Graduated and can't find a job?

I've had an e-mail come in this week from a friend. Her son has recently graduated at University and he did really well, he got a 2:1 so congratulations! Well done. And in fact, well done to everyone out there reading this who has graduated this year as it's a super big achievement and I know it's been more challenging this year with Covid-19.

Her son has like many has a real hard time finding a job. It's so disheartening because, now, landing your first job is... for some people they land on their feet and for others...  it feels like a losing battle. And sometimes it CAN be just about being in the right place at the right time. One of my friend’s daughter left Uni during the 2008 'credit crunch' and she, along with quite a few of her classmates, ended up with jobs they were way over-qualified for but then 3 or 4 years later when the economy started to pick up...she kept her eye out for better jobs and kept applying and she landed herself a great job at a marketing company doing what she had studied.

So it's a really good example of how it can feel like all that studying at Uni, or at college, was for nothing...that your career is never going to take off, but please remember that things WILL pick up. Things will get better, and the jobs market will recover.

Of course, there are still some opportunities out there and job hunting is a life skill that takes practice and patience. Think about your approach to job hunting...where are you looking for jobs? Are there alternative job boards or places where you could be missing out on some potential opportunities?

Perhaps there are other roles you could be applying for that are slightly different to what you have studied but that you have the right skillset for. Many skills are transferrable - and there may be jobs you would be well suited for that you haven't even thought of.

Could you tighten up your CV or prepare yourself better for those interviews? Think through the questions that an employer may be likely to ask you, and prepare your answers. Really think about what YOU can offer a company...what are your strengths? What are your achievements, and what have you performed really well at in your studies?

And THE MOST important question is, are you doing something every day to improve your knowledge and your skills to distinguish yourself from everyone else?

If you need help with career advice, job search and getting your foot on the ladder then I can help with tailored advice that will give you the edge over your competition.

Too much screen-time?

How amazing is 2020? I mean, can you imagine if the lockdown had happened in 2003 and all you had was a dial-up 56k modem and an old Nokia 6310? Smartphones have been a godsend for us all. They have allowed us to order groceries, binge-watch Netflix series, pay bills, reach out to the community, keep fit, and work from home. As awful as the pandemic has been, technology has allowed us to live relatively well under the circumstances.

As the lockdown is winding down I wonder how many people are feeling like they've become TOO dependent on technology. It's not just about the practical uses, for many, I think being connected to the world via a smartphone has been a huge comfort while we've been socially distancing. Have you been using social media more? Features like endless scrolling and notifications on Facebook, etc are designed to be addictive and they exploit basic human desires to be liked and to be a part of something.

Sometimes it takes a major shake-up to spot when something becomes a problem. Going back a few years, a friend of mine lost her dad to cancer and it forced her to look at what was important in her life. Up to that point, she was constantly on her smartphone. She said it felt like there was an itch in her brain if she couldn't get to her phone. She admitted that she regularly wasted her days-off aimlessly scrolling through Facebook and Instagram, chatting idly on Messenger and WhatsApp... and before she knew it the day was gone. She'd felt it creeping up, but it was only when her dad passed away that it shocked her into taking action. She realised then how emotionally disconnected she had become from her husband and children. While she was physically in the room with them, she was miles away emotionally. Her husband complained that she was constantly checking her phone when they went out for a meal.

2 years on, she still feels that pull of social media, but she is strict with herself about limiting time on her device. Does this sound like you? What are some simple ways to manage screen-time?

Ask your phone provider to reduce your data limit to reduce temptation.
Suspend social media accounts, or delete the apps from your phone.
Turn off notifications.
Put your phone on silent at meal times or for an hour before bed.
Leave your phone in one spot in the house rather than carrying it around.
Use the blue-light reduction setting if your phone has one.

Technology is part of our lives, but it's important to use it sensibly and to take time away from the screen. As well as affecting your relationships, too much screen-time can cause insomnia, difficulty concentrating, headaches and eye-strain. Remember – you control your smartphone, don't let it control you.

What beliefs hinder you moving forward?

So this past week my children asked me to do some baking - cookie baking to be precise. At first I thought: baking is for the Christmas time thats not something you do in the summer? But they insisted and to be even more precise they wanted to bake dinosaur cookies.

So I checked online and found dinosaur cookie cutters and thought -Why not bake in summer if it makes them happy? Now you might read this and say 'yes I bake all year round what is the problem with it'? And that is exactly the point, everyone has subconscious programmes running. Now this is not one for me that hinders me in life and so it was also easy to overcome and change BUT nevertheless it made me realise again that we have hundreds of 'gained beliefs' that we store and that guide us every day and we don't question them and even more often we don't even realise we have them.

