9 Tips to Writing a Graduate Cover Letter

9 Tips to Writing a Graduate Cover Letter If you are a fresh graduate, your first priority after finishing your studies is to get a full-time job. When you are looking for work, you spend a lot of time writing and polishing your resume to make it exactly right. The cover letter almost seems like an after thought. It can be tempting to simply send a couple of lines to a prospective employer with the resume: Please find enclosed/attached my resume for the position of [x]. Kindly contact me for an interview This is not going to impress a prospective employer these days! If you want to be invited for a personal interview, you are going to have to put a lot more thought and effort into writing your cover letter. Each job that you are applying for will need its own letter, and you will need to put some care into crafting your response. Taking the time to write a quality cover letter will lead to more interviews and decrease the time it will take to get a job offer: 1. Use language that carefully mirrors the wording used in the job ad: A number of employers use computer software to screen candidates for available positions. Youll need use keyword that match the ones used in the description if you want to be matched to the opportunity. Review the ad carefully and underline the main points before you start writing your cover letter. If your cover letter is being reviewed by a hiring manager  personally, he or she is likely going to skim over it briefly at first. Youll increase the likelihood of getting a closer review of your qualifications if you choose language that closely matches most (if not all) the requirements listed in the ad. Dont embellish your qualifications to sell yourself to an employer if you dont fully meet the requirements the company is looking for. Do present yourself in the best possible manner, though, by covering off as many of them as you can. The employer may give more weight to some qualifications more than others, and you have no way of knowing which ones the company values most. 2. Use an appropriate format for business letters: Basic block style is easy to read and you wont get confused about the proper layout. You want the reader to be able to focus on the message without being distracted by a complicated letter writing style. With this set-up, the sender and the recipients address are left justified. With the exception of a double space between paragraphs, the entire letter is single spaced. 3. Stick to a font that is easy to read: Now is not the time to experiment with a highly-artistic font. Even if you are applying for a job in a creative field, keep your correspondence businesslike. Select a basic font that is easy to read in a size that your reader will not have to strain to make out. You also dont want to select one that is excessively large, since this may come across as being aggressive. Times New Roman is the standard font used for business correspondence, although Ariel may also be used. Use a 12 pitch size when composing your letter. Its large enough to be easy to read without being overwhelming. 4. Address your letter to a specific person, if possible: Try to find out the name of the hiring manager so that you can direct your letter to him or her personally. This is a much better choice than sending your letter To Whom it May Concern.If you arent sure how to spell the persons name, contact the company directly to confirm the spelling. Since some names can be used for both genders, use this opportunity to confirm whether you are directing your letter to Mr. or Ms. [Whoever] at the same time. Its always a good idea to ask a question, rather than assuming something and being wrong. Making a mistake like that may be enough to get your application put in the rejection pile, no matter how qualified you happen to be for the position. In a situation where you cant find a name for the hiring manager or the head of the Human Resources Department, you can address your letter to Dear Hiring Manager. Its still a better choice than starting off with Dear Sir/Madam. 5. Start your letter by stating when and where you found the job opening: The company may be trying to fill multiple positions and you want to be specific about which one you are interested in. The hiring manager is also interested in finding out where candidates are finding job postings. It helps them in their efforts to target places where quality candidates are looking to find jobs. 6. Focus on your educational background: Since you have recently completed your diploma or degree, this is an area of strength for you. Lead with it and highlight it in the body of your letter. Tell the employer the full name of the program you have just completed, including the concentration. Dont expect him or her to refer to your resume for this information. Do refer to any awards or honors you received that would make you stand out as exemplary candidate for the position. Someone who has the drive to perform well in school can transfer those skills into the workplace. 7. Include any training or internships you have completed: If you have completed any internships or on-the-job training that is relevant to the position you are applying for, be sure to mention this in your letter. However, if you think about your prior experience and its a stretch for you to see how it relates to the work you would be doing if you were hired for this job, the better choice is to leave it off your cover letter. Dont make the reader work to have to find the connection. You want to present yourself as the clear choice for the position. 8. List any special skills you have to offer: Are you familiar with any of the specific computer programs listed in the ad? Mention them in your letter. Do you know how to set up web pages or manage a social media campaign? If these are mentioned in the advertisement or are related to the job you are looking for, do include them in your cover letter. Be honest about your level of expertise, though. While you want to present yourself as a confident and competent person, you dont want to oversell yourself either. If you lie about your abilities, you will be found out. Its the quickest way to get yourself taken out of the running for a job. You can always learn more if you have some knowledge about a subject; its not necessary to claim to be an expert if you arent at that level. 9. Ask for an interview: The purpose of writing your letter is to present yourself as the best candidate for the job and to get the employer to want to meet with you. Ask for that meeting! Its a good idea to explain if there are any dates when you will not be available to meet due to finishing coursework or other commitments. Being honest and up front about your schedule from the outset is the best way to deal with the situation if you are not immediately available for interviews. 9. Proof-read carefully before sending: After you’re finisher with writing, go over the cover letter carefully a couple of times before you send it to a prospective employer. The little things matter when you are trying to make a good first impression. Make sure that the company name and address are spelled correctly. You should also double check the spelling of the hiring managers name to ensure that you have this information right before you send it as well. By following these suggestions, you will be able to write an effective cover letter that will help you land your first full-time job after graduation. Good luck in your writing! RELATED: Cover Letters: Do Employers Actually Read Them? Author:  Leslie Anglesey  is a freelance paper writer and a contributor to  essaytigers.com. She is passionate about sharing job tips and being a guest speaker at university seminars.

