How to Prepare for a Performance Review

by Margaret Steen, for Yahoo! HotJobs


Is your performance review just around the corner? There's no need to panic -- but now would be a good time to prepare.

Experts offer these tips for making your review go more smoothly:

* Assess what you already know.
Ideally, you should be checking in regularly with your boss to make sure you're doing what's expected.

"The performance evaluation process should start the day you're hired," said Janet Scarborough Civitelli, founder and president of Bridgeway Career Development. "There should not be any big surprises during the actual review."

Perhaps you're extra diligent when answering customer calls. You may think you're on track for a stellar performance review -- but your boss could be wondering why each call takes you so long. To avoid misunderstandings like this, make sure you know what the goals are for your job and how your boss measures success.

If you haven't been talking to your boss about this, it's not too late. Even in a few weeks, you may be able to improve in some areas if necessary.

* Dust off your previous review.
If you had a review at this company a year ago, it probably contains a list of goals. Ideally, you will have been working on these goals this year.

Often, however, you'll realize something has changed. Perhaps a new boss gave you a new direction, or the project you were supposed to focus on got delayed. Richard Phillips, a career coach and owner of Advantage Career Solutions, recommends making sure you have documentation for changes such as these, in case there's a question at review time.

What if your boss never officially told you that your goals had changed, but instead just kept piling on other work so that you weren't able to start the projects you discussed at your last review? It would have been best to bring this up with your boss when it happened.

If you didn't, however, it's important to frame your actions the right way. "Say at review time, 'I made a strategic decision that this needed more of my attention than that,'" Phillips said. "Don't make it sound like you just forgot or you blew it off."

* Learn how your company works.
At some companies, negative comments on performance reviews are uncommon, so anything that's not glowing is cause for concern. Other companies give every worker areas for improvement.

"You definitely need to know how the process works at your company," Civitelli said. But you need to gather your information in an "emotionally intelligent" way. Don't badger your boss about whether a certain action will get you a 5 instead of a 4 on your review -- it makes you seem more concerned about your evaluation than about helping the company.

* Make your case in writing.
Many times you'll be asked to fill out a self-assessment before your review. If that's not part of your company's process, it's still a good idea to write a summary of your achievements for your boss before the review.

"There's an art to doing that," Civitelli said. "You don't want to be too apologetic, but you also don't want it to appear that you've never thought about anything to improve on."

Phillips suggests that any time you mention a weakness, "say what you are doing about it."

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Be Your Own Boss

5 Ways to Turn Economic Slowdown into Financial Success
by Joe Taylor Jr., VendorSeek.com


If the dreaded "R" word (recession) makes you worried about a pink slip coming your way, you're not alone. While definitely a setback, losing your job may be just the excuse you need to go into business for yourself.

Whether you open a 9-to-5 daycare service, start a Web design company, or sell pajamas out of a spare bedroom, you'll need resources, capital, and a little know-how to get things up and running. Luckily, leading small-business experts agree on five critical steps that new-company owners can follow to help assure success during turbulent financial times.

Step 1: Budget for Bootstrapping

In today's market, commercial loans and business credit cards are harder to find. Instead of splurging on expensive office space and custom furniture, startup experts recommend converting a spare room or a garage into a makeshift workstation. Furniture and equipment leasing offers tax benefits while freeing up personal credit. Sourcing material and labor online can reveal real bargains for startup businesses.

Business Opportunity: Medical Billing and Home Health Care
Completing a medical billing training course can open a floodgate of potential business, depending on the needs of your community. Managing a home health care business requires coordinating the schedules and transit of licensed professionals. Because both kinds of businesses receive substantial federal funding, demand remains strong regardless of the state of financial markets.

Step 2: Get Help With Your Plan

In a recession, it's critical to have a clear path to profit. Business plan writing services can help clarify the vision and the goals of a new company, so it's easier to communicate to investors, lenders, and professionals. Start-up consulting professionals can help you find the right niche and the right service model. Entrepreneurs with their own investment capital may even want to consider purchasing a franchise with an existing, successful business model.

