Why You Should Take Those Scary Career Risks - The Muse

Why You Should Take Those Scary Career Risks - The MuseWhy You Should Take Those Scary Career Risks Im someone who tends to like to play things safe. Predictable and stable are two of my favorite adjectives, and I always prefer to stick to the beaten path, rather than opting for the road less traveled. And, regardless of what route Im walking on, you can bet I make my best effort to avoid any of those pesky sidewalk cracks- for fear of causing any careless injuries to my dear mothers back.So, needless to say, when I decided to up and quit my full-time job in favor of pursuing a career as a freelance writer, it welches a little (ahem, well, a lot) out of character for me.After I finally put in my two weeks notice with my supervisor, news of my pending career jump began to spread like wildfire. Numerous people approached me with what they said were their well wishes- which, in all honesty, were really just harsh criticisms and warnings with a half-hearted good luck tacked onto the end. Are you sure you want to do this? theyd ask, with a skeptical look on their faces, like I had just told them I was running away to join the circus, It seems like a pretty big risk- wouldnt you just rather play it safe?There they were. The words that had reverberated in my own brain for months before finally gathering my courage and running from my standard 9-to-5 Play it safe.Its advice you hear echoed time and time again. And, its well meaning, really. After all, many of us operate with this understanding that theres a step-by-step guide that will eventually lead us to a fulfilling and rewarding career- that theres some sort of paint-by-numbers approach that will finally give us the lives we want, as long as we play our cards right. In all honesty, its a sentiment that you could easily let dictate your entire career, particularly if youre someone who tends to thrive on the certain rather than the unknown (Im raising my hand over here).As Im sure you can imagine, those three small words taunted me over and over again as I was preparing to take one of the scariest career risks of my life. Who was I to make this jump? I was still young and green- why would I opt for this less traditional path, when I was already safe and secure in my own full-time job? What made me think I deserved to stray from the norm and do something different?But, somehow I managed to push all of those criticisms, naysayers, and nuggets of self-doubt aside, and instead took a running leap and hurled myself off of that ledge that- most of the time- seemed totally foolish and unreasonable.And, you know what? Im glad I did it. Not only has it led me to a career that I absolutely adore, but it also taught me something valuable about the way I was approaching my entire career- and even other decisions outside of my work life.Its all too easy to think that success resides with the predictable. With all the talk of climbing the ladder and paying your dues, anyone can understand why youd think tha t theres a certain rigid structure you need to obey- that if you follow the steps clearly laid out in front of you, youre bound to eventually wrap your greedy hands around what you really want. However, its important to recognize that theres always more than one way to do anything. And, safe doesnt always equal successful. In fact, sometimes sticking with the tried and true is a surefire way to land yourself in a career rut. There are countless stories of people who did things exactly as they were supposed to, and still remain unsatisfied with where they ended up. So, where am I going with this long-winded tale? Well, if you take one thing from this article, it should be this Playing it safe isnt always the best route. As a matter of fact, some of the biggest career successes and achievements have been attained by those people who disregarded the inclination to stick with the predictable and instead decided to do something that seemed just a little crazy. Bill Gates dropped out of H arvard. Apple got its start in a garage. The initial premise of Harry Potter was drafted on a napkin. You know the stories.Believe me, I know how tempting it can be to stick to that well-mapped and well-trodden path- its comforting. But, while taking a well-informed risk might not always seem as reassuring, it can definitely be more rewarding. And, take it from me- the view from the road less traveled? Well, it can be pretty amazing.Photo of happy person courtesy of Hero Images/Getty Images.

