The Gradlife - Where is this going (and how to tell if you need a break)

The Gradlife - Where is this going (and how to tell if you need a break) by Lydia Randall ‘Where is this going?’It’s a question that you’ll probably ask yourself 100 times this year.Whether it’s re-evaluating your relationship goals, feeling like you aren’t on the same page, or you think you’ve been on the rocks for a while, it never gets any easier to answer.But before you read any further, I would like to assure you that this isn’t a ‘lonely-hearts’ column. And, unfortunately, I can’t guarantee any advice on guiding you through a breakup.What I can help you with, however, is getting to grips with where your career is headed â€" whether it’s in relation to your studies, your degree, life after graduation or even your job prospects.And that’s almost the same thing, right?Quite often people can feel apprehensive when thinking about such a direct question mainly because it requires you to have an open and honest conversation with yourself. Something that can often be easier said than done.However, shying away from it is ne ver the answer. Instead, try and embrace the problem, hit it head-on and take the time to think about why you really feel the spark has gone.Am I where I need to be?How far am I from my desired destination?What do I need to do in order to achieve my goals?Believe me, asking yourself these questions to reassess where things are or seem to be going can really make a difference â€" not to mention help you work out whether you’re still on course.And if all else fails? It’s time to consider the real relationship clichés…‘We need a break’When was the last time you had one? I mean a proper one.  It’s surprisingly easy for us to become so overworked that we burn out, often overlooking the signs that indicate we’re in desperate need of a break.Lunch becomes dinner, dinner becomes breakfast. Breakfast becomes another meal, which you’ve lost track of because you can’t remember the last time you ate one.Other signs you’re struggling include insomnia, lack of concentration, illness and chronic fatigue, and if untreated this can eventually develop into more serious complications such as anxiety and depression.If you feel you are becoming very run down and may be suffering from exhaustion then STOP. Tell the appropriate person, and have an open discussion about how you’re feeling.More often than not they’ll appreciate your honesty and will be able to help you address the problem. Whether it’s a teacher, a lecturer, your friends or even your parents.‘I don’t see my friends anymore’Have you noticed a change in your friendships recently? Like you’ve suddenly gone from knowing everything about your closest friends and what they ate for dinner to hardly knowing anything at all?It might be time to consider a change.That’s because becoming so socially inactive that you miss out on enjoying the very things you love about your life could have a massive impact. Whether it’s on your happiness, or even on your overall productivity.  So live a li ttle. It’s okay to enjoy yourself, as long as you keep a healthy balance on work and play, and you can effectively manage your time.Remember: all work and no play never works out well.‘I need to work on myself for a while’Unfortunately, you’re not always ready for a relationship â€" you just kind of fall into it. The same goes for your career.Sometimes it can be a good thing, and you land on your feet by finding yourself the perfect position. Other times, it can mean you end up doing something that you don’t even enjoy, just because you’re scared to spend some real time getting to know yourself. It could mean taking a course about a topic you’re really passionate about, finding an entry level position or going back to school full-time.Or perhaps you’re studying already, but you’ve just followed a particular path because it seemed easy at the time, instead of thinking whether it will lead you where you really want to go. Without taking the time to know yourself, how will you ever know if you’re even going in the right direction?‘It’s not you, it’s me’The king of the clichés, this phrase sometimes might actually have some truth to it.So if you feel as though work, studies, job hunting, or whatever else you’re going through is the problem, then take a minute to think.What if it isn’t these things that’s the issue? What if there really is more underneath the surface?Rather than always shifting blame or deflecting, why not try to think of ways you may have contributed to the way you are feeling.Try to identify issues within yourself first before assessing issues elsewhere. You might be surprised at exactly what you uncover.For example, maybe you’re struggling with your grades because you’ve chosen a course that doesn’t suit your skills. Or perhaps you’ve been spending too much time working, and you’ve been putting off studying because you only see the short-term gains.Whatever it is, be honest with yourself. Trust me yo u’ll be better off for it.And, when it comes to a new job, career advice or anything else work-related, don’t write off your relationship just yet. reed.co.uk will never dump you â€" I guarantee it.Lydia Randall is reed.co.uk’s first representative exclusively for graduates. If you’re looking for some one-to-one advice, comment below, or tweet Lydia @reedcouk. Still searching for your perfect position?  View all of our current vacancies nowFind a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the terms and conditions applicable to our service and acknowledge that your personal data will be used in accordance with our privacy policy and you will receive emails and communications about jobs and career related topics. Graduate advice

