From Customer Services to Project Management

From Customer Services to Project Management Success Story > From: Job To: Job From Customer Services to Project Management “I felt like every day I spent at work was wasted.” * From Customer Services to Project Management Laura Prado found it hard to speak up for herself at work, even though she wasn't stimulated or challenged. But then shefound the courage to ask for help. Here's how shediscoveredthe confidence to be herself, and to find work that finally fits. What work were you doing previously? I wasCustomer Services Manager for a tech company. What are you doing now? I've just started an exciting new role in project management. I'm also spending lots of time on a creative hobby I've fallen head-over-heels in love with! Why did you change? I was feeling very frustrated in my job. I'd been working in customer services for years, and I could almost do the work in my sleep. My colleagues were wonderful and the company was lovely to work for, so I wasn't unhappy. But I didn't feel stimulated or challenged by my work, and that really bothered me. I would end each working day feeling I had wasted it. That constant feeling of frustration sapped my energy, so that all I felt able to do when I got home was sit lifelessly in front of the TV. My partner and friends were happy to have easy jobs that paid the bills, so at times I wondered if there was something wrong with me. But I knew I wanted more. When was the moment you decided to make the change? I realised that I was the only person holding me back. I hate the idea of inconveniencing anyone. I've always preferred to go along with other people's suggestions and expectations, rather than say anything for myself. My first career was in journalism, but that's because both of my parents are journalists, so it was expected. But I didn't enjoy having to ask strangers questions they clearly didn't want to answer. Then I started working in customer services because a friend recommended me for a role, not because it was something I had chosen to do. I realised that if I was going to find work I love, I would also have to find the courage to be myself, and ask for what I want. How did you choose your new career? I started by approaching an artist I'd been following online, and asking her for a meeting. She makes beautiful pictures with rolled paper in different colours â€" a process called quilling â€" and I was curious to know how she had developed a business from it. I didn't expect her to reply, so I was thrilled when she responded positively. It might sound silly, but I'll never forget how elated I felt when I saw her lovely message in my inbox! I learned a lot from our meeting. So much, in fact, that I've taken up quilling myself. It's just a hobby at the moment, but I really enjoy being creative. I've also just started a brand new role in project management. It's a job I've never done before, but I thought the company and the people sounded fantastic. The role also brought together some elements of work I really enjoy, such as collaborating with others and doing detailed, challenging work I find meaningful. In my application and interview, I decided to talk honestly about the kind of work I was really looking for, rather than just saying whatever I thought the company might want to hear. I felt that if I was truly myself and they didn't want to hire me, then the role wouldn't be right for me. But I was offered it straight away! Are you happy with the change? Yes. My project management role is still very new, so it's hard to tell if it's going to work out in the way I hope it will, but it's started really well. I know I'm going to learn a lot, and I won't be afraid to speak up if there are other areas I'd like to get involved in. I'm also really enjoying the quilling. Not only do I absolutely love it, but I've also discovered I'm good at it. I hope that one day, I might be able to make a business from my art. I feel like I'm using my days better in every single way. Because I'm constantly challenging myself I'm much happier, and this has impacted positively on my home life. It sounds strange, but I'm even feeling motivated to clean my house more regularly! What do you miss? The people I worked with in my previous role were lovely, so I miss them. Sometimes I wish I could have moved them all with me to my new job! How did you go about making the shift? I read a motivational article on the Careershifters website, and that encouraged me to sign up for their Career Change Launch Pad. The course helped me think about what I'm really good at, then test out some of my ideas in a safe and supportive space. It also helped me discover the confidence to be bold and ask for the things I really want. What didn't go well? What wrong turns did you take? I thought I knew a lot about marketing, because I had done some marketing tasks in my previous role. At one point, I even considered starting a marketing business. A friend of mine was applying for a business grant, so I decided to offer some marketing assistance to help with her application. That turned out to be much more complicated than I realised, and I had to admit I didn't know as much as I thought. I had to tell my friend to speak with a marketing expert instead, which made me feel like a failure at first. But that experience taught me to focus on the things I really enjoy. How did you handle your finances to make your shift possible? I've always been very cautious about money, which is one reason why my career shift hasn't involved self-employment yet. I don't feel that being my own boss is a decision I can make from a financial point of view now, but that might change in the future. What was the most difficult thing about changing? I suffer from impostor syndrome. Wherever I work, I worry about being unmasked as completely unsuited for the job. So now I'm doing a role I don't know very much about, it's easy to imagine all the ways it might fail. But I'm learning more every day, and my colleagues are really encouraging. What help did you get? My partner helped keep our young son entertained, while I did things like analysing my skills and planning my shift. Reaching out to my friends and family was also an eye-opener. I've got four siblings, and I thought I knew everything about them. But when I asked if they knew anybody I could speak to about interesting work, I ended up with some fantastic contacts I didn't know they had! What have you learnt in the process? I no longer hold back if I want something. That has made me believe that if I want to try something new, I can just go for it. And if it doesn't work out, then it's not the end of the world â€" there are always other things to try! What do you wish you'd done differently? I wish I'd discovered quilling earlier in life. It would be wonderful to create a business from that, but it's something that could be in my future. What would you advise others to do in the same situation? Try to develop some self-awareness before you begin a career change. If you know how you tend to react in certain situations, then you'll be better equipped to deal with the confusion and chaos that change brings. What lessons could you take from Laura's story to use in your own career change? Let us know in the comments below. Laura took part in our Career Change Launch Pad. If you're ready to join a group of bright, motivated career changers on a structured programme to help you find more fulfilling work, you can find out more here.

