the job seeker was either hired or sent on their way. Within the context of this conversation, questions were asked, but today much of
the conversation has disappeared as more and more interviewers are using custom made interview forms. Some of the questions you
may encounter include:

What is your greatest strength?

What is your greatest weakness?

Why did you leave your last job?

What did you like most about your last job?

What did you like least about your last job?

How did you solve a problem regarding an angry or dissatisfied customer?

How do you handle stress?

What would your previous co-workers say about you?

Give an example of your ability to make decisions under pressure.

Why do you want to work for this company?

There are many variations on the above questions but most of these are pretty standard. Of course, work experience is a given and
some employers want to know if you smoke. Often, employers ask questions they are not supposed to ask but it is usually career

suicide if you bring up that fact.

The best thing you can do to prepare yourself for any interview is to find out everything you can about the company you are applying for.
In addition, make sure you have all the dates clear as to where you worked and how long you worked there. Even if you have already

sent a resume take one to the interview with you so that you can glance at it if you need to. Above all, be on time and be prepared!

Career planning is exactly what it sounds like: planning a career that makes the most of your interests and goals, suits your
temperament, and maximizes your education. Traditionally done once at the beginning of adulthood, today this is a process that has
become a lifelong endeavor as those in the workforce must keep up with the constant changes of the economy and the demands of our
society.

It begins with assessing your current situation, not just financially or at work, but your personal state of mind as well. Do you enjoy
organizing things or working within a certain time period and leaving it there when you go home? Are you better at leading people or
working alone? Do you prefer to be outside or inside? Do you have political, religious, or moral beliefs that compel you to get involved in

a certain field? Anything, absolutely anything that truly inspires you can be made into a career. But first you have to identify what it is
that inspires you and why.

Next, take a look around. Is there a name for the job that you want to do or are you a pioneer in the field? Is there a company who is
hiring or do you need to create your own? Research what is available, what is lacking, and what is related to what you want to do. Now

take your research a step further. Try out an internship or a volunteer position, read books about those who have succeeded in your
field, ask to shadow someone who does the job you're aspiring for. Find out what others had to do to get to where you want to be: other
jobs, experience, education. And then decide if it's something that still interests you.

It's best to follow these steps for more than one possible career choice, but not more than a few. Unless all of them bombs, you may
very well find something that you'd like to try. Enroll in courses if need be or get your resume, interview outfit, and list of companies
ready and start applying for entry level positions. Or both. And remember, nothing is ever set in stone. If this doesn't work out after a few
months or you decide you no longer like the career you've chosen a year later – or 20 years later – you can always go back to the

drawing board and start again.

There are a variety of factors to take into consideration when choosing the path you will take toward a new career. You will need to
assess what you already possess in terms of skills, education, and experience that will apply to your new career. Next, you should
consider what you need to break into the industry. If you have what it takes to get into the industry or are already there, consider what
you will need to move to the position that you want. Knowing yourself, your finances, and the industry you’ve chosen inside and out is

essential to career planning. Here are a few questions to ask yourself.

Do you need a degree, a certificate, or a skill set that you can obtain through a class to succeed in your new career?

If so, do you have the time and money to finance this education? Can you take out loans, take your classes online, or take some time
off work to get this education?

Do you need to be certified? If so, a very specific career path has most likely been mapped out – and followed. Find out what others in
your area have done, where they've gone to school, and where to register for the exam to pass your certification. This will save you a

considerable amount of time as you research what you need to do.

Are you sure this career is what you want? Is the time and money invested in education and entry level positions worth it to you? Will
the job pay enough money to finance the lifestyle you want to live? Are the day to day characteristics of your new career compatible

with your temperament and values? Realistically assessing your interests and capabilities could save you years if you are honest and
sure that you are choosing your new career for the right reasons.

