5 Resume Tips for Part-Time Job Seekers

5 Resume Tips for Part-Time Job Seekers5 Resume Tips for Part-Time Job Seekers8For working mothers, people looking for a second revenue stream, or others seeking professional work that doesnt require a traditional full-time schedule, part-time jobs can be a great way to pursue a meaningful career without placing work-life balance in jeopardy.So if youre among the growing number of people seeking part-time work, heres the question whats the best way to customize your resumenot just for a specific job, but for part-timework flexibilitythat meets your needs?Here are five resume tips for part-time job seekersState what you want.As you prepare your targeted, creative resume, state unequivocally at or near the top that youre looking for part-time work. If youve said plainly that part-time work is what youre seeking, therell be less chance for confusion later about what youre seeking as you progress in the application and interview process. If youd prefer your part-time hours to be within a certain time frame (say, daytime hours, for example, rather than nights or weekends), make that clear from the outset as well.Say why you want it.This may require a bit more finessing on your part. One place to explain your part-time job aspirations is in the summary section of your resume. This slightly more expository area of your resume allows you to talk not only about your qualifications, but also about your expectations for your new job. Your value statement may be as simple as saying that youre looking for a stelle that requires a maximum of 25 hours per week (or whatever your maximum hours are), for reasons of work-life balance.Highlight what you bring to the table.If your background includes previous part-time or flexible work, make sure to shine a light on what you accomplished in those positions. Puttingflexible work experience on your resume and hammering home- subtly- how flexible work options have been integral to your career advancement are another way of demonstrati ng how significant flexible work is to you. On the other hand, if youve been a full-time worker until now, leave no doubt that youre ready to move on to greater career-life flexibility as a part-timer.Target your search.This falls under the category of tailoring your resume for each specific job application do your research to ensure that part-time work is a possibility with each employer that youre looking to work for, or explore whether you can negotiate part-time work flexibility as you move through the job application process. The more you can target your job search, aiming specifically for employers who offer part-time positions, the greater your chances for success.Go virtual.Smart use of social media, including professional networking sites like LinkedIn and personal homepage sites such as About.me, can help youmake your resume virtualand broadcast your qualifications to hiring managers across a chosen industry. Sounding the same note as in a tailored resume- that youre speci fically seeking part-time work- keeps your target consistent, while making your resume virtual.Readers, share yourresume tips for part-time job seekers

