5 General Online Courses to Immediately Help You Upgrade Your Resume (Pt. 2) Building Your Future Now

5 General Online Courses to Immediately Help You Upgrade Your Resume (Pt. 2) Building Your Future Now Online courses can provide you with both fresh skillsets/knowledge and an amazing resume addition. Here are 5 more general online courses you can take: 1. Sales Consultation/Techniques Even if you arent in sales taking a course related to it can build your interpersonal and negotiation skills. It can help you in a host of different scenarios related to your career. From there, be sure to check out YouTube videos that build upon what you have learned in either play-acting videos or real-life scenarios. 2. Microsoft Suite The Microsoft Suite which comprises of Word and Excel among other applicatons is a powerful and much-used package that many businesses rely on. If you have a certificate in Excel and demonstrated a command of itit might help land you a job! Check out the Microsoft website to look at certificate courses they may offer. 3. Website Design One of the most in-demand professions today is web-designing. There are so many applications for a web designer that niches are popping up everywhere you search on the internet! If you have both a creative and logical mind try taking an online course in web design. 4. Photo-Editing Using Photoshop is a much needed skillset in many organizations. Some companies rather get an in-house designer then a free-lance to touch-up photos, create campaigns and design marketing material. Get a few courses under your belt. You might find yourself pulling some more money at your company as a part-time designer. Check out Adobes website and find out if they offer courses on such programs as Illustrator and Photoshop. 5.Photography Although photography can be a very expensive hobby, it can pay dividents if you are good and market it yourself well. However, taking an online course can give you a solid understanding of how to better utilize your camera and giving you some leverage as an artistic photographer or one focused on the commercial aspect. Being a decent photographer can give you a chance to have a side business or simply give you content by sharing it on your website or social media. Taking an online course can also show your employer or potential employers you enjoy taking courses for fun as well as to build up your professional self. Image: Free-Photos

How to Create Thumbnails For YouTube Videos - Classy Career Girl

How to Create Thumbnails For YouTube Videos Ive been getting a lot of questions about how to make your YouTube videos look better. You may not know this but you can actually upload your own photos for the thumbnails on YouTube. This is especially important if you are embedding them onto your blog or in a course and you want to grab peoples attention to click them and watch them. Youtube always picks the worst pictures of me and its quality stinks. Even though they give you three images to pick from, I usually dont like any of them. Its very easy to make your own especially now if you have Adobe Spark to do this. As you may have read recently, its now become one of our favorite design platforms for social media. And the best part, its free! How to Create Thumbnails For YouTube Videos Step 1: Go to spark.adobe.com and register. Look for themes and color palettes you like. Go to resize and find the YouTube thumbnail size. The reason I love Adobe Spark is because its so easy to change sizes for all of the social media platforms we post to. Step 2: Take a screenshot of the Youtube video or find another photo you like for the background. Then, upload the photo. Change the text to the title of your video. Click share and download to your computer. Note: When you first start on Adobe Spark, you do need to share this on social media once publicly to get rid of the Adobe Spark logo. After you share it one time, you no longer have their logo on your photos. Step 3: Upload the thumbnail to the video while you are in editing mode on YouTube. There is also an option to do this when you upload a video the first time. Click save and then your new YouTube thumbnail should be live!

