What do women want? When it comes to their careers, studies show, popular responses include options, opportunity, respect, geographical mobility and good pay.
Fortunately, for many women-and their families-that can describe many of the jobs available in the skilled trades. Trade occupations can include aviation technician, automotive painter, construction equipment operator, welder, carpenter, decorator, chef, horticulturist, IT support analyst, florist, electrician, tool and die maker and water-well driller, to name a few.
Why The Trades?
Careers in the trades can offer a chance to contribute to society and the opportunity to be your own boss. Skilled trades touch every part of Americans’ lives, from roads and homes to hospitals and schools. You can get hands-on training and a chance to “earn while you learn.”
What Does It Take?
Some jobs need modest physical strength and endurance but most do not. Virtually all require intelligence and creativity as well as good reading, math and analytical skills. Thanks to technology, skilled trades are not “dirty,” as they once may have been. Knowledge of computer software and mechanical systems is increasingly important.
Opportunities On The Rise
This nation faces a looming shortage of skilled tradespeople. As the baby boomers retire over the next few years, the construction industry alone will be short more than 1 million workers.
What About Pay?
The salary ranges vary by job, location and experience but a skilled electrician can easily earn 70,000 a year. Apprentices and others may get less and the work for some is seasonal, while union members are often paid more than nonunion workers, report the experts at the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC).
The organization was founded in 1955 to create a support network and enhance the success of women in the construction industry. It now has thousands of members around the world and has advanced the causes of all women in construction, from trades-women to business owners. According to the group, educational and career resources play an integral role in facing the challenges of this evolving industry.
What do you do when the career you have chosen stresses you out? When this happens, it is easy to get depressed since your career is very important. As a result, here are some suggestions on how to deal with your career anxieties.
Determine why your career makes you stressed out. Maybe its some aspect of your career that makes you anxious or maybe you need a new job. Do some soul searching and determine the main causes of your career anxieties. Once you know why you are stressed, then develop a plan of action.
Maybe it is not your career that is stressful, but instead your job that is the problem. If it is your job that makes you anxious then try to find ways to improve the situation. If this doesnt work then change jobs.
Sometimes it may be the career itself that is the problem. Do not be afraid to change careers if you have to. People nowadays change careers for various reasons. Many adults go back to school to get the necessary training for their new career. The important thing is to determine which career best suits you.
Remember you have options. There are all kinds of jobs and careers out there so do not feel that your back is in the corner. If you do not know what to do, then take a career skills assessment test which will determine what kind of job or career best suits your particular interests and skill sets.
There are many career coaches that can give you additional advice. Your local college has career counselors that can give you much assistance and provide you with information on a variety of careers.
It is important to find a job or career that makes you feel good about yourself. Do not just take a job because the money is good or because it will impress your friends. Youre the one who has to go to work everyday, so find something that you like to do and also will pay the bills. It will take some work, but eventually you will find something.
What Should You Look For When Searching For Career Development Programs
The computer age has made online career training so easy, you never have to leave your home. There are thousands of different career development programs online today and depending on what type of career you want, you will surely find it on the internet. Many programs provide individual and group options for the career minded and support services are provided also. Many programs consist of career assessment, and job search capabilities, that include career development and life skills. When looking for a career development program, make sure they also provide such services as counseling and job referral and placement help. Having the right skills is vitally important in today’s competitive job market. You are also looking for the best of learning up-to-date career skills that will prepare you for the jobs of today and tomorrow. The career development program you choose should always be updating their programs to reflect the most modern methods used in today’s workplace. You’ll also learn about opportunities in your chosen field and get important tips on achieving your career goals. Many programs also feature “hands-on” experience with today’s technology.
Here are some important things you should look for when choosing your career development program. Make sure the program you choose has everything you want and need to get you on that new path of a new career.
Low Tuition – You can train for a new career at a price that won’t break your budget. Your books, equipment, and learning aids are included in your low tuition price.
Convenience – The lessons and learning aids you need to complete your training are sent right to your home. There’s no commute to classes, no need to rearrange your schedule. Study where and when you choose, and still have time for your family and social life.
Support – Even though your taking your career development program at home, you’ should never feel alone. You should be assured of getting all the help you need from your instructors and consultants. When you have a question, help should be just a toll-free phone call or an e-mail away.
