Five languages you should be learning right now

Five languages you should be learning right now by Michael Cheary Learning a new language can be a great way to improve your career prospects â€" and your pay.In fact, somewhere in the region of 15% of all jobs posted on reed.co.uk cite language skills or a foreign tongue as being beneficial in helping secure the role. And with estimates also suggesting that learning another language increases you’re earning potential by at least 2%, there’s never been a better time to stop putting it off and start learning.To help you with any multilingual meltdowns, here’s a rundown of the five most in-demand languages to help get you hired:5. MandarinAround one fifth of the planet speaks a form of Chinese. Of those, more than 870 million people consider Mandarin Chinese their mother tongue, making it the most widely spoken first language in the world. Unsurprisingly, therefore, becoming fluent in the language opens quite a few doors when it comes to your career.Companies from countries ranging from China to Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore are constantly on the lookout for fluent speakers, not to mention those recruiting right here in the UK.And with 3% of all the foreign language vacancies posted on reed.co.uk currently looking for Mandarin speakers, there’s never been a better time to start learning.View all Mandarin courses »View all Mandarin speaking jobs »4. ItalianKnowing Italian can have multiple benefits, no matter what industry you’re in, something reflected in the fact that over 7% of our foreign language vacancies call for those who speak it.This may go some way to explain why Italian is ranked fourth among the most studied languages worldwide. Additionally, not only is Italy considered one of the centres of modern civilisation, it’s undoubtedly considered a world leader in everything from the cooking and culinary arts, through to fashion, furniture design and even shipbuilding.It is also (arguably) the language of love. Although you may have to take this up with the French (and/or Welsh)â €¦View all Italian courses »View all Italian speaking jobs »3. SpanishIn terms of the sheer number of countries which list it as their primary language, Spanish ranks right up there. It’s 20, if you’re asking…Whether you want to work in Spain, somewhere in South America or even here in the UK, the number of Spanish speakers and jobs available continues to rise. And that’s just part of what makes Spanish the second most studied language in the world.Spanish speakers are being sought by almost 10% of all companies looking for bilingual or multilingual candidates on reed.co.uk. So if you’re looking for a way to make your CV stand out and have more roles open up for you, ‘vamanos’.View all Spanish courses »View all Spanish speaking jobs »2. FrenchParlez-vous français?If you do, you may be eligible to apply for thousands of jobs advertised on reed.co.uk right now, ranging anywhere from accounting and finance vacancies, right through to roles in education, IT and energy .Still not convinced? One in five international speaking roles on the site are searching for people with French language skills. So if you think you have a sense of je ne sais quoi, why not consider learning French?View all French courses »View all French speaking jobs »1. GermanFinally, the most in-demand language recruiters are looking for right now is German.A staggering 24% of all foreign language vacancies advertised on reed.co.uk look for German speakers. Which is probably not surprising considering that German is not only the most widely spoken language in Europe, but also accounts for the continent’s largest economy.Some of the biggest companies in the world hail from Deutschland (BMW, Audi, Adidas, Aldi). And with recent research suggesting that learning German has the potential to increase your pay at a higher level than any other country, demand will continue to grow.You hate Mondays because you hate your job. You should be learning German…View all German courses » View all German speaking jobs »Thinking about learning a new language? View all available language courses today.*Information subject to change. All stats correct at date of publishing.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

