BBC Director to Founder Director of Express Yourself Mums

BBC Director to Founder Director of Express Yourself Mums Success Story > From: Job To: Startup BBC Director to Founder Director of Express Yourself Mums “I was a real 'staffer' in mentality and wasn't sure I'd survive in the 'big bad world'.” * BBC Director to Founder Director of Express Yourself Mums Alison Baum's experiences as a mum were the catalyst for her career change. She took her passion for helping women to breastfeed and turned it into a non-profit business. Here's how she made the leap from employee to entrepreneur. What work were you doing previously? As a producer and director at the BBC, I made science documentaries. This involved researching and then scripting the documentary, directing the filming, and then working with an editor to edit the film. So, it was a creative role that required clarity of thinking, a clear sense of narrative and solid project management (I was in charge of my own budget). At various points I was also a Development Producer motivating and managing a team of eight researchers to develop possible new story ideas. What are you doing now? I'm the founder and a director of Express Yourself Mums, a social enterprise which is a central resource for breastfeeding mothers and the healthcare professionals who support them. Express Yourself Mums has a core aim to help increase breastfeeding rates in the UK. I now have two partners and we each have our own remits. My role is wide reaching, and includes: Customer service (for mums who are ordering breastpumps, breastfeeding pillows, etc.) Talking to mums who are having problems expressing Meeting and networking with healthcare professionals who are passionate about breastfeeding Meeting and networking with other social entrepreneurs, largely through the support organisation UnLtd, leading to cross-fertilisation of ideas and sometimes cross-marketing opportunities. PR and marketing Express Yourself Mums to the general press, industry press, and TV and radio Promoting Express Yourself Mums at conferences Talking at conferences about my personal experiences I am also training to become a breastfeeding counsellor Why did you change? My first son, David, was born with a cleft palate andcouldn't breastfeed. So, I chose to express all my milk for him. I tracked down The Easy Expression Halterneck Bra from the United States which allowed me to double-pump hands free. I used it for six months and then wondered why no-one else had one. So I set up a small company, Express Yourself Bras, which I ran as a sideline once I returned to work at the BBC. My second son, Joshua, was born with a cleft palate too, and was also critically ill with viral meningitis. After an extremely tough start and seven months of expressing, Joshua finally became a fully breastfed baby after his palate-repair operation. I took voluntary redundancy from the BBC so that I could retrain to be a breastfeeding counsellor and launch my venture, Express Yourself Mums. I planned to use my years of experience working in science and the media and the many contacts I hadbuilt up: to help mums and healthcare professionals overcome the many barriers to successful breastfeeding to source and commission articles and advice from leading healthcare professionals which will be made freely available to all visitors to my site to provide the best breastfeeding and expressing products and learning materials in the world to mums, to clinics and to hospitals to positively impact on breastfeeding rates in the UK to raise significant funds for charity I also hoped that by working for myself I'd be able to work fewer hours and spend more time with my two boys. Are you happy with the change? The decision to leave the BBC was terrifying. I was a real 'staffer' in mentality and wasn't sure I'd survive in the 'big bad world'. On a superficial level, one might think that I'd undergone a brain transplant â€" from BBC Producer to webmaster in just a few months. But then again you can never predict what life is going to throw at you and I've just decided to pick it up and run with it. And on deeper inspection the parallels are not insignificant: the whole website is an authored piece, just as my films were. And the only reason I got into TV in the first place was to be a communicator of science; now I'm communicating health information and hoping to have a positive impact on the health of our country's children. What do you miss and what don't you miss? So far, I've yet to draw a penny in salary from Express Yourself Mums and have sunk my BBC redundancy package into starting up the project / business. As a family, we really do miss my salary and feel that we can't carry on like this for more than another year â€" the clock is ticking, which does add pressure. This contrasts starkly with the regular monthly income I received as the employee of a large corporation. I occasionally do miss the creativity and the buzz of film-making. However, jetting round the world on film shoots would simply not be compatible with my lifestyle and my young family. If I had stayed at the BBC I would most likely have ended up with a more office-based editorial role. Also, further down the line I hope to be in a financial position to commission or indeed make some excellent breastfeeding teaching resources. Friends and family were concerned that I'd miss the intellectual rigour and challenge that I enjoyed at the BBC. But this has been replaced by diving in to breastfeeding research and thrashing out ideas with research professors. Also, every day I'm motivated by