Its Time to Embrace Change

Its Time to Embrace Change Change is scary. It is also something that sometimes we try not to  let happen  due to the level of fear associated with it and consequently miss out on amazing opportunities. The reality is, change is inevitable. The more we can plan and be prepared for the next step, the easier change and transitioning will be. When it comes to  professional and personal change, its important to commit  to life-long learning. This doesnt mean  becoming a professional student, but  it does  mean committing a great deal  to understanding and knowing what it is we need to learn to stay employable,  and to keep developing. The world is in a dynamic period of change. No one has the ability to predict exactly what tomorrow will look like, which  roles  might become redundant and the types of  jobs that will be created. With this being the case, committing to up skilling and regularly reviewing the market is necessary to remain in control of your career and to a degree, your life. There are a number of things we need to do to achieve this: Consistently review the validity of our education Gone are the days where a single qualification was all we needed. With the rate of economic and workplace change, the need to update our education is more imperative than ever. This might mean  undertaking formal qualifications through college or university, or simply looking into  single certifications or short courses. Either way, its necessary to stay qualified and educated at the level required to remain employable. Have a plan We are not all natural planners, however, we all need some form of plan to understand what we would like our career to look like. With a plan, we have the opportunity of setting goals, which act as  a natural motivator. The reality is that  without a plan to achieve goals, they probably wont happen. Developing a plan that is constantly reviewed and updated is important to continually reflect the dynamic nature of life. As your priorities and needs change, so will your plan. It is important to not do this without qualified advice though. If you are seeking to make a complete transition, undertake formal assessments with a qualified and accredited Career Coach. Tools such as the Strong Interest Inventory are a great foundation to getting a holistic picture of who you are professionally, personally and as a learner whilst also identifying pathways based on your core interests. Experience new things It is very hard to make a decision without having an understanding or experience relevant to the decision. For this reason, you need to commit to experiencing new things, testing the waters, so to speak. This can be achieved by working with your current organisation to experience different work environments or roles, or by volunteering to try new industries and test out new skills. This such experience is undeniably supportive in being able to make the right decision. Have confidence in who you are I was talking with someone  who  has undertaken a large scale transition of late, both professionally and personally. Their concern was that they felt that just couldn’t relate to who they were anymore and what they needed to do, given  this new person and new environment was unknown. My advice to them was to start acknowledging  and accepting the new them,  and being proud of themselves for what they had been through to make this transition. By building confidence in who you are or who you become, you have a greater chance of achieving great things with this new you. Have a support network Whether you engage with a Career Coach throughout this transition, or use your friends and family, a support network is imperative to assisting you through this time. You will have periods of highs and lows, doubts in your decisions and questions, but with the right  support network in place, you can focus on getting assistance in working through the outcomes of each scenario. Change is inevitable but it doesn’t always  have to be scary. We all have the opportunity of owning what our future looks like as long as we stay committed to what we want.

