Week one sweaty commutes, salt and vinegar crisps and speed dating

Week one sweaty commutes, salt and vinegar crisps and speed dating by Michael Cheary Week one: office life, and our friends across the pond…Five interns are spending the summer working for reed.co.uk. We’ve already met the interns, now it’s time to find out how their first week went.Warning: This blog features sweaty commutes, salt and vinegar crisps and speed dating…AndrewI’ve always been wary of doing an internship at a big corporate business.   The stories of my peers in the States who’ve interned for Fortune 500 companies have consisted of 12 hour days, mind-numbing work, and a subsequent crisis over whether or not this is what they really want to do for the rest of their life.However, I’m relieved to say that my so far time at reed.co.uk has been anything but, and I’ve still been able to reap the benefits and experience so desirable as an intern.In my first week I have been buried in the world of recruitment, giving presentations and briefs about what makes the industry tick, and although challenging, the work is equally exhilarating at the same time.The biggest thing about working at reed.co.uk however is that it’s not a business of suited employees stuck in a gridlock of cubicles, but an office made up entirely of creatives.   Every day I get to be a part of a framework of breakout sessions and open brainstorming about how reed.co.uk can help more people love Mondays.Yes, during peak times the Central Line can be a sauna reeking of sweat and salt and vinegar chips (or crisps, I should properly say), and yes, London is possibly the most expensive city to which my now deflated wallet has given its soul.However, even though I’m still getting used to life here in the United Kingdom (where high school is called college and college is called university, and its actually acceptable to put milk in your tea), I think being a part of reed.co.uk, more than anything, has made me feel more at home than anywhere else.Stephanie‘In order to apply for this job, you need a minimum of 1-2 years’ experience to be eligible for this role’. Being a recent graduate, this is the line that has haunted me whilst applying for jobs. It became evident that so many jobs required a lot of experience, but weren’t willing to give any. This shifted my focus to internships, and whilst searching on reed.co.uk I found this internship role advertised, and the rest is history.So many questions ran through my mind, what am I going to wear? How nice and welcoming will everyone be? Am I actually going to learn? And, just how many coffees will I be making for people?Thankfully the kitchen (or, more specifically, the coffee machine) wasn’t to be our new office. I read through our timetable and it was at that moment I was convinced this was no ordinary internship, as it was full with variety and opportunities to learn. Our first week included us delivering SWOT presentation (which was highly praised), meetings with departments, project briefs, inductions and a visit to Wagamama’s and the pub (all paid f or of course).After a busy weekend, I came in on Monday surprisingly with so much energy. Who knew I could actually ‘Love Mondays’?I’m glad I have adjusted to working life and am extremely excited to continue on this journey at reed.co.ukAllyJust finished my first week with reed.co.uk. A whole lot of faces and names and technical terms to process, but all in all a great first week of induction. The highlight would be ‘Speed Reed’, the company’s take on speed dating where the interns and I got to meet all the senior staff and talk about all things reed.co.uk. But a close second has to be a drink at the local after a long Monday’s induction.With big projects looming and planning to be done, it was nice to leave work in the dust this weekend and get out for a couple of days. The other interns and I went out to a couple of pubs near King’s Cross where we stumbled across some live music. We even lounged in one of those mystical pub gardens you sometimes come across, folde d away in the bricks and concrete of the city.Now next to any proper Londoner I’m a lost toddler, but armed with one year’s experience in the city I can convince my fellow interns from the States that I’m as savvy as a cab driver. Sunday involved a casual walk around parts of London I can claim to know quite well. But even that notion was to come under fire as I found out Holland Park hosts several peacocks in its open green. Exotic.Afterwards we went our separate ways for a good night’s sleep in preparation for the week ahead.No more smooth induction for the interns. We’ve got some more challenging paths to carve.ConnorBeing born and raised in a suburban, coastal hometown with the tallest building standing at a staggering eight stories tall, to living in one of the largest cities in the world, in a continent I’ve never even set foot on before, can be a bit overwhelming.Coming straight from a vacation in Hawaii, I got on a five hour plane ride to Los Angeles Airport to b e welcomed with news of a dreadful 12 hour layover before my 11 hour flight to London.Exhausted, I finally arrived at London, Heathrow Airport mid-afternoon on a Sunday; the day before I would wake up to start my first ever 40hr work week.Despite having the privilege of a car at home, I was reassured by several family friends that, in the largely condensed maze of London, the public transport system is efficient and pretty self-explanatory. To my surprise, they were right. I made it to my apartment with ease and, although extremely excited, I set my alarm for work and passed out almost as soon as my head hit the pillow.When I got to work in the morning, I thought I would’ve been scared, jumping right into something I’ve never even come close to experiencing before, but, after anticipating this moment for the past five months, I found myself being too excited at finally being here to be hindered by the nerves.As I entered the office I noticed all the employees around me were surp risingly young, which instantly eliminated some of my daunting expectations. Everyone has been extremely approachable this entire first week.I am working specifically with the Finance department and feel that I’ve learned more in Microsoft Excel than I have in all of the finance/accounting classes that I’ve taken combined.I know, being that I’m pursuing a career in finance, this is exactly what I need to be doing so I can’t wait to see how these next seven weeks unfold.YaseenI’ve been one of the ‘American Interns’ for over a week now at reed.co.uk, and aside from the odd few jokes and general intern/American-based humour (‘our friends from across the pond’ introductions being a particular staple), I’ve really enjoyed my time so far.   It’s quite a shame that I only have a few hundred words to blog about my experiences, because they have really been quite unconventional to say the least.First of all, I’d like to thank James Reed for affording me with such an o pportunity, as well as my lovely colleagues within the office for creating one of the most relaxed environments I could have ever imagined.In terms of office dynamics I must have broken a world record for the least amount of awkwardness within the first five days of an internship ever.   From speed dating to group meetings and unprompted introductions, I can truthfully say I am on a head nod basis with the majority of the office and on a first name basis with every person on my floor.Cheers to finishing the first week and until next time mates*…*N.B. excuse my newfound London jargon, it’s really quite hard to resist overusing these words, until you notice that without the British accent they sound rather odd.Missed our introduction to the interns? Meet them now. The interns have had their first week. Stay tuned to see how they get on in the coming weeks.Find a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email a ddressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the

