Im Tempted to Believe Im Superwoman

Im Tempted to Believe Im Superwoman Ever been to a circus and seen those jugglers, riding a bicycle, doing cartwheels and still managing to effectively throw and catch oranges or apples, or whatever? Most of the time, that feels like me. I can definitely relate in my own little way. My story Life so far has taught me that with drive, determination and a positive attitude, anything is possible. I believe that if you are prepared to work hard, make sacrifices and accept support, you can achieve the unachievable. Id encourage anyone with a dream to pursue it, if thats what will make you happy. In 2007  I gained admission into the University of Leeds to study for a Master’s degree. It was then I packed up and  left my home country,  Nigeria, where I was born and raised. My first visit was in February of that same year, where I got my admission, and by September I was on the plane.  Here I am almost nine years later, and  my life has changed drastically in ways I never knew it could. I am a wife and mother of  2 lovely kids. I am a public servant and also run  my own business, helping to support young people from Africa in their integration into foreign studies and life in general. I imagine now the juggling analogy is starting to make more sense. Multi-tasking madness Its 4.50am and I am awake, ready to take on my day. Waking up any later is an absolute disaster. The kids have to get ready for nursery and the childminder. Of course, I also have to get myself ready  and prepare lunch for us all. While I make back and forth trips to the fridge,  my brain analyses and processes  50 different things at once. There are days everything overwhelms me and I am at my wit’s end. These tend to be the  days when I find myself in  another city for work. Occasionally  I find myself splintered in identity. Who am I? What am I prioritising? What should I be prioritising? Am I doing things right? On those days I miss my children. They have to be in bed by 7.00pm. When I come home late in the evening, theyre already in bed or well on their way to being tucked in for the night. Every now and then, when my mind is full and I cannot sleep,  I start wondering  whether Ive made the right decisions. When will I ever make time for myself? Learning and sharing In moving to the UK, I had to  face numerous challenges that came with  being from a  different cultural background. Im a Nigerian woman married to a white  British man. My husband has slowly learned to enjoy friend plantain, Nigerian fried rice and the very popular Nigerian jollof rice. I, on the other hand, have had to understand the basic British idiosyncrasies. Early on in our marriage, I had to explain to him the Nigerian habit of extended family members often visiting without prior notice even when they come from places as far away as Nigeria! Before marriage, I was not interested in cooking English meals.  But now, I am quite adept in the kitchen, be it preparing food my kids and husband love  which I don’t eat (ham, bacon, half boiled eggs and so on). I have learned to be more open-minded, flexible and patient while learning about this new culture. There has been issues on occasion. Were just like all other  married couples. Hard times bind people together; love is forged in fires. The colour of one’s skin doesn’t define a marriage. Love, trust, patience, loyalty and respect define a marriage. It’s been a learning curve, learning about each other. Sacrifice and support Late last year I travelled to Nigeria on a business trip. This was my first time of leaving my kids for more than a day. Leaving my family to travel was not easy. It broke my heart. My amazing mother-in-law and father -in-law, who I call Sheffield Mum and Sheffield Dad stepped in to take care of the children. So far, they have been a huge  support to me. Despite all the challenges I see every day, Insight Africa UK has been a labour of love and each time I make a positive break through, it gives me joy knowing that my labour yields positive fruits. Success for me means that my kids and  husband are  happy, while  I do what I love, enjoying my career. In my spare time, I tend to my garden. Its a big one half is made up of the lawn and the other half is made up of shrubs and flowers. Right now, we have two apple trees, two cherry trees, two pear trees, one peach tree and one plum tree. Success and Superwoman I believe as a woman I can have it all. I plan on taking my business into a different league, entering new markets, creating additional revenue streams and redefining relationships. I am constantly re-evaluating, re-prioritizing and re-connecting with the important things in my life. I try to get enough perspective so that I know I am intentionally making those choices instead of letting chance  happen  to me. I am a homemaker, a business woman, a public servant, a wife and a mother. And I love it. My name is Ral Parkin and I am tempted to believe I am a superwoman. About the author: Ral Parkin is  the Executive Director of Insight Africa UK LTD, helping support and encourage young people from Africa in further education.

