Believe In Yourself Anything Is Possible - Pathfinder Careers

Believe In Yourself Anything Is Possible - Pathfinder Careers Believe In Yourself: Anything Is Possible I usually don’t get too personal in this blog but today, I want to share something amazing that happened to me recently that will hopefully be an inspiration to someone else who might be struggling or going through a rough time. But first, let’s zip back to about 25 years ago… to when I was a teenager. (Gulp, has it really been that long? Ye gods…) When I was in high school, I was one of those kids that got picked on a lot.   My parents had strange ideas about wanting us kids to wear homemade clothes (during the era of Gloria VanderBilt jeans) and tied wearing those items to pushing us into some form of individuality… which was the wrong time for those intentions, since most teenagers would rather conform than stand out. Combined with the fact that our family moved from Baton Rouge, Louisiana to a small farming town in Wisconsin where most of the kids had all grown up with each other, my thick Southern accent and deeply tanned skin stuck out as an immediate outsider.   It didn’t help that my home life was pretty rough either… I was caught between trying to please my parents wearing the clothes that they had made for me and dodging the inevitable scuffles of the high school pecking order, including getting bullied on a regular basis. It was a lonely time, and as a kid, I often felt hopeless about my future. I didn’t really have any dreams, and had no real idea of what I wanted to do for a career.   That impacted my studies and I didn’t really try… it was a slippery slope and when my mom (a college professor) finally sat me down and said she didn’t think I was ‘college material’, it felt as though I had truly failed her and myself. Weighed down with virtually no sense of belonging or self-worth, my depression was deep and dark. Then, one day at my lowest point ever, I tried to commit suicide by hanging myself in a closet. For some reason, the clothes railing that I had attached the rope to broke, and I came to, surrounded by a mound of clothes and my sister’s disbelieving face in the doorway. To this day, I remain convinced that something happened in the cosmic universe at that moment which said that this wasn’t my time to go yet.  And miraculously afterwards, things slowly started to improve in my life. My senior year, I had several inspirational teachers that coaxed a little bit of the new me out, bit by bit.   They were patient, kind mentors who gave me a seed of hope that started to send out small roots.   My grades improved, and by graduation, I had a fairly decent GPA that enabled me to get into college. Starting over at a college out of state helped me escape the social stigmas that had plagued me in high school, and I started to grow more, and found even more positive challenges from my professors. From there, I launched into a career in television, determined to make a name for myself, and was lucky enough to be on the team that won an Emmy Award for children’s programming.   My career took some twists and turns after that point, but I was always able to roll my skill sets into the next position, which led to my being able to travel the world working as a tourism representative in Portland, Oregon.   I had the incredible honor of being asked to be one of only 5 presenters providing regional updates to the all of the U.S. Commercial Service officials from across the world during a seminar at the U.S. Embassy in Berlin, Germany.   Additionally, I gave my first national convention session in Los Angeles to my industry peers, which was another thrill.     The biggest honor came when two Oregon-based tour itineraries that I developed were recognized by the Clinton Administration White House under the Pathways 2000 Cultural Heritage project.   I was invited to attend a reception i n Washington, D.C. organized by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Since then, I worked at a event planning/tour company and also as a state school to career director with a trade association.   In 2007, I launched my own business providing résumé writing services and traveling around the U.S. as a professional speaker on career management topics.   One of the most recent highlights is when I was asked to be a columnist for two different magazines… one of my very few childhood dreams of being a published writer finally came true. Then, earlier this year, a former high school  classmate nominated me for the 2011 Distinguished Alumni Award, and the selection committee chose me. I was completely and utterly stunned. And very much humbled. I flew back, nervous, to my hometown… I was to ride in the homecoming parade, and attend the homecoming football game where an announcement was made at halftime about my award.      Most of the time, I was on the verge of tears… I am not normally a very emotional person but I found myself getting blurry-eyed on a number of occasions. From a kid who had no hope and no vision for a future to being featured as a part of a parade was just unfathomable.   Needless to say, I have been doing a lot of thinking about the circumstances that led to my being in that parade and winning this award.   A lot of it has to do with always having some kind of hope and always believing in myself, no matter what. And on that day in my hometown, in the stands at the homecoming football game, I sat alone in the crowd, just quietly observing and listening to the people around me. But I found myself looking back and peering intently into the stands.     It wasn’t until later that I realized what it was that I was looking for â€" I was searching for a version of my former self… that lost, lonely kid who was unsure of themselves and their place in the world. I wanted to find her, take her into my arms, and give her a big hug, and tell her that it was going to be okay.   Everything was going to be all right, and that she just needed to believe in herself… anything IS possible. YOU have your future in your hands, and always have the power to make choices. Sometimes you can’t see those choices, but it’s up to you to discover what they are and decide where you want to go with them. But never, ever, stop believing in yourself.   You never know where it will take you!

