Australia immigration dept presents regional migration seminars

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), Govt of Australia will be staging regional migration forums in major regional centres across Western Australia throughout the next month, to provide local employers with information on the skilled migration programs available to address their labour needs.

A departmental spokesman said the Australian Government announced as part of the Budget an increase in the skilled migration program and a range of new initiatives to help meet demand for skilled migrants in regional Australia.

"The skill stream has increased by 12 000 places on 2010-11 program planning levels, to 125 850 places and policy initiatives are being implemented to assist Australian employers, businesses and regional areas to better address their skill needs," the spokesman said.

Getting into AustraliaAt the forums, employers can get an overview of skilled migration options or pathways available to those seeking to address skill shortages in regional and remote areas of the state across a range of industries.

Employers may also request a private consultation to discuss issues such as:
  • sponsorship of overseas workers through the 457 visa program
  • permanent skilled migration options such as the regional sponsored migration scheme (RSMS) and employer nomination scheme (ENS)
  • employing overseas workers and checking work rights of employees
  • current and future options for sourcing semi-skilled overseas workers through labour agreements and regional migration agreements.

For further information on the regional migration forums or to schedule an individual employer consultation in one of the above locations, please email roo.wa@immi.gov.au

The dates and locations for the regional migration forums are are available at http://www.newsroom.immi.gov.au/media_releases/933

Permanent Residence Application and Work Permit

There are many agents who handles permanent residence application forms on behalf of its clients and represents individuals and families with family sponsorship application, skilled worker application and business immigration cases.

Success Secrets for Canadian Immigrants

Success secrets for Canadian immigrants. In the past ten years I have been working with immigrants from around the world. I have also been luck to meet some very successful immigrants - This video outlines the success secrets I got from them.


Few Comments about this Video
  • Very good advice. It's what we need. Immigrants helping immigrants because non-immigrants keep saying "don't change", "you'll be fine". No, you do need to change. You need to be fluent in one of the official languages and you need to be fluent in the culture, too. I lived in the US for 15 years and 8 in Canada. Now, I'm starting to understand Canadian culture. It takes time and effort. Don't give up!
  • Wish I would have had this information 25 years ago! Great that it has finally arrived.

Canada Immigration - Fast Track Immigration for Skilled Workers

A comment about this video: Fast tracking immigrants is beyond stupid. I work with a group of engineers and we have a new guy on board. Every day we have to teach him what engineers do!! Every step? of the way! It looks politically correct that we have this guy on board but he is being paid a lot of money for what??? His schooling (laughs) has him prepared for a job at Tim Hortons at best.



How to Move to Canada: A Primer for Americans

Moving to new career? Here are 3 important tips to remember

If you ever thought about moving to different field, this would be not too late to begin considering it seriously. If you decide, here are some important steps to help make it easier.
  1. Make the right approach for career change: It's quite human nature to maintain the status quo. First, figure out what holds you back. Establish a timeframe with small but specific actions toward your goal to accomplish each week, and create your own milestones along the way. Go for it. 
  2. Build reputation before career change. Be mindful about stepping out on your own without establishing yourself first. You have responsibilities that include being smart about your next steps.
  3. Never too late to build a second career. "At the time of recession in USA, Barbara Berman was laid off from a mortgage company and faced the prospect of building a new career from the ground up. She was 56. Instead of developing a model through trial and error, Berman took advantage of a six-week small-business training program for workers who had lost their jobs paid for by the federal government." - That's a good idea. Attend some useful training sessions in the new field you are shifting.
Coach Yourself to a New Career: 7 Steps to Reinventing Your Professional Life

    Resume – Common mistakes found during the free resume evaluation

     

    • Inadequate line space between sections like Educational qualifications, List of Publications, etc
    • Technical expertise given as a blind list (without highlighting the actual technical know-how)
    • Projects undertaken given as a blind list (again same as above without giving much details)
    • Page margins not enough
    • Resumes are too long (6-7 pages)
    • Resume file format –use of file formats other than .doc or .pdf
    • Resume file size – over 1 MB
    • There is no title for the resume (Tip: just put your name as title)
    • Not given any publication details 
    • Give full list of publications (Tip: give as Top 5 publications or Important publications during the last 5 years or so)
    • While copy n paste from 2 or more documents, there may be different fonts in different sections
    • Keeping a blank page in the end (due to word processing error)
    • Using a page border may affect the visual appeal of the resume printout or even for online view
    • Usage of passport size photo may not give additional merit but will increase file size!
    • Usage of different background colour for the headings for various sections like Academic qualifications, Work experience, etc.

    How to add details of Publications and Seminars to your resume?

    • Don’t add descriptions to your list of publications. 
    • No need to provide abstract or summary of each of the papers.
    • List of publications - No need to give all papers as the list may be too long. Give as "papers during the last 5 years" or list of "five important publications" or something like that to reduce number of pages in the resume. 
    • Same rule applies to conference publications.
    • Highlight (make text bold) for list of awards or fellowships receiving or received 
    • Same kind of text formatting for important training courses attended or given. 
    • Seminar / Conference / Courses attended – Just give number of such events attended and/or provide list for last 2-3 years or important events attended
    • Adding a declaration at the end of the resume may not be required when you send the resume by email or unless stated by the employer.
    • End the resume with 1-2 references or simply put ‘References will be provided upon request’.
    How to Run Seminars & Workshops: Presentation Skills for Consultants, Trainers and Teachers

    How to get a work permit for Canada

    This video tells you how illegal workers in the United States can obtain work permits in Canada.

