How Being a Traveler Can Help You Succeed When You Work Abroad

We all need rest and relaxation, which a good vacation can certainly provide us with. It doesn't matter if you choose to travel in your own country or abroad. What's important is that you get to take a break from the constant pressures from work and the hustle-bustle of your everyday life. But aside from these obvious benefits of traveling, did you know that it can also benefit your career? And are you aware that employers are also likely to prefer job candidates who are well traveled?

In this post, we'll talk about why those who love to travel often succeed more at work and in their careers.

They are very open-minded.

People who often travel meet a lot of people, get familiar with many cultures, and experience many things that they don't get to experience on a regular day. All these contribute to their being open-minded. If they are not optimistic and accepting of different things, they will not be able to enjoy the places they visit.

They have a good ability to network.

One thing that many frequent travelers love about going to different places is the fact that they can meet so many different people all the time. When they need directions, they talk to local people. When they get into any trouble, they need the help of the natives. It will be very hard for someone to get along with people from different backgrounds if he/she doesn't have good networking skills.

They are organized.

Traveling with a limited budget and time can be very stressful. Thus, one has to be very organized if they want to have an enjoyable and relaxing trip or vacation. They need to book their tickets and accommodation well ahead of time. During the trip, they also need to make sure they are on time for their trips, or else, they will be left behind. All these require good organizing skills, which can easily be developed by those who often go to different places.

They know about many cultures.

Through modern computer and communication technologies, it now seems that the world is really smaller. We are all connected with one another, and distance doesn't seem to be a hindrance to communication. For businesses and companies, this also means endless opportunities to do business with different people from different countries. With that in mind, individuals who know a lot about other cultures have a huge advantage when it comes to job applications or even getting promotions.

They are flexible and can adapt to different situations easily.

Well traveled individuals are not likely to have a hard time adjusting to new environments. This is a huge advantage for you especially if you're planning to work abroad.

Career Search Tips for Finding the Career That Best Suits You

Determining your career path can be very tricky, especially if you don't have any experience to base your choices on. It is important that you take your career planning seriously because this can affect how successful and happy you will be in your career in the end.

Follow these tips on how you can choose the right career for you:

Figure out what energizes and excites you. Obviously, you want a job and career that will make you happy and your life meaningful. While passion alone will not guarantee career success and satisfaction, it is still essential because it is your passion that will keep you going even when you're going through a rough time.

Also consider what you are good at. It's possible that there is not one single thing you are passionate about, or you just aren't sure what your passion is. In that case, you have to think about your skills and what you are good at. Think about your special skills and talents, and use them as a basis of planning your career.

Take a career assessment test. Career assessment tests are a big help when it comes to narrowing down your career choices. These tests are designed in a way that will help you determine your most important skills and even personality traits, which is important in deciding which career are suitable for you.

Join an internship program. If you have time and you are flexible when it comes to compensation, an internship is something you should give a try. An internship could be a means for you to getting a full-time job. Even if your internship does not end in employment, this experience can help you decide what career is right for you. You can also build your network through internships.

Ask friends and family. One of the best ways to discover and learn about a career is to talk to and ask people who have such careers. If you want to know what it's like to be a computer programmer, you might as well as a computer programmer. Also, there are many sources of information online that you can access anytime.

Map out a plan. It will be easier for you to pursue a career and achieve your career goals if you have a specific plan for it. You need to put in writing all your plans as well as the steps you need to take to turn them into reality. Make sure that you set realistic goals and concrete milestones so that it will be easier for you to measure your progress.

Find a mentor or coach. A career search becomes easier with the help of a career coach or mentor. Your coach will make you realize so many things about yourself and your dreams. He or she will help you identify your priorities as well as your unique traits that will enable you to realize your career aspirations.

Job Search Canada - How to Answer Questions about Your Salary Expectations

Job Search Canada

Being asked what your salary expectation are is one of the most challenging questions during a job interview. When you bid too high, you may be considered overly ambitious, and bidding too low may get you the job, but at a price that's not favorable to you. So now you wonder; what could be the best answer to this question?

Here are some suggestions on how you can answer this question about your expected salary:

Do not answer.

