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Leaving the structure and routine of education can be extremely daunting. Suddenly, we have to make our lives for ourselves. Finding a job and figuring out next steps can be overwhelming and a seemingly impossible task; where do I start? How do I make myself stand out against the next person? But there are actually a number of practices and exercises you can do to give yourself the best chance of success in entering the world of work. That is the focus of this article. Whether you have just graduated from high school or college, or you are still currently in school, this article will equip you with a range of ways to improve your employability.
By employability, I mean those aptitudes and capabilities which make you appealing to employers. Those qualities that give you the edge and serve you up as the ideal candidate for a given role. Work through the checklist provided here and you will enhance your employability and ensure your job search and working life is successful. 1. Construct and refine your resume Having a strong resume will be hugely beneficial in your job search. It serves as the first impression that a potential employer will have of you. Their initial opinion of you will be based on these 1 or 2 pages, so it is vital that you build your resume to present you in the best possible way. Make sure your resume is up to date with all your qualifications, work experience, skills etc, as well as being strongly written and appropriately structured. If you would like further guidance on building a strong resume then check out our Resume Job Guide: https://usa.careerguidancecharts.com/store/p79/Guide_on_Writing_a_Resume_-_Personal_Download.html 2. Gain work experience in your chosen sector If you can acquire some practical experience in your desired industry then this will immediately give you an upper hand with potential employers. By seeing that you have already actively sought out work shows, not only that you will have skills and knowledge of the role, but also that you are genuinely interested and will work hard. There are many ways to find work experience. You can apply for an apprenticeship or internship in your field, or you can directly contact businesses that you are interested in and see if they have any work experience available. 3. Volunteering Similar to work experience, volunteering also helps show a desire to work as well as allowing you to develop valuable skills. Evidence of past voluntary work will appeal to prospective employers as it shows you are not purely driven by monetary reward but rather by an interest in the role. Having a more ethical backbone to your working motivation will help you stand out against other applicants and reassure employers that you have a good work ethic. There are many places and websites to find volunteering opportunities in your local area. Check out sites such as volunteermatch.org, engage.pointsoflight.org, and justserve.org 4. Build a good social media presence Increasingly employers are sourcing and hiring new talent on social media platforms. Therefore, it is essential that you ensure your accounts are secure and professional. Check all your personal profiles across various platforms and remove any images or content that could harm your job search. After you have cleansed your profiles you can then start networking and following organisations or business profiles that are relevant to your career interests. Use our Job Guides on Facebook and LinkedIn to help support you during your job search: https://usa.careerguidancecharts.com/store/c14/Job_Guides.html 5. Grow your network Use LinkedIn to grow and develop your network. Make connections with people already in your desired sector, follow relevant pages and accounts, and keep up to date with what’s happening in your market. There are around 50 million businesses active on LinkedIn, and 3 people are hired through the platform every minute. Therefore, it is worthwhile for you to try and be consistently active on LinkedIn because you will likely come across a range of businesses and opportunities. For more information on how to use LinkedIn in your job search, buy our LinkedIn Job Guide: https://usa.careerguidancecharts.com/store/p73/Guide_to_Jobseeking_on_LinkedIn_-_Personal_Download.html 6. Build your skill set Having a range of relevant skills and competencies will make your application far more appealing to employers. You can develop such aptitudes in a variety of ways. For instance, by taking part in extracurricular activities at school or college you will build leadership and teamworking abilities. Similarly, if you have any hobbies or interests these might display certain skills or a drive for learning. Playing violin for 8 years to grade 5 level, for example, shows a high level of discipline and dedication. You can use your interests to boost your profile and show employers that you have what it takes. Another way to build your skill set is to actually take a related course. For instance, you could take an online course in marketing if you are wanting to enter into that industry. This tells employers that you are driven and hardworking as you have sought out and completed training yourself. 7. Assess your skills Once you have developed and built up your skill set you can then reflect on these and identify your core strengths. By understanding where you excel you will be able to find jobs that are better suited to you and your personality. This will mean you have a higher likelihood of success in acquiring such jobs as they are well-matched to you and you will come across as a good fit. But you need to make sure you show employers that you are the best candidate for them. You can do this by using concrete examples during the application process where you have showcased these strengths. Furthermore, if you are struggling to identify your strengths you can take our Career Values Quiz which assess your core principles and personality: https://usa.careerguidancecharts.com/store/p42/Career_Value_Quiz_-_1_Year_Licence.html 8. Know how to learn This might sound strange but it is crucial. Knowing how to learn means displaying resilience. Markets and businesses are constantly changing and evolving, so if you can show an ability to learn and evolve too then employers will see you as a good fit for them. Improving our capacity to learn and cope with shifting circumstances can be done in a number of easy ways:
