Face Your Fears and Find the Freedom You Need to Succeed!

Does fear keep you from reaching goals? Here are some ways to combat common job-related fears.

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. 

Finding the Right Career

Are you good at finding things on the computer? Do your friends think your middle name is Google? You may be good at a career in the fast growing field of Health Information Technology. Clinics and hospitals are being forced to go paperless – but you're already there! For more help finding the right career, check out this career help guide and take free online career test.

Getting a Good Reference

Many employers want references – 3 seems to be the right number to have at the ready. Past employers, coaches, volunteer managers and others could all be candidates. Here are other tips to pick the right ones. 

Choose references you're sure can do a good job answering questions from an employer. Here's a checklist:

• Wants to see you succeed as much as you do.
• Can clearly articulate your strengths, areas of expertise and development.
• Can think on her feet if asked a tough question.
• You would feel good about being a reference for. 

Ask before you list anyone!

• It makes you look professional and courteous.
• It gives them time to prepare and not be caught off-guard by a phone call they didn’t expect.
• Their willingness or hesitancy can help you judge whether or not they would make a good reference. 

Share your goals

Tell your references where you are applying and why. Give them your resume' and current contact info.

Prepare a contact sheet

Create a one-page list that includes contacts and be sure your references can be reached and know the best way to contact them (phone, email, days/nights, etc.)

• Person’s name
• Job title
• Relationship to you (such as co-worker or direct supervisor)
• Company name
• Address
• Contact info (phone number, email address)

Close the Loop

Check back with your references from time-to-time to make sure that contact information has not changed. And of course, THANK your references each time they are contacted. They should also be the first to know when you land that new job.

These tips and suggestions were excerpted from a blog by Beth Braccio Hering of Career Builder found here.

Interview Tips from the Pros

Last week, the Kalamazoo campus hosted a free Career Workshop. Rich Daudert from Right Management and Dan Dunn from Comerica Bank gave advice to attendees on how to get the "Winning Edge". Here are some tips they shared with the group.

Avoid Distractions and Get Your Life Back!

Have way too much to do? Feel overwhelmed? These ideas can set you up for success. Little steps can make a big difference.

Keeping a Positive Attitude in a Job Search

It's not always easy to stay positive while you're looking for work. These tips from staffing firm, Kelly Services, may help. As a Career Quest graduate, you've already mastered 3 of the top 6 tips! See which ones.