Five free courses you could start right now

Five free courses you could start right now by Amber Rolfe Introducing: qualifications that don’t break the bank… Whether you’re looking to boost your employability or you simply want to expand your skillset, taking a course could be the perfect way to do it. And taking one doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, some courses come with no cost attached â€" meaning you can get certified without having to pay anything at all.We spoke to vision2learn, one of the UK’s top providers of free courses, who told us five of the best free courses you could be starting right now:Business and Administration Level 2Need to improve your business skills? It might be easier than you think.Covering everything from employment rights, workplace communication, and budgeting, to the purpose of IT in a business environment â€" this course teaches you all about the day-to-day workings of real-world companies.Not only will you learn about the techniques used to help businesses run successfully, you’ll also understand how to arrang e meetings, deal with change, and support your colleagues, as well as a variety of other essential business skills.So whether you want to progress in your career or you’re looking to break into a thriving industry, this course could be the perfect way to do it.Perfect for: People who like getting down to business.Business and Administration Level 2 course  Essential IT Skills Level 2This course helps you get-to-grips with the basics of IT, allowing you to expand on your knowledge and get the most out of a variety of widely used software.Not only could you use what you learn in almost every work-based setting, you could also apply it at home.Perfect for beginners, it touches on a wide range of topics, including word processing, presentation software, and spreadsheets. This means a solid knowledge of document editing, charts, and graphs, to data entry, formatting, and analysis (and much more) could be well within your reach.And that’s not all. You’ll also be taught how to approa ch, plan, and evaluate IT related tasks, opening up opportunities in a wide range of different industries.Perfect for: People who want to be computer savvy.Essential IT Skills Level 2 courseCustomer Service Level 2If you’re passionate about customer service, this Level 2 qualification could be for you.Focusing on the key principles of communication and customer care, it’s designed to teach students how to strengthen relationships with customers, clients, and colleagues, whilst providing an overview of the industry as a whole.And if dealing with difficult people isn’t your strong point, don’t panic. This course also helps you to understand how to meet the needs of a diverse range of customers, along with outlining the most effective ways to deal with complaints.Understanding customers? Tick. Delivering excellent customer service? Tick. Boosting your CV with a qualification? Tick.Perfect for: People who want to work with people.Customer Service Level 2 course  Dementia Care Le vel 2Love caring for others, and looking to turn it into a career? Look no further.Providing learners with an understanding of the core principles of dementia care, this course will enable you to actively assist individuals affected by the condition.Along with an overview of how dementia can be defined and cared for, you’ll also receive valuable insights into the key functions of the brain that are influenced by the disease, the medical and social model of dementia, and the benefits of a person-centred approach.So whether you need help caring for a friend or family member with dementia, or you’re interested in finding work in health and social care â€" this course could be exactly what you need to get started.Perfect for: People who care.Dementia Care Level 2 course  Nutrition and Health Level 2By providing useful information on weight management, the role of nutrients, eating disorders, food labelling, and more â€" this course is perfect for anyone interested in gaining an unde rstanding of how food impacts a person’s health.Not only will you learn about food and nutrition in a broad sense, you’ll also discover how nutritional needs vary depending on age.Understanding health and nutrition isn’t just important for your own wellbeing either, it could also allow you to help others improve theirs â€" whether it’s by working as a Personal Trainer or a Nutritionist.At the very least, you’ll be able to name the five major food groups with little thought. And if that’s not a party trick, we don’t know what is.Perfect for: People who always have their five a day.Nutrition and Health Level 2 courseWhy study with vision2learn? vision2learn offer courses funded by the UK government, that are delivered and accredited in partnership with a further education college.  They’ve helped thousands of people to advance their skillset and progress in their career, studying everything from customer service, business and IT, through to nutrition and healthcare.Be nefits of studying with them include:Access to FREE courses in work-related areasA convenient way to update your skills and boost your CVGaining a Level 2 nationally accredited qualificationFlexible studying optionsUK-based support team and a one-to-one dedicated tutorFind out moreInterested in taking a free course? Talk to vision2learn today.vision2learn are one of the UK’s top providers of free courses, helping thousands of people across the world to get certified and progress in their careers.  Find a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the