9. Be open and alert to opportunities This may sound vague but consciously making an effort to be aware of opportunities can make a huge difference to your job hunt. This can be in the form of small changes such as browsing through job alerts on LinkedIn for half an hour every day, or regularly reading and keeping up to date with news in your industry. This will increase your chances of coming across an opportunity that is applicable to you. Such opportunities may seem out of your depth but you can always learn something and gain valuable experience. Even from failure. We learn and develop by doing. So if you do come across an opportunity; it could be work experience or volunteering for instance, then go for it! Apply or send in your information and see where it takes you. Another important thing to remember is to be proactive. Some opportunities may land at your feet but often you will have to seek them out yourself. This could be inquiring with local businesses to see if they have any work available, or directly messaging any experts on LinkedIn to see if they know of any available openings. 10. Find out as much as possible about your chosen field Get clued up on what your future job might entail, and how the industry works and is structured. Basically, just research and find out as much as you can about your chosen field. Not only will this mean you can display expertise during your application and interview, but also so that you can reflect and assess whether it is actually the right career for you. Ways to research your chosen field:
11. Be prepared for interviews Interviews are possible the most significant part of the application process. Here your employer will decide whether or not you are right for the job. Whilst this might seem daunting, with the right technique you will be able to perform highly at any interview. It all comes down to the preparation. Tips for interview preparation:
If you want a more thorough guide on how to prepare for interviews then check out our Interview Success Job Guide: https://usa.careerguidancecharts.com/store/p77/Interview_Success_Guide_-_Personal_Download.html 12. Prepare your STAR stories Your STAR stories are real-life examples where you have showcased key qualities and aptitudes which make you the ideal candidate for the job. It is essentially a way for you to highlight your unique selling points to potential employers. They should all follow the STAR method:
These stories don’t have to be directly related to the job or work that you will be doing, but rather need to display your strengths and competencies. They are responses to behavioral questions, depicting your ability to react and behave in certain situations. For example, one could be about hosting a party, and you could talk about your organizational skills and ability to juggle various tasks at once. Try creating 3 to 4 STAR stories which you can keep at the forefront of your mind and use during interviews or in cover letters. These will show your employer that you don’t just look good on paper, you also have the practical skills and aptitudes to back it up. Moreover, once you have created your set of STAR stories, you should practice talking about them regularly. This will make you come across as more compelling and confident in interviews, which goes a long way. 13. Be honest Although it may be tempting to claim that you are proficient with certain software systems, for example, if this is actually untrue it will likely end up doing more damage than good in the long run. Throughout the entire job searching process, make sure you are being authentic and creating a true depiction of yourself. You can still show an enhanced version of yourself, for instance highlighting your strengths, but don’t state anything that is actually untrue. If a potential employer were to find out that you have not been honest they are unlikely to hire you as you will come across as deceptive and manipulative. Therefore, whilst it may seem obvious, be extra careful that you are telling the complete truth during the application process. 14. Be organized Being organized will greatly help your employability. Use schedules and calendars to make sure you are using your time efficiently. For instance, allocate a 30 min slot every day at 5:30 to networking on LinkedIn. You can also use this to keep on track of any other job searching activities, such as interviews, application deadlines etc. This will greatly reduce your stress levels and also show prospective employers that you are an efficient and organized individual. 15. Maintain a positive outlook Lastly, maintain a positive outlook. This sounds obvious but it is extremely important for increasing your employability. Having a bright and positive attitude will improve how recruiters and employers perceive you. Positive people are more likely to be problem-solvers and increase productivity in the workplace. Also, all businesses experience shifts and fluctuations, and having an optimistic and confident personality will assure employers that you are the sort of person who can continue to thrive despite changing circumstances. This will make you a valuable asset to the team. Moreover, maintaining a positive attitude will help you when dealing with the job searching process. You will likely experience rejection and disappointment, but by consciously trying to remain optimistic you will learn to use rejection as constructive criticism. This will then help you to develop and be more likely to find success in the next application. More information… For more resources on the areas covered in this article please take a look at our range of Job guides here: https://usa.careerguidancecharts.com/store/c14/Job_Guides.html To access a variety of posters and infographics see our Career Ready series here: https://usa.careerguidancecharts.com/store/c8/Career_Ready_Poster_Series.html
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What accommodations are available in the workplace? There are a number of regulations and policies implemented in the workplace to ensure people with learning disabilities are accounted for. For example, The Americans with Disabilities Act ensures that employers make suitable adjustments to allow everyone to work at their highest standard. These accommodations will be relative to the specific requirements of the individual. For example, you might receive more frequent feedback, modified training programs, or a different work schedule. The crucial factor is that these considerations are tailored to the individual’s needs in order to maximize their success at work. Learning disabilities need not be a hindrance to productivity.. Furthermore, the US federal government has initiated a set of policies which support the wellbeing of workers with disabilities. Benefits of these regulations include:
