When you’re working from home, it can be difficult to separate home space from working space. You need a space where you can get into working mode without worrying about distractions. Your working space will either help or hinder you, so it’s important to get it right.
If you’re setting up your home office, there are certain things you’ll need to take into consideration. Here are some simple tips to get you started.
Light
If you’re sitting at your desk for hours every day, it will be important for you to make the most of natural light. If you’re an introvert who likes working from home, getting a good dose of vitamin D with natural light will be important. Sitting close to a window would be preferable so you have the light you need and access to fresh air. However, if this isn’t possible, use artificial light to create the light you need to work.
If you find yourself squinting at your screen because you haven’t got enough light or you’re turning the brightness up on your devices, you may want to think about a different location.
Internet Access
Using the internet at home to browse social media or connect to Netflix is one thing but relying on the internet for online meetings with clients is another. You’ll need a connection that’s fast and reliable so you can be sure you always look professional. If you’re sharing data online, it’s also essential that you have a secure connection.
You’ll need to check your SSID before setting up your workspace at home. What is SSID? If your SSID is unsecured, it leaves you wide open to hackers. If you need help with this, you can ask your internet provider.
Separate Spaces
If you live alone, you’ll need to separate your work space from your relaxing space. This will help you to get into the right mentality to work. If you live with family, it’s even more important to have a dedicated work space.
If you set up your home office in a communal area, you need to be mindful of who will have access to your work space. For instance, it’s not going to be a good idea to set up your home office in the same space as your kids play area.
If you want working from home to work, you have to have everything you need. It’s okay to invest in yourself if it means creating a space that will be conducive to a productive mindset. For example, you may want to invest in a comfortable office chair and a spacious desk.
Many people start off working from their sofas or their beds but making the investment in proper office equipment is certainly worth it. If you’re spending a significant amount of time working from home, you deserve to be comfortable.
If you have family at home with you, it can also help to invest in a lockable filing cabinet where you can keep important documents away from little fingers.
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The decisions you make today can influence your career trajectory and give you a well-deserved boost to propel you to greater heights. So whether you are a recent graduate or a seasoned professional contemplating a career change, it’s prudent to make informed choices that can set you on a thrilling path in your chosen field. If you’re going to commit an average of 90,000 hours over a lifetime for your career, it’s worth making the right decisions. Here are some top ones to consider.
1. Educational Choices
A good education lays the foundation for success. However, to reap the most benefits, your focus should be on the educational choice and the type of skills it teaches you. The right educational background can also open a future of opportunities in your chosen field. The first thing to do is to consider a certification program or degree that aligns with your passion and career goals. However, do not end there because researching the industry trends and emerging technologies is significant to ensuring that your education will remain relevant in a decade.
The ever-evolving job market makes it compelling to learn a course that leads to a career that the incorporation of Artificial Intelligence wouldn’t threaten. In recent times, for instance, writers have felt threatened by the introduction of ChatGPT and other AI technologies that appear to present stiff competition in the digital age. While your educational choice is relevant, do not underestimate the value of continuous learning in the form of workshops, refresher courses, webinars, and conferences.
2. Career Transitions
A 2022 survey revealed that 52% of company employees are contemplating making a career switch, and the percentage is almost the same every year. Career transitions are excellent, but how you navigate them can significantly impact your future success. Admittedly, it’s not an easy road when you decide to make a switch or transition. Many factors come into play to take that bold step to move from one career to the next. Some people find it worthwhile to join an ICF coaching program before making a career transition. Some people do this as a way to enhance their potential and develop leadership skills in a bid to navigate a career change successfully. You may want to leverage professional coaching to overcome the challenges that often come with career transitions so you avoid jumping ship without testing the water first.
You may already know this, but networking is crucial for working professionals and can’t be overstated. A network of professional relationships holds the door to several opportunities, mentorships, and industry insights. These are some advantages you do not get through formal education alone, and that is what networking provides. It fills in the loopholes that formal education may have left open and helps to make you a well-rounded professional. You can start by joining professional associations and attending industry events related to your field. The digital era makes several online communities accessible at the click of a button, so leverage that to positively impact your chosen career. The experienced professionals you meet online can provide useful advice to advance your career.
