From Weather Presenter to Teacher

From Weather Presenter to Teacher Success Story > From: Job To: Job From Weather Presenter to Teacher “I love leaving work each day feeling like I've made a difference.” * From Weather Presenter to Teacher Nina Ridge was ending each work day feeling stressed and tired. Determined to get the workâ€"life balance she craved, she went back to a career path she'd once turned away from. Here's how she made the leap, and how it felt like coming home. What work were you doing previously? I was a weather presenter for the BBC. Having originally qualified as a teacher, I saw a job advert for Broadcast Meteorologists to join the Met Office and work at the BBC. I applied and trained, leading to a career with the BBC which spanned 15 years. I started presenting on what was BBC News 24, then presented the weather across all the BBC TV channels, Radio 4 and Radio 5 live. What are you doing now? My career change has involved going back to the career path I originally studied for and becoming a Maths teacher. I now work part time, teaching Maths at a school in Tonbridge, Kent. Why did you change? During my time at the BBC, my husband and I started a family and we now have four children. Being a weather presenter can involve anti-social hours â€" I'd leave the house at 3.30 a.m. some days â€" and regular weekend working because you're on 24/7 shifts. I was also commuting to London. With my husband being posted around the world for his work, including Afghanistan, our clashing routines meant we could go weeks without being able to spend any quality time together as a family. When was the moment you decided to make the change? It all came to a head when I realised one of my children was struggling at school. I knew then we needed to make a change that would enable me to regain my workâ€"life balance and be there for my family. Are you happy with the change? I'm so happy to be teaching. I love the interaction with the children and seeing those light-bulb moments when they suddenly understand the mathematical concepts I'm explaining. And I love leaving work each day feeling like I've made a difference. Rather than finishing the working day feeling stressed and tired, I feel rewarded and like I've made an important contribution. I enjoy encouraging my students to think differently about maths and getting them engaged with the subject. I'm also really happy to be in a position where â€" as a STEM teacher with a successful and high-profile career behind me that wouldn't have been possible without my science and maths qualifications â€" I can be a role model to the young people I teach, especially the girls. I currently teach maths part-time â€" the equivalent of three days a week but spread over four short days â€" so I can finish early each day which allows me to collect my younger children from primary school. What do you miss and what don't you miss? The BBC job was great fun. It was a real mix of science and creativity; although, I do get this in the classroom too. I don't miss the commute, the antisocial hours or the lack of time we used to get together as a family. How did you go about making the shift? I began volunteering in primary school maths classes when I could. I was soon offered a part-time job, which I accepted. I left the BBC and started the new school term teaching. The new role freed up time to spend with my family, and my children and husband were supportive of the decision. The school were incredibly supportive with the timetable they offered me; it gave the balance I was looking for â€" maintaining a career but spending more time with my children. What didn't go well? What 'wrong turns' did you take? It's been hard work learning the new curriculum and getting up to speed in the classroom, but I am definitely now starting to feel more at home. How did you handle your finances to make your change possible? My experience outside the classroom was taken into account when agreeing a salary back on the teaching pay scale. Whilst on paper I have taken a big salary cut, once you remove commuting and child care costs the difference is not as big as I'd expected! What was the most difficult thing about changing? Whilst working long shifts and weekends had its downsides, it did mean I would often have time at home alone during the week. Losing this time to get family jobs done has been the hardest change. What help did you get? I've received lots of support during the last six months. My husband has been very supportive, and the maths department has never minded answering my questions and has always been on hand when I've needed some extra help. What have you learnt in the process? I've learnt that the transferable skills I have from my career at the Met Office have helped make my change pretty smooth and effortless â€" once I got to grips with interactive white boards! As a weather presenter, my role was to reinterpret complex and scientific weather data into an interesting presentation that viewers could understand â€" essentially I've been teaching the public about the weather for years, so my new role is not so different. What do you wish you'd done differently? Changed jobs sooner! What would you advise others to do in the same situation? Going and getting a practical feel for teaching again is important â€" even if it's just visiting a local school for a day or two. Walking through the entrance of the school made me feel instantly at home again. What resources would you recommend to others? People considering changing career to teaching should look at the Get into Teaching website: www.getintoteaching.education.gov.uk. If, like me, you've already qualified, visit www.education.gov.uk/returners for bespoke support. Or just contact a local school! What lessons could you take from Nina's story to use in your own career change? Let us know in the comments below.

