Job Search Depression

Job Search Depression Check out this awesome read on Forbes: How I Leveraged LinkedIn to Create a 7-Figure Business In Three Years Lewis Howes talks about his road for, if you will, rags to riches.  Its a great story of going from unemployed and depressed to well, successful. Its an inspirational story. Heres one of my favorite lines: The depression started to fade the moment I embraced the understanding that  I would no longer be playing Pro football.  Instead of saying to myself, “This is a bummer, my life is over. I didn’t get my college degree and  I  have no back up plan.” I shifted my message to:.. Read the rest on Forbes.  Pure awesomeness.  Congrats Lewis! Job Search Depression Check out this awesome read on Forbes: How I Leveraged LinkedIn to Create a 7-Figure Business In Three Years Lewis Howes talks about his road for, if you will, rags to riches.  Its a great story of going from unemployed and depressed to well, successful. Its an inspirational story. Heres one of my favorite lines: The depression started to fade the moment I embraced the understanding that  I would no longer be playing Pro football.  Instead of saying to myself, “This is a bummer, my life is over. I didn’t get my college degree and  I  have no back up plan.” I shifted my message to:.. Read the rest on Forbes.  Pure awesomeness.  Congrats Lewis!

4 Reasons Why You Are Young Unemployed Graduate

4 Reasons Why You Are Young Unemployed Graduate 1. No. Of Applicants Per Job Is Very High Are you a young unemployed graduate or know someone who is? Or are you a graduate with a stop gap job and looking for the right opportunity? Do you want to know the reasons why you are a young unemployed graduate? Well, OK. Here are some honest reasons why you are a young unemployed graduate. Oh, and I am no expert in this area, but having analysed different scenarios and outcomes, I have boiled down to 4 main reasons. This post is written to help graduates and students, not berate them. 1. No. Of Applicants Per Job Is Very High Yes, this is one of the main reasons. The Western world is in recession, more graduates than ever before are graduating. There are fewer jobs and more applicants. What can you do about it? Nothing. You are a graduate, you shouldnt take the blame for what people (apparently with more experience! and knowledge) than you messed up. It does not mean you shouldnt try to get a job and lose the young unemployed graduate tag. But dont allow any tom, dick or harry self proclaimed internet expert tell you its your mistake! When rejections come in, theyre hard to take but you can read this post on how to get over job rejections. 2. Lack Of Relevant Work Experience It is generally accepted that one third of new graduates hired did an internship with that company. Around 75% of employed graduates have relevant work experience. So, look back, did you miss out on relevant work experience or internship? A part-time job is good, but practically it is tough to explain or sell skills gained through being a library patrol person to an interviewer for a mechanical engineering job. I know we say that any part time job is good, it absolutely IS, but in these times you need to be better than good. Try to get some work experience, weve started listing some vacancies on our student and graduate job site careergeekjobs.com . Remember, experience matters. It is a vital step in your journey from a young unemployed graduate to an employed one. 3. You Did Not Get Your CV Reviewed Call me daft, but Ive looked at numbers. Ive observed grads, Ive observed myself! You, me and other graduates think weve got a good CV, when we write one. I improved my success rate after CV review It is good for us. But your Careers Service advisers see 100s of CVs, theyve got the experience behind them. They know what sells and what doesnt. So, go to your careers service and get your CV reviewed. I had mistakes on my CV, when I first asked my Careers Service to review it, no wonder I never got interviews. The graph is from an old post of mine, when I was writing for my university careers service. Get your CV reviewed by a careers adviser and if not happy, knock on their doors again. Its better to trouble them and get the best results than you being knocked down and being a young unemployed graduate. 4. Lack of Knowledge of Applicant Tracking System This was one of the single most incremental factors on my success of reaching the later stages of graduate applications. I am still surprised how few careers advisers and experts really explain this system to students and graduates. As an engineer, there is nothing better than cracking a system! Applicant Tracking Systems are like robots who scan your CVs and applications and rate you, if you dont match the required criteria or attain the required score, its goodbye to your application, even before it is touched by a human being! I am going to explain this system in my next post, because it is very interesting and needs proper explanation. Anyway, lack of knowledge about how ATS works is one of the reasons why you are a young unemployed graduate. Young Unemployed Graduate So, these are the fundamental reasons why you are a young unemployed graduate. Look, I didnt write this post to tell you how rubbish you are, but genuinely, sometimes its good to put things in perspective. If you are clear on these 4 points and still unemployed, then I am sure some expert somewhere will sell you a billion dollar e-book on how to be employed. I dont do that, but I can offer you my post on Graduate and Unemployed? Try these to boost your calibre.   Feel free to tell me your comments and if there are any more reasons, let me know!  If you can share this post so it reaches out to more graduates, that would be awesome! 49