Business Opportunity: Virtual Assistants
VA's perform the same kinds of duties as office-based assistants, except they do it remotely. Some virtual assistants position themselves as "online business managers" by offering extra help with e-commerce, blogs, and e-mail. Clients include executives who have been forced to downsize their in-house teams and other startup business owners who prefer the flexibility of a remote assistant to an in-house support team.

Step 3: Polish Your Web Appearance

You wouldn't attend a client meeting in your favorite sweatpants and rock band T-shirt, would you? The same holds true when marketing your own business. Shoddy Web design can send a prospect to your competitor's doorstep, regardless of your company's quality. Thanks to the Internet, you can find affordable graphic design services that can overhaul everything from business cards to websites.

Business Opportunity: Computer Repair and Consulting
Manufacturers like Dell, HP, and Apple host consultants' networks that help funnel new customers directly to your business. You can complete most basic certification courses in just a few weeks online, or at a regional career training center. Since most customers require only basic help with home networking and printing issues, you can launch a computer consulting business while still completing advanced training courses.

Step 4: Make It Easy for Customers to Pay

During lean times, cash is king. That's why it's essential for your business to accept credit cards. Years ago, companies had to invest significant time, effort, and money into credit card processing and e-commerce solutions. Today's competitive marketplace has brought costs down, while modern point-of-sale (POS) terminals make it easy to submit client cards for payment. Credit card processing eliminates the problems caused by slow-paying clients, while reducing the risk of fraud.

Business Opportunity: Personal Financial Advisors and Debt Counselors
Former bankers and business analysts often find success in these roles by reviewing client balance sheets as if they were businesses in need of a turnaround. Be careful of fly-by-night courses or shady companies that force clients into dubious debt management programs. Fee-based financial advisors earn money while gaining personal satisfaction from having an impact on clients' lives.

Step 5: Polish Your Pitch

According to Silicon Valley marketing expert Guy Kawasaki, refining how you talk about your product or service is even more important than having an original business idea. Start-up consultants and small business coaches can help you practice an "elevator pitch," a 30-second statement that defines the unique qualities of your new company.

Business Opportunity: Freelance Writing and Software Programming
Despite competition from Manila and Bangalore, freelancers who build strong personal relationships and deliver high-quality results can enjoy high project fees. The booming online advertising market and the demand for mobile device applications have created even more opportunities for freelancers to make an impact.

Staying Lean When Good Times Return

You don't need to be rich to start your own business, you just need to be motivated and informed. Many of the most successful companies that launched during recessions remained strong by staying true to their frugal roots. And with the cost of starting a new business at an all-time low, it makes sense to explore new sources of revenue and personal fulfillment.

Joe Taylor Jr. is an internal business consultant for a Fortune 500 company, who writes about finance, culture, and design. He holds a Bachelor of Science incCommunications from Ithaca College.

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Most Promising Places to Start a New Career

by Amelia Gray, FindTheRightSchool


All things being equal, where you live can make a huge difference in what you earn. Whether you're ready to make a move to a new city or you want to choose an education that fits the needs of your hometown, career training can make a big difference to your wallet.

When it comes to marketing your degree, the old axiom for real estate holds true -- it's all about location, location, location. Check out these top degrees available online, matched with some of their best areas nationwide and earnings from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Associate Degree: Medical Assisting

The BLS has medical assistants on its list of fastest-growing careers through 2016, with about 148,000 new jobs expected to enter the field in the coming years. A short, two-year associate degree is considered proper training for this growing health care industry career.

Top Industry: Physicians' offices hire the most medical assistants by far, with mean annual earnings of $28,460 in 2007. However, specialty hospitals paid more, at $31,860.

