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Career Planning: Most Popular Articles

These articles are the most popular over the last month.
Should I Quit My Job Quiz?
This quiz will help you figure out if the career you're interested in is right for you.
Cosmetology
Cosmetology careers - description - earnings - education and qualifications - more information
Career Briefs
A library of articles that profile a variety of career choices, including job description, job outlook, salary, requirements - includes links to professional associations and job listings
Physical Therapist
What do physical therapists do - find out about the nature of the work, earnings and learn what training is needed - there are also additional resources where you can learn more
Career Choice
How to make a career choice - Step by step guide to making a career choice
Resume Writing
Your resume is the first impression you'll make on a potential employer - Learn the basics of putting one together, including choosing the right format -chronological, functional, or combination
Pharmacist
What do pharmacists do - learn about the nature of pharmaceutical careers - find out about earnings, education, training
Wedding Planner
What does a wedding planner do - find out what skills you need, what your earnings and startup costs will be, and what training you need - Get links to additional resources
Career in Architecture
Architect - description - earnings - education and qualifications - more information
Performance Reviews
Employee performance reviews determine raises, promotions, and sometimes whether we get to keep our jobs - Learn how to prepare for your performance review and how to respond to a negative one
Is This the Right Career for Me?
This quiz will help you figure out if the career you're interested in is right for you.
Flight Attendant
What do flight attendants do - how much do flight attendants earn - what is the employment outlook for flight attendants
Taking Meeting Minutes
How to take minutes at a meeting
Starting a New Job
Your first day on a new job can be stressful - here are tips to help you get through it
Email Etiquette
You use email to communicate with your boss, colleagues, clients, or prospective employers - You should be aware of some basic email etiquette, sometimes known as netiquette since your correspondence says a lot about you
Dental Assistant
What do dental assistants do - find out what dental assistants do, how much they earn, and what training dental assistants need
Disney Jobs
How to get a job in Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Lines, and Disneyland Paris
Forensic Science Technician
forensic science technician work as crime scene investigators - get a job description - earnings - education and qualifications - more information
Self Assessment Overview
Self assessment is the first step in the career planning process - gather information about yourself in order to make an informed decision - use value and interest inventories, personality tests, and skill assessments and other tools used in self assessment
The Career Planning Process
When you choose a career you should go through a four step process - These four steps are self, options, match, and action - Learn what all this means and how going through each step is a vital part of choosing a career in which you can find happiness
Occupational Therapist
What do occupational therapists do - find out about the nature of the work, earnings and learn what training is needed - there are also additional resources where you can learn more
How to Quit Your Job
Here are things you should do before or right after you quit your job
Self Assessment
Self assessment is the first step in choosing an occupation - It's the process of gathering information about yourself in order to make an informed career decision - Learn about value and interest inventories, and other tools used in self assessment
Engineer
What is an engineer - here are a job description, salary information, educational qualifications, and employment outlook for engineers
Exempt Employee
What is an exempt employee - brief definition
Hi Paying Careers w/o a Degree
Here are the top ten highest paying occupations for which you don't need a degree
Veterinarian
What does a veterinarian do - get a job description, learn about educational requirements - get salary information - links to additional information include resources such as associations and education information
Jobs With a HS Diploma
You can get these jobs with a high school diploma or GED - Jobs you can have with a high school diploma or a GED
Is it Time to Quit Your Job?
