About Avery Partners

Avery Partners provides affordable knowledge and expertise in the IT, Finance / Accounting, and Healthcare sectors. Services include: Project Management, Human Capital Outsourcing, Management Consulting, and Staff Augmentation. The company has national capabilities and currently operates in over 20 states. We can reduce costs, eliminate hassles, increase service levels, and add value to each function we touch.

January 21st, 2013

Finding the Best of Career Opportunities

The search for new employment can lead a person to where ever he or she thinks there may be career opportunities. From the daily classifieds to online venues, many individuals look to make the change in career that will improve their standings in life. For some this can be as simple as submitting their resume to a number of appealing listings. For others, increasing their chances for better career opportunities will mean returning to school or receiving some other kind of certification. Either way, the hunt for the perfect place to work has almost turned into a full time job itself.

To make things easier, career opportunities are often broken down in different categories. These categories can go by job position or even industry. A number of online sites offer advice and helpful resources for all types of professions. Whether one is looking to work in the sports industry, education, culinary arts or even the medical field there is likely to be a website offering information on different career opportunities. These opportunities can be both national and worldwide. Typically, users of the website are allowed to not only read listings but post their own resumes to be seen by a vast number of organizations.

Another great option for those on the hunt for career opportunities comes in the form of job or career fairs. Career fairs offer individuals and employers a chance to get out and meet and greet each other in a single setting. It also allows individuals to apply at many companies instead of going through the exhausting practice of running all over town. Employers themselves get a chance to collect a number of diverse resumes for many different positions. Career fairs can be private functions or they can be sponsored by large corporations. They can be wonderfully diverse with many different companies or they can be devoted to a specific type of industry.

Career counselors can also provide good information on career opportunities. In the search for employment options, it can sometimes be necessary to consult a professional. Their knowledge of and connections to a number of programs can help one get the skills and on the job training needed most. Plus, a career counselor can help an individual polish up their resume, create a career plan and then arrange relevant employment opportunities. Once prospective employees get on the path to success, they can strengthen their skills with career builders such as educational seminars and other training. Those who put an effort into their career often end up with the satisfaction and earning power others often dream about.

January 17th, 2013

Where to Find Job Openings

Looking for a job today is very difficult, but that doesn’t mean that jobs aren’t out there.  Some companies are still hiring; you simply need to know where to find those elusive job openings.  The days of looking in the classified of the newspapers are somewhat over; newspapers themselves are reporting that many employers are simply not placing the ads with them that they used to.  This doesn’t mean that newspapers aren’t involved with job openings; usually you simply need to check their website online to find them.  Classified today are supported more by websites than by actual newspapers, so check and see if your local newspaper has a website where they’ve posted the classifieds.

You can also find job openings at other websites, not just for the newspapers.  Of course most people know to use moster.com or hotjobs.com but these aren’t the only places to find those postings.  Many fields and industries have their own job boards and forums where employers post positions.  They prefer to use these field-specific boards for their job openings because they assume they’ll get more qualified candidates and won’t get as many generic resumes submitted.  You can even try local boards like craigslist.com to find jobs.  The point is that you want to take your time when doing an internet search and browse as many boards as possible; you never know where you’ll find job openings that are perfect for you.

Another great place to look is the website of your state government.  Most states have a department that specifically handles employment and hiring and usually provide a board designed for job openings.  Start with your state’s website and you’ll probably find a link on the home page with jobs.

Local colleges and universities also typically have job openings on their website.  This is a great place for those looking for entry level jobs or those that don’t require a lot of experience as they’re typically geared toward students and those who have just graduated.  You might not find job openings geared toward professionals but you can often find many different opportunities through the local college.

