5 Property Buying Mistakes Millennials Make How To Fix Them

5 Property Buying Mistakes Millennials Make How To Fix Them Home career 5 Property Buying Mistakes Millennials Makecareer5 Property Buying Mistakes Millennials MakeBy Amit Kumar - February 7, 201715740Facebook Pinterest WhatsApp Millennials. Generation X -The generation between 18 and 35; the young experts, flooding the workforce. They’ve cut back on KFC, taken up a job and borrowed money from mommy and daddy, in order to buy that phone which comes with a sky-high price or the car they wanted to show off. Now, this demographic has also inundated the real estate market as well. But, of any demographic, millennials have the weakest sense of financial   literacy and reported very low levels of economic satisfaction, according to a study by the ‘Global financial Literacy Excellence center’.Buying a home is a major purchase, and there are plenty of ways to trip up. But don’t worryâ€"we’ve got a quick fix right here.1)  Don’t buy a house if you’re planning to move again soon Contents hide 1 1) Don’t buy a house if you’re pla nning to move again soon 2 2) Not Getting Pre-Approved 3 3) Mixing up online calculations with reality 4 4) Thinking the amount a bank will lend you is what you can afford 5 5) Don’t skip the inspection Right Swipe?If you’re a renter, it can be frustrating to write that rent check every month and have no home equity to show for it at the end of the year. But if you aren’t certain that you’re going to stay put for a few years, it’s probably not the right time to buyâ€"equity or no equity. Some people tend to buy a house knowing that they’re going to be relocating after a few years.What to do:  If you aren’t in an area with a strong rental market that would allow you to cover the mortgage on your home if you move elsewhere, then stick with a rental for now.2) Not Getting Pre-ApprovedBuying a home should never start with searching for listings online. If you’re serious about buying, start by meeting with a lender. Although that seems backwards to many first-time homebuyers (“Why would I talk to someone about getting money for a home I haven’t found yet?!”) it’s going to help you in the long run.When you get pre-approved for a mortgage, it means you have met with a lender and showed them your credit report, debt, income, and assets in order to provide a picture of your finances. With that information, they will draft a pre-approval letter â€" something that tells you how much money you’re potentially qualified for, but isn’t a guarantee of money. Realtors look for a pre-approval letter when working with you because it shows you’ve done your homework and you know your price range.Smooth..What to do:   Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Not only will this prove that you’re serious to your realtor and to home sellers, but it will also give you an idea of your upper limit. Remember that the lender is there to make you a loan, and the more money you borrow, the better it is for them.3) Mixing up online calculations with realityPhew !!Millennials will not know what true heartbreak feels like until they bid on their dream home, only to have the offer fall through in financing. Do not be fooled by putting all your trust in online calculators to tell you how much you can afford. These are merely a guide but do not account for things like your credit score, which can affect your  mortgage  rate.What to do:    Go to a bank and go to a lender. Find out what you will be approved for exactly and make sure to check your credit score.4) Thinking the amount a bank will lend you is what you can affordRemember the queues?!Up until now you’ve had a phone bill, an electricity bill and some student loans. When you buy a property you may wrongly assume that you’re only adding a single extra bill â€" the  mortgage, to that list of monthly payments. The truth is there are many costs that lenders don’t factor in when calculating what you can comfortably afford.What to do:  You should not focus on how much you’re able to b orrow, but rather on how much you should borrow. There is a big difference. Add up all your current living expenses, plus the extra expenses associated with home-ownership that you can think of, then tack on at least 5% to 10% of your monthly income for savings. Circle that number in red, because that’s what you really can afford.5) Don’t skip the inspectionEven if the home looks like it’s in winning shape, it would be foolish to skip a thorough once-over by a professional. People tend to think that the inspection and the appraisal are the same thing, which is not the case! An expert should be there to spot the things you don’t know to look for, like if the chimney is in great shape or whether those little cracks in the foundation are a big deal. He’ll look for signs of water damage and check the insulation in the attic. If there are conditions that will need repair, you may be able to negotiate with the seller to drop the price. In other words, the inspection is worth eve ry penny.What to do:  Get recommendations from your realtor or friends who’ve bought in the area, and have a professional inspection done before you close on the house.There you have it, five errors you could currently combat as you purchase a home for the very first time. Use these tips to guarantee your home-buying encounter goes as efficiently as possible!TAGSProperty

