From Employment to Self-Employment

From Employment to Self-Employment Success Story > From: Job To: Solopreneur From Employment to Self-Employment “I became increasingly unhappy and started to look for alternatives where I could be in control of my own destiny.” * From Employment to Self-Employment Some people aren't cut out to work in a corporate environment. Alistair Gill was one of them. Though he regrets not doing it sooner, he's now been able to transfer his analytical and business skills into working for himself â€" and getting the control over his destiny that he wanted. Here's how he did it. What work were you doing previously? I worked for Caterpillar in a project management role. I was responsible for improving the safety, quality, velocity and cost of manufacturing processes. In total I worked there for eight years after graduating. Prior to that I studied Mechanical Engineering and Business Management at university. During my time there I decided to take a year out in industry to gain experience and make myself more employable. I enjoyed my placement at Caterpillar so much, I asked the company if they would sponsor me through my final year, which they agreed to on the condition I returned to work for them for two years after graduation. This was a huge help as it meant I could concentrate on my final year without having the added pressure of searching for a job. What are you doing now? I'm a self-employed business consultant. I help other small businesses and entrepreneurs to get found online. Sometimes this means designing a website for them; other times it involves increasing the traffic to their existing website. I specialise in search engine optimisation (SEO) and Google Analytics reporting. Although this is a completely different industry to Engineering, I definitely feel that the analytical skills and business improvement techniques I learned in my former career are transferable to what I do now. Why did you change? At first, I loved my job. However, over time I became frustrated working in Engineering. It's a difficult industry to work in, especially in the UK. I was also at a company that supplied equipment to the construction industry. When the recession hit in late 2008, we were one of the first industries to be impacted and it hit us hard. Despite our best efforts, it was difficult to implement improvement projects when there was never any money to spend. It was also very apparent how insecure our jobs really were. I became increasingly unhappy and started to look for alternatives where I could be in control of my own destiny. When was the moment you decided to make the change? I'd followed the typical path of school, A-levels, university, career. At no point did I really stop and think about what I wanted to do with my life. I just took the next logical step each time: the step that everyone else was taking or that I was 'supposed' to take. I was keen to progress my career, so I used to attend college in the evenings and I started buying business books to read. One such book was The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss. I admit, the title sounded too good to be true, but the reviews were great so I went ahead and purchased it. That book was a revelation for me. I had no idea that people could run their own business online. I had never come across the concept of location independence but it appealed immensely to me. It was the first book I have ever read again straight after finishing it. There have been a number of tipping points along the way since then, but reading that book was the moment I realised I needed to make a change. Are you happy with the change? Yes, completely. I don't regret my past career as it was a valuable learning experience for me. I do, however, wish I had read that book and started my own business sooner. I love working for myself. I have the freedom to work when I want and from wherever I want (as long as I have an internet connection!). I get to work with amazing clients all around the world. The most rewarding thing for me is the feedback I get about how I've been able to help a client to grow their business. What do you miss and what don't you miss? I miss the colleagues I worked with. I worked with those people for so long they became like a second family. I still see some of them today, but in a social setting rather than in an office. I was never a fan of meetings so I don't miss those at all! I always felt like they went on too long when I could have been doing something more productive. I also never liked the office politics and email tennis that seems to come with working in a corporate environment. I'm also quite sensitive to noise, so working in an open plan office wasn't conducive to working for me. My office never had external windows. In the winter months, it was dark when I went to work, and dark when I drove home. I didn't see daylight and sat in a fluorescent cubicle all day. I certainly don't miss the morning and evening commute, sitting in traffic. I also don't miss having to get up and scrape ice off my car in winter. Sometimes it's the simple things that make all the difference. How did you go about making the shift? I started my business on the side while I still had a full-time job. After reading The 4-Hour Work Week I knew I wanted to run my own business but I struggled to think of what that could be. All I knew was manufacturing and engineering and it didn't really lend itself to an online business I could run from home with few start-up costs. So, I took a course called Location Rebel by Sean Ogle. It features a number of blueprints that teach marketable skills you can perform from anywhere. The one I enjoyed the most was SEO. I decided to build a website to practise my new found skills, but I needed a subject for that site. I decided to write about Lean Manufacturing as I had been training others in the process for years. It was easy for me to create content which allowed me to focus on improving my SEO skills. The next step was to start reaching out and trying to offer my services. At first I did this for free to build up a client base and get some testimonials to help people trust me. I got great results which allowed me to start charging for my services. From that point I focused on growing my business and saving as much money as I could, ready to quit my day job. Before I had chance to hand my notice in, I was told that I was being made redundant. However, by that point it made no difference to me. I was planning to leave anyway and all that did was bring my timeline forward. What didn't go well? What 'wrong turns' did you take? I don't feel like I took any 'wrong turns'; I feel more like I waited too long without taking action. I felt stagnant and stuck. I didn't know what I wanted to do so I just smiled and pretended everything was okay. It was only once I took action that I started to understand what I liked to do. It was by building websites for myself and others I started to know what I enjoyed. How did you handle your finances to make your change possible? The fact I started my business on the side allowed me to build up a client base, so I already had work coming in when I finally left my job. I also used to save a portion of my monthly income to build up a buffer to see me through any quiet months. What was the most difficult thing about changing? The most difficult thing for me was establishing a new routine. I went from a corporate job with schedules, meetings and fixed office hours to complete freedom working for myself. I work from home now so it's difficult to know when to switch off and stop working. What help did you get? I hired a life / business coach to guide me through the transition. She had already been through a similar career change herself, so it really helped me to have someone who knew what I was going through. I liked the fact that she walked the talk, running her business from Peru, Sweden, Canada and even Antarctica! What resources would you recommend to others? Tim Ferriss' The 4-Hour Work Week and Sean Ogle's Location Rebel. The LEAP Guide. I'm Fine, Thanks (a film I helped fund on Kickstarter). What have you learnt in the process? I have learnt so much! I think the biggest lesson has been that it's okay to feel how I did. I used to feel guilty for being unhappy in a job that others would love. I used to wonder what was wrong with me. I now know that I'm not alone. Not everyone is cut out to work in a corporate environment and that's okay. I just had to find the work that excites me. What would you advise others to do in the same situation? The first thing I would recommend others in the same situation to do is really ask themselves what they want to do with their life. I don't think many of us ever really stop and think about that question. It's not easy but you owe it to yourself to figure that out because nobody can do it for you. Once you know what it is you want to do, seek help. Surround yourself with the people who can help you make your dream a reality. What lessons could you take from Alistair's story to use in your own career change? Let us know in the comments below.

