Your #Career : What I Learned When I Got Laid Off In A City I’d Just Moved…To This Texas Transplant’s Position was Cut just as She was Settling into her New York job, But it Actually Opened up her Options.

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When I moved to New York city to take a job as a creative director in 2014, I was ecstatic. After purging at least 70% of my belongings, I happily traded shoe-melting Dallas summers for eyelash-freezing New York winters.

Free- Lighthouse on Cloudy Weather

It was the first time I’d lived anywhere outside of Texas, so adjusting to my new home and the unsettling lack of Tex-Mex took longer than expected. Then, just about the time I started to feel settled into my new city, I got laid off. Here’s what it taught me.

GETTING ACQUAINTED WITH UNEMPLOYMENT

The first two weeks of unemployment were the worst. I hadn’t had time to build a New York–based professional network anywhere near the size of the one I’d had in Dallas. Despite that, I still managed to get enough support to update my portfolio, survive a nasty fight with depression and anxiety, and land a freelance gig as a creative director.

Some of my ad-industry buddies insist that freelancing in New York is the only way to go. There are tons of opportunities, and you can make a ton of money doing it if you can stomach inconsistent gigs (which I cannot) and if you love networking (which I do not): I need to know exactly how much my next check is going to be and when I’m going to get it. And the thought of saying things like, “Lemme shoot you my contact info so we can have a convo about those opps!” to multiple cocktail-holding industry strangers makes me want to run screaming into a busy intersection.

 

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Luckily, the contract I took was a solid one-month commitment that, thanks to following my favorite four-word rule, turned into two months and, eventually, a full-time offer. The freelance opportunity helped me with so much more than paying rent. I made amazing new connections, got a fresh (and desperately needed) boost of self-esteem, and had the chance I needed to decide what I really wanted to be doing and where I wanted to do it.

Feeling like this particular full-time job just wasn’t right for me, I declined the offer. But with my newfound confidence I decided to try to find that perfect fit—and, like most things in life, it played out a bit differently than I’d imagined it would.

LOCATION, VOCATION, LOCATION

It’s always easier to find a new job when you have one. Negotiating for a better salary, title, and benefits doesn’t work nearly as well when you’re making $0, your title is “unemployed,” and the only benefit you have is being able to send emails from your phone in bed all day. During my new agency contract, I had the luxury of investigating alternative options, knowing the freelance gig could turn into a full-time gig if I wanted it.

Because I wasn’t afraid of unemployment anymore, I had the confidence to ask tough questions that I knew might make people uncomfortable (calling out bad reviews from former employees, for example). I countered existing job descriptions with the ones I actually wanted. I developed proposals around the salary band I thought I deserved based on market research and help from recruiter friends, and used facts and figures to push for it.

I began turning interviewers into interviewees, asking them questions about their company’s vision of the future, and determining whether I wanted to be part of it. I focused less on getting in with the big-name agencies and more on finding a spot that felt like the best fit for me.

“NEW YORK I LOVE YOU, BUT YOU’RE BRINGING ME DOWN”

Back when I only visited New York for business trips, I saw the city as a magical wonderland of art, theater, and intense connections. But as a resident, I saw it as a crowded, angry place that taught me to keep my head down, walk fast, and stay guarded. On the one hand, that was disappointing. On the other, it piqued my curiosity about places I’d previously dismissed.

A native Texan, I spent my formative years in Dallas devouring queso, chugging sweet tea, and enjoying the fact that 90% of my family lived within an hour radius of me. As a 15-month Brooklyn resident, I’d captured hundreds of short stories inspired by people on my subway commute, discovered the value of weatherproof boots, and tapped into an energy unlike any I’d experienced before.

Now I had a chance to try something completely different. New sights. New stories. New people. And the way that thought got my heart pumping was enough to counteract the dread of packing and moving once again.

Eventually, I got a call from an interested Seattle-based recruiter. Had I received it prior to my New York adventure, I likely would’ve turned down the opportunity. But because I already knew the excitement a cross-country move could offer, I was open to the idea.

I found what turned out to be the perfect fit: an agency I’d never heard of in a city I never thought I’d live in. Through two months of deep, honest conversations with everyone from the recruiter to the CEO, I’d found a place where I felt I could make a difference.

Was I terrified about packing up and moving across the country yet again? Absolutely. Would I want it any other way? No way. Being scared is always better than being stuck.

 

FastCompany.com | KATE KEMP, MONSTER |  07.13.16 

Your #Career : Pro Tips for Getting into a Great MBA Program from a Consultant Who Charges Thousands of Dollars for Advice…Remember that EVERYTHING Counts — Every Interaction or Lack of Interaction with your Target Schools will be Considered. Be Sure to Manage your Entire Process with Professionalism.

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It’s less than two months to go until the round-one deadline at the country’s top MBA program.  Harvard Business School (HBS) has the earliest application deadline with round-one applications for Fall 2017 entry due on September 7.

CollegeGraduateFocus

Business Insider caught up with Stacy Blackman, the CEO of aleading MBA-admissions advisoryfirm, to get some advice on how applicants can get into the program of their dreams.

With the GMAT, application, essays, references, and interviews, it can be a pretty daunting process.

Here Blackman reveals her top tips for MBA applicants on how to stay ahead:

Research all types of programs.

Business schools are changing leadership, revamping programs and reinventing themselves. International programs are blooming and there is an option for everyone. Do your research to determine what is best for you. Applicants should visit campuses and speak with faculty, current students and former students to determine if a particular school is the right place for them.

Consider taking the GRE.

More and more schools are accepting this in lieu of the GMAT, and since GRE scores are not currently reported out, schools may be more likely to take a risk on a low GRE score.