How to Write a Self Employed Resume

How to Write a Self Employed ResumeAre you still getting sleepless nights over your resume? Even if you have been using resumes for several years, do you still feel that you are missing some kind of step in the process that would make it easier for you to become hired? Are you still reluctant to go to the office when they make an offer on a job?Writing a resume is never easy. It may be even more difficult for you if you are a self-employed individual. You will have to work extra hard on this one to make sure that your resume looks professional and accurate.If you want to get through this process with flying colors, then it will take some writing. Whether you want to write it yourself or hire someone to do it for you, it is definitely worth the effort to practice.You will also have to consider what kind of information you will want on your resume. Some people prefer to give only a little bit of information, while others might want to include more. There are many places on the Internet where you can find information on what kind of information you should be looking for. It may be hard to remember, but your resume is your first impression of you, so it should be something that the employer can truly use.You should also consider the length of the resume. A lot of employers and recruiters are going to be turned off by a lengthy resume, so you should try to keep it to one page long and avoid too many bullet points, unless you are going to be selling a service or product that is specific to a niche market.A lot of people who write resumes are using templates, but that is not always the case. In fact, if you really want to avoid a template, you will probably be better off if you wrote your own. Creating your own resume can help you feel more creative, which will benefit you when applying for a job.It is also a good idea to include a cover letter. Many self employed individuals put this at the very bottom of their resume, but it should be included throughout. This lette r is designed to 'sell' the employer on you as a person who can fill the vacancy. It is also a way to let the employer know that you are serious about getting a job and have been thinking about this for a while.One thing you need to keep in mind is that you should be totally honest in your resume. You should be ready to answer any questions the employer asks about your job experience, training, previous positions, and any other relevant information.

MBA for Entrepreneurs Can an MBA help you start a successful business

MBA for Entrepreneurs Can an MBA help you start a successful business Have you ever wondered if getting an MBA could help you start your own business? By pursuing an MBA, you learn a little of everything about running a business. Often entrepreneurs are so focused on one thing that they have blinders when it comes to certain areas of owning a business. Research has shown that the failure rate for small businesses started by MBAs is about 50% less than the standard failure rate. As part of my MBA degree, I have taken a variety of classes and now feel fully equipped to start my own business. So, if you are looking to give your business the very best chance at success, there are benefits to getting an MBA for entrepreneurs. 10 Benefits to Getting an MBA for Entrepreneurs: 1. An MBA increases your network. You will meet potential customers, business partners and friends that will last a lifetime. If you specialize in finance, you can find a marketing expert in your class and you can also get plugged into a network of alumni working at a wide range of companies around the country. 2. An MBA provides you with the knowledge of marketing strategy that will help you understand your customers and competitors. This can give you an advantage over your competition and will enable you to better price, promote, and distribute goods and services that will satisfy your customer’s needs. 3. An MBA will help you learn how to find an unmet need in the market and determine the viability of business concept by evaluating major risks through market research. Many schools even offer opportunities to present your idea to potential investors at Entrepreneur Challenge competitions. 4. An MBA offers you the opportunity to become a better manager by learning how to manage different types of personalities and how to motivate your employees. Classes are offered in organizational behavior and human resource management with lessons on how to create a high-performing workplace. [Related Post:  Going Back To Grad School? 5 Must Read Tips For Your Significant Other] 5. An MBA teaches you how to write a business plan that will convince people to invest in your business idea. 6. An MBA teaches you about the legal environment for a new business. It can help you effectively manage intellectual property and decide what business structure is best for your new business. 7. An MBA challenges you to stay organized and learn how to multi-task. Going to grad school while starting a new business venture may be one of the hardest things you have ever had to do. You learn how to set a schedule, prioritize and meet deadlines. It is important to learn this in business school because your future customers will not be happy if they receive a product late. 8. An MBA makes you a proficient user of accounting and finance information by giving you the skill of interpreting, understanding and using basic financial statements. You will also learn how to acquire venture capital and how to launch an IPO. [Related Post:  5 Reasons Why You Should Get an MBA] 9. An MBA allows you to ask questions and learn from guest speakers. Speakers at my school have included CEOs, entrepreneurs, executives and venture capitalists. Other perks of an MBA degree is a mentor program that offers one on one coaching and leadership development advice. 10. Most importantly, an MBA for entrepreneurs will help you learn how to communicate effectively. You might have a great business idea but if you are not able to get your message across, that great idea will go nowhere. Learn how to influence desired outcomes through presentations that are confident, well-delivered, and sincere. I hope this information has helped you see the benefits an MBA can provide to an entrepreneur. It may be tough, but I encourage you to take the leap because it can make a huge difference for the future of your business.

