Friday, December 27, 2019

How to Maintain Job Search Momentum Through the Holidays

How to Maintain Job Search Momentum Through the HolidaysHow to Maintain Job Search Momentum Through the HolidaysWith the holiday season upon us, its the perfect time to relax and put hard work- like searching for a new job- on hold.Or is it?Youll notlageice that businesses are still open during these festive times. Companies are pushing to meet annual goals, and theyre planning for the coming year. Look past the parties and decorations and dinners, and youll landsee that work is getting done.That means this is a great time to maintain your job search momentum, although you might want to change it up a bit to overcome distractions and take the peculiarities of the season into account. Here are some suggestions to help you keep your job search momentum going as you search during the holidaysFocus on accountability.This may seem obvious, but youll be more likely to beat back those holiday distractions if youre accountable to someone- even if that someone is you. As noted in a previous p ost on this blog, You can use a daily or weekly checklist to see if youre perusing enough positions, applying for a good amount of jobs, and even if youve taken the steps to have a clean online presence. Having a guideline can help you see clearly if youre meeting your own job search goals or not.Be prepared for new networking opportunities.As you attend holiday parties with family members, friends, and acquaintances, look for opportunities to build your network. This can be a bit more complicated than usual at this time of year, as you dont want to be too blunt about business when people are trying to focus on the fun of the holidays. But if youre prepared and tread lightly, you might be able to make some contacts who will help your search in the new year.Volunteer for a worthy cause.This can help with networking in your local market, but the value of volunteering goes beyond that. As noted in a blog post from JohnGSelf Partners, Offering a helping hand to those who need support is a powerful fuel to enrich your soul, your energy and your outlook on life. This will carry over to 2018 and your job search.Develop new skills.If youve always wanted to learn how to use a certain app or earn a certification in an area thats outside your comfort zone, this might be the perfect time to take a course or investigate educational possibilities. By building your skills, you make yourself more marketable. And gaining knowledge is sure to keep you motivated as you search for something new.Catch up on your reading.Many people complain that its hard for them to find time to read all of the business books theyd like to explore. If youre not getting as many calls from potential employers during the holiday season, choose the top three books on your nightstand and make a goal to read them all before the start of the new year. Again, you will likely find that learning new things helps you stay focused on your larger goal.Find different targets.Sometimes all you need in order to keep moving forward during the holidays is a little freshening up of your search. A blog post from GetFive offers good advice in this regard, saying you should use any slow times to hunker down at the computer to do more research and expand your job targets. Keep in mind the importance of pursing a varietyof job options.Develop positive habits.If youre struggling with distractions, try picking up a new habit that will feed your momentum. Keeping a journal is a money-in-the-bank move to strengthen you personally, says the JohnGSelf blog post. You should also begin journaling those things in life for which you are grateful. Dr. Johnny Parker turned me on to this practice, and I immediately sensed an uptick in my attitude and level of confidence. Others that have started journaling gratitude have reported similar positive effects.These are just a few ideas to help you maintain a focused and active search while holiday festivities are swirling around you. If you manage to avoid distract ions and stay on course, youll be that much better off when job hunting normalcy returns in the new year.Search for Jobs

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Things will work out. They always do A look at faith and perseverance

