From Teaching to Creative Events

From Teaching to Creative Events Success Story > From: Job To: Portfolio career From Teaching to Creative Events “It was hard, working within a system where we weren't meant to care. I had to get out.” * From Teaching to Creative Events Nicky Chambers loved her job but was frustrated by itsever-increasing bureaucracy. Listening to her intuition, she's now building a portfolio career that feels more in line with her true calling. This is her story so far. What work were you doing previously? My journey hasn't been a straight line. I started off working in film and television as an Art Director, then worked in a more editorial way as a stylist for magazines, and for private clients. I also worked on small creative projects in primary schools (I had three small children at the time). This led me to undertake a PGCE and train as a teacher. As well as teaching (which I loved), I continued to work as a stylist and in events. At the same time as this, along with my partner Guy, we bought a huge site in Peckham near where we live (an old Laundry) and refurbished it into artists' studios and a mixed-use space for events, artists exhibitions, location (filming/photography) services and all things creative , supporting emerging and established artists and being a part of the thriving art scene in Peckham and South East London. I spent my time outside of teaching (along with Guy, who works in architecture and property) setting up the management and developing the space into a cultural hub. I worked with young people through this time, mentoring (in a very informal way) and supporting emerging talent. What are you doing now? I finally left teaching and went into business with my current business partner. We've been working on festivals and events within communities â€" Munch The Peckham Festival was one of them; food, culture and the community came together for a huge, fantastic festival! As well as this, I've nearly finished an MA at King's College, London, in The Cultural and Creative Industries. Through this I've been seconded to work with an alliance of cultural leaders called What Next? I've been working with a very small core team of people on bringing together cultural leaders from the UK, Ireland and Europe in a conversation around the 'value of culture'. What Next? is a movement to articulate and strengthen the role of culture in our society. We want to engage the public in new and different conversations about how and why the arts are important, and become a catalyst for fresh thinking and new policy ideas. I undertook the Clore Leadership Programme a year ago; this has led me to question leadership, mentoring, and the responsibility of the social / cultural sectors to the next generation of leaders. I mentor young people through my work and get involved in many scoping meetings around creating opportunities for young people and communities who wouldn't necessarily have the chances, funding or networks to pursue their chosen paths. I spend a huge amount of my time connecting people. We produce wonderful events and festivals that create 'market-places' for a whole host of fabulous things to take place, working with businesses, performers, artists, traders, communities, local councils and many more. I'm also interested in the notion of journeys and how things can move significantly from one place / space / time to another. Much can happen in the process of moving! I suppose you would call me a Cultural / Social Entrepreneur, but that all sounds a bit unlike me, even though I have several businesses. Why did you change? I left teaching because, sadly, the system could no longer be left at the door, and our wonderful headteacher had retired. As life has gone on, the things that are important to me have become more apparent â€" the ways in which I can effect change and create opportunities for those around me. Experience has taught me to trust those things more and more. When was the moment you decided to make the change? Changes happen organically for me. I rarely make a decision one minute and then act upon it. I do wish I worked in a more strategic way! However, towards the end of my teaching days, I worked under what I would call 'management'. It was very hard being an independent, creative, competent, and hard working individual within a system where we weren't really meant to care and were there to just fulfil a role. This is when I truly stopped caring and started coasting. I knew it was time to get out. Are you happy with the change? I am happy with the change, although it's not over yet. I don't see my journey as linear, but rather as moving from one ship to the next. It's very much a changing landscape, one in which I'm not entirely sure where I'll end up. A lot of the things I do are based upon a galvanisation of experience, people and events. The only thing that is a huge problem, is that the things I do often aren't validated with a financial reward. The festivals we run are wonderful and attended by thousands of people, but they're risky to host and hard to fund. If I could change one thing, I'd be more savvy about the way I monetise what I do, whilst still being able to do it. What do you miss and what don't you miss? I don't miss having to work within an organisation with which I fundamentally disagree. What I do miss is the team. I love working in a non-hierarchical way and believe that everyone has something to bring. I miss the camaraderie of a huge set up where there are always different people to meet and work with. Now, although I meet a lot of people, the team I work with and spend most of my time with is very small. I also fundamentally miss being paid for my time and what I do. This is very much in my value-system. I've grown up with a real work ethic, and a real sense that, especially as a woman, being able to 'stand on one's own two feet' is of massive importance. However, this will come again, and be one kind of validation along with others that I get in my work. How did you go about making the shift? As mentioned above, my journey has been a gradual, organic process I think. There have been some decisions made along the way, but I think meeting people, finding out information, and working out what's important at the time has made me and my situation shift. For example, I knew I was never going to go into teaching forever â€" I wasn't sure what I was going to do afterwards, or how long I was going to teach for, I just knew when it was time to leave. What didn't go well? What 'wrong turns' did you take? I'm not sure it's like that in my case. Everything has always led on from something else. How did you handle your finances to make your change possible? I work with my partner on some of the businesses / projects, so everything we have goes into the one pot! We work on the basis that if there are things that need to be paid for, then we have to find a way to make that happen. I suppose you'd call that entrepreneurial spirit, alongside a heavy dose of risk taking. It's not failed us so far! What was the most difficult thing about changing? Working within a large team and the money side of things. What help did you get? Very little! It was my decision and, apart from my partner's input, it was something I sorted out for myself. What have you learnt in the process? I've learnt that things are not linear; each step is a building block. Everything is a part of the process and can all be important in the journey moving forwards. What do you wish you'd done differently? I think I'd have been more sure of what I wanted to do each time I'd made the move â€" I never seem to know exactly what it is I want to do! I know what I'm passionate about, and that I have the ability to make things better for people. I suppose these are the things that drive me. I do wish I'd found a way to make a fair living before I'd made decisions. What would you advise others to do in the same situation? Coaching and Leadership programmes; networking forums and chatting; being open to people, ideas and experiences; and generally being interested in everything around you! What lessons could you take from Nicky's story to use in your own career change? Let us know in the comments below.

