(ARA) – In today’s challenging economy, a number of people find themselves looking for a new job. Not only are job losses on the rise, many are finding that rapid changes in the corporate landscape have left them ill-equipped for a new position. Either their skill sets need to be updated or it’s too difficult to compete in a field with too many applicants. Yet despite gloomy unemployment statistics, some industries are not only seeking applicants who are ready to make a change, they are even offering paid training.

It may strike some as ironic that during a time when the financial markets in general have experienced so much volatility, sales positions in financial services are actually experiencing expansion and growth. Opportunities exist for motivated, success-minded individuals who want to attain more than a new job; for many it’s a chance to pursue a promising career with a future.

Personal qualifications valued over experience
If you’ve never worked in financial sales, the prospect might sound intimidating at first. But the fact is, for those people who are dedicated, willing to work hard and are persistent, a career as a licensed financial professional can absolutely be the right decision.

There are many qualifications and transferable skills from other occupations that can give you a leading edge in the financial services field. Someone with a background in network marketing or public relations, for example, may have key relationship building skills. Those with a customer service or sales background could also be a good fit. Even fields that don’t seem obviously compatible like teaching and counseling could give an individual the kind of excellent listening skills needed to succeed as a financial professional. And since employers typically look for a staff of professionals that mirrors the communities they serve, the field is wide open to people from a variety of diverse backgrounds.

A timely opportunity
The timing for entering the financial sales field has never been better. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment field for personal financial advisers is projected to grow by 41 percent, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. For one thing, increasing numbers of advisers will be needed to assist the millions of workers expected to retire in the next 10 years.

“As more members of the large baby boom generation reach their peak years of retirement savings, personal investments are expected to increase and more people will seek the help of experts,” says John Greene, president, agency distribution with The Prudential Insurance Company of America. “Plus, since many companies have replaced traditional pension plans with retirement savings programs, more individuals are managing their own funds, creating jobs for advisers.”

What motivates you?
Everyone wants to feel that their work has meaning and that they are somehow making a contribution to the greater good. Embarking on a new career as a financial services sales professional can offer significant rewards as you help others achieve their financial goals. Planning for retirement; saving for college; purchasing life and disability insurance; estate planning — these topics are all on the forefront of nearly everyone’s mind right now. Training for a career in financial services sales is an opportunity to meet a marketplace demand that will only increase in the coming years. If you are looking for a rewarding, career with the potential for long-term growth, a sales position in financial services may be just what you’ve been looking for.

To learn more about a position as a financial professional call (877) 569-9623 or e-mail afinancialservicescareer@prudential.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Tip: If you're already having nightmares about oversleeping on the day of the big exam or forgetting an internship interview with a Fortune 500 company, it's time to create an online calendar.

(ARA) – As the recession continues to take its toll, college grads have to work harder to stand out. Businesses expect to hire 22 percent fewer recent grads in 2009, according to a survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Competition for available jobs is fierce, even among candidates armed with a college degree.

If you’re one of the millions of graduates looking for a job this year, there are some basic things you can do to stay ahead of the competition.

Use technology to stay ahead of the game
Windows-powered PCs can help you stay ahead of the competition when it comes to college funding, admissions and job opportunities.

Use your networking skills
You probably already know that social networking sites are a great way to meet new people, but they can also help you stay ahead academically and begin job networking before you graduate.

Be sure to use a network that matches your interest and objectives — and there will probably be more than one that fits your needs. Networking and resume sites that allow you to post virtual resumes are a great way to get your information in front of a large group of potential employers.

Create a calendar
If you’re already having nightmares about oversleeping on the day of the big exam or forgetting an internship interview with a Fortune 500 company, it’s time to create an online calendar. An online calendar allows you to share access with other important people in your lives, so you can remember that important interview as quickly as you remember to call Grandma on her birthday.

Find a job that relates to your major or your interests
Working and going to school isn’t easy, and you’ll be even less inclined to enjoy your job if it bores you. While you may not find your dream job right now, any opportunity to see if you enjoy working in your ideal industry is a good learning experience.

Look for internships
Now is a prime opportunity to get experience that can build into a full-time job after graduation, and it’s also the one time in your life when you can live very cheaply. Internships don’t often pay well or anything at all, but they often count for course credit and always build your résumé, so take advantage of them while you can.

Start job hunting a semester (or more) before graduation
Every May, the job market is flooded with new graduates ready and eager to find work. If you start sending out résumés, going on interviews and networking ahead of your classmates, you can have a job lined up before you even get your diploma. You can really enjoy walking across that stage even more when you’ve already accepted an offer.