You can train for a new career in your spare time and even earn a Bachelors or Masters Degree online. Whether you wish to further your career in nursing or business management there is a career development program for you. You can earn your high school diploma or anything you can imagine that would further your self improvement. Here are some idea’s that may help you choose whether it will be worth it for you or not. Good luck in your endeavors. Good Luck!
Career Diploma Courses. Prepare for the career you have always dreamed of like a Medical Transcription, Paralegal, Private Investigation, Veterinary Assisting, Accounting, Interior Decorating, and much more.
Associate’s Degrees. Psychology, Criminal Justice, Business Management, Accounting, Health Care Management. High School diploma or GED required.
High School Diploma. Start where you left off in the 9 th , 10 th , 11 th , or 12 th grades. SACS and DETC accredited.
Biotechnology is the integration of engineering and technology to the life sciences.
Biotechnologists frequently use microorganisms or biological substances to perform specific processes or for manufacturing. Examples include the production of drugs, hormones, foods and converting waste products.
There are many sub-branches involved in the biotech industry. A few of the more common branches include; molecular biology, genetic engineering, and cell biology.
A new and exciting sub-branch requiring biotechnologists is the field of nanotechnology. Nanotechnology gives us the capability to engineer the tiniest of objects, things at the molecular level. Nano means a billionth of a specific unit in Greek. Nanotechnology includes the study and manipulation of materials between 1 and 100 nanometers.
To give you an idea, DNA is approximately 2.5 nanometers. Red blood cells are 2.5 micrometers (1,000 times larger). And a sheet of paper is about 100,000 nanometers thick!
As you can imagine, it is very difficult to scale and mass produce objects within the realm of nanotechnology. Their minute size makes them nearly impossible to manipulate. But scientists and engineers have teamed up to make the seemingly impossible a reality.
Which means those with the proper training will be highly sought after in the future. The National Science Foundation estimates that the U.S. alone will need up to 1 million nanotechnology researchers. It is estimated that the need for nanotechnology workers will reach 2 million by 2015.
Therefore, if youre considering getting into the field of biotech, you may want to gear your background in nanotechnology if your school offers it or seek employment in this exciting new career field after graduating.
No matter what sub-branch you wind up specializing in, biotechnologists often collaborate with others in the laboratory and bounce ideas off one another. This can create a pleasant work environment; one that involves sharing with others and working together to achieve a great goal.
Graduates with arts degrees often feel some difficulties to determine their career goal in the initial stage. In general view, most of jobs seem to suit the arts degree graduates but when come to decide a career goal, it seem like hard to define one. Unlike graduates from science and technology fields, graduates from the arts fields feel that their program of study hasnt necessarily prepared them for specific jobs or careers. Many arts degree graduates become apprehensive once graduation approaches.
Are these the facts of art degrees? Is pursuing an art degree a waste of money and will only get you a job flipping burgers? These popular art degrees myths affect many students who are interested in art degrees and they stop moving their step into art fields and force themselves to take science & technology related degrees for a brighter future.
The Facts versus Myths
In actual, the facts are contrary to the popular art degree myths, a variety of career possibilities await art graduates, almost half of all job vacancies available to new graduates are open to students with arts degrees. These employers are particularly interested in transferable skills.
Let review the true facts of these popular art degree myths and you will realize that you are totally employable with your Arts degree and arts degree graduates are really in high demand in the jobs market with well-paying positions.
Myth 1: A Bachelor of Arts degree is not enough to find a well-paying, interesting job. You need to go to Law School, the Faculty of Education, or a technical training institute to be competitive for professional employment.
Fact 1: Based payscales.com salary survey conducted in 2006, average salary for bachelors arts degree graduates in various job fields at United States are ranging from 32,000 to 55,000 annually, without having any further college or university study.
Myth 2: A Bachelor of Arts degree will get you a job of flipping burgers.
Fact 2: Based recent job survey conducted by a well-known survey company, arts graduates are often employed in a professional or managerial capacity (50 – 81%). This compared favorably with those in Commerce (60%) and those with technical or vocational diplomas from colleges and technical institutes (24 – 35%).
Myth 3: A Bachelor of Arts degree is a waste of time and money and does not earn as much money as a bachelor degree in science and technology.
