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Here Are 3 Simple Ways I Beat Stress

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beat stress

Wonder how to be more chill during your workday and your life? Here are 3 realistic ways you can become a happier, chill person overall.

We could all use more chill in our lives, right? Fortunately, there are many easy adjustments you can make to take some of the stress and chaos out of your daily routine—so easy, you’re going to wonder why you haven’t been doing these things all along.

Here are 3 easy ways to reduce stress, improve quality of life, and add some much-needed chill to your day.

1. Get enough sleep.

If you’re not getting a solid 7-9 hours per night, you’re doing it wrong. And unfortunately, that’s a lot us: about a third of the U.S. population doesn’t get enough rest.

But science doesn’t lie. Research and studies consistently demonstrate that 7-9 hours is the golden standard for the average adult. Many people insist they only need a few hours of sleep a night to function. But that’s most likely because they’re delirious due to lack of sleep. Only a very small percentage of the population (around 1%) can function optimally on less than 7 hours per night, and that’s due to a genetic mutation.

The effects of sleep deprivation are no joke—impaired cognitive function, decreased productivity, and greater chance of having an accident or falling asleep while driving. Not to mention the long-term medical issues it can lead to: obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and mental distress.

So don’t cheat yourself. Get into the habit of getting a full night’s rest every night. The best way to do this is to go to bed at the same time every evening. Just count backwards 8 hours from the time you need to be up in the morning, and set yourself a reminder to be in bed about 15-20 minutes before that. Newer iPhones even have a handy bedtime reminder feature built into the alarm clock.

2. Take breaks during the day.

Most of us work 8 hour shifts, or more, but the reality is that human focus has its limits. Our brains are simply not wired to be focused for that many hours a day, especially all in a row, and this is proven by science. One study revealed that experts who are elite in their fields (basically all fields: artists, athletes, intellectuals, scientists, saving experts) typically can spend only about 4-5 hours per day intensely focused on their work.

It’s unlikely this evidence will persuade your boss to shorten your workday, but taking breaks throughout your shift can help you stay on task and be productive. Planning out your work day and timing breaks will ensure you don’t lose track and end up spending 3 hours looking at cute cat memes on the internet.

The experts in the study above tended to work at the start of their day when their focus was best, so always plan to start your day with the project that will require the most focus (NOT with email!). And then take a break. One study suggests that the perfect ratio is 52/17: work for 52 minutes, and take a break for 17. If you can swing it without getting a raised eyebrow from your micromanager boss, give it a shot at work tomorrow.

3. Meditate daily.

You may scoff at this suggestion but scoff at this: science has proven that people who meditate regularly actually change the composition of their brains. One study from UCLA showed that the brains of long-term meditators were better preserved than non-meditators. Meditation also reduces stress levels, helps with pain management, and relieves anxiety and depression.

The even better news is that even a few minutes a day will benefit you. If you’re a beginner, start with 5 minutes a day and work up to 15 to really start feeling results. Google “how to meditate” to find a plethora of advice on how to get started (or check out my step-by-step video guide), but the basics are pretty much the same no matter what source you consult: find a quiet location, sit or lie in a comfortable position, focus your attention on either your breathing or a phrase you repeat in your head, and keep an open attitude. If you follow these 4 instructions, there’s no wrong way to meditate.

Warning: at first it may feel like nothing is happening, or you may feel silly or bored or distracted, but just keep trying. What you’re doing is actually training your brain, and each time you sit down to meditate, something is shifting, slowly but surely, and it’ll get easier and easier with time. how to be chill

As our lives get busier and busier, especially for Millennials who are not only entering the peak years of their careers but also becoming parents, it’s even more important not to lose sight of the big picture. We owe it to ourselves to slow down and dedicate time each day to habits that improve our health and wellbeing and keep us grounded. Stay chill, guys.

How To Write a Powerful Resume (or CV) in 13 Easy Steps

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powerful resume

A powerful resume is like a short story that grabs the reader and keeps him or her engaged. Learn how to write your power resume with these 13 easy steps.

Your resume is the best marketing tool that you can use to shape your career. You cannot exhibit your capabilities directly and this is where you need to paint yourself differently and accurately in a resume that will define your abilities very precisely matching up to the reality.

This article presents 13 sure-fire tips that have benefited hundreds (college students, clients, colleagues, family, and friends) regardless of the career field or level.

They’re certain to help you to create a powerful resume in 13 easy steps.

1. Prepare a brief profile.

Start strong with a brief profile, not an objective. Listing an objective is a thing of the past. What should your profile contain? Two or three short snappy phrases that summarize your experience, skills, and personality traits. Regarding the latter, avoid writing a laundry list.

So, what three words best describe you? Your dominant personality traits surface in your professional and personal life. In other words, wherever you go you’re there.

2.  Don’t sound like your job description.

Do not turn your resume into a document that reads like a boring job description. Instead, discuss accomplishments. How did you make a difference? What skills or unique abilities were utilized to make things better. Pick one or two accomplishments from your current position. Provide a brief summary.