the women I'm helping, with the products they are buying, with the information they are reading and with the money that I'm raising for charity. I'm also constantly plotting and planning new ways to break down the barriers to breastfeeding. I used to like the project basis of film-making. I'd work for six months flat out on one project and then move on to a new film. However, I'm actually finding it more satisfying to focus on one area, breastfeeding, confident that in time I'll make a tangible difference. How did you go about making the change? There were really two steps to the change. Step one was to set up Express Yourself Bras, which I did when I was on maternity leave with my first son. I set it up as a small sideline business; I never imagined that it would evolve into what it has become. I just tracked down a single product that had changed my life (the Easy Expression Halterneck) and I wanted to allow other British women to access the expressing bra while also raising money for charity. But, of course, looking back, Express Yourself Bras was the solid foundation for Express Yourself Mums â€" I had networked widely and have enjoyed huge support from leading lights within the world of breastfeeding and special care baby units. Having my second son, also born with a cleft palate, and desperately ill for the first three weeks of his life, my focus shifted. As he got older and stronger, and as my maternity leave was drawing to an end, voluntary redundancies were coming up at the BBC. It was such a perfect opportunity, so I put myself forward and my redundancy package gave me the money to build the website, buy some stock, get leaflets made, and get Express Yourself Mums fully under way. What was the most difficult thing about changing? Humans are creatures of habit; we are often, by nature, risk averse, and I was no exception. I'd also had a very tough start with both my boys, and I think I'm not alone in having a dip in confidence during my maternity leave. There were times when it was difficult to imagine how I'd been so successful in the high-powered job I'd had. To launch a new project / business takes immense confidence and inner belief, so I had to dig deep into myself to have the confidence and energy to take the leap into the unknown. What help did you get? My husband and family were extremely supportive. Fairly early on, I realised that there were big gaps in my skill-set around the financial side of a business, managing a film budget is one thing, but being in charge of a business and its profit / loss and cashflow forecasts is something altogether different! Through Business Link I discovered Harrow in Business and joined their 16-week Women in Business Course which was excellent. Many of the sessions were very helpful, for example 'Taking the Fear Out of Financials', but the highlight was meeting other women who had or were about to take the leap and were in the process of setting up their own businesses. A key turning point was the BabyGROE conference where I discovered the term 'social entrepreneur' and realised I wasn't alone, or crazy, to want to give money to charity and to instigate social change. Meeting like-minded people was incredibly motivating. Then I had a lot of help from Carly, my first business partner. I'm a people person, always have been, so it was great to have someone to bounce ideas around with and her financial input meant that together we became the sole distributors of the My Breast Friend breastfeeding pillow, a superb breastfeeding pillow which we are now selling to mums, nurseries, shops and the NHS. More recently, we've taken on a third partner, Sharon, and she is now a key member of the team. I was lucky enough to get a mentor through Harrow in Business, I found it incredibly helpful to have someone experienced in business, with a bit of distance, guiding us through our decisions. UnLtd has given and continues to give key support, both financially and through the help and experience of my Development Manager and the other resources and networking opportunities that they offer. Also, it has meant a huge amount to have the external recognition that Express Yourself Mums is worthy of support from UnLtd. What have you learnt in the process? I've learnt to believe in myself and to tap into my inner drive and motivation. I've also learnt that you never know what life will throw at you, and that you can never predict what the future will bring. What do you wish you'd done differently? It's still very early days: Express Yourself Mums has only been running a year. No doubt in time I'll look back with hindsight and see all the things I could have / should have done differently. For now, my two big regrets relate to marketing 'opportunities' that I got suckered into, one for a voucher booklet that was going to reach 270,000 new mums every six months. But you live and learn. I've been on an extremely steep and challenging learning curve. It would be impossible to get everything right first time! What would you advise others to do in the same situation? Not to make decisions in a vacuum. Talk to friends, talk to a careers counsellor if necessary, and if you are going to make a move do tap into networks and do 'skill up' in areas where you are less experienced. But perhaps most importantly I'd say to believe in yourself and follow your heart. Only you know what you are truly capable of! Find out more about Express Yourself Mums at www.expressyourselfmums.co.uk. What lessons could you take from Alison's story to use in your own career change? Let us know in the comments below.

