Freelance Work: The Changing Face Of Employment

No more working for the same company for fifty years. Freelance work is becoming more and more prominent. On-line you can find work or someone to do a job. Check out www.guru.com

The world sure is changing, and if you look at job employment you will see what I mean. Let's just go back to our grandparent's generation, even though I'm sure if we went back further we would see very different structures of work in the tribal periods of our history. Our grandparents usually found a skill, and then used that one skill to work for their whole career. An example is my grandfather who was a salesman for the same suit company for 44 years. There is nothing wrong with this. His job was secure; he knew there would be a superannuating fund when he retired, and that there would always be food on the table for his family. These days in the 21st century things have changed, and they are still changing rapidly as we speak.

Nowadays it isn't strange for a person to have around five completely different career paths in their lifetime. You might think that job security is much lower, but there are new types of jobs emerging everyday with the advent of modern technology. Older people can go back to schools and be educated in totally new areas that are greatly desired in society. One of the greatest changes in recent times is the fact that a lot of people are now working for themselves as freelancers from home. Society is still getting all the necessary work done, but the structures in which individuals pursue their dreams and goals in their areas of interest have changed completely. If you are working at home for your own business, you sure don't have the old hierarchy of bosses watching over your every move, judging your worth, and threatening you with dismissal.

People are now self-motivated as they know that if they don't get out there and share their skills and attributes with society, they simply might be forgotten. There is a new way of acquiring work these days that is so very different than the days of

perusing the job-ads in the newspaper or going door-to-door asking for work. Surprise, surprise, its on the Internet! There are now on-line marketplaces for both employers to offer work and for potential freelance employees to show their portfolios. There are many, but an excellent example of one of these sites is www.guru.com. On Guru.com once you have registered your portfolio for free, you can then bid for jobs that prospective employers have advertised. On the other hand, if you are an employer, you can go to the category of work you need done (E.g.: Creative Writing) and search through a list of professionals that you can then contact to do the job.

These professionals exhibit the amount that they charge per hour, how much they have already earned through the site and a portfolio of examples of their work. They are then given a rating that has been compiled by the employers who have used their services. It is quite unbelievable; they've got people and job types from a multitude of different areas, just about any type of freelance work you can imagine: E.g. Website design, marketing, writing, graphic design, legal, engineering, photography, finance-the list is quite extensive.

So you see, "the times they are a-changin'" my friends. Imagine if you were frozen in time one hundred years ago and then thawed out today. All the basic human beliefs and emotions would be the same, but how would the world look to you? We've got to go with the flow and not get lost in the structures of old. What's your goal? Get on the Web!


About the Author:


Jesse S. Somer, M6.Net, http://www.m6.net , Jesse S. Somer is some human who wants do what he loves best to help our society to work efficiently. He imagines all people one day loving their jobs...Is he crazy?

Make Your Career Offshore Proof

There has been a lot of talk recently about American jobs moving overseas…offshoring is the buzzword for it. During difficult economic times it is often easy to find a scapegoat to blame for a downturn in jobs. While government reports and politicians try to downplay the impact, offshoring is something to take seriously. This article will discuss the permanent effect offshoring will have on U.S. jobs and what you can do to make sure it doesn’t happen to you.
Economic crises of the last thirty years have tended to blames overseas competitors for America’s financial woes. During the seventies it was foreign steel to blame and during the eighties it was foreign agriculture. The current trend of moving American jobs overseas, particularly to India, The Phillipines and other developing nations has been troubling to many. While some people think this is a temporary situation, shifts in the American economy and world politics indicate otherwise.

One of the effects of the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War has been the increased globalization of trade. On this continent, economic borders have opened up due to the North America Free Trade Act (NAFTA). In Europe, the collapse of the Iron Curtain has opened the borders of the eastern countries. And the European Union has made a significant impact on the economy; standardizing currency in 13 countries in 2000 and adding 10 new member nations last month…mostly former Eastern Bloc nations. Even China has joined the global free market, contributing $620 billion in trade to the world’s markets in 2002. China has taken control of Taiwan and regained Asia’s economic powerhouse – Hong Kong – after 100 years of British rule.

