The 5 People Who Could Make Or Break Your Career Change

The 5 People Who Could Make Or Break Your Career Change Expert Advice > How to build your support team The 5 People Who Could Make Or Break Your Career Change * Who has the biggest impact on your move into fulfilling work? Selina Barker explains who the most influential people around you are, how having the wrong ones can make your shift a nightmare, and how you can find the right ones to make the process easier, less stressful, and a whole lot more fun. Who are the five people that you spend most time with, and listen to the most? It's an important question to ask yourself, because they're likely to be having a far bigger influence on your life than you might have realised. It's these people that have the power to shape your beliefs, opinions and mindset more than anyone else. They affect your self-esteem, your thinking and your decisions. They have the power to inspire you or deflate you, and when you're going through a major change in life, like a career change, they will either help you or hinder you. Imagine for a moment: What would it be like to spend a whole day with a group of five people who: Listen to your ideas and desires to change career Ask useful questions that help you to see things from different perspectives Lovingly challenge you on your assumptions Encourage and inspire you, and Give you ideas for things you could try, and contacts of people that could be useful for you to speak to? How are you going to go away feeling at the end of that day? Pretty good, right? Positive, empowered, clear, more confident, and probably with a plan for the things you're going to explore and experiment with next. Now imagine: What would it be like to spend a whole day with a group of five people who: Are nervous about change Have a very limited and narrow-minded view of the world and what's possible Meet your ideas and desires to change career with doubt and scepticism Don't understand why you would want to change and Seem to be projecting all their own fears on to you and your plans How are you going to go away feeling at the end of that day? At best, disappointed and deflated at your friends' reactions to your career change plans, and feeling unsupported and misunderstood by them. And, at worst, wanting to turn on yourself completely, bin the whole idea of changing career and berate yourself for having ever thought you could do such a thing. So you see how powerful and important it is to surround yourself with the right kind of people. People who are loving and supportive. People who want to see you grow and succeed in life. People who also proactively bring about positive changes in their lives and follow their dreams. People who know the courage and determination it takes to make big changes happen. People who understand that sometimes you'll have a wobble and will need them to help you through. People who are positive and supportive while also being confident and assertive enough to challenge you lovingly on things, so that you keep on a track that's going to get you to where you want to go. So, what can you do about it? Five things you can do to surround yourself with the right people Spend time with your positive friends. Make an effort to spend as much of your time as possible with friends you already have who are positive and believe in you and the change you want to make. Think about the people you have in your life who best fulfill those criteria, and then find ways to spend more time with them. Connect with others who are also going through a career change. There's nothing like the power of camaraderie. Find ways to meet other people who are also going through a career change. Go to meetups for career changers in your area (check out meetup.com), go to workshops on career change, or join online communities for career changers. Tune into inspirational experts. Seek out the people who are experts when it comes to career change and really know what they're talking about. These are people who will inspire you and offer you sound advice. Go to their talks, watch their videos online, listen to their podcasts. Sign up to their newsletters so that you get their encouragement and advice regularly popping into your inbox, reminding you that you can do it. Start by signing up to the Careershifters bulletin (and mine if you haven't already!) Listen to success stories. Feed yourself with stories of people who are in the career you want to shift into, or those who have made successful career changes, having once been in the position you are. Find documentaries, stories online, books, magazine articles about people who have done what you want to do and let them inspire you. If you have friends, acquaintances, or friends of friends that do what you want to do, invite them out for a coffee and ask them what advice they can offer you. Do workshops and courses. Take part in experiences that have you connecting with a community of people in the same boat as you: either career change workshops or courses that allow you to absorb yourself in your chosen industry. Not only will you get the guidance and learning that you need, but you'll also immediately have a community of like-minded people to spend time with: people who believe in the change you're making and want to see you succeed. So now you have ways to surround yourself with the right kind of people. But what if you can't avoid or escape the naysayers? What can you do about the negative mood-hoovers that you can't get away from â€" friends, family, work colleagues? Five ways to deal with the negative people you can't get away from Be compassionate. Remember that people who are negative come from a fearful place. They're meeting your plans of career change with doubt and negativity because of their own limited beliefs. They often mean no harm and are just caught up in their own negativity. Have compassion for them. Understand that they are coming from fear themselves and that it's much worse for them â€" they have to live with their negative, limited ways of thinking, 24/7! Remember that it's not about you. Some people will be threatened by you saying that you're going to do something about your own unhappiness â€" you're highlighting that they could also do something about changing the areas of their life that they're not happy with… if they had the courage. So, remember, whatever the reason, negative people are going to be negative to everyone, they would be quick to knock down anyone's ideas when it comes to changing career. It's not about you; it's about them. Let them know the impact their negativity has. If they're close friends or family members, let them know how their negative comments impact on you and leave you feeling. Let them know that right now you need their support and encouragement, that you understand their fears, but you really need them on your side. It could be a big wake up call to them, seeing how their negativity impacts on you and the people around them. Minimise the amount of time you spend with them. There are some people who are so stuck in their negative ways that no matter how much you ask them to support you, they're going to go ahead and keep you down without even realising it. Or perhaps they're just nasty types who like to throw their weight around. In which case, if you really can't drop them from your life altogether, then do whatever you can to minimise the amount of time you spend with them. If you do have to spend time with them, dilute the experience by seeing them within a group of people, so that it's not just the two of you together. Stop sharing your career plans with them. It's usually best, with negative people that can't or won't change their ways, to simply not share your career change plans with them. This is particularly true early on, when you'll have plenty of your own doubts and fears to be dealing with and don't need other people adding fuel to that fearful fire. So, for now, talk about other things. If they ask you how it's going, tell them that it's fine, and if they probe then just explain that for the time being, you're keeping things to yourself. When the people you spend your time with can have such a huge impact on your own beliefs, the decisions you make, and the course your life takes, then doing whatever is in your power to surround yourself with the right kinds of people is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your life. So, find your kind of people and keep adding to that crowd until you are surrounded by not just five but fifty people in your life who you feel really get you, who love you, support you, and want to see you succeed. What could you do today to get the right people around you? Let us know in the comments below!

