Maximising your Personal Websites

Now in this blog, I do not want to talk about which platform to host your website on as many have already explained this exceedingly well and the links are below. Now the first step is to define both your message and your market. What are you hoping to achieve with your site? How do you want your site to be perceived and what do you have to stand out from your peers how does this then link to your aims. Before you start though to think about what is already being done look for inspiration from other people but make yourself unique. If you are doing something aimed at media, or politics think about what you are interested in these sectors and focus on this. If you decide you want to champion a cause look at it from a different angle do your own research and look at going further then other sites. Remember the medium how the site looks are just as important as the message if it does not look professional people will not take it and you seriously. Think about the initial content that you want to display link your social media content to your website and ensure that the content is readable on various platforms. Diversify what you are producing include images you have taken try live videos and extra content to add something new to your site. Highlight what your best achievements are and make these immediately usable and reachable by the people browsing your site. Make sure people know who you are and what your page intends to do this is a showcase of your aims, content, ideas, as well as your professional vision such as products. Leave an area for people to engage with you a comment section, newsletter function so they engage with you more directly and be responsive. Make sure that people who like what you do can leave a positive message for other individuals to see testimonials are a great way of highlighting this. Between promotions on YouTube, boards, pop-ups, and recommended pages, a great many people see more than 5000 advertising messages for each day. Be that as it may, think about the last Ad that grabbed your eye. Think about the utilisation of shading, the message, and what the Ad caused you to feel. Powerful publicising today brings out sentiments of trust, pride, strengthening, and pity, just to give some examples. Your site ought to be the same. When seeing how to produce extra income from your site, it is ideal to believe your site to be an intuitive promotion with numerous section focuses. Every one of your site's pages has a chance to pass on a message, and the adequacy of that message comes down to the plan and the way that you interface with your intended interest group. Remember your site should be constantly evolving and not stagnant you want your portfolio to have new and old content that people understand what you are doing. You also have to think about how responsive you want to be and what the purpose of this site is going to do for you. Are you aiming to attract potential recruiters or interested professionals if you want them to engage with your content you need to ensure you are going to get back to them and promptly? If you are intending to use it for personal use what is your aim if you are like me and want to use it for personal interests which for me are education particularly in career development and politics.

https://www.sitebuilderreport.com/wix-vs-squarespace

https://www.wix.com/blog/2020/03/how-to-make-a-personal-website

https://www.hercampus.com/money-career/how-create-personal-website-your-career

Should you get a Website?

One thing that stands out to me with the changing face of personal branding and marketing is the added benefit of being able to tell your story on different mediums.

Many individuals are trending towards developing more content to both spread their messages, ambitions and believes as well as standing out in a increasingly competitive space.

Now whilst tools such as LinkedIn offer you the opportunity to network and discuss your views this can sometimes get lost in busy feeds. The benefit of your own website is the opportunity to attract someone to your site where you discuss your views, thoughts, ambitions and projects. Increasingly new companies and businesses are looking for individuality especially in the creative spaces. You need to be able to showcase yourself but also show added value highlight your hobby or charitable endeavours. Make more of point of accolades or projects you are working on, could this be something the company wants to buy into. If you are researching a topic or subject that you want people to discuss and reference you can keep your ideas on your own platform without the risk of social media companies losing your data. It also brings your social content to a focus all your information that has been produced is included in one place but do not use each platform to share exactly the same content link it together but each platform has its own audience. 

You also need to remember your own website is your platform it is your brand your portfolio. Use it to not only network with other people but to launch ideas which are in their infancy get people talking about YOU. Once they are talking about you continue to make content to engage them are you a budding photographer, an entrepreneur, want to push a campaign, get recognised, grow your career or selling a product/ service. 

Once you have your fans, your base, consumers or social following give them the opportunity to know what you are doing. However, remember to find the balance you want them to be engaged not overwhelmed to much content can put off some individuals. Also keep it at a pace that you can produce and keep it fresh do not try to churn out more content then you can realistically maintain people will expect a level of engagement and freshness from your content. If this means you post every day thats fine but equally if its every other day or even week or month that’s what you and your tribe will expect. 

Your website and content should open more opportunities up for you by providing a better medium for people to reach you. Remember this information is public though only use what information you want people to use or they need to use. 

The sooner you do it the further reach you will have later and if you intend to pair it with your social media make the most of their advert features. Organic growth is the best form of growth you can get but proactive marketing can truly maximise your reach. 