You’ll probably also find some job openings at companies that are hiring.  This might be a sign they put on the counter but may also be on their website.  Many companies simply post job openings on their own website and nowhere else; they do this because they prefer the candidate to do the work of searching for the job rather than doing the work themselves of looking for the candidate.  You can check local companies that provide services in the field in which you work and browse their website for positions.  Typically you can also submit a resume through their website which will then stay in their records for six months or a year, in case there are openings in the future.  So check out the websites of local companies for job openings they may have and put your resume in even if you don’t see any openings at the moment.

January 14th, 2013

Some Tips on Where to Find Jobs

Many people out of work today are ready, willing and able to work and they may have all the skills and qualifications an employer is looking for.  The trick however is to find jobs where they can apply and get that elusive interview that will lead to a position.  Even in our tough economic times it is possible to find jobs in a variety of industries if you know where and how to look.

Of course you can still find jobs on those online job boards such as monster and hotjobs; you can even check Craigslist as well.  But often jobs in a particular industry or area have job boards designated for them.  You may want to expand your online search to include your field of experience, such as accounting, engineering, architecture, banking, and so on.  This will help you to find jobs that employers have posted on these specific sites; often they will use these sites alone in order to save time from those who send generic resumes to every position they see posted.

It’s interesting how often you can find jobs available just through word of mouth alone.  If you’re looking for work, let your friends and family know, as well as people you may know through your place of worship, your gym, your community center, your bowling league, and so on.  When you let others know that you’re looking for work they may actually find jobs for you!  Often they know of a company that’s looking for a particular skill but hasn’t advertised the job yet and can get you in the door or let you know where and how to apply.  Many people are able to find jobs this way without ever searching the internet or having to send out a resume!  So don’t be shy about letting people know your work situation and about telling them that you’re looking for something.

It’s also good to be open to other career opportunities, other than what you’re used to or the field in which you’ve been working.  You might be able to find jobs in a completely different field and find that you love the change, or it might lead to something that’s more familiar to you.  If you have an accounting degree but find a job in the purchasing department of a company, you may find that you love purchasing more than accounting or may find an opening in their accounting department sooner or later.  When you’re trying to find jobs it’s good not to turn your nose up at anything as you just don’t know how things will wind up, and of course it’s good to work at just about any job when you’re out of work in order to keep your attitude positive and to generate an income.

Remember when you’re trying to find jobs that your situation is just temporary; you’ll soon be working at a dream job again, even if it takes more time and effort to find it than you planned.

January 9th, 2013

Job Descriptions: Why Effective Job Descriptions Make Good Business Sense

Most neophyte workers or even freshly graduated members of the workforce will jump into jobs without knowing their job descriptions. This practice is understandable. Many of these fresh graduates are just glad to have gotten a job and will try to avoid being to nosy or pushy when it comes to work. They may think that ‘demanding’ a job description will be an added negative to their employer’s impression of them.

This could not be more wrong. Employers, in general, delight in employees that ask about their job description. This shows that the employee has an interest in knowing the specifics of his or her job and would like to know what his or her specific responsibilities are. Here are a few other reasons why job descriptions are truly important to employees and even to those who are searching for jobs.

1. Knowledge of Duties
A job description will furnish you with a list of your responsibilities and duties. This will ensure that you know what jobs you are supposed to do and which jobs you are not supposed to do.  Just “guessing” is not an option. However, you may be trying to do your best doing jobs that are not your duty and responsibility to perform. The result of which, on paper, is that you are not doing your job.

If you end up doing jobs that are not in your job description. You will not be credited with those jobs.

2. Prevent Being Taken Advantage Of
There will be instances when as an employee you will be asked to do specific duties that are not in your job description. It is perfectly legal to point to your job description and say that the particular job does not fall under your job description. You will, of course, have to do this politely.

You may, of course, choose to do these duties. However, make it clear that what you are doing is not within your job description. You and your manager may then choose to talk about whether these duties should be included and the proper remuneration for such.

3. What Matters to Your Employer is Paper
There have been countless employees who have come forth saying, “we did our best, worked over time, and gave our all, but did not receive the proper acknowledgement.” Unfortunately, employers will be too busy to keep track of your performance. You may have to submit reports on your progress and performance. This, of course, should be based on your job description or else it will not make any sense to your employer.