How To Get Help With Your Resume

How To Get Help With Your ResumeIf you're looking for professional resume writing services Durham, NC can provide, then this article will give you the information you need. If you're having trouble writing a good resume or are struggling to get one to look professional enough for your potential employer, then you'll want to read this article. You'll find helpful advice about writing a great resume that will impress any employer, no matter what industry they are in. Let's talk about how to write a resume that stands out from the rest and makes you stand out among all the other candidates.The very first thing you must do is make sure your resume isn't so long that it gets lost under the resume of another applicant. This will happen if you leave your contact information off of your resume, or if you end up filling out too many sections that are only relevant to the job you are applying for. Try to keep your resume concise and very simple.Next, you must keep your resume as close to chron ological order as possible. There is nothing more irritating than applying for a job and finding that the company has been listed in the wrong chronological order. Always ensure your resume is consistent with the company you are applying for and make sure your contact information is accurate.Finally, don't forget to spell check your resume and make sure you have all of your important information correct. If you are unsure of a spelling or grammar error, then email the resume to a professional resume writer. If the mistake is too big, your resume will never get you hired, but you'll be wasting your time trying to fix it.Now, if you would like help with your resume writing, there are many great resume writing services available to the public. They are there to help people, and can have your resume written for free, or for a minimal fee. Make sure you get help when you need it the most, so you can make sure your resume is just what you need to get your foot in the door.Simply go to the ResumeContactInformation@gmail.com website and fill out the form. That's it, and you'll get back an expert resume writer who will write your resume for free.This type of service is invaluable, because you can have a good resume without spending a lot of money. You can also make sure that your resume looks as professional as possible, and that it matches your experience and education level. Resume writing services Durham, NC can help you make your resume as impressive as possible.It's worth it to pay for professional resume writing services Durham, NC, because your resume is your first impression. If you want your resume to impress your potential employer, then this is the best way to go.

