May 14th, 2009
The best place for singles to build personal growth is at the workplace. Singles at work should be very professional and ambitious. But aside from doing your job and tasks assigned by your boss, here are some things that can lead to a better career path and foster a healthy work environment for singles at work:
- Name Game. Learn the names of the people you work with, specially your superiors and higher ranking officials. Knowing the food chain is good. But it also matters to establish a good working relationship with people in your level and below.
- Personal Space. A key to achieving peace amidst the workplace chaos is to add your personal touch. But remember not to go overboard. Some people like putting a small plant or Zen items for a relaxing feel. Most people place a picture of their family, loved one, pet or favorite vacation spot for inspiration. But keep in mind that this is still a place for work.
- Value. The first few years of working may not pay well. But it doesn’t mean that you are not successful. The amount of pay you get does not necessarily equate with your achievements. Getting paid to learn the ropes is not too bad. In fact, just having a job at this point in time is already an achievement. How you dress up for work may also affect the way your co-workers see you. Read an earlier post about Singles Dress for Success
- Money Matters. Singles at work should know the value of money. You work hard for your money. You also deserve to reap the fruits of your labor. Pamper yourself occasionally to rid the stress and keep you going. It is also important to keep at least 10% of each pay you get for savings. It will come very handy in the future.
- Keep Learning. A person should never stop being a student. Singles at work need to keep up with the times. You can enroll in a night school for further studies or attend seminars. But if that’s not possible, you can always keep reading. Read books to enrich your knowledge and learn new strategies. Regularly reading news articles and blogs in the industry is also advisable to stay relevant.
Working need not be a mere chore. Believe it or not, some people actually love doing their job and going to work everyday. Work can be fun for singles at work.
Tags:
Career, Singles, singles at work, Success
May 8th, 2009
As much as it is comfortable to live with your folks, time will come that you’d have to live on your own. Singles who are dependent on their family are actually missing a lot of life’s lessons. Your comfort zone may just be a very big hindrance to your personal growth. There are many things that you can only learn by living on your own.
You can start by looking for an apartment that might be closer to your office. The money you can save on the commute can be used for other bills that you’d have to cover. Singles can also consider if you can afford to live alone or find a roommate. Sharing a pad does not contradict living on your own as long as you are still responsible for yourself.
Aside from taking care of the bills and managing all the expenses, personal growth also comes with planning for the future, and it does not end with saving money. Be prepared in case of emergency. Putting all your important documents in a box within reach should you need to evacuate is a wise thing to do. Keep a flashlight with batteries on strategic locations like your bedside and bathroom.
The responsibilities of living on your own can be overwhelming at first. But at the same time freedom by being truly independent is a big accomplishment for singles.
Tags:
living on your own, personal growth, Singles
May 4th, 2009
Living independently can be a very liberating experience. Singles enjoy life and freedom. But it can also be a realization of the real world where there are responsibilities that you should face and handle on your own. One sticky subject is managing finances and debt.
Some people seem to have a knack for handling money. They get through life comfortably every day and keep a good percentage of savings. But not everyone has the gift of knowing how to manage finances. The world can be harsh for singles with bills to pay, everyday expenses, lifestyle upkeep or a low paying job. All these would have to be dealt with and avoid being drowned in debt. That plastic card in your wallet can give momentary relief for you to buy things that you probably cannot afford right now. But that can also mean that you’d be paying for that item even when it’s long gone, not to mention the interest and surcharge that makes it even more expensive.
It’s not rocket science. Singles can manage finances by not biting more than they can chew. Get a job and maintain your means of income. Make a list of priorities and their amount. Rent, bills and everyday expenses come first. After all the priorities are taken cared of, set aside some for savings. When there’s more money left, then that’s the only amount you can spend for anything else. If you feel that it is not enough for you to live on, consider finding more means of income or adjusting your lifestyle.
