Volunteering! What Has It Done For You

Volunteering! What Has It Done For You Students these days are desperate for work experience. Hours are dedicated to researching companies, which may or may not take students on. It seems that Google has become every student’s best friend. A few simple keywords such as ‘student work experience’ generates millions of results on the Google homepage. No wonder students feel as if they’ve given their brains a work-out.   With so many options, so many letters to write and tonnes of CVs to create, in order to match each job description, not hearing back can be very frustrating and discouraging! Society Needs Volunteers Nevertheless, it shouldn’t end there! Our society needs volunteers! The current debate still stands on whether unpaid internships should be permitted. The lack of relevant work given, as some may argue, and not being appreciated, makes you wonder why you should even bother getting work experience. SEE ALSO:  Volunteering â€" Is It Any Good? It’s been said before that, in order to gain experience, you need experience! Its a classic catch 22. And what experience are you gaining, if youre just filling your time with menial tasks and nothing else? Volunteering is now on the rise and it is a FANTASTIC way of not only gaining experience and developing your skills, but also contributing to society doing something you enjoy. I can confidently vouch for the benefits of volunteering from personal experience. Participating in charitable organisations is absolutely invaluable. They need you, and the feeling of being appreciated makes you feel motivated and happy, while learning a lot at the same time. It shows that you have a good heart, too! Although getting yourself out there, gaining as much work experience as possible is absolutely vital, don’t leave your personality behind. It’s your personality that can shine in an interview and make you stand out.  I’ll give you an example; I was invited to an interview at  a charit y and the interviewer , like all interviewers do, asked about my experience on my CV. I expressed my enthusiasm for my charity work, and my work was given admirable feedback. I had done something that I loved, or developed a profound interest in, and was applauded for it. Internships vs Volunteering I understand how important it may be to be able to gain an internship at a top firm. I understand it completely. After all, statistics show that interning at a company gives a candidate a better chance of securing a permanent position at that company after the end of an internship.  However, a word of caution to all those seeing internships as the Holy Grail of employment don’t become overly consumed by the idea of securing an internship as your only option. As you already know, you’re in competition with thousands of your peers, so widen your horizons a bit more. How about stop chasing the game, but use your brain? You will burn out and get defeated otherwise. Unpaid Internships vs Volunteering Moving on to my next point: what’s the difference between volunteering and unpaid internships? Acknowledging that both opportunities enable you to gain substantial skills, I am aware that the term ‘internships’ takes things to a whole new level.   During an internship you’ll be exposed to responsibilities that are more specific to a particular role within a company. There will definitely be a job description and a person specification to illustrate the responsibilities associated with the role and what the company requires from you. SEE ALSO:  How Technology Is Changing Job Hunting As a volunteer, on the other hand, you might be required to perform various tasks, your role might not be entirely structured, but you might also be appreciated more by the organisation youre working for. Why? Because you’re giving up YOUR time to help others. Volunteering is not just about gaining skills for your CV and filling that blank piece of paper its about who you are and what youre passionate about. Your CV should not be seen as a list of ‘activities’. Don’t try to impress for the sake of impressing others. Your CV should be seen as a piece of art. Its a piece of evidence that you are a passionate individual. Each and every individual has a personality, so embrace it! That’s what employers want to see. photo credit: planeta via photopin cc 17

Stay at Home Mom Writing Resume

Stay at Home Mom Writing ResumeA stay at home mom writing resume can be a real challenge if you have never done it before. However, if you approach the task in the right way, you'll be able to provide a very high standard for yourself.The first thing you should do is create a target of what job search you wish to perform and a good description of what you are going to do. You should not be too specific because it will end up with your resume not getting the job.Organization is a critical element of a resume. Yours should look organized and professional and you should be sure it includes all the vital information. If you are using the same layout, keep the same format and get used to the layout, you'll feel more comfortable when it comes to applying for the job.Be specific about what you can do for the company. Try to leave out anything that is highly confidential. Try to use skills that you already possess or would be an asset to the company. This will help you get the job faster.If you are applying for a position where there is no requirement for certain qualifications, this is also a good time to list down any achievements you may have, which may include degrees. Include one or two of your achievements in your cover letter. After that, you can start writing your resume.Keep things organized by listing down the titles and the duties you have undertaken on your particular job. Just remember that it is not necessary that the title must be the same with the position title. Just include all the things that need to be included in the job description.As you can see, a stay at home mom writingresume can become quite easy after you follow these simple tips. Just take your time to compose a good and clear resume that will help you land the job fast.Remember, you are seeking for employment, so do not write a writing resume that might leave a lot to be desired. Write an interesting and effective resume for yourself that will take you to your dream job!

