Changing careers What you need to know

Changing careers What you need to know by Amber Rolfe Change is a scary thing, especially when it comes to your career…Whether you’re desperate to leave your current job, or you’re just itching to try something new â€" changing careers can sometimes be exactly what you need. And the good news is, it could just take the right attitude to get the ball rolling â€" no matter how under-qualified you may think you are.We’ve already covered  how to write your CV for a career change, but here are five helpful tips on how to change careers:  Don’t use it as an excuse to run away  OK, so you can’t stand your boss/colleagues/company (delete where applicable).But before you start searching for the fastest possible escape route, always make an attempt to fix your situation first â€" whether it’s by attempting to repair relationships, expanding on your skills, or working on your professional development.And if you’ve already tried all of the above, it might just be a change of scenery you need, rather than somet hing completely different. Especially if there are still elements of your role that you enjoy.So don’t let unhappiness cloud your judgment. There’s a big difference between moving on for the right reasons, and running away.Five signs it’s time for a career changeWhat to do if your career is at a crossroadsEight terrible reasons for leaving a jobConsider your financesChanging careers might mean taking a pay cut â€" especially if you’ve been in your current career for a long time.So, being financially prepared to (potentially) start from the bottom is essential.Firstly, find out what the salary expectations for your new career will be, so you can understand exactly how much you’ll need for a smooth transition. Then, make the necessary changes in advance â€" whether it’s adding to your savings accordingly, or looking at ways to supplement your income.Although it might take a bit more time to get where you need to be, ensuring you’re in the right place financially will mea n your new career search won’t come with any extra pressure.Six ways to supplement your incomeHow to negotiate salaryEvaluate what you can offerOnce you’ve decided a career change is a viable solution â€" you need to work out how to sell yourself to potential employers.The key to standing out when changing careers is how well you can communicate your skills, no matter what your background is. In other words, understanding exactly  why  and  how  you’re suitable.Start by making a list of your stand-out skills and experience, and research potential roles that require these abilities â€" even if it’s only on some small level. Think transferable skills, and you’ll be on the right track.Being realistic with your expertise is also a great way to ensure your choice is suitable. Some roles may seem like they require certain attributes, but you might find they involve something entirely different after a bit of digging.Career change CV templateSkills based CV templateWhat are trans ferable skills?Figure out what you wantFinding your dream job means more than simply utilising your skills. You also have to figure out what you actually enjoy doing, where you want to do it, and what kind of environment suits you best.And because there’s more to a job than just a title and a description, it’s essential to take all factors into account before jumping at the first (seemingly) attractive vacancy.For example, perhaps you find a job that, on the surface, seems perfect for you. You match the person specification and the benefits are good. But the role involves a lot of isolated working, not to mention a longer commute â€" two of the biggest reasons for leaving your current role.In a case like this, this job probably isn’t as perfect as it seems. So always prioritise what’s really important to you first to ensure you’re making the right choice.Remember: the first opportunity that comes up won’t always be the right one.How to choose a career  Act instead of ana lyseOnce you’ve figured out what you (think) you want to do â€" it’s time to take action.Although it might be tempting to over-analyse each aspect of your dream job, realising there’s an open possibility is just the beginning. You actually need to start acting on it.That doesn’t mean you have to quit your job and jump into something straight away though. Instead, test ideas whilst you’re still at your current job to get an idea of what actually suits you â€" in terms of working environment and job role.Because whether it’s by taking a  course,  volunteering, or by gaining insights from friends in your preferred field â€" there are many ways to test the waters without diving into a new job at the deep end.That way, you’ll be able to make sure your career change is worth it â€" and, more importantly, actually right for you.What job would suit me?How to search for jobs online  Still searching for a career to change to?  View all available jobs nowFind a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the terms and conditions applicable to our service and acknowledge that your personal data will be used in accordance with our privacy policy and you will receive emails and communications about jobs and career related topics. Career Development

