Its Okay to Say No

Its Okay to Say No If you’re anything like me, you’ve got a full schedule. Full of work, fitness classes, time with my husband, volunteer commitments, and time out with my friends. For many years I was a “yes” gal. You asked, I made time to do it. You asked, I shifted things around to fit it in. I gave up available time (usually time at home) that I really couldn’t afford to lose. I wore myself ragged. And why? Because of #FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). Because I felt like I had to please everyone. Because I wanted people to know I could be helpful. And I was helpful. (Too helpful sometimes.) And I did please people. (At the expense of my health and sanity.) And I still missed out on opportunities. (Because there are more concerts to go to and boards to sit on than I can possibly do on my own.) In the past few years, I’ve been working to change this. I recently received a solid piece of advice from a friend who said, “Be respectful of your time.” It seemed so simple. Such a “wow” idea. And I understand what he meant. Saying no is generally seen as aggressive. People want to be pleasant and helpful. The word “no” can sound harsh or unwilling. And you know what? It’s okay to have limits. It’s okay to be inflexible sometimes. I made a change to advocate for my time because, let’s face it, most people will squeeze in fifteen minutes with you if they can, and those little meetings start to fill your calendar pretty fast. I’ve learned that it’s okay to say no. No, I don’t have time for a quick phone call today, can we find another time? No, Im not available to go to lunch so you can pick my brain. No, I cannot attend four volunteer events this month. No, I can’t afford to go to that concert with you, but thanks for the invitation. Understand your own time needs. Are your meetings squished so close together that you’re going to be late to all of them if each runs over just a few minutes? Or, did you really need to get to the gym to decompress but booked a dinner instead? Be respectful of your own time. Know that other people will not be offended if you need to reschedule a meeting or social hour, but remember to be respectful of their time, too.

Resume Writing Services - The Best in the Market

Resume Writing Services - The Best in the MarketIf you are interested in investing your time and energy into getting your resume noticed, then the chances are that you will be keen to explore all of the available methods of making your resume a standout among the competition. In this case, the answer to your question is yes, you will need to consider employing the services of one of the hundreds of resume writing agencies near you. These services have been readily adopted by many people, who are keen to improve their chances of being seen and remembered.There are a large number of people who are keen to hire the services of such agencies. This is because they realize that the resume is often a prime piece of collateral for these firms. The truth is that this is so and the best resume writing firms will do everything possible to get you an interview, or at least land you a job, which will bring in a lot of added profits.There are a number of reasons why many of these firms choose to w ork with people like you and mine that appeal to them. First of all, they tend to target individuals that have been rejected by other agencies or even by people that have yet to get hired elsewhere. This helps them find the individual resume that will best fit their clients' needs and wants.When it comes to the use of resumes by these firms, they use a number of approaches when dealing with applicants. Most of the time, they will go for several rounds of revisions in order to make the resume one that is able to stand out and attract the attention of a prospective employer. Additionally, they will employ an array of strategies that involve the use of unique or creative wording and also aesthetic graphics and fonts that are going to make the resume memorable.When you are interested in engaging the services of resume writing agencies near 30127, it is important to understand that you will be giving your resume over to the hands of other individuals. This means that you will be taking o n the role of a test taker and to a certain extent, the role of a writer as well. This is so because these firms specialize in coming up with flawless resumes that are tailor-made to get the job done.Professionals at these agencies will give you a number of ideas about how to proceed and how they can help you with this process. They will guide you through the entire process and even discuss issues that you may have with regards to the resume that you have drafted. As a result, your resume will stand out from the rest and you will find yourself getting hired by the employers you target.When you are looking for the services of these firms, the first thing you will need to do is contact a few different individuals and inquire about their services. You will be advised by many that the agencies do not charge too much for their services. In fact, most of the firms that are interested in working with you will be eager to give you money back if you are not able to find them anything.The key is to ensure that you are working with an agency that has access to a wide range of available resources that enable them to draft a perfectly effective resume for you. The fact is that there are numerous organizations out there that do not employ the services of professional resume writers. This is one of the primary reasons why you will be able to find so many individuals that are eager to take on the challenges that you pose.

