Tag: Career

How To Improve Your Career Prospects

Three focuses of my blog are Career Discussions, General Education and Professional Development/Skills. From the time we start our education to the time we retire, we’re always thinking about our improving our career prospects. Some of this involves formal education while other parts involve the cultivation of things like soft skills and then mentoring as well. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Improve Your Career Prospects.

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There can so easily come a point in which you no longer feel comfortable with the employment that you are able to gain, whether this be down to the lack of responsibility or a low level of challenge that you are currently offered. Luckily, improving your job prospects needn’t be as difficult as you might think, as there are several different simple steps that you can follow which will help you to meet your employment goals in no time at all. So, if you want to find out more, then read on to uncover some of the best top tips and tricks that you can make the most of today!

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Head Back To School

One of the best things that you can do to improve your career is to head back to school to gain some extra qualifications. Doing something like this shows that you are committed to improving yourself, as well as increasing your skills and experience at the same time. There are so many different courses on offer which can fit around every lifestyle, from those which are full time on campus to those which are wholly online offering far more flexibility. Finding the right course for you can allow you to succeed in your quests, as it’s important that you can meet your goals and utilise the opportunity to advance your career. Making the most of your course is simple – ensure that you invest in all of the right equipment and resources such as GMAT prep books and a high quality laptop, and always try to commit yourself wholeheartedly to each project that you complete. The higher the grade you achieve, the higher your chances of gaining a much better job.

Present Yourself Properly

It’s absolutely vital that you are able to present yourself properly whenever you head out to a meeting, interview, or conference, as the first impression that you give off is often the most important contributing factor during any professional event. If you arrive to an interview wearing casual clothes (jeans, untucked shirts, even creased or dirty clothing) you are telling your potential employer that you simply are not taking the experience seriously; whereas making an effort to invest in professional clothing such as a suit with a tie will show that you have put thought into your outfit to give off the best impression. Body language is also a very essential feature, as even the smartest clothing will not cover up a negative aura. You must be confident and hold your head high, rather than slump down and hide yourself – self assurance is a key attribute for those of you who are searching for advanced managerial roles with more responsibility.

Improving your career prospects has never been so simple when you are able to make the most of the top tips and tricks detailed above! Start off by researching some extra qualifications that can fit around your current schedule, and always remember to make an effort to present yourself in a professional and confident manner.

Here are some of the Top Signs that it is Time for a Career Change

Two of the of the focuses of my blog are Career Discussions and General Education. When launching a career, there are instances where we burn out and seek a change of some sort. Many people don’t know how to adjust once that time comes. The following contributed post is entitled, Here are some of the Top Signs that it is Time for a Career Change.

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It’s not always easy to find a new job to say the least, but the whole concept can become even more challenging when you actually want to change the career path you are on. If you aren’t sure if you need to change your career or not, then here are some tips that will help you out.

Body Breakdown

If you feel drained and tired at the beginning of the day and at the end of the day then this would indicate that it is time for you to make a change. You may feel as though all you want to do in the evenings is flop, and that you dread the day ahead. Another sign is if you feel as though you are getting sick more often and that you feel cold all the time. The physical signs of not being happy really are obvious when you know what to look for.

Busy Brain

Everyone gets Sunday blues from time to time, but if you feel as though the whole cycle is just never-ending then this would indicate that now is the time for you to make a change. You may find that your thoughts are exhausting you and that you always wake up in the middle of the night and dread looking at your alarm clock. Believe it or not, this isn’t normal and it is a sign that something needs to change. If you don’t act soon enough then you may find that things only get worse and this is the last thing that you need.

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Your Confidence is Suffering

You may even start to wonder if the problem is you. If you feel as though you don’t fit into your place of work then you may feel awkward and even uncomfortable at times. It may even get to the point where you don’t feel as though you are doing as good a job as you could be doing, and over time, this will wear you down. If this sounds like you then you need to make a change, and fast. If you don’t then you may find that things get even worse over time and that you also struggle in the long-term.

