Eight ways to beat Blue Monday

Eight ways to beat Blue Monday by Amber Rolfe Ready to start loving (blue) Mondays? The festive season is a distant memory, you’ve completely run out of Christmas chocolate, and you’re beginning to wonder whether winter will ever end; it must be mid-January. And with it comes what some experts claim to be the most depressing day of the year: the fittingly-titled Blue Monday.But it doesn’t have to be that way.To help you turn Blue Monday into a day you love instead of loathe, here are eight ways to beat it:  Don’t sit still OK, so incorporating some exercise into your day may seem like a struggle at first, but we promise you’ll feel better for it afterwards. Thanks, endorphins.And it doesn’t have to be a hard-core workout either. Something as simple as walking to work, taking the stairs, or going for a quick jog is often enough to snap out of a slump.N.B: extra points for activities scientifically proven to induce happiness, including skipping, star jumps, and salsa dancing.*Top 5 ways to keep f it at work  Find the light It’s mid-January, and that can only mean one thing: you probably haven’t seen the sun in a while.But a lack of natural sunlight can not only affect your mood, but also limit the amount of vitamin D your body produces. This means getting outside as much as possible is vital to boost your endorphin levels and increase alertness.So whether you make it your goal to get outside as much as possible, or just incorporate some much-needed vitamin D (e.g. eggs, fatty fish, milk) into your diet, soaking up the sunlight could do wonders for your wellbeing.If all else fails, there’s always the window seat…  Put your headphones inNew Year, new uplifting Spotify playlist.Not only does your brain release dopamine (a neurotransmitter linked to motivation and reward) when you listen to music, it also helps to improve your mood. And if you listen to a certain early 2000s boy band, your ‘Blue’ Monday could have a whole new meaning (#AllRise).Just make sure you cho ose the right genre; happy pop songs = good, overly aggressive Bavarian-based death metal = maybe not.If in doubt, always pick The Lighthouse Family. Because is it even possible to be sad after listening to ‘Lifted’ on repeat? No. The answer is no.Top 5 job interview songsPay it forwardSometimes, the best way to cheer yourself up is by cheering somebody else up.Whether you give up your seat on the train, pay for someone’s coffee, or even just compliment a colleague, these little random acts of kindness won’t just brighten someone else’s day, they’ll also improve your own positivity.And by practicing altruism, you’ll achieve a greater sense of wellbeing.If you’re lucky, your good deed might even be reciprocated. Fingers crossed for office donuts.14 RAOK to help you love MondaysGive yourself a boost Whether it’s an indulgent dinner, a pampering movie night, or an impromptu shopping spree (see also: January sales), today’s the perfect day to do whatever makes you ha ppy.But if certain New Year’s resolutions mean chocolate is off the table, don’t panic. There are a number of diet-friendly foods that can help improve your mood â€" from bananas, nuts, and pasta, to blueberries, cherries, and pomegranate.Eat all of these, and you’re essentially eating a cocktail of antioxidants, potassium, and vitamins â€" all of which are proven to alleviate stress, boost your mood, and increase energy levels.What’s not to like?Look ahead OK, so you’re not feeling great today. But that doesn’t mean every day needs to be the same.There’s always tomorrow (and the next day, and the next day…you get the picture).Because one bad Monday doesn’t mean you can’t love the rest of them. And there’s no better way to beat blue Monday than to plan for the future.Whether you organise a holiday, a weekend road trip, or even just arrange dinner with friends; having something to look forward to will definitely help to improve your mood.Remember: the best way t o predict the future is to create it (and other, equally inspirational quotes).16 inspirational quotes all jobseekers should readLook on the bright side Sure, it might be mid-January, it’s definitely cold outside, and your bank account has probably been in minus figures since December â€" but that doesn’t mean you don’t have anything to be happy about.By switching to a positive mindset, practicing mindfulness, and listing of all the things you’re grateful for (instead of what’s making you sad) â€" you might find that your mood greatly improves.And if you’re struggling to be optimistic? Think about the fact that you won’t have to buy any more Christmas presents for at least eleven months. You’re welcome.Six tips to improve your workplace wellbeingStart your job search If it’s your job that’s getting you down â€" Blue Monday might be the day you finally turn it around.By using it to refresh your CV and kick-start your job search, you could be able to turn Blue Mond ay into the day you applied for your dream job (instead of just another day you were miserable in your old one).And whilst you’re unlikely to be able to hand in your resignation right away, putting the effort into submitting carefully tailored applications will definitely pay dividends in the long run.Ready to find a job worth waking up for? It’s time to love Mondays…*may not be scientifically proven  Still searching for your perfect position? View all available jobs now  Find a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the terms and conditions applicable to our service and acknowledge that your personal data will be used in accordance with our privacy policy and you will receive emails and communications about jobs and career related topics. Features

