From Recruitment to Inspiring Networking Events

From Recruitment to Inspiring Networking Events Success Story > From: Job To: Startup From Recruitment to Inspiring Networking Events “The usual frustrations of working for somebody else who was purely focused on the bottom line were starting to kick in.” * From Recruitment to Inspiring Networking Events After working together for 10 years in a recruitment agency, Debbie Hockham and Julian Smith decided to follow their passions for people and charities, and start bringing people together in a meaningful way. Here's how they did it. What were you doing previously? Debbie: My background is twentyyears in marketing and events. Julian: Mine is twelveyears in recruitment for the charity sector. Debbie: We worked together for the last tenyears, doing very different things in the same company. And what are you doing now? Julian: We set up the I Am Group as a resource for the charity sector, to bring people together and to skill people up through training, information, master classes and workshops. Why did you make the change? Debbie: I’d spent tenyears organising an annual recruitment event, but the usual frustrations of working for somebody else who didn’t quite see my vision, and was purely focused on the bottom line were starting to kick in. Julian: Similarly to Debbie, I needed more freedom and flexibility, and wasn’t enjoying being in a corporate environment any more. I needed the creativity that being my own boss would give me â€" as well as a chance to be in charge of my own destiny! What was the moment that you decided to make the change? Debbie: It was back in 2010. Neither of us had been happy for a while, and we were watching people coming and going all the time. The catalyst was a mutual colleague who ‘upped sticks’ and moved to start a new life in Goa... Julian: ...you could say it was jealousy, I guess! Debbie: Exactly! It was at that point where we both realised we had to think of something else to do... Julian: ...and we decided that we would join forces, and set out together! Six months later, we not only had a business idea, but also a plan on how to achieve it! Are you happy with the change you made? Julian: Oh! You have NO idea! When I think how far we have come, and what we’ve achieved in less than a year since we started â€" not to mention the HUGE learning curve! Debbie: I agree! I remember when we first started working from our new office, based in Hub Westminster, we would have so much fun â€" and we realised that we were laughing and enjoying work â€" something which hadn’t happened for years! Julian: We still have so much fun â€" although we’re working 6-7 days per week So what are the practical things you did to go about making the shift? Debbie: Researching the market, going to exhibitions, holding focus groups with trusted friends and contacts, all the time trying to hone in on our exact offering and translating it into a business plan. Julian: For me, it was often the visuals that I needed to organise, such as the name the brand and logo, the website, etc., which finally helped us to take the plunge! Debbie: We were also lucky enough to have a couple of sessions with the East London Small Business Centre, as well as support from people who had set up their own businesses. How did you handle your finances to make your change possible? Julian: I was fortunate in the fact that I was paid commission in my last role, and managed to save as much as possible, knowing that I’d need it for a rainy day. Debbie: The finances were always going to be the most challenging aspects of setting up a business. We didn’t look for funding or loans, and set everything up on a shoestring budget, where every pound was accounted for before it was spent! What’s been the most difficult thing about changing? Debbie: Probably the self discipline. I’ve never really worked from home before, and now I do it at least twice a week. An office full of colleagues (even if the atmosphere was rather gloomy most of the time) meant that that there were still people around me if I was having a bad day â€" though, of course, I haven’t had any bad days since we started! Julian: I must admit, for me, it’s the constant ‘to do’ list. Mine looks like a Hydra â€" as soon as I cross one thing off the list, two more take its place. That, and the fact that we’ve had to become technically proficient in areas new to us such as website maintenance, finance, etc... Debbie: ...not forgetting social media, of course! Did you get any help with your change or did you just do it by yourselves? Julian: It was a huge support to have each other, of course â€" but we have a long list of people who have helped us out with thoughts and ideas, as well as marketing, IT, the website, policies, etc... Is there anything you wish you’d done differently? Debbie: No. I just wish I’d done it sooner! Julian: Me too! I kept dreaming of changing careers, but never found the confidence to do anything about it! What would you advise others to do, who are unhappy or unfulfilled in their work? Julian: Firstly, join our networking group and come and meet others who have faced what you are going through and done something about it! Sometimes you just have to take a chance, and do something different... Debbie: I agree. Networking is key; we still rely on our networks for help and inspiration, but the great thing is, they now rely on us as well â€" for training, consultancy, recruitment and advice! Ultimately, you have one life, so you might as well spend it doing something you’re interested in! Julian: And finally, don’t automatically think that you can’t do something just because you haven’t done it before... What lessons could you take from Debbie's story to use in your own career change? Let us know in the comments below.

