Switching careers is becoming more prevalent, especially during a time of economic uncertainty. While there are many articles written about things you should do when switching careers, following are some things you should avoid when searching Boston jobs upon a new career path.

* Don’t Chose a Hot Field Just Because It’s Hot

Often people looking for jobs in Massachusetts try and wage their bets. It’s natural, after all, to put your hard work into surefire efforts. However, going into a field simply because it seems like a no-fail career opportunity is only going to add up to dissatisfaction in the long run. The result will be that you’ll be searching for yet another career at some point in the future.

* Don’t Chose a Field Based Solely on Money

While salary is an important aspect of any job, it should not be the deciding factor when it comes to choosing a new career. Boston jobs are plentiful and the pay, for many, is very competitive. Search for careers that encompass aspects that you enjoy along with those that play on your natural talents and you’ll find that your career switch will be successful.

* Don’t Go Back to School Without a Lot of Thought and Research

You may be tempted to simply enroll in some college classes in your effort to switch careers. Before you sign up for classes and pay your tuition, make sure of three things. First, you are certain the new career you’re embarking on is what you really want to do. Second, the field is one you can enter. Third, the education you’re seeking is what you actually need to land a job.

If you have any questions about switching careers, one of the best steps you can take is to contact a professional employment agency. Boston recruiters are seasoned pros when it comes to the job market. Let an agency help you decide if switching careers is right for you.

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Hollister Releases Results of a Massachusetts Workforce Survey

Boston, MA (PRWEB) August 26, 2008 — Hollister, Inc. today announced the results of a Workforce Survey it recently conducted that finds that the majority of the people polled in Massachusetts value company culture, company values and corporate philanthropy above all other factors when choosing jobs in Massachusetts.

“We have seen a major shift over the past five years in what job seekers look for in a company,” said Hollister, Inc. Founder and CEO Kip Hollister. “It used to be salary and benefits above all else, but now people are seeking jobs in Massachusetts that they can feel good about.”

The Workforce Survey polled over 1,000 people throughout the Commonwealth, both employed and unemployed. When asked to rank which factors contribute most to their job satisfaction, the majority of people polled ranked Company Culture first followed by Opportunities for Growth, Employee Appreciation, Work/Life Balance, and a good Benefits Package. Listed last was Competitive Salary/Pay.

When asked how they valued the different components that make up company culture, people ranked Corporate Philanthropy, Volunteerism & Community Involvement above all else. Rounding out the list, in order of importance, was Company Values, Job Perks, Creative Benefits (nutrition & wellness programs, paternity leave, etc.), and Work Environment (diversity, dress code, etc.). Additionally, the survey found that the majority of participants were satisfied with their Massachusetts jobs based on the work/life balance factor.

“This survey backs up what we have been experiencing at Hollister with both candidates and the companies we work with,” Hollister said. “Though competitive salaries will always be a factor, employers have come to realize that employees that feel good about the company they are working for are more passionate about their work and feel a greater sense of loyalty to the company.”

About Hollister
Founded in 1988, Hollister is a leading full-service staffing firm passionate about connecting Massachusetts’ opportunity with talent. Based and home-grown in the Greater Boston region, Hollister is well positioned to see the Massachusetts job market from both sides. They essentially have two sets of clientele that they show up for every day- Massachusetts companies and its active and passive jobseeker. For 20 years, Hollister has been the bridge that connects professionals with jobs in Massachusetts and companies with the best employees. Whether you are searching for Massachusetts jobs or to hire your next best employee, they are the network you are looking for.

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No four words conjure up more dread than “Can I have a raise?” Although you may feel unfairly compensated on the job, most workers in Boston jobs can’t work up the nerve to request a pay increase.

There are ways to ask for more money, however, but you can’t do it spontaneously. You have to be smart when you request more money – and here’s how:

First, do your research. Find out what people in your position are making. You can do this through business networking, the Internet, or professional associations. If you find that you are making a competitive salary, you more than likely don’t have a lot of negotiation power. But if you feel that you are going above and beyond what your job dictates, you still may have a chance at getting that raise.

Next, find out your employer’s policy for giving pay raises. Many employers at jobs in Boston give annual increases across the board. If this is the case, your chances of getting an interim raise are probably not good. If the company gives frequent raises, however, you’ll have more wiggle room.

Once you do this research you can determine if your employer is likely to give a pay raise. If you think it is still in your best interest to request more money, set up a meeting with your direct supervisor. Go into the meeting prepared to make your case, including a list of goals that you have met, as well as contributions made that could be considered above the call of duty.