 

Choose your references wisely.

Choose your references wisely.

Just because you passed JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon in the lobby once, doesn’t mean he is qualified to write your rec.JPMorgan Chase shareholder letter

Choose a recommender for the MBA applications who knows you well and is supportive of your application, as opposed to a prestigious “name” who has little insight into your personality and skills.

Many applicants treat recommendations as a “drop-off-and-forget” part of an application or ask the wrong person to participate. An applicant should select a person who knows them personally and then share his or her essays and other information, to help them best support the applicant in a recommendation.

 

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Use fresh eyes.

Engage the help of a “reviewer” to review the B-school application. Even when not working with a consultant, a friend or a colleague can provide a fresh perspective on an application. Leave time to incorporate their feedback.

Having too many people review and comment on an application, however, is a mistake. Applicants should pick a few trusted advisers and work with them, or their essay could be become a watered-down “essay by committee” and show less about them as an individual.

Show leadership.

Choose to highlight stories that demonstrate leadership and impact, as opposed to simple involvement. Stories can come from work or any number of experiences outside of work.

Be real.

Don’t hide failures and mistakes. Provide an explanation and lessons learned, using these experiences to demonstrate resilience, growth, and self-awareness. Failing to address obvious weaknesses, such as low test scores or a blemish on your academic record, is a mistake many applicants make.

No one is perfect, and admissions officers often are interested in what an applicant learned from a mistake. If an applicant does not proactively explain, admissions officers will come to their own conclusions.

Discuss the why.

Discuss the WHY behind your stories, not just the WHAT. Why you did certain things or made certain choices is much more interesting and will help the admissions committee get to know the real you.

Practice out loud.

Prepare thoroughly for the in-person admissions interview, including practicing out loud.

Anticipate questions, and practice. Many elite business schools are also introducing the online video essay, where applicants have 60 seconds to answer a question via video.

Be professional from beginning to end.

Remember that EVERYTHING counts — every interaction or lack of interaction with your target schools will be considered. Be sure to manage your entire process with professionalism.

Specialize.

Don’t wear too many hats. Admissions officers sometimes wonder how applicants have time to develop a PowerPoint presentation in between the oil painting, tutoring, skiing, sky diving, Farsi speaking, flower arranging, foreign-film watching, blogging, environment saving, meal delivering, judo-ing, and overseas traveling he or she “supposedly” engages in every week.

MBA programs want a well-rounded class made up of specialists – emphasize a couple important aspects of your background rather than trying to be master of everything. Good admissions officers can spot a fake a mile off. It’s important that an applicant show his or her true self.

 

Businessinsider.com | July 16, 2016 | 

 

 

#Leadership : Team Building; 5 Understandable Reasons Why Your Co-workers Are on Your Nerves…We, in General, Tend to Attribute our Actions as the Cause for other Events or Reactions Happening. Often This is Not the Case.

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While we all have good days and bad days, some people seem to be more difficult on a regular basis than others.

Free- Stones stacked on each other

Sometimes this seems to just be who they are from a personality point of view. They have a rather negative mindset. They’re grumpy. They don’t smile much and just have a dark cloud that follows them around. Then there are others, who recently seem more touchy and easily offended than they usually are. Their moodiness can be confusing to others and offensive as well.

As a psychologist, I tend to notice how many people attribute others’ behavior and reactions (or even general life events) to their own actions. That is, we, in general, tend to attribute our actions as the cause for other events or reactions happening. Often this is not the case.

Instead, frame your response in the sense of “It seems…” or “I’ve noticed…,” which makes your comment a bit softer. Then ask a question that communicates your concern for them, such as “Are you okay?”

In fact, there is fairly good research showing that people tend to over attribute their influence on the world around them and even their own lives. By the way, this is the basis of superstitions – developing a habit of wearing the same shirt, jeans and sitting in the same place that you did when your team won a big game, hoping it will bring luck, and they’ll win again.

While I’m usually an advocate for individuals taking a look at their own behavior and accepting responsibility for their actions, in this case, I actually believe it’s best to put ourselves and our actions at the back of the line with regards to the potential reasons why our co-workers may seem prickly and easily offended.

Here are some alternative reasons to explore why your colleague may seem rather testy and annoyed.

1. They may not feel well.
Often people become surlier when they don’t feel well physically. This can come from lack of sleep, a medical issue they’re dealing with or chronic pain. It may be that they have started to struggle with migraines, lower back pain or some other issue. Many employees don’t talk about how they feel physically; and so, those of us around them don’t really know that they don’t feel well.

 

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2. They may have issues going on in their personal life.

When we are dealing with stressful issues in our life, the emotional resources demanded to deal with these issues is significant, and we get worn out. Again, many people won’t share their personal issues; especially, if they are not asked about them. So there may be something going on in the background of your colleague’s life that you don’t know about.

This could include relationship difficulties, struggles with their children or adolescents, financial pressures or extended family issues. When we feel pressed in our personal life, many of us become more annoyed at work in response to what would otherwise be a normal demand.

3. They may feel anxious or fearful.
Irritability, a mild form of being angry or upset, can be a cover for other underlying thoughts and emotions. In our culture, many people have been taught – either directly or indirectly — that it’s not appropriate to express negative feelings. Therefore, they try to keep those feelings inside. Two of these common feelings is anxiety and fear. Our culture has shaped most of us to believe that it’s not acceptable to be anxious or fearful. Therefore, we tend to suppress our feelings, and the anxiety is expressed through being prickly and grouchy in response to other people.

4. They may be frustrated.
Sometimes people become crabby when they’re frustrated either with their life, their job or some specific issue going on at work. Frustrated is an interesting word because it is used in two different ways in our culture.

