10 Tips to Define Your Professional Future

10 Tips to Define Your Professional Future

Career-Builder Careerbuilder

Know some keys to choosing your career according to specialists in career building. Be confident to achieve future success. Do what you love, what you passionate about. 

The academic life and future career of a student can be shaped by their decision to choose one or another professional career. Making this decision is never easy, so if you are not clear about your academic future, these are 10 basic tips to keep in mind.

1. Active Attitude

If you do not know what to study, do not believe that the answer will come to you from moment to moment, in a dream or a vision; You must have an active attitude towards the subject, seek, ask, and inquire about the careers that interest you. Visit the universities, enter the classes, talk to the students and professionals of these careers.

2. Think about what you want to be and not what you want to study

When you ask a child what he wants to be, he readily responds police, fireman, singer, Queen, etc. For the child is very simple, because he is not thinking about what it takes to be able to fulfill his dream.

Stop for a moment to think about what to study, and ask yourself what you want to be. It is more important to know what you want to do throughout your working life, to be clear on where you would like to work, to worry about what you have to learn in college to achieve it.

Once you are clear what you want to be and do, see what career corresponds to your desires.

3. You would even do it for free

An indication that you have chosen your career well is to think if you would be willing to exercise even free. 

For example, you're a veterinarian finds a puppy injured in the street, could help you so do not make money with this, because it is your vocation, besides knowing what you are doing, is happy doing it. 
If you want to work only for money, you probably are not passionate about your choice, and you will inevitably be dissatisfied with your job.

4. I decide

Do not let others decide for you. Listen to the advice of your parents, family, teachers, friends, but make the decision yourself.

5. Are you anxious?

Another sign that may indicate that you have made a good career choice is that you are keen to enter college. At this point, you should really want to start studying, because it's what you like.

6. Why wait?

If you really like what you want to study, you should not wait for college to start learning about it. 

Examples: 

• Who likes photography, takes photos. 
• The one who wants to be a pilot collects planes. 
• The passionate about journalism, read the newspaper. 

7. Leave the money aside

No career ensures economic success; If there were probably almost all would have studied. Although money is important, you will not have it if you study something that you do not like or that you do not care about, because you will not be a good professional. 

Good professionals earn real money, and to be good, you must have a passion for what you do. 

If you find a career professional that interests you that has not succeeded, do not worry, suddenly has not run with good luck or maybe not a real professional; Look for others that are successful.

8. Do not compare yourself, nor let them compare you

Not everyone has the same vocation, do not compare yourself with your peers, do not worry if they already know what to study, or if you think that what they are going to study is better than yours. Find your own vocation, do not let your parents compare you with your brothers or relatives, you are unique.

9. Arguments

If you can not explain to another person what a professional in your career is doing, what you learn in college and where you can work, watch out! You have no idea what you want to be with this race. 

The day you can sit down with your parents to explain and argue why that career complements your life project, that day you can say that you have a clear future for your career.

10. To reflect

• What is better? An evil doctor or a good singer? 
• Who earns more? A mediocre lawyer or a great architect? 
• Who is happier? A frustrated engineer or a vocational dentist?

8 Tips to write a good CV in English

8 Tips to write a good CV in English

Career-Builder Writing-tips

Follow these tips to create a curriculum that allows you to access positions where knowledge of this language is required.

Nowadays it is more complicated, but not impossible, to get a job, as there is more competition in the labor market. Therefore, each facet of our skills, training, and experience must be reflected in our curriculum vitae, and it must be adapted to each particular job position.

It is not enough to just translate our CV into English so that we can send those vacancies in which they ask for knowledge of the language as an essential requirement; The CV in English must be different from the one in Spanish.

An excellent curriculum in English should be a document summarizing our education and work experience. Below we list points and relevant information so that your CV in English can be selected.

1. Visual Attraction

This should be attractive and creative. It is important that you have personality and some element that differentiates you from the rest of the candidates.

2. Brevity

Do not exceed two pages, you do not have to write your autobiography. It is best to include little but good, clear and relevant information rather than write lengthy paragraphs that may confuse the coach about your facets, experience, and skills.

3. No photo

Contrary to CVs in Spanish, in English they do not carry a photograph, nor will you have to specify your public status.

4. Organized

Your CV must be very well ordered. Do not repeat information, organize your sentences and select the appropriate words to define and explain your trajectory.

5. Structured

• It is important to follow this structure, divided into four sections:
• Personal information
• Work Experience
• Education (Education)
• Skills and Interests

Both in the area of professional experience and teaching, you must list your experience and academic titles chronologically and include the most relevant points of each of them.

6. Clarity / Spelling Correction

Be clear and concise. Do not leave half sentences or anonymous posts. It is critical that after reading your resume, the coach is clear about your career and education, as well as your skills and skills. It is advisable not to forget to write the professional category in each job. It is not the same to write marketing, as a marketing manager or marketing executive.

