My Mind Is Going Round In Circles. How Do I Find A Way Through The Confusion

“My Mind Is Going Round In Circles. How Do I Find A Way Through The Confusion” Help from our Community “My Mind Is Going Round In Circles. How Do I Find A Way Through The Confusion?” * Rachel's stuck in analysis paralysis. She gets no joy from her job, but she's struggling to work out if making a leap is anything more than a pipe dream. When you're terrified of getting it wrong, how do you figure out which way to go? What's your career history and current job? I've worked in communications for about five years. I worked for a national charity, and then a private school, before taking up my current role as a Digital Communications Officer for a small children's charity. While working toward my postgraduate degree I took on some work as a support tutor, working with undergraduates with dyslexia and autism. How do you feel about your work? I've always enjoyed the written word. It's something that comes easily, so I enjoy the web copy and press release aspects of my work and some elements of design. But I feel like I've spent the last few years side-stepping with no real progression. I've pigeon-holed myself in a career I was never meant to be in; one that is evolving quickly, and that I've never truly had the enthusiasm to keep up with. I genuinely don't think office culture has ever suited me. I've always found it incredibly stifling and unnatural to sit staring at a computer for eight hours a day, surrounded by people who are often equally uninspired. I'm fairly quiet, and being dyslexic I tend to concentrate a lot more on what I'm doing to avoid mistakes, so constant interruptions â€" which are becoming more common now that I've moved to a completely open-plan office â€" aren't great. As an introvert, I find being in high demand draining. Looking at the bigger picture, an awful lot of my work is also incredibly repetitive. I feel very frustrated. I know I'm good at what I do, but I feel like I'm on a treadmill, churning out the same sort of material, day after day. When I worked as a dyslexia tutor, I really enjoyed the fact that I was helping people, which is something that's missing from working in communications. I've got a long work life ahead of me and I want to enjoy what I do. I don't want to be one of those people who just lives for the weekend. I want to feel like my work makes a difference to people. Every Sunday I dread returning to a job I don't want to be doing. What would you like to be doing instead? The main thread through all the options I've been considering is the idea of helping people, which is what I'm missing in my current role and what I've thrived on in the past. I looked into retraining as a horticultural therapist as I'm taking a part-time course for interest, but financially this could be suicide because I'd have to retrain, which would mean a pay cut, and then I'd be starting from the bottom on a lower salary than I currently get. My partner who already works in horticultural management also assures me that I'd hate it! I've thought about conservation, or education roles for something like a wildlife organisation â€" again, I'd need to retrain and take a large pay drop. I've also thought about going back to train in specialist education. Working as a support tutor, with dyslexic and autistic students while funding my postgraduate studies, were some of my most rewarding working years. Connected to what I'm doing now, I've thought about trying to go it alone, mainly because it's the skill base I've built up, offering marketing and communications support to small charities or organisations. I'm scared of the instability freelancing could bring, though. In all honesty, it's not what I'm drawn to, but I know where I am with it, I know I'm quite good at it, and I know other people have made a go of it. Freelancing would at least get me out of the office environment that I find quite draining. And while it's fraught with all sorts of issues, it would give me the flexibility that I crave. In a way, though, that would be me 'settling' and I wouldn't necessarily have my heart in it. What's the biggest obstacle in your way? I'm trapped in analysis paralysis. My mind is going around in circles with too many thoughts. I'm fairly risk averse and I have a mortgage to think of, so if I'm going to retrain or take a salary drop it needs to be for the right thing. But how do I know what the right thing is? How do I know if I'll be any good at horticulture or specialist education, or freelancing? What if I'm not? Where I have looked into other fields, jobs all ask for qualifications, training, or volunteering experience that I don't have. Am I better off sticking where I am? I'm scared of getting it all wrong. Maybe I need to do some more research. Anytime I've tried on my own, the smallest obstacle that comes along stops me in my tracks. I feel like I need someone to help me with a solid action plan, detailing what steps I need to take to work this all out, advising me what financial and logistical steps I need to plan for â€" that would give me the certainty I think I need to move forwards. It might be that something completely different comes up, or that I find I'm better off where I am. At least I'd then know that I'd followed a process to get to a conclusion. How do I find a way through the confusion? Can you help Rachel? Have you been in a similar situation, or are you in the same boat right now? How do you think Rachel could move her shift forwards? Do you know anyone she could talk to? Share your thoughts in the comments below and click the thumbs-up button to show your support.

