Although most of the world see a new year as a time to make massive changes in their lives, it’s the daily choices that lead to lasting change. That’s why New Year’s Resolutions are so ineffectual. This year, you can start and finish strong by making better choices each day. Here are some tips for making sure this is your best year ever.
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1. Break It Down—whether you want to save for a dream home, start a business or get healthier, you need to recognize it’s going to take time. Our desire for instant gratification can lead us to give up before we even really get started pursuing our goals. Chose the one big thing you want to have by the end of the year and then break down the steps you’ll need to take to make it happen. Then break them down even further. Come up with small tasks that you can complete daily in only 10-30 minutes. That will not only help you see the goal as a journey (so you don’t give up too soon), but it also makes the goal easier to tackle.

 

1. Track Your Time—we’re all busy. But many people use busyness as an excuse for keeping the status quo, even when they say they want to change. One simple way to find “wasted time” in your schedule is to track it. For at least three days, keep track of what you do all day long. You can use an app, spreadsheet, or a simple notepad to keep track. You’ll soon start to notice you spend more time watching TV, playing games, and checking social media than you would have thought. Once you are aware of this wasted time, chose you instead. Use that time to research career programs, enjoy a hobby, or spend more time with family. Whatever your goal is this year, choosing to spend your time working on it each day will make sure you end the year where you want to be.

 

1. Redesign Your Life—Most of us sleepwalk through life more often than we care to admit. If you want to live a happier, more fulfilling life, take stock of what makes you happy. What brings you joy and makes you feel alive? Now, redesign your life to make sure those things are a part of it. Look back at your time-tracking list (from above). What obligations and expectations can you modify or delete entirely, so you live a life full of joy and purpose. Make a conscious decision to choose living life to the fullest every day.

Source: ​https://www.market-connections.net/blog/living-your-best-year-in-2022

Here is a new video to show a Nurse Resume Example.  The video demonstrates a two-page nursing resume sample, a cover letter, and a Reference Letter. If you are a Nurse or have a related position in the healthcare industry, come to https://www.market-connections.net for a medical resume that will help you stand out from the crowd. 

This resume is designed for:
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• Registered Nurses (RN)
• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
• Travel Nurses
• Nurse Practitioner (NP)
• Medical-Surgical Nurse
• Emergency Room Nurse, Operating Room Nurse (OR)
• Home Health Nurses, School Nurses
• Cardiovascular Nurse
• Pediatric Nurse
• Radiology Nurses
• Nurse Manager…

Source: https://www.market-connections.net/blog/Nurse-Resume-Example

​At first glance, LinkedIn.com seems a little more complicated than some other social media networks. But, in reality, it's simple. LinkedIn.com provides a straightforward way for individuals and business owners to hire, market, and sell in an innovative and new way. It's a step up from Facebook in that it's a site for professionals. You will find a different quality of posts on LinkedIn. Overall, the content on LinkedIn has a more professional tone and is a little more conservative than other social media platforms. Once you become more familiar with what LinkedIn is, it is more than likely that you will also see it as an excellent platform to cultivate professional relations and business connections. You may just need to practice and learn how to use LinkedIn.
 
As a newbie, you want to get started using this tool fast, so here is the lowdown on using LinkedIn.com.

At least at first, there is no need to upgrade your account to a paid LinkedIn.com account. The free version provides more than you'll need until you become accustomed to and use all the features the free version has. With a free account, you can:
 

• Create a Professional Profile
• Build a Network of Connections or Contacts
• Join Other People's Networks
• Participate in & Create Groups
• Search for Companies, Jobs & People
• Send Messages & Get Answers
• Make Comments on Posts
• Use Various Applications
• Set Up Personalized Searches

 
The paid or Premium version has all those features, plus you can send emails to people whom you don't know. In addition, you get priority customer service, more search results, and more. Plus, you get access to other users’ full names in their profiles.
 
You can upgrade at any time, so until you are accustomed to the vast features of the free account, there is no reason to get a Premium account from the start. Joining is quick and easy. Go to the Home Page and look for the Sign-Up window to register. Fill this out using your full real name and the email address you use most. Be cautious about using your work email unless you own the business.

The system will guide you through the steps to complete much of your profile. Keep in mind that in most cases, you can go back and edit later, but why not fill it out as accurately as possible now? This will eliminate the need to edit later. You should fill everything out as completely and as honestly as possible in a professional manner.
 