Benefit from blogging without spending tons of time

Benefit from blogging without spending tons of time A few months ago, I was interviewing this guy, Ben Casnocha. The first thing you need to know about Ben is that he started a company when he was fourteen. And its still around today, four years later. Ben doesnt run it, but my point is that its a real company. But no, wait, thats not my point. This next paragraph isnt my point either, but Im going to tell you anyway: Bens company, Comcate, helps governments do stuff online. Nothing particularly notable about that except that its exactly what my second startup did. So while my own governments-go-online startup was going bankrupt in the dot-com crash. Ben was in his sixth grade classroom making a success of that very business. Ben does not know this. I nearly fell on the floor when I was on the phone with him, and it was all I could do to keep the interview going. But now, whenever you see me grandstanding about my three companies that I started, you can recall that Im also the one who was outmaneuvered in my business by a kid in junior high school. But anyway, I digress. Ben is a very humble and interesting guy, and hes hard to not like. So during the interview, I asked him how he meets people to mentor him. This is what he said, Mostly face to face. Not through the more traditional ways like blogging. TRADITIONAL? I had to pick myself up off the floor again. But you know what? That was eight months ago. And Ive been blogging for a while now, and Ben has a point. It is very, very easy to meet people through blogging. And its very efficient you never have to leave your computer. Some of you are thinking you have no idea where to start. So look, here are the easiest instructions for starting a blog. Some are you are thinking its too time intensive. But you can grow a useful network efficiently from a blog that you post to only once or twice a week. I think the networking benefits should be enough reason for you to be posting twice a week. After all, if you cant afford two hours a week for networking, your career is in trouble. But here are three more benefits to blogging these are goals you should have for your career anyway, and theyre goals you can reach by blogging only a handful of times a month: 1. You will force yourself to specialize. You cant really write a blog about everything. Well, you can, but it will suck. So youll need to pick a topic and stick with it. And just the act of doing that is good for you because specializing is good for your career. After all, you cant be known for something if you are not specializing in something. And once you are known for something you have a lot more leverage to get the kind of work you want to be doing. People who want flexible work schedule often think that being a generalist will give them a lot of wiggle room. In fact, its the opposite. A generalist is easy to find, so no one needs to bother giving you a flexible work schedule to keep you. But if you specialize you are not so easily replaced, so you can ask for more flexibility at work. 2. You will let people know you have good ideas. One of the biggest complaints people have about their work is that no one listens to their ideas. Everyone wants to be a creative thinker, but not everyone feels like that sort of work is open to them. With a blog, though, you show people your creativity. Got a lot of ideas? Good, because there are a lot of days in the week for you to fill on that blog. And instead of you running around the office complaining to people about your stifled potential, you can show people your potential by broadcasting your ideas. The best way to get hired to spew ideas is to spew them and get people interested. 3. You will show passion and commitment. There is a lot of evidence to show that, all things being mostly equal, we have a proclivity toward hiring people we want to have sex with. But we also have a proclivity toward hiring people we like. And after all the Ford Models are out of the interview cue, the most appealing people are those who have passion and commitment. Of course, if you have read any how-to-interview advice, you know you should always say you have passion and commitment. But people who have it exude it. And if you are a blogger, and post at regular intervals, you dont need to tell people about your passion and commitment its right there on the page.

