How to Plan Your Career Around Digital Disruption

How to Plan Your Career Around Digital Disruption Regardless of how hard we try, the reality is that the  world of work is changing on a global scale. Existing job roles will shift to meet the demands of a new work environment, and these shifts will vary across industries, businesses and employees. What we don’t know now, we need to know tomorrow, and what we do know now, we need to use to help us get to tomorrow. There is a lot of discussion around this topic to date and for many, they already have an understanding of the implications  of digital disruption on their careers. But for many others, there are still a lot of questions; a lot of unknowns and  a lot of possibilities. Taking digital disruption into account as part of career planning is imperative, and something that should be done today in preparation for tomorrow. Here  are some great steps you can take to analyse where you are at now, before you start to make any decisions or develop your own career plan. Analyse your existing role Automation can be scary, however, by understanding what aspects of your current role might be automated and what might not be, you will have a greater understanding on where to focus your development. How much of your role is customer facing? How much of your role requires non-linear problem solving? How much of your role is manual and requires a level of human interaction, which cannot be planned or necessarily measured? How many emotional engagements are needed in your role? We do know that robots are being trained to think like humans, but what we have over robots is our level of empathy and emotional connection with other humans. How much of your role requires a high  level of human interaction and emotional engagement? How social are you in your job, and how aware do you need to be of the content of your work  and the wider client environment, to be able to make social decisions? How often do you interact with others? Self-service is a growing trend in the retail industry. The question is,  how much social interaction do we as humans really need to make a sales decision? Grocery shopping on one hand is an autonomous activity; you will select what you like with minimal interaction with an  independent adviser. Beyond this, how often do we make a fashion-based sales decision without some independent guidance? I do believe that businesses will look to automation to minimize operational overhead costs. I  also  believe these  brands will look first to understand consumer behavior,  and make these types of  decisions based on how engaged they need to be with their client base to make the  sale. Analysing these types of  situations can help you understand where you may wish to focus your career planning. How much do you have to sell or negotiate in your role? There are some levels of interaction that can be automated, but there are many others that do not follow a linear problem-solving process, and are therefore  much harder to automate. Take for example the negotiation of a house sale, car sale or supplier contract. The person-to-person interaction required in numerous sales transactions is something that is really important to businesses and individuals in obtaining success and winning a deal. Such interactions can be volatile; decisions can easily be made and then changed at the last minute. These interactions again are hard to handle with an automated process and require a great deal of human  management. There is no doubt that we are reaching a point of transition and  change across all careers; the level of digital disruption that may occur in your own industry  is something that you must be aware of. Before developing or enhancing your career plan, analyse where you feel you are at with your role, and assess what changes may occur. Everyone will find something  different, and the outcome will also vary depending on what each individual wishes to seek in their career. The most important this is not be scared by change. The negative conversations surrounding these changes talk about circumstances that we have no ability to confirm; for this reason, stay in front of the change and realise it might happen to achieve greater control for your own career destiny. Image: Shutterstock

How Far Should a Resume Go Back?

How Far Should a Resume Go Back?Many people are asking themselves the question: How far back should a resume go? Many employers ask for a number of things in regards to resumes. A resume is one of those many things you will be asked to do. The employer will want to see your previous employment and how long it has been since you last worked.Most people would like to show their past employers that they have improved in their career, while some would prefer to show all their jobs rather than listing each job they have had. You should decide what you want to include on your resume and where you want to place the information. Then look at the typical needs of your company.There are a number of different types of companies that can require a certain number of years of employment. You will need to choose between asking your employer for a copy of your work history and putting your employment experience at the end of your resume. If you do not want to do either of these things, you can alway s request a letter from your past employers or research the company you are applying to in order to get references.When deciding how to break your employment numbers down, it is very important to consider the age of the person requesting the information. For example, if the person requesting the information is in their sixties, they are looking for numbers that are back to before they were in their twenties. This type of information should not be considered any older than thirty years of age.As long as the person requesting the information has clearly stated that they are requesting employment information for their past employers, there should be no problems with how far should a resume go back. When writing your own resume, keep this in mind. In order to ensure that the past employers are accounted for and kept updated, your job search information should be no older than thirty years of age. You will find that the number of employers is dependent on your current employment status. If you have several jobs, your resume will go up to ten employers. If you only have one job, the number of employers will be less and will depend on how many days of employment you have. By making sure the number of years that your job includes is accurate, your resume should be up to date.Do you work for several different types of companies? This could mean that your resume has been updated for many different employers in many different places. It is imperative that your resume is consistent with your current employer and that it includes all of the years of employment.When thinking about how far should a resume go back, remember that you should not count any years of employment that are past your twenties. You should also make sure that all of your work experiences are counted before your current employment. This ensures that all of your employment counts and you will be more likely to get an interview for your future job.

