How to Help Your Boss When He/She Is Having a Bad Day

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You know how it happens – the boss comes in and she’s cranky.  Her dog made a mess in her shoe because her alarm clock didn’t go off and the dog didn’t get let out when it needed to and then she went to start the car and found that she had a flat tire and then the traffic was horrible.  We’ve all had those days.

And the truth is that your boss’s mood when they come in can affect everyone!  Not only does it put them on edge but everyone seems to pick up on it and in turn becomes cranky and irritable.

So, what can you do?  Here are a few things you can do to help your boss when he/she is in a bad mood:

• Greet them with a smile – smiling faces make a big difference. 
• Give your boss an opportunity to vent.  Venting about little things like this often makes you realize that it isn’t that big of a deal and it makes you feel better.  A simple statement like, “Are you ok?  Is there anything you want to talk about?” can give them the chance to get it off their chest.
• Give them time – sometimes the boss just needs a little bit of time to move on to something else so unless it is really critical that someone see them ask them to come back in half an hour.  Depending on the type of person your boss is you might want to come right out and ask them if they want to see anyone.  That will give them the opportunity to tell you that they need some time without visitors.

Everyone has those days where they just need a little bit more time in the morning and a bad morning can get out of hand fast when everyone is banging on your door.

Help your boss out by giving them a little space if you can see they’ve had a bad day.  Give them a smile and a chance to vent.  When your boss gets past whatever it was that put them in the bad mood in the first place and gets back to normal everyone will thank you.

Now if you boss is like that all the time…that’s another blog post!

7 Reasons Your Office Needs You

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Sometimes as admin assistants we tend to feel forgotten and maybe even a little neglected. But remember that even when people don't say anything they know they need you. Where would they be without your vast arra of skills?

Next time you need a little encouragement give yourself a pat on the back and remember these 7 reasons why your office needs you:

1. Phones - yes, phones are important and no, not everyone can handle them well! Answering the phones all day long takes a huge amount of patience. Sometimes people forget how frustrating it can be to be asked 20 times a day what your hours of operation are. Don't they know how to use the Internet? The ability to be able to answer the same questions over and over again (because, lets face it, around 50% of the phone calls we get are all about the same few topics) take patience. And of course there are the harder questions, too. Knowing how to answer them and how to decide who to direct them to is important. I'll bet the sales manager wouldn't be too impressed about getting the phone calls that are supposed to go to the advertising manager!

2. Filing - let be honest here: not everyone can manage a sophisticated filing system! Most people would be losing things left, right, and center if they had to take care of the organization of the files on their own. But you - you know exactly where to find that invoice from September of 1999 from ABC Co! And the same goes for the documents, reports, and letters that you give your attention. Can't you just imagine the staff running around like crazy people if you weren't there to keep the filing system under control?

3. Challenging customers - every business has them and I'm sure you can think up some much more colorful terms than "challenging", too! You deal with them every day (or at least several times a week) so that your boss or manager doesn't have to be distracted from projects to discuss why it is more beneficial for you to send the delivery by Canada Post than it is by UPS.

4. The stockroom stays full (and at a decent price) - when a manager wants more pens they want them now. They don't want to have to hear that it will be there in 24 hours. They want them now. And that goes for paper, file folders, paper clips, and so on. When you find better prices they are even happier because saving money is always good.

5. Managing time & appointments - without you there to keep them on track there would be people walking in the office expecting to see the managers whenever they wanted to but your great time management skills means that managers see the people they need to see and get their work done at the same time. That's not always an easy thing to do! I'm sure that they are greatful when they are able to reach deadlines because you've cleared their schedule for the day!

6. Keeping records - there are loads of records that need to be kept in an office and someone has to answer for all of them. Records for delivery expenses, records of meeting, and records of inventory. When a report needs to be submitted and they need records to back it up, you know where to find the records and they'll be accurate records, too.

7. And finally, and most importantly, they need you so they can get THEIR work done. Without you they would have to answer the phone, maintain records, deal with challenging customers, and all the things mentioned above. You know how much time and effort it takes you to do that so imagine if they had to do that (and you know that they wouldn't be able to do it nearly as efficiently as you do!) - they would never have time to get their work done and no one at the company would make money! And then the company would fold and people would be out of jobs and...

you get the idea - you're important and even if they don't say it all the time, they do know it.

