Archives for January 2022

How To Start A New Career When You Are Over 50

January 21, 2022 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

Not everybody loves their job so, at a certain point in life, they need to make a change. That can happen anytime in a career including later in life. Others may be laid off and now need to start all over even past the age of 50. Although there is no good reason for it, finding a new career later in life is very challenging.

That isn’t to say that it is impossible. It will take more effort and determination, but luckily your life experience will help you navigate this tricky time of your life. In this article, we will go over what it takes to change careers when you are older.

Know your rights

Although there are sometimes big age gaps in some companies such as software houses, this shouldn’t affect your ability to get a job in an industry you specialize in. In fact, age discrimination is illegal.

If a company doesn’t have a better candidate than you then they can’t deny you the job based on your age. Your age should be able to help you get the job in a perfect world since you are bringing a lot of experience and knowledge to the team.

When you are faced with a challenge from a younger candidate that has fewer education credentials and a lack of experience in the field, you should be a no-brainer for the job. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work that way. If you feel that you are having trouble getting a foot in the door then you should call one of the many employment attorneys Indianapolis has to offer if that is where you live.

Find the right fit

One of the biggest benefits to looking for a new career later on in life is it gives you the opportunity to do something you’ve always wanted to do. Early on in your working life, you may have taken on a job you didn’t want due to financial pressures or lack of other opportunities. Often, a dream job stays just that. A dream.

Now that you are available and at a different point in your life, you can go for that job that you’ve always wanted and find more fulfillment in your work than you previously had.

You can focus on a job that has something to do with your passions or even a hobby. Your life experience may have set you up for a different career that you can now thrive in and is a better fit than what you were doing previously.

Update your education

A lot has changed since you were in college so it makes sense that you would have to take some refreshers even if you are staying within your chosen field. There may be some certificates that you should have that will look great on a resume especially given your experience and knowledge about the job. It may even involve getting another degree.

Not only will you acquire valuable and up to date knowledge, but you are also showing an employer that you aren’t looking to rest on your laurels. It will demonstrate that you are an eager lifelong learner and will be adaptable when the situation calls for it.

How to Get Over Impostor Syndrome

January 20, 2022 by Guest Post Leave a Comment

Do you ever feel like you’re in over your head in the workplace? You might be suffering from impostor syndrome, and it’s important to know how to get over this feeling. Impostor syndrome is a psychological phenomenon where people are unable to internalize their accomplishments, which leads them to believe they are not qualified for specific positions or tasks.

Many people suffer from the impostor syndrome and not just those in high-stress jobs like doctors or lawyers. Anyone can be affected by this feeling of inadequacy. Many famous figures have felt the effects of impostor syndrome as well: Maya Angelou once said that “I’ve written eleven books, but each time I think, ‘Uh oh, they’re going to find out now. I’ve run a game on everybody, and they’re going to find me out”.

It’s important not to let these feelings get you down during your workday! And if you do happen to feel unworthy, there are many steps you can take to overcome these feelings.

Keep reading to find out how. The symptoms of impostor syndrome include:

Feeling Like a Fake or Fraud When Success Happens

Fear that your accomplishments will make people think less of you in the future – Anxiety over making mistakes because they’ll prove how much of an “impostor” you are – Doubt that you’re as good at your job as everyone says (even though there is evidence, like all those awards on your wall)

Not Being Able to Accept Compliments

Being completely uncomfortable receiving praise from others for fear they don’t actually believe their words might not seem so bad now, but these feelings aren’t just annoying; they affect many areas of our lives, such as relationships and work.

What Can You Do About It?

Those with impostor syndrome are good at looking for flaws in their own performance, which is why it’s important to focus on what went well – not just the mistakes that were made.

Positive Self-Talk

Reward yourself when you’ve done something well or learned a new skill, and keep track of your achievements! Remind yourself who got you where you are today by naming all those people who have helped support and encourage you along the way. It might sound cheesy but positive affirmations could also help boost self-esteem. Avoid negative self-talk and think happy thoughts.

Write it Down

Write down three things about yourself that make you proud every day until they sink in. Keep this list somewhere accessible so if ever you feel like an impostor, take a look back at these reminders.

Don’t Compare Yourself to Others at Work

That’s not your job. Be confident in the skills you do have, and don’t be afraid of asking for help when necessary! Don’t put so much pressure on yourself; impostor syndrome is often worse than the situation itself, which can lead us to avoid important problems or challenges altogether.

Don’t Stress the Small Stuff

You might feel like you need to be the best at everything but remember, nobody is perfect. It’s better to focus on doing your job well than worrying about what other people are thinking of you – it doesn’t matter if they think you’re an impostor or not. When big or small mistakes happen, learn from them and move on.

Keep Up the Hard Work

Be proud of your accomplishments, and remember that you deserve to be where you are. You might doubt yourself but the only way to overcome these feelings is by challenging them head-on. It takes courage to face your fears, so don’t give up.