Using your strengths Learning disabilities often endow people with certain characteristics that make them highly suited to particular roles. Whilst the degree and type of learning disability may vary greatly from person to person, what they have in common is an ability to excel greatly in certain areas. They can display strengths at particular tasks that far exceed the competencies of people without learning disabilities. For example, people with autism are often highly-logical thinkers, that pay great attention to detail, and can find ways to solve problems in new and innovative ways. Therefore, they are well suited to jobs such as data officer or web developer, as these roles involve the use of set sequences and a strong attention to detail. But there are many other qualities which can be emphasized with a learning disability, such as creativity, resourcefulness and an ability to think outside the box. These unique strengths can make you an extremely valuable asset. The key is to find a job which requires these strengths and in this way your learning disability will give you an advantage at work rather than being an obstacle. If you need help identifying your strengths, we offer a free Career Values Test which highlights the values that you deem significant and suggests jobs that align with those principles. Take the test at https://form.jotform.com/201132122008938 Finding the right job for you Once you know where your strengths lie the next step is securing a job where those particular aptitudes are emphasized. As mentioned previously learning disabilities often mean individuals perform highly in certain areas, so you need to look for jobs which aligns with those particular skills. For example, competencies in mathematics would make someone an ideal candidate for a job in finance or insurance. Similarly, if you are good with computers you might consider a role in IT or web development. Having a learning disability does not mean one cannot have a prosperous and fulfilling career. Questions to ask yourself when considering what job to pursue:
After answering these questions you can then start searching for various roles which align with these qualities. For instance, if you are passionate about animals then you could look at jobs involving animal care, say at a kennel or stables. If you are unsure of what occupations your interests might lead to then you should use our Career Charts publication. With over 48 charts, you can explore a range of potential jobs and find the ones most suited to you. Visit our store here: https://usa.careerguidancecharts.com/store/p59/Career_Charts_Volume_One.html Or if there are specific charts you would like to download you can use our Poster Picker tool, at https://usa.careerguidancecharts.com/digital-picker.html, to select the charts you want. What industries can I enter into? Job opportunities for people with learning disabilities are becoming increasingly available. Employment rate has increased from 33% in 2011 to 39% in 2020. This is partly due to increasing levels of awareness about disability and people opening up about their experiences, as well as government schemes put in place to reduce discrimination in the workplace. As such, you will likely be able to find work in a wide range of sectors. However, currently the industry with the largest share of disabled workers is the education and health services, employing 21.1% of all employed persons with a disability in the US. This is followed up by retail, which employs 13% of all employed persons with a disability. However jobs are not restricted to these areas and it is worth pursuing work in whichever industry plays to your strengths. How to secure the job. Routes into any sector will require you to first identify the industry best suited to you, and then find relevant training opportunities or qualifications. Many entry level jobs, such as bakery assistant or kitchen porter, may only require you to have basic skills and some experience. However, it is often worthwhile to look into further training or experience so that you can learn more about what the job will entail and decide if it is the right job for you. Ways to prepare for work:
Is there help available for finding work? It is important to know that there is support out there for those who need guidance during their job search. There is a number of state and federal agencies which providing training and financial resources, job coaching, CV building etc. The best way to access these resources is to:
Another useful website is the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission page which contains an extensive list of helpful resources. Visit https://www.eeoc.gov/disability-discrimination to find out more. Do I need to disclose my disability? When applying for a job you are not obliged to disclose your disability, but it is important to note that it is illegal for employers to discriminate against you during the hiring process based on a disability. Furthermore, if they are aware of your disability they will be able to make sure any adjustments can be made at the interview and then in the job itself to accommodate for any requirements you might have. Useful resources: https://www.dol.gov/general/audience/aud-unemployed - Services offered by the Department of Labor for job seekers, including information for those with disabilities. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/disability-employment/ - US Office of Personnel Management, Federal Employment of People with Disabilities. https://askjan.org/about-us/index.cfm – Free, expert guidance on disability employment. http://www.pathways.dshs.wa.gov – Pathways to Employment http://www.gettinghired.com/ - Employment opportunities with inclusive companies One of the greatest ramifications of Covid-19 was the worldwide shift to remote working. Many organizations have maintained this style of work or have opted for a hybrid blend of office and home working, so it is crucial for people to know how to work from home effectively.