9 Ways to Liven Up Your Work Outfits This Summer

9 Ways to Liven Up Your Work Outfits This Summer The following is a guest post by  Christine Rudolph.  Her bio follows. Summer is fast approaching and you finally have the excuse to experiment with your work outfits.This summer, bring some colors and prints into your work outfits. Fit-and-Flare Skirts You should have a few fit and flare skirts for work. If your office dress code requires you to remain on the conservative side then buy yourself a few fit-and-flare skirts in neutrals and pastels. To make them a little more edgy, you can bring some life into them with brightly colored shoes and some statement jewelry. Hey, as long as you’re dressed ‘conservatively’, they can’t tell you off for shoes and jewelry, right? For those ladies who can have a little more fun with their outfits at work, buy printed skirts that can work with the simplest blouses or even T-shirts. Pair them with some funky colored shoes. You’ll find that when you wear vibrant colors at work, your mood is generally better true story, try it! Midi Skirts Midis were once associated with those that are too conservative but now midis are one of the trendiest and most versatile items you can have in your closet. You can show off your curves in figure-hugging pencil midis but they may be too hot for the summer. For sunny summer days, slightly loose and flowy midis are your best bid. Pair them with a loose fitting tank top that isn’t cut too low and keep a blazer on you, just in case an unexpected meeting pops up. You can also wear a more fitted top that you tuck in with a delicate necklace. Shirt Dress If you haven’t already bought a shirt dress, buy one this summer. You really don’t need to do much with a tailored shirt dress. They work in the day and they look great for an outing in the night too. You can pair them with any type of shoes and sandals to make your look as formal or casual as you please. Culottes Culottes are every stylist’s favorite item of clothing because of their versatility. You can wear them at work without entirely committing to the ‘formal’ dress code. They are usually high-waisted so they automatically look chic. Pair them with a blouse or a T-shirt, with stilettos/sandals or even ankle boots. You really can’t go wrong with culottes. Print-Mixing Tired of boring the old solid, neutral tones at work? So are we. Nowadays you can get away with wearing anything; you just have to make sure that your outfit is appropriate for work. Try print-mixing to create outfits that are interesting. If you have a printed skirt, choose a prominent color on it and find a striped top or a top with a smaller print, consisting of the same color.   It won’t look too crazy provided you stick to the same color family. White Jeans Because white jeans don’t actually look like jeans, you can wear them at work for a more semi-casual look. You can pair it with a pastel blouse or something that is more vibrant depending on how you’re feeling that day. You can also pair them with your favorite buttoned-down shirt if you want to be a little more formal. Fun Blazers Blazers don’t need to be thick, warm and dull. You’ll find plenty of blazers in fun colors that can make traditional work-slacks much more interesting. Buy a lemon-yellow blazer, fold the cuffs to create ¾ sleeves, wear it on top of a white blouse and black ankle grazer trousers and some heels. You’ll definitely be formal but with a bit of an edge. Smart Shorts Smart shorts aren’t that talked about mostly because not everyone can pull them off but if you have the booty, the legs and the guts to do it, why not?! You need to find smart shorts that aren’t too baggy that they look sloppy and aren’t too tight that make them unsuitable for work. The perfect smart shorts need to be tailored with minimum embellishments. You also need to be aware of the length, try and get smart shorts that end slightly above your knees and wear them with some elegant heels and a blazer or jacket. Wide Leg Trousers Wide leg trousers didn’t really leave the formal scene even when they were out of fashion. They have a way of making you look slimmer and taller. You just need to make sure they fit you well so you don’t get lost in them. If you’re already tall, you can wear them with flats too but for most of us, they work best with heels. Author Bio: I am Christine Rudolph, an enthusiastic dreamer and a workaholic to achieve that. Jack of All sometimes, wants to do everything. I am blogger, writer, state level badminton player, technology freak and above all a responsible citizen wanting to save the environment even on her own. For all the updates follow me @RudolphBlogger and become friend’s @Facebook . Images via pexels and pixabay.

