Im Scared To Stay, And Im Scared To Leave. What Should I Do

“Im Scared To Stay, And Im Scared To Leave. What Should I Do” Help from our Community “Im Scared To Stay, And Im Scared To Leave. What Should I Do?” * Alex is in a double-bind: bored where she is, yet afraid to leave for something new. Should she quit, let down her family, and risk everything she's worked so hard to get? Or should she stay put, be grateful for the good things she's got, and keep everyone happy (except, it seems, herself)? What's your career history and current job? I'm a Senior Statistical Analyst in a major government services department. I've been in this job for the last three years. Before that, I was juggling my postgraduate studies with a position as a Statistician for a well-known medical university. How do you feel about your work? Well, something's not right. I dread going into work every day, I'm often bored and disconnected from my job, and I keep finding myself daydreaming about something else. Don't get me wrong, my colleagues are nice and I'm paid well, so it's not all bad. I have a nice office, a short commute, and my family are proud as punch to tell people what I do for a living â€" and I love that. Really, it ticks all the boxes that everyone talks about when they're looking for a job. And yet the longer I stay here, the more I feel like I'm just not meant to be here. But that's not how this was supposed to go! I know how childish that sounds, but really, I've put so much work into getting to this position, I'd be so angry for it to all turn out to be wrong for me. What would you like to be doing instead? My gosh, even answering this questions feels like a really guilty pleasure! I've never told anyone this before â€" isn't that strange? I want to go back to school. I want to study. I want to become a researcher in Natural History and Life Sciences. When I watch scientists on TV documentaries working on research vessels, out in remote environments, making their notes and studying animal behaviours, it's like my whole body is lifting out of the chair and trying to launch itself through the screen. That's how much I want to be there, studying these kinds of things. And then I go back into my office, look at my stack of paperwork and I want to hit my head on the desk. What's the biggest obstacle in your way? Good, old-fashioned fear and guilt, I think. My family really helped me out financially with my studies, and they're all so proud of how far I've come. You should hear them telling their friends about what I do for a living; it's like I've really achieved something special in their eyes. How can I go to them and tell them I'm throwing it all away? And, for goodness' sake, who's to say it's not all a silly pipe dream anyway? Do you know how many people want the kind of job I've been daydreaming about? Millions. Millions of people want to spend their days studying wolves and waiting for whales to breach and pretending to be David Attenborough. And then there's little old me, preparing to throw thousands of pounds back in my family's faces in order to go off and try to make it in a field like that? It feels very self-indulgent, to even be thinking about something like this. Not everyone can just pack it all in and go off and do something else. Why should I think I can? The whole thing just makes me feel so childish and silly. So childish and silly, in fact, that I can't even bring myself to look into what I'd need to do to make it happen! I know there's loads of advice on Careershifters about trying things out, but I'm too scared to even do that. What if I try it out, I fall totally in love with it, and then I have to ruin everything I've got so far? Or worse, what if I try it out and discover I don't like it and I have to stay here? I'm just so torn and guilt-ridden right now that I'm not doing anything about anything, and I have no idea which decision is worse. Can you help Alex? Have you been in a similar situation, or are you in the same boat right now? How can she make a decision about what to do with her dreams? Is she being self-indulgent for imagining moving into a new career? Do you know anyone she could talk to? Share your thoughts in the comments below and click the thumbs-up button to show your support. Give Alex a cheer of encouragement by clicking the thumbs-up button here::