These global economic changes are big and they will not go away. American companies have taken advantage of the global market, establishing icons of American culture like fast food, retail stores and computer software everywhere. With all these events and situations, it only makes sense that American companies would turn to foreign labor.

Besides, the economic impact of the world’s political shift, the American economy has transformed itself. The rise of the computer has shifted the United States economy from an industrial nation to a nation of information and service. This means there will be less jobs in making things and more jobs in marketing and servicing things. Unfortunately the American education system has been ill prepared for this inevitable change. In the mid to late nineties, thousands of well paying computer jobs went to foreign nationals on temporary work visas. Additionally, domestic workers on a whole will move from being permanently hired employees to contract or temporary employees. As a worker, it will be more important to market yourself, keep a good network of contacts and maintain your technical skills.

Although this news sounds grim, it’s really not. Most of the jobs going overseas are in the lower salary ranges like customer service and technical support positions. Meanwhile, the new “hot jobs” pay very competitively, even for workers who lack employment experience.

If you’re afraid your job may be going overseas, or you want a better paying career with more advancement opportunities, take a look at these hot jobs:

1. IT Security
2. IT Project Management
3. IT Outsource Management
4. IT Database Administrators
5. Health Care - Medical Assistant
6. Health Care – Nursing
7. Health Care – Home Health
8. Health Care – Dental Hygienists
9. Health Care - Medical Coding
10. Health Care – Medical Office Administration

Find out how you can begin the education for one of these great careers at www.top-colleges.com.


http://www.jobpostcanada.com/make_your_career_offshore_proof.php

The Job Loss Myth

Presidential candidate John Kerry is fond of stating that “... not since Herbert Hoover has any president lost more jobs than George W. Bush.” And there is a kernel of truth to the statement; thanks to technology, jobs require less human intervention to complete. However, a larger factor in this seeming loss of employment is due to the evolution of the American workforce from a lot indentured to the confines of one company or one job title toward the Jeffersonian ideal of every person being a free agent, or indie.

The explosion in the number of people going indie has a number of causes. Downsizing created the realization that “job security” isn’t something other people provide, but something you have to create. Two-income families discovered that with their increased tax burden and overhead expenses for daycare, cleaning, housekeeping services, home maintenance and lawn care, a second income from paid full-time employment can actually be a liability. Individuals interested in becoming self-employed can segue more easily from employee to entrepreneur via the indie route. Finally, career changers can obtain valuable experience and networking opportunities in their field of choice with contract work.

Indies may lose company-provided benefits, but that doesn’t mean they are without means. As an independent contractor, they are eligible to create Medical Savings Accounts, or they may be eligible to participate in a group health plan through organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce. They can create their own retirement programs via SEP, SIMPLE, or IRA investments, or the direct purchase of government-backed I-bonds. If they work out of their homes, they have access to extensive tax deductions not available to wage earners.

What kind of jobs are available to independent contractors? Well, here are some of the indie jobs I’ve done:
1)Telephone psychic ($20.00 per hour, work from home)
2)Mystery shopper ($15.00 per hour + expenses)
3)Virtual assistant ($15.00 - $30.00 per hour, depending on the task)
4)Editor ($35.00 per hour)
5)Ghostwriter ($50.00 per hour)

Many creative and professional jobs, such as technical writers, webmasters, graphic designers, programmers, teachers and tutors, etc. are done by independent contractors on a project-by-project basis. However, the FedEx Home Delivery and Schwann’s Ice Cream drivers are also independent contractors, so not having professional credentials is not necessarily a barrier to indie work.

Not everyone is suited to life as an indie. If you absolutely need the structure imposed by a job, a manager and a time clock in order to function, then don’t consider going indie. If, however, you like having some freedom, are self-disciplined enough to complete jobs on time without being told, and can organize your day and yourself to maximize your productivity and meet your clients’ needs, you have the necessary personality traits to become a successful independent contractor.