Money Issues

You may tell yourself time and time again that if it wasn’t for the money, you would have left by now. Sure, the paycheck might pay the bills and you might even have responsibilities too, but at the end of the day, you also need to make sure that you are concentrating on your own happiness. If you don’t then you may find that you end up being miserable for most of your life. You have to remember that if you do make the decision to go for a new career, you might end up with even more money as a result, so it’s worth exploring your options right now. You don’t even need to tell your boss that you are thinking about leaving either, so just look around and see what is available to you. You can even train for another role if you want. Click here if you want to try and get into a trade.

Don’t Self-Medicate

Self-medicating can include buying more than you need, buying an extra round at the bar or even watching an extra episode of a TV show. It’s a way of making yourself feel better when you just don’t feel like dealing with whatever lies ahead. This is a normal way of dealing with things sometimes, but if you find yourself doing it far more often than you should then this can really be bad for your health. If you want to stop this from happening, then you need to deal with the situation at its source. You need to make sure that you stop finding ways around it and that you also really take the time to find out what is making you so unhappy. If it is your job, then you know what to do.

You Don’t Like to Talk about your Career

Whenever you go to a party, you may dread the question “what do you do?”. This shouldn’t be the case. You should be proud of what you do and you should also be happy to talk about it with other people as well. If you don’t feel as though this is the case, then now would be the time for you to try and make a change if you can. If you do, then you will soon have the confidence you need to feel happier about yourself in general.

Four Questions To Ask Before Changing Your Career

Two of the focuses of my blog are Career Discussions and General Education. Many people get to a point where they want to change their career path. It’s a life altering decision with long-term ramifications that must be well thought out. The following contributed post is entitled, Four Questions To Ask Before Changing Your Career.

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Are you thinking about changing your career path and perhaps pursuing a new role in a completely different sector? Well, then these are the questions that you need to keep in mind. It will help ensure you make the right decision.

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Should You Go Out On Your Own?

You might want to start by thinking about whether it’s time to cut ties with the job market completely. Instead, you can decide to go out on your own. If you do this – and it’s a big if – then there are benefits. Suddenly, you gain access to any and all your profits. You also don’t need to worry about someone constantly breathing down your neck. It’s an attractive option. However, you need to make sure that you are prepared for the risks. Don’t forget that most new businesses fail and the self-employed are looking at what could be a very risky future economy.

Are You More Stable Sticking With Your Current Position?

You might also want to think about whether it’s better to stand by your current position, whatever that may be. You should look at the economy and the job market right now. Perhaps your current sector or industry is stable. Better yet, it could be growing. If this is the case, then there is absolutely no point in switching gears right now. You have to think about your long term finances when you make a decision like this.

Is there Opportunities Available On The Market

It’s worth looking at the current options on the market. Are there sectors that are wide open? The easiest way to research this is to use a site like jobminister.ca. A tool like this provides you with an easy way to find out if employers are hiring in a particular industry or sector. There might be a talent crisis here and that’s always going to be great news. Or, at least it will be if you are in the right position to swoop in and claim one of the jobs that are currently up for grabs.

Do You Need To Learn New Skills?

That’s why the final question to consider is whether you are already in a situation where you are instantly hirable in a new sector or industry. It’s possible that you’re not and instead, you will need to think about signing up to learn the necessary skills and gain some additional knowledge. Luckily, you can do this online and you’ll be able to take a course in your spare time while you are completing your current job. So, you don’t have to worry about a window where you are learning new skills but not making any money. You can learn more about this possibility on studyonline.ca.

We hope this helps you determine whether switching careers right now is the correct move for you. Don’t forget, no one knows how hard the coronavirus is going to hit the economy. Regardless of whether the lockdowns and quarantines are lifted early or later on in the year, it could be a dicey road for the foreseeable future. So don’t make any rash decisions.

How To Come Back From A Forced Change In Career

Two of the focuses of my blog are Career Discussions and General Education. As some point, there are inevitable changes in our careers. Many workers are not prepared for changes, though they must figure out how to move forward. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Come Back From A Forced Change In Career.

