Hello loves! It's been a complete whirlwind of amazing things around these parts! Between my latest Lifehack article going live, my YouTube channel tripling in subscribers, blog coaching clients, creating my life coaching structure and getting ranked as one of the 20 Must Read Career Blogs for the Young Job Seeker by Under 30 Careers I've been celebrating for a week!

But wait - it gets better!  On Friday January 11th I was asked to be on a HuffPost Live panel to talk about millenials, boomerang kids and the economy! Several of you watched LIVE and showed some serious love! You guys really came out to support us against the typical millenial bashing that usually occurs in the media. YOU GUYS ROCK! Check out some of the awesome comments below:

You can watch the entire segment by clicking the image below. Or click here.

Tweetable:

NeuYear Calendar Giveaway

Okay guys, and now for the second part of this post. I want to give a HUGE shoutout to NeuYear for sending me over a FABULOUS calendar! Those of you who are on the Email Insider list already know how in love I am with these calendars - and a couple of you have even purchased one! But for those of you who don't know, the guys over at NeuYear created these beautiful 2013 calendars that let you see the entire year, allow you to track your goals, allow you to give yourself weekly ratings and are design friendly!

In celebration of a New Year and an awesome week, the guys at NeuYear sent me an EXTRA calendar to give away on the blog! Just use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

30% Discount on NeuYear Calendars for Email Subscribers

If you can't wait for a raffle then make sure to subscribe to the Grad Meets World email list! NeuYear has created an exclusive 30% discount code just for GMW subscribers! Just sign up at the bottom of this post and you'll instantly get your 30% discount code.  Here's to a fabulous New Year!

Amanda Abella

Amanda Abella is a Gen Y blogger, freelance writer and life coach that has been featured in online publications such as Forbes and The Consumerist. Her blog was also named one of the 100 Blogs You Need in Your Life by Leaving Work Behind. Her experience working in career consulting, her adventures in entrepreneurship and her passion for the success of Gen Y has led her to create a community of millenials who strive to create the post-grad lives they dream of. She is available for hire for writing and life coaching.

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3 Ways to Make the Best of Unemployment

Many of us are finding ourselves graduating from college and learning first hand why the call it The Real World. Gen Y unemployment is still pretty high which is making it difficult for us to pay our debts, get our finances in order and become the independent individuals we were told we were supposed to become upon graduation.

This can be an incredibly frustrating time in our lives. Believe me, I know - I was unemployed for six months after graduating from college. The fact that I was even able to eventually find work is a miracle considering I live in a city with one of the worst unemployment rates in the country.

During those six months I felt hopeless, anxious and above all confused. I had done everything I was told to do -  I went to college, got decent grades and received my degree only to be slapped in the face by abysmal unemployment numbers upon graduation.

I wasn’t really ready for it and found myself in a deep state of depression for a while. I thought that a job would fix my problems and then I would be on the right track.

But what if there is no work to be had? What if, through no fault of your own, the economy doesn’t get any better?

That’s when you have to get up, look life square in the eye and say “I’m taking matters into my own hands now.”

Thats what I did and it led to some great decisions - starting a freelance writing business and beginning a yoga practice just to name a couple.

The truth is that there are several advantages to being unemployed after college, some of which I briefly touched upon in a post I wrote for Brazen Careerist entitled Why You Might Be Better Off Without a Job After College. This isn’t a glass half full approach or meant to only make you feel better temporarily - I have fervently come to believe that if it hadn’t been for my time of unemployment that I would have missed out on a lot of opportunities.

Making the best of unemployment doesn’t have to be difficult. It is at this time that you should be concerned with taking advantage of the time you now have. This doesn’t mean forget about looking for a job - it just means that there are several things you can do to make this time better.

1. Start your own low-cost business.

There are several low cost businesses out there that you can start - such as freelance writing or social media management. The simple fact that is if you’ve got a computer and an internet connection you can start your own fully functioning business from your living room.

2. Start getting healthy.

Now would be a good time to start putting your health first. You worked hard throughout college and probably didn’t take very good care of yourself (playing beer pong is not considered a bicep exercise) and there’s no time like the present to start treating your body right.

Take advantage of the free time, look up some YouTube videos and start exercising!

3. Volunteer

Volunteering is a great way to spend your time as an unemployed individual. Not only are you helping your community you’re also acquiring some skills you can later put on that resume.

Although unemployment can be frustrating try to remember that life is what you make of it. There’s a big difference between sitting at home moping over not having a job actively using your time wisely.

Amanda Abella

Amanda Abella is a Gen Y blogger, freelance writer and life coach that has been featured in online publications such as Forbes and The Consumerist. Her blog was also named one of the 100 Blogs You Need in Your Life by Leaving Work Behind. Her experience working in career consulting, her adventures in entrepreneurship and her passion for the success of Gen Y has led her to create a community of millenials who strive to create the post-grad lives they dream of. She is available for hire for writing and life coaching.

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Ever thought about working for a startup? Today’s guest post is from Annie Favreau, managing editor of Inside Jobs—a site that helps young people make career choices to build strong, successful futures.

