The Forum Group is honored to support the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. Over the last year the Forum Group, a veteran owned firm, has raised money through our monthly ‘Jeans Day’ initiative. On Sunday September 24^th the Forum Group toured the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum and presented the Fallen Heroes Fund with a check of $4,000.

We would like to thank the entire Forum team and alumni that took part in this meaningful fundraising program. The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund serves United States military personnel wounded or injured in service to our nation and their families. Forum is proud to align with such a wonderful organization and their deeply meaningful cause.

Forum Staff members, families and loved ones were reminded of what true sacrifice, teamwork and commitment are all about throughout our Intrepid visit. We thank the heroic men and women that sacrifice so much for our safety and well-being.

You’re not completely sold that you’re on the right career path, but the idea of making a change is daunting. There are so many unknowns, and we all know the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Plus, if you do decide to change course, you may have to take a step back to develop necessary skills.

The time and energy required to transition into the right career path may be valid concerns, but they shouldn’t stop you from pursuing a path you love. Several years ago, I went from working in finance to being on a human resources team—unconventional to say the least. The decision wasn’t easy. I knew that I would be unsatisfied if I stayed in finance, but I wasn’t 100% sure HR would be the right fit. After hours of conversations with friends, family, and people in my network and months of introspection, I finally worked up enough courage to make the leap. I haven’t looked back.

Before you make a switch of your own, ask yourself the following three questions.

Are You Developing a Competitive Advantage?

In The Start-up of You, authors Reid Hoffman and Ben Casnocha teach that we’re all entrepreneurs of our own careers. They argue that to become competitive in today’s global market, it’s critical to understand your assets (what you’re good at), your aspirations (what you want to do), and the market realities (what people will pay you for).

As you look at your work history, think of these three areas as puzzle pieces. Having only one or two isn’t enough. You need all three to develop a true competitive advantage.

You’ve likely heard the axiom, “Find a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” This may be true for some, but blindly following passion can lead to an unsustainable career. I’ve found Hoffman and Casnocha’s framework more practical. Know your assets and aspirations in light of the market realities—then pursue a path that maximizes all three.

How Often Do You Think About Work Outside of Work?

The importance of this question is best illustrated through a story. Henry Eyring, a former business professor at Stanford University, tells how he ended up choosing his path. His father, who was a renowned scientist and professor, hoped his son would follow in his footsteps. In Eyring’s words: “My father was [teaching physics] at a blackboard we kept in the basement…Suddenly he stopped. ‘Hal,’ he said, ‘we were working the same kind of problem a week ago. You don’t seem to understand it any better now than you did then. Haven’t you been working on it?’”

Eyring admitted he had not. His father then said: “When you walk down the street, when you’re in the shower, when you don’t have to be thinking about anything else, isn’t this what you think about?”

“When I told him no,” Eyring concludes, “my father paused…then said, ‘Hal, I think you’d better get out of physics. You ought to find something that you love so much that when you don’t have to think about anything, that’s what you think about.’”

I found this true in my life. When I was in finance, I rarely thought about work outside the office. Rather, I thought about people-related challenges my team faced and how I could improve the company culture. To be successful you don’t need to obsess about your job 24/7, but if you’re only thinking about your job during the hours of 9 to 5, it may be a sign you’re on the wrong path.

What Does Your Career Path Look Like 10 Years Down the Road?

Think of those in your company or industry who are more senior than you. Do you eventually want to be doing the type of work they’re doing?

This long-term view on your career is critical because many jobs change as you advance in your field. For example, junior investment bankers spend most of their time building financial models and client presentations, while senior bankers focus largely on sourcing deals and maintaining relationships. Even if you don’t love your current job, it may be a necessary step to develop skills that’ll help you get where you ultimately want to be.

If you don’t know what your current path looks like, schedule an informational interview with someone more experienced. These informal meetings are a great way to find out what you can expect in the future. Consider asking people what they like most about their job, the types of projects they work on, and what advice they’d give to someone in your shoes. I had a lot of informational interviews when I was in finance, and they’re what ultimately influenced me to take my career in another direction.

Determining whether to change industries is no small task, but asking yourself the three questions I’ve shared will help you make an informed decision. Are you developing a competitive advantage by maximizing your assets, your aspirations, and the market realities? How often do you think about work outside of the office? What does your career path look like in the future?

