From Education to Own Business

From Education to Own Business Success Story > From: Job To: Startup From Education to Own Business “My partner asked me what I would do if I was not afraid. Spontaneously, I answered ‘I would quit my job’”. * From Education to Own Business Myriam Hadnes' creativity was being stifled â€" she longed for a new challenge. So, she started to reach out to others to explore her options. After a few wrong turns, she's now created work that leaves her feeling energised and full of ideas. Here's how she did it. What work were you doing previously? I was the strategic advisor to a university president. I led the strategy and planning office â€" a central advisory unit to the university leadership. Before that, I worked in Vietnam, supporting the development of the Vietnamese German University and in charge of setting up a study programme for Vietnamese students. What are you doing now? I've founded my own company (idayz), which offers paid masterminds for groups or teams who want to bring their ambitions to the next level. Masterminds are peer-mentoring groups that bring together four to six like-minded peers. idayz carefully composes groups who support and challenge each other, and who will sharpen their business or personal ambitions to accomplish goals through structure and peer accountability. The programme is based on scientific evidence from behavioural economics, design thinking and mindfulness. How did you feel in your work before you decided to make the change? I wasn't reaching my full potential and was about to burn out. I felt stressed because of office politics and a general organisational reluctance to make decisions. Although my team and I had great ideas and the support of a wide range of staff members, including the president himself, we got stuck in inefficient procedures, meaning that we couldn't move forward at a speed that we could maintain. Why did you change? I've spent my career within the public sector of higher education, but it came to the point where I felt stuck. I've always been driven by the ambition to create and always enjoyed an environment of constant development. I was eager to leave the public sector to find a position in a more dynamic environment. When was the moment you decided to make the change? Just over a year ago, my partner asked me what I would do if I was not afraid. Spontaneously, I answered “I would quit my job”. Four months later, I took the final decision, and I quit two months after that. How did you choose your new career? Initially I aimed to find a position within a 'corporate university' or the learning and development department of a large international company. After I quit my job, I spent four months reaching out to professionals who were doing jobs that I considered interesting and who had profiles that resonated with me (mostly from HR, learning and development or organisational development). I contacted them, asking for an informational interview of 15 minutes. Almost all agreed and were willing to share their expertise and advice. Some offered to meet in person and referred me to members of their network that they considered helpful for me. I was able to gather a wide range of information and feedback regarding my profile, skill set and experience. After four months I felt ready to apply for positions, but unfortunately it didn't work out as I expected. Without a background in HR it was impossible to get into the learning and development sector and with my PhD many considered me over-qualified for junior positions. I was offered one managing position within the research environment and realised that I didn't see myself 'managing' without 'creating'. When I asked my former team and bosses to fill in a short questionnaire in which I asked about my unique strengths, the problems they would call me to solve and my main achievements, I realised that the skill set I had wouldn't help me find a corporate job. After a few failed applications, and rather out of boredom, I joined a meet up with female entrepreneurs. In a conversation, I stated that I considered myself as a 'random idea generator and professional brainstormer'. One participant joked saying that I should throw idea parties. I sat with this idea for a while and eventually transformed it into the mastermind concept. Are you happy with the change? It's been the best decision I've ever taken in my life. I wake up energised, full of ideas that I can implement and test at my own speed. Two weeks after I registered my business, I finalised my first prototype that I tested with a group of friends. A month later, I tested the second prototype with a group of strangers and literally earned my first euro. Today, two months later, my webpage is live and I won my first corporate client (signed the contract today). My professional life could not be better. What do you miss and what don't you miss? I do miss working with my team and the certainty and comfort of having a regular income. I don't miss the strict working hours, or asking for permission to introduce and test new ways of doing things. How did you go about making the shift? Luckily, I had some savings that would allow me to survive for up to one year. Then, I went all in, not permitting myself to doubt. I read as much as I could about entrepreneurship, solo careers, dos and don’ts, and how to increase visibility. I work every day on my mindset so that I'm not scared about taking each next step. What didn't go well? What 'wrong turns' did you take? I was (and still am) unclear when it comes to money. Although I informed the participants of my last test run about my 'pay as you value' pricing model, and although they confirmed how satisfied they were with the course, they seemed reluctant to contribute. When I reached out asking whether they would contribute to help me cover the costs they seemed surprised. Now, I clearly communicate the contribution I expect from the beginning so that I can be certain of covering my costs. I will define a price tag as soon as the final product is ready and, until then, I'm not expecting to earn money but to concentrate on the learning I get with each test run. How did you handle your finances to make your shift possible? I had my year's savings to help me survive, and I agreed with my partner that we would cut down on any unnecessary expenses. What was the most difficult thing about changing? Keeping myself motivated and self-confident, knowing that I would fail for sure if I started doubting myself. Also, I had to learn to throw myself 'out there' â€" advertising myself and communicating my value proposition in a confident, unobtrusive way. I had to learn about accounting, content marketing and a new form of networking (compared to the lobbying for university goals I was used to). What help did you get? I received great emotional support from my partner, family and friends, and great advice from my professional network. I didn't get any financial support. What resources would you recommend to others? I spent (and am still spending) significant time listening to podcasts (such as Solopreneur Hour, Smart Passive Income from Pat Flynn, and Future of Work). I'm also reading books by Dorie Clark and Todd Henry, blogs, following online courses (Seth Godin on Udemy) and watching webinars, to learn from the best. Who succeeded in their solo-career? How did they do it? What mistakes can I avoid? There is so much free content out there that is very useful. The most important investment was a Linked In Pro subscription, to be able to approach interesting profiles for informational interviews and get in touch with potential clients. What have you learnt in the process? Not being afraid of trying. Not being afraid of asking, and the importance of listening. What would you advise others to do in the same situation? If you are ready to take the next step, go all in and invest your time and energy in following your path. I don't believe I would've been able to succeed if I had spent only 20% or even 50% of my time on the project. Dare to reach out to anyone who could help you, and don't let your ego stand in your way. To find out more about Myriam's business, visit www.idayz.nl What lessons could you take from Myriam's story to use in your own career change? Let us know in the comments below.

