How to Find a new job

How to Find a new job by Amber Rolfe Looking for a new job? You’ve come to the right place…It doesn’t matter if you’re brand new to jobseeking, you’re looking for a career change, or you’ve been on the hunt for a while â€" finding the right role isn’t always easy. Especially if you don’t know how (or where) to look.We’ve already covered job search dos and don’ts, but here’s our step-by-step guide to finding a new job:  Figure out what you want to doOK, so you’re sure you need a new job but what is it that you actually want to do?Whether you’re looking to progress onto a more senior role, you want to start a graduate scheme, you need to change careers, or you’re just looking for a change of scenery it’ll all inform your job search.And if you’re struggling to figure out what you want? Consider how your skills, interests, and priorities match up with the typical duties you’d find in a certain job taking into account factors like location, working hours, and salary .Once you’re sure of what you want to do, you can create a list of all the potential job titles to incorporate into your search.How to choose a career What job would suit meLook in the right placesThe easiest and most effective way to find a role is by using a job board.Not only will they allow you to upload your CV and start applying for vacancies instantly â€" but some will also have responsive sites and mobile apps available, meaning you can search for jobs wherever you are.Additionally, registering with a recruitment consultancy is another great way to find work especially if you’re looking in a specific sector. This approach will also allow you to get one-to-one advice from a consultant.Or, if you’re keen on working for a particular employer, but they aren’t currently hiring you can reach out to them directly using a speculative cover letter.Networking, local newspapers, and social media can also be great tools for finding the right job.How do recruitment agencies wor k?Write (and/or refresh) your CVEven if you already have a CV, it’s vital to spend some time making sure it’s up-to-date before you start your job search.Because although you’ll still need to tailor it to each role you apply for, having the basics covered (e.g. formatting, layout, and your most recent work history/skills), will make this process much easier.Whether you use a CV template, go for a more creative CV layout, or start from scratch after figuring out how to write a CV you’ll be on the right track to impressing future employers.Just make sure it’s short, succinct, and relevant.Any longer than 2 sides of A4, and you run the risk of rambling (and/or boring the recruiter with your life story).How to write a CVFive ways to refresh your CV Build your online presenceBuilding your own professional brand is a great way to stand out to recruiters.Potential opportunities to sell yourself include writing your own blog, sharing any events or conventions you attend on social media, or connecting with useful contacts in your industry.Not only does this give off a positive impression, it also helps to back up any skills, abilities, and experience you’ve mentioned in your application.And, if you’re looking for work in the creative industries in particular, showcasing examples your work online is often a must-have when it comes to proving your skills.Just make sure you’re not painting yourself in the wrong light; because over sharing can be a potential turn-off to employers.Remember: privacy settings are there for a reason.Social media: How to make your profiles recruiter-safeFive ways social media is costing you the job  Tailor your applicationsOnce you’ve figured out what you want to do and where you’re going to look, it’s time to start applying for roles.Firstly, make sure you’re searching in the most effective way whether it’s through broadening or restricting your search, alternating the job titles you search for, or introducing bool ean strategies.Then, once you’ve found a role you’re interested in make an effort to sell yourself, through carefully tailored applications. This means using the job description to highlight your most relevant skills and experience in your CV and cover letter.Because although sending the same ones every time might save you time, it’s far less likely to impress an employer. It also won’t prove your suitability.Job search: Dos and don’ts How to search for jobs onlineCheck back dailySearching for a job can be a time consuming task.Not only do you have to spend time searching for the right role and submitting a good application, you also have to wait to hear back from recruiters.But instead of putting all your faith into one vacancy or waiting around to get a call back it’s vital to keep your search moving. Especially because new jobs are added every day, and submitting an application quickly is vital if you want to beat the competition.All it takes is a quick check in to job sites, employer websites, and social media pages daily to make sure you’re in the loop.And, if you’re registered to reed.co.uk â€" you can used your saved searches to set up job alert emails, giving you immediate access to the latest jobs.Why haven’t they called? The importance of asking for feedbackFour ways to follow-up after an applicationPrepare for the interviewGreat news: you’ve been invited to interview.But how do you prepare?Aside from figuring out what type of interview you’re attending (whether it’s phone, video, group, or one-on-one), it’s also key to research the company, role, and potential questions you’ll be asked.To find out more about what you should do, here are our top tips on how to prepare for an interviewStill searching for your perfect position? View all available jobs nowFind a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agr ee to the terms and conditions applicable to our service and acknowledge that your personal data will be used in accordance with our privacy policy and you will receive emails and communications about jobs and career related topics. Career Development Getting Started How to start looking for work