How Do You Use Your Resume Personal Statement During the Hiring Process?

How Do You Use Your Resume Personal Statement During the Hiring Process?The personal statement is often regarded as the first point in the hiring process for new employees. It is also one of the most important factors in determining the decision to hire, thus it must be considered as seriously as the candidate's resume. While this statement is written for all applicants, some cover letters are considered more important than others by the company that is looking to hire a particular individual.Another important factor that is included on a resume is to inform the applicant whether they are willing to relocate. This should not be surprising information for an employer, especially in a service-based or administrative position, as it would be needed every time. However, the needs of a specific position may vary according to company structure and business processes.A letter from a lawyer should be placed on the resume. This will include his or her contact information, and the type of lega l work that he or she has done. The letter should also tell the employer about the types of cases that the lawyer has handled, the amount of experience that the person has, and other useful information. The letter should also include general information on the lawyer's previous career before and after they started practicing law.The contents of the personal statement must be fairly honest. It is usually the case that the employer won't know about a past case or specific experience, if not by name. This is why it is important to be as specific as possible, such as having a very high school education. However, this is not the only criterion.The job description and specific requirements of the company should also be considered. The use of examples that reflect the need for a certain position must be very clear. For example, a resume that indicates that a person has a specific job role will most likely get the job. A resume that is vague will get rejected by the company and may even res ult in the person being fired by the company.Recruiters are generally provided with a lot of resumes and are expected to pick a few that will work out well for the company. In that case, they will go back to these candidates and make a few minor changes in their resumes to make them look appealing and meet the requirements of the company. But sometimes, the changes are necessary, and this is when the resume personal statement is used.The resume, personal statement plays a vital role during the interview at the current stage of the company. It tells the interviewer that the applicant is committed to the company and to the industry, which is important for the interviewing process. Most importantly, it tells the employer what the candidate is looking for in his or her career, and also includes any talents and skills that would contribute to the job.The hiring process does not have to be as difficult as it may seem at first glance. It is simply a matter of preparing an effective resume and good presentation skills. This can be done within a few minutes and it is absolutely free!