Strengthen the Weak Links in Your Online Job Search

Strengthen the Weak Links in Your Online Job Search If you’re like most job seekers across most industries, the success of your job search will depend on your ability to reach out to people in the real world through phone calls, meetings over coffee, and conversations at social events. But as vital as face-to-face contact will be, you’ll still need to pay close attention to the online branch of your search. And if your online efforts aren’t taking you anywhere or don’t seem to be paying off, you may benefit by giving your digital strategy a few tweaks. Consider taking the following steps.    How to Tighten Up Your Online Job Search Efforts Scan job boardsâ€"But make sure they’re the right ones. It’s okay to spend a few minutes each day on general job boards, but make sure you give equal attention to industry-specific sites that are known and trafficked only by people in your field and sub-divisions of bigger job boards. The best jobs often appear on these insider venues, while the jobs on broader sites may not be perfect for you and may be flooded with thousands of applicants. If you’re running out of ideas, try LiveCareer’s multitudes of job postings.  Are you waiting to be discovered? Stop doing that. Don’t just polish your blog, clean up your Facebook page, post your resume on your personal website and then sit back and wait for the offers to roll in. We’re sorry to break the news, but employers don’t usually surf the web looking for you. They post their positions, giving you the opportunity to respond. Be active, not passive.  Re-examine your resume. It may look great when printed out on heavy paper, but how scanable and readable is this document when viewed on a screen? And are you sure you’re sending your resume in Microsoft Word, not as PDF or rich text file? Don’t make things difficult for your employers. Keep your formatting and presentation clean, simple, scanable and accessible.  You have a vast social media network, but are you using it? Make sure your family, friends, neighbors and former coworkers know that you’re looking for work. It can be a little embarrassing to tell the world you’re unemployed, but which matters more, your pride or your future? The people who care about you can help you out, but not if they don’t know what you need.  Google yourself, and do so on a regular basis. Even if there’s nothing you can do about it, it’s a good idea to know what employers are finding when they pass your name through a search engine. You may not be able to take down the scandalous news stories about the lady five states away who shares your name, but you can at least get a heads-up on the strength of your privacy settings. And you’ll have a chance to take down that swear-laden movie review you published three years ago but had forgotten about.  Pursue opportunities. Recognize them when they float past and take action. Did a Facebook friend’s second cousin just mention that her company is hiring? Did an organization you love just post a banner ad saying they’re looking for new tech pros or salespeople? Keep your eyes open and be ready to move when your moment comes, which could happen at any time.  LiveCareer, home to America’s #1 Resume Builder, connects job seekers of all experience levels and career categories to all the tools, resources and insider tips needed to win the job. Connect with us on Facebook  and  Google+  for even more tips and advice on all things career and resume-related.