Things will work out. They always do A look at faith and perseveranceThings will work out. They always do A look at faith and perseveranceThe biggest human temptation is to settle for too little. - Thomas MertonThrough every peak and valley of our lives, faith and perseverance will continue to be the two biggest keys that permit us to move forward. Our goal is to make progress, to keep advancing and to keep furthering our human potential. Believing in ourselves and believing that things will work out in our favor is a great beginning. Continuing on course to victory is how we finish.When I speak at conferences and at events, very often Im asked after a talk about the best piece of advice Ive ever received - or words of wisdom that have always stuck with me. I realize that I turn back to maxims or words that often boil down to very foundational values and principles. This one from my Dad resonates with meThings will work out. They always do.Ill admit, at first blush it may seem like this is the ultimate I dont have any control, so I surrender to the unknown way of living. And yet, its actually elend. Far from it. Simple. Impactful. Full on control. Faith and perseverance are two things that we can control. Faith - particularly faith in ourselves - is fundamentally a function of our attitude.We can choose to believe, or we can choose not to. Perseverance is all about a willingness to see things through, to envision things positively working out even if they dont work out exactly the way we thought they would.The more Ive advanced in my career, the more Ive realized the wisdom of these words. For those of us have a future-seeking, opportunistic mindset, these words matter a great deal. When youre already confident and self-assured that things will work out in your favor, your mind is at ease and more focused to achieve your goals.A few years ago when I took the StrengthsFinder strengths assessment, I ended up with Futuristic as my number one strength. Whats cr azy is that sometimes, I think of that as a weakness and not a strength It can sometimes lead to a feeling of inadequacy or pressing. And yet, its also my biggest asset.What about for you? What do you find to be your biggest strength? Can you see how this can sometimes be a weakness in some circumstances?My Dad has always encouraged me not to sweat the small stuff. And to keep the big picture in mind. Whatever youre choosing to do today, begin with victory. This is why Im such a huge proponent of reverse-engineering. You already have the prize, you just dont know it yet. Build from that. Stay self-assured, resolute and confident. Things will work out. They always do.Building with faithYou have to trust in something - your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life. - Steve JobsThings may not always work out the way we originally thought or envisioned, but that doesnt mean they dont work out. Often, theyre far better than originally expected. This is why modifying, improvising and changing things up is all about Just because we thought things would happen one way, then didnt, doesnt mean we should get distressed and give up.In some instances, maybe we havent aimed high enough. Maybe we set the bar too low. Aim as high as you can, within reason. Why aim lower? This doesnt mean to set unrealistic goals that end up in disappointment. This means to set powerful targets for achievement in front of you that promote an attitude of expectancyWhat does this mean?Optimism. Hope. Encouraged confidence. An attitude of expectancy charges our battery with the inspiration, belief and fuel to lead us to work that we love. To moments that will continue empowering us to move forward.Dr. Jeremy E. Sherman writes in Psychology TodayWe work from the evidence at hand to (place) confidence in a bet we think will work. And work is the point of faith Only so many hours in the day and we dont use them just fo r wondering, but for doing focused work. Since most things take concerted effort and time, we need to focus. Focused work is concentrated work, work based on consistent bets on what will work.I like to think of this as small bets - small, continuous bets of faith on ourselves to continue pushing forward.Finishing with perseveranceIn the realm of ideas everything depends on enthusiasm in the real world all rests on perseverance. - Johann Wolfgang von GoetheWhat are you compromising within your life today? What are you settling on that is not even close to good enough? Dont settle, even when the results dont appear right away. Because in so many instances, they dont show themselves in as timely a manner as we think they should. The results that we desire wont always reveal themselves immediately.Ive come to realize, this is one of the biggest reasons why so many people give up. Its not a loss of hope. Its not a loss of faith. Its not even fear, because when we keep working and stay positive, fear eventually subsides.So many people give up because they expect to receive an output in very short order after an input. When youre raking leaves and looking to create a leaf pile, that may work out for you. But when youre trying to grow ideas or influence, build a business, do things that are less linear, and perhaps more abstract, youll find that the results often come several iterations down the road.If you crave structure, then youll want to find yourself working within an environment that is giving you outputs with efficiency. If youre willing to tolerate more risk, less definition, yet with greater reward, I encourage you to stay the course for what you believe. Could be your own writing career. Maybe its launching your own business.Dont get discouraged if the results dont immediately appear. Things have a way of working themselves out for those who continue to apply what theyve learned, what they believe and what they desire to do every day.Stop beating yourself up and hurting on the inside because you perceive that you havent done enough. We should all be great competitors and looking to best our best efforts, but we shouldnt go crazy in the process with worry. Allow yourself to give things up to faith. Keep going to see things through to a result you desire.If youre willing to stick it out and believe, youll find that life continues to unfold in your favor.Make it workJoin my newsletter and check out my bestselling book, The Value of You. This will give you inspiration to start planning for success on your journey. If youre interested in working with metry me here.Thisarticlefirst appeared on Medium.