Tags:
debt, manage finances, Singles
May 3rd, 2009
Education is the best investment whether you’re single or not. As a child, we learned the basics of language, mathematics and science in elementary. Then we later on moved to high school where everything helped us find ourselves and prepare for the future. Soon after finding what interests you best, we go to college. This is the time where we hone the knowledge and skills that we need to pursue the career of our choice. But when you’ve done all of those, what can be next for personal development?
It is true that better opportunities open for the well educated. College graduates get more career options. Those who take post-graduate studies are often considered an expert in their field and get to take home more money.
Singles might find it a bit frustrating to take masteral or doctorate studies. Some might not find the time to juggle school with their job, while others cannot afford the fees. But personal development comes in many different ways due to education. There are refresher courses to keep us updated. Or short courses on several subjects that will help you be a well-rounded person. If you have the resources, you can even study abroad or learn a new language. The people you’ll meet can be also great connections in the future. Going back to school can be fun, too!
Tags:
personal development, school, Singles
April 2nd, 2009
The global financial crisis will not stop singles from being successful. With the help of the internet, you can find a job online and even work in the comfort of your own home. There are some social sites like LinkedIn and Naymz that focuses on professional networks which can also help in making a proficient web presence and even land a job.
Singles should take advantage of this convenience at your fingertips. Gone are the days of scouring through pages of job ads in a newspaper. The internet is filled with job sites where you can post your CV and apply online. What’s best is that the jobs are updated everyday. You even save money from unnecessary visits to companies in the hopes of a vacancy or just to submit your CV. Online jobsites let you know where there is a vacancy, what they are looking for, and to submit your application within their site. If you made a good enough impression to make it to the next level, you will be contacted to come by for an interview.
Sites like monster, career builder, craigslist, elance, odesk, jobster and Yahoo! Hot jobs are only a few of where singles can find a job online. Most of them even offer an alert service that directly emails you job openings in your industry and location. So build an updated profile and happy job hunting!
Tags:
Career, find a job online, Singles
March 27th, 2009
A very good tool and often a requirement for job seekers is a Curriculum Vitae or otherwise known as a CV. It is important for singles to know that having a ready and updated CV is crucial for career growth. Whether you are looking for a job or recently promoted, don’t forget to update your present and relevant details. It’s easier than cramming to make a CV when you’re already jobless. The job description can be more accurate when it is fresh in your memory.
With the increasing unemployment rate nowadays, you can just imagine how chaotic it must be to look for a job. Singles must know how to stand out from the crowd and be noticed for the job they applied for with the help of a good CV. It must include your qualifications and experience for the job. It should also give a glimpse of your personality and why you are the right candidate for the job.
Hiring managers can get hundreds of applications everyday. They surely appreciate brief, informative and well organized CVs. Your contact information should also be prominent on the first page. This is very helpful since the goal is to be selected for an interview, so don’t make it hard for them to look for your phone number. The accuracy of the details you divulged can also affect your future employment. Companies can do a background check to verify. Dishonesty can certainly cost you a job. Former supervisors and professors can be a good character reference.
Being single and having a successful career is always a work in progress. Landing a job is a step-by-step process in which submitting an impressive CV is essential. If you are a product, consider this as your brochure. Have someone else take a look and critique it to make sure it sells. Now, make copies and send it to companies of your choice. Singles, you’re on your way to success!
Tags:
CV, single, Singles
March 16th, 2009
Exercise is essential to good health. But the fast-paced urban lifestyle doesn’t leave you much time to break a sweat. Hectic work schedules make it hard for singles to commit to an exercise group. Often times, they just squeeze in a few minutes here and there.
Going solo has its advantages. Once you’re on the treadmill, you get right down to business. You lift weights with better concentration when there’s no one to chat with.
But that’s for the highly disciplined individual. Research shows that a person is more likely to adhere to an exercise program when with a group than working out alone. Group activities offer social support, an increased sense of personal commitment to continue, and an opportunity to compare progress and fitness levels with others.
Best of all, exercise routines with friends can be much more fun than crunching those muscles alone in your home gym. Long bike rides and marathon runs allow you to catch up with friends you’ve lost touch with. Singles get to have fun while staying fit.
