By admin, on December 12th, 2008 
Do you have any job seekers, prospective interns or new professionals on your shopping list? Here are some fun gift ideas for those career-minded folks for whom you may be shopping. I’ve tried to suggest gifts with varying price ranges and also offer ideas appropriate for close family and friends, and for colleagues with whom you may be less familiar.
Clothing
I’ve encountered many students whose idea of dressing up for an interview is wearing jeans with no holes in them (understandably a step up if their daily attire consists of pajamas, sweatshirts and flip flops). As we all know, looking the part in a professional setting is important, but can be quite expensive. A few key wardrobe items will help get your job seeker, intern or new professional started in the right direction.
If purchasing clothing items as gifts, stick with conservative colors, such as black, charcoal, navy, brown and gray, however it’s alright for dress shirts or blouses to be a bit more colorful.
For men, consider:
For women, consider:
When it comes to accessories, again, stick with conservative styles. For example, choose a leather-looking laptop bag as opposed to a canvas one. Even with high-end items, select those with no or only conservative print. For example, most Coach monogram bags are fairly neutral, but a Juicy Couture bag may be a bit more edgy. With time and more experience, the gift recipient will eventually develop their own professional style, but for now, conservative items will act as foundational pieces upon which the rest of their wardrobe can be built.
Some items to consider:
- leather, or faux leather padfolio $10 – $50+ at Office Depot
- briefcase or laptop bag $25 – $200+ at eBags
- handbag $30 – $500+ at Zappos
- personalized business card case $6 – $40+ at Red Envelope
- watch $40 – $150+ at Nordstrom
Gifts to stay organized
Staying organized is key to successfully navigating job search waters and is equally important when starting out in a new job.
Items to consider:
- USB memory card (to save all those resumes and cover letters) $8 – $100+ at Walmart
- A calendar or organizer to keep track of when application materials have been sent and when follow-up should occur $12 – $26+ at Office Depot
- Rolodex $2 – $50+ at Office Depot or business card case $8 – $30+ at Office Depot
Memberships and subscriptions
Many college students, recent grads and young professionals would greatly benefit from membership in a professional association and from staying current with trends within their industry.
Gifts to consider:
- One year subscription to a trade magazine (fees vary)
- Subscription to BusinessWeek $46 or The Wall Street Journal $119,
- One year membership to a professional association – remember that student memberships can often be more affordable than full membership (fees vary)
Books
There are tons of helpful and interesting books out there for job seekers, new professionals, interns, and even for younger college students who are in the midst of choosing their major. Keep in mind that many college career centers also carry these or similar titles, but if your gift recipient loves books, they may want to have their own copy for their collection.
Titles to consider:
- Specialized career books, such as “Great Jobs for Liberal Arts Majors,” “Careers in Focus: Computers,” “Career Opportunities in Marketing,” “Opportunities for Extroverts and Others Gregarious Types.” Most of these books can be purchased for less than $25 from Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
- Internship directories, such as “Peterson’s Interships” or “Vault Guide to Top Internships.”
- Books for new professionals, like, “They Don’t Teach Corporate in College: A Twenty-Something’s Guide to the Business World,” or “10 Things Employers Want You to Learn in College.”
- Choosing a major books, such as, “The College Majors Handbook” or “Smart Moves for Liberal Arts Grads: Finding a Path to Your Perfect Career.”
Occupation-specific tools
Keep in mind, your gift recipient may already own some of the tools for his or her trade, but may be longing for better quality versions. Hold off on buying these speciality items unless you know the exact tools and brands most sought after.
Here are some items to serve as examples:
- art supplies for artists (prices vary)
- gift certificate for professional headshots for performers (prices vary)
- a cosmetic brush set for makeup artists $20 – $100+ at Crown Brushes
Miscellaneous
- A box or boxes of blank thank you cards – keep them plain, nothing too flowery, cute or quirky. $5 – $25+ at Target
- office supplies, like desk caddies, pens, and note pads $3 – $50+ at Office Depot
FREE Gifts
- the names and contact information of some key industry professionals
- set up an information interview with a professional in his/her field
- your support and encouragement!
(Prices and merchant links are provided as a convenience and do not necessarily indicate an endorsement of specific merchants or their products.)
By admin, on December 10th, 2008 It can sometimes be challenging to come up with ways to describe your accomplishments, especially those from academic settings. Here are a handful of resume phrases that English majors may find useful:
- Compared and contrasted _________ with _________ resulting in 8-page paper and 10 minute class presentation
- Conducted extensive literature review of academic essays about William Blake
- Utilized Lexis-Nexus, EBSCO Host, Jstor and other electronic databases
- Wrote extensively on topic of female concepts of power in 18th century France
- Conducted close readings of texts
- Examined “war writings” of 19th century Russia
- Explored impact of poverty on expressions of faith in poetry of 17th century Europe; contrasted findings with translations of 17th century Chinese poetry
- Led class discussion on the use of irony in Kurt Vonnegut’s Galapagos
- Organized meeting times among 4 fellow students for group project
Keep in mind that the phrases above are just examples and are provided to remind you of your many accomplishments as a student. Revise, edit and tailor the phrases as your needs require.