For help working on your career portfolio let me help you make your tomorrow better.

The Cover Letter: Telling Your Story

A CV is a summary of your experiences and your achievements the cover letter is your opportunity to tell the recruiter a story.

You are telling the recruiter why you are their best candidate for the job and why they want you as part of the team. This is also where you highlight your skills and achievements in more detail if your an avid blogger or you have worked different projects reference them but do not over empathise it. Your selling a story to them you want to get brought in for your interview to pitch it.

Now thinking about how to structure it, you want to introduce yourself setting the scene of why you have applied for the job. Make it stand out say “I’m a passionate student interested in your conservation role and I am excited to work on projects such as the new development in sustainable timber farming”. Think about how you establish the tone of your cover letter you want to come off excited about the opportunity but they need to be excited about you too. Tell them when your ready to get started and why the role is for you. 

Now move onto why you suit the role what skills and experiences do you bring to your role. Source this from the job description what do they require of you if there are elements which you do not have think about transferable skills. If you have not worked in a customer facing role for example think about how you have encouraged your colleagues or diffused tension this should be areas that you bring in your personal hobbies to strengthen your points if needed. Also think about why you want to work for the company as a whole what do they do and why do you want to work there. Any job you apply for will have strengths for why you should work with them. Think about how they will make you grow what skills do you want to learn. How do these skills fit into your growth and the companies values then tell them that narrative. Even if its a temporary post you still need to show your enthusiasm as they can lead to other things.

Next talk about your journey how your career to date is relevant to the job you are applying for each of the points of the job specification. Try to also make it more personal is there something the company promotes that you want to get involved in like charity work, promoting a cause however avoid the financial side of this outside of sales. Also remember the role is yours to grow into tell them about your strengths or areas you are proud of overcoming it is your chance to get the personal buy in of the recruiter but leaving them wanting to know more. 

The final paragraph is a summary of your earlier points highlighting areas you want them to remember. We are likely to recall reiterated points so your headline about you should have been referred to throughout if this is a particular skill or experience tweak it throughout the cover letter. Finish with a call to action if you are confident enough to call them advise you are going to do it and let them know your availability for interviews. If you are going to call use it as an opportunity to ask informed questions which go into more detail them what you know of the company already although it will be associated with an interview remember it is separate do not over sell yourself in a call. 

If you want help making your Cover Letter or CV stand out I draw on my academic and professional experiences to help you stand out. Take a look at some of the services in the Build Your Career section that I offer. Help me help you make tomorrow better.

A useful point of reference:

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/hbr.org/amp/2014/02/how-to-write-a-cover-letter

The Importance of a CV

A CV when paired with either a cover letter or application form is an essential tool in allowing you to access a job opportunity.

Now in this post I am going to go through the elements which are essential in your CV, tips to make yours stand out. How to reinvent this staple piece of your information for the modern day and common mistakes to avoid.

Now to start off this information is primarily for those starting their career journey and not those who are already established. Although the information mat still be useful to help give your CV a boost. 

The first thing in my view on your CV should be your contact information, your mobile number and a professional email (an abbreviated name and a domain) so recruiters can get in touch. You need to allow the recruiter or job a point of contact with you so they can let you know about your application success. Also include any professional social media handles certain jobs may require a broader range of SM details but generally stick to LinkedIn as this is a snapshot of your career to date. If you are pursuing media or marketing then twitter and instagram may be useful. Warning! be mindful of your content especially if you are highlighting it to employers think about how you may want to be seen. Also do the same with your social media you do not want to promote as something you may say in school maybe an issue in your later life and as recruiters will search for you on social media increase your privacy on the accounts you do not want highlighted. If you are interested in causes and want to promote the different things you have done include it if you think its relevant such as a blog or vlog. If you have your own website or business include that and then embed your social links neatly under that website it will keep your CV more tidy.

Summarise your experience why should a recruiter buy into you as a person this section for me has altered following taking part in a personal branding course. The summary is more about you as a person and why the company should want to work with you. This should also be reflected on the various social media platforms you use to highlight your personal brand.

Next we move into your skills and strengths this is the area where you put up to ten buzzwords about yourself allowing the recruiter to know how you will fit with the company. You need to be clear and honest here as this section stands out so think about what makes you a good employee or someone that they would want to work with. You need to think what skills you have developed in school, work and clubs as in your cover letter you should be able to link these skills to your achievements. Do not just mirror a companies values.

