Job Search Analogy They Scary Night Hike s

Job Search Analogy They Scary Night Hike s Friday I drove about an hour away away to a somewhat unknown campground that has become a family favorite.  I took four of my favorite kids and we met up with about 50 neighborhood friends who were going to enjoy a group campground with us.  It was a super fun time with great people and great food. One of my favorite things to do while camping is to do a night hike.  This campground is so safe and secluded that I set of with three or four other adults and thirteen kids for a night hike.  Now, my version of night hike is with teenagers, and the rule is that all flashlights have to be off so our eyes can acclimate, and so we can see the amazing stars in a place void of light pollution. However, on this hike, the average age of the kids was probably seven!  Half of them had glow-stick necklaces, and most of them had flashlights.  I asked them to turn off their lights, but it became clear about three steps into the hike that some of the kids were scared, and that no one was going to turn off their lights. A few minutes into our hike we started hearing whimperings of Im scared, and lets go back now.  Somehow, though, all of the kids were able to hang in there until we got about a half mile away from camp, where we sat on a log and looked at the stars.  We also had a minute of complete silence and then shared what we heard. Its a profound and humbling experience to get away from the city sights and noises and spend time absorbing the Great Outdoors. Except, there was one kid who continued to whimper about going back to camp. he was really quite scared the entire time.  Even though we had more light than we should have, and there were plenty of adults, and walking this little road in the campground was as safe as walking to your bathroom in the middle of the night, this kid was terrified. I thought about how we, as job seekers, are like that little kid.  I KNOW it is scary.  It is enough to make grown men cry, cause unprecedented anxiety, and all that stuff. I thought, even though he was totally safe, his feelings were real. I know YOUR feelings are real.  I dont want to take that away from you. I also know that you are not alone.  There are people who are with you.  Some of them are wiser and more experienced.  Some of them have been down the road plenty of times.  Some of the people walking with you know what dangers (or lack of dangers) are in the road.  Some of them leave you alone, enough to freak you out, but they would absolutely be there for you if there was real danger, or if you cried out for help. Everything about the scenario reminded me of my job search.  I felt alone, but I wasnt. I felt in danger, but I wasnt. When we got back to camp, with the lanterns, and lots of adults talking and laughing, the fear was totally gone. When you land your job, with a paycheck and whatever cool benefits you get, the fear might be totally gone. But remember, you walked the path.  You did it.  You survived.  You maybe even thrived.  You can help others walk that path, and when the time comes for you to do it again, you can.  You will.  But next time you can do it with a different perspective.  You dont have to be scared, whimpering, and feeling subject to so many things outside of your control.  Next time, you can do it with knowledge, power, a sense of security, and confidence. What a cool analogy.  Think of those going through their own night hike, and be compassionate towards them.  If you are going through your own, look for mentors, and guides, and people who have a better vision of the road you are on than you do.  While it may seem impossible, learn to trust in them.  Scary, but if theyve been down that road, they might have just what you need. Job Search Analogy They Scary Night Hike s Friday I drove about an hour away away to a somewhat unknown campground that has become a family favorite.  I took four of my favorite kids and we met up with about 50 neighborhood friends who were going to enjoy a group campground with us.  It was a super fun time with great people and great food. One of my favorite things to do while camping is to do a night hike.  This campground is so safe and secluded that I set of with three or four other adults and thirteen kids for a night hike.  Now, my version of night hike is with teenagers, and the rule is that all flashlights have to be off so our eyes can acclimate, and so we can see the amazing stars in a place void of light pollution. However, on this hike, the average age of the kids was probably seven!  Half of them had glow-stick necklaces, and most of them had flashlights.  I asked them to turn off their lights, but it became clear about three steps into the hike that some of the kids were scared, and that no one was going to turn off their lights. A few minutes into our hike we started hearing whimperings of Im scared, and lets go back now.  Somehow, though, all of the kids were able to hang in there until we got about a half mile away from camp, where we sat on a log and looked at the stars.  We also had a minute of complete silence and then shared what we heard. Its a profound and humbling experience to get away from the city sights and noises and spend time absorbing the Great Outdoors. Except, there was one kid who continued to whimper about going back to camp. he was really quite scared the entire time.  Even though we had more light than we should have, and there were plenty of adults, and walking this little road in the campground was as safe as walking to your bathroom in the middle of the night, this kid was terrified. I thought about how we, as job seekers, are like that little kid.  I KNOW it is scary.  It is enough to make grown men cry, cause unprecedented anxiety, and all that stuff. I thought, even though he was totally safe, his feelings were real. I know YOUR feelings are real.  I dont want to take that away from you. I also know that you are not alone.  There are people who are with you.  Some of them are wiser and more experienced.  Some of them have been down the road plenty of times.  Some of the people walking with you know what dangers (or lack of dangers) are in the road.  Some of them leave you alone, enough to freak you out, but they would absolutely be there for you if there was real danger, or if you cried out for help. Everything about the scenario reminded me of my job search.  I felt alone, but I wasnt. I felt in danger, but I wasnt. When we got back to camp, with the lanterns, and lots of adults talking and laughing, the fear was totally gone. When you land your job, with a paycheck and whatever cool benefits you get, the fear might be totally gone. But remember, you walked the path.  You did it.  You survived.  You maybe even thrived.  You can help others walk that path, and when the time comes for you to do it again, you can.  You will.  But next time you can do it with a different perspective.  You dont have to be scared, whimpering, and feeling subject to so many things outside of your control.  Next time, you can do it with knowledge, power, a sense of security, and confidence. What a cool analogy.  Think of those going through their own night hike, and be compassionate towards them.  If you are going through your own, look for mentors, and guides, and people who have a better vision of the road you are on than you do.  While it may seem impossible, learn to trust in them.  Scary, but if theyve been down that road, they might have just what you need.

