From Journalist to Writing Coach and Author

From Journalist to Writing Coach and Author Success Story > From: Job To: Solopreneur From Journalist to Writing Coach and Author “It gave me insomnia: the kind where you bolt awake in the middle of the night.” * From Journalist to Writing Coach and Author Nicole Baute loved some aspects of her work, but it used to leave her too stressed to sleep. She took her time making her shift, but now she's swapped the worry for a bespoke career that has all the elements she loves â€"andlets her rest. Here's how she did it. What work were you doing previously? I grew up wanting to be a writer. By 24 I had a Master's degree in journalism and a job as a reporter at the largest newspaper in Canada. What are you doing now? Now I work for myself as a writing coach for entrepreneurs, and I write fiction on the side. Why did you change? There were a lot of things I loved about my job at the paper. I had wonderful colleagues (including a fellow reporter who would become my partner!), and there was a lot of variety in the day-to-day routine. Best of all, I got to go out into the world to talk to strangers. I seemed to have a knack for making 'real people' (i.e. not media-trained execs) feel comfortable telling me their stories, so that sort of became my niche. The problem was, I was incredibly sensitive to the people I interviewed. I felt like they were confiding in me (as if I were a therapist more than a journalist) and every time I turned around and wrote what they told me in the newspaper, I felt like I had betrayed them. Like any good journalist, I worked very hard to ensure everything I wrote was accurate. I never tried to mislead anyone. But journalists are supposed to serve the public, not the source (if you serve the source primarily, you're doing PR). My job was to write the best story I could write, ideally a story in the public interest, and sometimes that meant exposing, embarrassing or hurting people along the way. It didn't happen often, but the possibility was always there. That possibility made me incredibly anxious. It gave me insomnia: the kind where you bolt awake in the middle of the night. I'd end up spending at least a few hours awake every night, worrying about the people I interviewed and the newspapers fanning out across the city. Despite how bad I felt, it was really hard to walk away from a full-time job with benefits at a place I'd dreamed of working at as a teenager. When was the moment you decided to make the change? I wish I could say there was a big defining moment when everything changed. But the truth is, I'm a careful person, and slow to make decisions. I'd say I spent about a year thinking of leaving, and I flip-flopped a lot before deciding to quit. Are you happy with the change? Yes! Sometimes I miss the sense of everyday adventure. But I've had many other adventures instead! How did you go about making the shift? I didn't transition out of my job and directly into what I'm doing now. I spent some time exploring and figuring out what I wanted to do with the rest of my life â€" that was the only way forward for me. I spent some time writing for myself, created and edited a collection of women's writing with a friend, worked for an amazing literary festival in Toronto, and went to Ghana for a six-month stint as a media trainer. After all of that, what I wanted and needed to do with the rest of my life became much more clear. Just under two years ago, I took the leap and started my business helping small business owners tell their stories on their websites, blogs and in books. It draws on everything I loved about being a reporter, but instead of writing about other people, I support people as they write for themselves. All of the fun and none of the crippling anxiety! What didn't go well? What 'wrong turns' did you take? I think the hardest part of making a shift like this is trusting yourself. When I started thinking seriously about leaving the paper, I confided in a few colleagues. At two different points, I was talked out of the decision by people I respected. They definitely meant well! But listening to them instead of myself cost me a few months I could have spent in my new life instead. How did you handle your finances to make your change possible? I did a few things to manage my finances. From the beginning, I was lucky to find one regular client that had a set amount of work for me each month â€" enough to cover my basic expenses, including my rent. Even though the work itself wasn't exactly what I ultimately decided I wanted to do, the stability made it much easier for me to build my business. Beyond that, I took a hiatus from any major personal purchases, and although I did invest in courses and business coaching, I tried to be prudent about my expenses; I even traded my services for a few essentials like professional website design and photos (something I wouldn't do now, but it made a big difference in the beginning). That's the great thing about starting a service-based business: you don't need a lot to get up and running. Resourcefulness goes a long way! What was the most difficult thing about changing? It was hard to consistently maintain the level of confidence and gusto I needed to not only change careers but create myown job. There are ups and downs, but they're worth it. What help did you get? Community is huge. I've been lucky enough to find a few incredible coaches and mentors, and I've also made friends with a lot of people with a rebellious approach to life and work: other writers, freelancers and small business owners. We share ideas, brainstorm and support each other in ways big and small. There's no way I could have done this alone. And, of course, this is the same kind of support I offer my clients. What do you wish you'd done differently? Thinking back to those early days, I wish I could have moved faster, nimbler and more decisively. What would you advise others to do in the same situation? Know yourself and trust your instincts. If a career really doesn't feel right, it isn't. It can be really hard to understand this when the career is so clearly the right choice for the people around you, especially when you respect and even love those people! But, at the risk of making the most obvious statement of all time: everyone is different. You really can't compare. What resources would you recommend to others? Marie Forleo and Danielle LaPorte's work really inspired me during my transition. I did Marie Forleo's B-School and it helped a lot. To find out more about Nicole's services, visit www.nicolebaute.com What lessons could you take from Nicole's story to use in your own career change? Let us know in the comments below.

