How to Improve Your CV and Resume Writing Format

How to Improve Your CV and Resume Writing FormatIf you're looking for a job, or if you want to improve your chances of getting a job, you might consider improving your CV and resume writing format. These two documents are one of the most important documents that you will have to show employers, so make sure you do them right.Wrong style will just end up losing you that job. There's no point in wasting time and effort on something that you don't believe you'll be able to do. So it's a good idea to go with a good CV and resume writing format, which will help you get the job you've always wanted.There are many different forms of format, but the simplest is a chronological format. This means that the information you include should be from the most recent jobs you've had, rather than from where you graduated from university. You may want to include the job title and your current position if you can, but generally this form is the least important.There are many other online resources that you can use to write your CV and resume. The most important thing is to write them according to the advice of a professional writer. For example, to improve your chances of getting a job with the right kind of skills, you should learn how to use resume writing software such as Resume Writer.Another good online resource is EzineArticles.com. The key to getting the job you want is to make sure you land it through being the best qualified candidate for the job you are applying for. When you submit your resume to several companies, there is a good chance that you may be rejected, and if this happens, you will be missing out on a great opportunity.There are many online resources that are not as easy to use, but they are essential to writing an impressive CVand resume. You must know exactly what you are going to coverwhat you will highlight, and how you are going to outline your experiences. Try and write each section of your CV or resume in a particular way to avoid any type of inconsist ency.You'll need to ask an expert in this field to help you improve your CV and resume writing format, but with the simple tips outlined above, you should find that it gets done with ease. It's an important step in your career to ensure that you land a job that is the perfect fit for you and to ensure that you are able to increase your chances of landing the job that you have always wanted.