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

What to Include in an Interview Follow-Up Letter

What to Include in an Interview Follow-Up LetterWhat to Include in an Interview Follow-Up LetterWhen you walk out the door after a job interview, you still have one more chance to make a great impression. Too many job candidates miss the opportunity to gain an advantage by not effectively following up after interviews. Dont be one of them. An effective follow-up letter or schmelzglas message should include more than a perfunctory expression of gratitude for the opportunity to interview.Employers will often gauge your professionalism and motivation to work with them based on the quality of your communication after your meeting.It is important to think strategically about your follow up letter. Convey Your High Level of Interest The first step in writing an effective follow-up letter is to let the employer know you want the job. Use your email message to establish that the meeting has confirmed your interest in the position. Be specific and reference some of the information that th e interviewer shared about the role which enhanced the appeal of working with the organization. Your explanation of the critical role this individual would play with the introduction of your next generation software served to enhance my already high level of interest in the job. Communicate Why the Job is an Excellent Fit Incorporate a short stellungnahme which notes that the job is an excellent fit. Mention some of the key strengths that would enable you to excel in the role.Tailor your list, as much as possible, to the most critical qualifications for the position. After meeting with you, it is clear that this role would be an excellent fit given my flair for event planning, ability to coordinate the activity of volunteers and passion for creating publicity content. Add More Information to Support Your Candidacy Was there something that you wished you had said at the interview but didnt have the chance to mention? Use this opportunity to furnish any information that you di dnt share during the interview. This statement might include reference to an asset that wasnt probed by the interviewer, or you could provide more information on a question that stumped you. I neglected to mention that I have completed an advanced Excel workshop and feel very confident about my ability to generate spreadsheets with complex macros. I have given further thought to your question about my emphasis during the first days of my employment if hired.Another focus for me would be an effort to meet with each staff member to hear their appraisal of the strengths and weaknesses of the unit. Provide Information Requested by the Employer Occasionally, you will have the opportunity to conduct some research and present this information in conjunction with your letter. If the employer asked you how you would structure an early retirement program in an interview for a Human Resources Manager position you could compose an executive summary highlighting key components of such a prog ram as gleaned from your review of the literature on best practices. Responding with detailed information demonstrates how you would handle similar challenges if you were hired and show that you are very motivated to land the job. Ask For the Job Make a clear statement that you want the job if you have concluded that you would accept a reasonable offer.All being equal, an indication that you would accept the job might give you an edge over other candidates. It is clear to me that this job is the right step for me to take in my career at this juncture, and I hope to receive an offer from you in the near future. Say Thank You For the Opportunity Of course, its important to say thank you for the time and consideration. You should express your gratitude for the opportunity to meet with the interviewer, for any accommodations that were made to facilitate the interview, along with a final reiteration of your interest. I appreciate the opportunity to learn about this exciting job.I n particular, your explanation of the critical role this individual would play with the introduction of your next generation software served to enhance my already high level of interest in the job. Dont Wait to Send Your Message In buchung to have a positive impact on the companys hiring decision, forward your email as soon as possible after your meeting. Otherwise, it may arrive after evaluations of candidates have already been finalized.Before you click send, review these guidelines for sending professional email messages to make sure yours is perfect.

