Yaro Staraks Super Virtual Resume and How You Can Get One

Yaro Starak's Super Virtual Resume and How You Can Get One 12 Massively-popular blogger Yaro Starak says that blogging can be your “super virtual resume”. I spoke with him to find out how blogging could help you on your job search. Reminder: Who is Yaro Starak? Yaro is one of the world's most successful self-made bloggers and the blogger who has had the biggest impact on me. I discovered him in June 2007 and was lucky enough to get into his (then) limited-entry Blog Mastermind coaching program. I've told you in the past about how he makes a full-time income working only 2 hours a day using lessons that he shared with me and his other students during that online course, which will be reopening in a few days on Tuesday July 29th 2008. To get a better introduction to Yaro, click on the image to watch a video on what Yaro calls “conversion blogging”, his method for using one blog to generate a full-time income via multiple sources of revenue. The conversion blogging video is a bit long at 32 minutes but it might just change your life.eval 4 questions with blogging entrepreneur Yaro Starak 1) Why should a job seeker consider blogging? That depends whether you still want to work for other people. If you are looking for a job, creating a blog as a promotional tool for you is a great strategy â€" it's like a super virtual resume.However a better strategy is to focus on blogging to first supplement your income then eventually become your main source of income. Blogging is a real business that can lead to enjoying the work from home lifestyle and create some fantastic freedoms in your life. 2) Can I make a full-time income? Anyone who is diligent and follows a process each day can get there. It's not hard, but if you are not consistent you will give up before any results come in. This is something you commit to for six months. 3) How long will it take until I start making money? That's a tough question. I personally was making about $500 a month after six months work and by the end of the year was up to $2000 a month. My students seem to follow roughly this same pattern â€" well the ones that keep working do anyway!However there are people who start earning their first dollar within a month, others it can take a year. It depends on how consistently you work towards following a process. 4) I don't know much about blogs and I'm not very technical. Where do I begin? I suggest going to my beginner training site, www.BecomeaBlogger.com. That's definitely the best site to begin at. (BaB is no longer around, now you should join the relaunched Blog Mastermind 2.0) Considering blogging?

The 5 Signs That Your Employee Deserves a Promotion

The 5 Signs That Your Employee Deserves a Promotion One of the key factors that professionals look for when seeking a new role is the opportunity for career progression and scope for promotion within the organisation; so it is therefore essential that you are recruiting internally and assisting  your employees in climbing the career ladder. If an employee is working hard and making valuable contributions to the company, then it is only fair that this is recognised and they are given the opportunities that they deserve. So what should bosses be looking out for in their staff in order to identify the individuals who are promotion ready? Here are some of the top signs. 1) Consistent high performance Look at how they have been performing in their role over time, rather than just recent achievements, as this will demonstrate that they are committed and have putting their full effort in at work. Try to quantify your staffs performance in some way, for example sales goals, lead conversions, etc., as this data will allow you to build a more accurate idea of who the top performers are and how they perform over a particular time period. 2) Willing to go the extra mile Keep an eye out for the employees who are prepared to put in a little extra time to make sure that their work is done to the best standard and deadlines are met. This doesnt mean that they have to stay late every day and skip their lunch breaks, but it will reflect well on them if they are willing to jump in when they are needed and put the effort in to make sure tasks are completed on time and urgent matters are attended to. If an employee is persistently late to work and clock watch throughout the day, it may signify that their heart isnt really in it. 3) They offer ideas for the business The most valuable employees are those who are not only interested in their own work, but also the success of the business as a whole.  Think about which members of your workforce who have shared their ideas for improving or growing the company over the time that they have been with you. Who are the people who will come up with solutions to problems, rather than just complain? These are the forward movers. 4) Focus on self improvement These individuals are always eager to continue learning and expanding their existing skill-set. They are always willing to step outside of their comfort zone in order to push their own personal boundaries and improve in areas of weakness. Are there any particular members of staff who proactively ask you for feedback about how they are doing and what they can improve?  The most motivated and driven employees will identify areas that they need to work on and then do what it takes to achieve what they must to move forward in their careers. 5) They are respected by other staff In order to build a productive team and harmonious workplace, it is important that staff respect each other. The better they get along, the more willing they are to assist each other when necessary and to work together in order for things to be achieved at the best standard. Conflict in the workplace can have a negative effect on job satisfaction and work performance, so troublesome employees may not be suitable for promotion. Respect is even more important when it comes to management roles, as a manager who does not have the respect of their staff may not have the right level of authority over them, or the ability to motivate the team. [Image Credit: Shutterstock]