January 5th, 2013

Economic Downturns and the Successful Employment Search: Tips and Tricks

One of the defining characteristics of an economic downturn is that there are people who are not comfortable at all with searching for a job competing for the few jobs that are available.  As such, the skills that are needed when the economy is doing well are different that those useful skills that help you get through in the case of emergency.  Many people who are, for the first time in what might be decades, beginning their employment search, tips that can make the transition less painful than it currently is are very much appreciated.

Even when the economy is plugging right along, there are circumstances where you may find yourself looking for a job when you might had thought you were one with employment searches.  Tips that emphasize services that you have to buy into or give excessive amounts of personal information to are not the only (or even the best) way to go about your employment search.

Tips that encourage you to really, fully and honestly analyze your motivations for working as well as the sort of work that really inspires and motivates you, are those that are most valuable in a real job search.  Often this is most easily accomplished by making a series of lists that outline just what you’re expecting from a job and your requirements.  It is also good to make a list of things you might be willing to compromise upon, such as a benefit package or location.  Knowing just what you want is half the battle sometimes.

Other handy employment search tips that can make the difference between taking the first even mildly suitable job that comes along and reinventing yourself in an even better position include creating your own job and “pitching” it to prospective employers that may not have even advertised for help.  If you’ve correctly analyzed the situation and can provide a service that you can demonstrate the potential employer needs, you’ve got a good chance of creating your own job where one didn’t even exist before.  Being as flexible as possible is also valuable in such situations, as is having

One of the best pieces of advice is to being several months in advance if you’re given any advance warning at all.  Typically employment search tips recommend at least six-months lead time if at all possible.  You may very well need that entire time and more during a particularly persistent and unfortunate economic downturn in your particular sector or throughout several sectors, as resource crunches often cause.

By selling your skills and presenting yourself as someone who fixes problems, rather than just looking for a job, you’ll outshine the competition rather than blending in with them.

December 29th, 2012

The Ups and Downs of Employment Search by Social Security Number

Nowadays, employment agencies use your SSN to look at your employment records. Employment search by social security number is really easy with the use of the internet. In less than 24 hours, employment agencies can get a hold of all the information they need regarding your working experiences.

Employment search by social security number will reveal almost any information regarding your employment history to the employment agencies or companies you are applying with. Companies also use employment search by social security number to find out if there is any undesirable record such imprisonment or involvement in any anti-government affiliations that’s contrary to the values of the company.

The main purpose of employment search by social security number is to protect the company, its employees and you as an applicant. Such a search is not an intention to pry into your personal life, but rather to ensure that the information you have included in your applications is true.

Most people are concerned when they provide their social security number for search. This is understandable because by giving out your SSN, you are actually allowing strangers access to very personal information. It’s no telling whether the people who have your SSN will use it for employment search by social security number or to steal your identity for criminal deeds.

Since employment search by social security number is usually done in the later stages of your application, it also means that the company is serious about hiring you, and this is just one last protocol that you have to go through. If a company or employment agency asks you for your SSN, it implies that you are almost sure of employment, and this should encourage you to reveal your SSN most willingly.

To prevent your social security number from being stolen, make sure that you give the information to authorized people only. It’s safer if you enter the information into the company’s system electronically. Some employment agencies, especially the really established ones, have an electronic system for applicants to submit their SSNs so that they can evaluate the employment records of the applicants more personally.

Even if you are desperately looking for a job because of financial problems, it is still important that you make the necessary precautions to reveal your SSN to as little people as possible. It wouldn’t hurt asking the employment agencies if they use employment search by social security number as part of their screening process. If you have nothing to hide, you can rest assured that employment search by social security number will only work to your advantage. This method of searching employment records provides great convenience for companies when they process your job application.

