Should You Apply To A Job If You Dont Fully Qualify - CareerMetis.com

Should You Apply To A Job If You Don't Fully Qualify In my present job, I have been entrusted on numerous occasions to help enroll for the present group I am separated of and furthermore different groups in the company.I have seen a considerable amount of resumes and furthermore kept in touch with them when I was in school and simply escaping school. I have likewise assembled onboarding frameworks that help robotize the selecting process.evalThis isn't to boast, however to qualify myself for the counsel that I am going to give you.Something work searchers don't comprehend is that most recruiting administrators aren't searching for somebody to fit the activity necessities 100%. Recruiting directors gauge the qualities and shortcomings of every applicant and pick the best fit for their position and culture.This idea appears to be an easy decision, yet when I converse with individuals regarding why they didn't go after a position, the primary explanation is that they thought they were underqualified.Actually, most employing supervisors ar e hoping to discover somebody who is intrigued to figure out how the organization carries out the responsibility. This implies as long as you are intrigued and inquisitive to learn, your resume merits dispute with the remainder of the candidates.However, this is just partly, yet gives first jump access to the various sorts of occupation necessities, what they mean and in the event that they are really required for you to apply.Requirements1. Expertise RequirementsSkill is the undertaking that you will do at the job.Usually, if work is for a particular ability or a particular arrangement of aptitudes, chances are that you should have those expertise prerequisites to land the position, however not always.evalIf the activity posting has an enormous cluster of aptitudes recorded, at that point chances are that you don't need to know the entirety of the abilities to be thought of. Most organizations will consider you for the position in the event that you know around 80% of the abilities they list since they may require an individual to accomplish a greater amount of one thing then the other for the job.Why would they consider you on the off chance that you are underskilled?Well, in light of the fact that they are additionally searching for haggling power as far as pay, advantages and a greater amount of the like while recruiting another representative. The defeat of this angle is that you must be set up to be offered a lower pay. Nonetheless, on the off chance that you are in this circumstance you ought to likewise realize that they were set up to pay you more cash in the event that you had more aptitudes, so in any event you realize that there is space for a more significant salary in the future.Another motivation behind why an organization will employ you on the off chance that you are underskilled is that the organization may need somebody who they can prepare to do a range of abilities their way as opposed to reteaching somebody who is as of now stuck in their manners. This is likewise extraordinary on the grounds that you get the chance to gain proficiency with another range of abilities and get paid for learning it.2. Long stretches of Experience RequirementsevalThe experience level for the most part boils down to how agreeable you feel. You need to ask yourself, do you feel great performing at that degree of work?For model, if an organization is searching for broad involvement with PHP programming and you are at a middle level, at that point you should possibly apply on the off chance that you have a feeling that you could get to that broad experience level moderately soon.The same idea can be applied to prerequisites like, 5 years of administrative experience. If you just have 1 year of this experience, yet it was at an elevated level of work and you feel good performing at that level, at that point you ought to apply.3. Instructive RequirementsEducational prerequisites help you to get the meeting since they just look great on paper. This is the reason I generally suggest that paying little heed to the instructive necessities you should in any case apply on the off chance that you want to carry out the responsibility adequately.There is an enormous move in the training society that is pointing less towards your degree, yet more towards your range of abilities, which is extraordinary for individuals who come up short on a degree.You need to ensure that your resume features different parts of your qualifications.Applying1. Coordinating Your Experience To Their RequirementsWhen sending your resume for any position you have to provide food your qualities for their prerequisites. This is the reason each resume that you convey ought to be tailor-made.If you are as yet conveying conventional continues and introductory letters to organizations then you are just further mixing in with the remainder of the activity pool. In the event that you are not kidding about finding a new line of work, at that point you need to plac e the work into composing a one of a kind resume.evalYour resume ought to be modified to reflect how your capabilities fit impeccably with the activity necessities, by referencing the same number of their prerequisites in your introductory letter, continue and during the activity interview.This is the place you can get around being under equipped for the position since you can clarify how your capabilities balance the things that you are underqualified in.Should You Apply?I accept that you should think about a vocation posting as a desire list.No recruiting chief is going to enlist an inadequate individual for the activity, yet they will enlist a person that accommodates their organization culture and is happy to develop their abilities with the company.As expressed before, on the off chance that you coordinate the activity prerequisites by at any rate 80%, at that point your resume has the right to be in conflict with the others. Bosses will gauge the advantages and disadvantages a nd choose to recruit somebody who exceeds expectations in specific territories however needs another.evalJust recall whether you are under qualified, you can in any case land the position, yet you ought to hope to be offered a compensation and advantages that mirror your experience level in their company.You may wind up beginning at a lower pay, yet at any rate you realize that they are set up to pay you more cash later on once you ace the range of abilities and perform at the level they need you to.Get out there and go after more positions.