Strategies to Improve Calls and Increase Sales - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Strategies to Improve Calls and Increase Sales - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career The successful sales professional will begin all conversations from the prospective client’s point of view. They encourage prospective clients to speak first and share everything on their mind. This is the simplest and most direct route for understanding what the prospective client truly needs, wants, and desires, and is the key for quickly getting to the sale. 1. “I was thinking of you The objective with this call is to get the conversation rolling once again. To avoid that awkward feeling of having to check in with someone to find where they stand on the possibility of purchasing from you, or the possibility of purchasing a newer service, begin the conversation with, “I was thinking of you.” This phrase is honest because you were wondering why you hadn’t heard from them or that your newest offering will be a perfect fit. Consider the other person’s response when they hear your words uttered, and also ask if they have time to speak. Do you know of anyone who will not appreciate hearing you were thinking about them? It’s highly unlikely. But, it is very likely that hearing your words will relax the other party to the point of being willing to speak with you. 2. Tell me your news Once you succeed in getting past the, “How are you?” stage, take the lead by asking, “What’s new with you and your company?” Employees, including executives, rarely have the time for conversations like this. The question gives them a feeling of importance and they are usually happy to share their insights and updates. An added benefit is when they begin to share personal news too. This shows they are comfortable speaking with you and that you are doing well in building the relationship. 3. Acknowledge the news Make a positive comment on the news they share and thank them for the update. As you hear commonalities in their verbiage shared with you, take note of which new services you now offer that may be of interest to them. 4. Share your updates Very briefly share your personal news. Then In your own words, state that it was good to hear their news because by hearing it you recognize they may potentially be interested in one of your new offerings. Ask if they would be interested in hearing a quick summary. 5. Match updates to potential interest In two minutes or less, quickly describe the overall line of new services. Zero in on how the specific one(s) aligns with what the other party just shared, and follow with the question, “Will this be of interest to you?” Should you hear a “yes”, ask to set a date to meet. During your meeting, become the leader of the conversation once you get down to official business. Ask if anything has changed since you last spoke. Remind your prospective client about the highlights of your previous conversation and the current points of interest. The key to successful selling is to leave your sales quota and goals at the door. Instead, ask questions and pay serious attention to all of the information shared. Work from your prospective client’s point of view to deliver the best possible customer service experience. Following these 5 strategies will lead you to the Smooth Sale!

The graduate recruitment process

The graduate recruitment process The graduate recruitment process can seem really daunting: even if you survive the initial application sift, you can still look forward to a further two or three stages before you reach the final hurdle. But the key to success lies in preparation and understanding what the interviewer is looking for, so I caught up with Claire Jones, Student Recruitment Officer at PwC, to ask for her top tips to beat the odds. Whichever opportunity youre applying for at PwC (or anywhere else), there are some things that you should be thinking about so weve put together some hints and tips: Do your research Well expect you to be able to talk coherently and confidently about PwC, the position youre applying for, the business world in general and yourself. The more you know about these things, the more prepared youll be, so youll have to get researching. Think about investigating the following sources of information: Our brochures and website (careers and corporate) The financial media (press, television, internet) Relevant professional bodies (especially if they offer a qualification youre interested in pursuing) Anyone you know who works for PwC (or a similar firm) Dont just give them a quick glance the day before your interview. Examine them, understand the issues and keep yourself up to date. Completing your application form Remember first impressions count so the application form is a major opportunity to sell yourself. Before you complete the form, you may find it useful to gather accurate details of your university and secondary education exam results, work experience and employment. While completing the form, remember to: Read and follow instructions carefully. Proof read everything you write including checking grammar and spelling. Be concise as you can elaborate at interview. Dont repeat statements youve read in our brochures and website. Dont be vague or lie about your results as we will check your academics at a later stage in the process. Taking the tests These tests help to determine your numerical, logical or verbal reasoning ability. You can practise taking the tests before you sit the real ones. The test will be timed and you should work as quickly and accurately through the questions youre presented with. Ensure you read each question carefully and that you understand whats required before committing yourself to an answer, especially where multiple choice answers appear similar. Well also ask you to complete an Occupational Personality Questionnaire and you may be asked to complete a Student Talent Questionnaire. Preparing for interview Interviews can be nerve wracking, but the more prepared you are the more relaxed you should feel. Ensure to: Do thorough research prior Remind yourself of the things youve done that can help you demonstrate the skills and qualities weve listed Think about the questions youre likely to be asked and your responses Come up with questions you want to ask Well be looking to find out: Why you want to join PwC What you understand about the work we do What you think about the vacancy youve chosen During the interview Be truthful and concise, answer the exact questions asked and dont ramble about irrelevant things. Our interviewers are not given a set list of questions to go through but you can expect most to be in relation to our Global Core Competencies such as: What do you know about our business? Why have you decided to apply to us? Are there any issues or current affairs that interest you? What has been your biggest challenge? When have you worked in teams? How are you able to juggle your commitments? Remember, were not expecting you to be perfect but preparing for some of these questions will certainly help you to feel confident that youve given it your best shot. At the assessment centre Prepare what youre going to wear beforehand if in doubt, dress conservatively. All materials required such as paper and pens will be provided for you. You can bring your own calculator but if you choose not to, one will be provided for you. Make sure you bring all necessary additions eg reading glasses, inhaler, prescribed medication. Youll undertake numerical, logical and verbal reasoning tests (depending on your business area) so prepare yourself for these and work through the practice information sent in advance. During the written exercise, youll be required to read the briefing materials and prepare a written report on the given subject. Youll participate in either a group discussion or individual exercise so ensure that you speak clearly and audibly so that the assessors can hear you. Therell probably be at least one and up to 11 other participants attending the same assessment day but remember youre not in competition with them but judged on your own, individual merits. And finally good luck!