Tips For Women To Keep What They Earn In Wages And Overtime Pay

Tips For Women To Keep What They Earn In Wages And Overtime Pay Some days it seems as if women have been scratching their way to the top for as long as men have been sitting there. We fought through womens suffrage for the right to vote. We fought to be landowners, business owners, lawyers, doctors; anything and everything that men seemed to be handed on a silver platter. So why, especially in todays age are we still fighting? Because things have yet to be equal for all people. Debates are raging around the country for equal rights and that include wage equality. Slow Change For Women The first time a bill came before Congress to shove the unequal wage fight was 53 years ago. The Equal Pay Act of 1963. This law states that, Employers may not pay unequal wages to men and women who perform jobs that require substantially equal skill, effort and responsibility, and that are performed under similar working conditions within the same establishment. This basically means that employers cannot discriminate against a worker based on their gender. A woman must be paid the same wage as her male counterpart if she is doing substantially the same job. Unfortunately we know that rarely is this law upheld. An article recently relayed that an actress was offered significantly less than her male counterpart for a six episode spin-off of a show theyd both worked on previously. That’s right, the show was X-Files spin-off. When pay gaps hit celebrities and Hollywood types, you know that the average woman is having the same  problem and more especially in industries that require overtime pay to be taken into consideration as well. Tips For Changing The Tide Know Your Rights WageAdvocates.com states that thousands of American workers are shocked when they find out that they’ve been underpaid. The first and most important step is to know your rights. Employees have protection from discrimination, especially in their wages. Along with the Equal Pay Act of 1963, there is the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 and a slew of other Federal Laws that protect employees against wage inequality. Records-Learn to keep good records. Keep your pay stubs, keep your tax returns, keep any and all disciplinary summons you receive. Anything that pertains to your job should be kept. Retaliation-Retaliatory discipline is against the law. You are protected against retaliatory discipline for your participation in any sort of discrimination hearing or occurrence.   4.  Tipping and Overtime Pay-A lot of women make their income from earning tips. Waitresses, hostesses, spa workers, hair stylists and other service industry based employment positions have special circumstances when it comes to overtime work. If you have a job that tips you and gives you a wage credit, then your overtime pay would be calculated based upon the minimum wage, not upon the cash portion of your tips. Therefore, your pay should be calculated like this: Minimum wage (7.25/hour) times 1.5% minus your wage credit. This would give you the amount per hour you should be earning during your overtime period.   5. Education-There is never an excuse for being uneducated. This is not just schooling, but rather an ability to learn outside the scope of what youre told. Dont just take your employers word when it comes to your wages and overtime pay. Learn about how wages are calculated, tax withholdings, your personal tax bracket and anything else that affects how much money you take home every pay period. Knowledge is power, the more you know the less they can get away with. While business ethics should hold employers to a standard that means equal pay no matter your gender, thats sadly not always the case. There are things women can do to protect themselves against workplace and wage discrimination. The best and most effective defense against unfair practices is an informed offense. The more you know about your own situation, the sooner and more effectively you can battle your way to equal pay for equal time. Dont let fear stand in your way. Author Bio: Tim Becker Partner at Minneapolis’ Johnson // Becker PLLC, and lead sponsor of WageAdvocates.com. He is committed to providing clients effective, aggressive legal representation, and has prosecuted numerous individual FLSA violation claims. Image Source; Image Source

Shopping for an Engagement Ring 2018s Trends

Shopping for an Engagement Ring 2018’s Trends Engagement rings epitomise a relationship as they’re often the first commitment a couple makes to one another â€" a promise to become husband and wife. However, over the years, some may suggest that engagement rings have lost some of their symbolic meaning, instead becoming a fashion accessory and statement of wealth (only in some cases, I hasten to add). So just what are the 2018 trends for engagement rings and why? They Need to Be Individual Over the past decade, engagement rings have become increasingly varied, often being tailored to suit an individual. A lot of people want something completely different to an off-the-shelf engagement ring â€" they want something that’s unique to them and their relationship. This has given rise to custom-made designs, extravagant styles and hand-me-down heirlooms that boast a vintage twist. They Can Be Risky As the emphasis on individuality grows, it means people are daring to be bold when they’re choosing an engagement ring. The design needs to be something that feels exclusive, whether this means an unusual stone or metal or untraditional colour. That’s why you’ll find a variety of shapes, sapphires and diamond colours on offer, which gives the personal touch that people so desperately want from their engagement ring. They Can Hark Back to the Past Alongside these more outlandish styles, there has also been a rise in vintage- or retro-effect designs. This is often due to how much work goes into creating these pieces, especially if they are actually antique. With exemplary attention to detail, it gives the ring more meaning. And this bespoke, handmade feel has been added to contemporary pieces that boast the best of both worlds â€" a vintage-inspired look but modern, hardwearing touches â€" e.g. platinum metal. They Need to Be Oval If there’s one shape that’s dominating the engagement ring market, it’s oval. So even though solitaires are still incredibly sought after, the shape has changed to become oval. This is due to their more elaborate shape but one that’s still irrevocably classy. Oval engagement rings are timeless, unlike some of the other more out-there styles you may find available. They Can Be Bought Online Finally, it would seem as though many engagement ring shoppers are finding their dream ring online. With such a vast array of styles available, the details available online give people more scope to find the ring of their dreams. So rather than visit their local high street to see what jewellers have to offer, they’re looking at their online collections instead. Evidently, then, times are a changing. And even though off-the-wall styles are increasingly popular, it’s a welcome relief that individuality and meaning are returning to the engagement ring market.