Seattle Venture Capital - VocationVillage

Seattle Venture Capital - VocationVillage The Seattle venture capital scene is not as active as that of Silicon Valley, but there is still enough going on that it is worth following if you are interested in startups. If a company has just landed a round of funding, they might have money to hire you.Some fun ways to become acquainted with a VC firms business are to follow them on Twitter or to read their blogs.Please email me with any suggested additions or changes to the list below.Seattle Venture Capital Firms and Areas of SpecializationAlexander HuttonTechnologyAlliance of AngelsConnecting investors w/ early stage companiesARCH Venture PartnersLife sciences, physical sciences, information technologyAtlas VentureTechnology, life sciencesBenaroya CapitalDiversifiedBlue Point Capital PartnersDiversifiedCascadia CapitalTechnology, sustainable industries, middle marketDivergent VenturesSoftware infrastructure: Storage, cloud/virtualization, big data, and mobile dataFlying FishCloud computing, AI, speech and natural language, ma chine learning, IoTFounders Co-opWeb and mobile technologiesFrazier CompanyHealthcare, technologyGuide VenturesNew media, eFinancial services, electronic security, consumer branding, storage managementIgnition PartnersCommunications, Internet, software, and servicesKirlan Venture CapitalDiversifiedMadrona Venture GroupTechnologyMaveronConsumer-orientedMontlake CapitalDiversifiedNorthwest Capital AppreciationMiddle marketPacific Horizon VenturesLife science and healthcarePolaris Venture PartnersInformation technology and life sciencesProvidence VenturesHealthcareSeapoint VenturesWireless, broadband, and network infrastructureSecond AvenueTechnology / InternetUS Venture PartnersInformation technology, cleantech, and healthcareVault CapitalTechnologyVoyager CapitalDigital media, software, and wirelessVulcan, IncDiversifiedWRF CapitalTechnology-based start-ups. If you wonder how venture capitalists spend their time, here are two articles about what two venture capitalists do all day: Brian DeChesare and Hunter Walk.If you reached this page because you are preparing to pitch a VC firm, read this advice from a venture capitalist.And finally, here is some venture capitalist humor to brighten your day..Back To Seattle Careers

