Friday, May 29, 2020

Hacking Pluralsight to Learn More, Faster

Hacking Pluralsight to Learn More, Faster Pluralsight is a superb library of thousands of in-depth technical training courses designed for programmers, IT professionals, and anyone in the tech space. I have over 30 soft skill and professional development courses in Pluralsight. Watching any of my courses qualifies you to get free JibberJobber upgrades. I can get you a 30 day pass to the entire Pluralsight library! (to get your 30 day pass, first get a JibberJobber account, then click Videos from the top menu) Some of my courses are designed for job seekers (Designing a Killer Job Search Strategy, Informational Interviews, a course on your LinkedIn Profile and another course on a proactive strategy for LinkedIn, etc.), some are designed to help you be a better communicator (Becoming a Better Listener, Presenting to the Bosses, Working and Communicating with Different Personalities, Effective Phone Skills, Effective Email Communication, etc.), some are designed to help you in your career (Career Management 2.0, Building and Managing Your Career Plan, etc.) you get the point. See all of my courses here. Disclaimer: as a Pluralsight author I get compensated for every minute indeed, for every second that anyone watches any of my courses. Whether you are a paying member or use the 30 day pass and dont spend a dime (you dont even give them your credit card on the 30 day pass!), if you watch my course, I get compensated. So, you got your 30 day pass you have access to thousands of courses (there are over 100 soft skills courses, 30+ of which are from me, and tons of courses on everything from database design, game design, UX, project management, and of course, a plethora of programming courses) how do you get the MOST out of your Pluralsight experience? Here are two hacks to get more out of your Pluralsight experience: Change the Video Speed This is my top tip. The default speed is, of course, 1x. You can go up to 2x, in .1x increments Is 1.5x good enough for you? Do whatever feels comfortable 1.3x, 1.5x, etc. Its up to you. Heres the deal: if you listen to a one hour video at 1.5x, it takes 40 minutes to go through it. You save 20 minutes! (Did you think it was 45 minutes? Heres an easy explanation of how that math works intriguing, I know :p) To change the video speed, start to play a video, then in the lower-right area of the video player click on this button, to see the speed options.   Only do it as fast as you are comfortable but if you can do more than 1x, youll finish a course faster, and be able to watch more courses! Watch a Course on Your Mobile, Even When Offline When you are on your mobile device, you can choose courses to watch while you are offline. This will download the course and allow you to play it from anywhere (think: while 30,000 feet in the air, while your phone is on airplane mode!). This means you can learn while you work out, while you are on the subway, while you are on vacation in the mountains (I know, I know) anywhere. Once you get back online, the app communicates to the Pluralsight server and shows that you have watched the course. Remember, you still need to go into the Pluralsight Tracker on JibberJobber if you want to report having watched the course and get JibberJobber premium upgrades. Here are the instructions to get and use the Pluralsight mobile app (you probably dont really need instructions, but here they are). Watch Jason Alba Courses while you do dishes I put a lot of work into each course. I had fun doing the visuals, and spent hours agonizing over how things looked. I also realized that my courses did not require visuals to learn about the topics the visuals were a nice complement but not necessary. Im not saying dont pay attention to the visuals, but if you want to just listen to my courses, as you work around the house, or drive to work, go for it! Think of my courses as something of a podcast, or audio booklet. If you feel like you are missing out on a certain visual, you can always switch back over to your mobile or PC and watch them. Remember, after you watch any Jason Alba course on Pluralsight, go to Tracker in JibberJobber and report them to get free JibberJobber upgrades! Theres no limit on this. Hacking Pluralsight to Learn More, Faster Pluralsight is a superb library of thousands of in-depth technical training courses designed for programmers, IT professionals, and anyone in the tech space. I have over 30 soft skill and professional development courses in Pluralsight. Watching any of my courses qualifies you to get free JibberJobber upgrades. I can get you a 30 day pass to the entire Pluralsight library! (to get your 30 day pass, first get a JibberJobber account, then click Videos from the top menu) Some of my courses are designed for job seekers (Designing a Killer Job Search Strategy, Informational Interviews, a course on your LinkedIn Profile and another course on a proactive strategy for LinkedIn, etc.), some are designed to help you be a better communicator (Becoming a Better Listener, Presenting to the Bosses, Working and Communicating with Different Personalities, Effective Phone Skills, Effective Email Communication, etc.), some are designed to help you in your career (Career Management 2.0, Building and Managing Your Career Plan, etc.) you get the point. See all of my courses here. Disclaimer: as a Pluralsight author I get compensated for every minute indeed, for every second that anyone watches any of my courses. Whether you are a paying member or use the 30 day pass and dont spend a dime (you dont even give them your credit card on the 30 day pass!), if you watch my course, I get compensated. So, you got your 30 day pass you have access to thousands of courses (there are over 100 soft skills courses, 30+ of which are from me, and tons of courses on everything from database design, game design, UX, project management, and of course, a plethora of programming courses) how do you get the MOST out of your Pluralsight experience? Here are two hacks to get more out of your Pluralsight experience: Change the Video Speed This is my top tip. The default speed is, of course, 1x. You can go up to 2x, in .1x increments Is 1.5x good enough for you? Do whatever feels comfortable 1.3x, 1.5x, etc. Its up to you. Heres the deal: if you listen to a one hour video at 1.5x, it takes 40 minutes to go through it. You save 20 minutes! (Did you think it was 45 minutes? Heres an easy explanation of how that math works intriguing, I know :p) To change the video speed, start to play a video, then in the lower-right area of the video player click on this button, to see the speed options.   Only do it as fast as you are comfortable but if you can do more than 1x, youll finish a course faster, and be able to watch more courses! Watch a Course on Your Mobile, Even When Offline When you are on your mobile device, you can choose courses to watch while you are offline. This will download the course and allow you to play it from anywhere (think: while 30,000 feet in the air, while your phone is on airplane mode!). This means you can learn while you work out, while you are on the subway, while you are on vacation in the mountains (I know, I know) anywhere. Once you get back online, the app communicates to the Pluralsight server and shows that you have watched the course. Remember, you still need to go into the Pluralsight Tracker on JibberJobber if you want to report having watched the course and get JibberJobber premium upgrades. Here are the instructions to get and use the Pluralsight mobile app (you probably dont really need instructions, but here they are). Watch Jason Alba Courses while you do dishes I put a lot of work into each course. I had fun doing the visuals, and spent hours agonizing over how things looked. I also realized that my courses did not require visuals to learn about the topics the visuals were a nice complement but not necessary. Im not saying dont pay attention to the visuals, but if you want to just listen to my courses, as you work around the house, or drive to work, go for it! Think of my courses as something of a podcast, or audio booklet. If you feel like you are missing out on a certain visual, you can always switch back over to your mobile or PC and watch them. Remember, after you watch any Jason Alba course on Pluralsight, go to Tracker in JibberJobber and report them to get free JibberJobber upgrades! Theres no limit on this.