By admin, on December 6th, 2008 
Winter has arrived!! Earlier this week, my area received our first real accumulation of snow. As I looked out the window wondering when I’d have the time to shovel the driveway, I saw three middle school children walking in front of my house. “Be careful. Be careful!” I kept chanting in my head as I watched the three cautiously make their way over the icy sidewalk. That’s when it dawned on me that job searching right now is not too unlike walking on a cold, snowy day.
It was rather blustery out; the children’s heads were bowed and arms crossed, bracing themselves against the cold wind. All the while, the children kept their eyes fixed on the sidewalk, attempting to determine their next steps. Likewise, when the job market is cold, sometimes you just have to keep your head down – not in defeat, but in a posture of determination – forging ahead regardless of the cold slaps of rejection you know will come. Furthermore, you have to watch your step; be planful and thoughtful about the moves you make, and always be ready to alter your course when the need arises.
Back to the children walking in the snow. Two of them were wearing boots, while the third was wearing regular shoes (maybe sneakers). When it comes to job search, foot apparel is the equivalent of your skills, experiences and abilities. During any given time of year, having some sort of foot covering is important, but what you wear on your feet in the wintertime is particularly essential. Boots will keep you warm and will give you more stability and confidence as you trek through the snow. Likewise, your skills, experiences and abilities are always important aspects of the job search, but much more important during economic “coldspells.” Solid experience and proven skills and abilities are like wearing a good pair of boots – they give you security, confidence and stability when the path you’re walking is uncertain.
The little girl wearing sneakers was able to move along on the icy sidewalk, but she was much more tentative, periodically reaching out to balance herself on her friend’s arm. Likewise, if you’re heading into your job search with limited related work experience, (i.e. you’re wearing sneakers on the snow rather than snow boots), navigating the job market will be especially challenging – but still possible. And, you’ll likely benefit immensely from reaching out to your network of professional colleagues, (which is a good idea for any job seeker, but especially useful to those with limited experience).
After walking by my house, I notice the three young friends cross the street and head for the snow-covered baseball field opposite my home. Despite the cold, a lively snowball fight soon followed. This brings me to my last point. Though the job market is undoubtedly difficult, you can’t allow the current economic climate to steal all of your joy. Find ways to make the most of the situation – perhaps by developing or honing skills, perhaps by re-connecting with colleagues, or perhaps by testing new career avenues previously unexplored. For all the challenges that winter can present, it also brings with it the joys of the holiday season, which in turn usher in the spring!
(For some practical tips on how NOT to let the recession become an excuse for not finding a job, read, “10 Ways YOU Stop Yourself From Getting a Job.”)
By admin, on December 6th, 2008 By: Randall Olson
If you’re looking for a high demand career field, like to travel, and find the idea of driving for a living appealing, a truck driving job might be the perfect career choice for you. There are many job opportunities in the truck driving field, particularly for individuals interested over the road driving opportunities.
Job prospects are also good for those interested in local haul driving opportunities.
Over the Road Truck Driving Jobs
When most people think of professional truck driving, this is the type of position that comes to mind. Over the road truck drivers are on the road for weeks at a time, hauling cargo across state lines. In the United States, many long haul drivers cover coast to coast routes across the country, while others drive shorter interstate routes. Some over the road drivers deliver to and haul from locations within Canada and Mexico as well.
Local Haul Truck Driving Jobs
Individuals who have local haul truck driving jobs transport goods within their local area and are not required to be away from home for extended periods of time. Some work for companies who have multiple locations within a particular geographic area, or handle deliveries from a central warehouse location to multiple retail outlets.
Becoming a Truck Driver
In order to be qualified for employment as a truck driver, one must earn a Commercial Drivers License (CDL). Individuals 21 and older are eligible to apply for CDL certification. Individuals who want to seek employment in this field must first pass a written examination, and then demonstrate proficiency operating the right type of vehicle.
In addition to demonstrating an appropriate knowledge base and driving proficiency, individuals seeking CDL certification must meet driving history and health requirements to become licensed to drive a truck. To be considered for a CDL, an individual must have a good driving record. It’s also necessary to pass a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical examination, drug test, and criminal background check.
Most individuals choose to attend a truck driving school prior to sitting for their CDL exam. It’s difficult, if not impossible, for most people to meet the stringent CDL knowledge and driving requirements without completing a formal truck driving training program. There are a number of independent truck driving schools and programs that offer excellent training opportunities. Many trucking companies offer their own driver training programs, in the hopes of being able to hire the most proficient students to meet their own staffing needs.
Interested in Pursuing a Truck Driving Career?
If the idea of a truck driving career appeals to you, it’s a good idea to start investigating training programs. The sooner you start training to work as a professional truck driver, the faster you’ll be able to earn your CDL and begin your lucrative and rewarding career in the transportation industry.
About the Author
Randall Olson is the Director of Information Technology for Mobile Technical Institute & MTI Business Solutions (http://www.mobiletechwebsite.com). He oversees the firm’s high stakes certification testing center, conducts computer application training, and manages MTI’s online learning programs. MTI is a full service training and consulting firm, providing open enrollment and on-site employee development training, database development, and website solutions. For free career and business development tips and advice, see http://www.DailyCareerConnection.com and http://www.DailyBizSolutions.com.
Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.
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