Navigating a Career Slump - All You Need To Know To Move Ahead -

Navigating a Career Slump - All You Need To Know To Move Ahead - You’ve been staring at your computer screen for hours, unable to do anything. You continuously find yourself wasting away the hours at work, procrastinating and avoiding the one thing you should be doing. No matter what you try â€" zen music, more caffeine, meditating, eating “brain food” â€" nothing seems to work. You’ve lost all motivation for your job, and that spreadsheet simply sits there: incomplete and taunting you. Productivity is the name of the game in the modern-day office, and it seems like if you’re not constantly working and slogging away, then you’re wasting your company’s time and money. Yet no matter what you do in your current position, you feel stuck and your motivation seems lost forever. When you’ve reached this point, it’s very likely you’ve fallen into a career slump. Many people may find themselves in this situation some day, and there are many paths that may lead you to this conclusion. It’s possible you found this job by happenstance and thought it would be worthwhile to try out â€" “As long as it pays the bills, I’ll be able to do it!” you may have thought. Or it’s possible you got a degree in this field and you always thought you would want to be doing what you’re doing, but you’ve come to find it’s not nearly as glamorous as you pictured. Whatever the path you’ve taken may be, getting out of a career slump can be tricky â€" but it’s certainly not impossible. Try these steps for digging down to the root of the problem, finding a solution, and getting yourself out of the career slump you’re in. Making the Right Call Career slumps can happen at any time â€" you could be anywhere from six months to 20 years into a career and suddenly feel as if your career journey has plateaued. Whatever the case may be, there are some universal, concrete steps you can take to ensure your career gets back on the right path. For starters, consider what is preventing you from feeling fulfilled at your job right now. Write down what your current obstacles are and see if they are relevant to the signs that you’ve outstayed your job: No Respect: Do you feel as if people are constantly talking over you in meetings or throwing your ideas aside without a second thought? Respect for your work is vital for your sense of fulfillment and your motivation. Without it, you’re unlikely to grow with the company and will feel as if much of your work goes unrecognized or isn’t of value. If your co-workers and boss don’t respect you, then it’s high time for you to get out of there. No one’s got time for that! No Forward Momentum: Are you not paid enough to feel motivated to work? Or perhaps there’s no way for you to move up in the company? If you’re working for a small business, vertical growth in the company is uncommon, and, consequently, there may not be much money for you to make. If that’s the case then it could be you need a change of scenery or to find someone more willing to pay what you’re worth. Additionally, the gender pay gap is still a common issue, and if you find you’re being underpaid compared to your (equally qualified) male coworkers, then you need to find something to better support you. No Stimulation: Being bored at your job is going to happen from time to time, but when you’re bored every single day, then that is a surefire sign you need to leave. Jobs should motivate and drive you, and the work you do should flow naturally from thought to paper. You also want to feel challenged â€" to be excited to come in and try something new â€" but if that’s not happening, then sticking around isn’t going to make it any better. Get out while you can! No Support: Is the workload stressing you out to the point of breaking, and you cringe just thinking about what work you need to do? If your body is having a physical reaction to your job â€" tense shoulders, lack of sleep, and gut issues due to stress â€" then you should listen to your body and find something less tense than your current job. Mental and physical health should be your number one priority â€" without your body, you’re useless! If your job is compromising either one or both, then your job is what needs to go. Don’t try to power through it, as that’ll only make it worse. Looking at the list of all the reasons to quit your job, which ones seem to align most with your circumstances? Write down whatever your concerns are. Alongside this list, write down the pros and cons of leaving: Are you worried about money, interviewing, or having to move towns for a new job? Together, these two lists will help you solidify if you’re ready to leave your current job. But wait! Before you go quitting your current job on the spot, it’s important you make sure you have a contingency plan: do you have a new job lined up yet, or are you going to try your hand at entrepreneurship? Remaining financially stable through a job transition is extremely important, and leaving a job before you have a new one lined up will only make you more stressed for money, and potentially more desperate for a new job. Instead of risking it, make sure you take concrete steps to ensure you won’t be in financial trouble if you leave. All the Wrong Reasons Now, take a step back and consider your circumstances. Look hard at the root of the problem: is your current feeling temporary, or have you been feeling this way for a while? It’s important to make sure you’re not quitting your job for the wrong reasons: Bad Day/Week/Month: It could be your job is going through a transition, or maybe the whole company is currently in a slump. However, if it’s a temporary change, then it will be more worth your time to stick it out until things get better than it will be to abandon ship completely. Plus, sticking around shows your loyalty to the business, which can be rewarding in the long run. Bad days, weeks, or months happen, but that doesn’t mean your job has plateaued. Bad Position, But Not a Bad Company: If the company treats you well, values your work, and provides you with all the essential benefits you need to survive and enjoy yourself, then you shouldnt leave. However, if the work you’re doing right now in your current position with the company is causing you undue stress or worry, then it could be worth your interest to ask for a promotion, ask for a raise, or switch departments. That would be much easier than having to find a new job, and your company can benefit from your renewed vigor to try something new and exciting. You Need a Break: Look, everyone gets burnout from their job â€" our minds can only concentrate for so long! Productivity might be essential in the modern workforce, but it does require an almost unnatural amount of energy. If you’re feeling especially worn out from your job (but you still love working there), then do yourself a favor and take a nice, long vacation. You deserve it, and the company will be happy to have you back â€" well rested and with a fresh new perspective on the business! You’re Not Prepared: It could be you need to leave the job you’re at for a better one, but there are some factors holding you back: the money, your benefits, and your time with the company. Money is an obvious one â€" you want to be financially prepared for a career change. Budget your money and make sure you can do it, and make sure if you’re taking a