Utilizing Networking Events in Your Job Search (Pt. 1) Building Your Future Now

Utilizing Networking Events in Your Job Search (Pt. 1) Building Your Future Now Attending networking events should definitely be a part of your job search strategy. Why? Because you will meet people that can help you get a job! However, before plunging yourself into these events you must do a number of things. First of all, you must come up with a plan. You obviously know why you are attending these events. Now you have to think about what value you will bring to do these events. Simply going and asking for a job isnt going to cut it. You have to think about your own connections, your experience and what you can bring to the table! Review past projects and key career high-lights. You also must think about the most professional way of approaching your presentation of your job search to others. Communicate the fact you are looking to build on your career rather than looking for a job. Others will respond more positively to this approachtry it out! However, you also need to realize you have to be dedicated to finding a good career opportunityyou have to be genuineif not, professionals will not consider you as a person they want to help. So that being said look at other opportunities to network like job fairs and conferences. Be ready with a digital resume (ready to send your resume via email), a business card with an elevator pitch/ relevant career details and a portfolio of any work and project information. Always be alert for opportunities even if they dont align 100% to what you want. And always find out how YOU can help others rather then how they can help you! Image: Geralt

Acknowledge Other People

Acknowledge Other People One of the most important networking skills you can acquire is the ability to make people feel appreciated.   It’s an art form that doesn’t come easily to some people, but, like most social skills, it can be learned.   Acknowledging what people have done for you and meant to you is a great way to break the ice and get back in touch during a job search.   It’s also essential when someone helps you with advice or leads.   Here’s how a thank you or acknowledgment might look. “Dear Bob:   Thanks so much for the time you spent with me last week discussing the industry outlook and new product trends.   I wanted you to know that your advice will be a big help to me in my interviews for sales jobs.  If it’s OK with you, I’d like to stay in touch and let you know how my job search progresses.” This note is a great example of what makes acknowledgment powerful.   First, it’s specific.  People don’t listen to generic compliments and feedback â€" they attribute it to you being nice and don’t take it to heart.   Mention what you valued the most and what you plan to do with the advice, help or lead.   Second, it’s recent.  It’s better to thank people as soon as you can.   It means more when you take the time to write or call right away.  Third, it sets up the expectation of a relationship; it opens the door to more communication.   That’s what building a network is all about. Donna Fisher, author of Power Networking, says that there are many ways you can thank people and acknowledge them.   Here’s a short list of ways to let people know you appreciate them. Thanks for your support Thanks for the referral Thanks for the opportunity to learn more about your business (or industry) Thanks for thinking of me Thanks for taking the time to… Thanks for staying in touch. Who should you be writing to or calling today?