Recognize Your Own Abilities

You might feel like an impostor, but you’re also a hard worker, determined and creative. Focus on the positive things about yourself instead of your downfalls; it’s time to own what makes you great!

Keep Good Company

Surround yourself with people who believe in you and want to see you succeed. If they have a positive attitude, it’s likely that their words will quickly become your own!

Bonus Tip: Create Your Own Success Plan

If the impostor syndrome keeps popping up when you’re trying out something new, create a plan of action with specific steps on how to achieve what you want. This could help you feel more confident in your abilities and reassure you that your actions will get results.

Remember that Impostor Syndrome is Real… But so are You!

It’s very easy to let impostor syndrome get the best of us, but when you acknowledge it, work through it, and find ways to cope with this feeling – you might just come out stronger than ever before.

When it comes down to it, these feelings are completely normal, but they’re only temporary if we know how to manage them. Avoid comparing yourself to other people in similar positions who seem more confident. Not everyone’s path is the same, so that it might take longer for some than others – but that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve the success that comes your way.

If you’re lucky enough to have a great role model or mentor, then work with them and take advantage of their experience and expertise so they can help build up those areas where you feel like an impostor too.

Working with others who share similar qualities as you help boost self-esteem and build a more supportive network.

Even though it might be hard, don’t give up because the benefits of overcoming impostor syndrome far outweigh any small sacrifices you have to make along the way.

The key is to recognize that everyone has moments where they feel like an impostor, so focus on what matters – your work – and keep pushing forward. No one knows everything there is about their career or has all of the answers. Everyone has doubts sometimes. So next time you feel like an impostor, just take a step back and remind yourself that this feeling will pass with time.

Author Bio:

Adam Bielanski is the CEO of Sierra Pacific Group, who puts the “Vision” back in Visionary – Shaping today’s business leaders for tomorrow’s technology business. If you’re ready to start becoming an effective business leader, then connect with him on LinkedIn.

The ABCs of Using Mobile Apps to Grow Your Business

January 20, 2022 by Katie Conroy Leave a Comment

Knowing your ABCs is a basic skill, but do you know the ABCs of using mobile apps to grow your business? If not, you could be missing out on a valuable source of revenue: a tool that can provide direct access to your target audience. Even if you have a website and social media, you may also need an app as part of your marketing plans. So Mike McRitchie invites you to go over those app ABCs.

Apps Can Boost Your Business

The benefits of having an app for your small business are clear. With an app, you can expect:

Increased visibility.
More customer loyalty.
Enhances engagement.

In addition, you’ll also have a direct channel for connecting with and marketing to your customers, which can help set you apart from your competitors.

But Apps Can Be Hard to Create

Unless you’re tech-savvy, building an app can be quite the chore. There are tools online that you can use but the results may not be exactly what you expect. DIY app building platforms tend to produce generic apps that may not help your business stand out.

Choosing the Right Platform Can Help

If you want to simplify the process of building an app, you can try focusing on a single platform. For example, you may want to create an app for the iOS store for compatibility across Apple’s wide range of handheld devices — which, in turn, puts your app in the hands of more consumers. Of course, coding and building an app are still complicated.

Developers Can Eliminate the Guesswork

Instead of taking chances with a DIY app, why not hire a freelance developer to help you out? The right iPad application developer will have the technical skills to deliver a seamless, user-friendly app for tablet users and will also be able to customize your app as needed. It’s easy to find such an expert on online job boards, so make sure to compare reviews and rates before you settle on one.

Experienced Pros Will Prioritize Security

As you consider developers and/or agencies to help with your mobile app, you should also ask questions about security. Candidates should possess a thorough knowledge of the steps needed to secure mobile apps from some of the most common threats, including data breaches. It’s also important to have a disaster recovery plan in place in the event that something does happen to your business. According to Commvault, your plan should include ways to monitor your systems and protect yourself against a cyber threat.

Forgetting Security Can Cost Your Business

Think that having an app that’s not properly secured isn’t a big deal? After you consider the potential costs of a breach, you may want to think again. Small businesses can expect to shell out a whopping $200K for a single data leak, which a small business might not be able to handle. It’s just one more reason you should trust this task to a professional instead of trying to DIY.

Getting Downloads Is Half the Battle

Once you have a user-friendly app, you need to start getting it on phones and tablets. Hop on social media and let your audience know about your shiny new app! Promote, promote, promote — you are bound to have people excited to add your mobile app and start using it.

Help Increase Downloads by Offering Incentives

Still can’t get folks to download and use your app? Why not offer a special discount or other tantalizing incentives to your audience? It’s a tactic that many corporations use to get people to download their apps and use it to shop for products and services, and it can work for you, too. In fact, most consumers expect special deals and discounts when they use a business’s app.

It Pays to Ask for Ratings and Reviews

As more and more people use your app, be sure to take advantage of this momentum by asking them to rate and review it! These reviews and ratings are important to other consumers on the lookout for new apps. If you want the most ROI and the most users, your app needs a rating of 4 stars or higher.