50 Ways to End an Email (How To) - Algrim.co

50 Ways to End an Email (How To) - Algrim.co How do you end an email? What are the ways to close your message with impact, with professionalism, and with personality? Those are great questions for professionals to be asking themselves. And sometimes you need a few ideas. Our list of professional email endings can provide you new ideas to end your emails. Don’t feel discouraged by the fact that you don’t know how to end your email professionally or “properly”. Even those who have been in business for a number of years should reevaluate their email endings and understand how it impacts the reader and the message being sent. But before we jump into the email closings and ways to end your email, we should discuss effective emails and why your closing statement can make such an impact on the reader. Short Emails Work Closing statements or email endings should always be short. This is because studies have shown emails that the ideal email length is about 150 to 200 words. That’s pretty short, right? The ideal email length is determined on whether or not you receive a response from the recipient. That, most likely, is your goal with your emailâ€" to receive a response. 150 to 200 words is not very much. It’s a few sentences. And this begs to question as to whether or not you should use a closing statement or end to your email. You may certainly use nothing at all. So why use something? Why Email Endings Are Important Email endings are the area where you show personality or intent. Which can direct the reader to comprehend your request. For example, if your email ending says, “I look forward to your response in the next 24 hours” â€" then the reader knows they should get moving on their response. If it says, “Thanks again!” and nothing else. Then maybe your email is responding to a request and that closes the conversation. This is almost like having email body language. Which isn’t a real thing. But it does provide some invisible communication between yourself and the reader. Should email ending phrases be in every email you send? Bottom line: yes. Email Endings and Signatures Email endings are important ways to transition to your email signature. Which are all ways to represent yourself to the other party. Picture this, you’re conducting business and sending an email to someone you don’t know. They receive your email, read it, then read your email ending and signature. During your email signature, they see your contact information, website, phone number, and job title. That is how your email will be digested, in that order. When the reader does this, they have a much better grasp of who you are and what your email is intended to communicate. By having that understanding, your reader can properly respond to your request or inquiry. If the ending of your email is too long, too short, or sounds abrasive then the reader might misinterpret your message causing an improper response. In this way, think of the ending of your email and your email signature as a block of information that the reader uses to comprehend your message. Formality And Your Ending As with any level of human communication, you can communicate how formal or informal you’d like this message to be. Formal would mean that your personal connection with the recipient is low. That your line of communication is entirely business-focused. This would be similar to an email that two attorneys might send to one another. To better understand formal vs. informal. Let’s see what the Webster’s Dictionary says in terms of defining the word “formal”: of or denoting a style of writing or public speaking characterized by more elaborate grammatical structures and more conservative and technical vocabulary. OK, that’s helpful to understand that formal emails are technical, elaborate, and conservative in nature. How about the word “informal”: characteristic of or appropriate to ordinary, casual, or familiar use. Got it. So informal would be when your email sounds casual in nature. It’s All About Clarity If you haven’t figured this out by now, we’re discussing clarity of your email. From understanding formal emails versus informal emails. And how that impacts your email ending. To understanding how your email ending compliments your email signature with your personal information. This is providing clarity, intent, and structure to your reader so they respond effectively. The last thing you should consider before you decide on your email ending is to think about your email clarity. To make your message clear, use these tips: Think about what you want to say the reader before you write. Think about who you are speaking with. Try to define unfamiliar words to the reader. Write one-sentence paragraphs only. Make your sentences short. Don’t use long words. Best Formal Email Endings Here are the best email endings for formal emails. Sincerely Best regards Kind regards Regards Appreciated Best Thank you With kind regards With warm wishes With sincerity Best Informal Email Endings Here are the best email endings for informal emails. Your friend Cheers Thanks again Thanks team Thanks all Thank you team Thank you all Once again, appreciated Looking forward to it Hope this helps Thanks for your consideration Appreciate your consideration See you tomorrow Have a good day Have a nice day I appreciate your help I appreciate your input I appreciate your feedback All Email Endings (List) Below are email endings that you can use at your discretion, based on your email needs. Thank you Thanks so much Thanks Sincerely Best regards Kind regards Regards Appreciated Much appreciated Very much appreciated With respect Warm wishes Respectfully Very respectfully yours Best Your friend Cheers Thanks again Yours truly Appreciate it Looking forward to your response Thanks in advance for your response Fast response appreciated Thanks team Thanks all Thank you team Thank you all Once again, appreciated Looking forward to it Hope this helps Thanks for your consideration Appreciate your consideration See you tomorrow Have a good day Have a nice day I appreciate your help I appreciate your input I appreciate your feedback Looking forward to hearing from you Have a good day Let’s have a good day Thanks so much all Thanks so much team Let’s keep rocking Keep up the good work With kind regards With warm wishes With sincerity

