10 Dirty and Divine Career Reinvention Lessons (#5)

10 Dirty and Divine Career Reinvention Lessons (#5) Lesson #5: The Grass Always (Looks) Greener on the Other Side We all know that saying the grass is greener on the other side. Turns out its true. Well, actually, its sort of true.  Let me explain Please take a look at the picture of the top of the post. Not so appealing, right? This photo was taken with the camera pointing down directly at the grass.  Inspecting the lawn from this perspective, you see the grass but you also see the dirt, the dead blades of grass, the cracks between the dirt, etc. and that all makes for a not-so-pretty photo. Now, lets look at a photo of my neighbors lawn. Hmm, sure looks healthier than mine, doesnt it? Now, the reason their lawn looks healthier is because this photo was taken from a different angle than the first photo of our lawn. Instead of standing in the middle of the grass, and being forced to focus on the dirt, this photo was shot from a distance.  Photographed with that birds-eye perspective, all you can see is a lush, healthy and green lawn. Of course, if I stood on my neighbors lawn and took a photo of their grass straight-on, Id capture a very different, and far less glamorous, image. Moral of the story? The grass isnt always greener on the other side. It just looks that way. Keep that in mind the next time you begin to feel that everyone elses job is so much more fun, interesting, rewarding, ____ (fill in the appropriate adjective) than your boring job. Yes, some jobs are better than others. But, there are no perfect jobs.  Every job, no matter how seemingly appealing, has its share of warts, worms and fungus. If you are interested in switching jobs or careers, you owe it to yourself to move past the glossy images in your mind and get to know the real dirt from someone who is living in that world.  Ask a lot of questions, scratch beneath the surface, and if possible, give that new career a test-drive before you make a move. The grass might really be greener on the other side.  Or maybe not. Be sure to determine what is reality and what is merely an illusion before you pull up roots and plant yourself in a supposedly greener pasture. Enjoy this? Here is the rest of the series: Lesson #1: Getting Started is the Hardest Part Lesson #2: Plant Yourself in the Right Soil Lesson #3: If Youre a Sun Loving Plant, Find a Sun Loving Garden Lesson #4: Dont Wait to Reach for the Watering Can Lesson #5: The Grass Always Looks Greener on the Other Side Lesson #6: Say Goodbye to the Old to Make Space for the New Lesson #7: Take Time to Smell the Roses Lesson #8: To Be the Best, Learn From the Best Lesson #9:    Expect the Unexpected Lesson #10:  To Everything There is a Season Related articles that you might also enjoy: 10 Dirty and Divine Career Reinvention Lessons (#10) 10 Dirty and Divine Career Reinvention Lessons (#7) 10 Dirty and Divine Career Reinvention Lessons (#3) 10 Dirty and Divine Career Reinvention Lessons (#2) 10 Dirty and Divine Career Reinvention Lessons (#1)

How to Be Fully Prepared For Your Interview

How to Be Fully Prepared For Your Interview Going for an interview can be an incredibly stressful experience. From the restless night’s sleep beforehand, to the constant sweating and shakes as you sit in the reception; sometimes they can feel more like you’re about to jump out of a plane rather than have a conversation with someone.   But what if we told you that there was another way? By following a few steps you can downplay the power of those nagging doubts, worries and anxious thoughts, and allow the best possible version of you to shine through. This blog is going to explore exactly what you need to do to achieve this, and how you can ace your next interview to secure that dream job. Do your research: It may seem like an obvious point, but fully researching a company before an interview will not only help you to feel more prepared, but it will also give you an in depth understanding of the type of company you are interviewing with and what they do. Ensure you get a great sense of their values and learn the job description inside out. If you know and can relate to a company before you’ve even got to the interview, then the entire situation won’t be as intimidating.   Practice: Whether it’s in the mirror or with a friend, practicing potential questions and how you will answer them will undoubtedly help to banish some of those nerves.  What is there to be concerned about if you’ve got a response for most of the questions they’ll likely ask you? Come up with teamwork examples, problem solving examples, and anything else you can think of. By having these answers stored in the back of your mind at all times, you’ll be ready to face anything that they could throw at you. It’s also worth looking up difficult interview questions. Being asked what your biggest fault is can be off putting in a situation where you’re trying to sell yourself, yet there is a right answer to this question if you research beforehand. Have a plan: When you’re going for an interview, you want to reduce the likelihood of stress. One way you can do this is by planning your journey in advance. If you’re getting a taxi, book it the day before and make sure you have the money to hand. If you’re getting a bus or train, check the timetables. Go for options that will give you more time than you need. You don’t want to miss your interview because your train was delayed. Getting the earlier option for your chosen transport mode should prevent this, whilst also giving you time to relax and mentally prepare for what’s ahead. Get an early night: This advice may seem reminiscent of childhood, yet getting plenty of rest before an interview will ensure you look fresh and can think clearly.  And always make sure you set an alarm. There’s no excuse for being late to an interview; in fact it’s always worth getting there with plenty of time to spare. Best to be kept waiting in reception for a bit, than to keep potential employers waiting in a meeting room for you. Dress for success: Sometimes, the way we dress can have a huge impact on how we feel. If we feel comfortable and think we look good, then we’re also likely to exude this confidence in the way we walk, hold ourselves and even the way we communicate with other people.  First impressions are everything, and human nature means the first judgment we make on people usually comes down to how they look, even if we don’t want this to be the case. A smart suit, skirt or dress are all good choices for women, and a suit and tie is vital if you’re a man. Even if you’re heading for an interview where smart clothes are usually not worn in the workplace, it’s always important to make an effort and look your best. Be open:   Sometimes, letting the employer know you’re nervous can break the ice. It’ll help account for any potential long pauses when your mind goes blank, and it’s likely the person interviewing you will also try to make you feel more comfortable. Another tip is to always accept a drink of water. If you get stuck on a question and need more time to think, you can take a sip whilst you gather yourself together and launch into that winning answer. Relax and think positively Most importantly, you need to remember one thing: You can do this!  You’ve prepared. You’ve planned. You’ve practiced. So much so that when your interview finally comes around, you should be ready to go in and ace it with ease. Just remember, the person interviewing is just a regular human being who goes home at night, has a curry and watches television. Once you feel like you’re meeting with someone like you, as opposed to a deity, youll instantly feel more relaxed. And remember, they aren’t trying to catch you out; they just want to get to know you a little better! Author: Rachel Jensen works for NetSource, specialising in  information technology and telecommunications recruitment.