If you really don't want to give a specific number right away, there are several ways to go around the question. One method is saying that you want to know more about the position first before you decide what salary you will ask for it. The downside to this, however, is the fact that most employers want to know job applicants' salary expectations right away so they could consider whether to give them the job or not.

Let them know the range of your desired salary.

If you are to give them a range of your salary expectations, you need to learn more about the job title first. This way, you will have an idea about how much other professionals with this job actually receive from their respective employers.

When you start negotiating, don't forget to include worker benefits in your computation. Another thing to remember is to name a lower figure, which you will be comfortable with. That's because the hiring manager is very likely to offer you the lower amount.

If you have no other choice, then give one number.

If you really have to provide a specific amount of salary you wish to receive, go for the middle of your range, or perhaps a bit lower than that. Job search experts say that job candidates are better off offering something lower than the target rate of employers than over it.

Keep in mind that giving a rate does not necessarily mean that you are accepting a particular offer. In most organizations today, employees are still allowed to negotiate their salary upon receiving an offer.

Conclusion

When it comes to deciding what your salary expectations are, it could be very tricky. It would actually be like hanging in the balance. You want to get the job, so you don't want to scare the employer away with a huge demand, but you still have to consider your personal needs when making this decision. Thus, it's important that you do your own research on what is acceptable and what is not when it comes to salary offers from employers. Also, if you want to be successful in your job search Canada right away, be ready to compromise as well.

Reasons Why Being Well Groomed Will Get You ahead in Your Toronto Jobs and Career

If you have just been accepted for a job at a company, and it's the first job you ever had, you will likely be advised by your friends and family to learn how to dress well for work. If you're not comfortable wearing a suit and tie and you love growing your hair and mustache, you have to make extra effort in improving the way you look.

Here are the reasons why well-dressed employees are likely to succeed at work and in their careers:

1. They are confident about themselves.

Well-groomed people are confident about themselves, their abilities, and their potential. This high level of confidence that they have is vital to their career success. And of course, confident people have a greater sense of control and killer instinct that makes them better than everyone else.

2. They can make good, lasting impressions.

Making a good first impression is vital for your career success because opportunities don't come too often, so you have to grab any single chance that comes your way. That's why it's important that you use your appearance as your first filter.

A well-dressed employee is always more confident and respectable compared to those who are not well-dressed. People who look decent and professional also make lasting impressions very quickly, so they are in a better position to be successful at work and career.

3. They become more physically attractive.

We all naturally get interested in things or people that are attractive. Even in human relationships, the appearance of a person matters because it is the first thing you see in a person. And when you dress properly, you make yourself more appealing and attractive.

4. They are considered the best person to represent an organization.

In most companies and organizations, dress sense is given much importance. In fact, executives tend to trust well-dressed employees more in terms of representing their organization in front of associates, competitors, and most especially, clients.

 

Because of this kind of trust that they receive, well-dressed professionals are able to get more and better opportunities to become leaders. They are also given more chances to showcase their skills and potential, which they can use as a stepping stone in their careers.

5. They are adored by their coworkers.

Grooming yourself well doesn't only mean wearing expensive clothing and smelling good all the time. You also have to take good care of yourself and practice proper hygiene. As you know, your colleagues and superiors don't enjoy working with people who have body odor and are wearing dirty shoes. By wearing your best and looking clean at all times, your coworkers will adore you and love working with you.

By following all these tips, there is no way you will not succeed in any Toronto jobs that you will get in the future.

What You Can Do Now to Improve Your Work-Life Balance Even When You Work Abroad

Everyone's always talking about the importance of keeping the balance between work and life. Although you can find a lot of information on the internet about how to keep this balance in your life, such tips are not always easy to follow. Typically, it would require that you make drastic changes in your lifestyle or job in order to make things better.

The good news is that there are some simple things you can do right now to find the balance that you need. They are as follows:

Avoid working at night.

Office technology has made a significant difference in the way people do their jobs these days. Today, you don't have to be disconnected anymore or even unable to work even when you are sick, traveling, or staying home. This doesn't mean, however, that you should never stop working. If it's been your habit to check your office emails after dinner, you should try not doing it for a few nights and you will be surprised with the difference that it can make.

Stop yourself from monitoring work communications when you're not at work.

