Yet, there’s some debate about whether a master’s and other advanced degrees benefit those who attain them. While the major and industry pursued may bear some weight, research shows that gaining an advanced degree does pay off — at least when it comes to the pocketbook. According to research from the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, the median wages for those with a bachelor’s plus a master’s, doctorate or professional degree are approximately 30 percent higher than workers with just a bachelor’s.

That’s encouraging news for those seeking or possessing a master’s degree. Yet certain majors offer a higher pay out than others. Below is a list of nine academic majors with starting pay of more than $60,000, along with the change in pay from 2011 to 2012, taken from The National Association of Colleges and Employers’ January 2013 Salary Survey .

1. Computer science
Average starting pay in 2012: $73,700
Average starting pay in 2011: $70,900
Percent change: 3.9

2. Business administration/management
Average starting pay in 2012: $69,200
Average starting pay in 2011: $66,400
Percent change: 4.2

3. Mechanical engineering
Average starting pay in 2012: $66,800
Average starting pay in 2011: $64,300
Percent change: 3.9

4. Electrical/electronics and communications engineering
Average starting pay in 2012: $66,100
Average starting pay in 2011: $63,800
Percent change: 3.6

5. Finance
Average starting pay in 2012: $64,300
Average starting pay in 2011: $61,700
Percent change: 4.2

6. Nursing
Average starting pay in 2012: $63,800
Average starting pay in 2011: $61,400
Percent change: 3.9

7. Economics (business/managerial)
Average starting pay in 2012: $63,400
Average starting pay in 2011: $60,800
Percent change: 4.3

8. Health and related sciences
Average starting pay in 2012: $62,900
Average starting pay in 2011: $60,100
Percent change: 4.7

9. Accounting
Average starting pay in 2012: $62,300
Average starting pay in 2011: $59,900
Percent change: 4.0

While that may seem like an outlandish order only found in the movies, many workers across the U.S. have been asked to do some pretty crazy – and at times potentially dangerous – things for their bosses. According to a new CareerBuilder study, nearly one in four workers (23 percent) report that their bosses have asked them to perform tasks that are not related to their jobs.

The national survey, which was conducted online by Harris Interactive from February 11 to March 6, 2013 and included more than 3,600 U.S. workers across industries and company sizes, asked workers to reveal some of those ridiculous requests, as well as what they really think about their bosses.

Spying, surrogacy and stitches
You may get annoyed when your boss asks you to grab lunch for her while she’s in back-to-back meetings, but that pales in comparison to what other workers have had to endure. Workers surveyed share the following real-life examples of the most unusual requests they received.

Their bosses asked them:

• To be prepared to delete all emails and computer files at a moment’s notice*
• To be a surrogate mother for her — more than once*
• To spy on senior management
• To buy a rifle for him, and he would reimburse the employee
• If she knew of anyone who could “hook him up” with illegal substances
• To go online and post false good comments about him*
• To come up with a science fair project for her daughter
• To fire his (the boss’s) brother
• To lend him $400 for a down payment on a car
• To remove her stitches*
• To be better friends with him
• To scour an abandoned office building for furniture and supplies they could use
• To bail another co-worker out of jail*
• To clip her dog’s nails
• To help plan her wedding*

Grading the boss
Extreme requests aside, many workers do have good relationships with their superiors; 64 percent of workers report they respect their bosses. When asked to grade their boss’s performance, the majority — 66 percent — gave an above average rating: 

• A – 26 percent
• B – 40 percent
• C – 20 percent
• D – 9 percent
• F – 6 percent

Yet it’s not all sunshine and rainbows when it comes to how workers view their managers. Just 37 percent say that they learn from their boss, and 32 percent believe they are smarter than him/her*.

Communication is key
No matter how you feel about your boss, it’s to your professional advantage to have a good working relationship with him. That starts with communication. If you don’t think you’re learning as much as you could from your manager, set up regular meetings to discuss his insight on current projects or issues. If he’s assigned you a task that sounds suspicious, address your concerns. Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder, says, “If your boss is asking you to do something outside of your scope of work responsibilities, it’s important to have open communications around what is appropriate.”

*Responses from a separate CareerBuilder and Harris Interactive November 2012 survey of more than 3,500 U.S. workers

Is this a trick question? How should you answer?  Answer: BOTH Yes and No!  It can be a trick question for some, and not for others!

