Archive for the ‘Career Planning’ Category

Useful tips for career advancement

Tuesday, June 26th, 2012

Everyone wants to look ahead and boost his chances of getting promoted. No one wants to stay in just one position forever. So here are some powerful career advancement tips to increase your value to employer.

  • Always volunteer for other tasks not related to your career. This would give you the opportunity to learn new and different things and broaden your vision
  • Keep focusing on improving your soft and technical skills. Don’t miss the opportunity to take job training courses or skill enhancing courses at your own.
  • Be sincere with your organization, boss, colleagues and work.
  • If you don’t know something, simply accept it. Don’t try to fake it. Rather try to learn from other colleagues and get the answers
  • While working in a team, share the credits. This would make a better impression of yours
  • Try to avoid offensive behaviors. If u don’t like someone, it’s not necessary to expose it. But, try your level best to change others attitudes with you by your politeness and kindness
  • Make others feel comfortable and relaxed with you. Appreciate others, be gracious and diplomatic and never hold grudges for your colleagues
  • Networking is one of the keys to career success. Join other societies, groups, organizations related to your field/career. This would help you learn more and enable you to explore new opportunities
  • Be patient, firstly prove yourself of handling extra/difficult tasks, take initiatives at your own and carry out your work before being asked and show yourself capable of handling responsibilities and meeting deadlines. Don’t expect to be promoted without demonstrating your potentials and abilities over time
  • Respect everyone around you—-superiors, sub ordinates , clients
  • Never say no to extra work. Your eagerness for work which nobody else wants to do would be noticed by your employers and appreciated
  • Last but not the least Identify your weakness and holes in your career advancement that you need to fill up

The challenges you can face if you return to an old job

Wednesday, May 30th, 2012

It is not surprising to find a man wanting to return to his old job. This could be probably because he could not get what he had expected to. No matter what ever the reasons may be, it is an accepted fact that new jobs are not easy and can be very tough. They are about starting from the scratch, new employes, new colleagues, new clients, new work environment, new rules and new responsibilities.

In such a scenario it becomes easy to remain part of the old company, where you are accustomed with everything. Same old routine and environment lets you settle back effortlessly.

Although going back will never solve your problems and at times you would want to run away. So, here are a few simple tips which will help you in making a big decision.

  • Do an honest assessment: Before making up your mind, sit back and jot down your strengths and weakness. You should be honest with yourself and be honest about the skills you have. Clearly jot down the pros and cons of the present job or any other opportunity you have in front of you.
  • Make a plan: It is easy to quit your present job in anger or frustration, but before doing this be sure that you have a back up plan. Make a plan about what you want and then pursue accordingly.
  • Be sure you don’t have “buyer’s remorse”: Sit back and pin point as to what is seriously bugging you. It can be your co-workers, your boss, your company, your products, what ever it is first identify and then think of a possible solution. Do not rush in changing the job, making a new strategy might help you in solving your problems.
  • Know that the grass is not greener on the other side: You should know that every company has its share of problems, and not every manager is a hero. Everything has its drawbacks. Thoroughly do a research about the company, before rushing and leaving your current job.
  • Never be hasty: Avoid making a hasty decision. If you are having problems at your current workplace try talking with your seniors and ask for their help in solving your problem. Think and plan before jumping.

What are soft skills and how to improve them for successful professional life

Tuesday, April 24th, 2012

The soft skills we gain help us boost our professional lives. Soft skills crucial for career success mostly include: the communication skills, presentation skills, personal grooming, physical appearance (dressing sense and presentability), Flexibility, Courtesy and Honesty with work and organization, Cooperation, Adaptability, Writing skills, Positive work ethics etc.

The importance of Soft skills is mostly undervalued. We have institutions where we are taught rigorous programs on Environment, Engineering, Medicine, and Finance etc. But unfortunately we have no institute   where we can go and develop our personal skills. We only acquire these skills by our life experiences and it turns out to be a continuous learning process.

We can improve our soft skills by various means like:

1)      Trust your abilities, try to talk to the people around you and share your thoughts and ideas with them so that they can understand you

2)      Learn to be cooperative and open with your fellow beings.

3)      Always respect your fellows and think positive about them. In return you will gain respect and regards

4)      Manage to tackle adverse situations calmly and peacefully and learn to make quick witty decisions

5)      Improve your vocabulary and writing abilities.

6)      Foster an honest and relaxed work environment

7)      Practice the etiquette of business in the way you look physically, speak in group of people  and behave with the fellows

Soft skills are about how you present yourself to others and these skills always equip you to excel you in your personal and professional life.   Recognize the importance of soft skills within your organization, not only learn them yourself but also encourage their improvement within your organization

Five attitudes that lead to success in job

Monday, April 23rd, 2012

A positive attitude can help you a great deal in achieving you goal.

1. The “I can-do it” attitude is one of the biggest reasons of attaining success anywhere. The best way to impress your potential employer is to plan ahead, think carefully about all of the things going on in his or her work life, causing stress and anxiety. You should talk about how you are valuable to that job and will make things easier and better for the manager. You have to convince him that you are are there to lighten his load.

2. You have to show the manager that you do not need to be spoon fed. You know what you are doing and can do them on your own without being told too many times.

3. The best way to succeed in any field is by being a team player and by getting along with everyone. People who are lone wolves find success evading them. It pays to be able to work collectively in a group.

4. Perseverance pays off. If you are determined and persistent to get the job done then success can’t be far behind.

5. It is very important to be aware of the politics going on in the office and to navigate effectively.

The process of job search has its ups and downs and comes with its own moments of excitement with defeated and beaten down at times. It is extremely important for job searchers to keep their morale up while seeking jobs and their positivity unaffected. The hiring managers want somebody who is positive and upbeat and is ready to take on the responsibility with confidence and ease and with no excess baggage of any negative attitude.

Choosing an Offer: Tips for Making the Best Choice

Monday, March 19th, 2012

If you are a job seeker who has numerous job offers, you may not be feeling so fortunate when it’s time to make a choice. Choosing can be a tedious task, here are tips that will help you make a good decision:

Learn About the Company

You may have already done a bit of research on the company before your interview. Before you can weigh the options you should know about

  1. the job
  2. the organization
  3. the offer details

Evaluate Your Priorities

Make a list of what you’re looking for in

  1. a company
  2. a job
  3. a career

After you make this list, see how each offer is able to satisfy your needs and desires.

What are your professional goals?

Organizing your priorities on paper usually helps you visualize the upcoming years at your first job.

What will make you happy?

If the thought of joining a company and taking up the job is not exciting you then it is not even worth considering.

Think About It

Lots of companies request you to put together a decision about an offer within a week. On the other hand, offers are often considered conditional, meaning it is reliant upon your specific conditions. Reflect on asking companies for extensions, in particular if you’re not going to graduate in the forthcoming weeks. Asking for an extension gives you time to cautiously weigh up the offer as well as bargain the terms of the offer. When you request for an extension, make sure it’s practical. You don’t want to make the company think you’re trying to take advantage of their generosity.

PHP Developer skills set and job responsibilities

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.

How to Write a Resume for Mid-Level Careers

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”.

Network Engineer Job Responsibilities

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

Office Manager Responsibilities

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.

Project Manager Responsibilities

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.