Five ways to stick to your resolutions 2019

Five ways to stick to your resolutions 2019 by Michael Cheary Rubbish at sticking to your resolutions? OK, so you’ve decided 2019 is finally the year you stop putting it off, and start actually taking control of your life. But whether that means getting in shape, learning something new or finally finding a job that makes you love Mondays, by the time February rolls around your motivation isn’t always readily available (see also: #RIPGymMembership, #AuRevoirFrench, #Hashtag).To help you stick it out and make this year more meaningful, here are five great ways to stick to your resolutions in 2019:1. Actually set some objectives First things first: you need to start setting targets.After all, it’s all well and good saying you want to learn mandarin or run a marathon, but without clear ways to check your progress, you’re only likely to lose sight of what your end goal is.The same goes for your career. Where do you want to go next? Is 2019 the year you ask for that promotion? Or is it time to start again and take on a whole new role, in new surroundings, in a different industry?Wherever you’re headed, it’s important to consider all of your available options carefully. Once you’ve come up with a plan, set yourself some achievable, and easy-to-measure objectives to map out where you want your career to go in 2019.Don’t know where to start? Don’t worry. There are plenty of resources out there to help you decide what job to look for. Take your time and make sure it’s right for you.Remember: To maintain your morale, keep them realistic.      I need a job: Where do I start? How to decide what job to look for2.  Get the right supportEven with the greatest will in the world, making a big change can’t always be done alone.It could be as simple as getting a friend to teach you something new, or using an online resource to help you study. It could just be having someone there to keep you motivated on your journey.If it’s a new job you’re looking for, making sure your CV is up-to-date i s absolutely vital. However, instead of going it alone, why not try a templates to help get you started?Of course, to make the most of your applications, your CV needs to be tailored to every role you apply for. But sometimes just getting started is half the battle.Once you’ve got yourself going, you’ll be able to add all the extra details that make your application stand out. It may be time-consuming, but if it helps you highlight your suitability and find the right role, it will be time well spent.Remember: Your CV should sell your skills and experience. It should not put a recruiter to sleep.How to write a CVCV templates and tips3. Call in the professionalsOK, so you’ve got a good support network. The problem is, none of them actually know Kung Fu.Before you start giving up on your dreams, getting professional help might be more readily available â€" and affordable â€" than you think. Which is good because, let’s face it, amateur Enter The Dragon will never end well.Takin g a course  can also be a great way to kick-start your job search. Whether you’re more comfortable studying from home or you prefer a classroom setting, there’s a  course out there for you.From an industry-specific qualification to learning a second language or even just brushing up on your computer skills, having quantifiable and industry-recognised skills on your CV can set you apart from other candidates.Translation? Time to finally stop making excuses.Remember: It’s never too late to start learning (and various other clichés).  Find your perfect course now4. Get on top of your financesAh, January. The month overdrafts were made for.Getting our post-festive-break finances in order is a pressing priority for most of us this day/month/year (delete as appropriate). You may even have included a pay rise on your list of New Year’s resolutions. But how do you go about asking for one?Negotiating a pay rise  can be a daunting task, but if you do your homework and approach the s ubject with the necessary tact, it needn’t be impossible.Find out the average salary for your position and your location, think about what your recent achievements are, and whether you can justify to your employer why they should invest more of their budget in you.And if it’s a new job you’re after, there’s nothing wrong with asking about salary at your interview. You know, as long as you don’t lead with it that is…Remember: If you don’t ask, you don’t get.Check average salaries for your roleHow to negotiate a pay riseHow to survive a January money hangover5. Dress for successIt’s a widely accepted fact that if you look good, you’ll feel good. And if you’re happier, you’ll be more productive.The cheat’s way to do this is by dressing well. It may not sound obvious, but expressing yourself through your clothes can instil confidence in yourself and your work. It also gives you a good excuse to go shopping.And if you’re interviewing for that brand new job, ma ke sure you dress to impress. Making a good first impression is vital and the easiest way to do this is to look neat, tidy and presentable.If all else fails? Never, ever take advice from your Nan. Just in case…Remember: If you look good, you feel good. And feeling good is good (we’ll stop there…).What to wear for an interviewOffice wardrobe hacksHow to: Instantly upgrade your work wardrobe Honourable mentions:  Work on your networking, prepare for common interview questions, improve your body language, smile.Find a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the terms and conditions applicable to our service and acknowledge that your personal data will be used in accordance with our privacy policy and you will receive emails and communications about jobs and career related topics. Features

