From Consultancy to Start-up

From Consultancy to Start-up Success Story > From: Job To: Job From Consultancy to Start-up “I couldn't see anyone five years ahead of me whom I wanted to emulate.” * From Consultancy to Start-up Sasha Maisel liked the variety and breadth of her role, but she was missing a sense of purpose. So, she set out to explore the idea of business for social good. Here's how she learned where she truly belongs, and how she managed her finances to make it a reality. What work were you doing previously? I worked in management consulting, focusing primarily on retail customer experience. A lot of my time was spent helping retailers to better understand their customers, and then to design experiences to meet their needs. I also did a bit of organisation design and employee experience. What are you doing now? Now I manage Strategic Projects for Winnow, a tech start-up helping to cut food waste in half in commercial kitchens. How did you feel in your work before you decided to make a change? On a day-to-day basis, I liked what I was doing. The people were smart and engaged, and working on projects meant I never had time to get too bored. But, in terms of the bigger picture, I didn't feel like there was enough purpose behind what I was doing. Why did you change? I never planned on staying in consultancy for the long term. It was more something to give me a breadth of experience, so that I could understand the sectors I did and didn't like. It did give me breadth â€" I had clients in retail, oil and gas, travel, IT, telecoms, and government. However, although it was a great learning experience, I didn't actually enjoy any of these sectors that much, and I realised that I didn't like working in big, slow-moving organisations. I was also conscious that I couldn't see anyone five years ahead of me whom I wanted to emulate, which for me was a sign that this wasn't a long-term career. When was the moment you decided to make the change? I was stuck on a project where I wasn't learning anything, and didn't feel like I was contributing to something I cared about. It gave me time to reflect on what mattered to me, and what I found energising. I realised that all the things at work I found energising â€" building a culture, shaping projects, developing myself and others â€" weren't what I was spending the majority of my time doing. How did you choose your new career? I joined the On Purpose Associate programme, which aims to help experienced professionals transition into business for social good. It was a perfect fit for me, because I knew I wanted to do something more purposeful, but I wasn't sure in which sector. It gave me a year to explore the social sector more broadly; coaching and mentoring to help me discover what I felt passionate about; and, most importantly, my first placement at Winnow, where I work now. Are you happy with the change? Very happy! At Winnow, a lot of my job is similar to being an internal consultant, so on a day-to-day basis, some of what I do is quite similar. However, now I'm doing it for a cause I really care about, in a sector which I think has the potential to bring about large-scale change, and I get to be at the heart of one of London's most exciting tech start-ups. What do you miss and what don't you miss? I was worried that I'd miss the variety of consulting, but in reality my job is probably more varied now than it was before. Sometimes I miss the structure and maturity of my old company â€" but now I get to build it as the company grows. How did you go about making the shift? There were a few elements from the On Purpose associate programme which I really think helped me to shift into a role that fits me. Firstly, having a coach was invaluable. My coach made me do exercises like listing out at the end of the week what made me feel energised â€" that way towards the end of the programme we had a ready-made list of the types of things I would look for in a job. Secondly, I appreciated just having the space to engage across the sector and understand the different types of business models that exist. I learnt that something purely on the social side wasn't for me, but mission-led business aligned more with my values and skills. What didn't go well? What 'wrong turns' did you take? It wasn't so much a wrong turn, but my second On Purpose placement didn't suit me nearly as well as my first. It helped me realise the value of understanding the culture of an organisation, and how hard this can be to do from the outside. On paper, that placementwas a perfect fit, but the reality differed quite a lot. How did you handle your finances to make your change possible? I'd always been good at saving during my more lucrative consultancy years, but I did have to realign a lot of my social plans. I started cooking for friends a lot more, running instead of 'gym-ing', making packed lunches â€" all things I should probably have been doing anyway. During On Purpose, I also did a bit of freelance consulting on the side, which really helped. What was the most difficult thing about changing? Explaining to my parents, family and friends why I would want to move from a lucrative, stable career into something less paid and more risky. There's a bit of a generational gap, so that was tough. What help did you get? Aside from the On Purpose programme, my old consultancy firm was amazing. Once I'd articulated what I wanted and why, they were incredibly supportive and enabling. What have you learnt in the process? I've learnt that immersing yourself in a different world is really fundamental to figuring out your place in it. I think one of the reasons a lot of people are scared of making a career shift is that the world outside their own experience is unknown. What would you advise others to do in the same situation? I'd advise people to spend a lot of time exploring what they're really passionate about â€" go to events, read books, ask people on LinkedIn for a coffee, and then don't be afraid of asking for what you want. On Purpose recruits twice a year for their Associate Programme. The upcoming deadline for applications for the October 2018 cohort is 27th May. To find out more, visit www.onpurpose.org. What lessons could you take from Sasha's story to use in your own career change? Let us know in the comments below.