Friday, December 13, 2019

Taking a Stand Group Ice Breaker

Taking a Stand Group Ice BreakerTaking a Stand Group Ice BreakerTake a Stand Group Ice Breaker breaks the ice in a meeting, team building or training session in more ways than one. Not only do you get your group thinking and taking a stand on issues that participants will have the chance to defend, but you get your group physically moving. This physical movement warms up your participants more effectively than similar sedentary ice breakers. As with most ice breakers, youll need to prepare in advance, but the variations of this group ice breaker are only narrowed by your imagination. It leads to endless variations based on your topic, the issues your group is considering, and the needs of your group for bonding and coalescing. To lead the take a stand group ice breaker, the facilitator must bring issues to the meeting. The ice breaker is most effective if the issues about which you ask participants to take a stand are related to the topic of the meeting. A related issue allows you to segue into relevant discussion and content at the appropriate time. The topic of the issue will help participants think about the topic of the training session or meeting while your participants become comfortable talking with the other participants. The take a stand group ice breaker works well with groups who know each other and with strangers. A client experienced a similar group ice breaker about values at a professional association meeting. There were no right or wrong answers- just opinions and feelings about the issue. With the take a stand group ice breaker, the most important step is selecting issues that are controversial without being divisively controversial. Topics that relate to politics, religion, race, sexual orientation, some gender and age issues, and national origin will rarely help you accomplish your purpose. They are divisive- in direct opposition to your goals for doing the ice breaker. Remember, this is an ice breaker and the goal is to encourage comfortable conversation. You want participants opening up to each other, not closing down. Sample topics follow these steps to facilitate the take a stand group ice breaker. Take a Stand Group Ice Breaker Steps 1. Prior to the arrival of participants, as the group facilitator, you want to turn your conference room into a continuum. Do this by hanging a sign on each end of the room. One sign should say Totally Agree - 100 percent. The sign on the other end of the room should say Completely Disagree - 0 percent.At the midpoint in the room, hang a third sign that says Neutral or Undecided - 50 percent. This provides your participants with guidance about where to stand when they take a stand in the group ice breaker. 2. When your participants arrive, ask them to take a seat as they normally would for your meeting or training session. 3. In this group ice breaker, participants remain in the large group. You may let them sit until you have presented the group ice breaker rules. The group facili tator presents these guidelines. The facilitator will present the group with a series of issues, statements, or conundrums. Group members are to react to the presented statement by signifying the degree of their agreement or disagreement with the statement by taking a stand physically somewhere along the continuum that the facilitator created. Once all participants have physically moved to the drehort that best represents their point of view, the facilitator should suggest that participants share their rationale with the people standing near them. 4. The facilitator should then do an overall debrief of the exercise by drawing out the thoughts of various participants about why they took the stand they took. In a second question, the group facilitator should inquire about whether anyone or anything in the room influenced the stand that the participants took. Sample Topics for the Take a Stand Group Ice Breaker See how easy it is to customize this group ice breaker to the needs of the groups you facilitate and lead? Here are ideas for common group ice breaker topics. Employment My employer would think less of me if I asked to be demoted to a less responsible position.If I am too good at my current job, I am less likely to receive a promotion or a lateral move.People who ingratiate themselves with the supervisor receive extra privileges, favored treatment, and promotions. Team Building How important is developing group norms or guidelines to a teams success?How key is the role of the team sponsor to the teams success? Workplace Behavior and Etiquette Smokers waste too much time taking breaks to smoke.Employees who frequently arrive late to work and miss workdays are uncommitted to their jobs. menschenwrdig Resources Human Resources staff care more about enforcing the employers policies than they care about being employee advocates. More Ice Breakers More About Using Ice Breakers How to Make Team Building Activities SuccessfulMore Team Building Activities a nd IcebreakersHow to Develop an Ice Breaker

Sunday, December 8, 2019

Objective in a Resume: the Ultimate Convenience!

Objective in a Resume the Ultimate Convenience The Supreme Strategy to Objective in a Resume Job seekers deserve to come across decent content quickly. Transportation jobs involve a great deal of responsibility and your resume will want to reflect you can take care of that. Show youre more than merely a work title. Dont forget, you can store as many as five resumes on Monster. Youre going to be trained in different operations and processes of the bank and are anticipated to efficiently assist customers with their various transactions. If you need to have an objective, make certain its the perfect one. You ought to have five objective statements. For instance, it might state some of your previous accomplishments, then move on to the sorts of accomplishments you would like to achieve in the future (ideally, accomplishments you need to achieve for the organization youre applying to work for). One of the hazards of a resume objective is that it is possible to focus too much o n what you would like in your career, and not enough on how you are going to add value to the organization. Up until lately, the overwhelming majority of resumes have contained an objective. Chronological resumes are helpful for demonstrating a pattern of working, especially if youre continuing in an overall profession or field. Even a business-savvy social networking manager sees the bigger photo and comprehends the usage of societal networking whilst in the corporation. If you do, you will prove that indeed youre a great communicator. Have a look at our expansive cover letter collection for those advice you need to create a winning cover letter. In the purpose section, youre stating the precise position youre applying for in addition to highlighting a couple of important benefits youll be bringing to the company if youre working as a factory worker. When you submit an application for work in person, you could possibly be requested to complete a paper application. The second a bbildung is a powerful method to sidestep the problems of an overly narrow or overly wide objective. If you need to, call the company to receive them. Make certain its tailored to not merely the position, but the provider also. Distinct kinds of work in the food service industry require resumes with a lot of the very same skills. To begin with, consider the job description to see whether it indicates the form of skills the provider is seeking. Be certain to be thoughtful once you use action verbs. Possessing a strong resume will enable you find quite a few great jobs. You should definitely incorporate a resume objective statement in your resume when you submit an application for a job to be certain that you could break the ice at the very first try. Possessing a very clear and professional resume is critical in the health care field. Naturally, not one of the candidates are likely to write they lack enthusiasm or integrity. You always wish to set yourself aside from the rema ining portion of the applicants as long as its for the proper factors. Therefore, if youre on the lookout for a new job, it is crucial that your resume stands from the crowd to guarantee you a spot on the shortlist. Whether youre searching for your very first job or your next one, you require a resume that shows employers that youre a skilled professional.

