10 things you should never say when making a presentation

10 things you should never say when making a presentation10 things you should never say when making a presentationMaking a presentation at work can be scary. Some of us fear public speaking mora than death. However, like many things in life, giving presentations gets easier with practice and after more experience.I work in consulting, which means I spend a lot of my time giving - and listening to - presentations. In my role, I give presentations to client CEOs, executive teams, boards, large (and small) groups of company employees, and of course my own team, peers, and leadership. I also spend time helping others present their ideas, providing coaching and guidance on content, message, and supporting materials.Having the content prepared is foundational, but great slides and messaging can be ruined by a poor presentation. Similarly, I have seen executives with average content succeed because they deliver such a powerful presentation that the audience walks away convinced and impres sed.There are many elements to a great presentation, but being effective means avoiding missteps. Ive compiled ten things you should never do when making a presentation. To be clear - this is leid an effort to police tone, but to strengthen our ability to get our message across and build professional credibility.1. Dont say, I think, when a more powerful statement can workYour views are valid and youre entitled to an opinion. However, there are more powerful ways to state your view, including in my assessment, my experience suggests, and from what Ive observed. This tiny rephrase will ground your subsequent observation in something more firm than a passing thought.If you have data or facts, using I think can further undercut your point. Using the data indicate, or as the data illustrates, provides an even stronger introduction to your point. Sometimes you have to analyze data or come to a conclusion using many points of data that may elend be completely clear. In those instanc es, share your teams assumptions and conclusions not just what you think.2. Dont say, I dont know. It happens to all of us at some pointYoure giving a presentation you are asked a question that you do not know the answer to. You might not know, and you should never, ever give a fact or data point that youre unsure of.Instead of I dont know, which does not show any action or resolution, and highlights what youre missing (the answer) instead of instilling confidence, you can rephrase. If youre asked for a piece of data you dont have, you can respond, I can get that data, or, the team can explore that question and get you an answer following this meeting.If youre asked a question that you may need more time to ponder, it is fair to say, Id like more time to think about that instead of giving you an off-the-cuff answer, and indicate how you will follow-up.Sometimes, youre asked a question that you dont know the answer to, but have enough information or observation to make an educated g uess. In that case, provide your response with confidence, referencing your experience Based on similar situations, Id estimate that This is a tricky one to navigate, as some professionals struggle with wanting to be perfect and knowing every detail. If youre presenting, you should be well-prepared, but eventually you will get a question you simply do not know the answer to. Part of your preparation should include brainstorming for difficult questions and considering how you respond to any questions you may not know the answer to, based on your audience and the goals of the presentation.3. Never share something that isnt true and accurateThis sounds incredibly obvious. It is one of the things many of us learn in childhood tell the truth, and dont lie. However, in the heat (and stress) of a big presentation, it can be tempting to answer a question with a guess, or make a few leaps of logic here or there.Dont. If you arent certain about the validity of a point, sharing it could have massive consequences. This occasionally appears when more senior executives are presenting, and they havent reviewed the materials that theyre presenting. An old data point, or simple mistake that hasnt been caught, can be shared as fact. Without ill intent, that can have negative repercussions on the organization.Similarly, it can be tempting to avoid or downplay bad news. Ive learned that bad news is best delivered early and with a plan for resolution. Saying with full confidence that the team will absolutely hit next months milestone and then reporting two days before said deadline that you need an extension is one relatively common example. Your judgement and integrity is on the line when youre presenting, and if youre unsure of the validity of a point, it puts your reputation at risk if you deliver it to the audience.4. Like, um, and other verbal crutches.Nearly all of us fall prey to using different verbal crutches filler words and phrases that include like, um, aah, you kno w, and so.If youve ever listened to a speaker that has these verbal crutches, youve likely gotten so distracted that youre counting the likes instead of listening to the message.Preparation, recording, and feedback are the best ways to banish these from your vocabulary. When youve prepared well, youll feel more confident during your presentation. Stress and anxiety can trigger verbal crutches, while knowing your content thoroughly and taking some calming, deep breaths before you go on stage can reduce your nerves.Listening to yourself is one of the best ways to catch your verbal crutches. It is incredibly common to dislike the sound of your own voice but get over it, because poor presentation skills and verbal crutches are credibility killers When you listen to yourself, pay attention to what your verbal crutches might be, and commit to working them out of your daily use (even with friends and family).This is where having a trusted peer or thoughtful manager can come in. Let them k now youre working on improving your presentation skills, and you want to remove a specific verbal crutch or two from your vocabulary. Ask them to notify you when youre using it in meetings (usually after the meeting, though there may be a discreet way to do so during the session), and offer to help them with any skills they are working on honing.If you catch yourself relying on your verbal crutch, dont freak out. Just pause. A beat of silence while you take a sip of water and quickly glance at your notes feels natural to the audience and gives you a chance to regroup.5. Dont ask, Do you have any questions?Taking questions from the audience is great, but this is a poorly phrased question that doesnt engage your audience. Instead, I suggest making a few adjustments to ensure youre capturing feedback from your audience more actively.First, let them know how youll handle questions you may prefer that they are peppered throughout, or there may be notecards youve provided for them to write questions on for follow-up, or perhaps youve reserved time at the end to take any questions.Your audience will likely follow your lead, so let them know when youd prefer to take their questions. In a large group, audience members will often feel less comfortable asking questions throughout. In smaller groups, it may feel too formal to ask them to hold their questions to the end. Determine what will fit your audiences needs.Next, prepare the questions youll ask to engage your audience. If you have a section of the presentation that might confuse the audience, you may ask a question like, I often get questions on the details behind this chart, and how the factor analyses actually work raise your hand if providing that detail would be helpful, and Ill spend a few minutes on that.Sometimes, presenters ask the audience for questions when they are really trying to spark discussion or audience participation. If that is the case, then craft a purposeful, open-ended, and inclusive qu estion. For example, if youre presenting to managers about the importance of investing in employee development, you may ask, Who in the room has helped an employee grow their skills recently? Would you share the approach you used? A question like that allows the audience to share their own ideas and experiences, to add richness to the discussion.Finally, if youve finished your presentation, and you are curious if there are additional questions from your audience, you can say, If there are any questions, Id be happy to take them now. Give the audience some time to engage. People can be shy about speaking up in large groups. If you dont get a question, conclude with how they can reach you for any follow-up, thanking them for their time, and reminding them of any key points or actions. This is a more powerful closing than asking whether they have any questions which can feel like a mini-failure if they dont and concluding your session on an awkward note.6. Dont hoard the credit or e ven worse, take credit where you shouldnt. When youre presenting on behalf of a team, it is critical to recognize your contributorsYour presentation doesnt need to sound like a long list of thank yous at an awards show, but it is important to acknowledge the wider team. This is yet another tightrope to balance as the presenter, you have to authoritatively acknowledge your position however, it may dorfwiese your colleagues if youre inadvertently stealing credit in how you present.I recommend acknowledging the wider team at the beginning and end of the presentation, and highlighting any particularly strong contributions throughout. For example, when starting the presentation, you might say something like, Im thrilled to present the work on behalf of our department youll see the eight other team members that contributed to this project represented on the opening slide.If your colleague Fatima went out of her way, acknowledge that during your presentation. You can say, This finding i n the data is particularly compelling, and it was Fatimas idea to pursue this line of questioning through regression analysis. This demonstrates your comfort as a leader (you dont need to hog the spotlight) and gives your colleagues a chance to shine a win-win.7. Yes, we can do that by tomorrow, when youre not sure you canPromising something you cant deliver on is a fantastic way to undercut your credibility with peers and executives. It can be tempting to have an answer to every single question youre asked, but if a commitment is requested, and youre unsure, it is usually possible to buy yourself some time.You can defer, saying, Tomorrow is a rapid turnaround I will confirm with the team after this presentation and let you know what deadline you can expect by noon today. Further, in some situations it may be wise to take a moment to understand the driver behind the question, asking a clarifying question, like Before I work on next steps, it is helpful to understand why receiving the follow-up by tomorrow so critical does this information impact another project or deadline? Often, audience members may ask for things or details faster than really needed.8. Im rambling a little, or I just rambled off there, but if you got lost in the flow of your presentation, dont tell the audienceSome of them may have noticed, and for those who didnt, you just undercut your credibility. Practicing your presentation beforehand can help prevent rambling (ideally with a colleague, trusted friend, or by recording yourself and playing it back).However, if you catch yourself rambling, end your sentence, take a breath to gather your thoughts, and get back on track.9. Let me tell you a funny story This phrase has two issues let me and funny story. First, let meAs the presenter, your audience is listening to you by default (until you give them reason to tune out). Asking their permission with a weak phrase like let me is unnecessary.Next, funny story. In presentations, storie s are fantastic. Data suggests they are remembered up to 22 times more than facts alone, so including them in your presentation is a powerful technique. Humor can also be a useful technique, when used appropriately, to connect with your audience. However, theres little value in forewarning your audience that youre going to be funny because if they dont laugh, you just bombed. Deploy your humor naturally and appropriately, and if you get laughs, thats a bonus.10. Dont say, Im Sorry. Women tend to apologize more than men, and this also happens in presentationsWhen youre presenting, you rarely (if ever) need to apologize, so fight that instinct. Even in disastrous presentation situations and Ive been in a few, you can extract yourself without saying sorry.Taking you a few moments to get set up? No need to apologize let the audience know youll be starting in 5 minutes, and youre looking forward to sharing your findings with them.Projector light bulb broken, rendering it useless? Ackn owledge the issue, and if possible continue the presentation using your notes and handouts, or re-schedule the meeting to make the best use of the audiences time if the projection of slides is critical to the session.Audio terrible, so the room cant hear you? Move to the center of the room and raise your voice, grab a handheld microphone, or call an audible for a 10-minute break so the audio-visual staff can come up with a quick fix.Spend more time than you planned on that complex point, so you wont get to all your slides? Hit the key points you need to and end on time, because there are few sins an audience is less forgiving about than running late Usually, they dont know (or care) how many slides you have.Spill all over yourself right before you walk up on stage (or, even better, on stage)? Yup, it happens acknowledge it, make a joke, and keep going. Your audience usually wants you to succeed this hiccup makes you human.Forget the books you committed to bringing for every audien ce member? Let them know theyll be receiving them in the mail as follow-up, along with a bonus item to make up for the delay.Mishaps of all sorts happen when presenting you do not need to undercut yourself by needlessly saying sorry. Instead, you can use any issues to your advantage, demonstrating your cool and collected nature under fire.Developing your personal approach to presenting is a lifelong journey for fruchtwein of us, and executives with strong presentation skills are particularly valuable in todays knowledge-driven, fast-paced work environment. Id love to hear if there are any other things you NEVER say when making a presentation, or if there are other tips that youve applied to improve your own skills.The Feminist Financier is on a mission to help women build wealth and own their financial independence, by improving financial literacy and taking the mystery out of money. Ms. Financier is also a shoe addict, travel fanatic, and wine enthusiast.This article was originall y posted on Fairygodboss.com.