Products To Take You From Work To Drinks

Products To Take You From Work To Drinks Being asked out after work is simultaneously so nice and so problematic. While socialising after a long hard day can be the perfect way to blow off some steam, not feeling party ready is guaranteed to put a dampener on the night. But arriving at the office in full glam simply isn’t an option for most of us. So here are the very best products to spruce up your fading day makeup and help you transition into a more glamourous vibe. Bonus: they’re all super easy to transport and can be applied on the go with ease. Foundation and Blush To top up a fading base, a foundation stick is undoubtedly the best fuss-free method. The Revolution Fast Base Foundation Stick is a fantastic budget option. It can be drawn on exactly where you need it and then tapped in with fingers for custom coverage right where you want it. It also has a lovely, glowy-yet-natural finish. Blush is the best way to add a bit of life back into a tired face, and the very best for easy application are the Glossier Cloud Paints. They’re a creamy liquid formula which can be easily blended with fingers to give the most natural flush to add dimension to cheeks. They also last really well, in case the night ends up being a long ‘un. Dusk is the perfect nudey, suits-all shade, and can also be used as eyeshadow in a pinch. A tinted brow gel an spruce up brows in seconds, adding structure to the face and making you look generally a little more groomed. The Maybelline Brow Precise Fibre Volumiser also contains tiny fibres which attach to your brow hairs to add bulk and make them look a little thicker. And again, this is so fool proof it can be applied on the bus with no cause for concern. About Those Eyes and Lips . . . If you want to add a hint of night time glam to an otherwise natural makeup vibe, either play up your eyes or lips. For eyes, glitter is always a good idea, and the Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter Glow Liquid Eyeshadow makes adding glitter incredibly easy. Simply dab on using the applicator, then tap the edges to blend. Sparkle in seconds. The more neutral shades like Sultry Storm or Kitten Karma are great beginner glitters. If you’d rather go for a bright lip, the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipsticks are one of the greatest formulas on the market. They’re a moussey formula which, once painted on and blotted, will last through as many after-work drinks as you can throw at them. The shade range is also extensive and wonderful, with classic reds, hot pinks and vampy shades and more. Adding a lip takes seconds and can totally turn a look from office to bar. Finishing Touches If you’re happy to rock a simple and natural face during the evening, but still want to freshen up and add a glow, a facial spray is a great choice. Mac Fix + is a classic for a reason â€" it almost seems to “reactivate” your old makeup and make it look freshly applied It also adds a super flattering, hydrated glow and will help make your other products last a bit longer. Lastly, and this is by no means least, it feels fantastically refreshing after a day of work. Hair, too, can be a problem when it comes to going from day to night. The two most common issues are greasy roots and dry ends, and they’re both easy to deal with on the go. To extend hairs wear time between washes, dry shampoo is a real lifesaver. Batiste do some of the best on the market in a variety of fun scents, and the travel sizes are ideal for carrying in your purse. For thirsty ends, the OGX Argan Oil Spray is ideal to tame frizz, add moisture and give hair a glossy sheen. Finally, adding some perfume can help you feel fresher and more put together. Carrying a heavy glass bottle around, though, is usually a recipe for disaster. The Vapour Spirit Scent Solid Perfume is a genius alternative. It almost looks like a lip balm, but the waxy formula is packed with fragrance oils which you can smooth over pulse points for a gorgeous boost of scent. It’s also much less antisocial than spritzing your personal fragrance in a public place. About The Author Annie Walton Doyle writes for Inspiring Interns, which specialises in finding candidates their perfect  graduate jobs. To browse our  internships London listings, visit our website.

