CV - Long Version

The CV link below is not my full one, what i'll be using that one for is canvassing with fax/email/post.

Click for my full version :)

Something?

It's big, really big. It's coming.

And I know what it is.......

CVs and Cover Letters

My CV is now officially complete and can be viewed here

I haven't had a resume for the past 5 years, frankly because I didn't need one, a good thing about the RAAF is job security (in fact it's quite hard to get out). However a CV is critical to keep updated in any job, regardless of how long you are staying there. There is always something better out there and you should always be looking. Carpe Diem!

Next is my cover letter, my primary job seeking goal is to cold canvas companies and get my name out there, to do this I need a structured cover letter that needs minimal changes depending on my targeted employer. Currently I'm writing a very generalised one, after learning on the go I'll make changes accordingly.

*Edit. Cover letter can be viewed here

Career Transition Seminar - Day Three

A day late with this one.

The third day didn't have as much content relevant to me as I would have expected, for a something with great potential it unfortunately fell short.

Franchising although not really something I would want to jump into straight away was probably the most informative session. The lecturer covered the basics of franchising, how it is started, how much work is involved (not as simple as paying the cash and installing a manager and staff, a considerable amount of work has to be done by you), how to identify a good franchise to start with, what to look out for (quite a lot of dodgy people in the franchise world) and when to cut your losses. Franchising is not for me.

Small business, now here's what I was excited about all week, here is where I would hear about what I could be doing in the future. Wrong. The lecturer basically told us how to contact his office for all questions about small business. A genuine let down.

Apologies for the negative post, but as I look back upon this day I could have been doing something more constructive with my time.

In conclusion however the 3 day seminar was brilliant, incredibly informative and motivational. So much so it even provoked me into starting this blog! I have already signed up for the same course later on in the year. :)

"Most of our obstacles would melt away if, instead of cowering before them, we should make up our minds to walk boldly through them." - Orison Swett Marden

Career Transition Seminar - Day Two

Day two. Finances.

As much as budgeting and financial planning is an important part of any career this subject just didn't have the excitement and motivation that yesterday's lessons did.

I've never been a good financial planner, budgeter or saver. In fact I have only recently started an automatic savings deposit every pay, this is one of my weaknesses and something that I'll have to pay quite a bit of attention to (even though it bores the pants off me).

Regardless of my distaste for the day I did get a lot out of it, mainly in regards to investing. Read the following:

Time in is better than timing

Don't try to time the investment market. If you have some money saved over and want some sort of return go buy some shares, you dont have to have thousands of dollars to invest, even if you insert a small amount of money every payday it will add up at the end of the year to something that you can earn from.

Short and long term investments are something to look at as well, don't just look at the distant future when you're retired sitting in the Greek Isles you need to give concentration to the short term future as well, something that will work as a stepping stone and help you now.

4 Investment options:

Cash
Fixed Interest
Property
Shares

Cash and Fixed Interest are a high defensive (safe) option, however they create less return and are pretty much just a savings account. If you really don't feel comfortable throwing your money out there then perhaps this is a good option until you muster up the courage to be adventurous.

The second two options, Property and Shares are something that you have to put in a bit more time and effort to ensure that you are getting something that you will profit with. Ensure that you spend at least a month doing heavy research for either option, after this if you decide not to do it you have learned a great deal anyway. These options provide a much better return than fixed interest accounts.

The best way to learn about these things is experience, get in there and do it, ask lots of questions, try lots of things. Just make sure that it's something that you can afford to lose.

Remember that objects in life are only to be used as tools to experience life, never get attached to them.

Career Transition Seminar - Day One

Today was the start of a 3 day seminar devoted to helping military members who are interested in discharge transition smoothly to civilian life.

The three days are broken up into

Day 1. Resume creation, job seeking and interview techniques
Day 2. Finance and superannuation benefits
Day 3. Investing and small businesses

The majority of the subject mater discussed in day one I had already researched until I could research no more, however quite a lot of the information I found helpful and motivational. In particular a personal transition experience from an ex-Army officer turned motivational speaker. I didn't get the opportunity to take many notes, however the energy that this guy was giving out to the audience was amazing, this wasn't the obvious 'jumping-around-grinning' energy but more a mental one. Highlight of the day (hopefully more on this speaker in the future).

I did jot down some important tips and information on resume and interview techniques, but some of the most important quotes i'll share with you now:

Failing and learning from failures is evolution

Q: How tall does a tree grow?
A: As tall as it's environment allows

I'll further on this bit, potentially if you dont feel as if you're growing, change your environment, get out of your comfort zone and experience the change, never be afraid of it. You will always benefit from it.

Isn't it nice when you make everything in your life work to your benefit?

Change!

Change is as good as a holiday so 'they' say.

In my case, change is the start of a new life, a new career and new happiness. The last few months I have had an awakening (or ephiphany, mainly because I like the word) and have many decisions on the next path that my career will take.

Setting up the beginning of the perfect life is no easy task, but I now have the knowledge, resources and work ethic to do it.

This blog will help me set my goals and aspirations as well as improve my writing abilities.

This is the start of something big!