What Qualities You Need To Look For In A Professional Resume Writing Service Provider

What Qualities You Need To Look For In A Professional Resume Writing Service ProviderVerandrum Resume Writing Services is a leading company which has made a name for itself with its exceptional product and the guarantee of professionalism. The company is able to handle all kinds of resume writing needs from both personal and professional as well.If you want to develop a user's resume that can bring in a lot of success, then this can be done by getting the services of the company. The best part about this company is that it not only offers professional services but also ensures that you are provided with exceptional customer service. When you contact the company, you will be given details on how you can prepare a resume in a professional manner and how the company can be contacted whenever you need them.If you are going to hire a professional resume writer, you have to ensure that they have a vast experience in this field. It would be great if you are going to hire a professional resu me writer from a company that is more than 20 years old, but if you are on a tight budget, then you can get the same service from a more contemporary company. You should get professional resume writing services from a company that has an established record in this field and one that has received good reviews.You must select a professional resume writer that can give you an assurance of professionalism. It is important to get professional services and this means that they should have at least 3 years of experience in this field. In addition, you have to ensure that they have the necessary certifications. You have to understand that the quality of the work that they do will determine the quality of your project.Before you hire a professional resume writer, you have to ensure that they can provide you with a sample that you can study and make your own judgment based on that. You can then assess the kind of portfolio that they have and the expertise that they bring to the table. You hav e to make sure that the profile is complete and that the credentials and certifications are available for you to inspect.You have to ensure that the professional resume writer that you hire can work on your project from any location where you have in mind. You must be able to contact them whenever you need them and that is why the best way to do this is through their websites. It would be great if the company can offer you a toll-free number and a cell phone number so that you can contact them even when you are on the move.You have to understand that the purpose of a professional resume writer is to make your client's resume as professional as possible. You should be able to look at the sample that they have and judge whether the quality is adequate or not. You have to understand that the quality of the work that they offer you is based on the quality of the material that they use.The professional resume writing services provider has the right tool to ensure that your client's resum e is a perfect presentation and that it is well written and convincing enough to convince the reader. It is vital that you go for the right service provider to ensure the best result for your client.