TED Talk How to Find Short-Term AND Long-Term Success

halbstarker Talk How to Find Short-Term AND Long-Term SuccessTED Talk How to Find Short-Term AND Long-Term SuccessIf you ask anyone if theyd like to be successful now, or later in their life, the answer is pretty obvious to guess people generally want short-term AND long-term success. But is it possible to be successful in the short and long term, when both take fairly different qualities to achieve, and at what price are we willing to achieve them? David Brooks, a New York Timesop-ed columnist known for writing about culture, social sciences, andpolitics, tackles these questions- and a whole lot more- in a recent TED Talk.Its important to note two things about this talk first,while some religious references are made, we are looking this as an inclusive general spirituality. And second, while Adam, a male, is used as the example, we strongly believe this is equally intended for both men and womenIn the video, David Brooks Should You Live for Your ResumeOr Your Eulogy? Brooks theorize s that there are two sides to every persons nature- and they are at war with each other.Adam 1 is the worldly, ambitious side of our nature. It favors success and thinks in a more linear fashion i.e., input leads to output, risk leads to reward, and so on.However, Adam 2 is more humble believes in honoringGod and favors love, redemption, and being good.How do Adam 1 and Adam 2 affect our success?Brooks believes that we live in a society that favors Adam 1, and often forgets about Adam 2. The problem with that, says Brooks, is that it turns you into a shrewd animal that treats life like a game. You become a cold calculating creature that slips into mediocrity.Now, how does all of this relate to resumes and eulogies? Well, Brooks believes that its up to each individual person to determine which side of their personality they are going to feed- Adam 1 or Adam 2. Thing is, if you focus on Adam 1 (i.e., trying to attain success and not nourishing what matters most), you might wind up get ting success but at a very real cost to your relationship with others and- more importantly- yourself.Brooks says that in order to build a solid depth of character, you have to go back to the past, to a moment of shame, to a signature sin that youve committed over and over again in your life. You need to fight that sin, and once youve wrestled with it and experienced the suffering that comes as a result, then a depth of character can be constructed.Heres Brooks TED talk for more insightWhat does all of this mean as it applies to your career and long-term success?Does this mean that you have to be an Adam 1 in order to find a job you really want or have the ideal career?Absolutely not. In life, not everything is black or white. No matter how hard you try to foster your Adam 2 side, your Adam 1 side will always be there- and rightly so. Adam 1 is what pushes you forward in your job search, what motivates you to have a career that you love, and what keeps you competitive.None of these things are bad. Its only when you become cutthroat (perhaps sabotaging another job candidates chance at getting an interview with a company that you want to work for, for example) that youre letting your Adam 1 get the best of you.Whats most important to take away from this TED Talk is the knowledge that we all have two sides to our personality, and both are important.Its knowing how to balance them- to be a good person as you job searchor as you climb the corporate ladder- that will help you keep Adam 1 and Adam 2 in sync. Its also knowing that even though you might find a job that pays a lot more (Adam 1), you decide not to take it because it doesnt feed your soul or make you happy (Adam 2). Its connecting a friend who is looking for a job to a potential lead (Adam 2), as opposed to keeping the contact for yourself (Adam 1).In the end, its remembering to be human during your job searching process. Its knowing that the right job is out there for you and is meant for you without nee ding to put someone else down or step on them in the process. That way, at your eulogy, what will be said about you was what an amazing human being you were, as opposed to someone reading off a bunch of accolades and accomplishments on your resume to an empty room.In that way, being self-aware during your job search will give you the success that really counts.Looking for a flexible job? You can get started by searching flexible, telecommuting, and part-time jobs in 55 categories.Readers, what do you think of this TED Talk? Will you apply its message to manage your long-term success? Let us know in the comments below