paycut, it won’t end up hurting you in the long run. Benefits are also important, as health insurance and retirement savings are often directly tied to your employer. Ditching good benefits could be almost as damaging as taking a major pay cut. Make sure if you’re moving to a new company they can offer a similar level of support to their employees. You’re Job Hopping: Lastly, if you’ve only been with the company for a few months and you decide to leave, you may appear as if you’re “job hopping,” which can look especially bad on your resume when you’re applying to new jobs. Try to avoid job hopping unless your health (mental or physical) is really on the line with your current job. It’s extremely important to make sure you’re not just ditching your work because you’ve had a bad few weeks, but that you’re doing it because you genuinely feel unfulfilled, overwhelmed, stressed, or all of the above. Otherwise, you could potentially be leaving a very lucrative job â€" of which you’ve gained years of valuable experience â€" just because you’re having a bad month. If you prematurely leave a job, you could actually miss out on career advancement opportunities, raises, or networking opportunities. On the other hand, if you can easily identify this job as a career slump, then it’s certainly time to move on to something bigger and better before you waste more years in a job that doesn’t value your input. Fixing Your Career Slump Now that you’ve weighed the good and bad reasons to find a new job, it’s time for you to decide if you’re ready to change things up. Assess the scale of your slump: do you need a new job, a new position, a new purpose, a new location, or a new start altogether? Career slumps can feel like midlife crisis â€" what have you been doing wasting all your years at this job? Yet, slumps are also common and normal, and instead of viewing this slump as a setback, view it as a way to reevaluate what you want out of your career. Before you fall into a pit of despair, try these steps to turning your career slump into a career jump. Finding Purpose or Fulfillment in Your Career The scale of your slump could also be dependent on if you’re able to meet your intentions: are you doing what you’ve always wanted to do, or do you feel like you’ve lost track of your original vision for your future? What would it take to get back to that path, and what obstacles may be in your way? Once you can identify your original intention, you may be able to feel a renewed vigor to pursue your dream, and that could be all you need to go out and achieve it. Of course, sometimes your vision may be difficult to see, or you may feel as if you’ve never really had a future plan at all. In that case, you can actively change up your routine to try to calm your mind and find what centers you. Here are some examples: Instead of entertaining all your friends, spend time being entertained: go to lectures, read a book, watch a movie, and spend more time listening than talking. Take a different route to work, instead of falling into your normal commuter routine â€" sometimes a change of scenery is all you need to ignite a new perspective in your mind. You could also go to meetups â€" whether social or for work purposes â€" and try to network with other people in your area. Maybe they can help you get a better idea of what other jobs or industries are like and if you would enjoy them as well. As you start to investigate other possible careers or industries, you may find your purpose has changed or your purpose was never really met at your current job. Some people even argue that your journey for a purpose never truly ends at all. Perhaps you find yourself needing more one-on-one time with people. Working in counseling, therapy, or social work could be the change of pace you need. In social work, specifically, not only will you have the opportunity to help others, but you can also work with organizations to provide services for patients, and work alongside government policy makers to advocate for the communities and people that you help. Plus, many therapists, social workers, and counselors can work independently (whether in partnership with a clinic or simply out of their own office). This also means you can control your own schedule, choose your own hours, and become self-employed. In general, you may find that your future doesn’t belong with any one company or industry, but through working for yourself and doing what it is you truly love. Entrepreneurship is definitely a buzzword in the modern working world, but for good reason: it can be both profitable and fulfilling to work for yourself, without the burden of a boss, bureaucracy, company hierarchy, or a set schedule. Taking a Sharp Right Turn If you still feel your true purpose is out of reach â€" and you’re feeling extra brave â€" you could always take the option of dramatically changing your career path for the better. Maybe you went to school and got a degree in an uninteresting subject, or one that doesn’t have a very big job pool â€" like Anthropology or Linguistics. As fun as it may have been to take those classes and learn all about the field, that doesn’t mean you’re going to be able apply your knowledge to a similar job or that the industry is going to captivate you for very long. So, why not go back to school and try to learn something new or start a brand new career journey from scratch? Think about it: when you were 18 and choosing your classes for your freshman year in college, did you have any idea what life after college would be like or what you were going to pursue? Now that you’re older â€" having more job and real-life experience â€" you can make a more educated guess on what career would really interest and sustain you for the coming years. You could also go back to school to try to get a master’s or similar advanced degree. Of course, you could also do what you’ve always wanted, and take a gap year before you dive back into your education. Similar to the above examples about changing your perspective to find your purpose, there’s nothing like traveling the world to really find yourself and find what motivates and inspires you. Becoming a world traveler could be the inspiration you’ve been craving to really start a new career journey. Just make sure that, if you do decide to travel the world, you do it in the most financially responsible way possible: look for work (possibly even working remotely for the job you’re at now), look for financial aid or government grants, budget your money, and save as much as possible. Sometimes all your life needs is a sharp right turn into something new and exciting. That dramatic change â€" although scary and intimidating â€" can jumpstart your life onto a path of endless possabilities and excitement. If you think you’re ready to start down this new path â€" whether through new educational opportunities or recentering on your purpose â€" begin your job or college search, update your resume, and start considering your options. You may never know what the future holds, but you won’t find out until you take that initial leap of faith. This guest post was authored by Brooke Faulkner Brooke  Faulkner is a writer, mom and adventurer in the Pacific Northwest.  She spends her days pondering what makes a good leader.   And then dreaming up ways to teach these virtues to her sons, without getting groans and eye rolls in response.