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There are times where we suddenly take a change of course in our career for one reason or another. Sometimes it’s a decision that we make, and sometimes it isn’t. When that change of career is forced upon us, due to a lack of demand for your current role, redundancy, a drop in sales, or something bigger, there are things you can do to help ease into the transition, from one career to another. Here are some ideas from people who have been there before, and ways in which you can prevent the changes impacting you significantly.

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Try something you enjoy
There may be a franchise out there for you, that you have always wanted to try, having a look at the Franchise Direct, might find the right one that you’ve always been looking for, or there may be a hobby that you currently have that you can turn into a career. There are many big business owners, who will tell you that doing what you enjoy will help you in your success. There is some psychology behind this because we always work harder when we want to, and if we are doing something that we enjoy doing, then we will, of course, want to. But finding out what this does take time, so if you aren’t lucky enough to have time to change your mind, then thinking back about all the roles that you have taken in the past, and which ones you enjoyed the most, may point you in the right direction.

Back to basics
Going back to basics, whether that is starting a course on a new subject, going back to school, or rebooting your existing business, there is a world of opportunity At your feet, and there is plenty that you are able to do in the opportunities you have been given. Going back to basics can actually mean many things, but if there is something that you’ve always wanted to learn, it may be a great opportunity to try now. Taking your time and really discovering what the intentions of your learning is, and making sure that you do your best along the way, will have you coming out the other end feeling great about it. And learning a new skill can boost your career in ways you may never have imagined before.

Stay calm
If you’re changing career isn’t necessarily your choice, then it may be a bit of a shock to your system, and might be a stressful time for you. But nobody is productive whilst they are panicking, so making sure that you have a plan, are keen to ensure that you fix the problems ahead, and do your very best, then there’s no point worrying about anything else. A calm mind is a productive mind, and you will find yourself in a much better position if you look after your mental health through this time.

So even though change isn’t always easy, it can be as good as a rest and may bring opportunities that you could not have imagined before. So taking care that you calmly look at your options, and make the right decisions for you is important.

4 Careers To Consider That Will Keep You On Your Feet

Two key focuses of my blog are Career Discussions and Professional Development/Skills. For some individuals, there comes a time for a career change. There numerous exhilarating careers which take place outside of the office and require small or large-scale movement. The following contributed post is entitled, 4 Careers To Consider That Will Keep You On Your Feet.

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Are you looking for a different type of job? It’s possible that you’re not suited for a career where you’re going to be stuck behind a desk. Not everyone is a match for these types of positions and that’s okay. Does it mean that you’re going to be stuck in a dead-end position or that you are not going to be fulfilled on your professional journey? While it is going to depend on the position you choose, in most cases, an active position can be just as rewarding as those where you spend most of your time in the office.

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Law Enforcement

You might want to consider working in law enforcement. This will be the perfect career for you if you have a passion for justice and are keen to help serve your local community. Pay levels can be strong too, particularly as you rise through the ranks. It is important that you receive the right training for this type of position. However, police training is available from numerous companies and can easily be arranged before or during your career path.

Fitness Instructor

Of course, if you want a lighter career path that has a little less pressure and stress attached to the role then becoming a fitness instructor could be a great choice for you. As a fitness instructor, you will be able to push your body to reach its max potential and encourage other people to do the same. You will also be able to stay on your feet for most of the day and thus remain in fantastic shape. It’s a tiring career but it is one that can provide tremendous benefits. Particularly, when you start to think about setting up your own brand or running your own full fitness business. You can branch out too, providing online support as well as gym sessions.

Travel Wonder

If you’re looking for one of the best and most fulfilling active careers, then you should definitely consider a life traveling to places unknown. Now, you’re probably wondering whether you can earn money while traveling. You definitely can but it won’t work for everyone. There is an element of luck involved and yes, it does help if you are conventionally attractive. However, more than this, you need to have a great personality or charm that people can connect with. They have to want to follow you on your journey. This will earn you online followers and will lead to money-making opportunities.