Asking for raises in Boston jobs is a good idea, if you do your homework. If you do not think that you are being fairly compensated and are looking for a better job, contact a professional employment agency. Boston is a great place to work with many opportunities for you to grow and earn a good living — while being paid what you are worth.

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Consider the following scenario…….You’ve worked diligently at your current position and have been a model employee. You’ve accomplished a lot in your current position and you’ve made a real contribution to the company. Now you’re ready to move on to another job.

There’s just one problem. Your boss, who has no reason to give you anything less than a glowing recommendation, has a reputation for being spiteful. He’s been known to give bad references before and you’re not sure what he would say about you if asked. Do you list him as a reference or not?

If you find yourself in this predicament, it’s best to avoid using a reference who may or may not give an honest assessment of your work. Most employees who are looking for new positions while still employed at their current job feel uncomfortable with giving the names of their bosses as references for fear of retaliation (in the form of bad reviews, demotions, or refusal to promote) if a new job does not materialize.

When looking for Boston jobs, it’s important to keep one eye on your current job and one eye to the future. Avoid burning a bridge by putting down a reference that may not take the news of you searching for a new position very well. Instead, opt to use people who can give credible, positive references like previous bosses, co-workers or even staff members who work under you (if you feel they can be relied upon to keep your business confidential). Even clients, customers and vendors that you work with make for good references.

References can open the door to a new position—if they’re solid. If you have any doubts as to who makes for a good reference, check with your employment agency. Boston agencies can advise job seekers on the best people to use as references and avoid those who will give a less than stellar review.

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There are times, when looking for jobs in Massachusetts, where you may find yourself thinking you would take the first job offered to you. After all, the work that goes into a job search can be exhausting and seemingly never ending.

However, saying yes to the first employer who presents you with a job offer may or may not be a wise decision. Even if the salary offered is what you’re looking for, does the rest of the package match up as well?

Following are some items you need to consider when you’re interviewing for Boston jobs.

Insurance
What type of insurance plan is an employer offering? Will you have to pay a high deductible? Does your insurance also provide dental coverage? How much will you pay for dependents (if that’s an issue)? Medical costs can be exorbitant even with good insurance. Make sure you’re covered before taking a job.

Retirement Plans
What type of 401K program does the company offer? Do they match funds?

Vacation
How much time will you have to take off for vacations? How long do you have to work for a company to accrue vacation time?

Flex Time/Telecommuting
Does a company offers flex schedules (ones that allow you to work your eight hours when you want to) or telecommuting? If so, that can be a huge benefit. Don’t discount the benefits of either of these two things.

One important thing to remember when offered a job is to take a look at the whole benefits package being offered—not just salary alone. Many people make the mistake of looking solely at salary and either accept or turn down a job based on that number. What these people don’t take into consideration is the monetary benefit of good insurance, retirement plans, flex time and telecommuting.

Searching for Boston jobs can be a lot of work but it’s important to remain patient through the process. Take a good, long look at any salary package offered with a job and discuss the details with your employment agency. Boston recruiters can help you weigh the pros and cons and give you a clearer idea of what is a good, solid offer and what is not.

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With the uncertainty of the current economy, many people are seeking new careers in fields that tend to be stable and unaffected by a weak market. For these people, changing careers—often at a later stage in life—can be a frightening undertaking. Yet if done the right way, a switch in careers can come with a big payoff.

The biggest questions most people have when considering switching careers is ‘how do I get a job for which I have no experience?’. While the answer can be complex, it’s important to think about a few key things before even taking step one in looking for Boston jobs.

Think About Your Skills/Education/Prior Experience
Few people realize that they have skills that can be tailored to careers outside the one they are currently in. Make a list of skills you have and then look to see how those skills can be applied to other career paths. Most people are surprised to find they have numerous skills needed in a new career.

Research
Do some legwork to find out what you’ll need to do to enter into a new career. Will you need additional education? A certification? Direct experience? Knowing what is required of you beforehand will help you better prepare to change careers.

Network
The saying ‘it’s not what you know but who you know’ is very true. Networking with people who are currently in the field you’re looking to switch to will help you when the time comes to look for Boston jobs. Even if you’re not able to find a job through your contacts, chances are you’ll receive some valuable tips on things you need to do to prepare yourself for your new career.