7 Great Tips for a Successful Video Job Interview - Classy Career Girl

7 Great Tips for a Successful Video Job Interview Video interviews are slowly changing the way people communicate and do business. Most companies consider technology to be less time consuming and much more favorable regarding job interviews. This is exactly the reason why the majority of companies conduct their interviews using video channels. A video interview can be scheduled much easier than a classic one and the transportation costs are non-existent. Therefore, in order to find a great job in the tomorrow’s market, you must learn how to properly act during a video interview. In today’s post, we will teach you exactly how to conduct a successful video job interview. 7 Great Tips for a Successful Video Job Interview 1. Plan Ahead If you are required to attend an online interview with your employer, make sure you prepare for it. Before anything else, remember to send out vital materials such as your resume and your qualifications. Your employer must review your certifications before the interview. If the interview will take place in your office, make sure to clean and prepare the room for the attendant. The first impression counts a lot, so ensure to give the proper one. If you are not well-adjusted with the equipment and software that you will use during the interview, remember to acquire the skills needed before you start. Having technical problems during the interview will definitely put you in a bad position. 2. Test Your Video and Audio Systems Making sure that your video and audio systems work properly is a must before having an important interview. Don’t think that if everything was alright at the last interview, you don’t need to do a last minute check. As we said earlier, having tech problems during an interview may lower your chances of getting hired. Considerably. After you’ve checked everything, make sure that your Wi-Fi connection works properly. It’s advisable to make a short video call to see if you encounter interruptions. Do this before the actual interview. 3. Pick Your Clothes Wisely Most of us would think that if the interview is done from the comfort of your home you don’t need to dress elegantly. Dressing in a professional manner shows that you are serious about the job and that you wish to create a good first impression. So, make sure you take a moment to think about what clothes you should put on. Before choosing your desired outfit, ensure that your clothes fit the job you are applying for, and also the company’s culture. Let’s say you are applying for a human resources position. In this case, you should wear a nice suit. If for example, you are applying for a gym teacher position, you should wear workout clothes. Dressing accordingly is extremely important during an online interview, and it shows that you are prepared to represent the organization. [RELATED: How to Act Natural On Camera When Making Videos] 4. Choose a Clear Background In order to have a quiet and calm interview, you should remember to choose a distraction-free background. To prevent interruptions during your interview, you should set yourself up in a quiet and private room. If you have kids, call someone to take care of them while you are having the interview. Having a clear background is important because your face should be the primary point of attention. If the wall behind you is full of pictures or colors, the interviewer will have a hard time focusing on your speech. 5. Smile! Smiling during an interview is crucial if you wish to send good vibes to your interviewer. But remember, too much smiling may make you look creepy. Showing confidence and enthusiasm through your smile is great and try to do it as much as possible. But don’t force it, let yourself be natural and everything will work out just fine. Don’t try to be goofy. This is an interview and you should treat it as such. Smiling while communicating in a calm and serious way shows the employer that you are a pleasant person to work with. Owning good social skills is an important trait that your interviewer will take into consideration when deciding who will occupy the vacant position. 6. Show Creativity Showing creativity is always great when trying to win a job contest. Being creative always comes with benefits in every field of activity. Let’s say you are applying for a chef position. In this circumstances, you may choose to conduct the interview from your kitchen while preparing your favorite dish. What can be more pleasant than this? The interviewer will instantly see that you are passionate about what you are doing and this may lead to fruitful collaboration. Try to surprise your interviewer, make him remember you! 7. During the Interview Before starting your interview, make sure that everything is in order, that you have dressed accordingly, that your background is clean and bright, and that you are in a good state of mind. Remember to make eye contact and to smile often. Nevertheless, you should pay attention to your body language and use it to make a good first impression. If you are accustomed to NLP  (neuro-linguistic programming), you might be able to understand what your employer expects from you. No matter what, keep your head up and go get your dream job. Conducting an online interview is not such a hard task after all. Applying these tips will help you a lot throughout this process. Remember: video interviews are the future. Therefore, ensure that you learn how to act and talk properly.   An online interview gives you the opportunity to be creative and show your true personality.