Your Resume Must Show the Big Picture

Your Resume Must Show the Big PictureResume writing is about getting you on the right track with the right perspective. It is about seeing the big picture in the small things. So, it is important to understand that your resume needs to speak of you and your talents and not of the organisation which is paying you.A good resume should be your way of inviting an interview and convincing the interviewer that you have the potential to provide the best service to the organisation that is hiring you. In order to do this, you need to focus your attention on what the recruiter is looking for in a person who is applying for the same job. As a resume writer, you must understand what those things are so that you can craft your own resume that caters to the requisition of the employer.Let's look at it another way - Do you see things as a whole or in stages? When I say the whole, I mean that you get everything about your career in one shot. By 'stages', I mean the stages you have gone through so f ar. How each of those stages shaped your career are all important in your prospective employer's mind when he or she sees your resume.It is all too easy to get carried away by the creation of a good resume and neglect to pay attention to the big picture. This results in one that looks like a slapdash resume that reflects a lack of commitment to the career, resulting in a poor impression on the part of the interviewer.If you want to write a good resume, then make sure you give attention to certain skills that are needed in order to flourish in the present market. First, take a look at your employment history and analyse whether you have successfully applied for jobs in the past. You can ask some of your past employers for references if you have the access to such people. What you will be able to ascertainis whether they liked your performance in the past or whether they still hold you in high regard.Remember that you have to be very careful when deciding on your future career path as this will be of great importance when it comes to a good resume. It is equally important to focus on your educational background as well. High school diploma or GED will help you get places where you can learn newer and better things. This may be in the form of on-the-job training, job-placement programmes or internships that are being conducted by the company you are eyeing for.Resume writing is a tricky process and if you ignore these basics, you can expect to come out with a half-baked document that does not reveal what the company is after. It is best to highlight your personal qualities and put them up front, as these will be the ones that will attract the recruiter's attention and will serve as the basis for your interest.A resume is a manifestation of your capabilities and most importantly of your long-term interest in the career. Make sure that you give emphasis to this point in your work and you will be surprised to see the difference.

Interview Thanks 65% of Successful Job Seekers Use Email

Interview Thanks 65% of Successful Job Seekers Use Email You don’t have to send a hand-written thank you note after the interview to land a job.Recent research by DeVry University found that 65% of successful job seekers used an emailâ€" not a note, not a letterâ€"an email.Isn’t it nice to finally have some hard data to rely on when deciding how to thank your interviewers?The ResearchDeVry polled recent successful job seekers. Here’s how the 589 respondents broke out:The Findings98% of the study participants thanked their interviewers. They used a variety of methods:65% emailed their interview thank you.17% mailed a hard copy thank you (hand-written or typed).16% called to say thank you.Heres the summary from DeVry:As you can see, it doesnt appear to have mattered so muchhowthe successful job seekers said, “Thank you.” Rather, it mattered that they said, Thank you.You can find two sample interview thank you missives, suitable for emailing,here and here.Another Good Reason for Using EmailAs it turns out, email is a more forgiving platform. If you make mistakes, theyll be easier to fix if you use email than if you use snail mail.Image courtesy of Clem Onojeghuo Updated June 2017 2015 2019, Donna Svei. All rights reserved.Donna SveiDonna Svei, an executive resume writer and former C-level executive, retained search consultant, and CPA, writes all of AvidCareerists posts. She has written for and been quoted by leading business, general, and career media outlets, including Forbes, Mashable, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, Business Insider, Lifehacker, Ask.com, Social Media Today, IT World, SmartBrief, Payscale, Business News Daily, and the Muse. Let her background and experience inform your job search strategy and decision making.Learn more about Donnas executive resume writing service or email Donna for more information. Interviews â€" Thank You Emails (5 Posts)