December 22nd, 2012

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Relocating for Your Job

Have you recently been asked by your employer to relocate?  If you have been, you are not alone.  Each year, thousands of individuals are asked about relocating by their employers.  In today’s society, many companies are finding it difficult and costly to run a business. This is what leads many companies to consider downsizing or moving their headquarters to areas in which it is cheaper to operate a business.  With this common occurrence, you may find yourself being asked by your employer to relocate.

If you have been asked by your employer to relocate, you may be unsure as to how you should proceed.  One of the best ways to determine if relocating for your job is the right decision for you is to examine the advantages and disadvantages of relocation. These advantages and disadvantages can make it easier for you to make the decision that is best for your needs and possibly the needs of your family.  Just a few of the many advantages and disadvantages to relocating that you may want to take into consideration are outlined below.

Perhaps, the greatest advantage to relocating for a job is the fact that you are able to keep your job.  While circumstances may vary, you will often find that you are given three choices when asked to relocate. Those three choices often include accepting the relocation offer, quitting your job, or being fired or laid off.  If you have been faced with these choices, you may want to seriously consider relocating, as it will enable you to keep your job and often your current position, pay, and seniority as well.

Another one of the many advantages to relocating for a job is a fresh start.  Many times, families or individuals just need a chance to start over.  If you or your family are currently unhappy with where you live or life in general, a change may do you good.  It is also important to mention cost of living.  To save money, many companies make the decision to relocate in areas that are known for their low or affordable cost of living.  This is what can enable them to save money.  This low or affordable cost of living may also make it easier, as well as more affordable for you to go about buying a new home and so forth.

Although a fresh start may sound nice for a large number of individuals, it doesn’t mean that it is right for everyone, like you or your family. Relocating may be difficult or even impossible for you to do if you have a spouse who is currently employed or if you have a teenager is satisfied with their current school and friends.  These are all factors to consider.  With that in mind, relocation isn’t a decision that you should make on your own, especially if you have a family.  It is a decision that should involve everyone who would be impacted, in one way or another, with relocation.

The cost of relocation is another disadvantage or downside to doing so.  With that in mind, it is advised that you speak with your employer about assistance.  If you aren’t given a choice or if your employer wants to keep you on their team, you may be able to get financial assistance for relocating.  This financial assistance, if it is offered, will likely vary, but you should be able to get assistance with the hiring of a moving company, as well as the cost of gasoline or airline tickets to your new destination.  Even if financial assistance for relocating is not offered, it would not hurt for you to at least inquire about it.

The above mentioned factors are just a few of the many factors that you will want to take into consideration if you are ever given the opportunity to relocate.  As a reminder, the decision to relocate is one that should be made in conjunction with you, your employer, as well as your family.

December 9th, 2012

“How to be Invited for Interviews”

Once the application has been sent and the resume received the next thing that should happen is that the employer will be calling to test communication skills by means of an interview.  Allowing yourself to be given the option on which employer is best fitting the applicant is one characteristic of being pro-active.  Consider being called by multiple employers for a job interview in a day a good sign.  This means that they were really impressed with the documents you submitted, therefore, deserving a personal communication on how most likely an applicant would land the job.

Resumes can present an individual very well.  Seventy-five per cent of employers say that applicants with resumes passing their standards would definitely be invited for a job interview.  Allow two or more interviews.  How?  Here are some resumes tips that would give you not only one but more calls for interview:

1. The position that an applicant is interested in should be placed right at the start of the resume.  Having this as an objective shows that an applicant is really focused and career oriented tells that he or she knows what is exactly the perfect career for him or her.

2. One of the best significant ways to get the employers’ attention is by using words that are really powerful that denotes strong capabilities of the applicant.  An example of this is, instead of writing, “assigned to be”, write instead “in-charge of,” indicating that the applicant has active leadership skills that can be a step to the management position if there is any.