A Happy Workplace Office Etiquette to Remember

A Happy Workplace Office Etiquette to Remember Since we spend the majority of our day in the workplace, a happy workplace is very important.  Today, Stacey Cavalari, a journalist and writer is going to give us tips on office etiquette that can help us create a happy workplace.     Having to spend your day at work surrounded by the same group of people can build great lasting friendships, it can drive you nuts, or somewhere in between. It all depends on the type of environment you and your co-workers create together. Here are a few easy tip to create a happy workplace. Personal Space   If you watched TV in the mid-nineties, you probably remember Seinfeld’s “close talker” episode. Pretty much the ‘close-talker’ has no concept of personal space, and is literally six inches from your face.  While your co-workers may not be that bad, having someone impinge on your space is never fun. If you have to share a cubicle or a desk make sure you both agree to a delineation of the shared space. If you’re concerned about your private property, invest in a small lock to keep on one of your drawers. [Related Post:  Office Etiquette: 4 Ways to Handle a Mean Co-Worker] Consideration   Somewhere along the way we as a culture have lost our manners. Common courtesy for your fellow human beings doesn’t take much effort and can have amazing results. Small things like keeping the elevator for a running colleague, to holding the door open when they’ve got their hands full can make all the difference. Be considerate, but not a doormat. Being kind doesn’t mean you have to be walked all over and taken advantage of. Consideration, Part II Throw your garbage in the trash. Most offices have an employee lounge area for lunch. Don’t make a big mess of the space and expect someone else to clean it up for you. If you are having a microwave meal for lunch and it explodes in the microwave, take the time to clean it up. It’s unacceptable to treat your peers as your maids. Unless you want to pay them for their services, make sure you straighten up. Respect To expect an office environment to be completely quiet is unrealistic. That being said, no one voice should stand out above the general din of office murmurs (unless of course, it’s the bosses). No one wants to hear all about someone else’s drama, especially if it’s in the form of an overheard phone call. Do yourself and everyone else around you a favor and keep the personal calls to a minimum and an appropriate decibel level. Work doesn’t have to be a place you hate. By following the tips in this article you can make it a place you don’t mind spending your day at, maybe even turning it into a place that you actually like. Readers, how do you create a happy workplace?

How to Align Your Business Cards with Your Brand - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

How to Align Your Business Cards with Your Brand - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Business cards may seem extremely outdated in today’s technology-driven world. However, they are actually an important part of your brand. Think of business cards as a portable version of you and your brand â€" one that you hand out to other people to remember you by. Design matters An eye-catching design can say a lot about you and your brand. Check out these before and after designs. So, take the design process seriously, and just like every other part of your brand, think about what you want the design to say about you. Do you want to be sleek and successful? Dark and mysterious? Size matters A lot of people are into the small business cards these days. To me, they are quite annoying and easy to lose. After all, you want me (I assume) to be able to contact you at a later point. Sure, they’re cute, but these days, you have a lot of information to fit in an already small space. There’s no need to make your business cards smaller. Content matters Make it easy for your contacts to connect with you. Becoming completely elusive after meeting someone does not look good for your brand. If you’re always on Skype, include your Skype username. If you frequent Twitter, include your Twitter handle. Same goes for all the other social networks and possible means to contact you. Oh yeah, and you probably want to include three to five words about your brand somewhere on your cards. For example: “Gen Y author, columnist mentor.” Use your cards not only to provide contact information, but also to make a statement about your brand. Digital matters Let’s say someone lost your business card (small or otherwise). If you don’t have an online portfolio, you should at least have a digital business card. There are many options out there, and more seem to pop up every day. Make sure your digital design and content are consistent with your print business cards. What other elements of a business card are important to your brand? Author: Heather R. Huhman is a career expert and founder president of Come Recommended, an exclusive online community connecting the best internship and entry-level job candidates with the best employers. She is also the author of #ENTRYLEVELtweet: Taking Your Career from Classroom to Cubicle (2010), national entry-level careers columnist for Examiner.com and blogs about career advice at HeatherHuhman.com.

