Should You Work from Home?

 Ù†ØªÙŠØ¬Ø© بحث الصور عن ‪Work from Home‬‏
Are you currently employed outside of the home?  If you are, do you regularly find yourself frustrated with the daily commute to and from work?  Do you regularly find yourself fed up with workplace gossip or antics that may go on at your company workplace?  If you do, have you ever considered working from home?  If working from home is something that you have considered, you should know that you are not alone.  Wanting to work from home is a dream that many have, but is that dream one that could become a reality or should it become a reality for you?

When it comes to working from home, there are many individuals who have a misconception.  Yes, working from home can involve working from home in your “down,” clothes, but there is much more to working from home than comfort. Before you automatically decide to ask your current employer about working from home or quit your job so that you can work from home, you will want to continue reading on.

One of the hardest parts about working from home is finding a work-at-home job or a work-at-home opportunity. Unfortunately, this is where many individuals make costly mistakes.  Many mistakenly quit their jobs with the belief that it would be relatively easy for them to find a paid work-at-home job or a paid work-at-home opportunity. As previously stated, working from home is something that is rapidly increasing in popularity. What does this mean for you?  It means that it can be difficult for you to find a legitimate work-at-home job or work-at-home opportunity, as there is a lot of competition for doing so.

A limited number of jobs is why it is advised that you do not terminate your current position with your employer until you have a steady work-at-home job or work-at-home opportunity lined up. This will prevent you from suffering from financial difficulties, should you be unable to find a work-at-home job or work-at-home opportunity that pays.  The good news about this approach is that the internet enables you to research and apply for work-at-home jobs and work-at-home opportunities at just about any point in time, including in the evenings or on the weekends.  You may also want to consider asking your current employer if you are able to work from home.  This will all depend on the preference of your employer, as well as your work duties.

Although there are a number of different ways that you can go about finding work-at-home jobs or work-at-home opportunities, it is important to remember that working from home isn’t right for everyone.  One of the many factors that you will want to take into consideration is your ability to follow a schedule or have your project submitted by a deadline without constant monitoring from your supervisor.  Working from home is nice, but it essentially becomes your own responsibility to stay focused and stay on task. For that reason, if you regularly find yourself distracted at home, working from home may not be right for you.

Another one of the many factors that you will want to take into consideration, when looking to work from home is the startup costs. These startup costs will all depend on which work-at-home opportunity you decide to take. For instance, if you choose to start your own business, you will find that your startup costs will be higher than if you were a home based worker for another company.  Of course, it is important to make sure that you do have all needed equipment pieces.  These pieces may include a computer, internet access, a second dedicated phone line, a fax machine, or a copy machine.  The good news is that you may already have all or most of these items inside your home.

Additional factors that you will want to take into consideration include health insurance, as most home based workers are not covered with medical insurance, and childcare, if you are a parent.  A close examination should help you determine whether or not working from home is best for you. 
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Relocating for Your Job

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Importance of Doing Research Before Changing Jobs

Are you currently employed, but unhappy with your current job?  Whether you are unsatisfied with your current pay level or feel as if you are unable to advance within your company, you may be interested in changing jobs or possibly even careers.  If that is the case, you are urged not to act on an impulse, as doing so can create more harm that good.

Should you be interested in changing jobs or careers, there are a number of important points that you will want to take into consideration, before you take action. These points can help to ensure that you are able to easily and effectively change jobs, without causing any harm to your good name or your finances.  A few of the many points that you will want to keep in mind are outlined below for your convenience.

One of the most important points to examine is the current job outlook in or around your area.  This is important, as it can have an impact on your ability to change careers or find a new job.  Another one of the many reasons why it is important to first examine the job outlook for your area is because once many individuals decide that they would like to have a career change or a job change they go right ahead and do so.  If you rely on your current job to support yourself and your family, you will want to try and refrain from outright quitting your current job without a new one in place.

As ideal as it is to hear that you may want to keep your current job while trying to find a new job at the same time, you may be curious as to how it is even possible to do. While it may require a lot of hard work and tough scheduling, it is more than possible for you to do so.  In fact, you may want to consider giving your employer your notice, if the job outlook in your area is enough to give you hope.  With that in mind, you may want to consider giving more notice than the traditional two weeks. This can help buy yourself time, as well give your employer ample opportunity to find your replacement. This may also give you the opportunity to take off time for job interviews.  However, if you feel uncomfortable taking this approach, it is advised that you use sick time or vacation time to attend any upcoming job interviews you are able to land.

