Am I Crazy To Be Thinking About A Shift

“Am I Crazy To Be Thinking About A Shift” Help from our Community “Am I Crazy To Be Thinking About A Shift?” * Rose is torn. Her current role is safe, and lucrative, but it's not helping her grow. Meanwhile, the career she's got her heart set on carries no guarantees of security. How do you knowwhether you're making the right move, or a big mistake? What's your career history and current job? I currently work in operations for a remote mining site. My work involves managing accommodation of FIFO (fly in, fly out) workers and I work on a two weeks on, one off roster. I was thrown into hospitality after graduating from high school and from there I moved into the operations work. I applied for university as a mature student, studying Landscape Architecture. It had been my plan to move into architecture after that, but a combination of tight finances and house moves got in the way. How do you feel about your work? I love solving guests' problems and organising the office in a way that helps several other departments in the company. I feel proud that I’ve learned to run an office on my own, while managing accommodation movements and finances. But my job is repetitive. And I find that I’m getting bored, weary and frustrated because I’m not learning more. I’ve experienced this before, and it led to me struggling with anxiety and depression, and having a bad attitude at work, which is not like me. I don’t want to get like that again. The only step forward for me here would be to move into a formal site manager role. And moving up within facilities management just doesn’t appeal. I was curious about the role and thought it would make a good addition to my CV. But essentially it’s just something I fell into rather than a conscious move. It was just a job, that was about saving money so that I could return home with a nest of savings, which I now have. At first I loved working away from home. I enjoy flying and all the benefits of frequent flyer programmes. But after six years it’s gotten old and it feels like I’m away for too long. I miss home and friends. What would you like to be doing instead? I’ve been doing some soul searching and I keep going back to the idea of design, drafting and architecture. I never really gave it a real shot after my university studies. I love the versatility of the industry â€" there are so many different avenues you can pursue. I’ve done some informational interviews with people in the industry and I’ve learnt that the work isn’t really all about design;it encompasses lots of other different skills too. It appeals to me because it’s an industry where there would be lots of opportunities to shift and change as I go. When I did my first entry courses in design, it became apparent to my lecturers that I had a natural flair for it, especially around using the computer programmes related to the field. I was drawn to the creative and technical aspects of the industry and the versatility and open-mindedness they require. I used to get completely engrossed in hand drafting my plans, playing with the computer programmes, and learning about the history of architecture and art. I’d always been a good drawer, so it played on those natural strengths. I received distinctions in my construction and design units. I’d never really considered myself as smart enough (or good enough with maths) to have the title of Architect. But after trying my hand at the work I found I fell in love with it. So, my idea is to return to study architectural drafting and go from there. I’ve already applied to study for a certificate next semester; it would help me get a foot in the door and contribute to a full degree further down the line. I could then study on the side at uni later. What's the biggest obstacle in your way? I can’t help thinking that I must be mad to be considering leaving. My work pays well, and many people want my job. I’m lucky in so many ways. It feels like it could be a big, selfish mistake to leave the relative comfort and security I have here, to chase a big unknown in a competitive new industry. I’ve seen so many people lose their jobs or have their wages cut and end up in financial strife. My dad was a draftsman for a while. When the recession hit back in the ‘80s he was left with little option but to move into another field. When he did, he found he couldn’t get back into drafting and struggled for many years with unemployment and depression. His experiences leave me feeling wary of changing careers. If I take the leap, there’s no guarantee I’d find work. I’ve seen that architecture work can be fickle. I worry I’d end up long-term unemployed, with my prospects diminishing as I get older. Sometimes I feel so sure that I need to move on; then at other times I’m so scared of making the leap and what I may miss out on if I leave. Am I crazy to give it up? Can you help Rose? Have you been in a similar situation, or are you in the same boat right now? How do you think Rose could move her shift forwards? Do you know anyone she could talk to? Share your thoughts in the comments below and click the thumbs-up button to show your support. Give Rose a cheer of encouragement by hitting the thumbs-up button here:

