Top 5 - Tips for the perfect working lunch

Top 5 - Tips for the perfect working lunch by Michael Cheary Whether youre trying to stay healthy, save money, or you feel as if youre simply too busy to take the full hour, having lunch at work is often a struggle.Standing in the supermarket aisle trying to get the balance right can be a challenge, and when youre feeling especially hungry, the challenge is even greater.However, no matter what job you do, a filling and nutritious lunch has a multitude of benefits, positively affecting your mood and your productivity in the process. To help you make the most of your midday mealtime, here are our top five tips for the perfect working lunch.5. Be realisticIt can be tempting to order an oversized lunch, especially if you feel like theres money burning a hole in your pocket (otherwise known as pay-day). However, more often than not, your large lunch just proves a hindrance to your productivity, and your concentration starts to flag. This usually happens at around 3 oclock, just as youre about to go into an unnecessarily lo ng meeting with your manager. Maybe size really does matter4. Double up/buddy up/get socialWhile its perfectly normal to seek some solitude with your sandwich every once in a while, in our experience, lunch is one of those things thats almost always better when enjoyed with someone else. Although there may be mitigating circumstances (new job, no lunchroom, olfactorily offensive food etc), always try and avoid being the canteen recluse.And if youre trying to keep the costs down, you could always club together and buy lunch for the week. Not only will it prove much more cost effective, but itll help you broaden your lunchtime horizons. Just try and avoid talking about work wherever possible (see: work/life balance).All you need is a friend and somewhere to sit (warning: friends sold separately).3. Mark your territoryTo avoid going hungry, sometimes you have to play dirty. In other words, if you work in a large office and one which has a communal refrigerator, theres always the chance that your lunch will go missing. If this happens more than once, it may be time to take evasive action.The next time you bring lunch from home, write an angry post-it note and stick it to your Tupperware. If youre struggling for inspiration, we find its best to keep it simple. Something along the lines of: Dear lunch stealer: I know kung-fu. Your move will usually suffice.Remember: For some people, words can speak louder than actions2. Go outsideThe internet: single-handedly ruining lunch breaks since the early nineties. Although, in extreme circumstances (such as working to a strict deadline), it may be unavoidable, more often than not, lunch at your desk involves browsing Amazon and watching videos of cats on YouTube.Scientists have proved that dining at your desk can actually be detrimental to your health, not to mention your productivity. Instead of indulging in the daily picnic by your PC, why not go outside and have a real one? Even a simple walk through the park can break up the day, making you more alert and ready to work by the time you go back.However, its always important to check the weather forecast before venturing out. No-one should spend their mealtime moist.1. VarietyEven the most habitual of us enjoy a change from time to time. So as much as your budget allows, try and vary your diet.And, although keeping the costs down should always be given some consideration, dont be afraid to treat yourself if youre having a bad day. No matter how resilient you are, some days, rehydrated chicken soup for the soul just doesnt quite cut it.Lunch is a great way to counter a daily routine which is otherwise hard to change, so take full advantage where you can. It could turn out to be the most important meal of the day.Because only dull people are brilliant at breakfastHonourable mentions: Eat slowly, shop around, savour, swapsies.Think theres any weve missed out? Share them with us on twitter @reedcoukFind a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Care er 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. Life At Work Work-life balance Workplace culture

Need a Resume? Get it Formed by Professionals

Need a Resume? Get it Formed by ProfessionalsProfessional it resume writing services in Fort Worth TX are a great way to have your resume written in a professional manner and get noticed for the appropriate position you are applying for. These professionals are very skilled in writing resumes that can be easily understood by potential employers.Fort Worth Texas is a great place to do some research on this kind of resume writing services. There are a lot of websites that will help you find out more about how this industry works.Resume writing can take months, if not years, and to write a proper resume you need to know what you want. One thing you do not want to do is fall into the trap of having an amateurish resume. As a matter of fact, some people who try to hire such individuals get their resumes thrown away when they see the results.As a matter of fact, most professionals who have specialized in it have been doing this for quite some time. The problem with some of these individual s is that they are simply trying to make quick money and end up using their experience to prey on people who are desperate for employment. This kind of scam is incredibly easy to spot as professionals make sure that their resumes are formatted correctly and work to prevent anyone from being fooled.A professional resume will be formatted exactly the way that the person who writes it would like it to be. The aim of the resume is to gain the attention of the employer who is reviewing the application. Even if the person who reads it is not interested in the position, there is no reason why the employer should not read over the resume before making a decision.For those who are looking for a resume writing service in Fort Worth TX, it is best to hire a company that offers a six month guarantee. This is important as some companies are not capable of producing a job posting in time for the new job market.Professional it resume writing services can help people out in many ways. You can also get a resume that looks extremely professional even if you have minimal experience in this field.Employers nowadays need to have a professional look to them to make sure that the person they are hiring is one who knows what he or she is doing. A professional resume will help the person get the job and that will lead to a good career. This is how an online resume writing service helps anyone get a job.

