There are over one thousand public and private career colleges in the United States. In the last few years, close to 840,000 Associate degrees have been awarded and over 500,000 certificates have been earned at these local colleges.

It seems many students are finding value in attending a local college. The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center revealed that 46% of students who completed a four-year degree program had enrolled in a local college at some point during their educational pursuits.

Why are so many students seeking local colleges to help them reach educational goals? Convenience.

Local colleges offer the conveniences of flexible scheduling,, smaller class sizes, and online courses. They offer all this, access to a diverse student body and the option to continue your education after two-years if you choose to do so.

These conveniences can mean the difference of someone completing a degree program and receiving a degree and someone who is unable to finish a program due to obstacles like finances, time or family obligations.

Below each of these conveniences are discussed in more detail.

Smaller Campus and Classes

Not only are the campuses smaller, the number of students in a classroom are much lower than that of four year colleges. Typical class size at a local college can range between 20 and 30, while some universities allow 100 or more students to enroll in general education courses.

This means you are fighting with 100 other students for one-on-one teacher time, receiving advice or extra tutoring that professors can offer at a local college.

Smaller class size means you can receive more student-centered instruction and you can develop relationships with your peers in the class to make learning more meaningful.

It has been shown that peer feedback is an excellent way to enhance learning. You work together to help each other succeed. Group projects and discussions are a valuable tool in smaller classrooms.

Using peer support can reinforce learning, increase reasoning and critical thinking. It can also increase confidence among students in the class. Once they feel comfortable in the classroom environment, they are more likely to participate and reap the rewards of the overall classroom experience.

And they can do all of this with a group of students who are much different than themselves, allowing them to appreciate diversity in the classroom.

Access to Cultural Diversity

How great would it be to attend courses with a group of people with different backgrounds, different experiences, and different cultures? All these things can bring a new perspective to your learning experience.

After all, in the real world, and when working for future employers, your co-workers will not be identical to you. While some may share similarities, they will not all have the same backgrounds, ethnicities, cultural values or beliefs.

At your local college, you can learn about and appreciate diversity on multiple levels.

The Open Doors Report states there are over one million international students studying in the United States. Hundreds of thousands of those students are attending an American career college.

In a profile of student bodies of attending junior and career colleges, there are five most common races among students. Caucasians were the highest number of students, followed by African American, Hispanic, and Asian.

Diversity helps us break down barriers and recognize how differences can be a good thing.

Professors Are Accessible

At local colleges, you can develop a mentor type relationship with your professors. Some professors may be full-time, while others are teaching part-time. Either way, they make themselves available to you for advising.

You can contact your professor through multiple avenues, including the campus web system, email and phone.

Developing a relationship with your professor can help you during the semester and in the future when you may need references for a job or if you want to achieve more education.

Simple things you can do to enhance this mentoring relationship is to show up on time, participate in class, be respectful, show an interest in the material and meet with them during office hours to discuss actions you can take to help you reach your goals.

Quick Access to the Workforce

Attending four years of college and then entering the workforce may not be a reasonable option depending on your lifestyle, financial needs and personal goals. You may want to enter the workforce as soon as possible, even while you continue your education.

Local colleges offer faster access to the workforce through certificate programs, as well as two-year and four-year programs. While completing your course program, you can have opportunities to job shadow, or even complete a practicum in your field of study.

You get hands-on experience while maintaining the freedom and flexibility to attend college.

These are just a few of the many conveniences local colleges have to offer, making it the perfect place to begin your educational journey. You may need time to decide what you want to do with your life. You may need to save money. Local colleges have been found to meet these needs and many more.

Adapts to Your Lifestyle

Your lifestyle may be hectic, like many other students attending college. Most four-year institutions set the class times and schedules based on the school’s needs. You must adapt your lifestyle to fit the schedule of the university.

With local colleges, however, you can adapt your education to meet the needs of your lifestyle. Meaning, you have opportunities to take day or evening classes, virtual classes or the traditional in-class instruction. The number of courses you take each semester is based on your lifestyle needs and you are not rushed to complete your education in a specific number of years.

The Community College Research Center report close to 70 percent of college students work in addition to attending college, with over thirty percent of these students working more than 35 hours a week.

Because you are so busy, taking advantages of the conveniences of a local college may be the right way to help you reach your higher education goals.

An article by CNBC reports seventy percent of college students are also working. This means most of their day is spent in either a classroom or a workplace environment. This does not include the time they must spend with family, household responsibilities, completing errands, attending appointments and anything else that comes up.

The way someone can be successful in every area of their life, especially in school and career, is to achieve balance.

Keep reading to find out many tips on how to balance getting a higher education while working.

Make a Plan

Creating a plan of action helps you see where you are going, the goals you want to reach along the way and determine how you are going to get there. Planning gives you a specific map with a starting point or where you are now, to an end point.