When you get onto your work history remember to include points which are relevant to the job you are applying for. I would recommend keeping a note of the different experiences and jobs you have done over the years as this should be how you present what you have done in each role. Think how you the role has helped you grow what you have achieved in it and how has it shaped you. Link this to skills you have developed and ideally an achievement you made within the role.

In terms of your qualification you need to describe what your learnt from your modules if you studied a vocational college course or university degree. This will allow the employer to better understand what modules you did at university how diverse or specialised the degree is. Think what insights the qualification gave you for both your academic achievement and how it applies to the job you are applying for.

When you move onto your achievements initially this is what you have done through your school, college, university and job market. You need to think about any and all awards you have participated in, what you have achieved in the roles or through your qualifications. Have you had an impact on your local area have you ran any campaigns or published any articles you have written on social media or your website. Think what you are proud of and what you want to talk more about with the company. 

Lastly have you got any organisations you are affiliated to do you have a qualification which is endorsed by a professional body or are you working with any ongoing projects. Remember to make your CV stand out you need to showcase both the skills and requirement for the job but also how you are unique and different. Today it has never been more important to show your individuality whilst also showing how you fit into their ethos as businesses realise that young people are shifting the ways they view careers your CV needs to reflect you.

For anyone who wants help with building your CVs and developing your career potential please get in touch or look at our career related services.

Helping the next Generation find their way.

Today the challenges for the next generation as they emerge into the job market is often viewed as a lack of availability of graduate jobs. Now this is a preconception is a symptom of some graduate unemployment but we also have to address the additional causes that correlate as well as cause graduate unemployment.

One element to address is the degrees which are available to the learners as well as well as the subject themselves. There are many industries where degree subjects enhance graduate employment opportunities especially in shortage or high skilled areas. The problem is the Higher Education (HE) sector in areas can often promote degrees which do not enhance career prospects. This is not a problem in itself as HE is not just about finding a job or career but it is about academic discovery which justifies the presence of niche degrees. The issue is these niche degrees are often over subscribed by learners resulting in a greater abundance of students resulting in only a few being able to enter academia and the remainder struggling to find employment. So to tackle this problem should degrees only offer placements for a surplus just over the number of jobs available in the sector? The main argument then would likely be well we won’t be able to recruit a diverse amount of candidates for our degrees which would disadvantage our students but then should we not offer more generalised degrees and then allow them to specialise further at a Masters level.

Another problem is pushing everyone towards to University not every learner is suited to HE some learners may have hit their academic ceiling whereas others may need to explore more wider experiences to build on their knowledge. Now I am not saying learners should not explore HE they should but at their own pace taking advantage of the student loan system to enhance their understanding or knowledge about a field. Sometimes they need to discover what their field or career goal is before they move into Higher Education.

Now encouraging professions to work with the various universities to make degrees better encouraging a closer alignment with degrees is one option that businesses could take to reduce unemployment. This would ensure that all degrees have a basic level of competencies so that learners can actively select a degree which is both interesting to them and having the option of graduate recruitment. In subjects which are more generalised whereas those requiring a specialist degree should still encourage graduates to pursue those fields. Now this should be a minimum requirement and professionals should agree on a set of core competencies as well as soft skills.

These soft skills are techniques which should be further championed by schools, academics and universities as we should be championing entrepreneurship and the skills which go with this. This is so that learners are also able to innovate and explore areas in business which may not have been explored yet as well as the confidence to pursue these areas. Allowing this to be embedded in their studies is crucial and finding projects which can add to their academic progress is another goal.

Bridging the gap between business and academics by encouraging businesses to allow staff to work with universities as guest lecturers to share their skills and knowledge. We should also encourage the lecturers to the same continuing their professional development in areas that are applied as well as research based. This is why sandwich degrees which have a placement year are crucial as it gives learners the chance to join a workplace learn about the job and get a taste of operational experience prior to graduating. Degrees that lack professional experiences or travel experiences disadvantages the learners by solely providing academic experience and lacks practical applications which sandwich courses add.

https://www.researchgate.net/post/How_do_we_fix_the_problem_graduate_unemployment_and_high_cost_of_higher_education

http://www.sage.esu-online.org/Three+ways+to+reduce+graduate+unemployment

http://management-of-innovation.over-blog.com/article-a-solution-against-the-unemployment-of-young-graduates-58768827.html

Defining your Career

One of the pillars of education is the opportunities to define your career taking this and adding it other pillars such as building your character and developing your network.

