How to Turn a Part-time Job into a Full-time Opportunity Building Your Future Now

How to Turn a Part-time Job into a Full-time Opportunity Building Your Future Now Sometimes we have to start low on the totem pole in order for us to grow professionally. Sometimes that means taking on a part-time, seasonal or even a temporary position in order to get our foot in the door. Is it a position you want to do for the rest of your life? Maybe not. But you must look at every opportunity you get as an chance to learn, grow and build. You have to start somewhere and even if you are repositioning yourself in the work place, its sometimes a tough pill to swollow especially if you have loads of experience in another field. So if you currently find yourself at a part-time position how can you parlay that into a full-time? Do the little things right often Even if you spend 15 or 20 hours at your job every weekgive it your all. Do the little things right that others might overlook. Try working a little harder and be consistent. Complete online training Many companies often provide an internal online training program. Although these programs are mandatory sometime work itself gets in the way of completing them. Be proactive and try completing the programs even if its on your own time. When you are done talk with management about other internal training you can do. Take other online courses/certificates There are online resources websites like Utemy that offer free and paid courses that helps you gain knowledge and add to your skills. Take these courses whenever you can. Always learn and keep learning some more. Gaining knowledge is key and application is when you unlock the door! Additionally if you are serious about turning your parttime job into something more investigate certificate courses and even degree and diploma programs. Anything that gives you the edge is a win! Take the Initiative Always take the initiative on projects within your company. Assess if you will be good at a certain project and take a leadership mentality. Dont be scared to ask for help when leading. Remember you are in a part-time role that you want to build upon into some thing better. Learn from Managers For every good manager that exists there are a lot of mediocre and flatout bad ones that are out there. If you are stuck with a bad one, try your best to work within the system. You can still learn a lot from a bad manager-primarily what not to do if you want to be a good employee. In the rare chance that you get a very good manager try to learn as much as you can from them. Dont hesitate to learn from them by asking and listening. Typically if a good manager sees this type of employee they will help him or her try to succeed! Internal job openings Always keep an eye out for job openings within your company. Even if its a different location or even a lateral move there is an opportunity to learn a new set of skills and gain invaluable experience. Try applying for full time positions if they become available, however only if you feel you are ready for the jump and that your manager(s) will support you. External job openings Applying for jobs within your company is a great idea, but dont forget to apply for opportunities externally. Sometimes your company isnt hiring or they might like you in your current role ( and wont promote you.) Whatever reason if you need to make a move to better yourself and take on a more challenging role then taking a position with another organization is a good idea. Remember a reflection of how even-heeled your company is how they treat you when you tell them you have accepted another job! A good company will try to retain you (if you are a decent employee) in someway; while a bad company wont react to you leaving. Image: Hayden Weal