Innovative Career Ideas to Help You Through College

Innovative Career Ideas to Help You Through College When it comes to finances for college students, many will agree that earning money whilst studying is essential, but also often difficult. For many college students, making money whilst they study is absolutely essential to being able to afford all of the various costs which come with attending college and studying for a degree. However, for students who are ready to use a little bit of innovation when it comes to making some money whilst getting their education, there are plenty of career options to choose from. We’ve put together some of the top ways in which college students can supplement their income whilst getting their degree. Sexting and Video Chat More and more students are turning to working in online sex services such as FaceTime sex with arousr.com to make money, and it’s easy to see why. With so many clients looking for services such as these, there is a broad range of preferences making it easy for somebody to become a webcam girl or guy, regardless of factors such as body type, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. This job is also the choice of many college students due to the flexibility and control that it offers; college students will be able to work from home and choose their own hours, making it easy to fit around studying. Blogging Many college students have a blog, but some are beginning to uncover the benefits of using blogging to make an income. Blogging has taken off when it comes to the career side of things, and there are many different ways in which you can monetise a successful blog, whether it be through selling advertising space, allowing others to write guest posts, affiliate marketing, pay per click/conversion advertising, or even writing an eBook. For students who are majoring in language studies, English or journalism, this is an even better job idea as it enables you to contribute to your total experience for getting a good job after you graduate. But, starting a successful blog in any niche can be done by students of all subjects. Tutoring Offering your services as a private tutor is a great opportunity for college students to earn some extra dollars as well as gain vital experience whilst they study. With more and more parents looking to help their children get better grades at school, college students with good people skills and a good knowledge of the subject that they are tutoring are increasingly in demand. Tutoring is an ideal job for college students as it allows you to work in the evenings or on the weekend, fitting it nicely around your education. Along with that, a lot of tutoring can be done online, which allows students to work from home. When you are a college student, finding work that fits in well with your studies can be difficult. Thankfully, there are many innovative ideas for jobs that college students of any level can do from home. Would you like to add to the list? We’d love to hear from you in the comments. Image Source; Image Source