In many settings, when someone is frustrated, it is a nice way of saying they are a little bit angry. The other meaning of frustrated is to feel blocked – like you can’t reach the goal you are trying to achieve. Frustration can lead us to negatively react to any situation, regardless of whether it’s directly related to the issue about which we are frustrated. That is, we react in a quick-tempered manner to a situation that’s not directly related to what we are frustrated about.

5. They may not feel valued.
When employees don’t feel valued, either by their supervisor, management or their colleagues, a common response is for them to become increasingly irritable, moody and easily offended. One type of frustration is when we believe our colleagues should value what we do and contribute, but we don’t seem to hear much positive feedback.

In our work with the 5 Languages of Appreciation, we help individuals identify their primary language of appreciation; that is, the way in which they prefer to receive appreciation. Interestingly, we also found that employees are most easily offended when a message is sent – unintentionally — via their primary language that hurts them in some way.

For example, people who value verbal praise are also quite sensitive to any critique or criticism. And those who value quality time are easily offended when they feel left out.

How should you respond?
While it is helpful to know possible reasons for the surliness of your colleagues, the question remains: What should I do?

A helpful response may be: I’ve noticed that you seem somewhat more easily annoyed recently. Are you okay? Is there anything going on that would be helpful for me to know about?

Conversely, it is not helpful to be accusatory or speak in a factual tone of voice, saying something like: You have been incredibly grouchy lately. What’s up with that?

Instead, frame your response in the sense of “It seems…” or “I’ve noticed…,” which makes your comment a bit softer. Then ask a question that communicates your concern for them, such as “Are you okay?”

Be forewarned, you may or may not get a positive response – especially immediately. Try not to react in a defensive or antagonistic way. In fact, what often happens is a colleague will come back to you later and explain what’s going on after they have thought about your inquiry and concern for them.

 

Entrepreneur.com  | July 15, 2016 | Paul White, Psychologist, Speaker, Trainer

Your #Career : 9 Business Ideas Under $1,000 You Can Run From Anywhere…Technology Exists to make Remote Working Convenient, so If you Want the Digital-Nomad Lifestyle & Don’t have a Lot of Startup Cash, here are 9 Low-Cost Business Ideas you Can Start from Anywhere.

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Looking to start a business and refuse to be tied down to an office? Turns out you can start a company from the comfort of your own home — or better yet, from an exotic far-flung beach — for under $1,000.

free- man at beach

How is that possible you might ask? Technology. Maria Dykstra, co-founder of TreDigital, a digital growth agency based in Washington D.C., has built her company around technology and allows her employees to work remotely.

“A lot of how we work is online,” she says. “We use Google Docs, a lot. File sharing, video sharing, conferencing, emailing.”

Being comfortable with technology is incredibly important to making a digital business successful, as well as letting customers know that you are traveling.

And despite what most people think, travel can be relatively inexpensive. According to Nomad List, a website that ranks cities for digital nomad friendliness and cost, you can travel and live in some of the best cities for digital nomads at relatively low cost. For example, Bangkok for $1,079 a month, Prague for $899 and Budapest for $1,010.

Technology exists to make remote working convenient, so if you want the digital-nomad lifestyle and don’t have a lot of startup cash, here are 9 low-cost business ideas you can start from anywhere.

Related: How I Built a Startup While Traveling to 20 Countries

 

1. WEBSITE DESIGNER

To be a web designer, you just need a laptop, a hard drive and WiFi. It’s no secret that having a well-put together website is a crucial element for running a successful company, which means that being a web designer is a skill you can cash in on from anywhere.

“Your website is your first impression,” Michael White, president and owner of White Media, says.

Don’t freak out if you don’t have all the coding skills required. White says that creativity is more important. Coding and SEO knowledge can be acquired through classes, self-taught study or mentorship, so if you have an eye for art and design, this business is possible for you.

“This industry comes down to how creative someone can be,” White says.

A web design company has low startup costs, according to the founder of the web development business Lounge Lizard, Ken Braun, who founded his company with only $50 a month by buying a small text link ad to promote his services on other websites.

“That $50 a month investment netted clients around the world and turned Lounge Lizard into a seven-figure company within 10 months,” Braun says.

Both Lounge Lizard and White Media focus on unique designs and customer service to differentiate them from other companies. The key to standing out in this competitive market is to find a style that shows personality and attention-to-detail for each customer. And stay away from cookie-cutter templates.

“Focus on the quality of work. It’s all about customer service and custom designs,” White advises.

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2. ACCOUNTANT

Believe it or not, you aren’t the only one who doesn’t want to spend long hours in an office or at meetings. If you like numbers, but aren’t into putting a suit and tie on every morning, think about being an online accountant. All you need is a laptop, accounting certfication and a phone.

“Entrepreneurs don’t want to be tasked with driving to hour long in-person meetings to take care of the mundane tasks that go hand-in-hand with running a business anymore,” says Ian Crosby, cofounder and CEO of Bench, an online bookkeeping company.

Crosby notes that to be a successful online company, customer service through communication is incredibly important.

“What we’ve found is that tech-friendly entrepreneurs aren’t looking for [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][in-depth conversations] anymore,” Crosby says. “They’re looking for fast, convenient and delightful communication. None of which can be achieved in an hour-long meeting in a tube-lit office space.”

 

3. MATCHMAKING SERVICE

We aren’t just talking about talking about Tinder or eHarmony. A matchmaking service can be any form of technology that matches businesses or individuals with the services they require. This business can be run from anywhere, because it can all be done online.

One way to run a successful matchmaking business is to make expertise available to companies when they need it fast like Zintro, a website that matches companies to experts for projects, phone consults and job offers to its customers.