For you this might not be a big issue (and it isn't of course) BUT ask yourself : where do my beliefs come from? What do I think about money, relationships, child education, healthy eating, property, making money, working etc etc Are you questioning your beliefs enough and check if they serve you? You might think: I'm not good doing sales calls, or I won't ever achieve xyz now I would say - of course you can it's easy let me show you how - and suddenly you get pushed and find that you can do and achieve SO much more than you thought possible!

Find your limiting beliefs. Change them to positive ones. Change them to ones that will bring you forward. Find out how to change them and make those changes TODAY! And if you don't know how then reach out to me! I will help you drop them forever and replace them with the power YOU have within to achieve anything you REALLY want!

What is hindering your progress?

Now, you might want to start by asking yourself what exactly is standing in the way of you living your life the way you dreamed it. In a world so full of expectations (how you should look, what you should wear, the things you have to do etc.) and so much competition, there's definitely much that could stand in your way and the daily influence of social media and TV doesn't make it any easier.

Do you worry about what other people are doing and how you're not doing that “yet”? How in shape famous people look and how neither your body nor your lifestyle are anywhere close to theirs?

But …aren’t you forgetting the most important thing? What truly makes you happy? NOW is the best time to look inward and stop forcing yourself; to follow fashion trends you don't truly like, go to parties that don’t make you happy, meet people that drag you down, or even stay at a job you don't find satisfaction in. Just stop doing things you don't like!

So here my 4 suggestions to start from today:

Pay attention to yourself! It's your life! Take the time out to re-invent yourself IF you are not happy!

Write down what bugs you, what annoys you, where have you wanted change for a while but haven’t tackled it for whatever reason. Do you get angry? Why? Do you say “yes” when you feel like saying NO! What truly puts a song in your heart? What puts you under pressure? What drains you? What lifts your spirit and energises you? These are questions you must answer. Do you find yourself feeling pressured when you scroll through Instagram for an hour? Perhaps because you don't think you've measured up to the standard of so many people you think you admire. If this is you, it's time to limit your Instagram time. Starve the negative energy! Stop doing what drains you and spend more time with what truly fulfils you.

YOU ARE UNIQUE AND YOU ARE AMAZING! Start believing it and start living it!

Live your life despite your fears!

Most of us have a deep desire to have a meaningful, satisfying and happy life and at the moment whilst we are all in lock down we feel threatened and worried- times seem uncertain, and humans generally don’t like uncertainty …BUT... I would like to challenge you!

Be honest, if your life was predictable all day everyday with no change wouldn’t that be boring? I know it would for most of us. We do like some kind of uncertainty- take presents… we love unwrapping what we don’t know, obviously if we don’t like the present we don’t like the outcome but I guess you know what I mean.

Isn’t THIS the best way forward, you know every crisis has an end, you know sooner or later we will have a vaccine and even as I am writing this there are already humans being tested with the newly developed vaccine. So can you agree that it is a matter of how we now view this situation? Can you change your perspective on it? Can you be curious rather than worried? Can you change your perception?

I know, if your worry is about money then it will be hard because all you will be focusing on is what the next day will bring, I am not saying it’s easy, but try! Stop focusing on the negative and focus on the opportunities!

Can you improve your skills?

Can you improve your knowledge?

Can you create extra income by going online?

Can you volunteer and help others in this crisis?

Think about what you CAN do! Find your inner hero!

Doing the right thing when no-one is watching

Integrity is said to be doing the right thing even when no-one is watching. But sometimes it can be harder to do the right thing when others around you are doing the wrong thing. So often, people behave in a way that is hurtful or damaging to others, because it is socially acceptable to do so. Because everyone around you is doing it.

A month ago, social-distancing was regarded as the decent, morally correct thing to do and yet since a high-profile politician was caught out and found to be flouting the rules. So when you go out, do you stick to the soon 1m rule of social-distancing, because for now it is the correct thing to do to protect yourself and others from catching and spreading the virus. Together we can bring freedom and normality back, if everyone contributes small steps to help!

Honesty and Care

In December I went to see one of my first clients from way back when…in 1996 when I was still working in the travel industry.

Now, 23 years later, they are still my client. The owner and founder has been incredibly loyal to me, and I am hugely grateful. I know I do put out the red carpet for my clients, and I love and enjoy it, but of course, in 23 years things do go wrong.