Social Media - Is it Really Bad For Us

Social Media - Is it Really Bad For Us So, is social media bad for us? For some, the mere mention of the phrase “social media” can turn them away from whoever uttered it. Nothing can be worse than this attention-guzzling, addition-forming, artificial-feeling method of staying connected with friends and family. But maybe social media is simply getting a bad rap. According to a new study by Carphone Warehouse, being on social media can have surprising benefits. For one, more than half of those surveyed would say it allows them to maintain invaluable relationships with their loved ones. It got us thinking â€" perhaps there’s more to social media than doomsday headlines might suggest. So, we looked at some of the ways social media has the potential to actually enhance our lives. So, we decided to do some investigating. Here’s a short exploration of why social media is probably not bad for us after all. Social media can bring families closer together According to the new study, two in five Brits would credit the internet for bringing them closer to their families. Half of respondents also agree that video chat apps like Skype, Facebook Messenger and FaceTime allow their families to get in touch with each other more often. A 2019 Stanford University study into The Welfare Effects of Social Media came to a similar conclusion. They found that Facebook, in particular, can be a vital social lifeline for those who are otherwise isolated. Any discussion of social media, they say, “should not obscure the fact that it fulfils deep and widespread needs.” After all, whether our family is halfway around the world or right next door, social media gives us that extra method of connection to help us strengthen family bonds. The internet makes our lives easier We can’t mention social media without alluding to the internet as a whole. The new research found that an impressive 7 in 10 respondents would say the internet has made their family lives easier. Look into this further and 7 in 10 people aged 25-34 would specifically credit apps with making their and their family’s lives easier. With 2.1 million Android apps and 2 million Apple apps to choose from, it’s no wonder we’re making the most of the massive library at our disposal. That said, we’d be amiss without pointing out that it’s important to keep a close eye on what we do online to ensure our lives are made easier because of it. For example, are you using the internet for its ability to give you real-time information and news or its ability to distract you from what you’re really supposed to be doing? Is the internet a way for you to get easy and instant communication with loved ones or do you use it as a form of procrastination instead? Keep an eye on how you use the internet to make sure it’s playing a positive role in your life. Social media spreads social awareness Possibly one of the best features that social media platforms boast is a lack of restrictions. While some countries may block their residents from accessing certain platforms, social media in general is ubiquitous. Anyone with an internet connection can interact with anyone from anywhere around the world. Without a physical boundary separating us, we’re free to learn about the lives â€" and plights â€" of people from all corners of the globe. This might be one of the reasons why social media activism has been credited with amplifying movements such as the #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter campaigns for equality. Many of us can gain a better understanding of the issues around the world â€" and sometimes intimate access to the people suffering because of it â€" through social media. As Ethan Zuckerman explains, “social media is critically important in giving voice to communities who’ve been systemically excluded from media.” Whether we’re talking about marginalised communities or simply the 4.5 million social-media-using 55+ year olds, these platforms are allowing more people to be heard Social Media:   Use it Wisely! Considering the benefits of social media listed above, it’s no wonder 19 million of us say the internet, apps and technology haven’t negatively affected their family life. After all, the internet â€" and social media platforms in particular â€" can be of great benefit to society (if used wisely), helping us stay connected to loved ones and learn about people around the world. This guest post was authored by Hannah Waters Hannah is a freelance writer covering topics related to technology and society. She has worked extensively with many leading lights and advocates in the small business world, and has a particular interest in how the technological revolution can be used to improve all of our lives. She is based in London.

