From Teaching to PR

From Teaching to PR Success Story > From: Job To: Job From Teaching to PR “I didn't want to stay where I was just because it was the 'comfortable' option.” * From Teaching to PR Arun Lloyd knew it was time for a rethink. So, he got into action, taking an approach that enabled him to break into an industry in which he had no previous experience. Here's how he did it. What work were you doing previously? I was a primary school teacher. After studying Psychology at university, I 'fell' into teaching, staying in the classroom for a further three years after my training. What are you doing now? I'm now an Account Executive at Dynamo, a consumer technology PR agency. Why did you change? Honestly, even within the few years I'd been doing it, I could see the changes being made in the profession and didn't like the direction things were heading in. I have huge respect for teachers that deal with the hours, expectations, micro-management and paperwork that is expected of them, in a job where all every good teacher wants to do is put the children first. For these reasons, teaching isn't a job you can do half-heartedly; it requires genuine passion. As soon as I realised I didn't have that anymore, it was time to have a serious rethink. Although I knew I was good at it, I didn't want to stay where I was just because it was the 'comfortable' option. All I knew was that working with technology and people were my two key requirements, so I started looking into what jobs could offer me those on a more explicit level. When was the moment you decided to make the change? After investing five years in the job, I knew I had given it a fair shot. I had to leave before I became too senior and it became too difficult to walk away from the responsibility and increasing payscales. There were many things that put me off teaching, but I'd say there were an equal amount that drew me to PR. Whilst I had access to jobs like recruitment, where friends were earning a lot in commission and lived the city life I craved, it just wasn't what I was looking for. I had an unplanned conversation with a friend who had worked in PR since graduating, and it immediately sparked my interest. She spoke about the networking, the lively office culture, the events and the general job role. From there, I started looking up what the job actually entailed and exploring how I could make my love of technology a part of this. A few months into looking, I realised that working for a consumer technology PR agency ticked most of my boxes and the decision to change had been made for me. Are you happy with the change? I haven’t looked back once; I absolutely love what I do now. I work with a team of around 27 people in a central London office. Granted, an office environment is some people's idea of a nightmare, but being surrounded by an energetic, creative and loud group keeps things interesting. It also helped that I wasn't treated as an intern, but given more responsibility. The role itself keeps me on my toes; from day one I was writing, pitching, joining brainstorms and generally given a wide range of jobs across a range of client accounts that kept things fresh. I would be coordinating the hire of an industrial chiller for an event one day; the next, I would be at that same event testing out the latest gadgets alongside journalists and clients. Working in a small / medium company also has its perks. You get to know everyone on a personal level, which is great as you often don't get that chance in bigger companies, or even in a school where you spend most of your time with the children. What does this mean in the bigger picture? It means I am more than happy to put the extra hours in when necessary because I can see the impact it has on a client account. It means I am keen to meet targets and deadlines because I know I am contributing to a team. It means I'm interested in reading up on the world of technology outside of work hours, because not only do I know it will help with my work, but I love the topic. What do you miss and what don't you miss? I do miss the children sometimes, especially their own little developing personalities. I mainly taught Year 5 (so around ten years old) and their understanding of sarcasm and humour was pretty good by then, with many being able to give it back to which me was fun. I can't say I miss the marking â€" massively time consuming and tiring at the end of a day. Most people leaving teaching would be very hesitant to leave the holiday allowance behind. After all, who wouldn't want 13 weeks of holiday? (Disclaimer: I guarantee no teacher takes all this time off, it was more like eight after you'd prepped for each new term.) However, my case is exceptional and somehow I've landed in a job that offers unlimited paid holidays. Yes it is crazy...and no I don't know how they can offer it. How did you go about making the shift? Once I had decided on PR, I searched through all the London-based firms I could find. I then narrowed them down by speciality, mine being technology (although I was aware that I couldn't be too picky as I had no experience whatsoever in the field). From here, I contacted somebody I'd once done some work experience with who happened to be quite senior in the industry. He gave me a few tips about how to approach an