Tips on Writing For Resume

Tips on Writing For ResumeWriting for resume is a very interesting task. It is not like writing for a school essay or a report. You must be careful in choosing your words and ensure that you include the necessary information.Some people like to write in a chronological order. They will use bullet points to describe each point, and you will be able to determine which information is important in each section. You should try to give information in sections and the last section should be about closing. The final paragraph should end with a statement.All of your thoughts must be laid out in the right perspective. You have to consider your reader's intelligence. Think that they are smarter than you are wiser than them. All ideas must be written in a logical way. Just writing can do this.If you are asked to give one objective, you have to know how to explain different terms. There are different types of resumes and they have different requirements. You should understand the requirement befo re you write. This will help you make things easy for yourself. If you know what you are writing about, then you will write something that the employer will appreciate.Article writing is a great way to save money on books. It will also allow you to gain more knowledge about how to write for resume. You should begin writing articles for resume by first writing an article in the format of a short report. After that, you can continue with articles and resume.Before you start writing, you need to learn how to format the words correctly. You can read other articles online and research the common mistakes. You should be able to make things easier for yourself if you know the correct style. You can learn how to format the page yourself.You need to know what the requirements are for the job. You should know what is expected of you before you begin to write. Most employers expect that the resume writer will make sure that the resume is accurate and complete. The information must be meaningfu l.There are many online sources that will provide you with the resources that you need. These websites will help you write for resume faster. The more efficient you are, the faster you will get the job. If you do not want to spend time researching, then you can simply use online resources that will give you everything you need.

Top Ten Traits of Creative Leaders - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Top Ten Traits of Creative Leaders - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Creativity, innovation and adaptability are the hallmarks of today’s best leaders. Not CEOs mind you, leaders. Don’t confuse a title like CEO with the reality that most of us will lead from the back of the pack, or somewhere in the middle. Creativity is a calling. Innovation is a burning desire. Adaptability is personal trait. CEO, COO, president and general manager are just job titles. Most top officers find it difficult to be creative. There are too many responsibilities and constituencies to look after. Focusing on squeezing out profit every 12 weeks. Cutting costs to keep shareholders happy. When you are watching your back, it’s hard to keep your eyes on the road ahead. A job title does not imbue the individual with courage or charisma. Those are personal traits. Creativity takes many forms, so don’t count yourself out because you are in accounting, operations, human resources, logistics, project management or any other field or specialty. Employees, consultants, coaches, freelancers and suppliers: the opportunity to transform an organization (and with that your own career) is yours for the doing. How do you start? It helps to hold a deep affection for your company and clients, since creativity is a gift you give. Think about the impact your company could have and the growth your clients could enjoy. Creative leadership makes your job more meaningful and gives you visibility. Do something small at first â€" deliver a project early, come up with alternative courses of action, and whenever possible deliver unexpected added value. A bit of qualitative research or sentiment analysis (collecting comments made on forums or social media) is a good example of providing new perspectives that lead to new solutions. David Ogilvy, one of the original Mad Men, a real ad man, espoused ten qualities he saw in creative leaders. They are: High standards of personal ethics. Big people, without pettiness. Guts under pressure, resilience in defeat. Brilliant brains â€" not safe plodders. A capacity for hard work and midnight oil. Charisma â€" charm and persuasiveness. A streak of unorthodoxy â€" creative innovators. The courage to make tough decisions. Inspiring enthusiasts â€" with trust and gusto. A sense of humor. Do you want to increase the reality of possibilities in your career or business? Then pick one of these qualities each week for the next ten weeks. Find every way you can to demonstrate the quality you’re working on. Add them up and in ten weeks you will have transformed yourself, and perhaps the organization and clients you serve.

