AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU

Dear Counsellor/Teacher,
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU.
CHOICES is seeking the help of persons to introduce its publications at the primary and secondary levels.
These include:
The Career Key
CHOICES Career & Education Magazines
Help Your Child With Career Choice
Making The Best Decisions For Career, Education & Life
Children's Career Choices - (primary)
CHOICES World of Work Colouring Book (primary and pre-primary)
The Chidlren's Career Key (available soon)
CHOICES Career Resource Pakage - (secondary)
CHOICES Career Resource Package (primary)
If you believe that you are such a person and could work closely with the cluster of schools in which your school falls, drop us an email - <> or give us a call - 782-1644. Training will be provided.
Opportunities abound for you to strengthen your position in life while continuing the work you do in assisting students, parents and community in a tangible and essential way.
Call now! - 782-1644
Angela deFreitas
General Manager
CHOICES Career Advice

CALL US NOW: 876-969-5741/876-924-7473/876-782-1644 (cell); 954-323-6217/876-782-1644
EMAIL: info@choicesonlinejm.com
website: www.choicesonlinejm.com
BLOG: www.choosingtherightcareer.blogspot.com

GET YOUR CAREER, EDUCATION & LIFE ON TRACK WITH CHOICES.

"My daughter's doing business but wants to switch to nursing."

"I'm always the last to leave. Am I slow or what?"

"My desk is always in a mess. Will I be fired?"

"My Boss Is Too Busy to Talk To Me"

by Angela deFreitas
Boss always too busy to talk to you?
Is this your problem when you have important matters to iron out in order to get on with your job?
Some - in fact most - bosses are extraordinarily busy. It is, however, not unreasonable to expect some amount of quality time with this superior, especially if you are new on the job and still trying to fit in and "find your way around your work".
In order to get around this problem see if you can negotiate a regular period for updating or a brief information session of some sort. If you get to understand your boss's habits you may have to get into the office early in order to get a few moments before this elusive person is off to the first meeting of the day, or be prepared to stay after hours in order to get in those essential questions.
If your boss is a traveller and is out of office a great deal, in or out of the country, see if you can have cell access or communicate via skype or other IM service. Or, there may be abother senior member of staff with whom you can liaise on certain specific issues.
This can be a real turn-off especially if your work becomes delayed due to this situation. However, try not to become too frustrated. Reading back files can sometimes also provide answers you need.
Copyright 2009 CHOICES Career Advice

"Why Won't Anyone Hire Me?"

If you're asking yourself that question, watch this space for answers.

REWRITE THAT OLD, TIRED RESUME

by Angela deFreitas
Now that you have been made redundant, you may have fallen victim to the knee-jerk temptation to send out your old resume - which you perhaps designed ten years ago – in your new search for a job. You will not be well-served by such a strategy. This is a mistake that could well result in your sitting at home for several months without a job. Instead, for each new job search, you should redesign the document in such a way as to focus on and draw attention to new skills, accomplishments and experience gained in recent positions. Re-writing the resume is not just sleight of hand. Your resume (and also cover letter) should be modified to suit each job application, which you make. Re-designing your resume has the effect of refreshing and revitalising the impression you create in the eyes of potential employers. Just as well, if you are seeking a new position, it's in your best interest to blow your own trumpet regarding the new experience, skills and accomplishments gained at the previous job. No-one else will do that for you and this is the only chance you get to add that boost to your resume. Consider also that in this job market there are more takers than jobs so for every job available and/or advertised, there may be literally hundreds of applications. You must therefore find some way of enticing the reader of your resume to want to read further than just the first few lines and also to be excited enough about what is there to then want to invite you in for an interview. Your new resume should be written and presented in such a way that it gets you an interview. if it does so then it has served its main purpose. Review the language of your resume by adding more powerful and active words; to add zing to the presentation and style; to achieve a better visual and literal effect.. Ensure that your experience and special skills jump out at the reader immediately in your new resume. Use a simple technique to highlight these by putting them at the beginning of each new position described in chronological order. You would therefore have: 1. Date and Name of Position 2. Major Skills and accomplishments 3. Plus a general description of what your work entailed on that particular job. Example July 04 - June 08 - Regional Sales Representative, Jamaica Soda Company Ltd Major accomplishments - increased sales by 10% over targeted amount; supervised implementation of new electronic customer data base development Major skills - use of Microsoft Excell END BOX In a complete overhaul or retrofitting of your resume, be prepared to begin from scratch, to dissect the whole thing and re-fit in back together in a more enticing and exciting way. This process should also include self-searching to get to all of the new and relevant information which you may have forgotten such as a leadership position in a school PTA, or in a community or church group. (This is where your career portfolio comes in as you should have in it reminders of these achievements for adding to your resume and cover letter and using in interview situations when the right time comes.) Overhaul the language you are using also - go for power words which have a very descriptive meaning. Remember that there are certain resume formats and styles which are most readily accepted, but that does not mean that you cannot be creative especially if the job you are applying for expects that. However, always let someone else read over your resume - not only for typos - but also to ensure that it hangs together properly and will not have a reader searching for a needle in a haystack to find the all-important information which they seek. *Angela deFreitas is General Manager of Choices Career Advice, Kingston.
Email info@choicesonlinejm.com.

