Year: 2020

5 Things You Need To Know Before You Become A Lawyer

Published by Will Chatham on 12/31/2020

Becoming a legal professional is something that many people aspire to do. The great working conditions, excellent pay, and retirement benefits all make a career in the legal profession something worth striving for.

However, there are some things that you’ll need to know before you start working on your first practice. It’s not all plain sailing.

Some Law Careers Are More Flexible Than Others

Going into law isn’t a one size fits all process. Instead, it is a highly varied field with multiple opportunities and working styles.

Some legal jobs are much more flexible than others. If you go to work for a big firm, for instance, you’ll have to put in the hours just like everyone else.

If, however, you switch to more of a consultancy role, you can take on projects as they come to you. There’s no pressure to be in the office Monday to Friday, nine to five.

You Won’t Spend A Lot Of Time In Court

Hollywood loves to focus on lawyers’ theatrical appearances in court. But the reality is that that kind of thing is usually only a small part of the job. Most lawyers spend most of their time doing research and looking up precedents with legal research software. A lot of their time is actually spent trying to defuse potential legal situations on the part of their clients so that they don’t get to court in the first place.

You Won’t Become A Partner Immediately

Once you become a partner at your firm, you know that you’ve made it. All of a sudden, you have control over the firm and a degree of authority and autonomy.

Getting to such a position, though, doesn’t come swiftly, even if you’re a top performer. Usually, you have to wait for the old-guard to retire before being allowed to take their place.

The best strategy for young lawyers looking to improve their pay grade is to look horizontally, not vertically. Seek out other firms offering more senior positions to work your way up the ladder faster.

You’ll Need To Become An Adept Writer

Writing is a challenge for most people, but especially lawyers who have to be particularly precise in the way that they use it. You can’t rattle off letters to clients using everyday English. That simply won’t suffice. Most of your communications will have legal content, meaning that how you phrase your sentences matters.

Unfortunately, speaking in legalese isn’t an option either. You need to communicate with your clients in a way that they can understand. So most lawyers put considerable effort into improving their writing skills once they graduate from training.

You Can’t Always Find Clear Answers

Legal systems seem well-defined on the outside. But in many cases, there are no clear legal precedents for what a court should do. And that means that you’ll need to do a lot of analysis and research to make your case.

This is the part of the job where you’ll need to engage your critical thinking skills and put them to good use.

How To Lessen Strain When Working At Your Computer All Day

Published by Will Chatham on 12/29/2020

No matter if you’re producing music, writing content, playing video games or just keeping up with the latest news, many of us spend more time than we would care to admit on our computers. This has led much of our recreational and professional time to be focused on staring at one, two or three screens in particular, for hours at a time.

Of course, we were not designed for this, despite how convenient and productive this can be. As such, we need to take certain measures to help us better adapt to this physical, mental and ocular strain when using our computers. Putting together a few worthwhile measures now can prevent us from having to worry about repercussions later.

For instance, if sit slouched in a terrible chair with little lumbar support, one day, you will feel the effects. However, sitting in a good and ergonomic chair (which you should totally invest in) is hardly the only consideration to keep in mind. With the following advice, you’ll be able to work long hours without having to pay over the odds for it:

Invest In Your Desk

A great desk, just like a chair, can help your ergonomics. It will help dictate where you sit, how you sit, and how comfortable you are using it. Ideally, you should have a desk that’s big enough to hold all of your equipment (including specialty peripherals), and still have enough space to store temporary items. This can help you feel more connected to your workspace, as if it isn’t constricting you. It’s also worthwhile to consider how standing desks can help you undo the damage of sitting, as they provide a worthwhile investment for anyone hoping to benefit in the long term.

Blue Light Protection

Blue light can play havoc with our circadian rhythm, because when the sun has gone down, this light hue emitted by most screens simulates the sun, thus telling our brains that it isn’t dark outside. You can overcome this with blue light glasses, which can also help you avoid digital eye strain, headaches due to long-form screen work or gaming, as well as affording you the worthwhile frames that fit your style. For people who use their devices late into the night, this is a great investment.