Review of Department of Labors My Skills, My Future Website

Audit of Department of Labors My Skills, My Future Website Thinking about what abilities you have picked up from your present and past employments and how those apply to various vocations? The My Skills, My Future site from the Department of Labor, www.myskillsmyfuture.org, encourages you evaluate those aptitudes for future work. Instructions to utilize the Site On the landing page, you essentially type in your present place of employment or a past activity into the input box and snap discover my vocation matches. The site will rattle off vocation matches or professions that best match the aptitudes you used in the activity you composed into the site. The outcomes give you a depiction of the new vocation and normal pay insights. My preferred component on the site is the aptitude examination area where the site records the comparable abilities between the vocation you submitted and one of the profession matches. It even records out some aptitude holes that you may have in attempting to change to this new profession. On the off chance that you include your postal division it will secure position openings for the vocation match and some neighborhood preparing choices that may help counter the expertise holes you may have. Who Can Benefit from My Skills, My Future? This site gives great data to an assortment of people. • Those who are laid off or are as of now in the quest for another calling will discover this device helpful as far as the information it can give. • Anyone who is contemplating the following stage in their vocation and how to address any holes in aptitudes they may at present have would discover advantage from this site. • Those latently searching for another vocation can discover profession thoughts to start researching. • Those who are intrigued in obtaining vocation data could likewise use this site. Normally, this site isn't 100% precise. It doesn't catch each profession and might not have direct application to each individual who utilizes it. Notwithstanding, I think it is an extraordinary advance for any individual who is scanning for another profession and is searching for thoughts on the most proficient method to best utilize abilities they have just procured. Have you utilized the My Skills, My Future site? Tell us in the remark area underneath!

5 Tips For Building Your Personal Brand In The Workplace - Work It Daily

5 Tips For Building Your Personal Brand In The Workplace - Work It Daily Indeed, even grinding away, you have an individual brand. What are individuals saying about you when you're not in the room? Are you radiating the correct vibe to your partners and passing on the brand you need to at work?Developing your own image is basic for the headway of your profession. It is the thing that makes you exceptional, and how you'll turn out to be increasingly significant to an organization.Here are a couple of tips on the best way to build up your own image: 1. Get Clear On Your Unique Value Proposition To get regarded in your organization or industry, you should be sure about what one of a kind worth you give and how to associate that to your organization's mission.Most individualsâ€"and I see it all the time with my meeting training customersâ€"are not that reasonable on what makes them not quite the same as others. This is the explanation they don't land the positions or advancements they are after! Your image ought to be genuine to you so see your feelings when playing out specific errands and exercises. On the off chance that it is something you have enthusiasm and vitality for, it ought to turn out to be a piece of your own brand.Spend some time considering what makes you not quite the same as your companionsâ€"your qualities, your interests, and your objectives. 2. Request Feedback What do you need others to encounter about you?You should record 3-5 things you'd need others to encounter while collaborating with you and afterward ask a dear companion or a confided in partner to do likewise. Are the appropriate responses comparative? Provided that this is true, very much done. If notâ€"you have some work to do as far as marking yourself the privilege way.It is significant you see how others see you as this will empower you to begin sending the correct messages to your crowd. Also, having an individual brand is unquestionably a prerequisite for initiative positions and will empower you to make more effect. 3. Be Consistent All that you do or post via web-based networking media eventually adds to your own image. When you're sure about your own image, ensure that the manner in which you dress, the messages you compose, non-verbal communication, etcâ€"are reliable with your image message. 4. Utilize Social Media Effectively Stages like WordPress make it simpler than at any other time to elevate yourself to your intended interest group. I blog week by week, and I'd suggest that you post several times each week on stages like LinkedIn and Twitter on points that your crowd will discover instructive (and will likewise feature your experience.)Here is a snappy guide on how you can situate yourself as a specialist with the goal that you get the best open doors in your business or vocation. 