Unless you suddenly find yourself out of a job, you need to give yourself plenty of time when transitioning to a new career. If switching careers were simple, people would be doing it all the time. However, to make a good, lasting career switch, you’ll need to prepare yourself and then take your time looking for jobs in Boston that meet your new criteria.

If you’re thinking about switching careers but you’re uncertain as to what to do, check with a professional employment agency. Boston recruiters know what requirements need to be met for different fields. They can help you develop a plan for switching careers and then assist in your job search so you find a new position that you’re happy with for years to come.

Popularity: 37% [?]

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Finding jobs in Boston can take time and patience. One way that many people shorten their wait and find the jobs that they want is to use the services of a professional employment agency. Boston jobs are out there and waiting for you, but some potential job seekers might blow their chances for a good job by not knowing the ins and outs of voice mail etiquette.

Etiquette? For leaving a voice mail? Well – maybe not when you are leaving a message for your mother or your best friend – but definitely when returning calls from or making inquiries to a possible employer. We rely so heavily on cell phones these days that the chances of you corresponding with a corporate decision maker on your mobile phone are great. Here are a few handy tips to consider before you experience the consequences of leaving an unprofessional, poorly thought out voice mail message:

Keep it simple. If you are answering a message, respond to any questions asked. If the caller simply asked you to call back, state that you are calling back and leave your phone number. Suggest that you can be reached, but if you don’t hear back, you will try to call back later. If you are calling to inquire the status of a job interview, state your name and phone number and state clearly the reason that you are calling.

Speak slowly. It’s amazing how fast we can talk when we aren’t making a concerted effort to slow our words down and speak concisely. Be sure to state your name at the beginning and again at the end of the message, and leave your phone number twice as well.

Limit yourself and your topics. Nothing turns off a potential employer like a rambling, unfocused voice mail. Think about what you are going to say before you make the call, and limit yourself to one or two comments. Do not, under any circumstances, go on and on and on….

Skip the texting. You may text message friends throughout the day, but it is a bad idea to text a possible employer. If they text you, of course, you can text back following the same rules as voice mail messages, but the familiarity and informality of a text message can be interpreted poorly by a person who is considering hiring you.

Leaving voice mails when searching for jobs in Massachusetts is certainly nothing to stress about – but you need to think carefully about how your message depicts you. Above all, you want to project a professional image – so follow the above rules and chances are you’ll be gainfully employed in Boston jobs in no time.

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You’ve searched long and hard for a great job. You’ve interviewed for numerous Boston jobs and jobs in Massachusetts as a whole. Now you’ve been offered a job and you think all your hard work has finally paid off.

But wait. Before you sign on the dotted line and tell everyone you know the good news, there’s still something you need to do before you take the job.

While a job might look great on paper, the proof is in the pudding, as the saying goes. Before you commit to a job, you need to make sure you know exactly what you’re getting into. The only true test of what a job is really like is to talk to the people in the trenches—other employees.

While many employers might be reluctant to allow you to ask questions of their employees during the interview stage, they should be open to the idea if a job offer is on the table. If an employer balks at the idea, that’s a sign. After all, if you run a business in a manner that is appealing to most employees, you have nothing to worry about if those said employees are asked questions about their corporate environment.

If an employer gives you the green light to ask questions, try to find someone with a position that is similar to yours or, at least, in the same department. Then be sure to ask the following:

How are you treated?

This question is actually one you can probably deduce without talking to others. Notice things like how your potential employer talks to subordinates. How does he or she treat administrative staff? How did the administrative staff treat you?

Notice employees walking by as you’re waiting to be interviewed. Do they seem stressed and tense? Are they talking and smiling, appearing relaxed and happy? Sometimes you can get a very good feel of a business just by sitting in the lobby.

What is the average turnover rate?

An employee will usually not be able to answer this question but an employer should be able to. If the rate is high, try and find out why. Sometimes a business can be a great place to work but something is lacking, such as pay. However, there are trade offs and occasionally these types of jobs turn out to be some of the best.

How is business run on a daily basis?

Find out what you’ll be doing every day and also discover the chain-of-command. Ask how much leeway you’ll have to work on your own and how much work you’ll be expected to do with others. If much of your work must be done with a team, try and meet the team before you take a job.

These are just a few simple questions but finding out the answers now can save you problems down the road. Also, ask for help from your employment agency. Boston employers who work with professional agencies generally have a long lasting, solid relationship, giving the agency insight into a business and the people who work there as well.

Popularity: 26% [?]

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