Resume Temples

Resume TemplesResume Templetes is one of the top recruitment websites on the Internet. The developers of this site are quite experienced in using Web 2.0 technologies to power their site, and they have implemented a variety of methods to help you get noticed.Well, the first thing you should do before creating your resume is to review the following list of factors: organization, experience, knowledge, training, performance, service, qualifications, personal characteristics, and personality. All of these will make a huge difference when it comes to your resume. You can create a professional resume using these factors.If you're using a freelance or contracting job, you might want to make sure that your resume online is created in a professional manner. Resume Templetes has great solutions for making a good resume. It's all about avoiding a resume that would look amateurish. This makes it possible for you to make your resume professional in appearance. Just look for these features:A good design can make it easy for potential employers to recognize your resume in front of others. If you're using resume to apply for a job as a freelancer, you'll need to choose a design that would suit the needs of your clients. All you have to do is to go to the homepage of resume templates and choose the latest design options. You'll find that you can then access a free trial version and create a good resume.To make your resume look professional, you have to consider some tips for designing a resume. First of all, you need to choose a font size and typeface that fit your personality. These two factors will work together to ensure that your resume stands out. Try to use colors that complement your background color. Don't use black and white color for resumes.ResumeTempletes has lots of pre-made templates, which are good for both long and short resumes. The people behind this website are very skillful at making them. They also have tips for completing your resume in just a few minutes , which you can avail by clicking on the links.A good design allows you to explain your knowledge, experience, or skills easily. When you visit resume templates, you'll be able to create a detailed resume. After you submit your resume, you'll receive a notification from the site. You'll get an email with the links you need to follow for your resume to get noticed.It's easy to post your resume online, as there are various sites offering these services. In fact, if you're looking for a resume creator, you can search for this on the internet. Before you upload your resume, remember to read the terms and conditions of the website.

3 Lessons in Branding from Harajuku Girls - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

3 Lessons in Branding from Harajuku Girls - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Gwen Stefanis song Harajuku Girls reminds me of a place in Japan where standing out is the norm, at least every Sunday! Harajuku girls.  Im looking at you girls.  Youre so original girls.  You got the look that makes you stand out Located in Tokyo, Harajuku is a place where every Sunday teens dress up in various unique and extreme styles of clothing and roam the streets. Mixing different styles and mismatching colors and patterns is encouraged. Basically, the only criteria is that your outfit must be a  thoughtful expression of your individuality.   Here are 3 Harajuku guidelines and lessons we can apply to personal branding. Layering Layering clothes (or giving the appearance of layering) allows Harajuku Girls to mix and match a wider variety of different styles and add more dimension to their outfits. When branding yourself think of the different layers that define and add dimension to who you are. The layers of your brand are your VPs vision, purpose, values, and passions. Vision: Your image of  what  you see possible for the world â€" your desired future. Purpose: Your role in turning your vision into reality. Values: The ideals or operating principles that determine how you conduct your day-to-day activities. Your values are true to you and you do not compromise them. Passions: This is what motivates and energizes you. Your passions get you out of bed in the morning, but have pure unadulterated tenacity to drive your passions forward. Customizing   Harajuku Girls are not afraid to get out the scissors, glue, needle and thread to transform ordinary store-bought clothes into something extraordinary and uniquely theirs. Branding yourself is all about customizing. You need to stand out among all the others who offer the same or similar service, skills, experience, and background as you. If you dont customize you remain ordinary, a commodity, and people simply do not get excited about commodities!  When customizing your brand always make sure to follow the three Cs of branding clarity, consistency, and constancy. Clarity: Be very clear about who you are and who you are not. By knowing your unique promise of value you are identifying the customization that sets you apart from others. This is what differentiates you and allows you to attract brand loyalty among the people who are compelled to do business with you. Consistency: Once you are clear about your promise of value, consistently demonstrate your customized brand promise everywhere. This includes your social media profiles, your website, your business cards, your communications. Everything. Constancy:  It is  not enough to be clear and consistent if you are not always visible to your target audience. Strong brands are constant. They are always there for their customers, prospects, and those who can help them achieve their  goals. For example, social media accounts are pointless if you are not constantly visible in some way or form.  Of course you need to find the right balance but dont run the risk of being forgotten. Accessorizing   A key part of a Harajuku brand are the wild accessories belts, earrings, hair clips, handbags, jewelry. Again, matching is not a concern and the louder and more colorful the better! Think of the accessories of your personal brand as the visual vocabulary of your brand environment. This includes your appearance, how you decorate your office, the colors, logo, or tagline you use, and even the network of people you choose to surround yourself with. All of these accessories support how you brand yourself. Color: What color represents your brand?  For example, if your brand attributes are passionate and energetic, are you accessorizing your brand with RED? If you are seen as mysterious and spiritual are you using PURPLE. And always make sure your colors are culturally appropriate for your target audience. Logo / Slogan: Once you accessorize your brand with a logo and slogan they immediately become your brand identity. Make sure to invest the time in selecting the best logo, image/icon, and slogan to represent you. The images you select need to tie directly to your brand attributes. For example, if you value physical fitness, you should use active, healthy, and athletic images. Take a lesson from Japan’s Harajuku Girls to build your brand: layer, customize and accessorize! Author: Peter  Sterlacci  is known as “Japan’s personal branding pioneer” and is one of only 15 Master level Certified Personal Branding Strategists in the world. He is introducing a leading global personal branding methodology to companies and careerists in Japan and adapting it for the Japanese culture. In a culture where fitting-in is the norm, his mission is to pioneer a ‘cultural shift’ by helping Japanese to stand out in a global environment. His background spans over 21 years in intercultural consulting, international outreach, and global communication coaching. PKOM / Shutterstock.com