Journalist

Finally, you might think that journalism is precisely the type of career that is going to keep you behind the desk. But this is not the case. The reality is that you will be out in the real world, talking to people, connecting with people and running interviews. You will actually only spend a few hours in the office at any given time in most journalism roles. It provides a lot of the freedom that people often seek when pursuing a different type of career.

We hope this helps you find the perfect active career for you.

Advancing Forward In Your Career

Two key focuses of my blog are Career Discussions and Professional Development/Skills. Everyone has to think about how to advance their career forward. Many people have the desire to do it, but don’t know how. The following contributed post is entitled, Advancing Forward In Your Career.

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There often comes a time in your employment that you get a little bored of your surroundings – your role may no longer challenge your abilities or interest you as it once did, and you may be unhappy with the amount of responsibility you have as well as the amount of money that you earn. Researching ways in which you can advance your career will aid you in opening up new opportunities for you to advance forward and reach new heights, and it couldn’t be easier to get started and improve yourself for the benefit of your employment situation. There are several simple tips that you can make the most of to ensure that you can break free from your dull 9-5 to reach ultimate job satisfaction in no time at all, so if you would like to find out more then read on for some of the best tried and tested steps that you can utilise now.

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Seek Out Extra Qualifications

One of the best things that you can do to enable yourself to reach your career goals is to seek out extra education and qualifications that you can add to your resume. Showing your commitment by heading back to school will allow future employers to see that you are dedicated to self improvement and willing to put in the time and effort to learn new skills and advance forward. Whether you decide to attend school full time to achieve an integrated design degree, or opt for a remote learning course that fits around your current lifestyle, just do a bit of research online to identify which pathway will best suit your current needs. Having those extra qualifications on your file may just give you the upper hand over another candidate, so it’s vital that you can grab any education opportunity with both hands.

Network Among The Right Circles

Another great concept that can really support you in advancing your career involves networking among the right circles to gain new industry connections. Getting yourself out there to build a positive reputation and meet with other professionals will allow you to essentially ‘get your foot in the door’, or get noticed by potential future employers. If just one of the reputable people you converse with sees your capabilities then they may decide to invest in your career and offer you guidance and support, so it’s definitely worth the effort you have to put in. Networking can be done in several different forms, such as visiting industry conferences and events, joining business groups on social media and blog sites, and so much more. You may have to work on your confidence before deciding to take up such a feat, as it requires you to strike up a conversation with many people that you might never have met before, whilst really selling yourself and pushing your own personal agenda.

Advancing forward in your career has never been so simple when you are able to make the most of the information detailed above.

Thrown Off Your Career Path Without Warning? Here’s How To Move Forward

The first principle of my blog is Creating Ecosystems of Success and a key focus is Career Discussions. Unfortunately, some individuals find their careers disrupted, often without warning. It’s important to understand what to do if your find yourself in that situation. The following contributed post is entitled, Thrown Off Your Career Path Without Warning? Here’s How To Move Forward.

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Most of us, as in those who are concerned with expanding our professional utility, skillset and career orientations, can often become truly shocked to the core when our path is thrown off. Perhaps a redundancy prevents us from raising the ranks in a career we’ve followed our entire life, and now we need to find work elsewhere, delaying that promotion for some time. Maybe we’ve realized that an industry path is not for us after 20 years working within that field.

Or, perhaps worst of all, we may find ourselves becoming injured or unable to work due to an accident, or workplace neglect, or safety standards failing. This last issue can be so debilitating, because not only does it knock our professional potential, but all other life progress for the time being. As far as that’s concerned, it can be worth knowing what your options are. Gathering yourself is key in these situations, as this process can provide you hope for the future.

As far as that is concerned, we’d love to give you some worthwhile and timeless advice in this direction. Please, consider:

Litigate If Needed

If necessary, it can be important to litigate. This can not only give you a sense of emotional closure, but it can help you protect yourself and claim the compensation you truly deserve. This can soften the blow of being out of work for a while, just as you recover from an injury or come back to your potential productive self. Go to lawboss.com to understand just what processes are best to follow in this light, and how you can approximate the best results with careful attention.