agency I was interested in. Dynamo was the place I thought looked most interesting; it drew me in with its exciting website that alluded to an exciting environment. After reading up on their website and getting a feel for their kind of vibe, I applied both via their application form, as well as directly to one of the CEOs through LinkedIn, offering my services for a week over half term. I then met with the CEO for a drink, explained my situation and convinced him to temporarily let me through the door. They got a cheap pair of hands for the week as an intern to help with all the small jobs. And I got a snapshot of what an agency was really like for a week, whilst not yet having to fully commit to it. If I'd hated it at this point I could have run back to teaching and been content. It turned out I loved it. I kept in contact with them and went back for a second week as an intern a few months later. By the end of that I was sold; I wanted in. I kept in touch with the company over the next few months, during which I handed in my notice (with no promise of a job) and eventually left school at the end of the academic year (still with no promise of a job). Being a small company, their hiring process was quite tight; I had to wait for enough work to be there to actually get a job. It got to the end of my holiday time and I had to work to bring money in again, so I supply taught, waiting for that call from Dynamo. Three days into it the phone rang and I started in PR the next day! What didn't go well? What 'wrong turns' did you take? Not much to be honest. The biggest issue was quitting my job with no guarantee I was going to be hired by Dynamo. It wasn't a 'wrong turn', but it certainly wasn't the ideal situation to be in. Ideally, I would have had something lined up before I handed my notice in! How did you handle your finances to make your change possible? Interesting question. My wife was just qualifying to be a solicitor as I was making my change. We basically switched earnings and carried on living the same lifestyle we had been. This was the main reason I was able to make the change at this time â€" any earlier and we would have earned too little between us; any later, we would have adjusted to the dual higher income, making it harder to leave. This was partly lucky timing for me, but also the reasoning to do it whilst the opportunity was there. It would have been far easier to talk myself out of the switch the longer I left it. Key takeaway here: if a chance presents itself, take it! What was the most difficult thing about changing? The money and the responsibility. As with any job, you become more senior the longer you are in it, and you earn more too. I took a step back in both respects to move into my new field. This was of course hugely difficult to swallow, but after weighing it up and being in that new environment for two weeks, I knew I could make those sacrifices for the job satisfaction. The lack of experience was also an issue. Many of the application forms stated you needed some sort of degree or relevant experience to even apply. I suspect this is a huge problem for many people making the switch. I found a small loophole by taking the role of intern and offering my services for free. Luckily my job allowed me to do this as I was paid over the holidays and therefore free to give up my time. I also made a big deal of selling my transferable skills, such as organisation, planning, managing, public speaking and everything else teaching had provided me with, to make up for my lack of experience. What help did you get? Aside from what was mentioned above (my senior contact in the industry, my wife qualifying, and Dynamo giving me a chance), not much! Those factors were all crucial though, and likely without any single one of them I wouldn't have made it. What have you learnt in the process? Job satisfaction is everything. Making the transition and taking some steps back in terms of pay and seniority now mean nothing to me as I enjoy my work every day. What would you advise others to do in the same situation? Put your interests at the centre of what you want to do. When you find something you love, most other factors will seem less significant. I was extremely lucky in many senses, but I also used the resources I had to my advantage. If you have free time at the weekend, find events to network with people in your chosen industry. Scour LinkedIn for contacts to take out for a coffee and gain advice from. Read blogs of people that have made a similar switch to you. It can help you realise things you didn't consider before. Don’t rush into it. Take your time to find the right place and understand what you can offer them. If it is a two-way win, you are far more likely to be of interest to them. Finally, don't expect it to happen overnight. It took me almost a year to the day from thinking of leaving teaching to starting at Dynamo. What resources would you recommend to others? Blogs like Careershifters and industry-specific ones for inspiration. LinkedIn and social media groups for contacts as well as events for networking. Also, use the people around you â€" you'd be surprised who knows whom when you start asking around. What lessons could you take from Arun's story to use in your own career change? Let us know in the comments below.

