Archive for the ‘Career Planning’ Category
Tuesday, December 20th, 2011
PHP is perhaps the most popular web development language at the time. At least 20 million domains use PHP. It is a language that is used on major sites such as Facebook and Wikipedia as well as in some of the world’s biggest open source projects like Drupal and WordPress. The person who is writing this language is a PHP developer. A PHP Developer writes, tests, troubleshoots, and maintains the source code for web pages and computer graphics programs. A PHP Developer uses and develops code that are followed by computers to execute different tasks.
Maintained code of a PHP developer must be well-documented, reusable and able to be modified to fulfill changing needs with passage of time. PHP Programmers are free to work for companies on salary basis or independently on contracts basis.
Job Responsibilities of a PHP Developer
A PHP developer is responsible to look out page layout, design and the entire coding of the developing website according to the PHP format. The PHP developer will be responsible for graphical and technological aspects of a website. The developer is responsible to update existing features of the website.
They are responsible to develop program codes by referring to existing websites and software packages. They are also responsible to upload a site on server. Other responsibilities of PHP Developers include:
- Updating the site by adding new features.
- Identifying technical errors that may occur due to bugs in the code.
- Preliminary testing the site to make sure that it is functioning properly.
- Deliver appropriate leadership and maintain the page layout and show characteristics for the client websites.
- Build up contents according to client requirement.
- Have appropriate contacts with other designers and programmers for a competent outcome.
- Do proper documentation of the program and add technical requirements in the code.
- Accurate testing of the built up code at a variety of stages to identify bugs.
- They work in a team with a number of individuals like database administrators, designers, HTML & CSS programmers and project manager.
- Write reusable code preferably using classes and libraries
- They design architecture of the program.
- Programming databases specially mySql
- Testing and debugging new programs
- Establishing projects from scratch or working on accessible projects
- Staying aware of security issues in PHP
- Developing front-end and back-end applications
- Helping team members to solve different problems
PHP Programmers may simply have to adjust or customize essential, accessible code for an application. There programmers with hands on experience on latest open source programs like, Mambo, Drupal, Joomla, Wordpress, Magento are in great demand. On the other hand, a PHP Developers may also be called to build up and write new code for different programs. Some employers also look for PHP Developers who are skillful in other technologies such as SSH, FTP and SQL. A PHP developer will be in great demand if he is experienced in diverse programming languages.
Education Requirements for PHP Developers
Some applicants may require PHP certification that can be obtained through online certification examination. Several institutes in large metropolitan areas are also providing professional PHP developer trainings. But a PHP Developer with bachelor’s degree in Computer Sciences, BSCS, BS IT, BS SW or MCS is more valuable in the market.
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Wednesday, November 30th, 2011
You have performed your duties for many years in an entry-level job, you think that you have enough experience and it is time to move up and apply for a mid level job. It is good, but you must keep in mind that experience is not the only way to show employers that you are most suitable candidate for the job. Employers are not only in search of someone with good experience but leadership qualities and proven effectiveness is also important for them. So it matters a lot that how you advertise and even sell your skills in these circumstances that may help you to move forward from an entry level career. It is quite easy. Just assess how you can improve your resume specifications to your practical area. Following is a summary of strengths that you should follow.
Write in sentence that how your existence effects and improve work. Pick at least three to four unique values and write shortly how those values are relevant to you.
Mention some goals with some defined skills to show your efficiency with your assigned tasks. Give facts and figures to connect your strengths with achievements to define yourself a golden person. If your job mainly works with soft skills, you have to be creative in presenting your skills.
Make a list of your duties, employers and dates of employment. Keep your education details in last of your resume. Mention it just before your references. Employers usually take interest to know whether you can get the job or not. They have less interest in what you have studied in your college. Keeping your strong points in the start will create the interest of a potential employer reading on.
Tailor your cover letter especially according to the position and organization, you are applying for. Thoroughly read the company’s website, explore its values and demands by the customers and demands from the company. Also add those things in your cover letter that highlights your capabilities to compete with needs of customers and the organization.
Staying positive is a great way to success. You can look at market as an opportunity for you to recreate yourself that would make you to stand out. Apart from where you stand in your career, it is better to move horizontally to a related field or just totally starting over another time, try to imagine the offered opportunity.
What to highlight in your Resume?
