How to Build Your Client-Based Network Building Your Future Now

How to Build Your Client-Based Network Building Your Future Now If you are already a free lancer you have a network of clients that you have done work for. Whether you have worked with them on one project or multiple projects, they are a great source to grow your network. For example, you have done work for a particular client. They respect your professionalism and have come to you for multiple jobs. It is safe to say that you have a good relationship with them. This is the time that you can ask for references or referrals to other prospects. Having a referral is perhaps one of the easiest ways of building your business based on your solid work you have done in the past. Also, you are slowly but surely building your networking by simply asking your established clients to refer you. These referrals can led to more jobs and also opportunities for interesting positions with in established companies. Its about keeping your options open and finding ways to grow your network through your clients. Image: Mohamed Hassan

How to Stay Productive Between Jobs

How to Stay Productive Between Jobs Everyone at some point in their career deals with time spent in between jobs. But your time in between jobs can be a productive one for your career. This way you can come back into the workforce in career shape. Also, you will also have a story to answer that interview question, “What were you doing between jobs?”VolunteerMaintaining your work regimen is important. Volunteering keeps you conditioned for waking up, working, and going to sleep between jobs. It also keeps your mind sharp and gives you the same sensation of having a job.The best part is your volunteer work can lead to new job referrals. When your time between jobs comes to an end, you will have people to interview with. The act of you taking a break between jobs will have paid off for your career.Clean up Your Web PresenceWhen is the last time you truly went through ALL of your online content? Do you even know what’s out there? The Internet has been around for more than 20 years. During that time you may have made blog comments, created a bunch of pointless online profiles, or just tested new websites.Take this time to go through all of it. You can either remove content or better yet, clean up your social media profiles. While you are at it, you can maintain your network in preparation for a return to work.Plan Your Next Career MoveThe worst thing you can do between jobs is sit around doing nothing. When your mind goes to sleep, so will your career.While between jobs start planning your next career move. Think about where you want to be in the next 5 years. Where do you want to live? Who do you want to work for? What skills will you need to know for the future?It is a good time to start planning your next career move because you have no added work pressure. You can be solely focused on what is best for you.Ultimately, your time off from work between jobs can turn out to be a reboot of your career!