You can outline the steps you need to take to help you reach your destination, a college degree. You can also set short and long-term goals, so you do not get overwhelmed, and so you can reward yourself to stay motivated.

You will also be able to find areas of flexibility.

Search for Flexibility

Employers and others in your life may not automatically offer flexibility for you to continue going to school and working at the same time. Your employer may not come right out and offer you a flexible work schedule. Or, your family may not offer to pick up tasks for you, so you can find time to study.

You must seek out these opportunities yourself. Don’t be afraid to ask your boss for a schedule that allows you to go to school. Don’t be afraid to ask family members to pick up extra chores. The time and effort it takes you to get a degree is temporary.

People may be more willing to help when they understand it is for a short period.

Prepare for the Unexpected

Unexpected events happen, sometimes more often than we like. It may seem like they happen more to you than others. Instead of letting these unexpected happenings break you down, prepare for them up front. Begin thinking of the possible obstacles you could face and plan for those.

Allow extra time in your day for travel and a possible flat tire. Schedule an extra hour for time by yourself to process the day or to meet with a counselor. The more prepared you are, the more balanced your life will feel when an unexpected event takes place.

Take Care of Your Health

Taking care of your health means meeting the needs of both your mental and physical health. It means when you begin to feel stressed, listen to what your body needs to prevent any damage from stress.

Stress can cause mental unclarity, high blood pressure, disturbed sleep and other symptoms that can easily interfere with both work and school. One thing you can’t afford when trying to balance career and college is missing many days of either. The more days you miss, the more you will fall behind.

Making your health a priority can help you maintain the energy and focus you need to succeed at balancing school and work.

Master Your Time

Because you have so much going on in your life, every second counts. It’s up to you to make them worthwhile. You must be the master of your time, especially when trying to balance school and work.

The more structured your day, the less time you will waste. But this is not to say time shouldn’t be wasted. In fact, it’s just as important for you to find time to play, take breaks and step away from the stress of trying to balance it all.

Schedule Breaks and Time Wasters

Taking breaks and finding time to do fun activities is essential for a balanced life. However, they should be scheduled breaks, or planned activity times. The other option is to be impulsive and each time you feel the need to get away, you get away.

Doing this will not keep you balanced in either your work or studies. So, plan for fun times, give yourself a starting and ending time, and stick to the structure. You will appreciate those small breaks and will be grateful your activities do not derail you from your goals.

Stay Focused, It’s Temporary

Staying focused on your end goal is imperative to balancing school with career. The hard work you are putting in now is temporary. All the sacrifices you are making will pay off big when you graduate, while still succeeding in your career.

Staying focused is easy if you find ways to remind yourself of your goals. Create vision boards, write letters to yourself, post notes on the fridge. Do whatever it takes in this relatively short time to keep you on the right track.

Reward Yourself Along the Way

You are doing something wonderful and accomplishing a goal that not everyone can do. You deserve to be rewarded along the way. Rewards do not need to be expensive or take a lot of time. But find something to give yourself that will inspire you to continue working towards your goal.

Each time you reach a short-term or long-term goal, reward yourself. Each time you reach a milestone such as completing a project at work, completing another semester of college, or even something as simple as passing an exam, reward yourself for a job well done.

Finding balance can mean prioritizing all areas of your life. Your priorities may change from month to month or even each week, depending on what needs to be completed at work or at school. One week your main priority may be to study for an exam or complete a research paper.

The next week may shift because your priorities are meeting project deadlines at the office.

The most important priority, however, is you. Keeping a good balance within yourself will aid you in keeping balance between going to school and maintaining employment.

Having a college education has benefits for you and your family. Earning a degree affects your career opportunities by giving you freedom to choose the job you want to pursue and freedom to say “no” to the jobs you don’t want.

Many college degree programs are broad enough to allow you to transfer your skills and knowledge to different industries. You aren’t stuck in one field. For example, a business degree can help you enter the workforce in several areas, from entrepreneurship to marketing to sales.

Obtaining a college degree affects how you feel about yourself, your lifestyle, your community and your future. It gives all these areas a more positive outlook. It affects the opportunities you can take advantage of in both your personal and professional lives.

Below are more specific ways a college degree can affect your career opportunities.

Keep Up with a Changing Job Market

Job markets are growing. Existing jobs are expanding, and new jobs are being created to fill the voids in certain industries. It is reported that many of the jobs involved in this growth require some form of secondary higher education.

While there are still many more jobs available for those holding only a high school diploma, the newer jobs being created are focused on those with a college degree.

Having at least a two-year degree makes you more marketable. It gives you opportunities you would not be able to pursue with just a high school diploma. You remain marketable even when the market changes.

More Resources Equals More Opportunities

When you are getting a college degree, you have access to all a college’s resources, including career placement and research. Colleges offer career counseling, personal counseling and unlimited technical support.

