Weird Things That Happen in Your 20s

Years ago a friend of mine would say "I'm older than you, I can't do it!" when I used to challenge them to do better, especially in terms of fitness. I found their comments amusing as our age difference wasn't that big. "What could be so different?", I thought.

But when I complained (for the 1000th time) to a colleague about my somewhat inexplicable weight gain of late and she said that as I was getting older my body was changing something hit home. So I wondered - how is it that there is such a huge between your teens and your 20s?

1. Body shape/composition changes

I have always been fairly slim, and even now I can't really say that I am fat, but I am at my heaviest ever. I also find it difficult to shed the extra pounds of flab. Why? It used to be so easy to take control of my weight when I was in my teens. "Your body shape changes as you age, partly as women put on weight in different places," says personal stylist Michaela Jedinak. Such weight gains are mainly due to lifestyle changes - gone are the days of school PE classes and university teams. Many 20-year-olds tend to spend more time in the pub than on the treadmills, and the early career rat race means more and more people are glued to their desks for long periods of time. This means a fall in muscle mass and with that a slow down of metabolism which leads to further weight gain. It is a vicious cycle.

Image courtesy of Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

2. You consider becoming a health freak

If point 1 didn't scare you enough, a look in the mirror can sometimes send even the most confident 20-something into a panic attack. The bombardment of super skinny or super fit human beings on all media channels has driven many into a health awareness frenzy. As fellow blogger Gina Vaynshteyn says: "Before you merged into your 20s, your body could take anything – an entire box of mac ‘n cheese, a triple cheeseburger and whipped cream that you used to spray into your mouth straight from the can. Now, you’re starting to notice what the nurse scribbles down after you stand on the scale." We become more aware of how we look and how we want to look. We sign up for the gym and read more closely the labels on our foods. All in the name of avoiding botox and liposuction in our 40s.

3. You realise everything is expensive

Without student loans and family helping hands, you realise that everything costs a lot. Rent, bills, transport, food all have to be paid from that measly salary from your first job. But you also want to buy nice clothes, go out with friends and travel abroad. You also realise that your friends are making more money than you - taking that low paid/unpaid job to boost your CV suddenly doesn't seem like the most wise of ideas. Money suddenly becomes your biggest ambition and you start to wonder how invented the phrase "Monday doesn't buy happiness", as clearly you need money to survive (and have fun) in this world. 

If you have been nodding along whilst reading this, you, my friend, have hit some of the milestones of life in your twenties. Who thought your twenties are not going to be the time you run free and wild? I say roll on the thirties - after having succeed in our careers, we can hopefully put up our feet and fly off to the Bahamas (at least once a year!).

But for now I will keep on powering through points 1 to 3 and hiding the scales behind the bin. Enough said!

What Motivates You?

Image courtesy of samuiblue / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

In our day and age, where Generation Y and the Millennials are struggling to launch their dream career and are instead stuck  in 9-5 jobs or education, it's no surprise that today's youth is getting more radical then ever. Young offenders are on the rise just as are the number of graduates. The competition out there is tough and, it seems, the lives of twenty-somethings can got in either of two directions - uphill or downhill.

Uphill, in the sense of getting a job of some kind after countless unpaid internships have drilled a whole in your parents' wallets. Or even better - getting a job somewhat related to your degree or future career. That is until you realise that actually you don't like it. Or worse - you don't like being chained to your desk from 9 till 5 (FYI: as most office slaves will tell you, nobody ever finishes at 5. You will be lucky to get out the office door at 6).

Many of my friends who have recently started their first "proper" jobs are actually wondering whether it is the right role/company/mode of working for them. Should they look for something that involves more out of office work? Something with flexible working hours? A bigger or smaller company? So many questions, so many decisions to make. It's not easy to survive in the concrete jungle and yet do a job you love.

So my question to you is how do you keep yourself motivated in this struggle? What helps you get out of the bed in the morning? To go to work, to go to the gym, to be committed to a hobby? What stops you from going in to a downward spiral?

I know some have quit the daily grind for more flexible working in search of happiness and dream careers. Yet I also know others who have stuck through the initial difficult first steps to reap great benefits.

