Feature Article: The Pros and Cons of Non-Traditional Careers: Working in Careers
that Defy Gender Stereotypes
Quintessential Site: Featured Career Web Site of this Issue
The Career Doctor: Answering Your Questions
What's New on Quintessential Careers: Latest Additions
Q TIPS: Quick and Quintessential Tips to Guide Your Job Search
Notes from the Editor: About this Issue...
PLEASE BEAR WITH US! We are closer to solving our technical glitch in which some subscribers
have been receiving more than one copy of QuintZine. Fewer subscribers are getting fewer additional
copies, but as of the last issue, we had not completely licked this problem. We're trying a new
solution with this issue, so please hang in there! And do let us know if you get more than one copy
of this issue.
This is our last regular issue of 2004. Sometime between Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, we will send out our annual
Year End Index with a bonus New Year's article and bonus Career Doctor column.
If you've ever longed to get into a career dominated by the opposite sex, this issue is for you. See our
feature by Dr. Randall Hansen.
For all of our readers celebrating holidays this month, we wish you a lovely season and
hope you will consider a truly original gift that can represent an investment in the
future of a friend or loved one.
See our Holiday Gift Guide.
--Katharine Hansen, Credentialed Career Master, Certified Electronic Career Coach,
and editor at
kathy@quintcareers.com
Feature Article: Non-Traditional Careers
The Pros and Cons of Non-Traditional Careers: Working in Careers that Defy Gender Stereotypes
by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D.
There's sometimes a point in career planning when people are discouraged from following their
dreams because their career choice does not fit in with traditional gender roles. Men are discouraged
from careers in nursing, social work, and teaching while women are discouraged from careers in technology,
science, and security. Men who are interested in "feminine" jobs are teased about their sexuality
and women who are interested in "male" jobs are questioned as to whether they have the brains
or stamina to perform.
Given all these issues, its imperative in career planning that people -- regardless
of their gender -- are allowed to follow their dreams and utilize their interests
and skills. Career planning should not be about gender stereotyping.
And the good news is that research shows that men and women are increasingly moving
into -- and succeeding in -- non-traditional careers. Still, there are quite a few careers
for both men and women that can be listed as non-traditional. Non-traditional careers are
those in which fewer than 25 percent of the workforce is of one gender.
Work4women has all kinds of great information for women looking to venture into jobs in Nontraditional
Occupations (NTOs) in which women comprise less than 25 percent of the total employed.
In one of its helpful User Guides, the site states: "Work4Women offers many strategies and
tools to help women seeking employment to explore career options and
obtain high-wage work in occupations that are considered nontraditional for women."
Sections include:
About NTOs
Training for NTOs
Finding NTO Work
Support and Networks
Cool Jobs for Girls
Resource Clearinghouse
Multimedia Gallery
Many specific Nontraditional Occupations are described, as are
Myths about women in Nontraditional Occupations, and much more.
Get the latest career, college, and job-search news you need!
Have you read the Quint Careers Weblog (Blog)?
It consists of career and job-search news, trends,
and scoops for job-seekers, compiled by the staff
of Quintessential Careers.
The blog is a great way to stay posted on the most
recent events occurring in the career and employment fields.
Greg writes: "I've got a BS in business administration, and while I have worked in business for a number of years,
I have never really enjoyed any of the jobs.
More recently, I have become interested in a career in nursing. One of my best friends is a nurse and
I have seen first-hand how rewarding her job is to her -- something so lacking in mine.
I did well in science classes in college and know that I could do well studying for a nursing certification,
but I worry about how I will be perceived in my field as well as how my family and friends will react.
After doing some serious reflection, I am sure nursing was what I was meant to do. What do you think?"
Anne writes: "I'm a 'mature' woman (57) in the position of looking for a new job. What advice
can you offer me to sell my diverse skills? I have the feeling that while I have management, training,
administrator, executive-assistant, and event-planning skills, I'm 'too old.' My frustration level is very
high right now, as is my depression level. Any advice?"
Anonymous writes: "I am desperate for some assistance!! My former supervisor was recently contacted by one of
two persons who interviewed me. After follow-up with the interviewer, I was told that my former boss was
rude and did not want to answer questions regarding my employment. Needless to say, I did not get this job!
What do I do? I have always given very positive responses to interviewers when asked about my former supervisor and
I've had no reason not to do so until now. Of course, I know not to express anything negative about my former job.
You should know that I worked under her supervision for 5+ years and received outstanding evaluations!"
Bernice writes: "My husband and I live in Ohio now, but we want to relocate back to Florida. We have several
resumes out on the Internet and responded to several [job postings]. Recruiters are telling me to give them a call after we
move down there, but we were hoping we could find a job first, then move. Do you have any suggestions?"
Ad: Could You Benefit from a Professional Resume Writer?
An Assessment for Job-seekers
Are you thinking about engaging the services of a professional writer
for your resume, CV, cover letter, thank-you letter, or other career-marketing
correspondence? Before you take this step, consider how a professional resume writer
could benefit you.
