The top courses to help you get hired February 2020

The top courses to help you get hired February 2020 by Amber Rolfe Congratulations, you made it through the 163 days of JanuaryThe beginning of a new year always feels like a fresh start, making it the perfect time to set yourself some goals for the year ahead and decide what you want from the next 12 months. And if you’re looking to   learn something new, then youre in the right place.  Here are three of the top sectors you can get qualified in this month:  Project Management  Want to feel like project management royalty? PRINCE2 ® can get you there.  There are a number of PRINCE2 ® Accredited Courses on offer, at both foundation and practitioner level. By enrolling, you can gain the skills and certifications of one of the worlds most widely-adopted project management methods. Not to mention that becoming a registered PRINCE2 ® Practitioner can help boost your career in the industry.You also have the option to study to become MSP and ITIL accredited, or take one of the five courses from Six Sigma offering a mixture of their Green Belt and Black Belt courses.With so many great courses to choose from, youre bound to find something that suits your current situation, whether youre an existing project manager, a project executive, a team leader or a complete newbie looking to get your foot on the project management ladder.  Gaining new qualifications is always beneficial for your career. And in taking one or more of these project management courses you can increase your employment opportunities and find yourself in the running for higher-salaried roles.  Perfect for: People who are always organised and keep cool under pressure.What do I need? If you’re starting at Foundation level, you won’t need any previous qualifications to get started. However, if you want to study at PRINCE2 ® Practitioner level, you’ll need to gain a PRINCE2 ® Foundation qualification first.    How long will it last? The length of the courses range anywhere between 12 hours to 12 months depending on the level of the course youâ €™ve chosen.  View all project management coursesMortgage AdvisorWant to become a highly sought after professional in the mortgage advice industry? We’ve got you covered.  By taking a Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice (CeMAP ®) course, you’ll gain the knowledge, skills and qualifications that will allow you to flourish in the financial world. Exploring all policies and practices that affect mortgages, mortgage laws, UK regulation, issues and arrears, and more, you’ll get an in depth look into the world of mortgage products and services.  This qualification is a mark of excellence in the finance industry and is held by a staggering 80% of mortgage advisors   making it a benchmark for success in the industry.  And thanks to the ongoing skills gap in this field, it could also make you a highly desirable candidate. Trust us, your CV will thank you.  Throughout the course, you’ll be provided with 24/7 support from a tutor and will have access to the course materials fo r 6 months. Through interactive lessons, videos, study materials and specimen papers, you’ll cover 7 different CeMAP ® units, which are broken down into three papers.  Perfect for: People who are good at advice.What do I need? As the course covers CeMAP Papers 1, 2 and 3, you don’t need any prior qualifications to enrol but enthusiasm and a willingness to learn is essential.How long will it last? The course will take around 90 hours to complete, but students will have access to the materials for 6 months.View all mortgage advisor coursesCare WorkerIt’s time to get qualified for a job you care about.  The online Health and Social Care Level 3 Course is split into 8 modules designed to teach students all the underlying principles and skills for working in the Health and Social Care industry.  The course covers a range of important subjects, crucial for working with vulnerable individuals. These include equality, the importance of communication, safeguarding those in your care, your role as a caregiver and other key policies for working in the health and social care industry.  This is an eLearning course and you will have access to the materials as soon as you enrol. 24/7 access to the learning portal and course materials means you can work at a time and pace that suits your lifestyle.  The course culminates in a number of end of module interactive quiz questions, followed by an online multiple choice assessment. This will assess how well you understood the different modules outlined in the Health and Social Care Level 3 Course.Perfect for: People who care.  What do I need? There are no entry requirements to enrol in Health and Social Care Course Level 3, although if you want to build a better understanding of the industry it could be beneficial to take Level 2 before you sign up.    How long will it last? Usually around 12 months, although you’ll be able to study at your own pace.  View all care worker coursesNot sure which course is right for you? View all available courses 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 Features