The purpose of this article is to equip you with some useful tips for productivity and motivation when you are required to work from home. 1. Get Dressed Whilst this may seem strange, what you are wearing can have a large impact on how you feel throughout the day. If you remain in your pajamas all day, you are likely to never really feel like you are at work, and as a result will be easily distracted and less productive. Whereas, if you get up and get dressed as if you were going into an office, you are putting yourself in that mindset of going to work and will find it easier to focus on your tasks. This is a very simple but effective way to increase concentration and motivation whilst working from home. 2. Have a Clear Structure Structure your day as you would in an office environment. Ensure you have a clear schedule that arranges your tasks into defined time slots. This enables you to fully focus on each task and equally ensures you do take breaks and don’t run the risk of over-working. For instance, give yourself the same hour for lunch at 1:00 as you would do if you were working in the office. This gives you a sense of normality and routine which in turns helps boost that sense of it being an ordinary working day. 3. Have a Defined Work Space Being able to distinguish between your work life and your home life is especially difficult when working remotely. However, a great way to strengthen that distinction is to have a designated space for work. Make sure this is in a different room to where you relax or sleep or else you run the risk of blurring that boundary and reducing productivity. This also means that when it is time to stop working you can go to those other rooms and be able to properly relax because you have that division between working and resting. Furthermore, your work space should also include all the necessary equipment required for peak performance. For example, a strong internet connection or a comfortable chair. These things may seem insignificant but will have a great influence on how motivated you feel to work. 4. Get Out the House Being in one space all day can become draining and cause you to lose focus. This is a common issue when working from home. Therefore, it can greatly boost productivity to actually leave the house at some point during the day. For instance, going for a quick walk round the block during your lunch break. The change of scenery can let you re-focus on work once you return home, and even help inspire new ideas as you explore a different environment. 5. Mute Distractions When working from home it is particularly easy to slip into the grasp of common homelife distractions. Family members having a conversation in another room or social media notifications appearing on your phone screen can all lure you away from the work you need to get done. However, proactively disengaging and avoiding these distractions is possible. By muting social media notifications and explaining to household members when they need to be respectful, you can separate yourself from these interferences. 6. Be Organized This might seem obvious but many people working from home fall into the trap of just waking up and getting to work without any real planning or preparation. Whereas, if you construct a clear to-do list for that day prior to starting work, you are better set to focus on completing those tasks and thus be far more productive. 7. Maintain a Work/Home Distinction This feeds through all the previous points but that is because it is the most significant. Essential to productivity whilst working remotely is the ability to separate your work life from your home life, and this goes both ways. Whilst it is easier to give in to distraction when working in your own home, it is equally easy to work longer than you should and risk burning out. However, by applying all these tips you should find yourself successfully differentiating between your work life and personal life even in the single environment of your home. What are the benefits of working from home? It is also worth considering the advantages that come from remote working.
Ultimately there are some undeniable disadvantages to working from home, such as lack of motivation, blurred home and work life, and distractions. However it can also save on time, and money, and by following the tips laid out earlier it is possible to retain high levels of productivity. More Information.... Follow the link below to find our Career Charts book which provides further vocational information to help you explore career ideas and opportunities. https://usa.careerguidancecharts.com/store/p59/Career_Charts_Volume_One.html  Click on the image to go to our store for this poster. What are they?
In recent years, as the need for climate change action has risen, we have witnessed the emergence of Green Jobs. This refers to all those roles dedicated to tackling climate change, from chemical engineers working within the renewable energy industry to solar panel technicians and low-carbon farmers. The United Nations Environment Program defines Green Jobs as “work in agriculture, manufacturing, research and development, administrative, and service activities that contribute(s) substantially to preserving or restoring environmental quality.” Green Jobs are essential in the fight for planetary protection. What sectors do they cover? Due to this overarching goal of preserving the environment, Green Jobs can be found across a range of sectors:
Green jobs in a post-Covid world This trajectory of growth in Green Jobs has been on the rise, currently producing 9.5 million jobs in the US, and this has been accelerated further by the recent Coronavirus pandemic. Whilst this event was undoubtedly catastrophic, devastating the economy and turning the job landscape into a sort of economic graveyard, we are coming out the other side in a rather unusual position. Due to the increased rates of redundancy and job insecurity, we can actually now re-build and reconfigure the makeup of the job world in a different way. By shifting the focus to promoting the welfare of the planet, jobs that previously did not fall under the ‘green’ label can be enveloped within the industry. We have the chance to “build back better” as emphasised by the G7 Ministers during their meeting on Climate and Environment. Attitudes are already transitioning to a more green outlook, and now we have the opportunity to align this with the economy. For instance, large corporations like Nike and IKEA are already taking up more sustainable practices, such as sourcing from sustainable foresters and redesigning boxes to reduce packaging. Also, the International Energy Agency has estimated the potential for up to 2.5 million new jobs each year as part of the Covid-19 recovery scheme, so those jobs lost over the course of the pandemic could be counteracted by a rise in Green Jobs. Hence, despite the pandemic being a devasting force on peoples’ livelihoods, we could use this as an opportunity to reinvent the world of work in a way that not only protects the environment but ensures greater job security for more people. A new meaning for green jobs In response to the pandemic and shifting attitudes, Green Jobs are starting to transcend their traditional sectors and infiltrate the rest of the economy. Existing jobs are being reconfigured to achieve sustainable and green production and processes (recall the previous example of Nike and IKEA). As stated by James Watts, co-founder of BrewDog, “Sustainability should not be a bolt-on; it needs to be a core part of everyone’s role, regardless of their job title.” More and more jobs are placing green values at the heart of their philosophies, even those not directly involved in environmental work. Daniel Esty, author of The Green to Gold Playbook for Businesses, made the point that companies are increasingly finding customers to “judge the overall quality of their brand based on response and policies regarding the environment.” Even if businesses or jobs are not explicitly labelled “green”, people are still seeking jobs that maintain the associated principles. So perhaps we require a new definition. The title of ‘Green Jobs’ is no longer limited to those specific roles that function within the various environmental sectors. It has become a term representing the global transition to a greener economy. Next steps..... A question still remains; how do I actually get into a Green Job? As with any career, there are certain things you can do to make your way into the industry and the same goes for Green Jobs. This can range from getting involved with projects and events in your local community, to enrolling on relevant college courses, to utilising platforms like LinkedIn to build connections with people already in the industry. However, here I will provide some specific examples of pathways into a Green Job to highlight the routes one might take to enter the industry.