Zintro’s cofounder Enrique Levin says that the way the business works is that customers will submit a project, and then experts will reply with a summary of their qualifications and a bid as to why they would be the best candidate for the job. This makes it easy for users to hire an expert without having to go to many places.

The best part? Zintro is run entirely online. Levin says most of his interactions with customers are through the phone or email.

Related: Swapping Your Cubicle for the Beach: Here Are the Secrets to Making It as a Digital Nomad

 

4. TECH SUPPORT

Not everyone is tech savvy, which means that technical support companies are a great way to make some money. This may require time spent in the field, showing up at businesses or homes to help troubleshoot issues, but you can still run this company from anywhere.

Daniel Gagnon, president and cofounder of TekHattan Holdings, a company that specializes in IT support in New York City, capitalized on that concept three years ago. Gagnon and cofounder, Alexander Hernandez, were working as a senior manager and IT Technician (respectively) for CityMD while doing IT support on the side.

However, their side business grew following customer referrals, so they quit their jobs at CityMD, and TekHattan was born.

“I had to make the decision to leave my day job in hopes of making the American dream,” Gagnon said. “It paid off.”

He emphasized that communication and customer service are two of the most important aspects of an online company.

“We’re on call 24/7/365 for all of our clients. If one of our clients has an IT emergency at two in the morning on a Saturday, we need to go out and make sure they are taken care of. And we do this with pride, every time.”

 

5. EDITORIAL SERVICES

Do you find typos in emails annoying? Think that misspellings in a newsletter are unprofessional? You’re not the only one. If you are well versed in grammar and love to read and write, online editorial services might be a good option for you.

There are several ways to approach this business — you could create software that auto edits content, you can edit the content yourself or you can do as Wordy, an online editorial service, does and act as a go-between for those who need content to be edited and freelance editors you hire.

What you can charge depends on the amount of material and difficulty in editing; however Anders Schepelerr, the CEO and founder of Wordy, says not to make your primary focus about pricing.

“Trust is so important for proofreading and copy-editing, so we believe in establishing long relationships,” he states.

 

6. DIGITAL MARKETING AND PR

If you have a background in marketing and publicity, consider taking those skills online.

While TreDigital has its headquarters in Seattle, CEO Dykstra often runs her company from Russia, where she has family. She also has team members all over the United States and across the world.

“But we operate as a team,” she says.

Dykstra notes that you can actually be more productive while traveling, like she experiences, due to the lack of local meetings that interrupt her greater focus on growing the business.

Another thing to be aware of as digital nomad is the importance of maintaining strong relationships with clients, says Andrea Holland, chief executive and founder of DialedPR, a PR consultancy focused on B2C startups.

“It’s extremely important to make sure your client feels secure in the fact that you are not physically there,” she emphasizes, “Make sure you over communicate while traveling.”

 

7. TRAVEL EXPERT

If you’re going to be traveling anyways, why not help others do the same for profit?

Matthew Kepnes embraced this idea, starting Nomadic Matt, a travel website that chronicles his extensive travels while offering helpful travel information such as cheap accommodation and airfare, information for solo and couples travelers and travel guide books (authored by Kepnes) — and more.

Kepnes writes helpful (and free) information on his travel blog and newsletters and monetizes his work through book sales, offering online classes for blogging and photography and through partnerships with businesses related to airline travel and accommodation.

However, to create a business that requires a lot of traveling to exotic locations, “you need to be very disciplined,” says Kepnes. It’s not partying all the time.

“The best way to travel and be an entrepreneur is to create a solid schedule,” he advises.

Kepnes, who has been to over 80 countries and territories, says he’s helped 16 million people with travel plans through his website while working remotely and building up his business through discipline.

Related: 5 Secrets to Managing Your Business While Traveling

 

8. LIFE COACH/CONSULTANT

If you love helping people and have expertise in valuable areas such as business relations or communications, being a life coach or consultant could be a good fit for you.

Life coach Erica McCurdy has combined her passion for helping people and for travel. McCurdy created her life coaching and strategy company McCurdy Life Coach while also being a proud digital nomad.

“I have returned emails to clients — then jumped into the Mediterranean,” she says.

Not surprising, technology is key to being a digital nomad, but McCurdy notes that it can sometimes dominate your life and diminish what makes your brand special.

“In my line of work, people are hiring me, not my technology, so I find it critical to find ways to be myself and not have technology make me begin to feel like everyone else,” she explains.

The key to making working remotely work is to remember you’re not on vacation even though you may be in a beautiful locale halfway across the world, says Christian Martin, CEO of ProfitFox, a program that teaches sales to coaches and consultants.

“It’s tempting to spend all day exploring and forget about your responsibilities,” he says. “Block out time for work.”

 

9. CONTENT CURATOR

For companies that need newsletters written, emails drafted, general content for a website — or even podcasts — you can provide that material from a gorgeous location abroad.

Vernon Foster II, CEO and founder of Pod Parrott, a podcast production company, was hopeful that he would make it in the podcast business. Foster tried getting into podcast himself, but after one of his shows lasted only two months, he decided he would be more successful freelancing his podcast skills.

Pod Parrott’s services include coaching, equipment setup, sponsorship consulting and more, and Foster was able to provide these services to clients around the world while living in Antigua, Guatemala and backpacking through Costa Rica.

He admits there have been challenges. “Something as simple as having a solid internet connection becomes more important than food.” Also, time zone differences can interfere when trying to connect with customers.

Ultimately Foster says the key to success is to create a business that fits your lifestyle.

But it’s not just about wanting to have the digital nomad lifestyle that will lead to success, cautions Julie Ewald, CEO for Impressa Solutions.