Keyboard & Mice

It’s important to invest in a good keyboard and mouse. Those with mechanical switch are known to be easier to type on, allowing for a more comfortable finger traction when typing. This helps you type for long periods without pain. A mouse and keyboard, if ergonomically designed, also allow for the clicking and movement motions to be less taxing on your fingers and wrists. Certain laptop models also allow for this kind of keyboard, and they’re work investing in. This might not seem like much, but add this up over potentially hundreds or thousands of hours and you’ll see how effective your efforts can be at delaying physical issues such as repetitive strain injury.

Rest Your Mind

Not only is it a good idea to keep your physical self happy and healthy when you’re working at your computer all day, it’s also a good idea to rest your mind once in a while. All that work and no play is not conducive to good work, and although you might think you’re being productive, the truth is that you’re probably not. Taking a break every now and then, ideally at least once an hour for ten minutes or so, will help you work better and smarter. Reducing your workload is one great way to ensure this happens. Hiring a Facebook ad agency to help with your marketing or having an accountant to deal with your taxes frees up your time, allows for more breaks, and helps you work better.

With this advice, we hope you can more easily avoid strain when working at your computer all day.

Are you Cut out for a Job in Healthcare? Here’s how you Find Out

Published by Will Chatham on 12/23/2020

If you are passionate about helping people? Then a career in healthcare could be for you. It’s a very rewarding choice and you may even find that you are able to go into various other avenues of work at a later date. If you want to find out more then simply take a look below.

There are Roles Suited to Every Skillset

Contrary to popular belief, if you want to work in healthcare then you don’t need to spend most of your day studying. You also don’t have to worry about having extensive amounts of medical knowledge either. Working in healthcare is a very rewarding role and there are various options that you can pursue. In fact, some of the roles do not require any experience at all. So it doesn’t matter whether you want to pursue a career that is directly related to medicine or whether you want something that is more suited to a specific skill that you already have, because you can easily make a difference to those who need it if you are willing to put in the work. If you want to find out more about the hospitals you could be working for or if you want to work for someone who is providing a good service then look up an electronic medical record audit trail.

It’s a Growing Industry

In the UK, the NHS is the fifth largest employer in the world. This isn’t including those who work in the private healthcare sector either. The need doesn’t stop there either. When you look at things on a worldwide basis, you will soon see that the healthcare sector is growing more and more by the year and that the amount of help required is showing absolutely no signs of slowing down any time soon. The good news is that as the industry grows, you will too. Since healthcare workers are in such high demand, a lot of employers find themselves offering extra development and career opportunities. This will help you to progress and it will help you to expand the knowledge and the experience you have.

Making a Positive Impact

It doesn’t matter what your role is in the industry, because everything that you do will have some part in helping others. Working in healthcare will give you the chance to nurture your desire to help others and it will also help you to make a living too. Remember, the help that is required will expand across various sectors and this means that it doesn’t matter what your talent is, because you will do some good somewhere. Roles in healthcare are not limited to doctors and nurses remember. The role is to help individuals to regain their speech and to also improve their confidence. You may also end up helping someone with their anxiety if you train as a mental health professional. If you work as an occupational therapist, it may be that you help people to regain the strength that they once had through physical therapy. Even in positions where you are not treating patients, such as in clinical support, you have to remember that the decisions you make will almost certainly impact the level of care that your patients receive. This will in-turn impact their lives as a result.

Great Pay

It doesn’t matter whether you work in private healthcare or whether you choose to enter a full career as a mental health therapist, because there are so many jobs available for you to choose from and nearly every one of them will give you a fantastic level of pay. There are so many workplace settings and when you begin to explore them you will soon find that you are able to reap the benefits and that you can get a fantastic result overall. Sometimes you will get rewarded for the out of hours work that you do and sometimes you can undergo annual development reviews. When you do this, you will be able to support your career as well as your aspirations.

There are various healthcare providers across the world that will provide you with free healthcare screening. You will also get life insurance as the result of their work benefits too. When you combine this with regular training you will soon find that you are able to rocket your potential as well as your overall progress. Added bonuses tend to include holiday allowances as well as additional flexibility in your working hours.

