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<p>Hey guys🙋‍♀️ Welcome to chapter 2 of the Level Up career series:<strong> SMART goals.</strong></p>



<p>So, in the last chapter you established your long-term career aims. Today is all about creating a plan to ensure you achieve those aims (using SMART goals).</p>



<p><strong><em>SMART goals are:</em></strong></p>



<p><strong>👉Specific </strong>&#8211; What is your long-term career aim? Don’t just name a field like <em>Marketing</em>&#8230; specify exactly what type of Marketing positions you want to apply for.</p>



<p><strong>👉Measurable &#8211;</strong> Numbers are key here. How many interviews do you want to attend each month? How many job applications per day will you commit to?&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>👉Achievable &#8211; </strong>If you’re lacking experience, you may have to factor in some time to complete a course or a certification. Equally, it may be more achievable to aim for less experienced positions if you’re entering into a new field.</p>



<p><strong>👉Relevant &#8211;</strong> Is your overall goal relevant to where you want to go in the long-term? Remember, this is all about ensuring you’re still working towards your long-term career aims ready for when the job market picks up.</p>



<p><strong>👉Time-specific &#8211; </strong>When do you want to achieve this long-term career aim? Be sure to factor in any courses you’ll need to complete too!</p>



<p>Once you’ve finished your SMART goal, you might end up with something like this:</p>



<p><em>‘By December 2021, I will have a new job as a Marketing Assistant for the tech industry. In order to achieve that, I will complete a course in Adobe Photoshop and digital marketing by February 2021. I will also attend 2 interviews per month and apply for 10 jobs everyday.’</em></p>



<p><strong>What are your long-term career aims? Share them in the comments below👇</strong></p>



<p>Love Julie 💜</p>


Sonic Career Series: Level Up!                        Chapter 2: SMART goals


<p>Got a job but need more cash? A side hustle could be just the answer. In fact, <a href="https://startups.co.uk/news/half-of-brits-side-hustle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>47%</strong></a> of Brits are reported to have a second income through a side hustle. But when it comes to <a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/how-do-you-find-part-time-work-sonicjobs/?id=693"><strong>finding a second job</strong></a>, you want to pick carefully. You don’t want a job that needs lots of training, qualifications and experience. You just want a quick and flexible way to top up your bank balance.</p>



<p>Check out our list of the best part-time <a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/what-jobs-dont-need-experience-sonicjobs/?id=840"><strong>jobs that don’t need experience</strong></a>.</p>



<h2>What to look for in a side hustle</h2>



<ul><li><strong>Flexibility</strong> &#8211; your side hustle shouldn’t interfere with your main job. It should slot around your full-time hours. So you’ll need to find a side hustle that offers flexible shift patterns to suit your needs.</li></ul>



<ul><li><strong>No experience/qualifications</strong> &#8211; remember, your side hustle isn’t your career. So the best side hustles are the ones that don’t require any experience. This allows you to find a job much quicker!</li></ul>



<h2>5 awesome side hustle jobs with NO experience</h2>



<h3>Bar work &#8211; £21,000 average UK annual salary</h3>



<p>As a bartender, you’ll be on your feet in a bustling environment.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Bar work is a quick way to earn some extra cash. The best part about it is that the shifts are usually in the evening. So you can carry on with your regular 9-5. Plus, lots of bars offer part-time work just for the weekends when things get busy!</p>



<p><strong>Main responsibilities:</strong></p>



<ul><li>Taking orders</li><li>Making and serving drinks</li><li>Taking payments</li><li>Clearing away glasses</li><li>Keeping the back-bar stocked up</li></ul>



<h3>Waiter / waitress &#8211; £21,000 average UK annual salary</h3>



<p>Waiting on tables is another awesome side hustle. Not only will you earn a part-time income, but you’ll also earn extra cash in tips! Waiting is a great job for anyone who likes to be active at work and interact with people.</p>



<p><strong>Main responsibilities:</strong></p>



<ul><li>Taking orders</li><li>Serving food</li><li>Taking payments</li><li>Maintaining a clean and tidy environment</li><li>Handling complaints</li></ul>



<h3>Retail assistant &#8211; £19,000 average UK annual salary</h3>



<p>Lots of people like to use retail as a side hustle. The shifts are usually really flexible, and there are plenty of zero experience jobs around. So you should find a part-time retail job quite easily!</p>



<p><strong>Main responsibilities:</strong></p>



<ul><li>Handling payments and refunds</li><li>Maintaining a tidy shop front</li><li>Stock checks</li><li>Making recommendations to customers</li><li>Answering queries</li></ul>