3. Select the right format.

All in all, two types of resume formats exist- chronological and functional. While the former begins with your most current position and works backward, the latter builds the resume around your dominant skills.

4. Include special training/professional development.

For more than a few years, I advised a friend to include a professional development section on her resume. Why? Employers like to see what you’ve been doing since graduating from college. As a result of working in the corporate arena, she racked up a lot of training. Well, to make a long story short, it made her stand out and receive even better offers.

5. List education and credentials last.

You are not selling your education; degrees are a dime a dozen. You are promoting your unique skills that help potential employers solve problems. Hence, list your credentials last, not first.

6. Determine the appropriate length.

A recent college graduate, high school student, or person entering the workforce for the first time will not have as nearly much to say as someone more experienced.

7. Omit references.

Create a special file for references. By the way, your references should be people who know you in a professional capacity. And, make sure each person has good written and verbal communication skills.

8. Create a tagline.

Imagine this. You work in human resources as a recruiter. Every day you receive tons of resumes when you open your email; no one stands out because the subject lines say things like Resume or the resume of. Be creative! Use a tagline. When you save the document, use the tagline, not your name.

9. Always send a cover letter.

The letter should state what you’re applying for, how you can contribute, and most important, it should refer the reader to the resume. Cut and paste or copy the letter into the body of your email.

10. Use present tense.

Instead of writing in the past tense, use the present when you’re describing your current role. It adds punch and lets a potential employer know that you still make a positive impact.

11. Be creative.

Why not include a testimonial? Select a comment or two from a performance review. Or use a new template?

12. Develop a resume website.

If you really want to stand out, develop a professional resume website. It’s free and a template is provided.

13. Delete These Useless Words From Your Resume:

  • Successful / Accomplished (do not add adjectives to try to boost your status, instead show that you have been successful through the text written on your résumé)
  • Guru / Ninja / Rock Star (informal and not helpful for keyword purposes)
  • Seasoned (makes one sound old)
  • Honest (this is obvious and does not need to be stated)
  • Results-driven / Results-oriented (explain your specific results under each job position, instead of simply writing results-driven)
  • Driven / Motivated / Passionate / Focused / Hardworking (this is obvious and does not need to be stated)
  • Goal-oriented (give concrete examples using goal numbers to show that you achieved or exceeded your yearly/monthly/weekly goals)
  • Significantly (include concrete numbers or strong text to show the reader your significant results)
  • Go-to person (clearly explain your level of responsibility)
  • Team Player (it is understood that you know how to work with people)
  • Responsible for / Duties include (use more exciting action verbs to explain your responsibilities and duties; Google resume action verbs to find lists of appropriate verbs, and make sure that every bullet under each job description starts with a verb)
  • Familiar (does not convey that you are good at whatever follows)
  • Stay-At-Home Parent (potential employers should not know about your children as it is not relevant to your career)
  • Resume (do not write Resume at the top of your document)
  • Objective (do not write Objective at the top of your document, instead use a career summary section and label it with your current job title)
  • References (do not write References Available Upon Request at the bottom of your document)
  • First-person or Third-person Language (do not use first-person or third-person language, instead use formal resume language to look professional)

Finalize Your Power Resume

Make sure that you carefully proofread your resume to ensure that every word is powerful, specific, and needed. Once you believe everything is perfect, have at least 3 other people read through it to verify that there are no mistakes or unnecessary words.

6 Financial Goals for the Wise Millennial

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financial goals

Looking to manage your money smarter? Here are six important financial goals to help you resolve to be better in the new year.

The average millennial is described as drowning in debt, without much savings and as investing too conservatively. This does not paint a very promising picture for this generation. But a study by Schwab’s indicates that the financial standing of many millennials is not as grim.

For instance, about a third of millennials have a financial plan and a documented financial plan. This is in contrast to the two generations above them, the Gen Xers and Baby Boomers. In these generations, only 20% and 22% respectively have taken a similar step.

Similarly, it has been brought to light that millennials are more likely to have specific financial goals than their older counterparts. They are also more likely to seek the services of investment advisors and regularly rebalance their portfolios.

However, even in the face of these promising trends, this group of people is still dealing with a lot of debt, with 75% of them have some kind of debt or another. About ten percent of these people have debts in excess of $100,000. In fact, due to debt, some of them have had to put off buying a house and getting married. Here are some financial goals for the wise millennial:

1. Savings

While the study above showed that millennials are becoming saving junkies, it was also discovered that many of them are less likely to save for long-term financial goals than their older counterparts. Millennials have no problems saving for a vacation, but saving money for more lasting financial goals remains a challenge for many of them. Therefore, the wise millennial should try to make long-term saving more of a priority for better financial health.

2. Insurance

Young people don’t generally take life insurance seriously, although they should. The reason is that they are young and healthy, and it does not seem to make much sense to insure themselves. However, life insurance is very important. For instance, as a millennial with a family, the insurance can take care of your family’s financial needs in case you leave.

Besides, the longer you wait to get life insurance, the more premiums you will pay, and this can affect other financial plans you might have at the time. Also, choose a great life insurance company. Whippio has varied life insurance offers for all types of clients.