Step By Step Resume Writing - Can You Make it Yourself?

Step By Step Resume Writing - Can You Make it Yourself?If you are going to apply for a new job, then using step by step resume writing should be your first consideration. Employers generally look for resumes that contain just the right details and summarize clearly the type of job they are looking for.For those who have no prior experience with writing resumes, creating one can be a nice touch of professionalism. A resume can bring out the best in someone who already has previous employment. It can also be a great resource for the person who wants to try their hand at the craft.As stated before, resume writing is a good way to market yourself and the company. And while it may be something you consider after the fact, hiring a professional is a good idea. There are several ways to go about it. Here are a few that can help.First, many people go ahead and create their resume by hand. However, there are many computer programs that do this work for you. They can even help you with spellin gs and grammar, so that it sounds like a professional one. These can be found in most office supply stores, as well as on the Internet. The advantage of a professional resume is that employers don't have to wonder about if the information in it is current or accurate.Second, if you are not that adept at writing a resume yourself, you may want to take advantage of some sort of guide or trainer to help you create a better one. Some people will offer their services for free, but they may not have the ability to use what they teach you. This can still be a good option. A great way to begin is by browsing the Web.Third, you can download and review videos to learn how to write a resume without writing it. While these can be time consuming, they will get you to the basics quickly. These are free online courses that you can access, and a great option for many.Lastly, some people will teach you how to use templates to make the process easier. You will be surprised to find that using template s really does make it simpler. Some of the best templates on the web have been created by professionals who go by the name of Templates For Dummies.Using these tips, creating a resume should be an easy process. It just takes some thought and care when creating one. Once you are able to follow the steps and do it yourself, you will find that creating a professional resume can open many doors.