As you navigate your career, remember that the decisions you make collectively determine the future outcomes of your chosen field.
If you’re like most people, your career takes up a huge chunk of your life. It makes sense then, that you want to find a career that you enjoy and find fulfilling, while also paying the bills and providing a measure of financial stability.
Unfortunately, many people find themselves in a situation where they aren’t happy with their current career. You might be stretched financially, or you might find that you simply don’t enjoy your workdays anymore.
At this point, it’s tempting to decide to change careers. This might end up being one of the best decisions of your life, but not if you don’t stop and think about it first. So, what should you be planning before a career change?
Is a Career Change a Good Idea?
First things first, will a career change actually help you? You might not be in a position right now to make a major change to your career, especially if your financial situation won’t give you the wiggle room to change jobs.
Changing your career is a huge leap and, understandably, a scary one. This is especially true later in life. A lot of people end up stumbling into a career as a young adult, and then end up stuck there. If you’ve just graduated, now is the time to be more adventurous with your career choices.
You might be able to make smaller changes to your career. For example, the issue might actually be with your employer, not the industry as a whole. You might be able to get a job with better advancement opportunities or more interesting work, simply by shopping around for different employers.
This means that your experience and qualifications will still work for you, without thinking about retraining or starting fresh.
Should You Start Your Own Business?
One common career change is to start your own business. Some people set up a side hustle while still in employment, and this can be a great way to earn a bit more money. But if you want to establish your business and become your own boss, you may need to make a complete switch so you can dedicate more time and resources to your business.
Before you do this, you need a solid business plan so you know how to build up your business and generate enough profit to fund your business and your lifestyle.
You should also look into the pros and cons of being self-employed and compare them with being in employment.
Whether you’re planning to switch careers or you want to invest some time into your professional growth and advance in your current career, it’s a good idea to look into appropriate training courses.
Different courses can teach you relevant skills and give you more opportunities in your chosen field of work. Even soft skills like first aid are great additions to your resume. Management skills will allow you to advance.
Some careers require regular training to maintain your qualifications, especially in the medical field. So, pay attention to every training opportunity that comes along.
There is a lot that people often say about making yourself a good candidate for a role. But what about the act of actually trying to find a job that you want in the first place? You probably have an idea about what kind of job you want, and perhaps a sense of what your ideal role would be. So how do you actually find it? This can be trickier than you might think, but as long as you put your mind to it, you should find it becomes easier.
To help this along, there are a few things that you might want to bear in mind in order to make it even easier. Here are some of the main ways to improve your chances of finding the ideal job. As long as you consider these, you should find it is a lot simpler and easier to do.
Get Clear On Your Preferences
In general, the clearer you are about what you actually want to achieve, the better. You need to make sure that you are aware of what kind of job you want, so that you can effectively go for it and be more likely to actually find it. If you don’t really know what you are after, you are simply less likely to find it. That might sound obvious, but it’s nonetheless something you should try to bear in mind. It really will make a huge difference to your chances.
So, spend some time getting really clear on a few details – including what job you want, where you want to work geographically, how much money you are hoping to be paid, and so on. The more of this you figure out, the better it will be for your chances of finding a job you will ultimately love.
Research Roles
The more research you carry out in general, the more likely it is that you are going to be able to find a job you love, and without spending too much time on it either. This research can be easier than you think – mostly it’s just a case of seeing what roles are currently out there, so you know what you are choosing between. The more effort you put into this, the better it will be for you, so it’s definitely something to make sure you are focusing on.
When you research what roles are out there, try to keep your options open as much as you can. This makes it much more likely that you will succeed with your efforts, and ultimately get a job you can be happy with.
Go Through An Agency
If you have a specific kind of job you want to go for, then you will find it is easier to get it if you work through an agency for that specific kind of work. There are agencies for a vast number of industries and job types, so you should be able to hopefully find one for whatever kind of work you are hoping to have.
By way of example, if you are keen on trying to get a nursing job, you might want to go through an agency like Advantis. Why choose Advantis? For one thing, it’s a trusted agency, with a lot of work available, so you can feel confident in your chances of finding a nursing job soon enough. It’s also going to mean that the whole process of being recruited is so much easier.
