Student loans What you need to know

Student loans What you need to know by Tom Bunkham Confused about student loans? You’re not alone…Ask people what worries them most about starting university, and ‘student loans’ will often come up as the answer. But taking out a loan doesn’t have to be as scary as you’d imagine â€" and understanding how they work is a vital part of keeping your finances in check.To help you get to grips with the basics, here are few key things you need to know about student loans, and how to apply for them:What is a student loan?A student loan is a type of loan specifically designed to help students in the UK cover their university tuition fees and living costs.They’re provided by The Student Loans Company.What types of student loan are there?There are two main types of student loan, both of which you’ll be eligible to receive:Tuition fee loan â€" which covers the total cost of your course, and is paid directly to your chosen university or college.Maintenance loan designed to help students cover their living c osts, and paid directly into student’s bank accounts each term.How much will my  student loan be?The amount of student loan you receive will depend on the yearly fees charged by your university or college. Currently, these will be up to £9,000 a year.However, your family circumstances, current location and chosen location of study are deciding factors in the amount of maintenance loan you receive.You can estimate how much your own maintenance loans will be by using the Student Finance Calculator on the Directgov website.  When do I  start paying back my  student loan?The good news is that you don’t have to repay your student loan straight away.Because your student loan repayments are actually linked to your income, you will only start making repayments once you earn £21,000 or over a year.Student loan repayments are fixed at 9% of everything you earn above the £21,000 threshold.If you’re employed, the repayments will be deducted straight from your salary there’s no extra legwork on your part. If you’re self employed you will make repayments when you do your self-assessment tax return.If you lose your job, your repayments will drop accordingly. The same goes for reducing your hours or taking a pay cut so there’s no need to panic about your making your repayments.Student loan repayments: what you need to knowHow do I apply for a student loan?If you’re from England, you can apply for a student loan online via the Directgov website.However, bear in mind that you’ll need to set up a student finance account to get started, and provide details of your household income. You’ll then receive a loan declaration form within six weeks â€" which you’ll need to sign and send back.And always check the deadlines for student loan application. Getting your application in on time will guarantee it arrives before the start of term.Will my maintenance loan cover everything?This will largely depend on your living costs. Before you get to uni, try drawing up a budget plan to help you avoid over-spending in the first few weeks.Although grants and bursaries may be available to students who are already enrolled at university, anyone starting in 2016-2017 will not have access to them.Instead, they are replaced with a means tested maintenance loan of up to £8,200, repayable in the same way as your tuition fees loan.What if my loan isn’t enough?Many university students seek out part time jobs to help stretch their budgets further. Examples include:RetailBar workEventsTutoringChild-mindingMystery ShoppingWorking for their universityAgency workLooking to supplement your student loan? View all available part-time roles now.Find a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the School leaver advice

Software Engineer Resume Writing Service

Software Engineer Resume Writing ServiceIf you have decided to apply for a software engineer position then there are a few things that you should do before you get started. The first thing is to make sure that you have everything that you need for your resume. This will help ensure that your application goes through without being rejected.The next thing that you need to do is to use a professional resume writing service. This will ensure that your application is well written and professional. The last thing that you want is for your application to be rejected because it does not have professional writing skills.Now that you have the basic information needed for your software engineer resume, it is time to start putting it together. Make sure that you are looking at each section carefully so that you will know where to place the things that you want highlighted in those sections. You also want to take into consideration the sections in your resume that relate to your background. These are the most important parts that you need to take the time to write.Writing your software engineer resume should start with an introduction. This is the section that is going to make or break your application. Once you get past this section you will be able to begin to flesh out each part of your resume.In the first section you will want to think about what you want the reader to take away from your resume. When creating a resume, you can work on any skill that you are interested in. By thinking about what you want to say you can start to come up with examples of situations that would best fit the information that you have provided. This makes it easier to write the section.One of the most important sections of your resume is the summary. The summary should include the basic information that is needed to be sent off to the company that you are interviewing with. It is very important that you go over this section carefully before the summary section. Remember that by writing this s ection, you are telling the potential employer what you have to offer and what you can do for them.The last section of your resume is going to be the personal statement. This section can be considered the second part of your resume. What is nice about this section is that you can put in whatever you want. When working on this section, remember that you can include information about your interests and hobbies as well as the skills that you have learned in school.By using a professional resume writing service you will be able to create a software engineer resume that is professional looking and will send out to companies quickly. Take some time to put in the effort and the creativity that is needed in order to make it as good as it can be. Your resume is the one that is going to be read by the people who will be interviewing you so it is important that you take the time to make it a great product.