Successfully Use LinkedIn InMail to Attract More Sales - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Successfully Use LinkedIn InMail to Attract More Sales - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career In the midst of hundreds of sales messages each day it is important to send out LinkedIn communication the right way for your personal brand. In order to gain the respect and attention of your network you need to appear professional and establish authentic relationships first. How can your personal brand attract more sales through InMail? Starting with meaningful communication and engagement is the key to being effective. LinkedIn makes it simple to connect with others through groups, their publishing platform, and user posts. You need to think about being both authentic and in touch with your network as your brand nurtures relationships with helpful feedback, cross promotion, and a genuine interest. Here are several ways your personal brand can begin building a stronger network on LinkedIn for more success with your communication. Sending Successful InMail Messages On LinkedIn A fully optimized LinkedIn profile that stands out from the rest is a good place to start before crafting your message. An engaged and active network that is relevant to your industry is also important. Use these strategies to improve your brands response rate: Build trust with your connections Many InMail messages are overlooked or deleted because a meaningful connection has not been established first. It takes just a little extra time each day to leave valuable comments, interact in professional groups, and share your networks content on LinkedIn and other social media channels. This shows that your personal brand has an interest in the needs and desires of your community without sending them direct sales messages. Encourage conversation Once your brand has established a solid foundation with the important members of your network you can begin your InMail message individually in a way that garners their attention. Begin with a question or conversation starter in your headline, without directly offering your product or service. This could include a referrals name, an interesting article related to your industry, a helpful comment about their content, ect. Provide a call-to-action Creating a message that appeals to your network is just the first step in opening the doors of interest. Your brand should also include a CTA, which is invitational in nature, and seeks to find out more about how you can help their business. The use of LinkedIn InMail communication can be beneficial for your personal brands sales and create opportunities to build better relationships with your connections. By selecting users who are active and have a strong network following you can improve your chances of getting a response. Keep your messages simple, and to the point in a well-planned way that does not approach your network in group messages, but is rather personalized to each contact.

Tomorrow never comes start planning your career today

Tomorrow never comes start planning your career today Many of you have taken on board the message that early career planning is a good thing but then get stuck trying to decide what to do and do nothing or consider options that arent the best fit.  Students often comment: “my flatmates are applying to do law and  banking maybe that’s what I should do?” and this is sometimes accompanied by wistfulness or envy.how come other students seem so sure and so confident about their choices!? Plenty of you feel panicked into applying for graduate jobs, as it feels better to do something than sit and procrastinate.  However, this can often prove to be counter-productive. Recruiters can spot a lack of focus or clear motivation a mile off  and typically these applications find end up on the reject pile. One rejection is hard to swallow but multiple rejections can be pretty demotivating. Why is it difficult to make career plans? Often its because nothing really stands out. Maybe youre a good all-rounder with no strong preferences. Perhaps youre fearful of making the wrong decision? Or maybe youre so busy enjoying life as a student, that youre putting career decision-making on the back burner for a while? Youre not alone Many, many students are unsure what they want to do beyond university, so you are not alone and it is quite normal  to feel pretty clueless about your career path. But the good news is you can move from a position  of anxiety and uncertainty to one of greater clarity and confidence. Heres how: Find out what makes you tick Ask yourself the following: what motivates/energises you;  what are you good at; what do you enjoy; what are your priorities; what are your non-negotiables; what matters most to you?   It may have to complete some of our online self-evaluation  activities and if youre looking to take it a step further why not try TARGETjobs Careers Report or Prospects Planner. See a careers consultant Many people mistakenly feel they must have an idea before they can come and discuss this. Not so. Careers consultants are trained to work in partnership with you to explore ideas and options. Sometimes you need a nudge to get you started talking to someone might just help.  Dont forget careers consultants are impartial and are not invested in any particular outcome, beyond helping you discover whats best for YOU. We can also help you to narrow down the possibilities if youre feeling overwhelmed. Follow your curiosity Sometimes the things which absorb us in our spare time  can provide clues as to where we are most fulfilled. This doesnt always translate well into a career, but some lucky folk are able to combine  both.  Dont worry if you decide on something that doesnt relate to your degree discipline. The skills and experience youve gained through your degree will never be wasted. You might become one of those individuals who unearth a job by chance conversations with interesting people. Read up on Planned Happenstance to see if this approach could work for you. Interview 6 people Find six people you don’t know well and ask them to share their career stories. It’s fascinating to hear how other people get to their current position. You might be surprised at their routes and could learn something that might apply to your own job search. Start tapping your networks: why not ask one of your primary connections on LinkedIn to introduce you to other people. Pretty soon, youll have more than six to choose from! Its also worth tapping icould   and CareerPlayer for video inspiration. Don’t make assumptions Remember that most recruiters arent looking for a specific degree unless theyre recruiting for technical or scientific roles. This gives you a vast array of careers and job functions to choose from.  Its also wise to consider the SME (small to medium-sized recruiters)  route, as this can be good way to gain a breadth of experience early on. Not to mention early responsibility.  SMEs need graduates who are willing to get stuck in and apply their problem solving skills across the business, not just a niche area.  Local SMEs have a strong showing at the Summer Careers Fair this year so come along and find out more! Do something Sometimes we can be frozen into inaction through indecision. The only way to approach this: do something.    Why not try out a short work experience placement just to see how you feel about it. If youre lucky you might enjoy it and decide its the right area for you but if not, well what have you lost? Nothing. In fact, youve got something to put on your CV and have eliminated a career sector its just as important to know what you dont want to do. Remember experience is never wasted and in time youll start to become clearer about your likes and dislikes. Accept there is no magic wand If youve ever attend careers or alumni events, youll be struck by how many grads have taken a more meandering path to career success.  A good number will tell you they didn’t plan to do the job theyre  currently in.  Most careers are not a vertical take -off with predictable progression. Most are  like crazy paving!  Just make sure to keep building your network, making contacts and trying to  â€˜stand in the path of opportunity’. Be flexible Maybe there are opportunities which are not a perfect fit’ but might be a good starting point. Given the fluctuating nature of the jobs market, consider taking something from which you may be able to gain valuable experience and move sideways from later on. And finally. Dont forget that our summer workshop programme the Finalist Career Success Toolkit is now open for bookings.  Its never too late to start thinking about your career. Just dont leave it so late that time and opportunity pass you by. Make the most of us while youre still on campus. Wed love to see you!

