Archive for May, 2010
Friday, May 28th, 2010
Has the price hike driven you crazy? And your car’s expenditures have compelled you to think to sell it? Don’t sell your car rather make it a source of income for you! How? The answer may be in front of your eyes but you are ignoring it! Yeah you are right! Automobile advertising!
You see cars driving on roads covered with advertisements — the owners of these cars are actually paid to get these ads wrapped on their cars. The companies that want their ads to get the place on your car pay monthly salary; you are just required to get accepted by such a company.
In order to be eligible to avail such opportunity, you must be a permanent resident of Pakistan, 18-year of age or above, must possess a valid driving license and a controversy-free driving record. In addition to this, if you live in a populous area, it is a plus point for you because that way the advertisement on your car will reach maximum number of audience. But if you live in a less crowded area and travel a lot, even then you can get the opportunity to get companies’ ads on your car.
The companies have a set criterion and they want you to cover a certain distance every month in order to publicise their product and in return, they pay you the salary. You may also be required to attend a large event such as a cricket match, music concert, a cultural festival, etc where thousands of people gather — so that more and more people can get to notice the ad on your car.
Therefore, if you want to turn your car into a money earner for you, contact the advertising agencies in your area/city and get to know the details of the business. If you are lucky enough to own more than one car, utilise all of them in automobile advertising and earn money without doing any regular job or business.
Another important point to consider is that stylish and somewhat different looking cars gain more people’s attention so here you are required to unleash your creativity in order to give a stylish and innovative look to your car — it will enhance your chance to be selected by the advertising agency.
Posted in
Job Search | No Comments »
Friday, May 28th, 2010
As the economy is getting stability after a year of recession, tourism and hotel industry has been again offering better career prospects for those who are interested in this line. Career in tourism and hotel management, just like other fields needs a natural aptitude towards hospitality related jobs. The field is so advanced and offers a variety of career choices including food and beverage production and management, hotel management, front office management, house keeping, guest relationship management, air ticketing and tariff, travel agency management, tourist handling service, tour planning and packaging, sales management, interior designing and decoration, etc.
After doing diploma or degree courses in any of the above mentioned fields, you can get employed in any travel agency, hotel, guest house or restaurant. You may also opt to work in any event management company or airline after getting qualified in the said courses. The major organizations in Pakistan that can provide you with lucrative job opportunities after you qualify in hotel management and tourism industry are well-reputed hotels such as Pearl Continental, Sheraton, Marriot, Awari, Regent Plaza, etc. Various posts that hotels, guest houses, restaurants, travel agencies and event management companies advertise for are Executive Housekeeper, Hotel Manager, Sales Manager, Food and Beverage Manager, Reservation Manager, Customer Relation Manager, Business Development Manager, Business Development Executive, Executive Chef, Restaurant Manager, Shift Manager, Director Marketing and Sales, Catering Manager, Food Service Officer, Kitchen Supervisor, Unit Business Manager, Branch Manager, and many more.
If you have this fondness to do different experiments in cooking, learning to cook variety of cuisines and invite your friends over party to get them impressed of your culinary skills then why not turn this hobby into a lucrative career. Join any certificate or diploma course in advanced cooking of variety of cuisines such as Chinese, continental, fast food, traditional Pakistani cuisine, bakery, etc and be a chef at some hotel or restaurant. You can be a cooking instructor too! If you excel in your profession, joining any TV channel to conduct a cooking show is yet another charming option for you.
So, you see here hotel management and tourism industry offers you a variety of options to choose from as your career — each of them with a different taste and excitement. Just explore the many options available in one industry and begin your exciting journey in the field of hospitality.
Posted in
Career in Pakistan | No Comments »
Thursday, May 27th, 2010
There are some points without which your resume is incomplete so don’t forget to mention them while preparing your ticket to a company:
Contact information:
A resume is useless for an employer if it does not contain the contact details of the applicant. What if the employer is impressed with your academic record and previous job experience, surely he would want to contact you and ask you to come for an interview. For that you MUST mention your contact information in your resume that includes your full name, postal address, landline number (if any), cell phone number and email address (the one you check regularly).
Experience:
No matter you possess an excellent academic record, if you are not a fresh college graduate then you must have done any job, any internship or volunteer work — mention its details. An employer is always very much interested in getting to know your previous job experience — even if hiring a fresh candidate is also an option for him but still an experienced one is always more preferred — so, do mention your experience in your resume.
Go deep:
Just mentioning your ‘position’ and the ‘duration’ in the experience column is not enough! Describe in detail the duties you were required to perform in your previous jobs. For example, you had been serving as a ‘media coordinator’ in your previous job then you must mention in your resume the detail of all your job responsibilities being a media coordinator — it will give an in-depth knowledge to the employer about your expertise and capacity.