Are You Making These Interview Mistakes?

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There is no doubt that for many people the interview is the hardest part of getting a job. It is nerve wracking and everyone seems to be looking for something different.

If you are not getting past the interview though, the chances are that you are likely making one of the more common interview mistakes. These things are mistakes that employers see over and over again – and they are reasons why you will not get hired.

Take a peek at these few points and ask yourself if you are guilty of these mistakes:

• You give the same answers as everyone else. If your answers are the same as every other person’s answers then why should the company choose you over someone else? Generic answers that are memorized from a text book tell the employer nothing about you. Make sure that your answers are unique to you. Use concrete examples. Share your accomplishments. Tell a story (short ones though!). Find a way to make your answers unique.
• You are not prepared. If you go into an interview knowing nothing about the company you will not get hired. Make sure that you know a bit about the company’s history, the important players in the company, the competitors, and what products and services are offered. If you know about the company you can tailor your answers to what you know and you can ask better questions.
• You have no agenda of your own. This is not to say that you should come into an interview and tell them what jobs you are willing to perform but you should have a purpose and goals. When the employer asks, “Is there anything else you want to tell us?” you should be able to come up with something that is tailored to the company’s needs but also tells them why you are the perfect person for the job.
• You don’t ask questions. Remember that the interview process is not just about them finding out if you are the right person for the job but it is also an opportunity to find out if this is the right job for you. This is your chance to evaluate the company. Questions also show that you are genuinely interested in the company and that you can think critically and analytically.

Losing Your Job? Negotiate These Points

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Sometimes you just can’t get around the fact that you are going to lose your job and it is not always your fault.  Sometimes companies downsize and cut out certain positions.  Other times companies shut down entire offices at once.  If you’ve been a good employee though there are a few points that you can negotiate before you get your Pink Slip:

1.  Ask about severance pay.  Unless this was part of your contract when you were hired you may or may not get this, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. Generally, if a company is going to give severance pay it is one week of pay for every year that you worked with the company.  It may also be every year that you were under contract with the company so if you were not a salaried employee this may not apply to you.  They may not be not be offering it but that doesn’t mean that they won’t give it to those who ask, especially if they were valuable employees.

2.  Find out if you are entitled to unused vacation pay.  The answer is likely to be no but it doesn’t hurt to ask.  You may get all of it, none of it, or half of it.  If you can get any of it you will have that much more to keep you going until you get another job. 

3.  Ask for a letter of reference.  This letter of reference might be just the tool you need to help you get a new job.  It will let companies that you apply to know that they would not have let you go if it weren’t for extenuating circumstances.  They will see that the reason you are looking for a new job is because of business decisions made by your former employer, not because of your performance.  Many forget to ask for that letter of reference before they leave the job and it is much harder to get it once you are gone.

Should I Pay for a Resume?

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Now that is a loaded question!  Many people wonder if they should just skip the work and pay for a resume that they can use for all of their job applications.  After all, that would ensure that it was the best resume possible and that they would be more likely to get the job...wouldn't it?

I think there are several things you should consider so let's look at the Pros and Cons

Cons

• You would only have one resume so you wouldn't have a targeted resume for each job.
• Employers often say that they can spot a professionally paid for resume a mile away.
• It would be more difficult to  make it personal.
• Resume writer do not know everything about you so it might be difficult to ensure that the most important skills are covered.
• It can cost a lot of money and have little return!

Pros

• If you are a very bad speller or not good at grammar it should ensure that these things have been paid proper attention.
• The wording should be professional.

When it comes right down to it, I recommend that you write your own resume and target it to each employer so that you can make sure that the specific skills of the job get the proper attention.  A paid resume might give you a better example of what your resume should look like but it shouldn't be the one you use for every single job.

Are Thank You Notes Outdated?

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Have you ever sent out a thank you note after you have had an interview? No? Then you might be missing out on one more opportunity to be remembered by the interviewer. A thank you note puts you right in front of the when they might be making the decision about who to hire.

There is one thing you need to remember about thank you notes. They do give you the chance to make a good impression but they also give you the opportunity to make a bad impression. If you send a thank you note that looks like it should have been sent to friend, it is too casual. Stay away from text speak. “u wer a grat dude,” is going to guarantee that you do not get the job! Keep it formal and make sure your spelling and grammar are perfect.