5 Top Female Entrepreneurs of 2011 to Admire

5 Top Female Entrepreneurs of 2011 to Admire Todays post is written by Alex Summers. Having spent long and arduous hours learning about business, marketing, and writing from respected minds while attending school, she now feels an obligation to spread the knowledge along with a fresh perspective. The advantage to you is the ability to absorb it without incurring more student loan debt. ?? Lets face it. Not all of us were intended for office associate positions or medical jobs in hospitals. Some of us girls want something off the beaten path, and for most of us that means starting your own business and pursuing the entrepreneurial path. However, being an entrepreneur is no easy task, especially if you are a women. Entrepreneurs are predominately male, and trying to succeed in a field where finding a mentor is not only necessary, but nearly impossible, can be incredibly difficult for many women. But there are women who have succeed as entrepreneurs, and have done incredibly well for themselves. So if you are wishing to blaze your own path, but are looking for a few women to look up to consider one of this years top female entrepreneurs: Vicky Thompson President and CEO of Valuation Management Group In 2006, Vicky had enough working with Fleet Finance, and decided to embark on a career of her own in appraisal. With little capital to begin with, Thompson had to learn how to increase her business on a limited budget, and she her hard work definitely paid off. This year alone, Valuation Management Group produced $25.4 million in revenue and experienced a three year growth of 7,910 percent. Lisa Hufford Founder and President of Simplicity Consulting Not even a cushy job at Mircosoft could keep Lisa Hufford around. In 2006, she left behind 14 years of corporate work and her position as Sales Director to start her own firm. Simplicity Consulting, a firm which has experienced a 3,727 growth rate in 3 years, helps businesses create personalized marketing strategies. In 2010, the company achieved a $11.5 million revenue. Shazi Visram Founder and CEO of HappyBaby When Visram started HappyBaby, she wasnt even a mother â€" yet, that didnt stop her from breaking in to the profitable niche market. Visram had noticed how difficult it was to find nutritious meals for babies and thus, created HappyBaby which makes organic foods for babies and young children. In the last 3 years, the company has achieved a growth rate of 3,207 percent and had a $13.3 million revenue in 2010. Christine Do CEO of Soft Tech Consulting As a teen, Do was forced to flee her home in Saigon for the United States. Today, she is the CEO of a tech consulting company known as Soft Tech Consulting. In 2010, her company achieved a revenue of $7.4 million and she was named one of the Top 10 Asian Entrepreneurs. Anne Bahr CEO of PetRays The pet industry is one of only a handful that is truly recession proof, and Bahrs PetRays is proof of that. Originally, Bahr was a veterinarian, but after a stint as faculty of Texas AM Universitys radiology residency program, she decided to go into business for herself. Now her company PetRays helps vets make better decisions in regards to pet healthcare. Being a female entrepreneur in a mans world may present a few struggles, but it is by no means impossible. Several woman have struck it out on their own and succeeded in created multi-million dollar companies. So if a new path is calling you, dont be afraid to step away from your 9 to 5. You just may be the type of entrepreneur you have always admired. What entrepreneurs do you admire?