Ignore the gloom and doom scenario painted by politicians eager to have a job with perks you pay for. Join the indie revolution, and gain an income – and a life – without a traditional job. It’s a choice you won’t want the government to “help” you out of.


http://www.jobpostcanada.com/the_job_loss_myth.php

The Value Of A College Education

It costs a lot to go to college or university and the increasing costs have many wondering if there is real value to a college education. Is the cost of tuition, the time lost to full-time employment, and the thousands of dollars of debt worth the investment? Those are good questions and the answers may lie in a review of the value of a college education and rates of return on investment to both the individual and to society.

On the financial side of the equation there is significant data to suggest that on average and over time a college graduate will earn a great deal more than a high school graduate. The United States Census bureau estimates that over a lifetime a college graduate will earn on average about $2.1 million dollars compared to an average lifetime income of $1.2 million dollars for a high school graduate.

Compared with the cost of attending a four year public university of college at an average of about $10,000 per year and even adding the cost of lost working time, it is clearly of financial value to attend university.

But college graduates also enjoy other benefits in addition to the possibility of increased earning power. In 1998 the Institute for Higher Education Policy published a report that stated that people who completed a college or university program experienced a number of ancillary benefits. They included

higher levels of saving, increased personal/professional mobility, improved quality of life for their offspring, better consumer decision making, and more hobbies and leisure activities.

Another report published by the Carnegie Foundation noted some other benefits of higher education that included the tendency for postsecondary students to become more open-minded, more cultured, more rational, more consistent and less authoritarian and that these benefits are also passed along to succeeding generations.

A college education can even improve your health and a number of research studies have shown positive correlation between completion of higher education and good health, not only for oneself, but also for one's children.

There is also benefit and value to the public from higher education. According to the Institute for Higher Education these benefits include increased tax revenues, greater workplace productivity, increased consumption, increased workforce flexibility, and decreased reliance on government financial support.

So it appears that even after rigorous scientific review and analysis there is still much value in a college education. But I think we knew that all along.

About the Author

This article courtesy of http://www.degrees-online.net

Resume Writing - Tips and Advise

Job-hunting is not the most exciting thing in the world but you can make it easier. The key is organization. Keep a record of companies you have applied and any contacts that may or may not have with them. One of the first things you need to do be creative in your resume writing.

The appearance of your resume is of paramount importance. The most obvious fact is it needs to be neat and all items must be spelled correctly. Correct information is of paramount importance especially if the interviewer decides to check out your information. The format should be simple and plain. It should highlight your accomplishments.

The quality of the paper you use to send out resumes should be of professional quality. Most job seekers use a paper that is not glossy and is a 20-weight paper. You should use the same paper for your resume, your cover letter, and the envelope. It comes across as being more professional.

The font should be clear and easy to read. The size of the font is important. Personally I prefer a font of 12. It is clear and the letters are not blurry as they can be with some fonts. The suggested font to use in your resume is a Sans Serif font such as Arial or Verdana. They are clear and stand out better in faxes.

When describing your skills in particular, use strong action words. Instead of starting a sentence with a noun use a strong verb. When using numbers use percentages, dollar amounts when describing money, and the number of people you supervised if this is applicable.

Your resume should be one page only. The information should be presented as concisely as possible. There will be a place in the cover letter and possibly an interview to expound on your skills. Resumes that are too long are often put aside because employers simply don't have the time to read through lengthy dissertations. If it doesn't fit on one page try paring it down to the bare minimum. The information must be relevant to the position you are applying for. Do not forget to attach your cover letter.

There are two types of resume formats that are used. The functional format will put your skills into categories. Your titles are listed on the bottom. This format is used by people who are changing careers and who don't want to draw attention to gaps in employment or a possible lack of direct experiences. The chronological format is used by those on a career path. Your employment and education are listed in reverse chronological order. Outline your skills to show your best accomplishments. The categories that you include on your resume must be relevant to the position for which you are applying.