- Highlight your basic skills, accomplishments and responsibilities
- Tailor your resume according to your job search
- Make format of your resume attractive and reader-friendly
- Emphasize on your work not on your qualification
While tailoring your resume, keep in mind that it is not your personal statement; it is your business objective.
So try to make it a branded statement, That is “who are you and what you can do for their business”.
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Thursday, November 24th, 2011
A Network Engineer is responsible for supervising and designing the LAN and WAN networks within an organization. He is also responsible to choose the software and hardware for the use of organization and introducing new equipment and systems for an organization. The Network Engineer is also responsible to ensure the maintenance and keep a backup of all valuable data that is updated on existing systems.
Redesigning analysis and upkeeping of network to continue with altering requirements of organization, is also the responsibility of a Network engineer. Required skill sets of network engineers are almost similar to Network Administrators but network engineers work on higher levels. At this level, the expert in IT also needs to fine tune communication and interpersonal abilities as well. Responsibilities may include:
- Implementation and possible design of remote and local systems
- Execution and potential design of joint networks
- Expansion and supervising of network VPN or dial-up Connection
- Analyzing commercial client-server environments and network applications
Private networking and wireless technology have powered network engineers to turn out to be very flexible in their responsibilities and positions. As the effectiveness and speed of networks goes on to impact a company’s base line, the responsibilities of this role go further to become more important to organizations across the world.
Opportunities of advancement:
Candidates with soft skills and strong communication are usually preferred for the position. The individual with these skills are moved from Network Engineer into management positions.
Various Positions or Titles:
Senior Systems Administrator, WAN Administrator, Network Architect, Infrastructure Engineer, Network Analyst and Network Designer are the titles for network engineers.
Educational Requirements:
Certifications and training is necessary for network engineers because companies prefer Cisco technologies for their networking needs. Novell and Microsoft certificates are common in the marketplace. A bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer science or a related field with at least an experience of 5 years is required to become a Network Engineer. The interested candidates, who wish to shape their career as a Network Engineer, need a strong background in Windows, Cisco and Novell. The background in network security will add potential opportunities for the candidate. Routing and layered communication protocols, flow control and bridging/switching are also areas that will require some information.
Industry Certifications:
There are various certifications that can help a Network engineer to strengthen his career.
These certifications include:
• A+ 2003
• CCIE
• CCDA
• CISSP
• LPIC2 Linux Junior Level
• LCPI2 Linux Intermediate Level
• Linux+
• Master CIW i-Accelerate
• Master CIW Administrator
• MCSA 2000
• MCNE
• MCSE 2000
• MCSA 2003
• MCSE 2003
• NetWare 6 CNE
• NetWare 5 CNE
• Network+
• RHCT SCE
• RHCE
• SCM
• Security+
• SCP
• Server+
• Solaris 9 SCNA
• Solaris 8 SCNA
• Solaris 9 Security
• TICSA
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Wednesday, November 16th, 2011
Roles of an Office Manager
Office manager has a wide and diverse job responsibilities. Exact roles and responsibilities of an Office Manager differ from company to company, in smaller sized companies office managers also act as HR managers and have dual responsibilities. Office manager administrates and plans various business affairs and coordinates with employees working in office on different positions. He is a bridge between employees and employers. He keeps accurate information about the presence of all the staff associates and visitors. He is responsible to provide a quality service to the customers according to their level of satisfaction. He is also accountable to have a professional environment in the workplace. Hiring and firing of employees is also one of the important roles of an office manager. Office manager is also incharge and responsible of office building, paying office rent and utility bills. An office manager should also have a skill of problem solving. To conclude office manager should have a multi tasking skills and he should be a good leader.
Office Manager Job Responsibility
- Office manager is responsible for maintaining the efficient operations of office and keeping office environment in a professional manner.
- Office manager is responsible for Hiring and conducting interviews for jobs candidates.
- Office manager is also responsible for payrolls and recommending salary increaments.
- The office manager is responsible for the distribution of necessary incoming post or courier.
- Office manager is responsible to verify the accessibility and set status of each supplies of office.
- Office manager is liable to provide a support to clerical staff for keeping database of office plans.
- He is responsible to lessen each of the faults in reserves like scanner, fax and printer services.
- He is liable to oversee the meeting halls, organizing needs of conference.