Can Music in the Office Motivate Staff

Can Music in the Office Motivate Staff When it comes to motivating your staff â€" and finding ways to motivate them â€" it can sometimes be a  bit of a tricky task. What might work for one business/team, may not work for another, so it’s  important to find the ideal solution for you to ensure your staff are in the best environment to work  as effectively and as efficiently as possible. In this post we will explore the key benefits from having  music playing in the workplace. It puts people in a good mood. Music is a great way of putting people in a good mood. It’s hard to feel motivated first thing on a  Monday morning, or last thing on a Friday when you’ve got the weekend on your mind, but if your  staff are feeling full of energy, it may put them in a positive frame of mind to work. It’s an effective  way to uplift spirits and give people the motivation to carry on. Not only this but it boosts  productivity, as well as improves team interaction. It improves writing skills. If you have the type of job where you spend a considerable amount of time typing on a computer,  you’ll know that sometimes it’s hard to keep that momentum going if you’re lacking in energy and if  your work is starting to feel monotonous. Therefore, music in the office could help you to write  quicker and obtain a more solid level of concentration. Getting your work done faster leaves more  time to proofread, perfect and get on with other tasks. It enhances energy levels. If music in the gym makes people train harder, run faster and more determined to succeed, surely  the same can be said for the office. No matter what environment you’re in, you’re more likely to  reach a certain goal, whether it’s meeting a deadline or prioritising tasks, if you have music to give  you a positive push. A chirpy, upbeat and feel-good song could give you the drive to apply yourself  and your skills more effectively. In a noisy workplace, music may be an escape. Whilst some may think that headphones in the office are a distraction from work, others believe that  office conversations are much more likely to prevent colleagues from getting on with their work.  Especially if the conversations aren’t work-related, it can make people more inclined to listen to  what’s going on rather that doing their work. Creativity in the workplace can be developed. It can be argued that moderate noise level in the workplace can really get creative juices flowing.  However, the type of music chosen is key. Songs with heavy baselines or screechy vocals may be too  distracting. In order to engage in deep work, and to use your creative abilities to the best possible  advantage, favour a more mellow sound. Music  improves focus. There’s been a time in all of our lives where we’ve struggled to concentrate on a task that it’s  essential for us to complete by a certain deadline. In these instances music is certainly not a  hindrance â€" well, not familiar music anyway. If you’re distracted in your surroundings and are finding it difficult to concentrate, putting your  headphones in and listening to some familiar music could be just what you need to help you focus.  If you need to focus intently then avoid new music, the reason being is that with music that’s  unfamiliar to you, you don’t know what to expect and will therefore subconsciously listen much  more closely to see what happens next. With familiar music from your favourite band let’s say, you already know what to expect which  means the music will not be your primary focus. What’s beneficial? During immersive tasks where you really do need to concentrate, obviously listening to music you  like is a good place to start. However, research has shown that there are certain types of music that  could be best suited to ensuring productivity. Classical:  Classical music rarely contains lyrics and because of this, is extremely popular when with people that  really need to get things done.  Studies have shown that music from the Baroque-period provide a huge boost to productivity. Remember, not all classical pieces will be as effective as others, some are pretty heavy in tone and  won’t be as effective as the delicate likes of Für Elise. Electronic Music:  There are many sub-genres of electronic music, one that we’re particularly interested in is chill-out,  ambient house, all in the category of ambient electronica. This type of music will never take over  your thought process, it’s something that you’ll very much notice but it’s extremely unobtrusive,  allowing you to concentrate on the task in hand. Author: Flo Turak is the Group Marketing Executive at Egan Reid, a workplace and education supplies and  furniture specialist based in North West England. You can find her on LinkedIn. Aside from managing  Egan Reid’s marketing and communication, Flo has a real passion for great content and unique design.  She’s also a bit of an office product geek.