AtlantaRecruiter.com --
where job-seekers searching for jobs in the Atlanta area, can browse jobs by job
category or search job listings (by keyword, job category) -- as well as
post your resume and create a new job listing alert. Free to job-seekers.
Employers Jobs --
an online recruitment portal for the UK that connects employers and job-seekers directly;
recruiters or other employment agencies cannot post job listings. Job-seekers
can browse or search job postings. Registration required. Free to job-seekers.
The Job Box --
where high school and college (and any other) job-seekers seeking seasonal, part-time, hourly,
or entry-level job opportunities can search for jobs (or internships) by keyword,
job category, and location. Also includes career news and other resources. Free to job-seekers.
The Jobble Network --
where contract professionals seeking employment can meet with employers
with contract jobs. Job-seekers can search for job leads (by job type,
location, or keywords) or browse the 3,000+ positions. Registration required.
Free to job-seekers.
Find even more career and job site additions to Quintessential Careers by visiting our
Latest Additions section.
Q TIPS: Quick and Quintessential Career & Job Tips
Innovative ideas can lead to fame and fortune, and more women are choosing to become entrepreneurs
by turning these good ideas into profitable companies. Recent studies have found a 14 percent increase in
the number of women starting new businesses in the last five years.
Learn
more from Business Week.
Women interested in going into business can
get help from the U.S. government's Women-21.gov,
a very useful site for women in entrepreneurship, offering key resources,
targeted information, registration for online programs, and networking opportunities to help women build
an entrepreneurial career.
With the holiday season upon us and many folks seeking seasonal work in retail establishments, a new report
from iLogos is very interesting. Hourly workers are one of the fastest growing segments of the labor force,
iLogos reports, and retailers especially are always in need of new hires.
High turnover rates, organic growth, and ramping up for the holiday selling season all contribute to the
perennial "HELP WANTED" situation of retailers. The mindset of constant hiring is evident. Whether or not
there is a position open immediately, most retail store managers will say, "We are always accepting
applications."
To better understand how applications are being accepted, iLogos examined the methods the Top 100 Retailers in
the United States use to accept applications for a typical hourly position.
The study "We're Always Accepting Applications," while written from the perspective helping retail employers
better leverage technology in recruiting and staffing processes, also provides interesting insight for
those interested in working in retail. The report is available as a
free PDF download.
A short registration form is required.
Career Masters Institute advises job-seekers to always keep an updated resume posted at their
professional or trade association's Web site because recruiting experts frequently
go these sites to find what they consider "passive" candidates and hot talent.
If your school, organization, business or other
entity has a Web site, we welcome you to link to Quintessential Careers.
If you already have a link from your site, we want you to know we
appreciate it. If you don't have a link to us, please
send a request to your site's Webmaster to establish a
link to Quintessential Careers. Thanks so much!
For more details (including sample HTML copy), see our
Link to Us page.
QuintZine: Topics in Upcoming Issues
WATCH FOR feature articles on these topics in upcoming
issues of QuintZine:
* Dining etiquette
* Career Focus Quiz
* Pre-Employment Testing
* Exude Confidence in Interviews
* Quintessential Career Profiles of YOU, our readers
* Q&As with well-known career experts
* Book reviews
. . . and much, much more!
Don't ever want to miss another issue of QuintZine? Get a free subscription to
the email version of QuintZine by completing our
subscription form.
Ad: Quintessential Careers Career Coaching Services
We now offer two types of career-coaching services!
Are you...
feeling stuck in an unsatisfying job?
facing a major change in career or job status?
searching for your ideal career or job?
seeking help in developing a job-search plan?
looking for a solution to job-search obstacles?
desiring to bounce ideas off of a career expert?
trying to discover the keys to career success?
Let Dr. Randall S. Hansen, The Career Doctor, help you work through all your college, career, and job-search concerns,
issues, and problems. He has helped hundreds of teens, college students, and experienced job-seekers identify obstacles, develop
action plans, and achieve success -- and he can help you!
And for an economical online-only career-coaching alternative,
visit The Career Clinic.
Quintessential Careers Advertisements
Quintessential CVs is Your North American Headquarters for CVs
We produce professional quality career marketing correspondence -- Curriculum Vitae (CVs), cover letters,
resumes, and more -- for job-seekers in all industries at all levels from all over the world. Quintessential CVs
is your premier North American source for:
Curriculum Vita (CVs) for Academic jobs: College/university teaching and administrative positions.
CVs for Scientific jobs: Research and all types of science-oriented jobs.
CVs for Medical jobs: Physicians, nurses, and more.
CVs for International jobs: Whether you seek a position in your own country or any other country around the world,
we can prepare an English-language CV for you that conforms to the CV traditions of your target country or countries.
Quintessential Careers also offers writing services
for those who have been asked to give a speech and
need assistance in researching and writing their
remarks.
Need a speaker for your career-oriented conference or
event at your college or organization? The Quintessential
Careers Speakers Bureau can help! Our quintessential experts
can provide presentations/workshops on a variety of
career-related topics.
