Pontiac Career Management

Archive for February, 2010

One persons career development needs differs from another. A nurse’s path leads them in one direction while a racecar driver follows another. Even in the same profession one person may take a completely different route than another while winding up near the same goals.

The one thing all occupations take into account when assessing their career development needs is what they already know. Students showing great aptitude for artistic skills may wish to continue by finding a career that incorporates one, or more of their talents.

For example, a person who doodles, draws, and has experience with graphic programs may wish to go into graphic design and logo making for large companies and small businesses. He should sit down and list his career development needs with separate lists for small and long term goals. How much does he already know about graphic design? Has he worked for a client in the past either free or for pay? What programming skills does he have? How far is his artistic range and is he able to keep up with client demands? Is he only interested in creating logos, or will his graphic design skills go further into webpage design, animation and magazine design? These are some of the questions he should ask.

His next step when thinking about career development needs is to decide his readiness to go into the graphic design field. Can he start right away, or does he need more schooling first? Does he plan to attend classes for continuing education even after he starts his career? If he worked for clients in the past, was he professional or does he need to learn more about the professional field?

Part of assessing career development needs is realizing when further education is required for career advancement. It is not always necessary, but it is a great way to keep up with present markets if the individual and company want to advance in today’s moneymaking society.

The serious professional should learn to write good resumes where is listed his skills that will compliment the job he applies. A company doesn’t want to know that a person applying for a secretarial job can keep his house in “tiptop shape”. What they want to know is if the person is good at organization and keeping notes.

Career development needs don’t disappear once the person starts his or her career. There is always room for improvement for the individual and for the company. A person’s career development needs can change slowly over time, or drastically when they decide to try a different career. It’s all up to the individual and what he or she is able to handle.

Learning a foreign language can always be beneficial from both future and career perspective. In fact, it is like an added qualification in your Curriculum Vitae. There can be many reasons to learn a foreign language, it can be professional, personal, from education perspective, growth perspective etc. But let’s consider the top most benefits of learning a foreign language.

Number one reason for learning a foreign language can be more money and better job opportunities. There are many foreign language institutes where you can avail the opportunity.

These days, many employers have started responding to the need to hire people who are well-versed with a foreign language by offering more money to start and higher raises throughout their career.

Besides this, being able to speak a foreign language can help you qualify for more interesting jobs such as Foreign Service Officer for the CIA or State Department, or foreign language specialist for the National Security Agency.

Number two reason for learning a foreign language is that one is perceived to comparatively more intelligent.

It is a general perception among people that those who speak a second or foreign language are much more intelligent than those who don’t know any other language. In the whole continent of Europe, where people of different countries mainly speak in their own native language also know English, if not a third or even fourth foreign language.

Number three reason for learning a foreign language is that you become more socially active and responsible.  

All those who know foreign language have the added advantage of being able to associate with others who either speak the language natively or have learned a foreign language in addition to their own native language. This way, you are able to expand your network of social and business contacts and become more open to being invited to more social and business functions.

Another reason which is mainly a personal aspect of learning a foreign language is that it can help you becoming a foreign traveler.

It’s of course more fun and exciting when you go on a vacation in a country where you are able to speak their language. It helps you in getting a better treatment from the locals as they see that you made an effort to learn their language. Also, you can ensure better service in shops and restaurants because you can read the signs, understand the menu, and converse with the staff in a better manner. Another important factor is that one who know a foreign language can be a lifesaver if there is a medical emergency and some important symptoms have to communicated to medical staff who may not speak English as well as you would hope they could.

People generally feel that what is the point in learning a second language, everybody else in the world speaks English now, right? But that’s not true!

 

One cannot deny the fact that with globalization English has become the universally spoken language, but it won’t be right to think the entire world speaks it. In fact, it is a general fact that only 1 out of 5 people speak English as a first or second language. One of the best things that you can do to yourself is to learn a foreign language as you can achieve the status of a global citizen.

 

Languages in demand:

 

It is not easy to find apeakers of Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and Russian. And if you combine your second language skills with an MBA degree, you can definitely look forward to a successful career ahead. More commonly spoken languages have also proven to be useful. Many jobs in the United Nations require people who are well-versed with both English and French, with the latter being the second most spoken language in the world. Learning a foreign language can definitely increase your employment potential tenfold.

 

From where you can learn:

 

There are many institutes where one can learn a foreign language. To learn French one can join Alliance François which is located in Lodhi Road New Delhi. To learn German, one can join Maxmuller Bhavan near CP in Delhi and to learn Japanese, one can opt for joining Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan in CP, Delhi.

 

These days, a lot of schools are emphasizing a lot on foreign languages. It has become compulsory for students to know at least one foreign language.

 

This way, students get a hang of some other language besides the native and English language.

 

So, it is definitely beneficial to know a language which is alien to you for a multifold growth in life.

 

Some of us might be caught in the wrong jobs – despite earning respectable salaries. We might have studied extensively and passed rigorous examinations; but despite all these, some of us might not be completely satisfied with what we are doing.  Sometimes, creative people would find their jobs very mechanical and boring. Given such a scenario, it is best to take some time off and explore the options again. Not that all of us can do so, as we have families to support and bills to be paid. For those who are starting out in their careers though, the aptitude tests in general hold a special position. A person can take a job aptitude test and get an insight into the areas and the industry segments where he would fit the best.

What are aptitude tests ? Aptitude tests measure a person’s ability to acquire some specific skill set. There are different types of aptitude tests, depending on the actual skills for which a person is assessed. Aptitude tests are used in the admission procedure for graduate and postgraduate courses, as well as in job interviews. Maths aptitude tests are a particular category in aptitude tests and are being used to assess the suitability of a candidate for specific jobs in different industry segments.  

As is quite evident in the name, the basic mathematical abilities of a person are assessed using the maths aptitude tests. The problems could be based on algebra, geometry, statistics, or accounting. Sometimes, the examinees would need to interpret graphs and data charts.

Mathematical aptitude tests are often an integral part of the interview and selection process in fields such as commerce, banking, finance, engineering, or statistical analysis. A person would need to be proficient in maths for them to be considered for some coveted posts in these sectors. The actual level of difficulty in the problems would however depend on the type of organisations using these tests to select the best minds. Sometimes, the positions would be such that some basic questions in mathematical reasoning and quantitative aptitude would suffice. People aiming for jobs in the field of life sciences or arts often have to pass a relatively easy numerical aptitude test. At other times tough, a more extensive knowledge of maths would be necessary for a person to successfully meet the demands at the work place.

How does one prepare for maths aptitude tests ? The easiest way to prepare for mathematical aptitude tests is by using sample test papers to practice. A person can download tests from online providers and try them to get a definite improvement in his speed and accuracy. The best providers also offer tips on how to improve speed without jeopardizing on accuracy. People who would be facing a selection procedure in the foreseeable future can browse through the online numerical ability tests and know more about simple numeracy as well as numerical reasoning.

Want to know more about maths aptitude tests, numerical aptitude tests, and psychometric assessment ? Visit psychometric-success.com to get all your answers.