How playing sports can help you get ahead in your career

How playing sports can help you get ahead in your careerHow playing sports can help you get ahead in your careerWe all know that playing sports can relieve stress and keep us fit and healthy. But what about the skills you learn on the court, the field or the track? Do these help you in the boardroom or in your job interview too?The answer is yes, definitelyInspired by the Boston Marathon today, weve put together some unexpected ways that playing sports can help you get ahead in your career.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreActive employees are seen as a real benefit in the workplaceIf you played sports when you were younger, then its likely that it has a positive effect on your work ethic or career.For example, a 2009 study by the Bonn Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA) has shown that teens who do sports regularly get higher grades, and go further in their education.In fact, a fter surveying leading business executives, Ernst Young reported that female job candidates that played sports prior to entering the job market were believed to have strong work ethics, determination, and team-oriented all skills that are highly valued in the workplace too. Whats more,a survey of individuals at the level of executive Vice President of 75 Fortune 500 companies showed that 95% of them played sports in high school.Active employees are sought after by companies because they have the skills to drive their company forward, and they generally take fewer sick days as they are less prone to cardiovascular, back pain or mental illness another win for your employer and for youAdding sports to your application can help you get that jobWith all of this in mind, its likely that putting sports on your resume will show yourpotential employer thatyou come to the job with a specific set of skillsthat not only serve you on the court, field, or track but in the office too.In Japan, for example, job applicants very often talk about the fact that they run marathons or play for a football team in their applications.This could be because marathon runners are seen asdiligent, emotionally stable, conscientious, patient, disciplined, realistic, independent, motivated and intelligent, amongst other things, according tosociologist Susanne Kreitz. If these arent thecharacteristics that every dedicated hiring managers are looking for in new employees, then we dont know what are.So, next time you apply for a job, make sure to add any sports youve played to your resume and focus on the skills you learned playing these sports that translate into professional skills. These could include teamwork, strategic planning, grit, communication, adaptability, timeliness, etc. With these skills in your application, you could really gain an edge over the other applicants.Win over your interviewer by talking about sportsMake sure that you also mention the sports youve played and the ski lls youve learned in your job interview too. Its likely that playing sport has shown you the importance of hard work, self-discipline, pushing yourself to do your best and learning from your mistakes.If your interviewer asks you for examples of skills youve developed for the job, you can talk about how youve developed them by playing sports.So, playing sports can help you to not only keep fit and manage stress, but it can also get the job you want, earn more and be more successful. Its no wonder then that Barack Obama once said that you could learn a lot about someone by playing sports with them Does your employer offer good sports benefits? Let us know in your anonymous employer review atkununu.usThis article first appeared on Kununu.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst m istakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Including Communication Skills on Your Resume