Motivation Is Required To Succeed - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Motivation Is Required To Succeed - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Recently, I had an eyebrow-raising call. My Prospect said outright that although she knows her services are exactly what her clientele needs she cannot convert them to clients. After a lengthy discussion, I offered a number of suggestions of how to improve the process. Categories of ambition The content of my program was discussed to which “Julia” replied she cannot afford it. Upon which, I suggested she consider purchasing my book, Nice Girls DO Get the Sale, which contains the heart of the much-needed information. Julia then replied, “I don’t want to read anything.” The conversation disintegrated from there. Ironically, this woman had asked upfront what types of clients I take on. My answer was, “Those who are motivated to succeed.” Our conversation clearly told me she is not in this category. The call quickly terminated. The exact opposite is true of my friend, Aricia. She is a very accomplished coach and marketing expert. She began with a Masters Degree in educational psychology and worked as a therapist. Later, she moved into providing innovative career coaching and working with businesses to help them understand the psychological makeup of their ideal clients to market more effectively and efficiently. Aricia especially loves making candy. Several years ago she found an old family recipe for fudge in the attic. She began to tinker and adjust, experiment and play until her own creation emerged. This coincided with a memory that came up in a meditation â€" the memory that as a small child her dream was to work in a candy factory! Making the dream even sweeter, her sons used to stand in the kitchen helping her make candy and this brought wonderful remembrances to mind. Even the cleanup was turned into a fun time together. The recognition hit it was time to take a leap of faith. Together with her children, Aricia began to build Satchi Fudge. It was the combination of passion, talent in the kitchen and a motivated dream that have come together to create a delicious business brand in every sense. The tag line says it all â€" Happiness bliss one bite at a time. The belief they would be successful, vision and careful planning with her sons, brought a huge surprise. Only two months into their business, Satchi Fudge was entered into the Colorado Chocolate Festival. Her competitors were well-established in the world of candy but it was the passion and drive of Satchi Fudge (www.satchifudge.com â€" live link possible?) that earned them the title of #1 Best Fudge in Colorado! I’m willing to bet their motivation and passion for what they do will serve to build their brand, drive sales, and will make them an international force to be reckoned with. Your vision Take a moment to consider what your passion is and what can you do to move your business or career to the next level. Should you truly wish to build brand awareness and increase revenue, you must make a commitment to education in all forms. You must have the desire and belief you will succeed. Only when you hold these close to your heart to do what it takes as Aricia did, will your inspiration take you to the heights of which you currently dream. Your dream will become a well-recognized brand. Author: Elinor Stutz, CEO of Smooth Sale, LLC authored the International Best-Selling book, “Nice Girls DO Get the Sale: Relationship Building That Gets Results” and “HIRED! How to Use Sales Techniques to Sell Yourself On Interviews”. She provides team sales training, private coaching, and Inspirational keynotes for conferences to standing ovations. Elinor is available for consultation. Call (800) 704-1499 today

Resume Writing to Avoid Age Discrimination

Resume Writing to Avoid Age DiscriminationResume writing to avoid age discrimination is the next frontier in job market management. The most basic requirement of the employment recruitment process is that every person is given an equal opportunity. Even though this has been the general rule, it is expected that some types of job applicants will have special skills that will make them more desirable than others.There are three fundamental elements that you should be aware of if you want to keep from being rejected when applying for a job applicant that will require that you prove your age. These elements are the education, age and the experience. Before using these in your resume, it is essential that you understand how each of these elements will work on the employer. Below are some tips on how to apply these three parts.Experience is an excellent choice when you are trying to avoid age discrimination but you don't want to reveal your experience, it is not that difficult to disguise what you have accomplished. Even when applying for a position that requires much experience, the employer will ask about your job history and how long you have been employed. It is important that you can talk about your career and if you do, there is a chance that the employer will accept your accomplishments.This is a very important consideration to be aware of. You have to remember that the employer will use your references that you have. If you have listed a full list of references, this will help a lot because it helps to show that you have a reliable job history. Another thing that you can do is to leave off any time you have worked for an agency that does not exist anymore.Education is another element that you can use to avoid age discrimination. Even though you do not know if your resume is going to be accepted by the employer, you can get a feel about what they are looking for. In fact, since many people do not like to be reminded of their lack of education when it comes to resume writing, you can help yourself out by highlighting your interest in public service.If you do happen to meet someone in a job interview that you feel is interesting, you can mention this to the interviewer and then move on to your education. Remember that some of the skills and hobbies that you have mentioned may seem to be difficult to portray in a written format. In fact, that is the best way to tell if the interviewee is interested in your education.There are many people who are unaware of the methods that can be used to help a resume to avoid age discrimination. A few examples of things that you can do include using eye-catching titles or phrases that describe your experiences and your skills in a good light. Another thing that you can do is to write very short notes, tips or lists that are related to your educational experiences and your work history.Resume writing to avoid age discrimination is not as difficult as it may sound. You can apply a few techniques that will he lp you get through the hiring process. The above tips are only a few of the many techniques that can help you to use to get past the restrictions that your age can cause.