The FAQs of Office Parties

The FAQs of Office Parties Some people love them, but on the flip side theres a feeling of dread for a lot of others. Office parties certainly cause a split and considering some of the stories that arise out of them each and every year, its really no surprise. In truth, the typical office party is changing somewhat. Once upon a time, everyone cramming into a bar used to be the norm. Now, more inventive solutions are on the menu and you only have to take a look at the likes of teamtactics.co.uk to see that the list of activities is now much broader than a drink at the local. Regardless of the type of event that your company has organized, you should at least ask yourself some questions before heading on down. Arm yourself with the following to ensure that everything goes to plan and there are no head-turns when you rock up to work the following Monday morning. What should you wear? As youll find with a lot of these questions, a lot depends on the type of company that you work for. If you work in a completely casual environment, it goes without saying that your life is so much easier. If you dont fall into the above category, dont leave it until the last minute before casting your decision.  When the gathering is straight after work, standard business attire will suffice. If its later on, youll then have to take a different train of thought. Checking with your coworkers is the best advice although make sure that your professionalism is never compromised. Thats the top rule. Should your significant other go? This can be a tricky one, but the best advice is to treat it as a no unless its otherwise stated. The last thing you want is to rock up arm-in-arm with your significant other, only to see that he or she is the only other plus one attending. Not only does it make things awkward for your partner, but it can change the tone of the event if an outsider is present. Who else is going? Theres plenty of method in this question. If you know who else is going to the event, you can plan your conversations accordingly. For a lot of people, the dread behind the office party stems from the fact that there are a lot of awkward conversions with people that you rarely talk with. If you at least know who is going, you can have your go-to list of questions. Of course, if its all close co-workers you wont have any such issues. Then again, if this is the case, you probably wouldnt have stumbled onto this guide. Should you dance on the table at the end of the night? Come on. To end the guide on something of a funny note, its a resounding no. Of course, if youre in some sort of Wolf of Wall Street environment there might be exceptions. For the most part, dont even consider it though.

