Sunday, May 31, 2020

The 10 Hour Job Search

The 10 Hour Job Search… In 2009 I wrote a charged blog post titled The 10 Hour Job Search Seriously.  There are over 30 comments on that post some of them agreeing with me, some thinking I was crazy. In the post I suggested things to do where you could easily spend 45 hours.  Realize that my take on this differs if you are working full-time, or if you are a tiny town where no one networks, or [insert your special circumstance here].  The spirit of my post, though, is that just because someone at an outplacement company says that the average job seeker spends 10 hours a week in the job search, that does not mean that you have to be average. Also, realize that all of the stats you read about job seekers would be a lot more accurate if they were more reflective of you: your industry, your level, your title, the companies you want to work at, the community they live in (size, kinds of jobs), etc. The point: dont be average! Read the charged comments here. The 10 Hour Job Search… In 2009 I wrote a charged blog post titled The 10 Hour Job Search Seriously.  There are over 30 comments on that post some of them agreeing with me, some thinking I was crazy. In the post I suggested things to do where you could easily spend 45 hours.  Realize that my take on this differs if you are working full-time, or if you are a tiny town where no one networks, or [insert your special circumstance here].  The spirit of my post, though, is that just because someone at an outplacement company says that the average job seeker spends 10 hours a week in the job search, that does not mean that you have to be average. Also, realize that all of the stats you read about job seekers would be a lot more accurate if they were more reflective of you: your industry, your level, your title, the companies you want to work at, the community they live in (size, kinds of jobs), etc. The point: dont be average! Read the charged comments here. The 10 Hour Job Search… In 2009 I wrote a charged blog post titled The 10 Hour Job Search Seriously.  There are over 30 comments on that post some of them agreeing with me, some thinking I was crazy. In the post I suggested things to do where you could easily spend 45 hours.  Realize that my take on this differs if you are working full-time, or if you are a tiny town where no one networks, or [insert your special circumstance here].  The spirit of my post, though, is that just because someone at an outplacement company says that the average job seeker spends 10 hours a week in the job search, that does not mean that you have to be average. Also, realize that all of the stats you read about job seekers would be a lot more accurate if they were more reflective of you: your industry, your level, your title, the companies you want to work at, the community they live in (size, kinds of jobs), etc. The point: dont be average! Read the charged comments here.

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

How to Write a Resume - Simple Tips

How to Write a Resume - Simple TipsIf you've been around the job market long enough, you've surely seen a lot of resumes and that includes the various types of resume templates that are available on the internet. Some of them are very good and can help you in the job search process, others not so much. If you want to get the best from each one you're considering, it is essential that you learn how to write a resume correctly.There are a lot of different tips and tricks and tips for writing resumes out there but they are all very general and require a person to take some time to think about what they're doing before actually doing it. In the end you end up with something that doesn't even look like a resume. It's a manual where you type on a keyboard to get things done. It isn't a great resume and you're better off spending that time learning how to write a resume in the right way.The first tip to remember when you're looking for full-time positions is that your resume should reflect your interests and skills. These are the things that employers will look for and you need to be sure that they're the ones that you have. Of course it's a good idea to try to have at least a few skills that you can list here but if you just list the most important ones, chances are they won't be listed on your resume.A good resume needs to be a combination of hobbies and experiences. If you don't have enough experience or hobbies, you should definitely add some examples in your resume to help show that you have a wide range of experiences.There is no excuse for leaving out any examples or information because that's why a resume is used. By including all the information that's necessary, you'll be able to put your accomplishments and other achievements on display and this is something that you want to make sure you do.The next tip is to make sure that you're using good, simple and basic grammar and spelling. You don't want to use too many complicated words that might confuse the empl oyer. Make sure that the words you use and the way that you spell things are neat and professional.It's a good idea to think about how you want to spell things like your name and place of employment when you're writing your resume. You can easily change the spelling of your name if you're not satisfied with the spelling that's on your resume. The same goes for a lot of the other things in your resume such as your current and past positions and the dates you held those positions.Having a good resume is going to help you in your job-search process and being able to write it is something that you should be doing. Learning how to write a resume in the right way will allow you to have the experience that you need when it comes to being able to present yourself and your skills to an employer.