Accessories That Will Enhance Your Musical Experience

Accessories That Will Enhance Your Musical Experience Music can have a huge effect on our well-being and our lives. It can be something that plays softly in the background and gets little attention, or it can be something we listen carefully to in order to connect with what the singer is saying. Not only can your level of attention affect how you experience music, the kind of musical accessories you use when listening to tunes can greatly affect your experience as well. Here are a few musical accessories that will make listening to music more powerful than ever before. The Right Audio Cables There are many different ways you can listen to music. You might listen to music through a speaker, or you might listen to music through headphones. But, rarely do people give much thought to the cables they’re using. The quality of the cable you use can have a huge impact on the way music is delivered to the device. Whenever possible, it’s best to choose cables that have been specially designed for that device to get every ounce of sound possible. For example, at Moon Audio, we sell special audio cables for Focal Utopia headphones so you can get the most out of those particular headphones. A Volume Booster The highest quality equipment will give you the kind of experience you’re looking for, but you may not have access to expensive audio equipment all the time. Unfortunately, lower quality equipment just doesn’t have the volume of high-quality equipment. That’s where a volume booster comes in. This simple device is usually quite affordable and it’s extremely easy to use. It includes an adapter that allows you to hook it right into the cord on your headphones, giving you greater volume control at your fingertips, all without the need to purchase new headphones. The Right Headphones It kind of goes without saying, but so many people complain about the quality of their listening experience that it’s worth statingâ€"your headphones can make a huge difference. Everyone has different preferences, which means instead of just picking the best headphones you can buy, you have to think about which headphones are right for you: Earbuds, or in-ear headphones: A great option for those who consider portability most important. On-ear headphones: Provides a quality music experience without drowning out all background noise. Over-the-ear headphones: The best choice if you’re looking for an immersive music experience. Bone conduction headphones: These are great for athletes because they don’t compromise situational awareness. To some extent, more expensive headphones are usually better, but that isn’t always the case. If you can, you should always give a pair of headphones a test drive before you purchase them to make sure you’re getting exactly what you want. Music has such a huge impact on our lives that it’s worth the time and money to seek out the kinds of accessories that will enhance your experience. With these three things, you’ll enjoy an unforgettable listening experience that’ll have you hooking up the tunes whenever you get a free moment.

Why Mushrooms Are Important For Our Health AND Our Environment

Why Mushrooms Are Important For Our Health AND Our Environment The following is a guest post by Mia Russo Stern.  Her bio follows. Did you know that funghi absorb and eat pollutants in the environment?   Studies have shown that mushrooms will eat petroleum and other toxins in the environment.   The EPA is even looking into using mushrooms to help clean up oil spills. So how can this translate to the human body? Mushrooms act in their native environment as a method of purification.   They grow from a very sophisticated and intelligent web of fiber and   vegetation called mycelium and have been used in medicine by many cultures for thousands of years. Turkey Tail Mushroom Mushrooms have been documented in many ancient writings, in Traditional Chinese Medicine it is written in the  Compendium of Materia Medica  by Li Shizhen that  Turkey Tail (Coriolis) or the Cloud Mushroom  â€œâ€¦if taken for a long time will give you long life.”   This mushroom has been the center of extensive research, most importantly as an important tool in the fight against breast cancer. Turkey Tail has been called one of the best medicinal mushrooms in the world.   It is a tree mushroom,   that is a grown on the trunks of dead trees or logs. It is not a mushroom that you would cook with, however it is great powdered and sprinkled into recipes. Turkey tail contains two unique polysaccharides;   It contains PSP and PSK which are incredibly potent antiviral beta glucans,   specifically against viruses that are related to cancers. Turkey tail mushrooms helps to increase the NK (Natural Killer) Cells to help protect against reoccurrence of cancer, and or to build up the immune system post treatment. One of the best ways to use Coriolis or turkey tail mushrooms in your daily routine, is either by capsule, or you can also find powdered Coriolis that you can make a tea out of or add it to your morning smoothie. Oyster Mushroom  Another amazing mushroom is the  Oyster Mushroom or Hiratake Mushroom,  this mushroom is fabulous to cook with and very tasty.   It has been said by mycologist Paul Stamets that oyster mushrooms could clean up all of the oil spills on earth.   Research has discovered that mushrooms eat toxins, pollutants, and petroleum. They will clean up whatever is around them, they have been called the Guardians of the Forest or The Great Purifiers or Filters.   This is what they do in their own natural ecosystem, so just imagine what they do when they are inside your personal ecosystem. Because mushrooms will absorb all that is around them, and the soil they are in, you must be sure to eat organic mushrooms to avoid ingesting toxins and chemicals.   Oyster mushrooms are very good at pulling out   heavy metals and pollutants, so these can be very detoxifying. Additionally, they contain something called  lovostatin  which has been studied to lower bad cholesterol.   They also have a protein in them called  ubiquitin  which attached itself to other bad proteins and has shown in research to inhibit cell division of HIV cells. Why Eat Mushrooms? Aside from all of the amazing benefits that mushrooms can offer us (and we are only just scratching the surface), they are very simply put,  delicious.   They are low in calories and offer an amazing robust depth of flavor and texture.   Mushrooms contain mycotoxins, and should be quickly cooked, never eaten raw, the heat of a quick sauté will kill them. Here is a simple and quick way to start your day off with an amazing breakfast: Sauté a little ghee or coconut oil in pan, add 1 cup of chopped oyster and shiitake mushrooms, pinch of salt and pepper.   Add 1 cup of shredded kale.   Add 1 teaspoon brown rice miso paste and a few tablespoons of water. Cook on medium for about 3-5 minutes. Turn off the heat and add 2 tablespoons of hemp seeds.   Serve this over 1 cup of cooked quinoa and enjoy! About the author   Mia Russo Stern is a Certified Holistic Wellness Counselor, Natural Food Chef, Recipe Developer, Founder  Organically Thin  and  CEO Brooklyn Culinary Academy . . . . . . Hungry for a few more tidbits on mushrooms?  Check out this video! . Image credits. Main.  Turkey Tail.  Oyster.