Furnishing Tips for a Small Living Space

Furnishing Tips for a Small Living Space Living in a small space seems to come with the territory in the young adult years. Whether it’s a dorm room, studio apartment, apartment shared with roommates, or a similar type of living arrangement, these are not exactly known for being spacious. However, that doesn’t mean young people or others living in a small space must settle for feeling cramped. The furnishing tips below will help anyone to make the best of the space they have. Choose Curved Furniture Most small apartments and dorm rooms have a boxed appearance. By adding some curved furniture, the space-challenged can help the living room and bedroom look larger and more stylish. Round chairs and tables are a favorite, as are rugs containing dots or spirals. An extra benefit of choosing curved furniture is that it’s easier to move around and the occupants of the space are less likely to hurt themselves by bumping into furniture. Brighten a Room and Make it Look Taller with Lifted Lighting When space is limited, choosing lamps that sit on an end table or a tall standing lamp might not be the best options. A better choice in this situation might be to hang lights from the ceiling over a bed or a commonly used area of the living room. This adds additional light beyond the wall sources and creates the illusion of increased height in a room. Dealing with Small Patios and Other Outdoor Spaces The living area isn’t the only thing that may feel too small for young occupants. All too often, small patio spaces and backyard yard areas are poorly planned, with little attention paid to them. Choosing small pieces to place outdoors such as an extension table or bar table serves a useful purpose as well as takes up less room. Guests will be just as happy to eat burgers off a small table than something large and bulky that gives them no place to sit comfortably. Similarly, foldable patio chairs that can be put away when not in use also create more space. Choose Pieces That Can Serve Multiple Functions Living in a small space can be fun when the residents are willing to employ a bit of creativity. For example, buying pieces of furniture that can serve more than one purpose helps to save both space and money. Some common examples of these types of furniture include a desk that can turn into a buffet when entertaining guests, a bench that can become a coffee table, and a nesting table set that can also transform into a coffee table. Consider Clear Pieces of Furniture Glass tops on tables or chairs provide a unique look for a small space. They also create more of a sense of openness, so the lack of space doesn’t become the focus of attention. The ability to see everything underneath the furniture can be a benefit as well for those who are especially concerned about keeping their small space clean. Most people don’t live in a tiny space forever, but creativity and a positive attitude can help make the experience much more fun while they do. Image credit.

