The below articles are one of my earliest works on this site…I thought it would be a good Idea to rerun it as now is a great time to add to our existing skills to help make us more knowledgeable, educated and marketable. Please enjoy!

Ever wanted to take a course to learn something that may enhance your ability to get a really really good jobs? But you didn’t have the time or the money to go to school. Ever dream of going to an ivy league school…hmm I don’t know like MIT but didn’t have the marks, money or even knew what the application process was.
Well thanks to the open source era you can now get online courses for free from a miriad of great universities including MIT.
How you may ask? Well MIT developed an OpenCourseWare site. You have access 1800 courses ranging from Engineering to health sciences, they even have cources for Humanities and the arts.
Take a look at thisYou know what the best part of this is…they aren’t the only ones who are doing this. There are a whole bunch of them and they are part of the OpenCourseWare Consortium. Their MOTO is “Universities working together to advance education and empower people worldwide through opencourseware.” How do they make money to subsidize this great initiative…by donations and corporate sponsorship. I encourage all of you to take a look at this amazing resource. Whats the catch…no catch execept that these courses you take cannot go toward a degree, certificate and does not count for any credits. But on the upside it isn’t all reading, the courses have audio and video content as well. There are many educational instituations from around the world that are a part of this program. In the United States alone there are 12 prestigious instituations that are engaged in this very web 2.0 wikinomics program.

The full list of American institutions are as follows:

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Michigan State University
Tufts University
University of California, Irvine
University of Massachusetts Boston
University of Michigan School of Information
University of Notre Dame
Utah State University
Utah Valley State College
Wheelock College
University of California, Berkeley

Now you can tell your friends that you went to MIT (wink wink nudge nudge) and at the same time you would of learned some amazing things to help improve your abilities at your current job or and getting into that really amazing job you’ve always dreamed.

Check these links out: http://ocw.mit.edu/ and http://www.ocwconsortium.org/

The much anticipated global recession is here. While there’s no denying that downturns produce career angst, some IT professionals will retain their jobs and still others will seize upon opportunities created by the downturn and increase their value with current and prospective employers. Whether your objective is to survive or thrive through the current recession, achieve your goals by having the right attitude and strategy.

“Think through what it would take to eliminate your job,” says Charles Wallace, IT director and chief technology architect with Rohm and Haas Co., a technology and solutions company based in Philadelphia, Penn. “If it seems like you could be easily replaced, move on to a new opportunity or find ways to make yourself more valuable and meaningful to the organization.”

Act now on these recommendations to demonstrate that you are an indispensable IT pro.

for companion video click here – VIDEO

Align your role with the organization’s objectives.

IT professionals who directly impact business outcomes have the best job security and growth opportunities, but company priorities often shift during a recession. Talk with your boss to understand the current strategy and then connect the dots between your daily activities and the business plan. If necessary, suggest ways to recalibrate your role, so it is better aligned with the company’s objectives. If realignment isn’t possible, begin a proactive job search, just to be safe.

Stick with the basics.

“Now’s not the time to jump to a hot technology,” says Wallace. “Companies will be focused on creating operational efficiencies and delivery of the basics through installed and proven technologies.”

There’s no doubt that prowess with emerging technologies creates financial opportunities and longer term job security, but accepting a role using an unproven technology with limited market share is risky. Postponing that move for six months may have little impact on long term earnings, yet six months without a paycheck could be devastating.

Transfer to a mission critical project.

“Core projects that are vital to the execution of the strategic plan will be the last areas cut during a recession,” says Margaret Meloni, an IT career strategist based in Long Beach, Calif.

Projects with approved budgets that enhance or maintain existing applications or improve workforce productivity are more likely to remain stable during a downturn, while projects that require new funding are often cut or placed on hold. The sooner you request a transfer to a strategic, fully funded project, the more job security you’ll have.

Suggest ways to increase operating efficiencies.

Could a few programming changes eliminate several steps in accounts payable transactions? What would be the cost of the change and the ROI? Businesses look for every possible way to save money during downturns. Demonstrate your value by showing that you understand business needs across the company and that you can adapt the technology to drive operating efficiencies.

Propose project cost savings and containment strategies.

“Show that you can think like a manager and suggest ways to save money on current projects,” says Tony Habash, executive director and CIO for Washington D.C. based American Psychological Association.

Habash suggests that IT professionals review the current application development process, contractor usage, outsourcing potential and vendor agreements for ways to generate cost savings.

“The key is to be proactive and don’t wait for someone to ask you for suggestions, because the current leaders may not be aware of the best cost savings options,” says Habash.