Keep thank you notes short and to the point.

Start with a thank you message in the first paragraph and follow up with a reminder of part of your conversation that you think you did well on.

Here is an example of a thank you note:

Dear Mr. Smythe, 

I want to take a moment to thank you for the opportunity to speak with you regarding the position for Accounting and Payroll personnel. I enjoyed meeting you and getting a better feel for your company. 

After our conversation regarding ethics I am even more convinced that I am the right person for the job and I hope that I will have the opportunity to meet with you again in the future 

Sincerely,
Jane Doe

A few more things to remember regarding thank you notes:

• Keep it short.
• Do not bring up new topics.
• Do not try to fix something that you did wrong in the interview – it will only remind them of it.
• Do not ask for another chance.
• Send your thank you note by email if possible.

So, to answer the question - no, thank you notes are not outdated.  They are a valuable tool that you can use to increase your chances of getting the job you want.

Have You Considered Relocation?

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In our economy, sometimes we have to be open to the idea of relocating to another town or city to get a job. The more you are willing to consider moving for a job, the more likely you are to get a job quickly. This is especially true if the town or city you live in is smaller and has less job opportunities.

It can be intimidating to start job searching in a city that you don’t even live in though. Even if you have been there once or twice, there is always the fact that you might not know anyone or know how to get around. But it is possible to search for a job in a new city.

Take these things into consideration:

• Create a list of companies you would like to work for. Once you have a list of 30-40 companies that you want to work at you can target all of your efforts at making connections with people in these companies.
• Learn to use social media. Social media is a great way to connect with people in specific companies when you do not live in the same town or city. On LinkedIn you can find people that work at those companies by searching for the company profile and then looking at their list of employees. Join groups that these people are in and then interact within the groups. See if they are on Twitter or if the business has a Facebook Page. Facebook Pages offer lots of opportunities for interaction.
• Be willing to take a temporary position. If you are able to stay in the city for a short time (there are furnished monthly rentals that will give you a place to stay) you are more likely to be able to get a full time job with the company. Consider your budget of course, but the rewards may be worth a little extra expense.

Reaching a Goal of Working from Home

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Contest entry by Tara McConnell

My name is Tara McConnell and took the Administrative Professional/Bookkeeper course that started in
September 2010 and graduated in February 2011 at Robertson College. It was a huge step for me I was
turning 40 and lost a job that was going nowhere and had limited education and was finding it difficult
finding another job.

Through EI I found out that I could go back to school, something that I had always wanted to do but
never had the opportunity. After months of research I called Robertson College and spoke to Darlene,
the person who was truly responsible for helping me make the final decision to change my life and take
the first step in going back to school. When she says that with Robertson College you will never have
to worry out your future again she was right. Thanks Darlene I would not have done it if it were not for
you.

All my teachers were great, and made themselves available when I was struggling or needed clarification
on something. They all have experience in the courses that they are teaching, not just rely on text books
or internet. They have lived what they teach and it really does make a difference when learning.

The students, what can I say I met some really great people there from different back grounds and
cultures all there for different reason and some for same reason as me. I learned just as much from the
other students as I did from the teachers.

When you walk in to Robertson College you’ll find that it’s like one huge family, if you need help, all you
have to ask, not just while you’re there but after you graduate to. They will do whatever they can to
help you find that perfect job. They teach you how to market yourself so that employers are knocking
themselves out to hire you. I have more confidence in myself and my abilities and with my diploma I can
work anywhere in Canada with the skills that they have taught me.

I set a goal while at Robertson College to provide Administrative Support from home. Four months after
I have graduated, I have attained that goal. I provide administrative and customer service support to a
small but very busy construction company from home and could not be happier.

Thank you to everyone at Robertson College you have truly change my life and you can’t put a price on
that experience.

Tara McConnell

Robertson College Graduate 2011

Administrative Professional/Bookkeeper

"Remember Your P's & Q's"

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When I was little my Nana always reminded me, "Remember your P's and Q's" and I could never figure out what that had to do with manners.  But the message stayed with me all my life - manners are important.  And as I've moved around in the business world I've found that manners make a huge difference in how other people react to you.

