Nine Signs It’s Time For A Career Change

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StrategyDriven Professional Development Article |Career Change|Nine Signs It's Time For A Career ChangeIt’s never too late to make a career change, but choosing when to make the jump isn’t a decision to be taken lightly. If you’re not happy in your current line of work, you need to think about whether you just need a new job or whether it’s time to take your career in a new direction altogether.

  • Do you find yourself complaining about your job all the time? Do you find yourself unhappy at work, regardless of which company you work for? If your family are fed up of listening to you complain about why your job is terrible and you find yourself searching for truck driving jobs instead of working, it’s a clear sign that all is not well and it might be time for a new challenge.
  • Are you more stressed than usual? All jobs have some amount of stress occasionally, but if you’re stressed most days at work, this isn’t good. If you find yourself taking your stress home with you and you’re struggling to shake it throughout the evening, a change is probably a good idea.
  • Are you bored at work? If you’re struggling to find any motivation to get any work done and are procrastinating in order to put off large tasks, there’s probably a problem. Your job might not always be fun, but if you’re bored all the time, make a jump to something new.
  • Have you been in the same job for a long time? Most jobs naturally change and grow over time, or your career should progress. If you’ve been stuck in the same position for a long time and have no real idea of where you want or should try to go upwards to, you might have exhausted your interest in your career path. If you’re struggling to make a plan for progression that interests you, this is a good sign that its time to move on to something new.
  • Do you dread going to work? If when you wake up in the morning, you immediately start dreading getting to work, this is a clear sign that you should be moving on. If this dread is creeping into your Sunday nights too, don’t hang on any longer than you have to and instead try to make a switch to something that keeps you excited and interested.
  • Do you think about quitting a lot of the time? If you’re forever drafting your resignation letter or fantasizing about how you’ll tell your boss you’re quitting, then you should start seriously looking for something else. We all have bad days at work, but if everyday you think about when you can quit, you shouldn’t stay.
  • Are you feeling burned out and tired? If you’re tired out all the time, it could be fatigue caused by work stress. If you’re overworked, you could easily end up becoming burned out. Burn out can occur when your job has become too demanding for you, or you can’t shake off work based stress. Burn out can become very nasty, so if you feel this coming on, it’s time to step out and move on to something else.
  • Are you under-performing at work? If you’ve lost interest in your job, it can be very hard to motivate yourself, meaning your performance might slip. If you’re struggling to concentrate at work, this won’t help your job performance either. You can also guarantee that if you’re away that your job performance is sliding, then your boss is probably noticing that something is wrong too. It might be better to take the step to leave your job and do something before you get pushed out for poor performance. It will be much easier to find something new if you left your last job on good terms instead of being fired.
  • Are you finding excuses not to go to work? If work is the last place you want to be, you’re probably finding all kinds of excuses to do anything else. Perhaps you’re taking more sick days than usual, or have booked a lot more vacation days than you normally take, or are asking to work from home more often, this is a clear sign that you’re unhappy in your current job.

Making a career change is a big leap, but you can do it. If your career isn’t fulfilling anymore, then a change of job might not be enough to help. A new line of work can push you to develop new skills, leaving you a lot happier in the long run.

Mentors and the Self-Made Individual

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StrategyDriven Professional Development Article | Mentors and the Self-Made IndividualSome people like to claim they are self-made when they finally make their dream come true, but the reality is that no one on earth can claim to be a self-made individual. The brain is like a sponge that absorbs the data from televisions, advertisements, parents, and teachers throughout a lifetime. With so many different opinions wending their way into your brain about every issue you can possibly imagine, it is easy to see how confusing life can become. That is why mentors are so important to the self-made individual.

Encouragement Goes a Long Way

Everyone that has started a project, begun a business, or created a charity knows that no matter how hard you work to make that dream a reality, there are times when you feel like you hit a brick wall. When that happens, your mentor can help you discover what the problem is and encourage you to try a different approach to the challenge.

Creativity Can Be Its Own Problem

As an experienced mentor, Eyal Gutentag knows the importance of working with creative people. However, creativity can be explosive, and when that happens your mentor can help you create boundaries that you don’t realize you need. Establishing self-discipline can be challenging but solidifying your focus can help you recharge your drive.