Including Communication Skills on Yur ResumeIncluding Communication Skills on Your ResumeCommunication skills are one of the most valuable abilities that employers look for as they are central to many professionals and play an important role in most. However, when youre job hunting simply being a good communicator isnt enough. You need toshow communication skills on your resume in orderto demonstrate your abilities to prospective employers.Should you put communication skills on your resume? Yes, whatever industry you work in it is important to communicate effectively other people, whether it be colleagues, superiors, clients, or customers. Many professions involve a list of communication skills including sending emails and speaking on the phone. Even job hunting itself requires effective communication.Anyone can easily include communication skills keywords on their resume such as team player, attentive listener, confident speaker, and excellent communicator. However, this is unlikely to convinceemployers as it is easy to claim to have ansicht skills.Instead, it is better to demonstrate communication skills on your resume by highlighting the requirements of past jobs or times when youve excelledin a situation. Using a resume builder to include communication skills is the most time-effective way. Create your resume now How to Emphasize Communication Skills on Your ResumeLike your other abilities on your resume, your best communication skills should be demonstrated through your professional history. There are some basic communication skills which are important for most positions though some jobs require some specific abilities. Jobs requiring strong communication skills include teachers, managers, nurses, waitresses, psychologists, and salespeople.The first step is to read carefully through each job description and highlight the required communicationresume skills. You will need to write a resume which is a little different for each job application.Think about w hat you have achieved and how your communication skills have contributed to your success. Then you will be able to actually demonstrate your abilities by includingcommunication skills examplesrather than just claiming to have them.For example, including in your career accomplishments that you gave presentations, gave training sessions, worked as parte of a team, resolved customer complaints, or lead a project, shows that you have key transferable skills. Find the resume format which highlights your strengths the best.Top 15 Communication Skills for Workplace SuccessIf you can clearly show that you have strong communication skills on your resume you will increase your chances of getting a first interview as they are some of the best skills to put on a resume.Think about each pointfrom the followingcommunication skills listand think of examples when you have demonstrated them.1. WritingWriting is a daily part of many jobs and it is an important part of communication. Most office jobs and call center jobs involve writing emails and written communication with colleagues. What have you written? Who was it to? What did it achieve? Include this in your resume.2. MentoringProviding one-to-one guidance shows that you have a sortiment of key interpersonal skills such as listening, empathy, and giving advice and feedback.You can use a bullet point on your resume to highlight the progress of the individual.3. NegotiatingAside from the obvious financial benefits, good negotiators offer companies the ability to persuade other people. This involves getting points across clearly as well as reading other people (non-verbal communication). You can include this in a job description, or in an achievements section on your resume.4. Oral communicationOral communication skills are important in most jobs and are essential in customer service, sales, PR, and any role which involves speaking on the phone. If verbal communication has featured in your past job roles you should highlight this as it shows that you have strong resume social skills.5. TrainingGiving training sessions demands a number of communication skills. You have to be able to engage an audience to keep their attention. It shows that you are comfortable with public speaking and are able to communicate ideas and concepts to others.6. TeamworkBeing an effective team member involves being able to communicate and share ideas with your colleagues. You need to have good listening and verbal skills to cooperate with others. If you have worked as you should include it as one of your resume communication skills.7. PresentationsGiving presentations shows that you can engage with large audiences. It shows that you have a range of skills including oral communication. It is an impressive communication resume skillas not everyone is comfortable with public speaking and it is important in many jobs.8. EmpathyCommunicators who are able to empathize with others both understand how someone is feeling and the reason for their communication, as well as how to communicate back. Empathy not only helps you to read the room in team meetings, but it helps you gain perspective and understanding which helps when communicating.9. ListeningIf you can listen to someone and take in everything they are saying, you can communicate back well. Communicating with people is not solely about talking. In fact, a lot of the time it is about listening. This applies to both employees and bosses. Communication is a two-way street and everyone should be open to listening.10. Sense of HumorArguably listing this on your resume is slightly daring but it depends entirely on the type of job. Communicating with a sense of humor can be a good way of making things lighthearted and more positive or fun. However, part of this communication skill is knowing when using humor in conversation is appropriate. 11. CompassionIf you are not able to communicate compassionately, people can take offense when delicate topics are communicate d in an insensitive manner. Its important to take everyones feeling into account when presenting ideas, implementing changes, and talking directly to others.12. PatienceNot everything always works out as planned. Patience is a communication skill that helps us to communicate calmly and with poise. If you are able to be patient, whether waiting for others to respond to you or for someone to finish speaking, your communication will improve significantly. This characteristic enables you to stay calm and preserved, which also stops your brain from jarring. Patience will let you generate your thoughts productively and communicate coherently.13. PositivityIf you communicate in a positive way, your energy will bounce off and have a positive effect on others. Positivity is also a good communication skill that helps to persuade others. It works as a persuasion tool and can help others to look on the bright side of the point you are making.14. ConfidenceCommunicating with confidence will ensu re that you are taken seriously (depending on the point that youre making) and help to make others listen, as well. If you communicate your idea half-heartedly, others might not listen or take your idea on board. Believe in yourself, be confident and your communication will instantly improve. 15. Open-MindednessCommunicating with an open mind is the best way to propose ideas, receive feedback or engage in discussions. Sometimes when we plan our suggestions and proposals, we imagine our responses. It is better to approach any communicative situation with an open mind as we dont always receive these expected responses. Being open-minded also helps us to take on other suggestions and try new things.Including Communication Skills on Your ResumeCommunication skills are one of the most valuable abilities that employers look for as they are central to many professionals and play an important role in most. However, when youre job hunting simply being a good communicator isnt enough. You nee d toshow communication skills on your resume in orderto demonstrate your abilities to prospective employers.Should you put communication skills on your resume? Yes, whatever industry you work in it is important to communicate effectively other people, whether it be colleagues, superiors, clients, or customers. Many professions involve a list of communication skills including sending emails and speaking on the phone. Even job hunting itself requires effective communication.Anyone can easily include communication skills keywords on their resume such as team player, attentive listener, confident speaker, and excellent communicator. However, this is unlikely to convinceemployers as it is easy to claim to have these skills.Instead, it is better to demonstrate communication skills on your resume by highlighting the requirements of past jobs or times when youve excelledin a situation. Using a resume builder to include communication skills is the most time-effective way. Create your resume now How to Emphasize Communication Skills on Your ResumeLike your other abilities on your resume, your best communication skills should be demonstrated through your professional history. There are some basic communication skills which are important for most positions though some jobs require some specific abilities. Jobs requiring strong communication skills include teachers, managers, nurses, waitresses, psychologists, and salespeople.The first step is to read carefully through each job description and highlight the required communicationresume skills. You will need to write a resume which is a little different for each job application.Think about what you have achieved and how your communication skills have contributed to your success. Then you will be able to actually demonstrate your abilities by includingcommunication skills examplesrather than just claiming to have them.For example, including in your career accomplishments that you gave presentations, gave training sessions, worked as part of a team, resolved customer complaints, or lead a project, shows that you have key transferable skills. Find the resume format which highlights your strengths the best.Top 15 Communication Skills for Workplace SuccessIf you can clearly show that you have strong communication skills on your resume you will increase your chances of getting a first interview as they are some of the best skills to put on a resume.Think about each pointfrom the followingcommunication skills listand think of examples when you have demonstrated them.1. WritingWriting is a daily part of many jobs and it is an important part of communication. Most office jobs and call center jobs involve writing emails and written communication with colleagues. What have you written? Who was it to? What did it achieve? Include this in your resume.2. MentoringProviding one-to-one guidance shows that you have a range of key interpersonal skills such as listening, empathy, and giving advice and feedback.You can use a bullet point on your resume to highlight the progress of the individual.3. NegotiatingAside from the obvious financial benefits, good negotiators offer companies the ability to persuade other people. This involves getting points across clearly as well as reading other people (non-verbal communication). You can include this in a job description, or in an achievements section on your resume.4. Oral communicationOral communication skills are important in most jobs and are essential in customer service, sales, PR, and any role which involves speaking on the phone. If verbal communication has featured in your past job roles you should highlight this as it shows that you have strong resume social skills.5. TrainingGiving training sessions demands a number of communication skills. You have to be able to engage an audience to keep their attention. It shows that you are comfortable with public speaking and are able to communicate ideas and concepts to others.6. TeamworkBeing an effect ive team member involves being able to communicate and share ideas with your colleagues. You need to have good listening and verbal skills to cooperate with others. If you have worked as you should include it as one of your resume communication skills.7. PresentationsGiving presentations shows that you can engage with large audiences. It shows that you have a range of skills including oral communication. It is an impressive communication resume skillas not everyone is comfortable with public speaking and it is important in many jobs.8. EmpathyCommunicators who are able to empathize with others both understand how someone is feeling and the reason for their communication, as well as how to communicate back. Empathy not only helps you to read the room in team meetings, but it helps you gain perspective and understanding which helps when communicating.9. ListeningIf you can listen to someone and take in everything they are saying, you can communicate back well. Communicating with peopl e is not solely about talking. In fact, a lot of the time it is about listening. This applies to both employees and bosses. Communication is a two-way street and everyone should be open to listening.10. Sense of HumorArguably listing this on your resume is slightly daring but it depends entirely on the type of job. Communicating with a sense of humor can be a good way of making things lighthearted and more positive or fun. However, part of this communication skill is knowing when using humor in conversation is appropriate. 11. CompassionIf you are not able to communicate compassionately, people can take offense when delicate topics are communicated in an insensitive manner. Its important to take everyones feeling into account when presenting ideas, implementing changes, and talking directly to others.12. PatienceNot everything always works out as planned. Patience is a communication skill that helps us to communicate calmly and with poise. If you are able to be patient, whether wait ing for others to respond to you or for someone to finish speaking, your communication will improve significantly. This characteristic enables you to stay calm and preserved, which also stops your brain from jarring. Patience will let you generate your thoughts productively and communicate coherently.13. PositivityIf you communicate in a positive way, your energy will bounce off and have a positive effect on others. Positivity is also a good communication skill that helps to persuade others. It works as a persuasion tool and can help others to look on the bright side of the point you are making.14. ConfidenceCommunicating with confidence will ensure that you are taken seriously (depending on the point that youre making) and help to make others listen, as well. If you communicate your idea half-heartedly, others might not listen or take your idea on board. Believe in yourself, be confident and your communication will instantly improve. 15. Open-MindednessCommunicating with an open mi nd is the best way to propose ideas, receive feedback or engage in discussions. Sometimes when we plan our suggestions and proposals, we imagine our responses. It is better to approach any communicative situation with an open mind as we dont always receive these expected responses. Being open-minded also helps us to take on other suggestions and try new things.

How to Use Self Assessment Tools to Choose a Career

How to Use Self Assessment Tools to Choose a CareerHow to Use Self Assessment Tools to Choose a CareerIndividuals who are trying to choose a career often wonder if they can take a test that can tell them what occupation is right for them. Unfortunately, there isnt a single test that will magically tell you what to do with the rest of your life. A combination of self-assessment tools, however, will help with the decision. During the self-assessment phase of the career planning process, gather information about yourself to make an informed decision. A self-assessment should include thoroughly examining your values, interests, personality, and aptitude. Values the things that are important, like achievement, status, and autonomyInterests what you enjoy doing, i.e., playing golf, taking long walks, and hanging out with friendsPersonality a persons traits, motivational drives, needs, and attitudesAptitude the activities you are good at, such as writing, computer programming, and teaching. They may be natural skills or ones acquired through training and education. Many people hire a career counselor to help them with this process and administer a variety of self-assessment inventories. What follows is a discussion of the different types of tools, as well as some other things to consider when using your results to choose a career. Value Inventories Your values are possibly the most important thing to consider when choosing an occupation. If you dont take them into account when planning your career, theres a good chance youll dislike your work and therefore not succeed in it. For example, someone who prefers autonomy would not be happy in a job where he or she cant be independent. There are two types of values intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic values are related to the work itself and what it contributes to society. Extrinsic values include external features, such as physical setting and earning potential. Value inventories will ask questions like the following Is a high salary important to you?Is it important for your work to involve interacting with people?Is it important for your work to contribute to society?Is having a prestigious job important to you? During aself-assessment, acareer counselormay administer one of the following value inventoriesMinnesota Importance Questionnaire (MIQ),Survey of Interpersonal Values(SIV), orTemperament and Values Inventory(TVI). Interest Inventories Career development professionals also frequently administer interest inventories such as the Strong Interest Inventory(SII), formerly called theStrong-Campbell Interest Inventory. These self assessment tools ask individuals to answer a series of questions regarding their (surprise) interests. E.K. Strong, a psychologist, pioneered their development. He found, throughdata he gathered about peoples likes and dislikes of a variety of activities, objects, and types of persons, that people in the same career (and satisfied in that career) had similar interest s. Dr. John Hollandand others provided a system of matching interests with one or more of six types realistic, investigative, artistic, social, enterprising and conventional. He then matched these types with occupations. When you take an interest inventory, the results are compared with this study to see where you fit in- are your interests similar to those of apolice officeror to those of an accountant, for example? Personality Inventories Many personality inventories used in career planning are based on Psychiatrist Carl Jungs personality theory. He believed four pairs of opposite preferences- the way individuals choose to do things- make up peoples personalities. They areextroversionandintroversion(how one energizes), sensing and intuition (how one perceives information),thinking or feeling (how one makes decisions), and judging and perceiving (how one lives his or her life). One preference from each pair makes up an individuals personality type. Career counselors often use results from assessments based on Jungian Personality Theory, such as theMyers-Briggs Type Indicator(MBTI), to help clients choose careers. They believe individuals with a particular personality type are better suited to specific occupations. An example would be that an introvert would not do well in a career that requires him or her to be around other people all the time. Aptitude Assessments When deciding what field to enter, you need to discover your aptitudes. An aptitude is a natural or acquired ability. In addition to looking at what you are good at doing, also consider what you enjoy. It is possible to be quite adept at a particular skill, yet despise every second spent using it. Generally speaking, though, people usually enjoy what they are good at. While youre assessing your skills, think about the time you are willing to spend to acquire more advanced or newskills. A question to ask yourself is this- if a career holds all the qualities I find appealing but it takes X years to prepare for it, would I be willing and able to make this time commitment? Additional Things to Consider While going through theself-assessmentprocess, take into account other factors that will influence yourcareer choice. For example, think about your family responsibilities and your ability to pay for education or training. Dont forget thatself-assessmentis the first step in thecareer planning process, not the last. After completing this phase, go on to the next one, career exploration. With yourself-assessmentresults in mind, next, evaluate a variety of occupations to see which ones are the best fit. While yourself-assessment mayindicate a particular career is suitable for someone with your interests, personality,values, andaptitude, it doesnt mean it is the one that is most right for you. Similarly, dont discount an occupation just because it doesnt show up in the results of a self-assessment. Do a lot of research about any profession in which you are interested.

