Ready to Go Full-Time with Your Side Hustle?
Ready to Go Full-Time with Your Side Hustle?Follow These 7 Vital StepsYour beloved side hustle is just like your baby, born of your wildest dreams and enthusiasm for what you love. Maybe you’ve been working on your plan for three months or three years. Either way, by now you are thinking about how to prepare to quit your job and go full-time, turning your side hustle into your one and only. It’s scary, no doubt. To help alleviate the fear and pressure you are feeling around quitting your job, read through and see if you can tick off these seven things that will help you succeed if you decide to go full-time. Know How Much Money You Need to SurviveYou need to know down to the dollar how much money it will take to pay your bills every month. This includes keeping the lights on, buying groceries, and saving for your future. Can You Cover Your Monthly Expenses for Five Months Straight?Before quitting your day job, your side hustle should be creating enough income to pay your monthly expenses for five consecutive months. This means covering personal expenses as well as the investment capital to keep your side hustle running smoothly. You Have a Six-Month Emergency FundHave a reserve of money in place in case your first few months are rocky. It’s common to have slow times when you are self-employed. An emergency fund goes a long way toward peace of mind. Your Side Gig Still Excites You, Six Months InSide hustles exist off enthusiasm and hard work. They are created in the margins of our lives that we carve out of already full schedules. This means that you need to keep working your day job for at least six months and still be passionate about your side hustle before quitting your job. You do not want to quit your day job only to find that your side hustle isn’t as important to you as it was in the beginning. You Have GoalsWhat is a business without goals? It’s just you, working away your days. Without an endpoint or means of measuring your success, it’s easy to wonder if you are making any headway. Make short-term and long-term goals for your business, as well as a plan to meet them. This will give you something to work towards and a place to focus when you are feeling listless or forlorn. Make a 12-Week PlanYour 12-week plan can coincide with your goals, or it can simply be mapping out your first 12 weeks of being self-employed. It can be tempting to start your days at 10:00 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m., and that’s why having a plan in place to outline how, when, and where you work will make the transition smoother. You Have Human Interaction PlannedAt first, it will seem easy to spend your days concentrating on your passion all alone. However, everyone needs human interaction. This may mean planning family or friend outings, finding a coffee shop where you can work, or renting co-working space. ********* Turning your side hustle into a full-time gig is scary. It is also fantastic, exhilarating, and rewarding when done right. If you can successfully check off all these steps, then take the plunge! You may also like: Use Your Hobby to Advance Your Career https://www.market-connections.net/blog/use-your-hobby-to-advance-your-career About the AuthorMandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes. 
5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Job Hunting
Job Hunting While Still EmployedThe straw has finally broken the camel’s back. You’ve decided that you need to find a new job. Before you jump directly into job hunting mode, take some time to read these five common mistakes that you should avoid while you look for a new job. Doing so may just save you a lot of time and trouble.
You may not be in love with your job anymore, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t take your time while still working to search for a new job or career path. Avoiding these five common mistakes can make your job search much less stressful. SOURCE: https://www.market-connections.net/blog/5-common-mistakes-to-avoid-when-job-hunting You may also like: https://www.market-connections.net/blog/jobseekers-dont-quit-your-job-yet https://www.market-connections.net/blog/quiet-quitting https://www.market-connections.net/blog/how-to-quit-job https://www.market-connections.net/blog/how-to-quit-a-job About the AuthorMandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes. 
Preparing for a Job Interview
A Transformative ExperienceWhether you're embarking on your first career or pursuing a career change, thorough preparation for the interview is essential. In today's competitive job market, a professionally crafted resume is a wise investment that can set you apart from other candidates. A well-written resume and cover letter greatly increase your chances of being called for an interview. Rather than viewing the interview as an intimidating process, consider it as a mutually beneficial discussion to determine if the role aligns with your aspirations and if the company is a good fit for you. Remember, adequate preparation is just as crucial as the interview itself. Initial ImpressionsFrom the moment you make contact with a prospective employer, you are being evaluated as a potential employee. Your professionalism, language proficiency, interview attire, and genuine interest in the position will all contribute to this assessment. Comprehensive PreparationPreparing for the interview can often be more stressful than the actual event. To alleviate this stress and present your best self, it is crucial to leave nothing to chance. Follow these guidelines for comprehensive preparation:
During the InterviewDuring the interview itself, pay attention to the following aspects:
Post-Interview ActionsAfter the interview, follow these steps to leave a lasting impression:
You may also consider:
About the AuthorMandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes. 