Upgrade your skills.

Take advantage of your employer’s tuition reimbursement program, because acquiring new skills will increase both your present value and your future marketability.

“Following a lay-off, one database administrator I know didn’t receive a single offer for six months,” says Meloni. “As soon as he completed a Microsoft SQL Server boot camp, the offers just started coming in.”

Declare your value.

“Now’s the time to make sure you’re noticed by management,” says Steve Haag, a Dallas-based VP and technology officer with professional services firm HNTB Corp. “Write up notes from classes you’re taking or client visits and share some intel with your boss to get attention in the right way. It’s easy to get bogged down in the day to day, but go to the trouble of documenting your ideas and celebrate your accomplishments.”

Create revenue opportunities.

Generate revenue, not overhead and you’ll be irreplaceable. While techies may not see themselves as marketing or sales gurus, Haag suggests that IT professionals network with their counterparts at client companies or rub elbows with clients at classes or community events. In the process, you may uncover an unmet need, and then suggest a new service to meet it. Also being connected to clients demonstrates skill versatility and engenders job security.

Be a team player.

If you’re meeting performance expectations ask for a raise, but do so judiciously, because you don’t want to appear selfish, if your company is struggling financially. Be a calming and positive voice within your IT team, because it’s a chance to show your leadership skills; don’t underestimate the advancement opportunities that might arise due to company downsizing or reorganization. Habash suggests that IT professionals think of other ways they can help the enterprise, so they can offer to fill those roles, if their present job is eliminated.

Take charge of your career.

Even if your job seems secure, update your resume, make contacts and get your reference list together because doing so will make you feel confident and in control. Resume creation is worthwhile, because it forces you to detail your value and accomplishments, then you can use the info to highlight your value during discussions with your boss. Plan for the best, yet prepare for the worst and you’ll not only survive the recession, you’ll thrive beyond it.

If you’re worried about getting laid off, here’s some consolation: So is everyone else. Follow these do’s and don’ts to raise the odds that your job stays, well, yours.

DO take credit… but don’t “walk around with a big neon sign that says I’M GREAT,” says career coach Marie McIntyre. “Look for opportunities to let people know what you’re doing.” One good strategy: Create a paper trail by copying your boss on e-mail (selectively!). And periodically take the initiative to send a summary of what you’re working on.

DON’T ask for a raise or a promotion. Be patient, and be grateful for now that you’ve got a job.

DO volunteer for more work. Companies are making cuts, so someone needs to pick up the extra work. Do it with a smile, and you’re a dream employee.

DO arrive early and stay late. This is obvious and no longer optional. Make your commitment visible by pulling long hours. Also, lay off the text messaging or personal calls during business hours.

DON’T telecommute. “[Bosses] tend to fire people they don’t like or don’t know,” says Stephen Viscusi, author of “Bulletproof Your Job.” Working from home or part-time makes it harder for your boss to know you, so avoid it if you can.

DO chat up your boss and your boss’s boss. If you’re at the cafeteria, strike up a conversation. “Executives love to talk about business, and they’re often as uneasy talking with you as you are with them,” says McIntyre. Be ready with a question, like “I just read about something our competitor’s doing. What’s your take on that?”

DON’T be eccentric. Now’s the time to fit in completely. “Buy some Crest White Strips. Look like you belong there,” says career expert Stephen Viscusi. “Don’t wear perfume or cologne, because maybe you’re wearing the perfume of your boss’s ex-wife.”

DO feel your boss’s pain. If you feel as if you’re being marginalized, talk with your manager and find out what his or her priorities are these days. Ask your boss, “What are your biggest goals right now, and how can I help?”

DON’T be high maintenance. Even if layoffs are necessary, they can also serve as an excuse for companies to fire people they wanted to get rid of anyway. Why? The most frequent issue is attitude: People who are demanding, difficult, or whiny, or otherwise take up too much of their manager’s energy, are the first to go.

If you need something from your boss, there’s a right and a wrong way to ask. “Use the magic phrase, ‘I really want to make this work,’” suggests Deborah Brown-Volkman, a career coach who specializes in counseling financial services professionals. Be clear you’re committed to finding a solution that helps the company. “The worst approach is ‘I don’t have this, I don’t have that,’” Brown-Volkman says. Instead, show how your business will benefit from a fix. If you can’t, then let it go. And always be ready with a solution or two.

The bottom line: Make your boss’s job easier, not harder.

DO stay informed. Set a Google alert for your company so that you’re up on what’s going on. You’ll have a better sense for when layoffs are coming. Plus, smart employees know how their piece of the business fits into the larger picture of what’s happening at the company.