Writing a Resume For Working In A School

Writing a Resume For Working In A SchoolWriting a resume for working in a school can be difficult if you have never had any formal education before. But when you do, you will find that when it comes to making your resume stand out from the others, you can't go wrong with your choice of writing a resume for working in a school.No matter what degree you have obtained, or what kind of job you have had in the past, you still have the opportunity to get hired by a school when you apply for a job there. You may have even received an offer from the school already, but it is still wise to have your resume ready. That way, when you are asked for an interview, you will have a better chance of being hired.Be sure to understand how the process works when you are applying for a job at a school. It is likely that during the interview process, you will be asked to take an applicant evaluation form.When writing this form, it is imperative that you fill it out properly. If you do not complete it prop erly, it will only reflect badly on your resume. And most importantly, if you are asked to provide references, you should be able to provide them all with one quick request.The best way to impress the potential employer when it comes to writing a resume for working in a school is to list your job experience in chronological order. This will help to make you appear more organized and it will help you show that you are prepared to get work done. Having your work history listed in order of accomplishments will also show that you are truly interested in your job.Another thing to consider when you are writing a resume for working in a school is to include a section where you discuss your skills and abilities and also any training you have received in time management skills. This will help you to really show the potential employer that you are able to organize your life.It is also important to give specific information about your past and current education, such as when you received your Bachelor's degree, the type of degree that you received, and your specific course work. At this point, you may want to provide specific details about your teaching experience and a few other experiences. You can even include an area where you spent most of your time working, such as a volunteer position or internship.Working at a school may not always be the right place for you, but for some, it could be the perfect fit. By giving it some thought, you may be surprised by the results.

