How to Volunteer abroad

How to Volunteer abroad by Amber Rolfe Working abroad to help underprivileged communities is a rewarding feat… So why not volunteer?Whether you’re still in education, or you want to take some time off work to do some good, volunteering abroad could be a great way to help others by utilising your skills and dedication to make a difference.We’ve already covered the benefits of volunteering, but here are a few things you should think about before you set off:Consider your optionsWith many different volunteering organisations and fields to choose from, finding one that best suits your skills and attributes is vital to ensuring your help will be as useful as possible.If you’re currently at University, think about approaching the volunteering society (if you have one) to seek advice and guidance on what organisation is best for you. Some organisations also offer academic credit to help you get involved.When looking for volunteer work, you can either go directly through a grassroot organisation, or find a placement through a third party â€" but whichever direction you go in, make sure it’s a reputable company.Deciding where to go is also an important choice to make, so be sure to read up on all of the parts of the world that are looking for volunteers before you make a decision.Research organisationsWhen it comes to choosing an organisation to work with, always do your research, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.Ask how long they’ve been working with their local partners, for example. By making sure they really understand what their local partner needs, you’ll be able to figure out what kind of help you can provide. It also ensures you’ll be working towards a good cause.Additionally, always read up on other volunteers’ experiences with the organisation, and find out what fields and areas of the world they cover to decide if they match what you’re looking for.By checking that the goals set in place by the organisation are driven by the local community, and tha t the projects result in a sustainable outcome, you can ensure you’re working towards a project you’re passionate about.Find out what the role will actually entailMake sure you’re qualified for the type of role you’re choosing to do.If it’s not something you’d have the skills to do in the UK, then it might not be the right move for you. Especially as things will only seem harder to pick up if you’re outside of your comfort zone in foreign climes.And remember: it’s not something you should walk into blindly.Being prepared for your tasks and duties while you’re there will make you a much better worker, and means your trip will have a good sense of purpose from the outset. Think about what you want to learn, where your strengths lie, and what transferrable skills you can offer.If in doubt, ask. Characteristics you might think are considered prerequisites, such as language skills, might not be essential for every role, so if you have any questions make sure you check w ith your prospective employer before applying.  Evaluate the amount of commitment neededHow much time do you have? What do you want to achieve?Assessing the amount of time and effort needed in a volunteering project is important. If you’ve only got a few weeks to spare, and the community you’re looking at helping are looking for someone to make an impact in the long term, it probably isn’t the right role for you.But don’t panic if you’re not free for a long period of time. Typical timescales for voluntary positions abroad can range from anything from a few weeks to over a year.Simply cater your choices to the timescale and availability you have to work with, and you’ll still be able to make a difference.Think about your options at homeCommitting yourself to a project abroad is a big decision. So before making your mind up about jetting off, always ask yourself whether you might be better off volunteering at home instead.If you’re only looking for some quick work experi ence to bulk up your CV, volunteering abroad probably isn’t for you. Although it is without a doubt a great way to exemplify your skills and drive, volunteering should primarily be driven by passion, dedication, and commitment to help others.If you’re still not sure, write up a list of pros and cons about pursuing a project away from home, including factors such as cost and whether it’s working on something you can only do outside of the UK, to help see if working abroad is right for you.Be preparedFinally, whatever you choose to do, remember: it’s not a holiday.Although you’ll get to travel and explores new places, the main purpose of volunteering is to help others in struggling countries build better communities.This doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t enjoy every aspect of your trip â€" just be clear on what you want to achieve and prepare for every possible situation. And be prepared for the fact that the job won’t always be easy.However, as long as you come armed with positivity and a willingness to put in some hard work, volunteering abroad could be the perfect way to make a difference worldwide, not to mention kick-start your career when you get back to the UK.Thinking about volunteering? View all available charity and voluntary positions now. 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

Personal Branding Weekly - All Marketers are Bullies - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Personal Branding Weekly - All Marketers are Bullies - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Fact or fiction?   