5 Paradise Islands to Discover in Europe

5 Paradise Islands to Discover in Europe If you have not decided where to go for your next holiday, why not plan for an island holiday to Europe? Catch some fantastic views, magnificent beaches, and beautiful landmarks in Europe’s renowned islands. Prepare for some cheap holidays by visiting DealChecker to sample some of the most pocket-friendly deals for travel. Below are five famous paradise islands you should consider visiting. Mykonos The island is located at the center of the Cyclades island group and is known for its vibrant nightlife and cosmopolitan atmosphere. There are a handful of amazing things you can do at Mykonos. If you want her beach experience, you can join the beach parties and swim in the exotic beaches of the island. The legendary Mykonos club will keep you partying all night long. Do not miss out on a stroll along the narrow Chora streets, or a view of the sunset from Little Venice. The island of Malta If you have a heart for history, then Malta is the place to be. There are plenty of historic sites, fortresses, temples, halls, burial chambers, and more. The Hypogeum in Paola, is an underground temple, the only one of its kind in the world. It consists of chambers, halls, and passages carved out of rock. For some beach experience, start with the Mellieha Bay. It is the longest and most popular on the island, with attractions such as the St. Agatha’s Tower, and Popeye Village. Mallorca It is said to be one of the best islands in the world and the favorite destination of the royal family of Spain. Its beaches top the list with golden sand beaches, stunning views, and hills towering behind the blue sea. The Le Seu Cathedral is one of her most attractive architectural monuments and one of the highest in the world, reaching a height of 44 meters. Corsica Corsica Island is known worldwide for its rich history, warm climate, picturesque coastline, and stunning mountain peaks. La Maison Bonaparte, which was Napoleon’s ancestral home, is located here. The historical building today serves as a museum where you will find displays of Napoleon’s 18th Century childhood life in France. Her sandy bays are the cleanest in the country, and there are also plenty of sunning spots. There is the Calvi, which is a 5km stretch, and Valinco Gulf beaches, to name a few. The views that the island offers are also one of a kind, from green hilltops and gleaming waters; to mountain chains and an elevate coastline. The Sardinia Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, boasting of a coastline of nearly 2000km, a mountainous interior, hiking trails, and sandy beaches. You can sail around the island and go for boat tours to the bays or nearby islands. Top historic sites on the island include the Ruins of Nora, which was the first city to be established thousands of years ago by the Iberians. The Prehistoric site of Monte d’ Accoddi is the oldest in Sardinia dating back to 4000BC. All that remains is the base of a once existing structure for which the purpose remains unknown. Visit one or more of the five paradise islands above to experience the best of nature, history, and unforgettable experiences.

