How Do I Turn My Passion Into A Viable Career

“How Do I Turn My Passion Into A Viable Career” Help from our Community “How Do I Turn My Passion Into A Viable Career?” * Geoffrey's walked away from a role he's been in for most of his working life. He's known for some time where his real vocation lies, but he's not sure how to make it a reality. When you're clear on what you really want to do, how do you get started? What's your career history and current job? Up until earlier this year I was working in PR and comms for the railway industry, which I've done for most of my career, apart from a brief time working in sales when I first graduated. My roles have been focused on external comms, writing and researching press releases, newsletters, liaising with the national and trade press, and preparing launch events. I'm currently in between jobs. Fortunately, I'm in a position where I have some income so I'm not under pressure to find anything just to keep the wolf from the door! How do you feel about your work? Throughout my career in comms and PR, I used to enjoy the writing element. I had editorial oversight of the company website and newsletter, and was responsible for writing press releases and magazine articles. I preferred the aspects of the job that were a lot less 'front line' and not in the public eye. Towards the latter stages I had to deal with the national media quite a bit, which was far too high profile for my liking. It was also very difficult to navigate through the politics of the organisation. It became a constant struggle to obtain meaningful feedback from difficult and egotistical staff. There was a lot of day-to-day firefighting and the job changed from being about external comms to something that was quite stressful. This essentially turned me off communications work of that nature. What would you like to be doing instead? Writing has always been my strength, going all the way back to my school days. I was recently runner up in a writing competition for a classic car magazine, so I know I'm reasonably good at it. I've been reading How to Get a Job You Love, by John Lees, where he encourages you to think about the last time that you felt engaged in a task that didn't feel like hard work. For me, that was always when I was writing articles or doing something creative. Even when it was a challenging writing task, I enjoyed it. I've always felt like that's what I'd like to be doing, but I've never really put any serious thought into how I might take it forward seriously. I'm not thinking I could be the next Jeffrey Archer or John Grisham! It's more everyday writing that I enjoy, so maybe something to do with magazines or a writing role in an organisation. What's the biggest obstacle in your way? I don't know where to start when it comes to taking the first step. I'm in a reasonably positive frame of mind, I have plenty to keep me busy with my family and different volunteering opportunities and money isn't currently an issue, fortunately. It's the practicalities of changing direction that I need to resolve. I'd love to hear from people who've been in a similar situation, who've been able to make a change and can share their advice on how they got started, and any resources that helped them along the way. How should I best approach the process of turning my passion for writing into a new career? Can you help Geoffrey? Have you been in a similar situation, or are you in the same boat right now? How do you think Geoffrey could move his shift forwards? Do you know anyone he could talk to? Share your thoughts in the comments below and click the thumbs-up button to show your support. Give Geoffrey a cheer of encouragement by hitting the thumbs-up button here:

A Downside to Success - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

A Downside to Success - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career A caution about your pouring your heart into your art: it will spark jealousy. Surprisingly one of the toughest parts of success is finding a colleague happy for you. But as they say, “Anyone can get pity. Jealousy you have to earn.” Following the advice in the PersonalBranding blog might cause you some trouble. When you persistently do off-the charts good work, the unintended consequence is that you make other people look bad. That can create a problem for you because frankly, people are often envious of your effort and success. It’s crazy, but you will be reviled by some for your exertion. They are afraid you’ll make them look inferiorâ€"their worst fear. I’ve asked many CEOs what was the biggest surprise they experienced once becoming CEO, and the majority told me some version of being taken aback by how many enemies they then had. Important note: June, 2017, McGraw-Hill will release my latest book, The Leadership Mind Switch.  Bob Eckert, former CEO of Kraft read it and said, Simply put, its the best leadership book Ive ever read.  I invite you (well, really, encourage you)  to go to Amazon and preorder now. Thank you in advance!

