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    Lewis Capaldi sparks rumours of Brit Awards comeback as he’s seen in public for first time in four weeks

    LEWIS Capaldi has sparked rumours of a comeback at the Brit Awards tonight after being seen in public for the first time in a month.The Scottish singer, 27, has taken a break from the spotlight in recent months but last night was snapped at London celeb hangout Chiltern Firehouse.Lewis Capaldi sparked Brits rumours as he was seen out for the first time in four weeksCredit: Click News and MediaLewis arrived at the venue at 1amCredit: Click News and MediaHe gave photographers a thumbs up as he walked inCredit: Click News and MediaLewis arrived at the star-studded haunt shortly after 1am, before leaving several hours later at 3.45am.Given Lewis was at such a well-known industry nightspot just hours before the Brits has promoted speculation he could make a surprise comeback to the stage this evening.His track Wish You The Best is nominated for Song of the Year, alongside the likes of Dua Lipa’s Dance The Night and Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding’s Miracle.Lewis gave a thumbs up to photographers as he stepped out last night in a black hoodie, jeans and matching trainers.read more on Lewis CapaldiHe was last pictured enjoying a brisk walk in Hampstead in early February.The Someone You Loved crooner, who has Tourette’s Syndrome, has struggled with his condition during live performances and back in June 2023  decided to take time away from touring to learn how to cope with it.In December, he updated his fans on how he was doing with an emotional statement on social media as he announced an extended edition of his second album Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent.After telling fans he missed them, he wrote: “As most of you will know, I’m currently taking some time off to focus on my health and wellbeing and it’s been going great! Most read in Music”I’ve been working with some incredible professionals to help me learn about and cope better with my Tourette’s and anxiety issues. I’m really happy to say I’ve noticed a marked improvement in both since I decided to take some time off back in June.”Lewis shared that he was blown away by fan support following his decision to step away from the public eye and told his followers that it’s made him more excited than ever to return.He also praised fans for supporting his brave Netflix documentary in which he pulled back the curtain on his battle with Tourette’s and anxiety.The reality of living with Tourette’s syndrome
    TOURETTE’S syndrome is a condition that causes a person to make involuntary sounds and movements called tics.
    It usually starts during childhood, but the tics and other symptoms often improve after several years, and sometimes go away completely.
    There’s no cure for Tourette’s, but treatment can help manage symptoms.
    The most common physical tics include:

    Blinking
    Eye rolling
    Grimacing
    Shoulder shrugging
    Jerking of the head or limbs
    Jumping
    Twirling
    Touching objects and other people

    Examples of vocal tics include:

    Grunting
    Throat clearing
    Whistling
    Coughing
    Tongue clicking
    Animal sounds
    Saying random words and phrases
    Repeating a sound, word or phrase
    Swearing

    Swearing is rare and only affects about 1 in 10 people with Tourette’s.
    Some people can control their tics for a short time in certain social situations, like in a classroom.
    But this can be tiring, and someone may have a sudden release of tics when they return home.
    Aidy Smith, who was diagnosed with Tourette’s aged nine, said these are the most common misconceptions about the condition:

    It is a ‘swearing disease’ characterised by repeated bad language
    People with Tourette’s can’t succeed in the workplace
    It’s impossible to control your tics
    ‘Tourette’s’ is a ‘dirty’ word
    It’s OK to make jokes about the condition because it isn’t serious

    Source: NHS and Aidy Smith

    If Lewis does make a surprise appearance at the Brits tonight, he will join a galaxy of stars including Training Season singer Dua, who is opening the show, and Kylie Minogue, who will be getting the Global Icon award.Meanwhile Raye had already made Brits history before the awards bash, thanks to her record-breaking seven nominations last month. The Escapism singer also has an extra trophy in the bag after winning Songwriter Of The Year, meaning she could now take home an unprecedented EIGHT gongs  tonight.Lewis is up for Song of the Year at the Brits tonightCredit: Click News and MediaHe took a step away from the spotlight back in JuneCredit: Click News and MediaIf Lewis attends the Brits, he will be in fine company as Raye has already broken nominations recordsCredit: Getty More

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    Molly-Mae Hague reveals new fluffy slippers from Tommy Fury – and they cost more than most people earn in a WEEK

