Ten coding languages you should be learning

Ten coding languages you should be learning by Michael Cheary Do you speak Python?With thousands of different coding languages out there, for the untrained eye it can often be difficult to tell them apart. Unlike our own languages, there are no alphabets or translators on hand to help you learn. But with programmers and developers in demand more than ever before, learning the right one could be the key to finding your next job.To help you choose which one is right for you, here are ten coding languages you could be learning right now:CC is one of the oldest coding languages still around today.However, that doesn’t make it obsolete. What sets C apart is that it forms the foundations of many languages present on this list, including C++, C# and Python. It also provides the programmer with maximum control, allowing easy customisation and the ability to edit without working to a set framework.Although it isn’t the easiest language to learn, it’s well worth putting the time in, as moving on to other languages will oft en be easier with some experience in C.What it looks like:#includestdio.hmain(){printf(Hello World);}Primary benefit: Learning to code in C will make other languages easier to learn.Perfect for: People who like to keep their code old-school.C#Pronounced ‘C sharp’, this language was initially developed by Microsoft and comes under the .NET framework.It’s a general purpose, object oriented language, designed for developing and improving web applications, meaning companies are always searching for developers with C# skills. This is also intensified by the fact that programmers can build on existing code, rather than repeating it multiple times, making it less expensive for businesses to get their products out there.However, Apple evangelists beware â€" C# primarily runs in Windows.What it looks like:public class Hello1{public static void Main(){System.Console.WriteLine(Hello, World!);}}Primary benefit: Always a number of job opportunities available for people with C# skills.Perfe ct for: People who want to work with Microsoft Windows.Objective CObjective C, like C#, traces its roots back to the C language.However, unlike C#, Objective C was designed and developed by Apple. Not only does it only operate on Apple operating systems, it also happens to be their language of choice, making it a great choice to anyone interested in app development.Well, iPhone App development at least…What it looks like:#import Foundation/Foundation.hint main (int argc, const char * argv[]){NSAutoreleasePool *pool = [[NSAutoreleasePool alloc] init];NSLog (@Hello, World!);[pool drain];return 0;}Primary benefit: Will help you learn to develop IOS apps.Perfect for: People who want to build the next avian super-app.C++An intermediate, object oriented language, C++ is an enhanced version of C. Think of it as, well, C plus (plus). Get the name now?C++ runs on multiple hardware, and helps power major software such as Firefox and Adobe. However, the language really comes into its own whe n used to develop computer games. So if you’re interested in traditional games development, a basic knowledge of C++ will be essential.What it looks like:#include iostreamint main(){std::cout Hello World!;}Primary benefit: Will help you get into Games Development.Perfect for: People who want to make the next Monkey Island.JavaDeveloped by Sun Microsystems in the mid 1990’s, Java runs on just about any operating system.It’s almost impossible to do anything digital without coming into contact with Java, with its presence felt all across the web, in Android apps, and even on your desktop. What’s more, most programmers have some kind of experience using the language, owing to its inclusion in most computer science courses.What it looks like:class HelloWorldApp {public static void main(String[] args) {System.out.println(Hello World!); // Prints the string to the console.}}Primary benefit: Will help you develop Android apps.Perfect for: People who think Apple is overrated.JavaScr iptJavaScript is one of the most useful languages for budding Developers to learn. It is also nothing to do with Java (the name thing is just a coincidence).Introduced in 1995, JavaScript is the most used coding language in the world. It’s multi-platform, meaning it runs on most operating systems and web browsers, and is essential for anyone looking to build fully functional interactive or animated websites.So whether you want to get into games development or help build the next generation of smartwatches, a good understanding of JavaScript will be invaluable.What it looks like: !DOCTYPE HTMLhtmlbodypHeader/pscriptalert(Hello, World!)/scriptpFooter/p/body/htmlPrimary benefit: JavaScript will help add the ability to incorporate interactivity to your arsenal.Perfect for: People who want to build their own websites.PythonPython is what’s known as a high-level programming language, although is often considered one of the easiest languages to learn for beginners. It’s name was also inspired by a certain British comedy troupe, although that’s not important*.What is important is its simplicity, best expressed by its clear and compact syntax. This was intended to emphasise readability, whilst also reducing the amount of code necessary. For this reason Python is used by a number of businesses, including Google, Yahoo! and NASA.What it looks like:print(Hello, World!)Primary benefit: A fast first foray into coding.Perfect for: People who want to get their start-up off the ground as quickly as possible.RubyAs with Python, Ruby is considered a fast and fun way for beginners to get into programming.It powers Ruby on Rails, one of the web’s most popular development frameworks, used by .com giants such as Groupon, Github and Twitter. It’s also object orientated, making it relatively easy to read and write.In fact, Ruby is intended to emphasise human needs over those of a computer, which is perfect for those who aren’t fans of anything too overcomplicated.What it looks like:puts Hello WorldPrimary benefit: In high demand right now.Perfect for: People who want to learn coding as quickly as possible.PHPPHP (Hypertext Processor) is a useful tool for anyone interested in building dynamic websites and apps.It is what’s known as a server-side language, as all code is developed using PHP, but is viewed as plain HTML by the user. Both the pre-built modules available and the ability to simply embed codes in HTML make this an attractive proposition.They’re also just two reasons why Facebook, WordPress and Wikipedia all value PHP so highly.What it looks like:?php   Print Hello, World!; ??php   Echo Hello, World!; ?Primary benefit: Flexibility, and in demand across a range of different industries.Perfect for: People who want to make their blog better.SQLSQL is mainly used to interact with databases.The acronym stands for Structured Query Language (which apparently wasn’t quite catchy enough), and its most common use it to query databases, making it a handy tool for those working with large pieces of data on a daily basis.It’s also useful when storing a lot of content, which is one of the reasons sites like WordPress see SQL as essential.What it looks like:SELECT Hello, World!;Primary benefit: Will help you learn to search and query difficult sets of data.Perfect for: People who are all about that database.* reed.co.uk does not recommend basing your career choices on the name of 1970s British comedy troupes you may be fond of.  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