Acting Resume - Why You Need One

Acting Resume - Why You Need OneAn acting resume is essential to getting a good job. It's not the resume you're used to looking at; instead, it's the resume of a talented actor. There are many things you should consider when creating your resume and acting resume format is one of them.Acting resumes can be a bit different from what you're used to seeing in other types of resumes. When you're creating your acting resume, you'll need to consider certain things that will make it unique and stand out. When you're creating your resume, make sure to write in a way that will tell the hiring manager exactly why you're qualified for the job. If you try to focus on what you want, you're likely to lose focus on what your skills are and this could be a reason why you don't get the job.The best way to create an acting resume is to list your acting experience as if you were auditioning for a television show. You can see some examples on auditions online that allow you to take notes on your own. It 's also important to be aware of the job description for the job you're applying for. This will give you an idea of what sort of skills you have and will help you determine what kind of acting resume you should create. You should also be able to distinguish yourself from the other applicants and show why you're better than everyone else.When you're doing your acting resume, it's important to not include everything that you've ever done, but do list your acting experience on your first paragraph. In this first paragraph, put a brief summary of your acting resume. Don't go overboard, though. Put in just enough information to let the hiring manager know what you can bring to the table. Here's an example of how you would put it:I have performed in hundreds of plays and commercials, over 10 productions, as well as the background information. I was a featured member of my high school theatre company. I have been in local, regional, and national films and commercials, which include web vid eo postings and commercials for TV shows such as I Dream of Jeannie.When you're writing your acting resume, take note of who you will be meeting with and any other people who may be involved with the job. Keep in mind that it's very important to be as detailed as possible in your acting resume. It's understandable that it can be difficult to remember all of the details when you're acting, but it's very important to write them down so you don't forget them.When it comes to writing the acting resume, you should write it in a clear and simple language. It's important to read it carefully and if you make a mistake, edit it as needed. This will ensure that you do not miss anything that could be critical to the success of your job interview.When you're writing your acting resume, make sure that you write it in a professional manner. Remember that you're trying to land the job and the best way to do that is to ensure that you stand out from the crowd. When you do this, you'll have a far gr eater chance of being hired and have a better chance of landing that job you want.