Fact 3: According to a job survey report from Express News of University Alberta, Those with a general arts degree do well in the long term, although initially they may not make as much as graduates of professional faculties, whats really striking is the gains they make over five years, the gap starts to close. This is because Arts graduates emerge with highly developed research, communication, creative problem-solving and critical thinking skills that are in high demand because they are difficult to teach in the workplace. Many employers want this type of well-rounded employee, who can be trained for more specific skills.
Arts Degree Students Are In Demand
Almost 50% of job markets are opened for students with arts degrees. Many of these jobs are within Arts students reach upon graduation, particular if they have already identified their unique interests and abilities. Career opportunities for Arts degree graduates are ranging from non-profit, to private business and to government sectors; examples of job titles held by Arts graduates are:
Manager
Events Planner
Advertising Executive
Program Coordinator
Counselor
Marketing Professional
Facilitator
Corporate Trainer
In Summary
Arts degree graduates are in demand in the job markets, a variety of career possibilities are awaiting for art degree graduates at a well-paying level and expandable career future.
Unfortunately, high hopes and large amounts of time, energy and commitment — valuable though they may be — do not ensure the success of an entrepreneurial venture. In fact, research indicates that about 60 percent of all businesses fail within the first two years. Much depends on the individual’s “entrepreneurial profile,” and one of the best ways to discover this is by doing a self-assessment.
Over the years, working with some 4,000 Virtual Assistants and Virtual Professionals in 65+ countries and being entrepreneurs ourselves, we’ve developed a good practical sense of the traits that successful entrepreneurs share. We used this background in designing the application process for our Portable Career & Virtual Assistant Training Program for Military Spouses, and it has helped substantially in identifying candidates with the greatest likelihood of success both in training and afterward, as they launch and grow their virtual businesses.
The following Entrepreneurial Self-Assessment is adapted from the online application form for our Virtual Assistant training program. This series of 13 questions is one of the tools we use to see if an applicant has characteristics commonly found in successful business owners.
Without peeking at the score key, write down the choice that most closely describes you.
01. Are you a self-starter?
A. I often need help to get a job going.
B. I have the ability to decide what needs to get done and get it going quickly.
C. I wait until the last minute to start a project because I work better under deadlines.
02. Why do you want to start your own business?
A. I’m tired of the people I work with.
B. I want the freedom to manage my own business.
C. I want to get rich quickly.
03. How do you feel about other people?
A. Most people irritate me and make my job more difficult.
B. I like people and get along with just about anybody.
C. I like to have a small circle of friends and acquaintances. It makes things simple.
04. How do you manage projects?
A. I take care of everything myself to make sure it’s right.
B. I delegate as much as possible and let people execute tasks with little supervision.
C. I delegate and jump in to help every chance I get.
05. Can you lead others?
A. I have to push hard, but can make people perform.
B. I don’t have to do much to get people moving.
C. I usually let someone else get things moving.
06. Will you have family support?
A. My family will complain if I have less free time.
B. My family is likely to know that I am trying to plan for our future and will understand long hours.
C. My family will likely want to get involved with my work and help in any way possible.
07. Can you take responsibility?
A. I’ll take over if I have to, but I’d rather let someone else be responsible.
B. I let people who are more outgoing or eager than me take the lead.
C. I like to take charge of and see things through.
08. How are your organizational skills?
A. I like to have a plan before I start.
B. I often have trouble setting priorities.
C. I have trouble juggling many types of responsibility.
09. Can you “stick with it”?
A. I don’t let anything stop me from pursuing my goals, even if it means sacrificing other activities or projects.
B. If a plan isn’t going as expected, I don’t waste any more time on it.
C. I put in as much time as necessary to make a project successful, while balancing it with other priorities, and don’t stop until it’s done.
10. What expectations do you have for your work schedule?
A. I’d like to have more free time in my new business.
B. When someone starts their own business, they’re always on the clock.
C. I plan to work hard, but want to limit the amount of time I spend on the business.
11. Can you make decisions effectively?
A. I need plenty of time to make a decision, or I regret it.
B. I am a fast thinker and usually make an acceptable decision.
C. I usually let other people make decisions because I’m afraid of being wrong.
12. Can people trust what you say?
A. Sometimes I just say what people want to hear.
B. My word is as good as gold.
C. All’s fair in business, right? I say what I have to
13. When I am in an unfamiliar place with new people, I usually
A. Sit back and observe other people.
B. Talk to many people about myself and my business.
C. Ask many questions to get to know new people.
Scoring your responses:
A number value (in parenthesis) has been assigned to each of the possible responses to the 13 questions. Simply write the corresponding number next to the letter you selected for each question.
