So You Want to Become A Construction Manager?

There will always be a need for workers to help develop cities and build new facilities for people to work and live in; similarly, there will always be a need for managers to oversee those workers who help cities grow. Pursuing a career as a construction manager is a great choice and can provide many opportunities, especially for those who not only have natural strong leadership skills, but also those who have a knack for finances and technology. To learn a little bit more of what it would take to follow through with this career choice, continue reading below.

How much Can I Earn?

Most construction managers earn a hefty salary—the median salary was $83,860 in 2010, according to the latest figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment prospects are predicted to increase too, creating about 86,600 new jobs within the next decade the Bureau states.  Of course, those with the most experience and necessary education will get the higher paying salary. What education is needed for an entry-level position? Any one of these online bachelor degrees should help get your foot in the door: construction management, construction science, or civil engineering.

What Will I Learn?

Those who pursue any of the online degrees listed above will learn all of the fundamental skills he or she needs to become a construction manager. For example, he or she will learn how to manage all types of construction projects, including overseeing the construction of commercial and industrial buildings; he or she will also learn how to stay within budget limits, as well as know the ins and outs of managing a "team" i.e. know how to properly schedule and take care of administrative tasks.

What Courses will I take?

The courses you take will vary depending on the particular program you pursue; however you will definitely take an abundant of math, science, and leadership courses during your first few semesters. You will then move on to take courses that will directly help you become a "project manager" such as construction equipment management, architectural design, architectural history, construction scheduling, surveying, contracting, and  construction estimating just to name a few. No matter what the specific titles of the course are, collectively they will help you become an excellent project manager. To help boost entry-level employment opportunities however, you should definitely consider getting an internship to get some hands on experience. Again, because those with more experience are more likely to get hired.

Author Info:

This is a guest post by Kristie Lewis from construction management degree. You can reach her at: Kristie.Lewis81 @ gmail.com.

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Top 5 LinkedIn Tips: Making LinkedIn Work For Your Job Search

Social networks increasingly represent an important tool for professionals who are seeking work and for employers in the hunt for skilled labor.Social Networks Serve as an ally of the job candidate to draw the attention of companies trying to get a replacement, and to facilitate access to career opportunities that were previously hidden from the knowledge of most people looking for employment opportunities.

LinkedIn, is a major social network geared specifically for the job candidates professional relationship options. However, it is not enough just to open an account. You need to know how to better employ what it can offer to your job search.Properly managing the profile settings is essential and makes all the difference for companies to be able to find your profile, "according to many Linkedin consulting specialists.

"Your LinkedIn profile is one of the ways in which potential employers can find you. One of the tips is to increase the chances of your name appearing at the top of Internet search results. To do so, you need to customize the URL of your profile, by putting your first and last name together as one word. For example, "LucasMarchesini".

It is also very important that the public profile of the LinkedIn user is visible to everyone. One can make sure of this by positioning your curser over your name right at the top of the homepage and or, by making the appropriate changes in the settings.Participating in discussion groups such as Jobs IT is also very helpful. Besides verifying opportunities, you can exchange information with other professionals.

Below are the TOP 5 linkedin tips listed by consulting specialists

1 - Highlight your professional skills: Be sure to fill out the resume and experience sections of your profile. People with at least one professional experience have reported been 12 times more likely to have overlooked potential opportunities.

Include keywords and phrases that employers can look at in your profile description. Add your skills, and be sure to insert a picture. Professional photos are seven times more likely to be seen, and be sure to get recommendations from at least three people as part of the completion of your profile.

2 - Be open to opportunities: Within the "Settings" go to "Email Preferences", then "Select the type of message you'd like to receive" and make sure it has indicated you are interested in "Career Opportunities "in" Query of employment "and that you would like to receive" Presentations, and InMail OpenLink messages from the network "from other LinkedIn members, so that they can contact you about potential opportunities. Your e-mail and phone number are available only to their contacts.

