Career Center

       Security guards are responsible for acting as the eyes and ears that monitor buildings and other areas to protect against disturbances, alarms, trespassers, theft, and violence. Businesses and institutions small and large count on security guards as their first line of defense against incidents which can impact staff and customer safety. Guards can be employed by office buildings, stores, restaurants and clubs, hospitals, museums, and other businesses. Guards often interact with local authorities to ensure that regulations and safety requirements are met at their work site. Some guards use their work experience to pursue further careers in loss prevention management or criminal justice careers in law enforcement.      An individual security guard’s day-to-day duties are largely dependent on his/her work site. Some guards are tasked with greeting and interacting with staff or customers as they enter or exit a location, and make note of unusual activity. Others are tasked with patrolling their work site on foot or by car to make sure that all areas are secure. Additionally, some guards work in surveillance control centers where they monitor all closed-circuit cameras at a local or remote work site.   While in the line of duty, security guards may also be required to: - Interact with local authorities — law enforcement, fire safety departments, and emergency services - Maintain logs of daily activity and incidents at work sites - Ensure monitoring systems and sensors are functioning   Training/Requirements      Security guard jobs typically require a minimum of a high school diploma. Further requirements vary by company and jurisdiction. Many states will require that security guards attend a state-certified course on law and loss prevention procedures in order to become licensed as a guard. In instances where a guard may be expected to carry a firearm at work, some states may require additional course completion and licensing. To become a Security Guard you must: - Apply to an open position - Successfully interview for the position - Successfully pass a background and drug check - Get hired - Receiving on-the-job training at work site Upon starting at a work site, a new security guard will receive training specific to his/her duties at the location. Guards will be trained on systems at the location and shown standard operating procedures to abide by. In some areas, security guards may find it advantageous to acquire additional training such as CPR/AED and Fire Guard certifications. These will allow them to stand out among other applicants, and show employers that they are well qualified to work at a variety of work sites. Pros      There are several benefits of being a security guard. In some roles, you will have a lot of down and you can use it to read or be on your phone. It is also possible to work a 3 or 4 day schedule with the possibility of overtime. There are opportunities for promotions and you can leverage your security guard experience to break into other areas of law enforcement and the government. It is also job that can be done part time so it is also good for older people who want to have something to do or want a small source of income. Cons      Some security jobs can be pretty stressful. If you are in a high crime area or in a highly stressful environment, it can be tough. Some people are also bad at jobs where there isn't much activity as the day can go by extremely slow. Sometimes you will interact with people who are looking for trouble or engaging in fraudulent activities. You have to be aware of protocol and make sure you handle the situation in a smart manner. It is not a job for everyone. Salary Total Employment: 1,105,440 Mean Annual Wage: $30,730 Median Annual Wage: $26,900 Top 5 Highest Paying States State Employment  Annual mean wage  Alaska 2,000 $46,770 District of Columbia 13,900 $42,700 Washington 19,760 $37,410 Missouri 17,140 $36,740 North Dakota 1,410 $35,390  Top 5 States with Highest Employment State Employment  Annual mean wage California 151,110 $31,560 New York 119,130 $34,390 Texas 88,100 $30,020 Florida 84,840 $25,150 Illinois 45,730 $32,090   Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov) Scoop      As a security guard gains experience, he or she may earn a promotion to a supervisory position such as security director. Those seeking such advancement often have a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice but it is not required. The BLS projects jobs for security guards will grow 6% from 2016 to 2026. The role will vary depending on the work site. There are some jobs where you will have a lot of dead time. This is especially true for overnight security guards. There are other jobs where you will manage a team of people and have your hands full at all hours of the day. One benefit of the job is that there are jobs all over the country and there are different shifts if you prefer a different schedule.