Up in Arms About Hr Coordinator Resume?

Up in Arms About Hr Coordinator Resume? Hr Coordinator Resume Options Actually, youre playing an important part in the evolution and promotion of a business by supporting the hiring process from the starting stages. There are two resources that it is possible to sell to each business on Earth time and money. Whoever has demonstrated success in creating more efficient processes in unterstellung regions will stay a viable candidate. The best resumes highlight certain abilities that portray a special skill collection. Alongside the HR Coordinator interview questions above, there are a few questions all employer love to ask no matter what kind of job that youre interviewing for. Again, consult with the work post which might have indicated the preferred soft skills. Theres no perfect answer for why you wish to be an HR coordinator but you do need some sort of reason. Looking for work or transitioning to a greater position is extremely challenging. Theres frequently a lot of comm unication involved, while its on the telephone or in-person (most HR jobs involve lots of in-person). Individuals aspiring to become into the philanthropisch resources career can also find this article helpful in learning about the duties that HR coordinators perform, and the abilities and qualities needed to be successful at work. All that it entails is to do a small study of the HR assistant job description printed by the employer to discover the significant objectives and objectives for the role, together with the competence and experience needed to succeed at work. If youve got strong communication abilities and are confident as a headhunter, we wish to meet you. The New Angle On Hr Coordinator Resume Just Released Use different methods when searching for job leads. This DOESNT indicate they think youre a terrible fit. Use the search box to find just what you want to find. Hr Coordinator Resume Options Usually, a resume summary isnt more than five sentences. The two fo rms of resume format are extremely different. Your letter have to sound find it irresistible turned into written using a true individual. A well written cover letter is necessary for a thriving job application. Key Pieces of Hr Coordinator Resume Most companies wish to employ people that are eager to learn and grow with the organization. This is a position where a high degree of education is essential. The main point is they are usually in charge of several distinct regions of the HR department. While you are going to have some similar headings like education, employment and references its also advisable to incorporate a section on HR abilities and policies. You are able to say your purpose is to learn HR and then advance to a greater level function in the company, still within HR. In the end, you ought to be able to add to the attainment of certain targets and results of the HR department and the organization. Project coordinators can discover opportunities in a wide vari ety of industries. Demonstrated capacity to successfully partner with different departments to realize human resources objectives. The Argument About Hr Coordinator Resume I want to establish a meeting with you to go over the facts of these protocols. I have huge experience with record keeping and comprehensive reports. The human resources coordinator is liable for record keeping of employees and formulating new techniques that would greatly help in the retention of workers. Experienced in handling a wide variety of administrative and executive support related tasks and equipped to work independently with minimum supervision. Companies want the most well-rounded applicants. Experts expect a small increase in available human resource jobs over the upcoming several decades. Ethical HR employees handle a great deal of personal, sensitive info about a business and its employees. There are an assortment of work in the subject of human resources (HR). The perfect candidate will have a wide understanding of philanthropisch Resources along with general administrative responsibilities. HR coordinators are also requested to suggest methods to enhance the businesss hiring and staffing procedures.

What You Dont Know About Software Developer Resume Examples May Surprise You

What You Dont Know About Software Developer Resume Examples May Surprise You The Bad Secret of Software Developer Resume Examples So once you submit a resume to the employer, hell be interested. Resumes do notlage accept to get complicated. Lengthy resumes do not bring in the recruiters much and will likely be ignored. Functional Resumes of a software engineer should not be exceedingly long and should fit within a few pages. Youre not restricted to the components in a stacktheyre interchangeable based on your demands and customizable. Every product is produced bearing in mind the demands of the customer and the business enterprise. On occasion the software engineer will also perform added integration testing to make sure the new or updated product integrates correctly with different systems. When the development procedure is finished, more testing is going to be undertaken. To begin with, list the master list of each and every skill youve got, obviously associated with you r experience for a software engineer As a result, the games development process always involves additional superior testing. Understanding of programming skills are a given if you would like to have into software development. There are many programming languages utilised in the software business, and while software devs encounter a lot of them during their degree programs, some extra education could be required after graduation. Others have the opinion a full-stack developer is simply someone whos familiarized with all layers in computer program development. The overwhelming majority of software developers work full moment. Back-end developers produce and keep the whole back-end function outlined above. Recruiting and hiring software developers isnt an easy job. The 5-Minute Rule for Software Developer Resume Examples Your day-to-day responsibilities will be different according to which job you select. So when the hiring company hasnt provided a salary for work, we look at salary data from related businesses and locations to think of a fair estimate for what it is possible to expect. Listing skills needed for the position is a no-brainer. Essentially, youve nailed work at a unicorn firm. The Software Developer Resume Examples titel Up If youre discussing the individuals who dont get hired. Attempting to locate new ideas is more or less the fun pursuits. however, it can as well be irritated when we cannot locate the essential idea. In the work description of IT giants, there are particular interpersonal abilities and abilities to innovate too. Excellent communication abilities and the capacity to work well with people at all levels are crucial. Its crucial to keep current with changes and developments in the business, which might involve using your initiative and taking responsibility for updating your technical abilities and knowledge. You will require a genuine interest in the health of the planet, and how development, particularly, can have an effect on peoples lives. A great deal of developers often overlook the value of business abilities. Still others might get the job done for themselves, creating programs by themselves and starting companies which might eventually employ others. Developers work by a procedure and you ought to demonstrate you have one. Junior Developers are predicted to learn the suitable lexicon and terminology for those domains they work in. At times, youve got to work with different developers to produce the results needed. Dont forget, developers should be tech-savvy. Besides the resume, theres additionally a cover letter. If you own a lot of work on GitHub, GitHub Pages is a simple means to turn your repositories into a web site that could function as your portfolio. A normal job description starts off with a concise introduction about the firm. Go through the Salesforce developer job description below to find out what other info to have in your own job listing. An excellent web deve loper resume takes the opportunity to outline the huge experience a developer has in all the disciplines that clients need to maintain and boost their www presence. An internet designer is to blame for creating and keeping the internet presence of one company, or a list of clients. He is responsible for creating the look and functionality of a website.

5 Ways to Communicate With Confidence

5 Ways to Communicate With Confidence Communicating with confidenceis the difference between telling your boss that you need the day off and asking if it would be possible to take the day off. While you shouldnt act self-righteous or disrespect your superiors, it is important to take charge and act on what you need.It can be a hard to communicate with confidence, especially if you arent used to actively telling people how you feel and what you need. However, once you learn how to communicate confidently, youll leidice an immediate difference in how others treat you for the better.1. Explain, Dont AskHow would you react if someone asked you, Can I take this day off? If its too busy or you cant make it work, thats fine?You would probably checktheschedule for that day before deciding whether or not to let that person take a day off.Now, imagine they said this instead I need to take this day off because I have a personal obligation.Youd probably act pret ty differently, right? When you make a stellungnahme instead of posing a question, people tend to accept it. When you ask for a day off, you suggest it isnt a big deal if you cant take off. When you assert that you need a day off, people will assume its important.2. Know Your ValueI often see people undervaluing themselves and their success on their resumes. To communicate with confidence, you need to know your value. Dont let anyone undermine you or make you feel as though what youre communicating is unreasonable.Try to always have concrete evidence backing up what you are communicating. Try to predict and plan for possible objections or concerns in advance. If you are confident in your statement, others will be, too.3. Prepare Ahead of TimeThe key to communicating with confidence is to prepare ahead of time. Very few people feel good about going into situations unprepared. Determine your strategy ahead of time and practice what you want to say so you feel comfortable and dont stum ble. You may want to practice multiple times The more you actually say what you want to say out loud, the more comfortable you will be.Another way to prepare is to write down the pros and consof your statement. This way you can acknowledge different viewpoints but still argue in your points favor. Acknowledging others perspectives shows them you have taken various points into account and still believe your own option isbest.4. Dont Back Down If You Dont Believe Its RightPart of being an adult is admitting when youre wrong, and there is nothing bad about that. However, if you truly believe that youre right, dont back down. If you want to communicate with confidence, you need to show others that you are not second-guessing yourself. When you lose confidence in what youre saying, others will, too.5. Accept That You Dont Always Have to Say YesIts human nature to want to help others, but saying yesisnt always in your best interest. You dont have to say agree to something if you arent com fortable with it and that includes when people ask you to take on new tasks at work. If theres too much on your plate, be clear and communicate that. No one will penalize you for wanting to do a good job with what you have already taken on. If taking on another project will cause you too much stress, politely decline.It is important to realize is that you dont owe anyone at work an explanation if you cannot do extra work that is above and beyond your original agreement. Simply saying I cannot do that should suffice. If someone prods you for more information, all you need to say is I have a lot on my plate, and I want to make sure I can do everything to the best of my ability.We all find ourselves in situations where we need to assert our wants, needs, and abilities, butdoing so can be difficult. Communicating with confidence shows others that you arent going to back down and let them choose for you. Whether you are at work, with friends, or with your family, being able to communica te with confidence will help you take control of your life.Michele Lando is a certified professional resume writer and the founder ofWrite Styles.