When you define your career you need to be able to select your qualification some will select their qualifications based on idols whether they be celebrities, family members or influencers. Some select their qualifications based on the career that they see themselves pursuing or on the type of lifestyle they are aiming for. This is particularly important in the land based sector as many students pursue subjects which lead to a vocational outcome conserving a species, helping companion animals or owners and improving the welfare of animals.

What needs to take place for the students to achieve is to have as much advice and ongoing guidance as possible to enable them to achieve these outcomes. They need to be aware of not only the qualifications aims and goals but also how to apply it. They need to be given the tools to shape their future and identify their passions. To help students to achieve this they need to be given the correct advice of why to select the appropriate courses what careers they lead to what alternative careers routes are available. The students also need guidance through their progression and developing career paths from school, college and to university. I am a passionate advocate for both entrepreneurship and academic progress it is the duty of the teachers and lecturers to guide them through this offering guidance on the correct course, alternative routes to the career and what skills or experiences need developing. My concern is that this is often not consistent across the various institutions some career advisors may offer better guidance than others therefore lacking consistency. On this page there are a number of videos exploring the degree routes which are available to the learners both the advantages, disadvantages alternative career routes and why to select that degree. For those interested please look at the videos below and please request any additional content you are interested in.

The best advice to define your career is to take the guidance and mentorship of those around you drawing on a network of people who make you better both peers, teachers, family members and colleagues. These people need to build you up allowing you to grow as an individual together. When you combine this guidance with drive you should have a road map for your carer with different roads to the key goals selecting what qualifications you plan on exploring remembering your education continues in work as this allows you to grow.

Setting the Standard

When you are just starting out it is important for your employers to know they can hold you to a high standard that they themselves would be expected to adhere to. In this post I am going to discuss the different standards that you must adhere to in order to excel in the field. This can then be complemented by my take on both character strengths which stand out in interviews as well as skills that you can develop to stand out. Each of these standards has examples that link to the animal industry so you know how they fit in.

Starting with the first standard attendance and punctuality this for me is really key think about it from an employers point of view how can they trust you and rely on your ability when they cannot expect you to be there on time. Now many employers post Covid might expect you to have a level of autonomy meaning that you may be able to set your own hours. This does not mean you can slack of this simply means you need to be even better at your time management show your employer that you can manage multiple work streams and that the work is presented at a punctual time. Ensure that you are able to juggle your working day around meetings and ensure you are somewhere where you are actively listening. If you are working hands on or the field it’s about thinking of the unforeseen consequences like traffic going to a site, you should plan this in where possible so that your client, employer, or colleagues know you are dependable. There are many resources for planning your route to a given location but remember it is better to be early the earlier you are the more you can prepare for what you are doing therefore the better you come across.

If you are a supplier and your delivery is late how is this going to reflect on you and your business it will slow your client down and are they likely to use you again? Probably not and if this is reversed and you do not pay someone promptly their will likely be consequences and their services are not guaranteed.

With my personal background in the Animal Sector it is important for this standard that people know you are Committed to your Sector you need to remember that unlike other sectors you have something that is relying on you for their survival and welfare. Think what you intend to be and how you come across what I mean by this is everything about you and your brand needs to showcase your approach to the field. Think about your career journey you have your qualifications people need to see how you have been taught is it lab, practical, or theoretical. People will want to know how these experiences have shaped you as a person to allow them to understand you this is where LinkedIn as a tool is invaluable a recruiter, a client or even a competitor may search for you. You want to be found and you want to stand out from the crowd what makes you different how do you shine why you over your peers. Take advantage of every skill, lesson, knowledge, or opportunity.

If you are working in a kennel as an example I would be expecting an employee to take the lead on different elements of the job so that I can see they are dedicated to the role. This could be what if we feed them on this or I found a new product that would relieve boredom in the dogs suggest these ideas show willing and the flexibility to grow.

You cannot get far in your field without Respect. How you come across to other people shapes their opinions of you. So you need it to be a good one it shapes someones perception of you 7% is your spoken word, 38% is how you are saying and 55% is body language but remember this is not a blind test. They already know you they will have searched you on social media, analysed your CV, read your application. Think when you are meeting someone it is what they are looking for not what you like to be seen for. They have an unconscious bias they will be looking for traits they see in themselves once you work for them, or with them this is where your character can shine and you need to see if they fit. You want your views to be heard so you need to listen to their views except criticism your learning, training growing you will gain more from your mistakes then successes it will shape you.

