in your work history until you get to the interview. But there's a good chance that you won't get that opportunity if there are gaps in the first place. If, for example, you were laid off at the beginning or height of the recession and are still unemployed, try using the functional résumé format we explained earlier. Or, if you feel comfortable doing so, explain what you were doing during lapses between jobs. The employer will know you aren't trying to hide a sketchy past.

8. Keep it simple
How many times do we have to tell you? Do not, by any means, format your résumé with crazy fonts or colors or print it on fluorescent paper. Find an uncommon, yet attractive and simple layout to catch the employer's eye, instead of his wastebasket.

9. Double-check for the basics
Silly as it sounds, many people get so caught up in formatting and proofreading that they don't check for the most basic information, such as an e-mail address, phone number and permanent address. Double-check that your résumé has this information -- none of your hard work will pay off if no one can get ahold of you.

10. Check for consistency
Take a look over last year's résumé and make sure there are no inconsistencies. If you decide to include periods at the end of your sentences, for example, make sure they are at the end of each one. If you chose to list your job duties, followed by an accomplishment in that duty, make sure you do so throughout your résumé. Use consistent fonts, sizes, bullets and other formatting options. Employers will notice your attention to detail and assume your work quality is of the same standard.

Job Vacancy , Indonesia Job , Job Indonesia

Solving the Keyword Conundrum

By : Selena Dehne

Ready to launch a new career, but no one seems interested in interviewing you? Your résumé -- and its lack of keywords -- may be to blame.

Keywords are terms or phrases that are specific to a particular industry or profession, and they're an essential element in the résumé-scanning process. Today, employers and recruiters are increasingly searching résumés electronically for keywords to help them weed out candidates whose résumés do not reflect the skills, qualifications or credentials they're seeking.

This stage of the job search can be problematic if you're trying to break into a new industry or profession.

"For career changers, keywords are particularly relevant and require a great deal of thought because you don't necessarily want to include keywords that are descriptive of your past experiences. Instead, you want to include keywords that reflect your current career goals so that those words are the ones that will get your résumé noticed and not passed over," explain Wendy Enelow and Louise Kursmark in their book "Expert Résumés for Career Changers."

According to Enelow and Kursmark, the following keyword strategies are especially helpful for career changers:


* In sections throughout your résumé, integrate keywords from your experiences that directly relate to your current career goals. Even though certain tasks or accomplishments may have been a minor part of your experience, they should be highlighted on your résumé if they relate to your current career goals.



* Include an "objective" section on your résumé that states the type of position you are seeking and the associated responsibilities. For example, "Seeking a position in purchasing management where I can utilize my strong skills in research, analysis, negotiations and product management." This is the recommended strategy if you do not have the appropriate experience (keywords) in your background to include in the career summary and experience sections of your résumé.


Not sure which keywords you should be using? Enelow and Kursmark offer some guidance:

"Just by describing your work experience, achievements, educational credentials, qualifications, objective and the like, you might naturally include most of the terms that are important in your new career field. To cross-check what you've written, review online or newspaper job postings for positions that interest you. Look at the precise terms used in the ads and be sure you have included them in your résumé."

Job Vacancy , Indonesia Job , Job Indonesia

5 Ways to Rehab Your Resume

By : Kaitlin Madden

Just in case you haven't heard it enough: It's tough to get a job these days. So tough, in fact, that it's not unlikely for a job seeker to spend six months or longer looking for a job before getting one. Although it's common for today's job search to take awhile, there are ways to increase your chances of getting noticed quickly. So if you're starting to get frustrated with how long it's taking to find a job, you may want revamp your job search, starting with that all-important document: your résumé.

Although most job seekers think they've done all they can with their résumé -- included great "action" words, checked spelling and grammar, ensured consistent formatting -- there is almost always room for improvement. Chances are your résumé can benefit from one of the following points:

1. Make sure your objective has an outward focus

If you choose to include an objective on your résumé, make sure it addresses the employer's needs. "Don't emphasize what you're looking for in a job, but rather what skills and talents you offer an employer," says Rick Saia, a certified professional résumé writer for Pongo Résumé.

For example, an objective statement like: "To find a position in public relations that will allow me to further my communications career and develop my skill set," is all about what you want out of your job search. In order to increase your chances of engaging a hiring manager, change your objective to reflect what you have to offer, such as: "To benefit a company through my extensive network of press contacts, 10 years of copywriting experience and demonstrated ability to successfully pitch stories to the media."

