Your Career

[north star]

: - : - : - :

"And I was the one that turned it, let's get this one back where it started, there is anotherthread that is ongoing about Daddy-O that we all can track and comment on.......Sorry I derailed

this one."

"Ok, I will try and get us back on topic.........Who is considering becoming a CASp? andwhat are your biggest concerns if you become one?.......I am unsure of the liability and that

scares me."

fatboy,

No apologies needed !......We have a Forum family member who is in need,

and IMO, ...our prayers & resources should be directed to assist him and

his family in any way we can, ...not out of some type of obligation, but

rather because, ...he IS family ! :agree

JPohling,

I have obtained some info regarding the CASp testing & certification,

and would like to add the certification to my others......My biggest hurdle

is the funding to obtain it.

NEXT QUESTION:

Regardless of where you are in career, ...how many of you have or keep

an updated resume ?

: - : - : - :

 

[north star]

= = =

"What is a CASp?"

A California Accessibility Specialist..........FWIW, this certification

is more stringent than the ICC [ version ] of an Accessibility

certification.

= = =

 

[mtlogcabin]

Never have kept an "updated" resume. My "goal" is to become an MCP. Commercial electrical will be my biggest hurdle and is all I need on the core side and 3 more points on the elective side will do it. I haven't worked towards that in the last 18 months so I need to get motivated again.

 

[Alias]

= = =

A California Accessibility Specialist..........FWIW, this certification

is more stringent than the ICC [ version ] of an Accessibility

certification.

= = =

And costly. Last time I checked, about $1600 for the cert.

State of CA passed a law requiring every building department in the state to have a ratio of 1 CASp to every 2 building department personnel. A very large challenge for me as I am party of 1 and a budget of $800 for training/certs/etc.

Sue, the lawbreaker......:cowboy

 

[north star]

: - : - :

REVISED NEXT QUESTION:

In your opinion, ...regardless of where you are at in your position

of employment, ...should you have or keep an updated resume ?

I am seeking the input from everyone, including the lurkers and

non-regular posters.......Your opinions DO matter !

: - : - :

 

[fatboy]

As long as I don't leave this job, my resume has been update for the last 6 years or so!

 

[ICE]

I don't know but I've been told.......the CASp test is brutal.......Certified CASp inspectors are charging $2500.00 per.......there's less than 400 statewide........they all drive Porsches.

 

[ewenme]

The resume should be something you look at every year, at a minimum. What have you done in the past year that would enhance your resume? Nothing? Great things? Be more critical of your resume as time goes on: have you done extra-curricular, unpaid, community-oriented, volunteer things that show the type of person you are? Put them on your resume. You must place value on the things you do when you are working your butt off to make a living. I'm not just my job; I have a life too. Sometimes the things you don't get paid for have a great impact on how your resume is viewed [this from a former HR Director]. When I look at resumes, I can read through the BS and get a sense of the person by what they include or exclude from the resume. Besides, it's easier to edit what you have on a regular basis than it is to put a new resume together on short notice.

Retirement from one job may not be the end of your 'career.' In a quiet moment, sit down and contemplate where you think you want to go/be. Are you moving in that direction? Are you struggling to answer why you are on the path you find yourself on? Each individual has a multitude of choices and we are each the sum of our choices. We can make different choices, after weighing all the factors and advantages. There really are no disadvantages when making a choice between two paths: a disadvantage for one path would be an advantage for the other path. If you only look at the advantages then you make a choice/decision based on positives. That in itself puts you on the higher path. Take the high road and you'll never see disappointment. Not that you might not struggle at some point, but the struggle might be worth the work it takes to get through.

Can we ask for a "Career Philosophy" topic?

Carol

 

[north star]

: = = :

"Can we ask for a "Career Philosophy" topic?"

Yes, ...absolutely Carol !......Might I suggest that you start aseparate topic and offer it up for discussion.

Selfishly I must admit, but I would like to have / create

a whole separate category just for Career related topics

& discussion......I know that when I first started out as an

inspector [ in the last ice age ], ...I wish I had had a place

to go and ask questions........My hope is that this "new"

category will further enhance this Forum and encourage

people to visit, engage and join as a Sawhorsie!.....A "new"

category won't be created unless you contact Jeff and

provide him with your feedback.

We are all on a journey of learning, and this Forum

GREATLY assists me along the way !

Again, ...if you have any type of opinion one way or the

other, ...please contact Jeff with your thoughts !

: = = :

 

[Big Willie]

This topic is timely! I have a couple of questions.

I am considering Greener Pastures and would like to know, "Is it courteous, proper, or other to let your

current employer know that you are looking", or would you look, possibly interview, without letting your

current employer know? Also, would you want a possible new employer to contact your current employer?

Sometimes this question is on the employment application.