5. Advance Your Brand In Person Interpersonal interaction is incredible yet ensure you advance your image face to face as well. Regardless of whether it is taking an interest in industry gatherings, giving talks or offering to lead a task that feature your abilitiesâ€"what would you be able to do to advance your image disconnected? On the off chance that you need to be fruitful, making an individual brand isn't only an alternative, it's a need. Regardless of whether you try to get that advancement or land your fantasy work, making a convincing and predictable brand will assist you with meeting your goals.Looking to propel your vocation? Join our profession development club today! From Your Site Articles 3 Examples Of Great Personal Branding - Work It Daily | Where ... The Way Youre Branding Yourself At Work Might Be Hurting Your ... 14 Things That Impact The Quality Of Your Personal Brand - Work It ... 4 Tips For Creating A Successful Personal Brand - Work It Daily ... Related Articles Around the Web Building Your Personal Brand Where You Work Individual marking: How to make your imprint at work through 5 basic ... 5 Steps to Building Your Personal Brand at Work | Psychology Today 5 Ways To Build Your Personal Brand At Work Have you joined our vocation development club?Join Us Today!

Top 5 Tips for a Successful Phone Interview

Top 5 Tips for a Successful Phone Interview A common misconception with the job application and recruitment process is that the procedure is (1) advert, (2) application and CV, (3) interview, (4) when can you start. While in the majority of cases this is in fact the process down to a tee, some employers may look to have a telephone conversation or even an interview with the applicant before inviting them in for an interview. The reason for this is that sometimes there simply isn’t the time to interview every single person who applies, or even is put onto the interview pile, so the employer will narrow down the options by speaking to some, if not all, over the phone to begin with. The jobs market is a busy one, with far more people applying for one individual position than ever before. For many, the sound of the phone ringing is not a good thing, particularly when you hear “I’m calling about your application” as this usually means a rejection. However, there are a number of ways that you can get through your phone interview stage and land yourself a meeting with the company and maybe even a full-time position: 1) Be happy and confident:   While talking on the phone might not come naturally to you, you can take some comfort by having an interview without the pressures of sitting in front of three or four members of the company all staring at you. If you relax and smile as much as possible while speaking, it will allow you to give positive answers and sound confident which is much more likely to impress your employer as it emphasizes your enthusiasm. 2) Be professional: While you may feel comfortable at home or outside having your interview, avoid doing what you may normally do on the phone such as eating or sipping a drink or watching television. Turn the TV off, leave the food in the cupboard and focus on what is being said to you and your response, it’s a case of respect â€" something all senior employers look for. 3) Stand up and take note! Believe it or not, standing up and walking around can help your voice to come across more effectively. A clear voice is key down the phone as it allows your potential employer to hear you easily and shows that you have good communication skills. If at all possible, attempt to avoid words like “erm” and “umm” as it can imply that nerves affect you. 4) Have your application to hand: In the majority of interviews, you will be questioned on your application. If you have this to hand, you can answer any questions you may receive on it and avoids the potentially disastrous situation of leaving the employer on the line while you run off to try and find it. First impressions count and this can imply a lack of organizational qualities. 5) Listen! Whenever your interviewer is speaking, do not interrupt them. Wait for them to ask the whole of the question before jumping in with an answer to show that you have good listening skills, and it also allows you to think of the most suitable answer, something you cannot get away with so easily in a face-to-face interview. Saying words such as “ok” or “right” at intervals will let the interviewer know that you are listening to them. Of course, following these ideas will only put you into a good position in terms of preparation and theoretical performance. The actual interview is all down to you and how you answer the questions, but if you follow these points as a guide, you should be well on your way to success. One thing you could try, and this is something many people I know did before their telephone interviews, is to get people to ask them questions that were likely to