Sustainable Fashion An Interview with the Founders of Zady - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Sustainable Fashion An Interview with the Founders of Zady - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Maxine Bédat and Soraya Darabi are the co-founders of Zady, a sustainable e-commerce fashion site that’s leading the “slow fashion” movement. Garnering praise from Lucky Magazine, Wall Street Journal, and Fast Company, Zady has grown rapidly since it launched in August of last year, encouraging people to leave the fast fashion mentality behind and take pride in the style and integrity of each and every piece of clothing they own. I sat down with Maxine and Soraya to talk more about Zady and get their advice about creating a successful company. What made you decide to start Zady?   Soraya: We started Zady to become the Whole Foods of fashion. Back in the Summer of 2012, Maxine and I saw a big opportunity to help people find a curated platform of stylish and sustainably produced apparel for men and women. This is something we were looking for, our friends were looking for, and didn’t exist in the market. Businesses of the future, and especially brands of the future, are going to be born online. Maxine and I are digital natives; additionally, we both have a great interest in keeping the tradition of great craft alive â€" Maxine, especially, given her background with The Bootstrap Project, the non-profit organization she founded in 2010. How did your past success with The Bootstrap Project  and Foodspotting, respectively, help you create Zady? Maxine: Our skill sets were highly complementary, and I think that is what has allowed us, along with establishing a really fantastic, tight-knit team, to succeed in such a short amount of time. Soraya comes with the digital chops and a native understanding of all things social; then, my kind of geeky excitement and interest in how things get from A to B has been a nice combination. We don’t get in each other’s turf, but we compliment each other. Zady’s team is really motivated, excited, and dedicated, and that has been a powerful combination. How did you build the Zady brand? What did you do to build your consumer base? Soraya: It was important, from day one, to build our brand organically at Zady. We know our concept lends itself to a self-selecting audience of people who feel passionate about a more sustainable planet and who already know intimately what they are putting into and onto their bodies. We were also eager to appeal to people who came to Zady simply for style alone. In order to successfully build Zady, we had to put aesthetics first. Yet in telling the story of all the exceptional makers whom we partner with and detailing, down to the raw materials, what goes into the production of each product that we sell, we are also showing people that sustainability can be sexy. Maxine: What’s so exciting about what we are doing is that we are not just building a brand, we are building a community along with that brand. And it’s been so exciting to see how that community is really responding and growing, becoming a part of who we are. They are really an extension of what Zady is. What challenges do you think you face, if there are any, as a more social enterprise based startup as opposed to a more traditional, purely for-profit startup? Maxine: What’s exciting is that to be a social enterprise is actually a huge asset. It’s not that people are having to sacrifice; it’s that you not only get to come to a job that’s going to put food your the table, you get to come to a job that is a reflection of who you are and what your values are. And that’s a tremendous motivating factor for all of us. Soraya: Well, Zady is in its first year of business, and we could not have anticipated the success we’ve had. Scaling while maintaining a great company culture, building an organization that people believe in, is especially important to us. Right now, everyone that we work with wears multiple hats, and we think that’s a good thing. It keeps us on our toes, it keeps the brand fresh and innovative. As we get bigger as an organization, we want to maintain that same genuine sense of curiosity and same great company culture, which will naturally become a challenge, but a good one â€" a challenge we look forward to. What career advice do you have for for anyone else who is an aspiring entrepreneur? Soraya: It’s not easy to be an entrepreneur, especially in 2014, when just about everyone wants to become one. We often joke that startups have become the new Hollywood. In the 80’s, people would pack their bags for LA, and now they are packing their bags from states like the one we come from, Minnesota, to move to Silicon Valley and Silicon Alley. Inherently, that also poses a challenge: how do you differentiate your idea and your team, how do you come up with a company that is truly needed in the marketplace, and how do you find the greatest talent that will help you succeed along the way? Those aren’t easy questions to answer succinctly, but one big answer to all three of those questions is network. Finding like-minded people who are excited about the industry in which your excited about is crucial. Luckily, New York City and San Francisco have amazing resources, and smaller cities around the country are growing their resources. My best recommendation is to think through your idea, build a solid pitch that welcomes people to join you on the way, to practice building a business plan (because even if you don’t need it, it will come in handy just to have your ideas on paper come to life) and to find that great network. Maxine: The only thing I would add is that startups always require a lot of skills and are always trying to get something done with very few resources. That provides a really great opportunity to be able to lend your skills and grow at the same time, really as an entry point into this world. Just get yourself in there, and that will be your entry point.

