The Lessons We Didnt See Coming 3 Unexpected Insights From 3 Of Our Audience Whove Made Successful Shifts

“The Lessons We Didn’t See Coming” 3 Unexpected Insights From 3 Of Our Audience Who’ve Made Successful Shifts Expert Advice > How to believe its really possible “The Lessons We Didn’t See Coming”: 3 Unexpected Insights From 3 Of Our Audience Who’ve Made Successful Shifts * You think you know where you need help when it comes to your career change. But sometimes, the lessons you need are the ones you least expect.Here are three stories from people we've worked with recently andthe surprising mindset shiftsthat helped them get the clarity they were looking for. Judith, Indre and Nina joined our Career Change Launch Pad looking for help to make a shift. And they got it. But the ideas that made the most difference for them weren't the ones they thought they were there for. Here's how they found fulfilment â€" and the tough, but ultimately liberating lessons they learned along the way. Judith: “It's OK to not have all the answers right away.” Before: Operations Manager for the School of Chemistry at a University. After: Student at a professional cookery school. “I'd been working in my role for eight years, in that university for 13 years, in Higher Education for 18 years. I had a pivotal role in the department, and I felt masses of loyalty and responsibility, but I just wasn't enjoying it. So it got me thinking. I kept looking at people doing other jobs and thinking, 'Maybe I could do that…'.” I had been flirting with the idea of making a career change for a long time, but it didn't feel like a real option until I had a conversation with my cousin after a particularly bad week at work. Something she said made me realise that my life didn't have to be like this. I didn't have to put up with bad week after bad week. So I started researching career changes online, came upon the Careershifters website, and attended one of the Career Change Launch Pad introductory calls. It was incredibly freeing to feel that there were other people in the same boat. And when I joined the course, it all clicked in a way that nothing else had. The Launch Pad gave me a lot of practical tools, which I'm still using today and finding very reassuring. I'm not naturally a very adventurous person, and so it gave me the security to prove to myself that I could actually do this. We had the combined experience of being around people who had done it â€" the team, the mentors â€" and I went and got to know people who had made career changes themselves, which made the whole thing more tangible. As a practical person, that reality check was incredibly helpful. While I was on the course, I was mostly focused on the idea of writing. But in one of the exercises, something else arose in my mind. I'd always had this idea in the back of my mind that it would just be fantastic to give up work and go and do a cookery course. So I went to speak to the woman who ran one, and â€" in true Launch Pad style â€" it occurred to me that I could actually just DO it and see what happened, rather than trying to over analyse and figure out what to do from a distance. The biggest lesson I learned was how important it was to not have all the answers to start with, and how to remain open-minded in the face of uncertainty and risk. Freeing myself from my CV and realising that I didn't know all the jobs there were to know made me feel like anything could be possible. And I probably wouldn't get it perfect or correct the first time, and that was OK. It wasn't a rash decision; I did my homework and added up my financial figures and talked to a lot of people, and the idea made me feel so invigorated. I spent a day imagining I'd chosen to do it, and a day imagining I'd chosen not to do it, and that was the trigger. I'm now doing a professional qualification at a cooking school. I'm still not completely sure what I'm going to do with this qualification when I'm done with it, but I do know I'm enjoying it, and I'm learning lots of skills. One of the things I found really difficult when I left my old career was everyone trying to box me in, saying things like “See you on Masterchef” or “Let us know when you open your restaurant!” I don't want those things â€" there are so many things I could do with this, I just want to enjoy it, and learn as much as I can, and meet people in the industry, and find out what's possible. I don't think I've found my forever niche, but that's fine with me. I'm loving what I'm doing. Indre: “It's probably not nearly as hard as you think it's going to be.” Before: FMCG Brand Manager. After: Co-founder of a beauty start-up and marketing manager for a travel company. “For ten years, my role had been a great 'school' for a marketing person, but it was time for something new. I was ready for a change. And yet, I couldn't seem to take the leap. Career change is about stepping out of your comfort zone, and doing things you're not completely sure about, and you know it's going to take a lot of hard work to get there. And you can't be sure if your ultimate goal will be what you expect it to be.” I was toying with microfinance for a long time, and I didn't want to break the ties with my current job until I was certain of exactly where I wanted to go. So I kept thinking, and thinking, and thinking, and never actually doing anything. And then I found Careershifters and the Launch Pad course. What Launch Pad does is so different to everything I'd tried before. I genuinely believe it's exactly what people should do if they want to change their career. For me, that was when I realised the things that really excited me, and where I really want to go. I'll remember one exercise forever, which really put