Writing a Resume Activity

Writing a Resume ActivityWriting a resume is a fun activity that the job seeker can do with his/her partner or family member and makes them feel that they are accomplishing their dream job. Writing a resume is not something that requires much effort, time or money; it can be done at any age.There are many ways to start off writing a resume. One can get hold of his/her friend's resume and use it as a template. You can also put your friend's resume on a high resolution screen to see if it does not look convincing enough.Writing a resume activity is best when you are creating a resume for yourself. This is to make sure that it looks neat and professional. You can read up on various resumes that are available on the internet and try to pick a few that looks convincing enough.Another option for writing a resume activity is to start with your resume while sitting in the comforts of your home or office. Choose an appealing photograph of yourself and you can add some of your personal informa tion such as your name, age, address, telephone number, email address and place of work. Then you can add your hobbies and interests and the reasons why you want to get a job. You can even add your education if any.A great activity for writing a resume can be done by reading a book or a magazine on how to write a resume. If you have a computer with internet access, you can download a resume template from the internet. These templates are available in different formats and are not expensive.While doing a reading session, make a list of the things that you find interesting about yourself and then write down your potential employer's requirements. This helps you to come up with an interesting and professional looking resume. After writing your resume, you can sendit through e-mail or printed it and give it to your prospective employer.Another way to create a resume activity is to do it by yourself. You can buy resume books and practice using different fonts. This will help you create a well-formed resume. This is also a good way to get your resume printed as it can be done at home without spending a lot of money.Using these techniques for writing a resume activity can be a fun way to make yourself more familiar with the job market. It will enable you to know what kind of information to put in your resume so that it can get the desired attention of the employer.

Creating an Employee Benefit Plan for Your Diverse Multigenerational Workforce

Creating an Employee Benefit Plan for Your Diverse Multigenerational Workforce Businesses today tend to have a very diverse, multigenerational workforce. This can make it difficult to keep everyone happy. While having a diverse workforce can do wonders for the business, it also poses several key challenges. One challenge you’ll come across, is determining the type of benefits package to offer multigenerational employees. If you’re struggling to know what to provide, below you’ll discover how to create the best employee benefit plan for a diverse workforce. Offer career progression benefits One of the main benefits you should introduce into a multigenerational workforce, is career progression. This is especially important for millennials, who constantly look to work towards their next big life goal. Ideally, you’ll want to create personalized career path progression. This ensures all employees can work towards their career goals without having to seek employment elsewhere. Even older workers would like to have the opportunity to try something new. So, working out a solid career progression path within the company is a great way to keep a multigenerational workforce happy. A variety of health plans Health benefits have always been popular in the workplace. However, these days it’s not enough to simply offer basic healthcare perks. Instead, employees look for more specific health benefits, such as gym memberships, health insurance and free fruit in the office. The more you focus on health and wellbeing in the workplace, the happier your employees will be. Having a variety of health plans is also important to your older employees. As we age, we start to develop all kinds of health issues. So, having a variety of health plans will really help your older employees. Offer financial help If there’s one thing which impacts all generations these days, it’s money. The number of employees dealing with financial related stress is at an all-time high. So, offering financial help to your workers is going to benefit everyone. When you look after their financial wellbeing, your employees are going to be much more productive, take fewer sick days and they will be a lot more loyal to your brand. There are several ways you can help with employee finances in the workplace. Having an open-door policy so they know they can talk to you when they are experiencing financial difficulties is important. You can also offer financial training, salary linked loans and early access to salaries during difficult times. Talk to your employees to see which type of help they would find most beneficial. These are just some of the best benefits you can provide in a multigenerational workforce. Tailoring your benefits to match the needs of all ages isn’t always easy, but you can make a great start by introducing the benefits above.