Best Word App For Writing a Letter Or Resume

Best Word App For Writing a Letter Or ResumeWhat is the best word app for writing a letter or resume? There are a number of programs out there but which one to choose? Read on to find out about the best apps available.I've come across quite a few word apps in my career that do the same job as word processors, but they don't do it right. They try to overcomplicate things. As a result, you end up with a poor-quality product. Here are some things to look for when looking for the best word app for writing a letter or resume.The first thing you want to look for is whether the program uses a spell checker. Do they spell check for correct spelling and punctuation? If not, you need to look elsewhere.You also want to make sure that the application does not overwhelm you with too many options. You do not want to overload yourself with choices. Get rid of the programs that force you to select too many options at once.You should also get word apps that are simple to use. You do not want to downl oad an app that is difficult to operate or navigate. Even if it does its job well, it is difficult to use and not something you would want to spend time learning.Last, you want to be sure that the word apps you download are easy to install. If you have any problems with installation, you might find it takes a long time to get started. A simple program will not take forever to set up.Finally, you want to make sure that the best word apps for writing a letter or resume are free. There are plenty of programs that cost money that are inferior to free word software.When looking for the best letter app for writing a letter or resume, you need to make sure that the program you get is free. Try out the programs that fit these criteria, and then determine which one you want to purchase.

Why I Love Being a Working Mom

Why I Love Being a Working Mom By, Heather Engolm I curled my hair twice last week. That may not seem like much of an accomplishment, but considering most days I dont even bother to blow dry it let alone style it, anything beyond pulling back wet sopping strands into a ponytail is a monumental feat.I remember the day it had finally grown out enough from my initial super-short pixie cut into a length that allowed me to put a rubber band in I was ecstatic. Never mind the fact that I had bangs over my eyes and the hair in said rubber band stuck straight out from my head like a cocker spaniels cropped off tail. To anyone thinking about cutting your hair short because it will be easier to manage once you have kids DONT DO IT! Short hair requires much more styling, more product, more work overall. Granted it gives them less to grab onto and yank, but Ill take that any day over waiting almost two years for it to grow out again, not to mention the stages of growth I had to endure along the way. Parenting certainly doesnt detract from the day-to-day ups and downs of life. There are still moments of ultimate personal triumph and moments where you feel like a total failure. And of course, plenty of those OMG what was I thinking! moments. When I was about 7 months prego with my second child, I decided to cut and dye my hair. This news was nothing shocking to my family and friends, Id been through a number of variations on blonde and redhead themes before. Somewhere in the conversation with my stylist, I may have mentioned my favorite childhood heroine the whimsical and mischievous orphan Anne of Green Gables he must have envisioned Little Orphan Annie because I ended up with this:   Being the master of loving whatcha got and embracing anything quirky or unusual, I of course said, its exactly what I wanted, I love it! I truly did, for about a week. Luckily, it later faded into a nice dark auburn. When I returned to work full time I was ecstatic: I always knew I wanted to be a mom, but I also knew I didnt want to be a stay at home mom. At first there were pangs of course. It was heartbreaking when their little hands would cling to me and their big eyes would well up at drop-off time every morning. Then at work, sitting down to my computer with a latté and a whole day of grown-up possibilities and responsibilities ahead of me, I knew that the best part of my day would be going home and the joy of seeing their faces light up as they told me all about the fun they had at school. The choice to become a mother is so much more than just choosing to be fat and exhausted for a few months. It is  choosing to be the one that tucks them into bed every night, choosing to take on the homework and soccer games and nightmares. Parenting changes your life inevitably, irreversibly, and dramatically. I wouldnt say you lose your identity as much as expand it. Although for a while it may see like youve lost yourself, instead of Ms-Career-Girl on the path to world domination you become Ms-Mommy-Woman with spit up in your Prada bag and Prada-sized bags under your eyes.  You read  workingmums.co.uk  instead of Cosmo.    You relinquish your days of facebooking on lunch breaks for milk-pumping in the office bathroom. You give up a new pair of shoes every month for a cart full of diapers. But what you sacrifice for a year or so is made up a hundredfold in the long run. You start to make better choices, more responsible, selfless, life-bettering choices. When the weight of liability for your own actions and consequences is all you bear, its easier to slack off on goals or personal areas of development. When the weight of molding and shaping another future member of society is integrated into your life, every action and word and thought takes on new significance. Its strange now to think of myself as anything but a mother. It has become my whole identity. I have lost myself in it, but I have not lost myself to it. I still enjoy the same things I did before having kids, enhanced now by watching my childrens newly found appreciation for them. Today I blow dried my hair while my 3-year-old daughter hid under the bed putting on my lipstick. Heather Engolm lives just outside of Chicago with her children Diana (3) and Dylan (2), her boyfriend Sean and their black lab Tucker.   Heather loves her career in advertising/marketing because it offers her flexibility and time with her family.   Before she had children, Heather worked in hospitality management and sang jazz/pop for weddings.   In her spare time she rides horses, reads sci-fi novels, watches football, and goes to local punk shows and art galleries. Her Alaskan roots inspire her to take her kids to forest preserves and parks as often as possible.