When IS it a trick question?
If you’re not the supervisor or in management, you have no business making business decisions. It’s a trick question. What they want to know is how you delegated problems to the proper channels. They want to know if you contacted your higher-ups with the present dilemna and gave them a briefing on the situation. For instance: What you want to do is get the name of the person who has the problem, and his/her phone number. Call your supervisor and if he/she isn’t there, leave a message about the situation and give the person’s name and number. The customer will have to be patient because there’s nothing you can do. You tell your co-workers about the situation, and let the next shift be aware of the situation as well.
It’s all about communication and delegation of authority in business. If you were hired to solve problems, then of course, tell them of your problem solving skills.

When is it NOT a trick question?
Every employee solves problems…
Let’s say you’re a retail associate and you sell faucets. A customer wants a faucet that’s on display. You’re completely out of them. A good way to solve the problem would be to call another store that has some and get one sent to you. You wouldn’t delegate that problem to a “proper channel” because YOU are the proper channel.  Basically, the interviewer wants to get an idea of your judgment and decision making skills as well as what factors you considered in your decision and whether or not you involved or consulted others. More and more, companies are looking for critical thinkers who use good judgment both for the Customer and the company.

There are many more questions like this that can be asked during your job interview!  To find out more “trick” questions that may be asked specific to your industry, call Barton and speak to a member of our team.  We would be happy to assist you in your job search. 610-439-8751  www.bartonsearch.com.  Follow us on Twitter @bartonjobsearch to see our current job opportunities.

A common misconception says that because it’s the holidays, no one will pay attention to your résumé. In fact, even during times of high unemployment, when things slow down at the office there’s a golden opportunity for hiring to finally move to the front burner.

Throughout my career, both in corporate America and at my own firm, during several stretches of low national employment levels, I had openings during the holidays. And because regular business activity took a slight breather, managers like me had more time to devote to personnel matters, including hiring. Granted, this is not a time of “if you have a pulse and résumé, you’re in!” But you just might stand out among the crowd if you ignore your calendar.

Here are some pointers on leveraging the holidays in your job-search favor:

1. Ratchet Up Social Media. Everyone knows that sources such as LinkedIn (LNKD), Twitter, and Facebook are great for networking. But few people have enough time throughout the year to invest in maximizing them. Bingo! Use them during the holiday season. You can bet that, like you, many people are too attached to their computers, social networks, and smartphones to sit around and do nothing but “talk turkey” with relatives and friends for days on end in late November and December. It’s a potential job-search gold mine if you make the effort.

2. Party with a Professional Side. Don’t become a roaming spammer at holiday parties, but have your professional side well packaged just the same. What if you go to a holiday bash and run into the prospective boss of your best dream job ever? Wouldn’t it be great to be ready with an elevator pitch about yourself and your career goals? For exactly this reason, when you party, go easy on the eggnog and other alcoholic beverages and avoid dressing like Lady Gaga. And, of course, bring business cards, even if they only state your contact information and specialty.

3. Make the Call. E-mails are the most accepted way to reach out to a hiring manager. But think about picking up the phone during the holidays as well. You have a better chance of getting an answer around Thanksgiving and Christmastime, when business activities slow from their usual breakneck pace. But don’t pester the hiring manager: Just call once and see where it goes.

4. Be an Agent and Sleuth. During the holidays, you’re going to be out and about more than usual, shopping, running errands, and socializing. Use those opportunities not only to talk about yourself and your career needs and goals but also to ask questions about others. Networking is a two-way street whether online or offline. Find out how you can help other people. These contacts can also provide you with more information about companies than you’ll find online. Ask people about the corporate culture of firms you’re interested in. Who might you be working for?  It is your job, after all, and also your job to choose wisely.

5. Business Casual Is Great … Once You’re Hired. When arranging a holiday-time interview, if you hear “Just dress casually, it’s a ghost town here, and I’ll be in jeans,” don’t be tempted. You get one time to make a first impression, so wear a blazer. It shows respect. Also, while everything may come across as easygoing during the holidays, still take your pad, take notes, and bring a hard copy of your résumé. And regardless of how chilly the weather, don’t waltz in carrying a Grande Caffe Latte.

6. Be Patient. When following up, know that although things may have progressed nicely during the interview, not enough people in the hierarchy will be around to complete the process. In a holiday job search, the process often continues “after the holidays.” Don’t count this as a setback—you’re already way ahead of the game.

Lynn Taylor, CEO of Lynn Taylor Consulting, is a nationally recognized workplace expert and author. Her newly released book, Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant (TOT): How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job (John Wiley & Sons), advises employees and senior management on how to mitigate difficult boss and office behaviors for increased productivity.

Courtesy of Bloomberg Businessweek

America is founded on the principle of freedom, justice, and liberty for all. Our nation’s soldiers serve every day to protect our country and its ideals.  On Veteran’s Day, take a sacred moment to remember the those who sacrifice their lives every moment to achieve peace and democracy.