Goals Help Stimulate Personal Growth

You may believe in setting goals for yourself, but most people don’t realize they sometimes set goals they know they can accomplish. A mentor can make goals for you, explain why the goals are important, and then help you establish a plan to accomplish each goal. Not only can your mentor help you stretch your potential, but he or she can identify goals that stimulate your personal growth.

In this data driven world, having a mentor is not a weakness; it is a sign that you know where you are going and how to get there. Once you make your dream a reality, don’t forget to become a mentor to someone else that may be in need of a gentle push in the right direction.

Top management schools in USA

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StrategyDriven Professional Development Article |US Management Schools|Top management schools in USAA business school is a university level institution that confers degrees in business administration or management. They offer subjects which are relevant to a business environment and those which help in laying the foundation of business studies such as accounting, business strategy, economics, finance, entrepreneurship, etc. Students are fostered in such a manner that they are able to find the coincidence in the past, current and future practices such that they could solve real life problems as well as enhance structures to obtain and retain the best results. USA is one such country which ensures the welfare of its students who have enrolled in the top business schools by providing them with world class facilities. There are also many schools under Ivy League Universities in USA for pursuing masters in the field of management or business. Let us have a look at top management schools in USA :

Top management schools in USA

  1. University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania is the oldest business school established in USA. The school is known worldwide for its vast alumni network. Students, across departments, are subjected to week-long trips named Ventures, during their coursework where their leadership skills are put to test. Students also get on-campus hands-on experience through 25 research centres and 150 organizations to get involved in. Students also have opportunities to pursue joint degrees in conjunction with prestigious institutes like Penn Law School and Harvard School of Government. 83.6 percent of graduates of the full-time program are employed at reputed organizations. Program fees for the full-time program are $72,300 a year.
  2. Stanford University One of the most prestigious universities in the world, Stanford Business School offers graduate programs in various business concentrations. The school aims to encourage students to create ideas that deepen and advance their understanding of management and thus transform them into innovative, principled and insightful leaders who are dedicated towards changing the world. 68.7% of the graduates are placed at prestigious organizations. Program fees for the full-time program are $70,590 a year.
  3. Harvard University Harvard Business School has been renowned worldwide for educating leaders who make a difference in the world. Graduate students at Harvard Business School get a hands-on education through the case method, which poses true-to-life problems students must tackle in teams. The experiential learning extends to field study teams, in which small groups of students evaluate existing organizations, and immersion trips, intense weeks of study in another country over winter breaks. 79.10% of graduates of the program are employed. Program fees for the full-time program are $73,440 a year.
  4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan) Graduate student organizations at MIT have a global focus, with business clubs for nations around the world. Though graduate students at the Sloan School of Management study at the campus facilities in Cambridge, Mass., their business education has a broader slant. The academic courses are inherently global in nature, and there are dozens of opportunities for students to travel and study abroad. The school also has Action Labs for students to tackle real problems in existing companies in the United States, China and India. 86% of graduates of the full-time program are employed. Program fees for the full-time program fees are $74,200.
  5. University of Chicago Chicago Booth offers the world’s most flexible full-time MBA program under the Booth School of Business. The university is focused upon building upon students’ existing academic and professional backgrounds, bringing them closer to their goals. The multidisciplinary approach to problem solving empowers students with frameworks for freethinking and sound decision making. The program includes only one required course—leadership effectiveness and development—which gives flexibility to students to design their own course depending on the requirements of potential employers. Experiential learning bridges theory and practice, and skills gained during the course are tested in real business settings. Booth’s academic culture emphasizes problem analysis and discovering innovative solutions through dialogue and debate with peers and professors. 98.4% of the graduates received job offers within 3 months of graduation. Program fees for the full-time program are $72,000 a year.

Conclusion

The art of doing business is both innate and acquired and in either case it needs a boost in the right direction. It is important to research, choose and apply for the postgraduate business school in order to receive a holistic environment that provides the theoretical and practical knowledge necessary. The reason why a balance between both is necessary is that it is not enough to enter the market and grow drastically for a limited time and then collapse. It is equally crucial to sustain in a competitive place after finding a niche for yourself. A prior simulation of such a situation helps aspirants land at the best positions.