In an aim to make our lives simpler, we tend to combine our workplace and personal devices. Emails from your boss or clients are received and can be access through your personal mobile phone. Thus, even when you are not at your office desk, you can still get notified by the things happening in the office.

What you should do then is just cut the cord. You don't have to turn on the WiFi settings of your cell phone when you're in a vacation with your family. If you need to stay updated by what's going on at work, you should set a specific time when you will use your computer.

Think of weekends as vacations.

Weekends are your time for yourself, to rest and recuperate, so you can't just waste them. You have to plan your weekend and set a particular time when you will stop doing things related to work. Make plans with your friends or loved ones. You could go on short trips, or you may invite your close friends to a barbecue night perhaps. You can do anything during your weekends, but make sure they are not in any way related to your job.

Use mobile technology to be productive and not to be connected at all times.

Technology isn't bad, but you have to know when and when not to use it. It is important that you learn how to use mobile technology to enhance your life and your relationship with people. Take advantage of devices or apps that will make you more productive at work, but don't think that you always have to be connected to be productive.

Always remember that you should live your life to the fullest. Whether or not you work abroad, be sure to keep the balance in your life so you could keep in meaningful.

Resign with Dignity Before You Search for a Different Work in Canada

Preparing to resign from your job can be very stressful indeed. Not only will you feel anxious about going somewhere unfamiliar, but you will also have to face your boss's reaction once you tell him or her that you are leaving the company. If you have made up your mind about quitting your job, these are the things you need to know about doing it with grace:

You should do it in person.

Your resignation is not something you should tell your boss through email or just a letter. You need to ask for a meeting with your boss so you could discuss your plans of leaving the company. This is an act of professionalism, and it also shows that you respect your boss.

Be ready to answer your manager's question about why you are resigning.

If you know your boss to be someone who can take feedback gracefully, then it would be good for you to be totally honest with your boss. You may talk about the factors that have made you decide to look for another job. It could be because of your long work hours, low salary, or lack of advancement opportunities.

Resignation letters are for documentation purposes only.

It is rude to resign by letter only. If it's company policy to write a resignation letter, this is for documentation only, and does not serve as your formal resignation. When writing your resignation letter, make it short and sweet. It should not include any of your grievances to the company.

Give at least two weeks' notice.

Typically, employees are expected to give their employers at least two weeks' notice for their resignation. This way, your employer will have enough time to find someone to take your place. This will also give you time to complete all your pending tasks or projects before you are gone. Again, this will make you respectful and professional. However, if your situation does not allow you enough time, you had better explain it to your boss and sincerely apologize for it.

Be ready to respond to a counteroffer.

If you are a valued member of the organization, it is likely that you will be offered more money as a way to convince you not to leave. If you are after getting a higher pay, you may reconsider their offer. However, if your reason is beyond financial, you should prepare what you will tell your boss and explain why you cannot take the offer.

When it comes to resigning from your current job to search for another workin Canada, there are many things you have to take into consideration. Ultimately, your goal should be to keep your good relationship with your current employer and your coworkers as well.

The Importance of Getting Your Family Involved in Your Career Search and Planning

Many women tend to give up their successful careers because they want to be there for their family. Whether you have experienced this or not, there will surely be a point in your life when you may have to choose between your family and your career. When that time comes, what are you going to do? Do you believe that they can co-exist? If they can, how will you manage?

Use the following tips on how you should make a choice between your career and your family:

1. Discuss things with your family

One of the first things you need to do when dealing with this kind of dilemma is to talk about it with your family regarding your career path. You shouldn't hesitate to make your spouse and your children understand that you love them, and you love your career, too. Make it clear to them also why your career is important to you. It will be easier for them to understand things when they see things from your perspective.

2. Have a concrete plan

At different stages of your life, there could be a clash between your family life and professional life and you may have to make a choice. What are you going to do when a child comes? How are you going to achieve your career goals if your career has to take a step back so you could take care of your family's needs? You need to have an answer to these questions as early as possible so you will be prepared when the time comes.

3. Talk to your employer about a flexible work schedule

You should find a way to talk to your HR manager to ask if there's a possibility for a flexible arrangement. Many companies are now allowing their employees to work from home at least once a week. You should explore this option because this will be beneficial to your family as well.