Do you have an interview coming up?   Congrats!   98% of job seekers are rejected before the first interview. How will you prepare for it? A job opening, on average, receives 250 applications. 98% of those applicants are rejected. This means that 245 out of 250 hypothetical applicants will not be considered beyond the resumé stage. 4 out of the 5 remaining candidates will get rejected during the interview stage.  All of the data can be found here . Let’s say you are one of the 5 candidates to be offered an interview. Here are a few pieces of homework you can do to make the strongest impression: Understand the role & company. 47% of interviewers report that they will reject a candidate who lacks proficient knowledge of the company. Lack of knowledge reflects a lack of interest in the role. Research the company’s values, look up recent news, and think about how the role for which you’re interviewing contributes to the company. In the process, you will come across some legitimate questions; write them down so you can ask them during your interview. This shows that you are a serious candidate who has done your research. You will likely be asked some role-specific standard interview questions; look these up ahead of time and be prepared to answer them. You might even be given information about your interviewer - again, research here is important. Be prepared to talk about your resumé . You will be at a great disadvantage if you don’t know your resumé well. You should be able to discuss any aspect of the resumé with confidence and detail. Be prepared to explain any significant gaps or unique jobs and experiences. Plan ahead for how you will relate your past experiences to the role for which you are  interviewing. There is rarely a perfect overlap of skills from job to job, so don’t worry about spinning your experiences to present yourself well. It’s smart to bring extra copies of your resumé just in case your interviewer doesn’t have one handy (or hasn’t even read it yet).  It always looks good to be extra prepared. Mock interview.   A mock interview is nothing more than a simulation of a real interview; treat it like a real interview, but if you flub, nobody has to know. You will practice responding to difficult questions, improve your articulation, and reduce stress during the actual interview when it counts. No interviewer wants to hear memorized answers. Mock interviews will help you express your answers comfortably without seeming too rehearsed. There are lots of ways to practice your interview skills; work with a friend; rehearse in front of your dog; talk in front of the mirror; seek out a mentor or career counselor to interview you; record yourself with your phone. Before continuing, let me introduce myself. I am the Founder of Talk Hiring , a free mock interview company. I think it is an incredibly helpful tool to try out if you have an interview coming up, but you won’t hurt my feelings if you disagree ! Talk Hiring is a free (yes, 100% free) automated mock interviewing tool that allows you to practice and gain confidence for your upcoming job interview. It is an audio-only, low-tech, and mobile-friendly practice tool for job seekers. You will go through a simulated phone interview that usually takes about 10 minutes.  We have done research and currently support 30 of the most common interview questions. Upon completion of the interview (within a few seconds), we will send you an email containing your audio recordings with feedback on how you can improve. You can practice the same questions over again or take a crack at a whole new set of questions in each mock interview.  How cool is that? Wishing you the best of luck in your future interviews!   https://www.TalkHiring.com/  

     Its tax time! Many people’s favorite time of year….some people, not so much. All depending on if you owe taxes or if you will receive a refund. Taxes may seem very confusing but it’s rather simple once you understand how it works. I will break down why you receive a refund, why you might owe taxes, how to prevent owing, and easy and cheap ways to file your 2018 tax returns. In the United States every state must pay a federal tax on any taxable income (I will discuss what is deemed taxable vs nontaxable). This means that depending on how much money you earned in your trade or business, you would be taxed at a certain percentage based on where you fall in the tax bracket . It is very important to understand how marginal taxes work and help clear up some common misconceptions. There may also be a state income tax depending on what state you live in but, let’s start with some common terminology:      Gross income – Your paycheck BEFORE taxes are taken out is considered your gross income. The pay you see listed on job postings (the great postings that still list salary) are listed as gross salaries and would be considered your gross income.]      Net income – Your paycheck AFTER taxes, deductions and expenses are taken out. These taxes include Federal income tax, state income tax, FICA taxes such as social security & Medicare. Other deductions may apply such as healthcare costs or pre-tax deductions but this can be really good to help lower your taxable income. For tax purposes we won’t focus much on net income.      Taxable Income – This will be the number used to assess your tax liability or refund. This number is generally your gross income but you can lower it by taking certain deductions and exemptions. Why would you want to lower it? To receive a lower tax bill or greater refund!      