How to not self-destruct

How to not self-destruct A famous person emailed me to ask about personality type. I don’t get a lot of emails  from famous people. But I do get some. Like, when Melissa was being an executive  assistant to billionaires, I was Melissa’s reference. I could write fifty posts about giving those references, actually, because I was like,  â€œDon’t hire Melissa, because she’ll quit. She can’t work for anyone for more than a  year.” But the thing about famous people is they think they are different. Well, I mean, they  are different. They are famous, right? So they think the rules of working with  Melissa won’t apply to them. One person brought up a time when he was on the front of the New York Times for  his divorce. And I thought, “Wait, I was on the front of the New York Times for my  divorce.” But the thing is: he was news because he’s a billionaire and I was news  because I’m a bad parent for writing about my divorce on my blog where my kids  could read about it. My kids can’t read. That’s what I would have told the reporter if she had called me for the story. But the  thing about writing about famous people is that the writer never calls first. The  writer just writes. So he said to me, in his email, “Hi, I’m [name]. You can read about me here.”  And he  linked to his Wikipedia page. Right away I thought. Oh. I should do that. Maybe if I link to my Wikipedia page  when I send people emails then they will  do whatever I ask. But then I thought, “Forget  it, because my Wikipedia page says I’m crazy and a liar even though I have worked  very hard to have the editor of my blog also edit my Wikipedia page.” Wikipedia is good at sniffing out if you are having someone who is your spouse or  boyfriend or whatever editing your Wikipedia page. They don’t like that. And really,  my editor has been my editor for so long that at this point, he counts as a boyfriend. Are you wondering what it’s like to work with me? I call you my boyfriend in public. You would hate it. Probably everyone does. Speaking of boyfriends, you know that feeling you get when you lose an arm or a  leg? You get that ghost feeling or whatever it’s called where you think you can move  your appendage, or it itches or something. Well, I have that for dating. As soon as I read about this guy on Wikipedia, my brain starts planning on how to  get him to want to date me. And then I remember: oh, that doesn’t need  scratching.  I’m married. (Well, okay, not married really. See, that’s the kind of thing the Wikipedia whiners  say I lie about. Because we are not technically married because my finances would  make my husband have a heart attack if he had his financial life legally tied to mine. And look: is it better to spend a paragraph in the middle of my post nitpicking  details like this or should I just let people tell Wikipedia I’m a liar? It’s a fine line.) The famous guy is at a company that has been on my list of companies to convince to  buy Quistic. There’s a lot of stuff going on in the backend of Quistic that is  expensive and I hate funding it and a big company should come in and buy Quistic  and fund all the development. And fund my son’s bar mitzvah. (Let me just be clear,  here, that if anyone is thinking of buying Quistic could you please buy it in time for  me to not have to stress about the catering bill?) I call one of my investors and tell him I got the email and I’m so excited and I make a  plan for pitching the company. The,  when I call Mr. Famous, guess what he wants?  Coaching. So I have to adjust pretty fast on the call. I answer his questions. I tell him what I  think he needs to change about his career, because luckily I read a lot about his  career when I was thinking I would be selling my company to him. The guy is an INTJ. Like all INTJs he is good at everything and they get so much done. I console myself with the fact that INTJs are rude and the only personality type that  is more unlikeable is my husband’s (ISTP). So of course I love him on the phone. And we set up a time to meet. I never ever do  coaching in person, so if you are reading this and you think I’m going to coach you in  person, forget it. I won’t even do coaching on video because I don’t want to have to  