So going through an agency is definitely a great way to approach things when you are trying to find an ideal job.
It has to be said that finding a perfect job can be quite time-consuming, and there are a lot of things that you might need to have in place before you can hope for this to happen. Because of that, you need to be prepared to take your time, and you might find that you need to be quite patient. The more effectively you do that, the better it is going to be for you, so make sure that you are definitely giving yourself the chance to be patient. Taking your time also means you are more likely to end up with a job you love, rather than just any job.
As you can see, it’s perfectly possible to find an ideal job, as long as you put your mind to it and you are happy to work at it a little.
A good career opportunity doesn’t come along very often. Or at least that’s what it feels like. For a lot of people it feels like you can get stuck in the grind for 10 or more years and get bored of a job, but if you want to change career paths there’s no options out there for you. But the more you know about spotting a good career opportunity, the easier it’s going to be to change your working situation and style. Here’s what you need to keep in mind if you’re in the midst of a job search.
It’s Not Too Good to Be True
Not all career opportunities are created equally. Indeed, some are simply posted to scam those willing to work hard. Do your best to avoid falling into a trap like this. If you feel suspicious about a job opening, or an offer you’ve received, do some digging into it. Who are the company involved? Who else works there? Can you get in contact to ask about their experience? You can also search up the company website and see how old it is—an established company is going to have a web record you can investigate.
Consider Unusual Industries
Unusual doesn’t have to mean niche, or something ‘out there’. It can just mean something you’ve never considered before, such as trucking jobs if you’ve been a desk worker all this time. If you’ve got a license and you’ve happily road-tripped for hours before, such a career could be a good fit for you! If you widen the net and extend the search beyond your usual parameters, you might find a position that feels like you, and allows you to be yourself on the clock.
Don’t Keep a Good Idea to Yourself
If you’ve noticed something about your business field, whether this be a gap in the market or a way to run a certain service better, talk about it. But not just to anyone. Talk about it to people who can help you do something about it. Investors and crowd funders, for example, or potential business partners who have the other half of the jigsaw puzzle.
Put your feelers out, lean on your network, and flesh out your idea. It could lead to a very successful business with yourself at the helm. After all your hard work, this is an opportunity too good to miss.
This is really what it all comes down to. What do you need from a job? How can a job support your current lifestyle, and even make it better? The more you understand your needs outside of work, the more you can narrow down your search. You can create a list of pros and cons surrounding your current career opportunities and branch out with direction.
A good career opportunity is something you can picture, sink your teeth into, and proves to be worth its weight. Do your research and take your time.
Do you need plenty of time on your own to recharge? Then you might be an introvert. The good news is that while extroverts often seem to be most sought after by employees, there are actually plenty of jobs that are best suited to those of us who are more introverted. Read on to discover 4 of the best of them.
Librarian
Being a librarian can be a varied and interesting career. The main tasks of a librarian include helping library users find the books and texts they are specifically looking for. However, in today’s high-tech world, this often requires using technology and online services to find documents and information as well. Librarians are also in charge of running the libraries they work in, which means planning services, deciding what resources to buy and restocking bookshelves.
A role as a librarian can make a good choice for an introvert because libraries tend to be quiet environments, where most interaction is done one-on-one. Additionally, there is a significant research element to the role which is a task that can be mostly done in isolation.
Truck driver
Another wonderful career choice for introverts is truck driving. Truck driving consists of piloting a vehicle from point A to B usually to deliver goods. There are various types of truck driving to consider including long-distance, and heavy rigs. The pay for truck driving jobs tends to be good, especially if you work in a specific niche such as driving a heavy rig. This is because additional training needs to be done for this type of role as there is more risk involved.
Truck driving can work very well for introverts because it requires a great deal of time alone, either driving or sleeping in the cab. There are some opportunities to speak and connect with others along your route mostly in truck stops which can help break up specifically long journeys.
Research scientist
If you are an introvert and science is your passion then becoming a research scientist can be a very rewarding career. Research scientists conduct research such as clinical trials to come up with new information about a topic including cures and treatments for diseases.
Check out the following YouTube video by Duha Vang about “A Week in the Life of a Research Scientist.”
