While the country bemoans the current economic crisis, those with accounting experience need not be alarmed. Inflation may rise, the housing market may flounder, and stocks may continue to fall, but accounting professionals can count on one thing: job security.According to Robert Half International, the largest specialized financial recruitment service, the hiring of accounting professionals is intended to increase in the last quarter of 2008. Max Messmer, chairman and CEO, says, “Businesses need a strong financial function to see them through all economic cycles. This has created ongoing demand for accounting and finance staff with specialized abilities and expertise. In particular, firms seek staff and senior accountants, financial analysts, and internal auditors.”The article goes on to state that most hiring will occur in the small business sector-those organizations with just 20 to 49 employees. Thus, candidates with expertise in small-business accounting would fare best in the current job market.
Expertise in Small Business Accounting
Most universities and training programs prepare graduates for work in Fortune 500 companies. This means that the majority of accountants are unfamiliar with the day-to-day accounting tasks required by small businesses. This is an unfortunate situation considering that 50% of small businesses fail within the first five years, and much of that failure is attributed to poor financial management. These businesses need an expert, a specialist trained to cater to their unique needs.Over 25 years ago, Alf Bostrom recognized the lack of training available for accountants working with the small business sector; as a result, he established Universal Accounting Center. UAC’s flagship course, the Professional Bookkeeper (PB) Program, is designed to prepare accounting professionals for the unique demands of small businesses. Not only is this course taught by seasoned professionals, but it is based upon years of experience preparing bookkeeping professionals for this valuable niche market.The course consists of the following four modules:
Module 1-Accounting Made Easy. You will master the tools, procedures, and underlying principles that make up the bookkeeping processes of all businesses. You will also understand the core building blocks of accounting and bookkeeping.
Module 2-Practical Small Business Applications. You will apply your understanding of the core accounting principles to specific industries. You will learn to set up books from scratch, do payroll like a seasoned pro, and much more.
Module 3-Advancing your “Account-Ability.” You will learn sure ways to set up complete bookkeeping systems and manage the books for a variety of more sophisticated industries.
Module 4-Building a Successful Accounting Service. You will learn the steps to finding paying clients. Upon completion of this module you will be able to start and grow an accounting practice following a proven program tested and perfected since 1979.
Whether you’re interested in earning a promotion at work or if you would like to start your own bookkeeping service, this course will see that you accomplish your career goals. And if you pass the final PB exam with a score of 90% or greater, you’ll earn the Professional Bookkeeper designation. Earning professional certification will enable you to best take advantage of these hiring increases. It will give you both the expertise and confidence necessary to secure your next accounting position.This is an amazing window of opportunity. Don’t allow it to close on you! Take advantage of current market trends and enroll in the Professional Bookkeeper Program today!References“More Accounting Jobs Expected in Q4.” 4 Sept. 2008 SmartPros
8 Tips on Wowing Prospective Employers
Whether you’ve been raising a family, earning a degree, or laid off from a previous job, planning a career comeback can be daunting. You may worry that your time away has hindered your chances for finding solid employment. It doesn’t have to! As you prepare to get your career on track, consider these 8 tips on wowing prospective employers.
1. Determine what you want
Don’t plow forward until you have decided the direction you want your career to go. When you haphazardly push your career forward, you wind up with a haphazard career. While the responsibility of earning a living may loom large, it doesn’t have to prevent you from getting on a desirable career path. Sit back and determine where you’d most like to be in your career before you start the job hunt.
2. Take a self-assessment
Once you decide the direction you would like your career to take, assess your current skill level to determine whether or not you are qualified to apply for the jobs you want. If you are trying to rebound following job loss, ask yourself what role you played in your termination and how you might change in order to get and keep the job of your dreams.
3. Develop new skills
Some people are concerned that this step will take too much time from their efforts in finding a new job. While you may have to find a transitional job to pay the bills while you receive necessary training, you don’t have to spend years earning professional certification. In some cases, one or two college classes will be enough to revamp your skills, while in other cases a reputable bookkeeping program may be what you need.
4. Revamp your resume
Once you know where you are going and are confident that you possess the skills necessary, it’s time to revamp your resume. Highlight your strengths while considering the employers who will review it. What are they most interested in, and have you made it easy for them to find it on your resume?