WORKPLACE ETIQUETTE

By Angela deFreitas
Just think about it. From where you sit in your new job, whatever or wherever it may be, every employee around you also had a “first-day-on-the-job”. And those first-day jitters can last a little while depending on just how friendly and helpful your co-workers are and just how well you prepared yourself for the experience of fitting in with your workplace etiquette.
Workplace etiquette is in fact an extension of general etiquette, good manners and acceptable behaviour which in some cases can relate specifically to the work environment.
As a new kid on the block, the bottom line is, don’t be afraid to ask questions of either your immediate supervisor, your colleagues or your boss. They can’t expect you to know everything straight away so they’ll be expecting a barrage of questions from you anyway so you shouldn’t feel stupid to ask.
Of course, as years go by and you gain more experience and change more jobs you will have a better understanding of different organisational cultures but until then, err on the side of caution in all things or ask for advice.
The upshot is, whether you are out there on a short summer holiday job or if this is the start of your working life, take these matters seriously as poor office etiquette can jeopardise your job and chances for success.
Wise counsel such as this may be hard to swallow, especially when you know that you’re nervous, feeling totally out of it, trying hard to fit in, and guess what too, you just called your supervisor by his first name (well, you’ve seen it in so many movies) and were asked very nicely to address him as “Mr. Brown”. Oops!
You just had your first lesson in workplace etiquette. Trust me, you will make such mistakes as you step out into the working world and you’re going to feel like a fish out of water when that happens so be prepared to ask as many questions as necessary especially when it comes to areas of office etiquette such as taking/making calls on your own cell, reporting sick or absent for some reason, general office “netiquette” (rules, procedures and standards relating to sending email messages etc), and yes, addressing your managers and co-workers.
For a while, you may feel like they are out to get you, change you or alter your lifestyle and personality, but just remember that the less outstanding or different your behaviour, attitudes and actions the more easily you will fit in.
Now is the time to remember also that there are clearly some habits and styles which are best left behind at school. Those who are more experienced won’t hesitate to tell you for example that things like sitting on the desk (even it’s yours), spending the first and last half hour of each day in the bathroom and eating at your desk (unless it’s coffee/tea and a biscuit as you work) are a no-no. If there is a kitchen or lunch area, that’s the place for you and your box lunch. You will make a good impression when you tidy the area behind you. The same goes for the board/meeting room and any other common areas when you use them and also your desk, cubicle or work station at the end of the day.
Lateness is also never excused in any workplace. You may rationalise that you will put in few hours after work to make up but lateness, even for a departmental meeting, still reflects badly on you. Anyone can stay back a little late after work, but it takes greater effort and discipline to arrive at work on time, every time, and to stick within the lunch hour given. It also follows that extended absences from your work -station should be avoided.
Talking of work station, this is where cubicle culture comes in. Cubicles are part of modern work environments which you also need to understand. Yes, it is your space in which to comfortably do your work but lining the partitions with romantic pictures of you and your boo will more than likely be seen as inappropriate for the workplace.
Your cell phone may be another area of uncertainty. Your cell should in fact be off unless you must receive an urgent call in which case it should be on silent or vibrate and you take the call discretely. Even though this is your own private cell on which you are getting or making a call, this is still company time on which you are talking so leave the private calls for lunch time and after 5.
You will find that the workplace can be a very social place where you will eventually make friends, find a lot of social life and build relationships with co-workers. You will be going to lunch, sharing stories and discussing all of the new hot topics from the news, the soaps and the dailies. Some topics should, however, be off limits, among them politics, religion, your (or other people’s) sex life, personal problems and your health issues.
If you have chosen “work while studying option” beware. It may be tempting to do assignments at your workplace. However, the use of office stationery, the internet and excessive use of printing and other office equipment will always be frowned upon. Leave the assignments and projects at home and ensure that office work is done at work.
As you will find out, being a “newbie” on staff has some very important positives but also some essential negatives from which you can learn the ways of the working world. Whatever you encounter, remember that it’s the beginning of real-life, real-time experiences which will kit you out for the next stage in life and which will help you to get your foot firmly onto the ladder of workplace success. So don’t blow your chances with poor office etiquette.
Angela deFreitas is the General Manager of CHOICES CAREER ADVICE publishers of The Career Key (Caribbean edition), CHOICES Career & Education Magazine, The Graduates’ Guide to Making the Best Decisions For Career, Education & Life and Help Your Child With Career Choice - A Guide For Parents. For more information call 969-5741 or visit the CHOICES website - www.choicesonlinejm.com