How to eliminate procrastination

How to eliminate procrastinationHow to eliminate procrastinationYou know you want a better job, relationship with loved ones, home, group of friends - the list goes on. Yet you are wise enough to realize that those are just trappings of fulfillment. Getting doesnt bring joy. A peaceful perspective where you make room for curiosity and compassion and edge out judgment and perfectionism is where you want to be. You long for a state of mind where acceptance is king and expectations and resentment are banished from your kingdom to a place where forgiveness prevails and control has no value - a place where your career and personal goals are aligned with your authentic self and whoosh into your life like a breeze of freshly cut grass.So why cant you get there?Do you see your future pretty much like the present +/- 10%? Have you dummied down your goals? Do you lack the energy to organize your life and tischset new goals for fear of that the next trying challenge is just around the corner? Procrastination is simply you not thinking fulfillment is possible. You dont know what to reach for and why do it anyway since it never comes.What future rewards do you put on sale when you give up or procrastinate? The immediate payoff might be that you arent disappointed. At first. That works for a while. The long-term effect of procrastination is stagnation and little chance for a better life.Is putting your future rewards on sale to hide from a perceived disappointment a fair trade? Who would you be if you set your fear aside?Squeeze in betweenWhat I continue to realize in my clients, in what I read, in the research is that you may not be able to control your emotions but you can control your thoughts which then affects your behavior and choices. The brain is like a muscle. The decision to have a clear intention and purpose is how to begin a mindful journey to joy in the moment - accepting what is without judgment.There is a difference between feeling and emotion and acting on it. When you are mindful you squeeze in between the two to create a space where you take a deep breath and say, Okay, maybe theres another way.Dont be the reactionary leader. Create a moment of silence. Listen to the silence. There is power in the pause. Have no expectations or judgment. Accept what is. Slow yourself down enough to notice your own breath. Notice sounds, what you smell, flavors and feel of every moment - even if the ones that scare you. Dont run from fear. Notice it. It is not real. It is you practicing failure in advance. Lean into it - risk vulnerability. Say, Im afraid and I am still ok. Therein lays the magic of wisdom bubbling up in front of you.MaryLeeGannon, ACC, CAEis an executive coach and corporate CEO who helps busy leaders get off the treadmill to nowhere to be more effective, earn more, bemore calm and enjoyconnected relationships with the people who matter while it still matters.Watch her FREE Master Class training on Three Things to Transform Your Li fe and Career Right Now atwww.MaryLeeGannon.com.

Study Online crowdfunders trust woman-led ventures more

Study Online crowdfunders trust woman-led ventures moreStudy Online crowdfunders trust woman-led ventures moreThe sad reality of being a woman leader in a startup business is that you have fewer female role models. Fewer than 10% of technology startups backed by venture capital are owned by women. Overall, only 2% of overall venture capital financing went to women-led startups in 2017. But a new study from Indiana UniversitysKelley School of Business has found one upside to being a woman seeking money for her startup - women may be less likely to get venture capitalists to give them money, but people supporting crowdfunding projects on the internet are actually more likely to invest in a woman than a man.Looking at three years of Kickstarter data, the university found that women were more likely than men to have their startup ideas funded. Why? Because they were trusted more.Our findings suggest common gender biases held by amateur investors function to increase female stereotype pe rceptions in the form of trustworthiness judgments, which subsequently increases investors willingness to invest in early-stage women-led ventures, the study found.Study Women are seen as more trustworthy on KickstarterOn crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter, you have a digital crowd of amateur investors making small bets on projects to fund. These amateur investors do not have formal pitch meetings and stats to based their decision on. They may need to lean on their gut about which individuals to invest their time and money into. This is where an implicit gendered bias on which kind of partie is more trustworthy actually comes in a womans favor.When the researchers showed 43 crowdfunders fake pitches and videos for startup ideas, trustworthiness was a key factor in whether or not they funded an idea. The more trustworthy the entrepreneur was perceived to be, the more likely they were to get funding. And predominantly, crowdfunders found women to be more trustworthy than men.Some times, women are told to downplay their gender in their jobs, aware that men may see them as less competent. But when you are a woman seeking money through Kickstarter, just being yourself may be the best advice you can follow, the researchers suggest.Previous research in venture capital setting has advocated that women should downplay feminine characteristics to increase their chances of obtaining funding, Regan Stevenson, one of the studys authors, said. This advice not only appears to be dogmatic, but our data shows it is simply bad advice for female entrepreneurs when they are obtaining funding through crowdfunding platforms.

