The Three Little Pigs

The Three Little Pigs Yesterday I made time to go to a networking function about an hour south of my house. Kind of a pain to take 2 hours of drive time but it was worth it. This one was different than any other that Ive been to, and I heard a new analogy which I loved. The event was put on by Corporate Alliance with my buddy Jeff Rust. We only go back a couple of months when one of my network buds introduced us, and weve had some conversations since. Jeff has a hot company in the works and has some very cool plans that make my MBA-brain salivate with envy ?? Basically what they have is a Hub where their members can come and use offices as if they owned them a board room, mingling room, brainstorming room, etc. The staff was awesome, the decorating was hip, very cool place. But I didnt really care about that because Im too far away. What was appealing to me was their huge emphasis on networking. They have coordinated and orchestrated networking events that are appropriate for the most network-savvy or the shy guy. For example, after a short tour we went into the main meeting room for a catered lunch. We sat wherever we wanted (I was at the BEST table it was very cool and fun) and had 2 minutes to tell about ourselves the first minute was personal, the second minute was pitched. This minute thing was managed by a powerpoint presentation that had a timer and a buzzer, so everyone knew when their time was up. It was very cool to hear a full minute on personal stuff as usually its a 10 second thing and then almost 2 minutes of pitching the company. This helped people open up and set us up for intimate relationships a la Ferrazzi (Never Eat Alone read it yet???). My only beef with that setting is that there were 4 other tables and pretty much no contact, intro or anything to any of the other people at those tables. Thats okay though Ferrazzi makes a point in his book that you dont go to one of these to meet 100 people, you go to begin an intimate relationship with just 3 or 4. And this setting facilitated that. Anyway, Jeff was talking about the three little pigs, and how their houses were built with straw, sticks and bricks. He said that in business we can do the same thing where straw = price, sticks = quality/performance/service and bricks = relationships. Maybe Ive become too much of a network geek lately but this sounded so cool to me and since I cant write ANYTHING without drawing it back to JibberJobber or professional career management, here is the straw/stick/brick thing for you, my favorite professional: Building your career out of your education is like building it out of straw. Maybe an undergrad was the bomb in the 70s but doesnt it feel like everyone has one now? Building your career out of your abilities, capabilities, skills, etc. is like building it out of sticks. The big bad wolf is still going to eat you for lunch! Building your career with relationships (real relationships not brown-noser stuff) is the brick house. We all know people that have been successful in life/business because of their relationships and too many business books talk about how business is just selling *things* to *people*. Globalization can put cheaper better products in the market (well, the better thing is still in question, but Im sure it will improve) but NO OUTSOURCING can take away your relationships! Simplistic analysis, I know, but it works for me. Have a great weekend! The Three Little Pigs Yesterday I made time to go to a networking function about an hour south of my house. Kind of a pain to take 2 hours of drive time but it was worth it. This one was different than any other that Ive been to, and I heard a new analogy which I loved. The event was put on by Corporate Alliance with my buddy Jeff Rust. We only go back a couple of months when one of my network buds introduced us, and weve had some conversations since. Jeff has a hot company in the works and has some very cool plans that make my MBA-brain salivate with envy ?? Basically what they have is a Hub where their members can come and use offices as if they owned them a board room, mingling room, brainstorming room, etc. The staff was awesome, the decorating was hip, very cool place. But I didnt really care about that because Im too far away. What was appealing to me was their huge emphasis on networking. They have coordinated and orchestrated networking events that are appropriate for the most network-savvy or the shy guy. For example, after a short tour we went into the main meeting room for a catered lunch. We sat wherever we wanted (I was at the BEST table it was very cool and fun) and had 2 minutes to tell about ourselves the first minute was personal, the second minute was pitched. This minute thing was managed by a powerpoint presentation that had a timer and a buzzer, so everyone knew when their time was up. It was very cool to hear a full minute on personal stuff as usually its a 10 second thing and then almost 2 minutes of pitching the company. This helped people open up and set us up for intimate relationships a la Ferrazzi (Never Eat Alone read it yet???). My only beef with that setting is that there were 4 other tables and pretty much no contact, intro or anything to any of the other people at those tables. Thats okay though Ferrazzi makes a point in his book that you dont go to one of these to meet 100 people, you go to begin an intimate relationship with just 3 or 4. And this setting facilitated that. Anyway, Jeff was talking about the three little pigs, and how their houses were built with straw, sticks and bricks. He said that in business we can do the same thing where straw = price, sticks = quality/performance/service and bricks = relationships. Maybe Ive become too much of a network geek lately but this sounded so cool to me and since I cant write ANYTHING without drawing it back to JibberJobber or professional career management, here is the straw/stick/brick thing for you, my favorite professional: Building your career out of your education is like building it out of straw. Maybe an undergrad was the bomb in the 70s but doesnt it feel like everyone has one now? Building your career out of your abilities, capabilities, skills, etc. is like building it out of sticks. The big bad wolf is still going to eat you for lunch! Building your career with relationships (real relationships not brown-noser stuff) is the brick house. We all know people that have been successful in life/business because of their relationships and too many business books talk about how business is just selling *things* to *people*. Globalization can put cheaper better products in the market (well, the better thing is still in question, but Im sure it will improve) but NO OUTSOURCING can take away your relationships! Simplistic analysis, I know, but it works for me. Have a great weekend!