Is it Ever Too Late to Achieve Career Success

Is it Ever Too Late to Achieve Career Success Ever heard of a quarter-life crisis? This might be a newer term compared to the notorious  mid-life crisis, but for many  people, questioning their career path is a continual, internal dispute throughout adult life. Fear not, my indecisive friends!  Thanks to our friends at Funders and Founders, this reassuring infographic displays that however late you start, its never too late to bring home success. Below are various examples of highly influential figures and the ages they triumphed: Takeaways: Gordon Bowker, one of the founders of Starbucks, helped open their first shop in Seattle aged 51. Ferdinand Porsche began his success with cars at 56. Mark Zuckerberg is somewhat of an anomaly, launching Facebook in his college dorm room aged just 19. Steve Job started Apple age 21, making computers in his garage. Age 35 is the most common age to start one of the top companies in the world. Hugo Boss started his Hugo Boss fashion brand age 38, using six sewing machines left after he went bankrupt! RELATED:  3 Essential Steps For Career Change Preparation

Principles of Writing Resume

Principles of Writing ResumeA list of principles of writing resume is an extremely important document for any professional candidate. It is often seen as the first place a potential employer will look at. This can lead to job offers to be turned down simply because they don't like the way your resume looks. There are a few basics that every resume should follow.The very first thing a resume should do is give the reader information about what they should expect to find in the job. Once they have this, they need to be able to provide the reader with some factual information about their career in general. This information will either go into their academic or vocational history or just general information. The latter is often what makes resumes so effective and the resume should reflect this fact.After the resume should end with a statement that states your present skills and abilities. When creating your resume, it is important to take time to check all the boxes. Any gaps in abilities should be filled by including information about the gaps.Having the ability to use the information provided in the resume will be a huge factor in getting a new job. It should be accurate and should reflect the skills you possess. The resume should be what makes a candidate stand out and begin to be considered.The principles of writing resume will be broken down into five different goals. These are to use a resume that is concise, informative, and powerful to get the attention of the reader. When making a resume it is important to keep in mind that a majority of employers only look at the top three percent of resumes. This means that the process of finding the right person for the job takes up a great deal of time.The next important principle to follow is to create a resume that fits the personality of the person who is applying for the job. It is important to remember that a resume is used to present information about the person. It is not intended to show off skills or abilities and it should be as accurate as possible.The next goal to follow is to include elements that go along with these five goals. This includes bullets and addresses to make a resume easier to read. Remember that the more fields you fill out, the better chance you have of being chosen for the position.Finally, the criteria a resume must meet is how it relates to the job that they are applying for. The person should know what is expected from them before starting to write the resume. They should understand how much information is needed and should be able to match this with their knowledge. Each aspect of the resume should be written carefully to fit the standards of the job to be offered.

Principles of Writing Resume

Principles of Writing ResumeA list of principles of writing resume is an extremely important document for any professional candidate. It is often seen as the first place a potential employer will look at. This can lead to job offers to be turned down simply because they don't like the way your resume looks. There are a few basics that every resume should follow.The very first thing a resume should do is give the reader information about what they should expect to find in the job. Once they have this, they need to be able to provide the reader with some factual information about their career in general. This information will either go into their academic or vocational history or just general information. The latter is often what makes resumes so effective and the resume should reflect this fact.After the resume should end with a statement that states your present skills and abilities. When creating your resume, it is important to take time to check all the boxes. Any gaps in abilities should be filled by including information about the gaps.Having the ability to use the information provided in the resume will be a huge factor in getting a new job. It should be accurate and should reflect the skills you possess. The resume should be what makes a candidate stand out and begin to be considered.The principles of writing resume will be broken down into five different goals. These are to use a resume that is concise, informative, and powerful to get the attention of the reader. When making a resume it is important to keep in mind that a majority of employers only look at the top three percent of resumes. This means that the process of finding the right person for the job takes up a great deal of time.The next important principle to follow is to create a resume that fits the personality of the person who is applying for the job. It is important to remember that a resume is used to present information about the person. It is not intended to show off skills or abilities and it should be as accurate as possible.The next goal to follow is to include elements that go along with these five goals. This includes bullets and addresses to make a resume easier to read. Remember that the more fields you fill out, the better chance you have of being chosen for the position.Finally, the criteria a resume must meet is how it relates to the job that they are applying for. The person should know what is expected from them before starting to write the resume. They should understand how much information is needed and should be able to match this with their knowledge. Each aspect of the resume should be written carefully to fit the standards of the job to be offered.