3. A bullet catches the eye of an employer at one look.  Use these in itemizing achievements, career highlights, recognition, qualifications, and skills and interests.  Words in bullet form forces the employer to read the information provided.  These also create more clear space on the paper making the application form or the resume very neat and outstanding.

4. Make sure that the resume is very selective.  Only apply for a certain position in one company or organization one at a time.  Do not submit resumes with different job interests and positions applied for at one time.  This will be a complete waste of time.

5. Ask a pro.  Resumes are written with the help of experts who can actually see the applicant’s strengths and opportunities.

Aside from preparing an impressive resume carefully follow and read all the special instructions like how many spaces are provided for a specific answer or the number of words for the answer.  Keep in mind that this is also a test to see how well an applicant can follow simple rules.  Not only does it have to follow the steps, the application form should also be neat.  Handwriting is also being considered and using a black pen will greatly add to the formality of the answer.  As much as possible, never use a liquid paper or fold and bend the application form and paper.

When answering, be careful not to leave blanks unless it really does not apply.  Use N/A only if necessary.  Be truthful with all the answers but this does not mean that you have to provide a complete or thorough answer for every question.  Always adapt the answers to the job being applied for.  Only provide the skills and recognition received that will be beneficial to the new company or employer.  However, see to it that the answers provided indicate the reason of being more qualified than the other applicants.

Choose references that can provide the applicant an objective description and information.  Teachers, friends, and previous employers can be willing and honest enough to provide that information.  The application form must be consistent with the resume.

“How to be Invited for Interviews”

Once the application has been sent and the resume has been received the next thing that would possibly happen is that the employer will be calling to test communication skills by means of an interview.  Allowing oneself to be given the option on which employer is best fitting the applicant is one characteristic of being pro-active.  Consider being called by multiple employers for a job interview in a day a good sign.  This only means that they were really impressed with the documents submitted, therefore, deserving a personal communication on how most likely an applicant would land on the job.

Resumes can present an individual very well.  Seventy-five per cent of employers say that applicants with resumes passing their standards would definitely be invited for a job interview.  Allow two or more interviews.  How?  Here are some resumes tips that would give you not only one but more calls for interview:

1. The position that an applicant is interested in should be placed right at the start of the resume.  Having this as an objective shows that an applicant is really focused and career oriented tells that he or she knows what is exactly the perfect career for him or her.

2. One of the best significant ways to get the employers’ attention is by using words that are really powerful that denotes strong capabilities of the applicant.  An example of this is, instead of writing, “assigned to be”, write instead “in-charge of,” indicating that the applicant has active leadership skills that can be a step to the management position if there is any.

3. A bullet catches the eye of an employer at one look.  Use these in itemizing achievements, career highlights, recognition, qualifications, and skills and interests.  Words in bullet form forces the employer to read the information provided.  These also create more clear space on the paper making the application form or the resume very neat and astounding.

4. Make sure that the resume is very selective.  Only apply for a certain position in one company or organization one at a time.  Do not submit resumes with different job interests and positions applied for at one time.  This will be a complete waste of time.

5. Ask a pro.  Resumes are written with the help of experts who can actually see the applicant’s strengths and opportunities.

Aside from preparing an impressive resume carefully follow and read all the special instructions like how many spaces are provided for a specific answer or the number of words for the answer.  Keep in mind that this is also a test to see how well an applicant can follow simple rules.  Not only does it have to follow the steps, the application form should also be neat.  Handwriting is also being considered and using a black pen will greatly add to the formality of the answer.  As much as possible, never use a liquid paper or fold and bend the application form and paper.

When answering, be careful not to leave blanks unless it really does not apply.  Use N/A only if necessary.  Be truthful will all the answers but this does not mean that you have to provide a complete or thorough answer for every question.  Always adapt the answers to the job being applied for.  Only provide the skills and recognition received that will be beneficial to the new company or employer.  However, see to it that the answers provided indicate the reason of being more qualified than the other applicants.

