Tuesday, February 3, 2015

The Ups and Downs of Unemployment

Being unemployed can be tough, but it’s also an opportunity to find work you truly love. Here’s how to effectively handle the ups and downs of your time without work.

Picture this: you’re on a hike. You’re almost to the top of the mountain.

You know that feeling? The feeling of accomplishment and that burst of adrenaline that pushes you that much further?

Of course, when you get to the top of the mountain, it seems like the hard part is over. You realize you still have to hike all the way down, but that’s easy enough, right?

Wrong. It never is. You still have to get down the mountain.

This picture, this hike, this mountain—this is the reality of unemployment.

And I know, because I’m living it.

Much like the hike, some parts of it are tough, some are exhilarating, and some are even exciting!

I’ve had days where I wake up feeling like I want to conquer the world. And then, there are some when I wake feeling like the world is conquering me.

Though it’s easy  to get down on myself during this process, I’ve trained my mind to think of this period as a positive learning experience and an opportunity to find the work that’s perfect for me.

For you too, there will undoubtedly be many ups and downs on your unemployment journey, but it’s important to think of the experience as the stepping stone to your next big venture.

Though the situation has a bit of a negative stigma, people become unemployed for a variety of different reasons, whether it’s being laid off, taking a sabbatical, going on maternity leave, or being terminated. And unemployment is a full-time job in and of itself, requiring a lot of effort poured into job searching, applying, interviewing, networking, and more.

Here are my favorite tips for staying positive and  using your “in-between-jobs” time wisely:
  1. Plan your days out as if you were at work. Whether it’s writing out a to-do list or making a list of goals for the week, having something in writing will take away that sense of scatteredness you may feel when wading through your job hunt.
  2. Keep an excel sheet of all the jobs you have applied to—and what date you applied so you know when to follow up.
  3. Do some sort of physical activity—for at least 30 minutes a day. You will feel SO much better you did. Exercising can clear your mind and help you really focus on what needs to get done. Even if it’s just a walk around your block, that small amount of exercise can make a huge difference.
  4. Schedule in breaks during the day. It’s important to take small breaks from the job hunt throughout the day so you don’t get too overwhelmed. By allowing your brain to focus on something that isn’t job-related for even just a small chunk of time, you’ll be able to recharge and return to it with more clarity and stamina.
  5. Get a good night’s sleep. It can be very easy to sleep in and go to bed late when you are unemployed. Remember that job hunting is a full time job; you have to get adequate rest to achieve your goals. Develop a sleep routine that works for you so you can get the most done throughout the day.
  6. Be confident! The worst thing you can do when you are unemployed is to lose your self-esteem. Just remember that you will find another job—it may just take some time. Having a positive mentality throughout this time is essential to achieving your goals!
On any given day, you will be going up and down that mountain. You will have days where you doubt your ability to find your next paycheck. And then there will be days where you feel like you will take over the world with your job-hunting abilities. Whatever kind of day you’re having, remember that this is a stage of your life that will change you for the better—if you let it—and transform into an unforgettable experience later on. Use this time wisely to focus on building your skills and reflect on what you really want in work and life.

Although there are many hurdles that accompany unemployment, finding work that you truly love is well worth it in the end.

This post originally appeared on CareerContessa.com
Written by Samantha Tollin

 

Thursday, January 29, 2015

5 Ways to Refresh Your Personal Brand in 2015

Are you ready to make 2015 the best year for your career? If so, it might be time to refresh your personal brand.

Refreshing your personal brand will make you feel more confident about your career, discover new opportunities, and get noticed by employers. By refreshing your resume or updating your online portfolio, you can make small changes to your personal brand that will make a big impact on your career.

Here are five ways to refresh your personal brand in 2015:

1. Create a new professional relationship.
Relationships play an essential role in your personal brand because they can help you discover new ideas and identify your strengths. Make it a goal to connect with at least one new professional and find a mentor. These connections can provide you with the guidance you need to create a stronger personal brand this year.

2. Give your website a face-lift.
Your online presence says a lot about your personal brand. It allows you to build credibility as a professional and create a voice for yourself within your industry. Additionally, employers want to hire candidates who are actively building a name for themselves online.
Invest some time (and even money) in refreshing your professional website. If you haven’t already, try purchasing your domain and give your website a professional layout. As you update your website, it’s also important to create new blog content and add new samples from your portfolio. These changes can make a big impact on your personal brand.

3. Update your appearance.
Your appearance determines how people perceive you. If you aren’t feeling your best, make 2015 the year that you invest time into your body, appearance, mind, and health. You don’t have to make any drastic changes, but think about some ways you can make yourself feel better about your job search and the impression you make on employers.
For example, if you feel like your wardrobe is outdated, consider adding a new blazer or statement piece to your closet. If you’re hoping to refresh your look, consider trying a new hair style. It’s also important to make sure you’re exercising regularly, making healthy eating choices, and getting enough sleep. These changes can make you feel better about yourself inside and out.