It Was a Very Good Year

It Was a Very Good Year Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'hEhPzq4MQidnyoNbIU86XQ',sig:'tjdDje26AbL5f5iK00TsBhXw4WZH8lNFvyQ0l3nGjX8=',w:'507px',h:'337px',items:'144560930',caption: false ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Closing out a business year offers the chance to reflect on what you’ve accomplished â€" or survived â€" personally and professionally.   Many cultures have traditions around the new year that involve cleaning house, eliminating debts, forgiving old slights, and making amends for things they’ve done wrong.   There’s something symbolic about turning the page to a new year that makes everyone want to start fresh and make plans to become a better person. The end of the year is a great time for you to look back and review your accomplishments and strategize for the upcoming year.   If the past 12 months seems like an unmemorable blur, you might consider keeping a log of your accomplishments.   It can be electronic or written in a journal format.   It’s a great way for you to track what you have accomplished at work, what committees or teams you served on, and specific results of projects.   Many companies invite input for performance evaluations, and yours will be easy to compile if you keep a record all year.   It’s also a great tool for use in updating your resume and in preparing to ask for a raise or promotion. Once you’ve listed your accomplishments, consider sending thank you notes or emails to people that have helped you over the year.   You can also send a note to someone who has inspired you or helped you through a difficult challenge.   In business, we traditionally thank customers with cards or small gifts; it’s rare to see someone thank team members in the same way.   The Hebrew term for gratitude is hikarat hatov, which means, literally, recognizing the good.   In today’s hectic business environment, too few people stop to recognize what is good in their lives, which includes coworkers that make you laugh or help you get through the day, or the people who keep your network up and running. Now that you’ve thanked people who have helped you, ask yourself:   Who can I help?   Most people make the mistake of thinking networking is about asking for advice and help.   Really effective networking begins when you call people to offer them help with special projects or challenges.   Who do you know that’s working on a big project, looking for a job, or making a change in his life? Reach out to these people and offer your help in the new year.   Offer to connect them with people you know or resources they might not be aware of. You will instantly change the nature of your network and the quality of your business relationships. As for setting new goals for the new year, aim small.   What good habit would you like to start (bringing your lunch instead of eating out every day, answering emails within 12 hours; keeping your inbox clean) or bad habit would you like to stop? Maybe it’s snacking in the afternoon or being late to meetings.   Achieving even small goals will build your confidence and sense of progress during the year.   Starting with a fresh slate, building or repairing your relationships, and setting goals â€" looks like it’s going to be a very good year.

