What do you know, it’s Friday already, and that must mean it’s time for another edition of the Friday five! Ah, some quiet reading, just the tonic for a week that was way too busy. Enjoy!

• Withdraw your resignation! No, I don’t mean your letter of resignation, I mean your resignation from leading a happy life, trying to get out of whatever rut you are in, or pursuing a career you really want. Sometimes we are pushed into a corner that we don’t like, but the real problem is when we don’t try and dig ourselves out of it. Leaden Winter, at Verve Coaching, offers some excellent advice for dealing with these sorts of situations.
• Perhaps a career as a writer appeals to you. The work is creative and as long as you can meet deadlines, the working hours flexible. So why not? That just leaves the problem of what area of writing to specialise in, and with the range as varied as the world is wide, the choice can be difficult to say the least. Not to worry though, the “What Type of Writer Should You Be?” quiz, is here to help you out!
• Changing careers is a big step for many people and sometimes the prospect of taking a big step, any big step, induces a certain inertia or reluctance to move forward. Or to be more precise, fear of change. These fears can be overcome as this article (which originally appeared at PayScale) at the Career Transition Resources suggests.
• Chances are you’re considering a career change because you not only find your current job un-fulfilling and boring, but you HATE it with a loathing as well! If the latter is the case then you should check out Disgruntled Workforce. Read about what peeves other workers and even submit your own stories. It’s great to really vent now and again and this is the perfect place to go!
• And if you do submit a workplace tale to Disgruntled Workforce, remember to be discreet, and not give away too many clues as to who you work for. It just may get you dooced or fired! But what if the worst has already come to fruition? First, calm down and try not to panic, and then second, read the advice from Career Hub about what to do in the hours immediately after a sacking.

As a job title wouldn’t this be considered an oxymoron? It must also be about the only time you would see the words television and personality grouped in the same sentence as well.

No, just kidding, really. You see I don’t have a TV, so I think the whole medium is just about a complete waste of time.

I prefer to spend my spare time out at the park, in the lap pool, at the movies, going out for dinner, going out for coffee, engaging in face-to-face conversation, reading (remember that?), networking, blogging, designing websites, and surfing the net.

So it doesn’t leave a great deal of time for the idiot box, I mean TV, does it? Besides, there’s only so many times you can watch re-runs of the Simpsons, right?

So it’s not that I’m biased or anything. I mean a medium that offers no connection, or interactivity, and is responsible for the death of personal communication still has its merits right? Ops, there I go again…

A job as a TV Personality indeed appeals. There’s the fame and the fortune. There’s sitting and chewing the fat with all sorts of people that the rest of us will be lucky to see from 100 metres, as they are whisked into limousines flanked by their minders.

There’s becoming part of the A-list and being invited to the birthdays, weddings, and all manner of other debauched gatherings, of those “who have made it”. Then there’s the Logies, the Emmys, and all the other accolades that are part and parcel of being a TV personality.

There’s the privilege of being part of the inner circle of a very elite clique of well known, beautiful, well groomed and manicured, and impeccably dressed people, who all have pearly white smiles and dazzling bright eyes.

That’s probably (hopefully) enticement enough to see your way passed the back stabbing, cat fights, and intensely bitter rivalry and competition that must be overcome to be able to come anywhere near the studio floor.

Selling your soul (and your actual personality at the same time) may contribute to your “success” though.

So is it really for you? Is this what you want to be? This is an important question, because on screen there is no you.

Being a TV Personality is really just an act. A pretense. A put on. It’s all about regurgitating the auto-cue. It’s not you at all.

The person yabbering away on the box in the living rooms of millions of people may have your name, but what about your actual, real, personality? Is that person really you, remotely you, or a total facade?

So see what I mean when I say oxymoron?

If you want a job that requires having some personality while presenting yourself to people, why not consider a career as a stand up comedian? It is a job where you can truly be who you are, you write and act out your own gigs, and no remote can ever stop or silence you.

Try being a TV Personality and see if you are half as lucky.

A few weeks ago Sydney fashion designer Lang Leav invited me to the opening of her first solo exhibition at the Kinokuniya Gallery, located in The Galeries Victoria. Lang is well known for her design work, and the Akina fashion label which she created in 2005.

Her business card is almost like a small sample of her work, and I thought I would feature it in a short post.

It is a great example of how something like a business card, that is commonplace and usually taken for granted, can with a little imagination, still be functional and useful, while also making a statement at the same time.