Professional Resume Writing Services in Houston

Professional Resume Writing Services in HoustonIf you have an eye for detail and a talent for writing, then you should consider obtaining professional resume writing services in Houston. If you have the education, experience and confidence to do your own job or if you are not familiar with effective writing techniques, hiring the services of a professional will put you in the driver's seat when you are applying for a job.Before writing your resume, it is a good idea to obtain the services of a professional who can give you a more in-depth analysis of your credentials. They are well versed in looking for all the different types of information that can make your resume stand out from the crowd. They can also advise you on the style of writing that will be most appealing to employers.If you are the type of person who works best with a bit of spontaneity in your work, then you may be better off avoiding a written resume altogether. A written resume is usually structured and controlled by the hiring company. It will include all the essential information, but it may be missing important details that are important to your candidacy. By doing this, the company will be able to narrow down your list of applicants, which means that they can eliminate some applicants in favor of others, which mean that you will be given more consideration.The actual writing of the resume is a skill that should be taught at a writing institute. You want your resume to be well structured and organized so that it will be easy to find in the future. You want it to be eye catching, but you do not want it to be excessively so. Because your objective is to land the job, you want your resume to impress your prospective employer, but it should also make a good first impression.When you are done writing your resume, the professional resume writing services in Houston will be able to edit it for you. If there are factual errors, they will be able to remove them. This is your chance to showcase your a bility to communicate yourself clearly and effectively.If you need a little boost to get your resume looking its best, you may want to consider using a professional editor. By hiring an editor to give you a second opinion on your resume will help you ensure that you have a well-written resume that includes only the facts. If you choose this route, it is important to remember that the editing process is something that the professional can help you with and not something that they will be required to do.If you are the type of person who finds it difficult to write a well-written resume, there are ways in which you can be helped to come up with a good idea. Some writers offer resume writing services that will help you hone your skills, as well as a number of other services, to help you with your efforts to produce a better career move. If you feel that you can benefit from the experience of other professionals, it may be worth it to pay them to do a follow-up on your resume.Resume writ ing services in Houston offer a variety of different services. Whether you need a formal one for a job interview or one that just needs a little adjustment to get it looking its best, it is important to look for the right professionals for the job.