The Importance of Staying Safe in Online Dating

The Importance of Staying Safe in Online Dating When people go on the Internet with the possibility of dating, there are also a lot of other possibilities they have to keep in mind. Theres a real potential threat to your safety on the web, especially when you meet a person that you’ve only spoken with a few times, and without being able to observe their body language or hear their voice to check for inconsistencies. The standard advice with the web and meeting strangers for the first time or two is almost always applied to women. After all, there are a lot of potential threats to a womans safety and peace of mind out there, and many men are a lot less than gentle. Some are even downright criminal and dangerous. Of course, this ignores the fact that men can be under almost as much of a threat as women can, particularly with the world being as it is today. Physical Threats Go Both Ways If youve ever seen the movie Fatal Attraction, you know that a woman who grows obsessed with a man can do horrible things. If you have pets, those pets could end up being injured, poisoned, or even killed. Your friends could be harmed in some way whenever they visit you at your home or in person. In some instances, the other person can even become a serious physical threat to a your safety. While men may be bigger, stronger, and tougher in many cases, a woman can still use a gun or a car to even the odds. As well, many men are far more hesitant to hit back when a woman attacks them, which can allow a situation to escalate from bare hands to a knife, a gun, or whatever kind of weapons that might be convenient. Your Property Under Threat If a person you meet becomes obsessed or otherwise feels scorned, your safety may not be the only possible thing they can go after. After all, if you own anything at all, it can be damaged in a way that hurts you. There are even songs about how people take their revenge on vehicles, houses, or other property, which can come to no small price tag while being difficult to prove. If you own your home or have property, this can be even worse. Just like tenants can destroy property from the inside, there are tons of ways an angry person whose sanity is questionable can hurt what you have. They can do physical damage, and they can harass your tenants to the point where you constantly have to respond to complaints. This may even cost you some otherwise good tenants. Your Time Is Valuable Often, the early process of talking is going to tell you some useful things about their personality. When you Chat with women  or men, you can often weed out the psychos before they have a chance to get too crazy or attached. Its important to protect yourself, no matter what your gender is.

Take Time to Celebrate Your Successes

Take Time to Celebrate Your Successes Answer me honestly when is the last time you purposely celebrated a success in your life?   Please say it wasnt your High School graduation or your wedding! Im talking doing something great but often overlooked such as finishing a huge creative project, winning new business, achieving your goal weight or getting a new job. Did you celebrate and take the time to give yourself a pat on the back or did you move on to the next thing without even taking a rest? Worse still did you beat yourself up that you could have done better? A telling sign is that you find it difficult to take compliments. I once finished a HUGE client job (for the United Nations no less) under incredibly tight deadlines and long hours but took absolutely no pleasure in its completion. In fact, I never even looked at it again, just in case I found the spelling mistakes I was sure I had made. Im not alone. In fact, many women and clients I speak to have the same problem. A complete inability to celebrate ourselves and our achievements. Whats the deal with that? A Client Story Amy from Dublin is an increasingly accomplished actor and playwright. She recently had a sell out one-woman show and she finished the first draft of her new play. What did she do to celebrate? Nothing she just went on to the next thing without a beat. I asked her what shed do to celebrate when shes an award winning actress, living in different countries around the world and earning millions from acting. She said shed open a bottle of expensive champagne and go out with friends to a fancy restaurant. I asked her what she could do now to really anchor that experience for the future, so she decided to open a bottle of sparkling wine and invite some friends over to celebrate.  Her future self will thank her for sparking off this success ritual. You see, if Amy doesnt start celebrating her successes now, she may never take the time because shell always just move on to the next thing, no matter how big she gets.  Why is it so important? Congratulating yourself for a job well done cements those good feelings firmly into the present.  Success breeds success and the more proof you have that you are successful, the easier it will be to attract further good fortune.   Besides it just feels good!  Shoes! My dear mother always reminds me that I shouldnt give advice if Im not willing to do myself, so we were out shopping and I got a message that I just got a new coaching client. We were looking at shoes and I decided to buy these brown strappy ones as a celebration reward. I think Im going to make it a habit so I have my eyes on these other sparkly ones too. Rewards of shoes or clothes are a great motivator, especially if you know the exact shoes you want. Go and pine over them in a shop, take a photo to put on your dream board  and when you achieve what you set out to do GO AND BUY THEM! Oh, and dont forget to wear them often and congratulate yourself again and again. How would you like to celebrate? So shoes and champagne might not do it for you. You need to find a reward that will completely motivate you. If money is tight and you cant celebrate in quite the style youre willing to become accustomed to, where can you start?  Buy a bottle of cheap champagne and as your successes grow, so can the quality of the bubbly! Here are some other great ideas: Celebrate afternoon tea at a fancy hotel Get new professional photos taken Visit a personal shopper for a makeover Go to the movies by yourself Enjoy a single beautifully iced cupcake Get a piece of your jewellery engraved with a beautiful affirmation Get a professional blow dry Buy some flowers for yourself Relax with a massage or a facial Hike to the top of a mountain and fist pump the air when you get there Get yourself some personalised stationery Buy a special new pen and a beautiful crisp notebook Have a pampering day at a spa Invite friends around for dinner to help you celebrate Wear your best underwear .. lastly, put your hand on your heart and affirm Im on my way. Every time? Yes, every time you achieve something fabulous, you should celebrate. Its very VERY important. You dont have to go crazy every time. Afterall, if I bought a pair of expensive shoes every time I got a new client, I wouldnt make much profit and Id have a LOT of shoes. (Actually that doesnt sound too bad!). Decide in advance how much of your income, salary, bonus or client payment is going to be solely to be spent on yourself. I think 10% is a nice even sum. This money cannot be spent on mundane things like such underwear (unless its gorgeous), personal care products that youd buy anyway or something for your children, partner or friends. That money is dedicated to pleasure and celebration.  10% isnt too much to spend on yourself is it? Get excited every time you achieve something.  Make a story out of your success and others will recognise you too. You deserve it. Whats the last thing you celebrated? What did you do?

