Black Friday Job Search

Black Friday Job Search Are you one to take advantage of Black Friday?  I have once or twice, and while it was an adrenaline-rush experience, its not anything I care to do. I want to be with my family and friends and so I stay home and avoid shopping experiences. If you dont have family or friends to be with, and are using some quiet time for your job search, you know that reaching out to people will get you no responses today.  What can you do?  Go for Stephen Coveys habit #7: Sharpen your saw. Read something, watch an online course, practice something, do something.  Expand your knowledge.  Nothing wrong with taking time to sharpen the saw.  Heres a quote supposedly from Abraham Lincoln: “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the  axe.” â€"  Abraham Lincoln What are you doing to keep your saw sharp?  Heres an expanded anecdote of this concept. Black Friday Job Search Are you one to take advantage of Black Friday?  I have once or twice, and while it was an adrenaline-rush experience, its not anything I care to do. I want to be with my family and friends and so I stay home and avoid shopping experiences. If you dont have family or friends to be with, and are using some quiet time for your job search, you know that reaching out to people will get you no responses today.  What can you do?  Go for Stephen Coveys habit #7: Sharpen your saw. Read something, watch an online course, practice something, do something.  Expand your knowledge.  Nothing wrong with taking time to sharpen the saw.  Heres a quote supposedly from Abraham Lincoln: “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the  axe.” â€"  Abraham Lincoln What are you doing to keep your saw sharp?  Heres an expanded anecdote of this concept.

6 Ways to Upskill Your Way to a New Job

6 Ways to Upskill Your Way to a New Job Upskilling isn’t just for candidates. For those in the recruitment and HR industry, investing in professional development through a range of courses, workshops, and events can go a long way in nailing that new job or gaining a promotion. With both face-to-face and online options, there’s no excuse not to expand your knowledge base. Whether you need to brush up on an existing skill or want to pick up something completely new, there’s plenty to learn. Here are six ways to upskill: 1. New Skills Academy Whether it’s a diploma in Microsoft Office or a Working in Teams certificate, New Skills Academy has a comprehensive range of courses that will look fantastic on any CV. The online-only offering has over 200 courses on its books, all of which can be studied at your own pace and on a range of devices. If it’s brushing up on your skills you’re after, opt for a recruitment diploma or an interview skills and CV writing diploma. For something new, why not try a public speaking diploma or conflict in the workplace certificate? 2. LinkedIn Learning Everyone’s favorite professional social network now has its own learning platform, where experts in business, tech and creative spill the secrets of their respective trades. Topics range from general productivity â€" time management and getting things done â€" to more career-specific skills such as attracting candidates using social media, proactive recruiting strategies and diversity recruiting. You can opt to watch by video or commit to a whole course. 3. Lynda.com Lynda is also a LinkedIn initiative, offering 6,213 courses across business, technology, and creative skills. The online platform includes videos from some of the world’s leading experts, with courses on everything from business etiquette and technical recruiting, to understanding HR systems and working on a cross-functional team. It also includes Learning Paths, a curated selection of videos that are designed to boost your skills or get ahead in your career. Paths include ‘Become a Corporate Recruiter’ and ‘Become a Sales Manager’. 4. Udemy This global education marketplace aims to help professionals master new skills with a comprehensive selection of 55,000 courses across development, IT and software, productivity, personal development, design, marketing, lifestyle, photography, music, and academics. For recruitment and HR professionals, courses range from recruitment for start-ups and cold email recruiter training to compliance made easy and HR analytics. Each course features a series of videos created by industry experts and once purchased, is available on an ongoing basis, meaning you can learn at your own pace. 5. OpenLearn An initiative of The Open University, OpenLearn is a free education resource that aims to make learning accessible to everyone. Courses range across eight topics, including languages and money and business, ensuring there’s something to pique everyone’s interest. In particular, the human resources course focuses on topics such as the distinctions between person-job fit and person-organization fit and attracting the right applicants. Content is also available as articles, activities, eBooks, audio, video, and booklets, meaning you can learn on the go or in the comfort of your own home. 6. General Assembly Looking for something a little different? If it’s brushing up on your social media skills or learning more about data analytics, General Assembly has you covered. The global learning experience offers full-time and part-time courses, as well as classes, workshops, and events that cover everything from user research methods to networking to build authentic relationships. For those who can’t commit to on-campus learning, they also offer online courses in digital marketing, data, JavaScript and web design. About the Author: Jenna Glen is HR and Support Manager at Tiger Recruitment, London’s leading recruitment agency for business, private and virtual support recruitment. Jenna specializes in employee development and HR processes and projects, ensuring every Tiger employee experiences exemplary career growth.

