How to Bag the Best Acting Projects

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Just like any other profession, gaining the required experience to perfect your art is required. In order to do this, apart from being committed and passionate about acting, you have to be willing to work hard at improving your craft. While it is easier said than done, where there is a will there is a way! Assume that you are a budding actor, the toughest thing to do would be to find a starting point. It may seem that there are several opportunities presented to you but they all seem to fall through the cracks. What is then required is a deep introspection about the snags in your craft. Identify the problems and work at it.

Acting is an On-going process: There is not a single profession in this world where you can feel confident that the knowledge you have is going to sustain you forever. While it may be easy to stay in the same position for a bit, you will soon be replaced by someone who is more clued on to what is happening currently in the industry. The same holds true for acting as well. Unless you are updated with the current trends and seem to constantly try to improve yourself and your acting skills, you will not be the first choice for plum assignments. So, if you want your acting career to begin on the right note, an education in acting is extremely important. This may be in the form of an acting school, college courses, art classes, or local gigs.

Consider working Part-Time: The bottom line for any career to take off on the right note is your ability to sustain the same energy. It is tough to sustain the same energy if the money does not keep coming in. If you are in it for the long-haul, it is critical that you survive emotionally and physically. So, think about taking up a part-time job that can help you sustain your budding acting career.

Networking is key: Networking and meeting people is what is going to get in that door. So, getting the right opportunities and breaks will really depend on you meeting and mixing with the right people. If this means that you need to get into a “set” as an extra, then you must take it because that will mean a chance to meet people who matter. It is true that it may not give you the best feeling considering it is the least glamorous of all the acting gigs you will ever hope to get but who said it was easy to get to the top! Further, while you are at it, ensure that you talk to people find out they did differently and whether it would work for you. You may just get a different perspective on things.

Eventually, it all about understanding how you can increase your presence and exposure amongst those who matter and before you know it you have landed your first acting gig!

Why It Is Time to Invest in Professional Development of Your Employees

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One of the biggest challenges in today’s market landscape is finding the right team members. The growth of your business depends highly on employees supporting that growth. Filling key roles and managerial positions are even more challenging; it is more expensive too, especially with the market being as competitive as today.

Now is the perfect time for businesses – your business included – to start investing in the professional development of employees. There are a lot of benefits you will get in return for the investment. We are going to take a closer look at some of those benefits in this article.

Improved Productivity

Studies have shown that employees whose professional development is fully supported by the company are more motivated at work. That sense of appreciation and the support of the company are among the biggest factors that help employees stay motivated for longer.

In return for your investment in your employees’ professional growth, you get engaged employees who work with passion and who feel very connected to the company. Motivated employees put more into ensuring the smooth operations of the business, as well as helping the business grow at a faster pace.

Engagement is the keyword here. Employee engagement is something that needs to be developed naturally, and one of the best ways to do that is by encouraging – and supporting – professional development. Engaged employees will soon be your company’s biggest assets.

Experience and Added Resources

It is always better and more affordable to fill mid- to top-level management positions through a clear career path for all employees. When you promote a sales executive to the position of sales supervisor, for example, you shift the employee’s experience in the field and the employee’s ability to understand clients towards skills that are useful in the new role.

The trend can be seen in the healthcare industry. Many hospitals and medical institutions are encouraging their employees to pursue a health science degree online. The presence of online courses makes investing in your employees’ professional growth easier because they can still perform optimally at work while pursuing a higher degree.

Sustainable Growth

Another great advantage of investing in the professional development of employees is loyalty. Many businesses shy away from helping their employees grow out of fear of losing the best employees to other, better-paying companies. It is a justified fear, but one that must not hamper your efforts to help employees grow alongside the business.

Further studies have shown that employees whose pursuit of a master’s degree are supported by their employer have a higher loyalty to the company. They are more invested in helping the business grow and achieving great things together. The impact is clear; your business will benefit from a more sustainable growth, driven by capable people who are committed to delivering their best.

The market is evolving and the best way to stay ahead of the competition is by investing in the people around you. There are so many other benefits to gain from putting employees’ professional development as a priority. Now is the perfect time for your business to start.

Why You Shouldn’t Dismiss a Career in Sales

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Whether you are looking for a career change, or just starting out, the very thought of a career in sales might bring you out in a cold sweat; long hours, high targets and difficult customers might spring to mind. The reality couldn’t be further from the truth. If you are looking to get your foot on a solid, long term career ladder that offers a wealth of benefits, then sales is the ideal career choice for you. Not only will a career in sales enable you to work across the globe, but it will help you develop a whole range of personal skills that are easily transferable, such as time management and budgeting.

Commission is one of the obvious benefits from working in sales. However, it is worth checking how any potential employer distributes this across their workforce. Large department stores and luxury retail outlets may split profits across the team, or establish goals that you and your colleagues need to reach. Car dealerships like Eastern Mini often reward each and every team member individually – depending on their goals for the quarter.  So if you are looking to bring home a large pay check every month, then be prepared to research into which alternative suits you best.

Learning on the job

One of the positives about a career in sales is that you learn on the job. Whether you are tasked with cold calling a range of potential clients, or have to deal with a difficult customer on the shop floor, you are continuously learning new skills. If you want to work in sales, you don’t only need to have dedication and a thick skin, but you will need to be prepared to be adaptable and flexible to meet with both business and customer requirements. Anyone in sales will tell you that you will start your career at the bottom, but this isn’t necessarily a negative. Unlike other career paths, if you are a quick learner and efficient on the job, then you can expect to rise rapidly through the ranks, meaning that you go on to lead your own team or department in no time at all.