Personal Brand Audit Whats Your Online Visibility Score - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Personal Brand Audit Whats Your Online Visibility Score - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career This is the fourth in a series of Personal Brand Audits, where we’ll make sure you’re keeping the touch points of your personal brand effective and up to date. (See Part 1: LinkedIn Audit, Part 2: Facebook Audit, and Part 3: Google Audit). What is visibility? The hallmark of a strong personal brand online is the ability to be found when someone searches for you on the web. The first step to ensure you can be found is to create profiles on major professional networks and directories that rank highly in search engine results. Besides your “home base” website if you have one, these form the foundation of your personal brand online. Visibility Part I: Profiles 1. Do you have a complete Google Profile? A Google profile helps you control Google results by creating a profile that shows up when people search your name. This helps others find the right information when they search for you. Create a professional page that outlines your accomplishments, career goals, and links to your blog and other profiles. Create your Google profile now. 2. Do you have a complete LinkedIn Profile? LinkedIn is an absolute requirement to build visibility for your personal brand online. If you havent already, drop everything and read Dan Schawbels post, How to Build Your Personal Brand on LinkedIn. It extends your network, showcases your expertise and simplifies your job search by making your connections to other companies transparent. Create your LinkedIn profile now and make sure it is filled to one hundred percent completion (LinkedIn will guide you through the process). 3. Do you have a complete Twitter Profile? Twitter is a massively popular social networking and microblogging service that extends your network, builds your brand (if used right) and increases your visibility. Create your Twitter profile now and implement the tips in Dan Schawbels excellent post, How to Build Your Personal Brand on Twitter. 4. Do you have a FriendFeed profile? FriendFeed creates a news feed that aggregates your activity on social networks, much like Facebook’s news feed. It gives people an easy way to stay up to date with your activity on the web and ranks highly in search engines. Create your FriendFeed profile now. 5. Do you have a Gravatar? Claim your Gravatar (globally recognized avatar) so that your blog comments and other online activity are associated with a consistently branded headshot. Claim your Gravatar now. Visibility Part II: Directories Directories are like online Yellow Pages for people. They rank highly in Google searches and make it easier to find the real you. Create a profile on the directories below to increase relevant Google results for your name. Make sure your profiles include your bio, headshot, a link to your LinkedIn profile and links to the other places you exist on the web. 6. Do you have a complete ZoomInfo profile? ZoomInfo is a comprehensive source of business information on people that ranks highly in search engines. Create your ZoomInfo profile now. 7. Do you have a complete Plaxo profile? Plaxo is an online address book and professional networking service that automatically updates the contact information of your contacts and ranks highly in search engines. Create your Plaxo profile now. 8. Do you have a complete Naymz profile? Naymz is a reputation management and networking service for professionals that ranks highly in search engines. Create your Naymz profile now. 9. Do you have a complete Classmates profile? Classmates is a massive directory of high school and college alumni where you can find and reconnect with old friends that ranks highly in search engines. Create your Classmates profile now. 10. Do you have a complete Ziggs profile? Ziggs is a business community where you create an online profile that ranks highly in search engines. Create your Ziggs profile now. 11. BONUS: Do you interlink your profiles? Link from your profiles to each of your other profiles. This is important because search engines like Google count every link to a web page as a “vote” for that page. Google results are often described as a popularity contest because the pages that come up highest in searches for your name are generally the pages that have the most credible sites linking to it. Because of this, you’ll want to get as many sites linking to your profiles as possible. That means you need to “interlink” all of your profiles to increase the Google rank of each. (For more specific tactics to show up highly in search results for your name, see my last post, Google Audit). Tally Up: What’s your Google audit score? Tally up your answers to determine your Visibility score. If you scored 0-4, take a few minutes right now to improve your standing. If you scored 5-7, set some time aside this weekend to improve your score. If you scored 8-10, you’re on the ball â€" keep up the great work. Here are the audit points, to recap: Do you have a complete Google Profile? Do you have a complete LinkedIn Profile? Do you have a complete Twitter Profile? Do you have a FriendFeed profile? Do you have a Gravatar? Do you have a complete ZoomInfo profile? Do you have a complete Plaxo profile? Do you have a complete Naymz profile? Do you have a complete Classmates profile? Do you have a complete Ziggs profile? BONUS: Do you interlink your profiles? Good luck, have fun, and remember: a little personal branding effort now pays off dividends later. Author: Pete Kistler is a leading Online Reputation Management expert for Generation Y, a top 5 finalist for Entrepreneur Magazine’s College Entrepreneur of 2009, one of the Top 30 Definitive Personal Branding Experts on Twitter, a widely read career development blogger, and a Judge for the 2009 Personal Brand Awards. Pete manages strategic vision for Brand-Yourself.com, the first online reputation management platform for job applicants, named one of the Top 100 Most Innovative College Startups in the U.S.