DON’T gossip about the company. It’s tempting to compare notes with co-workers, but obsessing about your fears will only distract you from being productive. “It’s a diversion of your energy, and whatever answers you’re coming up with aren’t that helpful,” says Haberfeld.

DO a self-review. Try this exercise: Imagine your boss, your boss’s boss, and the HR director all sitting in a room, categorizing people. What are they going to say about you? How much do they value your work?

DON’T panic! There may still be a way to save your job if your boss tells you you’re being laid off. “These are the words you always hear: ‘Listen, we have to let you go – it’s a numbers thing,’” says Viscusi. He suggests negotiating and offering to take less pay or work fewer days in the week.

“If they still say no,” he says, “now you’re calling their bluff, allowing yourself to open a bigger severance envelope.” That’s because if a company has trouble explaining why it fired you, there’s room for you to sue for wrongful termination. Some managers might decide it’s easier to throw some money in your direction now than risk losing more down the road.

In fact, seven of the top twenty fastest-growing careers are in health care. Here’s where the opportunities are (with data from BLS):

1. Home care aide
Expected job growth: 53%

There are minimal requirements to become a home care aide — and it’s one of the most in-demand jobs in the country. Home care aides care for people who are disabled in their own homes. Besides assisting with laundry, meals and household tasks, home health aides may also advise patients and their families on nutrition, cleanliness, and other household activities. If you’re looking for a health job that doesn’t require special training, this is a great place to start. Typical salaries range from $17,895 to $23,481 a year.

2. Medical assistants
Expected job growth: 36%

Medical assistants help with essential administrative and clinical tasks that keep hospitals and clinics running smoothly. They update medical records, fill out insurance forms, handle billing and bookkeeping, and take patients’ vital signs. Medical assistants make between $24,317 and $36,987 a year and can be trained on the job or through a short certification program.

3. Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants
Expected job growth: 33%

Physical therapists help people recover from injuries and prevent permanent physical disabilities. While becoming a physical therapist requires a master’s degree, you can get certified as a physical therapist assistant in just two years and begin earning $44,762 to $61,139 a year right away.

4. Pharmacy technicians
Expected job growth: 32%

Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists provide medication to patients by preparing prescriptions, maintaining patient records, organizing insurance claim forms and stocking inventory of medications. Pharmacy technicians enter the field through on the job training, and typically make $30,085 to $40,285 a year.

5. Dental hygienists
Expected job growth: 31%

Dental hygienists clean teeth, look for oral disease and provide preventative care. Since they often work with the dentist during treatment, dental hygienists also have to be familiar with various instruments including ultrasonics, X-ray machines, and syringes. Dental hygienists must complete a two-year certification program before entering the field and they earn between $60,654 and $93,475.

6. Physician Assistants
Expected job growth: 30%

Physician assistants perform tasks typically performed by a doctor. They take medical histories, examine and treat patients, order and interpret laboratory tests and X-rays, make diagnoses and prescribe medications. They also treat minor injuries and may supervise technicians and assistants. This job requires a master’s degree and brings a salary of $70,390 to $98,751.

7. Occupational Therapists
Expected job growth: 29%

Occupational therapists help people with mental or physical disabilities develop or recover the skills they need for work and daily living. Occupational therapists are required to earn a master’s degree and make a salary of $64,402 to $88,664. However, if you are looking to get into the field more quickly and still make some money, consider getting a two-year certification as an occupational therapist assistant and making $43,337 to $59,404.

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The global credit crisis and flat-lining domestic economy could make this one of the most challenging times to be looking for a job in recent history. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of unemployed increased by 3.6 million between December 2007 and December 2008, and the December 2008 unemployment rate hit 7.2 percent. For January 20009, the unemployment rate rose to 7.6 percent, the highest since September 1992.

To be a successful job seeker in this climate, you have to be calm, patient and proactive — and try any (or all) of these tips.

Pick and Choose Your Targets

When Jack Hinson was laid off in mid-2008 from his job at a large Internet content company in Austin, he prioritized his search. “It’s important to put your time and energy into opportunities that you’re the most interested in and that have the best chance of coming to fruition,” he says. “Pick a few companies you’re interested in and pursue them, whether they have current openings or not.”

Concentrate on Growth Industries

Brent Berger, a Las Vegas-based scenario planning and strategy consultant, suggests focusing on growth industries and areas. “Look at energy,” he says. “With oil costs where they are, the need for cheap fuel and cheap heat is ever-mounting. And any job that alleviates pain is recession-proof. Similarly, the National Guard, Border Patrol, homeland security and the defense industry in general will continue to thrive as the next stage in the war on terror continues.”