No Longer Sweating Single

No Longer Sweating Single Im going to die alone! is the sarcastic, yet slightly serious cry of many of my single girlfriends. What if you were? Now what? Ironically, my epiphany was born on a treadmill. Rihannas Rockstar 101 had quickly become both a mantra and favorite workout track. Exercising had become necessary for my sanity at the time. Feeling rejected both by men and a job hunt during the recession, fitness was the only area where I would put in effort and see results. I escaped to the gym, my sanctuary of solitude from all the stressors in my life. If I worked out, I knew that I hadnt neglected my own needs that day. If I didnt have a man, I would give myself the attention that I wanted from a man, and make myself feel beautiful. While on the treadmill, Rihanna boldly belted through my iPods headphones, To be what you isnt, gotta be what you are It hit me. What if I would never be anyones girlfriend or wife? What if this was it? Would this be enough? Would I be enough for me? I couldnt do it anymore. I couldnt be single and miserable. It was time to surrender to the idea of being indefinitely single. If youve been single for a while, you probably want to punch every person who says the cliché phrase, Dont worry. He will come. Just be patient. Im not going to do that to you, #TeamSingle. Im just going to ask you, What if he doesnt? So what? Realize your worst fears. Youre single. Youre not dead. You will survive single. We live in a society that presupposes that being single is a sad thing, but it doesnt have to be. Now, you could either be single and miserable, single and desperate, or..you can rock single like a fresh pair of Louboutins that will never go out of style. Its your choice, and you do have a choice. Yes, there are women who never get married or who divorce and never remarry. They’re fine. I resolved that if I were going to die alone, my concept of single needed a makeover. I had to take single by the stilettos and work it like a runway. If I was going down single, I was going down making single look good. That day, I resolved to being single and satisfied, and never looked back. I’d tried dating and miserable, desperate and miserable, and single and miserable. None of them were good looks for me. The pain of each situation hurt too much to revisit. But single and happy? This was a concept that Id barely even seen. It became my happiest scenario yet. Getting there didnt come without a fight. I had to get honest with myself to let go of some of my insecurities and weaknesses. Like my body on that treadmill, it was no longer about where I was going, but what I was becoming. “But Bonnie, thats easy to say in theory, but I still want to get married one day,” you say. So do I. “Single and satisfied” doesnt mean youre not open to romantic love. It simply means, that contrary to popular belief, you dont really need it to feel complete, joyful, or like youre living a full life. You find other ways to meet your needs. You resolve that if you needed something you would have it, and if you dont have it, you must not need it because youre surviving without it. It means that youre seriously no longer searching, but attracting what fits with your destiny. In fact, the idea that someone may disrupt your new-found contentment with life will make you nervous. There is no settling for the single and happy. The bar has been raised for all of their dating partners. Their partners dont have to beat out “single and miserable” or an ex-lover that got it wrong. Their potential mates have to convince them to give up their lifelong exclusive marriage to their oldest friend themselves. Its a tall order. However, it is the very reason why being single and satisfied not only improves your singlehood, but also any potential relationships. So Dont Sweat Being Single In fact, I attract more men now than ever before.   There’s something exceptional about the swagger of a woman who knows that she’s not missing anything… except for maybe a black guitar (according to Rihanna). Rock your singlehood, ladies.