Understand Your Rights

Understanding your rights is also an essential part of this process to keep track of. It might be that you are entitled to workmen’s compensation, or disability, or job seekers allowance, or another form of support that enables you to look for further work. Sometimes, understanding your rights may even help you figure out that you were wrongfully terminated, and this may give you grounds to seek a renewed litigation effort. Understanding your rights can also enable you to search for worthwhile work, and avoid being placed into an unfriendly contract out of desperation.

If Returning To Work, Follow Best Procedure

When starting anew, no matter how unjust or unfair the circumstances may have been leading to this point, it’s important to apply humbly and understand how to follow best procedure. You may not be entitled a new job just because of being fired. Perhaps you need to prove yourself to a new employer before gaining work. Maybe reputational management can help you wipe off the layers of inaccuracy that can always occur in any dramatic change of social circumstances. Following best procedure, carefully, with humility, verifying your right action all the way, can help you once again structure your career in the best possible manner, even if you decide to start out on your own.

With this advice, we hope you can come back to your professional life with care and possibility.

Six Career Paths For Plumbers

Two focuses of my blog are General Education and Career Discussions. While many sectors are facing the prospect of automation, one career that will probably never go away is that of the Plumber. Likewise there will always be a need for plumbers. The are multiple career options for individuals who hold this unique and valuable skill set. The following contributed post is entitled, Six Career Paths For Plumbers.

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Plumbing can be a very rewarding career for those looking for a career in a skilled trade, with good salaries on offer for skilled plumbers and a real chance to set up in business for yourself. Many of us just think of plumbing as just doing repairs to home plumbing, but there are actually some varied career paths in the industry, from pipefitting to management.

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Licensed Plumber

This path is what most people think of when you mention a plumber. Your training will prepare you to work as a plumbing technician, an apprentice or a licensed plumber, serving a wide variety of clients in commercial, residential and residential properties.

You’ll need to know how to install and maintain different types of water systems and have a knowledge of repairs and installation of sinks, showers and other water using appliances. You’ll diagnose plumbing issues and advise your customers on how best to proceed. You’ll need to source the correct tools and parts from somewhere like plumbersstock.com. Work in this path can be very varied, making it a great starting point for new plumbers hoping to learn about a variety of work.

Pipefitter

You could take a more specialised path in plumbing and become a pipefitter. You’ll need a background in plumbing safety and installation in order to install and maintain piping in industrial and power plants. You’ll be monitoring power generation and heating and cooling systems, as well as system installations for automated controls for these systems.

Steamfitters

If you’re interested in steamfitting, your training will be very similar to the training done by pipefitters, except you’ll need to take some more specialist training to become certified as a steamfitter. Once qualified, you’ll be working on the installation of pipes for the transportation of high-pressure gas.

Pipelayers

If you train as a pipefitter but find you want more of a challenge, than you can take further training to lay pipes, meaning you can be in charge of major pipe works. Your job will involve digging trenches for piping, and then laying the pipes. These pipes may be used to carry drainage, gas, water or sewer systems.

Gas Service Technician

A qualified gas technician is responsible safely delivering has through a site. Home or business owners can bring in a gas technician to install, replace or repair faulty gas equipment, like gas boilers.

You’ll also search for gas leaks, and perform safety tests on displays and other controls.

Project Managers

After a few years in the industry, you could consider becoming a project manager, which put you in a supervisory position over a group of employees within the company you work for. As well as plumbing skills, you’ll need to learn good management skills to run your team.

You’ll be dealing with the day to day undertakings of your team of employees, making sure they’re where they are supposed to be and producing work of an acceptable quality. You can expect higher pay in this position as well as more responsibility.

Answers To Your Most Pressing Questions About Careers In The Mining Industry

The first principle of my blog is Creating Ecosystems of Success and a key focus is Career Discussions. If you live in mining country or are willing to move to it, there are career options for you. If you’re a novice to the mining industry, what do you need to know about it to work in it? The following contributed post is entitled, Answers To Your Most Pressing Questions About Careers In The Mining Industry.

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With so much focus on emerging industries, we often forget about those that keep the regular economy ticking over. Software, robotics, AI, and digital marketing are all exciting innovations. Still, none of them would be possible if there weren’t people digging raw materials out of the ground, processing them, and shipping them around the world.