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WANT TO BE YOUR OWN BOSS?

by Angela deFreitas
How many times have you considered giving up that awful, pressuring job and working for yourself? Once? Twice? Every month-end when the pay cheque comes? Yes, you know you would love to.
Being your own boss is the ultimate goal of not just you but many who are tired of the routine of a regular 9-5 and who just need that change from being bossed to being the boss.
But before you make such a drastic life-changing decision, understand that studies show that entrepreneurs are born and not made. So, if you find that you have personality traits such as toughness, resilience, tenacity, courage, innovativeness, dynamism, resourcefulness, passion and persistence, then you have a good chance of making a go of it. All of these are very important personal ingredients which will help you to succeed or fail in the business you choose.
Going it alone can take many forms including simply “doing a business”, becoming an entrepreneur (and there is a difference), free lancing, consulting, free agenting and many more. All, however, become very attractive possibilities, whether or not personality traits point in the right direction, when someone is unexpectedly “separated from their job’” or when no job offer is forthcoming.
Whichever you opt for and for whatever reason you may find yourself in the SOHO category. That is small office/home office.
The SOHO is a growing phenomenon, both global and local, as people increasingly move towards small, home-based operations due to the need for people running small businesses to locate themselves somewhere where overheads are not exhorbitant.
The SOHO runs the gamut from professionals such as lawyers and doctors serving their surrounding community, skilled workers such as plumbers, masons, cabinetmakers, hairdressers and fashion designers running their own small concerns and even consultants working on outsourced projects and contracts from large corporations.
However, before you even think as far as your SOHO, if you are considering this leap of faith, map out a plan. A plan will be an essential tool in the process. It will help you to clearly outline your thoughts in relation to the concept, nature, structure, direction, size etc. of your business and also the equipment which you will need.
In a notebook and outline everything which is in our head. This may add up to 3, 4, 5 or even more different business ideas. Having done that, look at each one as a great possibility and outline them one at a time in your book. You will reach a point of great excitement when it becomes clear that a particular plan is working out or, you may put away the pencil, greatly disappointed, when you reach a point of great clarity and know for sure that there’s a snag with this idea. If that happens, don’t destroy the notes but just turn over a new page.
When you decide on which idea to pursue, put away your note book carefully where you will be able to find it in the future. Don’t set up yourself for failure but you may need to turn back to those ideas if the one you choose fails. You may also want to add new ideas as they present themselves.
These notes will also eventually be the basis of a more formal and structured business plan which you may need in the near or distant future if you require a loan from a bank, credit union or another financial institution and if you wish to apply for funding or grants of any sort. It will also be a road map to keep you on course to your goal so view it as a basic and essential requirement.
Some advice:
Don’t go cold turkey – as much as possible develop the idea and get things going while still in a job.
Don’t worry about location – a SOHO generally has a skeleton staff of probably less than 3 or 4 employees. A lot of people will tell you that their business actually began in their living room, bedroom, around the kitchen table or that their office was literally in their car for quite a while. You may also consider creating a Results Only Work Environment (ROWE) which does not require permanent staff reporting to an office on a daily basis or “hot-desking” where one desk is shared by many, as and when each needs it.
Start buying the equipment you will need – i.e. - excellent – read cutting-edge – communication technology fax, email – computer, internet access, photocopier, fax machine,colour printer, scanner – business software to help you to simplify billing, accounting and record-keeping tasks.
This will ensure that you are connected to your community at all times, without delay. In this way you will receive all messages, product orders, requests for information etc. even when you are not there, can send information in any form required.
So if you think it’s the way to go, get a plan and save the pennies. It’s an investment which will not be wasted. Even if you don’t go SOHO you will have a home which is able to match up to the 21st century environment.
Angela deFreitas is General Manager of CHOICES Career Advice
Email – info@choicesonlinejm.com; Website –www.choicesonlinejm.com