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Marketing Techniques to Grow Attention and Sales - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Marketing Techniques to Grow Attention and Sales - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career 1. Create a unique title Have you given thought to your title or is it time for an update? Upon hearing the title, “Director of First Impressions” my attention was immediately grabbed as I cheerfully recognized the title replaced the traditional and boring word, “Receptionist”. The clever title captures a few important ideas and tips for helping to make yourself stand out and establish your unique personal brand. Using the above as an example, a smile comes to everyone’s face that hears a clever title. Next, the title is completely accurate in pinpointing the words “first impressions”. As someone enters a lobby, they quickly get a first impression, and the “Director of First Impressions” is the one who is at the helm. Lastly, the title conveys the importance the company holds in the first impressions others have and its desire to build solid relationships with those who enter. A simple but thoughtful title encapsulates what is important to the company and the people involved. 2. Update your online profiles Is your profile information current on each of the online sites you use? Rewrite anything that is out of date and be certain to include your updates too. Check these quarterly to review and refine. If you aren’t aware some of these sites have official company newsletters that offer tips for attracting more traffic and increased followings. Register for these, read religiously and implement their suggestions. For example, “Nancy” updated her Twitter account by adding meaningful photos both along the right side her page as well as in the background that identifies visually what she has to offer. She quickly recognized the updates were well-worth the time spent reading and implementing the tips as she witnessed a quick jump in Twitter followers. She claims the jump occurred because her page is now more impressive and matches what she claims to be. Everything she says, does and posts are now in alignment with one another. In other words, your profile pages become statements integrating all you do, building integrity, and serving to further attract prospects, clients, and increased opportunities. LinkedIn has also changed how profiles appear. Is your LinkedIn profile up-to-date? Have you thoughtfully included pertinent keywords to describe your areas of expertise? Richard noticed once he updated his profile, more people began to contact him with outstanding requests. He is also attracting more endorsements from those in his network without having to ask. His network has essentially become his salesforce! Adding a touch of creativity that puts a smile on another’s face will increase the likelihood of attracting many more to you personally and to your business. Being aware of new strategies and implementing everywhere and early will earn you the recognition you desire. It’s obvious that as your brand development improves, so will business development on all fronts and places you on the wave of the Smooth Sale! Author: Elinor Stutz, CEO of Smooth Sale, LLC, (800) 704-1499, was honored by Open View Labs with inclusion in their international list of “Top 25 Sales Influencers for 2012.” Elinor authored the International Best-Selling book, “Nice Girls DO Get the Sale: Relationship Building That Gets Results”, Sourcebooks and the best selling career book, “HIRED! How to Use Sales Techniques to Sell Yourself On Interviews”, Career Press. Elinor offers highly acclaimed inspirational keynotes for conferences and is available for consultation.