The mining industry isn’t a dead one. It is, in reality, very much alive, and more in-demand than ever before, owing to the mineral demands of the modern economy. Companies need coal, petroleum products, limestone, and rare earth minerals. The orders never cease, and as the economy evolves, new types of product are required.

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For those wanting to get into the mining industry, therefore, this is a great opportunity. Today, more than ever before, there are opportunities to be had and careers to be made in the sector. Plus the pay isn’t bad either once you achieve a position with responsibility.

So what do you need to know about getting into the mining industry? Here are some popular questions and helpful answers.

I Just Graduated. What Roles Can I Do In The Mining Industry?

Education is very different from actual work in the mining industry. While many people go into mining from an engineering background, the reality of the work is different from what the academics would have you believe.

One of the best routes into the industry is to get on a graduate training scheme. The idea here is to take promising graduates with the temperament to succeed and then build their skills on the job. The downside, of course, is that these programmes tend to be very competitive with lots of people applying for the opportunity.

The other route in is to file your CV with a recruitment agency and then use them to find entry-level roles in a mining operation. Ideally, if you’re a graduate, you want a role that positions you for management in the future.

What Qualifications Do I Need To Work On A Mining Site?

Mining is a dangerous and complicated activity. Before current regulations, many people died in mines every year. It was brutal.

Today, though, there is a range of requirements for anybody wanting to work in a mine which are pretty similar across western countries.

The first thing to consider is vehicle licenses. There’s a good chance that you’ll need to drive a truck or digger at some point, so you’ll need the appropriate license for your particular country.

After that, the qualifications you need are mostly up to the employer. Some offer in-house health and safety training, while others will want to see that you’re certified to operate on a mining site. Those with bachelor’s degrees will be able to apply for work in roles that those without them cannot. Thus, a degree can be a stepping stone into a better position than you might be able to get otherwise.

Do I Need Any Health Checks?

Some mining companies insist that workers get a series of tests before allowing them to work on-site. The purpose of this is to ensure that the individual is fit for work. Some people can’t cope with the demands of the occupation.

If you plan on working for a coal mining company, then you will need a Coal Board Medical. This test assesses your overall state of health and is an essential requirement for people wanting to get into the coal mining industry.

Conditions in and around mines can be dusty, putting extra strain on the pulmonary system. People who want to work in the mining industry, therefore, often have to go through a series of spirometry or lung function tests. The idea here is to check that a person’s lungs are working correctly and that they can cope with the harsh environment of the mine without suffering severe consequences for their breathing.

Other companies may conduct a musculoskeletal test and fitness test to ensure a baseline level of fitness for those wanting to engage in heavy manual work. There’s also the usual audio screening (providing that you can follow instructions and hear warning sirens) and drug and alcohol tests.

How Can I Get My Foot In The Door?

For people looking to start a career in mining, this is a common question. Most employers want to see evidence of experience before offering a role. But to get experience, you need a job in the first place. It’s a tricky and annoying catch-22 situation.

The best way to proceed is to look for mining companies who need people with your skills, but who are currently struggling to fill job roles. You might see an advert for a job, for instance, that seems a little below your pay grade, but for which you have the skills and could perform well. Contact the mining company, tell them that you can help add value to their operations and show them your education. More likely than not, they can’t find the exact person that they need, and they want to fill the position quickly. That’s your chance. Appear professional at interview, and you’ll win their hearts and gain the role.

How Do I Learn To Drive Cranes And Trucks?

Operating heavy equipment is a large part of jobs in the mining industry. The vehicles are enormous because of the type of work that they must undertake, so they’re different from anything else that you might have driven in the past.

One of the best ways to make your CV stand out is to learn to drive one of these vehicles in advance of your application. Usually, you’ll need something called an HR-X licence (or equivalent depending on your country). This permits you to pilot vehicles of the type that you’d find on the typical mining site.

