-
Archives
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
-
Meta
Monthly Archives: March 2009
Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone
Author : Anita Web Weaver
“In order to say ‘Yes’ to what you want, you have to learn to say ‘No’ to what you don’t want ” The Purple Monkey
Although the ‘Purple Monkey’ is the alter ego I use when talking to people about how to say ‘No’ without feeling guilty, his wisdom applies for those who want to say ‘Yes’ to developing their Dream Career that gives them deep career satisfaction
How?
We all exist within our individual comfort zones In that comfort zone we are saying ‘Yes’ to all kinds of things like: staying in a job we don’t like because we have ‘only’ 12 more years to retirement; vegging out in the evening because we don’t want to expend the effort of investigating something new; going along with the program that’s been set for us but not by us; allowing ourselves to stay unconscious about the possibility of creating different choices
Let’s face it Getting out of our comfort zone is challenging It means we must rouse ourselves from the ‘comfort’ the comfort zone provides
There’s a reason it’s called THE COMFORT ZONE! It’s comfortable It’s comforting It’s cozy It’s where we feel confident and safe
Getting out of that comfort zone will definitely create anxiety, fear, trepidation, concern, push-back, hesitation in other words, UN-comfortable feelings
Why then would we ever choose to leave this nice cocoon called the Comfort Zone???
Because otherwise we will never grow We will never achieve our dreams We will never become bigger, more productive, more skilled, more developed or more capable than we are now And chances are, we will never experience the value of work in a deeply meaningful career
The truth is, we’re required by life to get out of our comfort zones constantly We leave middle school for high school; we graduate from high school to leave home and go to college or to the military; we find a life partner; we have children; we take jobs and get promotions; we experience sickness in ourselves or others, and so it goes
We learn how to handle these life events and we grow from them In fact, those who don’t go through most of these life events, remain fixated at a young age and rarely develop the skills to handle the challenges of later life
What we can learn from this realization is that we can also make a choice to grow, rather than solely relying on life to give us the opportunities We can pick the ways we’d like to grow and often, when
But making that choice requires that we say ‘No’ to some of the habits and patterns we now have within our Comfort Zone
Once we take a stand for ourselves and say ‘No’ to those behaviors that keep us in the Comfort Zone, we can begin to energize ourselves by looking at what we can do to say ‘Yes’ to ourselves We can say ‘Yes’ to creating meaningful work that gives us deep career satisfaction We can say ‘Yes’ to creating our future as we would like it to be
How can we create the energy to move forward?
First of all, realize that ACTION TRUMPS FEAR EVERY TIME
I already said that moving out of the Comfort Zone will create anxiety and fear Move that fear away by taking action
I have a friend who is a speaker and has wanted to write a book, but she was petrified She and several others created a joint mentoring group With the group’s help, she learned to take tiny, small steps toward her dream One day, she bought a pen; next day, she bought a tablet She made an agreement with herself to write one sentence per day; then one paragraph Now she is writing a page a day and is now confident she will complete her book
Her actions, insignificant though each one was, gradually built a momentum to help her move much more consistently in the direction of her dream
You can do the same
A second, powerful action you can take to say ‘Yes’ is to name the essence of what you want and focus on it, even if you don’t know specifically yet what that is
Just get in touch with the FEELING of happiness, peace and contentment you will feel when you have become the MORE you know yourself to be
Then take whatever actions you are inspired to take and before you know it, you will be living the life you dreamed of! You’ll have that dream career, and you’ll be experiencing what it’s like to be engaged in meaningful work with a purpose
Here’s to your adventures OUT of the Comfort Zone
Anita Web Weaver is the owner of Design to Shine Consulting, offering coaching, mentoring and speaking services to help people shine, no matter what, in their career, their life and their health.