Top Hacks To Help Your Career Early On Â

Top Hacks To Help Your Career Early On   Landing a job in your dream industry is amazing. Even if you’re on the bottom rung of the ladder, knowing that you can work your way up to where you want to be is very comforting. However, you should be prepared for some difficult moments in the earliest stages of your career. Whether youre an intern, an office junior or another low-level employee doesn’t matter. Making the most of these top tips will ensure that you remain happy in your job. Ultimately, this will have a telling impact as you look to work your way up the ladder at pace. What more incentive could you need? Earn Money Elsewhere Arguably the worst thing about starting a new career in a low-level job is the pay. If you’ve only just finished education, any salary feels great. But if you’ve made a sideways step to follow your passion, the reduced funds can have a damning impact. Removing that strain with smart investments is the perfect solution. The most difficult challenging is finding an opportunity that is worth putting your money into. That’s why it’s important to follow the news by tracking items like FB stock after hours. If you get this money-making opportunity right, it will allow you to gain more enjoyment from your job. Don’t Be Pushed Around As the newbie, there’s always a chance that some members of the team will give you a hard time. You might have to bite your tongue with certain things, but you do not have to accept bullying in the workplace. Apart from anything else, this will help build a better atmosphere in the work arena. This will naturally boost your productivity. So if you want to get on in your career, it’s vital that you treat this task seriously. Besides, nobody likes feeling under pressure. Be Intuitive Climbing the slippery business ladder isn’t always easy. To achieve your goals in the company, showing your initiative should be compulsory at all times. This is the only way that you’ll create opportunities for yourself while it underlines your passion to the employer too. Don’t be afraid to ask for tutoring. Try to be receptive to staff training and sign yourself up for any extracurricular activities that may boost your profile and skill set. After all, if you aren’t willing to invest in your future, then who will be? Get Organised Starting any new job can be daunting. It comes with plenty of pressure, and the sheer volume of new information can quickly scramble your brain. However, this needn’t be a problem. There are plenty of smartphone Apps to help you organise your work life. Making the most of those facilities will give you a healthy boost The biggest focus should be your schedule. Time is money in business. If you can squeeze more into the working day, then your efforts will be noticed. Not only will this benefit you now, but it could help you reach the next level in a far quicker time too. Perfect. Image Source; Image Source

5 Ways To Pump Up Your Career Muscle - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

5 Ways To Pump Up Your Career Muscle - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Your career is organic. It is a living, virtually breathing organism that needs to be nourished and exercised. Without attentive, continual care, you cannot expect your career heartbeat to remain vibrant and strong. To prevent career malnourishment, consider applying these five activities to your daily routine: 1. Stop Weighing Down Conversations. Too many people, especially early in their career or in the throes of transition, want to be open to all opportunities and are unwilling to ‘limit’ their options. Therefore, they weigh down career conversations with non-nutritional messages that lead to flabby results. Forget that. Reign in your fear, and get absolutely focused on what you want and where you fit. Then, lean up your communications with well-honed, sharp content that lifts your career advancement to new levels. 2. Build Up a Value Proposition. This means, you must take the time to do the heavy intellectual lifting. Perform extensive introspectionâ€"in writingâ€"as to what your unique areas of value are and weave these into your resume, online profiles, emails, texts and networking orations, among other venues. Ensure you are intimately digesting your own value and that it pulsates throughout your career bloodstream. This will make the natural articulation of who you are, and why you are different from the next great candidate, possible. 3. Quit Being a Lightweight: Yes, you know who you are. You’re the one who takes the easy way out and copies your friend’s resume, thinking it really doesn’t matter anyway. It’s ‘just’ a resume, and you’ll tweak a few ‘responsibilities for’ and voila, you can move onto the next step, copying/pasting the resume into 50 job boards. Quit doing that. A strategic resume is like a personal training program, designed uniquely, from scratch, for you. It recognizes your weaknesses, and more importantly, your strengths, and builds upon those. It requires you implement a career design regimen that adds muscle to your word tissues and eliminates the fat. You create a strapping message that represents the strongest you. 4. Stop Crash Career Dieting. Too many times, people wait until they are fired, downsized or simply at their wit’s end with a current job to worry about career relationship nourishing. Do not wait until you are so famished and short on time (and money) to fuel up. The energy that may help bridge your transition to the next gig must be replenished regularly. The problem with crash career searching is that while initial results may feign the attributes of success, they usually are not sustainable. Real career health is something that you must tend to day in and day out. 5. Select a Few Relationships to Feed You. While the advent of Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google Plus and Pinterest has had many peoples’ heads spinning, and palates tempted to taste-test a bit of everything, be careful. Before you know it, your career conversation plate is so full, you don’t even enjoy or gain value from any one relationship. Most importantly, the value you are able to offer others is exponentially diminished every time you try to balance a new relationship atop an already very full career conversation plate. Limit your intake, and  concentrate on the meaningful, fueling relationships to create a more nutritious result! Author: Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter is a Glassdoor career and workplace expert, chief career writer and partner with CareerTrend, and is one of only 28 Master Resume Writers (MRW) globally. An intuitive researcher, she helps professionals unearth compelling career story details to help best present their unique experience, skillset and interests in resumes and other career positioning documents as well as through social media profiles. In addition to being interviewed for television and radio stories, Jacqui has written for the Career Management Alliance Connection monthly newsletter and blog, ExecuNet’s Career Smart Advisor, The Kansas City Star, The Business Journal and The Wall Street Journal. In addition, she and her husband, “Sailor Rob,” host a lively careers-focused blog over at http://careertrend.net/blog. Jacqui also is a power Twitter user listed on several Best People to Follow” lists for job seekers.