Sunday, May 24, 2020

5 New Entrepreneur Roadblocks You Need To Know - Classy Career Girl

5 New Entrepreneur Roadblocks You Need To Know I’m sure you’ll agree, trying to start a successful business that matches your purpose and makes a difference, isn’t always as simple as people sometimes make it seem. When you are a new entrepreneur, everyone else makes it look so easy but its just not. What Being a New Entrepreneur is REALLY Like Here’s the thing. Entrepreneurship is HARD, right? And it’s so easy to get distracted by the pretty photos on Facebook where it looks like entrepreneurs fly to Paris last minute, drink champagne in Italy and live a luxurious laptop lifestyle from the beach. They make it look so easy so why is it so hard for us! I am often hustling in my bedroom in a messy house with my daughter running around and dishes piled in the sink. So, I decided to create a movement around the REAL experiences of starting a business. The truth is, entrepreneurship comes with a lot of challenges. You probably have heard that if you go the entrepreneur route you will you never find benefits or live without the security of a paycheck and how the heck will you have enough money to support your family. I get it. My husband and I quit our jobs within three months of each other and we had a 6-month-old daughter. We had to make the leap and figure all this stuff out too. Then, of course, the fears of what will people think! Some family members were not in support of both of us quitting our jobs. They said, How can you do this? What if the internet breaks! One of my regrets is that I didn’t have a solid business plan that I could show my family before I quit. I mean it was in my head and I knew I was going to succeed, but a business plan to show my family would have been so helpful which is what I’ll teach you in this new free video series starting on December 29th. Its called The Freedom Workshop. Sign-up here. So what are your first steps to creating your plan. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. In the first video, I’m going to share a system to help you figure out if your business idea will be profitable. This “Build a Profitable Business” Assessment I developed after years of trial and error, throughout business school and while launching hundreds of products and services myself as well as over the last seven years using it with my clients. [RELATED: 5 Steps to Create a Business Plan] This system will serve as a tremendous resource for you to eliminate your fear of failure and wasted time so that you can sell the RIGHT products and services successfully. Because let’s face it, us entrepreneurs have a ton of ideas and we always have bright shiny object syndrome, right? 5 New Entrepreneur Roadblocks You Need To Know 1. Common New Entrepreneur Roadblock: How Will I Stand Out? How do I stand out from the competition? I am afraid to create a service that markets are already flooded with. If the market has people like you in it already, that’s a good thing. It means you are onto a profitable business idea. You have your own strengths and experiences that make you completely different than anyone else out there. 2. Common New Entrepreneur Roadblock: I am afraid I wont be able to monetize. I am afraid I won’t be able to monetize what I am doing for a business. I am afraid that I will put my family into financial uncertainty and not be able to pay my bills. Monetizing is all about testing. It requires pivoting. It requires failing. It involves tweaking. Sell it. Does anyone want it? Why not? Ask the market what they want instead. Solve a problem that people will pay you  to solve. 3. Common New Entrepreneur Roadblock:  I am scared of what others will think. I am scared of what other people will think of me. I am on the fence about putting myself out there. Think instead of how your story and service could impact one person. Get out of your own head and stay 100% focused on our mission and purpose. Not everyone is your ideal client. Just stay focused on why you do what you do. 4. Common  New Entrepreneur Roadblock: Technology I have no idea how to build a website There are so many tutorials and trainings online these days. You don’t need thousands to get up and running and most of the time, you can learn how to do it yourself, affordably if not for free. Check out the tools section of the blueprint that we will be sharing in our Freedom Workshop and contact the companies that you can start delegating what you don’t know how to do. Start thinking like a manager, not a doer if you can’t figure it out on your own. Ask for help. 5. Common New Entrepreneur Roadblock: Personal finances. I am scared that I won’t be able to contribute enough to the family budget. First, work on getting to zero debt (or as little debt as possible). This takes commitment but it’s important to start planning to eliminate debt before you quit your job. Start living on less now. Lower your expenses. Try to live on half of your paycheck. Invest as much as you can into your business. Build a 3-6 months savings plan (or more) for when you quit your job. Moments matter more than things. Stay focused on your vision and your future as a successful business owner.