Five Tips To Using Hair Oil Treatments

Five Tips To Using Hair Oil Treatments Many products have been created to make hair care easy and enjoyable and hair oil leads the pack. Using hair oil regularly will lead to many benefits for your locks. However, many women find that using the range of hair oils on the market can prove to be a challenging and confusing experience. This is because there are so many hair oil treatments that it’s hard to pick the right one.   If you use too much hair oil, it may cause product build up which leads to blockage of hair follicles and ultimately, stunted growth. Alternatively, if you use too little, you risk missing out on the benefits of the oil. There is a fine line between using just the right amount and either flooding or starving your hair with the oils. So how do you achieve the balance? How do you ensure that you use hair oil in just the right dosage and the right way to reap the myriads of benefits they have on your hair? Here are 5 tips that will guide you on how to use hair oil and get the maximum benefits: Keep it Organic Organic hair oil is great for infusing and stimulating your hair follicles. It will give your hair benefits from the range of minerals and extracts. These promote rapid hair growth as well as deal with issues such as scalp irritation or dreaded dandruff. Use Hair oil as a Pre-wash treatment The main benefit of hair oil is that it keeps your hair moisturized. When you shampoo your hair, sometimes the natural oils are stripped and your gets dry which leads to breakage. You can use your hair oil as a pre-shampoo treatment to ensure that, even if the natural oils are stripped away, the new oils have already locked the moisture in your hair. Organic hair oil is the best for locking the moisture in each hair strand. Apply a generous amount to your hair before starting your wash regimen. Use Hair oil For your weekly treatment Use your organic hair oil for your hot oil treatments to promote healthy growth from the roots to the tips. You only need to slightly heat the oil up then apply it from the roots to the tips. You can cover the hair with a plastic cap or even just your towel then rinse it out after thirty minutes. Ditch the Heat It is no secret that continuous use of heat can be detrimental to the hair. If you want to have your hair manageable in the morning, you can use an overnight oil treatment.  You only need to lather your hair strands, wrap the hair and then wake up in the morning to straight non-frizzy hair. Use Base Oil Regardless of the type of oil you decide to use, you need to mix it up with a base oil first. The base oil is able to penetrate the hair shaft and ultimately create the perfect environment for growth and healthy hair. Organic oils are light and can be absorbed in a faster rate.