Wasting Your Paycheck

Wasting Your Paycheck Getting your paycheck is always exciting, but seeing it disappear right before your eyes is downright heartbreaking. “I never blow my paycheck on big-ticket items, like designer bags or flat-screen TVs,” you say. That might be true. But it’s also true that you might be slowly burning through your paycheck every day without even knowing it. To identify how you might be wasting your hard-earned money â€" and how you can save more money â€" read up on these 40 common ways people blow their paychecks 1. Paying Too Much on Housing Since housing is likely your biggest monthly expense, this is where you can really make or break your budget. Personal finance experts recommend spending no more than 30% of your income on housing. You can spend even less and save more by getting a roommate or moving to a different neighborhood or a city where it’s easier to save money. 2. Spending Too Much on Car Costs Aside from housing, transportation is likely your next biggest expense. Buy a reliable and affordable used car, try to live close to where you work, and consider taking public transportation to cut down on gas and maintenance costs. 3. Wasting Energy Utilities can eat up about 7% of the average U.S. household’s budget, reports Lifehacker. You can lower that number by conducting an energy audit on your house to find energy leaks such as old windows or water heaters. Even renters can improve their energy efficiency by using insulating curtains and unplugging appliances. Every little bit counts. 4. Buying Movie Theater Popcorn Movie theaters don’t actually make the bulk of their profits from movie ticket sales â€" concession sales are the real moneymakers, reports Yahoo Movies. So eat before you head to a show. Or if you’re a little more daring, sneak in your own snacks. 5. Not Planning Meals Ahead of Time Keep your grocery budget under control by planning out your meals and shopping accordingly. One of my favorite meal-planning apps comes from Food.com. It combines meal planning and money saving all in one app. 6. Grocery Shopping Without a List Maintain a running list of what you need to pick up at the grocery store to avoid making any unnecessary purchases. You’ll know exactly what needs replacing, and you won’t have to do any guesswork. 7. Buying Coffee America’s love affair with coffee shows no signs of slowing down. ABC News reports that the average American worker spends $1,100 a year, or $14.40 a week, on coffee. Break this habit, learn how to make your favorite coffee drink at home, and watch your savings soar. 8. Carrying Credit Card Debt Credit card debt is one of the most expensive types of debt you can carry. Those minimum payments might seem low now, but they can cost you hundreds to thousands of dollars in interest. If you have credit card debt, make a debt reduction plan. For example, try transferring your balance to a low-interest credit card, and commit to paying it off for good. 9. Paying for Cable Now is a great time to cut the cable cord. There are plenty of online streaming services, like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon, which cost a fraction of the standard cable service price. To save even more money, share a Netflix or Hulu account instead of getting an individual account for each streaming service. 10. Buying Brand-Name Products Consumers find comfort in using brands they know and love, but oftentimes generic brands work just as well as their brand-name counterparts. Step away from brand names, and try a few generics. For example, you can save money by buying store-brand medications and Kroger breakfast cereal. 11. Running the Thermostat All Year There’s no reason to keep your thermostat running at the same temperature all year long. Ideally, you’d only turn it up a few degrees in the summer and down a few degrees in the winter. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, turning your thermostat back 10 degrees to 15 degrees for eight hours during the day can save you 5% to 15% a year on your heating bill. 12. Ignoring Your Phone Bill Check your phone bill to make sure you’re not getting charged for services you don’t use. You might be paying for things such as unlimited data, texting and other features you don’t really need. 13. Drinking Bottled Water In 2013, Business Insider reported U.S. consumers were spending on average $1.22 per gallon on bottled water, which was 300 times the cost of tap water (though the number could be even higher). If you’re still drinking bottled water every day, consider buying a water filter to save money. 14. Using Regular Light Bulbs Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) might not be the most flattering bulbs out there, but light-emitting diode (LED) light bulbs are surprisingly beautiful. They are also incredibly energy-efficient. There are some upfront costs, but LEDs tend to last longer than traditional light bulbs, which can help you save money in the long run. 15. Smoking Cigarettes This little habit can cost you big bucks. Depending on how much you smoke, quitting cigarettes can save you more than thousands of dollars a year â€" just think of what you can do with all that extra cash. 16. Buying Lunch at Work You’ve heard it before, but buying lunch at work is a huge waste of money. Buddy up with your co-workers, and try “brown bagging” it at work. You can end up saving a good chunk of cash. 17. Eating Out for Dinner Having dinner at a restaurant is a great luxury, but it can wreak havoc on your finances. Be mindful about how often you eat out. Even something as simple as eating dinner earlier in the evening can help you eat less and save more. 18. Ordering Appetizers Restaurant portions are huge, so why order an appetizer when the entrée is already going to be more than enough? Eat a light snack about an hour before you eat out, which can help you resist the urge to order a starter. 19. Using Out-of-Network ATMs When you use an ATM that is outside of your network, your bank and the ATM might charge you a fee. Find a bank that has plenty of ATMs in the places you frequent or a wide network of partners. 