Savings Tips for Women in 2017

Savings Tips for Women in 2017 The following is a guest post by Roberta Pescow, a contributing writer for NerdWallet After years of low interest rates, APRs are on the rise. This is good news for all savers, but especially women. Thanks to their longer life expectancies and the gender income gap, women particularly need to prioritize putting aside money. The new year is a great time to adopt savings strategies that will boost financial wellness no matter what life brings. Compare savings accounts APRs move up or down with trends, but that doesn’t mean they’re identical at all banks. Shop around for financial institutions that provide free banking and the highest interest rates for savings accounts. Include credit unions in your search; on average, they offer better returns on savings than banks. And explore high-yield and money market accounts, since these typically come with higher interest rates than traditional savings accounts. Budget and organize It’s hard to save if you don’t know where your money goes. Take control with a detailed budget that tracks expenses and reserves some money for savings. There are lots of free, user-friendly apps that make the process easier. Pay yourself first Selflessness is admirable, but when it comes to saving, it’s better to put yourself first. Deposit what you can afford in savings each month before making any purchases or paying bills. Automate Make savings a no-brainer with an automatic savings plan. These electronically transfer an amount you choose from your checking account to savings each month. Another approach is to send a portion of each paycheck to your savings account via direct deposit. You’ll never miss what was never in your hands, so your savings will grow without a feeling of sacrifice. Plan for life’s changes and challenges Ideally, you’ll build an emergency fund that covers three to six months of living expenses. But having even a few hundred dollars saved up can help prevent a debt spiral if you face medical problems, property damage or job loss. It’s smart to separate this emergency cash from everyday savings so you won’t drain it accidentally. Then there’s retirement. Even if you’re nowhere near that finish line, it’s best to prepare early in your career. Keep in mind that, on average, women outlive men by close to five years   and only earn 80 cents   for every dollar men earn, which can translate to a lower Social Security benefit. The challenge is to build retirement savings that will keep you comfortable for a longer period of time on a smaller income, and with less government help. It takes decades to save enough to support yourself for 15 to 20 years or more. If your job offers a 401(k) match, contribute at least that much to the plan. After all, it’s essentially free money. If you don’t have a work-related retirement plan, look into tax-advantaged IRAs. Create more cash If you can’t find space for savings in your budget, here are a few ways to bring in additional dollars: Sell unwanted items at consignment stores, yard sales or online. Cash in credit or debit card rewards points. Ask for overtime hours at work. Start a side business doing something you love, such as crafts, music, tutoring, dog sitting, or babysitting. You also might be able to free up funds by cutting spending: If you’re paying ATM or bank account maintenance fees, find a bank with truly free checking. Make sure you’re getting the lowest available prices for your cell phone, utilities, insurance and other services. Eat more home-cooked meals, bring lunch to work, and enjoy occasional restaurant meals during lunchtime instead of pricier dinner hours. Reduce entertainment costs by visiting free local parks, beaches, concerts and sporting events. Cut cable in favor of TV streaming services, such as Netflix or Hulu. Lower your thermostat a few degrees to reduce heating costs. With just a little effort, you’ll begin to build the cash reserves needed for financial security. You’ll start moving closer to your savings goals almost immediately, and you’ll set the stage for a lifetime of glowing financial health. . Image credits. Main.   Budget.  Retirement.  