Top Location: Areas with high levels of retirement communities, such as Arizona and Florida, are expected to see an influx of career opportunities for medical assistants. Look for locations with hospitals, nursing care centers, and physicians' offices.

Bachelor's Degree + Certificate: Teaching

Career training to become a teacher means playing a direct role in the next generation. A bachelor's degree plus teacher certification is the typical path for most teachers, though some school districts require teachers to complete a master's degree within a certain period after hire. Areas of high growth are typically good for teaching occupations.

Top Industry: Secondary school teachers make more than preschool, kindergarten, or elementary school teachers, with mean annual earnings of $52,450. Vocational education teachers at the secondary level aren't far behind.

Top Location: The U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics reports that Nevada, Arizona, Texas, and Georgia will experience the greatest student enrollment increases. Job prospects for teachers are expected to be better in rural and inner city areas than suburban locations.

Certificate: Paralegals and Legal Assistants

Want to work in the legal industry but wary about years of law school education? Career training programs for paralegals and legal assistants put you in law offices and businesses, assisting lawyers as they build cases and protect assets.

Top Industry: Though the vast majority of trained paralegals and legal assistants work in the legal industry and saw mean annual earnings of $46,110 in 2007, those working in the federal government earned $59,180.

Top Location: The District of Columbia is the top-paying employer nationwide for paralegals and legal assistants, with mean annual earnings of $57,450. The tiny district also had the highest concentration of workers in the field in the nation.

Master's Degree: MBA in Finance

The popular MBA takes a technical turn with a finance concentration. Forbes cites finance degrees on its list of most lucrative college majors, noting a salary growth that soars over $84,000 for those with 10 or more years of experience. You may see even more impressive earnings if you're smart about your industry and location.

Top Industry: Personal financial advisors see a lot of success in the legal services industry, where mean annual earnings were $103,990 in 2007.

Top Location: New York has long been known as a financial hub, and for good reason. Financial analysts working in the state saw mean annual earnings of $100,350 in 2007. That same year, personal financial advisors in the state earned $131,660.

Bachelor's Degree: Computer Engineering

This high-tech degree is in high demand -- Forbes calls it the most lucrative college major available, and even graduates with a bachelor's degree and up to five years of experience earn a whopping average salary of $60,500.

Top Industry: Computer engineers break out of the cubicle in scientific research and development services, a top-paying industry for systems software engineers with annual mean earnings of $102,790.

Top Location: California remains the go-to state for IT professionals, with applications engineers earning $95,820. However, systems software engineers in Virginia earned a whopping $101,850 in 2007, making the southern state a six-figure surprise location for computer engineers.

Earnings vary greatly based on experience and education, and your experience may vary, but an education can be the best way to secure employment in these challenging, growing, lucrative fields.

Amelia Gray is a freelance writer in Austin, Texas. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in English Literature from Arizona State University and an MFA from Texas State University.

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10 Highly Profitable Two-Year Degrees

by Michelle Goodman, PayScale.com


Think a bachelor's or master's degree is the only way to advance your career? Think again.

Whether you're looking for a fresh start in a new, more lucrative field or enrolling in college for the first time, a two-year associate's degree from a community college is one of the quickest routes to bringing home more bacon each week.

"Associate's degrees are much cheaper, and the entry requirements are not as onerous as they are for getting into a bachelor's program," says Dr. Laurence Shatkin, author of more than a dozen books for job hunters, including "150 Best Recession-Proof Jobs."

Not only that, associate's degrees are incredibly convenient. Besides being right in your neighborhood, many two-year programs offer part-time, evening, weekend and online classes -- good news for those already holding down a job and caring for a family.

So which two-year degrees offer the most job opportunities and will earn you the most green after graduation? Read on.

1. Physical therapist assistant. While every other job sector slashed their workforce in 2008, the health care field added nearly 400,000 jobs. According to Shatkin, job openings for physical therapist assistants are expected to grow by 33 percent in the next decade, especially as Baby Boomers age and "get a bit more creaky." Most physical therapist assistants either work in a hospital or a physical therapist's office. Average salary: $46,111 a year.