20. Requesting Faster Shipping It’s hard waiting for your online purchases to arrive, but paying extra for expedited shipping is a waste of money. Patience is a virtue, but if you really just want everything now, sign up for a service such as Amazon Prime, which includes free two-day shipping on most items. Read More: 25 Ways to Save Money on Amazon 21. Withdrawing Too Much Money at the ATM Overdraft fees cost customers $225 a year, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Track your finances daily, or consider switching to a bank that doesn’t have any overdraft fees at all. (Yes, they do exist.) 22. Paying Unnecessary Bank Fees Banks are desperate to get new customers in their doors. Shop around, and compare the offerings â€" you’ll likely find better and cheaper banking services somewhere else. 23. Collecting Stuff You Don’t Need Does your baseball card, comic book or “Star Wars” collection add value to your life, or would you find greater value in cashing out? Even just trimming down a valuable collection can reduce clutter and give your bank account a boost. 24. Spending More Money on Snacks According to The Huffington Post, Nielsen data showed Americans spend more on snacks such as protein bars, chips and beef jerky than they do on real food. If you plan your meals and shop with a grocery list, then you won’t need to fill up on unhealthy and expensive snack foods. 25. Signing Up for a Gym Membership Once January hits, many of the treadmills at the gym are usually occupied, and the Zumba classes are bumping. But just a few months later, the place looks like a ghost town â€" what a waste of money. Skip the pricey gym membership, and try joining an exercise club. Or, download a cheap fitness app to get in shape. 26. Throwing Your Child a Huge Birthday Party Your child will forgive you for not throwing them an expensive birthday bash. Many children don’t need a lavish, over-the-top birthday party. But if you’re strapped for cash and still want to plan an unforgettable birthday party for your kids, research creative DIY tips on how to build a cake, make party favors and more. 27. Shopping Impulsively If you’re considering making an impulse buy, wait 30 days and ask yourself if you still want or need that item. You might even forget about the item completely, which pretty much answers the question for you. 28. Buying Books Paper books are definitely something to be cherished, but if you burn through books faster than a California wildfire, consider using a service such as PaperBackSwap.com to cut down on the costs. You’ll get to swap your collection with others online and get new titles mailed to you for free. You’ll just have to pay for postage for the books you send out. 29. Driving With a Dirty Air Filter Did you know that driving around with a dirty air filter can reduce your gas mileage by 7% after 5,000 miles, which can cost you at least $100 a year? That’s according to TheSimpleDollar.com, and it’s recommended that you look at your car’s manual to learn how to clean the air filter yourself. Read More: 10 Reasons You’re Still Living Paycheck to Paycheck 30. Buying New Instead of Used Thanks to the internet, you can find pretty much anything you need in good, used condition at a fraction of the price. Not everything should be purchased used, but pricey items â€" such as sporting equipment and furniture â€" are great used buys. 31. Skipping Breakfast Eating breakfast gets your day started on the right foot and can keep you from buying a huge, expensive lunch. Try cheap breakfast foods, like oatmeal or eggs, which will likely keep your stomach (and wallet!) full. 32. Paying Multiple Student Loans Interest rates are still relatively low, so it could be a good time to consolidate your student loans. By consolidating, you might even be able to lower your monthly payments and extend your repayment period. 33. Ignoring Your Credit Reports A good credit score can help you save money on everything from personal loans to a mortgage. Use a credit monitoring service to keep an eye on your score, and work toward building your credit. 34. Not Using Your Benefits Package Some employers offer awesome benefits, like discounts on car insurance, free tickets to events, education reimbursement or personal improvement seminars. You work hard, so make sure you’re reaping all the benefits you are entitled to. 35. Driving Around With Flat Tires You could improve your gas mileage by up to 3.3% by putting air in your tires, according to U.S. Department of Energy. It’s advised that you read your car’s manual to find the recommended PSI and fill up your tires at your local gas station. The attendant can usually help if you need assistance. 36. Manually Paying Your Bills A big piece of money-saving advice that many people don’t follow is automating your finances. Put your bills on autopilot to avoid any late fees or dings on your credit report. 37. Hitting the Bars According to NPR, out of every $100 American consumers spend, about $1 of that goes to alcohol. Most of that money is spent at bars and restaurants, but the number could be far less if you host happy hour at your house instead. 38. Throwing Out Leftovers In 2012, Americans threw out 35 million tons of food, which was nearly three times more than what they discarded in 1960, reports The Washington Post. Keep your food waste to a minimum by just eating your leftovers. Or better yet, bring them to work for lunch the next day. 39. Buying Basic Items at the Grocery Store Many warehouse clubs will give you the best bang for your buck on staples such as toilet paper, trash bags, laundry detergent and diapers. Bulk items usually offer better prices per unit â€" you’ll just have to figure where to store 140 rolls of paper towels. 40. Paying Too Much for Auto Insurance Auto insurance companies are constantly offering new ways to save on coverage, so do an annual audit of your policy and shop around for better rates. Just like that GEICO commercial always says, “15 minutes could save you 15% or more on car insurance.” This article originally appeared on GoBankingRates.