5. Build your network
The best way to find work opportunities is through networking. If you’ve been out of the loop for awhile, chances are you will need to rebuild your network. Consider family, friends, businesses you frequent, and other contacts who could expose you to potential jobs. Spread the word, and you’ll soon discover just how valuable a professional network can be.
6. Develop a positive explanation
Employers are going to wonder why you have been off the market for awhile. Practice an explanation that positively explains the career interruption. Avoid sounding derogatory or apologetic.
7. Consider temp work
Temp work puts you in a prime position with some companies; you become familiar with their policies, procedures, and work environment which can give you the advantage when a full-time position becomes available. This also provides you with the opportunity to determine whether or not this is even a company you would like to work for long-term. Sometimes it exposes you to your dream employer, providing you with just the focus you need in your job search.
8. Be flexible
Sometimes we become too narrow-minded when looking for a job. Is it absolutely necessary for you to find full-time employment? Would your career benefit more from a part-time position? Or, perhaps, you could consider freelance work for awhile? Approaching your career with an open mind may enable you to discover possibilities you wouldn’t have seen otherwise.
As you prepare for your career comeback focus on your skills and strengths in order to build your confidence. The more you prepare for the job hunt, the better equipped you will be to secure the job of your choice.Universal Accounting Center (UAC) tries to help professionals like you by offering quality training programs and other resources designed to help you network with others and learn more about the accounting and tax industry. To see our free resources, visit UAC today.
Advance Your Career This Season
The holidays are still two months away. That’s plenty of time to change the course of your future. Are you interested?
Perhaps you dream of earning a promotion or securing a more desirable position with another employer. Maybe you’d just like to make extra money on the side. Or perhaps you’d like to eventually start your own accounting practice. Whichever most interests you, we have the course that will help you accomplish your ambitions, and it’s called the Professional Bookkeeper (PB) Program.
One Course, Several Possibilities
The PB Program is designed to train students in small-business accounting. While others spend years in various training programs, this distance-learning course enables you to earn professional certification in 60 hours or less. Not only that, but those other training programs prepare students to work with big businesses which comprise less than 20% of accounting opportunities. It is the small business that needs your attention and will provide you with a roster full of clients. That or your new-found skills will enable you to earn a promotion or secure that job managing a small business’s books.
Whether you’ve spent years in the accounting industry or have yet to learn the difference between a debit and a credit, the Professional Bookkeeper Program will help catapult your professional life in a new and prosperous direction. Here are just a few things this program enables you to do:
- Master accounting for retail and wholesale businesses
- Determine and establish the accounting method that best fits any given business
- Set up an efficient system for a “ma & pa” manufacturing company
- Track job costs simply and efficiently for a construction company
- Effectively handle flooring for an inventory-financed business
- Confidently consult with business owners on key business issues
- Enter data quickly and accurately
- Prepare payroll like a seasoned pro
- Avoid costly IRS penalties
- Spot and avoid dangerous trends before they become tragedies
- Save a company thousands of dollars in auditing costs
- Start your own bookkeeping and accounting business, using a step-by-step approach
- Acquire clients quickly and cost-effectively
Imagine enhancing your resume with all the above-listed skills. Or perhaps, consider how they might it look in a brochure for your new accounting practice. We’re confident that you recognize the value in acquiring this valuable expertise.
With over 25 year experience training professionals in small-business accounting, Universal Accounting Center understands your needs and your prospective clients and/or employer’s needs. That’s what makes this training program so valuable. And in addition to learning small-business accounting, you will also learn how to market your new-found skills, securing the clients necessary to sustain your new business venture!
Additional Services and Skills
The more complementary services you can master, the better, for your professional future or the longevity of your new business venture. More than 80% of small business use QuickBooks software to manage their books. Mastering QuickBooks will make you a QuickBooks authority, enabling you to offer QuickBooks seminars and attract more potential clients by demonstrating how they can use this product effectively. The Professional Bookkeeper’s Guide (PBG) to QuickBooks is designed to help you accomplish that.