Real Reasons To Become A Teacher

Real Reasons To Become A Teacher It seems like a knee-jerk reaction these days that people look to start an online business because they are looking for a way to earn an extra bit of money while also feeling in control of their lives. When were looking for the right job, its about feeling weve done something of worth at the end of the day, and everything else is almost irrelevant. And this is why its worth considering going into teaching. Maybe its crossed your mind before, but you put the idea to the back of your mind. But perhaps we can give you some real reasons as to why its one of the most beneficial careers anybody can undertake. You Use Your Skills Yes, you may have to learn a certain subject, but if you have a natural passion and aptitude for something, this becomes a logical extension of your teaching process. If you are a natural history buff, and you spend your evenings reading A History Of Education In The United States by Jerry Jellig and are always in and out of museums, it becomes a considerable part of how you teach. While there are teachers these days that have to specialize in more than one subject, if you have an inclination towards a specific subject matter, but you, more importantly, have a real visceral passion for it, this means your skills are being put to very good use. Its Incredibly Diverse No two days are the same. And you could get involved in as many extracurricular activities as you want. You want a hand in directing the school play? You can do it! You think the children will benefit from a multitude of learning materials, from field trips to movies? As long as its justifiable and within the school budget, it can be done! This means that you are able to learn as well as teach at the same time. If you are someone that thrives on constant change, teaching is one of those great professions that provide this in abundance. You Make A Real DifferenceIts something that is overstated, almost to the point of irrelevance, but its a fact. You nurture and shape these childrens lives. You spend more time with them than almost anyone else and as you see these children grow, everything that you do or say can have a resonance down the years. We all remember those terrible teachers, but we also remember those that really had an impact on us, and maybe they ignited our passion for learning in the first place. But when we see a skill in a child, we can choose to ignore it, or we can point this out to the parents, and provide guidance on how to nurture it. Think of it like molding clay; you can turn a child into almost anything. And its not just about teaching a subject, while there are children that will prove to be a challenge, if you are looking to make a difference in peoples lives, then you will!

Why a Temp Agency Might Be the Answer - CareerAlley

Why a Temp Agency Might Be the Answer - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. There is not one person out there that is unaware of how hard jobs are to come by in todays economy. Even with a college degree the road to full time employment can be long and difficult. As debates wage over the minimum wage in our country, people are still taking low paying jobs in order to try and make ends meet. Without any jobs seemingly available, how might one go about finding some sort of employment? Temporary Agencies There are agencies in almost every city that help provide companies with temporary workers. Some companies are large with national chains. Others are locally based. All temp agencies are willing to take on new workers because the turnover in this industry is high. This is due to many temporary workers finding full time employment on their own or eventually becoming a full time employee of a company the temp agency placed them with. Many temp agencies have contracts with companies in their area. These companies are usually the ones that are the place to work for. Good jobs with good benefits; these are the jobs that everyone wants. The companies contract with temporary agencies in order to avoid hiring and paying to train employees that wont fit the company standard. If a temp worker isnt right, the company or the employee can part ways without any repercussions. Temporary agencies can assign the worker elsewhere, and then send a new employee to fill the open position. Is It Right For You? A temp agency might be right for you if you have had difficulty finding steady employment. Most temp agencies have a rate of pay higher than minimum wage. These agencies can find companies in your area, or at least within the area you can travel, that may hire you on full time after a period of time. The agency will provide training, insurance through their umbrella policy, and if you are injured on the job they will be responsible for your care. If you can travel to many different job sites, you might enjoy the change of scenery. Exposure to multiple types of jobs can give you new ideas and experiences. You may decide to make a career change if the right employer in a new industry offers you a long term position. Getting the Job Most temp workers want to land a full time job. By following a few simple rules, you can be the temp hired to permanent employee. Treat your time on the job as an extended interview. While you may go to the company expecting to spend only one day, the manager may request you again and again. This is a good sign. Be polite, take your job seriously, and act as if the position you are in is your full time position. While they know you are a temporary worker, by giving the position your full attention, even one a one day gig, you will impress the hiring manager. Temporary agencies fill an important niche. For people looking for employment, a temp agency can provide relief from the unemployment lines. About the Author: Tina Samuels writes on how to make a budget, social media, mobile payments, and marketing. This is a Guest post. If you would like to submit a guest post to CareerAlley, please follow these guest post guidelines. Good luck in your search. Joey Trebif

