From Prison Psychologist to Interior Designer

From Prison Psychologist to Interior Designer Success Story > From: Job To: Job From Prison Psychologist to Interior Designer “I had got to the point where I was dreading going into work, I was stressed out, and teetering dangerously close to burnout.” * From Prison Psychologist to Interior Designer Who would have thought that a Prison Psychologist would end up as an Interior Designer? Jess Coleman certainly didn't â€" until she reached the end of her tether and started looking for a new career. Here, she shares her story. What was your role in your old job? I was a cognitive-behavioural therapist delivering group therapy sessions to life sentenced prisoners. I also spent my time assessing prisoners' suitability for treatment, psychometric testing, and writing reports on prisoners' progress during therapy. What are you doing now? I work in Interior Design. My role includes assisting customers who come into the showroom with their needs, taking client briefs, creating moodboards, and hand-drawing bathroom, kitchen or bedroom designs for clients. As I am still learning at the moment I am shadowing my boss who is taking me through the design process as it develops with certain clients â€" what to do when you go out to site with the fitters and what to do in your site meeting with the electrician/plumber. Overall, a very different setting to that of prison! Why did you change? I just wasn't happy doing what I was doing. I had got to the point where I was dreading going into work, I was stressed out, and teetering dangerously close to burnout. I knew that something had to give. I didn't want to do a job that had the potential to make me feel like that, so I started to doubt whether it really was for me and began to explore other options. Are you happy with the change? Yes, I am much happier now than I was two years ago, though there are aspects of my old job that I miss. What do you miss and what don't you miss? I miss being able to truly help people to change themselves and their lives for the better. Knowing that I had helped someone to understand their offending behaviour and reduced the risk they pose to society was my main motivation. I don't miss the heavy workload. I was delivering a lot of therapy sessions without much of a break between treatment programmes. This ultimately took its toll. I also don't miss how emotionally draining my job was. I love being able to come home at the end of the day and leave my work where it should belong. How did you go about making the change? I initially started by taking personality assessments and downloading help sheets to help get me thinking about what I wanted to do, my personality and my strengths. Once I had decided on a few options I began to explore them and narrow down my options. I quit my job with HM Prison Service and did temporary work for about six months. By this point I had already enrolled on my Diploma in Interior Design, so it was just a case of earning some money until it started. What was the most difficult thing about changing? The most difficult thing was actually making the change and enrolling myself onto my Diploma â€" to leave everything I had known for the last three years behind and jump into something completely new and unknown was pretty scary! What help did you get? I had help from a career counsellor/coach who initially suggested moving into something new. I also had a chat to a career coach when I was bit further along in the decision-making process. I talked through my decisions with my friends and family too, which was a great help. What have you learnt in the process? I've learnt a lot about myself â€" my real passions and interests, my strengths, what kind of work environment I thrive in, and just how unsuitable my old job was for me! I also learnt that if you want something badly enough, then you will find a way to achieve it. What do you wish you'd done differently? I wish I had taken a little while longer to change career. As I disliked my old job so much I wonder whether going into interior design was a knee-jerk reaction to this dislike. If I had spent more time in temporary work until the stress of my old job had worn away, I wonder if I would have moved into another area of psychology instead. Who knows? What would you advise others to do in the same situation? Make the time to really get to know yourself: what kind of things interest you, what makes you come alive, what you love to be doing. Also get to know what kind of work environment you thrive in: do you like to have structure and targets to work towards or do you like an informal setting? I have found that after ten years in employment and a career change I know what I like and don’t like much better now than when I was eighteen. You can find out more about Jess's career change and designs on her website. What lessons could you take from Jess's story to use in your own career change? Let us know in the comments below.