Writing a Resume Cover Letter

Writing a Resume Cover LetterWriting a resume cover letter is a crucial step in your efforts to land that dream job. If you were to be called for an interview and you were not prepared, your chances of getting the job would diminish substantially. Knowing how to write a resume cover letter is important, and if you are having trouble with this step, then you may want to read on.Nowadays, there are lots of different resume cover letter templates available to you. Some of them are free, while others require you to pay a fee for them. If you are going to pay for one, make sure that you understand what it is and what it can do for you. A lot of websites are selling templates that you have to download in order to use them. In most cases, these templates are sold as a set of materials that are delivered together.Don't be fooled by these scams. A lot of these templates are designed to take advantage of you. The only thing they offer you is a card with instructions on how to use it. This will likely lead you into thinking that you have to pay for a paid template when the truth is that you can use it for free.Writing a resume cover letter is easy to do, but it is vital that you are able to find a template that works well for you. This can be done by going online and finding the one that you think would be most effective for you. Make sure that you read through everything about it, and see if it can help you land that dream job that you are after.It is very important that you include all the important information about yourself in your resume cover letter. You need to put down your work history, education history, hobbies, and work experiences. The more information you provide, the more likely it is that the employer will get a feel for who you are as a person.Be sure that your resume cover letter is not only professional, but also eye-catching. Don't use flashy fonts, as this can make your resume look amateurish. The best way to do this is to keep your resume short and t o the point.You may want to include your education details and employment history, as well as any jobs you may have held in the past. Include a little bit of personality in your cover letter and you are certain to stand out from the rest. This way, your application will be looked at more seriously.After you have written your resume cover letter, make sure that you send it in by the deadline. If you don't, then you will not get a chance to submit it to the company that you are after. Also, don't forget to be polite when sending your cover letter out to the employers, as this will go a long way in helping to get you a job.

Motivation Monday Go Team!

Motivation Monday Go Team! Ive been spending WAY too much time at the baseball fields this summer. Watching, sideline coaching, cheering, chilling. Given the way my brain works, I cant help but draw the connection between baseball players and job seekers. Here are the lessons I want to pass along to you in hope they get you inspired and moving! For the love of the game As I watch these young boys run out onto the field, I see a spring in their step and a twinkle in their eye. They just want to play ball. Winning or losing isnt quite as important as the chance to throw and hit the ball! When they arent at a game or practice, they are throwing the ball around the yard and inviting neighbors over to join them. Do you feel the same way about the work you do? Are you willing to trade free time for the chance to be in the game or just do it (whatever skill or action that ignites you)? Bribery will get you everywhere All the boys need to do is get three outs and theyre up to bat. Yet, sometimes, getting just three outs seems to take forever and often seems impossible. All the coaches positive cheers sometimes just dont do the trick. Thats why bribes work. The more specific the better. If you do [this] then you get [that]! For example, if you catch a pop fly, youll get a popsicle! What bribes can you use to keep you moving forward in your job search? Theres no I in Team These boys are more than teammates. They have grown to be friends. And being young boys, they generally arent intimidated about showing their emotions. They have little cheers they use from the dug out to encourage a struggling batter. They rush the field when theres a home run. They high-five teammates coming off the field either after a strike out or after scoring a run (it doesnt matter to them). Their innocence and innate emotions are to work together and support each other. Are you working on your job search alone? You need a team of people who can support you during the different ups and downs of your job search. It is so much easier when you arent going it alone!

