How Do Colleges Attract Students?

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There’s no shortage of wannabe students out there, who are eager to find a college and course they’re attracted to, give it their all, and walk away later on down the line with the tools and credentials they need to go out into the world and make a success of themselves. However, while there might be a lot of prospective students each year, there are also a lot of colleges. There are more than five thousand currently in operation, and while they might specialize in different areas, there’s no getting around the fact that that’s a lot of competition. So how do colleges stand out from the crowd, and entice students to their school? We take a look below.

Word of Mouth

Wannabe students don’t always know what they want to do with their life, but they know it when they see it. If they can point to someone older than them and think “I want to be like that guy/girl,” then that’s a pretty motivational tool when it comes to taking action. When it comes to colleges, prospective students can learn about the type of people they might become by looking at what the alumni are doing. Colleges often reach out to successful past students and ask them to write blogs, or if they include their story in their prospectus guide.

Social Media Pages

If you want to target the younger generation with your school, then you need to go where they hang out. That, more often than not, is the online world, and specifically social media. Schools partner with companies such as CPL Advertising Agency, and target set demographics with advertisements via Facebook and other social media websites. Research has shown that teenagers spend around nine hours a day online, which gives them plenty of opportunities to see an ad for their potential next school.

Moral Codes

One of the most impressive things about the younger generation is that they’re generally more socially conscious than older generations. They care about the environment, they care about equality, they care about the important issues in a way that mimics — probably even exceeds — the social consciousness of the sixties. As such, young people want more from their schools than just an education. They want to know that the school isn’t taking money from organizations that have morally questionable practices, and that they’re tolerant of anyone and everyone. Colleges who showcase their commitment to a better world will find that they have more interest from prospective students.

Tech Integration

We said before that students spend a lot of time online, and they do — this is a tech-infused generation, the first one that grew up with a tablet or smartphone in their hand. As such, they’re much more likely to be attracted to schools that don’t just possess modern technology, but ones that are on the cutting edge of tech and all its related services. These kids are looking to the future, not the past, so it’s important that schools reflect this ideology too.

Being An Artist Is A Job Too, Not A Dream

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I’m an artist.

More often than not, it’s the kind of statements that parents never want to hear. Being an artist is, unfortunately, misunderstood for laziness and lack of motivation. In reality, you can’t make a living as a creative individual unless you treat your arts like a business venture. Artists are professionals too, and consequently, they need to manage their career like a job. Surprisingly enough, the best tips you can receive as an aspiring artist come from the business industry – not show business, though. Indeed, advice that is designed to encourage professionals to improve their productivity, develop a career strategy and maximize their impact on the market is a fantastic source of inspiration and self-improvement for new artists.

You can follow the same business advice as everyone else

Existing in any business environment – whether artistic or not – is about constantly improving your overall performance to fulfill your full potential. As an artist, becoming better at what you do can seem like a blurry statement. However, you can focus on doing the best that you can, even in the smallest details. This attitude can make the difference between a great creation or something that goes unnoticed. As you dedicate time and attention to all things – small and big –, you get a better insight into your uniqueness, your strengths and the opportunities that are available for you.  

You need a strategic mentor to help and protect you

It’s fair to say that nobody can get to the top without the strategic support of a coach or a mentor who knows and understands the challenges of your industry sector. New entrepreneurs can’t be successful without the careful and knowledgeable plan of a business guru who can advise and protect. Similarly, in the creative world, artists need someone who can help them to tackle the risks without affecting their careers. A music law attorney, for instance, can ensure your audience can gain access to your songs while preventing copyright infringements. It’s a thin line between making your creations available and making them free to use!  

Skills, skills, skills, you can’t have enough

Do you know everything there is to know? In every sector, professionals stay relevant by learning new skills. At a business level, adding significant skills to your resumé makes you more desirable. Additionally, at a personal level, the more you learn, the better your brain gets at connecting knowledge, facts and decisions together. The more you learn, the better you become. For artists, there are new ways of creating, new instruments or even new languages that you could add to your portfolio as a way of opening your mind and unlocking new creative paths. The more you know, the more inspired you can be, and the more relevant you are to your audience.