I have trouble with the word “all” in the title. It’s one of those absolutes like always and never that leave no room for diversity. After this week, it feels more like fact than fiction. I remembered Seth Godin’s book titled, All Marketers are Liars, and think mimicking his title is apropos for the focus of this post (catches your attention doesn’t it, especially if you’re a marketer). Every profession has its share of bullies. They are the ones who attack others who have a differing opinion using absolutes. Instead of a professional discussion around the subject, their fervor (even anger) is focused on the person. They are the ones with that “my way or the highway” attitude who are not open to discussion. They may not behave this way in every situation, yet around certain subjects when they hear a differing opinion or practice they leap into full bullying action with words of attack and even gathering others to create a “mob mentality” inciting others to join in on the bullying. This week I published a post with a recommendation I provide to solopreneurs first delving into social media. I know it’s not a recommendation that everyone agrees with but as an advocate for solopreneurs and small business, I do what I recommend and have watched it successfully help a solopreneur kickstart themselves into creating a more social business. In fact, after a small business owner hired me to assist her with her social business strategy, I asked her what I ask all my new clients, “Why did you choose me”?   Her answer, “because you’re nice”. She explained that she had spoken to several marketing consultants, agencies and social media gurus and every one of them made her feel stupid and small for not knowing more about social media. They spoke in acronyms, smirked at her lack of knowledge and then even chided her that doing it on her own will only waste her time, money and that she would eventually fail. She said she felt bullied. Let me be clear â€" I’m not making light of bullying. I believe there are bullies in all walks of life, of all ages and all stages in careers. By definition, bullying is use of superior strength or influence to intimidate (someone), typically to force him or her to do what one wants. You may know your stuff but knowing it and acting like a “know it all” are two entirely different things. What can you do to be a pro in your industry and not a bully? Read Stephen Covey’s Book, the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Be Proactive.   Take the initiative. If someone’s opinion is different than yours, ask them “why they feel or practice what they do and then listen.” You may learn something and the frame of reference may give you a better bearing and understanding. Take responsibility for your choices and the consequences that follow. If you do blurt something out, there’s nothing wrong with sincerely apologizing and starting the conversation over again. Begin with the End in Mind.   What do you want from the interaction? Is it more important to win or more important to develop a relationship? Put First Things First. What matters most? Think Win-Win. Genuinely strive for mutually beneficial solutions or agreements in your relationships. Value and respect people by understanding a win for all is ultimately a better long-term resolution than if only one person in the situation had got his way. Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood. Ask, keep an open mind, and listen this creates an atmosphere of relationship building and positive problem solving. Synergize. Combine the strengths of people instead of being a person who has to tear someone else down to stand taller. Stand tall together â€" it’s a great way to build relationships and your personal brand. Sharpen the Saw. Continually learn, hone and develop your skills. I hope that for 2014 these helpful reminders of the 7 Habits will help you start the New Year right and this post will help you to honestly review your successes and challenges this past year. This week our contributors also shared with you: Side-Hustling: Tracy DiNunzio, Founder of Tradesy by Bill Connolly Workplace Drama: Easier to Eliminate Than You May Think by Skip Weisman Ensure Potential Connections Accept Your Connection Requests by Crystal Washington Interview: What Inspires You? by Nance Rosen Plan Your New Years Personal Branding Strategy by Ceren Cubukcu I Have the Qualifications. Why Am I Not Hired? by Alex Freund Fast Track Business Development in 2014 Now! by Elinor Stutz Networking During the Holidays: Light Up Your Personal Brand by Heather Huhman Your Job Search Gold Mine by Richard Kirby Re-Defining Religion: An Interview with Allison Josephs by Bill Connolly Cant Resist a Handshake by Eddy Ricci 4 Ways Your Personal Brand Wins with No by Maria Elena Duron Why Your Brand Needs a Blog by Susan Gilbert Millennials and the Gore-Tex Way by Jeff Shuey Start Fast: How to Build a Strong Freelance Reputation by Chamber of Commerce Successful Interviewees Follow this Advice: Be Authentic! by Beth Kuhel Make Your Email Engaging, Not Enraging by Leslie Truex Youre Not a Failure; You Experienced Failure by Nick Inglis Is This Resume Still Relevant? by Marc Miller Here are some tweetable takeaways from this week’s posts, too: Say “yes” to the holiday gatherings you’re invited to; this is a great place to meet and network with new people. http://ow.ly/rYXO1  [tweet this] There is nothing wrong with other social networks; It’s just that LinkedIn is the place to be for business. http://ow.ly/rYYRG  [tweet this] Create new items with repurposed content in several formats to get the most bang out of your content marketing. http://ow.ly/rYZjJ  [tweet this] The best way to protect yourself at work from harming your reputation is to avoid negative speech. http://ow.ly/rYZmK  [tweet this] When changing careers, explain the source of your inspiration, not what is inspiring your change of mind. http://ow.ly/rZ09H  [tweet this] Career growth is not only about changing your job; it is about your personal growth as well. http://ow.ly/rZ0hJ  [tweet this] Statistics have proved that 60 to 80% of people found their jobs via networking. http://ow.ly/rZ0lF  [tweet this] Take advantage of the slow season to focus on your wish list and get a head start for the New Year. http://ow.ly/rZ0oU  [tweet this] Attend work holiday parties to make connections throughout the company. It is one of the best ways to get promoted. http://ow.ly/rZ0GQ  [tweet this] Knowing the need to leverage your best relationships in job searches is one thing. Actually doing it is something else! http://ow.ly/rZ0OZ  [tweet this] In business meetings, handshakes are vital first impressions that can help you build better connections in your dialogue. http://ow.ly/rZ0Zi  [tweet this] Under no circumstances should you compromise the quality of your product to cater to the client’s needs. http://ow.ly/rZ1jY  [tweet this] All of us at the Personal Branding Blog, hope you have an amazing holiday week!