Deductions – These are items written into the tax code that allow you to deduct a certain portion of your taxable income and deem it as non-taxable. This is great news because although you will have made the same amount of money last year you will only be taxed on a lessor portion depending on if you meet the criteria. There are many deductions to take advantage of and all come with some sort of criteria that must be met. But, unless you have many assets and complex home interest rate tables that need the work of a CPA, most likely you will be taking the standard deduction . This is a deductions amount that is provided by the government and is different depending on your filing status (single, Married, head of household, etc.). Unless you have enough itemized deductions to offset the standard deduction it would not be worth it to itemize. Here are a few examples of key things that can be taken as an itemized deduction: Home mortgage interest, Medical expenses, charitable contributions, investment interest expense, property taxes and many others. Also many employers offer pre-tax investment options such as 403(b) Plans which allow you to deduct money from your gross income and put it into an investment fund to grow until retirement. Traditional IRA’s are similar in the fact that you can deduct part of the amount you contributed that year on your tax returns.      Tax Credits – These are special tax refundable and nonrefundable credits that mostly help those have dependents and/or lower income tax payers, but many can apply to everyone. This is what generally generates a tax refund. These credits are applied AFTER your adjusted gross income (AGI) has already been determined and after the tax rate has already been applied. AGI is simply your Gross income minus all deductions and exemptions.      How taxes work? Using the terminology above let’s look at a typical person working a 9-5. Single with a house and kid and see how their taxes play out:      Mary is 35 with an 8 year old daughter. She does not live with the father of the child and they are not married. Mary would file as Head of Household because although she is single and not married, she has a child dependent that lives with her. Therefore she qualifies as head of a household. Now, let’s say Mary earns $71,000 as a nurse, contributes money to an IRA retirement account, bought an electric car that year and pays for daycare since she must work late. Her AGI would look something like this: (please note: This is just a brief example and does not take into account certain limitations if Mary itemized. Turbotax is a wonderful program and will crunch the numbers for you. All you will have to do is answer the questions. In this case the standard deduction would be the best case. Gross Income $71,000 Standard deduction -$18,000 AGI $53,000 Since Mary’s status is Head of Household she can deduct $18,000 of gross income. Bringing the taxable income down to $53,000. In prior years an exemptions could be claimed but that has been substituted with a higher standard deduction than in prior years. Now that we have our number let’s go ahead and assess the tax liability based on IRS guidelines: Head of Household If taxable income is over— but not over— the tax is: $0 $13,600 10% of the amount over $0 $13,600 $51,800 $1,360 plus 12% of the amount over $13,600 $51,800 $82,500 $5,944 plus 22% of the amount over $51,800 $82,500 $157,500 $12,698 plus 24% of the amount over $82,500 $157,500 $200,000 $30,698 plus 32% of the amount over $157,500 $200,000 $500,000 $44,298 plus 35% of the amount over $200,000 $500,000 no limit $149,298 plus 37% of the amount over $500,000 Mary’s AGI falls between $51,800 & $82,500. Therefore her tax would be: HOH Tax Amount $5,944 ($1,200 x 22%) $264 Tax assessed $6,208      Mary’s assessed tax bill would be $6,208. $5,944 just because her income fell between $13,600 & $51,800. Any amount above $51,800 up until $82,500 would be taxed at 22%. In this case that would be $1,200 ($53,000 AGI - $51,800 bracket) taxed at 22% ($264). This is very important to understand. This is called marginal taxes. It’s a common misconception that you shouldn’t try to earn more money because you will get taxed more. You will only be taxed marginally and based upon information on the tables provided by the IRS every year. Although a small part of Mary’s income was taxed at 22% her effective tax rate is still just at 12% which is normal! Now let’s get to the credits to lower this bill. (Note: Credits are applied AFTER the bill is assessed)      Since Mary has a child under the age of 9 (and therefore also under the age of 16) she can claim 2 different child related credits. The child tax credit and the child care credit. Mary has also paid the max amount into her retirement investments and purchased a brand new Eco-Friendly car with a decent sized battery. So she can claim a few credits for that as well. She can also claim a credit for her child’s expenses so that she is able to work. Here is how her final assessment will look: Tax Assessed $6,208 Child Tax Credit -$2,000.00 Child Care -$600.00 Eco-Car -$4,500.00 Tax Bill ($892)        The original tax bill was $6,208.00. After applying the refundable credits Mary will be getting a refund of $892. These are all estimates and the credits can be more or less depending on how they are phased out. The minimum credit for an Eco Friendly car purchased brand new is $2,500 for a brand new car with a 5 KWh battery and the maximum is $7,500. This credit can certainly be more based on the battery size and weight. For this example, assuming she has a 7Hwh battery, she will receive about a $4,500 Credit. This credit is then followed by a Child Tax Credit which is usually $2,000 per child. Important to Note that not all credits are fully refundable. The child tax credit reduces the