Personal Branding Weekly - I is Better than We - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Personal Branding Weekly - I is Better than We - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career It is and you know it. Imagine if someone told you “we’re really glad you’re here”. Now, imagine if that same person said “I’m really glad you’re here.” Can you feel the difference in energy between the two statements? In an effort to be more professional, more corporate and more team focused we’ve lost the power and the energy of “one” in our communication. To this day â€" people still do business with people. In sales, they’ll tell you to “sell the person” before you sell the product. If we know this, then why do we still speak in “we”?   Do you want to actively market yourself in a way that people remember you (for all the right reasons) and reach out to you? Then use the power and strength of “I”.   Sorry Michael Corleone (from the movie The Godfather) â€" all business is personal. Change your “we” statements to “I” statements this week and see how it powerfully changes the connection you have with people.   In order for them to refer you, promote you, and speak positively on your behalf â€" they have to remember you. Make yourself memorable this week! This week’s helpful posts for you focused on: There Are No Difficult People by Skip Weisman 11 Non-Startup Brands Whose Business Models You Should Imitate by the Young Entrepreneur Council Lessons From the American Revolution: An Interview with Fox News Brian Kilmeade by Bill Connolly Why Were You Fired? by Nance Rosen The Importance of Attending Industry Events by Ceren Cubukcu Maintain Your Brand to Land a Promotion by Heather Huhman Ask Why Not Create and Deliver by Elinor Stutz Confronting Aging and Work-Related Issues by Alex Freund How to Start Building Your Personal Brand Today by Roger Parker Recruiter Misconceptions, Part 1 by Richard Kirby Dolphins or Sharks The Need for Both in Business by Jeff Shuey MYTHBUSTING: Solopreneurs Dont Need Facebook Business Pages by Maria Elena Duron Public Speaking: Turning My Fear Into Fulfillment by Sharmin Banu Build Your Brand Trust on Social Media by Susan Gilbert Does Your Resume Scream Out Your Age? by Robin Ogden Dinner Table Talk can Jump-Start Your Kids Career! by Beth Kuhel 4 People Skills to Instill Trust and Build Rapport by Leslie Truex Tools Dont Matter, Skill Does by Erik Deckers 3 Tips for Maximizing Speaking Engagement Value by Nick Inglis Three Ways to Date to Get a Job by Marc Miller Protecting Your Brand with Benefits by Lindsey Pollak Seven takeaways to kick-start your week are: The purpose of communication is to “influence and control the experiences, circumstances and results in our life.” (Author, Skip Weisman) If you’ve been fired for any reason, recruiters are seeking to understand what happened, and the reasons for your action. They are equally interested in how the termination changed you: what did you do to remedy your thinking and behavior? (Author, Nance Rosen) Keep track of your accomplishments. (Author, Heather Huhman) The best course of action is to summon up your courage, reflect upon your knowledge and experience, and then create a plan of action in spite of all the negative voices encountered. (Author, Elinor Stutz) Most important takeaway, once again, simple, concise, and conversational writing is the best way to build your personal brand with a bestselling book! (Author, Roger Parker) People more advanced in age have at least two advantages over younger people: their very age  and their  professional experience.  (Author, Alex Freund) Consistency of message and focusing on building meaningful relationships should be top of mind in order for your community to consider purchasing a product or service. (Author,   Susan Gilbert) Here are some easy takeaways you can tweet: Bullying is most associated with school kids picking on peers, yet workplace bullying is probably just as prevalent.  http://ow.ly/qSy0i  [tweet this] People are often preoccupied with thinking about their next comment that they don’t listen to what others are saying.  http://ow.ly/qSyfq  [tweet this] You never know how you may be able to provide a service for someone in need until you ask.  http://ow.ly/qSyjA  [tweet this] To be an expert, you need the foundational skills. The tools dont make a bit of difference. http://ow.ly/qSz4y  [tweet this] Be willing to be creative and make an offer to date to see if making the hire is worthwhile.  http://ow.ly/qSz5z  [tweet this] Keep track of the companies you sent your resume to so you can follow-up and be prepared when they respond to you. http://ow.ly/qSz6Q  [tweet this] If youre struggling with motivation, reassess your motivators and the value behind profit for you. http://ow.ly/qSz7v  [tweet this] When job searching, think of it as your full time job â€" and don’t forget to reward yourself for a job well done!  http://ow.ly/qSz8g  [tweet this] Soft skills are the qualities that can set you apart from other candidates when applying for a job.  http://ow.ly/qSz90  [tweet this] For this week, we look forward to your feedback and we take on the task of discussing: That every shot matters That there are difficult people (last week we covered that there are no difficult people) â€" you weigh-in on which belief corner you sit at. Revving up your personal experience to success tripod Please comment below!