Currently, there are several parts to your profile:
 

• Your Name – This should, of course, be your real name that you use in business. Don't try to be clever and use a fake name. This is your online professional identity, and you must be yourself.
• Your Headline – This will appear under your name, and should describe what you do, not where you work. Think in terms of using keywords and keyword phrases separated by the pipe symbol instead of a sentence or phrase.
• Your Photograph – This should be a photo of your face without a distracting background. People want to see the real you, which includes your eyes, nose, and mouth. This is not the time to put the photo of you downing giant margaritas; this is the time to demonstrate your most professional image.
• The ABOUT section – The “ABOUT” section of your LinkedIn profile is a vital part of your LinkedIn presence. You have 2,000 characters to give readers a brief snapshot of who you are. (LinkedIn is currently rolling out an expanded character count for the About section — all users will have 2,600 characters when it’s fully rolled out.) When looking at the LinkedIn profile on a desktop computer, the first 2-3 sentences of the profile will be visible with a “see more” link. When someone is using the LinkedIn app on a mobile phone or device, only the first six words of your About section will appear. So, the first 2-3 sentences need to instantly entice your prospects to read the rest of your profile.
• Your Work History / Experience – Include every aspect of your work history that relates to your goals with your LinkedIn.com account. For instance, if you used to be a Bookkeeper 20 years ago and you have had a career change since that time, then you may want to keep your audience more focused on the present and not so much on what is not relevant to you anymore. It’s ok to list that experience; however, not with too much detail.
• Extras – You'll notice on LinkedIn.com that within the profile are some extra little spots that you can add information to, such as videos, images, and documents. You can add these later if you're not ready.
• Education – This is self-explanatory. We must use this section to include our education and any certificates or additional professional development that adds value to our profession.

 
There are other important parts in your profile, like the Recommendations or Endorsements sections. But to start, let’s just focus on the above. This is only to get you started.

​Now that you have your profile up, it's time to make some connections. Start with people with whom you've worked at any of the jobs you've listed in your work history, and any fellow students at the schools you've attended.  Connect with them and ask for recommendations right away. Send them personalized requests; don't send them in bulk, as it helps to remind the individual what you did  for them in the former position to get a more targeted recommendation.
 
Next, join a few targeted groups consisting of your target audience. Your target audience is dependent upon your goals for using LinkedIn.com. If you're using it to expand your business, you will need to join groups that consist of potential buyers. If you are using it to network to help you move up in your career, you want to join groups that have potential colleagues. Once you join the groups, participate in the groups to get the full benefit.

​As you get accustomed to using LinkedIn.com, you'll find more ways in which it can expand your reach and increase your connections. Keep going, and it will pay off.

SOURCE: https://www.market-connections.net/blog/LinkedIn-Is

Of course, you’re on LinkedIn, it’s a no brainer, right? LinkedIn is the top professional social media platform, and the first place recruiters look. So, you keep your profile up to date and maintain an active presence, building up connections and being seen.
 
According to Jobvite’s 2021 Job Seeker Nation survey, most workers find out about job openings from friends (45%) and professional connections (31%).  This guide will provide LinkedIn tips for jobseekers and will help you consider different strategies to use LinkedIn as tool for your job search project.

Did you know that LinkedIn can be a great networking tool?  The key is in how you use it.

• Don’t wait until you need a job to build your network. You should constantly be building — and strengthening — your connections with your network. One of the easiest ways to do this is using LinkedIn. Do something to build your network each and every day, whether that’s sending an email to someone you haven’t talked to in a while, or identifying someone new you want to connect with.
• Ask for help. Most people will be happy to help you — but you need to ask!
• Be specific in what you’re asking for. A specific request for assistance (“Does anyone know someone who works in the accounting department at Company X?”) is more likely to be fulfilled than a general request (“I need a new job! Help!”)
• Prepare for networking. Prepare your pitch. Write a professional networking cover letter, if you can.
• Follow up. If a networking contact gives you advice, a lead, or information, follow up on that information — and then also get back to that person to let them know how it went. Remember etiquette rules and don’t forget thank those who have or are helping you.
• “Give to Get.” By helping people who ask you for assistance, your network will be stronger when you need it.

A LinkedIn connection shouldn’t just be a collection of people who you’ve ever met or worked with. When you connect, you should focus on developing a professional relationship that will benefit both of you. This means making quality connections. It’s not a good idea to use the Invitation feature to try to sell anything to anyone.  