3 Questions College Graduates Should Ask In An Interview - Work It Daily

3 Questions College Graduates Should Ask In An Interview - Work It Daily Winter 2014 brought us extreme weather conditions, a busy hiring season, and some really bad interviews from soon to be college graduates. I don’t blame college students entirely for their bad interview behaviors (though some seemed to lack common sense, which is not something that can be taught), but more so that students are getting bad advice on how to prepare themselves for an interview and what questions to ask or not ask. Related: 5 Things To Ask In A Job Interview I will do my best to offer good, useful advice for graduates interviewing for their first “real job” out of college. First of all, before you get to the interview, do your research. The interview is not the time to ask, “What does the company do?” You should have Googled that before the interview. Clarification in specific areas is fine, but you should have some idea as to what the company does before the interview. Showing up ill prepared is not the first impression you want to make with a potential employer. Here are three questions that an upcoming or recent college graduate should ask during an interview. 1. What kind of management style would I be operating under? Do you prefer to be micro-managed or do you prefer to be managed from a distance? How much guidance will you need? Do you prefer someone to teach you every step or does the idea of being thrown to the wolves and learn through trial and error excite you? Do you prefer working as part of a team or independently? Ask yourself these questions before the interview and have a good idea as to what type of office environment you see yourself being the most successful. 2. Where do you see the future of the company? Most company websites advertise history and current projects, but don’t offer much insight as to how they see themselves in the future. This question helps you and the interviewer to see whether or not there’s a future for you as a potential employee. Do your future goals align with the company’s future goals? If what you hear is appealing to you and you’re excited about the possibility of growing with the company, show it! Tell them you’re excited and smile! Not showing emotion in an interview is often translated as not caring. Being genuine allows the interviewer to see who you are and whether or not you’re a match for that particular company. 3. How did you become successful with the company? This interview question is a great opportunity for you to gain insight on how to be successful with this particular company. Did the interviewer move up quickly based on merit or is this a company that promotes solely on seniority? Do they seem genuinely happy to work there or do you feel the sudden urge to talk them off the ledge? Asking about the interviewer’s career path offers great insight as to how your future could be with this company. Be aware of any positive and/or negative emotion or body language as the interviewer tells their story. Answers to these three questions should offer any college graduate enough insight as to whether that company is the right fit for them. They focus on present responsibility as well as future growth opportunities for the potential employee and the company. For more information on interview tricks and services we can offer you, go to our website at www.EmployeeInvestmentGroup.com. Related Posts Don’t Ask These Questions During An Interview 7 Interview Questions You Should Never Forget To Ask Top 3 Interview Questions You Should Ask   Photo Credit: Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!