    Few important resume tips


    • As a title of the resume, no need to write 'Resume or Curriculum Vitae', just put your name in Bold, Font size Arial/Times New Roman 14 or 16.
    • Then give a single line space, and put your contact details or affiliation. 
    • There is no need to use your photograph.
    • Personal details section (usually not included, but if you wish to add, place at the end of the resume) may contain only DOB, Sex and Nationality.
    • It is not mandatory to start the resume with objective. Usage of ‘objective’ seems obsolete already. But you can put a Career Profile section where you briefly mention your past and present career or important accomplishments. If you are a fresher, just mention what do you wish to achieve.
    • It is good to start resume with your present status, if you are working somewhere or studying for some other degree. Otherwise, begin resume with your academic credentials.
    • Academic information may be given in tabular form (without table borders) and give % or CGPA, year of passing, University, etc.
    • Technical or application expertise may be given as a list, but provide necessary proof that you are really expert in the techniques you mentioned. For e.g., HPLC – mention like “well versed with HPLC technique during my M.Sc. project where I have analyzed analysis plant active principles”.
    • Projects undertaken may be given in detail along with project duration, where the same has been carried out, major findings, etc
    • Give adequate page margins (Eg. 2.5 cm or 1 inch) and use Letter or A4 paper size
    • Give adequate space between sections (Eg. 1 line space)
    • Adjust resumes to 2-3 pages
    More tips in the next article. 

    Build reputation before career change

    Q: I feel utmost boredom in my daily work in a government office. Recently I read few books and done some homework but still scared to switch careers. My ambition is to become a freelance journalist. How to move forward?

    A: First of all, it is important to know why do you want to become a freelance journalist. Is just your interest or to avoid boredom in your current job or both. I guess both.

    If writing is your principal interest, start writing now. While you are at your present job, pursue freelance-writing opportunities where you can begin to build a name for yourself. Make sure that you don’t use your work time to do your research or write. Use mornings, evenings and weekends to build your portfolio. That’s what most people do when they want to transition from one field to the next.

    Be mindful about stepping out on your own without establishing yourself first. You have responsibilities that include being smart about your next steps.

    One mom's gutsy career change, and what her daughter thinks

    From the Star

    Carol McLennan says

    "I think the hardest adjustment to make was being able to say "actor" when asked what work I did. I had to take a deep breath and test it mentally before I was willing to say it out loud. I was no longer a human resources consultant, which I had been for decades.

    I’m now 60 and had done some amateur acting through my 30s and 40s, mostly short-term commitments, play readings and the like. I always came away with a wonderful feeling, having slipped into the skin of another person and conveyed that to an audience. Then I’d go back to my regular work (and regular paycheque) and raising my family."

    Carol's daughter, Kate Allen says

    "Five years ago, when I was still an undergraduate student, my mom decided to toss away the consulting career she’d worked toward her entire adult life and become an actress... These days, I’m proud of her for new reasons. Just as I’ve begun to wheel myself across the tarmac of the career world, my mom ejects herself from the cockpit mid-flight. Ballsy."

    Read full story here.

    Selecting the best CV format

    The importance of having a proper CV should not be overlooked while seeking a career change or new employment. There is no single right way to compose your CV and if you do so everyone's will be unique. A CV is the primary information a potential employer will receive about you. Remember it is your own personal advertisement and, as such, should show you off to best advantage. Your CV must:
    • Summarize of your qualifications, experience, skills and achievements (see Career objectives)
    • Project your personality as much as possible
    • Show what problems you solved rather than 'I am good at....'
    It should not be a complete autobiography, but it should give adequate information to the employer. The following guidelines will be helpful when setting out your CV:
    • Your CV should be a maximum of 2 sides of A4 (unless you are including an extra page for your publications if these are important for the post).
    • Selecting an appropriate CV format. There are many ways of presenting information but the most successful CVs are variations around a reverse chronological format of your employment and education - ie. the most recent at the top of the list.
    • Appearance
    • It should look good. Initial impressions are vital so it should look attractive.
    • Avoid large chunks of text - they look indigestible and tend to be ignored. Break it up with sub-headings or bullet points.
    Finally, if you are sending your CV via e mail make sure you use a common typeface (Arial, Times New Roman, etc.).If you are posting your CV use good quality paper and use a large envelope (A4 preferably) to avoid folding.

    FAQ regarding sending resume as attachment - Common Resume Mistakes' Series - Part 4

    Should i send my resume as an attachment or should i send it with it in the body of the email?
    Normally as attachment. But if the job posting states something like "To apply for this position, please send resume as reply with salary requirements", then put your resume in the body of the letter AND attach it. That way, they can easily see your resume and if they want a printable version, there’s always the attachment.

    Sending resume and cover letter via email?
    Generally, recruiters prefer to read the cover letter in the body of the email and this saves their time. The resume should be sent as an attachment. Again these shall be according to the requirement of the employer.

    What about Subject of the Email?
    It's a good practice to put the immediate objective in the Subject line of the email. A subject line like "Resume" doesn't tell anything to the recruiter and it might not ever be read. But a good subject line, entices the recruiter to read on.