Those of you who know me, know that I'm a pessimist (FYI #2: my psychology professor once said that optimists are delusional and it's the pessimists who actually see the realities of life), yet I wake up every morning full of hope. I hope that the weather will be good, that I will do better at the gym, that I will be one step closer to living the life I want to live.

I am a firm believer (to a fault, I admit) that one has to work hard to achieve their goals. So I wake up everyday, ready to face the world as if I was going to war. But I also get out of bed because I can't wait to have my porridge, to catch up with friends, to bask in the sunshine (on one of those very few days that we've got sun here in the UK!) and other such trivialities of mortal life.

What about you? What keeps you ticking? Any tricks for getting out of bed during your lowest lows (like a big hot chocolate on the way to work)?

Many self-help books will tell you to succeed you have to find the "why" that drives you. So let's go through this "search" exercise together - share with me in the comments section below :)

Winds of (Career) Change

Just like anything else in life, choosing a career is not easy. On the one hand youngsters are advised to make career choices as early as possible, on the other those already in employment are often encouraged to chase "what makes them happy". We are told: "Choose your path early, but remember you can change it later." 

Is this true? Is it rational? Can you make a sound choice when you haven't tried your hand at something? And can you really change your career any time you like?

These are, indeed, chicken-and-egg-type of questions. The truth is, it takes a while to figure out what you want. And by the time you figure that out, you probably want something else. As sociologists say - the only certain things in life are death and change.

So if you have decided to change winds because you can't face "another day at work", then don't panic.

Changing careers will always have some obstacles, but it is not impossible. Research is key here and the best place to start is to try and figure out your key character traits, strengths and what you enjoy most. 

And here I must say one of the top (and free) online tests to look out for is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test. I am impressed at how a few (seemingly) random questions can reveal so much about yourself. Of course, we know most of the things such tests tell us, but we may not always be aware of how we can use this knowledge to choose the right career and achieve self-actualisation.

The test puts you in one of several personality types based on 8 character traits: introvert, extrovert, sensing, intuition, thinking, feeling, judging and perception.

Of course, there are many other tests. And of course the MBTI isn't 100 % accurate (some critics completely dismiss it). But it's pretty close. And it's fun!

Are You Meant to Be a CEO or to Run Your Own Show?

Despite summer coming to an end, thousands of graduates and school-leavers are still left wondering where to take their career. Is it worth fighting tooth and nail for that unpaid internship? Or would it be better to work towards setting up your own business like 63% of current undergraduates? May be something in between?

It is a tough decision to make and one which is bound to influence the next few years of your life. But would you believe it if I said that by looking at your personality and skills you can find out what suits you best? Yep that's right! Read on to find out where you fit.

Would you ask someone directly why they are unhappy with you? Are you confident in making decisions based on your intuition? Is it you who always manages to convince your group of friends that it really is a good idea to go out tonight? Yes? Then you are an entrepreneur through and through. You confront situations head-on, are willing to take a risk and believe strongly in your ideas.

Pumped up to start your own business? First, research your industry thoroughly and try to get as much feedback as possible. You may also want to write a business plan and ask a successful entrepreneur to tell you whether it is feasible or how it can be improved. Don't forget to create a strong and professional online presence for yourself and your business idea - you never know who is Googling you!

Not you? Well then do you make important decisions based on your own research of the issue? Do you enjoy meeting new people and sampling the local cuisine when on holiday? Are you often reliant on mutual friends to approach people and make contacts? If this is you then you've got the ability to be your own boss or become a CEO. Perhaps you've got leadership potential but may lack expertise in certain areas.

In this case, the best thing to do would be to work for someone else to gain the necessary skills and knowledge before launching a business. At the same time you could work on your idea outside office hours. Another option to consider is climbing the career ladder - CEOs are great leaders which make important business decisions and reap great rewards without the stress of running their own company.