You may also consider reviewing the tips under 5 Strategies for Effective Online Networking.  
 
You can import your email contacts, search for people you know who are already on LinkedIn or check out the recommended ‘people you may know’ section and try to build a quality circle of connections.

Be selective in who you invite to connect. Make sure there is already some relationship no matter how slight. It could be someone you met at a conference or a trade show or someone you went to college with. It could even be your neighbor, or even someone you share connections with.
 
Don’t forget to mention the connection in your invitation. If you’ve met in the past, remind them of who you are and how they know you – give them a few clues to jog their memory

Give your LinkedIn relationships time to grow before you ask for favors or referrals. Don’t keep asking for appointments, Zoom calls, etc. If you know a connections’ work, you can endorse them for particular skills. Like and share their posts. If you are at the same conference or meeting, arrange to meet up for a chat.
 
Make sure you contribute to the larger LinkedIn community by writing posts and articles. Join in conversations and participate in groups. Demonstrate your value to your network. 

Be strategic about whether you decide to accept invitations to connect. You don’t have to say yes to everyone. Make sure you check them out first. Take a look at their LinkedIn profile and see if they could be a meaningful connection.
 
If you accept an invitation from someone in a company or industry you’re interested in, send a message as well telling them how pleased you are to connect. Maybe ask them more about their job and start a conversation. But please, do not impose. Let people remember you for good reasons.

A healthy, active LinkedIn network can be a tremendous asset in your career. Take the time to build relationships and watch that effort pay off.​ For similar content, visit LinkedIn Tips for Jobseekers.

If you haven’t read the book (and you should), Carnegie describes techniques that make people want to be with you.

In the end, it's about building GREAT RAPPORT with others. Below are are a few simple techniques to establish rapport with those who cross your path.

One is the simple technique of using somebody’s name. This requires that you remember the name when a person is first introduced to you. But once you know the name, be sure to use it whenever you come in contact with that person. People value their names more than you could possibly imagine. The next time someone says your name when speaking to you, pay attention to how that makes you feel. It is likely to make you feel a connection with that person on a level that you probably took for granted in the past.
 
Another technique that Carnegie describes is to pay attention to other peoples’ likes and wants. If you know somebody that is into elephants, for example, when you come across items related to elephants, make that person aware of it. Carnegie goes into much greater depth about this, but you get the general idea. Take a genuine interest in others and you will find them drawing towards you more and more.
 
The techniques described in the book really are common sense, but they work. There are several other techniques that are described which can really give you those influencing abilities you want to acquire. What’s great about his techniques is they are not difficult to incorporate into your life and yet they have a tremendous impact in how you are looked upon by others. It is almost magical at how well it works.
 
It should be noted that Carnegie wrote the book to help salespeople sell better. The book was actually a byproduct of a course he developed with the same motivation. You do not need to be a salesperson to take advantage of the techniques contained in this book. 

​Becoming confident is a big step in being more influential. When you exude confidence, that will show through to others. They will have no choice but to see you as someone that has a handle on situations.
 
The good news is confidence is not something you are born with. Sure, some people naturally are confident and it is easier for them to be that way. Confidence is something that can be learned. It may take rethinking some of your beliefs but it is possible.
 
The first step towards being confident is to learn as much as you can about the situations you are in. Knowledge is power. If you have the necessary knowledge, you will be in a position to answer questions that arise. This makes you authoritative in the minds of those that are not as well versed. Few can argue with you when you have that authority.
 
Next up is to define what you want to accomplish. Know what the desired end result should be and work back from that. Many people try to wing it and go with the flow, thinking that the results will come to them naturally. While that can work once in a while, usually, it’s more effective when you know what you want right from the start.
 
After you determine what you want to accomplish, you can map out a plan in the form of goals and milestones. By breaking down the process into smaller tasks, it becomes more manageable. This will easily add to your confidence levels because those smaller tasks will be easier to complete. It’s also a great feeling each time one of those milestones are met.
 
Nothing is set in stone and there is room for change when you make up your plan. Part of confidence is knowing when something isn’t working and to have the courage to adjust. By doing this quickly, you will not lose face. In fact, when you make the decision to change you will show that you maintain the confidence needed. No one can be right 100% of the time. The key is to try not to be wishy-washy when altering your path. Be firm on why you are changing and make the decision quickly.
 