Hemingways Havana - A Perfect Coffee Table Book

Hemingways Havana - A Perfect Coffee Table Book While not as popular as it once was, theres something elegant and inviting about a carefully chosen coffee table book.   It beckons you to embark on a very personal journey to some mysterious, beautiful and faraway land.   Given even a moment of being left to themselves, its a rare guest who can resist the urge to indulge. A trip to any quaint old used bookstore will yield the usual photographic essays that are somewhat entertaining.   But to find that volume that has magic within its covers and can awaken the adventurer within, ah, that is rare.   You must be persistent in the hunt.    And have luck or serendipity or fate on your side.   When you do, youll know it as you know the look in the eye of your soon-to-be lover.   For me, as in love, that hasnt happened but a few times in my lifetime.   So I was quite surprised at my response to Hemingways Havana: A Reflection of The Writers Life in Cuba by Robert Wheeler. A Journey To Cuba Robert shares an impressive array of images of Cuba.   From the windswept shores to the heart of the culture, hes captured all of what any serious tourist would want to see.   Somehow, each photo seems to an electric yet gentle connection to the words and life of Hemingway, who spent some 20 years of his life in Cuba. The photographic presentation alone is enough to make this book worthy of any coffee table.   But the magic only begins when you dive into the narrative.   For that, I was unprepared.   Virtually all of my prior table top adventures had   far to short descriptive passages referring to the accompanying image.   Passable, but not satisfying.   Not so with Hemingways Havana. A Journey Back in Time I swear that I had not indulged in any mind-altering substance, legal or otherwise.   I also swear to you that I could smell the sea air as Mr Wheeler caressed the images with the story of Hemingways life in Havana and Cuba.    And I could sense the musty, pungent fragrance of the streets, the sights and sounds and smells just as Hemingway might have experienced them.   I was drawn in like Im very rarely drawn into a book.   It almost seemed that a door to that time and place where the likes of The Old Man And The Sea was penned was about to open. Congratulations to Mr. Wheeler on creating this masterpiece.    Itll be on my coffee table for a long, long time.

Golden Career Opportunities for Baby Boomers on the Horizon

Golden Career Opportunities for Baby Boomers on the Horizon The employment landscape has changed significantly over the last decade. Many new businesses have been created and expanded to service the needs of millions of maturing baby boomers. There is truly a  GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY  for Baby Boomers to find new careers and new ventures. It is estimated that more than eighty percent of baby boomers plan to keep working after retirement.   Such a situation creates amazing opportunities â€" older people will continue to work way after retirement age. Were all living in a very different world than what we grew up in.   It is highly likely that boomers, instead of retiring, will be starting new businesses and working to finance their future. Many of these will be downsizing, not just their houses, but everything about their lifestyle.   Lifestyle shifts as well as career shifts are happening. New Career Order The realization of an economic and employment new order will create a whole new environment for many millions of boomers. Baby boomers may not want to do the same type of work after fifty years old that they did when they were younger. More than fifty percent of working retirees say they want to work in a new field. With the influx of many millions of people into later life, whole new industries will spring up, plus industries presently functional will require large expansions to cater for boomer needs. There are a number of industry sectors that are creating new opportunities such as in healthcare, assisted living, education, government, consulting, leisure activities, travel, social media, consulting, technology and, of course, starting your own business in any sector is an obvious avenue. A new brand of entrepreneurs has been created based on the needs of maturing baby boomers.   This new environment will create many new self-employed businesses for boomers. It is a fact, that baby boomers also have significant disposable income, free time, skill and experience to try new activities. There are so many industry sectors that will benefit by the boomer economic impact. Doom and gloom or a new age of opportunity? This is the new reality! The second half of your life can be a time of a new awareness through new and diverse career choices. What challenges are ahead for Baby Boomers and how will you approach these career changes? About the Author: John Rodsett is a speaker, entrepreneur, and author of Change Your Career.Baby Boomers!. You can read more about his work and how he helps baby boomers through career change on his website johnrodsett.com