13 Interview Tips to Land That Job - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

13 Interview Tips to Land That Job - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Interviewing for a position is tough. Many are called, but few are chosen. Following are some basic job interview facts and considerations you should keep in mind as you prepare for your next interview: 1) According to Albert Mehrabian, UCLA professor emeritus of psychology, 55% of communication has to do with body language. Therefore it makes sense to learn how to decode an interviewer’s body language and how to minimize your own body language mistakes during an interview. 2) People think of and remember images much better than they do words or text. When watching a movie, do you remember the images or the actor’s lines? You can see it’s imperative to convey a strongly positive image during an interview. It starts with the proper clothing and includes posture and a smile. An attractive image is memorable and catching. 3) Consider that the interviewer is the final authority of the outcome of the interview. The interviewer is the one who makes the decision. The best kind of interview contains professional and amicable dialogue, but at the end of the day, the candidate has to convince the hiring manager of being the ideal candidate. 4) To be hired, three conditions at minimum must be met. The candidate: Must bring evidence of possession of the skills required to perform the job. Must be a superhuman performer, not just an average one. Must be able to discuss validation by influential others, not self. 5) Providing good interview answers is essential, but asking the right questions is at least as important. Ask strategic questions. Strategic questions are those types that bring the candidate closer to the goal of getting the job offer. Don’t ask tactical questions like how to do certain things, because asking tactical questions puts doubts in the interviewer’s mind. After all, the interviewer expects the candidate to have answers. That’s why the candidate is interviewing. 6) Typically, there are four types of interviews with very different objectives. An interview with the big boss. An interview with the hiring manager. An interview with peers. An interview with a human resources representative. Each of those kinds of interviewers evaluates a candidate’s answers from a perspective different from the other interviewers’ perspectives. 7) Candidates are often too long on their past. In evaluating the applicant’s candidacy, the interviewer is focusing on the candidate’s future. And candidates should, too. 8) Interview preparation is key. Before an interview, most people prepare for perhaps only a couple of hours. That’s by far inadequate when there are several other candidates with excellent potential. 9) If the position a candidate is applying for is of great importance, the best approach is to work with an experienced interview coach. This is the differentiator, as opposed to those who prepare on their own. 10) Get used to twenty-first-century technology. For instance, more and more companies are using video interviews prior to in-person interviews. This demands another layer of hardship and complexity in addition to being prepared with content. For example, proper lighting, good quality of sound, and favorable placement of the camera at eye level are essential. If you’re using a laptop placed on the desk in front of you, it may be likely that the interviewer will focus more on your accentuated double chin and not your eyes. 11) At the very minimum, the candidate has to be super clear  on the value proposition that answers the following four questions: What is that you do? Whom do you serve? or, Who are your customers? What value do customers perceive in your services? What do you offer that customers can’t get elsewhere? 12) The relationship between the interviewer and the candidate is identical to the relationship between a salesperson and a buyer. You’re the salesperson here, so be convincing by offering facts and not opinions. Otherwise, you won’t be fully trusted. 13) Last, in order to be hired, a candidate must leave the interviewer with good feelings about the candidate’s trustworthiness and likability.

Tips on How to Write Your Own Tips on Your Resume

Tips on How to Write Your Own Tips on Your ResumeWriting your own tips on how to write your own tips on your resume is an essential thing to do. It is not enough just to submit your resume with your application for a job you may not be suitable for. You need to create a convincing cover letter which will serve as a good introduction to a prospective employer and allow him to gather enough information about you.The most basic idea of writing your own cover letter lies in making it interesting and concise to go along with your resume. Let us look at some points which need to be considered for writing a compelling cover letter.Most of the time, people tend to make their own resume or check out the job posting before actually writing a cover letter. You should consider the fact that an employer would certainly keep one or two of your cover letters aside to get a closer look at your accomplishments and what you have accomplished. If you have shown much proficiency in something, then you s hould show off in your cover letter.Start by having all the work experience listed with a work name. From there, list out the relevant skills you possess in detail and also the responsibilities. You can even list out the specific ones you are qualified for. If there is something you have done that is not included in your work experience, then put it there.Another key to writing a powerful introduction is the use of positive words, especially the use of affirmative statements. Make sure that they are accompanied by your professional credentials. If you have the results of your graduation in hand, include that as well and it would make your resume a lot more impressive.What is even more important is to get all the information out before you give it to the employer. Do not leave anything out and avoid embellishing. Just ensure that all the things that you are going to include are related to the skills you have.There are some other tips that can help you gain a good perspective on how t o write your own tips on how to write your own resume. First of all, try to write your resume in an organized manner. Take the time to read through it from cover to cover and try to learn as much as you can about resume writing.The next thing you can do is check out the available resources on resume writing so that you may be better equipped. Another thing is to just take it one step at a time. Be patient and go over the things slowly so that you can gather all the ideas you need to write a cover letter that will not only be eye-catching but also as a good introduction to an employer.