come up over the phone, (i.e. from landlines to mobile phones), so that they could get into the habit of listening in to the full question and speaking down the phone to the interviewer. The more you can develop your skills before the interview â€" whether it is by phone or face-to-face â€" the more prepared you will be when it comes to actually talking with the interviewer. It’s a bit like training for the Olympics and attending all of the warm up events to hone your skills and make sure you’re in the best possible shape ahead of the main event! Arguably one of the most vital points that I can give you ahead of any interview, is to remain calm at all times. An interviewer might deliberately attempt to fluster you to see how you cope in a pressure situation which you may experience every day in the position, so if you can show them down the phone or in the sit down interview that you can handle the pressure, you’re already on the right tracks. Good luck! RELATED: 9 Killer Questions Candidates Ought to Ask the Interviewer. This article was written by Chris White on behalf of JobsToday.co.uk  â€" specialists in providing potential employees with job information from their area.

Office Assistant Cover Letter Samples and Guide

Office Assistant Cover Letter Samples and Guide So, you want to write an office assistant cover letter.Whether its your flair for filing documents or your upbeat attitude when you greet patients at a medical office, you know youd be awesome.Now, you just need to prove it to HR with an equally-awesome cover letter.Not to worry.This office assistant cover letter guide will show you:An office assistant cover letter sample sure to get you the office interview.How to write a great cover letter that office managers fall in love with.Tips for adding clerical skills and administrative experience correctly.Example front office and medical office assistant cover letter sections.Want to write your cover letter fast?Use our cover letter builder. Choose from20+ professional cover letter templatesthat match your resume. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.Office Assistant Cover Letter for a ResumeSee more cover letter templates and create your cover letter here.One of our users, Nikos, had this to say:[I used] a nice templ ate I found on Zety. My resume is now one page long, not three. With the same stuff.Create your resume nowAttach your office assistant cover letter to a winning office assistant resume. Check out our dedicated guide: Office Assistant Resume: Sample Complete GuideConsidering similar positions too? See other cover letter examples for jobs in your industry:Administrative Assistant Cover LetterAdministrative Cover LetterData Entry Cover LetterExecutive Assistant Cover LetterOffice Manager Cover LetterPersonal Assistant Cover LetterPersonal Assistant Cover LetterReceptionist Cover LetterSecretary Cover LetterWant to explore your options further? See our full selection of cover letter examples for every career:Cover Letter ExamplesTo begin with, heres an example of the ideal cover letter for office assistant jobs:Office Assistant Cover Letter SampleJames Nguyen610 Cedarwood RoadBillerica, MA 01821June 23, 2019Jason SwordfishHuman Resource Department HeadBlockchain Capital1 Franklin St, 3 7th FLBoston, MA 02110Dear Jackson,As a front office assistant currently closing out my bachelors degree in human resource management, I was elated to come across the call for a new office assistant at Blockchain Capital. Ive honed my administrative skills and organizational abilities in these last two years, and I know I have the drive and determination to take on the office assistant role at your more challenging company.Though my human resource management degree definitely provides me with great insight into the day-to-day workings of a modern office workplace, it is my current front office role which provided me with the skills and development to become a great candidate for this position. As a front office assistant with Gorkus Maloney Partners, Im very proud of several clerical accomplishments, including:Managing an influx of new administrative processes through a 125% staff increase after our acquisition by Horace Global;Decreasing travel and accommodations expenditure by 15% by establishing new corporate travel partners;Adopted tasks of second front office assistant when he left, thus saving around $2,500 in salary each month.As you might be able to tell from these few achievements, I always perform my tasks with pride and ownership. If I see an opportunity where I might be able to make a change or adjustment for the better, I set my mind to it.To sum up, working at your office would be the perfect balance of challenge and making use of my current skills. Id love the chance to discuss in greater detail how I believe I am a perfect fit for the office assistant position at Blockchain Capital.Sincerely,James NguyenP.S. Would you be interested in sitting down for a coffee with me? Id be happy to show you how I could decrease your corporate travel expenses (-15%), as well.Okay, now lets create