Mistakes to Avoid Early in Your Career - Career Advice Blog for Millennials

Mistakes to Avoid Early in Your Career - Career Advice Blog for Millennials Congratulations! You’re in a brand new career. It’s always exciting starting out in a new field; however, it can also be a little scary. The fear of making a mistake can linger, often holding you back. You will make mistakes. That’s just the way life is. Your new employer understands there’s a learning curve when you’re first starting out, so some mistakes â€" clicking “reply all” to an email string when you don’t need to or messing up a coworker’s name â€" are understandable. There are some mistakes that can and should be avoided. These are the big mistakes that can often be detrimental to your career in the long run. Thankfully, these are also mistakes that you can prevent, such as:   Not Negotiating Your Salary Remember this: you are valuable to the company. You’ve been hired for a reason â€" use this to your advantage. As a rule of thumb, don’t accept the first salary you’re offered. Employers usually offer the bare minimum and are likely to increase the salary very easily. Know your value to the company and leverage what you can bring to the table, then follow these simple steps to negotiate your salary effectively. You’ll be surprised by the results! Keeping Questions to Yourself Starting a new job is tough. You want to demonstrate your capability by mastering all your duties right away. But, let’s face it â€" that’s never easy. In your first couple of months, you’ll likely have many questions. You’ll also be tempted not to ask them in fear of seeming clueless. This is a big mistake. The truth is, bosses expect you to ask questions. And, as long as they’re well-thought out and specific, it’s good to ask. Not only will it save you time of trying to figure it out on your own, but it will show that you’re driven to be your best. Not Having Pride in Your Work If you’re just waking up every morning and dragging yourself to work for the sake of the paycheck, you should start looking into a new career path. If you don’t enjoy your job and take pride in what you do, you’re wasting time that could be spent in a job you enjoy. It’s not fair to your boss, since you’re not putting your all into your job â€" but it’s also not fair to you. You deserve to have a job you enjoy. Being Anti-Social It’s common to feel shy when you’re starting in a new career, especially if you don’t know anyone in the office. However, if you keep to yourself, you’ll never get to know anyone. Plus, you generally work better when you have friends in the office â€" it will increase your overall job satisfaction and you can have someone to turn to when things get stressful. Go to events outside of work â€" happy hours, dinner groups, even karaoke nights to get to know the people you spend 40 hours a week with. Complaining Constantly No one likes to be around the person who complains all day. You’re not going to like every aspect of your job, but keep the whining to yourself. In addition to annoying your co-workers, focusing on the negative aspects of your job will just make you enjoy it even less. Rather than complaining, focus on the parts you enjoy. And, if you have a legitimate complaint, don’t voice it until you can offer up at least one solution. Overspecializing As you get into your new career path, you’ll be afforded plenty of new opportunities â€" training sessions, networking opportunities, special projects. The biggest mistake you can make is not taking advantage of them. If you keep doing the same thing each day, you’re not going to impress your boss and you’re not going to progress in your career. Rather than staying stagnant, work to improve yourself so you’re more valuable in your career path. Expecting Your Manager to Advance Your Career Don’t put your career in other people’s hands. Your boss might assure you there will be openings down the road and if you keep doing what you’re doing, you could be a potential candidate. Instead of relying solely on your own boss, keep your options open. You could very well be a replaceable cog in the machine for your boss. You have control over your career path â€" so network, do research, and pave your own path instead. Stretching Yourself Too Thin When you’re first starting your new job, you might feel obligated to take on plenty of responsibilities. It’s good to show your managers you can handle the work, but if you take on too much it may be detrimental to your career. If you take on too much work at once, you’ll just get overwhelmed and you won’t be able to perform to the best of your abilities. Gradually take on more responsibility instead of grabbing it all at once. Starting a new job is exciting â€" so relax and make the most of it. You’ve been hired at your new job for a reason. Mistakes will happen as you start your new career. However, you can avoid many of the big ones by being proactive and working to improve yourself for the future. Photo Credit: WETFEET