About the Author
StrategyDriven Professional Development Article |US Management Schools|Top management schools in USAAbhyank Srinet holds a Masters in Management degree from ESCP Europe & has an engineering degree with a specialization in Instrumentation & Control. His interest in the digital landscape motivated him to create an online start up for Masters in Management application consulting (MiM-Essay.com), focused on spreading quality information about the MiM degree & performing application consulting services for clients. He is the chief consultant of the company and takes care of Business Development and Digital Marketing side of the company. He is very passionate about writing and marketing.

3 Ways to Improve Your Digital Marketing Skills

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StrategyDriven Professional DevelopmentArticle | 3 Ways to Improve Your Digital Marketing SkillsAs more and more people are now shopping online and getting their information from the internet, the demand for digital marketing professionals is increasing. The rise in smartphones has led to billions of people having access to the internet all over the world, and it is only going to increase in the coming years.

Whether you are just starting out or have been in the industry for a while, there are always new things to learn. That is especially true of digital marketing where social media and advertising platforms are always updating guidelines and algorithms. To stay up to date with what’s happening in the industry and to keep yourself in demand as one of the top markers around, here are some tip to keep you at the top of your game.

Take an Online Course

Thanks to the internet, access to online courses of most people is really easy. The accessibility and affordability of courses mean that you could get a professional qualification from a marketing body or an industry-standard certificate from any of the leading online education platforms.

One of the most popular advertising platforms is Google AdWords. Because of its popularity, it’s advisable to have a working knowledge of the platform at least because you are likely to come across it at some point in your career. Finding an AdWords Course and completing the qualification will give you a greater depth of knowledge and will help you to learn some more advanced skills.

Attend a Seminar or Marketing Event

The great thing about marketing seminars and events is that the organizers usually book keynote speakers who have won awards or who are key industry influencers. This provides a fantastic opportunity to learn from the best in the business and find out what the latest trends are in the industry.

You will also find at events like this that there is ample opportunity for networking. If you haven’t done any networking before, it might be an idea to brush up on your networking skills before you go. Remember to take business cards with you and ask people for theirs, just in case you meet any useful industry contacts that you need to follow up with.

Buy Digital Marketing Books

There are many digital marketing books that have been written by top industry professionals that you can learn a lot from and apply to your own marketing. The topics can range from in-depth digital marketing strategy to building a tactical plan to planning a campaign. You may even be able to find books on specific platforms like Facebook or Twitter.

Marketing books can be purchased from a range of different outlets, including online through Amazon. These books are usually written to be worked through and referred to, not as a sit-down and read. Most will have space for you to make notes, and it’s a good idea to highlight any key themes or frameworks you think might be useful to implement in your day to day work.

Nailing Your Job: 5 Reasons Remote Work Requires Discipline from Both Sides

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Does the idea of working from home appeal to you? Many companies today hire remote teams. Don’t think they have it all figured out.

StrategyDriven Professional Development Article | Nailing Your Job: 5 Reasons Remote Work Requires Discipline from Both Sides | Remote Work

There’s quite an effort and discipline required from both ends to make a successful collaboration at a distance.

If you want to get remote jobs in Dallas and be successful at it, you l need to prove you’re the person who can make telecommuting work.

There are certain skills that remote employees need that aren’t taught in school. They’re skills you learn through the rich experience of working for others.

Regardless of your experience, you should understand the downsides of remote work positions so you can be the best version of yourself, but also recognize what you need from your superiors to make this telecommuting job work.

Supervision Is Less Frequent

Some business owners frown at the thought of anyone working outside the office because they feel they are losing control over work production.

As an employee, it’s vital to show that you don’t need to be handheld. While you’re working remotely, you can’t knock on the boss’ door to ask questions. You can send an email looking for help with your tasks, but it might take days to get an answer.

The work must have a continuous flow.

You need to show problem-solving skills and be proactive. If your boss spends more time helping you with your tasks than doing their own, they might start looking for your replacement.

Show you’re able to work independently from your boss and coworkers. That’s what they need to see.

To be proactive and independent in your job, you also need to have clear instructions and procedures, which your employer should provide. You cannot become a self-reliant and productive employee if you didn’t receive a proper education.

Remote Workers Have to be Self-Motivated

Self-motivation is the key to working alone from home. It’s developed from the inside but also depends on the company you work for. No one wants to be a part of a poorly organized corporation that doesn’t provide onboarding, education, and work assessment.