The ultimate Valentines playlist for your big university night out - Debut

The ultimate Valentines playlist for your big university night out - Debut Your secret weapons Its about that time of year again, guys! Love is in the air. And whether or not you successfully managed to cuff someone before now, tomorrow will be the biggest day of the year for you so far. See, in the hallowed halls of university, the advent of Valentines Day mean one of two things: 1. Youre home with bae, watching films on Netflix, doing unspeakable things on the single bed in your halls of residence. 2. Youre with the squad, getting ready to head to the club and make one last stab at escaping the prison of singlehood. Whatever your situation this year, youll need the perfect Valentines playlist to help you get your freak on. We at Debut are behind you whatever your quest is. And were gonna help you the only way we know how by giving the ultimate all-purpose lurrrve playlist. Cant wait? Let us show you the highlights. Your secret weapons Valentine Jessie Ware feat. Sampha.  If you hope to win over the object of your desire, you really ought to be as smooth as the production on this Sampha/Jessie Ware duet. Shape of You Ed Sheeran.  Ed says, The club isnt the best place to find a lover, which is a tad negative to our goal here. Still, try mouthing those chorus lyrics to someone across the dancefloor and see if it doesnt change your life for the better. I Dont Wanna Live Forever ZAYN Taylor Swift.  That falsetto though This ones from the soundtrack of the new Fifty Shades film, so it was pretty much custom built for your chill sesh Undercover Kehlani. Every Valentines playlist needs some slick RB tunes and it doesnt come slicker than the new Kehlani album. With a beat like that Undercover is the perfect soundtrack for your time, well under the covers. Still Into You Paramore. Does your partner love pop-punk as much as they love you (maybe more?). This is  the  tune to make them weak at the knees. Some things just make sense and one of those is you and I. Awwwww! Now you know, and knowing is half the battle. Go forth and spread love in the world, Debutants.  ?? Download the Debut app and  get Talent-Spotted by amazing graduate employers! Connect with Debut on Facebook and Twitter