3 Essential Upgrades for New Graduates

3 Essential Upgrades for New Graduates Graduating from college or high school and beginning your first serious job search means you need some upgrades. Here are three improvements new graduates can spend some of their cash and time on before starting to schedule interviews. Upgrading your wardrobe is essential if you want to be taken seriously as a professional. Invest in three professional interview outfits (men can get away with wearing the same suit while switching out shirts and ties.) You should have at least one pristine, perfectly pressed outfit ready to go on short notice, including perfectly shined shoes. You might also invest in some business casual outfits: slacks and separates, collared golf shirts, and other items you can wear that make you look relaxed yet professional. Think heading out to TPC with your boss’s boss and you’ll get it right. You don’t have to give up youthful colors to fit in with grownups at the office, but adding in some neutral jackets, skirts and slacks will help you stretch your wardrobe and allow you to wear the same outfits more often without drawing attention to them. Investing in tailoring can make a big difference in how you look in your new professional styles. Be sure to set aside a small budget each month for dry cleaning so you can keep your new look looking new. Upgrading your accessories will give you the confidence that comes from a polished look. Ditch phone and tablet cases that are worn or juvenile (bedazzled, Hello Kitty, and NSFW designs, for example.) Invest in a substantial portfolio and pen for carrying documents and taking notes. You may retire your trusty backpack and consider a leather bag for carrying office essentials (men also look great with rugged canvas or some distressed leather version of a messenger bag.) Finally, let’s talk about upgrading your vocabulary. It’s time to ditch phrases that mark you as a college kid: the ubiquitous “like” that seems to follow every other word, “totally” and “literally,” unless you mean them literally. If you have an uptalk habit (the tic that makes every sentence sound like a question?) it’s time to work on it until you get it conquered. To seasoned professionals, it reads as uncertain and immature. The opposite of uptalk is “vocal fry,” the raw sizzle at the end of a sentence when (mostly young women) speakers drop their voice to a very low register at the end of a sentence. To get the effect, imagine one of the Kardashians saying “that’s so lame…” A study conducted by four professors from Duke University found that “a large national sample of American adults we find that vocal fry is interpreted negatively… young adult female voices exhibiting vocal fry are perceived as less competent, less educated, less trustworthy, less attractive, and less hireable. The negative perceptions of vocal fry are stronger for female voices relative to male voices.” Upgrades will make you feel more confident as you expand your professional network â€" confidence that will pay off as you negotiate your first offer.

How Extra Curricular Activities Will Boost Your CV

How Extra Curricular Activities Will Boost Your CV The perfect CV should do one thing: make a potential employer sit up and take notice. But it’s not all about selling yourself in terms of your academic qualifications or work experience. Instead, managing directors â€" in almost every industry â€" will want to learn a little about you, too: what makes you tick and what doesn’t? You can get this across in all sorts of ways, with your personal statement being a vital section of your CV. Use this space wisely and choose each word carefully; often, employers won’t get much further than the first few lines of a CV before they decide that a particular candidate just isn’t a good fit for their company. If it’s an application form, however, or if you have room on your CV, make sure you add a section for interests â€" and think about how some of these might be relevant to your chosen career, too. Here’s how extra-curricular activities will stand you in good stead when it comes to bagging an interview, and eventually landing the job… It Shows You Have a Get-up-and-go Attitude â€" Think about it; would it be wise to add ‘watching TV and eating takeaways’ to your CV? In a word, ‘no’. A prospective employer will instead be looking to see how motivated you are, even outside of work. The candidate that says they enjoy catching up on their favourite soap operas, or going on nights out with friends, certainly isn’t going to impress. True, we all enjoy a spot of relaxation every now and then â€" and it’s often essential if we want to feel bright and perky ready for a day of work, but is it really the image you want to present? Instead, think about the extra-curricular activities which add a little bit of something to your CV. Go to the gym? Add that in instead. It shows you care about keeping fit, which displays a general can-do attitude. Think about the activities that’ll complement your CV, rather than undo all the time and effort you put into creating it. It Demonstrates That You Like to Get Involved â€" Part of a football or netball team? Pop that on your CV! Not only does it show that you have the get-up-and-go we talked about above, it also displays a level of team spirit. Employees that are part of a group or club will generally be better team players at work, too. It stands to reason really, doesn’t it? It Can Complement Your Career â€" In some cases, extra-curricular activities can directly complement a role you’re applying for. If, for example, you’d like to be considered for a mid to senior-level position, being part of a local debating society will show that you’re comfortable asserting yourself â€" a valuable skill if your new role requires that you delegate work to a junior colleague. With that in mind, consider the things you do in your spare time â€" this could be anything from watching inspirational TED Talks on YouTube to reading the books of high-flying business people like Alan Sugar, Michelle Mone and Peter Jones that give off the right impression. When putting your CV together, don’t neglect the bit where you’d list your interests. Instead, a well-thought-out extra-curricular activities section could be the difference to cinching that interview to receiving an email with the words: ‘unfortunately, your application was unsuccessful.’