Resume Writing Format For Experienced Job Seekers

Resume Writing Format For Experienced Job SeekersAs an experienced resume writer, you should be aware of the resume writing format for experienced job seekers. This guide can help you learn how to create the perfect resume that will allow you to get hired as soon as possible.The first and most important point is to have a point of view and to stay on topic. Avoid talking about the past or even about the present. You need to talk about your future goals. You need to convince the hiring manager that you are the best choice for the job.Include only those skills that can translate to a different job description. If you are an engineering expert, then use that skill to recruit and train other engineers. Do not include skills that will only waste space in your resume.Use the right amount of words per paragraph. It is better to use two paragraphs rather than just one. The purpose of having more than one page is to encourage readers to read it. You may have enough information to justify the inclusion of more than one page.You need to include a personal statement on your resume as well. This statement will introduce your personal perspective, so make sure it covers at least part of your resume.Be sure to not copy an existing resume to create an original resume. Resumes are unique, so never try to copy them.Use a style guide if you are using a template to create your resume. Even though the template you choose may not be a style guide, the template is in front of you need to follow the guidelines for creating your resume.Finally, donot include dates, use bullets if you are including dates on your resume. The bullets provide emphasis and provide you with a strong outline to build your resume around. When filling out your resume, always remember that the resume writing format for experienced job seekers is to create the resume that will speak the language of the hiring manager.

Creative Love Film Consider a Career in Video Marketing - CareerMetis.com

Creative Love Film Consider a Career in Video Marketing Photo Credit â€" Pexels.com“Discouraged” is a feeling familiar to those who had ambitions towards a career in film. A lack of opportunities and an emphasis on connections means that most people have to get extremely lucky to get their foot in the door. In the rare event that an opportunity is presented and a door is opened, the first hint of a mistake can slam that door shut.This high-stakes career path towards the film industry should not deter those who love writing for the screen, putting together productions, or telling incredible stories from behind the camera.Lucrative opportunities still exist for talented filmmakers. To find them, they must look away from the make-or-break culture of studio film production and towards a different, growing, all-digital field: video marketing.evalNow we know what you are thinking: “I don’t want to sell my soul!” Rest assured that you can keep it right where it belongs while still advancing your opportunities and forging those all-impo rtant connections that branch out your career path.To emphasize just how fulfilling a video marketing career can be, consider these four perks, courtesy of the Vancouver corporate video production company Tetra Films.1. Video Marketing Can Still Be ArtThe reason most people roll their eyes at the idea of marketing-driven content is that they hate seeing corny ad pitches. Big companies know this now! An authentic perspective and a compelling story are rapidly becoming more important than putting a product on a pedestal.“You can’t fake it anymore, or else your audience will eat you alive,” says Tetra Film’s Brice Kelly. He explains that with online video, people have trillions of alternatives over what amounts to a shallow ad. “To get people’s attention, you have to promise to touch them emotionally, or else they won’t click.”.This drive to weave a compelling story forces Kelly and Tetra Films co-owner Willy Lavendel to get intensely creative. They have to work closely with their clients to suss out goals and then decide how that can translate to an interesting, memorable video. The results must be powerful, concentrated and focused, like this 30 second ad for the Air Canada Foundation charity.Content like this illustrates why vision still matters in video marketing, enabling filmmakers to challenge themselves and hone their creative chops.2. Growth and Opportunities AboundPart of the reason that the film industry is so fiercely competitive lies in saturation â€" everyone wants to be doing it, so only the most skilled or best-connected get a chance.evalOn the other side of the coin, video marketing talent is hard to come by. Companies and nonprofit organizations are scrambling to find people to help take on their projects. Kelly says that this high demand means that one job can often lead to another.“One of our first big breaks was when the Air Canada Foundation came to us after we had done work with the BCSS Lavendel likewise points out that w orking with other talented people in the film industry can be quite fulfilling for someone who is passionate about craft.“You work with these people and sometimes you just find yourself shutting up and watching because what they are doing is so amazing.”4. You Get to Wear Many HatsThose who pursue video marketing careers also do not have to worry about feeling pigeonholed into one role, as so often happens in the film industry proper. Instead, your role can evolve as the company you work with grows and starts taking on new types of projects.For instance, Kelly, and especially Lavendel, spent a lot of their time behind the camera when they first started out, but now they get the chance to break away from shooting and try new things. Lavendel can now direct from a creative standpoint and work with a variety of other visionaries to strive towards a common goal. Kelly similarly helps his clients’ projects take shape, transforming a rough idea into the outline of a finished product .“I was surprised at how rewarding consulting felt at first,” reveals Kelly. “Even though I’m not necessarily taking a direct hand in filming, what comes out is a product of my imagination and my ability to translate our client’s goals into something you can sit and watch online.”Consulting has also helped change the culture of many clients that Tetra Films works with. They can go from “almost completely visually illiterate,” in the words of Lavendel to being able to think in four dimensions about how their message can come to life.As upstart video marketing filmmaker’s careers mature, they will also find themselves in the position of helping others think more like a director instead of a company head. And, as Kelly says, “teaching others to embrace film is really what being a filmmaker is all about.”5. Get Your Start in a Video Marketing CareerYou can gain experience to start your own video marketing career by making a portfolio of amateur short films or comme rcials and then using it to apply to an entry-level position.evalYou can also try to start your own production company by finding clients, especially nonprofits, in your local community.Pretty soon, you could find yourself rapidly moving towards bigger, more amazing things!