For instance, have you ever noticed that the people who demand things from others are the same people that others complain about at the water cooler.  The say they are aggressive and generally people resent having to do things for them.  On the other hand, people who use the words "please" and "thank you" and genuinely mean it are more likely to get things done and to get them done with a smile.

So, the next time someone does something for you, say "thank you".  When you notice that someone has done a good job, let them know.  When it looks like someone could use some lifting up, show some appreciation for something they have done lately.   Showing thanks at work - using the words, "please and "thank you" means a lot to people.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

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I'm sure you've heard that saying before - it is very popular, and with good reason.  It is also very true.  Your actions often reveal a lot more about you than your words do.  This is one of the reasons that employers consider the interview process so very important.



When you go on an interview, you are not only being tested for your knowledge and the answers you give them verbally, bu you are also being watched.  They are watching for things like:

• how you sit
• whether or not you make eye contact
• how firm your handshake is
• whether you smile or not
• how you interact with others in the office

All of these things tell the employer something about you.

One of the best ways to get outside of yourself and observe your body language in an interview situation is to have someone record you in a pseudo-interview.  Watch for nervous body movements like hair twirling or a bouncing leg.  Once you are aware of these things you will be more likely to stop yourself when you start to do them.

It is a good exercise to observe other people's body language, too.  You can do this virtually anywhere.  Watch people having a conversation on the bus or at the coffee shop.  Watch others in class.  Watch your instructors.  As you observe, you will see body language in many different styles.  Ask yourself what this could mean.

As you think about body language more often, you will become more aware of your own body language.

Make the Opening Paragraph in Your Cover Letter Pop!

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One of the biggest mistakes that people make with their cover letter is opening with a generic statement. 

Don’t you think that employers get tired of reading the same thing over and over again? If you’re writing this:

“I am applying for the position of _________ as advertised in the XYZ newspaper on this date. Please find my resume attached.”

...STOP IT!

If you want prospective employers to really pay attention to you and truly consider you for the job you need to make your opening paragraph pop. You need to get their attention right from the beginning.

Here are a few ways that you can make that opening paragraph stand out and say, “Hey! You really need to consider me for this job because I am fabulous!”:

• Start with an accomplishment. Choose something that is relevant to the position you are applying for. For example, you could say, “From the very first time that I was able to lead a group to successfully complete a project ahead of the deadline I knew that I wanted to work in a leadership role.” Or how about, “Last year I brought in $10,000 in sales above what was estimated in the original project outline and I believe that this will make me the ideal candidate for this position.”
• Use the keywords that were in the original advertisement for the position. If you the position you are applying for was not advertised, use your research (because you did research the company) to determine what keywords they might be looking for. For example: “I motivated a team of 20 staff members to complete a project before deadline and I believe that I can do this for your company, too.”
• Demonstrate your knowledge of their company. What is important to them? Besides making money of course. What causes do they support? I once applied to a job where the website state that community involvement was important to them and stated some of the community things they were involved in. In my opening paragraph I said, “As a regular volunteer at they XYX Community Center, I would welcome the opportunity to work with a company that holds the importance of communities to such a high level.”

Remember, you can’t really appeal to a company unless you do the research. So, do the research and find something that makes them think, “This is someone that will fit in perfectly!”

Have a Backup Plan When You Really Can't Get In To Work

When you have a job as important as that of an administrative assistant it is a good idea to have a backup plan in case you cannot make it in to work.  Things happen right?  You get sick, your car breaks down, emergencies happen – so make sure that when it does happen the office is not going to be left high and dry.

So what should you do?

First think of all the tasks that you do that absolutely must be taken care of every day.  The phones need to be answered.  Mail needs to be taken care of.  Filling needs to be done.  What else do you do on a regular basis?  Do you need to manage projects?  Do you need to put in orders?  Send out invoices?

Once you have compiled a list of things that you need to do you need to find people that can take care of those things for you.  Keep in mind that no one person is going to be able to leave all of their duties behind to do your job so break it into smaller tasks. 

Have one person answer the phone from 9 am to 11 am.  Find another person to answer the phone from 11 am to 1 pm.  And so on.  They can forward the main phone line into their office if there is a phone system in place that allows people to forward calls from their offices.  If there is not you may have to have just one person work from your desk for the day or have two people split the job into morning and afternoon.

