Published on: 10 May 2018
Last Updated on: 09 August 2019
In 2016, 34% of Americans were working freelance careers. That percentage is expected to climb to 43% by 2020.
An improved work-life balance is the first benefit that comes to mind when considering a freelancing.
But we also know what no one else is telling you. Read on to find out more.
There’s a Union on Your Side :
Who hasn’t wasted precious working hours searching the web for reputable information before becoming more stressed and confused?
What makes Freelancers Union so great is it’s a one-stop-shop for free resources for beginning and experienced freelancers.
When going freelance, most people are overwhelmed with tax concerns. Don’t know how to read a 1099 form? Need help determining sales and use tax?
All this information is written clearly on the site by experts. You’ll also find guides for choosing dental, vision, life, and health insurance plans.
And even insightful blog posts ranging from productivity hacks to methods for handling tragedy.
Furthermore, a subscription at ThePayStubs gives you access to an innovative pay stub maker.
You can have a pay stub downloaded and printed within two minutes after selecting your preferred template.
Relationship Building isn’t Just About Finding Clients :
Nobody misses unfair office politics or boring meetings once they’ve gone freelance.
However, after working alone for a while, it’s normal to feel lonely.
While most of your friends are likely to work less flexible schedules, it doesn’t mean you have to spend day after day without socializing.
While your old friends are great, wouldn’t it be amazing to have freelancer friends who get you the way your colleagues in your old office did?
Freelancers can enjoy real human interaction (and 68% better focus) by joining coworking spaces.
58% of Those with Freelance Careers Have Gone Without Pay :
Unfortunately, when reading up on how to go freelance, most newcomers won’t come across these insights.
It usually takes getting burned first.
Never begin a project without a signed contract that clearly states payment amounts and due dates.
Ween out nonpaying clients by having a mandatory deposit amount prior to starting each job.
Don’t lowball yourself. New freelancers tend to charge less than the value of their work.
Think about the time, supplies, and whether you’ll hire employees. If you aren’t strategic about the costs to stay in business, it won’t last.
Most people are Googlable. With a simple search, you can learn about a potential client’s character, including how they treat employees and whether they’ve been fair to freelancers.
Don’t make it difficult for clients to pay you. Send professional-looking invoices from user-friendly programs like PayPal, Due, or Authorize.
Accounting Tasks Can be Done with Minimal Effort :
Even if you’re running a small business with a few employees, the idea of correctly issuing pay stubs can be a pain.
On the same site, you can generate employee W-2 forms without stumbling over difficult math or spending buckets of money on an accountant.
Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.
The day before your interview, there is that one question that I always ask myself, "what should I wear for tomorrow's interview?"
After being a part of this corporate industry and going for many interviews, I realized there is no hard rule to it. But I must say there are a few rules that you must adhere to.
It would help if You did more than over-dress for a casual environment. Let's say you and your friends have planned to visit the beach-side cafe for your Sunday brunch, and you show up in a tucked-in shirt, formal pants, and a pointed boot. Sounds weird, right?
Similarly, it would be best if you did more than underdress while you are about to be a part of the corporate suit culture.
There is a vast and promising advantage of dressing appropriately- it speaks a lot about you. It shows how you like to pay attention to entails, respect opportunities, and, most importantly, your professionalism.
In this blog, I will help you with tips and tricks about your ideal interview outfit for men and how you can ace your first impression. Read on….
Why Is It Necessary To Dress Appropriately?
When you are going for the interview, the first thing that you must do is to impress your hiring manager. There is only one way which can help you impress the company manager you are going for.
Now, if you fail to meet the proper dress code, they are most likely to believe that you won't be able to meet their daily expectations. So, it is a must to dress appropriately.
The right outfit always helps you to look diligent. It helps to show that you have researched the industry and culture. This can also help you to fit in perfectly.
Interview Attire For Men: Ways To Determine The Dress Code
Now, the main question is: how to determine the dress code. Let's say you are working as a social media manager in a company where casual dress-up is acceptable. However, you are planning to move to a different corporate industry where the company follows a suit dress code.
