From Teacher to Editor

From Teacher to Editor Success Story > From: Job To: Freelance From Teacher to Editor “I felt stressed and anxious a lot of the time.” * From Teacher to Editor After years in work that didn't fit, Rose Norman's confidence was at rock bottom. Then, a chance comment from a friend planted the seed of a promising new direction. Here's how she built a fulfilling and flexible career at a pace that worked for her. What work were you doing previously? I was a secondary school science teacher. Prior to that I was a research fellow at a prestigious university. What are you doing now? I'm a freelance proofreader and editor. I edit academic journal articles, theses and books, mostly (but not exclusively) for authors who have English as an additional language. How did you feel in your work before you decided to make the change? I felt stressed and anxious a lot of the time. I didn't feel I was up to the job (either research or teaching) despite the qualifications I had behind me. I didn't feel supported by my colleagues; in fact, I felt quite isolated and constantly worried that I'd done something wrong. I was discouraged with the outcomes of both jobs: the research in terms of the data I obtained, and the teaching in terms of the feedback I received from my mentor and other teaching colleagues. Why did you change? I left both teaching and research due to mental health difficulties stemming from a chronic lack of confidence in myself and my abilities. When was the moment you decided to make the change? The moment I decided to leave teaching was after my thirteenth observation (in just over a term). It was quite clear from my first lesson I was not suited to the school I was working in. I had a large amount of naivety about how teaching would be. I struggled massively with classroom management and was also not conveying the subject to the pupils in such a way that they learnt. I had many meetings with various staff members â€" my head of department was also my mentor â€" but I didn't feel supported, only undermined. As this went on and my confidence dropped, teaching and classroom management became harder and harder. I really did want to teach though, so I kept trying. I struggled to implement the feedback and changes suggested to me. I completed the term and returned after Christmas. I had an observation in the first week, period three on a Friday. At the end of that lesson, my mentor looked at me and shook her head slightly. I taught periods three and four; then I went home and didn't return. I was signed off sick with stress.Then I resigned. How did you choose your new career? After finishing teaching I fell pregnant with my first child (who's now nearly eight). This helped me decide that I didn't want to return to teaching. When he was about nine months old I went for a number of interviews for various positions, university and public-sector based, and didn't get anywhere. I also really didn't want to work full-time now I had a child. After a year or so of job hunting and looking after my son, a friend made a chance comment about freelance editing and proofreading. It sounded good but I didn't do anything about it as I couldn't imagine building up a client base, nor indeed even getting my first client. Then a colleague from my PhD days contacted me on Facebook and asked if I'd proofread his paper. He spoke and wrote English as an additional language and was struggling to get journals to accept his research group's papers due to the English. With my scientific background and eye for detail, and being a native English speaker, I seemed an ideal choice to him. The rest, as they say, is history. From that one client I've built up my business and have been working as a freelance editor and proofreader for nearly six years. I work from home, during school / nursery hours (I had my second child, a daughter, in 2015) plus evenings and weekends. It's taken a while to build up business, but now I often point people in the direction of other proofreaders or take on projects a few months in advance. Are you happy with the change? Yes, I'm very happy with the change. Not only does it allow me extensive flexibility with workload and how I conduct the work, but I can also work around children and choose which projects I undertake. I'm not judged. Clients are extremely happy and grateful for my work. I can't imagine going into employment again now. What do you miss and what don't you miss? I don't miss the constant checks on performance, the appraisals, the (perhaps only perceived) judgement by some senior colleagues. I don't miss working for someone and having to justify taking days off if I have a sick child, even if I do make the time up during evenings and weekends. I do miss having other people around for company, to bounce ideas off and to chat with. I don't see many people on a day-to-day basis. I also miss the security of a wage coming in every month, but I think because I've had gaps in income before it doesn't worry me as much as it might. How did you go about making the shift? As I had already resigned from my teaching job and was raising my son, and as the work started gradually with one or two papers, I just assimilated the work into my life as a mum. I was extremely lucky that we had (and still have) my husband's regular wage. It meant I wasn't under any pressure and I've been able to let my business grow organically. I've taken opportunities as they've come but haven't done much chasing. This is partly luck and partly a choice about how I wanted to conduct my business â€" I wanted to concentrate on my children while they were small. What didn't go well? What wrong turns did you take? I think the mistakes I made (and am still making) are similar to those made by other freelancers. I've undercharged, not valuing my services highly enough.I've sometimes underestimatedthe time needed for projects. I've also had a few payment issues, through my own naivety and through feeling bad about chasing invoices (even though I shouldn't). How did you handle your finances to make your shift possible? I was extremely lucky to have a husband with a regular wage. Thisprovidedour main income andmeant I wasn't under pressure to earn. That said, it wasn't / isn't a big wage and we've racked up quite a bit of debt over the past eight or nine years, through overdrafts and credit cards. A key use of the money I earn is paying that off. What was the most difficult thing about changing? The uncertainty in finances has definitely been difficult, plus balancing home and work â€" that's an ongoing difficulty! Other than that, as it was a gradual thing that evolved as my children grew, it didn't feel like a big change. What help did you get? As soon as I started freelancing I joined the Society for Editors and Proofreaders, which is a hive of support and guidance. They run professional development courses and their website is full of useful information, suggested publications and so on. They also have online forums for people to use; the support between editors is amazing. There are also local group meetings â€" we meet monthly, which allows us to chat, to vent, to support each other, and to arrange things like local training courses. I've found the HMRC website and webinars helpful for information on self employment, tax and so on. I've also found the Facebook communities Freelance Heroes, The Freelance Lifestylers, and Doing It For The Kids to be full of knowledgeable and helpful people. What resources would you recommend to others? I would recommend joining a professional society relevant to your area and / or the Federation of Small Businesses. The fees can seem a lot but I think they're worth it. What have you learnt in the process? I've learnt a lot about myself, and that I can have confidence in myself. I've learnt about the numerous people who are pursuing freelance lifestyles across multiple sectors. I've learnt it is possible to run your own business and do a lot of the admin and tax work yourself. And I've learnt that it's also OK to reach out and employ other people to help. The number of virtual assistants and accountants helping people like me is amazing. What would you advise others to do in the same situation? To be mindful of the highs and lows of freelancing, and that the lows don't necessarily mean it's not working out. Use the support available through Facebook groups, local networking groups, relevant societies, and also friends and family. And lastly, don't undersell yourself! To find out more about Rose's services, visit www.readbyrose.co.uk. What lessons could you take from Rose's story to use in your own career change? Let us know in the comments below.