Wondering whether to quit your job - here are situations that present valid reasons to leave
Job Interviewing
A job interview gives you a chance to tell a prospective employer about yourself - Find out about various types of interviews - Learn how to prepare for an interview, how to succeed on an interview, and how to follow up after one - Get advice about dealing with illegal questions
Dietitian and Nutritionist
Dietitians and Nutritionists - description - earnings - education and qualifications - more information
International Relations Career
Are you thinking about a career in international relations? Links to educational information, occupational information, and employment information, including job listings
Dress for Work
Advice on what to wear to work and to job interviews - learn how to dress on casual days - find out what to do with those business suits you no longer need
Salary Negotiation
Dos and Don'ts of salary negotiation - Salary negotiation can help you get a better job offer or ask for a raise - Here are tips to help you negotiate the salary you deserve
Writing a Career Action Plan
Developing an action plan is the fourth step in the career planning process - One arrives at this step after a thorough self assessment and a complete exploration of viable career options which were identified during the self assessment
Career Change Quiz
If you are thinking of making a career change take this quiz to find out if you should change your career
Cashier
Cashiers - description - earnings - education and qualifications - more information
Behavioral Interviews
Behavioral interviews give you the opportunity to demonstrate competencies required for a particular job - Learn more about this type of interview, why employers use it, what questions you can expect to be asked, how to respond, and how to prepare
Should I Quit My Job Quiz - Results
Here are the results of the Should I Quit My Job quiz, which will help you figure out if you have a good reason to quit your job.
Goal Setting
Goal setting is an important part of the career planning process - find out why setting goals is so important and what criteria your goals must meet
Teacher: Career Profile
What do teachers do - what is a teacher's salary and what are the educational requirements and licensing requirements of preschool elementary and secondary school teachers
Writer and Editor
What do writers and editors do - learn about writers' and editors' earnings and job outlook - find out how to become a writer or editor
Psychologist
What do psychologists do - Occupational information including educational requirements, salary, job duties and outlook
Non-exempt Employee
What is a non-exempt employee - Definition
Occupational Quiz
This quiz will help you find out if you are choosing the right occupation - questions about compensation, job description, job outlook, and qualifications help you decide if you should pursue a particular occupation
PT Assistant and PT Aide
What do physical therapist assistants and physical therapist aides do - What are the educational qualifications and job outlook for physical therapist assistants and physical therapist aides
How to Evaluate a Job Offer
How to evaluate a job offer - find out what factors you need to consider when deciding whether to accept or decline a job offer
Travel Agent
Travel agent careers - find out what it takes to work in the travel industry - learn about job outlook, earnings, educational requirements and training, and advancement opportunities
How to Ask for a Raise
Learn how to go to your boss and ask for a raise
Difficult People at Work
You work with difficult people - here's how to deal with your difficult coworkers including the chatterbox, the gossip, the complainer, the credit grabber, and the delegator
Fastest Growing Jobs Bachelor
The top ten fastest growing jobs with a bachelor's degree
Leaving Your Job: Mistakes
Here are five things you shouldn't do when you leave your job, whether you are quitting or you've been fired
Career Change Quiz - Should You Make a Career Change - Question 1
Should You Make a Career Change - Take This Quiz to Find Out If You Need a Career Change - Question 1 of the Career Change Quiz
Bachelor's Degree Not Required
These careers don't require a bachelor's degree, but they do require either an associate degree or some post high school training
Speech Therapist
Learn about working as a speech therapist - what do speech therapists do - how much do speech therapists earn - what education do speech therapists need
Loan Officer
Learn about working as a loan officer - Find out about the nature of the work, earnings and learn what training is needed - There are also additional resources where you can learn more
Choose the Right Career
Tips to help you choose the right career.
Writing Skills
How to write effectively - many jobs require you to express yourself clearly in writing, whether you must write internal memos, correspond with clients, or design sales materials - fortunately, effective writing is a skill you can learn
Negotiating Job Offers
You don't have to accept just any job offer - Salaries and some benefits are negotiable - You'll find links to resources that will help you negotiate a job offer
Job Burnout
You will experience burnout at some point in your career - Find out what causes burnout, the symptoms and results, and some ways to fix it
Fastest Growing Jobs Diploma
Here are the top ten fastest growing jobs you can get with a high school diploma or GED
Before You Accept a Job Offer
Thinking of accepting a job offer? - Here are some questions you can ask yourself before you say yes to a new employer
Workplace Bullies
A workplace bully, whether your co-worker or your boss, can make your work life miserable - Here's what can you do about a workplace bully
Sports Industry Careers
Learn about careers in the sports industry - athletes, coaches, broadcasters, writers, and marketing professionals - Links to additional information including professional associations, publications, and job listings
Respiratory Therapist
Learn about working as a respiratory therapist - find out what respiratory therapists do - find out how much respiratory therapists earn and what qualifications and education they need
Human Resources Assistant
Human Resources Assistant - description - earnings - education and qualifications - more information
Transferable Skills
Transferable skills will help you make a career change - here's how to find out what your transferable skills are and how to use them to get a job with a prospective employer
Should You Quit Your Job?