“Digital nomads should be motivated, have proven themselves capable of working independently and be ready to learn.”

Entrepreneur.com  |  July 2016  | Grace Reader

 

 [/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Your #Career : 5 Kinds Of Freelance Work Worth Quitting Your Job For…Right Now, over 53 Million Americans are Earning Money from Freelance Gigs. By 2020, Half of All Jobs will be Remote, & a Good Chunk of Those Will be Freelance Positions.

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These mind-boggling numbers point to a single, inevitable truth: work, as we know it, will never be the same. I have no idea what the work economy will look like by 2050, but that’s exactly why it’s so exciting to think about.

Free- Women walking on Narrow Bridge

A combination of rising rent costs and diminishing benefits has led to record numbers of millennials leaving the traditional workforce for the freelance or “gig” economy.

It also just happens to be the best time to be a freelancer. With a toolbox of productivity and communication apps, tech-savvy young entrepreneurs are entering a golden age of freelancing, a period that is redefining work.

—–Right now, over 53 million Americans are earning money from freelance gigs, and 87% of students with first or second-class degrees in the UK see freelancing as a highly attractive career option. By 2020, half of all jobs will be remote, and a good chunk of those will be freelance positions. We’re already seeing billion-dollar startups with a 100% remote workforce, and that trend is only going to continue.

Interested in leaving your 9-to-5 and striking out on your own? Here are 5 kinds of freelance work that are in high demand:

1. Copywriting and Editing

Twenty years ago, anyone who wanted to pursue a career as a writer needed lots of passion, tons of drive, and a true appreciation for words. Those skills are still important, but now there’s an even bigger motivation: making a good living.

While a freelance lifestyle lacks the consistency of a 9-to-5, some quality freelance writers make up for it by charging well over $100 per hour. More experienced freelancers make a killing, sometimes getting paid as high as $1 per word for blog posts. What happened? Google’s algorithms. The search engine favors fresh content written by skilled writers.

And as online branding becomes more reliant on strong, human writing, consumers begin to expect it. In recent years, there’s been a350% surge in demand for content writers. With so many companies unable to hire full-time writers, freelancers step in to fill the void.

 

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2. Subject and Test Tutoring

Everyone knows that American public school teachers are underpaid. Tutors, on the other hand, are very highly paid.

The top tutor in the world is paid $1,250 per hour. That’s more than most people make in an entire 40-hour work week. But even regular tutors can make a good living—anywhere from $65–$100 per hour. The tutoring lifestyle also offers tons of freedom and flexibility. You make your own hours and you build a genuine relationship of trust with your tutee. These are exactly the kind of perks that millennials, and so many others, value.

3. Development and Design

We all know that developers make a good living. But what about freelance developers?

Unsurprisingly, demand for freelance developers and designers has exploded in recent years, thanks to the surge of mobile-first products and services that show no signs of letting up. This translates to a strong yearly payout for freelance developers. Even Java devs, some of the most common types of programmers, make nearly $100,000 per year.

While freelance devs don’t get the full-time perks and benefits their Silicon Valley peers do, they make up for it with remote work and no non-competes.

4. Freelance Life Coaching

Believe it or not, millennial life coaches are on the rise. While many may find that strange (how can someone who hasn’t lived even half their life give life advice?) the numbers don’t lie.

One of the biggest markets for millennial life coaches is, of course, other millennials. With so many suffering through the aftereffects of the recession, a young and motivational coach who can empathize may be just what they need to get their life together.

Even more interesting is the trend of older professionals hiring younger, millennial life coaches as sources of motivation. And as with every other freelance gig on this shortlist, in-demand life coaches make more than $100k per year.

5. Freelance Animators

In our mobile-first world, even regular 10-second spots and animated banner ads require little touches of digital animation (an eye-popping font here, a cartoon explosion there).

Enter the countless freelance animators who used to have a hard time making more than $30,000 per year at full-time gigs. This is one of the few jobs where you get paid by the second for work you produce. How much per second? Depends on the quality—but rates can range anywhere from $300–$2,000 dollar per second.

Of course, a lot of work goes into that one second. But that also means that landing one or two good clients, even for just a short commercial, can pay your rent in no time.

With the freedom and high compensation several types of freelance work offer, it’s no surprise millennials are turning away from office jobs and embracing remote work.

—–Right now, over 53 million Americans are earning money from freelance gigs, and 87% of students with first or second-class degrees in the UK see freelancing as a highly attractive career option. By 2020, half of all jobs will be remote, and a good chunk of those will be freelance positions. We’re already seeing billion-dollar startups with a 100% remote workforce, and that trend is only going to continue.

These mind-boggling numbers point to a single, inevitable truth: work, as we know it, will never be the same. I have no idea what the work economy will look like by 2050, but that’s exactly why it’s so exciting to think about.

 

Forbes.com |  July 11, 2016 |  Under 30 Network  CONTRIBUTOR

 

 

Your #Career : Job Search, Throw Me A Line – I’m Drowning! ….. You Must Establish your Brand & Envision a Target. If you are Persistent & Completely Engaged, You will be Successful. Also Understand that a Proactive, Self-Managed Job Search is Not an Overnight Process.

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Work your network – secure referrals through people you know and target companies and key decision makers that will refer you to opportunities in the “unpublished” job market.

Resume DNA Cover

Excerpt from the book “RESUME DNA – Succeeding In Spite Of Yourself” by John Singer

I recently coached a client who had gone through our program and possessed all of the necessary tools to start his job search. He was a self-proclaimed procrastinator, and in one of our coaching sessions, he started to break down emotionally. He admitted that he was not applying himself in his job search. He had been unemployed for three months; the wolves were at the door, and he felt paralyzed. He spent his entire day robotically applying for positions online (a “reactive” job search) and was admittedly exhausted from what he metaphorically referred to as “treading water in the middle of the ocean.”