Get her FREE Special Report here: 9 Golden Nuggets To Help You Get Your Dream Career at Any Age
Syndication Source: Thought Search Articles Continue reading
A Guide To Job Searching In The UK
Author : Shaun Parker
Finding the perfect job can be a long and arduous task That is if you don’t do it correctly Many of us are new to job searching and very few of us have a wealth of experience as to how to go about it The problem with job searching is that finding the right job for your skills, qualifications and interests can be like finding a needle in a haystack
One of the major problems that a job seeker faces in finding a job is that there is no central starting point If you are looking for a job you only have a few options These are searching the latest job adverts in the paper, applying to an agency to find a job, visiting the job centre and searching online
Newspaper Advertisements
Searching in the newspaper for the latest jobs can be an excellent option It can mean that you are able to contact companies that are advertising jobs directly This can mean that you can find a job quickly and efficiently without having to leave your house The negatives for this are that newspaper advertisements need to be responded to individually This can be quite time consuming and as a result it can be quite frustrating Especially if you are writing a new covering letter for each job that you apply for
It can also be frustrating as there are a limited number of jobs available in a local area This can mean that it very hit and miss as to whether the right job will come along for you This means that you could be lucky or you could be unlucky It is nevertheless a good source of jobs for the job seeker as, unlike agencies, the advertisement fee has already been paid and therefore it is a more straightforward way of getting a job as you do not have to deal with troublesome agencies
Applying through an Agency
Agencies can be a great resource for people that are looking for a new job They can also be a right pain in the backside The problem with agencies is that they are a middle man in the recruitment process They provide a link between you and the company that has vacancies but they also take over the recruitment process for the company that wants to fill vacancies The agencies are fast becoming the method of choice for recruiters and as a result are becoming increasingly important to job seekers
The problem with this is that a job seeker often has to apply to as many agencies as possible and register with each so that they will be sent for interview for a job This can be extremely frustrating as agencies then dictate whether or not you are put forward for a job or not
Using the job centre
The job centre is one of the best ways to find a job It is a free service that is offered to help people find jobs and help employers find employers It is possible to walk into their offices and search thorough their database and find jobs The computer systems in the job centre allow you to print off job details quickly and easily It is usually kept up to date and is a great option for all
Shaun Parker works for a succesful recruitment agency which helps the unemployed who are Job Search UK. He has many years of experience under his belt and hopes that this guide benefits those looking for work.
Syndication Source: Thought Search Articles Continue reading
Posted in Self Improvement
Leave a comment
Searching For A San Diego Hotel Job
Author : Terry Parker
If you are searching for a San Diego hotel job, you know that regardless of whether you are a concierge, maid, marketing specialist, event planner, or administrator, customer service and interaction will always be an integral part of your new career Because of this, many hotel chains are now conducting behavioral interviews, some to the exclusion of other types of interviewing As a San Diego hotel job seeker, then, it is your first job to familiarize yourself with the basics of a behavioral interview Behavioral interviews are based on the CARS principle, an anagram that stands for challenge, action, and result During this type of interview, job seekers are asked to answer questions based on their past work experiences, failures, and accomplishments
Describe a time you effectively juggled multiple tasks with limited time Tell me about a time when you came up with an innovative solution to a challenge that your company was facing Tell me about a time you failed to meet a deadline Describe a specific problem you solved for your employer and how your solved it
Tell me about a time when you recognized opportunity in a potential problem Describe a time when you were asked to keep a problem confidential and how you reacted and responded Tell me about any new or usual ideas you have developed for a job and how they were implemented Tell me about a time when you took a risk to achieve a goal
It is fairly obvious when looking at these sample questions that the behavioral interview is not actually question based at all Instead of responding to questions about career goals, strengths, weaknesses, and experience, job seekers instead are asked to describe their inward and outward motivations, actions, and responses to past job situations Do not let this intimidate you however, since what the San Diego hotel job interviewer really wants to know is can you work well under pressure, and, do you have good people skills Shying away from the traditional rapid fire question and answer type of interview may, in fact, actually benefit job seekers who are able to respond in an honest, self assured fashion
The San Diego hotel job market is highly competitive, which is why more employers in this industry are shifting away from the traditional type of interview and looking toward the Behavioral interview as their standard method of finding their next highly qualified employee
For more information on hotels jobs as well as many other san diego jobs and more visit our site.