tax bill by up to $2,000 but is only refundable up to $1,400. In this case we reduced the tax bill by $2,000. We then have a Child Care Credit for expenses such as daycare and afterschool programs that the parent needs for their child (or dependent) in order to be able to work. This credit amounts to 20-35% of qualifying child care expenses up to $3,000. The percentage gets lower as your AGI gets higher. This is known as Phasing out. Mary’s AGI is higher than the amount needed to get 35% so she can claim 20% maximum. Mary pays $5,000 a year in child care expenses, she can claim a $600 Credit ($3,000 max allowable x 20%). These credits have completely eliminated Mary’s Tax lability and provided her a decent return given her level of income. If Mary did not purchase an eco-friendly car and instead bought a regular standard vehicle she would have incurred a tax lability. I will discuss the 2 possible outcomes and what to do increase your refund.        Refunds : There are 2 main reasons to receive a refund from the IRS. Either you paid too much in taxes, or you qualify for great refundable credits and have maximized your deductions. Even if you do not qualify for any refundable credits it is still a very good feeling to not owe any money at all. Paying too much in taxes is a lot more common than you think. I will explain why it generally happens. When you get a new job as a W2 employee, Taxes are automatically collected on your behalf, and you get to choose how much. When you start you will be given a form W4 in which you will list your exemptions. This is basically a form commanding the IRS on how much taxes to withhold from your paycheck each time. The more exemptions you claim the less tax will be taken out of your paycheck for Federal and state (if applicable) purposes. Most people enter “1” as a safe mid-point because this gives them the safety of knowing they are withholding just enough taxes and they also have enough money in each paycheck to handle their regular expenses. But, it is all based on preference. Some people are fine listing “0”, which withholds the full amount by default. This will result in a smaller weekly paycheck but will maximize your chances of receiving a larger refund. Many others will enter as many exemptions as possible in order to have the largest paycheck possible even if it means potentially owing taxes. A good reason for that would be someone who feels that they have better use or investment opportunities with the extra weekly income that would outweigh the tax lability in the following year. No method is right or wrong and with both methods the tax payer will be paying the same amount of tax, it all depends on when you want your money. People who aren’t great savers tend to prefer a larger refund all at once instead of small chunks in each paycheck. For those of you that are independent contractors it will be UP TP YOU to estimate and pay your taxes when due. This is because you do not get FICA taxes taken out automatically from an employer. TurboTax has many tools and plugins that will help those of you that fall into this boat. I will cover taxation for business owners in a later article.      Tax Bill : Owing taxes can be a very daunting feeling. Especially if you do not have the funds readily available. If it turns out that you do owe taxes it is very important to file your taxes on time either way. Filing late can accrue penalties and will make the bill even greater. The IRS is very understanding and offer payment plans for those that cannot fork out the entire tax bill at once, you just have to be upfront. This often happens to those that have borrowed from certain retirement funds but did not have the ability to pay it back, which results in an increase in income that wasn’t initially taxed. It is also common amongst 1099 (independent contractors) who don’t set aside enough taxes for their potential tax lability. Before a payment plan is even considered you can even file a 120 day extension to try and gather the funds for the tax liability. I will discuss a few simple ways to make sure you don’t owe. First, contribute to IRA and other retirement accounts. This will allow you to lower your AGI and qualify for more tax credits and you will be saving for retirement at the same time! There are limits to how much you can contribute each year for this very reason but maxing this out is a great way to plan for your future and lower your tax bill at the same time. Second, lower your withholdings. Sure, your paycheck may suffer a small decrease but if gives you a peace of mind to know that you won’t owe any money. For independent contractors, make sure to set money aside for your potential tax liabilities. There are various tax estimators you can use. Lastly, make sure you are maximizing all other deductions and credits, if you are ever in doubt you can always consult a CPA. Sometimes the cost of a professional looking over your work is absolutely worth it. Just make sure you research the individual or firm first.        Final thoughts : This was just a way for you to understand how tax is computed on a very general level. If you can understand this you will truly understand what TurboTax is doing once you begin to use the software. You will understand the order in which things are done and why certain questions will be asked. Remember, every credit and deduction has stipulations, so if they ask a question that seems trivial or nonsensical it is just to see if you qualify based on a certain set of stipulations. Most people have a simple enough return that you will just need to enter your W2 and be done in 20 minutes. Head on over to Turbox.com and get started. Good luck!                