Networking With a School or Corporate Alumni Connection

Networking With a School or Corporate Alumni Connection One of the best ways to foster a  networking  relationship is through a school or corporate alumni connection. Such connections are considered warm leads because a certain degree of relationship already exists. Warm leads are more viable than cold calls where no relationship is present. Members of the same affinity group are often more likely to help one another. But how do you approach people authentically, without making them feel uncomfortable with your request to meet with them and without making them feel they cannot meet your expectations for assistance? Here are some tips for building a quality relationship with alumni without asking for a favor or creating expectations that make the other person feel uncomfortable or unwilling to help.  When you contact the person, remind them of the affinity relationship.  Alumni connections from schools and corporations are powerful affinity groups. Even if you didnt know the person during your time in school or tenure with a company, there is still generally a stronger bond between people who traveled in the same social and professional circles.  Let the person know why you are interested in connecting with them.  Perhaps they are in the same profession or industry as you or they work for an organization you have identified as one of your target companies.  But state very clearly that you have no expectation that they can help you secure an interview. Let them know, however, that you have identified the company, profession, or industry as one you are interested in learning more about.Ask if they would be willing to speak with you  so you can learn more about the company, profession, or industrys culture. Stress that you dont expect them to give up a lot of their time and that you would make the meeting very brief.If the person agrees, plan for a 20 to 30 minute conversation  that includes a brief introduction of who you are and what your professional accomplishments and future goals are. Follow with an open QA about them. Ask questions about what they do professionally, what their role in the company is, and their thoughts about trends they see in the company, profession, and industry.Ask for recommendations of other people they suggest you talk to  or other ideas on how you might get closer to your professional goal. If you know of a particular opening at their company that you are interested in pursuing, ask what would be the best way to get closer to the decision maker (without asking them to refer you).Thank them for their time,  ask them if you can help them in any way, and offer to reciprocate information on a topic of interest to them.Create a strategy for staying in touch  periodically, either through a social or business networking tool or general emails or meetings if appropriate.As the person gets to know you better, they may be willing to share information on contacts and even introduce you to some key decision makers. But keep in mind that networking is a process and it takes time to grow trusted relationships. Develop authentic relationships that position you as a giver rather than a taker and create consistent touch points with your network to build the relationship and keep it strong. The more trusted relationships you build and the more frequently you find legitimate ways to connect, the more likely you are to find people who can help you reach your career goals.

Writing Publications in the Resume

Writing Publications in the ResumeThe three different types of writing publications that you can place on your resume are individual articles, short reports, and a short letter. When you think about these types of writing publications, you may be surprised to know that you can actually place them in the resume.Individual Articles: These are stories or reports that you wrote yourself, but didn't have time to include in your resume. For example, if you wrote a long article on your day at work, you can place it on your resume. Even if the publication was just as interesting as your resume, it will show that you have been writing about a specific subject for some time. The format of the publication is not important - the content is. Although you will not always need a portfolio in your resume, it is always good to include them in the resume.Sample Resumes: This is one publication that is almost mandatory. The reason is that employers, in order to gauge your abilities, will want to read w hat you can do when presented with a sample resume. A sample resume is something that you can create yourself.Short Report: You can place short reports on your resume, as well. These are used for describing how you studied or learned something during the week, for example. If you can write a short report, you can probably write several of them. The key to writing one of these is that you should really express what you know or think, and it should contain concise ideas.Letter: This is a shorter form of a publication, but with a similar purpose. A letter should not only describe the personality of the person sending it, but also why they are choosing you to write the letter. A letter can help to demonstrate that you are sincere in what you are writing and that you are putting some thought into the matter.While it is important to have publications and letters on your resume, they aren't always mandatory. You can also leave out writing publications in the resume, as long as you can prov ide information about your accomplishments and skills. If you have completed a specific task, you can mention that in your resume.In short, writing publications in the resume is something that you can choose to include or not include. Just make sure that it is informative and useful to you and the employers that you are submitting the information to.