If you are thinking of quitting your job take this quiz to find out if you should quit
Allied Health Care Careers
Learn more about careers in allied health care, including cardiovascular technologists and technicians, dental hygienists, diagnostic medical sonographers, opticians, and radiologic technologists and technicians
Fastest Growing Jobs Masters
The top ten fastest growing jobs with a master's degree or a doctorate degree
Successful Career Change
If you are considering a career change here's advice to help you make a successful career change
Myths About Choosing a Career
Here's why these ten myths about choosing a career are wrong, along with resources to help you with your career planning endeavors
Reasons to Change Careers
Here are reasons you should consider a career change
Listening Skills
Listening skills were one of the basic skills identified by the Department of Labor Secretary's Commission on Necessary Skills or SCANS - everyone one entering the workforce should have good listening skills
Career Action Plan Overview
Developing a career action plan is an important step in the career planning process - This article tells you why you need one and how to write one
Computer and Info Systems Mgr
What does a computer and information systems manager do - Career information about computer and information systems managers including compensation, educational requirements and job outlook
Career Exploration
Career exploration resources will help you make a career choice - Learn about career exploration resources
Before You Dress for Interview
Getting dressed for a job interview can be tricky - ask yourself these questions before you walk out the door
Insurance Agent
Information on working as an insurance agent, also known as an insurance sales agent - description of insurance sales agent or insurance agent - earnings of insurance agent or insurance sales agent - education and qualifications to work as an insurance agent or insurance sales agent
Optometrist
Learn what optometrists do, how much money optometrists earn, what advancement opportunities exist for optometrists, what training they need, and what the outlook is for employment of optometrists.
Name Change
In the past when a woman married she automatically took her husband's last name - That's no longer the case - There are many options to choose from, including hyphenating or adding your husband's name to your own - Find out how to make the right choice
Ways to Annoy Your Coworkers
What can you do to annoy your coworkers and make them hate you - Avoid doing things that will drive your coworkers crazy
Curriculum Vitae
What is a curriculum vitae - definition
Athletic Coach
Athletic Coaches - description of athletic coach - earnings of athletic coaches - education and qualifications for athletic coaches - more information about athletic coaches
Women Face Glass Ceiling in Hi
Do women face a glass ceiling when it comes to getting hired - Have female graduates been discouraged from pursuing the same career paths as their male counterparts
Avoiding Offensive Behavior
Respecting one's co-workers is important - Offensive behavior by co-workers can do more than get on your nerves, it can cause you to quit your job - Find out what behaviors are offensive so you can avoid them
OT Assistants and OT Aides
What do Occupational Therapist Assistants and Occupational Therapy Aides do - What are Occupational Therapist Assistants' and Occupational Therapy Aides' educational qualifications, job outlook, salary information, and additional resources
Local Employment Information
Job Searching Around the Country - Job Searching and Employment Resources from About's Cities/Towns Guides
Do You Know How to Relax?
Learn how to relax - tips to help you
Personal Issues at Work
Your personal issues could interfere with your ability to do your job - find out how to keep your personal issues like life changing situations, illness, emotional difficulites, disabilities and sexual orientation from affecting your career
Calling in Sick to Work
Calling in Sick to Work isn't an easy thing for many people to do - find out when calling in sick to work is the right thing for you to do
Is Casual Dress Your Norm?