Choose reference that can provide the applicant an objective description and information, teachers, friends, and previous employers can be willing and honest enough to provide that information.  The application form must be consistent with the resume.  Since many of these employers standardize and gauge the information the applicant is providing in his application form and resume, these must be full of complete and honest information.  This will be their basis when considering to have a one on one interview to see if what they read is true enough.  Arm oneself with positive strategies and knowledge to get those invitations for interviews come after you.  Remember that this will also be a marketing tool that any applicant can use for other future job hunting experience.Since many of these employers standardize and gauge the information the applicant is providing in his application form and resume, these must be full of complete and honest information.  This will be their basis when considering having a one on one interview to see if what they read is true enough.  Arm yourself with positive strategies and knowledge to get those interview invitations coming to you.  Remember that this will also be a marketing tool that any applicant can use for other future job hunting experience.

December 5th, 2012

Tips To Know The Winning Answers For Interview

The Human Resources people all agree on the fact that one of the best ways to prepare for a job interview is to predict the questions to be asked and practice the answers to them. Knowing the winning answers to the questions asked in an interview can be just the difference between you getting, or not getting a job. There are many website that sell cheap gimmicks stating that the can give you the secret for knowing all wining answers. However, this is not true at all, as the success rate totally depends on how well you practice for an interview. However, these tips can help you give winning answers to your potential employers.

You can’t predict the kind of questions that will be asked in an interview. An unexpected question may crop up no matter how well you prepare for it. The best way is to practice all possible types of questions by referring to the same questions, forums, and books. However, be careful not to say the sample answers word to word. Give it your own shape and speak out in your personal style. Apply your own personality, experience and background to it.

For every question that you answer, try to reveal something good and new about you. Don’t brag but humbly let the employer know how fitted you are for the position. This is very crucial as this will help in giving you an edge over the other candidates competing for the same post.

Finally, always keep in your mind that the job interview questions are not the things to be afraid of. They are your opportunities to learn and excel. Don’t be too scared of them, instead learn to look forward to them and take it as an experience. The key to all the preparation is to come up with better answers to the interview questions than the other candidates.

December 4th, 2012

Conducting a Swift and Successful Employment Search When Changing Careers

When you find yourself out of a job suddenly, as often happens to people who have done nothing wrong, it is important that you get a comparable position from a swift and successful employment search.  Looking for a job seems rather daunting when you haven’t had to look for a job in a while or if you’ve had the same job for a very long time.  But, it’s really not that bad if you have some confidence in your job skills.

And why shouldn’t you be?  Everyone is good at something.  Sometimes it takes a bit of creativity on your part to find just the sort of job you are good at if you’re just starting out or haven’t been in the labour force for awhile.  At the same time, the employment search for a mid-career executive or someone who has had enough of their former profession can involve just as much creativity and soul searching. 

The key is to be ready to unexpected opportunities by conducting a wide ranging employment search that emphasises your particular talents rather than what you think you should be doing.  It is possible for a skill that was once in demand on Wall Street can be useful on a ranch.

There are companies that assist you in national or international employment searches, though one should be careful not to spend a bunch of money (or time) on web sites that would take your money and not deliver quality job leads.  Anyone can show you a bunch of junk that is of no use.  You don’t have time for that.  Efficiency in your employment search is what will get you back to work quickly.

Of course, speed is not the only thing to consider.  You certainly want to make a similar or higher wage if possible.  Even if you became very suddenly unemployed, there is no reason you shouldn’t be able to move upwards.  Even when changing professions, you don’t actually have to start out the bottom, though that sometimes means you need to pitch your job as something new and better, as it will be.  Sometimes an employment search takes the form of a search for people who might be receptive to creating a job for you.

Even if you think you know exactly what you want to do for your next position, it’s useful to keep an open mind regarding potential employers.  As long as you follow all the other rules of a typical employment search: prompt responses, error-free resume / cover letter and an enthusiastic attitude, you are certain to have swift results.

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