To Give And Receive - My Personal Advice Experiment - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

To Give And Receive - My Personal Advice Experiment - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career This week, I chose a day where I was going to listen and be influenced by others. As one who has given a lot of advice over the years, I thought my “day of advice and recommendations” would be a great gauge to see if I was as open receiving it as I thought I was. Putting it bluntly, I was not. My day of advice On my planned day, I sought advice/recommendations from friends, clients, a family member, the twitterverse, a neighbor, and an old business associate. The topics ranged anywhere from books to blogs, connections to creative input, and I told myself I would follow through on them all. John Steinbeck spoke a large amount of truth when he said, “No one wants advice â€" only corroboration.” I’ve seen this be true for many people and now witnessed it within myself. How unappealing is the person (and there are a few in your life right now) that asks for advice on a variety of occasions only to never use it? It alters your perception of them as a person. Now I had to ask myself, was I really that person? Insights gathered from my day The good news is that no matter the age, lessons can be learned. Here is what I learned from the exercise I encourage all of you to partake in: 1. People love giving advice/recommendations. Period. So ask for it when a fresh point of view could be helpful. 2. Don’t just ask anyone. The key is in the credibility of the sought. Only ask from those you find reliable in the area of which you seek advice. 3. Try to use the advice/recommendation a majority of the time you ask, it might surprise you. Remember you asked the person you did for a reason (if you follow #2). Trust their advice. 4. Follow up with your own feedback on their recommendation. It not only shows you valued their opinion enough to use it, but also shapes advice in the future. When you value someone’s opinion/taste/intelligence, asking for his or her advice is a wonderful demonstrator. Showcasing a collaborative spirit or a lack of a “know it all” persona speaks volumes for your personal brand. The key is in actually using it. This exercise taught me that soliciting one’s advice might be more telling of one’s personal brand then giving it. Try it for yourself and let me know how you do! Author: Katie Marston is a partner in VMGelement , a personal brand development company focusing on professional athletes. Follow her on Twitter at @ktmarston