Syndication Source: Thought Search Articles Continue reading
A Travelling Job Experience
Author : Anna Stenning
If, like me, you dream of travelling around the globe but without the grim prospect of feeling out of pocket all the time, then travel jobs will be the answer for you It is all good to spend more or less a year saving up for a long trip around the globe and unless you are super-efficient at budgeting on a daily basis, and have no problem with keeping track of your pennies when you are out abroad then perhaps this option is a safe bet for you
However, if like me again, you want to be able to travel around without having to worry about how much you going to spend on a daily basis but would like to earn some money for the experience, then perhaps looking into travel jobs will be ideal and suited to you Employment in travel can vary greatly Some are geared towards going to holiday destinations and acting as a rep for the company Others can be within a chosen career path as an intern and in a country as far away as India!
Most people decide to travel after graduating or during a gap year at university, within that time period they may have decided to take on a small bar work for a bit of extra cash or more specifically have had to apply for a work visa to work for a small company and extend their stay Other travel jobs can come in the form of acting as a camping counsellor and working with youths abroad These jobs require more information and experience from applicants; though they are well paid, it requires some skill in communication, arts, crafts, cooking and hands-on manual work
Working in travel may require some language skills, particularly when applying in France, Germany, Morrocco, Italy and Russia A basic understanding maybe enough for small businesses, but other internship roles will specify a strong understanding of the native language with proven evidence e g A-Level or degree in a specific language These jobs can be offered through a special programme via British Council who is very selective of candidates applying
Another popular form of travelling and working is enrolling onto a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) course, which requires applicants to follow a structured course in teaching English abroad (popular destinations include Italy, China and Korea), gaining an accredited certificate in teaching then being assigned to a designated country for a period of time Some of the placements offer substantial lodging as part of your salary
One thing that is vital before embarking on a decision like this, always do your research about the organisation you going to sign up for regarding travel jobs and the country of your placement Having some knowledge about working abroad, your rights, your pay structure and boarding facilities will enable you to be prepared for the worst should anything go wrong Very often, these programmes rarely face issues but it is always better to be prepared nonetheless Therefore, if you are thinking about travelling one day, then perhaps a little researching may help Travelling these days is not as expensive as they used to be, making it easier for people to just go and experience an opportunity that may not rise in the future
Anna Stenning is an expert in Travel jobs and has travelled to many destinations. If you are interested in gaining work abroad click on http://www.newfrontiers.co.uk/
Syndication Source: Thought Search Articles Continue reading
An 8 Point Plan for Passing the PMP or CAPM Exam
Author : John Reiling
Any good Project Manager knows the importance of having a good plan So, if you are preparing for the PMP or CAPM exam, wouldn’t it be a great idea to build a plan? As in life, many procrastinate, can’t find the time, and myriad other excuses, and do not get where they want to go – to pass the exam Be a planner, and practice good project management in the process
Here is a start of a plan of action for passing the PMP or CAPM exam using online training Of course this can be adapted for any type of training and preparation, or adapted to your own style
1 Go through the training in no more than 2-4 months at the most Set a schedule, and stick to it Review for familiarity the appropriate section of the PMBOK after you cover topic in the training
2 The material will be reinforced while taking each course If you are on a tough topic, print out the study aids that are part of the particular online training module
3 Within a week or so after completing the course, do some questions on the topic within an exam simulation
4 Take one complete PMP or CAPM exam simulation right up front See how you do, and what your strengths and weaknesses are This will make you a little sharper and alert for information as you continue the online training
5 Take another full PMP or CAPM exam simulation every 2-4 weeks, even if you have not finished the courses Adjust your study plan based on results