Work Your Network

Hinson’s new gig came from an old connection. “I’d spoken to the company’s founders about a year ago and stayed in touch,” he says. “Then I ran into one of them at a networking function.” So flip through your Rolodex or business social media contacts and let them know you’re looking.

Sell Yourself

San Francisco PR account executive Samantha Rubenstein launched a job search just as the economy began to flag. After three months, she got a great offer from Atomic PR. She attributes her success to doing more than learning about the company. “Preparation [includes] learning how to talk about yourself in a meaningful and powerful way,” she says. “I created a list of potential interview questions and typed up bulleted answers to create speaking points.”

Consider Freelancing

Russ Carr, a designer and writer in St. Louis, has twice had a line on a job only to see it slip away when the employer lost a key account or decided to distribute the duties among current employees. To keep some money coming in, Carr started freelancing. “I haven’t stopped trying to shop myself for a full-time gig again, but freelancing certainly has kept food on the table,” he says. “If you’re in a field that supports it, don’t think twice — just do it.”

Take a Temporary Position

If freelancing isn’t practical, try temping. “Consider interim staffing to fill a temporary slot for work that needs to be done despite the economy,” advises Ronald Torch, president and CEO of the Torch Group, a marketing staffing firm in Cleveland. Or temp with a company that interests you. “Many of these options pay well and can carry the burden of bill-paying until a permanent position comes along,” he says.

Sweat the Small Stuff

“Don’t forget the personal touches,” counsels Felicia Miller, assistant director of career services at the Art Institute of Las Vegas. “Don’t use a template cover letter — make sure each letter addresses specific skills or qualities the company is looking for. And always send a thank-you note or email after the interview. Use this correspondence as an opportunity to revisit weak areas of your interview.”

Stay Positive

The most important thing when searching for a job in tough economic times is to retain a positive attitude, says Carol Vecchio, founder and executive director of Centerpoint Institute for Life and Career Renewal in Seattle. “Even in a job market with 10 percent unemployment, there’s 90 percent employment,” she says. “There is an average of over 3 million jobs available in the US per month — and each job seeker is looking for one. Those are pretty good odds.”

Struggling to find a great job in a bad economy can be a drag, but undertaking even a few of these tips will improve your chances of landing a gig. “Remember it doesn’t matter how many jobs are or aren’t out there,” Vecchio says. “You’re just looking for one — the right one for you.”

What Jobs Will the Stimulus Create?

By John Rossheim, Monster Senior Contributing Writer

?In his first address to Congress, President Barack Obama put his top priority for America’s beleaguered workers in simple terms: “Now is the time to jumpstart job creation.”

The work of reversing the labor economy’s slide will not be so simple. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act seeks to bring timely relief to 11.6 million unemployed Americans and 734,000 discouraged workers — so called by the Bureau of Labor Statistics because they have given up looking.

The jobs created by the Recovery Act will make a world of difference in the lives of millions, even though it can’t put everyone back to work tomorrow.

“The approximately 3.5 million jobs created or saved will reflect the current distribution of jobs across the economy,” touching all industries, says Heidi Shierholz, an economist at the Economic Policy Institute. Due to the severity of the recession, “that’s not going to fill in the employment gap entirely,” she says. About 3.6 million jobs have already been lost in the recession that began December 2007, according to a February 2009 BLS report, and no one expects the losses to stop anytime soon.

Four strategic sectors will receive money targeted for job creation, either directly or indirectly: energy (459,000 jobs), infrastructure (377,000), education (250,000) and healthcare (244,000), according to a report by Obama administration officials.

And the broader stimulus created by government work, recession relief and tax relief is projected to create even greater numbers of jobs across the economy.

Alternative Energy Jobs Get a Jolt

The stimulus package calls for unprecedented spending on clean energy, including $60 billion in loan guarantees for alternative energy projects such as wind turbines and coal gasification.

The money is sorely needed, because the green sector has been especially hard-hit in the downturn. “Since November, hiring has been in a lockdown,” says Doug Scott, regional managing director for recruitment firm the Mergis Group. “It’s starting to improve, because companies who have the money to make a play are now doing so.”

Engineers and tradespeople should see demand for their services rise when federal funding reaches their prospective employers. “Electrical, electronic and mechanical engineers will transfer their skills the quickest to alternative energy, to work on solar panels and wind turbines, for example,” says Scott. “Technical salespeople will be needed, as will skilled tradespeople to work in installation, infrastructure and field service.”