Not only will the PBG enable you to manage your own books more efficiently, but it can increase your bottom line as you add QuickBooks consultation, help and setup services to your menu. With hands-on training you can earn a second professional designation as a QuickBooks Specialist that will give you the creditability you need to either advance your career or convince prospective clients that you are an outstanding bookkeeper!
After successfully completing this program you will be able to do the following:
- Enter, set up, and analyze books
- Choose or create a chart of accounts designed specifically for your business
- Write checks, collect payments, and make deposits
- Track progress invoicing, bank draws and retainage to control your cash flow
- Maintain, calculate and report payroll, including W2′s, 941′s and 940′s. Also create and track 1099′s for subcontractors
- Track, collect, and pay city, county and state taxes
- Track how much you or your clients are making or losing on each customer and/or job by assigning and tracking costs on specific jobs
- Create budgets for jobs, customers, departments, or for your whole company and/or your clients’ companies
- Create graphs that give you and your clients a whole new perspective on a company’s finances
- Produce statements and use data to help clients make informed business decisions
With two simple courses you could be well on your way to a more lucrative career and/or a profitable accounting practice. And in less time than your peers might spend in a training program you could be enjoying the profitability of your newfound skills and expertise.
Don’t wait to change the course of your future. Fall forward into a bright and lucrative future as an accounting professional. Enroll in the PB and PBG programs today!
Visualization is a technique used by athletes, politicians, CEO’s, and bank tellers alike to achieve greater success in their lives. In fact, you currently practice visualization yourself, although you may not be aware that you’re actually doing it.When you imagine yourself sitting in that corner office with your name on the door, you’re visualizing greater success. And when you imagine yourself getting fired for a series of mistakes, you’re visualizing failure. So as long as you’re visualizing, you might as well do it right.The brain can’t tell the difference between reality and your imagination. If you imagine yourself earning a promotion or getting a stellar job, you’ve tricked the brain into believing you’ve done that already, paving the way for reality. And the more you visualize it, the more the subconscious begins thinking and doing those things that will prepare you to actually accomplish what you’re visualizing.The truth is we’ve spent years convincing our brains of one thing or another. If you’re a highly optimistic, successful person, chances are you think many positive thoughts. On the other hand, if you’re a pessimistic, downtrodden person, chances are you think negative ones. The great thing about visualization, however, is that by changing your thoughts you can begin to change your experiences, immediately.
Visualization
Visualization can be a fabulous tool for enhancing your career. But it first requires you to determine what, specifically, you want. Is it a promotion? A bigger and better job? Your own accounting practice? Once you decide what you desire you can begin visualizing your way to success.The important thing about visualization is that you produce a clear picture in your mind of you achieving your goals. What does it look like? What does it feel like? What are you saying and thinking throughout? The more clarity you bring to your “visions” the more real they appear to your brain which can begin helping you manifest that vision into a reality.And while visualizing what you desire one time is a good start, it’s not enough to bring that vision to life. Remember, you’ve probably been processing negative, self-defeating thoughts for a long time. It will take daily and focused visualization in order to combat those thoughts and develop new and improved habits of the mind.Schedule 20 to 30 minutes a day when you can relax and visualize your desires. Select a quiet and undisturbed location so you won’t be interrupted or distracted. And while it may feel silly at first, concentrate and imagine your desires becoming part of your life, filling in all the details to make your vision as specific as possible. Each day add to these details and try to conjure those feelings you would have realizing your dreams.
Affirmations
In addition to visualizations, practice positive affirmations. Affirmations also help bring more positive things into your life as you convince your brain that you are indeed a competent and successful person. These affirmations should be in present tense and only accentuate the positive. For example, if you want to lose weight, rather than say, “I am losing weight,” you should say, “I am healthy and slender.” The first statement focuses on the weight that you’re trying so hard to lose while the second only focuses on the end result you’re trying to achieve.Make a list of affirmations you could repeat throughout your day. It’s not a bad idea to carry them around with you until you have memorized them and they become part of the audio track that entertains your brain. You’ll find that after a few days of repeating these affirmations you’re feeling more positive and confident.
Change Your Path Today!