Remember that each person that takes on one of your jobs will need to be familiar with the job so take the time to train them and then have detailed instructions available.  Project related tasks are best assigned to people that are already on the project and understand it.  Is there someone on the project team that has shown that they work hard and can handle the extra responsibility for a day or two?

Finally, you will want to make sure that others in the office know who will be in charge of important details when you are gone.  Draft an email to someone who will be aware of your absence so that they can send out an email to everyone that should be notified of your absence.  In that email  make sure to include phone numbers and email addresses of the people who are helping you.

Having a backup plan is a great way to make sure that others in the office do not suffer.  But remember that you co-workers will need to have a backup plan as well, so return the favor and help out others when they are sick as well.

6 Ways to Deal With Challenging Customers

If you are an administrative assistant you have likely come across challenging customers before.  Some people like to call them “difficult customers” but I much prefer to say challenging customers because they are only difficult if you make them so.  There are going to be some customers that are more challenging than others but every one of them can be managed if you handle them correctly.

Here are some of the typical challenging customers that you might come across:

• Angry customers
• I-know-everything customers
• Senior customers
• Talkative customers
• Customers with language barriers
• Customers who don’t really know what they want

There are many other types and you’ve likely got more that you can add to the list (feel free to leave your experiences in the comments!).

So, the big question is – how do you deal with them?  How do you keep challenging customers from becoming difficult customers?

Here are a few tips:

1. Know your limits – when you are starting to feel like you are about to lose control and say something you will regret or will get you fired find a reason to end the interaction or postpone it. 
2. Act professionally at all times.  If you lose your professionalism they will notice and they will know that they are in control.
3. Empathize.  Most often this is what people want.  They want someone to listen to them and be empathetic and understand the situation.
4. Ask questions.  Find out what is really behind the root of the problem. It will help you to find a solution to their problem.
5. Apologize if you/your company is at fault.
6. Don’t argue.  It can be very easy to be pulled into an argument but remember that it takes two to argue.

Have you found other ways of dealing with challenging customers that were successful?  I’d love to hear about them so leave a comment!

Veterinary Office Assistant | Must Love Animals and People!

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Many people who love animals think first of becoming a veterinarian. The education that comes with being a veterinarian is extensive though. You should expect to go to school for 4 years and it may be a challenge to get into the program of your choice, as well. But there are other careers that involve working with animals that you might want to consider. If you are good with people and with animals, one career you might consider is the veterinary office assistant.

The veterinary office assistant will work with the animals and with their owners. There is enough variety in this job to keep it interesting and challenging and you’ll have plenty of time to work with the animals, too.

Before you embark on taking the courses necessary to become a vet’s assistant you should learn about what they do.

What does a veterinary office assistant do?

Meet and Greet

Pet owner’s that come into the veterinarian’s office are often stressed and anxious because their pets may be in pain or in distress. Even when they are just bringing their pets in for routine exams it can be a tough time – pet owners can get very attached to their little critters (and their big one’s too!).

It is necessary to have good people skills when you are meeting the owner’s. You need to be friendly but you also need to take their feelings seriously. Don’t act like they are being silly or overreacting. Empathize with them.

Part of your job is to make sure that the pet owner understands what is expected of them, what procedures are going to be used, and any other instructions that are important. This will require good communication skills on your part because the pet owners might be so anxious that they are not able to listen the way they normally would. Take the necessary time to make sure that the message gets across clearly.

Caring for the animals

Grooming and feeding the animals are part of the job of the veterinary office assistant. Remember that animals might not be themselves when they are in a strange situation so they will require patience and caring and understanding. You will need to be careful but loving. You may also need to administer medications (oral or needle) as prescribed by the veterinarian. Proper handling techniques will be useful.

Caring for animals after surgery

Animals that have come in for surgery may stay at the clinic for a period of 24 hours or more. The veterinary office assistant will likely be the person who cares for the animals during that time. They need a lot of TLC to make them feel more secure.

Education

In order to become a veterinary office assistant you will have to obtain the proper education. There is much to know and skills that you will need to master. Medical terminology is one of the things you will have to be comfortable with in order to understand instructions from the veterinarian and to communicate effectively with other members of the staff. In your education you will also learn proper handling techniques and you will learn about the drugs that are used in a veterinary clinic.