yours.Here is how to write an office assistant cover letter:1Sort Out the Office Assistant Cover Letter FormatAs an office assistant, youve got morning tasks to compl ete before the place is open for business.LikewiseOn medical or clerical office assistant cover letters, you must get the layout in order before the writing starts.Heres how to format the office assistant cover letter template:Cover Letter Office AssistantFormat TemplateIn the cover letter header, write your name and address first (top right), the date below that, and then the contact details of the company.Open with a standard cover letter salutationand a short-but-compelling office assistant cover letter introduction.Continue on by explaining why youre the perfect fit for this office, and why this admin job is ideal for you. Present the clerical skills you bring to the table.Prove youre as talented as your office assistant resume says by giving a few choice administrative achievements with verifiable numbers.Close off the experienced or entry-level office assistant cover letter by requesting a meeting in a captivating call to action.Got a cover letter for an office assistant with no experience?Keep it to no more than 200300 words.If it isnt an entry-level office assistant cover letter, a bit more is okay. However, still stay under of a page in length.Pro Tip: Writing an office assistant cover letter with no experience? Youll have to replace background with transferable skills. Check out our guide on writing a first-time cover letter to ensure yours works.Keen on learning more about what to include in a cover letter? Check out this guide: What Should a Cover Letter Say?2Start With a Compelling Office Assistant Cover Letter IntroductionYou see everything that goes on in the office with your eagle eye, and nothing escapes your attention.Hiring managers sift through dozens of office assistant cover letters each day, and they also have an eagle eye.If you dont grab their interest from the very beginning, youll immediately be placed in the pass pile.So, heres how to begin cover letters for office assistant jobs:Office Assistant Cover Letter ExamplesSalutationwron gTo whom it may concern,rightDear Jason,It all starts with the salutation.As you can see in our above cover letter examples for office assistant greetings, we advise you to use the HR managers name.Why?Because people respond better to their own name, and thats been proven. To whom it may concern seems tiring and impersonal at the same time.If you cant find a name, all is not lost.Just go with something neutral, such as Dear Hiring Manager.Pro Tip: Where do you find the HR managers name? The office assistant job description is the first place to start, of course. Next, try the companys website. Look for an About Us page. Finally, search through LinkedIn.Next upThe application letter introductory paragraph.This opening statement is your first impression and an opportunity to get them hooked in just two or three sentences.Heres how to begin in an intriguing manner:Cover Letter Sample for Office Assistant JobsIntroductionwrongHello, my name is James, and I am looking to apply for the po sition you posted. I am a hard-working, dedicated, results-driven employee, and I know Id be a valuable asset to your company.rightAs a front office assistant currently closing out my bachelors degree in human resource management, I was elated to come across the call for a new office assistant at Blockchain Capital. Ive honed my administrative skills and organizational abilities in these last two years, and I know I have the drive and determination to take on the office assistant role at your more challenging company.That first cover letter example is way too generalThe hiring manager tosses generic application letters right into the bin.The second sample cover letter opening whets their appetite. It specifies the office position youre applying for and gives a quick look at your background.Pro Tip: We told you that HR managers dislike universal cover letters. Instead, always tailor your cover letter to this exact office assistant job description. Want to apply at a second location? Simply write a second tailored cover letter!Need more ideas on how you can start a cover letter for office assistant jobs in a dazzling and delightful way? See this: How to Open a Cover Letter For Job Applications3Write a Great Middle for a Cover Letter for Office AssistantsReady for a scary fact?From 2016 until 2026, clerical assistant jobs, such as office assistants, administrative assistants, and secretaries, will decline by 5%.To put it another way, there will be almost 200,000 fewer clerical support staff positions needed.Youve got to work extra hard to get this job.ButDont worry, because if you win the employers heart with the body of a cover letter, youll avoid becoming part of these statistics.What to include in the body section of a cover letter for office assistant jobs:Go into more detail on your background and administrative skills.Show them you meet their job requirements and company needs.List a few past accomplishments with numbers