    How to email a resume without attachment?
    Write your cover letter first. If you have a cover letter already written, you may cut and paste it into the email body. But remember to customize the email according to the vacancy you are applying for. Now, you are about adding your resume below the cover letter. Remember to prepare the in simple format. No part of the resume should be centered and formatted (all in simple text format). Copy and Paste your resume about three spaces under your cover letter. Re-check your cover letter and resume. You may send the resume to your email id (same as sending or another id if you have more than one email). Check again. Send email to the company you are applying for.

    More articles in this series are coming up. Enjoy reading!

    Best wishes
    Team @ MyDailyCareerNews.com

    Introduction of Jobs in Genetics

    Here is a YouTube video uploaded by HumanGeneticsSociety on Introduction of Jobs in Genetics.

    This is part of a video series produced by the Marshfield Clinic about jobs in genetics. This is the introduction of the series. More information can be found on ASHG's website: www.ashg.org/education

    Career in genetics

    Genetics is the study of genes and their effects. Genetic Engineering is manipulation of genes to obtain the targeted results and is closely related to biotechnology and microbiology.

    Geneticists are immersed in exciting science, technology, and medical advancements every day. The opportunities are numerous to contribute to the advancement of science, the care of patients, and the teaching of the next generation of genetics professionals. One must be ready to make a commitment in time, energy, and focus to be a successful geneticist, but the rewards are enormous.

    The large, multidisciplinary Human Genome Project (HGP)—the effort to find all human genes and characterize a reference genome—promises to revolutionize the future so profoundly that the 21st has been dubbed the "biology century." Almost everyone will be affected by applications of informa-tion and technologies derived from the HGP era of the late 20th century. Educators, the media, students, and the public need a good understanding of this "new genetics" and its implications so they can better communicate, teach, and help others make related career and personal decisions.

    The technology related to genetics finds its application in health care, food processing, brewing, horticulture, beauty care, agriculture and animal science. They can also find employment in research and development institutes, educational institutions and government departments.

    Career Paths in Human Genetics

    The field of genetics is rapidly growing in influence and importance. There is a wide variety of careers that involve the use of genetics, ranging from traditional careers in academic research to non-traditional careers in law, journalism and many more.

    Traditional Human Genetics Careers

    There are many ways of using an education in genetics. Jobs include Research Geneticist, Laboratory Geneticist,  Genetic Counselor, Clinical Geneticist, etc.

    Non-Traditional Human Genetics Careers

    Job types are Writing Related Careers, Policy Related Careers, Law Related Careers, Education Related Careers, Careers Related to the Business of Science, Careers Related to Drug Approval, Government Science Careers, Research Service Careers.

    See also

    Achieving a career using newspapers

    With the continued use of newspapers among school going children, career guidance and development will be an interesting idea and an individual chosen idea rather than anybody choosing or forcing them to do something not out of their interest.

    This was revealed by teachers during NiE teachers training organised by World Vision in Gulu (Nigeria) last week. Teachers revealed that through reading newspapers learners will be exposed to an outside world full of career choices rather than restrictions. Many who read newspapers are well versed with their world. More..

    Reading Newspaper is Good for Civil Services Aspirants

    Reading a national newspaper is important for the aspirants of civil services examinations, according to B. Ramasamy, social scientist and Director, RIAS Civil Services Academy, New Delhi. "For IAS aspirants, national newspaper is like a text book. If they undertake the reading in a dedicated manner, I think they have a bright chance," Mr. Ramasamy said. More..

    Student Visas for Germany

    If you wish to take up studies in Germany, you need different documents to get the permission to enter Germany. The most important one is the visa. You should apply for it way in advance, because the processing of your documents takes a while.
    A visa is absolutely necessary under the immigration laws there; the only exceptions are for applicants from European Union countries and from states with which special agreements have been made: Honduras, Iceland, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and the USA.
    You can apply for it at the German embassy or consulate in your home country. You can find the addresses of the German embassy and the consulate in your home country on the website of the German Federal Foreign Office.

    International students from a third country must – with a few exceptions – obtain a visa for entry into Germany. They can get this visa from the relevant German mission abroad. Basically, the process differentiates between two types of visas.

    The Schengen Visa is issued for a short stay (for example, tourism, participation in a summer language course) of up to three months per half-yearly period. Beware: Holders of a Schengen Visa must leave the country again after three months at the latest. This means the Schengen Visa is not a suitable instrument if you wish to study, do a doctorate or complete a research stay in Germany.

    A National Visa is issued for stays lasting longer than three months (for example, to attend a preparatory course at a Studienkolleg or to study a full programme).

    If you wish to study or do a doctorate, you must make sure right from the beginning that you apply for a national visa for the purpose of studying (student visa). As a rule, you will have to present the following papers and documents to the relevant German mission abroad (e.g. embassy or consulate in your country):
    • letter of admission from the German university,
    • health insurance policy,
    • proof of any academic credits gained or examinations passed,
    • proof of any German language skills you may have or of your plans to take a language course in Germany,
    • documents that prove how you intend to finance your living expenses while you are studying (proof of sufficient financial resources).
    Tip: Student applicants who have not yet been admitted to a German university or Studienkolleg can apply for a Student Applicant Visa. It is valid for three months and can be converted into a residence permit for the purpose of studying once you have been admitted to a higher education institution.
    More info at the DAAD website

    Preparing for a Genomics Career

    Do you know what type of education and training take you to be a genomics researcher or academician? Like in most of the cases, there is not one "best pathway" to a career in genomics. People with diverse academic and geographical backgrounds have made choices that have lead them to their current careers in genomics. Furthermore, there are many very successful biologists who do not utilize genomic methods and there will always be a need for bench scientists who know how to perform well controlled experiments using more traditional methods.