We didn’t quite get to Z, but you should have enough tips and insights to avoid making mistakes with your small business app. Remember, the first mistake to avoid is not having an app at all! Make sure your app is intuitive, user-friendly, and secure, which is a given when you work with an experienced developer. Finally, don’t forget to promote it!

Mike McRitchie is an author, “Top 100 Career Blogger”, and job search and small business strategist with over 20 years of experience managing wireless telecom build-outs for all the major U. S. carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint) as a project manager, program manager, and director-level leader. Call 425-760-9835.

Photo Credit: Unsplash

Get What Is Yours At Work

January 20, 2022 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

Not everyone has a naturally fierce streak; some people are not prepared to push for what they want, which can mentally affect them.

Often if it happens in the workplace, it happens outside of the workplace. It might be things like your food order being wrong; it might be too worried to get a medical malpractice attorney – or letting everyone out at a junction.

It is not a bad thing to have a calmer soul that isn’t ready to get into fights and arguments all the time.

Standing up for yourself takes many forms, but sometimes it can leave you feeling liberated and joyful. And sometimes, it is the only way to make sure we get the recognition and reward we deserve.

Photo by Michael Dziedzic on Unsplash

You got You

You know in the movies, where someone will say, ‘I got your back.’ Well, in this instance, you need to have your own back. You need to get into the frame of mind that you are your own biggest advocate.

Only you can truly decide if you are being treated in a way that shows respect and makes you feel valued.

It is no one else’s role to stand up for you but your own. So, when something needs to be done – do it for you.

Is it right?

From time to time, we get het up about something that doesn’t really matter – and in that instance, it can be better to just let it go. You don’t need to argue about everything, and you need to consider if standing up for yourself right now is the most beneficial thing.

However, even if it is something small, if you feel like it will make a difference to you and how you feel, it is essential you do it.

Be intentional and tactful no matter the subject matter you are addressing.

Boundaries

You might not realize what your boundaries are until someone breaks them. This can be a very upsetting moment, but it makes it more important to think about what is and is not acceptable to you.

Setting boundaries early on can be beneficial, but it is better late than never. When you already have limitations, and people are aware of them – this can help prevent a lot of work from you.

When people know what you won’t accept, they are unlikely to force you to call them out in order to get what you are owed.

Self Depreciation

Many people do when trying to achieve something in a tricky situation, belittling themselves. Or make themselves appear smaller or less important. Doing so can give the other people/people the wrong impression – meaning they are less likely to take your request seriously.

Try to speak with conviction, and avoid self-depreciation.

Confidence is one of the most important aspects of getting what you want in your work environment. It is vital that you know and understand your value and how this benefits the company. So when you ask for what you deserve, you can do so with conviction.
Building confidence is a process, and here are 6 Tips For Finding Confidence in Your Workplace | Mike McRitchie | Resume and LinkedIn Profile Writer | Telecom Content Writer

How to Give Your Business a Redesign

January 19, 2022 by Contributed Post Leave a Comment

If you’ve felt like your business could use a redesign, you’re not alone. In fact, many businesses feel this way at some point or another. A redesign can help breathe new life into your company and give customers a fresh impression. This blog post will discuss the steps you need to take to give your business a redesign.

Photo by Thirdman from Pexels

1) Define your goals

Before you can start redesigning your business, you need to define your goals. What do you hope to achieve with the redesign? Increased sales? More website traffic? Better customer satisfaction? Once you know what you’re aiming for, creating a plan that achieves those results will be easier. Keep in mind that your goals may change over time, so it’s important to revisit them regularly and make sure they still align with your company’s vision. Tip: If you’re not sure what your goals should be, ask yourself these questions:

-What are our current strengths and weaknesses?

-What do we want our customers to think of us?

-What do we want our brand to represent?

-What are our long-term goals?

Once you have a good understanding of your goals, it’s time to start creating a plan for how to achieve them. This is where things can get tricky, so it’s important to be as specific as possible. If you’re not sure where to start, many online resources can help.

2) Create a brand strategy

Your brand is one of the most important aspects of your business. It’s what customers associate with you, and it can make or break your company. That’s why it’s so important to have a solid branding strategy in place before you start redesigning your business. Your branding should be consistent across all channels, from your website to your social media profiles to your marketing materials. It should also be reflective of who you are as a company and what you stand for.

3) Hire An Interior Designer

If you’re not confident in your ability to redesign your business on your own, it’s a good idea to hire a professional such as Eye Designs. An interior designer can help you create a cohesive look and feel that represents your brand well. They can also give you advice on how to make the most of your space and use it to its full potential.

4) Create a Style Guide

A style guide is a document that outlines the specific design guidelines for your brand. It includes things like font types, colors, and layout styles. Having a style guide will help ensure that all of your marketing materials are consistent and look professional.

If you’re thinking about giving your business a redesign, follow these steps to make sure it’s done correctly. Having a well-defined plan in place will help make the process smoother and more successful.