How to Put Direct and Indirect Reports (and Other Data) on Your Resume

How to Put Direct and Indirect Reports (and Other Data) on Your Resume How to Put Direct and Indirect Reports (and Other Data) on Your Resume Resume/CV / https://www.edenscott.com/blog Resumes usually contain words for the most part, and words tend to get skimmed over, especially when theyre in paragraph format.The more words you put on your resume, the less the hiring manager is actually going to read. Its counter-intuitive but thats the reality.So what can you put on a resume to grab the attention of recruiters, HR staff, and hiring managers? Numbers.You should strategically use numbers to catch the hiring mangers attention, and there are quite a few types of numbers that you can use.One type of numbers you can put on your resume is direct reports. You can also put indirect reports on your resume people youve led for projects, training sessions, etc.In this article, Im going to walk you through how to put all sorts of data/accomplishments on your resume to make it stand out and get you more interviews.Listing Direct and Indirect Reports on Your ResumeHiring managers love metrics leadership, so under each previous position where yo uve led people, create a bullet specifically talking about your direct and/or indirect reports.Here are some examples of how to list direct reports on a resume:Led team of 5 software engineers, managing schedules, performance reviews and daily tasksHired and managed a team of 9 customer service representatives responsible for 200 daily customer service inquiriesDirector responsible for leading a team of 7 quality assurance Specialists and Senior Specialists; responsible for hiring, training, performance reviews, and project managementExamples of how to list indirect reports on a resume:Led a cross-functional team of 9 people to overhaul companys lead generation procedures, resulting in a 122% increase in year-over-year sales in Fiscal Year 2019Led client projects, managing project teams of 4-6 people; responsible for project oversight and strategy, task delegation, and final deliverablesExample of putting direct AND indirect reports on your resume:Responsible for 5 direct reports an d up to 15 indirect staff depending on current projects.Youll notice some of these examples of how to list reports on your resume also include other accomplishments, metrics, stats and data. The more of this you can include on your resume, the better!For a full article on how to write great bullets for your resume, go here.Other Types of Data and Metrics to Put on Your ResumeNow, what if you didnt lead anyone. Thats okay; theres still a LOT of data and numbers you can put on your resume to grab attention and set yourself apart.If you had goals or quotas or department averages that you met or exceeded, include that info on your resume.You should specify what the goal or department average was, and then include your performance so that it can be compared to the average.A paragraph talking about how youre an above-average performer is going to get skipped over by a lot of hiring managers, but a quick bullet point with measurable performance metrics will almost always be read closely.Yo u can put specific statistics on your resume in terms of company/group performance. If your group exceeded its goals, you can take credit for that on your resume, too! Same goes for company achievements.See below for two examples that would help your resume grab the hiring managers attention. These examples are for a salesperson. You can adjust them depending on your field.Individual performance example:Performed in the top 20% of entire department for three consecutive years (2009-2012)Group/Company performance example:Contributed 11% to total department revenue in 2012The next piece of data you can put is dollar figures.Thinking in terms of dollar amounts will provide you with another great way to find specific numbers to put on your resume.You can list your contributions in terms of dollar figures, instead of using a percentage like in the example above.There are other ways to use dollar figures too. If you are responsible for a certain area within the business, talking about the budget or revenue of this area is a great way to show the size and scope of your role.Here are two examples of what to put on a resume in terms of dollar figures:Managed and led a 12-person chemistry lab with an annual budget of $2,500,000.Principal Scientist/Group Leader within a commercial group responsible for contributing $200 million to company revenue in 2013.That first bullet above also shows off your direct reports, too (12 lab staff). So you can show off headcounts/reports as well as other achievements throughout your resume.Putting this type of data on your resume both for direct and indirect reports and other data is much better than some long-winded paragraph about your skills and experience.This type of numerical data will grab the hiring managers attention and get you more interviews.Get Creative: Theres a Lot More Data You Can Put on Your ResumeYou dont need to be in sales to find great metrics and stats to put on your resume; you just need to get a bit creative.Wh ile this list of ideas is a good starting point, dont get discouraged if you read through this and havent come up with metrics of your own yet.Think about the quantity of work you put out. Thats one place to start getting ideas. Example: If youre a content marketer and writer, how many articles do you write per month? Thats a metric.How many visitors per month go to the websites you write for? Thats another great metric you could write: Write 10-12 articles per month for websites receiving 12 million+ monthly visitors.Thats an impressive, accomplishment-packed sentence without you having to work in sales OR have any direct or indirect reports on your resume.Heres one more scenario and example before I conclude. Lets say youre an administrative assistant. How many people do you assist? Thats a number.Or if you assist one Executive, how many people report to that Executive? If its 10, you could say, Executive Assistant to VP of HR, managing 10 HR staff.Start brainstorming and dont ass ume you cant put metrics and numbers on your resume just because youre not in sales or havent had anyone reporting directly to you yet. Theres a lot more you can put.Putting data and numbers on your resume is a powerful way to get more interviews whether youre entry-level or Director-level. If you follow the steps above, youll get more interviews whether you have direct reports to put on your resume, indirect reports, or other types of data like the examples we looked at above.

