November 30, 2005
Interviewing Workshop Tomorrow, Dec. 1
Ace the Interview: Go for the Job Offer Discover the keys to effectively market yourself with confidence. Know your Strengths, Prepare, Practice and then Relax. Learn the guidelines for communicating with impact at the interview, as well as tips for answering the most common challenging questions.
Thursday, December 1, 5:30-7pm Location: Career Resource Library (P304E, inside the Career Education Center)
Click here to register.
—Kelly Jo Woodside
Posted by msLibraries at 09:31 AM
“Biased? No, Just Curious”
Diane Stafford, Nov, 19 2005, http://www.hirediversity.com/tools/news/story.asp?id=26894
Question: Isn’t it illegal for a potential employer to collect information about your race and gender during a job interview? Answer: Only if they use that information in their hiring decisions. This article from website HireDiversity.com reports on the federal government’s activities to collect statistical information on job applicants as a way of ensuring that companies are engaging in fair hiring practices. Still beware … the questionnaire should be voluntary and detached from the job application form in order not to violate the Civil Rights Act.
— Rebecca Metzger
Posted by msLibraries at 07:22 AM
November 29, 2005
"Want to Work From Home? Maybe You Can"
Anne Fisher, “Ask Annie,” Fortune online: http://www.fortune.com/fortune/annie/0,15704,1133538,00.html
You’ve probably seen dozens of flyers and ads with too-good-to-be-true promises like this one: “Work at home! Make $2000 a month in as little as 10 hours a week!” But are there actually any legitimate work-at-home opportunities out there? This article points readers towards two sources for determined telecommuters: a company that contracts home-based customer service agents for other U.S. corporations, and a website with job postings from about 1,400 companies, each personally verified as legitimate by the site’s founder. The author also offers tips for work-at-home success, such as minimizing distractions to remain focused.
—Kelly Jo Woodside
Posted by msLibraries at 09:01 AM
November 28, 2005
"A.D.D. on the Job"
Jan Farrington, Career World: A Weekly Reader Publication, 34.3 (Nov-Dec 2005): p. 6.
“For someone with attention deficit disorder, choosing the right career may take extra effort—but it’s out there!” Most people think of ADD as a disability, but some folks have figured out how to make it work to their advantage on the job, such as David Neeleman, who misplaced his airline tickets so often that he eventually developed the industry’s first paperless ticketing system. This article offers strategies to help people with ADD develop successful careers and includes a sampling of “ADD-friendly” jobs — those offering varied environments and responsiblities.
Link to the full article: http://find.galegroup.com/itx/infomark.do?type=retrieve&tabID =T002&prodId=EAIM&docId=A138582115&userGroupName =mlinbsimmcol&version=1.0&source=gale
(Log-in required for access. Click here for info.) (MBLC: Expanded Academic ASAP)
—Kelly Jo Woodside
Posted by msLibraries at 08:55 AM
November 23, 2005
Happy Thanksgiving!
The Miller/Knopf Career Resource Library and the Career Education Center will be closing today at noon and will reopen Monday, November 28, at 8:30am (regular busness hours). CareerNow! will resume publication Monday as well. We wish you all a lovely holiday weekend.
—Career Resource Library Staff
Posted by msLibraries at 10:16 AM
"Goodbye to All That"
Jia Lynn Yang, Fortune, 11/14/2005, Vol. 152 Issue 10, p169-170.
“Getting to the top can take the better part of a lifetime. So why do some women choose to chuck it?” This article focuses on a Citigroup chief executive officer, Marge Magner, who left her job after a life changing accident, and other women executives who left for various reasons. For them, taking control of one’s own life can feel as bold as wielding power in a corporation.
Link to the full article: http://0-search.epnet.com.library.simmons.edu :80/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&an=18717981 (Log-in required for access. Click here for info.) (MBLC: Expanded Academic ASAP)
—Robert Demanche
Posted by msLibraries at 07:26 AM
November 22, 2005
"Day 10 on the Picket Line"
David Epstein, Inside Higher Ed, Nov. 22, 2005. http://insidehighered.com/news/2005/11/22/nyu
If you’re considering a doctoral program, you should be following this story at NYU, where graduate students are on strike to protest the university’s decision to refuse contract negotiations and to end recognition of their union. Leaders of NYU’s Graduate Student Organizing Committee, the first such union recognized at a private university, view teaching and research assistants as workers with a right to negotiate pay, benefits, and other working conditions. NYU claims they are students, not employees, who should view their assistantships as part of their financial aid, a position upheld in a decision last year by the National Labor Relations Board.
—Kelly Jo Woodside
Posted by msLibraries at 09:32 AM
November 21, 2005
“Want to Be an Event Planner?”
Lee Anna Jackson, Black Enterprise, 36.4 (Nov 2005): 132-136.