One of the best things about a career as a search scientist is that you can be doing very meaningful and cutting-edge work, and put your degree to good use. Research scientist posts suit introverts because they usually consist of small teams working in a quiet laboratory environment.
Last of all, if you are an introvert who has a love of the written word, and likes to tell stories, then becoming a writer can be a wonderful way to make your living. This is because you mostly get to work on your own, researching and writing. Many people writers also like to work for themselves in freelance roles.
There is a wide variety of writing jobs that can keep you gainfully employed too. For example, many people write scripts for TV, Movies, and YouTube, while others make their living crafting white papers or technical documents.
There comes a time for all of us when you just have to bite the bullet and change your career path drastically. When that happens, you need to make sure that you are aware of what you are doing, and that you know that you are moving in the right direction. This is scary and difficult, and there are no guarantees that everything will work out as you hope they will. This is why so many people get stuck in jobs they don’t like all that much, and it is a very common problem that is hard to overcome. However, there is a good way to approach that much-needed career change, so let’s take a look at what that might involve.
Don’t Be Rash
First of all, you should make sure that you are not jumping into anything or being too risky. Your job is important, at the end of the day: it is what you use to pay your bills and to eat, and you don’t want to throw it all away for nothing. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take any risks; however, it just means those risks should be well calculated, and that you should spend a long time planning your career change beforehand to ensure that you get it right. Don’t be rash, don’t jump into anything, but do spend some time working out the details of what you hope to do before you do it. You’ll be glad you did.
Research Job Opportunities
Before you do anything else, you should spend some time researching the job opportunities that are out there. There are two parts to this. One is to make sure that you are aware of what jobs there actually are, as in which job titles exist. There might be many that you have never heard of, after all, but which could suit you down to the ground. So check out somewhere like Top Craft Market and see whether there are any intriguing job titles which you might want to look into. The other aspect of all this is to make sure there are actually open positions for the job you want – if not, then you know that this is probably not a good time to make the switch, and that you should hold it off for a while instead.
Give Notice
If you want to speed-track things a little, you could consider giving your notice in and then using the time in between to finish up finding a job. Depending on what your notice period is, this can be a good way of approaching things if you are already aware of what type of work you want to get into. Of course, it is a higher risk option compared to some others, but people do sometimes have success this way and it is something to consider at any rate.
As long as you are bold and you make the right decision, you should find your life improves greatly with a career change of this kind.
When it comes to thinking about a career change, it might help to think of your passions and what you are good at. The key to lasting in your chosen career is job satisfaction, you won’t get this if you don’t enjoy what you do. One of the best ways to do this is to write down what your strengths are and go from there. You might want to take a job quiz or speak with a career advisor, they will be able to give you ideas and suggestions to look into. If you are good at talking to people and selling a product then how about looking into insurance. Research how to become an insurance agent and consider applying to various companies or agencies.
Are you looking to get employed in jobs in the public sector, like government offices, state facilities, or school districts?
Are you looking for some tips and advice on how to go about applying to increase your chances of landing a position?
If you answered yes to these questions, keep reading!
Public Sector Jobs
Public sector jobs are otherwise known as “government” jobs. These include:
School positions (teaching and non-teaching)
Emergency services
Park maintenance
Armed forces
Post office operations
Safety – police and fire
Regulatory agencies
City operations
Civil Service
Tax-related services
And more
If you have ever dealt with the IRS, Department of Motor Vehicles, the court system, Social Security Administration, the Sherriff’s Department, you have received services from someone who is working for the public sector.
Generally speaking, public sector jobs do not pay as well as private sector jobs. In other words, the salaries are lower. However, the benefits packages that they offer make it worthwhile to look for employment opportunities. Public sector jobs are also more stable. While profit-based companies are prone to closures and layoffs due to reduced revenues, public sector jobs are more stable because they are backed by the government.
To get into a position within local, city, state, or federal government facilities, there are certain things you must consider before applying. For example, it takes time to land a position. You might have to wait up to 3 months to hear back about a position you applied. Your application must meet the minimum qualifications for the job posted on the job description. If not, your application will be screened out. There are tests to take for almost every position to see if you meet minimum requirements. Also, background checks will be required for these positions.
Applying for Jobs in the Public Sector: 8 Tips and Ideas
Ask yourself questions.