2. List accomplishments, not duties

"Does the résumé emphasize what you accomplished in your current or previous job? That's what should stand out; not merely what duties you performed, but what differences you made in your role for your employer," Saia says. "For example, 'served as project manager for replacement of 1,000 desktop computers' is a duty. Saying 'managed replacement of 1,000 desktop computers in half the allotted time' tells the employer you can take on a big job and meet a critical deadline. That's an accomplishment, and it made a difference."

Most duties can be turned into accomplishments through quantifying them or stating how you met or surpassed the goal of the assignment.

3. Don't list out-of-date or irrelevant skills

At your entry-level job, you may have spent a lot of time on administrative work, such as filing documents. But that was 10 years ago. Today, companies rarely even keep physical records, so most likely the "administrative skills" you listed on your résumé won't be applicable at your next job. If you haven't done something in 10 years, chances are things have changed, and it's best to leave the skill off your résumé.

Although entry-level job seekers sometimes include a section of "interests" on their résumé, the space-filler has no place on the résumé of older workers. Even if you spend every second you're not working thinking about baseball and you've scored the most home runs in your recreational league, a hiring manager has no real use for -- or interest in -- this information. Anything you list on your résumé should have a professional tie-in.

4. Make sure your résumé is search-engine optimized

Since much of the initial job application process is done online, recruiters often use software programs to scan submitted résumés for important words and job functions. If your résumé doesn't include these keywords, there's little chance that your application will ever reach the desk of a hiring manager.

"Right this minute, recruiters and employers are typing keywords in their search engines to find job candidates to fill openings that match your job objective," says Susan Ireland, author of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Perfect Résumé." "So do some research to find 10 or so keywords from job postings and job descriptions that best match your job objective. Then weave those keywords into your résumé statements and/or make lists of keywords in special sections on your résumé, under headings such as Skills, Relevant Skills, Computer Skills, Technical Skills or some other heading that makes sense for your occupation."

For example, if your goal is to get a job as an advertising coordinator, you will probably come across the same keywords (i.e. accounts, AdWords, media planning, sales, marketing, tracking, supporting) over and over again in job postings for that kind of position. Figure out how to incorporate these keywords into your résumé for the best chance of being found by a recruiter.

5. Put your best features in bold

According to a recent study from the Labor Department, there are 5.4 applicants for every job opening. With stats like that, you can bet potential employers are up to their eyeballs in applications. Make it easy for hiring managers to skim your résumé for important qualifications by putting in bold type any skills, honors and experiences that support your candidacy.

The strong text should be saved for your most important qualifications, though, so limit bold items to no more than five. Also, make sure to keep a "plain-text" résumé on hand, in case a job listing calls for an unformatted résumé.

Job Vacancy , Indonesia Job , Job Indonesia

Ditch the Resume Objective

By : Nels Wroe

Your résumé is spit-shined, polished, lightly buffed and glistening in all its glory. You've run it through keyword tests, tailored it to specific employers, focused on results you've achieved, and even printed it on coffee-scented paper stock (one can never be too prepared, right?).

But when it comes to that darn objective, you're never sure what to write. Will you sound too generic? If you get too creative, will it turn the employer off? Yet the truth is that the objective -- at least in the traditional sense -- is dead.

Ready to take its well-worn place is something far more important: a stark assessment of who you are through the eyes of your potential employer. Maybe your experience is solid, and the results speak for themselves -- but can employers truly relate to your experience in their world? Are you helping them see your potential through a lens they understand?

Potential is in the eyes of the beholder

Many job seekers get so focused on presenting themselves to a potential employer using the traditional "here's what I want to accomplish" objective that they overlook another, more critical component -- the valuable skills they already possess.

But why are those so important? Heck, it's results that count, right? Sure -- but only to a point. When faced with the choice between someone who blew past his sales targets but left a trail of upset co-workers and frustrated clients in his wake, and someone who can show equivalent results using a forward-thinking and team-oriented approach -- you can likely guess which one a hiring manager will go for.

Yes, employers want to see results. But they also want to see how you achieved those results. An objective will give them an idea of how you'd go about it for their company – so show them. Why waste your time, and theirs, with an objective that speaks nothing to this?

Understand your potential

Before you can hope to sell a future employer on your potential, you need to understand it yourself. Anyone can say she has "tons of potential" or use phrases such as "out of the box" or "dedicated," but how can you quantify and describe this to employers in a way they can relate to? It's simple. You need to understand yourself.

Not in the vaguely New Age kind of way, but in the brass tacks, nuts and bolts of knowing your own work styles and competencies kind of way.

And there's the problem. Most of the objective methods used in the past to help us understand ourselves and our potential are not ideal for illustrating this to an employer.

Instead, assess yourself using one of the many tools that employers use to identify potential. These assessments provide accurate, objective and useful measures of your natural styles and competencies in the workplace. They can help you put your accomplishments into context -- and better yet, will help you explain how you achieved your results in language that employers can relate to.