Friday, May 22, 2020

Public Relations (PR) traditional media confronts social media - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Public Relations (PR) traditional media confronts social media - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career [slideshare id=121577doc=social-media-relations1548w=425] Todd Andrlik has created a presentation that displays the change in how we communicate with the press. Traditional PR has changed to reflect social media and a new-age press release has emerged in the eye of journalists and reporters alike. Todd Defren has been noted as the creator of the first social media press release, which many PR departments are currently using together with the traditional form. In my opinion, these press releases are situation dependent, based on a new product launch or new technology discovery, etc. We must first look at what we are communicating and match it with the proper method. Then our next step is to measure our success against either form of release and learn from it. Ive taken the social media press release as a best practice and developed the first Personal Brand Press Release. You can view the one I created for this blog here and my personal story here.

Monday, May 18, 2020

How to stand out from the crowd

How to stand out from the crowd As most of you will have spotted it was the Summer Fair this week and I decided to go, notebook in hand (how retro!), ready to  ask the recruiters one burning question: What makes an applicant stand out?    Now, I dont think theres any mystery as to the merits of a good application evidence of research, motivation, experience, skills and a reasonable ability to pull it together in grammatically sound English. But good may not be quite good enough. In a competitive job market, you cant just go through the motions and cross your fingers. To really get noticed youll have to follow some clear rules One size doesnt fit all This might seem obvious but youd be surprised how many students take the one size fits all approach.  You  need to understand the standards and norms that apply to the sectors youre interested in. CCG a multi-disciplinary consultancy will pay far less attention to work experience (*stop press*), than your subject modules. They expect to see a detailed summary of relevant modules and will sift and select by academic criteria. Focus on technical, not soft, skills.  Use the same approach with a management consultancy or PR firm, and you could come unstuck. Sometimes its the surprising elements that stand out. Mattioli Woods a leading pension consultancy are looking for the usual (good degree, extra-curricular involvement) but one thing they really prize is office experience. Spend a month or two in an office, developing office and administrative skills and youll be much more employable. Despite claims to the contrary not all Gen Y are highly proficient with MS Office; a few weeks spent grappling with the more sophisticated Excel functions could make all the difference! Take the time and trouble to research prospective employers and find out a) what they expect and b) what they value. Use all the resources at your disposal to find out more: online film clips, case studies, alumni events and career fairs. Make your experience count Although (structured) internships seem to be the holy grail of the graduate job world, some of our recruiters take a far more nuanced view.  Dont assume an immediate disadvantage because you havent had one. The team from  Eaton Corporation a global engineering firm look favourably on candidates with SME experience and noted that internship experience can make (some) candidates lazy with their applications. Getting an internship is a huge boost to your employability but it wont give you a free pass. You still have to do the legwork and extract meaning and value from the experience.        Try not to play down or undersell part-time jobs or less glamorous work placements great examples can come from seemingly mundane experiences Consider the culture (and were not talking art!) Its not enough to show that you have the right skills and experience for the sector/company/role this will get you to the starting block, not the finish line. As our Bloomberg recruiter commented, too many applicants focus on the sector I want to work in banking/accountancy/marketing/law and dont really consider that theres often as much variation between companies, as there is between sectors. And the result: generic applications. To really inject some life into your application you have to show motivation and a forensic grasp of the culture. How? Well try these for starters: Find out *everything* you can start with the website and then drill further and deeper. Check business news, press releases and  keep up to date with current affairs. If you cant differentiate between companies, how do you expect recruiters to differentiate between applicants?   