Best Ways To Request Follow-up On An Informational Interview

Best Ways To Request Follow-up On An Informational Interview Genuine, authentic interest in another persons story.   Thats what informational interviews are all about.   They are one of my favorite ways to Research a new career.     You get to find out quickly and easily what it takes to be successful and what the person loves (and doesnt love about his/her job.)   Talk about looking before you leap!Unfortunately, I find people dont know how to request this kind of conversation or follow-up from it in a way that builds a relationship.   So today, Im here to show you how.   Recently I was asked to do an informational interview with a prospective coach and appreciated the way she requested the conversation and followed up.   Her emails are shared below with permission.Example Email To Request For an Informational InterviewDear Ms. Mistal,I discovered your work while searching for the most successful individuals in the field of career coaching. Your mission to empower others to take charge of their careers and pursue their passions really resona tes with me. I watched the video in which you told the story of how you became a career coach and I was impressed that you were able to build your business while working full time and without much coaching experience. I am interested in becoming a career coach and would love to hear more about how you became a leader in the career coaching field. Would you be willing to spare 20 minutes, at your convenience, to tell me more about your journey?Thank you very much for your time.Sincerely,Monica MilanoExample Email To Follow Up On An Informational InterviewHi Maggie,Thank you again for taking the time out of your busy schedule to speak with me yesterday. The information and advice you provided was incredibly helpful and greatly exceeded my expectations.   I appreciate how much you were willing to share with me.   Our conversation left me with a lot to reflect upon.  Sincerely,Monica MilanoReading these emails, its important to notice how Monica gives specific reasons why she wanted to speak with me.   Notice also how she did not go into very much detail about herself but saved that for our call after shed had a chance to hear my story.   She also came prepared to our call with questions and showed me she was listening by reacting to my comments with her thoughts.  For my favorite informational interviewing questions check out my new self-study Research workbook.  Now, its not all about me. But it is all about whomever you are looking to informational interview.   Youve got to make it about them to 1) learn what you need to about their experience in the career you are thinking of pursuing and 2) to build a relationship with this established person to find ways to work together should you confirm this is the right career for you.  Enjoy getting to know someone whos doing what you think youd like to do.   Be curious about how they got to where they are and youll learn the steps you need to get where you want to be.

3 Things You Should Do While You Still Have a Job

3 Things You Should Do While You Still Have a Job 3 Things You Should Do While You Still Have a Job Nationwide budget cuts are taking off, government offices are closing, and businesses are shrinking overhead costs. Current employees should get a “Plan B” ready now. Don’t be fooled by the recent small improvement in employment numbers. If you are in a company, division, industry, or type of job that is at risk for reduction, get moving NOW to be prepared if you are impacted. The “sequester” is cause for concern regarding the economic outlook across the board. And we’re likely to see a dip in consumer confidence, as well. Consumers are not optimistic that they will get a raise; that there will be more jobs. Owners of small and medium-sized businesses are questioning whether business will improve over the next six months. After coaching hundreds of people in the last three years, I have heard it all. Here are the top three excuses why they are not preparing for their next career move. “It won’t happen to me; I’ve been here a long time.” “I have no idea what I would do next.” “Our business/company is doing just fine.” Here are the top 3 things you should do right NOW, while you’re still employed: AIM: Write out your “next job” goal with great precision, including target functions, industries, and companies. UPDATE: Re-boot your résumé. Don’t just add your current position; give it a face-lift with keywords, power verbs, relevant skills, and metrics. NETWORK: Combine social media with face-to-face connections industry or association events, alumni events, and any other relevant events you can identify. Use your local Business Journal to find the best events, job leads, fast-moving companies and much more. In summary, it is more urgent now than ever before that you be ready today for something that could happen to you tomorrow. The job market is already highly competitive and job searches are taking much longer than in the past (an estimated one month for every $10K in annual pay). We have car insurance, home insurance, health insurance, but no “Job Insurance”… build it now. There are things you should be doing NOW to prepare for your next career move. Don’t worry; you’re not sneaking behind anyone’s back. The activities you should be involved in are everyday business behavior and don’t have to be “hidden” from the public or your employer. For example, using LinkedIn. Many companies see the value of great LinkedIn profiles for their employees; they’re even teaching how to build one! Don’t be caught without a “Plan B” for your career. It’s nobody’s responsibility but yours.