Make your final year count

Make your final year count Who better to write our first post heralding the new term and (gasp!) final year, than Natasha Clark finalist, soon-to-be-graduate and editor of The Boar It’s getting to that point where most of us are back at university. All the important things have been done; lie-ins, holidays, watching too much Olympic coverage, and for some of us, jobs and placements. End of an era Final year â€" what a daunting phrase. The end of an era â€" three years of your life studying the same subject, in the same place, with the same people. Yet by the end of your time at Warwick, you’ve been given incredible opportunities, met lots of new people, done plenty of new things… you’ve heard it all before. You’ve probably done it all already. It’s time to prepare for what Real Life has to throw at us, luckily we’ve got a year to do it. Soon, essays and reports will be squeezed into our schedules amid interviews, applications and assessment centres, and well be sick of answering the question “So what have you got planned for after you graduate?” Decisions, decisions Unfortunately, Ive come to the realisation that its incredibly difficult to plan a career in journalism. Do I go for a Masters degree (parting with £9000 in the process), go for an NCTJ short course (a 9-5 intensive three month course to train to be a reporter), or dive straight in to the job market, applying for jobs at newspapers, news agencies, and anywhere else I can think of. The best and worse thing is that theres no right or wrong way to go from here, leaving us at an important crossroad. Final year also comes with the panic that childhood is over, and this year actually counts for something. Reading week might actually be spent reading this year, as opposed to that cheeky mini-break to Barcelona. Christmas will be a odd mixture of eggnog and presents combined with planning long essays and exam topics (well, in theory). Come Easter well be scoffing down eggs in the hope that it gives us enough energy to force our eyelids open while we scramble together 10,000 words on some obscure topic we know nothing about. Quick, to the library. The clock is ticking So how should we get ready for the most important year in our university life, and the last before we have to figure out the real meanings of interest rates and down payments? Prepare It’s time to pay a visit to your trusty internet friend Warwick insite and check out the reading lists for next year. Haul yourself out of bed and start thinking about next years modules. Go on, give it a try! Dust off your CV and update it with what youve been doing; if youre stuck, pay a visit to  Careers and Skills  and find out how to polish those  applications. Attend  careers fairs  and talk to recruiters and graduates working in the field youre considering going into. Consider which topics you might do for your exams before you get around to revision time. Perhaps not today or tomorrow, but this is not the year to leave everything until the last minute. Start thinking about your assignments when you start the module, not the week before your deadline. Work hard So it’s your last year with all your mates, what better excuse to party as much as possible, yes? When it’s also the final year of the degree that’s going to stay on your CV for the rest of your life, think again. Don’t become a social recluse, but do think about giving up the third night out this week in favour of revision for that test tomorrow. Withthe majority of graduates coming out of university with a 2.1, most employers will only consider applicants with this classification and above. You get out what you put in if you want a good grade, youll have to work for it. Of course, its more than just university work that youll need to focus on in order to stand out in final-year. Extra curricular activities are vital to bump up your CV and  prove to graduate recruiters youve demonstrated the skills theyre looking for. Everyones got a degree, what differentiates you from the rest of the class of 2013? Consider spending the next few holidays looking for work experience and placements in fields you are interested in, it displays initiative and determination.  For most grad recruiters, experience counts. You can research companies online, use any spare time(!) youve got to compile a persuasive  covering letter. If you havent already, join a society or club that interests you and get more involved in activities that could be relevant to your career. Enjoy it Warwick is a fantastic university. I don’t need to tell you that, you’re already here. Take advantage of everything that university life has to offer you. Whether it’s attending an  applications session to smarten up your CV,  or joining a sports club that you’ve always wanted to try, this is your last chance. Plus, what employers really love to see is that youre a confident, independent and well-rounded person, and by getting involved in as many things as you can and having a great time, youll develop into the people that will be hired in any discipline. But be sure to savour every last spring stroll around Jepson Gardens and pint at the Duck in a little under a year’s time, one of them will be your last.

FBI Hollywood Employer Brand

FBI Hollywood Employer Brand How do you attract talent to an organization that everyone thinks they know thanks to Hollywood? Peter Sursi is Senior Executive, Recruitment, and Hiring; Human Resources Division at the FBI and is responsible for everyone coming into the bureau. Have a listen to the episode below, keep reading for a summary and be sure to subscribe to the  Employer Branding Podcast. Listen on  Apple Podcasts,  Stitcher Radio,  Google Play  or  SoundCloud. In this episode youll learn: That the FBI hires special agents, but also offer 699 other positions. If the  Hollywood portrayal of the FBI is actually true. How long the application background investigation process actually takes. Why Peter needs  around 16,000 people  to hit the “apply” button. How the FBI is putting the diversity message out there. How they activate its employer brand with 3 marketing campaigns. What the best source of hire is for the FBI. Peters top 3 tips to stay on top of your employer brand. Connect with Peter on LinkedIn!