I realise, by the way, that not everyone has the same artistic talent as Lang, so I’m not attempting to set any sort of benchmark here.

Still, as a promotional tool, I think there are a few tips and some inspiration, that can be drawn from her design concept, in much the same way as the letter box drop campaign I mentioned last month.

Since I have been writing about networking in the last few days I thought a mention of business cards was apt since they are a requisite part of most networking activities.

There are several features of Lang’s card that catch the eye at the same time, due to its unique design.

While most cards tend to have a landscape, or left to right, orientation, Lang’s is portrait, or top to bottom. This obviously suits its movie ticket style of design, which initially made me think it was actually a ticket of some sort, rather than a business card!

If you look closely at the above photo you will notice that perforations have been stamped into the card, which further add to the vintage style movie ticket feel.

All up it’s a novel and eye catching way to make an impression, and in a world that loves something that is a little different, and stands out in the crowd, a business card with some unique design elements, and theme, will certainly get people talking about you and your card.

As I say not everyone is a designer, and rather than using a self made logo or image on your cards, you could instead consider using a thumbnail of an unusual, or otherwise interesting photo of yours for example.

Lang’s cards make my relatively new business cards look very plain in comparison, and when the time comes to reorder I think I’ll be making a few changes to the design!

Yesterday I discussed the promotional and networking benefits that blogging can have for career changers.

To keep the networking theme continuing today I thought I’d relate an anecdote from a few years ago, once more about my web design career transition.

As I mentioned yesterday, the quirky nature of my personal website had garnered quite a degree of unexpected, but welcome, attention from a number of professional web designers locally.

As an aside, the researcher at the disposable razor blade company I mentioned yesterday, was but one of my web “identities”. Another “character” was a web designer, who featured in an on-going series of fictional stories that chronicled his various up and downs socially, personally, and as a freelance web designer.

I would subtly allude to various aspects of web design in these stories, using knowledge I was gathering about the workings of the web industry as I was going along.

As a result I would literally meet people who already thought I was a web designer, and was simply producing the fictional series as some respite from a hard day’s work designing websites!

I was able to deploy my expanding knowledge in more purposeful ways however, and it was one conversation in particular with the director of a design studio that resulted in a web design job offer coming my way.

It’s no secret web designers like to party, meaning there were always regular gatherings and social events around town, which I’d often get myself along to. It was not only a way of doing some serious face-to-face networking, but also of having some fun at the same time.

At one such function I met, for the first time, a studio director I had been corresponding with by email for the past few months. He went on to tell me about some of the projects he was working on, and a particular problem he was having with one website that was being produced to a very tight deadline.

Without having to think, I immediately ventured a possible solution which he was very interested in. A few days later he emailed, thanking me for the suggestion, and told me it was working perfectly!

I replied back telling him I was happy to have been of service, and partly humourously, to consider me for any job vacancies he had. I was surprised when he wrote back saying that while he had no openings presently, he had mentioned me to the Creative Director of another design studio who was looking to hire.

About ten days later I was starting work as a web designer, having virtually been head-hunted into the role!

And a large part of my success in this regard had been the way, albeit slightly creatively, that I had managed to build up name for myself, as someone who knew what he was talking about when it came to web design.

While you don’t have to go creating multiple identities, or writing works of fiction to get yourself noticed, there are a still some lessons that can be learnt from this experience.

Firstly, avail yourself of every opportunity to network face-to-face with people doing the sort of work you would one day like to.

As I mentioned yesterday, a blog (or personal website) is a great vehicle with which to introduce yourself, and go about creating a network of professional contacts, but it’s not the be all, and end all, of the process.

It’s the personal, or face-to-face, meetings that can really make the difference though, and often the value of putting a “face to a name” is often under-appreciated.

Also, keep you finger on the pulse. Be “up to speed” with the industry buzz. Subscribe to industry newsletters, blogs, and magazines. This will also give you some conversation starters at networking functions, and allow you to make knowledgeable contributions to the discussion.

And some informed conversation might be all it takes to bring about the job opening you have been looking for.

Several years ago while in the process of becoming a web designer I discovered the best self promotional tool I had was my personal website.

It proved a great way to not only learn new design skills “on the fly”, but also showcase them at the same time. Since I didn’t have a whole lot of commercial work to produce a “proper” portfolio with, I decided to design my website according to a fictitious theme, and “tell a story” as it were.

One of these “themes” entailed my being a researcher at a disposable razor blade manufacturing company, and I designed a website that outlined by “work” at this “company”.