Every day you can take steps that will bring you closer to the realization of your dream. Take one step today!If you wish to enhance your skills or prepare yourself for self-employment as a contract accountant, you should consider UAC’s Professional Bookkeeper Program. Designed to train individuals in small business accounting, this course will enable you to boost your employability, your chances for promotion, all while preparing you to start your own bookkeeping service, if that’s what you desire.
Begin visualizing today. Order our DVD “Introduction to the Professional Bookkeeper Program” now and see just how much this course can enhance your career. Or watch it online and begin changing the course of your professional future.
Is there a company you would like to work for, however, every time you check they have no openings? Don’t let that discourage you. You can still court a prospective employer even when they haven’t hung a “help wanted” sign in their window. The following 5 tips will help.
1. Make connections
Career-minded individuals should always be networking. This can help you court a potential employer as well. Do you know anyone who works for the organization? If so, see if he/she might be able to introduce you to someone in the human resource or accounting department. If not, take measures to meet employees on your own. Sometimes businesses sponsor or frequent community events and participate in job fairs. The more you learn about an organization the more opportunities to interact with employees you will discover.
2. Write a letter of introduction
A letter of introduction is similar to the cover letter that accompanies a resume. However, a letter of introduction does not discuss a specific job opening but rather it’s an opportunity for you to introduce yourself to an organization and express interest in contributing to their success. As with a cover letter, you should briefly share your professional background and explain why you are a good fit for their business. And while the letter’s tone should be confident, it should not be pushy or overbearing.
3. Consider temp work
Often the best way into an organization is through temp work. This provides the perfect opportunity to wow an employer and is a chance for you to test drive the organization to see if it measures up to your expectations. You may find that upon closer examination it’s not quite what you had hoped. On the hand, you may determine that it’s just the place you want to rest your briefcase, long-term.
4. Ask that your resume be placed on file
You’ve sent your letter of introduction and some time has passed. Go in and ask human resources to place your resume on file. Chances are your letter of introduction was cause to create a file for you. Your resume will draw attention to that file and evidence your genuine interest in this organization. It’s good to present your resume in person; take advantage of every opportunity to become more familiar with the staff. And always be cordial and courteous. These individuals will likely be asked what they thought of you-you want those impressions to be favorable.
5. Follow up
It’s important that you not be pesky. Follow-up frequently enough to remind the organization of your existence, but not enough to irritate or annoy. You may choose to call or email in order to keep your correspondence subtle and unobtrusive.
Regardless of whether or not a company has posted the right job for you, there are things you can do to court an employer and make yourself a prime candidate as soon as a position does open. It may require patience and determination; but it can be done.
Often the best advice you can receive regarding job hunting is from peers who are experiencing the same struggles and achievements you are. For this purpose, Universal Accounting Center has created an accounting and tax forum where you can interact and network with peers both near and far. Join the forum today. They’re free and provide you with the perfect opportunity to widen your network.
July 24th, 2008 in
Finding a Job |
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When searching for a job it’s important to have everything you need to succeed, like a toolkit with all those items prepared that will enable you to secure the perfect position. That way, you’re never taken off-guard and required to throw something together for a potential employee. And everything from your resume to your email address communicates a level of professionalism and dedication. So you can’t wait until the opportunity presents itself to get your toolkit together. Now is the time to gather your job search gear.
1. Resume
It’s important that you update your resume periodically. If you wait too long, you will forget significant achievements and responsibilities that will appeal to potential employers. And while you should revise your resume to cater to the position for which you are applying, it helps to have current information to work with.
2. Application-at-the-ready
While filling out a job application isn’t rocket science, it does take a certain amount of time, energy, and recall ability to complete successfully. Depending on the application, this may require you to sort through old documents listing previous addresses, employers and their corresponding contact information, as well as starting and ending salaries. Save yourself some time by making copies of old applications to keep on file. That way completing an application becomes a matter of copying information from one form to another.
3. Cover letter template
Most jobs require you to submit an application package which requires a thoughtful cover letter stating your intentions. While each cover letter you write should be unique to the job for which you are applying, having a standard template will help you compose the letter more quickly.