Office Manager Job Requirements
In a company a manager plays a very important roles. A good manager needs the following key elements and skills.
- Good at taking decisions, accepting responsibilities and acting upon the taken decisions.
- Always ready to negotiate.
- Be self-controlled and self-motivated.
- Be able to depend on lesser.
- Keep good connections with others.
- Good to assign resources according to preferred concerns.
- Good to assess worker’s performance neutrally.
- Keeping the picture in view for which the problem had occurred.
- Reading the warning signals is also one of the responsibilities of the manager.
- A manager should have good ideas with good vision.
Office manager Must be attentive to keep a focus on the reasons of failure whether outside the organization and within the organization. To predict the causes of problems, a manger should have the aptitude of analyzing the problems of the past and applying that information to the present condition.
A good manager always looks at the way that can be adopted to develop business and takes different steps to make it competent.
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Thursday, November 10th, 2011
For many organizations project management is an important part in their business and so the project manager does also have great importance and responsibilities. The project manager has to perform the general management, execution, completion, direction, implementation, and control of different projects related to the business. The project manager ensures the goals, proper company strategy and commitments in all projects with finest quality and reliability. They also supervise the production projects of the company.
Project Manager Job Responsibilities
- Direct the planning and execution of the project.
- Increasing full-scale measurements for different projects.
- Describe the tasks of the projects as well as the necessity of reserves.
- Assembling and coordinating the staff during the whole session of project.
- Deal with the resource allowance of the project.
- Deal with the budget of the project.
- Directing the deliverables of the project along with the use of suitable tools.
- Planning and programming the project timelines.
- Providing support and direction to the team engaged in the scheme.
- Continually accounting and monitoring the project development.
- Guaranteeing the final product of the project and superiority of the work.
- Evaluation and Assessment of project outcomes.
- Overseeing of the problems, solutions and progress of the projects.
- Manage and apply the scheme changes and interferences for having project results.
Skills required for a Project Manager
The project manager holds a special position in an organization. His position is described by a high degree of confidence on organizations over which the executive has a limited or no managerial authority. The project manager has to face different situations like increased complexity of regulatory, project financing, environmental and political issues. All these issues need very special kinds of skills.
The project manager should be able enough to incorporate all ingredients of the project system and give a proper leadership to team members of the project. His or her efficiency will rely on human, conceptual and negotiating skills in addition to a lesser level on technical skills. He must be confident enough to communicate verbally and in writing. Good communication is considered one of the most required skills for a project manager. Visionaries lead the companies for change and give an opportunity to draw new boundaries. So an inspired visionary is the basic required skill for a project manager.
The project manager should also be a decision maker, enthusiastic, empathetic, and competent in his work. He should also have leadership skills with good behavior, team building and problem solving skills.
Study guide to become a Project Manager
The need for Project manager is increasing day by day with the increase of IT in our businesses and different organizations. According to estimation about 80% of the projects fail to meet their goals because of budget and sometimes for the reason of shortage of time.
You will have very little choice to have a certification for Project management. PMP (Project Management Professional) by PMI (Project Management Institute), Project+ by CompTIA. CompTIA Project+, SMP (Software Management Professional) are the recognized certifications not only in Pakistan but globally.
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Thursday, October 20th, 2011
Career education helps you set apart from rest of the job searchers. Sometimes it may also help you to win the job.
Most of the companies prefer to hire a candidate with a university degree. Sometimes the recruiters identify the type of degree that is required by them but sometimes the company doesn’t specify the type of degree. Simply we can say that the lack of education can cost you. And even, sometimes, you would not be able to realize that the company admits this policy and screens out the candidates with preference of a degree.
Therefore education has certain impacts on your success while planning your career. Regarding various levels of education, following are some ideas that might help you to decide your long-term success in the career.
University/College Career Education
If you have not gained a high level of education but now you are feeling that it is holding you back, you must do something about it. If you are doing a job, it will be difficult to continue your classes in the morning rather you can continue your education in evening classes or doing something through online university classes. This meaningful struggle to have a degree will help you advance in your career.
Industry-Specific Career Education
Computer networking, wireless, routers and Internet technologies are the good example of industry education where you will have various platform-specific designations that can be attained by the Information Technology professionals. These designations are not only sometimes specifically mentioned in job requirements but these certifications also separate you from candidates who don’t hold a designation. Nurses and certified trainers are the best examples of people who hold industry-specific designations.