Fast-Paced Environments

Working in healthcare comes with its challenges. You will be able to work with people from every walk of life and you may also find that there is never a dull moment. You will be able to solve every individual issue and you will also experience a variety of highs and lows. Teamwork is a huge part of the job as well, so if you feel as though this is your strong point then you shouldn’t have a problem in working in healthcare. Of course, another benefit is that you will get an immense amount of job satisfaction. You will be working towards a joint goal that is meaningful with those around you and you can also find a real purpose in your career. If you are sick of being bored stiff at work or if you feel like you have a job with absolutely no purpose then finding your ideal position in the healthcare industry could be the best solution for you.Of course, working in the healthcare industry will require a lot of skill and dedication but at the end of the day, if you are willing to put in the work then you may find that you are able to get way more from your job and the day to day work that you do. If you have no experience then you may need to start out fairly low-down but you will soon be able to advance up the ladder and achieve your true potential.

What to Expect on Your First Time in a Recording Studio

Published by Will Chatham on 12/17/2020

Are you a musician who has made that all-important step forward and booked yourself time in a recording studio for your first ever session? It’s a huge step, and one to feel proud and excited about, but at the same time, you want to be sure you make the most of the opportunity and show up prepared and ready to work, and be creative.

To help you better understand what your experience will be like in a recording studio, allowing you to plan appropriately, let’s break down exactly how things work.

Be Clear on What the Booking Entails

Before making any sort of booking at a recording studio, it’s important to determine what exactly a booking includes. Will you have self-service access to equipment? What is the quality of the equipment? Do you have to pay a premium to use the equipment? What is the length of time of your booking? What about a space for production, writing, and editing? Is there a vocal booth? These are just some of the things you’ll want to investigate before you make any sort of booking. It ensures that you’re getting what you need, and that you’re getting your money’s worth. It also helps you to narrow down the options and pick the ideal recording studio for you.

For many artists, the best recording studio is the one you can write and produce music in, and take advantage of day rates. These are all the features that Pirate Studio in Brooklyn offers musicians, giving them the tools and the flexibility that they need to make music happen and feed their art. These Brooklyn recording studios are well-known in the industry and have a very strong and respected reputation.

Chat with Your Producer/Engineer in Advance and Have a Plan

Because time is of the essence, you’ll want to head into the experience expecting to get to work the moment you step foot in the studio. Artists are recommended to speak with their producer/engineer in advance and have a plan on what to accomplish in the session.
For musicians, the idea of having a schedule or a plan can seem a bit stifling and doesn’t allow for that natural organic flow, but here’s the thing – you’re on the clock, so forming those creative thoughts and visions in advance can definitely help the session to be more successful.

Make Sure Your Gear is In Good Condition and Ready to Be Used

Because you want to get started right away, it’s also wise to tune up your gear ahead of time and make sure everything is working properly. You could even do a little practice run before you head out to the recording studio, thereby eliminating the need to do so when you arrive.
If you require a lot of gear, make sure you take the time to go over everything you have packed, making sure nothing has been forgotten. Making a list of items you want to take with you can help to alleviate some of the stress. It ensures nothing gets forgotten in the rush of the moment.

Keep the Head Count to a Minimum

While it may be tempting to bring along all kinds of friends to help you out, the fact is that you don’t want the studio to be too crowded and to get too hectic. Try to keep the bodies to a minimum and just bring the people you need to help you make your music. If a person doesn’t add to the process and have a job to do, then they probably aren’t needed in the studio.
The last thing you want is to be distracted while you’re in the recording studio trying to accomplish your music goals.

Don’t Be Afraid to Step Outside the Box

Once you are in the studio and you see all the equipment before you, don’t be afraid to experiment. You can step outside your box, try a different set-up, make small adjustments, and just allow yourself to be creative in the moment. So, while it’s good to have a plan, that plan doesn’t have to be written in stone and there still needs to be room for creative freedom.

Be Sure to Pack Snacks and Beverages

The final tip is a really simple one, but it’s also important. Be sure to also pack some snacks and beverages. You could be in that studio all day so your vocal health and energy level needs to be something you are mindful of.