Having a license ahead of time is appealing to the majority of enterprises for two reasons. First, it shows that you’re proactive and committed to a career in the sector. And, second, the company doesn’t have to provide the money and training to enable you to perform the role. You can do it already.

How You Can Level Up in Life and Career in 2020

The first principle of my blog is Creating Ecosystems of Success and a key focus is Career Discussions. Everyone wants to advance in their career at some point. Depending upon the sector you’re in, there may be some specialized steps that you must take while there are some universal steps as well. The following contributed post is entitled, How You Can Level Up in Life and Career in 2020.

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As we move towards the end of the year, now is a good time to start reflecting. To consider where you’re at currently with your life and career, and where you want to go in the year ahead. Rather than waiting until new years eve and scribbling some meaningless resolutions, have a think now and really consider where you want your path to lead. In some cases you can start planning now so that when 2020 rolls around you’re ready to get stuck right in. Here are some examples of how you can level up next year.

Take on some further education
One of the best ways any of us can level up in life is by taking on more education. These days you don’t even need to quit your day job and go back to university full time, there are courses in every subject imaginable that can be studied from home and in a flexible way. Further education could help you to reach the next rung of the career ladder or secure a better job, or it could help you change careers if you want to do something completely different and not have to start right from the bottom. It could help you be a more clued up business owner, preventing silly mistakes being made. Education can just be good for your own satisfaction, as humans we’re curious creatures and often at our happiest when we’re learning new things. Once we finish our formal education in our teens we tend to get into a rut of working and stop expanding our minds. But this doesn’t have to be the case, have a think about what you’d like to study and find an establishment that offers the course. With lots of courses you may be able to start right away, but others will have September and January enrollment dates like traditional universities and colleges. That’s why it’s worth thinking about it now, as if you want to get started in January

Travel for (or while) you work
Travel is never a waste of time or money, it expands your mind, allowing you to make memories to last a lifetime and makes your existence feel worthwhile and interesting. But if you’re at a stage of your life where you want or need to focus on your career, it can be tricky to balance the two. So how about travelling for work, or even working while you travel? It allows you to see new places in the world and get all of the benefits of travelling for leisure, but with another dimension to it. Travel for your work can help you to build new connections and liaise with companies from different countries. Set up some meetings before you go, and use it as an opportunity to speak to potential clients face to face. Travel while you work can motivate and inspire you, if for example you create content in any capacity then doing so in new environments is going to spur on all kinds of new ideas. Don’t just overlook travel as something that’s purely a leisure activity, working alongside this can genuinely help you to level up in life, as well as in your career.

Level up your business
If you’re currently running a home based business, maybe you could consider speaking to a commercial realtor moving into a new office space? From there you could start hiring your own staff members, and growing your venture to improve your profits. If you’re already running a medium sized business, consider how you could level it up. Could you open new departments, could you invest in new software or could you start selling globally to allow your business to take that next step? Consider where your business stands currently and where it can go, make plans for growth and work out what kinds of steps you’ll need to take to get there. From there you can do what you need to do to ensure you’re moving forward and not remaining stagnant. If you’re still stuck in the rat race and have been considering starting your own business venture, then levelling up could be as simple as taking the first steps to getting this done. Look into securing funding, run market research on your idea and find good stockists and suppliers that you could work with. There’s a lot to be done in the early stages and the first part can actually be the most difficult. So once you’ve done that it will hopefully be plain sailing from there. Whatever stage you’re currently at with your business, consider how you will reach the next one.

Push yourself out of your comfort zone
As the saying goes, a comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there. Staying well within the confines of your comfort zone simply won’t allow you to level up- if it scares you then it’s worth doing! Maybe you’ve always dreamed of becoming a better speaker- taking a public speaking course and getting up there and giving it a go could be so satisfying even though tackling your fear head on can be scary. One way to push yourself out of your comfort zone is to highlight areas where you feel weaker in life or career and then start building skills to fill in the gaps. It might involve making mistakes, it might involve getting things wrong and feeling nervous or awkward but these are all signs that you’re trying something new and will improve over time.

Have you considered what changes you’ll be making next year to put you on the right path to reaching your goals?