49 Personal Branding Questions to Ask Yourself - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

49 Personal Branding Questions to Ask Yourself - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Here is a fun exercise you can do to really drive home how important it is to create your personal brand. Ask yourself the following 49 questions and really think about the answers. Try writing down the top 5 or 10 areas that you will commit to improve when you find weaknesses. Also, make sure to give yourself a pat on the back for the areas where you are doing well in too! Lets get to it. 49 Personal Branding Questions to Ask Yourself: What makes you indispensable? What ways do you provide value? How are you differentiated? Do you lead or follow the crowd? What does status quo mean to you? Why are you the best? Why should anybody listen to you? Do you like to try new things? When was the last time you read a book? How do you communicate your value? What are the trends shaping the new economy? How can you position yourself for these trends? What do you find when you Google yourself (ego search)? What are your goals? Stretch goals? What is your written plan to reach them? Have you taken action yet? What kind of company do you work for? Visionary or Dinosaur? Do you Google, Bing, or Yahoo? How many substantive virtual connections do you have? Are you networking with influencers? Do you follow at least 20 blogs in your field? Are you commenting on blogs a few times a week? When was the last time you wrote something someone disagreed with? What are the big ideas in your head? Do you have any? Do you have a fire in your belly? If not, how can you light a fire in your belly? Do you enjoy your job? Are you going through the motions? Can you name 5 social networks and how they work? What new things are you learning? Do you think? What is your personal brand? Are you monitoring the Web with alerts? How are you promoting your personal brand? Do you have a personal brand? Where do you want to be 1, 5, 10 ,etc years from today? When was the last time you failed? When was the last time you tried something new? When you dont know the answer to something do you Google it? Do you believe in creating your circumstances? What successful people do you admire and model? What do you bring to the world that is truly yours? Do you rank first for your name in Google? Do you have a blog? Can you create a blog? Can you write an eBook on something you are knowledgeable about? Have you asked to be a guest author on a prominent blog? Have you been told no in the last month? If not you are not taking enough chances. How long until you take action? Now it is your turn. Lets make this really fun and all post an answer to your favorite question in the comments. What do you say? Let it fly! Author: Chad Levitt is the author of the New Sales Economy blog, which focuses on how Sales 2.0 Social Media can help you connect, create more opportunities and increase your business. Chad is also the featured Sales 2.0 blogger at SalesGravy.com, the number one web portal for sales pros, the professional athletes of the business world. Make sure to connect with him on Twitter @chadalevitt.