5 Ways to Improve as a Female Leader in the Workplace

5 Ways to Improve as a Female Leader in the Workplace Despite having a record-high number of female CEOs running Fortune 500 companies, this still only represents 6.6 percent of all the companies on the Fortune list, according to CNN. While there are many factors at play that are out of your control if you want to be a female leaderâ€"there is one that is within it: getting better at what you do. Whether you’re a female entrepreneur, a small business owner, a team lead, or even a self-employed contractor, you still need to push the envelope to better yourself. As gender equality in the workplace moves forward, here are five ways you can become a strong female leader.  Slow Down to Reconnect  Bosses are more likely to suffer frequent burnout than individual contributors, according to Gallup. What’s more, a recent study showed that females are more susceptible to burnout than males. Elena Carstoiu, COO of Hubgets explains why this might be the case: “Women entrepreneurs usually wear many hats beyond their leadership roles. They could also be mothers and spouses, taking care of their family while guarding for the welfare of their business and their team.” The issue is: when you’re tired and overworked, you’re not connected, creative or excited about your workâ€"this means you’re not being the best leader you can be. That’s why Carstoiu   recommends: “Disconnect from your work routine, move your attention over to other matters, go exercise or simply meditate. The secret is to free up your mind and solutions will come, even to the toughest issues you deal with at work.” You may find that when you slow down, better ideas come naturally and you work better with your team, which benefits you and everyone around you. Build Yourself Up As a woman in the workplace, sometimes you need to be your most vocal advocate. One way to more actively advocate for yourself is to Level up your confidence as a capable leader by believing in yourself. In her book Daring Greatly, Brené Brown says: “Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.” Don’t question your ability to have a seat at the table. If you’re struggling to find that confidence, here are a few ways to uncover it within yourself and create more: Use power posing before meetings. Stand with your chest puffed out, arms at your side and head high. Playing the part helps you step into the role. Write a list of accomplishments at the end of each week to remind yourself of all the hard work you do. Give yourself a confidence mantra every morning and repeat it to yourself regularly throughout the day. Embrace Taking Risks and Forget About Perfection  Once you level up your confidence, it’s time to get out of your comfort zone. A well-known statistic (from an internal HP study) found that a man will apply for a job when he has 60 percent of the qualifications, while a woman only applies when she has 100 percent of the qualifications. Reshma Suajani, Founder and CEO of Girls Who Code, addresses this issue in her TEDTalk. She says   most girls are taught to be risk- and failure-averse, while boys were taught to swing for the fences and aim high. “By the time theyre adults, whether [men are] negotiating a raise or asking someone out on a date, theyre habituated to take risk after risk. Theyre rewarded for it. In Silicon Valley, no one even takes you seriously unless youve had two failed start-ups. In other words, were raising our girls to be perfect, and were raising our boys to be brave,” says Suajani. Toss the idea of being perfect out the window and take calculated and smart risks in your role as leader. Don’t be afraid of the missteps that will come along the way. Barbara Corcoran, entrepreneur, and host of Shark Tank, has always said: “My best successes came on the heels of failures.” Better yet, take the advice of Leah Bursque, CEO of TaskRabbit: “I wake up every morning and think to myself, ‘How far can I push the company forward in the next 24 hours?’” Be a Champion of Equality Leading by example is even more imperative for women forging paths in influential roles. It’s up to you to shape our modern workplace by championing women and minorities, paying employees what they’re worth, and remind everyone that equality is a two-way street. In your effort to set an example for other females working their way up in the workforce, don’t fall into the trap of sexism towards male counterparts. This is a sentiment that Michelle Obama heralded in a speech on education. “Leadership is about creating new traditions that honor the dignity and humanity of every individual. Leadership is about empowering all of our peopleâ€"men, women, boys and girls.” Create a Plan and Commit Know where you want to go and keep your focus on the end-goal as you grow through various positions and companies. By knowing where you want to go, and committing to it, you give yourself a roadmap for improving. For example, in some leadership roles, you may be required to take specific training. Knowing that role is on the horizon, you can plan ahead and acquire the certification before any position opens up. When the time comes to apply, you’ll be a step ahead of the other applicants, who still need to take the course. Grow and Develop Your Skills to be a Strong Female Leader  A leader’s journey is continually evolving. As billionaire and CEO of Fidelity Investments, Abigail Johnson, told Forbes, “No matter how senior you get in an organization, no matter how well youre perceived to be doing, your job is never done.” Use these steps and lessons from other successful females to be an authentic female leader who’s always evolving and improving. . Whos your role model as a great female leader?   Let us know in the comments, and let them know, too!