01. A (3), B (8), C (5)
02. A (2), B (8), C (4)
03. A (2), B (8), C (5)
04. A (1), B (8), C (6)
05. A (5), B (8), C (4)
06. A (2), B (6), C (7)
07. A (2), B (5), C (8)
08. A (7), B (3), C (4)
09. A (5), B (2), C (7)
10. A (1), B (7), C (5)
11. A (4), B (8), C (2)
12. A (4), B (8), C (1)
13. A (1), B (4), C (8)
What your score means:
42 or less
If you scored 42 or less, it’s unlikely you possess the characteristics necessary to be successful in running your own business.
43 to 54
While a score between 43 and 54 indicates you exhibit some of the core characteristics necessary to succeed in running your own business, you are likely to find many difficulties in self-employment and could often feel obliged to “act out of character” to succeed.
55 to 65
Achieving a score between 55 and 65 indicates you possess good entrepreneurial traits and should have a very good chance of being a successful entrepreneur.
66 or higher
Achieving a score of 66 or higher indicates you possess top-notch entrepreneurial characteristics and should have an excellent chance of success in your own small business.
Of course, successful people come in many shapes and forms, and there is no “one size fits all” assessment tool for entrepreneurship. Although this self-evaluation should help you better understand the mindset and character traits of successful entrepreneurs, and how you “stack up” relative to that group, in the end it will be your own unique personality and circumstances that will determine your own unique future.
The very goal of every graduate is to find a decent job. On the other hand, every organization knows the value behind the employment of competent and skilled employees. They know that once they have employed the right kind of employee and place them in a position that can best reflect their skills and competence is absolutely important in organizational success.
However, for some businesses that have bigger sets of connections and extensions, there must be somebody or something that will serve as the mediator between the two entities. This is where the human resources sets in. The human resources department bridges the gap between the job seekers or employees and the management.
For this reason, every institution, whether private or government-owned businesses are equipped with highly competent human resource department that facilitates the training, hiring of job applicants, and other labor-related concerns.
Before, the primary work of anybody who is in the human resource department would have to perform the clerical function of an institution, like manipulating the inquiries of every employee or the management of interviews, recruiting, and hiring of new employees or personnel in conformity to the rules and regulations of the company.
Nowadays, the human resource department acts individually and generates suggestions. If before they are concealed behind the top executives of the company, human resources these days can already make recommendations and modification of the company policy. Hence, people are assured of a more competent and highly productive human resource department.
Human Resources Management
The primary goal of the human resource department is to provide quality services to the public by providing them jobs that work best for them. Hence, it is the duty of the human resources department to supervise the human resources of the company.
In fact, experts say that it is the most significant part of the job. The people behind this department should be well equipped with the proper communication skills in order to reach out with the employees so that the problems will be solved and the necessities met.
The duties of the human resources management include career development, hiring, compensation, training, benefits, and other purposes.
This is the very delicate portion of the job because managing a multitude of people is not an easy thing. That is why for those who wish to engage in this kind of job, it is best that they try to finish off a masteral degree in Human Resource Management. S specialization is extremely necessary in order to stay knowledgeable in doing this kind of job.
Human Resources Careers
In spite of the many difficulties that the human resources department may encounter, there are still many opportunities of developing a career in this department as well.
However, for those who wish to develop a career in the human resources department, one must hold a bachelors degree that entails a fair set of courses in general business, accounting and statistics, behavioral sciences, business and labor law, and economics.
Basically, there are two kinds of career in this department: the human resources specialist and the generalist. Employing one over the other is actually dependent on the size of the institution. This is because the human resources generalist is applicable for a small institution, while the specialist constitutes the broader horizon of the bigger organizations.
The next position available is the directory of human resources. The person involved here handles mostly the supervision of the different human resources department within a bigger organization.
Each human resources department is supervises by the managers. They are the ones that are responsible in dividing the different employees according to their position and their specific field of expertise.
For recruitment, the recruiters are the ones that handle the job. They are the ones who maintain a close connection in the society, hence, they travel frequently. They are the ones that will conduct interviews, and evaluations on the applicants. They are also the ones that do the background checking as stated in the references of the applicants.