Reflections and Resolutions

Reflections and Resolutions Happy New Year! Is it just me or was 2012 an especially fast year? 2013 just kind of snuck up on us, didn’t it? Although resolutions have become kind of cliché, I must admit that I love the psychology that comes with a new year â€" I am a sucker for feeling like I get a fresh start every 365 days. Sure, you can make a fresh start every day and you probably should, but there’s something extra about a brand new year. Or maybe once again, it’s just me, and even if it is, well, I like it! How do you feel about getting this psychological fresh start every 365? I believe the best way to truly take advantage of the psychology that a new year brings is to reflect on the past year and resolve as many unsettled questions, emotions, and feelings as possible; tie as many loose ends as you can. And if despite your efforts, there are still things that linger, well, sometimes it’s best not to attempt to fix a broken vase; sometimes you just have to throw that vase away and move on, if you know what I mean. Looking back, 2012 was a tough year. I was on the phone with a close friend on Tuesday and as we reflected on the year, I admitted that it was one of the hardest years  Ive  had. Of the year, I said, “I have never cried as much as I cried in 2012.” There were so many ups and downs, so many failures, and so many uncertainties. But the end-result was a stronger, wiser, and more empowered person; a person who has learned first-hand that things may fall apart so that greater things can come together, and that God’s plans are always better than mine â€" a lesson I’ll always be re-learning I’m sure.  Still, that’s all the inspiration I need to take 2013 by storm. This week  Ive  been spending some time thinking about some of the things I actually want to do this year as well as who I want to become. I think goals are important, but goals without plans as they say, are just wishes. And that’s the thing about resolutions â€" too often we don’t make goals, we make wishes. So this year, I’m making resolutions that have plans and strategy. To share a few: I want to be more disciplined with money, eating habits, and sleeping habits. So I’m resolving to have a bed time during the work week, depending on the workload of my week of course. I’ll be using more cash this year because psychologically that makes me spend less money, and I’ll have a bi-weekly budget to follow. I will also make an effort to cook dinner four times a week. See the difference between a wish and a resolution? I wish to be more disciplined in my eating, sleeping, and finances. The resolution is the strategy that I have devised to accomplish the wish. I have other things I intend to do, as I’m sure you do and I think goal-setting monthly and reviewing the resolutions throughout the year will help too. I believe resolutions are important because having something to work towards, something to be inspired by, finding and defining a purpose is a gift we can give to ourselves at the beginning of the year and throughout the year. Because if we’re not growing each year and learning and becoming better versions of ourselves, then we’re probably taking life for granted and not giving it the best  weve  got. So what are your reflections and resolutions this year? And have you thought about how you’re going to keep yourself accountable and keep on track? Share some good tips if you have any! Ms. Career Girls newest columnist,Vivian Ta, gave us a few tips yesterday, so be sure to check some of those out. One last piece of corny advice for you this year: Don’t be afraid to resolute BIG. Because as Steve Jobs said, “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones that do.”

Why You Should Hire a Resume Writer For Your Job Search

Why You Should Hire a Resume Writer For Your Job SearchIf you want to make your job search a success, the best thing that you can do is hire a resume writer to write for you. A good resume writer will be able to write an impressive job application that will get you interviews quickly and efficiently.First, you should research resumes by reading resumes that are similar to yours. Write down the one or two qualities that you liked in the job opening, and take note of any differences in your resume. Then, compare the two resumes for similarities and differences to come up with the one that you think will best fit your needs.When you hire a resume writer, he or she will work with you to prepare a unique and professional resume. Once you have a rough draft of your resume, the writer will take it through several revisions to remove mistakes, add information, and make sure it is grammatically correct. The writer can also provide suggestions on how to improve your resume.You will learn a lot of new information about job openings that are similar to yours. This will allow you to narrow down your search to what you need to find the best fit for your particular skills and job profile. You will also be in a better position to figure out whether your own resume is ready for submission, and if not, how to make it better.Once you get your resume prepared, you will be able to send it out to employers that have invited you to apply. You can send the resume yourself, or send it to them by way of an employment agent. Either way, make sure you include all of the information needed to receive a call back from the hiring manager.An employment agent can send your resume directly to the hiring manager who has been assigned to your company. This can result in an offer being sent out to you within a few days. If this does not happen, it is likely that you missed the deadline for submitting your resume.A resume can take on a life of its own once it is in the hands of the hiring manager. He or she will begin to think of ways to improve the qualities that you were lacking in your resume. If you need a little time to think, then it may be best to hire a resume writer as soon as possible.Hiring a resume writer will free you up to concentrate on your own job search. You will also be able to get back to doing the things that are most important to you and that will help you reach your goals.