4. Order new business cards.
Are you still using the business cards you created in college? Or do you only have the business cards your last employer gave you? Maybe it’s time to create a new design.
If you aren’t design savvy, reach out to a friend or freelance graphic designer who could design you a new logo at a low cost. Websites such as Etsy and Fiverr provide a marketplace for finding designers. This way, you can create a customized logo that best displays your personal brand.

5. Create a social media strategy.
Social media is more important than ever for job seekers. If you aren’t actively using LinkedIn or Twitter to build your personal brand, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity to get noticed by industry professionals.

When creating a social media strategy, there are a few things you need to consider. First, determine how much time you have to devote to social media. If you find yourself pressed for time, it’s a good idea to choose the best platform for your profession. Next, it’s important to create a schedule for sharing industry-related content. This allows you to focus your social media efforts on platforms that will get you noticed by employers.

What are some ways you’ll refresh your personal brand in 2015?

The blog originally appeared on The Personal Branding Blog

 
Heather R. Huhman is a career expert, experienced hiring manager, and founder & president of Come Recommended, a content marketing and digital PR consultancy for job search and human resources technologies. She is also the instructor of Find Me A Job: How To Score A Job Before Your Friends, author of Lies, Damned Lies & Internships (2011) and #ENTRYLEVELtweet: Taking Your Career from Classroom to Cubicle (2010), and writes career and recruiting advice for numerous outlets.



Monday, January 26, 2015

Maintaining Your Budget at Happy Hour



If you’re like me, you enjoy a nice dose of relaxation after a long work week. In my world, a coworker typically comes to my desk every Friday and asks me the infamous question, “Want to go to happy hour?” and my response was typically a yes until one day I looked at my bank account and realized just how much those four dollar glasses of wine were adding up.

When I entered the real world, I thoroughly enjoyed my Friday happy hours; go to a nearby bar, order a few appetizers and a few glasses of wine then make my way home to order takeout. My logic was, “I worked hard all week so I deserve this. Besides, it’s just a few dollars a week.” But one day, I decided to sit down and write out a budget while simultaneously reviewing my spending habits through my bank and it was then that I decided to cut back on my “food and entertainment” spending and adopt more fiscally responsible habits. Here are some tips to help you have a good time without exhausting your budget:

(1) Know the menus near you
After hopping from bar to bar for a few months, I quickly learned which bars or restaurants had the best (and cheapest) happy hour specials so when Friday comes, I stick with places I know. This will also help you become familiar with the staff who may be willing to throw a free appetizer your way for being such a loyal customer.

(2) Put a limit on your spending
Before you go to happy hour, take a look at your monthly budget and figure out how much money you can spend while you’re out and stick to that limit. If I’m short on cash, I’ll give myself a one drink and one appetizer max or I’ll do without the drink and only order food and water. Also, keep in mind how the tips work if you’re with a large group of friends or coworkers.

(3) Pack a snack
If I know I shouldn’t spend much money at happy hour or dinner, I’ll try to pack a snack I can eat around 4:30PM so I’m not too hungry when 5:00PM comes and I can go to happy hour without ordering food or such a large plate.

(4) Pay with cash
Like most people, I tend to swipe my card for every purchase I make but I’ve learned that carrying cash helps me limit my spending because I’m forced to only spend what I have. If I use my card, I don’t see the large amount I’ve spent until I actually log into my account (something I’m beginning to do daily). So if you’re going to happy hour after work, throw a ten or twenty dollar bill in your wallet and use it to pay for your food and drinks.

(5) Share with your friends and coworkers
Depending on how friendly you are with the group you’re going to happy hour with, it’s never a bad idea to split food. Not only will this keep you from overeating, it will keep your tab low.

Written by Jenna Boyer

A public relations professional and entrepreneur, Jenna Boyer is an account executive at Hager Sharp where she works with clients to motivate behavior changes of consumers through public health and safety initiatives. Her day-to-day tasks include implementing creative marketing and social media strategies, developing campaign materials, and leading partnership outreach. Jenna's experience in the PR industry has spawned her passion to help young professionals advance personally and professionally, hence the birth of The Rising Professional, LLC. The Rising Professional is committed to advancing the careers of young professionals. The company assists with network development, resume building, and interview prep through networking events, professional development workshops, and one-on-one mentorship.

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Building Your Ethical Code to Enhance Your Career


Before you build a personal ethical code you truly must understand what exactly good ethical practices are and how you can apply them to your career. Is ethics religion? Is it based on laws? Is it personal feelings? Well the answer is, no, no and no. Ethics is not religion although our personal ethics code might stem from our religious foundation. Ethics is not laws although laws provide moral standards, holding members of society to a form of ethical behavior. Ethics is not based on personal feelings although there are times we might result to basing a decision on what we “feel” is moral. More likely than not those feelings will be accompanied with biases and not remain purely ethical. (A Framework)

What is Ethics? It is difficult to explain and I don’t believe it can be defined in a one-liner. However what we do know is ethics:  is a set of standards, good morals, knowledge of right from wrong, and ethics applies to everyone. These good morals might be influenced by life moments, people or beliefs but they are not confined to them.