In general, getting work experience, attaining relevant qualifications and reaching out to the big players in your desired sector, are the best steps one can take to secure a Green Job. *Landbased industries covers a range of roles from farming to animal care, forestry or conservation.  How to Use Facebook for Your Job Hunt #jobseeking #facebook #posters
Did you know that Facebook is one of the top places for job recruiters to conduct their search for qualified candidates? If you aren’t utilizing this social media giant in your job search – you could be missing out. Here’s how to make Facebook’s career features work for you. 1. Complete Your Profile To capture the interest of potential employers, you’ll want to have a complete work history on your profile. Make sure to add all of your past workplaces, degrees, and other relevant educational and professional qualifications in the about section, just as you would on LinkedIn. Don’t forget to add links to any portfolios or other profiles you have such as your LinkedIn account. Having all your information easily accessible to recruiters and hiring managers will make your job applications via Facebook more effective. (purchase our poster here) 2. Double-Check Your Public Content In a recent study, 90% of companies admitted to using social media to check out candidates’ profiles during the screening process. What do you want job recruiters and hiring managers to see? Do a quick check at your profile as it appears to the public and delete or lock down anything you wouldn't want potential employers to see. To accomplish this, just visit your privacy settings and click "View As Public" or click the "View As" icon on your profile page. Remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression. 3. Like & Follow Pages Just as you would on LinkedIn, locate the profiles of companies that you’d like to work for and follow their pages to stay on top of the latest updates. Many companies list their open jobs directly from their Facebook page in a separate profile tab. You can even customize your settings to view their posts first on your newsfeed or to be notified of any new posts. This way, you won’t miss out on any new job postings or hiring events that may help you connect with future employers. 4. Create A Job Search When you access the Jobs feature on Facebook, you can set up a custom job search by location, keyword, job type, industry, and other filters. Best of all, if you hit the “subscribe” button, Facebook will then notify you of new job ads that fit your parameters. Just open Facebook and look for the briefcase icon to get started. 5. Join Relevant Groups Another great way to stay connected is by joining relevant professional and vocational Facebook groups for your industry or location. Once you become a member, you can browse available jobs posted by others as well as advertise your services to others. In addition to actively looking for a position, you will have the opportunity to build your professional contacts, get advice from others, and learn more about your field. Just as with your favorite company pages, your Facebook settings can be adjusted to show these group posts first in your newsfeed or notify you of new posts. Networking is a great way to find your next potential employer and Facebook groups can help make that experience even more convenient. 6. Send Direct Messages There’s still something to be said for a good, old-fashioned cold email application. Reach out and send your resume and contact information to any employers you may be interested in. Many companies and recruiters have enabled direct messaging right through Facebook. Even if pages have this feature turned off, you may be able to find relevant contact information on the company’s About section. 7. Stay on Top of Events You can also use Facebook to locate industry events, career fairs, trade shows, or hiring events. Just use the Events tab to explore both in-person and virtual opportunities. Whenever you attend any professional event be sure to prepare, have an elevator pitch ready, make industry contacts, and build your network. 8. Customize Your Feed Did you know your Facebook newsfeed is highly customisable? When you’re in the middle of a job search you can temporarily set up your feed to track particular groups, prioritize certain pages, and even mute certain people. With a bit of tweaking, you can adjust what you see when you log in from cute baby and puppy photos to the relevant career information you’re looking for. 9. Self-Promote & Work Your Network Your social media accounts are the perfect place for self-promotion. Brands promote their products or services, and individuals promote their life experiences. Why not utilize your Facebook to promote your own skills, education, and professional background? Posting about your experience or expressing your interest and availability for a job is an essential way of building your network and getting closer to a job opportunity. Through your friends’ comments, you will meet new contacts, get job advice, and maybe even be presented with a role you may not have considered before. 10. Create A Job Seeker Post Last but not least, come up with a format or template for posting your availability across your pages and groups. Use the steps below for the best success:
Final Thoughts Facebook can be a great tool for both employers and job seekers to find the perfect match. Don’t miss out on the opportunities Facebook could bring to your career and give the tips above a try. Have you ever found a job through Facebook? Let us know in the comments below! Your career is much more than a job. It’s where you spend the majority of your time during your adult years, where you connect with coworkers who become like friends and family, and where you make your greatest impact on the world. For many of us, we would prefer to spend this time doing something that we enjoy and that helps make a positive impact on the world. Today’s society is increasingly focused on finding purpose and meaning in life and finding employment in an ethical career can help.