3. Investments

Most millennials don’t realize that they have one very valuable asset – time. Because they have a lot of time in their hands, they also have a great opportunity to invest and build a fortune that should serve them and their families in the future.

For instance, to create an empire worth millions of dollars by the age of 70, an 18-year-old would need to invest $71 a day in an investment plan with a return of at least 9% per year. A 38-year-old would need $448 to achieve the same financial goal under similar conditions. So, any smart millennial should start investing as early as possible to realize his/her great long-term financial goals.

4. Plan on Having a Home

A great way to secure your future is to have your own home. Unfortunately, this financial goal is not a priority for many millennials since they tend to focus more on short-term goals. Additionally, many of them have debts to worry about. However, if you are smart, you would start planning on owning a home as soon as possible. Homes turn into sources of wealth for many retirees.

5. An Emergency Fund

Due to their perfect health, and few financial obligations, young people don’t generally feel like they have to worry about emergencies. But this fund can be very important, even to a young person. With adequate emergency funds, for instance, you do not have to end up taking a bad paying job and getting stuck at it because you lacked any cash to get by as you seek a better paying opportunity.

6. Have a Side Gig

A smart millennial should work on having a side gig. Many people are starting to realize that after retirement, the idleness can be a bore. Therefore, having something of their own they can work on can make this part of their lives more fulfilling. Best of all, the side hustle can generate additional cash that they can use to meet other financial goals in life.

Conclusion

The wise millennial has to think of the future. Most of them don’t pay attention to this, and that is where the problem lies. Planning for the future is very important. Fortunately, above are 6 financial assets a millennial can use to safeguard their financial future and stabilize their present financial situation.

The 6 Best Tips for Submitting an Online Job Application

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job application tips

Are you trying to grasp tips on how to fill out a job application online? See our tips so that you can get the most visibility for your online application.

When it comes to applying for a new job, it can be pretty daunting. We’ve been there, many times. Whether it’s your first job or you are already well into your career you can always find ways to improve.

A lot of effort goes into a job application and sometimes it can be hard to create an outstanding application that gets you noticed. From your resume to the interview preparation, it can be overwhelming.

Job Application Tips and Tricks

Here are 6 tips for a successful job application so that you can get the most visibility for your online application.

Tips for Filling Out a Job Application:

Here are common questions people ask about when filling out a job application:

  • What are good things to put on a job application? You’ll want to present your skills. The position description that a company advertises can give you a solid idea of exactly what skills the employer wants. Read them carefully and think about how your abilities match the employer’s needs. When you describe your skills on the job application, avoid trite and overworked phrases.
  • How do you stand out on a job application? You need to know the traits that will impress the employer, ensure your resume matches the job, follow-up (twice), speed your replies, and prepare for phone interviews.
  • What color pen should be used when filling out a job application? You will want to use black pens because they contrast better with the documents you are writing on which are typically lighter in color. Black is also more professional looking and is used for legal documents and form-filling. Also, scanners prefer blue ink to blue ink.
  • What are some skills to include in a job application? You’ll want to include your commercial awareness, communication, teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, and organizational skills.
  • What should not be on a job application? You should never include gender, race, religion, or national origin on a job application. Also, the employer should never ask about these traits on the application or during the interview.

Here are some other tips to keep in mind during the job application process:

1. Never Settle

When you’re looking for a new job (especially if you’re desperate to get out of your current one), you may start to look at jobs that are way below your skill set.

Believes us when we say… do not settle! The only time you would settle is if you absolutely have to. But even then, if you’re in a job you’ve ‘settled’ with, you should still be looking elsewhere for something you deserve.

Take your time to figure out what industry you want to be in, what skills you have (you probably have more than you think), what salary you want, and where you see your career going. Make sure you know what’s important to you when it comes to choosing an employer and read the job descriptions carefully.

The best way to go about this is by journaling it out; outline your skills, attributes, and what fields interest you. This will help you narrow down your job hunt.

2. Write a Powerful Resume

Okay, so what makes a powerful resume? How can you stand out to employers? Firstly, it’s a great idea to find out if your employer uses an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). This is a type of software that scans your resume for keywords before passing it onto an actual human being. If you need an ATS resume, you’ll need to change up the format.

powerful resume

Keywords

Firstly, use keywords! Assess the job description and use those keywords in your resume. You may have to tailor each resume to a specific job description, but that’s what will help your resume stand out. (We actually recommend tailoring for each job… but sometimes you may not have enough time.)

Structure and Proofread

Secondly, format, structure and proofread! No employer likes seeing spelling or grammatical mistakes, so make sure to give it to someone else to glance over. The structure of your resume should be easy to read. If you’re a recent graduate, put your education first, list your skills, and then your professional experience. If you’re a few years out of uni, you may want to put your professional experience first. Employers take on average about 8 seconds to scan your resume, so you want to ensure the first half of your page entices them to read more. It’s all about the first impression.

Personal Branding

You may want to add your own personal branding to your resume as well. This may include a logo, a picture (if the job description fits the bill), or other images. For example, if you were applying for a graphic design job, show your skills in a creative way on your resume! There are no rules (of course unless you find out the company uses an ATS).