Social Media Marketing Plan in 7 Steps - Classy Career Girl

Social Media Marketing Plan in 7 Steps The key to creating your social media marketing plan is to remember that its not just  about  posting content everywhere. Instead, be strategic on how you use your social media accounts. Remember, social media is rented space. You can’t guarantee you will always have visibility on your social media accounts. Like we have seen recently, many people are leaving Facebook to dive into Instagram since there are fewer ads on the platform and it is easier to get visibility for your services and products. The most important thing about social media, though, is to remember you are building relationships with your target market. The key is to build relationships on social media and then invite these leads to join your email list. If you dont have an email list yet, start one today. You can easily start a free email list with mailchimp.com. Here are some strategies to keep in mind when creating your social media marketing plan: 1. Focus on ONE Platform. To start, focus on only one platform where your ideal clients are hanging out and get really great at it. Dive in, spend lots of time on it and really grow a following of ideal clients in your target market. Once you have one platform down,  then you can  add other platforms that you occasionally post to but continue to stay focused on your #1! 2.  Recycle Content Use the same content across platforms if possible. Recycle! If you post a great quote photo on Instagram, use it the next week on Facebook.  You want your brand to come alive on each social media platform separately so dont post the same content every day, but mix it up and go back into the archives and consistently repost. Content doesnt always have to be new! 3. Dont Sell No one wants to feel like they are being sold to, but people do value education and inspiration. So, how can you provide value and position yourself as an expert on social media? Then, provide FREE ebooks, webinars, or services to your social media followings to have them take the next step for you to be able to help them. Remember, its not all about selling. You are HELPING, right? 4. Keep Personal Stuff to the Minimum Yes, people may want to know you and what your dog looks like, but keep that stuff on your personal profiles. Our followings and brand growth occurred when we stopped posting all about us and started posting more of what we knew our clients needed and wanted. An occasional photo of behind the scenes or what the CEO or Founder of your company is up to is totally fine, but keep your photos, links, and profiles on brand as much as possible so your followers know what they can expect from you. When you follow CCG on Instagram, you dont see pics of my family anymore. You see consistent messaging about career motivation and work inspiration multiple times a day. If you want to follow me personally, just send me a friend request on Facebook instead. 5. Create a Plan  Stick to a Schedule No wasting time! You dont want to be last minute posting to your social media platforms because you need to be focusing on revenue generating activities 80% of the time in your business. So, 20% of your week, try batching your social media accounts using postplanner, HootSuite, or directly to Facebook. Focus on working ON your business, not in your business as much as possible. 6. Create a Content Library. Use Evernote or Dropbox to create a content library  so you always have an easy place to find quotes, ideas, and photos.  Gather tips, photos, questions, and quotes you can use across platforms. This is also a great thing to start delegating, because as soon as you have a content library, you can start replacing yourself by handing things off to a virtual assistant. 7. Curate Other Peoples Content Dont know what to post? No worries! Part of being a great social media marketing manager is finding great content to share and curating other peoples content. For example, you can retweet other peoples tweets. You can #regram other peoples photos on Instagram, and you can share other peoples links on Facebook. Your followers will look to you as a great resource for content and the go-to place to find information about your topic. P.S. Click here to download our free one-month social media profit calendar + all the social media tools we use to automate our business. Share a link to your favorite social media marketing platform in the comments below. [Photo: Jessie Howie]