Personal Branding Interview Deborah L. Cohen - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Personal Branding Interview Deborah L. Cohen - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Today, I spoke to Deborah L. Cohen, who is a veteran business reporter with a knack for writing financial stories that cross over into the areas of general interest, law, science and health. For the past three years, she has produced a weekly column about issues facing entrepreneurs and small business owners for Reuters.com. In this interview, Deborah talks about how she got started in journalism, obstacles small business are facing, and more. How did you get started in the journalism world? What peaked your interest about writing for small businesses? I got into journalism after five years working in public relations â€" first in the development office of a private secondary school in New Jersey and later for a mid-sized accounting firm in Chicago. I loved the process of reporting and writing; what I didn’t enjoy was the PR spin factor. So I decided to pursue a career in journalism and headed off to Medill at Northwestern. I fell into the small business beat. I left my copyediting job at Reuters three years ago to pursue a career as an independent journalist because I wanted to return to reporting and tackle some different media, including video and longer-form magazine writing. An editor I had worked with at Reuters contacted me about the idea of a regular small business column to help Reuters fill in content for its expanding online presence. I started and was hooked. Reporting on small business is much different than covering big public companies. Entrepreneurs are highly energetic and approachable, and their enthusiasm is contagious. What small business obstacles and opportunities have you noticed in the past year? The main obstacle for small companies continues to be financing, both from banks and venture capital and private equity firms. There may be some glimmers of improvement on those fronts, but businesses will continue to struggle in 2011. They’re being forced to do a lot more with less. You have your own website that showcases your work. Should everyone have their own website? Why or why not? For me, a website is a necessary branding tool, since I write for other outlets besides Reuters. It affords me a central place to park portfolio samples and general background information about myself. I don’t know that it’s necessary for staff reporters to have their own websites. In fact, there may be some restrictions on how they showcase their work, depending on their contracts. How do you see the media landscape changing in the future? Among the most interesting trends in media right now is the migration of content online and its integration into social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter where readers engage in the debate. I see journalists becoming much more specialized in coming years, and I think branding will be a key component of that. Journalists will move seamlessly from one medium to another, providing more complete story packages. What 3 tips do you have for young journalists just starting out? My three tips for young journalists: Don’t be complacent about improving your skills. The world is changing and you need to keep pace. Think about specializing. What do you absolutely love to report on? Take ownership of it. Don’t be afraid to take career risks or to reinvent yourself. - Deborah L. Cohen is a veteran business reporter with a knack for writing financial stories that cross over into the areas of general interest, law, science and health. For the past three years, she has produced a weekly column about issues facing entrepreneurs and small business owners for Reuters.com. She also provides monthly coverage on solo attorneys for the American Bar Associations ABA Journal. She has contributed to BusinessWeek, Smart Money, Indianapolis Monthly, QSR, Forward, Bloomberg magazine and the alumni publications of the University of Illinois-Chicago and Northwestern Universitys Kellogg School of Management, among others. Before striking out on her own in late 2007, she held staff positions with Reuters, Crain’s Chicago Business, Bloomberg News and the Post-Tribune in Gary, Ind., covering beats ranging from labor unions to fast food, advertising and telecommunications.

How to Include Writing in Resume

How to Include Writing in ResumeIf you are wondering how to include writing an article in resume then the basic thing you have to do is to locate an article writing service. You will find there are a lot of companies out there that can provide your articles for free. This is definitely something that you should consider because it can save you some money.But one of the other things that you should consider is the quality of the writing that you are going to be getting. One thing that you will surely consider when you want to include writing an article in resume is the number of quality articles that you are going to get. It is essential to note that if you are going to use a company to write articles for you, it should be one of the best out there.What you have to remember when you want to include writing an article in resume is that you have to be more than satisfied with the articles that you are going to get. Most people who are able to use this method are not satisfied with what they are getting. They want something that they can be proud of.There are other factors that you will also need to consider when you want to include writing an article in resume but having quality article should be the most important thing. Having this content is extremely important when you want to include writing in resume. You also have to take the time to check the grammar and the quality of the content.You also have to make sure that you include the information that you want in the article. You have to consider that when you are trying to include writing in resume, it is important to focus on the quality of the content. You have to remember that people who are not focused on quality are going to use less of their time.The next thing that you have to consider when you want to include writing in resume is the name of the person who is going to be using the article. You have to think about that the first person who will look at the resume is going to be the one who will actually h ire the writer. So you have to be sure that it is the right person.Another thing that you have to remember when you want to include writing in resume is the size of the article. It is important to note that if you want to use an article that is very long, then you have to make sure that it is the right length. You also have to make sure that the length is correct.The last thing that you have to remember when you want to include writing in resume is that it is important to give credit to the author. This will make sure that the author is respected. You should also make sure that you check for plagiarism.

