The long-dreaded cover letter: a relic of the past or a powerful tool in your job search arsenal? 

In an age dominated by applicant tracking systems (ATS) and online applications, many job seekers question the value of this traditional document.

It’s a fair question, especially when simply filling out an application can take so much time. I know I’m not alone in wondering why employers require you to fill out online fields with your job experience (isn’t that what a resume is for?).

Not only that, but now employers are requiring projects, tests, and endless rounds of interviews. It’s exhausting.

Do employers read cover letters? Can they set you apart from other applicants? Do they actually make a difference in the job applicant pool?

More importantly: do cover letters still matter? And are they worth your time and energy when you could otherwise focus on other aspects of the job application process?

In this article, I’ll share some reasons why it may or may not make sense for you to craft a cover letter (hint: it depends). I’ll also give you a few tips for writing a compelling cover letter if you find you need one.

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Easy Index Fund Investing Strategies for Busy Moms and Dads: Build Your Nest Egg

Let’s be honest, parenting is BEYOND a full-time job. Between juggling work, family, and everything else that life throws your way, investing for the future is usually an afterthought, and fairly so.

Investing might feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.

Here’s the secret: you don’t need to be a financial wizard to build a secure future for yourself and your family. Index fund investing offers a powerful, time-saving solution for busy moms and dads like us!

It’s true: you can easily incorporate index fund investing strategies into your standard investment portfolio.

In this article, I’ll tell you everything you need to know so you can start building easy index fund investing strategies into your portfolio.

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2024 is the year of the side hustles from home, so it seemed fitting to revisit this topic in this week’s post.

Have you ever started or considered starting a side hustle?

Perhaps you enjoy writing on the side, or appreciate the extra boost of income from the occasional data entry gig.

Side hustles from home (or otherwise) can be a great way to boost your income, explore new passions, or simply become your own boss. 

The digital landscape is brimming with opportunities to turn your skills and hobbies into cash, all from the comfort of your own home.

But with so many options, where do you begin? 

It can feel overwhelming with the numerous options that are out there, but don’t stress it!

In this article, you’ll get a dynamite list of the top 10 side hustles to launch in 2024, taking into account factors like ease of setup, income potential, flexibility, competition, and market demand.  

Let’s dive in!

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Introduction: Why Do You Need a Marketing Plan?

A marketing plan is essential for any business that wants to grow and succeed. 

It doesn’t need to be fancy, but it is something you’ll want to reflect on carefully if you’re serious about growing your business.

A well-crafted marketing plan can help you reach your target audience, promote your products or services, and generate leads and sales.

But what makes a marketing plan truly killer? You’re about to find out!

In this article, I’ll share some tips to help you write a marketing plan that will help you take your business to the next level.

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If you dream of turning your side hustle into a money-making machine, then one of the best things you can do for yourself is set realistic business growth expectations.

It’s not easy to be an entrepreneur, but success is possible, especially if you set reasonable expectations.

If you set your sights too high, then you set yourself up for disappointment. That disappointment can lead to a lack of motivation which can stunt your business growth entirely, and eventually lead it to failure.

On the other hand, if you set your sights too low, then you might miss out on potential opportunities.

It’s a bit like “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.” You don’t want to set your sights too high, or too low. You want exactly what’s right for you and your business. 

But how do you know what’s right?

In this article, I’m going to give you 7 key steps you can use to set realistic business growth expectations. Follow these tips and you’ll be well on your way to turning your side hustle into a money-making machine.

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How to Create a Business Plan: The Key Steps

If you’re committed to turning your passion project into a profitable venture, you may want to consider building a business plan.

A business plan is a roadmap for your business. It helps you define your goals, strategies, and financial projections. It’s also essential if you’ll ever need to attract investors or secure funding.

Whether you have a small business on the side or a business that’s forecasted to make millions, a business plan can be a valuable tool.

If you’re thinking about starting a business, or if you’re already in business and want to take it to the next level, you should consider whether or not a business plan can benefit you.

In this article, I’m going to tell you exactly how to create a business plan that will support your company’s growth.

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Job skills are essential to build a solid career. It can take time and effort to acquire and build the skills you need, but continuous development is essential for long-term career success.

Throughout my career, I’ve obtained various job skills, but a few have served me more than others.

In this article, I’m going to tell you about the 10 most important job skills I’ve obtained in my career. I’ll tell you how those skills served me in my career, and how you can enhance your skill set in these areas.

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Negotiation skills are incredibly valuable, whether you’re negotiating a salary in a new job, or even deliberating with your partner about who’s taking the trash out.

If you’re looking to rev up your negotiation skills, then you likely intend to use them to deliberate with a potential new employer. However, your negotiation skills can serve you in many aspects of your life.

In today’s competitive job market, it’s more important than ever to have strong negotiation skills. Whether you’re negotiating your salary, benefits, or other terms of employment, you’ll want to come prepared.

In this article, I’ll share some simple ways you can use negotiation skills in your career, but in other ways as well. I’ll also tell you some of the key negotiation skills I’ve used to succeed in my interviews and in new hire conversations with employers.

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My career switch began when I started my first business in 2017, but it wasn’t until 2019 that I shifted from a full-time laboratory manager role into a marketing communications role.

To be truthful, it was a tough transition to make, but then again, I’ve never heard of a career switch being perfectly smooth.

Despite the challenge, I knew that the career change was right for me.

In this article, I’ll tell you exactly how I made my career switch. I’ll also share 7 tips from my own learning experiences. These tips will help you make your own career switch, regardless of where you start in your career or where you’d like to end up.

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After I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, I feared I’d never be able to build a successful career, and it was a dream that greatly mattered to me.

After my diagnosis, it was hard to face the reality that I would likely live with a chronic illness for the rest of my life.

While I didn’t give up on my dreams, I knew that my plans would need to shift, at least to some degree.

When I was young I dreamed of becoming an astronaut. I went to college with that intent and by the time I graduated, I’d become quite familiar with astronaut requirements.

The requirements were strict and incredibly difficult to overcome, even for someone in perfect health, so I knew my chances of becoming an astronaut were essentially 0.

However, I knew I could still become a scientist, and I dreamed of building a successful career and making a difference through science.

As you’ll soon learn, my career didn’t go exactly as planned, and I never foresaw making a shift like I would eventually make, but I did manage to build a successful career. In this article, I’m going to tell you exactly what I did to build my career while managing Crohn’s disease.

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