Summer Job Email Cover Letter Examples

Summer Job Email Cover Letter ExamplesSummer Job Email Cover Letter ExamplesIf youre a college student in search of a summer job, chances are good that youll be asked to apply online, either through an email or through an employers automated job application system. It isnt enough simply to send your resume, however. A well-written cover letter should always accompany your email application, because this is the introduction that will allow your personality to shine and help you to rise above your competition. But how do you write a cover letter that will grab a hiring managers attention? In these two summer job email cover letter examples (one written by a student applying for a summer student assistant position, the other by a job applicant seeking a summer research assistant position), youll find a few common strategies being used. In your cover letter, you need to include The title of the job youre applying for and how you learned about itA brief description of the experience or tr aining that would make you a good candidate for the jobSpecific mention of the skills you possess that match with the qualifications requested in the employers job announcementA sincere thank you for your consideration, accompanied with a request for a personal interview. Summer Job Email Cover Letter Subject Line of Email Message Student Assistant Position - Your Name To the Campus Office, I am very interested in the student assistant position at the Campus Office that you advertised on theXYZ job posting website. For the past twoyears, I have been employed as an assistant in the Math Department at XYZ, where I performed various office duties. In my current position, I report directly to the department head. My duties in the Math Department include such basic office tasks as working with Microsoft Word, researching and preparing PowerPoint presentations, preparing Excel spreadsheet programs for math professors, and assisting in the preparation of various department class presen tations. I feel that I have a sound work ethic and have been employed in some capacity ever since my junior year in high school, when I worked in the mail room at a local newspaper. I am highly responsible, I pay close attention to details, and I understand the need for confidentiality. All of these attributes contribute to making me an ideal candidate for your student assistant position. I have attached my resume for your consideration and would appreciate the opportunity of an interview to present my qualifications in more detail. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Your NameAddressEmailPhone Summer Research Assistant Cover Letter Subject Line of Email MessageSummer Research Assistant - Your Name Dear Mr. or Ms. Last Name, I am writing to you to express my deep interest in the research assistant summer position that was posted on Monster.com this past Monday. As you will see from my resume, I have laboratory experience in biology, chemistry, and geology, both in the field and in research settings. My lab work includes performing chemical reactions, and I am adept in using compound, dark-field, phase-contrast, and fluorescent microscopes to observe multiple and diverse specimens. My environmental field studies include conducting outdoor laboratory assessments of water chemistry, an area I am keenly interested in. Because I have both field and lab experience, I believe I would be an asset to your program. Additionally, this position would provide me with the ideal opportunity to expand my research skills. I hope to schedule an interview with you at a mutually convenient time. I look forward to speaking with you, and in the meantime, I have attached my resume. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Your NameAddressEmailPhone How to Send an Email Cover Letter If youre sending your coverletter via email, list your name and the job title in the subject line of the email message. Include your contact information in your email signature, and dont list the employer contact information. Always start your email message with a proper salutation. How to Send an Email Cover LetterHow to Apply for Jobs via EmailSalutation Examples More Cover Letter Samples Review sample cover letters for a variety of scenarios including a follow-up letter, inquiry letters, job/industry specific sample cover letters, cold contact, and referral letter samples.