Make yourself visible

You can’t land a new job without a strong online presence, on social media, and LinkedIn. For artists, your online presence is also part of your career. Making yourself visible to your audience nurtures your bond and your reputation.

Artists are not a different species. They are professionals who act in a specific market. Therefore, they can benefit from developing the business skills, practices, and behaviors that are relevant to their job.

Basic Skills for Improving Your Professional Performance

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We all want to do the absolute best we can in life. We want jobs that we find fulfilling, and that pay well. We want to have good relationships with the people we care about. And, of course, we want to have fun, and feel that we are living in a meaningful and uplifting kind of a way.

When it comes to professional success, there are a lot of factors to consider. Sometimes, a certain qualification or degree will be essential for “making it” in a given field, or even just for getting a call back for a second interview.

Ultimately though professional success is largely a matter of being consistently excellent at the work we do. Of course, that’s not always easy to achieve.

Here are some basic skills you should develop, in order to improve your professional performance, and fulfill your potential in your career.

Focus on doing the best you can, even in the small things

It may seem self-evident, but in order to perform to the best of your abilities in your profession, you need to actually focus on doing the best you can – even in the small things.

The thing is, although this makes sense intuitively, many people nonetheless find themselves coasting through the work day, and doing “just enough to get by”, instead of enough to really thrive.

It’s easy to see why this would be the case, as well. It’s not always immediately apparent what the benefit is of dedicating a significant amount of additional time and energy to a given task.

Excellence, however, is a habit. If you routinely put in your best effort – even in terms of such things as finding the right tools to ensure that you have professionally designed presentations at your fingertips – it becomes almost a given that you will be a high performer in other domains of your professional and personal life, too.

Reduce distractions (including things like email) and emphasize “deep work”

One of the big authors in the productivity sphere in recent times, has been the academic Cal Newport.

In one of his hit books – titled Deep Work – the author argues that it is the ability to focus your attention for long periods of time, in an undistracted manner, that allows for the kind of “deep work” that maximizes productivity, develops advanced skills, and turns out a quality end product.

According to Newport, it is essential to reduce distractions in your life in order to facilitate this deep work.

Among other things, this can mean checking email only once or twice a day, and leaving your phone on silent while you work.

The more you focus – the better you can expect to do.

Always be on the lookout for new opportunities – never get too comfortable

Scott Adams, the creator of the Dilbert comics, has shared an anecdote from the early days of his professional life in business, where he encountered a CEO, who told him that in order to be successful, he should consider his “real job” to be always finding the next, better job.

To really perform to the peak of your ability – and to rise in your professional dealings – it’s important to always be on the lookout for new opportunities.

If, on the other hand, you get too comfortable, the odds are significantly higher that you will stagnate.

How Healthcare Continues To Improve

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We take a lot for granted in the modern world. Though it might not always appear to be the case, the world continues to improve in almost every sphere — we’re smarter and healthier than in times past, and there’s much less crime than at other points in the past. While it’s far from a perfect world, there’s much to celebrate! And especially in the world of healthcare. Below, we take a look at some ways that it continues to improve. In the world of health, the future is bright.

Hospital Experiences

Thank your lucky stars that you didn’t get sick in days gone by. You might have been able to find a doctor to treat you, but there would be little guarantee that it’d be an enjoyable experience. Indeed, quite the opposite. That’s all beginning to change now. Now, hospitals don’t just focus on the specific illness or condition of the patient — they work to ensure that their overall experience is positive. That means an improvement in the comfort of their stay, the quality of the food, and all-around service. That’s helped make hospitals less intimidating places, which has historically been the case.

More Focused Care

Another great stride has been made in the area of personalized care. In the past, the focus was more of a “one size fits all” variety, which was too limiting — people of different backgrounds, races, genders and so on have different needs. Unless those needs were in line with the most prevalent needs, then they were overlooked. Now, doctors are able to offer more detail, personalized care. This has to lead to new services being offered to communities that were historically overlooked. For example, Cynthia Telles and Kaiser Permanente are working on improving the unique mental health needs of the Hispanic/Latino community. This shift toward more focused care has made healthcare more accessible, and, generally, better for all.

Data Overlaps

There’s also the matter of data, which is now more readily and easily shared among different healthcare practitioners, which has made it easier to spot healthcare conditions more easily.