How to Use Visual Marketing Techniques in Your Job Search

How to Use Visual Marketing Techniques in Your Job SearchHow to Use Visual Marketing Techniques in Your Job SearchRecruiters rely heavily on Internet search to source candidates, and theyre using social networks as a sourcing platform as well. Using marketing tactics for your job search may not be as far-fetched as you think. You probably already realize that its vital to establish an online presence to aid your search. Plus, some research shows that90 percent of information transmitted to the brain is visual, and visuals are processed 60,000 timesfaster in the brain than text.Visual marketing is a hot trend this year, so doesnt it make sense to update your career portfolio to include visuals? If you are seeking a job in a creative field, such as design, marketing or advertising, using visuals is an obvious way to prove your creativity. But even smaller companies and startups tend to look for standout candidates who can demonstrate multifaceted skills and entrepreneurial spirit. If you arent using out-of-the-box thinking as parte of your job search, you probably should be. With so many tools available today to show what you can do, isnt it worth at least trying to incorporate unconventional techniques and visuals into your job search? These are some ideas to help spark your creativityLeverage LinkedIn as a Portfolio Uploading the traditional text version of yourrsumto LinkedIn is a no-brainer. But dont stop there. What other documents can you embed? Think about including samples of your work. Did you create a flow chartor process? Did you write a summary report or technical instructions? Did you design a form, logo or website? Any of these would provide evidence that you know how to do your job and offer proof of your abilities. You could also take a screen shot, video or link to your Behance portfolio. Before you upload anything to your LinkedIn profile, be sure you think about the confidentiality of the information you are about to share. You may be able to remove identifying information or data. Or you could recreate a generic version of the documentation. You can embed your document within the summary or work experience section of your profile. Just look for the blue paperclip. Another alternative to amp up your profile is to use LinkedIns publisher function, also known as a long deutsche bundespost. It is essentially a blog post. By now, most LinkedIn users should have access to this. The long post is the perfect opportunity for you to answer the question, Why should I hire you? Here are questions you could use to write your long postWhat do you do? (job title oroccupation)Why are you qualified to do this job? (certifications, previous experience and such)What industry experience do you have? (paid or unpaid)What types of problems are you great at solving?Who benefits from your work? (Who are your internal or external customers?)What makes you one-in-a-million? (How do you do what you do differently?)What inspires and motiva tes you? Your published long post will appear immediately under the contact section of your profile, which is very visible to anyone viewing your profile. And be sure you use a visual in your long post to call attention to your content. Slip Your Documents into SlideShare SlideShare is a free service that lets you upload and share files via the Web. It is also a social network, which allows you to follow other users, comment on uploaded content and share across other social networks. The main benefit for you is that it makes your files public and searchable on the Internet.What documents might you create and upload? How about the emails from customers, colleagues or managers that offer praise or recognition? Currently, you are the only one who has seen these words of praise. It is up to you to make the positive feedback public. Remember This is your reputation. Compile the testimonials in a PowerPoint presentation, or if you prefer, through Prezi or Keynote. If you dont have per mission to use the testimonial, you can leave off the last name or identifying information. Add visual elements to your presentation, such as logos or pictures. Review, finesse and get feedback from those you trust and respect. Once youre satisfied with the results, create a free Slideshare account and upload your presentation. Be sure you title your uploaded document with your name, completely fill out the description section and tag the file with appropriate terms someone searching for your qualifications would use. Testimonials are just one idea. You can upload an infographicrsum, flow chart, report or any other document you feel is worthy of public recognition. As an added bonus, SlideShare users willreceive an email that includes the number of people who have viewed your uploaded presentations. Use this information to evaluate if you have used the correct keywords. You can always update your files description or tags to help improve the results. Most importantly, dont forget to share your SlideShare documents as status updates on LinkedIn or other social networks so your network can check them out.Hannah Morganwrites and speaks on career topics and job search trends on her blogCareer Sherpa. She co-authored Social Networking for Business Success, and has developed and delivered programs to help job seekers understand how to look for work better.