<h3>Cleaning &#8211; £18,579 average UK annual salary</h3>



<p>Cleaning work is a quick and easy way to earn some extra cash. Companies don’t look for experience. They just look for reliable and thorough workers. This is a great side hustle if you’re not a people person and prefer to be left to your own devices!</p>



<p><strong>Main responsibilities:</strong></p>



<ul><li>Cleaning premises like houses and offices</li><li>Travelling to different locations</li><li>Customer service</li></ul>



<h3>Multi-drop delivery driver &#8211; £32,500 average UK annual salary</h3>



<p>To start working as a multi-drop delivery driver, all you’ll need is a driving licence! Usually you’ll just be driving a small van locally, so a regular licence is fine. The good news is that delivery drivers are really in demand. They also have a lot of control over their shift patterns. So it’s simple to find a part-time delivery driving job that suits your needs.</p>



<p><strong>Main responsibilities:</strong></p>



<ul><li>Delivering parcels to different locations</li><li>Admin, checking items off lists</li><li>Customer service</li></ul>



<h2>Let the hustle begin!</h2>



<p>Whether you’re looking for an extra £50 or £300, we’re here to help. Finding a side hustle couldn’t be quicker with <a href="http://www.sonicjobs.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>SonicJobs</strong></a>. Our app makes it easy to <strong><a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/where-can-i-apply-for-lots-of-jobs-quickly-sonicjobs/?id=571">apply for lots of jobs fast</a></strong>. Use our app to apply for jobs with one tap today!</p>


Best side hustle jobs with no experience


<p>Whether you’re unemployed or in a job,<strong> <a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/why-is-applying-for-jobs-stressful-sonicjobs/?id=674">job hunting can be a stressful experience</a></strong>. Finding a new job is a big deal. And it can really take its toll on your mental health. Before you know it, you end up feeling <strong><a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/how-to-avoid-burnout-at-work/?id=1206">burnt out</a></strong> and overwhelmed. So if you’re looking for a new job, make sure you use these techniques to support your mental health and wellbeing.</p>



<ul><li>Declutter</li><li>Use a planner</li><li>Set realistic goals</li><li>Switch off</li><li>Use your support system</li><li>Assert healthy boundaries</li><li>Use breathing techniques</li><li>Practise patience</li></ul>



<h2>8 ways to support your mental health during your job search</h2>



<h3>Declutter</h3>



<p>If you want to<strong> <a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/how-do-you-know-if-a-career-is-right-for-you-sonicjobs/?id=599">find the right job</a></strong>, you need mental clarity. And you can’t have mental clarity if your environment is cluttered. Clutter creates stress and overwhelm without you even realising it.&nbsp;</p>



<p>So take time to declutter your surroundings. Make sure your desk is clear. Sort your files into folders on your laptop. Clear out your purse. Donate or sell any old clothes you don’t wear anymore. Trust us on this one. Declutter and you&#8217;ll unlock a whole new level of clarity.</p>



<h3>Use a planner</h3>



<p>When it comes to job hunting, a planner will work wonders for your mental health. Instead of trying to hold everything in your mind, write it down. Plan out your days, weeks and months. This will free up SO much space in your mind. You can relax knowing you don’t need to remember everything yourself since it’s all written down in your planner.</p>



<h3>Set realistic goals</h3>



<p>Job hunting can get overwhelming. So it’s best to break your job hunt down into <strong><a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/excel-your-career-in-2023-with-smart-goals-best-examples-included/?id=1345">SMART goals</a></strong>. For example, how many job applications would you like to make each week? Just remember to be realistic with your goals. Don’t overwhelm yourself with goals you can’t handle.</p>



<h3>Switch off</h3>



<p>Switching off is a huge part of supporting your mental health. You might think you need to work solidly until you find a job. But this will lead to burnout. Just like a computer runs better after it switches off, you will too! So go to the gym. Run a relaxing bath. Take a walk. Go see your friends. Just take time away from work and job hunting.</p>



<h3>Use your support system</h3>



<p>Don’t carry the burden of your job hunt by yourself. Talking to a friend can really lift the stress. So if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, remember to pick up the phone to your friends or family.&nbsp;</p>



<h3>Assert healthy boundaries&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Boundaries are crucial to your mental health. Especially when you’re job hunting. So make sure you take your work breaks. Finish work on time. Don’t take on too much from other people. Learn when you need to say ‘no’. It can be uncomfortable, but it’s for the best.</p>



<h3>Use breathing techniques</h3>



<p>Breathing is directly related to your stress levels. When you’re feeling stressed or anxious, try breathing exercises to calm your nervous system. There are a ton of breathwork videos on YouTube. These will slow your mind down and help you sleep better.</p>