    Nevertheless, if you are attracted to a career in the broad field of genomics, then there are some things you can do to better prepare yourself. First, as an undergraduate, make sure you take a range of sciences and math, not just biology. The types of math courses that will be especially helpful include probability and statistics, linear algebra, and a programming language such as C++ or perl. Physics is helpful since physical properties govern all aspects of biological activities. Chemistry will prove advantageous since chemical reactions drive biological systems and genomic methods. Of course, biology classes will prove useful with genetics, molecular biology and cell biology toping the list, though a firm understanding of evolution will be advantageous as well.

    Make sure you get hands-on experiences. Work in a laboratory or in the field with someone at your school who is conducting research. Get a summer research job either on your home campus or at other institutions. Research experiences will be advantageous in any job search regardless of which aspect of genomics you choose.

    Finally, what kind of skills do you need? Again, there are many skills needed to perform genomics. Useful skills include computer programming, bench laboratory skills, engineering expertise, and chemical synthesis. The more you know the better off you’ll be in a rapidly changing work environment. But more than just technical skills, you will need to have some other abilities such as an ability to communicate in written and oral formats.

    The field of genomics was officially launched in 1995 when the first completed genome was published. Since genomics is a new field, no one can predict where it will go in the future, though it does look as if the future will be filled with new discoveries that affect everyone.

    Are you going to make the right approach for career change

    An IT professional in Bangalore decided to go for a career change last year. He wanted to build his own software company. But even after 1 year, he could not started his venture and still continuing in the same job. He knows what he wanted to do but perhaps due to lack of motivation, he is still could not make it happen.

    It's quite human nature conspiring to maintain the status quo. It's easier and less threatening to stay put. To bust through barriers, you've got to really want the new career, and identify the specific actions that will get you there.
    • First, figure out what holds you back. Are you afraid of failing, losing status, or something else? Detailing the benefits and visualizing yourself in the new career will reinforce your resolve to move ahead.

    • Establish a timeframe with small but specific actions toward your goal to accomplish each week, and create your own milestones along the way. The old "one step at a time" approach really works and will fuel your motivation.

    • Find a partner for support and idea generation. You can't beat having an encouraging voice on the sidelines saying, "You can do it, you can do it," during those moments of self-doubt. Recruit a friend or contract with a career coach for direction and encouragement to stay on track with your goals.

    • Go for it.
    When you look back on this period, you'll be much more likely to regret what you don't do than what you do.

    Send Resume as Attachment - Common Resume Mistakes' Series - Part 3

    While applying against an open position, you may attach your resume only if the employer insists the same. Many employers would ask to submit the application through their website. In such cases you do not need to send the resume separately. By filling out the various sections of the application, you are in turn submitting your resume and other details as required by the employer.

    But when submit the resume as email attachment, there are few things to note.
    • The resume file may be saved as Microsoft Word .doc (XP or 2003 Word will save as .doc and 2007 will save as .docx by default) or .pdf format. Avoid other kinds of file types.
    • The file size may be up to 150 to 200 Kb in size.
    • Do not add images to the resume file. Usage of passport size photo may not give additional use but will increase file size!
    How to Send a Resume as Word Attachment?
    After Sign in to your email account, click on the "Compose" box. The e-mail box opens up. Click on "Attach Files" tab located just above the email box. A new window with a number of blank files with "Browse" tabs opens up. Click "Browse" next to the empty File1. The directories window where all your folders and files are located on your computer opens up. Locate your resume saved as a Microsoft Word document from the relevant folder and double click on it. The resume shows up in the empty File 1 field. Click the "Attach File" tab and wait as the file gets attached to your email message. The Word attachment can be seen above the email box. After you have typed your covering letter in the email box, click the "Send" tab to email your resume.

    More articles in this series are coming up. Enjoy reading!

    Best wishes
    Team @ MyDailyCareerNews.com

    Suze Orman - Career Advice For Young People - Video

    Watch this interesting Career Advice For Young People - Video by Suze Orman.

    Environment Jobs

    The environment is one of the hottest issues around right now and, as awareness of climate change grows and people become more concerned about their own impact on the world around us, there is a growing range of charity jobs within the environment sector. This makes it an exciting, dynamic area of employment to get involved in. What’s more, it’s really diverse, so no matter your previous experience and qualifications, you’re sure to find various jobs in Leeds within the environment sector or in the rest of the UK.

    So, what are some of the typical environment jobs you can expect to find in the UK?

    One of the main types of job falls under the heading of ‘environmental consulting’. This tends to include getting involved with projects and assessing the environmental impact of what’s going on. For example, many local councils and building companies are hiring environmental consultants to assess the impact of new housing developments or other building projects. This also links to the idea of sustainability, where you can find jobs in determining how to make projects more sustainable. Jobs like this could be really good for people who are good at creative thinking and are adept at coming up with innovative solutions for issues that are likely to be different for every job you work on.