2. Web designer. As long as there are companies, organizations and creative agencies with something to sell or promote, there will be a need for people to design, code, and maintain their websites. Though many Web designers are self-employed, countless others work in staff positions. Average salary: $48,785 a year.

3. Electrical or electronic engineering technician. These technicians comprise a third of all engineering technician jobs. They often work in industrial or commercial plants and laboratories, taking calculations, running tests, modifying equipment and otherwise assisting the engineers on their team. Average salary: $47,163 a year.

4. Registered nurse. If it's a high-growth field you want, you can't beat registered nursing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, RNs are the largest occupation in the health care field, with 2.5 million jobs out there, about 587,000 new jobs expected to open up by 2016, and 59 percent of RNs working in hospitals. Average salary: $55,276 a year.

5. Computer support specialist. Such specialists include the tech support and help desk workers who assist customers and users with problems they're having with their computer hardware and software. Often, computer support specialists can enjoy the luxury of working from home or working flexible hours. Average salary: $46,111 a year.

6. Executive or administrative assistant. In the business sector, there's no shortage of administrative jobs. "You're talking a quarter of a million job openings every year," says Shatkin. And though you may start as the low man or woman on the totem pole, once you're in the door you're in a prime position to prove your worth and climb the ranks. Average salary: $37,669 a year.

7. Dental hygienist. While would-be dental hygienists must obtain a state license on top of their two-year degree, it's well worth the investment: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than half of the country's dental hygienists work part-time and many enjoy flexible work schedules. Even better, this is one of today's fastest growing occupations. Average salary: $57,148 a year.

8. Surveying or mapping technician. Although the construction industry took some big employment hits in 2008, if all the infrastructure work President-Elect Obama has promised comes through, there will be a huge need for surveying and mapping technicians. Such technicians do much of their work in the field (a boon for those who don't want to sit in an office all day), collecting data, taking calculations, and assisting with computer-aided drafting. Average salary: $42,104 a year.

9. Veterinary technician. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects this field to grow significantly during the next decade. Vet technicians often work in a private veterinary practice (zoo and aquarium work is harder to come by), performing lab tests and clinical procedures. Vet techs must pass a state exam and the salaries aren't as high as the other jobs on this list, but for those who want to help animals, the trade-offs are well worth it. Average salary: $33,363 a year.

10. Camera operator. While competition to break into TV broadcasting and film can be stiff, the continued rise of Web content means more opportunities for camera operators. Television and film work often involve long or unusual hours. For that reason, many camera operators gravitate toward commercial advertising or corporate videos. The more computer skills a camera operator has, the better their job prospects. Average salary: $42,558 a year.

Source: All salary data is from PayScale.com. The salaries listed are median, annual salaries for experienced, full-time workers and include any bonuses, commissions or profit sharing.

Michelle Goodman is a Seattle-based freelance writer. Her latest book is "My So-Called Freelance Life: How to Survive and Thrive as a Creative Professional for Hire" (Seal Press, 2008).

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5 Ways to Avoid Overeating at Work

by Caroline M.L. Potter, Yahoo! HotJobs


'Tis the season ... to ruin your diet! December holds three special holidays -- Chanukah, Christmas, and Kwanza, and with each comes a host of opportunities to expand your waistline, add a second chin to your profile, and sap your energy levels. While it's tough to limit celebrations outside of the office without offending family and friends, you can minimize the temptations that lurk in and around your workplace.

1. Steer Clear of Store-Bought Treats

Your coworkers or supervisor may think they're being nice by bringing in yummy surprises from a local market, but most of these are pretty naughty in terms of your diet. Says career and workplace expert Deborah Brown-Volkman, "Cookies, donuts, candy, and other tasty treats might feel good in the moment, (especially when they are all around you), but you will end up feeling worse later in the day." She urges workers to just say no when it comes to these types of foods in order to safeguard against a dip in energy later in the day.