Yes, You Can Build Resilience

Yes, You Can Build Resilience Is it just me, or is the world getting more complicated? Stress levels seem to be increasing around the planet as change is evident in every sphere. Clearly politics, climate, the economy, social media, gender identityâ€"all undergoing major shifts. We are taught that change is inevitable and the only thing we can count on, but when it comes too fast it can create problems. The buzz of an adrenalin rush provides positive stress which can be channeled into motivation. But when change results in too much stress for our bodies and minds to handle it can result in a sort of paralysis. I just read about a phenomenon called FMO, Fear of Missing Out, which is real in an age of social media when we are constantly inundated by images and posts about how wonderful someone else’s experiences are. Inevitably we feel lesser than…because we are not having as much fun as they appear to be having. Scoring Stress A classic research study by Holmes and Rahe in 1967, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holmes_and_Rahe_stress_scale, highlights a scale they developed to measure the most stressful life events, assigning scores to each. The list is still relevant. Relationship changes loom large with death of a spouse or child topping the list. Divorce and separation are a close second, and even marriage scores pretty high! Work related events start further down the stress scale.   Depending on when you graduated or completed your career prep, you know the industry changes that affect your daily life as well a the course of your career. You may well be in a job that wasn’t even a possibility ten years ago. And, will it be around 10 years from now? And will your current relationship be intact 10 years from now? We’ve been taught to be forward-looking, continue to network and stay on top of new ideas in our respective fields while bringing 100% to work everyday. Add that to trying to style a personal life that enriches… Of course, it’s not possible to totally separate work and personal livesâ€"often they are intertwined and both affect emotional well-being.   Instability in one’s relationships adds stress to one’s work life. So what’s the answer? Resilience, the capacity to recover quickly from difficult situations is something we can learn. Knowing that life will throw curve balls your way from time to time means you have to prepare yourself to face situations for what they are and move on. Perhaps the wisdom gained will help you to avoid the next curve ball. Until the next ball is a spinner…In other words, none of us knows exactly what will happen in our life as we live it. Self-care. Self-care is a preventative practice that we should all commit to. Beyond the health tips that we know to eat right, and exercise, women have a tendency to put others ahead of themselves when it comes to care. Make sure to stay up to date on your preventative medical visits, see your friends regularly and keep up a balanced social network that nourishes you. Be kind to others. It’s free and comes back to you in multiple rewards. Offering to watch someone’s apartment while they are out of town can provide reciprocal good deeds. You never know when a package will be delivered a day early, and shouldn’t be left on your doorstep. It’s much easier to make that request of a neighbor whom you have helped. Practice gratitude. Remember your blessings and keep that context in mind when minor irritations threaten to become huge.  Reach out for help when you need it. When you are able articulate what you need, even to yourself, it helps keep an issue in perspective, and down to size. Even better is when you have a best friend who knows you well enough to listen and provide perspective to your situation. Be kind to yourself. Be the friend you are to others, to yourself. Don’t criticize yourself, it doesn’t help. When you are beyond the initial episode that stresses you, try to review it as a case study in how to deal with an issue differently in the future, and then do that. Change happens, but we have control over our response. Consciously building resilience will provide you with more tools to bounce back. This guest post was authored by Maren Cooper Maren is the author of the novel  A Better Next  (5/28/19) an International Book Awards 2019 finalist in Fiction: Women’s Literature.The protagonist needs all of her strength and resilience to right her world as she finds herself in a whirlpool of marriage and career upset. “Jess Lawson is devoted to her family and its veneer of perfection, but in her preoccupation with work, she fails to acknowledge her disintegrating marriage. This novel explores healing, recovery, and the satisfaction one gains from enduring friendships. Featuring a strong female protagonist who takes charge of her life, The Better Next would be a fitting and meaningful read for those entering new chapters in their lives.” Jeanne McWilliams Blasberg, Author of EDEN: A Novel