How to Write a Resume For a Convention Delegate

How to Write a Resume For a Convention DelegateWriting a resume for a convention delegate can be a little more complex than writing one for an average person. You must understand that you are not only applying for the job but also for a position of trust. You must also consider things like deadlines, qualifications, and other rules in order to make sure that you do not waste your time and efforts applying for the job.When preparing your resume for a convention delegate, you need to decide how to structure it. Some convention delegates do not have anything more than a resume or résumé. However, there are still others who may have additional information, such as a cover letter.It is important that you think about how you want to write your resume for a convention delegate. A common mistake that convention delegates often make is including too much information in the cover letter. Not only does this cause problems later, but you will be writing a lot of pages of things to do with the job. Instead, try to focus on specific points on the cover letter and what you want to communicate to the hiring committee.When preparing your resume for a convention delegate, one of the first things you should consider is the type of convention that you are working for. If it is a larger convention such as the World's Largest Comic Convention, you will have more responsibilities. Remember that convention delegates are hired on a month-to-month basis and are often required to work additional hours when necessary. You also need to find out the dates of the convention each year so that you can prepare your resume accordingly.While most convention delegates will be looking for a job as soon as they apply, many may be looking for a position that is permanent. To write a successful resume for a permanent position, you will need to be creative and well prepared. To do this, start by listing all the ways that you could use your knowledge and skills. This includes whether you could do the job from beginning to end, your capability to work independently, and any relevant experience that you have.You can often make your resume for a convention delegate more personal if you are interviewing for a permanent position. However, you should also consider including a cover letter that will give the hiring committee a short description of yourself. This way, you will not only tell them how you would fit in with the company, but why they should hire you. Be sure to make your cover letter interesting and engaging so that the hiring committee will be attracted to your application.The next thing you should consider when preparing your resume for a convention delegate is the time it will take to complete the application. If you are going to be spending long hours completing the application, you will need to make sure that it is all organized and neat. Make sure that you keep all the necessary documents within easy reach so that you don't waste time looking for something that you di dn't have.In addition, your resume for a convention delegate should be organized and well written so that it will be read without haste. Make sure that you are able to organize your time so that you can finish your resume as quickly as possible.