5 Cringeworthy Office Moments I Cant Deal With

5 Cringeworthy Office Moments I Cant Deal With Being able to find  the funny side to  uncomfortable  moments is a true gift. When awkwardness starts to infiltrate the air between coworkers, it  is he or she who can make a joke of the situation and move on, who makes it out alive. But sometimes, thats easier said than done. Unfortunately,  offices are breeding grounds for  uncomfortable situations.  We  all make mistakes. We all fall victim to situational nightmares. We all make  thoughtless slips of the tongue. Sometimes  we  are forced to hold both hands above our head and surrender to embarrassment. Theres no other way out; no wise-crack that can alleviate the pressure. Without further ado,  here are  my  top 5 cringeworthy office moments that  I simply cant deal with: 1.  Walking down a long corridor towards someone Youre on your way out of the office, and begin the slow walk down the hallway to the elevator. At the same time,  someone you sort of know walks out of the lift at the other end. You make eye contact once. You both smile, maybe raise an eyebrow or two. A few seconds pass and youre still walking towards each other. You smile again, this time bigger, and maybe even shrug your shoulders. You mouth the word hi, then look away. Then you have to look back at them because youll trip over if you look sideways. Theyre uncomfortable, youre uncomfortable.  After what feels like hours, you finally pass them. You almost stop, lean on your knees and pant, because the marathon is finally over. One more fake smile and you may have had a  panic attack. 2. Standing in slow and silent elevators Youre waiting for the elevator to come. In that time you grow 20% more grey hairs on your head from stressing over how much more forced small talk you can really take. It finally arrives and you shuffle inside with everyone else. Turns out its anything but the saviour you envisaged. You could  hear a pin drop; the silence would make a  library  sound rowdy. The bell rings and you cant get out of there  quickly enough, pushing past the others. You breathe in the fresh air, youre free! Only you arent, because this is level 1 and you need to get to level 3. Back into the  cell  you go, with your tail between your legs. 3.  Spotting food on someones face You settle down for a meeting with David. He plans to tell you some exciting news about a new project youll be working on together. Within the 10 seconds you spot a piece of cake hanging on for dear life just next to his  left dimple. David should know he cant have his cake and eat it too. Now youve spotted it, you cant look away. Then David notices you staring, catches  his own reflection in the window and then leans into see what the brown dot is on his face. He wipes his cheek  and the crumbs fate is sealed. By the time it hits the table, youre both staring at it. The room is suddenly silent  and youre wondering why this somehow feels like your fault. What were you supposed to do, tell him?!? 4. Being accidentally spat on You dont know Mary  very well, but your bladders must know each other because theyre  always in sync  and you always bump  into each other in the bathroom. Anyway, youre midway through a cheap conversation about why the sink area is always wet, when all of a sudden, a piece of saliva flies out of  her mouth and  into your eye. You both know it happened, because her eyes clearly follow its flight path, and you go dangerously cross-eyed from trying to locate its whereabouts upon landing. Mary is mortified, so to  help her save face you act like nothing happened and keep talking. Then youre racking your brain trying to concoct a natural-looking excuse to wipe your eye, because now its starting to water  and you dont know if its your tears or her spit dribbling back out and and  its all just too gross to handle. You dont need this kind of stress in your life. 5. Being hung up on midway through a  call Youre on a phone call in an open plan office; all of your colleagues can hear you, but youre not too phased by it because everyone has to do it; there are no private booths.  Youre in the middle of your sales pitch to a client. Youve been talking non-stop for a few minutes now but its okay because youre really in the zone and making a really compelling case. Finally, you wrap things up and  finish your sentence so, how does that sound,  James? And then theres silence.  Its so loud that it echoes in your mind and fills your entire body with fear. James? you say his name again, but no answer. James, are you still there? Its in that moment that you know hes not there anymore. He hung up. While you failed miserably to maintain James interest, you  have  successfully caught the attention of everyone in your office, within a 5-metre radius from  your desk. You hang up the phone slowly in defeat,  and cant help but notice everyone staring at you. You  do a nervous laugh to disguise the tears youre crying on the inside.  Oh how you wish you were back in that  elevator, or walking down that long corridor, perhaps blinded in the bathroom with Mary or back sitting in that meeting with David. Anywhere but here.

When to Use The 2 Minute Rule - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

When to Use The 2 Minute Rule - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career When you are in a heated discussion there is a tried and true technique to help get things back on track. Its called  The Two Minute Rule. I heard about this in Ray Dalio’s seminal book Principles. If you haven’t heard of Ray Dalio that’s OK. But, you should know he built a $160 billion dollar hedge fund called Bridgewater Associates. In his book he talks about how he did it  â€" lumps and all. If you haven’t read the book … you should. He describes a lot of things in his book and several of them stand out. But, one in particular stood out to me. And, that was The Two Minute Rule. Who hasn’t been in a meeting that has gone off the rails? Who hasn’t want to mute that one person that keeps interrupting? What can you do about it? If the meeting is in person it can be harder to point the virtual remote at the person and click “mute” Of course, you can do this on a conference call, but it’s not always a wise idea to do so. Especially depending upon where that person is on the org chart. So, what can you do? Take 2 Allow ANYONE in the room or on the call to call out “Two Minute Rule” Then… give the floor to that person and… Allow 2 minutes to Get It All Out Take as many turns as necessary. And LISTEN. REALLY LISTEN. Use the 5 Whys if needed to dig into the points being brought up. Note: This has parallels to what Jeff Bezo’s has instituted at Amazon with the Amazon Leadership Principles. Things to Remember: Anyone in the room can call out… 2 Minute Rule Which means they have 2 minutes… 120 seconds… to share their thoughts. The meeting attendees have  one job… to listen, really listen. The attendees need to realize that this is not the time to just  wait for their their turn to call out or criticize. Seek first to understand. ~ Dr. Stephen Covey Does it work? Sure. Every time? No. Nothing works every time. Is it worth a try? Absolutely. Why do this? Because you want to understand. Because you want to drive for results. Because you want to serve the customer. When you do this and learn to apply it consistently and with a deep level of professionalism you will stand out in your career. You may never become a hostage negotiator or lead the UN in a critical debate. However, this is a tool for your tool belt to help get to the root of an issue and give people their say. People like to be heard. Even if you and others don’t think so. This is a technique for them to get their 2 minutes. Will someone else’s 2 minutes change your mind? Who knows. But, you’ll never know unless you listen. Really listen.