<h3>Practise patience</h3>



<p>Patience is the key to keeping your cool while job hunting. Remember that it takes time to find the right job. And rejections are just a part of the process. So be patient any time you start to feel frustrated. Just know that the right job is right around the corner, and <strong><em>so</em></strong> worth the wait!</p>



<h2>Don’t neglect yourself</h2>



<p>It’s great to have career aims. But you never want your self-care to fall away. Don’t wait for this to happen before you start using these tips. Self-care should always be a part of your routine. If anything, it will make your job hunt more successful.</p>



<p class="has-text-align-center"><em>Save time in your job hunt by using the </em><a href="http://www.sonicjobs.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong><em>SonicJobs</em></strong></a><em> app. Apply for jobs with 1 tap from your phone.</em></p>


8 practical mental health tips while job hunting


<p>When <strong><a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/preparing-for-an-interview-when-employed/?id=469">preparing for an interview</a></strong>, you need to brace yourself for tough questions. And one of the hardest interview questions is this one: <em>Tell me about a time you failed.</em> It’s tricky because you have to talk about the negatives. But the key to answering this question is to put a positive spin on it. </p>



<p>Use our top tips for answering this tricky interview question.</p>



<h3>1. Frame your answer</h3>



<p>Always frame your answer using the<strong> <a href="https://blog.sonicjobs.net/how-to-use-the-star-interview-technique/?id=1065">STAR interview method</a></strong>. First, explain the Situation (your job title, company etc). Then talk about the Task you had. After, describe the Actions you took. And lastly, talk about the Result.</p>



<p></p>



<h3>2. Don’t be cliche</h3>



<p>Don’t answer this question by saying ‘<em>I don’t believe in failure.’ </em>That’s cliche and is only avoiding the question. You need to be honest and really think about your failures. Interviewers can tell when you’re trying to dodge a question. So face it head on!</p>



<h3>3. Don’t dig yourself a grave</h3>



<p>We want you to be honest. But you also need to be smart in your answer. Don’t pick a failure that doesn’t have a happy ending. You need to pick a failure that you managed to fix. Otherwise, the interviewers will start to question your ability to do the role.</p>



<h3>4. Focus on what you learned</h3>



<p>Failure can teach us to be better. But not everyone learns from their mistakes. The interviewers really want to know you’re the kind of person who learns. The type who can bounce back. So wherever your story goes, always bring it back to what it taught you.</p>



<h3>5. Be accountable</h3>



<p>Don’t play the blame game. Don’t point the finger. These are big red flags for employers. Always hold yourself accountable for your failures. Companies want to hire people who can learn from their mistakes. They don’t want to hire people who can’t be accountable for their actions.</p>



<h3>6. Show appreciation</h3>



<p>You’ll gain bonus points from the interviewers if you can appreciate the lessons you learned. It’s a great attitude to have.</p>



<h2>Sample answer to ‘Tell me about a time you failed”</h2>



<h3>Example 1: Sales role</h3>



<p>“<em>I was working as a Sales Consultant for Ford in 2019. I was close to hitting my annual target and still had a whole month to go. I had worked really hard all year. But I made the mistake of thinking it would be easy to hit my target in the final month. So I didn’t put in the same amount of calls I normally would. Unfortunately, I ended up not hitting my target and missing out on my bonus. It was completely my fault. I’d been overconfident. But in a way, I’m grateful because this taught me a huge lesson to never take business for granted. The following year, I never gave up on hitting my target even when I thought it was in the bag. In the end, I exceeded my 2020 sales target by 20%.</em>”</p>



<h3>Example 2: Hospitality role</h3>



<p>“<em>My biggest failure was when I was working as a waitress for a Michelin star restaurant. I was fairly new to waitressing and inexperienced. One table asked me several questions about the menu and I wasn’t able to answer them because I hadn’t studied the menu.&nbsp; It was quite embarrassing for me and reflected poorly on the restaurant. The customers complained to my manager since they expected a higher level of service. Ever since that evening, I stepped up my game and studied everything I could about the menu. My manager said he was very impressed with how I turned things around so quickly. It was a good lesson to learn. It taught me that customers have certain expectations. And if you don’t meet those expectations, you’ll fail. It’s as simple as that. 4 years on and I’m still working in Michelin star restaurants at management level so I must be doing something right now!</em>”.</p>



<h2>Prepare to fail!</h2>



<p>Failure is a natural part of everyone’s career progression. We wouldn’t learn if we didn’t fail. So don’t be scared of talking about your failures. Just be sure to prepare your answers in advance so you can answer confidently!</p>



<p class="has-text-align-center"><em>Want a quick career change? SonicJobs can help you find a job in record time. </em><a href="http://www.sonicjobs.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Get started today!</em></a></p>


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