In honor of Veterans Day 2010, which happens November 11, here’s a list of quotes to live by:

“Freedom is never free.” -Author Unknown

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” -John Fitzgerald Kennedy

“How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!” -Maya Angelou

“When our perils are past, shall our gratitude sleep?” -George Canning

“Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die.” -G.K. Chesterton

“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.” -Elmer Davis

“But the freedom that they fought for, and the country grand they wrought for, Is their monument to-day, and for aye.” -Thomas Dunn English

“I think there is one higher office than president and I would call that patriot.” -Gary Hart

“Lord, bid war’s trumpet cease; Fold the whole earth in peace.” -Oliver Wendell Holmes

“The most persistent sound which reverberates through men’s history is the beating of war drums.” -Arthur Koestler

“I dream of giving birth to a child who will ask, ‘Mother, what was war?’” -Eve Merriam

“Valor is stability, not of legs and arms, but of courage and the soul.” -Michel de Montaigne

“In war, there are no unwounded soldiers.” -Jose Narosky

“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.” -Cynthia Ozick

“The more we sweat in peace the less we bleed in war.” -Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit

Maintaining up-to-date information technology certifications — especially advanced credentials — is the best way to show civilian employers you’re keeping up with progress in this ever-changing field.

Experts say getting certified will raise your chances of landing a great I.T. job after the military for two reasons: You’ll have industry-recognized proof of your skills, and you’ll be a more likely match for hiring managers searching résumé databases for keywords such as CompTIA A+ and Certified Business Intelligence Professional.

“Most I.T. professionals take it for granted that what they need to know for their jobs will change rapidly,” said Martin Weissflog, Director of IT division and 21+ year computer-industry veteran. “You’ll see that most certifications require their holders to update every two to three years anyway, so if you want to keep a credential current, you need to keep taking courses, keep taking exams, or do some sort of continuing education,” Weissflog said.

Civilian companies that employ people in information technology are placing increased emphasis on what hiring managers call “soft skills,” the experts say.

“The technology skills alone simply aren’t enough anymore,” said Weissflog. Soft skills are personality traits and interpersonal skills such as the ability to interact effectively with others, writing skills, and organizational and management experience.

“Employers are also placing a greater emphasis on business skills,” Weissflog said, “including the ability to understand products and goals and how information technology fits into the business scheme”.

Companies also want their I.T. professionals to be able to translate technology into a language that’s easy to understand. The good news is that many service members possess at least core soft skills and business savvy by virtue of their military training. Weissflog recommends college-level courses in business or communications to further develop skills in these areas.

Worried about how to emphasize soft skills on a résumé? Don’t be.

“Those are the kinds of things employers pick up on in an interview,” Weissflog said. “I have assisted thousands of candidates by enabling them to restructure their resumes and professionally showcase their talents.”

8 of the key certifications today are:

SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATION

Systems administrators maintain a company’s computer systems and servers. Certifications include:

Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator: Candidates must pass four exams, including two that test core knowledge of networking systems, one on client operating systems and one elective exam.
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer: Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer: Candidates must pass seven exams including four that test core knowledge of networking systems, one on client operating systems, one on design and one elective exam.
NETWORK ADMINISTRATION

Network administrators maintain computer network infrastructure. Certifications include:

CompTIA Network+: This vendor-neutral certification doesn’t require prior work experience, but CompTIA recommends some experience in a networking environment along with CompTIA A+ certification.
Cisco Certified Network Professional: A valid CCNA certification or any CCIE certification plus a ROUTE, SWITCH and TSHOOT exams.
Cisco Certified Network Associate: The single exam required for this certification covers extending switched networks, determining IP routes, managing IP traffic and establishing point-to-point connections.
Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert: Fewer than three percent of the people who hold Cisco networking certifications achieve this elite title. The hands-on exam is conducted in a lab.
TECH SUPPORT

Tech-support professionals are responsible for help-desk-type functions, answering computer users’ questions and doing troubleshooting. Certifications include:

CompTIA A+: This test verifies proficiency in basic installation, configuration, preventive maintenance and networking, as well as security, safety and environmental issues.
Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician: This credential proves you can troubleshoot Microsoft’s Windows operating system. It requires two exams: one on the Windows XP operating system and another on desktop applications.