Business Casual 3 Ways to Wear a Pencil Skirt

Business Casual 3 Ways to Wear a Pencil Skirt I am so excited to share with you the fabulous fashion finds from Deepa at Thrifty Trendsetters.   The aim of her site is  to keep us in the  know on the latest fashion trends and  provide us  with the  opportunity to have a celebs style for under $100. Like me, she is a  very busy gal who works full-time  but loves sharing what she is learning in the fashion world in her spare time.   The other day, I was looking at her site and I noticed that she showed her readers three cute ways to wear an adorable Navy Striped Henley shirt.   I asked Deepa if she would be willing to show us a skirt that we could turn into  three cute outfits for work, school or  out on the town.   Here is what she came up with.   Dont you  love it?!!   Buy the looks: Outfit #1 Peep-toe sandals, $12.70 at Urban Original Belt, $4.80 at Forever 21 Earrings, $2.80 at Forever 21 Flutter tank, $19.99 at J. Crew Faux leather jacket, $13.98 at Target Satchel, $14.99 at Newport News Linen pencil skirt, $29 at Shape FX Total: $98.26 Outfit #2 Pumps, $14.70 at Urban Original Necklace, $3.80 at Forever 21 Hobo bag, $16.60 at The Sak Bangles, $4 at Charlotte Russe Linen pencil skirt, $29 at Shape FX Earrings, $2.80 at Forever 21 Banker shirt, $24.99 at Gap Belt, $3.95 at Belt OutletTotal: $99.84 Outfit #3 Linen pencil skirt, $29 at Shape FX Embroidered top, $23.99 at She Glam Open toe sandals, $11.50 at Urban Original Bangles, $4.80 at Forever 21 Earrings, $3.80 at Forever 21 Ring, $5.80 at Forever 21 Clutch, $20 at EndlessTotal: $98.89 Time to head to the mall! Thanks Deepa for keeping us looking good while staying  on a  budget!:) What are your fashion tips for a girl on a budget?