Graduates, Heres How to Spot a Job Scam

Graduates, Heres How to Spot a Job Scam For any of you who have taken a gander at my LinkedIn profile, you might notice a brief gap between my first job out of university, and my second job where I joined a recruitment agency. It looks like I didn’t do anything during that time, but the truth is, I did however, I have been too embarrassed to tell the truth: I fell for a graduate recruitment scam. Given that here in the UK this year’s cohort of graduates is in the process of entering the workforce, I thought it would be timely to share my story and provide some insights on how graduates can avoid job scams. What is a job scam? When I left university, I went to join a new business that the father of a friend of mine was starting up. It involved selling nail guns, nails, and other fixing supplies to the building industry obviously a natural career choice for someone with a BA in English Literature! But, I really enjoyed it the work was massively varied (I built both the racking in the warehouse, and much of the company website using a CMS), and I thought that getting in early would stand me in good stead for promotions. Unfortunately, this was during the time when the recession was in full swing, and the construction industry took some massive hits. The resulting downturn in sales meant there wasn’t enough money for the owner to keep me on, and so, with regret on both sides, he had to let me go. So, I found myself without a job, competing not only against the 2010 graduate cohort, but also the 2009 graduates who had struggled to find work due to the economic downturn. I followed all the advice; I rewrote my CV for each job I applied to, to tailor it to the requirements, I spent hours a day on job sites, and dedicated all my time to finding a new job. I had a couple of interviews, but didn’t get that far. Then, I found an advert for a graduate job, promising rapid promotions, good earnings, and the chance to run an office within a couple of years. As I mentioned in my last post, university students are told that our degrees are the key to high paying jobs, responsibility, promotions etc., so it sounded right it sounded like what I had been promised. I applied, and to my surprise got a call back within 15 minutes offering me an interview the following day. I tried researching the company but couldn’t find much. There was a website, but all it contained was an explanation that they were looking for graduates with the drive to succeed, and advice for graduates on interview tips. That should have been my first alarm bell; why didn’t they have a website establishing who they were, and what they do? When I went to the interview, I was told it would be a two stage interview, and if I passed the first stage, I would be invited back for the second stage. However, the first interview was (as I now know) very unusual I was asked very few questions, and most of it was the interviewer telling me about my prospects, my potential to earn, how soon I could be opening up my own office etc. You, savvy reader, are probably aware that this is a common feature of pyramid schemes “recruitment” events which are essentially pitching a too-good-to-be-true opportunity. But, I didn’t know that. When I confirmed that I was interested, I was told to come back the next day for an all-day interview. The all-day interview involved going out with a senior member of the team, into the field it was at this point that I learned what the work was; door-to-door sales. This should have been a massive warning flag; how could it be that I only found out what I would be doing at the second interview?! The interview was also used as a sales pitch; the senior member kept boasting about how rapidly she had been promoted, how soon she would have her own office, running her own sales teams, how much she earned, and how much I could earn. At the end of the day, at 9pm, I was taken back to the office and given a final interview with the head of the office, where I was told I would only get the job if I agreed to start tomorrow more high pressure “sales” tactics to beware of. What was the scam? The scam was that it was a way of getting people into door-to-door sales; in my case, selling energy deals (or “consulting”, as they put it, to make it seem more graduate appropriate) on behalf of one of the big 6 energy firms. Door-to-door sales is a pretty horrible job, with a massive employee turnover. I assumed I was being taken on as an employee of the company I had interviewed with, but when I asked where my contract was, a week or so in, I was informed that I was in fact self-employed (again, something I was not told), and therefore not eligible for any benefits, holiday, or really any legal protection whatsoever I was assuming all of the liability for the work. Furthermore, despite the many, many lectures I had received on how much I would be earning per week, they never mentioned that the earnings were completely commission-based, with no basic salary; a lie by omission. Legitimate commission-only jobs are typically VERY upfront about this from the outset. The company kept myself and the other employees motivated by having lectures every morning, telling us how much they wanted to get us out of the field, get us promoted, get us running our own offices. It was essentially a pyramid scheme; all they wanted was a free source of labour for the door-to-door sales, and for every deal I made, I got a pittance (around £15), whilst the company pocketed the majority of the commission from the energy firm. It took me over a month, but once I sat down and worked out how little I was earning, and how much all the commuting was costing me (not to mention the long working hours I worked from 9am to 9pm every day), I realised that I had been diddled. I called up the head of the office, told him that I wouldn’t be coming in the next day, and never heard back from him. This, if it was needed, would have been the final warning flag: in a proper job, you can’t just walk away like that without notice. I was then very lucky to find a great recruitment firm hiring, and was able to at least use the sales experience I had gained to help me in my interview. However, I have since taken the experience off my CV, and have never put it on my LinkedIn, because I still feel ashamed at falling for a scheme admittedly, a very clever one. Of course, self-employed, or commission-only, sales-based jobs do exist, but the difference is that when it is a legitimate job, the company would be upfront about it from the outset, not seeking to deceive and mislead. This scheme was so successful because it knew that graduates were struggling to find work, and knew precisely how to sell itself to a new graduate. So, for all you graduates who are currently looking for work, here are some hints on what to look out for, to avoid falling for a scam of your own: Does the company have a proper website, with descriptions of what they do? Does the job advert actually tell you what you are doing, what your responsibilities will be, and what the salary will be? Look at the job advert: is it a very long sales description that seems too good to be true (“You can earn £ £ £ every week!!”)? When they interview you, who spends most of the time talking: you, or them? Will they give you a formal contract? Are you being asked to pay any money up front? (This didn’t happen to me, but often does. This should NEVER happen.) Unfortunately, job scams do exist, and there are scammers who have realised that graduates are an easy target, because of the promises we were made about what our degrees will get us; rapid success, and a high powered, high paying job. Ultimately, the best advice I can give is the same advice given about any scam: does it seem far too good to be true? If so, it’s probably a scam. RELATED: Job Scams and How to Avoid Them