Description      Welders utilize heat to weld or join different types of metals together. There are different techniques to do so and welders choose the best techniques for the situation. TIG, MIG or Arc welding are some techniques used to weld metals together. Welders also monitor, adjust and maintain welding equipment. Welders work with molten metal and use welding machines to assist them in their line of work. Welders provide metals for all sorts of work. Some examples are ship manufacturing, airplane factories, bridges, buildings, and factories. Some unique areas that welders are involved in are building components of racecars, medical equipment and even the cell phones you carry in your pocket. Chances are, if something contains steel, a welder was probably involved in some capacity. Types 70% of the workforce is in manufacturing. Commercial welders – Typically work on commercial high rises, shopping malls, schools and other large structures. They also work in high places so it is definitely not for someone who is afraid of heights. Commercial workers may sometimes work on artistic projects. Industrial Welders – Typically work for the government or military. Their work sometimes takes them overseas. They will take on big projects such as the construction of airports, rail stations, plants and large factories. They also work on bridges. Ship Welder/Underwater Welder – Mainly work on building ships. They make ocean liners and oil tankers. They can work on military or luxury ships. Some work underwater and work on shipwrecks, submarines and other underwater projects. A diving license is necessary if you are going to work underwater. Qualifications/Skills      Welders need to have knowledge on the different types of metals as different techniques may be required for different metals. Welders read electrical schematics and blueprints so this knowledge is crucial to succeed in the field. AutoCad is a common software that is used, so taking a course in AutoCad would be helpful. Computerized Aided Manufacturing (CAM) is another helpful software to know. Welders also work with computerized equipment. Some welding is being automated so these skills are necessary in order to remain a competitive candidate in the field.      Good hand eye coordination is necessary as you are always working with your hands. It is important to be able to keep your hands steady and use the tools that are required for the job. You also need to be able to inspect the welds you do to make sure they meet certain standards. Critical thinking skills will aid you on the job as sometimes you have to figure out how to make things work with what you have. Welders also work with all types of tools, so knowledge and experience with each tool is required for the job. Welders work with electrical welding machines so knowing how to operate these machines is required.      Certifications can be completed in as little as 6-12 weeks. A certification isn’t necessary but it is definitely helpful when looking for work. If you plan on becoming an inspector or working with computerized/automated equipment, a certification is necessary. They are offered at vocational/technical schools or community colleges. Apprenticeships are another way where you can learn the skills to become a successful welder. Training Apprenticeships typically last 3-4 years. As you achieve milestones, your pay will increase. Sometimes additional classroom instruction will be required on top of the regular work. Community colleges and trade schools offer courses that will help you learn and gain skills that are valuable for the career. Work Environment      Commercial welders generally tend to work inside. They will be working on construction sites, so the area will be dusty and require safety gear. They sometimes have to work in high environments so this is another thing to consider about the career. Sometimes you may have to work in tight spaces. Lifting heavy objects or tools may also be required.      Industrial welders work on complex projects. They may work inside or outside depending on the project. They may have to work during bad weather conditions. They will work around other heavy-duty equipment such as cranes and forklifts. Being aware of your surroundings is very important for safety as accidents can happen if you don’t pay attention. Industrial welders may face tight deadlines. Some projects may be very long and can last years.      Ship building/underwater welders can work on the dock or on the water. Underwater welders will have to dive and have to weld while underwater. Weather conditions can get very bad at sea.  The environment may also be very dark.      Regardless of what type of welder you are, safety is always a priority. The job is not easy on the body, so it is imperative that you take care of yourself. Some older welders may have issues with their eyes or skin if proper precautions aren’t adhered to. Construction environments are usually dusty so this is another thing to consider before becoming a welder as having a dust allergy may make it difficult for you in this line of work. Welders will have varying schedules depending on the job or project. If there are tight deadlines, you will get overtime and get paid extra as a result. You may have to work overnight at times. Pros      Welding is a very rewarding career. There are many growth opportunities. You have the option of becoming an inspector after you gain some experience. Despite automation, welders who learn how to use computerized equipment and software will be safe as welds have to be inspected by humans. As with many physical jobs, it is extremely satisfying to see your final work. There is work all over the country. In some areas, welders are in high demand and make extremely good money. You are also able to open up your own shop, however less than 10% of welders have their own shop or are self-employed. Cons      There are dangers involved with the career. Injuries can happen and it is tough on the body. Welders can work in bad weather conditions and tight spaces. Safety is extremely important. Fumes and gases are hazardous to your health. Fire and explosions are something to watch out for as they happen from time to time. Underwater welding is the toughest on the body and can lead to issues with hearing, muscle aches and cognitive issues. Another issue is that there are more welders in cities and this causes the pay to be less in these areas. Salary Total Employment: 47,330 Mean Annual Wage: $47,480 Median Annual Wage: $42,580 Top 5 Highest Paying States State Employment  Annual mean wage  Hawaii 380 $72,330 New Jersey 950 $71,300 Illinois 1,330 $69,590 Alaska 70 $61,030 Washington 2,110 $59,780  Top 5 States with Highest Employment State Employment  Annual mean wage California 6,600 $56,150 Texas 4,530 $36,530 Florida 3,770 $37,000 New York 2,480 $55,620 Washington 2,110 $59,780   Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov) Scoop      Overall, welding is a great career that pays well. Qualified welders are hard to find in some areas and these areas provide opportunities for money and career growth. Even though automation is changing the industry, inspectors and people who handle the equipment will always be needed. New structures are always being built, so welders will be in demand. It is a skill that can be used all over the world. Welding is a great career for someone who likes a physical job that also requires being creative at times. It is also good for someone who likes working with their hands and using various tools. Helpful Links and References: https://www.ratemywelder.com/professional-welding-how-to-become-a-welder-and-how-much-do-they-make/ The website above has a lot of detail on the welding profession and is something you should read if you want to learn more about the career. The American Welding Society https://www.aws.org The American Welding Society has a lot of resources on the welding profession. This is the website you use to register for the welding certification exam. Stay up to the on the profession, keep up with the latest news and much more. Career Guide How to become a Welder "Full Version" by The Clever Job Hunter This book gives a lot of insight into the welding profession. Learn even more about what is required in order to become a welder and learn about what you will experience as a welder. This book will equip you with the knowledge to get started on your welding career.