    MOLLY-MAE Hague revealed new fluffy slippers from Tommy Fury – and they cost more than most people earn in a WEEK.The 24-year-old posted a picture of her recent designer addition on Instagram.
    Molly-Mae Hague shared her new fluffy slippers from Tommy Fury, and they cost more than the average weekly wageCredit: Instagram
    The Celine sliders cost £670 whilst the average UK wage is £663 per weekCredit: INSTAGRAM/MOLLY-MAE HAGUE
    Molly showcase Celine sliders that cost £670 whilst the average UK wage is £663 per week.
    She mentioned her fiancé, Tommy Fury, in the story, indicating that he was the one who bought the gift.
    The star was accused of ‘flaunting her wealth’ just over a week ago when she took to Dubai with her family.
    Molly took to social media with a picture of a £7k designer bag and fans were quick to express their criticisms.
    More on Molly-Mae Hague
    One user sarcastically jibed: “Breath! Tough life being a millionaire.”
    Another asked: “Why do you show off and brag Chanel bag.”
    “I’d like this more with a bag from the high street? 🤷🏼‍♀️,” noted a third.
    A fourth user fumed: “Its one thing to enjoy lavish vacation, its the other thing to flaunt it on social media.”
    Most read in Showbiz
    As a fifth added: “It’s just boring and pretentious now!!! Stars selling themselves for clout – when they could use their voices for the good of the world!! It’s all about the money and facade now – so sad!!!”
    One fan even threatened to boycott her page as they wrote: “I’ve got to be honest I’m quite bored of seeing this unrealistic lifestyle.
    “From now on I’ll follow people who have realistic and relatable lives, there’s so much going on with the cost of living and wars and people look up to these influencers.”
    The star was recently shamed for ‘flaunting’ her wealth in DubaiCredit: Instagram
    Tommy and Molly met on Love IslandCredit: Rex
    The pair share one daughter together, BambiCredit: mollymae/Instagram More

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    Who was Jade Goody and how many children did she have?