Helping Your Autistic Child Cope with the Onset of Adolescence

Helping Your Autistic Child Cope with the Onset of Adolescence As children mature, hormonal changes will often incite moodiness and behavioral issues at some point during the pubescent period. As if that wasn’t difficult enough, their bodies are also going through shifts â€" growth spurts happen, voices drop, their skin and hair changes causing greater feelings of insecurity. While it is difficult for all young adults and teenagers to get into the swing of new routines such as showering more often, shaving, acquiring a couple of extra undergarments for their wardrobe without refusal â€" imagine how going through puberty affects a child with autism. How to help someone during this period when they already have a social disability, and have gotten used to their current routine? How to teach them once more to become independent when new activities are introduced into their day to day lives without upsetting them? Adolescents with autism need additional coping support during this uncomfortable time, especially as their social interactions start becoming more emotionally layered, and the material taught in schools becomes increasingly more sophisticated. Available Options If you live in the GTA, the good news is that there is a wide array of treatment options available. At Simone Friedman SLS, for example, clinicians work with autistic adolescents, and adolescents with other forms of ASD like Asperger’s on their social communication skills; preparing them for the demands of high school, college, and the workforce. Speech-language pathologists will work with your child to help them develop the executive functioning needed to for example, organize their day, or comprehend information to make their own decisions about what route to take in a given situation. Moreover, autism therapy in Toronto can also help with memory, enabling children with autism to turn to their past experiences for guidance as they learn to be more autonomous. During the adolescent years, social communication grows in complexity. A child’s peers will use body language in attempt to communicate or insinuate their needs; they won’t always say outwardly what they are feeling, deflecting with sarcasm. This can be very difficult for someone whose mind doesn’t easily pick up on these cues. They can help your child navigate through these relationships, maintain friendships while fostering new ones, cope with friendships ending, combat bullying, and better understand the onset of physical and romantic feelings. Ongoing Assistance In middle school and high school, the dynamic between teachers and students tends to change as well. A child no longer has the safety or security of a single classroom or a single educator; they may not always be given the same amount of attention and reliability they’re used to. Moving from class to class can make them feels stressed and disorganized, which doesn’t help if they are already finding the subject matter challenging. In college, this need to study independently is emphasized even more. Autism therapy can help determine your child’s educational profile, assessing their strengths and weaknesses. It will include a Speech-Language Pathology Evaluation, testing their language and communication skills, reading, writing, executive functions, attention span, ability to problem solve, and their memory â€" developing a personalized plan. And they can also pair your child with an occupational therapist to help them with cooking, budgeting, hygiene, and chores as they practise living more independently. Should your child be ready to enter the workforce, Simone Friedman and associates can help with the transition. They will research which vocations would be suitable; teaching them how to job search, write resumes or cover letters, and work with them on their interviewing skills. They also provide on the job coaching for your child, and support for their employer. Give them a call to discuss how they can help your autistic child transition into adolescence and adulthood today. Image credit. Awareness.  

How to Use Your Strengths When Choosing Your Career - Classy Career Girl

How to Use Your Strengths When Choosing Your Career Today we are talking about the StrengthsFinder ® assessment and how it can help you in your career. My good friend Becky Hammond, Founder of  Isogo, gives me a mini-coaching session and I promise you that you are going to learn so much! The most important thing about today is that you remember that the only way to move forward is to look inward first. So carve out some time  and self-reflect.  You will learn how you can develop your strengths more in your work and life.  Click here to access the Strengthsfinder 2.0 assessment. Youll be directed to a page where Becky will have purchase details for you. Shes giving Classy Career Girl readers a discounted price on her 6-week email course that is recommended to go with the assessment. *Note: We are not receiving any compensation from promoting Beckys course. We just firmly believe it will help you identify your strengths in your journey to find your dream career. If you have any issues accessing your assessment, please email us at info@classycareergirl.com. In the interview above, youll see how I didnt even know how important my strengths were in my work before this session. It was such a lightbulb for me during this mini-coaching session with Becky because I realized that I am drained when I am not using my strengths. Everything I have done in my career to date has been to make the changes I need so that I can be in more aligned to my strengths on a daily basis. I didnt even realize it and I wish I would have had this resource many years earlier. I hope you enjoy the interview! Once you have your assessment results, look at your past roles and successes and identify where you can tie in your strengths. Think about how you specifically use your Strengths in your present role or daily activities. Then, identify how you can add more opportunities to use your Strengths on a daily basis in your career. Finally, think about what drains you about your current work. Which of your Strengths are not being used in your current work situation.  What needs to change to get you in a spot where you can use all of your strengths on a daily basis? Also, make sure you check out Beckys website, www.isogostrong.com, which has a ton of information on how to develop your strengths more in your work and life.