Additional expectations

Each and every job has several additional demands, and a career in sales is no exception to this. From having to work long hours or at the weekends, to even working during holiday time will be expected of you from day one. Turning up to work in a negative mood or with a poor attitude is also unacceptable. Remember that you are your company’s first point of interaction with any customers. You will need to make sure that you invest in your appearance too – so keep aside some of your paycheck to get a manicure or a haircut. It’s worth investing in yourself from day one if you truly want to reap the benefits in the long term.

A career in sales isn’t for everyone. If you are sensitive and highly emotional then this definitely isn’t the job for you. However, if you have a keen business mind and are prepared to work then a career in sales will provide numerous benefits.

How to Succeed in a Retail Career

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Are you thinking of starting a career in retail?  Many people find that working in retail is rewarding and there are many opportunities out there.  The retail industry has a lot to offer someone that is willing to work hard and keep their nose to the grindstone.  If you are looking to get into retail, you should pay close attention to the information below.  Today, we are going to learn what it takes to succeed in the world of retail.

Starting Out at The Bottom

If you have no retail experience, then you will probably have to start out at the bottom.  By taking a job as a cashier or stock clerk, you will be getting your foot in the door.  Many people who start out at the bottom end up giving up because of the lower pay rates.  But, those willing to work hard and stick around are often rewarded with positions in management.  In fact, many large retail companies are willing to train those who are good workers.  This will give you a great opportunity to make some serious money.  So, to get started in retail, apply for jobs at places like Dollar General and other retail establishments. Make sure to put in your Dollar General application and get the process started.

Take A Course in Business Management

A great way to gain a position in retail management is to go to back school for business management.  A degree in business management will help you move up in the company that you are currently working for. But, this degree alone will not make up for relevant experience.  So, make sure that while going back to college, you keep working your retail job.  Once you finish your degree, you will be able to combine it with your experience, which will give you a good chance at landing a management position.

Be Willing to Work Long Hours

Once you have gotten into a lower management position, you will now have more responsibility.  With an increase in pay will come some additional duties that you might not be used to, so make sure that you put in the hard work and learn your new position as quickly as possible.  Fast learners often do well in retail management.  Additionally, you will need to put in long hours to prove your worth to the company.  By doing so, you will gain the attention of upper management, who in the future just might offer you a job higher up on the ladder.  Learning how to cope with long hours will certainly help you become successful in the retail industry.

These are a few tips that will help you succeed in the demanding world of retail.  Remember that you will need to start from the bottom and work your way to the top.  The harder you work and the more you learn will help you gain higher positions, which will give you more rewards.  Keep in mind that earning good money in retail requires dedication and hard work.

5 Reasons Why You Should Consider a New Career

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A change of careers isn’t for everyone. After all, it usually puts you right at the bottom of the career ladder and you need to prove yourself again. However, if you’ve been feeling down in the dumps recently and you’re struggling to get out of bed every morning, you’ve probably given it some serious thought. Your mood shouldn’t be the only reason for wanting a change, though, as there are a few other reasons why sometimes, it’s just the right thing to contemplate.

1. Little to No Career Progression

If you’ve worked hard for the last 5 years and you haven’t benefitted from anything other than a slight salary increase (usually due to inflation), then it could be the perfect time to take your skills to new levels. Many businesses out there don’t do enough for their employees in terms of career progression opportunities, so it’s left in your hands to just carry on being miserable on the same wage bracket or doing something about it, like changing careers.

2. Job Security

If there’s talk of the business you’re currently working for going down the pan in the near future, it could be time to get out while you can. Don’t always listen to rumors, though, first do your research and see if it’s factual. If it is, get out now and spend the next few months working for a company that can offer you more security and more opportunities.

3. Better Salary

Of course, the main reason why so many people change careers is purely because they can get a better salary elsewhere, so what’s stopping you from doing the same? We could all do with a better salary, working conditions, and even less working hours, but not all of that is possible unless you’re willing to make the change. If you have absolutely zero chance of getting a better salary where you are, consider a career change today and better your future from tomorrow.

4. A New Learning Curve

Just because you’re a fully qualified nurse doesn’t mean you can’t change to a career in retail working for the likes of Aeropostale. As a nurse, you’ve probably been under the cosh for years to try and please all patients and you’ve got no rewards for doing so. Working in retail could mix things up a bit, and it could put you on a completely different learning curve when it comes to selling clothes. Look at jobapplicationworld.com to see what sort of careers you could land when working for one of the top retailers in the United states.

5. Develop Your Knowledge & Personal Skills

You can only develop your knowledge and personal skills so much when you’re working in a dead-end job. So, it could be time to make a change so you can have a much better future as far as your personal skills are concerned. Higher confidence, more motivation, better customer skills and much more awaits you when you start a new career.

Changing careers is never easy. You will miss the colleagues you’ve grown close to, you may have to travel further, and you may even get less time with your family. However, if you’re looking to make a successful career, these are the sort of things you must be willing to give up, especially if you’re wanting to start a new career in an industry with more job opportunities.