Im Overwhelmed By The Prospect Of A Big Change. How Do I Get Unstuck

“Im Overwhelmed By The Prospect Of A Big Change. How Do I Get Unstuck” Help from our Community “Im Overwhelmed By The Prospect Of A Big Change. How Do I Get Unstuck?” * Louise is considering a major career change: one that will impact almost every aspect of her life. She's inspired by her new career idea, but she's also paralysed by the size of her shift. How do you find the courage to make a life-changing leap? What's your career history and current job? I'm a recruitment manager in the oil and gas industry. I've had a fairly varied career, including employment and self-employed consultancy, but always within oil and gas. A few years ago, when my first child was born, I took a step back from consultancy and moved into recruitment. How do you feel about your work? It's fine. The people I work with are driven and friendly, and I respect the senior leadership team I work for. I know the industry well, and I appreciate the balance of time I have to spend with my husband and son. But the industry is changing rapidly, and that sensation of change is infectious. Over the past year I've been thinking about the later years of my life, and I feel it's time to do something that feels more meaningful. I've earned good money, I've done the high-flying, fast-paced thing. Now, I'm feeling a pull to do something good. What would you like to be doing instead? I think I want to become a midwife. After my son was born I started to develop an interest in the idea, and it's been at the back of my mind ever since. It sounds crazy, even to me, but I just can't shake the thought that if I could make any kind of meaningful contribution, I'd want it to be that. What's the biggest obstacle in your way? I'm paralysed by the idea of such a big change. Yes, you eat an elephant one bite at a time, but this doesn't feel like something I can do bit by bit. My whole life is arranged around my work: my friends, the city I live in, even my relationship. I've worked in this industry for almost my entire career â€" it's who I am. I don't think you can ease your way out of such a deeply embedded identity. Midwifery is full of pressure, long hours, antisocial shifts, and I'm going to have to take on years of retraining and a serious pay cut right from the start. If I go for it, my life is likely to become unrecognisable. It's going to have a big impact on my son, and on my husband. And while that's probably inevitable if I make any career change, this feels very extreme. How do you decide to make a shift, when itmeans changing everything? Can you help Louise? Have you been in a similar situation, or are you in the same boat right now? How do you think Louise 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 Louise a cheer of encouragement by hitting the thumbs-up button here:

How to Include Writing Samples With Resume?

How to Include Writing Samples With Resume?How to include writing samples with resume? It is a very good question. Writing samples are very important in order to make your resume stand out among the other applicants who have also written their resumes. This is one of the most essential parts of resume.The aim of writing samples is to show you can write and give your real identity. A resume should reflect the real you and not just some extra information. This is a very crucial part that should be included in your resume.A good practice for this is to get at least five examples of the same subject you are writing on. If you need help, then it is easier than you think. I would suggest you to get online. There are many examples of your subjects and what they are about. You can also get these samples from other people.Some online resources might cost you money. However, this is also a good way of saving your time. Get yourself some samples by searching for online sites like freelancer sit es, freelancer networks, and also job search sites.Try to get as many samples as you can. Remember, you have to write your own CV and this will take you a long time. There is no need to waste your time if you don't have to.Now that you have the writing samples, put them in chronological order and make sure you put the first sample right at the beginning. The whole thing is to capture your clients attention. So, grab them and try to give them a full attention. Make them remember you will do great things.Remember that the next step is to finish your job and leave it that way. If you put more than 5 samples, then you should skip the ones you think you do not want to give any more attention. Do not put them at the end where you cannot read them. They should also be interesting, so the client can read them.How to include writing samples with resume? The answer is easy; you have to get as many samples as you can.