Why Being A Mom Of A Special Needs Child Makes Me A Better Employee

Why Being A Mom Of A Special Needs Child Makes Me A Better Employee Like all working moms, Joanne West, the Director of Administration and Operations at NYIT Westbury Campus, wears many hats. Yet, when I met herbei about a year ago, I welches particularly impressed.West welches presentinga workshop on how being a mother of a special needs child has made her a better employee. I was deeply inspired by her words, and also in awe of how her confidence has built as she has grown to become an advocate for her son.Here, she shares a bit about herself, her career, and her family.What is yur ort? What are some of your daily tasks?Ive been at NYIT Westbury Campus for nearly 11 years in a variety of roles. Currently, I am the Director of Administration and Operations where I serve as the Student Affairs liaison with the Office of Financial Affairs and Office of Human Resources and function as the primary budget and personnel officer for the area. I coordinate the annual budgeting process, incl uding new initiative operating and capital project requests for Student Affairs. I develop policies, procedures and appropriate financial controls to assure prudent use of financial and human resources.Additionally, I conduct research, benchmark and create reports on a variety of topics as needed for the Associate Provost, Dean of Students and a variety of other colleagues and constituents. I am also one of the two elected Professional Staff Senators on the institutions Academic Senate.Tell mea bit about your family.I have been married to my supportive husband Nick for six years. We are the proud parents of Christian (4) and Anna Grace (2).At about 18 months old, I started to really notice that Christian was exhibiting behaviors that I found to be unusual. He would toe-walk, perseverate over tasks (like build stacking cup towers over and over again), and have facial and physical tics. He also had emerging language that was lost. I brought this information to our family pediatrician who recommended that Christian get evaluated by our countys Early Intervention program.When making the appointment, the person who took my call suggested that at that point, I should only have Christian evaluated for speech because of his young age. I insisted that we have a full educational, physical and psychological examination. My instincts were proven right and at 22 months old, he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. He began receiving Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Occupational Therapy and Speech therapies through the countys Early Intervention program in July 2015.Soon after Christian turned 3, he began a full-day pre-school program for children on the Autism Spectrum.Through insurance and private pay, Christians week out of school is filled with 10 hours of in-home ABA therapy, an Occupational Therapy session and a sensory music class.How has your career changed since having your son?Having children has not slowed down my career trajectory. In fact, since I had my son, I have had two internal job advancements. My time, however, I changed since I had kids. I used to be able to show my support to students and colleagues by attending many of their evening and weekend events. I would be at school all of the time. I am more limited now in what I can attend but I try to show support in other ways when not available in person. I am very engaged on social media so that I can support and promote universittsgelnde events and services. I often stream athletic competitions from home to keep up with the teams and to show support while still spending time at home.What is fruchtwein challenging about being a working mother of a special needs child? What is most rewarding?Time is always a challenge for most moms, regardless of their childrens abilities. I cant attend every event at school. I cant participate in every parent meeting or social. I try not to let mom guilt get me. While I may miss some things, I am also showing my children that with the right m anagement, you can have a loving home, a happy marriage and a fulfilling career.The most rewarding part about being a special needs mom is seeing hard work pay off and celebrating those victories. We celebrate everything the big and small. Every little achievement is a big achievement to us. It really is a beautiful way to live. You told me at the conference that as a working mother, Im more marketable now than before I had children. What does that statement mean to you and why?There are many reasons why I think that I am a better employee because I am a mom. Now that I am a mom, I am the manager of my household and my young childrens lives. I continue to try to find ways to best manage our time, get the most for our money and develop my children.These are all transferrable skills that are needed and valued in the business world. Because I am in higher education, the fact that I am a mom makes me feel more connected to students and their families. I know how much work went into get ting those students to where they are. Because I am a special needs mom, I know what its like to get the run-around when it comes to therapies for my son. I never want to foster an environment where I give anyone the run-around. If there is a student or person in need of assistance in my office, I will make sure that I dont lose connection with that person until I am sure that they have connected with the right person.What advice do you have for other moms?My advice is to build a tribe of people who are on your side ones who support you in your work and as a parent. I am blessed in the fact that I have supportive family and life-long friends close by. I know others arent as lucky. I also rely on a tribe of people that I dont really know thanks to social media. I am a part of some groups on social media that are geared toward parents who live in my school district and parents who live in my area who have children with special needs. I often go to members of these groups to seek out t heir experiences, ask for advice and sometimes, just to vent. I have gotten countless tips from people who have been there.With that being said, I always tell moms to trust their gut. More often than not, they know what is best for them and their families. Additionally, I encourage any parent who suspects that their child has a delay or disability to be proactive and get their child evaluated by a professional. Do not feel shame. Reach out to those in the special needs community for support if needed.--Nicole Wolfrath is mom to two feisty girls in elementary and nursery school and has worked full time as a college career counselor for the past 15 years. She holds leadership roles on her childrens school boards and PTA, loves to create art when she can find the time, and is passionate about womens and parenting issues which she advocates for through teaching and blogging.

