Lynds in Real Life

A Lifestyle Blog

Blogging + Business

Six Ways to Improve Your Career Prospects

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The global pandemic has resulted in many people finding themselves out of employment and while new business start-ups have increased during 2020, now may be the time to look for an alternative career. Using your time wisely to give your career a boost or to start on the career ladder, below are some tips to help you improve your job prospects.

Make Plan

While your career may have been pandemic proof, making a plan for the next 5 years will help you start on your journey of improving your job prospects no matter the financial outlook. Sit down and start mapping out your main goal and work back from that. Establish a timeline and note smaller goals on the journey. These smaller goals or milestones will help you assess if you are still on track to meet your main goal. This is a guide to help you on that journey and help you move forward.

Know the Industry

No matter the sector you are in or trying to break into, knowing what is happening is important. Take time to read up on what is happening, this is vital to show you understand the industry and use this when you are invited to interviews. This is a great way to show that you know what is happening and you are dedicated to the industry.

Increase your Productivity

We can all get in a rut at times. This impacts negatively upon our productivity. Set yourself goals and each day have a task list that you can work your way through. Keeping a focus on those tasks will help you increase your productivity.

Boost your Skills

Increasing your skill set is important to improving your job prospects. There are plenty of online courses you can take in your spare time, however, ensure you get as much information about the course before purchasing, for example reading the likes of Job Killing review or similar articles, will tell you all you need to know about a course in advance. Browse all the options available to you and make an informed decision about which course is right for you.

Improve your Resumé

Revamp your resumé by giving it a fresh look. Build up your current version by adding some skills and new courses you have undertaken and look at examples of how to lay it out. Ensure you display key information prominently so that potential employers can view the important information at a glance.

Get active on LinkedIn

Using LinkedIn is a great way to connect with businesses in the sector you are interested in. Set up an account and start making connections with people in the industry you wish to enter. 

Conclusion

Moving forward in your career can be a challenge but setting out with your goal and noting milestones along the way will help you on the journey. Keep your eye firmly on the goal and navigate your way thereby ensuring you increase your skills and engage with potential employers. Taking account of the above tips will help you on this journey.

Thank you for reading!

Lifestyle

5 Ways to Know If Your Career Is Pandemic-Proof

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Over the past year, we have seen so many changes, for good and for bad. One of the things that many people have experienced is job losses, as closures of businesses due to the pandemic are closed, as well as demand for certain jobs and businesses diminishes. If you are someone who is looking for a job or perhaps even thinking about changing your job role to one that is more ‘pandemic-proof,’ then what are the best industries to be in? Here are some of the sectors that could be worth considering, if you are looking for a career in an industry that is doing well at a time like this, when so many others aren’t.

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Teaching

Some schools have been closed and it is remote learning only, but even though how the job is being done is different, there is still a demand for this kind of job role. Job losses in teaching have been very few, if any, during this time, so it is a career that could be worth switching to, if you are interested in teaching. Tutoring is also something you could do alongside other work roles, especially to help children catch up with work when they have missed out on school in-person.

Funeral Care

This is an industry that has still been going strong, as people die every day, whether it is from the coronavirus or not. When you look at the COVID impact on the funeral industry, you can see that how things have needed to be done have changed to keep funeral directors and staff safe, and numbers have been reduced for people attending funerals. But for the most part, it is business as usual for this kind of industry.

Medical Care

It may not be an industry that you want to get into right now, due to the stresses and the strains, but long-term, a medical profession is always going to be a pretty safe one. People will always be in need of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, carers, and other medical roles. You will need specific training for a lot of these job roles, so looking into courses that you could do could be worth it, if this is a goal of yours for one day.

ECommerce

How many times have you placed orders for something online, whether it is for food or even household items? ECommerce and running an online retail space is something that has boomed lately, with many stores being closed, or people being reluctant to go into physical stores. Setting up your own eCommerce business, when aimed at the right customers, could be a great idea.