Knowing the Best Color For Resume in Different Jobs

Knowing the Best Color For Resume in Different JobsDo you know what the best color for resume is? If not, you should. Most people never take the time to learn this, which is why many of them are never able to land a job.For example, if you apply for a job as an A-rated actor, how will you be ranked on your resume? You might be asked to apply for the open-ended position of stunt coordinator. You might even be asked to apply for a background job. The ability to do multiple jobs will show the employer that you have more than one skill.To get an interview for that position, you must demonstrate that you know what you are doing. The same goes for positions that do not require a degree. An acting or stunt coordinator with experience can easily be moved up. With the right qualifications, they can easily land a position on the set or in the crew.Another kind of job where the best color for resume comes in handy is executive assistant. You might be asked to answer phones or drive the secretar y around during the day. You might also be required to deliver lunch or dinner orders or be on the receiving end of the mail.Being in a role that requires being flexible and staying on a set schedule is another skill. Without this skill, you would be asking for a raise. Being a staff person is another benefit. With plenty of flexibility, you are also likely to know when to ask for a raise.These are just a few examples of positions that might be requiring you to be a staff person. Knowing the best color for resume in these kinds of positions will help you land the right job.Ifyou are an A-rated actor, you will not be included in the 'staff' category. Unless you have a degree in acting, you are still an open-ended job candidate. If you are trying to land an A-rated position, make sure that you understand what the criteria is for those positions. Even if you think you meet all the qualifications, if you do not understand the process or the guidelines, you may not get the job.It is a go od idea to be flexible about the types of roles that you accept. There are some positions that may require you to know a specific style of acting or the history of a certain person. Others may simply require you to know what sort of career path you want to pursue. Knowing the best color for resume in these types of roles will help you land the right job.

Social Media for Recruitment - CareerAlley

Social Media for Recruitment - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. In the past, in order to recruit employees you have to advertise opportunities in the local papers or hire local advertising agencies to put up bills on sidewalks and light posts. Today, notwithstanding the post no bills policies of most modern cities, recruiting employees via these methods is laughably obsolete. Around 50% of all the people in North America use Facebook for recruiting, for example. Social media is a more up-to-date method for finding great people. Check out our infographic on social media for recruitment. Staff.com Connecting Great Companies with Global Talent This is a Guest post. If you would like to submit a guest post to CareerAlley, please follow these guest post guidelines. Good luck in your search. Joey Trebif

5 smart career moves for stay-at-home moms - Sterling Career Concepts

5 smart career moves for stay-at-home moms 5 smart career moves for stay-at-home moms Yes, it is possible to stay home with your children for a few years and successfully return to the paid workforce. It just takes planning, diligence, and a fresh perspective. Keep in mind that you may not end up picking up exactly where you left off with your career. Both you and the industry have changed over time. The idea is to build off of your past career in a way that works for you today. Five smart things to do if you’re a stay-at-home parent now: *Remain in touch with your former colleagues and bosses. (Social networking sites such as LinkedIn make this so much easier nowadays.) *Keep your corporate skills sharp or refine new skill areas through continuing education: community college courses, online courses, professional association offerings, certification programs. *Consider part-time or self-employment: in your former industry, a related venture, or possibly head in a new direction. Take this opportunity to explore your interests. *Get involved in your community: meet people, stay active, broaden your circle. *Stay connected: read newspapers, magazines, trade journals, e-zines, industry websites, online chats. In future posts, we’ll talk about effective ways to start preparing to return to the workforce and tips for moms updating their résumés.