Be A Good Sport - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Be A Good Sport - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Sportsmanship is not limited to games played on fields, courts, and courses. After all, what is sport? It is simply athletic competition. Absent the athletics, it is merely competition. As a human being, you compete every day, do you not? In your career. In business. At home, subtly, with neighbors. The entire human existence â€" like it or not â€" is about competing. In life there will always be winners and losers. Any time there is competition, there are winners and losers and there is achievement and disappointment. Thus, the practice of sportsmanship is vital to our everyday existence. Now, consider the time when you encountered someone who was not being a good sport, such as celebrating excessively when things were going well or behaving poorly in the midst of a setback. At that time, you had little interest in getting to know the person and you really did not like her (even if only temporarily). However, when you exhibit good sportsmanship, you set a wonderful example that elevates your brand. Others are proud to know you. They cannot help but like you. Moreover, they want to believe that they can trust you. Because of this, there are two general principles as to how sportsmanship plays into your personal brand. Be of the same character in defeat as in victory Principle No. 1: Life is not an endless progression of forward progress. Eventually you will endure a setback. At this time, it is only natural to experience a certain degree of disappointment and frustration. Nevertheless, at these times you must fight to work through this discontentment and not allow it to affect those around you. In these times, endeavor to carry yourself in the same manner as you would if things were going well. Here are four thoughts on doing just that: (1) Minimize The Effect: Put the setback or disappointment in perspective. Just how vital is it compared to your entire life, business, or career? Likely relatively small. (2) Swallow Pride: Remind yourself that the setback does not define you and it does not undo your prior accomplishments and achievements. (3) Move Beyond It: Remind yourself that your failure is not fatal. Rather it is just a temporary set back. (4) Look For The Winning: With every setback, you gained something. You need to take an inventory of what that is and use it to move forward. By working through each of these four thoughts in the face of a setback or disappointment you will find that you hold yourself a little taller and prouder, improving your presence. Remain as humble in victory as in defeat Principle No. 2: Remember that the world respects a modest winner as much as it does someone who loses demonstrating great sportsmanship. Excessive celebrating and gloating does as much damage to how others perceive you as when you display a miserable disposition in the face of a setback. So you are best to carry an air of humility no matter how good things are going. Here are four thoughts to keep your celebration within respectable limits: (1) Have Perspective: Put your achievement in perspective. While it serves to advance you, from an overall perspective it is likely small. (2) Feel Compassion: Whenever you have an achievement, there is someone else on the other end. Reflect on their feelings and have compassion for them. (3) Move Forward: One achievement does not give you ultimate success. As such, quickly resolve that you need to continue the pursuit of your next goal. (4) Look For The Lesson: Every experience offers a lesson, so find it. Then use it to help you earn more accomplishments in the future. By working through each of these four thoughts as you accomplish and achieve, you will not only impress others by your accomplishments, they will appreciate the humble nature with which you achieve them. Author: Frank Agin is the founder and president of AmSpirit Business Connections. In addition, Frank is the author of Foundational Networking: Building Know, Like and Trust To Create A Lifetime of Extraordinary Success and the co-author of LinkedWorking: Generating Success on the World’s Largest Professional Networking Website and The Champion: Finding the Most Valuable Person in Your Network.

How Introverts Can Impress in Interviews

How Introverts Can Impress in Interviews Most people don’t associate introverts with the idea of attention-grabbing impact and unforgettable first impressions. There’s a good reason for that: Whilst introverts are quite capable of being socially ‘noisy’ when comfortable, they tend to react to new situations by carefully processing stimuli mentally, before delivering a response. It is not that introverts are shy (that’s a different thing) but that they are thoughtful. Put this into a job interview situation and it can at first appear troubling. However adept you may be at the tasks for which you’re being assessed, you can’t get past the fact that interviewers will (unconsciously) base much of their decision on the impact you make in the first few moments after meeting them. But it is not as though being an introvert makes you incapable of making an impression. Rather, it means you need to tailor your approach to make the best use of the unique skills and traits that make you the kind of person you are. It also means taking some more general steps to ensure you are as prepared as possible for the particular trials of the job interview process. Heres how: Make sure to take plenty of time before the interview to get yourself into the right physical and mental state to excel. Take the morning off work if you can, to do some extra last minute research and preparation. But also concentrate on staying calm and upbeat. Try doing some yoga or going for some tea and cake before the interview. And make sure that you know exactly where you’re going, and how to get there, so that you are not flustered when you arrive. Think also beyond the job, to the human connection that you need to make. While extroverts connect with groups of people, introverts tend to engage with others one-to-one. That means that when you arrive, greeting a panel of 3 or 4 people may throw you immediately out of your comfort zone. So instead, don’t think of them as a panel. Take time to make eye contact with each person individually as you say hello.  It’s also good to prepare some small talk in advance so that you are not immediately plunged into an awkward silence. You can mention something about your journey, or an element of your surroundings that impresses you. Remember, while you might not always have an answer on hand â€" most introverts take a little while longer to form a response they’re happy with â€" asking a question is a great way to break a silence and show that you are interested and engaged with those around you. Importantly, you want to communicate the fact that you are a thoughtful, considered, engaged individual and that you have a host of proud achievements and skills that you can bring to the job. Once you get past the greeting stage, you may be asked to talk about your accomplishments. This is another chance to wow the panel, but naturally you may be inexperienced at ‘showing off’. The idea of bragging makes you feel uncomfortable. Instead, try framing your achievements in terms of what you learned from the experience of completing them. Put your successes in the context of what you could achieve for this new company. And talk about how you’d like to build on these accomplishments in the future. This infographic by  CashNetUSA provides a full rundown on how an introvert can make a great first impression at a job interview, and sustain that good start throughout the whole process. Run through it point-by-point, using that  attention to detail for which introverts are justly famed, and you’ll be ready to wow your next interview panel in your own unique way.