Advice to help you look your professional best - when you normally dress casually for work, how do you rise to the occasion when you're asked to give a presentation or represent your company in a taped interview - appearances count
Career Change Quiz - Should You Make a Career Change - Question 2
Should You Make a Career Change - Take This Quiz to Find Out If You Need a Career Change - Question 2 of the Career Change Quiz
Unemployment Insurance
How to apply for unemployment insurance benefits in the United States.
Computer Literacy
Computer literacy is an essential skill - A computer will be a basic tool you will have to use no matter where you find employment - Computer literacy will help you get a job and it will help you advance in your career
Public Relations Specialist
public relations careers - description of public relations specialist - earnings of public relations specialists - education and qualifications for public relations specialist - more information about working in public relations
Job Stress
Job stress can lead to serious physical and emotional problems - recognize the symptoms of job stress and learn how to reduce it
Time Management Tips
Time management skills contribute to your success at work and at home - Here's how to improve your time management skills
Transferable Skills - Examples of Transferable Skills
here are examples of transferable skills that you can use when completing the tranferable skills worksheet
Fastest Growing Jobs
The fastest growing jobs - the fastest growing jobs you can get with and without a degree - here are the fastest growing growing jobs that require a bachelor's, master's, doctorate degree or only on-the-job training.
Librarian
Librarian careers - description - earnings - education and qualifications - more information
Special Resumes / Letters
Learn about electronic resumes - Find out how to use your cover letter to address issues not included in your resume - Get the facts on resume banks - Find out what jobs require more creative resumes
Flextime
Flextime is one of several alternative work options that can help you balance your life - in a flextime arrangement an employee may have a schedule that involves working four ten hour days or may work a staggered schedule
Broadcast & Sound Technician
broadcast and sound engineering technician careers - description of broadcast technician and sound engineering technician - earnings - education and qualifications - more information
Career Professional
Work with a career counselor, career development facilitator, or other career development professional - This article tells you what you need to consider when hiring someone to help you with career decisions
Don't Quit Your Job Yet
Don't quit your job yet - here are solutions to some common problems that may keep you from quitting
Take This Job
If you are stuck in a job you dislike but can't leave due to circumstances beyond your control, find out what you can do to make the best of the situation - Fix what's broken - Learn to deal with what you can't fix
Social Workers
Social worker job description - social workers requirements - social workers salaries
Civil Service Employment
Want to work for the government? Find out about Civil Service employment opportunities
Dentists
What do dentists do - what training do dentists need - how much do dentists earn - what is the job outlook for dentists
Rules for Cell Phones at Work
If you bring your cell phone to work, here are some rules of etiquette you should follow to make sure you don't offend your co-workers and your boss, and possibly jeopardize your job
Culinary Careers
Want to work as a chef, cook, or food preparation worker - Learn about careers in culinary arts - Find out what the requirements are - Get links to job listings, trade associations, and schools
Dictionary of Occupations
Definitions of occupations
Teens and Work
Do you want to get a job, but think you may be too young to work? - In the U.S. teens as young as 14 can work, but there are some restrictions - Find out what those restrictions are
Get Along With Colleagues
Resources that will help you get along with your colleagues
Waiting for a Job Offer
Getting through the time between your interview and when you find out if you've been hired
Interviewing Employees
How to interview potential employees - selecting employees is a large part of a manager's job - the job interview is an important component of the hiring process
ASCII Resumes
Learn how to put together a resume a plain text resume - ascii, or plain-text format - this format is required by many online resume banks, and by companies which accept resumes via email - get pointers and tips and find out where to go for additional information
Career Change Quiz - Results of Your Response to Question 2 of the Career Change Quiz
Should You Make a Career Change - The answer based on your response to question 2 of the Career Change Quiz
Behavioral Interviews - Brief
Behavioral interviews let job applicants demonstrate competencies needed for a particular job - Learn what a behavioral interview is, why employers use it, what questions you might be asked, how to respond to those questions, and how to prepare
Career Change Quiz - Results of Your Response to Question 1 of the Career Change Quiz