Personal Branding Interview Nicole Williams - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Personal Branding Interview Nicole Williams - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Today, I spoke to Nicole Williams, who is a career expert, MSN columnist, TV personality and author of Girl on Top.   In this interview, Nicole explains how women can succeed in the workplace, what struggles women face that men dont, some career tips for job seekers, and more. What does it take for a woman to get ahead at work these days? I think the difference between some men and women is that men walk into a room and expect to be respected, whereas women walk into a room and expect to have to earn the respect. That needs to changeâ€"we’ve made so much progress proving that we deserve to be in the boardroomâ€"now we’ve just got to instinctively act like we belong. On top of that, it takes assertiveness, the ability to make an unpopular but important decision, and not settling for less than you deserve. What struggles do women still go through in the workplace that men dont? There’s this whole topic of sexuality in the workplace that’s still taboo. I think women have a hard time flaunting what they have (and I’m not talking physicallyâ€"I’m talking about the overall essence and attitude of being a woman) and using it to their advantage. What are your top three career tips for job seekers right now? It’s the age-old “it’s not what you know, but who you know.” I can’t say this enough. Most of the people who are getting jobs right now are getting them because they’ve been recommended by a friend or contact, so don’t just sit around sending out resumes from home. Fit in. Cater your resume, cover letter, interview attire and everything else to the company you are applying to. Borrow language from their mission statement and incorporate it into your interview documents and show up looking like you fit in with the culture. Draw the connections for them so they don’t have to. Don’t watch the news. It might sound funny, but it’s absolutely true. People are getting so bogged down and unmotivated by all the unpromising statistics and stories of doom and gloom. But the truth is that there are jobs out there, and you will find one if you are persistent enough. Employers will never turn someone down who is right for the position. How have you built your personal brand with your books and your media appearances? I’ve wrapped the topic of career (which, let’s face it, isn’t the most exciting thing in the world to talk about) in a larger context so that it’s relevant to a broader market. You can get “career advice” anywhere, but I try to take a different approach and give it a voice (big sister as opposed to teacher or mother) that is entertaining and authentic. Everything I do, whether it’s a book, an event, a media appearance, or web content, is styled in a way that’s not just the same old information they’ve been hearing for years. Out of all of your accomplishments, what are you the most proud of and why? My latest book, Girl on Top. Honestly, I didn’t know if I had another one in me. But this book is the most authentic thing I’ve ever written. It’s a merge of two things I inherently enjoy (dating and career), and I’ve given it my all. Now I get to bring it to life with our 15-city book tour and meet people on the road whose lives have been positively impacted by my advice and brand. Nicole Williams, Career expert and best selling author, is re-defining the world of workâ€"making it glamorous, entertaining and relevant to modern women. Nicole founded WORKS by Nicole Williams in 2006, the first media and content company focused on career development specifically for the highly dynamic and powerful market of young professional women.   Nicole is the author of two bestselling books; Wildly Sophisticated: A Bold New Attitude for Career Success (2004) and Earn What You’re Worth (2005). Her latest book Girl on Top. In 2004 Nicole co-created the hit career reality television series Making It Big. The show aired for two seasons on the Life Network in Canada and on the Oxygen Network in the US. Nicole was also the Motivational Expert on Real Simple. Real Life., the fifteen episode makeover series with TLC Real Simple Magazine (Watch Nicole on Friday Nights, 7pm Eastern).   Nicole is a frequent contributor to Elle, Self, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Marie Claire, The New York Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post and The Financial Times. She has also appeared as a regular contributor on The Today Show, ABC’s Primetime, Good Morning America, The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch, Fox News, and CNN, and is the “lifestyle for the working woman columnist” for MSN.