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Animal magnetism

Animal magnetism Animal Magnetism Careers For Animal LoversPosted November 12, 2012, by Mike KermodeCalling all animal lovers Theres a sortiment of careers that could see you working with animals for example, tending to the health needs of mans best friend, or helping wild populations deal with environmental change. There are thousands of people whose jobs are dedicated to improving the lives of animals, in homes and in the bush and you could be one of them.Careers in Animal CarePet groomerDomesticated animals are found in a whopping 60 per cent of Australian homes and have their own set of modern demands. Some breeds of dog require extensive grooming, which can include cleaning, bathing, brushing, clipping, dental care, nail clipping, flea control, and preparing them for shows. With the right training, you could become a dog groomer for either your own pet or others. By completing a pet grooming courseyoull learn not just how to keep Spot spotless, but youll gain the skills to l aunch your own pet grooming business.Animal trainerTraining a pet isnt an easy feat, and some dogs are easier to train than others. It takes patience but also professional knowledge to know how to best manage those animal instincts. If youd like to learn more about how dogs learn, behave, socialise and communicate, and how to train and condition that behaviour to produce a well-behaved and well-adjusted pet, then a pet obedience trainer coursewill give you the skills to become your own dog whisperer.Animal attendantWhether its in a shelter, kennel, veterinary clinic or zoo, animal attendants ensure that animals are kept healthy, fed, clean, housed and groomed they basically attend to all their basic needs. Taking an animal care courseor studying companion animal serviceswill provide you with a fundamental knowledge and understanding of animals and how to care for them.VeterinarianVets are the doctors of the animal world, treating disease, injury and illness. Vets can treat a wide variety of animals or can treat specific groups like cattle, horses or birds. They can also specialise in their practice as surgeons or dermatologists, for example. To become a vet, youll need a degree in veterinary science. Training is rigorous and demanding, requiring five to seven years of study, and programs are notoriously difficult to get into. Alternatively, you could work as a veterinary assistant. For this, youll need a certificate in veterinary nursing. You may not be working as a vet yourself, but youll be working alongside the vet and helping the animals to receive the best care possible.ZoologistZoologists study the functions, ecology and environments of animals. Often specialising in one area (like animal environments, animal behaviours or animal functions) or one class of animal (like birds, mammals or reptiles), zoologists are critical to the development of wildlife management and conservation programs, agriculture and medicine. To become a zoologist, youll ne ed to complete a Bachelor of Zoology. With the right training, youll be qualified to work in a zoo or wildlife reserve, in the field or in a lab conducting research, or as a wildlife educator or ecological policy maker.If the idea of a support role in a captive animal facility appeals to you, then captive animal studiesis an alternative route.Animal technicianAnimal technician is a loose term to describe anyone who assists scientists (veterinary, medical, pharmaceutical or agricultural) to care for animals utilised in research, breeding programs and other scientific settings. A zookeeper can be considered an animal technician, as can a research field assistant. The paths are many, but usually pass through either an animal science degreeor an agriculture/rural science course.Starting your animal careerIf you love animals and have the empathy, patience and observational skills required, a career or hobby working with animals could be your calling. You could enjoy an incredibly rewardi ng experience helping our furry (or winged, scaly or otherwise) friends to live happier, better lives, in a home, on a farm or out in the wilderness. If youre unsure about exactly which way to go, volunteering in an animal shelter can be a great way to get experience dealing with and caring for a range of animals. Youll know pretty soon whether its something you want to dedicate yourself to.Want to follow your animal instincts? A wide range of animal care courseswill give you the skills and training to work with animals as a career or a hobby.Animal Care ResourcesZoologist sample resumeZoologist sample cover letterCareer Insider StoriesCaroline Steele - Zoologist and Education Adviser, Taronga ZooDr Katrina Warren - Vet and Media PersonalityDr Kate Adams - Vet, Business Owner & EntrepreneurInterested in becoming a?Life ScientistEnvironmental ScientistAnimal TechnicianGuide Dog Mobility InstructorVeterinary NursePopular Career Searchesgovernment funded animal care courses onlinewher e can i study zoology or animal studies in brisbanehow to become avian vet australiavet nurse courses queenslandequine chiropractor courseAnimal Care CoursesBachelor of Social WorkEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Health AdministrationEnquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor of Criminal JusticeEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Allied Health AssistanceEnquire Online Enquire OnlineMike KermodeRelated ArticlesBrowse moreAnimal CareDr Chris Brown An Interview With The Bondi VetIts World Animal Day Marni celebrates all creatures great and small by asking the Bondi Vet, Dr Chris Brown, what its really like to work with animals.CAREER ADVICEJOB HUNTINGJob Hoppers Stick It Out Without Standing StillThe days of holding out for a gold watch are long behind us, but is all this job-hopping actually getting us anywhere? Before you jump ship, hear the case for sticking it out.Dressing for workHeres your chance to wear your pyjamas to workThis Friday is Stress Down Day stt ze Lifeline and lower your stress levels by dressing down.