Job Vacancy , Indonesia Job , Job Indonesia

5 Ways to Rehab Your Resume

By : Kaitlin Madden

Just in case you haven't heard it enough: It's tough to get a job these days. So tough, in fact, that it's not unlikely for a job seeker to spend six months or longer looking for a job before getting one. Although it's common for today's job search to take awhile, there are ways to increase your chances of getting noticed quickly. So if you're starting to get frustrated with how long it's taking to find a job, you may want revamp your job search, starting with that all-important document: your résumé.

Although most job seekers think they've done all they can with their résumé -- included great "action" words, checked spelling and grammar, ensured consistent formatting -- there is almost always room for improvement. Chances are your résumé can benefit from one of the following points:

1. Make sure your objective has an outward focus

If you choose to include an objective on your résumé, make sure it addresses the employer's needs. "Don't emphasize what you're looking for in a job, but rather what skills and talents you offer an employer," says Rick Saia, a certified professional résumé writer for Pongo Résumé.

For example, an objective statement like: "To find a position in public relations that will allow me to further my communications career and develop my skill set," is all about what you want out of your job search. In order to increase your chances of engaging a hiring manager, change your objective to reflect what you have to offer, such as: "To benefit a company through my extensive network of press contacts, 10 years of copywriting experience and demonstrated ability to successfully pitch stories to the media."

2. List accomplishments, not duties

"Does the résumé emphasize what you accomplished in your current or previous job? That's what should stand out; not merely what duties you performed, but what differences you made in your role for your employer," Saia says. "For example, 'served as project manager for replacement of 1,000 desktop computers' is a duty. Saying 'managed replacement of 1,000 desktop computers in half the allotted time' tells the employer you can take on a big job and meet a critical deadline. That's an accomplishment, and it made a difference."

Most duties can be turned into accomplishments through quantifying them or stating how you met or surpassed the goal of the assignment.

3. Don't list out-of-date or irrelevant skills

At your entry-level job, you may have spent a lot of time on administrative work, such as filing documents. But that was 10 years ago. Today, companies rarely even keep physical records, so most likely the "administrative skills" you listed on your résumé won't be applicable at your next job. If you haven't done something in 10 years, chances are things have changed, and it's best to leave the skill off your résumé.

Although entry-level job seekers sometimes include a section of "interests" on their résumé, the space-filler has no place on the résumé of older workers. Even if you spend every second you're not working thinking about baseball and you've scored the most home runs in your recreational league, a hiring manager has no real use for -- or interest in -- this information. Anything you list on your résumé should have a professional tie-in.

4. Make sure your résumé is search-engine optimized

Since much of the initial job application process is done online, recruiters often use software programs to scan submitted résumés for important words and job functions. If your résumé doesn't include these keywords, there's little chance that your application will ever reach the desk of a hiring manager.

"Right this minute, recruiters and employers are typing keywords in their search engines to find job candidates to fill openings that match your job objective," says Susan Ireland, author of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Perfect Résumé." "So do some research to find 10 or so keywords from job postings and job descriptions that best match your job objective. Then weave those keywords into your résumé statements and/or make lists of keywords in special sections on your résumé, under headings such as Skills, Relevant Skills, Computer Skills, Technical Skills or some other heading that makes sense for your occupation."

For example, if your goal is to get a job as an advertising coordinator, you will probably come across the same keywords (i.e. accounts, AdWords, media planning, sales, marketing, tracking, supporting) over and over again in job postings for that kind of position. Figure out how to incorporate these keywords into your résumé for the best chance of being found by a recruiter.

5. Put your best features in bold

According to a recent study from the Labor Department, there are 5.4 applicants for every job opening. With stats like that, you can bet potential employers are up to their eyeballs in applications. Make it easy for hiring managers to skim your résumé for important qualifications by putting in bold type any skills, honors and experiences that support your candidacy.

The strong text should be saved for your most important qualifications, though, so limit bold items to no more than five. Also, make sure to keep a "plain-text" résumé on hand, in case a job listing calls for an unformatted résumé.

Job Vacancy , Indonesia Job , Job Indonesia

Finding a Job When You Don't Know What You Want to Do

By : Anthony Balderrama

One of the most exciting aspects of a job hunt is the opportunity to pursue any career you want. An endless array of jobs awaits you; hundreds, thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands. Surely you can throw out enough résumés to net the job of your dreams, right?

Alas, it's not that easy. You can't expect to compete with other job seekers if you don't know what you want. Unfortunately, a lot of job seekers don't know what they want to do when they find themselves looking for a job.