comb my hair. But for this guy, I turn to mush. I agree to travel. Now it’s three days before our first meeting, and I wake up with a migraine. I don’t get migraines often. Maybe once or twice a year. I  get migraines only when I  have a big problem that I’m ignoring. First I try to deal with problems that I wish were my biggest problems. I send Melissa photos of proposed outfits. She tells me most are terrible. She approves the one in the picture up top. Then she sends me a picture she took when she dressed me last because she knew Id never remember. Then I have outfits picked. But the  migraine is getting worse. So I go through my list of big problems: 1.         I’m spending more money than I’m earning right now. I know, you guys always  ask where my money goes. Here’s a sample. $2500/month for a driver $2500/month for a household assistant/nanny $1000/month for a weekend nanny $1000/month for music lessons 2.         My youngest son asked my husband if he thinks I’m going to kill myself. My  husband asked why, but I already know why. My youngest is an ESFP and his idea of  a fun is a party where he is dancing on the table. My idea of fun is working, which I  can’t really doeverbecause I’m home with my kids all day. (Like, right this very  moment my older son is building Bionicles  next to me and I told him he can’t show me the shooting chest plate until I’m done  writing and he said, “You’ll never be done writing, you never are, and I stood my ground even though Cat’s In the Cradle plays in the back of my head.  And maybe my  kids can tell that the song playing in my head all day is about parenting regrets and  the kids know I’m constantly sad and disappointed with myself because growing up  with a mother who has emotional problems is contagious. Really.) 3.         Item number three should be that I am causing congenital depression in my  kids, but number three is that I have to meet with this guy in person. I have to meet  three days in a row, so I can’t pretend that I am not wearing the same outfit every  time he sees me. If you want to know why women opt-out of the workforce and men  don’t, it’s because when men don’t change their clothes every day they are crazy  geniuses and when women don’t change their clothes every day they are just crazy. I am not sure which thing I’m most worried about. I think it’s all of them. Just trying  to think about which is the problem that’s giving me the migraine gives me a  migraine, and I had to shut my eyes three times while writing this post to keep  myself from throwing up from the migraine nausea. I took this picture when I was at my son’s violin lesson. It’s the first time I noticed  that his hair on his legs is getting darker. Right around that time his voice started changing, too. I recorded him each morning  at breakfast. “Say something!” I’d tell him. “Quick. Before your voice is totally  changed.” I have this sinking feeling like my life is going and going and I’m spending it worried  about my worries instead of enjoying it. I have been meditating because I read that  it transforms your life blah blah blah. Here’s the  link to that. I read that it transforms your life and I did it for ten days in a row and it did. The  research is right. So, like all self-destructive people, I found something that works,  and I stopped doing it. So my migraine returns because I don’t want to be that person that stops doing  things as soon as I find out they work well for me. And I am worried I’ll get to  famous person’s office and while I’m coaching him he’ll discover that I’m one of those people who self-destructs at the wrong times. Is there ever a right time to self-destruct? I think if there is, it might be at the bottom  of a blog post. Good for traffic, probably. Don’t hate me for this, but sometimes I  think about how if I died, Melissa would write some blog post about it and post it  here and it would get so much traffic. But I’m telling you this, instead. I am going to resume meditating today. And I am  going to dance with my son to his Dub Step music that I can like if I choose to like it,  and I’m going to have a fun time coaching Mr. Famous because I’m lucky that people  like him hire me. And I’m not going to self-destruct.