Things to Do Before You Write a Resume for ESL Teachers

Things to Do Before You Write a Resume for ESL TeachersOne of the most important parts of making an ESL lesson plan is to get your writing skills down before you begin. This will save you time and frustration when it comes to getting things done in the right order.Of course, there is no one effective way to write - everyone has a unique style. As an ESL teacher, though, you have a special responsibility to write clearly and effectively. Your students are reading and listening to everything you say, so you need to be sure you use good language in your lesson plans.Some people like to learn how to write by heart, while others prefer to put the details into their lesson plans out of sight. The main thing is that you can write quickly and with great detail, so that your students can understand what is being said to them.One of the first things that you should do is check your writing to make sure it is clear and concise. Try to get this down on paper and try to remember it if you need to go back and revise it later. Sometimes this takes a lot of practice!Another important step is to be sure that you can speak and understand several different languages. If you don't, it will be very difficult for you to give a concise lesson plan or to write an effective resume.In addition, you may want to try a little practice writing in English, or even Spanish or French. If you can understand, at least basic English, it will help your future employer when you apply for jobs abroad. The best ESL teachers know that if they can't write, they can't teach.After that, you should focus on other forms of coursework as well. Perhaps you will add more practical lessons or reviews to your existing lesson plans. After all, your students are going to ask you questions about certain points, so you want to be able to answer them when they arise.You may also want to make yourself a list of samples of work you have already completed that will be a good fit for a resume. When you are able to focus on these tasks, you will have a much better idea of what the future holds for you. And that means a more enjoyable experience for you, your students, and your employer.

Thought Tuition Fees Were High. Then We Looked At The Cost Of Living

Thought Tuition Fees Were High. Then We Looked At The Cost Of Living Students looking for a degree course that wont cost them the earth should set their sights on Edinburgh’s Heriot-Watt University, according to a new study into the cost of living at the UK’s top universities. The major study was carried out by online cash payment provider Ukash, in order to make it easier for students to see where money goes the furthest at the UK’s top 20 universities, ahead of the UCAS applications deadline (15th January 2014). Ukash,  to help students budget and control their spend more effectively, compared the cost of nine key living expenses ranging from a pint of lager and car insurance, to tuition fees and rent. The findings identified Edinburgh Heriot-Watt, Edinburgh, and St. Andrews universities as the three cheapest to attend, with students needing to pay £9,587 each year â€" a whopping £10,000 less than the most expensive universities identified by the study in addition to cheaper annual gym membership, averaging £96, and free entry into events at the Students Union. The University of Kent ranked fourth in the cost league table, helped by cheaper and more flexible tuition fees dependent on degree course, while a comparatively low average annual rent ( £3,108) at the University of East Anglia landed it in fifth place. The ten least expensive universities, and their total cost of living over three years, are: 1. Edinburgh Heriot-Watt University                   £28,761 2. University of Edinburgh                                                 £31,210 3. University of St. Andrews                                           £33,603 4. University of Kent                                                                       £35,344 5. University of East Anglia                                               £41,604 6. University of Birmingham                                           £41,727 7. University of Warwick                                                         £41,790 8. University of York                                                                       £42,793 9. University of Leicester                                                       £43,139 10. University of Lancaster                                                 £43,938 Students who choose to attend the most expensive top universities, including London School of Economics, University College London and Imperial College London, are likely to fork out more than double the amount being paid by those at the cheapest universities. London School of Economics (LSE) which ranked as the most expensive university has an annual living cost of £19,717, compared to £9,587 at Edinburgh Heriot-Watt. Over their three-year degree course, undergraduates at LSE can expect to spend £59,152 on tuition fees and living costs. This increased cost of living is due in particular to markedly higher annual rent ( £8,710), car insurance ( £1,054) and entry into student events ( £120) than at all other universities. Each of the five most expensive universities, also including Cambridge and Oxford, incur annual rent costs of over £5,000, topping £7,000 when located in London. The ten most expensive universities, and their total cost of living over three years, are: 1. London School of Economics £59,152 2. University College London £53,954 3. Imperial College London £53,822 4. Oxford University £50,540 5. Cambridge University £47,997 6. Exeter £45,291 7. Bath £45,199 8. Durham £44,459 9. Surrey £44,264 10. Loughborough £43,965 Miranda McLean, Marketing Director at Ukash, commented on the results: “We produced this cost comparison study for students who want to go to a top university but also don’t want it to cost the earth. We were surprised to find such staggering differences in costs, with factors such as car insurance, rent and tuition fees varying greatly depending on where you study. “With many students needing to complete their UCAS application on or before 15th  January 2014, we’ve also developed an online tool that makes it easy for students to compare the cost of living at the UK’s top 20 universities.” Students and parents can view the full range of research data and use the interactive cost comparison tool online at  http://www.ukash.com/costcomparison. 9