Don't fit in these two categories? Perhaps you are not a fan of confrontation and prefer lounging with a book on your holiday. Do you find making important decisions stressful and time-consuming? Believe that it's easier to go with the flow rather than convince people to go your way? Don't worry - you are a dream employee! You are secure in your relationships which makes you the perfect colleague. Having control over your working life is key for you which enables you to rise up the ranks.

So what's next? Avoid getting stuck in your current position by establishing clear goals and asking for feedback. If you are not progressing as quickly as you think you should be look for other companies that will reward you for your dedication.

Either way, both - entrepreneurs and CEOs - earn top dollar (think millions) and there is no right or wrong answer. Of course, not everyone is successful. Both career paths involve hard work and sacrifices. But would you rather do something you enjoy or feel miserable for the rest of your working life? No? I didn't think so. May be it is worth a shot to try out something new... something that fits your personality and skills.

Exclusive: A Day Inside a Fashion & Beauty PR Agency

As the name of the post suggests, I don’t usually write much about personal events and experiences, but considering that the purpose of this blog is to share useful information about looking good, feeling good and doing good in all aspects of life, including career development, I thought it will be very selfish not to.

The day was Thursday the 8th of August and the agency - TALK PR. TALK PR is more than a fashion & beauty PR agency. It specialises in fashion, luxury & lifestyle, beauty, grooming & wellbeing, and technology, innovation & play. Basically it’s the dream workplace for someone like me!

Our schedule was packed with presentations and informal chats with team members from all of the above mentioned areas of expertise as well as a special talk from the founder & editor of La Petite Anglaise Ella Catliff and a group brainstorm session where we had to come up with an event idea for the launch of a new Stella McCartney Adidas collection.

Some of the brands TALK PR works with.

There was so much information given out that I had to take in a significant amount of delicious nibbles (provided by TALK of course) to boost my brain power! 

Here are some bits of information and tips from the day which have stuck with me:

• PR is all about relations - your contacts are gold dust.

• Sometimes PR is also about finding a story where there isn’t one.

• In fact PR is about a lot of things - from event and reputation management, to media placements and crisis communications.

• That is why consistency across all communication activities is key.

• PR content has to connect with an audience without adding to the existing noise of the 5000 daily marketing messages people are bombarded with.

Clearly there are no dull moments in fashion & beauty PR. It is a challenging and varied profession which draws many people from a wide range of backgrounds. 

If you want to find out more whether this is the right career for you I would definitely recommend going to a TALK PR Open Day (the next one is on the 31st of October 2013) and reading Sophie Sterling’s post who also attended an open day in 2012.

Career Networking How-To

Recently I read somewhere that you only have 1% chance of securing a job through vacancy adverts (yes, how depressing). However, I also read that you've got more chances of finding a job or at least making it through to the interview stage through networking, i.e. approaching industry insiders and asking for advice about your career area. In my earlier article on career depression, I mentioned networking as an effective tool in the job hunting process. Turns out it is also one of the most crucial tools.

Photo by buddawiggi

Why? Because ensuring your CV gets to the right person in an organisation will definitely increase your chances of being considered for a position. But how do we do that? Here are a few tips on how to get started:

1. Online networking is the easiest way to start. Clean up all of your social media accounts and boost your professional presence on sites like LinkedIn. Then start following companies and industry leaders, share industry-relevant information and ask questions.
2. Family and friends pose another easy option to start off networking. Ask your near and dear if they know anyone in your chosen filed of work and whether they can introduce you to them.
3. Use your university's alumni service to find past students who are now working in companies or industries that you are interested in. Contact them asking for some advice or information on what it is like to work in that company/industry.
4. Another way to network is through work experience and internships. Make sure you collect business cards and add colleagues on LinkedIn or other social media. Keep in touch by sharing useful information and asking about any job opportunities they may have heard about.
5. If possible, join professional associations such as the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, which offer discounted rates for students and can provide access to events and training.
6. When attending any career- or industry-focused events and conferences, make sure you have prepared a couple of questions which are not answered on the company or event website. Approach people with these questions and ask if you could take down their email address.
7. If you are really eager you may wish to considering finding out where industry leaders meet, both online (LinkedIn groups) and offline (events), and ask existing contacts to invite you.
8. When it comes to the actual nitty gritty of holding a conversation break the ice by finding something in common with the person you are trying to approach. You can find out the common 'thing' by asking about the event, whether their company has been put up for an award or if they are the guest of a sponsor.
9. Been in a conversation with someone for too long? Introduce the person you are speaking with to another contact at the event. If that is not an option you can politely end the conversation by exchanging contact details/business cards or by a simple firm handshake and a "good to meet you".
10. Finally, be proactive. Don't sit and wait for people to approach you either online or off. LinkedIn is perhaps one of the easiest ways to establish contact with key decision-makers.