Training Skills Career Education
You will have a number of options that are considered such as computer training, project management training, presentation skills training, assertiveness training and financial management training. If you think to do something to improve your skills, you will quickly find a course or some sort of training to take.
Post Graduate Career Education
If you have a graduate degree, you might find that a higher level of education can help you to achieve a much higher level. Only a Masters degree or PhD level can’t take you to a higher level of rewards but different post graduates courses can also help you to plan for a senior position, but it again depends upon your existing level of experience of course and industry. You may also go for a Masters or PhD level degree but it demands a dedicated career-mind who clearly knows the value of education. You may conclude that anything related to diplomas or degrees is not the only option for you. But you will still have plenty of great career education options:
English Language Career Education
Getting a spoken English language course can make a clear difference in your career. Many of the firms favorably look for candidates who have proficiency in spoken English. English usually is the official language in corporate sector and it will open up different job opportunities for you in multinational companies.
Education helps you a lot during your career to take you farther than you would have lost to achieve otherwise. Above are listed a number of options that will help you to pursue and continue your education at any stage of your career.
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Tuesday, October 18th, 2011
A various number of jobs fall into the category of sales. These job responsibilities also determine the certain sales responsibilities that are carried out by an individual in the specific field. In sales, you will have different job responsibilities for the diverse career opportunities, depending upon the nature of the job. Sales usually depend upon the service industry and therefore it is important to maintain good relations with customers.
A sales person is actually considered the interface between a production team and a customer. A sales person is accountable for the outsourcing of possible customers of markets and revolving them into permanent clients of the company. He is also responsible to ensure that the client understands the products offered by the company. He must be efficient enough to convince them that why the product of his company is better option over the other companies that offer the same products.
The job responsibilities in sales also include ensuring the standards of the product and making sure that the standard is always maintained and the company is also recognized for its excellent customer services. The sales person should keep a close understanding with all the customers of the company and help them in all the professional ways, particularly providing to their own exclusive individual needs. A sales person is responsible for making and sealing deals for sales and making sure that the product offered by the company is continuously on the way to growth and is developing with the passage of the time.
The job responsibilities of a sales person vary according to the title of the post. For example the Sales Representatives are in charge of promoting the product or the service of the company. He is responsible to travel to current and potential clients and to represent the product and the company as well.
The job responsibilities of a Sales Representative and a Sales Executive are almost same. They both fall under the same service sector of an organization. The Sales Executives are responsible for making and closing the sale, to existent and prospective clients. The sales executive is responsible for the development and growth of service or a product in the market.
A Sales Coordinator is like a boundary between the potential customer and the production team. He is responsible to identify a possible customer and alter him into reality by making sure the client has a full understanding of the product.
The Sales Associate is considered an interface between the customer and the Sales team. A Sales Associate has the responsibility to maintain the standards of the company. Maintain a constant rapport of the product; merchandising, general sales activities and safe guarding company assets are also included in the responsibilities of a sale coordinator.
A Sales Consultant is usually considered as an interface between a company and a client. A Sales Consultant ensures the full satisfaction of the customer. He is basically responsible to chalk out unique strategies to convince the consumer and the company.
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Monday, October 17th, 2011
A consultant is a professional who offers good advice in his area of expertise such as business, law, management, politics, food production and marketing. Consultants are professionals and experts in a particular field and usually have wide information about their subject matter. A consultant may be self-employed or may work in a consultancy and is consulted when there is a need. Therefore, the services of a consultant are taken when needed.
The functions of a consultant vary, due to the different fields of their expertise. However the general job responsibilities of a consultant remain the same. For example, consultants help management to develop realistic information, identify problems, recommend solutions and help to achieve the solutions of the problems. The role of a consultant demands to be objective in recommendations and analysis to the project assigned to him. To find out the best possible solution for management, a consultant must ignore industry attitudes or traditions. The job responsibilities of a consultant may also incorporate the efforts of experts in different fields in order to offer proficient solutions that optimize the management effectiveness.