Remember that you’re a working student
Although a lot changes from high school to college, some things stay the same, namely, the need to remain focused on school and taking the job seriously. Don’t forget to study for an exam because of work. (And don’t forget to show up for work because you were having too much fun.)

Don’t forget to have fun
No matter how hard you work, this summer is still sure to have some special events and fun moments. Be sure to record them and share them with friends. Start with a good digital camera — prices have dropped in recent years, making them affordable for just about everyone. Look for features like red-eye reduction and the number of mega-pixels.

Don’t fall into the trap of leaving photos on your camera. Upload your images with online photo-sharing software or Web sites. Services like Windows Live Photo Gallery make it easy to edit, store and share photos for free. Consider creating photo books of your summer’s highlight images to share with friends.

For more creative ways to de-stress this summer, visit www.windows.com .

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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If you’re among the millions of baby boomers that the recession has driven back into the job-hunting workforce, don’t overlook one of your most important professional assets — your ability to hear clearly.

About 15 percent of people aged 45 to 64 have some degree of hearing loss, according to the Better Hearing Institute. Yours could directly affect your ability to be competitive in the work marketplace and hinder productivity in a new job or career. You can protect your competitive edge by ensuring your hearing is as good as it can be.

Consider these important facts about hearing loss and how to deal with it:

* When was the last time you had a hearing test? Can’t recall? You’re not alone. Just 13 percent of general practitioners screen adult patients for hearing loss. While children might be routinely tested a few times throughout their school career, adults tend to overlook the possibility of hearing problems. Because hearing loss usually occurs gradually, over time, you may not notice a problem until it has become advanced.

* Hearing loss is not just a senior citizens’ problem. The majority of people with hearing loss — 65 percent — are below retirement age. More than 31 million Americans live with hearing loss, and 15 percent are aged 45 to 64.

* While certain professions are at increased risk of hearing loss, like firefighters, police officers, factory workers, farmers, construction workers, military personnel, heavy industry workers, musicians and entertainment industry professionals, hearing loss can affect anyone in any profession. Our world in general is far noisier and louder than it was even just 20 years ago.

* Even mild hearing loss can seriously impact your ability to communicate and be productive. Hearing loss can hinder your ability to listen well during an important job interview, or make you miss vital information during a meeting, phone call or teleconference.

* Hearing loss may be irreversible, but does not necessarily have to be continually degenerative. Getting your hearing loss diagnosed and treated early can help slow or even halt its advance.

Only a health care professional can diagnose hearing loss and prescribe a treatment, which may include wearing a hearing aid. Hearing aids can help — discreetly, subtly and effectively. Many modern hearing aids are minimally visible and designed to help the wearer hear more clearly, even in situations where older models might not have worked as well, such as a crowded restaurant.

In addition, new technology from industry leader Starkey offers patient-proven features such as PureWave Feedback Eliminator, which eliminates the annoying whistling often associated with hearing aids; Acoustic Scene Analyzer, which instantly adapts the hearing aid for the greatest comfort and clarity even in the noisiest environments; and T2, a breakthrough technology that allows a hearing aid wearer to use a cell or touch-tone phone to conveniently switch modes or adjust volume without the need for additional hardware.

Employers consistently rank superior listening skills among the most-desirable traits a job candidate can offer. But the best listening skills in the world are useless if you can’t clearly hear what’s being said. If you’re experiencing hearing loss, a hearing aid can help you compete in a tough job market. To learn more about Starkey’s products, visit Starkey.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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The era of the Internet start-up boom may be over, but demand for technology professionals continues to rise. Broader use of cheaper, more easily available technology by a variety of industries, and a dearth of technology professionals mean technology will continue to be a hot career choice.

The technology industry remains one of the fastest growing career fields. Employment in the computer sciences and math fields increased by 78 percent, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). By contrast, employment increased by only 17 percent in non-science and tech fields. Moreover, the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects information technology careers to remain in high demand in coming years.

As prices for computer technology continue to fall, businesses of all kinds will continue to integrate technology into their operations. This means that computer technology graduates will continue to be in high demand in a range of career fields.

As a result, tomorrow’s computer technology careers will increasingly be outside the computer or technology industry itself. The Information Technology Association of America found that 92 percent of IT graduates work outside the IT industry. This is a trend that is expected to continue as technology continues to expand to all realms of life.

“New fields in computer technology continue to emerge all the time,” says George Geran, computer information science chair of Florida Metropolitan University in North Orlando, Fla. “While some new computer tech careers are developing every year, others are just the result of technology being incorporated into all areas of our daily lives.”