3 Ways to Keep Yourself Fresh During Long Hours at Work

3 Ways to Keep Yourself Fresh During Long Hours at Work Todays post is a sponsored post from  Holland and Barret. Working long hours is stressful and exhausting, but it can also be awful for your health. Being cooped up inside for hours at a time while sitting in one place and staring at a computer screen is damaging to all parts of your body. A combination of lack of fresh air, little exercise as well as dust and germs in the office can leave you looking and feeling run-down and weak by the end of the day. Follow these tips to stay energized and avoid any harmful long-term effects after long hours at the office. 1) Look after your eyes Long periods of time spent at a computer, extended periods indoors along, with exhaustion and sleep deprivation can lead to eyes becoming tired, puffy or swollen. Eye vitamins help the eyes remain fresh and healthy for longer, as well as holding some diseases at bay. They are particularly useful if you struggle to get all the necessary vitamins and minerals through your diet. The most important vitamins they should contain are A, C, E, and B2, while the important minerals for eyes are Selenium and Zinc. Many eye vitamins now contain Lutein, which has antioxidant properties. Also, make sure you give your eyes a break. Try to give your eyes a 20-second break every 20 minutes.  Your eyes are not meant to look at something at a close distance for hours at a time without a break. 2) Get some fresh air Being deprived of fresh air all day during the week can be bad for your skin, as well as leaving you exposed to any dust floating around. Also, being in proximity with other people can lead to germs spreading, leaving you more at risk of catching any bugs or viruses going around. Try to get outside for at least 30 minutes every day; even it’s just for a walk around the building to give yourself some fresh air and a bit of exercise. This will also leave you refreshed and ready to go back to work focused and ready to dig in. 3) Monitor your diet Working long hours means it can be tempting to snack all day to keep you going and keep energy levels up. However, staying stationary for most of the day combined with unhealthy snacks like chips and chocolate are dangerous for long-term health. Try to keep plenty of fruit, vegetables or low-fat snacks around the office instead. This will give you a bigger boost of energy and keep you feeling more alert and healthy. Similarly, it is easy to rely on coffee or energy drinks to get through the day, but limiting the amount of caffeine you take in and drinking more water will be better for your long-term health. Are you getting your eight glasses of water every day? What do you do to keep yourself energized during long hours at work?

21st Century Workplace Changes and Challenges - CareerMetis.com

21st Century Workplace Changes and Challenges The workplace has continually changed and adapted throughout history, but the technological boom of the 21st century has accelerated this change enormously. Many companies have struggled to adapt to change, and the world of business really is all about survival of the fittest. Those that aren’t ready to adapt risk becoming extinct.Here are just a few of the ways in which the modern workplace has changed in recent times.1. Removal of Corporate LadderPhoto Credit â€" Pexels.comBack in the 1950s and 60s, the corporate world was clearly defined in a ladder structure. In order to get ahead, you needed to climb each rung one by one. Technological advances have allowed for a more collaborative and flexible working environment.evalIf you take the time to view workplace trends, many businesses have ‘flattened out’ over the years and there are fewer managers. Instead, there is a more grid-like structure. People are more likely to advance through doing a range of different roles, preferri ng to work with more independence and freedom.2. Rise of the MachinesPhoto Credit- Pexels.comIn the next two decades, it has been estimated that 45% of jobs will be under threat through automation. Between 45 and 75 million jobs will be at risk worldwide. Big companies take advantage of each new development as it occurs, and the advancements continue coming thick and fast.This is one of the greatest challenges that will impact the modern workplace, and it will require some big ideas to face them head on. Mechanisation is viewed with both wonder and fear, but it doesn’t seem as if it’s going away anytime soon.3. Freelance CulturePhoto Credit- Pexels.comThe so-called ‘gig economy’ is a phenomenon of recent times. More and more people are working as freelancers from all over the world. Technology has well and truly torn down the walls that previously existed.Nowadays, a whole plethora of tasks can be completed using just a laptop. It has been estimated that 540 million people w ill have used one of the various freelance platforms that exist nowadays by the year 2025.Flexibility isn’t just something that companies are looking for, but now workers are starting to value this above standard salary increases. The 9 to 5 is increasingly being seen as a thing of the past, but the world of freelancing isn’t all plain sailing. There is no guarantee of work and people can struggle without a fixed income. This is yet another challenge facing governments around the world.4. An Ageing WorkforcePhoto Credit â€" Pexels.comAge is no longer the barrier it once was, and older workers are no longer seen as a disadvantage to businesses. Their experience is valued like it hasn’t been in the past. Of course, retirement is something that many people strive towards but they have never been able to pull together the financial resources in order to make this dream a reality.evalEqually, many older people continue working through choice. The naturally ageing population means t hat there is a bigger pool of talent out there for employers to draw from than ever before.