How To Make A Great Impression When Traveling With Your Boss -

How To Make A Great Impression When Traveling With Your Boss - Of all employed women who travel, 47% do so for business, making this the fastest growing segment of corporate travel, according to a survey by Capita Travel.  If you are an excellent employee, at some point, you will likely need to travel with your boss on a business trip. The experience of your trip and how you represent the company, might vary depending on the nature of your travel among other factors. It is important to remember that business comes first and all your moves should reflect that so that you make a fantastic impression. Planning for the trip Ensure that you are well prepared to avoid making mistakes during your stay. Set up a meeting to ask questions that will give you a clearer picture of the travel ahead. While at it, ask how your boss envisions each day and what she would like to see accomplished. If there are any items that you need to send in advance, ship them while you still have time and confirm their arrival. Also, make sure that you have detailed logistical information, including the address of your hotel, schedule, and car reservation. More importantly, if you are traveling by road, conduct a thorough inspection to ensure that you will be  driving a reliable vehicle. o be able to handle all these tasks smoothly, ask all that is required of you before you pack so that you prepare accordingly. Communicating with your boss Since you do not know whether your manager will want to talk for the entire journey or travel silently, you need to have a few topics at the back of your mind. Ensure that you  know their personality and interests  so that you can use them to find neutral discussion points to enjoy. Let your conversation remain professional, especially when you start talking about coworkers and customers. If at some point you need to be excused for a night, knowing how to convey the message is essential. For example, you could insinuate your intention by framing it as an offer for assistance. Is there anything you need from me after 7 tonight? If there is none, explain your plans to see if theres a problem with you being off the clock. When traveling with your boss, the goal is to appear highly competent and professional. Remember that you were selected from a list of coworkers because management trusted you. As such, you should do your best to act the part without giving room for mistakes. Making inquiries before traveling, planning accordingly and staying alert will go a long way towards making a good impression. In case of any problems, call the office back home rather than telling your boss that the credit card did not work.

8 inner thoughts everyone has at their first society social - Debut

8 inner thoughts everyone has at their first society social - Debut Hey buddy. Got friends? Of course you do. But its time to push the boat out. Theres a whole world out there and its time you met some folks that share hobbies with you. Now, if youre like me and the idea of meeting new people makes you want to dive over a waterfall in a barrel, you may have the following thoughts at your first society social. And thats okay. Were here to talk you through them. “I’m here, now how do I infiltrate this group?” The first art you need to master is that of breaking into the tightly knit circle. You’ve done the right thing in ensuring you’re not the first to arrive at the pub, but now there’s no chairs spare. You’ve gotta grab one from the next table over ,but now who do you put it next to? The guy who invited you at the Societies Fair in the first place is deep in conversation with the rest of the exec committee, so that’s out. That just leaves the one option make new friends. “Lemme just play it cool for a while” You want to let everyone know that this, this society will be your home now. You’ve given away just enough during the icebreaker to keep everybody interested and now people are asking you follow-up questions. God bless ‘Two Truths and A Lie’. You just want to nerd out but you show incredible restraint and then, disaster strikes. “PizzapizzapizzapizzapizzapizzapizzapizzaPIZZA” You can’t fight it, you can’t resist it, so don’t try. You haven’t anything proper to eat since your mum’s last care package drop. And this is good pizza too y’know Domino’s, Pizza Hut stuff that you can’t afford. Hell, most people came for the free food, so who are you to turn down a slice or 6? “That sounded a lot funnier in my head” Yeah this one probably crops up for me more than most. Your first garbage joke, your first excruciating pun, your first auspicious celebrity impression marks the point in the night where all pretence of being cool has been completely abandoned. Listen, not everyone laughs out loud. Stop worrying and enjoy yourself! “Wow, I can’t believe what a d*ck you are” Every story needs a pantomime villain. In this case it’s that one girl who keeps stealing all your good points at Literature Society or that guy that gets up to do Wonderwall every single week at Live Music Society’s open mic nights. It’s perfectly healthy to have that one person in the group that you secretly hate from afar, we’ve all done it. Just don’t let that hate consume you, Anakin. “I’ll have one more then I’ll go home” The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world that it was possible to go to the pub for a couple cheeky bevs and then go home. This is among the most frequent lies people have ever told themselves and it’s no different here. Easy now, that’s your third Snakebite and you’ve got a 9am tomorrow. Best just head home, eh? “OMG BEST NITE EVA” *sigh* You didn’t go home, did you? Of course you didn’t. Someone suggested you head to the club and now here you are, a VK in each hand, wowing everybody with your ability to recite the lyrics to ‘The Next Episode’. By the time ‘Mr. Brightside’ comes on, you’ll have made new friends for life. “I think I’m gonna like it here” Society socials are all about making new friends that share your mutual interests. That’s the beautiful thing about them. So if you haven’t quite found your place at university yet, a society is the best place to look. So when you’re in that taxi back at 3am, relish that moment. Look around at your newfound pals and think, ‘These are my kind of people. I belong here.’ Download the Debut app and  get Talent-Spotted by amazing graduate employers! Connect with Debut on Facebook and Twitter