Make sure you have no spelling mistakes and that your resume is perfectly understood. Send it to your friends or your English teacher to check it out.

7. Use the right words

Your CV has to convey positivity and energy. For this to happen, you must use the right words. These should be motivating and proactive, avoiding repetitions, such as Initiated, Direct, Create, Lead, Generate and Launch.

8. Honesty

It is critical that you be frank and honest. Otherwise, they will surely find out at the job interview.

Finally, before sending your CV, remember to be realistic and make sure that you meet the requirements for the job post, if you fulfill them, send it, but if not, do not fool yourself.  

For more information on how to write your resume in English or to pass a job interview in this language, EF Englishtown has created an interactive work guide with videos and information in English to help all those who seek professional success.

Five Benefits of Studying Abroad

Five Benefits of Studying Abroad

Career-Builder Careerbuilder Study-Abroad

Traveling to another country to prepare you will give you professional and personal experiences that will mark you for a lifetime.

Studying in another country has been a tradition for many university students worldwide. Although discovering new adventures and expanding the network of friendships can be interesting, today the academic, cultural and professional benefits are much more relevant. While many turns to overseas study to pursue their undergraduate degrees, the number of candidates seeking to expand their knowledge through post-graduate courses has increased, particularly in the United States. In a globalized economy such as the one we are in, it becomes easy to understand why many business-minded undergraduates seek an international experience.

Hult Business School gives us some of the benefits that studying abroad can offer, whether you are starting a career or boosting your business with an MBA.

1. Seize your opportunity and discover the world

Studying abroad does not mean that you are on vacation. You will have the agenda entirely occupied with exams, tasks, networking events, jobs, among others, but you will also have free time. The latter, you must invest in discovering your new city or the country in which you find yourself and experience a different side of the world.

Studying abroad does not mean that you will be in one place, take this opportunity to know how many countries is possible. Due to the availability of travel plan options and budget airlines, traveling the world has a much more affordable cost. The school you choose may also have exchange programs that maximize your international opportunities.

2. You will understand broadly new cultures and new ways of doing business

Mark Twain made the best description "Travel is deadly for prejudice, intolerance and limited thinking." In a more interconnected world, understanding and appreciating other cultures is essential. Studying abroad will not only allow you to understand how different cultures develop but also you will be able to better understand the world issues. Each situation that you face or person with which you interact, from your classmates to your teachers, will help you learn about your environment. Likewise, the international contact you will have will challenge all your assumptions and help you develop new ways of thinking.

On the other hand, you will have the opportunity to develop yourself in a new field of work and obtain a global perspective. By witnessing problem-solving by cultures other than your own and being part of teams with different visions, you will acquire invaluable skills that will serve to develop you in an international environment. Also, you will be able to have contact with diverse academic cultures, with which you will have an opportunity to face professors hope that you take greater responsibility in your learning process and, therefore, more independence.

Also, outside the classroom, you will immerse yourself in the local culture, enjoy the traditional food, festivities, and customs of your country of preference.

3. Expand your network of contacts

One of the most common reasons for studying abroad is contact with people from all over the world. Collaboration with students from other countries is part of the dynamics, and consequently, every interaction carried out builds a personal network of contacts with a global reach. Having a good relationship with teachers is also valuable overseas, as experience, connections and mentors can be extremely useful during your career.

Many students develop close friendships and often stay in touch after graduation. Those who are your friends abroad will become part of your life and, although this means having a network of friends gratifying, you will realize that it will be a significant advantage in your working lives. Wherever you develop professionally, your connections can open doors to unexpected opportunities. It's not what you know, it's who you know.

4. You will get new skills that will be essential

For some students studying abroad is their first chance to live outside their parents' home. The experience of getting used to a new culture and life abroad can be overwhelming, even for post-graduate students who used to be independent before their arrival. Adapting quickly to a new environment will not only test your problem-solving skills, but it will also enhance your communication skills, self-confidence, and your adaptability.

Developing a set of survival skills is one of the greatest benefits of studying abroad. After experiencing cultural shock, you will gain confidence in yourself and independence difficult to erase. From mundane tasks on how to open a bank account or how to find a doctor, to how negotiating techniques and the characteristics of a leader change from one country to another, experiences abroad will increase your abilities. Each of the above skills can be applied in your professional career.

5. Increase your chances of employment

It is no secret that an experience abroad is excellent for improving the employability of a graduate. From achieving greater fluency in a particular language, obtaining a real qualification, to acquiring skills such as adaptability, efficient communication, and intercultural understanding, the time you spend abroad is an excellent opportunity to develop the curriculum.

You may also have the opportunity to gain work experience abroad during or after your studies. During the internship, it's possible to get a part-time job depending on the visa type.