Why Hobbies Matter

Why Hobbies Matter We almost never use the term “hobby” anymore; it seems like an outdated concept, something for bored housewives in the 1950s. Indeed, the 1950s saw a boom in leisure activities. Three million women left the workforce after the troops returned from WWII, and machines like the vacuum cleaner, dishwasher and clothes dryers became widely available. What was a girl to do with all that spare time? Gardening, home improvement, and crafts, of course. We still take on work for pleasure, of course, which is the definition of a hobby. Sometimes, we even monetize our hobby; Etsy is exhibit A. But for the most part, a hobby is something you do for love, regardless of how skilled you happen to be. But does what you do for fun matter to your career? Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'qdw1xLRlTeFwSTsz3KhBMA',sig:'5MjgVJ0m8zKybEJsE-FktnGYPTWd-ZEiyEEAJB8RuNs=',w:'507px',h:'338px',items:'482147081',caption: false ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Jared Lindzon, writing for Fast Company, says that hiring managers should ask about hobbies and promotes several that he says improve focus and performance on the job (yoga, team sports, and performing music among them.) Here’s how I think hobbies can advance your career. Hobbies provide down time from a stressful job. Thinking about work 24/7 is unhealthy and unsustainable. Doing something to refresh your mind actually makes you better at your job; that’s why experts recommend that you take short breaks during the day to increase your productivity. Tony Swartz, productivity consultant and founder of The Energy Project, says that “Without any downtime to refresh and recharge, we’re less efficient, make more mistakes, and get less engaged with what we’re doing.” The Energy Project site says that “we’re at our best when we move rhythmically between spending and renewing energy.” Hobbies are a great way to replenish your spirit. Hobbies improve your creativity. Many hobbies involve actual creative pursuits: community theater, flower arranging, music, swing dancing, art, quilting, or cooking. It’s a very good idea to unleash your inner artist. Creativity helps you look at problems from a different and innovative mindset. This can only be good. Hobbies diversify your skill set and expand your mind. To master a hobby, you often have to teach yourself to think with another part of your brain. Gwen Moran, writing for Entrepreneur Magazine, says that hobbies almost always require a system, and that teaches you to think systematically at work as well. Doing something you love puts you into a state of flow, or intense focus. You know the feeling â€" hours pass like minutes. Recognizing that state of flow and finding it at work may boost your performance. Hobbies help you focus. Many workers are overloaded with information, making them less effective on the job. Whether you’re gazing at your drishti in yoga class, assembling an intricate model, or snapping photos of hummingbirds in flight, your ability to focus intensely will become a career asset as well. Hobbies build confidence. Mastering a tough athletic challenge like an Iron Man competition or finishing a marathon gives you the confidence to persevere when things get tough at the office. Leading or coaching team sports builds leadership off the field as well. Having your art, your cooking or your writing recognized by your peers or in competitions creates well being in the moment that carries you through stressful projects or letdowns at work. What do you do for fun? Do you think your hobby has made a difference on the job? Leave a comment and let me know. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'EVlpuJvoTu1hPTowAFfL7Q',sig:'wY1ZH35HHUHgp9GLBg3vesCy4ptD3hd4WCWWg_qCqUQ=',w:'339px',h:'509px',items:'555778305',caption: false ,tld:'com',is360: false })});

5 Things You Can Do In Next 5 Days To Help Get A Job - #1

5 Things You Can Do In Next 5 Days To Help Get A Job - #1 This post is #2 of a 5 part series on 5 things you can do in next 5 days to help get a job. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5. Whether you are  working on a project in full time employment or looking for a job being unemployed there is one trait that is more important than the rest. To finish what you started. If you are looking for a job you can get lost in the information available online through various sites etc. Take this approach, do something, do one thing for each of the next 5 days to help you get a job. Please manage your expectation, you may not, actually, its highly probable you will not find a job at the end of the 5 day period.  However if you finish the 5 things in the next 5 days then atleast you will be in a better position than you are now. 1. Create a good Resume   have a Cover Letter template Creating a resume Its amazing that students still dont have a resume  until its after graduation. People, there is never a bad time to have a resume. So make yours today. Download this free resume template I have created, its a zip file with two resume templates in  .doc format. You can download by clicking the download below. p.s. YES, it has been downloaded more than 15,000 times worldwide ?? Download Free CV Template 32.54 KB | 25527 downloads DetailsDownload CV Template Creating a cover letter  Now, cover letters are slightly different to resumes. You have to alter your cover letter to each job you apply to. For this reason, I have only created a cover letter template for a generic cover letter. It has handy suggestions and tips of how to fill it in atleast create one cover letter and get it reviewed by someone for professionalism. Download Cover Letter Template Download Cover Letter Template 13.83 KB 16213 downloads ... Now, once you create your resume and have a generic cover letter template, send it to a friend! Yes, send it to a friend and ask your friend for feedback and comment on it. This will help you in: There will be some mistakes that only a second pair of eyes can see Friends are honest with their feedback Once you get initial feedback, you can get a careers adviser to look over it, knowing someone has already looked at it for basic mistakes, etc Everybody makes resume mistakes, some are funny resume mistakes some are more stupid (even I did stupid resume mistakes) p.s. if you dont find a friend or are not sure about sending it to a friend, comment below and I will be happy to review your resume. Part 1 Getting a good resume and cover letter Part 2 Muse U courses to stay motivated in job search Part 3 coming soon Part 4 coming soon Part 5  coming soon 4

