How to Survive and Thrive in A Tough Economy Building Your Future Now

How to Survive and Thrive in A Tough Economy Building Your Future Now When theres an economic downturn jobs become scarce and life becomes tough for a lot of people. One of the most stressful outcomes from a bad economy is the possibility of losing ones job. So if times are tough how can you thrive? Advertise your services Are you really good at doing something? Advertise your services online using Facebook and Craigslist. Even if isnt an in-demand service its still important to get that info out there. Do market research If you arent getting any responses from your original ad posts, try doing some job market research. Even in a bad economy there are many opportunities availableyou have to do your homework! Advertise work thats in-demand Now that you know whats needed in the labour market, advertise your services! Again, use Facebook and Kijiji. Also, try out-bound marketingreach out to businesses advertIsing gigs and simply try calling companies to see what they may be looking for. Start a business Since many businesses are failing or simply folding, this might be the right time to start your own business. You can take advantage of the tough times to grow your market share. Advertise, stay-the-course and ride out the recession. If you are patient, the rewards can be huge when the economy comes around ie. Customers will know about you! Another tip: keep advertising during the tough timesbecause many companys are known to cut jobs and slash marketing, advertising and sales outreach! This is your time to shine while others struggle. Utilize your personal and professional network In a bad economy many people are hurting. However, it doesnt hurt to reach out to your network! People that you know might need or know others looking for workers. Image: Skeeze

8 Things You MUST Do Before You Go on Vacation

8 Things You MUST Do Before You Go on Vacation Whos counting down the days until they go on vacation? Sometimes you cant help but feel like all you ever do is work, work, work Needless to say, holidays can feel like the light at the end of a tunnel! Whether youre  going to spend quality time at home with the people you love or go on an amazing adventure to somewhere new, youve earned your time off, so you want to make it as relaxing as possible. Part of enjoying your time away means wrapping up loose ends and dealing with dramas before you leave, so you dont need to be disturbed while youre away, or have to return to an absolute car crash. Theres nothing better than waking up on the first day of a vacation  knowing everything work-wise is where it needs to be and you can just switch off taker the break you deserve. To ensure this is the case, heres  what you have to do before you go! 1. Check in with clients If youre a recruiter, this includes candidates.  Regardless of how many plates you are spinning at work, its so important to check in with your clients and business partners before you leave even if they dont require immediate attention. Let them know how long youre away for and resolve any potential issues early. Dont just leave them wondering where youve dropped off the face of the earth to without a care. 2. Have  a plan of attack ready for your return If youre leaving for Christmas holidays, its important to make sure January doesnt look completely bare. You want to hit the ground running upon your return to work not sit down at a desk with an empty calendar and a million emails. Having an action plan to crack on with upon your return will save you time fumbling around trying to remember who you are and what you do, giving you a kickstart into the new year or quarter! 3. Remember to put your out of office on If I had a dollar for every time Ive forgotten this, Id  have about $7. Put a nice message on there and let people know when to expect to be able to contact you again. You also need to have  another point of contact they can be referred to in your absence. Even if youre still responding to emails while youre OOO, at least let people know to expect a delay. 4. Do a proper handover Whether its another colleague or your boss, write out an easy to follow and thorough handover document. Dont annoy your colleagues and have them waste their time playing the guessing game while youre away. The more thorough you are, the higher the quality of coverage youll get from whoever is looking after your work. 5. Clean your desk Before you go on vacation  is a great time to clean out all those old files and papers you never use. Wipe down your keyboard (youll be surprised at how disgusting they get over the course of a few months) and empty your drawers of Tupperware and ink-less pens. When you return to work, youll feel fresh not to mention, you wont get a bad rep while youre away for being a grot. 6. Update your admin Go through your customer files and pipeline records etc. Make sure of all your administration is up to date and accurate. It will make your colleagues lives easier as theyll be able to find what they need from your work quicker and easier, without having to phone you to ask questions they really shouldnt have to. Itll also make things easier upon your return to work, starting from a clean slate. 7. Dont do things you regret at social drinks Especially around Christmas time, theres no shortage of social activities put on by your employer! Dont go absolutely off the charts and do embarrassing things, thatll make you leave the office feeling paranoid! No one wants to be that person who gets talked about, let alone when youre not there to defend yourself. dont get too carried away with holiday excitement and stay professional. 8.  Say thank you Finally, remember to pay thanks where its due. Simply showing your appreciation to people will make people want to help you more. Dont take things for granted and remember to always be grateful. Once youve done all these things, youll be closer than ever to sitting back, relaxing and rejuvenating! Happy vacation. You deserve it!