What You Need to Know About Your Employment Rights CareerMetis.com

What You Need to Know About Your Employment Rights â€" CareerMetis.com Photo Credit -pexels.comEmployment law or as it’s otherwise known, labor law, is a set of rights that workers and employers must adhere to. Although they do include protection for employers, their main aim is helping to keep workers safe and treated fairly.Together with employment law, other rules may also be written into an individual’s contract if they have one. The basic employment law is made under Federal Law with each state can add additional protection if they wish.‘At-Will’ PresumptionThere is a presumption in many states that employment relationships are at will. This means that both the employer and worker are free to terminate their relationship at any time. This is mainly the case with jobs that don’t have the added clauses of a contract.evalHowever, there are exceptions that protect employees from certain bad practices. For example, there is protection from discrimination, whistleblowing, or by having a compensation claim. There are also other exceptions that a court can use if it’s needed.ContractsIt can be very easy to simply sign a contract of employment without reading it fully. However, it is always important to do so for your own protection. If there were a problem, it would be difficult to resolve if there was a stipulation in your contract that you hadn’t read. This is apart from certain exceptions such as those for the ‘at will’ presumption.Your rights as a worker will also be set out in your contract, so this also needs to be checked to make sure you are getting a fair deal.One area that has become the subject of much discussion is social media. Some employers are now adding clauses in workers’ contracts regarding the use of social media. Many are prohibiting its use while in work hours, but some companies are becoming concerned with workers’ posts outside work.For example, someone who posts inappropriate material that the company feels is bad for their image may be subject to termination of their contract.Legal Help If you are dismissed and you feel it is unfair, you can engage an employment lawyer on your behalf. They will take a look at your contract if you have one, and decide on the best course of action. It must be noted, however, that you may not have a case for unfair dismissal if you have broken the terms of a contract.If you decide to hire employment lawyers, you need to make sure that they have the training to deal with your specific problem. Some lawyers specialize in a particular aspect of employment law such as sexual harassment or occupational health and safety. Finding the right lawyer may improve your chances of success.evalEmployment law covers many areas and has multiple layers. There is no harm in trying to understand your rights as an employee and using them if you are being treated unfairly. However, maintaining open and honest communication between you and your employer could solve many problems.