Skills:
A certain set of skills is always required for any job. For example you are applying for a post of page designer in a newspaper; you must list the skills in your resume that you possess to be qualified to get the said job. The required skills for a page maker of a publication, are having expertise in Quark Express (or any other page making tool) and adobe Photoshop (or any other photo editing software). Therefore, you must mention these skills in your resume so that the employer may get to know that you are a considerable candidate for the said job. Your resume acts like a ticket to an organisation so don’t be careless in preparing it. Give it your best! Mention in your resume, all important things that may help you out gaining the attention of employers.
Good Luck!
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Resume Writing | No Comments »
Thursday, May 27th, 2010
Thinking of switching your career? Don’t think it’s too late! It is ‘never too late’ to switch to another career if you are not satisfied with the current one!
People might think of re-careering (career switching) because of several reasons — they might not be satisfied with their current job, they might have found a rather better option (or a job of dreams)! So remember all you people out there, it is never too late to pursue your dreams therefore — let’s say you have spent about 10 years in a field and then you are willing to switch from here — if you are 100 per cent sure, the new field will give you more satisfaction, just switch. Abandoning the idea of re-careering just because you have spent a long time in the same field is not the right approach of thinking!
There are a number of fields you can switch to — even after spending many years in the same profession. These are the fields in which you can get trained in a relatively shorter time period and can get maximum satisfaction too if the new line allures you more! Some of the careers you can choose to switch over and get trained quickly are:
Social work: If you have desire to serve humanity, and want to switch from your current job to a career through which you can serve human beings then working in NGOs is the best option! And you can get trained in it too very easily!
Teaching: If you have gained years of industry experience, and now want to change your field then a natural aptitude towards teaching (if you have) provides you with an excellent career changing option with maximum job satisfaction! You can choose to teach the subjects in which you have gained industry experience — it will enhance your skills as a teacher.
Freelance journalism: If you have a flair for writing and have an in-depth knowledge about current affairs, you can opt to be a freelance reporter or a feature writer for any publication. There is not age-limit for being a writer and you, even while remaining in your current job, can opt to become a freelance writer. The job is ideal to get you name! Happy writing!
Career counselling: A career counsellor is responsible for guiding his clients in choosing the right career plus advising him taking the right moves for achieving success in his current profession. If you have spent a reasonable time in any particular industry and have got to know about all its thick and thins; and now want to switch to another career, then you may choose to become a career counsellor too. A career counsellor is not restricted to guide his clients about his area of expertise only but about everything related to career guidance because the industry experience gives you detailed insights so that you can guide your clients belonging to various fields in an efficient manner!
These were some of the many options that you may choose to switch over from your current profession and do remember, career changing is never a bad move if you really want to; and are looking for a better future and more satisfaction in your new field.
Posted in
Career Planning | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 25th, 2010
Gift-giving is a Sunnah practice and all of us should give presents to our friends and family members in order to express our love and respect towards them. However, giving gifts at job place to our colleagues and boss is a little trickier task and we need to be extra cautious while doing so as a small act of carelessness can ruin our image and put us in trouble.
Here are a few dos and don’ts about gift-giving at your workplace:
Don’t get personal with a formal boss
If your boss (male or female) remains reserved and doesn’t get mixed-up with you, be extra cautious in giving him/her any gift. Try not to get personal while choosing a gift for an introvert boss — it might offend him/her. Be formal in selecting a gift for such bosses such as coffee mug, pen, calendar, wall clock or a diary.
On the other hand, if you share a friendly relationship with your boss, you can be a little informal while choosing a gift but don’t be ‘too informal’ as a boss is a boss after all and you must keep a distance between you and him/her for a healthy office environment. To friendly and sociable bosses, you can choose to give a bouquet of flowers (roses are a strictly no!), any special plant, gift card, candy box or beautiful candles.
Remain within your budget
Choose what you can easily afford — don’t be extravagant in order to impress your colleagues or boss. It’s not the price of gift; it is the spirit and affection behind the gift — that matters! So you can show your appreciation towards your colleagues or boss simply by presenting them an inexpensive gift with nice compliments.
Choose after hours to give the gift
Don’t give your present to colleagues or boss in front of all — it may create a bang at the job place, which is not healthy and it might offend the gift receiver as well. Choose the time when the person to receive the gift is alone in his/her office — lunch hour or after hours — any time when there is not a crowd around the person to whom you want to present the gift.
Don’t give cash
Never give cash as a gift to your colleagues or boss — no matter how friendly relationship you share! Choose any formal or informal gift depending upon your relationship level but ‘cash’ as a gift item is simply a no, no! However, gift certificates, shopping coupons, meal deals and club membership cards — as far as you can afford — are okay as gifts.