Looking For Resume Writing Services Fort Worth, Texas?

Looking For Resume Writing Services Fort Worth, Texas?If you are looking for resume writing services Fort Worth, Texas can provide, this article will help you narrow down the possibilities. You might be overwhelmed by all the services and could even have a hard time choosing what to hire. Here is how to look at the available resume writing services for Fort Worth.If you are currently unemployed and looking for work, it is a good idea to make a short list of employers that you want to work for. This is a great way to get a feel for the kind of work that you are interested in doing, as well as who is hiring. It will also give you a better idea of what is out there that you may not be qualified for.When choosing a company to do your resume, make sure that you choose one that specializes in this type of work. Also make sure that they have experience in your particular field. This may be the deciding factor as to whether or not they hire you.After making sure that they are familiar with t he kind of work that you are interested in doing, decide on a company that can show you samples of their work. This will give you an idea of their expertise. You can also look at the samples online to get a better sense of how they look in person.Once you have chosen a company, make sure that you thoroughly check them out online. They should be able to provide samples of their work that you can see and compare to others. The resume should include both the design and layout of the page, as well as how it is to be filled out.Ask for a sample of the type of work that they do. Not only can they answer questions about the style of work that they offer, but they can show you examples of how the resume is filled out. For example, if you want to add a cover letter to your resume, they may be able to provide you with examples of how to format the cover letter.Lastly, you should check out the company's reputation for their services. Many people choose to work with people that they know and tr ust, so you should take the time to research companies before choosing to hire them. This will prevent any surprises down the road when things go wrong.If you need resume writing services Fort Worth, Texas to assist you in preparing your resume, make sure that you do your research. There are many places that claim to be experts in the field, but in reality, are not. You will be much better off with someone who has experience in this field.