Frustrated By Post and Hope Job Hunting Try This! - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Frustrated By ‘Post and Hope’ Job Hunting Try This! - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Job hunting going into 2012 continues to be the most brutal and challenging it has been since the Great Depression of the 1930s, and it certainly doesn’t look as though it’s going to get any easier anytime soon, either. Believe me, as the title of my book (“Headhunter” Hiring Secrets: The Rules of the Hiring Game Have Changed . . .   Forever!) suggests, today the “rules” of the “hiring game” have indeed changed! In this blog I am going to first briefly review the job hunting approachâ€"referred to as “Post Hope”â€"that used to work, and still is thought (erroneously) by many to continue to be working. Then I am going to illustrate to you why this approach in fact no longer does work for the vast majority of today’s job hunters. And finally, I am going to show you a workable alternative to the “Post Hope” approach, an alternative that will allow you to cut through all the “clutter” surrounding today’s busy, frazzled hiring managers and the companies they representâ€"and get hired! As recently as just a few years ago, you could reasonably expect to apply to a position on the Internet, i.e., the “job boards,” have a real, live person review and evaluate your résumé and then receive at least some type of response: An email, letter or postcard telling you that your  résumé was in fact received, reviewed and  would (perhaps) be kept on file for  future reference. An  email asking you to complete an additional online application (which could mean you were possibly  advancing to the next level). Or,  maybe, just maybe, you would actually receive a phone call and have a  phone interview. Here is the scenario that typically unfolds   today when you post for a job on the Internet: Hundreds, if not thousands of résumés are  received for literally any open   position. (Two examples: One position our recruiting firm recently posted  received 809 online applications. One of our clients recently told me her  company received over 1,700 applications for a position it posted.) Virtually  all résumés, especially in the larger companies, are “read” exclusively by   computers, at least during the initial stages of applicant consideration. Usually,  only résumés that contain the appropriate “key words” for any given  position will “bubble” to the top of the initial computer “read.” If your résumé  does not contain these key  words, it is doomed to stay “buried” forever, no matter how many times you   might subsequently apply for the position. Even  if your résumé makes the “first cut” by the computer, if you happen to be  the 800th applicant, and the company finds the candidate of its  choice in, say, the first 200 applicants, you will hear nothing further   from the companyâ€"even if you just happen to be the most qualified  candidate to apply! And, if  your résumé somehow does rise to the top in the initial search by the  company’s computer, you can still have a long, long way to go. Since staffing   levels in Human Resources have been significantly cut in recent years, and  with a commensurate doubling or tripling of the number of résumés received  per job opening, best case scenario, those limited number of résumés that  ultimately do get read by a  human being will get a mere 20 to 30 second review, if that. Sometimes  you may receive a computer-generated response telling  you that your résumé was received. But, more often than not, you don’t  receive anything. And  if you are very, very lucky, you may actually receive an email asking you  to fill out an online application, again often never hearing back. The fact is, Human Resource departments at companies today want you to  think and believe that the only way  to get a job is to find their posting and make an application online. Thus, like  lemmings, 95% of all job seekers find a posting online, apply and then “hope”  they hear back. I think you will agree, “post and hope” is not a very viable strategy! How to break through all the clutter and get hired! Is  there an alternative way of circumventing the Internet, breaking through all  the “clutter” surrounding hiring managers and companies today and actually  getting hired? You bet there is! But there is an important caveat: You will have to be prepared to do things  differently from 95% of today’s job seekers. Launching  a direct mail campaign is one of the top “Headhunter” Hiring Secrets working in  the currently brutal, highly competitive job market and it powerfully brands  you as someone who is, in fact, unique  and different. Here are the six steps  involved in this tactic: Step 1: Know what you are good at and be able  to brand yourself in regard to how you can make  a company money or save a company  money. Step  2: Identify  appropriate companies (best free tool is www.zoominfo.com). Step  3: Identify  appropriate people to target (See “The LinkedIn Hack”   http://www.personalbrandingblog.com/the-linkedin-hack/). Step  4: Craft your direct  mail letter using the techniques shown below. Step 5: Follow up with an  appropriately worded phone call (or voice mail). Step  6: Follow up any   voice mail with an appropriately worded email. Since  I have discussed the details of steps 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 in previous blogs (Skip Freeman  Branding Blogs), in this blog I am going to focus exclusively on Step 4, how to craft a direct mail letter that will  get you hired! (Also see “Headhunter” Hiring Secrets: The Rules of  the Hiring Game Have Changed . . . Forever! for complete details about  using this direct mail approach.) There  are FOUR critical components of a successful direct mail letter: The  â€œheadline” Bullet points Statement of “Accomplishments and  achievements” geared  toward making a company money or saving a company money The  â€œP.S.” Let  me illustrate how these components work together by showing you some key  excerpts from a direct mail letter that recently got one of my executive  recruiting firm’s candidates hired. This candidate was applying for a technical  sales position with a leading paint and coatings company. (Click  here to see the entire direct mail letter.) Here  is the headline that was used in the  direct mail letter (centered immediately after the salutation line and before  the body copy, in bold face type):  XYZ Chemical Company has the strongest engineered ceramic  pigment technology in the marketplace! I think you will agree, this is  a headline that is sure to immediately caputure  (and focus!) the attention of the hiring manager. Here are the bullet points used immediately after  the headline: “And that is why we should connect . . . I can bring to you: A  blend of both technical and  sales skills A  strong background in resins, additives paint formulation Experience  in paint applications, equipment and troubleshooting The  ability to help a customer incorporate new technology more quickly by  having led a team of chemists in the role of technical director” Why use bullet points?  Paragraphs usually get only a cursory read (if they get any read at all!) by a  busy hiring manager. Conversely, bullet points strongly and effectively direct  a reader’s attention and tend to get read! This is how the candidate  briefly outlined his “Accomplishments   Achievements” that are geared toward making the company money and/or saving the company money: “Additionally, some documented  successes include: Currently in sales/business  development with $250 million division of a Specialty Chemicals company focused on value-added sales of raw materials into paint coatings Achieved 121% of revenue budget in 2008. YTD, at 95% of budget, currently the highest in the company Sherwin Williams â€" Developed a new waterborne latex emulsion  that brought in $260K in sales in year one and $4.1 million in year two. Additionally, led a team in solving a  customer’s application problem, saving a $2 million account and increasing margins by 3%.” Again, I think you will agree, in  these bullet points, this candidate quickly and clearly demonstrates how he can  make the company money and save the company money! And finally, here is the “P.S.” used  in the direct mail letter: “P.S. I will call you on Tuesday,  November th, at 9:00 AM   CT to  arrange a time for the two of us to talk. If this is not a convenient time,  please ask Mary to call me (678-123-4567) and suggest an alternative.” Just how important is a good “P.S.”?  We learn in “Marketing  1” that a “P.S.” increases the readership of a letter by an astounding 75%! Plus,  when one reads the “P.S.” and realizes that someone is actually going to call  them, you have their attention and they usually will read the rest of the  letter. (It is critical, of course, that you call them when you say you will!) The most important message you  should take away from this blog is this: Don’t  succumb to the myth that the only way  to find a job is to apply onlineâ€"and then “hope” to hear something back. As we’ve  seen, this approach rarely pays off for the majority of today’s job hunters. On  the other hand, if you are willing (and courageous enough!) to start branding and  marketing yourself like a “headhunter” would market you, such as using the  direct mail letter approach featured in this blog, you can turn your job search  into a job found! Author: Skip Freeman is the author of “Headhunter” Hiring Secrets: The Rules of the Hiring Game Have Changed . . . Forever! and is the President and Chief Executive Officer of The HTW Group (Hire to Win), an Atlanta, GA, Metropolitan Area Executive Search Firm. Specializing in the placement of sales, engineering, manufacturing and RD professionals, he has developed powerful techniques that help companies hire the best and help the best get hired.