Work restrictions for students vary by location, so prior research is worth doing. In this regard, college advisors will be a valuable source of information about career opportunities and other ways to increase the chances of getting a job after graduation.

Ultimately no matter what your branch or career aspirations and international experience will help you excel in today's job market.

5 Keys to Overcome a Job Interview Questions

5 Keys to Overcome a Job Interview Questions

Career-Builder Job-Interview

Most of the time candidate fails to win a job interview for nervousness. So we decided to teach you basic rules to winning a job interview. 
It is very common for entrepreneurs to keep a job while their businesses get harder. 

Many entrepreneurs must hold a job while their own companies take more force or simply want to maintain employment benefits and the extra money that will generate a part - time business.

Whatever the case, there are many reasons why an entrepreneur (present and future) may attend a job interview.

The first thing I want to say to you is to insist on the idea that you have to prepare yourself for each job interview thoroughly since if every new job opportunity that comes up, you spend enough time, your chances of success will increase form exponential.

To give some examples:

• Imagine that the person interviewing you could be your future boss. It would be a good idea to tell him about the successes that his company has achieved, about that good product that they manufacture or about the identity that you are with the values, mission, and vision of your business.

• Any interviewer will also like you to mention what makes your company different from the others. Speak with knowledge about your policies, customers, products or in short, ask questions that let you know that you know the company and the position that you are going to occupy.

In general, these are some keys to overcoming any job interview

1. Give a good first impression

This is probably one of the most important in this part of the recruitment process core because most interviewers are able to make a decision just a few seconds to see the candidate.

Something that always works to avoid offering a bad impression is to investigate what is the dress code of the company and to look at how the other employees in your department look. Accompany your image with an energetic handshake, keeping your eyes and smiling naturally. This will help you overcome the first contact.

Do not forget that the first impression begins to form as soon as you enter the premises of the company, so be kind to anyone you meet. A recruiter will use all the tools at your fingertips to know how you are, and one of them can be as simple as asking your employees (parking staff, receptionist, secretary, etc.) how you behaved when you meet them. If you greeted them politely, you lowered your gaze and passed by without greeting, or maybe you showed yourself arrogant.

2. Do not hide your flaws

This is a significant step because although you should try to expose them during the interview are your strengths, my advice is that you may bring to light your weaknesses as soon as possible.

If you had a problem in the past and you were kicked out of a job because you made a grave mistake, you should discuss it as soon as possible. This kind of thing soon comes to light, so explain it with sincerity and focus on giving concrete examples that let you see how you have overcome that situation.

3. Talk to property and make relevant questions

Speak to your partner demonstrating some knowledge of the company and the job to which you present yourself, it gives you a huge advantage.

This goal is easy to achieve if you spend enough time preparing the questions you want to ask during the interview and you bother to read all the information that is available and refer to both the company and the job you are presenting.

If you bother to do that little research, I assure you that on the day of the interview you will see that you have a real interest in that job and that in a short time you could be working as part of the staff.

4. Generate empathy, marking

Sometimes you get to talk to someone you do not know and just after crossing a couple of sentences, you feel that somehow "clicked." Notes that person liked you and that you would continue talking to her for a while.

Well, that feeling has a lot to do with how they both look alike and with something that arises unconsciously. Suddenly the two begin to coordinate, speak and move in the same way as if each were in front of a mirror.

The idea is that when sitting before your interviewer you understand that you would also like to talk to a person who looks like you, so it is a question of applying this technique of mirror but consciously. This means adopting a cadence and tone of voice similar to yours, express yourself with your same gestures, take your own body posture and show affinity in what you like or dislike. 
This tactic should be practiced and applied with caution, since if done in an exaggerated way it could be taken as a mockery.

5. Thanks the time you have devoted

Another opportunity to highlight occurs to terminate the interview and saying goodbye recruiter. In most cases, many candidates are dismissed without even more and even forget the courtesy and show by their gestures and words some discontent or anger when the interview has not gone as well as expected.

But until the moment of the farewell must be dedicated to demonstrating your gratitude to the interviewer. Saying goodbye with the same energy and optimism that you used to greet him for the first time, and telling him bluntly, that you appreciate the opportunity and the time that he has dedicated you.

Take advantage of the situation to ask for your contact information or your professional card. That way you can send him a letter of thanks, which any recruiter will take into account and that finally reinforces the objective: to stand out from the rest of the candidates.

Discover How to Choose a Career

Discover How to Choose a Career

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There comes a time when all young people must decide what career to study. It is at this moment that doubts arise, and future students are not clear how to define their future, as they are debating between the vocation, skills they possess for individual careers and the salary to receive. 