There are a variety of factors to take into consideration when choosing the path you will take toward a new career. You will need toassess what you already possess in terms of skills, education, and experience that will apply to your new career. Next, you shouldconsider what you need to break into the industry. If you have what it takes to get into the industry or are already there, consider whatyou will need to move to the position that you want. Knowing yourself, your finances, and the industry you’ve chosen inside and out isessential to career planning. Here are a few questions to ask yourself.Do you need a degree, a certificate, or a skill set that you can obtain through a class to succeed in your new career?If so, do you have the time and money to finance this education? Can you take out loans, take your classes online, or take some timeoff work to get this education?Do you need to be certified? If so, a very specific career path has most likely been mapped out – and followed. Find out what others inyour area have done, where they've gone to school, and where to register for the exam to pass your certification. This will save you aconsiderable amount of time as you research what you need to do.Are you sure this career is what you want? Is the time and money invested in education and entry level positions worth it to you? Willthe job pay enough money to finance the lifestyle you want to live? Are the day to day characteristics of your new career compatiblewith your temperament and values? Realistically assessing your interests and capabilities could save you years if you are honest andsure that you are choosing your new career for the right reasons.

Public speaking seems to be a problem with most people so it is no surprise that most people spend countless hours preparing for aninterview as if they are going to speak in front of thousands of people. Why is the Interview so Important?Simply said; if you want the job then you better nail the interview. The interview is the gateway to having the job offered to you. If youare confident in your abilities and can vocalize them then you will more then likely receive and offer.How can I prepare for the Interview?First thing is to make sure you are well groomed. It is ok to dress up in a dark suit and matching tie for men or a nice dark businesssuit for women. Men should be clean shaven with a neat hair cut. Women should have their hair neat and also wear stockings andmatching shoes. Heals are ok but not to the point where the woman seems awkward walking in them. Another thing you can do ispractice what you are going to say to the interviewer in front of a mirror or other people.Other Interview TechniquesAlways shake the interviewer’s hand firmly, sit straight up, and pay attention. Always make sure to answer the interviewer’s questionsaccurately and concisely. It is a good idea to study about the company’s history and current events just in case there is a mention ofit. Always be prepared and do not let your eyes wander around the room. Do not bite your fingernails or show any signs of outwardnervousness. The interviewer will read your body language and even though body language doesn’t show your ability to perform a job,the interviewer will still take it into consideration.

Although the initial stages of career planning are crucial to success, looking well into the future when career planning is essential if thatsuccess is going to be maintained. Careers change, the market changes, the economy changes. If you want to make sure that youremain a hot commodity in your career, you need to make sure that you can roll with the punches.The best way to look into the future, you must start by looking into the past. What have been the trends of your industry? Where has itscompetition come from in the past? What companies have survived and which haven't? Why? Next, look at the current state of the new industry in which you hope to work and ask the same questions. Choose case studies in theform of major companies. Find out who the key players are in these companies and check out their career path. What did they do afterschool and entry level positions? Read business journals and check out industry forums online. Where is the current threat comingfrom? What are people saying about the future of the industry? How will that affect your ability to get a job in your chosen career – andkeep it five, ten, twenty years down the road?Now, look at both of these groups of facts and consider your future. What areas will you need to acquire frequent updates on informationand skills in order to maintain your position and move up? A certain amount of critical thinking is necessary to prepare yourself for thepossible twists and turns of the market as it concerns your chosen career. By assessing the past, taking note of the present, andplanning for the future, you will have a much higher chance of not only holding onto your new career but excelling at it as well.

Starting a new career can be a daunting venture, especially when you have acquired a lifetime's worth of financial responsibilities andobligations. Nothing, however, is impossible, no matter how strapped for time and money you are currently. All it takes is a well thoughtout plan and diligence and you can soon be starting a new career.First, think very seriously about what you want to do. Why have you chosen this new career? Is it completely different from what you aredoing now? Are there aspects of your current job that apply to your new career as far as contacts, experience, or education? Does thisnew career require learning a whole new skill set and industry or is it a matter of upgrading your education to the next level? Make a listof all the assets you already possess that you can bring to a new career. Include personal skills and qualifications as well as naturalinstincts and inclinations. Some things can't be taught and if you have a natural predilection for the skills needed for your new career,this may take you further than you think. Next, determine the steps you will need to take in order to arrive at a position in your new career. To help you do this, talk to peoplecurrently working the job you have chosen. How did they get where they are? Would they have done anything differently? Do they haveany recommendations? Do you need a degree? Online classes and schools are all over the internet and will allow you to study whilekeeping your job. Do you need an apprenticeship to establish yourself? Try and find one that pays you. Even a small stipend can helpyou offset financial costs at home. With planning and patience, you can start a new career without putting your current home situation at risk. Take one step at a time andallow yourself as long as it takes to complete it before going on to the next one. Your new career isn't going to disappear while youspend time properly preparing for it.