These are advantages when you are applying for jobs. Other resources include access to professors, researchers and other students who can help you excel in your field. Colleges provide many opportunities to socialize and network with others.

You can also join specific career-related clubs and participate in activities that will teach you beyond the classroom and build your resume.

Invest in Yourself for Better Opportunities

The best investment you can make is in yourself and your education. Attaining a higher level of education can boost self-esteem and confidence in employees. When you feel more confident, you will only go after jobs that are worthy of your knowledge and expertise.

You will feel capable of acquiring the higher paying jobs, or the upper management, because you spent many hours preparing for that role. With only a high school diploma, you may not feel secure as secure when competing for jobs.

Investing in yourself means developing your skills through whatever avenue fits your lifestyle and needs the best. This doesn’t always mean achieving higher education. Sometimes simply completing certification courses can be helpful.

The key is to utilize any available training to further your knowledge.

Also, allow your creative side guide you in furthering your abilities. Learn a new language, become a writer, start a side hustle, or create art in a form that suits your personality. These creative talents can make you more interesting to an employer. You may be able to weave your creative talents into your professional work to benefit your employer too.

Career Protection

Many reports have stated that having a college degree is a great way to protect yourself from layoffs or downsizing. While nothing is guaranteed, having a college degree may be able to help you maintain or find a new job during recessions.

Some reports state having a college degree may have helped many people avoid unemployment. Statistics showed in some studied that 2.7 percent of those with a college degree are facing unemployment while over 5 percent of those with a high school diploma face unemployment.

These statistics were offered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Personal Development Enhances Opportunities

Jobs that require higher education often offer personal development opportunities such as trainings, certification courses and even tuition reimbursement to further your college education.

Time management and organization skills, as well as communication and problem-solving skills are areas of improvement in jobs that require a degree. These skills, as well as critical thinking and reasoning, are learned in college but you can carry them with you throughout your career.

In college, you can also learn how to work in teams, which is a necessary trait in any career. You learn how to motivate yourself and your team mates to reach success on a project. Employers are looking for staff who already possess team building talents.

Other talents sought after include researching and investigating problems and developing solutions to those problems without much guidance. Getting a college degree prepares you to gather information, analyze material, and applying what you learn to form a plan for resolution.

Enhancing your personal and professional skills while in college makes you more marketable when entering the workforce.

Access to Jobs With More Job Perks

Many jobs that require a college degree come with better perks than jobs that do not require a college degree. Perks can include health benefits for you and your family, including medical coverage. Even if you must split the costs with your employer, they may be more affordable than at what you may be able to get in other jobs.

Pensions are another perk offered with many jobs requiring higher education. In addition, vacation and sick pay, performance bonuses, retirement plans, stock options and flexible scheduling are perks found in many jobs requiring higher education.

It seems that to have access to careers with the best perks, earning more education is necessary.

Along with the above-mentioned areas that affect career opportunities, a college degree has been shown to increase job happiness and career satisfaction. Increased learning has also been said to lead to a graduate being happier and healthier in their personal lives.

There seems to be much support for obtaining a college degree and that it does in fact have positive affects on the career opportunities you encounter.

You may have figured out what the job of your dreams is and what it entails. You have thought about reaching your career goals, the money you can earn, and all potential benefits. You envision yourself in this dream job and can’t wait to get started.

The only problem, you don’t have the job yet.

Reaching your dream job involves much more than just envisioning it. And it is much more of a process than a single event. The journey to your dream job can have ups and downs, but ultimately, reaching your goal makes everything worthwhile.

Keep reading to learn specific actions you can take that will help you reach your dream job now that you have figured out what it is you want to do.

Acquire the Right Education

Your dream job may require more education than you currently possess. Whether you need to complete certification courses, a two-year degree or even a master’s degree, you will need to create a plan of action.

Finding the right education program means finding the right school, either on-line or on-campus, that fits your lifestyle. Find the program that meets your financial capabilities, as well as the flexibility you need if you are currently working or have a family to take care of daily.

Keep in mind, you don’t need to over-educate yourself. For instance, if your dream job requires computer certifications, there is no need for you to obtain a master’s degree. Research the right educational path based on the requirements of the job.

Acquire the Right Skills

Having the education required is great, but you also need to learn how to do the job you are seeking. You know what the job involves, so you also know the tasks you will be completing. The best thing you can do is acquire these skills before you reach your dream job.

You can gain the necessary skills by interning for someone already working in your dream field. You can also job shadow a career role model or find a mentor in the industry.

Meet the Right People

Even if you become self-employed, the journey to your dream job involves important people that can help you become successful. From leaders to customers, its important you recognize the benefits of each person you encounter on the way up.

Networking is consistently seen as a key component to reaching your dream job. Attend events within the industry. Set appointments with executives who can offer advice. Find ways to meet people with positive influence.

Know Your Worth

You are valuable and possess many qualities and characteristics that can help you reach your dream job. But if you don’t recognize them, no one else will either.