Start Your Own Business in 2014 - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Start Your Own Business in 2014 - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Have you considered entrepreneurship? According to a recent study by 1 and 1, 53% of American adults have considered starting their own business. However, many obstacles await the burgeoning entrepreneur. I asked three new entrepreneurs three questions about their leap from employee to business owner in 2013. Meet the Entrepreneurs Tim Murphy, Co-Founder of AirDrop Gaming I was approaching my 12 year anniversary with Whirlpool Corporation. I was the Global Principal Category Lead for Fabric Care at the time. Great company, great people, great time. Joleena Louis, Esq., owner of Joleena Louis Law I left a small matrimonial law firm in Brooklyn to start my own firm in Manhattan. Emily H. Griebel, Founder/President of EHG Consulting In September, I left a marketing firm that Id been with for 8+ years to become Director of Marketing for a $20+ million jewelry design/manufacturing company. After two months, I left to start my own marketing consulting business. How did you know it was time to leave? Tim It was time to leave when I found myself sneaking into broom closets to take phone calls for the side business. Its one thing to sneak away to entertain a call or two from family, friends or the occasional head hunter. Its another to sneak away to negotiate material costs with overseas suppliers for a side business. When the night gig started turning into a day gig, it was time to take the leap. Joleena I realized that I was no longer enjoying my work. I was putting in all this time and effort to bring in money for the firm and I was not getting any of the benefits. I finally realized that I would be happier building my own dream than building someone elses. Emily I knew that it was time to leave the agency when I didnt feel challenged anymore and wanted to try something new. I knew it was time to leave the jewelry company because the company culture didnt fit my style. What are the warning signs that employees should look for, signaling the right time for self-employment? Tim It has to be a unique alignment of the stars for most. For me it was practically a miracle when Kendall College of Art and Design approached me for a part-time teaching position. The schedule was perfect, I taught a class (digital modeling) a couple evenings a week and KCAD offered office space plus resources to help incubate the startup, Airdrop Gaming. Joleena When you feel like you have reached as far as you can go at a company, there is no more room for promotion and you feel like you can run the company better yourself. Emily It’s time to leave when there is no room for growth and you feel unmotivated and/or underutilized. What advice would you offer an aspiring entrepreneur who may be too scared to take the first step? Tim Ensure you have ways to provide for yourself (or family in my case) at a bare minimum. At least in my situation I could still put some food on the table with the teaching gig. Plus I had put feelers out to several other job opportunities just in case something fell through last minute. Cash flow. If you dont know what cash flow means, STOP, dont leap. In my case I was lucky enough to partner with some smart folks. Know your financials inside and out, or partner with someone that does. One lastbit of advice, try to keep the mother and father-in-law in the dark as long as possible. The last thing they need to find out is that their daughters husband and father of their loving grandchildren just quit his fantastically predictable, secure, insurance providing day job to tackle a startup. Joleena There is no right time. You just have to take the plunge. Make sure you have enough in the bank to survive a few months or have a spouse that can cover living expenses while you build your business. Emily The best advice I would offer a young entrepreneur is to work slowly and carefully to develop your business plan and projected income statement. Use all of the resources at your disposal and be sure you understand the financial and emotional risks you take by starting your own business. You must be patient yet optimistic for it to work, and not to mention, capable of successfully running the business you envision. Have you started a business? If so, what advice would you give potential entrepreneurs who are on the fence?

How to Find a New Job With 30 Days of Connecting Days 1-5

How to Find a New Job With 30 Days of Connecting Days 1-5 Scared to meet new people?  Me too.  But, at the end of 2011, I will have added 48 new people to my network and strengthened relationships with 48 friends and family members.  If you are new to my blog, you may not know that starting January 1st, 2011, I challenged myself to a networking challenge.   Since embarking on this challenge 8 months ago, I have learned a lot about networking that I want to share with you.  I have personally dealt with all of these  barriers to networking  and I know how hard it is to actually take action. For the next 6 weeks, I am going to give you 5 things you can do to knock down your networking barriers every week!  These are simple things and nothing that should take longer than 15-20 minutes.  There are hidden opportunities waiting for you but you just need to make the right connections to find them! “The idea isn’t to find yourself another environment for tomorrow, but to be constantly creating the environment and community you want for yourself, no matter what may occur.” â€" Keith Ferrazzi (Author of Never Eat Alone) Day 1: Write down your goals.   Did you know that you are 95% more likely to achieve your goal if it is written down?   If you go through the next 30 days with no clear goal in mind, you wont be able to achieve anything. Day 2: Create a networking action plan. This month, each person that you talk to and each event you attend should be targeted.   Ask yourself these questions. Day 3: Tell someone.   Dont do this alone unless you want to fail.   Tell someone you know and trust so that they can hold you accountable. Day 4: Find people  for informational interviews.   Find people in your network that you want to learn more about.   They may not have your dream job but could refer you to someone else who does.   Follow up with  people you met in the past at professional association meetings, classes and previous jobs. Get referrals from friends and family or contacts you can identify online.  Make sure you read these  5 easy steps  to an informational interview. Day 5: Block off time in your calendar each month to network.   Set up certain times each week that you are free to meet with people in your network.   For example, every Wednesday at lunch or every Monday after work. See I told you it would be simple! Please share in the comments if you are going to try 30 days of connecting!  What connecting tips do you have? Next, make sure you read Days 6-10 (CLICK HERE).

What Is the Format For Writing an Objective On a Resume?

