Lifestyle Blog 11: How to be a better Writer

 Hello Readers! 

Today I want to talk about writing, as it is such an important skill to have, no matter what job you're in. Being a good writer shows you are also a good communicator, and can easily process and explain information in a new way for a different audience. Some people view writing as a scary process, especially when editing their own writing, but writing isn't actually that scary. Writing is merely a way to process and communicate information, and the better you are at it, the more successful you'll be in your job, whether you're writing a cover letter, resume, proposal, client pitch, or anything else. 

I can't proclaim to be a writing expert, but I do have a degree in English and have worked on my writing since I was younger. I want to give you some tips that I've learned over the years about how to become a better writer. If you use these tips over time and add them to your daily practice, you'll be able to see differences in your writing and communication. 

1. Read Read Read 

The best writers are often the best readers. Stephen King, in his book On Writing, illustrates this by explaining that we will often write in a similar style to the authors we read. This isn't a bad thing at all, but in fact, helps us to ease ourselves into an easier way of writing. Being an avid reader will help expand your vocabulary, and give you examples of writers to mimic in your own writing style. You'll find examples of good writing, and start to notice your own writing change the more you read. 

2. Practice your writing through exercises 

Writing is like exercising, you have to continue to work at it to keep in shape. And like exercising, writing takes work. Becoming a better writer is not easy to do, but with practice, you start to perfect your craft. Make sure to practice your writing through exercises, like creative writing prompts or journaling. The most important thing is to keep up with it, scheduling writing time every day to hone your skills. 

3. Editing is your friend 

Editing is something that many people hate to do, as it can be a difficult process. Editing is something that takes work and balance to be successful at, as it's almost too easy to let your inner critic rule your writing process. Inner critics are the best for editing, so take the self-doubt and nervousness you have about writing and channel it into your editing. This will help make your editing more productive, and your editing process not as scary as you thought. 

There are many other tips about how to become a better writer, but using these every day will help you to polish your writing skills over time. I'd also recommend reading books on writing such as Stephen King's On Writing, or Painless Writing by Jeffrey Strausser. Both of these can give you more tools for becoming a better writer. 

Reach out on social media with any questions or comments you may have about this blog! 

Until next time, 

Katie 

Blog 30: Warning signs that you might be let go

 Happy Monday Readers! 

Today I want to talk about the process of being let go, as it's something not all of us go through, but for those who have, it's hard to forget. Being let go can happen due to many reasons, a miscommunication in expectations about job responsibilities, economic downturn, downsizing, and redundancy. It's hard for anyone being let go, but sometimes the process of being let go can actually be beneficial for those looking for new opportunities or career changes. 

Sometimes you can sense when a company's culture is changing, and whether or not you will be kept on. In contrast, however, you might never see any warning signs at all. I want to give you some clear warning signs that you might be let go, specifically with the economy changing due to COVID-19. Note that these warning signs do not mean you are guaranteed to be let go, but they are important things to think about if you're worried about being let go. 

1. Specific Feedback 

Sometimes the clearest warning signs are the most correct. If you've gotten recent feedback that your job performance wasn't as good as it could have been, this can indicate that you may be let go. The best way to deal with this warning sign is to show improvement in your work ethic and be proactive in your choices, showing you can go above and beyond for the company. 

2. Behavior change

A behavior change by your boss or your coworkers can be a definite warning sign that the company is changing, and you may be let go. Pay attention to the behavior changes in coworkers and your boss, and keep in mind that it may not lead to a bad result but a good one. 

3. Economic factors 

Unfortunately, sometimes things like economic downturn or recessions can cause a lot of layoffs for jobs. It may have nothing to do with your work ethic or your qualifications, but the company may have to let you go. Pay attention to the current economic status so you can be prepared for the worst. 

Know that worrying about being let go isn't going to help you with if/when it comes. Instead focus on the things that you can control: your stress levels, energy levels, and attitude. Remember to stay positive and know if even if you are let go, you'll find somewhere else to land. 

Feel free to contact me via social media with any questions or comments you may have about this blog. Know that you're amazing no matter what happens! 

Until next time! 

Katie 

Blog 29: How to style yourself as a successful businesswoman

 Hello Readers! 