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

An Interview With Don Fanelli of the UCB Theater in New York - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

An Interview With Don Fanelli of the UCB Theater in New York - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Don Fanelli of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in New York City. Don is a performer at the theater that was co-founded by Amy Poehler, Matt Besser, Ian Roberts, and Matt Walsh and has bred some of the nation’s best improvisers and sketch writers. Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started in Improv Comedy. I went to Lehigh University in PA. I graduated in 2005 with an Industrial Engineering degree. I didn’t know about improv at all. I worked in an engineering job and moved to Maryland and really hated it. A year later I moved home and was a little lost in what I wanted to do. I used to be in a band and missed being on stage. I spoke with a friend and told him I wanted to be an actor and he told me about UCB. So I saw a show and signed up for a class and that was it. I didn’t get obsessed with it immediately as I was trying to figure out my way. But after a year and a half of classes I really got serious with it. I started classes in 2007. When did you start performing at the UCB Theater? I first started performing bits on The Chris Gethard Show, which was a once a month crazy stage show hosted by Chris Gethard. I then auditioned for a Harold team, which are house improv teams, in 2010 and was placed on a team called The Opera. I auditioned for Maude Night, which is sketch team composed of actors and writers and got on to a veteran team called Gramps for two years; that was a team stacked with great people. Not only was there a steadfast group of excellent male actors, there was an amazing rotation of hilarious actresses I got to play with like Kate McKinnon, Jen Bartels, Elaine Carroll, Laura Grey, Morgan Jarrett, Abbi Crutchfield. After Gramps was retired, I was placed on a team called Dinner. In 2013 I started writing a show with Dru Johnston called “Sketches From An Italian Restaurant: A Billy Joel Sketch Show. It took a couple of times to audition it and eventually it was picked up for a run. It ran for 6 months at the UCB Theater in New York and we performed it once in LA. We worked super hard on it, continuously tweaking and punching up jokes, until we felt it was in a really good, tight place. It was featured in TimeOut NY, The New York Times, Village Voice, and then Vice did a review and interviewed Dru and I. What kind of opportunities have come up for you at the UCB Theater? The best thing that has come out of joining this theater is meeting like-minded people. I met a lot of my collaborators and friends here. You meet people you work well with who share your comedic instincts. I got cast in an improvised mainly horror movie that my friend recommended me for three years ago which led me working with my current manager from Principato-Young. You never really know where your break is going to come from, or what body of work someone is going to like, so you just have to keep putting yourself out there and creating stuff. I’ve done showcases at UCB for NBC, ABC, Just for Laughs, and other casting directors. That’s helped me get in the door and audition for pilots and TV/Film projects. I would also get cast for things after people saw me perform on Harold Night and Maude night. I’ve been performing since 2010 and currently perform with The Stepfathers at the theater on Friday nights at 9pm. What future plans do you have? I’m working on a one-man show, writing another sketch show and a pilot with Dru, and honing characters to put up on stage. What advice can you give about pursuing a career in comedy? Only do this if you physically and mentally can’t do anything else. Improv doesn’t pay the bills at first. You can dedicate yourself to it and continue to challenge yourself to get better, but you have to continue to balance your real life with your passion, or else you will be broke very fast. And then the bank gets mad at you and that’s just not fun. It’s great to be part of a theater or collective, where you can meet like-minded people, and make stuff that makes you and your friends laugh. The UCB became my home and it allowed me and continues to allow me to develop my comedic voice. Set major goals and then smaller attainable goals that lead to those major goals. There’s a lot of different paths you can take, and you can often feel lost and scared and dejected, and often close to quitting. But if you love it, you’ll keep moving forward. So keep creating goals for yourself and always keep working hard. Do things that you think are funny. Take notes and apply them to your voice. Work harder than everyone else so you have no excuses at the end of the day. Also, don’t be a dick. For more information on Don Fanelli, go to the Upright Citizens Brigade website.