Why Being Yourself at Work Starts With Knowing Yourself at Home -

Why Being Yourself at Work Starts With Knowing Yourself at Home - Do you feel that you need to wear a professional mask at work? In the past, the divide between ‘work’ and ‘home’ was pretty concrete. You had a ‘work’ self and a ‘private’ self, and rarely should the twain meet. But these days, employers are encouraging us to be ourselves most of the time. The key to this is to choose which PARTS of YOU are most appropriate at any given moment. None of us is two-dimensional. We’re a veritable smorgasbord of goodies that we can offer up at any one time. It wasn’t always like this though. When I graduated from university in 1999, there was a period where I didn’t quite have the confidence to take the leap into a journalism career. I really wanted to be a journalist, but I had NO experience or training in it, and had only written one article for my university newspaper â€" shortly before I left. So, I signed-up with a recruitment agency and spent the summer half-heartedly going for interviews. I had graduated from one of the top five universities in the UK, so I was seen as a ‘desirable candidate’ for graduate recruiters. One interview was with a large banking institution. The interview was going quite well, until the interviewer looked me straight in the eye and painted a picture of what my life would be like if I got the job. I don’t remember his exact words, but it was along the lines of: “When you work here you’re expected to meet strict deadlines, and work very long hours. It’s not unusual to be here until 10pm or 11pm at night, in fact you’ll spend most of your time here. But that’s OK, we have a pharmacist here on site, a gym and most things you need in life. How does that sound to you?” I replied, “I think it sounds awful. That’s not the kind of place I want to work.” The interviewer looked at me with a mixture of shock and curiosity, and hastily drew the interview to a close. The recruiter was furious. She instructed me never to do anything like that again, to always pretend that everything is fine, and that you’re super happy with whatever a potential employer says. But that experience never left me, because I always thought â€" imagine if I had pretended, and I got the job, and thought I could pretend for a bit longer â€" for the money â€" and then that turned into days, weeks, months, years of not being myself. Plus, I couldn’t understand why the world of work was one where you had to pretend anyway. Why was everyone faking? And it wasn’t just that experience where I got that message. In other jobs, and other situations I got the message that who you really are is best left at home. There were times when recruiters would tell me to cut out the bits in my resume where I had done things other than journalism. Where they said that no-one could believe that I could be good at both PR and being a writing tutor, so it was best to leave out everything about my writing tutoring business. Be Yourself Not A Robot! I’ve learned that this is wrong, and the most forward-thinking companies want full, well-rounded people, not robots they can slot into a production line. You’re not a robot â€" despite an educational system that has trained us to think that we are. So many people go through life not really being alive and working in jobs where they have to stuff their true feelings inside. I think that’s a problem, and it often stems from fear. It doesn’t have to be like this and it starts by expressing who you are each and every day. And the best way to do this is by journaling. If you don’t already journal about your feelings, then a good place to start is by freewriting. Simply grab a notebook and write for 10 minutes about whatever you’re thinking and feeling. Don’t censor yourself and keep your hand moving. Even if you end up writing a shopping list, you’re getting in the habit of listening and paying attention to what you’re thinking about. Get into the habit of never leaving the house without a notebook and pen. Writing by hand accesses a different part of the brain than typing. Even on a busy train, you can whip out a notebook and write down what you can see, hear, touch, taste and smell. You can also jot down how you feel and the movement around you. Focusing on your senses in this way is very grounding. It stops your mind from racing and it stops you from mindlessly scrolling on social media. Finally, you can go one step further by actively encouraging more creative self-expression in your writing. A good way to do this is to do activities that tap into your artist-brain (that is, the right side of the brain). So, make the most of the downtime you DO have by doing things such as chopping up vegetables, driving, walking, taking a shower and running. Do these just before you write, and they’ll boost your creativity. This will help your thoughts and feelings to flow onto the page, making it easier to express yourself and write about the things that really matter to YOU. These simple practices can help you figure out what you really want from your life and work. ******* If you liked this extract, you’ll love Heart, Sass Soul: Journal Your Way to Inspiration and Happiness. It’s full of writing exercises, tips, techniques and food for thought. This guest post was authored by Greta Solomon   Greta Solomon is a British journalist turned writing coach and the author of two books about writing. Her latest book is  Heart, Sass Soul: Journal Your Way to Inspiration and Happiness.   Through talks, workshops and online programs, she teaches real-world writing techniques and inspires others to live rich, full lives. Her work has been featured in Forbes.com, Writers Digest, Kindred Spirit and The Numinous. She is a published poet and songwriter, a psychology graduate, and certified life coach.    She lives in London with her husband and their daughter. Visit www.gretasolomon.com to find out more.