The 6 Golden Rules of Making Friends in Freshers Week

The 6 Golden Rules of Making Friends in Freshers Week We all know the number one scariest thing about starting university is the thought of having to make friends. The last time you were in this situation you were starting school aged five, and we all know offering someone the purple crayon isnt going to help you find your best friend like it did then. Despite what you might think, making friends at university is often way easier than you imagine, even if you dont make friends in the places you would expect. Its all about being open to new opportunities, putting yourself out there and, if all else fails, buying someones friendship with pizza. Follow these top tips and youll find your uni BFFs in no time at all. Food is the way to the heart If theres no better way to start making friends than by buying their affection with food. Seriously though, if youre sat in the kitchen eating some pizza, offer the girl next door a slice. Pass round that bag of Malteasers your mum left you. Organise a flat meal, or a movie and popcorn night. Food brings people together and will help you feel much more relaxed around your new housemates, so stick the oven on and get sharing. Side note: The Great British Bake Off is the perfect flat bonding activity. Set aside some time to watch it every week,  bond over your merciless critique of the contestants baking endeavours, and maybe even attempt to make your own lion bread. Friendships for life are forged on soggy bottoms. Keep your door open (literally and metaphorically) Its your first day at university, youve finished unpacking all your stuff, shooed your parents out the door and now youre sat on your bed not quite sure what to do with yourself. Theres no point in hiding away in your room, so prop your door open and invite in your new flatmates as they arrive. Keeping your door open will show that youre friendly and sociable. At the same time, as you go about your new life at uni, remain open and friendly when meeting new people. Initiate conversations and always respond with enthusiasm, whether youre on the bus or in the library- once youve got an established group of friends you can go back to being your grumpy self if you wish. Know your limits Of course, for a lot of people freshers is all about getting too drunk, wearing cringey fancy dress costumes and making a whole heap of mistakes. And theres no denying that the drunken escapades of freshers will become the fond memories you look back on in your final year. But theres no point in getting so drunk that you dont remember a thing, or even worse, you dont make it past pre-drinks. Dont go crazy with the sudden independence of being able to drink all the alcohol in the world, youll feel a lot better for it the next day and youll actually recognise the faces of the people you met. Similarly, its ok to get to the end of freshers week and have a day in bed to yourself. Making friends, partying and being uber-friendly all the time does get pretty exhausting and its totally fine to take a day off and have some time to yourself. Dont push yourself too hard. Say yes to everything Well, within reason. Dont do anything stupid, but going to university is all about opening yourself up to new experiences. If your housemate asks you to join the trampolining society with her, do it. Even if youve never stepped foot on a trampoline in your life, societies are full of students just wanting to have some fun and try out something new. Go to a student comedy night, take up taekwondo or sign up to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. At university the world is literally your oyster so remain open to all the opportunities around you. No matter what you do, youre guaranteed to make new friends while doing it. Be yourself And that person doesnt have to be the person youve always been. Theres no point pretending to be someone else just appear to edgy and cool, but university is your time to experiment. Get a wild hair cut, hit up the freshers vintage fair and buy yourself a new wardrobe, do whatever you feel like. Youll find people from all walks of life at university and no one is going to judge you for being different, so let your true colours show. And if you feel you dont quite fit in with your flatmates or coursemates, dont stress. Join societies, go to events, help organise a campaign; there are literally thousands of people at university and your best friend is out there waiting for you. Just dont expect it to necessarily be the person in the room next door. Remember everyone is in the same boat The number one thing to remember if youre feeling nervous or a bit lonely is that everyone is in the same boat when they arrive at university. Nobody will have an established group of friends, and everyone is figuring things out as they go along just the same as you. So put yourself out there, be that friendly face you would want for yourself and the positive vibes will come back round. At university youre constantly being introduced to new people, whether its through your new seminar group, on a night out or through a society. Over the three years youre there, expect friends to come and go, and dont expect to find your soulmate on day one. If it happens, then great, but dont panic and (were sure youve heard it before) youll be fine. Connect with Debut on  Facebook,  Twitter,  and  LinkedIn  for more careers insights.