Saturday, May 16, 2020

How to Write a Professional Resume

How to Write a Professional ResumeIf you have applied for a job and your employer has told you they are considering you for an interview, there is a good chance that they are checking to see if you received the resume. I am writing to confirm that you received my resume.An employer wants to be sure that you have put in the work required to become a part of their organization. The last thing they want to do is waste their time on applicants who have not put in the effort to make their resume stand out from the rest. However, there are several ways that an employer can go about ensuring that they do not overlook any portion of your resume. This makes it imperative that you read carefully before sending it off.Before you send in your resume to the employer's selection panel, it is very important that you review the information contained within. Find out how much information is actually necessary to provide the company with a clear picture of what they are looking for. For example, your title should be no more than three lines. This limits the amount of writing that the employer has to worry about, but you still want to tell them something interesting about you. Tell them why you want the position, what skills you possess and any other information that will help them understand your qualifications.When you get your resume back, be sure to read it thoroughly. Don't just glance at it and then send it off without even reading it over. It is easy to make mistakes when you send off a large document. Read it again and then ask yourself if you think it provides a good picture of your skills and experience. This will save you time in the long run.Even if you think that the information on your resume is perfect, it may not contain any additional information that the employer needs. To avoid wasting your time and your employer's time, ask them if you can send them any additional information. This can be anything from a specific job position or salary range to your current or past education or training. Of course, you must ensure that the information is correct.When you get your final assessment of your resume, be sure to put it into a format that is understandable. When you are writing a professional resume, it is important that you do not waste your employer's time by sending them out information that they cannot understand. Most employers will not keep the information that you send in a notebook, and they do not have the patience to have to find out what your resume says. You may have spent a lot of time crafting your resume, but in the end it is only going to be used by someone else. Be sure to keep it as short and sweet as possible.In order to make your resume more effective, it is important that you start out with a strong, concise title. Make it catchy and powerful to make the point of your resume more effective. Be sure to write a good solid paragraph that can explain your skills and experience. The majority of your resume is just going to be op inion; try to make it clear and simple.Once you have sent in your resume, it is up to you to take the time to make it effective. Keep in mind that the first impression is what is going to last in the mind of the employee that reads it. Do not make the mistake of thinking that you need to write a whole lot of useless information to make your resume more effective. Taking the time to carefully craft your resume will allow you to receive a more comprehensive and complete assessment of your skills and experience.