Lies Youve Been Told About The Muse Resume Writing Tips

Lies Youve Been Told About The Muse Resume Writing Tips If you get a solid resume, you may use a whole lot of the text when youre creating your own personal website. Along with your LinkedIn account, the perfect resume should incorporate any links that are related to your work, like a personal site, portfolio, or blog. This post outlines three strategies youll be able to utilize to make your own resume website. The Good, the Bad and the Muse Resume Writing Tips Youre made to include everything, and the outcome is usually a resume that doesnt capture interest as it isnt focused. The third task is to craft a vibrant word-picture of all that you need to offer to the schriftart of employer youre going to be approaching. By doing this, you can position yourself inside the ideal manner to receive hired. Keep things professional and youre going to land that dream job in no moment. The majority of the times your prior work experience will be the absolute most significant part the resume, so put it at the top. Generally, you only ought to demonstrate the most recent 10-15 decades of your career history and just incorporate the experience pertinent to the positions to which youre applying. Language skills are sometimes a fantastic selling point on your resume. For each resume you send out, you will want to highlight only the accomplishments and abilities which are most relevant to the job at hand (even if this indicates that you dont incorporate all your experience).

Should You Refer a Friend for a Job

Should You Refer a Friend for a Job Given thatone in five roles are currently filled via employee referrals,you shouldnt be surprised if, at some point in your career, either your employer asks you to refer a friend friend to a vacancy or a friend asks you to refer them to a job atyour company. If you are an engineer, sales rep or developer areas where there are severe talent shortagesyoull fruchtwein likely be involved in the employee referral process with some regularity. There are plenty of positive reasons to refer a friend to a job at your company.You can help your employer out in times of need, which benefitsthe business as a whole. You will also be helping a friend and simply doing a good deed.You may also generatea sense of goodwill from the referred friend,who may return the favor in the future, enhancing your career. In fact, research shows that people who invest in developing proteges p erhaps by referring them to jobs have better rates of career progression than those who dont. Thegoodwill that you generate by referringa friend may actually be paid back in a way that accelerates your own career progression. Its kind of a you-scratch-their-back-and-theyll-scratch-yours situation.If all of thatisnt enough incentive for you, thenconsider thatmany employers also offer rewards for referring friends to the company. Check to see if your employer has a reward systembefore referring a friend to make koranvers you refer in the right way and receivecredit for doing so. Ifyour employer does not have a reward system for employee referrals,there is absolutely nothing wrong with approaching your employer and asking them to set one up.While its clear that there are plenty of benefits to referring a friend to your company, you should not overlook the potential pitfalls of such activities, and you might want to temper your referral behavior accordingly. There are several questions you should consider before deciding to refer a friend1. Can You Really Vouch for the PersonsPerformance at Work?Sure, the person may be a good friend, but can you be sure that the person you are referring is actually competent? Have you worked with them and/or witnessed their work firsthand? If not, do you know someone who haswitnessed their skills firsthand?If you are in a position to reliably vouch for someonesperformance, then referring them is a safe bet. Otherwise, there may be some risk attached to referring them. This doesnt necessarily mean that you shouldnt refer them,but you might want to titel yourself by attaching caveats to the referral. Let your employer know you are not in a position to vouch for the quality of the candidate. From there, the employer can decide whether or not to accept the referral.2. Will the Referral Reflect Badly on You?What if you are faced with the situation of referring a potential candidate whom you have reason to believe is a substandard or ex tremely average performer? Referring this kind of candidate will reflect badly on you and could damage your reputation as a talent scout, judge of character, and potential future influencer within the company. It could also damage the performance of the company.Think carefully before referring this type of candidate, even if they are a good friend you are trying to help out. If the candidate isa good friend whomyou feel morally inclined to help, you may need to gatherevidence that they can truly perform well at your company.That being said, dont make a habit of referring candidates that could reflect badly on you, as doing sowill eventually have negative consequences for you.3. Is Your Firm Toxic? Is your firma good place to work, or is it toxic? Are you yourself disengaged and ready to leave? Is the whole team, office, or company disengaged? Is your company struggling to find staff due to apoor company culture and substandard employment practices?Your friend is most likely an adult who can make decisions for themselves. If youre considering referring them to a company that you do believe is toxic,you want to come clean with them and give them an honest perspectiveon what its like to work for your employer. Let your frienddecide for themselves if they want to jump in the fire.Of course if the situation is truly that toxic, you might want to save your friendfrom a disastrous decision by simply not referring them at all.4. Would You Hire the Person If This Were Your Company?This is the single most important question to ask yourself when you are thinking aboutreferring a friend.If you wouldnt hire them yourself, then you probably shouldnt refer them to your employer no matter how much you like that friend.