I have been called into Konrad's office more than once with clear instructions as to what will need to happen to rectify and with a future warning - this cannot happen again.

I remember one time we had a group of people in London; the hotel was overbooked and London was full - the 3 tenors I think were in London at the same time as Wimbledon or the Chelsea Flower Show I am not sure. Anyway, the hotel decided not to inform my agency and just booked 8 couples into 4 quad rooms – yes, 2 couples from a group had to share 1 room!

With hindsight I am sure they are now laughing about this, but believe me, at the time when I was told on Monday morning, it was not funny and no one was laughing.

Thankfully, we were able to sort it. It was these and some other stories, that helped forge a lifelong friendship and partnership. I am a little bit proud to say that after so many years Konrad's company is still my client! Thank you!

Remember - give your best! Things happen that are beyond your control but always put your clients first!

Be honest! Think of small things that will make a difference!

Always listen and always let your clients no matter how big or small know that you truly care!

Ways to support local business when you're skint

As non-essential shops begin to re-open, many will face hardships that won't go away overnight, and will be desperately working to get back on their feet. The independent retailers are the ones that are going to have the biggest fight on their hands, and they need your support.

I get that for many of us, money is tighter than ever and if you can't justify splashing out on new clothes and other frivolous bits and pieces then you can feel that there is nothing you can do to help.

There are actually plenty of other ways you can support your local traders without spending a penny. Word of mouth is the most powerful form of advertising. 90% of people are more likely to buy something that is recommended by a friend, and also many people today will base a purchasing decision on a positive review on Facebook or Google. This kind of word of mouth publicity is HUGE to a small business.

So if you want to support your favourite local retailers, then TELL THE WORLD how amazing they are!

In person - Tell your friends about their fabulous products, or first-rate customer service. Your friend is looking to buy a new handbag, so tell her about the small boutique that's got some really nice ones. Even if your friend doesn't buy anything, they may spread the word to someone else!

On Social Media – LIKE their pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, etc. Don't stop there – ENGAGE with them on their pages. Like, comment and share their posts, and help them to really create a BUZZ about their business.

Write a review – if it's a shop you've bought from before, shout about it online! Give a glowing review for a product or service on Facebook, Amazon, Etsy, Google or their own website. When other potential customers come along, they are more likely to buy a product if it has positive reviews on these platforms.

Become a mouthpiece for these amazing local businesses and you can help them survive! For small retailers, it's not just a wage and a job they are fighting for – it's their passion and their livelihoods. It's okay if you can't afford to go out on a spending spree right now, but you can still do your bit to help your local high street.

All fear can be overcome

People say fear stands for "false evidence appearing real". I disagree- if you are chased by a lion then that's a very real danger coming towards you. However fear can be overcome!

First of all really define, in writing exactly what you are afraid of and then secondly how it affects your life. Any fear like fear of spiders, birds etc would be annoying but they will not stop you from living the life you want to lead (unless you would like to work with Birds and Spiders of
course).

Fear of flying might impact on your life if you are wanting to go on holiday and just don't fulfil your dream because you are scared of flying this can be worked on and there are courses you can take just have a look on the internet.

However fear of failing, fear of moving forward, that's a whole different story, of course here you can also find help, either friends or mentors in your job or of course a personal coach. Nothing should stop you from making that next step and if you are not sure how then get your help today! Don't
procrastinate! You deserve it - you can do it!

Whatever you fear it can be tackled!

Small things

I went to see one of my clients last year and as you do; started the meeting with:
“How are you?”
“You won’t believe how small things can change your life!” he answered.

I noticed he was slightly limping to the seat in front of him so asked him what happened, and he said that he would normally look in front of him when walking down stairs. But as it happened, he was talking to a colleague who was walking behind him when they walked down a flight of stairs.

Trying to walk forward but also to listen to what his colleague behind him was saying, he didn’t pay attention. He fell down the last step, breaking his ankle and straining his fingers on both hands. For weeks he had to have a cast and was now still not able to put weight onto his foot. He had not been able to go into work for weeks (but was working from home as much as possible). He found it difficult to travel by bus or tube with the crutches and daily life, in general, was suddenly all-around a lot more difficult.

Yes, one small step, one small change in a habit, one small thing you do or not do, can have a massive impact. If you believe that it will have a detrimental effect, then unquestionably you can believe that a tiny change can and will have an enormous impact! Especially when you do it in the right way and the right direction! So plan your steps TODAY! And take the first one right now!