Time to Build Resilience in New Managers

Time to Build Resilience in New Managers Resilience is about finding ways to bounce back from challenge, adversity or disappointment; it is elasticity, the capacity to recover. The International Resilience Project describes resilience as ‘a universal capacity which allows a person, group or community to prevent, minimise or overcome the damaging effects of adversity’. Psychologists have identified some factors that make a person resilient, including a positive attitude, optimism, self-awareness and emotional control, and the ability to see failure as a form of feedback. Resilience is not rare or special; most people are resilient in at least some situations and it can be learned and developed by almost anyone. Building personal resilience helps prevent the adverse effects of psychological distress at work. Faced with setbacks a manager needs to get up and get on. Take action The American Psychological Association  suggests ten ways to build resilience:  maintain good relationships with close family members, friends and others;  avoid seeing crises or stressful events as unbearable problems;  accept circumstances that cannot be changed;  develop realistic goals and move towards them;  take decisive actions in adverse situations;  look for opportunities for self-discovery;  develop self-confidence;  keep a long-term perspective and consider stressful events in a broader context;  maintain a hopeful outlook, expect good things and visualise what is wished;  take care of mind and body, exercise regularly, pay attention to needs and feelings. A demanding working environment means many of us are under pressure and dealing with stressful situations takes a toll on employees and their performance. Building resilience enables staff to cope with stress-provoking challenges to respond to such events without experiencing stress-related problems while maintaining high quality performance. They build a belief in their self-efficacy and are able to cope with change and adapt and respond in a dynamic and challenging environment. It’s important that HR professionals work to build a culture and corporate identity that supports and motivates staff and ensures organisational stability and resilience in the long term. Creating an open and honest environment is key, with a two-way communication process which facilitates the identification of risks and finds effective ways to support employees. Supporting new managers in building resilience pays off providing them with the resources to use their personal strengths in dealing with conflict and overcoming barriers to success. We know that managers who are confident and resilient develop an optimistic perspective and encourage the same trait in their team and staff. We suggest you focus on these key areas: Creation and maintenance of networks for managers and teams which promote confidence and engagement through   Building strong and mutually trusting relationships through all levels   Developing sills and opportunities for independence, autonomy and mastery of tasks   Giving structured feedback, mentoring and career planning.   Research on resilience in the workplace shows that resilient people are less likely to suffer mental or physical illness during adversity; experience more hope, optimism and positivity, and are better able to cope with job demands; cope better with tough times, such as job loss and economic hardship; and are able to learn new skills and knowledge when their existing skillset is outdated. When competing for a job or promotion, the more resilient person has a better chance of succeeding. In developing personal resilience, there are obvious benefits for the organisation and the challenge for businesses is to provide an environment where employees can explore the behaviours that create a resilient response, giving them time and space to build resilience. It’s not something that can be turned on and off, so a degree of patience and trust is required.