Unorthodox Methods Of Branding Your Company

Unorthodox Methods Of Branding Your Company In crowded industries branding has become one of the number one means of collecting a loyal customer following. Without a distinctive, recognisable brand there’s little chance that a company would get much attention. But, because of the amount of competition, it takes a lot more than just decent branding to make a company. You need to think outside the box, take risks and put your brand in the spotlight if you want people to recognise you. If you’re not sure what we mean, take a look at some of these unorthodox methods of advertising and branding. Guerrilla advertising Guerrilla advertising, if you’re unfamiliar with the term, is the outdoor advertising we see every day. Think billboards, posters and the adverts on the back of buses. While guerrilla advertising is one of the most conventional forms of advertising, it is the creative methods that people use to get their brand out on the streets that are unconventional. Reebok, for example, used speed camera technology in one of their billboards and challenged pedestrians to run faster than 10 mph. If they managed to do it, the billboard dispensed a free pair of Reebok trainers as a reward. Reebok â€" Are You Fast Enough? from Markus Schramm on Vimeo. For Reebok, this was one of the campaigns that established their brand identity as being a sports company for people that aren’t necessarily professional athletes. They want normal people to challenge themselves and the interactive billboard was a great way to affirm their support of ‘everyday excellence’. Interactive guerrilla adverts are both unorthodox and incredibly effective when it comes to branding and publicity. Viral campaigns and social media While most companies are using social media to simply advertise themselves, others are cleverly using it to build their brand identity and interact with the public. Smart and humorous social media management goes a long way in this day and age. One excellent example of this happening recently can be found on the Twitter page of the American chain restaurant Wendy’s. While many would consider it an incredibly risky thing to do, when one customer accused the restaurant of using frozen beef in their burgers Wendy’s hit back with clever jokes and back-sass and since then the account has gone viral. The current social media manager of Wendy’s, Amy Brown, has enhanced the cheeky but charming Wendy’s brand by sharing tongue-in-cheek banter with customers on Twitter and dishing out clever comebacks to anyone that dares to challenge her. It’s exactly this kind of unorthodox, risky branding that the industry needs more of. Packaging The way companies present a product is almost as important as the product itself. Bad packaging can make a product look cheap and boring, but clever, good quality packaging can completely change a customer’s perspective and even influence their opinion of the product itself. Think of the big, designer clothes companies like Abercrombie and Fitch or Tommy Hilfiger. The shopping bags that people receive upon purchasing an item from these shops can be found on sites like EBay because the designs are so attractive that people want to use these bags as fashion items. Canvas bags especially are in high demand when you design them to be more than just a means of transporting a product from the store to a customer’s home. Unique printed canvas bags for businesses can become a product in themselves and the better you package your products the more people will want to show off the packing. This is a great way to give your brand a fashionable identity without directly selling fashion products.

How To Deal With Foreign Cultures As A Female Traveler

How To Deal With Foreign Cultures As A Female Traveler The following is a guest post by Emma of The Thelma And Louise Club. Read about it below! Traveling the world as a female means navigating all the usual obstacles and differences encountered by every traveler, with a pile of extra ones heaped on top. If you’re not careful, you can end up at best bemused, at worst in prison. Its A Different World Out There Did you know, for example, that in rural areas of Morocco the only women that allow themselves to be seen smoking or drinking in a bar are usually prostitutes? Or that Iranian hotel managers are within their rights to ask to see a marriage certificate before allowing a couple to share a double hotel room? It’s also well worth noting that women’s magazines are forbidden in Iran. Thanks to Michelle Palmer who, along with her partner, was jailed, fined and deported after having sex on Dubai’s Jumeirah Beach in 2008, most of us are aware that the UAE is tough on public indecency and sex outside marriage. Obviously, sex on the beach is also strictly forbidden in Saudi Arabia, which employs one of the world’s strictest versions of Sharia law, but did you know that women are forbidden to drive themselves too? So as well as carrying a scarf to cover your head at all times, you’ll need to line up a male driver when you visit. Use Cultural Sensitivity It (almost) goes without saying: you’ll get the best out of your trip if you display some cultural sensitivity and respect local customs and beliefs, whether you agree with them or not. After all, the differences are part of what makes travel so great. When you’re at the mercy of the kindness of strangers, it makes sense to play by their rules, as one of Thelma Louise Club’s members did when she had her own run-in with local customs on a trip to Afghanistan and Pakistan “As the journey back took us through Taliban territory the driver stopped at one point and waved a bunch of white material at me, which was clearly a burqa. I installed the apparel over my head fully understanding the driver’s concern about being seen with a western woman in his vehicle. Indeed, I wasn’t going to argue given I needed him to get me back to Kabul.” 8 ways to deal with local customs as a female traveler 1. It pays to research local customs thoroughly before you go. Take the time to understand a region’s traditions and beliefs and you could save yourself an uncomfortable dose of culture shock, the symptoms of which include general unease, irritability, a sense of dislocation and, worst of all, a lack of a sense of humor. Once you arrive, copy the behaviors of local women.  Observe what they wear, areas they do and don’t go, etc.    Because no one else knows the local norms better than they do. 2. Wear a wedding ring, even if you’re not married. It’s difficult for some cultures to understand a woman travelling by herself, as it can reflect badly on her and her family. For extra believability, carry a photo of your ‘husband’ (remember that Brad Pitt is probably recognized across the world so best leave that fantasy at home). You’ll also avoid the pity felt for unmarried women in some cultures, meaning you’ll be able to find common ground to bond over more quickly. 3. To avoid arousing suspicion as a lone female traveler To stay safer in regions where travelling as a solo female is deemed riskier  use only your first initial and surname when checking in to hotels. And avoid using a title such as Ms, Mrs or Miss. 4. Cover up. Know what parts of your body you can respectfully reveal, and which will cause offence in certain situations. Dressing modestly can also minimize hassle. For example, always cover your hair in a mosque. While it’s ok to wear a bikini on the beach in Goa, you should cover your shoulders and thighs elsewhere in India. In any public space in Iran, cover your head with a headscarf and wear trousers or a floor-length skirt underneath a mid-thigh-length tunic or coat. 5. Respect areas that are segregated for men and for women. For example, in some local buses in rural India. And if in doubt, don’t initiate any physical contact with the opposite sex, even handshakes â€" it’s inappropriate for women to initiate contact in some parts of the world. 6. Travel with other women whenever possible. Whether you join a community such as the Thelma Louise Club that connects female travelers, or do something as simple as striking up a conversation with the woman sat next to you on the bus. 7. Take condoms and tampons or sanitary towels with you. These items may be unavailable in some areas. 8. Expect to receive negative and positive comments on your appearance. From women as well as men. If your appearance is a novelty, you may feel like you’ve suddenly, unwittingly become public property.  A bit how a pregnant woman might feel when strangers touch her bulging belly! By following these guidelines, you’re opening yourself up to more interactions with local people.  And likely saving yourself a heap of hassle. Who wants to spend time battling entrenched prejudices and justifying yourself when you could be chatting with new people and exploring the world? But perhaps the more interesting question is how far would you go to adapt your own principles to the local customs, especially when you don’t agree with them… About Thelma Louise “Our purpose is to be the best online community and travel resource designed to help women share experiences, be inspired and connect with friends and travel buddies both online and in the real world.” Visit them at www.thelmandlouise.com Images: Camel     In The Bar   Airport   No Women