I asked him if I could join him for a moment in the big blue sea. His expression shifted to a confused look (much like yours at this moment), and I told him that I wanted to be right there by his side. How’s the water? Is the sun shining? (Don’t worry—this is not a “Footprints in the Sand” analogy.) He started to play along, and he asked me if I had brought sunscreen. I told him that there might be more than just choppy waters on our horizon. I bothered to look in all directions and spotted a small sandy island about two kilometers away. Why don’t we use the same energy and determination that we are expending to keep our heads above water to instead swim toward our target?

You must establish your brand and envision a target. If you are persistent and completely engaged, you will be successful. Also understand that a proactive, self-managed job search is not an overnight process. Work your network – secure referrals through people you know and target companies and key decision makers that will refer you to opportunities in the “unpublished” job market.

Only you can make this happen. To quote Robert Frost, “The best way out is always through.”

Excerpt from the book “RESUME DNA – Succeeding In Spite Of Yourself” by John Singer

 Available on Amazon

 

FSC Career Blog | July 12, 2016

 

 

 

 

Your #Career : How to Build a Business When You Can’t Quit Your Job…What If you could Build a Business without Quitting your Job? It’s Possible with the Right Approach.

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Most of us get the urge to become an entrepreneur at one point or another. We may be called to create something from scratch, or lead a team of people or just earn money without having to answer to a boss. Whatever the motivation, the urge strikes us, but only a fraction of usever take that all-important next step of actually building a business.

Free- Lock on Fence

Why don’t more of us take that step? For starters, most of us already have jobs, and we can’t quit them smoothly or conveniently, so we just continue working them without pursuing our dreams. But what if you could build a business without quitting your job? It’s possible with the right approach.

Related: How to Start a Business With (Almost) No Money

Why not quit?

First, let’s take a look at why you’re not quitting your job in the first place. There are some valid reasons, but the reality is, you may not need your job as much as you think you do.

You need the money.

Money is tight during the early stages of entrepreneurship no matter how good your idea is. However, if you can secure enough venture capital or a good line of credit, you can scrape by without needing a supplementary job.

 

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You’re afraid of plateauing in your career.

You may worry that if you quit, you may be unable to return to the workforce in the future. This is somewhat illogical in most cases. Talk to a boss or supervisor you trust, and get their opinion on a potential return if your business doesn’t pan out.

You’re unsure about your idea.

If you don’t have a good idea yet, you probably shouldn’t leave your job. While this is a valid reason, why not spend more time developing your idea?

Related: Starting a Business: The Idea Phase

You’re afraid of the risks.

You may want to keep your job as a safety net, but safety nets don’t always lead to a better overall performance.

If you’ve considered any of these reasons to hold onto your job, and you’re still convinced you can’t quit, follow these strategies to start a business successfully while still maintaining your daily responsibilities.

Related: 5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Start a Business

Be realistic.

First, be realistic about what you can and cannot do while still maintaining your job. You can work on your ideas, build some infrastructure and maybe even manage your business during the early stages, but you can’t feasibly manage this forever. There are only so many hours in the day, and you’ll need to make a commitment to one side or the other eventually.

Focus on the idea.

While you’re still working, focus on developing your business idea as much as possible. That is to say, keep your work conceptual during the early stages. This is the best time to flesh out the gritty details of your idea. Evaluate it for flaws, and fine-tune your idea to perfection. You won’t be under the gun with deadlines, and you won’t be strapped for cash, so make the most of this time by writing up the best possiblebusiness plan you can.

Gain connections.

Unless you’re working in isolation, this is a great time to build connections you can use for your business later on (assuming you won’t be violating any non-compete agreements). Get to know as many people as possible. You never know when or where you’ll meet a potential partner, vendor, client or employee. The wider your range of professional contacts is, the more options you’ll have when it comes time to growing your business. This will also save you valuable time when you need to be managing your business instead of networking.

Start with baby steps.

Don’t try to do everything with your business while you’re still working full-time, and don’t try to rush the process. Instead, take baby steps, when you can, to slowly advance your idea forward. Test the waters. Experiment. If you get in too deep, you’ll lose control over the situation, and your business will end up outpacing you.

Tread carefully.

You may think of yourself as quite capable, and maybe you are, but there’s still a hard limit to how much work you can do before your work starts to decline in quality. If you spend too much time on your business, your professional work will suffer, and you may end up losing the career you tried so hard to protect. Spend too much time on your career, and your business won’t have a chance. Keep yourself in balance.

If you follow these strategies, you can build a business while still maintaining your day job in the early stages. Just remember, there’s no perfect time to start a business, so be sure you understand your own motivations before opting to delay getting started. Oftentimes, the best thing to do is throw yourself into something, and make adjustments along the way; otherwise, you may never start at all.

 

Entrepreneur.com | July 7, 2016 | Larry Alton

Your #Career : Here’s what Hiring Managers Really Want to Know when they Ask, ‘Why are You Leaving your Current Job?’…This Question, or any Variation of It, is Extremely Challenging Because it Naturally Puts You on the Defensive

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Hiring managers are often looking for a reason not to hire you, since they’re typically bombarded with resumes. You don’t want to help make the process of elimination easy — so think about being on the other side of the desk. “Would you hire you, based on your response to this question?” Taylor asks. “Make sure you help guide your interviewer into thinking about your next big contribution, which should be to them,” she concludes.