Preparing for telephone interviews

Preparing for telephone interviews When we think of interviews there is a pretty typical scenario we conjure up: office, suits, candidates waiting nervously outside the door. Well, unless youre really lucky and manage to find a job without a formal interview (rare but it can happen!) this is probably a scenario youre likely to encounter at some stage in your job search. But your very first interview may be altogether different it may just be on the other end of a phone.  Telephone interviews  are frequently used as a screening tool by graduate recruiters to help select candidates for the next stage of the selection process. Just like any other interview you need to practise and prepare, so dont wait until your phone rings. Find out now what to expect and how to respond. Dont get caught out Some employers will ring out the blue, so make sure youre ready to take the call. Have some (brief) prompt notes and a copy of your CV/application ready to hand. Jot down some examples of key competencies for quick reference. If you are given a specific time, then you can make more effort to manage your environment and minimise distractions. If youre using a landline switch off your mobile and vice versa you dont want to be interrupted by other calls and text messages. Always keep your phone fully charged and find a strong signal. Losing your connection or conversational flow, can affect your confidence and may well frustrate the interviewer. They are time poor, so not likely to be terribly forgiving of avoidable mistakes. If youre expecting the call, try to approach it as you would a face to face discussion. And treat it with the same seriousness. By all means, make your surroundings more comfortable (and its always a good idea to keep a glass of water handy to help with the dreaded dry throat) but lying on your bed, with the TV on (even with the sound off!) is probably not conducive to a good interview performance. During the interview Dont assume that the interviewer has read your CV or application thoroughly some will, but others merely scan the documents prior to the interview. You need to provide comprehensive answers with good, relevant examples just as you would in a face to face interview. On the other hand, dont waffle on. Telephone interviews are quite tightly timed and may only last 15 or 20 minutes. Do your research beforehand (this is not the time to wing it) and try to condense the salient points into concise interview notes. With this preparation under your belt you should feel more confident about providing good, crisp answers. If you focus on evidence and examples you should do well. Its normal to feel nervous and you may be tempted to write out  verbatim  answers, particularly if youre not a native speaker or are worried you might go blank. Try not to do this. If you rehearse and regurgitate answers it will make you sound forced and robotic. Word of warning: the interviewer is likely to hear you tapping away on a keyboard, so you might want to think twice about googling information during the interview. Unless you are a highly proficient, stealth typist using an inaudible touch screen, its probably best to avoid doing this. If you dont hear the question properly or need further clarification ask. You wont get another chance and its much better to take the initiative than meandering round the question. You cant judge the reactions of the interviewer or pick up subtle clues from body language, so if in doubt ask the interviewer if theyre looking for another example or need more evidence. You can simply frame this in terms of, Have I answered that question fully? Would you like me to elaborate? Smile! This may seem an odd suggestion given the interviewer cant actually see you, but smiling (and being animated) will help convey energy and enthusiasm. Questions Some firms will use an external recruitment agency for telephone interviews so you may not be speaking directly to an employee of the firm. They may have a checklist of standard questions, so the process can feel a little impersonal. Depending on the sector, questions may range from the broad and general to the detailed and specific. If youre applying to financial services organisations you may be subject to a more thorough grilling, including technical, competency and motivational questions. Its probably sensible to brush up on your  commercial awareness, just in case. Almost all employers regardless of sector will look for some commerical insight, and many applicants are still failing to deliver the goods. Try to prepare one or two questions to ask at the end of the interview. Ask sensible, intelligent questions (not things that can easily gleaned from the company website or promotional material). This is your opportunity to leave a positive, final impression. If you have a telephone interview coming up and are worried about what to expect or how to handle it, you can  talk it through with a job search adviser or careers consultant. Practice makes perfect, so why not  book an appointment  to help you hone and refine your interview technique.