Resume Career Summary Examples - How To Find The Best Resume Career Summary Examples

Resume Career Summary Examples - How To Find The Best Resume Career Summary ExamplesThere are a lot of resume career summary examples that you can find when you go online. You want to make sure that you go to the right site because not all of these sites will be able to help you in your job search.Here's why this is important, and why you may not find any extra help for your job search on these sites. These sites are usually either sites that have targeted advertisements and you can sometimes even get a list of sites that are highly likely to give you the extra help that you need.So what's the catch? They are targeting just for resumes and you won't be able to find any resume career summary examples here that are going to help you get the job that you are looking for.One way that these sites get the job listings that they want is by doing a background check on the companies that they are advertising on their web site. These sites often get the same information from these companies an d then advertise these companies to the general public, so they can make more money.So, if you want to find some resume career summary examples then you are going to have to do your own research or at least find a site that has these examples in the resource box. So make sure that you don't pay for these things.You can also get some advice on how to write a resume for a specific special needs. You can learn how to tailor the resume and how to provide information to them that is specific to them.If you are having trouble writing a resume then you can always go to a site that specializes in writing resumes and find some resume career summary examples. There you can find lots of examples of people that have successfully written resumes and can give you tips on how to do it. It is always good to find other people's resumes and then you can do your own resume career summary examples. You can always learn from the experience of other people and do things that they have not done before.

The Ultimate Guide To Working In Construction - CareerAlley

The Ultimate Guide To Working In Construction - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. The construction sector comprises businesses that are engaged in the construction of buildings or engineering projects such as highways and utility systems. After taking a huge hit in the recent economic turndown, the US construction industry is largely recovered and is set to experience healthy growth over the coming years. Construction work can involve building new homes, schools, and offices or adding to, altering or repairing ones that are already constructed. Within the broad umbrella of construction, there are many individual trades such as bricklayers and roofers. There are opportunities within the sector for unskilled workers right through to highly qualified and skilled workers with all levels of experience. Choosing your construction career Start by doing your research into the many types of jobs that are available in the construction sector. Do you prefer an office-based job, something that is quite technical or would a role that was more hands-on suit you best? Carry out a simple internet search first. There is information on everything from window contractor positions to gutter contractor positions. The skills, experience, and benefits of the various roles are detailed. Find yourself some work experience with a construction firm. Network with people that you know who work in the industry, meet up with them and pick their brains. It is always useful to get an insiders view. If you are skilled technically and mathematically you may like the idea of an engineering or architectural role. However, if you like working with your hands and in a team and do not have higher level qualifications you may prefer bricklaying or plumbing. There are opportunities within the sector for unskilled workers right through to highly qualified and skilled workers with all levels of experience. Tweet This The beauty of the construction industry is that there are always entry-level posts available that require little or no experience or qualifications because you can learn on the job. This is often the best way to learn a trade or a skill because you get loads of hands-on experience as you are training. A construction trainee, for example, would be required to show a willingness to learn and work as part of a team but would require little in the way of formal academic qualifications. A general laborer is required to be physically fit and able to use a variety of implements and tools. Working hours vary but construction workers typically start very early in the morning and finish in the late afternoon. There could be site meetings and inspections so communication skills are also vital. Health and safety in the construction industry Unfortunately, the construction industry has one of the highest rates of accidents in all occupational categories. This is because of the nature of the work and a tendency amongst some workers to take unnecessary risks. Constructions workers are hurt because of: Falls from a height. Many buildings are high and so the people that build them and who repair them have to work at height. They can fall from ladders, scaffolding, and poorly constructed platforms Getting caught in machinery. Clothing and limbs can get caught in high-speed machinery and underneath heavy objects Electrocutions. By live wires which could be overhead or buried in the ground Being struck by objects. This could be unsecured debris or a trench collapse The key to preventing these accidents is awareness and correct planning of the job. What will you wear? Construction workers are required to wear safety clothing to protect them from hazards on site. Typically, a construction worker would wear a hard hat at all times to protect them from falling debris. They would also wear high-visibility jackets, cargo trousers (with pockets for tools) and rigger boots with toe protection. The advantages of working in the construction industry There are many good reasons to choose a career in the construction industry. The jobs are plentiful so you are never likely to be unemployed. Also, thousands of the baby boomer generation are due to retire from their construction jobs over the coming decade which means that demand for your skills will go up even further. This should drive up wages which is good news for you. Salaries in the industry are already at a healthy level. As a young person, you can start earning money right away. You do not have to spend years getting a college degree or diploma and rack up thousands of dollars in student debt. You can learn on the job and get paid whilst you study for a qualification. Your employer will probably pay your college fees for you and may let you have a day a week off to attend classes. There is plenty of opportunity for promotion for those who work hard and are dedicated. With time and experience, you can build a highly successful career and reach the higher management positions. You could start off as a general laborer, then move on to foreman, superintendent, supervisor, project manager and eventually construction manager. As you climb up the promotion ladder your salary will increase in line with your extra responsibility. You can reach higher salaries without having to swap sectors so a lifelong career with the same employer is possible. If you would prefer to move around the country (or even the world) you can do that as well. Your skills and experience are portable. Everywhere has buildings and everyone wants them to be repaired. Your skills are valued in both rural and urban locations so you can choose where you want to live and not be constricted by your job. Perhaps one of the most attractive features is the teamwork and camaraderie. There is a great sense of achievement to be had from being part of a team that has created a wonderful building or restored a derelict house. It is a tangible achievement that you can see and touch. There is a great team spirit on construction sites. You can work with people who have the same skills as you and alongside other tradespeople. You all learn from each other and work as a team to get the best result for your client. What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Find out how to find the opportunities that help you grow your best career. Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. 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3 Great Things About A Career In The Food Industry - Margaret Buj - Interview Coach