One of the Best Experiences of Your Life

As a musician, there is nothing quite like the first time you step foot into a recording studio. It’s an impressive milestone, and one that you don’t want to take lightly. Go ahead and celebrate, pat yourself on the back, and then get down to business and make the absolute most of your time in the studio.

Step-By-Step Guide to Starting a Solar Installation Company

Published by Will Chatham on 11/18/2020

When it comes to creating a business and coming up with a business idea that will grow and grow, then looking at alternative energy is a sector that is going from strength to strength. In a study by the International Energy Agency, over the past five years, it has been found that solar panels have been responsible for around two-thirds of the power that has been generated around the world. This means that it will be something that is a very profitable venture, and now is the time to get started.

It makes sense that this kind of business is going to be the most profitable in some of the sunnier areas of the work. It can be easier to rely on this kind of power and harness the power of solar technology when there is an abundance of sun! However, this doesn’t mean that only those locations can make the most of it. Using solar panels can improve energy efficiency of a home, and in many cases, help to save money. So from a business point of view, it can be worth doing, in locations all around the world. The other good news from this point of view is that anyone can look to tap into this massive opportunity. What’s more, you don’t really even need any technical expertise to be able to launch a solar business of your own.

If this sounds like the kind of business that you would like to get up and running with, then knowing a few of the steps that will help you along the way can make such a difference. But what does a solar energy company actually do?

Solar Panel Installation Company

If you want to start and run a business doing solar panel installation, then you need to know what it is all about. A lot of people think that it is just purely installing the solar panels. But in reality, while that is part of it, there is much more than a solar panel installation company will do.

One of the things that needs to be done is that the business will need to do some inspections of the proposed locations, to check that they will be suitable for installation. Then a plan will be put in place for the proposed site, and the company will liaise closely with the owner, to arrange the finance of it, as well as the general installation of the solar panels. The job doesn’t stop there, though. A solar panel company will also look into providing maintenance and repairs, to make sure that your customers get value for money. Replacements may be needed too, depending on what you decide to offer as a warranty. So a good knowledge of solar panels and how they all work is advised.

Tips for starting a successful solar panel installation company

If you want to run a successful solar panel installation company, then there are a few steps that are going to help you. Some of which will work for any business that you want to set-up, as there are a number of things that are the same from business to business. Of course, some areas will be completely different and be specific to the industry.

Write a business plan

Much like you would with any business that you plan to create, you need to have a plan. This will involve doing some research, to get an idea of the business, as well as an idea of costs and how things work. If you don’t do adequate enough research, then you can waste a lot of time and money, as you won’t know what to do or what to expect.

Research can help you to know and understand who your target customers would be. For instance, will you be looking at targeting homeowners, or would you look to approach commercial buildings too? When you know who your target customers will be, you can hone your business to suit them, and it will be much less complicated to think about what your customers need and to develop a customer base. Research will also give you an idea about the requirements of the market, as well as knowing how and where to get materials. This will help you to understand costs, and how to make sure that the business would be an affordable one.

Research into the industry can also help you to get to grips with how best to do things, and give you an understanding of the kind of software that will be needed. For example, you could choose some solar software from JobNimbus, as it could help you to sell more, as well as save time, and help you to grow your solar business. That is why research and planning is essential, before you get things started.

You can think about who would be ideal to work for you too. Would they already have experience in this area, or would you think that a general engineer like an electrician would be best suited? With a business plan completed, you will be in a much better position and be much more focused on the direction you want to take, and will have laid the groundwork for it to be a success.

Choose which area to work

The location that you choose to run the business in can have an impact on your earning potential, as well as your costs for going it all. This needs to be decided early on in the business planning process, but of course, things can change over time. As part of your business planning, choosing the area to work is a vital part of that. If you are looking at homeowners only, then a highly populated area, out in suburbs perhaps, could be the best choice. If you are looking to aim your business more at commercial properties, then you need to think about areas with a large number of business are present.