3 - Become a follower: The section "Business" then allows companies that are interested to follow you back. When you follow a business on LinkedIn, stay abreast of their innovations as new hires, promotions, changes in the company, and even job opportunities. Follow companies that you would love to work for and you will start to see these updates on your homepage when you access LinkedIn.

To follow a business simply click "Business" at the top of the page and type the company name, keyword or industry you're interested. When you find the company, pass the cursor over the option that appears on the right "To follow the company." Then just click it.While on the company page, you will be able to see if anyone in your network works in the company or if you might know someone there.

4 - Stay active: There are many things you can do on LinkedIn, which will help in finding your new job. You must be proactive using the network in order to succeed. It is important to build a LinkedIn profile and ensure you are connected to at least 50 people you know and trust. But if you only visit the site to respond to messages or connection requests, then you're losing all that the network can offer.

In order to be easily remembered, network with recruiters and those responsible for hiring in your area, so when good opportunities arise on their desks you will be fresh in their memory. You can do this through the "Advanced Search People", click the topic of "recruiter" or HR manager, "or other related positions, and you can also restrict the search area.

5 - Tell your trusted contacts who are looking for work: Let your network be your eyes and ears. Alert your contacts through periodic status updates or send private messages to former colleagues and bosses you trust with personalized messages, advising them on what types of positions interest you. Keep in mind that your contacts can only help you get a job if you tell them what you are looking for.

Be realistic patient and stay positive. Many people want results right here and now. Changing careers takes time, so be prepared mentally for it. Turbocharge your job search today by visiting http://www.speedy-jobs.com.

Published At: Top 5 LinkedIn Tips: Making LinkedIn Work For Your Job Search

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Five Simple Steps to Reduce Workplace Stress For Women in Health Care

Heavy patient loads. Dealing with insurance companies. Deadlines. Meetings. Projects. All of these things (and more) are enough to turn the health care workplace into a breeding ground for stress.

Sometimes it's not just the job that causes stress. Co-worker relationships and uncertainty about job stability or finances can add to the problem. It's important to pay attention to all of these factors...and learn how to manage stress, even when we can't control everything that's causing it.

The costs of stress to society are tremendous. Did you know:

• 1 million workers miss work every day due to stress?
• $300 billion is lost annually due to lost productivity and missed work days?
• More than 25% of workers take "mental health days" to deal with stress?
• 36% of workers blame stress for their physical illnesses?
• 1/3 of workers say stress interferes with their personal lives?

That's a whole lot of money and a whole lot of misery. So, if you see yourself in this picture, here are some tips that may help minimize your stress at work:

1) Get organized. A cluttered desk is often a sign of a cluttered mind. Here's how to make your desk a stress-free place:

o Clean everything off the desk.
o Using a sorting tray, create a system to prioritize what you've got (priority, work in progress and hold).
o Get rid of anything you don't need. If something's been on your desk for months, chances are you don't need it.

THEN,

2) Stay organized

a. Keep the clutter moving! Your desk is not a storage facility.
b. Use binders and folders to keep information organized.
c. Create an electronic filing system for as much as possible..this will help keep you inbox less cluttered as well.

3) Take a brain break

a. Find a quiet place where you can take 5-10 minutes to sit quietly,
b. Get as comfortable as possible,
c. Visualize a place you'd like to be or choose a word to repeat in your mind. Repeat the word or focus on your mental image until you feel a sense of calm. Another option is to load some 5-10 minute relaxation recordings onto your MP3 player and listen to one of these.

4) Say "No"

Here's how to do it:

o Keep your response simple. If you want to say no, be firm, direct and don't overexplain. Learn the language of "No." Use phrases such as "Thanks for asking me, but I'm afraid it's not convenient right now" or "Thanks for thinking of me, but I can't help this evening."

o Buy yourself some time. Interrupt the 'yes' cycle, using phrases like "I'll get back to you," then consider your options. Having time to think a through a request without pressure will give you the ability to say no with greater confidence.

o Consider a compromise. Only do this if you WANT to agree with the request, but have limited time or ability to do so. Don't compromise if you really want or need to say no.

o Separate refusal from rejection. Remember you're turning down a request, not a person. People usually will understand that it is your right to say no, just as it is their right to ask the favor.