More Personality with a Unique About Us Page - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

More Personality with a Unique About Us Page - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career When it comes to building a personal brand it’s important to attract and new website visitors. While having a descriptive About Us page in place is good there may not be enough information to capture their interest. In order to reach your audience you need provide a stand-out page that speaks to their needs. Would you like to see more conversions from your website? By understanding who your target market is and where their pain points are your brand can develop a message that speaks to them directly. This includes answering their common questions in a way that is relatable. A personal brand should be clear and in-tune with the needs of its audience and customers in order to be successful with their About Us page. What a Great About Us Page Should Say A basic biography is just the beginning framework from which to create a customer-centric message. Here are several ways you can develop attractive and unique content: • Write for your audience After determining the main pain points of your readers your brand should create an About Us page directly tied into those needs and how you can solve their problems. Use history and personal stories to add a human element to your company along with any customer testimonials. • Change a few words Create content that uses less of the words, “I,” “We,” or “Us.” Instead, build your sentences around “You,” and “Them,” to focus the attention on your leads and customers. When they learn that the About Us page is really about their needs they will be more likely to dive deeper into what you have to offer. • Stand out from the rest Determine what makes your brand unique from others in your niche and bring that out on your About Us page. Depending on your company this can include funny stories, serious videos that provide a background, examples of products or services, ect. Get as creative as you can with this content, as your voice can shine through in the midst of other websites that only offer stale or boring content. The purpose of an About Us page for your personal brand is to capture your readers’ interest right away before they decide to leave to your competitors. Your message should hook your readers in a way that peaks their interest and compels them to get to know more about your brand.

3 Fundamental Flaws with Networking in Recruitment

3 Fundamental Flaws with Networking in Recruitment Critical thinkers are a dying breed and logic is becoming a lost art. Ironically, we have more access to information than any generation. Whether it be at the gym, office or on the couch, we can readily access information, however we question the validity of what we read and hear less and less. If I had $1 for each time I heard some derivative of the phrase, “so you go and network and recruit people,” I’d never technically pay for my own lunch again. Between reading articles and speaking to job seekers and hiring companies, it’s become evident that many are misinformed about what is and what is not an efficient job search/recruitment strategy. By itself, networking is ambiguous and inefficient, as the simple act of networking lacks a clear beginning and end goal. 1. An intangible practice with multiple definitions: If you ask 10 people to define what networking is, you’ll get 10 very different definitions. If you ask the same individuals how they go about networking, maybe 1/3 of those individuals can provide you with clear steps that logically make sense. Officially, the word “network” has a multitude of meanings.   Some of which are in verb form (i.e. networking), others exist in noun form.   For the sake of relevancy, we’ll stay on the definitions that are career-oriented. According to dictionary.com, when used as a verb, the formal definition of networking is the act of cultivating people who can be helpful to one professionally (which is vague). Merriam Webster has a bit more robust definition and defines networking as the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business. 2. Frequently used in HR and job search but rarely questioned: By definition, the phrase is very similar to recruiting. Therefore, to claim it to be a viable recruiting or job search strategy is technically being redundant. However recruiters are very rarely asked what their definition of networking is, nor are job seekers when they claim networking to be an effective job search tool. It’s almost like when you tell your child you’re busy, “doing business.” Because the connotation of the word seems official, productive and authoritative, the child will often refrain from requesting his or her parents attention. The lack of logical thinking is advantageous to lower quality HR heads and headhunters because it allows them to circumvent having to discuss recruiting practices and strategies in-depth, while still sounding productive and professional. Rarely is the phrase, “I’m consistently networking to recruit employees,” countered with, “what do you mean by networking?” 3. Attending professional events to socialize: In many instances, attending events such as trade shows or cocktail hours ceases to be professional and becomes a social event with business professionals.   A cocktail hour is the same as a happy hour; it’s just with business people. Have you ever heard Warren Buffett, Michael Bloomberg or any other billionaire attribute their wealth to their ability to network, or a group they found on websites that focus on meet ups? Rather, they had clear strategies for success that were well defined and executed upon those plans. In business, networking is a flawed wealth building strategy. The majority of individuals who attend a professional event to find a job do or obtain new business do so because it’s social in nature, and thus requires less focus (a key component to success) and 9 out of 10 times leave with business cards which amount to little. However, they waste a significant amount of the most valuable resource we have, which is time. Usage of the internet to recruit or search for a job is much more efficient and thus is the recruiting form of preference by companies serious about hiring based upon qualifications and skills. In the end: Due to the fact that  many people lack clearly defined strategies to reach predetermined goals, networking is going to sound professional, but prove to be inefficient. There is no question that networking as social interaction with other business professionals is interesting, enjoyable and healthy. However, in most instances, logic will tell us that there are more efficient ways to achieve our job-seeking or recruiting goals.