5 ways to use an action plan to achieve your goals

5 ways to use an action plan to achieve your goals This post was written by an external contributor.  Anam Mahmood argues why making an action plan is the best way to get things done.   When it comes to life’s big goals, action plans are the real heroes. They can be vastly more effective than the action plans’ sidekick, the to-do list. An action plan is your step-by-step guide getting you closer to your achievements and outlines how youre going to get there. Here are five ways how an action plan can help you cross that all important finish line, whether it’s writing that novel, scoring a new job or setting up a new business venture. Write your action plan in detail The first step is what I call the ‘mind offload’. Take all of those thoughts and ideas and write them down. If it’s on paper, it doesn’t need to be in your head. This will help make the goal more manageable and take away some stress. For instance, if your plan is to get a new job or score an internship, then brainstorm the different elements for this. These can include companies or organisations to target, contact details and key search terms and websites. Putting things down on paper will give you a great visual representation of how much of the plan you have figured out and where the gaps are. Mind maps and flow charts are a useful way to do this. Youre less likely to procrastinate or be complacent if you have the important parts figured out. Youll also be prompted to solve these gaps in your plan, increasing your productivity. Its also important to keep your action plan close and visible, like on a notice board. Be realistic about deadlines and planning Keep organised and stay ahead of the game. Know what’s coming up in your schedule in both the short term (upcoming weeks) and in the long term (the next few months). Set deadlines for yourself to get through bits of your plan and mark these on your calendar. Whether that’s research on branding by end of month, or working through a list of employers by next week. Be flexible but firm. Be mindful of other things going on in your life which might throw you off your timeline. If you schedule them in and plan for them early on, youre less likely to be disrupted. Use paper or digital calendars to help you avoid clashes with other important dates. Is there something crucial that needs to be prioritised, like an upcoming job interview which will help you pay the rent? If so, change things up a bit in your calendar until things settle down. Identify and allocate pockets of time   Identify pockets of time when you are always free where you can reasonably adjust a task. Can you get some background reading done for a business venture whilst travelling to work? Can you complete an activity for a creative writing course during your lunch break? Getting these smaller tasks done will all eventually add up. As long as you build them up in small doses, youll be one step closer to achieving your action plan. Scrap things you know you won’t really do Making an action plan is a great way of testing your intention to do a particular project and making that intention concrete. You might surprise yourself at how much or how little you actually want to do something. One of the most practical bits of wisdom I have come across is from Arianna Huffington. In her book Thrive, she states how liberating it was for her to realise that we can choose to “complete a project by simply dropping it”. Know yourself and what you really wish to accomplish. You should be prioritising things you are more likely to do, whether that is the project overall or just parts of it. Often there will be a reason why you still haven’t started that blog, and you many find that your heart is not really in it. Don’t be afraid to scrap things that become irrelevant in your plan. This will free up more time for you to work on the projects or parts of a project that you truly value. Keep up momentum The key to getting through your action plan to the end goal is to keep pushing through. This is why putting it down on paper and making it visual and detailed is so essential. Not only is it a good idea to keep working on the project, but also to keep revisiting your plan including revising deadlines too. For most people, we don’t keep up the momentum behind what we aspire to achieve, like our New Year’s resolutions, which typically tend to fizzle out after just a few weeks. The clue is in the title â€" action plan. So, if you’re ready to be the star of your own story… lights, camera, action plan! Download Debut  and  connect with us on  Facebook,  Twitter  and  LinkedIn  for more careers insights.