Simple, straight to the point, and easy to follow = success.

3. Write a Strategic Cover Letter

Your cover letter is your pitch! You REALLY want to make it a good one. Again, you want to use keywords from the job description in the body of your letter. Make sure you’re addressing all the criteria they’re looking for (all the criteria you’re qualified for that is), and explain how you’ve developed those skills. If you can add statistics or how you’ve improved any systems, mention it! For example, hiring professionals in business would love to see if you’ve increased sales by 8% in Q1.

If you can, find out who is dealing with the application and address it to them. This makes your cover letter more personal and will show you’ve gone beyond the application to find out who manages it.

4. Research the Company

You never know when you’re going to get that first phone interview in response to your application. If you’ve applied to numerous jobs, it can sometimes be hard to track what you’ve applied for (we’re saying this from experience). There have definitely been a few times we’ve been caught out and have had to BS our way through a phone interview because we couldn’t remember what we applied for… the struggle is real. Make sure this doesn’t happen to you. Most hiring professionals can see right through it and know you aren’t prepared.

The best way to be prepared is to keep a note of all the jobs you’ve applied for and a little blurb about that company and why you chose it. When you then get that phone interview and the recruiter asks, ‘so, why did you choose company XYZ?’, you’ll have an amazing answer ready to go!

5. Face-to-Face Interview Prep

This is the BIG one! This is one of the last times to create a lasting positive impression. Before heading in here are a few things you’ll want to ensure you’re covered:

Company Research

What do they stand for? What are their core values? Their mission statement? Are they involved in any charity work? Choose something that takes your interest and talk about it in your interview.

Know Your Resume

They’re going to have your resume in front of them so you need to know your resume like the back of your hand. The WORST thing you could possibly do is lie, so make sure there are no fibs in your resume or cover letter that could get you in trouble during the interview.

Practice

There are definitely textbook interview questions that employers use and you’re bound to hear some. Write down your answers to a few common questions and then speak it out loud. The more you talk to yourself (it’s not weird, don’t worry), the better prepared you’ll be.

Equip Yourself with Questions to Ask

One of our favorite parts of the interview is when we get to finally ask questions. Suddenly the tables turn and you can take complete control of the interview. This is YOUR chance to find out whether or not YOU want to work there. It also gives you the chance to sneak in any other valuable things you think the interviewer needs to know about you. If you need some unique questions to ask for an interview, we’ve got you covered! You can get more information here.

Dress to Impress

This is SO important. You should dress like you already have the job. You want to be professional, clean, and tailored. Don’t be afraid though to pop a little bit of your personality into your outfit. Go with that colored blazer instead of the generic black if you’ve got it. Go with that awesome red dress you have or navy blue suit. Stand out! And the interviewer will be sure to remember you.

6. Send a Follow-Up Email

Always send a follow-up email. This tells the employer you’re definitely interested and keen for the role. Thank them for their time and that it was a pleasure to meet them. A thank-you note can go a long way.

Ready to Submit Applications? Go Get It!

Yes, job applications take a lot of effort and hard work. But if it’s your dream job you’re going after, it’s totally worth it. What are some of your top tips when it comes to applying for a job? Let us know in the comments below!

The Complete Guide to How To Be a Freelance Writer

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how to be a freelance writer

So, you want to be a freelance writer?

Freelance writing provides an opportunity to get paid for writing and generate an unlimited amount of income, with the perks of working from home and a flexible work schedule. However, it requires discipline, business skills and a degree of self-promotion.

Characteristics of a Successful Freelance Writer

There are a number of factors that differentiate superior writers from those that abandon the field after a few attempts. Here are some of the qualities of a skilled freelancer:

Writing Ability. It may seem obvious, but a fledgling freelance writer should possess a basic knowledge of sentence construction, grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Before you bill yourself as a writer, spend some time in perfecting your skills. In addition to being able to write well, you should know how to conduct research on any given topic. Fortunately, the Internet is an abundant resource for information on all types of subject matter.

If you feel you need help in cultivating or refining your writing skills, there are many exercises and workshops and online learning courses on the Internet. Your local community college may also offer classes specifically for freelance writers.

Discipline. As a freelance professional, you must be a self-starter on many levels. You must be able to establish your goals and outline how to meet them. Analyze your schedule and determine how much time you can devote to your work each day.

Professionalism. The best freelance writers establish and develop strong relationships with their clients. From your first assignment with a given customer, you need to display a professional demeanor as well as willingness to hone your content until it meets the client’s approval.

Marketing Skills
If you intend to make money from writing, you must publicize yourself. Write a resume that focuses on your writing activities. Create a portfolio of your writing samples. Start a website or a blog. Print business cards that identify you as a writer. Join online writing communities to make contacts.

Potential Income

With the ever-increasing amount of content on the Internet, there are countless opportunities for competent freelance writers. Your ability to generate income depends upon the quality and quantity of your output. Some freelancers earn more than $100,000 annually, but this is not typical. It takes time to build a business, and most freelance writers earn less than $10,000 in their first year.