The above mentioned tips can help you if you are looking to change jobs; however, if you are looking to change careers there are more points that you will want to take into consideration.  One of those points is the needed training and experience.  For example, if you are currently working as a secretary and if your dream job involves working as a nurse, have you attended nursing school?  If you have yet to do so, you may be unable to find a job in the field of nursing or even healthcare for that matter.  Although this does seem like common sense, it is a scenario that many hopeful job seekers fail to take into consideration.

The above mentioned factors are just a few of the many points that you will want to take into consideration, before you decide to automatically go ahead and change jobs or change careers.  In all honesty, it is advised that you use your best judgment.  Never assume that you will land a new job until you are actually offered it and never count on being awarded job that you are unqualified for.  Using your best judgment is the perfect way to find a new job or career, but without hurting your good name and your finances.

To Ask for a Raise or To Not?

Are you currently satisfied with your job, but unhappy with the pay?  Do you need an increase in pay to support your family?  If you do, you may be interested in asking your supervisor about a raise.  If that is the case, you may want to continue reading on. A few of the many factors that you should take into consideration, before you decide to ask your employer for a raise, are outlined below for your convenience.

One of the many factors that you will want to take into consideration, when trying to determine if you should ask for a raise, is your duties.  Have you recently taken on more duties at work?  If you have, were you compensated for those additional duties?  If you were not, you may be within your right to ask for pay raise.  With that in mind, you also need to examine the other aspect of duties.  If you recently had your workload reduced, you may want to refrain from asking for a pay raise, as it may give off an unpleasant impression of yourself.

Seniority is another factor that you will want to take into consideration, when trying to determine if you should ask for a pay raise.  Your length of employment can play a large role in whether or not you are able to receive the raise that you were hoping for.  Generally speaking, the longer you work for a company, the more likely it is that you will be able to get a raise.  In fact, before asking for a raise, you may want to refer to your employee handbook, as your company may already have a pay raise plan in place.

The minimum wage for your state is another one of the many factors that you will want to take into consideration, when examining pay raises.  In recent years, may states have made the decision to increase their minimum wage pay rates. In fact, some of these wage increases have been quite high.  You will first want to make sure that you are making more than minimum wage.  If your state recently increased its minimum wage, your employer should have done so as well, but there is no harm in checking.  You may also want to see about requesting a pay raise that will increase your wage in conjunction with any state minimum wage increases.  For example, you will want to make sure that you are making at least a few dollars more an hour than all new hires.

Speaking of the starting wage for your company, you may want to verify this information.  Generally speaking, long-term employees should be making more money than new hires, especially in similar positions.  You may be able to examine the average starting pay for new hires in your company by examining any company job listings that you are able to come across. You may also be able to get information from other employees about their salary. With that in mind, many companies require confidentially when associated with pay.  Therefore, if you are aware of a coworker’s income, you will want to refrain from citing that as an example with your supervisors.

The above mentioned factors are just a few of the many factors that you will want take into consideration, before you make the decision to ask for a raise.  Should you decide to ask for a raise, you will want to take a positive, friendly approach when doing so.

What Not to Do When Resigning From Your Job

Are you currently unsatisfied with your job or the company in which you work for?  If you are, you may have considered changing jobs.  If you have thought your decision over and decided that seeking employment elsewhere is best for you, you will need to resign from your current position.  Unfortunately, for many individuals this is a lot easier said than done.

If this is the first time that you are attempting to hand in your resignation, you may be unsure as to how you should proceed. Perhaps, the best way to go about quitting your job, in the appropriate matter, is to familiarize yourself with what you shouldn’t do. A few of the many steps that you will not want to take, when quitting your job, are outlined below for your convenience.

One of the worst things that you can do, when looking to resign from your job, is quitting on impulse.  This most commonly occurs after receiving discipline or when a work related conflict arises.  No matter how upset or frustrated you are, you will want to try, at all costs, to not quit on the spot.  This can not only reflect negatively upon you at the moment, but an impulse resignation may impact your chances of finding employment in the future. That is why you will want to try and give your employers notice, should you wish to seek employment elsewhere.
   