Our advice to the long-term unemployed:

Update or keep your skills current. Look for on-line courses. Research local not-for-profits who might be offering free training. Include your new training in your resume and cover letter.
Volunteer. Seek volunteer opportunities that fit your skills — then include that volunteer activity on your resume. Whether you’re being paid or not, you’re gaining experience! Volunteering is very respectable option in the eyes of a future employer.
Get social. If you haven’t joined LinkedIn yet, now’s the time to do it! Research and connect with your old colleagues. Recruiters may use LinkedIn to find candidates for non-advertised jobs.
Keep structure to your days. You might not be able to include it on your resume, but spend your time networking and researching potential opportunities. Attending local business card exchanges or networking events will add helpful new business contacts. Don’t forget to connect with them on LinkedIn.
Everyday, present yourself as if you are meeting a potential employer. Your body language speaks louder than words!
Stay positive! Positive people return to the work force faster than negative people. You don’t want to run into your interviewer on the street with a disappointing attitude!
Finally, consider a temporary position. These jobs can be included on your resume. You’ll be earning money. You’ll be gaining resume-worthy experience. And you may get hired on once the employer gains confidence in this recovery! Contact Aspire’s Staffing Partners today to get started!

An effective job description is also important on a legal standpoint. An accurate job description is necessary to make sure hiring and advancements in the company are done fairly and correctly. This helps decrease the risk of unfair hiring practices. Avoid references to age, gender, race, or disabilities.

When hiring managers begin to review resumes they can use the job description as a point of comparison to make sure each prospect meets at least the most basic requirements summarized, such as educational level. Finally, remember that the job description can be a valuable and objective evaluation tool when measuring a professional’s performance.

Identifying the elements that should be included in a job description will further help hiring managers narrow down which prospective candidates are most desirable to the company. Key responsibilities the individual will be involved in such as, day-to-day task and physical demands, is an important element of an effective job description. This provides a big picture of what will be required of the prospect. Including objectives of the job, both short-term and long-term, will help set the expectations of job performance. Providing a clear overview of the expectations will help set the standards of which candidates will be compared to. It is also very important to include any qualifications needed for the job. Describe the education and experience, skills required, and any certifications needed in order to be considered for the job opening. Finally, it is essential to include compensation details for the position. This includes salary range and any benefits that will be offered if hired such as, health insurance. This helps you to make sound financial decisions and ensure that your current employees are compensated at the market rate, and that you’re hiring new employees at a fair rate. Not knowing where your pay rates are compared to the market can mean you are overpaying your employees, or you’re at risk of losing key employees because you’re paying below market.

By detailing the essential functions that each employee is responsible for completing, job descriptions help to define roles and relationships among employees and departments within a company, clarifying who is responsible for what. This helps eliminate wasted time that can occur if employees don’t understand what their role is. And new hires can transition more smoothly into the company if they understand their designated role.

1. Contingent placement: providing short- or long-term temporary employment

2. Contingent-to-hire: assignments that may convert to direct-hire jobs

3. Direct-hire placement: recruiting candidates for full-time opportunities

4. Professional search: connecting hard-to-find talent with niche industry positions

Utilizing the services of a staffing firm can benefit both the employer and employee by offering a safe alternative to temporary or direct hire because each party involved has the opportunity to assess if it will be a good fit without a major commitment. Below are more reasons to make use of the services of a staffing firm.

1. Cost effective

Hiring the wrong person can cost a tremendous amount of money. A staffing firm provides pre-screened and pre-qualified manpower to a company based on their specific needs by matching a candidates skill set, background and personality accordingly. It costs companies money and resources to go through the process of employing human capital. Through the use of a staffing firm it allows companies to focus their time and resources on other aspects of their business.

2. Save Time

Staffing firms’ saves companies time because they review hundreds of resumes a month, interview the skilled of those candidates, and do extensive background checks on those individuals. Rather than spending time trying to determine the best person with the necessary interests and skills, clients can continue with their normal business duties until the agency provides a short employee list. Making sure clients only review the cream of the crop and helping clients go through the tedious task of going through the rest.

3. Flexibility

Staffing agencies enable companies to utilize employees as required. For instance, temporary workers may be introduced so as to deal with the space left by employees for instance, on vacation or medical leave. The company therefore has the great flexibility of using the temporary staff offered by a staffing agency as needed. Staffing companies also offer flexibility to their clients so they can keep fully staffed during busy times. Whether temporary jobs last a few hours or several years, staffing companies allow businesses to adjust their work forces to meet their ever-changing needs.

4. Utilizing business relationships

Candidates can take advantage of the business relationships between top level management and recruitment agencies. The affiliations and communications links enable candidates to obtain quick visibility on new jobs giving them a better chance of getting noticed before the job advertisement has been placed.

Staffing firms provide a simple service – connecting employers and employees. They can play a vital role in an effective job-search strategy, providing skilled candidates with a variety of opportunities with respected companies locally and worldwide.