my life and the time I'm spending thinking about my career change into perspective. I suddenly realised, I can't be in the same place in even one more year â€" I have to do something now. After I finished the course, it still took me about a year before I gave in my notice to the company that I worked for. I was writing CVs and applying for jobs and going to industry events, but I wasn't getting much traction with that approach. So I followed the course's advice about looking for people. I saw a video about an amazing start-up, and following the techniques I'd learned in the Launch Pad about how to approach people, I got in touch, and we went for a coffee. I really liked their philosophy and concept, and they liked my skills and my attitude. It was a start-up, so they couldn't hire me full time, but I did a few days' work with them to get their marketing strategy in place. And a couple of months later, they put me in touch with some friends of theirs, who owned a travel company… the company I'm now working for! And then, soon after, a couple of friendsand I were joking one evening about expanding their skincare business to the UK market. And one year later, we've gone from jokes to reality, and I'm bringing Lecler to the UK. It was amazing â€" I sent out at least 30 CVs, tailored and carefully put together, and I didn't get much response. But when I took the Launch Pad approach, it worked out perfectly. I was kind of kicking myself, actually, thinking “I can't believe I was thinking about this for three years, and it hasn't actually been that difficult!” I've got it all â€" purpose, variety, a smaller company, something I'm passionate about… Of course, all shifts are different, but the reality is that most career changes aren't that complicated. It's just that you have to go through it to look back and say “Actually, that wasn't so bad”. Most of the time we create much bigger barriers in our minds than there are in reality. Nina: “Sometimes, the answer you've been looking for has been in front of you all along.” Before: HR manager in the City. After: Writer. “I'd done the qualifications and built my career over 15 years. I felt I needed the security but it really wasn't what I wanted to do anymore. I went to see a corporate headhunter to talk about my potential next steps, and came away thinking I didn't want to do any of them. I felt really trapped: HR was all I knew, but I cringed whenever I had to talk about my work. I kept telling myself I needed the money, so I tried to make life outside of work more fulfilling. Every Sunday night, though, the same feeling of dread would set in. There had to be something else out there I could love. I had so much energy to give to the right thing.” My shift really started with a Google search for 'career change'. I found Careershifters and went on a one-day workshop to start with. Then I found out about the Launch Pad course. I was uncertain about it to begin with, but it blew my expectations out of the water. I've got so much confidence and energy now, as well as my new career. It's funny to think I almost didn't go ahead at the last minute because I was nervous about being part of a group! I had a real crisis of confidence and almost pulled out but I'm so glad I stuck with it. It turned out to be such a lovely, supportive atmosphere. If you were feeling down at any point, you could reach out to the group and within a few minutes have support, reassurance, advice and different perspectives from people with such varied and interesting backgrounds and experiences of their own. I loved the weekly call to get our next mission and exercise and inspiration. I liked that there was guidance but no handholding â€" ultimately it's all about your actions and your decisions. Towards the end of the course I'd gotten into a bit of a slump. I wasn't finding anything that really spoke to me. I had a call with Natasha, which was such a breakthrough. She helped me identify the barriers I'd been putting up. I'd been thinking about writing for over ten years but I'd never allowed myself to truly talk about it. I'd ruled it out before I started the course, as I couldn't see a route to being successful. I thought I'd already tried and failed, so that was that. Natasha helped me to stop thinking like that and just throw myself in. I began to trust the process and give it everything I had. I started to ask for help from people. I was terrified about reaching out to connections, but when I gave it a go I was amazed to find that so many people wanted to help. And now, I'm writing for a living! I still can't really believe that's what I do! I was dreading going to work after a long weekend. I told my boyfriend I wanted to just go in and just tell them I was leaving to be a writer. He asked me what was stopping me. After that call with Natasha and talking with him, I realised it would be challenging and scary, but the only thing holding me back was me. I went in the next day and handed in my notice. I had so much momentum and confidence from the course that I didn't want to waste it. I did give three months' notice though, so that I had a bit time to transition. It's still early days and I've got a lot to do, but that's OK. I feel great. I'm working harder and for less money right now but it's for myself, on my terms. I love going to meet people and helping them to tell their stories. I'm good at it! I'm really happy. Which of these stories and lessons resonated with you most? Let us know in the comments below. Judith, Indre and Nina took part in our Career Change Launch Pad. If you're ready to join a group of bright, motivated career changers on a structured programme to help you find more fulfilling work, you can find out more here.