“Ethical careers” is a broad term that refers to careers that are focused on social or environmental responsibility in some way. Sectors can include community and social work, health, education, science, medicine, biotechnology or urban planning. In addition, non-profit and religious work can be a very fulfilling avenue for those seeking an ethical career. We’ve reviewed some of the top ethical career choices below along with typical educational requirements and average salaries from Payscale.com. Science & Technology Those who enjoy scientific and mathematics fields such as physics, chemistry, biology, computer programming, calculus or statistics can put their skills to good use in a variety of ethical science and technology jobs. Here are just a few of the top ethical science and technology careers: Clean Energy Engineer The renewable energy sector, particular wind and solar, has taken off in recent years. Clean energy engineers work to advance renewable energy technologies that reduce harm to our environment and planet. They may research, plan and develop new machinery and equipment, oversee clean energy production processes, work to increase efficiency, and analyze environmental impact. Daily job duties could include conducting site inspections, using computer modelling software, overseeing installation projects, managing environmental law compliance, project management, technical reports, and other advisory roles. Typical Education: Bachelors or Masters Average Salary: $73,746 Bioethics Consultant Bioethics consultants work to advise companies and individuals through ethical health and biotechnology decisions, legal matters and policy issues. They work with healthcare professionals and patients to assess complex patient care situations, and provide guidance to patients, their families and medical staff. Some of the issues they might tackle include clinical research ethics, end of life scenarios, sexuality and gender, assisted reproductive technologies, genetic testing, mental health care and other patients' rights issues. Typical Education: Masters + Healthcare Ethics Consultant-Certified (HEC-C) program Average Salary: $57,055 Ethical Hacker Ethical hackers work to look for and exploit weaknesses and vulnerabilities in the system before the "bad guys" do. They work closely with their employers to legally and ethically find flaws in computer systems or networks so they can be fixed. These careers are extremely important to protect our nation's cybersecurity as well as companies’ IT networks and individuals’ private data. Typical Education: Bachelors or higher + CEH certification Average Salary: $80,903 International & Human Rights There is great need to police companies and individuals to ensure human rights are being protected across the world. Ethical jobs in this sector protect international trade and labor, and work against slavery, human trafficking and other human rights violations. Ethical International Trade Advisor Ethical trade advisors seek to understand and mitigate the economic, environmental and human rights impacts of international trade. They often act as consultants to large corporations to ensure that all business operations remain in compliance with both international law and basic ethics. They work to reduce modern day slavery, ensure fair wages, and protect labor rights. Typical Education: Bachelors Average Salary: $57,000 HSI Agents As a division of ICE under the Homeland Security department, the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agency works to combat various crimes and immigration violations that threaten national security. The agency operates with a special focus on human trafficking and smuggling, arms trafficking, drug trafficking, the production and distribution of child pornography and other human rights violations. Typical Education: Bachelors + training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) Average Salary: $77,018 Corporate Ethics & Compliance As our world changes, corporations are beginning to place a growing importance on their sustainable and ethical business practices. Corporate accountability is vital and the demand for these types of jobs is growing. New business graduates seeking to make a difference in the world may be pleasantly surprised to find out there is ample opportunity to reform corporate America from the inside out. Chief Sustainability Officer Most major corporations today employ a top level executive to manage their environmental programs, certifications and initiatives. Chief sustainability officers oversee sustainable practices in supply-chain management, waste management, recycling programs and carbon footprint reduction. CSOs are also responsible for ensuring company compliance with certification programs such as Organic, Fair Trade or B Corporation certifications. Demand for such positions is rapidly increasing, and most MBA programs today are beginning to include a sustainability component. Typical Education: Masters Average Salary: $88,261 Corporate Social Responsibility Manager Corporations are increasingly placing an emphasis on their social responsibility efforts and philanthropy. The role of a CSR manager or director is to manage these efforts to positively impact their community and the world. CSR managers work to make ethical business decisions, make strides towards sustainability, remain in compliance with social and environmental laws, and work closely with non-profits to give back to the local community. They help ensure a company’s commitment to corporate diversity, ethical labor practices, and climate-smart environmental policy decisions. A CSR manager may also help execute PR activities and work to create successful branding strategies for these initiatives. Typical Education: Masters Average Salary: $119,460 Ethics & Compliance Director Similar to the CSO or CSR positions, a director of ethics and compliance works to ensure adherence to legal guidelines and in-house policies to maintain satisfactory business ethics. With a greater focus on compliance, they may lead internal investigations, conduct compliance training, implement internal controls, manage company policy, mitigate compliance risks and advisor senior leaders and executives. Typical Education: Masters Average Salary: $154,025 Non-Profit With a wide range of non-profit organizations working to positively impact their communities, careers at these organizations are often deeply fulfilling and have the potential to create lasting change at the local, national or even global level. Volunteer