Dream job myth or reality

Dream job myth or reality Whenever I hear the words dream job my heart sinks just a little bit; I cant help feeling the quest for career nirvana is doomed to end in disappointment. Reality will come knocking sooner or later. Even the coolest workplaces in the world have their flipside. Its easy though to see why the dream job meme is so pervasive: type in dream+job and Google joyfully spits out 594 000 000 results! And while its not quite trending, there are plenty of #dreamjob tweets too. Is the fantasy here to stay? Dare to dream? Now, I can see why you might be casting me in the role of careers grouch; surely I should be encouraging you to think big and idealise your perfect job? After all, a life lived without aspiration and ambition can feel pretty soulless. And I do think we should all dare to dream I still do! But.holding fast to the vision of your dream job can make you hostage to fortune. What if you never find it? Maybe youll miss out on some great opportunities along the way? What if you do find it and the reality doesnt quite match the myth? It also seems horribly reductive to view your career choice and options in such narrow terms. We cant all be Renaissance (wo)men, but there are thousands of jobs out there and youre likely to be good at and satisfied with any number of them. What is a dream job? Im reminded here of a useful English maxim, one mans meat is another mans poison. In short, what works for person x can be the biggest turn off to person y. Well yes, and no. Its certainly true that interpretations vary widely: a dream job may offer work-life balance, the chance to follow your passions or a huge starting salary. Occasionally, it will encompass all of these things good luck finding that one! However, I think the whole narrative around dream jobs suggests something quite specific and risks fuelling a false dichotomy of exciting, fulfilling jobs and boring, monotonous jobs. Hundreds (probably thousands) of people worldwide are blogging/tweeting/writing about the need for us to seize the day, follow your passions and pursue that dream in a bid to throw off our shackles, quit our mundane jobs and continue the search for career perfection. Or something. Add to that the numerous lists and surveys of  cool jobs,  great workplaces  and to top it all the  Top 10 dream jobs in pictures  and its not surprising if were all feeling a little job envy. Now, I may be stretching the point a little: most of us have dream jobs that  seem  within reach, but trying to find a job that ticks all the boxes still adds a huge amount of pressure to your job search. And worst case scenario sucks all your time and mental energy leaving nothing left to tackle the realities of job hunting in a crowded, competitive market. From dream to reality Is it time to adjust our sights (and expectations) and start thinking of career satisfaction, rather than career perfection? Theres much to recommend this advice on the  Grad-Versity blog: A rewarding career is something that you will not only enjoy doing, but get rewarded fairly for. My personal belief is that if new graduates spent more time looking for a rewarding career instead of their dream job, it will avoid a great deal of stress and frustration Careers are inextricably linked to happiness: we spend much of our adult life at work (averaging out at  1647 hours a year!), so theres a strong motivation to find interesting, fulfilling and meaningful jobs. But, you need to be realistic about what this means and consider potential trade-offs. You may have a wish list but the chances are youll have to compromise on something, somewhere especially when youre starting out. I think its dangerous and career limiting to get hung up on the notion of THE perfect job. How long do you sit and wait? Fantasising about dream jobs is a universal pastime we all do it. But you may just find the right job is a much better bet.

How to Add Grant Writing Success to Resume

How to Add Grant Writing Success to ResumeLinkedIn is a social networking site that allows members to connect with people in the same industry as their profession. This is a great way to network with other business professionals and get your resume noticed.LinkedIn is so successful because it gives you an opportunity to build a list of contacts and follow-ups. Once you become a member, members are allowed to have up to ten friends. These are business contacts who want to follow-up with you. This makes it much easier to spread the word about your resume and to use it as a tool for getting jobs and recommendations from employers.When using LinkedIn for resume tips, consider creating a short biography for yourself. This can help you provide your background information and explain how you came to work for your selected company. It can also be used to market yourself for future opportunities. Employers will see this as a potential asset to any job search. The best LinkedIn tips to add gra nt writing success to resume.Always leave a link to your LinkedIn profile when you are introducing yourself to a new company. Remember, this is the career listing site of choice. You may not know this, but LinkedIn also acts as a reference service for employers who want to check out people they are considering for employment. This can be very beneficial to your resume.If you're having trouble reaching the level of success that you want in your professional networking efforts, check out some of the LinkedIn tips that are available. This is one of the easiest ways to find out how to add grant writing success to resume. Everyone has seen advertisements on television and heard these words: 'Apply For Jobs Here!'Most of these advertisements are on LinkedIn, and this is also where you should look if you're looking for a new job. If you already have a job and would like to be exposed to the wider job community, there is another way to do this. Just make sure that the job postings are not g oing to cost you a lot of money or take a lot of time away from your day.When you apply for jobs on LinkedIn, remember to include your company name and a brief description of your position. Remember to put in the details about why you're applying for the job. This will ensure that you get the chance to really talk about what you have to offer and that it is worth the application process.A LinkedIn resume is a unique way to make a strong first impression. So don't hesitate to include grant writing success to resume tips. There is no reason for you to keep waiting to get a job or a promotion, so take the next step today.