How to Make a Job Resume That Will Make Sure You Get Hired

How to Make a Job Resume That Will Make Sure You Get HiredA job resume is like the sign that reads 'work'. If you are a working person, you should never put your hand on it. Hence, if you want to make a job resume that will make sure that you get hired, then read on!First of all, find out what the correct format is for your company. You can look up the standard formats of company and job resumes on the internet. There are also many sites where you can print out your resume and use them for reference. These can be very useful.Next thing to do is to get all your personal information correct on your job resume. Most of the information in your resume should be personal information. Do not put anything that is not related to your company. And even if you have some company information, make sure you erase it once you are done with the resume. This means that you will need to draw attention to certain personal information.It is important to remember that the employer is looking for someone who is able to apply what they teach or the company does. As much as possible, avoid doing any way unnecessary things. Otherwise, it will be taken by the reader as something other than what it really is. However, some people tend to use the paper for their own personal uses. It is your responsibility to note all things that you think will be useful to the employer.How to make a job resume without using any official document? Well, there are many online tools that can help you prepare your resume for easy searching. They can help you revise your job resume into a professional format. The advantage of these tools is that they do not have to cost you a penny. They can easily be downloaded from the internet.If you want to put all your personal details, you can do so. But make sure that you also write your skills on your resume. This will help the employer understand your skill sets and skills.One thing that you should always remember about how to make a job resume is that you should not exaggerate or lie about yourself. This will put you in trouble if you are asked for an interview. Plus, a failure to give accurate information will also hurt your chances of getting hired. So keep this in mind.It is important to remember that how to make a job resume is all about what the employer wants. Even if you have to do the job yourself, it will help you impress the employer if you know how to write a good resume. In fact, it will be a great experience for you too.