The Reverse Interview How to Turn the Tables and Knock Your Potential Employers Socks Off

The Reverse Interview How to Turn the Tables and Knock Your Potential Employer’s Socks Off 11 Flares 11 Flares Veronica Park is an author, journalist and world-traveler of many different past and future vocations. Keep an eye out for her first published novel, which will hopefully be announced soon. In the meantime, you can read about her exploits in the Caribbean and find out her opinion on pretty much everything by following her on Twitter (@VeroniKaboom) and checking out her  website. It’s that moment, the one you’ve been dreading since you managed to make it through the first moment you’d been dreading. Luckily, the First Dreaded Moment (walking into the job interview) actually went pretty well.       You made sure to show up on time, professionally dressed, with at least three pristine copies of your resume in hand, and you made direct eye contact and gave the interviewer a firm handshake.       Your palms weren’t sweating, and you smelled goodâ€"but didn’t overpower them with perfume or cologne.       You sat down across from each other and made sure to keep your body language open (meaning you didn’t cross your arms or turn away) and you leaned forward slightly whenever the interviewer spoke about the views of the companyâ€"which you, as a student of career psychology, knew would subconsciously broadcast your interest and engagement with the fate of the company you’re trying to join.       For every question the interviewer asked, you had a thoughtful and pre-planned (but genuine and personalized) answer, with 1-2 short anecdotal examples of how you’ve applied problem solving and extraordinary poise under pressure.       You did not fidget or use too many filler words, like “uh…ah…um…like…wellyou know….”       You didn’t nod like a bobble-head when the interviewer spoke, but maintained eye contact and used reflective listening. You even tried to work parts of the interviewer’s questions into your answers. Right now, you’re feeling pretty good about your chances of getting this job. “Okay, so that’s about everything I’ve got for you,” the Interviewer says. “What about you? Do you have any questions you’d like to ask me?” Oh…#@$%. Now what? You’ve done enough research to know that you’re supposed to say yes, and then ask the interviewer a question. But you were so busy worrying about your hairstyle or how you were going to explain the time you got fired from Disneyland in college that you forgot to prepare a really intelligent-sounding question that was also kind of a subtle brag about how well-researched you are. Something along the lines of: “I understand that [name of company] has changed hands recently, whereas previously it was owned and operated by the Miller family since 1927. I’m curious to know what kind of changes [the new owners] are planning to make, and whether their goals differ from the original mission statement.” *Pause for effect, while your interviewer falls out of his/her chair and then attempts to come up with an answer that sounds as knowledgeable as your question.* Obviously, a thoroughly-researched question is ALWAYS the best bet. But, if you find yourself in this situation without such a stellar question prepared, here are some blanket alternatives you can use to force your interviewer to think on his/her feet: “Do you mind if I ask, how long have you been with [name of company]? What made you stay?” “What would make someone especially successful as a [name of position you’re applying for]?” “What’s an example of a challenge you’ve recently faced with one of your clients/customers?” “Where do YOU see [name of company] heading in the next 5-10 years?” “If I am hired, what kind of impact do you think I could have on the team/department?” “I’ve been following [name of company] on Twitter and Facebook for a few weeks, and I noticed that you’re implementing a lot of new promotions. Has there been a change in marketing strategy lately?” “Do you have any concerns about my qualifications you would like me to address?” (This is actually a really great question, since it shows you aren’t afraid to be open about your weaknesses and also gives you a chance to lay those potential concerns to rest. For examples of how to do this, read this US News article on How to Talk About Your Weaknesses in a Job Interview.) Finally, why is this part even important? Why can’t you just shrug and say “Nope, sounds like you covered everything” or ask “Did I get the job?” Because, in the words of Admiral Ackbar, “It’s a trap!” Hapless interviewees often see this part of the interview as the “light at the end of the tunnel,” or the question that signifies an end to the strictly professional portion and an invitation to relax and get loose, just ask whatever you want, man. DO NOT FALL FOR IT. The interview is NOT over. It’s not over when you give the final handshake, or after you walk out of the office. In fact, your job interview isn’t over until you get the job…or don’t. So. Let’s pretend that you believe me, and you are now totally gung-ho and willing to do whatever it takes to flip this interview over and take controlâ€"thus ending on a proactive and positive note. Why is it so crucial to turn the tables on your interviewer, you ask? For starters, it’s basically a more elegant and socially acceptable form of the classic playground taunt, “You can dish it out, but CAN you take it?”â€"seriously, what’s not to love about that? More importantly, though, it shows the interviewer what you’re made of. I might even go as far as to say the interviewee question is the most important part of an interview, because it’s the only part when you the job seeker are 100% in control. Don’t take that power lightly. Use it to its fullest advantage. Instead of being terrified of suddenly being smack in the middle of the spotlight, use it to SHINE all the more brightly. Because THAT is the moment when you stop being “just another interviewee” and start being a legitimate job candidate. *Drops microphone. Moonwalks off metaphorical stage.*