Take the Week Off With Bing Bowie

Take the Week Off With Bing BowieTake the Week Off With Bing BowieHappy HolidaysTake this week off from the job search.While Ill encourage you to make the most of August, get the jump on the other guy in December, and use the summer slowdown to your advantage, there are times when even fervent job geeks like me will advise you to take a load off and skip the job hunt.This week is one of them.Whatever your denomination, this week is for family, festivities, philosophy and fresh thinking for a fresh new year.So I thought the most ecumenical of approaches would be to share this video of Bing Crosby and David Bowie singing a lovely, peaceful, percussive ditty togetherBecause nothing says the holidays like a traditionalist from the Greatest Generation and an androgynous glam rocker sharing a piano and a popsong at the most wonderful time of the year.Have a wonderful week, ReadersIm taking the week off, but will be rooting for you again next week

The Simple Resume Templates Diaries

The Simple Resume Templates Diaries What to Do About Simple Resume Templates Keywords are the words and phrases an employer searching through a database of resumes would utilize to locate an individual with your qualifications or to obtain an individual seeking the sort of job that you are targeting. Have a peek at these examples to select which format is most appropriate for you. Our expert resume writers have various backgrounds, so we are able to ensure your resume is written to the maximum standard. From grammar to formatting and strategy, you will learn whatever you want to stand out as a specialist in the area. For instance, the summary section ought to be written in the very first person. Once youve reviewed resumes in your field, peruse resumes across fields to know how to vary using action verbs and receive a feel for what makes a highly effective accomplishment statement. The Key to Successful Simple Resume Templates A resume builder can help you rectify any error s and supply you with a working vision of the resume although you edit. It is possible to use our resume building software to produce your own from scratch. The mixture of our templates and your input is likely to make your resume fly to the peak of any pile. Based on your industry or whether youre an academic, you might actually have to use a CV template. Vital Pieces of Simple Resume Templates Job seekers deserve to come across decent content quickly. You have to departure from current job to your very first job. If youre attempting to acquire work in accounting or finance you require averystrong resume. The job, the business, and the institution proved not the perfect fit for me. Our resume builder is the quickest approach to create a resume that can help you get your fantasy job. The absolute most important clue that you must send a curricuum vitae, naturally, is that the work description asks for one The resume summary is simply a bridge to have the hiring manager in yo ur experience. Resume builder includes an instantaneous preview, and therefore you dont will need to save and refresh the page to see the way that it appears like. Applicants are somewhat more confident to reject work offer instead of a better one. Writing a strong application is a challenging procedure and we would like to make it simpler. As soon as an opportunity arises, youre going to be the best equipped to seize it since you have never stopped learning. When you finish the most in-depth program in the business, so theres no continuing education requirement. Reading content backwardsawkward and time-consuming though it could beis an excellent way to catch minor mistakes which you might otherwise miss. Constructing a resume is an intimidating task should you do it alone. Someone with limited experience, but robust writing skills can assemble a compelling resume. The goal of a resume is to highlight your skills, experience and accomplishments that are relevant to the rol e you are interested in being in. LinkedIn is a favorite business-related social media website. Employers may also search for you on other social networking tools, like Facebook, Twitter and blogs. It is possible to enter your social networking profile address for an extra point of contact. Within seconds, hiring managers will establish if your executive resume is well worth another glance. With a Indeed Resume you are able to make your abilities and experience visible to employers and provide them an effortless means to get in winzigkeit with you about relevant jobs. There are lots of standard forms of resumes used to make an application for job openings. Accounting and finance managers are going to want to see your technical understanding. Resumes may be used for a number of reasons, but most often theyre utilized to secure new employment. Employers care a lot more about your successes, and the way youre able to mirror them at their company. They are looking for concrete skills. They want to know what you are going to do for them. Get the Scoop on Simple Resume Templates Before Youre Too Late Well, no actually, since there are a couple of straightforward rules that could genuinely help you to manage time better. Federal jobs often need you to have experience in a special type of work for some period of time. The plan below ought to help you produce a resume thats easy to read and packed with facts employers wish to know. Many employers cross-reference your resume to your on-line presence. Time management calls for a good awareness of work gauge so you can correctly allot the time necessary for an undertaking. In reality, the utmost effective one may be easy and straightforward so that your experience, education and skills stick out. Dont be concerned about needing to compose your own resume again, when youre able to hire our expert resume writers to deal with your resume from beginning to finish. The incorrect hire can send things spinni ng, while the best one can totally transform their company. Since you can see, our writers come from a selection of backgrounds and specialize in many distinct industries and professions. What Simple Resume Templates Is - and What it Is Not Take into consideration the employers youre targeting and how they are going to be more successful should they hire you. Within the next section of your CV, you can speak about your skills that may be professional and generic. 1 advantage for employers to internet resumes is the considerable cost saving in contrast to traditional hiring methods. You may also download completely free templates from our Resume Library to get going on your best resume.