LinkedIn Groups and Personal Branding Showcase Your Subject Matter Expertise - Executive Career Brandâ„¢

Groups and Personal Branding Showcase Your Subject Matter Expertise One of the ways adds value to overall career management and job search is that, when leveraged to full advantage, it can help keep you and your executive brand top of mind with your network. To help you land faster, your network on should include recruiters and hiring decision makers at your target companies, and others who can help you reach your career goals. Steady, gentle reminders of the value you offer can position you as a potential good-fit for your target companies. I suggested the following strategy to a client who wished he had time to blog â€" a time-consuming commitment that was not realistic for him. This tip can have similar impact, but takes much less time. How to Use Groups to Position Yourself as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) ?  Choose Groups that are open to public search, so your activity will be visible to all search engines. ?  Regularly (say, at least once a week) start discussions by sharing relevant blog posts and articles. Pull these from the sites you subscribe to or from your Google Alerts. ?  Add a few brief thoughts of your own that reinforce your SME. ?  Also, add SME-reinforcing comments to existing discussions. Hopefully, you’ll generate interest and Group members will jump into the conversation, prolonging your opportunity to position your SME with your follow-up comments. How to Find the Right Groups ?  Go to the search field at the top of your profile and, in the drop-down menu, click on “Groups”. Enter relevant keywords. ?  Go to the profiles of competitors, colleagues, and people whos radar you want to get on. Look for the Groups they belong to and join them yourself. Of course, if you’re in a confidential job search, be very careful not to post anything to Groups (or anywhere else online) that will “out” your search. Related posts: How to Use the New for Executive Personal Branding Personal Branding Really Matters in Executive Hiring The Biggest Executive Job Search and Personal Branding Mistake photo by Coletivo Mambembe 00 0

Front page material - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Front page material - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Yesterday one of Denmarks leading newspapers had me on the front page: No, not the article about how ankle monitors keep convicts from falling back into crime the one about how some people waste a lot of time at work complaining :o) I had a great time last week talking to journalist Susanne Svendsen about happiness at work and how to take responsibility for your own work life. Susanne wrote a great article based on our conversation .you can read the whole thing here (in Danish). After the article came out, I was invited onto several TV and radio shows, including the national Good Morning Denmark where I appeared this morning together with Alfred Josefsen, the CEO of supermarket chain Irma which is Denmarks happiest large workplace. You can see the entire segment here (also in Danish). Click on Tuesday August 7th, then click on the segment marked Arbejdsgl?de. Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

How to ask for LinkedIn recommendations -

How to ask for LinkedIn recommendations - Youve probably seen it on LinkedIn 6 people have recommended Bill, or 16 people have recommended Sue. Having at   recommendations on LinkedIn will help people recognize your strengths. There are a few best practices when it comes to asking for recommendations on LinkedIn: It is not not necessarily better to have a lot of endorsements. You dont need 58 recommendations. In fact, some people say that they are suspicious when people have what they consider excessive numbers of endorsements. I was once conducting a workshop, and a participant found a colleague who had a lot of recommendations I cant remember exactly how many, but a lot! She said, Wow, thats impressive. Upon further investigation, each recommendation was reciprocal that is, she had endorsed everyone who endorsed her. All of the sudden, it seemed less impressive. Which leads us to Be sure not all of your recommendations are you endorse me and Ill endorse you. Its easy to ask for a recommendation on LinkedIn. (Maybe a little too easy!) All you need to do is click through to Privacy and Settings and under the Profile tab, click Manage Your Recommendations.  Click Ask for Recommendations on the top toolbar. Then, you can choose the job you want a recommendation for and select people to ask for the endorsement. Here are some tips to get the best recommendations possible: NEVER ask more than one person per message. Each recommendation request should be personalized and specific to the endorser. Recognize the most people have no idea what to say and can use some guidance. It is your job to help steer your recommenders along the right path. For example: I am updating my LinkedIn profile, and Id be honored if you would write a recommendation for me. While I am not currently looking for a job, the skills most important in my field include:   customer service/communication abilities, being self-directed and deadline-driven, as well as paying attention to details and having an inquisitive nature. I hope you will be able to comment on any of those in your note. I have an updated LinkedIn profile if youd like to review it. If you need help updating your LinkedIn profile, contact me! Providing information that helps your colleague or former supervisor know what you want him or her to say goes a long way to ensuring a) he or she actually writes out a reply and b) the recommendation has information that is actually useful to you. Its up to you to steer your career and job search related information. Follow these links for additional information about asking for recommendations: Be sure to vet your references. 10 tips to land the best work references Keep in touch with job references. Prepare your references for job search success. photo by .michael.newman.