How to Negotiate Commercial Leases That Favor Tenants

How to Negotiate Commercial Leases That Favor TenantsHow to Negotiate Commercial Leases That Favor TenantsIf a landlord or leasing agent simply tells you the terms, ask for something showing the terms in writing before you submit a counteroffer. If they are reluctant to offer a letter, ask for an email or a copy of the listing for the space (which will contain at least the basic leasing information). Why is it so important to have initial terms in writing? A leasing agent acts on behalf of the interests of the landlord. If an agent either misunderstood or attempted in any way to junger mann the landlords directions, having terms in writing can show you a landlord that your counter offer was made in good faith based on information from the leasing agent. It is also possible that you could misunderstand lease terms if they are bedrngnis in writing. This could lead you to counter too high or too low based on information you misunderstood. Another reason to have the terms in writing is t hat it allows you time to research more about the lease, to ask an attorney about the terms, or even to compare terms to any other leases you are considering. Asking for terms in writing is not in any way a legal commitment on your part to move forward. You always have the option of countering the terms or simply turning them down outright. A Counter Offer When you buy a house, you negotiate the price. A seller lists the house for the amount of money they would like to get from the sale, but almost always expects to get less. A buyer interested in purchasing a home will submit something in writing to the seller with a counter offer. In this case, a counteroffer is an offer to buy the home at a lower price than what the seller is asking. Simply stated, a counter offer is bargaining. This is also true for commercial leasing. While some leases may truly be non-negotiable, for the most part, it works just like buying a home a landlord or listing agent asks for one rent price (or set of terms) but allows some room for negotiation. In other words, in commercial real estate, it is almost always expected that the renter (or, lessee) will submit a counteroffer, so the landlord inflates the prices and/or terms. 3 Questions to Ask Before Negotiating or Signing a Commercial LeaseChart Showing Types Of Commercial LeasesTriple Net LeaseFully Serviced Lease (Gross Lease) The Initial Negotiation Process Once you have expressed interest in leasing a space, some landlords will simply offer you a form that states the leases asking terms. These forms may have a response section or an dateianhang to complete where you can counter offer. Others may just offer a copy of the listing papers (an ad or flyer) with asking terms. In most cases, however, it is in your best interest to submit a letter or other written form of communication with a counter offer. Why? Because in a letter you can include selling points as to why you would make an ideal tenant, tell the landlord about y our geschftlicher umgang, and make the deal more personal. For a hot property with multiple interested parties, your letter can serve as a sales ploy to get the landlord to pick you and agree with your terms. Negotiation may go back and forth, so be patient. A listing agent usually has some freedom to make decisions, but most likely will need to confer with the landlord. It can take time. If you have not heard back on an offer in one to two geschftliches miteinander days, it is fine to follow up. But try not to appear desperate or overly anxious as this could affect the outcome of your negotiations. Remember, most listing agents want to move a property just as fast as s/he can so they usually do not need much nagging. Preparing An Offer or Counter Offer Letter Your counter offer should be presented from your business, not from you personally, even if you own a sole proprietorship. Your offer letter is a sales pitch. You are asking for different terms that are more in your favor, and you want the landlord to see you and your business as a good choice. Your offer letter should always include the following information The Person Liable for the LeaseInclude theanthroponym of your businesswhich includes the name you are legally established under, as well as any other names you are doing business under. Remember, if you are operating a sole proprietorship, from a legal standpoint you and your business are the same and even if you list your business on the lease, you might also be held personally liable for the entire lease. Your Business StructureIf you are incorporated, tell where you areincorporated. If you are a tax-exempt organization state this in your letter. It is rare that landlords offer you freebies or perks tononprofitsjust to get a tax write-off, but they may be more inclined to negotiate or lease to a noble cause than to a biker club. Additionally, understanding your own personal liability for signing a lease is important and will vary depending upo n yourbusiness structure. How Long You Have Been in BusinessIf your business is less than two years old, you may wish to also include a statement about your success, or future growth projections or abusiness plan. A landlord is not likely to rent to your business, without someone personallycosigningorguaranteeing the lease, if you cannot show that your business is doing well. The Nature of Your BusinessWhat do you do? Be brief and to the point. A landlord needs to know what you do in case there are any special considerations. For example, if you run a business that uses hazardous materials, has walk-in patients to a health facility, or stores items of excessive value, the landlord needs to know in case there are restrictions on the use of the property. What tenants do, can affect a landlords property values and insurance rates so be honest. Contact InformationBe sure to include a phone number where you can be reached, and if possible, and email address. If you can only be reached on certain days or during set hours, include this as well. If you do not respond to a landlord or listing agent in a timely manner, they may think you are not interested. Your Proposed Terms (or, Counter Offer)Be as complete and clear as possible. Listing Your verpachtung Terms in an Offer or Counter Offer The best way to negotiate a deal is to have a clear understanding of what it is you are offering or willing to accept. If it is not in writing, it will be very difficult to prove later on that something was excluded from a lease that you thought was supposed to be included. Putting things in writing may take a little longer, but it does offer you some legal protection if things go amuck later on down the line. If you are time-pressed and cannot mail a letter - deliver one. If that is not possible, a well-written email may suffice. If you are not certain about a particular lease requirement as for clarification and try to get that clarification in writing. Red Flags for Bad Leas ing TermsTips on How to Negotiate CAM Fees in Commercial LeasesStandard Terms