Workplace Injury What to Do If Youre Hurt at Work

Workplace Injury What to Do If You’re Hurt at Work If you work in a high-risk profession, you’re probably already aware that on-the-job injuries are a constant concern. In 2014, the Bureau of Labor Statistics cited 916,440 on-the-job, lost-time injuries across the United States.  While many injuries can be prevented through proper training and safety awareness, accidents to happen and many people are hurt at work. If you’re hurt at work, you’re probably entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation is insurance provided by your employer to cover any work-related injuries. This can include medical bills, paid time off work and even disability settlements for more serious injuries. Workers’ compensation laws vary by state, but here are eight general things you should do if you ever find yourself involved in a work-related accident: When Hurt at Work Report Your Injury Immediately Always report any work related injury or occupational illness immediately. Even if it seems insignificant at the time, you never know when something minor may turn out to be more serious than you think. By reporting it immediately, your employer has a record of the injury, and if it does require treatment later, you’ve already recorded the fact that it happened at work. Most states have a statute of limitations for reporting claims. These can vary from 30 days up to two years, depending on the state. If you fail to report your claim within that time frame, you could lose your rights to any benefits. Be Sure Your Employer Completes a First Report of Injury When ever you are hurt at work, your employer is required to fill out paperwork and report your injury to their insurance carrier. This will include all of your information, including wages (in case you are taken off work by the doctor), the details of what happened and your injury. Be sure your employer reports your injury correctly, too, such as what part of the body is affected, which side and what the injury is. An incorrect report could have negative effects on your claim if there is any question or litigation at a later date. Find out What Doctor You Can See Unless it’s an absolute emergency, don’t try to see a doctor without checking with your employer first. Many states require you to see a doctor designated by your employer for workers’ compensation claims, and you may have to pay for the visit if you take it upon yourself to choose a physician. If it’s an emergency and no one is available to direct you, go to the emergency room. Then, report what happened to your employer as soon as possible. Just remember, paper cuts probably aren’t an emergency, and the insurance company may be able to deny the bill if they decide it did not pose an immediate danger to your well-being. Cooperate Fully With the Doctor When you see the doctor, it’s important to give them an accurate description of what happened and what injuries you sustained. Even if it seems insignificant, report any pain or other issues in your first visit. Later care may be determined by the injuries you reported. Answer all questions about past and current conditions you may have as well. This will be important to help your doctor determine the extent of the work-related injury, and if any discrepancies arise later, it could be cause for the insurance company to deny or limit your claim. Additionally, always follow your doctor’s instructions. If your doctor prescribes bed rest, a ski trip to Tahoe while you’re off work could land you in a lot of hot water. Get Your Work Status After being hurt at work, the doctor will determine whether you can return to work, and if so, in what capacity. If they decide you cannot do your regular job, they may give you a list of limitations. Be sure to get these in writing and take them back to your employer. Your work status will probably be one of three things: Release back to work full duty Release back to work light duty or with restrictions Completely off work If the doctor allows you to return to work on light duty, your employer will determine if they can accommodate your restrictions. If your company does not have work for you or if your doctor takes you off work, you may be entitled to partial pay while you are off. Most states have a waiting period, usually three to seven days, which you must be off before they begin paying you. These may or may not have to be consecutive days depending on the state. Once you’ve fulfilled the waiting period, the insurance carrier will reimburse your lost wages, usually at a rate of about two-thirds your regular pay. Some states may also have a retroactive payment where they pick up the waiting period days if you are off work for an extended time. Develop a Good Relationship With Your Claims Adjuster Within 24 hours of your injury, you should receive a call from your claims adjuster. This is the person who will be monitoring your claim. They will ask you questions to be sure they have all the details and communicate with your doctors throughout your treatment. They will also handle any checks you might be entitled to if you are taken off work. Developing a good relationship with your adjuster will help your claim proceed smoothly. However, remember that they do work for the insurance company and not you. Always report any changes in work status or concerns with your treatment immediately so your adjuster can keep your claim up to date and be sure you are receiving proper care and benefits. Closing Your Claim Your treatment will continue until your doctor determines you are at what is referred to as Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). At that time, they will either release you fully or determine an impairment rating. If the doctor assigns a permanent impairment, you will be awarded a monetary settlement based on a pre-determined formula for the injury. Retaining an Attorney For more serious injuries, or when disputes arise with the insurance company, some people choose to retain an attorney. An attorney can be invaluable in many cases to help guide you and protect your interests, but it’s also important to remember that their end goal is to make money â€" if you receive a settlement, you will be sharing a good chunk of it with them. Dealing with pain from your injury, the possibility of time off work and the red tape that goes along with a workers’ compensation claim can be stressful. But being informed, prepared and if necessary, retaining the help of a good attorney can help you navigate your way through the confusing system to bring you a timely, satisfactory resolution.  While being hurt at work isnt pleasant for anyone, stay focused on the future.  Stay positive.  And work towards  the best outcome possible. Images  OSHA