Job Sources

The Internet abounds with companies that provide writing assignments or encourage you to submit your own content. Depending upon the payment structure, you will be compensated on a per-article basis, or perhaps on the number of people that read your content.

Contact your local newspaper to investigate freelance writing opportunities. A few well-written contributions may lead to ongoing work or salaried employment. National magazines tend to pay well, but competition is intense. Publications such as Writer’s Market provide a wealth of information on writing opportunities.

But what should you be writing about? And who will pay for you? Good questions. Give these sites a look:

Avoiding Burnout

Writing demands the conflicting skills of creativity and self-discipline. It is easy to become frustrated, especially when facing a tight deadline. When this happens, step away from your assignment. Take a walk. Get some exercise. Research your subject on the Internet to learn how other writers have approached it. All of these steps might help you obtain a fresh perspective and deliver a polished product.

Good luck on becoming a successful freelance writer!

Here’s a Plan For Paying Off Your Student Loans

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paying student loans

Cap? Check. Gown? Check. Diploma? Check. Plan for paying off your student loans? Wait, what?

Student loans are an especially intimidating source of debt. When you embarked on your collegiate journey, your student loans represented something that was coming “someday” –– something you just did not need to worry about in the present moment.

But suddenly, that day has arrived, and you might be totally panicking, and for good reason. This generation has more student loan debt than any other before it, with national student debt totaling roughly 1.3 trillion dollars. That amount is enough to strike fear into the hearts of even the bravest post-graduates.

Below, check out our tips for dealing with student debt. Think of it as Student Loans 101.

Student Loans 101

Here is a list of ways to pay off your student loans.

Create an Action Plan

The first step to dealing with your student loans is to gather all the information and formulate a plan. Figure out when you need to start paying off your loans –– typically six months after you have graduated. If you do not already know, find out exactly how much you owe. Interest can accrue on student loans even while you are in school, so it is likely that this amount is greater than you remember it being. Interest rates on student loans tend to be fairly high, so this number will also affect how much you need to pay each month to make a dent. Luckily, your loan payback homepage can help you calculate how much you need to pay monthly over a 30 year period.

When you gather all the loan information, use your monthly income and any savings to figure out what you can afford to pay each month. Be sure to factor in your guaranteed monthly expenses, like groceries, rent, and utilities. And while it may seem lofty, you should also set aside a chunk each month to go to savings. You might think saving is a stretch when there are loans to pay off, but your 30 year-old self will thank you when they start thinking about purchasing a home. It might be helpful to set some financial goals to keep you motivated on your money saving journey.

Once you have every dollar accounted for, make a budget. This budget will be the cornerstone of your financial future. The hardest part? Sticking to it.

Stick to Your Budget

There is nothing more important than sticking to your budget. Hopefully, you have set aside a little money to have fun every month, but try your hardest not to exceed that amount. Look for budget options when grocery shopping, and keep eating out to a minimum. Especially if you just started a new job, you will see that your new income will accrue much faster if you keep spending to a minimum every month. Ultimately, the rewards of being frugal will benefit you more than those tempting impulse purchases.

While you may feel like self-inflicted financial constraints make you boring and old, they will make you a lot more comfortable when you actually become boring and old down the road.

Make Extra Payments When Possible

If you get a big bonus at work or a generous Christmas cash gift from mom and dad, consider putting it towards your student loan debt. Remember, the lower the number in your debt account, the slower the interest accrues. Any large chunk you can put towards your loans will go a long way towards relieving debt-related stress.

Check All Your Options

The student loan crisis is worse than ever, with a rising number of college grads falling behind on repaying their loans.

More than 1 million Americans a year are defaulting on their federal student loans!

If you’re in this boat, it might be time to think about refinancing. Doing so can help you pay off your student loans faster and save money in the long run.

Remember, sometimes you can make extra money just by finding new ways to save.

A big one that many people fail to remember is that you can save around $300/month just by refinancing your student loan debt.

How to Refinance Student Loans

Interested in refinancing your student loans right now?

Below are the top 4 lenders (get estimated savings in under 2 minutes):

  • SoFi (Rates as low as 2.58% — 7.25%)
  • Earnest (Rates as low as 2.57% — 6.32%)
  • Laurel Road (Rates as low as 2.80% — 6.38%)
  • LendKey (Rates as low as 2.56% — 7.82%)

How To Get Your First Job After College

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how to get your first job

If you’re a recent college graduate, Congratulations! You should be very proud of all the hard work that went into your diploma. If you don’t have a job lined up prior to graduation, you might be wondering how to get your first job after college. With the current state of the economy and your student loans to pay off, it can be quite frustrating,

Many companies have very few open positions or may not be hiring at all. This is especially true for entry-level positions due to the fact that so many experienced professionals are currently in the job market and some have become desperate. When your job search feels like an impossible task, it’s easy to get discouraged. However, there are a few things that you can do to make sure you stand out with potential employers.

Finding a Job After College

Landing that first job after college can be a stressful (and exciting) process for many college seniors and recent grads. However, you can use a few simple tips to help you get ahead and noticed by employers.