Online Education in Canada - Is it a Viable Option?

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What does an online education in Canada mean for potential students?

Do employers think that an online degree has any value?

Who should consider getting their education online?

Do schools that offer online education provide the same value as a bricks and mortar school?

These are many of the questions that people ask when the topic of online education comes up. Online education is not new, by any means; but it is still misunderstood. There are many aspects of online education that Canadian residents do not know about and want to know about before they make a final decision about where to go to school.

Two Types of Online Education

You have two choices when it comes to online education. You can get an online education in Canada by going to a school that specializes in offering distance education online or you can find a school that has a physical location as well as offering their classes online.

The question is: is one of these better than the other?

The answer is not necessarily. The best thing to do is to research each school on its own. By researching the school online, talking to a counsellor, and looking for input from past students you can find out what kind of reputation the school has and decide on one that suits your needs best.

What Kind of Education Can You Get with an Online Program?

You can obtain a degree, a certificate, or a diploma though online education programs in Canada. There are many fields to choose from such as business, health care, IT, sciences, or others. There are choices that will suit anyone’s career goals. In Canada, online education can open you up to many opportunities to purse the career of your choice.

What are the Benefits of a Canadian Online Education?

When you pursue your career through online course there are many benefits that are well suited to busy people. You can keep your day job so that you do not have to lose money when you are attending classes. You can study from anywhere that you have access to the Internet including home, the library, or a coffee shop. You can go at the same pace as students that are taking classes at a physical location or you can go slower to accommodate your needs.

·         Online education in Canada is idea for:

·         People that have families

·         People who need to work while going to school

·         People who do not have a bricks and mortar college near where they live

·         People who want to do some upgrading on their education while they continue to work

Online Education Offers Opportunity

In our current time, education is a true necessity for those who want to move forward in their careers or those who want to start a new career. Because most people will have several careers throughout their lifetime, going back to school is sometimes required to move forward with their career goals. Without online options for education, many people would not be able to get the schooling that they need to get promoted or to start that new career.

As technology is implemented into online programs, students are getting more value from them. Employers are recognizing the value of degrees, diplomas, and certificates that are obtained online. It is a new world out there and people are adapting to it and sometimes that mean getting their education online.

Could You Be an Event, Resort, or Casino Coordinator?

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Do you like to travel? Are you a people person? Do you enjoy entertaining and pleasing others? If this sounds like you, a career as casino, event, or resort coordinator might be just up your alley. People who enjoy working in the services industry can find lucrative careers as coordinators that they enjoy and that pay well.

But don’t assume that just because this can be a very fun job that you will not have to work hard. On the contrary! Coordinators for resorts, events, and casinos have to do a lot of work behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly. The coordinators much make sure that the entertainment is lined up and that any equipment that is needed is running efficiently. They must take into account decorations, food, refreshments, and more.

Of course, there is also the financial end. The coordinator at a casino, resort, or event usually has a budget that they must stick to and in the end they must be able to justify all of their expenses. If they are too far below the budget, the event is likely to be unsuccessful and boring. If they go over the budget, the money has to come from somewhere else in the business. So being an event, resort, or casino coordinator is not all fun and games.

Casino Coordinators

Casinos are no longer just places to gamble. They are entertainment venues that have gaming machines, card games, and other gambling fun and each of those needs to be planned or tended to by someone. It is necessary for the casino coordinator to learn how the machines work and understand the terminology of games, machines, and security.

Coordinators for casinos might also be responsible for planning for entertainment like musicians and bands or other special events in the casino. It is special events like this that can draw in new clientele and make the casino a success!

Resort Coordinators

What are you looking for when you go to a resort? You want to have fun and you don’t want to think to much. It is so much easier if there are just some great options to choose from in the way of entertainment, rather than having to choose from many. There are loads of different kinds of resorts and they all have someone that makes it their main goal to make sure that visitors are happy - that is the resort coordinator.

The resort coordinator has to be the type of person that loves to get out an mingle with others and easily makes people feel like they have been friends forever; however, the resort coordinator must also be able to handle marketing and office operations to be successful at their job.

Event Coordinators

Corporate events, weddings, and parties are just some of the events that event coordinators might be in charge of. They work with an event manager to make sure that events run smoothly. You will plan and strategize to make sure that objectives are met and you will supervise staff and sometimes, volunteers.