A recent “ComputerWorld” article on the future of the IT field states that, “The IT worker of 2010 won’t be a technology guru but rather a ‘versatilist.’ ” Shirley Nagg, computer information science chair of Everest College in Rochester, N.Y., agrees, saying that computer technology graduates find careers in a wide variety of fields, ranging from health care, to business, to finance.

In addition, as more complex technologies continue to develop, companies seek employees who stay up-to-date with new technologies. “While some of our students have just graduated, we also find that many students in our computer technology courses have worked before and are coming to us because they want to stay on top of advances in the field. They realize that a technology degree can give them the career they are looking for,” says Ronald Duckworth, computer information science chair of Florida Metropolitan University in Pinellas, Fla.

Also, many businesses are emphasizing the need for employees with problem-solving abilities, while sending routine work overseas. “Employers are increasingly telling us that they don’t want employees with just computer knowledge, they want employees who use computer know-how to solve problems, and employees with hands-on experience in a range of real-world applications,” says Warren Bartlett, computer information science chair of Florida Metropolitan University in Tampa, Fla.

E-commerce and cybersecurity are also expected to influence tomorrow’s computer technology careers. “As more companies and individuals are doing business on the Internet, companies are finding they need to build and maintain databases to store important information on their customers, products and sales,” says Duckworth. “This goes hand in hand with cybersecurity. Companies increasingly store sensitive information electronically, and as a result, they need to protect that information.”

But some express concern that our nation may not be prepared for this second wave in the technology industry. In fact, the GAO found that graduates in science, math, engineering or technology fields actually decreased from about 32 percent to 27 percent of all graduates between 1994 and 2003. “Because so many people are retiring, there is a huge demand for information technology graduates right now,” emphasizes Heidii Godbold, computer information science chair of Everest College in Colorado Springs, Co.

To learn more about career opportunities in the fields of technology and mathematics, visit www.everest.edu.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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It is important to make clear that it is very important to choose the right employer to work for. Sometimes this isn’t necessarily an option for everyone. You are interviewing the employer just as much as they are interviewing you when going in for one. Know what you are looking for and what situation you are most comfortable in and this will make working for an employer the best experience it can be. Other than that there are some general reasons that everyone can relate to in terms of benefiting from working for someone else.

One benefit that is invaluable to many people, especially parents or those who plan to become parents, are the health benefits that are offered through many employers. Researching these health benefits to find the best one for you can be the deciding factor in accepting one job offer over another. Good health benefits, or any at all are definitely something to be desired in a workplace. Another advantage many people find helpful is paid time off or vacation time. Being self-employed can make taking time off very difficult compared to working for an employer that allows you a certain amount of time off without losing pay.

Something else that should be considered when working for an employer is having bosses that can help you stay on task. At first glance to some this may seem like a disadvantage, but to those who have very little self discipline this can be an invaluable tool and bonus in working for an employer rather than being self-employed. For those people working for an employer is definitely the smart choice. Retirement is a huge issue with social security dwindling down and many who put money into now not seeing a dime of it when they retire. Working for an employer that offers retirement plans, pension plans, IRAs, 401k’s and other retirement packages can help relieve some of the anxiety in saving for retirement. Besides traditional retirement options, some companies offer stock options that can offer additional income that can be used towards retirement as well.

One huge plus in working for an employer is that less of the responsibility falls on your shoulders. You are responsible for your own portion of the work, your hours, your job and that is all. It is easier in this instance to keep work and personal life more separate than if you were self-employed. If you are someone who values their personal time highly and wants to keep the two separate, being employed by an employer versus self-employment is likely your best option. Besides these basic advantages that have been presented there are several other reasons why working for an employer is smart. There are so many little perks and highlights varying from job to job. Some retail jobs may allow you to receive employee discounts for example. Many employers now offer childcare or extra allowances for childcare. Counseling services are now offered by many, many corporations to help keep employee welfare up to par, in order to keep business flowing smoothly. Paid and unpaid maternity leave, short term and long term disability, workers compensation and even life insurance are some extra advantages when working for certain employers.

The bottom line is that in the long run, there are several advantages to working for an employer. Especially for those who seem to have a difficult time being self disciplined enough to be self-employed. There are definitely a lot more conveniences to be employed by an employer with less of the responsibility of being self-employed. In the end the decision of whether to be self-employed versus being employed by an employer comes down a lot to what kind of discipline you have. If you have enough of it you can do well at self-employment, well enough that some of the benefits offered by employers can be outweighed by the advantages of self-employment. But if you are not self disciplined enough to pull it off, being employed by an employer with all of it’s advantages makes the most sense.

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