When You Know Your Relationship Is Over

When You Know Your Relationship Is Over You can consider this a little wake up call.   See, Ive had more than one (dont ask . . .) relationship.   So I can look in the mirror, now, and more clearly see what I didnt see then.   Or, what I was unwilling to see. Its rare that a relationship goes from fragrant roses to dead thorns overnight.   Its gradual.   Often, it just sort of sneaks up on you.   But there are signs that all is not well.   If youre in the doubting and wondering stage, you need to learn them.   There are numerous articles online. If youre beyond that, your days and nights have probably transitioned to constant unpleasantness if not stress.   On the one hand, youre hoping for a miracle.   On the other, youre living in dread that at any moment your world will come completely apart.   When you know your relationship is over, its time to protect yourself. When Your Relationship Is Over The Bad News Please, just stop the insanity.   Stop living in fantasy land.   If youve read this far, you already know your relationship is on life support.   Reality is that From the point of no-return, very few relationships survive. Once your soon-to-be-ex partner has emotionally left the relationship, they no longer have your best interests at heart.   You must take care of yourself. What you think is fair will work against you.   Because they believe the only thing fair is what benefits them. You need to get an attorney.   Its imperative, so that you can be prepared to settle family law disputes in a way that is equitable, but preferably favorable, to you. Yes, There Is Good News When youre in the midst of emotional turmoil, enduring a few day, weeks, or months can feel like an eternity.   Its not.   Think back to some good times of a year or two ago.   Now, you need to realize that in just that much time, youll be through all of this and well on your way to healing. Yes, there IS life after relationship. Meanwhile, as youre just beginning to work your way out of your messy relationship, there are some things that you can do to protect your own interests.   These are not betrayal.   These are about taking care of yourself and your future.   Adapted from Divorcenet.com: Keep track of credit cards and checking accounts, especially yours.   Monitor them regularly if not daily. Locate and secure your social security card, or equivalent, and your birth certificate. Make copies of important legal records, including deeds, titles, leases, and insurance policies. Document any occurrences of abuse.   That may include photos, text messages, and/or medical records. Communicate occurrences to a third party (friend, family, clergy, or police) when they occur, not days or weeks later. If you feel youre in an unsafe relationship, get help.   Check out these resources. Remember, in the final analysis its YOU who must take care of you.   Know that you can and will rise again, even from the most challenging relationship.

4 Simple Tips to Succeed in the Fashion Industry - Classy Career Girl

4 Simple Tips to Succeed in the Fashion Industry A passion for fashion, accessories, and even cosmetics can be a wonderful expression of creativity and individuality. Although, turning that enthusiasm into a thriving business is an entirely different story. Countless business owners rise and fall each day due to a lack of perseverance, cloudy vision, and disconnect with their consumers. Here’s what entrepreneurs of the fashion industry say it takes to make it to the top. How to Succeed in the Fashion Industry 1. Work With What You Have If you don’t quite have all the resources at your disposal in order to start the kind of business you would like, just start small. Do what you can initially and slowly  build your brand or business. Fashion entrepreneur Samata Angel has been working on many projects throughout the years such as a global dress designing competition, her own clothing line, and speaking on the subject of Fashion Enterprise at the London College of Fashion. In order to get her projects rolling, she worked full time so she could put as much funding as possible into her passion. Finding financing is a huge obstacle for many fashion entrepreneurs. However, hoping that someone will cash in on your big idea isn’t always as fruitful as one might hope. If you are truly enthusiastic about your plan then working hard to make it a reality is the best first step towards success. 2. Build Your Network Samata’s other tip for entrepreneurs, especially in the beginning, is to build a network. While this is easier said than done, working hard with what you have will get you far. If you have even one customer, follower, or interested funding party, her advice is to check in with them on a regular basis just to say hello. Many brands accomplish this simply by connecting with their customers regularly through a blog or social media. A willingness to build an honest and long lasting relationship (instead of always thinking of interactions as a potential sale) is what sincerely builds a great network around a business. 3. Narrow Your Options Jane Hammill, a successful fashion designer turned fashion industry consultant has had her experience with a plethora of fashion moguls over the years. In her experience, she believes that creative types can have a problem with constructing too many ideas, not lack there of. Concentrating the field of vision on a smaller scope of ideas will allow a business owner time and resources to focus on a singular, but impressive product. Hammill says that many of her clients are entrepreneurs that haven’t had business education. Which means they aren’t quite in touch with what sells and what doesn’t as well as how to properly interact with customers and clients. They may have many great ideas, but they aren’t quite sure where to go from there. Starting with one outstanding product and a clear idea of how to market it to your customers is a perfect launching point for any entrepreneur in the fashion industry or not. 4. Connect With Customers Undoubtedly, an individual spending her hard-earned cash on what you have to sell is the most important part of the equation. A study performed by Market Force found that many retail customers aren’t being helped during their shopping experience. Half of US customers reported they were not assisted in any fashion by an associate. The results show that customers want three types of interactions in order provide an exemplary experience for their customers: make the product easy to purchase, suggest complementary products and state two small things that make your brand exceptional. Even if your brand does not have a storefront location, connecting with your customers in these ways is imperative. Let’s say, for example, that your store is completely online. First, spend some time on a truly user-friendly and efficient web interface. Try going through the ordering process yourself as many ways as possible. If it’s hard to choose products, put them in your cart, and purchase, your customers will feel the same. Make your shopping experience something unique to your brand and give your e-commerce site a look that you are proud to show the world. Next, while it’s easier to do in a live setting, suggest pieces that would compliment a customer’s current selection. Many websites, like Amazon for example, feature a “people have also purchased” section that will present itself during a customer’s shopping experience. Another great way to do this would be to feature “outfits” on pages throughout the website. Showing the customer the perfect way to tie their look together could be the tipping point of a great sale. Lastly, show the customer exactly what makes the brand unique. Some customers have reported brands fulfilling this bonus interaction by explaining that their products are ethically constructed, materials are organic or beneficial in one way or another or part of the proceeds go to charity. Of course, this isn’t always necessary to the sale of every product, but consumers have testified stating that these are the types of experiences that make them want to remain loyal to their favorite companies. To be successful in the fashion industry takes more than just talent. Those who have made a name for themselves understand that there are certain traits one needs to possess in order to effectively build a brand. Taking no for an answer and admitting defeat too early is just not an option. What’s more, taking some time to build meaningful relationships with other entrepreneurs and customers will evolve your idea from expectation to actuality.