A former British Vogue editor shows what not to say after youve been fired

A former British Vogue editor shows what notlage to say after youve been firedA former British Vogue editor shows what not to say after youve been firedShortly after Lucinda Chambers was fired from herbeibei job as the fashion directorof British Vogue, she decided to air her grievances and reflect on her 36 year-tenure at the fashion magazinein an exit bewerberinterview with the journal Vestoj.The interview was so revealing that it got taken down when it was published on Monday and then re-posted, with an editorial note thatChambers former employer Conde Nast was launching a lawsuit. The interviewer suggested that the magazine company was upset that Chambers had insulted important fashion brands - who are also important advertisers in its magazines. Its not surprising that the discussion has launched a lively discussion. No onecomes out of this interview unscathed- from an industry that will chew you up and spit you out tocrap magazine cover shoots with mediocre designers and their appalling work.Chambers gives a bridge-burning interview full of disclosures that make it clear shedoes not expect to work in the magazine industry again- or at least, never again at publisher Cond Nast.Its also full of candid observations about jobsand careers that we can learn from.Own your storyAfter you get fired, its all too easy to let the rupturing event consume you and subsumeyour identity, and to obsess about it. But its important to remember that you are not this one job, event or failure.Thisdebate comes up in a conversation Chambers relays she had after her firing Later I was having lunch with an old friend who had just been fired from Sothebys. She said to me, Lucinda, will you please stop telling people that youve been fired. I asked her why its nothing Im ashamed of. She told me, If you keep talking about it, then that becomes the story. The story should be that youve had the most incredible career for over thirty years. The story shouldnt be that youve been fired. D ont muck up the story. But I dont want to be that person. I dont want to be the person who puts on a brave face and tells everyone, Oh, I decided to leave the company, when everyone knows you were really fired.Chambers is right to not hide what happened to her. In the immediate aftermath of a public firing, you can capitalize on everyone talking about you by redirecting the conversation. Be open that you need a job and askyour network to find you leads. Thats whatSree Sreenivasan did after he was fired from the Metropolitan Museum of Art as their chief digital officer in 2013. He wrote a public Facebook post inviting anyone to tell him what he should do next.If you want to invite me to anything, I now have time, including for meaningful cups of coffee and drinks, Sreenivasan wrote. Id also love to go walking with anyone available.The suggestion from Chambers friend to take a longer view also has merit. By reframing the question over her firing around what she did accomplish at Briti sh Vogue over what ended it, the friend is looking towards the future, at employers and prospects down the line.Owning your story means not shying away from the bumps in your career, while also taking a longer view of your journey. To own your story, you must acknowledge that the firinghappened to you while not letting it become all you can talk about. Balancingthese scales, the important question after a firing becomes- how much to disclose?Chambers was frank around the anxieties about her firing, while also hinting that her career is not over Most people who leave Vogue end up feeling that theyre lesser than, and the fact is that youre never bigger than the company you work for. But I have a new idea now, and if it comes off maybe I wont be feeling so vulnerable after all.Insult your employer at your own perilChambers account is full of juicy details about the fashion magazine industrys fickle nature, and its uncomfortably close relationship with designers and advertisers. On desi gner Michael Kors, Chambers said that the June cover with Alexa Chung in a stupid Michael Kors T-shirt is crap. Hes a big advertiser so I knew why I had to do it. I knew it was cheesy when I was doing it, and I did it anyway.These insider details make for a great read, but asthe Fashion Law pointed out, theycan also lead to lawsuits. The legal website cited the Balenciaga lawsuit against its former creative director Nicolas Ghesquire after he gave a disparaging interview to amagazine where he compared his relationship to the fashion house to the sensation of being sucked dry, like they wanted to steal my identity.Compare that to Chambers comment about her former employer Truth be told, I havent readVoguein years. Maybe I was too close to it after working there for so long, but I never felt I led aVogue-ykind of life. The clothes are just irrelevant for most people - so ridiculously expensive.The lesson? Tell-alls are great for the reader, not always so great for the storyteller. Wh en you decide to spill, be careful aboutbreaching your non-disparagement and nondisclosure contracts. For Chambers, its clear that Cond Nast is not going to take her statementslying down. As of Thursday, the post now carries a new editorial disclaimer, saying that the site hasbeen contacted by lawyers on behalf of Conde Nast Limited and Edward Enninful OBE and have been requested to amend the interview. This request has now been granted.Curious about other ways to handle getting fired or laid off? We asked people who have been through it. Heres their excellent advice.

Supercharge Your Career in 2016 With These 3 Resolutions

Supercharge Your Career in 2016 With These 3 Resolutions Supercharge Your Career in 2016 With These 3 Resolutions Before we left the office in 2015, we gathered around our big oak table, drank some bubbly, ate something round (its a thing) and scribbled down our New Years resolutions for 2016. We then passed around a pink and gold pbrdeic cup, smashed our resolutions inside, and spent the last hour of the 2015 work week sharing our resolutions. Maren Hogan asked us to go around the table and share our most important ones. When she got to me, she said, Only one, Shaley.Why? Because Im definitely the partie to have sevenreally important ones I just have to share. I looked at the long list I had made it got up to nearly twenty but I chose one (to get back into playing piano) and then was cautioned by Maren that making too many resolutions can be setting yourself up for failure. Smart woman she is Because its only been a few days into the New Year and she is right. I dont even know where that stinkin list isTherefore, if Im going to give any adviceon making (and keeping) resolutions, Ill need to make them doable. Since 2016 is all about taking my career to the next level, I thought Id share the biggest actions anyone can take to up their game. Take a look at my plan to a brighter, better career this yearResolution No. 1 Stay relevant and get ahead of the curve by reading top news every day. Dont miss a beat in your industry or the industry you serve by keeping up with top headlines. Get into the habit of reading at least one industry-relevant article per day.Industry-focused media outlets like ERE, Recruiting Daily, Blogging4Jobs, Fistful of Talent(AHEM cough Red Branch cough) and, of course,Recruiter.comare all great sources for relevant, trending information. Plus, these outlets arededicated totheir industries, so you wont get distracted with unimportant or irrelevant news.The constant flow of information will serve you well in professional conversations and your work in general. The mora informed you are, the better your decisions will be.Its just a fact MindToolsexplains it bestFirst, youll make better decisions, and youll spot threats and opportunities early on, which can give you a competitive edge. This is especially important if you contribute to shaping your organizations strategy. Its also important if youre involved in sales and marketing, where it helps you identify and take advantage of the sales opportunities that come your way.Secondly, keeping up-to-date with your industry is key for building expert power. By developing expertise in your job and your industry, youll earn the trust and respect of the people around you. From a leadership perspective, this is invaluableFinally, it will alert you to changes that you need to think about.How to keep your resolutionIt doesnt matter when or how you choose to digest the news, just make sure its via a medium that works best for you. If you prefer email, sign up for RSS subscription s through Feedly, newsletters like The Middle Finger Project or 7 in 7, or Google Alerts delivered straight to your inbox. Enjoy browsing on your phone? See if your choice outlet has an app (Flipboard is rad) or a text messaging alert system.Tools to help The only tools youll need for this one are your preferred medium, your reading glasses (if you need them), and perhaps a daily reminder on your smartphoneResolution No. 2 Show more gratitude to the people you work with every day.Building healthy professional relationships with your coworkers is thought to increase productivity. Research showsthatthese social connections in the workplace make employees more engaged in their work and less likely to quit.Workplace conflict, on the other hand, negatively impacts motivation, retention, wertmiger zuwachs, cohesiveness, morale, and even safety. With more than 65 percent of performance problems coming from strained relationships between employees, make 2016 the year to get along with every one (no matter your past differences).A great way to mend broken relationships with colleagues or start them off on the right foot is by showing gratitude and recognition. When is the last time you sent a handwritten personal thank-you note to someone who deserved it?How to keep your resolution Start an Evernote to keep track of the people who really helped you or stuck outthroughtheir exceptional work.When thanking someone, remember to be less menial and more meaningful. Thanking someone for helping you fix the Keurig can seem kind of weird I know coffee is often a matter of life or death, but maybe you should send that thank-you note to Josh, who stayed an hour late to help you reach your deadline, or Claire, who calmed you down after a bad performance review.Having trouble finding someone who has been nice to you? Just start doing nice things for others and watch the culture of your company shift.Tools to help Thank-you note cards will be your best friend. Keep a stack of them a t your desk. Obviously, you dont want to be handing these out left and right, or theyll lose their value. But if someone helped you in an exceptional way, they deserve a special thank-you noteYou can alsoshow gratitude or recognize your coworkers or bosses for a job well done through a project management tool like Bitrix24 or a real-time micro feedback tool like iRevu.Resolution No. 3 Improve your personal brand.Social media is an important part of your personal brand. Ifyoure not using it effectively, then youre missing out on a platform to showcase your expertise. In fact, 35 percent of employers are less likely to interview candidates if they cant find anything about them onlineMake sure to keep Facebook for personal usage, but sign up for a LinkedIn and Twitter account to promote your personal brand to a broader audience. Follow influencers and leaders in your industry (like ChinaGorman), curate content from industry-leading news sites and blogs (Social Talent is so fun), and en gage followers with your own tricks of the trade Once you get the hang of it, you can even start your own blog.There is a lot individuals can do to market themselves through social media to earn followers and gain traction in their fields.How to keep your resolution Improving your personal brand through social media is a daily effort, so set reminders on your phone at specific times of the day when your followers are most active.Tools to help Tools like SocialBro, Hootsuite, and Buffer all allow you to schedule tweets in advance. This way, you wont have to constantly checkin on your Twitter. Download the apps to your phone so you can easily access them on the go.There you have it Three doable resolutions any professional can put into practice or perfect for this new year. Keep em up and youll be on your way to a more credible reputation as an influencer and an overall better person to work for and with