    BIG BROTHER star Jade Goody was just 27 when she tragically died.Here’s what we know about the late reality star’s life, from her career to the children she left behind.
    Jade’s sons Bobby and Freddie were just 5 and 4 when they sadly lost their mum.
    Who was Jade Goody?
    Jade Goody was born in Bermondsey, South London, in June 1981, to mum Jackiey Budden and drug addict dad Andrew Goody.
    Jade’s parents separated when she was just two and her dad sadly died of a drug overdose in Bournemouth in 2005, at the age of 42.
    After leaving school Jade worked as a dental nurse in Essex before being selected to be a contestant on the third series of Big Brother in 2002.
    When did Jade Goody appear on Big Brother?
    Jade immediately shot to fame when she appeared on the third series of Big Brother, then aired on Channel 4.
    Jade split opinions but generally gained loyal fans for her endearing lack of general knowledge and drunken antics.
    Although she didn’t win Big Brother, she emerged as the stand-out show from the series. 
    Following her success on the show, Jade was given her own reality TV show and came out with her own perfume called Shh, and a series of work out DVDs. 
    What happened with Jade Goody and Shilpa Shetty?
    Jade returned to the Big Brother house in 2007 for Celebrity Big Brother, taking her mum, Jackiey, and boyfriend Jack Tweed with her. 
    The atmosphere in the house soured when Jade became embroiled in a scandal concerning her racist treatment of fellow contestant, Bollywood star, Shilpa Shetty. 
    Jade was ultimately evicted after receiving 82 per cent of the vote when she was up against Shilpa for eviction. 
    Later, Jade visited India to apologise for her behaviour and went on to appear on Bigg Boss, the Indian version of Big Brother. 
    Was Jade Goody Married?
    Jade was married to partner Jack Tweed, who she met in 2005 in a nightclub in Essex. 
    Jack, who was just 18 when he met Jade, is an electrician. 
    Although the relationship was reportedly stormy, the pair tied the knot in February 2009 in Down Hall country house near Hatfield Heath, shortly before she died, leaving Jack a widower at the age of just 21. 
    The couple sold OK! magazine exclusive photographic rights to the wedding for £700,000 deal.
    Before meeting Jack, Jade dated Jeff Brazier in 2002 and they were together for two years.
    How did Jade Goody die?
    Jade had a number of health scares — abnormal cells were found after a cervical smear test — but it was when Jade entered Bigg Boss that she received a diagnosis of cervical cancer, in August 2008.
    Returning to England, she found out that the cancer was at an advanced stage, and she was to undergo surgery and chemotherapy. 
    The cancer was aggressive, and in early 2009 Jade discovered that it had spread to her liver, bowel and groin. 
    Doctors at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London told her that her cancer was terminal.
    During this time, Jade was baptised alongside her sons, and she was able to marry Jack.
    Jade’s mum Jackiey Budden revealed that Jade expressed wishes to end her life in Switzerland, via assisted suicide, during her final weeks.
    Jackiey said: “She wanted to go to Switzerland to have the injection. She kept telling me and Jack all the time.”
    On March 22, 2009, Jade died in her sleep, with her mum Jackiey, husband Jack and her friend Kevin Adams at her side. 
    Her funeral was held at Buckhurst Hill in Essex in April 2009 and her grave is not far from her home in Epping Forest.
    Jade’s tragic death led to half a million more women than usual booking a cervical screening —  in March 2009, attendance was 70 per cent higher than expected.
    Jade’s death prompted half a million more women than usual to book a cervical screening.
    The reality television star’s diagnosis played a huge role in raising awareness for cervical cancer in the UK. 
    The Sun launched a campaign called Jade’s Legacy, to reinforce the message that smear tests are essential.
    What are the rest of Jade Goody’s family doing now?
    Jade’s sons Bobby and Freddie, who were just 5 and 4 years old when their mum tragically died, moved in with their father, Jeff Brazier, who married his partner Kate Dwyer in 2018.
    The two boys served as best men for their dad at his wedding to Kate.
    Bobby, now 20, is working as a model, as well as acting in EastEnders, and has won the hearts of the nation with a stellar run on Strictly Come Dancing with professional partner Dianne Buswell. 
    Freddie, 19, has followed in his older brother’s footsteps by starting a career as a model. 
    Jeff joined a campaign to encourage people to conquer their FOFO – the Fear Of Finding Out – and make sure they got for regular health check-ups, like cervical smear tests.
    Jeff told The Sun: “Jade had warnings, she had letters from the doctors and in her mind, she hoped that if she just ignored it, it would go away.
    “We know how that ended up and I know as the father of the two children who were left behind that the last thing you want to do is bring two children into the world and then tell them they are going to have the rest of their childhood, from the age of four and five, without the most important person in their lives.”
    Jade’s mum Jackiey has recently spoken about how proud she is of Bobby’s turn on Strictly: 
    She said: “I was only allowed to talk about it when I saw it in The Sun.
    “But I’m over the moon and he’s just stepped in his mum’s shoes — he’s in Jade’s trotters.
    “He’s been born to bring Jade back as himself, because he’s the spit of Jade — he’s got his daddy’s head.”
    How many children did Jade Goody have?
    The late star had two children with her ex Jeff Brazier, Bobby, 20, and Freddie,19. 
    Bobby was born June 6, 2003, and Freddie followed a year later in 2004.
    In 2021, Bobby revealed that as he was only five when his mother died in 2009, said he tragically wasn’t “with her long enough to miss her”.
    “I miss what could’ve been. I hear all the time she was such a presence, that she was one of a kind,” he said.
    “I just would’ve loved to have seen what other people had seen,” Bobby added. More

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    Chloe Madeley puts on a brave face as she steps out with baby daughter after ex James Haskell partied with her lookalike

    CHLOE Madeley kept a low profile on a day out with her daughter Bodhi after it was reported her ex-husband James Haskell partied with a blonde lookalike weeks before their split. The ex-England rugby World Cup star, 38, shared a booth with Chloe McLennan at Ibiza’s Ocean Beach club during a number of sets through the summer.
    Chloe Madeley appears in good spirits and is seen smiling despite news that her husband James Haskell reportedly was partying with her lookalikeCredit: eroteme.co.uk
    The star put on a brave face as she enjoyed a casual lunch day out with her daughterCredit: eroteme.co.uk
    Last weekend he and Chloe Madeley announced they were separating after five years of marriage.
    Chloe said how they argued over him posting Instagram pics from Ibiza “of other girls’ asses”.
    Now Chloe has put on a brave face and been pictured out with her daughter, Bodhi.
    The personal trainer enjoyed a carefree lunch date with her daughter at Côte Restaurant in Hampstead.
    Read more on Chloe Madeley
    The TV star, 36, looked in high spirits in a casual outfit, cuddling 15-month-old Bodhi on her hip.
    On Friday Chloe was seen out with James and their little girl – but this time she was on her own.
    She donned a v-neck jumper and burgundy joggers.
    Keeping a low profile, she wore a nude coloured cap.
    Most read in Showbiz
    She was seen putting Bodhi in her car seat before heading out with her.
    Recently, it was reported that James had become close with a mystery woman who resembled his wife, Chloe.
    A source told the The Sun, Chloe known as DJ Loeca shared some advice about the DJ industry with James.
    A source said: “James and Chloe got to know each other on the DJ circuit in Ibiza.
    “It’s a small world and everyone is really friendly.
    “She has shared some advice on the industry and they have hung out on the party isle.
    “It’s no secret that James’ new career choice took its toll on his relationship and caused arguments at home.
    “He was away a lot, forging his new brand, while she was in the UK being a mum to their 13-month-old daughter.”
    Northern Ireland-born McLennan, known as DJ Loeca, opened for Haskell and introduced him to revellers in May.
    The 36-year-old dated singer Gareth Gates for two years before they broke up last December.
    Read More on The Sun
    James was partying with Chloe’s lookalike in Ibiza weeks before their split More