How To Become A Scenes Of Crime Officer 2017 Guide

How To Become A Scenes Of Crime Officer 2017 Guide Crime scene investigator jobs are one of the most sought after positions within the policing sector. Crime scene investigators, sometimes known as scenes of crime officers, attend the scene of a crime directly; to look for clues and analyse what may have taken place. So, how to become a scenes of crime officer? What is the selection process like, and what qualities do you need to demonstrate? In this blog, we’ll answer all of your questions, and teach you how to become a scenes of crime officer.The role of a scenes of crime officerThe role of a crime scene investigator is to assist the police with investigations. Crime scene investigators take a specialist approach to solving crime. They attend scenes directly, and investigate/analyse evidence. Crime scene investigators are employed by individual constabularies. They work alongside regular police officers.As a crime scene investigator, you will be required to perform tasks such as taking fingerprints of deceased victims, collecting evidence, ensuring that a crime scene is secure and free from contamination, producing written reports and giving evidence in court.In our previous blog, we have covered the behavioural expectations of a crime scene investigator in more detail. Now, let’s look at the actual selection process for becoming a scenes of crime officer.How To Become A Scenes Of Crime Officer: The Selection ProcessThere are a number of different stages to becoming a crime scene investigator. Each force will have their own selection criteria. However, the basic structure of recruitment will usually consist of the following:An online application formAn assessment centreAn interviewA medical/physical examination, including an eyesight testA period of training with the police force, to bring you up to speed with crime scene investigator requirementsStage 1 â€" Application FormThe very first stage of the process is an online application form. Regardless of the force that you are applying to, this will be the first step. The application form will ask you a variety of personal questions, including:Your ageYour full nameYour criminal recordWhat qualifications you have and your past work experienceAlong with these questions, you will also be asked competency based questions. Competency based questions will assess you based on the key behaviours expected for the role.A sample question might look like this:Scenes of Crime Officers are required to have great attention to detail. Tell us why having attention to detail is important to you, and how you think it will help you in this role.Answering this question should be done in two stages. Firstly, you need to show the constabulary that you are someone with fantastic attention to detail (a core competency of the role), and secondly, you need to show your level of research and knowledge, in demonstrating how attention to detail fits in with the role itself.So, your answer to this question should read a little something like this:Attention to det ail is extremely important to me. I have always been a meticulous and thorough person, and I have put this skill to use on numerous occasions during my professional career. I know that attention to detail is extremely important to this role, and that is one of the reasons that I believe I’d be a great fit. From my research, I have learned that crime scene investigators are required to cast a meticulous eye over every single element of a crime scene, spotting everything and anything that could be used for clues. Obviously, your full answer should be longer than this, but hopefully this gives you some idea of how to respond to a question of this nature.Stage 2 â€" Assessment CentreStage 2 will very much depend on the constabulary that you are applying to. There’s a possibility that some constabularies will ask you to take a phone interview, or even complete another questionnaire online, following the initial application form. However, some constabularies will send you directly to an assessment centre, if you are successful. At the assessment centre, you will take a variety of different tests. If you want to learn how to become a scenes of crime officer, revising for these tests is extremely important. The tests could include:Written reports. In these exercises, you’ll be required to read through some information, and then produce a written report based on what you have read. This is a skill that replicates real crime investigator work, as you will need to complete regular paper based reports, based on the cases that you have investigated. The assessors will score you based how well you have interpreted the information provided, the details you have spotted, the quality of your grammar and the coherency of your sentences.Group exercise. At the assessment centre, there is a good chance that you will be asked to take a group exercise. This will require you to sit in a room with several other people, and sit and discuss a case file. The aim of this exercise is to demonstrate your teamwork and problem solving skills. The assessor will judge you based on how well you communicate with the rest of the group. This is again, a reflection of real crime investigator work, where you will need to correspond with other members of the policing team on a day to day basis.Puzzle and logic based questions. There is also a good chance that you will be required to solve logic and puzzles based questions too. These types of question will assess you based on scenarios that you are likely to encounter during the real work of a crime scene investigator. For example, you might be given a picture of a crime scene, or a description of an event, and asked to pick out key clues and offer explanations for why things are the way they are in the picture. Practicing for this is a great way to learn how to become a scenes of crime officer.Stage 3 â€" InterviewThere are two options for the interview. Firstly, there is a chance that you will be required to conduct an in terview at the assessment centre itself. If so, this will likely be in the form of a structured interview, whereby the interview will be conducted under strict timed conditions, and assess you based on the core competencies.Alternatively, you may not be asked to take part in a structured interview, and will move straight on to the final interview. This will be a lengthy interview with 2 or 3 members of the police department that you have applied to join, where you will be questioned on everything from your motivation for joining the force, to your knowledge of the core competencies. This is a key part of how to become a scenes of crime officer.Stage 4 â€" Physical check-up and further trainingFinally, if you pass the interview, you’ll be required to undertake a physical examination. Here, aspects such as your eyesight (very important for a scenes of crime officer) will be tested. After you pass this, you’ll be accepted into the force, and made to take a significant period of tra ining prior to visiting actual crime scenes. This entry was posted in Career Advice. Bookmark the permalink. Jordan Cooke Introduction to the Police Officer Role Play ExercisesKey Stage 2 History Curriculum | National Primary Curriculum