Integrated Technology

Of all the shifts that have taken place in the healthcare industry, it’s the integration of technology that has had the biggest impact, and which will likely be the defining trend moving forward. Improvements in this area have lead to faster and more accurate diagnosis’, better communications, and better treatment. In the future, it’s possible that AI will be implemented to spot health problems before they’ve materialized, and there’ll also be robots that assist in the surgery room. Human errors account for the vast majority of medical errors — and technology is beginning to reduce those numbers.

More Mobile

The hospital as the beginning and end of medical treatment is also beginning to change, too. Now, healthcare is more mobile. Doctors take trips to patients in their homes, patients can choose to stay in their house rather than as an in-patient, and there are even consultations online. This has been a great deal of control back in the hands of the patient.

How Bagging Your Dream Career Is Totally In Your Control

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It’s easy to think that your dream career has to stay a dream. But it really doesn’t. In fact, you may be surprised to find out that chasing after your dream career and doing a job that you love every single day, doesn’t have to be difficult. Sometimes, we set this big, lofty ambitions for ourselves – but we kind of let them sit there in our dreams. Maybe we’re too afraid, maybe we’re not that confident – either way, we don’t act on them. We don’t even try to make them happen. More often than not, we feel as if these big dreams are just too unachievable. And it’s our own minds and comfort zones that make us feel that way. So it’s time for you to realize that your dream career is totally within your control.

  1. Why Not You?

First of all, ask yourself this – why not you? If somebody out there already does that job, why can’t you? If you know that you want to start a business or become a writer or anything else, it’s time to go after it or forever dream about it.

  1. Put The Work In

But, you have to be proactive and willing to work hard. Because this is going to take a lot of hard work. You might have to bang down doors and push past setbacks. But it will all be worth it for you to finally bag that dream career. If you pt the work in, it will come.

  1. Start Your Own Thing

One of the best ways to totally own your career choice, is to start your own thing. When you’re the boss, you’re completely in control. If you’re not sure how to start, options such as Oberlo side hustle tips or mentors can help you. The idea here, is that you just start something. You start working on that dream career today, because you can!

  1. Fill In The Gaps

Next, you’re going to want to get help. Never worry that you’re not an expert at everything. Or believe that you have to do it all. You don’t. You just stick to the things that you’re good at – outsource the rest or hire help. If you don’t have time, options such as QuoteColo managed AWS services on an online virtual assistant or outsourcing your marketing can help. Look for the specialists in their fields that can fill the gaps for you, so you get to love the work you’re dong.

  1. Stick To The Plan

And finally, you just need to make sure that you’re sticking to the plan and following the steps that lead to your goals. Need to intern? Get it done. Need a mentor? Find one. Want to grow? Invest in yourself. When you take a step forward, and you start to make things happen for yourself, you will see that it’s really not so hard for you to make things happen, after all. As long as you love the journey, bagging your career will start as soon as you take that first step.

 

Things You Can Do Every Day to Improve Your Career Prospects

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If you want to improve your career prospects, there are a few things you can do to make this happen. Don’t just sit around and ‘accept your fate’ – if you want something, you should get out there and grab it with both hands! Below, we have some advice that will help you when you want to improve your career prospects. Take a look and see what you can do:

Act Like The Person You Want To Be

First off, think of who you want to be. What position are they in? What do they do each day? Who do they speak to? What do they talk like? What do they wear? This might sound weird, but first acting like the person you want to be can get you into the right frame of mind, and if you stick to it, you should find it far easier to move over into a new position. You can’t expect to change your career or prospects being the same person you’ve always been!

Get Feedback

Getting feedback can be scary, but sometimes it’s necessary to figure out ways you can improve. Self assessment is valuable, but you won’t always be able to look at yourself and what you’re doing objectively. You can learn a lot about your performance when you ask other people that you work with or for. Ask your boss, a colleague, and anybody else you can think of. It can be better to put it in an email so they have time to come up with a more detailed response – plus you don’t want them to feel like they are being put on the spot.

Continue Your Education

Continuing your education is key to improving your career prospects. If your current role isn’t educating you, then do this in your own time. You could look into Grand Canyon University Nursing if that’s something you’ve always wanted to do, or you could take a look at the plethora of online courses out there.