Getting Ready for Dont Go Over in October-5 Thoughts about Women and Spending

Getting Ready for Dont Go Over in October-5 Thoughts about Women and Spending By, Nicole Crimaldi Hey Career Gals (and Guys)! The end of September is upon us, which means I have some planning (and spending) to do before the Dont go Over in October challenge begins on October 1. Thanks, in part, to Dont go Over in October participant and star-blogger Leah Poglianos awesome post, I decided I too need to think and plan ahead for what I may need (and want!) in October. And I did just that while out of town this weekend Yes its true. I shopped a tiny too much. Not only did I buy new fall boots and a classic pair of pair of patent leather Mary Janes for work, I bought new sweatpants, sweaters, work dresses and two new pairs of work pants among other things.   Oh and dont forget  the plane ticket to New York City I bought last week My justification is that Im starting a new job in two weeks (so exciting!) and that I wont be buying any of this in October. My planning ahead this weekend made me think about a few things in regards to womens spending habits: 1. How would our cash flow change if we planned ahead rather than bought things on impulse? 2. Women can justify just about any purchase. Even those that we clearly cannot afford and need to put on a credit card. (I am living proof). I imagine this is a huge part of our problem as women. We feel guilty, but then just keep talking ourselves into it. 3. How would it feel to live without one of those want purchases? Most women would rather not know.   Enter: spending addiction. 4. Why do I feel that saving money is even worse than dieting!? (And my diets usually last no longer than 4 hours. GREAT.) 5. Wow, not shopping for a month is going to be SO HARD. Can you relate? In your opinion, is this most women?

First Person Resumes Writing

First Person Resumes WritingWhen you are preparing your first person resume, you may be tempted to skip over the first thing that comes to mind - your background and education. This is not a good idea, because your resume needs to capture exactly what you have accomplished in your career so far.While personal background information is crucial, you need to start off with your professional and educational experience as well, so your first personal statement needs to be strong. After all, there will be people who are reading it who may have very different perspectives on the same things you are working on.Writing a first person resume can be quite frustrating if you are working under the impression that you can skip this portion of your job search. However, when you get right down to it, you will find that it can save you time, money, and aggravation - it's all about doing it right the first time.First person resume writing is an art form that takes practice and time to master. No matte r how skilled or talented you may be at computer programs, when it comes to creating a compelling first person resume that stands out from the crowd, you must be willing to put in the extra time and effort that are required for this process.First person resume writing means that you should describe exactly what you have done in your current job as opposed to what someone else did. You may have been working in a management position for many years and then you have taken on a new career path that has nothing to do with management.For example, if you were recently laid off as a business owner, you would not be allowed to list your last name on your first person resume as it might be too obvious that you were no longer involved in business ownership. The best thing to do in this case is to simply list the name of the business that you owned while still working.You may find that your skills are stronger than those of the people in your job you are applying for jobs for, so it makes sense to state them on your first person resume. For example, if you hold a degree in education, but work as a virtual assistant to pay your bills, you may want to mention this fact, so that it is easier for people to know where you have been since college.Although some people shy away from writing first person resumes, it is important that you at least consider the idea if you find yourself under stress, stressed, or simply too busy to do anything else for your resume. This will help you avoid making common mistakes, so that you can create a quality first person resume that will stand out from the crowd.