Is Your Brand Hiding in Plain Sight - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Is Your Brand Hiding in Plain Sight - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Recently I judged a brand personality competition for Newsweek/Daily Beast’s special issue on the top 100 Digital Brands, along with 4 other branding experts.  Beyond my vote, the editor asked for an answer to a hot button question for people who are just launching their brands. That might be you. Does the Internet need more self-promotion? On the whole, does it serve a collective good? Here’s what I had to say to Newsweek/DailyBeast. What I know is that many of the best personal brands haven’t yet surfaced on the web. Sure, there’s branding stars among us today. However, much like a frontrunner shooting out at the head of the pack in a horserace, most early entrants who shot up to the top of the branding consciousness will soon fade as the distance demands unending endurance. Perhaps like smart gamblers, today’s big personal brands will take their winnings off the table, and move on to something else (perhaps a Fiji island or a venture capital firm). Why? Personal brands require a lot of personal time. After all, these folks are expressing themselves by creating content, developing relationships and leveraging their audience. Personal brands require a demanding mix of continuity in perspective along with fresh, new material. Today’s thought leader will be tomorrow’s Wikipedia reference. Just like Justin Bieber is today’s tween-idol Donny Osmond. That is the huge difference between corporate brands like Coke, my alma mater, Apple and Disneyland, and personal brands like Perez Hilton, Evan Williams and Daniel Tosh. If it weren’t true, then Sean Connery would still be James Bond. Even Matt Damon can’t stay with the Bourne franchise. People outgrow their current interests, their audiences and the work they set out to do. That leaves plenty of room for you, if you don’t stay hiding in plain sight. Take a look at the Digital 100 categories and figure out what you want to be. Revolutionary Opinionist Navigator Personality Visionary Evangelist Angel Innovator Virologist Builder The best personal brands have yet to surface online. Be one. Maybe next time, I’ll be nominating YOU. Author: Nance Rosen  is the author of  Speak Up! Succeed. She speaks to business audiences around the world and is a resource for press, including print, broadcast and online journalists and bloggers covering social media and careers. Read more at  NanceRosenBlog. Twitter name:  nancerosen