    There are also quite a lot of environment jobs in the area of conservation. You are no doubt aware that certain species of plant and animal are under threat due to climate change, the presence of predators and other factors. Since a diverse range of species is good for the earth’s ecosystems, it’s important that these plants and animals are given a chance to thrive. This is something that could be great to get involved in if you have an especial love for an endangered species and know a bit about their habitats. You can also get involved in marine conservation as well as projects on land.

    With so many different environment jobs available, there is bound to be something to suit every level of skill, qualification and experience, making it a great area to look for your next career move.


    Photo credit: Free Digital Photos

    Career related pressure leads to divorce

    Some career paths especially IT and film industry imparts lot of pressure to couples and when left unaddressed, that strain can lead to divorce.

    One particular strain currently playing a role in the separation of the political power couple Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger was caused by transitions in both of their careers, the couple admitted to MSNBC.

    Just as couples in the limelight experience career-related pressures, the average American couple experiences ups and downs throughout their chosen career paths that can lead to divorce.

    In a statement written to the Los Angeles Times, Shriver and Schwarzenegger said, "This has been a time of great personal and professional transition for each of us. After a great deal of thought, reflection, discussion and prayer, we came to this decision together."

    Read more here.

    Photo credit: Free Digital Photos

    No change to Immigration requirements for getting married or registering a civil partnership in UK

    On 9 May 2011 the UK Government abolished the requirement to obtain a certificate of approval before marrying in the UK. This means that those subject to immigration control no longer need to show that certificate or their entry clearance when they give notice to marry in the UK. Whilst notice to marry requirements have changed, Immigration entry requirements for the purpose of marrying or registering a civil partnership in the UK are unchanged by the ending of the certificate of approval scheme. For further details, please visit the UK Border Agency website.

    Photo credit: Free Digital Photos

    Student visitors to UK

    This article is meant for those who wish to undertake a short course of study whilst visiting the UK – for example, a beginner’s English language course or a work related training course. See what you can and what you can't do while you are a student visitor in UK.
    • You can only study whilst on a visit to the UK if you apply as a Student Visitor
    • A student visitor is not entitled to stay for more than 6 months
    • As a student visitor, you will not be able to extend your stay either into full time study or to do a new course whilst you are in the UK
    • Importantly, as a student visitor, you will not be able to work part-time or undertake work experience or a work placement
    As a student visitor you will need to show that you meet the main requirements of the general visitor rules and you must be able to show that you have been accepted on a course of study at an educational establishment that meets the standard requirement.
    Click here for more details.

    Career objective analyzed - Common Resume Mistakes' Series - Part 2


    During the free resume evaluation we found that most of the resumes begin with a career objective section which is written in the most monotonous way. Nobody will show interest to read the rest of the resume in such cases.

    Some of them are given below:
    Seeking a challenging position where I can implement my skills in effective manner, meet challenges and gain further skills.

    Seeking for a challenging career in a technical field where my abilities can be shown to be of great use and where I can apply my knowledge and hone my skills.

    Intend to build a career in research work with a leading clinical IT corporate, which will help me for utilizing acquired skills and qualifications and work towards the fulfillment of organizational goals.

    Instead, read the Career Objective given below taken from a resume submitted to us:
    I have been a researcher in marine ecology for ten years and worked on coral reefs biodiversity for the Marine Coral Reefs project for the past five years. Now is the time that I put all my energy and knowledge of ecology and my project management skills at the service of a meaningful mission, where I’ll witness my work and results make a tangible difference in nature conservation.
    Suggestions:
    • Career objective is not essential in all the cases
    • A Career Objective is not required when apply against a particular vacancy
    • When you submit resume to a Professor seeking whether he has vacancies coming up in future, a Career Objective will be useful
    • Instead of a conventional Career Objective which is monotonous, write something like in the example given above which summarizes your past experience, expertise and your abilities.

    More articles in this series are coming up. Enjoy reading!

    Best wishes
    Team @ MyDailyCareerNews.com

    Photo credit: Free Digital Photos

    Professionals seek career change: Poll





    Many professionals in the Middle East desire a career change, says a survey conducted by the Bayt.com, a leading online recruitment website in the Mena region.

    The poll reveals that 82.4 percent of Middle East professionals desire a career change, while another 17.6 percent would not take the risk of a career change especially since they are still recovering from the recession blip that hit the region.

    The survey respondents are most dissatisfied about their current job (20.5%), 20.1 percent said their current company, while 15.7 percent were dissatisfied with their current manager.

    Read more


    Photo credit: Free Digital Photos

    Free resume evaluation is over - Mistakes and Suggestions available

    Hundreds of job seekers sent their resumes to us. We took the pain to review those resumes and noted the most common mistakes and sent them our suggestions.

    Due to lack of time, now we are unable to review resumes individually.

    However, we are now posting suggestions for those mistakes noted during the free resume evaluation for benefiting many like you. Visit www.mydailycareernews.com for more details.

    Photo credit: Free Digital Photos

    Two Secrets to Keeping Your Employees Engaged

    Keeping employees engaged is very vital not only in the industry but elswhere for any employer. As the recession cut into salaries and increased workloads, especially at small companies, it’s become increasingly challenging to keep employees engaged.

    According to recently released Employee Engagement Report 2011 from leadership development firm BlessingWhite, 31 percent of employees are engaged, while 17 percent are disengaged. Not surprisingly, employees who were older, had been with the company longer and had more senior roles were more likely to be engaged. Also not surprisingly, more employees are seeking opportunities outside their current company than they were in 2008.