6 In the last month leading to the exam, focus work with the simulations on your trouble areas by using the flash cards and topic specific study mode
7 Shoot for 80-90% scores on the tests as you get close to the test This will give you confidence that you are ready to pass, and if the scores are lower, will give you more impetus to work harder
8 If you need to, read books, online materials, free templates, podcasts, and any other materials that you fit your learning style to see things from different angles and approaches
Here are a few extra bonus tips
a Joint the PMI right away, since the discount for paying to take the exam more than offsets the cost of the membership
b Carry the PMBOK with you all the time, and read short pieces from it when you get a few moments during a busy day
c After you join the PMI, attend some of your local chapter meetings for some additional support, insight, networking, and possibly to review training
d Become familiar with the various PM web sites out there, and take advantage of their free resources, especially as relates to PMP prep
e As you do practice questions, pay attention to the details Look for words that reflect absolutes like ‘must’ or ‘always’ Try answering some questions without looking at the choices Try as a habit to distinguish the essence of the questions from the extraneous
The key really is to practice good project management, use what you are learning, and to have a plan – and to follow it! You can and will succeed Increase your chances of project management and exam success with a plan
John Reiling has worked in mining, manufacturing, metal fabricating, and environmental services, and later information technology as a Lotus Notes developer, then project manager. Today he consults mainly in IT Project Management and runs several web sites, including pmtrainingonline.com, leansixsigmatrainingonline.com, and PMcrunch.com.
Syndication Source: Thought Search Articles Continue reading
Customize Your Job Hunt to Suit Your Needs
Author : Tony Jacowski
New Professionals
As a professional looking for your first job, your search involves focusing on the smallest experiences you may have had Because you don’t have a lot of experience, you will probably be at a disadvantage You will need to make the most of every bit of evidence you can come up with that you are able to take on the position you are applying for
If you have worked as a volunteer, for example, present that as proof that you have certain skills If you worked at small jobs while you were a student, include the responsibilities you had in those jobs
Young Professionals
The first thing to do in customizing your job hunt is to choose a position that fits your background
If you are a young any experiences you’ve had that will fit you for a certain position
Recruiting Agencies
There are many agencies that can help you identify a job most suited to your background and experience Even though many job seekers rely on the Internet to identify and locate jobs, this may not be the best way for you to go
An agency can do this better than you, can because they will have contacts you don’t have An agency can tailor a job hunt to suit your specific requirements Be careful, of course, to choose the right agency
New Graduates
For a graduate fresh from college, finding the right job can be quite a struggle You may have very little experience beyond a temporary or summer job You are probably unsure about how to go about the job hunt The first thing is to know the value of a good resume, which requires a certain amount of planning and foresight
This requires experience and skill and it’s a good idea to consult someone with experience When your resume is specific, it will help you customize your job hunt to suit your needs Your qualifications are general, but it is your experience and skills that make you and your resume stand out in response to the requirements of the job you seek
Your resume will spell out your aptitudes and abilities and how you will be able to handle a particular job This kind of a resume will help you to be short-listed for an interview call
You should make sure that your resume is not more than two pages It is essential to consider your educational qualifications and your ability to handle the job you are applying for
You may be applying for a number of jobs, so keep track of your applications along with the ads you respond to
You may be called for a number of interviews followed by group discussions to see how you relate Be natural and genuine in your responses and do not overdo the interview Your physical appearance is also very important when you appear before your interviewers Be sure to dress appropriately
By following the above tips, you can ensure that your job search is successful
Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solution’s Six Sigma Online offers online six sigma training and certification classes for six sigma professionals including, lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.