How Assigning a Mentor Can Assist Your Career

How Assigning a Mentor Can Assist Your Career I know what I wanted and I went for it. Im not at the top yet. It is almost a year now since I landed  my first Marketing role, I have made it my own and I just want to continue to make an impact on the  industry I am operating in.  However what has become increasingly apparent to me since my stunt at Waterloo station is that  there is a growing number of graduates that do not know what they want to do when the cap lands  on graduation day. Are students well prepared for life after graduation? A huge number of graduates don’t know how to go about landing the perfect  role for them. Here I would say this is the fault of career services at universities, they give the same  advice and CV templates to those studying physiotherapy and those studying photography. They will  most likely both end up in a sales role with very little career progression. The focus seems to be more  on how many key words you can cram into your CV, rather than how much experience you can gain  while at university. Graduates seem to be in such a rush to get to the top, but so many who study a particular course at  degree level and fail to understand the career options after graduation. Now who is to blame,  students, lecturers or the curriculum? Then they look to their friends who are excelling in their  careers and they didn’t even go to university and have no debt to pay off. Questioning whether they  made the right choice they could end up settling for any role and never fulfil their potential with the  degree they worked so hard for. Can a career mentor help? My suggestion would be to seek out a mentor. Someone who can give you some guidance, support, knowledge and encouragement to help you achieve the career of your dreams. By finding a mentor who you aspire to be like, they will be in the position to give you  advice on how you can best achieve your career  goals and you will have somebody to bounce ideas off while organising and planning career moves. While working for The Asoria Group I have been heading up a campaign; Women in Business. I have  been filming interviews with females from the Digital, Property and Renewables industries, so they can  share their stories, experiences and advice to women thinking of joining the sectors and how they can  hopefully reach board room level within their desired industry. Statistics show the number of  women applying for computer science, property and construction or engineering courses has either  dropped off or levelled off. My aim is to boost the representation and population of women in these  industries as well as to ensure a degree means something again, so I have taken it upon myself to  not only be a ‘media personality’ but also a motivational speaker. What is very disheartening for many, is that there are more men called John in the FTSE 100 than  women. More and more women will begin to reach board room level and the FTSE 100, but how can  our generation better prepare ourselves for leadership roles now? Become a mentor. If you are  passionate about your industry, try and pass that passion and ambition on to those that are still in  the early stages of deciding what they want to do career wise. Inspire the next generation and it also  looks amazing on your CV ;). I am happy to give advice to those in need and the best piece of advice I can give would be to join a  start-up company in your chosen industry. The rate you can grow and things you can learn at a start-up company can set you on a path to greatness. Help a company grow and whatever success is to  you, it will be achieved. Be it a team award or a promotion, if you become a valued employee to the  company and find your niche within the market, eventually you will go onto bigger better things. Hear what Rachael Pollard Head of Digital and CRM at Just Eat Group had to say  about her experience joining a start-up and why she would recommend that graduates consider joining start ups to get the career boost and experience they need in this short video. Author:  Alfred Ajani is a  Coventry University graduate from South London, also known as ‘The CV Man’.    Marketing and PR Projects Manager at The Asoria Group, responsible for driving the Marketing and PR function of The Asoria Group. My role is to bring innovative solutions to traditional challenges within the recruitment industry. Image credit:  racorn