Make a list of your strengths. Review them daily and practice self-affirmations. The higher your confidence in yourself, the more others will see you as perfect for the job. Self-confidence is much different than arrogant, however.

A person with confidence also has humility and recognizes the value others have in helping you reach success.

Set Realistic Goals

Short-term and long-term goals can help you reach your dream job step by step. Setting goals prevents you from becoming distracted. They help keep you on track and offer you many rewards along the way. Short-term goals are those you want to accomplish within the next few months to a year.

Making them realistic is essential. Don’t set a short-term goal that is unattainable. You will feel defeated if you fail to reach that goal. Instead, create steps you know can be accomplished in your timeframe.

Long-term goals look past a year and further into your future. Create these by thinking what you want your life to look like in the next five to ten years or longer.

Get Recognized

With the growth of social media, it is easy to get recognized today. But be careful just how you get recognized.

Getting recognized in the wrong way can ruin your career dreams. That’s way it is so important to acquire positive recognition. You want to be able to package yourself and your skills in a way that attracts the right people in your desired industry.

Employers are reviewing social media outlets before hiring. When they look up your page, they do not want to see you partying or talking about having hangovers. They don’t want to see posts about skipping work to attend a concert or your latest dating adventures.

Employers do want to see posts about what you are doing to build yourself up, including your reputation, your skills and your knowledge. They even want to see how you are helping others and how you are making a positive difference.

Know How to Package Yourself

It is up to you to leave the best impression on potential employers. Best impressions are made in person, online and on paper.

Practice interviewing with a mentor. Research possible questions and figure out how you will answer. There are many common questions asked by all employers, like knowing your strengths and weaknesses.

Present yourself well online and through emails and other communications. Check your grammar and learn to write professionally. It is not good to communicate with a potential boss the same way you would your best friend.

Make sure your resume is updated to include all recent opportunities you have had. Write a cover letter that promotes you without repeating the information on your resume. Be creative, but also professional.

If you are excited about a job, it’s okay to let them know you are excited. But also know how to control your emotions to avoid insulting or annoying potential employers.

There is never a good time to use slang or text abbreviations in your communications. Your goal should be to promote your skills, to help others see you are the only one for the job. Know how to tell your story succinctly.

Finally, take care of yourself physically and mentally. If you are not at your best, you may not be able to succeed at landing your dream job.

The thought of learning a new skill or even changing careers may have crossed your mind lately. Immediately you may have discouraging thoughts: you should be done with school by now, you’re too old to start something new, learning something new would be a waste of time.

You may even be thinking changing careers is impractical, or you don’t want to look like a job hopper to employers, implying you are not loyal.

You may think you would need a higher education that you can’t afford and that you don’t have time to get. Or, maybe you are thinking you would have to start at the bottom of the employee chain, making less money than you are now.

These are all myths.

CNBC reports changing careers is the new normal, that learning new skills and switching employment is being done by millions of people. Some are looking for promotions within their company, others are moving out of one field into another. Each has a different reason for wanting to improve their careers.

Reasons People Learn New Skills or Change Careers

The simple answer as to why someone wants to change their career or learn a new skill is that they are not happy with their current situation.  Many claim they are frustrated because they are not able to use the natural talents they possess.

Others feel mislead by a company who promised one thing but delivered another. Being bored, feeling disrespected or unappreciated, and personal life changes are also reasons you may want to make changes. For instance, your spirituality may have shifted from none at all to very in touch with the universe and you realize the culture of your company does not align with your beliefs.

It could also be that what you are paid does not represent your worth.

Any one of these reasons justify wanting to learn a new skill or change careers altogether.

Statistics on Changing Careers and Learning New Skills

The Career Psychologist reports a Gallup poll found nearly 60 percent of employees are not truly engaged at work and only 20 percent are happy.

CNN Business claims the new normal if for people to change jobs at least four times before the age of 32. This article refers mostly to millennials, however, other researchers are finding employees of all ages are making changes, especially in the area of skill development.

Being able to learn new skills has great benefits for employers. A recent report states training and learning can increase employee engagement, retention, and productivity. Being able to learn new skills gives you knowledge and confidence you can apply to your current job or a future job.

You may be one of these statistics. You can find out by evaluating your current situation. Keep reading to learn questions you can ask yourself to help you decide if you are ready to learn a new skill or switch careers.

Evaluate Your Current Situation

The best way to evaluate your current work situation is to begin keeping a daily journal. In the journal, report how you feel at work, what bothers you about your job, what you love about your job, and what you would change.

Aside from journaling, ask yourself the following questions: Am I able to realize my potential in this position? Do I make enough money for my lifestyle? Am I paid what I am worth and is it comparable to similar jobs in the area? Do I respect my colleagues and do they respect me?

Other questions include: If money were not an issue, would I continue working in the same job or with the same employer? If money were not an issue, what would it take to make me happy in my career?