Effective Resume Cover Letter Format

Effective Resume Cover Letter FormatYou can get the job you want or you can improve your resume cover letter format. By going over your application and writing it on paper, you can save time and money on printing and mailing out, making your cover letter more effective. Here are a few tips to help you go over the job you want in the most effective way possible. Use these guidelines and make sure to follow them properly and remember that there is no magic formula that will help you improve your letter formatting.First, make sure to measure the space that your resume occupies. Check the date of the application and see if it is too long or too short. Make sure to use as much space as you can for each section. There should be at least a quarter inch of vertical space.It is also a good idea to make a list of all the sections you need. This is important to make sure you have all the information you need and are not left without an option to put a section in place. To help you write a lette r using only one sheet of paper, consider using the following technique.Find the first paragraph and start with that first paragraph. Next, begin with the second paragraph and continue on to the third and so on. This will help you reach the top of the page and get it lined up correctly. This is a great way to get everything lined up in a straight line.A perfect resume cover letter should contain the title of the letter and the name of the person who will be reading it. This is usually the name of the person in charge of hiring the person for the position.It is important to always start your letter with the first paragraph and not the last paragraph. This will help you save some time when reading the letter and remember that the person reading it will be focused on the first paragraph of the letter.When writing your resume cover letter, make sure that your resume is formatted in alphabetical order. If you aren't sure where to begin, use the same layout as you did for your resume. Usi ng only one letter size for the first paragraph and then two letter sizes for the second paragraph is a good practice. At the end of the letter, you can use a larger font size to make it more legible.The best thing you can do is to check your resume and write it in whatever format works best for you. Don't be afraid to experiment with the different formats and see what you prefer.

Job Interview Mistakes

Job Interview Mistakes Interviews can be challenging for many individuals. Some individuals are anxious at just the thought of an interview. Others don’t feel qualified in presenting themselves in the best light. Others worry about ‘going blank’ when trying to answer a question. These challenges are examples of how the subconscious impacts and even creates those fears and concerns. Fortunately, addressing the impact of our subconscious can help us overcome our challenges. Our subconscious is part of the mind that individuals are not fully aware of but can influence actions and feelings. Lets examine two examples to see how this might come into play during a job interview? Confidence in Your Skills You are a new graduate with a degree in Journalism and are looking for a job. You consciously know that your degree taught you superior writing skills, interviewing skills and research skills. You consciously know that your skills could translate to many different jobs. However, you have also heard several people ask, A journalism major? What are you going to do with that outside of becoming a journalist? You have heard negative responses enough times that you hold them in your subconscious. When asked in an interview, Why are you the best person for this job?, you respond with I know that I majored in journalism which doesn’t seem to fit, but I think I would be a good addition to the team because This answer comes across as you not being confident in your skills, and makes the interviewer wonder if you are too risky to bring on. Defeated by a Long Job Search You worked hard for 15 years at your company and during the recession you were let go. You know you weren’t laid off due to job performance because you consistently received exceeds expectations on all of your performance reviews. As you take part in your job search, you are rejected at several companies after the second round of interviews. You feel defeated. You don’t ever feel like you are going to get another job. As you walk into your next interview, you consciously know that you need to make a good impression at this interview. Your subconscious, however, might be telling you that you are destined for defeat. Instead of coming across confident and excited in your interview, you come across as already defeated. What To Do We can change our subconscious beliefs. In fact, we change them all the time. It’s part of being human. However, some people need new experiences, workshops, self-help books or therapy to change some of the beliefs that are deeply held. How, though, can we mitigate the impact on our interviews as we work towards changing our beliefs? Many individuals complete their interview prep by themselves. They review practice questions, research the company, etc. on their own. However, it is important to practice interview answers out loud with a partner. Let someone else hear the words you using and how you describe certain situations. They can tell what emotions and feelings are being invoked by your words that you were not even aware of. Tell us how you counter these negative thoughts in your subconscious in the comments section below!