Job Application Recruitment Tracking Spreadsheet - FREE Excel Download Template

Job Application Recruitment Tracking Spreadsheet - FREE Excel Download Template Once you are in the midst of your job search, you will be applying to jobs left right and center. It is important to keep track of your job search. And using a job application tracking spreadsheet makes it easier to keep all job leads and information in one place. Using a job application tracking spreadsheet can help you keep the recruiters contact details and other information together. You wont have to troll through your hundred of emails or add 100s of bookmarks. To get started on your job application tracking you can download this free job application tracking spreadsheet  from standout-cv.com. ? DOWNLOAD 31

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese 6 Tips for Getting More Rest at Work

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese 6 Tips for Getting More Rest at Work I once was in a museum and watched a guard cross his feet and arms, lean back against a wall -- and go sound asleep. I couldn't believe it -- surely he was just resting his eyes? But then I heard the unmistakable sounds of soft snores. Now that, I thought, is a useful skill. But how many workers can learn to sleep standing up? Surely, this is a specialized skill. What about the other millions of mentally and physically exhausted employees who have been doing twice the work in the last year in an effort to hang onto their jobs? Where can they find the rest they need during the day to keep going? I found the answer when I did my latest column for Gannett/USAToday.com:Would you like to look younger, feel better, lose weight and be happier? Theres a simple way to do all those things: get some rest at work. While the idea of resting at work may seem ludicrous especially since many employees are doing more work than ever before in this tough economy getting more rest really can make a huge difference in your life, says Dr. Matthew Edlund, a sleep and rest expert. People have turned themselves into machines, Edlund says. Theyre working 24/7. But theyre not machines, and their bodies arent getting the needed rest to rebuild and renew. In his new book, The Power of Rest: Why Sleep Alone is Not Enough, (HarperOne, $25.99), Edlund says that we need all kinds of rest from getting enough sleep to giving our bodies a chance to recharge through spiritual, mental and social activities that refresh us. Such activities, even at work, are critical if we want to thrive, he says. More people are developing insomnia, so they use sleeping pills to sleep, then using stimulants like caffeine to stay awake, he says. They race through the day, instead of going with the natural flow and rhythm. Im saying they shouldnt fight the need to rest. The body needs time to rebuild. For those who may think they dont have time to rest, Edlund provides theses extra incentives: Studies ha ve shown that those who get enough down time not only do better at work and are in a better frame of mind but they also have better skin and control weight gain. In other words, getting more rest makes you not only feel better, but look better, he says. Edlund advocates finding periods throughout the day to rest. Trying to go at a non-stop pace is simply bad for your mental and physical health and leads to poorer performance, less creativity and more mistakes at work, he says. People are working harder and harder these days, but theyre producing less, he says. People use machines so much, they think they are machines. But most bosses arent willing to let employees sleep at their desks so how does the average worker find time to recharge? Here are some ways he says workers can cope better with their hectic workdays: Pop your ears. Close your eyes, place your fingers in your ears for 10 seconds and the pop your ears loudly. Open your eyes and begin mentally naming the colors you see, then the sizes and shapes of various objects. Identify the sounds you hear. This helps you reset your system and eases your stress so you can move forward, he says. Walk to the bathroom. Use the time to walk to music you love or stop and chat briefly with a friendly co-worker. Such activities can give you the rest break you need. Visualize the task. If youre anxious about a job you need to do, you can try self-hypnosis. Close your eyes. Focus, relax and concentrate on what you need to do, such as imagining the details of the task, imagining yourself doing it quickly and efficiently. If you dont think you can do self-hypnosis, close your eyes and imagine an identical twin doing the task. That should enable you to approach the task more calmly. Use lunchtime for mental and spiritual rest. Edlund suggests going for a walk outside, since sunlight has been proven to improve productivity for early afternoon activities and greenery benefits yo ur alertness and health. If you cant get away from your desk, focus on something from nature such as a plant on your desk or even an interesting rock found on a vacation. If possible, spend time with a colleague socializing over a meal. Take a nap. Afternoons are often a sluggish time for many people. If you have private work space, place a yoga mat on the floor, put on an eyeshade and sleep for no more than 15 minutes. If you can prove to your boss that your productivity goes up after a short nap, you may be able to convince him or her to let you use a quiet area such as a conference room if you dont have a private work space. Take a coffee break. Taking a five- to 15-minute mid-afternoon break especially with another person gives you a social rest that will renew you to go back to work. If you take a break alone, make sure you savor your tea or coffee so that you get the relaxation you need, Edlund says.What techniques do you use to get through your day?Soc ial Bookmarking