The answers to these may lead you to realize you need to learn new skills that can help you move up in your company. They may also show you it is time for a career move. Either way, change is necessary.

The next step is to decide on the type of change best for you.

Assess Yourself

Take a look at your current interests and skills. With what you have now, what else do you need to establish a better work environment? Do you need to quit your current job and open up your own business? Do you need to take a few classes that can help you get a promotion?

Once you have these answers, start thinking about the multitude of possibilities.

Do Your Research

There are many actions you can take before changing careers or signing up for a new class. You need to test the waters through several avenues to help you decide in which direction you want to move. You don’t want to sign up for an in-person class that will cause you to miss work when you can take an online course from home at night.

You don’t want to jump into a new career unless you have job-shadowed someone in that line of work. Sometimes the grass is not always greener. Meet with career counselors, research online, and interview people in the career you want.

The more knowledge you have, the easier the decision will be.

Take Action

You are your biggest obstacle unless you avoid believing the myths of changing careers or learning new skills. No one is too young or too old. There are programs, especially in two-year colleges, that fit all lifestyles.

There is plenty of help available for you each step in the process. Whether you need to sign up for a few classes to help you learn a new trade, or you need to switch career paths, there are life coaches and career counselors who can help.

Online colleges can be one of your best assets. Here you can learn new skills at your own pace. You can fit school into your life rather than trying to fit your life into school. In addition, the options for courses and career paths are enormous.

So, go ahead, go for it. It is not too late.

Not too many years ago, your options for attending college were limited. You were required to attend classes in person at the location provided by the college. Whether you chose a four-year institution or a community college, you had to drive to a campus to attend classes.

Not only was the location set by the college, the class day and time options were provided to you, giving you very little flexibility. These limitations made it hard for some people to get a higher education.

Back then, the colleges were in full-control of how you got your education. Today, things have changed, for the better. Schools now are likely to offer more flexible schedules, such as offering a college degree online, putting you in control of how you reach your educational goals.

Plus, there are many advantages to earning a degree online. Below are nine reasons you should consider.

Costs May Be Less

Earning a degree online can cost less when you factor in the minimal amount of time you must spend traveling back and forth to a campus. In addition, textbooks can be downloaded rather than purchased in hard copy form. Downloads are typically much cheaper.

Expenses such as living on campus, food plans and parking permits are eliminated when attending college online.

Learning Environment of Your Choice

Some people choose to work on college assignments in a coffee shop. Others choose a library. While still others choose to put on their pajamas and work from the comforts of their own home.

The great thing about online college is you can choose the learning environment that is best for you. You are not required to sit in a classroom on the college campus each week. You can discover your learning style and implement it throughout the program.

Flexibility

If the only time you can work on your course assignments is at five o’clock in the morning while the rest of the family is still sleeping, then you can do that. Or, if you work all day and want to complete assignments after you get home, that’s okay too.

Online degree programs offer flexibility. Meaning, you can choose when and where you complete work. You are also able to set your own pace and complete assignments within the school term on a schedule the fits your lifestyle.

Improve Computer Skills

Almost every employment industry today uses some forms of technology. Even if it is just to fill out the job application, computers are the preferred way to submit. Enhancing your computer skills will only help you become more marketable.

Earning a degree online allows you to learn knew technological skills, from webinars to skype to email communications, your employer will be happy you have advanced knowledge of computers.

Can Work at the Same Time

As mentioned before, there was a time when you would have had to choose between going to school full-time or working full-time. There were limited number of classes available and most were offered during the work day.

That is not the case today, fortunately. You can continue to work your full-time job and attend online educational courses. Working full-time while attending college online may also be a way to reduce the costs of college. It also provides the benefit of keeping your job while learning the additional skills you may need to help earn a promotion or a new position within your current company.

Ease of Communication with Professor

College professors are required to maintain office hours that meet the needs of all students. They must vary their hours to make themselves accessible to students.

With online degree programs, access to your professors can be much easier. You can communicate online and avoid the need to drive to campus. You can also communicate via phone, skype, email or through the web system chosen by the college.

Learn at Your Own Pace

Not every student can take a full course load every semester for two or four years until they graduate. Life happens and sometimes it interferes with our goals.

Also, some students struggle with learning disorders or lifestyle issues that make it difficult to take on a full load.

Online degree programs recognize that students need to learn at their own pace, based on their own lifestyles. You can take as many or as few courses you want at a time and still earn credits towards a degree. While online courses are set up to follow a fast pace and get you back into the workforce as soon as possible, it also allows you the flexibility of choosing a workload that works for you, lessening the stress that a full load of classes might put you under.

Of course, you may actually be looking for a faster pace than a 2 or 4 year graduation track, and you can always use online learning as a way to quickly earn your degree as well.