How to Build an Entourage

How to Build an Entourage Leslie Grossman is the author of   Link Out: How to Turn Your Network Into a Chain of Lasting Connections. Her book is a step by step guide to turning your network into an entourage, which she defines as “a mutual fan club in which everyone is cheering one another on to victory and success.” Why should entourages be only for the rich and famous? We can all have â€" and be part of â€" an entourage. If that sounds like something you need, here’s how to begin. Entourages are about collaboration and relationships, which means that both parties are committed to helping each other. If you meet someone who seems disinterested in you or overly interested in himself, he’ll probably never make the cut from contact to entourage member â€" no matter how well connected he is. Now a piece of counterintuitive advice: in order to find people who can be helpful to you, stop looking for people who can be helpful to you. Focus instead on how helpful you can be to everyone you meet. Grossman says if it sounds like there’s some work involved in building an entourage, you’re right. But life is better together, she insists, and your path to success is bound to be easier when you have partners traveling with you. Who should you look for in an entourage? First, look for people who are pleasant and positive. Especially if you’re in a long and difficult job search, you want to associate with people who can make you feel better. Avoid people who commiserate with you and seem focused on how tough things are. To paraphrase Tyler Perry, “I can feel bad all by myself.” Find people who will help you focus on what’s going right, right now. And who can lovingly kick your butt when you need it kicked. Second, look for diversity. You may find that people with your industry background are the most helpful in your career or job search, but don’t overlook people who know nothing about your job.   Their perspective will be very different than yours, and the questions they ask may bring on a fresh idea or brilliant insight. They also have completely different networks of friends and contacts, which grows your ability to meet people and develop leads. Once you have connected with someone you think might become a valued member of your entourage, schedule time to get to know her better. That means face-to-face, actual meetings where you talk and listen to each other’s goals and plans. (Talk about hard work!) Turn off your smart phone and the noise in your head and really listen.   Think about how you can be helpful to this person as she talks about what she hopes will come next for her career or business. Many jobseekers make the mistake of thinking that their power disappears when they lose their job. They mistake their personal power for their former positional power. Even if you are not currently employed, you have the power to be helpful to the members of your entourage. You can forward research and helpful resources. You can connect them with people you know or new people you meet. You can speak about their company, their cause, or their talent to people you think should be aware of them. Your other obligation to your entourage is to keep your members in the loop. Don’t just thank them for their help, advice and support â€" take the time to tell them about what happened.   Your personal brand, according to Grossman, consists of the sum of two things: what you do and what you believe in. Creating and becoming a valued member of an entourage gives you a chance to put both what you believe in   and what you do   to work. She cites the example of a young woman who interviewed Grossman for a documentary. Leslie, being helpful, offered her several other people as resources and subjects â€" and then went about her business, not giving it another thought. Several weeks later, Grossman received a hand-written note from the filmmaker in Utah, thanking Leslie for her referrals and talking about how they impacted the project. Grossman may not have thought about the project or its producer in some time, but now, she says, “I’ll never forget that woman.” How unforgettable are you? How many thank you notes have you written in the past year? Do you have an entourage, or the beginnings of one? Has it been helpful? Leave a comment and let me know.

So You Want People to Read Your Email A Lesson in Email Branding - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

