Saturday, May 30, 2020

I Didnt Expect Career Change To Be So Hard. How Do I Keep Going

“I Didnt Expect Career Change To Be So Hard. How Do I Keep Going” Help from our Community “I Didnt Expect Career Change To Be So Hard. How Do I Keep Going?” * For more than a year, Mark has been trying to escape a career he's outgrown. But every approach he's tried has failed â€" or worse, backfired. How do you keep working towards a career you love when everything keeps going wrong? What's your career history and current job? I'm Financial Assessment Officer for my local London borough council. I did a degree in Finance and Accounting, because my father was an accountant and he wanted me to always have a reliable income. Needless to say, I fell into accountancy and financial services after university, and never got out. How do you feel about your work? I always thought that this would be the right career for me, because I do have a natural aptitude for working with figures and I'm good at explaining complex ideas to people. Plus, my mum passed away when I was in my early teens, so my relationship with my dad is very important to me. I've always wanted to make him proud, and I love that he and I have this extra connection because of working in the same field. But I've come to realise that my interests and passions are much broader than this, and much more creative. There's a level of creativity in my work â€" coming up with unusual solutions to complex problems, for example â€" but it's not the kind of environment where I feel buzzy and alive. I went to an acting class for a few weeks when I found a voucher on Groupon, and I suddenly realised how much I love using my body and playing with other aspects of my creativity. I don't want to be an actor, but it did seem to flip a switch in my mind. Ever since, my job's felt too small for me â€" like I'm wearing someone else's clothes every day. What would you like to be doing instead? I'd like to work in the creative sector, doing something related to people management and productivity management. I love being around new ideas and imaginative people, and I think my logical mind would be really useful in those environments. I don't know what the job title or exact role might be, but that's where I’d like to get to, one day. What's the biggest obstacle in your way? I really want to make a career change, but there are so many things I've tried that haven’t worked out. I've been trying now for 18 months and I don't seem to have made any progress. I'll reach out to my network to see if they know of any interesting jobs or people I could talk to, and nobody will get back to me with anything. I looked for people to connect with on LinkedIn, and only one person got back to me to tell me she was too busy to speak to me. I've found a few roles that looked really exciting, and I didn't even get to interview. I even quit my job last year, to put some financial and time pressure on myself to get things moving, and I was forced back into a role in my old field because I couldn't make the shift in time. I spent all of my savings trying to make that work, and now I'm stuck without anything to fall back on. Every time something goes wrong, I lose confidence that it's really possible. I know everyone hits bumps in the road, but I get so deeply disheartened by my failures that I'm close to giving up. I wasn't expecting this to be so hard. How do I keep going when I don't seem to be making any progress? Can you help Mark? Is a career change worth pursuing, even though it's stressful and hard? What else could he try to start making progress? Have you been in a similar situation, or are you in the same boat right now? Do you have any tips for Mark on how to break into the creative industries? Share your thoughts in the comments below and click the thumbs-up button to show your support. Give Mark a cheer of encouragement by hitting the thumbs-up button here:

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Want To Become A Massage Therapist Heres What You Need To Know -

Want To Become A Massage Therapist Here’s What You Need To Know - If you like working with people and value your freedom, a career as a massage therapist might be right for you.   Yes, you need to have massage qualifications to be a massage therapist just as any occupation has qualifications. On the one hand, you will be able to start working right after getting a license (which shouldn’t take longer than two years). Also, your income will only depend on you. Massage therapists can have multiple jobs and work for themselves at the same time. On the other hand, you should understand that you will have to work on your feet all day long. Also, tt the beginning of your career, you may not be able to choose your clients. If you made your mind, learn how you can obtain a professional license in massage therapy: First of all, you need to find an accredited program. The good thing is that massage schools cost less than college. To get accepted, you should meet minimum requirements, such as a high school diploma. Secondly, you should choose a program that fits your individual needs. There are different types of massage: aromatherapy, hot stone, Thai, Swedish, reflexology, trigger point, etc. During the course, you will learn the basics and find out which type of massage you like the most. After you complete all course work, you will be able to find your first job in massage therapy. Also, consider starting your own massage therapy business. You can rent a small studio or convert one room in your house into the massage area. Going self-employed will take some time: you will have to find the place and build your client list.   Of course, as with any entrepreneurial venture, there are pros and cons to consider.   Here you can check the difference between being an independent massage therapist and working in the company:

