Career

  • Stuff about being a digital nomad that no one tells you

    Something that is particular to being alive in this generation is that we now have the option to become a digital nomad. That means because of digital technology we can travel the world, while still working.

    So we don’t have to sacrifice our career or put our earning potential on hold to see the many marvels this earth has to offer. If you check the internet, you will see loads of people living the digital nomad life. But what is it really like in practice? Read on to find out. (more…)

  • Things you might want to consider before going into freelance work

    Things you might want to consider before going into freelance work

    We’ve all had that dream of telling our boss to take their job and shove it. To letting a rude coworker know what you really think before walking out. And even pouring an entire bowl of marinara sauce over that especially offensive guy at the table in the corner. No? Just me? Even so, we’ve all dreamt of breaking out of the restriction of our jobs from time to time. A lot of people have found one of the best ways to do this without losing out financially is to go into freelancing. Freelance work can be extremely tempting. The flexible hours, the potential lack of travel costs. It can seem like the best of both worlds. While freelancing is the perfect option for some, here are a few things you might want to consider before handing in your notice. (more…)

  • getting a good job with no experience

    Overcoming the job catch 22: getting a good job with no experience

    There’s an annoying catch 22 situation facing people fresh out of school. They want a good job, and they feel that they can do it. But all of the good jobs, it seems, requires previous experience. Prior experience though is pretty hard to come by if you can’t get a good job, to begin with. And round and round the argument goes.

    Many of my friends faced this situation, but when I experienced this problem, I survived. Do you wanna know how? First, of course, I send out tons of applications. But I never heard back OR they told me I had no experience. Duh, I was 15 or so, so I was legally not allowed to work before. But I didn’t give up.

    I decided to do it myself. I did a lot of volunteering, I started my own freelance business and a blog. And my blog was the best business card ever! This is way back, so I was actually one of the first bloggers on the web. It was a tight community, and a lot of businesses found their way to me. It was a great kick start to a (so far) lovely career! I always suggest you start a blog and use it as your portfolio, business card, and to keep you busy. Here’s my super easy 4-step system for starting a blog with zero technical knowledge

    So, how can you bust out of this annoying spiral of doom?

    Embrace The Reality

    Job advertisers want to attract the best people to their advertised positions. And so it’s natural that they will ask for all the relevant qualifications and experience. But are the exact people they want the only people they will take? Think about this for a moment. Say you’re negotiating with somebody on a market stall.

    The merchant will want you to pay the listed price to get the best deal possible. They fancy their chances and know that some people will buy without haggling. But when people start to negotiate, suddenly the asking price drops.

    Companies do this too when it comes to the job market. They’ll aim high and hope to get somebody great. But often they’ll settle for somebody who is middling.

    The trick here is to accept the fact that you’re inexperienced. Make a point of it. But also make a point of the fact that you’re willing to learn. Emphasize that you’re committed, enthusiastic and keen to earn some money.

    All of this might sound far-fetched. But remember, employers often want younger people to work for them. They’re keen to succeed and aren’t bogged down with family requirements.

    Be Honest About Your Skills

    Next time you use a job vacancies search engine, look for the type of work that fits in with your general skills. Are you good at independent research? Are you a skilled writer?  

    Do you find communicating with people easy? Have you got any marketable technical skills, like designing websites? Are you a problem-solving whizz? Do your friends always come to you if they have a particular problem? If so, make a note and look for the relevant work.

    Also, have a look at my Wanderlust and Company remote job board, I post remote jobs for travelers! If you sign up, we match you personally with the best jobs!

    Lately, I’ve been busy matching our wanderlust explorers, so I definitely recommend you signup!

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    Show Employers That You’ve Got People Skills

    Work isn’t just about getting as much stuff done in as short an amount of time as possible. It’s about finding ways to productively work with others. People won’t want to work with you if you are rude or arrogant.

    Research shows that employers prefer hiring socially capable people, even if they lack technical skills. According to the IAAP, 67 percent of hiring managers would hire somebody with excellent soft skills, even if they lack technical know-how. 87 percent of HR departments want people with organizational skills. 59 percent want people with tact and diplomacy. And 48 percent want people with business writing skills.

    Commit To Lifelong Learning

    Most people think that doing a degree in their chosen specialism is enough to land their dream job. But even if they find it, it might still not be enough to get you to where you want to go.

    That’s a problem. People who want to get a great job always have some extra learning going on on the side. They enroll in professional development courses. And they look for training opportunities in areas besides those directly related to work.