Don’t Let A Job Layoff Ruin You, Use Education As Your Bailout
In an economic downturn, many people can find themselves laid off and out of work. During the difficult times, job markets become very tight and competitive. You start to hear stories of people out of work and unable to find a job for months. Why is that? Why do the successful people find jobs anytime they want, and others cannot ever seem to land one? This will tell you the truth behind the job hunt, and why it’s important to consider using education to help you before and during troubled times.
A job hunt can be time consuming, frustrating, and exhausting. Corporate recruiters go through hundreds of resumes a day. If you are lucky, someone may look at your resume for more than three seconds. Yes, three seconds! That is how long it takes to skim over a resume to determine if a person might be considered for the position. So why is it that some people cannot find work after going through a layoff? The answer is simple. Recruiters skim over their resume and they are missing the most vital portion of the resume: Skills!
A person that has been in the same job assignment for many years will likely not find a job quickly. These people usually take months to find an equivalent job, or are forced to take a lesser paying job. How come? They may be considered an expert in their former tasks and job assignment, but they lack the vital selling point in the job market: Skills! A diversified person with a strong set of skills will quickly be snapped up by companies itching to find talent.
It is strongly suggested a person reinvent themselves or learn a new skill set every three to four years. This does not necessarily mean changing assignments or companies. A person can develop an extra skill through education. Getting these skills can be through many different forms including: A degree, certification, license, professional certificate, Continuing Educational Units. These can be achieved through the schools and training companies by taking traditional classes, online courses, or workshops. Upon completion of these types of education, you are able to list that on your resume as an extra skill set.
Here is a good example of why it’s important for developing your skills through education.
Sally is worried that her job is at risk with her company struggling. She has worked at the company for fifteen years and doesn’t know what she will do. She has been in two different positions inside the company, and never really thought of doing anything different. She currently works up front in the office answering phones and scheduling appointments. She is currently knowledgeable in Microsoft Word and Excel, but not an expert. She knows how to operate the computer, but anything more complicated she requires help and directions. Sally is worried she will have to go on the job market and fight to find a job that is just not out there.
Doug works in the same office. Doug manages the employees’ paychecks, scheduling, and billing. Doug is knowledgeable in Microsoft Word and Excel and knows a little bit about PowerPoint. Doug is currently taking an online course with a training company on how to become a PowerPoint specialist. Doug has enjoyed taking the course and is considering taking another course on how to use Share Point Designer. After working at this company for ten years, Doug is considering looking for a position using PowerPoint.
Which person do you think will eventually have more marketable job skills? It’s important for a professional to have a diverse background and skill set. Every three to four years consider developing a new skill. Even if the layoffs happen, you will be prepared to enter the job pool with a strong resume. You will have the confidence that you can compete and win against other talent in the job search.
How to Balance School with Life
Meeting your commitments, especially if you continue working while attending school, can be a tricky proposition. Fortunately, there are techniques to balance school with life while attaining your goals.
Organization
Organization is key to a successful balance. A calendar, either in a daily or weekly format, is essential. Mark all your commitments on the calendar and consult it every day. Tick off items when completed. Allow yourself as much advance time as possible to complete school assignments. This will take pressure off you and permit some leeway if something unavoidable interferes.
Study Schedule
Be flexible with your study schedule. Look for opportunities to fit in short periods like coffee and lunch breaks at work. Seize unexpected moments such as waiting at a doctor’s office. Even just fifteen minutes of study time is beneficial. Above all, do not procrastinate and wait for the perfect time to study. These occasions are rare and unreliable.
Realistic Goals
Set realistic goals. Determine your ultimate educational and career goals. Are you upgrading your education for your present occupation? Do you want to begin a new career? Once you figure this out, then you can set yourself a timeline for completion. Write down all your obligations in your daily life. This will assist you to establish just how much time you have available to devote to your education.
If you continue to work, consider taking only one course the first semester while you adjust to your new lifestyle. It might take you longer than anticipated to complete your education but, if you pile on too many courses and fail some, you will not be any further ahead. Research programs offered for working professionals.
Stress Management
Stress management techniques are crucial. Get enough rest. Fatigue is counterproductive. Do not sit for extensive periods studying. Give yourself a break every 45 minutes even if it is to get a glass of water. Exercise is a valuable tool for stress relief and provides energy. That energy boost will help you balance your life. Reward yourself once a week for the tough schedule you have endured. Rent a movie. Watch television. Dine out. Do not feel guilty about looking after yourself. Consider these suggestions necessities for your mental and physical health.