Saturday, May 23, 2020

Why Quality Audio Cables Make a Difference in Sound Quality

Why Quality Audio Cables Make a Difference in Sound Quality The highly controversial topic amongst the audio world. Do audio cables actually make a difference when it comes to sound quality or does it do absolutely nothing? We shouldn’t be so quick to judge those who hear an honest difference in sound quality through audio cables. Maybe not everyone can hear it, but it still worth checking the facts before completely dismissing it. Some   audio enthusiasts in older generations have developed a life-long love affair with the development of cables, and have heard with their own ears how much better sound quality has gotten as time has passed on. Still, some would say that this argument is invalid, and that we shouldn’t spend money on nice audio cables, even if there is a tiny difference. But, once you listen to DAC audio through quality cables, you’ll understand that there is something truly powerful about a nice cable plugged into your amp. It not only carries your sound as purely and efficiently as possible. Its reliable and designed to carry high sound quality for a lifetime. A benefit that is hard to talk any seasoned audio engineer out of. Most journalists believe that there is absolutely no difference in sound quality.   But the high-end audio enthusiasts and reviewers mull on over the clear differences in sound they hear that are really only understood by experts in sound and audio. As a consumer, just wanting to have good sound quality for a home audio setup, it is hard to figure out which direction to go. How Cables Transmit Audio When your audio system creates an electrical signal, for example,   the vibration of a guitar string, it converts that vibration into an electrical signal. That signal is in turn sent through the audio cable and into the speaker. Through the use of membranes and powerful magnetic drivers, the output is a perfect recreation of the vibrational tone. However, when the braided metal inside the cable is made from less conductive or low quality metals, a significant amount of resistance is created. This prevents efficient transmission of the electrical signal, meaning a diminished quality of sound. The longer the cable has to stretch, the more resistance is created. One way in which manufacturers have found to prevent long cords from having so much resistance is to thicken the gauge of the wire.   That allows the electrical current to flow through more purely. So, this is where high-end cable wiring comes in. And people wonder about paying money for a thicker wire, just to have a better electrical flow, when your thin wire gets the job done perfectly? What Kind of Audio Cables are Right for You? The truth is, it just depends on who you are, and what your budget is. If you are a professional DJ on tour, you are going to want the best cables money can buy. If you are a college student with just a music source in your dorm room, the chances are you’ll stick to whatever is most affordable.. Either way, there are a few things to keep in mind when finding the right audio cable. The first thing you want to pay attention to is the conductivity. Find a cable that has the least amount of resistance it’s the electrical current as possible. A few good indicators on if the conductivity is good is if is oxygen-free, multi-strand copper.   And it should be nice and thick, especially if you need a longer cable. Next, you want to make sure the cable has proper insulation. You don’t want other random signals coming in and transmitting to your speakers. Make sure that theres at least two layers of insulation on the audio cable for the best listening experience. Lastly, you want to be sure you have sturdy connectors. This is the piece that connects the speaker to the audio source. I have found that most people tend to be drawn to the gold-plated connectors for the most efficient sound quality. The Research Speaks, But Who’s Listening? Audio expert, Brent Butterworth, has done various testing to prove that high-end audio cables do make a significant difference in sound quality.   That’s music to the ears of any high-end audio enthusiast. This is still a battle that will probably never be fully resolved. People are either too for or too against it to find a common middle ground. We can do our best to accept ourselves and agree that high-end audio is high-end audio for a reason. You don’t need it, but if you are passionate about the art of sound, and you have money to spare â€" nice audio cables are something that is entirely reasonable to add to your studio setup. People will live on with their skinnier cables and slightly diminished sound quality.   Perhaps all that really matters is if they can hear the music. It can be thrilling to immerse yourself into every sound wave, and analyze every beat and every note.   But sometimes it’s important to sit back and just let the music play, without focusing on quality or cables. What artists are in heavy rotation on your playlist? Leave us a comment with your favorites in the section below.