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Do Americans really check their phones this often

Do Americans really check their phones this oftenDo Americans really check their phones this oftenEverywhere you look, people are on smart phones.In places as public as the subway or as private as the toilet, Americans are glued to the Internet in their palm. And according to a new report, the devices are only getting more popular.Deloittes 2018 Global Mobile Consumer Survey found that smartphones were one of two mobile technologies that experienced growth in market penetration this year as most others stalled. Their penetration tarif was off the charts at 85% - higher than all other mobile devices, including laptops and tablets.Increasingly, it seems that smartphones are our one-stop tech hub. The survey indicates that 20% of Americans rely on their smartphones for primary online access when theyre home. That means were staring at our small screens a lot Collectively, 14 billion times a day.Baited to clickThough young people have long been fond of smartphones, more seniors are adop ting them now, too. In 2017, 67% of respondents 55 or older owned or had ready access to a smartphone. In 2018, that number jumped to 74%.Meanwhile, Deloitte estimates that on average, an American who uses a smartphone checks in 52 times per day.Its not a huge surprise that self-aware people think they may be overusing their cells, including 60% of 18 to 34-year-olds. Almost two-thirds of U.S. consumers are trying to slow their smartphone use, but a lot of them arent achieving that goal.What it means for workAs smartphones become an extension of ourselves, theyre complicating work/life balance.Only 30% of respondents said they never use their personal smartphones for business outside of normal working hours. But the phenomenon goes both ways - 59% said they go on their cells at least fairly often during work time. Whether its to Google a job-related question or play Anagrams with their significant other, whos to say?

Sunday, November 24, 2019

The exact salary Gen Z expects to make right out of college will shock you

The exact salary Gen Z expects to make right out of college will shock youThe exact salary Gen Z expects to make right out of college will shock youYoure not going to be making that much. And no, youre not going to be making that much, either. The current crop of college grads Generation Z class wildly overestimates the salary theyll be making in their first entry-level jobs, according to a survey from real estate data company Clever.While the average Gen Z undergrad expects to make $57,964 one year out of college, the national zentralwert salary for recent grads with bachelors degrees who have between zero to five years of work experience is actually $47,000. Reality bitesFollow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreHeres a partial look at expectations vs. reality across majors.The average undergraduate is also unrealistic about the salary theyll be making mid-career (about ten years in), overestimating by about $15,000.Women expect lessWomen generally expect lower salaries than men, even when they hold the same major. On average, women with a bachelors or graduate degree estimate $4,338 less than men with similar degrees early in their career, and $10,836 less than their male counterparts by mid-career.You can see the discrepancy below.But what about bennies?Generation Z, who said that the number one reason theyre going to college is to make more money in my future, is all about the cold, hard cash. They ranked employee benefits differently than Millennials, going for money-based incentives first things like competitive salaries and good insurance plans. They arent as lured by soft benefits like flex time, fun work environments, and unlimited paid time off.But is college worth it?According to a 2015 Gallup poll, only 37% of undergrads believe that college is worth the cost, compared to 50% of college graduates.Perhaps because 81% of respondents with student debt s uggested theyd have to put off major life decisions because of it, such as buying a house or having kids.Cheer up about that $47k salary, Gen Z. Its a lot more than ur starting salary for our first job, which we had to travel to uphill, both ways, in the snow.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