The True Story About Entry Level Programmer Resume That the Experts Dont Want You to Hear

The True Story About Entry Level Programmer Resume That the Experts Don't Want You to Hear The Key to Successful Entry Level Programmer Resume You have to offer relevant, concise details. To learn more on what it requires to be a Sas Programmer, take a look at our complete SAS Programmer Job Description. Some individuals may think it's not recommended to inform the Hiring Manager that you're an entrepreneur. You will need to devote some work to stick out from the crowd. There's not anything wrong with volunteering especially if it's going to supply you with the fundamental skills needed for your career move. In the USA, companies with at least 10 employees will need to follow EEO rules. Alternately, technical support work can supply a firm foundation for careers in different fields which also involve extensive use of computers. Other folks demand a degree but don't care what degree it's, again provided that you're able to satisfy the other job requirements. A bachelor's degree is necessary from the other side of the industry in accounting or some kind of financial field to make sure that a new hire has all of the required education to satisfy the very math focused needs of the position. All experiences ought to be included along with any internships or previous experiences working with numerous forms of programming languages and scripts. It's also hard to deal with concurrency issues at two distinct levels. MFC although there are several design difficulties, but as an entry is good, also it is possible to acquire a good deal of information, solve problems encountered any how. If you opt to develop into a programmer, you ought to create a resume that highlights your abilities and compelling resume. Also, keep in mind that, as a programmer, you have to be quick and productive. Very good luck and receive the proper job soon. Soft abilities, hard abilities, any skills in any respect. The History of Entry Level Programmer Resume Refuted Genera lly speaking, however, a college degree in something associated with computer science helps. Once you get your placement, it's very crucial that you keep an extremely close attention to detail. For example, your time management abilities or comprehension of particular computer programs can be useful in most any position.

Startling Info About Best Professional Resume Writing Services Greensboro Nc Unveiled

Startling Info About Best Professional Resume Writing Services Greensboro Nc Unveiled As an expert review company, our purpose is to research thoroughly and supply you with the very best possible top resume writing services reviews. Most resume writing firms appear to specialize in writing a certain kind of skilled document for a particular kind of candidate. She is quite an experienced resume writer who has won a slew of rewards. You are also able to get a feeling of the internal language used within a specific industry or company. Professional resume writers comprehend the significance of their work, so they are always accountable for the very best result. A writer who doesn't have examples is likely inexperienced or not qualified whatsoever, DeLay explained. Resume writing is the most significant step in presenting your abilities and receiving the job that you desire. Best Professional Resume Writing Services Greensboro Nc - What Is It? Get in touch with us to look at some resume sample. Selecting a Professional Resume Writer is a superb idea for the majority of professionals since resume writing is a distinctive skill. The Resume Writing industry gives a vital, valuable support. If at all you are applying for employment for the very first time then see that your resume is short and sweet. The service employs an individual approach for writing all kinds of personalized documents, including cover letters and other sorts of employment-related correspondence. Our services won't only demonstrate your value as an employee to prospective organizations, they'll also convince you of your very own expert worth. A proper teacher ought to have effective communication skills where in they ought to be able to deal with the students and their quarries with no hassles. A teacher applying for a job ought to have a great communication skill together with excellent managerial skills. Want to Know More About Best Professional Resume Writing Services Greens boro Nc? 1 special feature offered by Resume Writers Service is that if you're a returning customer, you can find any services for half off the normal price. Choosing a resume service to compose your resume can end up being beneficial in many facets. It's hard to select a service to purchase your essay from. It is crucial to point out that we also offer resume editing services to assist you in finding your favourite job without difficulty.