4. Elevator speech
An elevator speech is like a quick infomercial about you and your abilities that can be delivered in the time it takes an elevator to carry its occupants to their floor. An elevator speech is something you hone and practice so that at opportune moments you can network effectively, explaining what you do and why you do it so well that everyone deserves to hear about it.
5. Portfolio
Most professionals can demonstrate their expertise with samples of their work or specialized certification. All these things should be collected in one place for easy access. Then you have a portfolio prepared should a potential employer ask to see it.
6. Professional email address
While you may think smartdude28@email.com is a great email address, it doesn’t say much for your professionalism. When selecting an email address for the purpose of a job search it’s important the you choose one that will project a positive, professional image.
7. Power suit
When interacting with significant contacts and potential employers it’s important that you dress the part. You should have at least one power outfit to wear for interviews and networking occasions.
Add Universal’s DVD 4-Pack to Your ToolkitIncluded in your toolkit should be strategies to increase your skills and expertise. Universal’s DVD 4-Pack is designed to introduce you to all the valuable programs we offer, each and every one of them intended to enhance your accounting career. This power pack includes:
Introduction to the Professional Bookkeeper Program
Learn how becoming a Professional Bookkeeper will improve your accounting skills, enabling you to expand your business and become a full-service financial provider.
Introduction to the Professional Tax Preparer Program
Learn how becoming a Professional Tax Preparer will improve your tax skills and help you earn a professional designation that will evidence your expertise.
Start Today and Have Your Own Bookkeeping Service
Learn how to make over $80,000 per year working from home while getting more clients than you can handle. Know how to charge your client so you can afford to take that next vacation while they get such a great deal they will be telling all their friends about you.
The Art and Science of Getting Clients
Learn how to get more clients by using our proven methods.
Not only will these programs enable you to bolster your resume and enhance your career, but if you’ve ever considered starting your own accounting and tax practice, these DVD’s will help you get started. Order now and complete your job search toolkit!
6 Tips in Taking Charge of Your Professional Future
How many individuals lose sight of their career goals because they became “stuck” in a position they don’t enjoy, working for an employer they don’t like. Many take jobs they view as a transitional position, a placeholder that will pay the bills while they get their real career on track. Some anticipate working up the ladder to greater success, responsibility, and fulfillment. Others expect to gain education or skills that will help them find a better job elsewhere. While others still aren’t exactly sure where they’d like to end up ultimately and take positions that will buy them some time while they sort things out.Unfortunately, too many individuals find that these transitional positions become their permanent positions, and the thought of finding something new becomes overwhelming and tiresome. Don’t let that happen to you. As stuck as you may feel, you can always devise a strategy that will enable you to get where you would really like to be. Here are 6 tips that may help:
1. Fulfill your position
Regardless of how much you may dislike your current job, the truth is it may determine whether or not you get a better one. Nothing looks worse than getting fired, but the runner up gets a poor review from a former employer. If you apply for other jobs you want your current supervisor to have nothing but good things to say about you. With this said, it might be a good idea to approach your employer and ask if you’re fulfilling the position as intended. Once you discover what your employer expects, you can prepare to receive glowing reviews by meeting those expectations.
2. Learn as much as possible
You may not realize it, but your current position is a training ground for the next one. Learning as much as possible from this job will only help you become a better applicant. So look at your current challenges and determine how you can grow from them. If you’re experiencing problems with your coworkers, how might you approach that challenge so that you grow and become a better employee for your next job? If you’re struggling with the workload, what can you do in order to better manage that workload so you can proudly share what you’ve learned from the experience in a future job interview?
3. Identify your “dream job”
In Lewis Carroll’s classic tale Through the Looking Glass, the Cheshire Cat informs Alice, “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there.” The same applies to your career. If you’re uncertain where you want to go, you can pick any path. There’s just no guarantee that you’ll like the final destination. That’s why it’s important that you decide exactly what it is you would like to do. That will enable you to take the path that get you there.
4. Advance your skills and knowledge
Just because you want to do something, doesn’t mean you’re qualified to do it. Once you have identified your “dream job,” take action to become the most qualified person available. If that means furthering your education, attending conferences and workshops, or earning certification, the best time to do those things is now.
