Change is right around the corner. Olive [I love] Change is a website dedicated to making our world a better place. For the last few months, my efforts have been devoted to the creation of Olive Change – the place for people to unite to create a healthier world for everyone. If you feel the urge to challenge the world and help make it a safer place, please visit www.olivechange.com.
Olive Change, do you?
Official launch- 02.14.11 (the day of love).
TaraSeymour.com is heading in an all new direction. Within the next few months, this blog will expand and venture into new horizons. The new website will focus on the things that matter most in life: conscious living through the act of love. It will be colorful. It will be fearless and most importantly it will make you want to wake up each morning and challenge yourself to become better.
Right here, right now, I will leave you with the thoughts of what will come.
If you want to improve your life and the lives of others please stick around. I look forward to sharing my new world with you. With your patients, this brand new love inspired lifestyle blog will present itself in a bold way.
Until then, cheers!
When you want to be successful in anything in life, you must be at least five steps ahead of the game. No matter what your goal may be, by having a plan you will have a higher chance of reaching your dreams. Life is all about the tomorrows, and if you aren’t 100 percent on your game someone else will be; they will beat you to the punch line.
In the job seeker world the main goal is to get that dream job. So what do you need to do to get there? There are many things to consider even if you don’t have a job prospect. You should always be preparing yourself for when the job opportunities arises. So, be the smartest person in the room and have everything ready before you have the interview.
1. Figure out what you want
You must know what you want. If you don’t, why would anyone want to hire you? You must be put together: the total package for your future employer. Plus, you will be much happier if you think about this in advance.
2. How are you going to make this happen?
So you’ve figured out what you want, but how are you going to get there? This may require you to think outside of the box. You will need to think about your networks and which companies you want to reach out to. This is the stage for brainstorming and coming up with creative ideas to make your goal turn into a reality.
3. Update your resume
Your resume is a life-long document. You should never be satisfied with it, ever. There are always new ways of improving it. If you have had a large gap between jobs, take a class or volunteer. You need to keep growing and enhancing your skills and resume.
4. Create a cover letter
Step out of the typical cover letter scene and stand out. Be yourself while being professional. If you choose a less traditional cover letter method you will be noticed. Chances are, if you do it the right way, you will get a call.
5. Develop a portfolio
This is the opportunity to show the world what you are capable of doing. So blow them away. Get creative and have fun. Show your best work in a neat and organized fashion. This will be the key to standing out.
6. Get creative
Use new media to develop your brand: create a video resume, a website and even an online portfolio. Put yourself out there. You have a lot to offer and by being creative you are showing companies that you are capable of taking anything and turning it into something grand. They will be impressed!
7. Practice your 30 second commercial
Wherever your life may lead you people will ask you about your goals and what it is that you do. Be ready with your 30 second commercial. This will get the ball rolling, and it is a great conversation starter. Who knows where good conversation may lead you.
8. Go over interview questions
Talking about yourself can be difficult. But if you want that job you need to sell yourself. So practice. It’s a little tedious, but the more you practice the better and easier it will become.
9. Always, ALWAYS be ready
You never know who you may meet or when you may get a call. So always be ready. Try to always look your best during this time period (you wouldn’t want to run into your future boss in your pjs would you?) Always keep a copy of your resume in your car. If you meet someone or receive a call while you are out, you will still be prepared for the opportunity.
These are just a few steps in the job seeking process; however, each step requires a lot of attention. So be ready and be thinking about your plan. How will you stand out? How will you be five steps ahead?
“Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely. “
- Karen Kaiser Clark
In today’s troubled economy, more companies are overlooking placing recent grads in positions they once filled. Instead, companies are placing skilled professionals in lower-level jobs. This may seem like a smart idea for your company but is it? Not only will hiring a mid-to senior-level professional hurt your checkbook, but the chances of that professional staying in their position once the economy “shapes-up”is low.
So why hire a recent grad over an active professional in the workplace? There are dozens of reasons! Recent grads are eager, grateful and THANKFUL for any opportunity presented to them. They want to work, they want the experience and they will walk into your company with a smile on their face. Recent grads are smart, they are fresh out of the classroom and they have learned the most up-to-date skills in their field.
They are fresh with ideas, they are innovators and go-getters. Plus, they are easy to train. Since most of these new grads have never had a full-time position in their field, they are “moldable”. You can train your new employees to work the way you would like them to operate in your business, and they cost a lot less.