Resume Writing Free Samples - Get Yours Today

Resume Writing Free Samples - Get Yours TodayDo you know how to get a good deal on resume writing free samples? If you're like me, you already know the kind of information that you need to include in your resume, but are afraid to ask for it, because you are not sure how to start.It will take you time to put together your documents and your cover letter, and the best thing is that you can get some samples of this done online for free. That's right, and there are many different samples available out there. It's easy to find resume writing free samples if you simply look. It does not have to be difficult to go online and browse through them to see what they have to offer.There are many resources on the Internet that will show you examples of example resumes. You can get a free sample of your resume writing free, or you can purchase one with a sample cover letter attached, which is always a great deal.Resumes should be exciting, and something that people really want to see. When you are trying to land that dream job, it is vital that you come across as confident and clear as possible. Writing a resume is not an easy task, and you can only get so far if you do not have the correct steps and resources at your disposal.By using a free sample for your resume writing free samples, you are giving yourself a great opportunity to study the process and take advantage of all the extra tools that you can use. The more detailed your sample gets, the better you will be able to understand the whole process. But even when your resume writing free samples are very basic, they are still very helpful in making sure that you understand the things that you have to say.Resume writing free samples should give you as much information as possible, such as what each section of the document is supposed to contain. You need to make sure that everything that you put on your resume is what your employer is looking for. If you try to cram too much information into your resume, then it will loo k sloppy will it not look professional.With resume writing free samples, you can see exactly what your employer is looking for in a resume. It will also show you some of the most important points that you have to bring up on your cover letter. And while the samples may not be perfect, they will provide you with a better understanding of how things work, and how you can get things done without wasting time.Use resume writing free samples to help you through the process and to make sure that you are putting everything on your resume correctly. You don't want to put too much information on your resume, as you can end up paying a hefty price for that.

The 9 best student apps to go with your new iPhone

The 9 best student apps to go with your new iPhone Holy cannoli, Batman! Apple have done it again. And by done it, I mean drop three ludicrously expensive phones and ride off into the sunset, gently cackling as our money lines their pockets. Fairs fair, I guess. But never mind about the iPhone X costing literally a thousand actual pounds, its still going to be the must-have off-to-uni/back-to-uni item for this term. If youre planning to be first centre-buttonless person in your flat, then consider filling your new iPhone up with these nifty student apps.   Office Lens Weve all had one of the psycho lecturers thats really trigger-happy with the powerpoint, right? Theyve written a small novella on one screen and before you can frantically copy it all down, its on to the next. No more Office Lens allows you to take a picture of the board and coverts it into a word document. Youve got to say that Microsoft are the real MVPs for this one. StudyBlue Sure, you could leave all your studying to the last minute like a chump. OR you could leave all your studying to the last minute AND have some neat online flashcards to help you pick up the slack. On StudyBlue, you can do that, access relevant study material and even test yourself, all in one place. Class Timetable Trust me, if you arent ready with a class timetable complete with location on it by the time the last shot of Freshers Week has gone down, university will eat you alive. With this app, you can create one that goes everywhere you go. You can colour code it and note down your homework too! EasyBib There is no more deflating feeling in this world than getting to the end of a many-thousand word essay and remembering that the jobs not done yet. Referencing and writing your bibliography is a right pain one youll have time and again. EasyBib keeps track of all your sources and generates citations just the way Teacher likes it. Tasty More known for those Facebook scroller-videos that suck your entire day up wondering how making a katsu curry in one pot could be so easy, they have an app too. And with a recipes you can sort by dietary requirements and total ingredient price, its uni essential. Unless you live in catered halls, you fancy so-and-so. Nudge This one goes out to all the gym freaks out there. Whether youve got Lifesum, Fitbit, Nike+, Runkeeper or if you got it all, Nudge keeps your data from everything and syncs it in one place, making it easier than ever for people to witness the fitness. May no gain slip through the cracks. Circle of 6 No matter which university you go to, safe sesh is a top priority. Circle of 6 is an app which lets your 5 closest friends know where you are just in case something goes pear-shaped. You can call any emergency number of your choice with a couple of taps too. Perfect for you and your whole flat. WiseDrinking With every night out, you either go home a hero or you drink long enough to see yourself become the villain. You dont want to be that one person in Freshers Week whose drunken legend is told until graduation (probably). WiseDrinking helps you figure where your limits are and keep track of your drinks so you can avoid all (read: most) major catastrophes Picolo Or, should you want to go the other way with it, download Picolo. Picolo is an awesome drinking game that sets challenges for individual players and the group, which they must complete or pay the horrible price of *shudder* drinking alcohol. Bottoms up! Connect with Debut on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for more careers insights.