Is it time to go back to school Heres how to tell. - When I Grow Up

Is it time to go back to school Heres how to tell. - When I Grow Up There comes a time in many of my clients career change discovery where we come to a crossroads and have to ask: Is it time to go back to school? Can they create the dream career theyre seeking without a degree or certificate? Do they need to spend the time, money and energy on school in order to offer what they envision? When are classes necessary, and when are they a procrastination tool? One of the saddest things I encounter are creative, intelligent, driven women with a grad degree that they never wanted. By the time they come to me, theyre tens of thousands of dollars in debt and regret the years behind them. Grad school is an easy answer to So, what do you do? (aka The Dreaded Question). Theres no need to ramble about what youre currently doing for work and what you yearn to do theres just a simplified truth thats digestible for the person who asked. Grad school is also a good way to trick yourself into feeling busy and action-oriented, and therefore productive. But when you know you have no interest in pursuing what you went to school forits actually an enormous procrastination tool. Grad school is also how we tell ourselves we become legit in something or the other. Our society rewards higher education with expert status, and we often convince ourselves that theres no other way to get that expertise than to get a degree. What Ive learned is that higher learning is something, but not everything. A few months ago, I struggled with the decision as to whether to renew my International Coaching Federation status of being a Professional Certified Coach. Getting certified in 2009 and then advancing my credential in 2012 was a major source of pride for me. In 2015, though, I could see that it wasnt  the reason I was getting hired. I can actually only remember one conversation with a prospective client who asked me in-depth questions about my training its barely been mentioned otherwise! I know firsthand that my certification or any certification! is not  what my successful creative career most  hinges upon. If youre not looking to be in a regulated profession, deciding to hit the books needs to boil down to being genuinely interested in the topic youll be studying.  For serious. If you have little to no interest in learning about professional organization, then dont sign up to for a course thatll give you your certification to be a professional organizer. Now, this doesnt mean that  you shouldnt hang out your shingle as a professional organizer. If you have the skill set, the interest and the personal mission to make that your career, then go for it! Just know the route you can take first can be the lets-get-some-guinea-pig-clients-and-experiment rather than the lets-get-a-certification route. The good news is that both routes are totally valid and can lead to equally successful businesses! building your confidence  as a lead-in to the work you want to be doing.  This is really the main goal for any beginning business owner. Whatever you offer, whoever you work with, whatever you work on or study needs to be a confidence-building experience or relationship. Just like every beginner, I had no idea about the results my first coaching client would get working with me back in 2008 but because I had already started my life coaching classes, I was pretty sure I wouldnt break her (and I told her as much!). A certification program or degree can give you the structure you need to do your best work with your clients but so can trial-and-error work with guinea pigs, when youre still certain  you can deliver on what you promise them. And remember, theres plenty of benefits of being a beginner, so dont rush through it! fitting  into your lifestyle goals and timeline.  Two big reasons I became a certified life coach instead of a social worker or psychologist was because (a) I didnt want to go back to school in a way that would take years of mine or leave me in major debt (b) I knew I was too sensitive to talk to people about their heavy issues, going back to their childhood or exploring things that were traumatic for them. When I decided to get my certification, I settled on a program whose classes were taught over the phone. The modules could be  taken  in any order, classes  were occurring 15ish hours a day during the week, and  you had two years to complete the training without paying any  additional fees.  That type of learning fit with my full-time work schedule, and the cost of the program fit within my budget. That all worked for where I was in 2007, and what my goals were.  Since Ive yet to help a client find their  what without finding their  how, I  know theres a program out there that wor ks for you should you decide you want training, a certification or a degree. your personal value system.  School has to be important to  you. It has to be something  you are proud of. Ultimately, I decided to renew my PCC credential this past December not because its a make-or-break for my clients, but its a make-or-break for  me. Im proud of my certification. Im proud of my credential. Im proud of the letters that I can put after my name. That speaks  for me to those who decide to look into what those letters mean and how I got them. Ultimately, my own value system and sense of pride led to me putting my time, energy and money into that credential renewal. Whether you decide to go back to school or not, take action in a way that aligns with the vision you have for your career in the future. I know people that take classes  only because they have a personal interest and hear a tiny voice telling them to, and  that leads to them discovering a career path theyre passionate about. Listen to your gut, stay away from the shoulds, and  move forward in a way that feels freeing and empowering to  you. Did you go back to school in some way? What made you make that decision, or take a pass? I wanna hear it in the comment below!

How to Write a Strong Resume - Using Skills to Build Your Resume

How to Write a Strong Resume - Using Skills to Build Your ResumeIf you want to write a strong resume, the first thing you should do is make sure that you have taken the time to find out about how to write a strong resume. Most people make the mistake of just blindly tossing out resume writing information and simply filling in some basic, standard jobs. A resume that doesn't represent you, as a person, is worthless, so you must know what information goes into writing a strong resume.First, do your research before beginning your resume writing. It would be a waste of time and effort if you have no idea what information to include. Make sure that you have a list of skills and attributes that you have that are relevant to the job you are applying for. Look for job descriptions or company literature that have the information you need in it.Next, you will want to learn how to write a strong resume. The information contained within resumes can vary depending on the job you are applying for, but you should consider the following when writing a resume:What are your career goals? This is a very important part of writing a resume, and not the part most people think about.Do you have any professional experience in the field you are applying for? You should be able to tell yourself that you have professional experience and qualifications in your current field. This includes showing evidence of work experience in many fields, such as management consulting, public relations, or other similar fields.Think about where you learned your skills. Many people are unprepared for this part of the job application process. If you have taken some advanced classes at a college or university, for example, it may be a good idea to show evidence of your coursework. Another way to show this is to highlight your GPAor SAT scores in your resume.Writing a resume is no different than any other job application. Keep these tips in mind when applying for a job. By making sure that you have the right skills and qualifications, you can give yourself the best chance at getting hired.