2 Best Part-Time Job Cover Letter Examples - Algrim.co

2 Best Part-Time Job Cover Letter Examples - Algrim.co Do you need a cover letter for a part-time job? If so, what should go inside of your cover letter? Should I print it out and hand it to my future employer or should I attach it as part of my resume? All of these questions are valid concerns and can be troublesome to figure out without our help. Let’s get started on talking about part-time job cover letters. Table Of Contents Do You Need A Cover Letter For A Part-Time Job What Should Go In A Part-Time Job Cover Letter Your Letter Head On The Cover Letter 2 Examples Of Good Part-Time Job Cover Letters Do You Need A Cover Letter For A Part-Time Job The reality is that you don’t need a cover letter for a part-time job. Most won’t require it. If they don’t require it, you won’t need to include it. If the job you’re applying for is asking for a cover letter, they might need it for Human Resources. This means that they need the cover letter to be part of your file. In that circumstance, it’s purely clerical than it is a requirement in order for you to receive employment. The need of a cover letter is dependent on whether or not the application is asking for it or whether your manager is mentioning that you need one. If they mention you need one, write it and include at along with your resume or contact information. What Should Go In A Part-Time Job Cover Letter If you’re getting a part-time job it usually is something that’s going to be a little less career-centric. It could be you working at Trader Joes, Starbucks or some other type of retailer. When a retailer like this reads your cover letter, they aren’t looking for a detailed description of what makes you unique. They’re searching for the reason why you’re wanting the job. Whatever you do, don’t bring up the fact that you need extra money. While is the reason most people get second jobs and additional part-time employment, this would be the worst reason to bring up. Why? Because it lacks enthusiasm for the position. Instead, bring up that you have a connection with the business. For example, if you were to be applying to Starbucks as a Barista, maybe your love for coffee should be part of your cover letter. Make your cover letter stand out by telling a story. Make that story connect you with the business you want to be part of and how that makes you a special candidate for the job you want. As long as your story is engaging and can be told within 3-5 paragraphs, you should be in good shape. Related: How Long Should A Cover Letter Be? Ideal Word Count Revealed Your Letter Head On The Cover Letter Don’t forget to include some basic information as part of your letter head for the cover letter. This should include: Your name Your mailing address Your phone number Your email address The current date And then: The person you’re addressing the letter to The business location The job title Though those last three parts aren’t necessary. If you include your contact information as part of the letterhead, you should be in good shape. 2 Examples Of Good Part-Time Job Cover Letters Here are some examples of great part-time job cover letters. In this instance, we’re going to use a Starbucks Barista position as our desired job. Example one Matt Smith 444-555-8888 123 Ridge Lane, Geneva IL 60619 matt@smith.com May 1st, 2015 Dear Ryan â€" I’m applying for the position of Barista at Starbucks because growing up I found coffee fascinating. As a young child, I asked my mother to buy me a coffee tree because I wanted to see how coffee beans grew. I think my desire to learn more about them was because I saw parents and adults always consuming coffee. When I got older, my love for coffee blossomed into something special. Today, being around coffee would be an absolute gift. And using that to connect with others is what I’m particularly passionate about. I look forward to speaking with you about this position. Sincerely, Matt Example two Matt Smith 444-555-8888 123 Ridge Lane, Geneva IL 60619 matt@smith.com May 1st, 2015 Dear Ryan â€" I would love nothing more than the opportunity to tell you what makes me passionate about coffee. Growing up I was able to drink coffee at a young age. And while this might have stunted my growth (kidding), it made me fall in love with this beverage. I realized at a young age there were many notes to coffee. And many ways this bean was roasted and made. It’s fascinating to me how many countries rely on this export. I would love to be part of the business so I could learn more about the last part of the puzzle, the commerce aspect of it all. Today, being around coffee would be an absolute gift. And using that to connect with others is what I’m particularly passionate about. I look forward to speaking with you about this position. Sincerely, Matt Part-Time Job Resources Learn about the best part-time jobs - 5 Best Part-Time Jobs Plus 14 Other Easy Part-Time Jobs Learn about part-time job cover letters - 2 Best Part-Time Job Cover Letter Examples Learn how to gracefully resign from a part-time job - 5 Easy Steps To Quit A Part-Time Job Learn how many hours in a work week constitutes part-time employment - How Many Hours Per Week Constitutes Part-Time? The Answer Here Learn what the difference between full-time and part-time is - Part Time vs Full Time Explained Do part-time employees get holiday pay? Learn about the laws, rules, and regulations - The Laws On Part Time Employees & Holiday Pay Learn what the best paying part-time summer jobs are - 10 Best Part-Time Summer Jobs By Highest Pay (Salary)