Talk to people. Without exception ALL of the recruiters I spoke to said that this is often the missing link in candidates applications. Theres only so much you can glean from online or print info if you limit your research and horizons in this way, youll never get a real insight into the company culture. As Hitesh from Deloitte noted, theres certain info they (deliberately) hold back and you wont get it through osmosis! Step outside your comfort zone Dont play it safe stretch and challenge yourself. A good number of the recruiters are looking for students with an enquiring, curious mind-set who are open to experience and flexible in approach. The NGDP team is keen to find candidates willing to break down their own barriers and overcome self-limiting beliefs. If youre a glass half empty, life is unfair, woe is me type of person then youre screening yourself out before you apply.   The representatives from ALDI  are interested in go-getting students with a competitive spirit although would be Apprentices can stay at home!  and a proven track record of trying new things and pushing the boundaries. Reflect on your experiences to date and try to extract the unique and unusual find a new angle or interesting anecdote. This was a great little gem: use your differences at strengths. It seems clones are out, individuals are in. Think depth, not breadth I think this is particularly reassuring, as we know how many students feel intimidated by the (perceived) application gold standard: prestigious internship(s), captain of the volleyball team, 500 hours of voluntary work, society president and predicted a First. Well, guess what most applicants fall some way short of this and still get offers. Whod have thought it!? Its certainly true that employers expect you to do something at university and all of them highlighted the importance of extra curricular participation,  but and this is a pretty big but they are looking for commitment, dedication and follow through rather than range. One of our recruiters had spent seven years on his local  rugby team, joined a further club at university and worked the same part-time job for five years. This would seem to counter some of the advice out there, but substance generally trumps style.   And finally. Be genuine we can spot a fake Find the connection dont just say what you did Show us you want it and tell us why

Friday, May 15, 2020

High Paying Careers for Women Right Now

High Paying Careers for Women Right Now Photo Credit â€" Pexels.comFor women looking to make the big bucks when they get out of college, landing a job in STEM, healthcare, or law may be the way to go. Some women already have their career path mapped out and their dream job doesn’t entail math or science, but for those still trying to figure out what career would best suit them, let’s take a closer look at some higher-paying jobs for women.According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the top money-making positions for women include health occupations, management and law jobs.1. S.T.E.M.evalevalBy 2018, there could be more than 8.6 million STEM According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, positions for registered nurses are expected to increase 16 percent by 2024, creating 439,300 new jobs for qualified applicants. This is good news for those pursuing nursing, even though these jobs will be competitive.The demand for more nurses, a field still dominated by women, also creates the need for more nursing programs, especi ally when brick and mortar schools are not an option for many students. Successful colleges around the country are adding online programs to its healthcare-focused academics.The Bureau of Labor Statistics also predicts a 17 percent increase in health care administrator positions by 2024 because of the Baby Boomer growth surge. In 2015, the average health care administrator earned $100,000.3. LawWomen make up 40% of lawyers and earn about $86,000 a year on average. In Forbes’ annual ranking of the best-paying jobs for women, the position of lawyer ranked 14th in 2015 and third in 2016. U.S. News has said the job market for lawyers has improved in recent years and 74,800 jobs will need to be filled by 2022.evalThe bad news is an average student leaves with over $100,000 in debt from law school and there’s no guarantee of a six-figure salary.Women are graduating from U.S. colleges at a faster rate than men, but are still earning only 79 cents for every dollar a man makes. Closing t he gender gap will continue to be important issue whether women are taking on the higher paying jobs or not.