My Body + Soul - Your Career - Jane Jackson Career

My Body + Soul - Your Career - Jane Jackson Career It was an honor to be interviewed by  Casey Beros,  for an article in My Body and Soul magazine on how to take control of your career. Read the original article here:Why Your Career Isnt Going the Way Youd LikeFor  many of us, career progression is simply not a straight line and we hit the panic button when it  doesn’t light our fire.Casey BerosNow that 2017 is well and truly in full swing, we want to help you keep those resolutions and good intentions on track for a happy and healthy year. That’s why myBody+Soul has created #HitRefresh, a five-week expert lead content series that will help you refresh everything from your diet and exercise regime to your beauty skills and sex life. Don’t miss the daily tips and trick that’ll ensure 2017 is your best year yet.It’s the number one gripe I hear come out of my friends mouths â€" my career just isn’t going the way I thought it would. We’ve crossed that sad line where we realise we have about as much chance of becoming a VS a ngel as we do of curing cancer, and it’s high time to get cracking on our career.Some of us are blessed early on and ‘get’ that a career strategy pays dividends, but for many of us, career progression is simply not a straight line, and we hit the panic button when we find ourselves in a job (or career) that just doesn’t light our fire, and if there’s no fire then we need to change campsites.Jane Jackson is a career management coach and author of Navigating Career Crossroads, who says getting more out of our careers is easy, as long as we know what we want.“What often makes people unhappy in their roles is low pay, lack of opportunity and no chance for career advancement,” she says. “Many people stay in jobs that don’t satisfy them because they aren’t aware of their options or they’re afraid to make a change. This causes a great deal of stress because they compromise their values, and too often I meet people full of regrets that they didn’t make a change ear lier in their career, or that they did what was expected of them rather than what they wanted for themselves.”Career Revamp #1: If you’re in the right career, but want more out of your roleFirst, identify what you want and then make a plan as to how to get it. “We need to consider our strengths and weaknesses, what brings us joy, what feels like an exciting challenge and what we want to learn,” says Jackson. From there, work out what the opportunities are within your organisation, and communicate clearly what you want something Jackson says we often take for granted when we’re starting a new role.“People frequently don’t ask what career progression opportunities there may be or other important questions during interviews, because they’re afraid or not well prepared,” she says.Remember: It’s never too late and you’re well within your rights to start the conversation â€" it’ll show your superiors that you’re serious about your career. And if it falls on deaf ears, it may be time to consider a change to somewhere with more opportunity.Career Revamp #2: If you’re halfway out the door, but scared to make the leapMost of us put job hunting in the same category as a Sunday trip to IKEA, a daunting but necessary form of torture, and Jackson says actively searching for that new role prevents many of us from making the leap. For people who feel stuck, the key could be within your network.“Talk to people in different careers,” she says. “Ask them why they chose their profession, what they like and don’t like about it, and what qualifications and aptitudes are required for success,” she explains. “It’s very hard to make a career change without a supportive network of people who can help open doors. A career coach or mentor can ask the right questions to draw out the real or perceived barriers and then work with you to overcome them.”Career Revamp #3: If you’re just starting out, or scared you don’t ‘fit the mould’Jackso n says you should see and promote your strengths rather than focusing on perceived weaknesses, and find a role that fits you â€" not the other way around. Stay at home Mum? You’re organized and cool under pressure. Don’t have enough experience? You’re full of enthusiasm and ready to be trained ‘their’ way. Been in the game too long? Your lengthy experience is invaluable.“The most important skill to develop in any career is effective communication and self-leadership,” she says. “Regardless of how qualified you are, without effective communication, you won’t be able to develop the strong relationships required to be a leader. Without self-leadership, you won’t have the discipline to persevere towards your goals regardless of any setbacks.”Career Revamp #4: If you’re thinking about a ‘side hustle’, but aren’t sure whether you can convert it to a careerJackson says to think like Nike. “Just Do It! The side hustle could turn into a career or could be what keeps you sane in a role where you feel a little stuck.”One person who did just that is Perth’s Nikki Heyder â€" who started her nutrition and catering business NOOD after working towards a career in Human Resources.