5) Go Complaint-Free

Chronic complaining, justified or not, can make your job more stressful and your workplace a toxic environment.

Here's why constant complaining is so damaging:

o It makes things look worse than they are
o It becomes a habit
o If you focus on the negative, that's exactly what you'll get
o It kills innovation

Psychologist Martin Seligman showed in his research in positive psychology that people who see the world in a positive light have a long list of advantages, including:

o They live longer
o They're healthier
o They have more friends and better social lives
o They enjoy life more
o They're more successful at work

So resolve to go complaint-free for 21 days. This is about the length of time it takes to establish a new habit.

Health care can be a stressful environment in which to work, but there are ways to minimize it. One of these simple steps may be all it takes to move you from surviving to THRIVING!

Anna Garrett, PharmD is President and Founder of the National Association of Women in Health Care [http://www.nawhc.com]. She has extensive experience coaching and counseling people who are living with diabetes and other chronic health conditions. Dr. Garrett can be contacted at anna@nawhc.com.

Published At: Five Simple Steps to Reduce Workplace Stress For Women in Health Care

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How to Find Your "Right Fit" Career

"I love my work!"

If you are like most people, you want to say those words with a straight face, and mean them. It is possible when you look for jobs and build a career based on your natural strengths and talents. I call this your "right fit" work. Just as there are clothes that fit us better, so too are there jobs and careers that fit us better.

Starting with your skills, abilities and desired impact is the quickest way to actually beginning a career you will love.

It simply makes sense to go toward work that uses your strengths and talents. If you are doing what comes naturally, you are more likely to be happy at work. And when you're happy at work, you'll be happier in life.

• Job search is a long and sometimes painful slog. You might as well channel that energy to getting the best possible outcome.

•Employers value your strengths, because you do your best work when using them.

•When you look for work that uses your strengths, talents and abilities, you have a better chance of finding it.

Work occupies a huge amount of our time, so it's desirable to have a job we like.

Job search itself forces you to focus on what you love to do and do well. When someone says "I just want a job, any job," they also quickly reject many suggestions. Someone recommends applying at a bookstore or for a sales job, and they say "but I can't do that" or "I don't want to do that." They are getting more specific about what they want by first rejecting what they don't want or like.

Most of us DO know what we want to do, what we're good at, and what we're willing to do as a job. It just may be hard to admit it. For a shortcut, start with your strengths and what you love doing as well as the impact you want to have.

Most people can do lots of things. What are the things you like to do more than others? What activities make you lose track of time? What brings a smile to your face? What do you always gravitate to doing even when you don't have time or patience to do other things? What do people always tell you you're good at doing?

Now, think about the impact you want to have with your work. What will you do with your skills? What effect will you have? What's your purpose in using these skills, talents and abilities?

Be honest with yourself, and accept who you are. There's a lot of "shoulds" surrounding work - I "should" do what my parents want me to do or I "should" like this work because other people do. If you can, stop "shoulding" on yourself and instead look clearly at what "is" rather than what is "supposed to be." If you fight your natural abilities, you'll end up miserable at work.

Knowing the skills and abilities you want to use will help with your job search. Essentially, your strengths become your key words in your job and career search.

• You can tell people that you are looking for work that will use these strengths.

• You can network in and explore several industries.

• You can have informational interviews with people in many fields or occupations, to learn more about how you could apply your strengths and talents.

• You stay open to many different kinds of jobs.

• Using your key words, you can discover the many different job titles that could use your strengths.

Soon you'll be able to zero in on specific fields and jobs that are a good fit. Then it's time to develop a "must have" list and create a job search plan.

By envisioning exactly what you want to do, you establish a goal and an intention toward which you can work. With a destination, you can map out a plan for getting from where you are to where you want to be in the world of work and careers.