Monday, May 11, 2020

Dealerships Vs. Indy Shops Which Motorcycle Mechanic Jobs Are Best for You - CareerAlley

Dealerships Vs. Indy Shops Which Motorcycle Mechanic Jobs Are Best for You - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Do you have a passion for motorcycles that goes beyond the aesthetic appeal? Do you enjoy working on your own bikes? If so, you might fare well as a motorcycle mechanic or technician. Youd have the opportunity to work with various motorcycle parts and systems, meet people with similar passions and do something you enjoy while earning a decent living. Source Becoming a Motorcycle Mechanic In general, a high school diploma or equivalent credential is all you need to qualify for motorcycle mechanic jobs. However, if you want the opportunity to really earn some serious cash and advance highly in the industry, it is recommended that you have some better experience to get started. This experience can come from previously working in a shop or through a certified motorcycle technician training school. Finding Motorcycle Mechanic Jobs After youve gotten some education and experience under your belt, the next step is finding gainful employment. There are lots of motorcycle mechanic jobs out there to choose from. The question is, will you work with a dealership or an independent motorcycle shop? Do you have a passion for motorcycles that goes beyond the aesthetic appeal? Do you enjoy working on your own bikes? If so, you might fare well as a motorcycle mechanic or technician. Tweet This Dealership or Indy Shop? A motorcycle dealership is a facility authorized by certain original equipment (OE) brands to sell new and sometimes used bikes, as well as qualified and warrantied maintenance services and parts. An independent motorcycle shop, on the other hand, is an establishment that offers mechanic services completely separate from the OE brands. There are pros and cons to either place, so here are a few key differences between these two types of motorcycle mechanic jobs to help you make the most informed decision General or Specialized Experience: One key difference between indy and dealership motorcycle mechanic jobs is the type of experience. As stated previously, dealerships work on bikes exclusive to their authorized brands whereas, indy shops work on a broader range of bikes and brands. So for example, a motorcycle technician that works at a Honda dealership would have impeccable experience on all things Honda, but since they arent exposed to other types of bikes, their knowledge and experience would be limited on another brand of bike. On the other hand, someone who works for an indy shop gets exposed to all kinds of bikes, so they have a broader understanding of how to complete a wide range of maintenance tasks and/or repairs on the various kinds and brands of motorcycles. So, when looking for motorcycle mechanic jobs, you need to determine whether you want to become an expert on a specific brand or if youd prefer to learn how to work on various brands parts and systems. Hiring Requirements Another factor to consider between dealership and indy shop motorcycle mechanic jobs are the hiring requirements. Dealerships are almost always going to require that any new motorcycle mechanics have the highest credentials to be hired. That means you need to go through a specialized training program, which gives you the accurate knowledge and extensive experience you need to meet their quality standards. Independent shop owners, however, can be more lenient with hiring requirements for their motorcycle technician jobs. They may be willing to work with an individual who has the love of motorcycles and some personal experience; and especially with a bit of relevant education. They can provide opportunities that allow you to further sharpen your skills and develop new ones without the demands or pressures that the OE brands put on dealerships. Salary Last but not least, theres a difference in pay. Dealerships are known for offering higher pay with better benefits for their motorcycle technician jobs. Be that as it may, youre going to have to work for it. Not only must you have the specialized experience and educational background they require, but there is a lot of corporate bureaucracy involved. When working for an independent motorcycle shop, while the salary may be less and the perks not as eye-catching, many professional mechanics have found it to be worth it in the end. Indy shop technicians are able to reach a broader customer base and have the means to directly provide quality service which keeps them coming back (and new business coming in). This, down the line, can lead to sizeable pay bumps and other perks. Vocational training provides very specific skills versus many four-year college programs which offer general knowledge but may not provide transferable skills. Vocational training programs are hands-on programs taught by industry professionals. Many programs lead to apprenticeship or internship opportunities. Kick-Start Your Career with Vocational Training If youre really interested in pursuing any motorcycle mechanic jobs, there are a ton of opportunities out there. Essentially all you have to do is decide whether you think working at a dealership or indy shop will provide you the best opportunities to shine for your level, and then start searching for a job to get your foot in the door of the motorcycle industry. What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Find out how to identify and land your dream job. Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. 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Friday, May 8, 2020