How to Put Freelance Writing on a Resume

How to Put Freelance Writing on a ResumeWriting on a resume is very easy but knowing how to put freelance writing on a resume can be a little trickier. If you want to know how to put freelance writing on a resume then it is important that you know what you are looking for. You can find some great resume writing samples online and follow the advice of these writers to help you along your way.One of the most useful writing samples is where a writer includes their previous work experience with the freelance writing and how they wrote it. This should include where they got their work experience and it should also include when they wrote it as well. This will help you determine how long they have been freelancing and what projects they may have worked on.Another useful writing samples is where they list their past writing jobs. Some writers will tell you to never include such information on your resume, but most of them don't need to. Sometimes it's important to mention your work history when applying for different types of jobs. You never know what sort of freelance writing jobs you might get and you could be just the person who can get that job to your employer.Another way to how to put freelance writing on a resume is to always ask for proof. You should always ask for an original written version of any writing samples that you provide. Any copy should include your name, the title of the article and the year it was written. This will help to make sure that you have proof that what you submitted is actually you and not someone else.It is important to always make sure that you have included your full contact information on your resume, whether that includes email addresses or telephone numbers. It's also important to always include your complete contact information, even if you are trying to avoid some sort of spam. This can help you get in touch with people who you are not currently working with.Another thing to know about how to put freelance writing on a resume i s to always answer all of the questions on the sample written article. This doesn't mean that you are only going to answer the question about the work history. You should answer all of the questions so that you make sure that you include all of the necessary information about yourself and your project.One of the most important things about how to put freelance writing on a resume is to always make sure that you hire experienced freelance writers for your projects. You shouldn't simply look at one of these writing samples and assume that the writer is good enough for your project. Experienced writers will have many different projects to their name, so they can't possibly write all of the projects for you.These writing samples can be very helpful but they aren't the only things that you should know about how to put freelance writing on a resume. You need to know how to be completely honest about your work history and write a great resume. Some writers may tell you that it's okay to in clude your project resume as well, but that is not always the case.

For company cultures sake, employees need to take hangover days

For company cultures sake, employees need to take hangover days Theres something about awesome company culture that just makes us here at Debut  really happy. Especially inside the London bubble, where you could well-and-truly drown in your career if you allow yourself to. Working life in the capital can really eat up your me-time if you let it, so this company found a pretty nifty way to restore balance hangover days. Disruptive digital ticketing company DICE are known for their quirky solutions to the problems of gig life. They do everything from completely paperless ticketing to quick, easy refunds and free events with emerging talent. Well, it turns out theyre just as revolutionary behind the scenes as they are with their app. Last year, they revealed that they will be allowing their staff to take leave from work if theyve been out at a gig the previous night something theyre dubbing hangover days. Theres no need for the Golden Globe-worthy sick voice on the phone either. Literally all you have to do to claim your hangover day is text your boss a secret emoji combo (??????, obviously) and youre signed off for the day. Phil Hutcheon, DICEs CEO, hopes this will encourage staff to be more honest, as well as embrace the company culture of discovering and enjoying live music beyond office hours. All our team live for music and some of the best deals in the industry happen after a gig, he said. We trust each other and want people to be open if they’re out late experiencing live music. There is no need for a fake sick bug. Hangover days might just sort out the UKs poorly sick day culture The idea of just throwing in the towel after staying out on the lash all night has split opinion, naturally. Some are all for the progressive policy, while others say it breeds unprofessionalism and a slack attitude towards work. We at Debut feel that UK workers as a whole have  earned this right. In 2016 alone, 137 million working days were lost due to sickness in the UK, according to the Office for National Statistics.  Sounds like a maddening amount, but this translates to just 4 days off per worker, the lowest number since records began over 25 years ago. It seems that many of the workers in the UK still subscribe to the age-old British stoicism and stiff-upper lip mentality of old, only succumbing to their illnesses when they are rendered physically unable to work. The percentage of those 137 million sick days which blamed colds and other mild illnesses (although there was likely more than a few covert hangovers in there) came to 25%. This was more than double the number of people that cited mental health issues like stress, anxiety and depression (11.5%). But thats not to say that many of the people who struggle with these problems dont persevere regardless to their eventual detriment. Taking time off is more important than you think A common defence for people who struggle with mental illness is to lose themselves in their working lives. Unbeknown to them, this can actually exacerbate these issues, especially during unpaid overtime hours at gigs, events, networking drinks etc. This can lead to problems down the line, especially if they end up losing their job, such as identity and confidence crises. The best and simplest way to combat this, is to have interests and a strong social life outside of work, which may include you guessed it live music and drinking. So DICE is really and truly ahead of the curve here with their hangover day policy. Not only are they defying the toxic sick day culture in the UK and staving off health problems like mental burnout, but they breed transparency, trust and happiness just some of the many culture traits that you should look for in potential employers. We say, lets embrace hangover days. We already do (post team nights-out) and your employer should too. And as Homer Simpson once said: To alcohol, the cause of and solution to all of lifes problems. Connect with Debut on  Facebook,  Twitter,  and  LinkedIn  for more careers insights.