4 career-related activities you can do when youre not applying for jobs

4 career-related activities you can do when youre not applying for jobs This post was written by an external contributor. Jessica Carroll helps identify career-productive activities for when your time is running short. Applying for jobs can be very time consuming. Filling out pages and pages of forms and answering lengthy questionnaires just to be considered for an interview can be stressful, especially when you’ve got loads of university work on your plate! Here at Debut, we know your pain and weve designed a careers platform that will drastically reduce the time you spend job hunting. In fact, you can now even apply for some roles with just one tap. Yes, really! One quick tap and your application is sent. Look out for the lightning bolt symbol of the Opportunities tab for Instant Apply. But if you do need need to take a break from job applications and  studying, but still want to be productive, then check out our tips below for some alternative career related activities to try. Join a sports club Sports is a great option when you’re bored of work but don’t want to waste your time in front of the TV. It is proven to decrease stress and is a great way to get your mind off any impending deadlines â€" even just for a for hours. Plus, recruiters love it it looks great on your CV! Its proof that you’re a team player and that you have more about you than just some good grades. Joining a sports club is an easy thing to bring up in an interview to show you’re a well-rounded individual. It’s also great for time-keeping and organisational skills. However, the best thing to come out of being a member of a sports team is the friends you’ll make along the way. Apart from being a shoulder to cry on during exam season, they’ll also widen your pool of contacts from which you can ask for help as you make your way up the career ladder later on in life. Volunteer Volunteering is the perfect way to show employers that you’re dedicated to working hard. There are loads of opportunities for volunteering and most charities are desperate for all the help they can get. Because of this, you can usually get involved in some really relevant experience. For example, organising their social media or even planning events. Try looking on your university website, or even give Google a go, until you find something you’re really passionate about. As well as giving you that smug ‘I’m doing a good deed’ feeling, you’ll be helping your local community and picking up loads of transferable skills along the way. Write a blog Nowadays, companies want to see solid proof that you’re passionate about the area of work in which you want to join before they’ll even shortlist you. Even if you’re not looking to start a career in journalism or media, writing a blog which is relevant to your dream job is undeniable proof that you’re dedicated to the profession. With blogging platforms easy to use and (mostly) free, there’s almost no excuse not to get started right away! Get out the books Have no time to apply for jobs while you’re at uni, but don’t want to fall behind your competitors? Use your free time to read around the area in which you’re interested. Instead of plugging in your earphones, get out a book on the tube. Or, stop scrolling through your phone in bed and dedicate half an hour to reading each night instead. Just keeping up to date on what is happening in the sector you aspire to join is a productive way to prepare for any future interviews or jobs. Having a solid, in-depth knowledge of the subject will quickly come across in an interview and make you an ideal candidate. It doesn’t take much, but small changes to your daily habits could give you an edge down the line when it’s finally time to apply for jobs. University is already a stressful place. If you haven’t got time to for job applications â€" don’t panic! Instead, make sure you use what time you do have to be productive. Follow our helpful tips and you can relax knowing you’ll still be acquiring desirable traits for that all-important interview later on! Connect with Debut on  Facebook,  Twitter,  and  LinkedIn  for more careers insights.

Homework makes kids hate learning - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Homework makes kids hate learning - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Time Magazine has an article on why homework is a bad thing for school kids. They cite Alfie Kohn whose work is a constant inspiration to me both when it relates to our workplaces and schools. Kohns claim is simple: There is not one single study that shows that homework helps kids learn. At the same time kids have less and less time to just be kids time spent on homework has gone up 50% since 1981. And if your first thought is But how could you have a school without homework youll be glad to hear that the Sudbury Valley schools have been doing just fine without homework for 35 years now. I previously wrote about these radically different schools and why I would love to have gone to one of them. You know what this fixation on homework is? Its The Cult of Overwork forced on children. Lets stop it. A big thank you to Leandro N. Camargo from Brazil for sending me the link :o) Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

Does the Sun Effect Your Productivity

Does the Sun Effect Your Productivity SOAK UP THE SUN As I was loudly singing in my car to the Sheryl Crow song, Soak up the Sun much to the dismay of my 5 1/2 year old who was rolling his eyes in the back seat (what is THAT all about??), I was thinking what a beautiful, sunny day it was here today in Michigan. Everyone seemed happier, nicer. Ive read that there is a direct link between lack of sun and depression. A disorder that affects more than 35 million Americans is called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This can affect moods, eating and sleeping patterns, and no doubt, job search enthusiasm. I know that I am much more productive on sunny days. And on the days when the clouds cover up the sun, I blast on every light I can find in my office to keep myself productive. Otherwise, I tend to feel sleepy. If you are feeling the effects of too little sun and too much winter, you might want to turn on a few more lights in your house or office, and listen to Sheryl Crow. I guarantee you will feel more productive and will get the zip back in your job search. What do you do when suffering from too little sun? Talk to me