Stuff you missed in history The CV

Stuff you missed in history The CV There is a lot going on in the world and it seems daily we are seeing historians commenting on how current global events, such as Donald Trump and Brexit, relate back to our history. This got me thinking about the CV, what is its history and what can we learn from how it  has evolved over time? From humble beginnings What do rock flinging, creating bridges and sculpting all have in common? If you are anything like me, you’ll be surprised to know that they were the skills listed on the first ever CV in 1482. Leonardo da Vinci (of Mona Lisa fame) created the first professional CV and although, thankfully, rock flinging is no longer a skill that will impress a graduate recruiter, the essence of including your skills and experience on your CV hasn’t changed. Many graduate recruiters will suggest that by not referencing your skills you will be putting yourself at risk of simply being passed over in the recruitment process. As a starter, you should be working in reverse chronological order working back through your experience. Start with your most recent and giving the recruiter evidence of your skills will ensure that you get noticed for the right reasons. My top bit of advice here is to break up your employment and education history and prioritise those which are most important for the role. Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived When Henry VIII was busy, marrying, divorcing and ultimately beheading some of his six wives, the CV was busy evolving. In the 1500’s the CV became mainstream, and you’ve probably guessed it, being used to by more than just great inventors and artists. Travelling workers were using the CV to introduce themselves to guildsmen or lords. At this stage you may be wondering why a CV is important, a CV is a CV… isn’t it? It’s not just that, it’s a personal document and what better way to make that introduction than by using a personal profile.  Whilst a personal profile is now optional on your CV its worth remembering a good profile can enhance your chances of getting shortlisted, whilst a bad one can mean its the end of the line.  If you are going to use a personal profile I would recommend putting this on your CV after your personal details and before your experience. Keep it short, snappy and to the point. Make it unique to you, what are you currently doing (the present), what have you achieved (the past) and what are your goals (the future). Two to three sentences should do the trick and serve as an introduction to our modern-day guildsmen â€" graduate recruiters. Name, address… weight!? Believe it or not, it wasn’t until the 1950s that CVs began to become more formalised and widely expected for job applications. At this point in time CVs would include a lot of personal information such as religion, marital status and oddly… weight! Over the past 60 years the ‘personal details’ section of CVs has evolved greatly. Arguably, the Equality Act 2010 (which legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society based upon a range of protected characteristics) changed what information needed to be included in this section of the CV. You now no longer need to include information such as your date of birth, religion and gender, freeing up precious line spacing to talk about other skills and achievements. When putting together your personal details be sure to always ask yourself ‘does the employer need this information? Keep it concise your name, contact details (phone and e-mail) and a contact address. To hobby or not? It was from the 1950s that the CV came into its own due to rapid changes in the labour market and national and globalisation of workforces, which in turn led a need for more information to be included. The 1960s saw the inclusion of a Hobbies and interests section which could give employers a fuller picture of you as a candidate and an individual â€" ultimately letting them see you fit to the organisation. The same is true today, adding in information about what you get up to outside of the lecture theatre and workplace can add value. There are however some pitfalls to avoid. Firstly, ensure that it isn’t just a list of your hobbies, talk about what you gain from these, you may want to link this into skills. Hobbies like baking, for example, can develop your ability to work accurately and follow instructions. Secondly don’t include hobbies and interests just because you feel you should do. It’s not an essential section of your CV, so unless you are struggling to bulk up your CV with other experience and skills, it can be omitted. The Future? The CV has come a long way since 1482 and it does make you wonder what next? A glimpse into the future may just be found by looking a bit closer at recent developments. The growing use of the internet which began in 1995 and the launch of LinkedIn in 2003 has seen the digitisation of the CV. Being able to use the internet to research employers allows you to tailor your CV to the organisation and its values makes it essential now that you craft each application. LinkedIn allows you to use your online profile as a way of expanding on your CV and showcase your work. Effectively what LinkedIn has done is allow you to expand on your CV beyond the traditional 2 pages. The key thing here is to remember that for this to be effective you’ll need to shorten your LinkedIn profile URL and include this in your CV (on a side note make sure your LinkedIn profile isn’t a carbon copy of your CV). The growing digitisation of the CV will no doubt continue, the increased use of video CVs is an examp le of one such area. What is important to remember in this history lesson is whilst the CV has evolved the principles of using your CV to sell your skills and experience to employers has remained constant.