Physical Exercise and Mental Health Coaching

More than ever, people are wanting to look after their physical and mental health. Gyms have been closed in many places, so people have looked for online classes or outdoor training with a coach. Mental health coaching is also something that is going to be much needed for years to come, which is why these are both good industries to get into at the moment. If you have a passion for this sector, then it would be a job that you loved.

Have you found that your career is pandemic-proof?

Thank you for reading!

Health

4 Jobs That Affect Your Health

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There is something wonderful about knowing that you have a stable career on which to rely. The thing is, the more time moves forward, the more we work hard enough to burn ourselves out daily. When this happens, it means that the wonderful career that we think that we have isn’t all that wonderful. There are plenty of jobs out there that will hurt your health, even if you don’t know about it.

Man Inside Vehicle

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Every profession has its own health risks, but there are some more than others that take a toll on behavior. Some jobs are categorized as being suitable for you; others are known to make you feel more vulnerable and influence your health negatively. Below, we’ve narrowed down a long list into four jobs that are the worst possible ones for your health. If any of these jobs are those that are bad for your health and you are working in them, we’d suggest a career change if possible!

Sales Representative

When you are working as a sales rep, you’re working a role that is both mentally and physically demanding. The hours are long, the work environment is competitive, and you aren’t always paid for the work that you do, which causes the perfect blend of stress and fatigue. You need to feel like you can work and thrive, not work and survive, and sales reps often have the most stressful work out there to do.

Firefighter

All the helmets and hearing protection in the world cannot protect you from the disturbing things seen on the job a firefighter. There is a high risk of injury and illness for obvious reasons, and emergency responders are living a life on the edge. More firefighters die of heart attacks than being on the job, and it’s the stress that leads to this. High blood pressure and cholesterol lead to a harder day at work.

Lawyers

There have been studies that show that lawyers have the highest rate of alcohol abuse and stress than most other office-based careers. Being in front of others and fighting for justice is not a 9-5 position; it’s a cutthroat environment for anyone to be in, and it can correlate strongly with the lack of health overall. Stress begins in law school for a lawyer, and it’s not something that lets up for many years on the job.

Long-Distance Drivers

Being on the road? Not as easy as just sitting and ensuring there isn’t a car crash. The transportation industry covers a lot of careers, but long-distance drivers have it the hardest. They need to keep up a constant level of being awake, and the low salary mixed with an increase in danger is a recipe for stress and poor health.

Finding a job that makes you happy is also about finding a job that won’t make you sick. Find the career that will be right for you, and it will be far easier to live a healthier life.

This post was a collaboration.

Thank you for reading!

xo lynds

Blogging + Business

Career Focus: Choosing The Qualification You’ll Need To Succeed

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If you have decided to refocus your career path and move in a new direction, the chances are that you’ll need to re-enter education in order to do so. Whether you’re looking to make a dramatic change – for example, you currently work in PR but want to move into nursing – or more of a sideways move such as marketing copywriter to marketing campaign manager, you’ll still usually still need at least some form of training and certification in order to transition your career.

 

However, while you may know you need further education, knowing exactly what type of education you require or which qualification is suitable for your career aspirations can be tricky. Most educational and training courses are wide-ranging, which can mean narrowing down the right one for your specific requirements is a particular challenge. There are, however, a few tips you can follow when trying to decide which course is the right choice for you.

 

Ask Recruiters

 

 

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To do this, you’ll first need to have an idea of what specific job role you’re hoping to move into. So if you’re a copywriter looking to work in marketing, you’ll need to zero in on which specific marketing role you’d like to do in the future; for the sake of the example, we’ll say that you decide you’d like to be a marketing accounts manager. When you’ve got your job role in mind, you can ask companies who hire marketing accounts managers which qualification they most want to see on an applicant’s resume. It’s usually best to ask at least three different companies in order to develop a consensus, but when you’ve done so, you can be sure you’re choosing a course that recruiters genuinely feel is impressive.