Self-Discipline

Because you can work at your own pace, you are also gaining skills that help you become self-disciplined. This is the ability to be your own boss but applied to completing coursework.

Employers love to hire those who are self-disciplined and can show self-motivation to complete projects without being directed to do so. Earning a degree online teaches you organizational skills and time management that will help you throughout your education, career and personal life.

It Is Very Rewarding

Earning a degree online is very rewarding. You obtain a college degree from an accredited university. Your degree is just as valuable as a degree earned from attending a university in person for years. Degrees from accredited institutions is what employers want to see.

Many employers do not value where or how you attended college, but more that you completed an accredited and reputable program.

The degree program you choose online is worth just as much as a degree that was earned on a campus setting.

These are just ten reasons to consider earning a degree online. There are others, many of which you can discover by researching degree programs and what they have to offer. Choose the online program that lets you remain in control of your education. You can reach success.

A job interview is an event, defined by your invitation to sit with a group of professionals who are already connected to the company in which you wish to be employed. During the interview, you will be assessed to see if you should be hired.

If you’ve gotten an interview, be proud. Statistics show today only the top two percent of applicants receive an interview. Making it this far is impressive. You want to stay in that top percentile.

There are actions you can take to do this. Keep reading to find out tips that can help you get the job you want by owning the interview.

Know What Type of Interview It Is

Yes, there are different types of job interviews. One on one interviews take place with just you and one other person who represents the company. This person is usually a director or owner of the company.

Another type of interview is when you meet with a panel of people employed by the company. And a third type is a competency. All three are formatted so you answer questions given to you by the interviewers.

Some questions will range from easy and to the point, while other questions will be open ended and you will be expected to give specific data to show how you would be a good fit.

Know Your Why

You will be asked questions regarding why you applied for the open job. Prepare for this answer ahead of time. Avoid any types of hesitations or “ums” that let the interviewer know you are trying to think of an answer on the spot.

Spend time contemplating why you applied. Your answer can determine if you should advance through the interview process. For instance, if you are just trying to get any old job because you need an income, it’s likely you will not be hired.

But if your answer is because your education and previous work experience has strengthened your desire to move into this field, well you may have a better chance at advancing.

Know the Company

Preparation for the interview is important. While preparing, research the company in which you are seeking a job. The more you know about the company, the more you can find ways to connect your skills, personality, and goals.

Knowing the company means to understand its culture, mission and vision. All this information can be found online these days, making it easy for you to gather data. Knowing more about the leaders in the company can help you connect personally, another tip for success.

Connect Personally

Making a personal connection with your interviewer will leave a longer lasting impression. That is, connecting in a positive way. If your interviewer mentions their pets, and you love animals, let them know.

Do not bring up any negative connections you may have, like if your interviewer is the cousin of your crazy ex. Or, if you saw the interviewer out at the club last weekend.

Don’t be afraid to share personal information that is appropriate and relevant to the job. Pay attention to what they are saying and reflect on the highlights they shared. Don’t wait until the end of the interview to ask questions. This will make the interview feel more casual and relaxed, like a conversation.

Keep all communications on a positive path.

Focus on the Positive

No one wants to be around that one person who has a negative attitude. And an interviewer is no different. They are looking for employees who can bring positivity to the company.

There is no need for you to tell interviewers how life has mistreated you, showing how pessimistic you can be. Instead, focus on the positive and how you turn hardships into opportunities for growth.

A negative attitude can be contagious in a work environment. It can affect the mental health and productivity among co-workers. Show the interviewer you look at the upside and find challenges temporary hurdles that will eventually lead to success.

Be Prepared for All Interview Tactics

Not every interview will be a one on one conversation between you and an administrator from the company. There are different types of interviews.Interviewers may ask you to call in through Skype for your first interview. Therefore, you need to know how to Skype.

Furthermore, you may be asked to perform specific tasks during your interview. If you are applying for a job in the computer industry, the company may ask you to perform activities that test your computer skills.

If you are applying for a job that requires having knowledge of a specific trade, be prepared to show your skills, not just talk about them.

Sell Yourself the Right Way

You must be able to help the interviewer see you are the best person for the ob. But you can only say that so many times before they stop believing it. So, finding other ways to let them know you are the best choice is important.

You must sell yourself in creative ways. And every answer you give should be tied back to how they benefit the company or the job.

Rock Your Follow Up

You must follow up, either by email or letter. The follow up you provide can be the one thing that breaks a tie between you and another candidate.

Your follow up should thank them for meeting with you and give a summary of what you can bring to the job. And if you have thought of any ideas or positive comments since your interview, add them in the follow up.

Keep it simple, keep it brief, keep it positive.

Other tips include asking questions relevant to the job, answering questions authentically, showing up on time and practicing good manners.

Employers want staff who can work both independently with little supervision and as a team player. They want to know you will show up and while at work, give great effort to help the company reach success.

The good news, you can do just that!