HOW MANY RESUMES?

by Angela de Freitas
Career Writer
In these days of computers and other easy methods of storage it's a good idea for job seekers to have more than one resume at-the-ready to suit different needs or different job applications. If, for example you have skills in diverse areas such as accounting and maybe administrative work, you may want to use the technique of including an "Objective" at the start of the resume. With this strategy you can change the objective to suit the needs of the job for which you are applying without then having to change the body of the resume. Also, today, with so much emphasis being on 'skills' and the possibility of the inevitable question "what skills can you bring to this company?" your resume will be able to answer that clearly and quite visibly. By doing different versions of your resume - targeted at different skills-sets and job descriptions - you will be able to respond more easily with each new application. Re-designing your resume has the effect of refreshing and revitalising the impression you create in the eyes of potential employers. Taking the time to customise a resume with this in mind can bring real rewards. In general, if you are seeking a new position, it's in your best interest to blow your own trumpet regarding the new experience, skills and accomplishments gained at the previous job. No-one else will do that for you and this is the only chance you get to add that boost to your resume. Consider also that in this job market there are more takers than jobs so for every job available and/or advertised, there may be literally hundreds of applications. You must therefore find some way of enticing the reader of your resume to want to read further than just the first few lines and also to be excited enough about what is there to then want to invite you in for an interview. A reader will not have the trouble of having to wade through too much reading and to sift out this information for themselves. They don't have time for that (remember, they have a large pile of resumes in front of them and yours is just one such!).
Angela deFreitas is general manager of Choices Career Advice, Kingston.
Email: info@choicesonlinejm.com

Cover All Angles With ther Right Cover Letter

by Angela deFreitas
The cover letter which you create is a vital part of your job application. Do not treat it casually. Put the same amount of thought and emphasis into it as you do your resume. It is, remember, what a prospective employer sees when your mail is opened, whether it’s an email or posted by regular mail. Such employers routinely discard many applications based solely on poorly written cover letters so one which is well-written will give you a better chance of opening that door to an interview.
When writing your cover letter, remember that it is in reality a sales letter and the product which you are offering is YOU. At this particular time when there are more sellers than buyers your marketing has to be outstanding in the eyes of your reader and your packaging has to be attractive and perfect – no typos and no poor grammar and presentation.
The goal of your cover letter is to both introduce and sell yourself to the company. Do this in a business-like and professional way. State the reason for your letter – i.e. the job you are applying for. Summarise the most important details contained in your resume which follows the letter.
Your cover letter should be short and definitely no more than one page. This might be three brief paragraphs.
Be professional and concise. Keep your tone business-like. Never try to be humorous or include anything of a personal nature.
Know the job you are applying for. Be specific and name a job title.
State why you want to work for the company and include this information in the first paragraph
State the contributions you will make to the company based on previous skills and experiences gained elsewhere.
Never mention any work experience in the cover letter that isn't included on your resume. That is a definite no-no which will confuse and annoy the reader and may even make you look like a liar.
Have someone proofread your letter before mailing it to make sure it contains no typos or grammatical errors.
Always specify a date on which you will follow-up with the company and say how you will do so - whether in person, by phone, e-mail etc.
Since your goal is to get in the door for an interview, taking the time to create a winning cover letter is a tactic you really cannot afford to skip!
These tips will make your resume easier to read
Use white or off-white 8-1/2- x 11 inch paper
Print on one side of the paper only
Choose one non-decorative typeface and stick to it. Use a readable font size, 11-12 point, possibly Arial or Times New Roman
If you must mail your resume, send it in an 8-1/2- x 11 inch envelope