5 Tips for Conquering Business Traveling by Car

5 Tips for Conquering Business Traveling by Car What is your preferred method of business travel? Do you enjoy taking a plane? Would you rather travel by car, when possible? If you find yourself traveling to a business meeting by car, it’s important to take the right steps at the right time. In other words, there are things you have to do before you hit the road. There are also things to do once you’re behind the wheel. Unless you’ll be taking your own vehicle, it’s important to compare rental car companies. This makes it easy to not only find the right vehicle, but to also book the best possible deal. Once you find a rental car company nearby that you enjoy doing business with, you can rely on them time and time again. This makes it much easier to book a car when you need it (even if you’re on a tight schedule). Now, let’s take a look at five tips to follow when traveling to a business meeting by car: Choose the Right Size Vehicle. Are you traveling alone? If so, it’s safe to assume that you don’t need much space (unless you’ll be hauling a lot of equipment with you). For this reason, a compact or midsize car may be perfect. However, if you’re traveling with other people, such as a couple co-workers, you don’t want to skimp on space. There’s nothing worse than being crammed into a small car for an extended period of time. Note: you should also take fuel economy into consideration. A fuel efficient vehicle can go a long way in saving you money on the cost of gas. Map Your Route Even if you’ll have access to a GPS system, it’s important to map your route in advance. If you’re having a difficult time with this, turn to the internet for help. For example, use Expedia to find the address as well as any landmarks that are nearby (and on your route). This type of information may be just what you need to feel better about the route you are taking, as well as where you can (and should) stop along the way. When you neglect to map your route, you may find yourself on the road longer than necessary. Even worse, you could become lost, meaning that you don’t make it to your final destination on time. Leave Plenty of Time There is nothing worse than being in a rush on your way to a business meeting. This is even more stressful if you’re stuck behind the wheel and have no idea of where you are going (or you are stuck in traffic). Do yourself a favor and plan for the worst. If everything goes as planned, good for you. You’ll arrive with plenty of time to get prepared. Conversely, if something goes wrong, such as an accident that holds you up, you’ll have enough time to get back on track. Visit Your Hotel First Are you staying the night once you reach your destination? If so, it makes good sense to visit your hotel before you head to your business meeting. Of course, this all comes down to one thing: leaving yourself enough time. To improve your chance of this happening, book a hotel that is close to the location you’ll be visiting upon arrival. In big cities like Boston, you’ll have access to quite a few hotels. Your goal is to find the right hotel, in the right part of town, at the right price. Yes, this sounds like a challenge, but it’s more than possible when you spend the appropriate amount of time on your search. Don’t Take Risks It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling for business or pleasure, you never want to take risks on the road. Instead, you need to follow safety tips that will allow you to reach your destination without incident. An example of a risk would be driving in excess of the speed limit because you are running behind. Yes, you need to make up time so you don’t miss your meeting, but you shouldn’t risk your life in order to do so. There are things you should always do from a safety perspective, such as following the rules of the road, carrying an emergency kit, and knowing who to contact if something goes wrong with your vehicle. Conclusion Even if you prefer to fly to every business meeting, there may come a time when this doesn’t make the most sense. In this case, it won’t be long before you find yourself behind the wheel and in full control of every move you make. With the above tips in mind, you’ll find it much easier to travel to your next business meeting by car. At first, you may not be comfortable with this mode of transportation. Over time, however, things will begin to make more sense. In fact, you may soon find yourself enjoying this approach to business travel. Do you often travel for business? Do you have a preferred mode of transportation? Do you have any additional tips to share for people traveling by car? Don’t hesitate to leave your advice and feedback in the comment section below. With your words of wisdom, other business travelers may find it easier to get behind the wheel and hit the road.

How to Write a Resume Paper

How to Write a Resume PaperWhile there are many important aspects of a resume to keep in mind, it is imperative that you also make a good first impression. When you create your resume, the first thing you should do is to make sure that you know how to put together a resume paper.The first thing you should be thinking about when you are putting together your resume is how to write it. Having a good idea of how to write a resume will go a long way towards improving your chances at getting a job.One of the most important aspects of writing a resume is making sure that your resume is clear and to the point. When you are talking to a recruiter, they are not going to read several pages of a long, dull resume. A clear and concise resume will get them to glance over it and figure out what you are after much faster.A good part of making sure your resume is as clear as possible is to make sure that you do not go overboard. This is where it is important to have an outline. Instead of trying to cram everything into one page, outline your resume in a way that makes sense. This is important because your resume will need to have room for the things that are best included on that page.The next part of making sure that your resume paper is easy to read is by spelling things properly. When you are looking for a job, it is especially important that you make sure that you get it right the first time. If you cannot spell or write well, it will be difficult for someone else to get the job you want.Since your resume paper should have a lot of space left for you to list your experience, it is important that you also use this space for things that will make you stand out. Some examples of things that you can include on your resume paper include: what you have done for your church or company, which charitable cause you have worked with, and the results you have gotten from your project. As you go through your resume paper, see if there is anything you can change or add that will help yo u make the best impression possible.Another part of making your resume paper easy to read is making sure that you use headings. Instead of just listing your skills and experience, list each of these things in a particular order. This will make it easier for the person reading it to see what is important to you. By following this principle, you can make sure that your resume paper is more than enough space for you to state your qualifications.Remember that a resume paper can have as much space as you need to list your qualifications. The key is to make sure that you use the space appropriately. By making your resume paper easy to read, you will be on your way to getting the job you want!