Should You Make a Career Change - The answer based on your response to question 1 of the Career Change Quiz
Topics to Not Discuss at Work
You should avoid discussing these topics at work
Respond to a Bad Review
Getting a bad performance review is devastating - here's what you can do if you feel the review is unfair - if you feel the performance review is accurate this is how you can use it to improve yourself
Careers in Physical Therapy
A comparison of careers in physical therapy requiring different levels of education - physical therapists and physical therapist assistants and physical therapist aides
Lying on Your Resume
Lying on your resume may be tempting, especially if it makes you seem more qualified - This article discusses the problems telling a lie on your resume may cause - Find out why lying, even though it may get you hired, may not be worth it at all
Animal Trainer
What do animal trainers do? - find out what animal trainers do - find out how much animal trainers earn - find out what education and training animal trainers need - find out where to get more information about trainers
Setting Goals
Setting goals is an important part of the career planning process - You will use goals to develop your career action plan - Here are criteria, which your goals must meet, that will increase your chances of success
Career Change Quiz - Should You Make a Career Change - Question 3
Should You Make a Career Change - Take This Quiz to Find Out If You Need a Career Change - Question 3 of the Career Change Quiz
Career Action Plan Worksheet - Page 1
Use this worksheet to help you put together a career action plan. You will need to list your work experience, education and training, self assessment results, and your short and long term goals. You should also indicate any barriers you may face.
Retail Salesperson
Retail sales career opportunities are expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations - learn about a career as a retail salesperson - find out what training is needed and what advancement opportunities exist
Dictionary of Occupations A-E
Definitions of occupations - A to E
Career Books
career books for you or to give as gifts - whatever the occasion, or no occasion at all, these books provide advice on job success, career choice, and other career related issues
Coping With Job Loss
Job loss is emotionally traumatic - As a matter of fact it ranks among the highest of all stress-causing situations - Here is advice to help you deal with this life-altering event
Becoming An Entrepreneur
Should you start your own business - here are resources that will help improve your chance of succeeding as an entrepreneur
How to Get a Job
Use these resources to help you get a job
transferable skills worksheet - career change
use this worksheet to help you identify and rate your transferable skills
Lost Your Job? Keep Your He...
COBRA lets your group health insurance policy continue when you lose your job
Dental Hygienists
What do dental hygienists do - what training do dental hygienists need - how much do dental hygienists earn - what is the job outlook for dental hygienists
Career Choice Books
Here are the best books career choice - these books will help you choose a career
How to Get Fired
If you want to keep your job do the opposite of what this article tells you to - With tongue planted firmly in cheek, I tell you what to do to raise the ire of even the nicest boss, and send you straight to the unemployment office
Office Politics
Office politics allow some people to be rewarded for behavior unrelated to doing a good job - Do you work hard but don't see the same rewards - When all you want to do is get your job done, office politics can be a rude intruder - Learn what you can do about this
Multi-Media Artist / Animator
What do multi-media artists and animators do - how much do multi-media artists and animators make - what is the job outlook for multi-media artists and animators
Your First Job
your first real job - most of what you learned in school will not prepare you for it, even if you did an internship - more will be expected of you when you're no longer a student - follow these four rules and you'll make your new employer happy she hired you
The Fair Labor Standards Ac...
Learn about the Fair Labor Standards Act and how it protects you
Office Gossip
Gossip is an unavoidable presence in all workplaces - learn to use it to your advantage
Networking Center - Career Planning
Network with your peers in the Career Planning community.
Career Change Quiz - Should You Make a Career Change - Question 4
Should You Make a Career Change - Take This Quiz to Find Out If You Need a Career Change - Question 4 of the Career Change Quiz
Pregnancy Discrimination
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act prohibits your boss from treating you diffently when you are pregnant - Find out how the law protects you from pregnancy discrimination at work
Chemists
What do chemists do - find out about having a career as a chemist - what do chemists do - how much do chemists earn - what education and training do chemists need - what is the job outlook for chemists
Resume
What is a resume - definition
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