Your Network is Your Only Insurance Policy - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Your Network is Your Only Insurance Policy - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Last Monday I stated that the future of job hunting is people searching and I received a great reaction to it with over a hundred retweets and twenty-three comments.   The main idea with this concept is that the web has broken hierarchies and connected everyone in disperse networks, so that you can reach employees at companies you want to work for directly, without applying through job boards.   Job boards are becoming ineffective and will be obsolete in the future, while networking becomes the only way to secure a job.   Right now approximately 80% of people get a job through networking and that will be 100% in five years, I predict. New evidence presented A recent Jobvite survey (5/20/09) presented some very interesting data that examines the present state and future of recruitment.   Here are the major bullet points worth noting: 76% plan to invest more in employee referrals (68% in 2008) 72% plan to invest more in recruiting through social networks 75%+ plan to invest less in more costly sources (job boards, third-party recruitment and campus recruitment) 80% of companies use or are planning to use social networking to find and attract candidates this year 95% will use LinkedIn (80% in 2008) 59% will use Facebook (36% in 2008) 42% will use Twitter 77% of respondents said they use social networks to reach passive candidates 66% of respondents hired a candidate through social networks and they were quality 15% of respondents tapped employees social networks for hiring HR people use social networks to research candidates 76% use LinkedIn 67% use search engines (Google) 44% use Facebook 21% use Twitter 24% of candidates disclose their social networking presence when applying for a job Analysis of results By reviewing this survey, its obvious whats going on in the recruiting world. During this recession, companies cant afford to pay job boards thousands of dollars to list positions, especially because many companies arent even hiring and its easy and cheap to assess top talent through social networks.   Few companies understand that their best recruiters are their employees that have professional networks already accounted for and visible on social networks like LinkedIn   (only 15% tap employees social networks for hiring). Companies understand the need for social technologies in their business, so they realize that you want to recruit individuals that already have these new skills.   The majority of companies have successfully hired candidates using social networks!   One issue I find with this survey is that job seekers arent showcasing their social profiles or blogs when applying for jobs, yet recruiters are using search engines and these networks to recruit.   Job seekers should make sure their presence is positive and clean and then promote the URLs on their materials (i.e. resume). What this all means for your brand I want to restate that your network is your only insurance policy. As the use of job boards declines, the need for strong professional networks increases.   At some point, maybe five years or so down the road, you wont be able to get a job without knowing an employee that can refer you for a position at a target company. There are three main areas where you should focus your attention on right now: 1)   Protect your brand: As the survey mentions, most hiring managers are researching social networks and using search engines to conduct background checks.   Ive covered this before, so its not revolutionary, but its important to reinforce how important this is.   Aside from using a website such as namechk.com to claim your brand name on social networks, you must ensure that youre painting a positive portrait of yourself on your profiles.   You want to feel proud of those profiles, with the intent that they may help you get a job. 2)   Promote your brand: If you arent visible, you dont exist.   From the research above, its apparent that hiring managers are conducting background checks using search engines and social networks and if your name doesnt show up, you will lose an opportunity every single time.   Competitive, you or your business cannot afford that!   Also, it really upsets me that most applicants arent promoting their websites to their employers.   It differentiates you!   This is a major opportunity to stand out since only around 1 in 4 applicants are doing it. 3)   Partner your brand: To survive and live a successful life, you MUST have a strong network.   To me, this is a call to arms.     Im not telling you to force relationships, but I am telling you to work as hard as you can to network with other people and build relationships.   Otherwise, if you dont, then it will take you longer to get a job, it will be harder to interview for positions and your brand wont have the support system it needs to rise to the top.   Partner with people that are at companies you want to work for or have skills that can help you start a business.   Meet as many people as you can and treat life like a giant networking event! Purchase Me 2.0 today! Are you hungry for a single resource that will give you all the information you need in order to build a successful brand that you can feel proud of?   Me 2.0: Build a Powerful Brand to Achieve Career Success (Kaplan, April 09) is the bestselling career book that will help you command your career and create your future, using social media tools.   It will take you through a proven process that will explain how you can discover, create, communicate and maintain your own personal brand throughout the course of your life.   With rave reviews from 34 successful business people, such as Daniel Pink, John Quelch, Marshall Goldsmith and Gary Vaynerchuk and media mentions from the The Wall Street Journal, ABC News, Fast Company, The New York Times and many others, what are you waiting for!     You don’t want to be the 100,000th person to read this book.   Read it now to gain a competitive advantage in your industry and achieve your dreams.   Go to Personal Branding Book for more information!