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    7 ChatGPT Hacks That Can Help You at Work (Without Actually Doing Your Job)

    I will be the first to admit that ChatGPT (and really any AI software) scares me. I thought we were many years away from AI being able to replace creatives like myself. So when everyone started talking about ChatGPT, I was a little worried, to say the least. However, I’m happy to report that after doing a ton of research and testing, ChatGPT can’t produce the same quality of content that professional writers can create and I have a feeling graphic designers and photographers feel the same way. That being said, ChatGPT might still have a place in my workflow—there’s actually quite a lot of things it can do well.
    Instead of ignoring ChatGPT (which was my first instinct), I decided to lean into it to see how it can help me during my work days. I don’t advise using ChatGPT to do your work for you (because no matter how good AI is, that kind of thing will always be obvious), but I do recommend these helpful tips for making your workday easier. And who doesn’t love a good productivity hack?

    1. Learn new Excel or Google Sheets formulas
    I know we all like to say we mastered Excel on our resumes, but let’s face it, it’s pretty hard to memorize all those formulas. ChatGPT can really help here. If you need help finding the right Excel formula, just tell ChatGPT what you’re looking to do and it can provide you with those formulas. This can save you a lot of time digging through tech blogs when all you need is a quick answer to your Excel question.

    2. Get quick answers to questions
    Speaking of quick answers, this is something ChatGPT is really good at. ChatGPT’s ability to understand and interpret natural language means that you can ask a question as if you were speaking to a human, and ChatGPT will provide you with a clear and concise answer. If you want a basic definition or to confirm something you already know, skip Google and use ChatGPT. If the stakes are high, double-check the answer with your own research, but I typically find that ChatGPT can put me on the right path quickly.

    3. Streamline daily and weekly planning
    Scheduling can be a headache, but ChatGPT can help make it a breeze. Instead of figuring out how to fit all of your to-dos into a single day (or week or month) ChatGPT can help you create a schedule that not only covers your entire task list, but also allots regular break periods. I just gave ChatGPT a list of my regular responsibilities and it essentially planned my entire day. If you struggle with time management, can’t stick with a planner to save your life, or simply want help optimizing your time, this is such a helpful tool.

    4. Create templates
    Training an intern? Looking to organize a new project? Simply not sure what the most effective way to approach a task is? This is where templates can come in handy. If you don’t have specifics in mind, let ChatGPT have the first stab at creating a template. For example, I just asked it to create a template for “writing Google ad copy” and it gave me a helpful template that broke down all of the copy needs for the ad (like headline) and shared best practices for each section of copy. I then asked it to “give me the same template but with character limits” and it updated the template with helpful reminders about how long each section of copy could be.

    5. Diversify arguments
    Whether you need to convince your boss of the merits of a new software program you want your company to purchase, are trying to sell your freelance services to a client, or want to launch a new initiative, we all have to sell our ideas at one point or another. Strengthen your argument by asking ChatGPT to write one for you. It may present you with benefits you hadn’t even considered and you can use these to boost the points you were already planning to make. You can also ask it to argue against your idea so you can prepare for what your audience’s argument against your pitch may be.