These are just some of the available positions within the human resources department. Indeed, this is the part of the organization that best serve the main component of an organization the people. Without this kind of department that specializes in managing and employing people, the institution might have been in disarray.
Hence, human resources are not just mere job. It is a tough responsibility that only the competent and dedicated people should try to engage to.
Article may be freely distributed as long as content is not altered and Author’s resource box and link remains intact and active.
Making up your mind as to what you want to do in life is so difficult. Especially today, given the myriad options, with each profession looking better than the other. And you’re not too sure what exactly it is you want to pursue. Enter the wonderful world of job fairs. Walk in and you’ll see a vista of opportunities light up before your eyes, options even within professions. You can talk to people from various companies, find recruiters who will tell you what they are looking for, compare different salary structures and perquisites and have the opportunity to see what’s on offer. For someone just out of college looking for a job, job fairs hold immense potential. They are eye-openers to the big world of career opportunities outside the campus. It could be your first reality check as to what awaits you.
Job fairs help you to assess different companies away from the terrifying environs of their offices. It also helps you to be exposed to the different kinds of interviews that different companies conduct. It is easier to ask a prospective employer questions about his company in a more objective setting. Most of all, it gives you the opportunity of choice. It is probably this that makes you know what you want or don’t want. And this makes it easier to be clearer in your final decision.
Job fairs are held for various professions. The burgeoning healthcare industry, for example has many such fairs all over the country. This could be a great opportunity for professionals wanting to enter the industry as well as professionals who are looking for new opportunities. Whether the posts are for physicians, assistants, the nursing cadre or other supporting areas, here is a place where people can not just compare opportunities and benefits but also look at specific programs that the employer is associated with to see if it could be a perfect fit with what they are looking for.
Always remember to pick up all the available printed material from job fairs so you can read it at your leisure when you get back home. It’s always good to look at the fine print. Also remember to pick up the free tote that most give to carry them so you’re not distracted with a vast amount of brochures and material to manage. Go to as many job fairs as you can – you’ll find the world of work unfolding its wonderful opportunities before you.
Using Informal and Formal Status Symbols in Your Orgazination to Advance Your career
You want to get ahead in life and your career .
Formal status symbols in a business setting tend to come with promotion. In other words, you have to earn them. They’re badges of rank in the corporate army.
Some of the most common ones a re:
– a reserved parking space next to the building
– an office with a window (corner offices and those on top floors best)
– executive dining room privileges
– wet bar in office
– jacuzzi adjoining office
– Blackberry email device supplied by the company
– a private secretary
– first-class travel privileges
-designer lamps and furniture as well as LCD computer monitors
Although you as a management standoff wanabee might not qualify for some of the above status symbols, they may be able to come up with reasonable facsimiles. Perhaps you don’t rate a reserved parking spot right next to the building, for example, but maybe you can wangle one in the reserved lot, which is better than hiking three blocks from the general parking area like the rest of the peons.
Make it your business to say nice things to the secretary who handles such matters. It also pays to befriend people like the head of facilities and maintenance, who would be in a position to install a better office rug or wallpaper than you deserve. Check Dale Carnegie’s timeless book How to Win Friends and Influence People for the finer points of dealing with such folks.
You may decide it’s politically expedient to spend your own money for things that the company won’t supply, such as a that Blackberry or that newest GSM cellular phone and high-class office furnishings.
Outsiders, new employees, and casual visitors who don’t know the difference will think your expensive trappings came with the territory. If somebody is rude enough to ask, “How did you rate this?” just smile and shrug your shoulders. That adds to your mystique.
Informal status symbols are another matter. These are often adopted by the informal organization, and their importance varies from one company or depar ment to the next. For example it has been reported reported that some managers like to display computer software running as status symbols.
The ” authority ” with such a ” display ” may not the first thing about these products and as well may be totally technically inept at any computer skills.
As well think of a bank of thin LCD computer monitors as s little more than a string of dim lamp bulbs . The more impressive upcomimg compuitermodels to display includes Microsoft Office System 2007 beta 2 Software , computer web pages locked at Sourceforgenet especially dealing those sourceforge computer project s involving security , corporate firewall amd encryption projects As well it always helps to display the latest Beta release Microsoft Software such as the upcoming vaporware operating sytem Vista , To give you and idea the previous incorporation of the upcomiing Vista Operating Sytem was previously called ” Longhorn “.