Practice Gratitude

Practice Gratitude Practice Gratitude || What a Major Car Accident Taught Me Home Life, Lifestyle April 19, 2017 10 Comments  Dress:  Garden Stroll Maxi Dress Cream in Small, $30 Bag: Gucci Marmont Camera Shoulder Bag Shoes: Rebecca Minkoff Gladiator sandals; similar here and here (Shutz…on sale for $62!)I didn’t share this openly on my social media channels, so this may come as a surprise to many of you. I was in a major car accident just about 11 days after our wedding in March. I totaled my car, my most favorite car in the world, probably ever, that I’d just paid off about 3 months before. The car title is still sitting in my drawer, fresh and winkle-free.It was a pretty bad wreck. All my airbags popped, front and sideways.  In that moment of impact, when I saw the car in front of me merge abruptly into my lane without signal, I thought this was going to be it. Like, the end of it all.  I stopped traffic on the freeway completely (during rush hour in the morning, no less) and it turned out to be a 5 car collision. Thanks to the grace of God, no one was injured in a major way, and the ambulances/cops came within minutes. And because it wasn’t my fault, I received a check for the damages to my car within a couple of weeks from my insurance company. So there are a few silver linings in this unfortunate incident since I’ll be getting a new car soon.Needless to say, the accident brought a lot of new perspectives to my thinking this past month. The way I think about my life, the balance between spiritual fullness and material possession, the love I have for my family, the need to have a “job” that pays well and also fulfills me personally… all of these things, when my perspectives have shifted, became easier to put value on and prioritize.  Here are a few  ways that this car accident had changed my thinking:  Dress:  Garden Stroll Maxi Dress Cream in Small, $301) Being debt-free has obvious perks. But I didn’t know it could turn a curse into a blessing.  Being currently unemployed and getting into a major car accident together sounds like a surefire way to put my life in absolute misery. And it very easily could’ve. But thanks to Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University, my husband and I have become debt-free just a few months back. So while I was devastated that my precious A5 had been totaled, I wasn’t necessarily worried about my livelihood being jeopardized. I knew with our savings we could replace my car easily (because I wouldn’t be buying a brand new car anyway and a used card is much cheaper), even without the reimbursement check from the insurance company. The check from the insurance company felt like a gift from the universe.  Dress:  Garden Stroll Maxi Dress Cream in Small, $302) I’d never thought about how I’d like to be “handled” if I ceased to exist today. I’d want my loved ones to be comforted in knowing that they’d be doing the right things for me.This thought crossed my head as I stood on the shoulder of a busy Tuesday morning CA-15 high way, my gaze fixed up on my terribly wrecked car parked on the side of the freeway: If I died today, how would I want to be buried, where would I want to be buried, and how would I want my family to dress me? The absurdity of these thoughts caught on very quickly, but the questions still irk at me. It’s not something I’d thought about, like ever. I suppose most people don’t think about morbid things like this on a daily basis. Perhaps older people have their life time to think about it, sick people have the time they lay in the bed to think about it. I never had to …but now I’m going to.3) Spend time with your family and loved ones, because you just don’t know how much time you have.I am so glad we decided to spend time with family right after the wedding instead of going on a honeymoon. The truth is, beautiful beaches and snow covered hills are always going to be there, but we don’t get to see our beloved families all the time. In the few hours right after the car accident, I remember havi ng this thought that I wouldn’t leave the world without a lot of regret because I’d just seen all my loved ones and had the best time with everyone. What more can you ask in life, really?  Dress:  Garden Stroll Maxi Dress Cream in Small, $30 Bag: Gucci Marmont Camera Shoulder Bag Shoes: Rebecca Minkoff Gladiator sandals; similar here and here (Shutz…on sale for $62!)4) Do what you love. If you don’t know what you love, figure it out.  This has more or less been my life philosophy so far. But ever since the accident, it hasn’t been clearer. From now on, I know I would write more, travel more, get in touch with people I care about more (even when they act like they don’t have time for me), read more, and hug my cats more (as if it’s possible). I am so glad this incident happened during the time of my job hunt, because it has steered me in a direction where I didn’t know I was leaning toward. If I was to cease to be today, I don’t want to be stuck at a something I hat e where I devote 50% of my waking hours to. It’s not worth it.  Dress:  Garden Stroll Maxi Dress Cream in Small, $30 Bag: Gucci Marmont Camera Shoulder Bag Shoes: Rebecca Minkoff Gladiator sandals; similar here and here (Shutz…on sale for $62!)Overall, I am just grateful to be alive and healthy. I am so grateful for everything I have in life, and I know that I am blessed to be in the position where I am. I am glad I get to be searching for a job, to have a platform to express my thoughts with you guys, and to have the opportunity to help people in whatever little ways I can. I am grateful for you!  Dress:  Garden Stroll Maxi Dress Cream in Small, $30 Bag: Gucci Marmont Camera Shoulder Bag Shoes: Rebecca Minkoff Gladiator sandals; similar here and here (Shutz…on sale for $62!)Disclaimer: Thank you Mint Julep Boutique for sponsoring my outfit in this post!All photography by Natalie Alvarado @ Stylenfuse