    6. Outline and organize work
    Using ChatGPT for outlining can be an effective approach to organizing your ideas, thoughts, and arguments. You can instruct ChatGPT to generate an outline by using specific keywords or phrases. For example, you can ask it to “generate a summary of the text,” “create an outline of the main ideas,” or “organize the key arguments.” It is also possible to give more detailed instructions such as “divide the text into sections,” “group the related ideas,” or “provide subheadings for each argument.”
    ChatGPT will then process your input and generate an outline based on the given instructions. You can of course modify the outline, by adding or removing sections, changing the order of the ideas, or refining the headings, but sometimes having a jumping-off point makes it so much easier to get started.

    7. Brainstorm
    When that 3 pm slump hits, your creativity may be lagging. When I need to brainstorm story ideas, marketing initiatives, or unique angles for a project I’m working on, I’ll ask ChatGPT to give me a bit of a boost. This is perfect for any time of day when you feel totally stumped. You can type into ChatGPT “help me brainstorm…” and it will do just that. The more specific you can get here, the better—as is usually the case with ChatGPT.

    7 Ways to Spring Clean Your Digital Life More

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    What Hiring Managers Are Really Looking for in Your Cover Letter

    Cover letters are the bane of my existence, and I don’t think I’m the only one who’d say so. Any time I’ve previously applied for new positions, I’d pause, think twice, and frantically Google “cover letter tips” before applying when I saw a job description that required a cover letter. I’d ask myself why companies are still requesting a cover letter when they can get all the information they need by reading my resume and doing a quick LinkedIn or Google search. As an applicant, cover letters felt archaic, unnecessary, and mostly annoying.
    But as I’ve progressed in my career, I’ve noticed that cover letters are still as relevant as ever. It’s led me to wonder if hiring managers are still asking for cover letters, what is it they really want to see? So, I did what any millennial would do. I turned to social media. I put up a quick pulse check on my LinkedIn to seek insight from hiring managers. Much to my surprise, every response I received was in favor of a cover letter. Color me shocked.
    Overwhelmingly, hiring managers shared how much they love cover letters and how valuable they are in the hiring process. My favorite comment came from Sarah Keach Baucom, Co-Founder of Girl Tribe Co. and Girl Tribe Pop Up, who said, “If there is no cover letter, I have no idea why someone would want to work with us! Sometimes cover letters speak more volumes than resumes. Especially if the candidate is younger/entry level or switching careers, I need them to bridge the gap for us in the cover letter on where they are at and what they will bring to the table.”
    In just a few sentences, I questioned my stance on cover letters. Maybe they’re not as antiquated as I once thought. To help me dig deeper, I turned to a few experts. They helped me answer the question of what hiring managers are really looking for in a cover letter, so the next time you’re applying for a new position, you can give the people what they want and land yourself an interview.
    Let’s meet the experts:

    In this article

    Of course, I had to start by asking the experts their stance on cover letters to better understand how important or not they are.

    Do Hiring Managers Actually Read Cover Letters?
    Sarah Doody: Some do, and some don’t, and that’s why we can’t make the assumption that cover letters are dead. What if the one cover letter you wrote was the difference between you getting an interview or not? Would it be worth it? There’s an assumption that cover letters take a long time to write, but that’s not true. If you invest the time to create a baseline cover letter that you can tweak for each role, then you can create a cover letter for each role you apply to in no time.
    Arika L. Pierce: I DO think they read them, but they are probably reading them very quickly (five to seven seconds)—especially if they have received a lot of interest in the position. I think everyone should always send a cover letter—even if the job description doesn’t ask for one. It can be something that sets you apart because it allows you to share things that are not in your resume on what you will bring to the table.
    Amy Feind Reeves: Please always send a cover letter if you’re able. Use keywords from the job description that don’t otherwise appear in your resume, which will amplify your chances of getting past an ocular reader. A cover letter will also give you a chance to explain why you want this job and why you want it at this company. These are two of the most important points a screener and a hiring manager will look for, and expressing them could mean the difference between being passed over and being passed on for a phone screen. Lastly, a cover letter allows you to show that you can write a professional document which is a desirable skill for any role.
    Now that we know cover letters are a must when applying to a role, I wanted to know what are the most important things candidates should focus on when crafting their cover letter.