Here are tips for landing your first job after college.

1. Check With Your Career Center.

Start by utilizing your college’s career center for opportunities, career advice, and services and programs available.

If you opted to talk to a career advisor at your school’s career center, you will be in good hands. They can help prepare you for interviews with the most common interview questions, give you career goals, develop your resume and help set up a job search plan suited for your career. One sure bet that can lead to a full-time job is attending your campus job fairs on campus, these offer you opportunities to get hired by companies who want to hire students at your school. Leave your Bloomington campus apartment and visit your campus’ job fair soon! Win-win.

2. Experience Counts.

If you have any hands-on experience that is related to your field of interest, make sure you use it to your advantage. This could include gig jobs, part-time jobs, volunteer work, or internships. If you did not have the chance to do this prior to graduation, it’s not too late. While you might not find an internship program, you can always look for a part-time job or even a volunteer position so that you can proudly say that you have proven experience. Depending on your area of interest, you may also want to consider temp jobs. Many employers use temporary employment agencies to pre-screen potential entry-level employees because it offers them a risk-free opportunity to determine if the person is a good fit for their organization. As they have a chance to evaluate their work and see that they have potential, many top-of-the-line temp workers are offered permanent positions.

Along the same line of thought, you might also consider a position that is a little below your standards if it allows you to get your foot in the door with a highly-desired potential employer. It will give you a chance to showcase your skills and show that you are motivated. Make sure that you excel at the tasks that you are given and continue to ask for more responsibility. Someone may keep you in mind when an entry-level position in your area of expertise is available.

3. Networking makes a difference.

Knowing the right people makes a huge difference when it comes to finding a job at any level. While employers will advertise that they hire the person most qualified for the job, the vast majority of positions are attained by knowing the right people. While working within a company to gain experience will allow you to make valuable contacts, don’t discount the people that you will meet in the volunteer world. Many large corporations promote community service which means that you could be working next to an executive while handing out food to the homeless or walking for a popular charity. The best rule of thumb is to always act as if the next person you come into contact with could be your big break. If professional organizations for your specialty area near you, join them and become a regular participant.

4. Target your resume and cover letter.

While you will want a standard resume that you can hand out at a moments notice, it’s also a great idea to tailor your resume towards your prospective employer when you can. For a tailored resume, make sure that you emphasize any classes or hands-on experience that is particularly relevant to their operation. You should also include a cover letter with each resume that is customized for each employer. When possible, find out who is making the hiring decision and address the cover letter directly to them.

In general, start off with your educational background. Make sure you list any awards that you may have received. List your GPA in general or within your major if it was outstanding. You can also provide examples of classes that you think will be particularly relevant.

Next, list your experience whether it was paid or unpaid. If you don’t have any experience that you feel is relevant, think of something that would apply. Even if you’ve only flipped burgers, find something that would show you have a great attitude and the proper motivation. You can also check out resume revision services that can help you along the way.

5. Have letters of recommendation ready.

In addition to listing references on your resume, ask a few of those valuable contacts you’ve cultivated to write letters of recommendation that you can attach to your resume with your cover letter. While many will not take the time to call your references while they are reviewing resumes, most people will scan reference letters.

The Bottom Line

While wondering how to get your first job after college, you have probably used a few online job sites. If you haven’t tried a niche site yet, they are a great way to develop contacts and find job leads. Find one or two that focus on your career choice and spend a little time there. Get to know the other users, and let them get to know you.

As you become a part of their online community, you will find that they will pass on job leads as they hear about them. In addition, many prospective employers will come to niche sites to recruit prospective employees. Here are some of the top niche sites to check out and have you stop wondering how to get a job after college.

Sample Resignation Letter: How to Quit Your Job with a Resignation Letter

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sample resignation letter

There comes a time in most people’s lives to resign from a job and move on to a new one. If I do say so myself, I craft a beautiful resignation letter — probably because I have resigned from a few different jobs (a library, a bank, three restaurants, and a retail store, to name a few!).

Regardless of how menial and stressful you believe your job to be, I think everyone benefits when an employee crafts a professional resignation letter.

This month, I have resigned from three jobs: I called the woman I babysit for, because I felt that was more appropriate for the situation; I emailed the community center where I teach dance, because I am seasonal and would not be in the building until the first day of classes; and finally, I turned in a printed letter to the restaurant where I work today, and spoke with both my direct manager and the general manager. Resigning in a professional manner has many benefits.

Use the sample resignation letter below as a template for your own letter. Be sure to rewrite the letter to fit your particular employment situation.

Your Name
Your Address
Your City, State Zip Code
Your Phone Number
Your Email

Date

Name
Title
Organization
Address
City, State Zip Code

Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name:

I would like to inform you that I am resigning from my position as Account Executive for the Smith Agency, effective [date].

Thank you very much for the opportunities for professional and personal development that you have provided me during the last five years. I have enjoyed working for the agency and appreciate the support provided me during my tenure with the company.

If I can be of any help during this transition, please let me know.