Why you should trust your instincts at work

Why you should trust your instincts at work Why you should trust your instincts at work Most employees and organizations can readily identify problems. They instinctually or factually understand how internal processes or functions are either dysfunctional or inefficient.But  most of this understanding devolves into long-winded discussions by disgruntled employees or rants by managers at meetings. Decisions often are delayed or otherwise made in haste  - and are oftentimes incorrect.Wrapping effort around improvements within your company can be difficult when the employees are either dismissed as non-contributors or when the leaders within the organization are not open to the concept of brainstorming.So what can managers and employees alike do to improve the decision-making process and ensure that decisions are tied to improved business productivity and profitability?For one: listen to your gut instinct.A great deal of information is stored in our subconscious. In moments of decision-making, our bodies provide clues to answers through feelings or gut reactions (for a fa scinating book on this subject, see Malcolm Gladwell’s Blink). Tune into your intuition - your decisions will be sounder.Everyone has those moments when the answer just seems to magically pop into your head or the solution becomes  obvious. The same can be said for change and innovation. Often, individuals just seem to know when something is off, or alternatively when a solution is obvious.So why is this instinct so often ignored? Why do teams revert back to old ideas and behaviors so readily?As verified in research by Alex “Sandy” Pentland in his article “Beyond the Echo Chamber,” I believe much of this has to do with the second-guessing of our own (or others’) instinctual decisions.There are two main reasons we don’t trust our instincts.1. We let experts sway our opinionWithin an organization, often a handful of individuals are viewed as the “experts” and are the only ones either allowed to or considered capable of making decisions.Experts, authority figures, an d tenured employees tend to sway opinion. Those without this status tend to be undervalued and often do not speak up.When making decisions, it is best to remove any value judgments with regard to information. Non-status groups, such as newer or younger employees or even those unfamiliar with the system, can often provide a unique and valuable perspective.Make sure not to discount information that may come from a non-traditional source. In business, these sources and ideas can often be game-changers.2. We rely on personal prejudiceWe frequently only hear what we want to hear and see what we want to see. If you have expectations or biases, this will influence the outcome.Be aware of your own prejudices, and stay open to unexpected sources and content. The older we become, the more we think we know. It is easy to believe that due to our experience, we have seen what there is to see, or that we have already tried all of the new ideas and concepts at one time or anotherAn employee  may t hink “how can I know the answer when the expert says otherwise? How is his idea any good if I have experienced only the opposite?These types of internal dialogues are common among employees who are either dismissed as non-contributors or by leaders that are typically not open to the concept that brainstorming atypical ideas can actually be a good thing, that inviting people outside of your expected network can add value to the discussion.What you can do about itThe next time someone blurts out one of those a-ha moments, listen. Take notes. Vet the idea, not the person offering it.The composition of the teams that will tackle your problems is absolutely critical to your success. Make sure you have considered whether those individuals or teams making decisions consists only of experts, or those with over or under estimated value or personal prejudice. If it is, you are missing out on the possibility of exponential change for the good.Invite both the experts and the inexperienced, th e ancillary, the vested, the customer, the manufacturer, the consultant, the boss - anyone who can add value to the discussion.Innovation and improvement is about ideas, not just process. Assemble accordingly.Dorriah L. Rogers, Ph.D, is a consultant who  specializes in identifying and solving issues affecting efficiency, productivity, and profitability, and the author of  Decide to Profit: 9 Steps to a Better Bottom Line.

Content Strategist Job Description and Salary Outlook

Content Strategist Job Description and Salary Outlook Content Strategist Job Description and Salary Outlook Content is king today. That’s why content strategists are in great demand. A shift in focus from the hard sell to providing helpful information to potential customers and clients has created strong demand for talented professionals who can develop and manage content. The content strategist role has become key for companies that want a robust marketing and communications plan. “Content marketing continues to gain traction as a lead generation tool amongst companies of all sizes,” says Diane Domeyer, executive director of The Creative Group. “Agencies and in-house teams seek experienced content strategists who can create, curate and syndicate content to increase brand awareness and conversation rates.” Here’s a look at the content strategist job description along with the skills, traits and average starting salary associated with this job. Content strategist duties and expectations What is a content strategist? The core function of the job is developing a content strategy based on a company’s or client’s business objectives and a customer’s or end user’s needs. Creative professionals in this role oversee content requirements and create content strategy deliverables across a project life cycle. This can include conducting content audits (qualitative analyses of all the content on a network of sites and social media accounts) as well as gap analyses. The content strategist is often in charge of creating and maintaining editorial calendars, style guides, taxonomies, metadata frameworks and content migration plans. Content strategists may also be responsible for managing other employees and freelancers, maintaining budgets, and assisting with the technical integration of content. SEARCH CONTENT STRATEGIST JOBS Skills and traits of content strategists High-level thinkers who also have a penchant for keeping track of details are ideal candidates for this job. Content strategists must be standout idea generators and problem solvers with excellent communication and organizational skills. These strategy experts must have the analytical abilities necessary to gather key business and user insights, and apply their strategic planning skills to create a long-term vision for the content that’s generated. Project management experience will help the content strategist keep projects on track and within budget. Other desirable traits include the ability to compellingly communicate a brand’s story, and a design sensibility to envision how content will be presented or distributed in formats other than text-based articles, such as infographics or multimedia presentations. A firm understanding of user experience and strong search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM) skills are often preferred. Content strategist salary benchmarks According to The Creative Group 2019 Salary Guide, the midpoint starting salary for a content strategist is $73,000. Use our Salary Calculator to find out what a content strategist can make in your city. Tags

How to Translate Your Military Service Into a Civilian Resume

How to Translate Your Military Service Into a Civilian Resume How to Translate Your Military Service Into a Civilian Resume As career coach Matt Berndt  writes, How can you translate what you did in the military from military jargon and context into language meaningful to civilian employers? That’s the question Grammarly aims to answer  today. Pre-Resume Prep Before you can write an effective resume, you need to gather information. First, collect any documents related to your service, such as performance evaluations, awards and commendations, and your Verification of Military Experience and Training (or VMET, available here). Veterans and civilians alike can benefit from keeping  copies of education transcripts, employment history, and accolades in a handy binder. These records will make it much easier to create an accurate timeline of your service. They’ll also help you to recall specific, measurable details. According to Shareem Kilkenny, a career services expert who specializes in working with veterans, Trying to write your military resume without these documents at hand will make the process much more difficult, and most importantly, almost guarantee that your final product will turn out lackluster and thin on your accomplishments. Leadership Experience Veterans make great leaders in the workplace. According to the University of Notre Dame, “Veterans are not simply trained to respond to commands. In fact, the goal of their training is to help them to recognize the talents inherently in their people and to develop those talents to enable their team to succeed.” What happens when you’re not looking for a management position? As a veteran, you’re used to following a strict chain of command. While some workplaces prefer a flatter management structure, many employers still use a hierarchical structure. What does that mean for you? Unlike recent grads and employees who are used to more casual leadership structures, you’ll be ahead of the pack when it comes to fitting into the corporate structure. Offer Solid Numbers According to Megan M. Biro, one of the reasons that employers want to hire veterans is because of their results-oriented attitude. When you’re in uniform you have a mission,” writes Biro, one on which lives may be dependent. Performance and results are non-negotiable. You know how to get things done[,] and you do them. To demonstrate your ability to get results, offer solid numbers whenever possible. Hiring managers might not understand all of the specifics about your military service, but they do understand statements like supervised 20 subordinates or cut department expenses by 3.8 percent in 2007. Cut the Jargon and Alphabet Soup Your resume should read as if you were speaking to your grandparents. That’s what Bradley-Morris, a firm specializing in helping vets find work, recommends. Most employers will have no clue what military jargon and acronyms mean, so make sure to use the civilian equivalents. If you must use an acronym for the sake of brevity, spell it out the first time you use the term, and then put the acronym in parentheses immediately following the word or phrase. Then you can use the acronym from that point forward. For example, you might write Department of Defense (DOD) the first time it’s mentioned and then just DOD thereafter. If you only mention a term once in your resume or cover letter, however, there’s no need to include the acronym at all. Proofread Before Sending Accuracy is key when it comes to any business writing. That’s why you need to pay special attention to spelling errors, grammar mistakes, and typos in your resume. One mistake could cost you the interview, so eliminate typos with Grammarly’s automated proofreading tool,  or get a friend to help you. Veterans, thank you for your service! We’d be honored if you’d share your advice and stories about transitioning into the civilian  job force in the comments!