Learn more about energy-related opportunities and search for jobs.

Construction and Infrastructure Win Major Support

“Job growth from the stimulus will be heavier in industries that have been hit harder,” says Shierholz. “Those industries have the most opportunity for bounce-back.”

Construction, with its free-falling housing sector, desperately needs that bounce. So hardhats and their coworkers should be somewhat reassured to see that Recovery Act infrastructure spending will be measured in the hundreds of billions of dollars, and so-called shovel-ready projects will receive funding as soon as this spring. For example, the infrastructure stimulus will include billions of dollars for public transit, encompassing projects ranging from railway repairs to the purchase of hybrid buses.

Learn more about construction-related opportunities and search for jobs.

Education Gets into the Rebuilding Act

Recovery Act funding for education is projected to create or save hundreds of thousands of jobs, from teaching positions to bricklayers. This may give school officials across the country a breather as they struggle to balance budgets while state and local funding dwindles.

Education spending will include a variety of initiatives, from billons of dollars in school repairs to additional millions for programs for students with learning disabilities.

Learn more about education-related opportunities and search for jobs.

Healthcare Gets a Shot in the Arm

The stimulus package includes many billions of dollars for healthcare, including $21 billion for healthcare information systems and technology.

“The new administration will emphasize capturing information to better deliver pharmaceuticals and healthcare services,” says Jason Hersh, managing partner of Kline Hersh International. “Professionals in medical informatics will be in demand over the coming years. Job seekers who are looking to transition skill sets into this environment should look into healthcare IT,” he says.

Learn more about healthcare-related opportunities and search for jobs.

Millions More Jobs to Be Added Across the Economy

Beyond the four strategic sectors, some 2.3 million jobs are projected via other components of the stimulus package, such as extensions of unemployment benefits, aid to states and tax cuts. These jobs will be born in diverse industries, including retail, leisure and hospitality, manufacturing, professional and business services, government, financial, wholesale trade, transportation and warehousing, information technology and services, mining and utilities.

Employment in these areas will likely come online sooner than jobs created in the strategic sectors. “Because it takes time to carry out new spending programs authorized by legislation, we expect the jobs created by spending on infrastructure, education, health and energy to be concentrated in 2010 and 2011” rather than this year, the administration report notes.

Even given this jobs-building program of historic proportions, the rising tide of unemployment is unlikely to reverse itself in the near term. “If we can start adding net jobs in early 2010, we can say the stimulus did its job,” says Shierholz.

Get Ready to Land a Stimulus Job

Whether you are hoping to find a job in one of the four strategic sectors — energy, education, infrastructure, healthcare — or one that is indirectly created by the stimulus package, you can take action right now to be ready to stand out as the jobs are posted.

• Research: Narrowing in on the types of jobs you want and are most qualified for will help you keep your job search on task. Check out Monster’s Career Snapshots to learn about different jobs and get insiders’ perspectives on what it is like to work in these fields. This can also help you identify any skills gaps you may have so you can seek the appropriate training.
• Update Your Resume: Now that you have some potential career goals in mind, you need to make sure your resume will get you there. Be sure your resume is ready to go with your most up-to-date skills and accomplishments, and consider customizing your resume to the different jobs you plan to apply for.
• Keep an Eye on Jobs: As the stimulus begins to have its impact on the economy, the job postings will trickle in. Set up saved job searches now for your different target jobs so that Monster can notify you as they are posted. And look for when Monster’s Keep America Working Tour will come to a city near you, so you can take advantage of the on-site career-building opportunities.

When applying to a job today one of the scariest procedures is the background check or the check for security clearance. You and I know that you are innocent of anything and you are definitely not a criminal. But in todays market employers want to be sure that they are not only hiring the best candidate for the job, they are hiring someone who has a clean slate and are heaven bound. Employers are also beginning to search for you via Google.com searches, Facebook.com and linkedin.com . But have you ever wanted to get an anonymous tip on how the company of your dreams really is from the inside.

What is it really like to work there? How do they treat their employee’s? What is the compensation package like? Is all their propaganda real…can you really move up there?

Well now you can really find out…go check out ratemyemployer.ca and you can get the scoop on the companies… ha ha the applicants strike back!

Take a look at the site,  you can even vote on the entries that people posted. You can vote whether an entry was of benefit or not.

Even I created an entry for the company I work for. I kept it honest, real and positive.

Check out ratemyemployer.ca … hmm …. apply or not to apply that is the question?!