to prove youre the right fit.Explain how everything you bring makes you a perfect match for this office.Here are office assistant cover letter samples of a few body paragraphs:Sample Cover Letter for Office AssistantsBody ParagraphsThough my human resource management degree definitely provides me with great insight into the day-to-day workings of a modern office workplace, it is my current front office role which provided me with the skills and development to become a great candidate for this position. As a front office assistant with Gorkus Maloney Partners, Im very proud of several clerical accomplishments, including:Managing an influx of new administrative processes through a 125% staff increase after our acquisition by Horace Global;Decreasing travel and accommodations expenditure by 15% by establishing new corporate travel partners;Adopted tasks of second front office assistant when he left, thus saving around $2,500 in salary each month.As you might be able to tell from these few achievements, I always perform m y tasks with pride and ownership. If I see an opportunity where I might be able to make a change or adjustment for the better, I set my mind to it.At around just three paragraphs in length, the middle area of your cover letter for office assistant jobs should be brief but impactful.Remember to use numbered wins to show rather than tell.No matter if its a medical office assistant cover letter or one for a small legal firm, you now have a body sure to get them excited!Pro Tip: Many job applicants for administrative support positions take these roles as simply a job, rather than considering moving up in the ranks. Show them youre not a fly-by-night candidate with some brand enthusiasm and details to earn their trust.There are many ways for writing an effective cover letter for office jobs. See this guide: How to Write a Cover Letter For a Job: Sample Guide [20+ Examples]4End Office Assistant Cover Letters Like a ProTime to wrap up what you wrote with a nice little bow.Heres the right way and the wrong way to close a cover letter for both full-time or part-time office assistant jobs:Office Assistant Cover Letters SamplesClosing ParagraphwrongThank you very much for your time and consideration of my request. I eagerly await your reply.rightTo sum up, working at your office would be the perfect balance of challenge and making use of my current skills. Id love the chance to discuss in greater detail how I believe I am a perfect fit for the office assistant position at Blockchain Capital.How dull and robotic is that first one, right?In the second example closing paragraph, however, you conclude it wellIt restates your eagerness for the job, reiterates you have what it takes, and offers up a call for them to act.And, were reaching the endNow, use a closing sentiment (called a valediction) followed by your name:Sample Cover Letter Office AssistantValedictionSincerely,James NguyenSimple as reordering basic office supplies.Lastly, the postscript.A postscript (that P.S. y ou see at the bottom of some letters) isnt at all necessary, of course.However, it is a creative way to mention one more thing before they make their considerations.This is an example of a P.S. statement on an office assistant cover letter:Sample Entry-Level Office Assistant Cover LetterPostscriptP.S. Would you be interested in sitting down for a coffee with me? Id be happy to show you how I could decrease your corporate travel expenses (-15%) there, as well.Can you see why its so effective?In this example, it reminds them of your proudest accomplishment in a cover letter containing many others. It also personally invites them to discuss further how you can help them get those same, impressive results.Hard to resist!Pro Tip: Ready to send off your cover letter? Not so fast! If you have time to spare, setting it aside for a day or two is an effective way of spotting errors or poor wording choices you may not have noticed on the day you wrote it.Though its only a sentence or two, the closing statement has to be captivating. Make sure you get it right by following our guide: How to End a Cover Letter: Sample Complete Guide [+20 Examples]Key TakeawayWriting a cover letter for clerical assistants wasnt as tough as you had imagined, right?Lets reviewThis is how to write the best office assistant cover letter:Get the clerical assistant cover letter template and layout in order, first.Open with an intriguing intro paragraph, so theyll be dying to read more.Give some insight into your professional background, experience, and skills.Highlight your proudest clerical achievements using numbers for verifiability.Show both that youre perfect for this office and vice versa.End the cover letter with a strong closing call to action and conclusion.Wrap it up by adding a postscript to get one more opportunity for gaining their interest.Now, just add this to your office assistant resume and send it off.Good luck!Looking for more cover letter office assistant examples or ways to talk up your achievements? Leave us a comment below, and we can chat. Thanks for reading!