Historically, women in the business world tend to have a pretty tough time getting the same opportunities for successful results as men do. Historically women have been lagging in both salary and opportunities in the workforce. Thankfully, there are more efforts for inclusivity and equality in many places of work, which can make women feel heard, respected, and appreciated. As a woman in a leadership position, I want to talk today about how we can style ourselves as successful businesswomen. Whether that is attire, direction, or motivations, successful businesswomen get to the places they want to be. Granted, being successful doesn't come without hard work, but hopefully, my tips below will help you, ladies, out there to style yourself as a successful businesswoman, and own your successes. 

1. Own your power as a woman 

What do I mean by this? Simply, own your ability to be a woman. Women can do many things that men can't (not that either is better than the other), and using the things that make you a woman to your advantage can help you succeed in being successful. For example, women tend to be more empathetic than men and have greater emotional intelligence. You, as a woman, can use this to your advantage to relate better to clients, customers, and coworkers to become more successful and make fulfilling connections. Owning the power you have as a woman can increase your self-confidence, personal happiness, and your overall enjoyment of your work. Try it and see what you think! 

2. Know that the stakes are set against you 

Any job you're working in unless it's specifically run by women or a company for women, it's best to assume that the stakes of your success are set against you. By that, I don't mean that people will purposefully tear you down, or you'll be passed over by a man, but realize that you may have to work harder to get the success you want. Whether this is being more proactive or showing you can go above and beyond more than your coworkers, being successful in your job may require more work for you as opposed to someone else. Keep that in mind and don't let it deter you from being the amazing badass woman you are. Use it as a motivator, buckle down, and get the work done you need to be successful. 

3. Show your personality and own it! 

This is similar to point 1, but this just means to embrace who you are as a person, and not just a woman. If you're a proud night-owl, embrace it and use it to your advantage at work. If you're into fashion, show how you can use that to your success at your job. Own your personality and show your confidence in yourself. Believe me, it will turn heads and give you the reputation of success. 

Being a woman in the business world is tough, but know there are plenty of other women out there who can support you and help you in your job. Use your coworkers, friends, and family to help remind you to continue to be a successful businesswoman. Remember that you've made it this far for a reason, and if anyone is capable of succeeding, it's you! 

Until next time, 

Katie 

Blog 28: How to Gain Work Experience when You have No Work Experience

 Hello Readers! 

There are currently a lot of people looking for jobs, and if you're one of those people, I want to give you some hands-on tips for making yourself stand out and get hired. Getting a job can be difficult because you need work experience, and you don't get work experience (usually) without getting a job. It's a total catch-22. The hardest hit by this catch-22 are young people, specifically college graduates. You've learned everything, but now what? The other group of people hardest hit are those making a career change. You want to work in a different field, but have no experience in that field. Now what? 

I want to give you some pointers to help make you stand out better to a hiring manager, whether you're a young person or a career change person, or just someone looking for work. People often get overwhelmed that they don't have enough experience for a job that they don't apply in the first place. I don't think the lack of experience should stop you from trying to find your dream job, and I hope this blog encourages you to keep moving forward. I hope you find help in my pointers below on how to gain work experience when you have no work experience. 

1. Show that you're motivated and willing to gain any experience 

Many hiring managers assume that you have no work experience because you didn't chase after any. Prove them wrong by showing that you are capable of working in any situation and are motivated to chase after any opportunity to show you're worth hiring. 

2. Volunteering is work experience 

Many people write off volunteering as work experience because you don't get paid. Volunteering can still give you a lot of experience and translate the skills you learned into a job. Did you volunteer at a homeless shelter serving food? You probably gained people skills/customer service skills from doing that, even though you weren't paid and didn't sell anything. Use your previous volunteer history to your advantage. If you haven't volunteered before, I recommend starting now to gain some experience, that you can show to a hiring manager. 

Volunteering isn't the most glamorous thing to do, and it works against people who desperately need an income. Note that there are great paid volunteering positions out there as well, you just have to look carefully for them. 

3. If you went to school, use your classes as experience 

I've seen a lot of successful resumes from young people where their main source of work experience comes from their classes. Whether they're a biology major who uses their laboratory classes gave them measurement, communication, and written skills; or an English major who uses their poetry writing class to show that they've gained written and oral communication skills. All classes will give you an experience of some sort, and writing that experience in your resume will make you look like a better candidate with more work experience. 