Besides proper organization, employees are motivated by a company’s vision, great leadership and culture.

Motivation comes from within. If your own values match the company’s core values – you’ll be a great fit, and you’ll have that intrinsic drive.

When working remotely, there’s no manager to check up on your progress, give you a pat on the back or provide course correction. If you’re a procrastinator who doesn’t work unless nudged, remote work isn’t going to work well for you.

You’ll probably have a task list and a scheduled day, but you also have to create a routine that keeps you on and be disciplined about sticking to it.

It takes time to find what morning routine works best for you. If you want to be great at your job and climb up the corporate ladder, do whatever it takes to become awake, energized, and ready to crush it, whether it’s a routine or some focusing tools. The tools should work with you and improve your work habits.

As you’re building your discipline and work skills, make sure you’re becoming more adept at handling a busy schedule.

Know that more capable employees often receive extra work because they grow into someone dependable who can be trusted with an important task.

Clear Communication is the Most Needed Skill

Working from home doesn’t necessarily mean less communication and interactions. In fact, home-based workers often have to communicate more often with people, whether it’s customers, employers, or co-workers.

That communication includes voice as well as written correspondence.

When you’re exchanging emails or direct messages with others, your message has to be clear.

There can be huge misunderstandings when communicating through text. Being misunderstood or unclear can cause very serious problems and delays with projects.

To be considered for a remote position, be sure that you have strong writing skills. It takes practice to be understood through written communication. There’s no way to hear the tone through text.

The right word choice is vital. It’s one of the best skills you can perfect for work-at-home opportunities.

Likewise, your superiors need to hone those same skills, but that’s out of your hands. What you can do is when interpreting instructions is to read them twice, with care.

Are you sure you understood what’s been asked from you?

Don’t be edgy and jump straight to completing the task, rather read it carefully and patiently, and ask for clarification if there’s something that you are not sure how to do.

Digital Tools are the Essence of Remote Work

Whether it’s conference calls or video conferencing, there’s a need for virtual connections. It’s very likely that you’ll be collaborating with others on projects. That collaboration requires you’re adept at handling technology.

There are software programs that manage all aspects of projects. Your employer needs to provide you with the necessary tools, but it’s your job to learn how to use them properly.

When working from home, you probably won’t have access to the company’s IT services. It’s on you to fix any computer problems that might occur. Along with fixing computer problems, you have to provide yourself with all the necessary equipment.

A working computer and a reliable internet are required. Be responsible for your computer to protect your work and the company’s data. Security concerns are something you’ll have to cover yourself.

You’re a Team Player without the Team

In the office, you can just walk over to a co-workers desk and ask them a question. You can easily show them a paper or ask them to clear up a problem.

Written communication takes more time, and a simple question that you would ask by the watercooler can take much more time when done via Skype chat, for example.

Also, you don’t know what the other person is doing at the moment and you don’t want to interrupt, so you send an email. There’s less casual banter happening with remote teams, especially when the team is dispersed across different timezones.

There are project management tools that make it easier to track progress and collaborate in real-time, so you feel like you are doing stuff together. Depending on the job, you will probably collaborate with other team members.

Even if you are too busy to get to know your colleagues on a personal level at work, you can leverage the software in your daily work life to catch up in your free time.

You’ll have to make an effort, but it’s certainly possible to feel like a part of a team. Group meetings can happen with the software you’ve learned to use daily, or you can connect with your work buddies on social media.

From a company’s side, teambuilding can be boosted by organizing meetups that gather everyone at the same place, from in-house personnel to those working remotely. That is a great way to get everybody on the same level and connect with people more deeply.

Is remote work right for you and your employer?

The companies having a remote workforce benefit in a number of ways. From lower overhead to happier employees and decreased operational costs, telecommuting can be enticing for employers.

Likewise, employees can save a lot on lengthy commutes and invest them in quality time, especially those living in big cities.

If your profession allows remote working, and you are considering applying to a remote job, try to strengthen your self-discipline and perfect your written communication before jumping aboard the telecommuting bandwagon.

About the Author

StrategyDriven Expert Contributor | Joe PetersJoe Peters is a Baltimore-based freelance writer and an ultimate techie. When he is not working his magic as a marketing consultant, this incurable tech junkie devours the news on the latest gadgets and binge-watches his favorite TV shows. Follow him on @bmorepeters