"You have to consider multiple factors in different areas. First, the individual, that is, 'what do I want for myself?' It is necessary to take into account the emotional aspect, the vocational aspect, that is, the development that the person has had up to that moment about their strengths and weaknesses, in which areas they could perform better, their interests, tastes, etc. " Notes the academic coordinator of the University of the Pacific School of Psychology, Felipe Vergara. 

According to the academic, each student should reflect on what is seen in the future, what kind of places he feels comfortable and would like to be. Whether or not he is interested in different areas of the career, in addition to taking into account the market That profession, whether in the economic as in the work.

"Studying a career is quite demanding, especially a daytime that involves 45 hours a week. In that sense, it is important to consider what the family support is the student, if the family situation is unstable or if some conflicts prevent 100% study. Maybe there are other decisions to take, such as considering the length of the race, etc., "says Vergara.

Many young people are among several different options, and it 's hard to choose one of them. In that case, the psychologist explains that the first step is to know yourself and evaluate the alternatives well. For example, if a student is between studying music and business engineering, it is best to understand that it is not a life-or-death decision.

"Dreams are realized in an integral way, that is to say, maybe it is this and also the other. The options are not necessarily exclusive. If the person wants to study, for example, Music, he has to evaluate his abilities, the possibilities of labor field, etc. It is necessary to make a critical look at the strengths of each one in front of what society gives me. Clearly, if the person is willing to earn less at the beginning, which is going to cost, but for accomplishing what he really wants to be, it is a very valid option, "says the U. of the Pacific expert.

On the other hand,  Vergara emphasizes that it is necessary to focus on the vocation, since indicators such as profitability, employability, and others, can vary and also the chances of success change depending on personal characteristics.

"Employability and income will depend on the person's contact networks, the ability to manage their career, their level of proactivity, etc. The great offer of educational programs makes us have the distorted image that the race does everything, and no, it is the personal effort. It is one thing to have the inputs of a professional career and another what is what the person does with that, "says the specialist.

Vergara also says that the vocation can not be chosen or known overnight to a performance that had the person in a test. "Vocation is determined in the course of life, in the project of life that sets a teenager forward," he says.

5 Golden Rules For Choosing Career

5 Golden Rules For Choosing Career

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If you are about to embark on the road to higher education studies, it is important to choose an academic program or a career as it is popularly known, to have sufficient arguments to make decisions that allow you to meet expectations and achieve Goals laid out in your project of life.

The primary factor that leads students to defect or withdraw from his studies is related to the low academic level. And the deficiencies in the prior preparation that are brought from the school, followed by the economic conditions of the student or his family and the vocational guidance that he receives during the stage previous to his studies higher. If you want to start your higher studies and "do not try to die," keep in mind the following 5 golden rules for choosing a career:

1. Know your strengths and weaknesses. 

You can get an idea taking into account the subjects you like most in school and with which you get the best grades. Also, the result of the ICFES exam becomes an excellent thermometer to know your weaknesses and academic strengths according to the areas evaluated. 
Regarding academic shortcomings, In some countries, higher education institutions have since been implementing the leveling courses in the first semesters with emphasis on mathematics and literacy, teacher tutorials and directed monitoring. By advanced semester students.

2. Choose Higher Education Institutions and careers approved by the Ministry of National Education. 

When finishing your studies, when you go to apply for a job it is critical that the degree obtained is valid. To answer this golden rule, there is the query module 'Looking for Carrera?', A virtual space where you can be sure that the programs and institutions that appear there are approved by the Ministry of National Education. 

3. Review the 'academic work,' that is the curriculum of the career of your choice. 

If it is time to choose the academic program that suits you, it is necessary to know what is the curriculum that it has, in other words, The subjects that you will see throughout the development of the semesters. This will allow you to make a connection between your academic strengths and the topics of the educational program. You will also be able to identify in which competencies and abilities you will leave with greater force to the labor market.

4. Find out what the situation in the labor market of your 'possible colleagues' is. 

Through the Labor Observatory for Education you can know how much professionals are gaining; How many of them have a formal job, how many have graduated since 2001, among other information. All this you can see through search criteria such as career, the level of education, department, gender, etc.

5. If necessary, ask about funding plans or financial support to fund your higher education. 

There are different sources of financing or economic support that can be offered by public or private entities; The Institute of Credit and Technical Studies Abroad (ICETEX) is an entity of the State that grants educational credits to the population with lower economic possibilities and good academic performance. 

Also, there are other ways to find financing for your career, do not forget to ask at the higher education institution of your choice if the campus offers students some type of financial credit, scholarships or incentives. A statistics reveal that students drop out or withdraw less when they receive funding from the institution or are beneficiaries of credit with sources, hence the importance of ensuring enough time in advance how you will finance your studies.

If you still do not know what you want to study, we recommend that you talk to a professional counselor, he or she can help you find the ideal profession for you. 
Evaluate all the alternatives and choose the one that suits you best. Most importantly, do not let other people choose your future.