The event coordinator can help make an event special and make those who attend the event feel like they are welcomed. A great personality and knowledge of service providers will help you to make every event that you work on a success.

Is the Career of Event, Casino, or Resort Coordinator for You?

If you like to work with people but have an eye for details, too, this could be your next career. You should take a course in event planning to learn the ins and outs of the industry. Look for a course that will teach you how to be an event, casino, or resort coordinator through practical knowledge and theoretical knowledge

Are You Ready for a Career as a Medical Laboratory Assistant?

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you are looking for a career with lots of challenge and plenty of rewards in the medical field but you’re not ready to take the big step of becoming a doctor or a nurse, you should consider studying to become a medical laboratory assistant. This is an interesting career that has lots of room for variety and challenge.

Medical laboratory assistants often find work in research facilities and hospitals. In research facilities, they are more likely to be involved in assisting scientists in their research but in hospitals they will do work that will help diagnose patients and find proper treatments for them.

What Skills Will You Need to be a Medical Laboratory Assistant?

Medical laboratory assistants must have excellent comprehension skills. That means that they must be able to read well and understand what information is most important. They need to be able to read and find specific information in the body of a text. They must also have excellent listening skills because there is not always time to write information down and the assistant must give their full attention to the speaker and retain the important points and ask questions that are relevant.

Other skills that are necessary for medical laboratory assistants include:

• Problem solving
• Math skills
• Time management
• Monitory of yourself, others, and equipment
• Writing
• Good verbal communication
• Thinking skills - decision making, critical thinking, analysis
• Good understanding of science
• Knowledge of medical terminology
• The ability to learn quickly and retain information

These skills will all help you perform your duties efficiently.

What are the Duties of a Medical Laboratory Assistant?

There is a great deal of variety in the duties of a medical laboratory assistant. They might start the day by setting up and adjusting the lab equipment. Throughout the day they may make adjustments and at the end of the day they will likely do some cleaning of the lab equipment.

Throughout the day they are likely to perform many different analysis tasks. This could include doing analysis on bodily fluids like urine and blood samples or analyzing the results of experiments and test using electrical or mechanical devices. They will also record and analyze data from tests that will then be compiled into graphs or charts or written in a text format.

Medical laboratory assistants may also be responsible for collecting sample of bodily fluid from patients and then performing test on it. They will need to know how to store these samples properly so that they are not contaminated so that they can be used in the future, too.

Medical laboratory assistants will work with other lab staff to ensure that all of the details of their work are done carefully and perfectly so that the results of studies are not skewed. They will need to have a great eye for detail and they will need to communicate with other staff members in an efficient manner. They may have to provide information and instructions to other lab assistants so they must have excellent speaking skills.

Getting Started

If you are ready to get started in a career as a medical laboratory assistant your first step is to get the right training. You can find many schools throughout Canada and the United States that offer medical laboratory assistant courses. If you take courses full time you can be ready to get into the work force in less than a year. If you need to continue working you may be able to take part of your course work online but it is always a good idea to find a school that offers practical teaching as well, so in class time might be required.

Look for a school that gives you a jump start on your future career by setting you up with a work practicum. Work practicum or work placements give you the chance to learn in a real life environment and they give you experience that can be very helpful when it comes time to start your job search.

Administrative Assistants | Develop These Skills to Be Competitive click to edithelp

Communication (Photo credit: P Shanks)

Canadian admin assistants must have transferable skills to be competitive in the job markets. Transferable skills help administrative assistants get the jobs they want and get promotions within the company they work for. Transferable skills include computers kills, written and verbal communications, and reading skills.

When you apply for administrative assistant positions, you will find that there are many others that are there to apply for the job. The competition is thick. If you want to stand out from the competition, here are a few skills that you can strengthen:

Leadership Skills

Learn how to think strategically and negotiate by joining organizations and associations. When you volunteer and learn to lead groups within those organizations you will develop leadership skills that can make you stand out. It will also increase your chances of getting a promotion to a higher paid position if you have proven leadership skills.