2. Just a Bite to Be Polite

Homemade foods are almost always healthier than their factory-made counterparts. If a coworker takes the time to make a special holiday dish to share specifically with you and the rest of your team, it may be best to take just a small bite to avoid hurt feelings -- but be sure to keep it at one bite. If you're on a strict diet and must abstain, share that with the well-meaning cook. Also, don't be afraid to ask what ingredients any dish contains. Many people suffer from nut, dairy, and wheat allergies. Do not jeopardize your health in the name of goodwill.

3. Plan and Pack Your Meals

The holidays can put people in a partying mood all the time. Invitations to lunches and dinners become more frequent. If you know that you cannot control your eating during these casual outings, avoid them by bringing your breakfast, lunch, and snacks with you to the office. Planning and preparing your own meals not only saves you money; it will usually save you calories as well. If you have a client or office celebration that you must attend, pack an extra healthy snack to eat beforehand to lessen the likelihood that you will over-indulge. States Brown-Volkman, proprietor of surpassyourdreams.com, "Make better food choices, one meal at a time. Small changes can have a big impact on how you feel."

4. Get Moving

The New York-based career coach also recommends making an extra effort to be active during December. "Getting active doesn't always mean having to go to the gym. You can take a walk at lunch. You can take the stairs or stretch at your desk," Brown-Volkman advises. "As long as you are moving, you'll feel better." She reminds office workers that moving around in any capacity can reduce stress. "Get up from your desk and walk around. Visit a coworker. Go outside and get some sun." Any physical activity is a better way to keep stress at bay than eating unhealthy holiday treats.

5. Create New Ways to Celebrate

Trish Balbert, a certified holistic health counselor based in Manhattan, says, "Every day is chock full of reasons to rejoice in life and there are so many ways to honor these moments. Too often, food or drink is presented as the only option." She recommends creating your own ritual or way to have fun while celebrating an event. "Get your creative juices flowing and come up with your own ways to mark the wonderful moments of life."

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7 Thriving Business Careers, No MBA Needed

by Romy LeClaire Loran, FindTheRightSchool.com


With an expected 2.2 million job openings by 2014, the business world may want you. And you don't necessarily need a business degree to be a part of this growing field. The good analytical skills and creativity found in liberal arts and science degrees can transfer into the marketable skills you can use in business.

These seven hot jobs in business may be able to transform your non-business degree into a valuable asset in the business world. Want more great news? You can take many of the classes online.

Health Care Manager
If you love the idea of working in the medical field while being in charge, train to become a health care manager. Health care managers coordinate and supervise offices, departments, or entire facilities. A bachelor's degree in health sciences or a nursing degree with an emphasis in administration can get you started. Best yet, health care managers made an average annual salary of $84,980 in 2007, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Human Resource Manager
Human resource managers act as a liaison between management and employees. They often recruit and hire new employees, as well as work with employees and managers in order to increase productivity and boost morale. Although some human resource managers earned a bachelor's degree in business, others hold a liberal arts degree. Online classes in social sciences and behavioral sciences as well as business can help you succeed in this well-paying career. Human resource managers made an average annual salary of $99,810 in 2007, according to the BLS.

Information Systems Manager
Apply your interest in computers and become an information systems manager. Information systems managers work with a company's business plan and research how technology and information systems might meet those needs and then implement that technology. An associate's or bachelor's degree in information technology or management information systems can get your foot in the door. According to the BLS, information systems managers made an annual average salary of $113,880 in 2007.

Occupational Health and Safety Specialist
Occupational health and safety specialists look out for the welfare of the public, the environment, and employees as they test and monitor the quality of air, water, and soil. You may find yourself working in an office, factory, or mine as you also conduct inspections and enforce laws and regulations. You need a bachelor's degree in a field like chemistry, biology, engineering, or occupational health to join this field. These professionals made an average annual salary of $61,310 in 2007, according to the BLS.