3 Career Lessons from Landing a Startup Job

It’s been almost a year since I landed by first real job. As a content manager for a fast-paced tech startup, I’ve had some amazing successes and made my fair share of rookie mistakes (you know the chump who pressed the forward button by accident? Yup, that was me). The startup environment has unique perks and quirks, and it’s taught me a lot about what’s important in a first job. Here’s what I learned from twelve months in the working world:

Culture Fit is Key

At the beginning of my job search, I was so focused on getting a position—any position!—that I might have joined any company that gave me an offer. Looking back, I think culture fit should have been one of my make-or-break job criteria.

For me, company culture isn’t about Whacky T-shirt Friday or using exercise balls instead of office chairs. It’s about shared values. My co-workers and I share a similar type of optimism, drive, and honesty—if we didn’t, I wouldn’t click with the group. This is especially true for small startups (my desk is less than ten feet away from all my co-workers, so any issues would be very apparent), but it’s important for almost any jobseeker.

I’m not saying your first job has to fulfill all your personal values. But I’m convinced that job happiness starts with finding at least on part of your work—or your company—that really resonates with who you are.

Don’t Limit Yourself

As part of a team that’s developing an entirely new product, my job has been extremely dynamic. From managing writers and interviewing job candidates, to running social media platforms and building biz dev relationships, I’ve worked in areas from HR to product development. At most startups, there’s so much to be done that all team members take on tasks that fall way outside their assigned role.

This constant change can be overwhelming, but it’s also a complete career blessing. Not only have I gotten great experience, I’ve learned how to be a versatile (and more valuable) worker. The takeaway idea? Don’t limit yourself to your job title. Volunteer for projects outside your comfort zone, and learn how things work beyond your area of expertise. It will make you a more well-rounded and resourceful worker.

Be Ready for Change

The idea of pivoting—roughly defined as refocusing a business on the fly while still staying true to some core value—is essential for startups. It’s also a great metaphor for thinking about your career. Even if you don’t experience a 180˚ career change at some point in your life, you’ll probably go through at least a couple major pivots. Learning how to embrace change and chaos—without loosing track of who you are—is a skill that will serve you well.

What career lessons did you get from your first job?

Amanda Abella

Amanda Abella is a Gen Y blogger, freelance writer and life coach that has been featured in online publications such as Forbes and The Consumerist. Her blog was also named one of the 100 Blogs You Need in Your Life by Leaving Work Behind. Her experience working in career consulting, her adventures in entrepreneurship and her passion for the success of Gen Y has led her to create a community of millenials who strive to create the post-grad lives they dream of. She is available for hire for writing and life coaching.

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Today we have a lovely guest post from Graduate Jobs, an independent UK based website that both small and large organizations use to post their jobs for college grads. They also allow candidates to make profiles and search for jobs that match their background. Pretty nifty, right? 

Jonathan is a recent Business & Management graduate who now works as a Marketing Executive at Graduate Jobs. He has a passion for all things digital and social media as well as an addiction to tea. This week he focuses on common Gen Y stereotypes and how to overcome them. Enjoy!

Overcoming Gen Y Stereotypes 

Generation Y reaches one of the most critical stages in their lives leading up to and during their twenties. Generation Y can usually be defined as those born between 1982 and 2003 whilst also being the largest segment in terms of numbers, estimated to be around the 70 million mark. Typically, Generation Y have many stereotypical characteristics. This may cause some issues when it comes to finding a graduate job or even within the workplace, but are there ways around this? This post will tackle some of the most common stereotypes that Generation Y face.

The lazy and uncommitted generation 

This is one of the most common stereotypes that Generation Y gets accused of. In actual fact, research conducted by Kenexa High Performance Institute last year showed that out of those who were surveyed, 31% of 27 year olds said they were considering leaving their organization, but the research also showed that in 1990, 31% of 27 year olds were also considering leaving. According to these results, it is clear that Generation Y’s level of commitment is very similar to that of previous generations.

Nevertheless, members of Generation Y may well find that simply quoting statistics is not enough to debunk the myth. Another way is to demonstrate your level of commitment within your employment history. As a graduate, you may not have a lot of previous jobs but I remember having a particular part-time job for five years whilst in secondary school and sixth form. This shows that I was committed and willing to earn money at a young age. If you are proactive during university, regularly contributing to a society or Students’ Union for example, and have completed internships, this will also show an employer that you get yourself out there, that you’re not afraid of hard work and, most importantly, demonstrate you are not the stereotypical student.

Unrealistic expectations

This is quite a damaging stereotype. Some may believe that all Generation Y feel they are entitled and special, and expect to be able to go into a new job and change everything. To overcome this, take some time to absorb the business processes and find out the reasons behind them before proposing any changes. At the same time, you shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions, as long as you do so in a respectful manner. If you feel you have ideas that may improve the day to day running of the business, create a case with your line manager but be prepared to back yourself up with relevant findings and evidence. Over time, you will have more opportunities to really contribute and get stuck in, just don’t become a bull in a china shop.