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Meeting Cheat Sheet

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Meeting Cheat Sheet When I think of all the meetings I have sat through in my lifetime, it makes me want to chuck everything and join a crew looking for sunken pirate booty. But then I think about how the crew would probably want to hold a meeting about whose job is was to look for the loot and whose job is was to write the reportand I decide to stay where I am.I always tell people not to ditch meetings even if they believe them to be a complete waste of time because its important to understand the groups dynamics and the role each person plays in the organization.With that in mind, Ive put together a sort of cheat sheet on meeting participants, which most of you will recognize to some degree. If Ive left anything out, please feel free to add your own thoughts:1. The alpha dog. This person sits in the most commanding position, either at the head of the table or in the middle. The alpha dog often spreads out his or her stuff in order to say Im in charge. Watch out for the tendency to pee on the confe rence table leg before beginning.2. The smirker. Contributing little to the discussion, this person tries to affect the Im too cool for this persona, but instead sort of resembles a teen showing off for friends in English Lit class. Lots of raised eyebrows, smirks and a tendency to mutter things like Oh, my Gawd, while sniggering.3. The thumb-sucker. Terribly insecure, this person feels the need to continually pump up personal contributions, i.e. Landing on the moon? Oh, yeah, I know a guy who once did thathe called me from outer space once. The charges were ridiculous, dude!4. The navel-gazer. Every issue brings up a personal story that may or may not have anything to do with the issue being discussed. This person believes that his or her experience is one that should not be missed. Works nights and weekends on a personal biography that will make Bill Clintons look like a comic book.5. The devils advocate. While contrary opinions can generate some valuable payoffs, this person like s to throw a wrench in the works just to watch the process break down. One of the biggest causes of meetings lasting for five hours. The devils advocate sets the alpha dog to yapping and peeing furiously, the smirker to eye-rolling and the thumb-sucker to creating wild tales of personal importance. The navel-gazer begins telling a story about last Christmass stocking stuffers.6. The time traveler. Regardless of what is being discussed, this person seems surprised to be a part of it as if Scotty just beamed them to the wrong planet. A perpetually confused and bewildered demeanor. Always wants to know: Should I be taking notes?7. The real deal. This person sits quietly, doodling on a notepad. During a lull in the conversation, the real deal will come up with something that is profound and sensible and makes everyone else look like nitwits and numbskulls. Often mistaken for a celebrity while on vacation. Destined to one day be wealthy and directing others while hunting for pirate boot y.8. The pacifier. In the midst of all the yapping and smirking and boasting, the pacifier finds the solution for all the chaos and lack of progress: send the issue to committee for discussion.Meeting adjourned.