How to Answer Interview Questions About Handling Stress
If you haven't experienced numerous interviews, they can be quite anxiety-inducing. Personally, I enjoy attending interviews as I am intrigued by how managers assess and prioritize skills during the selection process. Regardless of whether you aspire to become an air traffic controller or a gardener, it's likely that you will encounter interview inquiries regarding your stress management abilities. This is a significant aspect in almost any professional environment. Gallup's most recent State of the Global Workplace survey reveals: "Worldwide, 44% of employees said they experienced a lot of stress the previous day. This is the second year in a row worker stress reached record levels. Employee stress rose in 2020, likely due to the pandemic. But employee stress has been rising for over a decade." What's concerning is that a significant percentage of those surveyed admit to feeling so overwhelmed that they have thoughts of resorting to aggression towards their colleagues. Understandably, employers are deeply troubled by this state of affairs. During the hiring process, managers might inquire about your ability to handle high workloads and dissatisfied customers. They might even explore the potential impact of your personal life on your behavior. You’ll probably make a more favorable impression if you think about your answers in advance. Try these tips for talking about stress during a job interview. Tips for Your Interview
Tips for Your Work Life
It’s helpful for you and your future employer to recognize the impact of job-related stress. Your interview could be a starting point for maintaining a healthy and supportive work environment. SOURCE: https://www.market-connections.net/blog/how-to-answer-interview-questions-about-handling-stress You May Also Like TOP 50 MOST COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS https://www.market-connections.net/blog/top-50-most-common-interview-questions INTERVIEW BRAG BOOK https://www.market-connections.net/blog/interview-brag-book GET MORE INTERVIEW INVITATIONS https://www.market-connections.net/blog/get-more-interview-invitations STAR METHOD INTERVIEW QUESTIONS https://www.market-connections.net/blog/star-method-interview-questions 5 TIPS TO REDUCE STRESS BEFORE A JOB INTERVIEW https://www.market-connections.net/blog/5-tips-to-reduce-stress-before-a-job-interview DIGITAL INTERVIEWING https://www.market-connections.net/blog/digital-interviewing About the AuthorMandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes. 
How to Create a Company Page on LinkedIn
Tips to Create a LinkedIn Company PageYour company page determines who engages with your content, follows you, and picks your business over the competition. Your page should make it easy for people to understand your business and the type of services you offer. A well-optimized LinkedIn business page provides a lucrative opportunity to build your brand, attract new prospects, grow your business through LinkedIn marketing, become a market leader, and gain other multifarious benefits in the long run. So, create a professional page that attracts users and represents your brand right. Fill in all the information on your profile to improve visibility. Add your company name, description, size, location, website URL, industry, and featured groups to increase your chances of appearing on the SERPs. Let’s review the details on how to create a company page on LinkedIn: Upload a Suitable, Decent Page Picture and Banner A profile picture always makes the first impression as it is the primary thing that people will notice on your company page. As per statistics, a page with a profile picture gets significantly more visitors in contrast to one having no image. So, you can judge how crucial it is to have a good image. Pick your company’s logo and resize it to fit the requirements and make it easy for your target audience to identify you Make sure you add a professional banner also known as Background Photo above the company logo. You can get creative here as there are no concrete rules for it except the sizing and requirements. Write a Gripping “About” Section with KeywordsYou need to leverage this section to tell visitors everything they need to know about your company. You can write a well-optimized paragraph ranging between 1800-2000 characters which must be drafted in a simple, accessible and readable language to highlight your business goals. This section is intended to narrate your company’s story and help the audience realize the worth of your product or service. Additionally, it must answer 6 basic questions namely:
Optimize your description and make sure your target audience easily understands what you do. Mention all your main services or offers in your description. Identify high-ranking keywords within your niche and incorporate them into your strategy. Add at least 3 popular keywords to make your content discoverable. Create CommitmentsCommitments are promises to your employees and the broader community. Attract top talent by showcasing what your organization cares about and what it’s really like to work there. Make sure to include relevant links to resources, public-facing reports, and accurate credentials to demonstrate the authenticity of your commitments. Do not use this space to reiterate your organization’s mission statement and/or promote your organization’s products and services. Here is how LinkedIn describes it: Increasingly in today’s market, job seekers are