Organizer Volunteer organizers work with a volunteer workforce, typically that of a non-profit, to ensure program success in the community. Typical job duties include recruiting, hiring, training and managing a non-profit’s active volunteer base. Typical Education: Associates Average Salary: $39,444 Development Officer Development officers work in a fundraising and donor relations capacity for non-profit organizations. They may manage capital campaigns, work closely on major gifts fundraising, manage donor communications and relationships, and assist with grant writing or event planning. Non-profit careers are ethical by default and working as a development officer gives employees a chance to directly impact their favorite cause by raising funds. Typical Education: Bachelors Average Salary: $53,951 Executive Director, Non-Profit A job as an executive director for a non-profit is a fantastic opportunity for those seeking an ethical career. As the top-level position of a non-profit organization, executive directors manage the goals, vision and direction of their organizations’ programs and daily operations. One can make a very big impact on their local community and even the world as a non-profit executive director. Typical Education: Bachelors or Masters Average Salary: $67,157 Environmental For those who care deeply about our world and its resources, an ethical career in the environmental sector is a very satisfying way to participate in a job that aligns with their values. There are many different positions that cater to environmentalists, but here are a few top picks: Conservation Scientist Conservation scientists work closely with governments and private landowners to protect the environment and natural resources. They often advise farmers and ranchers on the best ways to sustainably operate their agricultural activities. They might oversee activities to ensure compliance, negotiate terms for land-use contracts, establish plans for managing natural resources, analyze field tests to make decisions, study the effects and prevention of wildfires, and evaluate water or soil quality. In short, they study the land and its resources in order to ensure ethically responsible operations. Typical Education: Bachelors or Doctorate Average Salary: $51,879 Environmental Engineer Environmental engineers are usually hired by private companies as well as government agencies to monitor pollution, work on large environmental projects, conduct inspections for environmental compliance, and design or manage environmentally sound systems and projects. They may also work to help define public policy and law and often work as expert witnesses in court. Similar to conservation scientists, they work to ensure that human impact on the environment stays at a minimum. Typical Education: Bachelors Average Salary: $65,635 Environmental Lawyer Environmental lawyers handle cases involving natural resources and environmental compliance issues. This could include cases surrounding pollution, endangered wildlife, sustainable agriculture, hazardous waste disposal, wetland protection, conversation and land preservation. They help hold both businesses and individuals accountable to their environmental practices. They may also advise others on issues surrounding ecology and stewardship of natural resources, participate in public advocacy work, and lobby for additional laws or changes in existing law. Typical Education: Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or a Juris Doctor (JD) Average Salary: $84,865 Social / Community Sector There is a plethora of ethical job options in the social and community sectors. Every aspect of society, from public health to child welfare, can benefit from the skills and passions of an individual driven to effect social change. The burden of entry is often much lower in this sector, with many positions requiring just an Associates or even just a high school diploma in some instances. Here are just a handful of the career opportunities that await you in this field: Social Worker As part of the human services sector, social workers help people in their communities in a variety of ways. Social worker jobs can be found in healthcare settings, schools, child welfare and human service agencies, community development organizations, and other similar workplaces. They typically identify and assist people in need in the community. Social workers assess their clients’ current needs, refer them to community resources and advocate for future programs. They also respond to crisis situations such as mental health emergencies and cases of suspected child or elder abuse. Clinical social workers may help diagnose and treat mental disorders and other behavioral issues. A career as a social worker is a great way to ethically assist those in your community most in need of help. Typical Education: Bachelors or Masters Average Salary: $47,600 Community Health Worker Community health workers often serve as a bridge between medical professionals and their patients. They may also be called patient advocates or peer health educators. They help members of their local community with insurance issues, privacy concerns, accessing government and public health resources. They typically work with high-risk, disadvantaged and underserved populations. They encourage members of the community to get the screenings and other services they need, educate local populations on health concerns, assess patient risk and help track health goals. Typical Education: Associates or Bachelors Average Salary: $38,128 Child Welfare Specialist Child welfare specialists typically work for government agencies such as DHS, CPS or DFPS. Child welfare specialists work with children and families involved in abuse, neglect and abandonment cases. They work to find safe places for children in the foster care system, with family members or in adoptive homes, and work towards family reunification wherever possible. Assisting the local community in this way can be very rewarding. Typical Education: Associates or Bachelors Average Salary: $40,975 Animal Welfare Officer Animal welfare officers typically belong to state and local government agencies or police departments. They oversee matters of animal welfare such as investigations of animal abuse, cruelty or neglect, illegal breeding, illegal import and sale of wildlife, illegal ownership of exotic animals, farm and ranch inspections, and other animal rights violations. They may also manage the capture and care of dangerous or stray animals, testify in court