Taking the steps to becoming more confident is entirely plausible. Confidence will naturally lead to becoming more influential. It takes commitment and time. But the rewards are simply too great to ignore.

There are several resources that can help you become influential. Use them as a guide to learn and as resources to keep your influence intact.
 
Google.com
Although obvious, you should always start your search using this ubiquitous search engine. One trick that many overlook is to search beyond the first page of the results. You can often find some gems as these webmasters are trying to fight their way to the top of the search engine results. These gems are often resources that are less about selling and more about offering great value.
 
Book: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
This book needs to be singled out as it is essentially the bible on the subject. This belongs in everyone’s library and needs to be read multiple times to reinforce the lessons. It is available as a Kindle book and if you are a member of Kindle Unlimited, you can get a version of it as part of that subscription. There are even several summarized versions of the book for those that don’t want to take the time to read the entire book. The book is really easy to read, though.
 
Udemy.com
Udemy has several courses related to influence, charisma, etc. Some of them may seem expensive but Udemy runs sales on its courses often. You can also search online for “Udemy Coupon Codes” as instructors like to use these to lure learners to their courses.
 
Amazon.com
Amazon has several books on how to influence. What’s great about Amazon is you can usually tell which books are good by reading the reviews and choosing the higher rated ones. Another great way to use Amazon is to scan through the table of contents of the bestselling books in that category and then searching on those topics to see what you can find.
 
YouTube.com
It’s amazing how many people overlook YouTube when they are trying to learn something. YouTube has videos on just about any subject. You will have to do some digging and weed through the videos that disguise themselves as courses but are really just sales pitches for a product. But there are definitely some great videos that can help when learning how to become influential. Another advantage is YouTube is free for most videos. One tip when evaluating videos: read through the comments and stay away from videos that have high thumbs down rankings.

In the professional world, rapport is the invisible bridge that turns a cold interview into a job offer. While many understand rapport as a general "friendly feeling," its true meaning in a career context is the establishment of mutual trust and emotional alignment between a candidate and a hiring manager.

According to Merriam-Webster, rapport is "a friendly, harmonious relationship; especially: a relationship characterized by agreement, mutual understanding, or empathy that makes communication possible or easy."

In the 2026 job market, especially in competitive hubs like Los Angeles, rapport is what makes a recruiter remember you over a dozen other equally qualified candidates. It is the "click" that happens when a hiring manager begins to see you as a colleague rather than an applicant.

We live in a fast-paced corporate environment where first impressions are often made in seconds. Being able to establish rapport quickly gives you a distinct advantage:

• Accelerates Trust: Trust is the primary currency of hiring. Rapport builds it instantly.
• Improves Communication: When rapport is present, stakeholders are more likely to listen to your ideas and overlook minor mistakes.
• Cultural Fit: Most Los Angeles tech and entertainment firms hire for "culture." Rapport is the proof that you belong.

​Knowing the rapport meaning is only the first step. To use it as a tool for career growth, you must master the execution.

​Before a meeting, research your interviewer on LinkedIn. Finding a commonality, perhaps a shared former employer or a mutual professional interest, provides the "common ground" necessary for an instant connection.

​To give the other person a subconscious sense of connection, subtly match their tone of voice, pace of speech, and physical posture. If they are high-energy and fast-talking, increase your tempo. If they are formal and reserved, match that professional gravity.

Ensure your body signals that you are trustworthy and engaged:

• Maintain consistent eye contact.
• Adopt an open posture (no crossed arms).
• Use a genuine smile; in Los Angeles executive circles, authenticity is highly valued and easily spotted.

Rapport gets your foot in the door, but nurturing that connection is what builds a career.

​Don't let the connection die after the interview. Send a personalized thank-you note that references a specific moment of rapport you shared. Use their first name, there is significant psychological power in hearing one's own name, to reinforce the bond.

​Keep the connection strong by focusing on what is in it for them. Share an interesting industry article or offer a resource that helps them reach their goals. By staying helpful, you transition a one-time rapport into a lasting professional relationship.

Mastering rapport is just one piece of the puzzle. If you are struggling to get into the room where rapport happens, your resume might be the barrier.

Book a Free Discovery Call with Mandy Fard to ensure your resume is optimized for 2026 standards, or explore the Interview Coaching Services to master the art of the connection.

Source: https://www.market-connections.net/blog/rapport-meaning