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

What Your Resume Should Look Like in 2017 - CareerMetis.com

What Your Resume Should Look Like in 2017 When we were much younger and went to school, our parents and teachers told us to be responsible and accurate. Those requirements touched our achievement, clothes cleanliness, hairstyle and, of course, our daybooks. Most teachers still remind to the kids: “A daybook is a reflection of your personality.” Keep it always neat, thus you will impress people and meet their expectations.You are not a schoolboy already, although the teacher’s advice remains in your mind forever! It’s not about your abstracts and some other working tools. It’s about performing everything you do the best. As the old wise proverb says “Do it like you do it to yourself.” Of course, introducing yourself to the modern world is not a short-time working. But the first step is the most important one!Why is resume so important?evalThe resumes show how well the employees can introduce themselves, showcase their skills, experience and their strongest qualities. If you can handle a resume, it’s a kind of message to the employer â€" you take responsibility for everything you deal with. These days the diplomas or some other “papers” that confirm your education do not look appealing to companies.If your skills are excellent and it’s time to move up through your career ladder, just listen to this advice and get to work. But if you’ve got no time to search the templates then save it! You can always call for online help from professional writers. Contact them at any time to get help with your diploma, resume, paperwork or on time essay.For the freshers, who have never done it before, it looks unfair â€" they pay money for the education, work and study hard, gain their knowledge, but employers don’t pay much attention to that!Stop complaining â€" there’s nothing serious and unfair at all! It doesn’t matter if you have over 5 years of experience behind your back or you’re still a novice â€" you need to produce a high-quality resume.How to make a professional resume in 2017To day people understand that effective and hard work interact better with optimism and creativity. But the strict paper style and official look are not canceled yet and still used among the writing makers of different spheres. So here they are â€" the requirements and tips to succeed in professional life.1) FormattingevalDepending on the position you’re looking for, your resume paper has to be designed with a special format. A proper form is made of numerous parts, where every part includes a certain information.evalLet’s say the first paragraph is about your education, while the second is about your skills or experience. Put these pieces onto the sheet of paper harmonically. Every second part should be a continuation of the previous one and free from excessive structures.2) Avoid “boring” and watery phrasesEmployers are not interested in your everyday duties or every part-time job you had. You may describe yourself as responsible and hard-working, but the sales still won’t go up. That is not an attractive part of the employment process.Mention your success in a certain sphere, but use less of “abstruse” and more “a recruit-friendly” wordsAs you see â€" it’s a paradox. You have to be serious with an employee, but the more creative you are, the sooner you can get a position! Use the assistance of positive vibes and smile!3) Less plans, more achievementsSharing your plans with the employer, especially putting them into a resume, is almost the same as telling about your priceless experience and valuable skills. An employer wants to see actual practice first. If you came to get a position of QA Tester, then the companies want to see a QA experience. Concentrate more on that position as much as possible and share your plans and results.4) Don’t lieMost of the employees try to impress the employers with their skills, education, experience and so on. But when it comes to the interview It looks like it makes no sense, but really it sets the tone of the whole interview. While the title is interesting and easy to perceive, the reader wants to read the rest. Mention your name, surname and a word “resume” in the end.We hope this guide was useful for you and now you know how to write resume that will make around 50 percent of your success.Good luck on the interview!

Saturday, May 9, 2020

50% of Brits Feel Too Holiday Shamed to Take a Break from Work - Margaret Buj - Interview Coach