Here are some examples:
Am I getting enough satisfaction from my current job?
Am I upset with myself for not having obtained more education?
Would I be happier if I moved out of where I am currently living?
Is there someone I admire and wish to emulate?
For those whom I look up to, what do they have that I want to have?
Take time to truly understand what aspects of your life you want to change to be happier, and more content. This process might take a few months. However, do not keep questioning and questioning yourself without your questions leading to any solutions. Be decisive and take charge of your life to make improvements!
An Organized Approach to Getting a Job in the Public Sector
To increase your chances of success with landing a job in the public sector, keep these ideas and tips in mind. Remember, you will increase your chances of finding employment if you are organized, thorough, consistent, and efficient with the process!
Look for jobs in 1 to 3 search engines consistently.
Mark your calendar to visit these sites every 3 days to search for new opportunities that get posted. This is how you will build consistency. Write down your usernames and passwords for easy access.
State jobs (depending on the state): jobs.mo.gov for Missouri, calcareers.ca.gov for California, twc.texas.gov for Texas, and more. Type “public sector jobs in ___________” whichever state you are in to see what search engines come up.
Apply for jobs for which you meet minimum requirements.
Many institutions, both in the public and private sector, use software programs that scan applications and resumes automatically to screen out those who do not meet minimum requirements. If a position asks for 5 years of driving experience, for example, you must actually write that in your application or resume. If you do not, you’ll be screened out. Be as organized as possible when it comes to meeting the minimum job requirements to increase your chances of being selected for the next step in the process.
While you are applying, start preparing for the next steps.
Once you submit an application, you are waiting to receive a call or an email telling you that you need to take a test or have an interview. Be as proactive as possible. Start preparing for interviews. This is especially important if you have not interviewed for a while. Search for types of interview questions they might ask and get ready with possible answers. The more you practice, the better you will become!
Work on self-development to increase your chances of landing a position.
Self-development means increasing your skillset or education. For example, if the job you want asks for a bachelor’s degree, go back to finish your degree. If it asks you to know graphic design, take classes at the community college where you can earn a certificate. Remember, the more you have compared to everyone else who is trying to apply for the same job, the higher your chances will be of getting employment.
Monitor your progress with each application.
Have a tracking system to know how many jobs you have applied for each week, how many interviews, and how many tests you have been invited to take.
Have someone look at your resume and printed application for possible mistakes and errors.
If you are one of 50 people who has applied for a job and only 10 are being called for an interview, your application and resume will be looked at in detail. If you have spelling and punctuation errors that you overlooked or did not realize you made, your chances of being screened out will be higher. For example, if you wrote, “I insure that reports are correct before submitting them,” is wrong. The proper phrase should be, “I ensure that reports are correct before submitting them.” Many people make these types of mistakes unknowingly. Have someone who has strong language skills look at your resume and application for possible errors.
Get your references and letters of recommendation in place.
Depending on the job for which you are applying, you might be asked to provide references and letters of recommendation. Collect up to 3 letters of recommendation from people you have worked with, even on a volunteer basis. Also, contact 3 people with whom you have worked to make sure they know you are putting them down on your applications as references.
Research three to five sites each week to improve your job-seeking skills and knowledge.
Searching for a job in the public sector could be time-consuming and cumbersome. Use an organized approach when applying to become more efficient and consistent with the process. Here is a checklist you can use:
Remember, it takes time and do not give up. Just get better and better at the process. Work on your areas of where you need to improve. Also, keep in mind that if you do not get positions after you interview, it may be that someone from within the organization got promoted. This can be disheartening to you as an outside applicant but again, do not give up. There will be an opportunity presenting itself to you when the time comes!
Author’s Bio
Ruzanna Hernandez, Ed.D. is a public-school administrator, author, and small business owner. She is the creator of efficiencyandorganization.com, a website that provides steps, strategies, tips, and techniques for living every aspect of life in an organized and efficient manner to achieve more.
Hernandez has achieved many challenging goals in her life, thanks to her systems and processes. She shares her strategies on her Youtube channel and her website to help everyone live life fully and without regrets! To learn more about her story, please visit ruzannahernandez.com. Her book, Efficiency and Organization, is available for purchase on Amazon and other book retailers.