3 Great Things About A Career In The Food Industry From a very young age, we’re taught to follow our dreams and map out our careers before we leave the realm of education. When we get out there in the real world, however, our experience never quite matches those rose tinted dreams of youth. The experience of life teaches us to reevaluate our priorities. Those of us who spent our teenage years fantasising about the trappings of wealth realise how hollow the pursuit of money for its own sake is and pine for something more meaningful. The would be pop stars and Hollywood A-listers realise that they were a big fish in a small pond growing up, and that their chosen career path is a merry-go-round of rejection and “resting” jobs. This can leave many of us in our twenties and thirties feeling directionless. While we may be well qualified, we’re unsure where to invest our skills for a career that’s lucrative yet rewarding. You may not have considered the food industry. At face value it’s not the most glamorous or challenging of places in which to pursue your career. Nonetheless, there are numerous qualities that make it attractive to people in various different stages of their careers… It’s pretty much recession proof We live in economically uncertain times. Entire industries are springing up, fading into obscurity almost overnight or at the very least are massively overhauling their practices in order to survive in the fast moving and technological;ly led business landscape of today. The food industry, however, is all but recession proof. In times of prosperity or austerity, people will always need to eat. There are a number of people out there who are desperate for the kind of job security you’ll enjoy. It’s richly multifaceted The food industry is both a science and an art form. Thus, it can appeal to the meticulously minded and the creative alike. No matter where your skills lie, there’s a good chance that you can find food industry jobs to suit your skills, disposition and ambitions. From manufacture to marketing, from international trading to gastrointestinal sciences, there really is something for everyone in the food industry. One of the biggest problems that many face in their career, especially in the early stages, is that of boredom and under stimulation. The great thing about the food industry is that its multifaceted nature provides numerous opportunities for lateral progression, meaning that you need never get bored at work. There are so many opportunities The food industry is big business (both in the revenue it generates and the often global scale at which it operates), which means a plethora of opportunities for those who are prepared to put in the hard work. A career in the food industry isn’t all hairnets and assembly lines. You could well be afforded opportunities to travel all over the world for free. You could get opportunities to work with other brands for co-branded products or at the very least you’ll find yourself getting a lot of free food. As you can see, the combination of job security, diversity and opportunity makes the food industry and extremely appetising choice!