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Happy National Recruiter Day! (May 30th)

Happy National Recruiter Day! (May 30th) May 30th is National Recruiter Day.Update 2019: What an amazing year. We received more than 100 recruiter nominationsfor our People's Choice Best Recruiter Award and the winner is.... Rebecca Oppenheimfrom nextOPP Search. Read her advice on what it takes to be a great recruiter below.Update 2018: National Recruiter Day 2018 was a huge success. We hosted our first ever People's Choice Best Recruiter Award where Tabitha Cavanagh was named the best recruiter of 2018. Read her advice on what it takes to bea great recruiter below.--------------Can you believe it!? Up until May 2017, there was no National Recruiter Day.There is a National Popcorn Day, a National Vodka Day, and even a National Custodial Workers Recognition Day.There are thousands of national holidays but for some reason, no National Recruiter Day.Well, the moment that every recruiter has been waiting for is here.National Recruiter Day!On May 30th, 2017, National Recruiter Day was born via aLinkedIn post that went viral:What is National Recruiter Day?National Recruiter Day is the one day of the year when recruiters can take a break.Recruiting is not easy. There are a lot of negative attitudes towards recruiters.The least we can do is allow them one single day when we appreciate the good ones out there.Sadly, as in every profession, there are some bad recruiters out there who have tainted the title ‘recruiter’.National Recruiter Day is a day for everyone to hear about the life-changing impact agood recruiter can have on a job seekers career.Should Recruiters Take This Day Off?Yes! Recruiters are underappreciated and underpaid.Your company can afford to give you one single day off to show their appreciation for the hard work you put in every day.Let your manager know, if he/she appreciates you, they will read this article and give you the day off.How to Show Appreciation to RecruitersSince National Recruiter Day was born on LinkedIn, it is only appropriate to show appreciation to your favorite recrui ter on LinkedIn.On May 30th, write a post on LinkedIn sharing your story about an amazing experience you have had with a recruiter.If possible, tag that recruiter in your post and #NationalRecruiterDay.Not only are you going to make that recruiters day, but you are also going to be a part of something huge!Good recruiters are hard to come by, the ones who go above and beyond deserve a little recognition.People's Choice Best Recruiter AwardsBest Recruiter 2019 - Rebecca OppenheimRebecca Oppenheim was voted by LinkedIn members as the #1 recruiter in 2019.We asked Rebecca how it felt to be the winner and what advice she has for other recruiters. She responded:I am humbled to be chosen for this year’s People’s Choice Best Recruiter! And thank you Mike for personally nominating me. It means a lot, especially since my company, nextOPP Search, helped you fill a leadership role earlier this year. There were a lot of incredible recruiters mentioned in the comments - people I am lucky to continually learn from. This is really for all of us.As far as my advice to new recruiters - find mentors. Recruiting is a roller coaster filled with daily wins and losses, but you aren’t alone. There are so many successful ones before you who love paying it forward - sharing best practices and lending advice when you are in a rut. I’m lucky to have found my now co-founder, Gail Buck, when I first started recruiting. She’s helped me accelerate my recruiting career and I’m forever grateful. But it doesn’t have to be someone within your company, or even your city. We constantly tell candidates to network - we should do it as well!Best Recruiter 2018 - Tabitha CavanaghTabitha Cavanagh was voted by LinkedIn members as the #1 recruiter for 2018.We asked Tabitha how it felt to be the winner and what advice she has for other recruiters. She responded:I am extremely grateful and humbled to have been chosen as this year'sPeople's Choice Best Recruiter! There are so many wonderful deserving recruiters out there, some who were named and many who were not. To share the recruiter spotlight among these elite professionals is a true honor.My advice to new recruiters: Always begin with your WHY. That will drive you when the going gets tough. This business revolves around consistently and passionately elevating others. Be their advocate. Build authentic relationships and, at the end of the day, simply care about people. Ezra 10:4National Recruiter Day Fun FactsNational Recruiter Day began May 30th, 2017 on LinkedIn. It is a felony to say anything negative about a recruiter on National Recruiter Day (according to this author's own legal system). National Recruiter Day is recognized in over 15 countries including the USA, India, Brazil, UK, Canada, France, Italy and Mexico. National Recruiter Day is awesome and worthy of a day off (for recruiters only). Recruiters are ‘thanked’ 10x more on National Recruiter Day than any other day of the year.