Ideal Non-Law Careers for Law Graduates

Ideal Non-Law Careers for Law Graduates While the obvious career paths for law graduates would be barrister or solicitor, some graduates may be surprised to learn of the variety of careers they can apply their degree and skills to.A law degree is a very respected accomplishment, and can teach a multitude of translatable skills that many employers For those new law graduates who are uninterested in a legal career, we here at MHHP Law have detailed the alternative industries and jobs new law graduates can pursue in the list below.While we’ve tried to be as comprehensive and thorough as possible, please bear in mind that this is not an exactly precise list, and positions and industries may differ.Advertising, Marketing, and PRevala) Advertising Account PlannerAdvertising Account Planners are responsible for planning and creating briefs for ad campaigns, and essentially giving creative teams a clear direction.b) Marketing Executive/ManagerMarketing Executives and Managers are roles that come with a great deal of varied respo nsibilities and creative duties, which boil down to promoting your employer’s goods and/or services.c) Media Buyer/PlannerevalA Media Buyer or Planner is tasked with finding the best outlets to reach their target audiences, and purchasing time or space on that specific advertising platform.d) Press OfficerCompanies employ Press Officers to act as the middle man between the business and the press, and they’re tasked to officially represent the company to the media.e) Public Relations Account ExecutiveevalTypically employed by marketing or PR agencies, a Public Relations Account Executive is responsible for handling multiple clients and promoting them across multiple media channels.f) Sales Promotion Account ExecutiveSales Promotion Account Executive positions are usually found in retail companies or marketing agencies, and are charged with specified marketing promotions.Banking, Finance, and AccountingPhoto Credit â€" Pexels.coma) Chartered Certified AccountantBecoming a Chartere d Certified Accountant A Financial Advisor is quite self-explanatory, as it’s an individual who provides businesses and clients with advice on how to best manage their finances.d) Investment BankerInvestment banks offer a diverse range of financial aspects to cover, from corporate finance to fund management, private-client services, and more.e) Pension Scheme ManagerA Pension Scheme Manager ensures that your employer’s business or organisation complies with the statutory requirements, as well as make amendments to adhere to new legislation.evalf) Tax Adviser/ConsultantTax consultants are hired by businesses or private clients to tackle particular tax problems, or create long-term cost-effective solutions.g) Tax InspectorAs an employee of the HM Revenue Customs Photo Credit â€" Pixabay.coma) Academic/Public librarianContrary to general opinion, a Librarian is a highly educated and trained individual, and is key to helping all manner of libraries run smoothly.b) Adult Guidance Wo rkerAn Adult Guidance Worker is a supportive figure who specialises in assisting adults that are adjusting to life-changing situations and/or circumstances.c) Careers/Personal AdviserTypically employed by the National Careers Service or education institutions, a Careers Advisor or Personal Advisor is there to offer guidance to young people in terms of their future plans.d) Further Education LecturerBy becoming a Further Education Lecturer, you will have the opportunity to teach your specialist subject to students of all academic levels.e) Primary/Secondary School TeacherA school teacher, whether Primary or Secondary, is an incredibly important and rewarding position to have, as you get to help shape the next generation’s young minds.Human Resources and Recruitmenta) Human Resources OfficerThe Human Resources department is an essential part of any business or organisation, and a HR Officer is responsible for recruitment, training, mediating, and more.b) Recruitment ConsultantTypica lly working for dedicated recruitment agencies, a Recruitment Consultant can also work in-house for businesses, and their main focus is always to find the best candidate for the role.Mediaa) Editorial AssistantThe most common stepping stone into the world of editorial work, an Editorial Assistant is expected to work as both writer and admin assistant, with many varied responsibilities.b) JournalistJournalism is a very popular career choice for graduates of all subjects, but can be a great choice for a law graduate as journalists have to work within more legal constraints than you might realise.c) Publishing Rights ManagerWhat the duties of a Publishing Rights Manager boil down to are just one simple task: managing the rights of the materials they or their business have purchased.Politics and Public SectorPhoto Credit -Pexels.coma) Civil Service Fast StreamThe Civil Service act as the behind-the-scenes of the government, and offers a wide variety of departments for graduates to set t heir sights on.b) Claims SpecialistsA Claims Specialist is a person who researches and investigates claims on the behalf of insurance companies, in order to discover whether the claimant is covered by their policy.c) Government Research OfficerGovernment Research Officers are tasked with conducting research within the government, and then presenting their analysed data in reports for politicians, civil servants, etc.d) Police OfficerAs a Police Officer, you would be a pillar of the community, and responsible for maintaining law and order as well as investigating crimes and dealing with criminal activity.e) Parliamentary AssistantA Parliamentary Assistant provides the main support to MPs, usually in terms of admin in relation to lobbying, legislation, and acting as a liaison to the media when needed.f) Public Affairs ConsultantOtherwise known as Lobbyists, a Public Affairs Consultant has the opportunity to move within both the public and private sectors, and tracks information on eco nomic, environmental, etc. issues.g) Trade Union Research OfficerAs expected by its title, the duties of a Trade Union Research Officer are to conduct research for trade unions, in particular on issues that may affect the trade union and its industry.h) Trading Standards OfficerAn Officer of Trading Standards is employed to ensure that the public aren’t cheated by the consumer world, and in charge of eradicating illegal trading practices, fake items, and more.