How to Land Your First Job as a Personal Trainer CareerMetis.com

How to Land Your First Job as a Personal Trainer Are you considering a career in fitness training, helping others to become the healthiest versions of themselves?If so, you probably already have done some research on how to become a personal trainer. In today’s guide, we’ll quickly review the prerequisites for becoming a trainer and provide you with some tips for landing your first job.evalBy the end of this post, you’ll know exactly what you need to do if you are pursuing a career in personal training and the next steps to take to get a job in the various sectors of personal training.Steps to Get a Personal Training CertificationevalThe personal training industry as a whole can often operate a little bit like the Wild West. Here’s why.You don’t technically need a certification to call yourself a personal trainer. Anyone with a little bit of health and fitness knowledge can show up at the gym, charge you some money, and tell you what to do.But you’ll probably agree with me when I say that when you are considering your o verall health and wellness, you don’t want someone with a “little bit of knowledge,” you want someone with a lot.That is the difference between a self-proclaimed personal trainer versus one that has gone through an accredited personal trainer program and has learned about physiology, human movement, biology, kinesiology, and other topics. Personal trainers who go the accredited route understand how to design workout plans and work with the specific goals of their clients.That said, let’s take a look at some of the requirements to become a personal trainer for some of the most popular certification bodies:18 years or olderHigh school diploma or GEDCPR/AED certificationOnce you meet these criteria, you just have to choose the best certified personal trainer course that meets your goals.evalThe “best personal trainer course” is subjective, and you have a variety of study options, including:Self-study with an accredited companyVocational collegeUniversity programGym programW hile the decision is ultimately yours, I suggest an accredited company such as NASM, ACE, NSCA, NESTA, or NCSF. This will provide you with the education and certification to land a job at your pick of the litter.Landing Your First Job as a Personal TrainerOne of the most important things to consider when trying to get your first job as a personal trainer is where you want to work and what requirements that the facility has. For example, many corporate gyms will take any major certification for their trainers while others require you to take an internal course.This is why it is essential to contact the potential place of work to determine if they have any requirements for the types of certifications they prefer that their trainers have.evalFor gyms specifically, one of the most popular places trainers seek employment, you may find that they have their own internal personal training programs in place. While you may be able to bypass the independent certification bodies, starting with a gym-specific certification limits you to one place of employment.Of course, gyms are not the only places to get a job. You may also find opportunities at other locations such as:Country clubsAlongside physical therapistsWithin higher-end hotelsOn cruise shipsThere is also the option to travel to your client’s home or meet them at their local gym. These last two options are more of the entrepreneurial route and don’t involve finding a job as much as they do creating a business around yourself.Where to Look for JobsJob BoardsOne of the best places to look for personal trainer jobs is on job boards like Indeed or CareerBuilder. You can search by keyword or specialization and even look for jobs that are part-time or temporary.Local SchoolsLocal schools may also be good places to look for your first personal training job. Sports teams at high schools, athletic departments at colleges, and after-school programs frequently get posted on local school websites’ careers sections.evalP ersonal Trainer DirectoriesPersonal trainer directory websites such as Ideafit are high traffic websites that many people use to find trainers based on location, specialization, and price. Get yourself listed on as many of these sites as possible and you’ll open yourself up to more opportunities.Tips for Employment at Popular Fitness OrganizationsGymsAs mentioned, the gym is the most common place trainers go to get their first jobs. When you try to get a job at a gym, they’ll want to see if you are already certified or are in the process of getting certified. Meet with the gym’s manager to see what kind of employees they are interested in and if they have any available slots open.If you learn a little bit about the programs they offer, how they structure their prices, and how they market their trainers, you’ll sound like you know what you are talking about and may have a better chance of getting an offer.Group Fitness BoxesA popular location for many trainers is to work at a group fitness box or something like a Crossfit style facility. The best way to get your foot in the door at one of these locations is to be a customer first.evalOnce you develop a rapport with the owner or manager, you’ll show that not only are you familiar with their business and workouts, but you are interested in helping them succeed as a customer.After a few months of workouts, you can approach the owner about getting a job or perhaps doing some shadowing I recommend you start by giving free sessions to friends and family so that you get experience and they get to see if they like the results you are providing. If you gain their trust and they see that you offer real value to them, you may be able to convert them into paying customers.At a Country ClubGetting a job as a trainer at the local country club may a bit more challenging than at the local gym. Depending on the prestige of the country club, they may want someone with some long-term experience. Then again, if you can o perate as a contractor and use the country club as your home base, you may be able to work something out with them that sees you using the above recommendations to kickstart your career.If this is an option, see about posting an ad in the community newsletter or on the bulletin board at the clubhouse.Get Started Today!Whether you are just beginning your search for personal training as a potential career and need to know the prerequisites, or are certified and are needed to get that first job, you should now have the info you need to get started.There are many different career paths for personal trainers to choose from beyond the gym and exploring them may help you find the best fit for you and your career in fitness.