5 Tips to Ensuring Your Resume Produces Top Results - CareerAlley

5 Tips to Ensuring Your Resume Produces Top Results - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. By Teena Rose, a highly endorsed, highly referred resume writer with Resume to Referral. You can reach her at (937) 325-2149 or via her website. Teena provides daily job alerts which many of her clients love! Also, act quickly to get a free copy of her book, Get Job Leads Fast Using Twitter A professionally written resume is an important component to any job search. The overall effectiveness of the document however depends on certain variables; such as how/how often the resume is used, the types of marketing/submission strategies, and the continued relevance of the resumes content. Concentrating on these important aspects (and others) ensures the resume will produce the all-important interviews that we strive for. You see the resume one way, but hiring managers see it differently. 1. Use your resume as it is geared not how you see it. You see the resume one way, but hiring managers see it differently. Its true. You quickly spot all the things that match the hiring companys job requirements, but all too often, hiring managers painstakingly look for those skills that you see so easily. For example, think about an experienced purchasing agent. Hiring managers will only see purchasing skills in the resume, unless the proper steps have been taken to gear the resume appropriately. Crossing over into another career is doable, but certainly a move that requires preparation from you and definitely for the resume as well. 2. Persistent actions, not blind submission. Taking a persistent and consistent approach to submitting your resume is one aspect of job search that few jobseekers take seriously not necessarily because of the inability to be assertive, but rather due to the large task at hand. Job searching can be exhaustive, and individuals tend to lose initiative after receiving any degree of rejection. Submitting one or two resumes every day or so allows the jobseeker to remain active in their search, yet allow enough time to focus on other aspects of their lives. Job searching can be exhaustive, and individuals tend to lose initiative after receiving any degree of rejection. Need tips for focusing your job-search efforts? Start by building a list of industry-specific employers that best match your skill set and current career focus. Avoid applying to anyone and everyone what some might call a spitball approach. Create a new list each week, submit your resume and introduction cover letter accordingly, and follow-up with each at some point over the next 5-8 business days to ensure receipt of your submission. By conducting follow-up, you put yourself on the phone with a company rep, which also enables you to answer any questions they may have about your skill set, resume, or whatever. 3. Add an eye-catching, action-provoking introduction to your resume. Marketing professionals will tell you that the best marketing material has a hook: something that will make the reader take action. Relative to job searching, a hook should cause the reader to call for an interview, or possibly discuss your candidacy further with a colleague. There is no clear definition of what a hook actually can or cannot be, but it should answer two or more of the following: (a) How is this candidate different from the others applying? (b) Does this candidates resume clearly outline and focus upon the companys requirements, rather than cloud this information with irrelevant content? (c) Does this candidate possess the educational requirements specified? (d) Does the candidate possess the minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities to satisfy the companys short- and long-term goals? 4. Your resume should be a key. Envision each available position as a door lock, and your resume as the key that allows you passage. The resume should be a certain shape and size for the first lock, but require modification or a completely new design for the next. No surprise, job roles vary from one company to the next, and are rarely identical. Some require a straightforward set of job duties, while other companies need their employees to wear many hats. Take a secretary, for example. The job responsibilities for a secretary vary tremendously. Modifying the top section of the resume is generally the only upkeep required to ensure the resume continuously fits the lock of the door youre trying to enter. Yet other modifications, such as rearrangement of categories/headers, replacing certain keywords or key phrases, and the restructuring of employment details, may be some of the additional changes that are needed. The idea is to continuously customize the resume to fit the employers point of entry. 5. Present your resume to your network both online and offline. Networking is still the tried-and-true king relevant to an effective job-search campaign. Today, however, job seekers are taking their campaigns online due to the ease of researching hiring companies, locating job openings using only 2 or 3 keywords in their favorite search engine, and resume submission. spitballing your efforts has proven time and time again to be a huge waste of time. Although establishing and building an online network can be time-consuming, spitballing your efforts has proven time and time again to be a huge waste of time. Experts believe jobseekers that dont leverage their networks ultimately spend extra time, effort, and resources to produce the same results that come from networking. Taking a serious approach to your job search campaign is mandatory to securing a favorable return from the resume. Avoiding some of the largest pitfalls that many job seekers fall into, will enable you to conduct a strategic and effective campaign thats designed to get a job in the least amount of time. This is a Guest post. If you would like to submit a guest post to CareerAlley, please follow these guest post guidelines. Good luck in your search. Joey Trebif