Aptitude tests practice makes perfect

Aptitude tests practice makes perfect We know that aptitude tests can strike fear into the most confident student, but we also know that most of you are likely to encounter them at some stage. Its better to face the fear and find out whats involved crossing your fingers and hoping for the best just wont cut it. Jenny Bell, one of our careers consultants, tells us more Aptitude testing is used by many graduate employers across all sectors as part of their recruitment process. No sooner have you pressed “send” on your completed on-line application form then youre be invited to take some verbal and numerical reasoning tests. If you are applying for more specialist roles, perhaps within IT or financial modelling, you might also be asked to take some diagrammatic reasoning tests as well. Aptitude testing is often the first part of the screening process, but if you succeed at this stage and progress to further interview rounds or an assessment centre, dont be surprised if youre asked to sit further tests. Fail to prepare, prepare to fail While it is in your interests to take them as soon as you can â€" the sooner you take them (successfully), the sooner you can be invited for interview â€" it is probably NOT a good idea to take them unless you have done a lot of preparation. “Why?” I hear you say â€" “I have enough to do without practising some basic numerical and comprehension test I could have taken at GCSE level. I’ve seen the questions and they really aren’t very difficult.” I got an A in maths GCSE how hard can it be? Unfortunately, many people, who are very able and otherwise excellent candidates, are unsuccessful in the tests. Were used to seeing disappointed students whove been rejected by their chosen employer because they failed to meet the required standard. This is why you need to practise: It isn’t so much the difficulty of the questions; it’s the time pressure of answering the maximum number in the short time available. The more you practise, the easier it will be. Some recuiters will incorporate negative marking into their tests, so youll need to work quickly but methodically. Guess incorrectly and it could cost you dear. You may be rusty on some of the basics. If, for example, you haven’t done any maths since GCSE, you may not be as quick at working out percentages, ratios, etc. as you were then and you don’t want to waste valuable test time trying to remember how to perform simple calculations. Bear in mind some tests will allow calculators but others wont so youll need to get up to speed. Dont be complacent There are some Arts and Humanities students who think theyll have no problem with the verbal reasoning tests as theyre about words; similarly, there are STEM students who feel confident theyll ace the numerical reasoning tests because theyre good at maths It ain’t necessarily so….anecdotal evidence suggests that the people who perform best on verbal tests are engineers and scientists who are good at spotting the salient points quickly. Numerical tests can be difficult for Arts students (particularly for those whove avoided all things numerical since GCSEs!) but they can also present a challenge for scientists and engineers who may be used to working on more advanced and abstract material, not the basic arithmetic or statistical interpretation required in most numerical reasoning tests. Practice makes perfect So…..how do you practise? You will find lots of information and links to  practice tests  on our website.  The tests we offer are completely free and will give you on-line feedback about how you compare with your peer group (other students and graduates). Taking any test will help you with your technique and coping with the timing. But, generally speaking, the more demanding employers (e.g. banks, consultancies) the more difficult the test and/or the higher the pass mark. If you think you will need to take a more difficult test, check the external links at the bottom of our aptitude test webpage. If in doubt, start with  eFinancialCareers  or  Inside Careers. Dont forget about the resources in the Careers Hub; we know books seem a bit retro now, but it might be worth your while to browse the shelves. Theres a wide range of books covering numerical, verbal and spatial reasoning tests, pitched at varying levels of difficulty. We know that some people practise by applying to employers they dont necessarily want to work for so theyll be better when they apply to the one they really want. This isnt really an approach wed endorse, as it takes a lot of time and effort to produce a high quality application form certainly one thats good enough to get you to the next round. Its better to spend your time using the available resources, online and otherwise, to get you ready for test day. Put the time in now and you wont get caught out later on!