7 Ways Sleep Deprivation Is Ruining Your Life - Classy Career Girl

7 Ways Sleep Deprivation Is Ruining Your Life Modern life is incredibly hectic. There never seem to be enough hours in the day, and there are always more things to add to the to-do list. We’re constantly trying to balance work with our social lives with self-care and exercise. With all of those vying to be your main priority, many of us seem to end up trying to make more hours in the day literally, by skimping on shut-eye. Depriving yourself of sleep is a badge of honor these days. People practically boast about pulling an all-nighter to finish a project. Those who stay out until the small hours every night are seen as glamorous and perhaps even a bit rock and roll. Everyone has that one friend that goes out every night after work, drinks copious amounts of alcohol with their seemingly never-ending network of friends, goes home at 2 am and then is up at 6 am for work and doesn’t seem to suffer. You might even be that person. Or trying to be. We often say to them I don’t know how you do it as if we ourselves would quite like the ability to be able to survive on next to no sleep. But the thing is, they might just about be surviving, but they’re definitely not thriving. There are a few consequences of sleep deprivation that are immediately obvious. Written all over your face. There are some, though, that will accumulate and hit you like a freight train later in life. So why should sleep be at the top of your priority list? 7 Ways Sleep Deprivation Is Ruining Your Life A lack of sleep can… 1. Decimate Your Sex Drive I wouldn’t mind betting that you’ve used the not tonight, honey, I’m too tired line to get out of sex in the past. When you’re tired, sex is often the last thing on your mind, and people are now starting to look into the science behind the sleep-sex drive relationship. A study concluded that just one more hour of sleep leads to a 14% increase in the chance of having sex the next day. Turns out, it doesn’t actually matter how tired you feel, your sex drive will still suffer if you’re not sleeping enough. That’s definite motivation in my book. 2. Affect Your Relationship The sex can play a part here, but if you’re generally finding your partner more annoying and are less concerned about their wellbeing, it could well be down to sleep deprivation. This applies to other relationships too. A lack of sleep can make you less tolerant and more self-involved. If you stop putting the needs of others before your own before long you’ll probably find that people get more than a bit fed up of it. Life is, at the end of the day, all about the relationships that we have with other people. If yours are suffering, sleep might be the answer. 3. Make You Age Quicker I think this one might be a big motivator for quite a few of you. Studies have proven that if you don’t sleep well, you’re more likely to show signs of aging, like fine lines and reduced elasticity. That’s because your body releases more of the stress hormone cortisol when you’re not sleeping enough, which can break down collagen. What’s the point of spending all your hard-earned cash on those expensive anti-aging potions when you’re doing damage to your skin every night? You won’t thank yourself for those late nights when you’re sixty. [RELATED: 7 Ways to Improve Your Sleeping Habits] 4. Hurt Your Concentration Are you sacrificing sleep to have more time to finish work? Turns out it doesn’t work like that. If you’re not well-rested, then your speed of work and the quality of your output take a dip. Talk about counter-productive! 5. Impair Your Judgment Life is made up of little decisions, and in a sleep-deprived state, you’re bound to make the wrong ones. Sleep deprivation affects your visual working memory, so you aren’t able to make decisions in the reasonable way you normally would. If you dose up on coffee to make up for a lack of sleep, its even worse. 6. Get You Down Sadly (no pun intended), a lack of sleep and depression often go hand in hand. A study has shown that people with insomnia are five times more likely to develop depression. It’s a bit of a vicious circle, as you can imagine, with negative thoughts keeping you up, and the fact you can’t sleep leading to negative thoughts. Mental health issues are hugely widespread these days, and even if you don’t actually suffer from insomnia, if you’re voluntarily depriving yourself of sleep then you’re essentially playing with fire. 7. Make You Pile on The Pounds This might be the one that finally convinces a lot of you. Do you struggle with your weight? People who get the recommended amount of sleep (seven to nine hours a night) are less likely to become obese than those who get the right amount of nap time. It’s all to do with a lack of sleep stimulating your appetite, especially your cravings for junk food. Turns out, the saying you snooze, you lose might have a lot of truth to it. I could go on, but I don’t think I need to. Just the simple act of getting enough sleep could make a huge difference to your life, both now and further down the line. Start taking your sleep seriously, and don’t let those solid eight hours a night become negotiable. You’ll feel far better, and achieve far more for it.