Maggie on CBS - The Challenges of Working From Home

Maggie on CBS - The Challenges of Working From Home Where do you work best?Wouldnt it be great if your boss asked you this question?! Even if he/she doesnt ask, you can create a thoughtful response and bring up the subject yourself. Be careful though. In my experience, too many people dream of working from home or the beach but few have fully thought through where they work best.Your answer might surprise you.Ive been my own boss for seven years and LOVE working in a clean, comfortable, quiet space with a view. My best work has happened when I overlooked the ocean, a forest or a lake. I even had a great coaching session from the John Hancock Tower in Chicago. I need to be my most inspired in order to inspire others. Even when I havent had a view of nature, Ive painted and framed up landscapes to help me get in the zone.But telecommuting isnt for everyone. Just recently, I spoke with a client whos new dream job involves working from home most days. Initially excited about the added flexibility, my client didnt realize hed miss the soci al interaction around the water cooler. Hes also realized he needs more face time with the boss to build rapport quickly and be included in key meetings. So now were working on the right balance of telecommuting and office work so he can make a proper ask of his boss and create the best working scenario. If you or someone you know could use help figuring out their work situation, go to my Contact page.I recently shared my story on CBS re: the challenges of working from home.Working at home with a two-year old running around does not produce the quiet space I need. Now I do most of my work from virtual office space. All over the US and the world, organizations are popping up that allow you to rent a professional office for a day or even an hour.Dont wait for your boss to set up your ideal work environment.If any of this resonates with you, Id love to hear where you work best by commenting below. Stop and reflect now. Think about the times when you had your best ideas or felt you were most productive. What about the environment inspired that kind of performance in you? Write down your thoughts. Talk with your boss about it, ask for his/her feedback and create your ideal work scenario today.Dont find fault. Find a remedy. ~Henry Ford

If Nobody Knows You Are An Expert, You Are Invisible

If Nobody Knows You Are An Expert, You Are Invisible One of the assumptions about executives and those higher on the career ladder is that they have expertise in their field. The problem is, people have to realize you have that expertise. Your plan for your business, career, or any kind of future acknowledgement really needs to include ways to show the world you know what you are talking about. Fortunately, it is easier today than its ever been to establish yourself as an authority: an expert in your field. Ways To Establish Your Authority As An Expert Write a book. This is so easy with e-books because you can self-publish right away and update as needed. And the benefits are huge: you must be an expert because you wrote a book or two. Its also a good way to let potential employers know what your expertise is, and it looks impressive on an executive resume. Be a great blogger.  Writing consistent and useful content builds up an audience of readers who welcome your next post because it helps them somehow. If you are sharing your insights and making a difference in your readers lives, you are building a reputation for expertise. You are proving your expert status with every post. Utilize online networks. Whether its LinkedIn profile development and posting regularly, guest blogging, Google+, or taking thoughtful part in online discussions, theres an impression being made about who you are. Make it a positive and authoritative impression and there will be lots of good reasons to see you as an expert in your field. Curate content carefully. Link to authoritative sites or articles and share your expert opinion on the information. Create a reputable source for research in your industry. When you think about it, this is marketing. You are in the business of selling yourself as a well-deserved expert in your field by getting the message out to the people who need what you offer. Anyone who aspires to become an executive or any type of professional needs to be seen as an expert, or nobody sees them at all.

Top Advice on Writing a Resume for Graduate School Sample

Top Advice on Writing a Resume for Graduate School Sample As you've already understood, it calls for some distinctive skills including the capacity to allow an in-depth research and analytics. Your resume will wind up in an ATS eventually, although you might have networked your way through personal connections within the industry enterprise. A performing resume design may be your key to obtaining the role of an eternity. A professional resume design is just the tool you would like to reveal prospective employers your abilities. International employers often utilize CVs also. Besides the four graduate school resume and CV samples above, there are plenty of resume samples you'll be able to access for free internet. Have a look at our guide to learn exactly when you should choose the GRE so as to receive your very best score! Have a look at our guide to everything you want to know more about the GRE, including how much time it is, what it covers, and the way you should prepare. New Step by Step Roadmap for Writing a Resume for Graduate School Sample The school encourages a variety of extra-curricular activities for the students but there's no room for failure. Have a look at our samples of great grad school resumes that will help you begin by yourself. To acquire an admission form isn't difficult in any way. For instance, if you tutored other students as an undergrad and think which will help show you can teach nicely as a graduate assistant, you can incorporate that. A little family essay tree what's architecture essay writing. The next step of the way to compose a persuasive essay or any different type of essay is continuing on to the thesis statement. Among the secrets of how to compose a good essay is to pay a great deal of attention to your introduction. For example, a lot of the success of your essay is dependent upon how well it is possible to grab the reader's attention right in the beginning of the paper in order for the reader can't help but need to become through the remainder of the essay. The Fundamentals of Writing a Resume for Graduate School Sample Revealed If you ought to be all set for work afterward you're well prepared to be always a leasehand. In case you feel you would pick a more professional looking resume, and don't feel that you're very likely to do an effective work, then you might always outsource the job. If you want to locate a work then your perfect move to make is to be ready. Locating work during mid age doesn't need to become full of self-doubt along with stress.