Sincerely,

Your Signature (hard copy letter)

Your Typed Name

Best resignation letter sample

If you’re not sure how to write a resignation letter, use this sample for inspiration:

Joanna Leach
18 Hillside Drive | Sometown, MA 55555 | Phone: 555-555-5555 | [email protected]

[Date]

Ms. Joyce Michaels
CEO
ABC Company
15 Main St.
Sometown, MA 55555

Dear Joyce,

Please accept this letter as notice of my resignation from my position as staff accountant. My last day of employment will be [date].

I received an offer to serve as senior accountant of a Fortune 500 company, and after careful consideration, I realize that this opportunity is too exciting for me to decline.

It has been a pleasure working with you and your team over the last three years. One of the highlights of my career was collaborating with you to automate ABC Company’s accounting, financial and balance systems and setting up your accounting infrastructure. Your company is poised for continued growth and I wish you much success with your upcoming acquisition of XYZ Company.

I would like to help with the transition of my accounting duties so that systems continue to function smoothly after my departure. I am available to help recruit and train my replacement, and I will make certain that all reporting and records are updated before my last day of work.

Joyce, thank you again for the opportunity to work for ABC Company. I wish you and your staff all the best and I look forward to staying in touch with you. You can email me anytime at [email protected] or call me at 555-555-5555.

Sincerely,

 

Joanna Leach

Resignation Letter Tips

When writing a professional resignation letter, it’s important to keep some tips in mind.

Tips for When You are Quitting Your Job:

Here are common questions people ask when resigning from their job:

  • How do I write a short letter of resignation? You should keep the letter of resignation short and professional, provide reasons for leaving (optional), remain polite, thank the employer for the role, offer to help in the transition period, and avoid personal criticism. Lastly, you’ll want to end the resignation letter on a positive note.
  • How do you resign from a job? In order to gracefully quit your job you’ll want to write a resignation letter, tell your manager, quite in person and bring the resignation letter with you, and be sure to give at least 2 weeks’ notice.
  • Can I email my resignation letter? It’s better to resign in person and provide a formal resignation letter. If you need to resign via email, it can be done, but typically it is better to resign in person with a letter.
  • What are good reasons to give for leaving a job? In your resignation letter, you can say you are leaving your job because you are looking for better career prospects, professional growth and work opportunities. You can also state that you are seeking a change in career direction or looking for new challenges at work.

A resignation letter lets you tell your side of the story. I had originally intended on remaining in my restaurant job for at least another year. A job offer presented itself, however, and there was no way for me to continue my employment at the restaurant with my new schedule. The letter I wrote allowed me to address the reasons I was leaving in my own words, without worrying about someone interrupting me or mishearing them. This limits misunderstandings and hurt feelings.

A resignation letter is your paper trail. You can always look back and remember why you quit a certain job, or when you turned in your notice. This also gives your employer a record of when and why you left. Doing so may allow your employer to look back in your file and give a better recommendation to someone calling on your behalf for a future job.

A resignation letter, when polite, lets you leave on a good note. I verbally told my manager that I was resigning, then handed him my letter. He seemed confused until he opened it and read — then told me that he had only received two letters of resignation in all his years of restaurant management. Sadly, in the foodservice industry, it is quite common for verbal “two week notices” to be stated, followed by the employee promptly not showing up for shifts or giving up all shifts to other employees. By making my intentions clear in the written letter, I am making it clear that I respect my employers and want them to know I am dependable until the date I stated in my letter.

What is your experience with resigning? Did you give two week’s notice?

Hiring Your First Employee? 5 Things You Need to Know

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hiring an employee

Hiring an employee? You come across the actual needs of your business when you start pitching to clients and work for them. You realize the need for the most fundamental resource which is manpower. Of all the necessities of your startup or even online business, employees are the most valuable assets.

Growth or expansion of your business follows the task of creating a niche spot for your company in the industry. This clearly defines that you have to handle the most prominent resource of the business with care.

As a first time employer, the task of managing versatile employees can be really tricky and overwhelming. There are bound to be speed-breakers on your business journey. But to make your task convenient, we have discussed below some of the essential things that every first-time employer must consider:

1. Register your company

how to negotiate salary

It is important to register your organization with respect to government norms. Simultaneously, your employees need your contribution to validate their employment at your workplace.

As a responsible employer, it is your duty to provide them with all legal documents required to complete the process. Registration of the firm gives you certain rights and responsibilities.

Similarly, employee registration helps them to take advantage of certain government employee schemes.

2. Employment contract

Most startups do not prefer employee contracts since it gives employees the liberty to leave the organization as per their will. On the other hand, employers enjoy the leverage of discarding employees who become a liability for the firm.

Instead of a contract, you can ask employees to agree to the basic terms and conditions of the company. Make sure that you clearly describe the job profile, number of hours to be served every week, leaves, necessary details about notice period and dress code in the contract.

This way, you and your employees will have a clear idea about what is to be expected and the duties of the other party.

Some of the common details mentioned in employee contracts are as follows:

Part-time: Freelancers and part-time employees work only for a few hours. The contract must mention the net number of hours that they are expected to work for the organization.