Professional Help Writing Resume and CV

Professional Help Writing Resume and CVThe key to getting the best out of your professional help is to follow the guidelines that they will outline for you. You need to know that a lot of the time, your prospective employer may not ask you to submit your resume or CV. Even if this is the case, it would be good to give yourself the best possible chance at getting hired in the first place.When working with a professional help for your resume or CV, you should be clear about what you want. It doesn't necessarily mean that you have to tweak everything to make it fit into a specific format. Rather, you should understand that a professional will outline the needs that you should have in a professional resume or CV.For example, you should know exactly what type of information that you are looking for on your resume. It will have your past employment, educational qualifications, as well as all the relevant experience that you have. A professional may want to include these kinds of details on your resume to make it more appealing to your employer.Professional help will know what your skill set is as well. A resume can help your employer to determine what kind of work you can do. If you have relevant experience in certain fields, this will allow your resume to stand out from others that have none.However, professional help may not be able to tell you exactly what you should write on your resume. For example, if you are self-employed and have no job experience, it may be hard for the professional to tell you how you should word your resume. This is why it is advisable that you work with a professional who has some experience with this field.Another benefit of professional help is that it will usually come up with a different style of resume for you. If you are unsure of what kind of resume you want, this can be a very valuable resource. Even if you try to mimic the professional's style, it will still probably give you something that looks and feels different from other re sumes.Finally, another benefit of professional help for your resume or CV is that they can provide you with examples of what they have written. This is not to say that they can rewrite the resume for you or anything like that. Instead, it means that they can provide you with examples so that you can get an idea of what exactly your resume or CV should look like.So, if you are looking for professional help for your resume or CV, make sure that you do plenty of research before signing any contracts. You can use the internet to find a professional. This way, you can ensure that you are getting a professional who can help you with both the application and the sales resume.