Saturday, May 16, 2020

Tips for Writing a Resume - How to Write a Successful Resume

Tips for Writing a Resume - How to Write a Successful ResumeResume writing has become a difficult thing for the student. However, it can be easily achieved with the right kind of strategy and some practice.Before, even you thought of leaving your college or university, it must be in good condition. Since most students are not very knowledgeable about their academic record, most of them think that their educational record must be one way better than it actually is. To avoid this problem, it is essential to first check and assess your academic record.If you decide to leave your college/university, you should write a 'resume' for your job application. This resume needs to highlight all your achievements during your time there. Since you have had all the classes you want and you have done a great job in your studies, this is the best time to impress the employer with your excellent work.The cover letter, of course, does not have to be a masterpiece. But it is important for it to help you get that first interview for the position that you are looking for. Most people do not know how to write a proper cover letter. Thus, here are some tips to help you on writing a cover letter.You need to have a very competitive nature if you want to land that job that you want. However, this does not mean that you need to throw yourself at the first place you see. For the resume to get noticed, it should contain impressive elements that will give your application a boost. Therefore, have your resume written in a professional and appealing manner.Keep in mind that not all attractive and memorable elements are enough to get you that job. You still need to have an effective resume. When you plan to go online to get some tips for writing a resume, make sure that you read all the instructions first. And always remember that no matter how well you may be able to make your resume, if the job position does not want you, you will never get the job.Even if you have that resume done, this does not mean that it is enough to get the job. You need to apply yourself in applying for the job. This does not mean that you do not have to do your homework. After all, you have applied hard and you are willing to do more; this is the time when you have to prove yourself.Make sure that you include every information in your resume. Make sure that you think of everything in advance and then complete all your projects and work properly. Although it is hard, but you can get that new job that you are looking for if you follow the tips given above.

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Ten Ways to Stay Fit Without Leaving Your Office Cubicle

Ten Ways to Stay Fit Without Leaving Your Office Cubicle Does your work keep you chained to your desk most of the day? Is it hard to find the time or energy to exercise before or after work, or on your lunch hour? I spoke to Stephanie Mansour, CEO of  Step It Up With Steph  and  creator of the Cubicle Crunch to learn about a series of stretches and exercises that you can do at your desk to get in shape.Here are the top 10 exercises:1.  Stress busterRelieve stress and take deeper breaths by stretching your shoulders and chest this will help improve posture and open up the muscles in the chest. Sitting up tall, clasp your hands behind your back and gently pull arms away from your back. Stretch the front of your body in your chest.2.  Ab strengthenerFeeling flabby in your midsection? Act like you are zipping a tight pair of pants and engage your lower ab muscles. You can pulse (squeeze, release, repeat) 10 times, a few times throughout the day.3.  Upper arm and shoulder strengthGet a leaner upper body by doing push-ups while seated at your d esk. Engage your ab muscles and place your hands shoulder-width apart on your desk. Bend your elbows, leaning forward toward your desk, then press away. Repeat 10 times.4.  Quad tonerTone your quads while sitting down by pointing one leg forward and squeezing your thigh. Slowly lift your straight leg up to hip height, then tap it back down. Repeat 10 times per leg.5.  Glute stretchStretch your glutes and relieve low back pain by crossing one ankle over your knee and leaning forward. Feel a stretch in your glute, hold for 20 seconds then switch sides.6.  Hamstring stretchStretch your hamstrings to also relieve low back pain by standing up and leaning forward, letting your head and arms dangle in front of you. You can open your feet as wide as your hips and even bend your knees to make this more comfortable.7.  Neck tensionRelieve neck tension by dropping your right ear down toward your right shoulder and feel a stretch in the left side of your neck. Hold for five deep breaths, then r epeat on the left side.8.  Mobility improverWhile sitting in your chair, gently twist to one side, looking over your shoulder, and take a few deep breaths. This will help with digestion and also help regain mobility in your spine.9.  Wrist strengthenerYou can reduce carpal tunnel syndrome and tendinitis by stretching your wrists. Press your hand and arm away from your body, then turn your fingers down. Use your other hand to gently pull your fingers down away from your wrist. Feel a stretch underneath your wrist, hold for 10 seconds, and repeat on other side.10.  Butt and thigh tightenerOn your way to the bathroom or water cooler, lunge your way there instead of walking! Step your right foot forward, a few feet in front of your left foot, and slowly bend down. Keep your right knee directly over your ankle, and bend your left knee. Then step forward with your left foot, and repeat until youre at your destination.