Keep Informed

No matter what kind of company you work for (or want to work for) make it your priority to stay informed about industry news. You should know about the latest advances in technology and know what is happening in your field. You should also be aware of company specific information. Advances that are being made in the company, the many roles that people play, and the main decision makers are some of the information you can watch for. This will allow you to make an intellectual contribution to conversations. When those in a higher position see that you make an effort to keep informed it will increase your chances of being considered for a promotion.

Keep Computer Skills Updated

Administrative assistants are constantly working with computers so if you are up-to-date with your computers skills you will be on top of your game all the time. You may use things like PowerPoint, Excel, and Word most often but that does not mean that you can’t learn other skills, too. CSS, Java, HTML and other computer skills can add to your base of skill sets and make you a more valuable employee.

Communication Skills

People who have good communication skills are always valuable but you can’t just say that you have these skills. You must prove it! How are you going to prove it if you have never had a job that allows you to use them? Join an organization like Toast Masters or volunteer for your favorite charity. This will give you many opportunities to develop both your written and verbal communications skills. Administrative assistants especially need to have these skills so look for opportunities to make them strong and then show them off at the office. When people come into the office or phone in, your face is the first one they see and your voice is the first one they hear. People know the difference between a person that just greets and answers phones and a trained professional that takes pride in communicating well.

Build Up Transferable Skills

There are many more skills that can benefit you as you look for a job as an administrative assistant or work your way up within a company but these transferrable skills can make a big difference in your success. Continue to work on your skills and develop them even after you have the job you want because you never know when the opportunity to move up in your career will come around.

Fast Track Your Career with These 10 Steps

Career Fair 2011 (Photo credit: Lafayette College)

Taking the slow route in a career doesn’t always work for everyone.  This may especially be the case if you are starting your career later because you’ve taken time to travel or stay at home with your children or if you are starting a second career.  Sometimes the fast track just makes more sense.

But how do you get on that fast track?  Here are some tips that will get your career moving forward quickly:

1. Reassess:

Make sure that the path you are on is the right one.  If your career does not match your interests and passions you will become unmotivated and find that you fall off the fast track.  Can you get access to the experience that you need?  Do you have the education that you need to move quickly in your career? If not, you may want to consider making some lateral moves first and then progressing.

2. Define Your Goals

Make sure that you know exactly where you want to go in your career.  Make a plan to get there.  Include short term and long term goals.  Knowing what your goals are will help you set out an actionable plan.

Business planning cards (Photo credit: plantoo47)

3. Make a Plan

Without a plan you’re just wandering around randomly without direction.  What is your first short term goal?  What do you need to do to attain it?  Set out the steps you will take to make sure that it happens not only quickly, but efficiently.

4. Communicate

Those who are in management positions and other positions of authority in the company you work for are able to help you but they can’t help you if they don’t know what your goals are.  Ask for their support and their advice.  Find a mentor that you can communicate with on a fairly regular basis.  The advice that they have to give can be invaluable.

5. Volunteer

Show that you have initiative by volunteering to take over a project or start a new one.  Not only will it make you look really good but it will also help you develop skills.  You can demonstrate the skills that you already have and you can learn new ones.

 6. Stay Current

Always be aware of the trends that are happening in your field.  Read industry newsletters and magazines.  Use the Internet to keep up with what is happening.  People who read and are up-to-date are often the ones that are able to put themselves in a position where they can make a big jump forward in their careers.

7. Education

Just because you have completed a course that got you a degree or a diploma doesn’t mean that you are done with your education.  Be on the look out for courses and workshops that you can attend to get certifications.  These courses and workshops can help you be in a beneficial position in the company you work for and it can help you get ahead of the competition.

8. Be a Leader

Don’t be afraid to take on a leadership role when it is presented to you.  You might become a mentor to someone that is junior to you or you could volunteer to be on a board or committee.  Leaders are noticed first and leaders move ahead fast.

9. Network

Networking is not just for those that are looking for a job.  If you network after you have a job - both in your community and in the company you work for - you will find that opportunities often present themselves to you. Your visibility will increase and you will make new contacts that will give you opportunities to fast forward in your job.

10. Excel

Make sure that no matter what your job is you are the best person that they have ever had in that job.  Make sure that you do everything to the best of your ability.  Never do things half way.  I’ve always said that anything worth doing is worth doing well so give your job your full attention when you are there and make sure that you are the best they have ever had.