#56 - A Day in the Life of a Growth Hacker - Juan Felipe Campos

#56 - A Day in the Life of a Growth Hacker - Juan Felipe Campos The Career Insider Podcast Apple Podcasts | Android | Email | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | TuneIn | RSSForEpisode 56of The CareerMetis Podcast, we will learn about:A Day in the Life of a Growth Hacker â€" Juan Felipe Campos.Guest IntroductionevalevalJuan Felipe Campos is a Growth Hacker from Los Altos California.After starting his first business in 2010, at the age of 22 Juan had already built a successful business. He began traveling Latin America and met the co-founder of his current business on his travels.They noticed a large number of millennial entrepreneurs who enjoyed traveling and living the digital nomad lifestyle, and started a travel tech business 5. Nissar and Juan discuss the various upsides to being a growth hacker, and what’s enjoyable about the career track, as well as some of the challenges and downsides that go hand in hand with being a growth hacker.6. Juan talks about the career path, and how important it is to get started, and not let anything stand in the way of executing and getting experience.Quotes“Business is super simple if you take it down to ‘You have to make more money than you spend’”.“Every company has to care about growth”.“Before we can tell them how cool our features are or how much better we are than the competitors, we need people’s attention”.eval“The problem with only learning methods is that those change… a lot.”“How can we get the most amount of money for the least investment, and limited resources”.“If you don’t have clients, you’re not in business”.“Just get started. Pick a brand and start growing. You just have to get started.”Links ResourcesTo learn more about Juan Felipe Campos, you can visit hiswebsite.You can also connect with him or follow him onTwitter, Facebook and Instagram.Intro Music provided courtesy ofAccelerated Ideas(www.accelerated-ideas.com). Soundtrack â€"Siren KickbackEnding Music provided courtesy ofAccelerated Ideas(www.accelerated-ideas.com). Soundtrack â€"No Need to Rush

