Use MyResume WordPress theme to promote yourself -create professional, sophisticated online presence. The My Resume theme has just been released.

Why be like everyone else using those dry looking paper resumes? Yawn. Even the fancy ones cannot compare with a well constructed web based resume or curriculum vitae (CV).

Web based resumes catch the eye of employers, demonstrate initiative and make life easier for your customer – the potential employer.

Personally, I have not used any of these themes for blogs, however may do in future. I am impressed with the range, quality, support and inexpensive cost. In my view, Elegant Themes is one of the ‘hidden gems’ of the WordPress blog theme world.

Premium blog themes without the premium price.

As part of my Life Coaching practice I help people with web based resumes at times (I build websites for people too). One example:

Job search better than other people.

Here is an article featuring the use of business cards for job search. Yes, business cards!

Job search and business cards.

Looking for new job? Create a professional, sophisticated online presence is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

Related posts:

1. Job search better than other people.
2. Blogging Tips 3 – choice of theme
3. Job search and business cards.

As a date coach, I have a professional interest in online dating statistics and enjoyed looking at the graphic below. I learned some things too.

A key tip for successful online dating is be honest – be totally honest. It works, and produces better outcomes for all.

Via: Online Schools

Online dating statistics – an interesting graphic and key trends is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

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If you hate your job you are really a wage slave.

A slave to your wage; attending your workplace to pick up your pay and somehow get through your day.

It sucks whichever way you look at it. You can’t possibly give of your best to your employer – you know….. the person/people who pay your food bills.

In one sense, people who hate their jobs are ‘frauds’ and have to live a double life – you can’t really tell your employer you hate it can you? Just your friends and maybe people you know on Facebook. “I’m bored” you write.

Take a quick look at this brief article:

How to Tweet Your Way Out of a Job

The person writes:

Cisco just offered me a job! Now I have to weigh the utility of a fatty paycheck against the daily commute to San Jose and hating the work.

Clearly a ‘bad hire’. The people assessing the person failed to determine unsuitability. This can be hard to get right of course; many employees can be ‘silver tongued smoothies’, running a good con. Yes, a con.

The sad thing is that the employee concerned has got a very distorted focus. The roots of this type of thing, which is common, can often go way back into childhood, parenting and schooling. One problem is the lack of societal focus on finding your passion and gifts, then encouraging them to manifest.

So, do you want to spend the rest of your life doing something you hate and longing for the holidays? Stealing time from your employer? Just think about what it is doing to your health. Do you honestly think that the stress and other bad emotional stuff that comes with doing a job you hate helps your health?

Wouldn’t you like to be free?

Someone who is authentic and gives value to others because you want to?

Start planning today for a better, more authentic, life.

And yes, I know…some employers are indeed the boss from hell, but that is not the point of this article.

Do you hate your job? Are you a wage slave? is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

Related posts:

1. Hate your job? Find your Dream career.
2. Is multi-tasking really smart?
3. Looking for new job? Create a professional, sophisticated online presence

Recently I wrote a forum post (private business forum) with some suggestions for a member who was uncertain about what to do.

I have reproduced what I wrote here (unedited, apart from name being removed) for the benefit of a more general audience:

I am not surprised your head is spinning in the circumstances. It is normal.

It may help to ask yourself some further questions:

1) Who am I deep down and what do I have a solid passion and love for? Multitudes of people do not know this, though many think they do.

2) Will I enjoy (at least to an acceptable extent) using my experience? Can I build a longer term business on it?

3) Can what I know about lead to another related area in which my experience gives me an advantage?

4) At what would people say that I am an ‘artisan’ (very skilled).

5) What is (feels) deeply ‘natural’ to me?

6) What should be my focus? On a personal note I have recently tightened my focus very significantly. I am able to do many things, I pick up stuff quickly, can study intensely (thus achieving a skill/knowledge set which is above average easily) and so on. This has led to problems with lack of focus an dilution of effect in the past.