Construction Skills are in Very High Demand - Opportunities CareerMetis.com

Construction Skills are in Very High Demand - Opportunities Construction is one of the industries with the highestskills shortages in the UK, with close to170,000jobs projected to be created by 2023 across the country. And, with more than1 in 5workers in the construction industry aged 50 or above, the time is ripe for young people to enter the job market in an ever more diverse sector.For instance, more and morewomen are entering construction, a traditionally male-dominated profession, and are therefore challenging negative stereotypes about the industry.evalGovernment-funded apprenticeships are available for many roles, providing young people with hard skills and qualifications across a range of activities. One myth to dispel about the industry â€" it’s not all about hard hats! From quality surveyors to engineers, construction brings together a host of roles and responsibilities for you to try.Another myth is that construction is not a ‘career’. Like any other profession, it allows its practitioners to move up through the ranks. Impres sively, according to one study from the Federation of Master Builders, as many astwo-thirdsof all construction bosses started their careers as an apprentice.One pivotal advantage of the construction industry from the perspective of young people is that it will continue to provide employment opportunities. Times and attitudes may change, but things will always need to be built! This opens the door for regular employed work. Once qualified, you are not limited to a choice of employers â€" you can easily charge for your services in your local area, or even set up your own business.Take a look below at the roles in the construction industry that are in really high demand Bricklayers are the role in top demand in the UK, with an estimated shortage of15,000 people in the industry. As the government is planning for the construction of 300,000 new homes in England every year, the demand for bricklayers has never been as high as now and is not planned to reduce any time soon.There are 3 main ways to become a bricklayer â€" you can either follow a college course, an apprenticeship or on-the-job training.It takes around 30 months to complete a Level 2Bricklayer Apprenticeship. Just over350apprenticeships in bricklaying were started in Q1 2018/19 â€" there’s lots of room for many more!evalThe role attracts very interesting salaries as well, with an average annual pay rate of £42k, going up to £90kin London!And â€" fun fact â€" Winston Churchill was a passionate bricklayer in his post-war days, building up walls in the garden of his Kent house.2) Carpenters and JoinersCarpentry and joinery is the second skilled trade in very high demand in the UK, with around60%of construction companies reporting difficulties to hire. While joiners typically work in a workshop where they create furniture, door or window frames using heavy machinery, carpenters are more mobile, working from one construction site to the other, assembling timber frames or building stud walls.evalChoosing on e or the other profession depends on your appetite for mobility!While no qualification is required to become a carpenter or joiner, it is encouraged to complete a Level 2Carpentry and Joinery Apprenticeshipwhich takes around 18 months.You may want to continue for another year to complete a Level 3Advanced Carpentry and Joinery apprenticeship. There are more than1,500 students who have started a Carpentry apprenticeship in Q1 2018/19 â€" why not join the next cohort?Don’t forget you will also needa CSCS cardto be able to work on a construction site.On average, site carpenters and bench joiners earn an average annual salary of £41k, more than certified accountants!3) General LabourersGeneral laborers is another profession where severe shortages are reducing productivity, which may become even more acute due to the uncertainties surrounding Brexit, as16% of the current laborer workforce comes from outside the UK. Severe shortages could, therefore, translate into higher wages for work ers in the months or years to come.While no specific qualifications are expected, a CSCS card is required to be able to work on a construction site to show that you have a solid knowledge of health and safety. Cards are relatively inexpensive and the simple procedure for acquiring them can be found by clickinghere.General laborers are tasked with a variety of responsibilities, from preparing and tidying the site to loading materials. Starting here is also a great entry point to learn more specialized trades on-the-job, such as carpentry, bricklaying or plastering, and to help you move up the construction career ladder.4) Site Supervisors and Site ManagersevalWorkers aren’t just hard to come by on the ground â€"2/3of construction companies are reporting experiencing issues hiring site supervisors and managers in 2019.Basically, the role of site supervisors involves managing the site in accordance with health and safety guides. Site managers tend to have more responsibility than sup ervisors â€" it is their job to ensure that projects are completed in time and within budget.These roles require a bit more training â€" you can become a site supervisor once you’ve completed a 3-year higher apprenticeship in Construction and have completed anSSSTSWith an average annual salary of48kfor site supervisors and51kfor site managers, these are two very attractive professions for you to consider.eval5) Quantity SurveyorsConstruction companies are all pretty desperate about recruiting quantity surveyors, which is an issue not limited to the UK but acute worldwide. Some studies have described it as “a global crisis in the surveying profession”.Quantity surveyors are responsible for estimating the number of materials required for a building project and their costs over the lifetime of a building project. The efficient use of resources is of paramount importance to save money and reduce landfill waste. You are an important link between the office and the site, and it is u p to you to save money and avoid potentially huge financial penalties levied upon employers who do not comply with environmental regulation.It’s a very interesting profession for you to think about, with great recruitment opportunities, attractive salaries ( £56k), and a relatively short training phase as it only takes 2 years to complete a Level 3 â€"Surveying Technician Apprenticeship.Furthermore, the increased use of 3D modeling packages and BIM (Building Information Modelling) software makes it a profession with innovating digital solutions to explore in the future. This intelligent model-based process enables efficient and sustainable construction, but could also be put to great use in the planning, design, and managing of buildings and infrastructure too. If you like technology, numbers and the construction sector, it’s an ideal role for you!Starting as a junior quantity surveying can lead to very interesting senior roles, such as commercial manager, contracts manager or h ead of contracts.I hope this has given some indication of the breadth of opportunities available to you in the construction sector, a sector that is in desperate need of young, fresh talent across the board.Best of luck securing your first work opportunity!