7 Steps to Spring Clean your LinkedIn Profile - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

7 Steps to Spring Clean your LinkedIn Profile - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Have you ever wanted to reach out to someone that is already in your LinkedIn contact list, but when you went to their profile their contact information was nowhere to be found? Or, perhaps worse… out of date? You may not be able to fix the profiles of others, but you can take the time to insure your profile is the best it can be. Take the time to make sure that your profile shows your most current, accurate and professional view. It’s easy and can be done in  7 steps. The time to do this is NOW! Please take five minutes (after you read this post) to check your LinkedIn profile. Seven steps to Spring Clean your LinkedIn profile Step 1  â€" Open LinkedIn in the browser of your choice. Step 2  â€" Just below the LinkedIn logo is the “Home” section. To the right of this is the “Profile” section. Hover over “Profile” and click “Edit Profile” Note: you may need to click on Edit Profile again once on this section. Step 3  â€" Is this you? Does  the section in the top box accurately describe you? Is your name (first line), title (line 2), region and industry (line 3) correct? If not, select the pencil icon to the left of each line to edit, make the changes and save your changes. Do this for each line. Click Save. Step 4  â€" Is your picture current? Does it reflect the image you want to project? If not, click on the camera icon and change it. Step 5  â€" THIS ONE IS THE MOST CRITICAL  â€" The Contact Info. This is how people can find you. If you are in business or if you want to be in business (students, job searchers, etc.) YOU WANT TO BE FOUND! Look below the dotted line in the main Edit Profile box. On the right side there is a section called “Edit Contact Info”  â€" Click on this. LinkedIn gives you a lot of options for what you want to share. At a minimum make sure your best email is listed. For my profile I also have my phone number, my Skype alias, my Twitter handle, my company website and my personal blog. I WANT people to know how to contact me. You should too. Note: Linkedin’s naming conventions are a bit limited for websites.  Choose the one that makes the most sense for you. Step 6  â€" Your LinkedIn URL. Don’t ignore the other side of the area below the dotted line. There should be a URL shown next to the tiny LinkedIn logo. Mine is www.linkedin.com/in/jeffshuey/  and yours should be something similar. You can customize these URL’s as long as the one you want isn’t already taken. My name is fairly unique so I was able to get my whole name. If you have an alias people know you by… see if you can get it for your LinkedIn alias. Pro Tip: Include your LinkedIn URL on your email signature file If you don’t have an email signature… you need one.  Make one today. And include your LinkedIn URL. . Step 7 What Does The World See? When you click on the Edit option you will be brought to a page that says “Your First Name, take control of how you appear in public search results.” This is where you can select what  your connections see and what the public sees. Review and select the options that make sense for how you want to be seen by others. There are no wrong options. Just choose what you are comfortable with showing and sharing. . That’s it!   Just make sure you Save your updates and/or click the Done Editing box. Why do this? It should be obvious why you would want to do some Spring Cleaning of your LinkedIn profile. The main reason is to make sure you are representing yourself accurately. Not that you aren’t representing yourself accurately today,  but things may have changed since the last time you made any updates. For example, did you receive a promotion at work? Have you added any volunteer work? Did you join any trade associations? By keeping your LinkedIn profile up to date you will stand out in your career, you will be able to more effectively manage your personal and professional brand, and you’ll be able to  represent and highlight your most authentic self. LinkedIn is the Place for Business If you are anything like me you use LinkedIn to stay connected with your peers, your industry and to find out who is moving and shaking in the industry.  LinkedIn is a great tool for business users and when used effectively it’s a great way for people to find you and for you to find them. There you have it. 7 easy steps to do some Spring Cleaning  on your LinkedIn profile. Take the time to review your profile today. The five minutes you spend today could lead to your next deal, your next project or even to your next job. You can find me on LinkedIn here www.linkedin.com/in/jeffshuey/ Ingvar Bjork / Shutterstock.com