Tales of Woe from Girls Who Date Bankers

Tales of Woe from Girls Who Date Bankers My sister sent me a link to a New York Times article which I found as oddly addicting and bizarre as an issue of US Weekly. The article is called, Its The Economy, Girlfriend. The article highlights a group of twentysomething aged women in New York City who started a support group called Dating a Banker Anonymous and a blog. The women who started DABA noticed their romantic relationships with investment bankers and traders tanked with the economy. The women said that as the economy went down, the stock market shed points, and jobs were being cut on Wall Street their sex lives, gifts and date nights were cut as well. Their blog is totally funny and addicting. Women write in to tell their dating stories and misfortunes of having their trips to foreign countries cut, their bottle service being eliminated and how sad it is that someone would want to move to the Midwest for a more affordable lifestyle. There is even a story that mirrors a segment that aired on Good Morning America yesterday which tells the story of a 24 year old girl who is dating a married millionaire who enjoys trips and designer gifts from her sugar daddy. When he is faced with having to eliminate 20 people at work, all of which have children to support, she whines that he isnt getting her enough stuff anymore. Although the stories are fun to read, they definitely make me question what was significant enough about these stories of misfortune and high expectations to make the New York Times?   While most of America is losing their job, their home and their retirement accounts, the New York Times is highlighting  a tiny group of  twentysomething ladies  who are no longer receiving Louis Vuitton bags, bottle service, Manolo Blahniks and trips to Italy from their boyfriends. Seems out of balance. Apparently the public is ready for an escape from reality though, which might explain why these girls already got a book deal. The concept that the DABA girls created is absolutely entertaining. Unfortunately, I dont think it promotes financially savvy and independent women. Then again, the girls experiences of dating rich men was enough to get them a book deal and perhaps they can start buying their own Louis Vuittons now!

A Free Resume Objective Writing Sample

A Free Resume Objective Writing SampleIf you are having trouble creating a resume objective and want to hire a resume objective writer, there is a resume objective writing sample you can use that will help you get started. It's a free, easy to use format that can be used by the layperson or professional resume writer.The resume objective writing sample has four sections: the summary, the name of the company, the opening paragraph, and the body. Here's a quick explanation of each section. The summary contains the most important information that is needed for your prospective employer to understand who you are and what you can do for them. Remember that the key to building an effective resume objective is to make it short and to the point.The summary section of the resume objective writing sample should tell the reader exactly what you are trying to convey in your objective. Be brief but assertive. Remember that your objective should be the very first thing the employer sees when they view your resume. If you leave your objective too long, it will probably be a let down to potential employers. If you don't include your key points, it may be missing something that needs to be addressed.The opening paragraph of the resume objective writing sample should tell the reader about the position that you are applying for and what is expected of you. Never be vague or make any generalizations. Your main purpose is to tell the reader who you are and what you can do for them. The rest of the information provided in the resume objective writing sample should lead the reader in the direction you want them to go.The first part of the resume objective writing sample should have a strong paragraph describing the company and the job you are seeking. The opening paragraph should be brief but forceful. Be sure to emphasize your qualifications and the goals you have for your new job. This part of the resume objective writing sample should be creative and engaging. You don't want to so und like a spam mail email.The body of the resume objective writing sample should provide information that makes it stand out. Provide specific, clear, and detailed information about yourself and your experiences. Show your strengths and abilities and detail all the areas you could improve on. You want to get your resume objective writing sample read, understood, and actioned.Remember that your resume objective writing sample can only provide a basic outline of the information required. You should write your resume objective and present your case in more detail. This is your chance to shine and to show your new employer that you are ready to work for them.When you want to write a resume objective, you need to be organized is what you need when you are ready to write a resume objective. The objective writing sample you can use is perfect for beginners. It's an easy to use template and you will easily find the information you need to make a good resume objective.