    Here are two suggestions for keeping employees engaged:

    Coaching, relationships and dialogue
    Trust, communication and culture   
       
    But there’s also some surprising news about why employees leave and stay. Here are the top reasons employees stay with a company:

        My career. I have significant development or advancement opportunities here. 17 percent
        My organization’s mission. I believe in what we do. 11 percent
        No desire for change. I am comfortable here. 10 percent
        My job conditions. I have flexible hours, a good commute, etc. 10 percent

    And here are their top reasons for leaving:

        My career. I don’t have opportunities to grow or advance here. 26 percent
        My work. I don’t like what I do or it doesn’t make the most of my talents. 15 percent
        My finances. I want to earn more money. 15 percent

    Read full article here.

    Photo credit: Free Digital Photos

    Writing email in all CAPS letters - Common Resume Mistakes' Series - Part 1

    An article appeared in about.com says “When you write in all capital letters, this looks (and maybe sounds) to many a recipient as if you were shouting.”

    It may be easy to type in capital letters, but as mentioned above it has a strong effect. Sometimes it is difficult to read and understand when we use all caps.

    Another problem is that most of the word processors and web browsers will not display spelling errors while we type in CAPS but will show up otherwise. (see below, spelling not correct for CORECTIONS). This would result in sending mails with spelling mistakes.

    Here is an email we received recently:
    RESPECTED SIR/MADAM

    IAM HEREBY ATTACHING MY RESUME FOR YOUR EVALUATION.KINDLY GO THROUGH AND ADVICE THE NECESSARY CORECTIONS

    In the above email, note that there are punctuation mistakes. No ‘,’ after the salutation. No space given between IAM. Then, no space before KINDLY and so on.


    Of course, these are minor things. But remember you are applying for a job. When the employer opens your email, the first thing they notice would be these mistakes rather than your highly qualified resume. There it matters.

    Hence, it is advisable to avoid all CAPS writing and remember to use appropriate punctuations.

    More articles in this series are coming up. Enjoy reading!

    Best wishes
    Team @ MyDailyCareerNews.com


    Photo credit: Free Digital Photos

    Common resume mistakes


    Two weeks back we made an offer for free evaluation of resumes.

    We received fabulous response from all over the world.

    We replied to every email received after analyzing their resumes.

    We could also learn from the mistakes job seekers made, either in their resume, email body or both. These mistakes might kick them off from a prospective employer if not corrected.

    In the next few days, we will be writing about those mistakes job seekers made in the emails they sent to us without disclosing their personal details. Hope this will help to correct the mistakes not only for the candidates who submitted their resume but also for wider young users of our site.

    Best wishes
    Team @ MyDailyCareerNews.com

    Photo credit: Free Digital Photos

    Now visit UK, and travel to Ireland without visa

    Citizens of China, India, and parts of Eastern Europe and the Middle East visiting Britain on tourist visas will soon be able to visit neighbouring Ireland without a visa, under a visa waiver programme announced in Dublin.

    The waiver programme will run from 1 July until October 2012, a period that includes the London 2012 Olympics, when a large number of tourists are expected to visit Britain.

    Under Ireland's first visa-waiver programme announced yesterday, citizens of 14 countries including China, India, and parts of Eastern Europe and the Middle East will no longer need a visa for a short-term visit once they have cleared immigration in the UK.

    The Irish government hopes it will result in extra tourism revenue especially from companies and the Olympics.

    Read more

    Photo credit: Free Digital Photos

    Russia and EU agree to pursue visa-free travel

     
    Russian and European diplomats have agreed on joint action steps leading to a visa-free travel agreement.

    After spending much of the past year persuading the European Union to embark on a visa-waiver program with Russia, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev seems to finally have gotten his way. Russian and European diplomats have agreed on joint action steps leading to visa-free travel. Once the checklist is approved and completed, the parties expect to be ready to sign a visa-waiver agreement.

    EU negotiator Stefano Manservizi, the European Commission’s Director of Internal Affairs, said he felt satisfied with the progress, because the parties had found "a lot in common."

    The document in question is called the List of Joint Steps. Vladimir Voronkov, head of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department of European Cooperation, said that the list still needed fine-tuning "to ensure it was acceptable to both the Russian Federation and the European Union."

    Read more

    Photo credit: Free Digital Photos

    Information for providers of English language courses and tests

     
    UK Border Agency website contains information for the providers of courses and tests which many migrants must take before they can apply for permission to enter, remain in, settle in or become a citizen of the UK.

    New list of approved English language tests

    Launched a new list of English language tests for applications under Tiers 1, 2 and 4 of the points-based system, and for applications by spouses and partners. This new list is replacing all existing lists of English language test providers.

    Read more

    Photo credit: Free Digital Photos

    Writing email in all CAPS letters - Common Resume Mistakes' Series - Part 1

    An article appeared in about.com says “When you write in all capital letters, this looks (and maybe sounds) to many a recipient as if you were shouting.”



    It may be easy to type in capital letters, but as mentioned above it has a strong effect. Sometimes it is difficult to read and understand when we use all caps.



    Another problem is that most of the word processors and web browsers will not display spelling errors while we type in CAPS but will show up otherwise. (see below, spelling not correct for CORECTIONS). This would result in sending mails with spelling mistakes.