Needing constant feedback

There is a simple way to overcome this stereotype. When applying to a graduate job, give examples of when you have had to work independently. This will tell the employer that you are able to complete tasks without needing constant supervision. At the same time, make sure you include team work examples, as they are likely to be looking for that too. In the workplace, the best way you can avoid annoying your manager is by asking how they prefer to communicate feedback before unexpectedly turning up in their office. This means that you know what level of feedback you can expect. If you feel you are not getting enough feedback, consider negotiating monthly sessions with your manager to discuss your progress. Just remember that flexibility is key.

Overall, the stereotypes that are given to Generation Y are just that; stereotypes. The only difference there is is that Generation Y have simply grown up in a different environment with different tools and a different society, just as other generations will in the future. Unfortunately, stereotypes do exist and you will encounter people who blindly believe in them. Take pride in turning these stereotypes upside down and proving them wrong!

Amanda Abella

Amanda Abella is a Gen Y blogger, freelance writer and life coach that has been featured in online publications such as Forbes and The Consumerist. Her blog was also named one of the 100 Blogs You Need in Your Life by Leaving Work Behind. Her experience working in career consulting, her adventures in entrepreneurship and her passion for the success of Gen Y has led her to create a community of millenials who strive to create the post-grad lives they dream of. She is available for hire for writing and life coaching.

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Don't get me wrong, I understand that things aren't as easy as they used to be. I also understand that it's very easy to take rejection personally. But getting high and mighty during a job interview will only further hurt your chances of being successful on your job hunt.

Seriously, there's nothing recruiters hate more than someone who walks into their office with a bad attitude. Or, someone who constantly emails about how they feel disenfranchised because they didn't get the job. The truth? I highly doubt companies care about your personal feelings. They are just looking for the right fit. If you aren't it, then you aren't it. Period. Point blank.

Is this kind of harsh? Yes, in a way. But if companies and recruiters spent all their time explaining themselves to candidates who aren't going to work out anyway then they would never get anything done.

It's the same concept if you own your own business. Would you waste your time on someone you knew wasn't going to pay you? I didn't think so.

Since this is the reality that we deal with on the job hunt, I figured it would be wise to compile a list of tips for those of you who are having a rough time - just because although my job requires me to be less empathetic, I do understand that people are going through hardships.

Feel Your Feelings - Just Not In Front of a Recruiter

It's okay to feel. It's okay to get upset if you get rejected for a job. What's not okay is to throw a hissy fit in the recruiter's office. It's disrespectful to a person who is just doing their job. Furthermore, it kills any chance you may have had in case the situation changed. During a tough job hunt it's important to make a good impression and keep it that way.

Once you get to your car you can call up your best friend and scream all you want. In fact, I encourage you to release your emotions so you'll be able to move on the next one. All I'm suggesting is that you keep your decor during the interviewing process.

Don't Mention Your Baggage

I don't know why people seem confuse recruiters for therapists. I have had people start crying in the office because they're going through a divorce, because they are nervous, because they hate their boss, and countless other reasons. The result? It gets very awkward very fast. It also shows that you may not be emotionally ready for a job - a big red flag to companies.

Recruiters don't want to hear about your personal hardships - or at least not how you're still suffering from them. What recruiters do want to hear is how you triumphed over a tough time, although it would be your best bet to keep it business related.

Do Some Physical Exercise

People think I'm crazy when I say this, but there is a method to the madness. Will exercise directly help you get a job? Probably not. Although, believe it or not it does help to show that you are physically fit and enjoy taking care of yourself. To a company that means you care enough to invest in yourself and your well-being - which is hard to come by these days when so many people are down in the dumps because of the economy.

Think of it this way: would you rather hire the high energy go-getter who prides themselves in their well-being or the dud with who let a tough economy depress them and put their health on the back burner? This is a no brainer to a hiring manager.

Exercise also helps with confidence, releases endorphins, and is a great way to release any frustrations from the job hunt.

Think Worst Case Scenarios

I've been watching a lot of Danielle LaPorte talks lately. One of her favorite tools for business (and life) is to use the worst case scenario. Think to yourself, "What's the worst that can happen if I don't get this job?" Once you realize that you probably aren't going to die and that there are other options available you will start to feel a little better.

In conclusion, while job hunting as we begin to get out of a recession can be very frustrating, there are tools you can use to keep your emotions in check during this tedious time. Use them to your advantage!

Amanda Abella

Amanda Abella is a Gen Y blogger, freelance writer and life coach that has been featured in online publications such as Forbes and The Consumerist. Her blog was also named one of the 100 Blogs You Need in Your Life by Leaving Work Behind. Her experience working in career consulting, her adventures in entrepreneurship and her passion for the success of Gen Y has led her to create a community of millenials who strive to create the post-grad lives they dream of. She is available for hire for writing and life coaching.

More Posts - Website - Twitter - Facebook - LinkedIn - Pinterest - Google Plus - Flickr - StumbleUpon - YouTube