[R]energize Your Job Hunt In 8 Steps - Work It Daily

[R]energize Your Job Hunt In 8 Steps - Work It Daily “My job hunt is stuck in the mud. I know I need to fix it, but I’m feeling overwhelmed and I’ve got no energy left. I’ve tried everything, and nothing seems to work.” Does this ring true for you? The simple truth is: Hunting for a job can be tiring, demoralizing, and frustrating. I often encounter people who have internalized their inability to find work as a sign of personal failure. Confidence and self-image suffer. As that happens, it becomes increasingly difficult to present the optimistic, energetic “can do” persona that employers seek. We all hear the longer you are out of work, the harder it is to get work. One of the reasons for this is employers are looking for you, Mr. / Ms. Jobhunter not to be jaded, tired, and “down.” And, they fear that the longer you are out of work, the more likely it is you won’t have the vim and vigor they seek. [R]energize Your Job Hunt In 8 Steps There are things you can do to [r]energize your job hunt. This list is hardly exhaustive, but it's a good start: 1. Remember Getting A Job Is A Job Treat it with the same sense of professionalism that you would bring to any employment. Show up on time every day. And, at the end of the day don’t feel guilty about packing the work up, and transitioning to “personal” or “family” mode. As with any job, it's important to maintain a healthy work/life balance. 2. Clarify Your Goals And Envision Success Imagine yourself in the surroundings of your next job, and then embrace the job hunt as the necessary process to get you there. Make the effort to understand where you are most likely to add value to a potential employer. What are your strongest achievements, areas of expertise, and personal qualities? Think about not just what you would like to do, but about the kinds of jobs and corporate/work culture that are most akin to your background. These are all elements of defining your target. Once your goals are clearly defined, you can begin to move ahead in a purposeful and meaningful fashion. 3. Recognize And Confront Your Self-Imposed Roadblocks Are you frozen in place by a fear of possible future failure? Many people have experienced so much rejection that they are afraid to have any more piled on. Such feelings are real, and they need to be acknowledged. Sometimes inaction can be a psychological defense mechanism. It's important, however, to understand that inaction is a certain road to the status quo. Try to move forward every day â€" even if you only do one or two small “baby step” things that can help to build up your self-confidence. 4. Break Out Of Your Isolation Figure out who are the members of your support system - your family, friends, other job hunters you meet at networking groups, members of your church or synagogue and so on. Talk to them on a regular basis. Tell them what you’ve been up to, what seems to be working, and what seems to be frustrating you. Make them part of your team. Ask for their feedback and advice. Help them to help you by creating a context of “us” instead of “me.” And of course: seek a good job hunting coach who can understand and relate to you, and provide both guidance and the occasional “kick in the pants” when it's called for. 5. Balance Your Job Hunting Activities You can’t be everywhere, all the time. Strive to create a balance over the course of a week or two in a cycle. If you think of your search for work as a job hunt, then imagine each tool or tactic as one arrow in your quiver. You need a variety of arrows including: informational interviewing; attending professional meetings and seminars; social networking utilizing LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter; writing your blog, and so on. However, important online activity has become, remember that social networks are but the means to the end of building personal relationships. Nurture your relationships both in the real and virtual worlds. 6. Stay Focused And Use Your Time Wisely People who work out of their homes often say that one of the biggest challenges they face is managing their time. It’s easy to be distracted by kids, pets, housework, TV, internet, computer games, and so much else! Organize your day and week in advance. Create an hourly schedule and stick to it by setting alarms on your computer calendar or wherever they will best be seen and heard. 7. Practice, Practice, And Practice Some More Rehearse your elevator speech out loud and prepare answers to interview questions that you can anticipate. For example, don’t allow yourself to be flummoxed by opening queries like, “Tell me about yourself.” Did you know Larry Bird, one of the greatest basketball players of all time, shot 1,000 baskets EVERY DAY! He was great because he understood the need for constant repetition and skill building. 8. Maintain Your Mental And Physical Health Eat healthy. Exercise at least three times each week. If it’s been a while since you exercised with any regularity, start slow and gradually build yourself back up. Get those endorphins flowing and you will look better, have more energy, and feel better about yourself. I’m always interested to hear from readers. Tell me what stymies you, what energizes you, what works, and what doesn’t. I’d love to hear some success stories! Now that you know how to energize your job hunt go out and do it! Happy hunting! Related Posts: When To Turn Down A Job Offer Risks And Rewards Of Taking A Job You Don’t Want Why No One Is Calling You After You’ve Applied To Over 100 Jobs Online Photo Credit: Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join For Free!