Full time-Employees: They are willing to commit to a full-time job need to contribute the same number of hours per week until they are terminated or they resign from the firm.

Hourly contract: This is a contract which is signed when employees are paid on an hourly basis and based on the work assigned to them. The contract clearly mentions the tasks to be completed along with a specific deadline and the fees charged.

3. Training process

job application tips

Every organization has a different working pattern which means that the employer has to train their new employees. Although you may hire an experienced employee, you will still need to provide some training for them to get them accustomed to your business process.

The new employees primarily need to understand the fundamental tasks and responsibilities of your business. They also have to adapt to the business policies and norms. A new employee may take some time to accept all these changes. As an employer, it is your duty to make the process convenient for them.

You can either carry out the training process yourself or you can ask one of your experienced employees to shoulder this responsibility. But make sure that your employee is well-versed with the business policies and goals.

You can also ask the employee to skimp through your website so that they have a basic understanding of your service/product. This can be possible only if you have an updated website with the good about us page which makes it easier for you to lure potential employees.

Moreover, a well-designed website and appropriate content ensure that your employees acquire sufficient information about your services.

4. Research

become a resume writer

Before you shortlist an employee for an interview it is important to check their background. This additional research may consume some of your time and money, but it will help you to take a better decision regarding which employees are right for your company.

For instance, if an employee is planning to shift to a different city in the near future, you are less likely to retain them and hence there is no reason why you should hire them now.

Apart from this, you must also adopt a good hiring process so that you do not hire an unsuitable employee without any experience. It is important to have a broader vision while hiring new employees because they are the pillars of your organization.

Simultaneously, it is necessary to be on good terms with your existing clients. This way, they are less likely to leave your firm and it is easier to retain them. If you notice your employees experiencing any hurdle, take an initiative to suggest them a solution so that they get a different perspective and can surpass the situation.

5. Communication is a must

Communicating with new employees can be tricky due to their lack of understanding.

However, it is important to bridge this gap of understanding through communication. Offer them the liberty to talk to you, if at all they face problems at the workplace.

At the same time, you can also initiate a one-on-one meeting with them on a regular basis for the first few months. This will help new employees to get comfortable with the new work environment.

Additionally, you can drive them in the right direction if you notice that they are getting distracted due to their new surroundings.

Moreover, you can plan team building activities for all your employees so that they can trust each other better. These outdoor activities can motivate employees and also improve their work productivity.

It is a tedious process to search for capable new employees and train them. Instead, organizations must focus to retain their old employees as they are comparatively reliable and bring you the required results.

You can offer employees new and better opportunities so that they do not feel complacent. They get the right chance to develop their existing skills and develop new ones. With lucrative prospects in the future, employees are less likely to look for a change in their job.

10 Ways to Deal with Burnout at Work

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how to deal with burnout

The burnout syndrome occurs as a result of a tense work rhythm – a major problem for a modern person. Nerves, anxiety, stress, fatigue, apathy – all these are the symptoms of occupational burnout. According to the studies, every third employee has experienced it, and the most vulnerable workers are those engaged in social careers sector.

For this article, we picked the best ways to handle it. Here are 10 tips to help you stay healthy and not to bun out at work:

Mark a clear “work-rest” border. Do not take work home, otherwise, set working hours strictly. At home, change clothes right after you’ve crossed the threshold. Even if you are a freelancer writer, differentiate your working zone from the rest of the home.

Switch over. Find what helps you switch from one mode to another. This may be a book, a short walk, listening to your favorite band or whatever.

Learn to refuse. Do not be afraid to tell your supervisor that you can’t keep up with the workflow. You are the only person who knows your limits.

Go on an informational diet. Put aside messengers and stop checking inbox every minute. As for the phone calls, there are no clear boundaries – if something is urgent, you can receive a call early in the morning or late at night. Therefore, you should control this yourself.

Work less, but be more productive. Some tend to think that if they spend more time behind the computer, they will get more work done. Sorry, but no, this is self-deception: the longer you work, the less productive you become. The flow of tasks is endless, and what can’t be done today is better to be done tomorrow. Otherwise, you will lose focus and will have to redo everything.

Beat your inner perfectionist. And do not reproach yourself for mistakes – they are inevitable. Remember, only those who do nothing make no mistakes.

Tailor the schedule to your needs. With the development of technologies, it is not necessary to be constantly present in the office because many issues can be resolved through emails, social media, and messengers. If the strict office schedule does not fit you, you can switch to freelancing or find a job with more flexible hours. A professional curriculum vitae will double your chances to get the best offer.

Delegate tasks. This will allow for more free time and lessen the amount of stress. Plus, your colleagues will learn something new.

Listen to yourself. If you realize that you are tired, take an unscheduled vacation.

Quit. Sometimes this really is the best option and you may need to start drafting a resignation letter. But don’t rush head over heels with getting a new position at another company. Give yourself some time to recover.

In order to develop immunity to stress, try spending more time outside, get a hobby, eat healthy and tasty food, listen to music, and communicate with pleasant people whom you really like.