Maybe you're young and unsure of your future -- you might even have a degree. You might have been part of the work force for a decade or more and recently realized you don't like what you're doing, but you don't know what's next for you. Not knowing what to do first can be overwhelming, if not disheartening.

"Candidates looking for a job have to start somewhere," says Donna Flagg, president of the Krysalis Group, a business and management consulting firm. "I think the most important thing is not to try to decide on what long-term career is best, because it's too daunting. However, it's not hard to think about places, jobs or things that make you happy or that interest you. Start there and back into employers that may offer such an environment."

The problem, of course, comes with singling out a job that you'll enjoy.

Write it down
Your first step should get your brain working, according to Simma Lieberman, a performance improvement consultant and coach.

"Make a list of jobs, careers and topic areas that have interested you. Don't censor yourself or think of reasons why you shouldn't list them," she suggests. Then start researching.

Browse your social and professional networks for people in the industries that interest you and ask them any questions you have. Try to find experts in these fields who would be willing to have a brief informational interview with you. "After your interviews and research, list the pros and cons, skills and experience needed to be successful, and determine what careers or jobs match your interests, needs and wants."

Throughout this process, remember that you shouldn't close off any avenues without good reason. If you're a numbers person who can't even draw a smiley face to save your life, then you may want to cross artistic careers off the list and consider something in finance. But don't assume any field in finance is off limits because of a scant work history.

Of course, experience is key. Not just the experience you have, but also the experience you're willing to gain, says Annemarie Segaric, author of "Step into the Right Career: Change Your Life While Still Paying the Bills."

"Realize that it's often unreasonable to expect to know exactly what you want without the experience of working in different jobs in the first place. This will take the pressure off of you from having to know what you want to take action," she says. "Instead, taking action on different opportunities will help you hone in what you like and don't like."

If you have worked for two years or just have an internship under your belt, you should already have some idea of what you're good at and what you don't like. Even if it's as simple as realizing you don't like working with customers on a regular basis or you can't stand a cubicle job, knowing what you won't do is helpful to find out what you will do.

"Remember this is not the last job you'll ever have, so let your degree, your passions or even your alumni contacts in a certain industry guide you," she reminds. "You will be able to make this job a steppingstone on this long and often winding career journey."

The process
Once you've got the right mind-set to find a job, you still have to apply and interview, just like all other job candidates, many of whom have known what they wanted to do since they first uttered the words "director of human resources" while still wearing diapers. So when you walk in to an interview, you might not be 100 percent certain you want the job, but don't let the hiring manager know.

Tina Hamilton, president and CEO of HR company hireVision Group, offers some tips for job seekers still trying to find their direction.

· Look for jobs that align with your education.
While you don't want to limit yourself too much during the job hunt, don't apply for a job as an investment banker if you're about to complete a bachelor's in studio art.

· Use your cover letter to illustrate your qualifications.
As with any job hunt, help the hiring manager see why you're a good fit for the position. Don't make him work too hard.

· Don't indicate your lack of direction.
If you admit to the hiring manager you're just trying this job on for size, you're telling him or her that you might not stick around for too long and you raise doubts about your qualifications.

· Don't ask the hiring manager, "What position do you think I should be applying for?"
"These are not career counselors," Hamilton cautions. "If you are turned away for a job you may ask if there is another area in the organization that the interviewer feels might be a better fit for you."

Job Vacancy , Indonesia Job , Job Indonesia

How to Help, Not Hover, in Your Child's Career Decision-Making

By : Selena Dehne

It's become much harder than it used to be for young people to launch a career after college. Many graduate without essential work-ready skills or a clear understanding of which jobs suit them best. Even those who do often flounder in the job market because they don't know how to market themselves to employers or stand out from more experienced candidates.

As a result, many parents feel pressured to get more involved in their child's career planning. And while this is certainly an important step for them to take, career counselor Barbara Cooke warns parents that there are constructive and destructive ways they can do this.

"The term 'helicopter parent' has been used in recent years to describe adults who pay extremely close attention to their children, particularly when they're making college and career decisions. You've heard the horror stories. For example, consider stories you've heard about parents who insinuate themselves into their child's job search, sitting in the waiting room while they interview for a job and hounding human resources to negotiate a better deal," Cooke says.

"Chances are you don't want to be labeled a helicopter parent. You understand the long-term problems your child will face if you micromanage his young adulthood. At the same time, given what you are paying for college and the uncertain job market your child will face, you want to be involved."