New Years Resolutions for Jobseekers

New Year’s Resolutions for Jobseekers It’s that time of year â€" almost everyone resolves to make a fresh start in January.   Even people who disdain New Year’s resolutions love the idea of turning the page on the calendar, especially if 2010 was a year containing a long and grueling job search.   Here are some ideas for New Year’s resolutions if you’re still in the market. Start a job search support group.   Connect with people in complimentary jobs or industries (it might be challenging to include people who are competing directly with you for jobs) and agree to meet once a week for coffee or a walk.   Share leads and ideas and hold each other accountable for following up and applying for jobs.   One of the worst things about a prolonged period of being out of work is the isolation.   A group will give you some company and support when you need it, and may offer fresh perspectives on your search. Go to an event you would not have considered last year.   Sometimes, job searches get stuck in a rut because you keep meeting and seeing the same people.   Find a low or no-cost event and resolve to talk to at least three brand new people you’ve never met.   You never know where your next job lead will come from, so don’t make the mistake of thinking of this as a waste of time.   Look for the community events calendar online or in the newspaper and choose an event where the gathering is sure to include people you’ve never met before. Always choose a seat next to a stranger.   (This tip comes from Marilyn Feldstein, Certified Job and Career Transition Coach (JCTC) and owner of Career Choices Unlimited.) Marilyn always chooses to sit next to someone she doesn’t know at networking events, even if the room is filled with friends and acquaintances.   “I make time at other times to connect with people I know,” she says. “Networking events are for expanding my circle of influence, and I do that by meeting new people.” Make time for important activities that nurture mind, body and spirit.  This resolution probably shows up under other categories (lose weight, get more exercise, etc.) but it benefits your job search as well.   Your energy level and attitude ply a big role in your success, and they get a big boost when you take better care of yourself.   Feeling better can come from simple steps like walking for 20 minutes or so each day, getting more sleep, and making small changes to your diet.   Plenty of online magazines like Prevention, Fitness Magazine, and Whole Living have plans that cost little to no money to get started. I love the idea of a fresh start in the New Year.   What have you resolved to do or change in 2011?

Executive Resume Writing Service

Executive Resume Writing ServiceLooking for a great executive resume writing service for your own professional purposes? With all the marketing-related products that are available, it can be difficult to know what to pick and where to get the best price. So in this article we will discuss some of the top services out there that you can use to help you craft your next resume.The first thing you should do is do your research and find the right company. Your resume is probably one of the most important parts of your overall marketing strategy, so it is very important that you choose the right service. The following are some of the top programs and companies that I have used in the past.o Outsource. Some companies have their own in-house team of writers who can create your resume for you, but if you have the money to spend on hiring a writing service, you should probably go for this option. Most outsourcing companies allow you to hire an in-house writer and will also give you access to a variety of writing styles and document types.o Join an online community. This is a great way to keep in touch with your target clients and develop a community. It also allows you to save a ton of time by not having to drive from company to take care of this part of your job.o Choose the right website for your service. This is very important because you want your resume to be as unique as possible, so it is best to get one that specializes in creating well-written resumes. Also make sure the company has a track record of creating quality work and doesn't take advantage of their clients.o Follow up. Once you get your personalized resume back from the executive resume writing service, make sure you send them an email or give them a call to let them know what your results were.o Get your client involved in the follow-up process. You might find that they had a lot of input in the first place, so the best thing you can do is let them know what happened and see how they feel about it. It is also good to create a testimonial section that includes some of the things that were accomplished for you during the writing process.These are just a few of the tips that can help you create a great resume and how to make sure your company gets the best resume writing service for your needs. If you follow these tips, you will find that your company will start looking for a new executive resume writing service very quickly.