The best way to determine a company's dress code is to observe, do some research, and understand the dress code as per the industry.
Dress Codes By The Industries
When you are seeking a job, it is also essential to understand the proper dress code to fit in perfectly. For instance, in the finance, law, and corporate environment, it is always necessary to dress up in formal attire for the interview.
You can complete your entire look in a dark suit in grey or navy color, paired with black shoes, a simple plain white shirt, and a simple tie.
Let's say you are looking for a job in the government sector, hospitality and management, or the sales field. In that case, you can go for business attire. An intelligent shirt paired with smart trousers goes perfectly with the field. You can also wear blue, black, or khaki-colored chinos.
If you are trying to add a professional touch, then top it off with a blazer.
Lastly, you can go for a smart casual dress code if you are for an interview in a creative or technical field like an engineering and graphic designing role. You can choose dark-colored tailor jeans, pairing them with a shirt or a polo neck t-shirt.
You can also wear a bright, casual blazer to complete your look. Fitted jackets and jumpers are also acceptable for interviews.
Do Your Research
Even though we got a glimpse of an ideal interview attire for men, it would still be best if you did some research beforehand. You can always ensure to conduct some research about the company or industry and their dress code expectations.
This will help you impress the hiring manager and make you look like you can fit in perfectly. Additionally, you can always ask the hiring manager to clarify if there are any expectations.
Make Your Impression With The Best Pair Of Garments
If you can successfully choose the interview outfit, you can easily make an impression on the hiring manager.
Here's a list of the best garments that you can consider wearing during an interview.
Consider Wearing A Suit.
Suits have always been a staple interview attire for men. Dark colors like grey and navy can be the perfect choice for your interview. You must pay more attention to your outfit because it speaks a lot about how you pay attention to the details.
A Smart Shirt Can Be A Great Alternative!
I have always believed that shirts are the best option for interview. If you wear a suit for a business look, you must include a well-fitted white shirt underneath your suit.
You can also wear a shirt with double cuffs to add a pair of decent cufflinks. These cufflinks will help you to add a bit of accent to your attire.
Now, if the dress code is a bit casual, then consider wearing pale-colored shirts like blue or pink. You can also wear shirts that have simple stripes and check patterns in them.
I personally suggest you go for Oxford shirts. These shirts are always a great choice and never go out of style.
Finish It Off With A Tie.
Some people believe that ties are going out of style, but they are still valued in a formal business setting. If you see that the dress code says business smart or business formal, that means you can wear a tie.
It would be great if you chose conservative designs. You can go for solid-colored ties, small patterns, and traditional stripes. Please try to avoid novelty ties since they are not appropriate for corporate settings.
Chinos Can Be Business Attire, Too!
When we talk about interview attire for men in the business industry, chinos perfectly fit between jeans and formal trousers.
There are various tempting colored chinos, but I would suggest you choose tan, navy, and stone colors that go with everything.
Top It Off With A Blazer.
If we are saying that chinos are perfect trousers, then blazers can be their ideal match. The navy color goes with anything. You can pair light-colored chinos with a dark-colored blazer and dark-colored chinos with a light-colored blazer.
A dark blazer can be an ideal formal outfit. Additionally, when choosing a blazer, always make sure that you are choosing the right kind that fits you.
A blazer must hug your body correctly without making you feel stuck. Try to go for one size up because you can constantly tailor them to your needs.
Smart And Shiny Shoes
Shows speak a lot about a person. It is also an ideal component to impress someone. You must invest in a well-made pair that can last for a lifetime.
You can go for a pair of black leather shoes For the formal interviews. I would suggest you go to the Oxfords. Similarly, you can also choose leather, suedes, and loafers to pair with your interview attire.
Always try to keep your shows in good condition. This would help you wear the pair for a long time.
Choose A Decent-looking Belt.
Always keep a good black or brown belt in your stock. It is one of the crucial elements to add to the interview attire for men. It helps to complete the entire look.
You can choose a simple-looking belt that matches your shoes. If you feel like your belt is worn out, get yourself a new one.