Think about how you want to be perceived if you walk into an interview not really interested in the job having done no reading about the business what is that impression likely to give a business. They will likely think they are not interested in anything we do they have shown little effort in preparation for the job interview so why should we give them a chance.

Accountability this is where the character of respect is applied you need to think how are your actions, behaviours, performance and decisions seen just as employees would be in the work place. Think what do you want your efforts to be seen as do you it to show your effort, intelligence and character to achieve this then you need patience, intellect and effort. Your actions will show you are learning and developing but also think admit when you are struggling self reflection is a lacking trait you will not lose favour by asking for help. You are not expected to know it all but you do need to show the humility of admitting your weaknesses you cannot build on weaknesses if you do not show it. Think how this links to attainment if you cannot complete a task say you need more resources, time etc as you do not want to produce sub standard or be late with your actions. Only you are responsible for your successes this is not something that someone will do for you they can help but not do.

If you have ordered the wrong food which can happen with agriculture as different stages of an animals life may have different bulk feeds and you do not make your boss or manager aware this can have consequences. It can cause a determent on the final balance sheet when the animals sold, it can cause animals to develop behavioural problems due to having high protein or fat continuing through to the finishing stages. This can cause problems in poultry such as welfare issues if you tell someone they can correct it plan something differently. Are they likely to be happy about it no but they will be calmer if they can correct vs if they cannot.

Be Supportive this links with a core soft skill for any business teamwork, you will always need a team around you to excel different perspectives offers innovation it allows you to be different. A network allows you to be lifted up when you fall but this will only work if you do this for others whether they be teammates, your boss, friends and family. You grow through working with people but it is worth remembering to challenge yourself allow people to express their views support them challenge them and give room for growth.

Think about your experiences of working in a team where someone has not pulled their weight or when someone does not let anyone have a view. Did you feel happy and valued? Probably not now, when people work together if someone is struggling they often offer support and see why it is a problem. If a leader is stuck on a problem they often provide a new prospective to the solution.

So Integrity of Character it is important that both you and your employer value integrity as your customer or clients will. You have your strengths, weaknesses when couple with your values that showcases your character. Also make sure that you practice what you preach make sure that the values you say you stand by are shown in your actions if you are passionate about conservation, animal welfare, or other sector specific values make sure this resonates in everything you do. Businesses will appreciate this as your work will be fluid as it will be close to your own values. Remember your weaknesses are not problems they are growth areas for you to improve on.

Think about if you are working as a sole trader like a Veterinary Physiotherapist you tell your client that you are using laser on the horses back to correct a problem they are having when riding. The horse continues to decline you continue focusing on the back but you do not know what the problem is but do not want to tell the owner as unsure of why this is happening. The owner goes back to the vet who finds that the horse has an abscess in its hoof the owner is then likely to not use or trust you as is the vet. Where as if you suggest they go to the vet this issue is avoided.

Treat everyone with Equity whether you are in education, at home, out and about or at work you must treat everyone with equity you may have different views or opinions but they all matter and you need to facilitate an inclusive environment. If its inclusive you will enjoy it more you will be more relaxed and you will succeed. Regardless of someones background they deserve the same treatment be open minded do not judge but provide guidance. If you are working in the veterinary sector people may not know any better it is your job to educate them as to why your actions are right with humility. However, if there is anything your concerned of you should still say something use your team to support you. If you are a lone worker rely on family and friends for advice do not take it all on your shoulders.

If you are working with a client and they do not understand what you mean when you are trying to help advise them on their dogs health and you start talking differently to them they may well get upset, angry, offended, or confused. This can then lead to formal complaints against you or they could ignore your advice causing more harm to the animal unintentionally.

I have personally worked in the animal sector hands on for the last ten years if you want to succeed you must Showcase a High Standard of Welfare whether this is animal care, agriculture, research or conservation you cannot slack off on welfare. In your education you will be shown skills to achieve in your experiences and degrees this will shape your values, in your work showcase it. You gain the best from your animals by providing them with all of their needs this is both a legal requirement for you and good for the business. The animals thrive when they are cared for properly they eat, sleep and work for you when they are not in stressful situations.

Animals in zoos are less likely to show normal behaviours, breed, act as an ambassador for their species if they are in distress. This is because, they will show other problem behaviours if the animal has an environment that allows them to behave normally they will present a greater range of positive behaviours and reflect the animal in the wild more easily. This will start minor and then normally decline rapidly it is your job to spot this and correct it.