The meeting and events planner industry is expecting continued employment growth, as companies acknowledge the importance of conventions and other events to their success. While there is no set path to becoming an events planner, there are many resources where those interested can find out more about the profession. Start with this article to view basic job descriptions, learn industry trends, and find a list of professional organizations that can provide additional information.
Click here to read the full article.
(Log-in required for access. Click here for info.) (MBLC: Expanded Academic ASAP)
-Kelly Jo Woodside
Posted by msLibraries at 09:06 AM
November 18, 2005
"The Networking Game"
Andrew Shapira, The Daily Free Press, 18 Nov. 2005. http://www.dailyfreepress.com/media/paper87/ news/2005/11/18/Business/The-Networking.Game-1110446.shtml Free registration required for access to complete article.
Did you know the majority of available jobs out there are never advertised? The key to landing those positions is effective networking; answering ads and posting your resume online is not enough. This article describes the role of networking in the job search process of students and recent graduates at several Boston-area universities. In particular, it focuses on the value of alumni connections. Contacts through professors and online networking communities are also mentioned.
To begin networking with Simmons alumnae/i, sign up for a mentor at http://www.simmons.edu/alumnae/mentoring/.
To learn more about the art of networking, visit our resource guide at http://my.simmons.edu/libraries/collections/career/ntwkg.shtml.
—Kelly Jo Woodside
Posted by msLibraries at 09:47 AM
November 17, 2005
"For Some College Graduates, a Fanciful Detour (or Two) Before Their Careers Begin"
Alan Finder, New York Times, 10/23/2005, Section 1; Column 1; Pg. 22.
More college graduates than ever before are taking significant time off before heading to graduate school. This practice, termed the ‘timeout’ or ‘gap years,’ is becoming increasingly common and accepted. The reasons for taking time for one’s own pursuits are often as varied as the pursuits themselves, but the idea of progressing at one’s own pace is the overriding rationale. This article chronicles the experiences of a few young people taking a ‘timeout’ and presents some research findings about this practice.
For full text: click here to enter the Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe database. Then enter the following into the search box: “For Some College Graduates, a Fanciful Detour (or Two) Before Their Careers Begin” (including the quotations.) Click search; then click on the title to view the article.
(Log-in required for access. Click here for info.) (MBLC: n/a)
—Doug Devanney
Posted by msLibraries at 08:06 AM
November 16, 2005
"Generation Y: They've Arrived at Work With a New Attitude"
Stephanie Armour, USA Today, 11/07/2005
Generation Y, a burgeoning demographic of people under 30, are taking the American workforce by storm, introducing new opportunities and challenges for employers. A desire to speak one’s mind, to push for proactive change in the workplace, and to seek open and ongoing dialogue with their superiors characterize the mindset of this unique generation. Stephanie Armour investigates how Generation Y is transforming the American workplace.
Link to this article in full-text: http://search.epnet.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&an=J0E396712525305 (Log-in required for access. Click here for info.) (MBLC: n/a)
—Doug Devanney
Posted by msLibraries at 08:06 AM
November 15, 2005
Networking and Salary Workshops 11/17-18
The following workshops will be held in the Career Resource Library (Palace Road building, #P304E). Click here to register.
Marketing Yourself Professionally: The Two-Minute Infomercial Thursday, November 17, 5:30-7pm It takes more to get a job than a resume! Learn to communicate your strengths, accomplishments, and career goals in a powerful and concise manner by creating a “verbal” marketing piece. This technique works when networking, exploring career options, and interviewing.
Negotiate Salary and Benefits: Clinch the Compensation You Deserve! Friday, November 18, 11am-12pm Do you know what you are worth? Close to 90% of workers rate salary as the most important factor in deciding whether to accept a job. Learn how to research salaries for your geographic area and career field, what to do when an employer asks for a salary range or history, and tips for negotiating benefits. The key is preparation, since the only time you have real power with an employer is when you get the job offer!
For information about other upcoming career workshops and events, click here.
Posted by msLibraries at 07:08 AM
November 14, 2005
"Career Planning for the Twenty-First Century"
Joyce Gioia, Roger Herman. The Futurist. Washington: Nov/Dec 2005. Vol. 39, Iss. 6, p. 51-55.
