how to
Learn how to reach career nirvana; Journal is your one stop shop for advice about all things workplace, productivity and job success.
Comments from a Copy Editor: The One Grammar Mistake Everybody Makes
Which one is correct? What I can glean from years of copy editing is that most English-speaking humans believe words get capitalized because they are important. My name, which is “Mike,” is obviously important to me, and thus gets a capital letter. Following that rationale, you would be tempted to pick number one in the above picture as the correct grammar, but it’s not. That’s because “president” is referring to Sandy’s job description. The word “president” would only be capitalized if it was referencing her job title, as it does in this sentence:
By Mike Dineen8 years ago in Journal
Writing the Scene Transition
How can I write a scene transition? A short while ago, an acquaintance of mine, who had been thinking about becoming a writer for several years, finally made an attempt at writing a novel. As usual, I insisted that before attempting a novel it is imperative to practice writing short stories, but to each their own. Right?
By Aaron Dennis8 years ago in Journal
Writing a Great Synopsis
I AM A REBEL BY NATURE, in school, at home, in relationships, at work; my default is usually to find my own modus operandi to success. When I achieve, as I often do (85% of the time) life is lovely, but when I miss, it's a bitterly-hard pill to swallow, but never bitter enough to start overdosing on the unhealthy prescriptions of others. I still Do It My Way; just with a more learned approach. And in some ways, I guess the process of writing my first book has succumbed to the same (de)fault.
By Marcus "Paradise" Dawes8 years ago in Journal
Up Your Confidence Game
We all have a measure of confidence, whether tiny or over grown. How you use it however, is the key. Whether you're facing a job interview, a business pitch, or going on a first date you need to be confident in yourself, and know how to express your confidence appropriately. Why? Because confidence opens doors, and compels people to positively respond to you. It's infectious. Confidence attracts people, resources, opportunities and good fortune your way. So why do some of us display less confidence than others, and what should you do to improve your own self confidence levels?
By Precious Ofoegbu8 years ago in Journal
Let's Talk Passion and If You Have Any
Know that you are unique... We all have been endowed with incredible talents, gifts, and abilities from birth. Our gifts mean that each of us carries on the inside a solution to a particular problem. How amazing is that? You may not think you're something special but you actually are. You have a unique DNA makeup and fingerprint; even the pattern of your iris (the coloured part of your pupil) is not the same as anyone else's. I hope that you're inspired enough after reading this to discover (or rediscover) your passion, and to do something positive about it. So let me start by asking you this: are you doing currently spending the best part of your day doing what you absolutely love? If your answer is yes, well done. From the sounds of it you're already walking in your passion so I don't need to encourage you about that ;) However, if your answer is a no then we should talk...
By Precious Ofoegbu8 years ago in Journal
That Gray Ring Around Your Shirt Collar has Nothing to do with Hygiene!
Did you fall for the same hook, line and sinker growing up that I fell for?Buckle down, get good grades in high school, go to college so you can land a good job and be set for life. At the time it seemed like great advice from people that truly cared, like your parents or a mentor you trust. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure they had your best interest at heart and only wanted you to succeed in life. But here's where the problem starts, there are very few people out there who truly know how to provide career counseling in the 21st Century. If you're like the ten's of thousands of recent college grads who were great listeners and followed this advice, then why are all the coffee shops employed by recent college educated professionals still looking for that dream job?
By Todd Rapel8 years ago in Journal
How & Where to Get Inspiration Working from Home
Staying inspired and motivated to keep working is so important when it comes to working from home — but how exactly can we keep that inspiration and motivation well full? It can be a struggle but there are a variety of ways as to how we can keep inspired.
By Sandra Baker8 years ago in Journal
Important Career Milestones You Should Celebrate
If there's one thing that most people love to do, it's celebrating major life milestones, especially when it comes to growth. There's always a massive birthday party for people turning 21. Weddings and baby showers are all about enjoying that milestone's achievement and celebrating the growth of a family.
By Ossiana Tepfenhart8 years ago in Journal
Being an "Upcoming Artist" in Mzansi
An "upcoming artist" is an artistic individual who has begun their journey of fighting against all impediments to become the successful individual they desire to become within the realms of the creative industry. This article intends to enlighten those who consume the creativity of South Africa's creative industry by focusing on the current state of the South African creative industry, current state of South Africa's upcoming artists, advantages and disadvantages of being an upcoming artist in South Africa, and the challenges that South African upcoming artists face on a day-to-day basis.
By Dumisani Gift Mbatha9 years ago in Journal