Public Relations Specialist
The need for public relations specialists is expected to grow 18 percent within the next eight years. If you are interested in a bachelor's degree in communication studies, why not then take your enthusiasm and those hard won communication skills and become a public relations specialist. You work may include drafting press releases and working with the media, government, and community. According to the BLS, public relations specialists made an average annual salary of $57,100 in 2007.

Web Site Designer
If you want to combine your creative edge with computer skills, become a Web site designer, where you will work with computer software in order to design Web pages. Graphic design software can help you create the look you want for your clients. An associate's degree in graphic design or a bachelor's of fine arts degree with an emphasis in graphic design can give you the online career training you need for this creative endeavor. Web designers with between five and nine years of experience made an average of $47,342 in 2008, according to PayScale, Inc.

Entrepreneur
If you have fantasies of running your own business one day, study what you enjoy most by earning an online degree that can provide you with much-needed career training. A bachelor's degree in English, for example, may be the perfect fit for a bookstore owner. Love the great outdoors and have a sense of adventure? Open a gear shop or provide adventure tours after receiving an associate's degree in natural science. Although small business owners' salaries vary greatly, entrepreneurs with one to four years of experience made an average annual wage of $57,086 in 2008, according to PayScale, Inc.

Whatever your dreams, the business world needs people who enjoy their jobs and want to do them well. Many online bachelor's and associate's degree programs encourage you to explore new topics while you test hypothesis and question previously held beliefs -- all while learning new skills. Expand your world with an online associate's or bachelor's degree, and expand your job opportunities.


Romy LeClaire Loran is a writer, poet, and educator. She has a graduate degree in education with an emphasis in Hispanic studies as well as an MFA in creative writing, poetry, from The University of Montana-Missoula.

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8 Hot Jobs for College Grads

by Romy Loran, FindTheRightSchool.com


If you are like many college graduates entering the workforce, you may be wondering how you are going to ever pay those student loans. In a fluctuating job market, wanting some financial stability makes sense.

Here are the eight top jobs for graduates with an associate's or bachelor's degree, based on recent job predictions for the next eight years.

Network Systems Analyst
All companies with email, Internet, or intranet use networking systems and need individuals who can design and run them. An online bachelor's degree in computer science, information science, or management information systems can give you the career training you need for this fast growing, high-paying career, which, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics or BLS, paid an annual wage of $70,760 on average in 2007.

Financial Analyst or Advisor
In large businesses, financial analysts research companies and make buy/sell decisions, while financial advisors help individuals make their financial investment decisions. Online coursework and a bachelor's degree in finance or business administration can prepare you for this quickly growing, well-paid position. Financial specialists made an annual salary of $61,760 on average in 2007.

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
If animals are some of your best friends, consider becoming a veterinary technologist or technician. With an associate's degree in veterinary science, you can work with animals, perform medical and laboratory tests, and give vaccines. Veterinary technologists and technician jobs paid an average yearly salary of $28,920 in 2007. The expected growth rate for this career is 41 percent over the next eight years, according to the BLS.

Counselors
A growing need for counselors in the areas of substance abuse, mental health, and marriage and family make this well-paying career enticing. Good interpersonal and listening skills are a must. Depending on your state's licensing requirements, a bachelor's or master's degree and career training in counseling is needed. In 2007, counselors, clinicians, and school psychologists made an average salary of $68,150 annually.

Physical Therapist Assistants
Physical therapist assistants work closely with physical therapists and their patients, helping patients improve mobility and strength. To become a physical therapist assistant, you need an associate's degree in an accredited physical therapist assistant program. This rapidly growing profession paid an average annual wage of $24,080 in 2007.