Are you or your family wondering what kind of job you’ll be able to get with a liberal arts education? How about global work process coordinator, chief innovation officer, or director of influence? These are some of the career opportunities we can expect to see develop in the coming years, according to the World Future Society. Employment opportunities will grow quickly over the next ten years or so in professional and business services, where applicants with a broad education in liberal arts, combined with work or internship experience, will have an advantage, as they will be expected to take on a range of tasks. Check out this article for a description of some of the jobs of tomorrow and their qualifications. For more information on workplace trends of the future, check out the website of the authors’ consulting firm at http://www.hermangroup.com/futurespeak/future_insights.html. Click here to read the full article. (Log-in required for access. Click here for info.) (MBLC: Expanded Academic ASAP) —Kelly Jo Woodside
Posted by msLibraries at 07:51 AM
November 10, 2005
"Most Powerful Women in Business 2005"
Fortune, November 14, 2005, http://www.fortune.com/fortune/powerwomen/fulllist/0,25342,,00.html
Fortune magazine just released its Power 50 list of the most powerful women in business for 2005. (Ebay CEO Meg Whitman tops the charts for the second year in a row!) Accompanying articles in this online issue include an interview with Martha Stewart, a list of the women dropped from the Power 50 list since 2004, a report on why the hedge fund industry is the hardest for women to crack, and more. So, if you dream of being one of the most powerful women in business one day, now’s the time to start thinking about MBA programs (stop by the Career Resource Library for help researching programs), starting your own entrepreneurial business, or going to work for a company headed by one of these women.
—Rebecca Metzger
Posted by msLibraries at 08:41 AM
November 09, 2005
"An Overview of Employee Benefits"
Elka Jones, HireDiversity.com, November 8, 2005, http://www.hirediversity.com/tools/news/story.asp?id=26595
This article is a good introduction to benefits for both the first-time and seasoned job seeker. It includes details on different kinds of benefits (healthcare, retirement, paid leave, disability insurance, etc.), employee contributions, average paid holiday offerings, legally-required vs. optional benefits, and which jobs are more likely to offer benefits.
—Rebecca Metzger
Posted by msLibraries at 07:32 PM
November 08, 2005
"Employment in the Life Sciences: A Mixed Outlook"
Babco, Eleanor L. and Jesse, Jolene Kay. Bioscience. Oct2005, Vol. 55, Issue 10, p879-886.
This article examines the following issues, using national data: Have employment opportunities matched the tremendous growth in the production of biological scientists? Has job growth been consistent across the various biological and agricultural disciplines? Has compensation for these highly trained professionals kept up with other fields?
Persistent link to this article: http://search.epnet.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&an=18561102 (Log-in required for access. Click here for info.) (MBLC: General Reference Center Gold)
—Robert Demanche
Posted by msLibraries at 01:50 PM
"Jobs Blog: Pitching Openings to Advertising Professionals"
Needleman, Sarah E. CareerJournal.com: October 28, 2005, http://www.careerjournal.com/salaryhiring/industries/advertising/20051028-needleman.html?cjpos=salaryhiring_whatsnew
Wondering where to find really useful career information online? This article rounds up some of the best specialty websites, blogs, and online job boards in a variety of professions, including advertising, insurance, health care, nonprofits, lodging, marketing, financial services, freelance writing, law, business, consulting, government, sales, library science, museums, environmental organizations, and videogame companies. Sites promoting workplace diversity and opportunities for women are also covered.
(For additional resources, be sure to visit Simmons’s own Career Resource e-Library, accessible at http://my.simmons.edu/library/collection/career/.)
—Kelly Jo Woodside
Posted by msLibraries at 01:47 PM
"Is 'White' the Only Color of Success?
Gardner, Marilyn. The Christian Science Monitor. October 31, 2005: http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/1031/p13s01-wmgn.html
“‘Acting white,’” … can be the price of promotion,” according to a recent study about hidden bias in the workplace by economist Sylvia Ann Hewlett and Princeton professor Cornel West. Cultural jewelry, hairstyles, hand gestures, voice tone, and even manicures are some of the traits participants believe could have a negative impact on their careers. Women of color also struggle with invisibility in the workplace, compared with white peers. The authors of the study encourage minority professionals to be more open about their activities outside work, such as community leadership, which can enhance their opportunities on the job.
Note: The full study appears in the November issue of the Harvard Business Review (available in the Simmons Library now in print, and later this month online through the Business Source Premier database).
—Kelly Jo Woodside
Posted by msLibraries at 01:45 PM
Job Search Workshop Wed., Nov. 9
Land a Great Job: Create a Job Search Strategy/Take Charge Now! Wednesday, November 9, 3-4pm
Know your strengths, research and target employers, uncover opportunities, and network your way into employment. Learn the “how to” and benefits of a proactive job search, as well as tools to help structure your time and energy.
To register online for this workshop, click here.
—Kelly Jo Woodside
Posted by msLibraries at 01:38 PM
November 07, 2005
“Today's Lesson: Starting Over in Mid-Career”
Rosato, Donna. Money, Oct 2005: 35-38.
Susana Temprano left a sales executive job at IBM at $200,000 a year to become a Manhattan school teacher earning $40,000 a year. Susana needed to make some adjustments to her financial life, but she finds the teaching job is more satisfying. One survey shows that only 50% of workers say they are satisfied with their jobs, but few act on it. Also, in this article, financial planners offer advice on how to manage a change in career.
Persistent link to this article: http://search.epnet.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&an=18245132 (Log-in required for access. Click here for info.) (MBLC: General Reference Center Gold)
—Doug Devanney
Posted by msLibraries at 02:08 PM