Celebrate your mistakes - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Celebrate your mistakes - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog I gave a speech about happiness at work recently to a Danish IT company, where I talked about the importance of celebrating successes and mistakes in the workplace. After the speech, one of the developer emailed me this clip from the animated movie Meet the Robinsons. Thats it right there failure and mistakes are not embarassing. Theyre not meant to be hidden or explained away. Getting it wrong is a cause for celebration. I wrote about it previously here are The Top 5 Reasons to Celebrate Mistakes at Work. 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 Celebrate your mistakes - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Weve previously written about why its a good idea to celebrate mistakes at work. Heres one guy who does it in a really fun way :) 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

Are You Looking to Get Back Into Studying - How 2 Become

Are You Looking to Get Back Into Studying - How 2 Become ARE YOU LOOKING TO GET BACK INTO STUDYING?Whether you have simply taken a break from education, or you decided to pursue other activities, if you are looking to get back into studying, this can be a difficult task. Getting back into the swing of strict deadlines, lots of research, long-lasting lectures and endless late nights writing your essays; thus you need to fully prepare both yourself and your mind-set.In this blog, we have listed a few top tips that we think will really help you to prepare yourselves if you are, or thinking about, getting back into studying.PREPARATIONIf it’s been a long time since you last studied, chances are the education system maybe somewhat different to what you remember. Knowing what to expect with regards to returning to studying will really help ease you into this transition.If you are topping up on a previous degree, it may be wise to refresh your memory with regards to what you were taught. If you are someone who is thinking of studying a brand ne w course, then you should do your utmost to find out as much information as you can about the course and what to expect. A useful place to start looking is the university’s website. Generally, courses will be outlined online, detailing course modules and a summary of what to expect.It is a good idea to try and get hold of the reading list prior to commencing your course. This will allow you to begin reading up on the subject, thus preparing your mindset for what’s to come.TIME MANAGEMENTPrioritising your workload over social activities is no easy task, and a lot of students fail to think about this. When you arrive at university, you should have at the forefront of your mind, that you are there to learn.Of course, we are not saying that you cannot go out and socialise with your friends. We are merely saying that you should focus your time, especially at the early staged of getting back into studying, trying to maintain a solid learning routine.THERE WILL BE OTHERS LIKE YOUThere will be many other students in the same position as you â€" either they took a break to go travelling or to start work, but ultimately their aims were to return to education at some point. Chances are, you will not be the only student on campus who has taken a break from the educational system.More so, other students may have taken a long break from education then yourself. It’s important that you try to get to know other people on a personal level. Knowing someone that has been through the same process as you will really help to calm those initial nerves.IF YOU’RE STILL STRUGGLING?Education is not for everyone. If you are really struggling with getting back into the swing of things, then you may need to re-evaluate your choices. Is university really for you? Am I at university for the right reasons? These are just a couple of questions that you should be asking yourself if you are struggling with returning to your studies.There are a huge number of networks and services offered to you during your time at university. Therefore, if you are struggling to get back into learning, then you should seek some advice from the networks provided to you by the university.Take it upon yourself to start a group with some of the people studying the same course. That way, you can make friends on the course AND help each other out! A win/win, right?EXTRA RESOURCESHere at How2Become, we have a whole range of educational resources to help you with your studies. Below we have included a few images of some of the books that may be beneficial to you. For more information on these guides, you can search Amazon! This entry was posted in Resources. Bookmark the permalink. Katie Noakes How to Survive the Christmas Holidays on a BudgetWhat is Speed Reading?