Holding on to a job once you land it

Holding on to a job once you land it When youhavea slippery,wrathing fish on the line, sometimes it is hard to get it in the boat or once in, keep it inthe boat. The same is true with a new job. Rounds of interviews with a company, nibbles, a strike, it takes skill to land that job. You get close, you are a finalist, you feel the excitement, you can taste the new job. Stay calm, easy does it! Yes, you are in. But once you have this job, you need to hold on to it. I see repeat job seekers regularly. For a number of reasons, their new jobs have ended and they are back on the job seeking waters, angling for another job. Here are the top 3 things you need to do when you land the big job: 1) Understand who the big fish are in this little pond: Ask good questions and understand who, why, and where these key decision makers are. 2) What are the weather conditions like for next 100 days? What do they expect you to do? Really drill them on their priorities, how will you know you have met their expectations? 3) Become the trophy fishermon (new generic term). Identify ways to make them believe they hired the right person, that they won big by hiring you. Be likable, take on a special project, be a super team member, master your job quickly. Be so careful about making suggestions for improvement without doing research first. If you criticize a process the president implemented, you run the risk of being thrown overboard, or at least being scrutinized. You are more vulnerable to being thrown back into the waters because they dont know you as well, they havent had a chance to really love what you can do, and they dont have the financial investment in you. You dont want to look too small, too sickly, too bony, too anything that would get you thrown back. More simple rules on holding on to a job have been posted on What Would Dad say.

Send a Powerpointwith Resume As Writing Sample

Send a Powerpointwith Resume As Writing SampleIf you want to really stand out from the crowd and get the job, sending a Powerpointwith resume as writing sample to your potential employer is a good idea. PowerPoint with resume can be extremely effective if used properly. This is because this format is very easy to use and can convey exactly what you want to say to your potential employer in a clear, concise and easy to read manner.Using PowerPoint is a no-brainer. As a matter of fact, it is absolutely vital that you follow the best practices when sending a Powerpointwith resume as writing sample. Here are some guidelines to follow that will be very helpful when sending a Powerpointwith resume as writing sample.Make sure you have the right format when sending a Powerpointwith resume as writing sample. You have to make sure that your PowerPoint with resume is organized, correct and appropriate. No one wants to see a file that is off-balance and just piled up with too many files, so take your time with it. Keep it orderly and neat.It's often the case that when you send a Powerpointwith resume as writing sample to your prospective employer, it goes out a little late or arrives a little late. So don't be afraid to keep things organized by the time it was sent out. Keep all emails and mailings for a day or two in the same spot so that there's less confusion later on. That way, when it arrives at your doorstep, you know exactly where it is and you can get started immediately on the resume.Be sure to include your contact information when sending a Powerpointwith resume as writing sample. This way, your potential employer can quickly and easily contact you. Use bullet points to tell your story. Provide your name, email address, telephone number and maybe a nice personal note to let them know you appreciate their interest in you.Finally, make sure you send out a Powerpointwith resume as writing sample to as many companies as possible. It makes perfect sense to send them t o any companies that you might actually be interested in working for. When you send a Powerpointwith resume as writing sample to more than one company, you may be able to extend your reach to other areas. Also, sending to more than one person can actually keep you updated about what other opportunities are available for you in your area.Your Powerpointwith resume as writing sample should show your own personality and make you stand out from the crowd. Keep it simple and organized so that you can be effective when it comes to explaining yourself and the information you have to offer. Try sending a Powerpointwith resume as writing sample to your potential employer today!