All of these programs are for the most part mythical .
They are always changing due to the nature of deadlines and the infighting and childish nature and poor typing skills of computer programmers.
No one can really ever refute your expertise or call your bluff seriousl.
Anyone who would is either a liar or fool and is certainly not your competitor in the quest for management or promotion in another field .
And ianyways ts not as if the others you are trying to upscale have not had enough trouble with their current version of Windows or the computer systems they struggle with .
If you find it difficult to upscale others you can also leave computer screens locked on those program screens and informtatiional websites As well instuctional cds or reviews on these amu other opearating systems or programs may be left arouind for display and demo purposes .
And it never hurts to try to display that you are always in the process of upgrrading your skills and knowlege as a demonstration of your time management and management evaluation and decision making skills.
Its always good to pretend that you are mastering a Linux distro or the Sum microsytem server systems.
As well i ’s noteworthy that there aree computer programs easily available to help you pretend that you are busy 28 hours a days .
With the touch of a key, a model of a work project can be thrown up on your expensive neat LCD monitor while in actuality you were really the web for travel sites on your upcoming foreign vacation , or smply playing solitaire A handy feature for when your boss walks in the door.
Most informal status symbols revolve around personal or office accessories. These include Blackberrys, and
higer end business notebook computers systems
As well these props should have silent attestment to their value – both of their stature and of the essential value of the data they contain.
Expensive locks , encryprion and satellite tracking security systems to protect your laptop from theft scream out the importance of your notebook computer and its data on which the whole future of your firm revolve around .
As an up and comer you should consider acquiring one portable communiation devices such as those notebooks computers even if your firm will not provide them to you .
As well consider the imporance of Blackberry portable email systems and high end GSM phones because ultimately they may prove to be an wise and imporant investment in your career.
A Blackberry unit linked to the corporate communication and computer system for example, implies that you’re a dedicated manager who may need to summon the electronic genie at any hour of the night to elict data from your office files in order to solve some vital managent crisis .
Of course it is wise to point out that with simple planning that crisis may never have occurred
In this day and age you can even link your new GSM phone to your notebook for instant access anywhere in most of the world to head office.
Remember to often demonstrate your wireless abilty even if if is from a simple hotpsot not even your expsnsive GSM phone Internet connection .
Just like an empty briefcase being carried out at the end of the day or work week it doesn’t hurt to be seen carrying your notebook computer or Blackberry to and from work, either. You certainly look more progressive and farsighted than colleagues
Remember these and other silently promoted Corporate status symbols can advance your career in any of a number of important ways.
Top 10 Steps To Catapult Your Career Up The Corporate Ladder
Every career success story is unique. While there isnt a magic answer for taking your career to the top, following these ten steps will get you headed up the corporate ladder.
1. Reassess your career. Is your career path well aligned with your priorities and interest? Do you posses, or can you acquire, the experience and education to be successful? If not, consider a lateral move and work your way up from there.
2. Clearly define your career goals. Only when you know exactly where it is you want to go, will you be able to map out your plan to get there.
3. Create a development plan. Determine the steps you need to take for your next promotion. Include resources and due dates. Schedule these activities in your planner and follow through.
4. Communicate your career goals with management. If you work in an organization that promotes employee development, communicate your goals with your manager and ask for his or her support. If you are concerned about resistance, find a mentor within the organization that you can trust.
5. Volunteer to spearhead a new project. This shows initiative, puts you in a visible position, and builds new skills. It also gives you the opportunity to showcase your leadership skills.
6. Stay current in your field. Read industry publications and reports. Be aware of changing trends and position yourself accordingly.
7. Take classes or obtain a certification. Use your industry knowledge to your advantage. Take a course in an up and coming area or a specialty that will benefit your organization and give you an edge over the competition.
8. Assume a leadership role. Offer to mentor a junior associate in your organization, apply for a position on a local board, or chair a committee for a nonprofit organization.
9. Network, Network, Network. Within your organization and within the community. Increasing your visibility and gaining contacts are vital to your success when climbing the corporate ladder. No one ever got to the top alone.
10. Excel in your current position. Exceptional performance speaks for itself. You wont get ahead with mediocre performance, regardless of how many other steps you implement.