Friday, May 8, 2020

The Job Seekers WOW Factor the NEW Candidate Packet

The Job Seeker’s WOW Factor the NEW Candidate Packet Cut the Crap (CTC) Candidate Packet Don’t submit your résumé, send a Cut the Crap (CTC) Candidate Packet and get an interview! You want hiring managers to say “WOW” when they get your application, dont you? Of course you do! I’m going to teach you how to do it with the most complete, innovative, and professional job application format. Today’s Situation: I am a hiring manager and I took a lot of my time to carefully write my job specification or job description. What do I get? Even the best candidates submit cover letters that simply re-state an attached résumé, leaving it up to me to pull out the relevant pieces. Frankly, it’s boring, tedious, and I might miss something. I could pass over a good candidate if his or her résumé doesn’t attract my attention, speak to me in ways I understand, or call out the skills I need to find. The Solution: Even though a website may say, “Attach your résumé here,” your new name for your résumé is your Cut the Crap (CTC) Candidate Packet. Yes, you can now proudly say, “Mr./Ms. Hiring Manager, attached is my Candidate Packet,” not, “Attached is my résumé.” Instead of implying “Figure it out yourself,” send the Candidate Packet and show them, “I am providing all that you need to select me to interview for your position.” Caveat: The only time the Candidate Packet is hard to use is when the website requires a plain-text résumé. How to Build a CTC Candidate Packet: Your Candidate Packet is a collection of 3 documents or sections in a single file. To repeat, all three sections should be in one PDF or one Microsoft WORD file rather than three separate files. If you don’t know now, learn how to merge multiple documents and match all fonts and styles. Working from the back of your Candidate Packet to the front: Section #3: Back page(s): Your résumé. Yes, it is relegated to be the caboose. Your résumé is a supporting â€" yet required chronological listing of YOUR background. It is the only document that is only about you. The rest of the sections, preceding your résumé, are all about them. Remember that! Section #2: The middle single page is called your Cut the Crap (CTC) “Job Description Profile” or “JD Profile.” It is the biggest innovation I’ve developed and it delivers the “WOW” factor I promised. Your JD Profile will compare your background, skills, and experiences with the job requirements on one page, in a table format with bullet points in each row. In a two-column table, list the key requirements or specifications of the job one per row â€" in the left column. Then in the right column, match your skills, experiences, and training to the requirements. And, remember, always quantify, quantify, quantify! I have detailed instructions here and in my book, Cut the Crap, Get a Job! A New Job Search Process for a New Era. Section #1: Your cover letter can only be written after you have completed the CTC Job Description Profile. From your profile, pull out the three most important points and highlight those in the body of your new-and-different cover letter. It will highlight, in an easy-to-read format, the specific reasons why you are the best candidate for the position and, therefore, why you should be considered for an interview. Yes, it takes time, but once you’ve finished your first Candidate Packet, the rest will be easier. And, in my mind, delivering a Candidate Packet is not optional. As a hiring manager for over 30 years, and after reviewing thousands of job applications, I know you will only get the attention you deserve with the submission of a world-class application. No more average! Cut the Crap, Get a Job! Use a new job search process for a new era NOW!