5 signs you work for a toxic boss

5 signs you work for a toxic boss When it comes to job satisfaction, certainly a number of factors come into play: Do I like what I do? Do I enjoy the environment I work in? Do I get along with my coworkers? One of the most important factors as it relates to job performance is whom you’re working for â€" your boss. In every field, there are good bosses, and then there are people who have no right being a boss. A toxic boss brings out the weaknesses in a team instead of harnessing its strengths. He or she can be demanding and push his or her employees harder than they need to be pushed. How can you tell the difference between a hard-nosed no-nonsense leader and a “toxic boss?” “There’s a clear distinction,” says Lisa Copeland, a global workplace expert specializing in culture, engagement, leadership, and teamwork with The Culture Works. “A toxic boss will create a counterproductive environment that can make the difference between success and failure. A good boss, on the other hand, is like a ship’s captain, making sure that everyone is fulfilling their duty and working as a team, motivating them to go forward, and making sure that the ship stays on course.” Without an effective leader, it’s easy for an entire team to find itself aimlessly adrift. Since we know there is a definite correlation between effective leadership and employee commitment and engagement, it’s vital that all organizations and their people â€" from account executives to the C Suite â€" be able to identify and handle toxic bosses. What are some signs you’re working for a toxic boss, and what can you do about it? 1. You have to fight for access “There is no reason that seeing your boss should be more difficult than having a private meeting with the Pope,” Copeland said. “Even in an office environment that fosters independence and self-sufficiency, leadership is required to make sure everything is running smoothly and going in the right direction. Without that, it’s very likely that inefficiencies will multiply and projects may not be successful.” 2. Your boss is not goal-oriented “If you leave a staff meeting and still nobody has any idea of what the plan is or what they are supposed to be doing, your boss may need to start focusing on goals,” Copeland says. “If there is a very clear goal for what you’re supposed to be doing, and a timeline you need to stick to, you can cut out a lot of confusion and wasted time and effort, and increase productivity.” 3. The boss keeps all the credit, but gives away all the blame “A big sign of a toxic boss is someone who is never wrong. Failure to admit mistakes and blaming subordinates is a sign of insecurity in a leader,” Copeland says. “Worst of all, this demoralizing tactic can be contagious. When you have employees who are more worried about covering for themselves than they are about being productive and having the whole team succeed, it’s never a good outcome.” 4. They play favorites “A successful boss will take the time and effort to make sure that every member of the team is maximizing their own potential, while being given the credit for their contribution to the overall success of the company,” Copeland notes. “Playing favorites is unfair and contributes to an environment where jealousy and animosity leads people to bring each other down, instead of focusing on succeeding as a team.” 5. Your boss reflects poorly on you “Sometimes a toxic boss spreads his bad vibes farther than just to his own team. The bad reputation of a toxic boss can quickly spread to other departments and even clients. This is the kiss of death because it’s not just about your boss; your reputation could be on the line,” Copeland says. “It can be especially disconcerting when you’re trying to escape your current situation with a transfer. If other departments dislike your toxic boss and his bad practices, they may associate you with those same practices and throw your application directly into the shred pile.” “Unfortunately, when you are dealing with a toxic boss, you have three choices,” according to Copeland. “You can approach your boss and try to work out your differences and see if there is any common ground that can be reached. Next, you can request a confidential meeting with your boss’s boss to try to correct the situation. Finally, if all else fails and you are completely miserable, you can leave the company and find another job.” Nobody likes working for a toxic boss, but unfortunately, it happens. Having a toxic boss not only can make you dread going to work, it can also dim your outlook for tomorrow. Once you know how to recognize the situation, then you can make a plan for how to handle it. Most of the time, there’s no reason to spend your weekly 40 hours with a toxic person, and there are almost always options even if that means finding another job. Join Dana Manciagli’s Job Search Master Class right now and immediately access the most comprehensive job search system currently available!

Use Career Certification To Boost Your Chances Of Landing The Job You Want

Use Career Certification To Boost Your Chances Of Landing The Job You WantResume certification is a program that aims to certify and assess your skills, knowledge and experience in the field of career advancement. It can be a one-time certificate or a continuous process. It has many advantages over traditional resume writing, including higher quality and consistency in writing.A good online course on resume certification offers practical and educational lessons about resume writing. These lessons provide you with answers to common questions. In addition, they give you tips on how to improve your resume and boost your chances of landing that job. The course is of great help, because it gives you practical tips to make your resume more interesting, professional, even to the employers.One of the most important things to remember when writing your resume is the importance of a professional appearance. Keep in mind that employers have a few seconds to look at your resume, so use the time wisely. Remember that it is only the first impression that matters. So make sure that your resume is good and interesting enough to capture the employers' attention and make an impression.Write your resume in such a way that you are confident that the employers will read it. You should use bullet points instead of the large paragraphs used in traditional resume format. Be brief, to the point and concise. Just describe your professional goals, achievements and talents. Do not over do it.Consider the fact that hiring managers typically spend one third of their time looking through resumes. Your resume certification can make a big difference. You are sure to get more job opportunities. The same can be said for you. You will get more offers for further education, coaching, training, etc. All of these benefits may be more than you could ever imagine.Resume certification also allows you to present your resumeas a presentation rather than just as a list of accomplishments. This presentatio n has all the necessary elements of a resume. The employer needs to see your skills, experiences and qualifications that should be included in a resume certification.The courses are highly regarded because of the quality they provide and the benefits it can offer you. It is really important to remember that resume certification can improve your chances of landing that job you want. However, it should be done as a part of your routine job search. This way, you are guaranteed to land the job you desire.