Description      A glazier is a person who installs, removes or repairs glass. Glaziers work on cutting, installing and repairing glass in all types of environments. Glaziers install glass in window frames and other surfaces. They work in stores, residential homes, commercial buildings, museums and other environments. They have to follow specific blueprints for each job. The work includes driving specific trucks that can transport glass, fabricating and installing metal sashes or molds to hold glass, weatherizing and sealing joints for glass installations, and securing work sites by removing old or broken glass before new installations.      It is very important to have good hand eye coordination, and have a basic understanding of cutting and joining things. Glaziers also work with aluminum, steel, granite, marble, plastics and other glass substitutes. They use tools such as glass cutters, circle cutters, drills, saws, grinders, heat guns, heating irons, breaking blocks, files, lead, knives, soldering irons, and even computer programs. Precision and detail are necessary since it is such a hands on job. Good balance, hand eye coordination and physical strength are also valuable skills for being a glazier since it may involve climbing heights and using various technical tools. Types Residential – They work on home projects. This includes removing and repairing home windows, shower doors, glass tabletops and other types of display cases. Commercial – These glaziers typically work on high rises and storefronts. Specialty – These glaziers work on art glass installations for galleries, museums, hotels, casinos and other private and public spaces. Stained glass artist would also fit in this category. Qualifications/Skills      It is very important to have good hand and eye coordination, and have a basic understanding of cutting and joining things. Glaziers also work with aluminum, steel, granite, marble, plastics and other glass substitutes . They work with all different types of tools. Knowledge of working with different tools is essential for the job. Precision and detail are necessary as it is a very a hands on job. Good balance, hand eye coordination and physical strength are also valuable skills for being a glazier as it may involve climbing heights and using various technical tools. It also involves lots of bending, lifting, and working with fragile materials and reading blueprints.      Previous experience in construction helps. You will handle glass that weighs hundreds of pounds. There is also a lot of standing involved. You will have to adjust the glass as people don’t always follow the blueprints or the blueprint may have something that may not work. Every job is a little different. This is a great career for people who like to think and be creative. Metal fabrication is a part of the job. Navigating blueprints is a key part of the job so it is essential to get good at it. Construction is done all over the country so you can find work anywhere. More work will be available in cities that are growing.      Precision and detail is extremely important. Glaziers work with custom glass that is very expensive. Messing up or missing a detail from a blueprint will cause delays as some glass may have to be special ordered. Sometimes glaziers will work with computer programs that measure and design glass with even more precision.      The Glass Installer Technician Certification is not necessary but it is helpful to have. Only 1 state, Connecticut, requires a license where you must pass a test. Florida used to require a license but removed that requirement in 2012. As always, check your local state website to see if anything has changed. Training      A typical glazier apprenticeship is 3-4 years . It typically consists of 2000 hours of paid training and at least 144 hours of classroom instruction every year. Classroom instruction may be at night after a day of work. Your salary will typically go up as you hit certain milestones during your apprenticeship. Work Environment      As stated before, this is a very physical job. Glaziers typically work for glass companies or construction companies. Safety is very important, as you will be handling expensive and dangerous equipment. It is important that you follow all safety protocols when on the job. If you were afraid of heights, it would be best to avoid being a commercial glazier as they often work on high-rise buildings. Your hours may vary depending on the construction job (sometimes you may have to work at night or early in the morning). You may have to work overtime to get a job done before a certain date. Pros      A glazier is a unique and interesting job. It is great for people who like to think and be creative. You can also work on many different types of projects so there will always be something new to learn. There are good growth opportunities in the future especially in big cities that are growing. A lot of new buildings are made out of glass. There is also a lot of work in many parts of the country so you are not limited geographically. You are also able to create your own custom glass company once you get enough experience. You get to interact with a lot of different professions so you can learn a lot. You can also transfer your skills to other parts of the construction industry if you would like to take on different types of work. Cons      This is a very physical job. It will tire out your body, so if you aren’t used to physical work or have physical ailments, this may not be the job for you. If you are not detail oriented, it is extremely easy to make an expensive