10 ways Capgemini graduates make an impact at work

10 ways Capgemini graduates make an impact at work A lot of people seem to think modern graduates are lazy ‘snowflakes’ (and we hate using that phrase). There’s a dangerous misconception that young people entering the workforce like to to sit back and take it easy but this is far from the case, particularly at Capgemini. Over at Capgemini, graduates are given real responsibility from the off and are constantly proving what incredible work they’re capable of and the hard efforts of these graduates hasn’t gone unnoticed. In fact, over here at Debut we’re constantly astounded by the incredible impact these individuals are having on the business and thought “Hey, wouldn’t it be cool to talk to some of these super-humans?!” So that’s what we did. We reached out to Sagar Mohan, Leon Hassan, Hayley Creighton, Aidan Radcliffe, Ethan Preece, Aqeel Amin, Aroosa Khan, Kiren Bhardwa, James Parsons, Nikol Nacheva and Aidan Freeman (phew!) for the low down on their experiences. There’s more than one ‘i’ in Capgemini Capgemini’s core values prove just how different the company is in comparison to other firms. Capgemini believes in its people, allowing them to excel and make an impact as an individual within the global Capgemini family. And that, we are told, is what makes it so rewarding: because when you’re at Capgemini, Capgemini believes in you. So, let’s get down to it and check out ten ways Capgemini graduates have made an impact: Say it with code Leon is a testament to how you can shine at Capgemini if you want to. He was thrown into the deep end from day one acting as the sole developer on a major project, supporting it through two very crucial stages, and was the go-to person for the client. Leon has gathered tremendous praise for his work at Capgemini (he’s kind of a big deal) and has also helped internally, building software that allows the automated migration of client SAP systems. The student becomes the master As the great Big Sean once said, we all become teachers eventually, as these Capgemini graduates became mentors to others starting off at the company. Hayley “attended the national Stonewall Workplace Conference on behalf of OUTfront and attended workshops on trans equality and mentoring,” and is now looking at the possibility of setting up reverse mentoring within Capgemini. Similarly Aidan is “part of a mentoring scheme involving children between the ages of 14 and 16 in schools across Northamptonshire” to provide them “with knowledge about possible routes for the future.” Making a worldwide impact Working at such an international and vast organisation enables some lucky graduates to travel on projects around Europe. Both Ethan and Sagar have been on the same international project, traversing the landscapes of Spain and Germany to build relationships with clients and in turn become valued and trusted members of the global Capgemini team. Charitable causes at the heart Graduates at Capgemini take charity very seriously. Aqeel remembers when he and other grads took on the Tough Mudder challenge and “faced thick mud and a gauntlet of obstacles” in order to “raise funds which will contribute towards building a well in Africa.” Similarly within her first month at Capgemini, Aroosa found “three opportunities to give back”; she gave “prospective graduates insight into the recruitment process, organised a successful winter charity bake sale and volunteered for the Ada Lovelace Day, an international celebration of the achievements of women in STEM.” … Sometimes charity starts at home The Capgemini graduate community also believe in giving back to the company. Kiren “took part in an Assessment Centre to improve the recruitment process for Capgemini”, while James “had the pleasure of managing the Brunel Campus Champions team â€" a giving back initiative comprised of a team of graduates working together to establish and continuously build a relationship between Capgemini and a 2017/18 platinum university for Capgemini.” Promoting the Capgemini brand Being a part of such a large organisation gives graduates a platform to express their creativity and promote the brand in various ways. Ethan helped promote Capgemini at his old University during a Careers Fair where he could “answer questions from curious students and let them know what life is like working at Capgemini.” Nikol, on the other hand joined the Ambassadors Network and again was able to provide “guidance to Masters students at LSE as to what to expect from joining a consultancy firm such as Capgemini.” Making themselves heard But graduates don’t just get to promote the Capgemini brand, they also have an individual voice (and at Capgemini they’re really allowed to shout). Nikol actually sat on a leadership panel at Tomorrow’s Tech Leaders Today fair, allowing her to give guidance and share her experiences as a woman in the IT industry with hungry young professionals. Bringing out the best in the team As you may have gathered so far, graduates are far from lazy in fact they want to help the different teams and practices they are a part of as much as possible. Sagar only recently “participated in constructing an internal newsletter for the SAP practice” and also took part in a 24-hour hackathon (look up the hashtag #CapgeminiCodeJam2018 on Twitter) Similarly Aidan helped out his Capgemini business unit by developing a “Slack-bot which innovates the way the Business Transformation Unit contributes and collaborates their ideas which bring value to their business unit.” They were once in your shoes These graduates know what it’s like for newbies and how daunting of an experience it can be to start. This is why Capgemini graduates make an effort to help ease the process; Kiren “co-created an onboarding document for cloud infrastructure graduates, which will be used as a useful guide to Capgemini for new grads.” Nikol also teamed up with us here at Debut to help a student who aspired to work for Capgemini. Nikol had “an extensive WhatsApp chat” with her and was able to share insights, adding value to Capgemini outside of her usual projects. Making a valuable start Capgemini graduates are tremendously fortunate. Once you’re a part of the company you’re given a world of opportunities to make an impact and to make yourself heard. Every journey starts with a single step, and one of the strongest first steps you can take is by beginning your career at Capgemini. Download Debut  and  connect with us on  Facebook,  Twitter  and  LinkedIn  for more careers insights.