Too Old to Be Hired - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Too Old to Be Hired - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career The law says employers are not permitted to discriminate because they deem someone too old, yet employers do so every single day. How can they get away with it? The answer is, by thinking it but never talking about it or documenting it. When questioned, their answer is, It was not a good fit. There are many reasons people who are no longer young are associated with certain preconceived ideasâ€"for example, poor physical appearance. In some cases, it’s true, and a candidate should show concern and responsibility for improving such an image. Easily said and challenging to reverse but often can be improved through, say, physical fitness, a more contemporary eyeglass frame, better-looking and better-fitting clothing, and proper grooming can make a huge difference. Another example is the expectation that an older and more experienced person is expectingâ€"and needsâ€"more money. In many cases, this is not true. While everybody wants more money of course, there are many situations in which the person has already built a nest egg, and money is a secondary or tertiary concern. Going out and working, regaining identity, contributing, and just being with other people often outweigh everything else. One more example is the preconception that younger people are more tech savvy. Yes , that’s often the case, but I can easily argue that an electronics engineer with years of experience and who’s gone through the technology evolution has a profound understanding and a big-picture point of view, which could be major assets. And how about the notion that older folks have low energy, often have a so-called corporate mentality, and a lack of flexibility? Again, some of those might be true in some cases, but from the examples I’ve presented here, it’s easy to see that each case must be judged independently and weighed on demonstrated facts. How can a candidate mitigate often-false prejudices? First, a candidate must be careful about social media presence. Ninety plus percent of employers check out candidates prior to making a first contact. Why this practice? Because it’s simple, quick, and free. The way candidates do the same by checking out the company and, possibly, everything they can about those they’re going to interview with at the company. It’s called due diligence on both sides. As a job candidate, you should check out your own social media score starting with LinkedIn, followed by mywebcareer.com and then socialmention.com. The latter Web site takes a holistic approach, including videos. Second, if you’re not clear on how the potential interviewer might view you, a session with a career coach can surface and reveal all your doubts. In fact, if the career coach is in the habit of using a video camera, you could see it for yourself. In addition, do not be embarrassed to initiate a conversation on this subject with your spouse and your good friends and possibly do a mutual exchange of opinions with other job seekers. Third, get into the frame of mind that says that as an older person, you possess a special asset: experience. Practically speaking, that means that all of the past mistakes were made on some other employer’s account and would not be repeated. How about your problem-solving skills, which are by now well developed? And how about the fact that you’re already in the habit of practicing good judgment and have good work habits. After all, you come from the old school.