The One Word that Truly Predicts Success - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

The One Word that Truly Predicts Success - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career All successful people in business do some of the same things really well. They have mastery over 1) productivity, 2) connectivity, and 3) clarity about priorities. When you look at these three characteristics, they all boil down to one word. That one word is FOCUS. Focus and Productivity One of the most awesome characteristics of successful people is their productivity. They get a lot done in a minimum amount of time. They make stuff happen fast, not because they are working machines. Often they have tricks or shortcuts that simply double or triple their output. Tip #1: Batch your work to become a master of productivity. For every thing you must do more than once: do a bunch in one session. For example, if you use social media regularly: write up several educational or “evergreen” posts or tweets. “Evergreen” includes material that your community would benefit from, no matter what else is going on in the news. Then schedule them to post automatically. Focus and Connectivity Another remarkable aspect of successful people is their connectivity. When you look at who’s invited to TED, Aspen Institute, and other gatherings: you see a mix of movers and shakers in technology, media, healthcare, non-profit, government, and other fields. Successful people know a whole spectrum of other important people from different industries. Tip #2: Scout your locations to become a master of connectivity. Think of yourself as a talent scout. The biggest mistake I see at Starbucks is the “ear buds in, eyes down” posture. That is a sure fire way to never meet anyone. Whether you go into a classroom, webinar, coffee shop or store: situate yourself so that you can greet other people and ask a question about what they do. Focus and Priorities Successful people are 100% clear about what matters, and needs to get done, in what order. Simply put: they do the next thing next. Tip #3: Deny the distractors to become a master of priorities. Give yourself a big pat on the back each time you prevent something from pulling you off track. Set your phone alarm every two hours, so you know when you can take a break and check your texts, emails and calls. Eat breakfast so you don’t meander away from your work to find a snack. Book your work in advance onto your calendar, just like you would a meeting or date. Can you tell me what’s been stopping you from being productive, connected or staying with your priorities? Email me at Nance@NanceRosen.com. Subject line: Focus.

Resume Generator Free Or Paid?

Resume Generator Free Or Paid?Most of the time, we use resume generators for what they are supposed to do - to come up with a professional looking, well written resume for us. However, even though there are plenty of them out there, many employers still go to the trouble of taking a personal visit to someone's home to get a basic idea of who they are and what they can do.With all the free online tools available, why do so many people still use the paid one? There is no reason to and I will tell you why.First, you can get a much more comprehensive and personal background check done online than you could with any other method. You can get this information for free but only after you register to use the service. Then, if you want more information on a particular individual, you simply go to the site and request it.If you have ever gone to a job interview before, you know that there is no way to really judge a person on a personal visit to their home. It's a big room filled with furnitur e and other distractions. It's hard to know what's going on in a home without even being there yourself.The other thing that you can do is to get this information by doing a website check. I've heard horror stories about some sites out there that seem to be so full of 'information' that they may as well be hiring employees to write articles. But, I've also heard horror stories from other people that managed to find some websites that seemed legitimate and others that seemed to be out to get them.And, finally, many of these companies will try to charge you for a personal background check that will only cost you a few dollars, but it will be worth it in the end. So, even though you spend less money using these tools, you will be paying for something much more valuable - your peace of mind.We've all heard of the free website, but you have to think about how much information is on those websites. Even if you can access them all, you can't be sure that all of the information is correct.I f you pay for the data, you get a complete overview of the person's history. That way, if there is something wrong with the information that you get, you will know what to do and not waste time trying to fix it.

Are You Taking Care Of Your Employees

Are You Taking Care Of Your Employees Your employees are the heart of your business. Without them, your business would be the success it is today. Today’s working culture means employees are far less likely to stay at a company for life, unlike in the past when people would stay with the company they loved until they retire. Being able to show that you value and care for your employees is an important part of running a business. When employees feel respected and looked after, they’ll feel motivated to work harder, while also being more likely to stick around. How can you take better care of your employees? Read about some of the best practices for bosses below. Offer them support Aside from work-related issues, your employees can suffer from different problems that can affect their performance at work. Whether they’re suffering from family and relationship issues to health and financial problems, as an employer, you should provide help and support to your staff. Access to counseling is a wonderful service that employers can offer, providing a support network in the workplace and proving yourself to be a caring and considerate employer. Provide them with benefits Benefits are important to employees. Today’s job market is competitive, affecting salaries which means that the competition for jobs is fierce. When choosing somewhere to work, employees want to know that they will receive useful benefits instead of additional salary. You can ensure that you offer the best health insurance plans through Donn Co, while also providing additional perks like gym memberships, staff nights out and others. Benefits should come as part of the welcome package these days, so it’s worth assessing your budgets to see what benefits you can afford to offer. Be flexible Flexible working is fast-becoming a popular policy in modern workplaces to help employees manage their personal lives around work. Providing an opportunity to manage childcare, commuting times and even health and fitness, flexible working is great for workers. However, flexible working offers benefits to employers too, helping to combat stress and feeling overworked, as well as motivating your workers to do their best work during the hours spent in the office. Be generous As the boss, you might not always have time to talk to your employees about their work and their lives especially if you have to travel a lot or sit in meetings. However, you can make sure that the time you do spend with them is meaningful and that you’re generous with it. Treat your employees to lunch, some after work drinks or arrange company events now and then. Little things can make a big difference, so be generous with your time when you can to show your employees how much you value them. Creating a supportive and nurturing workplace is important. From creating a healthy office environment to showing compassion and respect, a good employer knows how to take care of its employees. What steps could you take to create a better workplace for your staff? Make them a priority and enjoy the benefits of a healthy, happy team.