Five Signs Hes Planning to Pop the Question

Five Signs He’s Planning to Pop the Question Has your boyfriend become distant and less focused on your relationship? He might text in secret, refuse to let you see his phone, go out without telling you where he’s going, and engage in other secretive behavior. Your friends say these are classic signs of cheating. When your long-term boyfriend starts to act strange, you don’t have to assume the worst. He might just be getting ready to pop the question. If you have your suspicions, here are a few signs to confirm that you’ll soon be engaged. His browsing history will show websites that sell engagement rings. It might not be that uncommon for your boyfriend to spend a lot of time on his phone, but if he doesn’t let you see what he’s doing, it might lead you to be concerned. After all, don’t cheaters refuse to show you their phones? However, this could be a sign that he’s getting ready to pop the question. He’s probably searching online for the perfect vintage engagement ring, and you can prove this by getting on his phone when he’s not looking and checking his browsing history. If that’s what you find, you can rest assured that your future with him is secure! He’s been spending a lot of time with your sister or best friend. Everyone has seen movies where the boyfriend and best friend fall madly in love, leaving the girlfriend in the dust. So, when your boyfriend starts spending more time with your best friend, sister, cousin, or other female friend close to you, it’s natural to feel a little nervous. However, he could just be reaching out to the people who know you best to gather ideas for the ring and proposal. If your loved one refuses to tell you what’s up, it’s probably “because he’s asking them to keep the secret and help him pick a piece of jewelry with which to propose,” explains April Masini, a New-York-based relationship and etiquette expert and author. “He’s also getting some counseling from them, and this newfound closeness may be a sign you’re about to get a marriage proposal.” Have a little faith in your boyfriend and your besties before you jump to conclusions. He talks a lot about the future. Should you really be concerned about your boyfriend cheating when he’s constantly discussing your future together? “If your guy starts referring to the way distant future a lot, he may secretly be looking for affirmation that you see a way distant future with him,” reasons Michele Velasquez, owner of a business that helps plan proposals. No guy wants to buy a non-refundable ring, plan the perfect proposal, and get down on one knee, only to be rejected. He’ll probably bring up kids, where you like to live, where you see yourself a few years from now, and other details about the future. Velasquez warns, “If you want him [or her] to propose, reinforce you feel the same way.” Otherwise, he might start thinking about breaking things off to avoid too much heartache. He’s been talking about planning a big trip. Perhaps he’s been asking you questions about your favorite places to travel. Or maybe he wants to book a romantic vacation for two. Either way, this could mean that he’s ready to take your relationship to the next level or that he wants to propose while you’re in this romantic setting. It could also indicate a possible honeymoon adventure. Not every trip will signify a potential proposal. A trip to see your family is probably just that. However, if you make a few romantic stops along the way or you’re off to a wonderful romantic destination, you can assume that a ring might pop up at some point. He’s become extra budget-conscious lately. Many women become concerned when their boyfriends want to eat out less, or they stop buying nice things because they want to save money. It might feel like he doesn’t think you’re worth buying things for. However, he’s probably just getting ready for the expenses of a wedding. “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend…and your guy’s bank account’s worst enemy,” explains an article from EverydayHealth. “The average engagement ring costs more than $4,000 â€" and then there’s the enormous cost of the average wedding. So, if your man starts being tight-fisted when it comes to everyday luxuries, he could be saving up for something big and permanent.” In short, don’t throw away a happy, long-term relationship on the assumption that your boyfriend is cheating. If there have been no signs up until now, and your relationship has been better than ever, have a little faith. It might not be long before you have a ring on your finger, and you’re planning the wedding of your dreams.

