How to Become a Freelance Writer Who Gets Paid

Image: luigi diamanti / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

People often ask me how I got started as a writer, and how I found my work from home job. Thankfully, I currently write full-time for a trade publication, and I do get to work from my home office. But that hasn't always been the case. Most of the writers that I know -- in journalism, public relations and marketing, at least -- are still required to work in a traditional business setting, in an office. But with the power of high speed Internet connection in homes, and the fact that more … [Read more...]

Manage Your Career Path With These Personal Branding Tips


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Personal branding is for anyone who wants to achieve certain goals in life and in career. Do you want to stand out from the crowd? Advance your career and in your industry? Harness your inner passion and core values to get ahead and stand for something? Gain the respect of those around you? If you answered 'yes' to any one of those questions, then the personal branding process is for you. While there are varying descriptions and definitions for what personal branding is, I personally … [Read more...]

Tweet This! Create an All-Star Brand & Woo More Followers on Twitter

Twitter @careerpioneer

At a time when it seems like everyone and their grandmother is on Twitter, you're probably wondering what types of tweets will help you stand out from the crowd while remaining professional. You're in good company. A couple of career-transition experts have been thinking the same thing. They've distilled the best tips related to business uses of Twitter, into a practical new book entitled Find a Job Through Social Networking (available on Amazon). Career management consultants Diane … [Read more...]

Need a Mental Detox? Plan An Easy Getaway



Used with Permission from StockVault

Dinner needs to be cooked. Doctor's appointments need to be made. Bills need to get paid. The child needs to get picked up from daycare by 5:30 p.m. That assignment needs to be filed by tomorrow afternoon. Your spouse needs your undivided attention. Your toenails are screaming for a pedicure. Your blog hasn't been updated in a week. And the list goes on and on and on. If your to-do list looks anything like mine, then you're probably feeling pretty overwhelmed right about now, or at least … [Read more...]

Kick Your Career Into High Gear with 5 Top Time Management Tips

I have a confession to make: I am the worst when it comes to managing time. That's right. The truth is, I put on a good game face. I look the part. As a result, folks around me think I've got it all together. There's some true to that. But there's a side of me that many people don't know. Come to my house, and open the doors to the secretary desk from which I write and work daily, and you'll find evidence of my lack of time management. Books that I'm currently reading (Nobodies to … [Read more...]

From Temp to Permanent: How to Turn Your Temp Job Into a Full-time Gig

Wendy  Powell, author of Management Experience

by Wendy N. Powell, author of Management Experience Acquired So you got the temp job and you are hopeful that you will be hired as a permanent employee. How do you make yourself so valuable they can’t refuse to hire you? 1.  Research the company very well. Since you are now a relative insider, use your temp gig as an opportunity to learn about what makes the company tick. Study the information on the internet or intranet and review the mission statement and current goals to make sure you … [Read more...]

New Year. New You?


the noticer books

Over the holidays, I had a chance to read the book The Noticer, by New York Times Bestselling Author Andy Andrews. It truly is a moving story. The book is centered on the life of an old drifter named Jones, along with his mysterious encounters and impromptu counseling sessions with a number of residents living in a small Southern beach town. Jones possesses an uncanny -- some might say spooky -- way of looking into the lives of those around him to reveal their weakest link. Some how, some … [Read more...]

How to Get the Most Out of Self-Help Books, Blogs & Other Published Works

Courtesy of Dreamstime

I read a lot of self-help books. By reading them, I always seem to find the practical advice, insight or inspiration I need to get me through a slump. (Check out my Suggested Reading list for recommendations.) It was my collection of self-help books that inspired me during difficult and challenging times at work, through job transitions and career changes. The self-help genre even served as the primary inspiration for my creating The Career Pioneer blog. I had gotten to a point where I … [Read more...]