Another consideration is that location should be budget-friendly. You don’t want to spend too much money in the start, before you have even got the business off the ground. So if it involves a lot of travel to get to your chosen area of work, then chances are that it won’t be a good choice. The final consideration when it comes to the location is choosing somewhere where solar panels are legal, as this isn’t the case all over the world. You don’t want to come into any legal issues, or cross any zoning boards who are not supportive of what you plan to do.

Get correct certification and licensing

A similar step to choosing the location of where you want to work, you need to think about the licenses and certifications that will be required to run your business. If you choose to work out of certain areas, then you would need to get an electrician’s license, in order to get a solar installation permit. In some states or countries, you may also need to get a construction licence, as you are going to be going high up on people’s roofs. In fact, some places that you could choose to work out from may require you to have a roofing contractor licence, because of the nature of the work that you are carrying out. So when you know the location that you would prefer to work out of, you need to check what exactly is required in that area, in order for you to get the business up and running.

If you need an electrician’s licence, then you could always hire an electrician with one to do the work, and you could just be the owner. It depends how hands-on you want to be, and how quickly you want things to be up and running. Having the right kinds of licenses and certificates in place can ensure that you don’t have any run-ins with the law, and can get on with your business and let it grow from strength to strength.

Get insurance

Every business needs to have insurance. For starters, if you are hiring people, you need to have insurance. Second of all, for a business like this one, where you will be making changes to people’s homes, and will be dealing with electricity, then you need to make sure that you have things covered. You may need to get insurance for other things, but that could all depend on where you live and where you plan to work. Insurance is a must, though, so do your research to check what you will need.

Hiring employees is one of the next steps, but how many you will need will depend on demand. You may be qualified to do it yourself, and then hire other people as and when you need them. So these are all different things to think about. Starting a solar panel installation company doesn’t need to be hard. Research is key, and as long as you can take time to do that well, then it will help you to be compliant, and get the business off to the right start.

3 Things That Will Make Working From Home Easier

Published by Will Chatham on 11/11/2020

Right now, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, more people are working from home than ever before. Whilst thas a range of benefits, from helping keep each other safe during this difficult time to being able to stay in your pajamas all day – it also changes how you approach your work. As a result, you may be finding it harder to focus and complete your tasks on time. Similarly, you may have noticed a dip in the quality of work you produce.

With that in mind, here are 3 things you can do to make working from home easier!

Invest in technology

Technology is constantly evolving, meaning we now have a whole world of technology sitting right at our fingertips that we can now take advantage of. As a result, you can make working from home easier by getting your hands on some work-friendly gadgets (at an affordable price). This could include:Bluetooth speakers/keyboard

A webcam/microphone – perfect for improving the quality of your zoom meetings.

A second monitor for your PC/Laptop. This makes it easier to manage your tasks.

Noise-canceling headphones – to block out distractions.

A portable hard drive

The above list is by no means exhaustive but is a clear example of how technology has evolved to allow us to work more efficiently – both inside and outside of the office. For example, the technology that we once considered cutting edge, such as these fun tech items from the 90s are no longer part of our everyday lives. This is probably for a good reason, as download and internet speeds were once unbearable!

Don’t skip the ‘commute’.

Although wearisome and sometimes overcrowded, your commute to work actually helps you get into the right mindset for the day ahead, and can help brush of some your sleepiness from the morning.

When working from home, you might choose to spend this extra time in bed, catching up on any missed sleep and getting up just a short amount of time before you are due to start work. As a result, you will likely be less alert when you sit behind your desk and your work could suffer as a consequence. Therefore, to maintain some kind of routine, you should take a short walk before you begin work. This allows you to spend some time outdoors and prepares you for the day ahead.

Take a break

When working from home, you may find yourself working longer hours than you are used to. This is due to the fact that you are constantly battling distractions, or perhaps you feel as though you simply aren’t working as hard. However, it is important that you give yourself a break when you need it. Don’t eat your lunch at your desk. Go for a walk or spend some time doing something you love – be that reading a book or making music. Taking a break will allow you to release any feelings of stress and tension, and mean you will return to work with a clearer mind.