4. Consider working part time

If you are left with no other choice but to spend more time with your children, getting a part-time job is worth considering. It is likely that you don't want to quit your job totally, as it may have a negative effect on your career as a whole. By doing a part time job, you can be there for your family and you can be active professionally at the same time.

When it comes to keeping the balance between your career and your personal life, there are many challenges you have to be prepared for. But you don't have to go through everything alone. You should get your family involved in your career search and planning to make sure that each of you will be on the same page.

Tips for Conducting a Search for Work Abroad

Work Abroad

If you are considering relocating for a job, I would like to ask you this question: “Why do you want to move?”

This is an important question you also need to ask yourself before relocating because this is definitely not a simple undertaking, especially consider how saturated today’s job market is. Unless you have skills that are in high demand or unique, you may have a hard time convincing employers to hire you over local candidates.

Nevertheless, if you are sure that relocating is the best career move for you at the moment, use these tips for make your long distance job search successful:

1. Do a market research. It is important that you be aware of the market trends in your industry, and the possible locations where your job is growing and in high demand. This will put more value to your skill set, and your present location will not become an issue.

2. Think about your roots. It is best to move to a place where you have lived or worked before, or where you have relatives. You should include these facts in your cover letter so that recruiters will know that you have other reasons for going to that city or country other than to find a job.

3. Have a specific target location. If you want to succeed in finding a job abroad, you should do a targeted job search. This means that you will gather information about a certain market, build connections there, and possibly join networking events there.

4. Take a trip to your desired location. If possible, you also what to visit the actual place you are thinking of relocating, This will allow you to see for yourself if this is the right place for you as well as your family. Make yourself familiar with the area so you will be able to imagine what it’s going to be like to live there.

5. Exclude your address from your resume. If you are to apply for a job in a different city or country, you might as well not mention your current address. If it is a requirement to indicate your address, then use your relative’s local address instead.

6. Prepare yourself for a virtual interview. Job interviews conducted over Skype and other video conferencing platforms or software are very common these days. Companies are relying on this technology to get to know their potential employees from overseas. To make sure you nail your virtual interview, you have to prepare hard for it, especially if it is your first time. Surf the web and get tips on how to properly conduct a Skype interview. By making the necessary preparations and doing enough research, you can be confident that your application for work abroad will be a success. 

How to Customize Your Resume for Particular Employment Canada

When it comes to applying for a job, the worst thing you can do is send out the same generic resume to each and every employer. You have to understand that different jobs or roles require different experience and skills. In short, what is important for one job may not necessarily be valuable for another. Thus, it is important that you tailor your resume to make sure that it highlights the most important information relevant to the job you are applying for.

You shouldn’t think, however, that you have to write a new resume from scratch every time you apply for a job. You need a basic resume that serves as an outline, and just make the necessary changes according to the particular requirements of a job.

Below are some tips on how to do this:

#1 – Create a core resume

First of all, you need to have a basic outline for your resume. This should include all your skills and experience from you career. Break this information down into categories, specifically education, work history, skills, training, and so on. 

#2 – Go through the job description thoroughly

Make sure you read the job description a couple of times until you are sure you understand what is required for the job. Once you are certain what the employer is looking for in a job applicant, start tailoring your resume to emphasize the qualities they are looking for.

#3 – Come up with a list of your accomplishments and relevant experience

As you are reading the job description, create a list of all your relevant qualities, which should match with all the requirements asked for by the employer. For every point they ask for, link it to your own experience or achievements. Remember that your experience does not have to come from your previous jobs only. Mention also the skills you have acquired through volunteering, travelling, and so on.

#4 – Use the right keywords

It is common for organizations nowadays to screen resumes and application letters using a particular software program that detects keywords in a document. If you want your resume to land in the hands of the hiring manager and not discarded by the computer, be sure to use the correct keywords and key phrases all throughout your document. You should be able to identify the keywords in the job description so you can have an idea what to include in your resume.

#5 – Write your tailored resume

After identifying your skills and experience that are most relevant to the job you are applying for, you can now start creating your customized resume. Once you are done, be sure to check it a couple of times for errors or typos. Now you can be confident that your resume could land you good employment Canada.