Youve Got the Job Offer, Now What - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Youve Got the Job Offer, Now What - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Youve been thinking about it. Youve been dreaming about it. Now its in your hand or at least in your inbox. That job offer youve been dreaming of is finally here. Now what? All your hard work. All your research. All your efforts, including time away from family, friends, and fun activities. First off … Congratulations! Youve done it! Now, keep in mind, there is a bit more work to be done. There are a few things for you to consider and a few things you should be already thinking about.  Dont worry … if you havent started thinking about them yet now is a good time. Start with these tips and jump below to the section on Preparing a Counter Offer. Even if you aren’t going to make a counter offer there are a few points you should be evaluating. Here are a few tips to consider when that dream job offer does finally come through: Get it writing. Read the entire offer. Make sure you understand exactly what you are committing to do. Pro Tip: Have a trusted adviser read the offer to. If you have a career counselor ask them to read it and provide guidance. I offer these not to put more stress on you, but to make sure you fully and truly understand what you are committing to. When you have a job offer in your hand is one of the few times that you have full control over your career. While this may sound a bit cynical the fact is when you are being offered a job you have control. Perhaps one of the few times in your career where you have full control. I mention this last point not to provide consternation or confusion about job offers, but the reality is you are in control of your career. People that understand how to deal with job offers in a professional manner will stand out in their careers. When you are being sought after which in effect is what a job offer is  â€" it is one time where you really have control over where youre going and what youre doing in your career. Of course, you can always re-assert control over your career (almost any time you want), but during the job offer phase you have the power to decide when, where and how you will consider a transition. What if you have more than one job offer? While it may be stressful and you will end up letting someone down this is actually a very good position to be in. If you are fortunate enough to have multiple job offers it is all the more important to have trusted advisors that can help you think through the options and scenarios. Sure, you can do this on your own, but do ask for help. Make sure you understand everything that is being offered and everything you need to do to be successful in each role. One way to consider multiple offers is to Map It Out Prepare for a Counter Offer Not every job offer is what you expected. This is your chance (perhaps one of the few chances in your career where you have this kind of negotiating power) to ask for what you think the job requires for you to be successful in the role. This is not a power trip. Rather it is you looking out for your best interests. Pro Tip: Never Negotiate for Yourself As you consider and prepare for a counteroffer make sure you include your trusted advisers. Also, here is a list of a few things to consider. Your list may be shorter or longer. It depends upon the role and the responsibilities, but these will likely have an impact. Annual salary (or hourly rate for contract work) Equity/Bonuses/Stock Options Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Pet, etc.) Vacation Time/Paid Time Off/Sick Days Retirement Plans (401k or other retirement accounts or matches) Office equipment for working from home / Internet Costs Mobile Devices  â€" Company Owned / Costs % covered Relocation fees or signing bonus Parking/commuting expense reimbursement Company Car Transitioning out of your current role While it may be scary to have to confront your boss and deal with HR the fact is you are looking at a new  place to work.  This is especially true once you have an offer in hand.  You owe your current company the professional courtesy to give them a heads up and to let them know you are going to be leaving. One goal is to stand out in your career. No matter what your current company is doing you owe it to yourself and your career to make an amicable transition. Note: You do not need to provide details about why you were leaving or details about what your new job situation is all about. Those are decisions you can make as a professional. However, it is 100% within your control on whether you want to share your thoughts about your transition. You can simply state you have taken on a new role and provide the date you will be transitioning. Of course, you can and should work with your manager to make it as smooth a transition as possible. You never know when you are going to end up work for or with them again. Remember … this is YOUR career. Leave on a good note. Even if the situation was challenging you want to make sure you stand out in your career and leave things on a professional note and in a professional manner. A few more tips: Send a thank you note to the HR department and your new manager. Swing by the office in person if you can. Shake your managers hand and say thank you. This lets them know you are excited and gives them a perspective on how you will likely treat colleagues, partners and clients. Let other potential employers know. Thank them for their consideration and let them know you are removing yourself from consideration. Congratulations! Youve done it! Now go out and crush it on your new job.