7) What are my deep, subconscious attitudes to money and success? Are they hindering me?

8) How do I define success? Are my beliefs congruent with real success which benefits not just me, but others? E.g: Am I taking advantage of others in an unfair way?

9) Do I have a plan? Why not? Do I need to spend time adjusting my plans?

10) At what can I benefit others the most – provide the most service to the greatest number of people? How can I deliver this?

11) Is there anything at which I have a significant edge, perhaps even a world class one? If not, can I develop it?

12) What does my mind whisper? Have I paid attention to the deep…occasional thoughts which may give me clues about my situation?

13) Am I writing a Journal, or at the very least, notes about key questions (preferably over several days)?

14) Why is it that I am not rock solid on my decision to pursue my current business course?

15) What is my purpose?

16) What are my deep and real talents (they may be buried and out of conscious awareness)?

******* (name removed for privacy reasons), there are many more questions one can ask, however these will give you a key starting point. While the list, and depth, may seem a little overwhelming at first sight, questions like this can lead to clarity, peace of mind and definite purpose.

For personal help with any of the areas mentioned please contact me here.

PS: A note about time management, effectiveness and leverage for those interested:

I originally wrote this post to help someone on a private business forum. It was written within a special sub section of the forum limited to just 6 members and an administrator.

The post is potentially helpful to large numbers of people and makes excellent content for my blog.

So, originally I set out to help someone; and ended up with something that can help large numbers of people as well as the material for a blog post. I achieved a lot with what was originally intended for a small audience of 7 people.

Have a think about ways in which you can benefit others, and yourself, in more ways than just one in whatever you do. If you have this mindset as a general guiding principle you will start to see all kinds of opportunities. You may also notice that things which do not go according to plan can be converted into some other kind of benefit, thus promoting a more positive attitude, among other things.

Unsure what to do in life? is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

Related posts:

1. “We cannot rise higher than our thought of ourselves.” – Orison Swett Marden
2. The Need for Self-Confidence
3. What is a Life Coach and how can one help me?

In my article; Job search better than other people, I mention the use of business cards when seeking employment, and that I would write an article on the subject.

The article covered building a website for job search and just touched upon the issue of using a business card in conjunction.

Using a business card for job search is very unusual – usually, business cards are used by business owners, people already in a job, academics and so on, not by people actually looking for a job. Anyone using a specifically designed business card for job search therefore gains an immediate set of advantages and some examples include:

• Attention grabbing
• Memorable
• Creates professional image
• Reveals determination
• Shows initiative
• Easy and quick to handout – easy for recipients to handle
• Enables use of website as resume or “brochure”
• Conversation starter
• Wow factor – beyond simply attracting attention
• Can often end up being left on potential employers’ desks, or in their pocket and so on
• People will talk about you
• Differentiates you from the “herd”
• Can be used in envelopes, letterboxes or left under doors ( in an appropriate manner)
• Can be passed on to friends and other contacts for further distribution
• You will feel better about yourself and have greater levels of hope
• More likely to achieve better terms, conditions and salary
• Earns respect
• Saves time
• Recipients often keep cards bearing attractive images

These are just some of the advantages of using a business card in job search. It is very important to have a card which looks good however, as a poorly designed card will undo a lot of the advantages and may even create negative outcomes in some circumstances.

If you create your own, be careful with the design. Some printers will help you with design or you may be able to find suitable templates. Alternatively, you can get your business card professionally designed.

I will say again: make sure your business card is well designed and looks professional!

Here is the card that I designed for Myles Brett of www.OzChef.net You will notice that the business card complements the website – this is not essential however.

OzChef business card - front

Note: the finished business card does not have the thin black line on the rear of the card.

OzChef business card - back

Business cards are generally not that expensive to produce, especially in the smaller numbers required for job search. Shortly I will recommend a printer where you can get good quality cards at a reasonable price, with good service, shipped anywhere in the world, and where you can arrange everything from your computer. Relax.