    What Are the Top Three Things Hiring Managers Look for in a Cover Letter?
    Sarah Doody: Your cover letter needs to show recruiters and hiring managers why you’re an awesome candidate and intrigue them to learn more so they spend more than six seconds with your resume, see for themselves why you’re a great fit, and invite you to the interview process. The top three things hiring managers look for in a cover letter are:
    Customization: Don’t send the same cover letter for every job you apply to. It’s a major turn off to read a cover letter that is not customized and sounds like it could have been used to apply for any job. Think about all the times you’ve received generic sales emails or messages in your LinkedIn inbox, don’t make recruiters and hiring managers feel that way! Tailor your cover letter for each role and this will show that you took the time to do research and think of the person reading the cover letter.
    A solid pitch: In the first one to two sentences, make the case for why you’re a fit for the role. Tell them about previous experience and expertise that makes you an exceptional candidate. For example, imagine you’re applying to a product manager role at JP Morgan Chase and you have eight years of previous experience, previously working at Wells Fargo as a product manager and PayPal as a product designer. Your pitch sentence might be, “For the last six years I worked as a product manager on the commercial banking team at Wells Fargo and was previously lead designer on the enterprise payments team at Paypal.”
    Evidence and examples: Next, include one to two examples of projects you’ve worked on, outcomes, or the impact that you had. These should back up what you said you can do in your pitch sentence. If you wrote a solid resume, you should be able to draw upon those bullet points and re-use some of that content here.
    Arika L. Pierce: They are looking for info that is not already in your resume: your unique value proposition (UVP) (i.e., what sets you apart from other candidates—and experience isn’t a good UVP), and what you will bring to the position—forward-looking statements, not a rehash of your past.
    Amy Feind Reeves: Your cover letter needs to clearly and concisely highlight three things: (1) that you understand what the job is, (2) that you can do the job by linking the skill sets highlighted in your resume to the tasks that will be required, (3) and that you want the job. Don’t overlook that last one. It may seem like a “no-brainer,” but it is important.
    We know we need a cover letter and what should be included. Now let’s explore how we actually write it and present our stories to get the best results during the hiring process.

    How Long Should a Cover Letter Be and How Should It Be Structured?
    Sarah Doody: A cover letter should be no more than one page! Your cover letter should have three sections, an introduction that includes your pitch sentence, evidence and examples, and a closing call to action. Your call to action should aim to spark interest and get them to follow up. For example, if you have examples of work you can show them, you could say ““If you’re interested in seeing examples of my work, I’m happy to send over a case study or talk you through it on a 15-min call.” By letting them know this exists, you might spark their curiosity and increase the chances they want to learn more.
    Arika L. Pierce: These days no more than one page and I would keep it fairly short and succinct. Put the most interesting things first. The average person may read it in five to seven seconds so make sure your point jumps out—use formatting to your advantage.
    Amy Feind Reeves: No more than one page with lots of white space at that. Less is always more. Your cover letter only has a few seconds to make an impact, so focus on the most impressive elements of your background. Set off the best, most sellable skills and credentials in bullet points, so they stand out. In the opening paragraph, state why you know you’ll add value to the role and why you want it. In the closing paragraph, say why you want to work for this company, specifically check out their website for a specific client or project or corporate responsibility policy that you really like, and mention it.
    And finally, our experts share how we can stand out to help us land the interview.

    What’s the Number One Thing You Should Do To Make Your Cover Letter Stand Out to Hiring Managers?
    Sarah Doody: Recruiters and hiring managers are busy, so anything that a candidate does to help save them time will be appreciated. A great cover letter should quickly inform a recruiter or hiring manager about why you are the best candidate for the role. Think about your cover letter as a movie trailer and your resume as a feature film. Movie trailers are designed to instantly capture your attention and make you want to see the film. And as mentioned above, customize it and don’t send a generic version!
    Arika L. Pierce: Use keywords from the job description and consider what else you can do. For example, connect with the hiring manager on LinkedIn and send them a video or audio direct message. Again, it’s about doing things to make you stand out that other people are not likely doing.
    Amy Feind Reeves: Cover letters are not like essays or term papers. They do not need to be finely crafted biographical stories that explain your choices in life, the lessons you have learned, and how you arrived on your current path. Officially, these letters are known as #TLDR (too long; didn’t read). Unofficially, they just won’t get read. Cover letters are a second opportunity to make a first impression. Make them short and focus on why you want the job you are applying for and why you will be good at it.
    So as it turns out, cover letters are more important than I once believed. They may be the difference between getting noticed and getting looked over. And if the only thing standing in your way of landing the job of your dreams is one piece of paper detailing how awesome you are, wouldn’t you take the time to write it?