in Commercial Leases The Length of the Lease If you want to change the length of the lease terms, be clear. For example, is the lease you want is for two years with three, one-year renewal options (totaling five years) or a straight five-year lease with no renewal options? It makes a very big difference in how long you will be locked into a lease and how a landlord might feel about other terms you are asking for in a counter offer. Most landlords prefer two-year or longer leases, but never hesitate to ask for a one-year lease. One-year leases may cost a little more, or have fewer lease renewal options, but you are locked in for less time. Unless you are a multi-million dollar company, it rarely makes good business sense to sign a lease that commits you to the space for more than two years. Keep in mind if your business outgrows the space, you do not want to be stuck with a long lease. Or worse, if your bus iness struggles and you need to downgrade to a smaller space, you may have a hard time breaking your lease. Condition of the Property If you are asking for the space as is or if you need the landlord to make repairs or improvements first. If you are planning to renovate the property, briefly describe the proposed renovations. You want this included in a lease because often a landlord will offer some sort of incentive or allowance if you renovate certain types of properties. If you are unsure what allowances you might be offered for any renovations, keep things open. Offer to submit more detailed information about renovations for the landlords review to offer you some sort of considerations for improvements. Occupancy Date Tell the landlord when you want to take physical possession (move in, gain access, or take responsibility for the property). In some cases, when the date you take physical possession may be different than the date, you will begin paying rent. For example, you could ask the landlord for an occupancy dateandrent start date of January 1, 20xx, but ask that the first month be rent-free. In this case, the lease would begin on January 1, 20xx and the landlord could write off the free months rent. The tenant would occupy the space for 12 months, and the lease would run for 12 months. Another way of getting the same thing (a free month of rent) is to ask for an occupancy date of January 1, 20xx, with a rent state date of February 1, 20xx. It means the lease would begin one month from the date you move in, or on February 1, 20xx. This type of negotiation only works in a space that is already unoccupied, and the landlord is eager to have someone move in because it favors the tenant. In essence, you not only get one free month rent, you get to 13 months of occupancy out of a 12-month lease. How to Write an Offer or Counter Offer Letter The following is sample letter that can (and should) be revised to use as either an initial offer or counteroffer t o lease a commercial space for your business. It is not intended to serve as a substitute for legal advice, but simply to show one way you can express interest in leasing a particular space. mora Business Letter SamplesBusiness Letter Template Information in bold should be substituted with your own information and leasing terms. (InsertTodays Date)(INSERTName of Landlord or Listing Agent)Ms. Happy Landlord123 StreetSuite ZCity, State, Zip CodeDearMs. LandlordThis letter is to express interest on behalf of (INSERTname of your business), in leasing the property located at (INSERTcomplete address including street address, unit or suite number, city, state, and zip code).(INSERTname of your business) is a (INSERTtype of business you own LLP, partnership, sole proprietorship, etc.) that (INSERTbrief statement about what your business does).(INSERTname of business) has been in operation since (INSERTstart date or number of years in business). Due to exciting growth, we need larger (or, a dditional, more suitable, etc.) facilities.(Note even if you work from home do not offer this in your proposal letter. Try to avoid offering in this initial contact that you have a home-based business it may make you sound small and unstable to a landlord.)After carefully evaluating fair-market value I (we) propose the following terms for your considerationLIST ALL TERMS HEREincluding length of lease, renewal options, rent, added fees, type of lease, annual increases, etc. Anything you want to include or address in the lease detail in this paragraph. Be sure to include any renovations or repairs you want or need the landlord to make to the space, or that you would do yourself. Ask for free rent, furniture, extra parking anything you might need to make the space work best for your business.I am excited at the prospect of leasing the above-mentioned space and feel that (INSERTName of Business) would be an asset to you. If you have any questions about this proposal of leasing terms, or out business, please contact me at (INSERTphone number and best time call), or by email at (INSERTyour email address).Thank you for taking the time to consider this offer. I look forward to a prompt and favorable reply.Respectfully submitted,(leave 2-3 leer lines for signing your name in ink)(INSERTYour Name initial caps)(INSERTYour Title initial caps)Note If you include any attachments, or copy anyone else, the preferred way to show that in a business letter is after your signature, like this, and in this orderRespectfully submitted,(leave 2-3 blank lines for signing your name in ink)(INSERTYour Name initial caps)(INSERTYour Title initial caps)Enclosures (List more than one on separate lines, indented)cc Jennifer Barnes, Listing Agent How to Format The Second Page of a Business Letter If your letter is longer than one page, thestandard business letter formatto start the second page is like this LetterTodays DatePage Two Then skip two to three blank lines and pick up wher e the letter begins for page two. How to Deliver An Offer Letter You can mail your offer letter, hand-deliver it, or send an email with an attachment that contains the offer letter. If you are still struggling with what terms to include, here are more articles with great tips and advice on negotiating the best terms possible Tips on Writing Your Offer Letter Remember that this is a business letter. Keep it clean, simple, and to the point but do not be afraid to use meaningful selling points to help win over a landlord.Avoid using humor, slang, or offering personal feelings about politics, religion, or any other subject that is not related to the purpose of the letter (to make an offer).Do not use scented or frilly stationery. Your paper should be white, letter-sized and without borders, or your usual company letterhead.Mail the letter in a plain white business-sized envelope. Do not ever fold to fit the letter into a smaller envelope. If your letter contains more than seven page s including attachments, use a flat, 8-1/2 x 11 envelope instead. Make sure to include a return address in the top, left-hand eckball of the envelope, and make sure you have put enough postage on the envelope