Using Modern Resumes in a Job Interview

Using Modern Resumes in a Job InterviewWriting a resume for modern times is very different from what was done in the past. First of all, there is a lot more that goes into a resume, and therefore a lot more information to consider. At the same time, there are also a few pitfalls that you should be aware of if you want to make your resume look great.Making a resume for modern times is a difficult task to do. For one thing, the information on your resume has to make it stand out from the others, and convey a clear picture about what you can offer. At the same time, it has to be comprehensive enough to get the hiring manager's attention. Nowadays, a lot of employers find resumes helpful when it comes to shortlisting candidates, especially for entry-level positions. They will use your resume as a guide on which candidate to call.The first thing that you have to keep in mind when you are creating a modern resume is that you must be brief. Short resumes are more effective because they make an impression. In addition, the person who receives your resume for the first time will see something instantly and read more about you than if you include too much information. Be sure to limit yourself so that you can achieve your objective.Another thing that you have to consider is that you can only make a good impression when you write your resume concisely. You can even make a professional looking resume without sacrificing the information in it. Again, you can make your resume more appealing by including all the necessary details that you feel are needed to make a great impression. Then, you can focus on some of the information that you believe is not necessary to get a job done.When you are about to write your resume, make sure that you are clear and concise, and that you have considered the various points of view that the hiring company will take into account. This will help you in getting a good job. Do not forget to include all the necessary details about you. They are im portant and need to be included. Do not leave any part of your resume out or you might end up creating a poor impression.It is important to make your resume presentable and easy to read, but it also needs to be professional. Make sure that you follow the required format and styles. This will make the resume appealing to the reader and the hiring manager.One of the things that you have to keep in mind is that you have to relate your previous employer to the company that you are applying for. If the company that you are applying for is similar to the one that you worked for, then you will have a better chance of getting a job here. Be sure to make sure that you include the name of the company, the contact number of the person in charge, the title of the person who will be handling your case, and how long you have been with the company.Lastly, you have to make sure that you are using your resume properly. Remember that the resume has to catch the attention of the hiring manager, and th is can only be done through using the correct format. These are all things that you have to keep in mind so that you can create a stellar resume for modern times.