The gap year debate

The gap year debate The gap year debatePosted October 11, 2013, by Julia Watters When I finished school I went straight to university. I didnt pass go, although I did collect $2000 by way of a handy little scholarship. I welches too afraid that if I paused and got off the study train even temporarily, I wouldnt be able to get back on. My twin sister, on the other hand, had other ideas that involved Camp Counselors USA and some pretty awesome sightseeing through Europe. Its a classic sliding doors scenario. So why did she choose to take a gap year and I didnt? A common reason for people to take a year off is sheer indecisiveness, to put off having to commit to further study for just one more year. Finished school and dont know what to do next? Why not throw on a backpack and see the world while you make up your mind? The only glitch in my own scenario was that I was the one who didnt know what I wanted to study, and my sister had known since early high school. Like our older sister, m y twin had chosen a career in education and so deferred her uni offer for a year to see some of the world before her studies. I knew that I enjoyed things like writing and English, but I had no idea how to turn that into a course or a career. All I knew was that I didnt want to take a year off to figure it out. Luckily for me, I was able to compare courses from a variety of universities and ended up opting for an arts degree. It was leise a bit of a gamble given my vagueness, but I was very lucky to fall into a degree that I loved. I still often wish that I had taken the opportunity to travel while I was younger and would no doubt have been more willing to stay in cheap hostels. The truth is that I was worried that if I didnt continue studying, I would lose momentum and not want to go back. That probably wouldnt have happened, but of course Ill never know. Another thing I didnt know was that taking a year off could actually offer me some serious benefits when it came to my tertiar y studies. A 2013 study of Australian undergraduate students, conducted by Sydney Universitys Faculty of Education and Social Work, has shed some light on a relatively new concept. According to Professor Andrew Martin, lead author of the study, school achievement will get students into university, but its impact on university achievement is relatively limited. He goes on to say that students who gain post-school life experience outside the classroom are greatly benefited. One such benefit is maintaining good marks throughout the entire span of your degree. If you do decide to take a year off, there is certainly no shortage of programs available to help you fill in the time. These include volunteering programs that not only provide you with a money-cant-buy experience, but will also look great on your CV. And if youre worried that your money really cant buy it, a plethora of grants and scholarships are just a Google search away. So if you werent considering taking a gap year, it migh t just be worth a re-think. It could give you the academic edge in your studies, and will certainly give you a personal edge when it comes to life experience. And if you have the saatkorn momentum concerns that I did, well you can always do an online course in your year off and study from your hostel in Switzerland Want to hear more on the gap year debate? triple j asks the question When is the best time to hit the road and see the world? ResourcesMy first resumeCover letter for my first jobCareer Insider StoriesShelley Lask - Body Positive Health & FitnessInterested in becoming a?Human Resources OfficerGeneral ManagerBusiness ManagerAccountantOffice AdministratorPopular Career Searcheshow to become a tour guide in australialist of government funded courses melbournegov funded writing coursesgovernment funded tourism courses melbourneaccredited proofreading courses australia CoursesBachelor of Social WorkEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Health AdministrationEnquire O nline Enquire OnlineBachelor of Criminal JusticeEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Allied Health AssistanceEnquire Online Enquire OnlineJulia WattersRelated ArticlesBrowse moreWORKFORCE TRENDSGovernment efforts to save property sectorTwo years ago the Australian property sector was booming. Whether it was in commercial, residential, funds management or development, big bucks were being made and times were good.NetworkingNetworking For The Socially AwkwardIf the idea of small talk and idle chitchat renders you speechless, do not be alarmed. Networking doesnt mean you have to be the centre of attention or the life of the party.Gig EconomyUnusual jobs10 Gig Economy GigsA flexible schedule, setting your own rates and working from home are big benefits of the gig economy. Could it work for you too? Check out these 10 gig economy jobs.