Why You Should Always Ask the Hiring Manager, What Would a Typical Day Look Like

Why You Should Always Ask the Hiring Manager, What Would a Typical Day Look LikeWhy You Should Always Ask the Hiring Manager, What Would a Typical Day Look Like1Of the many questions candidates can ask fhigkeit employers, What would a typical day look like? ranks among the most revealing. Heres why all job seekers should pose it during interviews.It provides a clearer picture.Asking the hiring manager the question, What does a typical day look like? helps you understand the daily expectations and routine for the role, says job search strategist Sarah Johnston, founder of the Briefcase Coach.It helps you assess the quality and quantity of the workload.Similarly, hiring managers often talk in generalities. For example, communicating directly with clients might actually translate into answering a constantly ringing phone, not working one-on-one to develop new marketing strategies like you hoped. Job satisfaction rests heavily on the actual tasks performed day in and day out, so form a r ealistic idea from the start of what the location involves.Johnston recounts an instance when such knowledge would have been useful. I recently was talking to a job seeker who changed jobs. She was originally in a role that was very administrative. She wanted more interaction with people and hoped to move into a sales role. She interviewed for a sales position and got the job. Unfortunately, she did not have a good understanding of what the job entailed before she accepted it.Even though the title was sales coordinator, the position was still very administrative.It can uncover red flags.Got an interviewer whose response leaves you confused? Consider the inability to provide a sufficient answer a eignung red flag. While some roles dont easily lend themselves to a consistent set of tasks, too much uncertainty often proves frustrating for a new hire and may signal that management hasnt really thought enough about expectations for this position.It offers a glimpse of company culture.As the interviewer talks about an average day, listen for clues about the general work environment. Does the team seem to spend a great deal of time in meetings? Are breaks and lunch mentioned? Which people seem to come up most often as ones with whom youll interact (leaders, vendors, remote workers, staff from other departments, etc.)? Answers to these types of questions will help you develop a vibe about work style, relationships, and work-life balance.Its a good springboard to further conversation.Finally, remember that hiring managers like thoughtful inquisitiveness. Asking questions during the interview conveys interest in the company and a desire to ensure the match is a good one for both sides. While What would a typical day look like? is not the most original question, its a solid standard that demonstrates eagerness to learn more. The interviewers answer likely will spark other potential questions, leading to a genuine back-and-forth that makes a memorable impression

New Step by Step Roadmap for Uptowork

New Step by Step Roadmap for Uptowork When you add your private stamp to it through imputing your distinctive abilities, professional experiences, and wording, it is going to stand from the crowd for all of the perfect factors. Then it may be time to bring some style to your resume Yo mist checks this website if youre likely to create a resume at this time. Feel free to bring a good look at our most current styles given below. Vital Pieces of Uptowork Which is the point where the online resume builder starts to show cracks. If youre on the lookout for a software tool which will help you produce a resume, you are going to be pleased to know there are a lot of free programs available to aid you in doing exactly that. Uptowork isnt entirely FREE. You list your latest position first. What resume section to grow your resume depend on both the sort of resume and the work position. Based on the business or position youre applying for, it may require that you bring some personal ity. In addition, you can consist of skills which were used at a certain job position in a particular period and dont neglect to mention your scholarship on resume. Copy and adhesive your resume within this platform, and you will immediately see whether you accept fabricated any grammar mistakes. Regardless of what level of job seeker youre, theres a konzept inside this library for you. Then start looking for skills which you could translate from 1 job to another. Job-specific skills vary dependent on the position. Ruthless Uptowork Strategies Exploited Its essential to note that Zety doesnt enable you to print your resume if you dont pay them. You might have grappled with whether to establish a chronological or functional resume. Well, you would like to stand out. Allow it to be catchy and easy. You ought to figure out how much money you wish to earn and then work backwards. It is a superb tool for anybody with an extensive quantity of experience. Prior to starting with SlashCV, you ought to know that youve got to pay to take out the SlashCV brand on your resume. Uptowork takes care of all it and ensures serving the most effective possible means to discover what suits your requirements and whats desired for your personality. Using Uptowork GotResumeBuilder is a free and easy to use resume builder site. Doing this requires contact information and data about what type of job and pay you aspire to find. Therefore, if your are looking for a new job or simply need to update and make a perfect resume visit now Uptowork and begin creating. There are more websites much like these websites that I have listed within this write-up. Uptowork - the Story Use headings to organize the info in your resume. While Canadian resumes are available in many unique formats, they share some standards that you ought to know about. The format is really simple. So make sure you modify downloaded files to you get to coincide with your experience accordingly.Creatin g a resume may also take longer because you should customize your own resume template. Once you have decided on your perfect resume template from our selection, follow our completely free expert guidance about ways to craft the ideal gammeln resume. There are lots of free resume templates readily available online but sometimes it can be quite tough to decide on the best one that is most suited to you. Out of all of the advantages youve seen now and so far will be able to help you bring out the finest in you by receiving the best design template for yourself with the assistance of uptowork. You need to find out your skills deserve the price tag youre asking. A resume is your very first opportunity to show off, and you shouldnt submit one which you arent proud of. Its simple to edit your resume within the program, so you are able to make changes whenever you want without needing to start from scratch. Its a guarantee that out of all of the experiences that you get from uptowor k, you may not find it anywhere else.