The First 10 Things You Should Do In Your Job Search - Hire Imaging

The First 10 Things You Should Do In Your Job Search - Hire Imaging 1. Think of the job search as your job. You may be a new graduate entering the workforce. You may be a retiree looking for an encore career. You may be an executive or professional who is unemployed, or proactively searching for a different opportunity. Regardless of your circumstances â€" what you’re looking for, how long you have been looking, and why you’re looking â€" one thing is certain. To get what you want, you have to work your way through a process. And the more systematic and resourceful you are in this process, the better your outcome. Here are the first ten things that will ramp up your success: 1. Think of the job search as your job. Approach the task of finding a job as if it were a job itself â€" with you as your own CEO or boss. Work at it full time (or part-time if you’re looking while you’re still employed). Invest 100 percent of your effort and commitment to an allocated and scheduled amount of hours. 2. Organize yourself. Whether you job search from your home office, a desk in an outplacement office, or a make-shift table and chair in your kitchen or bedroom, set up a job search headquarters. Inventory what you will need, such as a reliable phone and computer to conduct internet research, send compatible resumes and letters, apply to jobs online, etc. 3. Arm yourself with the latest skills. Today’s job market favors skilled candidates who are ready to step in and make an immediate contribution, without having to go through a lengthy training period. Familiarize yourself with the critical skills requirement for the types of jobs you’re going after. Make sure that you possess those skills before you begin to compete for those jobs.   4. Set targets. Before you do anything in a job search, take time to decide what kind of job you really want â€" based on your interests, education, career goals, and other needs (for example,  how much money you need and what special circumstances â€" your willingness to relocate, commute, etc.). To clarify these targets, be prepared to do some research, talk to people, work with a career coach, or sample different jobs by shadowing, volunteering, or working as a temporary employee. 5. Get a sense of the marketplace. Be as impartial as you can about your own marketability â€" based on the number of available jobs in your field of choice and the number of qualified candidates competing for the same jobs. Be prepared to modify or expand your job targets if you’re competing in a tight market. 6. Think small when you’re targeting companies. Job opportunities are out there, but think beyond the major corporations, expanding to those companies that employ fewer than 100 people. Adjust your job search strategy to include due diligence on these smaller organizations. 7. Create a killer resume by stressing skills and accomplishments. Make sure that your resume does more than simply list your previous jobs and responsibilities. Stress skills, successes, and attributes that are apt to attract employers in your target areas. And create a LinkedIn profile (or additional social media profiling) that does the same. 8. Stay versatile when it comes to uncovering job leads. You can uncover job leads in a variety of ways â€" through networking, by reading, working with recruiters, or directly approaching people and companies that you identify as potential employers. Be ready to explore every avenue that could produce a lead. 9. Network, network, network. Make it a daily goal to call, write, or meet at least three people you haven’t contacted who may be able â€" now or in the near future â€" to tell you about a job lead or introduce you to someone who could do the same. 10. Dive into the right information. Submerge yourself in reading related to the fields you’ve targeted or the companies for which you would like to work. Read the key trade publications in your field, and stay current on trends and issues that professionals in your field deal with on a day-to-day basis. In my next post, I’ll share the second ten things you should do in your job search. I always welcome your feedback! Please comment below.