mistake. If you prefer a job that is more repetitive, this may not be the job for you as each job will be a little different. You will sometimes have to deviate from the blueprint to make sure the job gets done. You also may have a lot of driving involved some days as glass needs to be transported in special vehicles. Salary Total Employment: 47,330 Mean Annual Wage: $47,480 Median Annual Wage: $42,580 Top 5 Highest Paying States State Employment  Annual mean wage  Hawaii 380 $72,330 New Jersey 950 $71,300 Illinois 1,330 $69,590 Alaska 70 $61,030 Washington 2,110 $59,780  Top 5 States with Highest Employment State Employment  Annual mean wage California 6,600 $56,150 Texas 4,530 $36,530 Florida 3,770 $37,000 New York 2,480 $55,620 Washington 2,110 $59,780   Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov) Scoop      Overall, a glazier is great job for someone that can handle the physical aspects of the job. You have good growth opportunities and you get to work on interesting projects. You will always learn on the job. As you gain more experience, your value as a glazier will rise. It is also good to be able to admire your work after it is done. A job site that isn’t complete looks completely different after everything is put together. Helpful Links and References: National Glass Association https://www.glass.org/ The National Glass Association is a great resource for a glazier. It has a lot of educational resources and is great to follow to keep up with industry news. It is a must for glaziers who want to stay on top of their careers. Online Glazier training by the National Glass Association http://www.myglassclass.com/ The National Glass Association has an online class for glaziers. While an online glass is never a substitute for actual hands on experience, it will position an aspiring glazier and separate them from their competition. The classes include an introduction to the trade, safety protocols and information, glass and metal fabrication, and more. Glaziers: Stories From People Who've Done It by Gigi Little ( AMAZON ) This book is a MUST READ for someone who is serious about becoming a Glazier. The author goes over her personal experience and gives a lot of insight into the different aspects of glazing. The author has a lot of experience in different parts of the glazing industry so you get first hand experience into what the different aspects of glazing involve.  

     So, you’ve done it! After many long weeks searching for jobs, applying to as many as humanly possible, or at least the ones you felt would be a good fit for you and the company, going through several rounds of interviews, you have finally received an offer (or several). Now what should you do? The salary may not be as high as you hoped but it is more than your current salary. You don’t have as many vacation days as your last job but there are some other nice perks.      Now in your mind you are having doubts. Should you risk asking for more? What if they reject you? You never negotiated a job offer before. You should not worry as negotiating offers on a new job is a standard part of business and you have nothing to fear.      First, let's change your mindset. The company has given you a job offer because they thought you were the most qualified fit for the position. Most companies will not rescind their offer just because you asking for something better. Make sure to do your research beforehand so that you know what a person with your skills and background is worth.      A job negotiation actually starts well before the job offer. Managing the interview effectively can easily get you a job offer thousands more than you would have got had you not done the right things. So where are some places where you can do job and salary research? Here are some helpful sites. JobStar.org      This website is a time capsule as the layout takes you to the early days of websites. However, despite the looks, you can actually find some good data here that will give you the information you need to figure out how much you are currently worth, or how much a potential career can pay you. PayScale.com      Spend a few minutes filling out a survey with your background and skills. They ask for a lot of information but it does give you a very accurate salary. This is a good way to figure out what the average pay is for someone with your skillset. Salary.com      Salary.com has a good amount of free salary info. They also have reports where you can get even more data, but at this time we can’t comment on that as we have not used this part of the service. The free report gave us some pretty good info. If you are on the job hunt and do not have much to go off of, it may be helpful to spend a little extra on the the paid data. Glassdoor.com      Every job search must contain a visit to Glassdoor . Glassdoor has many company reviews and many salaries. You can learn a lot about the culture of companies (and even specific departments) and it was extremely helpful to me while I was actively searching for a job. This research helps you understand which companies pay more or which companies offer the better benefits. It is also possible to learn about how the interviews are conducted and what you may expect during one. Going forward into a job interview with this knowledge will give you a leg up over someone who has not done their research. Any Job Board          Another way to figure out salaries is to just search up jobs. Look up what the salary estimates are on sites like Indeed or Monster. See what the salary ranges are for current jobs that you would apply to. Now that