The Pros and Cons of Independent Record Label Deals

The Pros and Cons of Independent Record Label DealsThe Pros and Cons of Independent Record Label DealsWhen it comes to getting a record deal, finding the right fit with a label is critical- but is an indie or a major record company a better fit for you? First, you need to know the difference. The common perception of a record labelis one of the major record labels, located in Los Angeles or New York, which signs all of the major players. These major record labels, including Sony and Capitol Records, are major corporations with hundreds of millions of dollars behind them. This allows them to fully fund the biggest artists out there. In the eyes of emerging artists, a record deal with a major label welches always the big prize to chase after. However, the major music industry is on life-support with the introduction of online social networks and digital music retail stores such as iTunes, Rhapsody, and Amazon- and the fact that major releases are often leaked to the internet weeks befo re their release day. Enter the Indie (short for Independent) label. What Makes a Record Label Indie? Any music recording label that operates without the funding of the organizations of the major music labels is considered an indie label. While major labels are global and operate their own publishing and distribution companies, indie labels work with other smaller companies, either in long-term partnerships or in smaller contractual relationships for their distribution and publishing needs. The Indie Niche While indie labels cant offer the kind of funding for artists that the major labels can, because of the benefits, indie label contracts are fast becoming a new goal for many artists- and a mora realistic goal at that. And they do offer many benefits that the Big Guys cant. Because of all the upsides (and the escalating trend toward social media and digital platforms thats notlage abating), indie labels have created a true niche for themselves. Lets take a look at the benef its (and the downsides) of working with an indie, and check out the pros and cons of working with a major label for a full 360 view. The Pros of Working With an Indie Label Indie labels generally have the freedom to work with whomever they like. Theres no pressure like youd find at major labels to sacrifice your tastes in favor of seeking chart success. When you are signed to an indie label, in almost every instance its because the label is a huge fan of your music that translates into dedication because they believe in what youre doing. Close Working Relationships Because indie labels have smaller staffs and tighter rosters, musicians can more easily develop a close relationship with the people working on their record. Although its not always the case that artists can pick up the phone and get an immediate answer, the odds of closer communication are greater than they are with a major label. Artist-Friendly Deals Some larger indie labels have relatively complex contract s, but smaller indies often do business on little more than a handshake and a profit split agreement. You seldom find indie labels demanding any measure of creative control over their artists, and most indies dont lock their artists into long-term, multi-album contracts. The Cons ofWorking Withan Indie Label Indie labels are not without their drawbacks. Consider the following before you decide who you want to sign with. Money While money is the top reason to sign with a major label, it definitely tops the list of negatives for indies. While some indie labels are sitting pretty financially, most small operations are just trying to stay afloat. They usually dont have the coffers to fund an all-out media blitz like the major labels, and they often have to get creative with promotion ideas. They also cant afford big advances, fancy packaging, large recording budgets, tour support, and other perks a major label has the funds to offer you. With indie labels, youll usually have to remain financially invested in your own music career. Disorganization Not every indie label is disorganized, but the informal nature of operations at many smaller indie labels means some elements can get a tad bit confusing. As an artist, you might find that details may sometimes slip through the cracks, or it may be hard to figure out processes that arent quite formalized, like accounting, for instance. Size Although the intimate size of indie labels has its upside in terms of closer and more accessible relationships, there is also a downside tobeing small. Indies dont have the purchasing power of major labels, and with a small roster, they have fewer strings to pull with the press. Also, the smaller the label, the less influence, and power within the music industry.