Preparing for telephone interviews

Preparing for telephone interviews When we think of interviews there is a pretty typical scenario we conjure up: office, suits, candidates waiting nervously outside the door. Well, unless youre really lucky and manage to find a job without a formal interview (rare but it can happen!) this is probably a scenario youre likely to encounter at some stage in your job search. But your very first interview may be altogether different it may just be on the other end of a phone.  Telephone interviews  are frequently used as a screening tool by graduate recruiters to help select candidates for the next stage of the selection process. Just like any other interview you need to practise and prepare, so dont wait until your phone rings. Find out now what to expect and how to respond. Dont get caught out Some employers will ring out the blue, so make sure youre ready to take the call. Have some (brief) prompt notes and a copy of your CV/application ready to hand. Jot down some examples of key competencies for quick reference. If you are given a specific time, then you can make more effort to manage your environment and minimise distractions. If youre using a landline switch off your mobile and vice versa you dont want to be interrupted by other calls and text messages. Always keep your phone fully charged and find a strong signal. Losing your connection or conversational flow, can affect your confidence and may well frustrate the interviewer. They are time poor, so not likely to be terribly forgiving of avoidable mistakes. If youre expecting the call, try to approach it as you would a face to face discussion. And treat it with the same seriousness. By all means, make your surroundings more comfortable (and its always a good idea to keep a glass of water handy to help with the dreaded dry throat) but lying on your bed, with the TV on (even with the sound off!) is probably not conducive to a good interview performance. During the interview Dont assume that the interviewer has read your CV or application thoroughly some will, but others merely scan the documents prior to the interview. You need to provide comprehensive answers with good, relevant examples just as you would in a face to face interview. On the other hand, dont waffle on. Telephone interviews are quite tightly timed and may only last 15 or 20 minutes. Do your research beforehand (this is not the time to wing it) and try to condense the salient points into concise interview notes. With this preparation under your belt you should feel more confident about providing good, crisp answers. If you focus on evidence and examples you should do well. Its normal to feel nervous and you may be tempted to write out  verbatim  answers, particularly if youre not a native speaker or are worried you might go blank. Try not to do this. If you rehearse and regurgitate answers it will make you sound forced and robotic. Word of warning: the interviewer is likely to hear you tapping away on a keyboard, so you might want to think twice about googling information during the interview. Unless you are a highly proficient, stealth typist using an inaudible touch screen, its probably best to avoid doing this. If you dont hear the question properly or need further clarification ask. You wont get another chance and its much better to take the initiative than meandering round the question. You cant judge the reactions of the interviewer or pick up subtle clues from body language, so if in doubt ask the interviewer if theyre looking for another example or need more evidence. You can simply frame this in terms of, Have I answered that question fully? Would you like me to elaborate? Smile! This may seem an odd suggestion given the interviewer cant actually see you, but smiling (and being animated) will help convey energy and enthusiasm. Questions Some firms will use an external recruitment agency for telephone interviews so you may not be speaking directly to an employee of the firm. They may have a checklist of standard questions, so the process can feel a little impersonal. Depending on the sector, questions may range from the broad and general to the detailed and specific. If youre applying to financial services organisations you may be subject to a more thorough grilling, including technical, competency and motivational questions. Its probably sensible to brush up on your  commercial awareness, just in case. Almost all employers regardless of sector will look for some commerical insight, and many applicants are still failing to deliver the goods. Try to prepare one or two questions to ask at the end of the interview. Ask sensible, intelligent questions (not things that can easily gleaned from the company website or promotional material). This is your opportunity to leave a positive, final impression. If you have a telephone interview coming up and are worried about what to expect or how to handle it, you can  talk it through with a job search adviser or careers consultant. Practice makes perfect, so why not  book an appointment  to help you hone and refine your interview technique.

Experience vs Income - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Experience vs Income - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career What is more valuable, the experience you gather from working in a particular position or the compensation for the work you create? Lets first isolate each variable, in order to distinguish there contents. First, you have experience, which combines the communication and technical skills, along with the cognitive and business skills that you gather while experiencing your job. As you gain more and more experience, your resume becomes more distinguishable and expanded. Experience is how you distinguish yourself from the competition, when interviewing and while moving up the corporate hierarchy. I consider noteworthy experience to be success on a major project that has direct business impact on your company. Other experience is more day-to-day work that can be summarized in a few sentences. Since this experience is what differentiates you and markets you to various audiences or employers, it is the major factor in granting you a high salary. Compensation is the capital you acquire from experience and accomplishments. The more experience, success and major projects that you are involved with, the more compensation yo u will obtain. Conclusion: An increase in experience will yield an increase in job compensation. What this means to you: Focus on gaining experience first and let your high salary follow!

