Graduates: Cake, Passion and Money

Career Goals & Planning, Graduates, Job Searching No Comments

I’m fed up with the media talking down the prospects for graduates. Yes it’s tough out there for today’s graduates looking for work. Having graduated during the the recession of the early 1990s, I understand first hand what it’s like looking for jobs during a recession.

But in many ways, today’s graduates are also the luckiest generation of graduates there has ever been (really).

They have the tools, technology and knowledge to turn ideas into opportunities and income with virtually zero expenditure. What’s more, they potentially have a global market place to leverage their product or idea. All that’s required is the seed of an idea, passion, hard work and the willingness to just have a go.

So over the coming months I’m going to feature graduates who have ignored all the noise about the economy. Individuals who have got off their butt and just had a go at a business idea or made slightly different career choices. Hopefully it will inspire others to follow suit.

The first interview is with Poonam Kataria. She has no website, uses a Gmail email account and uses Facebook to promote her cake-making business whilst using her mum’s kitchen to do all her baking.

Who says you need lots of cash to get started..?

An Interview with Poonam Kataria of “Spoony Cakes”

Click here to read the rest…



3 Peaks And 3 Lessons About Failure

Job Searching, Redundancy No Comments

“Focus on the journey, not the destination.  Joy is found not in finishing an activity, but in doing it.”

- Greg Anderson

I began writing this article whilst on a short flight from Glasgow to London on Sunday evening as we return from undertaking the 3 Peaks mountain challenge – climbing the 3 highest mountains in Wales, England and Scotland in a 24 hour challenge.

I thought I’d be writing today to share lessons I’d learned whilst reaching the 3 peaks and how those same lessons may apply to your career, your business or the way you lead your teams.

Sadly I wasn’t able to complete the challenge –  I had a recurrence of an old calf injury and had to pull out after the first mountain.

And so instead, the lessons below are based on what I learned from NOT achieving my big goal:

Click here to read the rest…



It’s September……Just Get Started

Career Change, Career Goals & Planning, Job Searching No Comments

“Don’t wait, the time will never be just right”
- Napoleon Hill

It’s September, the summer’s over, the days are getting shorter and soon enough the weather will begin to change too.

And soon enough you’ll forget that big goal or great idea you came up with over the summer holidays.

You know…..your plan to change jobs, shift careers or starting a side business to run from home. Or maybe you decided on moving abroad or taking a sabbatical. Or possibly writing a book / starting a new blog?

Whatever the idea, the key is to get started quickly using these 5 tips:

 

Click here to read the rest…



Rioters, Looters and Leaders

Career Change, Job Searching, Leadership, Redundancy No Comments

Last week’s riots in London and across England were not about social deprivation, the economy or joblessness.

They were, in fact, all about “LEADERSHIP”

Click here to read the rest…



Free Webinar: How To Make Your CV / Resume Stand Out

Career Change, CVs/Resumes, Job Searching 2 Comments

“How To Make Your CV / Resume Stand Out”

11th August 2011

A quick reminder of this week’s upcoming webinar for anyone looking for a mew job or changing careers:
  • Understand the difference between a ‘Good CV’ and a ‘Great CV’
  • Learn the 3 most important factors in ensuring your CV stands out and secures more interviews
  • The Do’s and Don’ts of CV writing
  • Secure more interviews much faster
  • Potentially increase your earnings by better positioning your value on the CV
  • Reduce the time spent on producing and editing CVs
  • Reduce the stress and hassle involved in producing the CV
  • Avoid missing out on job opportunities because your CV “isn’t quite ready yet”


Career Crossroads? How To Make Big Career Decisions

Career Change, Career Goals & Planning, Job Searching, Redundancy No Comments

- Shall I change jobs this year or stay where I am?
- Shall I change careers now or continue in the same profession?
- Shall I accept the redundancy package or decline it?
- Shall I return to work after maternity leave or do I just resign?
- Shall I start that new business idea or is it too risky?
- Shall I relocate and move city / country – or shall I just stay here?
- Shall I head off to Business School and study for an MBA / MSc?

Decisions Decisions



5 C’s For Summer

Career Change, Career Goals & Planning, Job Searching, Networking, Recruitment No Comments

 

 

It’s summer, everyone is away and nothing happens right?

Wrong!

The next 6 weeks plays a crucial part in setting the platform for the final quarter of 2011.  Here are 5 things you could be doing over the next few weeks:



LinkedIn: Personalisation Vs Standardised Spam

Job Searching, Networking, Social Media No Comments

Have a read of the below email exchange I had with a friend recently in relation to LinkedIn:

Hi Sital

Just received note below (twice) and wondered what your thoughts were on his approach. I know you write quite a lot on how to use LinkedIn

SS


Just Say YES

Job Searching, Mindset, Networking No Comments

Yes I will join you for drinks. Thank you for the invitation

Yes I will accept your kind offer to help me find work. I appreciate you thinking of me

Yes I will come to the networking event with you, thank you

Yes I will use you as a sounding board for the new business. Glad to have your support

Yes I will come along to the show tomorrow evening.  I could do with a night out

Whenever you pursue a worthwhile goal or dream, there is usually a helping hand just around the corner.  The universe, rather than trying to trip you up, is usually trying to help you. Even if it does trip you up, it’s only trying to teach you a lesson which you need to learn.

Click here to read the rest…



Why You MUST Go To Your Graduation Ceremony (Even If You’re Jobless)

Graduates, Job Searching No Comments
Below is an email I sent earlier this week to someone who was planning to avoid attending their graduation ceremony because they hadn’t yet secured a job.
Like many out of work graduates and post graduates, they were worried about what people would think of them.
Feel free to share, copy, reproduce this to send onto recent graduates who you think may need to read it.


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