4. You can use relevant hobbies as work experience 

I saw this with one of my employees, Kenna, who had no background in life coaching or insurance selling. In my interview process with her, she talked about how she loved marketing and podcasting. As I wanted to do a podcast for Katie Anderson Coaching, I was curious to learn more about her hobby of podcasting, and in the end, actually hired her. If your hobbies are relevant to the job you want to get, don't be shy about showcasing them. If you love drawing in your free time and are interviewing for a job that requires content creation or graphic design, bring it up! It'll make you look more well-rounded, and show your hiring manager you have a healthy work-life balance. 

There are many other ways to show experience on your resumes and cover letters, even if you have no work experience. Remember that your experience shouldn't hold you back from applying to your dream job. Shoot high and you just might make it! Feel free to reach out on my social media and website for any questions you might have. 

Until next time, 

Katie 

Blog 27: 3 Tips You need for a Successful Virtual Presentation

 Hello Readers! 

Giving a presentation can be difficult, but it doesn't necessarily have to be. With virtual meetings and presentations today, things are a bit different, but it can still be intimidating to talk in front of coworkers and clients. I want to give a few tips below that might help you to feel less stressed about virtual presentations. Even though you're not in the same room as your audience, virtual presentations can be tricky and terrifying. I know I've had nightmares about my wifi going out, or leaving something weird up for people to see while I share my screen. In time I've learned a bit about how to best do a virtual presentation, and I want to share my 3 tips you need for a successful virtual presentation, so hopefully, you can not stress about your next one. 

1. Make sure to test your speakers and microphone first 

Not having a working microphone or speakers can be really frustrating during a meeting. Be sure to help yourself out and test your mic and speakers before the meeting begins. That way you know any sound problems aren't from your computer. 

2. Always ask clarifying questions 

Check-in with your audience by asking clarifying questions. Start by asking: "can everyone hear me?" which will help you to look more professional and take your audience into consideration. At the end of the presentation, make sure to ask if there is anything you need to re-explain, in case someone's wifi went out. 

3. Make sure to stop sharing your screen at the end of the presentation. 

Some people forget to stop screen-share, and it can be really annoying, as you can't see who you're talking to very easily. Make sure to stop sharing your screen at the end of your presentation, and only share again if you need to refer back to a slide or a figure. This way you can easily your audience more easily and see who is asking the question. 

Virtual presentations and meetings can be difficult at times, but hopefully, with these tips, it won't be. Reach out to me on social media and let me know what you think about my tips or if you have any questions. 

Until next time, 

Katie 

Blog 26: How to easily research a subject to sound smarter

 Hello, my Amazing Readers! 

 

Sounding smart is something all of us try to do at least once in our lives. Whether it's in a virtual zoom meeting, or on a first date, or in a job interview, society has convinced us that sounding smarter will be more impressive and give positive feedback for us. Sounding smarter isn't that tricky, as most people try to sound smarter by using larger words in their vocabulary. But another way to sound smarter, which I believe is more beneficial, is to do to research on whatever subject it is you're trying to sound smart in. Whether it's an upcoming pitch with a client or a job interview, doing research beforehand can pay off in making you sound smarter, as well as give the answers to questions you might be asked. 

But what is the best way to go about doing research? You definitely don't want to go overboard and dig into stuff more than you have time for. In this blog, I want to lay out some tips for looking through information in a quick and effective way that won't waste your time, and help to make you sound smarter overall. 

1. Use "gutting" to help summarize information

This was a trick I learned back in high school. "Gutting" as I call it, is just taking the bare minimum of information you need from something. This means fully reading the introduction and the conclusion of something, whether it's an article or a blog post, and then reading the first sentence of every paragraph to get the highlights. This can help you understand the changes in your subject. 

2. Always look at the "about" section for a website 

Whether this is a company you may work with after a job interview or a potential client, the "about" page tells you a brief history of the company, as well as hopefully their styles and goals. This is essential in trying to peg down where you may fit with this company, as well as their goals and what they're style is. This way you can better understand how you might change your pitch to better fit their needs. 

3. Bullet points are your best friend 

This is helpful for especially blogs, but reading the bullet points of any article gives you an easy and quick summary of the research. If an article doesn't have bullet points, try reading the first sentence of each paragraph, and if you have time, the few sentences after that one. 

Researching information can be a time-consuming process, but hopefully, these tips help you to better condense information and allow you to use your time more effectively. If you have any questions about these tips or comments, reach out to me on social media. 

Until next time, 

Katie  

Lifestyle Blog 10-Let's define business casual for once

Hello Readers! 