Dont Let Yourself Forget Who You Were At 16 - Kathy Caprino

Dont Let Yourself Forget Who You Were At 16 Part of the work I do in helping women feel happier and more successful in their work, is excavation â€" digging deep and peeling the layers to uncover the richness and the amazing natural gifts inside. And one critical dimension of that process is remembering who you were when you were just starting out in life. When I look back at what I loved to do when I was 16, and the natural talents that began to flow forth, I see that everything I enjoy in my work now is exactly what I felt joyous and exuberant about then. I loved to write (I became an English major and studied journalism, and was a reporter for my school paper), I was a singer and a performer, I loved psychology and figuring out what made people tick, and I enjoyed helping my friends (boys and girls) sort out solutions to problems they were grappling with. I remember my beloved dad too commenting about my nature. Once day, when I was trying to sort out why someone was behaving really badly to me, he said “Honey, you really love to get to the bottom of things figure out what drives people to do what they do. You love to know why.” He was so right. I didn’t realize then â€" or for 20+ years more in my unhappy corporate life â€" that we’re all happiest and most alive when “…we’re demonstrating in physical reality what we know to be true about ourselves, when we we are giving form to our Lifes Intentions in a way that contributes to others.” â€" Maria Nemeth, The Energy of Money I love this quote, and I feel that no truer words have ever been spoken. In your adult life, have you ever demonstrated behavior or spoke in ways that you later realized were NOT you at all? That were jarring, hurtful, disrespectful, catty, destructive? If youre in touch with your emotions, youll feel a jarring pain when youre being your lowest self you feel it in your soul. Or have you ever struggled with a problem (like chronically being unable to repay your debts or not telling the truth on something critical) and you know that what you’re demonstrating in life is not true, good, or worthy of your self-respect? I have, and it’s a horrible feeling. We are terribly unhappy when what we’re creating in life is out of alignment with everything we know to be true about ourselves. Secondly, I’ve seen through 10 years of career coaching that the most alive and joyful people on the planet are those who feel that their natural gifts are useful to others â€" to a great company, an important cause, to people in need, or to their community and world. I believe that’s why were on the planet today â€" to find a way to use who we are in benefit to those around us. But life is challenging and exhausting today, and most of us are so beleaguered with what’s on our plates that we’ve forgotten who were when we were young, and what we’re capable of. We’ve lost sight of how amazing we are, and the gifts we are supposed to be sharing. How can we reclaim those talents and capabilities and find new ways to utilize them? Here’s a challenge for you. Every day for the next 21 days, when you get up in the morning and are washing your face or taking a shower, take 3 minutes to think about what you loved about yourself at 16 (or pick an age where you were shining). Think about: What people noticed about you, and raved about What made you feel joyful, free, and alive What made you feel strong and confident What you did that made others say, “Wow! I could never to that so beautifully or well!” What your friends and family adored about you And finally, what you thought was pretty darn amazing about yourself Just bring these things to mind each day, and get back in touch with yourself who you were, and who you are, deep down. Do this for 21 consecutive days and you will experience a shift. You’ll remember more clearly what you’re capable of, and you’ll start believing that it’s time to shift your life and work so that you’re using more of your natural gifts and talents, and finding more joy and satisfaction in your life and relationships. It’s time to dig deep, find your right work, and illuminate the world with it. Its YOUR time to shine. For some inspiration to build a happier, more satisfying career, visit the Amazing Career Project, and watch my new video Time to Shine.