Five Things to do Every Day While Youre Out of Work

Five Things to do Every Day While You’re Out of Work Exercise.   You’ll need to keep up your energy and spirits so you can be ready for the next great opportunity.   Exercise is a natural mood enhancer, and the energy boost and healthy you achieve will show when you meet new people.   The daily discipline of working out will be helpful when you get back into an office routine. You may even get a bonus â€" looking better in that new interview suit. Nurture your spirit.    It could be a spiritual practice like meditation or attending a service; it could simply be a walk in nature.   Whatever makes you feel strong and inspired is good for your job search.   Turn off the television and read.    You are what you read; if you read uplifting words from others who have come through difficult times, you’ll gain something from their wisdom and courage.  You can research your target industry, catch up with a local newspaper, or read a good book on better job searches.   (They’re free at the local library.) Do something nice for someone else.   No matter how sad or worried you feel, there is someone near you who has it worse and could use your help.   Volunteer at a homeless shelter, bake a cake for an elderly neighbor, or read to kids at a school.    Practice gratitude for the blessings you do have in your life.    Again, what lifts your spirits is good for your job search and your long-term well being. Get out and meet someone new.   Even on the days you don’t have a networking meeting or interview (and we hope those are rare,) you can make it a point to meet someone new as you’re running errands.   Take the time to notice and reach out to someone at the dog park or your exercise class.   Get to know a neighbor you’ve only waved to.   They may be going through what you are, and might need a friend.   Or have a great job  and a lead for you.

Staffing Companies and Your Career Part 2

Staffing Companies and Your Career Part 2 We’ve heard some professionals say that they’d never consider “temp” work.   This recession has changed a lot of things, and attitudes about staffing companies may be one of them.   If you thought you’d never want to work for a staffing company, here are some facts that may change your mind. There are about 6,000 staffing firms that have been in business a year or more in the U.S. Those companies operate approximately 20,000 offices.     Staffing companies offer jobs ranging from assembly line worker to CEO and are available in virtually all occupations and industries. If you thought only companies that offer “permanent” jobs would offer benefits, think again.   To attract the most qualified employees, staffing services offer competitive wages and benefits. The average temporary or contract employee earns more than $12 per hour. Some earn more than their permanent counterparts. Most staffing companies offer health insurance as well as vacation and holiday pay, and many offer retirement plans. Virtually any temporary or contract employee who wants benefits can find a staffing firm that offers them. While specific jobs may last from a few hours to several years, the best estimates for the average tenure of temporary and contract employees range from three to four months.     Many companies choose staffing firms to help them find candidates and try them out for fit and skill level before making a final hiring decision.   In fact, some name brand companies work exclusively through staffing firms â€" it may be your only opportunity to get in the door.   Don’t forget that contract work is one of the best ways to see if you want the jobs as well â€" tryouts go both ways.   Some workers actually prefer the variety and challenge of changing assignments periodically.   They also prefer the flexibility of being able to take time off between jobs to travel or do other activities. Kathy Kanter, area manager for Kelly Services, says that this recession has created both unemployment and underemployment in every industry sector.   She says, “Kelly Services recognizes this changing workforce dynamic and brings employers and job seekers together on a temporary, temporary-to-hire or direct-hire basis. This flexibility in fitting a worker into a company not only helps people find work, but also helps start and advance careers.”