The Accident We Call Getting Older

The Accident We Call Getting Older For most of my life, Ive held an attitude . . . no, a belief that I could find a way to fix anything.  No matter what life threw at me, I could bounce back and rise again.  And not just rise, but be stronger and better. Somewhere along the way, I failed to notice that I was definitely NOT in control of one thing.  Im getting older.  OMG!  Im gradually becoming those older women I thought were so distant from becoming my reality. My friends moms, when I was in high school, were in their late 30s.  They were old.  But much too quickly, Id sailed right by thirty . . . and forty.  Life was happening, and while I wasnt watching time was doing to me what it does to all of us.  That slow progression of aging. That sneaky, cruel trickster of time was making it ever more challenging to see my 20-something face in the mirror. The only thing I can liken it to is buying a new car that youre planning to keep for a long time.  When you drive it off the lot,  it feels great.  You have to show it off.  Maybe even claim some bragging rights.  Of course, even if you keep up with the routine maintenance, the door dings start to appear, or maybe a little scratch on the paint or worn spot on the upholstery. And one day, you realize its not a new car any more, and that even a wax job and tune-up doesnt make it what it used to be.   Its a used car. Aging Gracefully?  Riiight. Let be honest.  For women, especially, getting older sucks.  Cosmetics, spa treatments, and even surgery isnt going to stop it.  Because our culture expects us to look a certain way, it can be scary, depressing, and frustrating. From the grey hairs and black hairs appearing where you never thought youd have them, to body issues you thought were over in your teens, for women getting older is a hopeless battle that we usually only talk about jokingly. Anything you think is wrong with your body at the age of thirty-five you will be nostalgic for at the age of forty-five.  Nora Ephron Remember those special classes the school nurse drug us off to that were supposed to help us through that first round of near cataclysmic changes we were about to endure? What they didnt tell us is that that was only part one. The bad news is theres no class when you get older.  No real warning or coaching for part two.  Part two is what Id call the accident of aging.  I mean it must be an accident, right? We did not ask for it, I am quite sure. We only vaguely knew about it, and for the most part it was something that we thought would never happen to me.  Yeah, part two is all about getting older, and it for sure sucks. Since there is no class for it, about the only solace we have is to commiserate all about our common plight.  Your BFFs are a great place to start.  A few tears, a few laughs, and a few lies, and somehow it doesnt feel quite so bad.  And for those moments when your besties arent around, you might want to get a copy of How Did This Happen by Mary Esselman and Elizabeth Velez. How Did This Happen is a collection of wit, wisdom, poetry and shared experiences.  A delightfully easy read, its a reminder that were all on the same path to the same destination.   Getting older isnt something we can fix.  Its not something we can avoid.  But we can learn to lighten up the pressure from society and ourselves to be something impossibe 21 again. However you choose to do getting older, do it for yourself.  And do it with a smile.  Im told, at least, itll make them wonder what youre up to. Want to get the celebrity take on getting older? Check out the short clips below!

Over-Qualification When a Higher Degree Doesnt Pay

Over-Qualification When a Higher Degree Doesn’t Pay One of the biggest pitfalls in a bad economy is to assume you need more education. Sometimes, it’s true. Often, though, you’ll end up overspending and overeducating yourself. Employers are more likely to pass on an employee who has too many degrees because they’re seen as a liability for fast turnover. However, there are definite ways to further your education in a meaningful way that will helpâ€"not hinderâ€"your career. The notion that getting an extra degree in your field will automatically open doors is misguided. At best, you’ll spend money on a degree that will put you smack dab in the middle of the cesspool of overqualified candidates. At worst, you’ll lose several years of your life going back to grad school and end up in that same cesspool. Combatting Over-Qualification Considering how to go back to school is just as important as deciding whether or not to go. Employers give more weight to any graduate studies than they give to your undergraduate degree. If you go to Cornell for undergrad and then switch to the local community college for your master’s degree, be prepared for some questions. Another thing to consider is that experience is often more important than a pile of certificates. It’s important that you’re able to work while you’re in school. Sometimes that means correspondence classes or looking into online degrees.  Remember that the whole goal of going. Remember that the whole goal of going back to school is to learn more and stay current in your field. Dropping out of the career path to take classes will only slide you further from your goals. Decide if You Should do It The best thing to do when deciding if you should pursue more education is to simply look around. Decide which position you want to aim for in your company, and ask to see what those people have a degree in. Don’t be afraid to talk to them directlyâ€"most likely they’ll be flattered that you consider them successful. Offer to buy them lunch to talk about their career path. Be very clear about your goals, and they may even offer to put in a good word for you the next time a spot opens up. If you’re currently job seeking, go ahead and reach out to local industry leaders. People interested in journalism shouldn’t attempt to call up Barbara Walters for a chat, but the local news anchor may be persuaded to answer an e-mail with a few questions. You can also contact human resources departments and ask them what they look for in candidates. They likely won’t reveal specifics, but they’ll be more open to offering advice about whether or not your current education level is a perfect fit for their company. Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D. wrote on Quint Careers that often candidates won’t even know when they’ve been labeled as overqualified. The boundary isn’t always clear, since each company will ask different things of its employees. It’s important to get a sense of what’s standard in the industry and recognize the companies that hold other-than-average views on education. The Other Roads you Haven’t Travelled Sometimes there’s no getting out of being stuck in a field. After all, there’s only so much you can do with an art history degree. If you’re looking to slightly shift your career focus, consider getting a complimentary degree. Choose it based on where you want to end up. For example, if you want to be a gallery owner, supplement your B.A. with a master’s degree in business. Diversity with purpose will add to your resume without derailing your career path. Just remember that every step you take towards education should be well-thought out with a distinct career path in mind.