“I loved working in corporate and was good at my job, but after a few years I felt like there was something missing,” she explains. “When I finished work I just couldnt wait to get home to create beautiful meals to share with my friends and family. I had an overwhelming feeling that I just had to try doing something with food, and if worse came to worse, I’d go back to working in HR.”Nikki HeyderSource:BodyAndSoulFour years later Heyder was working as a cook and converting comfort food recipes into healthy ones when she decided to formally study nutrition.“My clients started asking where they could buy ready to eat healthy meals,” she says. “After opening our first pop up store, the food side of the business took off. We opened our first cafe six mon ths ago and now focus on wholesome catering solutions. It has definitely been a rollercoaster ride loads of incredible highs, and many difficult and stressful lows. But at the end of a hard day where everything seems to go backwards, you still want to lie in bed and look forward to what the next day might bring.”Regardless of whether you’re looking for more in your current role, or thinking about making a change, it’s time to put together a kick-ass career action plan.#1 Know it’s okay to not be where you want to be, right now“Sometimes out of necessity people take a role that will pay the bills rather than light their fire,” Jackson says. “However if they know the role is a stepping stone and there is a plan to move on once financial stability is reached, then there is greater satisfaction as they know they’re on a journey towards a role they will really enjoy.”#2 Work out what it is you L.O.V.EIf you do what you love then you won’t work a day in your life has stuck around for a reason, but Heyder says there’s no formula: “It just comes down to looking inwards and being honest with yourself â€" what makes you burst with joy on the inside? Dont feel flat if you just dont know, maybe it just hasnt crossed your path yet and you’re in for an exciting surprise.”#3 Test the watersHeyder says the best thing to do is keep your current job and have a go with your passion on the side. “Start by doing what you love for family and friends and youll soon know if its where your heart lies. If not? No harm done. You havent lost anything, just gained experience and learned something more about yourself.”NOOD CafeSource:BodyAndSoul#4 Get help â€" in the form of a mentor or career coachFeeling lost in your career is perfectly normal, and too often we let pride get in the way of asking for help.“In my coaching sessions clients get someone who is in their corner to provide support, guidance and a reality check,” Jackson says. “I work with t hem to rebuild their self confidence, assess what really makes them tick in their careers and then set a plan to get from their current position to their dream role.”In the wise, wise words of Oprah, don’t fear change, invite it in and tell 2017 to #HitRefresh and bring it on: The big secret in life is that there is no big secret. Whatever your goal, you can get there if youre willing to work.If youd like help to manage your career more effectively, book in for a complimentary exploratory conversation here

Getting More Face Time for Your Job Search on Facebook

Getting More Face Time for Your Job Search on Facebook Getting face time with networking contacts and hiring authorities just got easier. Facebook recently announced the launch of Skype-powered video chat and Im predicting that this will be a huge boon to job seekers and hiring managers alike.Facebook claims collective usage of over 700 billion minutes per month and more than 700 million users and this presents a goldmine of opportunity for job seekers. With the new video chat feature, not only will you be able to find people and be found, but you willl be able to have a conversation (aka interview) quickly and easily without ever leaving your desk or your Facebook account.Networking, sourcing, and hiring could be significantly streamlined with this new functionality and Im excited to see where things go from here.  Right now the chat feature will only be available for one on one conversations, but Im hoping that this evolves to group video chat which would make group interviews a snap. Googles recently released  Google+ Hangouts produc t currently  allows up to ten people to video chat at one time, but it would be great to see something similar offered on Facebooks platform