What should I do following my job interview

What should I do following my job interview What should I do following my job interview? There is nothing worse than having what you thought was a really positive job interview, then hear absolutely nothing back from the company for what can seem like forever.It is a sad fact the the job market is a highly competitive place these days. Sometimes it doesnt pay to simply sit back and wait for those job offers to come rolling in, no matter how well your interview went.If you are really keen on working in a particular sector, or have your heart set on working for that one company you desire so much, then it will greatly help your chances of landing your dream job if you start being a little more tenacious about it. Get the factsMany job candidates will leave their interview with their head spinning, but will actually be leaving with nothing much in hand. They have no promises that a job offer will be made, or even if they will make it to a second interview round. They simply leave and hope to get a phone call or letter at some point with either a rejection, or some news a bout what to do next in their interview process.Before you leave your interview, ask what will happen next. Ask them when you can expect a reply. If the company plans on another round of interviews and a few more weeks of deliberation, then knowing this will save you from worrying and waiting pointlessly for the phone to ring.Following up on your job searches shows your potential employers that you are enthusiastic about the role, but try not to let yourself come across as being desperate.Keep in contactIf you can, make a note of the names and job titles of the people who interviewed you. Following your interview, back yourself up with a letter or email. Sending a letter or email very soon after interview thanking the company for the opportunity and re-confirming your interest in the post that you applied for will help you stand out from the other candidates that didnt bother doing this. Send your letter or email to the Human Resources department at the company and copy in the inter viewer too. This way you will be at the forefront of their mind when they are doing their decision making.During your interview, if you gave a promise to follow up any of their interview questions with further information, such as a link to your blog or website, or a copy of a certificate, then make sure you do this quickly â€" usually within 2 days of your interview. Doing this as early as possible while your interview is still fresh in their mind will help them complete their information and stands you in good stead as a person who sees things through promptly. Agency an obstacle?It may be that you were sent for an interview through a recruitment agency. In this case you may have been given very little information prior to your interview. This is why it is important to gather as much information as you can on the company. If your interviewer has a business card you could take and the company has some brochures or literature you can pick up either before your interview or as you leave, then you can start to build lines of communication directly with them.If the company struck you as a great place to work, then even if you were unsuccessful on this occasion, it would be worth keeping in touch with them should another vacancy arise. You can be completely honest with your recruitment agency too. Explain to them that this is your method of job searching and that any key contact details they hold for that company would be useful. More than likely your agency would get a bonus payment anyway should you be offered a job with that company. Say thank-youNever underestimate the power of a follow up thank you letter. A sincere thank you letter or email following your interview will show your prospective new employers that you have character and integrity. It also shows your appreciation of their interest in you and it will also help to keep you at the forefront of their mind when the company sits down to discuss their ideal candidates. You need to do everything yo u can to make yourself stand out from the crowd. Remember that your interviewer may have sat through quite a number of interviews both before and after interviewing you. A well timed thank you letter or email could help to bring you back to the top of the list of those candidates who stood out during the whole interview process.If you came out of your interview thinking your changes of landing the job were high, then sending a thank you letter or email within two days of your interview may make all the difference between winning that job or coming in a close second. previous article Free Female Resume Template Purple Pop next article Yellow Black Finish â€" A Free Resume Template Must-Have for Applicants you might also likeThe Best Way to Explain Your Sabbatical To a New Employer

Love Kids Top Careers That Will Get You Involved with Children CareerMetis.com

Love Kids Top Careers That Will Get You Involved with Children â€" CareerMetis.com Are you one of those people who have always found it easy to build relationships with children? Have you always wanted to make kids a part of your career?Beyond the highly influential roles of being a mom or dad, there are definitely options for you to consider which will give you the opportunity to help with the development of children.evalMany of the best child-focused careers pay excellent salaries and offer you the chance to make a positive contribution to societyâ€"here are a few such careers that you might want to think about.1) Pediatric NutritionistevalWith the growing epidemic of childhood obesity, working as a pediatric nutrition can help kids adopt better eating habits that may benefit them for life. By helping them to be healthier while they’re young, you will be setting them up for successful and healthy futures. You can put together meal plans for children that include nutritious foods that are still tasty enough for young palates.Children with certain medical conditi ons or dietary requirements may also look to you to devise their meal plans. You may be hired by a school district to oversee their lunch programs or employed privately by a family.2) Education AdministratorIn this position, you will be responsible for directing education programs for a particular daycare, preschool or primary school. You will also need to manage teachers and other faculty members in order to make sure that they are doing their jobs correctly.Training and mentoring faculty members may be another role that you will have to perform as an education administrator. Another important duty in this position is to communicate with parents of students so that each child can have the most enriching learning experience possible.3) Pediatric Nurse PractitionerIf you want a rewarding job in the health care field, you may want to enroll in an online pediatric nurse practitioner program or a program at a physical location and become a nurse. This type of career will give you the op portunity to help children who require medical care. Working in this position is the perfect way to help children grow strong and healthy for later life.Your job duties will include diagnosing medical conditions and prescribing medications to children and infants. You may also need to draft medical reports and manage new nurses who are entering the field. You can choose to work in a hospital, pediatric office or one of many other medical facilities.4) Child PsychologistevalYou can help children deal with their emotions and analyze their behaviors by working as a child psychologist. Topics that you might discuss with children include peer pressure, bullying and interactions with family members.Your position will also likely include diagnosing and treating mental disorders and helping children cope with certain phobias. You can choose to work in private practice or in a school.Working in any of these positions will give you the opportunity to play an important role in children’s liv es. Helping children from an early age will increase their chances of becoming healthier, better well-rounded individuals as they mature into adulthood.