Don't Forget About The Layers!
Lastly, here are the tips for the colder months. During the fall or winter, you might need to add layers to your interview outfit to keep yourself warm.
So, if you are going for an interview here, a business casual is accepted, and then you can add a jumper to your overall outfit. For formal business interviews, you can consider wearing a dark overcoat.
Attire That You Must Avoid For An Interview
When getting ready for an interview, you must avoid overly casual or ill-fitting clothes. Now, when you are going for an interview, the hiring manager wouldn't want to see you in a Hawaiian collared shirt and loose-fitted jeans, right?
Here are the tips that can follow:
You can avoid wearing casual clothing like athletic wear and jeans.
Ill-fitted clothing, such as clothes that are too big or too small, is a big no-no!
Try to avoid wearing inappropriate shoes like flip-flops or athletic shoes.
You must avoid wearing too much perfume and after-shave lotion.
While red can be a great color, it can also be risky in some cases.
Wearing an unbuttoned shirt is not appropriate for business formal or causal decorum.
Can You Wear Jeans To An Interview?
While jeans are considered a casual fit, they can be appropriate for some of the interviews. If the company follows a casual dress code, then jeans might be suitable for the interview. You can check the company's website to see if the company follows any specific dress code.
However, if you are a recent college graduate, you must avoid wearing jeans for the interview.
I hope the tips and tricks will help you choose the proper attire for your interview. Always remember that you should be your priority. So, choose a dress that makes you feel comfortable and fits you in the corporate world.
Be confident in what you are wearing. Confidence is the ultimate key!
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Nursing is a gratifying profession. It is full of opportunities to serve the patients and make a difference for them. However, it is a vastly complex career that can be challenging to manage and full of stress. A nurse has so many things on their to-do list and so many things to avoid.
The transition from a nursing school to a full-time job can be challenging and overwhelming for some individuals. Hence nurses require excellent critical thinking and coping skills to work under pressure.
Individuals who choose nursing as their profession are generally kind at heart and responsible by nature. But once you are on the job, you'll soon learn the importance of being organized. There won't be any time for you to run back and forth and hunt for supplies or a pen.
Under such a situation, it is easy to get distracted or vexed and forget about your responsibility of holistic care. Hence, being a nurse is not a piece of cake. But don't worry; to keep your head at work, we have you covered. Whether you're a rookie or a grizzled nurse, we have compiled a list of some critical dos and don'ts for a nurse who aspires to succeed. So read on and learn with us:
What a nurse should do:
1. Consider continuous education:
The best practice for any professional is to seek opportunities throughout their career. As you advance in your role as a nurse, you will discover different aspects of nursing that inspire you. So why not use this curiosity to your advantage and pursue higher education, seminars, certifications, etc.?
However, several prestigious universities now offer online programs to fit your busy schedule. Did you know that online rn to MSN pmhnp programs, MSN-FNP programs, MSc, and Ph.D. programs are available? Hence, you can quickly pursue these post-graduation degrees to be competitive in the job market.
2. Listen to the patients:
Listening to someone is an actual art. A good nurse listens to what the patient says, extracts the diagnosis, and defines a definite treatment. They have the skill to read between the lines and make a difference.
A nurse's job is to make appropriate judgments about what they see and hear. So try to follow the holistic approach of care and create a professional assessment of what the patient is trying to explain as it impacts the treatment.
3. Clarify anything they are unsure of:
Poor communication has always led to medical errors and low morale. This, in turn, leads to high stress and lower job satisfaction. Therefore, it is essential to ask questions and clarify your doubts regarding any medication or procedure.
Asking questions helps you gain confidence in what you are doing. It refreshes your memory. But ensure you are clear about the instructions. If the answer doesn't seem right, ask about it again but in a different way.
4. Support the team members:
A successful patient's treatment requires collaboration between the health care professionals and the practitioners. With this, try to be supportive of your fellow nurses.
Be willing to work on undesirable shifts and gain respect. So when you foster a professional relationship with your colleagues, it helps you streamline your workflow, especially during busy days.