5. Build your network
The best opportunities will most likely present themselves through your professional network. The larger your network, the greater the possibilities. And building a network will take time and attention; join professional organizations, attend community events, and frequent other businesses.
6. Research the possibilities
As you work to advance your career you must always research your options in order to discover new and exciting opportunities. When you become too absorbed in your “transitional” job, your career will quickly stall.
It’s important for every career-minded professional to know what their options are and how they might achieve true success. If you’ve been wondering what steps you might take to reach your goals, visit Universal Accounting Center and take our tour to see how we can help. From gaining professional certification to providing valuable training, Universal Accounting Center is interested in helping you succeed. Visit UAC today!
Given Job Flexibility, Working Moms Deliver
By Carol Kleiman — Chicago Tribune
Donald Murray states firmly that “working mothers are among the most effective workers.”And when Murray talks, people listen. He’s the highly successful chairman and chief executive officer of Resources Global Professionals Inc., a professional services firm based in Costa Mesa, Calif.Murray founded the firm in 1996 and took it public in 2000. Annual revenues are approaching $500 million and today the company has 65 offices worldwide and some 3,000 employees. Fifty percent of its associates who work with clients are women.What’s more, four out of five of the company’s regional directors are women with children.”Working mothers are our competitive edge,” said Murray, who has a bachelor’s of science degree in business administration and accounting and a master’s degree in business taxation.”Working mothers, in my opinion, provide much higher results with flexible hours than average guys do who could be there 60 hours a week.”The CEO says he has observed “that no one can juggle things or multitask like a professional woman with children. But many employers don’t acknowledge that.”It was in 1976, when Murray was hired by a large accounting firm, that he saw the potential – and problems – faced by working mothers.”Half of the people hired at the same time as I was were women,” he said. “But by the time I became partner, none of the women were still there. You know when that happens that something needs to be fixed.”In the early 1990s, when he became manager of 200 people at the firm, Murray observed that there were real barriers erected to the success and advancement of employed mothers.”I saw that the company focus was on how many hours the women worked, on their input — and not on what they actually accomplished,” he said. And that is why, in his company, Murray added, “we don’t monitor hours, we monitor results.”The CEO further shows his support for women in his role as a volunteer for Human Options, an organization that assists women who are victims of domestic violence. Since 1997, Murray has offered an internship program to provide training to women recommended by the agency.It’s Murray’s belief that working mothers need flexibility to realize their potential: With it, nothing can stop them.”Our company speaks for itself,” said Murray, who says he looks for quality when hiring — and often finds it among working mothers. “Our biggest region, the Northeast, is run by a woman with three children; the Midwest, by a woman with two children, and the West Coast, a woman with three children.”Murray says he tries to attract outstanding people, regardless of gender. “And a lot of outstanding people with children happen to be professional women with children who have felt that they were not given an equal opportunity to be successful because of their family responsibilities.”And they run the place,” he said.Moe Grzelakowski is a successful businesswoman, mother of two and author of “Mother Leads Best: 50 Women Who Are Changing the Way Organizations Define Leadership” (Dearborn Trade, $22). In her book, Grzelakowski asserts that “motherhood has a positive impact on women’s ability to lead.”And here’s why; “Motherhood has helped women executives change from good leaders into great ones,” the author says.”Children transform ultrahigh-achieving women, leavening their highly focused, intensely driven, tough-minded traits with character and compassion. . . . (They) become softer, yet stronger; more confident, yet more humble; more directed, yet more tolerant. All in all, children not only give them a greater capacity to lead, but they stimulate a greater capacity to love.”Leadership, coupled with love, is very powerful.”