Tags:
exercise, Singles
March 10th, 2009
Self confidence is not constant. It is influenced by a lot of factors in our everyday life. There are times that we feel good and confident. But there are also times when you feel so small or shy away from human contact. There are moments that you just don’t know where to draw your strength. Different types of personalities require different approaches. But self confidence for singles also needs some emphasis.
Not having a partner sometimes gives an anxious feeling on mundane things. If you find strength in numbers, being single makes it hard to do the usual things that you do. It is the result of relying on and seeking the approval of others. The lack of self confidence makes an individual weak, whether the causes are reasonable or simply paranoia.
Developing self confidence for singles is not easy. But it will take your life to another level. People oozing with confidence are like powerful magnets. They attract greater opportunities, command attention, and appeal to people. They project success and strength even in small ways like the way they dress. A previous post about finding your own style mentions that style goes beyond clothing. But if you want to dress up, you dress for the job that you aspire, as pointed out in Singles Dress for Success
Finding self confidence for singles is like unleashing a power from within. Self confidence is common among successful people. They know and get what they want.
Tags:
personal growth, PR for Singles, self confidence for singles, Singles, Success
March 5th, 2009
Do you know how friends describe you to other people? That’s called perception. Singles personal branding is like your elevator pitch – it’s how others perceive you. Sometimes this perception is not exactly how you want it. There’s a big possibility that you don’t even know how you would be described by the people around you. It is better to build your own personal brand than be branded by others.
There are many things you can be associated with, such as personality, talent, interests, job, accomplishments, looks and the people that surround you. Ideally, a package of those good characteristics in one person makes up your brand. The best time to build an image is while you are single and unattached. This way, it’s all about you that no one can take away.
You should also remember that the personal brand is not the entire person. There should be a difference between your personal life and the image you want to create for self improvement and career growth. Singles personal branding should be about bringing out the best in you and making it known.
Singles personal branding works well with PR. Read more about PR for Singles at http://www.prforsingles.com/pr-for-singles
Tags:
personal brand, Singles Personal Branding
February 28th, 2009
Almost everything can now be done online. You don’t even have to buy a newspaper to look for job vacancies. There are websites that you can check and register a free account with to find and apply for jobs. This emphasizes the importance of singles online reputation for career growth.
Web 2.0 sites like blogs, Facebook, LinkedIn and MySpace are not only for fun and recreation. Potential employers can also peek on those sites. Yes, they can Google you and check the sites where your name comes up. This might encroach on some rights but it happens even without you knowing. But on the bright side, many found their success via good online standing. Bloggers are even considered experts.
Building a good online background does not happen overnight. But it’s a sticky subject when your potential career crosses your personal life. It takes some work and precaution. Here are a few things that can help you build a better reputation online:
- Screen. Delete or do not post pictures, content and links that project an image that will turn off potential employers. You may look hot in those provocative pictures but it doesn’t complement an upper management stature. Think about it.
- Update. Constantly update your social networking profiles to emphasize accomplishments. Singles online reputation is not just for your personal life. Sites like LinkedIn, Monster and CareerBuilder are focused on professional backgrounds. This is a place for you to give yourself some credit.
- Filter. Screen comments and posts that will not put you in a good light. Avoid taking part in groups with names that can turn away possible employers.
- Show the good stuff. Your blog may be your space in the web but since other people can also see it, might as well showcase your skills. Excellent communication skills can go a long way. But when you use it to bad mouth employers or colleagues, it will surely leave a bad taste.
- Know your privacy options. Most sites allow you to manage preferences on the level of confidentiality of your page. If you want to keep it personal and private, make sure that only your friends or selected people are the ones who can view it.
These are just a few things that can help build and protect your online image. Some may be wary of displaying personal information all over the Internet. Scrap that idea, you must have online presence! Everything worthwhile and otherwise can be found online, and you should be too. It’s only a matter of what singles online reputation you represent.
Read more on how Singles can use FaceBook at http://www.prforsingles.com/facebook-for-singles
Tags:
Singles, Singles online reputation