Top 8 Cheats for Effective Communications

Top 8 Cheats for Effective Communications Communication is the basis of every company needless to say, if communication isnt optimum, you will fail in more ways than one. If you are in the driver seat of your company, make sure your work on your communication skills to avoid misunderstandings that can damage not only your brand, but the working atmosphere as well. Corporate psychology firm Davitt  has put together this infographic, rounding up the best tips to be effective in the way you communicate. Key takeaways: Body language is key:  Ensure you stand up straight and make eye contact with the person you are talking to, especially when that person is speaking to you. We tend to be persuaded by stories much more than facts and figures. Tell stories to illustrate the points that you wish to make. Use open-ended questions like What would you like to see happen in this upcoming meeting? can help encourage further dialogue and sometimes uncover missing information. RELATED: Top 3 Ways Communication Builds A More Engaged and Productive Team

Using Resume Templates to Create a Killer Resume

Using Resume Templates to Create a Killer ResumeResume templates can do wonders for your job search. More employers are using the internet to research potential candidates. They are looking at your internet marketing credentials, your online banking, your personal profiles and everything else that you have written about yourself online. If you really want to get ahead in the competitive world of resume writing, you need to make sure you have a well-written resume to show.Now there are a number of high quality resume templates on the internet, but the most important factor is that they are all free. These free templates will allow you to bring your resume up to par and impress potential employers that you are just as good as the other candidates they are reviewing.One of the first things you need to do when you are setting out to develop a high quality resume is to go over it with a fine tooth comb and edit. If you do not like what you see, you will need to take the necessary steps to get it changed. There are many people who use these free resume templates, and they tell you that they make a huge difference when it comes to making a resume stand out from the rest.The reason that a free resume template is better than one that you pay for is that a free template will include every element that you will need to create a professional resume. Your boss is going to know that you have the capability to create a professional resume, and he or she will also be impressed by the effort you put into this process. The template can save you hours of time that you could otherwise spend worrying about writing a resume.If you want to use a template, you will need to modify it according to your needs. You will also need to set up an individualised resume with your name on it, and your education and work experience. Your educational information is the most important thing to include in your resume, so make sure that you include all of it in the template.Do not be afraid to includ e information about your previous employer, your skills, and how you can best help the company that you are applying to. For instance, if you have designed website content for a number of other companies, including a business owner, then include this information in your resume.Use the template that is appropriate for you. Make sure that it has everything that you need to include. If you are just an average employee, then do not include any references, but do include every single thing you have ever done for a previous employer.You may want to include a lot of background information, but you do not need to. Just a little bit will be fine. Your main point is to get a great resume that you can use to impress the employers who are reviewing your application.

6 Steps to Take to Become a Truck Driver - CareerMetis.com

6 Steps to Take to Become a Truck Driver If you love driving and are happy to spend many days or weeks away from home, you could enjoy a rewarding career as a truck driver.Thankfully, gaining qualifications and securing employment isn’t too difficult or time-consuming, so you could soon be driving on the open road for a profitable fee.evalIf you are interested in learning more about the career, read the following five six steps to take to become a professional truck driver.1. Weigh the Pros Against the ConsevalAs you would before embarking on any career, you should weigh the pros against the cons to identify if truck driving is the right job for you.For example, you might be pleased to learn trucking jobs do not require extensive qualifications and provide fantastic rates of pay.However, the role will demand much of your time, as you might need to be on the road for 12 hours or more each day, and you will need to regularly meet tight deadlines.2. Attend a Reputable Truck Driving SchoolSign up for a program at a local truc k driving school to kickstart your career. Look for a reputable school that offers both practical and classroom education, which will help you to pass the CDL exam with flying colors.Every program will come with fees, and you could opt for a 30-day course or an in-depth one-year program.3. Obtain a Commercial Driver’s LicenseTo become a professional truck driver, you must obtain a commercial driver’s licenseFor help getting started, visit your local DMV office to request your state’s commercial driver’s manual.4. Pass the FMCSA ExamIn addition to attending driving school and obtaining a CDL, you will also be required to pass the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 5. Buy Your First TruckWhile you could seek employment directly from a business, you could launch your own trucking company if you purchase your first truck.evalFor example, a transfer truckcould help you to transport loose materials with ease, so you could enjoy a steady profit when working with profession al construction companies.6. Join a Freight Carrier NetworkAnother option you have is to join a freight carrier network. LTL freight carriersare incredibly popular with both small and medium-sized businesses, so your truck will be regularly loaded and on the open road. You will also receive fast, regular work and payments after joining a freight carrier network.If you are considering a profession involving truck driving, these points can help you in terms of understanding the necessary steps to take. With due consideration, planning, and thought, you could be well on your way to changing your career sooner than you think.