Taking Care of Some Mid-career Blues - CareerAlley

Taking Care of Some Mid-career Blues - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Your father worked forty years for the same company and retired with a gold watch and a nice pension. But after climbing that corporate ladder for 15 or 20 years, you dont have nearly that level of job security. Theyre bringing in younger workers to replace middle managers all the time, since they work cheaper and generally dont have as many family commitments. These young guns are willing to make a tradeoff most older workers cannot, i.e., theyre willing to spend 5 to 7 years essentially married to their jobs. This puts the average mid-career employ in an incredibly awkward, precarious position. Can he possibly complete with an employee 15 or 20 years his junior? Doubt rears its ugly head Of course, the mid-career blues are not always about other people. At times, a worker begins to question his career path and trajectory. Does he really want to spend the second half of his career working a job he cant stand simply for financial security? Perhaps he wants to take that great leap and reach for a dream that he has always secretly harbored. Whether that dream is writing a novel or owning a small diner makes no matter. The point is that he only has a short time to make up his mind. Should he continue working an unfulfilling job because he has obligations to meet, or should he shoot for the dream? Causes of a mid-career crisis According to the experts, this is a fairly recent phenomenon. As we mentioned, workers of earlier generation enjoyed far greater job security. Changing jobs, let alone professions, was quite uncommon in the past. But greater access to higher education and technical training makes it easier than it has ever been. We should also add that work has taken a more prominent position in the American experience. There was a time when a job was a job and nothing more. Family took precedence over career goals, since few Americans could actually pursue their dreams. How to deal with it Because we put so much emphasis on our careers in modern times, it can have an effect on every aspect of our lives. A man who feels uneasy about his career is far more likely to search for new meaning in both his professional and personal life. If the problem is not addressed, it can ruin an entire family in no time. Fortunately, there are ways to deal with this common issue in a healthy way. Assess your situation The easiest and most reliable way to keep the mid-career blues at bay is to ask yourself some serious questions on a regular basis. You might start with questions like am I in the right role and in the right business. You must always ask yourself if the job you are doing reflects your level of skills, i.e., is it challenging? In nine out of ten cases of mid-career blues, this is the issue. Workers feel that their bosses do not appreciate their talents and therefore are assigning them monotonous tasks they could complete in their sleep. Addressing it If by answering these questions you find yourself in genuine mid-career crisis, you should always discuss it with your family before you make a move. The absolute worst decision you could make would be to quit or resign without the support of your loved ones. This can and often does lead to serious problems in your personal life that could have been averted if you had simply talked it over with your family first. If you are able to secure the support of your family, you have a far better chance of successfully pursuing your next career path or goal. Whether that goal involves opening your own business or going back to school to transition into a new profession really doesnt matter. The key point is that you need to consult with those around you before you make a rash or hasty decision you might live to regret. In conclusion, it is important to note that mid-career blues are quite common and nothing to be embarrassed about. The trick is to determine if they require a major life change or simply a slight alteration. Requesting more challenging assignments at work might be enough to keep you interested and motivated on the job. This is a guest post by Kevin, blogger and writer since very long time. He loves to share his experience and to help others, he also is currently collaborating with few assignment writing service. If you enjoyed this post, follow him on Google+ This is a Guest post. If you would like to submit a guest post to CareerAlley, please follow these guest post guidelines. Good luck in your search. Joey Trebif

Wanted Guest Posts!

Wanted Guest Posts! Youre the Cherry on Top on 3LambsStudios Photostream I really love you guys. Honestly, writing a post and reading your comments is something I wouldnt trade it for nothing. Thats why, when I faced facts realized that this blog will be tough to maintain over the next month as Im moving (hopefully to my new, permanent home not a temporary one!) demolishing painting unpacking I got very sad. Sad that Id have to see you less regularly. Sad that youd come here to see whats new be greeted with something old. Sad that I wouldnt get any new comments to read sad because Id wonder how you guys are doing! But, as the life coach I am, I realized that I need to take a break this month ( partly into next) for my sanity. It would just be too much to maintain the pace Ive been going at not be stresed out from all of it at once. So, I thought of a less sad option: Guest Posts! Whether youve made a career transition or eye-opening artistic realizations, Id love your contributions. Ill read each every submission that comes into my Inbox. Write or draw from the heart Im not looking for a word limit or anything that has to fit a certain box. Youre a reader here, so you know what you want to read. Share your story or your epiphany or your journey. Id love to have you! Email me at michelle(at)whenigrowupcoach(dot)com. Ill always accept submissions, but would love them prior to Nov 1st so I know my butt is covered during my upcoming move. Thank you, thank you, thank you ( keep your fingers crossed that our new home comes through)!