How to Write a Great Resume Using Resume Writing Software

How to Write a Great Resume Using Resume Writing SoftwareThere are many different factors to consider when it comes to using a resume writing software. When a person is trying to write a resume, they have to be sure that the person who they are sending it to can understand what is on the document.It is important to remember that no resume writing software can help a person to write a great resume if they cannot read it. This is the biggest advantage of using a resume writing software as there are many programs available that provide a person with the opportunity to learn how to format their own resume.There are some software programs that will allow you to access your documents via the Internet and that means that you can work without an Internet connection. In fact, most of the modern applications use the Internet for a large part of the procedure, so you do not have to worry about the file saving. This way, you will be able to utilize the software in any location that you want.The most important thing to remember is that the word resume should never be left out of the resume of any professional person. This is because resumes are one of the best ways for people to check out how an individual can use the resume writing tool. If you do not have a resume to present then you may feel awkward and the resume of any professional person can become difficult.There are some advantages that may be available to a person that use the resume writing software because many of these programs also have functions that will help them organize their documents and they can become the secret weapon for the person. With this, it is possible to create a presentation that would make it easier for the person to get an interview. The resume writing software is also considered to be very useful because they allow a person to look back at previous works.When you are looking for a resume writing software, the first thing that you should do is to find the best one that is available. Once yo u find one, you should choose a program that is compatible with your type of PC. It is very important that you understand that a computer system has a lot of parts, therefore it is necessary to check all the parts of the software before purchasing it.In addition, you should also find out the features that the software provides and find out whether the features are suitable for you or not. Once you find out the features that you can use, you can determine which one you will want to purchase and continue using it.Before you select a software program, you should determine the cost of the program and be certain that it fits your budget. By taking all the factors into consideration, you will be able to make a better decision when it comes to selecting a resume writing software.

The YARD Test Does Your Resume WOW at Face Value

The YARD Test Does Your Resume WOW at Face Value 17 Flares 17 Flares Veronica Park is an author, journalist and world-traveler of many different past and future vocations. Keep an eye out for her first published novel, which will hopefully be announced soon. In the meantime, you can read about her exploits in the Caribbean and find out her opinion on pretty much everything by following her on Twitter (@VeroniKaboom) and checking out her  website. Functionality.  Most people think this is the golden rule of resumes. But guess what, ladies and gentlemen? This may or may not come as a shockâ€"judging by the current state of our government, waka wakaâ€"but we don’t actually  live  in a world where functionality is king. No, we live in a world of skinny mocha lattes. And plastic surgery. And spray tanning. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that, mind you. I watched Jersey Shore, right along with five million other Americans.) The mere existence of these things suggests that most people today do, in fact, judge a book by its cover. And by extension, that means most potential employers will see your resume’s appearance as a reflection of your overall attractiveness. As a job candidate, that is. Here are a few examples of resumes which, while functional, may underwhelm at arm’s length. #1 â€" This resume is textually un-attractive: #2 â€" This resume is CLEARLY balding: #3 â€" This resume is top-heavy, and (dare I say it?) a little bit “chunky”: So. Now that I’ve rather snidely mocked a bunch of peoples’ perfectly functional resumes, I’m going to teach you a very SIMPLE method that has the power to take your resume from ho-hum to ka-pow! I call this  The Yard Test: Step 1:  Print out the current version of your resume. (Don’t have a resume? SHAME ON YOU. Go now and read the entire archives of this site. Then write a resume. Then print it. Then come back here. I’ll wait.) Step 2:  Take your resume and hold it out at arm’s length. (For most people, this will put the resume about a yard away from the face. I imagine that this is the approximate distance between a prospective employer’s eyeballs and the surface of their desk, upon which your resume will soon be resting.) Step 3:  Assess and critique your resume as objectively as you can, PURELY on the grounds of visual attractiveness. TEXT/FONT: Does your choice of text strike a professional, yet elegant chord? (If yes, good job!) Are you mostly using a universally accepted font, such as Times New Roman, Arial, Georgia, or Calibri? (Okay, nice. Nice.) Are you using MORE THAN TWO fonts? (If so, give yourself a light slap on the wrist, and go back and pick two complimentary fonts. Two is the MAXIMUM number of fonts you should use on a resume, and the number of your fonts shall be less than two. Sorry, little Monty Python reference there. Couldn’t be helped.) WHITE SPACE: If you’re unfamiliar with this term, GET familiar. White space is one of the most important factors in graphic design, visual merchandizing, publishing, really… any medium where text has to engage a human being and make them want to do something. (In this case: hire YOU.) Too much white space, and your resume will look sparse and puny, like Example #2. Too little white space, or white space that’s all crammed into one area (like Example #3) and your resume will look chunky, unwieldy and unreadable. And let’s be honest, the people who read these things read a LOT of them. So, let’s not give them any more reasons to want to skim through and ignore the details. Right? HEADER: This might seem silly, but when it comes to a resume your header is WHO YOU ARE. Your name is who you are. Your career persona (a one-sentence logline of what you can offer, which I will discuss in a later post) is who you are. Your address, phone number and e-mail, while important, are NOT who you are. That’s why your name needs to stand out and CLAIM this resume as unique. As YOURS. Example #3 totally misses the mark on this score. Example #2, on the other hand, goes a little bit overboard. Example #1 is close, but I’d like to see the name centered, and delivered in a more exciting font. I’d also like to see a title phrase in there, something along the lines of “Medical Scientist with Extensive Background in Laboratory Studies.” Something that pops out, toward the top, telling the potential employer everything he/she needs to know in a single line. Step 4: Ask 2-3 of your friends to perform The Yard Test on your resume. For the sake of objectivity. Step 5:  Did your resume pass The Yard Test? If not, GO TO THE WEB. Google “resume samples” or “resume examples” and scroll through as many thumbnail-sized images of resumes as you can. Be as shallow and critical as possible. Rate them on a scale of 1-10 based on sheer attractiveness. LEARN from this. Copy what you like. Get rid of what you don’t like. There’s no such thing as plagiarism when it comes to formatting a resume. (Just make sure you don’t plagiarize another person’s skills or experience. Or their name. Especially their name. Actually, I’m pretty sure that’s super illegal.) (Note: for added fun, you can even print a bunch of these out, dress up like Tyra Banks and stand in front of your friends and family like “There are thousands of resume examples on the internet. But I only have five resumes in my hands.” And Dear God, you’re now asking yourself. Can  Veronica  make any more gratuitous pop-culture references in a single post? Yes, probably. Don’t tempt me.) Photo Credit: www.publicdomainpictures.net