    What You Should Actually Put In Each Section Of Your Resume More

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    The Big Career Goal You Should Tackle in 2023

    It’s a brand new year, and with that comes a blank slate full of possibilities. Many people immediately think about setting resolutions to hit the gym more, revamp their dating life, or start saving for a big goal. These are all great goals to set, but one area you shouldn’t overlook when it comes to setting goals for the year is what you want to accomplish in your career. Often, career goals can seem intimidating because they can take a while to accomplish and require some deeper strategic thinking, but once you’ve set a big goal you can break it down into smaller goals that can be easier to accomplish month over month.
    Whether you’re brand new to the “real world” and are looking for your first opportunity or have been climbing the ranks for years, there’s almost certainly a new career goal you can add to your list for 2023. In no particular order, here are some goals I’ve set for my career in the past that you might want to consider!

    If you’re ready for a big change: Get hired at a great company 
    Whether you’ve recently graduated or have been working for a while and are feeling a pull towards a new role, the start of the new year can be just the motivation you need to shake things up and focus on getting hired at a great company. I say a great company and not just any company because we want to set the bar high and get exactly what we deserve in 2023! A great company can be different based on what you’re looking for, your industry, and your location, so this is totally subjective based on your wants and needs. 
    If getting a new role speaks to you, you can break it down into more actionable steps and then set deadlines for each step. Micro goals could look like researching companies that offer the compensation and career challenges you’re after, reaching out to connections at those companies, and practicing interview questions. If you start at the beginning of this year and have your target list of dream companies ready for the end of January, you can give yourself the rest of the year to build those connections and hopefully receive an offer by December.

    If you want to level up: Get promoted 
    Love your current company but feel ready to take on new challenges? The goal of getting promoted this year is for you. This is a great goal to set at the beginning of the year because it will give you lots of time to work on any areas you need to develop on your path to promotion. It also gives you time to research and work towards any certifications or courses that could help you jump to the next level. 
    Once you’ve set the goal to get promoted this year, be loud and proud about sharing your intentions at work. Set up a meeting with your manager or HR partner to chat about what a promotion timeline looks like for you. Coming out of that meeting, be sure to record any next steps or agreements made (pro tip: send an email to the relevant parties the next day to ensure you captured everything correctly and have a record of your convo). Then, take every opportunity to showcase the skills you need in order to get promoted, and schedule regular check-ins with your manager to ensure you’re on track.
    Remember to keep a “Wins List” of your accomplishments to have as proof of everything you’ve done that year in service of getting promoted. My personal Wins List always includes key presentations I gave, any initiatives I started above and beyond my job description, and big wins my team had (as well as how I specifically contributed to them). I also include important metrics to tangibly show how I added value over the past year. 

    If you’re a manager (or want to be): Build your leadership skills 
    Let’s say you’re happy with your company and are killing it within your role, but you know you’re not quite ready for a promotion yet (or maybe you recently got one, in which case, yay you!). If you fall into this camp, a goal you could consider is increasing your leadership skills. Leadership skills are important for almost every job as you grow your career, whether or not you want to manage a team or department down the road.
    Increasing your leadership abilities might look like owning more deliverables, taking a greater lead on team projects, or mentoring newer teammates. If you have a team reporting to you already, consider setting a goal of becoming a better manager, finding different ways to coach each of your direct reports, or creating opportunities to be seen as a leader outside of your immediate team.
    Depending on whether you have a team already or not, your micro goals will look a little bit different. If you don’t have a team, take some time to identify areas where you could take on a bigger leadership role and speak to the necessary parties (likely your boss) to see if it’s a possibility. Mentoring a newer teammate could be formal or informal and might look like finding someone who could use support and offering yourself as a resource to answer questions, provide feedback, and give advice.
    If you already manage a team, think about if there are courses you could take or books to read to become a better manager, speak to your boss about growing your team if there’s a need, or build out individual plans with each report to make sure you’re supporting them as best as you can. My career goal for 2023 is to become a better manager, so you’ll definitely find me researching some leadership courses this month!  