The Power of Gratitude in Your Career - Career Advice Blog for Millennials

The Power of Gratitude in Your Career - Career Advice Blog for Millennials Thanksgiving is here, and even though it may be laden with awkward conversation starters from relatives at the dinner table, it’s also a time to reflect on everything you’re grateful for. However, in the chaos of holiday preparations as well as the general bustle of our busy lives, the underlying theme of Thanksgiving â€" gratitude â€" can still get forgotten. If gratitude is missing from your daily routine, Thanksgiving is the perfect time to show your family members, friends and co-workers how much you appreciate all they do. Not only does a nice gesture make you and the other person feel good, but it also has many benefits you may never have thought of. Gratitude Improves Your Health That’s right. Gratitude might be the key to your health issues. Gratitude has been proven to improve people’s health, and there are many studies to illustrate this claim. One study done at the University of Connecticut found that a group of people who showed gratitude reported less health problems and a lower risk of heart attack than the group of people who didn’t show gratitude. Everyday stress that comes with life can be minimized when you are thankful for what you have; a little gratitude can help even big problems seem a little more manageable. Get Better Sleep Do you spend half of the night tossing and turning in your bed? Perhaps a little gratitude before you doze off can help you get better sleep. It’s been proven that both sleep quality and length improve among individuals who had positive cognition â€" thoughts of gratitude and thankfulness â€" before going to bed. Good things do happen every day. It just can be difficult to take notice of them when your mind is usually occupied with the stresses of work or your social life. Take a few minutes each night to reflect on the positive things that took place that day, and you will see an improvement in how well you sleep. Boosts Your Happiness You can become a much happier person when you let gratitude into your life. There are many ways gratitude can make you happier â€" so the studies say. In one study, a group of people wrote down what they were grateful for each day for ten weeks. At the end of the exercise, they reported feeling more positive and more content with their lives. Gratitude can help boost your self-esteem and improve your well-being because acknowledging what you do have instead of what you don’t breeds positivity. Those positive emotions eventually spill over into all areas of your life. Gratitude can also improve your relationships with other people. There is no better way to get closer to someone than to tell them how much you appreciate them. This can be helpful when trying to improve your personal relationships, as well as those in the workplace. Demonstrating Gratitude in the Workplace Gratitude goes a long way, no matter where you are. Here are some ways to show gratitude to your co-workers: Talk to that person. This might seem so simple, and that’s because it is. In today’s modern technological world full of texting and email, we rarely speak face-to-face with people â€" unless you count something like Skype or FaceTime. While these digital methods of communication are very convenient, nothing beats the social interaction of actually physically talking to someone in person. Thanksgiving is an ideal time to pull someone aside and tell them much you appreciate their work. You don’t have to give a twenty-minute speech to show your appreciation, either. People in the workplace sometimes aren’t sure if their work is useful to the company, so giving them a quick compliment can go a long way in your relationship with that person. Write a handwritten letter. A handwritten letter does wonders for showing gratitude. A letter is something tangible that someone can keep and look back on when they’re having a bad day. There is something special about receiving a physical note that is personalized to you. Just the concept of you writing the letter lets the other person know you appreciate them because otherwise you wouldn’t have taken the time to do it. When you go this route, be sure the note is handwritten. Typing may convey what you’re wanting to say, but a typed letter often doesn’t have the impact a handwritten note does. Tell your boss. If a co-worker helped you out with something, let your boss know about it. Don’t make a big scene and announce this person’s good deeds in a meeting. You could embarrass the person by putting them on the spot, and it might seem like you want attention for pointing out what this person did. The most gracious thing that you can do is to be humble. Go to your boss and let them know what the other person has done for you. Your boss may also provide kudos to that person and perhaps share what you said about their accomplishment. Do something thoughtful. While everything so far are thoughtful actions, sometimes you can go the extra mile to show your appreciation. Maybe there is something special one of your co-workers enjoys. Perhaps there is a common interest you share and discuss with them. A small gift related to these things can improve your relationship. It’ll show them you listen to them and care about their interests.   Gratitude isn’t just for Thanksgiving â€" use it to fuel your career today and every day!   Happy Thanksgiving!!