When you employer has a problem, you want to be the one with the solution. If your customer has an issue, you need to be the one to guide them through it. If you are connected to resolutions used in your job, you are important to the company.

The descriptions above show you what it means to be relevant in the workplace.

Staying relevant means you possess the tools needed for success. It means your company needs the skills and knowledge you have. It means you are attuned to customer demands, and you have skills that keep you from plateauing in your job.

You want to do what you can to avoid being fired. There are many reasons for being fired, from unethical conduct to having a poor personality. But one of the main reasons people lose their jobs is because they do not remain relevant.

To avoid this, there are many steps you can take to keep yourself relevant in the workplace.

Continue Your Education

Whether you currently have a high school diploma, bachelor’s or master’s degree, there is still more to learn. There is always more to learn.

Some reports state the continuation of learning is the most important thing a person can do to remain important in their field. Many employers will pay for you to continue your education. But even if they don’t, you should still make this a priority.

More education often means more pay, also. But what you gain in knowledge and skills is priceless and can never be taken away.

Even if you have the highest degree in your field, it’s important you find other ways to remain relevant, such as working with a mentor.

Get a Mentor

You look up to them, you admire them, and you can learn so much from them. They are mentors within your industry.

Choose a different mentor for every stage of your employment. When you have just been hired for a job, your mentor may be quite different than the mentor you have after 5 years working in the field.

You want to match your mentor with the skill levels you need to improve, from entry-level to master level. Eventually, you can become a mentor for someone else. As a mentor, you will gain skills needed to enhance your leadership abilities.

Become a Leader

Leadership skills are needed in the workplace, in every department and at every level. Learning to be a leader means seeing opportunities where you can contribute. As a leader, you should learn to evaluate the business and its environment and resolve problems.

You should develop your thinking skills, creativity and innovation. You must learn to manage change as well as people.

One way to develop your leadership skills is getting to know the various people and programs by challenging yourself to work within those groups.

Challenge Yourself

Through challenges, you can grow, personally and professionally. One way to challenge yourself is to  participate in someone else’s project. This does not mean leaving unfinished projects to work with others. But when you have extra time, lend a hand to another group.

You will find your skills can benefit other groups. More importantly, you will learn the skills of your co-workers that can benefit you. Take time to recognize the skills of others and appreciate them.

Professional Development

Taking advantage of professional development opportunities will keep you relevant at work. Professional development can come in many different formats. You can read books on the topic in which you are learning. You can attend in-service trainings. You may even choose to lead an in-service training to present information you learned.

Professional development also means attending conferences, feedback counseling, training seminars, shadow specialists, online courses, college courses, and even switching jobs with a co-worker. You may even wish to join professional associations within your field.

The most important thing is that you are expanding your knowledge and your network.

Expand Your Network

Networking is important both inside and outside of your organization. The more professionals you know and establish a relationship with, the more relevant you become. Your reputation can grow by meeting the right people and collaborating with them.

Expand your network by attending events where other professionals will be, such as open houses, banquets, community service activities and fundraisers.

Through networking, you can become known as the person to call regarding your field of employment. This might not be because you are the best of the best, but simply because you are the most well-known. Being well-known in your field builds your following, who would support your relevancy.

Technology

Keeping up-to-date with technology is a must for staying relevant in the workplace. You must be able to quickly learn and adapt any new technology. Although it can seem like as soon as you learn one program, another is introduced, you just must accept it and move forward.

There will be upgrades and advancements in media and how you present material to others in the office. No longer are the use of overhead projectors. Instead, there are smart boards, projectors to use with laptops and meetings that are held through skype or other online formats.

You must be able to transition into using each type of technology introduced in your company. Keeping on top of your technological skills will make you relevant in any career.

Make Your Relevance a Priority

The amount of effort you put into making yourself relevant is key. If you put in very little effort, you will not be as relevant. If you make becoming relevant a priority, you will shine.

This article if filled with just a few ideas on how to become more relevant. There are many additional ways to strengthen your relevancy. The one that may add the most value is continuing education. Fortunately, there are varied avenues you can take to reach a higher level of education.

Many colleges offer online and in-person opportunities for continuing your education, from certificate level trainings to master’s degrees. They have a program to meet your needs.

The technological advancements have exploded when it comes to searching for jobs. This is truly the digital age. From the way we conduct business, do banking, communicate and even search for a job has changed.

No more are the days when you type a resume and snail mail it to an employer. Paper applications, personal follow up notes and even phone calls are becoming obsolete.

Below are just a few of the ways searching for a job has changed in the digital age.

Online Job Postings

In the past if you wanted to learn about a job opening you waited to read about it in the newspaper. Or, heard about it from a friend or contacted the company directly. Any of these steps could take a lot of time and not produce great results.

Today, you an access thousands upon thousands of jobs instantly through web searches on programs such as Indeed.com. You an even sign up to have job postings sent directly to your email every day. You even can post your resume online and let the employers find you.