How long does it REALLY take to improve your life

How long does it REALLY take to improve your life How long does it REALLY take to improve your life Changing one’s life is a lengthy process. We are so impatient. We dream about overnight success or a one-week life change. Somehow, it’s so easy to forget that your lifespan is measured in decades. One night or one week is only a tiny fraction of your life.So how long does it really take to improve your life?The results vary, as they say. They are three known methods to change one’s behavior: an epiphany a change of environment (what surrounds you) a change of habits Here comes the triple discovery about epiphanies: An epiphany changes human life the most quickly, sometimes in a heartbeat or within a few minutes. Epiphany stories get an insanely disproportionate amount of media coverage. An epiphany is impossible to engineer. I’m sure you’ve heard of the stories of grandparents who dramatically changed their lifestyle and improved their health because their sweet little grandkids told them not to die too soon. Or the stories of addicts who met Jesus. Or stories of people who had a near-death experience and came out of that totally different.A moment of decision, one short event and they turned their lives around.I’m sure you’ve heard such stories because they got extremely heavy media coverage. They draw attention. They spark interest. They sell. Thus, just about every single “epiphany story” is covered. They are a no-brainer for media outlets.And it tricks you into thinking that an epiphany is a way to improve your life.It’s not.The one thing the media doesn’t mention when covering those stories is that every single time an epiphany is happening TO the person. Nobody has ever engineered an epiphany. It’s impossible.In my opinion, it takes a higher power to create an epiphany. For materi alists, it takes an absolutely complex, random set of circumstances to make an epiphany happen. You know, almost as the complex set of circumstances, as a completely random creation of the universe with a myriad of metrics and laws that make a human life in this universe possible.Anyway, you cannot create an epiphany. You can only hope it will happen to you one day. And it’s a poor strategy for taking control of your life.A change of environment can be relatively fast. For example, you move to another country to get a new job and your life accelerates like crazy. Or you get married, move out of your parents’ house and start a family. Or you get pregnant and your pregnancy motivates you to improve your life in a way that has always eluded you.The triple discovery about the change of environment: It’s not easy to engineer either. Your mindset always stands in the way. Hence, it doesn’t happen as often as we tend to think. How often do you change a job, move to another city/country, or get married or pregnant for the first time in your life? Much more often than experiencing an epiphany, but still not very often, right?Such major life shifts have also a tendency to happen to us. I changed jobs because I was fired. Our first kid wasn’t planned. Ha, ha, nor either of the two following kids.Here is the thing: the longer you live, the harder is to introduce a significant change of environment. When I decided to improve my life at the age of 33, I had been married for 12 years, had three kids, a 35-year mortgage and a full-time job. I simply could not leave my old life behind.People get married, have kids and change jobs all the time, and a life change does not follow those events. Why? Because no matter how your environment changes, you take your old mentality with you every time. Your personal philosophy is the same and it only MAY shift in new circumstances.But one of our internal brain mechanisms is R AS that filters out everything around and provides to your conscious mind only a deliberately curated ‘press releases’ of reality. In other words, you are always looking for facts and arguments that confirm your existing philosophy. And you don’t change much.Hence, the significant improvement of life as a result of changing what surrounds you is not common. It happens, but it doesn’t happen every time.Change of HabitsOn the other hand, if you follow the route #3 â€" changing your habits â€" it happens every time. In his book, “The Power of Habit,” Charles Duhigg tells a story of some research. Scientists were interested in the reason behind changing one’s life… Some people are able to improve their lives and others aren’t? What’s the factor that explains it? What’s the first cause?They started with normal bias, they were looking for tracks of enlightenment or change of surroundings. They thought that a sudden conversion, death in a family or some other tragedy may be good explanations for the change in human behavior. They interviewed people who were able to bring their lives back on track and they were amazed by the discovery of the first cause.It was a change in habits. In fact, often it was a single new habit that started the avalanche of improvement.What I conclude is that routes #1 and #2 are only shortcuts to changing one’s habits. If you convert because of enlightenment and join a religious order your daily life is much different from it was. If you move to another country, you lose many of your old habit triggers and it creates space for building new habits.An enlightenment and the change in your surroundings don’t change your life directly; they change your life because they lead you to change your habits, thus the improvement of your life.And changing your habits takes months, not days. Developing a single habit takes more than a couple of months on average. That is, according to  the only widely quoted study  from the Europ ean Journal of Psychology about this subject. I think this study is overly optimistic because it was skewed toward success in laboratory conditions. In a real life, it takes even longer.And yes, a single habit. Every expert says that it’s exponentially easier to develop one habit at a time than two. Conclusion: you need at least a few months to improve your life.Of course, assuming your new habit has the life-changing capacity. It is one thing to start a private journal and write for five minutes a day, and another to start writing a book for two hours a day and then actually publish it.Usually, a single habit is not as influential and you need a synergy of several habits to convert it into a significant improvement of your life.How long does it REALLY take to improve your life?Exercise is a keystone habit, one of the two discovered by scientists looking for the first cause of permanent change in an individual’s behavior. A keystone habit is a habit that leads to a cascade of other positive actions. In other words, it leads you to develop more good habits, even without your conscious decision and seemingly without all the effort connoted with developing a new discipline. Brian Tracy explained it most aptly:“Keystone habits are habits that have a multiplier or a domino effect in your life.”If your intention is not set at the improvement of your whole life and if the scope of the habit is short of life-changing capacity, even introducing a keystone habit won’t help you improve your life fast.It took me about seven years.In 2006 I returned to my habit of doing a single consecutive series of pushups to the point of failure. I just wanted to lose some weight.Exercising was still a keystone habit and I developed more good habits without conscious reflection or much effort. In a few months, I coupled my morning workout with my morning prayer and that solidified both of the disciplines.A few years down the road I started using to-do lists and checklists to subdue the chaos of my daily responsibilities. I bought a pull-up bar and started doing pullups and chin-ups almost on everyday basis. At the beginning of 2012, I finally modified my diet into something healthier than the donuts I was so fond of.So I got 3-4 new good habits thanks to my exercise habit. T hey emerged spontaneously, exactly like a keystone habit works.The Improvement ProcessBut it took me six long years to arrive at this level. It also  prepared me for the message of The Slight Edge. You see, I always thought success was something grand, thus out of my reach. In his book, Jeff Olson explained that success is a few simple disciplines repeated over time.I was skeptical like hell, but I had a few experiences from my own life when I followed some small disciplines and succeeded. The most prominent and fresh one was my pushups habit. I didn’t lose weight, but my strength increased. My performance climbed over 300% in those six years. This experience made me think that maybe Olson wasn’t a self-help idiot guru and maybe I can succeed in my life.A year later, in August 2013, I had dozens of new daily habits and I started a new career;  I became a writer.It took me seven years since starting my first habit to get out of the life of a quiet desperation and actually doing s omething to improve my life.That’s LONG! But still only 18% of my lifespan as of today.And it took me FIVE more years to truly improve my life, not only myself.In the last five years I beat hundreds of fitness records, published 13 books, bought our first home, started an online coaching practice, passed a few exams and obtained a few professional certificates, wrote over 1,750,000 words, doubled my income, published over 1,000 answers  on Quora, sold tens of thousand copies of my books, changed a job, started a book advertising business, downsized my job to halftime… My life not only improved, it exploded.However, a few most impactful things from the above list happened in the last TWO years and the most significant ones â€" downsizing my day job and the success of my  Resurrecting Books service  â€" happened in the last year.And let us never slacken in doing good; for if we do not give up, we shall have our harvest in due time. â€" Galatians 6: 9It took me so much time to get where I am now. The journey was exhausting. If someone told me in 2006 that it would take me the next twelve years to “arrive” where I want to be, I don’t think I would have decided to go through this process.I remember how discouraged I was just two years ago. I had been on this journey for four years and it seemed like my efforts barely brought any fruits. I was stuck in my day job. My book sales dwindled to about 250 copies a month. My marriage was in shambles. I was out of steam. I had to draw from my salary to pay for the services needed for my side hustle. My bank account balance didn’t bring optimism.Four fricking years of hustling like crazy for very little reward.But I didn’t stop.So how long does it take to improve your life?Your whole life. This process never ends. If you want true satisfaction from life, you need to keep progressing. You will never “arrive.”Say farewell to the illusion that you will ever be fu lly content with your life. Nope. The whole joy comes from improving, not from improvements. Life is a process, not a destination.Accept that it will take years or decades to improve your life. It’s normal. Stories of overnight success are abnormal. They are carefully curated in media so the long journey seems like overnight success or they are simple aberrations.Don’t aim for overnight or overweek success. Overdecade success is much more likely, doable, durable, lasting, and frankly â€" more enjoyable.Change takes time. Suck it up. Keep going.Michal Stawicki is  a coach  and self-published author writing about how to ‘expand beyond your limits’ so you can regain control over your life (based on my personal experience).