7 Ways to Improve Your Sleeping Habits - Classy Career Girl

7 Ways to Improve Your Sleeping Habits Dreaming about your perfect career first requires a good night’s sleep. It’s only when our sleep pattern becomes disrupted that we realize just how important a good nights sleep is. Getting a consistent amount of sleep every night is a challenge at the best of times, and a downright impossibility at the worst. Thankfully, scientists have been concerned with sleep research for many years and have been aiming at improving sleep quality. But before we even consider how to get a good night’s sleep, it’s important to understand what a good nights sleep looks like. The National Sleep Foundation recently explained exactly what a good nights sleep is with these four factors: 1. You take half an hour or less to fall asleep. 2. You wake up no more than once per night. 3. If you do wake up in the middle of the night, you fall back asleep within 20 minutes. 4. You’re asleep for at least 85% of the time you spend in bed. If you are regularly meeting all four of these factors,  then in general, you don’t have any problems with sleep. But if you are regularly failing to meet one of the factors, then it’s likely your sleep pattern has room for improvement. [RELATED: 9 Ways to Avoid Looking Tired at Work] For more information about the science behind a perfect night’s sleep, check out the following infographic created by UK hotel company De Vere  on with 7 small things you can do to make sure you get your nightly zzzs. 7 Ways to Improve Your Sleeping Habits It’s important to remember that not every night’s sleep will be perfect. Just like in other areas of your life, dealing with failure is a part of success. While in general, how tired you feel during the day is a good measure of how you’re sleeping, if you want to study your sleep pattern more closely, consider keeping a sleep diary.

Youth-Oriented Openings, Secret Side Gigs, and Multiple Offers Job Search Questions [Podcast] - Career Pivot