What a nurse should avoid:
1. Don't say no to a patient:
It is similar to anybody refusing a customer, saying that is not part of my job. So when it comes to a patient, you are the care provider and a representative of the healthcare team.
A person in pain is not in the state of hearing; you say that you can't help them because your shift is over or another nurse's duty. Be empathetic and listen to them. Be polite and tell them that you are not assigned to care today; however, you will try to find the information or find someone who will help them out.
2. Don't feel ashamed in asking for help:
As a new nurse, everyone tries to do as much as possible on their own. If you begin to drown, don't nurture hope that anyone will see and jump in to save you. Remember, asking for help is not shameful. Everyone has been through this. But keep in mind that there is a right way to ask for help.
Try to be kind and express gratitude when you ask. Communicate in a way that doesn't make the other nurse think you are trying to pass on your job.
3. Don't disparage other professionals or organizations:
Speaking ill of others is never appreciated, whether in a social setup or a professional organization. In reality, the person who does this is likely to be looked at more negatively. So if you have any conflict with anyone, it is better to deal with the matter privately.
4. Don't neglect yourself:
When the career begins, we all are super excited and enthusiastic. And it is easy to live and breathe nursing. Even when you are not at work, it is part of human nature that you are worried about being more organized.
However, strive for a balance and take out some time for yourself. Add some fun and exercise to your daily routine. Practicing self-care is essential to relieve workplace burnout.
A take-home message:
Starting a new profession is always exciting. But without the right nursing degree and license in your hand, you are not ready for the complicated world of the health care system. A nursing school does not teach you everything, while day-to-day experiences and tough times will teach you better than anyone else.
However, by following the stated dos and don'ts, you can look back on how far you have come every month. It won't be long when you are one of those experienced and successful nurses who will help the fresh graduates, remembering how it was for you at that time.
Read Also:
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A career development plan is essential to create specific and measurable goals for your career.
However, creating a career roadmap can take time for a beginner and requires significant work. Even so, by creating one, you can better understand where you want to take your career forward.
In this article, you will learn about career development plans in general and how to create one. Apart from that, this article will also explain the benefits of creating such a plan.
Finally, you will learn how to create such a plan according to the demands of your career outcomes. Hence, to learn more, read on to the end of the article.
Career Development Plan: A General Overview
If you are reading this article, it is evident that you have certain career aspirations. Perhaps you want to rise the corporate ladder, or you are looking for ways to change industries. On the other hand, you might want to work for a business giant.
No matter what your career target is, a career development plan will give you a roadmap on which to focus. Basically, it is a document that consists of a description of your goals and your pathway. For instance, it includes descriptions of how to achieve a particular skill, prepare for a job, reach out to a recruiter on LinkedIn, etc.
How Does A Career Development Plan Work?
Generally, career development plans vary depending on your chosen career and what you need to go forward with. However, there are some things common in every plan. These include summary statements, short-term goals, long-term goals, current skills, developing skills, conceptual skills, resources, etc.
Here is a general outline of a career development plan:
Starting Point Your current point in your career. Destination The point up to which you want to go in your career. Gap Hurdles/Obstacles you must overcome to reach your Career Destination. Route Steps to take if you want to close the gap between your Starting Point and Destination.
Basically, it would help if you had a personalized plan for yourself. This will help you identify specific goals for your career that you can achieve. Then, you need to design and implement the right strategies to achieve your career goals.
Benefits Of Having A Career Development Plan
The following are the major advantages of a career development plan you will benefit from:
A. Getting A Future Roadmap
Once you start creating your plan, you will have your end goals in mind. Hence, you will end up finding out how to achieve your goals. However, you will make random career decisions if you do not have a plan. This will take you further from your career goal.
B. Skill Gap Identification
You must definitely have some strengths that will help you in your career. However, it would help if you had some weaknesses as well. In this case, with the help of a career development plan, you can turn them into opportunities.
Basically, the plan will help you to fill gaps in your career. Thereby, you can become a strong employee for your organization and gain new skills.
For instance, if you are strong in coding, you can start developing your oral communication networking skills. For example, being good at soft skills can help you in interview prep.