    Here is an email we received recently:

    RESPECTED SIR/MADAM



    IAM HEREBY ATTACHING MY RESUME FOR YOUR EVALUATION.KINDLY GO THROUGH AND ADVICE THE NECESSARY CORECTIONS


    In the above email, note that there are punctuation mistakes. No ‘,’ after the salutation. No space given between IAM. Then, no space before KINDLY and so on.





    Of course, these are minor things. But remember you are applying for a job. When the employer opens your email, the first thing they notice would be these mistakes rather than your highly qualified resume. There it matters.



    Hence, it is advisable to avoid all CAPS writing and remember to use appropriate punctuations.



    More articles in this series are coming up. Enjoy reading!



    Best wishes

    Team @ MyDailyCareerNews.com





    Photo credit: Free Digital Photos

    Never too late to build a second career

    At the time of recession in USA, Barbara Berman was laid off from a mortgage company and faced the prospect of building a new career from the ground up. She was 56.

    A few years earlier, she had taken a run at operating a part-time business as an organizer, helping homeowners to declutter and streamline their living spaces. But she wasn't able to give the enterprise the time it needed to grow and thrive, so she put her entrepreneurial aspirations on hold.

    Business owners over 45 make up the fastest-growing segment of entrepreneurs, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. Like Berman, some become entrepreneurs of necessity. Others are motivated by a passion for seeing their ideas in action.

    "This is your one and only life," says Dick Woodward, 59, who last year launched Vascular Magnetics, a bio-tech firm at the University City Science Center in Philadelphia.

    Barbara Berman became inerested to start her own business.

    Instead of developing a model through trial and error, Berman took advantage of a six-week small-business training program for workers who had lost their jobs paid for by the federal government.

    "I encourage anyone who wants to start a business to grab onto any kind of training you can get," she says.

    At 60, Berman wrestles with the question of whether to expand by hiring associates. Or should she simply maintain her busy calendar?

    The business is always in her thoughts. "My advice to other entrepreneurs is to be prepared to work long hours," she observes. "Stay positive -- and keep your mind open to every possibility."

    Read full article here

    Photo credit: Free Digital Photos

    UAE issues 'stapled visa' to PoK residents including its PM

    The United Arab Emirates has begun issuing "stapled visas" to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir residents, including its "Prime Minister" Sardar Attique Ahmed, a media report said today.

    The practice of issuing "stapled visas" is new and previously visas were stamped as usual on the passports, the Pakistan Observer newspaper reported today.

    PoK "Prime Minister" Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, who holds a Pakistani diplomatic passport, was issued a stapled visit visa by the UAE Embassy in Islamabad on Tuesday, the report said.

    China had sparked a diplomatic row with India last year by issuing stapled visas to residents of Jammu and Kashmir.

    What is meant by stapled visa?


    When the visas for a visiting country are issued on a separate paper rather than on the passport it is called stapled visa. Often, the immigration officers won't stamp your passport if you are carrying a stapled visa.

    Photo credit: Free Digital Photos

    Writing your Curriculum Vitae for a placement

    Wikipedia says: A résumé..... also called curriculum vitae or CV, is a document that contains a summary or listing of relevant job experience and education.

    But many argue that Resume and CV are different. For academic or research positions, employers frequently want a curriculum vitae (otherwise known as a vita or CV) instead of a resume.

    A Curriculum Vitae is a document generally used instead of a resume for an academic audience. Therefore, it is a summary of education and experience qualifications as related to the interests of academia. Ph.D. candidates generally have a two to four page document, due to their limited experience. It develops over time into a comprehensive and lengthy statement detailing professional qualifications and activities. You can easily create a one- or two-page, tightly drawn version and a complete version to use for different purposes.

    There are other audiences that will seek a CV (adapted for that audience and purpose) instead of a resume. For instance, a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry seeking a position as a research scientist in a pharmaceutical company would typically use a vita. A Ph.D. in Economics seeking a position at the Commerce Department would also use a vita. If you are uncertain whether to use a CV, ask yourself "Am I sending this document to other Ph.D.s? Is my Ph.D. required for this position? Is my scholarship relevant for this position?" If the answers to those questions are yes, you are probably going to use a CV, which provides more detail about your academic background than a resume.

    Writing your Curriculum Vitae

    A Curriculum Vitae (CV) is a summary of your educational and academic background. Its purpose is to outline your credentials for an academic position, fellowship, or grant. Its length can range from 2-4 pages. Please keep in mind each field has a different standard. Ask the faculty in your department for feedback on your CV.

    In applying for an academic position, an applicant is asked to submit a CV along with a Dissertation Abstract, a Statement of Research Interests, and a Statement of Teaching Interests. It is important to present a clear and well-organized application. Your goal is to make the search committee want to interview you.

    What to include on your CV:

    Primary materials

    o Applicant Information
    o Education
    o Dissertation Title and Advisor
    o Awards/Honors/Patents
    o Grants/Fellowships
    o Research Experience
    o Teaching Experience
    o Publications and Presentations
    o Related Professional Experience
    o Languages
    o Other- Memberships, Associations, Conferences
    o References

    Supplementary Materials

    o Cover Letter
    o Dissertation Abstract
    o Statement of Research and Scholarly Interests
    o Statement of Teaching Interests
    o Course lists

    Primary Materials

    Applicant Information

    Your name should appear on the top of each page. On the first page include your name, address, phone number, fax number, and email address. Page numbers should appear on all pages except for the first. When including your email address consider this communication with an employer to be professional. It is advised to avoid "nick names" or "cute" automatic responses. This also applies for phone messages.