Speaking of giving your employer an appropriate amount of notice, when looking to change jobs, you are advised to do so in a reasonable amount of time.  Most employers expect to receive at least two weeks notice.  If you do not have a new job lined up, you may want to extend your notice time or offer to help your employer until they are able to find a replacement or until you are able to find employment elsewhere. It is also important that you submit your resignation in a professional matter.  Try and do so in person, with a formal written resignation as well.

Another one of the many things that you do not want to do, when looking to resign from your current position, is bad mouth your bosses to others, including your friends, coworkers, or during future job interviews.  You need to make sure that you do not “burn any bridges.”  This is extremely important, as you never know when your words or your actions may come back to haunt you.  You will want to ensure that your current employer, the one in which you no longer want to work for, is able to give you a glowing recommendation for years to come.

Another one of the many things that you will not want to do is “go out with a bang.”  Even if you are quitting your job because you are unhappy with your pay or with your boss or other coworkers, you will want to leave as quietly as possible.  You will want to put a happy smile on your face, no matter what your real emotions are.  As previously stated, you will want to ensure that you able to use your current employer as a job reference for years to come. You also need to remember that you never know when you may come into contact with your bosses or coworkers in the future.

It is also important that you do not try and mislead your current employer in any way, shape, or form.  If you are not planning to quit your job until you have a new one lined up, you will want to proceed with caution. You will want to make sure that your prospective employers will not contact your currently employer asking for a reference.  To prevent this from happening, you may want to inform all prospective employers that you have yet to submit your resignation or submit your resignation before you start applying for new jobs.

By keeping the above mentioned points in mind, you should be able to submit your resignation without causing any harm to your finances or your good name.  In all honesty, all you really need to do is just use your best judgment, as it is usually the best guide to follow.
What to Consider Before Changing Career Fields

Are you currently unsatisfied with your job or the direction of your career?  If you are, you may be interested in changing career fields. While this is more than possible to do, it is important to remember that not all jobs and career fields are the same.  For example, just because you may make a great legal security, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you are qualified to work as a nurse or another healthcare professional.  That is just one of the many factors that you will want to take into consideration, before changing career fields. A few of the other factors that you will want to take into consideration are outlined below.

As previously stated, not all jobs and career fields are the same. That is why it is important that you do not make any assumptions.  Assuming is the worst mistake that you could ever make, especially with something as important as your career.  Before officially deciding to change careers, you will want to take the time to thoroughly research each career field that you may be interested in entering. These career fields may include medical, automotive, legal, retail, and so forth.  This research can easily be done online or at your local library.  Important points that you will want to examine include current and forecasted job outlook, as well as pay.

Once you have at least one or two career fields that you would be interested in entering, you may want to start searching for open job positions.  The only thing is that you may want to refrain from applying for any of those jobs just yet.  Instead, you will want to examine a number of different factors.  One of those factors is pay.  For the positions that you would be interested in apply for is the pay enough to support your family?  While some circumstances may allow you to take a pay cut, you may want to refrain from doing so if possible. 

In addition to pay, you will want to examine some of the job openings that you are able to come across to learn as much as you can about average job requirements. These job requirements may include education, training, or previous work experience.  What is nice about this information is that it is easy to come across.  You will find that most job listings, both in print and online, will outline all of the requirements needed for the job.  This will give you a good idea as to whether or not you are qualified for the job or jobs of your dreams.  With that in mind, if you have yet to quit your job, you may want to take the time to take a few night or weekend training courses to help improve your training and experience.

In keeping with career training, if you are interested in increasing your chances, you will want to consider taking a few of these training courses or classes. They come in a number of different formats, but they are all designed to help you prepare for a career change. For example, hopeful accountants may learn how to prepare taxes, keep accurate business records, and so forth.  In all honesty, the length of training needed or required will all depend on the career field that you are interested in entering.

If you are interested in using career training courses or classes to improve your chances of seeing a successful career change, you will want to use your local newspaper or the internet.  Many career training courses are advertised in both locations.  You may also want to examine your local community colleges or vocational centers to see what they have available.  Yes, you will have to pay to attend a career training course or a class, but it will almost always be worth in the end.  Hopefully, the end result will be a successful entrance into a new career field, namely the career field of your choice.

No comments