    If you’re up for review: Negotiate for the raise you want 
    There’s always a lot of buzz around the “New Year, New You” idea in January, but I propose we change that to “New Year, New Salary” because I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t love a bit more cushioning in their bank account. If you’ve been with your company for a while or have a yearly review coming up soon, creating a plan for a salary increase might be the perfect goal to set. Oftentimes companies will go into raise discussions with a prepared budget increase of 3-7% of your salary, so if you want more than that you’ll need to take the time to prepare and state your case through negotiation. 
    If negotiating is a scary thought for you, make 2023 the year you face that fear and ask for what you want! You’ll first want to create a list of all the ways you’ve added value for the company since your last raise, along with any metrics you can provide (think along the lines of “I strategized and launched our TikTok channel which grew our yearly site visits from social media by 35%”).
    Once you have your accomplishments, use online job boards, your network, and any salary publications to help you develop a target number that’s ambitious but still realistic. It can also be helpful to find similar job descriptions in states where salary transparency is required on the posting, such as California or New York, to use as a benchmark. Then, schedule a meeting with your boss and let them know you’d like to discuss your salary. Finally, put on your best hype music (I recommend Lizzo) and go get what you deserve! Remember, if the answer is unfortunately no, try to take that as a “not yet” and ask your manager what you’d need to do to receive the raise you want and what a realistic timeline would be to have the conversation again. 

    If you have an unexplored passion: Build a side hustle
    If you’re in an industry where freelancing is common or you have a skill you know people will pay for, 2023 might be the year you think about finally starting a side hustle. You’ve heard it all before, but having an alternative source of income can be a great security blanket during challenging times, can provide extra funding for a big savings goal, or just give you a little bit of extra fun money (prepare to say yes to that cashmere sweater you’ve had your eye on!). 
    The first micro goal is to figure out what your side hustle is going to be (a bit of a key step!). You could try out freelance writing, selling your art on Etsy, coding websites for small businesses, managing social media for a local organization…the options are truly endless. You’ll want to pick something that has a good hourly rate for the time you’ll be putting in and has enough demand to warrant making it your niche. Your next goals should include researching any licenses or tax implications you need to be aware of (some states require you to have a separate business bank account, for example), determining how many hours you can dedicate per week, and then working on marketing yourself and getting some customers.
    It might sound like a lot, but you can totally launch a profitable side hustle within a few months if you just dedicate a few hours to getting it up and running each week. Trust me, your bank account will thank you! 

    12 Expert-Backed Financial Resolutions To Make This Year—And How To Achieve Them More

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    The Softest Fabric For Your Toughest Workouts

    With workout gear acceptable and comfortable in all day activities way beyond the gym, it’s become a focus of active people to seek out the best gear that feels as good after your exertions as it does while working up a sweat.
    Like Suede On Your Skin
    The secret to success in this crossover of comfort comes down to how the gear feels on your skin. Under Armour has created Meridian fabric with that precise goal – to feel soft on your skin during and after a workout. A technical quick-dry hybrid fabric that lets you go hard without losing that super-soft feel.
    It’s a sensation to the skin you never knew you needed but can’t imagine wearing anything else once your feel it. This specially engineered fabric delivers a unique type of softness that can still wick sweat like a champ. 
    All Day Comfort
    With the realisation that soft just for the sake of comfort is not good enough, numerous rounds of research and development were used make sure comfort and workout versatility are priorities. The result is the  softest performance gear to date from Under Armour.  The impressive collection is ideal to wear to any fitness class, from spin to yoga to pilates, but is  also so flexible, lightweight and soft, that you  won’t want to take them off once you get home. 
    “The Under Armour Meridien legging is absolutely phenomenal. Moving in them feels  like they weren’t even there. Even while sweating, they still just felt really comfortable.”, says Rachel Garcia, Pro Softball Player.
    The ‘SOFT YOU CAN SWEAT IN’ collection’s notable promises include:
    SERIOUSLY SOFT Under Armour brushed the surface of the fabric to an ultra-soft finish for our softest feel yet.
    LASTING COMFORT Wicks sweat and stays comfortable, especially in those high-friction zones.
    FLEXIBLE PERFORMANCE Super-breathable, lightweight stretch goes everywhere you do.

    The ‘SOFT YOU CAN SWEAT IN’ collection includes a wide range of gear and also features the new UA Smartform Evolution Bra. The new ‘must have’ bra delivers strategic support, tailored for medium-support activities like cycling, weight training & boxing. Bending, jumping, and squatting can make your clothing shift or slip as you move, The UA Smartform fabric can help your clothes adapt to your movement moulding to the shape of your body which may help keep them from slipping or shifting during workouts.              
    The new ‘SOFT YOU CAN SWEAT IN’ collection will be available at Under Armour Brand House stores nationwide as well as online: www.underarmour.co.za More