Why You Need to Show Your Boss What Your Worth Every Day CareerMetis.com

Why You Need to Show Your Boss What Your Worth Every Day When you first enter the workforce, it can feel like anuphill battle. And in many ways, it is. But the further you get up that proverbial mountain, the easier the climb.Especially in the early days, you need to work hard to prove your value to your boss. Here are a few reasons why you need to show your boss your worth every day.Mentorship can advance your careerAs long as you’re working in your chosen career, you’re going to want tomake connections. Your boss may or may not be an influential person right now, but you never know what could happen. If you can learn everything he or she can teach you, you’ll be in a great position to advance your career.evalIf you can forma genuine relationshipwith this person, they may be able to advise you throughout your career â€" regardless of where you’re working. You never know when or if a relationship will pay off, so make a great impression and stay in touch with any bosses you have.Getting noticed can get you promotedIf you’re doing something to impress your boss every day, you’re going to get noticed. Most employees aren’t as willing to go the extra mile. Even good employees have bad days. You will too, but if you can make sure you’re stillproviding valueon your bad days, you’ll be just fine. And when you stand out for such great reasons, you’ll be on the fast track for a promotion.Practicing integrity is great for your characterWhen you say you’re going to do something and actually do it, you’re showing great integrity. When you care about the quality of work you’re putting out to the world, you’re showing integrity. If you can be proud of the work you do every day, you’ll feel a lot more confident in what you do.And this type of integrity canspill over to other areasof your life as well. Put your all into everything and your life will almost magically become easier.How to show your boss your value every dayThere will be some days when you find it easy to show your value. The opportunitie s will be obvious, and you’ll be ready and willing to jump at the chance to do your best.And then there will be other days…On your “off” days, you might wake up on the wrong side of the bed and not really feel much like going to work, never mind impressing anyone.evalEither way, it’s important to show your value. Here are a few ideas for doing just that.Focus on the work that increases revenueIt’s important to get every task done that’s assigned to you, but some are more important than others. Think about each task in terms of the revenue it generates for the company. Is there something extra you can do to deliver even more value?Tasks like these are the ones that are likely to get attention from the company’s executive team.1)Spend your time wiselyevalYou can do things that add money to the company’s bottom line, but there’s one important thing to remember. Until you provide value, you’re nothing more than an expense to the company.evalOftentimes, people mista kenly think they deserve a paycheck for showing up to work. But that’s simply not true. You’re getting paid for a service, and if that service doesn’t provide enough value to make up for the expense, your paycheck becomes a liability. So, if you want to prove your value to your boss, the best way is byusing every minute wisely. And by wisely, we mean by providing some service or value to the company.2) Familiarize yourself with the organizationYou will always be able to perform better with a complete understanding of how your job impacts the company. Why does your position exist and how does it support others in the company? Every job has a purpose, even if it’s not completely clear up front.For example, ajanitor provides an important valueto the company by keeping the floors clean and clear. A CEO who has piles of trash in their office probably won’t feel the clarity needed to make the best decisions. And if someone slips on a spill on the way to an important meeting, itâ €™s going to have an impact on the entire organization.Your role is an important one. And once you understand why you’re there and who you support, you may find it easier to go the extra mile.3)Become a good salespersonevalWhether you’re in sales or not, selling is an important skill to have. You’ll likely find yourself in a position where you need to sell Don’t feel threatened if your boss gets recognition for something you’ve done. If he’s the type to always take credit for your work, you may want to find another job. Otherwise, just roll with it. Your career will only benefit when your boss looks good.6) Remember to work well as a teamDon’t get so caught up in showing your own value that you forget how to build other people up. If you’re up for any sort of leadership position, the higher ups will want to know that youcan work well with others.If you’re in a position where you have people reporting to you, consider taking on a mentee yourself. It’s all about gi ving back. Just as you’ve had people help you climb the corporate ladder, you should do the same for others.In any healthy office environment, the bosses like to see a constant flow of learning and growth in the employees. If you can contribute to someone else’s growth, you’ll instantly become more valuable to the organization. Maybe you can teach someone a new skill or reinforcehealthy workplace tipsto a team that seems to be struggling. Find a way to make a difference for someone else, and you’ll prove your own worth at the same time.Everyone wants to feel appreciated at work, and the best way to ensure you’re appreciated is to prove your value to your boss. It’s always best if the person who appreciates you is also the person who signs your paycheck. Follow the tips outlined here and you’ll be on your way to a raise and/or promotion in no time.eval