Leaving Your Job What Smart Jobseekers Need to Know A 5-Part Series - Sterling Career Concepts

Leaving Your Job What Smart Jobseekers Need to Know A 5-Part Series Leaving Your Job? What Smart Jobseekers Need to Know: A 5-Part Series People have been quite creative in how they leave their jobs to pursue dreams and achieve career goals. One of the more famous examples is the JetBlue flight attendant who deployed  the emergency chute on the runway to make his exit.   In the back of your mind you might be thinking, “Yes! I’ve wanted to do that for years now.” But in reality, that type of job exit is never smart for your career and professional reputation. When you’re thinking of leaving your job, there are things to consider in three phases of the separation: (1) things to think about before you even begin to apply for a new job, (2) considerations to keep in mind as you look for a new job while you’re still employed, and (3) how to leave your current job gracefully. Today’s post will address the first of these.emergency chute on the runway to make his exit.   In the back of your mind you might be thinking, “Yes! I’ve wanted to do that for years now.” But in reality, that type of job exit is never smart for your career and professional reputation. Before You Start Your Job Search When you decide to start looking for another position, take the time to review your career achievements and make a list of your accomplishments. If you haven’t been collecting accomplishments all along, now is the time to start. This information will be useful in developing your résumé as well as in interviews. Make copies of documents that support your accomplishments (unless company policy prohibits it). You may not have access to this information once you submit your resignation â€" especially if you are asked to leave immediately Three things to consider once you are ready to resign: Does your company have a policy or guideline about how much notice you should provide? You should also check your employee handbook and any employment agreement you have with the company. If you’ve worked at the company for any length of time, you should have some idea of how resignations are handled. Does your boss ask the resigning employee to leave immediately, or do they generally ask him or her to stay on until a replacement is found? How much time is it customary to offer to stay? You should always offer to stay two weeks, but have a contingency plan in place if you’re asked to leave immediately. Before you notify your supervisor of your resignation, make sure you are prepared to leave. You don’t want to tip anyone off that you’re leaving â€" things like taking your photos off your desk or boxing up personal items on your bookshelf are noticeable â€" but you can quietly clean out your desk and files. This includes cleaning off your work computer. If you have personal documents on your computer, save them to a jump drive or CD, and then delete the originals from your computer. You can forward any personal email messages you want to save to your non-work email address, and then delete the originals. (Be sure to delete messages in your “sent mail” folder too.) If you have online accounts that use your business email address for the log-in, change the accounts over to your personal email. If you downloaded software to your computer that isn’t related to your job, be sure to uninstall it. And, finally, learn how to delete your computer’s browsing history, cookies, and saved passwords from your Internet browser. When cleaning out your desk and files, shred or trash old files that won’t be needed by your successor. If you bring home a few personal items at a time, it won’t be as noticeable. The goal is to be able to easily bring home all of your personal belongings in one or two boxes â€" and, to be able to leave your job without leaving behind any personal information. *** This series of blog posts will cover additional topics that relate to leaving your job: conducting a job search while still employed, how and when to tell your supervisor that you are leaving, writing a resignation letter, making a successful job transition and the etiquette of departure. Even if you’re not planning to leave your employer in the near future, this information is worth reading for future reference.

Balancing Family and Work

Balancing Family and Work How To Find Balance In Your Work At Home Career And Your Personal Life Work at home moms face challenges that are very unique. The decision to work outside the home or stay with your children is difficult, with each option having advantages and disadvantages. If you stay home you may lose income and you will lose interaction with fellow employees, and if you work outside the home you live with separation from your children and pay caregiver expenses. Many women are choosing to work at home and finding the right opportunity is the first step in finding success as a work at home mom. You could use the knowledge and skills you have and become a consultant, develop a career in design or writing, telecommute to a job, or start a home-based business. The opportunities are endless. It can be difficult for a work at home mom to balance home, family, and career. Even if you are not a parent it is hard to find time for a personal life when you operate a home-based business. It is very easy to become consumed by your work when you work from home and it can be a challenge to find time for yourself and your family. To successfully balance a home and career you must create a work schedule. Decide what hours will be set aside for work and try hard to stick to that time-frame. It very beneficial to create a boundary between work and home. Setting a work schedule will give you a routine to follow. To give yourself the opportunity to socialize and meet new people, try getting involved with community or other volunteer activities. If you do not get out of the house regularly you may begin to resent your work and your family obligations. During your workday, take short breaks to get up and move around. A simple stretching routine or a short walk will do wonders for your outlook. It will be necessary for you to deliberately schedule time for personal activities such as reading, picnics, or exercise. By adding these activities and free time to your schedule you will ensure that you get some much needed mommy time and that your family spends quality time together. You will find that if your leisure and family time suffer too much, your relationships will suffer as well. Make time for the fun things and times shared with children and family. If you implement these ideas into your life as a work at home mom, you will be better able to achieve balance between work and your home life. About the Author: Aurelia Williams is the mom of four busy children, a Personal Life Coach https://www.reallifecoaching.net/ and the owner of https://www.reallifesolutions.net/ which is an informational site that also offers products, articles and a great newsletter. You can also hear Aurelia daily on the https://www.wahmtalkradio.com show, she is the Resident Life Coach.