How South American living prepped me for the graduate world

How South American living prepped me for the graduate world This post was written by an external contributor. Charlie Duffield reflects back on her time living in South America and how this prepared her for tackling the challenges graduate life Student life can feel like a bubble, but sometimes the most valuable learning opportunities happen outside of the lecture hall. If you’re brave enough to switch your surroundings for some real world action, it can pay dividends. Despite not studying languages, I decided to spend ten months working in Chile fondly referred to as the ‘England of South America’ as a reporter and tutor, before my final year rolled around. Here are the top lessons I learnt which inadvertently helped me navigate life post-uni… Follow your curiosity You’ve finished your exams and are free at last! Until someone jibes in with the inevitable question: ‘So what are you going to do next?’ The pressure to have a plan, and career path, already in place can feel immense, and inevitably some of your peers will quite effortlessly glide into working life and their chosen professions. If you find yourself floundering, take a deep breath and make a vow to yourself to simply follow your interests, and see where they lead you. It’s okay to take baby steps. If you stay curious, you won’t get stuck. Before I arrived in Chile my knowledge of this far-flung llama-filled land was scant, but this only made me all the more determined to explore all that was on offer and relish the adventure. What would you do differently if you were a foreigner in your own country? Pursue opportunities with enthusiasm and urgency, and take note of what sparks your interest (compared to what renders you comatose at your computer). This attitude will bolster you when navigating internships and jobs, and ultimately figuring out how to remain happy and fulfilled both in and out of the workplace. Fake it till you make it You’ve heard this one before. But nowadays entry level jobs require vast swathes of experience beyond a good work ethic and eagerness to learn. If you’ve ever found yourself in the catch-22 situation of ‘how can I become more experienced if no one will give me experience’, firstly you’re not alone, and secondly it’s prime time to demonstrate your creative mind-set! You need to prove above and beyond that you can do the job and hit the ground running. I secured a journalism internship in Santiago by mildly over-exaggerating my Spanish language skills, and politely but persistently pressing for a response post-interview. If there’s a specific skill which you’re lacking, find another avenue where you can develop it. Stand Up For yourself, and for others. In Santiago, protests occurred regularly as part and parcel of city life, so I often spent weekends dashing down side streets avoiding tear gas whilst marching with campaigners fighting for gender equality and student rights. To ally yourself with a cause greater than your own everyday gripes is perhaps the best way to get out of your head and usher in a new perspective. You should also learn to stand up for yourself. The power dynamics when job-hunting can feel warped, so it’s useful to remember all that you have to offer an employer you’re potentially solving a problem for them, or supplementing a vital missing skills gap. However long it takes to sign that coveted job contract, don’t lose sight of this. Celebrate every miniscule success Finally, it’s really important to do this to live out loud a little more, because otherwise you can’t track the progress you’ll be making as you plod along. After the structure and certainty of years spent in education it can feel overwhelming having to start all over again at the very bottom. When you’re feeling disheartened, why not transport yourself (metaphorically) to the South American continent where life fizzles and sparkles and froths at the seams! Think about bedazzled bosoms gyrating at carnival or salsa dancers sashaying endlessly beneath starry-eyed skies. When I lived in Chile, I realised that Chileans had spent two decades under a brutal military dictatorship; this is a country that understands pain and suffering and separation. They also know that a life without joy and laughter and revelry isn’t worth living. The thing is, when our brains have a natural negativity bias it can overshadow the good stuff. So next time you submit a job application, receive constructive feedback or get shortlisted for a role, think like a Latino and celebrate your progress. Connect with Debut on  Facebook,  Twitter,  and  LinkedIn  for more careers insights.