Why, When, and Where You Must Expand Your Business - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Why, When, and Where You Must Expand Your Business - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Recently, I was talking to a friendly fellow business owner about the status of her small bakery business. A few months ago when we chatted, she raved about how much she loved her staff, how comfortable she was with her home and work lives, and how absolutely inundated she was with customers. Last week, she told me that she is going to have to close her doors. Immediately, I diagnosed her problem: She didn’t expand her brand soon enough. Expansion is a risky business endeavor that requires more time, money, and energy than your current enterprise, but once a business reaches a certain capacity, there are only two options: grow or die. Because my friend neglected to expand her bakery in any way, her business regrettably bit the bullet. If your business has been buoying in shallow business waters for some time, it might be time to head farther from the coast with a much-needed expansion. 4 Big Benefits of Expansion Expanding a business certainly does not come without a heaping dose of risk. If an expansion is done improperly, a business could flounder in a number of ways: You could spread your resources too thin, causing you to underperform across the board; you could under-prepare for supply chain changes, disrupting your flow of supplies; you could neglect security measures during the transition and fall victim to a major data breach. However, if you are like most entrepreneurs, you are nothing if not daring, and in order to ensure that your business flourishes, you must take risks. Expansion is perhaps the most rewarding risk there is. Consider the following benefits: Better space. Location isn’t just important in real estate; having a properly placed business is a key component of success. By expanding, you can select a more profitable location to do business. Bigger audience. By expanding into a new area, you have the opportunity to reach an entirely new group of people who could easily become dedicated fans, potentially doubling or tripling your current customer base. Better staff. Not to say that your current personnel aren’t top-notch, but expansion provides the opportunity to hire talented employees with diverse skillsets who can help your business grow in new and better directions. Better financing. Securing initial financing is an entrepreneur’s worst nightmare, but expanding allows you to show financial institutions that you are responsible with your business’s money. You should have access to whatever funding you need to grow. Checklist for Expansion Now that you understand the importance of expanding at the proper time, you must learn when the proper time to expand is. Expansion shouldn’t always immediately follow success â€" expanding too soon is as dangerous as not expanding at all. You can use this checklist to determine if you need to expand now or later. You aren’t searching for customers. While you might maintain a low level of marketing, you don’t have to expend a majority of your energy attracting new clients and customers. You might even have so much new work that you can barely field all of it. You trust your team. A high-performing team is absolutely necessary for high-performing businesses, but having a reliable group of employees is also mandatory during expansions, when bosses will have less attention to spare on disappointing productivity. You understand your limits. Just because you dominated your current market doesn’t mean you can conquer another one. You should do your research before committing to expanding in a certain way; sometimes, saying “no” allows you to grow in other ways. You have balanced work and life. Expansion takes twice the effort of simply managing a business. If you have recently expanded your family (or are in the middle of another big lifestyle change) you might want to put off expanding your business. Areas to Expand Expansion doesn’t always mean adding square-footage or picking up a second location. There are many ways your business can grow to be stronger and more profitable. Even if your business isn’t quite ready to expand in one of the following areas, you might find benefits by expanding in a different one. Space. If you are cramming merchandize into every nook and cranny, you might need to find a bigger and better location. Additional locations. A single brick-and-mortar store is easy to manage, but several locations can attract faraway customers. Employees. A startup might have one or two workers, while a small business could have up to 50. Perhaps it is time you added more staff in diverse positions to help your business grow. Digital locations. Social media is an invaluable marketing tool, and e-commerce promises to explode in profitability in the coming years. You might need to take a step into the world of digital business.