Resume Writing Services in Alexandria, LA

Resume Writing Services in Alexandria, LAWith the introduction of the Internet, many people have begun to search for resume writing services in order to increase their chances of getting hired by a company. There are a number of companies that are offering this service online and as a result, you can now find yourself competing with people from all over the world.A person's resume is like his or her identity, so it's important to provide a clear and concise description of your career objectives. You will want to be sure that you do not simply tell the reader that you want to get hired because you will most likely be fired if this is the case. Instead, it is necessary to provide the reader with enough information so that they can understand what exactly you are looking for in a new job.Before you even begin searching for a professional resume writing service, you will want to know exactly what you are going to use the service for. Many people simply search for these services online an d use them in order to create their resumes. It would be better for you to purchase your own resume and a host of other items so that you will have a much larger selection in order to choose from.One of the most important parts of your resume is your cover letter. It is not only important to include an objective, but it is also essential to state how you came to be interested in this particular field. If you didn't take up a particular job because you had some specific passion for it, then you need to be able to show that to the readers of your resume.Another part of your resume is your letter of recommendation. You want to know how to properly prepare this part of your resume in order to make sure that the potential employer will be able to make an appropriate decision regarding hiring you. It is also good to make sure that you understand what exactly you are going to provide the interviewer in this section of your resume.It is also important to mention some specific points in your resume so that the potential employer can easily understand your personal strengths and weaknesses. Make sure that you also include what makes you stand out from the rest of the applicants in this field. This will certainly help you get hired quickly and effectively.When you are preparing your resume, you will also want to keep in mind the fact that your resume is a representation of your knowledge and skills. As such, you want to make sure that you are spelling and grammar are correct and that you do not overlook any information that should be included. If your potential employer sees that you are careless about details, then this can turn into a bad impression for the future.In general, there are many possible mistakes that you could make when creating your resume. It is important to be prepared in order to give yourself a chance to succeed in finding a new job. With resume writing services in Alexandria, LA, you can now have the opportunity to get the resume that you deserve.

Resume Writing Services in Alexandria, LA

Resume Writing Services in Alexandria, LAWith the introduction of the Internet, many people have begun to search for resume writing services in order to increase their chances of getting hired by a company. There are a number of companies that are offering this service online and as a result, you can now find yourself competing with people from all over the world.A person's resume is like his or her identity, so it's important to provide a clear and concise description of your career objectives. You will want to be sure that you do not simply tell the reader that you want to get hired because you will most likely be fired if this is the case. Instead, it is necessary to provide the reader with enough information so that they can understand what exactly you are looking for in a new job.Before you even begin searching for a professional resume writing service, you will want to know exactly what you are going to use the service for. Many people simply search for these services online an d use them in order to create their resumes. It would be better for you to purchase your own resume and a host of other items so that you will have a much larger selection in order to choose from.One of the most important parts of your resume is your cover letter. It is not only important to include an objective, but it is also essential to state how you came to be interested in this particular field. If you didn't take up a particular job because you had some specific passion for it, then you need to be able to show that to the readers of your resume.Another part of your resume is your letter of recommendation. You want to know how to properly prepare this part of your resume in order to make sure that the potential employer will be able to make an appropriate decision regarding hiring you. It is also good to make sure that you understand what exactly you are going to provide the interviewer in this section of your resume.It is also important to mention some specific points in your resume so that the potential employer can easily understand your personal strengths and weaknesses. Make sure that you also include what makes you stand out from the rest of the applicants in this field. This will certainly help you get hired quickly and effectively.When you are preparing your resume, you will also want to keep in mind the fact that your resume is a representation of your knowledge and skills. As such, you want to make sure that you are spelling and grammar are correct and that you do not overlook any information that should be included. If your potential employer sees that you are careless about details, then this can turn into a bad impression for the future.In general, there are many possible mistakes that you could make when creating your resume. It is important to be prepared in order to give yourself a chance to succeed in finding a new job. With resume writing services in Alexandria, LA, you can now have the opportunity to get the resume that you deserve.

How Passion-Driven Hobbies and Personal Projects Can Advance Your Career CareerMetis.com