Set Small Goals Regularly

There are likely skills you could learn and habits you could get into. Make a list of the small goals that could help you. It could be something as simple as getting up an hour earlier each day, and starting your day with a little exercise!

Read More

When you read more, you obtain more knowledge. This can mean having an easier time working and talking to people, as well as learning new things and gaining new perspectives.

Network

Networking is one of the most powerful things you can do. Aim to speak to at least one new person per day, and leave a positive impression on everybody that you meet!

Get A Mentor

A mentor is usually born from an organic relationship. You can get great feedback from them, bounce ideas off them, and even learn how to look at things in a different way. A mentor will expose you to new ways of thinking, and this can be very helpful.

Essential Outreach Tips to Find a Great Job

Gone are the days when one could find their first job directly after graduating and then spending all the professional days working in the same company. In many times, people are changing their jobs nowadays even up to 15 times during their professional career.

The process of finding a job is different for different people depending on many factors. This article rounds up some outreach tips that could help you get hired faster.

While some approaches to job search are decreasing in popularity, social media platforms are now increasing in popularity regarding job search.

1. Networking & Referrals

Not all jobs are kept public. There is a “hidden job market” that can only be accessed through networking and knowing the right people. You will need an open mindset for discovering, exploring and being open to new opportunities.

Remember that networking works magic: each network–family, neighbors, close friends, acquaintances, colleagues, and co-workers — is part of another network. This tells you how networking can turn powerful more than you think.

You should start by making a list of all people you need to connect with, the ones in the industry of your choice and reach them first. These come first in recommending you to their networks as well.

2. Career Websites and Job Searching Platforms

There are many career websites and platforms out there. While some of them are regional, others are international/global.

You should know what you are applying for; the type of job, geographical area, department, etc. For example, if you want to work in hotel management, you could narrow down and say something like “hotel management in Seattle”. Before you start, ensure you have the best up to date resume and Cover Letter.

Many sites are offering many templates: CV and Resume templates, CV and Resume templates, marketing templates etc. Onyx is a customizable template which works well both as an online or physical resume. It has a personalized image that gives your resume some character.

3. Create your Online Career Brand

You should build your brand which showcases your expertise and passion online where employers searching the Web can find it you easily.

Most recruiters use LinkedIn as their primary search tool, so you need to have a professional profile there. You can get hired easily when you have a brilliant online profile because you’re literary positioning yourself to be found by hiring managers with relevant openings.

4. Aim to Complete a Few job-related Goals Daily

Undisputedly, it takes a whole lot of time and effort to find a new job. When the job search takes long, one can easily get discouraged and eventually distracted.

The best way is to focus on daily goals which can motivate you to continue with your job search. Once you meet your daily job search goals, you’re motivated to keep on, towards your monthly goals. Then before long, you start getting interview invitations.

5. Job Fairs

Job fairs are the best channels to get hired, but you have to consider some tips here.

  • Most job fairs will advertise the companies participating in a job fair, so you need to check their websites to find out the open position they are having.
  • Ensure your cover letter and resume are updated 
  • Consider a networking card that includes your name, email, phone number and optionally your website, blog or LinkedIn account.
  • Have an outfit that’s appropriate for the job fair. A professional and comfortable outfit boosts your confidence.
  • Be ready with relevant questions for the recruiters just to show that you are passionate about the job.
  • Recite your elevator pitch and the eye contact to bring out the best first impression.
  • Make follow up with the recruiters, if possible send them a thank you note as connect with them on LinkedIn.

6. Company’s Website

If you have a list of companies you like to work with, the best thing is to go to their website and check the careers section for the job openings. If they do not have openings at the moment,

Consider sending them a polite pitch, telling them your competences and how you can help their company grow if they consider hiring you. Keep it brief and straight to the point. Then politely ask for more information about possible future vacancies.

7. Social Media Channels

Social media channels like Facebook, Google+, etc are powerful tools when it comes to searching for jobs. You need to consider the following advice when using social media channels; 

  • Use your real name on your profiles
  • Consistently use professional images across platforms.
  • Only make professional and appropriate images or posts
  • Delete the profiles on the websites that you are not using anymore regularly.
  • Consistently and professionally tell people who you are, what you do and what are your plans.