Responsibilities of a consultant demands that he should work within the granted time to provide answers that are faced by each client. Key elements of the role of a consultant are:
• Maintaining the networks
• Sourcing suitable candidates by advertising and networking
• A sincere advice to employers and providing market knowledge
• Managing different problems and process
• Strategies to increase commercial performance
• Managing and Developing ongoing relationships
• Maintaining commercial and market awareness through networking and research
• Maintaining the networks
• Sourcing suitable candidates by advertising and networking
A consultant may also be hired to work directly in production, improving processes, streamline operations, improve customer service and reduce redundant work procedures and lowering manufacturing cycle in order to improve the production capacity. Some are also expected to lessen the inventory costs and manage supply chains. A consultant is also responsible to address a certain need and provide a quantitative and measurable result.
Consultants are usually given objectives or targets to achieve in order to measure the achievement of offered initiative. They must have several solutions of problem resolution. Consultant usually report only to the owner of the company and are consulted in making major decisions about the company. Consultants basically spend a lot of their time to devise strategies to have the solution of the problems of his clients. This rewarding and exciting role will set a consultant on the path for demand and success.
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Thursday, October 13th, 2011
Following are some questions you should ask yourself to make next steps very clear in your career. These questions will guide you in the right direction. These questions are specially designed to keep your mind in the right direction.
Do I want to do more of what I’ve been doing?
It is not surprising that many people wish for more of what they have already been doing. In some ways, humans look wired to persist with the things they are familiar with. But the pace of shifts and change in the global economy make it harder and harder to continue the same thing. How much more you want of what you already have?
What kind of work is easily available to me?
By visiting the job websites, you can get good information on what sorts of jobs are in demand in your area of expertise. If you see a positive market for a certain set of skills, be sure to find the ready access to training. You may need to get retrained, if you want to involve your present skills.
Why to move for next?
Good opportunity, money and a seat to show your ability are the good reasons to think about a move. People, who are willing to move to next, usually find different opportunities. Nowadays, you can’t expect the employers to cover your expenses. So, before considering the next opportunity, you have to be sure that this is what you want.
What are my skills?
Focus on what you’re good at and forget where you’ve been working in your recent job. Is it conceptual stuff or physical labor? How is your computer literacy? Are you a doer or a planner?
How much money would I like to make?
How much amount of money would make you tremendously comfortable? Consider the top end of your range. Add all of the expenses of you like living expenses and bills. Be sure to justify the cost of living differences, if you are thinking for a move.
What do I enjoy doing?
The last but the most important question on the list. If you love doing something, turn that into your job. Your outside interests and hobbies are great gauges of natural talent.
The above questions can help you to navigate the parameters of your job hunt.
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Thursday, October 13th, 2011
Sometimes, the changes in our career direction occur so slow that we do not notice them. But as early as you notice that you are going on wrong direction, it becomes easier for you to take yourself back on course, or regulate your course.
Innocent workers understand they are not following the right track after a long time and energy have been expended. To prevent the disappointment and failure, self-honesty and foresight can go a long way.
Following are some warning signs that your career may be off track:
Few years ago, the work that was a great cause of excitement for you, don’t excite you now. You no longer experience a sense of purpose and passion about your career. Or it may also be possible that you have never experienced an excitement about your career. You may have come in the career because it assured a good amount of money to you.
You dream to do something else in your career. We all have a dream for better and more exciting jobs, but if you regularly fantasize about working in a complete different working atmosphere, it might value exploration.
What you do in your work is primarily encouraged to avoid the irritation. If you don’t keep the smallest amount of productivity, your senior will be upset. If you show laziness working on positive reports, your colleagues will miss their own deadlines.
When you visualize the five or ten years of your career and imagine yourself at the same position or in the same line of work, you get depressed.
You are not included in main projects. Your colleagues are usually appreciated and you are continuously criticized or are ignored. You are unable to satisfy your boss and clients.
What to do?
These signs may just be a phase. We all may have a frustrating period in our work. This time usually passes. Often a vacation or a new project is sufficient to take the work on normal routine. If you are satisfied with your career and think that it is just a phase, take positive measures to take the phase to an end as soon as possible.
If you feel that it is not just a phase and you are actually not satisfied with your job. Then it is the time to have some serious decision about your future. You should never waste your time. Do your research; visit the library for your career choices.
The time has passed, when people were believed to stick to the career decision that was once made by them. In fact, career changes for improvement are taken as a positive decision in our lives. The career change keep us engaged, fresh and interested in our jobs that are basic qualities, needed to do a good job.
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