Is a Valentines Day Look Really Necessary

Is a Valentines Day Look Really Necessary Are you putting your Valentines Day Look together? Of course you are! Ever since Junior High us ladies have searched high and low for the perfect Valentines Day outfit to wear out to help Cupid out with his yearly match-making. January 2nd we put away our gold and beer glass sunglasses and begin to search pink dress, red pumps or even a nice  toga (hey Cupid is an extremely fashionable little dude). But my question is Is it necessary? I am always looking for a new look, but to be honest, I have never been one for buying a new outfit for Valentines Day. I can never decide red or pink and neither colors can be put together, its wardrobe taboo for me. Also, I  am not one for the Im single lets have a girls night out and going to a party seems too high school VDAY party. However,  a few of my friends have been asking for tips for the VDAY-wear and I am going to share those tips with you lovelies. Valentines Day Brunch. Wear something very cute and modest, with a little bit of edge. Try a mint green suede or leather jacket with a lace dress and moto boots. Add pink accessories to make your look pop! A nude lip and subtle eye makeup is perfect for this look. Cocktails with the Girls. Cocktails with your chicas should always be a fun look, so try a white coat and a tube pink dress paired with black pumps so that you are able to wear these pieces later with other garments in your wardrobe. Try a pink lip and a smoky-eye for a vibrant and fun make up palette. Silver jewelry is your best for this look, your dress will have enough color, you dont want to ooze pinkness! Valentines Date Night. I feel that red is always a great color for date night because it is so romantic and dare I say, sexy! So try a red peplum dress. The peplum dress is great for any body-type. It gives curves for ladies with small curves and flatters women with bigger curves and attributes. I am a firm believer that on a date a woman should look classy, so a classic black trench would be perfect for date night. A silver heel will had a littlesparkle to your look as well as silver jewelry. Depending on your skin tone or comfortability, try a red lip. If the red lip is too much for you, go with a nude lip. What are your Valentines Day Plans? Do you have a different look in mind for brunch, Cocktails with the Girls or Date Night? Do you feel a new look is necessary for Valentines Day or Not? Slider picture from  http://blog.tinyprints.com/things-to-know/you-tell-us/treats-and-sweets-for-valentines-day-you-tell-us/