LinkedIn comes as the most popular job site, but other platforms such as Facebook and Google started implementing job searching options.

In the current modern and dynamic job market, finding your dream job might require a combination of more of the above methods. Try first the ones you are familiar with then get out of your comfort zone from time to time and experiment with more others as well.

Freelancing, Yes, But Without The Worries

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There is no denying that working has become an increasingly dangerous activity, regardless of your career choice. Indeed, while some industry sectors are famous for high risks of accidents and injuries on site, such as the building sector, no professional is genuinely safe.

Indeed, the first killer in the workplace is not poor H&S regulations or careless managers; but it is stress. Stress can silently eat its way into your heart, your mind and your lifestyle. As a result, it claims numerous victims every day, from cardiovascular diseases, cancer, depression and even PTSD disorders. Stress is everywhere and can affect anyone. While employees can choose to quit their job and look for a friendlier employment option, for freelancers stress is a day-to-day challenge.

Indeed, when you’re on your own, you worry a lot about a lot of things. First of all, your financial stability is always at stake. Your ability to remain relevant in an evolving market is crucial, and there is no guarantee that the skills of today will make the success of tomorrow. And finally, freelancers are often lonely; and loneliness is your worst enemy. How can you, as a freelance professional, maintain your sanity and enjoy your career?

It’s simple. You need a growth plan that focuses on your core weaknesses: Finances, self-development and networking.

Understand how to maximize your revenues

When you spend all your waking hours working to keep your business afloat, it can be difficult to build effective money-generating strategies. With barely enough time to think, most freelancers are stuck in a loop of deadlines and administrative tasks. But give yourself some relief by looking into helpful materials, such as this podcast which is worth listening to if you want to find out how to multiply your service business revenues by 10 (or more). Ultimately, you need to understand that you get to set the rules of your business; instead of letting your clients decide. When you begin by establishing the standards for your ideal customer, you can drive huge benefits from your core product or service.

No more boss to give you petty jobs

Of course, there’s no better feeling than not having to deal with your grumpy boss in the morning. You decide what you do, and you don’t have to worry about management issue. In a sense, removing the boss obstacle can be a source of stress, as it leaves you uncertain of what to do and whom to please. But you can keep the uncertainty at bay by dedicating your free time to learning new skills and practices. You can explore trends while leaving menial tasks to an outsourcing facility.

Alone but never lonely

Freelancers often struggle with isolation. Working from home might be exciting, but you sometimes need human input to test your idea or just feel connected to others. But where can you find a friend in your home office? Co-working spaces offer the perfect combination of a collaborative environment with plenty of positive interactions and boundaries to protect your work and your peace. For freelancers, this is the occasion of exchanging ideas, developing a professional mindset and being surrounded by same-minded people.

In conclusion, freelancers have to deal with new forms of stress that relates to their financial, professional and emotional stability. To make the most of your creative freedom, you have to start your independent journey with a solid self-growth strategy.

4 Basic But Great Perks of Freelancing

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“I’m a freelancer”. It is something you are likely to hear more and more as you meet people. In the last few years, it isn’t just the ‘starving artists’ that is a free spirit, you’ll find a free-spirited account, assistant and graphic designers. There is a lot of flexibility with freelancing and home businesses, and it doesn’t work for everyone. But there are plenty of basic, and great perks. If you aren’t already freelance, maybe these are something for you to consider.

No Commute

Ahhh the joy of waking up and rushing to grab a train that is heaving with people, then run from that platform to a bus stop – said no one, ever. Many freelancers never have to leave their home, unless they choose to meet up with local clients. Stilling bumper to bumper during rush hour is said to raise your blood sugar and increase your cholesterol levels.

Zero commute = 100% satisfaction. Not entirely separate is that if you choose to travel, it can be anywhere. Peak season, off-peak, far away, backpacking… the list goes on. If you have a wifi connection, you can work, heard of the digital nomad? It’s not as uncommon as you think.

Be The Boss

This one seems to be the big winner when it comes to freelancing. Don’t like a client? Then you can terminate the contract. Don’t want a particular type of work? Then you simply don’t have to do it. Working with a terrible boss will have a negative impact on how you see what you do and your value in the company.