cases, rescue trapped or injured animals and enforce licensing laws and other local regulations. In addition, they work to humanly control local wildlife populations and educate the public on communicable diseases such as rabies. Typical Education: Associates or Bachelors + additional certification in some states Average Salary: $36,330 Minister of Religion Working as a rabbi, priest, pastor or imam can bring great emotional, social and spiritual fulfillment to individuals who are so inclined. Religious leaders have a great impact on their local communities through prayer, financial assistance, emotional support and spiritual guidance. In addition to leading religious services, duties include administrative responsibilities, ministering to members in need, and performing important rites such as weddings and funerals. Typical Education: Bachelors + specialized religious training Average Salary: $53,324 Housing & Urban Development Specialist Jobs at the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) work to improve local communities through providing ethical urban planning and development, equal housing opportunities, rental assistance programs, FHA mortgage insurance programs, and other initiatives concerning our nation's housing needs. The agency's goals are to expand homeownership, increase access to affordable housing, strengthen communities through economic development, fight housing discrimination and work to alleviate homelessness. Typical Education: Bachelors Average Salary: $101,347 Summary While any job has the potential to leave a positive and ethical impact on your employer, your community and the world – there are some jobs like those listed above that are much more fulfilling than others by default. We hope this guide of 20 top ethical career options is a helpful starting point to you as you investigate job opportunities that fit your career goals, values and passions.  First Job / #No Experience Needed
Around 5.9% students (16-24yrs ) drop out of education either not completing their High School Diploma or a GED. All these students need to find meaning full work and redefine their future in the work place. Thankfully their are businesses prepared to take on students without any qualifications or experience. For those failing and feeling hopeless about the future, this graphic can provide some inspiration either to stay on or to have hope that a job that can give them value and worth may be on the horizon. The common reasons for dropping out include these below If this poster inspires just one student to either stay on course with studies or leave and get a job to put their life on track again, then we will have fulfilled our purpose as career educators.
Notes https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=16 https://www.learningliftoff.com/why-kids-drop-out-of-high-school-and-how-to-prevent-it/  Jobseeker Skills Job Club Posters1/18/2018 0 Comments Running a job club can be an excellent way to encourage individuals to share their experiences in looking for work and to support you attendees in the challenge of applying for jobs. Whether you are training in interview techniques, how to complete application forms, writing cv's or helping people with their job search you can inspire your members to get moving into their next career. Some job clubs are more formal based and may be set up by a charity or employment center, others are more community based and set up by volunteers or local charity or church organization. A great way to enhance your club is to purchase a set of posters to get your people motivated when they meet. Career Guidance Charts produces a wide collection of job club posters. In designing your job club as well as exploring the necessary rooms, training material and software you might want, why not enhance that room with some great jobsearch content posters. With more than 14 posters to choose from Career Guidance Charts offers a unique way for you to select your career and employment ready posters with their poster picker Or you can buy direct from the store. If you are looking for more advice on setting up a job club follow these links for more information https://labor.ny.gov/workforcenypartners/PDFs/JobClubToolkit.pdf https://www.careeronestop.org/LocalHelp/CommunityServices/find-job-clubs.aspx
Our prezi guide to the job market and uncovering those hidden jobs.
So you have a video interview scheduled? Are you ready? Don't underestimate the challenge of preparing for this type of encounter with a future employer. Make the mistake of not having all the tech sorted and you could go down in flames. The reality is that employers now are more likely to screen candidates (up 40%) from 6% four years ago. Here are our 10 tips to win at video interviews.  1. Use a Sensible User Name
Sounds obvious but choose well. Need to be professional 2. Set Up Your Location Private room with good internet connectivity. Not a coffee shop! Make sure the behind the cam view is suitable. Nice poster, planter will do, Think about the image you want to convey. Want to get into marketing? Arrange to have some books on the subject on display behind you. People will take in your surroundings without you knowing, 3. Get Eye Contact Try and look at the camera not the screen. Reduce the interview window and do your best to move it as close to the camera as possible. Otherwise the interviews thinks you are not looking at them directly. 4. Light from the front Use a desk lamp or be infront of a window. Make sure your are not in the dark. 5. Webcam Placement Have the Webcam just below your eye level. If necessary raise up the laptop. No one wants to be looking up your nostrils! 6. Remove Interruptions Turn off phone, any notifications you have on your device. Notify friends, family or those you share with of your need to be not disturbed. 7. Practice the Tech Make a call with someone to check sound, lighting, see if it all looks good 8. Have your Documents Ready Have your resume, particulars of the job and notepad to hand. 9. Dress Formally It's an interview so dress the part, at least your top half which is on view 10. Use a Headset If you want to hear better and be heard use a headset as this will cut out ambient noise, cars, dogs barking, cell phones ringing. Check out our graphic for details of our other tips. For educators you can access this from our store |
AuthorI have been working in the career education sector for 10 years and love to inspire students to discover their career pathways. 
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