Your resume will be different if you are fresh out of college and unemployed, if you have been out of the work force for an extended period of time (i.e. to raise your kids), or if you are a teenager going for the first job. A resume is one the most important tools you have to use in your job search.

The categories will be similar for all manner of people seeking employment. The purpose of your resume is to give employers the maximum amount of information in as few words as possible. Some companies receive hundreds of resumes at any given time. Your resume should standout but not be outlandish. Professionalism is the key. Below is a figure showing what a professional could look like. Remember the information is to be clear and concise. It should be easy on the eyes and professional.

JANE DOE
5 Main Street
Anywhere, Any state 00000
jado521@anysite.com
(000) 111-2233

Job Objective: to obtain a position as (name the position)

Education: Any School University B.S. in Anything 2000 -2004
111Any Road
Any-town, USA 88888

Somebody High School High School Diploma 1995 -1999
East Highway Road
Anywhere, USA 88888

Employment: Here list your employers putting the current one first.
If you haven't had experience let them know that. If you
were a babysitter you can add that to your resume. It at
least will show them your work ethics.

Skills: List some of the thing you do reasonably well that are relevant to the
position. Are you going for a position as a teacher's aid? List your duties you had in baby-sitting or if you tutored anybody, list those duties as well

Related Volunteer Experiences: Here be as descriptive as possible and be as descriptive and exact as you can. Remember be descriptive but concise.

References: Will Be Furnished Upon Request (Be prepared with a list of
three to five people that have consented to give you a recommendation. Include who is familiar with your work as it relates to the position.

Finally the resume is about selling yourself. Give them just enough information to have them come back and want more details. Good Luck!



http://www.jobpostcanada.com/resume_writing_tips_and_advise.php

Teaching Jobs

Education is a fundamental of any industrialized nation, and so it is natural that qualified teachers remain in demand throughout the world. In the U.S., there were over 3.8 million teaching jobs for 2004 including preschool, kindergarten, elementary, middle school, and secondary school teachers. If you are seeking a career that will see good growth and with high employment availability, then becoming qualified for teaching jobs may be a proper career choice for you.

If you find pleasure helping people learn, then becoming qualified for teaching jobs may be in your best interest. Teaching jobs are found in a number of environments, each of which has different requirements for working in those particular teaching jobs. In some cases, you may have to obtain a two to four year degree and pass a certification exam, and in other cases your job experience may qualify you for certain teaching jobs. There is no federal requirements for teaching jobs that occur in schools, so often requirements for teaching jobs in schools are dictated by local or state laws.

If you are considering teaching jobs in schools, it is likely that your state requires that you obtain a four-year degree and pass a certification or licensing examination. Teaching jobs in early childhood education, though, will sometimes only require a two year degree with certification. If you do not want to take a certification exam to obtain licensure, some school districts will allow you to become substitute teacher with only a baccalaureate degree. There is also the option in some areas that have difficulty finding qualified individuals to fill teaching jobs, where you can obtain a teaching job in an area of expertise as long as you have a degree in that area. If you are considering teaching jobs in schools, you may also need to understand that you will be subject to a background check.

If you are not necessarily interested in traditional teaching jobs in schools,

there are other kinds of teaching jobs available to you. You can work in areas of training, tutoring, adult education, and more, which are teaching jobs in non-traditional settings. However, the greatest area of growth in teaching jobs will continue to be in schools.

As student enrollment in schools slowly increases, older teachers will be moving out of their positions at the same rate, so growth in teaching jobs is expected to be fairly steady over the next 10 years. The teachers who are able to be mobile will have the best chance of finding teaching jobs. Vocational teaching jobs are also expected to grow in the coming years, as schools are now offering many specialized programs to their students.

If you are interested in teaching jobs in school administration or policy development, you will need to prepare by getting a master's degree. Getting the advanced degree, though, is usually made simpler through teaching jobs that offer tuition reimbursement as a benefit alongside health insurance and pensions.