What Is the Format For Writing an Objective On a Resume?What is the format for writing an objective on a resume? When you are in college or you are just out of college, it can be confusing to know what to write about on your resume. The first thing that you want to do is make sure that you write down the information that you have learned during your courses and college career.Write down your key objective in the objective section of your resume. The objective section will give the reader a quick overview of the qualities that you have that would make you a good candidate for the job. You can use the term 'key objective'key objective statement'. The objective section will also give the employer a brief description of the qualities that you possess as well as the skills that you will need to work with.Objective statements should not only be written down. You should always make sure that you know the meaning of the words. Do not just throw up a list of the things that you have studied. It does not matter how well you think you are doing in college, if you do not understand what you are saying on your resume you may land yourself in trouble.In the objective section, you should always indicate the subject of the objective, the name of the person who made the decisions on the subject, the date the information was acquired, and the recipient of the information. Other information that you should put in the objective section is the title of the person who organized the project, the name of the person who organized the assignment, the name of the person who developed the project, and the title of the project. This will help the employer to be able to figure out the structure of the job you are applying for.In addition to putting down the key objective, you also need to put down what you have learned about the job in general. This will make it easier for the employer to determine the type of knowledge that you have gained while at school. They will also be able to easily tell which fields you have specialized in.Projects and assignments can help you develop skills that are needed for the position that you are applying for. After all, most jobs are very broad in nature. Therefore, the degree that you earn from a certain program is not really going to teach you anything specific to the job that you are applying for.It is a good idea to have a project from each of the different jobs that you apply for. Make sure that you have the following projects: technology project, management project, bookkeeping project, financial management project, marketing project, and technology project. In addition to that, make sure that you have additional assignments from other fields of study as well.Your resume should be prepared for all employers that are going to read it. If you are not aware of what exactly is on your resume, you will not be able to make the most of it. So make sure that you know what is the format for writing an objective on a resume.

Use a Resume Writing Service to Land Your Dream Job

Use a Resume Writing Service to Land Your Dream JobA well-designed resume is the first step in your job search, but having a professional resume writer to produce a professional, attractive resume can make all the difference between getting the call from your dream job and wasting time making the best resume you can. The internet is full of free resume templates that are okay for the beginning or intermediate resume writer, but professional writers have plenty of options to choose from. If you want to be successful at landing that dream job that you've been looking for, then you need to use a professional resume writing service.Professional writers are always looking for fresh content. After all, that's what makes a good resume successful - content. When you have the writer to create a resume for you, they will want to give you top notch content, because it will set you apart from everyone else. You should always include your accomplishments, qualifications, strengths, and weaknesses . A professional resume service can help you write a strong, creative resume that tells them everything they need to know about you.A seasoned career specialist at a high-quality resume writing service will not only create the perfect cover letter but also incorporate professional research into the overall structure of your resume. A good career specialist knows that there are many skills that must be incorporated into a resume. A creative and innovative job seeker will want to include skills such as organizational and communication skills, customer service, customer-service skills, and career-related skills. You need to leave some room to address other areas of employment as well.If you've never had the opportunity to write a resume, you may feel a little intimidated. It's important to understand that it is a very important part of your job search. Resumes are used to find a job - not to introduce yourself to an employer. Your resume will tell the hiring manager everything that the y need to know about you. Most people get overwhelmed by the idea of creating a resume.A career specialist at a quality resume writing service understands that this is one of the most important components of your job search. After you've written a strong resume, you should send it along with a cover letter. Include your skills and experiences that you have that relate to the position that you're applying for. This should give the hiring manager a good idea of who you are, and what you can do for the company.High paying jobs that are available are a draw for job seekers. Many of the best-paying positions these days are technical or management positions. If you have the ability to operate machinery, you should be seeking out a technical position. You should also look for opportunities that pay a competitive salary and benefits package if you're not happy with your current position.Consider also your educational background. Do you have a college degree? If you do, be sure to document t his. Careers requiring a graduate or advanced degree will cost more money than positions with only a high school diploma or general education degree.Make sure that your resume writing service has your skills and experience in mind when you submit your resume. The writer will create a resume that tells the hiring manager everything they need to know about you. A good resume writing service will let you take control and ensure that your resume is unique. Your resume will be the first thing that the hiring manager sees, so make sure that it is a professional looking, well-written, and professional looking resume.