In this blog, I want to fully define business casual, because it's something everyone seems to interpret differently. Let me clarify though and say that business casual is going to be different in every place you work, and it's important to have your employer define it for you. Some places will emphasize the casual over the business and vice versa. Just be aware of this wherever you're working. 

But if you need a quick business casual guide, look no further than the tips I provide below for what business casual is and isn't. 

1. Business Casual is NOT t-shirt material 

This may seem a bit self-explanatory, but business casual, no matter what setting, is not going to be where you wear a t-shirt. If the t-shirt has graphic designs on it, or lettering, it's a no go. T-shirts are casual only. Long-sleeve t-shirts should also be a no-go, as again they're more casual. Blouses, whether short sleeve or long sleeve, are fine for business casual. By blouses, I mean fancy t-shirts or long sleeves, like something with frills on it or buttons or is made of a different material than t-shirt fabric. 

2. Business casual is something you might wear to church or a job interview 

This is also pretty self-explanatory, and even if you don't go to church, imagine the outfit you would wear if you were going. Most churches are more on the casual side, but if you decide to dress up for church, this is most likely a business casual outfit. Job interviews are the same way, where you dress up to impress your interviewers. Wearing something nicer like a blazer, sweater, skirt, slacks, blouse, button-down shirt, tie, things like that all count as business casual. 

3. Business casual allows for more patterns and colors 

Business formal usually only allows for the following colors: gray, black, brown, blue, and white. Business casual, on the other hand, allows for a wider range of colors and patterns. It also allows for more casual clothes to be worn, such as flats as opposed to heels. 

4. Business casual will definitely be more comfortable

Wearing something business casual is going to be more comfortable than wearing something business formal. Whether it's a sweater, or not wearing heels, business casual allows for more freedom in your choices to dress up, and therefore allows you to express your fashion sense more. 

When in doubt when it comes to business casual, use the following general rules to help you out: 

1. Always dress more conservatively if you're unsure 

Don't show more skin, play it safe by wearing something more conservative 

2. Make sure your outfit is free of wrinkles 

This goes for all outfits, but wrinkles just spell sloppy 

3. Keep your accessories simple 

Use just a bag to hold everything or just a watch. Don't overdo it on the makeup or jewelry. 

4. Stick with solid colors or simple patterns 

Don't go overboard with colors or patterns 

5. Make sure your hair is groomed 

Messy hair looks really unprofessional 

6. Make sure there aren't any stains on your clothes 

Again, this makes you seem more unprofessional 

While business casual will always be something that is fluid in the workplace, it's good to have some general outlines of what to do and not to do in dressing to impress. If you have questions or comments, reach out on my social media channels. 

Until next time, 

Katie 

Blog 25: 3 Book suggestions for personal finance

 Hello, my wonderful readers! 

In this blog, I want to give a bit more hands-on advice about personal finance, in the form of book recommendations. Personal finance, like exercising, is something you have to continually work on. It's not a one-and-done thing. I'm always looking for new and unique ways to improve my own personal finance strategies, and over the years, many friends have given me book recommendations to read to help me better educate myself on personal finance. I want to share my 3 book suggestions for personal finance below with you and hope that you can use these books to help your personal finance strategies. 

1. Why Smart People Do Stupid Things With Money: Overcoming Financial Dysfunction by Ben Whitehead 

This book is a great read as it doesn't just cover the numbers side of personal finance but also goes over the motives and decisions made in personal finance strategies. Whitehead focuses a lot of the book on psychology and helps you to better analyze your thoughts that are driving your monetary decisions. I'd highly recommend for anyone interested in the influences of psychology on finance 

2. Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

While written a while ago, this book is still relevant today, as it focuses on the difference in thinking between rich people and poor people. Kiyosaki also gives his own life story, and the lessons he shares are valuable for anyone interested in personal finance. 

3. You Are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero 

This author might sound familiar, and she is. Jen Sincero also wrote You Are a Badass, which I recommended in another blog. This book, however, is quite humorous and gives tips on how to make money, as well as Sincero's own stories. This book focuses on self-imposed obstacles we may have that hinder us from being financially successful. 

There are many other books I could recommend for personal finance, as there are so many tips and lessons out there to be learned. However, I hope that these books help you to better analyze your own personal finance strategies, as well as work on habits and thought processes that may help you to be more financially successful in the future. 

If you have any other book recommendations or questions for me, reach out on my social media channels or website. 

Until next time, 

Katie