Top 10 Job Search Predictions for 2016 - CareerEnlightenment.com

Okay, so maybe that’s an exaggeration. The point is that almost every recruiter will be checking your online profiles to make sure the details there line up with your resume. They’ll also be looking for similarities among your various profiles. If they spot differences, they’ll be less likely to trust you and your qualifications.Present a consistent brand across all your profiles. For example, use the same profile picture everywhere. But remember that casual photos aren’t appropriate for every company; the same goes for formal photos.6. Companies will seek more outsourced talent2016 will be the year when a major global shift in employment will pick up steam: More companies will start to look for outsourced talent in the form of consultants, freelancers, outside providers, and contractors.This trend is a real opportunity if you’ve always wanted to try your hand at one of these independent positions. Market your professional experience to date as consulting or freelancing, an d have a go in this new section of the job market.7. Blogging to establish thought leadershipIf you want to be recognized as a thought leader or key influencer in your industry, you must find a channel of expression, preferably a blog. Even LinkedIn has a special blogging platform that makes it easy for professionals to share their expertise and promote their personal brands.Writing blog posts is a great way to drive more traffic to your LinkedIn profile. The beauty of this is that LinkedIn content usually ranks very high on Google, so by posting and sharing relevant and interesting articles full of keywords recruiters that look for, youll attract the attention of the whole industry â€" including hiring managers and business owners looking for fresh talent.8. Passive recruitment numbers will riseIn 2016, recruiters will be more determined than ever to hunt for passive candidates. This means that even if youre already working your dream job, you should be ready to jump ship if a grea t career opportunity presents itself at your doorstep.Have your resume ready at all times, not just when you decide to quit your job and start looking for new opportunities. A resume that showcases your achievements and reflects your personal brand will serve as a crucial element in passive recruitment. After all, maybe someone is already checking your profile, and you just don’t know it yet.9. Paying people to job search for youIt sounds surprising, but industry experts are convinced that 2016 will be the year of job search outsourcing. This means that an increasing number of job seekers will resort to hiring private services in their country (or even on an international scale) to manage aspects of the job search, such as company research, social media networking, and relationship management10. Video recruitmentCompanies have been using video in their recruitment process more and more, and 2016 will be no exception. In fact, this is the year when video recruitment will mature.Wha t does this mean for you? Two words: video resumes. If you want to create a video resume, find a way to sound authentic and original. Focus on one accomplishment and show in detail why it was challenging for you, what you did, and what the results were. Also, be sure to offer something different from other candidates.When your video is complete, you can attach it to your LinkedIn profile, where it can further showcase your professional experience and personal brand.

Interview Prep - Tips for Building Confidence and Getting that Dream Job - Margaret Buj - Interview Coach

Interview Prep - Tips for Building Confidence and Getting that Dream Job How to Prepare for an Interview Tips for building confidence and getting that dream job By Honey Patel, Founder of  Career  Companion Job interviews can be an intimidating process, even for the most confident people â€" but there’s one simple secret that will help you make the right impact and keep your career on track â€" preparation. With the right preparation, you’ll showcase your skills with confidence and walk out with your head held high. Without it, even the most skilled people are likely to drop the ball under this kind of pressure. So, how do you prepare for a job interview? There are two key ingredients for success: content and delivery. Content refers to knowing the specific answers to questions you’re likely to get during the interview process. Delivery is about how you communicate â€" through your tone, volume, clarity of speaking, etc. Think of it this way: What would you do if you had to give a Ted Talk? Firstly, you’d spend time drafting and redrafting your content so that it’s engaging, interesting and relevant to the subject. Then you’d practice it over and over again, on audio, on video and even with a test audience until it was perfect. You can essentially use the same process for interviewing. Here’s how: Step One: Prepare Your Content â€" Interview questions often focus on specific areas of your skills, the industry you work in, your career plans and your ability to work with people. It’s important to consider what these questions will focus on and prepare your answers in advance. Some popular questions to include are: What are your strengths and areas of improvement? Where do you see yourself in 1-3 years? Describe a situation when you solved a job-related problem Remember to keep these questions relevant to your experience and to the job you’re interviewing for and take the time to ensure that you’re covering all your bases. Career Companion gives you the perfect space to do this step of your interview preparation. The platform offers 100+ interview questions to choose from (as well as the functionality to set your own questions) and the space to answer each question in full detail. By answering your chosen questions in simple 3-point structured responses in an outline format, you don’t have to prepare a full script â€" just outline the 3 key points you want to hit. Step Two: Practice Interviewing This is where your ‘mock interview’ comes in to play. It’s a simple process where you stimulate a real interview environment by having someone interview you for a specific role. You can ask a family or friend to do this, and Career Companion has a list of tools where you can mock interview online. Here, you can focus on delivering your 3-point responses to familiarize yourself with interview situations and ensure that you’re communicating clearly with your ‘interviewer’. Practice makes perfect and by knowing your content from start to finish, you’ll feel confident in your interview skills and with the interview environment itself. Remember, your interview is part what you say and part how you say it â€" and preparation is key to conquering both these elements!