Interview Lessons Learned From My Daughter

Interview Lessons Learned From My Daughter Last week I wrote about  networking  lessons learned from my son, so I couldnt go more than a few days without writing about my daughter and what lessons she has taught me that can be applied to a job search. My daughter is into performing; mostly singing and some acting. She has gone through what I consider to be some pretty grueling and stressful auditions for someone who is only 16 and its been fascinating to see how she prepares for these auditions from both a technical and a mental perspective. What I have noticed from watching her is that an audition is really very similar to the preparation one should go through for an interview.Research the culture of the company.  Before the audition, my daughter does some research to better understand the genre of the show or group she will be auditioning for. This helps her select a song or monologue that is relevant to the people doing the casting. Before you go on an interview, you should research the company culture to figure out how yo ur strengths play to the needs of that organization.Prove you are successful in the competencies that are critical to the job.  Before an audition for a spot in a chorus or a play, my daughter tries to anticipate what the decision makers are looking for when they fill the spot. If she knows the music of a show calls for someone who can belt a high C or sing a three-part harmony, she selects a song that matches that competency and proves her ability to be successful in the role. Since most employers believe that past success is a good indicator of future performance, job seekers need to craft strong stories of past success that are related to the needs of the hiring authority in order to make decision makers feel confident that they are the right person for the position.Have an advisory board.  My daughter seeks out the opinion of her voice teacher, chorus leader, trusted friends, and sometimes even her mom to help her make decisions about a song or monologe choice. She understands t he value of tapping into the experience and knowledge of her network to help her make sound decisions. Create your own advisory board of trusted friends and colleagues to help you prepare for your big interview.Practice, practice, practice. Once she decides on the song or monologue, she practices to make sure she knows her lines or can hit all the right notes. She chunks the practice into daily sessions so she doesnt become overwhelmed by the task at hand. Job seekers should practice what they are going to say before an interview. A great strategy is to write out potential interview questions on one side of an index card and write out the stories of success that best answer those questions on the reverse side of the card.Consult your network for clues about the job. If my daughter is auditioning for a chorus, she talks to people who are already in the group to better understand the expectations of the chorus including frequency of rehearsals and performances. She also unearths criti cal information about the groups leader, group dynamics, and past performance successes and hurdles during these conversations. As a job seeker, you are likely to have a better interview if you know some key facts about the department or people you will be working with. Knowing this information helps you build rapport and credibility with the hiring authority.Scope out the competition. Knowing who you are competing against for a role or spot in a choir can really help you prepare your audition strategy. Their weakness may be your strength. In an interview, if you can identify the potential weaknesses in the other candidates, you can play these up as strengths during your interview conversations.Get comfortable with stepping outside your comfort zone. Often playing a role forces you to step outside your comfort role. In a recent role, my daughter played a pregnant woman-not something that she could easily relate to. But she knew that in order to be successful in the role, she would h ave to learn what it felt like to be a pregnant woman and make it look believable. Sometimes when people go on interviews, it is not comfortable. But through mental preparation, study, and practice this is another obstacle you will be able to overcome.I think preparing for these auditions is a great life skill that will help my daughter as she prepares for college placement or her first job. What life experiences can you draw on to build a strong interview strategy? Perhaps you have run a marathon or done public speaking, or even started your own business in the past. Think about what you did in those situations to prepare and how those skills might relate to your interview strategy. By drawing similarities between interviewing and other life situations you may discover ways to improve your interview strategy and land the part.

Its Soul Week ( Im Resisting the Hell Out Of It)!

Its Soul Week ( Im Resisting the Hell Out Of It)! Wondering what Im doin with my first week as a self-employed woman of the world? Let me tell ya about it! Its Soul Week ( Im Resisting the Hell Out Of It!) from WhenIGrowUpCoach on Vimeo. And here are the links that I refer to/promised ya in the video: Jess LCs Makeunder My March series Kelly Rae Roberts talking about Soul Camp, which was my inspiration for Soul Week My Simply Fearless Fempreneur coach, Cassandra Rae Hope you all are having a fantabulous week!