CREATE YOUR CAREER PORTFOLIO

by Angela deFreitas
Do you remember when a portfolio was something which art school graduates proudly lugged around and as they glowingly showed off the best of their creative works produced during their course of study?
Well, times have changed and now a specific “career portfolio” is seen and recognised as an essential tool for any job seeker, not just those heading for the art world.
Savvy job-seekers think of a career portfolio as their very own portable collection of papers, documents and essential job and education-related tools and/or artifacts presented in a variety of formats.
A career portfolio can also be considered as part of your self-marketing arsenal, an extension of your resume and cover letter and something which you can take with you to an interview as proof of your achievements
A career portfolio will bring life and interest to an interview and may just give you the edge or another candidate. As you build a career portfolio you will realize that you are understanding and knowing yourself much better and you will thus be able to answer interview questions much more confidently as you have brought together information about yourself, your aspirations, interests and your experiences. To a question such as “what past experience do you have which would make you best suited to this position?”, you will not only have an answer but in some cases you will have proof as you will be able to pull this out from your portfolio.
Now that you know just how important such a tool is here’s a heads up on what it’s all about.
It is a fact that whether you are 14, 24 or 34 a career portfolio is the way to go. If you do not already have a career portfolio, you can create one now. Your portfolio will include:
1. Results of assessment tests you have done – like The Career Key (Caribbean Edition).
2. A copy of your resume. This should be kept up-to-date at all times by adding all new work experience, training programmes attended and qualifications as they occur.
3. A basic cover letter which you MUST update and modify to suit each job application.
3. Information you learn about promising occupations. You can scan newspapers, magazines and the internet for this type of information. Look out for stories on companies where you would like to work and add those also.
4. A brief statement written by you outlining your career plans and goals, and steps you will take towards achieving those goals.
5. Include copies of your external exam certificates. You will need these at job interviews as proof of your qualifications.
6. Certificates of achievement from school and extra-curricular activities and previous jobs. Photographs can be included also.
7. Records of things you have done and feel good about. These will be a good reminder and may be included in your resume or when answering interview questions.
8. Information about schools and colleges, training programmes and college courses. You must always be looking for ways to improve your qualifications and skills.
9. Add internet job search sites and also the names and contact details of reputable employment agencies.
10. Letter of appreciation, commendation or any recommendation received at previous jobs or for community service.
11. Newspaper, magazine or newsletter clippings featuring you.
12. A list of your networking contacts should be included.
How will all this help you may ask? Having these things together in one place will help you to make good job-hunting decisions based on information you have gathered about various professions, companies, the labour market and trends. You will also be able to keep important information together relating to your personal career aspirations and goals, and educational opportunities.
When you create, keep and maintain this career portfolio, you will be able to:
- reflect on your past achievements
- analyse and plan the best way forward
- identify your own personal career development requirements and know which opportunities you should be looking out for
- offer proof to a potential employer of what you say you have done in the past and your personal achievements
- plan, appraise and track learning experiences
What should a career postfolio look like you may ask? Your portfolio can be a folder, other “holder” of some type, maybe with inside pockets and tabs for labeling different sections – job, education, life goals etc – or it may have transparent pockets in which to place items.
Add to your career portfolio as time goes by and you will have a valuable tool to assist you on your career journey.
Remember also that when you have a job, that’s not the end of the life of your portfolio. You never know when you will be job hunting again so keep it up-to-date at all times. Also, update it in order to have a record at hand as a reminder for you and your supervisor of what you have achieved and special projects you have worked. You will be happy for this when it is time for on for internal on-the-job evaluations.
Angela deFreitas is the General Manager of CHOICES CAREER ADVICE publishers of The Career Key (Caribbean edition), CHOICES Career & Education Magazine, The Graduates’ Guide to Making the Best Decisions For Career, Education & Life and Help Your Child With Career Choice - A Guide For Parents. For more information call 876-969-5741 or 954-323-6217 or visit the CHOICES website - www.choicesonlinejm.com