Most grads arise from Generation Y, the generation revolving around the growth of social media. These highly ambitious individuals can be huge assets to your company. They are capable of doing more with new media than most current employees, and it comes natural to them. These secret media pro’s can transform your company and build you a better brand.
And thanks to the World Wide Web, recent grads are natural born researchers. They know how to dig up information, use resources and provide insight to your company. They take risks, think outside of the box and they are determined to bring the very best to your company.
Recent grads carry certain skills that may be difficult to find in professionals who have been out of school for some time. They have the talent your company is looking for, and they have the genuine ambition and drive to be successful (at a lower cost to you!) So take a chance. When you see a rising star in your field, give them an opportunity to share with you what they are capable of doing. If you aren’t blown away by their passion and talent then maybe they aren’t the right fit for your company; however, those stars are out there. So invest in the new talent. It will not only save you some money, but you may learn a little from them, too.
“Decide what you want, believe you can have it, believe you deserve it, and believe it’s possible for you.” – Jack Canfield
If there is one thing you choose to do in life, let it be to discover your dreams and believe that they can be yours. You may think you know what you want out of life, but have you ever really thought about it? When I graduated, I thought I had everything figured out. I wanted to work in PR and be the best at what I did. But what I didn’t realize was that there are dozens of other things to figure out that come hand-in-hand with PR. Do you want to work in-house, in corporate, in an agency or as a contractor? Do you want to work in non-profit? What is your niche? Do you like media relations, community relations, digital, marketing or events? Where do you want to live? What are your salary requirements? And the list goes on. It’s stressful and if you don’t know what you want or what you are willing to try then you may end up feeling lost or confused.
Without having a clear idea of where you see yourself in your future, you may be leading yourself in the wrong direction. You may be applying to all the wrong opportunities and missing out on the right ones. So take some time to think about the goals and challenges you would like to meet. Work out a mental map on how you can meet your goals, because if you do, your dreams will become yours. You have to believe it, feel it and do what you can to get there. You never know where your life may lead you, so be ready to show this world all the dreams you have mapped out for yourself.
So grab a pen and paper and spend some time thinking about your life. What are your goals? Make a list and break down those goals into segments: Where do you see yourself in one year? Five years? And even ten? Take those goals you have set out for yourself in the ten year mark and figure out how you can get there by working backwards. What will you have to do from now until then to make your dreams come true?
When I started my search for the perfect career, I realized I was doing everything wrong. I saw where I wanted to be today and not where I want to be in ten years. My scattered list of dreams had added a lot of extra stress into my life and into my job search. I had felt intense pressure to make the “right decision” for every choice I had to make. But the truth is there is never a perfect decision. Plans change and so do your dreams. But if you have a clear idea of what you want, chances are your life will lead you towards your goals.
Remember, your dreams and goals may change. In fact, they probably will. But that’s okay; if you set yourself up for the future you always dreamed of, chances are your life will lead you in the right direction. So dream away…
“Risk more than others think is safe. Care more than others think is wise. Dream more than others think is practical. Expect more than others think is possible.”
~ Cadet Maxim
Since graduation, I’ve been searching for the right road towards my adult life. I’ve spent hours watching the stars thinking about my future and where it will lead me. How will I get there? Where is there? What if I make a wrong decision? Dozens of questions occupy my daily thoughts. But one thing life has taught me is to always follow my dreams and never settle for anything less than that.
“Never let the odds keep you from doing what you know in your heart you were meant to do.”
~ H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
I always listen to my instincts. They have led me to amazing, incredible places. My inner thoughts have shown me a world I don’t know I would have ever found if I didn’t listen to them. Now, life seems a lot more challenging. I’m on my own, and if I mess up it’s me to blame. But, taking risks is what life is all about. Life is about the adventure of finding yourself and the road you are meant to be on.
I’m following my dreams…all of them and you should, too. No matter how scared you are to take that leap; jump. If you chase your dreams and it doesn’t work out the way you planned well, at least you know you tried. You can live knowing that you did everything you set your heart out to do. And if you “fail”, you still gained an experience you will learn and grow from.
“Trust your own instinct. Your mistakes might as well be your own, instead of someone else’s.”
~ Billy Wilder
The most successful people in this world have gotten to where they are now by taking risks. At one time in their lives, they were at the same stepping stones we are taking right now. They were afraid of losing it all, but they kept their dreams in sight and went for them. They fought for what mattered to them and they didn’t settle.