Improving Business Skills

Improving Business Skills Running a business is exciting and rewarding, but it comes with all sorts of challenges. Trying to make money and become successful is the endgame, but you have to balance this against business ethics, legal parameters, competition, and various pitfalls. So, it’s important for business owners to consider what they can do to improve their own skill sets. By making yourself a better and more proficient business owner, you will help the brand grow as a result. Think about it like this, when you first approach working age you need to consider whether to learn a trade or go to college. And, as a small business owner, you need to make a similar decision about the sort of things you can do to boost your skills. These are some epic ideas you can use to boost your skill set right now! Learn About New Technology There is so much new technology these days, and new sectors that you have to learn about to help the business progress. When it comes to enhancing and advancing the company, it is important to make sure you learn as much as you can. This might be learning about the new technology needed to help the company grow, or make your job easier. Or, you might be learning about new markets and industries that you can invest in or that are going to affect the company in the future. Gain More Qualifications It’s also important to look at where (and how) you can gain more qualifications these days. As a business owner, you can always do more to improve yourself and ensure you are even more qualified with carrying out your job and running the company effectively. That’s why you have to ensure you gain more qualifications and take courses pertinent to what you do. Whether you’re taking a massage course, a business management course, or an IT course, remember that it is worth it for helping improve you as a business owner. Push Yourself Sometimes you need to push yourself beyond your comfort zone in order to progress and succeed. There are so many wonderful things that will allow you to treat yourself and push your business in the right direction. By testing yourself, you understand what you are good at, and you naturally develop new skills in the process. This is important for helping you grow as a leader and allowing the company to develop with you. Learn By Doing Sometimes it is simply a case of diving in and letting yourself learn as you go. Being thrown in the deep end and having to learn to swim reveals skills you never knew you had. Your company is going to face tough times, and this is a great way of making sure you learn how to cope. There are so many things involved in this that you often just have to learn and pick things up as they happen. This is a good skill to have, and it will set you on a good path in the future. Improving your skill set makes you a better business leader and allows you to enjoy the process of running a business. The more you can do, the more areas of your business you can help nurture, and this bodes well for the future.

How to decide what type of job to take -

How to decide what type of job to take - Im sure many of us have been guilty of just taking a job because it was available, or because the pay was better than another job that may have been more suitable to our goals. What should you think about when its time to look for a job? Especially if its a part-time job or internship? These were some questions writer Emily Driscoll asked me for a post she was writing for Fox Business. Here is the information I shared with her about what to consider when you decide what job opportunity to pursue: Some things to consider: Employers always seek candidates who have actual experience doing the work necessary for their jobs. While you can gain valuable work experience in any type of job, its ideal to be able to describe specific projects you handled or accomplishments you can show from your part-time or internship experience that relate to the target post-graduation job. Its a good idea to do a little research about the types of jobs you may seek in the future. Identify what skills they require. When possible, seek out work experiences that will fill in the gaps you may have on your resume and online profiles so you will be ready to apply for the jobs you want. Soft skills are a factor. Another important qualification for job seekers to consider: their soft skills, or emotional intelligence. When it comes right down to it, soft skills are characteristics that make us more likable. Likability is an important factor in the hiring process. Employers realize that they can teach hard skills, such as how to use a software program, but it’s virtually impossible to retrofit employees with soft skills. A recent study from Millennial Branding showed soft skills topped the list of “must have” skills that employers want, with 98 percent of employers saying communication skills are essential and 92 percent naming coordination skills. Examples of soft skills include: listening, communication, adaptability, teamwork, judgement, work ethic.When you look for a job, consider what soft skills you may use or improve, and make a point to actively work on skills that arent your best strengths. Mentoring and opportunities to learn are both great features of the best jobs, especially for studetns.When interviewing, try to ascertain if your supervisor will be available to answer questions and teach you. If that doesnt seem to be in the cards, the onus is more on the student to make sure to gain as much valuable experience as possible. Temp work can be great, and may even help job seekers add to or eliminate the type of work they may want to do down the road. You also gain experience in being flexible, learning quickly and getting along with all types of people. Freelance is a factor. The economy is shifting, and more and more positions are going to become the realm of freelancers and contract workers. In other words, the job you want may not even exist as a traditional job when its time to get hired. Instead, it may only be available as a freelance position. Thats why creating a strong online professional profile (via LinkedIn, Twitter, Google+ and Facebook) and by having your own professional website or social resume is important. When you showcase what you know about your field of interest online by sharing content and engaging with other professionals in your field, you begin to build a reputation that will help you get   hired. You can see Emilys post, including my advice, at FoxBusiness.com. photo by Scarygami