Buzzwords For Resume Writing That Will Get You Noticed

Buzzwords For Resume Writing That Will Get You NoticedBuzzwords for resume writing should be an important part of your resume as they can help to create a better impression when they appear in the first few lines of your resume. You want to have a resume that makes an employer realize that you are the type of person who will fit right in with the rest of the group, and one that shows that you are ready to start on a new career. A great resume is one that will get you noticed by your prospective employer and create an impression of your competence. There are various things that you can use when writing your resume and using buzzwords for resume writing can be a great way to catch an employer's attention.The first thing that you need to do when writing your resume is to begin your cover letter by mentioning all of the great qualities that you have, and what you will bring to the position that you are applying for. This is one of the most important parts of the job application, because it is the first impression that a potential employer gets when looking at your resume. You do not want to give them a list of qualifications, because it will come across as cold. Instead, mention all of the wonderful qualities that you have, and how these qualities will benefit the position that you are applying for. Using the buzzwords for resume writing that will show potential employers that you have a passion for the job and will work hard to accomplish the tasks that you are applying for will help to get you hired.When writing your resume, you want to highlight the points that you have already put into the cover letter. Most employers want to know why you are the best candidate for the position, so using the buzzwords for resume writing in the body of your resume will help to make this point. Make sure that you include it in the first few lines, so that your potential employer has to read this to get an idea of what your final resume will contain. By using the buzzwords for res ume writing, you will get a much better response from the employer, and if they see you are already well versed in the position that you are applying for, then they will have a much better idea of what they are going to be working with when they begin their search.Next, you want to highlight any accomplishments that you have had in the past that are related to the job that you are applying for. While you may not think of this as something that is relevant to the position that you are applying for, you are going to be surprised at how many people overlook these things when they are looking through their resumes. Be sure to include all of the great accomplishments that you have had in the past, because the company that you are interviewing with may be looking for a manager, and while this might not have been something that you actually accomplished, it shows that you are someone who can handle pressure.Last, but not least, be sure to mention any college courses that you have taken or your volunteer work that you have done. You are going to be surprised at how many people overlook this important piece of information when they are hiring for a position that is outside of their field. It does not matter if you will be getting the same salary, you want to get in there and show that you are capable of handling the workload. The reason that you want to include this information is because you want to show that you are an overall valuable employee and one that will contribute positively to the rest of the team.Using the buzzwords for resume writing that will be included in the first few lines of your resume will help to get you noticed by potential employers, and to create an impression of your competence. When you write your resume, you want to be certain that you include these words, because it is likely that you are already aware of them. If you are not, then make sure that you include these things in your resume and show that you are interested in the position that you are applying for. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers, and when they see that you are the best candidate for the position, you will get the interview that you are after.Different positions will need different buzzwords for resume writing. Your job as a recruiter is to find out what the job needs and then come up with a way to demonstrate to an employer why you are the perfect candidate for the position. If you use the buzzwords for resume writing that are used in different fields, you will easily show the employer that you are a person who is capable of handling a variety of jobs, which means that you will also get a lot of interviews that you want, and that will lead to a greater chance at getting the job.