5 Ways To Avoid A Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Injury At Work CareerMetis.com

5 Ways To Avoid A Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Injury At Work â€" CareerMetis.com If your job has you sitting in front of the computer screen, using repetitive hand tools or driving all day, you may be at increased risk for developing Carpal tunnel syndrome While there is no proven method for avoiding or preventing the onset of CTS symptoms altogether, certain precautions can be adopted to reduce stress on the hands and wrists.Here are five tips to help employees avoid developing Carpal tunnel syndrome on the job:1. Make sure your workspace is ergonomically designedevalSetting up your workspace according to ergonomic guidelines â€" focusing on the correct placement of your desk, computer monitor, keyboard chair and other work-related accessories and tools can help reduce stress on your body and subsequently keep Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms at bay.Many ergonomically-designed office tools, such as a split or jointed-type keyboard, are meant to facilitate the maintaining of a natural body position and preventing uncomfortable bodily strain while working and are a vailable on the market.In addition, many businesses contract the services of ergonomic physical therapists to assess and modify company workstations according to ergonomic standards. Remember, it is of utmost importance that your wrists be in their natural position while you work.2. Maintain correct form and postureCorrect body form keeps your muscles from shortening and compressing your nerves, causing pain and discomfort. Improving your posture and keeping your wrists as relaxed and as straight as possible while you work, avoiding bending the joints all the way up or down, eases and reduces nerve pressure that can adversely affect your wrists, fingers and hands.The optimal seated position would be so that your spinal cord rests against the back of your chair, your shoulders are relaxed and your computer screen and other materials needed for typing are at eye level. Try to keep your feet planted firmly on the floor, to help maintain this ideal form.3. Keep your hands warmevalStudie s have shown that if your hands are cold, you are more likely to feel pain and stiffness while on the job. If you can, adjust your office’s thermostat to a pleasant temperature. If this is not a possibility, try wearing fingerless gloves while you work.4. Break and stretch â€" regularlyPause for three-minute mini “shake and stretch” hand and wrist exercise breaks throughout the day to promote increased blood circulation to the wrists, fingers, hands, forearms, neck and shoulders.The exercises will help counteract the tightening and shortening of the muscles and ligaments that result from hours of engaging in repetitive work, reducing strain and discomfort and relaxing and invigorating the body while warming the wrist area.Know your body. If your wrists feel in need of a break, if you begin to feel a sense of numbness, tingling or pain in your hands or wrists, or if your hands feel swollen, you start to feel weak or can no longer sense the difference between hot and cold, stop what you are doing at once.evalDo not ignore these signs. If, after a short break and some exercises the sensations do not disappear, contact your local health provider for further assistance.5. Maintain your overall healthevalRecent studies found that certain conditions and diseases, including diabetes, arthritis and thyroid problems can potentially increase your likelihood of developing CTS. If however, you maintain a healthy diet and exercise regimen, manage your stress levels, take time to relax on a regular basis, visit your health practitioner regularly to control your health conditions and avoid adverse activities such as smoking and illicit drug use, you can reduce your odds of developing CTS on the job.Whether you work in front of a computer screen, at a cash register or on the assembly line, it is exceedingly important to adopt and practice good habits.Read more to reduce your odds of suffering from a Carpal tunnel injury on the job. Lower your chances of developing CTS at work by adopting the five tips mentioned above; your hands and wrists will be eternally grateful.

Personal Branding Is NOT Hocus Pocus

Personal Branding Is NOT Hocus Pocus Personal Branding isnt about black hat SEO tactics. It isnt a magic wand to cure unemployment either. It is a strategy for communicating the unique set of skills, personality and value you deliver as you traverse the treacherous terrain of the new economy. It all started with the popular article by Tom Peters in Fast Company “The Brand Called You.” But what does personal branding really mean and why is it important? If you read Tom Peters’ article you will begin to understand. Dont Fight It. It works! There are some career professionals, recruiters and other experts that claim your personal brand doesn’t matter. Maybe the term is misleading or is not interpreted correctly. If your personal reputation didn’t matter, then why would an internal candidate get hired over external candidates? Why would employee referrals be so important? Why is it that CEO job postings seldom, if ever go public? The answers lie in the power of someone’s personal brand. Personal branding is much more than a slick tagline or elevator pitch; it is the reason people get jobs. Defining and Refining Personal Brand I took part in this weeks Job Action Day along with over 20 other career professionals. This is Quintessential Careers fifth-annual Job Action Day and it is dedicated to empowering job-seekers to create, build, and enhance their personal career brand.   Miriam Salpeter and I have joined together to make it more palatable. VIV-id is the term we feel better encapsulates the essence of personal branding. It stands for Virtual Individual Verified-id. Miriams post re-explains what personal branding is! There is more to this post so head on over to US News World Reports On Careers. Do you have a personal brand or do you think it is a bogus concept?

