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.

On-The-Spot Job Interviews

Anytime you are applying for a job in person, or even online you should be prepared to be interviewed immediately. If you're applying in person, the hiring manager could interview you right then and there. If you applying online, the hiring manager could call you within minutes.  Keep reading for tips on how to always be prepared.

Why Your Resume Got Tossed

The average recruiter sees 5,000 resumes a year. Here are some of the top reasons why a resume gets thrown out:

Formality Takes a Vacation

Don’t succumb to the informality of email. “If you send a cover letter by email that starts with ‘Hi,’ it and your resume will probably end up in the trash.

Things Get Too Personal


“If you mention your age, we have to trash your resume,” says one HR professional with a venture capital firm. Since it’s illegal for a company to solicit a candidate’s age, race, or marital status during the hiring process, firms have adopted a “don’t tell” policy to avoid potential bias suits.

Google Results

Unless you’ve adjusted your privacy settings, what you say and do on social networks is out there for all to see, including potential employers. Basically, you have two options when it comes to keeping your online identity spic and span: Remove all incriminating photos and censor your status updates and Tweets, or completely privatize your profiles.

Read more at: http://www.wetfeet.com/advice-tools/resume-cover-letter/why-your-resume-got-tossed

Be Irreplaceable

In today's competitive job market, its more important than ever to prove your worth. Here are some tips for being an irreplaceable employee.

Do Your Research!

 

It's always important to research a company before going on a job interview.  Keep reading for tips on how to get started

CQ Student Success Stories - Healthcare/Medical

Guest Post by Andrew Belanger – Career Services Coordinator

Andrea Bollinger enrolled in Career Quest Learning Centers Medical Assistant train-in program in October of 2010. Andrea was looking to build on her two years of direct patient care experience and grow as a healthcare professional. When asked what she liked most about Career Quest, Andrea recommended, “The staff. Everyone is SO helpful and encouraging. I had some of the best instructors that helped me through the program. If it weren’t for them, I probably would have given up when ‘life’ got in the way of my learning. But they were there to encourage me to keep trying.”

Andrea completed her externship at Michigan State University’s Family Medicine Clinic and graduated from her program in September of 2011. Through hard work and networking Andrea interviewed and accepted a position as a Medical Assistant with Sparrow Medical Group – North that same month. “I love it here. I want to work at my current job for as long as they allow me!”

Andrea credits the following three items in part for her success. “Interview skills, Resume building, and CONFIDENCE! Knowing that I knew what I knew, and that I was good at it, thanks to the instructors at CQ!”

“Career Services helped me make the finishing touches to my resume, making it more professional, which grabbed the attention of my current employer.”

Andrea’s advice for current students is to, “Soak up as much "hands on" knowledge as you can. It's different when you’re actually performing the tasks that you have learned about. Don't be afraid to ask for help, everyone understands that you are still learning!” Andrea loves working in the medical field and at Sparrow, she is hoping to attend Nursing School down the road.

About the Author

Andrew Belanger, GCDF is a Career Services Coordinator at CQLC’s Lansing Campus and is Managing Editor of “The Quest” CQLC’s Career Services Monthly Newsletter. He has several years of experience working in Career and Workforce Development and is certified as a Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF). He is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Higher Adult Learning and Education (HALE) from Michigan State University. Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewbelangergcdf

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.