How A Stint In The Military Can Set You Up For Professional Life - CareerAlley

How A Stint In The Military Can Set You Up For Professional Life - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. While military experience doesnt necessarily make you a great salesman, teacher, or even business savvy, it does give you a whole myriad of skills and bonuses which your competitors might lack. It offers people a unique opportunity to develop team working and leadership skills, far beyond those of people fresh out of college. It entitles you to all manner of veteran benefits that nobody else can access, and it gives an unparalleled ability to work efficiently and decisively under pressure. These are all skills that any employer worth their salt would fall head over heels for. Punctuality In a military career, you cant roll up in the morning ten minutes later than everyone else, without your superiors making a good use of humiliation tactics to get you to learn your lesson. In the working world, lateness is a huge pet peeve of many managers and CEOs, after all, time is money. Every single second that a worker is out of the office when theyre meant to be in it is just dollars sliding down the drain. Theyre going to trust someone with a background in the military for their timekeeping abilities, if nothing else. Benefits Being in the military isnt without its financial and social benefits. While theyre not skills to take into the workplace, theyre bonuses that will help to keep you and your family healthy, safe, and warm for years to come. For example, many shops, restaurants, and attractions do a military discount. The Disney military discount, for example, entitles military personnel and their families to fantastic trips for a fraction of the price. Theres also health and dental care, tuition loans and grants, a pension, and other specialty training. A career in the military isnt just setting you up for great employability; its also helping to secure you and your family and your future. Looking sharp If you rock up to roll call late, with the wrong uniform or scuffed boots, youre going to be made an example of in front of everyone. Military personnel soon learn that appearance is everything. This skill, when you go out into the working world following a military career, is super important when youre going for interviews. And trust me, potential employers will check to see if your boots are shined to within an inch of their life. Teamwork For every job application submitted that says the age-old line I work well individually as well as part of a team there is an ex-military applicant who means it. Teamwork is a central tenet of military life, and employers know it. They know that when you say you can act decisively with limited information, and organize a team based on that decision, that you have real-world applications to back this up. They know that youre able to problem solve as a group, and that youll never let the rest of your team down. Loyalty and team building skills are very attractive traits to employers in every field. Working under pressure There arent many non-military based jobs which require people to be able to function under such immense pressure. Your ability to weather the storm, and still make calculated and logical decisions, is a very attractive trait. Your ability to lead others through that storm, acting as a calming influence, will make you an incredible manager. Attention to detail When you focus on the details, the bigger picture tends to work itself out. At least, thats the theory of the military, and it works. As far as a real world application goes, an employer is going to love someone who understands how the little details affect the larger picture. Perfectionism is, by no means, a negative trait. Decision making When your decisions can be a matter of life and death, you become very able to make decisions based on only small smatterings of evidence quickly and effectively. There is no other job other than perhaps ER doctors and nurses who learn this skill so effectively. An ex-military personnel has an ability to make logistical plans like nobody else, too. The skill of being able to look at a piece of information and make sense of it, quickly putting that new process into action, is almost unparalleled. Giving your all Finally, in the military, if you dont give 110% to everything you do, things can start to go downhill quite rapidly. An off-day at work, or a lapse in concentration, can be catastrophic. Someone from a military background gives their all to everything they set their mind to, and employers know this. It really is one of the best professional experiences that exists. We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. Good luck in your search,Joey Google+