In her book "Parent's Guide to College and Careers: How to Help, Not Hover," Cooke offers advice for how parents can better prepare their children to make tough decisions about their education and career without hounding them in the process. Below are a few of her tips:

Consider the difference between guidance and control

Guidance is helping your child identify his strengths and connect those strengths to opportunities in the economy. Control is dictating your child's career choice. Guidance is helping your child get firsthand information about available opportunities. Control is doing the research yourself. Guidance is saying, "I want you to talk to two engineers before you reject an engineering major." Control is saying, "I won't pay for college unless you major in engineering."

Take the pressure off the career-planning process

Help your child separate career information gathering from career decision-making. All you are asking your child to do at this point is to gather information. You are not asking him to make a decision based on that information. Encourage your child to see himself as an objective journalist who is conducting research, interviewing people and observing work environments. He can decide what he wants to do with this information later on.

Encourage informational interviewing

Consider family, friends, colleagues or other people you know who have experience in a career field that interests your child. Help your child arrange a meeting with these people to gather information about their daily work tasks, background, likes, dislikes and suggestions for entering the field.

Have your child complete a career-interest inventory

This is a print or online questionnaire that helps individuals identify the pattern of their interests according to the framework of the test. Your child would answer a series of questions about school subjects, activities, occupations of interest and other preferences. After your child's answers are scored, he will receive an interpretative report that includes a list of job titles that connect to his interests and abilities.

Direct your child to print and online resources

A wealth of materials online, in libraries and in bookstores can help your child discover and learn about hundreds of careers. From information about a job's earnings and education requirements to its projected growth and average annual openings, these materials can answer key questions you may not know the answer to or that your child may not have thought to ask.

Job Vacancy , Indonesia Job , Job Indonesia

Jobs That Earn Commission

by : Anthony Balderrama

Not everyone is suited for every job. For example, I'm in awe at anyone who works as a restaurant server. I'm certain that given a tray of food to carry from the kitchen to a table, I'd drop it in the first few steps. I'd also dump a pitcher of water on any customer who was rude. And I guarantee you I'd forget to put orders in and would serve food to the wrong tables. I just don't have the talent.

Yet, plenty of people do. They've got good personalities, customer service skills and the patience of multiple saints.

Similarly, if you don't have that magical formula of skills and personality, you're probably not likely to go into sales -- especially a commission-based position.

Positions that rely on commission usually have a base salary; then for each sale or goal met, the employee earns additional compensation. Depending on how you react to that description, you might know if the field is right for you. Are you thinking of all the opportunities you have to earn more and challenge yourself, or are you freaking out that you could end up barely earning enough to live because you're not a good salesperson?

H.U. Nguyen used to work a commission-based position, and he found the compensation system beneficial.

"I worked at a company for two years where there was a base salary of under $40,000 and commission on top of that," Nguyen says. "The company provided online products that would help with media relations (i.e., media database, media monitoring). We had a quarterly goal, which we had to meet in order to receive commission. Also, we had sales contests, and whoever sold the most was rewarded monetarily." In addition, all employees were given an additional award if the company met a separate revenue goal. "With commission, we were able to earn $10,000 on top of our base salary."

For Nguyen, his compensation structure worked better than for employees at companies where the base salary is extremely low and the commission package is disproportionately higher.

"I would probably have focused on 'making the numbers,'" he says. "I think it was more important to serve our clients. We had a good relationship with our clients; they [wanted] to work more with us. There [was] loyalty."

Still, commission-based work is difficult because you can't just coast from paycheck to paycheck, says Stephen Viscusi, author of "Bulletproof Your Job: 4 Simple Strategies to Ride Out the Rough Times and Come Out on Top."

"It's a really difficult time to work solely on commission. You have to have faith on the product or service you are selling," he cautions. "But people who do are usually very confident and make very good money."

Where to find commission-based jobs

Jobs based on commission are everywhere. Most industries have these positions at some level; you just have to look for them. The reason is that sales is a vital part of most organizations, whether in the form of a sales associate in a store or an inside sales agents behind the scenes.

Once the economy bounces back, you might see sales positions among the first jobs to benefit. Because these positions are integral in every company across every industry, and without them many businesses wouldn't be able to earn money, employers will be eager to bring them on board. Sales skills will surely come in handy once this recession gives way.

To help anyone looking for sales work, especially if the idea of earning commission appeals to you, we've put together a list to jump-start your job search.

Note that outside and inside sales are not separated by industry. Each employer in the list below could employ agents in both inside and outside sales. If you think you're a better field agent than inside agent, contact the company anyway and see if it's not looking for both.