How Passion-Driven Hobbies and Personal Projects Can Advance Your Career Image Source â€" Freepik.comPeople tend to underestimate how seemingly extraneous activities may help build their skillset and mental integrity in a way that contributes to their career development. And this fact is tightly connected to that inevitable question we ask ourselves when it comes to our jobs: How much do you need to sacrifice to get ahead?The obvious answer is that no career is worth your wellbeing, because if you’re not well â€" physically or mentally â€" you are not fit to work, regardless of whether you are a freelanceror a regular employee.Your mind requires time for itself. What makes this topic conciliatory in nature is the fact that you can invest time in something of your own In other words, you can have your cake and eat it. The key is to narrow down the list of passion-driven hobbies and personal projects based on this particular mixture of qualities: whether they inspire you and advance your career.1) They can improve your confidenceevalImage Source â€" Freep ik.comPeople that focus solely on their career may find that their confidence is lacking in other areas. After all, life requires more of us than focusing all our attention on one field, so this rarely bodes well in the long run. Working only on your career will likely stifle your personal development, which, long story short, can leave you feeling inadequate for everything other than your job.Having a hobby or a personal project that you are developing on your terms universally leads to an improved sense of integrity and freedom. It builds character because all people are wired to enjoy things that they can call their own.And you know what? â€" Whatever you choose to do with your own time can be considered a hobby. This includes seemingly inconsequential activities, such as spending time with people. Maybe you are a thoughtful and analytical observer of the work environment, and your observations help you develop your skills as a leader. Maybe you are a highly gregarious person.The point is: meeting new people, talking to them, developing relationships â€" this all contributes to your networking capabilities. And that often proves to be a deciding skill if you plan to move up on the career ladder in today’s dynamic work environment.This is also why traveling is such a beloved hobby among people that want to boost their careers and render themselves more employable. Traveling puts you in all kinds of unpredictable situations, encouraging you to communicate with a variety of people from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. You’ll learn about other cultures, their ways of thinking and communicating, and all of this undeniably contributes to a sharp boost in confidence.Remember â€" the more you travel, the more confident you’ll become.2) They can boost your creativityImage Source â€" UnSplash.comevalWe cannot discuss traits that boost your career without mentioning one of the cornerstones of success in today’s job market: creativity. Thinking outsid e the box is a ubiquitously treasured trait in all facets of art and industry. And those who invest time and effort into the development of their creative mind can truly master this skill.If you want to develop the kind of creativity that will benefit your career, you probably know what key obstacle you need to overcome: push through baby steps. Whether it’s painting, writing, photography, model-making, or anything else â€" you have to pass the crucible of being bad at it before you get better. After all, nobody was born with the skill â€" not even people with great talent.Now, here is the important thing: nobody has to look at your initial works! They are all about personal The more you practice, the more assured in your ‘movements’ and ‘strokes’ you will become â€" and it will show. You just have to make peace with sucking for a prolonged interval.3) They can enhance your organizing skillsImage Source â€" UnSplash.comTime is a commodity we rarely have at our disposal. Yo u either learn how to manage your activities, or you sink into chaos. Now, many people become so consumed by their business ventures that they dedicate 90% of their waking time to work.But once you ‘free up’ your schedule to create a slot for a hobby or a personal project, things get interesting.At first, it may appear insignificant â€" you dedicate as little time to a hobby as you can afford. But then you start thinking about your hobby while you’re doing other things â€" the joy it gives you, the progress you’re making â€" and you start making an effort to dedicate more time to it. Don’t underestimate the human proclivity to passionately pursue goals the more time they invest in a project. There will come a time when you’ll become just as enraptured with your hobby as you were with work.What happens then is that you’ll have to learn how to organize your time well. This is not a bilateral relationship between you and your job anymore. Now there’s a third element tha t needs to be factored in, or a fourth one if you have a family.And what if you’ve started a project with a friend, and they’ve come to depend on your participation?In short, you’ll not only have to learn to create a comprehensible The main reason behind this is that you can go through the cycle of trial and error on your terms. Nobody is watching or assessing your performance. Paradoxically, this fact alone often leads to better performance.You can take a hint from this paradox, as the newly acquired initiative to make mistakes and course-correct at a quick pace becomes an invaluable skill at work. Your employees will notice if you begin treating mistakes at work as hurdles that can be overcome, rather than cataclysmic failures.You can embrace hobbies known to reduce anxiety, but even if you’re not doing something typically relaxing, pursuing a hobby or a personal project contributes to managing anxiety in other ways. When you’re putting a lot of work into a project or tr ying to learn a skill, and it gets awkward, difficult, and even stressful at times, exposing yourself to making mistakes will help you learn to accept it as part of the process.Along with that, there’s also the multitasking and scheduling angle to tie it all together. In order for you to thrive at work and at home, while simultaneously managing personal projects, your brain will have no other choice but to learn to ‘count to ten’ and operate calmly, at peak efficiency.The ability to juggle multiple facets of life and stand in the eye of the storm without giving in to paralyzing anxiety is the defining feature of all great entrepreneurs. And if you’re not pursuing the entrepreneurial path yourself, having your superiors notice that you have developed that skill as well won’t pass unrewarded.evalAll in all, learning to make peace with failure is the ultimate anxiety killer, and hobbies can undeniably help you develop that skill.ConclusionevalImage Source â€" UnSplash.comA bu sy life is all about prioritizing. Physical health and mental wellbeing come first, of course. But personal expression through hobbies and private projects is intrinsically connected to both the former and the latter factor. No human can thrive without sovereignty over, at the very least, one aspect of their life.After all, deeply rooted personal passion is what drives all of our pursuits and conquests in the first place, and we cannot forget that. What do you find compelling about your career? If you are an entrepreneur, does your work fulfill you?In the (admittedly paraphrased) words of Steve Jobs: If this is the last day of your life, can you look at your reflection in the mirror and honestly say that you love your work?Hobbies and personal projects are a good litmus test that answers these questions. Pursuing an activity that is truly meaningful to you may (or may not) uncover dissonance between your work and your wants, which further determines your career path.Who knows â€" de veloping new skills through hobbies may lead to personal revelations that would encourage you to venture off the beaten path. Whether that means redirecting your career within your field or completely changing fields is a whole other story, but have no doubt that this change will be beneficial for you.