Using Resume Writing Services Affordable and Quality

Using Resume Writing Services Affordable and QualityIt is essential to seek for the best resume writing services and get the best thing that can help in hiring a skilled person for a position that requires a considerable amount of expertise. In this case, getting the services of the most reputed and best resume writing services is very essential. Resume writing services are reliable because they offer high quality services and are considered to be professional in their work.Those who would like to hire the best resume writing services should look for those who offer them affordable rates. This will ensure that the service will be affordable for the person as well as for the employer. The rate may also vary depending on the type of service offered by the company.Price is one important factor that would decide whether the hiring of a resume writing service is affordable or not. Since the rates may vary depending on the type of service offered by the company, it is advisable to discuss the rates before finalizing on any one service. It is advisable to inquire about the rates of different resume writing services before finalizing.All resume writing services that offer high quality services should have affordable rates. This is a necessity in order to cater the needs of the person who is looking for a resume writing service. It is highly essential to ensure that the price of the service will be affordable because it will determine the quality of the service that is provided by the company. The service that is offered should be suitable with the budget of the applicant.There are different resume writing services available in the market that are available at very affordable rates. These resume writing services can help the people in getting a good job and give an opportunity to the person to get a great job. The important thing to be considered in choosing the best resume writing services is the price and the quality of the service.The best resume writing services sho uld have high-quality writing and should be able to maintain the professionalism of the service offered. The resume writing services should also provide with the required information on the background of the person and the job as well. There should be ample proof on the proficiency of the writer. It is imperative to consider the price and the services offered by the companies that provide the services.The services provided by the companies should be easily accessible and the resumes should be updated regularly. The resume should be brief and not filled with necessary information. The resume should be able to reveal the credentials of the person being hired and the skills that are required in the job.The resume should also be free from any grammatical and spelling errors. A resume should be ready before the interview so that it can be read easily by the employer and the potential employee. It is important to look for resume writing services that are affordable and offer services of h igh quality.