How To Choose A Resume Writer

How To Choose A Resume Writer 6 Ways To Choose A Resume Writer Choose Resume Writer / Job Search / Resume Writing Competition for jobs, the jobs that everyone wants, is fierce. You already know that. You also know having a solid resume is the best way to get the attention of recruiters and potential employers. So you’ve decided to invest in a professionally-written resume. But, with hundreds of resume writers out there how do you know which one to hire? There are several ways to find out about a resume writer’s qualifications and to see if he or she is a good fit for you. 1 Get Referrals Talk to your friends and family. Ask them who they’ve worked with, whether or not they were happy with the results. Find out what they liked and didn’t like about the resume writer they hired. Even if you don’t get a recommendation, you may find out who to avoid. 2 Look For Certification(s) A resume writer who is serious about his or her craft will likely have at least one certification. Certifications are important for two reasons in particular. First, to earn a certification resume writers will have had to pass some combination of tests and coursework. They are tested on things like grammar and proofreading. For the coursework portion, they have to create a resume, and sometimes a cover letter, based on the written profile of a client supplied by the certification body. Second, most certifications require a certain number of Continuing Education Units (CEU) over two or three years to maintain certification. This practice helps to ensure that the resume writer is continually learning. There are several certifications including Certified Advanced Resume Writer (CARW); Certified Master Resume Writer: Nationally Certified Resume Writer (NCRW); and Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW). 3 Professional Development As with any profession, those who want to stay on top of their game invest in professional development. Resume writers are no different. There are many learning opportunities for resume writers including national conferences. There also are many online courses in resume and LinkedIn profile writing. Some carry additional certifications; others do not. Before hiring a resume writer ask him or her how they keep up with industry trends. Find out if they’ve completed any training or attended any conferences in the last few years. 4 Initial Consultation Look for a resume writer who offers an initial complimentary consolation. This will give you a chance to ask questions and get a “feel” for the resume writer. Talk about your needs. Ask about the process. Many writers use some combination of questionnaires and phone consultations. Some work strictly by email. Some work only over the phone. Make sure the writer’s process works for you. A reputable resume writer will happily refer you to another writer if you have conflicting styles. For example, you prefer to work one-on-one over the phone but he or she uses questionnaires with clients. 5 Clearly Defined Process Save time by reviewing the writer’s website before you initial call. Most will have a clearly defined process outlined somewhere on the site. It will include whether consultations are done in-person or over-the-phone. Many resume writers work from a home office, but there are still some who maintain or have access to office space. Be aware that meeting a resume writer in person may incur additional costs. Again, ask about these things during your initial consultation. 6 Do Your Research Interviewing 10 resume writers will likely be a waste of time. Yours and theirs. It doesn’t hurt to talk to two or three before making a decision. A professionally written resume done by a certified writer will be an investment in time and money. Read through their websites carefully. Then arrange a brief initial consultation. Job Guarantee If a resume writer guarantees he or she can get you a job run away. And don’t look back. A solid achievement-based resume can open doors, but it’s unlikely that you will get a job based solely on your resume.  The job search itself is up to you. The resume writer has no control of which jobs to which you apply. (As a former recruiter, I can say that most job applicants are not qualified for the jobs they are pursuing.) Nor is he or she going on job interviews on your behalf. You are the one who needs to sell yourself to the recruiter and the employer. Your resume is an investment, be sure to choose wisely. Working with a resume writer will be a collaborative effort. Make sure the professional you hire is not only qualified but a good fit for your personality and communication style.