Bragging Rights and Wrongs - CareerEnlightenment.com

How to Strike the Right Balance Between Facts and BraggingI can sit in front of you and tell you that I’ve written a bestselling book without bragging. I’m simply stating a fact: Job Searching with Social Media For Dummies sold over 10,000 copies thus making it into the best-selling category.Then I will you that selling so many copies was a lot of hard work. Writing the book was a long, intense process that took over my entire life. I wasn’t born into it, I earned it. Still not bragging.But if I said, “I’m a bestselling author, whose book sold over 10,000 copies easily.” That could be bragging.Here’s why.First, it’s not about whom you are, it’s about what you did.When you talk about your accomplishments, learn to distinguish between something inherent to you, like intelligence, luck or good looks; and something you did, like hard work, perseverance, and innovation.There’s a big difference between “I’m a bestselling author”, and “I’ve written a book that is bestselling”Second, show your struggle and be human.Bragging has a sense of, “I’m better than you. Things you think are hard are easy for me.”You can quickly eliminate that pretense by sharing your struggle. It wasn’t my brilliant writing and perfect timing that sold 10,000 copies (although I’d like to believe that). It was lots of outreach, phone calls, guest blog posts and begging my friends to leave Amazon reviews! In short, my struggle makes me human.It’s Your TurnI want you to think about a time in your life where you’re the most proud of what you did. Maybe it’s a wild success.Next, ask yourself, “What role did I play in this success?”Write out a few paragraphs. Read it to a friend and see if it feels like bragging.Being able to talk about your accomplishments is a skill that will not only help you outshine your competition, but it will help boost your confidence so you can go out there and do it again!

Articles on Resume Writing Can Help You Make You Stand Out

Articles on Resume Writing Can Help You Make You Stand OutArticles on resume writing can help you portray a more professional image. Employers often look at an employee's work history to determine if they will be a good fit for their company. Putting in a few articles on resume writing that is professionally written and informative will have you in the best possible light.Resume writing is not the same as applying for a job. It involves more than just filling out a form. You will need to have strong writing skills and a lot of initiative. Articles on resume writing can help you prepare for the interview process.An employer typically checks a candidate's resume before hiring them. There are also a number of other reasons why it is important to make your resume interesting. Your resume will be in the hands of someone who reads them frequently, which will likely lead to your being fired or at least passed over for a promotion.If you already have a job, your employer probably needs to se e a proof of how you got your job. Articles on resume writing can show them what kind of work you did to get the job and how your experience matches up with what the company is looking for. They may even look into it further and check out your references to see if you have anything that they can base a hire decision on.Resume writing also involves many other types of writing. You will need to have basic editing skills and some typing skills. This can take time, but you should be able to find someone to do the editing and typing for you. You will also need to know how to put together an impressive cover letter and an impressive resume.A cover letter should tell the employer something about you that you can use to get them to take a closer look at your resume. Employers use these letters to interview potential employees and determine if they would like to interview you. Since resumes usually go to the back of the file, they are often taken for granted by future employers.A resume can show what your skills are, but they are usually much more involved than that. Some jobs require you to write some type of essay, and those are also writing jobs. You can help yourself with article writing to prepare for a career-changing job.You can use articles on resume writing to show off what you can do for a job that is similar to what your competitors are doing. You can also use articles to show that you are knowledgeable about a particular subject. The ideas you can come up with are endless.