Whats Holding You Back Fear Number Two - Jane Jackson Career

Whats Holding You Back Fear Number Two - Jane Jackson Career The Fear of RejectionEvery one of us experiences rejection at some time in our lives. It may be when we’re turned down for a job we really want or rejected by a person with whom we want to have a relationship.The truth is that the only people who never experience rejection are those who never have any interaction with other people. This makes for a pretty reclusive and lonely existence. Is that what you want? If not, let’s do something about it!What is this Fear all about? Fear of rejection can be a by-product of low self-esteem. Do you lash out at others if you fear rejection may be forthcoming? Do you sabotage your relationships so you can be the one to reject the other person before they can reject you? Maybe to avoid being rejected at all, you simply withdraw from being socially interactive with others.The fear of being rejected creates a damaging pattern of behaviour in our lives. It can cause us to feel that we are not good enough for our desired outcome. Within relationshi ps, it can cause us to become obsessive, clingy and jealous and can also destroy relationships that have barely begun by becoming too serious too soon which may drive others away.Rejection is Driven by Emotion It’s important to remember how our thoughts make us feel. If we feel negative about ourselves, rejection can trigger off a number of other feelings. We may feel humiliated, lonely, pathetic, inadequate. The more we dwell on these feelings, the more pain we put ourselves through and the harder it becomes to try again for fear that the same thing will happen next time.How Do Others Handle Rejection Easily? A confident person realises that rejection is simply a part of the risk of living and that, in order to grow spiritually, we all have to take the occasional risk and step outside of our comfort zone. A confident person does not take rejection personally and may view it as a flaw on the other person’s behalf instead. In other words, they think it’s the other person’s lo ss.   They dont think of it as a failure on their part, they look upon it as feedback upon which to learn so they can ensure success next time.Tips to Overcome Rejection You may fear rejection if you’ve become accustomed to always trying to please others. Be aware of when you’re feeling this way and learn to say ‘no’ to people when their demands or requests seem unreasonable to you. By saying ‘no’ occasionally, you’re respecting your own needs. This will boost your self-confidence to a level so that you will understand and respect occasions when people might say no to you too not because of any lack on your part, but because of their own needs.Graciously accept any compliments you receive. Too often we brush off a compliment with, Oh, it was nothing.   Accept compliments gladly, simply say, Thank you! and consider what the compliment says about you as a person. This will boost your self-esteem.Imagine a scene when you’d usually be faced with a fear of rejection and c reate a successful ending to the scenario where your wishes are granted and you get the outcome you are hoping for.By using this technique, you’ll start to feel more confident that the outcome you want is going to happen and that will become a replacement for the feelings of fear and failure you have trained yourself to expect.Constantly remind yourself that you have a fundamental right to be happy. If you are not selected for a role for which you have applied or rejected by another person with whom you had hoped to create a relationship, take it as feedback and learn from it. The loss is theirs, not yours. Look for other opportunities that may generate the desired outcome.If you hold back from interacting with people because of your fear of rejection, you simultaneously miss out on the potential happiness, warmth, fun and excitement that other people can bring to you. If you never put yourself in a position where someone can say ‘no’, then you’re also denying yourself the o pportunity of being in a situation where someone can say ‘yes’.“I take rejection as someone blowing a bugle in my ear to wake me up and get going, rather than retreat.”   Sylvester StalloneDo you have other coping strategies that have worked for you?Connect with me on LinkedIn No matter where you are in the world, I can help you through Skype coaching.  Book an appointment now and be empowered to achieve your dreams!

Believe in Your Dreams Part 3 (Guest Blogger Kim Engler)

Believe in Your Dreams Part 3 (Guest Blogger Kim Engler) This the last of three guest posts on Believing In Your Dreams. This one comes from Kim Engler my friend, colleague and vocal coach. She produced my cabaret shows (click here for a clip from my recent Follow Your Dreams show) and is the one who helped me find my voice. By day Kim is a media consultant, presently working in the fashion industry where she produces talent everyday. Heres a QA from Kim to help you believe in your dreams.Q: What are the key steps to believing in your dreams?A: Practical willingness: self-inquiry and action based on what is appropriate for your life in the way it is right now Encouragement: focusing on the practical reasons why your dream is possible and valuable Constancy: showing up and being there in a consistent manor Creative Support: discovering tools that help you to help yourself~ especially cultivating resilience, positive focus, awareness and flexibility Practical Vision: focusing on the big picture, and taking your best steps, in your way, towa rds manifesting your dreamsQ: If you had to summarize, what key messages do you send to those whose dreams you are helping to cultivate? A: Trust yourself! Know yourself better than anyone else (daily practice!) Believe in yourself and the how will be revealed moment-to-moment Develop your practical intuition = understand, identify and trust your gutFor more great advice and insight from Kim, look for www.KarunaMedia.com coming soon or email her at Kimberly.Engler@gmail.com.On this Thanksgiving holiday, I am very thankful to have the support of Kim and many others to make my dreams a reality. Perhaps there are people who have supported you.Whos helped you follow your dreams? Who might be in a position to support you in bringing your dreams closer to reality? Happy Thanksgiving!