How to Give Two Weeks Notice - Career Advice Blog for Millennials

How to Give Two Weeks Notice - Career Advice Blog for Millennials All good â€"  and not so good â€"  things must come to an end, and now it’s your job’s turn. Whether you found a new position, decided to head back to school or switch industries, it’s time to move on. All that’s left to do is to hand in your two weeks notice to your boss. Even though you’re ready to leave, this process can still be nerve-wracking â€"  but it’s not an impossible task. To make the whole to-do simpler, here is a step-by-step guide on how to give two weeks notice. 1. Let Your Boss Know First Having friends at work makes you a better employee because you value your coworkers and want to do your best for them. No matter how close you are with your colleagues, though, it’s important you keep mum about your plans to leave until you’ve told your boss. You never know what will happen when you share your news with someone else. They might unintentionally mention that you’re looking for work elsewhere, or someone might overhear your conversation and spread the word. You’d never want it to reach your boss before it came from you directly, leaving them angry or upset that everyone knew but them. Plus, if you’re the one spreading the news, you can write the narrative. You get to say exactly why you’re leaving and when. Otherwise, the story could take on a life of its own that’s wholly untrue but too big to fix by the time you give your notice. 2. Write It Down You’ll have to speak to your boss one-on-one about your departure, but you should have a written letter prepared, too, to make it more official. Writing a notice might seem complicated, but it’s a quick and straightforward process. The best advice is to keep your message short and professional. Inform your boss that you’re leaving and when. If you want, you can provide a thank you to them or the company, depending on how close your relationship is. Once you’ve spoken to your manager, you can send the letter to HR and any other department that will need to know you’re leaving. 3. Handle the Conversation Professionally No one will argue with you if you say giving your two weeks is scary. Even if you’re very ready to move on, the conversation can make you nervous â€"  unless you’ve prepared well in advance. Start by figuring out exactly when your last day will be, as your boss will ask you when you’re leaving. Also, consider whether or not you’d accept a counter-offer to stick around, as some companies will use this tactic, and you want to stay ready to negotiate or turn down any last-minute deals. When it’s time to speak with your boss, head over to their office or request a meeting through your company’s scheduling calendar of choice. After a bit of small talk, inform your boss of your departure and when it’ll take place. Be sure to thank them after you’ve finished the conversation â€"  no matter how excited you are to leave, your boss has helped shape your career in some way, and you should always express gratitude for that. 4. Stay Focused and Positive As soon as you turn in your notice, it might be tempting to coast until your last day. But you’re still an employee, and you should be working throughout your two weeks. Find ways to stay productive even when you may feel sluggish when you’re on your way out. You might try sneaking out of the office for fresh air or popping by a colleague’s office to chat for a few minutes. These little breaks can help you re-focus on the task at hand, which is finishing up your job and tying up any loose ends before you move on. Another habit to avoid is talking negatively about your job, company or colleagues before you’ve hit the road. No matter how frustrating a task or customer is at the end of your tenure, don’t vent about it. You’re the only one leaving, so your colleagues probably don’t want to hear how terrible the job or business is. Stay civil and present only positivity in your last two weeks. 5. Come up With a Transition Plan To that end, you might not be able to finish everything before you go, nor will you be able to bring your clients with you. Creating a transition plan will help your boss fill the gaps in your absence and, better yet, will show you want to maintain a good relationship with your soon-to-be-former employer. So, outline all the projects you have in the pipeline and give tips on how you planned to finish all of them. You might provide recommendations as to who on the team is best prepared to complete your to-dos, too, if your boss isn’t directly replacing you. Taking that a step further, you could provide training or shadowing to show your colleague(s) how to handle the tasks you’re leaving behind. Another way to make your transition easier is to rewrite the job description of your position. That way, your boss can more accurately present the job’s requirements and find the best replacement for you. 6. End on a High Note Don’t slip up on your last day or the days that follow your departure. For one thing, your exit interview might feel like the right time to spill all your opinions about everyone and everything related to your job. But you can bet your views will get back to the person or people to whom they are applicable, even if they’re anonymous. You could burn a bridge by being brutally honest. Again, no matter how ready you are to go, you don’t want to lose the contacts and friends you’ve made while on your current job. Even after you leave, then, try your best to maintain your relationships via LinkedIn or email so that you can rely on each other for references, tips and more. You never know who you’ll cross paths with in the future, so do your best to end on a high note â€" that way, everyone will think of you in a positive light. Subscribe for More Tips Want more tips on everything job-related. Subscribe to our newsletter, and keep the conversation going on how to give your two weeks notice by sharing or commenting below. NBSP; Get everything you need to build a career you love by signing up for the newsletter.