How Much to Charge For Resume Writing and Design

How Much to Charge For Resume Writing and DesignIf you're the type of individual who excels at resumes, designing and looking after them, you may be able to charge for your services as a resume writer and designer. This is a terrific opportunity for those who enjoy creating documents and creating connections to clients.Resume writing and design are not skills that need to be taught in school. Rather, they are self-taught skills. The secret to successful resume writing and design is being able to get your clients to see your client's eye.How much to charge for resume writing and design is something you must first determine before making any decisions. There are many things that come into play when you're choosing the amount you want to charge for a job such as the complexity of the project. You may even have to find the best way to present the information you've gathered. In short, you need to ask yourself how much should you charge for your services?It is necessary to also take into consideration how much your clients would like to pay for this type of service. Make sure you offer a reasonable price so that you don't anger your client, make the client feel like you were not serious about their request and also don't offend the customer in any way.For instance, you may have a client who is happy with a portfolio of samples but may not be comfortable with your work if you aren't going to do different projects with the same person. You may also decide to offer a discount to someone who is willing to use you as a name from which they will get other work.In the end, you must take into consideration the quality of the work and how good you are at it for the clients you choose. They are the ones who are choosing you to provide them with the quality of work you are offering and your charges are based on how well you are performing.It is important to keep in mind that while your rates are based on the quality of the work that you provide for the client, your quality of work is not based on the amount of money you charge. These days the Internet has made it easy for people to obtain resume writing and design services, and there are many places where you can advertise yourself online for employment.There are many ways to charge for resume writing and design, so you should consider all the options available to you before making any decisions. Remember, what the client wants is not the only factor they should consider in their decision. When you understand how much to charge for resume writing and design, you can then charge accordingly, and you can ensure that your work will meet the needs of the client.