4 Lessons Learned from Job Search in 2010

4 Lessons Learned from Job Search in 2010 This post is one of many Career Collective posts by career and resume experts on things job seekers should keep an eye on in 2011 .   I am honored to be part of this group and want to thank   Miriam Salpeter, of Keppie Careers, and Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter, of Career Trend, for coordinating this initiative now on its second year.   You will find links to the other expert posts at the bottom.   I highly encourage you to read them all and bookmark them for future reference or sharing with friends and family.   If you are on Twitter, you can see our community by following #careercollective. January is a wonderful month to reflect on what worked and didnt work in 2010.   Granted, 2010 might be a year many job seekers want to forget, but there were many valuable lessons learned and things to do differently in the New Year. In my work with job seekers, there are some trends and practices that I want to make you are aware of. There is no magic bullet to a successful job search What I mean is, there is no single thing you can do to secure a new job.   It is a process and a project that needs to be managed.   When I talk to people whove landed new jobs and ask what their secret was, the answers usually fall into two camps:   their search became more focused   or they networked more and with greater clarity and sense of purpose. How Can You Focus Your Search Instead of applying for any job that looks close to what youve done in the past, go back to square one and really define what you love to do and what you are good at doing and what culture   will be a good match.   Now, research jobs and companies.   You can use tools like: ONet: a multifaceted tool to research occupations and skills, there is also a quick skills assessment- no cost Indeed: A job board aggregator searches most of the major job posting boards.   Look for job titles, key words, skill sets and also note the types of companies offering the jobs you are interested in. LinkUp:   Want to see what jobs are posted on company websites?   Many employers no longer pay to post on the job boards, using this tool, youll be able to find some of these jobs and perhaps stumble upon some new target companies along the way! Vault, Glassdoor, WetFeet, Jigsaw, and LinkedIn (Thanks to Barbara Safani for her reminder of these great tools) Make sure all your materials reflect the best you have to offer.   Your LinkedIn profile is not just a regurgitation of your resume, though your jobs and accomplishments must be listed.   It should read more like a bio and reflect your overall true self (mixed with a bit of salesmanship)! While you are at it, add some flare to your email signature!   I use WiseStamp, but whatever you do, make sure you include your contact information in this valuable communication tool! In What? You Arent Using An Email Signature, I reference insights from others on how to best utilize this commonly overlooked marketing strategy. How Can You Network More If networking is defined as sharing and acquiring information with people, you shouldnt have any issue with doing this.   There is a lot of information youll want to uncover and many questions left unanswered from your initial research.   Leverage your existing relationships first.   Be prepared by asking good questions and always have something to share with them! Oh, and dont forget to say Thank You. Manage your time more effectively.   Structure Your Week shows what a mapped out week might look like! Hiring Is Taking Longer The other thing that I learned from job seekers is that the interviewing process is taking longer.   The days of one interview and youre hired are gone. Plan for the long haul and know that it will take longer than you want! Social Media Recruiting to Grow Further in 2011, @debrawheatman Another Year, Another Job Search Begins, @GayleHoward In 2011, Increase Your Prospects With Better Differentiation, @WalterAkana Your Career Action Plan for the New Year, @KatCareerGal Trends Job Seekers Should Look For in 2011, @erinkennedycprw Things Every Job Seeker Should be Thinking About in 2011, @expatcoachmegan Let your presence be known or send out a red flag, @MartinBuckland @EliteResumes How to find a job in 2011: Pay attention to emotional intelligence, @Keppie_Careers 2011 Employment Trends Supercharged with Twitter, @KCCareerCoach 3 Traits for Facing Weather, Employment and Chronic Illness, @WorkWithIllness Everything old is new again @DawnBugni Career Trend 2011: Accountability + Possibility = Sustainability, @ValueIntoWords Career Tools to Check Out in 2011, @barbarasafani What Was in 2010, What To Expect in 2011, @chandlee The Future of Job Search: 3 Predictions and 2 Wishes, @JobHuntOrg

Summary Sunday Protect Your Career

Summary Sunday Protect Your Career Protect Your Career The workplace is changing. These changes will impact how you search for a job and how you manage your career! Protect your career and take a look at these five articles from this week.   Protect Your Career Dont dig your head in the sand. Stay alert and  be on the look-out for trends that impact your career like the training you should be seeking, how to negotiate a job offer, interviewing blunders, proof that networking works, but maybe not the way you think it does and my favorite post about why social media isnt just for marketing! INTERVIEWING Whoever Mentions A Number First, Loses: Is It Still Good Advice? by Liz Ryan, Human Workplace | Forbes Negotiating your job offer is an important skill. Do you know the rules? How To Overcome These Awkward Job Interview Moments | JobMob 9 real-life interview blunders you dont want to make! JOB SEARCH What LinkedIn Data Reveals About Who Will Help You Get Your Next Job by Vivian Giang  | FastCompany Why weak connections are more valuable than people who know you well and the mistakes we make in networking. SOCIAL MEDIA How Departments Who Arent Marketing Can Use Social Media by Aja Frost | Buffer Social media is being used by many different departments, will yours be next? CAREERS 5 Jobs That Will Be The Hardest To Fill In 2025 by Gwen Moran | FastCompany There is a labor shortage looming over the next decade, and jobs in these sectors will be the most difficult to fill according to the  April 2016 report from The Conference Board. Some of these may surprise you! These could be great career choices for new graduates or those looking to make a career change.