Using your motivated skills on your resume -

Using your motivated skills on your resume - Your resume is highly optimized. It is skills focused and accomplishment driven. Take another look. How many of those skills are the ones you actually enjoy doing? Are you emphasizing what you might be GOOD at doing, but dont care to do at work? Richard L. Knowdell spoke at the Career Management Alliance conference, and I was intrigued by his suggestion that coaches advise clients to OMIT skills from their resumes if they are skills the job seekers do not enjoy. In a tight job market, this advice seems extreme, or even foolish, on first glance. Shouldnt we all be marketing everything we have to offer? Its a recession, after all! So, I posed the question on Twitter: Should job seekers leave off (or de-emphasize) skills on their resume that they do well but dont enjoy? Veronica replied, As job seeker, I dont think should leave off any skills that could help get a job. Each circumstance individual. @vmodarelli Sam Blum, Co-Founder and CEO at Razume said, Resumes are marketing documents, not statements of personal interest. I say list any skill that can give you an advantage. @samblum Reasonable replies, certainly. However, my goal (and that of my colleagues in the career coaching world) isnt only to help people find and land jobs, but to secure positions doing what they enjoy. My friends who are experts in personal branding have a different take! Deb Dib, a CEO coach and personal brand expert explained: I leave them off/give subsidiary placement. Dont want burnout skills attracting interest; fit wont be right. @ceocoach Walter Akana, a life strategist and personal branding expert said, Yes, deemphasize skills that you dont enjoy. Emphasize ones you do provided, of course, what you offer creates value! @walterakana This makes a lot of sense to me. Why attract opportunities that may be a bad fit? Two social media/marketing professionals had some practical advice: Avi Kaplan suggested: Leave everything on applicable to each job dont apply for roles needing skills you dont want to use, which Neal Wiser echoed, If a job seeker doesnt like doing something, they shouldnt apply for that job. Think about itAre you over-emphasizing skills you are not motivated to use on your resume? How much time do you spend thinking about applying for and targeting positions that you would enjoy doing? Are you applying for just any old job? I hope this is food for thoughtIm open to your take on the subject, but I hope youll seriously consider focusing your job search in areas that appeal to your motivated skills. Im happy to help. Follow THIS LINK to learn more about me and how we can work together to optimize your resume to help you land the job you love! photo by BPM