you have done your research, you know what is an acceptable range for the positions you are trying to apply for. You should have 3 numbers. A high but realistic number. This is a number that you are extremely satisfied with and would easily accept. A fair number. This is a number that you are happy with. The absolute minimum salary you would expect. Any salary lower than this number is not worth your time      One thing to note is that the salary that is posted for a job ad may be completely different than the one the company offers you . This can be for many reasons. There are cases where a candidate has a unique skillset or background that is worth a lot to the company. Sometimes you may even be told that they are considering you for another position. I had a previous manager of mine who interviewed for an analyst position, but the person at the time who had interviewed him realized that he would be great for the managerial position that just opened up. So, he went in applying for one position and came out with a different position that paid much more!      As I said before, salary negotiation starts well before the job offer. An interviewer will ask if you are comfortable with the salary. They may ask for your past salaries. They will also ask you what salary you are looking for. The company is trying to figure out what salary range you are comfortable with (and what they can get away with). In most cases, they are trying to give you as little money as they can.      You are on the other end. You are trying to get as money as you can. In order to do this, it is generally best to delay discussing salary until the job offer is made . Interviewers/employers are more likely to dismiss someone who discusses salary too early. Only once a job offer is made is the employer is more flexible discuss this, as they know more about you and your skillset and have narrowed you down as a possible candidate for the position.      Okay, so let's think about it this way. You are at the mall and you see a jacket that you like but the price tag is $1,000. You tell yourself, “That’s too much” and pass on the store. Now imagine your friend has the jacket. You try it on. He tells you that it’s $1,000 but says he has had it for 5 years. He is tired of buying jackets that don’t keep him warm or just wear out after one or two winters. The jacket looks fairly new. It’s the warmest jacket that you have ever felt and it feels amazing. Aren’t you more likely to purchase the jacket at this point? If the only thing the employers knows about you is your price tag, they are more likely to make a decision based solely off that price tag.      If salary comes up early on during the interview you can say any of the below. Salary isn’t my main concern. I want to see if this job is the right fit for me. Once we figure out if I am right for the job, then I would like to discuss salary State that you would like to be paid a fair market wage. You can give a range but make sure it is big (don’t give a range of 85k-86k). You can also state that you would like to learn more about the role and the responsibilities before giving any salary info. Mention how you are flexible with salary and that you can give a better answer later You can mention that it is a principle of yours that you don’t discuss salary before an offer is made. Say that you will gladly give a salary range once you have learned more about the job.      As you get more comfortable, you can try different things. One important thing about salary negotiations is that you should avoid negotiating over email . The way you come off in email can be very different than how you come off on the phone or in person. You don’t want to risk coming off as rude because the person reading your email couldn’t see your body language or hear the way you would have said something. You can also judge the reactions of the people you are negotiating with to get a feel for how they react to your answers. You have everything to gain once you avoid email.      There is more to a job than just salary. Sometimes companies can be more flexible when it comes to negotiating benefits and perks. A company may not be flexible on salary but they can be flexible on insurance, expense accounts, company cars, vacation days and relocation expenses. You can negotiate a flexible working arrangement (telecommute 2 days a week) and this may be more valuable for your situation than money. A company car can easily save you thousands a year on insurance and maintenance expense. Figure out what is important and valuable to you and then see if the company can offer you a package that works best for you.      I have only briefly touched the world of salary negotiation. If you need more info and are actively in negotiations, I would highly recommend purchasing the books below. You can easily make a $1,000 a minute by negotiation properly. Disclaimer: Affiliate Links Below Negotiating Your Salary: How To Make $1000 a Minute by Jack Chapman - AMAZON This article used the tips and guidelines from this book. This book is worth every penny and is a must read if you want to make sure that a job pays you every single penny that you deserve. Secrets of Power Negotiating, 15th Anniversary Edition: Inside Secrets from a Master Negotiator This is a general book on negotiation. You negotiate in all aspects of life and I would highly recommend reading this along with the other book so you get a more holistic approach to negotiation. You will learn how to handle all types of negotiations and learn how to spot negotiation tactics and how to properly counter them.