So You Want People to Read Your Email A Lesson in Email Branding - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career I receive a lot of spam mail, as well as email messages from those who are clueless about personal branding. The strange thing is that I get more spam on this blog than my email. I just read Akismet has protected your site from 36,927 spam comments. Isnt that just absurd? Dont people know that bloggers moderate comments to protect them against these vicious attacks? Anyways, this blog post is centered around helping you write better emails, that will be picked up and actually read by receivers. First, lets admire those who need a lot of personal branding help. I hope they subscribe to this blog. Note that I edited the messages, so that it wouldnt reveal their last name, nor email address. I tend to do this as a courtesy to these individuals, despite for their lack of care. Below are two examples of people who spam: Now for the analysis From: The first piece of spam just listed their first name, which to me, tells me absolutely nothing about who the sender is. Right then and there, I would discard the message based on the robot-like quality of the sender. To: After an incident last year, where I lost my original email address, I changed addresses. For a spammer to still use my old address, they certainly havent done their detective work or payed attention to anything Ive done. Subject: Neither tell me exactly what they want. They are both impersonal and I have no idea how the first one knew about my danschawbel.com website. The first one says RE first, meaning that it must have forwarded it from a previous spam message. Sometimes it makes me wonder why people do this. Dear: Neither mention my name, which is another quick notice that its spam or someone who has no interpersonal skills. Message: In the message, there is a constant flow of sales material, all of which I could care less about. Its very flat messaging and not only doesnt deserve my attention, but they obviously dont want me as a customer, if they arent going to take the time to personalize it for me. Now For Tips Your Email Address: Your email address should distinguish your brand from others, just like your domain name. It should be firstname.lastname@host.com. This is by far the best practice I have seen for personal emails out there and one that I even use. If your host is your name, from your website, then you can just put your first name, such that firstname@fullname.com. In this way, we can separate people from robots and see who we know and dont know. From: Make sure that it has your first and last name and that it syncs with your address. Title: If you are messaging someone who you already have a relationship with, you can put just about anything you want, as long as you branded your email, so that it is recognizable. If you are pitching to a reporter or someone you dont know, then the best practice is Their Name What You Are Looking For. Dont try and be sneaky with your title, just so they open it. They will end up trashing it and be upset that you wasted more of their time. Dear: Please use the persons name. Thanks! Message: Customize your message to match your audience. If you are sending an email to an executive, then make sure its only a few lines, unless hes expecting more. Gauge who you are sending to and then lengthen or shorten the message based on their schedule and what you are trying to convey. Final word: If you cant convince someone to open your email with your personal brand, then you need to do it with the subject line. This works similar in the blogosphere. People take note!

New Year Motivation 3 Things To Do THIS WEEK To Have A Kick-Butt Year - Classy Career Girl

New Year Motivation 3 Things To Do THIS WEEK To Have A Kick-Butt Year Cheers to you on New Years Eve!  So weird that New Years is on a Monday, right?  Here are three things that I am doing this week that I HIGHLY suggest you do as well  in order to make 2013 AMAZING!! 1) Download The 2013 New  Year Guide If you are ready for 2013 to be bigger and better than ever, head over to my friends site,  JullienGordon.com and download his free 2013 New Year Guide.  I just got my PDF copy and I am so impressed with all of the planning and goal questions.  My plan for January 1st (when I return to California) is to spend some time going through the guide and planning out my year. 2) Attend My Free Webinar on Thursday What I Learned From Interviewing 27 Successful Women in 2012 I purposely planned this webinar right at the beginning of 2013 because I wanted to make sure you had all of this advice for the upcoming year.  One of the things that I can’t wait to share with you are the best answers to my favorite interview question, “What do you wish you would have known as a young professional woman just starting out in your career?”  There was some really good stuff that you don’t want to miss in the answers to that question!  You can sign up for the webinar here: https://www.classycareergirl.com/webinar/ 3) Join The Classy Career Girl Get Ahead Club One of my 2012 goals was to create a community of career women to share advice and help each other reach our goals together.  I also heard that this was one of your wishes from the reader survey I recently sent out.  Well, its finally here and I am already having a blast meeting the inaugural members! I overheard this on Twitter the other day: Joined @classycareers #GETAHEAD Club on my lunch break! $1? Yes, please! If you still want to join the community and reach your career goals in 2013, head on over to  www.getunstuck.classycareergirl.com/classy-career-girls-get-ahead-club  to join us! (Note:  The price will be going up on Thursday AND I am limiting the number of inaugural members in order to make it a beneficial group for all involved. So make sure you join ASAP!  Also, I just added an option to pay with Paypal and a 100% satisfaction gaurantee so what have you got to lose?) Here are your weekly career links to start your year off right: 3 Ways to Avoid Grammar Gaffes that Could Ruin Your Resume by Brazen Careerist Seven Ways To Be Indispensable At Work In 2013 by Forbes Four Ways Women Stunt Their Careers Unintentionally by Harvard Business Review Five New Years Resolutions For Young Career Women by Fox News 5 Unexpected Workplace Lessons from Mad Men  by Brazen Careerist “Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” ? Oprah Winfrey P.S. Dont miss the first Get Ahead Club interview with Debra Shigley, Author of The Go-Getter Girls Guide: Get What You Want in Work and Life (and Look Great While You’re At It)  on January 8th.  We are going to talk about how to juggle the daily schedule ballet with your full time job, family, passions AND your health.  Join the club today!www.getunstuck.classycareergirl.com/classy-career-girls-get-ahead-club