 

[Uncle Bob]

I'm the last person you want to emulate when it comes to job security; mostly because it's way down on my list of things I worry about. Most of you have families and keeping the job is extremely important, especially nowadays. At 69, I wouldn't hesitate to walk out tomorrow if I was told I have to compromise code compliance. I've been on this job for near a year; and am having extraordinary success at getting code compliance (this one is a miracle). Given that, I suggest everyone take a night course on job interviewing (most college human resource departments give the course and it's usually free) at your local community college; at least once every few years (even if you are happy with your job). They will help you keep from stumbling with new interview questions; and with your resume. I taught such a course a few years ago with the help of the college HR department and the results were amazing. Knowing how to interview in todays world is as important as being good at what you do or having a truck load of certs. I too agree that having a separate topic on careers would be a great idea. Uncle Bob

 

[tmurray]

This topic is timely! I have a couple of questions.I am considering Greener Pastures and would like to know, "Is it courteous, proper, or other to let your

current employer know that you are looking", or would you look, possibly interview, without letting your

current employer know? Also, would you want a possible new employer to contact your current employer?

Sometimes this question is on the employment application.

I wouldn't tell my current employer I was looking until final selection stages. Also, I would ask that the possible new employer to wait and contact the current employer until the final selection stages and after I have told them I was looking for other employment. If you explain all this in the interview they should be fine with it, and if they aren't this might not be a good place to work.

 

[fireguy]

This topic is timely! I have a couple of questions.I am considering Greener Pastures and would like to know, "Is it courteous, proper, or other to let your

current employer know that you are looking", or would you look, possibly interview, without letting your

current employer know? Also, would you want a possible new employer to contact your current employer?

Sometimes this question is on the employment application.

If I know you are looking, I will also be looking. You are concentrating on one person, yourself. I am responsible for myself, my customers and my other employees. You got outvoted.

 

[mtlogcabin]

This topic is timely! I have a couple of questions.I am considering Greener Pastures and would like to know, "Is it courteous, proper, or other to let your

current employer know that you are looking", or would you look, possibly interview, without letting your

current employer know? Also, would you want a possible new employer to contact your current employer?

Sometimes this question is on the employment application.

I have no problem with an employee seeking "greener pastures" and would be more then willing to help them in the process. Some I would be willing because I would love to see them leave and the others because they are good employees and are seeking to advance their careers or provide a better life for them and/or their families. Who can fault someone for that. "Greener Pastures" are different for different people, some it is money, others it is a better place to raise a family or be closer to extended families, As a BO do I like to advertise, interview and then train a new person? Not really but change is good and an opportunity for an organization re-evaluate how we operate and give the remaining employees an opportunity for advancement or maybe just a lateral change in job duties which may be needed to ***** morale and eliminate complacency.

 

[fatboy]

I agree............... :agree

 

[Frank]

: - : - :REVISED NEXT QUESTION:

In your opinion, ...regardless of where you are at in your position

of employment, ...should you have or keep an updated resume ?

I am seeking the input from everyone, including the lurkers and

non-regular posters.......Your opinions DO matter !

: - : - :

One should always keep an updated resume. It is useful for applying for various committee slots, boards, and other things. And you never know when an opportunity may arise or you find yourself on the street due to budget cuts or other unforseen circumstances.

 

[north star]

: - :

Next Round Of Questions:

Should your employer being paying for your certifications,

...testing, ...renewals, ...CEU's ?......If not, should they

be paying for a portion of these expenses ?.......If they

are not paying for any of them, ...what would you do,

or what would recommend doing ?



: - :

 

[steveray]

Yes....unfortunately the state has some OK free classes (through a program that we pay for out of our permit fees) so we don't get to go to any big national stuff....keeps up the certs, but not usually the highest caliber....I get more education here...

 

[Uncle Bob]

: - :Next Round Of Questions:

Should your employer being paying for your certifications,

...testing, ...renewals, ...CEU's ?......If not, should they

be paying for a portion of these expenses ?.......If they

are not paying for any of them, ...what would you do,

or what would recommend doing ?



: - :

I've always paid for my own training, certs, and licenses. I've spent tens of thousands and it's worth it to me. They are mine! However many municipalities will pay for training; and some will not.

 

[ewenme]

In the beginning, I paid for my own certs/tests and I considered it a good investment in myself. My current and previous employers have paid for new cert/testing, and also for the classes to earn CEUs to retain the certs. An employer who invests in the professional development of its employees has the right thinking behind it. If you are willing to invest in your own advancement/development as a professional, your employer will appreciate you, and if that employer is willing to fund your professional development, you have a really good position! Keep learning and you'll always have a job.

 

[fatboy]

I've been lucky in that my employer has always paid for training, cert tests, renewals. It is to their advantage that I have the skills and qualifications. We do not however get additional pay for obtaining additional certs.

 

[mtlogcabin]

Same here except we do get additional pay for obtaining related certs. It took over one year of fighting the union to get it approved in the contract.

 

[Keystone]

Should your employer pay for Cert's, CEU's, etc.... NO... IMO, even though employers may deduct several thousand dollars worth of training per year per employee I feel it is the responsibility of the employee to complete and or maintain his/her education.

I have been fortunate enough to work with employers who will pay for it but the only way I utilize that offering is if they want something that is not in my plan or order of completion.

 

[Little_Guy]

I take the training and the pay for the certifications when covered by my jurisdiction, I look at it as part of my compensation package. I don't have long range disability except for worker comp so this is one of the little things that help make up for it. Working for the jurisdiction use to be until retirement but with the economy so screwed up now days you need to keep up with the changes and be ready to change horses in mid stream, I cruise the help wanted section on the forum, helps me keep up with what to look for and see what the pay out there is doing, It helps me see who is requiring a degree to hang a stop work and who is not.