Summary Sunday Making A Change Know These Things

Summary Sunday Making A Change Know These Things When you are making a change in your career, its hard to know where to start. If you struggle to explain your change or how to write about your new goals on LinkedIn, then this weeks summary will help. Whether you are completing a degree or youve reached the end of your rope. Getting to the point where youve finally decided to make a change is hard work. But the next challenge is to figure out how you prove you are qualified for a new role or career. This weeks summary includes advice on the steps to make a career change, how to conduct a personal SWOT analysis to help with your transition, how to write about your career change on LinkedIn and more! JOB SEARCH How To Make a Success of a Career Transition by Hanna Greeman | 3Plus International This article features 10 steps  plus the advice and tips from a wide variety of career coaches! No matter where you are in your career transition, youll find helpful information. Plus, if dont follow the  experts mentioned in this article, I recommend you check them out! How To Conduct A Personal SWOT Analysis by Prof. Scott Davis This is a great exercise if you are planning to change roles or careers. Prof. Davis walks you through each step (with examples) of identifying Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. LINKEDIN LinkedIn for Career Changers By Virginia Franco | Job-Hunt.org Section by section, youll see how to transform your LinkedIn profile when you are making a transition into a new career. This is especially relevant for job seekers who have just completed a degree or training. 4 Stunningly Good LinkedIn Summaries by Andy Foote | LinkedInsights Have you ever wondered what a good LinkedIn summary section looks like? It can be challenging to find good ones, but these examples will inspire you to update yours! Setting Up Meetings Just Got Easier with New Features in LinkedIn Messenger by Hannah Cutler | LinkedIn Official Blog Have you ever gone back and forth over email to try and schedule a meeting with someone? Well, LinkedIn has made it easier to schedule using the Messaging app from your mobile. Just share your calendar and find a time (and nearby place) to meet. NETWORKING Why In-Person Networking Is Still Important For Freelancers by  Abdullahi Muhammed | Forbes I knowyou probably arent a freelancer, but this article is relevant and important. It talks about the tremendous benefits of networking in person. Sure, you can use email and social media, but NOTHING replaces the impact of face to face networking. CAREER How To Reframe Your Thinking About the Boring Parts of Your Job by Art Markman | Fast Company Lets face it. You wont LOVE every aspect of your job. Yes, some of the tasks will be mind-numbing. But some of these tips may help. ARTICLES ELSEWHERE 4 New Features To Help You Make the Most of LinkedIn by Hannah Morgan | SmartBrief Originals Most people do not use LinkedIn often enough to keep up with all the changes, as the SmartBrief survey below conveys. Thats why you should know about the four new features covered in my article. Image from SmartBrief On Career newsletter And if you arent already a subscriber to SmartBriefs Career newsletter, I highly recommend it. The editors collect content from top resources for their daily newsletter. How to Use To Whom It May Concern US News World Report On Careers Yes, there are times you can use this phrase, just not when you are writing a cover letter.

The Importance of Grammar and Spelling Errors

The Importance of Grammar and Spelling ErrorsThere are many reasons why employers will look at your resume skills instead of your qualifications. Your job is not worth the paper it's written on if your resume skills aren't up to par.Good grammar and spelling are essential for an employer to read your resume and comprehend what you are saying. First impressions are often as important as the information contained in your resume. If your resume doesn't convey the information clearly, you'll have a hard time getting hired.There are some common errors that can have an effect on your ability to get hired. Grammar and spelling are important when you're writing a resume. In order to get the impression of what you have to offer to employers, you must always write your resume correctly. However, you have to understand that not all employers are educated in the nuances of grammar and spelling.One of the most common errors when writing resumes is the use of the word 'according' instead of 'as pe r.' The word 'according' is also a common error when writing resumes. In addition, you can add an error by not capitalizing the first letter of a word.The Capitalization Error: Your resume might get passed around amongst a lot of different people who don't know how to spell. However, the best way to avoid this error is to get a spell checker or a grammar checker. It is not unusual for many resumes to have the same error, so it is always wise to check and double check any document you are working on.Bad Grammar in Writing: Sometimes people get the idea that their resume is going to be read by people that do not have any kind of knowledge of the field they are in. They simply assume that everyone has access to grammar check. You should always include the appropriate grammar and spelling software on your computer.There are several free online grammar checkers that you can take advantage of. You should make sure that your resume always contains the correct grammar and spelling. It is ea sy to overlook the grammar, spelling, and formatting on a resume, so you need to ensure that your resume is consistent.If you don't pay attention to your resume skills, you will have no chance of getting hired and failing. Be sure to pay attention to your resume skills and consider hiring someone to edit your resume.