5 Great Jobs For Those With No College Degree

If you are looking for a new career, and don't have a college degree in your arsenal, finding suitable  choices can be difficult. Unless of course, you know where to look. There are many great jobs for those with no college degree out there. Here are five of our top picks:

Dental Assistant: Did you know that you can become a dental assistant in as little as ten weeks? The National Dental Academy offers a course to get you ready for your new career in just that time span. The best thing about it is that the classes are held at dental practices in your area and are only on Saturdays. This allows you to prepare for your new career while still earning from your old one.

Administrative Assistant: If you enjoy working in an office environment, becoming an administrative assistant might be ideal for you. Need to boost your typing speed before applying? A quick Google search will give you a host of websites offering free tools to increase your words per minute. Some of them are quite fun!

Life and Health Insurance Agent:  Most states do require that you take a pre-licensing course and an exam, but college is never an issue. In fact, the National Online Insurance School offers a fairly inexpensive course option that can have you exam ready within 2 weeks. The only other training required is a matter of becoming familiar with the insurance products you want to offer, and keeping up to date with continuing education requirements. Don't worry, a few hours of self-study a year will keep you in good standing.

Certified Nursing Assistant:  If you have always wanted to get into the health care field, but thought that lack of a degree was keeping you out, this one is for you. Each state has their own requirements, but the easiest way to break into this field is to contact local assisted living facilities in your area. A lot of them offer free training if you agree to work for them once you receive your certification. For more information on the steps required to obtain a Certified Nursing Assistant license visit CNALicense.org.

Car Salesperson:  Forget the old stereotype of the used car salesman hustler. These days the soft sale sells. People are more put-off by the hard sale, but if you treat a customer right word gets around. Before you know it, you have built a huge base of customers that are all referring their friends to you. The best thing about this career is that there is no real limit as to earnings. The downside is that you can expect to work long hours, to include Saturdays. While most dealerships don't require official training, if you want to give yourself an edge (in getting the job and being successful afterwards), the Automotive Sales College offers a wonderful online sales course.

Not sure which option is the best one for you? Contact us and we can help guide you on the path to your new career.

5 Tips To Help You Dress For Success at Your Next Employment Interview

In today's society, it might seem as if the idea of "dressing for success" is antiquated and no longer necessary. While it may appear that society as a whole has embraced a more casual dress code than was the norm 50 years ago, it is still important to make a great first impression at an interview. There are direct correlation between successful employment interviews and dressing for success--even if you are the most qualified candidate for a job, the interviewer could overlook you if you do not present yourself properly.

Check out these five tips that will help you stand out at your next interview:

1. Clean yourself up. Before we even move on to what you are wearing to your interview, let's talk about your personal grooming habits. Your grooming is just as important as your clothing. A well-groomed, clean-cut image makes you seem more reliable and shows that you take pride in yourself. Lost a bet to the guys and not allowed to shave for a year? Find some other way to pay up--going into an interview looking like a grizzly bear will NOT turn out well. Before your interview, the best bet is to get a hair cut, shave, trim your nails (ladies, even if you are fond of long, loud, outrageous nails, now is the time to tone it down), and take it easy on the makeup. Avoid heavy perfume and cologne when going to an interview--they can be overpowering and a major turn off to interviewers. Deodorant and even a lightly scented lotion will do just fine.

2. Find your "power" outfit. Everyone should own an outfit that makes them feel good. You might think it's difficult to find a suitable outfit that both makes you feel great and is dressy enough for an interview. It is possible to feel great and show your personality while still being appropriately dressed for an interview-maybe you have a beautiful skirt that you love, but you usually wear it in a more casual way. Use that skirt, but pair it with a sleek blazer and a pair of killer heels and you've got a power outfit perfect for an interview. The right "power" outfit will make you feel comfortable, successful, and capable of anything.

3. Know what to avoid... If you are struggling to find the right interview outfit, start out by clearly understanding what clothing must be avoided at all costs. Steer clear of tight clothing, shorts, miniskirts, scuffed or dirty shoes, jeans, low-cut shirts (if you aren't sure if you are showing too much skin, err on the side of caution and find something different), sagging pants, and anything with holes, rips, or runs. Your clothing needs to be clean, neat, and crisp. Break out the iron before your interview and get all those wrinkles out. For the men out there-if you normally wear your pants loose and around your hips, be sure to buy a belt and pants that fit around your waist. If you want to be taken seriously, it is important to show that you are serious about the job.

4. Check out the workplace, if possible. It is a huge benefit to check out the workplace before your interview, if at all possible. Take a look around and see how others are dressed and get a feel for the group dynamic. While most interviews require business attire, some types of businesses may be more relaxed than others. For example, if you are interviewing for a position at a graphic design company, you might notice everyone comes to work in jeans and t-shirts. We're not suggesting you show up to your interview in jeans and a t-shirt, but perhaps a three-piece suit is too much. You want to look like a good fit for the company, and showing up overdressed can make you feel like an outsider. In these cases, a business casual approach may be appropriate--clean and ironed polo shirt and khaki pants, maybe. You still want to appear crisp and well-groomed, but not stuffy.

5. Be confident. In addition to your clothing and appearance, your body language can speak volumes. Interviewers will be naturally drawn to a candidate that exudes confidence and pride. You want them to give you a job, so you must make it known that you fully understand the work in question and show them how well you can do it. If you appear comfortable and sure of yourself, this will reassure your interviewers that you would be successful in the position. Confidence, respect, and good manners will take you very far in your interview.

First impressions are extremely important and a negative one could cost you a dream job. Take the time to consider your appearance and demeanor before you go to your next interview. Please feel free to contact us for more tips on making a great impression at your next interview.

Jobs for Retirees-Great Options

People today just aren't finished living their lives at age 65. There is just too much life left to live! Maybe your company forced you to retire, or maybe you volunteered thinking you could enjoy all that free time. Whatever the reason, now you find yourself bored and looking in newspapers, asking friends or online for jobs for retirees.

Good news! There are some great options out there.

Use Your Knowledge

Consulting. You can start by contacting your previous employer and letting them know that you are available for consultation or short work assignments. If they don't seem interested, refresh your resume and contact other businesses in your field. Remember you have a working lifetime of knowledge to share.

Temporary Agencies. There are temporary agencies that deal with a specific field and others that deal with a range of specialties. Find an agency that is a good match for your field, and sign up. The assignments from these agencies can range from extremely short-term to temp-to-hire.

Put Your Love of Animals or Children to Use

Dog Walker or Babysitter. Get in touch with your busy working neighbors and offer your services as a dog walker or babysitter. Chances are you will find some clients very quickly.

One safety note on dog walking; use your own leash and collars. It might cost a little upfront, but retractable leashes and regular collars just aren't safe anymore if you are walking a large or energetic dog.

Pet Sitter. Pet sitters are becoming more in demand with each passing year. You can offer to take care of their pet in your own home or arrange regular visits to their home during their absence.

Start Your Own Business!

If you have ever wanted to start your own business, nothing is stopping you now. Know just what you want to do? Go for it. Want a ready-made business? Try a party planning, speaking or advising or have a home based business.

Party Plans. Remember the old Tupperware parties? Well, today, there are party plan companies that sell just about everything. Choose one that is right for you, sign up and get your distributor's kit, and have some fun.

Home Based Business. There are many companies that a retiree can  pursue working from home.  Working from home can be rewarding; allow you to connect with people from all over the world and make great money for just having a great time using great products and getting people what they need. 

Not sure which option is right for you? Just contact us. We understand the crossroads that you are facing and can help you make the right choice for your next venture in life.