5 Ways Copywriting Reveals the Secrets of Great Leadership

5 Ways Copywriting Reveals the Secrets of Great Leadership Copywriting may not be the first place you think to look for leadership skills, but those who do will find themselves a step ahead.I’m sure you already know the value copywriting can bring to your business. My fellow copywriters will be glad for your appreciation of their tightly-worded craft.But a copywriter can offer you something else besides great copy. In every good copywriter’s process lie secrets of successful leadership.evalDiscover how to unlock these secrets, and your leadership potential, with a copywriter.Leadership that can’t be copiedToday, our models of great leaders are many and diverse. Depending on your industry, activity, audience and company size, what is required of you to be a great leader may be completely different from the boss over the road.What’s more, you can’t just copy someone else’s idea of leadership. Doing so could deny what makes you the right person to be taking the reins, so you need to discover, develop and hone your own unique leaders hip style.But there’s no need to entirely reinvent the wheel. There are certain qualities that appear in all great leaders and, happily for you, these qualities are also found in any good copywriter’s process.Let’s discover the five ways that copywriting can reveal the secrets of great leadership for you. Then you can take them and make them your own.2. Build on strong foundationsevalYou’ll have heard plenty of overnight success and rags-to-riches stories. While attractive, few of them tell the whole story and rarely do quick starts lead to genuine long-term wins.This is the same with copywriting. Great copy is not built on the page but in the research that comes beforehand.Your copywriter’s great work begins not by writing and rewriting but by burrowing into data, market research, mining reviews, surveying your audience and, basically, getting to know them better.Just ask conversion copywriter, Jen Havice.evalWhy do copywriters do this?Because all great copy rides in on a wave of data, market research and up-to-date best practices.Because we must become experts in your audience if we can ever produce the copy your business deserves.Because copy is a conversation, not a lecture â€" and your leadership should be no different.You need to be an expert in your industry, yes, but also in your staff and audience. You need to know how to motivate them and get the results your company needs.Most importantly, you need to know how to talk to them with a message they genuinely want. Keep researching, listening and responding and everything you do will be built on solid foundations.2. Get to the pointA copywriter’s job is to write tight copy. Yes, it needs to be effective and compelling too but most of all it should be concise. To the point.No fluff. No miscommunications. One message delivered succinctly.evalGuess what? This is true of great leaders too.Think of a leader you admire. Think of a conversation with them or speech of theirs you saw: was their inten tion perfectly clear? I’d guess it was.As a copywriter writes, so a great leader thinks.Clear, concise and to the point.Try it out.eval3. Be selflessOne leadership style that is increasingly useful to adopt is inclusive leadership.An inclusive leader is someone who operates from the centre of the workforce rather than from an ivory tower, exhibits trust through delegation and actively encourages inter-departmental collaboration.This is also how a copywriter engages with a project, particularly when working in a team.A copywriter is at the centre of the project wheel. They listen to the client, their goals, their audience, the research data and their design collaborators. Then, they bring these myriad voices together into a clear, effective message.Here’s the key takeaway: a copywriter’s goal is to achieve the client’s goals, not to imprint their own brilliance on the copy.Your copy is not about us, it’s about you achieving your goals.And great leadership is not about you e ither, it’s all about your business. Go stand in the middle and keep the wheels turning.4. Open your eyes wideA copywriter works on the details while keeping an eye on the bigger goal.Is this exactly the right message for the audience? Are they going to respond to the call-to-action in the desired way? Does this headline support the brand as a whole?Beyond this one project a quality copywriter will be aware of supporting your company’s wider aspirations in the context of your industry. Each piece of copy then becomes an intelligent response to its environment, increasing the likelihood of its success.Sound familiar?Sure, great leaders worry about the details â€" Steve Jobs was one of many fine leaders (albeit an extreme example) who were famous for successfully fretting over the little things.But they also keep the larger ship on the right course: always learning, looking and responding to the changing environment.Great leaders and copywriters both make sure every piece of the p uzzle is the right one.5. Bring a little X-FactorYou can read every leadership book in the world, know your company inside and out and keep your eyes glued open and still fail to become a great leader.That’s because great leaders, and great copywriters, require something else. Something that sets them apart.We may call this an X-factor, but there’s an easier translation: creativity.By bringing creativity into your leadership, you’ll develop a unique style of leadership that responds to your experience, knowledge and the environment.Creativity, in this context, is not about artistic genius but simply trusting in your own instincts and inspirations. We all have them and to be a great leader we must learn to use them.I do, as a copywriter. I value creativity and use it to benefit every one of my clients. It helps them stand out from the crowd â€" if I can do that, then I’ve succeeded.Need some inspiration? Watch these videos about creativity in business.Then go and be the great leader you are â€" just don’t forget to thank your copywriter on the way.