Tom Brady shows college grads what a résumé should look like

Tom Brady shows college grads what a résumé should look like Tom Brady Resume Tips NFL quarterback Tom Brady recently posted his résumé on Facebook saying, “Found my old résumé! Really thought I was going to need this after the fifth round.” Brady was drafted in the sixth round in 2000 and famously has gone on to become a star. That doesn’t often happen to players drafted that low, so he may have had good reason to think he really needed that résumé 14 years ago. While ESPN and the Huffington Post labeled Tom Brady’s college résumé with words like “fluff,” “bloated,” and “clear padding,” I disagree. His résumé simply describes his work in a professional way, which is what résumés are supposed to do. I think Brady had a great college résumé for a variety of reasons. I wish more college students and soon-to-be-graduates would embrace some of the key attributes of his college work history: 1. Internships show initiative and a strong work ethic. The top reasons college students don’t have summer jobs or internships are: They didn’t search early enough to nab a summer opportunity They over-thought the kind of job they wanted Their child-care position paid a whole lot more than a meaningful set of experiences. College and university career placement centers are a great source for students to locate internships, yet my estimate is that only about 10 percent of students take advantage of their resources. Employers often go to placement centers to look for great college candidates for their open positions. Internships can start any time of the college year; they aren’t limited to summer breaks. Plus, many of those internships come with college credits â€" a huge cost savings! Brady had internships every summer, from 1996 through 1999. He even had two in 1998 and 1999 (Merrill Lynch, where he was an assistant to a senior sales broker, and sales and clubhouse management at two different golf courses). 2. The bigger, the better. Aim for virtually ANY job at the largest company in your area: In the mailroom, filing documents, assisting anybody who needs it â€" whatever! Large brand name companies give you more credibility than an unknown company. Why? It’s clear that they screened you and you passed their hiring processes, even as an intern. Plus, larger companies teach a college student great practices and expose you to office dynamics that don’t exist in smaller companies. Most importantly, you will work with a larger, more diverse collection of employees. Fortunately, Brady was able to add Merrill Lynch to his résumé. Sure, golf course sales and construction work helped him gain some good experience, but the Merrill Lynch internship gave him great credibility. 3. The national employment rates have dipped, but the youth job market still remains bleak. There is no doubt that students who find good summer experiences will increase their odds of landing a full-time position once they graduate from college. Ideally, college students should look for work in their field of interest. Even if you are not sure what you want to do professionally, at least pick something that you are passionate about. Why? You are most likely to do perform better at something that you enjoy. For example, my son played sports so he worked in his university’s sports organization and helped start a new team on campus. If you are more of a numbers person, then aim for a good finance position in a bank, for example. Or, if you have interests in sales and/or marketing, seek out positions in those functions. Your local Business Journal’s Book of Lists is a great source of companies and executives to reach out to. Research them via LinkedIn and make contact. Tom Brady is great inspiration and role model for anyone who wants to succeed, in any industry, any market, or â€" yes, I’ll say it â€" any arena. OK, you college students, start thinking NOW about your plan to find a meaningful summer internship or job! Each one of you canshould get one!