Syndication Source: Thought Search Articles Continue reading
The Best Way To Find Retail Jobs
Author : Shaun Parker
Retail jobs are essentially jobs that involve selling products from a fixed location Typically these jobs are situated in places such as department stores or kiosks and are bought directly by the consumer (as opposed to from the internet or by post)
Unlike commercial wholesalers where the retailer buys goods or products in large quantities to sell on the retail sector typically focuses on the sale of the individual products They make these sales in shops or stores The retail store is at the very end of the supply chain and is a culmination of all of the processes that took place to provide the product to the consumer Retailing is possibly the most important and definitely the most necessary aspects of the overall distribution This is where the sale is made
Retail jobs are not always considered to be that desirable for jobs because for many of the positions they can be minimum wage jobs For example if you want a job as a checkout assistant in a supermarket the chances are that you will start off on a low wage In the long term it is a very good job with the companies that employ large numbers of people often having a great promotion system where it is possible to work up the ladder The clear hierarchy makes it a very good option for people that are committed to a job and want to progress through a company over a number of years
This can often culminate in the employee becoming manager after a number of years of committed work for a company This can also be a great way of becoming trained as many retail industries have good training procedures so that their staff can remain well trained This can be great for people that might not have the best academic background but are nevertheless committed and hardworking
One of the major benefits of retail jobs is that they are more often than not client facing This means the employee can spend a great deal of time interacting with customers and as a result benefits from the good feeling that providing a good service offers In many cases it is a great option for people that like helping people find the right goods for them For example you become very knowledgeable about a specific range of products and can use your knowledge to help inform and advise people so that they get the best products for their money
Knowing that you have helped someone achieve this can be extremely satisfying and as a result it can be a job that offers high customer satisfaction As a client facing employee in the retail industry you learn a lot about point of sale and the products you sell This can be a wide range of goods or services
Some of the most popular retail jobs are in the fashion industry It can be extremely exciting area of retail to work in as you get the opportunity to sample the products first and you get to help people find the right clothes for them For people with a passion for clothes this can be a fantastic option as the companies also often offer discounts on the clothing that they deliver This can mean that as an employee you benefit from the first choice of the latest fashion and you are likely to receive a discount on your clothing Great if you are keen on your fashion
Shaun Parker has been involved in the Jobs industry for many years and is fully aware of the pitfalls you may face when you conduct a job search. He has plenty of experience and shares it to help people that are looking for retail jobs ,IT jobs, marketing jobs, admin jobs and sales jobs.
Syndication Source: Thought Search Articles Continue reading
Home Inspection Training How and Where of It
Author : Amit Kheterpal
Buying a home is an aspiration thing, so whatever you think of it there are people who are buying a home or selling a home and those who are either buying or selling usually will need a home inspector to make sure that the property is mechanically and structurally sound Millions of homes are bought and sold each year and the savviest of the savvy buyers would need the services of the home inspector to protect their interests
With that in mind, in nowadays being a home inspector would be a good profession You can be your own boss and start running your own home inspection services business or you can become a professional working with a home inspection services firm
What it entails is that as a home inspector you make sure that buyer and the real estate agent know about the costly repairs that may need to be done to home Armed with that knowledge they can then negotiate for a better process from the seller A typical home inspection would take about 2-5 hours and a home inspector charges an average of $200-$500 for a home inspection
To become a home inspector you need take a course which allow you to become a qualified home inspector, then you need to get a membership of professional organization and also keep that membership on an ongoing basis by taking certain courses or qualifying examinations Another important aspect in modern world is that you would need to have the knowledge of latest trends in home inspection software, as that can make your job easier and also make you look more professional
There are several courses available for you to start however I would recommend that you make sure to take an apprenticeship with a reputed home inspector and do the course alongside as that will help you gain some on the field expertise The institute you select should be properly accredited and should have proper infrastructure Some of the institutes have no proper authorization and setup but they claim to be home inspection training institutes
However let me warn you about two things One of which is scams and bogus companies whcih sell training courses and certifications which are not of any worth Make sure to check the credentials and aks the industry experts The other thing is that getting training is one thing and applying that knowledge to practical use another Your aim should be to become street smart in the business alongside making money in the business That said take your plunge and never look back
Amit works as a part time technology developer and if you need to learn more about home inspection report software reviews or home inspection report software technology please visit his website.
Syndication Source: Thought Search Articles Continue reading