When the costs of business cards for job search are considered, we need to bear in mind that they represent terrific value for money due to the advantages that you gain. In any case, when using business cards in conjunction with a website for job search you increase the chances of getting a job sooner and at a better rate of pay.

All the best with your efforts at job search and if you would like my help or advice please get in touch. Here are my contact details.

Job search and business cards. is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

Related posts:

1. Job search better than other people.
2. New methods of job search – continued.
3. Looking for new job? Create a professional, sophisticated online presence

How to job search better than other people.

I’ll be blunt… if you can differentiate yourself from other people, make yourself memorable, make it easy for yourself and potential employers then you are more likely to get the job you want.

You need to make an effort and do something differently to most other people.

If you don’t want to make an effort then that is your decision – you will then be more likely to end up being one of those people who hate their jobs; but that is another story/article entirely.

Sometimes you do not to need to demonstrate much of a difference to others in order to shine – this is partly because so many people are mediocre today and also that a lot of the best talent is now moving into small business. (There are other reasons too). This is the age of the (internet) entrepreneur.

You are actually running your own “firm” when you look for a job. It is called “Me Incorporated”, or “Me Inc” for short. Ideally you need to approach job search in a business-like manner.

In this article I am going to explain a technique by which you can give yourself a huge advantage in job search.

What do most people do when seeking work? They hand over a resume and fill in a form.

Resumes, CVs and so on can be an important part of the process and if your potential employer requires one, together with a form, then generally you would be best advised to comply. What I am going to suggest complements a resume.

Job application forms, and resumes, are generally so boring. I know because I used to work in Human Resources roles. (A somewhat unpleasant, dehumanising term that isn’t it? – Human Resources).

I have seen fancy resumes, some of which either cost a fortune to produce and duplicate, or took ages to compile. Yawn.

What you need is a website. Nothing too fancy; a few pages will often suffice. I hear some of you gasp: “A website you say?” as you ponder all the reasons why not.

Yes! A good website of the kind you need for job search does not need to be expensive. A domain name is not expensive. And neither is hosting. If you know what you are doing.

Many of you could build your own website quite easily – if you have the right tools.  If you are in a hurry then check out my pages:

Domain Registrations

Web Hosting (Provider also offers online website builders)

Website Builder Software

The Complete Guide To Website Building

I am a Life Coach and Counsell♠or. Some of my clients want help with getting a better job – part of my recommended strategy can be to build a website, which is so much better than a “stuffy” resume.

Here is an example: www.OzChef.net which belongs to Myles Brett – I have also designed a business card for him to complete the effect*. (*Branding and (business cards are) a key tool, which are the subject of another job search related blog article). This approach has given him a significant edge over rivals, as well as made everything much more efficient for all. It is attracting considerable attention – after all, it is different to the way most people go about things.

I built the OzChef website for Myles – website development is all part of my service if required, though you can build your own.

When you have had a look at Myles’s website ask yourself: Is this different? Is it memorable? Is it easy for employers to read, refer to others, find (now where is that resume amonst the piles of paper?). Is it easy to promote? (How easy is it to leave a business card which contains the web address?). WOW factor. Is this you?

So, are you someone who runs with the herd? A stuffed shirt perhaps?

Or do you set the pace and lead the field?

Job search better than other people. is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

Related posts:

1. Looking for new job? Create a professional, sophisticated online presence
2. Job search and business cards.
3. Free people search in Australia. (AEC method).

Personality tests are becoming increasingly popular among people entering the workforce. These tests are intended to reveal the taker’s most desired career path. On the surface, this may sound like a great idea, though not always. We sometimes have dreams that are not in line with who we are. We should also give ourselves a chance to test the unknown. After all, our capabilities can’t always be packaged in a neat little box and we can’t fully define our path to success by simply knowing who we are. We might have hidden strengths that may only reveal themselves when the need arises. Introverts may do well in a career in sales, and how are we to know what we can do unless we dabble in it. When I was young I recall being petrified of public speaking. Now I love it.