Julia Erickson coaches and teaches people to find and do their "right fit" work - work they love and want to do again. Visit her blog, http://myrightfitjob.com/, for practical guidance and tips about job search, career management, and how to be happy in your work. Follow her on Twitter @juliaerickson for useful tips on job search, careers and leadership. Her e-book, available on her website, will guide you on your own search to find and get your "right fit" work.

Published At: How to Find Your "Right Fit" Career

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Recent Graduates: Think You're Being Underpaid? All you Need to Know About How Salaries Work

When I graduated from college, I was one of the very few students from my class who was fortunate enough to get a job offer fresh out of school. Print journalism was already a dying industry and the economy was pretty shaky. Even though my starting salary was much lower than what I wanted, I decided to accept the offer at the small city newspaper 6 hours away from my hometown because I thought nothing better would come along. Beggars can't be choosers.

I was happy until a few months later when work started to get a tad bit "difficult:" I worked most weekends, had early mornings and late nights, and started to question whether my low salary was truly worth all of the effort. After all, I was a college graduate and went to school to get a salary that I was truly satisfied with. I'd look up salary projection sites and they all said I should’ve been making much more than I was. I started to stress about it and become unhappy. Was I being taken advantage of? Were my co-workers getting paid more than me? It consumed me for a while, until my boss set me straight and explained how salaries are distributed and earned. So before you jump to conclusions and storm into your boss' office demanding a raise (and risk getting fired), there is a thing or two you need to know about how salaries are determined first.

Newbies will Typically Always Get Paid the Lowest:

If you're green and straight out of college, you will always initially be offered the lower spectrum of the projected salary. While you get negotiate a slightly higher salary (perhaps to accommodate relocation costs) you're not going to earn your dream salary just yet. You’re a graduate which means anything that you get will most likely be entry-level. You need training and guidance and you know less about the position, so you will naturally be offered less than someone who's been in the industry for a while.  While you're level of education can entitle you to a higher salary— for example, someone with a graduate degree might get a higher paying entry level position than a bachelor degree holder applying for the same position; or someone with a degree in psychology may get a higher starting salary as a college counselor than some with a degree in communications —don't think that you'll get paid sustainably more.  Over time you will eventually get your target salary via experience.

Understanding Salary Projectors:

If you like to look up salary projections like those featured on The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, you need to understand that the median salary doesn't mean that this is what you're going to make. This means that the Bureau took figures of the lowest and highest possible salaries and took the middle figure. So if a teacher can make $30,000, $45,000 and $50,000, the median salary is $45,000. Your employer will most likely factor-in this as well as the competing market salaries and their own individual budget when coming up with your salary.

Cost of Living is Usually isn't Factored In:

It makes sense that your employer would pay you enough to compensate for living expenses. For example, if you live in a city where groceries, gas, and rent is high you think you'd naturally be given more money. But this isn't always the case. In fact, employers expect you to make do with what you're given. If that means that you have to live in suburbia and commute to work an hour a way to comfortably live on your salary than that's what you'll have to do.

Raises:

Typically you aren't eligible for a raise until around your one year anniversary. At this time, you will go under review and you will need to give a strong case on how you are more than just an "adequate employee" to show why you should get paid more. What have you done for the company to help with its growth? Some companies automatically give one-year reviews; some require you to ask for one.

Company Culture and Compensation can Make a Low Salary Worthwhile: Lastly, it's understandable that you may not be satisfied with your pay right now, but you really have to look at the whole picture: do you like your co-workers? Do you get great benefits? Does your boss treat your right and give you holiday bonuses? Treats the company to a few lunches from time to time? Is a tad bit more relaxed with the dress code? Sometimes the little things can make up for a lower paid and bring forth more happiness.

Author Bio:

Maria Rainier is a freelance writer and blog junkie. She is currently a resident blogger at First in Education where she writes about education, online colleges, online degrees etc. In her spare time, she enjoys square-foot gardening, swimming, and avoiding her laptop.

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