Can You Do More To Improve Your Business The Inside Tips To Consider

Can You Do More To Improve Your Business The Inside Tips To Consider When you get the idea for your business, you can feel all consumed about your plans and idea to make the dream a reality. The business can often feel overwhelming at first. But once you get settled the next steps that you need to do is consider the steps to take to see if you can improve your business in some way. I wanted to share with you some of the insider tips you could try. Improve your own knowledge One of the biggest changes you can make when it comes to wanting to drive your business forward is how you are yourself. Your knowledge, your attitude and your drive and passion to succeed. Improving the knowledge you have can only help your o improve as you start to look at different ways to approach your business. You can do it while running a business and things like a triple-accredited mba in business administration could be the ideal step to take. Have a plan for the business progression You can’t do anything without some sort of plan. A plan that will help you steer your business in the right direction. Many entrepreneurs begin their business journey with their business plan, but this shouldn’t be the only time you map out your business directions and look at things differently. Use this time to plan out your next moves and steps. Think about ways that you can handle your business differently and be confident to take on new approaches. Take the time to invest and take the risks When it comes to business growth, the biggest threat and worry is investing to expand and taking risks. Bit sailing along as you are right now is not going to change things or improve things in any way. Sometimes you need to have take and the risks. It might be that you are moving from working at home into a business premises. It could mean ordering more stock or expanding your lines. Think about what you could invest in and take that leap of faith. Looking after your employees If your business has progressed then the chances are you may have people working for you. This is where your responsibility within your business changes as you need to start taking into account others around you. This is so important when it comes to keeping people happy and healthy in your working environment that you create. In turn, having happy employees means that you can make the most of moving your business forward with a dedicated team behind you. Making the most of the customer experience Finally, no business can succeed without customers of some sort. So you really need to think about the customer experience you offer to ensure that these customers come back or recommend you. Customers drive a business forward. Without them you have nothing. Looking after them and ensuring you do what you can within your power is a great way to make sure you provide the level of service you want to. I hope that these tips help you to improve your business.