How I Developed My Mission Statement and Purpose

How I Developed My Mission Statement and Purpose Since it is get unstuck week, I wanted to share a post written by Tara Jacek about how she figured out her mission statement.  Tara is  a Graphic Designer based in Chattanooga, TN and blogger at Girl Seeks Career and TaraJacek.com.  Do you have a mission statement?  If not, hopefully this post will motivate you to write one! I recently shared a post on my blogs  about the discovery of Classy Career Girl. Before posting it, I emailed Anna to make sure she was okay with me quoting her. I was just being respectful of Anna’s writing. She had inspired me and I wanted to make sure to include why/how in my blog. I didn’t think of a mission statement out of thin air. It was a spark of inspiration in a time where I need direction. I am honored that Anna has asked me to share my mission statement on CCG. I hope I can inspire others with my work and passion the way she has. One of the first posts I really connected with from CCG was a post on personal mission statements. Before I never thought of everyday people having a mission statement. I thought of businesses having a mission statement but NOT me. Anna really got me thinking. She wrote: I loved the interview with Dan Miller, the Author of 48 Days To the Work You Love (which is on my recommended reading list).   In the interview, Dan said that without goals of your own, you accomplish the goals of others.   If you don’t have a plan, you are going to live someone else’s life.   He said that no big achiever has ever woken up in the morning and said, “Let’s just see what happens.”   If you want to be great you HAVE to be deliberate and make a plan to achieve your goals. It really helped that she appealed to my designer soul by including the mission statement of Holstee, a New York based eco-friendly clothing and accessory store. It’s a beautifully designed type layout with beautiful words. When I came upon Annas blog about 2 months ago I was in a rut. I didnt know what I really wanted to do and I felt like I had failed. I had given up on my dream. In fact, I was so embarrassed when a professional asked me: If I could do anything in the world no limits what would it be? (Not his exact words but along the lines). I couldnt answer! The best I could do was be honest: Im trying to figure it out, but I want to be proud of it. I want it to have purpose. But really, whats MY purpose? I felt ashamed about my answer. At the same time, several other professionals mentioned their like of my work! I couldnt believe professional designers and marketers were interested in little me. Yes, Ive had my high points and even (somehow) earned the nickname Little Leader at one point but I was usually passed over. I expressed to my professors how I wasnt as good as the other students. They gave me their kind words and encouragement and where to improve. Never did I take them seriously. Maybe I needed to hear it from people who didnt know me â€"could only see my work (Behance portfolio), writing (blog), or find something in myself. So I read Annas blog post and thought to myself: I dont know what Im doing. I dont know what I want to do. What really makes me happy? Am I just doing and being who other people want me to be? Will I allow them to mold me into what they want like a worker ant? What even makes me feel good inside? I started putting all the parts together and searched for an online tool to help me write my mission statement because I didnt know where to begin. Creating the mission statement helped me realized what I want to do: be in a creative field, creating things. I know its still vague but I cant publicly state all my career goals at this time. My passion is branding and giving voices to things (businesses, campaigns) to connect them to their audience, to create a culture. I love branding. The statement makes sense to me and is helping me focus on what I really want to do. I think everyone needs a mission statement but honesty, if a professor told me to do it I wouldnt have done it right. It needs to come from the heart. We only get one life, dont let someone else mold it for you. What kind of life is that? Even if you can only get a few words on a postit note and stick it to your bathroom mirror. You need something to help you refocus on those bad days when the storm is coming in or when you feel lost. I looked online for a mission statement generator and took what the generator gave me and added to it. Then put the words into Illustrator and got fancy. Below is my mission statement with a preview of my new personal branding. The purpose of this design is to display on my wall as a poster. Tara Jacek I am at most peace when I am creating â€" design, photography, art, crafts. I will do my best to stay positive and not let unfortunate situations bring me down. I will do a lot with a little. I will continue to think outside the box and ask questions. I will find work that is creative and allows me to express myself and help express the passion of others as well. I can do anything I set my mind to. I will race my car and blast my music. I will be a person who can inspire others to create and engage. I will no longer put off today what I can do tomorrow. There  will always be tomorrow but I will start today. I will work towards a balanced life of professionalism, experience, creating, engaging and love. What is your mission statement?