evaluating potential employers based on their values. They’re interested in knowing where companies stand on issues that are important to them, such as DEI, work-life balance, sustainability, etc. To provide greater insight and connections, LinkedIn is enabling employers to highlight these commitments on their LinkedIn company page to define their talent brand and values. Companies can add a section to their company page called Our Featured Commitments that allows them to showcase values along with more meaningful content, including reports, certifications, articles, blogs, and videos. Members can easily view these commitments and the documentation provided by each company to assess authenticity. These commitments are featured prominently on the About section of a company page. Companies can feature up to 5 commitments on their Company Page, such as:
Follow Relevant PagesFollow organizations to stay engaged with relevant content in your Page feed. Add organizations in your industry and engage. Post Relevant Content RegularlyYour content is the lifeblood of your page. It determines who follows and stays with you. So, share valuable content that’s relevant to your business. The kind that your target audience wants, prefers and engages with mostly. You can also share links to some of your finest work. For example, a viral blog post, if you are a blogger. It is statistically noted that companies posting weekly updates see a 2x engagement boost, therefore it is a must to update your page with fresh content regularly. There are ample ways to achieve this: articles, images, videos, documents, and a lot of stuff.
Create AwarenessApart from the paid LinkedIn ads and other paid advertising ways, some simpler techniques to create awareness is to promote your page on other social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and other popular social media platforms. Also, you can link your new profile to your site. If your website already has a steady flow of traffic, you can get more connections. Grow Your Audience
Build Showcase PagesA Showcase page is an extension of your LinkedIn Company Page and provides a dedicated space to share tailored content and engage with a targeted audience. Every Showcase Page is intended to spotlight specific aspects of your business. Showcase pages allow you to highlight specific brands, products, initiatives, or business units within your organization. By creating and effectively managing Showcase pages, you can enhance your company's visibility, target specific audiences, and showcase your unique offerings. To create a Showcase page, follow these steps:
Create Events on Your LinkedIn Company PagePosting events on a LinkedIn Company Page provides an excellent opportunity to showcase your organization's activities, attract a targeted audience, and foster meaningful engagement. It's a powerful tool for promoting your brand, networking with professionals, and driving participation in your events. Ensure that the events are relevant to your target audience and align with your company's objectives.
Promote Your EventLeverage your Company Page's reach by promoting your events through regular posts. Share engaging content related to the event, such as speaker profiles, relevant articles, or event teasers. Use relevant hashtags and keywords in your event titles and descriptions to improve discoverability. Consider leveraging LinkedIn's event features such as event reminders and RSVP options to enhance engagement, generate interest, and encourage attendance. Engage with AttendeesMonitor the event page for comments or inquiries. Engage with attendees by responding to comments and inquiries promptly and offering helpful information to enhance attendees’ experience, fostering a positive networking atmosphere. You may also be interested in:
About the AuthorMandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes. 
Should You Put a Picture on Your Resume
In today's competitive job market, knowing how to make your resume stand out is essential. However, some job seekers make a questionable choice by including their picture in their resumes. While it may seem like a harmless addition, including a picture in your resume can have unintended consequences that could hinder your chances of securing the job you desire. Let's explore the reasons why it's a bad idea to include a picture in your resume and offer an alternative solution. Unconscious Bias and DiscriminationOne of the main reasons to avoid including a picture in your resume is to eliminate the potential for unconscious bias and discrimination. Human beings naturally form opinions and judgments on appearances, which can lead to unfair evaluations and discrimination based on factors such as race, gender, age, or physical appearance. By omitting your photo, you ensure that the focus remains on your qualifications and skills, promoting fair and equal opportunities for all candidates. Equal OpportunityThe primary purpose of a resume is to showcase your qualifications, experiences, and achievements relevant to the job you're applying for. Including a picture can detract from this objective and introduce unrelated personal biases. Employers should evaluate candidates based on their merit, expertise, and potential to contribute to the organization, rather than making judgments based on appearance. By excluding a photo, you level the playing field and create an equal opportunity for all applicants. Legal Considerations |
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