Career Tips

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How Starting a Blog Can Benefit Your Career

How Starting a Blog Can Benefit Your CareerHow Starting a Blog Can Benefit Your CareerIf you want a great job in any industry, you need to stand out from the pack. Even if you do all the musts- like have a complete LinkedIn profile and refined resume- it still may not be enough to stand out in this crowded fruchtfleischet. One way to take your professional persona to the next level is through blogging. Below are seven ways blogging can help you triumph over the competition. Blogging Enhances Your Professional Profile Hiring managers want proof that the expertise you boast is legitimate. Blogging allows you to give them something concrete to look at. Your blog should be current and, above all, relevant to your industry. If you blog about random, unrelated, topics theyll wonder what exactly your area of expertise is The point is to show hiring managers and recruiters the way you think, how much you know, and how thats going to help them. Blogging hits the mark when it comes to sell ing your brand, even with limited experience. Doing research as well as analyzing problems and solutions in your profession shows that youre passionate and motivated. And it demonstrates that youre in touch with your niche. You (May) Attract Decision Makers Think about this scenario for a minute You publish a blog post outlining suggestions on a hot issue in your field and its picked up by the online community. People share it on social media, it gets mentioned in other articles online, and maybe even some curated newsletters. This kind of exposure could lead to decision makers (like hiring managers, or recruiters)coming your way. Tech companies large and small are always on the lookout for fresh talent. Netflix, for instance, contacts potential hires through LinkedIn when a profile looks promising.Uber riders who ace a mobile coding game get invited for a friendly chat with the company. Ultimately, informative blog posts can take you down that path. Professionals share millions of blog posts every day. Wouldnt it be great if yours were among them? Expanding Your Network Yes, getting out in the real world and networking is important. So is networking with others online through groups, like LinkedIn Groups, and forums. However, theres only so much time you can spend on networking efforts. Instead, you can make the right type of people come to you. A blog can put your name on the map, and allow like-minded folks to come your way. Remember to include your social media handles and contact information on your website. Otherwise, people will not be able to connect with you A Blog Compliments Your Resume Recruiters and hiring managers receive dozens, if not hundreds, of resumes for a single job opening. The tech job market is piping hot right now. Sure, its easier to land a job in certain areas because of a skills shortage. Still, competition for most positions- especially at top companies- is intense. Meaning in the very least your resume and cover lette r have to be on point. Even more, hiring managers may look for an extra reason to add your resume to the call for interview pile instead of the not sure one. A link to your blog could make all the difference. A blog can add context to your resume and cover letter. It also can show how you apply your skills and knowledge. Blogging Lets You Establish a Digital Footprint Whats one of the first things recruiters do when they receive your resume? Most likely some kind of Google search of your name. And what they see on the results page can seriously impact your chances of getting called in for an interview, or even an offer. Recruiters want to see a digital footprint for several reasons It shows youre savvy with the internet/social mediaThey become familiar with your skills/personality before an interviewThey want your views on the developments and operations within the industry Overall, a trail of content indicating pride in your career will go over well in the eyes of hiring manage rs and recruiters. Build New Skills and Stay Current Managing a blog allows you the chance to learn new skills. It also can give you something productive to do during your job search- instead of refreshing your email inbox, hoping for news about positions youve applied for. Through blogging, you can sharpen a range of skills. Such as, WritingSEOSocial mediaAnalytical tools (like Google Analytics)A CMS (like WordPress) Employers wont ignore those skills (Or the determination and ambition a good blog portrays.) Moreover, blogging not only helps your knowledge bank stay up to date, but it also gives you the chance to help others. It Establishes You as a Leader When you create content that offers advice, solutions, and guidance- you help people. The ability to teach a skill that many companies look for in candidates. It not only shows that you have superior communication skills, but it also demonstrates that you enjoy helping others. Over time, publishing useful content in the t ech industry solidifies your place as a leader, or authority figure. This kind ofleadership never fails to impress a hiring manager. But it doesnt stop there If your blog becomes a go-to source for helpful information, you could even start blogging as a side job. Meaning you can get paid to writeas a freelanceron other sites, and perhaps even one day be contacted to write a book. Not to mention a slew of other professional opportunities.