Job Seekers Change How You Look for Work

Job Seekers Change How You Look for Work The majority of hiring happens through referrals! Are you spending the bulk of your job search hours connecting with people?   I know most of you are not. You spend the majority of your time submitting online applications and tweaking your resume for submission.   STOP IT TODAY! When I was working with one job seeker, he asked what advice I had to help him improve his job search.   Simple I said, I forbid you from applying for any more jobs. Go talk to people instead! A friend sent me this article from the Wall Street Journal, quite a fascinating read!   Job-Hunt Tips from the Depression-Era Playbook. During the Great Depression, unemployment was above 24%.   (And were complaining about 9%, jeez!) Many were able to find work or created work.   This article tells the tales of some of the survivors of the depression.   Read and learn! The article also sites a   paper presented at the Brookings Institution this March by Princeton economist Alan Krueger and Columbia Business Schools Andreas Mueller.   In their survey of over 6000 job seekers, this is what they found: The body of proof is out there across so many studiespeople prefer to interview and hire people they know or whom are referred by people they know.   You can argue the unfairness, but the facts are the facts! For the next 30 days, I challenge you to drastically change how you are spending your time! If you are unemployed, you should be spending at least 35 hours a week in job search related activities!   Finding a job is a full time job. It will take time and great effort on your part to make this transition.   Be patient.   You wont feel immediate gratification. Here are some thoughts on how you can begin to make this happen: Schedule time weekly to meet with people either via phone or in person (get a calendar, you are going to need it!) Be sure you contact ALL your friends and family on a regular basis you remind them you are still looking with suggestions on how to help. Contact all you past supervisors and managers to let them know you are looking for new opportunities. Get in touch with past colleagues, vendors, and supplies and let them know.   Remember to touch base with them regularly from now on. Turn every activity into an opportunity to meet new people- build relationships. Attend professional association meetings or conferences or chamber of commerce events to meet people within your target companies. Embrace the power of social media/networking to begin building new relationships! Phew!

Tips For Finding the Best Resume Writing Services in New York City to Live

Tips For Finding the Best Resume Writing Services in New York City to LiveIf you are seeking the best resume writing services in New York City to live, there are many things that you should know. Doing some research is a good idea and if you are unsure of what you want, then hiring a professional is the way to go.Since there are many of these companies that are available all over the country, it is easy to become overwhelmed. It is easy to believe that you will only have one or two options to choose from, but it is better to be a little bit careful in choosing your own professional. In order to make sure that you are dealing with a legitimate business, make sure that you do some research before signing on the dotted line.The first thing that you need to do when looking for the best resume writing services in New York City to live is to decide how long you are going to need the service. You can always hire a company for a short period of time or a long term contract that you may want to move on. The goal here is to know what type of writing services that you are going to need and how long you want to work with them.Once you have an idea of what type of writing services you need, then it is time to start finding these services in New York City. Try to make the search online and ask for references. Call up a few different people and see what they have to say about the experience they had with the company.Having the experience from the actual person that they worked with is a good way to find out what people think about the company. This is a very helpful tool when trying to get the best resume writing services in New York City to live.Once youhave narrowed down your list of services and have interviewed several companies, then you can start narrowing down your experience and asking about the entire experience. Some companies are more than happy to give you references so that you can hear from the people who actually use their services. This is one of the best ways to learn about the business and what they actually do.When you are looking for the best resume writing services in New York City to live, make sure that you are clear on exactly what you want to achieve. If you are just looking for a quick service, then you will have many companies to choose from and this could cause you to get a poor product. Make sure that you make a budget and stick to it.Resume writing services are not the same as resume editors. Most writing services offer a free resume editor that can help you write a great resume. However, it is important to realize that writing resumes is a specialized field and you will need to do your research when looking for the best resume writing services in New York City to live.