10 Tips to Stand Out and Improve Your Resume - CareerMetis.com

10 Tips to Stand Out and Improve Your Resume The hardest part of getting a new job is getting the attention of the person reading through all the resumes. You know you can showcase your skills in person and demonstrate why you deserve the job, but first, you have to be able to impress on paper.With most hiring managers receiving stacks of resumes every day, this is easier said than done. The secret is to tweak your resume so that it stands out from your peers.evalHere are 10 tips to make sure the hiring manager notices your resume and calls you to schedule the interview:1) Keep the Text Easily ScannableevalAs the hiring manager is scanning through the stack of resumes, you will want to make sure your resume catches their eye. However, the caveat is that it still has to look professional. There are several ways to do this.First, you need to organize your resume in a way that isn’t too intimidating. Blocks of text seem like too much work, and the reader probably won’t even take a second glance.However, if you use headings in a standout text, highlight key points with bullet points, and keep everything short and to the point. The reader won’t hesitate to give it a scan.2) Make a Unique Resume for Each Job Most hiring managers have specific skills in mind that they are looking for when they are perusing resumes. They want an experience that fits the job they have open, and your resume needs to match what they want in an applicant.The best way to predict what they will want to see is to take a look at the job listing. If you can tweak the wording of your resume to emulate the job listing, the hiring manager will be able to see that you fit all of their requirements quickly.If your previous experience doesn’t mirror the job listing, get creative and word it in a way that emphasizes the skills that will be transferable to the new position.3) Use Industry Keywords Strategically evalSome companies don’t even have a person reading through resumes from the get-go. First, your resume might be scanned throug h their software to look for particular industry keywords.If your resume doesn’t have these keywords, it’s likely no one will even look at it. Again, if you are unsure what keywords to use, study the job listing for what phrases or words you think are the most relevant.4) Skip Responsibilities and Focus on AccomplishmentsThe fact is that most hiring managers are well aware of what general responsibilities you had as a sales manager, clerk, or any other job that is out there.What they want to see is what you accomplished at this job. So instead of giving a generic description pointing out what you did the daily, focus on the impact you had in this role.evalDepending on the job, this could include the time it took you to complete a task, the number of jobs you could perform in a given time, performance rankings, and customer satisfaction results.For example, instead of saying “made cold calls,” you could emphasize that you “outperformed your peers by earning a 25% connection rate on your daily calls to C-level professionals.”Focus on facts and stats and leave off any common knowledge.eval5) Highlight Your Most Impressive AchievementsMost resumes include a summary statement to help hiring managers to learn about you. But most job seekers waste this space on overused words, such as excellent communicator, hard worker, and a quick learner.These words are so overused that you may as well leave this spot blank. Instead, capitalize on this critical real estate by providing the most impressive highlights of your achievements.6) Leave Off Irrelevant Information When creating a resume, the key thing to keep in mind is that you have seconds to capture the hiring manager’s attention. So, it is essential to try to keep your resume to one page. To accomplish this, you need to edit the information you include.Make sure only to list job experience that is relevant to the position for which you are applying. Nobody cares if your first job was at the movie theater or if you worked as a waiter through college. Make sure every single word on your resume contributes to the cause.7) Put Colors to WorkThe psychology of colors can make a significant impact on your resume. For one, using color at all will make your resume stand out amongst the sea of black and white.But more importantly, if you use the right colors, you can sway the mind of the hiring manager without them even realizing it. You can use darker blue accents to demonstrate your honesty, loyalty, and approachability, while red will showcase your passion and excitability.evalIf you do incorporate color, make sure you use it discreetly, like with lines to separate the sections, a border, a decorative accent by your name, or as the paper color.8) Include a Custom Cover Letter Another surefire way to make your resume stand out is with a succinct cover letter. The cover letter is your chance to shine and let the hiring manager know precisely why you are the ideal candidate for the job.Make s ure you create a new cover letter for each job you apply for that directly addresses the requirements in the job listing and explains why these are your areas of expertise.Take the time to research the company and see what qualities and skill-sets are the most important to them and highlight them in your cover letter.9) Proofread Twice Before Sending This may seem obvious, but you would be surprised how many people send out resumes and cover letters without even giving them a proofread. Ideally, you would do two revisions.evalOne when you finish it and another a few hours later with fresh eyes. If a potential employer sees typos and grammar mistakes on your resume, then you just wasted your time applying.10) Save as a PDFIf you are sending your resume digitally, never send the word processing document. You never know how the reader’s computer is going to change the formatting when they open it up, and you don’t want anyone being able to edit it. Instead, save your resume and cov er letter as a PDF.When you send a PDF file, it is guaranteed to look clean no matter who opens it and what software they useâ€"and it makes you look like the professional that you are.In most instances, your resume is the only way to get an interview, so if you are serious about your job search, you need to put the time and effort into creating a standout resume. While it may seem monotonous and tedious, once you have your dream job, you will be glad you invested the time.