Nail Your Skype Interview in 9 Steps CareerMetis.com

Nail Your Skype Interview in 9 Steps Skype is no longer just for connecting with friends or relatives around the world. Today, more and more hiring managers and companies are using the telecommunications app for job interviews. Particularly for telecommuting positions, Skype makes it easy to interview job candidates from around the country.Despite Skype’s prevalence, there’s a good chance you’ve yet to experience a Skype job interview. Interviewing through a computer screen is very different from interviewing in person or chatting with a friend, and it should be treated as such. And because 33% of hiring managerssay they know if they’ll hire someone within 90 seconds, a great first impression is a mustâ€"even over Skype.evalMake sure you’re prepared for a successful Skype interview by following these 9tips.1) Consider Your BackdropevalUnlike a traditional interview at the office, a Skype interview can be done just about anywhere. Make sure that what’s behind you looks just as professional as a conference roo m.Avoid sitting in bed or in a messy room where the interviewer may be distracted by the background. You’ll also want to skip interviewing in a public location, like a coffee house, where it may be loud with people walking in and out of your camera’s view. Ideally, find a space with a simple background, like a wall. Make sure there’s enough lighting so the interviewer can see you clearly.2) Check Your Internet ConnectionUsing Skypeâ€"or any application that requires video and soundâ€"requires a strong internet connection. Without one, you risk glitching, delays, and even application crashes. Not only does this take away from the interview experience, it can also make you look unprofessional or unprepared.At least a few days before your interview, run an internet speed test. This quick test will evaluate your download speeds and give you an idea of what your current internet speed can handle. For Skype, you’ll want a minimum speed of 10 Mbps, but closer to 20 Mbps is ideal. A s internet speeds can fluctuate, run the test several times for an accurate average. Shutting down other programs and applications can also help Skype run faster and more smoothly.3) Practice Answering QuestionsYou won’t know exactly what the interviewer will ask you, but there are a few common interview questionsyou can prepare for ahead of time to help calm your nerves. Prepare for the interview by reading these over and crafting your answers.Many interviews start with the predictable “tell me about yourself” pitch, so consider how you might answer this. Avoid a canned response and instead reveal interesting and personal information about yourself that shows the best parts of your personality and work ethic. Review the job posting and company website a few times, too, so you can be as specific as possible when answering why you’d best fit the position and what skills you bring to the table.4) Dress the PartevalWe’ve all heard the horror stories about interviewees secretl y dressing in sweatpants only to stand up and reveal their sloppy apparel. Just because you’re interviewing from the comforts of your home doesn’t mean you should settle into casual wear. Dress in interview-appropriate wearas if you were going into the office for an in-person meeting.Choose business-level attire, such as slacks with a shirt and tie, a pantsuit, or a dress. Hair should be groomed and makeup should be conservative. Make sure everything is tucked in nicely and wrinkle-free, and wear few accessories to avoid distractions. Stick to neutral tones and avoid anything too bright as you don’t know how colors will appear through the interviewer’s camera.eval5) Have a Cheat SheetOne pro of a Skype interview is that you can have notes on hand that you may not normally have during an in-person interview. While you don’t want to read from a sheet for your whole interview, you can have a few bullet points at the ready to reference.On your cheat sheet, include topics to as k the hiring manager about, such as company culture, benefits, and job specifics. You might also want to jot down a few key points about the position, as well as your top strengths and skills. Remember, if you use a cheat sheet, maintain as much eye contact as possible with the interviewer. Glance at your notes only when needed.6) Double-Check the TimeevalParticularly if you’re scheduling multiple interviews with different hiring managers, double-check that you have the right time and date for the interview. Add a reminder to your digital calendar with alarms so you aren’t late. Avoid scheduling interviews back to back, as you won’t know how long each will take.If you’re applying for a remote position or a job in another state, there’s a chance your hiring manager may be in a different time zone. Check with the interviewer to make sure you have the correct time. You may also want to send the hiring manager an email the day of or the day before, confirming again the correct time and date with the time zone listed.7) Be Ready EarlyArriving early for an interview is standard practice. Do the same for a digital interview. Start setting up for your interview at least 15 minutes early. Double-check that your internet connection is strong and Skype is working, and close any other running applications.You can also use this time to test your sound and video before the interview starts. Check that the camera faces you directly, and make sure the microphone and sound is turned up so your interviewer can hear you and you can hear them. Don’t forget to check the employer’s Skype username so you can connect before the interview starts. Have their email or phone number on hand in case any issues pop up or you’re unable to find their username.8) Show You’re EngagedIn an in-person interview, it’s much easier to show your enthusiasm and engagement with your body language. With a video, you’re a little more confined. Don’t be afraid to show your personali ty by smiling and using some hand gestures. Just avoid too big of movements as you’re limited to the space the camera can capture.Additionally, lean forward to show your interest in what the interviewer is saying. Give periodic clues that you’re listening and engaged, such as interjections like “yes,” “hm,” or “okay.” Avoid typing on the computer screen, fidgeting, tapping your foot, or multi-tasking. Even if the interviewer can’t see what you’re doing, they may hear or sense that you’re distracted.9) Follow Up after the InterviewWhether it’s a phone, Skype, or in-person interview that lasts 10 minutes or one hour, always follow up with the hiring manager within 24 hours of the interview. Keep the note brief. Don’t recap the entire interview, but touch on the most important details, such as your major takeaways about the company and job and one or two reasons why you’re an ideal fit for the position. You can also add any information you forgot to share in the interview.Keep your language professional yet conversational and friendly, and thank the interviewer for their time. Depending on the job specifics, you may ask about interview next steps or ask for a timeline on when you can expect to hear a response.While a Skype interview may seem less formal than one in person, take it just as seriously as you would any other interview.evalFor any position, you can expect the hiring manager to be interviewing several other candidates. Make sure you shine and stand out from the crowd by presenting yourself as a professional who is qualified for and interested in the position. By following these 9 tips, you can feel prepared and ready to nail your next Skype interview.

