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As a resource to all current and prospective students, Allied Schools, Inc. has developed this blog to provide relevant information to students, job-seekers and professionals alike. Use this blog as your "career guide," turning to Allied Schools for industry updates, career trends, and job search advice. We thank you for visiting!

If you want to advance in your current company or get a new job all together, you can give yourself an advantage by knowing your industry. What are the latest trends? What is the current news in your field? By being informed, you will have the ability to knowledgeably speak about your industry and know what to expect from your career.

A survey conducted on behalf of The New York Times Job Market found that the majority of employers agree that keeping up-to-date in your field is important for conducting a successful job search. Give yourself the knowledge to build a long-term and rewarding career.

Industry trade magazines – These are perfect sources of information! You can learn a lot about your industry by subscribing to trade magazines. Stay on top of current news and trends, and gain access to different employment opportunities. Find out what topics are being covered and what is relevant in your industry today.

Networking – The ideal way to find out about an industry is to talk to people involved in that industry. Find out about specific jobs and what issues are currently affecting those jobs. For example, if you want to enter the real estate market, ask a real estate agent or broker how current interest rates are affecting sales. It is an invaluable way to get the information you need.

Informational interviews – You can find out the “ins and outs” of an industry by talking to industry experts. Set up an informational interview with someone actually working in an industry. It is the perfect opportunity to speak one-on-one with an individual and ask pointed questions about what it is like being employed in that industry.

Online resources – There are unlimited resources at your fingertips! Use the Internet to research a specific industry. Do you want to know about job growth? Do you want to determine salaries in specific geographic locations? You can find all of that and more through the use of your computer. You can also subscribe to online newsletters and e-mail updates. Find out what topics are relevant right now in your industry.

You can give yourself a professional edge by being well informed. By becoming an expert in your industry, you will exude confidence and show that you are dedicated and care about your chosen profession. This might give you the advantage you need to get that promotion or wonderful job offer.

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It is important to update your resume on a regular basis. By keeping it current, you will be ready to send your resume to a prospective employer on a moment's notice. You will also have the assurance that your resume reflects your current accomplishments.

Even if you are not planning to look for a new job, you should take the effort to keep your resume up to date. Think of your resume as a work in progress. As your job evolves, your resume should also change to reflect new experience.

Follow these steps to keep your resume fresh and up to date:

  1. Take notes – You should always keep a detailed list of specific duties that you perform and projects that you complete at your job. This will ensure that you know exactly what to include on your resume. Don't overlook critical achievements and contributions! It might be difficult to remember what you did a few months ago. A list will help guide you when you update your resume.
  2. Evaluate your resume – Take a long, hard look at your resume. Is there something that is not relevant? Do you need to provide additional details about a project? Has your objective changed? A resume that you wrote right out of college might not fit your needs when you are a professional with ten years of experience.
  3. Update or rewrite – After you've evaluated your resume, decide whether it requires a simple update or complete rewrite. Your resume might be too long or have outdated information. Decide the direction your resume should take. If you are simply updating your resume, make the necessary changes. If you need to rewrite it, devise a plan and include only the most relevant information. Create a resume that will generate results.

You never know when you will need an up-to-date resume. There might be a layoff, you might decide that you want a change, or an amazing job opportunity might come your way. You should always have your resume ready. You will have the confidence that your resume highlights all of your important accomplishments and accurately represents your work history.

Remember that resumes should be one-of-a-kind. There are no cookie cutter formats. Make it your own and create a winning resume!

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At one time, people stayed with the same company for most of their career, working their way up the corporate ladder. Today, it is commonplace for workers to look for a new job in a more frequent manner.

Whether you want to make more money, want a job with more responsibility or even recently lost your job, you will find yourself in the job market sooner or later. You will go through the interview process, forward your references and keep your fingers crossed. Once you get the job offer, should you take it? Here are some things to ponder before you accept a new position:

  1. Make sure you have a solid job offer – Before you do anything, you need to be certain that you've been offered the job. Don't start planning until you reach this point.
  2. Compare the offer you have with your current company – Sit down and evaluate the offer. Are you making more money? If not, is there more responsibility or better work conditions? Is it a better choice for your long-term career?
  3. Make sure it's a good fit – Consider if you will fit in as an employee. Does the company share your work ethic? Do you agree with company policies?
  4. Find out if there is room for advancement – You don't want to be back in the job market within a few months. Make sure that there is room to grow as an employee.
  5. Research the company – Determine the company's plans for the future. Is it a solid company with a good financial future? Is the company looking to expand?

Just because you get a job offer doesn't always mean that it's the perfect fit. Do your homework and make sure that the new position is exactly what you want. The right job is waiting for you – just remember to think before you jump.

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Make yourself stand out from the crowd. Additional education can give you a competitive edge when it comes to getting your dream job. Extra classes and career training can sharpen your skills and make you the first choice when it comes to getting hired.

Maybe you took some classes a few years ago or enrolled in a career training course after high school. Chances are you can use some new skills to give your resume a boost. If you didn't get the promotion you were expecting or weren't offered the job that seemed to be a perfect fit, you might be ready for additional job training.

  1. Add relevant skills to your current job – You might be able to enhance your current position by adding skills that enable you to perform more tasks. By taking on additional duties, you can grow your job potential and solidify your position within your company.
  2. Prepare yourself for a promotion – You can give yourself skills that will help you advance to another position in your current company. For example, if you want to become a manager, you can show your initiative by enrolling in a management course that will give you the skills you need to be an effective leader.
  3. Try an entirely new career – If you have lost enthusiasm for your job, you can try adding some career skills that will enable you to go into a new field. By enrolling in a course or career training program, you can get the tools you need to succeed in something new.
A class or two might be all you need to make yourself more relevant in today's job market. Round out your education with an accounting class or take a computer class to sharpen your skills. Additional job skills can also prepare you to enter an entirely new profession. Whatever you decide, a little effort can pay off big when it comes to your career.

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