Male hands holding pen in working environment

If you’re on a job interview, there’s a pretty good chance the hiring manager will ask: “So, why are you leaving your current job?”  This may seem like an easy question. You probably have 100 reasons for wanting to pursue a new role — and can easily defend each one. But career expert Lynn Taylor says your response to this query can be an absolute deal breaker.

“This question, or any variation of it, is extremely challenging because it naturally puts you on the defensive,” says Taylor, author of “Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job.” “It’s one of the most difficult and critical queries you can possibly be asked during the interview process because it reveals so much about you.”

It’s also a tricky question because a terse or canned response will likely leave the interviewer waiting for some elaboration. “If you refuse to explain further, that in itself will be a red flag,” Taylor explains.

She says this query may open up a can of worms. “It can easily take you down a slippery path of describing a difficult work environment or boss, demanding workload, dull assignments, or other, similar frustrations.” And while any of those reasons may be a factor for you, they won’t help your cause. “You’ll need to take a diplomatic, professional, and forward looking approach,” she says.

Here’s what hiring managers want to hear when they ask this question:

If you get along well with others

Employers want to be sure that you’re not leaving because you have difficulty working as part of a team, or can’t take directions, Taylor says. “They will glean this from your answer if you say anything negative about the personality of your boss or coworkers, even if true.”

It’s understood that common etiquette is not to burn bridges or disparage your employer. “Your new boss wants to be assured that you’ll be easy to get along with, upbeat, and motivational around coworkers.”

 

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Whether you’re aware of which atmospheres you thrive in

“You would be better served to describe the atmosphere in which you would thrive most, and explain that you think your current employer doesn’t necessarily provide that type of environment,” Taylor says. For example, you can say: “I am looking for a challenging environment where my skills could be put to the best use, and where there’s a strong team approach. I feel I have a lot to contribute that could be better tapped.”

 

If you’re high or low maintenance

Most managers are looking to minimize any corporate drama, so if you can explain how you’ve been a self-starter and seek an innovative environment where you can deliver significant results, you’ll likely enhance your chances, she says. “If you’re leaving your job because of ‘a lack of visibility by your boss,’ for example, many will assume that you require a lot of recognition or management time.”

Like most tricky interview questions, it’s how professional you are in your response that carries the most weight. “It may be true that you feel unnoticed in your current position, but a more positive alternative is to explain that you’re looking for an opportunity where you can make a difference, working alongside a dedicated team with common goals.”

Whether you speak poorly of your employer

Remember you’re talking to one employer about another employer. While they may be sympathetic to your needs, they’re always aware of the probable management perspective. “If you blame your current employer for your dissatisfaction, it’ll send up a red flag, as the hiring manager will assume you wouldn’t be discreet about them, either,” Taylor says.

 

How excited you are to work for them

No manager wants you to drone on about why you’re leaving your job. Have a thoughtful, concise answer, but don’t ramble. “The interviewer is hoping that you’re looking to the future…and to a future with them,” she says. “They are hoping that you can outline and help them envision a mutually beneficial partnership; so focus on tomorrow, not yesterday.”

Whether you want to advance your career

Most employers admire those who want to get ahead, particularly if their resumes show a consistent pattern of growth. “Interviewers are most sympathetic to job seekers who want to make more of a contribution; help build departments or companies; and take on more responsibility,” Taylor explains. It can be a double-edged sword to suggest that you’re looking for a “new” challenge, unless you explain that you want “more” of a challenge. Otherwise, it could be taken that you easily get bored.

If you have the requisite skills

Hiring managers want be assured that you have the skills to perform well on the job. “They want to feel that you’re moving forward, versus having been in over your head and now trying to recoup your losses,” says Taylor. One of their deepest fears is that you’re about to be terminated.

They can’t easily check on your performance since you’re still employed, so their best strategy is to ascertain how you view the work itself, she says. “If the job you’re applying for is similar to your current or previous jobs, and you intimate that the challenges or volume of work were unanticipated, it may be assumed that you lacked determination or a strong work ethic.”

Think of your looming departure as something that developed into a mismatch. “It was likely a great job for a period of time, until certain events occurred or didn’t occur,” she says. The more you take the high road, the more professional you will appear to your prospective new boss. In addition, if all you have to say is negative comments, it raises questions about your own judgment: why have you stayed at the company for as long as you did?

Hiring managers are often looking for a reason not to hire you, since they’re typically bombarded with resumes. You don’t want to help make the process of elimination easy — so think about being on the other side of the desk. “Would you hire you, based on your response to this question?” Taylor asks. “Make sure you help guide your interviewer into thinking about your next big contribution, which should be to them,” she concludes.

 

Businessinsider.com | July 11. 2016 | 

 

 

Your #Career : 13 Signs your Coworker is Undermining You…Professional Undermining is like a Toxic Gas; its Presence Will Render any Workplace Uninhabitable.

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A recent University of Buffalo School of Management study found that those who feel undermined at work are more likely to sabotage their coworkers,according to phys.org. That’s bad news. Professional undermining is like a toxic gas; its presence will render any workplace uninhabitable.

Regina George Mean Girls

Still, even if you feel like a colleague is out to get you, it’s important not to let your suspicions make you paranoid.

Before you can take steps toward mitigating the situation, you need to know for sure that you’re being targeted.  Here are 13 signs that a colleague is undermining you at work:

 

They’re more than just competitive

According to an article from Fast Company, competitiveness and outright sabotage are often difficult to tell apart, but the latter is comparatively rare.

Before you label someone an underminer, make sure they’re not just hyper-competitive. If your coworker is overly competitive, they will want to beat out everyone. If they are actively undermining you, they want to see you fail in particular.

The two aren’t mutually exclusive, but it’s still an important distinction.