How To Take A Step Back From A Stressful Career

How To Take A Step Back From A Stressful Career Is your job stressful? Do you find yourself working later hours, feeling tired and generally dissatisfied with your job? It’s a common feeling, and many people who have entered high-pressure careers soon find themselves wanting to take a step back. Taking a step back doesn’t have to mean completely giving up your career. There are ways you can regain your work/life balance without having to sacrifice everything you’ve worked hard to achieve. Take control of your career and enjoy less stress with these suggestions for taking a step back. Take a career break It’s easier than you think to take a formal career break from work. Many employers have a policy that allows a career break of up to a year, which is common for mothers on maternity leave or those looking to pursue other options. Provided you’ve got the savings to cover you for a year, you can enjoy a career break to help you get your life back on track and take an extended holiday. When the year is up, you’ll hopefully realise what’s important in life and adopt a new approach to your working life. Reduce your hours Do you need to work as many hours as you are? Perhaps going part-time or trying flexible working could help you ease the stress of your career. High-pressure professions such as doctor or lawyer come with a lot of hours, but there are opportunities to take on part-time working. Speak to your manager about reducing your hours and enjoy taking a step back while you free up more time to focus on your life outside of work. Go freelance Freelancing is becoming more and more popular as people look to design their own working lives. When going freelance, you start working for yourself and get to choose your own working hours and projects leading to greater job satisfaction. Make the smooth transition into freelance to help you regain control of your career. As you approach retirement, freelancing can be a great way to step back and enjoy your last working years. Start off with a side hustle to see how things work out, before making the move into full-time freelancing. Try something else If your only option is to take a complete step back from your career, you should go for it. After years of working hard in one profession, choosing something with less stress and less responsibility can help you be happier while still giving you purpose. If you love being on the open road, consider truck driving as a new career you’ll need a heavy rigid truck licence, but it’ll be worth it for a change of pace. Find something you enjoy that you know can pay your bills and don’t be afraid to sacrifice your career for your happiness. Most of us deal with stress in our jobs, but if it’s getting too much, you need to make a change. Look at your available options for stepping back from your career to achieve that work/life balance that will keep your stress levels down and leave you happier in your job.

Motivation Monday Make Your Week SOAR!

Motivation Monday Make Your Week SOAR! You have the power to influence how your week goes! It is just as easy to soar as it is to be sour! It is funny how a typo can become the topic of a post. As I was typing the word soar, my fingers accidentally slipped and I typed sour instead. A simple mistake and a simple fix. And that is exactly how you can view your week as well. Try using these four words to guide your mindset this week. Seek Look for new ways of doing things. Find new people to meet. Uncover alternatives. You need to keep your mind open to new possibilities, not stuck in a rut over how things havent worked or cant work. Seek first to understand, then be understood are the wise words of Stephen Covey. We can never stop exploring and learning! We can not become complacent. You have to keep your eyes open! Optimistic If you dont believe you can, you wont. Starting right now, believe in yourself and what you have the power to do. People have achieved amazing, seemingly impossible feats. But, that didnt happen by accident. They truly believed they could. In a previous Motivation Monday, I wrote about how Shawn Achor suggests we can change our mindsets. Be Happy Then Succeed is the answer! Achieve Nothing will happen if you dont do anything! Take action. Set three goals for yourself each day. Instead of focusing only on the immediate tasks, include a goal that has a larger or perhaps more strategic outcome. Maybe you crave work-life balance. Set one of your goals to focus on how you can achieve that. Maybe it is as easy as saying you will take 30 minutes each day to spend time doing something that you love (but specify what that is!) What happens when you begin achieving the goals youve set for yourself? How does that make you feel?! Rock As in the twist and shout type of rock, not like the stone, cold object. Shake it up! Darn it, have some fun. If you remember the movie Ferris Buellers Day Off, you cant forget the scene where Ferris sings Twist and Shout on the German parade float. Ferris rallies the crowd, gets them singing and dancing and inspires smiles! Get out there and inspire. Let your positive attitude become contagious! It is absolutely your choice. Can it work? Do these words help reshape your thoughts? I would love to hear your thoughts! If you are searching for your next job and are not happy with the outcome of your efforts so far, check out my Tough Love teleclass starting October 15th.