Maximizing The Efficiency Of Your Fleet

Maximizing The Efficiency Of Your Fleet If you are the person that is in charge of managing the fleet at your business, you will constantly be on the lookout for different ways to boost efficiency levels. However, this is often a lot easier said than done. With that in mind, read on to discover some of the various ways that you can maximize your fleets efficiency levels. Invest in fuel cards If you have not already, you should definitely invest in fuel cards for your fleet. There are a number of different benefits that are associated with doing this, as you can discover more about at fsg.org.uk. Firstly, fuel cards will reduce the administrative burden. In addition to this, they bring about cost savings, as well as making it much more efficient for your drivers to top up their fuel. This is not all, though, as you will also gain access to pivotal information that will help you to make better decisions. Apart from eradicating expense claims, you will have greater control over the amount of money that is spent on fuel. Invest in fleet management software The next step is an essential one, and this is to invest in fleet management software. Fleet management software will enable you to have complete control over your fleet. You can find further information about this at Sertica.com. You will be able to determine the most efficient route for your drivers to take. You will also be able to keep a track of all of your drivers to ensure that they are sticking to their routes and that they are reaching their targets for the day. In addition to this, software also helps with compliance and legislation, as well as ensuring that your vehicles get a serviced whenever required. Managing maintenance in this manner will save you a lot of money in the long run because it will ensure that any problems or picked up on early to avoid bigger repairs and larger bills further down the line. Prioritize efficiency If you are to fulfill your job of maximizing the efficiency of your fleet, then you need to make sure that this is prioritized. For instance, your drivers may have their preferred vehicles, and it makes sense to keep the same pairings in terms of man and machine as much as you can. However, you do need to remember that efficiency levels should come first when making your decision. If a certain driver covers a considerably greater number of miles than other drivers, you need to make sure that he or she has one of your more efficient vehicles, whether this is in terms of fuel efficiency or carbon emissions efficiency. Although, these tend to go hand in hand in any case. If you follow the tips that have been provided above, you should be able to maximize the efficiency of your fleet with ease. It is all about having the right software in place and making sure that you prioritize efficiency with every decision that you make.