 

 

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They put you on the defensive

You never argue with this particular colleague, but he or she always manages to put you on the defensive.

If someone’s making you feel like you’re on trial, that’s not a good sign. They might be baiting you and waiting for you to slip up.

 

You’re not alone

Underminers typically don’t stick to just one victim. If you hear that your colleague has burned others in the past, it’s probably best to hold them at arm’s length.

Don’t kid yourself thinking that they’ll make an exception for you.

They gossip — a lot

Everyone partakes in a bit of workplace gossip every once in a while. Sometimes, it’s the only way to figure out what’s really going on at your job.

Still, it’s not a good sign if one of your colleagues seems to constantly have his or her finger on the pulse of every nasty tale circulating around the office.

Basically, if your coworker is a gossip-monger, who’s to say they aren’t talking about you behind your back?

 

They try to distract you

If your colleague is constantly distracting you from your job, they might just be an innocuous and slightly lonely procrastinator.

But if you feel like someone is intentionally attempting to derail your productivity, that’s a problem.

They leave you out

People forget things. It’s a common mistake.

But you should become concerned if a certain person always seems to forget you.

They forgot to invite you to that big project meeting. They forgot to include you on that important email. They forgot to pass on that message from the boss.

You might be dealing with a super absent-minded person. Alternatively, your coworker may be actively trying to keep you in the dark.

 

They spread rumors about you

The workplace rumor mill is all fun and games until you’re the subject of the latest scoop. Do nasty rumors about you seem to trace back to one person in your office?

If that’s the case, your coworker is definitely trying to sabotage your reputation.

They take credit for your work

This one’s a major red flag.

If your coworker is stealing credit for your projects and ideas, you should confront him or her (and probably involve a manager). That’s an act of blatant sabotage.

 

They’re overstepping their rank

Does your colleague present him or herself as your superior when you’re actually equally ranked? Did they tell your colleagues to report to them instead of you on a project that you’re leading? Has they attempted to poach or misguide your team members in the past?

If a coworker’s attempting to pull rank that he or she doesn’t even have, it’s definitely cause for suspicion.

They socially undermine you

This one’s a frustratingly subtle move.

Social undermining is difficult to pick up. You don’t want to always assume the worst about people. Sometimes individuals just say or do the wrong thing without any ulterior motives.

Still, if you feel barraged with slightly rude comments, backhanded compliments, and hostile, mocking body language from one particular colleague, look out.

 

Others are treating you differently

You haven’t done anything wrong — at least, you don’t think you have — but everyone seems to be treating you strangely, from your fellow coworkers to your boss. Can’t figure out what’s up?

It’s possible that your undermining colleague has already gotten to them.

They’re subtle

Unlike overt bullying or harassment, undermining can be harder to pinpoint and detect.

The underminer doesn’t use blatantly hostile language or actions to take you down. He or she quietly works to bring you down, which is why it’s important to be extra careful around them.

You get a bad feeling about them

When dealing with professional undermining, it’s important to always trust your gut.

If someone in the office is giving you bad vibes and his or her actions don’t add up, it’s probably a good idea to tread with caution.

 

 Businessinsider.com | July 11, 2016 |  Áine Cain

Your #Career : 2 Things That Could Keep You From Landing That Job Offer…“It’s Happened Over & Over. I Practice. I Study. I Do everything Right. But Then I Don’t get the Job. What’s Wrong with Me?”

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Leah was discouraged with her job search and hired me to help her. “I’m really good at what I do, but I’m not a dynamic interviewee,” Leah told me during our first meeting. “My resume gets me the telephone interview. That gets me the in-person interview. But then I never get the job offer.”

Room Interior

She took a sip of coffee and sighed as she set her cup on the table. “It’s happened over and over. I practice. I study. I do everything right. But then I don’t get the job. What’s wrong with me?”

 

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Some times, like Leah, a candidate can do everything right when it comes to preparing for an interview. And after reviewing what Leah had been doing as prep work, she had done a great job. But for many hiring managers, there are often other attributes they look for in candidates during job interviews that might not be specifically called out in the job posting.

A friend of mine sums up these unstated attributes quite well. He says he looks for “attitude, aptitude, and promotability.” In other words, he looks for someone who has a positive attitude and is energetic, who is intelligent and has the ability to learn new things, and who has long-term potential with the organization.

While a hiring manager can see some of these characteristics by reading the job candidate’s resume, most are attributes that come across while interviewing someone in person. Leah and I conducted some practice interviews. Her problem? Even though she was highly professional and had good qualifications, she seemed “flat” during her interview. With each passing minute, Leah’s energy level decreased and her voice became more monotone.

Leah just wasn’t selling me on her passion and drive for the job. She also wasn’t conveying work examples to show her determination to take on more challenging work and learn new skills. So we took a break from our mock interview and discussed those additional attributes hiring managers often look for, but which usually aren’t listed on most job descriptions.

Leah caught on quickly, and I could see her energy level increase as she began telling me stories about the various projects she had led and the results she was able to achieve. She also provided me with examples where she had proactively contributed to improving processes and described what she had done over the last year as part of her personal development plan.

Guess what? As she was telling me all this, Leah became more and more excited, and her passion for her work became clearly visible. This was exactly the energetic attitude she needed to get across to hiring managers during job interviews!

Sometimes it isn’t a lack of prep work that keeps you from obtaining your dream job – it might be that you’re not exuding enough passion or energy for the position. So consider ways you can demonstrate these attributes through your non-verbal communication as well as the examples you provide during interviews.

Lisa Quast is the author of Secrets of a Hiring Manager Turned Career Coach: A Foolproof Guide to Getting the Job You Want. Every Time.

 

Forbes.com | July 11, 2016 | Lisa Quast