Animal Care Specialist Military Career 68T

Animal Care Specialist Military Career 68TAnimal Care Specialist Military Career 68TAnimal care specialists (68T) are U.S. Army soldiers who work in the animal health field. These health care professionals assist with basic care and veterinary treatment for government animals. Duties Animal care specialists (68T) are U.S. Army soldiers who provide care for government-owned animals such as dogs, horses, marine mammals, and a variety of laboratory research animals. They also work to minimize the occurrence of disease in the animal populations which they are responsible for, ensuring that sick animals are quarantined and that healthy animalsare properly vaccinated. The duties of an animal care specialist usually match up closely with those of civilian veterinary technicians. Typical responsibilities include assisting veterinarians with surgeries, providing emergency treatment and management of traumatic injuries, helping to restrain animals safely, administering medications and flui ds, taking radiographs, cleaning and sterilizing equipment, taking bodily fluid samples, updating patient records, and running lab tests. Individuals working in a lab environment may be responsible for additional duties such as monitoring animal behavior, dietary intake, or physiological qualities such as weight gain or growth. They may also be responsible for collecting data, compiling and analyzing results, writing reports, and supervising any specialized care required for an experiments successful completion. Career Options Animal care specialists can work in either a veterinary clinic setting or a research lab while in the military. While these areas are usually located on a military base, it is also possible for animal care specialists to work in a mobile unit in the field when necessary. Those who pursue this career path while in the Army can go on to become certified as a veterinary technician or lab animal technician when they leave the military. The skills learned as an animal care specialist are readily transferable to a wide variety of animal careers, particularly those connected with the animal health field. Animal care specialists may also qualify for special education funding from Army programs if they decide to pursue a degree after serving in the military. Education Training Animal care technicians must complete 10 weeks of basic combat training and 11 weeks of advanced training in animal care. They must also have an Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test score of 91 (with a 15 in Skilled Technical). Individuals who have prior work experience as veterinary technicians or who have completed coursework in areas such as animal science, zoology, or biology will be especially well suited to this position. A good working knowledge of animal behavior and care will also be valuable to candidates seeking a position in this field. Salary The Army compensation package includes a combination of basic salary, housing, medical i nsurance, food allowances, paid vacation, special tax breaks, and more. Basic pay scales are available on U.S. military recruitment websites and through recruiter offices. The salary paid to animal care specialists is considered to be comparable to that which is paid to those working in related civilian roles such as veterinary technicians, lab technicians, or nonfarm animal care workers. The zentralwert wage for veterinary technicians, a similar career path, was approximately $29,710 per year according to the 2010 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) salary survey. Earnings reported in the BLS salary survey ranged from less than $20,500 per year ($9.85 per hour) for the bottom ten percent of technicians to more than $44,030 per year ($21.17 per hour) for the top ten percent of technicians. The median wage for lab animal technicians, another similar career path, was approximately $22,040 per year according to the 2010 Bureau of Labor Statistics salary survey. Earnings for this position ranged from less than $16,490 per year for the bottom ten percent of technicians to more than $33,780 per year for the top ten percent of technicians. Career Outlook In a 2012 publication, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that veterinary technician positions would grow at a very strong rate of 52 percent over the decade from 2010 to 2020. Nonfarm animal caretaker positions are also expected to show a strong rate of growth at approximately 24 percent over the same period, much faster than the average for all careers. The animal health industry is expected to continue to show rapid growth for the foreseeable future, and prospects should be good for those with the skills and training to pursue this type of work. While there is strong interest in this sort of position with the military, prospects should be good for those who already have a background in animal health care before entering the service.