Fastest Growing Jobs UK vs. USA CareerMetis.com

Fastest Growing Jobs UK vs. USA â€" CareerMetis.com The job market around the world is growing and specialization in certain fields has become increasingly evident. Developed countries may, at first, seem to be specializing in many of the same fields. Upon closer inspection, these countries actually have many differences to be proud of.Here, we will be exploring just a few of the fastest growing careers in two of the world’s most rapidly advancing developed countries.Jobs in the United StatesBelow you will find 10 of the fastest growing jobs in the United States of America accompanied by its short description, growth percentage, and average annual income as of December 2015.1) Wind Turbine Service TechniciansevalevalWind Turbine Service Technicians are in charge of installing, maintaining, and repairing wind turbines. This is the fastest of the growing careers in the United States at well over 100% growth. These technicians are growing as the US strives to create a sustainable renewable energy source.Growth Percentage: 108% Average Annual Income: $51,050 per year2) Occupational Therapy AssistantsOccupational therapy assistants assist occupational therapists. These individuals may be in charge of setting up activities or rooms. They often assist the occupational therapist during activities in the event that the therapist needs additional support.Growth Percentage: 43% Average Annual Income: $57,870 per year3) Physical Therapist AssistantsLike occupational therapy assistants, physical therapist assistants offer additional support to the physical therapist. This individual steps in when the physical therapist cannot be present so that patients continue their therapy as scheduled.Growth Percentage: 41% Average Annual Income: $55,170 per year4). Physical Therapist AidesAs the title states, physical therapist aides are there to help and assist the physical therapist. Unlike physical therapist assistants that are actively working with the majority of patients, aides take care of the clerical demands at the physical therapist’s office. This would include answering phones, answering questions, attending to paperwork, and setting up offices for patients.evalGrowth Percentage: 39% Average Annual Income: $25,120 per yeareval5) Home Health AidesHome health aides come into patients’ homes to assist them with everyday activities like cooking, cleaning, using the restroom, bathing, and administering medications.Growth Percentage: 38% Average Annual Income: $21,920 per year6) Commercial DiversCommercial divers are responsible for repairing, welding, and maintaining fixtures that are located underwater. These individuals may also retrieve, search, and inspect structures, shipwrecks, and other items under the water.evalGrowth Percentage: 37% Average Annual Income: $50,470 per year7) Nurse PractitionersNurse practitioners need a master’s degree in medicine to enter the field. They are often more specialized in their chosen field of nursing.Growth Percentage: 35% Average Annual Income: $98,190 pe r year8) Physical TherapistsPhysical therapists assist patients in regaining movement in areas of their body that may have been injured or weakened in a way that interferes with their quality of life.Growth Percentage: 34% Average Annual Income: $84,020 per year9) StatisticiansStatisticians are responsible for collecting and analyzing data in an effort to make the world a better place. Often these areas of study include business, engineering, and health care.Growth Percentage: 34% Average Annual Income: $80,110 per year10) Ambulance Drivers and AttendantsAmbulance drivers drive emergency vehicles to individuals that need immediate medical attention.Growth Percentage: 33% Average Annual Income: $23,740 per yearevalThis list as well as other growing jobs can be found at bls.gov.Photo Credit â€" BLS.govJobs in the UKBelow you will find a few of the best careers for the future of the UK. Unfortunately, average annual incomes may not be available for the jobs on this list.1) Paramedic sThese individuals represent one of the largest growing jobs in the UK. Paramedics deliver emergency medical attention to individuals before and while they are transferred to a hospital for further medical attention.Growth: Approximately 100%2) PsychologistsPsychologists help assess the mental state of patients. They offer treatments for mental illnesses, chaotic events, and troubling situations as determined on an individual basis.evalGrowth: Approximately 52%3) Graphic DesignersGraphic designers create the images that companies and individuals use to represent themselves. The more creative or iconic a graphic designer can make an image, the more marketable it will be.Growth: Approximately 47%4) SecretariesSecretaries complete all of the clerical work for a business or individual. This means that they answer phones, complete sign-in information for patients, and complete the necessary paperwork to ensure that a business runs smoothly.Growth: Approximately 47%These careers along wit h others can be found at telegraph.co.uk.Photo Credit â€" Telegraph.co.ukSo What Do These Careers Tell Us About Each Nation?The best careers for the future are different in each of these nations. While both developed nations are growing quickly, the values and needs of each are very different.Even though the types of jobs that are growing in popularity vary, one thing is certain: the future of each nation looks bright and exciting.