113 Sonia Wray - Sterling Results - Jane Jackson Career

113 Sonia Wray - Sterling Results - Jane Jackson Career Serial Entrepreneur Sonia Wray is the founder of Sterling Results. Sterling Results is the umbrella company from which she runs three business. The ‘Business Brains Club’ where she Mentors small business for growth. ‘Sterling Results Fitness Club’ which focuses on those who are, or who want to be, ‘Fit Fabulous and over 50’ and finally ‘Trekking Adventures’, where she takes people on the trek of a lifetime ensuring they are fit enough to enjoy it.Sonia’s story:“Bought up on a farm in rural South Australia, I was told by my mother at the age of 5, that I would be going to university.I remember my Mum telling me after one parent/teacher night, that my year 11 Chemistry teacher didn’t expect anything from me except working at the local supermarket. I was quickly removed from that school and sent to boarding school!At the age of 15, I decided to be a Dentist after a work-experience week. A few years later, I thought maybe I could be an Opera Singer; but realised to make money you would need to be super special, plus I didn’t get support from my parents, so back to Dentistry. I missed out on a dentistry degree by 3 points in year 12, very sad. However, as I was gifted in Maths, I completed a degree in Applied Mathematics and Statistics. Although I didn’t want to work as an Engineer, Actuarist or Statistician, I then completed a 2nd degree in EducationI became a Maths Teacher to Secondary school students, first job Permanent role in prestige private school in Adelaide. Resigned after 3 years, as I didn’t like the “boring” culture. I then took a Contract teaching role in State Public Girls School in most disadvantaged area of Adelaide    I moved from there to a SALES role in IT, and my career progressed in that direction for the next 20 yearsAfter moving into Sales, I stayed in roles on average for 3 years either looking for the next challenge or because I was head hunted. My roles progressed as Sales Person, Sales Manager, National Sal es Manager, Regional General Manager, Director of Sales, and Director of Government.I worked for SMB managing a 10Million Budget to Multinational managing a 150Million Budget. Managing from 4 staff to over 160 staff during my career.After being “passed” over on the next career step and always facing the Glass ceiling with non-supportive Male bosses and after my third Redundancy, I decide to consider what else I could do. Whilst walking to the gym I pondered what hobby I might have that could make me a business. I chose Trekking.I completed a certificate in Fitness and Personal Training, I completed a series of First Aid courses, and setup “Sterling Results Fitness Club“ a fitness business focussing on clients over 50 and “Trekking Adventures” taking people on the adventure of their lifetime and ensuring they are fit enough to enjoy itI then decided I needed a day job, as fitness was between 6-9am and pm; and realised I still had a lot to offer from my business career, as such I founded “The Business Brains Club”, which mentors business owners on strategy and business results focussing on the six pillars of growth. All these three businesses come under the umbrella of Sterling Results, which is Personal Brand from which I deliver presentations and MC eventsThe most rewarding aspect of my current role is helping  people to be more successful and having a full and productive day”Sonia’s top 3 tips for success when setting up your own business:Be a learner. Listen to others and learn.Ask for help and seek help from those you meet. Give back too.Have fun, stay healthy, walk 10,000 steps a day.Where to find Sonia:Sterling Results fitness Club  Sonia’s HIKEFIT program meets every Saturday 7am plus Sunday and Weekday sessions starting in MarchTrekking Adventures  Want to TREK Nepal in Oct 2017? Join Sonia’s Trekking Adventures!Business Brains Club 4-month private and personalised mentoring program to help your business grow, or our 2-hour inten sives to focus on a major issueBusiness Brains Club SPECIAL OFFERMention the Jane Jackson Career Podcast when you make contact and Sonia will give you 50% off your first 2 hour Deep Dive Session!

How To Make Your Small Home Business Look Like A Huge Corporation

How To Make Your Small Home Business Look Like A Huge Corporation Operating a business from home is a cost-effective and convenient way to run a company, however there’s still a stigma than home businesses aren’t as credible and successful as those that have offices and teams of staff. Fortunately, it’s possible to make people think that you’re a huge corporation with a few tricks. Here are just a few ways that you can hide the fact that you’re a home business and make people believe that you’re bigger than you are. Don’t meet clients at your home Arranging meetings with clients at your home is the number one giveaway that you’re a home business. Not only could inviting clients to your person address have security risks, it could also damage your professionality if you’re having to deal with family and household matters at the same time as talking to your client. Your best options when meeting clients is to go out for coffee somewhere and talk or use a video conferencing tool such as Skype. Just make sure when video conferencing that there are now giveaways in the background that you’re working from home. Outsource your mailing address If clients have to send you physical mail, a home address could give away that you’re not based in an office. Fortunately, there are sites like https://physicaladdress.com that allow you to have your mail sent to a virtual address where it is then redirected to your address or stored as a digital copy. These virtual addresses are often based in central city locations to make people believe that you’re based somewhere more professional. Use a virtual phone answering service You could also consider outsourcing a company to answer all incoming business calls for you. This company can filter out any sales calls and general inquiries and relay only the most important information to you. This has lots of advantages â€" you won’t have the constant interruption of phone calls allowing you to focus on core tasks, your phone will always get answered regardless of where you are and it will make your company more professional by making people believe that you have a secretary to answer the phone and that you’re not just a solo one-man-project (when in fact you may well be). You can find these services at sites like https://moneypenny.com. Dominate the internet By developing a large internet presence, you can also make people think that your business is bigger than it is. This is no easy task and may include hiring a digital marketing company. Certain ways that you can look big on the internet include building up a large social media following, collecting lots of reviews on lots of different review sites, getting your company features on other people’s blogs and designing a professional looking website. Get other company owners you know to help endorse you on the web by creating social media posts about your company or linking to you on their site all this will help you to dominate the internet and look like a huge company.