It's time to wrap up this extra-long post. I hope these tips will be useful, however if you have some more tips of your own or any questions feel free to post them in the comments section below.

How to Fight Against Career Depression

As the time for graduation approaches, many university students are starting to feel anxiety, panic and desperation engulf them. It's not the loss of friends, carelessness and ridiculous dress up parties that is the cause of these feelings. No, it's the bleak prospect of finding a job that torments them.

We've all been told how hard it can be to find a well-paid job we love. Yet, this does not make the job hunting process any easier. In fact, more often than not many begin to feel discouraged, if not depressed, after sending tens of CVs and attending as many interviews without securing a job.

But if we want to live 'the good life' (a.k.a. independence and money), we've got no choice but to keep on trying. So here are some tips and ideas how to avoid 'career depression' and keep yourself motivated until you get that dream job.

Image courtesy of winnond at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

• First of all make sure you know who you are and what you want to achieve in life. As spiritual as it may sound to you, it is often the case that many graduates leave university not quite sure what they are passionate about and what path they want to take in life. Investing some time in developing your 'identity capital' will pay off in the future. To make this search more career-oriented begin by asking yourself these questions: What am I good at and how can I use my natural abilities to their greatest effect? What do I really want from a job and what field of work genuinely fires me up? What sort of work environment would work best for me? Would I be happier starting up my own venture, or would I work best connected to an existing organisation? Reading, watching and listening to inspirational stories, such as the Ted Talk I mentioned in another post, can be of great help.

• Once that is out of the way try to set specific goals in your job search process. Figure out the best way to break into your industry of choice, be it (paid) internships, speculative job applications or additional training. Decide when and how often you will apply for jobs. Sometimes quality is better than quantity. Surprise your prospective employer with a hand written cover letter or a short video attached to your email application. Be realistic - applying for jobs takes time, especially if you want to impress, so start with smaller goals, such as applying to two companies this weekend, and increase them gradually.

Image courtesy of pakorn at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

• Of course, sending your CV and cover letter is only half the work. It's easier to secure a job if you have contacts within your preferred sector or company, because they will speed up the selection process by referring you to the right people. Making contacts can be done through networking. We've heard that many times but how do you network exactly? The Guardian says that "It is possible for graduates to find connections everywhere, from university alumni to your cousin's friend's mother." Find out where key people from your industry meet to network - both online and offline (LinkedIn groups are a good place to start). Attend career and industry related events and bring with you basic, but professional-looking business cards. It's the best way to make sure people remember your name and contact details. Browse through your existing contacts and your university's alumni list to see if anyone has connections to your preferred industry or organisation. If you are a shy bird, you can use Twitter to connect with potential employers. A little goes a long way.

• If all else fails, do not despair. Don't underestimate and undervalue yourself. You spent time and money on education and you deserve a decent job. As the job hunting process stretches over time, be creative and look for other ways to fill in your time. If you don't have the luxury to sit in your mama's house and wait for that dream job, try taking up a part time job or looking for work in companies within your chosen industry but not in your preferred department. Rumour has it that starting in admin/reception positions could lead to promotions and opportunities to move to other departments within the company. If you have the time and resources you can also try to come up with a small scale enterprise idea which will bring you some quick cash and loads of business skills.

So there you go. These tips are just a starting point. Each person will have a different approach to things based on their situation and preferences. Remember to keep your head up and keep on trying.

*This blog post was inspired by Grads.co.uk, a brand new, cool and exciting jobs site dedicated solely to graduate and student recruitment.