Boost Your Interview Results By Demonstrating Your Value

Boost Your Interview Results By Demonstrating Your Value Boost Your Interview Results By Demonstrating Your Value Most of the resumes I see focus on what people do on a daily basis. The results is a boring list of duties and responsibilities thats unlikely to inspire anyone to call them. . Employers want to know what you can do for them. The best way to show your value is to focus on what youve done for your current and previous employer. They want to know about the positive impact youve made   The same is true for interviews. Employers dont want to hear about your duties and responsibilities, what you do every day. They want to hear about your achievements. Maybe you didnt directly generate revenue, but maybe you saved the account by providing extra service. Perhaps you redesigned a process so it takes 2 days a month instead of 5 freeing staff to take on other duties. Maybe you leveraged your business relationships to build a promising pipeline.     Prepare for your interviews with stories that illustrate your value. Like all stories, there should be a beginning, a middle, and an end.   Begin with the challenge you faced (it may have been there when you were hired or come up during your tenure). Might be anything from low morale to the loss of the companys largest client.   Next, explain what you did to solve the address the issue, solve the problem, improve the situation, etc. If you worked as part of a team make sure you highlight what you specifically brought to the table. That might be providing special knowledge or building consensus between disparate parties or whatever.   Finish with the result. Improved employee retention, increased customer satisfaction, amount of time saved, etc. Adding metrics like $$$ made, % customer satisfaction improved, % time saved, etc. the better. . Dont waste time during your job interview talking about how you spend your day. Wow the employer with the impact youve made.

Job Mobs Top 40 Job Search articles

Job Mobs Top 40 Job Search articles JobMob recently published their Top 40+ Job Search Blog Posts of 2013. This is a great list from distinguished career experts of what other job searchers have been reading and have found helpful, all over the globe. One of our latest posts is on that list: Unemployed? You Have Secret Powers! Of course, it is an affirmation that we provide a service our readers are interested in, and thats always a good feeling. But it also shows that you are not alone in your search for employment, and that has all kinds of feelings attached to it. Its intimidating to realize there are so many job seekers out there Its encouraging to know you are not alone and have support Its hopeful to anticipate the results of steps you are making in your career plans Professional Resume Services has a mission: to craft powerful, exciting, and effective resumes for every job seeker on the planet. Thats a big goal, isnt it? Maybe it wont really happen all over the planet, but it sure will happen a lot this coming year because we will be doing it one job seeker at a time. Maybe it will be in the form of a resume critique, or coaching, or a resume package. Maybe it will be in the form of this blog, encouraging and guiding along the search. Maybe it will be on Facebook or some other social media. See how many facets there are? Like the cuts on a diamond, each different facet of a job search is another angle that reflects the light a different way. It takes a lot of angles to make a diamond shine and sparkle, and it takes a lot of angles to make a career do the same thing. All the different things you do make up who you are and what you have to offer, and a good resume is like those lights at the jewelers shop causing the gems to sparkle with reflections: it illuminates what you have and makes it shine.