How to Apologize in the Workplace

How to Apologize in the Workplace How to Apologize in the Workplace Apologies are always difficult, and this is especially true in the workplace. In an environment mixed with different personalities, where individual responsibility and ownership for a project’s success or failure are under constant scrutiny, knowing how to apologize for an error or offense is a skill within itself. But understanding when and how to apologize is not always clear. How: Apologize Face-to-Face Apologize in person, not over email. Face-to-face apologies are much more meaningful, and it is also easier to gauge emotion and acceptance of your amends if you can see the person. If the employee you need to apologize to is remote or in another office, ask if he or she has time for a chat via phone or video conference. Your ability to interpret this individual’s vocal tone and facial expressions are key to know whether he or she accepts your apology and how serious he or she considers the consequences of your error. While much of our communication today is centered around technology, an apology is something that is better when executed face-to-face. Prepare Beforehand Yes, you should prepare what you’ll say beforehand. Writing out what you hope to communicate will ensure you use the best words to convey the intended meaning and that nothing is lost in translation or left unsaid. You get one shot at apologizing. Sometimes when you are upset, you don’t phrase something as eloquently or you lose your train of thought. Compiling your thoughts beforehand can help you convey exactly what you’d like to say. Keep Your Composure Being able to keep your composure no matter the individual’s response to your apology is also a skill. Depending on the severity of your offense, it’s not guaranteed that an individual will accept your apology; others’ reactions are unpredictable. If you take the time to compose a well-thought out apology, you should maintain your composure no matter how this individual reacts. We are all human and make mistakes, and one hopes the individual receiving your apology will be forgiving with that idea in mind. While it’s difficult to know whether what you say will ensure an individual will accept your apology, you can use science to your advantage in phrasing your repent. According to research done by Peter H. Kim on the effects of an apology versus denial, which he summarizes in his article in The Washington Post, people are more likely to accept an apology about a bad decision that they think was made as a mistake. Few people take into account others’ perceptions before apologizing, which can be critical in framing your offense and subsequent apology in a way that the receiver is most likely to accept. Also, Kim’s research shows that you should ensure in wording your apology that the recipient knows the original offense was entirely unintentional and accidental because people will have more faith that the flaw will be corrected in the future. Crafting the Perfect Apology Each situation is unique, so every apology you ever make should be different. That said, three components should be included in every good apology. Be specific. All apologies should include a “what.” An apology is not meaningful unless the person knows what it’s in regards to. Convey how what you said or did was wrong. If you are apologizing, you should convey in a humble manner that you accept responsibility for a specific action or wrongdoing. Showing culpability is a sign of maturity and professionalism.This is also the time to consider specifying that the the bad decision was entirely a result of error, to combat any presumptions by the hurt individual that you did anything intentionally. Show forethought into the future listing alternatives for how you would handle a similar situation next time that show how you should have acted in the first place. This is the really satisfying part of your apology, and it may convey the most meaning because it shows you’ve put some thought into creating a change and that your apology isn’t just a retroactive approach. The apology template: I apologize for what. I realize now that how what you said or did was wrong. Next time, I will scenario for what you will do in the future. When: When An Individual Is Clearly Angry Sometimes it is difficult to gauge the gravity of your error or offense. Something you may consider a big deal another person will barely think twice about. So what do you do if you are unsure whether an action or wrongdoing merits an apology? Communication is the key. If you are really unsure if someone is angry about something you did, ask them. This can help put your unease to rest. And if you apologize and something is really not a big deal to that individual, at least you know it is out in open, and they will brush it off. And, yes, you should still apologize when you accidentally bump into someone in the hall. You Missed a Deadline There are several reasons an apology could be necessary. While many companies have loose deadlines that are frequently pushed back, if you forgot about or failed to meet an important deadline on a large project, an apology is probably needed. This is especially true if someone was counting on you to deliver by a certain date and you promised to do so. Your Action or Error Led to Substantial Consequences While every role and industry is different, if you made an error where you incorrectly conveyed information, such as calculations on published data or information sent to the wrong people, it is worth apologizing for this mistake. If you made an error on one component of a project that led to further fallout because someone relied on your information for the larger assignment, or if your mistake affected the quality of another individual’s work, a mature apology is in order. You should also consider apologizing if you took an action that went against direct orders that led to negative consequences. You Offended Someone If you said something that offended someone, it is worth apologizing to help clear the air with this individual. If you have an ongoing working relationship with the person you offended, it is better to act quickly in correcting an offense than have it linger and tarnish a relationship and cause resentment. Avoid: Over-Apologizing If you are overridden with guilt or anxiety about an especially significant goof, you may feel compelled to apologize more than once. Don’t do it. One well-worded apology is much better received and meaningful than a few that contain tears, jumbled words and lack of composure. Over-apologizing can also lead to more harm, as the event can become a much larger ordeal than it was originally if you continue to mention it. Saying “I’m Sorry” While it never crosses the minds of most individuals, there is a difference between “I apologize” and “I’m sorry.” The word “apologize” is used in a more intellectual capacity. If you can avoid using the phrasing “I’m sorry” your apology will be taken more seriously in a professional capacity. “Sorries” are for when an individual is experiencing sorrow and is a word charged with emotion and empathy. It is more appropriate to use when someone has experienced a death in the family or accident, not for the workplace. Your wording in apologizing is key to convey the correct meaning. Being Passive-Aggressive “Geez, I apologize!” â€" Apologizing doesn’t necessarily mean you are being sincere. Pay close attention to your vocal tone, and if you are angry about something, avoid apologizing until you calm down. The worst thing you can do is apologize in a passive-aggressive manner because this will intensify the annoyance and anger of the other individual. It can also signal that your decision could have been intentional, which would really exacerbate an already tense situation. Making Excuses An apology full of excuses comes across as defensive and insincere. There is a difference between explaining the rationale behind your actions and simply listing excuses for the error. While apologies are difficult, this important component of communication can actually help strengthen relationships and showcase maturity in the long run.

5 Things to Ask During Your Performance Review - The Muse

5 Things to Ask During Your Performance Review - The Muse 5 Things to Ask During Your Performance Review What are you hoping to get out of your next performance review? A raise- or maybe a promotion? Glowing reviews and a perfect 5-out-of-5 ranking on every category HR asked your manager to review you in? Well, sure. But there are a few less-often-thought-about pieces of information you’ll want out of your review, too. You don’t get the chance to sit down with your boss and get a brain dump of feedback on your performance very often, so make sure you’re using your review to your maximum advantage. Before you leave your boss’ office, make sure you’ve asked for these five pieces of information. 1. Your Growth Areas Yes, an all-around glowing review will make you feel good and give you a nice ego boost for the day. But even if you’ve done nothing but kick ass at your job all year long, you’re probably not at the absolute apex of your career, and that means that there’s a “next step” for you. So figure out what it is- and ask what you need to focus on to get there. Whether it’s management training, learning a new technical skill, or taking on higher-profile projects, there is almost certainly something you still need to do to grow professionally and move forward. Truthfully, naming your “growth areas” can be a tough one for managers. If your boss does have critical feedback, it’s not always easy to deliver well. And if you’ve done a great job, she might be content to give you the “great job!” review, and not have thought through what constructive advice she can also give. So, if your boss isn’t upfront with some specific growth areas, prod her along. Ideally, she should give you 2-3 things to focus on for the coming 3-6 months. Ask: “Are there specific skills you’d like to see me grow?” “What do you see as the next steps in my career growth?” 2. Your Goals for the Future In addition to figuring out what skills you should be working on, make sure you’re crystal clear on the concrete goals your boss wants you to meet in the next month, three months, six months, and year. After all, you can’t meet or exceed your boss’ expectations if you don’t know what they are.Also, when your next review comes around, it’ll be helpful for her and you alike to have specific goals to look back at, so you can point to the specific things you’ve achieved. Ask: “What would you like to see from me by our next performance conversation?” or “I want to make sure I’m focused on the right goals. How are you thinking about measuring my success in the future?” 3. The Timeline for Raises, Bonuses, or Promotions Unfortunately, your review isn’t always the time for a raise, bonus, or promotion- but it is the time to ask about next steps toward getting there. Use your review as an opportunity to let your boss know how committed you are to your growth within the company- and, once you’ve talked about your goals and performance, to ask about a specific timeline for getting to that next step. Ask: “I’m really enjoying my position and growth within the company. What timeline are you thinking about in terms of raises or promotions, and what can I do to get there?” 4. The Timing of Your Next Review (Both Formal and Informal) When it comes to tracking your growth at work, your annual performance review is helpful- but it isn’t enough. Ideally, you should be meeting with your boss quarterly (if not more frequently) to discuss your performance and how you’re doing towards your agreed-upon goals. If your next touch point is more than six months out, ask for an informal check-in sooner. You want to make sure you know how you’re doing in your boss’ eyes, and give yourself plenty of time before your next review to improve on any areas where you could be doing better. Plus, these sort of informal conversations can also be a great launching point for taking on new projects or responsibilities mid-year, which will only help when your next review comes up. Ask: “What timeline did you have in mind for our next informal check in or formal review?” “A year is a long way out- could we schedule something sooner? I’d love to make sure I’m on the right track, throughout the course of the year.” 5. Other People You Should Be Reviewed By Finally, while your review is probably handled by your boss, review season can also be a great time to get feedback from others you work with- your boss’ boss, other managers on your team, clients, or anyone you informally report to. Use your review as a place to ask where else you can get additional feedback. Asking for more feedback shows that you’re committed not only to impressing your manager, but to being an integral part of the entire organization. Plus, having those conversations will give you a better and more holistic idea of how you’re perceived and how you’re doing at your organization. (That said, while it’s great to get feedback from others, make sure you’re spending most of your time and energy working toward the goals of the person in charge of your success- your boss.) Ask: “Is there anyone else it would be valuable for me to check in with and get feedback from?” Yes, your performance review is the time for your boss to tell you how you’ve done in the past year, but it’s also the time for you to plan for success in the future. So, use it to your advantage- and make sure you come out of it knowing what you need to get to the next level.