It may sometimes seem that we’ll lead happier lives if we stick to our strengths and what we’re most comfortable with. Part of us will always remain unsatisfied when we limit our horizons out of fear or conformity however. We might find ourselves waking up one day with a deep feeling of regret, and this is what we want to avoid at all costs.
Growing up, we’re completely dependent on our parents, or other care givers, to meet our survival needs. Over time, we learn to cope with the demands life gives us. Our survival skills can only get us so far in the adult world. In most cases, the need to simply endure and carry on eventually wears thin, revealing the hidden chasm of anxiety.

We should not avoid the career that we want based solely on the need to get through day by day. We first must overcome our fears. We need to delve into something that fits our desires and talents to a T. Courage is what is needed here. If we can’t afford to give up the benefits of enjoying monetary stability, we must find the time to start small. The World Wide Web offers so many opportunities to hone and develop our hidden strengths. As we gain the respect of the other people, we will find that job offers or other opportunities slowly start to appear. It is important to take what we can and slowly start to let go of the other things that we don’t really enjoy. If we become vigilant about this, we will in due course find ourselves doing what we exactly want and love.

And that, my friends, is one of the secrets to getting our dream job!

Attain Your Dream Career is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

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1. Hate your job? Find your Dream career.
2. Writing better will help your career or business.
3. The Reality behind the Law of Attraction

Life Coaches help their clients discover what is most important to them, help them perform at optimum levels, and achieve what it is they most desire. Life Coaches work one-on-one with their clients, either in person or over the phone, and help them set and achieve personal goals. Life Coaches are not usually therapists or consultants, though in my case I am both.

Life Coaching evolved out of executive coaching, which itself drew on techniques developed in leadership training and management consulting. Life Coaching also draws from disciplines such as sociology, psychology, career counseling, mentoring and other types of counseling. Coaches can apply mentoring, behavior modification, behavior modeling, values assessment, goal-setting and other techniques in their practice.

Some say that Life Coaching is similar to psychotherapy, but without restrictions, oversight or regulation. The State legislature of Colorado disagreed, and ruled that Life Coaching is unlike therapy because it does not focus on examining nor diagnosing the past. Life Coaching focuses on changing the client’s current and future behavior. Neither does Life Coaching delve into diagnosing mental illness or dysfunction.

According to a survey of coaching clients, “sounding board” and “motivator” were what they were looking for most in a Coach. The desire that their Coach “really listen to them and give honest feedback.” Time management, career and business are the top three areas in which the surveyed clients sought help.

Some Life Coaches are very specialized, working within a particular niche, industry, profession or field.

What is a Life Coach and how can one help me? is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

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2. Unsure what to do in life?
3. Working Towards A Happy Life

TwitterJobSearch

I quote:

Until now, search engines for social media sites merely looked for words.
We’re looking at context.

We use semantic tools to look at what was said.
We then look at what they’ve said before.
We then look at who was saying it.

If we do this right, we can figure out why they’re saying anything at all.

The Social Media (Twitter) Job Search Engine is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

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1. Will Social Media and The Internet Kill the University System?
2. Key social media site for finance, investing, and business topics
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Here is an interesting article with information about using Twitter for job search. Be sure to read the comments at the bottom as well. Some comments are negative in the sense that they say that email could have been used instead of Twitter and so on; however I suggest you do not focus on those. Other comments are of more interest and relevance; and in any case, Twitter is a different medium to email with a whole set of different dynamics and effects.

Have a read of the article, then the comments. Follow up on any links or comments of interest and then think about how you can apply what you have learned to YOUR situation.

All the best.

Here it is:

How to Use Twitter to Find Your Next Job

Find your next job with Twitter. is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

Related posts:

1. Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-09-05 (Old Twitter Ac)
2. Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-10-10 (Old Twitter Ac)
3. Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-10-03 (Old Twitter Ac)