Online Networking

Networking before technology consisted of attending social events, job fairs and literally getting out into the world and knocking on doors to meet new people. Today, networking is all about connecting with others online.

You can attend virtual job fairs, join online social media groups and even skype with people in the industry. The importance of networking has not diminished, it has just changed formats.

Today’s online networking means you must be accessible. And by accessible, you must be able to answer a recruiter quickly, within minutes is better than hours, and at whatever time of day they ask. If they receive your resume and want to schedule an immediate interview, do it, even if you are on vacation.

Technology has brought about an expected speed in the results we receive. That includes all aspects of networking.

Research

Researching the company and its leaders before you apply has always been important. You want to know what they stand for, how they operate, if they are successful and how current and former employees feel about them.

The information you learn while researching can aid you when you nab the interview for a job.

Online research goes both ways. Just as you can research a potential employer, they can research you. With instant access to social media profiles, recruiters can check out what you post and read your history to discover if you are a good fit for their company.

It’s important you keep your private life private and promote the best parts of your working life. Your business profile online should showcase your creativity, your ethics, your ambition and even who you have served well.

Provide social proof that you are successful and would be an asset to any company.

Apply Online

As mentioned before, finding job openings is simple and can be done in a matter of seconds. Applying for that job has become easy too. You no longer need to fill out a paper version of an application. Most companies have their application online in a software program that allows you to type in your information directly.

Applying online saves you and the company days of work. It is efficient and reduces the chances of your paperwork getting lost. It also provides you with confirmation that your application was received.

Along with your application, you can upload additional documents such as resumes, transcripts, cover letters, and even certificates or awards.

Some companies may ask you to complete online personality tests to determine how well you would work with others, your interests, or the best type of environment meets your working style.

Online Profile

One of the most exiting trends in the digital age is the ability to create an online profile on sites such as LinkedIn. It is here you can do all things at once. It’s a one stop shop for networking, receiving job notifications, applying for jobs and researching companies.

You can even showcase your skills by writing articles or posting relevant information within your industry. Sites like LinkedIn even provide you with insight regarding the strength of your profile and if needed, offers ways to make it stronger and more appealing.

With around half a million users, you are sure to connect with others who can help you grow in your career.

Keep it All Current

Uploading your resume and letting it sit for months or a year will not cut it in todays digital age. You must constantly find ways to stand out from the crowd and then let recruiters know it. You can do this by updating your resume each time you achieve a new goal or accomplish something related to the job you are seeking.

Throughout the job searching process, you should be enhancing your knowledge of the industry. Focus on what is trending and learn everything you can. When you are interviewed, your up-to-date knowledge will shine.

Take online courses and webinars on the latest industry advancement. Interview or study leaders in the industry. Add to your list of self-help books read. Attend conferences. Turn improving your skills into a job, until you get that dream job.

Even if you think you will never use a program, learn it anyway. From word documents and spreadsheets to publishing tools, having these skills will make you more valuable.

Know the language of your industry so you can use keywords in your online profile. This allows recruiters to find you when they are using search engines to seek potential employees. It’s true, many employers are using Google and other sites to seek out talent.

Take the time to invest in yourself and the ability to adapt in the digital age. By taking the steps listed above, you will be letting potential employers know you can handle changes that take place in technology and the industry. You will be showing them you are the right candidate.

SBBCollege has been selected as a 2018 School of Distinction for its campus locations in Bakersfield, Rancho Mirage and Santa Maria, California. The School of Distinction Award recognizes schools that have demonstrated a commitment to providing quality education to students, graduates and employers, as well as a commitment to the expectations and standards of its accrediting institution.

As one of less than 15 schools awarded this distinction in the nation, SBBCollege was founded in 1888 to provide relevant, quality educational programs that meet the needs of the communities the College has served.

“Since our inception over 125 years ago, SBBCollege has been dedicated to serving our communities and providing the education and training to help our students start successful careers,” said Matthew Johnston, SBBCollege President. “The SBBCollege team is honored to have these efforts recognized by our accrediting body.”

The School of Distinction Award is presented by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), a national accrediting agency that promotes institutional accountability through its rigorous Standards of Accreditation. ACCSC has determined that SBBCollege in Bakersfield, Rancho Mirage and Santa Maria have met the established criteria and shall receive a 2017-2018 ACCSC School of Distinction Award.

Award recipients are honored at the annual ACCSC Professional Development Conference, held in Long Beach, California on September 25-27, 2018.

Information:
Founded in 1888, SBBCollege has trained generations of students with the skills needed to meet the needs of local employers and start great careers. Serving the communities of Bakersfield, Rancho Mirage, and Santa Maria, California, as well as online students, the College offers fast-track career training in the fields of business, legal studies, healthcare, nursing and technology. For more information, visit www.sbbcollege.edu.