8 signs you should look for a new job

8 signs you should look for a new job You’re happy in your job. It’s fun and rewarding. The pay is nice. Co-workers are lovely, and many are good friends. You never want to leave. But sometimes, the ground shifts. And if you are not aware of what’s going on, you may watch your lovely workplace deteriorate into drudgery and even nastiness, or find yourself unemployed. It’s better to look for a new job when you still have one. And as wrenching as the prospect of leaving is, knowing when to consider it is important. Here are eight warning signs that you might want to look for a new position elsewhere: 1. Your company is acquired. When Microsoft announced it was buying LinkedIn, you had to wonder: What roles might end up redundant? Change of ownership means employment changes. This doesn’t mean I think everyone in LinkedIn (or Microsoft) should fear losing their livelihoods. Still, you don’t want to be caught unawares in a restructuring that alters or even eliminates your position. Close Modal DialogThis is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. 2. New management comes in. An acquisition usually means a new boss (although Microsoft says it will keep LinkedIn’s current chief executive). But management shuffles happen more often at companies where there’s no ownership change. Very often, switches at the top mean the old ways are upended. If you’re close to the outgoing senior management, you may be targeted because the new guard wants their loyalists. If you think you’re too junior to worry about management changes, keep in mind that changes trickle down. Senior management may bring in a new marketing head, who may cast out the marketing manager, your beloved boss. Then the new marketing manager brings her team over, and that makes you expendable. Keep track of comings and goings at your company, not just at the senior-most levels. 3. The company relocates part of its operations. First the company opens an office in a cheaper location just for its non-essential functions. Then it realizes how much money it saves from this and adds to what departments are non-essential. Pretty soon everyone but the client-facing roles must move. But you may not want a relocation halfway across the country. So pay attention to whether your company is migrating to other areas. 4. The company announces a new initiative. Sure, a new foray can be great news: The company is expanding, innovating, and trying something new. But soberly evaluate how this affects your area. Does the new endeavor indicate a change in strategy? If so, and if it’s away from what you are working on (e.g., the company prioritizes an activity that’s not yours), the result could be shrinking resources and a shrinking team. 5. Your company’s financials turn negative. Just as you want to stay updated on company announcementsâ€"that’s how you can hear about the new initiativesâ€"you also want to keep abreast of company financials. Don’t just gloss over the quarterly earnings or the annual report. Track the health of your company’s bottom line. Is the company profitable? Is it growing? Is your area (department, location, product line) doing well? 6. Industry financials sour. Even should your company be doing well, it’s not good news if the overall industry is flagging. Don’t assume your employer will continue to buck the larger trend. Keep up with general business news so you know which industries are growing and which are struggling. If you’re active in a professional association, ask your colleagues how their employers companies are doing and what trends they’re seeing on the horizon. 7. Top performers leave. Most top performers know their market value and are very proactive about maximizing career opportunities. If the colleagues you admire are exiting, it’s because they see better prospects elsewhere. Their moves don’t necessarily correlate 1:1 with what’s best for you, but maybe they know something important that you don’t. Find out. 8. Your role changes. Absent a promotion, when management alters what you do, be wary. For example, if your boss gives your time away to another group, that could signal your manager is on the outsâ€"or that the new group takes priority over yours, or your function is moving elsewhere. True, if you’re asked to take on additional responsibilities, this could be a vote of confidence. Or it could be the company is trying to do more with less because it (or the whole industry) is under financial siege. When changes happen to your role, company or industry, it does not always mean you should automatically start a job search, especially if you’re happy where you are. But you should start paying closer attention. This way, you’re ahead in the job-hunting game well before all your other colleagues panic and flood the market.