The Benefits of Age and Experience

The Benefits of Age and Experience I still remember the 1984 debate between President Ronald Reagan and former Vice President Walter Mondale when President Reagan started the debate with a bit of humor:  I want you to know that also I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponents youth and inexperience. I laughed and so did everyone else watching the debate. Beyond being funny, it rings so true for baby boomers looking for jobs. If youre older than the average job candidate, here are the Top 10 reasons an employer would find you a desirable hire: You arent a job hopper. You carry the loyalty gene we all seemed to inherit from the generation before us. That translates into less of a risk of  an employer investing in training you and then having you leave. Turnover is a big issue for companies. You are past the stage of sick kids, school events, maternity and paternity leave. So, you wont need to miss work as much as your younger colleagues. You also understand the need to be on time vs. late to the job. You know what it means to be a team player and can work across generations. You understand the need for excellent customer service and know how to deliver it daily. Years of being on the receiving end of bad customer service has taught you a few lessons. You have skills, knowledge, and experience that are valuable to employers like budgeting and planning, time management, organizational, negotiation, and communication skills. You are honest and trustworthy and have people who can vouch for that. You are a great mentor and understand the importance in building relationships. You have a we attitude and a strong sense of achievement. You are an agile and lifelong learner. This is especially relevant when you need to learn new systems and processes. Going through another training program is a welcome challenge to you. You have confidencewith experience comes confidence. Use that confidence during your interview. Leave the jitters to the more youthful! You dont just react to situations. You bring perspectives and can think through complex issues and solve them. On the flip side, you must be prepared to compete with younger candidates by exhibiting a positive outlook, projecting an image of good health, and being proficient in the latest technologies. Companies are beginning to see the value of hiring baby boomers. They also dont have a lot of choices with the predicted upcoming labor shortage. The Urban Institute predicts workers aged 50+ will account for 35 percent of the labor force by 2019. And, it will continue to grow. So, if you are 50+, use the Top 10 List to your Advantage when moving onto an encore career. We hope this is helpful to you! Katie Weiser, Career Coach at HallieCrawford.com. Need help with your career?  Certified Career Coach is a career coach that specializes in helping professionals identify their ideal career path, navigate their transition and nurture their career. To schedule a complimentary consultation and find out more about Hallie visit https://www.halliecrawford.com. Schedule a free consult with HallieCrawford.com today

Writing Career Objectives For Resume - How to Make a Good Statement About Yourself in the Job Interview

Writing Career Objectives For Resume - How to Make a Good Statement About Yourself in the Job InterviewWriting career objectives for resume is a really good idea. This should be what you need to consider when looking at your resume. It is important to know how to write these because it will help you in the entire job search process. You want to get hired and keep getting hired.The first thing that you need to do is take a look at the job that you want to do in the future. If you are going to be applying for a marketing position, make sure that you go into detail about the marketing strategies you are going to use. Then work on the ideas that you have for developing products, helping in promotions, all those types of things.Now you are going to need to think about the target market you are going to be targeting. Think about which product or service you are going to make. You have to come up with a really good list.Make sure that you are going to target the right target market so that you can get hired. You may have some marketing experience but if you don't have any product creation experience, then your chances of getting hired is very slim.If you are applying for sales positions, writing career objectives for resume is something that you will have to look into. If you can think about this right before you submit your resume, then it will be a huge help to you. If you can't think of a good way to express your thoughts, then your resume is going to be incomplete.Now you need to choose the target market that you are targeting. This is going to be a great idea if you don't know what you want to do. You are going to want to learn everything about the target market so that you can give your resume the best shot at landing you the job.Now you have to make sure that you write your own job description. Make sure that you go into great detail about your skills and accomplishments. Don't let the requirements dictate your resume.

Wassau Has the Lowest Income Inequality in the U.S.

Wassau Has the Lowest Income Inequality in the U.S. It’s no secret that places like New York and San Francisco are beset with gross economic equality. But where does the dream of an egalitarian America actually live? In Wausau, Wisconsin â€" at least according to a new analysis of government data by the Pew Research Center. The city of 39,000, located on the Wisconsin River, has the highest share of middle income residents â€" 67% of the population â€" of any of more than 200 metropolitan areas examined by Pew researchers. Close behind were two other Wisconsin areas â€" Janesville-Beloit with 65% of its population in the middle class and Sheboygan with 63%. (In all, seven out of the ten most equal cities were in the Midwest.) The findings were part of a broader study on rising inequality in which Pew found that between 2000 and 2014, the share of adults in middle income households fell in 203 of 229 metro areas it examined across the U.S. It defined middle income as those making $42,000 to $125,000 for a three-person household, with adjustments made for cost of living by region. Nationally 20% of adults were counted as upper class, 51% were middle class, and 19% were lower class. Equality may come at a price. Cities with the highest share of middle class residents tended to have economies tied to the manufacturing sector, which offers well paying jobs, but is also shrinking. For instance, manufacturing employment fell 49% in Janesville-Beloit between 2000 and 2014, according to Pew. There was some good news for Wausau, however. While the city lost 3,200 manufacturing jobs in that time span, overall private employment rose by 1,000 workers.