Is Your Career In a Rut? How to Get Moving Again
Without constant forward motion, careers stagnate. We find it easy to do what we have always done, and get what we have always gotten. So how does one break out of the rut that they have found their career in?When your employer sees you, is their vision limited by what they have seen you do in the past? You need something to get noticed. It is an established fact that if an employer cannot picture you in a role, they will not put you there either. If you work in Accounting, Bookkeeping, or a related field, the best way to get noticed is with additional training. And the best way to get accelerated training is with the Professional Bookkeeper program. In just 60 hours of video-based teaching that you learn at your pace, you will learn the full Accounting process that will make your boss notice you and picture yourself in internal promotional opportunities as they arise.Maybe even more important is that upon successfully completing the Professional Bookkeeper course, you will be able to add the PB designation to the end of your name. Bearing the PB designation states boldly to potential employers that you have what it takes to do the entire Accounting process from clerk to Full Charge Accountant with emphasis on small to mid-sized business accounting. The PB designation proves that you have the hands-on skills to work in a variety of Accounting tasks and can be called upon to perform a broad range of Accounting and Bookkeeping responsibilities. With the PB designation, you show that you know!Learn How to Accelerate Your Career With the Professional Bookkeeper Program
June 9th, 2008 in
Finding a Job |
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Moving Forward After Losing a Job
That which does not kill me makes me stronger. – NietzscheSmooth seas do not make skillful sailors. – African ProverbYou may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you. – Walt Disney
Whether you get fired, laid off or are forced to resign, losing a job is difficult. It can cause an enormous amount of stress and a considerable financial burden if you don’t move through it quickly. But is it really possible to turn your stumbling blocks into stepping stones? Can a kick in the teeth really, as Walt Disney once said, “be the best thing in the world for you?” While it may not seem so initially, you can turn this obstacle into an opportunity and make your life better because of it. Here are some things you should consider if you find yourself in this trying situation.
Take care of the basicsFirst of all, find out what your options are. Depending on the circumstance you do have rights and can and should take advantage of unemployment benefits. Contact the HR department and see what their policy is regarding severance pay, accrued vacation, sick leave, pension, benefits, and unemployment insurance. Also remember that in some cases the employer is responsible for giving you resources through which you can find new employment; often this includes access to a computer, printer, fax machine, and long distance phone services.Achieve a positive outlookThis might be the most difficult thing to do once you’ve lost a job. But we assure you that it will make your journey much easier and enable you to adjust your career path more quickly, finding a destination that is pleasant and favorable.You’ve probably heard the hype about “The Secret,” a DVD that talks about how to achieve success in every aspect of your life by thinking positively. “The Secret,” while inspiring, is not much of a secret. It’s simply the Law of Attraction, a concept that’s been around for hundreds, if not thousands of years. Like the Law of Gravity, it influences your life whether or not you believe in it. Plainly stated it goes something like this: your life is a reflection of what you think, what you focus on, and what you expect to happen. Take this opportunity to imagine a positive future filled with everything you desire, including the career of your dreams.Assess your goalsNow is a good time to ask yourself what you really want from your career. Perhaps this job loss is simply the chance for you to readjust your journey and get back on the right path. Did you enjoy that job much in the first place? Had you been imagining a different future with a different company? Or had you been considering furthering your education and training? This is your chance to pursue goals that align with your true aspirations.Consider self-employmentOn that same note, if running your own accounting practice has been something you’ve wanted to eventually pursue, maybe now is a good time to look into that a bit more. Consider what you may need to do in order to accomplish that dream. Perhaps it includes continued training, certification, and marketing help, all of which Universal Accounting Center is happy to help you with.Take actionWallowing in your own pity won’t get you anywhere. Whenever faced with difficulty it’s important to do the following: appraise the situation, make a decision, and act on that decision. Once you’ve determined the best course of action, take it.
Of course in situations like this, it’s always easier to give advice than it is to take it. We recognize that suffering a job loss can be extremely difficult and taxing on you and your family. But we hope that you can hold yourself up and see that regardless of where you might currently be, the future is open, wide and full of possibility. And consider where you may be years from now looking back on what was potentially the best thing that ever happened to you.
No one likes to be without a job, and in this day of employment uncertainty it can be difficult to find a full-time position that enthuses and impassions you. But if you’ve been looking for awhile and have run out of leads, you may consider temporary work. Because while temp work has had the reputation of being thankless and unpleasant, there are many advantages you just might want to consider.
Advantages of Temporary Work
1. Keeping the bigger wolves at bay while looking for full-time workYou need to buy groceries, pay the electric bill, and buy the stamp that goes on the remittance envelope. These are all good reasons to get a temporary position; you can earn money while continuing your job search. Now maybe it’s not as much you’d like to make ultimately, but a lower-paying job is sometimes better than no job at all.