Choosing the right gift, for the right occasion and presenting it in the right manner can help you improving your relationship with your boss and colleagues, which will ultimately make for you, your office, a comfortable place to work.
Posted in
Organizational Learning | No Comments »
Monday, May 24th, 2010
Are you stressed out due to your hectic schedule? Don’t worry! Many people these days remain fatigued and find it difficult to be cheerful and spend stress free days. However, there are a few tips to release stress of job and refresh you to spend a lively day — just follow them and you too can experience the beauty of life even during work.
Take small breaks
Continuously sitting at your computer will not only affect your eyesight but it will also increase your anxiety level. Taking small breaks during work after every hour is very necessary — 10 minutes break is enough in which either you can roam around in the office to socialize with your colleagues, you may also sit quiet in your office taking deep breaths, it will help you a lot in releasing job stress. Have coffee or tea — whatever you like — while sitting relaxed and putting work on halt will help you greatly in dealing with workplace fatigue.
Break the routine
Breaking the same monotonous routine is always very helpful in bringing back freshness to life. Do the same while you are in office. If you do your lunch everyday in office, break this routine, go out, try something new and spend some time let’s say half an hour out of office, it will surely change your mood. If possible, bring with you your colleagues to give you a nice company over a different lunch experience.
Surround yourself with beauty
Piled-up table, scattered papers and dusty computer screen will make even a lively and healthy person feeling sick. Don’t do this to yourself and keep a strict eye on the cleanliness of your office. Keep your table cleaned, ask the sweepers to regularly clean your office’s floor and spray some good air freshener to make your office’s environment pleasant. Also keep a strict eye on the cleanliness of your office furniture and other stuff such as computer and other accessories. Put something nice near your workstation such as fresh flowers, family photo, a beautiful handicraft or anything that makes you feel good. Try out these things and you will never complain of getting stressed out during office hours.
Avoid multitasking, if possible
Make a list of your everyday tasks and prioritize them. Start working according to the set priorities and avoid working on many assignments at the same time, if possible. Continuous multitasking can lead to over exhaustion and you feel tired after a short interval of time. On the other hand, prioritizing your work can help you feel organised and doing more work in lesser time without getting stressed out.
These are some tips to help you out dealing with job related stress — follow them and enjoy a happy and stress free work life!
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Motivation | No Comments »
Thursday, May 20th, 2010
Competition in the job market is getting tougher with every passing day — even the MBAs are finding it difficult to get the job of their choice right after completing their education. When competition gets tougher, job seekers are required to work harder in socialising and making contacts at the professional front, plus flexibility in work attitude helps a lot in increasing your chances in finding a job of your dream. Here are a few suggestions; following them you can be able to win the tough job seeking competition.
Come out of your comfort zone
Be open to switch your field — let’s say you are a computer science graduate and after many efforts you are still not able to find any reasonable job, then you are required to look for the options! Explore in yourself which other talents you possess besides being an expert in computing — may be you are a very good writer, or have excellent communication skills in English — you may mention these qualities in your resume and it will surely enhance your chances in finding a good job.
Don’t sit idle
Even if you haven’t found a regular full time job yet, it does not mean you can sit idle at home! The gap in your resume will leave a bad impression on the employer. Get yourself engaged in some freelance assignments, internship or any part-time job so that the period in which you have been looking for a full time job, does not go waste and you can also mention your work details that you performed during your struggle time.
Don’t wait for the job advertisement
Don’t wait for a company of your choice to place an advertisement for a job — simply start sending your resume to all those companies in which you are interested to work. It will make the employer realise that you are a ‘proactive’ person and it will increase your chance in getting a job.
Networking is important
Let all people you know aware of this fact that you are in search of a job — let them know about your qualifications, previous experiences (if any), other qualities, professional and extracurricular certifications. Be active in the virtual world too, make contacts on networking websites and don’t let the online contacts confined to your computer only — try to meet your online friends over a lunch or dinner party because a face-to-face meeting is always much more influential than an online chat.
By following these tips, you can surely get an edge in the tough employment market and have the job of your dreams.
Posted in
Pakistan Job Market | No Comments »
Thursday, May 20th, 2010
Here are a few fields that don’t help you earning perks but yes, they are excellent for your personal growth and in getting you the maximum satisfaction.
Fine arts
Study fine arts if you love it but having a thought of earning money with the help of this degree is an illusion. Only a few people could make their profession in fine arts, a source to generate income — rest are either jobless or had to study something else. Therefore, if you are responsible to bear the financial needs of your family and have only one option to choose your major at the university level, fine arts is not for you.
