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Local job listings & resources
We've compiled a short list to help you refine your job search strategy and zoom in on local opportunities.
Fairfax County job openings
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by Meredith Aquila
ACE instructor
You must walk a fine line to fit into office culture without giving up your uniqueness.
The conventional interview advice - wear a suit, hide tattoos and piercings, etc. -makes a lot of people think they have to disguise their true selves eight hours a day. That's not entirely true.
It's a good idea to be conservative in an interview because you want your accomplishments, not your appearance, to speak for you. However, once you've "wowed" your boss and coworkers with your abilities, it's safe to let your personality shine through a bit.
The key is to observe your environment closely and, when in doubt, discuss with a supervisor what constitutes acceptable attire. You might not be able to wear your roller derby uniform to work, but it might be okay to wear a "Devil with the Blue Skates On" T-shirt under your blazer.
Of course, there are some progressive companies out there that encourage self-expression. If you find yourself in one of these, feel free to strap on your skates and take a victory lap around your desk!
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Toastmaster Don Gabor encourages us to mix and mingle at the holiday party and "stay clear of conversation blunders that can derail your career." In his article, Talk Smart at the Holiday Office Party, he cautions us not to let our hair down. Observe business etiquette and avoid clique-ish behavior if you want to let the good times roll!
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Promotion pointers
Laying the groundwork
1. Inform your supervisor of your interest in advancement and ask what competencies you need to master to be considered for the career position you have in mind.
2. With this information in hand, determine what skill sets you need to develop and get to work adding them to your repertoire.
3. Find ways to demonstrate new skills and initiative in your current job. Make your boss aware of your expanding competency.
4. Arrive a little early; stay late when necessary.
5. A short note goes a long way in expressing appreciation to those with whom you work.
6. Seize opportunities to be useful. Volunteer to help.
7. Ask to be mentored for the work you aspire to do.
8. Mentor someone for your position so that when it's time to move up the ladder there'll be a candidate to replace you. Don't be chained to your old job just because no one else can do it!
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Looking for a job or for a promotion? These classes can give you just the edge you need.
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Greetings!
In this issue of ACE On Point we look at ways to ramp up a job search, ace the interview, and optimize your on-the-job experience.
Happy holidays!
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Prep for Employment
Getting your act together
There's a lot to know about landing a good job. The Internet can be a great tool as you go about polishing up your resume, talking points, references, and shoes (yes, shoes!).
Start with Selena Dehne's excellent article, "Does Your Résumé Answer These Key Questions?" on Careerbuilder, a Web site which hosts a huge assortment of job search-related articles. For more ideas, check career advice on Monster, too.
If, however, you're looking for face-to-face, hands on help with your job search strategy, check out these courses: Tips for Success, Resume and Interview Clinic, and Find a Local, State, or Federal Job Using the Internet.
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You Got the Interview - Now What?
Three essential things to take with you
by Bruce Robertson 
ACE instructor
Just getting an interview in the toughest job market since the Great Depression is a major accomplishment, so don't let up - come prepared.
A smile and lots of personality. Employers may interview a dozen people with similar technical skills for one open position in single day. In many cases, the interviewer will not remember most of the candidates the next day. People see good in people who exude warmth and enthusiasm. Employers tend to hire the person they want to interact with five days a week.
Talking points. One way of promoting yourself as the best candidate for employment is to develop a list of interview talking points. These are prepared statements that you will bring into the interview discussion that showcase your skills, talents, accomplishments, education and background. Politicians use talking points effectively; job seekers should, too.
A list of questions. Most candidates are prepared to answer the employer's questions but when asked if they have any questions, they freeze up. Employers want to hire people who are curious, interested, and view the job interview as a two-way street. Top notch candidates for employment will bring prepared questions that show they are interested, informed, and want a job and an employer that are a mutually good fit.
Bruce teaches Tips for Success, a course on resume writing, interview preparation, interview follow up, as well as the proper dress, behavior, ethics, and attitude for career success.
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Success at the Workplace
The significance of socializing
You keep your hands on the keyboard, leave your desk  only when necessary, and shun idle chatter by the coffee station in favor of reading the company regs. Does this make you an exemplary employee?
Lily Garcia doesn't think so. "For better or worse, a person's success in the workplace is often measured not only by technical proficiency, but also by the ability to understand the culture of the organization and work effectively within it to exercise influence and get things done."
As career consultant and advice columnist for The Washington Post, she counsels the value of engaging with your co-workers during and after work hours in Embrace and Engage in the Culture of Your Workplace.
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Careers with Great Job Outlooks
Winners for starting out or starting over
The Occupational Outlook Handbook 2008-2009, published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), contains a wealth of information on a huge range of occupations. We looked up what the prospects are for careers for which ACE offers certification or preparation for certification. Excerpts from the Handbook follow. Note: growth rates pertain to a 2006-2016 projection period.
Dental assistant Expected growth of 29 percent. Job prospects are expected to be excellent. Population growth, greater retention of natural teeth by middle-aged and older people, and an increased focus on preventative dental care for younger generations will fuel demand for dental services.
Emergency medical technician Expected to grow by 19 percent. As a large segment of the population - aging baby boomers - becomes more likely to have medical emergencies, demand will increase for EMTs.
Medical assistant Employment is projected to grow much faster than average, ranking among the fastest growing occupations: 38%. Job opportunities should be excellent, particularly for those with formal training and certification.
Physical therapy aide Expected growth of 29 percent. Long-term demand will continue to rise, as the number of individuals with disabilities or limited function grows.
Legal assistant and paralegal Projected growth of 22 percent. Competition is expected to be strong, however.
Pharmacy technician Expected growth of 32 percent. The increased number of middle-aged and elderly people and the growing variety of medications that will be produced by scientific advancements will spur demand for technicians.
HVAC technicians (repair/installation) Job prospects are expected to be excellent, particularly for those who have completed training from an accredited technical school or a formal apprenticeship. Job opportunities should be best in the fastest growing areas of the country. Network and computer systems administrators Expected growth of 27 percent, a much faster rate than the average for all occupations. Computer networks have become an integral part of business, and demand for these workers will increase as firms continue to invest in new technologies. Electrician Very good job opportunities, especially for those with the widest range of skills (voice, data, and video wiring). Job openings will vary by location and specialty and will be best in the fastest growing regions of the country, especially where power plants are being built. Plumber (categorized with pipefitters, steamfitters, and pipelayers by BLS) Job opportunities are expected to be very good. Even when construction activity declines, maintenance, rehabilitation, and replacement of existing piping systems, as well as the increasing installation of fire sprinkler systems, provide many jobs for plumbers. Not quite as hot but definitely worth considering . . . Bookkeeping and accounting clerks Projected growth of 12 percent. Due its size, this occupation will have among the largest numbers of new jobs arise, about 264,000 over the projections decade. Administrative assistant/secretary Secretaries and administrative assistants will have among the largest numbers of new jobs arise, about 362,000 over the 2006-16 period. Additional opportunities will result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or leave this occupation. Human resource assistant Expected growth of 11 percent. Even in economic downturns there is demand for assistants, as human resources departments in all industries try to make their organizations more efficient by downsizing and strategically filling job openings. Property maintenance worker Job opportunities should be excellent, especially for those with experience in maintenance or related fields. General maintenance and repair is a large occupation, generating many job openings due to growth and the need to replace those who leave the occupation.
For current course schedule go to aceclasses.org and use the search tool or index of classes.
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