50% of Brits Feel Too ‘Holiday Shamed’ to Take a Break from Work For most employees, a holiday is something they can look forward to a chance to break away from the realities of everyday life and spend some much-needed time relaxing. So, how come 44% of Brits didn’t use their full holiday allowance last year? To help, tombola have surveyed the nation to uncover exactly what’s happening to Brits annual leave. In 2018, 44% of Brits Failed to Use Their Full Annual Leave With the classic 9-5 gradually shifting towards (unpaid but often expected) over time, and an increasing habit of working from our phones outside of the workplace â€" it’s no surprise that Brits are feeling overworked. However, instead of choosing a break â€" Brits are choosing the boardroom. tombola’s research has uncovered that almost half of Brits (44%) chose not to use their full holiday allowance last year. Of this, 23% of workers still had 5+ days remaining â€" meaning that almost a quarter of Brits worked a full week for free and missed out on a week’s holiday. However, it’s not just taking time off that’s the problem â€" but also the length of the holiday. When taking annual leave, only a quarter (24%) of Brits took a break that lasted between 6 and 10 days in one go. In comparison, 20% of Brits took up to 3 days off in a single period. 50% of Brits Feel ‘Too Shamed’ To Take a Break from Work But why is that Brits are no longer enjoying the privilege of a paid holiday? tombola’s research revealed the top 6 reasons why: Too busy at work â€" 38% Had nowhere to go â€" 23% Don’t need that much of holiday â€" 19% Enjoys work too much â€" 8% Boss doesn’t approve their holiday â€" 7% Colleagues would feel like they weren’t contributing â€" 5% When you consider that UK employees are too busy at work (38%), their bosses not approving their holiday (7%) and peer pressure from colleagues (5%), it shows that 50% of Brits feel too ‘holiday shamed’ to take a from work. 44% of Brits Check Their Emails Whilst on Holiday If that wasn’t bad enough, the research also found that working on holiday is becoming expected of breaks during their much-needed breaks. 1 in 3 Brits (33%) have been contacted by their workplace whilst away, and a further 44% of Brits admit that they have checked their emails whilst away. It’s safe to say that the digital world has made our lives more connected in many ways. An “office” can now be anytime, anyplace as all you need is your mobile device and an Internet connection. Whilst this can bring numerous benefits, it’s becoming increasingly harder to ‘switch off’ which is essential for living longer. Taking an Extended Break from Work Could Help You Live Longer But why does it matter so much, you ask? Well, several studies have highlighted that taking a break can reduce stress. Better yet, the longer the holiday, the better result. In his 40 year-long study, Professor Tim Strandburg stated that “in our study, mean with shorter vacations worked more and slept less than those who took longer vacations. This stressful lifestyle may have overruled any benefit of the diet and lifestyle advice given.” But this is bad news for employers, clients and employees â€" Harvard Economist, Juliet Schor revealed that “the pace of work has increased quite dramatically. We are working much faster today than we were in the past. And this contributes to our sense of being overworked and frenzied by our jobs.” So, if you’re thinking that working overtime and not taking a break yields better results â€" you’re heading down the wrong path. It’s important to take time to relax and rejuvenate. So, isn’t it about time you booked yourself a holiday?

Friday, May 8, 2020

Before You Change Jobs, Do This!

Before You Change Jobs, Do This! Theres something that can cut deep into the benefit of changing jobs. Before you actually look for new employment, make sure you understand the benefits you currently have, like health insurance, and how those will be affected. Health insurance is a complicated thing so you have to be aware of how a job change changes your status. In a recent survey, almost a quarter of the respondents said that their insurance benefits and out-of-pocket expenses worsened their financial situation more than anticipated. That survey is cited in an article at the NAIC (National Association of Insurance Commissioners) consumer site, Insure U. Job Seekers Beware: Prospective employers financial offer is about more than salary  is part of some very helpful resources on Job Change that would be good to keep in mind. NAIC Recommendations For Job Changers To avoid surprises, consider the following before saying goodbye to a current employer: See if your current group life insurance plan has a conversion privilege. If so, you may have up to 31 days after leaving your job to apply for coverage. Find out if you can convert current group disability coverage into a portable disability plan that stays with you from job to job. If your job change includes a move, check your homeowners policy to make sure personal possessions are covered in-transit. If not, consider a trip transit or  floater policy. Insurance rates and coverage vary greatly from state to state. Before a move across state lines, contact your state insurance department so you know what to expect. Before accepting a new job, compare your current health plan with plans offered to assure the available mix of deductibles, co-pays and coinsurance will cost-effectively meet your needs. Find out if your new employer has a mandatory waiting period before health insurance coverage takes effect. If so, consider a short-term plan through new  health insurance exchanges  to cover the gap. More than 10% of NAIC survey respondents said their overall financial situation was worsened by issues related to the effective date of new health insurance coverage. If you have children and anticipate a coverage gap, you may also look into government-sponsored programs such as Children’s Health Insurance Plans (CHIP). These plans may provide coverage at low or no cost. Finally, if youre thinking of starting your own business and plan to use your personal car to make deliveries or visit clients, consider  business auto coverage. If you’re involved in an accident while conducting these tasks, most personal auto policies won’t cover the losses. One More Thing To Think About Before you decide to search for a different job, get acquainted with all the job search resources  on our site. You dont have to explore each one, but the more you know about what you are getting into, the better prepared you will be for making that switch. Something as elementary as health insurance gets missed by many in the promise of a bigger paycheck, so plan carefully.