4 reasons you should take a gap year

4 reasons you should take a gap year Chances are good that you’re at least vaguely familiar with the concept of a “gap year” â€" time off between schooling and work, something that is quite common in the United Kingdom. Even Malia Obama recently made headlines by postponing her own college experience for a year. While the idea of a gap year has historically been the provenance of the young, if you haven’t taken a gap year (or have never contemplated the idea), now might be your golden opportunity. According to a recent study conducted by Hostelworld, taking a gap year â€" defined as a one-year break away from school and/or work â€" is an emerging trend in the United States. The concept is gaining popularity as younger generations embrace the notion of taking time off to travel. Hostelworld’s study found that only 26 percent of respondents have taken a gap year, but more than 50 percent of those between the ages of 18 and 30 who have not yet taken a gap year said they would consider doing so at some point. I sat down with Feargal Mooney, travel expert and CEO of Hostelworld, the world’s largest hostel booking platform, to discuss why students and working professionals alike should consider taking a gap year. Here’s what he had to say: 1. It’s never too late to take a gap year We often think of a gap year as a one-year break between high school and college, but the reality is that you can take a gap year at any point in time. In fact, approximately 58 percent of Hostelworld survey respondents who have taken a gap year did so after college in their 20s, 30s, and beyond. “There’s value in taking time off to travel no matter how old you are or what stage of life you’re in,” says Mooney. “Gap years aren’t just for students. It’s an opportunity to learn more about yourself and the world around you in a way that can reinvigorate creativity and shed new light on old routines.” 2. It’s more affordable than you might think it is Money is a major concern for those on the fence about taking a gap year. Hostelworld’s research shows that of those who have not taken a gap year, 62 percent said they wouldn’t even consider doing so in the future â€" the most common reason being finances. Interestingly, concerns over cost do not vary significantly between income levels. However, our worries may be misplaced. UK citizens spend an average of just $3,820 to take a gap year traveling. By comparison US citizens spend an average $24,061 for one year of college tuition. “There’s a major misconception out there that taking a gap year to travel will break the bank,” says Mooney. “But the truth is, taking a gap year can be very affordable as long as you’re a savvy traveler. For those looking to travel on a budget, consider staying in a hostel, planning out airfare in advance, and cooking a few meals yourself each week, instead of eating out.” 3. Time off can be contagious, and that’s a good thing According to a recent report by Project: Time Off, unused vacation time in America now totals $272 billion. In the United States, we’re unlikely to take the personal days given to us and even less likely to take additional time off. Hostelworld’s recent study suggests the first step is to give time off a try, because those who have taken extended time off are much more likely to consider taking a gap year in the future. “Once you try traveling, you’re more likely to embrace time off down the road,” says Mooney. “This indicates that those who are taking time off to travel are seeing value in it and are ready to embrace this growing trend. There’s so much out there to explore. Taking time to travel doesn’t mean sacrificing your career. Quite the contrary â€" travel enriches both our personal and professional lives.” 4. There are numerous personal and professional benefits There are major benefits associated with time off spent traveling. Those who took a gap year to travel say they learned about the themselves and the world around them, had new experiences, made new friends, and much, much more. “Travel is such a personal experience, and that means everyone walks away from their time off with something different,” says Mooney. “If you’re not sure a gap year is the right path for you, I’d still encourage you to incorporate travel into your journey in some form. There’s so much out there to see and you’d be amazed what you can learn from other cultures, people, and places.” Join Dana Manciagli’s Job Search Master Class right now and immediately access the most comprehensive job search system currently available!

Does A Summer Break Apply to Your Job Search Efforts

Does A Summer Break Apply to Your Job Search Efforts Schools out for summer… but what about your job search? Just because many executives and high-level employees go on summer vacation doesn’t mean you can take a summer break on your job search. One of the mistakes many job seekers make is thinking companies don’t hire in the summer, which simply isn’t true. Companies are always going through resumes and cover letters to find the most qualified candidates throughout the year. And if you decide to take a break during the summer, you may miss out on a great opportunity. Companies Don’t Stop Hiring During The Summer The notion is companies will wait until after the summer to start interviewing for different positions. However, it’s actually the opposite. Many companies are busier during the winter months, so they don’t have as much time to interview. So they reserve summertime for conducting their interviews and hiring employees, even if it’s on a temporary basis. Regardless, you need to ensure your LinkedIn profile is current once summer starts, just in case a recruiter happens to stumble upon it. Temporary Could Turn Into Permanent Since summer is typically slower for most businesses, they may only be hiring for temporary employment. However, many of these positions will turn into permanent positions when business begins to pick up again. Be sure to include in your executive bio if you’re willing to accept temporary employment if the option is available to become permanent in the future. At the very least, you can gain some valuable experience with a temporary position to set yourself up for a permanent position with another company at a later time. Polish Up Your LinkedIn Profile Whether you’re going on an extended vacation throughout the summer, or if you feel you need to take a break from your job search efforts for any reason, polish up your LinkedIn profile at the very least. You never know when recruiters are going through resumes and cover letters, or scouring LinkedIn to find the best candidates. Updating your LinkedIn profile could be a great way to get discovered during the summer with minimal effort on your part. Professional Resume Services is here to help you get through the dog days of summer. We can help revamp your resumes and cover letters during the summer so you’re ready to apply for positions at any time. No matter what you need help with regarding your job search efforts this summer, feel free to contact us at any time.