Youth-Oriented Openings, Secret Side Gigs, and Multiple Offers Job Search Questions [Podcast] - Career Pivot Episode 67 â€" Marc and Elizabeth answer career questions about age-appropriate jobs, flying side gigs under the radar, and managing multiple job offers. Description: In this episode, Marc answers questions with his trusty sidekick, Elizabeth Rabaey. You can learn about her career pivots in Episode 020. Listen in to this episode for insight on targeting a job appropriate to your age, dealing with your employer finding your side gigs, and ethical treatment of multiple employers competing for your services. Key Takeaways: [:44] Marc welcomes you to the episode and invites you to share this episode with like-minded souls. Please subscribe wherever you listen to this podcast, share it on social media, and tell your neighbors and colleagues. [1:14] Marc gives an overview of the podcast series. This episode is the Mailbag or QA episode. Next, Marc will interview Marcia LaReau and Neil Patrick, co-authors of Careermageddon: Cracking the 21st Century Career Code. Download Link |iTunes|Stitcher Radio|Google Podcast|Podbean|TuneIn|Overcast [1:36] The next week, Kelsey and Matt Moore, owners of Coolworks, which is basically the Mecca of seasonal jobs, at places like the U.S. National Park Service and other cool places. Marc is working on a couple of interviews with travel bloggers and other interesting and exciting interviews. [1:56] Marc introduces ‘trusty sidekick,’ Elizabeth Rabaey. Marc interviewed Elizabeth on Episode 20. Elizabeth encourages you to listen to her episode for details. [2:59] Q1: I am pursuing a position as a third-party recruiter in a specialized market of which I have intimate knowledge. The hiring company has a 12-week training program for all new hires. The base pay is very low, but the commission structure can be lucrative. I submitted my resume but have not heard back. What should I do? [3:27] A1: This is a typical ‘churn and burn’ position for young people who are not expected to stick around for long. You are not their target hire. Marc relates this to when he applied to teach high school math as a teacher over age 40. They wanted a younger person. Marc suggests moving on to something else. [5:06] Look up Marc’s post, “Are You Discouraged Pursuing Millennial Job Opportunities.” Pursue something else. [5:42] Q2: I am working on a consulting side gig to move to in a year. I do not want my current employer to find out. Should I put it on my LinkedIn profile? [5:50] A2: First, determine the risk. If you put it on LinkedIn and your employer finds it, are they going to fire you? Are they going to be unhappy? Are they going to be OK with it? As long as you’re not competing, they may not be happy, but… First determine if they will fire you for doing this, then don’t put it on LinkedIn. [6:35] Second, before you put it on your LinkedIn profile, figure out what’s the story you are going to tell them when they do find it. Marc tells about some side gigs he did when he worked at IBM. When he was discovered, IBM was not happy and told him to stop. [7:17] Third, if you do put it on your LinkedIn profile in current jobs, make sure it is second or possibly third on your list of current jobs. The default is the first item, but immediately move it below your full-time job. Marc just moved Repurpose Your Career podcast host to his third current job. That way, it doesn’t come up in the header. [8:59] The key piece here is to make sure you have ‘a story’ to tell your employer when they discover your side job. [10:12] Marc was talking to an employee of a large technology company recently who wanted to retire in a year and move into real estate investing â€" and wanted to put that on LinkedIn but didn’t want the company to know he was retiring in a year. Honesty is the best policy. Make sure you have your story straight. [11:07] Elizabeth points out that you’d better be ready to make the jump financially if your employer decides they don’t want to keep you around because of your side gig. Marc says that side gigs are becoming more common. All you have to do is figure out if it competes with your current position. It is especially common for older workers. [11:47] Q3: I have interviewed with several companies and I’m about to get an offer for a pretty good position but I’m also interviewing with another company next week that I think I want more. How should I handle this? [12:01] A3: These are good times! Marc gives a case study of navigating two potential positions. First, say nothing until you have a formal offer. Second, with the formal offer in hand, find out how long they will give you to respond. [13:00] Third, go to the second company and tell them you have a really good offer in-hand. Ask if they can speed up the interview process; if you are ‘attractive enough,’ they will. Don’t do anything until you have the first offer in-hand on paper or DocuSign. There is still room to negotiate the offer if it is not just what you want. [13:46] Marc returns to the case study. The second potential employer sped up the process to one week. They did not, in the end, make an offer, but as they were prompt, the interviews did not interfere with his accepting the position of the first company. The applicant renegotiated the original offer with the first company. [14:09] The key piece is that no one’s working for you. A headhunter is being paid by the employer, not by you. Be careful with them. As you draw out the first offer, make sure you treat them fairly and don’t drag them along. Make sure no one is deceived. Once you have that first offer, others will speed it up if you are an attractive candidate. [15:06] Marc says we live in good times. He has had, in the last year, multiple clients who’ve gotten multiple offers. It’s kind of nice, being loved! Marc has also had several clients who’ve gotten five-figure signing bonuses, in their 50s! [16:10] It’s all about making sure you have that first offer in-hand and it is official. You don’t do anything until you have it in-hand. [16:22] Marc says those were good questions. If anyone in the audience has a question for Marc and Elizabeth, please go to the contact form on CareerPivot.com or send a question to Podcast@CareerPivot.com, and Marc will get back and add it to the queue, or respond to the email if you are subscribed to the podcast or the CareerPivot blog. [17:03] Marc hopes you enjoyed this episode. He leaves his closing words. [18:30] Check back next week when Marc interviews Marcia LaReau and Neil Patrick, co-authors of Careermageddon: Cracking the 21st Century Career Code. Mentioned in This Episode: Careerpivot.com Careermageddon: Cracking the 21st Century Career Code, by Marcia LaReau and? Neil Patrick CoolWorks CareerPivot.com/Episode-20 with Elizabeth Rabaey Are You Discouraged Pursuing Millennial Job Opportunities DocuSign Please pick up a copy of Repurpose Your Career: A Practical Guide for the 2nd Half of Life, by Marc Miller and Susan Lahey. The paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats are available now. When you have completed reading the book, Marc would very much appreciate your leaving an honest review on Amazon.com. The audio version of the book is available on iTunes, Audible, and Amazon. Marc has the paid membership community running on the CareerPivot.com website. The website is alive and in production. Marc is contacting people on the waitlist. Sign up for the waitlist at CareerPivot.com/Community. Marc has two initial cohorts of 10 members in the second half of life and they are guiding him on what to build. He is looking for individuals for the third cohort who are motivated to take action and give Marc input on what he should produce next. He’s currently working on LinkedIn and blogging training. Marc is bringing someone in to guide members on how to write a book. The next topic will be the business formation and there will be lots of other things. Beta groups will be brought in 10 at a time. This is a paid membership community where Marc will offer group coaching, special content, and a community where you can seek help. CareerPivot.com/Episode-67 Show Notes for this episode. Please subscribe at CareerPivot.com to get updates on all the other happenings at Career Pivot. Marc publishes a blog with Show Notes every Tuesday morning. If you subscribe to the Career Pivots blog, every Sunday you will receive the Career Pivot Insights email, which includes a link to this podcast. Please take a moment â€" go to iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify through the Spotify app. Give this podcast an honest review and subscribe! If you’re not sure how to leave a review, please go to CareerPivot.com/review, and read the detailed instructions there. Email Marc at Podcast@CareerPivot.com. Contact Marc, and ask questions at Careerpivot.com/contact-me You can find Show Notes at Careerpivot.com/repurpose-career-podcast. To subscribe from an iPhone: CareerPivot.com/iTunes To subscribe from an Android: CareerPivot.com/Android Careerpivot.com Marc Miller Like what you just read? Share it with your friends using the buttons above. Like What You Read? Get Career Pivot Insights! Check out the Repurpose Your Career Podcast Do You Need Help With ...