3 Themes for Writing Your Brand Story - Career Pivot

3 Themes for Writing Your Brand Story - Career Pivot Brand story themes I previously wrote about the 3 Key Elements to a Brand Story. They are: Strong opening Memorable Label Brand Theme The challenge is often coming up with a brand theme. Depending on your particular situation, you may want to tell a story about: How a major event impacted your life and career A common theme throughout your life and career Some talents that you want to demonstrate using a set of proof points Major event Some of us have had major events that propelled us into a career. In my case, it was a bicycle accident where I had a head on collision with a car and our combined speeds exceeded 50 miles per hour. This led me to teach high school math in an inner city school, develop non-profit fundraising programs, and now, to be a career designer. In my post on 3 Key Elements to a Brand Story I mentioned Tonya Clements‘ story and it was all about mountain climbing and how she trekked Mount Everest. Okay not everyone has climbed Mount Everest or survived a crazy bicycle accident. I had one client who danced ballet in her younger years, and that shaped much of the rest of her working life. The drive, discipline, and the artistic expression from ballet were what defined her brand. Common theme There are some of you that have worked across multiple industries and used many different skills. There is usually a common theme that ties your career together. Very often, you will not see the theme, but if you can find a friend, relative, or colleague to help you, it may become evident. I had one client who worked across many industries. This included: EKG technician Selling computers for leading technology companies Developing processes and then training salespeople in the financial industry Commercial real estate developer Residential real estate broker The common theme throughout her career was that it was all about people and processes. This works well if you have had a varied career, working in multiple industries or career paths. Listen to the most recent episode Proof points If you have had a very stable career in a single discipline or industry and want to stay put, then use proof points to demonstrate that you know your stuff! I am currently working with a product manager in the software industry. We created a powerful opening around the concept that he brings problems into focus. He came up with three examples in three different areas where he demonstrated that he could take a problem and make it understandable to his management, team, customers, stakeholders, etc. These clearly demonstrate that he knows his stuff. We have now handed the task of writing the story to someone who knows him well. Which method will work for you? It will depend! Do you want to change industries or careers? If so, the proof point theme probably will not work. Has a single event or activity had a major impact in your life? Not all of us have this kind of experience. Plus, you might have to do some significant reflection to truly understand the impact of such an event or activity. No matter what theme you choose you will want to get some help, either from a friend or a professional. You will not want to do this alone! What theme works for you? This post is part of a weekly series on the Personal Branding Blog. You can read the original post on the Personal Branding Blog. Marc Miller Like what you just read? Share it with your friends using the buttons above. Like What You Read? Get Career Pivot Insights! Check out the Repurpose Your Career Podcast Do You Need Help With ...

Why todays economy is working for millennials (and not so much for boomers)

Why todays economy is working for millennials (and not so much for boomers) Why todays economy is working for millennials and not so much for boomers Americans have many reasons to be excited when it comes to the current state of the economy. The national unemployment rate is at a seven-year low, and the country has had several successive months of job growth across a number of different industries. According to new data released by Udemy, the leading global marketplace for learning and teaching online, 83 percent of Americans feel very or somewhat secure in their current jobs, and many are optimistic about the upward trajectory of their careers. But the survey also revealed millennials benefit the most from today’s economy, while boomers are left behind. The Udemy data shows that nearly 80 percent of millennials believe they’ll see a salary increase this year compared to 58 percent of boomers who believe the same. The vast majority of millennials also reported they made more money in 2014 than they did in 2013. Significantly fewer boomers (66 percent) said the same. So what gives? Boomers are more experienced workers, which you would think would put them in a better position to thrive in an economic upswing. Here are three reasons why the reality is not so simple: 1. Millennials are forcing workplaces to cater to their preferences Millennials are now the largest generation in the workforce and companies are making concerted efforts to meet their needs. Studies show millennials seek collaborative work environments where they can receive constant feedback and mentorship, while boomers prefer a structured system where they receive feedback at predictable times. Rather than wanting constant feedback, boomers tend to have the mindset of “give me my objectives and get out of my way.” According to a recent poll conducted by MTV, 80 percent of millennials said they want regular feedback from their managers, and 75 percent yearn for mentorship. Additionally, millennials care about working at an organization that makes an impact. Millennials are more concerned with corporate social responsibility than any other generation, ranking issues of hunger and poverty, the environment, human rights and education as most important. Millennials also have a lot to give back to their employers. More than 74 percent of non-millennials agree that millennials have valuable skills and insights to offer. Millennials grew up with technology that the older generations didn’t have and are used to multitasking and working on their own schedules. While new entrants to the workforce still have much to learn from older generations, they will continue to benefit from the growing economy as the workforce adapts to meet their needs. 2. Millennials dominate the sharing economy The growing economy is giving millennials many opportunities to get creative with how they make money. According to the Udemy survey, half of all respondents said the sharing economy is a good source of income, but boomers are generally more pessimistic about it. About 27 percent of boomers think sharing economy jobs lack prestige and 24 percent think they are only for unskilled work. That’s compared to 10 percent of millennials who answered those questions in the same way. Of the individuals who said they have earned money through the sharing economy, 76 percent are millennials compared to just 17 percent of Gen Xers and 7 percent of boomers. Not to mention, 69 percent of millennials feel the country would be better off with more self-employment, compared to just 44 percent of boomers. Freelance workers now make up 34 percent of the workforce and that number is projected to increase by another 50 percent in the next five years. As millennials opt for more flexible careers, they will continue to benefit from the rise of the freelance economy. 3. Millennials prioritize work-life balance and it’s paying off It’s no secret that millennials prioritize work-life balance above most everything else in the workplace. Companies have had to adjust many of their policies to create an inviting environment for younger workers. Many employers are implementing unlimited paid vacation policies and results-only work environments, where employees are only measured by their results, not the amount of time they spend in the office. It’s been difficult for many boomers to cope with these changing policies. According to the U.S. President’s Study of Work-Life Balance, 80 percent of baby boomers report moderate to high levels of stress because they routinely sacrifice family and personal time for their employers, despite new work-life balance policies. In addition to handling the stress of senior-level positions, many boomers face health issues or care for aging family members. Studies show that a lack of work-life balance leads to disengagement and absenteeism. While older generations viewed work-life balance as a “nice to have,” millennials view work-life balance as a “must have.” Employees who take advantage of new company policies that encourage work-life balance, most often millennials, are happier and more productive. Three in four millennials say work-life balance drives their career choices. Ultimately, this is helping millennials advance their careers and make the most of the current environment. There are several factors that play into why millennials are outpacing older generations in the growing economy. Many of these factors have to do with how the current workplace is adapting to meet their needs and millennials’ willingness to take advantage of opportunities outside traditional 9-to-5 work. Millennials are seeing the most benefits from the booming economy, and have much to look forward to as they continue to forge ahead in their careers. 4. Boomers don’t need to get left behind. While it’s true that times are changing, the boomer generation has much to contribute to the growing economy and today’s workplace. Tactics to stay in the game: Get fit, stay fit, and create your own work-life balance. Upgrade your tech tools â€" phone, tablet, laptop â€" and be sure you can use them and all the appropriate apps. Willingly and skillfully mentor the younger generations and generously impart your wealth of knowledge.