Decent-Steak-Dinner Dreams Pretty-Good-Beer Wishes

Decent-Steak-Dinner Dreams Pretty-Good-Beer Wishes three wishes by MayaChappell The wishes say inspire, create let your dreams soar. Arent those nice wishes? Heres the 3rd installment in guest blogger ( When I Grow Ups scholarship winner) Sarah Ivies series. Her first post, Change is Like Laundry, focused on how, uh, change is like laundry. Her second post, Jumping with a Safety Net, focused on, uhobviously our post titles are very self-evident. What is Sarah focusing on now that were two months into our sessions together? Youll just hafta read below! What would you do if you could do anything you wanted to? I wish I had a nickel for every time Ive been asked this question.   I  am, as Michelle has helped me figure out, a  Renaissance SoulI have a lot of different interests and skills. Ive never been able to  answer that darn question!   I could tell you 15 different things I could do, or  20 things Id enjoy doing, but  not one  thing I ideally want to do.  Ive even figured out what I can do well and what pays the bills, even if I dont like all of it. So when I  came to  Michelle to figure  this  whole work thing out, I came with a fairly decent day job  that  unfortunately involves a lot of spreadsheets and reports, which Im good at, but  dont love. I also had (and have) a  plan  to start a small business with my  husband, a developing blog, an on-my-own small business plan,  about a million percolating ideas, and a desire to find out what I want to be when I grow up. What I am figuring out  (with a lot of help from a certain life coach) is a different way of asking that million-dollar question and of answering it.  What makes more sense to me is to ask, If you could  do any job you wanted, what would you want that job to be like? What would you want to get out of it?   I can answer that!  I  can tell you pretty much right away that  I want  a job where I have  a flexible schedule so I can spend time with my  (future)  kids and family, have FUN, be creative, have positive interactions with  other people, be recognized for what I do, contribute something good to the world, and  make enough money. Thats  all I  want. Oh, that, and chickens. (OK, Id be willing to have chickens as a hobby if they dont work into the perfect job) For me, finding the perfect occupation is fitting together a puzzle with all of the above requirements as puzzle pieces. Im working on this puzzle diligently, trying pieces here and there, trying to make it all fit. Im starting to get a pretty good idea of what I think the finished picture will look like, and Im starting to get pieces that go together really well! I think my many interests and skills fit together in a lot of different ways, and Im starting to feel good about finding a combination that gives me what I want out of my job my occupation. But still,  I have to pay the  bills, so I have to work.  Now that Im married and responsible to another person (and yes, getting older) Im not super-comfortable being that person who pet sits, works at the bookstore part time, and sells tupperware on the side to make ends meet.  (Yes, these are all things Ive  done). I need  enough stability in my income to know I can  pay bills and buy a couple of magazines if I want, and I need the safety of knowing thats going to happen every month. Even in my younger, more care-free days I always had a bit of a safety net, knowing I have those necessary skills to have the day job if/when I need it. Ive never been able to take money out of the equation when figuring out what I want to do. My husband  has  provided some important missing pieces  that  are helping me  make money less of a top priority when finding an occupation that will hopefully meet  all my needs.   He  plays the lottery.    His  lottery hobby has helped me think about  making money a little less of a priority, because as he plays he  creates plans around winning different amounts.  He plays the smaller lotteries so the plans arent really that extravagant, theyre just about making us more comfortable, and about making it possible for us to do what we really want. Its made me realize that some of my dreams are not that far out of reach. As icing on the cake, he gets excited about my ideas and they become our ideas and then our shared goals! Im so excited that things seem to be coming together in such a great way.  Combining my husbands  decent-steak-dinner dreams pretty-good-beer wishes with Michelles  homework and pragmatism with my ideas and interests  is helping me discover what I want and have the courage and support to go after my dreams!