Forever Learning

When you first that the chances are you will need some help, getting things like your hardware, software, social media, appointments, and even some of the work that you chose to take on. While you are learning to be a human swiss army knife, you can also hire in companies on a long term basis that can help you tackle specific tasks. Appearing as a more prominent firm is simple when you have the right people in place. Managed IT services from Safebit, a good virtual assistant, and some automated customer services applications can help you manage your enterprise while you learn how to calculate your taxes, and work in and on your business.

Mental Health

When you work for yourself, if you feel that you are going to burn out, or that you can’t effectively perform your duties, the chances are you can take the day to yourself to rest, reset and recharge. In an office, there are often policies and procedures in place, but that might not be enough. You can control your workload down to the last minute during the week and only take more when you want to.

Taking short breaks during the day, when you feel you need one, not just because that is the scheduled break time is beneficial to both you and your work. Taking a proper time out for lunch, and even a nap can get your rested and refreshed ready to take on the rest of your work.

Growing Your Confidence In Your Career

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A lack of confidence in your career is more common than you might think, with many people feeling happy and confident in many areas of their lives, but not quite able to apply the same attitude to their work.

It’s easy for confidence issues to hold you back, stopping you from chasing that promotion or seeking a pay rise, but it doesn’t have to be that way. If you’re serious about boosting your career, then it’s time to boost your career confidence and stop letting fear get in your way.

Here are some tips for growing confidence in your career that you can start using today.

Work out what your strengths are

It’s easy to throw yourself a bit of a pity party when it comes to your career and focus on the negatives. Focusing on your strengths can boost your workplace happiness, help you feel more satisfied as well as help you realize that there are areas of your work that you’re already confident in. Start making a list of the things you’re good at, and remind yourself of them regularly. This can help you figure out what you want from your career and set a pathway to achieving it.

Note your achievements and celebrate them

Do you ever attend a job interview or look at your resume and stumble when it comes to listing your ‘key achievements’? It’s something that many people struggle with, especially when you’re put on the spot. One way you can change that is to list your achievements as they happen. Evaluate what went well, what your input was and how it achieved certain objectives. If you need inspiration, there are some example achievements to list on your resume that could help you think harder about your other personal achievements.

So how can you celebrate those achievements? Let others know when you’ve done great work, share with friends and family or use it as an excuse to treat yourself. Acknowledging your own achievements can help you feel stronger in your abilities which will work wonders for your confidence.

Challenge yourself

How do you know what you’re capable of unless you challenge yourself? Sticking to the same jobs, the same tasks day-in, day-out can make it difficult to grow, hindering your confidence in the long-run. By opening yourself up to new challenges and experience, you can push yourself to develop in your career. There are some interesting ways to challenge yourself in your career that could lead you to new responsibilities and break you away from your usual day to day responsibilities.

Get some training

Sometimes, a lack of confidence is down to a lack of skills or knowledge. Seeking training and development opportunities can be a good way to boost your skill set and make you feel more in control at work. Some training is necessary to take the next step in your career, so if there are specific requirements and qualifications that you need to advance, add them to your personal development plan and look at ways you can achieve them.

Stand up for yourself

Just as you were told to at school, learning to stand up for yourself can help you break down some of the barriers that you’ve been facing, such as your colleagues or even your workload. Sometimes, standing up for yourself can require some legal help, and you can consult experts like Oilfield Injury Attorneys to discuss any accidents you might have had at work, or employment lawyers to discuss complicated matters such as discrimination. Don’t suffer in silence, learn to stand up for yourself to help you get that much-needed confidence at work.

Surround yourself with people who will boost your confidence

Surrounding yourself with people who show confidence can soon rub off on you, instilling positive behaviors that you can pick up on. Having people around you who will pick you up and cheer you on is important, and doing the same for others can help you become a better person who’s more confident in themselves. Avoid those who try to bring you down, as they can do a lot of damage to your self-esteem. Having a mentor is a great way to introduce a positive influence into your career, someone who can guide you along the right path and achieve your career milestones.

Growing your confidence in your career is something that takes time, but taking it step by step can help. Set yourself some confidence objectives to help you gain that much-needed confidence in your career.