C. Motivation
If you are happy with your plan, you can motivate yourself daily to push towards your goals and work harder. On the other hand, if you lack such a plan, you will not have a plan to focus on, and you can easily give up in no time. Here, you must understand that motivation is key no matter what type of goals you have.
Steps To Create A Career Development Plan
When you are about to create a career development plan, you are the one who is in complete control. Hence, you can choose how you want to proceed with the plan. Since you are using the plan per your unique needs, you must decide what you want to include or remove.
The following are the steps you must follow if you want to create your career development plan effectively:
1. Have A Good Idea Of Your Current Situation
Firstly, you must determine where you stand in your career at the current moment. Hence, it would help if you determine answers to these aspects:
Previous experiences (employment and learning)
What do you enjoy?
Your likes and dislikes.
What is your life’s calling or aim?
Do you like to work independently or in a group?
Things that motivate or excite you the most.
In this case, you must consider your current situation or employment position. Then, you must compare it with your past experiences, education, strengths, skills, desires, and values. As a result, this will serve as the basis of your future career potential.
2. What Are Your Goals?
The next step to consider when you are creating your career development plan is what your career goal is. Basically, it is what you want to accomplish with the plan. This will give you a sense of purpose and direction.
Additionally, when you break down your goals into smaller objectives, it will be easier for you to accomplish them. Moreover, ensure your goals follow the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely) framework.
Furthermore, it would help if you also break down your goals into long-term and short-term goals. Here, long-term goals are the ones that you will achieve in the next five to ten years. On the other hand, short-term goals are the ones that you can achieve in one or two years or a few months.
3. Determine Your Current Skills
You know what skills you have or what you are good at. Hence, once you determine your current skills, you can find out what skills you lack but are important if you want to achieve your goals.
How do you find out which skills to develop? - Read job postings that you want to achieve and those that are dependent on your current position. Here, you can find out the skills that those job positions need. This way, you can develop your skills and prepare for those positions.
For example, say you are a marketing manager and good at search engine optimization. However, you know that you have to be strong in content marketing. Hence, you can look for skills a content marketer needs to develop. Thereby, you can learn those skills accordingly to make a career leap.
4. Gather Your Resources
You can take advantage of many resources if you want to achieve your career goals. Understand that you do not need to meet your career goals alone.
For instance, you can start by determining whether your current employer offers a career development program. Moreover, you can explore various opportunities to meet mentors from your field. For instance, many companies/organizations offer mentorship programs for their employees.
Apart from that, you can also consider participating in career development classes or workshops. In such cases, you must not be afraid to ask questions since you learn from other experts.
5. Start Working
No matter how many plans you make, you must be willing to put in the work to make progress toward your goals. On the other hand, consider involving your supervisors and managers in checking in with them daily. Here, you can ask them to share their perspectives as well.
Hence, as you start working towards your goals, seek guidance. Moreover, do not shy away from trying something new along the way.
6. Track Your Progress
Working on your career goals and focusing on professional development are difficult. Hence, you need to keep track of your milestones. Once you keep track of your milestones, you can achieve them one by one.
Furthermore, celebrate once you achieve a milestone. This will motivate you from time to time and keep you going. You do not need to go too hard on yourself. Understand that you can develop your career and have fun simultaneously.
7. Revisit Your Plan
Refrain from expecting your plan to be foolproof. Hence, you must make your plan flexible enough to adapt to new situations. For instance, as your circumstances change, your goals might evolve. Hence, in such situations, you must modify your career plan. Additionally, review your plan every four months and revise it as needed.
Creating Your Plan: The Way Forward
When you create your career development plan, it will be unique to you. However, no one can deny that some career goals are difficult to meet. Hence, you must stay disciplined and persistent no matter how good your plan is.
The best way to achieve such goals is to break down the goals into smaller objectives. Once you accomplish each objective, try to reward yourself. This will keep you excited in the long run.
Do you have more suggestions on creating a plan for a successful career? Please share your ideas and opinions in the comments section below.
Read Also:
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