Technology and Networking
Update your technical knowledge so you can contact instructors by email and access additional information posted on websites. Projects can be researched via the Internet. Institutions may have seminars to assist adult learners integrate. Check with student services for assistance directed towards adult learners. Attend the student orientation session to avoid time lost afterwards attempting to figure out procedures. Exchange phone numbers and email addresses with one or two other students. This way you can discuss problematic materials with your classmates.
Above all, remember your ultimate goal –
Completion of your education dream . Be proud of yourself. You are taking on one of the biggest challenges of your life. And one of the most rewarding.
Do Your Homework Before Choosing an Online School
There are many different opportunities offered today for someone wishing to reinvent their career. Technology has allowed for the classroom to be delivered right to the desktop of their home computer. Gone are the days of our parents use to tell us; hiking through a blinding snowstorm, twenty degrees below zero, uphill, both ways, to attend four hours in a class.
Many public and private universities are offering online education in many different curriculums. For an adult learner this is an excellent opportunity to retrain, change careers, or decide to have a second career. While many schools now offer a vast array of programs, you must do your homework first before going back to school.
When deciding to earn an education from an online program and degree, there are some key things you must research before making that commitment. Not doing your homework properly could find yourself with a worthless degree and out thousands of dollars in tuition.
When deciding on attending a school, this main point will ensure you get a good quality program and have an excellent academic experience. Ensure each program and school has the proper academic accreditations. By properly reviewing each of these topics, you will be able to find a program that suits your needs that could help make you attractive to a hiring manager.
Proper academic accreditations
When you decide to attend an online school, be sure to check that the school and/or the program offered are accredited. All school accreditations are governed by the
Council for Higher Education . You can
check to see if your program or school you plan to attend is accredited. Why is it important for a school or program to be accredited? The Council for Higher Education gives a set of
guidelines that each school and program must fulfill. This set of guidelines is the basis for higher education to be delivered at a level of acceptable academic quality.
These standards were created to prevent online schools delivering low quality degrees that have no merit to potential hiring managers. These types of companies are called “
Degree Mills”. They promise to deliver a degree in an accelerated time and with no qualifications. This type of problem hurts the reputation of the online education community, and can cost the end user…
you!
Research the school you are interested in attending. Make sure the program or school is accredited through the
web site on the Council for Higher Education. Once you know that the potential school is accredited, you can relax knowing that you will get a degree that is recognized by hiring managers.
Accreditation
United States Accreditation
The United States has a distinctive system in that no federal authority exists to enforce minimum levels of quality education provided by postsecondary institutions. Because these institutions have a large degree of liberty in their self-governance, the process of accreditation evolved to ensure students received a certain standard of education.
Accreditation means approval has been granted to a postsecondary institution after specific requirements have been met. Independent evaluations are developed and conducted by private accrediting agencies, which have been acknowledged by the US Department of Education as qualified experts on the elements of educational programs they accredit. The Secretary of Education is lawfully required to publish the names of nationally recognized accrediting agencies.
Accrediting Agencies
There are six accrediting agencies that cover the majority of the United States. They are:
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Northwest Association of Schools and of Colleges and Universities
- Higher Learning Commission of North Central Region
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
If these accrediting agencies do not cover the area you reside in, a complete directory of accrediting agencies can be found at
www.chea.org/pdf/CHEADrecitory.pdf .
Why accreditation is important
To qualify for federal and/or state grants and loans, students must attend an accredited institution or program.
If a employer financially assists an employee with postsecondary education, the employee may be required to attend an accredited institution to receive compensation from his or her employer . New employees may be appraised according to whether they obtained their education at an accredited institution. A business that wishes to make a charitable donation may require accreditation.
Federal and state governments require accreditation prior to issuing funds to institutions. In some instances, state governments will not permit students from unaccredited institutions to write examinations for state licences.
Types of Accreditation
There are two types of accreditation:
institutional and
specialized.
Institutional accreditation means an entire institution is offering a level of education, within each of its programs, that satisfies the accrediting agencies.
Specialized accreditation are programs within a postsecondary institution which have been approved. The section of the institution that has received specialized accreditation may include schools contained within the institution that are devoted to a discipline, such as law.
Professional and vocational schools not associated with an institution, such as trades and technologies, may be also granted specialized accreditation. Non-institutionally based programs, such as medical curriculum in hospitals, may also receive specialized accreditation.
Dependant on your educational and career goals, it is wise to research whether an accredited program will give you the best opportunity to obtain the standard of education and degree or diploma necessary to compete successfully in the work force.