Here are some jobs that earn commission:

Retail sales associates
What they do: When you go to a retail store to buy clothes, a new computer or a cell phone, retail sales associates help you choose the right item and answer any questions you have. They try to make your shopping experience as easy as possible.
Who employs them: Clothing stores, electronics stores, telecommunications agencies

Automotive sales associates
What they do: Buying a car would be pretty tricky if you didn't have a salesperson to help you with the process. These sales associates help customers choose a car that best suits their needs and fits within their budget.
Who employs them: Automotive dealerships

Insurance agents
What they do: Insurance agents might sell individual policies or larger policies for businesses of various sizes. Depending on their specific position, they might approach prospective customers or customers might first approach them.
Who employs them: Insurance companies.

Marketing sales agents
What they do: Marketing agents often respond to inquiries from customers looking for advertising opportunities. They can also be field sales agents making the first contact with potential customers.
Who employs them: Advertising agencies

Wholesale manufacturing sales agents
What they do: When companies are looking to purchase bulk products, they deal directly with wholesale manufacturers. The sales agents work with companies to make large-scale transactions of whatever good or service their employer provides.
Who employs them: Wholesale manufacturers in various fields

Job Vacancy , Indonesia Job , Job Indonesia

Let Your Favorite Color Guide Your Career

By : Dewey Sadka

In today's challenging economy, you have more career opportunities than you might think. Modernize your dream career into a higher paying, more job opening niche or related occupation. Don't be afraid to get nosey and take the time to look around or invest in developing a specialized skill inside your chosen field. Use every opportunity to network and promote yourself.

· Everywhere you go, ask questions like, "What do you do during your workday?" "What's fun, not fun?" "Any opening in your company?"

· Be a temp. Ask for short-term assignments so you can taste different jobs and learn about opportunities.

· Join career specific organizations and get your friends on board.

Dreams come true with niche-specific educational training or on-the-job experience. Looking for the perfect niche? Consider the scientifically valid Dewey Color System test that measures career satisfaction at record-breaking accuracy. It lists the top 50 careers suited for you, plus hundreds of related occupations, niches and career specific organizations. To provide accurate and thorough results, data was obtained from 750,000 CareerBuilder online users.

In order to take the test, you first have to choose the color you like most from yellow, blue and red. Then choose which color you like most from green, purple and orange. Remember your choices and see what your selected combination says about your career prospects:
Yellow-Green

If you selected yellow and green: Your ability to understand others' viewpoints and diplomatically express your thoughts increases efficiency. You know how to make products, systems, and services best fit the environment.
Make more money by seeking careers where you can assemble support structures or make living situations more comfortable.
Consider niches as in landscape architecture or real estate sales, or consider a career as a counselor, designer or social worker.
Yellow-Purple

If you selected yellow and purple: You prefer fast-growing companies with non-repetitive jobs that offer a constant barrage of fresh perspectives and non-stop new tasks. Your ability to communicate with finesse breaks down barriers and opens profitable doors.
Make more money by developing and communicating strategies for project-oriented settings that involve constant change.
Consider niches as a public relations representative, corporate communications manager, youth counselor or radio/TV announcer.
Yellow-Orange

If you selected yellow and orange: You know about the newest available resources, pertinent facts, or innovative ways to solve workday pressures. Your open-minded yet analytical approach creates must-do activities and programs.
Make more money by inventing new ways to market your business, better utilizing resources and talents, or making what you do more efficient.
Consider niches as a statistician, geologist, researcher, librarian or product developer.
Blue-Green

If you selected blue and green: You are at your best when you can anchor others with supportive suggestions. Your personable listening skills make you a success with colleagues, customers or clients who trust you with even their most crucial decisions.
Make more money by seeking environments that give you the opportunity to manage people, information or workplace environments.
Consider niches as a writer, actor, accountant, psychologist or departmental manager.

Blue-Purple
If you selected blue and purple: Use your big-picture thinking to develop new markets, new ideas and new businesses. You can see what's missing and know how to get things done.
Make more money by working in environments where you can organize, develop and bring situations, people or markets together.
Consider niches in advertising and sales or as a public relations representative, trial lawyer or research scientist.

Blue-Orange
If you choose blue and orange: You're a natural both at developing new products or procedures and delegating tasks. You prefer a busy environment because you enjoy learning. Pressure stimulates you.
Make more money in careers where you can gauge productivity, analyze efficiency, and oversee or implement change.
Consider niches as an operations manager, civil engineer, builder or product salesperson.

Red-Green
If you selected red and green: You know value and how to best use resources to make money. Your practical guidance keeps others focused on the bottom line and expenditures under budget.
Make more money in positions where you decide how to best utilized resources or spend money.
Consider Niches as a securities manager, auditor, banker, teacher, property manager, nurse or surgeon.

Red-Purple
If you selected red and purple: When others speak, you sort out the facts from the emotions and establish a step-by-step action plan. You know how to calm those around you and offer quick solutions.
Make more money by selecting work environments where you're in control of all necessary resources and can offer win-win suggestions.
Consider niches as a human resources interviewer/manager, event planner, editor or executive assistant.