Stand Out in a GOOD Way in Your Job Search DONT Be a BAD Example

Stand Out in a GOOD Way in Your Job Search… DON’T Be a BAD Example Stand Out in a GOOD Way in Your Job Search… DON’T Be a BAD Example Jessica wanted to shine! She was excited that she found the e-mail address of the hiring manager and she wanted to stand out from the hundreds of other résumés. So here is what she sent: E-mail Subject: PERFECT JOB FOR ME! Hello, This job would be my perfect match. IF I have the amazing opportunity for an interviewyou will not be disappointed. TRUST ME WHEN I SAY, I would be the perfect person for this position. I work long hours, not the in at 9 and out by 5pm type of girl. Hardworking, very personable and talented. I am hoping and praying you will consider me for this position! THANK YOU! Warm Regards, Now, I know what you’re saying; I hear it all the time. “Oh, that’s a new college graduate.” or “That’s a rooky candidate move.” Well, Jessica is not a novice… she is just trying to be different, and she failed. So many candidates today miss the mark in their application then wonder why they are not getting interviews. Hiring managers are appalled to see the chronic repetition of the most egregious errors by candidates of all levels, ranging from college graduates to senior executives. The top application traps to avoid are: TRAP #1: Trying to be “cute” and erring on the informal side From the subject header to the “Hello” greeting (with no name), Jessica starts off on the wrong foot. E-mail subject heads should stand out in a good way. Examples include, “Jessica Walsh, Candidate for IBM Position # XXXXX” or “IBM Marketing Position XXXXX Candidate, Jessica Walsh.” TRAP #2: ALL CAPS Everybody knows that using all capital letters in any communication is analogous to yelling at someone. So why would Jessica want to yell at a potential hiring manager? Remember a key rule with every written communication in your job search: your writing is a sample of the way you would write if you were hired for the position. Therefore, if the recipient doesn’t like your writing style, they won’t want to hire you. TRAP #3: Talking about yourself Guess what? It’s not about you, job-seekers! Jessica uses “me, my, or I” nine times in her short note. It’s all about what she wants, attributes she has, and how great she is. She clearly didn’t read the job description or do any research as to the skills the hiring manager needs. Here’s a trick: when you write your first draft, circle or highlight the number of times you use “I, me, my” or some expression revolving around you. My least favorite is, “Your position leverages my background in blah, blah, blah…” Stand out in a great way, without risking your odds of getting an interview. Get a new cover letter template from my book, Cut the Crap, Get a Job! or download my Cut the Crap (CTC) Cover Letter Guide here: https://www.danamanciagli.com/tool-downloads/ Im here to help!

The Importance of Hiring the Best Reviewed Resume Writing Services

The Importance of Hiring the Best Reviewed Resume Writing ServicesWhen it comes to best reviewed resume writing services, you are sure to find a list of features to be sure you are working with the right person. If you've just started looking for the best companies to work with, then you may be a little lost in the process. However, when you know what to look for, then you can easily find the best review writing services to hire.The best reviewed service providers work hard to find a company that will understand your business needs. The best reviewed resume writing services work with all of the various aspects of the job. Therefore, the staff is able to create the perfect job profile.The best writing services often have customer support specialists available twenty-four hours a day. This way, when you need help, the best review writing services can help you through any problem. You will be able to call in a time to talk to a supervisor and be able to get a good feel for how long it w ill take to get a response.Resume writing services are important for hiring new employees or for hiring someone to fill a position in the current staff. This way, you will know you have not only found the best qualified candidate, but also the best person to fill the job. You can see the level of comfort that a prospective employee has in working with a resume writing service.Another great thing about hiring resume writing services is that they are happy to give you sample resumes to review. This way, you can see for yourself the kind of work they do. As you can see, hiring the right to review writing service can save you time and money in the end.It is especially important to hire the best review writing services to help with creating a quality resume. The best resume writers will understand what it takes to help you choose the best cover letter, resume, and cover letter. Since a resume and cover letter are the first things an employer looks at, it is important to make sure you are creating the best job application for the job opening.By hiring the best reviewed resume writing services, you will be assured that the finished product will go far beyond what you originally thought would be needed. In fact, your job application will be much better than you initially had thought it could be. A resume is much more than a resume; it is the first step towards landing the job.Hiring the best service to help you craft a resume will help you land the job and will also help you see how well the resume works when used. In fact, the more the best resume writing services to help you in the form of a sample, the better off you will be. The best reviewed resume writing services will help you land the job you want by making your resume more effective and your job application more effective.