Forensic Science Technicians
If you are drawn to solving crimes along with the CSI team and want to outsmart the bad guys in real life, consider becoming a forensic science technician where you can specialize in DNA analysis or firearms. A bachelor's degree in science can prepare you for this profession, although some programs offer more specialized career training. The need for forensic scientists is expected to grow 30.7 percent within the next eight years. Forensic science technicians made an average annual wage of $50,310 in 2007.

Teachers
If you enjoy working with children and want to help them reach their potential, teaching may be for you. Elementary teachers receive career training in core subjects. Secondary teachers may specialize in one or two subjects. A bachelor's degree in education or a degree in the subjects to be taught with an education emphasis is usually necessary for these careers, which paid $50,040 annually for elementary teachers and $52,510 on average for secondary teachers in 2007.

Accountants
Accountants help companies, businesses, and individuals keep their financial records in order, pay taxes, and offer budget analysis. This faster-than-average growing profession requires a bachelor's degree in accounting, where you will focus on math skills, tax law, and business. Becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) can also advance your career. In 2007 accountants made an average wage of $63,180.

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Relocation Do's and Don'ts

by Larry Buhl, for Yahoo! HotJobs


In a tight market, many job hunters cast their nets wider to include not only a variety of industries, but other cities and states as well.

If you're considering searching for a job in another market, remember that it takes even more research. And you'll need to consider several variables that might not have occurred to you, experts say.

Do:

* Research companies. Just as you would in your own city, target specific companies you'd like to work for. Research the target companies and hiring managers, and network into the company using multiple contacts.

* Research the area. Is climate important to you? Do you prefer the throb of nightclubs or the drone of crickets? Can you afford to live in Manhattan, for example, on the salary you're likely to command?

* Set up a reconnaissance trip. Schedule face-to-face meetings with all the people you've been networking with via phone, email, and the Internet. And let them know you're interviewing at several companies in the area -- it will let them know you're serious about relocating, says Susan Whitcomb, author of "Job Search Magic" and president of Career Coach Academy.

* Assure employers. Hiring managers expect you to provide good reason for moving to the area. Having family in this area, wanting a simpler lifestyle away from the commute of the city, or desiring a better climate are all logical reasons for moving. "I'll move anyplace I can find job" will not reassure employers.

* Learn where the jobs are. "If you're a scientist, it makes sense to look at hubs that are booming for biotech, such as Florida and California, Boston and North Carolina," John Heins, chief HR officer for Spherion Corp., tells Yahoo! HotJobs. Heins added that it's important to look at the overall job market, too: If you move across the country and get laid off six months later, consider chances you'll find a similar job -- or any job -- quickly, he said.

Don't:

* Fish. If you paper the country with your resume, it will be pretty clear that you're fishing and will make you look scattered. Stick to the proven strategy of targeting companies within one industry first, and make your pitch and your reasons for relocating as specific as possible.

* Expect a company to move you. Unless your expertise is in strong demand, employers aren't paying for relocation expenses anymore. Have enough -- or more than enough -- money for the move. That means truck rentals, security deposits, transportation costs, and at least several months of cash to cover your rent or mortgage on your current home.

* Ignore your family and/or significant other. Will you be able to find good schools in the new location? If your spouse wants to continue her marine biology career, how likely is it she'll be able to do it in Kansas?

* Forget the follow-up. After your reconnaissance trip meetings, send out thank-you notes within 24 hours, then touch base within 7-10 days, or the appropriate amount of time agreed on in your meeting with the contact.

And don't forget to go beyond mere statistics when investigating a new area, recommends Whitcomb. "There's nothing like a drive through the neighborhood during the day and night to get an accurate feel for a city and its neighborhoods," she says.

If you're considering relocating within your current company, most of the do's and don'ts still apply, according to Heins. "However, you have to look at the politics of your company and consider whether relocating for a job would give you a career boost, or even save your career if your current job is going away," Heins says.

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