Your answers to these questions will help you understand whether you should double your efforts in your current job or start figuring out your next move.

Americans are increasingly using their mobile phones for so much more than calling and texting. Cell phone and tablet use has expanded to include everything from searching the internet, paying bills, playing and purchasing music, reading books, managing calendars, playing games and more. Statista.com reports that in 2014, 36 percent of smartphone and 45 percent of tablet users had purchased at least one app for their mobile device. According to industry figures, the number of mobile app buyers in the United States is projected to reach 85 million by 2019.

Because of this surge in the use of mobile devices and applications, companies are looking to hire specialists who can develop and program for mobile devices. Mobile Developers creates applications and solutions for mobile devices including smartphones, tablets and other handheld devices.  The demand for this type of job has continued to increase as businesses adjust to mobile strategies in their marketing and advertising efforts. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects about a 27 percent increase in employment growth for web developers (which includes mobile developers) by 2024. This growth is predicted as result of the rising popularity of mobile devices and ecommerce.

Job requirements for mobile development careers include a bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering or a related field, as well as experience in software development and mobile application development, such as iOS or Android application development.  Some employers may also require candidates to have advanced certifications in areas such as advanced web development and in mobile application development. Employers are looking for strong candidates, who in addition to relevant education, also have substantial work experience in mobile development, as they may be developing applications that can potentially reach millions of users per day.

As people rely more and more on their mobile devices, the industry’s employment growth will remain strong. “The biggest shift in the industry is mobile technologies,” says Andrew Ruditser, a Lead Technology Coordinator at Maxburst Inc., a web development company on Long Island. “We have to make sure our sites don’t just look good on desktops, but also on androids and iPhones.”

If you are looking for a career as a mobile developer, consider contacting a professional and established recruiting firm such as The Forum Group. For over four decades The Forum Group has successfully placed thousands of individuals in meaningful and rewarding positions. Contact The Forum Group, an experienced staffing and recruiting company, to help you secure a career in mobile development.

If you are looking for a career in the information technology (IT) field, but don’t know where to start, let a specialized recruiting company’s expert staffing specialists get you started on the right path.

Staffing specialists help with medical staffing, legal staffing and support, accounting and finance recruitment, IT staffing, and more. In fact, more than 3 million employees work for America’s staffing companies during an average week, and during the course of one year, they hire over 14 million temporary and contract employees. As many as 76% work full time.

Tighter Regulations Boost Auditing Careers

Advanced technology and tighter regulations continue to change the face of business. As a result, the need for greater controls and stringent internal audits has risen significantly in the business industry.

The growing overall economy and an increasingly complex tax and regulatory environment have led to a strong demand for internal auditors.  As the economy grows, auditors are needed to examine financial records, evaluate internal or external controls, identify potential control weaknesses and assess risk.  According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, accounting and auditing jobs are projected to increase by 11% between 2014 and 2024.

Stricter laws and regulations, particularly in the financial sector, have increased the demand for auditing and accounting services, as organizations seek to comply with new standards. In addition, tighter lending standards are expected to increase the importance of audits, as this is an important way for organizations to demonstrate their creditworthiness.

Auditors are often responsible for monitoring internal controls and ensuring that they are designed to achieve operational objectives.  In addition, internal auditors oversee the effectiveness and efficiency of operations; ensure accurate and reliable financial reports; and ensure compliance with industry-related laws and regulations.

Internal auditors may be employed as part of an organization’s compliance department; however auditors often work to support various areas of a business including finance, legal, risk management, fraud and operations.  They are often relied upon to identify weaknesses and recommend process enhancements for business units.  “As an internal bank auditor, I learned the importance of determining which internal controls should be in place to safeguard assets, and how to monitor those controls and make recommendations,” says Susan Maddox, Controller and Director of Accounting at The Country Music Hall of Fame.

If you are considering a career as an auditor, education and accounting experience are required. Most auditor positions require at least a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field. Employers often prefer to hire applicants who have a master’s degree, either in accounting, finance, or business administration. Candidates who have earned a CPA certification are also often preferred.

For over four decades The Forum Group has successfully placed thousands of individuals in meaningful and rewarding positions. Contact The Forum Group, an experienced staffing and recruiting company, to help you secure the career you have been pursuing.