Though a million miles from web design as such, the website nevertheless demonstrated my design abilities, and due to its “quirky” nature was noticed by a number of professional web designers, including the one who went on to offer me a design job.

While having some sort of showcase website may seem like an over-obvious requirement for an aspirational web designer, there are a number of reasons why anyone who is changing careers should also consider having their own personal website, or blog.

Blogging isn’t just for those who wish to share details of their personal life or an interest in a pastime, and with some thought and careful execution, a blog can be a powerful self promotional and networking tool for career changers.

1. Make a name for yourself
A blog allows you to introduce yourself to the world and potentially make yourself known to a large number of people, and all before you’ve even left the house!

Who you are, and what you do (or would like to do) becomes visible to anyone looking (through search engines for example) for someone with your particular profile, interests, or goals.

2. Network with potential colleagues and contacts
A blog is a great way to create a network of people who share your interests and outlook, and it shouldn’t take too much searching around to find others who are blogging on the same topic as you.

You can start to make yourself known to these people by adding them to your blogroll, and making comments on their blog posts, or even by directly introducing yourself to them.

3. Share (or show off) what you know
One way to demonstrate your interest and knowledge is to write posts sharing your insights on issues and developments relating to the industry, or career field, you are interested in.

Well researched and written articles will give your readers the clear impression you are knowledgeable and up to speed with what’s happening around you.

For my part this proved very effective in finding web design work.

4. More than just a name
Many people effectively use discussion forums, news lists, and other online communities as a way of networking, and making a name for themselves, by sharing their knowledge on a given subject.

A blog though, containing more information about who you are and what you know, linked from your profile page or forum signature, can add a little more dimension to what is otherwise a two dimensional screen name or avatar.

5. Brand “You”
Creating a personal brand is one way of standing out from the crowd, and a blog is ideal way to go about a establishing your own brand.

Conclusion
Getting started and creating a blog has never been easier thanks to tools such as Wordpress and Blogger. Not only are they free to use, complete web novices, or those who don’t have time to develop a website, can be up and running in a matter of minutes, by simply using a standard blog template.

While becoming a “blogger” may not be everyone’s cup of tea, as a promotional and networking tool, it is certainly worth giving the prospect some consideration though.

If you consider yourself a slash careerist (this week’s favourite term at The InterChange Desk!) then this week would have been a “slash week”, as I’ve been wearing a couple of work hats these last few days. Talk about busy days and busy nights! Still time to compile the weekly check list though, I hope you enjoy today’s selection.

• Rather than search high and low for your dream job you could try creating it for yourself instead, by starting a business that is related to your field of interest. So what is it you want to do though? How to choose a career is an article at Flying Solo written by Katie Roberts, and suggests a few ideas for those seeking out their dream job.

• Aspiring entrepreneurs, or those thinking of launching their own enterprise, ought to check out the series of articles by Bryan Baker on how running has changed his life and inspired him to become a successful entrepreneur. Some interesting parallels there, long distance running and starting up your own business are hard work, but the result is worth the effort.
• What did you did about your dreams? Some excellent motivation reading for a Friday, together with some lessons about never being afraid to ask for help, and being prepared to constantly reassess your weaknesses.
• Another must read for those contemplating a career change, The Power of Calling, at Creative Careers Unleashed. Just what is your calling in life? There’s something each of us wants to do, and is capable of doing, but somehow we seem to miss its call. I love the article’s summary: “You CAN definitely ignore your Calling - but believe me it WILL HURT to do so”.
• A picture speaks a thousand words! Another way of looking at finding the “ideal career” equation!

Today’s news update is brought to you by the work “networking”.

The way to get a head in any endeavour is to network, network, network.

Personally I’m a little slack in this regard, and rather than network, network, network I maybe only network! I guess it’s just who I am though, a more of a behind the scenes sort of person.

Whatever though, you should get out and give it a go. This week the monthly Sydney Bloggers meet-up was held on Tuesday night. A great time was had by all who attended (thanks to event organiser Sara Goldstein, aka the Bargain Queen!), and it’s always great to meet up with people who have similar interests.

If time or distance prevent you from getting along to face-to-face gatherings though, search around for some online communities that cater to your field of interest instead.

For instance Lars-Christian Simonsen from Norway has recently established, Bloggst, a resource for bloggers old and new, which features a very friendly and helpful discussion forum.

And why all the focus on blogging today? What has it to do with changing careers? A lot really, since blogging is a form of networking, and networking is particularly useful for career changers. I’ll tell you more about it soon though.