5 ways to break yourself out of a February Funk

5 ways to break yourself out of a February Funk5 ways to break yourself out of a February FunkThere are a few things I can always rely on in life death, taxes, my sister not returning the clothes she borrows,autumn anxiety, and a February funk in the middle of winter gloom.Even though a count of its days says differently, February feels like the longest month of the year every year. And if I dont do anything about it, Im expecting the same this year.Its not hard to understand why I feel this way. Living in Chicago, by February Ive already endured months of sub-freezing temperatures, snow, and a general greyness that wont go away. Everyone is sneezing and coughing, and Ive been wearing the same winter coat as my uniform for months. The holidays are over, spring is supposed to be coming, but its still dark outside when I leave the office at 5 p.m. unterstellung things combined leave me lackingmotivationand drive. If I let them sink in, Im left feeling disconnected and despondent.But ju st as Ive learned to not let the Sunday Scaries ruin the weekend, Ive decided not to let the February Funk get me down this year. Here are five ways experts say you can fight it.1. Exercise regularlyWe knowexercisehelps prevent and improve a number of health problems - high blood pressure, diabetes and arthritis, for example. Butresearchon the link between wirtschaftskrise, anxiety, and exercise shows that the psychological and physical benefits of exercise can also help improve mood and reduce anxiety.The key is making it a habit. Once exercise becomesa part of your life, you notice that you have a lot more energy than you used to and are by far less easily fatigued.2. Try new thingsDay-to-day, routines are good. They give us a sense of discipline, which allows us to commit to lengthy projects and finish them by deadline. They also give us a sense ofcalmand order.But routines can also make us feel stuck. Thats why breaking up your schedule with something new can have a greatimpact on your happiness. When you try new things, you put your brain into new situations that force it to think in unique ways. This stimulates creativity, which eventually rubs off in other areas of your life.3. Set small goalsSetting goals when youre down can feel nearly impossible - a far cry from feeling ambitious. But settingsmall, attainable goalsis critical to making sure you dont lose motivation.And make sure those goals have a timeline. Making a list of things you want to achieve is great, but if you dont put a timeframe around them then theyll be put off until tomorrow and will never get started. Think about using theSMART Goalsframework to break up tasks into manageable parts.4. Express gratitudeResearcher Robert Emmons has conducted a number of studies onthe link between gratitude and wellbeing. His research has found that gratitude reduces toxic emotions such as envy, frustration and regret, and increases positive emotions such ashappinessand contentment.5. Listen to musicY ou likely have a few tunes that you know lighten your spirits. Nows the time to crank them up. On theirmusic and mental health page, the American Music Therapy Association lists over a dozen studies supporting the benefits of music therapy for persons withdepressionandanxiety.Theres a science behind formal music therapy, but putting your headphones in and pressing play on your favorite Spotify playlist can help, too. The mix of melody, harmony, and rhythm stimulate the senses and promote calmness by slowing down breath, heart, rate and other bodily functions.If youre overwhelmed by a funk, help is availableThe February funk makes sense were coming down from our holiday highs, and summer, while the light at the end of the tunnel, cant even be seen yet. Everyone has their own perfect recipe for a February funk, but that doesnt mean you should let it mess with your mind, or leave you feeling lost or cloudy.Being more aware of your thoughts andbehaviorscan help prevent you from descendi ng into the funk and being swallowed by it. Even if you feel powerless right now, there are steps you can take and people that can help you move forward.If you need a little help or guidance along the way, its OK to ask for it. There are a variety of factors that can contribute to your overall health and wellbeing, and a therapist can help you process why youre feeling stuck or unhappy.This article first appeared on Talkspace.