Red-Orange
If you selected red and orange: You use facts compiled from past mistakes and successes to deliver strong opinions that are hard to refute. Others learn invaluable information from your critiques about the efficiency of a project.
Make more money in areas where you can sail your own ship by constantly examining, in detail, what needs to be done and express your opinion when things go off course.
Consider niches as a budget analyst, computer support specialist, production manager, manufacturing manager or business owner.

Job Vacancy , Indonesia Job , Job Indonesia

How Your Job Search Is Like Selling a Home

By : Kaitlin Madden

You've lived in the same home for 10 years. It's comfortable and dependable, and the neighbors are great, but you're ready for a change. You know it's time to move on, but you're afraid your house won't sell in a market where buyers are super-selective and have tons of attractive housing options.

Sound familiar?

Selling a home in the current buyer's market is a lot like looking for a new job in an oversaturated applicant pool. It's risky, you may have to invest time and money and try some unconventional methods in order to get results, but that doesn't mean it's impossible.

We've combined tips from MSN.com's real-estate guide with the advice of Joan Armon, a Chicago-area real-estate broker and certified home stager, to offer up these tips on selling a home in a buyer's market -- and how you can apply them to your job search.

Do your research

Before you decide to sell your home, check out the housing market in your area. Are a lot of houses listed? What's the typical asking price for homes with features comparable to yours? Is your area up and coming, or on the outs? Finding the answers to these questions will help in determining the price of your home and how long it will take to sell.

How it applies to your job search: When starting a job search, it's important to get a sense of the market you'll be entering. Find out where the jobs in your industry are, in terms of both sector and geographic location. Have salaries in your field decreased since the start of the recession? Are job openings in your field being advertised? Conducting such research will help you decide where and how to target your job search. For example, if there aren't many job openings where you live, you may start thinking about a move to an area with greater opportunity.

Prepare to sell

Before you put your home on the market, clean it from top to bottom, touch up the paint and make any repairs to restore functionality or visual appeal. Home improvement is important for two reasons: When you take pictures for the listing, your home will be in top shape, and if you happen to get buyer interest right away, the home will be ready to show.

Armon says that showing your home in top-notch condition is especially important in the current market, since buyers are looking for homes in move-in condition and don't want to take on the extra cost of making repairs themselves once they move in.

How it applies to your job search: Like a house up for sale, it's probably been awhile since you were "on the market," so it's time to take an inventory.

First, check out your interview clothing. Is it in good shape? Does it still fit? Does it need dry cleaning? If it can be repaired or needs cleaning, take care of that before sending out résumés, so you will be prepared should interviews come up quickly. If your clothes are dated or no longer fit, buy new ones so you'll have plenty of time to pick out the right outfit and have any necessary alterations made.

Second, make sure all of your professional skills and certifications are up-to-date. (For example, if you're a flight attendant, ensure that all of your requisite training is current. If you're a nurse, renew your license.) Like a homebuyer, employers are going to want new employees to be "move-in ready."

Make the most of your listing

A good listing will help you gain a buyer's interest and distinguish your home from all the others on the market. It should focus on the features that make your home unique and appealing.

For example, Armon says, "Highlight the location if it is close to schools or transportation. Also important are any improvements that have been done ... [for example] if the home has granite, stainless steel appliances, finished basement, crown molding or hardwood floors."

This is also where your research comes in. If you found that a lot of young families have moved into your neighborhood recently, emphasize how great your school district is.

How it applies to your job search: Just like a home listing, your résumé should highlight your best features and what sets you apart from other applicants. Ask yourself, "What are my key selling points?" Do you have special training relating to your field? Did you start your last job as an hourly worker and leave as a manager? Have you worked at "name brand" company? If so, highlight these features on your résumé.

Evaluate the offers

In a buyer's market, sellers often go one of two ways. Some have a hard time accepting any offer because they can't let go of what their house used to be worth or what they paid for it a few years ago. Others believe they are lucky to even get an offer on their home, so they jump on the first offer they get, even if it is well below the asking price. In either situation, it's important to be realistic. Negotiation is key, Armon says. "Even the smallest counteroffer lets the buyer know that you are willing to work with them," she says.

If months have gone by and no offers have been received, it may be time to re-evaluate your asking price. Is your home in the same price range as other homes on the market in your area? Have prices in your neighborhood dropped since the original listing? If your price is high or even in the same range as comparable homes in your area, you may consider dropping the price, even if it's only by a few thousand dollars.