Time for a Change

Time for a Change A Change Might Be Just Around The Corner by wordboner Jeremie Miller is a fellow International Coach Academy student who I met via the message boards. I forget the thread that sparked our introduction, but I should tip my hat to it because Jeremies awesome. He writes a kick-ass blog called Sunday Night Success is, in my opinion, a Goal Guru he knows how to set em accomplish em get the support/structure you need all the while. Currently, Jeremie is a life coach for Dads, but hes been on a long journey to get there. Read below about his path, how he consistently ditched safety for the pursuit of happiness. Career changes have never really frightened me. That is not to say that, when I decide to make a change, I am not plagued by the small voices telling me I am crazy, that it will all fall apart, and that I am making a huge mistake. I hear all of those voices. They have just never stopped me from making the change. I listen to them, sometimes quake in my boots at what they say, but I always continue making the change, and take them along for the ride. Grocery list of careers My first real “career” was in a research lab working on genetics projects. The work was interesting, but I was also isolated from human interaction for the majority of each day. I realized that human interaction is vital to my happiness in my work and I needed to find something else. Time for a change. The something else turned out to be working as a barista in a coffee shop to fund my volunteer work on a crisis and suicide prevention phone line. The work on the phone lines was super fulfilling, but it didn’t pay the bills, and the coffee shop started driving me crazy. Time for a change. I ended up working for the John Howard Society in an eighteen-bed halfway house helping federal inmates on parole reintegrate into society. Again, an amazing job where I got to make a difference. Unfortunately, a client’s suicide attempt and my reaction to it resulted in my need for a break. Time for a change. A complete change this time as I ended up working as a staff writer for Electric Playground, a video game review TV show. Playing video games, writing reviews and editorials, and creating multimedia content was a blast. I mean why would anyone give up on that job? I met an amazing girl. She lived in another city, over 10 hours away. I was in love. Time for a change. This time I spent two years getting my education degree. My wife (yep I ended up marrying that girl. Totally worth the move) and I worked as teachers for five years in the city we were living in. Problem was: we didn’t like living there. Time for a change. We sold everything, packed everything up, bought a house, moved to our dream town in the middle of the mountains, and had a baby. Did I mention we made the move without jobs? I have taught on call for over two years now and my wife has been taking care of our son. It hasn’t always been easy, but we are living our dream instead of dreaming our life. The teaching work is sporadic and it hasn’t been paying the bills. Time for a change. The final change? I know myself well enough now to realize that my career must include engaging and helping other people. Whether on a phone line, in a halfway house, or in a classroom I am happiest when I am helping others achieve something. I am also tiring of working for someone else, and have a growing desire to try a new adventure all on my own. This time the change came with a great deal of self-reflection and a lot of thought about how to be my own boss. In a couple of more months I will finish my training with the International Coach Academy and become a certified professional coach. I am currently starting up my own coaching business, have seven clients, and am once again having a blast. Will this one stick? Will it soon be time for a change? Who knows? Who cares? Which is more important to you: the safety of your current career, or being happy? If you goal is happiness, isn’t sticking with the career you dislike far scarier than trying something new? On my soapbox I think I am so willing to take the risk and change my career for two reasons: 1. I want to be happy. 2. I know there is always a way to make the change work. So many people would rather be miserable, but “safe” because they are worried that, if they take the risk, it won’t work. My perspective is that it WILL work. I think we are all far better at adapting to new situations than we think. If you are willing to take the risks you will be able to find a way to make it work. There may be rough patches, and it may not turn out exactly how you planned, but then you just adapt again, and keep adapting until you find a way to make it work, and a way to make it work that makes you happy. There may be risk in changing your career, but that risk is far better than the certainty of staying in a job that sucks out all of your energy and leaves you lying around on your couch every night like a zombie watching pointless television. Risk or certainty? Happy or zombie? I have no desire to snack on brains.