Tips for Student Success

Get on a schedule – Make a routine for yourself to help balance homework, friends, family and whatever else you have. Plus, organizing your days will keep you on top of homework assignments and exams.

Be open to constructive criticism – Sometimes its good to get an outsider’s perspective on your work. You don’t always have to agree with the feedback but at least process it and decide whether you agree it is something you need work on.

Take on challenges – Success does not come with out challenges. Put extra effort into your assignments, think deeper when reading for class, engage in lectures and take more time on your next paper to elaborate.

Ask questions – Get a deeper, clearer understanding by asking questions if you have them. It can only benefit your learning!

Have goals – Set a goal for you to stay focused on. Remind yourself daily of your goal to continue moving forward and to stay motivated!

Pros' of a Career-Focused Education

There are many things to consider when choosing a higher-ed school or program. Here are some of the benefits of a career-focused education:

Goal-Oriented – Career schools' offer programs designed to compliment specific interests and skill sets. At Career Quest our class sizes are small enough to allow for interaction and easy communication between the instructor and students. During and after the end of your program we can even help you with your resume and preparing for interviews.

Saves Time – Career programs typically have more start dates thoughout the year than traditional colleges and universities and most programs can be completed in less than 2 years.

Specific Skills – Career programs teach you job-specific skills that will be utilized every day in your career.

How To Be A Team Player

Too often people get comfortable at work by falling into a routine. Get to work, complete your share of tasks for the day and head home. Learn how to enhance your work environment by becoming a team player.

Help out – It’s easy to get in the habit of completing your list of duties for the day and considering your work done. Don’t hesitate to take on extra tasks for the week if you know you can handle it. Your extra effort won’t be forgotten the next time you need assistance.

Share – Contribute to your team by sharing your expertise. Show your new coworker the ropes. Compliment others on their work. Give credit where credit is due. Others will feel more comfortable sharing what they know in return.

Engage – Immerse yourself in your workplace. Get out of your comfort zone and start speaking up in meetings. Come prepared and don’t be afraid to pitch in a little extra effort.

Contribute to your office, without participation there is no team!

Why It’s Never “Just A Job”

It’s important to never approach any position as “just a job.” Even the smallest job could be stepping stone to something else.

Besides increasing your skill set, jobs are a fantastic way to build a network. Though your current job might not be in your desired career field, that doesn’t mean you can’t begin assembling contacts.

The people that you meet at work could help connect you to your dream position. Having a large network of people that believe in your abilities will make it a lot easier to take the first steps toward your future career.

Every supervisor that you impress could lead to a strong letter of recommendation. Having a reference list full of past employers that praise your skills will be valuable when you start your career search.



More at Monster Thinking.

Job Interviews: The Wow Factor

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3 impressive qualities of job candidates and how to prove your have them:

1. Results – Have concrete examples of how you’ve delivered on a project. The more detail, the better.

2. Preparation – Have questions ready for the interviewer that demonstrate you’ve researched the company.

3. Passion – Don’t just give the answer you think they want to hear. Show that you have a true interest in their business.

How Many Resumes Do You Need?

To catch a recruiters eye and hold their attention, job-seekers need to tailor a resume to each position. Here are a few tips to get you started:

Create a Master Resume. To help you draft multiple resumes, start with one resume that will act as your master. This document should include all of the jobs you’ve had and everything you accomplished at those jobs. Once you’ve listed everything you can think of, you can look at your resume from different perspectives.

Tracking. Create an Excel spreadsheet to track all of your resumes. Spreadsheets allow you to record jobs you’ve applied for, record which resumes you sent, and track responses and interviews you have scheduled.

Tailored Objective Statement. Your resume objective should change with each job. You want to be specific and tell a potential employer exactly what you’re looking for and why they should hire you by explaining your long-term work goals.

Switch Up Your Skills. The skills section in your resume should cover everything in the job advertisement. If the company is looking for a self-starter and a team player, make sure those are both skills listed on your resume. Don’t misrepresent yourself or lie, but cover the elements that the company is looking for.


Read more here.

Get Certified, It's Worth It!

Do you want to advance in a healthcare career? Dental assistants, nurses aides, medical assistants, patient care technicians, pharmacy technicians and others all can benefit from earning certifications.

Here are four great reasons to get certified:

Jumpstart Your Career Change

Tips for jumpstarting a career change:

How to Start Off on the Right Foot at a New Job

Follow these tips to impress your new co-workers and boss.

Choosing A Career Path - Video

Benefits of Job Shadowing

Guest post by Danielle Cook, Career Services Administrative Assistant

Job shadowing can be one of the most beneficial experiences for a recent grad or anyone looking to change professions. It will give an inside look at companies and help you find a career you are passionate about. Here are some quality reason why job shadowing is always a good idea:

How to Invest in Yourself!

Michigan’s economy is rebounding and now is a great time to invest in your future. For job seekers looking to boost their resumes, there are many options. For people who have found themselves stuck in a dead-end job or simply have been waiting for the right time to continue their education, now is the time.

3 Job Qualifications You Need in 2012

Job outlooks in several fields are now improving. Possessing these qualifications will help you start your new career in 2012.
 

Tips to Being an Organized Student

By Danielle Cook – Administrative Assistant at Career Quest Learning Centers






Going back to school can be scary and challenging, with trying to balance school, work and family. Here are a few tips to help you stay organized and be the most successful student possible.

1. Buy a planner– Planners range from $5- $10 at any store and can be used to write down all appointments, test dates and any other important data. This allows you to see your schedule on a day-to-day basis and plan accordingly.

2. Create an organized workspace or binder system– By using folders and labels you will know exactly where things are. For instance one folder for completed homework and a separate folder for things to do.

3. Plan ahead– Using your planner allow you to look ahead and not over book yourself. Leave room for travel, extra study time and time to relax.


4. Be flexible- you have to be able to adapt to these changes and not have it tear down your entire schedule. When the unexpected happens, such as getting sick or having car troubles, rearrange your schedule accordingly to stay on track.

2012 Hot Career Fields

Trends show that the health care and technology industries are growing.This is good news for jobs. Keep reading for tips on how to get started in a hot new career this year.

1.   Enroll in a career-focused program. Specialized knowledge equals security in almost any field. Specific career training will make you more appealing to employers.

2.   Talk the Talk. Stay on top of industry trends. Take note of the latest buzzwords andacronyms that may be bounced around during interviews. Books, professional magazines and journals, and online chats are all great resources for this type of information.

3.   Look for opportunities for real-life experience. Externships, Internships and volunteering are all great ways to gain experience while your still in school or working other jobs. 

The Career Passport

If you want to be successful in your career search, be sure you have the right road map! Career Quest has taken the experience of the most successful job seekers and compiled it into a Career Passport. Spend time to get a stamp of completion in each  'area' of this passport and you're well on your way. Students who attend Career Quest are guided through each one, making sure those stamps really do mean something.

Here are some of the areas we know are essential to landing in that ideal destination: your new career position.

How To Start a New Career in 2012

Where do you want to be next year? You can change your life in just one year, here’s how:

Beyond Grades – Preparing for your Career

In school, getting good grades is really important. But in the professional world, you need more than just a 'good performance'. Here are some other ways to prove you can be a great employee.