Often, though, if your home is reasonably priced and well-maintained, the only thing that will sell it is a little bit of patience, so be prepared to wait awhile.

How it applies to your job search: Like home buyers, companies are watching their budgets. That means that even though you may have been worth X amount of dollars five years ago, your value may have depreciated. Make sure to evaluate any job offers in terms of today's market, not by what you used to make. That's not to say you should just blindly accept the first job that comes your way. If the salary is downright unlivable or the job isn't at all what you're looking for, you may want to consider declining the offer.

Like a home, if you've been out on the job market for a few months and haven't gotten any interest, it may be time to re-evaluate. First, rethink your starting salary. You may be scaring away employers by putting out a number that is too high. Second, re-evaluate your search. Are you applying for the right jobs? Are you taking the time to put forth quality, targeted applications?

If you believe your "asking price" is fair and you have a stellar résumé, you may just have to be patient. In job searches and in selling a home, good things come to those who wait.

Job Vacancy , Indonesia Job , Job Indonesia

6 Jobs for Associate Degrees

By : Careerbuilder

When most of us think of post-secondary education, our first thoughts are about four-year degree programs where we can earn a bachelor's degree. We may even be thinking about a master's degree, which involves an even greater time investment.

Many people overlook associate degree programs -- which generally involve two years of classes -- when they consider their options. But there are a surprising number of options for graduates with associate degrees.

Success stories

Saideh Browne has explored these options. "I have an associate degree from Hudson County Community College, and I am now a published author and own a speakers bureau," she says.

The New York City-based Browne says her degree serves her well. "I've been self-employed for most of my life, and my business law, corporate finance and accounting courses really helped me. But practical, hands-on experience and trial by fire has taught me the most," Browne asserts.

Ginger Vaughn is also happy with where her career path has led her. "I graduated with an associate degree. While in school I did an internship with the local daily paper," recalls Vaughn, who lives in Bainbridge Island, Wash.

Vaughn happened upon her current employer when she was seeking a job at a theater as the house manager. When Vaughn mentioned her experience and her degree, she was hired by the firm shortly afterwards. "This year, I celebrated my 10-year anniversary," she says.

Another option

Marc Scheer is the author of "No Sucker Left Behind: Avoiding the Great College Rip-Off." He believes that pursuing an associate degree can be a very wise choice.

"Associate degrees tend to be great investments because they cost less than four-year programs," Scheer notes. "Graduates can transfer to four-year programs afterwards if necessary."

Most importantly, with four-year programs at major universities carrying a six-figure price tag, Scheer believes associate degrees are a valuable test run.

"Since many college students drop out before graduating, these degrees allow them to try out college at a low cost. If they then drop out, they'll have incurred much lower debt."

Hot jobs for associate degree graduates

If you're interested in a particular job, the Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes an occupational guide that outlines occupations with an associate degree requirement.

Here's a sample of six of the most in-demand jobs from the bureau's listing, along with the average salaries for these positions according to CBSalary.com. (Please note that the salaries cited are general in nature and are based on averages; specific salaries may vary depending on a number of factors, including location and experience.)

1. Occupational therapist assistant and physical therapist assistant

These assistants will work closely with the main therapist who provides care for the client. These are good examples of jobs where graduates can test their aptitude and enthusiasm for the job before continuing to a four-year degree.

Salary: Occupational therapy assistants earn an average of $37,769, while physical therapy assistants earn an average of $36,866.

2. Dental assistants and hygienists

There's always a consistent demand for assistants and hygienists. These workers are increasingly responsible (depending on where you live) for patient procedures where a licensed dentist is not required.

Salary: Office assistants can make an average of $31,023, while a dental hygienist can make a median salary of $54,413.

3. Desktop publisher

This job combines writing, formatting and graphic design. Many schools offer associate degrees in graphics arts and design that translates into transferrable skills for this job.

Salary: An graduate working in this position could expect a median salary of around $34,459.

4. Teaching assistants

These assistants offer classroom support for licensed, certified teachers.

Salary: A teaching assistant who has completed a two-year program and is working in primary or secondary education can anticipate a salary around $24,270.

5. Paralegal and paralegal assistants

Paralegals support a staff of lawyers or a legal department at a major corporation. A member of a paralegal staff researches laws and regulations, and coordinates and organizes files.

Salary: A paralegal can earn an average salary of $44,934, while a paralegal assistant's median salary is $43,841.

6. Computer support specialist

Computer support specialists help computer users troubleshoot any technical issues they might have with their computer system. Since most organizations, in all industries, use computers these days, support specialists can work almost anywhere.

Salary: A computer support specialist can earn an average salary of $45,719 per year.

Job Vacancy , Indonesia Job , Job Indonesia