Writing a Cover Letter For Resume

Writing a Cover Letter For ResumeIf you are looking to write a cover letter for resume, then this article is going to provide you with some great tips. This information should help you get started on your quest for writing a cover letter that really stands out and gets you a lot of action.First off, make sure you understand the writing you are doing before you start. While it may seem very easy, writing a cover letter for resume is no walk in the park. A lot of people give up easily and do not put forth the time it takes to learn and master the craft. If you make a mistake, it can be devastating.What does it mean to you when you send your resume out? You want it to be something that the person reading it reads. When you are writing a cover letter for resume, it means that you are putting your best foot forward and you want to make a strong first impression. Your resume may not get you the job you are looking for, but if it gets you some attention, you will feel like you did something positive for yourself.A lot of people who are looking to write a cover letter for resume have made some mistakes in their past and they need to start learning some good habits that will help them from here on out. The bottom line is that writing a cover letter for resume is about putting your best foot forward. Your reader wants to know what this person has to offer them.This does not mean that you have to write the resume completely wrong. However, you must make sure that it fits the person you are addressing and you need to make sure that you put in some effort to learn about them before you start. You must find out who they are and what makes them tick.A lot of times, you will find that even though the resume is great, it needs some work done in order to make it even better. When you are just starting out, you must learn the difference between a job that would work and a job that is perfect for you.To start out on your quest to write a cover letter for resume, take some time to learn about the company that you are sending your resume to. You may think you know everything there is to know about this particular company, but you may be surprised. Take the time to learn about the company and this will give you a better idea of what they are looking for.It can also help you make a decision as to which candidates you will be looking at when looking for a job. You do not want to spend too much time researching and wasting your time on jobs that do not sound right to you. There are other ways that you can use to research a candidate and send them a cover letter for resume.

Enhance Your Career with Leadership Coaching - CareerAlley

Enhance Your Career with Leadership Coaching - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. All successful businesses have one thing in common? They have greatleadership. Great leaders not only have the qualities and traits to create value. They are a catalyst to ensuring that all aspectsof abusiness work together.There may be people who are born leaders but many of us are not. If you are looking to take boost your career with a business leadership role, leadership coaching can help you get there. Without good leadership, many business resources lie dormant and the business does not achieve its full potential. A good leader understands the key driversof their business, company, competitors, managers, peers, and subordinates. With leadership coaching, you can learn about new leadership methodologies and theories to maximize their effectiveness. Leaders Need to Regularly Update Their Performance Leaders who continue to improve their own performance often inspire employees to do the same. When leaders develop through professional training, they gain a broader and deeper understanding of the issues facing their organization. These issues may include employee empowerment and accountability. Leadership training may also help boost the confidence and performance of the leader, and help her learn how to create solutions and enhance her decision-making skills. Business Culture Changes Quickly Every year the culture of the employee pool changes. As technology advances at a rapid rate, leaders need to understand the mindset of the younger generations in order to continue to be an effective leader and retain the best employees. During an executive leadership coaching course, managers can network with other professionals, share and learn about innovative practices and gain insight into different leadership styles that have been proven successful. Strategic Planning Leadership development is important because it is crucial for developing the best strategic plans for the businesss next growth stage. It helps current leaders and emerging leaders: Develop strategic thinking that is essential in an era of constant change so the company has focus and flexibility. Focus on the companys core competencies so they can identify the changing needs of and retain their customers. Respond to the changing marketplace. This means finding and using innovations and developing a quick response time when the market changes. Leaders should support the company culture that encourages each employee to find better ways to do their job. How Strategic Thinking Helps In order to make the best strategic plans, the leadership in any company needs strategic thinking. To upgrade their strategic thinking, leaders need to learn: The difference between being in a planning comfort zone, and the thrill of thinking out of the box Alternatives to cost-based planning How to succeed by targeting the right market How assumptions can be tested for relevancy Why simplest option may be the best The Basics of Leadership Development Leadership development is beneficial for executives, managers and supervisors. When each level of leadership is functioning at its best, the whole company benefits. There may be specific issues that require attention or the company may just need ongoing development. Any leadership issue can be addressed through candid discussion so objectivity is maintained and issues are resolved. Participants in leadership coaching sessions may learn: How to reduce personal stress and thereby reduce the stress of the whole department or company How to leverage areas of strength in the company and maximize opportunities How to strengthen areas of weakness How to address areas that need improvement Effective Executive Coaching There is no one-size-fits-all plan for executive leadership coaching. A pre-determined module may not work for everyone, and the point of coaching is to reach the issues each leader has. Effective coaching addresses the individual issues and may take on a life of its own. For example, a coaching module may begin with establishing relationships and expressing expectations and issues. As the participants gain clarity, they can start to set goals. Ideas, innovations and suggestions are all part of finding strategies for achieving those goals. Finally, participants learn how to measure value, to make sure the leadership is on course. Many executives may be so focused on their day-to-day operations and employee assessment that they forget how much their own leadership development can help solve the problems they face. Some good leaders may be born to it, but most need help in learning how to effectively motivate their employees and keep their company on the course for profit. We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. Good luck in your search,Joey Google+ Visit Joeys profile on Pinterest Job Search job title, keywords, company, location jobs by What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Find out how to find the opportunities that help you grow your best career. Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. 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How to Utilise Communication In a New Role - Margaret Buj - Interview Coach