That’s what we need to do. If your heart is telling you to go somewhere and your dreams are in reach, take that chance and become the person you dream of becoming. We only have one life to live. Don’t waste it wishing you took that leap. Go wherever your dreams may lead you. You will be glad you did.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
~ Mark Twain
While I’m in search for the perfect job, I have made many goals for myself. I have realized that this time “off” is very special. I have the opportunity to do things I haven’t been able to partake in since my hectic life as a college student began. Now, I have the freedom to try new things, go to new places and enjoy the hobbies I love. So, while I am diligently looking for my new place in this world, I will take advantage of living each moment of my life to the fullest.
26 things to do as a recent graduate:
In the blink of an eye my college graduation arrived and disappeared. That day, when I walked across the stage, my entire college career seemed to flash before my eyes, and now, I stare face to face with my unknown destiny.
My professors, mentors and friends gave me a slight inkling at what this life after a degree would look like but no words can describe that feeling until you actually get there yourself. It’s scary, mind-blowing and yet exciting. I have the entire world at my fingertips. I am in charge of my future. I can go wherever my heart desires, and I can follow the path to life I’ve always dreamed of. The only problem is; how in the world do I get there?
With my new degree in hand, I have found myself jobless fighting against thousands of other candidates for the same positions. The suffering economy has brought an intense level of competition amongst recent grads. To land a good job it now takes a lot more than “just applying”. It takes skills, unique traits, ambition and creativity to even catch a glance from HR. So what do you do when you find yourself on the stepping stones to a new career somewhere in between a degree and a job?
Below, are the guidelines I’ve set for myself during my search for the perfect career:
This “in between” time can be scary but it is exciting. Remember to take the time to develop a plan and breathe. It’s okay if you don’t find that perfect opportunity right after college, but don’t give up or give in.
Remember this: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going!” Life after graduation is a gift. We, as recent grads, have the entire world in front of us. We can decide where we want to live, who we want to become and how we are going to get there. So never give up on your search for complete happiness. You will find your place in this “life after college” world, I promise. We will all do it together.
It has been awhile since my last post, and I have missed it terribly. These last few months have been a time of self-discovery. It has been a time to think about my future, my dreams and where I want to go in life and in my career. Graduation is in three short months and as each day passes, I feel a little more uneasy about the future. There are so many things to think about and so many decisions to make. It is a scary time.
The unknown has always been frightening to me. I am a planner, someone who always knows where they will be in life. But, for the first time, I really have no idea where I am going. I have a “plan” and I know where I’d like to be and where I hope my dreams will lead me. But for the first time, I have no idea where my path is going to take me.
One thing I do know is that these days, the moments I’m living right now, these are the days I will remember. This is the time to take chances. It is the time for excitment and personal growth. My journey into adulthood begins now. So as much as I fear the future, I am soaking it in. I am enjoying the unknown and someday soon, I will look back on these defining moments and will laugh. These are the moments that shape my life, and shape who I will become. The future will unravel itself as each day passes. The adventure begins today, and I ‘m ready for the ride.
My last semester in the public relations department has been very rewarding. I’ve taken away many skills, and I have grown in so many ways. Throughout the process I learned the true meaning of teamwork and how important it is to build trust within your group.
In my Advanced Public Relations course at the University of South Florida, small teams were created to develop and implement a public relations campaign for a client in the Tampa Bay area. It was an incredible experience that taught me about life, commitment, balance and of course, public relations.
I had a fabulous team that motivated, inspired and worked together to develop a successful campaign for our client. Throughout the various stages of the campaign, my team was there to support one another and to provide feedback and constructive criticism to each member. Our campaign would not have been what it became without the leadership and teamwork that was exhibited through each member. They were incredible.
My team supported one another even when the clock could not provide us with any extra time. We pulled all-nighters and found ways to make each other laugh when bumps in the road became up-hill climbs. Together, we got through every step, side by side.
Each member had different duties that were their personal responsibilities. My team, however, recognized the importance of teamwork and united together throughout the entire campaign process. We shared our ideas, our skills and our individual talents to create a campaign that our client can use to further their organization’s success.
Without the support and the constant teamwork from each member, our campaign would not have been what it became. Teamwork is an essential tool to lead a business to success. It is what lead my team to victory.
“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” -Henry Ford