The Problem With Trying

The Problem With Trying I grew up thinking of trying hard as being “a good thing”. Now, I realize that trying has a substantial dark side, and can be downright negative as a mindset. As a result, I am in favor of ceasing to “try” and starting to “do”. Here’s my thinking. “Trying is the first step towards failure” â€" Homer Simpson It all began when my husband brought home a 5000 piece jigsaw puzzle of Homer’s fatherly advice to complete as a family project, and I had lots of time to contemplate it. At first, I was upset about a message that said we should not even try.   Then, I thought that failure is actually a useful and even positive thing â€" as in Silicon Valley entrepreneurs wanting to “fail fast” so they can learn and grow and ultimately succeed more quickly.   I concluded that yes, trying is the first step to failure, which is a good thing because it leads us to learn, grow and ultimately achieve.   Case closed. “There is no such thing as trying to write a book. You either are or you aren’t.” Then the “trying” topic came up again last month, this time much closer to home:   whereas I had originally told people, “I am writing a book,” I have more recently begun to say, “I am trying to write a book.”   A friend called me out on this by saying: “May, there is no such thing as trying to write a book.   You either are or you aren’t.”   As they say, truth hurts. I cannot pinpoint when it happened, but it must have been while going back and forth between multiple proverbial drawing boards, still with no finished product, that I adopted the trying mindset â€" an attempt without promises or conviction. Why trying can be a problem Trying contains the element of doubt, as in “can/will I really do this?”   This may be appropriate when we are coming from a standing start, when looking doubt in the eye and overcoming fear and inertia to make the attempt is essential. However, once we have begun the attempt, then trying can become a hindering concept â€" like the booster stage of a rocket that must be jettisoned if we are to achieve orbit.   In fact, I am hard pressed to find occasions when trying is truly a positive, and have come to see it as counterproductive. For example, in sports, trying too hard can be a problem. In learning tennis and then squash, my instructors repeatedly told me to “stop trying so hard”.   Apparently there is a point of diminishing returns to “trying hard” where you actually get in your own way, and I had gone past even that. In contrast, we watch Roger Federer hit winning shots “without looking like he’s even trying,” which is about effortlessness, ease and allowing yourself to play to your potential. Moreover, many of our sayings allude to the dark side of merely trying. “Let’s give it the old college try,” means applying effort but without commitment or much expectation of succeeding â€" basically giving yourself an excuse and escape route from the start. And after we are done trying, we use phrases like “it was a trying experience, under trying circumstances” to describe frustratingly huge efforts taken without a satisfactory outcome. Finally, there is the report card that reads, “Junior tries hard”, as in Junior puts in much effort but without ability and therefore results. In daily life, saying “I’ll try” is tantamount to admitting upfront that you quite likely will not be doing that thing.   For example, “I’m trying to quit smoking/lose weight/eat right/be good” or “We’ll try to deliver it by Wednesday.” Similarly, asking others to “please try to …” essentially gives others permission to not deliver.    What is the message you are really giving your team when you say, “Try to arrive on time” versus “Be here by 9am?”   Would you ask someone to “please try to feed the dogs while we’re away”? Move beyond the “trying” mindset So, coming back to Homer Simpson’s quote, I now see it in yet another way, which is that trying truly is a first step to failure â€" the version of failure where we fall short of our potential unnecessarily.   The trying mindset is doubt-filled, skeptical and low commitment.  It very quickly outlives any potential initial usefulness, and will drag us down into performing below our abilities by calling them into question. Instead, it is essential to move beyond trying and into a mindset of commitment and conviction â€" to doing, being and trusting ourselves â€" in order to achieve the positive outcomes of which we are capable. Go ahead, stop trying to do or be, and start actually doing and being.   Image credit: © 20th Century Fox

Acts of hope - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Acts of hope - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog One of my new friends, Filiz from Turkey, sent me a link to a very interesting article on activism. The main point that the article makes is that activism is for the long term. You cant expect immediate results that clearly follow from your actions. You need to look at long term results, Also, youre not saving the world. Heres my favourite quote from the article: History is like weather, not like checkers. A game of checkers ends. The weather never does. Thats why you cant save anything. Saving is the wrong word. Jesus saves and so do banks: they set things aside from the flux of earthly change. We never did save the whales, though we mightve prevented them from becoming extinct. We will have to continue to prevent that as long as they continue not to be extinct. Brilliant stuff, read it! 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