Writing Resume and CV Articles on Academic Subjects

Writing Resume and CV Articles on Academic SubjectsThe key to a great online resume and CV is the one subject that most employers use when evaluating applicants. The subject of your undergraduate or graduate history is an essential part of your application that, in many cases, goes unnoticed.This is why you must make a concerted effort to include all of your courses in the graduate school application process. Even if you took only a few of them, those subjects are the ones most employers use when assessing your application. They are also the subjects that, in most cases, people will write about first.Employers know that your resume is your chance to show what you have accomplished so far in your career, and what you have planned for the future. These admissions essays are your way to shine through and show your strengths and weaknesses. They are also your opportunity to build your credibility as a future candidate for graduate school.When writing a resume, it is important to remember that academic subjects are not the only things that are important. In fact, while academic subjects are a good place to start, they are not necessarily the only things that need to be covered. You can cover your academic background in one page. Add something about your job history, employment experience, and other areas.The Internet is a great resource for both resumes and CV's. There are literally thousands of sites that offer everything from resume writing tips to sample essays. One of the best ways to research sites is to visit forums that discuss specific topics.Online forums tend to be quite helpful because they offer real life examples and advice. They also provide a way for students to interact with one another who are looking to go into graduate school. An online forum is also a great way to build relationships and learn about the requirements for admission to graduate school.It is a good idea to visit at least a couple of forums and see what they have to offer. Even if a p articular site does not seem like a good fit, there are many others out there that are likely to meet your needs. Online forums also provide a great way to find information on how to write your own essay, how to choose the right education style, and more.While all of these are not applicable to all writing resumes and CV's, they are important topics to think about. Graduate school applications are not designed to evaluate a student's ability to perform, but rather to convince an employer that you are an excellent candidate for that specific position. Writing a curriculum vitae is just one of the many skills that you will need to be successful in graduate school.