How to Utilise Communication In a New Role Once you get your foot in the door of a new job, the real work begins. The first few weeks are your opportunity to learn as much as you can to set yourself up for long-term success. How does your new team operate? Where does your role fit into the business structure? The faster you are able to answer these questions, the sooner you will become acclimated. Utilise communication and your ability to connect with others to learn as much as you can. Take it upon yourself to understand how your new place of work defines professionalism. Believe it or not, this varies between all organizations and could be the most important thing you debunk in your first days. No matter your field of work, communication is the most important skill that you can possess. Here are some words of the wise to master your ability to communicate: Be An Active Listener The easiest way to improve your communication skills is by becoming a consistent listener. You’ll be surprised how the flow of conversation will improve when you begin listening to understand rather than to respond. This rings especially true for those who are beginning a new position. In simple terms, listening to understand means that you are fully involved in the conversation and not necessarily looking to get a word in; your role is to digest the information. Begin practicing better listening with three easy steps: Put down your devices at the start of any interaction. Distractions, even when unintentional, lead to missed information. Get in the habit of repeating information back to the person before discussing further. This will show that you have been paying attention, and also confirm that you understand the information that was shared. Try to keep your personal take out of it. Not everything requires your feedback. Offer your opinion only when it is asked of you. If you do otherwise, you weren’t really listening to understand, were you? Be Clear No matter the subject or person you are communicating to, your message should always be clear. Confusing the point you are trying to get across with unnecessary information, or too many words, can prevent the recipient from understanding your message or question. When you’re in a new role, being clear and concise will aid in your professional development and help you get up to speed faster. If there is a task that you are unsure of how to complete, ask for help and be clear about what you are struggling with. Asking for help will not shed a negative light on you. In fact, it will likely demonstrate your desire to learn from your coworkers. Additionally, you will be showing a level of respect for their time when you know exactly what you need from them and when. Be Timely It is important that you respond to all messages in an appropriate amount of time. Whether it’s via email, instant message, video conference, or phone call, it is essential that you respond in a timely manner. Start by ensuring that you are able to monitor and manage all communication channels. If your company offers a unified communications platform to unite all of your sources of communication, make sure that all of your eligible channels are synced. You will be able to track when all messages are received simultaneously and determine which require attention first. Be Consistent Take notice of the channel in which you are communicating with your coworkers. This is important. The channels in which your messages are being transferred can drastically affect the style and tone in which your response is delivered. Try to remain consistent in delivering your response through the same channel of communication in which it was presented to you. If you receive an email, respond with an email. The same goes for instant messages, phone calls and so on unless specified otherwise. In addition, be mindful of who you are speaking with. This may alter the tone or verbiage of your response. Be Positive How you send and receive messages can create a reputation. Always try curate a positive tone, even when the circumstances are challenging. This effort will generate a positive reputation among your coworkers and superiors. It may seem cliche, but communication is key and in this case the key to your professional success. Interact with as many people as you can to learn about your new place of work. Not only will you start to feel like part of the team sooner, but your eagerness will translate to dedication and excitement if done right!