Read the rest of the article here: Teaching Jobs.

Download the Home Based Business Manual (Free $97 Value!) and receive valuable tips, strategies and techniques designed to grow a very successful Home Based Business.



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Medical Transcriptionist - A Closer Look

Medical Transcriptionist jobs have been around since doctors first took the Hippocratic Oath. Ancient cave writings indicate that records of what medical treatments were being performed have been kept for thousands of years. Back then, it was for different reasons but today, medical transcription and in particular, the medical transcriptionist profession has been quietly taking steps forward and is "suddenly" making itself known to the world.

In a nutshell, a Medical Transcriptionist transcribes dictated matter by phone or from electronically recorded messages by doctors, nurses or other health care professionals, into records of treatments, procedures and up to date patient status reports.

Surprisingly, Medical Transcription wasn't "official" recognized as a profession until 1999 when finally; the United States Department of Labor assigned the profession its' own job code, in order to monitor statistics about the field. Until that point, medical transcriptionist jobs were unjustly given the title of medical secretary or typists.

Today, the American Association for Medical Transcription, which overlooks the profession, administers testing and upon passing the test you earn the title, "Certified Medical Transcriptionist" (CMT) which lends additional credibility to your knowledge, skills and abilities over those that are uncertified. Although certification isn't required for gainful employment, CMT status certainly has its' advantages like; the assurance to your employer that you are highly qualified and this in turn, increases your "market value" as an employee.

Medical Transcriptionist take on the role of converting the spoken words, of health care professionals, into written text either as hard or soft copy. But of course, with the dawn of new technology, this task is becoming increasingly less time consuming per unit produced. A good example is the ever-increasing use of voice recognition software.

Sounds great but the questions arises, if technology is transforming the profession now, then will technology transform the profession to such an extent anytime in the foreseeable future that it more or less makes the role of humans in the profession obsolete? I think the best way to respond is by using an example. Has the technological advances in every aspect of the medical profession reduced the role and importance of doctors and nurses? The answer to that question is clear and the same applies to the field of medical transcription.

Although transcription programs continue to evolve and become more and more adapt they will never be able to replace the trained human mind. They certainly allow for aspects of the translation process to speed up

but they will never be able to compensate for all the differences in diction styles like accents, grammar, pronunciation and the list is as varied as the doctors doing the dictation.

Basically, the evolving transcription software programs are simply a tool but like all tools they are only as good as the skilled craftsman using them. In fact, because of these software shortcomings, transcriptionists need to be very adept at editing; especially in the correct use of grammar and the ability to proofread. And because most transcriptions start via the recorded message listening and strong keyboard skills are becoming more and more an essential.

Sure, voice recognition software has made the whole transcription process easier than it was in the past. Back "in the old days" when a medical transcriptionists had to listen to every single word and then transcribe it via stenograph, by long hand or more recently into a word processor but thanks to technology the editing skills mentioned above are becoming increasingly more important because voice recognition software is taking over more and more of the tedious hand entry portion of the job.

Medical Transcriptionist job training covers a wide curriculum including general knowledge of a wide variety of medical topics like medical language, Greek and Latin prefixes and suffixes, biology, anatomy and physiology body systems. A medical transcriptionist also needs to have a fair knowledge in diseases; how they progress and how they are treated because this process makes up a large portion of the medical dictations that they are responsible for transcribing.

In addition, medical science, surgery, surgical procedures and terminologies, surgical and laboratory instruments are also an important part of the transcriptionists knowledge set. And, if that's not enough prosthetics, pharmacology, laboratory test results and their interpretation must also be understood and mastered. As you can see, a medical transcriptionists knowledge base must be wide and deep.

Medical transcriptionist jobs can be applied in a variety of health care settings, either as full time employees of firms that are need of these kinds of services to doctors and other healthcare professionals or as part time transcriptionists that from home for private clients.



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