How to Write Good Resume Verbs

How to Write Good Resume VerbsGood resume verbs are the words that spell out your passion and qualifications. These words not only make your resume more appealing, but they also will get your chances of getting hired. Here are a few tips that you should know to be able to write good and meaningful resume verbs:Objective. Your objective is the first thing that you put in your resume. It is the easiest way to say what you want. Use the word 'want' because this is what your objective says. It is also one of the best way to set your expectations so that the reader gets the idea what they should expect from you.When writing the objective, keep in mind that it is only a hint. It doesn't have to be exact, just enough to make your reader believe that you are serious about what you are doing. Your goal is to get an offer letter. If you don't want to get an offer letter, don't mention the objective in your cover letter.What is important? For most people, this is what they are looking for. You can tell them what you want to do, where you would like to go, what you are looking for and who are your top three prospects. This may seem like overkill. I have seen many resumes that simply said, 'I am looking for a job.' Remember that they wanted a job and not necessarily the position you are applying for.Salary range. You have to make sure that you do not list your salary range when you write your resume. Although, you may need to say something about your salary to your potential employer but not before you get the offer letter.Summary. Give a short summary of the objectives and what you would like to get. It should be short, no more than two sentences, but tell them what you are looking for. This gives them the chance to read your resume and see the main points of what you are looking for. Make sure that your summary is short and to the point. You can also include a couple of bullet points if you want.Your Resume. Make sure that your resume is not too long. A good resume is bet ween one and two pages. It should also be organized and easily read. You may want to use a simple format, but it should flow well.'Why should I hire you?' is a great line to start your resume.

The BBC on happiness at work - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

The BBC on happiness at work - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Its official, happiness at work matters! Forget salary, location, prospects happiness is the new weapon in the drive to recruit the best and brightest new workers. Would the BBC lie to us? I think not! The article actually deals both with having a happy brand and happy employees, and cites Google and Orange as examples of companies who practice this. All eschew the sleek corporate image once associated with success, favouring instead cute hand-drawn logos and chatty spiels about the company ethos. Not only does this seem to appeal to customers, it proves quite a hook for prospective employees. To be in employment is, for most of us, a given. And Britons work the longest hours in Europe. So why not try to make it sound as enjoyable and fulfilling as possible? I like it, but not everyone agrees. Check out this comment on the article: What a crock. I, like almost everyone I have ever met come to work to earn a living to pay for the things they like/need. If they did not need to work they would be sat at home watching the footy. Maybe hes right, and we should all just accept that work is by definition unpleasant and thats why we get paid to do it :o) Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

Get a Job Quickly!

Get a Job Quickly! This is a warning, not a how to post. The longer you are unemployed, the more damaged you appear to be. Is that mean, it isnt meant to be. It is how recruiters and employers have been thinking for ever and thats not likely to change any time soon, if it does, I will be the first to let you know. There is a pretty good chance that your ideal job is going to be more difficult to find. You might be thinking,not me, Ill beat the odds. Even some of the best networkersare finding it more challenging right now to find something. Here are some ways to change your thinking: I cant survive on unemployment. Become determined to get off unemployment as quickly as possible. It is a false security net. The government has extended Unemployment Insurance benefits, but that shouldnt mean youfeel entitled to use all of it. I dont need to stick it to my ex-employer. Lose the anger quickly. They let you go, and it wasnt because they wanted to, it was a dumb business decision. One they might regret later, but one they had to make. There was nothing personal about it. I can uproot my family, our future depends on it. Relocating isnt such a bad thing. The pioneers did it for a better life. Do you want a better life? Move West, my friend or so the saying goes. I am not advocating mass exodus, what I am recommending is seriously looking for work in other areas of the country where they do need you so you can have a job. I cant just wait this out. The longer you are waiting, the greater the odds are you will become depressed. Once depressed, you lose your self confidence, once you have lost your self confidence, you will be unable to present yourself as a solution to any employer. I cant do this the way I used to.Dont just read the Sunday Help Wanted and complain there are no good jobs out there. You probably dont know what else to do. Find resources available to help you learn about HOW TO CONDUCT A JOB SEARCH. If you google this, you will be amazed. Read well-known blogs. (That is why I have a blogroll on the side) By the time a book is published, the information can be out of date. Icant do this alone. Dont let the negative perception of networking prevent you from trying. It is probably the ONLY way you will be able to find opportunities. Networking requires you do a little self promotion. Youll have to do this in the interview anyway, so you better get good at it. I know you dont like this idea. You dont feel you should have to, but you do. I cant be all things to all employers. Each employer has its own specific needs. Let them know that you are the solution to those needs only. Over selling or telling everything you have ever done, just makes you look expensiveand overqualified.