Mentoring in the Workplace Your Key to Success - Your Career Intel

beratering in the Workplace Your Key to Success - Your Career IntelPeople in your corner can lend you the experience you need to navigate everything from career path to office politics. Heres how to find a mentor thats right for you.What to Look for in a MentorFirst ask yourself what you want out of the mentoring relationship. Whether its advice on how to advance your career or how to balance your personal life, you need to identify the desired benefit before you can find the right teacher, advocate, networker or cheerleader you want in your corner. Since youll be able to leverage your mentors experience, you should of course consider people you admire for their leadership traits or skills. But in my experience as an Accounting and Finance recruiter, soft skills such as personality and culture also help determine a good fit.You and your mentor neednt share the same views on everything (they wouldnt be a good mentor if you did) but its hard to grow a relationship without some common g round.Your Boss as Mentor?Its natural to see your boss as a mentor, but this isnt always the best choice for you, as your goals wont always align. A manager is supposed to spend time developing talent but also wants to maximize productivity, while your goal may be to have your managers job in three years. While you should certainly seek out a mentor whos a level or more above you, look for someone outside your specific area who can offer an alternate view and provide value beyond what youre already getting in your everyday work experience.untersttzung in the WorkplaceCompanies are always looking to attract and retain talent, and mentoring programs can be an effective way to leverage existing internal talent. One of my clients makes their mentoring program a focused selling point with candidates, going beyond the standard compensation discussions. Its something to keep in mind when considering job offers. If your company does not have mentoring in the workplace as parte of their care er development opportunities, there may be professional organizations in your industry that do.How to Get a Mentor to Invest in YouFrankly, be prepared to sell yourself on why you would be a good mentee. Mentors may gain a sense of accomplishment from having a protg, but they understandably want to know you are worth investing in before taking you under their wing.Offering gratitude for their guidance is a requisite, but you also need to come to the table with a reason they should mentor you, as well as ambitions for your future. No one wants to invest their time in someone whos not going to make the most of it.Are you currently a mentor, or have you been mentored in the past? If so, what advice can you share about building the mentoring relationship and making the most of it?

These Men Really Hated That Gillette Ad And Twitter is Calling Them Toxic

These Men Really Hated That Gillette Ad And Twitter is Calling Them Toxic Earlier this week, Gillette launched an instantly viral ad championing male allyship, respect for others and accountability. Nice, right? No.Since then (because we live in a post-modern firescape), The Best a Man Can Be has garnered 710,000 dislikes on YouTube, positiv countless comments, tweets and boycott requests from men who are very angry on the internet.Dissenters claim the ad blames men for everything, is propagandizing leftist ideology, and is hell bent on destroying males.Gillette, you just lost my business by playing your identity politics and moral posturing cards. How about you focus on the quality of your products instead of propagandizing leftist ideology?, one YouTube commenter wrote.This company is run by feminists, posited another.Never buying a product from your brand, ever again, for as long as I live. I sincerely hope your business financially burns to the ground, another chimed in.You get t he gist. Basically, a large group of commenters (read people who hide behind Pokemon and confederate flags in the comments section) feel the ad is calling all men toxic, is shaming masculine behaviors, and exaggerates the severity of bullying or sexual harassment. Who knew human decency was so controversial?But others are making a strong point this kind of backlash is exactly why we needed the ad. First, because it suggests that a lot of men totenstill see respect as feminine or asking for people to be held accountable as targeting men.My 16 y/o daughter Its not the feminization of men, its saying men dont have to live up to their awful stereotypes. nailedit, Alean4 wrote.So hard to understand the neg. reactions. Why is being respectful and tolerant so offensive to some? Also, pls stop with the strawmanning. No-one is accusing all men categorically, calling men inherently rotten, or forcing you to cry if you dont feel the need. GilletteAd, niipeiti wrote.But also because its a nice, quick way to parse out the toxic members of our newsfeed, then swiftly unfollow them.If youre a man whos outraged over a Gillette ad that encourages men to not be horrible selfish pricks PLEASE let the rest of us know who you are, JohnFugelsang wrote. His tweet was retweeted almost 8 thousand times.Any man who gets upset over this ad is showing their true colors. Full Stop, cheesetreats wrote.