How to design office spaces to attract and retain great talent

How to design office spaces to attract and retain great talent It’s no secret: Beautiful office spaces work wonders when courting new clients or impressing investors. But innovative workspaces play another vital role in corporate ecosystems â€" attracting talent. When your favorite candidates for your open positions walk into your workspace, they will immediately judge the environment. And once a candidate is hired, a well-designed office can dramatically improve employee innovation, morale, and even retention. “The most dynamic workspaces I have seen all contain a number of common threads tying them together that transcend mere placement of office furniture and a fully stocked kitchen,” said Jeff Chaitman, workplace design expert and vice president at IdeaPaint, which helps businesses work more efficiently, effectively and happily through intelligent workplace design. “These trends get to the heart of what it means to be a motivated and loyal employee in today’s workforce and encourage ideas to come to life wherever they might spring from, he said. Since he’s ingrained in the productive office-space culture, Chaitman walked us through three recommendations to consider when designing effective workspaces: 1. Create work environment choice Say goodbye to your elbow room. According to a 2013 Workplace Survey by design and architectural firm Gensler, the average square foot of space per worker dropped from 225 to 176 square feet between 2010 and 2012, and it’s expected to approach 100 by 2017. But this drop in personal space doesn’t mean that the overall amount of office space is decreasing. Actually, many companies use that reclaimed space to create diverse work environments that employees love, allowing them to have more flexibility in where they work, think, create, and engage with colleagues. That flexibility drives performance and innovation. In fact, companies that grant employees choice grew more and had one-third the turnover versus more traditional organizations. 2. Give everyone a seat at the table Good ideas can come from anyone, from upper management to interns and new hires. Chaitman said offices that maintain open workspaces foster more democratic brainstorming meetings and therefore capitalize on the employee knowledge base. “The access these employees have to managers, specifically the variety of access they have to them, creates unique relationships between new hires and veterans that forge a strong professional bond and creates a sense of empowerment that keeps them engaged day after day,” said Chaitman. More proof: Boston-based energy intelligence company EnerNOC sought to empower its millennial workers â€" roughly 50 percent of its workforce â€" by getting them more involved during brainstorming meetings and connecting them with senior management. They found that their younger employees were eager to learn from their managers and develop their own creative voices. 3. Keep them coming back At the end of the day, work is just that. On average, we spend one-third of our day at work. But that doesn’t have to be a negative Chaitman explained that a well-designed workplace can inspire employees on a daily basis instead of deflating them. Take the Quicken Loans corporate headquarters in downtown Detroit. The space features a repurposed bank vault for meetings; a nod to Detroit’s industrial roots through iron artwork, antique equipment, and brick-and-beam architecture; and bright open-office spaces complete with floor-to-ceiling windows and pingpong tables. “The result is a workplace employees want to go to on a daily basis,” Chaitman said. “Companies of all shapes and sizes, from Apple to Zappos, are realizing the benefits of great office design. The common thread throughout is a boost in innovation and creative thinking, employee retention, and overall engagement.” In your effort to think holistically about how you attract and retain talent, consider investing in your office layout â€" beyond stocking free soda and coffee in the break room.

Book review The soul at work - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Book review The soul at work - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Complexity science is appearing more and more often in business literature (and just about everywhere else). This book with the subtitle unleashing the power of complexity science for business success shows a better way to manage organizations than the old command-and-control way, and describes some of the tools needed to get there. It helped put me on to the joy at work project. The book is divided into three main parts. Theres an introduction to complexity science, a number of case stories from companies that successfully applied it, and lastly a compendium of recommendations for the leader who wants to try it. All the information in the book is solid, well written and easily readable. My favourite part is the case stories. These stories are rousing descriptions of how different organizations transformed told by the people involved. These organizations were transformed from a classical command-and-control structure to something else. The organizations are not identical afterwards, far from it, but introducing elements from complexity science seems to have resulted in many of the same benefits. People trust each other. They are allowed to make mistakes. They have more fun. And they consistently outperform themselves from before the change. All the stories also tell you the same thing about the transformation process: Its scary! Dont expect the transformation of your organization to be painless. Dont expect it to please everybody. Dont expect results quickly. In fact, you can be sure of the opposite. Which is why you need to believe that what your doing is right. You need to believe that command-and-control is not the best way to manage an organization, and that it is certainly not the best way to engage people souls in their work. My favourite story is of Dick Knowles who became the CEO of one of DuPonts chemical plants in West Virginia in 1987. When he took over, he was by habit a command-and-control leader You had to be rough You often shouted at people, used bad language, and sometimes demeaned those below you. The plant in West Virginia was one of DuPonts worst performing, both in terms of profits and in terms of injury rates and pollution. The story shows how Knowles transformed himself and the plant by adopting a totally different style of leadership and spreading this throughout the plant. The results: Injury rates went down by 95%. Environmental emissions went down 87%. Plant up-time increased from 65% to 95%. Productivity increased by 45%. Earnings per employee tripled. Also, the plant went from being feared by the local community (because of the risk of pollution or industrial accidents), to being a good, trusted neighbour. The only thing that I feel is missing from this book, is an increased focus on the organizational layers below top management. All the case stories are of the CEO introducing new principles and letting them spread through the organization. Lets say youre not top management, but you still want to introduce some of these changes. What tools will you use? How will you spread these values UP the hierarchy? These are some of the issues we will adress in project Joy 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