Theatre art
Just like fine arts, study theatre art for the love of ‘theatre’ but don’t expect quick money from the degree/diploma in the said field. We see many artists struggling for years to get a chance in theatre or TV — therefore, even if you have an obsession to become an actor, always keep an alternate profession in your options so that while struggling you can generate money too — because an empty stomach will give you a hungry looking face, which is of no use in the showbiz world!
Education
Choose the teaching profession if you have a natural aptitude towards it — because teaching is not a job for all; only those who are good enough in conveying their ideas clearly to their students can become good teachers. Therefore, if you have this thought in mind that there arise many opportunities for teachers at all academic levels both in government and private sector institutes and you can earn good money by adopting a profession in teaching, then ask yourself, “Can I become a good teacher?” If your heart says, “Yes!”, only then choose ‘teaching’ as your career otherwise DON’T!
Social work
If you have the desire to serve humanity, you can opt to work in any NGO. But there are many local NGOs that are going through financial crisis due to lack of sponsors and government’s support and hence, the employees there are not highly-paid. As yourself what you want — if you can survive with an average income and have this desire to serve the needy people — listen to your heart and be a social worker.
A few of the many fields are discussed here that are not very highly-paid but excellent in terms of giving you the job satisfaction. If you are not one of the numerous people who run after money, then any one of the above fields is for you!
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Future Dreams | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 19th, 2010
An impressive resume plays a vital role in finding a good job. But a resume needs to be improved with the passage of time — formal academic qualification is simply not enough to impress the employers. These days competition has become tougher and organizations are looking for employees with multiple skills. Here are a few ways by which you can improve your skills and beef up your resume:
Write
Improve your writing skills and try to get your work published somewhere let’s say in newspapers, magazines or websites. These days, employers are looking for people having excellent written and verbal communication skills and if you get expertise in writing and find some space in esteemed publications; your resume will surely create a positive impression on your employer.
Learn a different language
Besides getting to know national and international languages, knowledge of any other language let’s say German, French, etc is an extra advantage because it will help you dealing with your international clients in their native language. Besides, it will also give you a distinguished place among your colleagues.
Get fit
Get enrolled in some exercise or dance class, it will create an impression of you being a healthy person who doesn’t remain depressed and fatigued and is being involved in some healthy physical activities. These days, when most of the people remain stuck to their computers even during their spare time, a note to mention on your CV that you do yoga, aerobics or some form of dance after your routine tasks, will add charm to your resume.
Make your hobby, a profitable business
If you love to cook or are interested in gardening or crafting; you can turn these hobbies into a profitable business. You can choose to serve as a caterer and start a home/office meal deliver business and earn handsome money. Similarly if you are good at making beautiful crafts, simple turn this hobby into a business and sell your innovative products to those who are fond of decorating their homes/offices with handmade crafts.
The ideas are many — here only a few are mentioned. You can unleash your hidden talents and think of many other ways too in order to enhance your resume.
Posted in
Resume Writing | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 19th, 2010
Many people complain of having a stressful work environment and often think of leaving the job. However, by following some simple tips, you can make your job place your second home.
‘People management’ is the most important skill you need to learn when you step out of your home and start working as a professional. We meet many different types of people at job place. They may have totally different approaches towards life and people — most of the times; we don’t find people with whom we can easily adjust. Here comes the need for people management skill in order to deal with those difficult colleagues and bosses and meet the challenges of a tough work life and making the office a comfortable place to work.
Emotional intelligence
No matter how rude your colleagues and boss are, showing care and consideration towards their wellbeing can make a huge difference. Politeness can make even the toughest of individuals change their rude behaviour and turn into your best buddy. Therefore, besides being professional don’t forget humanity and treat your colleagues the way you want to be treated by them.
Mind your own business
Considering the feelings of others does not mean you invade in their privacy. Realise what your colleagues want to share with you and what they don’t want — if you feel there is something (personal or professional) that your colleague might not want to share with you, just don’t press. Live in your space and let others maintain their personal space so that tensions don’t get built up.
No dirty politics
Honesty is the best policy, always! Therefore, stay away from making vicious conspiracies against your colleagues or remaining involved in gossiping in order to spoil someone’s reputation because in the end, it will spoil your image and people will start avoiding you.
Don’t borrow money
It is the easiest way to spoil your reputation and making your colleagues running away from you. If you are in damn need of money, ask your management to make out some way to get your problem solved. But borrowing money from colleagues is strictly a no, no! In case, there is no other way and you HAVE TO take money from any of your colleagues, then make every possible effort to retune him/her ON TIME and do it just once and that too in severe need! Don’t repeat this practice as it will badly spoil your image.
Bringing some good habits and discipline to life can not only make our work life easier and more comfortable but it would also leave a positive impact on our overall personality.
Posted in
Motivation | No Comments »
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