So what is ethics based on? It is based on Ethical Constructs, which are theories and standards relating to ethics. Have you ever heard the philosophy, “a means to an end”? Well this term refers to the actions (Means) that cause a specific result (end). 
  • Ends-Based (Utilitarianism Approach):  Utilitarianism approach to ethics is helping the greatest number of people and doing the least amount of harm. This approach is not concerned with how you achieve the “end”, as long as it does the greatest good for the greatest number of people. 
  • Rule-Based Ethics (Deontology): This construct is based on what you think it is, rules, and the duties that we as humans are obligated. “Deontologist hold that certain underlying principles are right or wrong regardless of conscious” (Grower). The best example comes from the book Ethics in Public Relations, A Guide To Best Practice: “If a bus was at a stop light and there was a car quickly approaching that would strike the bus and potentially hurt the children inside, would you run the light? Most people would break the law and run the light to save the children but following Deontology approach you would follow the law and not deviate on a situational basis” (Parsons). 
  • Virtue-Based Ethics: Virtue based ethics is concerned with what makes individuals ethical not following a set of rules or ends based ethics. For example virtue-based people might ask themselves, “If I were a ‘good’ person, what would I do” (Parsons)?

Building Your Code:

Your code should include:
  • Introduction:  Do you have a mantra? Who or what has been your biggest influencer? This is where you describe how you got to where you are today, the construct you associate with and how you have been influenced ethically. For example: My influencers are my immediate family and the day my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and I associate myself with the Utilitarianism and virtue-based ethics. 
  • Preamble: Describe the values you vow to live by. Choose values that are important to you and that you feel strongly about. Nothings worse than having values you don’t believe in. I would suggest 5-10 values, any more and it will be hard to manage. Some of my values are: Honestly, Transparency, Fearlessness, Loyalty, and Volunteerism. 
  • Code of conduct: In this section define your values and apply them to your personal and professional life.

For example: Advocacy: I will strive to use my professional and personal knowledge to advocate on behalf of my clients, employers, special interest organizations and myself to the best of my ability.
Personally: I will utilize my knowledge of public relations and communications to defend and promote my own personal brand. I will seek out opportunities to network and gain connections… Professionally: I will support all clients, employers and customers with objective counsel. I will advocate on behalf of my clients, employers and customers “best, true story” (Stewart). I will do this by getting to know my client’s background, assessing their situation, outcomes and potential harms. I will then provide them with solutions that I believe with strengthen their cause.
  • Code in Action: In this section list what you plan to do with your code and how you will live by it. For example: I will use my personal ethics codes to do two immediate actions: rejuvenate my current employers ethical code and help myself grow in the PR profession. When reflecting on how my code will apply and help me in the “real world” I began to think of one word, “growth”. Formulating this code allowed me to grow on a personal level, it gave me the opportunity to acknowledge the values that are important to me and apply them to my professional career…” 
  • Reference Codes: When you want to know your audience you do research right? Well we need to have the same mindset when it comes to writing your personal ethics code or an ethics code for your employer. You need to know yourself, your audience, what you value and what you strive to be. Look at examples of other codes, visit sites of your favorite products, your employer, competitors, and universities; study their codes and get ideas on how to build a personal ethics code that applies to you or your audience. I would suggest PRSA, AMA DC, and I personally love United Way’s ethical code for their focus on volunteerism and application to their employees. 
  • Conclusion: Wrap it up. Restate what has influenced you, your personal construct and how you plan to move forward using your code.

Tips on how relate to your code to your career:
  • When forming your values think of yourself on a in personal and professional level. 
  • Apply values that you believe will strengthen your role in your career.
  • Everyone has moments in their career, which they might not agree with the ethical means of their employer, or co-workers, use those examples as turning points on what not to do and how to prevent those situations. 
  • Think of how you got to where you are today, your current role and where you want to be.
  • Do you want to eventually work for a non-profit? Vow to incorporate volunteerism in your personal life and current position. Live and breathe your code. 

Tips on how maintain your code:
  • Constantly update and add-on to your code when it applies. You will change professionally and personally and your code should transform with you. 
  • Define your loyalties: your family? Your employer? Your clients? Who are you loyal and what does that mean. 
  • Finding it hard to apply your good ethics when your employer only has an ethical code to fill website space? Volunteer to draft a code that applies to their employers and customers.   
  • Start applying your code to career decisions, the more you use it the easier it will be to maintain.

Good Reads:

References:
"A Framework for Thinking Ethically." What Is Ethics? Web. 17 May 2014. <http://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/decision/whatisethics.html>.
Grower, Karla. "Legal and Ethical Considerations for Public Relations." 2008. Web. 17 May 2014.
Parsons, Patricia. Ethics in Public Relations: A Guide to Best Practice. London: Kogan Page, 2004. Print

Written by Kate Jones
                Public relations and graphic design professional, Katharine Jones received her Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Graphic Design from York College of Pennsylvania and is currently completing her Masters of Professional Studies in Corporate Communications and Public Relations from Georgetown University. Katherine prides herself in bringing creative twist to Public Relations and effective strategy to design.