My Name Is Common- What You Can Do To Fix It

My Name Is Common- What You Can Do To Fix It Do you have a common name and struggle with how you can stand out from the others who share your name? Lets look at what you can do so that your information rises to the top of page one of search results. It seems that every high school track stars name is Hannah Morgan. Theres also an actress and an active environmentalist who I secretly battle with to own page one ranking in search engine results. This is also a question Im asked a lot when I present, so here are ways you can combat common name syndrome. Google Yourself First, you need to know where the right reference to your name appears in search results. Enter your name in quotation marks like this Hannah Morgan.  Go ahead and try that on Bing too.  This is your baseline- from here it can only get better! Me On The Web, a Google service (free) will allow you to search for references to you and set alerts when your name is mentioned online. You need to have a Google account to do this. AND you should have a Google+ profile anyway so go create your account! Chose the Right Name But wait, before you create your Google account, lets think for a second about how you should list yourself. Can you use professional certifications after your name, such as SPHR? Or does it make more sense to use your middle initial or full middle name? In most cases, these simple steps will do the trick. Consistency Is Queen But you cant stop there. If you are in job search or career transition mode, be sure you change the name on your resume to match your new listing. If you have other online profiles on LinkedIn, Twitter or others, be sure to change your name in these places as well. Maybe now is the time to stake your claim and begin squatting on other social networking profiles you might want to use one day. Namechk.com and Knowem.com are two free tools you can use to see if your profile name is taken across hundreds of social networks. If you name is available, you can and should claim it. Who knows what the next new fad in social networking will be?! Bury Them The third step is to outrank or bury the others by creating more references to your name. By far, the best way to protect and improve your online name is to purchase your name as a domain name, such as www.hannahmorgan.com. No, I dont own it, but probably should have purchased it years ago. Remember to use the new consistent name you identified above. If you cant get .com, you may be able to get .net. Honestly, the extension isnt as important as having a small piece of digital terrain- something you own. For ideas on how to build the right type of digital dirt and get first page rankings, you can read this post  15 Ways to Own Digital Terrain. Get Help BrandYourself  was designed to help improve your online reputation. It is free to set up, but they offer premium services that cost money. Before you spend any money, test drive  it and see if it makes a difference. 30 Days Later After you have embarked on making these changes and have worked them regularly for 30 days, re-assess where you rank by using Me On The Web  again. You will not see instantaneous results. The search engine gods take time to recalculate things. While you may see improvements in under 30 days, it may take longer as well. This is just a rough estimate.

Guidelines in Writing Resume and Cover Letter to Hire a New Employee

Guidelines in Writing Resume and Cover Letter to Hire a New EmployeeThe guidelines in writing resume and cover letter to hire a new employee are an important first step for job seekers. A CV is more than just a list of accomplishments and the right attitude can make a difference when applying for a job. A resume has one goal; to inform potential employers of your qualifications and skills. By following the guidelines in writing resume and cover letter, you can create a statement of who you are, your strengths and weaknesses, and the difference you will make to the organization.When writing your resume, use the acronym of your previous job title; this will help the reader easily identify which job you held previously. If you had a job title with an x, do not write x. Similarly, be sure to include the location and number of years of employment and also tell about any certifications that you have received. Do not give an impression that you have not held a position before. These will he lp the employer to assess your current abilities.Before you start on your cover letter, consider what you want to communicate to the hiring manager or employer. What is the impression you want to leave? Is it that you are detail oriented? Is it that you are detail orientated? Is it that you are a hard worker?In writing a cover letter, mention all of your experience and your skills in order to leave the hiring manager with a lasting impression. It is important to include as much information as possible regarding you, your abilities, and the company. Although a good letter should contain few sentences, keep it brief to ensure that the hiring manager knows that you are requesting an interview.Start your resume with your job title and, if applicable, the region of your previous employment. For example, if you had a position with Ticonderoga and Burlington, Vermont, you would begin your resume with Vermont and Burlington and then your title. You may want to avoid using your title as a co ver letter, since it may give the impression that you have held several jobs, when you did not.The most important factor in your resume is the organization where you have worked. You may be doing research on a certain company, but do not forget to mention this, either in your cover letter or in your resume. Also, if you were employed by a manufacturing company and then went to work for a transportation company, your resume and cover letter should mention this. Your resume and cover letter should be complete and reflect you and your skills as clearly as possible.In order to add more information to your resume, do not hesitate to send copies to different offices within the organization. This may help you increase your chances of getting a call for an interview. On your resume, have the organization or company listed in the job category of you want to be considered for an interview. To be considered for an interview, you should include any personal references you have made.Always apply to the right person for the position. Once you have submitted a resume and cover letter, do not wait to see if you get an interview invitation. Keep them on file and always check your application to ensure that it has been received.