5 Ways to Trust Yourself - When I Grow Up

5 Ways to Trust Yourself - When I Grow Up This is the very last post on The Declaration of Yous Blog Lovin Tour   canyastandit?! Because this weeks topic is Trust, I want to rerun a post that I wrote 4(!) years ago, but is still entirely relevant today. In fact, a bunch of it made it into the Trust chapter of the book. I really hope it helps you in the here now. I don’t trust myself. OK, that’s not entirely true. I trust that I’m driven. I trust that I’m smart. I trust that I’m personable. I trust that I’m loved. I trust that I’m liked. But there are things that I don’t trust. I’ve conditioned myself to not trust them. Don’t trust that great audition! You probably won’t get a callback. Don’t trust the kick-ass callback! You probably won’t get the part. Don’t trust! It’s too scary. Trust disappointment, instead. I don’t trust that “it” will happen because I will it to. I don’t trust The Secret. I don’t trust that everything will work out. I don’t trust that I know the things I should (I hate that word!) know. I don’t trust anything beyond my control. And therefore….I don’t trust myself. But what I realized, sitting figuratively starting fires with Danielle LaPorte   20 other kick-ass women last month, is that I know everything I need to in order to continue on my journey. No, I don’t have a crystal ball, but at 31 years 10 months old (exactly, as I write this), I’ve succeeded, I’ve failed, I’ve loved, I’ve hurt, I’ve lost I’ve gained. I could go into details but really…that’s the gist. What I see now in my crystal ball (maybe I do have one!) is this community I’ve built. MichelleLand consists of not only the people I know love, but people I trust, some whom I see daily some whom I’ve never met. I realize I know everything I need to know, and if I don’t know it, I know someone who does, or someone who can find me someone who does. So y’know what I did when I left that Fire Starter session? I taped this vlog, then I went home unsubscribed from every newsletter by any person that didn’t live in MichelleLand. I signed up for a trillion of them when I launched When I Grow Up, coming to the conclusion that These People (y’know, the ones who Know Things) will tell me everything I should know. And it made me cluttered slightly crazy. It sucked my time my brain my energy. I was done listening to what I should know. I vowed to move forward trusting what I do know, asking for help with what I didn’t. And that’s made me see that everything that unfolds from this point on comes from trusting in MichelleLand. I can believe in the people that make up MichelleLand, and that makes me believe that I’m worthy of this trust, too. Here are some ways to start trusting yourself: Think of who lives in YourNameHereLand. Danielle calls it members of your tribe â€" people that see the world the same as you do, even though they probably have different personality traits or different skills sets. Who do you want in Your Tribe? Make a list of the 50 people that get a seat on the bus going to YourNameHereLand, why. You’ll soon see who’s part of your community, the traits that new people need to get a seat on the next ride. Make a list of all the things you’re telling yourself you should know about Your Project or Your Goal. If you can’t replace the word “should” with “want” or “need”, cross it off the list. That’s coming from an outsider they’re not the boss of you. Then, next to each item that remains, write the reason behind why you think you “should” or “want” or “need to” know that. If it’s anything close to, “Because I need to or else I’ll fail!”, cross it off the list. That’s just you thinking you need to know something, it’s baloney.   If the reason is something else (ie “I want to know how to knit because I’d love to make something homemade special for my baby niece”), then write down all the people who can help you learn. Then, ask for help. If that’s scary, offer to barter: a knitting lesson from your colleague in exchange for a make-up lesson from you. How is that not a win-win? Make it fun, so it’s fail-proof. I’m working on a super top secret project that stemmed from the need, the want, the desire to collaborate with 3 other women who I admire to death (note from present Michelle: it was Spring!). We formed an idea that has the potential to take the interwebs by storm. But if it doesn’t? If my Mom’s the only one that jumps on our bus? OK, I won’t lie say we won’t be disappointed, but I know it’s going to be a huge learning experience, a huge amount of fun, no matter the outcome. It’s been fun fleshing this out. It’s been fun putting it together. It’s been fun getting to know an incredible group of smart, ambitious, creative, funny women. There is no “failing” with this project. It’s just not possible. It’s too much fun. Envision yourself living the dream. I know it’s hippy-dippy of me, but I don’t care. I allow myself to see myself in Complete Success Land. I know what I eat, and how I feel, and how I look, where I go, who I see. Do that for yourself. Often. If that doesn’t cut it, make a vision board of it put it someplace you see at least twice a day. Let yourself look at it. Daydream. Decide you don’t believe in jinxes or bad luck. There’s no such thing. It was never invented. Me? I’m a waiting-for-the-other-shoe-to-drop girl. Something good just happened? Dont’ trust it! Something bad is right around the corner. And y’know what? I look for the Bad Thing, I always find it. Always. What happens when you stop looking? I know it’s tough. I know it’s scary. I know it’s weird, even. But I do know that, as artists who feel that Disappointment Vampire looming, learning to trust yourself is a key to your success. A key to your happiness. Don’t you want to give yourself that key? Click here  to get deets on joining us for the last week of our Blog Lovin’ Tour + the link to the Trust video Jess I made with bonus content. You can also click here  to get info on the first Declaration of You Day on Saturday (it’s free!). Also also, as always, leave your comments below! Do you think Trust is easier said than done? Are you optimistic or pessimistic about it? I’d love to hear from ya!