 

Check Course Providers

 

Any reputable course provider will seek to ensure that their prospective students make the right choice as to which course they should pursue. As a result, it’s worth researching course providers, and then looking for further guidance on their website. You should be able to find in-depth guides that explain intricacies such as the difference between MSN and DNP for prospective nursing students, whether you need a foundation certificate or diploma in marketing, and similar topics related to your specific career choice on most course providers’ websites, though you can call to ask if you’re in need of further guidance.

 

Go with What Interests You

 

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In the above two examples, the advice is generally only suitable for people that have a specific goal in mind – but what if you’re more open to the different possibilities, and want to keep your options flexible? If this applies to your situation, it’s usually best to opt for whichever course interests you. Look for a course with a recognizable qualification, but otherwise, focus on the syllabus; the chances are that, over the course of your studies, you’ll begin to narrow your preferences and zone in on suitable future job roles naturally. While this approach does not lend itself to certain occupations – nursing, for example, requires rigorous training in adherence with regulation – but for marketing or other arts-based subjects, you can afford the flexibility of a more generalized course.

 

In conclusion

 

Hopefully, the tips above will help you to select the right course as you seek to change your career path and enjoy a brighter future as a result – good luck!

This post was collaboration.

 

Thanks for reading!

Personal

Life Update; August Edition

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We are nearing the end of summer, and I wanted to give a “life update” for those who are curious about what I’ve been up to. It’s been a busy summer, and a really good one!

Summer 2014 Blog Cover

Last summer was my first one in California, and it was surprisingly not the best. I was in a depression after making such a big move (from CLE to LA), so I didn’t get to enjoy my time too much. But this summer, I did a lot of awesome stuff! Here are a few:

  • Worked a booth at the PLUSH Expo with Delta Labs
  • Completed my first 5k
  • Attended & covered the San Diego International Boat Show as a blogger (my first event specifically as a blogger)
  • Completed a virtual 5k with my little brother on Kelleys Island (Lake Erie, OH)
  • Visited Ohio for 2.5 weeks
  • Visited Chicago for the first time
  • Completed the Chaarg Booty Camp + became a virtual Chaarg member!
  • Made the decision to move back to Ohio (still debating this one..)
  • Got two new babysitting jobs
  • Attended my very first blog conference: BlogFest at IDEAworld (it was AMAZING!)
  • Signed up to become an FXP Fitness instructor

When I look at that list, it doesn’t seem like much. But considering all I did last summer was finish 14 seasons of Law and Order: SVU, I feel pretty good about it! I’m excited for autumn – crisp, cool air, job stability, fall clothes, traveling (hoping to take a trip up the PCH), holidays, and so on.

Santa Monica Summer 2014 Blog

I’m in this weird limbo. I’m not really sure what to do about moving back to Ohio. I want to be with my family, but part of me feels that I’ve changed too much to go back. It reminds me of one of my favorite quotes by Nelson Mandela:

“There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.”

It’s nothing against Ohio (or the people there) at all. For me, moving across the country with no one but my boyfriend was obviously life-changing. I’ve been in LA a year and a half, and I have grown & changed so much. I had a dream last night that I was back in Ohio, going back to a job that I once had, seeing friends who were on different pages than myself. It was comforting, but I felt completely out of place. I want to settle down in San Diego, so part of me is wondering if I should even leave SoCal in the first place. Can I handle making such a big move three times in five years (or whatever it ends up being)? Clearly I have some things to think about.

I’m also trying to figure out what I want to do with my life career-wise. I am a health coach (for the past two years), blogger (obviously), and nanny/babysitter. I have a bachelor’s degree in speech therapy and audiology, but totally love the flexibility of babysitting. I’m so untraditional- 9-5 has never really been my thing. But I am 26-years-old, and should probably make a career decision, right?

Anyway, these are all things I need to figure out myself. But writing is therapy for me, so there it is!

  • Have you been in a position where you weren’t sure what to do with your career/life? What did you end up doing?
  • How was your summer?! What was your favorite moment?

As always, thanks for reading 🙂

XO, Lyndsay

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