    Education

    In reverse chronological order list all of your degrees from college on, with the name of the institution and date they were awarded. List the date you expect to receive the degree for the program you are currently in. It is standard to list the name of your advisor and your thesis title.

    From this point on you have more latitude in shaping the organization of your CV. You should be guided by your strengths, requirements for the job, and conventions of your discipline.

    Honors and Awards (Grants, Fellowships and Patents, etc.)

    Place Honors/Awards near the top of the CV (unless you have few, then put later or omit). This is a good place to list research-related and dissertation-supported grants, fellowships, awards and patents. Scientists may create a separate section for "Research Grants", which would probably come later in the CV.

    Research Experience

    Scientists will briefly describe their postdoctoral, doctoral, and possibly undergraduate research. You should include both substance and techniques employed if relevant. List names of the institution, professor, project, and dates. Along with descriptions note any contribution you made (Some scientists append a "Statement of Research Interests")

    Teaching Experience

    Where you place this section depends on the target institution (i.e. small teaching college) as well as your strengths as a candidate. The basic information should include: Where, What, When you have taught and your titles i.e. teaching fellow or lecturer.

    Publications and Presentations

    Where you place this section depends on the strength of your publication record. If substantial, it may come first. If too lengthy or short it can come at the end of the CV or have an additional page. Some candidates will subdivide this category into:

    o Publications (if have you enough, you can separate this into Books, Abstracts, Reviews, other publications, etc...). Use standard bibliographic form for publications.

    o Papers and Presentations. Include dates/locations with titles of your presentations.

    Avoid listing published abstracts in with papers. List Abstracts as a separate section. Otherwise, it gives the impression of "padding."

    Related Professional Experience

    Use this category for any experience that is related to teaching, research, and administration, i.e. conference organizing, tutoring, and committee work.

    Languages

    Accurately assess your knowledge level of a language: native, fluent, proficient or working knowledge.

    Optional Sections

    o Memberships of Professional Organizations
    o Scholarly Associations
    o Travel or Study Abroad

    References

    Most academics tend to operate within small informal networks, the names of references will convey significant information to most readers. Most applicants will list their references at the end of their CV. Include:

    Full name
    Title
    Institutional address
    Telephone address/email/fax

    Three references are expected, but you may add more if their evaluations would add significant information

    ** make sure your references know they are listed and have a copy of your CV**

    Supplementary Materials

    In addition to the CV, most academic job applications will contain the following:

    Cover Letter

    A cover letter should be concise and to the point. Certainly no longer than one page. Simply state why you are applying, why you are interested in the position/school, and your relevant background. Let them know you are appending a CV, a statement of research and teaching interests, etc. DO NOT discuss these in the cover letter. Direct them to where they can find the information. Do not bury the information in a three page letter and make them look for it, as they won't. Use your department's letter head and your professional address. Do not use plain paper and your home address-- that's a big red flag (at least in Biology).

    Dissertation Abstract

    A dissertation abstract is a clear and concise summary of your work, placing it within its scholarly context and noting its contribution to the field. The summary should be comprehensible to people outside your field, but scholarly enough to interest those familiar with your area of expertise (HAVE FACULTY IN AND OUT OF YOUR AREA READ THIS). The summary is typically 1-2 pages appended at the end of your CV and clipped or stapled together with previous pages.

    Statement of Research and Scholarly Interests

    Scientists are customarily asked to submit a "Statement of Research". This is meant to be a 2-4 page statement of past, current, and future research interests. You should describe your past and present research methodology, lab skills, and results. For the future section, tell the reader what you hope to do for the next 3- 5 years and how you might involve students (undergraduates, graduates, and post-docs) in the work. Normally, this work will follow on the momentum of your own postdoctoral studies, but if it does not (this would be rare) be sure to explain why.

    Teaching Interests

    A "Statement of Teaching Interests" is typically required as part of the application process for an Assistant Professor position. Tell the reader what you feel competent to teach. If you are applying for a job where teaching biochemistry is one of the requirements as stated in the job ad, then you better be sure you tell them you want to teach biochemistry. This may sound trite, but you would be amazed at the number of people who fail to follow this seemingly self-evident step.

    Course Lists/Transcript

    Occasionally applicants are asked to submit a list of their graduate courses or a transcript.

    Making the Right Moves: A Practical Guide to Scientific Management for Postdocs and New Faculty


    Based on courses held in 2002 and 2005 by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund and HHMI, this book is a collection of practical advice and experiences from seasoned biomedical investigators. The second edition contains three new chapters on laboratory leadership, project management, and teaching and course design.
    © 2006 by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund.

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    To request a free hard copy of Making the Right Moves, contact labmgmt@hhmi.org. When ordering, please supply your mailing address and telephone number and indicate how the book will be used.


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    "Starting a Research Group
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    Still Relevant?"

    2002 course keynote by HHMI President and Nobel laureate Thomas R. Cech. Advice on obtaining a faculty position and achieving tenure, leading a research team, mentoring students, balancing research and teaching, and more.


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