How to Look Casually Chic While Staying Cool This Summer A Culottes + Jumpsuit Hybrid - Cubicle Chic

How to Look Casually Chic While Staying Cool This Summer A Culottes + Jumpsuit Hybrid - Cubicle Chic How to Look Casually Chic While Staying Cool This Summer: A Culottes + Jumpsuit Hybrid Home Life, How To Wear, Lifestyle August 1, 2016 0 Comments  Jumpsuit: c/o Tobi Anisha midi jumpsuit Heels: missguided similar here Bralette: boutique similar here Bag: Coach Billy backpack; similar hereWe are in the middle of the summer. And in Southern California, we’re FEELING the heat!One of the outfits that’s been on repeat for me is this hybrid piece of culottes and jumpsuit. It’s quite simple, really â€" the airy pants and low cut stop are both essential in keeping me cool! Tobi really nailed it on this look with the Anisha Midi Jumpsuit.  Jumpsuit: c/o Tobi Anisha midi jumpsuit Bralette: boutique  similar hereI would be wearing this piece all the way into fall, I already know! Possibly pairing it with a tank top (also high neck) on the inside to add a bit of coverage. Can’t wait!  Vest: Topshop; similar here Jumpsuit: c/o Tobi Anisha midi jumpsuit Heels: missguided similar here Bralette: boutique  similar here Bag: Coach Billy backpack;  similar here   Jumpsuit: c/o T obi Anisha midi jumpsuit Heels: missguided similar here Bralette: boutique  similar here Bag: Coach Billy backpack;  similar hereWe still have about a month and a half of summer left.  What’s your outfit on repeat this so far?

How to Find the Best Resume Writing Services in Chennai

How to Find the Best Resume Writing Services in ChennaiWhile hiring the best resume writing services in Chennai, you need to have more details about the services provided. There are many websites that claim to be hired service providers, but in most cases, there is no way of knowing how good they are. You need to ensure that you can get the best services.While hiring the best resume writing services in Chennai, you need to conduct a thorough background check of the service provider. You will find some websites that provide simple testimonials and views of other people. This is a great resource but it does not really help you in choosing which service is the best. You should always try to get more information and feedback from a representative or expert on the website or by sending an email to the company.Before you decide on the best resume writing services in Chennai, you need to know what the pros and cons are of each service. You need to make sure that the one that you hire has en ough experience to help you in filling out the entire job application. Since there are so many services that you can hire, you can also choose the ones that you think can help you with your requirements in terms of time and money.It is difficult to hire resume writing services if you do not have time to conduct a thorough background check. You can also check the reviews on the website, but these reviews are based on a very small percentage of the services available in Chennai. The best way to ensure that you can hire the best service provider is to personally contact the people who have written the reviews.Many services in Chennai provide content development, content management, custom written resumes, customized cover letters, technical analysis and more. You can even hire software, for example, Microsoft Word and Excel to help you write the resume. All you need to dois to get in touch with the service provider.Some services in Chennai offer a free trial period for their services. In order to be familiar with the services, you will have to register for a free trial period. After you are familiar with the services offered, you can decide on which one is best for you.Resume writing services in Chennai also offer training sessions that you can attend and learn how to write a better resume. You can ask questions at the workshops, which help you learn more about the services. At these workshops, you can also try to organize training sessions to suit your requirements in different fields.When you hire the right service provider in Chennai, you can learn from their resume writing services in terms of professionalism, professional attitude and customer care. You can also join their virtual communities and learn how to write a better resume that can help you land the job of your dreams.