Turn Twitter into a Real-Time Job Board - CareerEnlightenment.com

A Sample of Resume Will Help Build the Resume

A Sample of Resume Will Help Build the ResumeWhen applying for a job, a resume will be the first thing that they read. Many times, applicants' first impressions of your skills and qualifications are formed in your sample of resume. Make sure you give a thorough review of this part of your application before sending it off. This is an essential document to help make your resume stand out among all the others.The sample of resume can be an effective way to highlight your skills and accomplishments. It can also provide the employer with a clear picture of what you expect the position to entail. A sample of resume must be organized well in order to be a good representation of your skills. This is because it is designed to highlight your potential for success.Everyone is looking for a way to stand out from the crowd and make their professional career come to life. The resume, when written properly, can be a very helpful tool for making this happen. If the resume is organized and professio nally written, it will undoubtedly do just that.There are many different resumes. Some are very competitive and look for ways to win over the competition. Others are more laid back and are more about using a particular niche or industry as a reference point. One important aspect to take into consideration when writing a resume is to keep it appropriate.Some companies might not ask for experience or any other specific qualifications but instead would want to see a description of the employee's general work experience. This could include certifications or degrees. It is important to remember that while resumes are required to state specific information, there are some cases where companies prefer to have less specific information included in the resume.Another issue to consider is what specific information is included. This can help determine if the resume is likely to be successful. For example, if the cover letter included a sentence such as 'Mr. Jones worked as a server at Al's Bar and Grill during his last vacation,' this will be noticed by a potential employer.The actual sample of resume should contain a detailed description of the candidate's work history, starting with experience at the earliest. Then, after some time has passed, the applicant should include more detailed information about the project completed or personal hobbies and interests. This will help with preparing the resume for future interviews.As a reminder, the sample of resume will help the employer to make an accurate assessment of your experience. The more information provided the better.