2. Getting a flavor of different organizations and positionsI’m sure there are a few of us who wish we could have sampled our current company before going full-time. Temp work puts you in a prime position with some companies; you become familiar with their policies, procedures, and work environment which can give you the advantage when a full-time position becomes available. And you’ve had the time to determine whether or not this is even a company you’d like to work for long-term. Sometimes it exposes you to your dream employer, providing you with just the focus you need in your job search.
3. Showcase skills to potential employersLike we mentioned above, when positions within a company become available, if you’ve done well in the temp position you can become a prime candidate for their full-time positions. See this as an opportunity to showcase your skills and abilities. “Wow” potential employers. “Temping” comes into play much more brightly when you are able to gain a temp position in the company you would like to eventually stick with. This is a great way to get your foot in the door.
4. Network with new peopleIn a temp job you’re exposed to a new group contacts you can network with. And it’s no secret that you’re temporary; these new acquaintances might be able to connect you with that perfect job. This may not happen if you are working an assembly line when you are looking for desk work, but you always need to keep your Networking “radar” keen, you never know what connection can get you into that dream position.
5. Choose a more flexible work scheduleLife can be full of stressful situations, including significant life changes (divorce, death, birth, illness, a move, schooling, etc.) that may require you to take a more flexible approach to work. With temporary positions you can work part-time, full-time, for a month at a time, or longer. While benefits aren’t part of the temporary package, this flexibility may be just the benefit you need right now.
Temping TipsBut let’s be honest. Temporary work isn’t all roses and sunshine. But knowing what you’re getting into will help you make the most of temp opportunities. Here are just a few things to remember when going to a temporary staffing agency:
Check the temp agency’s reputation Do your homework; first and foremost, check the agency’s reputation. Look online, ask around, check with your state’s consumer protection agency to see if they have any complaints filed. Just don’t walk blindly into the first temp agency you see.
Avoid temping agencies during college holidays You can imagine that this is a busy time for temp agencies. Not only will you avoid this rush, you’ll also avoid being grouped with all these students who lack advanced shills and experience.
Negotiate wage before starting Some temp agencies try to pay you as little as possible. Understand that you won’t make as much as you would with a full-time position, but you also shouldn’t have to settle for minimum wage. Ask skill assessment and how wages scale to match more advanced skills. On your Temp Application they usually ask the wage you are willing to accept.
Understand your obligations Be sure to understand the terms and conditions of your employment through the temp agency. You don’t want to get a full-time job offer, only to discover you’re required to work for the temp agency for 3 more months.
If possible, go to a specialty staffing agency Depending on where you are, there are some temp agencies that specialize in various occupations. With accountant and bookkeeper skills, you could look to a staffing agency that fills financial positions. There are also some more progressive temp agencies that offer benefits.
Whatever you do, don’t disregard temp work. There are many advantages that have permanent results. And who knows, it may be just what your job search needs to get you the full-time position you’ve been looking for.
Use this time in a constructive way to enhance your job opportunities in the near future. Temping or in a full-time position you need something to get noticed. It is an established fact that if an employer cannot picture you in a role, they will not put you there either. If you work in Accounting, Bookkeeping, or a related field, the best way to get noticed is with additional training. And the best way to get accelerated training is with the Professional Bookkeeper program. In just 60 hours of video-based teaching that you learn at your pace, you will learn the full Accounting process that will make your boss notice you and picture yourself in internal promotional opportunities as they arise.Maybe even more important is that upon successfully completing the Professional Bookkeeper course, you will be able to add the PB designation to the end of your name. Bearing the PB designation states boldly to potential employers that you have what it takes to do the entire Accounting process from clerk to Full Charge Accountant with emphasis on small to mid-sized business accounting. The PB designation proves that you have the hands-on skills to work in a variety of Accounting tasks and can be called upon to perform a broad range of Accounting and Bookkeeping responsibilities. With the PB designation, you show that you know!Learn How to Accelerate Your Career With the Professional Bookkeeper Program
June 8th, 2008 in
Finding a Job |
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