Is the Career Advice We Give Our Children Crushing Their Futures

Is the Career Advice We Give Our Children Crushing Their Futures Once, during the question and answer session following a keynote speech of mine, a rather dignified and well-dressed gentleman vigorously raised his hand. His body language seemed uncomfortable and angry. Of curse, he was my first pick.The man asked, What do you have to tell these young people who want to pursue a feel good degree like environmental science? I paused for quite a long time, allowingthe question to sink into the audience.Then, I answered Well, actually, I was thinking that environmental science is a rather courageous and vital career choice.Continuing, I said that since todays college graduates arelikely to change careers a few times in their lives, we need an entirely new approach to preparing students for the future of work. Many of the jobs our children will pursue have yet to be invented. In a world of constant change, we ought to be helping young people identify what they love and what is meaningful to them.For those of us who grew up in the shadow of the Second Industrial Revolution, this must sound like pig latin.However, Id insist that finding work you love is important to everyone, at every stage of their career. Successful change requires wakefulness, learning, engagement, and new skills. And while change requires courage, we ought to be far mora frightened of living with ambivalence or even hatred for our work. Without love and passion, were unlikely to succeed in our careers.After the event came to an end, the well-dressedman quickly walked over. He brought up the possibility of my coming to speak at an organization he serves. As it turned out, the man ran two career development programs for one of the most prominent charter schools in America.I thought of this well-meaning man railing againstfeel good degrees in one of the countrys more sophisticated communities. Such advice is all too common. For many, it is an automatic response to the world today. Unfortunately, it can perpetuate mistruths for young people regarding how they should pursue meaningful futures.Today, we need to change the way we go about planning careers. We need to learn how to derive security from growth. The four-year or graduate degree isno longer an endpoint, but a license to learn. It is an introductory course to active learning. This iswhat healthy, vital, and coveted employers look for in new hires first and foremost. As active learners can attest, becoming one introduces you to a world of growth unlike anythingyouve ever seen before.If you are a parent, make sure your children are getting healthy, realistic career development support at school and at home. Tomorrows talent pool will be full of entrepreneurs, disruptors, problem-solvers, and teachers tacklingjobs that have not even been invented yet. Creativity will be in demand. In fact, an MFA is far more salable today than an MBA. Empathy is another trait whose importance will only grow in the business world going forward.More importantly, we need to teach our children to sell to draw healthy attention to themselves, to connect with others skillfully, and to buildcommunities tailored to their unique mission, vision, and purpose.Quite frankly, the countrys entire educational system is turning away from these skills, as are many parents If the world is rapidly changing every day, how on earth will our children thrive without these skills?Kevin Kelly, author of The Inevitable, tells us the rate of change has sped up to the point thatthere is no longer a destination. We are becoming. In other words, we are learning and moving so quickly that we are always growing into someone new. In front of us is a world that few parents recognize, especially if they were hammered into shape by their elders career advice.Telling our children to take careers they didnt really want or care about was always a good way to kill their souls today, its a good way to kill their careers.Once , while interviewing the author and corporate trainer Jack Canfield, and I asked him what he did to prepare his two sons for work. He responded I always told them to do whatever made them happy. Then, I centered all of my attention and energy on instilling in them the confidence they could deal with anything life dished out to them.Jack intuitively helped his sonsbecome good atsales, communications, asking for help, and engaging with others. Success and happiness came their way.Our children need new voices, and our parents need a new language and mindset. At Inspired Work, we are studying children these days and have found they have far more wisdom than we give them credit for. In fact, Ive come to the conclusion they are already ahead of us.Within every child is a mission, vision, and purpose that is probably beyond our understanding. What is going to happen when we apply our energy and love in helping them discover that purpose? What kind of world will we live in when we teach the m the life skills to thrive and succeed as unique human beings?Life will certainly become more interesting.David Harder is the founder ofInspired Work.