The Benefits Resume Writing Service Can Provide

The Benefits Resume Writing Service Can ProvideIf you are searching for a website or an online business that can offer you the benefits resume writing service, then you have to be careful in choosing the right company. One of the important things which are required by any and every person is his resume, because this will be a great and an effective tool for him. And it is so essential to get the best services to help you in this regard.The requirements for hiring a resume writer vary, so it is important to hire the services of someone who is skilled in that field. But for any career move, you need a high quality and authentic service, which can give you the right message about your career. So if you are looking for a website or an online business that can provide you the benefits resume writing service, then you should keep few basic guidelines in mind. First, you should find out what the website is offering.You should know whether there are various things which they can do for you. The companies offering these services should tell you all about the advantages and disadvantages of every resume format available on the web. Do not take a decision based on just one or two benefits and disadvantages, as it may not be true. The best thing to do here is to research through different websites and choose the best of them. This is possible with a little amount of effort on your part.The benefits resume writing service is one of the most important things that a person can use for a career. It will help in writing a great resume, which should be well structured and can give a suitable impression about the applicant's professionalism and skills. It also allows the applicant to know about the various details of the profession.Most of the firms offering these services to come up with a number of advantages and disadvantages related to the resume format, which needs to be considered before hiring the services of the concerned company. The benefits resume writing service is a great way to make a big impact on your future in the workforce. Many professionals who are new to the job market or those who are doing their graduation, can use the services of a benefits resume writing service.Another important aspect which you should take care of while hiring the service of a resume writing service is the experience of the company. A company that has been around for long and is also available in different cities of the world is more reliable than a new service provider, which comes up with only one company address. It is always a better idea to consider the past records of the companies that you are hiring the services of.A resume template can help a lot in making a good impression in a professional sense. It is such a benefit resume writing service that provides a wide range of templates for different types of resumes. There are some websites which provide free resume templates for free, but then, these templates can be very outdated.The benefits resume template provides a high quality template which can be used in almost all types of resumes and cover letters. It is a great way to create a good and organized resume. With these services, you can definitely make the best out of your future and make the right decisions about your career.

Is Your Job Search Taking Too Long (How to Fix It)

Is Your Job Search Taking Too Long (How to Fix It) Some individuals seek out career coaching when the pain of their job (environment, lack of fit, etc.) is too much to bear. They are looking to get out of that job and want out as soon as possible. Oftentimes, these individuals ask, How long will my job search take?   My answer, as it is to many questions, starts with it depends  It honestly depends on their specific skills, the job market for their position/industry/experience level, their motivation and equally importantly, their network. The speed of your job search can be proportional to the amount of networking you do. Networking, or building relationships, should not wait until you are dissatisfied with your position and in search of a new one. Building relationships with others is an important part of your overall career management plan. Oftentimes, it is those relationships that lead to a conversation with a contact who: has an open position has an in at a company who can shed light on their culture can submit your resume to the hiring manager Building those relationships takes time and is your best avenue to finding a new job. Trying to build those relationships when you are burnt out at your current position and anxious to find something quickly does not typically work in your favor. It can take months to find those contacts and build those relationships. If you are feeling burnt out or stuck in your job search, the first place I would look is your network. How have you cultivated it? How are you cultivating it?  Are you just asking for things from your network or are you offering help as well? Take stock of the current state of your network and devise a plan to build those relationships and build new relationships. You will be amazed at how your network can help you when you have built those relationships over time.  If you havent built the relationships in the way you have wanted to, start now. It might take time in the midst of your job search, but it can yield strong results in the near future and down the road, making future job searches much faster.

Ideas needed for book - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Ideas needed for book - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog I need your help: Im currently writing a book about happiness at work. The book is directed at both managers and employees, and should give the reader a better understanding of what makes people happy at work, as well as a lot of practical tools to use. If you were reading such a book, what would you like to see in it? Drop me a comment if you have any ideas good or bad :o) Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related