Use Every Source Available To Uncover Job Opportunities

Use Every Source Available To Uncover Job Opportunities Youll want to use every source available to uncover job opportunities because job boards arent the only place employers announce jobs. Recruiters are branching out and trying new ways to attract candidates. Companies are luring candidates with creative job postings in many places besides the job boards. In order to discover opportunities, this means youll need to expand where you are looking for opportunities! Youll also see job postings featuring pictures of employees having fun on the job and a-day-in-the-life  interviews. Companies are doing more to provide candidates with information to be informed applicants and its about time! Why would a recruiter go the extra mile to post jobs in other places? One reason is to attract people who are already working and who arent actively job seeking. Another reason is to meet candidates where they are active. In short, hiring volumes are up and candidates are harder to find. Recruiters have found that candidates are more selective and want more information about a company before applying. Companies that do a better job showcasing their company culture and perks have a better chance at catching the attention of finicky job seekers. Use Every Source Available To Uncover Job Opportunities Have you tried these? The Companys Career Page The companys career page features job postings and youll often get a glimpse of their work culture. Dont stop here. Look for links to the social media platforms the company uses. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn profiles give you the opportunity to learn what the company is up to, discover job postings and the real bonus, to interact with people managing the social media accounts! Hashtags On Social Media Can Unlock Jobs If you havent identified target companies you would like to work for yet, you can search social media platforms to find jobs using a hashtag, or number sign. Try searching Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest for your new job using the job title preceded by the hashtag, for example: #webdesigner, #customerservice or #accounting. You can also try #job to find openings. If you chose this option, youll have to sort through many different jobs, but you will learn which companies use social media to promote jobs. Instagram If you are already using Instagram to catch up on your personal interests, then you have seen how companies are using Instagram to connect with customers. Employers are trying to lure employees using Instagram, too. Go ahead and follow your favorite companies to keep up with their career news. Pinterest Similar to Instagram, some recruiters have tried sharing job postings on Pinterest to attract candidates. See if any of the companies you are interested in working for have an account and pinboard for career opportunities. Facebook Dont dismiss this popular network as a source for job announcements. You may find a friend sharing a job opening through a status update on Facebook or a company highlighting a new opportunity on their Facebook page. Facebook groups also serve as a way for recruiters to list new jobs. Look for groups on Facebook relevant to your occupation or industry or perhaps even the city you want to work in. Craigslist This may be the place you go to find a deal on a new-to-you purchase, but it can also be a recruiters alternative to the job boards. Craigslist serves as another vehicle for recruiters to post jobs where they know people are already spending time browsing. As with any job posting, be smart and practice digital defense. Never share social security numbers or other personal information online or through email. And be sure to check the background of the company and people you are interacting with. Talk With People To beat the odds and stand out as a candidate for a job, start talking to people inside a company before the job is posted. Referred candidates have a much better chance of getting interviewed and hired. Start your search by making a list of people you know and begin networking. LinkedIn- Obviously LinkedIn offers a job board. The newest features within LinkedIn provide you with more information about culture and the career paths of people in similar roles. You can read more about these changes here. Gig Work Either as a side project or to keep your skills fresh, project work is just another option to generate income. And if you do a great job, who knows, the company may hire you. Check out these popular sites: Flexjobs Freelancer FreelanceWriting Guru.com LinkedIn Profinder Sologig UpWork Build A Target List To give your job search and networking efforts focus and to learn about jobs before they are even posted, create a list of companies you would like to work for.   Learn how and why to build a target list here. This post has been modified and originally appeared on US News World Report